Dieting

[techieMoe]

The wife and I have been getting increasedly less happy with the number our scale shows us every morning, so we've endeavored to pay more attention to what we eat and get some more active time in every day. We purchased a Wii Fit, which I've been using for about two months and just this past week we joined a Weight Watchers group. I've had family members who went through WW and had success, so I hope it works out the same for me.

The thing I like about WW is that I don't feel like I'm being deprived of any particular food group or item of which I'm particularly fond. The emphasis is portion control rather than counting carbs or leaving out whole food groups. So far I don't feel hungry even though (according to the records we're keeping) I'm eating significantly less than I did before. Have any of you had weight problems in the past? If so, what did you do?

I'll leave you with my nugget of wisdom for the day: the immediate downside of a low-fat, high fiber diet is you tend to spend a lot of time farting.

[Kieren]

Good on you techieMoe! Good luck

[questio verum]

I'll leave you with my nugget of wisdom for the day: the immediate downside of a low-fat, high fiber diet is you tend to spend a lot of time farting.

Muahahahaha! Damn I'm glad I wasn't sipping on anything when I read that! I laughed so hard I think I hurt myself.

On a related topic, have you ever wondered what happens to all the gas that get's eliminated by products like Gas-X and Beano? Since energy and matter cannot be destroyed, but only converted, well...

As for the topic of regaining caloric balance, I think it's something a lot of computer geeks struggle with. All those cheetos and mountain dew fueled late-night hack-a-thons and Lan parties catch up to us after a while. Congrats on seizing the bull by the horns, Moe.

I'm in a slimming trend right now, but I didn't really consciously set out to lose weight. It's just kind of happened. I have been a big guy at times in the past. When I lived in New Orleans and was sampling all that awesome cuisine, I hit close to 22 stone (307 lbs. to be exact.). True, that was on a 6'2" frame, but still, I felt the extra weight. I'm much happier around 220.

I think a little cardio, even if it just starts out as a simple walk around the block, is essential to any permanent success. I live near a private airport, which is cool because it gives me something to look at and enjoy while I'm walking. I wouldn't do well in a fitness club. I've tried it before and was bored to tears.

qv

[rokytnji]

Have any of you had weight problems in the past? If so, what did you do?

When I was in my 40's working 70 hours a week. I bulked up to 360lbs. My work was Labor intensive and I was wearing out my helpers at 1 every 2 days. Even at that size I was more bear like than fat. But I was still overweight for my size.

After the job ran out I went with my earnings on a 9 month walk about kinda, sorta. I packed up my Bike. Put 7 grand in my wallet. And rode around the US for 9 months. By the time I got finished, I dropped 120 lbs. Been at 260 lbs. ever since. I'm 6 feet 6 inches tall and big boned. More Nethanderal than Cro Mag I guess. I don't think my method will work for you though Techie Moe. Good luck though.

[darkrose0510]

I've never been fitter than the year I ate nothing but McDonalds.

[Mr_Dowdy]

I think a little cardio, even if it just starts out as a simple walk around the block, is essential to any permanent success. I live near a private airport, which is cool because it gives me something to look at and enjoy while I'm walking. I wouldn't do well in a fitness club. I've tried it before and was bored to tears.

qv

I can't stand Gym's either.
If you really want to get into cardio run hills
The best cardio/upper body workout was running a 1.5 mile track nesteled on a hill. Two opposite corners of this track were at the bottom and the other two were at the top where the hill crests, and this track was almost rectangular in shape.
Right next to the track was a set of pullup bars and aproxamatly a third of the way down the track where some monkey bars, which I used to do my upper body routine.

Unfortunatly I only lost about 10-15 pounds (5'8 195ib) but I did manage to get my 2 mile run down to 15 minutes. I also managed to get up to 3 laps before it got cold and I had to start using a gym.

[fingal]

I walk a lot (about 6 hours+ per week) so that helps to keep my weight down, but I've put some on this year. I know you hate caffeine, but if you drink green tea (and learn to brew it correctly*) before exercising, it's meant to help.

I've cut down on bread and tried substituting it with oakcakes, or salad. That seemed to work well until I rediscovered ale (craft beers, you might call them).

Next stop extreme kite flying.

* Otherwise it tastes dreadful.

PS - good luck with those farts, and don't wear boots.