On Preparing For A New Exercise Regime

[danieldwilliam]

I am about to embark on a programme of weight loss, cardio-vascular fitness and general toning up.

By far the most important element for at the moment is losing some weight. It’s the most pressing issue and one that proves pernicious in my family.

I intend to measure myself and report back here on a weekly basis.

I’ve purchased a cross trainer which I intend to use for half an hour most nights a week. I’ll be adopting a low GI diet (mostly).  I hope as the increased exercise and diet have an effect and I being to lose weight and gain cardio-vascular fitness I’ll be able to add different types of exercise.

I’m looking at a range of metrics – BMI, weight, waist, hip.

Does anyone have any good advice on what metrics to include in the measuring and which ones are not helpful?

I’m pretty happy with the diet I’ve chose, I’ve used it before.

I’m open to any advise on types of exercise that might work.  There are some limitations. My knees, ankles and feet are not in great shape. Specifically at the moment but more generally. So I tend to be wary of high impact sports. Jogging is right out. I prefer taking exercise as part of a social activity than on its own.  I don’t have lots of time to spend outside the house unless I take the Captain with me.

If anyone can work out how I can measure my body volume there is a prize.

Comments

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

On the food thing.

I’m not sure I’ve ever thought about in those terms.

Probably biscuits. Part of the success for me of a low GI diet was that I always felt full so I didn’t grab something like a biscuit and then have another one whilst waiting for the sugar to arrive in my bloodstream.

Beer also has to go. I find if I have beer in the fridge I will probably have a beer or two in the evening. It’s not the alcohol that’s the problem with this I think. I’m not drinking too much alcohol. It’s the couple of beers worth of calories.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

A tip that might work for you: I lose far more weight when I think about the money I am saving than when I think of the food I am not eating. "No, I don't want to spend £2.50 on a latte when black coffee is £1.50" feels less of a hardship than thinking "I really shouldn;t have the calories".

Try smaller tins of beer. The only cola I have in the house now is the fun size.

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

As an Aberdonian accountant the money saving element might be very effective.

[widgetfox.livejournal.com]

I used to find that it wasn't only the calories from alcohol but that it opened the floodgates for other eating.

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

The perils of a late night kebab.

More seriously…

Are you thinking of snacking whilst drinking or lowered inhibitions and self-control leading to eating lots of foods?

[widgetfox.livejournal.com]

I don't think they're very different.