Orthorexia

Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating, or consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time, followed by an attempt to rid oneself of the calories consumed, usually by purging (vomiting) and/or by laxative, diuretics or excessive exercise. 

Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa, also known as simply Anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight.

So alongside Bulimia and Anorexia, I learnt about a new word today. Orthorexia.

Orthorexia

Orthorexia nervosa (also known as orthorexia) is a term used to describe people who have developed a fixation with healthy or righteous eating and has been referred to as a mental disorder. 

Whilst this is more psychological than physiological, this is obviously still a cause for concern, which is why it made its way into the news yesterday.

Hmm...

I love my food. I love eating (it tastes even better when someone else does the cooking!) and I also love experimenting with food from different cultures. (The Globetrotting Lifestyle thankfully gives me lots of opportunities to do this!)

I still struggle with doing the 5-a-day, but I do watch what I eat (most times!) and try not to survive on excessively greasy, calorie laden meals.

I also exercise frequently enough, because I understand and appreciate the very serious health implications of not doing any exercise. (On a lighter note, shopping for clothes is a lot easier, when you are a fairly standard size!)

I talk a lot about losing weight but deep down I know, it's just a handy conversation piece. I'm generally quite content with myself - give or take a few body parts!

Do you think they will coin a word for food lover + casual exerciser?

Hmm....


Definitions from Wikipedia.com

8-2

Got this picture from a friend's FB profile and I think my little rhyme below sums up my post for today!

Oh Arsenal!
I know I don't watch football
Soccer to some of y'all
But yesterday's game
Made me hide in shame!

8 goals to Man - U
Arsenal, only 2
How did that take place?
This dramatic fall from grace

No sense in finger-pointing
But has Wenger lost his anointing?
Such an abysmal score
Arsenal fans have been left distraught to their core!

Be strong, dear Arsenal fans
I'm sure the coaches have grand plans
To bring your team of old to its former glory
So today can be filed under 'Really Nasty Memory!'

Who needs exercise?

I met a gym instructor yesterday and after introductions, we started chatting about how we spend our day. She starts her day pretty early and sometimes, depending on her schedule, ends the day pretty late.
All doing some form of exercise (spinning, aerobics, zumba...)

Most medical professionals recommend exercise as a surefire way for good health, longevity and general well-being.

So my muse for today is this:-

- Will she still need to 'get some exercise' after her workday?

- How does she unwind? 

Personally, I admire her and her career choice, because anything more than 60 minutes of strenuous exercise has me gasping for breath!

Pain...

Really?

Because each time I go to the gym
A lot of weakness leaves my body
Does that mean that one day I'll be 'running on empty'
What else is left in my poor sore body?

I don't really mind any weakness leaving
Just take the muffin top and the flabby arms as well
The jiggly thighs and the saggy butt
Take all of them with you as you leave

Maybe then I can have some new guests
The six pack abs with no muffin top.
The biceps to die for and the summer-ready-body?
Oh yes, I welcome you all!

So, I've got news for you, dear weakness
Hurry up and check out of this motel
I'm going to keep nagging until your lights are in the distance
You see, I've got some new guests waiting in the lobby!

The big business of sports - Part 2

 

Final part of yesterday's discussion on how the sports industry has transformed itself into a sophisticated network of business opportunities....Click here to read yesterday's post. 


Here's a short list of areas where I can see the obvious transformations have occurred in sports.


Technology - The introduction and use of sophisticated tools and equipment to ensure better accuracy in judging. Equipment that measures the speed of the ball, the actual angle and curve of a serve - all these adds to making each game a lot more than just chasing a ball. 

Tools of the trade - The use of better material for the manufacture of the sports paraphernalia, all geared towards enhancing player performance. (e.g. improved tennis racquets,  enhanced design for the sportscars used in races, better turf on the pitches to ensure better ball-kicking, better saddles for the horses to prevent chafing etc.) 

Clothing - The use of better textures of fabric attire to ensure maximum efficiency and optimal use of energy whilst playing the sport. (new streamlined swimwear for swimmers, breathable clothing for all athletes etc)

Player Management - In the past, sportsmen were managed by their friends or neighbourhood hustlers. Now, there's a whole new industry sector, as financial gurus and business managers, hustle to land roles that will enable them manage a player's career - deciding which teams he should play for, which tournaments he should participate in, which endorsements he should accept etc. 

Team Management - There seems to be a mad rush among the very rich to be part of this investment opportunity. (Possibly a better investment than buying failing companies!). Many of these rich folk are owners of successful teams, and plough huge amounts of money in, to ensure that they get the best players for their team. 

Good players = More Wins = More Endorsement opportunities = More money for everyone! Ka-ching! 

Nutrition and Health - You are what you eat. The diet and health industry have gone overboard with introducing various performance enhancers and dietary changes to ensure that players are eating to optimise performance. More muscle building foods, frequent health checks to ensure all organs are in tip-top shape! 

 

Income - These are so fat, I am breathless just thinking about it. Which is probably why a lot of sportsmen are revered like mini-gods, because of their earnings. Young ladies fawning over them, hangers-on just wanting to be a part of something good, society granting them full celebrity status... you get the picture...

I'll end with this post with this. 
Contrary to Michael Jordan's quote, 'Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.', I do think there is now a lot more to sports than just that!  

The big business of sports - Part 1

 

So, I'm still on this topic of 'classy' sportsmen, who speak multiple languages, dress and look like movie stars, mingle with dignitaries and spend like millionaires....here goes....

Growing up, I always thought that those who went into sports as a full-time career were those who had more brawns than brains. "They didn't have the brains to cut it in school and so they opted for the easy road - sports!" Boisterous children were encouraged to pick up a sport as a way of using up all that pent up energy. It wasn't so much about the technique of the game, but just the letting up of bottled in tension. 


I studiously kept at my books, shaking my head haughtily at those who preferred to involve themselves in sports. Granted not all of these sportsmen made it to the big league (and also not all bookworms are poor and destitute) but I do accept I am wrong - completely! 


The playing field, with respect to how sports is perceived, has definitely changed...

On an economic and professional note, the entire sports industry has definitely become a whole lot more sophisticated in recent years. 

When I say sports, I am talking about all forms of sports - basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, football, swimming, golf, auto racing, polo - you name it. If you can break a sweat doing it (and in some cases, you might not visibly break a sweat, but we all know you are sweating somewhere(!) as you wait apprehensively to see if you won!), then it's a sport!  

When I say sophistication (for want of a better word), it could be the eloquence of the players (e.g. Mohammed Ali), the education (many of the NFL/NBA players have a college degree) or their fashion style (David Beckham is one of note who has transformed himself from soccer player to Hollywood icon). 

My post yesterday talked about the new influx of polyglot / bilingual sportsmen (and women). That's just another area where sports has been transformed. Being able to learn and speak another language, definitely uses a whole different set of brain cells, than those used for sports. And there is an increasing number of sportsmen who are able to speak, at least 2 languages - fluently. 


A few could probably have excelled at other activities, if sports had failed them. Many have branched out into other businesses (finance, real estate, manufacturing, acting, entertainment) since retirement from (or alongside) active sports. 

On a lighter, personal note, I guess I should have listened to the wise man who once said 'Sport is a preserver of health.  ~Hippocrates.'  and paid more attention to sport!  If not for anything else, the resultant health benefits of participating in sports are substantial. The healthy heart, the well-functioning organs, the flatter abs, the firmer butt, the well defined arms, the svelte body, the possibility of adding a few more years to your life - all these, just by keeping active! Yes, sports is good!


....to be continued

Polyglots in Sports

Who says a career in sports is for the not-so-brights?? Think again!

Do you follow tennis? Yesterday, I watched the finals of the French Opens between two extremely  phenomenal players, whilst they battled it out for the cup. Apart from the fact that it was a lovely game (as always), the acceptance speeches are what struck me the most.
(For those of you who missed this, Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer to win his 6th French Open title. Scores were 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1)

The eloquence of Roger Federer - a known multi-linguist - speaking such fluent French without faltering. The confidence of Rafael Nadal - fluent in Spanish and English - choosing to end his speech in French (and it wasn't half-bad too!). The commentators echoed my thoughts with the remark (7m:28s),' You don't think this is a global sport?! 3 languages in one speech!'
















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A huge number of people speak just one language and many struggle with getting it right, in that one language. Tenses are all mixed up, and words are generally used in the wrong context, causing listeners to stare in utter confusion and bewilderment!

On the other hand, there is an increasing number of sportsmen who are proving themselves to be multi-lingual. You find sportsmen playing all over the world, in numerous sports, in different countries, miles away from their birth countries, switching from their native language to their host country's language, effortlessly. Gone are the days of sportsmen being full of brawn and very little brain!

I wonder if you could attribute this to the global spread of sports (and interest in it), suggesting that if you want to excel, you need to connect with your audience? So, it's no longer just about the sport you play, but also about how you present yourself - your brand?

Or is the world just getting flooded with a new breed of highly sophisticated sportsmen?

Saturday's post talks about my quest for eloquence, however, I have to doff my hat to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for not just being excellent sportsmen and great ambassadors of the sport, but also gifted polyglots!

Now, that's pretty neat!

It's not food, it's Cortisol!

For those of you who do not already know, Cortisol is a hormone in the body, secreted by the adrenal glands and one whose discovery has made me so much happier!

According to About.com, (do click on the link to read more about it), cortisol is involved in the following body functions (Proper glucose metabolism, Regulation of blood pressure, Insulin release for blood sugar maintanence etc)

The article also calls Cortisol - the body's stress hormone - and explains that it is secreted in higher levels in the bloodstream, when the body is extremely stressed. Such high secretions  (like those associated with chronic stress) result in negative effects, such as: Impaired cognitive performance, Suppressed thyroid function and wait for this - INCREASED ABDOMINAL FAT, which as we all know is associated with a greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body.

Increased abdominal fat(!) - this makes me really ecstatic!

So now I know - it's not the doughnuts I've been eating, nor the corndogs, hotdogs or chilli dogs. It's not the ice-cream or the milkshakes. It's Cortisol. I'm stressed! That's why I am carrying all that weight around my middle!

So all I need to do is to eliminate the stress in my life, which will lower my cortisol to acceptable levels and then I will be slim and svelte - no? The article says 'To keep cortisol levels healthy and under control, the body’s relaxation response should be activated after the fight or flight response occurs. You can learn to relax your body with various stress management techniques, and you can make lifestyle changes in order to keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place'.

I really do not have to do anything about the food, because it's not the food that's causing it - it's Cortisol! Yay!

Really??!!! You tell me...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm

Take some time out

The harried pace of today’s society tends to look down on those who live life at a much slower, relaxed pace. They’re not ambitious. They’re too laid back. Surely, they could strive more....


In the mad rush that we call life, we need to step back periodically and create some 'me time'. Almost like stepping out of your life, to watch your life...You’ll be surprised at what you see...

Everyone needs 'me time'. Why? Because this is your time to regroup and recharge your energy. Your time to do whatever floats your boat, without having to worry about day-to-day chores. Your time to stand back, assess your life, measure your personal goals, aspirations and achievements and see if you’re still on track. And if you’re not on track, then this is the perfect time to plan what your next move should be, in peace and solitude.

'Me time' has to be scheduled, planned for and enjoyed. Treat it as seriously as you would a Doctor’s appointment or a very important business meeting that you cannot afford to miss.

'Me time' doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, the simpler, the better. You can go to the movies, go to the gym, schedule a day spa treatment, visit a coffee shop (several!), go shopping, go for a long walk – anything. Just make sure you spend it doing exactly what you want to do – pamper yourself fully!

The frequency and duration of 'me time' really depends on how quickly you get burnt out , and how practical scheduling that 'me time' will be (will you need to make arrangements for your children etc). Try not to make it too often, otherwise 'me time' loses its value and your family will probably scream ‘Neglect!’. Stick with the scheduled times (this way, everyone realises its importance to you). Avoid using the time for general household errands.

Once you start having your regular scheduled 'me time' sessions, you begin to look forward to it and you’ll be surprised how rejuvenated and refreshed you feel afterwards.

Weight loss, weight gain....

Weight loss, weight gain
Can you believe my weight’s up again?
You cannot say I do not try enough
But this is one struggle, I’m getting tired of

It’s so easy to pile on the pounds
The fried food, the burgers, the delicious doughnut rounds
It takes a lot of willpower to say no to good cuisine
So here's what I do, less ‘white’ and more ‘green’.

I try to eat right and make the right choices
All my flavour comes from organic food and natural spices
The salt is out, because of water retention
Yet all I see on the scales are numbers rising, what tension!

Just a week ago, I lost 6 pounds
When I was told, my joy knew no bounds,
But it’s got to be back, how do I know?
I feel so bloated and all my bulges are on show!

My tops are tighter, my shorts a lot more snug
Every single item of clothing, clinging like a bear hug
My skinny jeans, are no longer that,
They fit me like leggings and make me look fat!

But I’m not quite ready to buy into the latest fads
Cos I think most of those fads, are made up for the ads
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not out to criticise
But logic tells me, weight can be controlled with exercise!

So off I go again, trainers on my feet
Heading out the door, ignoring the heat
If it’s the last thing I do, I will climb that hill
And then come back home to massage my sore and achy heels!