Yup, at 6 feet, 260lbs and less that 12% bf I am a living BMI myth buster..

I'm definitely quitting smoking on my last day in China. I had planned that for a while. But since I've cut smoking down so much in the last few mos., my numbers have gotten worse. In that marathon photo I smoked a pack a day, drank all the time and never once thought about what I ate. I understand my body could take the abuse a lot better in those days. But I live a LOT differently now and only seem to gain weight. I used to eat oatmeal for breakfast every day. But since moving to AZ, where it's usually hot, I moved to some kind of cold cereal and always with 1% mild. I'll go back to oatmeal today.

KC, I have no problem quitting smoking and staying off AS LONG AS I see or feel the results. After a month or two of no smoking, but still gaining weight, I start to lose motivation when I need it. Willpower usually beats the nicotine jonesing. And it's easier now that I work from home and have to get on the motorcycle to go buy smokes, I hardly ever go to bars anymore and am just not around smoking as much as I was in DC. Before I take some wager, how much are you smoking?

Just drink more, that's what you lack.:)

I think you need another doctor or at the very least a second opinion.

Well, I don't think any doctor in the world is gonna tell me to just keep doing what I'm doing. It's not like he's recommending a drastic procedure or controversial drug. I'll get the blood work done in late January, go in for a physical and see what this doctor says before I decide on looking elsewhere.

Although I rarely go to bars anymore either (you can still smoke in bars here in NC), I still see a fair number of bands (ditto), but my biggest "influence" is one of my best friend's wife. She smokes, and (although I'm NOT blaming her), I tend to smoke over at their house (outside) or when they visit. I don't drink beer NEARLY as much as I used to, but I'd say I'm probably 'bout like you (maybe 1-2 packs per week, sometimes none) depending upon what I do socially. Don't get me wrong, although I can't stand a cig when not with a beer, I'm as psychologically dependent as anyone under those circumstances, and it's just a HARD habit to break (as you well know). We don't have/need to wager...I'll be pulling for ya anyways and just thought I'd throw it out. Have a great time in China, and good luck!

Good luck too, you left-wing nutjob;).

Tell your doc your first lifestyle change is getting a new doctor that isn't so depressing.

I smoked for almost 20 years and quit 5 years ago. It was a piece of cake. The smell of the ashtray just made me sick and I wanted to be able to get through our weekly hour pickup hockey game(no whistles, 5v5) and keep up. I quit cold turkey, lost 25lbs, and 30 bp points. I also quit junk/fast food, started the greens/veggies/fruit/chicken/fish etc, diet(you can eat like a HORSE on that diet - and it tastes sooo good), do at least 30 mins of 80% MHR everyday and feel like I'm 20 again - almost. ;)

All smokers ever hear is how hard it is to quit and they condition their minds to fail before they even try. It's easy.

Good luck!

That's me! A "left wing (can't throw righty if I had to), gun ownin', cig smokin', debt free, 30 year Republican" nutjob :)

poor me I'm trying to break 150 lbs,
max's weight for me was 170 in Saudi..
MRE's....

Rika

Great post. Just about sums it up. I would just add : (a) avoid eating carbs and proteins in combination; (b) avoid eating carbs in the evening.

BMI is useful for statistics when you look at large populations. For example, you can see how the US is getting fatter over time. Most those people are not into weight lifting and it is a good way to quickly asses changes for large populations that you only have two data points (height, weight) for.

If you need to know if you are overweight, look in the mirror and touch your love handle area.

Rick, you need to get some professional help for quitting the smoking and also the calorie intake. If your GP is any good, he'll hook you up.

Good luck,

George

Sux getting old. I am 51. I have always been trim and athletic. Think "gymnast." I don't work out, but am a bit "cut up." I get remarks when I wear a tank shirt. I'm 5'8" and 160 lbs. Always had relatively low BP and cholesterol. I drew a long straw, genetically.

Then I started getting old. Just recently. I my mind, I'm 25. It's hard to accept the fact that, probably, I just can't play football with the young guys any more. But that's the reality. The parts are starting to wear out. Valve guides are leaking, rings are passing some blow-by and I'm burning a quart every thousand miles or so. Maybe I just need a can of Bardahl.

Young girls, if that doesnt keep you fit, nothing will. Man up.

Ahhh, to be 51 again...

Pretty scary that I can vividly remember my father's 30th b-day and he's 63 now.

Just a reminder: " God only gave you so many heartbeats, so dont waste to many doing exercise ".

Todd :)

BMI is complete horse crap.

I should clarify that my doctor made no mention of BMI. He did have a BMI chart on the wall and I was reading it while waiting for him.