Breakfast (7 - 7:30 am)
Sargento reduced fat Sharp Cheddar cheese stick and about 1/2 cup of mixed nuts or
Toast w/ peanut butter or
Cream of Wheat
& a cup of PG Tips tea
Lunch (11:30 - 12:30)
Sandwich (egg salad, or cheese & pickle, or vegetarian burger)
or
Vegetarian Chili w/ some low fat tortilla chips
or
grits w/ a fried egg on top and 1/4 - 1/3 cup of low fat cheddar cheese for topping
or
small portion of whatever was left over from last night's dinner.
And 1/2 a can of Vernor's Ginger Ale (put it back in the fridge & have the other 1/2 w/ Dinner)
Nap (12:30 - 1:00) VERY IMPORTANT!
Dinner (7 - 8pm)
Vegetarian stew (in cold weather) or
Spaghetti & vegetarian meat sauce or
home-made Pad Thai (vegetarian, of course) or
Shish-kabobs (veg.) or
Bean stew (also a good cold-weather favorite) or
Vegetarian Stuffed Green Peppers (yum!)
Pierogi (polish stuffed dumplings (kraut & mushroom, spinach, potato & onion, potato & cheese) w/ onions
1/2 can of Vernor's Ginger Ale
Snack (I know, I shouldn't)
1/2 cup of 60 - 80% cacao Dark Chocolate
package of whole wheat / cheese crackers
After all, it's what you learn AFTER you know it all, that counts!
Interesting. I'm certainly familiar with pierogi! These days I only
eat the store-bought kind. The way my uncle used to make them was very time consuming. The sauerkraut tasted better than the potato.
I posted a few weeks ago about bee pollen. Since you are apparently a vegetarian
you could try it. It has a different taste. There have been claims of serious allergic
reactions to it however. Start with a fraction of a teaspoon perhaps. I never had a
problem with it.
I just found this for what it's worth:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Serious allergic reactions to bee pollen have been reported, including potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. These reactions occurred with small amounts of bee pollen, less than one teaspoon.The potential for serious reactions is widespread because at least 5% of Americans are allergic to ragweed pollen, and bee pollen contains pollen from ragweed or plants that cross-react with ragweed, such as dandelions, sunflowers, or chrysanthemums. Most of these case reports were with people with known allergies to pollen.
Exercise is extremely important. That would be off-topic, but it's just a reminder to you.
I exercise indoors myself. I like the privacy. Also, no concerns about the weather or slipping
on an icy sidewalk, or cars to watch out for, etc.
High blood levels of insulin due to sugary foods and excessive carbohydrate consumption are the hallmark of a diet that efficiently produces obesity and degenerative disease.
Eating a lot of small meals can be counterproductive, causing insulin and blood sugar levels to remain elevated for longer periods of time. Hunter gatherers may be better adapted to a sporadic food intake corresponding to the intermittent availability of food from game.
I try to eat fish several times a week, mostly sardines and salmon. That's the kind of healthy fat that is beneficial. Have not been eating walnuts lately... I should. Lots of health benefits.
Eating a large salad before a meal will tend to produce satiety and reduce overeating. The fiber content of the leaves, and the vinegar in the salad dressing, moderate the rate of rise of blood sugar from the subsequent meal. Please make your own salad dressing using monounsaturated olive or peanut oil, not carcinogenic polyunsaturated oil. Sometimes I mix chopped up salmon or sardines into the salad. Even very large salads have low caloric content, but can be quite filling. Half a pound of greens will fill a huge bowl.
The ONLY proven way to extend the useful and vital portion of lifespan is calorie restriction, proven in all species. My candidates for the top three nutrients believed to mimic this effect are resveratrol (from grape skins), curcumin (turmeric root), and milk thistle (the Silybun plant). Important adjuncts include Coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid
Make sure you get enough magnesium and Vitamin D. Most people in the USA are deficient in both. If not eating red meat, be aware of the possible need for supplemental Vitamin B12.
If I live long enough I might actually become a profitable trader some day.... Right now my body fat is around 15% and I am slowly losing. Resisting the temptation to buy and use high carb calorie sources such as bread and pasta seems to help.
The following user says Thank You to Zondor for this post:
Breakfast (10am).
1/4 cup roasted almonds
2-3 cups of tea
2000IU vitamin D pill
Lunch (noon).
Salad (Spinach, beef/chicken/pork, cheese, onion, avocado, dressing (olive oil or ranch)
Greek 0% yogurt with some berries
Fiber one bar
Snack ( 4pm)
Some meat and cheese or a protein shake
Dinner (6pm). I cook and enjoy cooking a range of things so it's hard to say what is typical
Some sort of protein (beef/chicken/pork or a fatty fish [salmon or trout usually])
Usually cheese
a lot of veggies (onions, peppers, avocados, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower)
bacon, bacon on everything
I essentially follow a primal diet without being too strict (I eat peanut butter and cheese...)
Doing this I went from 5' 10" 220lbs to 174lbs. As my lifts has gone up I've increased my weight back to 185lbs.
Actual Deadlift 1RM - 365lbs
Actual Benchpress 1RM - 225lbs
Theoretical Squat 1RM - 240lbs
The following user says Thank You to drw112 for this post:
In trading sometimes you've heard that following the rules is the main thing. To
me that's foolish. Results (ie. making money) is the main thing. In nutrition it is
the same. If you're following your own made up rules about eating it is meaningless
unless there are results.
I don't pretend to know much about health/nutrition but there are some things an
individual should know if one is really interested in the subject.
Along the lines of 'results':
What is your blood pressure and what exactly is 'blood pressure'?
What is a good blood pressure reading?
What does the first number mean, what does the second number mean?
If your blood pressure is high your diet could very well be at fault, even if you think it is not.
I did a search at futures.io (formerly BMT) and found little regarding blood pressure. I think this
would be a good place to put some basics instead of starting a new thread.
Most of those that are reading this thread already have a concern about their
health. Though I suppose the main reason for my researching and posting what is below
is so that I learn something about the subject.
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, blood pressure varies between a maximum (systolic) and a minimum (diastolic) pressure.[1]
A person's blood pressure is usually expressed in terms of the systolic pressure over diastolic pressure (mmHg), for example 140/90.
Normal
... in a study of 100 human subjects with no known history of hypertension, an average blood pressure of 112/64 mmHg was found,[7] which are currently classified as desirable or "normal" values.
Various factors, such as age and gender influence average values, influence a person's average blood pressure and variations. In children, the normal ranges are lower than for adults and depend on height.[8] As adults age, systolic pressure tends to rise and diastolic tends to fall.[9] In the elderly, blood pressure tends to be above the normal adult range,[10] largely because of reduced flexibility of the arteries. Also, an individual's blood pressure varies with exercise, emotional reactions, sleep, digestion and time of day.
The risk of cardiovascular disease increases progressively above 115/75 mmHg.
Measurement
Arterial pressure is most commonly measured via a sphygmomanometer, which historically used the height of a column of mercury to reflect the circulating pressure.[24] blood pressure values are generally reported in millimetres of mercury (mmHg)...
For each heartbeat, blood pressure varies between systolic and diastolic pressures.
Hypertension refers to arterial pressure being abnormally high, as opposed to hypotension, when it is abnormally low.
Along with body temperature, respiratory rate, and pulse rate, blood pressure is one of the four main vital signs routinely monitored by medical professionals and healthcare providers.
Home monitoring
When measuring blood pressure, an accurate reading requires that one not drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, or engage in strenuous exercise for 30 minutes before taking the reading. A full bladder may have a small effect on blood pressure readings; if the urge to urinate exists, one should do so before the reading. For 5 minutes before the reading, one should sit upright in a chair with one's feet flat on the floor and with limbs uncrossed. The blood pressure cuff should always be against bare skin, as readings taken over a shirt sleeve are less accurate. During the reading, the arm that is used should be relaxed and kept at heart level, for example by resting it on a table.[40]
Since blood pressure varies throughout the day, measurements intended to monitor changes over longer time frames should be taken at the same time of day to ensure that the readings are comparable.
Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure, sometimes arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. This requires the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels.
Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attacks), heart failure, aneurysms of the arteries (e.g. aortic aneurysm), peripheral arterial disease and is a cause of chronic kidney disease. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure is associated with a shortened life expectancy. Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve blood pressure control and decrease the risk of associated health complications, although drug treatment is often necessary in people for whom lifestyle changes prove ineffective or insufficient.
Signs and symptoms
Hypertension is rarely accompanied by any symptoms, and its identification is usually through screening, or when seeking healthcare for an unrelated problem. A proportion of people with high blood pressure reports headaches (particularly at the back of the head and in the morning), as well as lightheadedness, vertigo, tinnitus (buzzing or hissing in the ears), altered vision or fainting episodes.[9]
Primary hypertension
Primary (essential) hypertension is the most common form of hypertension, accounting for 9095% of all cases of hypertension.
Secondary hypertension
Secondary hypertension results from an identifiable cause. Renal disease is the most common secondary cause of hypertension.[11] Hypertension can also be caused by endocrine conditions, such as Cushing's syndrome, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, Conn's syndrome or hyperaldosteronism, hyperparathyroidism and pheochromocytoma.[11][31] Other causes of secondary hypertension include obesity, sleep apnea, pregnancy, coarctation of the aorta, excessive liquorice consumption and certain prescription medicines, herbal remedies and illegal drugs.
Prevention
maintain normal body weight for adults (e.g. body mass index 2025 kg/m2)
reduce dietary sodium intake to <100 mmol/ day (<6 g of sodium chloride or <2.4 g of sodium per day)
engage in regular aerobic physical activity such as brisk walking (≥30 min per day, most days of the week)
limit alcohol consumption to no more than 3 units/day in men and no more than 2 units/day in women
consume a diet rich in fruit and vegetables (e.g. at least five portions per day);
consume a diet with reduced content of saturated and total fat.
Effective lifestyle modification may lower blood pressure as much an individual antihypertensive drug.
I must admit that I only have tried the last one... But then I have tried it quite regularly and I am still undecided whether I really like it, that is why I am trying again and again.
Breakfast
Protein Shake: Vanilla low-carb whey protein, frozen banana, peanut butter, oatmeal, and some soy milk.
Lunch
Salad: Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and some home made vinaigrette dressing.
Dinner
Varies: Usually some meat, some veggies, some kind of carb, and just try to focus on keeping the portions down. The wife makes it easy to enjoy dinner as she is great at some soups, salmon, among other things.
Drinks:
Mostly water, and an occasional iced soy latte.
Weekends:
Now, non-trading days, AKA, the weekends, I may venture off a bit from this diet. It may possibly include some Jack Daniels or a nice Malbec with some steak, potatoes, and an occasional dessert. This food is not good for the body, but is good for the soul.
Exercise 4+ times a week for an hour+ to help offset the weekends. Haha!
Gary
As consistently profitable traders.. "We get paid to wait, and we wait to get paid."
The following 3 users say Thank You to Gary for this post:
The excerpt below is from an old book I have by Dominick Bosco:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a continuum between severe illness and optimum health. We're all somewhere on that continuum, and we all want to move toward optimum
health and away from illness.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've taken some information from wikipedia and put it below. I think it's
important for some to realize that you can still be alive, yet be trashed.
Stroke
A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the rapid loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.
A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and death. It is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and Europe and the second leading cause of death worldwide.
Hypertension accounts for 35-50% of stroke risk.
High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke.
Care and rehabilitation
Stroke rehabilitation is the process by which patients with disabling strokes undergo treatment to help them return to normal life as much as possible by regaining and relearning the skills of everyday living.
For most stroke patients, physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) are the cornerstones of the rehabilitation process. Often, assistive technology such as a wheelchair, walkers, canes, and orthosis may be beneficial.
Stroke rehabilitation should be started as quickly as possible and can last anywhere from a few days to over a year.
Complete recovery is unusual but not impossible and most patients will improve to some extent: proper diet and exercise are known to help the brain to recover.
Prognosis
Disability affects 75% of stroke survivors enough to decrease their employability.[114] Stroke can affect patients physically, mentally, emotionally, or a combination of the three. The results of stroke vary widely depending on size and location of the lesion.[115] Dysfunctions correspond to areas in the brain that have been damaged.
Some of the physical disabilities that can result from stroke include muscle weakness, numbness, pressure sores, pneumonia, incontinence, apraxia (inability to perform learned movements), difficulties carrying out daily activities, appetite loss, speech loss, vision loss, and pain. If the stroke is severe enough, or in a certain location such as parts of the brainstem, coma or death can result.
Emotional problems resulting from stroke can result from direct damage to emotional centers in the brain or from frustration and difficulty adapting to new limitations. Post-stroke emotional difficulties include anxiety, panic attacks, flat affect (failure to express emotions), mania, apathy, and psychosis.
30 to 50% of stroke survivors suffer post stroke depression, which is characterized by lethargy, irritability, sleep disturbances, lowered self esteem, and withdrawal.[116] Depression can reduce motivation and worsen outcome, but can be treated with antidepressants.
Emotional lability, another consequence of stroke, causes the patient to switch quickly between emotional highs and lows and to express emotions inappropriately, for instance with an excess of laughing or crying with little or no provocation. While these expressions of emotion usually correspond to the patient's actual emotions, a more severe form of emotional lability causes patients to laugh and cry pathologically, without regard to context or emotion.[114] Some patients show the opposite of what they feel, for example crying when they are happy.[117] Emotional lability occurs in about 20% of stroke patients.
Cognitive deficits resulting from stroke include perceptual disorders, speech problems, dementia, and problems with attention and memory. A stroke sufferer may be unaware of his or her own disabilities, a condition called anosognosia. In a condition called hemispatial neglect, a patient is unable to attend to anything on the side of space opposite to the damaged hemisphere.
Up to 10% of all stroke patients develop seizures, most commonly in the week subsequent to the event; the severity of the stroke increases the likelihood of a seizure.
Interesting. Just like trading, there are many different methods to achieve the same result.
Though I would recommend getting accurate measurements. Something that made a big difference for me - getting the true details of my body composition. I use DXA scan, though bod pod provides similar accuracy.
Most inactive "normal" bodyweight people would be surprised to learn that most are technically fat. Bodyweight usually does not tell the true story.
This is not an endorsement of the expensive supplements sold by Life Extension, but I do take a few of them myself.
Three of the top candidates for most important anti aging supplements are curcumin, milk thistle extract, and resveratrol. Don't forget your Vitamin D. Most Americans are seriously deficient. And always remember: SUGAR IS THE ENEMY.
If you're into it, there's a supplement called Protandim that contains 5 "anti-oxidants" - they've been shown to increase expression of superoxide dismutase to one degree or another. That's the big enzyme responsible for anti-oxidation in mammals. You can just buy the individual ingredients of protandim and its way cheaper. see ingredients here: Protandim | Natural Ingredients
Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty. - Frank Herbert
Aspirin Increases Your Risk of Hemorrhage, GI Damage, and Several Other Problems
Routine use of aspirin has been associated with the following problems:
Bleeding, especially in the gastrointestinal tract
Duodenal ulcers, GI damage, and diverticular disease
Increased risk of ER/PR-negative breast cancer in women
Increased risk of kidney failure
Cataracts, hearing Loss, and tinnitus
I hate to recommend anything that tastes good, however regarding antioxidants, oddly enough one of the most concentrated sources of all is CACAO (you know it as "chocolate"). Most chocolate is made in a way that destroys a lot of the antioxidants. You might want to look into cold processed chocolate. Example: (not an endorsement, I am not a vendor) Navitas Naturals Cacao Nibs Raw Chocolate.
Another antioxidant idea is to drink Yerba Mate instead of coffee.
Hey Big Mike,
Thanks for the really good thread, somehow I missed it till today. It sounds like you have made great progress. I recently changed my diet because my energy levels have been subtly dropping over the years. I have always been active and a lot of the time I ate like I was still in high school . I was 43 , 6'2" 210 lbs so about 15 lbs overweight but the real problem was energy level.
Since I started to learn how to trade I have been wonderfully obsessed by looking at charts, systems, reading, programming and trading. This has been going on 10 - 12 hours a day for 3 years now when I am not working my freelance job. When on my freelance based job I work 12 - 18 hr days.
Poor eating finally took its toll. Hamburgers, burritos, lots of pasta and unfortunately lots of frozen type dinners from the grocery store ( Albeit I was picky and only chose the ones that were making an attempt at a healthy meal.) mainly because I was too short on time to make my own meals. Something I gave up when I began learning how to trade. I used to cook a fair amount at home.
About 2 years ago I started by incorporating a high quality granola cereal or oatmeal for breakfast and a robust salad as, lunch, and then ate whatever I felt like for dinner, and this had little to no effect in bringing my energy level up.
Next step was incorporating a well researched vitamin and mineral routine. Too complex to get into here. Little effect except imune boost and now catch very few colds despite the excessive travel I still do.
Next step about a year ago . i committed to doing cardio 2 - 3x a week and I bought a juicer and had one of those a day and felt better but after a while just slid back into being tired a lot. Next in the interest of total disclosure I started drinking monster energy drinks as a desperate attempt to keep going at the long hours. This only lasted 3 weeks and I stopped that once I heard about a friend that had a stroke at 35 from too many energy drinks.
About a month ago after an honest evaluation and the realization that I was not going to start cooking again any time soon, I decided to try a local meal delivery service here in Los Angeles. You tell them what your goals are and they pick out your meals for you and deliver them fresh every morning. It costs about 30% more than what I was spending at the grocery store and eating out.
Its been very good for me. My reaction to it initially was unexpected. It was like I was living at home as a kid and had to eat whatever mom made, broccoli , kale, melon, fish twice a week, I didn't like the change at all. After about a week I began having Totally Mad cravings for my usual sins like donuts, hamburgers, potatoes chips peanut butter cups. It was really weird and surprising. I was even dreaming about junk food.
I have lost 13 lbs in a month. A lot of that was water weight form eating foods that were too salty. I was also guilty of eating till I was full. That was not my main goal though. I went in for a check up and everything is good. 13 lbs sounds like a little to much but the doctor said I am good. I have had an abundance of energy and am also sleeping much less. I usually really needed 7 - 8 hrs and now I am getting 5 - 6 and feel much much better.
My dog Jesse totally digs the new diet too. Turns out she goes bannas for Seared Ahi Tuna.
So anyway thats where I am now, food delivered, vitamin and mineral regiment, juicing, and cardio 2 - 3x a week, Feels good! Eventually when time frees up a bit I will return to cooking my own meals again. -- Westsider
The following 2 users say Thank You to westsider for this post:
But then I have tried it quite regularly and I am still undecided whether I really like it, that is why I am trying again and again.
