Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

[gscott13]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Well as of yesterday I'm back on weight watchers. We shall see if I can have the same results I had last summer/ fall and keep more of it off threw the winter. My sister is getting marred this summer so my mom and I are both pushing hard to look good for those pictures.

i am essentially going this route, sans the meetings... a friend had all of the materials and i have been using them... at my heaviest in mid to late february i was 6' and 268 pounds... with my wedding coming up in september, my goal is to be at 220 (or lower) which is easily doable...

here's the progress since i started doing weekly weigh-ins:

3/10 - 258lbs
3/17 - 255lbs
3/24 - 251lbs
3/31 - 248lbs

for me, it's been fairly simple, i've just paid attention to portion control, stopped snacking, and started bringing my lunch from home... i am realistic that i will probably never be below 200 pounds again, simply because i have a ton of muscle mass in my legs, but if i can get down to the 210-220 range, i'll be perfectly happy...

editors note: i fully expect a set back caused by the frozen four

 

[BUT09]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

240 is a reasonable goal and re: ideal weight, looking on the CDC website, for a 6'6" person the high end of the healthy weight range is 215 lbs (so 6'7" is probably around 225)... assuming that you have a decent size frame, 235-240 may be a good weight for you given your height... at 6'7", you'd look beyond skinny at 170 imo... in the end though, body composition also plays a part...

My brother is 6'-4" and 185 - 190 lbs (depending on the week), and he is the skinniest person I know. 6'-7" and 170 would make someone look like a corpse.

 

[gscott13]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

My brother is 6'-4" and 185 - 190 lbs (depending on the week), and he is the skinniest person I know. 6'-7" and 170 would make someone look like a corpse.

exactly.

when i was 6' 180lbs, i had a size 32 waist... fairly small

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

i am essentially going this route, sans the meetings... a friend had all of the materials and i have been using them... at my heaviest in mid to late february i was 6' and 268 pounds... with my wedding coming up in september, my goal is to be at 220 (or lower) which is easily doable...

here's the progress since i started doing weekly weigh-ins:

3/10 - 258lbs
3/17 - 255lbs
3/24 - 251lbs
3/31 - 248lbs

for me, it's been fairly simple, i've just paid attention to portion control, stopped snacking, and started bringing my lunch from home... i am realistic that i will probably never be below 200 pounds again, simply because i have a ton of muscle mass in my legs, but if i can get down to the 210-220 range, i'll be perfectly happy...

editors note: i fully expect a set back caused by the frozen four

On not so bad option is the online version with no meetings. It costs a little but my work reimburses me 50% so I do it try and keep track but they have an iphone app. I started at about 330 lbs last summer and got down to 300 rather quickly and then hockey season started...I fell off around thanksgiving and have been holding pretty steady at about 310 since christmas. Hopefully I can get back on the wagon hard here and get down to my first major goal of 280 before soccer starts in june and then my longer term goal is 250...maybe by fall

 

[MattS]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

exactly.

when i was 6' 180lbs, i had a size 32 waist... fairly small

That sounds about right. I'm 6' and I was at 179 lbs this morning. 32 waist.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

My brother is 6'-4" and 185 - 190 lbs (depending on the week), and he is the skinniest person I know. 6'-7" and 170 would make someone look like a corpse.

That's because CDC ideal weights are ridiculous. In 1998 they changed the standards and made 25 million more of americans "overweight." I'm obviously not there yet so its hard to say but with my body frame I highly doubt that I will want to weigh less than 240 but for the CDC to consider that healthy, I would have to be over 9 inches taller than I am for that to be true.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

On not so bad option is the online version with no meetings. It costs a little but my work reimburses me 50% so I do it try and keep track but they have an iphone app. I started at about 330 lbs last summer and got down to 300 rather quickly and then hockey season started...I fell off around thanksgiving and have been holding pretty steady at about 310 since christmas. Hopefully I can get back on the wagon hard here and get down to my first major goal of 280 before soccer starts in june and then my longer term goal is 250...maybe by fall

What is Weight Watchers? Is it more than meetings and specific food supplied by them? (I honestly don't know)

I've seen it a few times- and a group always tried to start at one of my old buildings, but I never really went to check it out.

I've been curious by it, but not going to join now- I'm now at 175 from a starting point of 230 about 10 years ago. And I'm shooting for 165 just pior to my scheduled marathon in October.

Based on my ignroance, I can't say yes or no if asked....

(on a side note, never underestimate your ability. You may have big legs (gscott), but so do I (played weekly hockey at 230lb), and I'm pretty sure that 165 is now very, very possible. Just be paitent with yourself)

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

What is Weight Watchers? Is it more than meetings and specific food supplied by them? (I honestly don't know)

I've seen it a few times- and a group always tried to start at one of my old buildings, but I never really went to check it out.

I've been curious by it, but not going to join now- I'm now at 175 from a starting point of 230 about 10 years ago. And I'm shooting for 165 just pior to my scheduled marathon in October.

Based on my ignroance, I can't say yes or no if asked....

(on a side note, never underestimate your ability. You may have big legs (gscott), but so do I (played weekly hockey at 230lb), and I'm pretty sure that 165 is now very, very possible. Just be paitent with yourself)

Besides the meetings, it is basically keeping track of the calories, fat and dietary fiber. Based on your weight you get so many points in one day and then 30 extra points for the week. For every 50 calories or 12 grams of fat you have eaten 1 point. If a food has 4 grams of fiber or more you can deduct up to 1 point from the total.

Example:
I eat something that has 200 calories, 12 grams of fat and no fiber. = 5 points
I eat the same amount of calories and fat but the item contains 4+ grams of dietary fiber, it only costs 4 points.
You get pretty used to the counting and can eat anything you want. You can also earn activity points for physical activity but I try to ignore that.
I also try not to use my extra points unless on the weekends. It is a bad idea to spread out your extra points throughout the week. My best results have been when I was able to stick to my 40 points per day sunday through thursday, while still focusing on being mostly healthy on friday/saturday. Typically my bonus points are saved for a night out on the town with a nice dinner and drinks.

I did very well on it last summer when fishing kept me busy most nights and I had soccer to get some exercise as well.

Basically weight watchers is all about portion control and making healthy choices.

 

[Lady wore Black]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Besides the meetings, it is basically keeping track of the calories, fat and dietary fiber. Based on your weight you get so many points in one day and then 30 extra points for the week. For every 50 calories or 12 grams of fat you have eaten 1 point. If a food has 4 grams of fiber or more you can deduct up to 1 point from the total.

Example:
I eat something that has 200 calories, 12 grams of fat and no fiber. = 5 points
I eat the same amount of calories and fat but the item contains 4+ grams of dietary fiber, it only costs 4 points.
You get pretty used to the counting and can eat anything you want. You can also earn activity points for physical activity but I try to ignore that.
I also try not to use my extra points unless on the weekends. It is a bad idea to spread out your extra points throughout the week. My best results have been when I was able to stick to my 40 points per day sunday through thursday, while still focusing on being mostly healthy on friday/saturday. Typically my bonus points are saved for a night out on the town with a nice dinner and drinks.

I did very well on it last summer when fishing kept me busy most nights and I had soccer to get some exercise as well.

Basically weight watchers is all about portion control and making healthy choices.

That is too much math for me to do. Makes my brain hurt. No wonder I have an art degree.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

That is too much math for me to do. Makes my brain hurt. No wonder I have an art degree.

well they have a slide rule that simplifies it if you want but I normally just figure it out pretty easily

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Besides the meetings, it is basically keeping track of the calories, fat and dietary fiber. Based on your weight you get so many points in one day and then 30 extra points for the week. For every 50 calories or 12 grams of fat you have eaten 1 point. If a food has 4 grams of fiber or more you can deduct up to 1 point from the total.

Example:
I eat something that has 200 calories, 12 grams of fat and no fiber. = 5 points
I eat the same amount of calories and fat but the item contains 4+ grams of dietary fiber, it only costs 4 points.
You get pretty used to the counting and can eat anything you want. You can also earn activity points for physical activity but I try to ignore that.
I also try not to use my extra points unless on the weekends. It is a bad idea to spread out your extra points throughout the week. My best results have been when I was able to stick to my 40 points per day sunday through thursday, while still focusing on being mostly healthy on friday/saturday. Typically my bonus points are saved for a night out on the town with a nice dinner and drinks.

I did very well on it last summer when fishing kept me busy most nights and I had soccer to get some exercise as well.

Basically weight watchers is all about portion control and making healthy choices.

Sort of like a simplified card counting technique in blackjack. Interesting.

Ok, now I know enough to recommend it for those who ask.

 

[Sloe Gin]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Can you get us the pilot special?

(besides, I'll be in Puerto Rico....)

if a bunch of people were interested, I could book us a block of rooms at Planet Hollywood for a ridiculous price. But as of now, the only three I know that are doing it are Winger, myself, and Quiz. Diva might?

 

[melmac]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

That is too much math for me to do. Makes my brain hurt. No wonder I have an art degree.

I put the formula into a spreadsheet so all I have to do is plug in the numbers and the points amount calculates for me.

/dork

 

[Biddco]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

So yesterday I had a 35 minute run, along with three healthy meals. I must say I felt so good and my energy level was high all day.

It is amazing how healthy food and a good run make all the difference.

 

[Lady wore Black]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

well they have a slide rule that simplifies it if you want but I normally just figure it out pretty easily

I put the formula into a spreadsheet so all I have to do is plug in the numbers and the points amount calculates for me.

/dork

But that involves actually thinking and doing. Something that I am not familiar with. It's probably because I am blonde and from Wisconsin.

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

That's because CDC ideal weights are ridiculous. In 1998 they changed the standards and made 25 million more of americans "overweight." I'm obviously not there yet so its hard to say but with my body frame I highly doubt that I will want to weigh less than 240 but for the CDC to consider that healthy, I would have to be over 9 inches taller than I am for that to be true.

Maybe 25 million more Americans were overweight. You ever look around? Sorry to say, but the landscape is pretty grim these days. I would say the 66% statistic is dated and that number is actually higher! While I think the BMI calculation is bunk for folks with muscle ( it says I am obese), as a nation we are headed towards a fatter tomorrow.

Who cares what the CDC considers healthy? Is it that much of a big deal for the population to assume a little responsibility and look after their own health?

 

[Patman]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Maybe 25 million more Americans were overweight. You ever look around? Sorry to say, but the landscape is pretty grim these days. I would say the 66% statistic is dated and that number is actually higher! While I think the BMI calculation is bunk for folks with muscle ( it says I am obese), as a nation we are headed towards a fatter tomorrow.

Who cares what the CDC considers healthy? Is it that much of a big deal for the population to assume a little responsibility and look after their own health?

You're an engineer right? I'm going to guess that using fungible standards is a no-no?

Yeah, people are fat... people should take care of themselves. But a consistent indicator is the only thing available to tell us if things are a concern or not. Otherwise the entire notion of where we stand on such matters is rather specious.

 

[BUT09]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

I think the BMI numbers a a little stupid, honestly. They don't take into account body structure at all. People are different shapes - even without the fat added. Bone structure and body type (endomorph, ectomorph, etc) determine a lot about your weight/height ratio. Right now I am right in the middle of normal for my height and weight, according to BMI, but it would be physically impossible for me to get to the "low" end of normal (which is about 100 lbs), unless I was completely anorexic, and I wouldn't be fat even if I got to the high end. I'm a prototypical endomorph - and I would be one even if I wasn't as short.

To categorize everyone based on just a height/weight ratio doesn't take anything else into account and can lead to bad determinations about someone's health.

 

[pardonme]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

I've had a pretty bad week where I haven't exercised at all since last Sunday. Between Passover and a big fellowship due on Tuesday that I've been working on, I just haven't had time. Hopefully I can get some time away from the writing tomorrow to go on a nice long bike ride, but I really need to get back on the wagon next week to get my triathlon training plan going.

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

You're an engineer right? I'm going to guess that using fungible standards is a no-no?

Yeah, people are fat... people should take care of themselves. But a consistent indicator is the only thing available to tell us if things are a concern or not. Otherwise the entire notion of where we stand on such matters is rather specious.

Thankfully engineering standards are applicable to products, not people. Ironic, since nature comes closer to six sigma than most manufacturing facilities ever could.

I guess I don't believe that a universal indicator is of any help to the U.S. Its nice to know where we stand, but we can do that by looking around. Kids today are fatter in grade school than they were in the late 80s and early 90s when I was in school. Who knows what the problem is, but I do know that lack of personal responsibility won't help anyone. Deference and worrying about it tomorrow/ never is easier than starting now. I applaud the folks on this thread who have been with this for a few years and lost a ton of weight. Most of America could stand to learn a thing or ten from posters on this very thread!

My biggest challenge has been eating right. Its costly. There is a ton of crap out there, a lot of it marketed falsely. Eating right does wonders to ones energy levels though. I still cheat, 90/10 is a good rule to follow. Rum and coke at the end of a good week always is a great way to relax and enjoy the fruit of your labors.