Chatting to a friend who’s a nurse the other day I was horrified when she mentioned that 75% of the patients in the hospital where she worked were there due to lifestyle related diseases or problems.
She went on to say that Australia has overtaken America as the fattest nation.
I was a little bit gobsmacked, let me tell you.
When we visited Europe recently, particularly Eastern Europe I was struck with how slim people looked – and couldn’t help noticing the lack of big supermarkets and fast food outlets.
Anyway, I don’t know about you, but I’m always trying (the operative word is ‘trying’) to keep my weight at a healthy level. OK so I veer between being ‘good’ and ‘naughty’ and wine is my biggest downfall when it comes to empty calories.
I don’t always count calories, but I am interested in how much I’m eating, and if I’m trying to lose weight or prevent gaining weight on holiday then yes, I watch the calories via food taken in, vs. calories via exercise out.
What does 200 calories look like, and some lifestyle changing facts
So I found this infographic sent to me from Helen at Evoke really interesting.
What do you think?
Are you amazed by some of the comparisons and the interesting facts that follow?
It’s hard to believe that any country could surpass the US in terms of obesity. That calls for some negative congratulations, Oz. The best diet plan for me has been Weight Watchers. It coincides my somewhat compulsive nature—counting points, recording meals, etc. My downfall is night eating which is intimately entwined with my other downfall—insomnia.
Hi Suzanne, yes I tend to agree. If I really want to ditch the kilos then I have to count something – calories, whatever, otherwise I just let things slip. Night eating due to insomnia is a tricky one. Like you, I wake at night – and grab a cup of herbal tea (good) and a gingernut biscuit (bad!).
What a sobering reminder!
Isn’t it just Irene! Especially as I’ve just read your post and thought what a wonderful place to while away a few hours waiting for a plane, and have something delicious to eat!
Another great blog post, thanks Jo. My husband and I dropped a whopping 76kg (him, 46kg, me 30kg) between us about 8 years ago now. Before that I had tried every diet and/or exercise programme ever invented, with mixed results. I joke that I could lecture in weightloss and fitness due to having tried so many different things. We walked and walked and walked, and attended weekly Weight Watchers weigh-ins (Greg rarely agreed to stay for the actual meeting after the weigh in). Interestingly, over the three or four years we attended weight watchers, there were very few men there. Greg joked that he must be the only fat bloke in town!
We’ve kept our weight off by doing lots of cycling and swimming, as well as setting health and fitness goals and challenges for ourselves. We would get frustrated at times, because we’ve always preferred healthy foods, so we couldn’t see how we got so over weight. Turns out we were having TOO MUCH of those healthy foods, and not finding enough time for exercise……. Thanks again, for the reminder about the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle!
Wow you’re an inspiration Catherine. You’re right though at the end of the day there’s no quick fix. It’s small portions of healthy foods and finding the time to exercise. Thanks for taking the time to write such an inspiring comment today 🙂
In the U.S. we have a program called Silver Sneakers for us silver haired (only my roots) retired people. I work out 6 hours a week at the fitness center and it’s all free. Unfortunately excuses don’t burn calories, so my hubby and I finally bit the low calorie bullet and eat small meals now. He has lost 50+ pounds and has his blood pressure and sleep apnea under control. I’ve got another 10 pounds to lose and I’ll be back to my fighting weight – aka fighting to never add it back on again. I’m a member of the vino at the end of the day club too.
What a tremendous program, Neva! But more than that it’s wonderful that you take advantage of it and use it to the full – 6 hours a week is a big commitment, free or not. Well done you! Yes, the smaller portions really do wonders for weight loss, don’t they and it seems as if you two are going great guns in the direction of fighting weight 😉 Ha Ha, seems like the Vino at the end of the Day Club has an enthusiastic world wide membership 😉
A very well timed post as I am about to embark on losing the weight I put on while I was holidaying for six months. As your photos portray, it is astonishing as to how calorie loaded some foods are. Like you I like my drop of vino and would gladly give everything else up just so I can have that early evening drinky!
Ha Ha Kathy, yes it’s probably not the best way of looking at things health-wise or calorie-wise, but that glass of wine at the end of the day is certainly good for my karma too 🙂
Hey Kathy
I took a break from the vino for the last 2 weeks and have another week to go. I’m thinking of extending it for a few more weeks.
I ADORE bubbles and wine but I know I was enjoying more than a glass or two an night and not only was I putting on weight but I was really tired.
Taking the break from wine [and all the other stuff I mentioned in my post above] hasn’t been as hard as I thought – no cravings at all even when I had friends over for dinner and they had beer.
Losing some weight and increasing my energy have been so important to me that I was prepared to ‘suffer’ the break from food and wine I love but I’ve really enjoyed it AND love not feeling tired and carrying too much weight.
I think that the pain of feeling crappy outweighed the pain of what I thought I’d feel as I ‘gave up’ drink and certain food.
There have been more payoffs in moving towards my new energy and weight than pain – and that helps me stay on track.
I lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks and am stuck on 12 stone 11 for the last 4 days.
Usually, I’d just say ‘ time for a drink and a pizza you’ve done well so stop now’
Not this time – I’m 55 and want to be a really healthy weight with lots of energy for the next few decades of my life.
I’ll have a glass of bubbles when I get to 12 stone.
Good luck with your new eating plan.
Liz
Awesome Liz – we’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines and let us know when you get to 12 stone so we can have a glass of bubbles with you 🙂
Aloha Johanna – Great infographic. As you inferred, we actually lost weight while traveling in Central Europe and Russia earlier this year (even after loads of deliciousness in Ireland and France). Someone told me once to stay out of the middle aisles in supermarkets where all the processed food is, and stick to the perimeter where all the fresh is. Good advice!
That is such a great tip to remember Betsy!
All I know is that it takes me about 30 mins of walking on the treadmill to burn about 200 calories – and all that gets me is a skimpy handful of M&M’s??! Darn it!!!
Phwoah, Janet! Hardly seems worth it, does it. But those darn little M & M’s sure are persuasive 😉
I flatly refuse to give up my glass and I mean half glass of red a day, just saying xxx
Me too, Rae! Each week I try to have two wine free evenings, and each week I whine and whine and whine as a result 😉
Hi Jo
I turned 55 on July 26 and was already into Day 11 of my 60 Day Energy Adventure – which you have been kindly commenting on over on my site.
I was feeling crap and knew that I’d been eating too much [and some of it crap food] and having wine too frequently.
A friend bought me an online programme that’s a 21 day elimination diet.
I started it 15 days ago and have lost 10 pounds, have more energy, my skin looks amazing AND more importantly I’m finding my self a lot calmer and more focused.
The Energy Adventure is for me to become deeply aware of the things I do to drop my energy [heart, mind, body and intuition] and what new patterns I can start to create to boost my energy.
I’ve started with my body because it is the foundation of our health and holds the energy of heart, mind and intuition.
One big thing I realised is that I use food and drink as a reward for effort [I do believe in celebration] as well as something to do when I’m bored and depressed.
In the last 15 days I’ve realised that sugar and gluten [I also eliminated eggs, dairy, corn and soya] are poison to me.
Gluten bloats and sugar just sends my moods all over the place – and we all know that spiral when we start eating more bread and then chips and wine and cake! I do!
I haven’t had any alcohol for 11 days and thought I would have cravings – nope.
And instead of rewarding myself with food and drink I’m giving myself experience rewards – time to loll, a new book, some clarins products for my glowing skin, new underwear for my body.
On Friday I joined a swimming pool gym that’s 5 min walk from here so I can start swimming again – and maybe do some weights [very important for us fab fifty plus women].
I’m actually thinking of extending the 21 day elimination diet to another 21 days – except I will bring in eggs.
One final thing – I keep a daily journal [a word doc] that I have open from when I wake to when I sleep. It records my weight, brekky, lunch & dinner, snacks, exercise and on a scale of 1 to 10 my Body Energy and my Heart Energy [I created a chart that’s on my site].
Recording everything is a great help as I can look back on my progress and it keeps me accountable.
Doing all this [and I’m LOVING the food I create – tasty and healthy] is the best birthday present I could EVER have given myself.
Loving your posts and reading every one Jo
Liz
Hello Liz, Thank you so much for sharing your Energy Adventure – I applaud you on sticking to it, although I know from past lifestyle diet changes that once you feel something is working well it’s easier to stick to. Keeping a journal is so important, but keeping it up is another matter – well done you! I really hope that other Lifestylers will pop over to your blog to see how you’re doing on this adventure and perhaps adapt elements of it to suit their own needs – as I should be doing. After the Problogger Conference in Queensland, that’s when I’ll have time to concentrate on my own energy levels I hope 😉
Thanks Jo
I’ve been bringing in teeny new patterns [decided not to call the habits as I think there’s a kind of negative connotation] that are helping.
First thing when I open my computer I also open the A Energy Adventure Journal so it’s open until I go to bed. I’ve NEVER done this before and it feels great.
When I typed in ‘Day 22 of the Adventure’ this morning I smiled as that’s the longest I’ve stuck to a new eating process.
This morning I was mulling an idea of creating a free 30 day Energy Adventure with recipes; journal; activity sheets and hints/tools on creating new patterns and a private Facebook group of support. This adventure is not only helping me lose weight but I’m changing old old patterns and creating new ones.
Do you think anyone would be interested Jo?
I think people would be interested Liz – especially based on how you’re doing it and how it’s making you feel. Personally I’d check in but as long as it was simple and fast – if I had to take too long, read too much, buy an extensive itemised list of ingredients I know that because life is so busy I’d fall by the wayside. But tips, hints and a plan which can be slotted into daily life, now that would be interesting (and feel free to post to Lifestyle Fifty Facebook page – and possibly a guest post here too?)