zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 11, 2019 7:46:03 GMT -8
The thread in gear has turned into some of us admitting we have a few #s around our respective middles we wouldn't mind losing. In this spirit, I am starting this thread. I don't expect everyone to admit to their weight, or even admit just how much they'd like to shed. I do think most of us, being middle aged or more, realize we are more than just a little heavier than we were at, say, 30.
Personally, I crossed over 200 as I turned 30, and I am on my way back to crossing back over that number on the way down. I spent most of 3 decades around 212 -217, but am currently at 204. I've been in that neighborhood for nearly a year now, and am taking steps to shed an additional 5-8 pounds. Since my base weight is close to 10#s, it will be easier to drop 5 from my waist than to drop 5 from my pack.
2 things have made this weight loss move to the forefront of my concerns. My Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis 2.5 years ago started the trend, and my most recent BP'ing trip to the Grand Canyon reinforced it. The Canyon didn't point out I was overweight, but it did point out I was no longer in the sort of condition, stamina wise or leg strength, I wanted to be in if I am going to continue BP'ing in these sorts of environs. This has put me on a path of working out more, and being better about watching everything I ate. I was already watching my diet, but I think I was cheating too often and not realizing the total effect. My blood numbers were OK, but I don't think they tell the whole story.
Anyway, I'd like to drop 5-8 more pounds, without losing muscle, as I age.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jun 17, 2019 6:54:07 GMT -8
I'm currently weighing in the low 180s.
I was athletic but tiny growing up... upper 90s in 9th grade. Picked on mercilessly... literally shoved in lockers. Then my cousin's boyfriend introduced me to weight lifting. I gained 30 lbs the summer between my freshman and sophomore years.
By my freshman year in college I weighed around 135 and I graduated at a ripped 150. In my 20s and early 30s I was a competitive weightlifter, powerlifter, and strongman... weighing between 180 (off season) and a shredded 165 (competition weight). Muscle tone was such that most people thought I weighed 20-30 pounds heavier.
Marriage and kids ended my competitive lifting. I still lifted but never had a reason to lose weight for a competition. My weight ballooned to 210. Gradually, I stopped lifting, but my weight remained the same... fat replacing muscle.
In the past few years I've found reasons to lose weight... Spartan races, trail running, ultramarathons. I've been up and down since. It seems no matter what I do, I gain 15 lbs (to the mid-190s) from Thanksgiving to New Years. I swear it's my body responding to the cold. In the spring and early summer, it comes off. Overall, there has been a gradual trend of lower weight. I hope to see mid-170s this summer. I'd be happy with that. A major "sticking point" seems to be around 182.
I really notice each 5-pound drop. Trail running, Spartan obstacles, etc. become much easier/faster. My low back also responds positively.
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Post by hikerchick395 on Jun 17, 2019 8:00:56 GMT -8
Losing body weight is the preferred way to lose pounds when carrying a pack plus it carries over to everyday life, too. I REALLY notice an extra five pounds, which I am sporting now, when running. I might not be bothered with the extra weight if it were muscle.
My spouse's medical issues have forced him to lose 30 pounds last year, but dealing with his health, my mom's and the big fire that affected a lot of my family, I have lost my fitness and the drive to do something about it. Last week's trip to Yosemite helped me see how out of shape I am. Mid June...UGH.
And, oh to have less weight when trying to skim across the snow instead of postholing! Ha!
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 8, 2019 12:32:53 GMT -8
I’m like hikerchick—I notice 5# gains. I’m probably up 10# right now from what I would consider ideal weight—5 over my normal post-menopausal weight which is 5 over what I was in my late 30s (that’s when I was fittest and leanest, aside from a couple of periods of borderline hunger in my 20s). Too much eating out and too little exercise on our 5-week trip across the country was a big part of what happened to me, but it’s hard for me to lose weight, because dang, I love food! Taking dessert back to once a week is the starting point, as well as getting back on our regular workout schedule. But I don’t really expect to hit fighting weight until we’ve been on the trail for a couple of weeks. That comes in August/Sept. For now I’m just trying to get fit enough not to hurt myself out there. And yeah, even though that 5 lbs is hard to lose, it’s still easier than dropping my pack weight any more. I’m also addicted to my comforts  And my reading/writing. |
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Post by catonsvillebill on Jul 12, 2019 20:44:47 GMT -8
I'm currently 213. I'd like to get to the low 190's. I stand 6'1"
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Aug 4, 2019 14:14:29 GMT -8
catonsvillebill, I too am 6'1". I didn't feel badly at 213 as a 40 yr old, but at 67, it is time to trim back a little. This morning, I was at 202. At 1# a month, maybe it will be sustainable.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Aug 5, 2019 5:49:41 GMT -8
So I've been doing cardio all spring and summer. Mostly trail running and bike commuting (including hills on the way back home). I'm currently weighing in the low 180s. --------------- I hope to see mid-170s this summer. I'm up about 10 pounds since that statement. But my bodyfat % is the same. I find it funny that my trail running and cycling routes are so steep/hilly that I gain weight by doing cardio. LOL! |
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Post by hikingtiger on Aug 8, 2019 9:30:36 GMT -8
That's my issue. The wife and I have started better focus on what we're eating and increasing exercise. She won't be able to do too much on the exercise until the meniscus gets fixed , but I have no excuses. Basically quit running about four years back due to some work and family issues, so I expect resuming that activity will help. |
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 9, 2019 7:52:05 GMT -8
One thing that helps abate any craving for food is to walk through the junk food aisles in the stores, or see the coupons in the weekly junk mail for Burger King or other high fat fast "food" places. That definitely lessens whatever appetite I had.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 12, 2019 9:00:22 GMT -8
autumnmist, another great cure for the junk food cravings is to stand around the fast food joints and smell the grease . My own weaknesses aren’t for commercial junk food, but I do love to bake
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Aug 12, 2019 9:08:15 GMT -8
Don't get her started about chocolate, though. (That "her" could be either one of you.)
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 12, 2019 9:24:54 GMT -8
zeke, I'll avoid introducing chocolate to the thread, just for you! rebeccad, I think standing around a junk food place would be torture, downright, simple and unpleasant torture.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 12, 2019 11:09:22 GMT -8
Latest was a really quite yummy chocolate zucchini cake |
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 12, 2019 11:14:07 GMT -8
rebeccad , well, since you've used the "C" word, I guess I can too. I think my mother had a recipe for zucchini brownies. I'll see if I can find it. As with many gardeners, there was always a surplus of zucchini. Sorry, zeke.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 12, 2019 11:14:52 GMT -8
rebeccad , well, since you've used the "C" word, I guess I can too. I think my mother had a recipe for zucchini brownies. I'll see if I can find it. As with many gardeners, there was always a surplus of zucchini. Sorry, zeke . I’ll take it. Zukes are abundant. |
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And my reading/writing.
