Overweight Divers

[namabiru]

Heh... I've seen skinny people who can't even carry their own cylinders... or lift themselves back into the boat after a dive (after they've handed kit up including weights, yes... I agree, climbing back in fully kitted up would most certainly be something I couldn't do...).

With diving, I think the big question is 'can you look after yourself', not 'what size is your wetsuit?'

I would love to be more active than I am; however, I have developed a negative perception of Western sports. The focus is on winning, not on playing for enjoyment or for the social aspect, and those who win are supposedly better than those who don't. My experience is you get die-hard competitive jerks who just want to falsely elevate themselves by stomping the crap out of someone else. This is why I began practicing kendo, and then iaido. Unfortunately, there is no dojo here, so I've had to stop for now.

I don't like walking on a treadmill like a hamster in a wheel. I get bored. I'm not a TV watcher, and I've found I get ill if I try to read. Books are no good at all-- journals are okay if I'm on the exercise bike.

The weather is extremely hot here year-round, and there is no infrastructure in place for pedestrians. Those who walk will probably get run over... also, for a good indicator of what the landscape is here, go walk around a construction site. That's what the entire country is like-- construction, potholes, road cones, machinery...

So getting to do some physical activity can be challenging...

[crosseyed95]

When you judge, you open yourself up for judgement...

[divingbuddy]

Since I lost the weight (used to weigh 250, now am around 160) I have certainly noticed one thing - I feel the cold more than ever.

Just my two cents...Cheers!

[tndiverdude]

we bob in the water better!

[Largo]

I have been thinking more about Free Sky's point.

You can play off your weight with all of the jokes that you want, and all of the justification in the world,

but that stuff is surrounding your heart and slowly squeezing the life out of you.

I'm a Libertarian, and as such, I believe people are responsible for their own health and welfare, and should not blame others for their own mistakes.

Diving is a great low-impact, low stress form of exercise. But, don't let your family sue, if the worst should occur.

[Largo]

Many Happy Dives.

[firemedic8082]

Diving has definately given me more incentive to drop the weight.

[bsktcase93]

Im also considered overweight but i can still run circles around some skinny people

[IrishSquid]

Originally Posted by Eurodiver

I must be the exception to the rule I smoke and there are many times I have been snowboarding and smoke while going down the slope or smoke right before a dive. It isn't physically exerting. I don't huff and puff. I am sure I could blow the house down.
What I don't understand is people that are stereotypical and think they are better than other just cause some of us haven't stopped YET!

There's nothing like reformed drinkers and smokers. I quit smoking 2 packs a day in 1994. I still enjoy my cigars though and don't plan on giving them up. Doc says he wished more folks would stay healthy like me. Good lungs and heart.

Originally Posted by Eurodiver

And to the guy that said people in the Military are fit, I say
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha you must not have been around it much lately. There are so many "over weight" people in the military right now. Most do it because they know they can get out and the military will pay them. "We're sorry you can't lose weight here is $25,000 to make it all better."

As a veteran, I can attest than even in the 80's there was some really "unfit" people. I would say generally, the military has a higher percentage of fitness than the general population. Remember, fit doesn't mean thin.

[Wetnurse28]

How can someone say "Well Im overweight but"

That is bologne, overweight is overweight and ITS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEART.

I am a Registered Nurse and simply being overweight is just plain bad. Its bad for your heart, leads to Type II Diabetes, joint problems, CHF, etc., and frankly you will die sooner.

Being overweight just isnt good period.