I have been reading The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. It is a famous book and espouses the premise that God does not exist, as it cannot be proven by scientific methods. A simplistic explanation of a wordy tome which does not do it justice. I am not writing to review it, so if you want to know what it is fully about, buy a copy and read it!
As it happens, he is, in my case, "preaching to the converted".
I have been an atheist from as early as I can remember. I may have attended some religious education when I was small and attended organised religious services but I instinctively felt from the early age that a supreme being was not something I could believe in or all the religious ceremony and teachings that went with it . Of course I was far to young to understand any of the arguments and certainly had no conception of Atheism.
My attitude has never changed and indeed as I became more educated and found out more about the world and the myriad of religions that existed (some have actually come into being in my lifetime!) my view only strengthened. I will not in this scribbling go into any one religion or any of the established debates, about how much death and devastation religion has caused, nor am I going to enter the well known path of creationism and evolution. These are subjects that far more educated and wiser men and women than me, have written about and discussed for decades. Just so you know I nail my colours firmly to evolution.
This is my view, how can anyone espouse the existence of a God (whichever one it is) when there is absolutely NO evidence to support that existence. Faith alone, for me, is not sufficient to sustain a belief in a supreme being, with no proof. For me it is obvious, like all natures creatures we live and then we die, end of story.
Naturally I understand humans desire to believe that there is something more once they die and perhaps there is even a need programmed in the brain. This need for something greater than what we have is an understandable one, it is natural for humans to call upon a greater force in order to help them get through bad time, good times and their daily lives.
Early humans can be forgiven for believing in all sorts of diverse "Gods", for many separate purposes but we now live in the 21st century, we are more educated and understand better than at any time in history the nature of the universe. In all of the vast research and scientific discovery that humans have made there is not one shred of proof of a supreme being, none!
I am an atheist and I would like to see this debate out in the open? Why does religion have this precious protection, that cannot be critiqued, why can people not be blasphemous? Why is my right to preach what I believe any less important than religion? If religion is really secure in it's beliefs why can it not be questioned? Why am I asking all these rhetorical questions?
If anybody can ever prove to me the true existence of a supreme being, I will eat my words gladly and be delighted to accept that I am wrong! However I have been alive for almost 60 years and I seriously, seriously, doubt such a thing will come to pass.
Just as an aside. One of my pet hates about spell checkers on the Internet is that they are american english! I am English and speak and write the english language in it's proper mother tongue!
SIR GUESTLING THORN: - The thoughts of my alto ego I have opinions on everthing and am not afraid to express them I hope for more kindness and joy in the world!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Weight Loss
I left for my holidays in June. Off to Crete we went, as we do every year, it is our favourite place in the world. We have been going for about the last 10 years and fallen in love with the place and the people. We have many friends there and our closest are Costos and Thalia. They and their family are wonderful hard working people who love life and each other. We have much in common and fortunately for us their English is far better than our Greek!
Costos has a straight forward manner and as he only sees me twice a year, immediately notices any changes.
Now I have been getting steadily fatter for some years, I am fit but like so many middle age men am a to round in the middle. I am well aware of it and naturally believe I can do something about it and anyway it is not "too bad"! One can always fool oneself! As I have previously mentioned, my wife Wendy is a Fitness Consultant and an expert of weight loss but of course familiarity means I take little notice of her expertise because I always know better!
Back to Costos. After our initial greetings and the pleasantries of seeing each other again, Costos looked at me and said "Paul you are too round". It is strange what triggers a shift in attitude and a change in your life but this single comment did it for me! (Costos would be the first to admit that he is a little too round himself!!)
Upon my return (early July), I was determined to shed weight. a few statistics, Height just under 5' 7", weight at the time 105 kilos, age 59. I set no targets, my only aim was to eat better and take more exercise. Our eating habits were not terrible, we do not eat a lot of crap and we both exercise regularly. However, we did drink wine a couple of evenings a week and I partook of too many pieces of toast and peanut butter and a few other "in between" snacks.
Today, I am a few weeks older and I am no taller but I now weigh 95.1 kilos!
How did I do it? Simple and as anyone who knows me or my writings, simple is my watchword, I eat less and more healthy and exercised more. Of course it is a little more scientific than that but essentially thats what happened.
Lets put some "meat on the bones", if you will pardon the phrase. Wendy and I have never held much enthusiasm for supplements, especially branded store bought products. We were cynical. With the intention of increasing our business activities to provide weight coaching and expand Wendy's existing Personal Training, she suggested that we try a supplement protein drink! We ordered and upon receiving the tub and eagerly tried some (vanilla flavour), although we mix it with fruit, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, peaches and other varieties. It is delicious! More importantly it does take the place of a meal ! We have one for breakfast or lunch and then eat accordingly around that choice. I have cut out the toast and peanut butter, although I still have toast now and then. Lots of salad, we love salad anyway, so it's not difficult. With things like bolognese and chilli, we have cut out the spaghetti and rice, instead we serve it on a bed of spinach. No alcohol. It takes a little effort and we do think about what we are going to consume but that is part of the fun and it is fun if it works and you get the results. I exercise about five days a week not necessarily in a gym, as my previous blog describes, I like cycling.
I am continuing to shed the weight, I obviously look slimmer both in the body and the face. I feel great, healthy, fitter and I have a sense of achievement, that I have not felt for a long time! My brain has re-trained itself and expects less food. Do not think however, that i do not have days when I get hungry or want to snack and I still do on the odd day but we are only human, so I don't beat myself up over it. I know now I have discipline of mind and stomach.
Now I am lucky, why, because I am have great willpower, once my mind is made up. I suspect most of us do, it is the trigger, push, encouragement, need or which ever motivation you require to get started that counts.
So thank you Costos and we cannot wait to hear wht he has to say when we return in October?
Costos has a straight forward manner and as he only sees me twice a year, immediately notices any changes.
Now I have been getting steadily fatter for some years, I am fit but like so many middle age men am a to round in the middle. I am well aware of it and naturally believe I can do something about it and anyway it is not "too bad"! One can always fool oneself! As I have previously mentioned, my wife Wendy is a Fitness Consultant and an expert of weight loss but of course familiarity means I take little notice of her expertise because I always know better!
Back to Costos. After our initial greetings and the pleasantries of seeing each other again, Costos looked at me and said "Paul you are too round". It is strange what triggers a shift in attitude and a change in your life but this single comment did it for me! (Costos would be the first to admit that he is a little too round himself!!)
Upon my return (early July), I was determined to shed weight. a few statistics, Height just under 5' 7", weight at the time 105 kilos, age 59. I set no targets, my only aim was to eat better and take more exercise. Our eating habits were not terrible, we do not eat a lot of crap and we both exercise regularly. However, we did drink wine a couple of evenings a week and I partook of too many pieces of toast and peanut butter and a few other "in between" snacks.
Today, I am a few weeks older and I am no taller but I now weigh 95.1 kilos!
How did I do it? Simple and as anyone who knows me or my writings, simple is my watchword, I eat less and more healthy and exercised more. Of course it is a little more scientific than that but essentially thats what happened.
Lets put some "meat on the bones", if you will pardon the phrase. Wendy and I have never held much enthusiasm for supplements, especially branded store bought products. We were cynical. With the intention of increasing our business activities to provide weight coaching and expand Wendy's existing Personal Training, she suggested that we try a supplement protein drink! We ordered and upon receiving the tub and eagerly tried some (vanilla flavour), although we mix it with fruit, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, peaches and other varieties. It is delicious! More importantly it does take the place of a meal ! We have one for breakfast or lunch and then eat accordingly around that choice. I have cut out the toast and peanut butter, although I still have toast now and then. Lots of salad, we love salad anyway, so it's not difficult. With things like bolognese and chilli, we have cut out the spaghetti and rice, instead we serve it on a bed of spinach. No alcohol. It takes a little effort and we do think about what we are going to consume but that is part of the fun and it is fun if it works and you get the results. I exercise about five days a week not necessarily in a gym, as my previous blog describes, I like cycling.
I am continuing to shed the weight, I obviously look slimmer both in the body and the face. I feel great, healthy, fitter and I have a sense of achievement, that I have not felt for a long time! My brain has re-trained itself and expects less food. Do not think however, that i do not have days when I get hungry or want to snack and I still do on the odd day but we are only human, so I don't beat myself up over it. I know now I have discipline of mind and stomach.
Now I am lucky, why, because I am have great willpower, once my mind is made up. I suspect most of us do, it is the trigger, push, encouragement, need or which ever motivation you require to get started that counts.
So thank you Costos and we cannot wait to hear wht he has to say when we return in October?
Get on your bikes and ride!!!!!!
I am a keen bike rider and have ridden most of my life, since I was taught, as a child, how to by my father in the garden! I always have about 3 or 4 bikes in my garage. At present I have three mountain and a road bike plus my wife's bike.
There have been periods when I have not ridden but I have always returned to it and in recent years having bought a road bike, ridden almost every week and even have an indoor trainer. More recently I have restored my sons mountain bike, that he had left with us and have taken to riding it for local errands instead of using the car. Not only does it save petrol but it tops up the exercise!
I am fortunate that my wife is a fitness consultant and teaches spin bike classes at a local health club (Overstone Park), It is a great workout and a good way of turning the pedals especially if the weather is not conducive to outdoor riding!
I ride both on my own and with my closest friend Peter. We ride for pleasure and fitness. We have developed a number of routes around the Northampton area. I am no Bradley Wiggins, indeed I would probably not keep up with a fair paced club ride and have particular difficulty with hills. I have an excuse for this, due to a serious illness some years ago my lungs were slightly damaged!
I enjoy the therapeutic solitude of the road, it places no pressure on you other than the traffic and the need to spin the pedals. It is a pure physicality of movement and whilst you can appreciate the scenery at that pace, it is not something personally I dwell on. Even on quiet country roads, you have to have your wits in tune with the passing vehicles, most are considerate but there are those who appear to use you as a target! I have noticed that since the Olympic success on road and track there does seem to be more awareness by drivers of us pedal pushers, with the possible exception of "white" van man who generally has no consideration for any other road user!
I love the camaraderie that Peter and I have when we ride together, although I am usually some way behind especially on the hills! A shared effort over a route, sometimes in adverse conditions, creates a bond of enjoyment and a special connection with your fellow rider or riders! Even though your legs are tired, you push yourself and this brings a sense of well being, that you have to experience for yourselves.
Humans are not sedentary creatures, in spite of the evidence that passes before us daily. Effort is good for our bodies and our minds, exercise is necessary. Overweight people are, by my observations, reaching epidemic levels and I speak as a man who could do with shedding a another 10 kilos or so!
I thoroughly recommend cycling as a relaxation and exercise, whether you want to ride round a safe enclosed environment at leisure or go out on the roads and put some miles under your wheels. Local cycle clubs often provide a good place for riders of all abilities and are always welcoming to new members. There are websites where riders in a local area can contact each other and ride together.
Whichever way you want to ride I urge you to get on a bike and ride.
And I make no excuse for repeating EXERCISE IS NECESSARY!!!!!!
There have been periods when I have not ridden but I have always returned to it and in recent years having bought a road bike, ridden almost every week and even have an indoor trainer. More recently I have restored my sons mountain bike, that he had left with us and have taken to riding it for local errands instead of using the car. Not only does it save petrol but it tops up the exercise!
I am fortunate that my wife is a fitness consultant and teaches spin bike classes at a local health club (Overstone Park), It is a great workout and a good way of turning the pedals especially if the weather is not conducive to outdoor riding!
I ride both on my own and with my closest friend Peter. We ride for pleasure and fitness. We have developed a number of routes around the Northampton area. I am no Bradley Wiggins, indeed I would probably not keep up with a fair paced club ride and have particular difficulty with hills. I have an excuse for this, due to a serious illness some years ago my lungs were slightly damaged!
I enjoy the therapeutic solitude of the road, it places no pressure on you other than the traffic and the need to spin the pedals. It is a pure physicality of movement and whilst you can appreciate the scenery at that pace, it is not something personally I dwell on. Even on quiet country roads, you have to have your wits in tune with the passing vehicles, most are considerate but there are those who appear to use you as a target! I have noticed that since the Olympic success on road and track there does seem to be more awareness by drivers of us pedal pushers, with the possible exception of "white" van man who generally has no consideration for any other road user!
I love the camaraderie that Peter and I have when we ride together, although I am usually some way behind especially on the hills! A shared effort over a route, sometimes in adverse conditions, creates a bond of enjoyment and a special connection with your fellow rider or riders! Even though your legs are tired, you push yourself and this brings a sense of well being, that you have to experience for yourselves.
Humans are not sedentary creatures, in spite of the evidence that passes before us daily. Effort is good for our bodies and our minds, exercise is necessary. Overweight people are, by my observations, reaching epidemic levels and I speak as a man who could do with shedding a another 10 kilos or so!
I thoroughly recommend cycling as a relaxation and exercise, whether you want to ride round a safe enclosed environment at leisure or go out on the roads and put some miles under your wheels. Local cycle clubs often provide a good place for riders of all abilities and are always welcoming to new members. There are websites where riders in a local area can contact each other and ride together.
Whichever way you want to ride I urge you to get on a bike and ride.
And I make no excuse for repeating EXERCISE IS NECESSARY!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Check out my new AVON eBrochure!
Check out my new AVON eBrochure!: Hi Everyone! Here's a sneak peak at some of the latest products available in my Avon eBrochure. Be sure to click
Sons
I am the proud parent of two sons, men.
My eldest Adam is a lovely man, somewhat on the pessimistic side and not always someone who looks on the bright side of life. He is intelligent, caring, generous and very sarcastic. He is a chip off the old block as far as that goes and his sense of humour is similar, so he has inherited some traits from his old man!
Recently I have spent more time at home, as is evidenced by my blogging, have posted more on the internet, Facebook, Twitter etc. There is a cunning reason behind this, I am working for myself now and I want to be more widely known for business purposes (Though it is not all business related).
My wonderful son takes great delight in decrying my efforts at every opportunity, if he can reply with a barbed comment, he will. He does not hide his enthusiasm for puncturing my sometime pompousness, indeed he views it as his duty. Probably the job of all offspring?
I freely admit that sometimes I get a little annoyed by his barbs but only because over the years, I have been just as forthright about others who have published publicly. I often reply in kind and we bat vitriol back and forth until one of us can no longer be bothered.
Here is my point (in case you were wondering!). In this time of mass 24 hour news, hundreds of channels , and public access via every internet website, for anyone with a computer, mobile device and a connection to the WWW, we must accept, that if you write in the public domain we invite criticism, sarcasm and insults from anyone who wishes to comment in reply, whatever their reason!
As someone famous once said and I am para phrasing, free speech allows you to voice your opinion, whilst defending the right of others to do the same even if their view is diametrically opposed to yours!
So my son has reminded me that whilst my spouting has a importance to me and sharing can often be a way of learning new things, a healthy dose of cynicism is necessary to keep ones ego in check!
Just as an aside, who came up with the word "webinar"? Whom ever it was they should be castigated for such appalling misuse of the english language!
A seminar, presentation etc is just that, we do not need another word for w the same thing wherever it is held!
My eldest Adam is a lovely man, somewhat on the pessimistic side and not always someone who looks on the bright side of life. He is intelligent, caring, generous and very sarcastic. He is a chip off the old block as far as that goes and his sense of humour is similar, so he has inherited some traits from his old man!
Recently I have spent more time at home, as is evidenced by my blogging, have posted more on the internet, Facebook, Twitter etc. There is a cunning reason behind this, I am working for myself now and I want to be more widely known for business purposes (Though it is not all business related).
My wonderful son takes great delight in decrying my efforts at every opportunity, if he can reply with a barbed comment, he will. He does not hide his enthusiasm for puncturing my sometime pompousness, indeed he views it as his duty. Probably the job of all offspring?
I freely admit that sometimes I get a little annoyed by his barbs but only because over the years, I have been just as forthright about others who have published publicly. I often reply in kind and we bat vitriol back and forth until one of us can no longer be bothered.
Here is my point (in case you were wondering!). In this time of mass 24 hour news, hundreds of channels , and public access via every internet website, for anyone with a computer, mobile device and a connection to the WWW, we must accept, that if you write in the public domain we invite criticism, sarcasm and insults from anyone who wishes to comment in reply, whatever their reason!
As someone famous once said and I am para phrasing, free speech allows you to voice your opinion, whilst defending the right of others to do the same even if their view is diametrically opposed to yours!
So my son has reminded me that whilst my spouting has a importance to me and sharing can often be a way of learning new things, a healthy dose of cynicism is necessary to keep ones ego in check!
Just as an aside, who came up with the word "webinar"? Whom ever it was they should be castigated for such appalling misuse of the english language!
A seminar, presentation etc is just that, we do not need another word for w the same thing wherever it is held!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Stan
Stan and his van
According to his plan
Would make him a rich man
A wealthy Stan the man
According to his plan
Would make him a rich man
A wealthy Stan the man
His wife said Stan
Are you sure you can
Of course said Stan
I'll follow my plan
So Stan drove his van
Did Stan and his plan
And he found did Stan
That he became a rich man
So the man called Stan
Who had a plan
And drove a van
Found that he can
We can all be Stan
You can!
Are you sure you can
Of course said Stan
I'll follow my plan
So Stan drove his van
Did Stan and his plan
And he found did Stan
That he became a rich man
So the man called Stan
Who had a plan
And drove a van
Found that he can
We can all be Stan
You can!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Why so difficult?
I have published a previous blog that was entitled Simple Solutions.
This promoted the premise that we in the western world in particular have a tendency to over complicate.
Today my wife Wendy and I had occasion to wonder that in spite of best intentions to adhere to this philosophy, everyday events can conspire to get in the way! A small missed detail or misstep can cascade into prohibiting what should be a simple task into one where several additional steps have to be taken in order to smooth the path.
Life getting in the way of living! Still it is our ability to overcome these small roadblocks that can be the difference between real success and mediocrity. Personally I will not settle for mediocrity. Roadblocks negotiated we carry on, only a little time and effort has been the consequence.
This promoted the premise that we in the western world in particular have a tendency to over complicate.
Today my wife Wendy and I had occasion to wonder that in spite of best intentions to adhere to this philosophy, everyday events can conspire to get in the way! A small missed detail or misstep can cascade into prohibiting what should be a simple task into one where several additional steps have to be taken in order to smooth the path.
Life getting in the way of living! Still it is our ability to overcome these small roadblocks that can be the difference between real success and mediocrity. Personally I will not settle for mediocrity. Roadblocks negotiated we carry on, only a little time and effort has been the consequence.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Boston Legal
I wonder if you are familiar with an American TV series called Boston Legal? It was shown for 6 seasons and in my humble opinion is possibly one of the best series ever shown.
My wife bought me the box set for Xmas and in the last month we have started watching an episode every day. Oh what joy and how makes todays shows look insipid, devoid of wit and clever writing. It portrays one of the greatest friendships ever written and acted between James Spader as Alan Shaw and William Shatner as Denny Crane. Two men, both lawyers, who have their ups and downs but never loose there affection for each other and a passionate understanding that many of us would love to have.
I urge you to watch this enchanting series, which as well as being well written tackles many of the topical subjects that were going on in America at the time. A timeless classic and wonderful.
My wife bought me the box set for Xmas and in the last month we have started watching an episode every day. Oh what joy and how makes todays shows look insipid, devoid of wit and clever writing. It portrays one of the greatest friendships ever written and acted between James Spader as Alan Shaw and William Shatner as Denny Crane. Two men, both lawyers, who have their ups and downs but never loose there affection for each other and a passionate understanding that many of us would love to have.
I urge you to watch this enchanting series, which as well as being well written tackles many of the topical subjects that were going on in America at the time. A timeless classic and wonderful.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Keyboards
If you have read any of my missives and of course hardly any of you have, you may have noticed I have moaned about my keyboard?
I have a Dell Inspiron laptop( 2 to 3 years old), several of the keys have come off and of course sods law dictates they are keys you use more than most, E, R and L. I have struggled without the key buttons for some time, just pressing the nub underneath. Not ideal! I tried a a very rubber plug in keyboard but found to my frustration not all the keys worked. So I abandoned that idea. Recently I have been working from home and using my laptop much more . So I finally resolved to fix this issue. I bought a replacement keyboard from Amazon, it arrived today and was only a fiver, plus shipping.
Eventually with the help of Youtube, I fitted it, not actually that difficult, booted up and low and behold the laptop sprang in to action, overcoming my first fear. Try the keyboard I did, oh dear, not a single key typed the legend printed on it.............
After a number of refits, including putting the original back on to make sure it was the keyboard and not my fitting skills, I gave up on the new keyboard and whilst the laptop was apart, out of curiosity, tried to re-fit the missing keys. Well you already ahead of me I am sure. Yes I fixed the keys back on the original and hey presto typing normally once more (well the R is still a bit dodgy but better than before!) I nicked one key from the new keyboard, but only one!
What is the moral of this story, frankly I don't know, persistence pays perhaps or even a fool gets there eventually!!!!
P.S. I hasten to add that I am not the worlds greatest typist anyway!
I have a Dell Inspiron laptop( 2 to 3 years old), several of the keys have come off and of course sods law dictates they are keys you use more than most, E, R and L. I have struggled without the key buttons for some time, just pressing the nub underneath. Not ideal! I tried a a very rubber plug in keyboard but found to my frustration not all the keys worked. So I abandoned that idea. Recently I have been working from home and using my laptop much more . So I finally resolved to fix this issue. I bought a replacement keyboard from Amazon, it arrived today and was only a fiver, plus shipping.
Eventually with the help of Youtube, I fitted it, not actually that difficult, booted up and low and behold the laptop sprang in to action, overcoming my first fear. Try the keyboard I did, oh dear, not a single key typed the legend printed on it.............
After a number of refits, including putting the original back on to make sure it was the keyboard and not my fitting skills, I gave up on the new keyboard and whilst the laptop was apart, out of curiosity, tried to re-fit the missing keys. Well you already ahead of me I am sure. Yes I fixed the keys back on the original and hey presto typing normally once more (well the R is still a bit dodgy but better than before!) I nicked one key from the new keyboard, but only one!
What is the moral of this story, frankly I don't know, persistence pays perhaps or even a fool gets there eventually!!!!
P.S. I hasten to add that I am not the worlds greatest typist anyway!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Next Blog and a surprise!
At top of your blog page there is a a button you can click entitled Next blog. I have occasion to click it from time to time and I have just done so. To my surprise, tonight, each of the following site's for about 10 clicks, are dedicated by bloggers who have given their lives over to Jesus and God! As a dedicated agnostic, I find this rather amusing. I am the least religious person I know.
My belief for what it's worth is, we are born, we live and when we die, we fertilize the earth if that is your thing, cremation is fine. We are just another of natures creatures, no more, no less.
I could go on and indeed am tempted to do so but I will just sign off and leave you to your on beliefs.
My belief for what it's worth is, we are born, we live and when we die, we fertilize the earth if that is your thing, cremation is fine. We are just another of natures creatures, no more, no less.
I could go on and indeed am tempted to do so but I will just sign off and leave you to your on beliefs.
Fasting
I watched the Horizon programme on how living longer relates to diet. I was fascinated by the science involved and how it affects our IGh (Insulin dependent growth hormone), blood sugar and cholesterol, which are three measures which can shorten or lengthen life span. They also are indicators of our propensity to diabetes,coronary and diseases like prostrate cancer. Of course they are not the only indicators or causes but they are the most important.
The presenter, a 50 year old Doctor Michael Moseley, slightly overweight, in that "middle aged" way, wanted to determine if diet could dictate the aging process by controlling those three indicators. He discovered that the less you eat the more your body is able to "repair" itself and if you restrict the growth hormone, the brain can even grow new cells which could prevent the onset of Alzheimer's. Our bodies have what they described as a "go go" mode which encourages eating more than we need to.
I have naturally left out a lot of the detail and simplified the content, the programme is Eat, Fast and Live Longer and you should still be able to see it on iplayer.
His investigation discovered that "fasting", whether you fast for 3 to 4 days, once a month, every other day or 5 days eating and 2 days (not necessarily consecutive) fasting is a way of controlling and reducing those indicators.
He tried the first method but decided it was not for him, though it did dramatically lower all 3 levels. He eventually decided to follow the latter method and embarked on it for 5 weeks. On fast days he would eat up to 600 calories and drink, water and tea, throughout the day. He found a protein breakfast suited him best (say eggs for example). The results were impressive, he lost a stone in weight, all of his levels were significantly less and therefore his risk factor's had decreased. He discovered his food intake also reduced on "eating" days. Naturally, he ate sensibly on those days, although some studies show you can eat whatever you like on non fast days, as your overall calorie intake is reduced.
So I am going to try it and I will report my progress. Today is my first fast day (try saying that quickly 5 times!) I have had a shake, lemon water and green tea lets see how it goes.
Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/GozeatPaul
The presenter, a 50 year old Doctor Michael Moseley, slightly overweight, in that "middle aged" way, wanted to determine if diet could dictate the aging process by controlling those three indicators. He discovered that the less you eat the more your body is able to "repair" itself and if you restrict the growth hormone, the brain can even grow new cells which could prevent the onset of Alzheimer's. Our bodies have what they described as a "go go" mode which encourages eating more than we need to.
I have naturally left out a lot of the detail and simplified the content, the programme is Eat, Fast and Live Longer and you should still be able to see it on iplayer.
His investigation discovered that "fasting", whether you fast for 3 to 4 days, once a month, every other day or 5 days eating and 2 days (not necessarily consecutive) fasting is a way of controlling and reducing those indicators.
He tried the first method but decided it was not for him, though it did dramatically lower all 3 levels. He eventually decided to follow the latter method and embarked on it for 5 weeks. On fast days he would eat up to 600 calories and drink, water and tea, throughout the day. He found a protein breakfast suited him best (say eggs for example). The results were impressive, he lost a stone in weight, all of his levels were significantly less and therefore his risk factor's had decreased. He discovered his food intake also reduced on "eating" days. Naturally, he ate sensibly on those days, although some studies show you can eat whatever you like on non fast days, as your overall calorie intake is reduced.
So I am going to try it and I will report my progress. Today is my first fast day (try saying that quickly 5 times!) I have had a shake, lemon water and green tea lets see how it goes.
Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/GozeatPaul
Saturday, August 11, 2012
SIMPLE!
I always have believed that simple solutions are best. If you can perform a task or a problem in the easiest way possible then why make it complicated!
Of course the easy solution can be difficult to find when it comes to the human condition.
We are by definition complex creatures in our physical and more importantly mental condition, all of us, no matter how strong, have frailties that we cover up, don't admit or fight against every day. Millions of words, programs, articles, blogs (I get the irony) and websites are dedicated to investigating and trying to explain the human condition (and naturally offering a solution or method to make you improve). Never has there been so many methods of communication to spout to us about us!
Oh and how confusing it can be and how gullible we are, sometimes believing what suits us or being in need we want to believe. This is the nature of the beast and only confirms, that we are all searching and we all like to think we can provide or find answers, however great or small.
All of us are our own philosophers!
Here is my drift. We complicate our lives to much, we see to much information and all of us are fooled in to thinking there must be a better way? Why? I don't know why, I am not clever enough and I not sure I want to, I have enough trouble with the keyboard that I am typing this on, which has a mind of it's own!
My point is, stop over thinking, whatever your looking for you will probably find it or not find it (often it was not what you were after!)
Easy for me to say I am by nature, not a worrier, an optimist and positive person (I have my gremlins!) The solution to most areas in your life that you wish to alter are 99.9% down to you but you already know that!
As Chuck Berry once memorably wrote "Too much monkey business!" Clear out the clutter and write down where your headed!
Oh and one last thing. Just a pet hate. Those people who bleat about " if your not part of the solution you must be part of the problem" or "there are no problems only solutions!" bollocks, there are problems therefore you have to find solutions making glib phrases about it does not make it go away!
Adieu
Of course the easy solution can be difficult to find when it comes to the human condition.
We are by definition complex creatures in our physical and more importantly mental condition, all of us, no matter how strong, have frailties that we cover up, don't admit or fight against every day. Millions of words, programs, articles, blogs (I get the irony) and websites are dedicated to investigating and trying to explain the human condition (and naturally offering a solution or method to make you improve). Never has there been so many methods of communication to spout to us about us!
Oh and how confusing it can be and how gullible we are, sometimes believing what suits us or being in need we want to believe. This is the nature of the beast and only confirms, that we are all searching and we all like to think we can provide or find answers, however great or small.
All of us are our own philosophers!
Here is my drift. We complicate our lives to much, we see to much information and all of us are fooled in to thinking there must be a better way? Why? I don't know why, I am not clever enough and I not sure I want to, I have enough trouble with the keyboard that I am typing this on, which has a mind of it's own!
My point is, stop over thinking, whatever your looking for you will probably find it or not find it (often it was not what you were after!)
Easy for me to say I am by nature, not a worrier, an optimist and positive person (I have my gremlins!) The solution to most areas in your life that you wish to alter are 99.9% down to you but you already know that!
As Chuck Berry once memorably wrote "Too much monkey business!" Clear out the clutter and write down where your headed!
Oh and one last thing. Just a pet hate. Those people who bleat about " if your not part of the solution you must be part of the problem" or "there are no problems only solutions!" bollocks, there are problems therefore you have to find solutions making glib phrases about it does not make it go away!
Adieu
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Get your Avon Advance Techniques hair colour now!
Get your Avon Advance Techniques hair colour now!: Check out the new hair look I created using Avon's Try It On tool! Upload your own photo to try on hair colour shades.
Avon
My wife Wendy and I are now Avon Representatives. Nothing unique about that but we are brilliant and funny!
Check out my new AVON eBrochure!
Check out my new AVON eBrochure!: Hi Everyone! Here's a sneak peak at some of the latest products available in my Avon eBrochure. Be sure to click
Monday, August 6, 2012
Olympics
I confess I was somewhat underwhelmed by the impending Olympics, the long build up and hype and the interminable countdown to the games had left me wishing it had already finished and then......
The Opening Ceremony (which I wasn't going to watch) started and that point on I have been captivated, handball, volleyball, weightlifting, rowing,gymnastics etc. and then CYCLING (I am a pedal biker!) unfortunate Cavendish, Armstead and then Wiggins and Froome fantastic. It does make you proud to be British.
Veladrome....... what a venue and what a triumph (thus far) Hoy, Kenny, Pendleton and team pursuit men and women, breaking world records and blowing the rest away!
Then the Athletics slowly crept in, Ennis started on the Friday she went well and finished the evening in the lead. Saturday, who knew! What an evening, magic, Ennis completed her wonderful heptathlon, Rutherford won the long jump and finally Mo Farrah, brilliantly wins the 10,000 metres.
Do not think I am ignoring all the other British medal winners, congratulations to all of them (all countries medal winners). The effort and dedication shown by ALL competitors from every country is amazing and I, like most of the world, have no conception of the hours of training that are performed in order to even get to the games.
It has been enthralling and there is still a week to go and more moments of human endeavor to excite us further!
The Opening Ceremony (which I wasn't going to watch) started and that point on I have been captivated, handball, volleyball, weightlifting, rowing,gymnastics etc. and then CYCLING (I am a pedal biker!) unfortunate Cavendish, Armstead and then Wiggins and Froome fantastic. It does make you proud to be British.
Veladrome....... what a venue and what a triumph (thus far) Hoy, Kenny, Pendleton and team pursuit men and women, breaking world records and blowing the rest away!
Then the Athletics slowly crept in, Ennis started on the Friday she went well and finished the evening in the lead. Saturday, who knew! What an evening, magic, Ennis completed her wonderful heptathlon, Rutherford won the long jump and finally Mo Farrah, brilliantly wins the 10,000 metres.
Do not think I am ignoring all the other British medal winners, congratulations to all of them (all countries medal winners). The effort and dedication shown by ALL competitors from every country is amazing and I, like most of the world, have no conception of the hours of training that are performed in order to even get to the games.
It has been enthralling and there is still a week to go and more moments of human endeavor to excite us further!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)