On Wed, 3 Nov 1999, Troy Gilchrist wrote:

> The medical definition of obesity is being 20 lbs. or more over your best
> weight.
> 18% body fat is lower than the recommended percentage for men (20%-25%).
> However it is well above the range for the average range of body fat found
> in traditional hunter-gatherers (5%-10%). I doubt most doctors would
> consider Todd to be significantly overweight.

The trouble with this is that doctors tend to use BMI rather than
body fat percentage.  Since my LBM of 180 lbs. is already higher
than average for my height (6'1"), this throws off their
computations.  BMI only works for people of "average" build and
muscularity.  Thus, doctors want to see my weight down at around
190 lbs.

> Todd, if you want to lose more body fat, and I'm convinced that you can, you
> must consider changing your diet and exercise regimen to give yourself a
> jumpstart to fat loss. One weight-training session per week (if it is very
> intense) is adequate for maintaining mass and tone. It is apparently not,
> however, adequate for losing body fat in your case. You need to lift
> intensely at least 2X per week and increase the pace (not the amount of
> time) of his aerobic workouts. You should also consider limiting carb intake
> to 20-30gm per day. Try it for a few weeks and see what happens. You might
> be pleasantly surprised. If not, I'll shut up.

I agree with the exercise prescription, and I will attempt to
follow it.  As for the diet recommendation, I can only say been
there, done that.  I have tried the 20-30g ketogenic variation of
paleo for weeks at a time, but it just doesn't work.  After the
first week or two, my appetite becomes voracious and I consume
massive amounts of meat.  This makes me fatter.  By the third
week I am experiencing mood swings and intermittent heart
palpitations.  The longest I've been able to stay on that sort of
a diet is 25 days, after which time I just can't stand it
anymore.

What I'm doing now is slowly working.  It does involve modest
caloric restriction, however.  I'm hoping that if I adjust the
exercise regimen along the lines that you have suggested I'll get
the job done.

Todd Moody
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