crashnburn

. Not angry. Just my 2 cents. I am not attacking you. I RESPECT your WAY of LIFE. (Capitals.. are just for emphasis here & earlier). I respect someone who follows a certain lifestyle and I am interested in learning from them. E.g. I went to this zen buddisht place for a meditation class. They were not trying to TELL ME that THEY ARE ELITE and since I havent dont meditation in THEIR way, that they are better. It projects a better IMAGE from them. I respect them more for that. If I went to a VEGAN meet and someone says.. you a re vegetarian so you cant be here... well that would be not projecting a great IMAGE of the VEGAN group would it? Because, a co worker of mine is not vegetarian I should not invite him to have a taste of my veg cooking? I am vegetarian but I dont put an elitist stance for any non veggies nor do I preach to them. I am here.. with the VEGAN board because I share 90% commonality in diet & mindset. I appreciate what I get to learn from that 90% and the people here should probably respect my 10% difference. That is what creates greater respect and brotherhood. This was not so much about VEGAN -> LACTO -> OCTO -> FISH -> CHICKEN -> RED MEAT. It was my perspective on ELITIST mentalities. PS: Either ways.. I think I ran out of juice . End of discussion from my side.

Its called "MUNG DAL". Its a kind of lentil. Mung, Tuar, Udat, Chana / Chane, Kaali (black), Masoor. These are all the Indian Dals (lentils) that I can remember for the time being... ??

and the Matt Cedeno link that someone posted. Ideal for me.

I agree. I have to shake hands at client meetings and I dont want someon e to wonder what they felt while shaking my hand and and get distracted from what we were trying to focus on.

I like the way you put it. Especially the stuff I marked.

Read my previous post. IDEALISM and REAL life are different. Through the history of evolution people have found animal products or seafood. The logistics of making everyone VEGAN is as far fetched as everyone having EQUAL SALARIES and everything EQUAL in the world. If you can afford to buy soy milk from an air conditioned store that you can drive to that gets its refrigerated stock by a refrigereated whole foods truck.. does it mean everyone in the world can?

Everything we do .. causes harm. PERIOD. I am not angry here.. I am disappointed because I thought people here had a more balanced view point. I saw the 'Alec Baldwin' thing on PETA and it said 'Dairy' leads to VEAL farming. I felt guilty as I saw that video. I began to wonder if me having some organic milk was causing that to happen to cows? That way I should feel guilty for living in a capitalist nation versus a communist socialist nation where everyone no matter how hard they work get the same. Sometimes I do feel when I see people who dont have ..and we have so much. What is better ? - Guy who is vegan but drives a pickup truck/SUV) (GAS & ECO unfriendly) , buys stuff at some store for value pricing.. that was priced that way by exploitation of some people (& animals) in some remote country. - Guy who has his own little farm in remote country with a few animals; some chicken (for eggs), maybe some cows (for milk) and a few bulls (for transportation) since he cannot afford an automobile his entire life. He probably has no source of SOY based supermarkets within 1000 miles of his location. Another discussion area.. Some people here mentioned that if you rear animals / chickens on your farm without being cruel to them but eventually end up consuming them/ their children.. then that would be okay. So animal consumption without 'crue living' would be okay? So consuming animals that died a natural death after living a long natural life would be okay? I dont know what peoples motivations are.. Mine is PERSONAL. I am not an animal rights activist.. and probably wont be. I do appreciate and respect living rights of all animals. So, I wonder if someone having horses & dogs & cats should have them. They should be let go and live wild & free in the jungles. I dont judge people who eat meat, fish, eggs, whatever else. I dont think I AM BETTER THAN THEM. I dont judge people who have pets (caged or uncaged birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, llamas.. or whatever else). IN NO WAY DO I THINK I HAVE A BETTER THAN THEM MENTALITY. I HAVE A .. I DO WHAT I DO BEST.. the BEST I CAN DO.. MENTALITY. That is manipulation. I have seen missionaries convert poor villagers into Christianity by simply offering them 10 or 20$ a month in local currency. That is a lot of money for some people. Fair enough. Does not mean you have an ELITIST mentality. I know I have a certain way of life.. spiritually, philosophically, socially and diet wise.. I DONT PREACH THAT TO ANYONE. If people ask.. I tell them about MY LIFE and how it is. I dont HATE, or SINGLE OUT or LEAVE OUT OF CONVERSATION or CREATE an INNER CIRCLE that excludes.. people who do not fall into my lifestyle. I know what MY LIFESTYLE BENEFITS are for me. If others like SOME PART OF IT.. they can LEARN.. and take THOSE PARTS. I DO THE SAME. I take what I learn from others and apply it to my life.. part by part. But, I dont like it when someone pushes or preaches that to me. Maybe there will be a 100 things and I might pick up 20. The discussion was simply about ELITIST mentalities among vegans. No matter how great lord BUDDA was.. he did not have that attitude towards anyone. To each his own. You can talk about what happens and let people make their decisions. Dont be EXCLUSIVE thinking you have achieved NIRVANA by going VEGAN. No. It was not just the animals you thought about. You DID.. conciously or sub conciously in some way FACTOR in the BENEFITS you would DERIVE as well from going VEGAN. No matter how hard you want to make believe.. we do things for OURSELVES no matter how self less we want to be. Zen buddhism session that I attended a few weeks back. Someone asked about COMPASSION. The statement and reply was.. we use compassion as a mode of trying to help someone who is LESS fortunate than you. That means.. you are the GIVER of compassion because you CONSIDER YOURSELF IN A BETTER "POSITION". ELITIST. He said.. that is not ABSOLUTE COMPASSION. We label things.. every minute, every second since we cognition after we are born. I AGREE. Stop labeling. Look inside and do what you can do best.

I identify with this 'COOKED' on top of 'MEAT' plate/grill. My grandfather would probably not touch food outside the house.. actually over the last 50 years or so I dont think he has eaten outside. When I first came to TX, 5 years back I used to be very sensitive about any meat touching and so on. Even know its irritating when you have to consistently keep telling staff to not touch their meat stuff to my food (subway, quiznos). (please change ur gloves etc). Why cant a company like subway make their employees aware as a SMALL part of their training that when someone says VEGGIE or says that they are VEGETARIAN / VEGAN then they need to automatically do the following: - Change their gloves - Clean the boards where meat related food was cut - Atleast wipe the knife they use to cut the sandwiches I usually have enough pain trying to get them to do Step 1 here. 2 & 3.. I am lucky if they listen to me. But, I travel for work so I've got to make do on a busy schedule. Cant sit on their heads and do things perfect.

I am not so worried about grip strength as I am not a BIG lifter.. newbie actually. I want to minimize calluses on my palms. Atleast to start with I hate the feeling of bare metal. There was a time we used to use small pieces cut out of old bicycle tyre tubes to act as rubber sheath around any weights or bars that we were holding.

Rob. I'd appreciate that. If you could get me in touch with these people. At the sametime, I would like to get some help on building a PLAN. I am going to try & get my Body Fat %, my BMI/BMR (metabolic rate), weight etc measured and put up some "NOW" body picutres. Is there a way I can do the CALIPER readings for BF% myself? Can I seek the help of a local member from here? I'll put forth short term & long term goals and then I'd like to get your and everyones advise and build a plan that incorporates.. EXERCISE, DIET and REST.

Thanks everyone. I went on a posting spree as soon as I joined .

wow. where is this documented? how did he hold that position. This is the kind of body & strength I'd rather have.

NewGrip says that if we get a dozen or more of their products we get it for half price. Maybe we have enought people between Houston & Dallas for that purpose.

I'd say Mix a few kind of lentils with Kidney Beans & some indian spices and you've got a great receipe.

I noticed one more thing.. OH you are vegetarian now.. good boy.. but ur still lacking behind vegans.. so to achieve NIRVANA you have to go VEGAN. This is sad. Maybe some people are content with being Vegetarian. Maybe some lone fisherman on a pacific island eats fish and has probably never had chicken or meat. He is a fish-eterian. RESPECT THAT. I dont like HARDLINERS and ELITIST mentalities in any form. Political, Religion or Diet in that sense. BE HAPPY ABOUT WHAT YOU DO. DONT PUSH IT ON TO OTHERS. OBJECTIVELY EXPRESS YOUR LEARNINGS. DONT PUSH IT AS "MY WAY IS BETTER THAN YOUR WAY". All the vegan 'moderates' here seem to have a .. oh Vegetarianism is just your stepping stone to Veganism.. at that point you will be the PURIST of the PURIST.. until then you are still short of being SUPER HUMAN & ATTAINING NIRVANA... Hello.. what if Vegetarianism was my goal.. or was part of my life .. all along. PERIOD. I see the same push with people in religious followings. I think a religion is nothing but HOW YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE YOUR LIFE. and that is YOUR CHOICE. You could choose one of the mainstream ways.. or find a middle path between them or find a specialized sect or church of thought. BOTTOMLINE remains the same.

Not to insult anyone but I am a little disappointed with the EXTREME attitudes here. I was born into a family that had been lacto-vegetarian for generations. Like most people in India are. It is a country where the cow is considered sacred. Of course, back in the day (way before my generation) people in villages used to have their own cows at home. Animal rights or human rights is one thing. I ve live 25+ years of my life as a vegetarian. Never ate an ANIMAL or such. (No eggs either.. I consider egg as a possible living being). Milk kept for a 1000 years will not turn into a cow. These are PERSONAL BELIEFS as Ive grown up. BUT.. I never had a NEGATIVE or ELITIST attitude towards anyone who eats meat or otherwise. Its THEIR CHOICE. Also, to some extent NOT EVERY PERSON ON THE PLANET CAN BE VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN. WHY? The world wont be able to support us. I think NATURE and EVOLUTION decide what happens. If there is some guy on a pacific island I'd expect them to eat fish. Thats the ECOSYSTEM they are part of. I cant expect them to be vegetarian. I dont hate people who eat beef or any other meat. I live my life the best I can and try what I can do. I am not perfect. If having yogurt and make me what I am.. well.. thats how I grew up and I see that it is fairly clean diet. Now ANIMAL ABUSE in DIARY FARMS. That is different from me drinking milk. Atleast, I am not eating some animal. What do you think happens in countries where CATTLE are the primary AUTOMOBILE/ TRACTOR/ FARMING MACHINE/ TRANSPORTATION MACHINE. Bullock carts, Horse Carriages and the likes.. I am not saying they are perfect.. but thats life.. How many of you can say you do not drive from X to Y in a gas hogging vehicle? ... or will never need to? Go and live off the land.. thats pure VEGAN.. if u want to be.. We influence things without knowing.. The piping inside your automobile might have some polymer item that depends on some animal extract to be chemically processed & manufactured.. Can you fix that? ... No matter what you do.. no matter how VEGAN and pro-animal you claim to be you will impact the LIFECYCLE in some way...unless you go TARZAN and live off the LAND.. So try your best and appreciate what people do to their BEST extent. If I talk to a japanse guy and ask him to stop eating sushi he will look at me and wonder what I am thinking. ELITISM is nothing but SELF PRIDE & EGO on CERTAIN TRAITS. Be the Buddha... Be above judging small things. Be anti-fur and anti-meat.. but dont be ANTI ...period.

Good to know more houston people are here.

I'll tell you why these seem to be good. Because I had these things as a part of my natural diet for 20+ years thanks to my mum. 1. Grapes - Snacking on them boosts insulin sensitivity, reducing blood sugar swings by 42% and reducing cravings, according to USDA research. The credit goes to dozens of phytochemicals, including phenolics, cyanidin and kaempferol. These compounds activate the brain's satiety center, so less food is needed to feel full. My mom used to always give us grapes (when in fresh season) after dinner/lunch or for late afternoon breakfast when we got home after school. 2. Spinach - Each 1 cup serving contains 6x more lutein than romaine lettuce, 5x more glutathione than watermelon, plus almost 250 mg of calcium. And studies at the University of TN in Knoxville suggest that these nutrients can speed the loss of belly fat by 81%. For the biggest nutrient boost, eat spinach raw or lightly steamed (instead ofboiled). Always one of the curries during a week when in season. Pureed spinach curry, leafy spinach with lentil curry, leafy spinach with potatoes or tomatoes. I am amazed how she would cook this stuff and here I see +ve benefits 3. Strawberries - The soluble fiber and natural sugars in these treats chase away cravings for less healthy snacks. And the pelargonidin, ellagic acid and other phytochemicals keep metabolic rate high, speeding calorie burn by 12%. Get organic or wash commercially grown berries thoroughly before eating (this removes the herbicides and pesticides that trigger fatigue and stubborn weight gain). My mom used to always give us strawberries (when in fresh season) after dinner/lunch or for late afternoon breakfast when we got home after school & also fresh strawberry milkshakes. 4. Tomatoes - They're nature's #1 source of lycopene, an antioxidant that stalls the absorption of dietary fat. And each juicy tomato contains just 33 calories. BASE PART OF EVERY DAMN CURRY (Indian Food). 5. Whole Grains - In a surprising Harvard study, people who ate 3 servings of whole grains daily were 30% less likely to battle excess belly fat than those who indulged in carbs made with white flour. "Fiber and nutrient rich whole grains are more filling and keep insulin production stable, plus they prevent cravings." Fresh made Whole grain tortillas.. most of america lives on white bread.. i cant understand why more restaurants and others dont move towards whole grain bread products 6. Olive Oil - Eating as little as 2 Tbs olive oil cuts daily craving and overeating by 22%. Olive oil contains healthy fats and polyphenols. This combo improves the body's ability to use glucose, keeping blood sugar steady and fat burning at its peak. THe only thing I dont remember her using, Mostly used heavily in europe for cooking 7. Blueberries - Eating blueberries can fend off snack attacks for 4 hrs, plus help women lose 5% of the body weight in 6 months, researchers at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, TX report. The credit goes to blood sugar stabilizing antioxidants. USDA studies reveal that blueberries are packed with them -- just 1/2 cup boosts blood levels by 100%. 8. Almonds - Women who munch on almonds when hunger strikes have a 22% lower risk of diabetes, plus they effortlessly lose up to 11 lbs every year, according to research at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. The benefit comes from almonds' plant fats, fiber, magnesium and vitamin E. These nutrients work to keep muscle and brain cells insulin-sensitive so blood sugar stays on an en even keel and appetite stays under control. Mom used to soak them overnight and give me those in the morning with milk for breakfast. Great anti ox and super vitamin E 9. Bell Peppers - A heaping cup of purople, orange, red and/or yellow peppers contains just 40 calories, yet USDA research shows these crunchy snacks are one of nature's top sources of carotenoids, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin. These phytonutrients work together to keep metabolic rate high. Plus a serving of peppers can suppress cravings in just 20 minutes. DAMN ONCE AGAIN. BINGO. 10. Broccoli - Women with the highest intake of broccoli not only have a significantly lower risk of cancer and heart disease, but they're also able to shed up to 1 lb weekly without counting calories, say researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. The credit goes to dozens of different health protecting compounds, but the most impressive of the lot is sulforaphane, a phytonutrient that revs the function of metabolically active enzymes inside body cells.

How far has anyone tried out the following that was posted? 1. Grapes - Snacking on them boosts insulin sensitivity, reducing blood sugar swings by 42% and reducing cravings, according to USDA research. The credit goes to dozens of phytochemicals, including phenolics, cyanidin and kaempferol. These compounds activate the brain's satiety center, so less food is needed to feel full. 2. Spinach - Each 1 cup serving contains 6x more lutein than romaine lettuce, 5x more glutathione than watermelon, plus almost 250 mg of calcium. And studies at the University of TN in Knoxville suggest that these nutrients can speed the loss of belly fat by 81%. For the biggest nutrient boost, eat spinach raw or lightly steamed (instead ofboiled). 3. Strawberries - The soluble fiber and natural sugars in these treats chase away cravings for less healthy snacks. And the pelargonidin, ellagic acid and other phytochemicals keep metabolic rate high, speeding calorie burn by 12%. Get organic or wash commercially grown berries thoroughly before eating (this removes the herbicides and pesticides that trigger fatigue and stubborn weight gain). 4. Tomatoes - They're nature's #1 source of lycopene, an antioxidant that stalls the absorption of dietary fat. And each juicy tomato contains just 33 calories. 5. Whole Grains - In a surprising Harvard study, people who ate 3 servings of whole grains daily were 30% less likely to battle excess belly fat than those who indulged in carbs made with white flour. "Fiber and nutrient rich whole grains are more filling and keep insulin production stable, plus they prevent cravings." 6. Olive Oil - Eating as little as 2 Tbs olive oil cuts daily craving and overeating by 22%. Olive oil contains healthy fats and polyphenols. This combo improves the body's ability to use glucose, keeping blood sugar steady and fat burning at its peak. 7. Blueberries - Eating blueberries can fend off snack attacks for 4 hrs, plus help women lose 5% of the body weight in 6 months, researchers at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, TX report. The credit goes to blood sugar stabilizing antioxidants. USDA studies reveal that blueberries are packed with them -- just 1/2 cup boosts blood levels by 100%. 8. Almonds - Women who munch on almonds when hunger strikes have a 22% lower risk of diabetes, plus they effortlessly lose up to 11 lbs every year, according to research at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. The benefit comes from almonds' plant fats, fiber, magnesium and vitamin E. These nutrients work to keep muscle and brain cells insulin-sensitive so blood sugar stays on an en even keel and appetite stays under control. 9. Bell Peppers - A heaping cup of purople, orange, red and/or yellow peppers contains just 40 calories, yet USDA research shows these crunchy snacks are one of nature's top sources of carotenoids, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin. These phytonutrients work together to keep metabolic rate high. Plus a serving of peppers can suppress cravings in just 20 minutes. 10. Broccoli - Women with the highest intake of broccoli not only have a significantly lower risk of cancer and heart disease, but they're also able to shed up to 1 lb weekly without counting calories, say researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. The credit goes to dozens of different health protecting compounds, but the most impressive of the lot is sulforaphane, a phytonutrient that revs the function of metabolically active enzymes inside body cells.

Houston, TX Mid-late 20s Male Inner Loop

Houston, TX signing in.

I have some staged out goals. Most important now is to find a consistent exercise and diet model that allows me to drop my Body Fat %age. As such I look like a FIT ATHLETIC guy, but have this tyre around me thanks to my 5 years in texas that has covered my mid section in a not so nice manner. I'd like to lose that first. I look like an athletic guy (bone structure & good muscle memory i guess). I know we cant lose isolated fats.. but thats where most of it is. Not nice. Most people dont know it or see it.. so I get by.. but thats because I hold it back by BREATH. Bad.. but i guess ive never identifed with being a SKINNY ATHLETIC guy with a BELLY-TYRE (looks wierd). EXERCISE AREAS: I have in the past done the following stuff: - Workouts /weights - Turbo Kickboxing (24 hour fitness Group X classes) - PiYo (Pilates Yoga) (24 hour fitness Group X classes) There was a 3 month period that I did the TKB & PYO and it had great effect on me. I used to enjoy running (on a nice beach).. wonder if I can get back to it in humid houston weather. I am interested in adding SWIMMING to the mix (My dad was, is and will be a swimming fanatic..) since it is - non impact and - stretches you - freshens and burns But it also means.. Im going to show my midsection . What the hell.. thats my punishment. I trave a lot for work which has cause my diet to go whacky and exercise to non existant. I need to fix that. PS: I am open to suggestions here.. THis is stuff Ive done before, and maybe do in the coming days. CURRENTLY: I am doing little to no exercise.. Pull ups and pushups inside the room.

I have been out of the fitness cycle for a while. This time I need to kick start it. Do this the right way. I'd appreciate if someone could work with me in putting together or even just sanity checking my exercise & diet plan. Appreciate it. Crash

I am no expert but this was my experience with pull ups. I used to go to the GYM at age 17 and I could not even do 1 (barely) and I was able to do all the pushups, etc. I could also not do parallel bar DIPS (tricep & back). I think these are best 2 upper body exercises. A cousin of mine who could do 10+ said one thing and I did that. GET A PULL UP BAR AND PUT IT IN YOUR DOOR FRAME. EVERYTIME YOU PASS THROUGH IT JUMP and DO ONE. I went something like this.. - Week 1: 1 or 2 only - Month 1: A few of them - Month 3: higher single digits - Month 4: reaching 9/10 - Month 6: 12, 10, 8 (3 sets) Now I am down to 6, 2. Why? Havent done it in a long time plus have gained weight. PS: But nothing will get you doing pullups like DOING pullups. Also one thing that might help is REVERSE PULL UPS (on the pull up bar). i.e. JUMP ON TO THE BAR SUCH THAT YOU ARE IN THE "UP" position (chin near bar) and then slowly in a CONTROLLED MANNER, let yourself down. REPEAT. BUT GET A PULL UP BAR AND PUT IN YOUR HOME/APARTMENT If you cant install by nails etc I found 2 bars that AUTO LOCK IN withou NAILS into door frame. I bought one recently for 30$ because I cant INSTALL or DAMAGE my APARTMENT DOOR FRAME with permanent NAILS etc.

Mid 20s , Male, Houston, Texas Hello - I moved to texas a fit person and now I want to get back. I have been vegetarian all my life. I was not able to find a VEGETARIAN FORUM for fitness and this was the closest so here I am. I'd like to work with you guys and figure out the best way to approach an EXERCISE, FOOD & REST regimen. I hope this brings me back on track.