Exercise, psychology and health advice needed.

[TufNeck]

I'm trying to get over some heavy duty stress! I work in an office 8 hours a night. First of all, I know I need to change my eating habits and I'm working on it. I don't have a lot of time to take my break so I can go to Subway or pretty much any fast food joint you can imagine. I started a new routine though and was wondering if anyone out there has anything to add. I started doing flights of stairs. I really felt it in my legs and heart and plan on doing this a lot more. I did just one run up 5 flights of stairs tonight and have started drinking 5-8 16oz bottles of water a night. I've noticed my body temperature has dropped and I have more energy on the drive home. My mood still isn't great but I think it's improving a little. I'm not a fat guy but I've been carrying more weight in that 32 year old belly of mine lately. So, anyone else been through something like this or have a similar routine?

[Guaranteed]

1. I think that's brilliant.

I've heard that every step you climb adds three seconds to your life.

Climbing steps, or even going down them, pushing up and supporting your weight, is great exercise. Get it where you can.

Try runnin' 'em. See what happens. :) Or even run 'em twice when you've got the chance.

[TufNeck]

2. Ya I ran them...got this tingling sensation in my legs...felt kinda good.

[Guaranteed]

3. Keep it up.

I remember the high I got while running when I was younger.

I mean like six/seven years old. I could fly. I remember outrunning a bike, once. Felt great.

[Wetzelbill]

4. keep doing what you're doing for sure

Make sure that it is a lifestyle change, something that isn't too hard for you to do. Better to take a walk or those extra flights of stairs everyday or almost every day, as opposed to exercising hard for a month or so then just burning out on it.

A really good thing to do is pack your lunches, so you don't end up at a fast food place. Make sure you pack something you like and not just health food though. Because if your sitting there with an apple you might just say "Fuck This" and go hit McDonalds. Almost anything homemade is better than the garbage you get at fast food places. Make something healthy and low fat like some kind of pasta dish, toss it in some tupperware and you should be good to go. Anything is better than that shit you get at a fast food place. Even buy lower fat snacks, like Chex Mix or Munchies to eat too. I notice a big difference when I cut out fast food even for a day or so. I feel much better. I order out and eat a ton of fast food all the time. My diet is awful. But, if I cook something instead of hitting McDonald's or ordering pizza, I feel so much better. Especially the next morning. I'm not bloated feeling or anything. And, I won't cook anything particularly healthy either. It's just that decent food is so much better for you than the other stuff. Hope this helps a little, good luck.

[oneighty]

5. Step one-really

consult your doctor. If you have been sedate for years do not rush into a heavy exercise.

I worked in exercise physiology long ago.

180

[caty]

6. Here's some tips that have helped me.

When eating, put your fork down until you swallow. Don't have another bite waiting while you are chewing.
Stop eating 20 minutes after you begin to eat.
Always take the long way--just as you are doing with the stairs. When you go shopping, park far away for the walk.
Always drink water with your meals. Why add calories to the food you are eating by drinking more calories?
Divide you plate into 3 sections. 1/2--green vegetable...1/4 meat...1/4 starch.

Good luck!

[tjdee]

7. Going through something similar...

I'm too busy to sit down and do a lunch thing, mostly I go out to run an errand and get a cheeseburger because they're cheap and I can eat it while I'm driving. Can't do that with soup or salad, which sometimes I feel like having. Either I do that, or I don't eat. Not good, I know.

I wish I had more stairs in my life, LOL. Though, I am dancing a bit more. The most important thing for me has been to throw out the caffeine and to get enough sleep. I feel much, much better (and much much older, :( ) when I go to bed at a decent hour.