Hi to all newbies - and not-so-newbies ;-)

[Guest guest]

Reading around on the web, I'm reminded of a few things that may be obvious to

some but

not so to people new to vegetarianism or veganism. I'll try to be brief and hope

it won't be

interpreted as 'curt' or rude in any way. Brevity is not my strong point!

 

Okayyyy, I was thinking, first, that most join this list because they want to

lose weight -

fair enough, it's a slimming list! ;-) Some members, however, who are becoming

vegetarian for reasons of slimming (as well, no doubt, as health - all

connected), may

think that we think vegetarianism is the key to weight loss. But vegetarianism

is a lifestyle

and a vegetarian 'diet' is a way of eating, and even vegetarians and vegans can

eat too

much and/or eat in unhealthy ways. (And, oh yeah, 'vegetarian or vegan diet'

means what

veggies eat - all 'diets' are not slimming diets <wink>) That said, veggies

usually weigh

considerably less on average than their me*t-consuming buddies.

 

Some form of exercise is of course also recommended. Keep fit, burn off those

calories,

speed up your metabolism etc etc etc - all that. Your health care provider can

assist in

knowing what's safe for you. (I am unable to do much, but I walk briskly at

least an hour a

day in addition to walking the dogs, walking to the supermarket or to the

central market,

to the library, etc.)

 

Nutrition is important - don't skimp on the good foods that help a slimmer

through the

day at the expense of 'one little fudge brownie' ;-) as tempting as it might be.

We usually

recommend cutting out refined foods (white flour, sugar, processed foods, blah

blah blah)

and sticking as close to whole foods as you can. Low fat is our particular

theme, and of

course all slimming/weightloss diets succeed by having one consume or use fewer

calories. Eat a wide selection of colours and types of vegetables, skip the

desserts except

for fresh fruit, and buy low-fat versions of soy products. Take it easy on dairy

- especially

high-fat cheeses.

 

And if you're new to vegetarianism, remember we don't eat dead animal parts or

products

and vegans don't eat ANY animal parts or any animal products, usually including

honey.

Remember too the hidden animal products in food - eg. rennet in dairy cheese,

gelatine in

some yoghurts and margarines, etc.

 

OKAY. I " ll stop now. I've probably omitted the most important stuff - and it's

not even

brief as I promised it would be <sigh>

 

Good luck to us all - I've got to lose ten pounds. Ugh!

 

Best love, Pat

[Guest guest]

Pat wrote:

 

>

> Some form of exercise is of course also recommended. Keep fit, burn

> off those calories,

> speed up your metabolism etc etc etc - all that. Your health care

> provider can assist in

> knowing what's safe for you. (I am unable to do much, but I walk

> briskly at least an hour a

> day in addition to walking the dogs, walking to the supermarket or to

> the central market,

> to the library, etc.)

>

Here are some thoughts on low impact and alternative exercises.

 

As Pat points out, walking is a great form of exercise. It improved

circulation, increase our heart rates, and

pumps the lymphatic system. It is great for depression as well. It can

be aided with " heavy hands " , light weights

that you can do very light training as you walk. Some folks enjoy

listening to music, or when I run or walk, I especially

enjoy books on tape. I've " read " many wonderful books that way. Ebay

has many used books or CD's on tape.

I suppose you can download books on MP3, but I'm way behind the

technological curve there.

 

Years back I used to take a train into the city. I used to walk to and

from the train station, an extra two miles a day.

If also saved us many thousands a year, as we didn't need an extra car.

Go green.

 

Biking. Bicycling is a low impact exercise, and highly recommended. I

can be as vigorous as you wish. Wear a helmet please. It can become

utilitarian, saving you tons of money in transportation costs.

 

Recumbent Bikes: One of my favorites!

For those with back, prostate or other issues, or to get started, a

great alternative is a recumbent bike. You site

comfortably. I love them. Kids always say " cool " when you pass them.

Grumpy conservatives will shake their heads, and that's worth the price

of admissions as well. If you have a problem with balance consider a

trike. There's a whole culture of recumbent bikes, news groups and

such. Once you try one, regular bikes will seem primitive. No pain = gain.

 

In cold weather, bad weather, or if you go through a period of time

where, like me you were not allowed to ride,

you can use a " trainer " .

A good trainer turns any bike into a professional club level exercise

machine. I have a Cyclops Fluid Resistance Trainer, smooth as silk, the

faster you go, the more resistance. I attach it to the back wheel of my

recumbent, and I can read or whatever in inclement weather.

 

Aquatic exercise. While I love lap swimming, there are aquatic exercise

sessions for all levels. My X used to teach

these for seniors, handicapped and other people. They loved the

classes. It made their aches and pains go away.

These exercises are often use resistance barbells, under water steps and

other tools. There are those that are certified in this area.

 

I admit, I'm a solitary exerciser, and don't like classes.

 

Elliptical machines. For those who are too heavy to run or have knee

problems, elliptical are wonderful. They simulate a running or walking

motion with zero impact. You can read or watch TV. Some are cross

trainers, more of a total workout. I personally love them. A good one

costs serious $$$s, so they are usually used at clubs. I know they sell

non-commercial models but I don't know much about them. The club ones

are great.

 

Weights. Weights are the easiest way to lose weight, as least as

research by the National Weight Control Registry. Building muscle burns

fat, as well prevents/improves osteoporosis. To prevent injury please

stay within yourself. Never try to see your maximum weights, that's how

people get hurt. It's always better to do more reps with lighter

weights. More reps with lighter weights are a great cardio workout. If

you don't know what you are doing, get a trainer to teach you form.

Form is critical.

 

The latest research shows very slow reps using perfect form burns the

most calories with the best muscular growth.

Muscles reinforce your skeletal system, which will help protect you in

the event of an accident. Go light. There's nothing wrong with using 1

or 2 pound weights to get started.

 

There is a wonderful Vegan weight lighting group. Avoid

misc.fitness.weights like the plague, it's filled with really bizarre

trolls and it's very anti vegetarian people. They also love steroids.

There are some brilliant people there, but it's not worth the signal to

noise ratio.

 

Variety. Variety makes everything easier. If you're in good enough

shape to enjoy some type of sport, hiking, anything,

go for it.

 

Religion. Treat your workouts as a religion. Your body is a temple.

 

The Lymphatic System. The Lymphatic system is more extensive than the

circulatory system. However, it lacks a pump.

the pump is your exercise. Working out will keep you healthier, and

avoid many contagious illnesses, as well as help you overcome them.

 

 

Water. When you work out, drink water before you get thirsty. Flush

your system out. Sweating is good, it cleans out your pores, in the

process cleaning your skin and removing toxins. Avoid those " sport "

drinks. They have tons of sugar, and are terrible for your teeth. They

are great for the manufacturer. All you need is pure water.

 

Dr. Paul Bragg, as a grandfather, challenged a university cross country

team to a walking race across death valley. He fasted, drank only

purified water while the college stars did their carbs loading, had salt

pills, and drank their salt tablets.

Grandpa Braggs of course beat them. Of course Dr. Braggs is a hygenic

vegetarian.

 

Stretching: They used to teach you to stretch before you exercise.

That is how people get hurt. Never try to stretch with cold muscles and

connective tissues. After you are warmed up, learn to stretched. Don't

bounce. Your body is all connected. Tight muscles in your chest or legs

will make your back hurt. Our fascia gets too tight in daily lives.

A very " busy " web page by Structural Integrator Lou Gross offers

wonderful stretching DVDs.

 

If you're trying to lose weight, a pound a week is wonderful. If you

lose a pound every week, or almost every week,

you're moving in the right direction. Forget about quick loss diets.

Usually they are very temporary.

 

In fact, forget the word " diet " . You have assumed a new life style.

You eat healthier, because you love your body, not to lose weight. You

exercise as part of your new love for your body. It's a very spiritual

gift you give to yourself.

 

The less processed foods, the better off you are and the more money

you'll save. Because the government subsidizes

corporation to not grow corn, they pay them to grow corn (make sense).

Consequently the market is flooded with corn products in all our foods.

Corn itself is a wonderful if starchy food. Fresh corn can be eaten

right off the stalk.

However, because of this corporate welfare, corn starch, corn syrup and

corn oil are in most of our processed foods.

Corn syrup is a sweeter, and has been referred to as " sugar on crack " .

It has the extra " benefit " of blocking the messages to the brain that

tell us we are full. So food that has corn syrup in will be eaten in

greater quantities.

 

Have fun,

 

Bob

 

 

 

> Nutrition is important - don't skimp on the good foods that help a

> slimmer through the

> day at the expense of 'one little fudge brownie' ;-) as tempting as it

> might be. We usually

> recommend cutting out refined foods (white flour, sugar, processed

> foods, blah blah blah)

> and sticking as close to whole foods as you can. Low fat is our

> particular theme, and of

> course all slimming/weightloss diets succeed by having one consume or

> use fewer

> calories. Eat a wide selection of colours and types of vegetables,

> skip the desserts except

> for fresh fruit, and buy low-fat versions of soy products. Take it

> easy on dairy - especially

> high-fat cheeses.

>

> And if you're new to vegetarianism, remember we don't eat dead animal

> parts or products

> and vegans don't eat ANY animal parts or any animal products, usually

> including honey.

> Remember too the hidden animal products in food - eg. rennet in dairy

> cheese, gelatine in

> some yoghurts and margarines, etc.

>

> OKAY. I " ll stop now. I've probably omitted the most important stuff -

> and it's not even

> brief as I promised it would be <sigh>

>

> Good luck to us all - I've got to lose ten pounds. Ugh!

>

> Best love, Pat