Weight Watcher's Thread

[661-Pete]

If you're trying to get on top of a booze problem Colin (and it looks like you are), what would you say to having a sticky thread here entitled 'Overcoming Drink Problems' or something on those lines?

Certainly no way do I want to start preaching or lecturing, but if you see it as something worth tackling, maybe it's also worth sharing with others with specifically the same motive.

Me: I've got almost the opposite problem, if you can call it a 'problem' - I'm virtually teetotal. Which means that on the rare occasions when there is alcoholic intake, I can take very little without being - affected. Moreover there are many opinions that complete abstinence is not the most healthy option. The odd glass of red wine with a meal is certainly considered beneficial especially for heart problems. Trouble is, I feel very little inclination to open a bottle. Except when we're in France...

 

[Garz]

The calculator is not always accurate (BMI). It says im overweight which is fine (I don't think I am) but even if I put in my weight I reached last summer where I was shredded I'm still 'overweight' haha.

 

[661-Pete]

The calculator is not always accurate (BMI). It says im overweight which is fine (I don't think I am) but even if I put in my weight I reached last summer where I was shredded I'm still 'overweight' haha.

There's a fair bit of controversy over the validity of BMI (look at wikipedia and then at linked articles).

Put simply, it's calculated as (body mass)/(height)[sup]2[/sup], in metric (SI) units. The exponent of 2 in the denominator is rather arbitrary, and tends to favour shorter people: some have suggested that the exponent should be somewhere between 2 and 3.

Also the preferred BMI ranges vary between men and women, and for those of different ethnic groups. And more athletic people, with higher muscular tissue mass, can get away with higher BMIs. I wonder if that includes cyclists?

 

[661-Pete]

OK, my update:

14 Feb 2011: 95.4 Kg. BMI = 31.8
21 Feb 2011: 94.0 Kg. BMI = 31.3
28 Feb 2011: 94.0 Kg. BMI = 31.3 no change for this week

Not the wrong direction, but too early to say if there's a trend here....

 

[carolonabike]

But I didn't go. I shall stick it out with the 36"s and the tight squeeze, for the time being.

Am I doing the right thing?

How about a compromise Pete, buy 1 pair of trousers in a larger size but only use them in an emergency. Otherwise stick with the ones you have. Hopefully in a couple of weeks the new ones will be slack and your old trousers will feel more comfortable.

 

[Speicher]

There's a fair bit of controversy over the validity of BMI (look at wikipedia and then at linked articles).

Put simply, it's calculated as (body mass)/(height)[sup]2[/sup], in metric (SI) units. The exponent of 2 in the denominator is rather arbitrary, and tends to favour shorter people: some have suggested that the exponent should be somewhere between 2 and 3.

Also the preferred BMI ranges vary between men and women, and for those of different ethnic groups. And more athletic people, with higher muscular tissue mass, can get away with higher BMIs. I wonder if that includes cyclists?

I have often wondered about this as we are three dimensional not two. Short(er) people might have an average depth of (guessing here) eight inches, whereas a well-built person with lots of muscles might have a average depth of 12 inches, ir more if they are over six foot tall.

If as you suggest I calculate my bmi with an exponent of between 2 and 3, I get a much more sensible result. If I was the weight the charts try to tell me I should be, then people would be saying I look ill.

I have now lost about a stone since November. Slow but steady progress.

 

[potsy]

How's the new regime going Colin? Day 2 have you used up your weekly rations yet?

Is this picture related to your 'new regime' Col?

 

[Garz]

Haha, is that the local Hebdon 'offy' shut since the change of diet?

 

[661-Pete]

How about a compromise Pete, buy 1 pair of trousers in a larger size but only use them in an emergency. Otherwise stick with the ones you have. Hopefully in a couple of weeks the new ones will be slack and your old trousers will feel more comfortable.

I think, maybe, one of my pairs of office trousers are mis-sized. They were sold as a '36' but fit a lot tighter than my other pairs of '36's. Can't remember where I bought them now, probably BHS Anyway I've decided not to buy any 38s. That would be defeatist!

If as you suggest I calculate my bmi with an exponent of between 2 and 3, I get a much more sensible result. If I was the weight the charts try to tell me I should be, then people would be saying I look ill.

Do bear in mind, you'd have to set completely different thresholds between 'normal' and 'overweight' etc.!

Based on the standard BMI, I'd be aiming for a target of 85Kg, 10Kg below my starting point, which is still 10Kg into the 'overweight' zone, but I can live with that. My GP thinks so too.

 

[ColinJ]

[attachment=2439:Colinj.jpg] [attachment=2437:craig6.jpg] [attachment=2438:82142267.jpg]

Like you say, you were a LOT slimmer then

Oh! Well, I've been compared to worse, that's for sure!

I've had 3 or 4 people mention a resemblance to Hugh Laurie which I used to think was a bit insulting when he was playing the fool in Blackadder, but I changed my mind when American women started drooling over him in House!

If you're trying to get on top of a booze problem Colin (and it looks like you are), what would you say to having a sticky thread here entitled 'Overcoming Drink Problems' or something on those lines?

Actually, I'm very lucky in that I can always stop dead when I put my mind to it, which is what I did on Sunday. I finished off what beer I had and last night I just had OJ and sparkling mineral water instead. I have some chilling in the fridge again tonight.

The shops have just shut and I wasn't in a panic thinking rushing down there to get the beers in. In fact, this is the first time I've thought about beer this evening. I seem to develop bad habits rather than addictions.

It was the same when I smoked as a young man. I did it for 5 years and then just decided to stop and did - cold turkey, no problems.
If somebody really has a problem with drink or drugs, I'd advise them to seek professional help.

Okay, I'd give one piece of advice - if you become aware that you are buying rather a lot of alcohol from one shop and you find yourself thinking about alternating between different shops because you feel embarrassed about it, that should tell you something! I got that feeling a couple of days ago and decided that it was time to drop back within the government alcohol guidelines.

What I really need to work on is dealing with the pressures in my life which are bothering me. Being alone indoors for 160 hours a week worrying about money really isn't doing me a lot of good!

There's a fair bit of controversy over the validity of BMI (look at wikipedia and then at linked articles).

I think BMI is a really stupid concept. It's great as long as the numbers doctors quote happen to work for you, but useless if they don't. It so happens that they are about right for me because I'm a medium build.

There are people of a slender build who would be overweight at their recommended BMI. Then you have the huge muscular people who would have to starve themselves to get down to that BMI.

I think a much simpler measure is the old 'can you pinch an inch' idea. If you have a very small layer of fat round your waist then it is likely that you are okay. If all your bones stick out then you are probably underweight, If you can get hold of handfuls of flab round your waist then you are overweight. I can at the moment, so I am - blow BMI!

How's the new regime going Colin? Day 2 have you used up your weekly rations yet?

Booze nil - good; exercise also nil; bad!

 

[Garz]

Go Big C!!

(you are only big to me as I'm probably a midget in your stature)

 

[carolonabike]

Weigh in day, 9st 1lb, no change, but I've done a little graph on excel and it does actually show a downward trend so I'm quite happy.

I've had a pretty good week excercise wise. I commuted in three days and even managed a run on Tuesday evening. In fact, I did a 'brick'. I came in from work, got changed and went straight out for my run. I've never tried it before so I only did three miles but I was surprised how heavy my legs felt, and in fact they were a little sore on Wednesday. So, it must have done some good.

This weekend I'm planning a 4 or 5 mile run on Saturday then a bike ride on Sunday. The weather forecast is pretty good

 

[ColinJ]

Well, Wednesday was my 3rd night off the beer but last night I got a call from a former colleague who was meeting another in a pub in Hebden Bridge. I haven't been out to the pub since June 2010 and I haven't seen those two mates since the start of last year so I decided to use up some of my week's beer ration with them. No beer until Sunday evening now!

I did a fine hilly 31 mile ride with bromptonfb in the sunshine yesterday; I'd almost forgotten what it felt like! I have a 57 mile forum ride coming up on Sunday so I'll have met my mileage target for the week.

 

[Banjo]

Weigh in day, 9st 1lb, no change, but I've done a little graph on excel and it does actually show a downward trend so I'm quite happy.

I've had a pretty good week excercise wise. I commuted in three days and even managed a run on Tuesday evening. In fact, I did a 'brick'. I came in from work, got changed and went straight out for my run. I've never tried it before so I only did three miles but I was surprised how heavy my legs felt, and in fact they were a little sore on Wednesday. So, it must have done some good.

This weekend I'm planning a 4 or 5 mile run on Saturday then a bike ride on Sunday. The weather forecast is pretty good

I dont run anymore but remember that running muscles are different to cycling muscles Any type of fitness and exercise stuff has to be good though.

I am away from home in North Lincolnshire this week so wont be weighing (probably just as well ) Have brought the single speed folder with me and managed a 15 miler and a 10 mile ride so far.Probably the equivalent of double the mileage on the road bike as it may be small but its 4.5 kg heavier than the road bike and single speed,I am puffing up slight inclines and on the flat cant pedal fast enough to do more than about 15mph.

Nice place to cycle though, rolling countryside and plenty of quiet back roads to ride on,Next time I might fit the carrier and bring the Scott.Would really like to "invest" in a decent folder but cant really justify it for only occassional use.

I hope I can match your success in staying the same weight but fingers are crossed....

 

[carolonabike]

I've never been to Linconshire, the name has a nice ring to it though. Have fun.

I went for another run yesterday and surprised myself with my (relative for me) speed, 4 miles in just over 39 mins . I haven't run that fast since last year. I'm assuming all the cycling has had a beneficial effect on both my aerobic fitness and muscular strength because it didn't feel particularly hard. On the other hand, I could just as easily go out next week and struggle round in 45 mins, we'll see .

I'm hopeful that this week may be the week I get back below the 9st mark. I normally end the wekend 2lb heavier than I started (a combination of food and wine ) but I got weighed this morning and I was 9st 0.5lbs, so fingers crossed.