Here is a scary statistic. Twenty years ago there wasn't a single State in the US with an obesity rate above 15% of its population. Today only one State can claim an obesity rate below 20% (Colorado at 19.8%) while 12 states are now over 30%. Just 4 years ago only one State had an obesity rate over 30%. Epidemic is an apropriate word. [URL]Click to follow link...[/URL] I never viewed this as a beauty contest or social acceptance (some of my very good longtime friends are in the category including my mom), but rather about preventing serious health issues and early death. I also realize there are some who have specific medical conditions which lead to obesity. Just wanna see all my friends and family in good health and here for a long time (meself included)! The healthy eating/aerobic exercise routine is obvious but never easy, yada, yada. Anyway I know this board gets about 100 times the restaurant/food posts to health/fitness posts, and when we do post here it seems to be about dieting and lookin good in that bathin suit, not about blood pressure, hear rate or cholesterol. So just doin my part to emphasize that it's about health, not looks!!!! FWIW, I'm always far more impressed by the little grandma doin her power walk down the beach than the cute bikini girlie lookin comatose in the prone position. Guess I'm a little weird that way,.......or just gettin way older:laugh:

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I agree 100%. For me it's all about health. If I happen to look good when I'm healthy, great. Besides, no matter how hot this body is, I can't do nuthin' about this dawg ugly face:smiley40:

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Completely agree. I am changing my lifestyle one step at a time not because of looks but because of health. Coming from a family whose father has high blood pressure & heart issues and a mother who has diabetes not to mention what each of my parent's family has had issues with I realized I needed a change.

So I started by signing up for bootcamp twice a week back in May. I went from zero exercise to doing an hour bootcamp session twice a week (for five weeks). It was downright difficult at first but I got through it. Before the five weeks was over I knew I was going to sign up for a second session. I have two more weeks to go with this session until they go on break. The progress I have made amazes me...now I look forward to class, I enjoy class.

Two weeks ago I started to research Zumba classes and went ahead and took a class. Took the class again last week. Last Thursday I had bootcamp and since it was outdoors I was not feeling it but instead of skipping exercise completely I decided to add another Zumba class. This was a HUGE step for me as I would have just skipped exercise all together.

My goal is to have two sessions of bootcamp and two Zumba classes a week. Of course bootcamp is on summer break after this session ends until September and I am hoping there schedule works with my Zumba schedule. If not I may skip bootcamp and up the Zumba classes...either way I want to do four days of week.

For me the exercise part is done and I feel I have control. My next step is working on the eating. I know me and I have to do things in stages. Once I have control of one thing I can move onto the next. Doing all this not because I want to be a supermodel but because I want to live.

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Hmmm, Zumba and boot camp,...hard for me to keep up with all these new workout routines. The wife does yoga, the "Firm", and now these half marathons, first walking but now partial running. I've always luved aerobic workouts (sorry no special names, just runnin, swimmin and bikin) but sports injuries and a screwed up lower back have been my biggest challenge. No more runnin for me. The wife has always been more disciplined in the eating category. Regardless of the starting point it sure does get harder the older we get. (Anyone wanna trade a full set of NFL rookie wide receiver quality body joints for some serious cash money?....of course that would need to include installation and a 30 year warranty!:laugh

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Truth...But there's too many eaters on here that have the desire to "Just do It"...Just Say'n :smiley16:

IMF:fish:

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been taking acupuncture weekly for the past year & occasional IV Vitamin therapy from an Oriental Medicine Doc. B-12 kicks my energy into high gear. Also got my minerals, vitamins & supplements straight for the next 1/2 century! :smiley16:

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Health is center of my life. My sign-on name is a dead give away, LOL. I am a conscious eater. I treat myself here and there and do have a drink at night but overall, on a daily basis I eat healthy and it shows: in my constant weight, complexion (teeth are even whiter!), AND health numbers.

So, being on a plan, eating healthy and looking the best you that you can, can be achieved at the same time. I, initially got into it from a vanity standpoint but was blown away by the many other benefits...now the weight/appearance is secondary to me wanting to live to be 112!

Back to the food: it is possible to be a foodie and eat healthy. Most the restaurants that we eww and aww about offer plenty of good choices.

Stepping off the box now :smiley44:

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I, initially got into it from a vanity standpoint but was blown away by the many other benefits...now the weight/appearance is secondary to me wanting to live to be 112!

I'll be happy with 85 and a quick out! Interesting how we each see it from slightly different viewpoints. My motivation wasn't looks (buzz cuttin my own hair for 15 years, and public wardrobe preapproval from the ladies of the house are a hint of that :laugh, it was just being healthy enough to keep kiteboardin at the level I enjoy. Workin on a few hooked in inverted moves this year and ready to get out in the ocean more......

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oh, well i wasn't focusing on the weight part of your query, but the health part. The IV Vitamin therapy has magnesium & potassium also which is what supposedly has made my headaches cease. My blood pressure is back down to a nice low 120-ish/60-ish. I think constant stress had caused it to rise prior. I'm also able to sleep more soundly, averaging about 8-10 hours when taking naps into account. Prolly the stress, as well, was causing me to roam at night. :smiley16:

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My blood pressure is back down to a nice low 120-ish/60-ish. I think constant stress had caused it to rise prior. :smiley16:

Those are awesome numbers! I've been borderline me whole adult life (130ish/85ish) in spite of all the aerobic stuff. That IV vitamin therapy actually sounds pretty intense. We've just been doin MDR fitness vitamins. My best stress/blood pressure reduction therapy so far has been sellin the biz, movin here, and perfecting the role of slacker....

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oh, well i wasn't focusing on the weight part of your query, but the health part. The IV Vitamin therapy has magnesium & potassium also which is what supposedly has made my headaches cease. My blood pressure is back down to a nice low 120-ish/60-ish. I think constant stress had caused it to rise prior. I'm also able to sleep more soundly, averaging about 8-10 hours when taking naps into account. Prolly the stress, as well, was causing me to roam at night. :smiley16:

Stress is a pisser and really hard to get a handle on (nice job on getting rid of yours Dave). You probably have burnt out adrenal glands; have you tried adrenal support? Uni Key Health makes a really effective one.

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Stress is a pisser and really hard to get a handle on (nice job on getting rid of yours Dave). You probably have burnt out adrenal glands; have you tried adrenal support? Uni Key Health makes a really effective one.

we discussed the possibility of adrenal "fatigue." The Oriental Medicine Doc suggested the IV Vitamin Therapy as an aside to THAT. I was also having recurrent gumline infections, about 4+ per year for the last 4 years & now that has subsided too. Prolly my immune system...

Taking Penicillin that often was making me a wreck thinking about a superbug. And don't get me started on my bunionettes!! :smiley47:

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