Just Obese...Revisited

PhilL

PhilL

Joined
Oct 1, 1999
Messages
6,490
Back in 2005, I started a thread here when I had hit the mark of where I was officially under the obese mark. That thread is here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347865

I was living in Houston where I had access to a free health club. I was easily 60 pounds overweight and not comfortable with it. I lost 30 lbs through diet and exercise when it became necessary for me to return to New York. Once back home it was harder to get the exercise and to stay on my diet so the pounds came back. I would say that by March of this year I had hit 240 lbs again. My clothes didn’t fit and walking and climbing stairs was becoming more and more difficult. It was time to knock the fat off.

Atkins has worked for me in the past and it’s what I decided to follow this time as well. There’s no more free health club, but I’m two blocks from Prospect Park. I decided for exercise, walking/jogging would be the way to go. I mapped a 2 mile course in the park that I started walking 4 to 5 times per week. The only thing I try to do is shorten the time it takes me to do the two miles each time I go out. I walk mostly, but I will jog as much as I can. I really believe that when I can run the two miles 4 times a week my weight will never be a problem again.

After two months I’m once again back to the obese mark, which for me is 216 lbs. Or almost exactly where I was when I started the last thread, back in 2005. I’m two years older, I look fatter than I did back then. I’m not as fit as I was back then either, because I can’t run for as long as I could. It’s tough to get old, but it’s tougher to be fat and old. The hardest part of any weight loss program is starting. I look forward to my next workout, I have a clear goal as to where I want to go and how to get there. If you’re carrying more pounds than is comfortable for you I hope you get up and do something about it. You owe it to yourself.
 
Thanks for the post I've recently implemented some food cutback and more exercise..
 
Well Dave , maybe we should restrict discussions about food on the radio !!!
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I'd love to be 216! Whaddya complainin' about? :D
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I'm sorry, what part seemed like a complaint?
I was just stating where I am and where I would like to get to, and my plan to get there. I'm Italian/American and I love to eat, but I know that certain foods make me fat, so I may not have those food for a while. I enjoy my walk/jogs in the park, I look forward to it. If I didn't need the time to recuperated I would do the 2 miles every day. Every minute I take off the time for the 2 miles is an accomplishment. I'm certainly not complaining about getting older, it sure beats the alternative.

If you love to be 216, what can you do to get there? If there's anything I can do to help you get there, just let me know.
 
PhilL said:
If you love to be 216, what can you do to get there? If there's anything I can do to help you get there, just let me know.
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If you can make me stop eating out, although when I'm eating out it is somewhat healthier, that would be a start. I don't excercise in the morning, unless its Sunday, my one day off. When I get home from work, I am beat. So, mainly Sundays, I go for a long walk, or a hike on one of the bike trails in the area.
 
Thanks, PhilL, I'm sure there are lots of folks on here(me, at least) who could use a little inspiration towards a healthier lifestyle(physically speaking, that is -- there is no apparent cure for steel addictions). Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
 
Phil I gotta thank you, reading your previous thread and seeing your current one has made me decide to give Atkins another shot.

My weight has begun to affect major parts of me, I've already had one knee replaced and am lookin' into the near futer to replace the other one, the D word, (Diabetes) has been throw out by my doctor, still controllable with pills, (Metformin).

I'm 47, alright gonna be 48 in less than 10 days and I wanna be around a while so thanks Phil for givin' me the gumption to do the right thing.:thumbup:
 
I don't think where you eat is as important as what you eat, you can eat out and eat healthy. Most important for me is not to be hungry, I can eat a lot of low-carb food on Atkins. If you're just counting calories, fill up on foods like fruit or salads and cut way down on the starches and empty calories. Probably the best thing you can do is just drink more water. When you think you're hungry you may actually just be thirsty. The only thing I drink is black coffee in the morning the rest of the day it's water with lemon. I'd guess I drink a gallon a day.

I think you need a minimum of 1/2 hour a day of exercise. If you don't want to get up a 1/2 hour early and you're too beat after work, take a 30 minute walk during lunch. I would think that a 30 minute walk before lunch may reduce your appetite.

I know it's not easy to start, and it's easy to find excuses, but if you really want to lose some weight you will find a way.

T. I've got 10 years on you and there's diabetes in my family. I want to be clear that I'm not pushing Atkins, I don't think it's for everyone, but it does work for me. The first time I did Atkins I dropped 30 lbs. in one month, without exercise. I can't do that any more. I've been under 10 carbs a day for about two months and I still check for Ketosis a couple of times a week. I'm losing about 3 lbs. a week, and I know that will slow down pretty soon. Of course the good thing is that every pound that comes off makes the walk/jog easier, so it's all good.

T. what will you do for exercise?
 
Walking is the most readily available, I live in the country and my block is 1 1/2 miles from end to end with only 7 houses on it so it's a nice walk all shaded and with a creek that parallels the street, I like swimming, my wife was talking about joining the YMCA to use their pool, also the Delaware River is a mile from my house and I have a canoe.

I have a lot of choices, now I need to stay commited, maybe it's time to dust of the treadmill.:)

I did Atkins before and had similar results my problem is I miss the pasta and bread, I know The South Beach diet is a modified form of Atkins that is a little more relaxed I might go that route instead.

I'm a food addict, unfortunately unlike a drug addict or alcoholic I just can't stop eating.

I guess the best thing is to never give up.:thumbup:
 
That's great T. so it seems the knee isn't going to be a problem.

I love to eat also. I'm already planning the pizza I'm going to reward myself with when I break the 200 lb. mark.

What keeps it real for me is that right now I'm losing about 3 lbs. a week with diet and exercise, but I can put on 3 lbs with one meal, and it'll take me two days just to get back into Ketosis. I'm not willing to make the trade, so I stay with the program.
 
Good for you! :thumbup:
Since last summer I went from 238 to 198 (I'm 6' tall). No particular diet, just halfed the quantities at lunch, no more sweets during the week, almost no food in the evening and a soccer game every week (I hate walking and jogging).
Great meals only during the weekend.
I feel a lot better. At the begining I was whizzing after 10 minutes of soccer, now I can play one hour without getting exhausted.
 
Flavius, congratz. It sounds like the weight loss was easy for you. I know it was a lot easier for me when I was younger.

My wife and I both have the feeling that you Europeans have a better grasp on eating right than most Americans. My wife right now is moderately following the book "The Mediterranean Diet". I think our "Super Size Me" mentality is one of the root causes of so many of us being overweight. "Clean your plate or no dessert" what a terrible lesson my parents taught me.

If people would stop eating before they were full, or even when they were full, they could lose weight. If we could all just learn to eat to live rather than live to eat, we would be a lot healthier.
 
PhilL said:
My wife and I both have the feeling that you Europeans have a better grasp on eating right than most Americans. My wife right now is moderately following the book "The Mediterranean Diet". I think our "Super Size Me" mentality is one of the root causes of so many of us being overweight. "Clean your plate or no dessert" what a terrible lesson my parents taught me.

If people would stop eating before they were full, or even when they were full, they could lose weight. If we could all just learn to eat to live rather than live to eat, we would be a lot healthier.
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Phil,

Actually, we are not much better at eating healthier food. :)
The main difference IMO is the average quantity of food consumed at one meal. I have never been in the USA, but if the quantities are like in Toronto ... then one meal is at least 150% of what you usually get here (and cheaper BTW).
I am a big eater by any standards, and slighty prefer Italian food over most others, including French. The cannelloni we make at home... I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it now. In general, the food I prefer is the kind of food that would make a nutritionist go crazy. The only solution I found not to get HUGE nor depressed by always eating what I don't like, is to eat GOOD two days per week (the weekend) and "healthy" food in moderate quantities (I don't like it anyway) during the week. For lunch at work I usually get frozen "ready to microwave" food, the quantity is 300g including meat and veggies. No desert, only fruit. Sure, when I finish lunch I'm still moderately hungry, but got used to it.
 
flava said:
Phil,

For lunch at work I usually get frozen "ready to microwave" food, the quantity is 300g including meat and veggies. No desert, only fruit. Sure, when I finish lunch I'm still moderately hungry, but got used to it.
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My SIL has lost over 50 lbs since the beginning of the year. She attributes the loss to eating prepackaged meals, "Healthy Choice", "Lean Cuisine", etc. When she told a friend how she had lost so much so fast the friend was amazed, "You eat one of those for a meal? I would need four just to feel full".

Learning what a reasonable portion is, is a huge problem.
 
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17537369/site/newsweek/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18496858/

Consumer Reports just rated it the highest diet. And so far, it seems to work well. You don't have to give up any type of food, just try to lower the energy density of the whole meal by including low energy density foods (mostly whole foods, fruits, vegetables, grains, etc). Picked up the books from Barbara Rolls. It's delicious and filling. Whatever works.

Verb
 
I've never had any issues with weight, can't gain it even if I wanted to, but I do notice a big difference in myself based on what I eat.

Growing up I lived on candy, ice cream and pop. Nowadays my main foods are veggies, fruits, basic breads and chicken.

I found that even little things can make a difference in how I feel when it comes to my food. For instance, a lot of the pre-packaged deli ham at a grocery store will have things like Caramel color and preservatives added. Same thing with lots of breads. I found by looking at the food labels and buying things comprised of basic, organic ingredients I notice a difference in how I feel physically and mentally. Alertness, energy levels, my ability to heal from sickness or cuts....I've found lots of these things to be affected by my diet.

The thing I need to cut out is chinese food. It's bad enough really liking chinese food, but add to that I live walking distance (3/4 a mile) from the best chinese restaurant I've ever found and their General Tso's is a hefty portion for under 5$.....mmm. Sometimes it's hard to not grab a handful of change and walk up there for one of the most delicious, filling meals I can get.

On the subject of physical fitness, not attempting to sound rude, but I've never understood how people with no serious medical complications can let themselves get to the point where a light walk or climbing a flight of stairs leaves them winded. It just kind of baffles me, but I've always been physically active so it's hard ot imagine what being at that stage would even be like.

I don't think you neccasarily need to set aside a certain amount of time a day to work out. Do a few jumping jacks after taking a leak, jog to and from your car, do basic isometric exercises while sitting at a red light or in your office etc. If you're creative you can come up with simple, easy stuff that works. Like when I'm cooking a lot of times I'll stir whatevers on the stove, go do a set of pushups in the living room, stir some more then repeat. Or put my hands on the kitchen counter with my back facing it, put my legs out in front of me and drop down, then push myself up. Not sure what that exercise is called but it works the arms well. Try thinking of little things like that and I think it would go a long way, in addition to whatever set routine you develop for yourself.

I think the most important aspects are just finding ways to be physical and really watching what kind of foods you eat. Ask yourself, is there any good reason to eat fast food, to drink coffee or pop or to select your dishes based solely on taste rather than nutrition? If you have little time, just throw a loaf of bread, some carrots and a few bananas in your car, that's even quicker than stopping at McDonald's. Drink nothing but water or the occaisonal glass of organic juices. You can refill your water bottle and be healthier for it and save $$ you'd spend on coffee and pops to buy more knives. Also, no need to eat until you feel like you can't swallow a bite, just eat enough to not feel hungry and be done with it. I notice many people being extremely lethargic when they wake up, and while a multitude of factors contribute, I think diet plays a large role, especially if you consume coffee. Just try eating nothing but 100% organic foods and drinking nothing but water for a week and see if you notice any psoitive change in how you feel. I'd be really interested to hear of your results.

Just throwing out some ideas. :)
 
Well, it seems Vivi doesn't have a problem with weight or fitness, so whoopee doo for Vivi. Maybe if Vivi has never been a smoker he would be helpful enough to comment on how to be a Non Smoker on the next Quit Smoking thread. :rolleyes:

I must admit Vivi has been on my Ignore List for so long I don't remember why I put him on there, but I probably figured life was too short to waste the time reading his thoughts.
 
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