Topic: Gettin' In Shape! (Read 19156 times)

R^2 · « **Reply #100 on:** September 07, 2010, 08:05:41 AM »

The best way* to lose weight is to not have a car, forcing you to walk everywhere you go. I've shed about 20 pounds this summer despite being in pastry classes.

* - may not actually be the best way.

Büge · « **Reply #101 on:** September 07, 2010, 08:11:39 AM »

It also helps to have a job where you're not sitting down.

Niku · « **Reply #102 on:** September 07, 2010, 08:28:13 AM »

I've been riding my bike almost daily along our rather hilly bike paths near the apartment and have been forcing myself to stand at work whenever I am not doing anything that necessitates sitting at a computer terminal (standing at the terminal is not an option as I like not being a hunchback).

Is it working? I don't know or care! Maybe I should actually use a scale sometime!

Rico · « **Reply #103 on:** September 07, 2010, 08:14:50 PM »

I just ordered a weight bench and nice weights!

This has all been part of my master plan to stop paying gym dues and just buy equipment. Other people should try this. Not having to get all geared up and head to the gym has boosted my actual exercise amount roughly a million percent.

Misha · « **Reply #104 on:** September 07, 2010, 08:24:03 PM »

very true. Having an exercise bike at home is inf better than when I went to the gym to use one. Also having it in front of my computer makes me use it more than when it was in the basement.

James Edward Smith · « **Reply #105 on:** September 07, 2010, 09:26:18 PM »

I wanna be this shape. How to?

Brentai · « **Reply #106 on:** September 07, 2010, 09:33:26 PM »

Geo, that's not healthy for a young girl. Please, if you have a problem, tell me and we'll get you some help.

James Edward Smith · « **Reply #107 on:** September 07, 2010, 09:36:46 PM »

Heheh... bulimia.

Joxam · « **Reply #108 on:** October 28, 2012, 01:46:42 PM »

Hey I know this topic is old as fuck but I've decided that I need to drastically change my life in order to not end up like my older relatives. Long story short my family has a history of heart problems, kidney problems, diabetes, and dying before they turn 55.

I realize that most people's approach to this is gradual but I don't think that will work for me. I'm way too much of a creature of habit to gradually change anything. I NEED the shock of a clean break in order to force me to change.

That being said I've decided to take the rather large step that is becoming a vegetarian. Not for any spiritual or bullshit social reason (animals have face lol), simply because it is a drastic enough change that in order to implement it properly it will hopefully shake me out of my routine and into something that is hopefully a healthier lifestyle.

The "problem" as it where is that I don't know where to begin.

Ideally I'd find a website somewhere with a whole bunch of complete vegetarian meal recipes that were nutritionally sound that I could just make. I know there are a few veggies here so I'm just wondering if you guys have any resources on the lifestyle that are readily available that you could turn me on to and stuff like that.

Also might possibly start a weekly update thing just to force myself to actually do this, possibly thinking of giving the lot of you guys my cellphone number so you can call and bitch me out for not doing it.

EDIT: there will be a support structure of sorts in place in that my brother is also going to be doing this with me.

Brentai · « **Reply #109 on:** October 28, 2012, 02:37:25 PM »

Going for "drastic" is probably the wrong way to go about anything health-related, honestly. Sorry to say. Also vegetarianism introduces a fuckload of dietary complications that may not support your actual goal.

But, you know, if you want to. Best resource for day-to-day vegetarian living seems to really be other vegetarians, since the Internet is generally full of weird ideas about the topic. I know you can pester Buge and Thad here so that's cool.

Also, since this topic is back open, I just want to say: Buy a good goddam pair of running shoes. This has made a significant impact on my outlook towards outdoor exercise. The $100+ fancy pairs are PROBABLY not optimal for your style, but if you find a pair that is and it happens to be over $100, well, it's probably actually worth it.

François · « **Reply #110 on:** October 28, 2012, 03:12:09 PM »

I've been gradually cutting down on poutry and red meat for a couple months myself. I don't aim towards vegetarianism, but I've still made a conscious effort, partly for health reasons and partly for monetary reasons.

That said, by and large, all the advice I feel qualified to give at this point is can be summed up in three sentences:

-beans are your friends
-people who think vegetarian food is bland need to broaden their herb/spice horizons
-whatever you do, don't attempt to simulate meat, plant-based meals are best when they are their own thing, and if you go in with the mindset that it's possible to craft acceptable ersatz meat, all you end up with is either disappointment or denial

Oh, and in the "not actually a replacement for meat but a good substitution to make nonetheless" department, spaghetti squash is downright uncanny.

Ocksi · « **Reply #111 on:** October 28, 2012, 03:20:55 PM »

Right, that's got to be one of the biggest sticking points: if you want to eat meat, you're not going to find a satisfying vegetarian substitute. You'll occasionally come across expensive almost-theres, but the only reason to buy fake meat is because you actually like the taste of the stuff, not because you don't trust yourself to have enough self-control to just have one hamburger.

Anyway, your priority should be finding healthy, complete proteins you enjoy. Beans and rice with cheese is the most basic and is simply wonderful. Quinoa is a great and incredibly versatile.

Also, get used to not feeling as full as you're used to when you eat a certain amount of food. If you want to feel as full eating vegetables as you feel on an equal calorie-count of beef, you're not going to feel satisfied. Vegetarian fare is generally lighter (unless you go carb-crazy, which might defeat the point...) and it doesn't have the same 'weight' of meats, not to mention your body's natural enzyme production triggers a different kind of full feeling for meat and other incredibly dense foods, so you miss out on that feeling.

Ocksi · « **Reply #112 on:** October 28, 2012, 03:23:27 PM »

Also, switching to vegetarianism is not going to magically make you skinny. In fact, it probably won't do anything at all. The way to lose weight is to exercise and cut back on calories. Meat versus veggies doesn't matter.

Niku · « **Reply #113 on:** October 28, 2012, 06:31:57 PM »

also eat tofu because tofu is fucking delicious

/mic drop

Mongrel · « **Reply #114 on:** October 28, 2012, 07:51:00 PM »

Quote from: Ocksi on October 28, 2012, 03:23:27 PM

Also, switching to vegetarianism is not going to magically make you skinny. In fact, it probably won't do anything at all. The way to lose weight is to exercise and cut back on calories. Meat versus veggies doesn't matter.

This is pretty important. Generally, most of the vegetarians I know who are in good shape are in good shape just because they think more about what they eat and what they're putting in their body, not because they're automatically thinner. Eating less meat without becoming a total vegetarian was a goal I set when I met Starr, though I'd thought about it before that, though that actually wound up with her eating meat (derp).

For what it's worth, I've been trying to reduce my meal sizes and eat less food in general, which I have done by using smaller plates and glasses and gradually reducing my intake, and also by changing my mealtimes (earlier dinners). I'm now normally eating only two smaller meals a day and still feeling quite full. But I'm not rigid about it - if I'm genuinely hungry I will eat a small lunch. Better that than going crazy thinking about food and eating a barrelful of crap.

I still have the gut I've developed over the past few years, because I'm eating a hell of a lot of garbage and sitting in an office way too much, but I've at least sort of stabilized instead of getting even fatter. I'm satisfied with being "satisfied with less" as my current goal (largely achieved) and can move towards other steps for improvement.

The main thing is that I refuse to diet or nonsense like that. If I make changes, I'm okay with them being gradual, because I really want them to last for life. Vegetarianism isn't really necessary if all you're concerned about is weight. I do understand that it's more of a psychological push than a straight logical one to go over to vegetarianism, but if you have no ethical objections to meat, then there's no reason that high quality protein like lean chicken, salmon, etc. can't be a part of your diet. They may in fact make the adoption of a new diet easier.

Thad · « **Reply #115 on:** October 28, 2012, 09:52:58 PM »

You've got the right idea in talking about making something a routine so that it's something you do automatically.

I started running on our elliptical machine a few months back -- 45 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week -- and it's really done me a load of good. Come home from work, fire up last night's Stewart and Colbert, and run while watching them. Gonna watch 'em anyway, may as well do something physical while I'm at it.

Pulled a muscle in one of my hips about 2 weeks ago so I haven't done it as much lately, plus losing my job has thrown off my rhythm, but hopefully I can get back to it this week.

I also used to bike everywhere; I don't know if that's something feasible where you live but it's worth keeping in mind if there IS anyplace you like to go that's in walking or biking distance. Make the extra time to walk or bike and you'll feel better.

As far as becoming a vegetarian: I still eat chicken and fish, but those are better for you than red meat.

You DO still need proteins, of course, and that can mean things like beans, nuts, cheese, and eggs. Go light on the cheese, though; that stuff's generally pretty bad for you. It's entirely possible to be a vegetarian and still have a really unhealthy diet.

Learning to pay attention to calories and carbs couldn't hurt, and it may be worth talking to a nutritionist about that stuff. But it's not going to make a whole lot of difference if you don't exercise too.

Büge · « **Reply #116 on:** October 29, 2012, 05:31:15 AM »

Re: day-to-day maintenance, try not to eat carbs in the evening. They're more likely to turn into fat because your body is winding down (and later, sleeping). Unless you do an evening workout, which is fine!

Speaking of which, make sure you get on a regular sleep schedule. You'll function better once you get into a routine. Also, may I suggest going to bed before midnight? You get more quality sleep then.

R^2 · « **Reply #117 on:** October 29, 2012, 05:49:32 AM »

Quote from: François on October 28, 2012, 03:12:09 PM

-whatever you do, don't attempt to simulate meat, plant-based meals are best when they are their own thing, and if you go in with the mindset that it's possible to craft acceptable ersatz meat, all you end up with is either disappointment or denial

Motherfucking this. Plant-based meat substitutes are awful. Eat food that's actually food, not pretending to be other food.

Which is a big chunk of my personal philosophy overall. I'd rather eat a modestly-sized slab of red meat that's recognizable as part of an animal than something that claims to be low-calorie low-sodium low-fat vegan-friendly that doesn't look or smell like anything.

Mongrel · « **Reply #118 on:** October 29, 2012, 07:24:59 AM »

Quote from: Büge on October 29, 2012, 05:31:15 AM

Also, may I suggest going to bed before midnight? You get more quality sleep then.

>_____>

Büge · « **Reply #119 on:** October 29, 2012, 08:23:56 AM »

Okay, after a little research, I've learned it's probably a myth. But my earlier point stands: a regular sleep schedule is good for you.

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Author Topic: Gettin' In Shape! (Read 19156 times)