OT: Men's Health thread

[ScoopBrady]

Over the past 14 months I've been doing a lot of soul-searching trying to better myself.

In February of 2007 I quit smoking, a habit I picked up when I was 12. Something I had been doing for 22 years. I don't know why it took so long after my daughter was born but I quit smoking for her fourth birthday. I kept thinking how I'd miss her high school graduation or her getting married if I didn't quit. Plus it's a habit I don't want her picking up when she gets older. The choice was easy once I put my mind to it and I haven't smoked since.

Next came some heated incidents with JackB and Leebo which I realized were more serious than I was taking them to be and I didn't like it much. I'm not the kind of guy who treats people in real life the way I treated them in our little virtual community. I don't know if they'll ever forgive me but I'd definitely like to thank them both for opening my eyes up. I haven't given up arguing on the internet but I am way more mindful of what I say and how it will be taken. In my opinion that's an invaluable lesson to learn.

So from February to February I had quit smoking and learned to be a better person on the internet but the combo platter of quitting smoking with a side of miscarriage saw me pack on some pounds. I came to the realization that I had to lose weight and get healthier. So far I've managed to lose 15 pounds since the end of February by changing the way I eat. I'm not on a diet, I'm watching what I eat. I'll still have the occasional cheeseburger for dinner or even pizza but it's not nearly as often and I try to eat foods that are better for me. I've also eliminated pop (soda to some of you ). I'll have the occasional diet pop but that's not even everyday. If I feel like something sweet I drink a G2 now and more water than I did before.

Now that I'm more mindful of what I'm eating the next step I'd like to take is vitamins. I've never been much for vitamins but I'd like to start taking some to improve my health. Does anybody here take any vitamins? I'm completely lost when it comes to them and would love to hear what some of you take and why. I'd also like to find out any health tips you guys may have. I thought it would be nice to have a thread where those who want to be more health conscious can give and get ideas and tips.

[BigAl]

Does anybody here take any vitamins? I'm completely lost when it comes to them and would love to hear what some of you take and why. I'd also like to find out any health tips you guys may have. I thought it would be nice to have a thread where those who want to be more health conscious can give and get ideas and tips.

http://flintstonesvitamins.com/

[MizzouRah]

You sound like to me you know exactly what to do.

1. Eat right, and like you.. I get an occasional Whopper or eat Taco Bell on the weekends.

2. I'm down to 1 soda per day.

3. Get some exercise each day.

I still have a bad habit of a chew every now and then.. and I'll have a few beers every few days.. but other than that I'm like you.. doing well.

[F308GTB]

I keep forgetting to take vitamins. As someone who doesn't eat meat, it's harder for me to get some of the same vitamins/minerals as the carnivours out there. Really all you need is a multivitamin. Try to get most of your needs through real food. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Or consider giving up most/all of your meat. It's healthier in the long term plus you'll be doing the planet a favor - with the Chinese eating more meat, it's putting a strain on the non-meat food supply in the world. Those animals have to eat grains and corn until slaughter. Not eating meat makes a tremendous difference.

When and if you do start exercising, do it in the morning as soon as you get out of bed. You are more likely to exercise then until you get in a rhythm and start to need (mentally and physically) exercise. It's easy to find excuses not to exercise after a long day, though you may quickly find that physical stress is a fantastic way to relieve mental stress.

[Spooky]

You sound like to me you know exactly what to do.

1. Eat right, and like you.. I get an occasional Whopper or eat Taco Bell on the weekends.

2. I'm down to 1 soda per day.

3. Get some exercise each day.

I still have a bad habit of a chew every now and then.. and I'll have a few beers every few days.. but other than that I'm like you.. doing well.

Bingo! All things in moderation. Seriously.

F*CK diets, they work for a while but then the split second you change your f*cked.

I am not a picture of men's health but I am stable and have been for a while now. I too quit smoking after almost 17 years or so (quit back in 2001) and never looked back. I have had maybe 2 or 3 cigarettes since then and a handful of cigars (and the occasion toke...). Over the past 2 years I have been working out fairly consistently but not quite as consistent as I want.

I joined the gym here in my work building and it has been GREAT! Even though I am not as consistent as I'd like to be, I feel MUCH better all around, both mentally and physically. I started out with more cardio stuff but wasn't seeing results like I wanted so I went more towards strength training and it's working pretty good (again, it would work great if I was more consistent).

I have maintained a certain weight that is probably 10 pounds or so heavier than I ultimately should be but I wear it well (definitely becoming more muscle than flab). The good thing is that I am not going up in weight and building muscle.

For me (and I don’t always so this) the key is moderation. Have a “cheat day” or weekend, but that’s it. Even then, you don’t have to cut out foods that are moderately “bad” but cut your portions down (in half if you can). Like for me I LOVE eating chips with my sandwiches. Potato, tortilla, whatever… I have to make a very conscious effort to only have a small handful. It helps.

Definitely cut WAY down on pop. That sh*t is killer!!! Try to have less than one a day if you can. Like a few a week.

If you want to go more extreme, start thinking of food as fuel, not as taste. Eat things like grilled chicken breasts, flank steak, sweet potatoes, vegetables, etc… eat them all plain too. Nothing but a little lemon for flavor.

Be consistent with your meals timing as well as size. Try to eat the same thing for breakfast. Like I always have a ‘Clif Bar’ every morning that gives me good carbs and vitamins. Like clockwork. I think it helps.

But, some amount of exercise is key. Have you EVER heard someone who exercises regularly (even if it is light) complain about feeling like a sack of sh*t? Never. It helps in many ways both physically and mentally. It’s worth the effort as you just feel better all around (even if you’re sore and a bit tired).

[Leebo33]

Next came some heated incidents with JackB and Leebo which I realized were more serious than I was taking them to be and I didn't like it much. I'm not the kind of guy who treats people in real life the way I treated them in our little virtual community. I don't know if they'll ever forgive me

Scoop, no problem. I was being an ass and was way too sensitive. In "real life" I get into an argument about once every decade and just don't know how to handle it in the virtual world. Of course, then again, I know not to talk about religion, politics, or video games in real life

I'm in a rut now in regards to my health. I feel great and exercise frequently, including biking, running (just ran a 5k on Sat.), and weight lifting but I always carry around about 25 extra pounds (I'm a thick 6'1) due to relatively poor eating habits. I can and have lost weight in the past but find it hard to get motivated. It used to be easier because when I was younger I would just work out more but now that I'm 40 I have to watch what I eat because I'm already working out 5 times a week and getting no where.

[JRod]

You sound like to me you know exactly what to do.

1. Eat right, and like you.. I get an occasional Whopper or eat Taco Bell on the weekends.

2. I'm down to 1 soda per day.

3. Get some exercise each day.

I still have a bad habit of a chew every now and then.. and I'll have a few beers every few days.. but other than that I'm like you.. doing well.

Ya, this is my diet.

1. I might have fast food once every two weeks, sometimes it's once a month. If you want to be turned off to fast food for a long time, read the caloric intake of some of those meals.

I like cooking so that has really helped in putting the right food in my body.

2. I limit myself to one Coke a day, too. Or I try to. At night when I'm really thirsty, I'll just drink water or tea. Over the holidays I gained a few pounds because I was having two or three a day. That's high fructose corn syrup is pure evil. I'm sure one day the FDA will ban that stuff or we'll use it in our cars.

About the beers...moderation is key.

[pk500]

Drink lots of water, and don't waste your money on that vitamin water or flavored water sh*t.

Want vitamin water? Wash down your daily multivitamin with a tall glass of water or eat a banana with your water. There you go: Vitamins and water, without the ridiculous, marketing-fueled expense.

Want flavored water? Pour a tall glass of water, leaving about an inch at the top. Fill that inch with a splash of grape, cranberry or apple juice, or your juice of choice. Voila -- flavored water that's a f*ck of a lot cheaper than the flavored water that drink manufacturers are peddling at OBSCENE prices.

I have more ideas, but I'm watching Rally Jordan with my son! More to come.

Take care,
PK

[sportdan30]

Scoop,

Pick up a copy of Men's Health Magazine. It's one magazine that I think is worth every penny. It's unreal how much valuable health and fitness information is in each issue. I can't recommend it enough!

[pk500]

Another invaluable resource if you're looking to add healthy foods to your diet: The World's Healthiest Foods blog:

http://www.whfoods.com/

I get the feed via RSS every day.

Take care,
PK

[dbdynsty25]

Today's healthiest food is tomorrow's leading cause of cancer.

[pk500]

Today's healthiest food is tomorrow's leading cause of cancer.

Romaine lettuce? No sh*t?

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

As everyone has said here, exercise is a key component to feeling better mentally and physically.

Any new exercise program pays close attention to building strength and cardiovascular fitness, which is proper. But since most of us here are in their 30s or older, there's also a VITAL part of any fitness regimen ignored by many guys at our ages: flexibility.

The elasticity of your joints decreases as you age. It's definitely a case of "use it or lose it," but your joints' ability to recover from stress and abuse decreases as time ticks. Lord, don't I know that now -- I'm still suffering from an Achilles' strain sustained three weeks ago in indoor soccer, an injury that wouldn't have caused me to miss the next week's game if I suffered it 15 years ago.

So while you're paying attention to cardio and strength training, remember to stretch before and after workouts. Hell, stand up and stretch while working at your desk. And don't bounce while stretching -- gentle and hold. Don't bounce when stretching like your Pop Warner football coaches taught you -- that's the absolute worse thing for a cold muscle.

Sure, I've noticed slight decreases in my overall strength and cardiovascular capability over the last 10 years as I've eased into my early 40s, but nothing that shocking. But my decrease in flexibility and the subsequent added recovery time still alarm me.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Finally, a diet tip. Sure, eating fresh fruits and vegetables instead of junk is a key component of any healthy eating plan.

But f*ck it, there are times when you have a vicious sweet tooth and could go for a cookie, piece of pie, brownie, etc. Instead of succumbing to those fat and calorie bombs, try Quaker Rice Cakes. They come in all sorts of flavors:

http://www.ontrackeveryday.com/products/tastyflavors

My favorite is Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip:

http://www.ontrackeveryday.com/products ... colatechip

The picture on the bag is misleading, as there's no white topping on the rice cake. But one of these -- and they're about the size of a saucer for a coffee cup --- has just 60 calories and 1 gram of saturated fat. They taste great, are crunchy and definitely satisfy the sweet tooth.

I have one mid-morning with coffee. Much, much, much better for you than two donuts or cookies.

Quaker Rice Cakes are a secret in my diet arsenal for when you need the taste of pure junk without eating pure junk. Love 'em. Give them a try!

Take care,
PK

[MizzouRah]

Ya, this is my diet.

1. I might have fast food once every two weeks, sometimes it's once a month. If you want to be turned off to fast food for a long time, read the caloric intake of some of those meals.

I like cooking so that has really helped in putting the right food in my body.

2. I limit myself to one Coke a day, too. Or I try to. At night when I'm really thirsty, I'll just drink water or tea. Over the holidays I gained a few pounds because I was having two or three a day. That's high fructose corn syrup is pure evil. I'm sure one day the FDA will ban that stuff or we'll use it in our cars.

About the beers...moderation is key.

1. Agreed, I usually NEVER, EVER get french fries, just a whopper or just a chicken breast sandwich. I might have 2-3 french fries from my kid's meal just to get the taste.

Same thing with candy, I get those little minatures and have just 1.. my wife hates me.

2. I drink water all day.. besides a morning coffee and then as soon as I get home, it's a soda.. but just one. The weekends I might have 2.

HFCS is the work of the devil.. but damn is it good.

Oh.. I've also changed over to G2 for my sports drink.. love the orange stuff.

[10spro]

I think I am one of the old dudes here in the mid 40's and eating a well balanced diet and exercising regularly is key as many have pointed out. I enjoy playing a variety of sports which include tennis, golfing, soccer and hockey. I just started 'Bikram's yoga' and it's amazing what it does to your body. It's not easy, but for anyone that's tired of diets, give it a try. To many it brings inner peace and relaxation, for me it's a way to cure my aching back and pains. The results vary per individual but the profits are limitless.

[F308GTB]

So while you're paying attention to cardio and strength training, remember to stretch before and after workouts. Hell, stand up and stretch while working at your desk. And don't bounce while stretching -- gentle and hold. Don't bounce when stretching like your Pop Warner football coaches taught you -- that's the absolute worse thing for a cold muscle.

Actually the research is mixed on the benefits of stretching. Think about the animal kingdom and how many animals don't stretch immediately before "exercise" (hunt for their kill). It's a bit of a religious debate, much like the unknown cause of cramps (though the sports drink manufacturers would like you to believe they know). If you have the time to stretch, you won't hurt yourself. But if exercise time is limited, exercise will provide more benefit per unit time than adding stretching in.

Another diet tip - green tea. No calories and suppresses appettite a bit. Research also mixed, but there's been research on rats and humans suggesting it has the ability to aid in fat oxidation/weight loss. I drink a couple cups in the morning. I fell in love with the flavor after a few trips to Japan. Stay away from tea bags and such and get a good quality (i.e., it actually turns the water green rather than yellow/brown) loose leaf tea.

[dbdynsty25]

I always stay away from tea bags. I like to give em though.

[ScoopBrady]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll look into those rice cakes pk. I've been going with those 100-calorie packs by Nabisco (I think). The Lorna Doone shortbread tastes better than the regular Lorna Doone imo.

I've been thinking of the green tea and think I'm going to incorporate it into my morning smoothie. I found some green tea extract that I'm going to add to my smoothie kinda like Jamba Juice. I pretty much have a smoothie for breakfast during the week and let go during the weekend when I can have breakfast with my wife and daughter. It's usually a waffle or something like that.

Fortunately for me I love turkey and grilled chicken. I've been eating a ton of turkey sandwiches for lunch and grilled chicken as well.

I've been going multigrain with everything as well. The multigrain pasta is actually quite good and there's a lot of Uncle Ben's brown rice choices that I like. No more white bread either, strictly wheat. I can't do rye though as it grosses me out.

I've been straying away from cheese, especially the darker ones. I love cheddar cheese but when I looked at the nutritional info on the back of the bag it quickly became a lust. I've been using the lighter cheeses like mozarella and parmesan if I eat cheese at all.

I'm not into that whole "Gotta watch the carbs" crap. As I mentioned I've switched to multigrain over white and I'm very conscious of the amount of food I eat in one sitting. Watching carbs is a diet and diets don't work. I'm just smarter about my carbs is all.

Finding the time to workout has been a chore. No excuses though, that's all on me. I am making conscious efforts to incorporate more walking into my day. I park further away from the building. I always take the long way when I have to go to someone's office. I park farther away from the store. If there's an elevator I use the stairs. When I get a chance to lift weighs I do. I'm finishing up my education in a month and I should have more time then. Again, no excuses. I'm thinking that once I graduate and summer hits we could do a family walk every night, even if it's just a brief 15-minute one.

I've been looking into vitamins and think I'm going to start taking a multivitamin by Centrum.

[Spooky]

You're on the right track, no doubt. Nice job. It's tough to change lifestyles.

Just play around with all the options and find the right combo for you. But, the obvious message is as simple as eating better and some form of exercise, which doesn't have to mean crash diet and running a marathon.

[lexbur]

Just one more great reason to get a dog... I walk mine twice a day, once in the morning before work and once at night. Helps with the cardio and helps keep the carpet clean.

[matthewk]

I've still got a LONG way to go before I'm satisfied with my current condition, but I've been trying to make little improvements one at a time.

I've been taking a 500mg Vitamin C and a Centrum (multivitamin) every day for years. I'd suggest starting with those.

My diet is terrible. Thankfully I have a hot running metabolism (although it is slowng with age) that burns off a lot of the chocolate, sodas, and other assorted junk foods I have no willpower against. I tend to get hungry every 2 hours, so I keep a stash of pretzels at work at all times. It's a good, non-fattening snack.

Sitting all day for work is one thing that drives me nuts. I try and get out for walks at lunch, and do things like park further away or just walk around the building after I've been sitting too long.

Exercise is the hardest part for me to change. By the time I get home, I'm already tired. Then there's dinner, (somtimes) picking up the kids, and then doing other misc jobs around the house. I rarely have time to dissappear to hit the gym. I also hate repetitive work, so running on a treadmill or lifting weights tends to get old with me real fast.

I have been thinking about getting Dance Revolution for the Wii to aid in this aspect. I've built up a sweat with boxing and Tiger Woods on the Wii, so I figure a little DDR would be a good calorie burner.

[Spooky]

I have been thinking about getting Dance Revolution for the Wii to aid in this aspect. I've built up a sweat with boxing and Tiger Woods on the Wii, so I figure a little DDR would be a good calorie burner.

Wii Fit is right around the corner and actually looks kinda decent.

[Inuyasha]

I for the last 4 months am doing the following :

- at least 20 sit ups a day, usually do 50.
- dumbell reps, nothing too heavy, at least 30 per arm nightly.

Also with the weather getting better, have gone out to shoot hoops at least 1-2 times a week.

My problem is around my stomach where I am getting a beer belly even though I dont drink beer. I think I probably dont eat as well as I should. With my minor routine, I haven't really gained or lost weight in the last 4 months but do feel a little more energetic.

[MUTTS]

Gee...I should take all of you old farts on as patients......we could all get together for DSP prostate exams. Ok thats enough of that.

I take exercise to the extreme...at age 38 still run over 40 miles/week...usually 5 days a week with 2 rest days. Can run faster than my age in minutes for 10k.

I take a multivitamin...currently one a day mens health....but not for any particular reason over other brands.

Eat lots of veggies but chocolate is my crutch...I'm an addict.

Summer is here boys...dont forget the sunscreen.

Tony