Quitting Caffeine and other Healthy Moves...
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code-frog wrote:
So what are other people doing to get healthier?
Believe it or not, Beth has got me into running. Nothing too complex, really - we started by just going round the block (half a mile if that), and now I'm up to about 2 miles solid,* and actually starting to enjoy it. :-D * That's a big thing for me, as all of the sports I've done to date (badminton, squash, 5 a side etc.) have been burst sports rather than endurance sports. I was never able to run before... We're looking for a 5k fun run to have a go at together in the near future, but I'm pretty sure that before too long Beth is going to start training for triathlon (it's in the blood - her Dad is a triathlete[^]). Either way, she's way ahead of me already - her idea of fun is a 6 mile combined run/swim (the leisure centre is just over 3 miles away...). :rolleyes:
Anna :rose: Having a bad bug day? Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "If mushy peas are the food of the devil, the stotty cake is the frisbee of God"
Good for you! :) One method to extend your distance is to mix walking breaks with your running. For example, if the light poles are regularly spaced on your route, you can run 3-4 light poles and then walk 1 or 2. As I'm sure Beth has told you, you don't want to increase your distance too quickly, because that way lies overuse injuries. My first two years of running was spent with chronic shin splints and three stress fractures because I kept upping the distance too quickly. Another bit of advice (sorry, but my evangelist mode turns on when somebody brings up running or biking :-O): Spend money on good shoes, preferably at a shop that specializes in endurance athletes. A good store will watch you walk and run, and can recommend the right type of shoe for your biomechanics. I envy Beth and her triathlon aspirations. I can handle the running and the cycling, but the swimming is out. I've taken lessons several times, but I just don't have the knack. Part of my problem is that, after 17 years of running and biking, I've got significant bone density and mass in my legs. As a result, I sink. Like a rock :sigh:.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
So what are other people doing to get healthier? I noticed in Alabama (I think.) that if you are clinically obese you have to pay 50% of your insurance premium and are eligible for fines if you don't change your ways and start losing weight. So you can do it by force or on your own but if you are doing it then what exactly have you done. John Simmons dropped soda pop and his weight came down like a crashing plane. I'm not so lucky. I have to sweat it off or I don't get any change. The rest of you??? Shog you are banned from this thread. I already know your reply and I'm pretty sure it's something like "I actually walk to the fridge to get my beer now instead of making my wife do it." :laugh:
I was quite slim when at university the got rather fat when I started programming and mainly sat still all day. In the last year I have done something about it and lost about 50 pounds and six inches off my waist since November. The basic plan is this. - short term diets do not work, you need permanent changes to your diet and lifestyle - eat slightly less of the same sorts of things. I went from 2 sandwiches at lunch to 1.5 and now 1. - entirely cut out cakes, biscuits and sweets, except for on special occasions. If you want a snack, eat some fruit, dried or fresh. - do more exercise. I go swimming for 45-50 minutes or so twice a week. When I started it was more like 30 mins once a week but I have slowly built it up. I also cycle the 5 miles to work. An odd tip is that chewing your food more times and eating more slowly makes you feel much fuller than if you are gobbling it down. If you would normally eat dinner then pudding then leave 30 mins between the two and you may find you don't really feel like it any longer, or that you feel like eating less.
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Good for you! :) One method to extend your distance is to mix walking breaks with your running. For example, if the light poles are regularly spaced on your route, you can run 3-4 light poles and then walk 1 or 2. As I'm sure Beth has told you, you don't want to increase your distance too quickly, because that way lies overuse injuries. My first two years of running was spent with chronic shin splints and three stress fractures because I kept upping the distance too quickly. Another bit of advice (sorry, but my evangelist mode turns on when somebody brings up running or biking :-O): Spend money on good shoes, preferably at a shop that specializes in endurance athletes. A good store will watch you walk and run, and can recommend the right type of shoe for your biomechanics. I envy Beth and her triathlon aspirations. I can handle the running and the cycling, but the swimming is out. I've taken lessons several times, but I just don't have the knack. Part of my problem is that, after 17 years of running and biking, I've got significant bone density and mass in my legs. As a result, I sink. Like a rock :sigh:.
Software Zen:
delete this;Gary Wheeler wrote:
Good for you!
Thanks! Nobody is more surprised than me, believe me. :-\
Gary Wheeler wrote:
One method to extend your distance is to mix walking breaks with your running. For example, if the light poles are regularly spaced on your route, you can run 3-4 light poles and then walk 1 or 2. As I'm sure Beth has told you, you don't want to increase your distance too quickly, because that way lies overuse injuries. My first two years of running was spent with chronic shin splints and three stress fractures because I kept upping the distance too quickly.
That's pretty much what we do already. I can now manage a solid 2 mile distance, but after that we'll mix it - up to (on our longest route) over 6 miles. I'm gradually trying to make those second stage runs longer, and the recovery walks that little bit shorter. I've found that using Beth's HRM from time to time has helped to give me an idea of where my pace should be (that's gradually getting faster too, I've noticed).
Gary Wheeler wrote:
Another bit of advice (sorry, but my evangelist mode turns on when somebody brings up running or biking ): Spend money on good shoes, preferably at a shop that specializes in endurance athletes. A good store will watch you walk and run, and can recommend the right type of shoe for your biomechanics.
No wories - I'm the same with swordplay and badminton. :laugh: Beth gave mne the same advice re shoes - mine are New Balance, and were fitted by a running store in Poole after a session on their treadmill. :)
Gary Wheeler wrote:
I envy Beth and her triathlon aspirations. I can handle the running and the cycling, but the swimming is out. I've taken lessons several times, but I just don't have the knack. Part of my problem is that, after 17 years of running and biking, I've got significant bone density and mass in my legs. As a result, I sink. Like a rock
That's a shame. Can you stay afloat on your back without using your arms? If so, you can probably find a posture that will work for you in crawl... I was actually teaching Beth how to do crawl yesterday (she never really mastered it before). I think she'll do fine - she has far better breathing control than I do (my lung capacity has always been a bit on the low side, and in swimming that really hurts!) and the stam
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Gary Wheeler wrote:
Good for you!
Thanks! Nobody is more surprised than me, believe me. :-\
Gary Wheeler wrote:
One method to extend your distance is to mix walking breaks with your running. For example, if the light poles are regularly spaced on your route, you can run 3-4 light poles and then walk 1 or 2. As I'm sure Beth has told you, you don't want to increase your distance too quickly, because that way lies overuse injuries. My first two years of running was spent with chronic shin splints and three stress fractures because I kept upping the distance too quickly.
That's pretty much what we do already. I can now manage a solid 2 mile distance, but after that we'll mix it - up to (on our longest route) over 6 miles. I'm gradually trying to make those second stage runs longer, and the recovery walks that little bit shorter. I've found that using Beth's HRM from time to time has helped to give me an idea of where my pace should be (that's gradually getting faster too, I've noticed).
Gary Wheeler wrote:
Another bit of advice (sorry, but my evangelist mode turns on when somebody brings up running or biking ): Spend money on good shoes, preferably at a shop that specializes in endurance athletes. A good store will watch you walk and run, and can recommend the right type of shoe for your biomechanics.
No wories - I'm the same with swordplay and badminton. :laugh: Beth gave mne the same advice re shoes - mine are New Balance, and were fitted by a running store in Poole after a session on their treadmill. :)
Gary Wheeler wrote:
I envy Beth and her triathlon aspirations. I can handle the running and the cycling, but the swimming is out. I've taken lessons several times, but I just don't have the knack. Part of my problem is that, after 17 years of running and biking, I've got significant bone density and mass in my legs. As a result, I sink. Like a rock
That's a shame. Can you stay afloat on your back without using your arms? If so, you can probably find a posture that will work for you in crawl... I was actually teaching Beth how to do crawl yesterday (she never really mastered it before). I think she'll do fine - she has far better breathing control than I do (my lung capacity has always been a bit on the low side, and in swimming that really hurts!) and the stam
Anna-Jayne Metcalfe wrote:
mine are New Balance
Same here. I wear New Balance 1123's, one of their motion control shoes. I overpronate a lot, but the shoes and my orthotics compensate pretty well.
Anna-Jayne Metcalfe wrote:
Can you stay afloat on your back without using your arms?
Hmm. It's been a while since I've been swimming, so I'll have to try it. When I took lessons, I do remember that I could do a 'dead man float'. I remember the swimming instructor commenting that I tried to keep my head up too much. Part of my problem is my vision. I wear glasses, so my vision in the pool is extremely poor. I may try the lessons again if I can ever put the money together for LASIK. I think I might do better if I'm not constantly worrying about where I'm at in the pool. Good luck, and let us know how you do with your first 5K.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:
90 minutes on the treadmill 5 nights a week
I would shoot myself in the face with a bazooka if I was on a treadmill for 90 minutes X|. I run 5-7 miles three days a week, most of the year. I also lift weights a couple days and bike on the weekend. During the worst of the winter, I'm stuck inside on an elliptical or stepper machine. Even with my iPod, the most I can manage on the machine is 30 minutes before boredom sets in :|. Do you do anything special (read, watch TV, music) to keep from going nuts on the treadmill, or are you just really, really, really good at zoning out :-D?
Software Zen:
delete this;I watch tv, it is very difficult to stay focused. But then I can't really run long distances so I power walk, uphill. It may not sound like much but it is enough to keep my heart at 85%
Need a C# Consultant? I'm available.
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. -- Ernest Hemingway -
So what are other people doing to get healthier? I noticed in Alabama (I think.) that if you are clinically obese you have to pay 50% of your insurance premium and are eligible for fines if you don't change your ways and start losing weight. So you can do it by force or on your own but if you are doing it then what exactly have you done. John Simmons dropped soda pop and his weight came down like a crashing plane. I'm not so lucky. I have to sweat it off or I don't get any change. The rest of you??? Shog you are banned from this thread. I already know your reply and I'm pretty sure it's something like "I actually walk to the fridge to get my beer now instead of making my wife do it." :laugh:
I'm the same way. I used to drink Mt Dew by the railcar, but even after completely giving it up along with most other sugar-based drinks and eats, my weight did not come crashing down at all. Although I was never considered overweight, I carried an extra 20 or so lbs. I work out nearly every day and even though I lost the weight, it wasn't the dramatic crashing-to-earth that others have seen by simply dropping soda. Maybe that has something to do with being over 40 too :^)
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I watch tv, it is very difficult to stay focused. But then I can't really run long distances so I power walk, uphill. It may not sound like much but it is enough to keep my heart at 85%
Need a C# Consultant? I'm available.
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. -- Ernest HemingwayDon't knock the power walking. I ran a 10K several years ago where a power walker beat me :sigh:. He looked a little funky (the stride required for that speed may be efficient, but looks odd), but he sure was moving.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I'm the same way. I used to drink Mt Dew by the railcar, but even after completely giving it up along with most other sugar-based drinks and eats, my weight did not come crashing down at all. Although I was never considered overweight, I carried an extra 20 or so lbs. I work out nearly every day and even though I lost the weight, it wasn't the dramatic crashing-to-earth that others have seen by simply dropping soda. Maybe that has something to do with being over 40 too :^)
Bob1763b wrote:
Maybe that has something to do with being over 40 too
Welcome to the club. The wonderful thing about middle age, though, is you no longer care what people think when you go running with your shirt off :-D.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Anna-Jayne Metcalfe wrote:
mine are New Balance
Same here. I wear New Balance 1123's, one of their motion control shoes. I overpronate a lot, but the shoes and my orthotics compensate pretty well.
Anna-Jayne Metcalfe wrote:
Can you stay afloat on your back without using your arms?
Hmm. It's been a while since I've been swimming, so I'll have to try it. When I took lessons, I do remember that I could do a 'dead man float'. I remember the swimming instructor commenting that I tried to keep my head up too much. Part of my problem is my vision. I wear glasses, so my vision in the pool is extremely poor. I may try the lessons again if I can ever put the money together for LASIK. I think I might do better if I'm not constantly worrying about where I'm at in the pool. Good luck, and let us know how you do with your first 5K.
Software Zen:
delete this;Gary Wheeler wrote:
Same here. I wear New Balance 1123's, one of their motion control shoes. I overpronate a lot, but the shoes and my orthotics compensate pretty well.
FWIW mine are cross trainers - WX791SR.
Gary Wheeler wrote:
Hmm. It's been a while since I've been swimming, so I'll have to try it. When I took lessons, I do remember that I could do a 'dead man float'.
That's a good sign. If you can do that, the chances are you can do crawl - once your posture is right.
Gary Wheeler wrote:
I remember the swimming instructor commenting that I tried to keep my head up too much. Part of my problem is my vision. I wear glasses, so my vision in the pool is extremely poor. I may try the lessons again if I can ever put the money together for LASIK. I think I might do better if I'm not constantly worrying about where I'm at in the pool.
That could be it. When you lift your head, your legs will tend to go down - adding to drag, and making the whole thing that much harder. That's exactly the problem I used to have, BTW. I now relax a lot more into the water, and even glide along without using my legs at all. I simply couldn't do that before - I had to work like mad just to stay afloat. Funny how some things just click sometimes. My breathing still is a problem though - if it wasn't for that I'd just stick my head down into the water and do like the clappers for the other side! :rolleyes: I'm actually considering LASIK surgery myself - I'm short-sighted, and it's beginning to become an irritation (especially in my left eye, which is far worse).
Anna :rose: Having a bad bug day? Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "If mushy peas are the food of the devil, the stotty cake is the frisbee of God"
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So what are other people doing to get healthier? I noticed in Alabama (I think.) that if you are clinically obese you have to pay 50% of your insurance premium and are eligible for fines if you don't change your ways and start losing weight. So you can do it by force or on your own but if you are doing it then what exactly have you done. John Simmons dropped soda pop and his weight came down like a crashing plane. I'm not so lucky. I have to sweat it off or I don't get any change. The rest of you??? Shog you are banned from this thread. I already know your reply and I'm pretty sure it's something like "I actually walk to the fridge to get my beer now instead of making my wife do it." :laugh:
when I first read the header, I thought about that episode of Brainiacs (BBC) where they tested if it was better to be wired or tired. In general, it's better to be tired than wired. Great show if you like things like Mythbusters, by the way!
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Gary Wheeler wrote:
Same here. I wear New Balance 1123's, one of their motion control shoes. I overpronate a lot, but the shoes and my orthotics compensate pretty well.
FWIW mine are cross trainers - WX791SR.
Gary Wheeler wrote:
Hmm. It's been a while since I've been swimming, so I'll have to try it. When I took lessons, I do remember that I could do a 'dead man float'.
That's a good sign. If you can do that, the chances are you can do crawl - once your posture is right.
Gary Wheeler wrote:
I remember the swimming instructor commenting that I tried to keep my head up too much. Part of my problem is my vision. I wear glasses, so my vision in the pool is extremely poor. I may try the lessons again if I can ever put the money together for LASIK. I think I might do better if I'm not constantly worrying about where I'm at in the pool.
That could be it. When you lift your head, your legs will tend to go down - adding to drag, and making the whole thing that much harder. That's exactly the problem I used to have, BTW. I now relax a lot more into the water, and even glide along without using my legs at all. I simply couldn't do that before - I had to work like mad just to stay afloat. Funny how some things just click sometimes. My breathing still is a problem though - if it wasn't for that I'd just stick my head down into the water and do like the clappers for the other side! :rolleyes: I'm actually considering LASIK surgery myself - I'm short-sighted, and it's beginning to become an irritation (especially in my left eye, which is far worse).
Anna :rose: Having a bad bug day? Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "If mushy peas are the food of the devil, the stotty cake is the frisbee of God"
I tried running, but the dog got sick of catching me. *rim shot* Actually I did try running, but I injured my ankle after about 15 minutes. Now I limp for 30 minutes a day.
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code-frog wrote:
Shog you are banned from this thread. I already know your reply and I'm pretty sure it's something like "I actually walk to the fridge to get my beer now instead of making my wife do it."
Actually, i was going to claim that i switched to menthols... :-\ (but i didn't care for the way the flavor combined with bourbon)
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You're right. These facts that you've laid out totally contradict the wild ramblings that I pulled off the back of cornflakes packets.
I've spent some time looking into this. Here's what seems to really work. 1. Lose weight. a) It slashes your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. The first three of these tend to occur together and are called "Metabolic Syndrome". b) Google "BMI" to find your ideal weight range. c) Eat a tiny breakfast. It prevents your body from going into "starvation mode", where it conserves fat. 2. Walk at least a half hour 5-6 times a week. a) It helps to lose weight. b) It strengthens your cardiovascular system, protecting against heart disease and stroke. c) It improves your mood. d) It extends your mobility in old age. 3. Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Getting less makes it hard to lose weight and causes other problems. 4. Take at least a multivitamin. a) Men: Avoid all iron supplements. b) You need extra vitamins C and E for the antioxidant effect. You need extra vitamin D (the 400 IU RDA is a fraction of what you really need). People who live in northern latitudes or who don't get much sun on their skin need more. I take 500 mg C, 400 IU E, and 1000 IU D, twice a day. One of the E doses should have the gamma isomer. c) Take magnesium tablets. 5. Eat the right fats a) Avoid: coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, and all hydrogenated oils; they're "artery glue". b) Eat monounsaturated fats: nuts and nut oils, avocados, olive oil in moderation. c) Eat fish a few times a week or take fish oil capsules. It SIGNIFICANTLY slashes your risk of sudden death from heart arrhythmia. 6. Eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day, including green leafy vegetables. 7. Brush your teeth and floss regularly. If you don't floss, stuff gets under your gums, causes inflammation and gum recession, provides an entry for bacteria into your body, and shortens your life. 8. Drink alcohol in moderation: 1 drink a day for women, and 1-2 for men. More or less than this is non-optimal. 9. Take a baby aspirin each day. It reduces inflammation (which causes numerous health problems), reduces cancer EVERY place it touches through your system, and inhibits glycation (a major cause of aging). 10. Take anti-aging drugs: Centrophenoxine (increases lifespan 30% and improves brain function), aminoguanidine (inhibits glycation), resveratrol (slows aging by modifying gene expression, and is in red wine), deprenyl (slows brain aging, but only take TINY doses; the half-life is 40 days in the brain).
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Joe Woodbury wrote:
The great part is there is no scientific evidence that any of these things cause increased health problems. Ironically, they do cause increase health expenditures because the overweight and "clinically obese" live the longest.
I am not sure where you get your scientific evidence from, but it has been proven many times that the way to live longest is to eat less.
M Towler wrote:
but it has been proven many times that the way to live longest is to eat less.
No, it hasn't. This notion came from rat and mouse studies, which found that these rodents live longer if they consume half the calories as normal. Human studies failed to duplicate this, they've found the opposite-underweight people have far more health problems than the overweight. Humans who consume half the calories as normal suffer from malnutrition (a very eye opening study of which was performed during WWII in the US using volunteers; liberating concentration camps supported these findings.) Bottom line is that rats aren't human and very likely evolved to survive on low calorie diets.
Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
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Joe Woodbury wrote:
The great part is there is no scientific evidence that any of these things cause increased health problems. Ironically, they do cause increase health expenditures because the overweight and "clinically obese" live the longest.
I am not sure where you get your scientific evidence from, but it has been proven many times that the way to live longest is to eat less.
M Towler wrote:
I am not sure where you get your scientific evidence from, but it has been proven many times that the way to live longest is to eat less.
Thats what I had always heard too
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M Towler wrote:
but it has been proven many times that the way to live longest is to eat less.
No, it hasn't. This notion came from rat and mouse studies, which found that these rodents live longer if they consume half the calories as normal. Human studies failed to duplicate this, they've found the opposite-underweight people have far more health problems than the overweight. Humans who consume half the calories as normal suffer from malnutrition (a very eye opening study of which was performed during WWII in the US using volunteers; liberating concentration camps supported these findings.) Bottom line is that rats aren't human and very likely evolved to survive on low calorie diets.
Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
I think you are extrapolating beyond your data. Your evidence shows that malnutrition is worse for you than being ideal weight or overweight, this seems reasonable. You cannot then extrapolate this to mean that overweight people are more healthy than ideal weight people. What I am saying is that it has also been shown that people at ideal weight or slightly underweight have been shown many times to be more healthy than the overweight. The studies that show this are in human populations not rodents. There is a huge gulf between underweight and malnutrition.
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I tried running, but the dog got sick of catching me. *rim shot* Actually I did try running, but I injured my ankle after about 15 minutes. Now I limp for 30 minutes a day.
Obviously you didn't run fast enough! ;P
Anna :rose: Having a bad bug day? Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "If mushy peas are the food of the devil, the stotty cake is the frisbee of God"
modified on Friday, August 29, 2008 10:55 AM
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Joe Woodbury wrote:
The great part is there is no scientific evidence that any of these things cause increased health problems. Ironically, they do cause increase health expenditures because the overweight and "clinically obese" live the longest.
I am not sure where you get your scientific evidence from, but it has been proven many times that the way to live longest is to eat less.
Therefore, stop eating and live forever.
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I think you are extrapolating beyond your data. Your evidence shows that malnutrition is worse for you than being ideal weight or overweight, this seems reasonable. You cannot then extrapolate this to mean that overweight people are more healthy than ideal weight people. What I am saying is that it has also been shown that people at ideal weight or slightly underweight have been shown many times to be more healthy than the overweight. The studies that show this are in human populations not rodents. There is a huge gulf between underweight and malnutrition.
This isn't extrapolation; it's from studies that examined the health of people according to various weights. They consistently show that being underweight causes earlier death and more health problems than being overweight. They also show that the "clinically obese" are quite healthy and recover from illness faster--by comparison the underweight die at significantly higher rates as the result of illness (such as heart attacks, for which there is zero correlation being being overweight.) In fact, no study has found what you claim. None. It's called the obesity paradox and it drives nutritional scientists nuts.
Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
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This isn't extrapolation; it's from studies that examined the health of people according to various weights. They consistently show that being underweight causes earlier death and more health problems than being overweight. They also show that the "clinically obese" are quite healthy and recover from illness faster--by comparison the underweight die at significantly higher rates as the result of illness (such as heart attacks, for which there is zero correlation being being overweight.) In fact, no study has found what you claim. None. It's called the obesity paradox and it drives nutritional scientists nuts.
Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
Okay, ten seconds of googling finds lots of evidence for the obesity paradox, like that I have linked below. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070108145742.htm[Obesity Paradox] The key message is in the title e.g. "'Obesity Paradox' Evidence: Obese Patients Fare Better Than Lean Patients When Hospitalized For Acute Heart Failure". The article goes on to say "Obesity is a known risk factor for developing heart disease and heart failure and every effort should be made to avoid it, but once heart failure has manifested, this paradox seems to occur." So what this evidence is saying is that although thin people have a lower risk of heart attack, when they do have one they are more likely to die from it than fat people. What this is absolutely not saying is that fat people live longer in general, which is what you appear to be trying to make it say. Indeed the quote "Obesity is a known risk factor for developing heart disease and heart failure" directly contradicts your assertion that "heart attacks, for which there is zero correlation [with] being overweight".
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Obviously you didn't run fast enough! ;P
Anna :rose: Having a bad bug day? Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "If mushy peas are the food of the devil, the stotty cake is the frisbee of God"
modified on Friday, August 29, 2008 10:55 AM
Anna-Jayne Metcalfe wrote:
Obviously you didn't run fast enough! Poke tongue
Well, I would have tried them fancy Olympic clothes they use to run faster, but they don't make them in 3XL...