Trying not to gobble extra calories

Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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October has come and gone and I survived the Halloween season for the most part. I did break into a hidden stash of candy prior to Halloween night, but shared it with the rest of the family, limiting myself to less than I normally binge on. I have only had a couple of fun size pieces from the collection my daughter picked up Monday night.

Now that the candy is behind me (for the most part) I'm refocusing on a few fitness and nutrition goals for the rest of the year. I have recently switched from whey protein powder to a plant-based one. I'm enjoying Vega's protein and greens chocolate flavor powder. I mix it with spinach, banana, blueberries and skim milk. 

Protein & greens

Honestly, I don't know what to look for in a protein powder. Compared to my previous go-to, Body Fortress, Vega has fewer calories, fat and sugar. But it also has less protein and more sodium. I've read that plant-based protein is better and Vega has 20 g of it along with two servings of greens including alfalfa, spinach, broccoli and kale. 

The other factor this month is Thanksgiving. Luckily it's only a day or two (with leftovers). I'll be looking for healthier options to add to the table this year, but at the same time not completely giving up on my favorites (White Castle stuffing is amazing). 

Daily running is still a thing, but so is weekly craft beer. My sleep has not improved and I haven't seen the inside of a gym in months. I'm not waiting for the new year to restart the working out. Here's to getting a jump on 2017.

The Incredible, Edible Egg

Scrambled eggs

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

For 41 years I despised scrambled eggs, or at least I thought I did.  I tried them when I was a kid and didn't like them.  But I've read that our taste buds change every seven years, so it's important to try new things.  But it wasn't until a recent visit to a radio station that my perspective on eggs changed.

Until now, I only ate hard boiled eggs chopped up on a salad.  Or I'd eat French Toast, with the bread dipped in the egg mixture. But I never, ever ate eggs by themselves.  But after promoting the Southern Illinois Men's Health Conference on WGGH 1150 AM radio, my opinion changed.  

Dr. Jerry Felts
WGGH.net

I was driving home from the station that Saturday morning tuned in to Dr. Jerry Felts' show, Health and Fitness.  I've interviewed Dr. Felts before, but his show on that particular day opened my eyes to something new.  He explained why he eats eggs and bacon for breakfast everyday.  You can read more here, but the bottom line is the extra protein in the morning helps curb cravings throughout the day.  

I was reluctant to try it, because for the last eight years, I've had blueberries, a banana, and some chocolate protein whey powder for breakfast.  It's a delicious trio, but admittedly, I was usually hungry before the end of the newscast each morning.  

Green eggs, no ham

A few weeks ago, I decided to scramble an egg.  Some mornings I add a piece of bacon, shredded chicken, or raw veggies.  I couldn't believe I actually liked this.  Now it's become a habit.  One twist I've really enjoyed is adding a whole avocado.  I scramble it all together.  Avocados are high in vitamins and good kinds of fat.  

I usually have breakfast around 2:30 a.m.  That one egg keeps me full until 7:30 or so, when I have my morning snack.  I think starting the day off with the egg helps to establish a pattern of healthier eating throughout the day (except for this week, as I've added some Reese's Eggs to the menu too).  I'm hoping this new egg habit pays off in the 2014 Operation Find My Abs that I've struggled with so far.