Have a Blessed day!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Let’s get fit together!
This blog entry was written and designed to assist my friends and loved ones in their weight loss and healthy lifestyle goals. It is not meant to criticize, but support...Enjoy (there’s music at the end)!
So, I’m fat.
I’m not Mr. Man-boobs…anymore.
I’m not can’t-see-my-feet fat.
I’m not bury-me-in-a-piano-crate fat.
But, according to this website, I am fat…obese actually:
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ It tracks your BMI, or Basal Metabolic Index.
However, take heart, everyone…heck, take heart pills, if you need to; the website does state that, though the BMI is pretty accurate, there is mitigation regarding musculature, as muscle weighs more than fat. Quite a good website with great information, really.
That being said, as my birthday approached last year, I became tired of being twice the man I used to be. So, on my birthday, I found myself in the offices of Dr. James Martin, a physician who specializes in weight loss. My overall goal was to lose 50lbs altogether. As success towards one’s objectives is best assured when smaller, more attainable goals are set, I made a plan. 20 lbs down by Christmas, and then 5 pounds per month until I’ve reached my goal, which I felt would be in early to mid Summer.
Well, it’s mid-April, and I am at 198 pounds. I am not complaining, because I was stuck at 201lbs for a few weeks. Any progress, especially at a sustainable rate of a couple pounds per week, is good. At any rate, it is time to lift a little less, and cardio it up; a couple more elliptical sessions per week are in order.
Of course, the number one component of weight loss is caloric intake. Plain and simple, one must burn more calories than one takes in. This deficit creates weight loss. The inverse combination creates… man-boobs…and love handles…and a higher dress size…and muffin tops. I’m guessing you get it?
Bottom line: eat less, move more. Easy for me to type, right?
A really good way to keep track of your calories is by using this website:
http://www.fitday.com/
On FitDay, one can put in all that they have eaten for the day to calibrate calories, thus helping to ensure one stays within the recommended guidelines.
For example, my favorite steaming bowl of Pho, with the necessary sauces, is around 400 calories. Not bad. But, of course, Denny, Matt and Paul, and I usually must get some egg rolls (chả giò) and/or spring rolls (gỏi cuốn) . Getting hungry yet?
I guess my first point is, knowledge is power. Know what you’re putting in your mouth.
If you don’t know how many calories you can take in and still lose weight, go here:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/calories-needed.htm
My second point is, pay attention to your body. If your clothes are getting tight, start moving. Nothing super strenuous. Take it easy. Start slow. Go here for ideas:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exbeginners/a/begcardio.htm
If your muscles are sagging, and you need ideas, go here:
http://www.weight-lifting-exercise.com/
I do ramble on, don’t I? Well, enough for now. Let’s get fit. I’ll be back later with my weight loss progress. For now, here’s some inspiration (I hope):
Cheesy, I know!
So, I’m fat.
I’m not Mr. Man-boobs…anymore.
I’m not can’t-see-my-feet fat.
I’m not bury-me-in-a-piano-crate fat.
But, according to this website, I am fat…obese actually:
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ It tracks your BMI, or Basal Metabolic Index.
However, take heart, everyone…heck, take heart pills, if you need to; the website does state that, though the BMI is pretty accurate, there is mitigation regarding musculature, as muscle weighs more than fat. Quite a good website with great information, really.
That being said, as my birthday approached last year, I became tired of being twice the man I used to be. So, on my birthday, I found myself in the offices of Dr. James Martin, a physician who specializes in weight loss. My overall goal was to lose 50lbs altogether. As success towards one’s objectives is best assured when smaller, more attainable goals are set, I made a plan. 20 lbs down by Christmas, and then 5 pounds per month until I’ve reached my goal, which I felt would be in early to mid Summer.
Well, it’s mid-April, and I am at 198 pounds. I am not complaining, because I was stuck at 201lbs for a few weeks. Any progress, especially at a sustainable rate of a couple pounds per week, is good. At any rate, it is time to lift a little less, and cardio it up; a couple more elliptical sessions per week are in order.
Of course, the number one component of weight loss is caloric intake. Plain and simple, one must burn more calories than one takes in. This deficit creates weight loss. The inverse combination creates… man-boobs…and love handles…and a higher dress size…and muffin tops. I’m guessing you get it?
Bottom line: eat less, move more. Easy for me to type, right?
A really good way to keep track of your calories is by using this website:
http://www.fitday.com/
On FitDay, one can put in all that they have eaten for the day to calibrate calories, thus helping to ensure one stays within the recommended guidelines.
For example, my favorite steaming bowl of Pho, with the necessary sauces, is around 400 calories. Not bad. But, of course, Denny, Matt and Paul, and I usually must get some egg rolls (chả giò) and/or spring rolls (gỏi cuốn) . Getting hungry yet?
I guess my first point is, knowledge is power. Know what you’re putting in your mouth.
If you don’t know how many calories you can take in and still lose weight, go here:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/calories-needed.htm
My second point is, pay attention to your body. If your clothes are getting tight, start moving. Nothing super strenuous. Take it easy. Start slow. Go here for ideas:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exbeginners/a/begcardio.htm
If your muscles are sagging, and you need ideas, go here:
http://www.weight-lifting-exercise.com/
I do ramble on, don’t I? Well, enough for now. Let’s get fit. I’ll be back later with my weight loss progress. For now, here’s some inspiration (I hope):
Cheesy, I know!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Do “chick flicks” really exist?
As most of my friends and family are acutely aware, I am a cinephile. A film fan. A movie buff. I likes them movin’ pictures! In fact, my friends Denny and Alicia feel that I like them too much. They have often stated that there is no film that I do not like. Of course, this is patently untrue (I hated Attack of the Killer Tomatoes 2). So, I have seen thousands, if not tens of thousands of films, and, I must admit, do tend to have overwhelmingly positive feelings towards them. Most are mediocre; many are good; some are great; and a few are just classic. But, I digress. In viewing all of these films, I have come across many movies classified within the sub-genre known as “chick flicks.”
We have all heard this term; but what does it mean? Based on my research, the general consensus is that a chick flick is a film which:
1) “primarily appeals to teenage girls and young women.”
2) “are typically perky, upbeat, modern, and post-feminist in tone, although some movies do have sad and dramatic elements.”
3) “[and whose] female characters are usually strong women who overcome adversity to reach their goals. The key to a successful chick flick is a message of female empowerment…”
Okay…let’s take these one by one. A chick flick “primarily appeals to teenage girls and young women.” I really don’t think that’s true. Some of the most commercially successful chick flicks of the last few years have starred…Jack Nicholson (not a teenage girl or a young woman…). Something’s Gotta Give made $266 million. As Good As It Gets made $314 million. Both films are romantic dramedies (a variation on the romantic comedy, a chick flick sub-sub-genre) about love between Jack (who is 71) and Diane Keaton (who is 63) and Helen Hunt (who is 45), respectively. Another dramedy, What Women Want, again stars Helen Hunt, who is romanced by Mel Gibson (who is 53). These are not young people, people! Okay, so that part of the definition holds no water.
The second and third parts of the definition state that chick flicks “are typically perky, upbeat, modern, and post-feminist in tone, although some movies do have sad and dramatic elements.” This really means NOTHING. Most films are either “perky [or] upbeat,” or “have sad and dramatic elements.” They are called comedies and dramas. That describes approx 80% of movies made. As far as being “post-feminist,” what does that mean? Dictionary.com says that it is “pertaining to attitudes and beliefs formed after the feminist movement started in the 1960s.” Also, our definition says that chick flicks contain “strong women who overcome adversity to reach their goals.”
Okay so, every movie with a strong female lead character after the 1960s is a chick flick? Alien is a chick flick? Kill Bill, Volumes I and II are chick flicks? The Exorcist is a chick flick? Election and The Terminator are chick flicks? I think one would have a difficult time getting someone to agree with that.
Basically, movies are for everyone. Saying that a chick flick is female-centered and about emotions and feelings is insulting; men have feelings and emotions too! Besides, ALL films are about emotions and feelings; movies are supposed to make you feel. Plus, it does not matter the gender of the lead character in the film, it is what they do that counts. All three Terminator films, both Kill Bill films, and all four Alien films have strong female leads. None would be considered a chick flick. The romantic comedies What Women Want, As Good As It Gets, Tootsie, When Harry met Sally, Knotting Hill, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall are all romantic comedies (or dramedy), which is a chick flick sub-genre, but all of these films tell the male side of the story.
So, what is a chick flick? You tell me.
Anyway, here’s some music for you guys, as a reward for reading my ranting! God bless you!
Count 'em! 8 songs from the 80s the price of one!!!
We have all heard this term; but what does it mean? Based on my research, the general consensus is that a chick flick is a film which:
1) “primarily appeals to teenage girls and young women.”
2) “are typically perky, upbeat, modern, and post-feminist in tone, although some movies do have sad and dramatic elements.”
3) “[and whose] female characters are usually strong women who overcome adversity to reach their goals. The key to a successful chick flick is a message of female empowerment…”
Okay…let’s take these one by one. A chick flick “primarily appeals to teenage girls and young women.” I really don’t think that’s true. Some of the most commercially successful chick flicks of the last few years have starred…Jack Nicholson (not a teenage girl or a young woman…). Something’s Gotta Give made $266 million. As Good As It Gets made $314 million. Both films are romantic dramedies (a variation on the romantic comedy, a chick flick sub-sub-genre) about love between Jack (who is 71) and Diane Keaton (who is 63) and Helen Hunt (who is 45), respectively. Another dramedy, What Women Want, again stars Helen Hunt, who is romanced by Mel Gibson (who is 53). These are not young people, people! Okay, so that part of the definition holds no water.
The second and third parts of the definition state that chick flicks “are typically perky, upbeat, modern, and post-feminist in tone, although some movies do have sad and dramatic elements.” This really means NOTHING. Most films are either “perky [or] upbeat,” or “have sad and dramatic elements.” They are called comedies and dramas. That describes approx 80% of movies made. As far as being “post-feminist,” what does that mean? Dictionary.com says that it is “pertaining to attitudes and beliefs formed after the feminist movement started in the 1960s.” Also, our definition says that chick flicks contain “strong women who overcome adversity to reach their goals.”
Okay so, every movie with a strong female lead character after the 1960s is a chick flick? Alien is a chick flick? Kill Bill, Volumes I and II are chick flicks? The Exorcist is a chick flick? Election and The Terminator are chick flicks? I think one would have a difficult time getting someone to agree with that.
Basically, movies are for everyone. Saying that a chick flick is female-centered and about emotions and feelings is insulting; men have feelings and emotions too! Besides, ALL films are about emotions and feelings; movies are supposed to make you feel. Plus, it does not matter the gender of the lead character in the film, it is what they do that counts. All three Terminator films, both Kill Bill films, and all four Alien films have strong female leads. None would be considered a chick flick. The romantic comedies What Women Want, As Good As It Gets, Tootsie, When Harry met Sally, Knotting Hill, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall are all romantic comedies (or dramedy), which is a chick flick sub-genre, but all of these films tell the male side of the story.
So, what is a chick flick? You tell me.
Anyway, here’s some music for you guys, as a reward for reading my ranting! God bless you!
Count 'em! 8 songs from the 80s the price of one!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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