Sometimes You Need to Get Excited

Yesterday, I did a thing. I have been a glider pilot for thirty years, however, I have not been flying gliders recently. It’s part of my job, albeit not a core activity. I flew a glider again. It was pretty awesome. My performance was not awesome. It was good, it was safe, but it wasn’t as good as I like to perform. With effort it will get better.

What is much more important, I was really excited. Flying gliders is a rather unique aviation experience. It is very freeing and fun. I rode that wave of happiness all evening.

We get busy in life and always have a lot to worry about. Often everyone is solving problems and getting things headed in the right direction. That being said, everyone should find things to do that get them excited. Everyone should find a reason to smile. Everyone should chase some endorphins.

You often hear about self-care and mental wellness. The fact that we are discussing this more openly and often is great. Knowing that we need to take care of ourselves is a huge step forward. There was a time when you pushed the bad things deep down and buried them. We do this less than we used to. However, we often don’t know what to do to take care of ourselves. I find one of the key ideas is to get excited. 

When we get excited about things, time moves better and we have something to look forward to. When you can look forward to something, it gives you more purpose. If you have purpose, you know where to go, and knowing where to go, you should have less stress and anxiety.

As I was flying along, I was working harder than I used to to fly the glider well but I was smiling a lot. It was a special moment. I feel like I was accomplishing something I wanted to do. I felt my body relax.

Life is hard, sometimes you need to get excited about something.

Demand

On my last day in Winnipeg, as my friends were drifting back to work, I went to eat some Taco Time. If you are from Western Canada you have probably had this once or twice. However, if you are from Eastern Canada you probably have never heard of this amazing Mexican fast food establishment. One trip to Taco Time and you will never even consider Taco Bell as an option. That being said, the quality of the the quick service Mexican food has little to do with what I’m writing about.

If you have been reading this blog for a while (first off I want to say thank-you) you know I gave up drinking Coca-Cola a year and a half ago. A byproduct of not drinking that evil concoction is I don’t eat a lot of fast food. When I was faced with selecting a beverage to go with my delicious Super Beef Burrito Combo I chose water. Other than a bit of fruit juice in the breakfast timeframe or beer, I almost always get water.

Here’s the thing. It cost me an additional forty cents to get a bottle of water over a Pepsi from the machine. 

My initial thoughts were how could you justify charging me more for water than for pop? Let’s be honest, pop is water with several ingredients added. Pop is water with a whole bunch of labour added to it. Pop uses water as the base and builds on it so there is no way that water should cost more.

Then the businessman in me kicked in. If you are good at pricing then you price based on demand and not on input cost. This means that there is a greater demand for water than fountain pop, otherwise the retailer, in this case Taco Time, would not feel they could charge more for unmodified water than the upgraded and modified model (pop).

All this makes me very happy.

If you can demand more for pure water than for the most useless beverage on the planet then that must mean a lot of people are choosing to not drink pop. It means a lot of people are choosing a healthier option. More people are being a bit more conscious about what they are putting in their bodies.

I’m going to be very honest here. If you are eating lunch at Taco Time then your health in not the first item on your mind but if you are not drinking pop then your health is not the last thought on your mind either.

I have read a couple of time in the last six months that beverage companies have been slashing the price of carbonated, sugar laden beverages because demand is weakening. I see this as a good thing. Finally more people, including the author of this piece, are cutting a few of the worst things out of their life.

Don’t get me wrong, if you want to have a can of Coke as a treat once in a long while and can keep it to that, go for it. As for myself, I like it way too much and have come to realize that the only way I can keep my consumption to a healthy level is do not drink any at all.

The demand for pop is going down, this can only mean more people are going to live a healthier life and a healthier life is always a better life.

Your Veggies

I admit it. I don't eat as many vegetables as I should. There are days I barely have any. I think it's because I didn't like a lot of them growing up. Lately I have been making an effort to eat more plants.

I must admit, the more veggies I eat the better I feel.

We all know eating more plants is a good idea. You can find everything you need to be healthy by eating plants. However, I must admit there are a lot of non-plant foods that I like to eat. many are healthy, all are tasty. I find if I don't keep the ratio reasonable, the next day I feel sluggish.

For about three years I was eating salad as part of my lunch many of my workdays. There was good salad available in the same building that I worked so I filled myself with food that grows out of the ground. Now, through a change in employment I eat lunch in different places and I don't eat salad.

A change in your daily routine doesn't mean I shouldn't eat healthy, I just need to find more ways to eat a lot of vegetables. Don't worry, I'm not going to turn my back on the goodness of meat and cheese. That's crazy talk but I really need to be more consistent at eating my veggies.

Now I have found a lot of veggies that, as an adult, I like. Generally, I find the more I eat raw the more I like like it. Finding ways you like to eat healthy food will result in me eating more veggies. I need to embrace this and do it more often. 

Waking up the day after you eat a proper amount of plants always feels better. I always feel like I can take on the world. I always know this but a bit too often I don't follow my own advice.

The best part is I can always make a change and eat better and I will continue to do so. I will slip up, I will still probably eat a giant pile of chicken wings from time to time but I will do it less often and eat better more often. That way I will feel better more often and life is always better when you wake up feeling good.

No Coke for 150 Days

Yesterday was my one-hundred fiftieth day without drinking any Coca-Cola. I am so happy I have made this change in my life. There is no other way to describe that stuff other than pure evil. I don't think there is a beverage on this planet that tastes that good but is so unbelievably bad for you.

Here are the facts.

With no other significant change in my life I have lost twenty-four pounds. I will admit I have been running a bit but it averages less than 5 kilometres per week so I truly doubt it has any real impact on my weight. Since changing jobs I don't walk over five kilometres each workday to get to work and back but, I am on my feet a lot more at my new job than I was at the old one. So, I have to postulate that my change from two-hundred twenty-one pounds to one-hundred ninety-seven pounds is directly related to cutting Coke out of my life.

When I was drinking Coke, pants with a 36 waist fit properly. Since then I needed to buy smaller pants so I went down to 34 waist pants. Now those are starting to be a bit loose. I don't think I'm there yet but I may even have to step down to 32 waist pants. There are two factors at play here. First, if you lose twenty-four pounds, your waist will inevitably get smaller. The weight has to come from somewhere and if we have extra weight, it tends to collect around your waist. Secondly, I don't feel bloated from the carbonation anymore and I think my waist is smaller because of it.

As we get deeper in the fall in Eastern Ontario, I am feeling the cool days more than I used to. I'm sure this is because I'm a lot leaner than I've been for most of my adult life. 

A lot of people, and I mean a lot, have commented. I look noticeably different. It's a good feeling to receive so much positive feedback. It usually takes a significant change for most people to say something so there must be a big difference.

I have a lot more energy. My body is no longer relying on the sugar and caffeine to run so I don't get crashes like I used to. I don't get a headache if my routine is upset and I can adapt a lot better to change. I also sleep a lot better as my system isn't full of garbage that is trying to keep me awake.

Overall, I am very happy that I quit drinking Coke. I'm not going to lie, there are days I miss the taste but that feeling always passes and when I step on the scale, look in the mirror, or wake up from a good sleep I always think it's worth not tasting it for that momentary enjoyment.

No Coke

I love Coca-Cola. I can't deny how much I enjoy drinking it. I like it so much I even have a preferred way to drink it. Warm Coke poured out of a glass bottle over ice in a glass drinking vessel is the best way to enjoy it. Nothing beats it. I also marvel about how well Coke is designed. It is the only drink I know of that won't quench your thirst but leaves you satisfied and wanting more no matter how much you drink.

Unfortunately, as of late, I have been drinking way too much Coca-Cola. 

A week ago I came to terms with this and decided I needed to stop. Let's be honest, there is nothing good about drinking Coke. A 12 oz (355 ml) can has about 10 teaspoons of sugar in it. Considering I was drinking more than a litre every day and more than two litres on many days, I was putting a lot into my body that it doesn't need. In fact, I was consuming between 5000 and 6000 Calories from Coke a week. Yes, you read that right, five-thousand to six-thousands Calories. Who needs that? I know I don't, at least not from a soft-drink.

So, while drinking Coke on my couch last Thursday I decided it was time for action. It helps that a friend pointed out my great weakness for Coke which helped with the motivation.

My plan was to start a Coke free life on Monday. I figured at some point during the week-end I would give in and drink some. It turns out I got though the week-end without any Coke. That doesn't mean there wasn't a headache or two along the way. 

As the work week started, I managed to not buy any for lunch as I had been for years. This was more of a routine action than an active decision for the last while so I just had to remind myself to not grab a bottle to have at lunch. I now drink water instead.

Once the headaches subsided I started to feel better immediately. I don't feel the same bloat from all that carbonation and a couple of pounds have disappeared. I see this all as a good thing. I also burp and fart less at the gym while I'm exercising. Also good in my books.

The best part so far is I am sleeping much better. It took a bit longer for this to kick in as I'm sure there was a lot of caffeine in my body. However, I can once again get deep restful sleep. A couple of days ago I got a lot of deep restful sleep, from 8:30 pm to 6:15 am. I haven't slept like that in a long time. An interesting advantage is my mind seems to be getting sharper again. I've been feeling a bit mushy a lot of the time, probably because I haven't had a lot of good sleep but after a couple of good nights, I feel a lot sharper, a lot more like I used to. For me the sharper I feel the more positive I become and that's been improving as well.

I'm not out of the woods yet. There are some things coming up in my schedule that will test me. I just need to find a way to not give in to the cravings. I can find an alternative or change the situation, depending on what's available. There are also times that a cold Coke would taste really good, again I will have to find a way to not give in.

I realize this is a lot different that a lot of dependancy issues but as I get the evil out of my body I am realizing that the amount of Coca-Cola I was consuming was having an impact on my life. It looks like a good road forward without it.

The whole thing has been made easier by support from friends. Just knowing that someone is willing to help makes any task a lot easier.

Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't drink Coke and I'm not saying I will never have any more in my life but for the time being I can't have any delicious Coke. Even though I know it would taste great, I don't really want to have any at the moment and that's a good thing in my books.

Good Food

In the last few days I have been hit with several instances of how poorly people can eat. First there was an info-graphic explaining how unhealthy McDonald's new oatmeal is. I then saw their commercial and they touted it as a healthy breakfast. Now, everything they said was true but they left out all the bad stuff they put into it.

Today I read a column in the Globe and Mail arguing that maybe it is time to ban junk food. 

Also today there was a casual conversation in the office about how easy it is to eat poorly. All of this adds up to people are thinking about food.

It is important to remember that food companies are in business to make money for their shareholders not provide the healthiest option for consumers. If the leadership of the organization believes they can maximize shareholder value by providing the healthiest option then that's what they will do. As for the McDonald's option, they make their money by providing consistency. No matter where you go, the food is supposed to taste exactly the same. To achieve that, it often takes a lot of highly manufactured ingredients.

As compelling as the argument was in the Globe and Mail, I still do not think we should be limiting what people are allowed to eat. It's often not healthy but there are times you just need a big shot of calories to get through what you are doing. It shouldn't be a regular occurrence but it should be an option.

Now the casual conversation was the most interesting as it was how easy it is to eat poorly. This is true. For a long time I didn't eat very well. I still don't eat perfectly but I found a few simple guidelines that help to eat better.

Try to use as many fresh ingredients as you can.

Only make as much as you need.

Plan your meals a week at a time.

I won't guarantee a beach body with this plan but I have found it helps. It keeps you away from processed food and over-eating but it is more labour intensive and will probably cost you more for food.

It's easy for people to eat poorly and the results are noticeable. In even Ottawa, often regarded as the most active city in Canada, there are a lot of people who clearly eat poorly and don't exercise. It's a burden on their life and on the healthcare system. The good part is it is never too late to make improvements.

The Old Noggin

Today, the Canadian communications company Bell is donating a nickel every time someone tweets #BellLetsTalk. The whole initiative is to raise funds and awareness for mental illness.

In some ways I am very lucky. When it comes to body parts that I can rely on, my brain seems to always answer the bell. I'm not saying I don't make mental errors but my noggin seems to work as advertised. I can't say that about several of my body parts anymore. My left knee is a bit wonky from curling. My right shoulder isn't quite right after a rather spectacular wipe-out skiing. Even my voice still occasionally cracks over twenty years after puberty but the noggin keeps on ticking.

Not everyone is as lucky. For whatever reason, a lot of people seem to have their brain go on the fritz. It can be really hard to detect, especially if you don't know that person very well. So, if you are feeling off or helpless, or confused, or even just not right, don't be afraid to talk to someone. You may just be having a bad day or you may be starting something much worse.

I am not an expert in mental health but I know there can be a lot of reasons the brain doesn't work as advertised. It can be brought on by stress or trauma. It can be a lack of good coping skills. It can be a combination of all of it or something else completely. The difficult part is, unlike a cold, it can be hard for others to see the real problem so, don't be afraid to talk about it.

I've been lucky. My brain works as advertised but don't be afraid to speak up if you think yours may need some help. It make a big difference in the long run. Also, if someone trusts you enough to talk to you about stuff like this, take the time to listen. It may be the best thing you ever do for anyone, ever.

Sickies

I think everyone in Ottawa is a little bit sick. Everyone I talk to seems to have the sniffles or their stomach isn't quite right. I haven't seen it this widespread in a long time. I have a few ideas why.

It's January. There probably isn't a worse month in the year. It's cold, it's dark, and the gym is full of people who will not stick with their New Year's resolution. I have yet to find something good to say about January. It seems that this lousy month breaks your spirit.

The weather has been all over the place. It's been record setting warm and fairly cold. There has been a lot of rain and snow. It's been windy a lot. Everyone's body is confused.

There seems to be a lot of stress in the Nation's Capital these days. Since the Government of Canada is a major employer and the Parliament is trying to reign in spending people aren't sure if they are going to have a job or any resources to get the job done if they are still employed. It wears people down.

Now not all hope is lost. It will get better. The days are getting longer and eventually the weather will get warmer. NHL hockey is back and it is a good distraction from the grind. Everyone can't stay sick forever.

So, everyone needs to live some life. They need to get out and be active. They need to socialize. They need to get in a groove.

I haven't felt quite right for a week and a half now but that's not going to stop me from living and getting better.

Eat Your Veggies

I'm sure nearly everyone's parents told them to eat their veggies at some time. If parents didn't insist on it the kids are missing out. I admit it, growing up I didn't like veggies too much. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it's the veggies I was fed. Maybe it was the preparation. Maybe there were too many frozen and canned vegetables. In any event, I tried to avoid vegetables as much as possible.

When I was on my own in my late teens and twenties, I didn't eat many veggies. It was my choice. I found greasy food tasted good. I didn't enjoy vegetables very much so I didn't eat them.

These days I like to eat vegetables. I have a salad every work day for lunch. There will be other food with the salad but it is a good helping of salad. I also incorporate veggies into my regular cooking.

It seems the more vegetables I eat the better I feel. I aim to eat more balanced meals. That seems to work well to ensure I have the energy to walk to work every day, get through the workday, and keep up my gym routine.

Maybe all the rhetoric that was relentlessly repeated as I grew up was right. I know I don't always eat well but I do eat healthier, more often than I used to and that is probably a good thing.

SAD

Fall is here. With it the days are definitely getting shorter. With this usual occurrence I now have to wake up before the sun comes over the horizon. Well, I don't actually have to get up, but if I don't I will probably not be employed very long. I have always found it harder to wake up before the sun gets up than after. I also find it harder to be chipper when it I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. I'm pretty sure I am somewhat effected by Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.

I am not incapacitated by it, but I do notice over the winter I don't seem to have as much umph as I do in the summer.

I have also discovered a couple of things that help me:

a. Regular Exercise. The more I go to the gym the better I seem to feel.

b. Getting Out. Going out and doing things, even if they are trivial make me feel better.

c. Eating Healthy. I am not proclaiming I always eat well however, I do notice the better I eat the less I seem to affected by the dark and cold.

I see signs of SAD in a lot of people. It seems the to grow on itself. As people become more affected by it, they seem to not do the things that help themselves and as such it gets worse for them.

I'm not a doctor or any other type of medical authority, but I figure everyone should try to reduce the probability of suffering through SAD. If nothing else it will make the people around you happy.

Maybe We Really Are What We Eat

I will start by saying I know I do not have a perfect diet.

I was in the grocery store today. As I was walking in, there was a woman who walked in just before me who appeared to put a lot of time and effort into living healthy. I took a look and carried on with my shopping. About half way through my shopping excursion our paths crossed again. Her cart was full of fresh vegetables, with a few other items. It became vary obvious she eats a very healthy diet.

This whole moment made me look around at several other shoppers to see if their appearance matches their food. It seemed to be rather consistent.

In a past life, I used to be a manager in a grocery store. Part of running a store is to observe what types of food were in peoples shopping carts. There is definitely a correlation, especially at the extremes. There were people who were so out of shape they were leaning on their carts to make it to the checkout. Their carts were full of processed garbage. In contrast the people who had carts or baskets full of lean cuts of meat, vegetables, and healthy beverages seemed to travel though the store with ease.

The one unfortunate thing I noticed is most people did not have as healthy food as I did, and like I said at the beginning, I know I do not have the perfect diet.