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Thinning down the herd.

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by ontheropes

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For various reasons some of us seem to have gotten a little bit out of shape.
Me? My lack-of-fitness started with an injury and that turned into depression and inactivity. I had a wake-up call almost 8 weeks ago when I hurt my back while ripping up the bedroom carpet. I realized that I'd let myself get terribly out of shape and I decided to do something about it.

Over the course of time, two years now, I have lead a sedentary life-style. I saw my weight balloon to 234 pounds. That's way too much for me. I could probably hit 175/180 and not be ?too? thin. I have a goal weight of 180 pounds. I've been as low as 185 pounds within the last 5 years when I was really fit. I don't know that I'll ever be that fit again.

I started to diet and exercise after my wake-up call. I only weigh myself once a month on the 25th. My last weigh-in was 211, 23 pounds down from my worst weight. I'm on my way to meeting my goal and I expect to reach it around Christmas day. That will be my Christmas present to myself.

There are a lot of fad diets out there but for me it boils down to basic math. 3500 calories equals one pound of fat. I can hit 3500 calories thru burning some by exercise and eliminating calories from my diet. From what I've read it takes 12 calories per pound of body-weight to maintain your weight so everyone can calculate their individual calorie needs.

Do I stick to a diet everyday? No. There's one day per week that we go out to dinner, a seniors dinner no less. I'm only 51! I eat my fair share of good nutritious food. I may slightly exceed my calorie count for the day but that's what I do. I make up for it the rest of the week.

I cut out a lot of empty calories. Beer. I love beer but I haven't had a beer in almost 5 weeks now. Before that it was only a six-pack a week. I look at it as too many calories to burn off. I'm thinking that after I reach my weight goal I'll celebrate with a six-pack but I have enough self-control not to have a beer today. I'm serious about losing weight and getting into better shape. TiggerTwo's walking has been an inspiration for me and has gotten me off my fat butt to walk more than once. I didn't go as far as I wanted to today but I got out and did something. I've also ridden my mountain-bike and I do a small assortment of calisthenic type exercises. Getting into shape slowly and I've got the tight muscles to show it.

I know I can't be the only one at TR that has the goal of losing weight and getting into shape. I don't need a weight-watchers program for myself but it sure can't hurt to have a discussion with other members about losing weight and exercising. That's what this thread is all about. Run what you brung and maybe we'll all be able to reach realistic goals and even better, have fun while doing it.

What are your goals? How do you plan to reach them? What do you do to reach them? What do you do about setbacks and cravings?

623 replies

by joer

1. Move more.
2. Eat Less.

Okay, three things:

3. No alcohol

That's about it.

by dr dij

Brush your teeth after EVERY time you eat within 10-20 minutes.

Not only will you probably never get a cavity, it can help preserve old bridges till you can afford to replace them.

Your breath is fresher, you don't get those lines by the edge of your mouth, and you feel better.

You are also less tempted to just keep snacking all day and more likely to do stuff if you're not snacking.

It doesn't have to be as thorough everytime if you brush alot, just a quick brush. But I'd suggest also get a waterjet dental appliance, about $20 at target. use this to wash out food particles right after you brush. fill it with cheap mouthwash that has non-alcoholic antiseptics such as cetyl-pyridinium or zinc oxide, etc.

Ok, I guess it's two more things: have a multi-vitamin with minerals at least twice a day. This will help you metabolize the food you eat, reducing cravings for more.

Ok maybe three things:
NEVER eat hydrogenated oils, they clog your system. Anything with hydrogenated oils is usually manufactured foods that have other faults too such as additives and sugar.

NEVER eat anything listed with sugar as an ingredient. you can add some to your coffee but these are empty calories that turn into fat quickly and help you become a diabetic.

Eat foods with complex sugars: apples, vegetables, etc. You'll have energy over 4-5 hours and feel way less need to eat.

NEVER eat white flour foods such as pasta. Use whole grain alternatives. Same reason as sugars: they are 1) empty calories, 2) white flour's lack of fiber makes you eat too much. 3) lack of zinc (in the wheat germ they refined out) means you absorb the trace quantities of cadmium that are naturally present in the starch that is kept.

NEVER eat anything with artificial color. These rules above will mean you're eating fresher, healthier foods and will feel better by avoiding the toxic additives.

Bike to work if you can, if you live nearby.

Goto your gym after work or before.

Get up and walk around when sitting too long, stretch, do things. Avoids the couch potato trap. Have a little pride in your looks. Get in good enuf shape to occasionally imagine you are A) starship captain, B) international spy, C) galactic troubleshooter. i.e. be happy with yourself. depression helps trigger alot of eating.

And watch that show on discovery-health channel about that 800lb guy who couldn't leave his house! :)

by joer

It really does boil down to that. And the more you move combined with the less you eat, the more drastic the results will be. Fifty pounds in 6 months is certainly doable. (But then a life-style change is necessary to maintain. Don't fall back onto old habits)

by ontheropes

Good advice. I'm thinking that my greater awareness of the amount of calories in food and alcohol will help. I've been eating healthier too. Instead of getting a bowl of chips I'll grab some carrots to munch on. Little things add up over the course of a day and I'm seriously trying to make new habits.

I joke about wanting to have a beer but I can take it or leave it. A six pack wouldn't really blow a daily calorie count if I planned ahead. There is a side effect from drinking alcohol too. I've seen studies where it temporarily slows down the fat burning activity in the body. Not good for people determined to lose weight.

by tonythetiger

don't ignore cravings. Your body will rebel and lower its metabolic rate. You can have smaller portions of your favorite no-no and it will actually make the weight come off faster... but don't be in too big a hurry... you didn't gain it all at once...

[i]I've seen studies where it temporarily slows down the fat burning activity in the body.[/i]

Logical, since it lowers almost everything else :)

by ontheropes

On top of the deep-knee bends I've been doing right now my legs seem to have a life of their own if I stand just right. :^0

by ontheropes

When I started Navy boot-camp I weighed 220 and when I got out I was 165. My Mother didn't even recognize me when I stood right in front of her. :D It's not that they didn't feed me but I took boot-camp at Great Lakes,IL starting in January. I ended up with bronchitis, double-pneumonia and measles. I didn't eat much. Graduated on time though. Never missed a day. B-)

by Member 25348569

I walk at least 10,000 paces per day every day and 5,000 for Sunday. If I miss a day, I make it up and there's no hiding from a pedometer and a vicious spreadsheet but so far, I haven't undershot a single week. As I take the train every day, I walk to a different railway station than the nearest and that kills 5,500 and a walk at lunchtime can add another 5,000 and I walk everywhere else I can. The upshot of this is that I've lost 24 pounds since January and saved loads more pounds on petrol. No diets as I don't believe in them although I have the occasional low-carb meal to kick off a pound or two.

Must admit, the walk along the beach here every day is BLOODY HOT although I do get to see dolphins!

My target is AT LEAST the same again but no timescales. Downward trend or flat are both acceptable.

Neil :D

by ontheropes

Just last year I was walking up to six miles on an irregular basis. I'm not doing that this year and I've got a book of excuses.

I have to lose weight by watching what I eat. I have more energy than I had and I'm hoping that will translate into more walking/riding.

I'll admit something here as I'm not too proud. I used to take afternoon naps. I had gotten so depressed and bored that I was just wasting a good hour or two everyday. I don't do that anymore.

I've turned into quite the little home-maker instead. :0

I vacuum, steam the carpets, take care of the dishes, wash/dry/fold the laundry, make the bed and even do windows. There was a lot of stuff that I used to "share" with my wife but I do it all on my own now. What the hell. Why not? I don't have a J O B yet so I just take care of stuff so that my wife can relax when she gets home.

I think of 31 pounds and it seems impossible. That's why I don't weigh myself everyday. I'll probably do it to maintain my weight but while losing it I want to see some results. (Does that make sense?) I don't want to see a lousy 4/5 pound total loss this next time either because I'm really making an effort. I've got two weeks to go before I weigh myself again and I could easily lose 4 pounds in that time.

I hope that this discussion stays active. I have a chunk of junk to lose in the upcoming months. Knowing that others are doing something will help. I think weight loss programs like Weight-Watchers are successful because people help each other by talking. I'm thinking about getting a membership at one of the local fitness centers just to be around people that are doing something about their health. I'm not sure that my budget could stand the strain. It doesn't cost me a dime to post here.

by lodai

Rather than a gym membership why not go and get a simple bench and some free weights? (I'm not talking about heavy duty weights here, just a couple of 5lb and 10lb dumbells.)The cost is minimal and you can play whatever tunes you want, or if you happen to have a T.V. put in a movie or watch your favorite 1/2 hr. show. You would be amazed at how quickly time passes. The great thing about working out at home is the cost savings, the downside is that you don't have the social aspect that a gym can provide.

Good luck!

by gadgetgirl

I tried.

I really did. First time round, I got in there no problem. Lost weight, worked great. Then I got the tum trouble and put weight on. I thought "No problem - I'll go back to WW....."

Wrong.

Because their "diet" is high fibre based, and they promote foods with a diuretic "bent", I can't go there. They even had their local doc talk to me, and he advised against it, big style.

Can't have high fibre. Can't have processed food, so even their ready meals are out. And if I dehydrate I cause myself even more problems, so ......

Ah well. I'll just keep yo-yo-ing without even being on a diet. Same old, same old...

GG
Moticonedit - again...

by ontheropes

Weights are already a part of my day and you're right, a half hour and more can just fly by depending upon what I'm doing.

I do miss the social atmosphere but I'm not sure that I want to pay for it.

by tig2

Is truly scary!

Something that your should consider- As you gain muscle mass, your metabolism will speed up. The other thing is to think in inches, not pounds. Muscle mass weighs more than fat. So a pound of fat does not equal a pound of muscle.

I watch the scale but I also watch the fit of my clothing. If the waist band gets loose and stays loose, I go down a size. But if the waist band gets tight, I start looking for what I'm doing differently.

I am by no means a small woman. But I never will be either. What I strive for is healthy. Better goal.

Right now, I could stand to lose about 15 pounds. Maybe 20. Stomping around in the woods will help some. Personally, I am going to try your "Susie Home Maker" approach. Turn on some dance music and take an aerobic approach to vacuuming and bathroom cleaning. I'll get a clean house and a workout at the same time!

Edit for idiot typo...

by ontheropes

It helps me keep my mind off of crap that bugs me.

Good point about the muscle mass too. That's why those BMI calculators are only a guesstimate tool.

I have 6 pair of jeans that fit well when I was 185 pounds and in the best shape of my life and strong as hell. My real goal is to get back to comfortably fit into those jeans. When I could wear them, not all that long ago, I think I could've dropped more weight and still been at 6-8% bodyfat. I'll see how it goes once I hit 180. :)

I'm trying hard to stay healthy and not lose muscle mass while dieting although I've read where some loss might be inevitable. Not too sure about that.

I get enough protein almost everyday. Not everyday though. (I'm not going to lie about it.) It's interesting to see how little protein we actually need.

I'm finding that the more I learn and re-learn about diet/nutrition the more likely it is that I'll be able to continue losing weight at a healthy and affordable rate.

I do take a good multi-vitamin to ensure that I get 100% of the recommended daily allowance.

---------------------
Two days ago my Mother-in-law's boyfriend was found laying on the floor in his house. He'd had some kind of sugar complication that caused him to pass out. When he woke back up he couldn't get himself off of the floor. He'd let his weight go up to over 300#'s and he was too weak to lift his own body, so was the guy that found him. He was on the floor for 16 hours before an ambulance got there to take him to the hospital.

That has to be frightening to be so fat and sick that your muscles can't even support you. I pray that I'll never be trapped in my own flesh the same way.

by jaqui

on getting into shape.

not until I manage to get my weight up to 150 pounds.
[ at six feet tall, that isn't an unreasonable weight, o bad I have never gotten there, currently only around 130 - 135 pounds. ]

by ontheropes

You can float along with the breeze.

I was using a BMI calculator (yes I'm aware of their inaccuracies) and the mean for my height is 169. I'm shooting for 180 which will put me solidly in the "Normal" range but I think that's going to be just phase one. Phase two will be to hit the mean.

I'm trying to do it one day at a time. I even go minute by minute because sometimes I feel like I could eat everything in the house. Habits are hard to break.

by jaqui

been any heavier than 145 pounds.
The doctors say that the norm for my height and skeletal structure is 165.

I suspect that my body is hiding a significant amount of mass in another dimension, I have picked up and thrown with one hand, steel tables that I shouldn't even be able to pick up.
[ but then my wife is absolutely convinced that I can walk on water. She couldn't see the tree trunk I jumped up and down on to prove it's existence to her. ]

by nicknielsen

Do you disappear when you turn sideways? I once weighed 165 at 6"3", but I've grown some (in ALL directions! :D ) since then!

Working on getting back to 200 now, with an ultimate goal of about 190. I'm kind of afraid of it, though. I'm old enough that if I get back down to that weight, I'll lose my ass and have to buy suspenders to keep my pants up. :^0

Edit: yep

by jaqui

weight issues aren't only about being to heavy.
It's ben my life long problem of not being able to put weight on, no matter how much I eat.
[ and, I basically eat for 6 people at every meal ]

Full physiological workup, including metabolic rate, and the doctors have no idea why I don't look like the goodyear blimp from the quantity of food I consume.

Yet everything coming onto the market makes the underweight people have an even harder time maintaining their weight. You don't want to have to spend 6 to 7 hundred a month on food, for one person, it gets really, really expensive.

by ontheropes

Somethings going on. :0 I've always pictured you as a 180/190 pound human dynamo. I'm trying to visualize someone six foot tall at 135 pounds who is fit and not sick and I'm having a hard time doing it.

I think I weighed 145 pounds in Elementary school. Sad but true.

by ontheropes

I've never known anyone to have that problem. I didn't know it WAS a problem for anyone.

That sucks.

by jaqui

for being underweight, the 1:10 or 1:20 for overweight naturally gets more attention, there is more money to be made.

dealing with weight issues is expensive either way, it's just getting harder to find non diet foods for those very few who need to put it on.

by tig2

My ex could eat everything in sight- including the table, I suspect- and never gain an ounce. In his 40s he could maintain a 29 inch waist without exercise of any kind.

It is thought to be genetic in nature but no one really knows. It IS a very difficult issue because supplements don't seem to work at all for these folks and over eating at every meal isn't the answer either.

For those of us that have to fight to lose weight, it is hard to conceive of people that have to fight to gain it. I frequently hear that an over weight person would "love to have that problem". No you wouldn't.

My ex- at the time we were separated and seeking divorce- had to have his jaw re-set and was wired shut for several weeks. I ended up staying with him until he could eat food again- the meal replacement shakes simply did not give him enough calories to keep him going. There were times that he simply did not have the strength to stand up due to the weight loss.

There needs to be a balance in thinking. Obesity is a real and growing problem. But we can't forget that there are others that have the opposite problem and that it is just as real and just as difficult for the individual.

Promoting "healthy" as you are here, is the right answer.

by hal 9000

A while ago I was in the exact same position of hitting the floor and being unable to get up. But that time it wasn't a sugar issue but a Potassium issue which was somewhat below what is supposed to be good for you. :D

Apparently having a Blood Potassium Level of 2 is [b]Incompatible with Life[/b] I had a level of 1.9 and wasn't bright enough to lie down & Die. :p

But even with 3 times the max limit per day I'm still at the Lower end of what is considered as Safe and can not get the level any higher. But I suppose that as my blood is no longer more Base than Neutral things are much better than what they where. What's even scarier is I'm beginning to like those Fizzy Tables that I have to take 6 of per day. :(

Col ]:)

by ontheropes

I have to admit that being sick can do it. Ol' Leonard could've died over there because he often works someplace for weeks at a time and he doesn't stay in touch. It was just luck that his old friend stopped in to see him.

Being in that position has to be scary as hell. Potassium, sugar or whatever complication that puts you down and makes you weak.

I hope that Leonard gets one of those life-alert systems in his house after he gets out of the hospital. Costs about $30USD per month and he can easily afford that. If he'd just had his cell phone close at hand he could've hit any one of several numbers including our 911 emergency number.

Did you ever chew one of those Potassium pills? A friend of mine who had a medical emergency chewed one. Freaked out the entire Emergency Room staff because they taste so bad. He doesn't have to take any fizzy pills. He can control his level thru diet alone. He got lucky.

by hal 9000

Chewing Fizzy Tablets isn't my idea of fun though at the moment I may consider it as I no longer consider the taste totally horrible. :D

But right now I'd settle for knowing what's happening to cause the problem. When that happens if ever I just may have a fighting chance of getting better and not working [b]Part Time[/b] like I am currently.

Col

by dr dij

do you eat Bananas? they are full of potassium. But if you're not absorbing what you eat is a problem. Other fruits like cantaloupe also. Cut back on alcohol

by hal 9000

Do as I do and just say when questioned by anyone about being Underweight and eating everything wrong [b]You Can't Fatten a Thoroughbred.[/b] :p

Currently I'm on a Medical Diet and feel like I'm eating cardboard as everything worthwhile has been cut out things like the Peppermints that I'm Hopelessly Addicted to and No More Swiss Chocolate. :_|

I'll just have to make do with the Party Pack size packs of chips as I have to eat those but I don't think that the quack actually meant to eat 3 packs per day. :^0

But he did insist that I had to increase my Sodium Intake so I'm doing exactly what I'm told now all I need is Swiss Chocolates with added Sodium. :x

Col

by jaqui

but ohh yeah peppermints, the extra strong variety.. mmmmmmmm

even spearmint leaves gummy candys.

salty treats? constantly.
I never stop until the entire package is gone.

swiss chocolate? dark? it has sodium in it, just not much. :D

by tig2

Swiss chocolate dipped salted pretzels. You get the sweet along with the salt. Actually quite tasty.

No, the quack does not want you to eat 3 Party Packs of chips a day.

But why in the world did they cut out the peppermints? If the issue is the sugar, Tic Tac has less than 2 calories- the sugar is minimal. And Altoids come in sugar free- at least in the States.

And you might want to remind the quack that if the diet is not maintainable, you will likely become non-compliant with it. There needs to be some balance.

by hal 9000

Potassium Absorption. Apparently he is unable to find any reason for such a low count and is a bit panicked. :p

I see a so called Specialist Thursday not quite sure what that will mean as I don't know what else can be tested for but i suppose that I'll eventually find out something.

As for Swiss Chocolate and Slated Pretzels how about 10 Kilos of Chocolate & then 1 Pretzel? I could go for that really. :D

It's a real pain having to have someone drive me around all the time but otherwise I'm OK and looking better pity that the moment that I stop the Potassium things will go to hell again. :)

What's even more of a worry is I'm beginning to like the taste of the tablets now that's a worry. :^0

I'll stick to the regime for the time being mainly because I don't want to go near the Meatworks again and that is a very good reason to do as I'm told for once. :0

Col

by jaqui

look into the high protien diet the doctors used to recomend for blood sugar control.

with the high calorie foods removed, it tends to stabilise your weight at your bodies best weight.
[ and the diet removes all high calorie foods ]

by gadgetgirl

after having dealt with this for over twenty years!

Thanks babz.... I'm on it right now!

(work? wozzat?!)

:x

GG

by jaqui

I was put on it for five years.. total compliance.
in grade 5.
dropped 35 pounds quickly then struggeld to gain weight ever since.

it boils down to:
no sugars.
no starches.
no caffeinne.

so no bread, no pastries, no pasta, no corn, potatoes, rice, candies. fruits and veggies and meat. also, no brussels sprouts. [ them mini cabbages ]

eat when you wake up, then eat every couple of hours after that, until bed time.
three meals and lots of snacks.

This was the cause of my being underweight, it set my body to think 135 to 145 as the best weight.

by inkling

I've lost sixty pounds over the last year and a half.

Mine also started with an injury. I hurt my shoulder in the Marine Corps and it required surgery to remove some bits and repair some bits.

At the time, I was stationed in Norfolk, VA and my wife was living in NC for her job.

At the time of my surgery I was 200lbs (I had already gained twenty pounds or so sitting around waiting for the surgery).

After the surgery, when I wasn't working, I was eating Domino's and playing World of Warcraft. I did this for about 9 months and gained another 50lbs.

Before my injury I was 180lbs, ran daily, competed in marathons, etc...

When my wife got pregnant last year, I decided to lose the weight and get back to running and generally being healthy.

It started when I picked up a book about parenting named "Disease Proofing Your Child" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. It was a great book and it made me pick up another of his books, "Eat to Live". I have since purchased the book for most of my friends and all of my loved ones. I encourage everyone to visit his website (www.drfuhrman.com) and to check out his books.

Taking some of what I learned from these books and adding it to what I've learned over the years as a fitness junky, my wife and I decided to make a permanent lifestyle change.

It has been slow going and we haven't stuck to the plan perfectly, but I am now at 190lbs, I lift weights 4-5 days a week, do plyometrics when I can fit them in, run several days a week (running three miles in under 17 minutes for the first time in years!) am back playing volleyball again and am generally loving life!

The plan was to get back under 180lbs, but with the muscle gains I've made, that would actually be a step backwards for me!

Anyway, good luck to everyone!

by ontheropes

I'll bet they'd love to have me as a member, (ta dum pum) it's mostly women that do it here. (crash)

If I had more money maybe I'd do it. I know that Nutri-system sent me a brochure this past week. The only way I know that they could get my address would be from my Voc-Rehab counselor. Him and I talked about weight issues. He does the Jenny Craig diet and has lost 50 pounds, He's 300 pounds plus yet but it doesn't come off any faster than it went on. He's working at it.

I know that there's a cost associated with it and as I've said elsewhere I can't see paying for something that I can do by myself.

Turns out I can't just keep my mouth shut. I had to start a discussion. :) (I'm blaming Mae and Absolutely. She's around somewhere. Absolutely may be a fit fellow already).

I think yoyo-ing up and down a few pounds wouldn't be too bad. You know, wearing the same pair of jeans and one month they're snug and another month they're loose. I'm a yoyo-er weightwise. My ups and downs cover a span of years.

The good news: While I'm typing this I'm wearing a pair of 38 inch jeans that would fall down but for my belt. I'm already down to the last notch on my belt so I have to get another one.

I'm wearing my few size 38 pants up until the 25th of this month as a reminder of how big I'd gotten to be. These pants used to be snug.

I have a large stack of size 36 jeans that I can wear now and a short stack of size 34's. Those are the ones I want to get into.

I've been able to wear 34" jeans at 8 points over the past 30 years. Yoyo. I'm proclaiming to the Universe that this next time I can wear them will be the last time I go up in size.

For me I think it's going to be the nutritional aspect of food that's going to do it. I want to know what's in my food. We are getting away from unhealthy snacks here at home. We have 5 bags of chips that we'll likely end up throwing out.

I know that different conditions require different diets and I wish I could help you there. Weight isn't the only issue anyway, it's how and where you carry it. Some people look great with a few "extra" pounds. I keep telling my wife that she could stand to gain about 20 pounds but she won't do it. Of course she has several 1000's of dollars worth of clothes that she'd have to replace. She's too thrifty for that. I'm a little surprised that she wouldn't look at it as an opportunity to go shopping. :0

Where am I going with this? I plain forgot so I'm going to post it. Thanks for joining the "discussion". I appreciate your input.

by locolobo

Not too much. 3 miles a day and 30 min for the stretching almost every day.

This spring I starting working out in a gym. Nothing heavy but I was starting to show some muscle tone. :) 2 months ago I pinched a nerve in my upper back doing yard work. I swear I wasn't working hard! It just suddenly felt "pinched". Now I still weigh 200 lbs but the muscle tone is going soft. :(

The Dr said not yet when I asked him about lifting weights again last week. Haven't carried a pedometer for years but when I did I averaged about 12k paces per day.

by ontheropes

I've gone thru a pinched nerve in my lower back twice now. The first time it was my left leg that got smoked. I had to walk with a cane for six months. Couldn't even lift my left heel off of the ground. The bright side was that I worked my cane into some karate katas.

I've been doing the same lower back exercises this time. I have to work out, at least minimally, to keep my back in shape. That's just the way it is for me I guess.

I blame my first back injury on lifting weights. I used to put a bar across my shoulders with 300 lbs. on it and do squats and calves. Too much heavy pounding was not good. I think it loosened up my lower back by compressing the disks. They don't bounce back into shape. It took only a little bad twist getting up off of the floor and whammo-bad back. I'll just nag you for what it's worth, be careful with the weights.

by locolobo

I hurt my lower back a couple of years ago, minor. Pretty much have to do the stretching routine every day to keep it limber. Just started working out with the weights this spring. Nothing over about 40 lbs, 20 to start. Felt like a wimp watching all the others working out with 100, 200 lb or more weights.

by ontheropes

He warned me that anything over 20 pounds could hurt you if you didn't lift it right. I believe it. You set yourself up for tennis elbow, hyper-extension and worse.

I used a mirror when I lifted alone just to make sure I was lifting correctly.

by ontheropes


I could invite the people at Weight-Watchers to come to my meetings then ask to go to their ones. (Item 6.) :^0

by naughtymonkey

started working on my weight issue. I used to be in good shape when I worked in irrigation and landscaping. When I was hurt on the job and told I couldn't do that type of work anymore I went to IT full time.

Since then I have gained almost 100 pounds. I weigh 240 now and have started to walk and eat better. I am cutting out caffeine, which is very hard, but am drinking more water every day. I have yet to really start loosing weight, but hopefully will shed more soon.

My goal is 180 and my wife an I will be very happy. From there I will continue on and try to get back down to 165 but as I get older I don't know if I can be as fit as I was when I was 25.

Now that I hear others talk about there goals I have more inspiration and will use it to push myself more.

by ontheropes

At 234 I was only a week or two of heavy eating and drinking away from 240. I might have even hit that. I just never saw it on my scale. I'd reached a point where I didn't want to know how much I weighed. I knew that even my size 38 jeans were snug and I lapped over the waistband.

My wife told me that she's not going out in public with me wearing the same baggy ass jeans now.

For me I want to weigh myself just once per month and see a loss of at least 8 pounds over that time. I'm really trying hard. At any point in the day I know how many calories I've eaten even if I don't know how many I've burned. I'm not going to do a 300 calorie burn and then treat myself. Not going to happen.

Everyone's different. I do better with a little competition. My goals are to lose at least two pounds a week, measured monthly, until I hit MY goal of 180. I chart it in OO.o Calc just to see the gains I've made towards my goal. I think I'll be depressed if I lose less than 8 before Oct. 25th but I'm just going to keep on trucking and try again harder, if I can, the next month. I am determined that this weight is coming off. Damn determined. Watch this space and don't go away.

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Added:
I tried on all of my pants and sorted them into specific piles. Fit, fit tight, and NoFarkingWay do they fit. I'm doing like Tigger suggested, using my clothes as a gage. The NFW stack will fit one day before too damm long.

I need to get my wedding ring resized too as it just rotates on my finger. If it wasn't for another ring I wear on that finger too my wedding ring would fly off. Apparently I had fat fingers for real. I'm going to wait until I hit my ideal weight.

I have to buy a new belt before then. I was up to wearing one of my old "fat" belts and I poked a new hole in it just so that it will work. It doesn't work well anymore.

These are all positive signs that what I'm doing is working and it's not taking months and months and months. Hang in there. I want to hear about your progress. It'll give me hope.

by tig2

Be aware that you will hit plateaus in weight loss- much like you do when gaining. In a plateau period, your body is trying to adjust itself to your new metabolism and it will not appear on the surface that you are losing pounds. What you will be doing at that point is losing inches.

Just keep it in mind. Don't let it get to you.

You're doing GREAT!

by naughtymonkey

was the amount of coke products I drank. It was all I would drink and that adds up especially when you have a change in activity. I now drink 2 cokes a day and drink water the rest of the time. Now if I can stay away from the damn break room with all that candy and chips. :)

edit speeling

by ontheropes

The more weight I lose the less calories it takes to support my current weight too. Weight loss will progress slower if all things remained the same. That can be countered by an increased level of exercise and hopefully a higher metablolism.

by ontheropes

My cutting out the brewski's was the best thing I could've done to kick-start my weight loss. Now I don't "spend" my calories on something unless it's good for me. Mostly I've cut out the empty calories. I do have 1 small half-spoonful of sugar in my coffee. I used to do two full spoonfuls but sometimes now I even drink my coffee black.
For the same amount of calories I can eat a large salad and get full instead of having some cola and candy and still be hungry.

by ontheropes

My anniversary, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all coming up. Yeehaaa.

I think I'm going to go have a salad so that I won't be thinking about food. I swear, sometimes I'm obsessed with it.

by tig2

Right now, your body thinks you are depriving it. Like smoking, the nicotine is easy to get over. It's the habit that gets you to light up again.

Try chewing gum. I know- it can't help. But it can. The act of mastication will trick your brain into feeling a sense of fullness. The other trick is to drink lots of water. It will make you feel full.

I'm right here with you!

by ontheropes

I'm hoping you're right that it will pass. I think a lot of my daily routine has centered around food. That's why we have plenty of healthy food here now. I can grab an apple and feel like I've eaten something substantial.

I think a few big glasses of water are in order. Thanks.

by absolutely

People who are heavier than they should be generally don't get that way because we eat too many fresh fruits & vegetables. If you replace your normal unhealthy snacks with fruits & vegetables, and never miss a scheduled healthy snack, you'll have less room to pig out on meals, which tend to be high carb & high fat & high sodium, etc. Some of those can't be avoided if you do business/social lunches, but going to those events not hungry or barely hungry can help.

by ontheropes

That's my favorite bad food. I don't even want to bring a good pizza into the house. I don't want to test my resolve that much.

Friday we're going out to celebrate at Red Lobster. I've already got my meal picked out. I should still end up with a calorie deficit because I checked out the calorie count. That's going to be my one day per week instead of Thursday's Seniors night. I'm not going to sweat it much. I do have some self-control.

by tig2

But you do it from scratch.

Peer me for my extensive collection of calorie aware recipes. Or check the food sites for more and better information.

I love Red Lobster. We went there last night for my birthday. YUM!

by ontheropes

What might be some of my pizza and weight issue is that I've made pizzas from scratch since I was 12 years old. I can make a killer pizza and I think that my weight showed it.

I use Chef Boyardee pizza sauce and only the best ingredients. I think that my pizzas are better than Brownies, a local restaurant renown for good pizza. I can still make a pizza and work it into my diet/life-style but I'm going to hold off until I get down to my weight goal. I'll manage. I'm not even getting hungry talking about it. I just don't need to try myself.

by ontheropes

Seriously.
For one thing, this place just wouldn't be the same without you. For another thing I don't have too many people that I can bltch to via email. For another thing... well shlt... Just take care.

by nicknielsen

I know some people who are overweight and [u]look[/u] obese. I also know an individual who is considered obese and appears only slightly overweight.

And remember, you can be overweight without being obese.

by absolutely

I sometimes post messages that are not meant to be taken seriously, and sometimes outside of a Friday Yuk thread.

by ontheropes

is just a guesstimate anyway. There are other factors. I also think that I may be noticing more fat and obese people because I'm into this diet thing, if you know what I mean. It's like when you buy a new car, you see others exactly like it on every corner.

by tonythetiger

then lost 5 during 11 weeks AIT. Funny, I caught pneumonia when I got there too (Fort Sill). Missed KP week (darn!), but got double duty fireguard week.

by ontheropes

Losing weight in bootcamp happened after I'd been issued all of my clothes so nothing fit right. It was all too loose. I'll bet you had the opposite problem.

by nicknielsen

If you appear underweight, they issue a size larger. If you appear overweight, they issue snug.

I hit basic training at 6'4", 165 lbs. They issued me pants with a 34 waist. I said "No I'm a 32 waist." They said "They'll fit when you leave." They were right. The slightly overweight guy behind me couldn't button his fatigue pants for the first week of basic. When we left, they were baggy.

by jamesrl

I was a cross country runner when I started university. 6' and 135 lbs.

I kept up my running the first year, and then got a job at the house of commons (like Congress).

One of the people I worked with was big into weight training and he had permission to use the House of Common's security guards gym. He started to bring me along, and I used the universal gym and the heavy bag to great affect. Add to that the fact that the House of Commons had a subsidized cafeteria, and that I went on a protein binge (Steak, milk, cheese) and by the end of a 4 month work term I weighed 170 and I was much stronger than I had been as a runner.

I ran 10K that fall in a new record time for me.

I wish I was close to that weight now, and yes I know wishing won't make it so.

James

by ontheropes

He said that all of the food tasted "weird" and he didn't like it. He's not sure what he's going to do now. Maybe he'll try Jenny Craig.

He's a pretty big dude. Six two and 250 lbs. He tried the "grapefruit diet" awhile back. That's a totally fake diet plan supposedly from the Mayo Clinic. He claims to have lost some weight on it but didn't stick with it. I'd like to talk to him for a bit but he's argumentative and I'm in no mood for putting up with anybodies crap. I'd tell him that it all boils down to simple math and there's no way of getting around it. He's a smart man too. Former career Air-Force enlisted man and head of the local VFW.

There is no "plan" that's going to change his life. He's going to have to do it. If there IS a plan somewhere send me the info! Someone. Anyone. Please.

by tig2

You were right the first time- you have to make a change and make the change a permanent part of your life.

Somewhere between the concentrated effort to lose weight and the process of defining maintenance, there is a happy medium. You'll find it, but only after you complete the weight loss part.

This DOES get easier. In time.

by ontheropes

Dammitall. Thinking... Well that just puts me on equal footing with everyone else then.

I'm making my way the only way I know how... (Sounds like Dukes of Hazzard.)

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the big weigh-day on the 25th. I don't know how much more I can change that's going to make a difference so I'm hoping to see that I've met my 8 pound weight-loss goal.

I have a good accurate scale. It compares very well to a beam scale. I'll definitely know if what I'm doing is working. It should be working. It's just simple math right?

by ontheropes

Bootcamp was probably the first time in my life that I actually had shoes that fit. I have 13-EEE or 12-EEEEE feet. I can put out small grass-fires efficiently.

Man I remember boot camp. Even though I was sick for most of it I left there being able to do 100 push-ups. I haven't done a single one since I urffed the damm wrist. I see the commercials and I believe that I'd buy one of those Bowflex machines if I could afford the debt. I'm putting back a few dollars here and there. Maybe I can find a used one later on down the road.

by ontheropes

Excellent advice on every point.

I'm a fanatic about my teeth. I've got a Hydro Floss pulsating water pick, rotary brush and regular brush and I'm not afraid to use them. Since I am home most of the time I brush and floss after every meal or snack, even if it's just an apple.

I didn't think about white flour and pasta because I only "do" them on rare occasions. Given your advice I will rule them out of my diet completely. Same for artificial coloring. My wife says the same thing. She's definitely the right weight. :)

I'm trying hard to change my eating habits to healthy foods. It's not that difficult as I don't have to have a wide variety of foods to keep me satisfied. Just for an example, I buy Turkey jerky. That gives me the recommended amount of protein on a day when I don't have meat planned for another meal. That brings up a good point too. I plan what my day is going to be like. If I know ahead of time that I'm going to have fish for dinner I don't have to have turkey or chicken for lunch.

I'm not on a starvation diet. I'll call it a knowledgeable diet. I'm trying to eat smarter. I have a lot of energy from the exercise that I've been doing too. The nice part about it is that it's not manic energy from sugar or something else. In fact, right now I still feel warm and energized as if my metabolism is responding to the exercise.

I take a good multi-vitamin every morning.

I have to assume that you're not a medical doctor seeing as we are at TR but you have given what I consider to be excellent advice. I've read where doctors aren't in favor of diets alone anyway. They know that it takes a life-style change to permanently lose the pounds. That's what I'm trying to do.
No more yo-yo.

Some of that change, for me, has been to lose the depression. I've had it, not ashamed of it, but I reached a point where I realized that it's just a dead end road. It took me a good long while to see it for what it is. I'll say that I've been good to go for months now. Not up or down, just real. That's what I try to be here at TR. Just real. I don't know how I come across but... whatever.

Thanks for your time Dr. Dij. Great post. I'll be sure to follow the advice about flour, pasta and coloring. I've enlisted my wifes aid.

For the rest of it? Unfortunately, I have several extended family members that remind me of the 800# man. They've almost crippled themselves with their weight and they just keep on packing it on. :( I can only take care of me.

by dr dij

actually 'never' for white flower should not really be strict. I get vegetable burritos from TJs that use white flower crust. But I won't eat pasta mostly. As I said you can negate the bad effects of white flower by keeping a jar of toasted wheat germ in the fridge and adding a tsp or two with portions.

Problem is white flower is generally associated with all sorts of other evil things: shortening (hydrogenated oils), endless additives (have you ever read an entenmann's pastry box?) etc. So when it has the other stuff I won't eat it. These are generally mfgd foods too, stuffed with sugar, etc.

So don't eat more than a tiny amount, don't worry about occasional, e.g. if only thing available at a meal.

I don't compromise on hydrogenated tho, not natural. I get un-hydrogenated margarines, just as good.

by tig2

It SHOULD be simple math. It isn't.

A lot will depend on how you manage the metabolism change. So do this- take a tape measure (flexible please) to your weigh in. Note your chest measure at the nipple line, your waist at your natural waist, your hip generally at your belt line. Write these down and date them.

At every weigh in, do the same thing.

Physical weight is only half the story. You risk selling yourself short if you don't read the rest. Don't do that.

Google "isometric exercise". I do them when in front of the computer. It really helps.

I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together.

by ontheropes

That's the second time you've mentioned it so I'll do it, It'll give me more info to view on my weight-loss chart. :0 I might not publicize it but I'll do it. Thanks Tigger.

The support and comments here help more than I can say. Much appreciated. I thought this might go to maybe 6 posts and fizzle right out but I'm getting new advice and comments everyday. The community feel is coming back to me. It was lost to me for awhile but it seems to be coming back. It helps. That's cool.

by dr dij

they put oils under hundreds of pounds of pressure, while saturating with Hydrogen. The double bonds in the oil break, and they sop up the hydrogens.

They then become thick and viscous. Shortening is an example of hydrogenated oils. Imagine this stuff in your veins, clogging them. Not only does the oil become thicker like animal fats, it acts like animal fats in your body.

The double bonds in the oils are what your body uses to get energy from the oils. They are gone. And natural oils tend to put the hydrogens on one side. The un-natural hydrogenation process puts them on both sides, irritating your veins when they get in your body. They also coat your intestine, giving you indigestion and preventing absortion of foods.

Substitutes 'trans-esterified' fats are no better. Another manufactured molecule that regulation has not caught up with.

natural oils are actually GOOD for you, your brain is 1/3 fatty acids. Some natural vegetable oils will actually help rid you of joint pains. Your body will manufacture them if you don't ingest enuf on a 'low fat' diet.

Until recently also, doctors did not take nutrition classes during their training.

Another interesting fact is that frozen vegetables are actually better:
fresh carrots, you get 5% of vitamin A, even if you chew very well.
cooked, they are softer, you get 33%.
frozen, cooked, much softer, you get 95%.
Freezing bursts the cell walls, making the nutrients more available.

Also, fresh vegies have more vitamins to begin with but deteriorate much more rapidly in fridge. Freezing destroys small amount of vits but keeps the remaining much longer.

Of course you can't leave stuff in freezer forever, gets freezer burn.

by jamesrl

Omega three fatty acids are good for you. They are good for your heart (real medical studies) and have been shown to help children learn.

Some studies suggest that the Omega 3 from fish is superior to vegetable sources (primrose, flax oils).

Best sources are salmon and tuna. Recent study recommends that despite a risk of ingesting mercury from Salmon and Tuna, that the benefits of Omega 3 for pregnant women outweigh the harm of trace amounts of mercury.

James

by ontheropes

I spent $11USD today because of your advice. I bought more multi-vitamins so that I can take them twice a day and I bought non-alcoholic mouth rinse for my Hydro Floss. I used to use just plain water but I like it even better now.

Something interesting to me has been that I read everything you've posted out loud to my wife and she goes on in-depth in agreement with it. Maybe I should start listening to her and do as she does. :0 It's our sixth wedding anniversary tomorrow. It might be about time.

I'm still reading about hydrogenated oils. They're everywhere.

by dr dij

from italy at local TJs, about $4.

thaw it in microwave, heat with short breaks to allow heat to spread, till center hot to touch. Preheat the oven.

add basil, spices and cover with wheat germ, will counteract the white flour and seal in the spices. place on a preheated pizza pan (hear the sizzle). bake till starts bubbling, about 5 minutes.

while this is going on, take frozen veggies such as organic sweet corn or roasted corn, roasted sweet peppers, etc. and thaw in microwave, stirring frequently to heat evenly, till steam is coming up from them..

Take out and add pre-heated veggies. You can also put marinara or pizza sauce on at this stage.

If you don't want the outer edge of the crust to harden, slather a thin layer of basil tomato hummus around the edge.

Put back in and bake a few more minutes till browning on the outer crust.

Feeds two for two meals. Won't thin the herd tho :)