Well, the day is finally here. Today is election day, here in the U.S., and all of the world is watching. The lines at the polls are long, and filled with a record-breaking voter turnout. Why are so many Americans exercising their right to vote, during this important election, compared to others in the past?

It’s simple, most Americans are tired of the same old thing, which is no longer working for most of them. They are tired of sitting by and watching the same old thing that has not worked in years, and hope that a better outcome will happen. In other words, Americans have realized it’s time to stop the insanity. If a method does not work, do the opposite, right?

Your health is no different. However, I will get to that in a second. Both presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, as well as other political figures up for election, have stuck by this promise of “change.” One candidate even touts he will bring a “Change We Can Believe In.”

If all goes well, by the end of the night, we will know what changes Americans believe they have made for the better of their country. However, on a smaller scale (no pun intended), what about making a more intimate change for the better for yourself?

Once the election madness is over, how will you decide on what changes to make to be healthier, stronger, more active? Beginning today, will you elect to “change” the following:

- Adding at least 20-30 minutes of physical activity to your day and less TV
- Eat more natural, whole foods and less processed foods
- Spend more time at the dinner table & less in the drive-thru
- Drink more filtered water and less coffee
- Drink less sugary soda and fruit juices
- Eat more organic and fresh fruit and less candy
- Eat more nuts and less potato chips
- Stress less and relax more
- Listen more and talk less
- Walk more and drive less
- Love more instead of tolerating less

Or will you continue to do the same thing you have been doing, and unsuccessfully expect a different outcome?

Please share in the comments section below, how, today, you will elect (for yourself), “A Change You Can Stick To!”

This week’s email Q&A comes from Ralph, in reference to those pesky sugar cravings.
I’m sure most of us can share Ralph’s frustrations with these cravings, especially
when we are trying to focus on eating healthy. Take a look at Ralph’s questions, and
feel free to share your cravings, and other comments in the comments section below.

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Hey Sincere:

I think you can help me with this…. you are strong, knowledgeable, and built as hell…..

How do you handle sugar cravings?????

I especially get them after I have done a full day of working out and going to school.
i eat every 2 hours and I include prot, carbs, and fat in every meal.
I workout from around 8:30 to 11:30 and go to school from 12 to 5.
Ive eaten often so when I leave school I am not hungry. I eat my dinner before I leave.
However, when walking home, dunkin donuts calls me and i always eat
donuts even though i am not hungry.

How would you handle these cravings????

Ralph

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Hey Ralph:

How are you, brotha? I understand how it is to have those sugar
cravings.  My weakness is chocolate.  Ohhh, what a devil chocolate is!!!
I think the best way to handle
those sugar cravings, is to truly understand the effects of sugar on
our bodies, emotions, and our minds.

There is a great ebook by Diana Walker, explaining these cravings, and how to handle
them at http://www.cravingsecretsbook.com/.
Diana is an expert on the
topic of sugar cravings, as well as, the negative effects of artificial
sweetners. I highly recommend this ebook.

In the meantime, I suggest, whenever you get these cravings, to eat
fibrous fruits such as apples, pears,
kiwi, and my personal sweet-tooth
remedy….frozen berries.
I especially love frozen blueberries. They
are filling, and they are sweet and delicious.
However, they are not
filled with process sugar and fat,
as you would find in those dough
nuts that keep calling you to the dark side : )

Also, I recommend  drinking plenty of water and organic tea throughout
the day.  All of the things I just mentioned, when combined, keep you
feeling satisfied,  keep your blood sugar under control, and will help
curb those sugar cravings.

I wish you the best, my man. Stay strong, and keep eating and training like a warrior.

Regards,

Sincere~

p.s. Do you have relentless sugar cravings? If so, be sure to check of the
http://www.cravingsecretsbook.com/. What is your top “sweet”  weakness? How do you handle
your cravings? Share your comments below.

Tags: theeffects of sugar, conquering sugar cravings, fibrous fruits, organic tea, drinking water to curb appetite, the Cravings Secrets Book, Diana Walker, The Cravings Coach, Dunkin Doughnuts

I missed the first couple 2 episodes of the UFC
reality show, “The Ultimate Fighter,” which airs Wednesday
nights ar 10 PM EDT on Spike TV. However, thankfully there was
an Ultimate Fighter marathon on this fine Saturday afternoon, while I
am writing this post.

Now in case you are new to my blog, and you’re not familiar with me,
I am an avid mixed martial arts fan. I love to watch it, as well as practice it. I practice
Muay Thai (thai boxing), boxing, as well as Copeira Angola.

No, I am not a pro fighter, nor do I aspire to be one. I simply love how mixed martial arts keeps you in incredible shape, helps develop great mental clarity, as well as helps develop knowledge of self-defense, during these crazy times. If you are looking to mix your fitness program up a bit, as
I always suggest you should, then you should definitely add some form of mixed martial art
to your program.

As I watched the 32 man tournament on the first episode of this season’s Ultimate
Fighter, it reminded me of NCAA basketball players, as well as what I’ve noticed from various clients
over the years. In fact, you may know someone who fits the following description, as well, including yourself at times.

As far as the 32 man tournament, UFC president Dana White, pairs 32 would-be contestants fight and compete to, not only get a shot to be on The Ultimate Fighter reality show, but also to get a shot at a 6 figure contract with the Ultimate Fighter Championship.

For those who seek to fight and make a living in mixed martial arts professionally, getting on the show is an opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity in which many will never have a chance. It’s an opportunity to fight in the fastest growing professional sport in the world, possibly get numerous endorsements, as well as possibly securing a financially secure future for the fighter and/or his family.

The reason, I really love the show, is the stories. These young fighters are hungry, due mainly to one
of the opportunities I just mentioned, and go all out to get on the show. It reminds me of how the athletes in NCAA basketball, go out each game, run and gun up and down the court, playing the game as if it is their last. Well, for some, it may be their last, if they are not drafted into the NBA, or other professional leagues.

Thus, they play balls-to-the-wall, to get that once-in-a-lifetime shot to possibly create a better lifestyle than what they were used to. Sound familiar? Sounds like the life of someone who has been overweight for a long time, or have been plagued with unhealthy conditions, but chooses to take control of their life, and begin a proper health and fitness program.

The only thing that bothers me, is what usually happens once these young warriors make it in the UFC, NBA, or begin to lose the weight and become stronger and healthier……they get complacent, satisfied, lazy, or no longer compete or train with the heart they had before the door of opportunity opened and welcomed them in. It seems that once they decide they “made it” they tend to lose that sense of urgency.

The fighter stop training as hard as they did before signing that UFC contract. The basketball player stops working on his free throws, hangs with the wrong crowd and gets caught up in violent situations in their personal life, or worse, let’s the fame of being in the league give him a false sense of being “holier-than-thou.”

Do you know someone like this? Is it you? Have you lost that hunger to get better, stronger, leaner, or healthier? Have you or someone lost that sense of urgency and hunger? One of my favorite quotes of all time is from Thomas Alva Edison which states:

“Show me a satisfied man, and I will show you a failure.”

How do you abstain from failure? What are you doing, daily, in order to avoid being satisfied, complacent in life, business, relationships, your diet and training program, or whatever is important to you? What is it in your life, that keeps you hungry as an ultimate fighter, or running and gunning like an NCAA basketball player?

Share your comments below. You never know, your desire may be infectious, and inspire another reader of this post to be as hungry and focused as you are.

Sometimes we all face life’s little disasters. However, how you deal with those disaster define who you are.

My folks, friends, and myself from the Gulf Coast area are less than a week removed from dealing with Hurricane Ike.

However, many of us where riders of the storm, and survived. Together, with our combined energy, no storm is stronger than us. No matter how many of life’s little disasters come your way, keep pushing through.

I decided to keep pushing, by not succumbing to “disaster fatigue” and getting on with my life. I counted my blessings for myloved ones and myself, seeing we made it through the storm. I then boarded a plane, and continued on a pre-planned trip to Ryan Lee’s Bootcamp in Stamford.

I am kicking it with some of the best names in the fitness industry….learning, networking, contributing, and vibing. The energy here is electric and uplifting….just what I needed. I only hope to bring that energy, as well as new tools to help you all continue to achieve health and fitness levels beyond your imagination.

I will keep you updated, during my time here in Connecticut. In the meantime, let me know how you are weathering the storm of everyday life. Simply, share your thoughts and stories below, in the comment section.

Hey folks

I want to invite you to listen in on my new health & fitness
talk show. Yes, you heard that right, I have my own talk show.
Join me today, Thursday (08/21/08) at 3 PM CDT/4 PM EDT.

Get all the juicy details about it by clicking on the following
link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nogymnoproblem, or simply log on to,
http://nogymnoproblemradio.com.

You can call in live at (347)945-6055, during the show. You will be placed into the caller queue where you will still be able to hear the show while you are on hold. Or send your fitness and diet questions
to info @ nogymnoproblemradio.com or chat in the No Gym-No Problem Radio chat room.

All shows are archived as well, just in case you cannot join us
live. I look forward to you joining me today.

Until then, I will meet up with you today, Thursday (08/21/08) at 3 PM CDT/4 PM EDT.

Regards,

Sincere Hogan
“The People’s Fit Coach”
http://nogymnoproblemradio.com
http://sincerehogan.com