Weight Loss

[cntryboy0531]

Ok, went to the Dr. for the physical and my cholestorol count was at 249. Dr. Says I need to switch to a low fat/low cholestorol diet, with lean protiens as well as dropping my weight from 225 to 174, I'm 5'9.

I'm open to ideas, however, I work patrol, and do 12 hour shifts. Working out on my days I have to work, is impossible. I get up at 4:30, just to get to work on time, and don't get home usually until after 6:30-7pm. Then it's dinner, bed, repeat.

What can I do to shave off over 50lbs and drop the cholestorol?

[Cat_Doc]

Campbell soup diet with more exercise, even if it is brisk walking, tends to work. And drink lots of water.

[Citicop]

I and several I have known have had great success with South Beach. Weight drops, you aren't hungry... it's a win/win.

And I know a TON of departments who have 12 hours shifts that allow the guys to take an hour to work out on the clock. Might be worth asking about... All they can say is "no..."

-Citicop.

[pafindr]

Cutting out most carbs and sugary drinks will go a long way in dropping weight. Eat very few breads and pastas and cut out sodas. Also don't eat a big meal before bed because your body won't burn off the food, instead it will store it as fat.

My father lost 65 lbs in a short period (I think it was like 5-6 months) doing this. He's 71, doesn't exercise, and is semi retired. He doesn't do a lot of physical activity either. I figure since you're probably a bit more active then he is you'll lose the weight faster.

[cntryboy0531]

I and several I have known have had great success with South Beach. Weight drops, you aren't hungry... it's a win/win.

And I know a TON of departments who have 12 hours shifts that allow the guys to take an hour to work out on the clock. Might be worth asking about... All they can say is "no..."

-Citicop.

Funny you mention this. The county I work for, all offices of county government are doing this wellness initiative. They push wellness and physical fitness. We have a small gym in my substation, and our new main operations center that just opened, has a huge gym for everyone. What was the first thing they said? NO working out on duty, even on lunch. All employees.

[cntryboy0531]

I spoke with the Dr. when I went and they said that I need to eat lean proteins, and cut back on carbs, but not eliminate them. I've been trying to stick to that as much as possible. I've notice a little bit of weight loss in the past week or two for doing this, and I've upped the intake of water. Only soft drinks I drink are now diet.

Curious if anyone has like an exercise or breakfast/snack routine that would fit well with patrol schedule.

[canuckofapeach]

My cholesterol started to creep up a year ago. I cut out all white sugar (used brown), cut out all soda pop even the sugarless kind because of the high sodium content, used low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry, lean meat and lots of fish. I also popped 1000mg of Omega 3 fish oil in capsule form daily and within 6 months my HDL and especially my LDL was within the normal range.

[cntryboy0531]

I've heard about the fish oil, I may give that a try. Thank you!

[hutchins]

I started nutrisystem a month ago and have lost 15lbs. Of course it includes working out but it really teaches you portion control. It's about a 1000 calorie a day diet and it only bothered me once and that was my second day on it. I was so hungry that I wanted to eat the steering wheel in my squad.

[CincyCop]

Not sure if your department has this...but what about bicycle patrol at work?

[retdetsgt]

Unfortunately, there's no magic way to lose weight other than eat less and move more.

A real uncomfortable, but good way that helps is start keeping a log of what you eat, especially between meals. Generally when my weight has gone up, it's been because of what I was eating between meals rather than what I was eating at meals. Stress makes me feel a need for comfort food and that's always been the killer for me. Also, avoid the obvious crap that cops eat, like fast food. Take your lunch with you.

Exercise is great and I always found time to do it off duty. (We couldn't do it at lunch either) Even when I was working ungawdly hours in drugs, I managed to get to the gym. Actually, working out can be addictive and I felt like I needed it to work off the stress and it was better than eating a half gallon of ice cream. But the bottom line again is you are obviously taking in more calories than you're burning and that has to change.

Fish oil can be helpful, I used it however my cholesterol defies weight and just about every thing else I've used. My doctor finally put my on Lipitor and I have to take that. But I'm not in my twenties either, I suspect that when you reduce your size, that will come down too.

Good luck!

[cntryboy0531]

Not sure if your department has this...but what about bicycle patrol at work?

Only have a couple of those per district, and they are only used by our COPS units. Even then, they don't really use them. I'd be ok with it if they allowed us, but the wont. Plus that, my area to cover is way too big to use a bicycle. I could hit subdivisons and such with it, but its nothing for me to get a call and have to drive 40-45 minutes to get to the other side of my district for the call.

I'd be open to bicycles though, we just can't have them in patrol. lol.

[cntryboy0531]

I guess something else that has gotten me with this, is I'm not in bad shape. I can run a few miles, keep up with our K9 teams (except for the marathon b@stards), situps, pushups, etc. But, I'm Obese according to the doctor. Guess I can't wrap my head around that.

[retdetsgt]

What did you weigh when you were hired?

[cntryboy0531]

What did you weigh when you were hired?

Around the same. 215-220ish. I haven't gained much weight over the past 4 years. Shockingly.. lol