Discussion
Thanks. 
I'm definitely moving about. At the moment I can only cycle if I take the bike somewhere that's relatively flat, as I live at the bottom of a steep hill / cul de sac and the weakness in my left leg limits me considerably. I walk my dogs every day though and live in a beautiful part of the world so have been trying to walk a little further each day. I have to use a walking stick and my posture is awful so that's something else I need to address. Basically I had to find my own way when learning to walk, as opposed to being guided and having someone point out the things I was doing wrong. That's not me complaining, it's just how it was. I still think I have been incredibly lucky considering.
One consequence of severing the blood vessel in my left leg, is the circulation being so poor. This means the lower part of my legs in discoloured and the skin gets terribly dry. I have to cream them several times a day and wear some fetching compression stockings. These are available in either tan or black and are 'below knee'. Just what you want to be wearing in 30 degree sunshine! I sometimes have to have compression dressings though, as I am susceptible to leg ulcers. I have one on my left ankle that just refuses to heal fully. It has been there for a few years now and I just accept it as being something to deal with. The compression dressings consist of a layer of thin cotton tubi-grip type stuff, a layer of cotton wool, a stretchy bandage, another layer of cotton wool and another stretchy bandage. It's a bit like a cast once all the layers are on and it's hot and uncomfortable. The compression does help the healing process though. Anyway, my hope is that the weight loss will have a positive impact and that the skin condition will improve dramatically. Time will tell obviously.
I'm off to the surgery in an hour or so, so will probably get weighed. I do feel I have lost some weight and my Mrs says she can see a difference but I'm just not convinced. I'll let you know.
I'm definitely moving about. At the moment I can only cycle if I take the bike somewhere that's relatively flat, as I live at the bottom of a steep hill / cul de sac and the weakness in my left leg limits me considerably. I walk my dogs every day though and live in a beautiful part of the world so have been trying to walk a little further each day. I have to use a walking stick and my posture is awful so that's something else I need to address. Basically I had to find my own way when learning to walk, as opposed to being guided and having someone point out the things I was doing wrong. That's not me complaining, it's just how it was. I still think I have been incredibly lucky considering.
One consequence of severing the blood vessel in my left leg, is the circulation being so poor. This means the lower part of my legs in discoloured and the skin gets terribly dry. I have to cream them several times a day and wear some fetching compression stockings. These are available in either tan or black and are 'below knee'. Just what you want to be wearing in 30 degree sunshine! I sometimes have to have compression dressings though, as I am susceptible to leg ulcers. I have one on my left ankle that just refuses to heal fully. It has been there for a few years now and I just accept it as being something to deal with. The compression dressings consist of a layer of thin cotton tubi-grip type stuff, a layer of cotton wool, a stretchy bandage, another layer of cotton wool and another stretchy bandage. It's a bit like a cast once all the layers are on and it's hot and uncomfortable. The compression does help the healing process though. Anyway, my hope is that the weight loss will have a positive impact and that the skin condition will improve dramatically. Time will tell obviously.
I'm off to the surgery in an hour or so, so will probably get weighed. I do feel I have lost some weight and my Mrs says she can see a difference but I'm just not convinced. I'll let you know.
Tuesday -
Porridge
Chicken breast & salad
Unfortunately we ate out this evening and there was very little choice. I actually opted for a kids meal (as it was considerably smaller) that was 2 sausages, mashed potato and peas.
Strawberries and half fat creme fraiche.
According to MFP I was still under my daily calorie limit but would have preferred something healthier for the evening meal. Anyway, back on track today.
Porridge
Chicken breast & salad
Unfortunately we ate out this evening and there was very little choice. I actually opted for a kids meal (as it was considerably smaller) that was 2 sausages, mashed potato and peas.
Strawberries and half fat creme fraiche.
According to MFP I was still under my daily calorie limit but would have preferred something healthier for the evening meal. Anyway, back on track today.
e30m3Mark said:
Still sticking with the diet and exercise thing and had to see my GP this morning. Whilst there he checked my BP (all good) and my weight. It would appear that I have lost just over a stone since July 10th. I'm really chuffed although I still have a long way to go.
That's a significant milestone. Congratulations.Do you have a goal, say, for Christmas or?
Thanks.
I did think about setting a goal for the new year but I think I'm just going to just keep on as I am for now. All I really want, for now anyway, is to dip below 20 stone but that's still way off.
This might be a daft question but is there any way of losing fat from specific areas, like the belly?
Yesterdays food.
Porridge
Salad / tuna
Chicken / baked potato
Yogurt
Popcorn
I did think about setting a goal for the new year but I think I'm just going to just keep on as I am for now. All I really want, for now anyway, is to dip below 20 stone but that's still way off.
This might be a daft question but is there any way of losing fat from specific areas, like the belly?
Yesterdays food.
Porridge
Salad / tuna
Chicken / baked potato
Yogurt
Popcorn
e30m3Mark said:
This might be a daft question but is there any way of losing fat from specific areas, like the belly?
You can't spot reduce fat annoyingly, the body feasts on its own reserves where it sees fit in a seemingly random pattern.The nearest you can get to losing it from specific area is illusory; building muscle to 'take over the fat', very much so to speak, as fat doesn't turn into muscle.
NoVetec said:
You can't spot reduce fat annoyingly, the body feasts on its own reserves where it sees fit in a seemingly random pattern.
Thanks. I kind of figured that would be the case.Yesterdays food.
Porridge
Ham salad (inc teaspoon low fat salad cream)
Chicken breast & salad (inc teaspoon low fat salad cream)
2 x rice cake
1 x popcorn
I'm definitely eating a fair bit less than I used to.
That’s a bit of a myth. Visceral fat (around organs) is generally laid down by excess glucose and the presence of insulin. Subcutaneous fat (under the skin) is generally laid down by excess dietary fat.
Reducing carbohydrate intake is more likely to target the reduction of belly fat. Reducing dietary fat can only increase carbohydrate intake. In other words a low fat diet isn’t a particularly efficient way of reducing the paunch vs. a low carbohydrate diet.
Reducing carbohydrate intake is more likely to target the reduction of belly fat. Reducing dietary fat can only increase carbohydrate intake. In other words a low fat diet isn’t a particularly efficient way of reducing the paunch vs. a low carbohydrate diet.
I was referring to the idea that the distribution of fat is random. It’s not.
Visceral fat (organ fat...the belly) is more associated with the elevated insulin that goes hand-in-hand with high carbohydrate intake. Low fat diets by their nature tend to promote insulin secretion. I’m not suggesting you can necessarily target one area for fat loss, but if you understand the mechanisms then you can certainly move the balance in your favour. Even if you won’t be able to see it with a tape measure, you can help reduce organ fat by reducing blood insulin concentrations.
It isn’t very well understood so I don’t expect anyone to agree, but I’m not going to argue
Visceral fat (organ fat...the belly) is more associated with the elevated insulin that goes hand-in-hand with high carbohydrate intake. Low fat diets by their nature tend to promote insulin secretion. I’m not suggesting you can necessarily target one area for fat loss, but if you understand the mechanisms then you can certainly move the balance in your favour. Even if you won’t be able to see it with a tape measure, you can help reduce organ fat by reducing blood insulin concentrations.
It isn’t very well understood so I don’t expect anyone to agree, but I’m not going to argue
Kenny Powers said:
I was referring to the idea that the distribution of fat is random. It’s not.
Visceral fat (organ fat...the belly) is more associated with the elevated insulin that goes hand-in-hand with high carbohydrate intake. Low fat diets by their nature tend to promote insulin secretion. I’m not suggesting you can necessarily target one area for fat loss, but if you understand the mechanisms then you can certainly move the balance in your favour. Even if you won’t be able to see it with a tape measure, you can help reduce organ fat by reducing blood insulin concentrations.
It isn’t very well understood so I don’t expect anyone to agree, but I’m not going to argue
In the context of insulin-instructed organ fat and general distribution as opposed to burning, strictly speaking would visceral fat mean exclusively the fat around/between the organs? Say with someone with a fair belly, the first few inches of fat would actually be subcutaneous?Visceral fat (organ fat...the belly) is more associated with the elevated insulin that goes hand-in-hand with high carbohydrate intake. Low fat diets by their nature tend to promote insulin secretion. I’m not suggesting you can necessarily target one area for fat loss, but if you understand the mechanisms then you can certainly move the balance in your favour. Even if you won’t be able to see it with a tape measure, you can help reduce organ fat by reducing blood insulin concentrations.
It isn’t very well understood so I don’t expect anyone to agree, but I’m not going to argue
My limited understanding is that the term subcutaneous/under-the-skin fat applies to the whole body until you get to the abdominal cavity.
Mark, firstly, congratulations on a great start, things are definitely moving in the right direction and you should be proud of that....
I just read through your posts so far, it’s really difficult to dodge sugar, even when you are eating just innocent old apples!
Disclaimer on what I am about to say below as in not a medical professional...
As an alternative to porridge for breakfast, shredded wheat (normal and bite size) are very low in sugar, I have a big bowl most days and it keeps me going until lunch (add half a banana or a handful of blueberries as an alternative, although these of course contain sugar )
A good bowl of veg soup for lunch ( easy to make homemade if you have time) would go well with some rice cakes.
For dinner, try lots of different green veg to complement your meat/ fish, I eat loads of green beans or round beans, as well as broccoli, peas, kale, spinach etc...
Cycling is also a great idea, I hope your mobility allows you to get some good time on the bike as it’s can be a great way to get some exercise and burn calories, take it slow and build up the km although I think focusing on diet rather than too much exercise is the right way to start.
Like I said, this is all homebrew ideas but keeps me relatively fit and healthy...good luck chap!
I just read through your posts so far, it’s really difficult to dodge sugar, even when you are eating just innocent old apples!
Disclaimer on what I am about to say below as in not a medical professional...
As an alternative to porridge for breakfast, shredded wheat (normal and bite size) are very low in sugar, I have a big bowl most days and it keeps me going until lunch (add half a banana or a handful of blueberries as an alternative, although these of course contain sugar )
A good bowl of veg soup for lunch ( easy to make homemade if you have time) would go well with some rice cakes.
For dinner, try lots of different green veg to complement your meat/ fish, I eat loads of green beans or round beans, as well as broccoli, peas, kale, spinach etc...
Cycling is also a great idea, I hope your mobility allows you to get some good time on the bike as it’s can be a great way to get some exercise and burn calories, take it slow and build up the km although I think focusing on diet rather than too much exercise is the right way to start.
Like I said, this is all homebrew ideas but keeps me relatively fit and healthy...good luck chap!
Itsallicanafford said:
Mark, firstly, congratulations on a great start, things are definitely moving in the right direction and you should be proud of that....
I just read through your posts so far, it’s really difficult to dodge sugar, even when you are eating just innocent old apples!
Disclaimer on what I am about to say below as in not a medical professional...
As an alternative to porridge for breakfast, shredded wheat (normal and bite size) are very low in sugar, I have a big bowl most days and it keeps me going until lunch (add half a banana or a handful of blueberries as an alternative, although these of course contain sugar )
A good bowl of veg soup for lunch ( easy to make homemade if you have time) would go well with some rice cakes.
For dinner, try lots of different green veg to complement your meat/ fish, I eat loads of green beans or round beans, as well as broccoli, peas, kale, spinach etc...
Cycling is also a great idea, I hope your mobility allows you to get some good time on the bike as it’s can be a great way to get some exercise and burn calories, take it slow and build up the km although I think focusing on diet rather than too much exercise is the right way to start.
Like I said, this is all homebrew ideas but keeps me relatively fit and healthy...good luck chap!
Thanks. Much as I like porridge, an alternative is no bad thing. I just read through your posts so far, it’s really difficult to dodge sugar, even when you are eating just innocent old apples!
Disclaimer on what I am about to say below as in not a medical professional...
As an alternative to porridge for breakfast, shredded wheat (normal and bite size) are very low in sugar, I have a big bowl most days and it keeps me going until lunch (add half a banana or a handful of blueberries as an alternative, although these of course contain sugar )
A good bowl of veg soup for lunch ( easy to make homemade if you have time) would go well with some rice cakes.
For dinner, try lots of different green veg to complement your meat/ fish, I eat loads of green beans or round beans, as well as broccoli, peas, kale, spinach etc...
Cycling is also a great idea, I hope your mobility allows you to get some good time on the bike as it’s can be a great way to get some exercise and burn calories, take it slow and build up the km although I think focusing on diet rather than too much exercise is the right way to start.
Like I said, this is all homebrew ideas but keeps me relatively fit and healthy...good luck chap!
I'm having raspberries on the porridge at my GP's suggestion, as he said they speed digestion?Generally though, this is how I have been going with the added aspect being the weighing of food to aid portion control. As I sit here typing I definitely feel as though the belly is significantly less than it was.
Yesterday.
Porridge
Salad and small homemade pastie. (with the crust removed)
Ham salad & teaspoon low fat salad cream
2 x rice cakes
Banana
Also went for a first proper cycle ride along Bissoe trail. Total distance covered was just shy of 6 miles. I know that won't be getting me a yellow jersey but I was pretty pleased all the same. I remember being told I may never walk again so to be mountain biking for 6 miles on a hot and sunny day feels like quite an achievement. Hopefully it will get easier the more I do it? I don't feel too bad this morning either. I do want a softer / wider saddle though, as the one I have felt like a knife edge by the time I'd finished!
Porridge
Salad and small homemade pastie. (with the crust removed)
Ham salad & teaspoon low fat salad cream
2 x rice cakes
Banana
Also went for a first proper cycle ride along Bissoe trail. Total distance covered was just shy of 6 miles. I know that won't be getting me a yellow jersey but I was pretty pleased all the same. I remember being told I may never walk again so to be mountain biking for 6 miles on a hot and sunny day feels like quite an achievement. Hopefully it will get easier the more I do it? I don't feel too bad this morning either. I do want a softer / wider saddle though, as the one I have felt like a knife edge by the time I'd finished!
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