It’s a common misconception that exercise causes weight loss. Ever heard of the phrase “work up an appetite”?
In a way you're right but long-term any decent amount of exercise is going to control your weight better, especially when combined with eating properly. Michael Phelps famously had a 12,000 calorie-per-day diet when training and there wasn't an ounce of fat on him. Extreme example I know.
But in terms of losing weight (i.e. how heavy you are, not how slimmer you look) then you're right, unless you're a serious lardy, you're not going to see that much difference on the weighing scales. Back in 2014 I weighed 13.5 stone and still looked quite slim even though I had a 36" waist. I was cycling to and from work back then and have the diet I pretty much have now (which I would call a balanced diet - we eat some crap, but not often). Since 2014 I've been:
Martial Arts training 4 to 6 hours per week.
Running 3 miles 4 times per week.
Walk 3 miles every night.
Cycle about 30km once per week.
Even though my waist has gone down to 32-33" my actual weight never deviates from 13 stone, so actual weigh loss has been minimal. My missus, on the other hand, was carrying quite a lot of weight last year. She will NEVER tell me how much she weighed but about 16-17 stone wouldn't be an over-estimation. Since September last year she's been going to the gym 4-5 times per week and has gone down to about 12-13, keeping the same diet.
Well, extreme training—calisthenics, cardio, or weightlifting—aside, the point I was making was aimed mostly at the general population who wish to control their weight. Most operate under a number of false assumptions, such as exercise reduces weight, dietary fat equals body fat, diet equals moderating your food intake (i.e. the “calories in => calories out” myth), etc.
I maintain that one can lose weight (and by that I mean fat, rather than lean body mass) is possible without any exercise and exhausting calorie restriction. Working out can be a great boon for some people, but it’s certainly not for everyone. Well balanced diet, on the other hand, is a much more achievable goal.
Still, it’s a complex topic, and one can hardly achieve dramatic changes going off of a few recommendations on a Spectrum forum (nor should one). ;)
Every man should plant a tree, build a house, and write a ZX Spectrum game.
Back on the diet once my cold cleared up, since then there's been a few hiccups but mostly it's been good, i'm just eating less and more sensible. Since i work in an office i eat just enough to keep going and no more, since it isn't going to get burned off. Some people in my place seem to exist on pizzas, fish and chips and burgers then wonder why they're piling on the pounds.
I've noticed i have more energy, i have lost a little weight but not much and don't feel tired all the time. Tonight though i had a big pasta meal, it's the first meal i've had in ages that filled me up. Still not off booze though!
Ever since i started this diet i've had nothing but bad luck health wise. Apart from the aches and pains picked up last week i now have a cold! In July! I also have an ear infection :(
Sorry to hear about the ear infection!
Colds are caused by viruses, not “cold weather,” so no direct connection with catching a cold in July. Ironically, only about 25 percent of cases of the common cold exhibit symptoms. Three-quarters are asymptomatic; in other words—you don’t know you have a cold more often than you do.
I used to catch a cold regularly. I then re-evaluated my general hygiene and stopped worrying about drafts, dressing warmly, and other “common-knowledge” nonsensical advice for avoiding catching a cold. Now I get it maybe once every two or three years, if that.
I virtually cut out Crisps (have a few now and again), cut right down on booze and rarely eat chocolate or biscuits.
I eat fruit (apples, grapes, blueberries, pears or bananas) for snacks.
Been doing this for three months.
Still haven't lost any weight.
Apples, grapes, blueberries, pears, bananas, and other fruit are still sugars. Also, what about pasta, rice, potatoes, breads, and grains? Or sugary drinks (including juices)? Besides, if you still need snacks—whether due to actual cravings or out of habit—you’re doing something wrong.
Well fruit contains fructose which is better than refined sugar, but I'm talking a small portion of grapes mid morning and maybe an apple mid afternoon.
I do eat pasta and rice (boiled), wholemeal bread. I don't drink sugary drinks (1 coffee a day with 1 sugar) and water. No fizzy and hardly any fruit juice, just water. I just seem to stay the same size / weight, but I'm naturally stocky.
Well fruit contains fructose which is better than refined sugar, but I'm talking a small portion of grapes mid morning and maybe an apple mid afternoon.
Fructose is metabolized differently, but it’s hardly better than refined sugar (which, incidentally, is a mixture of glucose and fructose).
Martial Arts training 4 to 6 hours per week.
Running 3 miles 4 times per week.
Walk 3 miles every night.
Cycle about 30km once per week.
.
Wow..that's impressive.
Well...I think as some say here. It's not just eating careful. The secret as pointed out is to be fit as you can. A lot of people equate being skinny yes with a diet purpose...but getting fit as hell is the key as pointed out. It will get you to the right weight and you'll feel so much better. A skinny waif is fine...but a someone glowing with fitness wins every time.
I personally am 5'10.5'' and weight about 11st. I do 200 sit ups a day, various stretches and star jmps.. and I walk for miles. I still eat plenty..but what I don't eat is things like crisps and sweets. Getting fit increases you're confidence and self esteem. SO..I place fitness above weight control.Looking toned and in health is a winner every time.
It's mostly a state of mind to get into..and once reached is more easily kept. So..fitness first..diet second for me.
Well fruit contains fructose which is better than refined sugar, but I'm talking a small portion of grapes mid morning and maybe an apple mid afternoon.
Fructose is metabolized differently, but it’s hardly better than refined sugar (which, incidentally, is a mixture of glucose and fructose).
Lucky you! I thought I was naturally skinny all my life . . . And then I hit my mid-thirties. :(
I'm not making myself clear.
I stay the same size when I eat healthy, when I don't the weight piles on.
So lucky you! You're only in your mid thirties!
Comments
In a way you're right but long-term any decent amount of exercise is going to control your weight better, especially when combined with eating properly. Michael Phelps famously had a 12,000 calorie-per-day diet when training and there wasn't an ounce of fat on him. Extreme example I know.
But in terms of losing weight (i.e. how heavy you are, not how slimmer you look) then you're right, unless you're a serious lardy, you're not going to see that much difference on the weighing scales. Back in 2014 I weighed 13.5 stone and still looked quite slim even though I had a 36" waist. I was cycling to and from work back then and have the diet I pretty much have now (which I would call a balanced diet - we eat some crap, but not often). Since 2014 I've been:
Martial Arts training 4 to 6 hours per week.
Running 3 miles 4 times per week.
Walk 3 miles every night.
Cycle about 30km once per week.
Even though my waist has gone down to 32-33" my actual weight never deviates from 13 stone, so actual weigh loss has been minimal. My missus, on the other hand, was carrying quite a lot of weight last year. She will NEVER tell me how much she weighed but about 16-17 stone wouldn't be an over-estimation. Since September last year she's been going to the gym 4-5 times per week and has gone down to about 12-13, keeping the same diet.
I maintain that one can lose weight (and by that I mean fat, rather than lean body mass) is possible without any exercise and exhausting calorie restriction. Working out can be a great boon for some people, but it’s certainly not for everyone. Well balanced diet, on the other hand, is a much more achievable goal.
Still, it’s a complex topic, and one can hardly achieve dramatic changes going off of a few recommendations on a Spectrum forum (nor should one). ;)
Author of A Yankee in Iraq, a 50 fps shoot-’em-up—the first game to utilize the floating bus on the +2A/+3,
and zasm Z80 Assembler syntax highlighter.
Member of the team that discovered, analyzed, and detailed the floating bus behavior on the ZX Spectrum +2A/+3.
A few Spectrum game fixes.
I've noticed i have more energy, i have lost a little weight but not much and don't feel tired all the time. Tonight though i had a big pasta meal, it's the first meal i've had in ages that filled me up. Still not off booze though!
Well fruit contains fructose which is better than refined sugar, but I'm talking a small portion of grapes mid morning and maybe an apple mid afternoon.
I do eat pasta and rice (boiled), wholemeal bread. I don't drink sugary drinks (1 coffee a day with 1 sugar) and water. No fizzy and hardly any fruit juice, just water. I just seem to stay the same size / weight, but I'm naturally stocky.
Author of A Yankee in Iraq, a 50 fps shoot-’em-up—the first game to utilize the floating bus on the +2A/+3,
and zasm Z80 Assembler syntax highlighter.
Member of the team that discovered, analyzed, and detailed the floating bus behavior on the ZX Spectrum +2A/+3.
A few Spectrum game fixes.
Wow..that's impressive.
Well...I think as some say here. It's not just eating careful. The secret as pointed out is to be fit as you can. A lot of people equate being skinny yes with a diet purpose...but getting fit as hell is the key as pointed out. It will get you to the right weight and you'll feel so much better. A skinny waif is fine...but a someone glowing with fitness wins every time.
I personally am 5'10.5'' and weight about 11st. I do 200 sit ups a day, various stretches and star jmps.. and I walk for miles. I still eat plenty..but what I don't eat is things like crisps and sweets. Getting fit increases you're confidence and self esteem. SO..I place fitness above weight control.Looking toned and in health is a winner every time.
It's mostly a state of mind to get into..and once reached is more easily kept. So..fitness first..diet second for me.
Good luck ZX1.
I'm not making myself clear.
I stay the same size when I eat healthy, when I don't the weight piles on.
So lucky you! You're only in your mid thirties!
That’s one fat mouse. ;)
Author of A Yankee in Iraq, a 50 fps shoot-’em-up—the first game to utilize the floating bus on the +2A/+3,
and zasm Z80 Assembler syntax highlighter.
Member of the team that discovered, analyzed, and detailed the floating bus behavior on the ZX Spectrum +2A/+3.
A few Spectrum game fixes.