Dieting

[Big Dick Mcgee]

My doctor told me today that I need to drop sixty pounds. I way 240 and I'm 5'11. I know I need to eat better and exercise. But does anyone have any other advice like type of diet, should I join a gym ext. I usually work 10 to 12 hours a day so I'm going to need all the help I can get.

[Ballbuster1]

I never had a problem with weight, but after some chest pains a few years
back and a family history of heart disease the doc suggested that
I try cutting back on my fat intake. I started to watch what was
in what I ate and lost 20 lbs in no time.

You'd be amazed at the amount of fat that's in what you eat if
you start to look at it. And yes, an exercise regimen is a big help too.

[Budyzir]

Dude, you and I are in the same shit. Earlier this month I was in the hospital for several days because of a heart problem. While my issue may be different from yours, I also have to drop a lot of weight.

Myself, first off, no fast food, what so ever. Not even subways is an option when you look at the sodium levels even in their healthiest options. I buy my own cold cuts (chicken or turkey) and grill (George Foreman Grill is my primary cooking device) my own chicken for sandwhiches.

Chicken, fish and turkey with whole grain brown rice and steamed veggies. Tonights meal is turkey chili with steamed cauliflower and broccoli. Also, no more beer or bourbon. Only a single glass of red wine with my meal.

Exercise; once I get checked out and cleared by my cardiologist I going to start swimming again. Has your DR cleared you for exercise? An option for you, how long do you have for lunch? Can you take 30 minutes and just walk somewhere? Do that for 5 days a week and you'll notice a difference.

Best of luck dude and hang in there, you don't want to end up in my situation. ICUs suck ass.

[Big Dick Mcgee]

I've gone through the whole chest pain thing and was hospitalized with breathing problems. I have real bad asthma that is being tread now. I can exercise I'm just trying to decide what would be the best to do. I work in the HVAC industry so I never know where I am going to be. Fast food is a big problem for me. That is going to be one of my biggest problems to kick. I think I am going to join the YMCA and start swimming in the mornings and evenings. My wife and I are going to have to figure out some meals for us as well. She is going to diet with me so that should help.

[SurlyTruckDrivr]

First of all, good luck hope you succeed. I've been busting my ass at the gym and eating right for the last 2 months and so far I've lost about 30 lbs. That will slow down, but I've been really strict. I never got to the doctor, but once and a while I've had those small pains as well, but not lately. I need to lose over 100 lbs so I'm not looking at it as a diet, moreso as a life change. I know it sounds douchey, but looking at it as a diet makes it sound like I'll go back to the bad habits when I reach my goal. One thing that really helped me and the primary reason I started it was cutting back on sodium. Anything I buy that's not fruit or veggie I've been consious of the sodium levels. I love tuna fish, usually have it for lunch, been buying the very low sodium tuna, and still rinsing it out before I eat it to get as much out as possible. If you do go to the gym, or just walk/run whatever, it will be a big help, I feel 100% better so far. Been eating pretty much the same stuff, fish, chicken, cheerios, salad. Good luck man.

[Ballbuster1]

Swimming is great exercise. I used to teach it and still love to swim.
Not a bad choice.
Food is a biggie though. Fast food is just horrible. I ended up finding
a diet I could live with and taking my lunch to work.
Don't miss fast food anymore and on the few occasions I do eat it
there are better options at those places these days.

You can get nutritional facts on what all the big chains serve on
their websites these days. That's a big help.

Also as SurlyTruckDrivr says, a good diet is not just a diet but
a life change. You just have to realize that you can't eat that way
anymore. My wife has done great since she figured that out too.

[Big Dick Mcgee]

That's a great way to look at it. I'm also looking at it in the way that I'm doing this for my son. Not only to be around longer but for him to see a healthy life style also.

[shuganuts]

I can give you 3 quick things that will make a big difference, but they are tough. No alcohol & nothing you would consider sweets, but give one day a week to 'cheat'. Finally a general rule. If you don't have to prepare it don't eat it. Basically nothing instant or microwaveable. eat like this and exercise a little (even walking and you'll drop 3-5 ponds a week)

[Ballbuster1]

I can give you 3 quick things that will make a big difference, but they are tough. No alcohol & nothing you would consider sweets, but give one day a week to 'cheat'. Finally a general rule. If you don't have to prepare it don't eat it. Basically nothing instant or microwaveable. eat like this and exercise a little (even walking and you'll drop 3-5 ponds a week)
I don't know if I would discount prepped foods. There's alot of good food now
available. Again, you just have to look at what you are eating. The wife and I
are on different schedules so we eat at different times. Prepped food is always
easier for us since we rarely eat at the same time.

Knowing what you are eating is the big key and yes I agree, fresh food is usually
better for you but it's not always possible. Good eating can be done on the quick.
It just takes being informed on what you are eating.

[Zona992006]

whackbaggers giving diet tips..lol

[blackjacklily]

Pace yourself. General healthy rule is 1-2 lbs per week. Drink lots of water, cut out as many refined sugar products as you can, cut bread, potatoes, white rice ect. Stick to lean cuts of meat, and green vegetables (spinach, broccoli, green beans).

As for exercising, start out slow, especially if you aren't a really active person now cause you will hurt yourself further slowing your progress. Walking, swimming, pilates (yes I know, VERY girly, but it really does work).

Good luck!!! I'll be thinking of you, I need to lose about 25 pounds before July.

[Ballbuster1]

whackbaggers giving diet tips..lol
See? It's not all just racist comments and knitter jokes.
But we'll try not to disappoint you. ;)

[Zona992006]

See? It's not all just racist comments and knitter jokes.
But we'll try not to disappoint you. ;)

Ballbuster...your a race baiter.

[Ballbuster1]

Ballbuster...your a race baiter.
Yup and you can ask these people about that:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/81/226534919_d81f7032b1.jpg?v=0
The wife, Dru Boogie and me

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/226531464_10397f67c2.jpg?v=0
Me, Curse of the Bambino and Doughboy

:action-sm

[mstscc]

The funny looking man in my avatar is my diabetic husband. He went from 230 to 170 by switching to diet soda/ Crystal Light, ditching the fast food and eating more fruits and veggies. And after he was diagnosed, his doc told him NO MORE ORANGE JUICE. Biggest sugar trap around is fruit juice- you think you're doing yourself a favor, but it's worse that a Coke. Either have some water or eat an orange.

Best of luck- this is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your family.

[Turtle]

http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=81225

All you need to know.

[Absolutely]

Just cutting out one fastfood stop a day will help out significantly.
Also, if you drink soda... switch to diet or water.
I can't drink water, but I do drink only diet soda.
Like they say "Don't drink your calories".

A Big Mac, Large Fries, and Large Coke = 1,400 Calories
If you eat like a turkey and chicken sandwich and an apple and some chips that's like half the calories + some exercise you should definitely lose some weight.

www.caloriesperhour.com is a really good site, it's got the calories in any food or drink imaginable. I just kept track of what I ate on a little notepad and did like an hour of cardio a day. I lost about 30 pounds and am back around 180, which I'm fine with.

For about a year I was eating fastfood twice a day in college out of laziness, now like a year + later I can't even eat fastfood. Just the instant diarrhea is enough for me now to stay away.

Less calories + exercise.
It's the most obvious but it works.
Just go to a gym, find a tredmill behind some hot 19 year old and trot.

[Nothing Sound]

I way 240 .....

:icon_roll

[Zona992006]

Yup and you can ask these people about that:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/81/226534919_d81f7032b1.jpg?v=0
The wife, Dru Boogie and me

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/226531464_10397f67c2.jpg?v=0
Me, Curse of the Bambino and Doughboy

:action-sm

pics or not, your still a race baitor. Believe me, black or white, race baiting is not race specific....(is that really your wife?...oh man!)

[Big Dick Mcgee]

Thanks for all the advice and info. I'm going to ride my bike with my son after I eat a salad. Today was my first day. I had a banana for breakfast and a granola bar and 2 oranges for lunch. It was weird not going out for fast food.

[Snotbag]

Dieting sucks...food is great.

Just exercise.

:action-sm

[Three Hole Puncher]

I don't know if I would discount prepped foods. There's alot of good food now
available. Again, you just have to look at what you are eating. The wife and I
are on different schedules so we eat at different times. Prepped food is always
easier for us since we rarely eat at the same time.

Knowing what you are eating is the big key and yes I agree, fresh food is usually
better for you but it's not always possible. Good eating can be done on the quick.
It just takes being informed on what you are eating.

Seconded... sometimes getting healthy food in your gullet fast can save you from the temptation of shit food. Five minutes from freezer to chowder hole is a good way to avoid the pre-meal "grazing" that will cause you pack away tons of calories that you'll hardly even realize you're eating.

They're putting out some really good and healthy frozen stuff... and the portion size is good for calibrating your stomach and training yourself to be satisfied with less food.

You'll be amazed at how little food it will take to satisfy you after you've "shrunk" your stomach.

Amy's Kitchen puts out some good stuff... I love the enchiladas:

http://www.allergizer.com/50226711/images/cheese_enchilada.jpg

Douse them with Frank's hot sauce... nom nom nom.

Some good vegetarian Indian stuff too:

http://www.theveganplace.com/pics/amysmattartofu.jpg

You'll like it, and Vishnu will smile upon your haircut, my friend.

Going frozen is pretty expensive... but, in the long run, it's a helluva lot cheaper than a quadruple bypass.

Good luck, bro. :action-sm

[Big Dick Mcgee]

My problem was I like food a little to much. I'm a great big fat person.

[Big Dick Mcgee]

I'm going to go and buy some health food when I get paid Friday. It's going to weird going to the store with the wife to go shopping.

[Jef Leppard]

Seconded... sometimes getting healthy food in your gullet fast can save you from the temptation of shit food. Five minutes from freezer to chowder hole is a good way to avoid the pre-meal "grazing" that will cause you pack away tons of calories that you'll hardly even realize you're eating.

They're putting out some really good and healthy frozen stuff... and the portion size is good for calibrating your stomach and training yourself to be satisfied with less food.

You'll be amazed at how little food it will take to satisfy you after you've "shrunk" your stomach.

Amy's Kitchen puts out some good stuff... I love the enchiladas:

http://www.allergizer.com/50226711/images/cheese_enchilada.jpg

Douse them with Frank's hot sauce... nom nom nom.

Some good vegetarian Indian stuff too:

http://www.theveganplace.com/pics/amysmattartofu.jpg

You'll like it, and Vishnu will smile upon your haircut, my friend.

Going frozen is pretty expensive... but, in the long run, it's a helluva lot cheaper than a quadruple bypass.

Good luck, bro. :action-sm

amys rules. fuck beef and pork, and any thing of the white bread sort. dont eat till full youre just eat till youre not hungry, thatll help also.

[Zona992006]

Thanks for all the advice and info. I'm going to ride my bike with my son after I eat a salad. Today was my first day. I had a banana for breakfast and a granola bar and 2 oranges for lunch. It was weird not going out for fast food.

That sounds like a great start. Think of the $$ saved.

[Capt.Caveman]

Thanks for all the advice and info. I'm going to ride my bike with my son after I eat a salad. Today was my first day. I had a banana for breakfast and a granola bar and 2 oranges for lunch. It was weird not going out for fast food.

don't cut out food all together you'll never last that way. I know how to lose weight the UNhealthy way but it works. ephedra + just eating a good dinner = 40 lbs in 2 months.

[Turtle]

Thanks for all the advice and info. I'm going to ride my bike with my son after I eat a salad. Today was my first day. I had a banana for breakfast and a granola bar and 2 oranges for lunch. It was weird not going out for fast food.

STOP! With a diet like this you will fail. YOu need to eat more often and foods that will fill you up. Stoping eating/ just salad & fruit = failure.

Try this.

Breakfast
1/2 cup oatmeal & a lil honey
bannana
hard boiled egg


Snack
apple or peach or pear

Lunch
6 inch Subway club. No cheese or oil or mayo.
diet drink

Snack
1/2 cup of nuts

Dinner
8 oz of lean beef or chicken breast or fish
a can of green beans
sugar free jello

[Absolutely]

STOP! With a diet like this you will fail. YOu need to eat more often and foods that will fill you up. Stoping eating/ just salad & fruit = failure.

Try this.

Breakfast
1/2 cup oatmeal & a lil honey
bannana
hard boiled egg


Snack
apple or peach or pear

Lunch
6 inch Subway club. No cheese or oil or mayo.
diet drink

Snack
1/2 cup of nuts

Dinner
8 oz of lean beef or chicken breast or fish
a can of green beans
sugar free jello

Yeah, that looks good.
You have to do the grazing thing to keep your metabolism up. If you only eat one meal a day your system thinks your starving and saves the fat. Though I hate Oatmeal, it is filling and low in calories.

[Budyzir]

STOP! With a diet like this you will fail. YOu need to eat more often and foods that will fill you up. Stoping eating/ just salad & fruit = failure.

Try this.

Breakfast
1/2 cup oatmeal & a lil honey
bannana
hard boiled egg


Snack
apple or peach or pear

Lunch
6 inch Subway club. No cheese or oil or mayo.
diet drink

Snack
1/2 cup of nuts

Dinner
8 oz of lean beef or chicken breast or fish
a can of green beans
sugar free jello

While I agree with the bulk, in my situation I'm tracking my sodium, and cholesterol. I thought Subway would be a good cheat but their sodium levels are through the roof. I've been using low salt turkey or chicken cold cuts or my own grilled chicken.

I've avoided canned veggies, there a some great frozen options out there and you can better control your portions size without waste.

Eggs are out form me completely and I limit myself to no more than 2 servings of lean beef a week.

The biggest things I find I really miss; salt. I still notice the flavor difference in a lot of my meals. Various ethnic foods, especially TACOS!

[Turtle]

While I agree with the bulk, in my situation I'm tracking my sodium, and cholesterol. I thought Subway would be a good cheat but their sodium levels are through the roof. I've been using low salt turkey or chicken cold cuts or my own grilled chicken.

I've avoided canned veggies, there a some great frozen options out there and you can better control your portions size without waste.

Eggs are out form me completely and I limit myself to no more than 2 servings of lean beef a week.

The biggest things I find I really miss; salt. I still notice the flavor difference in a lot of my meals. Various ethnic foods, especially TACOS!

Good points, but for a guy who eats a lot of fast food, this will be a big step in the right direction.

I would think about 90% of the salt comes from the Subway idea. The can green beans are cheap and easy, if you like frozen then that would be a better option.

Note unsalted nuts, and no salt on the sub.

[FAZ8218]

Turtle I was with ya until the sugar free jello. Can't stand the stuff... I'll go with another fruit.

I should start eating oatmeal again.

I have one of these for breakfast most of the time, then again I don't know if it will hold the average person over.
http://training.fitness.com/attachments/nutrition/1669d1179893953-nature-valley-trail-mix-bar-nature-valley.jpg
I've cut out coffee which is huge, but I drink Vitamin Water which has a good amount of sugar in it. I'm looking for a good alternative.

[Big Dick Mcgee]

Thanks Turtle that is what I will start doing tomorrow.

[bucket-of-aids]

I would suggest a personal trainer if you can afford it. Resistance training and building muscle has been so damn crucial to getting in shape and healthy for me. I wasn't a believer but now I can't imagine going without it.

[Big Dick Mcgee]

I wish I had the money and the time for that. But with my work schedule I never know when I'm going to get off.

[Capt.Caveman]

Turtle I was with ya until the sugar free jello. Can't stand the stuff... I'll go with another fruit.

I should start eating oatmeal again.

I have one of these for breakfast most of the time, then again I don't know if it will hold the average person over.
http://training.fitness.com/attachments/nutrition/1669d1179893953-nature-valley-trail-mix-bar-nature-valley.jpg
I've cut out coffee which is huge, but I drink Vitamin Water which has a good amount of sugar in it. I'm looking for a good alternative.

the kiwi strawberry is fantastic. and i bet if no one told you it was sugar free you wouldn't even know. I've done this experiment with fat free stuff and people who said they can't eat it

[Big Dick Mcgee]

I just weighed myself this morning a I have lost four pound. Needless to say I am very happy.

[mstscc]

Nice! Keep up the great work! It'll totally be worth it.

[Jolie]

STOP! With a diet like this you will fail. YOu need to eat more often and foods that will fill you up. Stoping eating/ just salad & fruit = failure.

Try this.

Breakfast
1/2 cup oatmeal & a lil honey
bannana
hard boiled egg


Snack
apple or peach or pear

Lunch
6 inch Subway club. No cheese or oil or mayo.
diet drink

Snack
1/2 cup of nuts

Dinner
8 oz of lean beef or chicken breast or fish
a can of green beans
sugar free jello

This looks good, except that 8oz of meat is about 2 - 2.5 servings, depending on who you talk to. My nutritionist said to eat about 3oz as a serving of meat.

Also, yogurt is really good for you, and if you get one with a probiotic (I REALLY like Stonyfield Farms), its even better. I like it because their nonfat yogurt isn't made with artificial sweeteners, which I believe to be the curse of the devil most of the time.

I second (or third) the 30 minutes of walking per day - it doesn't have to be all at once either. 15 minutes 2 times per day is just as good, and I personally have found no matter how well I try to eat, I don't really drop any weight until I start the walking (or any exercise, but walking is a pretty easy one for me, and one I find I will stick to more than anything else).

For cholesterol, my nutritionist said eat nuts, and surprisingly beans - she said 1/2 cup of beans per day. Hummus counts, which is good, cause its really good and makes a GREAT alternative to mayo on a sandwich. Also cut out cheese. Or if you have it, pay close attention to a serving and only have one, and get lowfat cheese instead of whole fat.

Not that its a lot, but I've dropped 3-4 lbs depending on the day in the past few weeks (thats total, not per week, btw). I haven't been trying THAT hard (I am not exercising nearly as much as I want to be) but I've also just started. My main focus on diet right now is cholesterol.

[angrybeerguy]

Try some protein bars.