Weight problems

[sparky]

Originally Posted by David

I bought myself a mountain bike at Target for $100 & now I take it over to Irvine Regional Park & ride the paved trails--miles of them. I totally dig it. It's totally therapeutic. It makes me feel like a 12-year-old again (when I was a kid, I LIVED on my bike). This park is amazing. I ride through its vast expanse & I think: "Hey, the government actually IS good for something!"

That sounds beautiful. I don't have a mountain bike, but still get to see some beautiful scenery in Griffith Park and the mountains above Glendale.

I don't think I have swum a whole mile since I did the Mile Swim BSA up at Lake Arrowhead when I was a teenager! I remember being extremely exhausted after that but also elated. It's a very alluring feeling when those endorphins are mixing up with muscle exhaustion. The effect is giggly, like being tickled. It reminds me of Pauline Kael's line about the old "Willie Wonka" movie: "It's stilted & frenetic, like Prussians at play."

It is an exquisite rush.

Ultimately the only way I have been able to become so dedicated to working out is by redefining how I think about myself. I am not a guy trying to stay in shape and get stronger. I am a swimmer. I am a cyclist. I am a reluctant runner. It's all become part of how I define myself. Just one more part of my regular life.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by sparky

That sounds beautiful. I don't have a mountain bike, but still get to see some beautiful scenery in Griffith Park and the mountains above Glendale.



It is an exquisite rush.

Ultimately the only way I have been able to become so dedicated to working out is by redefining how I think about myself. I am not a guy trying to stay in shape and get stronger. I am a swimmer. I am a cyclist. I am a reluctant runner. It's all become part of how I define myself. Just one more part of my regular life.

I like the way you put that. Accentuate the positive.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Granted I'm not the worst looking guy around, but not the best either.

David, you should really focus on your health, not your looks. JMO, of course, but that much extra weight can lead to HUGE health issues sooner than you think - hypertension & high cholesterol (leading to heart attack, stroke), stress on your bones & joints (leading to injuries), insulin resistance (leading to diabetes.) I guess it's just the nurse in me. But HEALTHY is more important than being "thin." Don't do it to look better, do it to feel better & live a longer life.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by sparky

Ultimately the only way I have been able to become so dedicated to working out is by redefining how I think about myself. I am not a guy trying to stay in shape and get stronger. I am a swimmer. I am a cyclist. I am a reluctant runner. It's all become part of how I define myself. Just one more part of my regular life.

I know what you mean, and you're right, it is a total boost to your motivation. I think, "I am a tennis player" and it's more true than not, I've played tennis most of my life (competitively on teams up through high school) so it's like second nature to me.

[amber]

Originally Posted by skcin

David, you should really focus on your health, not your looks. JMO, of course, but that much extra weight can lead to HUGE health issues sooner than you think - hypertension & high cholesterol (leading to heart attack, stroke), stress on your bones & joints (leading to injuries), insulin resistance (leading to diabetes.) I guess it's just the nurse in me. But HEALTHY is more important than being "thin." Don't do it to look better, do it to feel better & live a longer life.

oops, you weren't joking, were you?

J/K, you're right. But for me, vanity is a huge motivation. I love it. Maybe it works for me because when I don't look spectacular, and am not thin, I don't care that much. I mean, my self esteem isn't really connected with it. It's just that I feel extra super fab when the bod is in good shape.
But then, I've always been so very assured of my physical skill and prowess, and loved my body for that, no matter my shape. That probably helps, too.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by amber

oops, you weren't joking, were you?

J/K, you're right. But for me, vanity is a huge motivation. I love it. Maybe it works for me because when I don't look spectacular, and am not thin, I don't care that much. I mean, my self esteem isn't really connected with it. It's just that I feel extra super fab when the bod is in good shape.
But then, I've always been so very assured of my physical skill and prowess, and loved my body for that, no matter my shape. That probably helps, too.

I know what you mean, but it's a bit different if you only need to lose 10 or 20 pounds as opposed to 75 or 100. It can really take years off of one's life.

[amber]

Originally Posted by skcin

I know what you mean, but it's a bit different if you only need to lose 10 or 20 pounds as opposed to 75 or 100. It can really take years off of one's life.

Totally. Even 20 is bad, actually, according to something I just read. That's why I said J/K. But, for someone who is very overweight, I'd imagine health could be (should be) a much more important motivation.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by skcin

David, you should really focus on your health, not your looks. JMO, of course, but that much extra weight can lead to HUGE health issues sooner than you think - hypertension & high cholesterol (leading to heart attack, stroke), stress on your bones & joints (leading to injuries), insulin resistance (leading to diabetes.) I guess it's just the nurse in me. But HEALTHY is more important than being "thin." Don't do it to look better, do it to feel better & live a longer life.

That's totally the way I feel about it. Believe me, being gay and big are two things that for the most part dont go together. But I honestly am not too worried about that part of it. Just like you said, it's more about the health for me. And for Derek as well. I wish he didnt smoke. I really love him and I want him to be around for awhile. Thanks alot for the positive reinforcement btw.

[JazmenFlowers]

another little tidbit - stay away from anything white or starchy, if you can...

point being, keep your blood sugar as level as possible (I think amber has already pointed that out)