'My diet two years on – keeping off the pounds' blog discussion

fluffymuffy

Inspirational as ever, Martin.

Focusing on the calorie content of things is a big eye-opener. OH and I shared a small Xmas pudding with a blob of cream last week. It was the smallest sized one and we felt a bit deprived only getting half each - until I worked out that each bowl contained nearly 500 calories.

It's a coincidence for me to stumble upon this post today as I was just wondering about how I'd get to start running (it's raining so not today). I don't want to set off huffing and puffing past my neighbours houses - it wouldn't be too bad once I'd got out of the local area. There was a study (published last year?) which looked at some older people who ran regularly and compared them with a control group. The big difference was that ten years on all the runners were still alive.

de1amo

at my age--47--the knees give pain after running so i keep to walking speed on the treadmill but use high gradients to make it worthwhile--how old are the people who are still alive 10 years on??

fluffymuffy

I can't find that report (I'm sure it was a BBC Health News item) but here's one similar, based on twenty years of research on a group of runners who were over 50 when the study started - so in their 70s now. After 20 years only 15% were dead compared with 34% in a non-running control group.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1043646/Keep-running-healthy-old-age-pensioners-told.html

bleeper999

If the TV puts on 10 pounds, Martin, the answer is simple ..... only go on the radio and you'll lose weight easily .. about 10 pounds I'd say!:rotfl:

Hels50

Hi Martin,

I found your post inspirational, congratulations! In view of the amount of money spent on the dieting industry, I wonder if you might think of writing a 'Money Saver's Diet' based on the very simple principle that buying and eating less food should cost less money?

luvvlyjubbly

Proof in the pudding (no pun intended) that fad diets don't work, just moderation and exercise is the key.

Voltro

luvvlyjubbly wrote: »

Proof in the pudding (no pun intended) that fad diets don't work, just moderation and exercise is the key.

They do work to get the weight of - but it often leads to a rebound.

SugarCandy2010

In my local area there is a Health Trainer Service, they are either run by the NHS, local Authority or other funders.
The best part is that is free! It's aimed at people over the age of 18 and it offers one to one support in achieving a personal health goal. It can be used for various lifestyles changes e.g. healthy eating, increasing exercise, sensible drinking and support in giving up smoking. In also helps with signposting to local services.
:j;)

neilcr_2

Interesting to read about the runners doing so well as I gave up running several years ago due to a variety of reasons. I am going to have to start again as I am now 3 and a half stone heavier. The good thing about running is it's a hell of a lot cheaper than going to a gym.

A couple of tips I could give to the less experienced runners is try and do some of your miles on softer surfaces when possible and make sure you use decent running shoes. As decent running shoes are not cheap it's a good tip to look for last years shoes that are being sold off at a good discount.