The main difference between Europe and USA...

[Kevin Powers]

so if you don't want to stay on the atkin's for the rest of your life, what happens? do you still maintain the weight loss? i've lost 45#'s over the last 2 years. stop drinking, eat sensibly, moderate excersize is all it takes. life style change is all that is required. helps with the lb to hp ratio with your p-car too.

kevin

[Serge914]

During my vacation in Florida, we were always surprised how fast the Americans eat at the restaurant. Look like you guys can't stay more than 30 minutes sitting at a table. I believe the buffet peoples are the worst, they can empty 3 plates in 15 minutes.

[island911]

Originally posted by Serge914
During my vacation in Florida, we were always surprised how fast the Americans eat at the restaurant. Look like you guys can't stay more than 30 minutes sitting at a table. I believe the buffet peoples are the worst, they can empty 3 plates in 15 minutes.

what kind of restaurants were you going to? . .you had to go to Florida to see that?

Also, are you saying that your Canadian brothers stay feeding for for much longer than 30 minutes . .. esp. at the buffet?

just razz'n ya.

Yeah, the US has its share of trailerpark trash (I think most are originally from Europe;-). ..though, I am certainly not going to believe that Canada somehow owns the higher standard of dining etiquette.

[turbocarrera]

Canucks are as bad as anyone when it comes time to waddle over to the trough. I've been known to bite myself when I get going too fast and can't differentiate between the turkey-leg and my wrist.

[1fastredsc]

Wouldn't it be funny if at some point women could actually sue men for not being attracted to there "big boned" look, because it's insensitive to their feelings. I think that this is why the porn industry here in the US is a billion dollar industry. So keep eating ladies, and make sure not to excercise, it's only going to get ron jeremy and jenna jameson that much richer

[speeder]

Ron Jeremy, now there is a good-looking guy who watches his weight.

And Tony, you funny.

[Jocke]

Sensitive subject i guess....

/Jocke

[Jay Auskin]

When I was in my early 20's, I felt like I can eat anything, and never gain weight. Now I feel like I have to watch what I eat. SO, after thinking about it more, I wondered what was different. I guess when I was 20, I biked, ran and worked out quite a bit.

So, I decided not to watch TV anymore (we'll I just watch very little). Instead, I work out, I go running, or heck just walk outside and go somewhere. It's funny, I really don't really watch what I eat too much. I'm still young (30 yrs), but I've realized that it's a lifestyle, not necessarily where you live.

I think in Europe, and typically, in large cities in the US where not as many people drive, you'll find more good looking people. No one notices the slob sitting in a car. But, if you have to walk around alot to get places, you're bound to take care of yourself, and look better...kind of like people who like their cars to look good. And walking is excercise. If you have to walk alot, you'll likely stay thinner.

It's not rocket science--if you eat too much, and don't let your body burn it off, you're going to get bigger.

[Serge914]

I Agree with you Jay. My wife used to have a kiddygarden at our home and she was in great shape. 9 month ago she went back to school; now instead of running all over the place with the kids, she spent the day sitting at his desk. She gained around 20 pounds in 9 months.( Of course she wont realy tell me how many )

[CamB]

I haven't done enough research (I don't really need to lose weight) but the Atkins, etc etc etc low carb diets all seem to be an interesting way of restricting calories.

I mean, how much steak and chicken can one man afford?

Interesting stuff I read yesterday about low carb diets (South Beach Diet in this case) and exercise (and rapid weight loss due to water loss):

http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2004/letters05-31

I don't doubt that you would lose a significant amount of weight during Phase I of the diet. With restricted carbohydrate intake, the body would use the glycogen it has stored in the liver and skeletal muscle to fuel the brain. When glycogen is broken down, the water that is part of the glycogen is released and excreted in the urine. When intake of carbohydrate is inadequate, skeletal muscle is broken down and the amino acids that make up muscle proteins are converted into glucose to meet the body's demands. Muscle is about 73 percent water, so when muscle proteins are catabolized the water that was once part of the muscle cells is also excreted in the urine. The number on the scale may drop rapidly on this diet, but losing water and not body fat

[dd74]

Fact is the Atkins diet will sooner or later run you into the poor house. The price of meat is fairly high, so it would behoove someone getting on the diet to lose their weight as fast as possible, if for the sake of their wallet.

As for cyclist eating junk food (I think that was mentioned on this thread), cyclist burn an incredible amount of calories, as do marathoners. I've heard marathon runners promptly devour big bowls of pasta and drink loads of beer after a marathon only so they can recover.

I read once that LeMond used to cycle 1,300 miles a week. Eating five cheeseburgers barely put a dent in him. Conversely, I read somewhere else that he now suffers from an incurable disease that is exercise induced. I can't remember what it is called (the disease), but even if he physically could, he can't ride nearly as much as he once did. The bike could kill him.

[turbo6bar]

Originally posted by dd74
As for cyclist eating junk food (I think that was mentioned on this thread), cyclist burn an incredible amount of calories, as do marathoners. I've heard marathon runners promptly devour big bowls of pasta and drink loads of beer after a marathon only so they can recover.

Yep, yep. I finally am reaching my mileage goals, and I'm having a hard time eating enough food to feed my body. Try force feeding yourself when your body says I'm not hungry...

Sad part is I only ride 150 miles a week.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by turbo6bar
Sad part is I only ride 150 miles a week.

Hell, I'm winded if I drive 150 miles in a week...

[dd74]

I don't know - don't you guys think we sometimes take how we exercise a little too seriously? Like lifting weights until our biceps burst, or challenging everyone on the bike paths, or riding until we can barely turn the cranks?

What I'm saying is I think "moderate" might be the way to go. I don't think there's much benefit in going "all out" with the exercise.

One of the mother's at my daughter's school did the Tae Bo thing. She didn't know she hurt her back, and continued on with the classes. She ended up with massive migraine headaches that eventually hospitalized her. After a catscan, they found out her spine was leaking fluids. Three months and multiple transfusions later, she's still no better. She obviously "overdid" it. Not that she's the perfect example, but what I'm getting at is I think we're just to obsessed with getting in shape, as we are with food.

In Italy, the cyclists there look so relaxed on their bikes - they just motor along at a nice easy pace. Here, (well, at least here ) they look like they're torturing themselves as they try to race one another along with every bus, car, motorcycle and anything else that moves.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by dd74
I don't know - don't you guys think we sometimes take how we exercise a little too seriously? Like lifting weights until our biceps burst, or challenging everyone on the bike paths, or riding until we can barely turn the cranks?

What I'm saying is I think "moderate" might be the way to go. I don't think there's much benefit in going "all out" with the exercise.

One of the mother's at my daughter's school did the Tae Bo thing. She didn't know she hurt her back, and continued on with the classes. She ended up with massive migraine headaches that eventually hospitalized her. After a catscan, they found out her spine was leaking fluids. Three months and multiple transfusions later, she's still no better. She obviously "overdid" it. Not that she's the perfect example, but what I'm getting at is I think we're just to obsessed with getting in shape, as we are with food.

In Italy, the cyclists there look so relaxed on their bikes - they just motor along at a nice easy pace. Here, (well, at least here ) they look like they're torturing themselves as they try to race one another along with every bus, car, motorcycle and anything else that moves.

American's take things to extremes. Big cars, big meals, big guns/bombs, big boobs, etc...

The lady at Tae Bo is a classic example of inproper training. Folks have to realize that muscles grow much faster then the supporting structure they rely on. Runners are prime candidates for injury - typically the guy/gal who runs 5-10 miles a week and suddenly trains for a marathon by upping mileage to 35+ miles a week. The body just can't take that abuse for long without some complaints.

Europeans use bicycles for transportation as well as sport. Most Americans use cars for transportation and those who ride bikes are doing it for sport. Even when I was racing bikes I drove my car to work after the training ride. I have an excuse for that of course.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by widebody911
Hell, I'm winded if I drive 150 miles in a week...

That might sound like a lot, but active cyclists can put in twice that and more easily. In my past life we would consider a 35 mile coffee ride to Pannikin a day off.

[turbo6bar]

I moderate by not shaving my legs.

It's easy for you to ride your bike in sunny CA, but my scenery is soybean fields and pickup trucks. Putzing along while observing the Johnson grass ain't fun. Looking at Americans, I think we are more obsessed with getting fat than getting in shape.

We all do things for different reasons. Riding helps me to get rid of daily stress. Riding helps me to be physically fit, which is important, since I'm self-insured. I'm a lot more easygoing when I ride regularly (less apt to get into spats with speeder )

I figure surfing Pelican Parts forums and cycling are a good combination. During the day, I get my butt in shape, and during the evening I try to flatten it ugly by sitting at the computer. Now, what did you say about moderation?

Besides, I have half aspirations of one day getting into racing, but I'll never know if I'm good enough if I don't push myself.

[turbo6bar]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
That might sound like a lot, but active cyclists can put in twice that and more easily. In my past life we would consider a 35 mile coffee ride to Pannikin a day off.

Yeah, and dd74 accuses one of not being moderate. I don't feel 35 miles 5 times a week is ridiculous.

[dd74]

I find it interesting how so many race car drivers also engage in serious cycling. Paul Tracey had to drop a bunch a weight - the guy was so fat he could barely fit in his car. So with each circuit the season took them to, he had to ride five laps around the course. He lost like 50 pounds in a season.

Others use cycling to clear their heads...I guess of telemetry.

[Rot 911]

I think people everywhere are getting fatter. As for Europe, you want to see fat people, go check out the beaches. Enough to make you want to go blind. Course no better here, but for a European to point out Americans being fat is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.