Freedom Forum Fit Club

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marc
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by marc »

The 2013 LDSFF New Year, New You Challenge participants so far:

coachmarc
BrianM
DrJones
Etosha
WaitingOnTheLord
Original_Intent

It's gonna be a party! :ymparty:

Libertas
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by Libertas »

Count me in for the 2013 LDSFF NY, NYC.

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Sariel
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by Sariel »

What kind of protein powder do you use and do you mix it with water or in the oatmeal or something? And how do you eat the avocados?

freedomforall
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by freedomforall »

Original_Intent wrote:
freedomfighter wrote:I had been involved with Martial Arts for many, many years. But I have always been overweight. Some years ago, since retiring from Lucent Technologies in 2001, I decided to take up weight lifting which I have done at different times in my life. Turns out, I had to give it up due to a bad left shoulder. Now I face a shoulder replacement because my shoulder is bone on bone...painful to say the least. So is my left knee. And now at 65 and because of other medical issues I can't exercise at all. What a bummer. I have issues I cannot talk about here, so suffice it to say, my exercise is limited at best. Prior to these other issues I rode my bicycle a lot and it helped me to some degree.

So, is there an ideal weight loss system that does not involve exercise? I know Nutrisystems has a good plan for diabetics, however, how would one know if the plan really works other than by their word?

Or is there a better plan? I don't know what the plan is my wife is using, but she has lost 50 pds. I think she is just watching her carbs and sugars which is basically the same thing.

With me, it is the not being able to "stick with the plan no matter what" hump that causes my downfall.

Sometimes I ask myself "just how long do you expect to live anyway? We all die sometime whether it's tomorrow or ten years from now, so what's the big deal?" So far, I've made it to 65. Do I want to live to reach 75 and possibly be under a socialistic, tyrannical government rule?
I'm not too sure I want to.
Sounds like a future me. Martial arts history as well as some of the struggles, etc.

What has worked for me is staying on low glycemic index foods - COMPLETELY remove any high g-index foods. This can be a tough wagon to stay on though, like you, STICKING with a good program is tough. And saying goodbye forever to soda, candy, and dessert is something that so far I have been unable to do.

Stress is a huge trigger for me. I was in pretty good shape until I got my last job. The first year they went from 150 people in a one week training, down to hiring fifty, and then in a year carving that down to 30 permanent hires. I put on 50 lbs. that year and healthwise have pretty much felt lousy ever since. In the Obesity thread someone said that the two big problems causing obesity are laziness and gluttony. I really found that pretty offensive, I mean I was never like a model, but for most of my life I did have close to a body builder's physique. And not making excuses but at least for me, huge stress led to sugar addiction. It wasn;t that I pigged out on a LOT of food, but I did keep giving myself sugar in sodas and candy - and that addiction is something that I have really struggled to overcome.

I also agree with you about sometimes wondering do I really want to be around for what's ahead...I am about 15 years younger than you, but I pretty much feel like when the Lord is ready for me, I am ready to go, but I also want to take full advantage of the time I am here. I want to see the Lord while still in mortality, I basically want to both serve but also receive EVERY blessing that it is possible to receive in mortality! (Greedy, I know!) And part of that is I want to enjoy to the fullest whatever time that I have left! And I know that at my current physical condition, I'm not able to enjoy life to the fullest - NOT EVEN CLOSE!

I have some challenges too. I have got a right knee that I have to be VERY gentle with. I'm borderline diabetic. And I am currently about 100 lbs heavier than I should be. So I watch some of these insanity videos and most of what they are doing I am absolutely incapable of doing even a single rep right now.

So right now, I am doing a few things that even in my shape I can do. Not sure what exactly you are able to do, but I hope these ideas help you.

First, I focus on good oral hygiene. See the oil pulling thread. I am convinced that oil pulling absolutely pulls toxins out of your ENTIRE BODY not just your mouth. And good oral hygiene such as even just brushing and so forth really can have a large impact on your health.

Next I do a very careful stretching routine. This takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Important thing is to listen to your body and start out gentle and work towards really pushing the stretches (gentle but also getting a GOOD stretch ). I start at my neck, and just work down the body shoulder rolls, arm circles, windmills, Hip circles, reach for the floor, squat (with no weights, just ofr the stretch), then a calf stretch and then up on the toes and then flex the toes. Important thing is DO NOT BOUNCE just stretch each muscle group for a few seconds, and then relax a couple seconds, then stetch again. I am just doing about 5 reps on each muscle group for now. This is my warmup stretch routine.

Then for exercise, I have a recumbent bike. If that is not an option, can you walk? If not, just find a way to be active to whatever degree you can. Throw punches while sitting. Isometric exercies I believe ANYONE can do - it's not cardio, but it DOES develop strength and may move you towards being able to do more. If you want suggestions or help on isometrics, I'd be glad to find some information for you.

Whatever diet plan you go with, one thing I am feeling is to just put the best quality food you can in your body. If you eat meat, try to get range fed and no growth hormones etc. I haven't really "gone organic" but I really believe it makes a difference and I am learning.

Whatever you eat, do it with thanksgiving. I look at it as each cell of my body is an intelligence, and how well am I providing for them? Am I giving them the building blocks they need to be healthy and happy? I am focusing on drinking only water and lots of it. I am trying to learn the nutrients my body needs, including to address some specific problems. I am looking to get my nutrients from living foods as much as possible and supplements as little as possible. My wife is just getting into essential oils and I think there is a lot that can be done there. I am also trying to learn about herbs, superfoods, all of that kind of stuff. Right now I know next to nothing about a lot of that.

I'm in for the fit club. I am not up for insanity training, but one of my goals is to return to condition that I can do those things. Right now the top priority is healthy weight loss, then flexibility, endurance and strength.
I grin when I detect your martial arts training with respect to stretching and exercise. I love it. Isn't it crappy when we know what can help, and not do it?

However, like I said, I have a bad shoulder that truly keeps me from doing a lot even if I desire to do so. I can't raise my arm much higher than shoulder height before real pain sets in. Most the time it dangles at my side. I guess I could do one arm jumping jacks. I worry some over this because I've broken both my ankles and I don't know if my feet would take the extra stress. Get a load of this, I broke my left foot due to not being able to breath after drinking some soda and my throat closed up for some reason. So I passed out and fell right on my ankle and broke it in three places. Then after this foot healed I broke my right foot after sliding on a slick spot while riding my bicycle. Sometimes exercise doesn't pay off. Go figure!

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marc
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by marc »

Ouch, freedomfighter!!

Azriel, I buy whatever whey protein powder I can find, sometimes at Wal Mart, sometimes Sam's Club, sometimes from my Beachbody store. I'm a distributor so I get tons so supplements and stuff 25% off. If anyone is interested in this, let me know.

I like to mix it with water for the most part, but I have mixed it in with my oatmeal or my meal replacement shake or once in a while milk. As for avocados, I will slice it in half lengthwise and pull it apart. The pit sticks to one side. After I pull the pit out, I scoop out it all out with a spoon. Another thing you can do is take a small, sharp knife and make parallel slices about 1/2" apart all the way down to the skin. Then make more of the same slices the other way (parallel). Then push the back side so that what you have is cubes of avocado ready to fall off the skin. Mix in salads, etc. Let me know if this makes sense. If not, I can dig up a video for you.

The 2013 LDSFF New Year, New You Challenge participants so far:

coachmarc
BrianM
DrJones
Etosha
WaitingOnTheLord
Original_Intent
Libertas

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creator
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by creator »

coachmarc, thanks for starting this thread and for offering advice/encouragement.

I wanted to give a status update on my progress... I'm basically just now starting this transition since the past few weeks. My hope is that by sharing some thoughts/information about my progress/plan/goals/etc it will be a help/encouragement to others and also I'd appreciate feedback/tips on things I could do differently/better, other options to consider, etc.

I was previously making progress in 2011 (and early 2012) in regards to getting fitter and exercising more regularly... even though the changes seemed slow, and at times I felt I was hitting a wall, I was making progress... then with a job change in early 2012 my schedule changed and I let that mess up my routine and reversed my fitness progress. I'm finding the older I get (I'm 31) the more conscious effort I have to put into eating right and exercising just to maintain and even more effort required to lose any weight (I don't know if I've got metabolism problems or what, any suggestions in that regard are appreciated. I don't doubt part of it is genetic - I'll likely always be a big guy but I also realize there could be herbs and other natural supplements that could help along with eating right and exercising) And it doesn't help that I have a 'desk job' and that my hobbies involve computers as well.

Now I'm making another attempt to eat healthier foods and exercise more regularly...

Some of the things I'm doing differently...
- Bringing food to work instead of getting fast food (except for the occasional lunch with friends)
- Making more fruit/vegetable smoothies with my Blendtec (sometimes I also add protein powder / meal replacement mix).
- 'Raw Meal', meal replacement from Garden of Life (I like the chocolate flavored one. I have some of the regular flavor but only use that as a smoothie additive). This 'Raw Meal' seems to be one of the better choices for meal replacements.

Regarding exercise, I've got a Gold's Gym membership. I've also got a Wii (some of those sports games are intense).

This week I've gone to the Gym 3 times so far. I did about 30 minutes on the Elliptical, and a little bit of strength training on one of those days.

I'm hoping to be able to report back in a few weeks and say that I've exercised at least 4 times a week for the past 3 weeks. My goal is to go to the Gym at least 4 times a week. I'm starting with an 'ABC' plan... my intention is to go to the Gym around 7am each weekday... but just in case I don't make it, I'll exercise either after work or at night. My main goal though is to make a habit of waking up earlier and working out before work. There are multiple reasons why that is the ideal time to workout (based on my research), also it helps to get that out of the way before starting my day - too many other distractions will too often prevent me from exercising later in the day.

Steve Clark
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by Steve Clark »

coachmarc wrote:Awesome!

The 2013 LDSFF New Year, New You Challenge participants so far:

coachmarc
BrianM
DrJones
Etosha

This will be about setting a long term goal as well as at least one short term goal. The purpose of this challenge will simply be to improve our health and fitness. I will provide all the complimentary training, Q&A, etc. I will help you figure out what program you want to try, even if you just want to walk around your block once a day. I want you also to be able to master your nutritional requirements. At first it can be daunting, but over time, it does become easy and almost second nature.

Anyone else?
Add me to the list. I just started back in the gym after taking a break for many years. I have had both shoulders and both knees operated on in the last few years and that has about killed my health.

My goals I have set so far are 250 lb bench press by Christmas and 315 lbs (lifetime goal) by end of summer 2013. I need some serious help with my legs. I tried squatting the other day for the first time since my knee surgeries and 95 lbs felt like 2 tons. It was pretty sad.

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Jason
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by Jason »

one4freedom wrote:
coachmarc wrote:Awesome!

The 2013 LDSFF New Year, New You Challenge participants so far:

coachmarc
BrianM
DrJones
Etosha

This will be about setting a long term goal as well as at least one short term goal. The purpose of this challenge will simply be to improve our health and fitness. I will provide all the complimentary training, Q&A, etc. I will help you figure out what program you want to try, even if you just want to walk around your block once a day. I want you also to be able to master your nutritional requirements. At first it can be daunting, but over time, it does become easy and almost second nature.

Anyone else?
Add me to the list. I just started back in the gym after taking a break for many years. I have had both shoulders and both knees operated on in the last few years and that has about killed my health.

My goals I have set so far are 250 lb bench press by Christmas and 315 lbs (lifetime goal) by end of summer 2013. I need some serious help with my legs. I tried squatting the other day for the first time since my knee surgeries and 95 lbs felt like 2 tons. It was pretty sad.
My problem is the roller coaster. 9 months to go up 50 lbs and 2 months to go down 50 lbs.

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marc
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by marc »

Brian, you're doing awesome, bud. Folks no matter how slow you may progress, remember that you are still lapping those who are still sitting on the couch!

The 2013 LDSFF New Year, New You Challenge participants so far:

coachmarc
BrianM
DrJones
Etosha
WaitingOnTheLord
Original_Intent
Libertas
one4freedom

This is not about a quick fix. This is about a lifestyle change. Just like the gospel changes us, so does our eating/exercising habits. It's supposed to be permanent. ;)

freedomforall
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by freedomforall »

one4freedom wrote:
coachmarc wrote:Awesome!

The 2013 LDSFF New Year, New You Challenge participants so far:

coachmarc
BrianM
DrJones
Etosha

This will be about setting a long term goal as well as at least one short term goal. The purpose of this challenge will simply be to improve our health and fitness. I will provide all the complimentary training, Q&A, etc. I will help you figure out what program you want to try, even if you just want to walk around your block once a day. I want you also to be able to master your nutritional requirements. At first it can be daunting, but over time, it does become easy and almost second nature.

Anyone else?
Add me to the list. I just started back in the gym after taking a break for many years. I have had both shoulders and both knees operated on in the last few years and that has about killed my health.

My goals I have set so far are 250 lb bench press by Christmas and 315 lbs (lifetime goal) by end of summer 2013. I need some serious help with my legs. I tried squatting the other day for the first time since my knee surgeries and 95 lbs felt like 2 tons. It was pretty sad.

Stretching is imperative. Don't work with cold muscles or you'll regret it at some point. This should help you workout much more comfortable. You may know this already but, maybe it's okay for a reminder once in a while.

Another thing that really helps the knees...is rear foot raises. While standing, either with or without ankle weights, lift foot toward buttocks and then down to the floor again, repeatedly, maybe ten-fifteen times each leg with weights or twenty-five times without, every workout. It is just as important to strengthen the muscles in the back of the knee as it is the front. I learned the hard way when my knees got to hurting. Once I strengthened the rear muscles my knees felt great. (I know there are other ways to accomplish this, but not everyone has a nice bench for leg curls. And this exercise is solely for back-of-knee strengthening...not thigh building.

If this has been mentioned already, sorry.

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marc
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by marc »

Also one4freedom, make sure your doctor is ok with you squatting. I have a bad knee and two bad ankles, but with proper stretching and squatting, I am still making progress. Strength training means you also strengthen joints and connective tissue, not just muscle.

Steve Clark
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by Steve Clark »

coachmarc wrote:Also one4freedom, make sure your doctor is ok with you squatting. I have a bad knee and two bad ankles, but with proper stretching and squatting, I am still making progress. Strength training means you also strengthen joints and connective tissue, not just muscle.
He said I should be able to push them about as hard as I want after I finished PT. The sad thing is that it's not the joint that hurts, it's all of my atrophied muscles in my legs now. I squatted again today and they felt quite a bit better. I'll just keep taking it slow there and I feel pretty confident they'll shape up.

On a side note. I hit my bench goal for the end of the year today. Now I don't have to go back to the gym until January, right? :D

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BringerOfJoy
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by BringerOfJoy »

coachmarc wrote:Brian, you're doing awesome, bud. Folks no matter how slow you may progress, remember that you are still lapping those who are still sitting on the couch!

The 2013 LDSFF New Year, New You Challenge participants so far:

coachmarc
BrianM
DrJones
Etosha
WaitingOnTheLord
Original_Intent
Libertas
one4freedom

This is not about a quick fix. This is about a lifestyle change. Just like the gospel changes us, so does our eating/exercising habits. It's supposed to be permanent. ;)
OK, I'm in. Now I've just got to read the rest of this thread and see what I've just gotten myself in for :D

Just a few details. I'm a 56 year old female. I'm 5'3, and I weigh 146 lbs. I would LIKE to weigh 117 lbs. I weighed 107 lbs for many years so that doesn't seem unreasonable. My only fitness activity currently is walking 1.5 miles; 3 times per week and occasional yoga. I have a gym membership which currently is getting no use. My greatest weakness is Coke & other sweets, but I had my last coke on Thanksgiving day; so I'm 11 days into a NEW habit there.

moving2zion
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by moving2zion »

After almost 20 yrs of playing Army I can say this it all boils down to less in take and more going out the exhaust, eat less and stay more physically active. It doesn't have to be a solid diet or workout program. Just have your family help you watch the amount you are shoveling in your gullet and make an extra effort to engage in a more physically active lifestyle.

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jdawg1012
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by jdawg1012 »

moving2zion wrote:After almost 20 yrs of playing Army I can say this it all boils down to less in take and more going out the exhaust, eat less and stay more physically active. It doesn't have to be a solid diet or workout program. Just have your family help you watch the amount you are shoveling in your gullet and make an extra effort to engage in a more physically active lifestyle.
Careful, far less potentially incensing messages were on the obesity thread, and were met with profanity and all manner of childish behavior. You are, however correct.

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sadie_Mormon
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by sadie_Mormon »

coachmarc wrote:I've been working out for about thirty years. I decided to start this thread to help anyone who is working out to become healthier, fitter, stronger, and leaner. I've recently enjoyed great success with programs like P90X and Insanity so much that I became a Beachbody Coach. My primary passion is barbell work (deadlifts, squats, presses, etc). I am also a certified personal trainer in my early forties and in the best health and shape of my life. I am very committed to reversing the trend of obesity and its related illnesses and diseases around the globe. I have already helped and trained folks in the US, Canada, South America, UK and of course locally with nutrition and exercise.

I'd like to dedicate this thread to you. Feel free to use this thread to ask me any questions you have about getting healthy, getting buff, getting lean, etc. I will be checking in regularly to freely answer questions about exercise and nutrition and help anyone with their own fitness journey. I truly hope that this benefits everyone and that I can be of service. You can also find a growing source of information and articles on my website.

For more info, visit my website: http://marcsstrengthfitness.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am late reading this thread. That is so great Marc!! I've thought about trying the P90X but I heard it's REALLY hard and my knees are a bit wobbly. I know people who have had amazing results with the program and hopefully one day I'll give it a try.

Thanks for sharing!!

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sadie_Mormon
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by sadie_Mormon »

coachmarc wrote:LOL, no takers? Ok, maybe this might inspire you. Now if an old man like me can move like this, you can get there too!

http://youtu.be/AQ2q99eb7zc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:ymdevil:

Ow my goodness! Seriously you are so fit for your age you don't look like you're in your 40's!!

I'm IN! @-)

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marc
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by marc »

The 2013 LDSFF New Year, New You Challenge participants so far:

coachmarc
BrianM
DrJones
Etosha
WaitingOnTheLord
Original_Intent
Libertas
one4freedom
BringerofJoy
Sadie_Mormon

Did I miss anyone?

In any case, I'll get to replies soon. Multi tasking today. For those of us who are "newbies," there are very easy, beginner programs availiable, or as I mentioned before, it is perfectly fine to begin with a fifteen minute walk. We will all be doing different programs according to our abilities, lifestyles, etc. For example, maybe you hate walking but like riding a bike, etc. The one thing I want to encourage everyone is that this something that will be long term. This will become a lifestyle, not a fad or a quick fix. We all want to look and feel great, and that is a short term goal, but the long term goal is overall health and fitness. On a slightly related, but not so relevant topic, has anyone read a book called The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olson?

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Jason
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by Jason »

one4freedom wrote:
coachmarc wrote:Also one4freedom, make sure your doctor is ok with you squatting. I have a bad knee and two bad ankles, but with proper stretching and squatting, I am still making progress. Strength training means you also strengthen joints and connective tissue, not just muscle.
He said I should be able to push them about as hard as I want after I finished PT. The sad thing is that it's not the joint that hurts, it's all of my atrophied muscles in my legs now. I squatted again today and they felt quite a bit better. I'll just keep taking it slow there and I feel pretty confident they'll shape up.

On a side note. I hit my bench goal for the end of the year today. Now I don't have to go back to the gym until January, right? :D
LOL....there goes the roller coaster! Congrats on hitting your goal.

Stairs can also be effective tool for legs when you are getting started....at least for me (not enough weight which causes balancing issues).

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BringerOfJoy
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by BringerOfJoy »

coachmarc wrote: On a slightly related, but not so relevant topic, has anyone read a book called The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olson?
Nope--haven't heard of it.

Thomas
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by Thomas »

I have found that the timing of when you eat matters. I used to skip breakfast and eat a lot at night, sometimes right before climbing into bed. Now I won't eat anything after dinner. I think I eat the same amount of food, overall but have lost weight.

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BringerOfJoy
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by BringerOfJoy »

moving2zion wrote:After almost 20 yrs of playing Army I can say this it all boils down to less in take and more going out the exhaust, eat less and stay more physically active. It doesn't have to be a solid diet or workout program. Just have your family help you watch the amount you are shoveling in your gullet and make an extra effort to engage in a more physically active lifestyle.
These posts are always made by men for whom this simplistic view is generally true. For many folks though, it isn't, as I'm sure Marc can testify since he's worked with a lot of people. As he mentioned in a post above; many women are eating too little, and gaining weight on that too little.

Some people's medications cause them to gain weight in spite of what they are eating/doing. Many women have dieted since a pretty young age; which trashes their metabolism. For them to eat anything less than what they are now eating--they'd probably be dead. (And some men who wrestled in HS or college, and did the starvation/binging thing on a regular basis).

Do you have any friends (particularly female) that have had bariatric surgery? I have quite a few (all of these had their surgeries at least 5-15 years ago). Every single one (except one male) is back to or beyond their original weight--even though they have this little tiny stomach. Unfortunately their metabolism caught up to their tiny meals after a certain amount of weight loss--and now, there they are.

And as a reverse example, I always weighed in near 107 lbs. for MANY, many years. Then, at the age of 36; I strangely started to lose weight w/o changing anything else. I didn't WANT to lose weight. I continued to lose until I got down to 93lb. , and I looked like a Nazi death camp survivor; and at least 20 years older than I was. By this time; I had upped my calorie intake considerably (I was drinking those weight gain formulas the weight-lifters use--to no avail.) I had to deal with the women in my ward who were convinced that I was anorexic, and would tell my husband that he HAD to do something to get me to eat. He would come back with, "She could eat you under a table any day."

Eventually, after a job change, and several other changes in my life (and no time for aerobics which I had been doing for years) I started to put on weight. (And put it on; and put it on, etc.) What I eventually found out that I had been suffering from was a thing call Adrenal Insufficiency. It essentially kicked up my metabolism to a ridiculously high level. It was primarily set off by stress; and aggravated by the aerobic exercise (which I was only doing 3 times a week). One of the first clues that now I would recognize, but then I knew nothing about; was that I started to crave salt. I had never BEEN much of a salt eater, but all of the sudden salty foods started to sound really good to me. Once much of the stress was gone, and the aerobic exercise--the condition resolved itself (a little over-resolved I would say, but oh, well). I met another lady last year who nearly died from it; before they were able to diagnose her. Her disorder will never self-correct because her adrenals are shot; so she is on medication, and has to live a very low-stress life (as if that were possible in this day and age!). She is quite thin; but at least her weight loss has stabilized).

So, no, things aren't always that cut and dried.

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Jason
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by Jason »

BringerOfJoy wrote:
moving2zion wrote:After almost 20 yrs of playing Army I can say this it all boils down to less in take and more going out the exhaust, eat less and stay more physically active. It doesn't have to be a solid diet or workout program. Just have your family help you watch the amount you are shoveling in your gullet and make an extra effort to engage in a more physically active lifestyle.
These posts are always made by men for whom this simplistic view is generally true. For many folks though, it isn't, as I'm sure Marc can testify since he's worked with a lot of people. As he mentioned in a post above; many women are eating too little, and gaining weight on that too little.

Some people's medications cause them to gain weight in spite of what they are eating/doing. Many women have dieted since a pretty young age; which trashes their metabolism. For them to eat anything less than what they are now eating--they'd probably be dead. (And some men who wrestled in HS or college, and did the starvation/binging thing on a regular basis).

Do you have any friends (particularly female) that have had bariatric surgery? I have quite a few (all of these had their surgeries at least 5-15 years ago). Every single one (except one male) is back to or beyond their original weight--even though they have this little tiny stomach. Unfortunately their metabolism caught up to their tiny meals after a certain amount of weight loss--and now, there they are.

And as a reverse example, I always weighed in near 107 lbs. for MANY, many years. Then, at the age of 36; I strangely started to lose weight w/o changing anything else. I didn't WANT to lose weight. I continued to lose until I got down to 93lb. , and I looked like a Nazi death camp survivor; and at least 20 years older than I was. By this time; I had upped my calorie intake considerably (I was drinking those weight gain formulas the weight-lifters use--to no avail.) I had to deal with the women in my ward who were convinced that I was anorexic, and would tell my husband that he HAD to do something to get me to eat. He would come back with, "She could eat you under a table any day."

Eventually, after a job change, and several other changes in my life (and no time for aerobics which I had been doing for years) I started to put on weight. (And put it on; and put it on, etc.) What I eventually found out that I had been suffering from was a thing call Adrenal Insufficiency. It essentially kicked up my metabolism to a ridiculously high level. It was primarily set off by stress; and aggravated by the aerobic exercise (which I was only doing 3 times a week). One of the first clues that now I would recognize, but then I knew nothing about; was that I started to crave salt. I had never BEEN much of a salt eater, but all of the sudden salty foods started to sound really good to me. Once much of the stress was gone, and the aerobic exercise--the condition resolved itself (a little over-resolved I would say, but oh, well). I met another lady last year who nearly died from it; before they were able to diagnose her. Her disorder will never self-correct because her adrenals are shot; so she is on medication, and has to live a very low-stress life (as if that were possible in this day and age!). She is quite thin; but at least her weight loss has stabilized).

So, no, things aren't always that cut and dried.
Its definitely a combination of knowledge and discipline....and one without the other usually doesn't resolve the problem.

On the knowledge side of things....there's a ton of propaganda to wade through. Mercola had article today on diet crap (aspartame, and artificial sweetners). The major food industries (like sugar) spend small fortunes trying to create perceptions of things that aren't true.

What I've found in my health endeavors is that sugar (and substitutes) are poison. To be avoided at all costs. Things like butter and eggs... which food industries have waged wars against...are really good for you.

You can cure major health problems with food. If you are feeling challenged I would suggest 3 books written from vastly different perspectives (addressing vastly different health challenges) but offering nearly the same basic recommendations in terms of diet -

Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride

The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy, and Feeling Younger" by Dr. Diana Schwarzbein (her first and the follow on books are great as well as either additional or supplementary reading)

Minding My Mitochondria 2nd Edition: How I overcame secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and got out of my wheelchair by Dr. Terry Wahl

In addition to those you might look at Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon that is based on Dr. Weston Price's work and also includes recipes. The Real About Sugar by Dr. Robert Lustig is also very good. I'll include some specifics as well as a video of a presentation by him below:

Sugar is poison. Does the same things to your liver that alcohol (fermented sugar) does. Only difference with alcohol is effect on the brain (buzz). No difference between high fructose corn syrup and sugar in terms of effects on your body. HFCS is sweeter and thus theoretically one would use less but in actuality its cheaper thus they use more of it. Sweet will cover up the other tastes like sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Thus they put more salt in soda to make you thirsty so you drink more but cover it up with sugar so you don't notice. Same concept as sweet and sour pork.

This is a more recent version (2011) in which he spends less time on the biochemistry (which most don't understand anyways) and some improvements in the presentation of the material. A little more formal setting as well so there are less crude humor injections.



My background is here -
http://www.ldsfreedomforum.com/viewtopi ... 4&p=259416" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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marc
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

Post by marc »

Good stuff, Legion! B-)

Folks, for those of you who have committed to a new you, it looks like we will soon have a private area where we can share our journey (progress, meals, pictures, accountability, etc, etc, etc. Stay tuned for more details. I will be your host and your guide to make sure everyone is safely and intelligently getting fit and healthy beginning the new year and beyond.

Anyone else want to commit to turning over a new leaf?

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marc
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Re: Freedom Forum Fit Club

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Thomas wrote:I have found that the timing of when you eat matters. I used to skip breakfast and eat a lot at night, sometimes right before climbing into bed. Now I won't eat anything after dinner. I think I eat the same amount of food, overall but have lost weight.
Good job! Yes, when you eat the same (required) amount of calories, but eat most of them at breakfast, lunch, then dinner as you mentioned, with little to nothing between dinner and sleep, you will be better off. Ever wonder why the next meal is called "break-fast?" ;)

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