Chapter 13: Being Healthy

Dear reader,

Wooooo! Look at you. :D Come in, come in, and stop looking at me like that, you weird, beautiful person, you :).

Approximately three weeks ago, a few days before writing this blog, I decided that I would jump into a regiment with the goal of improving my life in every way possible. This meant to strive to be stronger mentally, spiritually and physically as a human being. The mental and spiritual exercises were no-brainers for me, as my main hobbies involved the use of my brain and I am to this day a spiritual person. As for exercising my own body, now, this was something else entirely.

I will be absolutely honest with you good reader, I am a skinny guy and I have been for sometime. I believe the correct term is an ectomorph, which is a body type that has a high metabolism (is capable of burning off fat very quickly) and is a hard gainer, which means I find it very difficult to gain muscle and healthy body mass. I don't do any sports although I am a strong swimmer, and I loathed cross country at school.

When I first started looking into routines and schedules I was absolutely flabbergasted about the wealth of material available on the internet, not only that, but to how many thousands of people really cared about their well being. Health and fitness were never drilled into our heads in school. I am aware that in some European countries such as Germany, fitness is mandatory and is encouraged right through pre-school to the very end. The Germans have it going on. From what I have learnt and experienced, there is no faster way of improving your lifestyle and well being then starting to take action with your body.

Let me give you some more context. When I was younger I would consume vast amounts of junk food that my mama would give me. She would love to buy things like, that as most Asian mama's do. Especially when their son is looking like a "stick insect" (her words) :D. The problem would be that I would consume crisps, chocolates way over the recommended daily amount. The results: sluggishness, an inability to reach my potential physically and an all round craving for salty, greasy food. Why was I addicted to it more than most? It was because I never put a pound on. I believed that what I couldn't see would never hurt me. Yet like all of my articles try to preach, unless you know how to change your life, you will always continue to do the same thing you've always done: you will never improve.

Here comes the change. So, I started to think about eliminating things that would ultimately hold me back. Everything from chemicals or preservatives in foods that have negative effects on the body, to greasy fatty foods, to the effects of alcohol on the body and the mind. I understood after a dozen articles that the brain's optimum function depended entirely on the nervous system's optimum ability and so that being stronger, and disciplined would discipline my mind, and ultimately make me stronger.

Let Huli give 5 steps from his own magical plan, haha. Trust me these are the very basics but they are good and you have a $50 dollar back guarantee. Just pay me now :D.

1.  Removing all processed and fatty foods: the health articles all recommend eating away from microwave or oven, ready made or junk food. I am now staying clear of all oven chips and anything in a plastic packet. This was harsh to my body at first, especially with those midnight cravings. The result: less deposited fat, more energy, better skin, more toned body, more happy emotions.
2. Creating a diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins. I recently consume a lot of eggs, red meat, rice, pasta, and smoked salmon (high in omega 3 fatty acids which should substitute the rotten fat that you receive from junk food). I also discovered broccoli and other green vegetables which was the missing ingredient to my diet: it assists muscle growth and develops a healthy nervous system. The result: disappearing fat, lean body, more muscle, more energy, more focus, better mind.
3. Drink more water: On my first day I started to drink 3 litres and now I consume 4 litres. The result: detoxing of the entire body, better skin and complexion, more muscle growth, better concentration, more energy.
4. Jogging: I started two weeks ago and since have been jogging everyday at about 2.3 miles. It's hard at first but after a while the body maintains itself and your stamina increases. I am now doing this run faster and every week I will increase the distance by .5 of a mile. I also bought an ipod nano 7th generation that has become my second baby: it helps with the speed of the run and distracts me from the burn. The result: burn calories, lose unnecessary weight, gain muscle, relief of stress and anxiety, greater well being, toned legs and bum (my favourite one) and enjoy the weather, rain or shine. Feel accomplished and become more disciplined with every task that you have to do.
5. Body building: I have no gym membership and I do my most of my workouts at home. They are not really a scheduled thing--I have learnt that if you space it out through the day the workout is easier and more efficient. However crazy this sounds I have stuck to a regiment that every time I need the bathroom I have to do 25 push ups on going in and 20 crunches when I leave. Now, this doesn't sound a lot, but with 4 litres and an entire day's worth of time, I can be stocking up about 250 push ups a day and 200 crunches. At the end of the day you barely feel the pain, but you can see the results :). Haha, if this doesn't work for you, it can easily be modified for work (if you're asking me, "Yeah Huli, but what 'bout me in the office?") by keeping a mental note. Also, if you stick to drinking a certain amount, your trips to the bathroom will be the same anyway :D, haha. And live in the moment! Be the first one to do push ups in that photocopying room, you may get a pay rise for it. 

:D so there you go. Daniel's 5 point guide to get your foot in the door for a better healthy lifestyle. I am not qualified, I am not a fitness coach, but I have experienced changes in myself and I have been feeling amazing recently. Rain or shine I hope to learn even more and get stronger with every day. I encourage you reader to do the same! You will not regret it in the slightest. Working out and eating healthy never has anyone saying: "Oh bugger...I should have stayed fatter, less focused, less fulfilled and not as good looking. What a stupid decision"

 Now, one last thought for the day: remember, that every time you put yourself out there, every time you work hard, and give something back, someone is being inspired by you--even envy is a form of inspiration. When I run home, around thirty to forty cars pass me by and every single one of them (if they don't have their fitness together) will subconsciously be effected (if there are more than one person they might discuss me, point at me)--those with a KFC bucket at the back of their seat, or those who started fitness and haven't returned to it, or, those who are doing even more than I am right now--it all boils down to the same thing. This is all about changing lives for the better. Changing yourself is changing the world around you.

Until next time :D, get those bodies into gear.