It just don’t work, Gene-y. It’s like a song. Now, I can hold a note for a long time. – Actually, I can hold a note forever. – But eventually, that’s just noise. It’s the change we’re listening for. The note coming after and the one after that. That’s what makes it music.

– Lorne (Andy Hallet), Angel #2.13 – “Happy Anniversary”

I had a chance to see Andy Hallet on a panel at Dragon*Con before I ever actually watched an episode of Angel.  His charming personality made me a fan of Lorne without having any idea who the character was.  That being said, it was with great sadness that I read this morning that Andy had passed away from heart troubles at the age of 33.

My general goal in writing this column is to find quotes from popular culture to use as motivators in our efforts to getting healthy, and today is no exception.  In spite of the somber inspiration I had for digging this quote out of the Angel archives, it still rings true to our goals here at Shrinkgeek.  As motivational speaker Anthony Robbins is famous for saying, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.”

Andy Hallet had a relatively short life, but I think it’s safe to say he burned brightly while he was here.  He changed his notes often and left us with a beautiful song.  He will most definitely be missed.

image by theogeo

Lili Von Shtupp: Would you like another schnitzengruben?
Bart: No, thank you. Fifteen is my limit on schnitzengruben.
Lili Von Shtupp: Well, then how about a little…
[whispers in his ear]
Bart: Baby, please! I am not from Havana.
Lili Von Shtupp: Will I… see you again?
Bart: Well, it all depends on how much vitamin E I can get my hands on.

– Blazing Saddles (1974)

You know, as funny as I think the line is I’m not sure I’ve ever really understood the whole “I am not from Havana” thing.  Maybe I’m naieve.

Yeah, ok.  Maybe not.

So.  After an evening of…strenuous activity…our hero in the quote above mentions needing more Vitamin E in order to recover his strength.   With that in mind I did a little delving to see if Bart really would have been able to benefit from Vitamin E in that situation.

According to the National Institute of Health, Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can “protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of energy metabolism.”  Which means, in essence, getting in the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin E may help prevent Heart Disease and Cancer.  If you’re following the Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Americans you are probably getting all the Vitamin E you need from your diet, but if for some reason you don’t eat a lot of leafy greens or nuts you might benefit from some additional Vitamin E in your life.  As a matter of fact, one writer claims that having too much Vitamn E in your diet can actually be bad for your heart.

Now, the question that the above quote…er…raises…is “Can Vitamin E increase my sexual performance?”

Well, the National Institute of Health doesn’t have anything to say about Vitamin E in that particular regard, so I guess I’ll have to go out to some less objective sources for that information.  Unfortunately it can be a bit of a challenge to track down objective-free information about vitamins, as just about every Google search on the subject returns a slew of sites that are trying to sell you something.  What Bart is dealing with in the scene above is the Male Refractory Period (potentially NSFW due to clinically detailed descriptions of sexual activity) – the amount of time after a male has an orgasm in which it is physiologically impossible for him to do so again.  This time varies based on many factors, including age, but is different for all of us (some lucky guys seem to have no refractory period at all).  While Vitamin E is believed to help increase sperm count, that’s really only going to help someone out who is trying to conceive a child.  There really isn’t much Bart could do beyond getting some rest.

And maybe an ice pack.

image by suburbanbloke

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

– Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear,

Dune, Frank Herbert, 1965

If you’re one of the countless number of people who really wants to get into better shape but hasn’t opted to do so yet, I have a very simple question for you.

Why not?

For many people, the answer is simple.  They are afraid.

Afraid of the sacrifices they are going to have to make in order to get healthy.  Afraid of looking foolish if they go to the gym.  Afraid of not seeing results for a long time.  Afraid of not being able to maintain your healthy lifestyle once you reach it.  Afraid of giving up the foods you love.

Afraid of Failure.

Fear IS the little death that brings total obliteration.  Once we allow our fears to control our lives they start to add up and eventually overwhelm us.  Don’t let that happen to you.  Don’t let fear stop you from making real changes in your life.  Changes that you KNOW are going to make you happier and healthier in the long run.  Don’t listen to those nagging voices that tell you that you can’t do it.

You can.  Even more important – You will.

image by RichieC

Dr. Egon Spengler: I’m worried, Ray. All my readings point to something big on the horizon.

Winston Zeddemore: What do you mean, big?

Dr. Egon Spengler: Well, let’s say this Twinkie represents the normal amount of psychokinetic energy in the New York area. Based on this morning’s reading, it would be a Twinkie thirty-five feet long, weighing approximately six hundred pounds.

Winston Zeddemore: That’s a big Twinkie.

– Ghostbusters (1984)

In the realm of portion control, Twinkies are actually a fairly innocuous snack (unless, that is, you actually happen to come across a six hundred pound Twinkie).  Individually packaged each Twinkie has 150 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, and 0 grams fiber (3 Weight Watchers POINTS if you’re following that program), so while there are certainly more filling snacks you can choose from you’re not absolutely wrecking your daily calorie count if you have one.  Even better, you can now get mini-Twinkie’s in 100 Calorie Packs.

As long as you limit yourself to one, that is.

There are other foods, however, that aren’t quite so easy to eat in small portions.  Take, for example, Ramen Noodles.  A quick glance at the back of a brick of the ever-popular Maruchan Ramen reveals a calorie count of 190, with 7 grams of fat and 1 gram of fiber (4 POINTS).  Hey, not so bad…right?

Look closer.  That’s for 1/2 of the brick.  There are TWO servings in a brick of Ramen Noodles.

One of the key steps towards making better food choices is learning how to pay attention to these subtle things that, when left unchecked, can seriously derail your weight loss efforts.   The next time you’re looking at the nutritional information for your favorite snacks take a close look at the serving size.  You just may be suprised at what you find.