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I lost weight. Playing bass is much easier now!

How much space do you take up on stage?

  • XL - I’m a big boy & I'm fine with it

  • L - I could stand to lose a few

  • M - I’m pretty much average

  • S - I’m skin & bones

  • I only eat carrots

Results are only viewable after voting.
#45
lowfreqgeek said:
About 3 years ago I was up to 205lb @ 5'10". Now I'm ~160lb (tons of cycling and running) and I've noticed 2 things; first, basses hang much more naturally against my torso. Second, I now have some sort of exposed nerve in my left shoulder that can get irritated with a bass hanging on a strap after an hour or 2. I use wide, soft straps, but it has caused some issues mid-gig. Bass weight plays into it a tiny bit, but not enough to make me seek lighter basses than my 8-9lb instruments.

Biggest change of late is that I'd rather spend 3hrs on a 50-60mi bike ride than gigging. I prefer to spend my Friday evenings running up to the top of a mountain and back. I suspect that might change a bit as winter sets in and it's 30F and dark by 5. Maybe.
Click to expand...

I suggest doing a little tricep-focused exercise. Something like shrugs with light dumbbells. I bet that issue will go away pretty quick.

Edit: Traps, not triceps!
 
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#46
Sorry but:

06164BFD-25BE-49AC-B583-62427C4120AF.jpeg
 
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#50
This topic has been my life for the last 20 years. I was a skinny kid, and at 20 years old, I gained a lot. Over the last 10 years I gained over 100 lbs and I HATE it !!!!

I've been on weight management, and getting ready for weight loss surgery. Being fat SUCKS. I have bad knees, so instead of worrying about the gig and my playing, all my thoughts go to where will I park and how will I get my gear to and from the stage. EVERY aspect of my life SUCKS because of being FAT. I'm not big boned, chubby, or any other beat around the bush, PC terms. I'm FAT and it's unhealthy. We are the last group that is still fair game to be made fun of. You can't make racial jokes anymore, but you can pick on fat people.

I've lost 65 lbs and have 20 more to go til I can get weight loss surgery. I'm SO fortunate that I have supportive band mates in both bands, and a supportive family. This is all on ME. No one else's fault. It all started with a bad relationship where food was our only common interest. BAD IDEA, folks !

You are an inspiration and look GREAT !!!! Thanks for the topic, TB-Bass Player.
 
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#53
mb94952 said:
This topic has been my life for the last 20 years. I was a skinny kid, and at 20 years old, I gained a lot. Over the last 10 years I gained over 100 lbs and I HATE it !!!!

I've been on weight management, and getting ready for weight loss surgery. Being fat SUCKS. I have bad knees, so instead of worrying about the gig and my playing, all my thoughts go to where will I park and how will I get my gear to and from the stage. EVERY aspect of my life SUCKS because of being FAT. I'm not big boned, chubby, or any other beat around the bush, PC terms. I'm FAT and it's unhealthy. We are the last group that is still fair game to be made fun of. You can't make racial jokes anymore, but you can pick on fat people.

I've lost 65 lbs and have 20 more to go til I can get weight loss surgery. I'm SO fortunate that I have supportive band mates in both bands, and a supportive family. This is all on ME. No one else's fault. It all started with a bad relationship where food was our only common interest. BAD IDEA, folks !

You are an inspiration and look GREAT !!!! Thanks for the topic, TB-Bass Player.
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All the best with your journey. And if I may recommend a book to you, it's one Penn Jillette from Penn and Teller wrote about what he did to lose so much weight as quickly as possible so he could avoid the surgery. The short version...he ate nothing but potatoes for 2 weeks to reset his tastebuds and then went vegan/low sodium. He also didn't exercise while losing the weight because the guy who designed his plan said that exercising is for building your body and counteracts trying to lose weight.
 
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#54
HardNHeavy said:
congrats on the weight loss..i'd imagine it is easier to move about the stage, hold your stamina with long grooves, and the bass must seem lighter.. We may not all have "rockstar" bods, but there must something to be said for atleast trying to look the part...not to mention health benefits:thumbsup:


just say no!

View attachment 4411772
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That bacon burger is not really all that bad. It's not proteins so much as carbs, chips, fries, cookies and sweet water drinks, pop, Gatorade type things that add hard to use calories.
All in moderation.
Personally, I've found it helpful to eat more slowly, no matter the situation. It's helped me to consume less and makes it easier to control eating sweets among other less helpful foods.
 
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#55
JimmyM said:
All the best with your journey. And if I may recommend a book to you, it's one Penn Jillette from Penn and Teller wrote about what he did to lose so much weight that he ended up not needing the surgery. The short version...he ate nothing but potatoes for 2 weeks to reset his tastebuds and then went vegan/low sodium. He also didn't exercise while losing the weight because the guy who designed his plan said that exercising is for building your body and counteracts trying to lose weight.
Click to expand...
Thanks Jimmy !! My problem is I have arthritis in my left knee and can't exercise. I don't each much, but I don't exercise, either. I can only do upper body, but I'll try that potato thing !
 
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#57
mb94952 said:
Thanks Jimmy !! My problem is I have arthritis in my left knee and can't exercise. I don't each much, but I don't exercise, either. I can only do upper body, but I'll try that potato thing !
Click to expand...
BTW, I should mention that he wasn't allowed to put anything on them at all for those two weeks, not even a little paprika, and had to eat them dry to reset his tastebuds to the point where anything besides potatoes tasted like ice cream :D.

At any rate, I'm no nutritionist, and neither is Penn, but it worked for him and it's a fun read. Again, all the best!
 
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#60
tb-player said:
Yeah, weight is definitely a factor in health… but not the only one.
Click to expand...

This is true. I was 155lbs and 5'-10" this past January. But over the past 25 years I have always had high cholesterol (~275), I had gained about 15 lbs (was 140 at the start), hadn't exercised at all due to "life", I became pre-diabetic, and developed asthma.

In January my doc said I'm one of the folks that everyone "thinks" is in good health but that they don't know my labs.

I finally decided to do something about it, as I haven't been commuting into the city 5x/wk.
  • I got a peloton (I cut cable to be dollar neutral / negative and went to youtubetv and Netflix instead). I have averaged 15 days/month on the bike, 30-45 minute rides per ride-day.
  • I cut out my "unhealthy" snacks and now do a handful of nuts instead.
  • And I've cut back on unhealthy carbs (fries and bread), added more vegetables, and added a smoothie each morning (usually with some kale or spinach).
We'll see if a year of this has an impact on my labs. The goal wasn't to lose weight, but I'm ok with that side-effect. If there is no impact, I think I'll keep it up anyway, as I am finally starting to feel a difference. Although I'm freaking slow on the bike - always bottom 40%.

To the OP: congrats on the loss!
 
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