Jumpstart Energy Fitness and Health Blog|. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Satisfying your craving for daily tips and updates from a practical healthy lifestyle perspective…FINALLY. (period)

You already know that your body needs the right nutrients and fuel to stay strong, but what if I throw you a curve here and tell you that your brain is just as important.

Yes, that little (or maybe large in your case, not mine) thing inside the head needs the same kind of attention that you may be paying to your body after subscribing to this blog.

There’s a kind of creepy relationship between the foods you take in your body and the strength your brain produces (oooh I want to be a power thinker! Just kidding, I like being a moron).

Take in an excess of crappy junk food and nasty non-productive fat? Guess what…your body’s going to show it and your brain will hate you; it’s true, foods such as fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids can actually slow down effects of aging and keep your brain sharp well into your retirement (yes, you’re going to want to use that thing even after the hard work is finished…crap! Reality check for me…cringe).

Besides fish such as tuna, salmon, and trout, there’s a variety of foods that will boost your brain’s ability to function and keep you physically and mentally chiseled…check it out (eat this):

1) fruit and veggies (always good I believe)
2) fiber
3) whole grains (FULLY WHOLE GRAIN breads, etc etc…none of that white stuff…yuck)
4) bright fruits (higher in antioxidants)
5) vitamin B (water soluble preferably to prevent build up)
6) magnesium…try taking a zinc-magnesium pill before bed (found at your local GNC) for a brain boost during the day…it works; I’ve done it/do it

Just like your body needs fuel for energy, your brain needs the same special attention; I know I know, it’s not as cool as rippling pecs and buns of steel, but consistency in your eating habits and BALANCE will keep you on the right track…

…see ya at the spelling bee! Kidding; I won’t be there.

Source=Derek Huizinga, Jumpstart Energy

I’m feeling really tired right now partially due to the time of the day but mainly because of the hectic day yesterday and late bedtime I decided on committing to.

Great so who cares right…be patient, I’m trying to get there…basically because of the fact that my stress level is up and amount of sleep is relatively low, I’m having some hunger issues today; this is going to result in me probably having a nice little afternoon binge (hasn’t happened yet, fingers crossed) that I’m not looking forward to.

In light of the situation, I came up with some simple ways to really curb hunger and shut down your stomach’s appetite switch that anyone can do on a daily basis.

The first one? We already went over it:

- Get your nightly sleep; if you don’t, you could create a hormone imbalance over time and increase your levels of grehlin (see “The Appetite Hormone” posted by Yours Truly on May 12th). Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night (not more or less) and you’ll keep grehlin (you little devil, you) at bay and probably feel a lot better as an added benefit.

The next thing you’ll want to focus on is the types of food you eat:

- You can fill up on almost anything, but certain types of food will actually keep that little tummy of yours satisfied for longer periods of time and calm the cravings to splurge on Gummy Bears. Eat your protein and fiber while drinking enough water at the same time. The protein will digest really slow and keep your stomach too busy to think about the next Pizza Hut adventure while the fiber will suck up all the water and make your stomach expand…you won’t be eating for a while after that now will you? (devilish smiley face…ahh crap I only know the happy ones)

Turn your TV off or stay busy during commercials.

- What’s funny is that research has actually confirmed that watching food preparation or presentation on your television increases your appetite and desire to eat. LOL. Go figure…no wonder why we’re eating so much…WE JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF YOU “FOOD CHANNEL”!

You can also trick your stomach in a couple of different ways; these are my favorite techniques because I’m really not doing anything drastic, just tricking my tummy into thinking it’s full…haha, poor little @#$%@.

1) Don’t have too many different types of snacks. Cut down on the variety of different junk foods or snacks in your counter. This will actually make you less susceptible to having a Saturday afternoon sample-fest instead of a nice proportioned lunch…get the things you know are good and maybe splurge on one or two items per week instead of vice versa…k?

2) Proportion wisely; actually just grab a small plate and the food on it looks bigger and more filling…the results? The stomach thinks you just ate a smorgasboard and will shut up for a while…cool.

3) This one’s my favorite and also the most simple…connection? I think so! Simple things for simple minds! LOL. Just eat really slow. Go out to eat with a loved one at a place with some decent atmosphere and just have a nice conversation…enjoy your time and see who can finish last. Sure, it might take a couple hours, but besides the fact that of the impatient bus-boy grilling you with evil glares, I think it’s pretty enjoyable (OK I think pissing people off is sometimes enjoyable too…but that’s just me and that’s just my simple lil’ mind.) Yarg!

I think I read up somewhere too that it’s easier to control yourself in the light instead of in a dark-lit place because you’re more self-conscious of others seeing what you pig-out on but CMON…THAT DOESN’T WORK FOR ME! NO SHAME! Haha, maybe I’m being sexist but I think that trick may only work for women…just a thought…chill.

Hopefully these tips are pretty easy for you to implement and try out on your own…if not, got a question, a suggestion, got another tip? Comment away.

Source=Derek Huizinga, Jumpstart Energy

It’s 9:17PM EST and I’m getting ready to eat this delicious salad. Now some of you may be asking, “Derek, do you ever stop? When do you enjoy life?” NEVAHHH! I Joke. 

I know I’m pretty nuts; I like to share of lot of my life with the community because it’s important to me to be as transparent as possible so all the readers get to experience my thoughts, fears, concerns, joys, etc etc…

Really the point is just to show you that I’m trying to stay on track too. Do you really think it’d be cool for some out of shape “know-nothing” dude to be writing all of this stuff like a so-called expert?

I Don’ta Thinka Soooo…

So that’s the only point really…well there’s a couple, here listen I do have something for you; this is why I blog about this nonsense even though it takes up my time and some of my life:

1) so you can see I’m healthy too

2) so you’re confident in my credibility

3) so you can engage in my journey

4) so you can relate your journey to mine

That’s it; engagement…period. Now I have to get back to other important things…like eating this deliciously healthy salad and closing down shop for the day. Best of nutritional luck to everyone…stay disciplined.

Source=Derek Huizinga, Jumpstart Energy