Alligatorob's Diary

[alligatorob]

Yesterday was a pretty good day, I stayed on track calorie wise, exercised, and feel alright this morning.

I spent most of the day fixing the last big thing from the waterline leak repair. To get the waterline into my office we had to dig a 1.5 meter deep trench under the awning it was a mess. That was where I kept my firewood, I had to dismantle the wood rack and move the wood. Yesterday I rebuilt the rack and moved the wood back. And did a bunch of leveling to get things back to where they had been before. It was exhausting, but I got done. Did a workout in the morning before hand, but no walk or afternoon workout, except for the real work.

Last night the grandkids came over and we built a fire to roast s'mores, I didn't really get dinner, just an apple and some pretzels. But I did have whiskey, and am still a little slow for it.

Today I will walk, don't think I will attempt the big hike, something more relaxing is what I have in mind.

That's what my normal walks are for. Who cares where I get to as long as I enjoy it and it calms my brain.

I like that, think I will take that approach today.

It's hard when the enthusiasm wanes but yes as long as you stick to a good healthy way of being i'm sure it will pass.

Thanks Liza, I think it has passed, at least some. Today is another day, and while yesterday's food was not ideal, calories were good and 2 of 3 meals were fine.

It was all part of getting comfortable with the new me and I think I should have taken charge of it, or welcomed the challenge, a little sooner. I don't know if that makes sense.

Thanks Rob, your insights are appreciated and valuable to me. It does make sense, thought I am not quite sure what to do about it yet. Thinking about it now will help.

Hey Rob, welcome to the world of BMI "overweight" - something that I very rarely dip out of into "normal" weight. Those standards are tough to beat

Thanks Jack, what is healthy? I can see that I will probably pass most of the health based things like waist and waist to hip ratio before getting out of the "overweight" and into "normal" BMI. I have not figured out the % body fat thing though. Do you need to get to "normal" to be healthy? For a lot of us it seems "normal" is not really normal.

I want to enjoy them & they are my meditation. I stop & appreciate things like fungus or a mossy rock & I take photos. Sometimes I sit on a log & close my eyes & listen to birdsong or the rustling of leaves in the canopy.
This might be something you can do with the grandkids

That sounds lovely, probably what I will try to do today. The grandkids always talk like they want to hike, but when the time comes it usually loses out to a video game.

I hope you enjoy your walk wherever it takes you too. Stop and smell the roses ( or the peach blossom )

Thanks Petal, I plan to. A km or so above our house there is an irrigation canal that has a trail next to it, really an access road for canal maintenance, but hiking is allowed. I think I will walk it, the full length would be about 10 km, not sure I will do it all. Lots of peaches and other fruit orchards along the canal, its nice. And expect for the climb to get to it pretty flat. No mountain challenge.

 

[Llama]

Thanks Jack, what is healthy? I can see that I will probably pass most of the health based things like waist and waist to hip ratio before getting out of the "overweight" and into "normal" BMI. I have not figured out the % body fat thing though. Do you need to get to "normal" to be healthy? For a lot of us it seems "normal" is not really normal.

I think if your BP, waist circumference, and blood work are all ok and you don´t get out of breath when walking and talking with your grandkids you´re doing pretty well. It probably isn´t the same for everyone though so in the end it´s always a personal decision.

 

[Cate]

I think you are doing very well & sound like you are easing into maintenance territory. A walk with the GK's would be nice. I think it was LaMa who suggested to me that I tell the GK's we're going somewhere & just take them, rather than asking them where they would like to go or what they would like to do. "OK, kids we're going for a hike."
Great work outside, Rob. It sounds exhausting.

 

[alligatorob]

Today was a good day, I ate well and got exercise, right now I feel pretty good. I went for a longish walk about 7.5 km, but not a particularly challenging one. It was good. To be honest I don't think I had the energy for another assault on the mountain. Did a workout tonight as well. A couple of pictures from the walk.


And a quail in the yard.

I have been studying this goal weight and switching to maintenance thing. I am thing rather than (or maybe in addition to) a goal weight I should shoot for other metrics. Waist below 37 inches would be one, I am still struggling to be sure where the waist should be measured. At my belly button I am 40 inches, just above I am 38. Both are above 37, but one will get there sooner than the other. I am ok already with the waist to hip thing. There is a waist to height ratio too, for me it would be 33.5 inches, I doubt I can ever make that. I took a shot at the Navy body fat estimate thing and I am at about 29%, which the calculator says is obese, but seems to be on the high end of average for a man my age. It may be that the average man is obese I guess. "Ideal" body fat for a man my age is about 25%. So I am getting in range, but not quite there yet. Will keep studying it, and of course welcome any advice.

I think if your BP, waist circumference, and blood work are all ok and you don´t get out of breath when walking and talking with your grandkids you´re doing pretty well. It probably isn´t the same for everyone though so in the end it´s always a personal decision.

Thanks LaMa, that is good input. It is part of what started my study. I am lucky, BP and blood work has always been good, even when overweight. I like the walking and talking thing, I can now pretty much do that, so long as the hill isn't too steep or the pace too fast. I suppose I am trying to make that "personal decision" now.

I think it was LaMa who suggested to me that I tell the GK's we're going somewhere & just take them, rather than asking them where they would like to go or what they would like to do. "OK, kids we're going for a hike."

Good suggestion Cate, thanks!

 

[aiminglow]

For a lot of us it seems "normal" is not really normal.

Yes. As you know, I keep an eye on BMI myself, and was delighted to get down to what the charts defined as "overweight, but less than obese". But BMI is a pretty rough and ready tool for individual use.
The wikipedia article hints at some of its shortcomings when used to assess individual people's degree of overweightness:
Body mass index - Wikipedia

 

[Llama]

Which is fine because it wasn't developed for individual use. I think bodyfat percentage may be a better measure but it's not really possible to get an accurate assessment without professional equipment. Which is why so many different measures exist: people are looking something easy/cheap to measure which will still give you useful information on the individual level. And maybe that's just not possible.
About the weight: I don't know if you have a lot of loose skin but if you do that's going to count both on the scale and possibly on your waist measurements even though it doesn't really "count".

 

[Petal001]

I think Rob you will know when you feel “ happy “ with your weight . I know personally on scales and according to what people tell me I should be I could lose more . If I was in WW. I would probably have another 2 stone to lose to satisfy their criteria. But I know another 7 - 12 lb will be my limit but I am happy even now .
I am a firm believer in getting to where you think you can maintain a good diet and feel happy and healthy. You are definitely getting there now . Your fitness levels are amazing from 1 year ago .

 

[alligatorob]

Yesterday was a good day, ate well, exercised and I feel good this morning. I got in a good walk, hiked up the first part of my mountain hike, only up about 250 m, but enough to feel it.

Yes. As you know, I keep an eye on BMI myself, and was delighted to get down to what the charts defined as "overweight, but less than obese". But BMI is a pretty rough and ready tool for individual use.

Thanks Amy, the closer I look at all the measures the more I see the shortcomings. I do know I still have some fat I would like to be rid of, maybe that's the best measure?

About the weight: I don't know if you have a lot of loose skin but if you do that's going to count both on the scale and possibly on your waist measurements even though it doesn't really "count".

I do have the loose skin problem, and you may be right, that is probably adding a few pounds and maybe a little to my waist that are not loseable fat. Yeah on the % body fat thing I have tried a few different methods to estimate it, they all give different answers.

I am happy even now

Thanks Petal, and I know you are right, being happy is the only important measure. And you are right I sure do feel a whole lot happier with where I am today than I was, a whole lot.

 

[Llama]

I know you are right, being happy is the only important measure. And you are right I sure do feel a whole lot happier with where I am today than I was, a whole lot.

That IS the most important measure by far. Question: can you put your finger on which part of this big change is making you feel happier?

 

[alligatorob]

A very busy day, but I did fine, ate well, exercised and feel fine tonight.

Question: can you put your finger on which part of this big change is making you feel happier?

I am not sure I can, its a number of things. Just losing the weight is great, being able to move and do things I could not before is equally great. And knowing I am healthier is important to me. Not a definitive answer I know, but I do appreciate the question, thanks LaMa.

 

[Llama]

Would you say that... a weight's been lifted?

 

[alligatorob]

No weight loss this week, still at 191. Just holding onto last week's 7 lb loss is pretty good news. I am happy!

a weight's been lifted?

Good one LaMa! What can I say.

 

[jackbenimble]

Rob, I like your idea of measuring the hip to waist ratio. If I can dig up a measuring tape, I'll try it myself. Unfortunately, I've always had widish hips, but in this case, it may work in my favor.

I was partially kidding on the BMI - I know it's a very rough measure.

 

[overlandflyer]

... Waist below 37 inches would be one, I am still struggling to be sure where the waist should be measured. At my belly button I am 40 inches, just above I am 38. Both are above 37, but one will get there sooner than the other. ...

i'm not sure about this seeing you started at a higher weight than i did, but in the past year of sticking at or below 170, though my total weight has not changed much, i have noticed that i continue to lose some of my still noticeable belly "pudge". the worst part is that i feel fine wearing 36" waist pants, but there is way too much material in the butt. BUT... when i try 34" waist paints, it's still very hard to button them. a little less than a year ago, i got a few pair of 35" from Levi directly (hard to find 35's in the store) and though they were tight when i first got them, they feel much better today.

fyi... i looked up measurements a while back and the general consensus i remember is that your natural waist is about an inch above your b/b. same with me... about 3" below that is where things start to go south.

 

[overlandflyer]

i suppose i should add a caveat... i cannot remember the last time i did a sit-up ...

 

[alligatorob]

It was a good day, ate well, exercised and I feel good. I did a 7.5 km walk and it was good. Here is a wildflower picture, a Mule's Ear, or Wyethia. Common here in spring, some places they cover the mountain side.

Unfortunately, I've always had widish hips, but in this case, it may work in my favor.

Turns out that is not such a bad thing, health wise. Apparently a man who's hips are wider than his waist has a lower risk of heart disease.

i'm not sure about this seeing you started at a higher weight than i did, but in the past year of sticking at or below 170, though my total weight has not changed much, i have noticed that i continue to lose some of my still noticeable belly "pudge". the worst part is that i feel fine wearing 36" waist pants, but there is way too much material in the butt. BUT... when i try 34" waist paints, it's still very hard to button them. a little less than a year ago, i got a few pair of 35" from Levi directly (hard to find 35's in the store) and though they were tight when i first got them, they feel much better today.

Thanks, particularly that part about the worst of your "pudge" going down, hope mine does. The 40 inch Levis I got back in February are now quite loose, so I decided to try some 36s. I can get them on, but they are tight, still feels good just to get them on. 34s are the smallest I can ever remember wearing, when I was in high school. Don't know if I'll ever get there, but it might be a good goal.

i suppose i should add a caveat... i cannot remember the last time i did a sit-up ...

Got a kick out of that one, a couple of months ago I tried and could not do a single sit up. So I started trying and doing what I could every few days. Yesterday I did 30, the first 10 were pretty good, the last 20 I had to cheat a bit but managed to do them. I have been working on my abs for that pudgy stomach thing, but its not having the desired effect. I can feel a pretty hard stomach now, unfortunately its under a bit of a fat roll! Guess I can keep trying.

 

[liza]

What lovely wild flowers!
Me too working on belly fat, though i know they say one just has to be patient--can't target a specific area for fat loss...at least i think that's what they say...

 

[overlandflyer]

...Got a kick out of that one, a couple of months ago I tried and could not do a single sit up. ...

ok... one more caveat... i'm pretty sure i could do one (or more), but i try to avoid having to get up from ground level these days. i was down there recently when i was re-venting my clothes dryer and i can imagine anyone watching me struggle to stand up in that confined space would probably have to redefine their concept of rofl.

 

[Llama]

can't target a specific area for fat loss...at least i think that's what they say...

That IS what they say. Although Tru posted something recently about a possibly exception for a specific hula-hoop routine

 

[misty22]

It was a good day, ate well, exercised and I feel good. I did a 7.5 km walk and it was good. Here is a wildflower picture, a Mule's Ear, or Wyethia. Common here in spring, some places they cover the mountain side.
View attachment 33541

Turns out that is not such a bad thing, health wise. Apparently a man who's hips are wider than his waist has a lower risk of heart disease.

Thanks, particularly that part about the worst of your "pudge" going down, hope mine does. The 40 inch Levis I got back in February are now quite loose, so I decided to try some 36s. I can get them on, but they are tight, still feels good just to get them on. 34s are the smallest I can ever remember wearing, when I was in high school. Don't know if I'll ever get there, but it might be a good goal.

Got a kick out of that one, a couple of months ago I tried and could not do a single sit up. So I started trying and doing what I could every few days. Yesterday I did 30, the first 10 were pretty good, the last 20 I had to cheat a bit but managed to do them. I have been working on my abs for that pudgy stomach thing, but its not having the desired effect. I can feel a pretty hard stomach now, unfortunately its under a bit of a fat roll! Guess I can keep trying.
View attachment 33539

I truly admire your dedication and persistence. Keep it up!!