Anyone Here A Health Nut?
 

Just curious to see if we have any really dedicated health/fitness nuts on here. Curious most from a nutrition standpoint, but also from workouts, etc... RoninLB's post in the roadtrip thread made me think of this. Who is eating six times per day, taking protein supplements, eating tons of green veggies, minimizing sat fats and focusing on fats from nuts, flax, avocados, etc..? Who eats no refined sugars, flours, etc... No soft drinks, etc...?

Any professional nutritionists on here? I'd like to get a discussion started on what the healthiest diets consist of etc...

Your thoughts/opinions are appreciated.

JA

My grandfather lived to be 96, my dad is close to 80. I'm learning more about life every year, mostly that there are more things you aren't in control of then are. Everything in moderation is a plus. Doesn't hurt to have good genes also,

I have always been into working out and also doing cardio like running
or skating. Never really watched what I ate though...and i was about
14% body fat...which isnt bad, I still looked good, but it wasnt what
I wanted.

So, 6 weeks ago...I cut out the soft drinks, cut out the cigarettes and started counting calories each day.
I consume about 1500 calories per day or less...and I write down everything in a journal.

I still eat well, its just that the portions are less, and the toppings are
much less. For example, I can still have a baked potato with some
light low-fat butter on top...which is only about 350 calories...

Or I can have some soup for lunch, with 6 crackers crumbled on top
which is also about 300 calories.

It took a week or so for my body to adjust to less food, but now I dont
really miss it much. I take supplements and also protein daily but
am not obsessed with these things.
Ive dropped 15 lbs of fat, and combined with my increased weight
training, Im pretty much looking shreaded right now...
I havent gotten measured, but Id estimate myself to be in the 9-10%
bf range right now. My goal is to drop 8 more
lbs of fat while maintaining the muscle. This should take about 4-5
weeks given the current 7000 calorie deficit that I consume each week
(calories consumed vs. calories one would eat to maintain weight for my
size)

To look better is OK...but Most importantly, I feel better than ever.

I would recommend to you to watch your calories. Studies show that
laboratory rats that consume %33 less calories than other rats have
much longer life spans with less diseases.

The Biggest Loser thread at the top of this page is great...
Looks like lots of people here are having success with their
diets.

gotta go...off to the gym SmileWavy

I worked with a guy who was the ultimate health nut. He rode a bike to work rain or shine, only drank green tea, vegitarian, went to the gym 4 nights a week, never smoked and rarely drank.
He died of colon cancer 4 years ago. In an ironic twist, the company was in the process of building an on-site fitness center and they named it after him.

I'm in pretty good shape right now. I lift every 2-3 days. Cardio is typically running or cycling, every other day.

I've actually tried to gain muscle weight this month, so almost no cardio.

I would not say I am a health nut, but I am aware of what I eat. Very little beef. Mostly chicken and turkey.

I try to move slowly and drink lots of red wine.

It seems I have genetics in my favor in regards to weight and food consumption. I'll choose a second entree over dessert. I do self-regulate without much thought, if I'm feeling a little heavy, I cut portion size and don't snack during the week. I did see a decline in blood pressure (borderline high) and Cholesterol from lower stress (see above: Red Wine).

But I'm far, far from a health nut. I've decided I'm giving up those extra five years happily in exchange for fois gras, sauces, lamb, 2nds, and more red wine.

I think I am right there with ya Don.
I just purchased a new Bowflex ultimate 2 and will be using that every other day. My job (Porsche wrench) kills me by standing in one place for eight hours a day. I used to be an avid mountain bike rider and weight lifter years ago. Finding the time has been the biggest issue for me. Thats the main reason for the Bowflex. It'll be here at home to use at will, with no guilt over missing a day here or there. That is tomorrows project! To assemble the darn thing. :D

Don, another glass for me also. Don't know about the genetics though. My dad and his brother were way bigger than me, had hands like bear paws. Have never dieted, weigh what I did in high school. I don't like candy or sodas, rarely eat dessert (and my wife is a killer of a cook). Maybe the key is I stop eating when I'm full. Not on any exersize program but I move around some. Could no TV have anything to do with it?
Jim

After needing to loose 5, then 10, then 15, then almost 20 pounds I decided it was time to make a huge change in my lifestyle. I had fallen into a terrible rut of not exercising, eating horrible and drinking like a fish. I was depressed and felt the lack of gym, terrible food and drinking would make me happy.

Then I got addicted to the crappy food and drinking. Oh, and the 3-5 Red Bulls a day beofre I would switch from caffien to alcohol.

I weighed in at 175 and need to loose 15-18 lbs. and get myself to 157-160.

I just spent the evening prior preparing my meals for the next day. 5 total meals.

I have 4 in tupperwares ready to go.

Breakfast (6 a.m.) At home:
4 egg whites, 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 of an apple.

Off to gym 30 minutes weight training 30 minutes cardio.

Mid morning snack (9 a.m.)
4 oz. chicken, 1/2 cup of rice

Lunch (12 noon)
4 oz. chicken, 1 cup of rice, 1 cup of green beans
Brisk walk for 2 miles during work lunch break

mid afternoon snack (3 p.m.)
4 oz chicken, 1 apple


Dinner (6 p.m.)
Stuffed pepper with 4 oz ground turkey and 1 cup rice.

2 mile run


I am 6 days into this and have not weighted myself yet but can already tell I have lost a lot of weight. My gut is no longer obvious and my pants are too loose on me already requiring a belt to hold them up. I took some measurements too as I am weight training the the scale will not tell the whole story.

The wost was the first 4 days. I was going through caffein and alcohol withdrawal at once. I got a slitting headache every afternoon at 3 like clockwork from the lack of caffein and then it intensified in the evening from lack of booze!

I was in bed the 1st 4 night at 8-9 PM in a lot of pain. The 5th day was the turning point and today was just amazing I am free of all the outside stimulants I had grown dependant on. I feel free, I feel like 100% again. This morning I woke up at 6 a.m. I mean my eyes opened up no alarm, I tried to roll over to go back asleep but I felt great and was not tired so I got up and started my day. It is Saturday!!

The same problems are still there that pushed me to depression but I am so much clearer now and I am not feeling sorry for myself so much. What is great isnot only I am getting in great shape, and I feel really good but its the freedom from all the crap I was addicted too and yes, I was addicted to crappy food as much as the caffein or alcohol.

I was actually angry to fist 2 days that I could not eat crappy food and missed it a LOT but now I could not care.

I laughed last night when I ran to the grocery store, my shopping cart looked completely different. Instead if chips / wine / Beer / Cheese / steak it was filled with veggies, fruit, eggs (for the whites) and chicken.

Its good to be free.

Sorry for the long post but this thread was too much of a coincidence.

nut, no, but interested, yes.

The book "The Okinawan Program" is pretty good. I agree with most of what they say. Remove most of your simple carbs unless they are coming from fruit. Stay away from the refined stuff, stuff that you just heat and eat, and that sort of thing. You don't have to cut anything out 100%, just cut things that are bad to a minimum.

Lots of veggies, complex carbs for energy. Mostly fish and chicken with less beef/pork, regular exercise (but doesn't have to be heavy), reduce your stress. Heavy exercise may exact a toll as bad as eating like crap.

Anyone ever heard of or drink kefir??? Ever make your own?

My wife read a book I cannot recall the title.

The basic rule when in a grocery store, shop around the outside walls, everything in the middle is processed.

My wife is a healthfood nut, she is a wealth of informaation on this subject and I have encouraged her to get certified or do the schooling needed to be certified a nutritionist, she knows her stuff.

She got most of her interest in this when she did her only bodybuilding competition. She will never do it again, it was the best and wost shape she was ever in at the same time. Any bodybuilder knows what I am talking about.

Don't post a title like that......I dropped a Bon-Bon in my drink and about fell out of my recliner.......