Struggling with your diet? Need to lose a few pounds?
At the request of many friends and readers, today I'm slapping together details of the "Karl Moore diet plan" I've been following the past couple of months.
Now, I'm going to tell you something. This plan works.
It involves a few changes to your eating habits... a little moderate exercise... and one *really fun* day every week...
But it has not only reduced my high blood pressure back down to normal rates, it's also taken me from a 34" waist right down to a very slim 30".
Goodbye belly.
A number of individuals have asked how it works - so in the spirit of my friend, Rebecca Marina, who always shares her great dieting tips with readers - here are my 10 simple rules.
The Karl Moore Diet:
Rule 1: Absolutely NO bread, potatoes, paste, rice or wraps.
Rule 2: Don't be stupid. Cut out "bad" foods like chocolate and crisps.
Rule 3: Enjoy SIMPLE meals. Fish, vegetables, some light meats. Typical dishes for me: smoked salmon with dill sauce... a simple kitchen salad... grilled chicken breast...
Rule 4: Allow yourself unlimited mushy peas! Low in fat, low in energy density, high in fibre and protein, these are the secret to a great diet. Mix with a tablespoon of mint sauce for flavour. One tin constitutes a meal.
Rule 5: Eat so that hunger is removed, but NOT so that you feel full. (This, incidentally, is the secret to living beyond 100!) Get out of the emotion and habitual cravings for food we all have. This is CRITICAL! Are you REALLY hungry? Make sure first!
Rule 6: Do not limit yourself on "special foods." For example, I don't limit the amount of salad cream I put on salads... or the amount of alcohol I drink. I am NOT a traditional calorie counter!
Rule 7: DRINK lots of water. Especially sugar-free flavoured water.
Rule 8: Take MULTI-VITAMINS every single day, to ensure you get enough of everything. I usually take a couple just to make sure.
Rule 9: Start WALKING MORE. And make it consistent. I currently walk for 40 to 60 minutes every single day. That's 3-4 miles. Find a nice route (I live in the city and walk out to the countryside), get an iPod, breathe deeply with every few steps - and just do it. Every day. STICK to it!
Rule 10: ONCE A WEEK... SPLURGE OUT! Purposefully OVERLOAD on calories to ensure that your metabolism doesn't slow down and your body "get used" to less food. Every Saturday, I overload on Snickers, chip butties, chocolate, and all the things I do NOT eat during the week. Including bread and everything else. It makes a GREAT CHANGE... and helps you lose even MORE weight! (Splurging is actually quite hard as first. Forget the guilt - and lap it up!)
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Now, remember - I'm not a physician, so consult your doctor before undertaking any new diet regime.
However it works for me - and I've seen dramatic results - without feeling that I've "suffered" or felt hungry at any point.
I'd be interested in feedback from any nutritionists that may be reading.
But give it a go - and I look forward to hearing your success stories! :)
And you've tuned into planet Earth's news channels to learn a little about your universal neighbours.
Stories of war, terror, destruction, crime, pollution and similar atrocities dominate. If you're lucky, you'll find the odd inspirational story but, on the whole, the news is pretty grim.
After watching Earth's news channels, the question is would you visit Planet Earth?
More than likely, the answer would be no. Who wants to visit a planet that is ruled by such a destructive race?
Of course, we know that the news doesn't give a balanced picture of life on planet earth.
It's not all doom and gloom.
We just don't hear all those thousands of inspirational stories of human kindness, adventure, triumphs and beauty.
Bad news works because most people have grown up programmed to tune into these negative aspects of life. Some even crave their daily fix of doom.
It's only when you switch off the negative news channels and cancel your gloomy newspapers that you start to feel more positive and inspired.
Some may think that switching off the news means that we're burying our heads in the sand to all the bad stuff that happens in the world.
On the contrary, switching off - banning the doom and gloom - means that we're more focused on living positively, peacefully and with greater harmony in the world around us.
Surely that's a good thing!
Besides, switching off the news gives you more time to go out and enjoy life.
Think of all the time you'll save!
... Time that you can use to bring some positive news into the world!
In the book, Luke allows a dice to completely control his life. He makes a list of six suggestions, some good, some bad, some completely unexpected.
Then he rolls the dice - and, without question, follows the outcome.
I find the whole concept crazily exciting. Chaos in action.
It's a brilliant read - and it leads me to ask you a question...
How often dare you do something completely different to the norm?
If you tend to stick to the same routines, the same cafe visits, the same holidays, the same hobbies and so on, you could be really missing out on lots of new and exciting experiences.
So, if you don't have a dice to hand to help randomize your life, here are a few silly suggestions for helping you do something completely different...
• Do you always book a hotel based holiday? Why not try camping for a change ... better still, how about a Tipi holiday? You don't have to visit the wild west to experience tipi living either. There are plenty of choices in the UK and Europe to experience the Native American way of life.
• Try visiting a different restaurant than your usual choice. If you haven't eaten Japanese or Mexican cuisine, give it a try. Don't book with any expectations; you could be pleasantly surprised.
• Have you ever tried writing poetry? Book yourself on a day course, just to explore your creative side.
• Try a complementary therapy that you haven't experienced before. Enjoy the relaxation and pampering of a spa day or book a Shiatsu treatment.
• Break out of your comfort zone. Try a new activity. Ride a horse, go skiing, enjoy mountain biking or scuba-diving. How will you know whether you'll enjoy it if you don't try it!
• How do you spend your weekend? Change your routine completely and introduce some new activities. Drive out to the coast. Take a train journey. Choose a clear night and go star-gazing. Wake early and listen to the dawn chorus.
Have some fun! Shake the dice on these six options and see which you get!
Shaking up your routine brightens your outlook and brings new energy into your life.
The simple joy of laughter provides one of the greatest health tonics there is. Laughing raises our spirits and when shared, uplifts those around us.
Yet, how many times a day do you enjoy a good, old belly-shaking laugh?
If you have to think about it you're probably not laughing enough and, as a result, are missing out on all the amazing health benefits.
Research has proven that laughter can:
... lower muscle tension ... aid healthy respiration and circulation ... relax the sympathetic nervous system ... massage internal organs ... act as a safety valve to release excess nervous energy ... encourage healthy function of the immune system ... release happiness hormones ... combat stress
Fantastic health benefits, without a doubt.
And it doesn't take much effort to start laughing. After all, you don't have to get changed into your exercise gear or sign-up for the gym!
Seeing the funny side of life can help us re-focus and maintain a sense of equilibrium when the going gets tough.
It enables us to cope better in all situations. There is even evidence to suggest that a bit of daily laughter is the key to a longer life!
And where relationships are concerned, consider the suggestion of American entertainer, Victor Borge:
"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."
So, make it your goal to start and end each day with a genuine smile and ensure there is plenty of energising laughter in-between. Focus on embracing the joyful moments.
Think how you feel when you laugh - notice the sense of warmth, relaxation, joy and freedom that laughter brings.
Let some whole-hearted laughter transform an ordinary moment and you'll soon realize the power that you have within.
Need some ideas to bring on the laughter? Try these for size...
1. Go do something totally crazy, fun and unexpected with family or friends. Allow yourself to be completely daft for a few hours.
2. Watch your favourite comedy films and spend an evening laughing your socks off. Invite a few friends and see just how infectious laughing really is.
3. Next time you trip up or do something unexpectedly silly, have a good laugh at yourself. Open up to your funny side!
4. Go out and play! Who said playtime was just for kids? :)
As some of you know, it was my birthday at the end of last month! :)
I had a great little meal in Durham, with around twenty of my best friends. Here are a few quick snapshots...
It's my birthday? It's my BIRTHDAY! :O
And as Plautus said: "Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words" ....
It's a surprise birthday party! Yay!
You can't see them, however my sister scattered pictures of me as a naked child all over the table. It was... embarassing.
And, yes, I'm the only one not looking at the camera there. My head obscures about ten people.
A few of my good friends -- the fab Rachel, Denice, Maree Lee.
More great friends: Richard the Dance Meister, Vanessa, Me!
Talking of dancing: after the meal, we all headed out to the cheesiest disco in town to show that -- despite advancing age -- we're still full of spunk!
Me and Mark Robertson (son of agony aunt, Denise Robertson) -- after much dancing!
Of course, the celebrations didn't stop there...
Just a day earlier, I'd been dining with my parents -- who had much fun circumnavigating a Chinese meal! :)
Always laughing and smiling :)
And of course me and my sister -- totally and utterly stuffed, I hasten to add!
The screensaver randomly displays my favourite inspirational quotes, from Albert Einstein to Winston Churchill -- all on the most beautiful background scenes imaginable.
It's INCREDIBLY inspirational.
Just install it once and be inspired every time your screensaver kicks in. You can customize it too. There's absolutely NO advertising and NO spyware.
Wondering what the screensaver looks like before downloading?
Here's a screenshot of one sample page. It's pretty small here, so just click to enlarge. The quote is from Shakespeare. "This above all: To thine own self be true."
If you're like me, you'll find yourself randomly pondering questions such as...
How do I open a bottle of champagne with a sword?
How can you rip a phonebook in half?
How do I keep my balance on a galloping horse?
All of which, I'm sure you'll agree, are quite life's little mysteries.
Well - not anymore.
If you've not discovered wikiHow yet, then check it out at www.wikihow.com. You'll find answers to all of these questions and many more - and today, I'm republishing their tip on curing hiccups.
Enjoy! :)
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How to Cure Hiccups...
Drink Entire Glass of Water While Blocking Both Ears and Nose!
1. Fill to the brim a glass of water.
2. With your thumbs, plug your ears.
3. With your index fingers, plug your nostrils (squeeze to close)
4. With both ears and nostrils plugged, use your remaining free fingers to grasp the glass and raise it to your mouth.
5. Drink the entire glass of water without releasing ears or nostrils.
6. YOU MUST FINISH THE ENTIRE GLASS OF WATER without releasing ears or nostrils!
7. Once empty, gently place the glass on the table and SLOWLY unplug ears and nostrils and take a first breath.
8. Hiccups are gone!
9. IMPORTANT: PLEASE AVOID ATTEMPTING THIS CURE IN THE PRESENCE OF people who will make fun of you and try to make you laugh. DO IT ALONE THE FIRST TIMES and you’ll soon be able to suggest it to your friends and other “unbelievers”.
Well, you saw the video Friday Factoid yesterday, where I explained the meaning behind the word codswallop...
Now WIN the Codd bottle itself!
It's a cheesy competition, partly in celebration of the new course from Nick Daws - How to Win Contests - and it's EASY to win.
Just complete the following tie-breaker:
"I love reading Karl's Blog because..."
Humorous entries and slick ditties please. Send them to me at karl@karlmoore.com and make sure you put the phrase "Karl Moore Competition" in the subject line so that it gets past the spam filter.
I'll choose a winner last thing on Monday April 9th!
Unfortunately, my Tom Tom wasn't too keen on the visit.
Despite having been recently sent in for repair, to Holland no less, it absolutely failed to figure out where I was for the first two hours of my journey. Then it kept telling me "Turn left in 80 yards" for no apparent reason.
Currently it thinks I'm lost in Germany and is providing sensible advice... "Turn around when possible."
Useless piece of electronic junk. Next time I'm getting a Navman.
Anyway... On a slightly more upbeat note... I appear to have stumbled across a TOP SECRET UK project. It appears some sort of fanatic is building a modern-day Jurassic Park within the shores of Blighty.
I managed to snap this evidence while driving down the M1 last Friday.
I suspect Richard Attenborough was driving the truck. Or maybe even his nature-loving brother, David.
She explained how she believed she created her own reality, and as such everything that was happening was occurring to help her grow in some way. Great attitude!
Karen was unsure...
She explained that she couldn't interpret minor irritation as a gift, no matter how much Horlicks she drank. Understandable, I'd say... But it could just be an opportunity to further develop your skills of patience?
>> Blog Quote: "PS. As a small aside, I would like to make it quite clear to the 20 random callers that dialled my number today, that I do NOT have an San Francisco apartment for sale, and I have never used a website called Craigs List. Nor am I a porn actor looking for work. Good day."
Today I'd like to share a little freebie with you from the Early to Rise team.
It's a guide showing you exactly how to handle some of life's stickier situations.
Like what to do with your dodgy credit report. Or how to get a passport quickly. Or how to beat annoying queues at an aiport. Or how to survive a hostage situation.
Or how to disconnect the phone when your Aunti Bessie is yap-yap-yapping away.
It's intended mainly for folks in the US, but I think anyone will find it interesting.
Best of all, it's completely free.
Grab your copy of The Pocket Survival Guide from the Early to Rise team today - by clicking HERE.
(And no, I never remember what each of those things stands for either.)
One of my favourite twists and turn of our great tongue is the palindrome.
A palindrome is a word or phrase that reads the same forwards as it does backwards.
For example:
Tango, O Gnat!
Okay, so Shakespeare it ain't.
But you can start reading the sentence from either end and you'll still end up encountering the exact same letters in identical sequence.
That's a palindrome.
My favourite such novelty however was supposedly created in honour of former US President Theodore Roosevelt.
It's relatively popular -- but if you don't know it (and I'm kind of hoping you don't), then you'll be impressed. Often incorrectly labelled as the world's longest palindrome, here it is...
A man, a plan, a canal - Panama.
This refers to Roosevelt's idea to take over the building of the Panama Canal, perhaps his most famous legacy. This initiative significantly shortened trading journeys between San Francisco, California and New York.
And reading that sentence either backwards or forwards, you'll still get the picture.
Before that date, they called it The President's Palace, The President's Building -- and even The Executive Mansion. It was Roosevelt that christened it with that now famous name.
Send this blog post onto your friends. It's food for the brain!
