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Scuba Forum / General / July 2005refresher dive course question
We just returned from Jamaica all-inclusive (scuba included), and on the second day we agreed to take the refresher course in the pool. It had been almost two years since our last dive. No problem. It's 8:45 AM and we were directed to the scuba shack where we were told to put on our gear. We did, and to our surprise we were loaded down with full diving tanks. We walked through the sand to the pool, back to the shack to the water and into the boat for our 9 AM dive. Total distance was about 200 feet. Needless to say we were in horrible shape, bent over like an ape, sweating and trying to catch a breath. The dive master ask me several times while walking to the boat if I was okay. I kept repeating how very hard that this was, and once in the water I told him I was okay NOW! We are 50 years of age and female. My sister never got her wind and paniced on the first dive...she came back up to the boat. I dove and it was great but once I reached the boat to get out of the water I found that I could not stand on my left foot. Needless to say today is one week later and I am still healing from a torn calf muscle and on cruches. Is this the proper procedure for divers? We noticed smaller tanks on other women that were taking the scuba courses at the resort, they seem to be walking normally with them. I have been diving for 15 years and I know I am a bit out of shape, but very healthy. This was a killer for me and just doesn't seem right. Anyone know if there are correct procedures for toteing gear on your back for long distances? > ... we agreed to take the refresher course in the pool. ... > ... were loaded down with full >diving tanks. We walked ... Total distance was about 200 >feet. Needless to say we were in horrible shape, bent over like an ape, >sweating and trying to catch a breath. ... If you are unable to walk "200 feet" in full SCUBA gear you may not be in good enough condition to SCUBA dive safely. It certainly is true that carrying your gear to the boat is usually the most difficult part of the experience, but ask yourself this: If you can't manage walking 200 feet with your gear, what would you do if an emergency situation came up?  SignatureCharlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA (hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying) All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's. > It certainly is true that carrying your gear to the boat is usually the > most difficult part of the experience, but ask yourself this: If you > can't manage walking 200 feet with your gear, what would you do if an > emergency situation came up? I can't imagine an emergency that would require walking in full gear. Unless you're Jesus and can walk on water. Most tourist-oriented dive operations have tanks on the boat waiting for the divers, some of whom can barely carry themselves. The DM will change the tanks, and often escort a unsteady diver to the stern or gate with a hand on the tank to relieve a bit of weight. Those with real bad backs can often gear up in water and have the crew haul the gear back in the boat after the dive. I enjoy strutting around with my twinned 120s to show everyone how manly I am, but that doesn't mean everyone has to. >> It certainly is true that carrying your gear to the boat is usually the >> most difficult part of the experience, but ask yourself this: If you >> can't manage walking 200 feet with your gear, what would you do if an >> emergency situation came up? Hell, I can. If I get hurt, you'd better be able to carry your gear and mine. Lee > >> It certainly is true that carrying your gear to the boat is usually the > >> most difficult part of the experience, but ask yourself this: If you [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Lee and maybe even help the injured me as well. * >>It certainly is true that carrying your gear to the boat is usually the >>most difficult part of the experience, but ask yourself this: If you [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I can't imagine an emergency that would require walking in full gear. > Unless you're Jesus and can walk on water. The bullsharks have been breeding with walking catfish. They now chase you out of the water, up the beach, and into the parking lot. Practice running in full gear. > The bullsharks have been breeding with walking catfish. They now chase you > out of the water, up the beach, and into the parking lot. Practice running > in full gear. That's why sensible divers don't use full-foot fins. It's always nice to have a pair of running shoes available when you need them. Asphalt gets hot in the sun. Of course divers with QR buckles on their BCs can always ditch their gear on the run. DIR divers have to saw away at their harnesses and it's very dangerous to run with a knife. >> The bullsharks have been breeding with walking catfish. They now chase >> you out of the water, up the beach, and into the parking lot. Practice >> running in full gear. > That's why sensible divers don't use full-foot fins. It's always nice to > have a pair of running shoes available when you need them. Asphalt gets > hot in the sun. Real divers don't worry about such trivial things. Our feet, like the rest of our bodies, are tough. > Of course divers with QR buckles on their BCs can always ditch their gear > on the run. DIR divers have to saw away at their harnesses and it's very > dangerous to run with a knife. True DIR divers use blunt tipped knives. They can't be trusted with sharp pointy things. Real divers don't ditch their equipment. They carry it with them. That was the point that started this discussion. Lee > The bullsharks have been breeding with walking catfish. They now > chase you out of the water, up the beach, and into the parking > lot. Practice running in full gear. Can they zigzag, or only run straight? > > ... we agreed to take the refresher course in the pool. ... > > ... were loaded down with full [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > If you are unable to walk "200 feet" in full SCUBA gear you may > not be in good enough condition to SCUBA dive safely. Yes, that is a potential concern, as it does represent a crude fitness test. Nevertheless, the real issue here isn't if walking 200ft with a tropical rig...probably along resort walkways to their pool...is a problem or not. The real issue IMO is the diver's ability to gage their physical ability and adjust so as to not hurt themselves while doing it: no one expect them to literally sprint the distance in <30 seconds. Of course, the odds of a generic resort being this smart, instead of simply being lazy and making the customer haul their own gear is probably pretty unlikely. And FWIW, in some gear configurations, even a "mere 200ft" walk can be pretty physically rigorous. There's a local NJ shore dive that we do upon occasion that requires a 200ish foot walk through deep, dry sand. And of course, since this is NJ, the appropriate coldwater thermal protection & weightbelts are required, so there's an extra 20lbs right there. We do need to keep in mind that a single tank is very roughly 40lbs, and even a tropical weightbelt's going to be another 10lbs. Since most people don't backback, they're not particularly used to picking up and carrying ~1/3rd their bodyweight around. -hh > We do need to keep in mind that a single tank is very roughly 40lbs, and > even a tropical weightbelt's going to be another 10lbs. Since most > people don't backback, they're not particularly used to picking up and > carrying ~1/3rd their bodyweight around. I would suspect that someone who has been diving for 15 years should already have figured this out. In my experience, most of the complaining about heavy gear comes from divers carrying the least amount of gear. Goes without saying some should not haul for medical reasons that do not prevent diving otherwise, but I'd in most cases wonder if someone unable to carry their own gear (in say two trips) is fit enough to dive. Weekend after we dove, I returned to WPB for a Father's Day dunking, had someone carpool with me. Got lucky enough to get a parking spot about 100 feet away from the "staging" area. Actually had an early 20's male gripe because I didn't want to get into a very crowded drop-off loop so he wouldn't have to carry his gear that short distance, after I had already lugged my (one set)dubs with the V weight to my truck. Even after I just turned and grabbed both of his tanks for him and hauled them too, leaving him just his gear bag. This from a guy who was telling me how good a diver he was, and how he was a "champion" Black Belt. Just reenforced my beliefs that the ones who complain the most....... I wonder how many bowlers complain about having to lift their balls? Curtis > Weekend after we dove...Actually had an early 20's male gripe... > ...Even after I just turned and grabbed both of his tanks for him > and hauled them too, leaving him just his gear bag. Gah, what a whiner. He probably didn't buy you drinks for hauling his gear either. > This from a guy who was telling me how good a diver he was, > and how he was a "champion" Black Belt. Maybe we need to start a subtle rec.scuba "Black Belt" type of society, using a couple of different colored weightbelts. FWIW, I can't ever recall seeing someone with a weightbelt that used white webbing...does anyone know if it exists? > Just reenforced my beliefs that the ones who complain the most....... Agreed. For the lot at Splashdown, I might complain about hauling gear over their gravelly road/parking lot in bare feet, but unless I had my footwear stolen, I'm really just bitching at myself for leaving my footwear in the car instead of on the boat. -hh >> This from a guy who was telling me how good a diver he was, >> and how he was a "champion" Black Belt. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > recall seeing someone with a weightbelt that used white webbing...does > anyone know if it exists? Doubt it, but what do I know.......haven't worn a weight belt in over 5 years. Would probably not go over well with the 10 logged dives looking to do their "advanced" class, but then again, it might go over well with the merit badge crowd. I'd rather dive than grade, and keep it a fun sport rather than a competative sport. ;-) >> Just reenforced my beliefs that the ones who complain the most....... > > Agreed. For the lot at Splashdown, I might complain about hauling gear > over their gravelly road/parking lot in bare feet, but unless I had my > footwear stolen, I'm really just bitching at myself for leaving my > footwear in the car instead of on the boat. I'd rather carry both sets of my dubs myself, adds balance, one each side, like suitcases. We might have some who don't haul their own, but of those there is no belly-aching and I'd never question their abilities. Curtis > > Weekend after we dove...Actually had an early 20's male gripe... > > ...Even after I just turned and grabbed both of his tanks for him [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > recall seeing someone with a weightbelt that used white webbing...does > anyone know if it exists? http://www.lowelldistributing.com/itemdesc.asp?CartId={95C6B0A3-560A-4354-BCEVER ESTDA-334077DA3ACD}&ic=22304&eq=&Tp= or, if you prefer short links, http://tinyurl.com/8vr9y > We do need to keep in mind that a single tank is very roughly 40lbs, and > even a tropical weightbelt's going to be another 10lbs. Since most > people don't backback, they're not particularly used to picking up and > carrying ~1/3rd their bodyweight around. I backpack and I'm still not particulary used to carrying ~1/3 of my body weight around. More like 15%. Of course, when you weigh over 300 pounds, 15% goes a long way. > I backpack and I'm still not particulary used to carrying ~1/3 of my body > weight around. More like 15%. > > Of course, when you weigh over 300 pounds, 15% goes a long way. Lol, yes it does. 1/3 for mw would be around 107 lbs. Curtis > > I backpack and I'm still not particulary used to carrying ~1/3 of my body > > weight around. More like 15%. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Curtis 1/3 would be pretty close to that for me. The last time I went backpacking, my pack fully loaded, including 7 quarts of water, weighed 42 pounds. I was being extravagant because we were going to be on the trail for 10 days. Normally, the weight would be down around 36 (with water). I know, it seems counter-intuitive that I would carry more weight if I was going farther, but I like amenities and, if I'm going to be gone for a while, I take extra stuff. > I backpack and I'm still not particulary used to carrying ~1/3 of > my body weight around. More like 15%. > > Of course, when you weigh over 300 pounds, 15% goes a long way. My ~1/3rd swag was merely based on the generic western adult, which is supposed to nominally weigh only 175lbs. Naturally, the weight that the same percentage delivers will be higher for "Gorilla" divers... http://www.huntzinger.com/dive/strokes/cavey.jpg ...but he will have a higher SAC and thus, probably want doubles :-) -hh > We just returned from Jamaica all-inclusive (scuba included), and on the > second day we agreed to take the refresher course in the pool. It had been [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Anyone know if there are correct procedures for toteing gear on your back for > long distances? There are a few nice locations in my area where you have to walk for a few hundred meters with all your gear. It's cold here, so it's heavy gear even in the summer. I wear 34 pounds of lead plus all the other crapola. There are some options: 1. Take two trips. Take your weights off and take them on a second trip. Use a dolly if the site allows it. Take three trips if you have to and suit up near the entry point. If it's a popular site, there may be local kids who will perfom the service for you. Yes, really. 2. Work out a little. Some pushups and situps will do wonders. I noticed a HUGE improvement after a few weeks of nightly exercises. You don't have to be huge or anything. The stronger you are, the easier it is to carry heavy things. (I hope that's obvious.) Fat floats. The less you have, the less lead you have to haul around. I lost 10 pounds of me and 2 pounds of lead. 3. Once you get into the water, don't go down until you've completely caught your breath. You have to be relaxed and prepared for the dive. If you're panting, you'll use air way too fast. On land while hauling your gear, make sure you can still maintain a conversation. If you can't talk, you're working too hard and you should slow down. I use #2 and #3. On the way back, I've had to carry my buddy's belt on more than one occasion. (What doesn't kill me, etc.) I've been a "bit out of shape" myself. It's critical to your health (mental, physical, etc.) to stay in shape. Even if you're not diving, try walking or biking to work. Make sure you stretch before any physical activity. I'm sure you've heard this before. I know that I heard it many times from everyone I knew. I made the same stupid mistake that you did - I didn't dive for a year then went and took a course. I ended up limping for two weeks just from muscle fatigue. Discomfort is okay if you're talking about the muscle fatigue tingle. If you experience pain, STOP. Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong and you have to stop. Listen to yourself and abort the dive if you get hurt. I don't think that a smaller tank would have helped. You'd probably have had to make up for the weight reduction by adding more weights. If I'm wrong, I'm sure that someone will be kind enough to "politely" point that out. Finally, you can't compare yourself to other divers you saw. They might have been on 200 dives in the last year and been used to the weight. SignatureMagnus McElroy Electrical Engineer (EIT) HABIT Research (250) 381-9425 > There are a few nice locations in my area where you have to walk for a > few hundred meters with all your gear. It's cold here, so it's heavy > gear even in the summer. I wear 34 pounds of lead plus all the other > crapola. > > There are some options: > 1. Take two trips. Take your weights off and Learn to dive with the proper amount of lead. Good grief. * >take them on a second trip. > Use a dolly if the site allows it. Take three trips if you have to and > suit up near the entry point. If it's a popular site, there may be local > kids who will perfom the service for you. Yes, really. > Learn to dive with the proper amount of lead. Good grief. > > * and what, pray tell is the "proper" amount?? >> Learn to dive with the proper amount of lead. Good grief. >> >> * > > and what, pray tell is the "proper" amount?? Apparently in warmer climates you can wear 4-5 pounds of lead. If you're wearing a full 7mm/5mm neoprene drysuit with hood and gloves in cold water then you have to wear more lead.In my case, it's 34 pounds. I have to swim down with that and let the pressure at depth crush the neoprene so I'll stay down. Trust me, I can't lose much more lead. ;) Technically, I could, but then it's not so much a "dive" as a "swim" and I've already told you how much Force Fins suck on the surface. Thus, I'd really be going for a "drift". SignatureMagnus McElroy Electrical Engineer (EIT) HABIT Research (250) 381-9425 >>> Learn to dive with the proper amount of lead. Good grief. >>> [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I've already told you how much Force Fins suck on the surface. Thus, I'd > really be going for a "drift". You're preaching to the choir. I live in Alaska, water here is at best is a balmy 42. You don't need the warmth so much IN the water, it's to keep from freezing getting in or out. last winter I was diving on a bright sunny day with the temp -10 and a 30 mph wind, sea water froze on you as you climbed out. I use 26 lbs in the pockets, and 6 lbs for trim and a steel plate ( over sized, it's ~9 lbs) that's still a fight at less than 20 ft with near empty bottles > You're preaching to the choir. I live in Alaska, water here is at best is > a balmy 42. You don't need the warmth so much IN the water, it's to keep > from freezing getting in or out. last winter I was diving on a bright > sunny day with the temp -10 and a 30 mph wind, sea water froze on you as > you climbed out. Don't blame us for your own foolishness. Nobody in their right minds goes where it's -10, with or without a wind, let alone, dives there. > I use 26 lbs in the pockets, and 6 lbs for trim and a steel plate ( over > sized, it's ~9 lbs) that's still a fight at less than 20 ft with near > empty bottles. You forgot to mention your dry suit. A bag that has to be filled with air for the entire dive, does change things. My stainless plate, by Halcyon, weighs in at 6 lbs. Assuming yours is the same, you're talking 38 lbs for a dry suit. James is talking 34 for a 7 mm wetsuit. Lee > You forgot to mention your dry suit. A bag that has to be filled with air > for the entire dive, does change things. My stainless plate, by Halcyon, > weighs in at 6 lbs. Assuming yours is the same, you're talking 38 lbs for a > dry suit. James is talking 34 for a 7 mm wetsuit. > > Lee nope, custom made plate ( I won't dive Anything made by Halcyon ) 9lbs. with STA 12lbs. >> You forgot to mention your dry suit. A bag that has to be filled with >> air for the entire dive, does change things. My stainless plate, by >> Halcyon, weighs in at 6 lbs. Assuming yours is the same, you're talking >> 38 lbs for a dry suit. James is talking 34 for a 7 mm wetsuit. > nope, custom made plate ( I won't dive Anything made by Halcyon ) 9lbs. > with STA 12lbs. Then there's not much you can't wear. Halcyon doesn't make much of what they sell. >>>You forgot to mention your dry suit. A bag that has to be filled with >>>air for the entire dive, does change things. My stainless plate, by [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Then there's not much you can't wear. Halcyon doesn't make much of what > they sell. I just noticed that the OMS weight pockets look like Halcyon's. Which is great because halcyon doesn't have to make it - it just need that big 'H' on it to be crap. > Apparently in warmer climates you can wear 4-5 pounds of lead. If you're > wearing a full 7mm/5mm neoprene drysuit with hood and gloves in cold water > then you have to wear more lead.In my case, it's 34 pounds. I wear no lead in warm water and add only 4 for my 3mm wetsuit. Counting the 6 contained in my steel plate, that's a total of 10 lbs. Assuming similar lead for additional protection, 4 lbs for each additional 3mm, figure another 6 for the additional 4mm or an aggregate of about 16 lbs for a 7mm wetsuit . . . and I am not nearly as non-buoyant as i once was. > I have to swim down with that and let the pressure at depth crush the > neoprene so I'll stay down. Then you're diving dangerously. > Trust me, I can't lose much more lead. ;) No > Technically, I could, but then it's not so much a "dive" as a "swim" and > I've already told you how much Force Fins suck on the surface. Thus, I'd > really be going for a "drift". Perhaps it's the Force fins that contribute to your abnormal buoyancy. Lee > >> Learn to dive with the proper amount of lead. Good grief. > >> > >> * > > > > and what, pray tell is the "proper" amount?? The amount of weight, placed properly, that allows you to be perfectly trim under water at depth. Large amounts of weight used for the purpose of descending will make you very heavy towards your feet, and will be a hazard as the neoprene loses buoyancy at depth. > Apparently in warmer climates you can wear 4-5 pounds of lead. If you're > wearing a full 7mm/5mm neoprene drysuit with hood and gloves in cold > water then you have to wear more lead.In my case, it's 34 pounds. ahh you didn't mention the neoprene drysuit. When you consider replacing that, you might be interested in a shell-type suit. They are a great deal less buoyant and you do not have the risks associated with compression of the neoprene at depth. > I have to swim down with that and let the pressure at depth crush the > neoprene so I'll stay down. Trust me, I can't lose much more lead. ;) In cold salt water, I will pop on 4 lbs if I have a student, just in case I need it to give to them. I dive one of two shell suits with a steel BP and either a steel 95 or (usuallly) double 63's. I would not dive double 95's in a wetsuit as I could not swim them up from depth. > Technically, I could, but then it's not so much a "dive" as a "swim" Once you replace the suit, start removing 2 lbs at a time, learn how to get all the air out of your suit, and learn to empty your lungs. and > I've already told you how much Force Fins suck on the surface. Thus, I'd > really be going for a "drift". c'mon out and drift the Tacoma Narrows with me! * > -- > Magnus McElroy > Electrical Engineer (EIT) > HABIT Research > (250) 381-9425 > Is this the proper procedure for divers? We noticed smaller tanks on > other > women that were taking the scuba courses at the resort, they seem to be > walking normally with them. I wouldn't bet on them being lighter, just better handling in the water. Have personally seen a few women haul dub 104s & full cave gear 200 yards to the water wearing drysuits, walking "normally". > I have been diving for 15 years and I know I am a bit out of shape, but > very > healthy. This was a killer for me and just doesn't seem right. A bit out of shape, but quite healthy? OK I've used that excuse myself. ;-) Anyways, try a cart, hand truck, making more than one trip, or see if some gentleman or dm will assist you. > Anyone know if there are correct procedures for toteing gear on your back > for > long distances? Pops and I found short rest breaks about every 500-600 yards on the uphill leg were helpful, but seriously, try tank and weights on a hand truck. And remember, Greg's answer reflects a liberal who wants someone else to pay the price for his fun. And, I'll let him strut my dubs next time he buys my lunch. :-P Curtis > I wouldn't bet on them being lighter, just better handling in the > water. Sorry, misread.....a little lighter, depending on what size you mean. Somehow read tanks as plural on one person, like the double 40-46s. Curtis >We just returned from Jamaica all-inclusive (scuba included), and on the >second day we agreed to take the refresher course in the pool. It had been [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >this was, and once in the water I told him I was okay NOW! > <snip> >Anyone know if there are correct procedures for toteing gear on your back for >long distances? > I'm sorry, but it you can't walk a total of 200 feet in stages (shack to pool, pool to water, 200' total) with the minimal dive gear needed in the tropics, it's quite possible that you're not in good enough shape to dive, particularly if you had trouble catching your breath. I suggest you find a doctor who dives or is familiar with the physiology of diving and discuss this. It's really cheap insurance. Even supposing I'm completely off-base, what's the downside risk? JRE > Even supposing I'm completely off-base, what's the downside risk? Contracting antibiotic-resistant flesh-eating streptococcus, or even a cold. Doctor's offices are notorious for catching diseases. For some reason, contagious sick people hang out there. > Contracting antibiotic-resistant flesh-eating streptococcus, or even a > cold. Doctor's offices are notorious for catching diseases. For some > reason, contagious sick people hang out there. And dead people hang out at funeral homes, so we definitely should stay away from *there*... Frankly, considering how many people die at hospitals, one has to wonder who in their right mind would want to go there... > > Contracting antibiotic-resistant flesh-eating streptococcus, or even a > > cold. Doctor's offices are notorious for catching diseases. For some [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Frankly, considering how many people die at hospitals, one has to wonder who > in their right mind would want to go there... They sent me home on the right side of the dirt. If I hadn't gone to the hospital, I'd not be making this post and all those that have gleeful threatened to piss on my grave, would have had their opportunity 3 weeks ago today. > They sent me home on the right side of the dirt. Glad to see you back. Thought you were just sick of rec scuba. Hope you're getting back to normal. > If I hadn't gone to the > hospital, I'd not be making this post and all those that have gleeful > threatened to piss on my grave, would have had their opportunity 3 weeks > ago > today. Isn't there a little nasty parasite that follows a stream in to where it can implant itself in a tender location? Be humorous revenge to have them located around a gravesite, no? Curtis > > They sent me home on the right side of the dirt. > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > can implant itself in a tender location? Be humorous revenge to have them > located around a gravesite, no? Hmm, things that make ya go hmmm . . . I may have to add a codicil to my will. Good to see you back too, by the way. > Frankly, considering how many people die at hospitals, one has to wonder who > in their right mind would want to go there... Just found out that an aunt of mine died recently... Turned out that she was being buried on the same day that I made this post... Rather morbid coincidence... Died in a hospital of course... Cancer -- lung plus a few more organs... She had finally quit smoking about 3 years ago, but the damage was already done... Still, she managed to still live a very active life playing tennis and such until she died at 76... Probably the chemo killed her... > We just returned from Jamaica all-inclusive (scuba included), and on the > second day we agreed to take the refresher course in the pool. It had been > almost two years since our last dive. No problem. Which all-inclusive? I've only been diving with Grand Lido Negril, but the staff carried our tanks for us. As a matter of fact, my wife and I tried to carry our own tanks and they wouldn't let us. Oh the inhumanity of it all. I'm not exactly what you would call skinny, but outside of being 120 pounds over what the doctor says I should be, I'm in pretty good shape. At 6', my doctor says I should weigh 186. He's nuts if he thinks this body could ever get down to 186. I'd be pretty happy in the 230-240 range though. > It's 8:45 AM and we were directed to the scuba shack where we were told to > put on our gear. We did, and to our surprise we were loaded down with full [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Anyone know if there are correct procedures for toteing gear on your back for > long distances? > I'm not exactly what you would call skinny, but outside of being 120 pounds > over what the doctor says I should be, I'm in pretty good shape. At 6', my > doctor says I should weigh 186. He's nuts if he thinks this body could ever > get down to 186. I'd be pretty happy in the 230-240 range though. Actually, its easy. http://www.clos.net/ At 250 currently, I'm down 40 lbs in 28 days so far, and should level out at 165 in about a year. My chloresterol and BP have already dropped to normal with no meds and I took the plunge before diabetes and heart disease became an issue. If you're 120 over you certainly qualify, I was about 125 over ideal weight and finally got fed up with carrying the extra around. George > > I'm not exactly what you would call skinny, but outside of being 120 pounds > > over what the doctor says I should be, I'm in pretty good shape. At 6', my [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > George I'm between 315 and 320 with an "ideal" weight of 186. My musculature would not allow me to get down to 186. I was around 235 as a swimmer in high school sitting at around 12% body fat. At least, that's what the Navy told me when I talked to them about my options. Even at 320, most of the people I know (police officers included) wouldn't put me at over 275. Walking isn't a problem. Exercise isn't a problem. I can easily do a beginners 30 minute aerobic routine. My heart rate is around 65 and my blood pressure is very good for my size (although, possibly a tad over what it should be). I can fix the blood pressure issue simply by swimming more often. I recently toyed with the Atkins diet and actually got down to 285. I didn't feel any different than at 315, so I decided it wasn't worth the effort. > I'm between 315 and 320 with an "ideal" weight of 186. My musculature would > not allow me to get down to 186. I was around 235 as a swimmer in high [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > I didn't feel any different than at 315, so I decided it wasn't worth the > effort. I was 182 in high school and carrying about 15-20 lbs too much, and about 215 for a long time when we lived in the Middle East. After that it just crept up and if I continued to ignore the weight it would probably eventually kill me. I just finally got fed up with it, plus I have real concerns about extended deco while carrying a lot of fat. I've really noticed the difference losing 40 pounds in the last month because it went so fast. The really cool thing is I'm not hungry. If I was, I'd probably fall on my sword as not being able to eat while being hungry at the same time would be the worst kind of torture. The only real downside is giving up alcohol, but life is certainly cheaper as a result. Its going to be a weird feeling passing 200lbs on the way down... George >>I'm between 315 and 320 with an "ideal" weight of 186. My musculature would >>not allow me to get down to 186. I was around 235 as a swimmer in high [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > The only real downside is giving up alcohol, but life is certainly > cheaper as a result. How do ya keep yer hands from shaking? LOL SignatureYour ridiculous little opinion has been noted. My diesel truck has been modified to run on an environmentally friendly mixture of clean burning Caribou fat and whale oil. "Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions" G.K. Chesterton > > The only real downside is giving up alcohol, but life is certainly > > cheaper as a result. > > How do ya keep yer hands from shaking? > > LOL Sit on 'em? :) Its the little pink elephants that keep sneaking around that get me. George > > > The only real downside is giving up alcohol, but life is certainly > > > cheaper as a result. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > George How do you kill a white elephant? Shoot it with a white elephant gun. How do you kill a pink elephant? Paint it white and shoot it with a white elephant gun. > > I'm between 315 and 320 with an "ideal" weight of 186. My musculature would > > not allow me to get down to 186. I was around 235 as a swimmer in high [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > it just crept up and if I continued to ignore the weight it would > probably eventually kill me. at 235, I *may* have ben carrying an extra 10 pounds. 10 would be a real stretch. To give you an idea of my body build, my suitcoat as a senior in high school had a 52" chest and was a bit snug. At that point, you could see the division between my ribs. I still weighed 235. Oh, and I wear an 8.5" hat. > I just finally got fed up with it, plus I have real concerns about > extended deco while carrying a lot of fat. I can understand that, but I have no desire to get into any kind of situation that would require extended deco. > The only real downside is giving up alcohol, but life is certainly > cheaper as a result. Well, I guess that option is out. :-) > At 250 currently, I'm down 40 lbs in 28 days so far, and should level > out at 165 in about a year. My chloresterol and BP have already dropped > to normal with no meds and I took the plunge before diabetes and heart > disease became an issue. I'm glad to hear it. Very interesting reading, too. |
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