I'm joining Teresa and Kathy on their journey to health. Who's with me?

[disneysteve]

The good thing about the gym is that you actually don't need it.

This is so true. It drives me nuts when I speak to patients about the need to exercise and the immediate response is, "I know I have to join the gym." NO! I didn't say you had to join the gym. I said you had to exercise.

Exercising involves going no farther than your family room, bedroom, basement, or maybe the backyard. You can exercise while you watch TV. You can exercise while you help the kids with homework. You can exercise while you brush your teeth, cook dinner, or do the laundry. You can exercise at work. Sure there are specific exercises that you can't do without special equipment but don't let that stop you from exercising. You don't need to go anywhere. You don't need a bunch of fancy or costly stuff. And you certainly don't need a lifetime contract with a monthly fee.

 

[disneysteve]

Back in August when we got home from Disney, I decided it was time to really focus more on my health. I was already pretty health conscious and still fit into the same size pants that I wore in high school in 1982 but they were getting a little snug. I weighed in at 172.6 at that time. So I decided enough was enough. I started paying more attention to my diet, cutting back on sweets, reducing portion sizes, and got back on the treadmill just to walk which somehow evolved into running. Since January 1 of this year, I've logged 43.58 miles on my treadmill in just over 15 hours (I use an iPhone app to track it but didn't start until January so I don't know what I did before that).

Anyway, I didn't really have a weight goal in mind. I just wanted to get in better shape. In the back of my head, though, I knew that when I graduated high school, I weighed 155. I thought it would be nice to at least get under 160 but had no idea if I could do that or not.

I just got on the scale and weighed 158.2! Not quite to 155 but darn close. That means I've lost over 14 pounds since the end of August. I have to admit I'm pretty proud of myself. That gives me a BMI of 22.7 which is excellent. Now I just need to keep at it and stick with the plan.

How is everyone else doing?

 

[Tink rules]

Hanging in there... had a migraine today... but other than that.........


I can't go by the BMI charts... if I got down to what they think I should be for my structure, I'd be unhealthy... I have a weight in mind that I know I can stay very comfortable at and accomplish. I'll be healthier and less likely to give up on unattainable goals.

 

[LilyWDW]

Hanging in there... had a migraine today... but other than that.........


I can't go by the BMI charts... if I got down to what they think I should be for my structure, I'd be unhealthy... I have a weight in mind that I know I can stay very comfortable at and accomplish. I'll be healthier and less likely to give up on unattainable goals.

BMI is useless when you are looking at an individual. Honestly, they shouldn't be used for anything but what they were designed for... to get an idea of a society or segment there of. Some of the healthiest people I know have high BMI due to muscle mass. All it does is look at height and weight.

Body fat percentage would be a better marker for most people. Especially since you can be "skinny" and still have a high body fat percentage due to lack of lean muscle.

 

[Tink rules]

I agree... my niece who does Ironman competitions... if she were to try to get down to what she should be on a BMI chart... it wouldn't be realistic. & she's almost all muscle. She's a big girl... we run that way in our family... but she's all muscle and very fit.

 

[simmons_m]

As one of the resident doctors here, I totally agree. The diabetic diet is really the diet that everyone should be on. Smaller portions, limiting simple carbs, less fat, more whole grains, well-balanced meals. I often give out diabetic diet sheets to my non-diabetic patients who simply need to lose weight.

And yes, if you are "borderline" or prediabetic (the current terminology), that's definitely the path you should be following. The way to avoid progressing from prediabetic to full blown diabetes is to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight.

Steve, catching back up on this thread. Have you read "why we get fat"?
In it is an interesting read, and aligns with many of the themes of the paleo diet. I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[simmons_m]

I agree... my niece who does Ironman competitions... if she were to try to get down to what she should be on a BMI chart... it wouldn't be realistic. & she's almost all muscle. She's a big girl... we run that way in our family... but she's all muscle and very fit.

BMI is a tough indicator. It works for many, but misses those on either side of the bell curve. As an example, my BMI is 30.8 - which is obese. My body fat is ~15% @ ~215 lbs. even at my target of 195, my BMI would be 28 or overweight. However, at 10% bf, I would have 19.5 lbs of fat and 177.5 lbs of lean body mass.

Like anything else, I would suggest looking at multiple metrics to evaluate health, including resting heart rate, recovery time, body fat %, waist hip ratio, etc.

Good luck to everyone as you continue on the path to good health.
Mike

 

[Tink rules]

checkin in...

10 lbs so far!!!

going to go to the gym to walk 3 times this week!

 

[newmouse2008]

checkin in...

10 lbs so far!!!

going to go to the gym to walk 3 times this week!

this is great!!!!!! I am really struggling with the getting out and moving part of this. Thanks for motivating me with your progress!!

T

 

[disneysteve]

checkin in...

10 lbs so far!!!

going to go to the gym to walk 3 times this week!

That's terrific! Keep it up.

 

[disneysteve]

I am really struggling with the getting out and moving part of this.

This is a bit of a problem for me too. I do not exercise first thing in the morning. I wake up early enough already. No way am I getting up an extra hour or more early to exercise. I'd be exhausted from lack of sleep.

I prefer to exercise at night. The problem is that I'm very active in my synagogue (actually I'm the president) and I have meetings 2 or 3 nights most weeks. Then we attend religious services on Friday nights. Between work and synagogue and homework help (I'm my daughter's physics tutor), some weeks I'm lucky if I get on the treadmill once. I probably average twice a week but I'd really like to be doing 3 days/week regularly. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

 

[EDuke98080]

Great work to everyone who is making progress. Even one change in eating habits is progress! My weight is not budging yet but according to my fit bit reports my daily steps are up on a regular basis. Now if only I could get this weight plateau to move. Any suggestions for getting unstuck?

 

[safetymom]

Erika, I am having the same issue. I know I have cut back on meals and am exercising more but the scale doesn't show it yet. I know I am moving in the right direction and it will happen. Trying not to get frustrated.

 

[evildiva]

I don't understand the multiple thread replies so let me get my two cents down here.

Getting out and Moving: I had and still have the same problem. That's why I joined a running group. It puts two days a week on my calendar where I have to devote at least one hour of my time to me. Now I know running isn't for everyone, I definitely thought it wasn't for me. But I would say to give it a shot and look for a training group for a 5k. There are lots of beginners there. Also, there is a training group for a 5k around here that is specifically for walkers. Even better if you don't like to or can't run. But having the time blocked off on your calendar is key, I have found, to making sure I get out and get moving.

Scale Movement: While the pounds will definitely come off at their own pace, I encourage everyone to take your measurements on a monthly basis as well. I have found that while I may still be within a 5lb range of weight, that the inches are still coming off. Don't let the scale discourage you. Also, remember that the number staying the same and not increasing is just as much of a victory as if it goes down.

I hope this helps!

 

[Tink289]

I think this is a great idea! So thank you Kathy & Theresa! But i have an idea that would make exercising fun & possibly create a group of many who are joining Kathy & Theresa in this goal! You guys should do like exercising in the Magic Kingdom for example. see if you can get some of the disney characters and/or cast members to join you! then have post production then set it to some of your favorite disney music! then later on viewers could submit their own videos following along! Just an idea! Tell me what you think Amy

 

[Tink rules]

this is great!!!!!! I am really struggling with the getting out and moving part of this. Thanks for motivating me with your progress!!

T

Even on the days when I don't feel like doing much... I even just go out and take a walk down the street and back... I figure it's better than nothing...

& I get to catch up on the neighborhood gossip!!!

 

[disneysteve]

Just had my fastest run since I started tracking in January. I did 1.75 miles in 31:11. That brings me to a total year-to-date of 48.6 miles in 16 hrs 36 sec.

 

[evildiva]

Just had my fastest run since I started tracking in January. I did 1.75 miles in 31:11. That brings me to a total year-to-date of 48.6 miles in 16 hrs 36 sec.

Awesome!

 

[o0quirkygirl0o]

Hi!

I'm a little late to the party, but I am totally joining in on the health kick as well! I have my wedding and Disney honeymoon coming up in October and I want to look and feel my best for them both.

My fiance and I are cutting out all processed foods and making sure at least 50% of every meal is fresh veggies. We are also going on a briskly paced half hour or more walk every evening. I'd like to add some weight training in as well.

It's great to find a place where everyone else is on the same train I am!

 

[Tink rules]