Fat Enders

[Karl Henning]

Overweight is the new normal weight!

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/08/fat-healthy-dieting-health-reasons-overweight-lifespan-weight

Categories such as "overweight" and "obese" are neither meaningful nor interesting, but they are the terms used to frame the discussion at present. Now could be the right time for the Health at Every Size (HAES) movement to get the recognition it deserves. It is an approach that grounds the concept of health in respect, though it doesn't even demand that everyone be healthy, something which should be taken into account if we are to be mindful of illness and disability. Instead of prioritising weight loss, it considers wider factors, such as quality of life, sense of wellbeing and the psychological benefits that come with a less punitive approach to diet and exercise.

Less punishment???!!!

[Karl Henning]

Food    for thought . . . .

(I can still stand to shed 15 lb.)

Health researchers and professionals who have become disenchanted with the failure – and dangers – of a traditional weight-centred approach to health are increasingly adopting the Health At Every Size (HAES) philosophy. HAES promotes tested and achievable ways to optimise health for individuals and populations. It does this at an individual level by focusing on eating, activity and body acceptance. Of course, food and exercise are old targets in the health promoter's arsenal, and psychological factors influencing dieting behaviours are well-known. So what's new? The crucial difference is that HAES emphasises the benefits of sound nutrition, active living and body confidence as ends in themselves, not as a route to weight management.

I feel good just reading that.

[Karl Henning]

Now, there are many reasons why BMI is not a brilliant way to assess unhealthiness; it doesn't take into account different types of fat in the body (visceral fat is linked to many more health problems than subcutaneous fat, for example), or indeed an individual's proportions of muscle, bone and fat. This means a fit muscly athlete could be in the same BMI as an overweight person who has less muscle but more fat. But, it's a cheap and easy measurement to take, so lots of studies use it.

Not coincidentally, the missus asked me yesterday what BMI actually means, and of course, I had no answer 

[Jubal Slate]

I'm going to bop around between 210 and 220.

[Karl Henning]

Not coincidentally, the missus asked me yesterday what BMI actually means, and of course, I had no answer 

I mean, I knew the words for which the acronym stands, but I stood a better chance of remembering the formula for determining Easter Sunday than "your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres, squared."  Somebody thought this was a brilliant idea, right?

[Karl Henning]

I'm going to bop around between 210 and 220.

My goal is to bop there later this year.

[Jubal Slate]

I know you walk a lot; I suppose you don't hold back at the dinner table?

[Karl Henning]

I know you walk a lot; I suppose you don't hold back at the dinner table?

I suppose I should be more mindful of the intake, yes.

[Jubal Slate]

I suppose I should be more mindful of the intake, yes.

Yep, that's the other half of the equation.

[Karl Henning]

And (not to state the obvious) my weight trends down when I am more alert.

[Jubal Slate]

And (not to state the obvious) my weight trends down when I am more alert.

Exactly.

[Karl Henning]

Thanks for slapping me.  I needed that 

[Jubal Slate]

Thanks for slapping me.  I needed that 

Didn't mean to slap.

[Karl Henning]

Didn't mean to slap.

No, no, there's an "it's complicated" aspect to the matter, but I own your point, and it remains always up to me.

[PaulR]

I am up 6 pounds since March!  Up to 192, not horrible.  Been eating too much Indian buffet for lunch.....Also, being sick last week didn't help at all.

Not worried, though.  I lost 80 lbs before.  6 pounds should be easy

[Karl Henning]

And, since our Dave is buddying up with me!— this morning:  220.8

[Jubal Slate]

And, since our Dave is buddying up with me!— this morning:  220.8

You're ahead of me, I think; I let it get a little out of hand. Still at the bottom of the overweight category however--and that's healthy these days, right?

[Karl Henning]

You're ahead of me, I think; I let it get a little out of hand. Still at the bottom of the overweight category however--and that's healthy these days, right?

I think the takeaway from the article you linked is:  do we feel good about where we are, how we're doing?

Or: one of the takeaways.

[EigenUser]

I was happy with myself today. A lot of energy, for some reason. I planned to deadlift 350lbs for 1 rep, but managed to do 5 reps.

After 1.5 hours of lifting at the gym I spontaneously decided in the car on the way home to stop at the park and run a mile on the trail. It was too nice outside not to.

To make it GMG-relevant, I will also add that I was listening to Ameriques for the deadlifts (heavy music) and Tippett's Piano Concerto when running (pastoral quality seemed to fit the rolling hills of the park ).

[ibanezmonster]

To make it GMG-relevant, I will also add that I was listening to Ameriques for the deadlifts (heavy music)

Perfect!