I am starting the new year with two new certifications: Registered Dietitian from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly American Dietetic Association) and Health Fitness Specialist from the American College of Sports Medicine.

I also start the year as a Clinical Specialist of Health, Nutrition, and Weight Management.

Not such a bad thing. Could be the makings of one great year.

Here's hoping yours is just as optimistic!

Longevity

Today I wrote an article about longevity. I don't want to live forever, I just want to be healthy and happy until I get to the end of my life. Eating a good diet increases my chances, but it doesn't mean I adhere to a strict diet. On the contrary, I think I push my dietary boundaries pretty far. Food is closely related to emotion and I, like many other people I know, am an emotional eater. When I get stressed I want simple carbs: sugar! or salt! Yogurt-covered pretzels get me through a lot of hard times. They are just sweet enough and just salty enough to satisfy my needs. They are not on the Mediterranean diet, I'm pretty sure. But they are on the I'm-stressed-and-hungry diet for sure.

Let's exercise. Amen.

The Saturday 5K

Just finished running the South-Nash-Dash 5K. It's a cool little run near where I live. The turnout wasn't great but there was great camaraderie among the runners who were there. Funny that one sponsor was giving out free beer before the run started! Not sure I could do that. In fact, I didn't see anyone partaking!

It's always nice to see a community doing an activity together, especially fitness oriented. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. We're all neighbors and if you want your picture taken near the finish line, I'm glad to take your camera and do it. A healthy environment lends itself to healthy inhabitants. I am just a lucky man to be part of it.

Chest Workout

I wrote an article for a certain website today about the Best Chest Workout Period. Unfortunately the editor did not see eye-to-eye with me about what the article should say. Anyway, I'm sure the editor's points were valid so I changed it. But, if anyone wants the BEST chest workout period, let me know! I have it already written!

Enjoy Thursday.....

Becoming Registered

Passed the RD exam yesterday, so I am officially a dietitian. What a long, strange trip it's been from there to here. I will be putting links to my www.livestrong.com articles here too. This year is half over and I'm just now getting started.

That exam was crazy. I studied for months and memorized volumes and none of what I studied or memorized was on the test. I guess that's life, but I spent many a grieving hour memorizing TPN formulas and working equations only to have none of that on my test. To all new dietetic interns and recent grads, good luck! I am excited about the future but that test left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Summertime...and the livin’ is breezy....

Seems like Mr. Summer just came in, sat on top of Mr. Spring, and won’t leave. It’s hot and dry. My ambitions of long runs seem to be melting in the heat of the asphalt.

It’s important for diabetics to exercise and eat right. Ok, it’s important for everyone to exercise and eat right, but especially diabetics. Eating right can be as challenging as working out, especially if you’re fond of eating in restaurants. The question gets asked: what’s better: eating out or eating frozen dinners? Well, that’s a good question.

The answer is: Neither. And both. Restaurant food can be full of hidden fats and sugars and lots of sodium. Frozen dinners are notoriously high in sodium. On the other hand, many restaurants are more than happy to accommodate special requests. You have to ask! Tell them you’re diabetic (or don’t want your food overly salted and/or buttered) and if it’s not the way you want it, send it back!

Frozen foods can also be a good option, if you choose carefully. Be one of those label readers who drive you crazy in the grocery store! Once you become one, you’ll learn to be more patient and understanding of those who do. I do. I look for low sodium and lower fat. Generally, an ‘organic’ label will have healthier ingredients.

Another option is: just buy some fresh fruits and vegetables. Making your own vegetable soup is a great way to get all your veggies. Plan some time to make a large pot and then refrigerate or freeze the rest. In the time it takes you to heat a frozen dinner, you can heat some pre-made soup and have a really healthy meal.

Good luck!

Here come the veggies!

It won't be much longer until the freshly-grown fruits and vegetables start appearing around here. I can't wait. Fresh vine-grown tomatoes are the stuff of dreams. Throw in some okra, some carrots, some green beans, mix it all up and call it a meal.

Guidelines recommend we eat at least two cups of fruit and two-and-a-half cups of veggies every day. That's a minimum. A serving is about a half-cup, so it may sound like a lot of fruits and veggies but it's not. I like to find what's in season in the produce isle and fill my grocery cart. Although, bananas are so convenient, I almost always have them around. A big banana is almost a cup when it's sliced so there's two servings there.

Remember that exercise is so important in a healthy lifestyle. Combine exercise with plenty of fruits and vegetables and watch the healthy results happen!

What better time of year to begin improving a healthy lifestyle than now? What better time to begin than today?

Go do it! Now!