# The SDMB I'm-Getting-In-Shape Support Group **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 8, 2000, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495 "2000-09-08T14:35:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![TracyMarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@TracyMarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TracyMarie)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/141 "2000-09-13T01:30:59Z")
_Originally posted by iampunha_ \*\* > [@](#): > > This is probably the lack of sleep speaking, but what did I say the other day that made your day?\*\* When I said I had a weight problem, you looked at my picture and said you “couldn’t see it.” 🙂 > [@](#): > > \*\*As for what it is, I think it’s that I was raised to think I wasn’t anything to look at, and I’m guessing you’ve heard things from people in that same sense. \*\* Yep. But those people who said that to you were wrong. Now let’s get back to health talk! 🙂 Peace, Tracy ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/142 "2000-09-13T02:05:42Z")
Well I had a good walk today with the dog. I went a little further than I have been \< yipeeee \> okay only about 5 more minutes but every extra bit is a little triumph in my book. Tomorrow I am shooting for 45 minutes and Friday too as I will be with my family in Glenwood Springs on Saturday and Sunday – we are taking the train up there so I wont probably be able to get in any decent walks until Monday. There are a lot of hills to climb and the last leg of my walk is pretty hard – pant, pant, pant all the way up. I will say that even though I am so out of shape, I am proud of walking as much as I am in on the trails I am. When I lived in Denver I would walk a lot farther but there aren’t as many hills as there is where I am walking now. My butt and calves burn more 🙂 Dinner was turkey with a salad of tomatoes, broccoli and romain lettuce with an olive oil vinegarette. (Olive oil is 'sposedly a better oil for you if you choose to use an oil) and I have had about 80 ounces of water today! ---
**Author:** ![Doobieous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Doobieous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doobieous)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/143 "2000-09-13T06:15:36Z")
Well, i went riding again today. I am actually less sore today than I was yesterday. I think I may enjoy this a lot :). I’ll keep this up for a month and see what happens. Hopefully i’m doing this correctly. ---
**Author:** ![TracyMarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@TracyMarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TracyMarie)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/144 "2000-09-13T13:24:08Z")
I am riding a bike too. I’m going at the highest gear (5) for about 30 minutes. That’s how long I can last, then I’m breathing very hard, so I stop. I also do about 10 minutes of yoga stretches. I am really loving this. And I’ve already lost 2 pounds! I’d like to lose at least 5 more by Oct. 3rd (when my boyfriend comes to visit), but I realize that may be pushing things. I’m eating better too. No more in-between meal snacks, and mexican food only on the weekends. I’m learning a lot about healthy eating just from reading this thread. And Mr. Cynical cracks me up! 🙂 Thank you so much for starting this thread, PLD. Peace, Tracy ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/145 "2000-09-13T17:01:15Z")
As a matter of fact, I _am_ an engineer. I have the blue and white striped cap to prove it! ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/146 "2000-09-13T17:06:46Z")
> [@](#): > > I have the blue and white striped cap to prove it! I would like to see that, oh and…never mind. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/147 "2000-09-13T22:46:53Z")
Where is everyone this afternoon? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/148 "2000-09-14T00:09:17Z")
Guys, you’re gonna be SO proud of me. I made an appointment at my company gym for Friday, 1800-1900. I’m meeting with a professional trainer, and we’re gonna set up a dedicated cardio program for me. I’m planning on working out 2 to 3 times a week, in one hour stints. [Homer] Woohoo! Look at that blubber fly! [/Homer] 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCTP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@ChrisCTP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCTP)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/149 "2000-09-14T00:12:38Z")
One can of Coke. One small bowl of vegetable beef soup. One slice of 7-grain bread with a thin spread of butter. And water. Lots of water. ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/150 "2000-09-14T00:18:02Z")
Got a hike in the woods today. Hot, sweaty, and fun! I think I will do it again soon. Good work to everyone who posts here! ---
**Author:** ![Doobieous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Doobieous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doobieous)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/151 "2000-09-14T01:32:16Z")
Rode my bike around yet again :). It really seems to get a little easier as I keep this up. I can feel it in my legs, but they arent sore like the first day. But, i’m working on the eating habits. A bit hard when the parents run low on cash and you have to scrounge up whatever there is around for dinner (yes, it’s a bit hard to get tons of veggies, especially when you are nearly broke!). Anyway, all is well. This time around I actually look forward to riding my bike instead of dreading it. Perhaps i’m seeing this as a challenge, instead of a chore? But, when it starts getting into the rainy season, I may have to go to my school’s gym (i might try to see which of my friends are available to go with, but we’re all busy this year so I cant say for sure). ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/152 "2000-09-14T02:38:54Z")
Chris, Only one can of coke and lots of water? I am proud of you! Keep it up Chris, that’s much better 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/153 "2000-09-14T03:18:51Z")
Ok, so you people want to lose weight…and keep it off. While dieting, changing your eating habits, etc… are excellent things to do, they alone aren’t going to make a big difference (if they do, it’s temporary). What makes a difference, long term and short term, is pure exercise. Here are some things I’ve learned to do to manage my weight: Your metabolism is typically highest from morning to noon. Your exercise time would be best served during this period. Also you should try to have your larger meals in the breakfest-to-lunch time frame, and have a smaller meal around dinner time. Drink lots of water. They say to keep your muscles fully hydrated you should drink 1-2 gallons a day if you’re female, and 2-3 gallons of water a day if you’re male. At least have 1 gallon of water per day. It’s very good for you. Don’t eat dry foods. Eat lots of protein. Avoid carbs in the evening. Change your day to day routine: Instead of parking in front of the parking lot, park in the back. Use the stairs instead of the esculator/elevator. If you work out 45 minutes, you’ll burn some fat. If you workout a half hour longer you’ll burn close to _three times_ as much fat. Listen to music when you work out, it gets your mind off the exercise, while stimulating releases of endorphins (natural pain killers)–hence making the exercise _easier_–allowing you to go further and faster…The end result is a _better_ workout. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/154 "2000-09-14T04:44:49Z")
Silo said: > [@](#): > > Ok, so you people want to lose weight…and keep it off. While dieting, changing your eating habits, etc… are excellent things to do, they alone aren’t going to make a big difference (if they do, it’s temporary). Silo, that is bullshit. (I am in the bullshit mode today) anyhow, if people change their eating habits this will make a difference long term. Poor eating habits are a prime problem with our population being overweight. It is a lifestyle change that people need to make. To say that changing your habits are only temporary is like telling a great majority of the people here, why bother, it wont work. Well it does, not only for weight purposes but for a healthier lifestyle over all. Many of us can not continue eating in the manner we have been and by changing our food habits we will loose weight and if we continue with good eating habits we will be able to maintain a healthy weight. People do not need 1 1/4 hours of a strenuous work out to maintain a healthy body. Since I know you, you want more than to be simply healthy, you want bigger muscles. A great majority here want to be healthy and maintain a healthy weight but don’t desire to look like last month’s cover of “Weight Lifting” magazine. As for water, there are many factors that determine your needs for water intake. 1-2 gallons is an extremelly high amount for the average woman. Sheesh, if I drank that much water in a day I would end up staying on the toilet and not have time to do anything else. I am between 60 and 80 ounces a day and this is good enough for me and my lifestyle. If you are talking a person that is contantly working out, lives in a hot dry climate, then I can see where a high amount of water is needed, but for the average person 64 ounces is enough to maintain healthy hydration and elimination. Well, you know you are my buddy but I will call it when I see it wrong for what the purpose is in this thread. This is not about being a bunch of body builders but to gain better eating habits and become more active to have a healthier and longer life. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/155 "2000-09-14T05:03:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Silo \* > \*\*Ok, so you people want to lose weight…and keep it off. While dieting, changing your eating habits, etc… are excellent things to do, they alone aren’t going to make a big difference (if they do, it’s temporary). What makes a difference, long term and short term, is pure exercise. > \*\* I agree with a most of what you said but take exception with this. I personally have lost 50 lbs and have kept it off for over a year (and actually lost another ten lbs, as a matter of fact) by changing my eating habits without any sort of serious exercise program. Now I want to gain muscle and lose a bit more fat, and for that I’m doing weight training two to three times a week (and sticking with my eating program). But I lost the bulk of the weight without exercising. While exercise is certainly good and will boost weight loss, it’s not universally true that you can’t lose weight and keep it off just by changing your eating habits. It may be true for _some_ people, but is certainly not an absolute. ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/156 "2000-09-14T14:44:38Z")
Well, this morning I walked 1 hour on the treadmill, in my hiking boots. I haven’t been paying attention to food at all, since, well, I have my period and all I do is crave salt and fat and restricting that would make me more than cranky–I would be SuperBitch![sup]TM[/sup] The food will just have to wait until next week. To jump into the exercise vs. food fray, my doc says that exercise is the number 1 priority. The New England Journal of Medicine apparently recently published an article saying that for health benefits, you should work on a good exercise program first. I haven’t seen the article myself, but if my doc says so, it must be true! Of course, that’s no reason to eat bacon cheeseburgers all the time (ooh, maybe I shouldn’t tempt Mr. Cynical that way) but I’m going to try to make exercise my #1 priority. ---
**Author:** ![KimKatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@KimKatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KimKatt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/157 "2000-09-14T14:50:25Z")
Getting there. 1/2 hour on the treadmill Tuesday night. Last night I started a two hour acrylic painting class, which is as important to my health as the physical fitness right now. I also ordered a yoga video from Chapters. And I haven’t been eating chocolate every day. Still looking for the motivation/energy to work out in the morning… ugh. Keep up the good work, dopers! ---
**Author:** ![TracyMarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@TracyMarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TracyMarie)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/158 "2000-09-14T15:25:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by techchick68 \* Thank goodness for this post. I was reading Silo’s post and getting very nervous and discouraged. All that water, an hour and half of excercise, in the morning (I teach! excercise in the morning is impossible). I was beginning to think it was all a lost cause. Peace, Tracy ---
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/159 "2000-09-14T15:53:32Z")
> [@](#): > > Silo, that is bullshit. (I am in the bullshit mode today) anyhow, if people change their eating habits this will make a difference long term. Poor eating habits are a prime problem with our population being overweight. It is a lifestyle change that people need to make. To say that changing your habits are only temporary is like telling a great majority of the people here, why bother, it wont work. Yes changing your eating habits will make a difference (especially coupled with regular exercise), but from what I’ve seen, altering eating habits “alone” will not make a major difference. It’s usually a subtle difference if any. Poor eating habits are a problem, but a much bigger problem is lack of exercise. Don’t forget that genetics play a huge role in determining a persons set-point weight. I’ve seen many people change eating habits, do diets, etc…and you know what? After a few months they lose their desired weight. However, it seems like 95% of the time, a year later they have gained all the weight back (and sometimes more) while still sticking to the diet/change in eating habits. And why is this? Because you dip below your genetically predisposed set-point weight, your body comes to realize this, and your metabolism is slowed. Hence–the weight comes back. I’m sorry hun but from what I’ve seen, tinkering around with your eating habits is not the best way to go about trying to lose weight. > [@](#): > > People do not need 1 1/4 hours of a strenuous work out to maintain a healthy body. Since I know you, you want more than to be simply healthy, you want bigger muscles. A great majority here want to be healthy and maintain a healthy weight but don’t desire to look like last month’s cover of “Weight Lifting” magazine. I wasn’t referring to weight training, I was referring to cardio-vascular exercise and the much added fat burning benefits of extending your exercise session a little. > [@](#): > > While exercise is certainly good and will boost weight loss, it’s not universally true that you can’t lose weight and keep it off just by changing your eating habits. Yes, it’s not universally true, but generally speaking I’d say it is true. ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495/160 "2000-09-14T18:34:20Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by techchick68 \* > As for water, there are many factors that determine your needs for water intake. 1-2 gallons is an extremelly high amount for the average woman. Sheesh, if I drank that much water in a day I would end up staying on the toilet and not have time to do anything else. I am between 60 and 80 ounces a day and this is good enough for me and my lifestyle._\* Good on-line resource: [Water.com’s Hydration Calculator](http://www.water.com/learn_about_water/swg1340_hydcal.asp); it gives you a good idea what your intake should be. To my understanding 64 ounces (8, 8 oz glasses) is the minimum the average person should be drinking every day. When additional exercise (and presumably perspiration) are added to the equation, that number naturally goes up. Actually, I’ve done 120 oz/day before and average number of trips to the restroom were about once an hour (after an adjustment period during which it was about every half-hour). Just (pardon the expression) food for thought. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-im-getting-in-shape-support-group/32495.md?page=9)