Dieting, baby!

[Trevize1138]

As of this morning I'm no longer a clidesdale. I'm at 199 lbs! Back in January I was at 211. I tried going it on my own to lose weight and leveled off right around 205 for a couple months.

Saturday I went to my first Weight Watcher's meeting with the wife and we're both on it. For the first time ever I've started actually reading nutritional info on food to determine how much I should eat in a day. So far, it's working like gang-busters.

I must say there was an awful lot of psycological resisitance to it, though. Guys just don't diet, ya know? But, the whole Weight Watchers thing is pretty interesting. They determine how many "points" you can eat in a given day, which are calculated as such: (calories/50) + (fat grams/50) - (fiber grams/5) = points.

They don't encourage you to completely cut out fat or carbs or any foods, really. If anything it encourages you to eat what you normally eat, just not as much. It's also great incentive to eat vegetables because raw vegetables have the right combination of low calories and high fiber that they equate to 0 points. The thing that most impressed me was they stress that you eat *exactly* the number of points per day you're supposed to eat. I'm supposed to eat 26 a day, but that doesn't mean I should try eating 24 a day to lose weight faster, otherwise I'd go into starvation mode and the diet would crash.

My ultimate goal is to get to the 180s. I don't think I dare go any lower than that, but a good 185 would be about perfect, I'd think. Theoretically, I should lose 5 lbs by Saturday (first week) then 2 lbs each week after that. By that math I should be 188 by our Maah Daah Hey ride over Memorial Day. Although, since as of this morning I've lost SIX ... I don't know how that factors in ...

Why did I join a diet program if I was only 20 lbs or so overweight? Well, I just wasn't able to lose it, dammit! Seems like while in HS as a guy in sports you only know one type of dieting: eat lots of pasta. Carbs = energy for races. Any excess calories you take in that don't get burned up by sports go to growing bones and muscle. The muscle growth continues into your early 20s.

Pretty soon, you're 31 and still eating like you're 17 ... and you're no longer developing muscle, you're developing fat! Guess I decided I needed to get help with readjusting my diet and eating habits to my older body.

Anyway, just thought I'd share. I know a couple others on here have diet stories, so maybe this will start a good discussion about diet for us older athletes and how exercise alone just doesn't do it for managing weight after a certain age.

[zerpy]

I'm kind of in a diet slump right now, not sure of what the heck I'm doing.

I lost almost 100 lbs when my doc put me on Atkins a few years ago. I quit because eating becomes a depressing act of self torture. Then I went on weight watchers with my wife and managed to gain weight. So last year I tried atkins again and quickly found that atkins+cycling=blacking out and crashing. You just can't do that level of streneous activity on a ketogenic metabolism. So now I'm just starving myself and exercising like crazy, but still gaining weight:hit:

I'd like to get down to about 240, but have about a hundred pounds to shed to get there.

[Trevize1138]

That's gotta be tough. One thing I certainly realize is I've got it way too easy with the dieting thing. My wife reminds me of this constantly: I don't have the "emotional eating" habits like she does.

Still, it's interesting to me that most guys won't diet if they're only 20 or so pounds overweight. It's like you're afraid your wrist will suddenly go limp and a tu-tu will spontaneously sprout from your waist if you pass up a meal that has too many calories :crazy:.

One big thing I discovered on day 1 of Weight Watchers is that soda is friggin' EVIL. Went to the movies after the meeting and got my usual 32oz Mello Yello (I can't do diet). My wife chuckled at me, then pointed out that I was drinking 1/2 my points for the day ... CRIPES!

Stay strong, Zerpy!

[bradpartyka]

I didn't actually join Weight Watchers, but I did somewhat follow their program a year or two ago. My wife joined it and she showed me everything about it. And I lost a ton of weight. I have been pretty much glued to my goal for the past year almost.

If you follow the program it really does work. I never liked the idea of the flex points though.

And losing that extra weight is awesome for out on the trail.

The best thing for me was to stop eating so much beef and eating more chicken. And I do have to say those veggie burgers (Bucca Burgers) really do taste like beef. I was very skeptical at the begining.

If you do a search on the net there are downloadable versions of their weight watchers guide that you can download to your Palm or PC.

Oh yeah... give up regular beer and go to light beers. That Michelob Ultra that they claim only has 3 carbs in it. We'll Coor's light only has 5 Carbs and tastes soooo much better. Most light beers are very low in carbs and calories anyways.

:D

[fisherbikefreak]

Coming from the guy who in highschool let the biggest guys in the school punch him in the stomach to prove that they weren't as tough as they thought they were. They couldn't even budge me with their hardest blow. Being a farm boy at the time and working out twice a day besides my track practices one could say I spent the better part of the day exercising when I was younger.

The buff farm boy blows off farm work for city career.
Now, out of college and in a good job I feel lucky if I am able to get an hour of exercise a day. I do bike to work so I guess that is already a half hour a day, but beyond just commuting I rarely get in an hour of weights or running a day. That is still better than most people I know. I am 5'8" tall on an especially proud and stand tall day and I tip the scales at about 198 pounds. According to most "specialists" that's about 25 to 40 pounds overweight. I actually feel that 180-185 would be about right for me. I must say at 23 years old I already feel like I struggle to keep in shape, I think I am losing the battle.

I try to eat somewhat healthy. My idea of healthy being the standard protein, carb and fiber combination for meals. Like I said, I grew up on a farm, I LOVE MEAT. So my latest attempt at dieting is to just eat less. Instead of taking on the 1lb T-bone from the freezer, I will make it a 1/4 lb T-bone. Instead of the large baked potato with sourcream and the fixens, I'll eat a normal portion of pasta. Also, I have been trying to get more broccolli down my pie hole.

The other day I was talking to this Oncologist dude and he said the best diet he could ever recommend for someone would be to eat whatever the heck you want but add the weight of it all together and eat an equal weight in broccolli and we will all lose more weight than we ever thought possible. Makes sense, mostly fill up on broccolli and fill the remainder with steak and cheesecake (Okay probably a good idea to skip that!).

My problem is that for a couple years in college I gave up on my "healthy" diet and stopped exercising to save time and money (it's college you have neither). So now I am paying the price. Hopefully, over time and with my extra time and money from working an 8-5 job I will be able to get back into shape. I'll post you on the outcome and how much weight I gain in a couple months!
:etard:

[fisherbikefreak]

give up regular beer and go to light beers. That Michelob Ultra that they claim only has 3 carbs in it. We'll Coor's light only has 5 Carbs and tastes soooo much better. Most light beers are very low in carbs and calories anyways.

:D
So should I give up my beloved dark beer? If it's not red or darker it isn't allowed to go near my glass.

[PWAXON]

I went on South Beach Diet last August and lost 35 pound. I still have about 10 more to go but I haven’t stuck to the program very well since Christmas. I haven’t gained any back though.

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Good Luck with Weight Watchers.

[SPR]

Here's a timely article on the subject:
(Sorry about the length)
http://www.velonews.com/train/articles/5876.0.html

[JHM]

Don't give up your favorite things in life just to conform to some diet plan. Food (eating and drinking) is as important as mountian biking. Would you ride a rigid Huffy at Leb for any reason? Then why drink light beer? If beer is the reason you are not loosing weight then drink less, don't substitute an imitiation.

The same goes for meat or pasta. Eat reasonable portions of things you like and exercise.

[bradpartyka]

So should I give up my beloved dark beer? If it's not red or darker it isn't allowed to go near my glass.
Too Funny. I use to love Dark Beer, but it is way to filling. It all depends upon your goals... They say dark beer is more healthy for you, just like red wine.

But, what I was referring to, if your trying to loose weight, cut out the beer. Lots of time what you drink is overlooked in a diet.

Another suggestion I heard is that Diet Coke can make it hard to loose weight.

[Trevize1138]

Don't give up your favorite things in life just to conform to some diet plan. Food (eating and drinking) is as important as mountian biking. Would you ride a rigid Huffy at Leb for any reason? Then why drink light beer? If beer is the reason you are not loosing weight then drink less, don't substitute an imitiation.

The same goes for meat or pasta. Eat reasonable portions of things you like and exercise.
Not to sound like I'm pushing Weight Watchers, but that's another thing I like about it: you aren't forced to give up certain foods, you're just made more aware of what they'll do to your diet.

Also, they have a system for gaining points through exercise. For example, last night I did the BCR group ride at the river bottoms, about 2 hours of riding and a good part of that really hammering. I gained 8 WW points for that ride, meaning I could basically pig out for dinner that night (not really pig out, but I could eat a larger dinner than if I hadn't rode).

I won't be giving up Bass, Guiness, Killians or any other great, thick, MANLY beers, I'll just make sure to have only one and nurse it when I'm out. ;)

Just like that article said that SPR posted, the best weight loss program is one that encourages more lasting effects, not extreme efforts at cutting calories or carbs.

[bradpartyka]

Don't give up your favorite things in life just to conform to some diet plan. Food (eating and drinking) is as important as mountian biking. Would you ride a rigid Huffy at Leb for any reason? Then why drink light beer? If beer is the reason you are not loosing weight then drink less, don't substitute an imitiation.

The same goes for meat or pasta. Eat reasonable portions of things you like and exercise.
True! A Diet is only temporary. Lifestyle change is the best way.

And becareful biking while loosing weight. Last Summer I was still working on loosing weight and I got so sick at Afton, dizzines, nausea. Afton is a workout normally anyways.

[Trevize1138]

True! A Diet is only temporary. Lifestyle change is the best way.

And becareful biking while loosing weight. Last Summer I was still working on loosing weight and I got so sick at Afton, dizzines, nausea. Afton is a workout normally anyways.
When we do our Maah Daah Hey ride I'm most certainly not dieting. That'd be suicide.

Besides, with all the riding we do and the fact that we have to pack all our food with us on the trail I'd be very surprised if we were able to eat enough to even break even weight wise. :crazy2:

Technically, I guess sticking to WW wouldn't be a bad thing even for something like that, what with the whole point gaining thing due to exercise. I'd imagine you'd have a hard time matching the points your supposed to eat during something like that as opposed to limiting your eating...

[drakh]

Here's an interesting link on beer and diets from MTBR. Given how thick Guiness is, i'm not sure that i buy it.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=16365
That being said, if it's a choice between dinner and beer, beer's gotta win.
:D

Michael

[bradpartyka]

Here's an interesting link on beer and diets from MTBR. Given how thick Guiness is, i'm not sure that i buy it.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=16365
That being said, if it's a choice between dinner and beer, beer's gotta win.
:D

Michael
According to realbeer.com http://www.realbeer.com/edu/health/calories.php they may be closer to true than you would think.

It must be because the alcohol content is lower. When in fact most dark beer usually have a higher alcohol content.

[fisherbikefreak]

Hey by the way, congratulations to those who are winning the weight war. It takes a lot of work.
:banana:

[Trevize1138]

According to realbeer.com http://www.realbeer.com/edu/health/calories.php they may be closer to true than you would think.

It must be because the alcohol content is lower. When in fact most dark beer usually have a higher alcohol content.
I wonder if all the barley and stuff in Guiness counts for counter-acting any of the butt-widening attributes it has, sorta like how vegetables have so much fiber they counter the calories?

But, man only 15 calories more than Bud Light? Why drink anything else but Guiness with that info??? :crazy2:

[drakh]

According to realbeer.com http://www.realbeer.com/edu/health/calories.php they may be closer to true than you would think.

It must be because the alcohol content is lower. When in fact most dark beer usually have a higher alcohol content.

I notice that the foreign extra stout is quite a bit more in alcohol, carbs, and calories than the draught which is what the article is based off of. But, i drink for taste. I'd rather have 1 guiness than a six-pack of coors light. *blech*.

Michael

[bradpartyka]

Coor's light is good d#mn it and less filling. It doesn't slow you down the morning after either.

What an awesome day. I need to get my tube changed and get to Lebanon. Haven't had a flat for such a long time and got one at Leb yesterday.:mad:

[Trevize1138]

Haven't had a flat for such a long time and got one at Leb yesterday.:mad:
Maybe that's a sign you need to lose some weight, fat @ss ... :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[bradpartyka]

Maybe that's a sign you need to lose some weight, fat @ss ... :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:Nah, a sign I need to learn to ride better. :geek:

[manual63]

I am slightly overweight and usually lose a lot of it in the summer when I am active. This year, I want to lose more and then not gain it back in the winter. At one point last summer I was about 174. Now I am about 195 or so. I was 180 and very muscular out of high school (football and weightlifting) so I have not changed that much.

I think I am really going to start watching my diet more...a lot more. I have already done the organic thing, mostly anyway. I eat about 80% organic and hormone free now. That was an adjustment in it's own. Now I should start a points system because I know I eat more than I can burn off.

I used to drink Diet Soda, but I don't do that anymore. Now I drink Gatorade and Natural 365 sode from Whole Foods. The soda thing is a big diet killer. So is beer. Limiting Soda and Beer intake can make a big difference.

I hope to lose about 20 pounds and the trick will be to stay there, even over winter.

[manual63]

Nah, a sign I need to learn to ride better. :geek:
Check out the Riding Tips section. It's got a lot of info....especially about riding smoother.

[bradpartyka]

Check out the Riding Tips section. It's got a lot of info....especially about riding smoother.
My new Trek Liquid will be smooth as water. Whenever I get that built!!! :hit:

[fisherbikefreak]

But, i drink for taste. I'd rather have 1 guiness than a six-pack of coors light. *blech*.

Michael
I'm with ya bro! Plus no DWI on the way home.

[nigel]

So should I give up my beloved dark beer? If it's not red or darker it isn't allowed to go near my glass.

Ohhh so true.....I could not give up my Gosser!

[manual63]

My new Trek Liquid will be smooth as water. Whenever I get that built!!! :hit:
Sure, solve the problem by getting a fully. Let the bike do the work...not you......Just like the others do.....:p.

[bradpartyka]

I used to drink Diet Soda, but I don't do that anymore. Now I drink Gatorade and Natural 365 sode from Whole Foods. The soda thing is a big diet killer. So is beer. Limiting Soda and Beer intake can make a big difference.

Gatorade is awesome for energy, but high in calories. That Propel stuff is pretty good and tasty and low in calories and sugar.

[zerpy]

Too Funny. I use to love Dark Beer, but it is way to filling. It all depends upon your goals... They say dark beer is more healthy for you, just like red wine.

But, what I was referring to, if your trying to loose weight, cut out the beer. Lots of time what you drink is overlooked in a diet.

Another suggestion I heard is that Diet Coke can make it hard to loose weight.
Actually, anything with caffiene can make it hard to lose weight. It makes your body respond more strongly to increases in blood sugar, basically your body overreacts to a spike in blood sugar when you eat and you store it before you can use it.

[Trevize1138]

Gatorade is awesome for energy, but high in calories. That Propel stuff is pretty good and tasty and low in calories and sugar.
Gatoraide is actually 1/2 as bad for your diet as soda. I've been surviving my soda withdrawal by having about 16 oz of Gatoraide a day. Only 2 WW points! :banana: