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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open thread

Open thread

by DougJ|  March 2, 20113:31 pm| 115 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Refudiate the broccoli mandate.

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Reader Interactions

115Comments

  1. 1.

    MattR

    March 2, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    Refudiate the broccoli mandate.

    And throw your support behind the brussel sprout revolution!!

  2. 2.

    Comrade Mary

    March 2, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    MattR beat me to it. I just need to decide if I’m going to pan fry or oven roast mine.

  3. 3.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Makes me wonder. Pondering Brussels sprout and mushroom risotto for dinner, based on contents of refrigerator more than intrinsic attraction. Think that will work?

  4. 4.

    danimal

    March 2, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Attention GOP: George H W Bush may have broken the “no new taxes” pledge, but he’ll never support mandatory broccoli.

    Papa Bush 2012: Cuz the rest are just plain nuts!

  5. 5.

    licensed to kill time

    March 2, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Cruciferae of the World, Untie!

  6. 6.

    The Dangerman

    March 2, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Viva vegetables; it’s a Spiritual thing. Lettuce pray.

  7. 7.

    Gin & Tonic

    March 2, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    If I accept broccoli, can they eliminate kale?

  8. 8.

    Studly Pantload

    March 2, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    Broccoli is the Stalin of cruciferous vegetables, but FSM help me, I just can’t quit it!

  9. 9.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    And I think oven roast (maybe w/ garlic & herb of choice) is better than pan fry. Though one great recipe is basically parboiled sprouts, pecans sliced and sauteed briefly in lots of butter, then sprouts added. The latter is not for the weight or fat conscious, but is delicious.

  10. 10.

    freelancer

    March 2, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    I’m ‘meh’ about Stalin today. Tomorrow we’ll “Repeal” him. I’ll make a petition. Ads will go on Redstate. There will be blood. It might be fun.

  11. 11.

    Francis

    March 2, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    speaking of broccoli, I’m male, 5′ ll”, over 45 and 197 lbs. (1 wife, no kids, 2 dogs.)

    A. What’s a healthy weight?
    B. How do I get there? The Mediterranean diet sounds like it’s my kind of thing, but I could use some help in actual day-to-day menu planning, especially at lunch time.

  12. 12.

    Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel)

    March 2, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Reposting this from a stale thread:

    Here is a good place to note that it is easier to find out what my government is doing and saying at the Guardian than at the NYT. I’m this close to removing the NYT button on my browser and replacing it with the Guardian

    .

    Anyone else notice a shift from, you know, newsy type stuff to more of an emphasis on eyeball capture? The HuffPoification of the NYT?

  13. 13.

    Svensker

    March 2, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    @David in NY:

    I would think you’d need to put the brussel sprouts in at the end, or cook them separately and mix at the end, otherwise they could get all overcooked and cabbagey. But the idea sounds genius.

  14. 14.

    The Moar You Know

    March 2, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    Papa Bush 2012: Cuz the rest are just plain nuts!

    How old will he be then? Over 100?

    Never thought I’d see the day where Bush The Elder seemed like a liberal. Fuck, this country sucks.

    EDIT: forgot the obligatory “I repudiate Stalin” or whatever batshit crazy thing the lunatic right wants from me this week. And broccoli only sucks if you buy it from a store. It will grow anywhere if it is reasonably warm and damn, homegrown broccoli is good.

  15. 15.

    Joel

    March 2, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    @Francis: You know, I’d stop thinking about weight and think about things that you are (or are not) physically capable of doing. Set goals that way, IMHO.

  16. 16.

    Kryptik

    March 2, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    So, for us game geeks, anyone here into Marvel vs. Capcom 3?

  17. 17.

    stuckinred

    March 2, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    The iPad 2 Rawks!

  18. 18.

    Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel)

    March 2, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    @Francis: Yeah, Joel is right. The tape measure is a better tool than the scale.

  19. 19.

    The Moar You Know

    March 2, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    Anyone else notice a shift from, you know, newsy type stuff to more of an emphasis on eyeball capture? The HuffPoification of the NYT?

    @Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel): The NYT has been a worthless lifestyle paper for a decade now. I’ve been hitting the BBC online, McClatchy and a few other places for news – including US specific news – because fucking American newspapers, TV networks and online sources don’t really seem to give a shit about what is happening in the country they’re doing business in, much less the larger world we all are renting space in.

  20. 20.

    kdaug

    March 2, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    @Francis: I’m (just) under 45, 5’9, ~150 lbs. (1 wife, 1 cat, 2 dogs, no kids).

    Healthy weight is when you can walk the dogs a mile or so without collapsing.

    Any concerns beyond that, you’re worrying about how much food the worms will have.

  21. 21.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    @Svensker: On the sprouts — I’m veering between lightly parboil or saute in butter first, then add at end. Will probably do same with mushrooms (saute, that is), and use a mushroom broth for cooking w/ a little white wine or sherry, shallots …

    God I’m hungry.

  22. 22.

    R-Jud

    March 2, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    @Francis:
    Hi Francis.

    1) A “healthy” weight for a man of your height could be anywhere from 140-190. So don’t go by your weight in pounds. Aim for a body fat percentage that’s somewhere between 10-15%. You may still weigh 190 when you get there, but it will be mostly muscle.

    2) Get addicted to exercise before worrying about food. Exercise (cardio intervals + weight training) will help you shed some weight initially if you’re not already doing it– just be careful not to pig out on crap after a session.

    After a few months, your body will adapt to the exercise and the weight loss will slow down. That’s when you start changing your diet.

  23. 23.

    Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel)

    March 2, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    @The Moar You Know: Word. Maybe I’m just particularly crabby this week, but goddamn! It seems worse than usual.

  24. 24.

    Richard W. Crews

    March 2, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    Slogans for policy, myths for history

    We have a juvenile obesity epidemic,and the Democratic Party attempts to address it with social awareness and pressure, with limits to some sugary accesses. Tyranny! Explodes the indignant and indecent right-wing – saying that what a child eats is a parental matter, NOT the government’s! I ask, who, prior to this suggested action, is in charge now? The parents. All evidence points to the idea that the parents being in charge ain’t working.

    If the status quo is according to your premises, such as parents are best at controlling juvenile diets, or that there has been trickle down tax breaks for ten years, and your fully employed ideas aren’t working; when do you realize that? When do the slogans and myths yield to reality?

    Democrats recognize problems, recognize optimization obligations, and apply systematic processes aimed at solutions. Republicans apply slogans as solutions. They then use myths to forget that it didn’t work last time either.

    There are no significant national-level Republican programs recently enacted that aren’t screwed up beyond belief : unfunded Medicare D, Iraq, neglected Afghanistan, job growth, deficit management, the wars on terror, drugs, and women, on and on. An exception, the Republican EPA, now under Republican assault.

  25. 25.

    trollhattan

    March 2, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    Stalin is pretty good with cheese sauce. Broccoli needs that “special something” to keep if from being a hippie vegetable trap.

    Also, too, a doggie rescue story for those who lurves them some doggies. Set the cute meter to “11.”

    http://ann-mariehensleyphotography.blogspot.com/2011/03/rescue.html

    Also, also, too, what’s up with Newt and Santorum and Fox? They have a crapload of potential candidates still on payroll.

  26. 26.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    @Francis: I’d also say it depends on where you’re carrying that weight. Hips, thighs & shoulders for much of it — good. Gut — bad. Maybe that’s what Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel) meant by tape measure is better than weight.

    If you really want to lose some weight, I think (from my wife’s experience) that Weight Watchers is really good. But sometimes one has the concentration required and sometimes not.

  27. 27.

    The Dangerman

    March 2, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    @R-Jud:

    Exercise (cardio intervals + weight training)…

    And in that order (per my understanding; IANAD). Doing cardio prior to weight training burns more calories…

    …which, in the end, is the whole game. Calories in vs. calories out (and muscles from weight training assist in the latter).

  28. 28.

    freelancer

    March 2, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Ooooo…I have a new favorite word today from this Grist article on “Climategate”:

    The lesson we’ve learned from climategate is simple. It’s the same lesson taught by death panels, socialist government takeover, Sharia law, and Obama’s birth certificate. To understand it we must turn to agnotology, the study of culturally induced ignorance or doubt.

  29. 29.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    @trollhattan: I think Steve Benen suggested Newt and Man-on-dog were just closer to actually declaring their candidacy than the others.

  30. 30.

    freelancer

    March 2, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    @freelancer:

    Rescue me from mod, pleeze. I quoted someone who used the proper form of sockalist.

  31. 31.

    Svensker

    March 2, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    @David in NY:

    You just come sit over here right by me, and bring the food.

  32. 32.

    trollhattan

    March 2, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    @David in NY:

    My come-to-hayzeus moment with sprouts was at an Italian restaurant where they blanched them, then sauted with…I don’t know everything but it for sure involved butter and panetta. Dayumn they were good and we’ve been trying to replicate them ever since. Never mind they’re transformed to probably 500 calories per sprout.

  33. 33.

    Svensker

    March 2, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    @Francis:

    Low carb works well and is really easy. But it can be hard on the budget and really tough if you’re vegetarian.

  34. 34.

    BGinCHI

    March 2, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    @kdaug: We’re exactly the same age, but I’m taller and slightly heavier.

    I have more wives than pets though.

  35. 35.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    I do not believe anyone loses much weight just by exercising or weight training. Portion control, and being in the zone where you can say, “I don’t need to eat that,” are what I’ve seen actually work. I love exercise, and think it’s wonderful for you, just that it doesn’t, by itself do much about weight.

  36. 36.

    The Dangerman

    March 2, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    Also, regarding cardio intervals, key word there is intervals. LSD (long slow distance) not as good as going balls out (like, blowing chunks balls out) for 30 to 60 seconds and then resting for 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat over and over. Then hit the weights….

  37. 37.

    trollhattan

    March 2, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    @David in NY:

    Interesting. Have to say, from the bleachers it seems like Huck is pushing hardest. Snowflake, of course, has zero intention of doing anything but raking in that sweet, sweet cash.

  38. 38.

    soonergrunt

    March 2, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    I can’t process you with my normal brain.

  39. 39.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    @trollhattan: I think somebody upthread mentioned oven-roasting, which can be lower fat. Though some olive oil is necessary to keep them from sticking too much and a little more, to put that lovely sheen on them, is better — but I was trying to avoid that.

  40. 40.

    BGinCHI

    March 2, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    @The Dangerman: Best to do both if you can, though. Hard workouts need lsd in between. For cyclists, that kind of slow ride is a must between big days, races, etc. But I agree for those going from not-fit to fit, you really need to knock the shit out of yourself for a while to change your body and especially your metabolism.

  41. 41.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 2, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    @trollhattan:

    …I don’t know everything but it for sure involved butter and panetta

    Can we call them Brussell Sprouts à la Staline? Healthy, Soviet communist and French?

  42. 42.

    nhoj

    March 2, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    @The Dangerman:

    The physiologists seem to think it is really a matter of personal preference. If you do cardio first you may deplete glycogen stores but you also run the risk of being so tired by the time that you get to resistance that you aren’t using proper form which can lower amount burned to severely injure.

  43. 43.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 2, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I don’t know. They sound Belgian to me.

  44. 44.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    @trollhattan: I think Benen was suggesting there are some actual metrics for deciding who’s going for it, and Newt and Santorum look serious on those levels, so Fox has suspended them. But I am not really astute in those areas.

  45. 45.

    Violet

    March 2, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    @David in NY:
    How about roasting the sprouts first and then adding them in? You’d get that earthy, nutty flavor if you did that. It would go well with the mushrooms.

  46. 46.

    Jim in Chicago

    March 2, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    If Chinese broccoli is allowed, I’m okay with the mandate. ;)

  47. 47.

    uptown

    March 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Sautéed in olive oil with salt and pepper.

  48. 48.

    PurpleGirl

    March 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    @trollhattan: Lovely rescue story.

  49. 49.

    Mnemosyne

    March 2, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    @Francis:

    Alton Brown lost 50 pounds relatively recently and he had some pretty good advice:

    Live and Let Diet (Pt. 1)

    Live and Let Diet (Pt. 2)

    I personally recommend Weight Watchers because I lost 32 pounds with them, but (full disclosure) I also work for them one day a week.

  50. 50.

    gex

    March 2, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    @David in NY: This. I had been walking twice a day for over a year with moderate success at weight loss. Then for various medical reasons, I lost my appetite, so now I can just plan what to eat, when to eat it, and how much of it to eat. Lost 60 lbs that year.

  51. 51.

    The Dangerman

    March 2, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    @BGinCHI:

    Best to do both if you can, though.

    True, especially for specific sport circumstances as you indicated.

    For more information, google HIIT (high intensity interval training). Also, as I understand it, if your interest is losing the gut, do the cardio first. If your interest is muscles, go weight training first.

    It ain’t easy; workouts I do well (gym at least 5 days per week), but my eating/drinking habits still mean a bit of a gut. Moral, eating that extra portion really can’t be burned off through exercise. Leave it on the plate (which, truth be told, I can’t do).

  52. 52.

    Roger Moore

    March 2, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    @freelancer:

    I’m ‘meh’ about Stalin today. Tomorrow we’ll “Repeal” him.

    Is that “repeal” or “repeal and replace”?

  53. 53.

    Sentient Puddle

    March 2, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    @stuckinred: Yes, but for right now, sweet motherfucking Jesus how I’ve missed my goddamned screen lock switch. I want that shit right the fuck now!

  54. 54.

    kdaug

    March 2, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Brussell Sprouts à la Staline

    [Stands up and salutes] “I renounce Brussell Sprouts à la Staline!”

    Damn, that was easy.

  55. 55.

    freelancer

    March 2, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    @Roger Moore:

    Is that “repeal” or “repeal and replace”?

    Don’t get me started on Georgy Malenkov.

  56. 56.

    trollhattan

    March 2, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    @David in NY:

    I’m not either, more like consistently surprised by the continuous random movements amongst the Republican field (which more resembles a weedpatch than a field). This might explain the Fox action re. Newt.

    http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/gingrich-advisers-explain-mixed-signals-on-exploratory-committee-announcement/?hp

    After the November election they were all licking their chops at the possibility, but lately the more sentient must be wondering how it would feel getting demolished by the Kenyan usurper next year.

  57. 57.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    @Violet: Takes a little time to roast them, I thought, but now that you mention it, I’m going to stirring that risotto for about 25 minutes anyway, so that might do it. Good idea.

  58. 58.

    Violet

    March 2, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    @Francis:
    According to the BMI calculator (I tried to post the link, but FYWP wouldn’t let me) a weight of 178 gets you to the upper end of “normal weight.” And 133 is the lower end. So a “normal weight” would be 133-178.

    Whatever works for you is what works. I think portion control is a good thing to play around with. Try using a smaller plate for your meals. Also re-learn what hunger feels like. That’s an education for those of us who eat whenever we want and for reasons other than hunger.

    Aside from that, just try to be healthy using the usual suggestions. Increase vegetables and fruits, use less fat and make them healthy fats, try to eat as food that is processed as little as possible. Limit bad-for-you things to treats and special occasions. If you fall off the wagon, get back on. Stay with it.

    Also, exercise somehow every day. If you miss a day, pick it back up the next day. Start with walking, increase to running. Mix it up with weights, biking, swimming, tennis, working in the yard, etc. But be active.

    Good luck!

  59. 59.

    kdaug

    March 2, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    @trollhattan:

    but lately the more sentient must be wondering how it would feel getting demolished by the Kenyan usurper next year.

    Yurp. And like he said, he knows a thing or two about politic’in.

    Cold feet, much?

  60. 60.

    Napoleon

    March 2, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    @Francis:

    I will add my 2 cents.

    6’ 0” thin frame, 49 and got up to 205-210 territory. When I first topped out at this height in my teens I think I was something like 145.

    Anyways I didn’t do anything too radical, just tried to take in less calories, started exercising regularly, but moderately (say a couple of shorter bike rides a week with one 1 ½ – 2 hour ride or longer on the weekend and gym in the winter) and I slowly shaved the weight down to 180, which was my initial goal (with the thought that once I got there I would reevaluate the goal). I still have a bit of a paunch, and need to work on that, but I think I am pretty much in a good neighborhood.

    One weird thing though is that nearly all of the loss would come in sudden losses where it seemed like I would loose 6 or 7 pounds all the sudden and it would stick, then I would go long periods of more or less static.

    By the way, I also combined it with trying to get more sleep so I felt more rested, and less salt intake. Part of the reason I did it was because of borderline high blood pressure and definitely a life with a lot of pressure. I actually think I feel happier with the changes to diet, sleep and exercise and the BP has gone down

  61. 61.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    @trollhattan: Geez, that piece from the Times blog makes Newt seem even sleazier than I thought, and I wouldn’t have considered that possible …

  62. 62.

    geg6

    March 2, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    Here’s something we can all get behind in WI:

    https://wisdems.zissousecure.com/contribute/RecalltheRepublican8Email

    I’ve sent them a little, just now.

  63. 63.

    Stooleo

    March 2, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    So, I’m probably not with current events, but is Sully really going to the Daily Beast? If so, I do hope people will be able to comment on his posts. Perhaps he’ll learn something.

  64. 64.

    pragmatism

    March 2, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    the broccoli mandate always makes me think of the baptism scene in the godfather.
    do you renounce stalin and his works?
    i do renounce him.
    do you renoucne the broccoli mandate?
    i do renounce it.

  65. 65.

    trollhattan

    March 2, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    @David in NY:

    Isn’t he just extra special? Makes it all the more fun when he lectures the rabble on morality & such.

  66. 66.

    suzanne

    March 2, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    O/T, but I have a general question. I start my new job on Monday (woot!) and I accepted the offer, and they said that it’s contingent on a background check. Because I am paranoid, I am wondering what they are checking for. I’ve never been arrested, only got a ticket a couple of years ago for speeding in a school zone. But my credit is kind of shitty right now b/c of medical expenses. Is that going to be a problem? The job isn’t in the financial field. I know I’m just being paranoid, but I would just hate to get this close to a good job and then have it all fall apart.

  67. 67.

    BGinCHI

    March 2, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    @suzanne: Depends what field and who is doing the looking, but it’s SOP for a lot of places.

  68. 68.

    kdaug

    March 2, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    @Violet:

    try to eat… food that is processed as little as possible

    Yeah. I think one of the things that has helped me keep my weight in line is our habit of cooking on Sundays for the week’s meals. (The wife has been vegan for about a year now, too. The WIFE has been. Daddy don’t play that.)

    But we basically decide what we’re going to have for the week, buy the ingredients on Saturday, cook on Sunday. We really don’t eat processed foods or go out to eat at all. It’s cheaper, it’s healthier, and our house smells amazing every Sunday.

    (And I’m sure JefferyW will be along shortly to put me to shame once again).

  69. 69.

    geg6

    March 2, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    @suzanne:

    Depends. The background checks we do here at the University just confirm work background, degrees, etc. No credit checks. But I do know of employers who use them.

  70. 70.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    @kdaug: Oh, yes, eating at home, and really cooking (in a light fat way), actually works. My wife is pretending to follow weight watchers at the moment (which usually fails, you really have to keep track of everything you eat for it to work), but probably because we’ve been eating almost exclusively at home (and we rarely eat processed stuff), she’s losing weight slowly but surely.

  71. 71.

    JPL

    March 2, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    Buddy Roemer is planning on visiting Iowa for a possible run.
    hahaha

  72. 72.

    MattR

    March 2, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    @suzanne: I think it really depends on the company. It could be as minimal as just making sure you don’t have a history of assualt or theft – both checking your criminal record and job history. Or it could be as invasive as checking your personal and financial situation to make sure you are not in an easy position to be bribed (or blackmailed). I am guessing it will be a lot closer to the former than the latter

  73. 73.

    Hungry Joe

    March 2, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    I’ve gotta dissent re the exercise regimen. Intense intervals + knee-bucking weights, in whatever order, is terrific … but most people are unable to subject themselves to extreme discomfort week after month after year after decade. Better, I think, to get some decent exercise, push yourself to your comfort limit — with both weights and cardio — and coast from there. (You’ll also avoid injury.) In the long, long run you’re more likely to keep at it, and thus end up getting a lot more exercise. There are plenty of exceptions, of course; if you can hit it hard forever, great. But moderate exercise is infinitely better than none, while intense exercise is only marginally — a fair margin, but still — better than moderate exercise.

  74. 74.

    prince albert

    March 2, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    the broccoli mandate?
    the brussel sprout revolution?

    ain’t no thing but a chicken wing.

  75. 75.

    freelancer

    March 2, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    @pragmatism:

    the broccoli mandate always makes me think of the baptism scene

    You’re not alone there.

  76. 76.

    BGinCHI

    March 2, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    @geg6: Same here. Just makes sure there aren’t felonies or other kinds of records that would send up a red flag about character. I don’t think we’re even allowed to do a credit check.

  77. 77.

    Dennis SGMM

    March 2, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    @trollhattan:
    Come on; Newt’s been forgiven. The fact that he’s a serial adulterer and a hypocritical asshole no longer counts due to forgiveness. The cracker/fundie segment of the Republican base loves them anyone who gives the appearance of having submitted to religion.

  78. 78.

    Hungry Joe

    March 2, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    I have to dissent re the exercise regimen. Intense intervals + knee-bucking weights, in whatever order, is terrific … but most people are unable to subject themselves to extreme discomfort week after month after year after decade. Better, I think, to get some decent exercise, push yourself to your comfort limit — with both weights and cardio — and coast from there. (You’ll also avoid injury.) In the long, long run you’re more likely to keep at it, and thus end up getting a lot more exercise. There are plenty of exceptions, of course; if you can hit it hard forever, great. But moderate exercise is infinitely better than none, while intense exercise is only marginally — a fair margin, but still — better than moderate exercise.

  79. 79.

    Ailuridae

    March 2, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    @Francis:

    Without knowing your build the height and weight isn’t enough. A quick way of assessing your health is to measure yourself at your waist and hips (at the widest diameter). If you’re waist is bigger than your hips you need to lose some weight and probably keep losing weight until that ration is more like .9 or even .88. My WHR at the moment is ~.81 but I’m also a fitness nut

    The easiest way to lose weight is to make a daily habit of exercising. A good starting point is walking for cardio and lifting. If you have to choose between one or the other though I would definitely recommend lifting. Do you think you could walk for an hour uninterrupted?

    Some people mentioned low card dieting and it certainly works. I find that slow carb dieting is at least as effective with fewer restrictions (and far more fiber)

  80. 80.

    BGinCHI

    March 2, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    @Hungry Joe: Any exercise is better than nothing. Walking is really excellent if it’s all you can do.

    Still, working out until you puke is a lot cooler.

  81. 81.

    geg6

    March 2, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    @Hungry Joe:

    I agree. I walk 5 days a week, about 3-5 miles. Usually outside, but I have a treadmill for inclement weather. My weight hasn’t changed in 20 years, I eat what I want (though I try not to eat a big meal after 7pm), and my BP and cholesterol rates are perfect (despite being a smoker and over the age of 50). It may be that I am genetically blessed, but my doctor says he wishes that more of his patients would just get moderate exercise and eat sensibly and never, ever, ever diet.

  82. 82.

    Studly Pantload

    March 2, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    @Francis:

    I’m in your age/height/weight range. This year I’ve worked up to a slow and steady slog of 3+ miles a handful of times a week, and I’m definitely seeing results.

    Sure, you could go the “balls-out, blowing-chunks” route — but I’d *really* recommend a Dr.’s blessing beforehand if you’re in the shadow of 50.

  83. 83.

    Another Commenter at Balloon Juice (fka Bella Q)

    March 2, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    @MattR: Brussels sprouts are the spawn of satan, or perhaps Stalin, so I denounce them as well.

  84. 84.

    bemused

    March 2, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    @geg6:
    I did yesterday. I just hate seeing beautiful WI going through this.

    Did anyone see Lawrence O’Donnell last night? This get-off-my-lawn R senator, Grossman?, was a typical old, white, know it all jackass calling the overnight protesters slobs and he would be ashamed to take his kids through the Capitol. Everything he said offended me. The idiot said the bill gives WI public employees better collective bargaining rights than federal employees!

  85. 85.

    Villago Delenda Est

    March 2, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    @Dennis SGMM:

    The “appearance” of giving into their fucked up mythological belief system is all that’s important.

    Of course, none of them actually believe any of the philosophical tenets of their religion, anyway…they’d hang Jesus as a “hippie” if he came back today.

  86. 86.

    singfoom

    March 2, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    I can highly recommend P90X. I failed 3 weeks in and gave up last time, but I’m in day 2 right now.

    Awesome program, you can do it at home with minimal equipment.

  87. 87.

    Hungry Joe

    March 2, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    I actually have a tough time keeping the exercise moderate; a voice keeps telling me to add five pounds to the bar, pick up the pace a little, do more intervals. Then I take a step back and a deep breath (if I’ve got any left) and ask myself, Why? What are my goals here? If they’re just 1) maintain basic aerobic fitness, 2) stay moderately strong, 3) provide resistance for aging bones, and 4) look respectable at the beach, well, I’m doing that already. Still, that voice (an mix of former coaches’ haranguing, no doubt) keeps egging me on …

  88. 88.

    R-Jud

    March 2, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    @BGinCHI:

    Still, working out until you puke is a lot cooler.

    Eew, no. I take my exercise pretty seriously, coming from a family of competitive athletes, and I don’t work out until I puke. My tough interval workouts are twice a week. The other sessions are longer, slower intervals. I also take walk breaks on most of my long runs over 15 miles.

    My weight workouts are always pretty heavy, though. They’re also short– never more than 15-20 minutes, with lots of resting.

  89. 89.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    March 2, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    Tweety is on fire.

  90. 90.

    Dennis SGMM

    March 2, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est:
    The notion that you need a mortal interlocutor (Who is , of course, free from any mortal fault) between yourself and an all-knowing, all-seeing deity is one of the best cons ever invented.

  91. 91.

    eemom

    March 2, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    @bemused:

    This get-off-my-lawn R senator, Grossman?, was a typical old, white, know it all jackass calling the overnight protesters slobs and he would be ashamed to take his kids through the Capitol. Everything he said offended me.

    I fucking HATED that asshole. He was the utter Platonic essence of everything I hate.

    If I’d had a gun and knew how to shoot and could afford a new teevee I might have shot my teevee.

    Except it would have scared the dogs and come to think of it some guy got arrested for that. So never mind.

  92. 92.

    freelancer

    March 2, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    @freelancer:

    Thanks to whoever got me out of mod. Your word of the day is agnotology, the study of culturally induced ignorance or doubt.

  93. 93.

    Studly Pantload

    March 2, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    @eemom:

    “Slobs.” He called his own constituents, “Slobs.”

    But he denigrated his constituents and fellow citizens with that nice Wisconsin accent that reminded me of Kitty from “That 70s Show.”

    It was very disconcerting, to say the least.

  94. 94.

    Phyllis

    March 2, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    @suzanne: I think they have to tell you specifically if they are checking your credit, and it has to be for a reason that’s directly related to the job responsibilities.

  95. 95.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 2, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    @Studly Pantload: Was it Glenn Grothman?

  96. 96.

    bemused

    March 2, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    @eemom:
    I felt exactly the same way. I wanted to reach into the tv and throttle the creep. I’ve been around way too many of these old farts not to recognize another supercilious, pompous ass from the first words out of his mouth.

  97. 97.

    Studly Pantload

    March 2, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Didn’t catch his name, I fear. But he was a different guy than the Republican that O’Donnell had on some of his previous shows, who was I believe the Republican leader of the State Senate. He, too, was spouting the words of the devil in that calming, friendly accent.

  98. 98.

    bemused

    March 2, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    Thats the name. I remembered it as Grossman which is a better fit.

  99. 99.

    Dave C

    March 2, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    I just listened to Mara Liasson on NPR’s “All Things Considered” interview a college professor about why public sector unions are a Very Bad Thing. Liberal media, my ass.

  100. 100.

    Nellcote

    March 2, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    Tweety is on fire.

    He just corrected Sam Stein for not being hard enough on Huckabee. Hilarious!

  101. 101.

    pragmatism

    March 2, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    @freelancer: HA! nice one freelancer. didn’t see that. dfh’s think alike.

  102. 102.

    Studly Pantload

    March 2, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    @Nellcote:

    When Tweety gets going, he is like a bulldog — but the thing bein’, you never know what’s gonna light his fuse. One day, you’re nodding along as he’s King of the Righteous Indignations, the next he’s glossing over something that leaves you screaming in exasperation at the teevee.

  103. 103.

    JCT

    March 2, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    @freelancer: Given how we seem to be swimming in it should be a real growth field.

    And I’ll add my voice to the interval training crowd — mixing up endurance (as in steady-pace) with 2-3 days of HIIT is a great way to exercise. This also goes for resistance training (mixing it up) — keeps your body from becoming “used” to your routine and also improves overall exercise compliance as it is less boring than doing the same thing all of the time.

    And to shatter the healthy interlude — one of my husband’s favorite dishes is stir-fried brussels sprouts with carmelized shallots. Not too terrible for you and really good…

  104. 104.

    Nellcote

    March 2, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    @Studly Pantload:

    he’s glossing over something that leaves you screaming in exasperation at the teevee.

    I look at Tweety as someone with Alheimer’s. Some days are better than others. My personal turn off the teevee moments are when he gets distracted and fixated on a piece of lint and looses track of the larger issue.

  105. 105.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    March 2, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    @Nellcote: Since HuffPo was bought, they’re really trying to be “fair and balanced” and hence the Birther apologists.

  106. 106.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    March 2, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    @Nellcote: he’s actually been really, really good for months.

  107. 107.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    March 2, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    he kicks Rumsfeld in the nuts every chance he gets.

  108. 108.

    burnspbesq

    March 2, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    Upset City!

    Ireland beats England at the Cricket World Cup!

    How big an upset is this? Think Chaminade. Think Appalachian State. Double it. Then square it.

    Suck it, ya pommy bastards.

  109. 109.

    R-Jud

    March 2, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    @burnspbesq: Yeah, there’s a lot of moaning and whinging going on in my Facebook feed tonight. Mostly about the fact that people give a shit about cricket, as opposed to the rugby, but still.

  110. 110.

    Nellcote

    March 2, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    he’s actually been really, really good for months.

    I wouldn’t go that far but I’ll always appreciate that he called the teabaggers the Kmer Rouge. That was/is perfect.

  111. 111.

    gelfling545

    March 2, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    @David in NY: It would be wonderful. Add a few walnuts if you have them.

  112. 112.

    gelfling545

    March 2, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    @suzanne: If they’ve already offered you the job with a starting date they are probably only looking for something major. Sometimes companies use it to narrow the field and then they might look more closely. My experience has been that the more Mickey Mouse the job is, the closer they look (outside of government or bonded work).

  113. 113.

    gelfling545

    March 2, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est: But doesn’t it make you wish there was really going to be a “last judgment”?

  114. 114.

    xian

    March 2, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    Obama will be a lot easier to beat in 2016.

    I’d tackle eating first. start a food diary. be honest. I predict you will lose 5-10 lbs in the first few weeks just through being more mindful.

  115. 115.

    David in NY

    March 2, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    Well, no one will see this (we need notifications, like facebook), but the risotto worked really well. I oven-roasted the sprouts, and they got nicely done, but frankly, they got lost in the wonderful richness of wine, shallots, mushroom broth and mushrooms, and parmesan. It was really great. Thanks for the comments, everyone.

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