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The short version is that I am just getting back into exercising after about a 15 year break. One of the things I immediately noticed in just about every response was something about losing weight. I never really gave much thought to it, honestly. According to BMI calculators, etc...I'm obese (204lbs/5'-9") but I would guess that I've probably been considered obese my whole life, even through high school when I wrestled and played ice hockey. I was a little shorter then (probably 5'-7") and not that much lighter, but the difference is that I could easily run six miles, do 50 pullups at a clip, and lift heavy with a lot of repetition. That said, I was never one of those guys who was "ripped." I always carried a little more weight than some of my fellow athletes who had the six pack abs, well defined shoulders, etc...but I performed just as well as they did. I guess what I'm getting at here is that I'm committing to putting at least three days a week in at the gym and also trying to do straight cardio in between. However, I'm not planning on keeping track of how many calories I burn vs. how many I consume. The question is, how much does it really matter? If you read my original post in the other subforum you'll see that I'm trying to focus on being able to do more-run farther, longer, faster, lift more, and having more stamina for hunting, outdoor work, etc... As an example, let's say by the time I'm 40 I'm back to being able to run six miles (or more) and and do 50 pullups again but I'm still "overweight,"-does it matter? Why or why not?
The short version is that I am just getting back into exercising after about a 15 year break. One of the things I immediately noticed in just about every response was something about losing weight. I never really gave much thought to it, honestly. According to BMI calculators, etc...I'm obese (204lbs/5'-9") but I would guess that I've probably been considered obese my whole life, even through high school when I wrestled and played ice hockey. I was a little shorter then (probably 5'-7") and not that much lighter, but the difference is that I could easily run six miles, do 50 pullups at a clip, and lift heavy with a lot of repetition. That said, I was never one of those guys who was "ripped." I always carried a little more weight than some of my fellow athletes who had the six pack abs, well defined shoulders, etc...but I performed just as well as they did. I guess what I'm getting at here is that I'm committing to putting at least three days a week in at the gym and also trying to do straight cardio in between. However, I'm not planning on keeping track of how many calories I burn vs. how many I consume. The question is, how much does it really matter? If you read my original post in the other subforum you'll see that I'm trying to focus on being able to do more-run farther, longer, faster, lift more, and having more stamina for hunting, outdoor work, etc... As an example, let's say by the time I'm 40 I'm back to being able to run six miles (or more) and and do 50 pullups again but I'm still "overweight,"-does it matter? Why or why not?
It's better to look in the mirror nude that look at your weight.
However, I'm not planning on keeping track of how many calories I burn vs. how many I consume. The question is, how much does it really matter?
First off, congradulations on renewing your comittment to your own health and fitness. "38" is still young, your body is still capabile of quite a bit.
In regards to counting calories, it's only valueable if it positivily motivates you. If it gets you down and depressed, maybe ease back on the food logging/diaries and OCD counting of grams and ounces. Same with the bathroom scale and the tape measure and the electro-fat-meter gadgets.
I'll give you two easy techniques in my opinion:
- taking a picture of your meals with your smartphone is an easy way to track your meals. A picture takes 5-10 secs, that's even faster than finding a pen and your log book, and they are automatically sequenced by date and time, if you use like Google Photos.
- I find a certain satisfaction in doing 'meal prep' where you make the same food on Sunday night for ~4 days and put them in tupperwares. Once you've 'measured' the meal, you can be confident it falls within 5% of the calories/fats/carbs/protein for that standard meal. Since I use the same set of tupperwares everytime (I got like 8 for $4 at IKEA) the portion sizes are fixed. Beats "ladle-ing another scoop from the pan", if Portion Control is one of your issues -in my opinion.
There is a lot of material to read to orientate your Quest; your goals will slightly change over the months and years; and Everything Works those first couple months (if you put in the work). Good Luck.
The keys are your blood numbers. I think also your fat% and muscle % are important. BMI is a good barometer too. My numbers are all good and my bodyfat is 11.7% and muscle is 44.6% so I'm pleased.
The short version is that I am just getting back into exercising after about a 15 year break. One of the things I immediately noticed in just about every response was something about losing weight. I never really gave much thought to it, honestly. According to BMI calculators, etc...I'm obese (204lbs/5'-9") but I would guess that I've probably been considered obese my whole life, even through high school when I wrestled and played ice hockey. I was a little shorter then (probably 5'-7") and not that much lighter, but the difference is that I could easily run six miles, do 50 pullups at a clip, and lift heavy with a lot of repetition. That said, I was never one of those guys who was "ripped." I always carried a little more weight than some of my fellow athletes who had the six pack abs, well defined shoulders, etc...but I performed just as well as they did. I guess what I'm getting at here is that I'm committing to putting at least three days a week in at the gym and also trying to do straight cardio in between. However, I'm not planning on keeping track of how many calories I burn vs. how many I consume. The question is, how much does it really matter? If you read my original post in the other subforum you'll see that I'm trying to focus on being able to do more-run farther, longer, faster, lift more, and having more stamina for hunting, outdoor work, etc... As an example, let's say by the time I'm 40 I'm back to being able to run six miles (or more) and and do 50 pullups again but I'm still "overweight,"-does it matter? Why or why not?
Congratulations you are committing to doing the exercise! That's a large part of the battle, staying in a routine. It's okay not to count calories or keep track of what you burn, you'll start to see a difference just by getting back into a commitment to exercise. I'd suggest you at least become more aware of what you are eating, though there is no need to keep rigid track of it. Avoid sugar, salt and saturated fats while drinking lots of water and eating good quality, lean protein.
Weight does matter because it puts added stress on your joints and makes your heart work harder, but if you are taking action to change your lifestyle into healthy habits for the long-term, you're going to see changes in your weight, too.
Be happy with yourself.
Whatever is that you are. Don't listen to anyone who tells how you should be. You are you. They are them. LOVE YOURSELF. That is baseline for health. Trends in appearances come and go, being healthy does not mean to be a twig or torture yourself mentally and physically following ever changing guidelines and fashions.
Look at those who are fit, healthy and overweight.
Sammo Hung, for example. Sumo wrestlers. Iron Man guys. They are all "obese" by the world standards yet, no one blames them of that and many envy.
So learn ot be at peace with what you are. Exercise, enjoy it, enjoy healthy life.
Just figure one thing - why are you exercising? For yourself or for others? Is vanity your vice? If not, who gives what others think.
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