win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: weight loss and bowling  (Read 5516 times)

mumzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6914
weight loss and bowling
« on: July 21, 2003, 10:26:46 PM »
Well, I have a wonderful problem.
I've just dropped around 40 pounds, and am planning on dropping 40 more over the next few months.
However, I've found it detrimental to my bowling in several ways.
1. The start position for my push away keeps changing, and I don't know how to determine the right spot.
2. The grips/finger holes have gotten too big, and cause me to put my fingers too far into the holes. I'm getting a lot of pressure on tendons because of it, but I haven't had a chance to change 12 bowling ball grips.
3. My footwork has been awful.

Anyone run into the same kinds of problems and have any advice???

I'm generally feeling better, but bowling TERRIBLE!!!
--------------------
Bowling? Of course it's a sport.
------------------------
www.Shirts4Bowling.com
We Know What Bowlers Want

Home of the HAMBONE shirt!

 

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2003, 01:40:49 PM »
Major Congratulations!
This can be nothing but a good thing! Tell us your secret (besides will power, that is).

quote:
Well, I have a wonderful problem.
I've just dropped around 40 pounds, and am planning on dropping 40 more over the next few months.
However, I've found it detrimental to my bowling in several ways.
1. The start position for my push away keeps changing, and I don't know how to determine the right spot.


The pushaway and the timing step are an essential (Yes, I know you know.); so if you don't have a feel for whether your slide and release point are coordinated (which is usually a result of proper coordination of pushaway and timing step), then I'd suggest having a knowledgable person watch you closely.
 
quote:
2. The grips/finger holes have gotten too big, and cause me to put my fingers too far into the holes. I'm getting a lot of pressure on tendons because of it, but I haven't had a chance to change 12 bowling ball grips.


We make time for what we want to do. I suggest you make the time for this unless you want to wait until you have to because you have damaged your tendons.
Also I found that if I continue to jam my fingers into the hole below the knuckle, the skin at that point will crack and bleed. Dripping blood interferes with my release consistency. If your skin cracks here, it may interfere with yours also.

quote:
3. My footwork has been awful.


40 lbs lighter is a major change. Wouldn't be surprised if your body wants to take longer steps and your arms and your legs, during the approach, are yet talking to each other properly. I think this needs either a coach's good eye or just practice, quite possibly both.

Kind of surprised this (footwork & timing) hasn't worked out as you have lost the weight. Was the loss a sudden thing or very gradual?

Good Luck!
--------------------
"Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it."
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Gravy

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 162
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2003, 01:42:49 PM »
Hello Mumzie,
   Your span on your balls should be the same, its the size of the holes have changed. If you have grips change your grips and in the thumb holes use tape or slug the thumb holes. Keep up the good work. I've lost about 20 pounds this last year and I'm almost back to my college weight. I feel much better, no nagging aches or pains. Work your ABS and notice your back pains go away. Be confident your timing will come back.

9andaWiggle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13414
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2003, 01:51:54 PM »
The cruel truth is that the worse shape I'm in, the better I bowl.  If I start working out to lose fat/gain muscle, my whole game goes to pot.  Always from 1)feet get too fast and 2) muscle the follow through.  Seems when I'm weak and pudgy my follow through is more "relaxed" and my feet are slower from carrying the extra load.

Hopefully you will get it figured out, though.  Congrats on your fitness program!  Me?  I'll stay heavy and keep my low handicap.
--------------------
9-

Why, WHY won't the last one just fall??  It's WIGGLING for cryin' out loud!!
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep...

I wonder where they went? ;)

Rock77

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3621
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2003, 01:59:56 PM »
Mumzie, I am having similar things happen to me although my problems arent as severe. I am gaining weight, but it is all muscle mass as i have started a rigorous training regimen in which i am losing fat and gaining muscle. The added muscle in my upper and lower body has translated into a few things that were problems. First, I have a more powerful push off creating more leverage and balance. Second, a bit more speed and the revs are up with the increased strength in my forearms and wrist. This was a problem about a month ago, now I am using it as an advantage seeing that it is also helping me stay more square and consistent at the line. My summer avg is up 9 pins to prove it and over the past month, while practicing on a sport pattern I am averaging 190 on that. Not bad for a guy who was averaging 175 on a house shot last winter.
--------------------
How am I supposed to knock all 10 down with one ball?!?

Game In a BoxLC

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 305
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2003, 02:36:10 PM »
i have a similar physical problem that isn't bad but it has become a problem in bowling. I was always a small slender guy and i never had the muscle to overpower a bowling ball. I went to college and played baseball and all i did was lift weights, i am much much much stronger now and 16 pound balls are almost too light for me at times. I have grown up being aggressive at bowling, and now this aggression is causing me problems because i just overpower the ball. Its tough to tell yourself to cut down when youve done it your entire life.

its definitley not a bad thing like mumzie said, but it changes alot of things you take for granted.
--------------------
am i still considered a lefty, i never get to play the left side of the lane

Debina

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 345
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2003, 02:54:16 PM »
You're experiencing a huge change, and that's great!

My husband and I started bowling in February of 2002 to get us both off the couch. Since then, I've lost 47 pounds (just from bowling!), and it's amazing the impact that weight loss has on bowling. My feet are faster, my arm swing is faster, my endurance has improved dramatically, I'm stronger, so I throw the ball at a higher speed, and the biggest change ... I don't have to loop my arm out to get my swing past my chest and hips. What a difference a straight swing makes! My average from last summer's league to this summer's league is +38, and I attribute it to the combination of weight loss, practice and a patient coach.

I've always been overweight and out of shape, so this is a glorious new version of me. I'd like to lose 40 more pounds, and I'll be in heaven. Keep up the great work! I'm pulling for you.

Deb

debs130

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 790
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2003, 03:45:31 PM »
Unfortunately, I have no advice to give you.  I just want to congratulate you on the weight loss.  How did you do it, and how long did it take to lose 40 pounds?

Debs

Edited on 7/22/2003 3:55 PM
RIP Thong Princess and Sawbones

mumzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6914
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2003, 04:10:29 PM »
Well, it's kind of a topic hijack, but...Thanks for the encouragement!

I've tried everything to lose weight. 10 years following low fat regimens has only made me GAIN 75 pounds... One practitioner kicked me out of her practice, claiming that I had to be lying, since ANYONE would lose weight following what I said I ate...
I started following the Sugar Busters program in February, and dropped 12 pounds right off the bat.
Then, Memorial day, I switched to the Atkins program (with my Dr's blessing). Although there's things about the program that are frustrating, the weight loss is satisfying all by itself. My hubby has seen his overall cholesteral levels go from 378 (deadly) to 279 (not ok, but a lot better) in just 6 weeks on the diet!!!
I do need to start doing more exercising and working out - the aches and pains are starting to get better, so maybe more exercise will mean less pain.

--------------------
Bowling? Of course it's a sport.
------------------------
www.Shirts4Bowling.com
We Know What Bowlers Want

Home of the HAMBONE shirt!

Jish

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 69
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2003, 06:05:23 PM »
mumzie, congrats on the weight loss. The thing I noticed about weight loss and bowling besides your hands getting smaller along with everything else is the change it made to the legs. I mean, your legs are used to moving more weight when you are heavier so when you lose the weight your legs appear stronger because they are moving less overall weight so an adjustment in your approach is a must.
One more thing. On the atkins diet. This is a great diet plan but beware, you have to stay on the recommended foods or the weight comes back seemingly overnight. Example: I went on the diet for 2 weeks and lost 9 pounds. Started my vacation and did not follow it like I should have. After a day and a half of not following it I went from 196lb. to 201. No kidding. I am self taught on the subject of nutrition and fitness and came to the conclusion that it was mostly water weight. Well, don't want to turn this into a diet discussion but just thought you should know. Good Luck with the weight loss.

mumzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6914
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2003, 09:18:24 PM »
Hey, Dan - that's great! Keep up the good work.
As I sit here, after my dinner of BBQ pork and green salad, enjoying a dessert of sugar free jello with REAL whipped cream...
YUM!
Atkins is great, isn't it???
--------------------
Bowling? Of course it's a sport.
------------------------
www.Shirts4Bowling.com
We Know What Bowlers Want

Home of the HAMBONE shirt!

mumzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6914
Re: weight loss and bowling
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2003, 10:09:55 PM »
Bones - I appreciate your concern. Believe me - I've tried everything under the sun to lose the weight. IT WILL STAY OFF. Thanks!
I'll respond in more detail via message...
--------------------
Bowling? Of course it's a sport.
------------------------
www.Shirts4Bowling.com
We Know What Bowlers Want

Home of the HAMBONE shirt!