Gransnet forums

Dieting & exercise

What actually works for you?

(32 Posts)
Merseymog Sat 23-Feb-13 08:45:22

I struggle to keep my weight in check like most people and over the years have developed what can only be described as a containment strategy. This may be stating the obvious but the bottom line is down to you and as you get older it does get harder.

You must know your ideal weight probably based around the simplistic measurement of your BMI. It's simpler if you can hack metric here; Weight in Kilos / Height in meters squared. The result should ideally be between 20 and 25; over 25 and you need to do something about it. Do not put it off until you are obviously fat because the bigger you are the harder it is to return to a normal weight. Remember your skin stretches but does not easily unstretch if stretched too far; hence those unsightly often sore flabs of horrible flesh. The NHS may help you to loose weight but it will not normally foot the bill for tidying up the flab.

With a BMI of 28 or less you should be able to simply adjust your lifestyle with smaller portions and a little more exercise. The Flab issue should not be problem as your skin will probably adjust unless you have been enormous beforehand. Gradual weight loss of say 1/2 to 1 kilo (1 to 2 pounds) a month over a couple years and you will get there. Remember the regime you choose is one that you will need to keep for life so you must be happy with it. You need to weigh yourself once or twice a week to ensure that you are on track. Never think that you can give yourself a treat without paying the penalty; indulgence over Christmas or on holiday can take months to recover from. Set a realistic target and keep to it. DO NOT BE PRESSURED INTO INDULGENCE it simply isn't worth it.

My personal goal is a BMI of about 23 as that is when I look and feel about right.

So how do you get there. Get used to much less sugar and fat, not as difficult as it seems as you will loose the taste for them and not want them as much. Try to get cut out fizzy drinks, crisps and biscuits; hard at first but you will soon loose your taste for them. Your body is not designed to cope them anyway. Plenty of fruit, fiber and water in whatever form suits you. Eat and cook fresh.

The penalties for a poor diet are generally being overweight, being unfit, ill and simply not happy with yourself. I've ranted on enough; you all know what you should do and that it is not fair to expect the NHS and Society to pay the price for your negligence over the years.

Riverwalk Sat 23-Feb-13 08:50:30

Thanks for the lecture. smile

annodomini Sat 23-Feb-13 09:38:42

I thought I knew all there was to know about weight and diet and it turns out that I did.

annodomini Sat 23-Feb-13 09:59:02

PS I blame steroids for the increase in weight over the past 19 months.hmm

Movedalot Sat 23-Feb-13 10:13:25

merseymog have you read through the exisiting diet threads? I think it is possible you are preaching to the already converted.

Riverwalk Sat 23-Feb-13 10:17:31

Why do most of the men who post on this board feel the need to advise or even harangue us? confused We're not a bunch of doddery old dears!

moomin Sat 23-Feb-13 11:57:00

"lose" "fibre" hmm

Barrow Sat 23-Feb-13 14:15:16

I developed shingles on Sunday and haven't felt like eating - lost 3lbs! but I don't recommend it [inpainemoticon]

Grannyeggs Sat 23-Feb-13 14:55:26

Oh Barrow heartfelt sympathies, I've had it and it can make you feel so ill. Take careflowers

annodomini Sat 23-Feb-13 14:57:51

Barrow, what rotten luck. I hope you got an anti-viral in time to mitigate the worst effects. Take it easy. flowers

Galen Sat 23-Feb-13 14:58:32

It's horrible!flowers

janeainsworth Sat 23-Feb-13 15:11:34

Barrow flowers hope you are soon feeling better. Shingles is horrid.

I thought the BMI was no longer regarded as the yardstick by which to judge whether your weight is healthy or not -it's not an accurate indication of health in someone who is very fit.
Body composition, ie what proportion of your body weight is fat, is more important.
My DSil who plays rugby has a BMI of 27, but he is only 15% fat, which is what athletes who are in training aim for.

By way of comparison, my BMI is 21, but I am 37% fat blush

MargaretX Sat 23-Feb-13 15:38:15

When you consider the amount of older people who are on some sort of Beta Blocker for high blood pressure or heart problems then they will surely have put on some extra weight. They used to give it to pigs to fatten them up.
Then there is the 5-10 lbs extra you need to survive invasive surgery should you need it and you can see on your cat that even they put on a bit extra weight when older.
Still that is not obesity. It is just no longer a slim figure to be proud of. I have accepted this and try to eat well and healthily. I think a BMI of 28 or so is OK for an older person and is NOT obese. Obese people have thick wads of fat over their shoulder blades, where no fat is intended. Compared to that a bit on the hips or thighs is our fat for hard times.
Remember what Barbara Cartland said.'its either your bum or your face' Some women who are too thin look awful.
What do I do to lose a bit of weight? No cake, no pasta, less potatoes.

MargaretX Sat 23-Feb-13 15:40:00

fewer potatoes - grammar mistake!

Barrow Sat 23-Feb-13 16:00:39

Thanks for the kind words - yes the Doctor had given me some anti-virals - certainly don't feel like doing much!

glassortwo Sat 23-Feb-13 16:04:03

Barrow ohhh shingles are awful, hope you caught it in time for the anti virals. flowers
MargaretX now I know why I feel like a fatten up pig some days grin

Marelli Sat 23-Feb-13 16:14:43

Barrow, sorry to hear about the shingles. Take care and rest yourself. flowers

moomin Sat 23-Feb-13 16:25:40

flowers Barrow

Movedalot Sat 23-Feb-13 16:34:10

Barrow so sorry to hear that, I hope you get better soon flowers

Jane any of us can calculate our BMI as a guide but it is not so easy to work out how much body fat we have so I think the BMI is as good a guide as any unless you go to some organisation for the fat calculation.

Marelli Sat 23-Feb-13 16:34:28

I'd bought the 5:2 Diet Book earlier in the week, and it states that for many reasons BMI isn't very accurate, but to measure your height in inches, then your waist. Your waist should be half the size of your height. I'm 5'9" so my waist should be 34.5".....not sure if I measure the flab over the top of my jeans, or area above the 'drag' of my tummy when I've not got my jeans on confused, as I haven't had much of a waist for years!
Not doing that diet, anyway, though!

glassortwo Sat 23-Feb-13 16:38:35

Like men who wear their trousers under the tummy, nowhere near their waist and then say "my waist measurement is the same as it was 20 yrs ago" grin

janeainsworth Sat 23-Feb-13 18:29:55

Moved I bought these scales from Weightwatchers for DD2's birthday a few weeks ago.
Amongst other things they tell you your body fat percentage.

Movedalot Sat 23-Feb-13 18:35:56

I didn't know that was possible Jane I though finding out how much fat you had involved calipers etc. I don't understand how they work, can you explain how they know how much fat and water you have?

janeainsworth Sat 23-Feb-13 18:38:11

Nogrin

Riverwalk Sat 23-Feb-13 18:46:04

They work by sending a 'harmless' electric current up through your body!

Not to be used if you're pregnant or have a pacemaker.