With so much great food, how do YOU stay fit??

With so many great establishments, and even worse so many new ones popping up I have to try, how do you keep the waistline in check??? Me, it's been an unproductive winter at the gym, so I'm back to hitting it hard. 6x a week, 3 weights, 3 cardio, and going to make a point to get my dog over to Cherokee Park more. I'm going to limit my restaurant visits down to one good cheat meal a week for awhile until I can start using those belt holes on on farthest end of the belt, rather than the ones closest to the end

How do you guys balance the great food options v. staying relatively fit?

are you serious?

is common sense really that uncommon, or am i daft and missing a punchline?

Sharing is my number 1 weapon against the bulge. I can't remember the last time I had an entree to myself. We normally share 3-4 apps and dessert or share 1-2 apps, an entree, and dessert. Walks at the park and treadmill time never hurt.

[Robin Garr]

are you serious?

is common sense really that uncommon, or am i daft and missing a punchline?

How old are you? It may be that you are still blessed with a youthful metaboolism. If so, enjoy it while you've got it.

I don't.

Although not morbidly obese, I do have quite the gut and could stand to lose about 25-30 lbs.
I blame it mostly on a lot of beer and eating crap food right before going to bed over the years when I was working nights.
It's funny that when I was working a line with all that food at my disposal, I could have made anything. However, I didn't want to eat that. Instead after work, l'd go out for a few or six before heading home; stopping at White Castle or Taco Bell on the way ....... Now I have this big round place in my mid-section that just sort of happened.

[Robin Garr]

To stay even, I try to exercise portion control even when I'm dining out (do NOT be shy about asking for doggie bags) and eating flavorful but generally small portions at home. Add in moderate exercise - Mary and I try to walk around our neighborhood, mostly to Heine Bros. for a minimum of 1 to 1 1/2 miles per day. This does not confer rail-thinness by any stretch, but does manage to keep me from blimping out like the stereotypical restaurant critic.

are you serious?

is common sense really that uncommon, or am i daft and missing a punchline?

How old are you? It may be that you are still blessed with a youthful metaboolism. If so, enjoy it while you've got it.

no sir. im neither young nor slim. and perhaps i shouldve finished my coffee before i replied, as i DO think i came across as a bit abrasive to the OP.
i apologize for that.

Unfortunately, once I crossed 40, the options narrowed only to 3:

1) Eat less

2) Exercise more

3) A combination of both

I steadfastly refuse to give up my good food or my wine, so #3 is my choice - here's how it boils down for me:

1) At restaurants, I'm now more likely to order an appetizer as my entree, along with a salad or soup.
The bonus here is that appetizers are sometimes more flavorful and/or more adventurous.
2) I haven't been to a gym in months. But, I got myself a really good pair of walking shoes, and I do what I call walk/running (more walking than running). I shoot for 3 hours a week, more if I'm lucky, at a pretty kickin' pace (12-15 minute mile).

Sounds simple, and granted, I really only lose a a quarter to a half a pound a week, but that's more sustainable long term. Just one woman's opinion!

Unfortunately, once I crossed 40, the options narrowed only to 3:

1) Eat less

2) Exercise more

3) A combination of both

I steadfastly refuse to give up my good food or my wine, so #3 is my choice - here's how it boils down for me:

1) At restaurants, I'm now more likely to order an appetizer as my entree, along with a salad or soup.
The bonus here is that appetizers are sometimes more flavorful and/or more adventurous.
2) I haven't been to a gym in months. But, I got myself a really good pair of walking shoes, and I do what I call walk/running (more walking than running). I shoot for 3 hours a week, more if I'm lucky, at a pretty kickin' pace (12-15 minute mile).

Sounds simple, and granted, I really only lose a a quarter to a half a pound a week, but that's more sustainable long term. Just one woman's opinion!

Hey sounds like a good plan to me! I've found that the crazy, extremely strict plans (workout/diet) don't last very long for me. Plans that are more flexible seem to be the ones I can stick to the longest.

Couldn't help to jump in on this thread. Running seems to be the only way (that I have found) to keep the weight off permanently. Yes, it's a chore in the early stages. But there is a point where it can become rewarding for some people (not all). I find my mileage that day dictates what and where I will be eating that evening. I can honestly say I run so I can eat the way I enjoy to eat!!

BTW....I have been reading these boards for a bit now and have come to appreciate the many viewpoints afforded via this message board. It's nice to see and have confirmation of what most of already know: That Louisville truly is a gem!

Im going to chime in on this discussion...but I want to hear more from people in the forum first. Ill be sure to hit all of the common points in my response. Moving forward into the discussion - so many variables that people just dont know about concerning leading a balanced lifestyle. Sure, you dont have to be as extreme as I am, but fearing food only makes you make hostile negotiations with yourself concerning lasts nights steak dinner, half can of pringles, two sodas and cherry garcia - walking Fido around the park on that nutrition plan just isnt going to cut it. haha

Matt - be nice!

Expended calories < ingested calories = gain weight

Expended calories > ingested calories = lose weight

Expended calories = ingested calories = maintain weight

Seriously, though, we generally eat at home 3-4 nights/week (I'm a fairly passable cook) eating proper portions comprised about equally of fresh vegetables and lean protein with a much smaller portion of starch. We brown-bag lunch most days (I only eat out for lunch for business/client meetings, office meetings, etc.) with proper portions. We eat a healthy breakfast at home every day, except for the occassional weekend brunch. On the 3-4 nights/week we eat out, we generally follow what Justin described above and split an appetizer, salad, entree, and maybe dessert, or a few appetizers, etc.

I'm a big believer in the "many small meals" line of thought; therefore, especially during the week, we eat 3 equally sized but small meals bridged by 2 equally sized but large snacks. I find this not only keeps you from over-eating at any particular "meal," but also it helps maintain a fairly steady blood-sugar and energy level throughout the day. We are pretty rigid on this type of system during the week, but do let loose on the weekend (and ingest probably way too many calories in the form of alcohol). We tend to limit our intake of "crap" food to Sunday evenings.

We are also pretty active people, which helps immensly. We both weight train 2-3 days/week and run 2-3 days/week.

I have High Metabolism. *knock on wood*

How do you guys balance the great food options v. staying relatively fit?

Great topic.

To reduce food calories we almost always split entrees and maybe order a small plate and salad. It's a great way to save $$ too. The good places charge $5 or so to split, but give you extra sides...well worth it.

We also walk everywhere we can, which is a lot of places being as we are in Crescent Hill. You may have seen me cruising Frankfort Ave. Thurs./Friday with my road sodie. Maybe the exercise is enough to at least burn off the booz...I dunno?

I was an athlete in college and I have struggled with my weight from the day I retired. I do still exercise and that helps, but what I've learned over the years is that it's what you do before dinner and in between meals that really counts. Portion control for lunch/breakfast and no snacking will put a dent in your weight much faster than even exercise...unless you REALLY exercise a lot. That being said I still struggle with it...

I'm fairly certain a good number of my calories come through drink but, to be honest, I really have no intention of cutting back there.

I follow my version of the Alton Brown approach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBJpmz1oduE and hit spin class 5-6 days per week.