Fit and Fat

Sep 4 22:22 UTC 1998

After perusing this conference for a while, I can't help but be astonished
and dismayed at the amount of "diet" and "weight-loss" talk.

I feel the need to point out, current cultural obsessions aside, that it *is*
possible to be fit and healthy and also fat.

As a matter of fact, some research (squelched by the mainstream media and the
medical community to a large extent, but out there if you look) suggests that
the reason that in spite of 15 years and more of a cultural obsession with
diets and working out, the average weight of a citizen in the US is rising
is indde *because* of that obsession.

I won't say that I'm fit right at the moment -- I lost most of my fitness
after my thyroid went on strike in 1991 and am just beginning to get my muscle
tone and stamina back after being on synthroid for 15 months -- but I *have*
been both fit and fat.  I could and did walk 17 miles a day because I didn't
have a drivers license or access to a car.  I never got thin.

I want to get my fitness back -- I loved it!  But I don't particularly care
whether I lose weight or gain it in the process.

Some of my methods?  I walk.  I dance.  I skip and twirl and wriggle just
ebcause it feels good!  I occasionally swim.  It's going to take a while
because I refuse to do anything that's boring.  Life is too short for that
-- so no aerobics classes or weightlifting regimines for me.  

So, what kind of movement do other folks do just because it's fun?

response 2 of 61:

Sep 5 13:20 UTC 1998

We bike as transportation, not as fun, but it is enjoyable.  We bike 3-5 miles
a day normally and longer if visiting or shopping.  Do you have a bike?
We also enjoy gardening and housebuilding, which is exercise, and hanging up
the laundry is good stretching I suppose.

response 4 of 61:

Sep 5 15:56 UTC 1998

Tai Chi is a bit like slow motion karate.  It can be very helpful both as
exercise and relaxation (mind and body).

There was a recent study done of a few thousand people who actually lost
weight (>20lbs I think was the criteria) and kept it off for more than a year.
In some cases, 2-5 years.

The study found that the vast majority of these people did _not_ diet, or make
any real special effort to lose weight.  Instead, they either deliberatly or
otherwise just happened to change their life habits.  some increased
activities, some reduced eating (volume, not fat/calories/etc), and the like.
most found that after some time, they just didn't eat unless they were
actually hungry (get away from the dinner clock), but that they _always_ ate
something when they were hungry.  Result, frequent, small meals instead of
2-3 big ones ("grazing"?).

none cut out the favorites like candy, cakes, cookies, booze, etc.  They just
cut down on the amounts.  That way they never really felt they were depriving
themselves and the weight just fell off.

I had a similar experience ove the last 1.5 years or so.  Without any
conscious effort, I now find I eat a bit less at meals (and I _love_ to eat!)
and I discovered I lost >10lbs.  A few weeks ago I got a bit of gastritis and
didn't want to eat at all for awhile and another 8lbs fell off, 5 of which
I put right back on when I felt better, but I'm trying to avoid letting those
last 3 creep up.  If I can lose 5-10lbs _per year_ for the next couple of
years I'll be more than happy.