Let's talk about fat.

[bhsmte]

.....but if it elevates blood sugar like high-carb foods do? (I don't know if that's true). The way I judge things is by trying them out for a few weeks. I wasn't using whey as a post-workout drink.

This goes back to my main theme of the difference between fit people and those who are sedentary.

Sedentary folks are more prone to blood sugars going up and down, because their body is not conditioned to be more insulin sensitive, which is what occurs in fit people. A little sugar, is not going to throw off the fit person, but will have a more dramatic impact on the sedentary person.

 

[Inkachu]

Don't get me wrong - that's not what I'm saying at all...*snip*...That's just how I think the world works.

You're completely entitled to believe as you do. And perhaps - maybe even probably - the majority of people think that way. I just know that I don't, I never have, my husband doesn't, either, and I'm very glad that we don't fit that mold.

 

[Inkachu]

Well, that's the reason I went down the road about the types of foods being eaten.

People seem to think that "food" means "whatever you can stuff into your mouth that won't poison you right away." Somehow, I can't help but think that you'd see far fewer fat people if they were eating solely from the produce aisle, legumes, and sparing lean meats (chicken, turkey, fish, etc)...and if they were a bit more active.

That's not counting calories - at least not insofar as the way that people normally do it. You're simply going back to a more natural (and I'd say far preferable) way of eating.

And yet there are still all these voices saying that any meats are bad, any animal products are bad, anything non-organic is bad, on and on and on. Some people tout that nothing but a completely organic, all-natural, whole, raw, vegan diet is acceptable and truly "healthy".

Anyway, what I was going to say is, my diet is largely what you describe: fruits, veggies, lean protein, and I do include whole grains. My husband enjoys Doritos, non-diet sodas, and cheeseburgers, yet he loses weight much more easily and rapidly than I do. I've been "stuck" at the same weight (after losing quite a bit) for a while now. I also exercise every day and he doesn't.

Being "fat" involves so much more than what we eat. Yes, that's a major factor, but it's not the only one. For someone like me, losing weight involves a lot more than just eating some salads and taking a walk every day. I have to work two or three times as hard as the next person. And it sucks.

 

[Inkachu]

Do you have any idea just how many apples, oranges, ears of corn, heads of broccoli, etc...that you need to eat to come close to 1500 calories per day?

Less than you might think! Fruits contain a LOT of calories, and starchy veggies like corn do as well. A large banana has the same amount of calories as a bag of Doritos! Two apples have the same calories as a snack pack of Chips Ahoy cookies! It all adds up, and more quickly than you might think.

Now if you want to stick to low-sugar veggies like broccoli, you could definitely eat a lot more lol.

 

[Inkachu]

I do not know anyone, who exercises at a fairly high level (5 days a week for 30 min at 70%+ of your max heart rate) and has done so for year after year, that is carrying too much fat.

I do that (cycling 7 days a week) and do not lose weight.

It's really a multi-faceted issue, folks. It's not just "eat this" and "do this exercise" and you'll magically lose all your fat.

 

[LilLamb219]

I do that (cycling 7 days a week) and do not lose weight.

It's really a multi-faceted issue, folks. It's not just "eat this" and "do this exercise" and you'll magically lose all your fat.

Plus the body plateaus and re-adjusts itself.

 

[Heinzzz]

Less than you might think! Fruits contain a LOT of calories, and starchy veggies like corn do as well. A large banana has the same amount of calories as a bag of Doritos! Two apples have the same calories as a snack pack of Chips Ahoy cookies! It all adds up, and more quickly than you might think.

Now if you want to stick to low-sugar veggies like broccoli, you could definitely eat a lot more lol.

Um...with regards to those Doritos, doesn't it sort of depend on the size of the bag?

Not sure how much saturated fat those bananas contain either, unlike deep fried snacks like fried corn chips...because I think bananas contain very little, from memory, lol.

 

[DZoolander]

To be honest - I don't think people really pay attention to what they eat over the long haul. I agree with what bhsmte said earlier - that there are no people that consistently have a good regimen of activity and eat properly that have a weight problem.

...and I need to qualify what I mean by that.

Prior to 1998, I weighed around 350 lbs. For a variety of reasons in July of 1998 I made the decision I wasn't going to be fat any more. By December of that year I'd lost 150 lbs. I'd done it not through some starvation diet, but rather by going pretty much vegan and exercising every day.

...and when I say every day - I mean every day without fail. There was not a day that I missed.

At the start, I was able to walk about a mile a day. Within a week I'd bumped it up to 1.5. By the week after that, I'd bumped it up to 2. By the week after that, I'd bumped it up to 2.5... Slowly, regularly and without fail I bumped it up to 6-8 miles per day, every day, rain or shine, feeling sick or healthy.

I went vegan, with the guidance of a doctor (although truthfully I could've constructed that food plan myself...like I said...it was basically just a variety of mostly vegetables, fruits, legumes, etc)...and I did not stray from that. There were no cheat days. There were no days that I missed.

That pattern went from July of 1998 until probably around late 2005. For a span of 7 years - there was not a break taken. There was not a day missed. Truthfully, I probably went a little overboard, but I enjoyed lurking around 6-8% bodyfat and the social reactions I got with it.

When I say "how people behave over the long haul" - that's what I'm talking about...and I'd challenge you to find some that can say "I have been completely regimented and doing the right thing every single day without failure since 2008" - not an ounce of "failure" in that mix - and yet they're still obese.

Because it's something that I'm interested in - I pay attention to people - and I see a lot of what you're referring to in an earlier post. They kinda go overboard for a week, weigh themselves, get upset that there wasn't any change (in fact they might have even gone up a pound or two) - they get discouraged - they get off of their regimen for a while - beat themselves up about it - then start again.

That's the kind of pattern I've always noticed. Nobody trusts their body will react the way it should. I truthfully didn't weigh myself until I'd probably already lost about 90 lbs - was curious so I pulled a scale off the wall at Wal-Greens - said "wow" - and then went about my day.

Very very few people have that kind of consistency - and it's that kind of consistency that's required to be truly successful IMHO.

After I got married in 2006 - ehhh - I slacked off a bit and I've gained about 40 lbs of it back over the past 8 years. I'm not particularly happy about it - but I know exactly what caused it. I ceased being consistent in that manner.

 

[LilLamb219]

This is a friendly reminder that this forum is for those who are married. I've noticed a few people posting who do not have the marriage icon and should not be posting here.

Sorry to interrupt. Carry on

 

[DZoolander]

Um...with regards to those Doritos, doesn't it sort of depend on the size of the bag?

Not sure how much saturated fat those bananas contain either, unlike deep fried snacks like fried corn chips...because I think bananas contain very little, from memory, lol.

A banana has about 100ish calories...which is about 8 chips worth of doritos.

 

[bhsmte]

I do that (cycling 7 days a week) and do not lose weight.

It's really a multi-faceted issue, folks. It's not just "eat this" and "do this exercise" and you'll magically lose all your fat.

If you want to lose weight, weight bearing exercise is the gold standard and far superior to non-weight bearing activity.

Why? Because when one performs exercise for long periods of time in which they must carry their own body weight, the body adapts to this stress by trying to become as light as possible, so the stress of the exercise is reduced.

Cycling is a fine activity, but you are seated and bear non of your bodies weight. Cycling is also an activity which is a great quad workout for your legs, but you will incur local muscle fatigue before you can tax your cardio respiratory system, to the same level you can with activities such as; running, cross country skiing and other activities that require you to propel your own weight.

Have you ever seen a long distance runner who has run for long periods of time who is overweight?

 

[bhsmte]

Plus the body plateaus and re-adjusts itself.

Correct and since cycling does not require you to carry your own body weight, that stress is not placed on the body to cause reductions in body weight, which is beneficial in weight bearing activities.

 

[sdmsanjose]

By bhsmte
I do not know anyone, who exercises at a fairly high level (5 days a week for 30 min at 70%+ of your max heart rate) and has done so for year after year, that is carrying too much fat





EZoolander
I agree with what bhsmte said earlier - that there are no people that consistently have a good regimen of activity and eat properly that have a weight problem.

That pattern went from July of 1998 until probably around late 2005. For a span of 7 years - there was not a break taken. There was not a day missed. Truthfully, I probably went a little overboard, but I enjoyed lurking around 6-8% bodyfat and the social reactions I got with it.

Very very few people have that kind of consistency - and it's that kind of consistency that's required to be truly successful IMHO.

I am convinced that the above information is the exact formula for me. Great information gentlemen!

Now, as always the finale ingredient is my determination, discipline, and consistency. Even though the information above is great my biggest challenge is myself. I am fortunate in that there are no barriers that will prevent me from following the formula above except my motivation to be disciplined and follow through.

I lost a lot of weight years ago, using the formula above, but that was because of a crises in my life. Now I am very contented and hope to get motivated with out having a crises of great pain.

 

[katautumn]

I just want to pop in and say that taking a ballet class every week has helped me immensely, in terms of toning and physical stamina and strength.

 

[akmom]

Correct and since cycling does not require you to carry your own body weight, that stress is not placed on the body to cause reductions in body weight, which is beneficial in weight bearing activities.

Not on the downhills, but certainly on the way back up. You're carrying your weight and the weight of the bike, and probably standing on your pedals at this point. Right?

 

[bhsmte]

Not on the downhills, but certainly on the way back up. You're carrying your weight and the weight of the bike, and probably standing on your pedals at this point. Right?

Nope. Feet must touch the ground in support of your body weight to be considered weight bearing. Sure, when you go up hill, it is harder, but still not weight bearing, because the bike is supporting your weight.

 

[seeingeyes]

I know people who appear to eat fairly healthy and still carry too much body fat. I do not know anyone, who exercises at a fairly high level (5 days a week for 30 min at 70%+ of your max heart rate) and has done so for year after year, that is carrying too much fat.

Sumo!

 

[mkgal1]

Thanks for sharing your professional knowledge, Bhsmte

Inka.....are you using a stationary bike? From what I'm understanding......if using a stationary bike, you can increase the tension to the point where the only way you can create enough force to move the pedals is to stand up to pedal. That is supposed to be much more beneficial. You'd be using more muscle tissue.

 

[ValleyGal]

Here's an interesting article with different videos and links. It talks about how to tactfully tell a spouse that you're concerned about their weight gain. There is also a video about a woman who weighs more than 700 lbs who is engaged to a normal-weight man half her age. No one can tell me that heavy people can't find love!!

I have not read the whole article yet, but wanted to post the link because for a while the discussion turned toward the social construction and aspect of being overweight. I do not know what it says about how to tactfully tell your spouse about their weight, but barely scanned a little and saw that you should make sure that there is actually a reason to be concerned. Someone who is 5 lbs overweight - there is no concern aside from your own vanity. And from my own perspective, sometimes there is a huge reason to be more concerned about a thin person's weight - anorexic or even "normal" weight people have died from heart attacks from being out of shape.

Back when I was so active I could eat anything and not gain, had I eaten nothing but cheeseburgers and fries, I would have still been normal weight but I would also have terribly clogged arteries and possibly even high blood pressure and other health issues. But here I am overweight and I eat very, very healthy - and I have normal blood sugars, cholesterol, blood pressure, and excellent health. So you can't judge someone's health based on their weight alone.

Anyway, here's the article:
https://ca.shine.yahoo.com/how-to-tell-a-loved-on-they-are-fat-123010410.html

 

[bhsmte]

This is a friendly reminder that this forum is for those who are married. I've noticed a few people posting who do not have the marriage icon and should not be posting here.

Sorry to interrupt. Carry on

I apologize.

These types of topics are very interesting to me and I couldn't help myself.

This will be my last post in this thread.