The Official Health and Fitness Thread

[4th Liner]

Keep fighting the good fight Rick. And there is some great advice there from Trolloc.

Similar to him, I started this January at 216 lbs and unhappy, I dropped 51 pounds and was at 165 by the end of May and have been on maintenance since then. I put on a few pounds over the last 7 months, but I'm still well within my target range at 168 as of today - and I still weigh myself (and track it) every day. I find it keeps me focused.

You can do it - you just need to keep at it and don't get too discouraged by random weight gains. I've had weeks where I've worked my butt off and counted calories and somehow still gained. Those were the days when I felt like giving up, "Why am I killing myself?", I would think - but that's where you gotta hang tough and know that the weight loss WILL come - you just have to keep to your schedule.

For me now, it's all about keeping the "new" me. That is kind of daunting as well - I certainly hope I can. I've got a beauty "before and after" picture I'm keeping for motivation in case I start to fall off the wagon!

Good luck to all on here that are working away at getting healthy! 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Just watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.

Watch this movie. Please.  If you can't find a copy, PM me.

[hockeyfan1]

My uncle finally, finally, finally lost weight, 40 lbs., to be exact. After nearly a decade of being overweight, most recently obese (275 lbs., & counting), and, after much pleading from his family and a stern warning from his family physician of potential adult on-set diabetes, he decided to follow a specialized diet set forth by a dietician, portioning every dish of food.

The doctor (and dietician) took him off sugar, carbohydrates per se, heavy animal fats, no fried foods nor processed foods, and told him to substitute brown rice instead of the traditional white pasta, leafy green vegetables (all green vegetables), no beets or corn or any other vegetables containing their own natural sugars, lean animal proteins at every meal, no fruit or juice except water, etc.

Exercising on the treadmill for a full half-hour every day, climbing up and down the stairs of his home slowly, (since he suffers from neuropathic foot pain due to the chemo he had received a year prior, on account of having had tumours in his lungs and shoulder (lymph nodes).  The price he paid with this chemo treatment has been terrible.  At least he survived everything.

To make a long story extremely short, in one month of having followed the proper diet and exercises in moderation, he has shed 40 lbs., down to a more modest weight of 235 lbs.  Still a ways to go, but if he keeps on following the required regimen, more pounds will continue to be shed.

This scenario which I've described about my uncle proves that you can and will lose the weight if you just place yourself in the right frame of mind and plow through with a goal at hand.  Some scary health news can also motivate a person to not want to get any worse than the way they already are.

Rick, you can do it.  Remember the old adage, "have willpower, will do".  Or, rather, "where there's a will, there will always be a way".

Good luck to you, Rick.  Never lose hope.   

[4th Liner]

It's that time of year friends - anyone else climbing on the bandwagon as a resolution?

2011 was a pretty good year for me - here's how I started (Yes, I kept a copy of my original post from the old site):

"Re: The official Health & Fitness thread
« Reply #327 on: January 11, 2011, 09:41:41 PM »

I've had fits and starts for the last couple of years - my New Year's resolution this year was to finally just do it! (Lose some weight). First week is done and I lost 5 pounds - my goal is to lose 40 pounds. As for how long to do it? - I first thought 2 lbs a week was reasonable, but I'm leaning towards 3 lbs a week now. I'm mixing fast walks (6km in an hour each day) for cardio (I have back issues which prevent me from running) and extra aerobics with a bit of weight work for strength.

About 5 or 6 years ago I lost almost 50 lbs by crash dieting and walking long distances, but I think I ended up doing more harm than good and then ended up putting all the weight back on. This time I'm on a much less restricted diet and added the strength training to make sure I don't lose muscle mass. I think I have a much better chance of success this time to take it off and keep it off. We shall see.....maybe if I make myself post updates here I can stay motivated.

Anybody else working on a resolution in here?"

So you can see my original goal was to lose 40 pounds. Here was my list of milestones for 2011:

Jan 3rd: The start of the "new" me - Weight 216 lbs
Feb 3rd: One month in - 12 lbs lost
Mar 3rd: Two months in - 24 lbs lost (12 for the month)
Apr 3rd: Three months in - 36 lbs lost (12 for the month)
Apr 6th: I ran my first full 5 km (Time: About 30 mins)
Apr 14th: 40 lb target met (I set a new target weight of 170 lbs - 46 lbs lost)
Apr 28th: 46 lb target met (I set a new final target weight of 165 lbs - 51 lbs lost)
May 3rd: Four months in 48 lbs lost (12 lbs for the month)
May 30th: 51 lb target met (165 lbs) - I start Maintenance mode on weight. The dieting is over! (Looking for a new goal - I set running a 5 km race in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October as the target)
Jun 3rd: Five months - Weight 167 lbs
Jul 3rd: Six months - Weight 165 lbs
Jul 9th: I ran my first official 5K race - Free to Run Toronto (Time: 26:21)
Aug 3rd: Seven months - Weight 165 lbs
Sep 3rd: Eight months - Weight 168 lbs (I had an injury and couldn't run)
Oct 3rd: Nine months - Weight 171 lbs (Still hurt)
Oct 16th: My target race - Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5K (Despite being injured and unable to train - I run a respectable 24:55. Good enough for 299th out of 5,037 runners)
Nov 3rd: Ten months - Weight 168 lbs
Dec 3rd: Eleven months - Weight 170 lbs
Dec 31st: End of the year - Weight 171 lbs (45 lbs less than I started the year at)

My official mileage for the year (walking/running) - 1,880 kms. That's an average of over 5 km a day - something I would have never imagined myself capable of when I started.

For 2012 I want keep myself in the 170 range for my weight. I also am going to run in at least 2 5K races this year: The GoodLife Toronto Marathon and the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon one again.

[Tigger]

Good for you, that's not easy to do.

My birthday was yesterday, every year I resolve to quit quitting but it's soooo hard....

I could use a fat shave and a health boost, turned 41 this year, time to start really thinking about it... oh ok, doing it.

[Bullfrog]

I have to start making changes now, but it has nothing to do with resolutions. I just found out I have high cholesterol. I'm 33 and eat a fairly good diet. I'm going to have to take a very close look at my diet to figure out what I can improve.

[Manson]

It's that time of year friends - anyone else climbing on the bandwagon as a resolution?

2011 was a pretty good year for me - here's how I started (Yes, I kept a copy of my original post from the old site):

"Re: The official Health & Fitness thread
« Reply #327 on: January 11, 2011, 09:41:41 PM »

I've had fits and starts for the last couple of years - my New Year's resolution this year was to finally just do it! (Lose some weight). First week is done and I lost 5 pounds - my goal is to lose 40 pounds. As for how long to do it? - I first thought 2 lbs a week was reasonable, but I'm leaning towards 3 lbs a week now. I'm mixing fast walks (6km in an hour each day) for cardio (I have back issues which prevent me from running) and extra aerobics with a bit of weight work for strength.

About 5 or 6 years ago I lost almost 50 lbs by crash dieting and walking long distances, but I think I ended up doing more harm than good and then ended up putting all the weight back on. This time I'm on a much less restricted diet and added the strength training to make sure I don't lose muscle mass. I think I have a much better chance of success this time to take it off and keep it off. We shall see.....maybe if I make myself post updates here I can stay motivated.

Anybody else working on a resolution in here?"

So you can see my original goal was to lose 40 pounds. Here was my list of milestones for 2011:

Jan 3rd: The start of the "new" me - Weight 216 lbs
Feb 3rd: One month in - 12 lbs lost
Mar 3rd: Two months in - 24 lbs lost (12 for the month)
Apr 3rd: Three months in - 36 lbs lost (12 for the month)
Apr 6th: I ran my first full 5 km (Time: About 30 mins)
Apr 14th: 40 lb target met (I set a new target weight of 170 lbs - 46 lbs lost)
Apr 28th: 46 lb target met (I set a new final target weight of 165 lbs - 51 lbs lost)
May 3rd: Four months in 48 lbs lost (12 lbs for the month)
May 30th: 51 lb target met (165 lbs) - I start Maintenance mode on weight. The dieting is over! (Looking for a new goal - I set running a 5 km race in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October as the target)
Jun 3rd: Five months - Weight 167 lbs
Jul 3rd: Six months - Weight 165 lbs
Jul 9th: I ran my first official 5K race - Free to Run Toronto (Time: 26:21)
Aug 3rd: Seven months - Weight 165 lbs
Sep 3rd: Eight months - Weight 168 lbs (I had an injury and couldn't run)
Oct 3rd: Nine months - Weight 171 lbs (Still hurt)
Oct 16th: My target race - Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5K (Despite being injured and unable to train - I run a respectable 24:55. Good enough for 299th out of 5,037 runners)
Nov 3rd: Ten months - Weight 168 lbs
Dec 3rd: Eleven months - Weight 170 lbs
Dec 31st: End of the year - Weight 171 lbs (45 lbs less than I started the year at)

My official mileage for the year (walking/running) - 1,880 kms. That's an average of over 5 km a day - something I would have never imagined myself capable of when I started.

For 2012 I want keep myself in the 170 range for my weight. I also am going to run in at least 2 5K races this year: The GoodLife Toronto Marathon and the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon one again.

That is remarkable, congratulations.  Some serious dedication there, great job.

[Sarge]

Good for you 4th Liner... that's pretty much the same kind of commitment I made 2 years ago. I started at a lesser weight (~190 lbs) and have kept about 15/20 lbs off since and FWIW, your 5K time is better than my last 5K time just a couple of months ago so that's terrific. I did however, stop training seriously about a year ago and to be honest, haven't run at all since that last race. In fact, I haven't taken very good care of myself lately and I feel like crap for it... I have one more seasonal party to attend on the 7th and after that, it's diet time. Weather permitting, I'll take up the running again too. Anyway, you should be very proud... Do keep it up. Trust me, it's harder to get going again once you've stopped.   

[Tigger]

I have to start making changes now, but it has nothing to do with resolutions. I just found out I have high cholesterol. I'm 33 and eat a fairly good diet. I'm going to have to take a very close look at my diet to figure out what I can improve.

I had to start really watching my salt intake last year, blood pressure was high consistently for too long, one of the first things that floored me was that a can of tuna had pretty much my daily intake.

[Big Daddy]

Im in. I am embarrassed to list my height and weight but as I lose I may divulge the horrendous stats.  Went to gym today, first time, walked on treadmill for 35 min then biked for 15. Lifted some weights but was jumping around to much so hit the sauna.  This has to keep going. I am determined to change my life.

[TheMightyOdin]

I went from about 315 to 185 in 2007 and have kept it off. I made a complete 180 degree change in lifestyle.

Losing weight really isn't that hard if you are committed and go "all in"... Keeping it off is much tougher. When I was losing weight I had this motivation and encouragement from week to week as I watched the scale reward me for my hard work.


To anyone who has a significant amount of weight to lose:

I can't put into words what it feels like to transform yourself this way. It used to be hard for me to tie my own shoes, I had trouble just sitting up and getting out of bed, less than a minute into a walk and my lower back would start to hurt.

 Now I literally jump out of bed and race out the door so that I can get an hour of cardio done at the gym before I go to work... And I want to do it.... I get agitated if something/someone keeps me from my workout.

I've taken scheduled "rest" days from the gym and gotten on my bike for a leisurely afternoon bike ride only to have it turn into a super intense 50km adventure.

The 300 plus pound version of myself would never have believed it was possible to look and feel the way I do or that I was capable of doing the things that I am doing. But I am doing them...

What I'm trying to say is: You can change your life dramatically for the better. Believe it people!

[Corn Flake]

@ TheMightyOdin

  Wow. That is incredible you lost that much weight and have kept it off.

Hope Rick reads your story ... .. that should be some some serious encouragement for him.

[L K]

I have to start making changes now, but it has nothing to do with resolutions. I just found out I have high cholesterol. I'm 33 and eat a fairly good diet. I'm going to have to take a very close look at my diet to figure out what I can improve.

I had to start really watching my salt intake last year, blood pressure was high consistently for too long, one of the first things that floored me was that a can of tuna had pretty much my daily intake.

One thing to be aware of for those with high cholesterol, is that diet and exercise are THE BEST ways to cut down on it.  Lots of leafy greens (high in iron and fibre), lower salt, less pure fat.  But there is a big bunch of genetics that goes into lipoproteins and triglycerides and sometimes, the only way to reduce them is with medication.  Diet/exercise is still the best though.

[Bullfrog]

Good to know LK. I wasn't sure how much exercise fits into it. I'm not very active at all, but have a pretty decent diet.

My doctor suggests a low glycemic diet and reducing animal fats. There's just so much a person needs to understand, it's overwhelming.

A couple of other things maybe you or someone else can comment on from my lab results that I haven't been able to find out answers on (list are only items where I was outside the recommended range or on the edge):

Creatinine: 62 umol/L (lab suggest range: 62-115)
Carbon Dioxide: 31 mmol/L (23-31)
Creatine Kinase: 23 U/L (40-280)
Albumin: 53 g/L (35-50)

And the cholesterol (mmol/L)
Total: 7.25
LDL: 5.02
HDL: 1.19
Cholesterol/HDL ratio: 6.1
Tryglycerides: 2.29

[Tigger]

I have to start making changes now, but it has nothing to do with resolutions. I just found out I have high cholesterol. I'm 33 and eat a fairly good diet. I'm going to have to take a very close look at my diet to figure out what I can improve.

I had to start really watching my salt intake last year, blood pressure was high consistently for too long, one of the first things that floored me was that a can of tuna had pretty much my daily intake.

One thing to be aware of for those with high cholesterol, is that diet and exercise are THE BEST ways to cut down on it.  Lots of leafy greens (high in iron and fibre), lower salt, less pure fat.  But there is a big bunch of genetics that goes into lipoproteins and triglycerides and sometimes, the only way to reduce them is with medication.  Diet/exercise is still the best though.

I was on Tiazac for a while and it really helped but I'm off it now.

Diet and exercise seem to be keeping it at bay ( ie, it's not a chronic condition anymore ) but I could use more exercise as I've gained some weight ( pretty much quit smoking which also helped but as a result, and while I've really watched my salt intake, sugar and fat seems to get in me more than it should )