Healthywillie's Weblog

How many eggs should we eat?

healthywillie — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:46:42 +0000

The maximum number of eggs we should eat is a figure which is very contentious. Many different sources have different answers. Since this is so, I’m collating information from various sources tomake some sense out of everything.

http://www.eggs.ab.ca/about/eggnutrition.htm

http://www.annecollins.com/diet-fats/eggs-cholesterol-advice.htm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24028358/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/832405/eggs_and_cholesterol_studies_differ.html?cat=5

Update Schedule for Workouts

healthywillie — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:22:42 +0000

From now, I’m not going to record down every single workout session. It’s too tedious, and it will be too tedious to read in future. I’ll just write an update periodically on my workout status.

Common misconceptions about stress

healthywillie — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:19:32 +0000

Stress is all in the mind and has no effects on the body.

Nope. It has long-term physiological effects on the body.

Essential FAQ on Stress

healthywillie — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:14:41 +0000

The FAQ below condenses what I’ve learnt about stress. For more detailed information, please seek your local health professional.

What is stress?

Stress is the state induced when you steal some bananas and 5 mad gorillas start chasing you to tear your limbs apart.

What causes stress?

Things that cause stress are called stressors. Types of stressors include :

sensory – eg. poke u with needle
life events – eg. you found out that your parents have bethrothed you to someone 70 yrs older
work – eg. your computer crashed, wiping out 167 hrs of work that you have to redo in 17 hrs
relationships – eg. your girlfriend dumped you for a girl

In fact, if you cause stress to others, then you are a stressor yourself!

What happens under stress?

a bunch of hormones get released, affecting different parts of your body in different ways
your organs generously sacrifice some of their blood quota to your muscles
ur heart beats faster and your lungs breathe harder

What are the short-term effects of stress?

You turn green and become the hulk capable of lifting tanks with one hand will have enhanced physical capabilities and shortened reaction time

Why are there long-term effects of stress?

Because I say so the hormones and nervous system changes induced under stress, if sustained for a long period, will cause the body to complain in a very tangible way.

What are the long-term effects of stress?

your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol level becomes screwed up
heart attack and stroke due to 1.
low sex drive (not good for Singapore’s already low birth rate)
memory disturbances (u become blur like sotong)
stomache ulcers
loose stools (cannot go swimming, no good for swimmers and divers)
etc etc

How do you cope with stress?

talk to a friend (over the phone, at the corrider, on your sofa or even in the toilet cubicle)
know your limits, dun think you are Superman and set too high standards for yourself
exercise regularly (note that typing on your keyboard or fiddling with a joystick is not considered exercise)
take long deep breaths (this also trains your ktv singing skills)
etc etc

This article is too simple for my immense intellectual capacity, do you have anything more cerebral in nature?

Okay smartypants, since this article doesn’t match up to your exceptional cognitive ability, try reading the material in the links below and see if you get stressed by them :

A comprehensive article on stress at stressfocus.com

An article on MedicineNet.com, authored by doctors.

This one’s from Wikipedia, everybody’s favourite free online knowledge repository.

Essential FAQ on Sun Tanning

healthywillie — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:05:58 +0000

The FAQ below summarizes what I’ve learnt about Sun Tanning. For more detailed information, please visit your local health professional.

What is the stuff which makes your skin dark?

A pigment called melanin. It is released by specialized cells in your skin called melanocytes.

What causes melanin to be released?

UVA and UVB rays (most commonly from sunlight). These rays penetrate into your skin and damage the core of your cell – the DNA. This damage triggers the release of melanin, which helps protect against further skin damage. This means that the darker your skin turns, the more skin damage it has received to cause it!

What are the effects of overexposure to UV radiation?

Premature skin ageing – your skin becomes blotchy and wrinkled
Skin cancer – dangerous lumps of mutated cells which can spread throughout your body and kill you
Cataracts – makes your eyes cloudy so that you cannot see clearly
Suppressed immune system – your body’s internal defences become weaker and less able to kill bacteria and viruses
etc etc

If I use sun tanning lotion while sun tanning, am I protected from the effects of UV rays?

Not entirely. Remember, darkening of the skin through UV expore can only result when there’s skin damage. So even sun tan lotions with SPF can only limit the amount of skin damage.

How about a tanning bed?

Tanning beds utilize UV rays to darken your skin, so they will damage your skin as well.

I must have a tan! Having one makes me look sporty and healthy, is there any safe way to get one?

Ok you vainpot, there’s actually one safe way – use self tanning products. These products are generally applied on your skin and darkens it without requiring UV exposure. Go look for one and thank me for saving you from skin cancer.

Links

Here’s an article at How Stuff Works on sun tanning.

Workout – 24 June – Arms

healthywillie — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:23:57 +0000

Location : Safra Mount Faber Gym

Muscles Targeted : Biceps & Triceps

Bentover Triceps Extension using double-ended cable : 6 x 69.5kg, 5 x 69.5kg, 4 x 69.5kg

Bicep Curl using double-ended cable : 6 x 62.5kg, 5 x 62.5kg, 4 x 62.5kg

Standing Triceps Extension using double-ended cable : 6 x 69.5kg, 5 x 69.5kg, 4 x 69.5kg

Bicep Curl using straight bar : 6 x 55.5kg, 5 x 55.5kg, 4 x 55.5kg

Single-arm Standing Triceps Extension : 6 x 38.5kg, 5 x 38.5kg, 4 x 38.5kg

Single-arm Bicep Curl : 8 x 35.5kg, 6 x 35.5kg, 5 x 35.5kg

Workout – 23 June

healthywillie — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:41:24 +0000

Gym Workout on 23 Jun 08 (all 3 sets, 4-6 reps unless otherwise stated)

Location : Safra Mount Faber Gym

Muscle groups targetted : Lower Back, Shoulders, Trapezius

Rest time btw sets : 2min for all except Dead Lift which was 2.5 to 3.5min

Dead Lift : 6×131.6kg, 5×131.6kg, 4×131.6kg (new personal best, yeah!)

Standing Shoulder Press : 6×47.5kg, 5×47.5kg, 4×47.5kg

Shoulder Shrugs : 9x30kg, 7x30kg, 6x30kg

Machine lateral raises : 6x70lbs, 5x70lbs, 4x70lbs

Bent forward shoulder shrugs : 4x30kg, 6×27.5kg, 5×27.5kg

Standing Dumbbell lateral raises : 10kg each arm (6-8 reps)

Workout – 20 June

healthywillie — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:05:17 +0000

Ok, here’s today’s workout stats.

Location : Safra Mount Faber Gym

Muscles Targeted : Chest and Upper Back

Bench Press : 3 x 95kg

Front Lats Pulldown (front grip) : 3 x 190lbs

Inclined Bench Press : 3 x 73.3kg

Seated Rows (with chest support) : 3 x 170lbs

Machine Inclued Bench Press :3 x 110lbs

Chin-ups (back grip) :12, 8, 6

Workout – 19 June

healthywillie — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:57:59 +0000

Ok, here’s today’s workout stats.

Location : Safra Mount Faber Gym

Muscles Targeted : Legs

Squats : 3 x 116.6kg

Lying Hamstring Curls : 3 x 90 lbs

Sitting Quadricep Extensions : 3 x 130 lbs

Sitting Leg Closers : 3 x 84kg

Standing Calf Raises :3 x 320 lbs

Sitting Leg Splitters : 3 x 91 kg

Sleep – June

healthywillie — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:49:32 +0000

This is where I keep track of how much I sleep

17 June nite – 5 hrs

18 June nite – 5.5 hrs

19 June nite – 5hrs

20 June nite – 5.5 hrs

21 June nite – 5.5 hrs

22 June nite – 6 hrs

23 June nite – 4.5 hrs

24 June nite – 5.5 hrs

25 June - 5 hrs

26 June - 5 hrs