Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: John Doe on 08/11/2003 02:25:12
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I've embarked on my own weight loss program. The ultimate goal is to be more attractive to the opposite sex [:I]
Anyway,
I have a question. I was running today, racing a UPS truck. I became quite light headed and stopped. (darn internal combunstion engines)
I then started to wonder whether it is possible for a person to run so much as to deprive the brain of oxygen resulting in brain damage.
I've heard that cheetas can injure their brains due to lack of oxygen. If the same goes for humans, what are the symptoms for us and do you think I lost any brain cells?
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Mr. Doe,
I doubt you lost any brain cells in the run, but I believe that our bodies tell us things. When you get dizzy, your body is telling you to stop or slow down. You shouldn't over do it. I think our bodies let us know that it's running out of oxygen, amino acids, lactic acids, electrolytes, etc. So, when you get light headed, it's a natural governer on your system. I'd think you could cause very minor damage if you over did it, but I also believe it would be like trying to strangle yourself with your own hands...you'd pass out first. I'm not sure why a cheetah would sustain brain damage and not shut down first. Someone will have to carry that one.
So, is this "opposite sex" a hottie UPS delivery girl? Running after the truck might be considered stalking [:)].
Welcome to the forum, and good luck....keep moving...that's the key.
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When your brain doesn't get enough oxygen, you'll faint, and obviously, you won't be running any more, you'll be reclining and breathing, and protecting your brain from damage. I've never heard that about cheetahs and wonder that their systems wouldn't function similarly. I would think, however, a lactic acid build-up causing a side stitch would limit the running long before you pass out.
Bezoar
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It is true that some fish do die due to excessive lactic acid build up in the muscles, especially trouts, when anglers prolong the fight.
Does anyone know the effects of prolonged +ve G-force on human body ?
The short term effect (while in a roller coaster or doing aerobatics) is reduced blood supply (oxygen) to the eyes and brains. One will experience tunnel vision, greying out and eventually blackout. I wonder if this has effect on the human eyes and brains if one does it often.
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Welcome John Doe. The simplest way I know to lose weight is to remove most sugar from your diet (critical step), drink plenty of pure water and exercise moderately.
Did the hottie in the UPS truck know it was a race?[;)]
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John, some of these people are merciless. You never said anything about the UPS driver. Of course you can fill us in anytime you want!
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John
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Err. It was actually a male driver.
I think he noticed I was racing because he accelerated just before I reached the "finish line" (previously established by me in my mind).
Then he laughed.
How effective(and harmfull) is the Atkin's diet, and how do I go from being completely sedantary to running 5 miles in 30 minutes?(preferably in less than 4 months)
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I would advise you not to consider the atkins diet at all. You are already doing all of the right things - cut your calorie intake, increase your physical activity, but don't be over ambitious and attempt to lose too much too quickly because you will become depressed and give up, binge and rebound to a higher weight.
There is no such thing as a free lunch nor a quick fix. Fat contains a huge amount of energy per unit weight. An hour's brisk walk burns off about the amount of energy in a Mars bar (300 calories). A single biscuit contains more than enough energy to power your whole body for about an hour (60-100 calories).
You need to look really hard at what you eat and dump the empty calories - for instance don't butter a piece of bread that you intend to then spread with peanut butter.
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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Atkin's diet is really not good for the body. My biology teacher said the body get used to breaking down protein for energy, it will breakdown basically any protein it can find. I wouldn't want to lose those vital enzymes in the body.
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein
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JD, so the hottie in the UPS truck was a guy? We could REALLY tease you mercilessly[}:)] now, couldn't we[;)]?
Seriously, I've heard from several sources that the Atkin's diet is a bad idea unless, as Angel said, you want to lose muscle mass. Chris is a doctor and gives good advice...cut the empty calories, especially sugar. If you keep a tub of prepared veggies in the fridge you will have a handy snack to help you stay on track.
My rule of thumb is that when I want to learn something I ask someone else who has done it SUCCESSFULLY.
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I did it successfully! Over the last couple of years I have decreased my weight from 140 Kgs to 110 Kgs (I'm pretty tall at 196 cms) and now have considerably more muscle mass than before. It was a slow process and as a result, should be permanent. Eating less, getting a couple of large dogs to walk with, and after the mass was gone, using weights to build muscle. Apart from the injuries sustained while getting around the streets with my dogs late at night, I have never been healthier. I found that the dogs increased my incentive to get off my arse and enjoy my periods of exercise and without them, would probably have lost the drive to continue. It must be a lifestyle change and with a sedentary job as a beancounter, I had to do something. Fad diets will not work unless they are used in conjunction with other changes.
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Sorry to all you not metric countries, but that is 310 lbs to 240 lbs and about 6'5".
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Congrats Robert! Not too many people have the jam to see it through.
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On the subject of diet, I'd like to know the validity of what I heard recently. According to someone I know who did lose alot of weight, it was quite simple. She gave me an outline...
Eat seconds after you wake up.
Eat smaller meals constantly.
Don't eat after 7pm.
Don't have ANYTHING carbonated.
Eat portions the size of your fist...only.
Some of this makes sense, but is this a valid, healthy way to lose weight? What's up with the "fist" thing and the carbonation thing?
Just some thoughts.
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The idea behind the fist thing is probably to reduce the size of your stomach (as opposed to streching it out with huge portions). Carbonated beverages are bad for you, though I can't remember why. Breakfast is very important to normalize your blood sugar after not eating all night, and I've read from different sources that the first thing to have when you wake is a glass of water (works for me). Not eat after 7? Forget it! I eat from the time I wake 'till I go back to sleep (albeit not constantly), but if it works for her, great.
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I did it sucessfully also. I lost 45 pounds (20 kilos) in about five months, while going from sedentary to fairly active. I've kept if off for a year now, and feel great! My advice is this:
1. Eat three meals and two snacks per day. A meal is a serving of protein the size of the palm of your hand, one to two cups of green veggies, and seven to nine grams of [monounsaturated] fats, usually used for cooking. A snack has the same proportions, but is about one-third the size. The snacks are mid-afternoon and late night, just before bed. Breakfast is asap after waking.
2. Don't eat white things like potatoes, rice, bread, sugar, etc. They are starch, which is basically sugar. Your body sucks it in really fast and then can't use it that fast, so it stores it somewhere visible.
3. Never eat more than 500 calories at a meal. If your body can't make use of the food in three to four hours, it will store it somewhere visible.
3. Exercise. Pick several so you don't get bored, and be careful so you don't get injured.
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John
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I agree. Whatever works, but your normal 375 ml can of Coke contains about 14 teaspoons of sugar as do most soft drinks. They are good to avoid if you are trying to lose some weight.
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Hey John, you deserve a major atta boy too!
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Thanks Donnah. When I got the balance right, with enough protein, carbs and fat, it was really easy. I can eat about 1400 calories per day and not be hungry at all.
I don't know about carbonation in drinks, but sodas are mostly sugar and need to be avoided. I don't like diet drinks because the aspartame appears to have some nasty repurcussions. It gives me a headache too.
I know I talk about it too much, but staying at a healthy weight should not have to be torture. It's easy if you ignore the USDA guidelines to load up on 2000+ calories worth of starch every day and listen to your grandma about a balanced diet!
JD - I can send you some links to specifics if you e-mail me with your return address. I'm really not even a spammer!
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John
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Everyone is different, some people have different natural body masses than others. Just eat variety, and exercise lightly and often when you can. Following preprescribed diets is never a good idea, I don't think. Just choose foods that have lots of different nutrients. Usually, it's the unprocessed foods that do ... 'diet' bars and the like are no good for you at all. Neither are fruit juices (which are solely sugar and water - not much of a variety at all)
Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!
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