We couldn’t decide what to call this week’s Food and Drink newsletter. Should it be ‘Thrifty Food’ or ‘Living Large on a Budget’?
Chuck And Deb Todd’s Loser-Locker-Room Transformation
Last week, we told you about Chuck and Deb Todd’s commitment to living an eco-friendly life and reducing their carbon footprint. After reading about their efforts, and seeing the encouraging results, we thought you might be interested in following their lead. So here we go…
The Tewksbury, Massachusetts-based couple made headlines when they decided to shed their belongings and transform their home into a modern-day ‘loser-locker-room’. It seems that the humble studio apartment they rented wasn’t big enough for the both of them, plus their growing family. So, they made the bold decision to rid themselves of almost all their possessions in a quest to create a lifestyle that suits their needs. They gave away, sold or recycled almost everything they owned, traveling light and committing to a simpler life. To give you an idea of what they did, here’s a brief outline of their efforts…
- They turned their home into a gym, installing a brand-new Nautilus equipment package that includes a bike, an exercise mat and a rowing machine. They also installed a second-hand NordicTrainer from the ’90s, a TKD machine, a medicine ball and a couple of other pieces of workout equipment. The couple also took up house-sharing, which allowed them to meet other people and form a support network.
- They downsized their food intake, cutting out all the foods they felt were unnecessary and adding more vegetables and fruits. They also swapped their regular coffee for an organic variety, limiting their caffeine intake.
- Since food is so important to them, they try to eat seasonal, organic and locally-sourced produce whenever they can. They’ve also decided to only buy food that’s affordable and sustainable, with a focus on plant-based proteins.
- They eliminated all their daily coffees because they think too many cups disrupt the body’s natural rhythms. As a result, they’re feeling a lot less stress and anxiety.
- Chuck and Deb have started an initiative, Zero Waste Home, which encourages individuals and families to adopt more eco-friendly habits. And, to celebrate, they’re hosting a Facebook party on January 23 to encourage others to join the fight against waste (even though the festivities will include pizza and champagne, it’s still considered ‘green’ – it’s estimated that one ton of plastic was recycled).
How’s Their Health?
We couldn’t decide whether to call this section of our newsletter ‘Thrifty Health’ or ‘Living Large on a Budget’. But you know what? It doesn’t really matter what we call it because we’re not here to judge. We just want to know how they’re doing and whether or not they’ve lost weight.
According to Chuck, they’re feeling great. He no longer has to deal with health issues that came from living a more sedentary lifestyle, and he credits his newfound energy and vitality to cutting out all the bad habits that he developed over the years. He also credits the changes in his health to his new environment, which he describes as ‘frugal and honest’.
When it comes to their physical appearance, Chuck and Deb aren’t shy about showing off their new, slender figures. So let’s take a closer look…
New Nautilus Equipment Package
Last week, we told you about Chuck and Deb’s commitment to living an eco-friendly life and reducing their carbon footprint. After reading about their efforts, and seeing the encouraging results, we thought you might be interested in following their lead. So here we go…
The Tewksbury, Massachusetts-based couple made headlines when they decided to shed their belongings and transform their home into a modern-day ‘loser-locker-room’. It seems that the humble studio apartment they rented wasn’t big enough for the both of them, plus their growing family. So, they made the bold decision to rid themselves of almost all their possessions in a quest to create a lifestyle that suits their needs. They gave away, sold or recycled almost everything they owned, traveling light and committing to a simpler life. To give you an idea of what they did, here’s a brief outline of their efforts…
- They turned their home into a gym, installing a brand-new Nautilus equipment package that includes a bike, an exercise mat and a rowing machine. They also installed a second-hand NordicTrainer from the ’90s, a TKD machine, a medicine ball and a couple of other pieces of workout equipment. The couple also took up house-sharing, which allowed them to meet other people and form a support network.
- They downsized their food intake, cutting out all the foods they felt were unnecessary and adding more vegetables and fruits. They also swapped their regular coffee for an organic variety, limiting their caffeine intake.
- Since food is so important to them, they try to eat seasonal, organic and locally-sourced produce whenever they can. They’ve also decided to only buy food that’s affordable and sustainable, with a focus on plant-based proteins.
- They eliminated all their daily coffees because they think too many cups disrupt the body’s natural rhythms. As a result, they’re feeling a lot less stress and anxiety.
- Chuck and Deb have started an initiative, Zero Waste Home, which encourages individuals and families to adopt more eco-friendly habits. And, to celebrate, they’re hosting a Facebook party on January 23 to encourage others to join the fight against waste (even though the festivities will include pizza and champagne, it’s still considered ‘green’ – it’s estimated that one ton of plastic was recycled).
Their weight loss journey didn’t start out easy. In fact, it was quite the opposite. But they say that with determination, any goal is achievable.
“It took about six months for my body to start cooperating and letting me feel like myself again. But now that it’s starting to happen, I feel like I’ve finally found my place in the world and my purpose in life. I spend most of my time at the gym focused on getting my body in shape and riding my bike to work. I also love what I do and feel very appreciated by the people I work with. It’s a great fit for me.” – Chuck