quote:

---

How much slower can one's metabolism GET? Because mine is like, glacier slow.

---

Ditto. Mine better not slow down, or I'm gonna be in deeeeeeeeeep doo-doo.
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
My dad's went at lightning speed until he hit 45. Then it began to slow a bit, but he can still eat three times as much as most men his age without feeling it.

*dances because of her good genetics*


 

---

Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
 
There always might be something wrong with your thyroid. Is that looking on the bright side or not?
 

---

Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
 
At 32, I still have the metabolism of a jack rabbit on meth.

It's not a good thing. I really need to adjust my diet, but it's hard to find an incentive when all the damage I'm doing with it is internal (which isn't to say that I have a horrible diet, but I could do with more fruits and veggies and less sugar and fat -- I do okay in the not eating much red meat and getting enough fiber categories).
 

---

Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :
 
*contemplates taking the smirk off Zal's face with a stick*
 

---

Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
 

quote:

---

(Shhh. Don't tell Ralphie that beer is like instant poundage after 35.)

---

Not a problem for me. I try to limit myself to fewer than 30 beers. If I were still thirsty, I'd probably drink gin.
 

---

Posted by Ramdac99 (Member # 7264) on :
 
I can't speak for all, but as a spry 23 yr old guy, I still need to watch what I eat to maintain my hotness.
 

---

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
 
Just remember, there's always "dead."

And Zal? Start running. Now.

-Trevor
 

---

Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
 
No smirk.

It's a real issue. I have a lovely pair of pants that I can't fit into because I lost back a few pounds that I had gained.
 

---

Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
 
And eating is one of the greater joys of living... *sigh*

*tries to stop eating so much*
 

---

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
 
Heh.

Zal, that reminds me of an overheard conversation while fixing a computer installation.

quote:

---

This is so hard! Life is just unfair! My husband is insisting I limit my decorating budget for our new house to only $50,000.

---

I'm sure, for her, this was a serious hardship.

-Trevor
 

---

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 

quote:

---

Not a problem for me. I try to limit myself to fewer than 30 beers. If I were still thirsty, I'd probably drink gin.

---

Or tequila, but you might get sick mixing alcohols, so...

This whole thing is very distressing to me. I mean, I've never been rail-thin. It's taken me most of my life to become okay with this, and accept my body the way it is. But just as I start accepting it the way it is, it starts changing on me again. Apparently, in order to lose the body fat gained from my mildly cavalier eating habits over the winter I'm going to have to work out twice as much and consume half the normal amount of calories it would normally take me.

I don't understand - I treat you right, Body! What do you want from me?!
 

---

Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
 
I don't have to mix tequila with anything for it to make me sick. Though I'll grant I still haven't tried the Del Dueño you told me about but never provided. Besides, you know I'm a Sapphire man....
 

---

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
My metabolism is amazing, and I am taking full advantage of it while I can.
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
You, Zal, and I should form a club.
 

---

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
No... that would be taunting other people. What we SHOULD do is hang out together, and invite someone else to go out to dinner with us. That way, we shame them AND taunt them.
 

---

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
*takes club*

*chases kq and Zal and Nate*

[ March 17, 2005, 08:01 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
Wow...you guys sure have a mean streak going there.

Oh, and --|-- to all of you fast metabolizers.

*grabs a pitchfork and runs with rivka*

[ March 17, 2005, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: Megan ]
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
Ha, ha! Each of us could eat enough for 3 people, while they gazed malevolently at their salads.
 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
Oh, wow, KQ. Now I want to stick you with my pitchfork!

*stabs repeatedly*
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
*is protected by mounds of food surrounding her*

 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
Oh, no, no, no, the pitchfork is very good and moving mounds of food.

You'll be speared in no time.

*glares and makes stabbing motions*
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
*orders more food, sits back, and snacks on some left-over soda bread*
 

---

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 

quote:

---

Wow...you guys sure have a mean streak going there.

---

They're just bitter that they were never invited to any of the Think Tank meetings. We would have taunted and shamed them, but it got frustrating explaining all the barbs.

Poor Nathan. Still hugging every stranger he encounters.
 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
*mutters as she shovels*

stupid freakin' skinny people...with their stupid freakin' metabolisms...

Curse them! Curse them, precious!
 

---

Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
 
<--Is enjoying a double burger with a large order of french fries. Plus a Pepsi.

And I will STILL be hungry after this. What's that? You want to share your salad with me? How thoughtful.
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
But Megan, I have an excuse! I'm nursing a baby!

*snickers when Megan's not looking*
 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
*is beginning to hate ALL the skinny hatrackers*

You can all go to heck, I tell you.

Heck!

--|-- --|--

Oh, poop on all of you. You skinny ones have absolutely no clue.

[ March 17, 2005, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Megan ]
 

---

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 
I don't resent thin people. I just wish I knew what their arcane secrets were.
 

---

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
*mutter*

When I'm nursing, my metabolism skyrockets -- and my appetite skyrockets MORE. I gained more weight (net) while nursing than with my pregnancies.

We have clubs and pitchforks covered, I think we need torches . . .

*sets club on fire*
 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
Ralphie, I don't resent skinny people until they start mocking me and snickering behind my back.

Hence the --|--s and the "poop on all of you".

[ March 17, 2005, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Megan ]
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
Awww, Megan, I didn't mean to be mean. Honest. I wuvs you? Emma does too? *looks innocent*
 

---

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
*agrees with Megan*
 

---

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
I wasn't trying to be mean. More funny. Sorry if I crossed the line, and I do mean that.

[ March 17, 2005, 08:12 PM: Message edited by: T_Smith ]
 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
It's all good, KQ. It's just that weight is a verrry sensitive issue for those of us that shop in the Women's department (or the Big and Tall, for the guys).

It's ok, guys, I know you just meant it in fun.

*hugs all 'round*



[ March 17, 2005, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: Megan ]
 

---

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Indeed. Especially if we've recently been reminded that we are dismissed as dating material by a large percentage of the opposite sex for that reason alone.
 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
Right on, rivka, right on.
 

---

Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 
Okay, Ralphie, here's how it works. You don't have to 'work out' twice as much per se. Working out implies, well, work. You just have to find fun, new, active hobbies to take up like dancing or sports or babysitting hyperactive children or, ummm...going to the park and chasing squirrels or... Anyway, you find something like that and do it and thus sneakily combat the slowing metabolism effects by "having extra fun" instead of "working out" more, and that'll trick your mind into thinking your metabolism's the same as before, and *that* in turn should trick your *body* into thinking its metabolism is the same as before, and then when it believes you it should change back so it's faster again, and everything will be back to normal. See, not so hard, eh? *nudges Ralphie and gives her that I-know-what-I'm-talking-about look*
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
Growing up where I did, I always thought I was fat. It wasn't until I moved to Texas that I realized that just having a big frame means nothing if you have a fast metabolism.

I've always found heavier women comforting, actually; they seem more motherly to me, I guess. Plus, they often enjoy good food as much as I do, instead of picking at a fruit salad and then going to throw it up.
 

---

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
 
KQ, motherly and matronly, sure, but how many women set out with that as goal for their appearance?

That said, I love food. I just have to ...not eat so much of it. Hence my presence in the weight loss encouragement thread. I'm afraid WenchCon was not a good weekend in terms of eating right for me.
 

---

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 

quote:

---

Okay, Ralphie, here's how it works. You don't have to 'work out' twice as much per se. Working out implies, well, work. You just have to find fun, new, active hobbies to take up like dancing or sports or babysitting hyperactive children or, ummm...going to the park and chasing squirrels or... Anyway, you find something like that and do it and thus sneakily combat the slowing metabolism effects by "having extra fun" instead of "working out" more, and that'll trick your mind into thinking your metabolism's the same as before, and *that* in turn should trick your *body* into thinking its metabolism is the same as before, and then when it believes you it should change back so it's faster again, and everything will be back to normal. See, not so hard, eh? *nudges Ralphie and gives her that I-know-what-I'm-talking-about look*

---

Psychosymatically trick my metabolism. Hrm... I'm dubious. Of course, since I'm already pretty active, I guess it's going to have to be my method.

Or I could just start freebasing Trim Spa X32 pills.

[ March 17, 2005, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: Ralphie ]
 

---

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
My kids have told me I make a good pillow.

Sadly, not too many guys seem to appreciate Rubenesque these days.
 

---

Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 
Well, see, on the bright side, by the time you realize the tricking isn't going to be happening, you'll be so used to your new super-supremely-active lifestyle (which does the same job in the end) that you can just keep using that, and voila, problem solved! But you're not supposed to realize that part until later...
 

---

Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
 
My kids seem to think I make a good jungle gym and/or drum. Pillow would be much nicer.
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
I think Ketchup prince consort would agree with you, Papa Moose.
 

---

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Pop, as they get taller, they find "jungle gym" more and more difficult.
 

---

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 

quote:

---

Well, see, on the bright side, by the time you realize the tricking isn't going to be happening, you'll be so used to your new super-supremely-active lifestyle (which does the same job in the end) that you can just keep using that, and voila, problem solved! But you're not supposed to realize that part until later...

---

Upon further reflection, it's primarily going to have to be my diet that changes. I already play tennis weekly with my tennis partner and work out with weights fairly regularly.

I've realized that I don't eat regularly enough on a solid schedule, and while I usually eat moderately healthy I still have a mid-twenty-year-old's view of junk food. I eat gratuitiously unhealthy things (i.e. cocktails in the evening with happy hour priced nachos) at least once a week.

Nay, it's the diet that I love that I'm going to have to start altering. And that's a sad, sad thought.

(However, your advice is solid for someone who leads a more sedentary lifestyle.)

[ March 17, 2005, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: Ralphie ]
 

---

Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 
Well.... Umm. Hmm. Errrr... eh, all my wit is apparently gone.

Yeah. It is hard to get more active when you already are. I'm the same, so give me 5 years and I'll be posting a similar thread if I'm still here, I'm sure. But really, a good thing is that now when you *do* let yourself eat junk food once in a while for a treat, you'll enjoy it a whole lot more, right? So that's something to look forward to!
 

---

Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
 
I tried to go on a diet and get back to my "ideal" weight.

I really did. I bought turkey bacon and tuna in brine and low-fat yoghurt and rye crackers.

Then I discovered I really like food. And man, do I hate turkey bacon.

So now I am a bigger-me, with a belly that means fitted waists are not a good look. But I figure once I whip out my pavlova, no-one's going to paying attention to the way *I* look.



I do make seriously good pavlova.
 

---

Posted by JonnyNotSoBravo (Member # 5715) on :
 
According to my biochem class, the difference between fat people and skinny people of the same age group, ethnicity, etc. usually isn't metabolism. It's fidgeting. Skinny people fidget more. So train yourself to fidget and you'll be burning more calories all the time hardly any effort! Link, another link and a last link because the others might be horrible lies.

[ March 17, 2005, 08:51 PM: Message edited by: JonnyNotSoBravo ]
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
You know, it's perfectly possible to eat healthily and still eat well. We do it all the time around here.

Although my husband generally goes and ruins it by eating a quart of ice cream afterwards.
 

---

Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
 
Oh, and my metabolism changed at about 20.

Up to then I ate whatever and whenever I wanted and stayed a size 4.

(I'm short).

I hit twenty and WHAM. I gained 10 kilos from 20 -22: without doing anything different.

The fact that I started drinking beer at 20 is, of course, purely coincidental.
 

---

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 

quote:

---

But really, a good thing is that now when you *do* let yourself eat junk food once in a while for a treat, you'll enjoy it a whole lot more, right? So that's something to look forward to!

---

Oh, if only Homer wasn't my idol in nearly all ways!

Moe: [referring to new deep fryer] "I just bought it from the Navy. It can flash fry a buffalo in 40 seconds."

Homer: "40 seconds? But I want it now!"

[ March 17, 2005, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: Ralphie ]
 

---

Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 
Hmm. Well, is there anything else you really like besides food? You could buy some...shiny new pencils or stickers or, well, something inedible and every time you *don't* eat unhealthy snacks like you normally would, you give yourself one of them for a different kind of treat instead! Oh, hey! You could find a site with a whole bunch of pictures of Homer or quotes of his wisdom and every time you're good at eating for a day you can print a new one off and stick it on your wall. And that will inspire you and make you laugh, getting rid of grumpiness from not eating junk food all at the same time.

Edit: There's not much in pictures of him, but here's a couple, anyway. And quotations from Homer are easy to find...

[ March 17, 2005, 09:07 PM: Message edited by: Astaril ]
 

---

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 
Gosh, you're ADORABLE.

Thank you for all of your suggestions. They have been really thoughtful.
 

---

Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 
Wow, was that "adorable" aimed at me? That's one I don't get too often! Normally, people make faces or use words reminiscent of <-that sort of a thing when I spit out ideas...

Anyhow, good luck with it all! Positive thinking's the key any which way you go about it. But you seem to be the sort that already knows that and I don't want to sound too much like a yoga teacher, so I'll just say good luck. Errr... *walks away quietly*
 

---

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
 
You know, Ralphie, I've been working hard at grooming Asta into a cynical, bitter, hate-machine moulded in my own image and you're positively ruining her. If you insist on continuing with this "adorable" nonsense I'm going to have to cut back on her Hatrack time.

In other words, meet me out back under the bleachers in ten.
 

---

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
 
I don't believe the fidgeting!
 

---

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
 
Actually, there have been several studies and that's what researchers hypothesize makes the difference between skinny couch potatoes and not-so-skinny ones.

Physical activity is still physical activity.

-Trevor
 

---

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
Cytomel.

For thyroids that don't work, and the ending of weight gain.

. . . . .

My only other thoughts revolve around:

1) On-demand breastfeeding tends to lose the weight rather rapidly (one of the many good reasons to nurse!)
2) Work on a roofing crew - particularly doing tear-off. Rapid weight loss that levels out and becomes toned, in shape muscle mass.
3) Become a vegetarian.
 

---

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
 
But fidgeters annoy me SO MUCH!! (sigh) I wish I could fidget.

You know, all you guys are making me look forward to is losing the weight I want to after much struggle and change, while just having that taken away from me when I reach thirty. Hateful, hateful people.
 

---

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
 
Hence the comments earlier in the thread - losing weight is a goal.

Keeping it off is a lifestyle change.

-Trevor
 

---

Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
 
My metabolism changed at 19. Of course, that was due to the evil birth control I was on...but now, 40 pounds heavier, I am faced with only one alternative.

The South Beach Diet.

Bum Bum BUM!

Tune in next week to see if I've managed not to claw my intenstines out during rosemary olive oil bread withdrawal.
 

---

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Sleep. If you aren't getting enough, your metabolism will slow down. If you're seriously sleep deprived, it will slow down even more.

Back in the early days of my severe sleep deprivation, I would gain 10-20 pounds in a matter of a day or three. And no, I wasn't horking down food. Sudden unexplained weight gains are the hallmark of sleep deprivation.
 

---

Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 

quote:

---

You know, Ralphie, I've been working hard at grooming Asta into a cynical, bitter, hate-machine moulded in my own image and you're positively ruining her.

---

Well, Bob, I guess this simply shows that you must be just adorable at heart too. I mean, really, we all know you're a gentle-hearted, kind, positive, encouraging softie underneath that pretensive cynical edge... Sorry? What? Who's ruining whose image where now?
 

---

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
 
RE: Self-image issues

Ralphie, you're haWt. That's right, with a capital W.

Now move along.

-Bok
 

---

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
 
BTW, I find extended cardio work to be better for weight loss than weight work. weight work generally converts fat to muscle, and muscle is denser/heavier than fat, so it's not uncommon to gain weight (good weight, mind you) doing it. Cardio can increase your metabolism. I have a friend who is a marathon runner who needs to eat 3000 or so calories a day in order to not LOSE weight... And he weighs about 130.

-Bok
 

---

Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :
 
I was underweight when I went to college. I was a lot more active in college than in HS, and I slept less. I gained a bit of healthy weight, even though I was a size 4. Eventually, though... mid twenties I guess, I gained some more than I wanted. I was about a size 8. But it looked good. I looked better as a size 8 than as a size 4.

I gained up to some insane amount, like 180 during/just after preganancy. When Robert was a year old, I was lower than pre-pregnancy wieght, but it was because I ate right and lifted weights.

Weight training builds muscle, which burns fat. It worked. I didn't gain so much with baby 2 but I didn't lose it either. I carry it well, though.

I'm down 15 lbs since Christmas, and I'd like to lose maybe 15 more. I'm not unhappy with how I look, though. The WenchCon pictures show how I look now. That is me at about 150 lbs. I'm tallish. *shrug* My doctor says I'm fine, for a woman my age *wince*

Metabolism is a big part of it, and a big part of metabolism is genetics. That sucks, but it's true. Find a way that works for you, and stick to it.
 

---

Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :
 
I have always done cardio. I bike 34+ miles a trip, I run and stuff. Very healthy heart. I'm fit, but still have a bit of flab here and there. 30 min of hard cardio every day for six months didn't change my size at all, and I was still eating healthy foods, and not to excess.

Didn't lose inches and tone until I started with weight lifting and other exercises. I love lunges and Roman chair leg lifts!

But I'm not there yet. I think it's different for every one.
 

---

Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
 
For the record:

I wasn't poking fun at all. I realize that usually there's a snarky undertone to everything I post, but I'm being absolutely freakin serious here.

And: I am convinced that for me it's not the fidgeting -- it's a by-product of too much thinking. My mind is just way too intense (that's not always a good thing).
 

---

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 
Bok: That's a very nice thing for you to say. For the record, this (uncharacteristically) was not compliment fishing. I still feel I'm pretty smokin', I'm just concerned over this change in my body.

My main goal was to see if it's COMMON for your metabolism to slow in your late twenties. I had always been under the impression it was more common in your thirties.

Olivet - I don't know why, but I lurve muscle training. There's this delicious fatigue that you experience that I just can't get enough of.

It's also been the absolute best way for me to lose fat. "I turn my body into a fat burning mah-cheen!"

[ March 18, 2005, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: Ralphie ]
 

---

Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 

quote:

---

According to my biochem class, the difference between fat people and skinny people of the same age group, ethnicity, etc. usually isn't metabolism. It's fidgeting.

---

quote:

---

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Shhh. Don't tell Ralphie that beer is like instant poundage after 35.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not a problem for me. I try to limit myself to fewer than 30 beers. If I were still thirsty, I'd probably drink gin.

---