BetterBody BetterLife

New Location

2010-08-31T10:19:00.003-04:00

I've moved.

Having several blogs is a lot of work to keep up with. So now I am in one place.

A one-stop shop of motivation, inspiration and tons of great information blog can now be found at the Croix Sather blog.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

BTW, Have you heard that I am running from San Diego to New York City? Seriously. It is called Dream Big, Act Big - Coast to Coast inspirational tour. A 3,000 mile run and speaking tour to prove that anything is possible with a big dream and big action.

Check it out here at the Croix Sather Dream Big, Act Big official website.

What can you do in 100 days?

Stop calling me a Vegetarian.

2009-10-05T10:49:00.006-04:00

Please stop calling me a vegetarian and don’t say “whatever.” It is rude and you obviously don’t care or understand healthy living. We need a new term or phrase to capture the trend happening in this country and starting across the globe.

I am not a vegetarian and I am not a vegan even though most people say that about me. While both sound appealing to me, neither one is accurate. I eat a plant-based diet. This means I occasionally have steak, chicken, eggs or fish. Occasionally means about once a week on average. I regularly eat dairy products such as butter and cheese, but also limit those to a minimum. A lot of people I know do the same. This is very healthy and probably the most realistic for most people. There are times when you cannot avoid meat, eggs or dairy without offending the host, especially when in company of other cultures.

So why do I choose a plant based diet? Three reasons.

1 - We don't need nearly as much protein as it had been previously believed. Not even bodybuilders. Here is my reasoning. If an infant gets only 3 -5% protein in a breast milk diet (the perfect meal), and this is the stage where we grow at the fastest rate and therefore need the most protein of any time in our life, why would we need 20-40% as adults?

2 – Meat is nasty. I didn’t always think this way. I ate meat at every single meal and even my snacks were beef jerky. The more you learn about the meat, poultry, and fish industry, the less appealing it is to eat it. Watch some PETA videos. Or read this brilliant article by the New York Times or watch this video. If that is not enough, make a dish of beef gravy and then put it in the fridge to chill. The next day there will be a disgusting, artery clogging, thick gelatinous layer of fat. This is what causes blocked arteries leading to heart attacks and also a reason for premature death.

3 - It is a personal belief choice, a philosophical choice, and even a spiritual choice. I don't believe that it is right that we take an animal's life for our own selfish and egotistical reasons. We don't need meat to live healthy, in fact we should NOT have it often to live healthy. So why raise hundreds of thousands of animals each year to send to the slaughterhouses? Why over-fish our oceans to the point of extinction for many species? And lastly, is it really in the spirit of God or the Universe (or whoever is your higher power) to take another life be it a person or animal when it is not necessary?

So what to call the plant based diet?
Healthy American diet?
Healthy plant based diet?
The Spiritual diet?
The Right diet?

Hmmm.... any ideas? Comment below and let me know what you’re thinking.

Getting healthy and fit is easier than it seems

2009-09-21T13:38:00.006-04:00

Becoming healthy and fit is a lot easier than it seems. You will think it is a difficult thing to do if you listen to the media and if you take advice from friends. The reason that most people cannot lose weight and become fit is because they are doing the wrong things. Obviously right?

Doing the wrong things also includes listening to the majority. If most people cannot successfully stay healthy and fit then why would you do what they do? Most people go out and buy the latest and most popular diet book expecting to lose weight plus shed fat and they fail at their goal. Why? Because the information is wrong OR it only answers part of the question.

Losing weight and becoming fit and healthy is easy to do if you do jus one thing… “Act as if.” That’s it. Act as if you are healthy and fit and you will become healthy and fit. It sounds too simple right? Yes and no. It is that simple if you do what fit and healthy people do. It is not simple if you do what most people do and make excuses instead of taking action.

ACT AS IF means:
Modeling healthy people (do what they do)
Eating the right foods
Doing the right exercise
Creating an active lifestyle
Staying away from the bad stuff
And maybe even staying away from “bad habit” people

The fact is, this is simple when you stop trying to be something you are not and start being someone who you will be ... who you already are. Act as if means you take on the belief that you are already there and the results have yet to appear. If you act as if you are already healthy and fit and do what a healthy and fit person does, then you will become healthy and fit as an effect of your lifestyle.

Give yourself the gift of health.

Let me know you’re alive. Love the post or hate it, please comment below. We give out random gifts to random comment posts.

Want to learn more ways to act and think like a fit person? Sign up for Croix’s free posts and videos. Look to your right. No the other right. lol

Your Children Are What You Eat

2009-02-19T14:03:00.005-05:00

Children are amazing little recording devices. My little girl is almost three and it constantly surprises me how much she retains. The problem is that she retains nearly everything – even the things we don’t want her to. The bigger problem is that she is at the age that you cannot necessarily rationalize and explain things. She wants to do everything that we do. Most of the time that is good, but sometimes that is not so good.

It is not enough to say, “Because I said so!” How many times did you hear that as a child? Did it ever work? Only if you were threatened with capital punishment. Since capital punishment is not longer accepted in today’s society we need to find a smarter and better way.

It seems to me that the most effective way to get your children to do what you want, is to do it yourself. We have to lead by example. Preach, yell, or lecture is not nearly as effective as being the example. And sometimes this is very difficult.

If you want your children to be healthy, lean, and fit with the healthiest eating habits – then you have live that way to show them. That is a pretty good deal. You lose weight, you get healthy, you get fit, your exercise regularly, and your children grow up living, learning and breathing that environment. Wow, A reward that pays back dividends for a lifetime – yours and your children.

If:
You eat healthy – they eat healthy
You are active – they are active
You are fit – they will be fit
You exercise regularly – they will exercise too

My children are way to young to go running with me, but I can take them with me in a jogging stroller as I train for My next Ironman triathlon. I have run as far as seven miles pushing my daughter up and down the hills of Connecticut, and four miles pushing both kids in a double stroller. Is it tough? You better believe it. But they love it. I get a tougher workout and they get to see the world. More importantly, they will only know a life of activity, health and exercise.

If you are new to exercise, then take them with you for a walk around the block or the high school track. Let them play in the room that you keep the treadmill while you exercise (you know, that thing that most use for a clothes hanger). Do this and even the youngest child will absorb the memory of you taking care of your health as a typical part of life and they will follow your lead.

Be the change you want to see in the world – Mahatma Gandhi

You are eating 100 pounds of “added” sugars a year.

2009-02-16T15:16:00.005-05:00

You know that added sugars are bad for you, but did you know that you could be eating 100 pounds of it a year? And adding up to 50 pounds of body fat in a year?

It sounds unbelievable, but this is the case with the average American diet. Added sugars are in most packaged products you buy at the supermarket. Even ones you would not expect such as yogurt smoothies, frozen entrees, healthy cereals, pasta sauce, and salad dressing. This can add up to 30 teaspoons of added sugar a day (just “added sugar”, not including natural sugars in fruit or milk) and 500 calories a day. This totals almost 100 pounds of added sugar a year per person.

How do you know if a food has a lot of sugar?

On the label in the ingredients list look for 2 things:
1 – the first 3 or 4 ingredients are a sugar, any sugar.
2 – there are many sugars forms hidden throughout the ingredient list.

Sugar comes in so many names. High-fructose corn syrup may be the most known but the list is much longer. How many of these are in the foods in your cupboard and fridge?

Brown sugar
Corn sweeteners
Corn Syrup
Crystalline fructose
Dextrose
Fructose
Fruit juice concentrates
Glucose
High-fructose corn syrup
Honey syrup
Invert sugar
Malt syrup
Maltodextrin
Maltose
Maltose
Molasses
Raw sugar
Rice sugar
Rice syrup
Sucrose
Sugar

Do you want to lose up to 50 pounds in a year? Cut out the added sugars and you may.
More about sugars in the next post … stay tuned.

Live Fit and Healthy.

Your Attitude Determines if You Succeed

2009-02-09T17:42:00.002-05:00

Everything in life worth achieving is difficult. Think about the times when you are most proud of what you accomplished – weren’t they also the most difficult to achieve? Didn’t they require everything you had at that moment? Your attitude kept you going even when there were moments when you wanted to give up?

But you didn’t give up and you prevailed. You graduated college. You finished a 5k run. You completed that project on time. You stepped out of your comfort zone and tried something new. You lost 20 pounds.

It is no different when it comes to your health. You must do what seems too difficult in the moment. Say no to a second helping. Don’t buy the junk food. Go to the fitness center when you rather watch TV. Jog one more mile. Choose the healthy food over the garbage.

In the moment some choices are hard, but when you do you grow past your previous perceived limitations the next time is easier. And the next time – even easier. Soon what was once difficult becomes a habit and there is no effort at all.

Check out this video clip from Facing the Giants. Don’t let the negative voice of attitude in your head keep you from doing what you can easily do. What you thought was impossible becomes reality.

You CAN Do It!

I will send a FREE autographed copy of BetterBody BetterLife to the most inspiration comment I receive to this post in February. Extra credit if it relates to health or fitness, but every story counts

2009-02-07T17:46:00.002-05:00

Would you like to have more energy? Feel better? And live longer?
Of course everyone would answer yes to all of these questions. Unfortunately most people don't take care of themselves with these questions in mind. The food and pharmaceutical companies have their motivations and it is not for you to live healthy and well because it means a smaller financial bottom line for them. You must control your life or others will control it for you.

I came across this video today from Food Matters. It will make you think.

Namaste

Study Links Obesity to Ovarian Cancer

2009-01-09T16:42:00.000-05:00

Here is another reason to get healthy and fit.

World-class runner without legs

2009-01-07T13:41:00.000-05:00

We all have challenges in life, but few of us go through life without our legs. Only Oscar Pistorius became a world-class runner without his legs. An unimaginable story of a boy that lost his legs when he was just one-year old. Fitted with artificial blade like legs Oscar tried-out to compete against world-class sprinters in the Olympics. He was initially rejected from the Olympics as having an unfair advantage.

Oscar is an inspiration to us all and an example of what you can achieve when you decide who you will be and what you will achieve. Next time you come up with an excuse not to work toward your goal think of Oscar and tell yourself, “Get over it!” Then go become who you are meant to be.

“The act of taking the first step is what
separates the winners from the losers.”
- Brian Tracy

The Rich were Fat

2008-10-27T21:13:00.000-04:00

“When the world was a simpler place, the rich were fat, the poor were thin, and the right-thinking people worried about how to feed the hungry. Now the rich are thin, the poor are fat, and the right-thinking people are worried about obesity.”
- The Economist 
December 13, 2003

How much protein is enough?

2008-10-25T09:10:00.000-04:00

If you are concerned about your health then you have probably wondered, “how much protein do I need?” You may also wonder “what is the best source of protein?”

Protein is not as mysterious as many make it out to be. You don’t need as much protein as many claim you do, such as the USDA and the beef or poultry industry. Most people think of protein and think of beef or poultry. Here are some things you should know about the meat you eat.

The aim of the beef and poultry industry is to get you to eat as much beef and chicken as possible. Why? Because they make money every time you buy their products. They have lobbyists that pressure the government for less regulations and more subsides. They use tons of money and arm twisting to shape the food pyramid guide in a way that promotes eating a lot of meat. If the government says it is okay to eat meat three times a day, then most people will. Does the government or the meat industry care that excessive animal consumption leads to cholesterol and heart issues, as well increasing your risk for cancers and causing mutations in DNA . The beef and poultry industries care more about the bottom line than your safety. For example, hormones, chemicals, pesticides, and vaccines that get pumped into the animals at the typical meat mill farm is absorbed and ingested by you when you eat the burger and chicken cutlet. This is the same meat you buy in the supermarket under brand and store labels.

Where does this leave you? Do you stop eating meat and become a vegetarian? This is certainly a great option. But what if you don’t want to become a vegetarian? What if you like to eat burgers and wings? First I recommend learning more about the meat that you are eating. Take a peak around sites like People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. Yes, this group is a bit extreme, but they also have great information and eye opening videos to learn in the inside scoop on the meat industry. Need more insight, try this, or this story from Cornell University, US Could Feed 800 Million People with the Grain that Livestock Eat.

If you still want to eat burgers and Turkey at Thanksgiving here are the rules I recommend to my clients. No more than one serving of meat a day. This includes beef, poultry, pork and fish. Are you concerned you won’t get enough protein eating little or no meat, then consider this.

Does this guy look like he needs to eat more protein?
He is a vegan eating only plants.

What about this lady?

She eats only plants too.

What about a baby?

A breast feed human infant gets between 3% and 9% of her diet from protein. This is the point with more rapid and substantial growth and development than at any other time in our lives. If an infant in her critical stage of development needs such little protein, than why would we need more as adults?

Hmmmm, something to think about!

The bottom line.
Eat no more than 4 ounces of meat a day. Less is better. Eat more veggies, fruits, nuts, grains, seeds, and other quality foods. If you are eating healthy balanced meals with lots of plant foods you will get plenty of protein. You will live longer, healthier, and feel better for it.
Bon Appetite

Get healthy! Easier and Faster!

2008-10-16T14:57:00.000-04:00

What do you think is involved with getting healthy? Eating right and exercising, right? That is part of it, but there is a greater picture.

The fundamental foundation of weight loss and living healthy is burning more calories than you use. You probably already know that. But have you considered that you can be (and should be) burning more calories throughout the day even when you are not exercising? Simple events can change your life, improve your health and increase the speed while making it easier.

Here’s how to do it. Burn more calories by doing these same things you are doing now, but in a better way.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Park in the back of the lot instead of circling until you get the closest spot.
Walk at a faster pace.
Swing your arms while walking.
Get happy! Laughing burns more calories.
Walk to the mailbox instead of getting it from your car window.
Play outdoor activities with your children.
Print at the copier at the other end of the office.
Walk to the bathroom on the other side of the office.
Walk to the printer or bathroom like you are on a mission!
Take a brisk walk at lunch. You will also be more awake in the afternoon.
Un-automate part of your life.

Obviously this won’t replace your exercise program, but this will boost your success. Each little change will burn 10-50 additional calories. Add several of these each day and you can loose an additional pound or too a week.

Small changes can equal outstanding success!

Weight Loss Shock

2008-10-14T16:40:00.000-04:00

As I looked out into the audience this past Saturday during my seminar, I shocked some of the audience when I began talking about weight loss and getting into peak health. The speech was promoted as “Success Without Limits” and the description included information about achieving success, as well as including my coaching and fitness information. Everyone should have expected some discussion about heath and fitness. But nonetheless, I got some surprised looks and a few rolled eyes when I began my closing segment about getting into peak physical shape.

Would it matter how much success you had if your heart stopped after 58 years?
Do want to spend your retirement years propped up by a little day-of-the-week pill box?

Staying is peak physical shape is paramount to anything you do in life. It must be the foundation of your life if you want to experience the vitality and energy in the way you were designed. Don’t grow old ... Grow better.

It takes only a few minutes a day to get into and stay in peak physical condition. These few minutes each day has a return on investment approaching infinity. What is it worth to live an extra 20 healthy active years? More birthdays, graduations, weddings, smiles, laughter, and tender moments.

Make the best investment you can.
Invest in yourself and your health.

Altitude of Attitude

2008-09-29T17:35:00.000-04:00

I recently gave a keynote speech in Western Massachusetts titled, “Altitude of Attitude.” The purpose was to entertain, motivate, and most importantly help create an emotional shift in the audience. I shared a story about my experience with a horrific auto accident that nearly took my life when I was just beginning my teenage years. Then I talked about how that event shaped my life, but even with this perspective I am always growing and nurturing my attitude.

Life is incredibly fragile and precious. Every hug, thank you, and handshake must be cherished and shared with your complete attention and soul. We get so caught up in keeping up with the speed of life that we forget to do the most fundamental and important things.

If today were your last day, would it matter that yesterday you argued over dishes in the sink, you were late to an engagement, or your son misbehaved? What matters most is that you gave your all to your family, friends and work.

Remember to cherish those you love by taking care of yourself first. Love yourself first and give yourself the greatest gift you can; the gift of health and vibrancy; Physical, emotional, and psychological health. Nurture all three and then you will have even more to give to those who are most important in your life.

What is the Altitude of your Attitude?

Grass Root

2008-08-07T09:52:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you get lucky. On a recent trip to Tampa Florida I googled “vegan restaurant.” Only one location came up and it was only about 15 minutes away, so I jumped in my rented Pontiac Solstice convertible (incredibly wild car) and headed to the restaurant Grass Root.

At first I drove right past, this is not the neighborhood you would expect to find a great eatery, but I looped around and saw a line of cars parked out front. That many cars in this little restaurant, it must have something going on. I went in and was nicely surprised. The place is simple and chic and draws the kind of crowd you would expect. A wonderful mix of affluent fifty-something yuppies to the group of twenty-something back packers. Very cool crowd.

The menu was amazing. This wasn’t just a vegan restaurant, but also serves organic living raw food. For clarification, vegan means no meat or dairy products. Raw food means uncooked vegan meals consisting of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. For most this sounds extreme, but until you have had a fabulously prepared raw food meal - you have not eaten. Grass Roots is a must if you are in the Tampa area.

What I had: The Incredible Hulk (juice bar), Wheat grass shot, Raw Sushi (no fish), and Marrakesh. My complete meal was raw and living foods. It rocked!

Since being introduced to the raw food lifestyle, I try to incorporate living raw foods as much as I can. It is often easy to prepare and there is no cook time or clean up of pots and pans. I have several raw food cook books to learn the craft. For example, last night I cut up cucumber, parsnip, yellow squash, green peppers, a peach, and put them in the food processor with olive oil and a little bit of bread crumbs (bread is not raw food, but I like the texture). I then stuffed the mix into a bell red pepper and served it. 10 minutes and I have a great meal. Fabulous! Even my 2 year old enjoyed it.

If your think veggies are boring, you need to learn a new way to prepare them. Eat at a place like Grass Root and you will have a new love for veggies.

Live raw foods will extend your life and reduce most disease risks!

Croix Sather - Ironman RI results

2008-07-23T22:49:00.000-04:00

Have you ever made a goal so big you wondered if it was really possible? I entered the Rhode Island Ironman 70.3 with the sole intention of finishing without stopping and breaking 7 hours. Sure I would like to be in the top 10%, but I this .....

Check out my full post Ironman story at TriathlonLifestyle.

The Ultimate Challenge in New England

2008-07-08T12:02:00.000-04:00

Imagine your wake up call at 3 am in your hotel room. You get up and head down to the lobby where there are dozens of people having an early breakfast. No this isn’t a strange breakfast group meeting, although some of the attendees may be certifiable. The groups heads down to the beach and the gun fires at 6am. The first racers are in the water and then almost two thousand athletes follow.

An Ironman 70.3 race starts with a 1.2 mile swim, then a 56 mile bicycle race, and ends with a half marathon of 13.1 miles for a total of 70.3 miles. The pros will finish in just under 4 hours, but other athletes will never finish at all. Each contestant has a 9 hour window to finish the race or you are stopped and disqualified.

This is my first Ironman race and it is also the first Ironman race in Providence, RI. I have done several shorter triathlons, but never this race of races. Some say an Ironman is the ultimate test of endurance and internal strength. I believe it is an amazing opportunity to push your physical and mental limitations further than most even dare. It is not about about the first place win for most, but one against oneself. Throughout most of the race, psychology is more important that physical strength.

I am very excited to be able to participate in this race. This event will be a growing moment for me, about 25,000 moments to be accurate. I hope to finish in about 7 hours. I believe that if you are not growing you are dying. In the end I know that I will be a champion no matter what the race clock reads when I cross the line.

More on this race next week. I may be sitting on my couch with my laptop unable to move for several days. I say this only partially tongue and cheek. My wife is coming with me not to see me cross the finish line, but to drive my Gumby like body 3 hours back home.

I plan on competing in a full Ironman (double the length of this race) within the next year, but ask me that after this Sunday and I will let you know if I am still enamored with that idea.

What’s your ultimate challenge?
Live Fit, Laugh Often, Love Most .... Life is a wonderful ride!

Weight Loss Magic

2008-06-11T11:03:00.000-04:00

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to see motivational speaker and magician, Jim Snack. He was fabulous. The audience left the room jazzed, amazed, and motivated. Jim used a fabulous combination of magic, humor, and tricks to captivate the audience and also teach us some valuable lessons.

Lesson One: Sometimes you don’t see the obvious directly in front of you!

Using 5 pens on a desk he would arrange them in a pattern that correlated with a number. He would rearrange them and tell you the number. It was the audience’s job to figure out the pattern. I can’t tell you the solution to the game because that would ruin the surprise. The point is that the solution was so obvious, so transparent and clear, but still over 90 percent of the audience could not figure it out until it was explained. Then we all had a DOH! moment.

How does this relate to a healthy lifestyle, weight loss and a Better Body? The solution is this; sometimes you can’t see what is right in front of you even if it is obvious and in plain sight because of your conditioned patterns of problem solving. The patterns have developed all your life. The teachings of your parents, friends, teachers, and bosses have pigeonholed you into a particular way of thinking and problem solving. A way of thinking that is not always beneficial to your goals.

When someone tries to lose weight with diet after diet and she doesn’t get the long-term effect that she is looking for – this is obviously not an effective strategy. But this is exactly what people do, over and over and over. Hve you ever don this? If something doesn’t work, then try something else. Don’t do the same thing over and over and expect different results (see yesterday’s post about insanity).

When you give up dieting and decide to change your lifestyle you will begin to make permanent progress towards a healthy life and leave your weight struggles behind. You won’t always do the right thing and you won’t always find the best solutions in the beginning. Take another look and try to find the obvious that is right in front of you. What are you doing that can be tweaked or changed? What are you doing that can be taken to the next level? It is the accumulation of small changes that create BIG results!

The magic of healthy living is seeing the obvious that is right in front of you!

Live Fit, Laugh Often, Love Most! Life is a Wonderful Ride!

Insanity of Weight Loss

2008-06-10T12:27:00.000-04:00

You have probably heard this phrase, but it is certainly worth repeating. “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.” In other words, insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Be brave to change your habits to a healthy and fit lifestyle. Do be brave to withstand the pain and discomfort of your current habits. If you spend your life eating garbage processed foods, you will hate life later and complain that you should have done something when you were younger.

I like to ask people, “If you could go back and do anything different in your life for your health, what would it be?” Inevitably it is some version of living a healthier lifestyle; I would eat less junk food; I would exercise more; I would be more active. Then I ask, “Why don’t you start now?” I am met with a look of dumbfoundness as if to say, “I can do that?”

It is never too late and anything improvement you do will help you in as little as a few days. It doesn’t have to be, “Stop this lazy junk food life! I am getting off!” But, it could. Small changes can make dramatic results.

Stop the insanity and create the life of your dreams.

The Best Weekend Ever

2008-06-06T17:14:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I attended “The Best Weekend Ever” with David Wolfe and Peter Ragnar. It was a great weekend and I learned a lot from the best raw food nutritionists in the world. A raw foodist eats only veggies, fruits, nuts, legumes and basically anything that grows. This is stricter than a vegetarian or even a vegan because a raw foodist only eats raw food, never cooked.

The event was well attended with about 150 people for a 3-day seminar. David Wolfe talked about raw foods and explained the purpose and benefit of each. The most beautiful thing about David is that he is so genuine and approachable. He ate lunch and dinner with us, and answered so many question. Not to mention his incredible and depth of knowledge about nutrition. Peter Ragnar talked about his philosophies for health and balance in life via (seamless) 2-way video conferencing. Yes we even got ask Peter questions with the live video conferencing. Peter doesn’t leave his mountaintop. He is in his senior years, but you would never know it by the way he moves. His physical body is decades younger than his chronological age (which he won’t share). There were other speakers, that were also amazing and I will bring you information about them in future blog posts.

With a healthy and balanced life, every weekend can be the Best Ever!

92 and feeling like 50

2008-05-29T10:38:00.000-04:00

If you read biographies of the famous you find that all great and successful people never stop learning. This is not only true for the famous, but also for the every day exceptional person. An excellent doctor, a home renovation contractor, a school teacher, a parent, and a top selling sales associate. If you do not continue to sharpen your skills, increase your knowledge, or improve your thinking, you will always get what you have always got. If you are not growing, then you are dying. For example, a plant; it grows from the day it is germinates as a seed until the day it dies. Have you ever seen a dying plant grow?

Unfortunately, and too often people die before they actually … well, die. Many people wither into shells of once they once were decades before their time. The only reason that a person is not as healthy in her 70’s as she was in her 20’s is because of her lifestyle. If you eat properly, exercise regularly, keep your muscles strong and toned, and keep your brain improving, you will be amazingly healthy in you “golden years.” Isn’t that what retirement is suppose to be about.

My neighbor (a few years and 2 houses ago), drove a beautiful white Jaguar convertible, and went out regularly to meet new people and always dated younger women. He was 92 and kept company with people in their 50’s. He loved to tell stories and he always talked about the future, the latest book he read, or new dance move he learned. He ate well and lived a balanced life and only kept company with those of a positive mental attitude. He didn’t look a day over 70. I think I will have to check in on John and see how he is doing. He will be turning 100 this year.

I think we can all learn a little from John.

John’s Lesson: “You are never too old to learn or try new things.”

Health Drink? Not so fast!

2008-05-28T16:36:00.000-04:00

You might think that a drink with words like; Vitamin, Water, Juice, Power-C, Dragonfruit, and other spicy naming like “Water + Vitamins = All you need”, would be healthy. Not so quick.

I am talking about Glaceau VitaminWater. This is an unhealthy “health drink.” Maybe the unhealthiest of all. The second ingredient is Crystalline Fructose, AKA sugar. Where does processed sugar fall under the category of healthy? Who are they kidding? Actually … a lot of people because most do not read the label. Anything with glucose, fructose, corn syrup, or similar ingredients should be avoided in your diet, or limited. These are garbage-processed sugars that add body-fat to your waistline.

Be careful with fancy marketing words and phrases like; “nutrient enhance water beverage”, “natural”, “hydrate responsibly.”

Here’s the NOT-SO skinny on this health drink.
125 calories in the bottle
32.5 grams of sugar
Less than 1 percent juice
Includes Crystalline Fructose
and a bunch of chemical ingredients we can’t pronounce.

Drink lesson: Sounds healthy does not = healthy

It’s the little things!

2008-05-27T17:30:00.000-04:00

I hear from many people, “It is so hard to make a radical lifestyle change.” I recommend making a radical change in your life if you want massive results. When you make a decision and cut off all other possibilities, then you will succeed at permanent weight loss. I understand that some prefer to dip their toe in the pool rather than jump in. This method can also be successful, but only if you implement one change, make it a ritual or your lifestyle; and then build on it with another change. You can change one thing a day, a week, or even one a month. The more the merrier and faster you will get to your Better Body and Better Life.

Here are 3 simple things you can do that will make a dramatic change:

Substitute seltzer (soda) water for soda. Zero calories and healthier than any type of soda.
Serve your meal onto a plate and then put away the extra for leftovers. You are much less likely to open the fridge, take the food back out and serve another plate. If you get the urge (usually out of habit) to eat more, then get up, wash the plates and go do something. Go for a walk, make a call, help your children with their homework. Do something to change your focus from food to an activity.
Lose 6 extra pounds free! Burn more calories by taking the stairs or parking far from your job or the mall. And walk with a purpose and speed. If you can add 4 events to your day that burns 15 calories extra each, you will burn 21,400 calories in a year or about 6 pounds of bodyfat. 6 pounds lighter by this time next year for doing almost nothing!

Combine all three tips and you may lose 20,30, or even 40 pounds in a year by making small and simple changes.

Change what you focus on and you will change your life!
With love … Croix

Fitness for a Fabulous Body

2008-05-19T16:34:00.000-04:00

Remember how good it felt when you were a child and it was your birthday? I got to feel that way last week. I received my pre-publication proof of the BetterBody BetterLife “Fitness for a Fabulous Body” DVD. This is my copy of the DVD for final approval before it goes into production. AXA Media Group did an amazing job. I am absolutely thrilled with the video. The DVD is expected to be released in a next month.

There are two main reasons why I created a DVD to go with the Better Body BetterLife program. First, a video is a far better learning tool that a few illustrations in the back of a book showing you how to perform muscle-toning exercises, like you see in most programs. You will learn faster and better when you see the exercises in action. Second, it is an opportunity for us to meet, even if it is virtually.

Most health programs focus on dieting and cardiovascular exercise. Yes, your dietary intake is important (dieting is bad), in other words your nutrition, and so is cardio exercise. But, there is another essential component that must be incorporated into your life and it is muscle toning. Muscle burns more calories than fat. Tone and strengthen your muscles and it will be easier to create and keep the body of your dreams. Also, toned and strong muscles make you look better, feel better, and make it easier for you to do every activity in your life.

Toned and strong muscles are a foundation of a healthy life.

BetterBody BetterLife by Croix Sather - Book and Journal Now available

2008-04-10T15:38:00.000-04:00

It is an exciting week here at the BetterBody BetterLife offices. The big trucks delivered the boxes of the author’s edition books and the journals. The author’s edition is a limited run of books that are autographed and numbered. These books were first off the presses. The remainder of the printing will be shipped through the national distributor. Order from the BetterBodyBetterLife website to get your author’s edition book, and you save 20% by buying directly from us. You can now purchase the book, journal, or the complete program. Go to the BetterBodyBetterLife website for more information. Purchase the complete program and save 20% online.

The DVD is still on the “cutting table” as they say. AXA Media is fishing up the production of “Fitness for a Fabulous Body” DVD. In this DVD I illustrate for you the complete muscle toning exercise program and how to do each exercise. No boring photos in my book, an exciting DVD is included with the complete program to make learning fun and more effective. This is a must for those new to fitness or muscle toning. If you purchase the complete program, the DVD will be shipped directly to you on the same day we receive it, and we pay for the shipping. Be the first to own the complete BetterBody BetterLife program.

Don’t forget to tell me who you want the book autographed for.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and fit life for all of us.

Do You Have an Attitude?

2008-01-06T14:03:00.000-05:00

Do people have a great attitude because they are doing well, or are they doing well because they have a great attitude? Attitude comes first! Life is attitude and your perception of the world. A positive attitude is a common denominator among high achievers; they are optimistic and genuinely happy no matter what the situation.

A positive attitude is a choice!
Do you have a problem? I don’t believe in problems, only challenges and obstacles. When a negative situation arises, most people say that they have a problem. The only problem is the belief that the “situation” is a problem. Problems are simply challenges to conquer or obstacles to remove from your life. You are reading this program because you have a challenge to overcome. You will get past one of the toughest challenges in your life while having fun. When you eradicate the weight and health obstacle, you will see many other obstacles disappearing simultaneously. Your life will become fuller and more enjoyable, and your horizons will expand.

How can I tell if my soymilk is spoiled?

2007-10-17T14:10:00.000-04:00

Many people are switching to soy mil instead of cow’s milk. Some are lactose intolerant and others are making it for health or philosophical reasons. Soymilk comes from soybeans and like cow’s milk it is fortified with missing nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium.

Does soymilk go sour? And how do you tell?

Yes, soymilk does sour. Soymilk can last a long time unopened, but once it is opened it should be refrigerated consumed within 10 days with most brands.

Here is some information adapted from the SILK soymilk website.

"If your soymilk doesn't look, smell or taste the way it usually does, it may be spoiled. Fresh soymilk does not have a strong odor. Signs of spoilage include:
The package looks abnormally bloated
When poured, the soy milk appears to have thickened slightly
The color of the soy milk has changed (chocolate turns lighter and vanilla may look beige)
It is so thick that it won't pour easily, or it looks like a milk shake and has curds or lumps
Any smell resembling dying flowers, sour milk or chemicals
A slightly "off" or beany flavor, or a bitter, metallic, earthy, grassy or extremely sweet taste
If you are unsure about whether your soy milk has spoiled, do not drink it or cook with it.
How long will Silk products stay fresh?
Silk Soymilk will keep fresh in your refrigerator unopened until the date stamped on the top of the carton. Once opened, Silk will stay fresh for seven to 10 days if kept refrigerated. It is not unusual for Silk to remain good past the 10-day mark; however, we only guarantee that it will be good for seven to 10 days.”

The only time you will find cow’s milk in my house is when I need it for a recipe. Otherwise I choose soymilk and I like it better. Different brands taste differently, so try a variety of brands until you find the one you like the most.

“I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.” (Woody Allen)

Are you "The Biggest Loser?"

2007-09-19T12:26:00.000-04:00

I have been watching “The Biggest Loser” lately. The show is wonderful and captures the different effects on people while recreating their lives. Each contestant handles the stress and event differently. Some get stressed out while others have a can-do attitude. Do you notice who stays on the show the longest? It is the can-do people. And even when these can-do people are eliminated they continue to lose weight when they return home.

What I love most about the show is that it is creating social awareness, and also motivation in some viewers. Just like those who love boxing might watch Rocky over and over again, or those who like personal drama may watch Desperate Housewives each week. The Biggest Loser is a great source of motivation for those who want to lose body-fat. The show offers insight into having a personal trainer (some better than others), and the emotions and trials of the challenge. When you see the contestants tearing from happiness as they talk about how much weight they have lost for the first time in their lives; that is real. That is powerful.

As great as the show might be, I have a problem with it. As a trainer and coach I know the effort that the contestants are going through. This is not real life. You are not going to spend four hours a day in the desert jogging and lifting logs over your head. This is dangerous and insane. I once hiked a desert mountain in August. Thrilling, but not the safest form of exercise even for someone in peak shape.

The show creates unrealistic expectations. Only in extreme circumstances like on “The Biggest Loser Campus” (i.e. movie studio) will a person lose 19 pounds one week and then lose another 12 the next. This is incredibly unlikely and some of those numbers are not real body-fat loss, but water loss. The numbers look good, but it is not true. This is not to take away from all their hard work. Far from it. I bring out this point so that you understand that when Julie lost only 5 pounds in the first 2 weeks, this is real life. No it is not as exciting, but it is real. Losing about 2 pounds of body-fat a week is what you should strive for. You go Julie!

Losing body-fat slow and steady over the long term is what is going to make you successful in permanent weight loss. Dramatic jumps in numbers are not significant. Losing consistently week after week is success.

Keep watching “The Biggest Loser” show. It is a wonderful program and each contestant offers a lesson to be learned. Just remember not all of it is real life. Some of the story is manufactured by the producers, some by the contestants in an artificial atmosphere, and some is creative film editing.

Go for long term and steady results in body-fat lose and you too will be a “big loser.”

The Water Factor

2007-09-06T11:42:00.000-04:00

We all know that a body needs water to survive, but do you know why? Sure, to keep from dehydrating. That is the simple answer, but it goes much deeper than that.

Water can account for 80% of body weight at birth, and about 50% in the elderly. If more water can be equated to the beginning of life, and less water can be equated to the end of life, doesn’t it make sense to drink an ample amount of water on a daily basis during life? Studies have shown that over fifty percent of American adults are chronically dehydrated. This is not immediately life threatening, but it is a factor in weight gain.

Water’s Functions
Virtually all of the body’s functions require water: digestion, absorption, transporting nutrients, building tissue, and maintaining temperature. Water is in the cells, the spaces between the cells, and in the blood plasma. It is used in the transportation of nutrients to each cell, and to help in the excretion of waste to the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and skin. Water is also used in the brain, spine, and joints, and it helps protect organs. An adequate amount of water is needed for the body to properly and efficiently digest and dispose of excess toxins.

Research shows that consuming at least five glasses of water a day reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke by as much as fifty percent.

How Much Water?
The body’s primary gauge for water is thirst, which is a fail-safe indicator. If you wait until your body signals you to hydrate (drink fluids), it has already been too long since you last hydrated your body.

The body loses two and one-half to three quarts, or more, of water in an average day. This means that the body needs about three quarts a day or ten to twelve cups of water a day. You might be relieved to know that only eight cups a day is needed when a person has a balanced diet. The difference is obtained from your body extracting water from the foods that we consume. That is only four typical size (16.9 oz) water bottles a day.

Drink up!

Summer Fest

2007-08-28T10:26:00.000-04:00

The end of summer is one of the greatest times in the year. Why? Because gardens are overflowing. Right now, you can get almost any fruit or vegetable you desire. Almost everything is in season right now. My tomato and cucumber plants are full and begging to be picked. There is so much this time of year that I get to share with family, friends, and neighbors. At summer's end there are more vegetables that one can eat from even a small garden.

Most love going to a farm stand to get fresh produce, it is even more fun and exciting to go into the backyard and pick fresh off the vine as you prepare dinner. Next year I am going to start earlier and plant a little more variety.

To enjoy living a healthy life, truly thrive in a healthy lifestyle you must find the experiences that make you happy. You must create the events that make you want to eat better foods and live the right way. A small garden is one of those ways.

It does not take much work either. In the spring after the last frost, go buy tomato and vegetable flats that already have a good start. Buy various maturities to get some produce early and some late. Plant in the ground or in pots and set up a DIY automatic watering system that you buy in a good garden center. And then let nature takes its course. Keep it simple. There is nothing else to do except pick until you tummy is content. An added benefit, it is less expensive than buying from the supermarket and always tastes better.

Always Have a Plan

2007-07-23T08:58:00.000-04:00

On the path to a healthy life and weight loss, it is important to always have a plan. Plan your meals and snacks. Plan your food shopping list. And plan for adversity.

This sounds like a lot of planning, but it is not. Planning your meals and snacks is simple. You can bring your meals and snacks to work and plan what is acceptable when you go to the cafeteria or restaurant. Food shopping is a little more time consuming before you go, but it is quicker at the market. You know what you are going to get so there is no need to lollygag and you are in and out. You are also less likely to succumb to the marketing plays of the store that are designed to separate you from your money. We all know how different the food shopping experience is when you go with a list and without a list. We also know how different shopping can be when we go on an empty stomach. Don’t you buy more junk and high calorie snacks when you shop hungry? I know I do.

It is also very important to have a plan for adversity. When your schedule gets out of whack, and when you find yourself in a dangerous environment, such as an office party with cake and donuts, what will you do? What will you choose when you go to the vending machine? These choices can make so much difference in your daily calorie intake. One unplanned and poor choice can add hundreds, even more than a thousand unplanned calories. Many vending machine choices have five or six hundred calories in an itsy-bitsy little bag.

Always bring snacks with you. There are so many choices that with accelerate your weight loss, such as, carrot or celery sticks, low calorie crackers or cookies, fruit, nuts, trail mix, water, and baked chips or tortilla chips with salsa. It is simply a matter of making the right choices and having those items with you during the day.

Most snacking occurs because of boredom or habit. If you have a plan for when this happens you will save a lot of calories and guilty. When the urge strikes to snack out of habit or boredom, get up and change your scenery for a moment. Walk to the copy machine or outside in the fresh air. A quick and brisk short walk followed up by a cold bottle of water can alleviate your cravings. It also gets your blood flowing to bring vital oxygen to your organs and extremities. It is a matter of changing the pattern that you have had for years.

Change your patterns, change your life.

Do you have a fan club?

2007-07-05T10:56:00.000-04:00

The reason that sports teams prefer to play in their hometown is because they have the home team advantage. The familiarity of the field, the short journey to the game, the crowd that cheers for them, and the love of friends and family right there with them. This is their fan club and you need a fan club too.

Whenever we start something new and tell others about it, we always come across those who say, “that will never work” or something pessimistic about it. They might be friends, coworkers, even family. But, there are those who support you, believe in you, and want to see you succeed. Seek these people out, surround yourself with these people, and make them your fan club. We all need a fan club!

When you talk with someone who is not a fan and they ask, “how it’s going?” Tell them great, and it is getting better. But, do not engage in detailed conversation with them. In time, that person is likely to see that you are succeeding and achieving your dreams, and they may become part of your support team, your fan club. Until then, keep them at a distance because you need, we all need, to be around those who truly care for us and want to see us become who we dream to be.

Meet with your fan club, or speak with them often. Have a “fan club” night once a month. Let them know how you are doing, your successes, and your failures. Share in their successes too. They will boost you higher and help pick you up when you need it. Don’t make you journey any harder than it has to be, find those who will push, motivated, and encourage to reach you goals.

You also have to be a part of someone’s fan club. You must be there for others when they need you. Pick them up when they are down, raise them higher when they are successful, and love them when they need a shoulder to rest on. When you are giving to someone, you are also receiving. And the more you give, the more you will receive.

Ah, but what if you do not have any fans? At times, everyone is short of fans. You may have moved, changed jobs, or life has changed. This is a great opportunity for you to build a new fan club. If you are building a fit body, join a club and talk with others, you will find several people that you click with. Go online into forums or chat rooms about a subject that you need support. A fan does not have to be someone you meet face to face. Ask your neighbors, and check the local community message boards for events with people of like minds. Invite your existing fans over for coffee and tell them to bring their fans. If you want it to happen, you must go out and make it happen.

Live in a home team advantage by building a rich and diverse fan club!

Where does it begin?

2007-07-03T15:32:00.000-04:00

It has been estimated that 95% of those who try to diet and lose weight, fail to keep the weight off more than one year. Some estimates are even gloomier. What does the 5% do. Why are they successful when the majority is not?

The commonality of those who are successful is that they choose to live differently. They made a decision that life will be different. Something occurred that made them understand that there was no option but, to lose weight and to live healthy. It was an event or they found the necessary mind shift. Sometimes it is the death of a close friend of similar age and condition. Sometimes it is a diagnosis that is, do or die. Sometimes it is a relationship that ends or one that begins. Whatever the catalyst, the decision was made, and as they say, “set in stone.”

What if you do not have a dramatic experience? What if you do not have an epiphany to become an icon of health? What do you do then? How do you get that necessary mind shift? You must find or create your catalyst for change. If an event does not present itself, you have to create it. This is easier than you might expect. Sit back and think. Think about all of the things you will miss if you die early because of unhealthy life and its medical issues. Think of all of the things your family will miss because you are not there to share it with them. How will your daughter feel when she gets married and her father is not there to walk her down the aisle because he died from a heart attack? How is your son going handle not being able to share the birth of his first child with his mom because she passed from obesity complications? Who is going to teach your son or daughter to play softball or soccer when you cannot keep you breath for more than a few paces? How is your family going to survive financially with only one income because you died suddenly at 52 years old? Who is your spouse going to share the golden years with if you are not there to hold hands?

Does this sound morbid, cruel, or distasteful? It is not! It is the reality for those who remain unhealthy, and certainly for those who are obese and morbidly obese. An early death, an unhealthy being, and limited life is a certainty for those who do not maintain their body, mind, and nutrition. An overweight body is a life full of ailments and doctor visits, multiple surgeries, and medical diagnostics. It is a life full of missed events, opportunities, special occasions, and tender moments. It is a life at its least potential.

I bring this to your attention and hope you understand that life is about choices. You can choose to live unhealthy and fat like you have in the past, or you can choose to recapture your health and youth with a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss is not about a diet, it is about the choice to live well and with balance. Weight loss is easy if you choose to live with a focus on your outcome of a fit body and balanced life. A vibrant body will happen if you focus on an able physique and powerful nutrition instead of focusing on what you have to give up or sacrifice to get it.

When I gave up Mountain Dew, cakes, processed junk food, and processed meats, I was asked by most of my friends and family, don’t you miss x, y, or z. I explain that I did not give up anything because I choose other foods. I choose to have other foods such as fruits, vegetables, and balanced meals. I do not miss my past habits because they are no longer a lifestyle that I crave. What I gave up was clogged arteries, muscle spasms, restless nights sleep, midday doldrums, limited mobility, lack of energy, and a spare tire around my waste.

What I receive is a bounty of fresh foods, wonderful meals, more energy than ever before in my life, a physique of my sculpted early 20s, and an enthusiasm for life that I find only to be shared by those who also live this lifestyle.

Anything is possible in life if you choose to make it happen.
Live well, long, healthy, and happy!!

Welcome to the Great Journey!

2007-06-29T12:21:00.000-04:00

Life can get so busy, so hectic, and crazy. It is easy to let some things go by the wayside. For many it is finances, friends, and extended family. But most often it is one’s health. When life is busy, the fast food joint serves its purpose. A candy bar keeps you going, and a 64-ounce soda gets you through the day. And then we fall into patterns. Some patterns are carried over from childhood and continue through habit and some develop as an effect of circumstances. Patterns of being late, being busy, running around, and that is before you even get to work. It really is no wonder that so many are overfat. Who has time for a good meal?

I must be clear with you right up front. Life can get in the way and we all have more to do than we can humanly accomplish in a 24-hour day, but these are only circumstances and not excuses. These are not reasons to remain overfat, out of shape, and deteriorating. I am unapologetically direct and frank at times because I know that you have the power, strength, courage, and willpower to make any change in your life that you set your mind too. The human mind and body is almost without limits. Success stories are everywhere with people who have gone from fat to fit, from weak to strong, from sick to healthy, and from diseased to free.

This is your life and your choices. Will you choose to stay the way you are? You can complain about your health and weight for the rest of your life, or you can choose to make a change. Will you commit to creating the life of your dreams? Will you accept nothing less than a fit and sculpted body? Will you demand a healthy life so that you can play with your children, family, pets, and friends with a vigor and enthusiasm known only to those who have taken control of his or her life? These are questions only you can answer. Only you can decide to make a change. The choice must be made by you, and for you. Weight loss is easy once your mind decides it is a must.

Life is a wonderful journey. It is even grander when you have the energy of a 20-year-old lifeguard, and a body that you admire on yourself at any age. Life is amazing when you have the endurance to holiday at Disney World with your children and they tire out before you do. Life is outstanding when you do not need to worry about high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, most diseases, or respiratory problems.

This can be your life! It is up to you!

Let me help you get there.

About Croix

2007-06-28T13:14:00.000-04:00

Since a teenager I have been enthusiastic about health and fitness, always in the background and the foundation of my life. As I grew older, fitness would come and go with stages of my life. Like most people, other events took precedence over my health. When I approached the 30 mark of my life, my physiology began to change. The weight no longer stayed off and I was no longer the athletic shape of my early youth. This is when I became serious about health. But once again life got in the way. Does this sound familiar to you? My life was permanently changed because I was introduced to new information and tools to take control of my life.

Health and fitness is so much more than going to the gym and running on the treadmill for thirty minutes. This set me on a path with only one direction, the road of lifelong health, fitness, and balance. I continued my knowledge with certifications and studies in personal training, cardiovascular exercise, nutrition, yoga, personal development, mental skills development, life coaching, psychology, Neuro-linguistic programming, visualization, meditation, and communication. I never stop learning. I continue to learn and build on current knowledge, and explore new areas of study from our culture and abroad. I firmly believe that if you are not growing, you are dying. Growth comes from learning, believing, achieving, and contributing.

Within months of making a commitment to myself, I lost 30 pounds of bodyfat. I began toning and sculpting my physique, and eating truly healthy. It is a different “healthy” than in the mainstream beliefs. Different than the corrupt peddling of information the government promotes because of lobbyist pressure. It is a healthful way of living based on logic, balance, and time-honored knowledge. It is a plan that anyone can follow and use. I feel better now as I am approaching 40 than at any other time of my life, with more endurance and energy. My BetterBody BetterLife plan is the results of my work, studies, and commitment to an outstanding lifestyle in health, fitness, nutrition, and a balanced life.

I look forward to sharing my blog. In this blog I will share my knowledge, experiences, and dreams. I hope you do the same and post you successes in thoughts in the comments section.

Work hard, play harder, live fit, laugh often, love most. Life is a wonderful ride!
All the best ... Croix