Coronavirus Food Drive April 24, 2020

As has been well documented, Costa Rica has been one the leaders in the world with their handling of the COVID-19. In the future, they will use this amazing little country as the poster child for how to handle a Pandemic. We are very proud of how the Ticos have responded and worked together in these very challenging times. But as everyone knows, this country relies tremendously on tourism, and with the complete shutdown of foreigners being allowed to enter, it has had a drastic effect on people’s lives and livelihood. Many families are struggling to put meals on the table, so many organizations have jumped into action, delivering food and necessities to the most needy. The government has implemented care package deliveries through the local schools, and many towns have organized food drop off locations. Tank Tops Flip Flops has been helping local charities since its conception, and we have appreciated all the support that you have shown.

We need your help again. With the assistance of Patas Y Manos, and the local police departments we are able to take food directly to the homes of the neediest. In our first caravan, we delivered food to over 600 people. What an incredible day. Out of respect to the families, we chose not to take any photos or videos of the individuals receiving the packages, but trust me when I tell you, these people needed our help. Many of them are living on dirt floors, with absolutely no way to making a living right now. I cannot begin to tell you how many people had tears in their eyes, when we knocked on their door.

Can I lose weight on the Costa Rican diet?

First off, please read the previous blog about FOOD in Costa Rica.

www.tanktopsflipflops.com/hows-the-food-in-costa-rica/

After years of drinking beer every afternoon and basically eating whatever I wanted, I woke up a few months back realizing I was overweight. I was never “The Fat Guy” and yet here I was; beer belly and all. I didn’t like it, but I had no idea how to change. My friends Dan and Michael, had both started an eating plan, called KETO, and had incredible success, so I reached out to them for advice. I decided I was going to get serious about changing my diet, lowering my carbs and sugar, and get myself back to the weight I needed to be. I was concerned that I would not be able to find the products that I needed within the Costa Rican diet, but I soon found out I was wrong. Everything I needed for KETO was here, and all the local restaurants were spectacular in allowing me to “special” order my meals. It was challenging, but worth every minute of it. I lost 23 pounds in 34 days, and I have never felt better. It is a wonderful feeling, when you run into people in public and the first thing they comment on is how thin I was.

“You look GREAT”

I have heard dozens of times, and it really gives you a rush of self-confidence. Much nicer than the comments I used to hear; “when is the baby due Mike?” I am not a health nut but any means. I have been kicking my own ass for 54 years. But I just wasn’t happy with what I had become, and wanted to get my mojo back. As my buddy David Lee always said, “it doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you look good doing it.”

All of a sudden, dozens of people are calling me and emailing me, asking for advice. What is your secret? I found myself spending a tremendous amount of time trying to help others understand how KETO works and how to do it with the foods available in the Costa Rican diet. So, I figured the least I could do, was to give a presentation and video it, so that others could learn from my success.  Here it is, I hope it makes a difference for you too. There are two Apps that you need to download into your phone.

KETO DIET RECIPES

CARB MANAGER

In the last couple months, I have watched about 25 of my friends lose weight and get in better shape. One of my oldest friends John came to visit me from San Antonio Texas.  He went home determined to change his life, and lost over 20 pounds.  I didn’t plan on being a guru but it is nice to see so many people losing weight; but if you call me Richard Simmons, I’ll pop you in the mouth.

“How do you find the time to do all of this?” a buddy of mine asked.  You always have a client in your car; you are everywhere selling Tank Tops Flip Flops Shirts for charity; you rescue dogs left and right; and now you are teaching a KETO class?

When you enjoy what you do and it makes you happy, you want to help other people, and it isn’t work.  It is a huge reward seeing so many people whose lives are better because of coming to Costa Rica.  It is super fulfilling to help all these organizations in the community, and everyone knows my love for dogs.  And now, having people come up and hug me in a bar, thanking me; telling me they lost 10 or 20 pounds on the Costa Rican diet doing KETO is just unbelievable.

It seems that the older I get, the better my life has become.

I LOVE IT.

Come on Down Baby!