In the False Start thread we got off on a tangent about fat and thin swimmers. I'd like to start a thread about this topic.
Since having my three children (2000, 2002, 2004) I have struggled with losing that belly. My husband, Mr. Exercise Physiologist, guesses I have about 15 pounds in my stomach. The rest of me is back in shape, the extra weight is just in my tummy. And boy do I feel it in the water. I equate it to carrying a 15 pound weight. That's a lot to swim with!
That being said, I get a physical every year (cancer runs in my family, I found out a few years ago). My NP said that my BP (104/62) and HR (56 resting) were good. And to my surprise both my HDL and LDL were really good (I don't remember the numbers). My blood cell counts were good, yaddy, yaddy, yaddy.
My point is that even though I'm 15-20 pounds overweight I'm REALLY healthy. She's never suggested that I need to lose weight. However, as a swimmer, the benefits of losing it are obvious. I'd swim faster.
The fastest FEMALE Master's swimmers I've seen are super thin, but not anorexic (sp?). Laura Val, Alison Zamanian, Laureen Welting, Beth McGee, Karlyn Pipes-Neilson, etc. are all really trim and super fast. Now, I'm not saying that if you're skinny, you're automatically fast... I've just noticed that thin, talented swimmers seem to swim the fastest. I don't consider myself in either category, so these are just my observations.
BMI is total crap ... it doesn't take muscle mass into account ...
Couldn't agree more! Forget the scale and BMI. Use your eyes and the mirror. And, Barb, it sounds like a shopping trip is in order. :applaud:
*GASP*
What kind of guy do you thinkI am?? :thhbbb:
The best kind... fun, flirty, and occasionally fresh:hug:
SwimStud- Shouldn't that be "how much" do you think I am? :p :thhbbb:
See, Karen gets it:rofl:
Slowswim-
Please do. I love playing tricks. Gotta keep 'em guessing! (SS--that's PLAYING tricks--not turning them. No dirty PMs!:laugh2: )
Seriously though, I would love the info if you can find it.
Thanks!
Good news/bad news. I haven't found the study, yet. I have some of the anecdotal information that led me there.
To lose the mommy belly fast, you have to get it done within the first 6-12 months. During pregnancy testosterone level go up and fat is stored like a man. After delivery, the testosterone starts dropping. Once its back to normal levels, you are stuck.
I saw some studies using hormone therapy, but that is risk and has side-effects. I'll keep looking for those of you who've had your last child awhile ago.
I was able to find a cool link that uses the U.S. Navy Circumference Method for both men and women.
The top part tells you exactly where you should measure, then just enter the data. After that it asks your weight and level of activity and then calculates your lean body mass and your "ideal" weight.
Try it and post if you think it is fairly accurate.
www.he.net/.../prothd2.html
Don't buy into "fad" diets - eat well balanced, eat both carbs/proteins (no Atkins Diet!!!!!) with at least 2 fruits, 3 veggies (more if you have a big appetite - load up here on the non-starch veggies, without sauces, dressings, etc), and 2 servings of milk or equivalent like yogurt, soy, etc.
If you weigh more than 185 pounds, you should eat around 1500 cals per day, under 185 you can drop to 1200 cals per day, but do NOT go under 1200 without being under a medical doctor's care.
No one likes to count cals, but bottom line, if you eat more calories then you burn, you gain weight.
I think the best way to approach a meal is to use a small to average size plate and divide it into quadrants. One half of the plate should be vegetables, one quarter should be protein and the other quarter should be a carb. Stay away from white carbs if possible, (white rice, white potatoes, white bread) Whole grains are best.
There are some people that can eat what they want and great for them - my husband falls into this category. For those of us that seem to put on weight easily, you just have to try and be "spot on" the majority of the time so when you have the extra slice of pizza, it will not matter so much. Life is not fair (I fall in the "gain 3 pounds over one weekend and take 3 weeks to lose it" category) but the facts are the facts.
Gerdrick - If your doc and your coach say you are fit, and like SS says, you like what you see in the mirror and feel fit and healthy, be happy.
I think it's how good you feel that's important. I'm 5'9" and weigh around 165 now. Last summer I was 30lbs heavier and was unfit, unhealthy and felt unattractive. Rather than focussing on the pounds, I focussed on eating well (Dieting for Dummies is a great book on losing weight the non-fad way) and getting moving.
I got two major learnings out of this experience: One, being fit is far more fun and rewarding than weighing less. I fit into clothes I haven't worn since Reagan was president, but I don't want to wear them anymore...they were too baggy and frumpy! Same weight as back then, but a much better body-image. Second, I haven't lost any more weight since January, but I can now comfortably fit into pants I wasn't able to even button then. My weight hasn't changed, but through swimming, it's being redistributed. Cool beans.
So if you're feeling good and are healthy, trust your body and not the scale. Let's cheer for swimming and health! :groovy::banana::groovy::banana::groovy:
OK, I guess I could ask here...about 8 years ago I was 138 lb...then it was 150 lb, then 172 and now, oh my, 194 lb!!!! My hight is 5'11 and the thing is, my pants that I got 2 years ago (just about time I started really getting into swimming) still fit fine, the shirts are a bit tight in the shoulder area....now, how the heck did I end up with 194 lb??? Doc said my weight should be between 168 and 178 lb, but the only place I see that I could shape up a little is my tummy (have not had kids yet)... Am I huge with some secret fat area or is that muscle weight?
It sounds to me as if your doctor is making suggestions based upon BMI, or Body Mass Index. From what I understand this is a scale that is being used less and less throughout the country due to it's unreliable nature. I heard recently where the majority of college football players were obese according to the BMI scale. I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say that most of them are not actually obese at all.
If somebody is truly obese, I don't think you need a BMI index to figure it out..one's eyes should do just fine. Not very scientific I know, but some things just don't need to be complicated.
In the end, most of your weight is probably muscle. I think if you had 16 plus pounds of fat stored in your belly it would be more than a little apparent.
