Simple Randomness

Thoughts On Organic Foods

I’m all about eating healthier, but sometimes I wonder if going “organic” is really worth it. The other day my wife and I were looking around an organic grocery store and trying to decide if that would be the smart thing to do.

I guess the thing I wonder sometimes is if there are different levels of ‘organic’. Does it always mean that there are no chemicals used? Or are there some less harmful ones that can be used to still keep the vegetables and fruits bug free.

I will say though, I’m not overly impressed with the standard produce that I always get at the local grocery store. So if organic food really does taste better and in the end is a lot better for me, I’d probably make the switch.

I’m also a believer that it’s a good idea to eat as few processed foods as you can. I’m not talking about being a fanatic and avoiding all processed foods all together, but I do believe that’s one of the reasons why we have such an obesity problem in this country.

Anyone else have some thoughts on going organic?

So Good to Be Working Out Again

I know I already wrote about this recently, but it’s so good to be working out again!  Things were so crazy for awhile there that I wasn’t able to do it.  I seriously forgot how much I used to enjoy working out, and now that I’m going again I’m quickly remembering!

My goal for this summer is actually to try and bulk up a little bit.  You see, I’ve always been one of the skinny guys, ‘ectomorph’ for those of you that know the term.  So sometime in my life I think I’d like to stop being just the bean pole.  Maybe this is the summer that I make something happen!

Hopefully my wife and I will also be able to get some roller blades soon and I’ll be able to do that from time to time as a cardio workout.  To be honest, I’m really looking forward to this summer!

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Ok, I couldn’t help it. It’s just such a nice day outside that I had to start this post out that way.

I’ve decided lately that I need to get out and enjoy nature more. I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to do it, I just know that I need to. In fact, last week I needed to go to the bank during work. The nice thing is that a branch of my bank is just down the street. So normally I’m in such a hurry that I’ll drive down there anyway, but last week I decided to walk. I’m glad I did!

So here are some other things I’m going to do this year to get outside more:

• If I have a long break, try to step outside and take even a 5 minute walk (unless of course it’s 100 degrees outside…).
• Go on more walks with my wife and kids.
• Go on a good hike this summer.
• Get rollerblades and go rollerblading with my wife.

Any other ideas?

Back to the Gym

Ahh…. I finally made it back to the gym yesterday and had a great workout! With the baby being born, wife going through surgury, and all that other crazy stuff I haven’t been inside a gym since January!

So now I remember what it feels like to do squats and then not feel the pain until the next day. I’ve always wondered about that, but this time I knew that I’d be sore. But it was worth it!

Honestly I really enjoy working out. Currently I’ll probably only be able to go twice a week, but I have to admit that I’ve missed it. I’ve been doing my best to still get in a workout by doing pushups or using resistance bands, but it really just isn’t the same. One thing I’ve learned though is that you can at least still keep getting exercise when you don’t have access to a gym, you just have to make it happen!

Still Never Want to be in the Hospital

So the other day my wife had to have an Endoscopy done so we could find out why she’s still having some abdominal pains. An endoscopy is where they put you under, then shove a tiny camera down your throat to take a look at your stomach and small intestines. The good news is that they found out what the problem is and my wife was so excited to find out that she has a ulcer!

I’m serious when I say she was excited. She was excited because now she finally knows what’s going on. It’s now a joke at home that I never thought anyone could be excited to have an ulcer!

So this whole ordeal again confirms that I never want to have to go to the hospital for myself. It also confirms that I don’t think I would be cut out to be a good doctor. We saw the pictures that they took, and honestly it’s not a pretty picture. Not my type of thing…

I Really Need to Work on My Posture

I’ve realized that I slouch a lot.  And I think that it’s starting to take its toll…  So what I’m trying to do right now (right now meaning for the next couple of days or so) is notice when I slouch and try to correct it.

For one, I think I need to raise my monitor or something.  I think that is contributing to the problem at least in a small way.  I could probably use a more comfortable chair, but I don’t know how much that would really help.  And I think I also just need to work on posture when I’m doing other things like driving, walking, etc.  Last thing I want to do when I get older is become a hunch back because I hunched over so much!

Any tips on correcting posture?  I really don’t want to go to a chiropractor cause I’m not a big believer in what they do.  Sure the popping feels good for a minute or two, but does it really do anything long-term?  Try getting in a conversation about that with my dad sometime.  He’s a doctor so he’ll be very convincing that it doesn’t help a lot..  Anyway, I’m open for ideas!

I’m Setting Some Basic Exercise Goals

I used to go to the gym a couple of times a week and really enjoyed it.  But since having a new baby and my wife getting her gallbladder out I haven’t really had a lot of time to get the exercise that I’d like to.

But I’m not giving up my goal of building a better body!

So, I’ve decided to take on a new challenge.  I’m back on my no candy goal (I wrote about that previously, but didn’t make the 3 months )  and I’m going to start doing at least some sort of exercise every day.  Yesterday I did 60 pushups during the day, today I’m going to do 60 situps throughout the day.  I also picked up a set of elastic bands that I can use to do some exercises as well.  And maybe to mix things up I’ll do some yoga here and there.

Health is very important to me, and honestly I’ve been trying to do better at exercising for a couple of years now.  Well, this is the year!

By the way, if any of you buy bodybuilding supplements like creatine and whey, you should check out the site SupplementPricing.com.  They do price comparisons on a lot of supplements so you get the best deal.  Just a side note!

I Never Want to Have Surgery

I mentioned last week that my wife was going to have her gallbladder out. This week I’ve been helping her to recover from the surgery and while helping her I’ve come to the conclusion that I never want to have surgery.

In fact, I never want to have to stay in the hospital for anything if I can help it. Now, I’m not saying that if I needed to I wouldn’t go to the hospital. But I plan on staying healthy! To this day I’ve never broken a bone, and really the only reason I have ever gone to the hospital for myself was to have an MRI done on my knee.

Some may say that if you’ve never broken a bone, you’ve never had any real fun. I would have to disagree! Maybe I’ve just been lucky not to have any major injuries. Here are a few example of times I’ve been very lucky:

• Stretched out and almost tore my ACL playing soccer
• Fell off a platform and almost got impaled on a 2 foot wooden stake (just barely missed it)
• Ran into another waverunner with my waverunner on the lake
• Fel into a small snow ravine on a snow mobile (about 5 feet deep is all)
• Numerous wipe outs on water skis and alpine skis
• Hit several curbs driving in the snow
• and more

So I think I’m still having fun. I just don’t like seeing my wife go through this, so I hope that our roles are never switched.

I Could Use a New Bed…

I’m starting to realize that I could really use a new bed.  My wife and I are still sleeping on the same mattress that we bought when we first got married almost 6 years ago.  I guess the normal lifespan of a mattress is supposed to be 10 years or so, but I’m thinking that only counts when you buy a high quality mattress.  Ours doesn’t fit that description!

So now I’m starting to think about some of the options out there.  Here are a couple that I’ve thought of:

• Sleep number
• Memory foam mattress
• Latex mattress

Granted I need to research each of these more, but I’m leaning more towards the Sleep Number or a memory foam mattress.  If anybody has any recommendations, I’d love to hear them!  I guess they all have their benefits and I’ll really need to research them more to decide what to do.  That and save up the money cause the good beds sure are pricey!

Going Off Candy!

Ok, so one of my themes this year is to get in the best shape of my life.  So as one of the goals that will move me towards that end I’m going off candy.  Honestly, my wife and I have made this decision several times in the last couple of years.  I think the best we ever did was 5 months.  Our current goal is to go for the next 3 months.

So here’s the plan:

• no buying extra junk food candy for myself at any time in the next 3 months
• if there is cake at a family party, eat in moderation (no seconds, and only small portions!)
• I’m also going to cut out non-diet soft drinks (unless I just have to get some caffeine to keep going - the subplan there is to get enough sleep so this isn’t a problem)

It’s a simple thing really, and after all of the junk that I ate the last two weeks I’m very encouraged to make this step.  Anyone else want to join in the fun?

This is quite the change for me, and I’m planning on making it a long term change this time.  In high school it was very common for me to eat a pound of skittles a week.  You think I’d get sick of them, but they are still my favorite candy.  But I’m willing to give them up!