2013 Health Challenge

C

ComplexHiAv8r

Well-Known Member
While tried in the past without much success (that I know of), I wanted to see if there was any interest in a true challenge for this year. Not just a weight loss, but a health challenge. No points, no reporting (unless you want to), just support for one another. You might need to lose weight, gain weight, stop smoking, or just get more exercise. I can't image trying to do some of these things on a pilot's schedule, looking for thoughts on that too. Recipes, etc. can be shared too for ideas too.
 
Smaller portions. More fruits and veggies. No soda at all. Basic workouts every day during the week. No more driving the car places that are less than 1/2 mile from home. More walks and hikes with the wife, less Internet. More books, more projects (cars, planes, random tinkering), less Internet.
 
+1 on no soda. My goal is to stay away from any and all fast food places for 2013.
 
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I'm up for a Heath challenge.
 
Shiftace said:
+1 on no soda. My goal is to stay away from any and all fast food places for 2013.
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That's a good one! There's nothing good in soda and fast food.

I gave up soda a couple years ago. I've had it only on the rare occasion that I'm drinking something mixed and not a beer, otherwise I won't touch it. Also haven't touched fast food (McDonalds, BK etc) in a very long time. I broke down and got a BK burger after traveling all day and not having lunch and dinner once last year. Before that though it's been a couple years.

At the moment all I drink it water. You'll almost always find me with a water bottle in my hand. Juice in the morning and the occasional sweet tea if I end up down south. I'm not a coffee drinker, can't stand the stuff.

I've been going to the gym a lot the past few months (not that I need to lose weight, in fact I'm the exact opposite, I need to gain some), but I def want to get my endurance up. I do a 5 mile combination run/jog/walk on the treadmill, but it does take me forever and isn't pretty haha I'd like to just get in better shape in general this coming year. I bought a road bike last fall, and plan on quitting the gym once it gets warm out again. I love being outside so I'll def become more active again come Spring.
 
My girlfriend got me a Sodastream for christmas. Their Coke knockoff tastes pretty good and is only 35 calories per 8oz, which is a lot less than regular Coke. Also, using it to make italian sodas is pretty cool.

I wonder if I can carbonate vodka... it says don't try anything but water, and I don't want to waste a liter of vodka to find out... but it is an intriguing idea.
 
SpiraMirabilis said:
My girlfriend got me a Sodastream for christmas. Their Coke knockoff tastes pretty good and is only 35 calories per 8oz, which is a lot less than regular Coke. Also, using it to make italian sodas is pretty cool.

I wonder if I can carbonate vodka... it says don't try anything but water, and I don't want to waste a liter of vodka to find out... but it is an intriguing idea.
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I'm assuming you can make your own seltzers? Overall you like the product? I've been thinking of getting one.
 
Yes. I'm considering getting this adapter thing so I can use regular CO2 cartridges, as thats how Sodastream gets you is the CO2 refills and they use a proprietary refilling thing.
 
SpiraMirabilis said:
My girlfriend got me a Sodastream for christmas. Their Coke knockoff tastes pretty good and is only 35 calories per 8oz, which is a lot less than regular Coke. Also, using it to make italian sodas is pretty cool.

I wonder if I can carbonate vodka... it says don't try anything but water, and I don't want to waste a liter of vodka to find out... but it is an intriguing idea.
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It's only vodka. It's not like you'd be committing a crime for wasting good whiskey.
 
The wife and I are on weight watchers right now. Down 8 pounds in 4 weeks, so it's working just like it should.

So with that, in my view, there is no silver bullet that will result in weight loss. Not a new age diet, not cutting out soda. Counting calories, measuring portion sizes and being honest with yourself about what you've eaten and writing it all down will provide results.

Anything else is smoke and mirrors.

Remember, this isn't rocket science, you're just trying to balance an equation; less calories in than out. If you don't count calories and write it down, you're trying to balance the equation without an equals sign.
 
jtrain609 said:
The wife and I are on weight watchers right now. Down 8 pounds in 4 weeks, so it's working just like it should.

So with that, in my view, there is no silver bullet that will result in weight loss. Not a new age diet, not cutting out soda. Counting calories, measuring portion sizes and being honest with yourself about what you've eaten and writing it all down will provide results.

Anything else is smoke and mirrors.

Remember, this isn't rocket science, you're just trying to balance an equation; less calories in than out. If you don't count calories and write it down, you're trying to balance the equation without an equals sign.
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True, and a controllable metabolism. I swing 4-7 pounds a day and go back today and expect a med change. Oh the fun. I'll do good and lose 20 pounds over 6-7 months and then literally in a week gain it back. I have two sizes of clothes in the closet. I do track all calories in/out and it is best for me if I hold the thyroid in check.
 
jtrain609 said:
The wife and I are on weight watchers right now. Down 8 pounds in 4 weeks, so it's working just like it should.

So with that, in my view, there is no silver bullet that will result in weight loss. Not a new age diet, not cutting out soda. Counting calories, measuring portion sizes and being honest with yourself about what you've eaten and writing it all down will provide results.

Anything else is smoke and mirrors.

Remember, this isn't rocket science, you're just trying to balance an equation; less calories in than out. If you don't count calories and write it down, you're trying to balance the equation without an equals sign.
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Wow, 8 lbs, nice job!
I'm just getting started and saw this thread. It must be a sign.
I need to drop 10 at a minimum, 15 - 20 would be better though. If I could do 2 lbs/wk like you did, I would be 20 lbs lighter before summer gets here.
Where/how do you keep your food log? I used to use pen, paper, and calculator, but now I use myfitnesspal. It's pretty easy to use and also helps you track exercise too.
 
Just some app in my phone. I need to drop about 50 pounds total (I spiked to about 200 when I went back to school), and right now I'm on track to do it by years end even if the weight loss slows down.
 
jtrain609 said:
there is no silver bullet that will result in weight loss. Not a new age diet, not cutting out soda. Counting calories, measuring portion sizes and being honest with yourself about what you've eaten and writing it all down will provide results....Remember, this isn't rocket science, you're just trying to balance an equation; less calories in than out.
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Exactly what he said.

Something very productive is to use a web site like Livestrong's MyPlate, Fitday, etc. where you can easily enter your food throughout the day. It takes less than a minute to enter a meal or snack and you can see throughout each day how you're meeting your goals. In addition to total calories you can keep track of protein and fiber to be sure you aren't wasting your intake on a lot of simple carbs (there's nothing wrong with carbs but there's a big difference between simple sugars and quality high fiber whole grains).

Then all you need to do is figure out what your base metabolic rate is and what your activity level is. My intake needs run about 2,800-3,000 calories per day. If I eat 3,000 calories per day I'm pretty much going to stay the same weight. If I eat fewer calories I'll slowly use body fat.

Here's the key. There are 3,500 calories in one pound of body fat. So, if you want to lose 1 pound in 1 week, you need to have a daily deficit of 500 calories. If you want to lose 2 pounds in 1 week, you need a daily deficit of 1,000 calories. Anything more aggressive than that can be counter-productive as your body will not react as expected. It's really that simple - math.

So, you find good quality foods that are high in protein and high in fiber (those two things are good for you and will make you feel fuller longer)... and you eat something every couple hours.

Try to get in 30-60 minutes of exercise per day if possible and that will just increase your calorie deficit, increase your metabolism, and make you feel better.
 
I lost 19 pounds with Weight Watchers last spring. If you follow the program, it does work.
 
Cut the wheat, flour and sugar and watch the lbs fall off. Nothing magical about cutting the crap your body wasn't designed to process.
 
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I don't believe in calorie counting. I think it is setting up for failure IMO. Just don't put crap in your body and you will be alright and stay away from microwave dinners that have have "low fat and low calorie", they just add a bunch of salt for flavor.

Feed the rabbit and starve the mouse, meaning eat lots of fruit and veggies and cut down on cheeses. Don't cut out foods that you love completely, just moderation.

Eat the hell out of Kale, Sweet potatoes, nuts, avacado, and other superfoods. Eat lots of lean protein.

Exercise!!!!!!!! Get your fat ass off the couch
 
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