Giving up meat to get fit -a good idea?

[Que]

Eating less meat is an excellent idea, and avoid processed meat products at any cost.

Eating more fibers is also a good idea.
Like D Minor I eat oats for breakfast, but no oatmeal but muesli that consists of rolled oats and, in my case, dried raisins and (whole) nuts. More chewing stimulates the bloodstream to the brain!
And don't forget old fashioned brown bread - NOT from a factory (more water less fibers) but from a bakery.

Cook your own meal.
Anything from a factory or a take away is basically garbage (how do you think they make a profit a such low prices? ).

Last but not least: eat less SUGAR!
Don't drink soda drinks, and don't add sugar to your coffee or tea.

Sugar Content of Cola / Pop / Soda / Drinks  per ** 12oz ** can
7Up (Cadbury Schweppes) = 39 grams
Coca-Cola Classic = 39 grams
Dr Pepper (Cadbury Schweppes) = 40 grams
Minute Maid Orange Soda (Coca-Cola Co.) = 48 grams
Mountain Dew (PepsiCo) = 46 grams
Pepsi = 41 grams
Sprite (Coca-Cola Co.) = 38 grams

Follow these instructions and you'll fit like me into a size 29 (inch) jeans...

Q

[mahlertitan]

my friend, i don't know where you get this idea, but you don't have to give up meat entirely to get fit (unless you are grossly overweight, i am talking about 300 pounds above). there are essential nutrients in meats, my suggestion would be to stay away from red meats, eat more chicken and fish.

[Iago]

Two Nathans "Famous" Hot Dogs in each hand, slathered with mustard and sauerkraut, accompanied by a Potato Knish from Schmulka Bernstein, and washed down with two bottles of Dr. Browns Cream Soda.
I've enjoyed that twice weekly for all of my adult life (now almost aged 72). Total Cholesterol is under 150, weight about 190lbs.

I love it and I ain't giving it up.

[Kullervo]

Two Nathans "Famous" Hot Dogs in each hand, slathered with mustard and sauerkraut, accompanied by a Potato Knish from Schmulka Bernstein, and washed down with two bottles of Dr. Browns Cream Soda.
I've enjoyed that twice weekly for all of my adult life (now almost aged 72). Total Cholesterol is under 150, weight about 190lbs.

I love it and I ain't giving it up.

That sounds delicious. I don't think any place around here sells knish, though.

[orbital]

[Follow these instructions and you'll fit like me into a size 29 (inch) jeans...

A fellow 29'er  I can even get into 28 if I have to (like I did on those vintage Robert Plant jeans I was able to find on ebay )

[Que]

A fellow 29'er  I can even get into 28 if I have to (like I did on those vintage Robert Plant jeans I was able to find on ebay )

Mine are a fairly loose fit too...
But I can't find any smaller at a 34 length....and I'm wondering how long a size 29 will still be availble. Not for much longer I would think.

Q

PS Just to be clear: I'm definitely not suggesting to stop eating meat.
Eating less meat means: not every day and only once a day - no meat snacks between meals. Eat fresh and organic meat - if you'd like to avoid hormones and residues of pesticides and medicines, that is...

I am opposed to diets and the low-fat-this and low-fat-that (those are unhealthy, processed, foods in most cases anyway). I drink whole fat milk and heartily enjoy traditionally made Italian salami.
Just eat normal food!

[Kullervo]

Mine are a fairly loose fit too...
But I can't find any smaller at a 34 length....and I'm wondering how long a size 29 will still be availble. Not for much longer I would think.
Q

Sheesh, I'm lucky if I find a size 30 in the thrift stores around here — and the shirts the department stores try to foist off as "small" are definitely not.

[BachQ]

but no oatmeal but muesli that consists of rolled oats and, in my case, dried raisins and (whole) nuts.

Granola, baby!

[karlhenning]

I thought Muesli was one of the characters on the Addams Family . . . .

[Tancata]

I am opposed to diets and the low-fat-this and low-fat-that (those are unhealthy, processed, foods in most cases anyway). I drink whole fat milk and heartily enjoy traditionally made Italian salami.
Just eat normal food!

Just to point out - all this stuff is perfectly fine in a balanced diet for a healthy person (like Mr. 29-er..)

But, if a reduction in stomach fat and cholesterol is desired, whole fat milk and regular salami should be avoided or consumed very sparingly. 

[orbital]

Mine are a fairly loose fit too...
But I can't find any smaller at a 34 length....and I'm wondering how long a size 29 will still be availble. Not for much longer I would think.

Q

That's always a problem. I am 32 length so, fairly easier for me.

PS Just to be clear: I'm definitely not suggesting to stop eating meat.
Eating less meat means: not every day and only once a day - no meat snacks between meals. Eat fresh and organic meat - if you'd like to avoid hormones and residues of pesticides and medicines, that is...

I am opposed to diets and the low-fat-this and low-fat-that (those are unhealthy, processed, foods in most cases anyway). I drink whole fat milk and heartily enjoy traditionally made Italian salami.
Just eat normal food!

I agree. A recent study I've read was suggesting that drinking diet soda may actually cause you to gain weight because you tend to go for more sugary stuff elsewhere (since you did not get any calories from your Diet Coke). In the long run if you drink regular soda, your need and craving for sugar will be less.

I think the key to losing and maintaining a healthy weight is to simply eat less. I hear a lot of complaining from around me saying they are not eating anything and still gaining weight. This is not possible (unless you are taking cortizone like medication). If you are gaining weight, you are simply eating more than your body can handle. The remedy is to eat less. And the body is uniquely adapt at those things  

[karlhenning]

<black humor>

You folks just need to do your clothes-shopping in Somalia.

</black humor>

[Kullervo]

<black humor>

You folks just need to do your clothes-shopping in Somalia.

</black humor>

Assuming you could find any!

[Bogey]

Cannot abide tempeh, but wo is perfect?  

I love "clever".  Nicely done Karl.

[sidoze]

I am thinking about giving up meat for a period of time.  About 6-7 weeks.  I want to see if it will make a difference.  Its not a fad-its like lent, giving up something for a period. I hope it will stop me eating take-aways, stopping in fast food places etc. 

No, I don't think giving up meat will help you to get into shape. You can lose weight, keep your cholesterol low and get into shape without giving up meat. You need to do two things however: no sugar, and no fast/frozen food. I can't exaggerate the importance of the first -- give up all sweet drinks, sweet desserts, and do not eat things with high carbohydrate contents, i.e. things high in starch, like pasta, which just gets converted into simple sugars. You will get into shape easily if you do some basic aerobic exercise (outdoors if possible, then you can avoid the tossers in the gym) and combine that with eating fresh food and low-carbohydrate meals.

A good idea?  Anyone switched to veggie diet and found it makes a difference?

I switched between being vegetarian and vegan for a period of 7 years. Went back to eating meat and fish last year for certain THC-influenced reasons. I don't feel any different at all from a physical point (always been slim however), but I tell you that I feel a lot better without all that ethical baggage I lugged around for 7 years. In my (current) opinion, Iago has the right approach to living.

[orbital]

In my (current) opinion, Iago has the right approach to living.

I agree, but no two bodies are created equal unfortunately. I know, because I was blessed with inability to put on weight as well. I consume good amount of sugar and have occasional pasta and pizza, but hardly ever put on weight (I have been going between 135-140 pounds for the last 10 years).

Most people though have a slower metabolism where the body is not as efficient in burning calories and fat. If these people want to lose weight, they can't take Iago's approach. Sad, but they simply have to eat less 

[Tancata]

I agree, but no two bodies are created equal unfortunately. I know, because I was blessed with inability to put on weight as well. I consume good amount of sugar and have occasional pasta and pizza, but hardly ever put on weight (I have been going between 135-140 pounds for the last 10 years).

Have you been tested for worms?   

[sidoze]

I hear a lot of complaining from around me saying they are not eating anything and still gaining weight. This is not possible (unless you are taking cortizone like medication). If you are gaining weight, you are simply eating more than your body can handle. The remedy is to eat less. And the body is uniquely adapt at those things 

I agree with you that all people have different needs, but the sort of thing you're describing here could easily be a case of undiagnosed hypothyroidism, especially in a country like the states where most people eat badly day-in, day-out (I lived there for 20 years, so I'm not just bashing without reason ). Anyone who feels fatigue and puts on weight in this manner should have their thyroid hormones checked immediately.

[orbital]

Have you been tested for worms?   

As a matter of fact, yes   Not recently, but I've always been this way. Doctors thought about parasites a few times, particularly when I was a kid (I used to bite my fingernails, which apparently is one of the leading causes for worms).

I agree with you that all people have different needs, but the sort of thing you're describing here could easily be a case of undiagnosed hypothyroidism, especially in a country like the states where most people eat badly day-in, day-out (I lived there for 20 years, so I'm not just bashing without reason ). Anyone who feels fatigue and puts on weight in this manner should have their thyroid hormones checked immediately.

Sure, I am keeping health reasons aside There may be serious reasons for putting on disproportionate amount of weight. I meant people with slow metabolisms

[Solitary Wanderer]

Eliminating meat from your diet may or may not be the answer for you

Some people thrive on a meat-free diet, while some do not.

In my mid-20s I became a pale, spiritual, vegetarian Buddist for a while [about 18 months] and while I enjoyed the meat-free experience [no eggs or diary either] I lost alot of weight [I'm lean anyway] and felt weak and unmotivated. I kept telling myself that this was part of the 'cleansing' as my body was 'detoxing' and that I'd 'come right'. It didn't happen and I decided to eat animal proteins again and absolutely loved them and started to feel better again. The interesting thing was that prior to becoming a veggie I didn't actually like eating meat at all so it was a very easy shift. However after my meat-free time I came back to meat eating with avengence and adore eating the full range available now.

My wife is clinical nutritionist and expert in holistic eating. You may find some information helpful on her website.

Good luck with your health promoting activities