Phoenix Fitness: What's In A Food Label?

By Thom Seehafer

"Read the label, and set a better table." Does anybody remember that little ditty? It's sort of like the famous Libby's commercial from way back when. And now it's more important than ever to read - and understand - the information on nutrition labels. Anyways, do YOU look at labels of items you purchase in the store or do you just throw it in your shopping cart?  You may wonder just why you need to read the label.  "Isn’t this all good stuff that I am ingesting?" you ask yourself.

Well, not necessarily. We need to get some clarity on how to read those labels and get an understanding of what they really mean.

Obviously we all understand what the “serving size” means. If a 16 oz bottle says serving size is 8 oz, that means you have two servings in the bottle—but remember that the nutrition info is only good for one serving, so just double it.

The order of how ingredients are listed is also important.  Usually the item with the highest concentration in the food is listed first, therefore, WATCH OUT if sugar is the first ingredient in anything you consume. And sugar can be listed as corn syrup, dextrose, or sucrose, so be aware if these fall even into the second, third or fourth listing.

If the list of food has lots of long scientific sounding ingredients, it's more than likely they were created in a lab (preservatives, colors and additives).

Anything with “hydrogenated” words used is another no-no.  These are trans fats which, according to doctors, are the worst type of fat.  It raises the bad cholesterol and lowers the good cholesterol.  Even if there is a zero in this category, beware. Products do NOT have to list trans fat as an additive if it is less than .5 grams.

And lastly, avoid fillers in foods and products and go more for your key nutrients. Keep sodium below the five percent daily value, get your fiber intake around four grams or more, snacks should be kept under 200 calories and meals around 600-700.

Eat up ... but be smart!

Thom Seehafer is a martial artist, body-builder and part-owner of Body Solutions Rx/Phoenix Fitness.

Health and Wellness: Quick, Easy & Delicious Zucchini Boats

By Thom Seehafer

Looking for something quick and easy but still flavorful and delicious? Even the most inexperienced cooks will still be able to make this simple and tasty dish. And feel free to change it up by adding some of your favorite protein like tofu, grilled chicken or ground turkey.


Zucchini Boats (Serves Two)

• Take three good-sized zucchini (green or yellow). Cut zucchini in half and remove all of the seeds but only scoop out some of the pulp from the middle (that's your boat!).

• Dice one small red onion.
• Mince three cloves of fresh garlic.
• Cook one cup quinoa.
• Roughly chop eight ounces of mushrooms.
• Get out one tablespoon of cooking oil, one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 1/4 of a cup of Panko bread crumbs, and two tablespoons of Parmesan cheese for later.

Now, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place zucchini on sheet pan (Protip: trim the bottom of the zucchini flat).  Saute your garlic and onions in the oil until translucent. Then add your mushrooms (cook for ten minutes to get rid of excess moisture). If you want to add protein, now's the time. Once that's all done cooking, turn off the heat and add in your cooked quinoa, bread crumbs, vinegar and cheese. Fill up your zucchini boats and bake for about 20 minutes or until the boats are nice and soft. 

Another variation on vegetarian zucchini boats can be found here at MeatlessMondays.com.

Thom Seehafer is a martial artist, body-builder and part-owner of Body Solutions Rx. 

Health and Fitness: 7 Smart Strategies for Fat Burning & Metabolic Health

By Thom Seehafer

Below, you’ll see seven of the best fat burning strategies which keep your hormones happy and your metabolism burning hot. 

      Eat more! You need a caloric deficit for weight loss, but there are different ways to do it. You can eat less. You can exercise more. You can do a little bit of both.  In addition, how specifically you eat less and exercise more makes all the difference. The smart way is to avoid crash diets and pursue slower but steady fat loss with an eye on body composition. Start with a conservative deficit of only 20% below your maintenance level. Use a larger deficit only if you’re seriously overweight. Increase the deficit incrementally when you need to, ideally not going above 30% under maintenance. When you add in resistance training, cardio training and an active lifestyle, your calorie expenditure (metabolism) goes way up, and that’s how you can legitimately eat more and keep getting leaner.

      Eat natural. The long term use of refined, artificial foods will eventually take its toll on your health. When hormonal health declines, body composition outcomes are worse during weight loss and risk of metabolic damage may increase. Furthermore, most natural, unprocessed foods, especially vegetables and lean proteins, are lower in caloric density and can lead to spontaneous decreases in caloric intake compared to the standard American diet (S.A.D.)  For optimal body composition results and  metabolic and hormonal health, it’s not just about calorie quantity, but also calorie quality. Don’t focus on one to the neglect of the other.

      Eat often and regularly: I recommend eating like a physique athlete. Spread your total daily calories into 4-6 small meals per day, if feasible, and be sure to include a source of lean protein with every meal. But whatever meal schedule you choose, consistency is of great importance: studies have shown that haphazard eating patterns are at least partially responsible for metabolic disarray including decreased thermic effect of feeding and dysregulation of blood sugar and insulin.

      Use carb cycling. . Instead of the carb-phobic diets that millions of people still follow (which can actually suppress hormones like thyroid and leptin), carb cycling with a high carb refeed every 4th day or so, allows you to eat more carbs and you still keep losing fat.  The benefits are physical and psychological and best part is, you’re never completely deprived.

      Take Diet breaks: Avoid prolonged periods in aggressive caloric deficits. If you have a lot of fat to lose and it’s going to take more than 3 months to hit your long term fat loss goal, don’t do it all in one stretch. Take a week at maintenance calories after 12 weeks of restricted dieting. This – raising your calories - is the most counter-intuitive of all the metabolism-rebuilding strategies but it’s one of the most important.

      Do Cardio. Don’t Over-Do It. If you’re overweight, you can sometimes get away with very low calorie diets without adverse consequences if you’re not doing tons of cardio on top of it.  Endurance athletes get away with high volume training because they provide ample amounts of food to fuel it (man, those guys can EAT!) Dieters and physique competitors on the other hand, often semi-starve themselves while doing huge amounts of cardio at the same time.    Exercise research says that extreme amounts of cardio during a diet can actually cause the same type of adaptive metabolic downshift as eating too little food. Fitness and figure competitors have been known to do 2 or even 3 hours of cardio a day before competitions. This kind of overtraining can be counter-productive when you look at the metabolic damage and “cardio dependency” potential. And remember, if you’re not diligent, you can out-eat almost any amount of exercise. If you’re doing upwards of an hour of cardio a day and not seeing significant fat loss, you’d better take a close look at your diet first before you rush to add more cardio. 

      Weight training: In the physique world, weight training is a foregone conclusion. But in the everyday world of non-athletes, weight loss = “diet,” not weight loss = “lift weights.”   For Suzy soccer mom, “lift weights to lose weight” probably doesn't even compute. But weight training is so important for metabolic health and better body composition, that if you were forced to choose one or the other – cardio or weights – the weightlifting would be a NO BRAINER decision. If you have a concern about metabolic damage and you’re not weight training yet, there’s nothing else to discuss. Start pumping iron, then get back to me.

Easing into more calories and more carbs with a transitional period

If you think you’re in the same boat:  (A) it seems like you’re not eating that much, but you’re not losing fat and or (B) you’ve finally reached your goal but you’re terrified of regaining if you raise your calories, you should use the same 7 strategies to get your metabolism back in gear.  You simply need to add a “transition period” to build your calories back up slowly. 

If you’re worried about suddenly increasing your calories, you’re not paranoid – you’re prudent.  After becoming accustomed and somewhat adapted to a lower caloric intake, avoid abruptly jumping up to your predicted maintenance level. Instead, increase calories slowly 100-200 at a time and hold them there for one week. Measure the results after each one week phase, and then repeat until you reach your appropriate deficit or maintenance level. This will give your body and your mind time to adjust. Here’s another safe way to ease into a higher food intake. This is ideal if you’ve been on a low calorie, low carb diet and you want to ease out of it. Add carbs, but start by adding them only in the post workout meal. During the post-training window of opportunity, not only will the carbs NOT get stored as fat, (they’ll get sucked right up into muscle glycogen), this strategy can dramatically improve your body composition and workout recovery. 

If you still feel discouraged despite now having these strategies at your fingertips, then take one last sigh of relief. The good news is, even in extreme cases, these nutrition and training principles work! It just takes a little longer.

Thom Seehafer is a martial artist, body-builder and part-owner of Body Solutions Rx. 

Health and Wellness: Pick the Perfect Protein Powder

By Thom Seehafer

Looking for a GOOD Protein Powder? Here are some suggestions

There are many types of protein powders out there, from raw, to vegan, to gluten free to organic, but which one is for you? But with purer products and quality, you will pay more than just buying generic.

In addition to looking at the amount of protein per serving, you need to keep an eye on sugar content and added flavorings, and while yu are at it, check the label for other ingredients such as vitamins, mineral and fiber—these are items you may or may not want to consume.

Here are a couple brands that you may want to consider:


Sunwarrior – Raw Vegan Protein which has 85% protein, the highest raw whole grain sprouted vegan protein on the market

Garden of Life – RAW Protein – this is complete protein derived from raw sprouted greens, brown rice, quinoa sprout, & garbanzo sprouts. Has a great deal of raw vitamins, and its sugar free and low cal.

Natural Factors Vegan Protein Factors – A blend of nutrient dense vegan proteins (hemp, pea, rice and chia). It has 180 cal per serving and 22 grams of protein per serving

Olympian Labs Greens Protein 8 in 1 – This is a mix, not only of pea, rice and hemp, but also multivitamins, pH balance enzymes, probiotics, and a WHOLE bunch more good things for ya.

PROTIP: Shop around online and see what you can find if you really want to get more bang for your buck!

Thom Seehafer is a martial artist, body-builder and part-owner of Body Solutions Rx. 

Health and Fitness: Fabulous Foods Under 50 Calories

By Thom Seehafer

Detoxification is the process of removing toxins from the body. Here is a list of healthy foods that can help you detox - and they're all under 50 calories:  

Eggplant
Eggplants contain water-insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to the diet and helps  bowels 'exercise.'

Onions
Onions contain a nutrient called allicin, which can help lower blood pressure and prevent cancer.

Alfalfa Sprouts
These sprouts are mild diuretics to help cleanse the kidney and also regulate bowel movement.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are well-known for their carotenoids, & can help increase insulin sensitivity and prevent stress-related weight gain in the abdomen.

Artichokes
Artichokes contain inulin, which is a type of carbohydrate that helps decrease the hunger hormone ghrelin. It also stabilizes blood sugar, and helps to detox the liver.

Spinach
A good source of fiber, spinach also has a ton of vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting.

Cabbage
Lots of fiber,  and aids the performance of the digestive system, therefore helping clean the stomach and intestines of toxins.

Broccoli
Broccoli, is a source of water-insoluble fiber that aids the growth of gut bacteria, organisms that eat sugars and fiber and prevent the proliferation of bad bacteria that can make us sick.

Asparagus
Asparagus is a serious disease killer -- it's been linked to fewer incidences of heart disease, colon cancer, liver disease, and spina bifida.

Lettuce
Lettuce is a good filler food.  It has fiber to help digestion.  The darker the leaves, the better it is.

Parsley
Parlsey may be thought of as a garnish, but this herb helps cleanse the kidney, aids in digestion of protein and fats and boost immunity.

Radishes
The amylase in radishes has been found to aid in the digestion of carbohydrates.

Sauerkraut
The fermentation process that creates sauerkraut has the side effect of creating lactic acid, which stimulates the pancreas, reduce blood pressure, promote healthy sleep and avoid constipation.

Zucchini
Zucchini is full of fibre, helps move things through the intestines, and it also feels more filling than it is in terms of calories, helping keep you from snacking.

Green Beans
Green beans have plenty of vitamin C, along with antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids that fight off free radicals in the body.

Tomato Paste
The heating up of tomatoes to make tomato paste can actually make its antioxidants more available to the body -- and as a bonus, tomato paste has been found to help prevent sunburns.

Mushrooms
Mushrooms contain some surprising nutrients, like selenium (which has been found to combat bladder cancer), vitamin D, and vitamins B1 and B2, which help the body burn energy.

Cucumber
Cucumbers contain fibre, vitamin A and vitamin C, but it's really the texture and surprising hardiness of these veggies that make them a great snack.

Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are hugely nutritious, beneficially impacting cholesterol, stress and cancer prevention. For weight loss, it's the amount of fiber in the sprouts that helps with digestion, preventing constipation and keeps blood sugar in check.

Bok Choy
The calcium, potassium, vitamin C and folic acid in bok choy made this cousin of cabbage a serious nutritional powerhouse.

Coleslaw
Usually consisting of shredded cabbage and carrots, use this as a "hunger buster," ideal with a hint of vinegar to snack on between meals.

Kale
Like Brussels sprouts, kale works with the fibre compounds and bile acid in the stomach to help get rid of that acid, and therefore lower cholesterol -- particularly when it's steamed.

Leeks
Part of the onion and garlic family, leeks can be used in almost any dish, and are known for their 'low energy density' -- very few calories packed into something that can fill you up.

Pumpkin
Alpha-carotene can help slow down the aging process & pumpkin has plenty to spare – and the fiber in the gourd helps with weight loss.

Relish
Pickle relish easy to use & its fermented qualities act as probiotics for your digestive tract.

Cauliflower
Full of calcium and low in calories.

Celery
Lots of vitamin C, helps with immunity as well as fighting free radicals.

Turnips
Turnips really only have vitamin C and a bit of fiber. They're low in calories and make a great snack.

Okra
Thanks to okra's "gelatinous" coating, it absorbs water and moves through the digestive system easily, taking with it toxins, cholesterol and bile.

Thom Seehafer is a martial artist, body-builder and part-owner of Body Solutions Rx. 

Health and Fitness: The Power of "I CAN!"

By Thom Seehafer

Do you have any idea how much POWER the words 'I CAN' have?

Most people find it easier to say the opposite, 'I CAN’T', because it takes less effort to say that than it does to actually try.

Saying those two words might be considered a knee jerk reaction. You know, engaging the mouth before you engage the brain. How many times have you said I CAN'T as a knee jerk reaction? Be honest.

What I ask is, how do you know you can’t do it? Have you ever tried? Many times the answer is no. So I scratch my head and raise my eyebrow and I wonder, did someone tell you that you can't? Because those words have power too.

But not as much as the word 'I CAN'. These words inspire confidence and we can never have enough of that—children today should be taught this thought process, just like they are taught how to eat and walk and bathe.

We all want to be successful, be it in love or career or sports, however a close relative of success is a six-letter word called 'EFFORT'. And it seems to me that it's a word a lot of people are afraid of.  But they don't have to be, if they start by telling themselves, 'I CAN'.

When you think, say and feel those two words, it convinces not just yourself, but all those around you that you have the desire to be your very best.

Be silly for just a minute. Look in the mirror right now and think of something that you have put off or avoided because you told yourself 'I CAN'T'. Then say these word out loud, 'I CAN!' Put some passion into it. Some oomph! And you know what? You'll be right.

Thom Seehafer is a martial artist, body-builder and part-owner of Body Solutions Rx.

                                                

Health and Fitness: What Kinds of Carbs Should I Eat?

By Thom Seehafer

Some people might believe that there are only two types of carbohydrates out there, Simple and Complex, but actually, there is a third one. It’s called Dietary Fiber and it is included sometimes in the complex carb category.

Let’s talk about dietary fiber.  Another name for this is "roughage" or “rabbit food”  The roughage comes from different parts on the plants that we cannot digest.  It is called “fiber” because it is both soluble and insoluble.  The soluble fiber is able to be broken down to provide us with energy.You can find this in many fruits, vegetables , most of your leafy greens, apples and pears, just to name a few.  The insoluble fiber is usually found in whole grain cereals, breads and rice and it does NOT provide energy and cannot be digested.

To increase the amount of fiber in your diet, try starting each day with a high-fiber cereal or substitute a sugary snack with the dry cereal.

The complex carbs are the good boys in this whole group. They provide the body with the best fuel possible.  They also maintain their natural water content, fibers, vitamins and minerals.  They help you feel more satisfied after eating.  Foods high in fiber contain complex carbs and the good thing about this is that these carbs break down in a slower manner, thereby giving us a steadier blood sugar level throughout the day,  and in return, you feel less hungry and irritable.

These should be included as part of your daily eating program.  "Ahhh, but what should I eat?" you ask. How about fresh fruit like apricots, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries or vegetables, legumes and grains?

You can also consume non-starchy vegetables – and what are these, you ask?  Let me take some of the guesswork out of the equation for you.  Believe it or not, there are many veggies out there that are low in carbohydrates. These include asparagus, green beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, greens, leeks, mushrooms, onions, peppers, radishes, just to name a few.  

The simple carbs are the “bad boys” in the group.  These types primarily have most if not all the nutrition removed from them.  Overindulging of this type, more commonly referred to as processed foods, will leave your body unsatisfied which can lead to overeating.  The can throw your insulin and blood sugar levels off.  If you blood sugar drops too low, this will cause the hunger to appear, and when that happens, WATCH OUT!!!  The food monster rears its ugly head.

It’s true our body needs sugar as fuel, but only to a certain point.  Any extra will be turned into fat, and you don’t want that to happen now, do you?

So once again:

Good Carbs (YAAAAYYYY!!!)

Vegetables            Fruits           Legumes           Nuts and seeds            Whole grains

Bad Carb Foods (BOOOOOO!)

Most baked goods – sorry!! : (cookies, cake, pies, etc.)

White bread           Pastas           Soda                 Candy       Fruit juices

And there ya have it, food for thought!

Thom Seehafer is a martial artist, body-builder and part-owner of Body Solutions Rx.

 The views in opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily reflect the views of MileHighGayGuy.com.

Health and Fitness: Advice on what to put inside yourself

By Thom Seehafer

I'm talking about food, of course! 

Can I eat this? Can I eat that? What should I eat? How much should I eat? People are obsessed with food.

Today I offer up a list of foods that have been proven to help the body in a variety of ways. These foods can help to shrink your waistline and keep you healthier throughout your life. They will help your body increase lean muscle mass and will help prevent fat storage.   

Additionally, different foods offer proven benefits including building muscle, promoting weight loss, strengthening the bones, lowering blood pressure, fighting cancer, improving your immune system and also fighting heart disease.  

This is a list from SimplyShredded.com. Try to add two or three of the foods from this list to your breakfast, lunch and dinner and throw one of them into each of your snacks.

• Almonds

• Whole Grain Breads and Cereals

• Peanut, Cashew or Almond Butter

• Turkey and Other Lean Meats

• Beans/Legumes – chickpeas, pintos, soybeans

• Spinach and Green Veggies

• Dairy Products - fat free milk, yogurt, cottage cheese

• Instant Oatmeal or Quick Oats

• Whey Protein Powder (watch for sodium and sugar content)

• Eggs

• Olive Oil

• Raspberries, Apples, Grapefruit

This is a very basic list of ideas for you to play with.  Again, there are many health benefits from eating these types of foods – they can fight against obesity, cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis—the list goes on and on. And it's important to remember that, as you vary your workouts, you should also vary what and how you eat your foods.  You don't have to settle for simple or plain.  It’s YOUR body – make what you put into it and what you do for it exciting! In an effort to keep from getting bored eating the same foods - boiled, steamed, lightly sautéed - try to vary the types you eat.  

Put out good energy into the world (and good food into your body) and you get it back!

Thom Seehafer is part-owner of Body Solutions Rx, a company dedicated to helping people release excess weight in a short amount of time with the use of Hcg.

 The views in opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily reflect the views of MileHighGayGuy.com.

Health and Fitness: Ah, Agave Nectar!

By Thom Seehafer

Agave nectar is a natural alternative to refined sugars and artificial sweeteners, plus it is vegan. This honey-like sap comes from the leaves of the blue agave, a succulent plant widely grown in Mexico.  Agave nectar is most easily substituted for liquid sugars, since it is already in liquid form and the difference in moisture will usually be negligible. Because of its lower glycemic index, it makes an excellent substitute for many natural and refined liquid sugars, including:

Honey           Maple Syrup           Brown Rice Syrup            Corn Syrup

Because agave nectar has a high concentration of fructose -- a form of sugar that has a low effect on blood sugar levels -- this sweetener has a low GI value.   Honey falls between 65-85 on the glycemic index while agave comes in between 11-30.    Because it is so light, it will less likely raise the blood sugar and will not trigger the storing of fat in the body.  With its thin, light consistency, agave nectar can serve as a topping for fruit salads, pancakes or ice cream. This sweetener may also replace sugar in baked recipes.  Substitute 2/3 cup agave nectar for each cup of granulated white or brown sugar.  Because of its neutral flavor, it will work well with other foods and not MASK delicate flavors.

In addition to its versatility as a sweetening agent, agave nectar may provide certain health benefits. However, this syrup is still high in calories and may contribute to weight gain or tooth decay if consumed in large amounts. But then again, who is going to be drinking cups of pure agave?

Agave has a better shelf life than honey and will not crystallize if left for periods of time in the cupboard. It pours easier, dissolves easier and measures easier, and yes, can even be used in cold drinks such as iced tea.

One of the better brands to purchase is Madhava Agave Nectar.  Madhava offers extremely high-quality, all-natural, 100% organic agave nectar, made by minimal processing. There are no chemicals used in the production of Madhava’s agave nectar from agave salmiana, and it is not cooked.

Although there are no known side effects of agave, like honey, it is still NOT recommended to be served to children younger than one year old.  Honey may sometimes have a bacteria that can cause botulism.   While this bacteria is harmless to anyone over the age of one year, it can produce toxins in an infant’s immature intestinal tract, causing sickness, hospitalization, and in rare cases, death. Agave syrup is not known to cause botulism in babies.

Agave and honey are two natural sweeteners, with varying fructose content and glycemic index, but with a similar total carbohydrate and sugar content. Although they may be less processed and refined compared to table sugar, agave and honey are sugars and, like any sugar, they do not provide you with substantial nutrition. What is boils down to is this: Use these and all sweeteners sparingly, especially if you are trying to lose weight.

Thom Seehafer is part-owner of Body Solutions Rx, a company dedicated to helping people release excess weight in a short amount of time with the use of Hcg.

 The views in opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily reflect the views of MileHighGayGuy.com.

Health and Fitness: Yummy Greek Yogurt

Phoenix Phacts 
By Thom Seefhauer

Before you push away from the table or wrinkle your nose at the idea of the awesome taste sensation that is Greek Yogurt, let me ask you one thing. Have you tried it?

Perhaps you don’t even know what it is, hmm? Let me tell you, then. It is a traditional yogurt that is made from sheep’s milk. It is also a strained yogurt, (not a strain of yogurt) and the straining process is what accounts for its creaminess and higher protein content.

What can you do with it? You can use it in place of many dairy products - heavy cream, sour cream -and it is wonderful to use as a substitute for cream cheese in your dips, spreads or cheesecakes. But steer clear of the ones with fruit added, because if you read the label you will notice the sugar content is rather high and we know that certain types of sugars are bad. So buy the plain or vanilla and (hint, hint) add your own fruit or blue agave sweetener to it. (In the future , I will also discuss the different types of sweeteners out there: agave, xylitol, stevia, aspartame - BOO! - but for right now, let us focus on the yogurt in question.)

Here are some suggestions on how to use Greek Yogurt:

1. Use it in dips to replace about ½ the suggested amount of sour cream - it's smoother and creamier but not quite as tangy.

2. Use it any place you'd normally use sour cream - the possibilities are endless. Imagine a nice dollop on top of your nachos, chili or tacos. Fewer calories and more protein!

3. Don't forget to give your protein smoothie a boost with a heaping spoonful.

4. Combine with either feta or bleu cheese and lower your fat intake. Throw in some fresh herbs, and maybe a hit of tobacco, and voila, a low cal chicken wing sauce.

5. A bowl full of granola, a handful of fresh fruit and a nice dollop of plain or vanilla yogurt really gets the day going!

6. Instead of using oils or butters in your baked goods, try a little yogurt instead. Replace half of the butter with one-half that amount in yogurt. For example, if you have a total of 1/2 cup of butter required in a recipe you would use 1/4 cup of butter and 1/8 cup of yogurt.

7. How about throwing some in with the brown rice to get it just a little more flavor and moistness? Not that the crunchiness and nuttiness of the rice isn’t good by itself, but how about experimenting a little and give your taste buds a kick?

8. It’s a yummy base on which to build a red potato salad.

9. Add chopped apple and cinnamon for a delicious apple pie flavored yogurt. Or, bake some apples in the oven with walnuts and raisins and top off with some yogurt.

10. How about pulling out your food processor and pureeing up some fruit, adding some yogurt, a bit of milk and popping it in the freezer for a delicious dessert? 

Thom Seehafer is part-owner of Body Solutions Rx, a company which he says helps people release excess weight in a short amount of time, but in a healthy, safe way with the use of Hcg.

Health and Fitness

Phoenix Phacts by Thom Seehafer

Welcome to my very FIRST blog for MHGG. I look forward to writing many more. I hope to be a source of information and ideas for fitness training, equipment, and healthy recipes  –  basically the whole shebang on what it takes to stay healthy in this day and age.

Let me start by telling you a little bit about myself and my business. I am co-owner of a business here in Denver and in Colorado Springs called Body Solutions Rx.  We are a corporation that provides health and weight loss products and programs nationwide.  We have been one of the largest nationwide providers of hcg and metabolic weight loss programs since 2004.

Hcg is a naturally occurring protein hormone that develops in the placenta during pregnancy.  It aids in the endocrine functions and is believed to help reset the hypothalamus (a small structure in the brain that helps regulate sleep, eating, thirst, blood pressure, body temperature and electrolyte balance). From there, it sends signals to the body to break down fat and use it as a primary fuel source.  

The benefits for men who use hcg include weight loss and body reshaping, improvement in circulation, and increased mobility and energy levels. It is also believed to increase testosterone levels and to benefit those who suffer from diabetes and migraines.

There are no known side effects of using hcg, but there are changes that do occur while the body is in “detox” mode.  People tend to blame these on the hcg, but it is actually just a result of the body purging itself.

When it comes to weight loss, we have two programs available - a 500 calories per day plan and a 1200 calories per day plan.  But these aren't starvation diets. In addition to that 500 or 1200 calories from food, the body's own stored fat is a source of calories for your body to consume. Stored fat can provide anywhere from 1000-4000 calories per day. And that stored fat is is full of toxins.  It is far better to get rid of that kind of fat quickly - over a period of months rather than years. When people follow these programs, they are able to lose the weight and keep the weight off, even when the go back to a normal diet plan.  We also teach you what types of food to eat, how to eat, and how to make smarter food choices.

But Body Solutions rx is not just a weight loss center - we do so much more for our customers.  Support, tips, follow ups – whatever they need and whenever they need it, we are there for them.  We also have many other quality supplements in addition to hcg - everything from fat blockers and carb blockers to appetite suppressants and stimulants. And we always encourage our customers to do research on us before they buy.  Go to http://www.bodysolutionsrx.com to find out more about us.

The views in opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily reflect the views of MileHighGayGuy.com.

Meet Thom Seehafer, MileHighGayGuy's newest blogger

Thom Seehafer

By Drew Wilson

Thom Seehafer is a businessman, bodybuilder, personal trainer and martial arts enthusiast in addition to being one of the newest MileHighGayGuy bloggers. Starting this Thursday, March 1, Thom will be writing about health and fitness and providing training tips and exercises in addition to healthy recipes and cooking ideas.

Says Seefhafer, "What makes me different in the personal training arena is that I don't just follow the standard exercises or routines.  I take the basic things and tweak it up. I always keep my clients guessing about what's coming next."

I had the chance to talk to Thom about his personal and professional interests including his experiences living in Colorado Springs, his 12 bodybuilding competitions, his many pets, and his favorite people, places, and things in Colorado.

Daniel and dogs

Drew: How long have you been in Colorado and what brought you here?
Thom: I will have lived in Colorado Springs for five years this October. I spent the first three years living in Woodland Park where I owned and operated Phoenix Tanning.  It was a tough business area in Woodland Park, so once I closed that business down, I started working down in the Springs. Eventually the 45 minute drive each way got tiresome so my partner Daniel and I found a nice rental in quiet little suburbia.

What originally brought me here was the chance meeting of my partner online. I was in North Carolina and he was here in Colorado. We started our chats early summer of 2007, which led to texting and hour-long chats at night.  We met physically at Raleigh Durham Airport on our way to St John USVI, I had invited him to take a vacation with me. In a short time, I sold my house in NC, he flew back from CO, we loaded up my Cherokee Jeep and five dogs, three cats, attached the 8X12 trailer and made the drive that I NEVER want to make again. But the journey was fun and easy and it made it clear to me that this was very right.

Colorado Springs has the reputation of being an unfriendly place for gays. What has been your experience with that?
The way I look at it, we are all here for one reason and that is to be happy and enjoy life.  If it's between man and woman, man and man, woman and woman, who cares?! When we first moved to Woodland Park, I didn't even give it a second thought, not that I ever did.  I worked in a restaurant and when they met my partner Daniel, he was welcomed just like any other customer who would walk through the door.  They was no labeling, or titles or any of the sort.  He was just a person, he was my partner and they know he made/makes me happy.

What is your opinion of the gay community in Colorado Springs? 
We are all people, God's creation in one form or another. The fact that I don't look or act the way you want me to is what gives us our individuality. Personally, I say live and let live! If you don't like me for one reason or another, there is plenty of space to walk around me, walk away from me or just plain ignore me. I don't care.

How and why did you get involved in bodybuilding?
I did my first competition in Virginia when I was 25 years old. Again, my philosophy is this, if you are interested in something or if you question something then try to find the answer to it.

So I just decided to do a contest to see what it was all about - bright lights, tiny suit, LOTS of energy. And it doesn't hurt that I am a BIT of an extrovert, so walking around on stage in front of people really wasn't so hard.

I have done about 12 contests or so and each has been fun and always a learning experience, but for me, the goal was more about me and what I can do to make myself healthier as opposed to getting the biggest trophy.

Winning first place, that's all fine and good, but should NOT be your primary focus. You get so much more out of this besides a trophy. You get confidence, you get pride, you get energy just by altering the looks of your body through the physical aspect of training and watching what you put in your body.

What it has shown me is how I can control my body's appearance through exercising, eating right, carbing up, or carbing down, depending on the case.  It has also made me a better cook because I now do more food preparation/making things from scratch as opposed to box mixes.

How and why did you get involved in martial arts?

I got started because it allowed me to be productive with my life (at a very difficult time) as opposed to being destructive with my life.  It was another way to develop my body and mind, outside of the gym environment.  I have studied Shotokan karate (very classical forms), I am studying American Kenpo (much more using friendly in today's world) and just adding to my repertoire, the teachings of Wing Chun. Why so much?  It's all about the learning and they go hand-in-hand. You can never have too much knowledge and the martial arts really allows you to think, be creative, develop yourself and really go outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself.  It has helped me through many battles of my life. It has given me understanding, energy, composure, and the ability to see the good and the bad - and then focus on the good. I have passed my knowledge onto others and it really is quite a trophy when you see someone training another person and they are quoting the messages that you said to them, way back when.  Martial arts is NOT all about learning how to fight and beat up somebody, but it does instill the confidence in you so that you are capable to handle pretty much any situation your life can throw at you and come out on the other side, pretty much a winner.

What is the best piece of relationship advice you know?
Communicate, don't hold things in. Nothing ever gets accomplished when you allow a boil to fester.  Talking allows it all to be exposed and then from there, you move forward.

What are some of your favorite people/places/things in Colorado?
Favorite places for me would be the restaurants and the parks here in Colorado. So many.

I have to say there is only one favorite "people" in my life and it's my partner, Daniel. I have many good friends and acquaintances, but feel blessed to have my one favorite person.

My favorite things in Colorado are sort of synonymous with favorite places. I like walking through Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City, and even walking downtown Colorado Springs either on a snowy night or a full moonlit night.

When was the last time your were shirtless in public?
Oh hell, I will do that any chance I get. But I don't get too carried away. A tank top usually shows off a far amount of physique, but I probably should go shirtless a little more to keep up my overall tan. I can do shirtless really, really easily.

How and when did you come out?
There was no big celebration. We sent out a Christmas card photo the first year we were together, and whether people heard my voice on the phone and saw my bright smile in a photo, they knew I was happy so the fact that I was in love with another man really didnt mean squat to them. They saw and heard me and they knew I was happy.

What's your favorite food/book/TV show?
Love sushi and chocolates, and they can be eaten separately and also together. My favorite book is 'Art of War' -talk about a book of strategy. And yes, call me typical, but nothing can beat reruns of 'Will and Grace' or 'I Love Lucy'. Both are great shows and one is a great classic.

Thom Seehafer is part-owner of Body Solutions Rx, a company which he says helps people release excess weight in a short amount of time, but in a healthy, safe way with the use of Hcg.