For the past couple of weeks, my son has been taking swimming lessons. He’s a little afraid of the water, but he’s doing great. While he swims, I workout. It’s cool, because the time-limit on his swim lessons really helps me focus – and “get my workout done!”
Speaking of swimming, diet-wise, I’ve just kinda been “treading water”. I’ll do good for one day, and not-so-good the next. I’m down about 5 pounds, but not really locked-in to the whole diet thing. I got a cold the other day, spoke with my doctor, and got some very interesting news. He said that I should simply ignore the “weight charts”, and get down to a healthy, manageable weight. For me, instead of the 150 or 160 that I’ve always thought I should weigh, he said I should shoot for, say, 200 pounds.
So, I need to lose about 50 pounds, and not 90 or 100. This makes me feel much better. I’ve also scheduled a test for my thyroid, just to see if everything is okay with it. We shall see.
It’s raining today, so all walking will have to be on the treadmill. That’s cool, but I do miss the stroll through the neighborhood. Maybe it will slack-up a bit, and I can walk in the mist.
I’m not so sure I completely agree with the advice that your doctor has given you. Granted, I am not a doctor. Take this opinion as just that – an opinion.
I have been doing a lot of studying on what our target weight should look like and what I have come too is — look at what the chart says you should be at and then add 20 pounds to be realistic. Another blogger’s doctor told him that and that was the best advice that i have been able to find. Any doctor that says anything over that — Unless you are ripped with muscle…is not doing his/her job in getting us completely healthy.
That’s my opinion anyways and you are welcome to toss it if you would like. Good post and good luck.
Seth,
You are probably right… I think that I should have stated it like this… “Long-term, I probably need to shoot for a weight that is more in-line with what the charts say, but my overall health and fitness would be greatly improved if I just got to, say, 200, instead of being bummed out b/c I’m not 150” I think that’s what the doc was driving at… Clear as mud? 🙂
NCN: I think you nailed it in your comment. In most cases, it’s probably better to shoot for something achievable and sustainable rather than setting your sights on the “optimal” and losing hope. Once you make that initial goal, re-assess and set a new goal. Over time, you’ll progress toward the optimal, and even if you never make it, you’ll wind up far healthier than if you had aimed too high and quit.