Motabalism ?????

[gmatov]

Rookie,

I appreciate your concern re:diabetes. If it ran in my family I would be concerned, also

However, other than the ultra health nut periodicals, I have never read of sugary foods "causing" it in a person not pre-disposed to it..

Wheat bread may be just a tad less inclined to cause you problems than white bread, but both are pure wheat millings, just "whole", and I mean WHOLE, wheat also has the bran and the germ in it (maybe, depends on the bakery ). It will turn into just as much sugar as any other kind of flour. Carbs are converted to sugar and burned at a rate consistent with your level of activity.

Isn't it amazing that in this country of plenty, we make a bread product of denatured flour, take maybe 80 nutrients out of it, put the minimum RDA, as per the USDA and FDA, of 8 to 11 nutrients back in and say "Wonder helps build strong bodies 12 ways"?

Of course the germ goes rancid, so we have to remove it, along with all the nutrition that is in wheat. And, God forbid we should put any kind of fat in the dough. FAT? Clogs your arteries, causes cancer, bad breath, toe jams, anything else the wacky quacks can get into print.

I, personally, do not believe meat is a cause of cancer. I do believe 2 things. One is that the wacky quacks are bought and paid for by big business, to tell us that it is our lifestyles that cause a rise to near epidemic rates the incidence of cancer.

The other is the rate of cancer is so high because so many are living to a greater age. A hundred years ago,c ancer was not so prevalent because so many fewer people lived long enough to develop it. It had always been an old folks affliction, with some exceptions.

With all the shit the corps put into the atmosphere, the water, the ground, it's a wonder we don't have a 99% cancer death rate, the hell with heart attacks, the Big C is gonna get you before you can damage your heart.

I am also ambivalent about vitamins. I was big into them when the major drug pushers were trying to get them outlawed, 30-40 years ago. I cheered when Linus Pauling, at a hearing, challenged the lead scientist of a drug pusher to a duel, he would eat a teaspoon of powdered C, the pusher would eat a teaspoon of common table salt, and the first to drop dead lost. You excrete excess C, you go into edema and die from that much salt.


If you can find it, read "Dead Doctors Don't Lie", a guy named Wallach, whom I liked till I found he was pushing a liquid vitamin elixir, drawn from some bog or fen and selling. He starts out by telling you that hog food has 65 nutrients added, turkey pellets, 67, rabbit food, 60, human cereals, breads, pastas, 8 to 11. We don't rate as much as our dog or cat?

One thing he does say is he talked to the guy who serviced the Porta-jons, and the guy showed him bushels full of undissolved vitamin tablets that passed straight through his "clients", which blocked the strainers of his honey dippers. You could read the maker's mark on the tablets.

Not very health improving, would you say?

Ah, well, all I DO know is none of us is gonna get out of this world alive. And, if all you do is worry about what you eat,and enjoy nothing, you might not live to be a hundred, but it will sure as hell seem like it.

Hey, eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die.

Cheers,

George

[vitualis]

However, other than the ultra health nut periodicals, I have never read of sugary foods "causing" it in a person not pre-disposed to it..

Perhaps you should read some more...

The exact mechanism that causes type 2 diabetes has not been elucidated, and more than likely, it multifactorial. However, a diet high in fat and sugary foods (which would more than likely have high glycaemic index) and sedentary lifestyle is definitely a high risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.

Of the popular books worth reading the one on "Syndrome X" is interesting and also the one which brings up the concept of "Glycemic Index".

Wheat bread may be just a tad less inclined to cause you problems than white bread, but both are pure wheat millings, just "whole", and I mean WHOLE, wheat also has the bran and the germ in it (maybe, depends on the bakery ). It will turn into just as much sugar as any other kind of flour. Carbs are converted to sugar and burned at a rate consistent with your level of activity.

Read about glycaemic index. Not all carbohydrates are the same -- insofar as how quickly it gets turned into glucose in the blood. Stuff like most breads and pasta and rice have quite a high glycaemic index. Anything with oats tends to have a lower glycaemic index. It is actually quite interesting seeing what has a high glycaemic index and what doesn't. It is not entirely intuitive.

And, God forbid we should put any kind of fat in the dough. FAT? Clogs your arteries, causes cancer, bad breath, toe jams, anything else the wacky quacks can get into print.

There are different kinds of fat. Some are definitely not good for you if you eat it in excess (as most people on a Westernised diet would).

I, personally, do not believe meat is a cause of cancer.

The evidence for meat causing cancer is rather weak.

The other is the rate of cancer is so high because so many are living to a greater age. A hundred years ago,c ancer was not so prevalent because so many fewer people lived long enough to develop it. It had always been an old folks affliction, with some exceptions.

Agreed, but, since people are living to an older age, it seems a reasonable public health initiative to use preventative methods to ensure that our older population are healthier.

With all the shit the corps put into the atmosphere, the water, the ground, it's a wonder we don't have a 99% cancer death rate, the hell with heart attacks, the Big C is gonna get you before you can damage your heart.

Trust me, you are much more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke rather than a cancer.

I am also ambivalent about vitamins.

And so you should be. Unless there is something seriously wrong with your diet, your vitamin intake should be fine. For the vast majority of otherwise healthy people, taking vitamin B and C supplements is good for only the placebo effect and making expensive urine.

As least with the water soluble vitamins, they are pretty safe (as you will pass the excess out in urine). Be more careful taking the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) as they will accumulate in your body.

There is reasonable evidence that taking folic acid may reduce your cardiovascular risk.

Regards.

[adam]

My grandparents were both told by their doctor that they needed to lose weight. Despite the doctor's advice against it, they chose the Atkins diet. Well they lost weight alright, but their cholesterol jumped through the roof. Now they fall within a much higher "at risk" group. And they were very strict in following the diet too, they didn't cheat.

My aunt is a dietician and she says the diet makes her sick to even think about it. We looked through the book together. It suggests you eat pork rinds. What kind of diet includes pork rinds? My grandparents finally agreed to switch to a more balanced diet and now they are still losing weight and their cholesterol is going down.

The atkins diet may work for some people, but I think there are less extreme ways to lose weight.

[racer-x]

Hey vitualis, Since you're a doctor and I'm not, then I respect your opinion. Please feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong.

I think that taking lots of supliments when eating a balanced diet is a waist of time too.
I first started weight training about 8 years ago in the gym we had at work. There were about 12 or so of us that worked out regularly. Some of the guys were into the supliments big time. Some would spend like $75 a week on creoteene, proten powder, vitamins and who knows what. I always refused to try anything. The only thing I ever used, was a multivitamin just in case I missed anything with my diet.

I was 5' 7" and weighed 165 lbs. Most of the other guys wieghed over 200 lbs. I was the little guy, but I could hold my own during those little freindly competitions. This one guy that was 10 years yunger and 25 lbs. heavier was mad that he couldn't lift more than I could, so he started a body-building program that included creoteene, protein drinks and all kinds of crap I never hear of. Eventually he got about 40 lbs heavier than me and also stronger.

In my peak form, I was able to bench 320 lbs, about 10 lbs short of my goal (wich was twice my body weight) before an injured rotator cuff pu an end to it. My buddy kept trying to get me to do the suplement, saying it will make me much stronger. But I always refused, prefering to do it on natrual ability. He may have been bigger and stronger, but he looked like crap as far as I was concerned. I liked the way I looked much better than him.

About a year later, This other guy end up dropping dead right after he finnishes a set of benh presses. Aparently he was taking steriods and his heart just exploded and he bled to death internaly.

I'm still working out with weights, but I don't go heavy anymore. I'm still in great shape and no more injuries. I like to think I eat a well balanced diet, but just incase, I take a multi-vitamin once a day.

[gmatov]

Michael,

I did say "pre-disposed". Today, at least in this country, the news media sound the alarm over the huge rise in Type II diabetes in children. I don't think, really, that there is so much more of it, as that the detection methods have improved to the point that a child is now diagnosed who would not have been even 5 or 10 years ago.

Medical advances in reading blood (I'm lost as to how to put this ) have found so many "new" trace gases, elements, antibodies, etc, thaty everybody is now sick, and it's just a matter of time before it gets YOU.

The blood detectives seem to find stuff that the MD himself can just suspect. Of course, that's your job, "I think you may have this: let's get some blood work to verify my diagnosis.". Or to rule it out..

I bought some new insurance over the past yearand no physical in a doctor's office was required. A nurse was sent to my home, BP, pulse, 4 ampules of blood. Results returned to me, everything good, insurance policy issued. When I sold insurance 30+ years ago, physical required, no exceptions.

I read an article yesterday of a new blood component they have found indicating infection in the blood of heart attack victims which they seem to think can predict occurrence of another attack, unless treatment for the infection was administered.

Rather gives credence to the theory that infection or inflamation in a heart artery causes cholesterol to"snag" on the "scab" and build up into an occlussion.

You're right, B vitamins cause expensive, briliant yellow, really smelly urine. Derived from yeast, stinks like yeast.

Over here a big, to me, scam is to go to diet clinics for a weekly injection of B-12. "Go home and eat what you want, you'll look like Twiggy in no time, 30 dollars, please.".

The best promoted fat is Canola oil, formerly inedible, and toxic. They found a way to make it edible, now it's pushed as heart smart.

I still think it is not what you eat but who's eating it. If you have the genes for a disease, you may get it with or without intervention. If you do not, you probably will not. I've probably not been to a doctor more than 5 times in my life, and then for strep throat, and if I hadn't gone to an 80 year old MD who insisted that it required a 2 week regimen of antibiotics rather than 1 week, would probably still get it regularly. As is haven't had it for 15 years.

Where do you stand on Dr. Barry Marshall and h. pylori? The medical doubters of h. pylori say that can't be (when a new theory is proposed), we test for it routinely. Every time I took one of my kids to the doctor with stomach complaints and asked that the breath test, at least, be performed,I was told "We don't believe in that, just take this Zantac." or whichever their favorite antacid was.

I don't hold the drug industry in high regard. They would prefer you to take a pill for 30 years than to "cure" anything. And advertising direct to the consumer on TV has patients insisting on the drug of the day,and the doctor will prescribe it rather than have the patient go shopping for a doctor who will.

Ah well, 'nough for now, have to check the rest of the posts.

Cheers,

George

[vitualis]

... body-building program that included creoteene, protein drinks and all kinds of crap I never hear of. Eventually he got about 40 lbs heavier than me and also stronger.

I don't personally know if creatine and all that sort of stuff will actually help you bulk up. It probably helps to some degree but it is probably not magic.

Anabolic steroids are probably what are making the difference... and of course, they are serious health risks in using them.

Regards.

[vitualis]

I did say "pre-disposed". Today, at least in this country, the news media sound the alarm over the huge rise in Type II diabetes in children. I don't think, really, that there is so much more of it, as that the detection methods have improved to the point that a child is now diagnosed who would not have been even 5 or 10 years ago.

Actually, there IS a huge rise in type II diabetes in children and young adults. There is a simple reason for this... type II DM shouldn't occur in young people at all.

People who are "pre-disposed" to get type II DM (e.g., off the top of my head, Indians, Asians, Pacific-Islanders, Australian Aborigines) tend to get it later in life (i.e., 40s, 50s, 60s) if they eat what we consider to be a Westernised diet.

The whole thing with children getting type II DM is actually quite amazing -- and it is a sign on just how unhealthy those people's diets are.

Medical advances in reading blood (I'm lost as to how to put this ) have found so many "new" trace gases, elements, antibodies, etc, thaty everybody is now sick, and it's just a matter of time before it gets YOU.

Sounds a little bit like voodoo to me...

You only need one test to diagnose DM, a fasting blood sugar level.

I read an article yesterday of a new blood component they have found indicating infection in the blood of heart attack victims which they seem to think can predict occurrence of another attack, unless treatment for the infection was administered.

Rather gives credence to the theory that infection or inflamation in a heart artery causes cholesterol to"snag" on the "scab" and build up into an occlussion.

They were probably talking about C-reactive protein which is not new. We've had it for ages. As for the prediction of AMIs, it is not particularly useful and people DON'T use it. It may be an indicator of general risk (e.g., like cholesterol levels or blood pressure) but we don't know enough about it yet.

Also, it is unlikely that an infection is actually the "cause" of vascular disease. More likely, there is an inflammatory component to vascular disease (which is why some people have hypothesised that perhaps there was an infection).

The best promoted fat is Canola oil, formerly inedible, and toxic. They found a way to make it edible, now it's pushed as heart smart.

I don't have anything against Canola oil... Rapeseed (canola) has been grown for years as an oil seed.

Where do you stand on Dr. Barry Marshall and h. pylori? The medical doubters of h. pylori say that can't be (when a new theory is proposed), we test for it routinely. Every time I took one of my kids to the doctor with stomach complaints and asked that the breath test, at least, be performed,I was told "We don't believe in that, just take this Zantac." or whichever their favorite antacid was.

Helicobacter pylori is real and it is definitely the cause of peptic ulcer disease (in most people). However, not everyone with stomach pains has H. pylori PUD or gastritis. At the same time, not everyone with H. pylori will have acute gastritis NOW.

Thus, someone with a random stomach ache and a positive H. pylori breath test does not mean that they have H. pylori gastritis or PUD...

IMHO, testing for H. pylori is pointless unless you clinically suspect PUD or it as a cause of acute gastritis.

However, if you DO suspect peptic ulcer disease, I think that it is unreasonable now with the huge body of evidence that exist to not treat it it appropriately with a course of antibiotics. Unlike the "old" treatments with just long term acid-lowering drugs, the antibiotics will CURE PUD.

Regards.

[mol3000]

now yall are talkin about things that build up mucles like stuf from gnc i guess..... well i heard its stuff like that to help u speed up your motabolism!!!!!! I no some of yall work out heads have used it :P

[vitualis]

BTW, it is metabolism...

Regards.

[Will Hay]

BTW, it is metabolism...

Phew, about time
Will

[fmctm1sw]

ok.... i have a problem.... I AM A COUCH POTATO........ and i hate all my friends tht can be couch pototos also but they dont gain any weight!! !! ANYWAYS.... i heard about different pills or herbs you can take to speed it up.... i also heard tht herbs are better than the pills... can anyone tell me whats best to speed my motabalism up ???? ???? ??

Uh oh, break out the fat jokes before this turns into an evolutionary war....

Lost some weight? Turn around and look behind you, you'll find it.
Got more chins than a Chinese telephone book.

But on a serious note dude, I saw someone mention Atkins (RIP my friend) diet. My friend lost about 60 lbs on that. But he exercised too. Watch your cholesterol if you want to do Atkins though. How old are your couch potato friends? Wait till they turn 30 and see if they don't gain wait by just sitting around.

[vitualis]

What evidence??

True...I believe in evolution but as far as I know, there is no evidance that we evolved from apes. Its just theories.

Unfortunately, for someone trained in science looking out, it can be irritatingly frustating at the un-scientifically trained public.

A scientific "theory" is NOT the same as your average Joe Blog's meaning of "theory" at the pub. The "pub" theory is somewhat equivalent to a "hypothesis" (i.e., a possible explanation but untested).

A theory is only a theory when there is a lot of evidence behind it. The theory of evolution has been around a LONG time and there is a hell of a lot of evidence that it is right -- or at least some form of it. Most the the arguments in terms of evolutionary theory is not some much whether it is right or not, but rather which "form" of it is right and the "mechanisms" involved.

As for human evolution, there is an incredible amount of evidence showing that we have evolved from an ape-like ancestor.

Regards.

[ChrisX]

This is why I go out and I can't be on the computer all the time. No good staying at home all the time either. Get outside and exercise.

The room here can be stuffy and hot due to the computers. I sometimes open the window for this reason. I feel better doing this with window open.

Good to get some fresh air and walk to the gym and the shops. Does me a lot of good. There is a good scenery nearby and relax on a park bench.

Better go out sometime, everybody do the same and good for you.

A day or night out to enjoy is also good for you and have fun with friends.

[Devanshu]

@ virtualis, dont get me wrong...I believe in evolution. I remember back in high school, my bio teacher said "What we're about to start [evolution] is something that we dont know enough about to make it a known fact". I guess that stuck with me through the years.

[Will Hay]

Unfortunately, for someone trained in science looking out, it can be irritatingly frustating at the un-scientifically trained public.

Yes, don't those regular joe's at the gas station and junk food store's just irritate the hell out of you?
When are they going to do something about these aresholes without a proper, higher education?
Maybe they could ship them off to a specific country, and lets be rid of them.
Will

[housepig]

When are they going to do something about these aresholes without a proper, higher education?
Maybe they could ship them off to a specific country, and lets be rid of them.

wouldn't that be great?

can it be somewhere with a large population of carnivorous animals roaming free, feasting on the entrails of the stupid?

"hey Merle, this one looks friendly... c'mere little guy... AAAAAGGGHHHHHHH!!!"

[vitualis]

Unfortunately, for someone trained in science looking out, it can be irritatingly frustating at the un-scientifically trained public.

Yes, don't those regular joe's at the gas station and junk food store's just irritate the hell out of you?
When are they going to do something about these aresholes without a proper, higher education?
Maybe they could ship them off to a specific country, and lets be rid of them.
Will

Perhaps I should rephrase... It can be irritatingly frustrating at the un-scientifically trained public's understanding of science...

You cannot believe how many times I have heard and read someone casually dismissing something as "just a theory". A "scientific theory" doesn't get the term "theory" attached to it until it has been tested and retested and it explains a body of evidence and facts.

It's just something that personally annoys me.

Regards.

[bobsword]

Cut breads and high carb foods. And cut off eating after 6:30pm. No snacks while watching DVDs!

[Will Hay]

what if i eat all meat and then only a little carbs.... like lemade, orange juice.... AND FRENCH FRIES.... I LOVE FRENCH FRIES :P u know potatoes are vegies :P

Too many potatoes are bad for ya - it all turns into sugar.

You're heading right for Diabetes, and once you have that, what you eat won't be an option...it'll be a matter of life or death.

You can eat potatoes...but try not to eat that much.

Eat a variety of veggies - the more colorful, the better.


White breads also turn into sugar - consider wheat breads.

Lay off the crakers, potatos chips, chessy poofs and similar snacks.
Try eating nuts, more fruits and veggies for snacks (and I don't mean potatoes)
Crab dip - you won't miss those old snacks once you start eating crab 8)

Start drinking Green Tea - it'll help prevent Diabetes and Cancer...it's also good for your teeth and kills bad breath.


@ gmatov - meat is a very good source of Iron.
Is good for your blood and will give you more energy....but it's also a higher risk for Cancer.
Make sure you're eating veggies with your meats...and try Sea Food once in while.


I know a guy who died earlier this month from Diabetes - he refused to give up chocolate donuts, sugar powdered sweets and all that bad stuff.
He was only 42...and that's pretty sad.


Also lost a friend of the family to cancer this month.

What you eat has everything to do with your health.

Looking for a pill? B6 for energy and B12 for your blood and heart.
Salmon and Salmon oil = very good for your heart

Don't like to exercise? Try Pacing around the room...go for long walks.
Climb a tree, swim, ride a bike, rollerskate, dance...swing or play on the monkey bars


I just turned 39, and have never weighed more than 160 lbs...but Diabetes runs in my family, so I've been extra cautious about what I've been eating last few years.
It isn't always a weight issue - you gotta eat right if you want to live a long life.

Man, this thread and more so this post has been a big help to me, I'm totally ignorant when it comes to diet and I eat far too much...
white bread
chips
choc
crisps
take-outs
tea through the day at work (I once counted fourteen cups of tea in one day, but I'm still averaging seven)

and hardly any...
fruit
(regular amount of) veg

my diet is varied though, I love salads but tend to add so much of the good stuff (cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, pickle, salad cream etc) to negate the good suff

I was considering the atkins, just to get rid of the increasing wasitline; 36" now

From Nov 1st I'll won't be eating...
any fried food, white bread, crisps, choc or take-out food.
Also, I won't be eating after 7pm (sometimes, with the baby, we sit down to eat at 9pm, sometimes later at weekends!!!!!)

I will be...
eating at least three peices of fruit per day
cutting back on beer (although I only average about ten 200ml bottles a week).
gym twice a week, maybe light footie/soccer once a week
out of bed before 6:45am every morning (normally 7:15 and a rush to work), apart from Sat which will be 9am; my weekly lie in, we have a 20 month old, give me some rest

I'll monitor it at the end of the month to see the results and hopefully carry it on fully (although a pizza now and again from that fabulous italian place in my village and fish and chips once in a while is not bad thing).
Where are we with chicken?
I know everything is good in moderation but I'm trying to lay off the things that will stick around on my stomach.
The thing is, I'm pretty lean apart from my stomach and if I don't 'suck in' I look terrible.
Should I lay off pasta too?
My problem is that whilst I can eat well, I can eat a nice peice of lean chicken with salad but find it too boring, I have to cover it in a sauce or something.
I enjoy food too much and think November is gonna' be a struggle.
Will

[vitualis]

Will, good intentions, but can I give you some tips as someone who has seen countless people FAIL at diets.

Firstly, be realistic. Losing weight in the short term means little if you don't keep it off in the LONG term. As such, forcing yourself into an unsustainable diet (i.e., one that you can't stand and secretly know that you will "cheat" on won't work).

Secondly, understand your goals. Your goal shouldn't just be about losing weight. It should be about getting fit. If you've only lost a few kilograms overall in 5 years time but can now (e.g.) play a full round of golf once a week (that you didn't used to do), you've achieved a lot!

In terms of your diet, try simple things that you are fairly certain that you can accomplish. For example: three structured meals a day. That is, you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner -- no exceptions. And, no snacking between meals (ever -- even a biscuit). If you are one of those people that you KNOW will eat something between meals, then bring a piece of fruit (e.g., apple, orange, banana, etc).

For your tea, if you drink a lot, either have it without sugar or with an artificial sweetner.

In terms of your main meals, I wouldn't get too hung up about it. Just eat everything in moderation. Some carbs, some meat, some vegetables. If you eat a mainly Western diet, try to eat more vegetables and fruit, eat more interesting breads (e.g., brown/multigrain/sourdour/etc) and and choose leaner cuts of meat. If you like fish, eat more fish. If you use oil, use something like olive oil or canola oil (rather than huge blocks of butter/margerine like Jamie Oliver... ).

Exercise is important. Do more of it. A gym membership is a good idea but it only works if you go! Make sure you do some sort of exercise that you LIKE -- going with a friend would be a good idea.

Good luck!

Regards.

[Craig Tucker]

Pucker

[Will Hay]

No, you're right, thanks for the tips Virtualis.
I was considering going to see my doctor but changed my mind.
My doctor is great but I know the answers, it's the practice I can't manage

Firstly, be realistic. Losing weight in the short term means little if you don't keep it off in the LONG term. As such, forcing yourself into an unsustainable diet (i.e., one that you can't stand and secretly know that you will "cheat" on won't work).

Secondly, understand your goals. Your goal shouldn't just be about losing weight. It should be about getting fit. If you've only lost a few kilograms overall in 5 years time but can now (e.g.) play a full round of golf once a week (that you didn't used to do), you've achieved a lot!

Yep, you're right, but the reason I want to start 1st Nov to the 30th and go 'hell for leather' is I'm the kind who needs to see some results.
If I know it's working it'll propel me to continue.
Maybe it's my DNA but I need to see sight of the end (and yes, I know, it's neverending if you want to succeed) and know it's working.

In terms of your diet, try simple things that you are fairly certain that you can accomplish. For example: three structured meals a day. That is, you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner -- no exceptions. And, no snacking between meals (ever -- even a biscuit). If you are one of those people that you KNOW will eat something between meals, then bring a piece of fruit (e.g., apple, orange, banana, etc).

I think in the short term it's about vutting things out rather than eating teh right things, as if I stop snacking I'll be half way there.
Trouble is, I have a minor stomach complaint which the doctor's have never sourced (maybe I could PM you with some details, it's only brief, more of an opinion really and won't take up any of your time really ) and I think may be a small factor in my diet.
I can't eat breakfast, not because I don't want to but because I'm not hungry until about now (9:30/10am - I've been up narly three hours)

For your tea, if you drink a lot, either have it without sugar or with an artificial sweetner.

I don't have sugar in tea, would cutting back the amount I drink help?

Exercise is important. Do more of it. A gym membership is a good idea but it only works if you go! Make sure you do some sort of exercise that you LIKE -- going with a friend would be a good idea.

We (my wife and I) landed lucky and bought a joint membership for a really exclusive gym for a drastically reduced cost - part of a joint membership bought as part of the nursery my son attends.
It cost up £200 a year for both of us (rather than £500 each) and the only drawback is we can't go together (no bad thing really ).
We've had ti since April; my wife has been once (she's five months pregnant now though) but I haven't been at all
I know, there's no hope for me
Thanks again for the tips,
Will

[Will Hay]

Pucker

I used to hate this guy, more so as a result of his persona and those annoying supermarket ad's.
My entire opinion changed as a result of that documentary about his restaurant.
Will

[Craig Tucker]

but I haven't been at all

Does not seem such a great deal after reading this statement.


Did not see all of Jamie's kitchen, but the ones I did see I thought were very entertaining. It's quite amnazing how some people who are handed a golden opportunity on a silver platter are still prepared to flush it down the toilet.

I pay £2 a month for my gym membership

[Will Hay]

but I haven't been at all

Does not seem such a great deal after reading this statement.

Shit, yeah, currently £200 per visit
Will

[Craig Tucker]

Well technically with 0 visits, the cost is infinate per visit

[vitualis]

Yep, you're right, but the reason I want to start 1st Nov to the 30th and go 'hell for leather' is I'm the kind who needs to see some results.
If I know it's working it'll propel me to continue.
Maybe it's my DNA but I need to see sight of the end (and yes, I know, it's neverending if you want to succeed) and know it's working.

Hey, I'm "type A" personality too and I understand that sentiment completely. However, from what I have seen, MOST people who go for these really tough diets will actually gain weight and become more unfit over time.

My feeling is that you are setting yourself up to fail -- by setting unrealistic goals and in the end, you lose the drive to continue.

If you've noticed my posts, I underemphasise the importance of weight. The truth is, people obsess about their weight far too much. If you want a "number" that you can have to "prove to yourself" you are "doing better", I seriously suggest that you buy a little pedometer that you can keep on your belt all the time.

This little device will keep track of the number of steps (and by de facto, the amount of physical activity) you do each day. If you have a type A personality, you can obsess all you want about the "short term goal" of getting higher and higher "steps per day" numbers and it will be a completely healthy endevour. Remember, it is "fitness" that counts not necessarily "fatness"...

Trouble is, I have a minor stomach complaint which the doctor's have never sourced (maybe I could PM you with some details, it's only brief, more of an opinion really and won't take up any of your time really ) and I think may be a small factor in my diet.

Perhaps you should go to your GP and tell him or her that you want this sorted out because you want to start on a diet and you feel that it is impairing your ability to do so. It may not be a dietary cause at all and it may be something that is treatable.

I can't eat breakfast, not because I don't want to but because I'm not hungry until about now (9:30/10am - I've been up narly three hours)

Well, you'll have to be flexible, but the key is to not have spontaneous meals. Rather, structured meals throughout the day and not to snack.

I don't have sugar in tea, would cutting back the amount I drink help?

Unlikely. High consumption of tea and coffee is usually only a dietary concern because people put in sugar. Otherwise, it's fine. Caffeine has not been clearly shown to be beneficial or detrimental to health in some reasonable large studies. What this means that it probably doesn't have much of an impact at all... If you like your un-sugared tea, then keep having it! It's better than a soft drink...

I know, there's no hope for me

As I said, going with a friend really helps. If you just don't like the gym, perhaps it's not for you. However, doing SOMETHING is better than doing NOTHING. Go for a regular walk, or swim, or using an exercise bike for half an hour every evening watching the news... etc. This is how a pedometer is handy... It gives you an unbiased record of how lazy you've been. Just doing extra things like walking up and down stairs at work rather than take the lift will improve your health (in the long run).

Regards.

Thanks again for the tips,
Will[/quote]

[Will Hay]

Thanks again, (and without turning this into a Will Hay thread)....
...my only concern is my stomach, it's far too big for my size (although I wouldn't say I was exactly small, I'm 5' 10").
I forgot to add in my first post of today I'll also be doing 30 sit-ups each evening, and concentrate some energy on my problem area.
I was scrawny as a teenager and whilst I've filled out overall I don't want to lose too much weight other than on my stomach.
Will

[housepig]

Vitualis -

glad to hear this train of thought confirmed from a medical professional...

I'm just about a month into changing my eating habits and exercising - really basic right now, 30 minutes a day on an exercise bike, plus push ups and sit ups, and trying to cut out junk from the diet, cut out boredom snacking and eating more fruits & veggies rather than chips and chocolate.

we'll see how it goes - if nothing else, maintaining that regimen for a month has started trickling over into being more disciplined about taking care of other goals as well...

and I've dropped about 7-8 lbs already, with a target of 30-40. woo hoo!

[Will Hay]

I'm just about a month into changing my eating habits and exercising - really basic right now, 30 minutes a day on an exercise bike, plus push ups and sit ups, and trying to cut out junk from the diet, cut out boredom snacking and eating more fruits & veggies rather than chips and chocolate.

we'll see how it goes - if nothing else, maintaining that regimen for a month has started trickling over into being more disciplined about taking care of other goals as well...

I could've written this.
I'm three days into mine, absolutley no snacking, no take-outs or fried food and managed 90 sit-ups in last two days.
Plus, gym assesment tonight at 7pm.
Like you said, I too have a target in my month and whilst I wish to carry it on envisage my dietary habits will have changed if nothing else.
Good luck to you on yours.
Will