It's not easy being fluffy.

I've been seeing a nutritionist (Judy) and a personal trainer (Erika) for the better part of a year now, and they've changed my life!

Regular exercise + Probiotic/Flax/CodLiverOil/VitaminD3 + the right nutrition and calorie intake = Healthy Kari. My cholesterol and blood sugar are officially normal (YAY!) and it's amazing how GOOD I feel! (I'll be posting about the book she recommended one of these days soon: The Flexitarian Diet. Very cool.)

Judy did a resting metabolism test for me last week, and it was wicked cool. The test is done fasting, takes about 10 minutes, and measures the total oxygen exchange at rest to very specifically indicate how many calories your body uses through a day (assuming no significant activity/exercise). There's a formula then to determine the calorie intake with exercise/activity, etc., to maximize weight loss and fat burning. When I first began meeting with Judy and working with Erika, my calorie intake was far below what my body needed for the level of training/activity I was doing. As it turned out, my body was clinging to every last calorie with the fear I was starving. Oh yeah, I was wasting away to nothing...Seriously!? So adjusting the calorie amount and content, I've been able to see dramatic results--inside and out! It's incredible! [Note: Ideally, a person should also do the exercise metabolic testing, which includes a set treadmill protocol, to determine the specific heart rate zones (fat burning and cardio) for your body. I haven't yet done the exercise one, but if I do, will post the result!]

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I was thinking, this may apply to my cat Punkin as well. I shall explain:

I took him to the vet a couple of months ago, and it was determined that he was...well..."fluffy"... plump. I still think he's just stocky and big-boned, but whatever. The vet recommended I get him the low-fat/calorie cat food, help him get a little more exercise, etc. In addition, he said to limit the food to 1/2 cup per day. I feed him at the same time each morning, and believe me, he is ready for breakfast. In fact, he starts trying to wake me up a good 2 hours before the alarm...probably because he's hungry. Poor guy :-(

Cats are all about routine. (Come to think of it...I have a pretty specific morning routine as well...Hmmm...Bygones.) Aside from however he manages to remember his little routines, I'm convinced he has no long-term memory. He is frantic each morning, as though I am going to forget to feed him! I think maybe he needs a resting metabolism test. Perhaps the vet is wrong, and he actually needs more calories through the day. He certainly isn't slimming down. Is his body clinging to every last measly calorie like mine was!? Or does he just need more exercise? Maybe I should get a pet mouse for him to chase around.