Has anyone found a resource for calculating muscle mass weight? I do not mean BMI. I am trying to figure out how much weight lifting = 1 pound gained. I realize this would probably be a general YMMV type calculation but I was curious.
MeanJoe
There are a whole host of variables that go into that–how long you’ve been training, how many calories you eat, how much protein you eat, how many sets/reps you do, how much weight you use relative to your one-rep max, how long/well you sleep, how high your stress levels are, and what kind of supplements you’re taking all factor in, and they’re not the only ones. Don’t forget individual variations.
As a general guideline, you have to eat above your maintenance levels, get a fair amount of protein (.7-.9 grams per pound of body weight), and sleep well for about 7-8 hours per night. A younger man (25-35) with little prior training can expect to put on about 1-1.5 pounds per month; a woman of the same age can put on about half that.
Y’all knew this was coming so here’s your opportunity to let us all know your “poison” and what makes you go “postal” on your diet.
Let’s all post our poisons and thereby get all that “Scheisse” (German word for shit) out of our system.
Quasi:
- Pretzels (freschly baked with butter and salt. GONE!
- Pizzas (bought by the ER docs) . Not GONE, but I will only eat the cheese…
- Donu…
(I’ll get back to you on those, okay?)
Anyway, all kidding aside, those are my temptations. I am trying really hard to kick them in the ass with watching my diet and riding my bike, but it gets very hard the older you get,and I’m 53 witr rigor mortis setting in top down!
So anyway… Old Quas’ is still hangin’ in at 199 right now.
Wonder how much my prostate weighs? 
Love Y’all!
Q
/Dr. Nick
Hi Everybody!
/Dr. Nick
First, congratulations to all of you! It’s very encouraging to hear all your stories.
I’ve been on a diet for about the past four years, but I’ve recently changed tactics. I’m female, 5’9" and when I went to the doctor for a UTI, I found out I had hit the scale at 218 pounds. :eek: Several years before, I had hit the scales at a high of something above 285 pounds (which is what I weighed when I went in for some hand surgery, and I know I gained at least ten pounds after the surgery). My knees ached and I knew I had to drop some of these pounds because just getting out of a chair was painful. Plus, I wanted to do some cross-country skiing and there was no way I could do it with my achy knees. I started counting calories, keeping myself to about 1200 calories/day. And I lost weight. My calorie reduction continued. I got down to about 155 pounds. Now, I’m small-boned, but I pack a lot of muscle (plus a big caboose ) and at that weight, I was swimming in a size 10 dress. Clothes looked great on me, people said I looked fantastic, called me “Legs.”
But.
I looked like crap. My pallor was grey, my hair was falling out, and I was cold all the time. A freezing bone-chilled cold. So I tried to gain a few pounds, thinking I’d go for about 10 to 15 pounds. I did gain, but then found I couldn’t stop gaining. I tried to cut the calories even further, but even eating between 800 - 1000 calories/day, I gained. Why is my body betraying me like this??
Well, when I was at my doctor’s, my blood pressure measured 144/99. Holy crap. Last time it was 110/60. Now, I’m under a bit of stress at work which probably contributes to this increase, but the weight is a big factor too. Plus, hypertension gallops in my family. So, come June 9th, I’m going in for a full physical (including a partial colonoscopy, oh joy). He’s also going to measure my leptin levels, which apparently have something to do with fat metabolism. He’ll also do the cholesterol/trigycerides measurement which I’ll be particularly interested in since <drumroll> I’ve started Atkins. The last time my cholesterol level measured 177.
I bought the book, the vitamins and ketostixs. Since I don’t have a scale at home, I can’t say if I’ve lost any (I think about 10 pounds), but I feel great! The top of my head doesn’t feel like it’s going to blow off and finally, I’m not cold anymore. My clothes look a little better on me now and my hair is in better shape. Those warning twinges in my knees are disappearing.
I’ve got my little purple weights and my reclining stationary bicycle (great for reading while I’m quickly pedalling to nowhere). And when I start mist-netting birds next month, I’ll be swinging a sledgehammer, rolling up mistnets (the BEST overall arm workout), and walking like there’s no tomorrow (about 4 hours worth on bird-catching days).
I’m getting used to the Atkins. It’s so different from how I ate before. But if it improves my blood pressure (and cholesterol), it will be worth it. I miss apples. Yummy, yummy apples. But I did have a salmon omelet today.
My goal: about 170 pounds. That should put me at a size 12 pants, and now I wear a size 16. I think I’d like to get a good scale so I can better watch my weight when I get near my goal. Any recommendations?
My sort-of “before” from this past February where my friend Pete and I went to Trinidad. He’s kneeling and I’m to the right of him, standing in the green-striped shirt, somewhere between 205 and 210 pounds. 
Looks like I thought something was funny!
Welcome, brachyrhynchos. You may want to ask your doctor for a fasting blood sugar test to rule our diabetes/insulin resistance.
Quasi, I can’t keep macadamia nuts in the house. As soon as I remember them, I must consume them. Other than that, I’m very pleased to say that I have squelched all of my other must-eat-now behaviors (no mean feat as I’m very cued by seeing or smelling food). Whether you call it an irrational schema or attachment, I realize that I was making an illogical connection between the food cue and the idea that because it was attractive I therefore had to consume it. Now I am practicing appreciating the smell of doughnuts or fresh bread without the necessity of doing more than this. Buddhism–it’s so darned useful.
It’s been a couple of weeks since I was in this thread. I am only down 2 more pounds for a weigh in of 138. That is down from 172 doing the Atkins diet. I think I had dipped to 136, but gained 2 back. I am still happy, I just wish it were going a little faster. I have went from a size 16 to a 10. I think 10 more pounds and I will be in a size 8. It just seems slow going. By the way very nice pictures Zev. Congrats to you and all who have lost pounds and inches.
That’s not a bad idea, Shoshana. My doctor knows about my sister and my aunt’s diabetes. He also knows about our family hypertension and colon cancer history which is why he is targetting those. He’s questioned me before about diabetic symptoms and seemed satisfied, but I think I will ask him about doing more definitive tests.
I’ve only found one binge-food that’s on my diet (so far, I haven’t eaten anything that’s not on my diet), and that’s sugar-free chocolate covered peanuts. I bought a pound of them at a store nearby that carries an astonishing selection of sugar-free candies, and I ate the entire pound in under three days!! Every time I went into the kitchen, I just had to have a handful of the damned things! Haven’t bought them since then!
Zev, that’s absolutely wonderful! And that beard looks great. nods I think Wal-Mart was having a sale on Big Sticks, so your wife can buy one to beat off the throngs of ladies.
Gr8kat and Shoshana, hooray for you both, and I am hoping that I will be able to join the ranks of the Lighter Folks soon.
I was a busy bee over the weekend…took advantage of Border’s sale and bought “Weight Loss Kit for Dummies”.
And read it.
I came to the realization that dieting is not a way of meals, but a way of life. Organization! Food diaries. Planned meals. Many more shopping trips to the grocery store than normal.
My goodness. Structure?
I can deal, though. I’ve decided I’m going to do this, come hell or high water, and have actually begun looking forward to eating healthy. I’ve been drinking loads more water, and even bought vitamins.
Let me warn you all about something I have discovered, though!
When they say -fresh- vegetables, such as salad, they mean
-fresh-.
I know. It’s pretty self-evident, right?
I’m used to shopping for groceries maybe once or twice a month, though. I picked up the habit from my mom, who shopped like any good Minnesotan should—hamburger on sale? Buy loads and freeze it. Potatoes on sale? Buy loads and put them in the basement in a brown paper bag. Day-old bread from the discount bakery, etc. My family was meat-and-potatoes…when we went to the steak house, we kids were too busy raiding the salad bar for cheese and suflower seeds and chocolate mousse to pay any attention to -salad-.
So, this is kind of new to me. I bought one of those pre-mixed salad things, and have been eating on it for most of the weekend. You know what? Those red leafy bits don’t have a long life at all. And MAN are they bitter when they die. Ick. Ick, ick, ick.
The book came with a CD Rom I have yet to check out, but as the book itself was written by a nutirtionist, I’ve been learning a lot. I wonder that I haven’t keeled over dead yet from my terrible habits.
According to the book, I should weigh myself every day to track my progress and such.
Yikes.
We’ll see how I feel about it in the morning…
Shoshana: You can afford macadamia nuts?
Can I come to your house just to smell your nut-breath?
thinks to himself
“God I love them sumbitches! It’s 12:15 in the morning. Do I love them enough to go to Ingles with my bad hair and buy me a couple of jars?”… Stay tuned…
Darn you, Shoshana! Darn you all to heck!
:D:D:D
Q
For whatever reason, counting calories my own damn self wasn’t working. Hadn’t lost an ounce since November.
Then:
I’ve started training for a triathlon. After two weeks, still nothing, so I joined Jenny Craig, after substantial consideration. They finally had a special offer of 20 pounds for $20, which is precisely what I need to lose, so I went for it. Lo and behold, two weeks later, 6 pounds GONE.
About feckin time.
14 to go. Although if these next 14 are as easy as the first 6, I may opt for an additional 7.
The structure is great for me, both in terms of the training program (varies type and intensity of exercise day-to-day and week-to-week) and the food. The food, by the way, is yummy, although it took me about a week and a half to adjust to the lower calorie level (I’m on the 1500 a day plan). But I love that I don’t have to think about what I’m making for dinner, how many calories does it have and can I fit it into my calorie limit for the day. I’m no longer making myself crazy, and I’m losing weight to boot.
Whew.
Poison? Let me tell you about poison…
Chipotle - manna from heaven in burrito form. Steak burrito with pinto beans, rice, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, and medium salsa. Oh sweet Jesus!
I slipped today and had this for lunch, only the 2nd time since mid-February and ohmygoduhohuhohIthinkI’vetouchedthefaceofGodandhe/shetoldmethegatesofheavenareheldtogetherwithChipotlesteakburritos!!!
I’m weak…weak I say.
MeanJoe
Oh, and by my calculations the Chipotle Steak burrito as I described it above is only… a mere… 1280 calories!
sigh
I’ve got to go to the gym tomorrow.
It’s all right to slip every once and a while. Last Sunday I had a Big & Tasty burger from McDonald’s and a handful of my husband’s fries. About a month ago I had a Gordita Crunch (think taco wrapped in gordita shell, stuck together with nacho cheese) at Taco Bell. You gotta give in to your demons every once in a while to stay sane
Quasi, I can afford macadamias because I am eating only 3 oz of meat at a time–makes a New York strip steak last forever.
MeanJoe: Forget the gym. I think you better get to the altar :D:D:D:D!
**Shoshana]/b]: I wound up going to bed hungry, dreaming of macadamia nuts. But this morning I got on the scales and I’m at 198.5 so I guess it was worth it…
Q
Belle, in order to avoid making daily trips to the grocery store for fresh salad, try what we do: Buy bagged spinach on sale (keeps well in fridge), whole tomatoes, cucumbers and radishes, and shred some carrots in a little Tupperware. When it’s time for a salad, chop necessary ingredients and toss together. We don’t go to the store more than twice a week (which is, granted, more than twice a month, but still a lot better than every day!).
Now I want some macadamias (Mauna Loa are the best IMHO).
Which leads me to a question:
Let’s say you’re NOT Atkinsing. But let’s say you buy some macadamias and snarf them, and let’s say that you have a big ass glass of Coke with them.
Since the macadamias are lower in carbs than the Coke, would your body burn them off first?
I seem to remember Dr. Atkins saying that your body burns off 3 things: first carbs, then alcohol, then fat. Give the body no carbs and no alcohol and it burns the fat — which I found to be my experience when I was doing Atkins (I felt great on it but I just can’t live with it the rest of my life).
I’m thinking that if the low-carb stuff DOES burn off first, it would serve me to keep some low-carb goodies around the house and maybe choose to eat them when I’m hungry sometimes, to kinda help this weight loss thing along.
Can anyone point me in the direction of some easy (as in I’m not an experienced cook at all) recipes for unprocessed meals that are vegatarian suitable? I’d like to buy tofu and bean sprouts but I’ve no idea how to cook them.
I think, since you chew even when you snarf, that the Coke destroys the low-carb benefit of the nuts–at least, what I’ve read about the glycemic index suggests that if you eat high- with low-glycemic, the high is moderated, but the low is also raised. I.e., if you eat them together, they’d average.