Eat As Much As You Want In Colombia And Lose Weight

morphus says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:19:

I've never been to Colombia as a fat person so i'm not sure :)

miamimike says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:35:

Must be true if it was said here on PBH,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:37:

I'm not a fat person either but for me it's absolutely true. I lose weight every time in Colombia and it starts in days after the arrival. I can stuff my face with things that I could not even imagine eating here for the fear of gaining weight; of course I don't like sugary things and white bread and stuff like that here either.

So, I stay away from junk food, bottled drinks except mineral water just the same as I do here...but the amounts of fat and carbs I stuff into myself in Colombia is amazing:) Yet I lose weight, every time. I DO NOT exercise at all in Colombia (I do some here) and I take a taxi or ride with friends in their cars to everywhere. No walking, except from one end of the mall to another, drink aguardiente and wine and beer, eat all the sancocho and fritanga I feel like and come back home after a couple of months one size smaller:)

Gods, I need to get down there again soon...

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

El Polo says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:45:

The longest I stood in Colombia was 5 months, I finished H.S, worked for about a year then left, I played H.S football and was still playing pick up games at the time. I left weighting around 195 pounds, came back weighting around 180 pounds with an over-worked liver!

I didnt change my eating habits neither.

Jlove says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:46:

I am chubby and lost 30 pounds in a month during my summer stay. I ate what i wanted but not having a care and having to walk more was beneficial to me. Also I play ball daily.

Tinto (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:50:

I am sure it's related to the phenomenon known as "hotel sex" where mood, change of scenery, vacation, etc all combine to produce better sex even between long-term sexual partners. If one of you would like to fund my grant request, I will undertake a research project and provide you with a report chock full of hard-to-pronounce neuro-physiological psycho babble that explores the relationship between men, women and sugar in a historical context; takes a critical look at the use of arepa, chorizo and melon to describe sexual organs; and ....

miamimike says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:56:

Its not surprising considering most Visitor's bodies are not acclimated, in the case of Bogota, to the higher altitude where your body is working much harder to maintain itself and by increasing production of extra Red Blood cells needed to transport more oxygen due to increased demand. Can't help but burn more Calories in the process.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:59:

Nope, tinto and MM, none of those theories work for me.
I'm in Cali, when in Colombia; body not working hard at all. Body very lazy, by the pool.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

bufalo says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:08:

I used to watch my weight, train daily, not drink, etc. in the US - then eat like a pig in Santa Marta and come back weighing less (and quite trim!)

I must admit though, take a nice chug of tapwater from the coast, sure you'll be in the bathroom for 5 days, but will end up with the 6 pack-abs for a little while after!

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

romy says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:13:

I lose weight in Colombia, but it's clearly muscle mass being replaced by fatty mass in my case.

Tinto (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:17:

One thing's for sure, if you think all of the soup you're eating is Pure Colombian Goodness, think again. I've been around a few home kitchens, a lot of grocery stores and in the back of a couple of big restaurants, and some of those soups and stews full of fresh meat, vegetables and herbs start with a stock of Maggi or Knorr buillion cubes and/or dry soup & seasoning mixes. I brought a bunch of them back with me and started reading the labels - they're full of MSG and 16 different kinds of indecipherable protein and starch derivatives - same as here. I think the evil European transnationals Unilever and Nestle have developed special chemicals that trick our brain into telling us we're hungry. Resistance is futile...

;-)

adrienne79 says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:18:

Ha! In the states I was very skinny. I have gained more weight here that I wished to...about 15 pounds in 9 months....and no, I am not preggers. happend to me when I lived in Ecuador for a year too. I gained about 40 lbs in 11 months. It was about a 40% weight gain on me. I lost it all when I returned to TX.

Frank Rizzo says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:25:

Could be AIDS.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:34:

Not where I eat, tinto. My inlaw's former maid does not believe in knorrs or maggis, she actually believes you get cancer if you eat that stuff. She's the one who taught me how to cook too, all natural, all from the scratch. What does go into the pot in her kitchen: only fresh veggies and meats that have never been frozen, fresh herbs for seasoning, garlic and onion, tomatoes and vegetable oil (NO PALM OIL). She makes great smoothies in her blender and she cuts down the sugar when I'm there. She thinks salt is bad for you so she uses it sparingly. Midmorning she brings you a fresh fruit smoothie. serves you a tossed green salad with tomatoes and stuff before lunch and an avocado half to be eaten with the sancocho or soup. She serves you the "seco" after the soup, rice, meat, chicken, fish, aborrajado, platano toasts, fried yuca.....

Midafternoon she serves you a freshly made cup of coffee with pandebono or a hot chocolate with an arepa or pandeyuca., cheese to put in the cup to be melted in the chocolate. In the evening she serves you grilled piece of meat or chicken, slad and a cup of coffee. The kitchen closes at 7 p.m.

And you lose weight and keep on losing....

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

Tinto (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:40:

That sounds like a good menu. Problem is, unless someone A) likes to cook, B) has the time, C) has the money for a maid/cook or D) is well educated about the good, not-so-good and bad things in the grocery store, I suspect a lot of women who are also professionals are going the "convenience route." Maybe not every day, but I wouldn't see so many of these mixes and semi-prepared food items if someone wasn't buying them.

NataliaV says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:42:

True. Everyone in my family that traveled to Cali last May came back to the states lighter. I can't explain because we ate everything in sight! We actually talked about this in a thread awhile back.

hongo_joe says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:45:

You can even break the laws of physics/biology with impunity in Colombia. Not me - I've gained a lot of weight. I blame it on the big lunches and lack of exercise.

Mononoke28 says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:50:

I'm the same. I eat and drink anything I can get my hands on. Some times twice in a row because I'll eat at home, go visit a family member and they'll feed me there again, and I'm not going to say no to more delicious goodness. =D

Then when I get back here I weigh about 5 pounds less. But I do walk everywhere though. We don't have a car in Colombia so we have to walk to take the bus or metro, so I probably walk between 2-5 miles a day, easy.

Diana

MataiAnd says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:54:

TRUE, since i'm here, I lost around 7 kg. And I eat much more then back home.

esanch36 says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:02:

I lose wieght every time i go to colombia.....i also become very constipated for like 3 weeks. anybody else get constipated?

All right, I'll ask: How come it took three seconds to euthanize Eight Belles, but the Womens NBA is starting Year 12???

gringoloid says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:12:

i heard it has something to do with the change in altitude with that 'switch' in your mind that tells you your full faster.

i lose 5 kilos pretty quick when I return to bogota.

be interesting if the same things happen in cartagena at sea level, although i noticed cartagenans eat healthier than most americans i know.

nine inch nails says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:13:

I think it's because I speak more Spanich when I'm down there and mas rapido mas rapido and louder than I normally speak Englich and that in turn turns up the bodies metabolism.

That's a nice theory.

get down, get down

robi666 says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:18:

It is absolutely false... :(

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:22:

...but there's this story going around on the net that it's speaking English that makes you fat....

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

Man Tequila says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:30:

I don't lose much weight in Colombia. I tend to gain it Argentina though.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

CatGirl says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:31:

Desi - glad to hear yo are by the pool taking a break!!

"but there's this story going around on the net that it's speaking English that makes you fat"

Love the comment - it could be true!! jajaja. Never know...

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 14:00:

I wish, CatGirl.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

El Polo says on Apr 30, 2008, 14:33:

Not everyones body works the same, I notice several of my friends that have left to the military, were stationed overseas for 18 months (iraq) and lost significant body weight while there. They were working out 5 days a week while in the states, (cardio & calistetics) and twice a week while overseas, and still managed to lose weight in Iraq, go figure. Some who also worked out frequently while in the states, left to Iraq overweight by military standards. Too many things to consider in this arguement. Another example, my younger cousin here in the states is currently 215 pounds, one of my older cousins in Colombia is 165, 1 pound overweight according to BMI standards for his height, they dont look related standing side by side. my 2 cents

webmanco says on Apr 30, 2008, 15:03:

It is due to the adrenaline in being in one of the most dangerous places in the world. Locombia. Don´t need any other diet. :-)

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

Mononoke28 says on Apr 30, 2008, 15:34:

esanch36 says on Wednesday April 30th, 2008 13:02:
I lose wieght every time i go to colombia.....i also become very constipated for like 3 weeks. anybody else get constipated?


TMI. =|

Diana

Cerealkiller says on Apr 30, 2008, 15:36:

Doesn't do anything for me. I don't lose or gain weight. That said, I do gain weight when travelling to the US regardless of how little I eat.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

durito says on Apr 30, 2008, 15:41:

i've been gaining weight recently in medellin. i've lived at a similar or higher altitude my entire life.

MaFe says on Apr 30, 2008, 16:45:

I think it's true...food is natural there...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

robi666 says on Apr 30, 2008, 18:48:

buggy says on Wednesday April 30th, 2008 14:51:
The last time I was in Colombia I gained 5 kg in two weeks ...

Whaaat? Weren't you walking the whole day in the jungle with your friends? :)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

billyb says on Apr 30, 2008, 18:51:

billyb says on Apr 30, 2008, 18:52:

bogjudge says on Apr 30, 2008, 19:30:

The secret is out, alas! This rumor is being bandied about by Walmart who wants to establish and sell in Colombia the same clothing worn by the hoards of grotesquely morbidly obese women that swarm into Walmart stores in the USA 24/7. Therein lies the problem - almost no such people are to be found in Colombia. Colombianas take pride in themselves. They generally eat sensibly. They have not succumbed to the subtle allure of fatuous rationalizations for overeating and morbid obesity - " I am depressed" " I have a broken thyroid" " It runs in my genes" " My cat has cancer". Give me a break people - if one eats more calories than ones body can burn, one gains weight. Duh. By the way, the world is flat.

What Lies Over Yonder Horizon?

Chriscan says on Apr 30, 2008, 19:39:

Getting diaria helps me loose weight when I travel. It used to happen in Colombia but I guess my body is used to the food and bugs here and things are pretty much the same. I do get more excersise when I am in bed here than back in Canada so that could be a factor for many.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

Lisa Zee says on Apr 30, 2008, 20:05:

Let me tell you, it is very true, it happens to me every time I go to Medellin, I come back a lot thinner, I eat everything!. Last time I was there we were walking to get the bus up hill (both ways!) LOL in Llano Grande (Rionegro). We walked to "The Mall" and eat at El Corral, and ice cream next door at "Waffles And Creeps". I never eat ice cream here in L.A. I do eat very little though. I walk here for years about 4 miles a day, but I think I am so busy there and so happy, it must be the weather, the air, I don`t know.

Desi, I have the same situation when I go "home" also "pobresitas!!!

goin_south says on Apr 30, 2008, 22:06:

yeah, Colombia; it's the Magical Kingdom of Weight Loss.
Who F*kn knows why?
It's like trying to figure our the Loch Ness Monster.

Yeah, it's the Smorgasbord Weight Loss Clinica

y, un mil gracias.

miamimike says on May 1, 2008, 01:48:

Cerealkiller says on Wednesday April 30th, 2008 15:36:

Doesn't do anything for me. I don't lose or gain weight. That said, I do gain weight when travelling to the US regardless of how little I eat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CK-No surprise there; your system is kicking down into a lower gear as you don't need as much energy. If you maintain the same Caloric intake more or less, Bingo, up goes the weight! Its our body's protective mechanism at work,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

morphus says on May 1, 2008, 04:23:

So there you have it...eat all you want in Colombia and lose weight. Eat very little in the U.S. and gain weight :)

goin_south says on May 1, 2008, 07:47:

I think I have figured out the secret.

y, un mil gracias.

nine inch nails says on May 1, 2008, 08:57:

bump Morph.

In the US I'm stuck at a desk or in an office all day and that inactivity combined with the sweets drawer next to me and everyone bringing in food every day doesn't help.

But in Locolombia always walking the hills combined with speaking very rapid Spanich... jajajajajaja

get down, get down

Mononoke28 says on May 1, 2008, 09:01:

Oh yeah. Same here. I'm at my desk 9 hours a day straight because I also have to eat lunch at my desk to catch up on PBH... =D

But there, I'm out and about doing this and that and going to the store to get bread, then going back in the afternoon to get eggs, then walk to church, then walk to take the bus, then walk around to find the address I can't seem to find that says it's Ave. 85 but I'm at 81 so I think it's only 5 blocks but then I see that it's more because they're all 81A, 81B, 81C, D and F, then 82A, B, C, D, 83 and so forth, so I end up walking like 20 blocks instead of five. But then I go home and eat a big ass tamale with a Premio and it's all good.

Diana

mranderson says on May 1, 2008, 09:11:

I think it's bs. Maybe it's just something about being on vacation and how most people walk a lot more and eat more fruits here.

I lost some wieght when I first moved here but I gained it all back with a little extra.

El Polo says on May 1, 2008, 09:36:

The weather can play a factor as well, the hotter the weather the easier it should be to shed excessive water weight, who knows, it would be interesting to see some sort of side by side comparisons of nutritional facts on meats, poultry & dairys

Tinto (Moderator) says on May 1, 2008, 09:41:

I think we should send this scientific analysis off to THE LANCET (they've published worse). All co-authors will receive credit plus one of those snazzy white lab coats or consultation coats with your name on the chest in dark blue lettering.

goin_south says on May 1, 2008, 12:54:

I know the secret.

y, un mil gracias.

kalder says on May 1, 2008, 13:02:

Interesting post, interesting phenomenon.

I tend to lose weight when I'm in Colombia, even though I drink beer there by the gallon. I put this down to:

1. I'm on holiday, so I can spend a lot of time in the gym, pool etc.
2. The food is pretty wholesome. Not too many additives, trans-fats etc.
3. I always get the sh*ts for a week or so when I'm there.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

seabass says on May 1, 2008, 13:13:

This weight loss phenomenon happens to me when I travel to Colombia and Peru too.
Maybe it has something to do with the loads of preservatives found in the American diet.

Frank Rizzo says on May 1, 2008, 13:51:

I believe you do GS......i believe you do....!!

goin_south says on May 1, 2008, 15:13:

did anyone else mention that?
I think Seabass touches on an important item: PRESERVATIVES.

JAJA.. NO WONDER WE'RE LIVING LONGER LIVES THESE DAYS ;-((

(not part .... of ... THE SECRET)

y, un mil gracias.

goin_south says on May 1, 2008, 23:21:

If you eat what I eat in Colombia.... jjeeje... you'll lose weight too

y, un mil gracias.

morphus says on May 2, 2008, 04:25:

Preservatives? Its very easy to find food in the U.S. without preservatives. Anyway, preservatives don't have anything to do with weight gain.

dwmte7 says on May 2, 2008, 05:39:

ya'know, morphus....back in my early years in colombia...80's...i never saw an overweight person...not in the cities and not in the pueblos. and of course, i ate, as did all else, any thing and everything. now days, there are fat asses and gordos all over the place. it's the culture of fast, processed food. avoid this rubbish and you're good to go and stay lean.

dwmte

miamimike says on May 2, 2008, 09:31:

Morphus---if those Foods are loaded with Sodium, a person can gain water weight as Sodium encourages water retention.,,,Thats why anyone with high Blood Pressure(hypertension) on Medication has to avoid adding salt to his/her food or eating a lot of salty foods(bacon, chips, lunch meat ect) with the salt added during processing.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

morphus says on May 2, 2008, 09:53:

True but sodium is an additive, not a presevative. In Colombia, there is plenty of sodium in foods. You can easily buy foods in the U.S. without sodium. Rice, pastas, oatmeal, ect don't come with sodium or preservatives. You can also buy lean cuts of meat in the U.S. if you spend a little more money. You can flavor foods with spices and chopped vegetables. I notice whenever I eliminate salt alone from my diet, the weight melts off of me.

Mononoke28 says on May 2, 2008, 09:57:

I notice that whenever I eat a low-fat diet and exercise the weight comes off easily. Isn't that weird! =D

Diana

Lisa Zee says on May 2, 2008, 10:13:

DWMTE7: where have you been!??? we miss you here in PBH.

goin_south says on May 2, 2008, 10:22:

I usually agree with you, Morphus, on areas of nutitrition... You know your stufff... mostly... like our friend Rubito..... but, I seriously think we need to re-evaluate this stuff with the PRESERVATIVES.

I mean, first impression is... it's not good. Put some preservatives down in front of some other animals... see what their instincts are. Now for some research this weekend to substantiate what is being said.

y, un mil gracias.

Man Tequila says on May 2, 2008, 10:34:

Fresh food is best, but preservatives are a lot better than spoiled and rotten food.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 2, 2008, 10:59:

I lose weight in Colombia but maybe is because
1) I don't cook over there so don't pick
2) I don't each that much because it's hot (villavo)
3) I don't drink much alcohol when i am over there
4) I drink tons of Black coffe and i heard that this suppressed the appetite
5) I am always active there, walking, dancing. eh....................uhmm
6) Because of the different of time my body clock is all over the place is call the jet lag diet.
And I drink tons and tons of water

engage brain before opening mouth

miamimike says on May 2, 2008, 11:10:

Morphus, chemically salt can be a Preservative as well as an being an Additive,,,


"Salt is considered antibacterial because it restricts bacterial growth in many foods. It preserves foods by lowering the amount of "free" water molecules in foods. Bacteria need moisture in order to thrive, so without enough "free" water, they cannot grow well in foods that contain salt."

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_salt_a_good_preservative

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

morphus says on May 2, 2008, 11:18:

Still very easy to avoid though. Sugar too unless you are a very weak human being.

goin_south says on May 2, 2008, 11:49:

preservatives are a lot better than spoiled and rotten food.

MT.... that isn't the question. no doubt about your statement.
But.... what is the long term affect on our health and weight, of constantly eating the stuff? (preservatives).

It IS... I think... a difference. I imagine we get very few preservatives while eating for a week in Colombia. Maybe ZERO. I think it's a valid point. Maybe a point of contention.

y, un mil gracias.

dwmte7 says on May 2, 2008, 12:57:

one thing i noticed since my landing in the promised land 20 years ago...they use much less salt. not in restaurant and in big cities, but in the pueblos and on the fincas. salt is just used with reserve. and pepper? never. you could go to a hundred eateries in el campo and never find pepper. and if you hang in the 'outlands' over weight folks are like chicken's teeth...very, very rare.

the way i see it, GOD, the loving common FATHER that he is, didn't design life in such a way that we had to become rocket scientists about are eating habits. just eat clean, fresh foods in moderation and avoid anything processed and any and all additives. you'll be good to go, anywhere.

dear lisa, just trying to keep our heads above water here in daytona the dull...we're like fish outta water and need to go home. the little one's still in private school and we don'[t want her studying in colombia.....soooooo until she enters univ or until i convince her oldest brother to let her live with him and study at a private catholic school in wash. d.c. we're stuck here. trust me, dear, we're outta here asap.

love ya all..dw

dwmte

miamimike says on May 2, 2008, 13:52:

morphus says on Friday May 2nd, 2008 11:18:

Still very easy to avoid though. Sugar too unless you are a very weak human being.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morphus, Very True! I have to admit I am weak when it comes to Sugar added snacks!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

lpdiver says on May 2, 2008, 14:49:

My last trip to Colombia was typical. I lost 24 pounds in three weeks. Eating and drinking all the time...chorizo, empanada, bandeja paisa, huge honking chicharones.

I credit a lot of walking and altitude for the losses. The less oxygen you have in your bloodstream the less appetite you have. Bogota and Medellin are both considerably higher than the swamps of Louisiana.

t

"cook some rice!"

Frank Rizzo says on May 2, 2008, 15:39:

Holy moly LP.........is that safe??? (24lbs in 3 weeks)/?

lpdiver says on May 2, 2008, 15:45:

It just happened. Can't really say, was eating a lot though.

t

"cook some rice!"

goin_south says on May 2, 2008, 18:48:

""Eating and drinking all the time......less oxygen you have in your bloodstream the less appetite you have.""

ipdiver.... respectfully... do those two comments have logical ryhme?
If you were eating and drinking all the time (which we all seem to do, while there)... then it sounds like your appetite was plenty hearty.

And, by the way... if you didn't come, you missed a good festival last weekend and if you did, then you should have looked us up.

y, un mil gracias.

lpdiver says on May 2, 2008, 19:25:

LLLL p; well it is a matter of perception...no? Reduced oxygen levels and you are satiated and don't feel hungry and just seem to feel full. I don't know since I don't count calories here in the swamp or there in the mountains.

I do know I always lose weight.

t

"cook some rice!"

miamimike says on May 2, 2008, 23:14:

High Altitude Nutrition: http://www.bodyresults.com/E2HighAltitudeNutrition.asp

"During the Himalayan Scientific and Mountaineering Expedition of 1960-1961, most subjects working at an altitude of 19,140 feet lost between 1-3 pounds per week; during the first week alone at altitude, some males can lose up to 6.6 pounds of bodyweight"



"Expenditure can be as high as 6000 calories/day, depending on altitude, extreme temperatures, and performance requirements for any given day (NAMOHAE). The raw energy requirements increase 15-50% over that needed at sea-level for comparable exertion, and will obviously depend on the size and gender of the individual; a 115 pound woman, for example, won’t need as much food as a 175 pound man, assuming they’re doing comparable work. At the same time, food intakes typically fall 10-50% during altitude exposure, depending on the rapidity of ascent and the individual’s susceptibility to altitude illness such as AMS (acute mountain sickness)."

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

CatGirl says on May 2, 2008, 23:16:

All this talk is making me lose my appetite....;)

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

goin_south says on May 2, 2008, 23:27:

I'm losing...... my mind.

y, un mil gracias.

MitchAlvarez says on May 2, 2008, 23:30:

All i know is that when i go to colombia i eat 2 orders of whatever im having. lol yes im a pig. i eat everything in site and much more. but i since i also party every night, drink aguardiente like its just water, and go dancing all the time... i guess thats why my weight doesnt change much.

goin_south says on May 2, 2008, 23:34:

I don't 'go dancing'... but... I eat like (you) a pig... party all night...drink aguardiente... tony, that still makes no sense..... but, stilllllll, I like the rest.... lose weight.

WILL WE EVER GET TO THE END OF THIS???

y, un mil gracias.

CatGirl says on May 2, 2008, 23:45:

GS - I really hope so - maybe it just needs to be hijacked so bad no one can really make sense of it and it will become etheral mist, jejeje

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

dwmte7 says on May 4, 2008, 05:46:

lp...i think you hit it, it's probably due to the increase in walking. when i'm home, the whole family wants to walk everywhere. me?, i just want to grab a hak and get there. but after a few days, i'm back in walk mode once again and find myself, like the rest of the family, walking my ass off, going just about everyplace on foot. that is if it's close-in to envigado. up country in the finca, i walk alot, but if i have to go to gualanday or rionegro,it's bus or taxi.

dwmte

goin_south says on May 4, 2008, 11:40:

Catgirl... research the PRESERVATIVES issue, por favor...

y, un mil gracias.

lpdiver says on May 4, 2008, 14:52:

dwmte7...that is one thing I love about Medellin. Using only foot power and the metro you can cover the whole city in a reasonable amount of time. I actually drive my wife crazy and we walk and metro rather than taxi most of the time.

We do take taxis during peak hours for the metro when we have our two year old as a toddler on a sardine packed tram is sometimes no fun.

t

"cook some rice!"

goin_south says on May 7, 2008, 07:09:

....Losing weight in america....and, lovin it :-))))

y, un mil gracias.

lpdiver says on May 7, 2008, 08:29:

Losing weight in America...yeah SOUTH America.

t

"cook some rice!"

goin_south says on May 7, 2008, 16:56:

okay... loving it,... and losing weight,.. in North America. .. jaja..

Sure, I'd rather be.... goin_south

But, this isn't so bad.

y, un mil gracias.

lpdiver says on May 8, 2008, 03:58:

Your own slice of South America beside you IS nice no?

t

"cook some rice!"

rocinante says on May 8, 2008, 06:45:

In NYC I walk a lot- don't have a car. In Medellín I walk a lot - don't have a car. Also I am not on vacation here in Medellín.

I eat more and drink about the same and I lose weight in Colombia. Also I eat fattier stuff in Colombia - MUCH fattier.

But it has to be the food. The freshness and lack of processed foods and most likely the lack of sugar and salt in the Colombian food comapred to the US counterparts.

I'm not a nutritionist and generally agree with Morph on the health side of things but he's strict, motivated and goes the extra mile to do it healthy. When I'm in the US I don't come close - probably I'm too busy/lazy.

In the US one has to try harder to avoidde bad food as it is snuck into everything.

In Colombia the food served in homes, on the street and in restaurants is just healthier and fresher by default. It's just the way it is. Preservatives or not, it's fresher, tastes better and not processed. Yes there is sugar and processed food here in Medellín but It's not the norm as it is in the US.

Whatever the reason who cares? It works for me.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008