The Health Thread

[Joe G]

Way to go, guys!

[Miles251]

FFA....I'm so proud of you my friend....and so motivated by you that I got my ass to the gym, signed up on a membership and am going at it myself! Yo da' Man!

[Jim Alfredson]

Jeez, now I'm feeling guilty. Thanks, guys!

Actually, I've noticed that I've lost a little weight recently. I've consciously tried not eating (much) after gigs, and cutting out a lot of sugar from my diet. I fell prey to my cravings and bought a 2 liter of Sprite the other day (which is already gone) and I've decided that's the last one I'll buy for a long time.

Water is what I'm drinking now. I've already cut out pop from gigs. I used to drink a lot of pop on the gig. Now it's only water.

I'm very proud of my wife. She gave up Diet Coke at the beginning of the summer (at my request). When I met her, she used to drink a lot of the stuff. She cut it down to one can a day. And then she totally cut it off this summer. She admitted that she took a sip (her first one) the other day and couldn't stand the taste of it.

Good work, guys! Keep it going!

[Free For All]

  Miles251 said:

FFA....I'm so proud of you my friend....and so motivated by you that I got my ass to the gym, signed up on a membership and am going at it myself! Yo da' Man!

Thanks man. Let's go for it!

"Less Paul is better for all"

[catesta]

I worked out with a personal trainer today.

FUCK!!!!

I thought dude was trying to kill me.

He must have felt bad when it was all over since he brought me a bottle of water AND a bottle of apple juice.

[Chuck Nessa]

Relating this to the weather thread - shoveling snow is great exercise. I need that in winter since Ann and I take fewer "power walks" with ice on the bike trail and our favorite trails in the woods.

About 3 years ago I was at 247 lbs and got down to 190 (I am 6 ft tall). In the last couple of months I've gained about 5 pounds so I welcome the snow.

[catesta]

Yes, shoveling snow is indeed great exercise.

I'm trying to shed the weight I put on during the move as well as the extra few lbs I was carrying before.

I've also got some hereditary concerns I need to stay on top of.

I'm all set.

[JSngry]

I'm sick. Any ideas?

[Chuck Nessa]

Bunches.

[7/4]

  Chuck Nessa said:

Relating this to the weather thread - shoveling snow is great exercise. I need that in winter since Ann and I take fewer "power walks" with ice on the bike trail and our favorite trails in the woods.

About 3 years ago I was at 247 lbs and got down to 190 (I am 6 ft tall). In the last couple of months I've gained about 5 pounds so I welcome the snow.

Last time I shoveled snow I felt like I was having a heart attack.

[Chuck Nessa]

  7/4 said:

Last time I shoveled snow I felt like I was having a heart attack.

I could always use a helper.

[7/4]

I'd rather wait until it melts.

[Free For All]

I was talking to my trainer yesterday (I'm hanging in there- down 25 pounds to date) and we were talking about weight gain after quitting smoking, which was part of my problem. I didn't realize that smoking accelerated the metabolism as well as acting as an appetite supressant, so it makes sense that one would have a tendency to gain weight after quitting. I guess I'd assumed the problem was an oral fixation that replaced cigs with food, but there seems to be more to it than just mental issues.

I mentioned before about how much I've been enjoying using the elliptical as the main device for my cardio, but I've discovered that the body adapts and the challenge diminishes, followed by diminishing benefits. My dramatic beginnings have tapered off a bit and I've had to move to some other machines. The ones currently kicking my ass are the Stairmaster and rowing machine. I'm focusing now more on getting the heart rate up to the desired level for 40 minutes or so- before I was going more for quantity than quality (obsessing on the calorie consumption), which worked for a while. Changing my goal a bit has gotten me back on track and the weight loss has resumed.

It's funny, after the first of the year you see all sorts of new faces at the gym, obviously due to newly made resolutions. The place was packed most of this month, but the folks who work there say this always happens and will eventually taper off as people's resolve diminishes. They come, they go. My resolve is strong.

[catesta]

Good for you.

I slacked off a bit during the holidays and didn't really get active again until about two weeks ago.

I do mainly cardio on a bike for 20-30 minutes. Next week I will get back into some strength training.

[Joe G]

YEAH baby! Ironman McKee! :rsmile:

[Free For All]

  catesta said:

Good for you.

I slacked off a bit during the holidays and didn't really get active again until about two weeks ago.

I do mainly cardio on a bike for 20-30 minutes. Next week I will get back into some strength training.

Thanks for the support guys. I offer my support in return. I'm doing strength training too. It's actually not too bad- some of the ab exercises are a little rough, but it's all slowly improving.

The holidays weren't all that bad for me food-wise. I don't do a lot of parties, and since both my parents have passed on, the holidays (which have become less of a sentimental event for me) consist of a little time with the in-laws and most of the time off hanging out at home- Mrs. FFA and I catch up on movies and otherwise just enjoy a little downtime.

  Quote

Ironman McKee!

Not yet. More like a firm pudding.

Edited January 26, 2006 by Free For All

[Joe G]

I was referring to your iron resolve.

I'm still doing my thing, which is qigong and walking. I'd be cross-country skiing if we had snow, but it's been a very mild winter. I see people riding bicycles around town, but that is just too hardcore for me. I'd need much better gear. As soon as spring comes, though, I'll be doing lots more riding.

[Free For All]

  Joe G said:

I'm still doing my thing, which is qigong

I've been doing hardly any gigging. That's why I can go to the gym so much.

[kinuta]

I used to run about 4-5 kilometres several times a week but have mainly switched to walking. I usually go for 90 minute to two hour walks, sometimes longer. The reason I cut back drastically on running was knee pain and badly aching toes. Almost every morning I do 60 sit ups and chin up plus 25 push ups.

I don't eat any fast food, don't smoke or drink ( now ) and avoid all animal fat. I do eat chicken and quite a lot of fish. I also love beans and Indian food. My main weakness is chocolate which I refuse to give up although I strictly limit my intake. I hate milk but drink soya bean milk ( tonyu). Here in tofu land we can get some great tasting varieties of bean milk.

[Robert J]

My weight is OK, I've been 150 for the past 20 years no matter what I do. But as a sedentary worker (internet producer), only the fingers get exercised at work. Been starting to go for walks with the missus in the evening now. Some weight training as well, though it is not good for for my piano technique to be lifting dead weights. I hear swimming lengths is better.

The big thing. I am trying to stay alcohol-free for 2 weeks to see/feel the benefits. I've just done a full week now. I don't think I've had that kind of break since... University? High School? Grade school? Tough for a Canadian who loves his beer and a single malt in the evening. Though I have to admit, grudgingly, I feel better without the stuff in my system.

[Guest]

I know that since Jim and I decided to replace all our home cooked meals that called for ground beef with ground turkey it has made a big difference. Everything from chili to burritos, lasanga to meatloaf. Red meat barely shows up in our home anymore. And like I saw Jim post earlier, pop is also rare to find in our frig when before it was an everyday thing. I don't miss my diet Coke one bit. I thought I would be buried with a can of DC in my hand a couple years ago. Now that's a sad thought!

As for exercise, I have always participated in some group exercise class. I've been taking yoga for about 4 years and the same people are in the same class on the same night. I need that repetition. Tuesday is yoga night. If it is planned out then I can't make an excuse. Before yoga I did NIA (dance/yoga/ballet combo), and before that it was a traditional aerobics class. I am eager for Zora to ride on the back of the bike with me this summer! I got a little board just pushing the stroller around the neighborhood...but it still counts.

Luckily my job also keeps me walking. I'm not pinned to my desk and have the luxury of walking outdoors whenever I choose. Luckily this Michigan winter has been mild.

Good luck to all of those with the weight loss issue. I have definitely had my own struggles.