those pesky pounds

[winterbadger]

OK, I'm a bit fed up with my current state of health. So I'm going to try (again) and get into better shape.

More regular exercise: cycling and hiking for preference. More sleep. More fruits and vegetables. Somewhat less meat and dairy. A good bit less starch. Smaller portion sizes, overall. I think my good friend and companion alcohol needs to get cut back significantly, say by at least half. And, speaking of pointless calories, candy, pastry, etc. needs to be reduced to near zero. I need to get back in the habit of taking fibre supplements, and vitamins, and drinking more water.

I'd like to look better, but even if I got down to the weight that the (IMO) unrelistic BMI computer suggest, I would still be a big guy with wide shoulders and big hips. I'll still have my goofy face and my crooked teeth (orthodontia? no thanks--tried that once already, and boy was it a waste of money!) I'm not going to be hunky and handsome no matter what I do. :-) But I could be a lot healthier.

But it's going to take more planning, developing a more regular schedule so as to fix habits, and a bit more resolve.

So it is written; so let it be done. So say we all. :-)

EDIT: Oh, and a lot less fast food. I don't drink soda most of the time, so that's not to worry about. But I need to buy more things that I can cook quickly when I get home tired at the end of a long day, so I'm not tempted to just get a burger...

Comments

[cutedeadgirl.livejournal.com]

I think chunky and handsome is just as good, no need to be all hunky :(. You aren't *that* big hun. You even do all kinds of physically active things - and who in their right mind would want a guy who has to watch their beer intake. Um... ok Maybe I have a bit weird look at the world but still...

[winterbadger]

Awww! Thank 'ee kindly, m'dear!

I do comfort myself with the thought that my friend Keith is even more rotund than I am, but seems very healthy and has a lovely wife and a cute baby to boot. Of course, he can alos run rings round me on the soccer field, hence my need to get in much better shape.

I'm so sorry to hear about all the blechy badness you've been having to suffer through. :-( You poor boo! :-(

[dativesingular.livejournal.com]

I'm convinced the BMI calculator is full of crap. I'm 5'7", a size 10, and I weigh 165 lbs. 147 is the top end of my supposed "healthy" weight range. I didn't even weigh that little (more around 155) when I was a varsity swimmer in high school, practicing two hours a day, six days a week. And you've seen pictures of me.

Take that as you will.

[winterbadger]

Yeah, you look like a perfectly normal, healthy person, bodyshapewise.

I think BMI is a draconian standard that I can aim at and not be disappointed when I miss. :-) Honestly, I think (for me at least), being in their ovwerweight range (25-29) would be just fine. I could stand to build up a little more muscle on my arms (whihc would mean *adding* weight there), but mostly I just need to lose some excess fat around my waistline which is just making my body work harder than it needs to. But my college weight, when I was walking or running up and down Massachusetts hills and dorm stairwells all the time, was 210 instead of my current 270; yeah, the calculator says I should be around 180 or less, but that is simply silly.

[azbound.livejournal.com]

Ok, I don't know if I've ever said this before, but here goes.

In terms of getting the food under control, have you ever considered Weight Watchers? I know, I know...but when I've done it in the past, it's worked well. It give guidelines to eat by, but it still gives you the freedom to eat what you want (generally just less of it!). But still, their points program is awesome. My mom joined online and she's lost over 75 pounds and kept it off for over 4 years now.

It's just a suggestion, maybe something different to try.

[winterbadger]

I've done Weight Watchers in the past, and it worked sometimes and didn't work other times. It enver had the sort of big effect for me that it's had for your mom (though good for her!)

I know me, though, and keeping track of the points and so on is just not a sustainable habit. I need to learn how to eat intelligently in a broader sense, a more instinctive sense. Because if I try to keep track of points and miss out a day or two and fall behind, it all gets muddled and I give up on it. Better to find a way to do this that doesn't rely on my developing a new, complicated habit.

I do appreciate the advice, though!

[azbound.livejournal.com]

Oh no - I totally understand that. If you're following the point system, you have to stay up on it.

I think they have a new program where you eat within zones, if that makes sense. Kinda like a loose grouping of points. I think they are trying to appeal to those who don't want to do strict point accounting.

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

The BMI things are worse than uselss as they ignore body frame, if you're large boned or small boned the readings are weird, plus they assume all men are heftily built and all females slender and birdlike. Personally I'll be an amazon at any weight :) Being fit and healthy, eating a balanced diet as you plan and taking regular exercise is the key thing, good luck with it. Oh and try and swap out the soda for more water and fruit juices, the amount of sugar in that stuff is lethal, the sugar hit I get from a mouthful of coke if we eat out is *huge* as I don't normally drink it!

[winterbadger]

Being fit and healthy, eating a balanced diet as you plan and taking regular exercise is the key thing

I agree.

Oh and try and swap out the soda for more water and fruit juices

Oh, I drink soda a half dozen times a year, tops. I keep it around for friends, but unless my stomach is unsettled and needs something fizzy, I rarely drink any myself. When I get fast food I usually drink ice tea (unsweetened if I can get it--otherwise I'd rather just have water!)

Soda

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Good for you - it was the hardest thing for me to stop having and now I can't beleive how much I used to drink and just how bad it was for me, so I tend to be a bit evangelical about the stuff when people are trying to be healthier, it seems so innocuous even when you know intellectually how much sugar it's got.

Did I do the "drink plenty of water" thing at you yet? That's my other hobbyhorse... :)

Re: Soda

[winterbadger]

Yes. :-) I remarked at the time that it's a nuisance because then it wants to come out again, which amused you no end. :-)

Re: Soda

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

That's alright then :) Sorry, brain is fuzzy today.

[dativesingular.livejournal.com]

I would just like to say: yay sun salutation icon!!

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

*grin* is nifty for sure, feel free to borrow :)

[ingenious76.livejournal.com]

Don't get me started on the BMI calendar. If I got down to my low weight, I would look skeletal. Really. And I can't change my bone structure, so I'd look pretty bizarre too.

[pusscat.livejournal.com]

If you're trying to curb the junk food habit, can I recommend Fast Food Nation, Shopped, and Not on the Label as essential reading, as well as the Schwarzbein Principle? (Sorry, feeling too lazy to link) All of them were instrumental in helping me to, for the most part, not even crave junk food. I still have my weaknesses, but I can heardly bear to touch convenience food now, which is very useful (although I am still, alas, far from svelte)