From: wvenable@algona.stats.adelaide.edu.au (Bill Venables)
Newsgroups: alt.support.diet
Subject: Re: Flying on my own...
Date: 16 Nov 92 21:29:14
Organization: Department of Statistics, University of Adelaide
NNTP-Posting-Host: algona.stats.adelaide.edu.au
In-reply-to: brooksp@hpcc01.corp.hp.com's message of Tue, 10 Nov 1992 20:50:16 GMT

>>>>> "Peter" == Peter Brooks <brooksp@hpcc01.corp.hp.com> writes:

Peter> In two weeks I'll finish my maintenance program with HMR.  I'll have
Peter> been off the fast for 18 months (where I lost 185 pounds), and have
Peter> held my target weight (+-5 pounds) for a year (those 15 pounds were
Peter> a lot harder to lose than the others)...

Well done Peter, *really* well done!

Peter> Barring a major disaster (most likely in the form of a serious
Peter> illness or injury that killed my activity level), I should be able
Peter> to keep this situation going.

Both can happen, unfortunately.  

In 1969 I went from 25 stone to 15 stone in 9 months "on my own"
essentailly by diet alone, but I was more or less permanently sick and
debilitated for nearly two years afterwards.  On it came again, and more.

In 1979 I went from 26 stone to 16 in about 11 months, with the help of a
gym instructor, but this time using exercise alone.  I used to run 10 km
each day and ride my bike to and form work (another 10 km each way).
However I managed to injure my back (compressed discs) and knee in such a
way that I had to cut down on the running.  Then I went to Canada in 1980,
and stayed at a University College where the food was great, but of the
"maple syrup with everything" kind, including bacon and eggs for breakfast!
Gradually on it came again, and then some...

The final straw was some rather heavy emotional traumas I experienced soon
after that - too private to go into here - but you should be aware that this
kind of experience is also a big danger to folks like you and me who tend to
eat in a crisis.  At least I did...

The trick seems to be both diet and exercise, and to do it smart.  I have
decided this time that my permanent major exercise will indeed be riding my
bike everywhere.  I am an ornithologist so I do a lot of bushwalking
anyway, and the time is coming when swimming will be on the agenda, too.  I
don't plan to jog any more (dammit! -- I have known the feeling of having
that cat-like spring in my step and it's alluring, I assure you.)

Peter> I'll be staying on the net and in the group, to give/get
Peter> encouragement from you.

I for one will be grateful.  Your story is inspiring.  I hope to report
similarly to the group in 18 months time or so.  My loss goal is 100kg,
(~220lbs), not a trivial amount I think you will agree, but if you can do
it why can't I?

Peter> Wish me luck.

Statisticians don't wish people luck, (it's against our religion :-).
Pete, you're the boss, it's in your hands and you can do it.  Now just get
on with it... :-)

Bill Venables.
--
___________________________________________________________________________
Bill Venables, Dept. of Statistics, | Email: venables@stats.adelaide.edu.au
Univ. of Adelaide, South Australia. | Tel: +61 8 228 5412  Fax: ...232 5670
Newsgroups: alt.support.diet