Health motivators

[LCF]

Controlling your weight will also help reduce or prevent low back pain, which is something almost half of the US population will suffer from at some point.

If the M&Ms at work are a problem, provide yourself with something to snack on that you like, that is better for you. (I know, nothing beats the lure of chocolate, but you can try.) Things like wasabi peas, or roasted nuts are great. I've found that the little grape tomatoes make a great snack that's surprisingly satisfying with very few calories.

As Mark Vlahos said, you won't be successful if you diet and then stop dieting. You have to change your approach to food and movement for good.

[Angry Turtle]

You already know of the heart benefits, but here is my most personal example. My dad had been overweight ever since I was young, and had minor hypertension since then. At around 45 y/o he had a period where nothing helped (even medication)to keep his hypertension in check and then diabetes came along. He cleaned up his diet and started for the first time exercising regularly, and became a vegetarian(vegan), and that helped him keep it in check, as well as the diabetes. Even then, years of abuse had wreaked havoc on his heart and at 55 y/o today, he just had a triple bypass and a pacemaker installed.

This reinforces my desire to keep a clean diet and exercise regularly. Not just because I want to look better, but because I want to live longer. We only get ONE crack at this, so I want to enjoy it as best I can and want it to last as long as possible.

[Sludge]

and became a vegetarian(vegan)

It's mind-boggling how a diet that requires you to take supplements could ever be considered better for you than a balanced diet.

No, thanks. I'll stick to the four food groups. Everything in moderation.

[Angry Turtle]

It's mind-boggling how a diet that requires you to take supplements could ever be considered better for you than a balanced diet.

No, thanks. I'll stick to the four food groups. Everything in moderation.

Yeah, I do not subscribe to it either, I believe moderation in everything works best for me. Different things works for different people (I will not argue though that he is no longer diabetic on it).

My point was not to extol the virtues of any specific diet, but how his example of years of being overweight (and not having a healthy diet)brought such dire consequences at an early age.

[Sludge]

Absolutely, AT, I had my "wow" moment when I stepped on the scale and it read 180 pounds. That was so unacceptable that I can't imagine ever being obese.

[Leam]

Well, if my scale said 180 I'd have to fix it...

One of the food modification philosophies I've read up on is called the "Zone Diet". It is, contrary to the connotations of the name, a life-style change in your food. It proposes a balanced carb, fat, and protein meal with less of the bad carbs. You wind up eating a lot because the good carbs fill you up.

[Sludge]

I found this article interesting for anybody interested in nutrition:

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/...ntcmp=features

[Puttzer]

Controlling your weight will also help reduce or prevent low back pain, which is something almost half of the US population will suffer from at some point.

If the M&Ms at work are a problem, provide yourself with something to snack on that you like, that is better for you. (I know, nothing beats the lure of chocolate, but you can try.) Things like wasabi peas, or roasted nuts are great. I've found that the little grape tomatoes make a great snack that's surprisingly satisfying with very few calories.

As Mark Vlahos said, you won't be successful if you diet and then stop dieting. You have to change your approach to food and movement for good.

Good grief. Look at your genetics.

You'll live as long as your parents, maybe longer with medical care.

Being overweight is NOT the primary issue? Of course obesity can be a problem.
Stupid stuff like smoking: of course

Exercise gets you more dates and helps you carry in the groceries. That's about it.
Look at you family tree genetics. That's all there is too it.

[Jont]

I am trying to build the case to convince myself that being healthy is more valuable than that bag of peanut M&Ms. As much as I "know" in my head, getting my over-weight body to follow along has been a losing proposition. If you can add to my list of reasons hopefully we can find something that will help me "Just say no".


General Health:

1. Fewer heart issues
2. Fewer stress related issues
3. Smaller dive suits
4. More resistance to weather based illnesses
5. Fewer medications required

Diving Specific:

1. Better gas consumption
2. Decreased risk of DCS
3. Reduced risk of in water cardiac failure
4. Fewer physical "panic stimuli"
5. Better upper body strength to weight ratio for eventual sump diving

Any more ideas? I am currently at 37% BF and targeting 24% as my first big goal.



Thanks!


Leam

I'm at 25% now, last week the doc says I have GOUT, this was discovered because I thought a few broken bones in my left foot didn't heal, as it turns out uric acid crystalized and formed by the healed bones, I've recently started walking and stretching every day..maybe 5 miles a day in addition to fighting 3 times a week for 2 hours at a time. IN 2004 I was hit in the spine while trying to help someone, it took about 6 months to learn to walk again but I gained about 40 pounds and have a long way to go before I get back in shape, its hard but there are people out there that are a lot worse off then you.

37% will absolutely contribute to your early death........the fact that you had the balls to post this also says you have the balls to do something about it.

PM me if you need anything.

[Skorpiov]

"Lean Leam" sounds much better than "Old Fat Guy"!

Besides, we already have an OFG LOL