Lifestyle Changes and Breaking Habits

[TBKahuna123]

So I'm not writing this to make you feel guilty, but to encourage you to keep the long-term goal in mind. Yes, you're doing this for the immediate difference you hope to feel when you lose those extra pounds. But you're also doing it to increase your quality and quantity of life 40 years down the road.

If I didn't feel guilty already I wouldn't have even started this.

Seriously though, I haven't even thought about quality of life 40 years down the road, I'm actually thinking of right now. That the thing, I'm feeling those effects right now and that scares the hell out of me. It's a warning sign that I'm exhausted all the time, it's a warning sign that I'm on BP meds, and it's a warnign sign that I can't get started in the morning without a can of carbonated caffeine. I'm trying to heed those warnings while I still have the ability to change, because I know the older you get the harder it is to change.

 

[Guest]

 

[TBKahuna123]

I'd been a cheeseburger and fries guy for years. If it had cheese on it, I ate it. If it was greasy, all the better. From there I went to a regimen that eliminated all meats. Further, I watched my fat intake like a prison guard and allowed myself only 10 grams of fat per day. Check it out: that's about the equivalent of a handful of potato chips.

Ahhh my BIG weakness: Cheese. If there is one thing I have to cut from my diet this is it. But one step at a time.

I wish I had the willpower to make as drastic a change as you did Yank, but I don't think it's in the cards. Still, low-fat is definitely the big step I want to take here. We already eat a lot of chicken, lean beef cuts, and take trim the fat off everything trying to keep it down. We rarely fry anything, unless we are fonduing or stir-frying, and we stick with olive oils for that and keep them to a minimum.

This is the thing I think will have the biggest impact on me, is cutting out fatty foods. That's why my main target is fast food. The benefits for me I think won't be just weight loss, but energy levels. I know that my body is not using these fatty foods properly, and that's a big part of my energy reserve issues on the ice.

Still, trying to give up fettuccini alfredo...

 

[TBKahuna123]

Hey TBK.

As soon as I get the chance to read the whole thread I will, but that will have to be another day.

But I just thought I'd add something though it may have already been said.

lifestyle changes don't happen overnight, they take time. Some of the changes I've made have taken a really long time. For instance I used to be a 100% whole milk guy. No way was I ever gonna drink anything else (I lived on a farm for several years when i was younger and we used to drink raw milk....now that's some good milk). Anyway it took me about a year to work my way to drinking skim milk. Now I will only drink skim, whole milk seems way too thick.

My point is that some changes need to be a process of evolution to make them become permanent changes. They are less traumatic if they are gradual.

I wish you the best of luck man!

Absolutely, Scaly, and that's why we are taking it one step at a time. Cutting fast foods first will help us get away from the convenience habit, as I'm calling it. Heck I'd always rather have a well cooked meal over a Big Mac, I just don't want to have to cook it. Once we get into that groove, then we'll really start looking at the things we cook. The good news is that when we do cook we usually do so in a fairly healthy manner.

 

[TBKahuna123]

i'm always tired, and a little down. when you're blessed with good genes, it has downsides because you don't think about what you're doing to your body.

It doesn't matter what your genes are, most of us don't think about what we are doing to our bodies, especially at your age, dear.

The fact that you are tired and maybe a little depressed has everything to do with what you are putting in your body. If you don't build up your stores of glucogen in your liver and your muscles, then you have no stores of energy, especially when you are hungry. With a high metabolism you're always hungry, at least your body is. High fat foods don't help because the liver can't stored those fats as energy in the liver, it stores them as fat. When you exercise vigorously the body burns those fat stores, but not during regular activity.

I've mentioned that my wife has PCOS, well the big part of this is Insulin resistance. This means that no matter what she eats, the liver doesn't store it well, and thus it is converted to fat. This has two big side effects: Weight Gain around the midsection and lack of energy. Your problem if you have a high metabolism is that your body burns through it before it can be stored in the liver.

There are certain foods which can be absorbed and stored at a higher rate and it would make sense that these would help circumvent the metabolism problem. Now what those are, I don't really know, because my research isn't centered around high metabolism problems. If I were you, I'd go see a nutritionist. You're a college student, if I remember right, surely they have one at the health center. It might be worth a visit.

 

[Guest]

 

[sassy_girl1963]

One thing you might want to try to see if it would work better, is to make something on the weekend that you can heat up during the week - or at least the nights you go to the gym.

I myself just joined the gym, and right now I have set a small goal to at least get to the gym 3 times a week and walk at least 1 mile and work with the machines 2 of those times. For me, this is best so I don't burn out too quickly and just stop going. Results are I've lost 4-5 lbs - and can feel a difference in my butt....

 

[LadyJeanne]

This reminds me of something. A few years ago we were camping in western Maine....a kind of 'in the middle of nowhere' place. The nearest grocery store was about 1 1/2 hour drive, but there were 2 conveniece stores within a half hour or so. I was looking for pita or syrian bread. The first store I went to I asked if they had any syrian bread. The girl looked confused, then asked another girl that worked there "do we have any syrium bread?" (note: this spelling is how she pronounced it). Now I looked confused. I said, you know, pita bread. They had no clue what I was talking about.

I went to a second store and asked the same thing. I think the girl there didn't have a clue either as she said "whatever we have is over there" and pointed to the bread.

I had never heard of bagels until I got to college. And lox? "WTF is that?" was my question.



Not so many bagels in South Chicago during the 70's and 80's.

 

[pleasteasme]

One thing you might want to try to see if it would work better, is to make something on the weekend that you can heat up during the week - or at least the nights you go to the gym.

I myself just joined the gym, and right now I have set a small goal to at least get to the gym 3 times a week and walk at least 1 mile and work with the machines 2 of those times. For me, this is best so I don't burn out too quickly and just stop going. Results are I've lost 4-5 lbs - and can feel a difference in my butt....

The pre-cooking thing is a life-saver for me! If I don't do this...I don't eat lunch and that isn't healthy.

Ahhh, the gym...I don't do the gym but I force myself to work out at home. It's great, I watch a movie, dress in mis-matching workout clothes and don't worry about people making fun of my un-coordination

Butt...I need some good butt exercises...whatcha got sassy?

 

[Guest]

 

[hdlynnette]

What a great thread and what great timing!

I made a huge life style change last month by joining Curves. I joined with one of my best friends, so that alone is motivation. Another motivation is that they will take $30 out of my checking account, whether I show up or not for a workout. The biggest motivation for me is to finally start doing things for myself. I feel like I've sat dormant here for the last couple of years and that is just no longer acceptable.

Seeing the results of just one month of working out at Curves proves to me this is working. I find each day that I have more energy. I'm still working on breaking the 'fast and easy' food choices. One thing I do that has helped is to keep salad veggies cut up and stored in zip lock baggies in the frig. I look at is like a mini salad bar in bags. I've also developed a great likeness for fresh fruit, pineapple being my favorite. If I am eating out I still order a good steak sometimes, but instead of the usual loaded baked potato, I order brown rice or steamed veggies. Cheese is also one of my downfalls, but I'm working on getting away from that too. I've also switched from Code Red Mt.Dew or sweet tea to water.

I didn't get in the shape i'm in overnight and I know it can't be changed overnight. I'm also looking forward to making other improvements in my life this year.

Good Luck to all of you who are looking for a healthier way of life.

 

[Raidho]

Congratulations to all of you who are making lifestyle changes

I'm working on that whole mind/body/spirit thing and just recently got back into excercise. I'm starting off small, but at least it's consistent.

The changes I've made (so far) is to really concentrate on my water intake (I was abysmal at this) -- I have one of those big water bottles (great for taking it on the run) and refill it throughout the day. No more fast food. I'll have a "freebie" day one day a week, and I've noticed that I either make wiser choices or I'll have a low or no fat soup before the dinner. (Haven't worked my way up to salads yet because I detest them).

I've also been riding an exercise bike for 5 miles a day every day. I figure I'll give it another week and start bumping it up.

It's only been a week, but I can already feel a difference.

 

[Guest]

 

[EJFan]

Congratulations to all of you who are making lifestyle changes

I'm working on that whole mind/body/spirit thing and just recently got back into excercise. I'm starting off small, but at least it's consistent.

if you'd like to read some good books on the mind/body/spirit connection, check out some of depak chopra's writings. "ageless body, timeless mind" is a great place to start.

some of dr. chopra's books are more faith oriented than others but the vast majority combine some degree of western medicine with eastern faith/philosophy.

 

[sailboatracer]

I have started the same kind of changes too, I find eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast helps me not snack during the day. Oatmeal, cinnamon, no sugar, a little milk if you want.

 

[Raidho]

if you'd like to read some good books on the mind/body/spirit connection, check out some of depak chopra's writings. "ageless body, timeless mind" is a great place to start.

some of dr. chopra's books are more faith oriented than others but the vast majority combine some degree of western medicine with eastern faith/philosophy.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to check him out. I read something by him a long time ago, something about Merlin, and wasn't terribly impressed although I've seen a scattering of some pretty great quotes.

Who knows? Maybe right concept, wrong time.

Thanks again.

 

[TBKahuna123]

Well first the good news is I've found a way to help with the convenience thing. I started eating a granola bar about 3 o'clock, and it really does take the urgency off getting home and cooking right away.

Now the bad news. I'm going to a convention this weekend where the only places to eat in a 10 mile radius are 4 fast food joints and a restaurant so expensive you need a 2nd mortgage to eat there. Funny thing is the prospect of eating at McDonalds is already turning my stomach. Have I made a break through?

 

[LadyJeanne]

Well first the good news is I've found a way to help with the convenience thing. I started eating a granola bar about 3 o'clock, and it really does take the urgency off getting home and cooking right away.

Now the bad news. I'm going to a convention this weekend where the only places to eat in a 10 mile radius are 4 fast food joints and a restaurant so expensive you need a 2nd mortgage to eat there. Funny thing is the prospect of eating at McDonalds is already turning my stomach. Have I made a break through?

McDonald's has salads.

 

[Guest]

 

[TBKahuna123]

McDonald's has salads.

Slow down, I just got off the burger and fires, now you want me to start eating salads? Baby steps, LJ, baby steps.

 

[midwestyankee]

Slow down, I just got off the burger and fires, now you want me to start eating salads? Baby steps, LJ, baby steps.

OK - which do you think would be easier: eating a salad or holding yourself to three french fries (the salad's equivalent in fat and calories)?

 

[LadyJeanne]

Slow down, I just got off the burger and fires, now you want me to start eating salads? Baby steps, LJ, baby steps.

LOL! Jes sayin' if you have to eat there, you have options.

(not that I've ever had a McD's salad myself )

 

[Guest]

 

[Cockyfox]

Like someone already suggested, prepare meals in advance.
Make 5-6 entrees and freeze them. There are many companies that will sell all the ingredients and containers, give you the recipe, and instruct you while in their store on how to make any entree. Then just pair the entree with a salad or any other fresh vegetables. Cuts the time down considerably.
or take one day at home to make up a bunch of stuff yourself to freeze.

 

[eudaemonia]

Great thread everyone! I'm also in dire need of a lifestyle change, but not w.r.t. eating habits; rather, I've gone from being a very fit and svelt 5-days-per-week ballet dancer to a vewy, vewy soft philosophy dork.

My eating habits are excellent and have been since my late teens. I rarely do junk food -- nothing wrong with a Whopper and fries a couple times a year -- and prefer small meals such as apples w/peanut butter or a honey/banana sandwich on whole grain bread to snacking on Cheetos and Coke and candy bars.

But since two major surgeries for a blown out Achllies and ruptured lumbar discs, I have no desire to live in daily pain again, just for the sake of fitness. Yet I'm a good 20 pounds over average for my height, maybe 30 for my ideal weight given that I'm small-boned. I simply will not go to the gym, ever. But I need to find something active to do that I can be a bit obsessive about. Just my personality. I miss ballet soooo much, and I still get teary once in a while when I think about what I used to be able to and how strong I was.

There's got to be a way to translate good eating habits into good exercise habits ...