General Health Chat.

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
I just wanted to start a thread about what people do to keep themselves healthy..

Who is concerned about wanting to keep themselves at a good weight and eating healthier?

Apparently 50% of the UK are overweight, it’s become normalised.

Heart disease is the Number one cause of death at the moment and being overweight causes so many other problems.

Why are schools not doing home economics/cookery classes anymore?

Obesity is going to be the next biggest crisis on the NHS because people won’t stop eating crap or have some responsibility for their own health.


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Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
I count myself as lucky, I eat, and drink, what I want when I want.
This includes a lot of the, we are told, bad things.
I'm still the same trouser size as I was in my early 20's and can get around without any huffing and puffing.
The only nod to fitness is gardening and have tried most days during lockdown to get a good walk in.
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
I'm fitter now than I've been all my life and wish I'd done it 20 odd years ago. As for food, we could definitely eat a lot more veg...
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
I used to be like @Trumpet and eat what I wanted but it’s no longer the case.
I try and eat healthily, loads of fruit and veg, I really don’t want to be overweight but it’s not as easy as it used to be.

I read the labels on everything and if it’s got red fat, red sugar etc then I just don’t buy it.

I walk every day, do gardening, my own housework but I know it’s not enough.
I probably should go to the gym or do some exercise classes to get fitter.
I also need to drink less, I felt much better last year when I was teetotal, but it was easier because we weren’t socialising.

I was reading the other day about a new government initiative. Apparently overweight people are to be given food vouchers and free fitbits as an incentive to lose weight. I can’t imagine that working. People either want to lose weight or they’re not bothered, I doubt bribery would work.
 
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Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
I was reading the other day about a new government initiative. Apparently overweight people are to be given food vouchers and free fitbits as an incentive to lose weight. I can’t imagine that working. People either want to lose weight or they’re not bothered, I doubt bribery would work.

Small nudges like that can make a difference if it's borderline, I should move more but this last year of being pretty much stuck in front of a PC for work hasn't helped. If I teach face to face on campus, the act of walking to the train station, moving around between classes and walking back will add up to 10K + steps a day very easily, A day of a bit of moving around the house, but mainly being in work will mean I'm lucky if I hit 3K max.

Finding fitness sessions that work around work is tricky, as is finding space to exercise in the house. @Goldilox Is much more disciplined then I am and much better at making sure he goes for a walk every day if he can.

But school do still do cookery / Home ec but it doesn't mean that has a massive knock on effect I don't think - after all I think most people did some in school and I only remember making a really vile pasta tuna salad and a chocolate cake. I have in the intervening years made and eaten a lot more cake then I have pasta salads.

I'm about to go for a walk to the shops so that should get today's step counter up, I'm always surprised at people who live as close to town as I do and they drive in.
 

c0tt0nt0p

Well-Known Forumite
I just wanted to start a thread about what people do to keep themselves healthy..

Who is concerned about wanting to keep themselves at a good weight and eating healthier?

Apparently 50% of the UK are overweight, it’s become normalised.

Heart disease is the Number one cause of death at the moment and being overweight is the second biggest cause for contracting cancer.

Why are people stuffing themselves to death ?

Why are schools not doing home economics/cookery classes anymore?

Obesity is going to be the next biggest crisis on the NHS because people won’t stop eating crap or have some responsibility for their own lives.



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I'm 47 and up to around my mid 30s I could eat what the hell I wanted and still be "rake thin" but all that changed in my early 30s...

Whilst most people would state that I don't have anything to worry about (a smidge under 6ft and 13st 3oz in weight currently), I have periods where I'll just eat unhealthy food. Working at home for the last 18 months in a room next to the kitchen doesn't help. People always say to me "oh you look fine" etc but they don't realise a baggy t-shirt hides a multitude of sins !!

I do exercise... Running, although not as much as I did in the last few years, cycling and the odd round of golf however I will constantly be drawn to snacks and junk food which invariably is ultra processed.

This is a great podcast by the Van Tulleken brothers (twin doctors you might recognise from TV), about ultra processed food and 2 episodes in its already shone a light on similar behaviours that I have....

https://shows.acast.com/a-thorough-...nd/episodes/trailer-series-1-addicted-to-food

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With the wife being diagnosed with Bowel Cancer nearly 3 years ago I really should be a hell of a lot more careful with what I eat but it really can be a struggle sometimes.
I do worry about how things will be for my daughter in the future, especially if food standards drop given agreements made with the govt and other countries.
 
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Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I remain convinced that the drop in activity levels is probably of more concern than dietary intake variations.

You can discern data about what people ate back 'then', but activity is much harder to ascertain with any accuracy.

Even driving a car took a good bit more effort forty years ago and just walking about was much less obstructed.

The Chase seemed a lot busier back then, too.

Most people I know have "desk jobs" and their view of the day's weather is whether or not it rained on the few steps to and from the car. Sitting and watching a screen, immobile, was a couple of hours a night - now, you can do that for the whole of your waking hours.

Also, houses and workplaces are a lot warmer, reducing the necessity to fuel your temperature control to anything like as much.

There was also quite a sudden end to 'playing away from the house', perhaps leading to a reduced activity level from quite early on.
 

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
I used to do lots of running but these days (with knackered knees) it's very brisk (power) walking.

I walk miles most days , varying from 1 hour to 3 hours. Then go out again with hubby when he finishes work at his slower pace .When I had the car when hubby was working from home I'd take it to go to the Beauty Salon in town. But even then I'd park half way in the retail park and walk the rest. Otherwise in the week whilst hubby is at work I usually walk to town and retail parks from Wildwood and make that part of my days mileage.

I've always been brought up to walk miles though. As a kid we walked from Highfields to Milford and over the chase most weekends. And my dad used to organise 30 mile sponsored walks at his school each year and I went along on those .

Also do all the gardening , housework and on the go all the time pottering around. Only time I really sit down is to have a quick look on the laptop and to eat . (Completely the opposite to hubby who could do with moving around more, but just enjoys sitting watching TV )

I lost 3 & half stone before christmas (should never have put it on in the first place!) , by walking miles and just eating good healthy meals. I cut out the booze completely as well as crisps, biscuits, chocolate etc. If I was hungry inbetween meals I'd have an oxo in hot water or hot water and lemon juice.

Sometimes get my aerobic DVD's out , but find It's a half hearted attempt doing myself at home . Much prefered going to the gyms and doing Step and Aerobic classes .
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
It's a lot cheaper to buy the 'red' foods than healthy foods, especially when you are on the bread line and can't afford fuel for cooking etc. That's a massive part of the issue.
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
I think portion size has a lot to answer to, we expect much bigger portions than we used to eat. Just being in hospital showed me that - the portions were tiny compared to what I make at home. (but, when you are all you don't really want to eat much anyhow). Most of the food I had in hospital would fit on one of my side plates.

I lost a stone very quickly in the first 2 weeks of being ill, but since I've been home & mostly tucked up in bed every day I've managed to put it straight back on, even though I still have no appetite, so mobility greatly effects your weight... I've gone from doing 20,000 + steps a day to around 800 & it shows!

Also transport. When I was a kid my parents had 2 cars, one each, but neither used the car to go to work, they walked and would never use a bus... It was for trips to do the big shop, trips to visit relatives, holidays & emergencys.... They would never have thought of using it for the same short trips that I do.... Work, shops, Dr's, pharmacy etc....
 
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The Notorious A.N.T.

Well-Known Forumite
I think exercise is key @Carole. We eat quite healthily (mainly cook meals from scratch, eat out occasionally & don't have takeaways) however, I will still gradually put on weight if I don't exercise. I go to the gym & also re-discovered my love of cycling/mountain biking during the various lockdowns we have had. I am lucky that when I exercise the weight just falls-off (too much in some cases looking underweight can be a bad as being over!). If you are not exercising at the moment I can't recommend cycling enough. It is low impact & there are some great rides around Stafford (The Chase, three canals & the countryside). If you have not got a bike see if you can borrow one & give it a go!.
 
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Carole

Well-Known Forumite
I remain convinced that the drop in activity levels is probably of more concern than dietary intake variations.
I’m not sure that I agree with that. Certainly increased activity levels are important but so is having a decent dietary intake.
It’s been medically proven that consuming the wrong types of food regularly has a negative effect.
Highly processed food is full of carcinogens and too much fat clogs up the arteries. Indeed you can be thin on the outside and fat on the inside, hidden dangers as it were.
The key is finding the balance.


I think exercise is key @Carole. We eat quite healthily (mainly cook meals from scratch, eat out occasionally & don't have takeaways) however, I will still gradually put on weight if I don't exercise. If you are not exercising at the moment I can't recommend cycling enough. It is low impact & there are some great rides around Stafford (The Chase, three canals & the countryside). If you have not got a bike see if you can borrow one & give it a go!.

Well, I didn’t say that I don’t exercise, I’m up on The Chase every single morning walking the dog. It’s on my doorstep.
Then I’m out in the garden most days, bending and stretching and digging, then the housework, it’s quite a big house to clean.
I’m not inactive but I accept that I could do more cardiovascular activity and a bike is something that I’ve been thinking of for a while now.

I think the point that I was making is that it’s easier to maintain a certain weight and fitness when young.
I’m 62, I try my best, I’m a size 12 and can still wear a bikini, I’m reasonably happy with my size, I just don’t want to let myself go.

Anyone got a bike that I can borrow? I don’t know how to change gear on a bike so a free lesson wouldn’t go amiss, thank you.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
I’m not sure that I agree with that. Certainly increased activity levels are important but so is having a decent dietary intake.
It’s been medically proven that consuming the wrong types of food regularly has a negative effect.
Highly processed food is full of carcinogens and too much fat clogs up the arteries. Indeed you can be thin on the outside and fat on the inside, hidden dangers as it were.
The key is finding the balance.




Well, I didn’t say that I don’t exercise, I’m up on The Chase every single morning walking the dog. It’s on my doorstep.
Then I’m out in the garden most days, bending and stretching and digging, then the housework, it’s quite a big house to clean.
I’m not inactive but I accept that I could do more cardiovascular activity and a bike is something that I’ve been thinking of for a while now.

I think the point that I was making is that it’s easier to maintain a certain weight and fitness when young.
I’m 62, I try my best, I’m a size 12 and can still wear a bikini, I’m reasonably happy with my size, I just don’t want to let myself go.

Anyone got a bike that I can borrow? I don’t know how to change gear on a bike so a free lesson wouldn’t go amiss, thank you.
https://www.gtech.co.uk/ebikes/ebike-city.html

There you go, no gears to change, and they do a man's version as well. Sling it on the back of the camper when you go away and job's a good 'un.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
https://www.gtech.co.uk/ebikes/ebike-city.html

There you go, no gears to change, and they do a man's version as well. Sling it on the back of the camper when you go away and job's a good 'un.

Brilliant. Actually really like the look of that, although it’s out of stock.
Where would I put the dog?
Are baskets available?
Having said that, she was a complete nightmare in Devon, might just stick here in the posh dog hotel next time we go off in the camper van.
 

c0tt0nt0p

Well-Known Forumite
I love watching these videos (they've done all sorts).... It's scary looking at the comparison between the 2 menus, especially looking at the US stuff!

 

littleme

250,000th poster!
I’m not sure that I agree with that. Certainly increased activity levels are important but so is having a decent dietary intake.
It’s been medically proven that consuming the wrong types of food regularly has a negative effect.
Highly processed food is full of carcinogens and too much fat clogs up the arteries. Indeed you can be thin on the outside and fat on the inside, hidden dangers as it were.
The key is finding the balance.




Well, I didn’t say that I don’t exercise, I’m up on The Chase every single morning walking the dog. It’s on my doorstep.
Then I’m out in the garden most days, bending and stretching and digging, then the housework, it’s quite a big house to clean.
I’m not inactive but I accept that I could do more cardiovascular activity and a bike is something that I’ve been thinking of for a while now.

I think the point that I was making is that it’s easier to maintain a certain weight and fitness when young.
I’m 62, I try my best, I’m a size 12 and can still wear a bikini, I’m reasonably happy with my size, I just don’t want to let myself go.

Anyone got a bike that I can borrow? I don’t know how to change gear on a bike so a free lesson wouldn’t go amiss, thank you.
On a work day I do over 20,000 steps.... I asked the Dr why I don't loose weight, the answer is... Disappointingly.... My 20,000 + steps are at a slow to normal pace, to make any difference to my weight they would have to make me sweat and puff like no one's business ie be exteremly vigourous... Just because you are active all day does not mean you are burning calories, I could probably do 40,000 steps and it not make any difference as my standard motion is slow to normal.... Much to my dissapointment.

I know that for me, the only thing that makes me shed weight is vigerous (I mean sweat my bollocks off, hard, intense excercise) for 1x hr 3 x a week.... Sadly (not) my gym membership with gym & tonic has now expired, so I'm staying fat. I'll be harder to kidnap & I'm sticking with that.....
 
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littleme

250,000th poster!
Also @Carole there's no way you should be worrying about your weight or how you look, you look fabulous and as @Trumpet says no one would believe you are 62...be happy that you are slight, healthy and a good size.... I'm 5ft7, a size 18, and just 50, for a long time this all upset me, but I've come to accept my nan-bod..... I certainly get enough compliments to not worry so much.... And what I would give to be your size at your age.... Stop worrying, be happy, live life..... You only have one!
 
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