Self-consious in a wetsuit...

[cowboyneal]

Here's a hint: eat less, move more. More calories in than going out=gain weight; more calories burned than going in=lose weight. No "diet" fits every person - that's a crazy idea cooked up by snake oil salesmen throughout time. You need to know your BMR (google BMR Calculator - and when you get to the multiple for activity, you don't get any multiple unless you are working out minimum 5x a week x 1 1/2 hours a day, then you get a multiple of 1.2), and then you need to consume 500 less calories than the BMR a day to lose 1 lb. per week (3500 cal. = 1 lb.). Now, if you can also burn 500 calories a day more (by doing high intensity cardio for about an hour) you get to lose another lb. per week. Anything more than that is unhealthy weight loss, and will more likely result in you putting the weight back on in a short time. as your body goes into starvation mode. You also have to build muscle and change up your workouts every 6 or so weeks because your body adapts. Some people can go up to 3 lbs./week loss - the first couple weeks you are going to drop more but then settle into 2-3 lbs. a week max. Again: eat less, move more!

CN

 

[Mrs.Prages]

I am just starting in the SCUBA world, still in Open Water class. Had to buy a wetsuit cause the rentals did not fit. I feel like a big blueberry in the suit (kind of look like one too). I dread finding out how much weight I will need on my belt. I also am in the process of trying to loose weight. However, I think more importantly than dieting, too many large people put off doing things because they worry about what others will think. Life is short and losing weight is hard and I think diving will be fun. In short, just go for it. I still get embarassed but the prospect of doing something I will enjoy and can do despite size outweighs the self-conciousness.

I think I am self conscious no matter what I am doing.

Don't dread the weight belt, different people wear different weight. I know people who weigh more than I do who use a lot less weight than I do and I use less weight than others. I know how hard it is not to worry or let your ego get in the way, but don't let anyone get onto you about your weighting use what you need to use and don't get hurt because someone else thinks you have on too much.

 

[cartecs]

Yes, those things are wonderful. I eat them almost every day for lunch.

Lean Cuisines and Subway are havens for us calorie counters. Most of the LC meals are 160-250 calories. A tasty 6" turkey ham and roast beef sub with honey mustard and veggies is only 350.

McDonald's salads, with the Vinegarette dressing and grilled chicken, is only 260 and very filling.

Wendy's new Frescatas aren't all that bad either, at a little over 400.

Sushi, Balance Bars, the "light fare" menus at restaurants.. it's easy to eat well even when you're on the go.

Don't forget to check the sodium on those frozen meals.. alot of them can contain as much as 50% of the daily reccomended value.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Is anyone out there really self conscious about how they look in a wetsuit? I have doubled my weight since I started diving, ten years ago, and have failed at every diet out there (luckily, I have an awesome husband who loves me anyway!). I will be diving WPB in December and I'm curious if anyone has any "great ideas" for a diet, short of starving ones self. I'm not privy to starvation!! I am limited to excercises I can do right now, just had both knees operated on (at the same time= HELL!!). I am typically an active person, just can't seem to drop the extra pounds. I really DON'T want to resemble a whale or a manatee in the wetsuit!! Argh...what to do?!?!? :huh: Does anyone else feel the same way about being in a wetsuit? Any ideas? I have 7 months till my trip.

Not many divers really look like Jessica Alba, lol. Don't worry about it. We all have to put those darn things on so welcome to the club. Diving in a dry suit is one option though, lol.

 

[Flea Dog]

According to Newtonian laws of physics, the attraction between bodies is directly proportional to the mass of the bodies. If you double the mass, you double the attraction.

Now I know why chicks dig me so much; twice the mass twice the attraction.

Ain’t science great!! :doctor:

Flea Dog

 

[SNorman]

I have a couple relatives and friends I know closely who are overweight. Believe me, every single one of them knows why they are overweight. But they try to cling to the notion that it's really not their fault. One even just went in to get checked up by the doctor because she was SURE it was her thyroid or something. All the tests came back fine. She was so depressed about that, she decided to eat a bunch of ice cream. Hello McFly!

Eat less, work out. It is so simple, but it takes willpower and some work.

 

[Bratface]

Don't worry about how you look in your wetsuit. The fish don't care. It's all about diving.

 

[MarkS2k05]

When I had a lower back fusion 3 yrs ago I went from around 170 to 190'ish in nothing flat, 3 weeks ago Dr. told me to cut out breads, potato things, and soda's (things I love). In that time I have lost about 7 lbs not starving myself and having a good time. This is the only advice I can add to this thread.

 

[Don Burke]

Any ideas? I have 7 months till my trip.

I get considerable mileage out of eating celery as a snack food and cutting sugar wherever I can. Drinking lots of water is a big help too.

 

[Cacia]

I get considerable mileage out of eating celery

Celery.---A physician at UCLA just told me this week to eat four stalks a day for my borderline BP. (I was lost in traffic for an hour!) Anyway, she says it really helps. I have not had time to read up on it, but I plan to try it. I might mention she, as well as this plastic surgeon I know in Beverly Hills, and I, all had a long talk about fish oil.---they both take it, and I have been on it for ten years now. My triglycerides were 76. One doc says he flipped his LDL/HDL ratio, he thinks after starting fish oil. FWIW. (we are all on the Dr. Sears Zone brand because it is pharmecuetical-grade without heavy metals, etc.)

I like Andrew Weihl MD books and find he distills the new nutrition science down into some major principles. Trans fats are very, very bad for you, IMO. That is my only complaint with Subway is the bread has hydrogenated oil....maybe Jonnythan can bend their ear. He sure was right about the new salads at McD's! Soy beans, spinach, ...I can't get over it.