Why are many car guys overweight?

N2VENOM · #1 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 07:25 PM

As a healthcare professional and cobra enthusiast, I've noticed a rather large number of my fellow hobbiests that are overweight. (40-60+ years old) This is NOT an attack on anyone who carries a few extra pounds. I just recently lost a friend who passed away at a early age from complications of renal issues. I wonder what would happen if we all spent 5-10% of the time we would have been working on our cars or surfing the internet for next hot upgrade and work on our health? I am sure we can all agree with the uncertianty of our American health plan soon to be launched, we need to be prepared to either spend more money on health issures or just eat a bit more sensibly and exercise so we can all enjoy our families, friends and cobras for years to come.

What is the performance gain for every pound (car/driver) reduced?

I wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving... Peace, Darren

Silverback51 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 07:35 PM

We spend our time working on, or researching cars, not exercising.

I think part of it also that most of us that have these expensive toys, also have the income that we can go out and eat more than a young family. And needless to say, that food is generally not as healty as a well prepared home cooked meal.

zrayr · #3 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 07:47 PM

it's not just car guys. it's everyone.

Z. Ray

Jamo · #4 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 12:41 AM

Why are "healthcare professionals" such annoying pains in the asses who think they have a god-given right to opine as to what everyone else ought to do about their health?

What next, some religious zealot telling us we're all going to hell because we watch Fred's avatar too much?

Leave it at the door.

Bill Bess · #5 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 06:06 AM

Pleasssse! Darens concern regarding our health is out of concern for his fellow cobra lovers.
I'm 67 years old, hang with a bunch of old retirees, and belong to a big car club that likes to eat more than they like to drive or work on their respective rides.
Many of the car guys and gals are over weight, limp around and fret about how good they use to be when they were younger. There's also those Walmart folks...you know the old ones that use those electric shopping carts in lieu of actually walking..just because their too fat, the list goes on and on.

Well, it's easy to stay fit..just don't put so much food in the old pie hole everyday, and get some regular exercise, I mean more than just walking into a restaurant or market.

I ride my road bike (with a bunch of older guys than me) everyday between 25 and 35 miles. It's easy once you get into it and a lot of fun. I've had both knees and shoulder replaced so don't tell me you can't get off your lazy butts and exercise to keep a bit fit.
Just like your old cobra, you keep replacing parts to keep it running good..same with your body.
Go ahead and eat that second helping of turkey..it's OK!
Happy Thanksgiving, Bill

Fordzilla · #6 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 08:37 AM

I get a good weight transfer off the line & my hefty weight helps me to hook my tires on a launch

Wayne Maybury · #7 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 09:08 AM

I think this is a great topic and should be discussed.

I have managed to lose a few pounds and keep it off by eating a bit less and walking quite a bit more. My wife is an excellant cook and we very rarely eat any prepared food at home. Virtually every meal is made from scratch, with fresh ingredients. She has even found a way to get me to eat broccoli on a fairly regular basis which is saying something.

My biggest problem is that I really like to eat and I also like beer. I do tend to stay away from eating between meals and I am not a big snack person. I am amazed at the percentage of the population that is grossly overweight. When I was in grade school we had one fat kid in our class, today half the kids are overweight from sitting in front of a computer or TV while eating cheese burgers and/or pizza every day.

Wayne

Jamo · #8 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 11:15 AM

Wayne...that's great buddy. Believe it or not, I've dropped enough to where I couldn't replicate my avatar today if I had to. Also quit smoking six years ago after a four pack a day habit. I'm also keeping a bit calmer on the road while I drive amongst the unwashed, and I haven't kicked a dog in decades. We've have threads amongst members helping each other out when they want to reach goals...the smoking one a few years ago certainly helped me.

Where I get pissed are the preachers of the world laying their gospel on the rest of us, and I find that many in the healthcare profession tend to do it more often than others...while they suck the money out of our back pockets by overcharging insurance companies and the public at large so we all can pay for their overpriced toys...the same folks who can't decide whether we should have fingers stuck up our asses or have our wimmins' boobs rubbed and x-rayed. They blame us for our habits while they leech off our medical issues. That's like me telling my clients how phuking stupid they are while I bill them to get them out of trouble. I have manners...I don't tell them how stupid they are (I still bill them though).

I could sit here all day long and tell folks how phuking stupid they are for getting screwed by mfgs or parts suppliers because they don't know their legal rights. I try not to...at least until I'm asked. I could also wax on about how utterly worthless Canada is.

Maybe the poster's method of posting ticked me off...talk instead of preach and don't use a martyr as a foot in the door. We've all lost folks dear to us by the time we reach our fourth or fifth decade of walking this planet. Last family member I lost was due to members of the medical profession (proven and license revoked), but I don't come on here suggesting we kill all doctors in a Shakespearian brainstorm.

And dispite the fact that I think he's a commie, Z hit it right on the head...the whole population is phuking fat. I dare say most folks at WalMart don't drive Cobras. Hell, even Ethiopians are thickening up a bit...screwing up their marathon results.

And before anyone replies to what they think I wrote...read it again for your own sake.

4pipes · #9 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 11:34 AM

........ and pick a better day to start limiting what you eat.

Jamo · #10 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 11:46 AM

Yeah! That too!

Wayne Maybury · #11 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 12:05 PM

Hey we had our "Turkey Day" 5 weeks ago.

Jamo, I'm glad to hear that you shed some weight and especially glad to hear that you gave up the smokes. Way to go. Quite honestly, I didn't even twig to the fact that this thread was started by a health care professional. I just thought that it is a good topic.

Happy Thanksgiving Day.

Wayne

Jamo · #12 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 12:16 PM

Yup...it is a good topic.

SP01715 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 12:40 PM

I am 42, work out 5 days a week 2-3 hours a day. I am 5'10", 190 pounds and about 7 % body fat. I have been training since highschool, and once you get a routine down it is really not hard to stick with. I went to a nutritionist years ago that dialed in a diet for me based on extensive blood test, and it works well. Everyone is different as far as what types of food will work best for them. I have one splurge meal a week, and the rest of the time I stick to my diet. It really has to be a lifestyle though, or you will not stick with it.

Cobrabill · #14 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 12:44 PM

New diet drug just approved by the FDA:Trinofoodatall.

Jamo · #15 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 03:56 PM

Shouldn't be name-calling, newbie. Moderators are members who have opinions, and, as I suggested...you need to read my post at least as well as a 5th grader. Think about it for a few days.

Silverback51 · #16 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 04:35 PM

Well after just getting done with beef tenderloin, lobster, beer rice, and some whole wheat rolls, I can see why I'm fat.

Oh sh!t, here comes the cheese cake.

car4jim · #17 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 05:44 PM

Hey Darren. You just going to drop this on us a run! I'm guilty.....pushing 50 with 50 lbs too much. Help! what do I do to make my Cobra go faster!

CoupedUp · #18 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 09:12 PM

For me, it's a lot easier to add HP than lose weight... Happy Thanksgiving! I'm going back for more pecan pie with lots of whipped cream on it!!!

427sharpe · #19 (**permalink**) 11-28-2009, 09:16 PM

I worked all my ass off when I was young to get established, make some money, finance my kids college, and have some fun when I get older. Well, I have done all those things, so now I want to eat in better restaurants, smoke better cigars and have fun while I can now that I am retired. I may have gained a few pounds (or more than a few

) but I intend to spend what life I have left in a manner I enjoy. I would rather die in 10 magnificent, fun years than live 100 eating tofu, driving a Prius and drinking celery juice. IMHO.

Silverback51 · #20 (**permalink**) 11-29-2009, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427sharpe

I worked all my ass off when I was young to get established, make some money, finance my kids college, and have some fun when I get older. Well, I have done all those things, so now I want to eat in better restaurants, smoke better cigars and have fun while I can now that I am retired. I may have gained a few pounds (or more than a few

) but I intend to spend what life I have left in a manner I enjoy. I would rather die in 10 magnificent, fun years than live 100 eating tofu, driving a Prius and drinking celery juice. IMHO.

Well said.