So we made it through 2020. If you are like me I always look back and regret some things I have done not so well and hope to improve in the upcoming year. Let’s face it, resolutions are mostly crap but at least we can try. One of the most common and beneficial goals is weight management. (Notice I didn’t say weight loss?) Okay, we will never get back to the svelte waistline and six pack abs we had as a young person, but when you try to reach down and can barely tie your shoes, or you grunt because of the large pod covering your six pack, maybe it’s time to think things over. Hopefully you can see your shoes. There’s several methods to do it; there’s this method on the left. There’s crossed-leg over the other to put on socks and shoes. There’s many ways to get r done before the last resort is to go with slip-ons and velcro. (You know what I’m talkin about).
This gentleman can see his shoes, tie them easily and he can wear a tie that hangs straight. Once the abdominal pod, beer gut or in my case the Patron gut enlarges to the belt loosening level, the ties lay outward and you consider switching to the bow tie. Before you do, consider dropping some lbs. Do it smart, slow and reasonable and you might save yourself from the sore back, velcro-shoe-wearing person you never imagined. You will live longer too. (Bonus)
It is estimated that for every pound or two that extends outward from your six pack abs, it’s like adding 10 pounds on the other end of the lever. You guessed it, your back takes a pounding, (so to speak). Not to mention every (weight bearing) joint in your bod. Hips, Knees, ankles. The number one reason for many orthopedic physician’s wealth is replacement of all these parts due to the wear and tear and arthritis worsened by extra weight.
Let’s talk BMI
A way to estimate if you are under, overweight or just outright obese. Many statistics exist as to the number of obese folks in our country. Let’s face it, it’s alot. Percentages don’t count when you look at the line of cars waiting to get In an Out Burger. The easiest way to check yourself is to find a simple BMI calculator online. Height, current weight, (don’t cheat) age and gender are included. Ideally 18-25 is considered a healthy weight for age. 26-29 is considered overweight (that’s my current category) and 30 and over and you are obese. Once you figure out how many lbs. you need to lose to tighten up your belt, touch your toes, tie your shoes and get that tie hanging straight down, check out the calories needed to sustain your life if you were sedentary. What? Yep, calculate the number of calories if you were confined to the chair all day and didn’t do any exercise, your body would require to keep the lights on. My calculation was 2550 calories at my age if I am moderately active (2-3 training days a week) and 2300 if I’m on the couch. For ladies I am sorry, you folks have less lean body muscle mass genetically so your numbers are typically a few hundred calories less. Calculators are easy to find on the web.
Understand your fat. Fat is lazy but it does control you. Eat too many calories (especially carbohydrates) And it will recruit the excess to its storage area and invite more. How does this happen you say? Carbohydrates need insulin to be broken down and the more carbs, the more insulin. The more insulin hanging around, the more the fat cells want to store the excess carbs as fat. The carb intake regulates how much insulin we produce and if it’s left around looking for more carbs to find and there are none, we get hungry soon. What must be done is to RETRAIN YOUR FAT CELLS. But Steve, It’s just a glob of fat. Yes, but train it right and it will give up some of itself to make energy to burn instead of laying around on the couch asking for more barbecue Lays Potato Chips. The idea is to make fat work FOR you, not YOU for it. Make sense?
Burning fat is like using coal. Takes a lot of it and it’s inefficient. Also, churns out lots of toxic pollution. Training your body to burn fat initially will lead to discomfort, as your body has toxins to expel during the initial process of breaking down fat for energy. Once the retraining is accomplished (usually 1-2 weeks after a low carb intake) you run more like a hybrid automobile steady on the fat burn and kick in the gas or electric for more speed or power. This is typically a process called ketosis, and the byproducts can be headache, crankiness, bad breath for a short time. Hang in there it DOES get better. Oh, and if you keep the caloric intake below the minimum required as discussed above, the weight loss is noticeable.
Stay off the scale. For at least 2 weeks or so. More fun to check the numbers because if you follow this routine religiously, you WILL lose some weight. Temptations abound no doubt, but do it for yourself and your family, and good luck Happy New Year!