In short Steve., - you may wish to try something very simplistic ; spend less than $30-00 at Rebel Sport and purchase a skipping rope.
Soooooo many advantages - too many to describe here, you can easily pack to take with you on work trips, can be used indoors or outdoors, and the rope and the activity are not weather dependent.
At the beginning, even if 20 skips done 3 / 4 times per day . . . . . . . anything greater than zero is good ! It's amazing how quickly that will become 100 skips 3 / 4 times per day.
Before long, you will be amazed that you will be able to do 350 / 500 per session . . . . . . . and by doing this 3 / 4 times per day, the effect on the body and the mind will soon become evident.
As a former gout sufferer, the solution for me was a pescatarian diet. No pills required. Red meat appears to be the most significant promoter of gout. I haven't had a recurrence since. As a side bonus, my arthritis pain went away too. If I eat red meat the arthritis pain returns within hours.
Once again we're like twins, two Steves in a Pod. I too have recently become type 2 diabetic and also have a hereditary gout condition. Like you I'm fairly agnostic about exercise even though in my teens I was a fairly good cross country runner and could run a mile in under 5 minutes. Nowadays not so much, although now semi retired I do take my wire haired fox terrier for a walk every day and do an absolute minimum of 2K but usually anywhere between 4 & 6Kms. It's keeping me a little fitter and keeping my weight down so all good and now I've climbed hills that I never would have and seen such beautiful views. It's also a chance to hike naked away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I measured the distance and walked 4kms au naturel with not a soul on the horizon and not a care in the world. I guess what I'm saying is that I try to find different routes to walk with Frank on the basis that they may enable me to hike naked and so I get the benefit of both activities - walking for health and weight regulation and indulging in Naturism. Banks Peninsula seems good for both. Thank you for your writing. Much appreciation Stephen
Editor update: Steve and I have just been out for a beautiful morning walk in the sunshine at the Mount, our local, and climbed 214m! He would have added a comment on here but currently in recovery 😂🥰
I feel a lot of empathy with this post, as I'm 8kg or so heavier than I'd like to be. I do walk, a lot (it helps that it's beautiful weather a lot here!), but losing weight is really hard work, and gets harder every year. Intermittent fasting is effective to a point, as is something like a 5/2 plan where you have dramatically less calories 2 days a week (if you stop eating every day, your body gets used to living on less, so you need to keep your metabolism going). But getting out and getting exercise, ideally in the fresh air, and eating healthy food, are the most natural way. It's just so damn slow!
Have you tried counting your macros instead of doing something restrictive? There's a decent app (with the unfortunate name of Lose It) that does a good job illustrating macros. Something like a 33/33/34 between protein, fats and carbs is a good balance.
The thing I've noticed is that if protein hits that balance, satiety goes up and it produces a positive snowball effect. Personally, I also find my energy levels increase. I deal with low iron levels from excessive blood loss, so managing my protein helps offset.
I think it's such a positive thing you feel accepted and kind towards your body because of naturism. Your openness to discussing it is allowing lots of supportive suggestions to come here. Lots of times when criticism is lobbed, it can cause shutdown and shame, which means we hide it more.
And sh*t, I'm far from perfect. But I do believe encouragement can go a long way to helping others find what works for them. You've got this!
" . . . but part of my problem is that my naturist friends are the most non-judgemental [sic] people I know and accept me for who I am, not how I look even if I am a little overweight."
I've noticed on several websites that champion the cause of "larger" people that they conveniently, yet dangerously (in my opinion) overlook the fact that there is a huge difference between a large-framed person who is healthy, and a large person who is morbidly obese. And no, Steve, I'm not suggesting that you are among the latter! But while it's true that we should not judge a person on the way they look, nor comment on their appearance or abnormalities beyond their control, I believe we are doing people a disservice if we didn't take note of their need to lose a bit of weight for the sake of their health and ability to live a happy life, and to offer encouragement. That's not being judgmental in a disparaging way - criticizing them for not having a Rocky Balboa body that conforms to the media hype of expectations. It's a concern for another person's wellbeing who may be struggling with body-fat issues who may just need a little advice and encouragement. Sadly, in our modern "woke" society, such concern is sadly misunderstood and unwelcome.
Doing things you don't like or feeling deprived means your new eating will be unpleasant. Instead, do more of what you like. I like walking , in bad weather you can do it at a mall. And no- impact yoga at a hot (100+F) yoga studio ( like you I get cold instantly and can take 24 hours to warm up). I like exercise where I am mostly laying or sitting on my mat. Or sitting on my bike in summer as that takes weight off my bad knees.
Set out a glass of water when you set the table, and drink it when you sit down before shovelling in the food.
Drop one carb only ( eg rice, or potato) and enjoy the others. After a month or 45 days you'll lose the craving for the dropped carb and you can drop another.
I’m sure you don’t need or want a load of “helpful” suggestions from your reading friends, but here we go anyway. Paradigm shift - don’t do exercise, go for a nature ramble to enjoy the trees and the squirrels. Do something you enjoy rather than take on a challenge. It’s all in the mind (just a pity we can’t think away the pounds...)
Hi, have you tried " cold plunge " . Helps if you have pool access or a substitute otherwise cold shower or bath. Burns calories. Have tried to get friends to try it but no luck. I have access to pool and temp drops to about 45f middle of winter [ i live in Los Angeles ]. Last night it was 59f and that felt too cold.
In short Steve., - you may wish to try something very simplistic ; spend less than $30-00 at Rebel Sport and purchase a skipping rope.
Soooooo many advantages - too many to describe here, you can easily pack to take with you on work trips, can be used indoors or outdoors, and the rope and the activity are not weather dependent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zgHI8QnqE
At the beginning, even if 20 skips done 3 / 4 times per day . . . . . . . anything greater than zero is good ! It's amazing how quickly that will become 100 skips 3 / 4 times per day.
Before long, you will be amazed that you will be able to do 350 / 500 per session . . . . . . . and by doing this 3 / 4 times per day, the effect on the body and the mind will soon become evident.
Best Wishes.
Best Wishes, Peter
As a former gout sufferer, the solution for me was a pescatarian diet. No pills required. Red meat appears to be the most significant promoter of gout. I haven't had a recurrence since. As a side bonus, my arthritis pain went away too. If I eat red meat the arthritis pain returns within hours.
Once again we're like twins, two Steves in a Pod. I too have recently become type 2 diabetic and also have a hereditary gout condition. Like you I'm fairly agnostic about exercise even though in my teens I was a fairly good cross country runner and could run a mile in under 5 minutes. Nowadays not so much, although now semi retired I do take my wire haired fox terrier for a walk every day and do an absolute minimum of 2K but usually anywhere between 4 & 6Kms. It's keeping me a little fitter and keeping my weight down so all good and now I've climbed hills that I never would have and seen such beautiful views. It's also a chance to hike naked away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I measured the distance and walked 4kms au naturel with not a soul on the horizon and not a care in the world. I guess what I'm saying is that I try to find different routes to walk with Frank on the basis that they may enable me to hike naked and so I get the benefit of both activities - walking for health and weight regulation and indulging in Naturism. Banks Peninsula seems good for both. Thank you for your writing. Much appreciation Stephen
Editor update: Steve and I have just been out for a beautiful morning walk in the sunshine at the Mount, our local, and climbed 214m! He would have added a comment on here but currently in recovery 😂🥰
I feel a lot of empathy with this post, as I'm 8kg or so heavier than I'd like to be. I do walk, a lot (it helps that it's beautiful weather a lot here!), but losing weight is really hard work, and gets harder every year. Intermittent fasting is effective to a point, as is something like a 5/2 plan where you have dramatically less calories 2 days a week (if you stop eating every day, your body gets used to living on less, so you need to keep your metabolism going). But getting out and getting exercise, ideally in the fresh air, and eating healthy food, are the most natural way. It's just so damn slow!
very nice article generating very light mood...
Find an activity you can practice fully naked. I can workout for hours while naked but get bored after a few minutes when clothed.
What you need is a dog, which will force you to get out and take them for a walk. It works for me. Although if it’s pissing down I won’t go either.
If you don't enjoy walking any more, you don't enjoy it. You have to enjoy an exercise regimen or you won't stick with it.
Have you tried counting your macros instead of doing something restrictive? There's a decent app (with the unfortunate name of Lose It) that does a good job illustrating macros. Something like a 33/33/34 between protein, fats and carbs is a good balance.
The thing I've noticed is that if protein hits that balance, satiety goes up and it produces a positive snowball effect. Personally, I also find my energy levels increase. I deal with low iron levels from excessive blood loss, so managing my protein helps offset.
I think it's such a positive thing you feel accepted and kind towards your body because of naturism. Your openness to discussing it is allowing lots of supportive suggestions to come here. Lots of times when criticism is lobbed, it can cause shutdown and shame, which means we hide it more.
And sh*t, I'm far from perfect. But I do believe encouragement can go a long way to helping others find what works for them. You've got this!
" . . . but part of my problem is that my naturist friends are the most non-judgemental [sic] people I know and accept me for who I am, not how I look even if I am a little overweight."
I've noticed on several websites that champion the cause of "larger" people that they conveniently, yet dangerously (in my opinion) overlook the fact that there is a huge difference between a large-framed person who is healthy, and a large person who is morbidly obese. And no, Steve, I'm not suggesting that you are among the latter! But while it's true that we should not judge a person on the way they look, nor comment on their appearance or abnormalities beyond their control, I believe we are doing people a disservice if we didn't take note of their need to lose a bit of weight for the sake of their health and ability to live a happy life, and to offer encouragement. That's not being judgmental in a disparaging way - criticizing them for not having a Rocky Balboa body that conforms to the media hype of expectations. It's a concern for another person's wellbeing who may be struggling with body-fat issues who may just need a little advice and encouragement. Sadly, in our modern "woke" society, such concern is sadly misunderstood and unwelcome.
Doing things you don't like or feeling deprived means your new eating will be unpleasant. Instead, do more of what you like. I like walking , in bad weather you can do it at a mall. And no- impact yoga at a hot (100+F) yoga studio ( like you I get cold instantly and can take 24 hours to warm up). I like exercise where I am mostly laying or sitting on my mat. Or sitting on my bike in summer as that takes weight off my bad knees.
Set out a glass of water when you set the table, and drink it when you sit down before shovelling in the food.
Drop one carb only ( eg rice, or potato) and enjoy the others. After a month or 45 days you'll lose the craving for the dropped carb and you can drop another.
I’m sure you don’t need or want a load of “helpful” suggestions from your reading friends, but here we go anyway. Paradigm shift - don’t do exercise, go for a nature ramble to enjoy the trees and the squirrels. Do something you enjoy rather than take on a challenge. It’s all in the mind (just a pity we can’t think away the pounds...)
Ironically this year I think we have had less wind down here than you have suffered up your way. We have certainly had less rain.
Climate change and pollution are going to be a challange. A minimalist lifestyle helps but not enough people do it.
Hi, have you tried " cold plunge " . Helps if you have pool access or a substitute otherwise cold shower or bath. Burns calories. Have tried to get friends to try it but no luck. I have access to pool and temp drops to about 45f middle of winter [ i live in Los Angeles ]. Last night it was 59f and that felt too cold.