Big guys unite! [Archive] - Pro-Touring.com

trapin

01-04-2008, 08:40 AM

I know I'm not the only one here. And I know I'm not the only one that has made a New Year’s resolution to detach himself from the lifestyle that has slowly destroyed his health. People always say, have a safe, prosperous and healthy New Year. Well...let’s take them at their word and do just that. I know I'll make an effort to be safe and be prosperous but the health area is one I need to step up my efforts in. For 2008 I'm going to give it go. No diets however...this is a lifestyle change and I'm hoping I can get a bunch of you on board with me so we can admit our problem and use this thread to encourage one another and help each other out. So what I need to know is...who needs to be on this bandwagon and who wants on?

Here are the changes I'm making....

- More raw fruits and vegetables. At least 4 servings a day.

- Eat 5 times a day, small portions.

- 2 servings of dairy (I drink soy milk).

- At least 60 ounces of fresh water a day.

- Eat most of fat intake in the morning because studies show you burn more fat in the morning hours.

- At least 30 minutes of some kind of physical activity...and no, this :bsjerk: doesn't count.

Here comes the hard part......

- No sweets (candy, cookies, cake, pies, ice cream, etc)

- No white rice, white bread, white potatoes, pasta. (Substituted with brown rice, whole grain bread, sweet potatoes).

- Eliminate the foods I ate most frequently in the past. These include, Thai food, Pizza, Italian food, Mexican, Red meat.

I know it sounds like a lot...but really it's not that daunting. And it's not like I'm going to have to do this forever. Basically all I think I need is a 1 year break from how I've been living my life. When the year is up I can go back to that other stuff but in moderation with the focus on keeping my weight in a healthy zone.

Alright fellas....wave the white flag and step forward. Who's with me?

rob07002

01-04-2008, 08:51 AM

I'm with ya Tony, but from experience, you cannot cut those foods entirely out of your diet and be succesful.

I agree with the "lifestyle change" part, because that's what it takes to be healthy.

you need to still be able to have a slice of pie or pizza and whatever in order to maintain sanity, just keep the portions small. If you fill up on healthy foods and have a cookie or 2 in the evening or splurge at bit on the weekends and hoilidays, you'll be fine.

Good Luck!

I'm trying Nutrisystem and stop smoking this year:barf: :smoke:

newbie

01-04-2008, 08:56 AM

WayneE

01-04-2008, 09:13 AM

You're dead on, Rob. Make small changes that will work with your lifestyle, then change more as you have successes. If you totally revamp your entire diet and exercise routine in one fell swoop, the odds are stacked against you succeeding long term.

I always advise people to start with the little things...

- remove soda, beer, sports drinks, don't drink anything with calories
- if can't give up alcohol, stick to small portions of wine or distilled spirits
- don't eat carbs past 5pm
- don't snack late at night
- stop eating fast food
- if you don't already, eat breakfast every morning
- never fill up... eat slowly... push away the plate before your pants fit tighter :)

Those right there usually take some work and getting used to before they're habit. Then you can start with the more drastic changes.

As far as exercise - if you're not doing anything right now, take a 30 minute walk each day. Just do something to get yourself moving around.

FWIW, this was me in 1997 - about 150lbs @ 5'9" with a belly (http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r228/Uber55/me/firebird.jpg)

And me in 2007 - 210lbs and still pale as ever (http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r228/Uber55/me/carwash.jpg)

100% natural, all diet and exercise.

scogin918

01-04-2008, 09:18 AM

I did the same thing 10 yrs ago when I decided to lose the baby fat I had still been carrying around. I started to watch what I ate, but along with that I started running which then evolved into triathlons, which is now back to just running thanks to being a father now. The best part about starting out with an exercise program is it is pretty easy to stay motivated early on because you start to notice changes rather quickly. Once you reach a certain level where it takes more work to achive smaller gains is when it gets tough. The biggest difference you notice however is not the change you notice while exercising, it's how that change affects all other aspects of your life. More energy, confidence, a better general attitude, not too mention a happier Mrs.. Exercise also helps overlook some of the indulgences we have in our diet. For me it's cookies w/milk and anything my Grandmother cooks. But it is a balance. I can't operate on just a diet or just exercise alone. I need both to maintain a comfortable healthy weight while being able to perform at a level that I'm happy with. I'm 6'1" and 197 lbs. I wasn't built to be a Ferrari, however I'm more like a Mack truck that can set a pace and keep it going for a long time.

eville

01-04-2008, 09:56 AM

You're completely right, it is a lifestyle change. But you can't deny yourself the foods you love. It's really about 1) portion control and 2) minding the calories in/calories out equation. Be on the '-' side of 3,500 calories and you'll lose 1#.

You should stay active and build muscle because increased muscle mass will burn more calories sitting at your desk at work.

For me, I'm 6' and went from over 260 to 185 in 2000-2001. I started with diet changes and started riding bikes (road and mtn). I was riding 5-6 days a week eating almost everything I wanted and still losing weight. Then I met my future wife, we got married, had a kid, and I crept back up to 245.
In November I decided to adjust my lifestyle again. So far I'm down 10#. I've been going to the gym 5-6 days a week and started getting the bikes ready. I'm improving muscle tone and feeling stronger. It's great!

Here's the a Happy and Healthy 2008 for EVERYONE!

6'9"Witha69

01-04-2008, 10:22 AM

While I carry very little fat now, I was 230 lbs 18% body fat back in August. I made lifestyle and dietary changes to get to 7% body fat and 245+ lbs. My goal is 275. So I am onboard to pack on lean muscle and keep the fat down.

Try drinking more than 60 ounces. I drink 1 to 1.5 gallons of water a day (higher end on basketball days).

As my nutritionist says, focus on routine, not results.

andrewb70

01-04-2008, 10:31 AM

Tony,

I am very glad you started this thread. Since late summer I have packed on more pounds than I care to admit and I too am looking to change things around for this year.

Last spring I was doing very well and following a routine that you described. I read a great book by John Berardi, called Metabolism Advantage. It essentially outlines a lifestyle plan that focuses on 5-7 small meals a day with daily, reasonable workouts. Following the plan I went down 3 belt holes on my waist while loosing only 5 pounds on the scale. This tells me that I was essentially replacing fat with muscle.

Let us all keep each other motivated and have a goal of looking out best for RTTH IV!

Andrew

JEFFTATE

01-04-2008, 10:58 AM

I'm not overweight , but I have low energy and my strength is getting weaker every year.
I guess we all need to eat and exercise correctly.
I'm with you fellas.

trapin

01-04-2008, 11:39 AM

Great...so far we got a few on board. Andrew, I'm glad you're on board as well after you and I discovered we were carrying a couple of extra humans on our frames between the two of us. LOL!!!

That's what I want this thread to be, a little place to come and network while we work towards our goals. I plan to chime in here as often as I can when I find stuff out, new tips, to report any weight lost (hopefully that's a weekly thing, LOL).

I still plan to allow myself "some" rewards here and there to help keep my sanity. But fast food is TOTALLY out. There is absolutely NO reason to be visiting those places.

BonzoHansen

01-04-2008, 11:55 AM

Extra incentive: your car will (indirectly) lose an equal amout of weight. Less weight = faster....

Young Gun

01-04-2008, 01:43 PM

dont tell the wifey, but the money you save on fast food, beer and the other stuff...i see some go fast goodies in the future =)

TonyL

01-04-2008, 01:57 PM

Rubes

01-04-2008, 03:13 PM

Dog gone it Tony...now look what you've done!! I just got home from grocery shoppin' (I live alone so no wifey to keep me on track), and here I sit with an orange and bannana for dinner...lol. I'm like Jelvis, not much over weight, but way low on energy. Also way low on self discipline for this kind of thing. But I dont drink soda at all, and eat fast food only 2 or 3 times a month. After breakin' up with my lgirlfriend because I was too fat and didn't live a healthy life style (she was a gym rat and totally HOT!!) I started going to the gym. But a ruptured disc in my neck put a stop to that. Prior to that I hadn't been to a doctor in 30 years...so much for a healthy lifestyle...lol.

Best of luck to you guys.

harshman

01-04-2008, 04:07 PM

I'd be ideal weight if I was 2' taller.

andrewb70

01-04-2008, 04:19 PM

BonzoHansen

01-04-2008, 04:23 PM

Tony_SS

01-04-2008, 04:56 PM

Just came from the doctor yesterday. 254 lbs. My enemy?

Pepsi. I drink at least a sixpack a day of it. It's killing me, and my teeth are falling out to boot. Finally, my wife is on board, and we are quitting. It's water for me, and loads of it. Doing nothing else, just cutting pepsi out of my diet, I expect to lose huge amounts of weight.

Same here - I'm down to 2 cans a day, one being diet. But that is the hardest part since I don't drink coffee. I NEED my Mt. Dew in the a.m. to get going.

Guys, if you can, pick up the book Abs Diet. It's not what it sounds like, it's a great guide to eating right. Plus, I didn't know this, but the artificial sweetner 'high fructose corn syrup' is your enemy. It's in everything from ketchup to soda to you name it! It goes straight to the gut. And its cheaper and sweeter than sugar, that's why it's in everything.

There's all kinds of things that you think are ok to eat, but really aren't. So I recommend it!

trapin

01-04-2008, 05:00 PM

Soda Pop will eat away at your bones too. I remember not long ago I saw on the news where they said some studies found it will lower your bone density if you drink large amounts.

Tony you're right....that High Fructose Corn Syrup is literally in EVERYTHING. It's ridiculous.

TonyL

01-04-2008, 05:22 PM

Tony_SS

01-04-2008, 05:24 PM

Tony you're right....that High Fructose Corn Syrup is literally in EVERYTHING. It's ridiculous.

I know - Nothing is off limits with what that stuff is in. We go out of our way to actually read the labels now. And if it's the first few ingredients, we won't get it.

trapin

01-04-2008, 08:39 PM

the headaches are killer. Im going through a whole gambut of tests and stuff. I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was 220/130 The doctor about had a stroke! Needless to say I'm on blood pressure meds. lol. Time to start taking my health seriously, Before something seriously takes my health.
Tony those BP numbers are frightening. You need to be doing what I'm doing. I've been taking meds for my BP for a few years now but my doc says if I'd just lose the damn weight I could come off of them. That is my ultimate goal.

Project69

01-04-2008, 09:15 PM

The police acdemey is a great way to loose weight lol

So far ive lost 12lbs. in 3 weeks, my fat % is at 8.2 and i weight 172 so theres alot of muscle lol oh and im only 5' 7''

But seriously the quickest way to loose weight without shocking your metabolism is to cut the sugar intake (no soda, fruit juice, sweet tea) For Vitamin-C i take E-mergenC, there little packs of vitamin c supplements each with 1000mg per serving which is about %200 daily value.

Eat lots of salad, i dont care if you hate it haha, its filling and has close to zero calories and fat. Grilled chicken breast is what i mostly, no fat, high in protien. You might want to think about taking some Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to help you immune system properly burn the calories from the food you eat.

Project69

01-04-2008, 09:16 PM

I'd be ideal weight if I was 2' taller.

:lmao:

2yellow69

01-04-2008, 09:24 PM

Hey guys this is Matt's wife, Jill. He came across this thread & had me read it. After reading it I wanted to add my thoughts to help you guys out. Cutting out soda definitely does help but like it was said, you've got to wean off of it to avoid the headaches. About 8 months ago Matt came across an article regarding "banned" foods in Europe. They all contained hydrogenated & partially hydrogenated oils. Just google it & what you find will scare you into eating right. I had just gone to the grocery store & we ended up throwing out 3/4 of what we had in the trash. I was a little reluctant because of the $ that was wasted but was disgusted enough by what we had read. Some of the other not so good foods are high fructose corn syrup (as mentioned by Tony), enriched flour & bleached flour. Since we threw all that food away, I went to the store the next day & was there for about 2 hours reading labels trying to find healthy foods. It was really hard in the beginning but now it's no problem. We now eat primarily organic or all natural foods even our meats. Because of this we can eat pretty much the same things as before (chips, cookies, etc.) just different brands. Some of the tastes took a little getting used to but we enjoy them more now than the food we used to eat. I know that when people start talking about organic foods, huge prices usually run through your mind. That's the first thing that I thought of. Thankfully, a lot of local grocery stores are starting to carry good affordable organic/all natural foods. Our grocery bill has maybe gone up $20 a week but that includes organic fruits & veggies delivered to the house (the fruits & veggies truly do taste better than anything from the store). By simply making this change & nothing else Matt lost 25 pounds & I lost 10-15 pounds. If we add exercise we both know that will help even more.
I know this was kind of long, sorry about that, but I just wanted to give everyone a little more info & to wish you all good luck!
Jill

Project69

01-04-2008, 09:32 PM

^ Great info. Basically i dont eat anything that came out of a can, and most stuff that comes out of boxes (except Special K)

shep

01-05-2008, 12:40 AM

I have to make some changes as well for health reasons. I am 5'11 and 260. I used to drink 5-6 liters of Dr. Pepper a day. I was able to ween my self off of it by switching to unsweetened tea and using artificial sweetener. I quit chewing 5 years ago and now just have the occasional social drink. My eating habits are horrible, I work out of town so I eat out everyday. I don't take my lunch because if I did I would never get out of the office. My goal is to lose 20# by the end of the year

Tony_SS

01-05-2008, 05:55 AM

They all contained hydrogenated & partially hydrogenated oils. Just google it & what you find will scare you into eating right.

Good info Jill! That's another synthetic concoction that was basically invented so oil/fat would not turn into liquid form at room temp. (I think that's right) Anyway, that's definitely more junk you shouldn't be putting in your body.

On another note, I was watching the boob tube one day, and this lady who was a dietician had a McDonalds hambuger, no biggie - so what? Well it was 6 years old!! And it looked like it came right from the drive thru! There wasn't even mold on the bread or cheese! I haven't eaten there since.

ProdigyCustoms

01-05-2008, 07:30 AM

Losing weight is real simple. It is as simple as calories and fat. You simply need to burn more calories then you take in, and the less fat calories you intake the better. After seeing my interview at Year one, I was fricken DONE! I was 256, my highest ever, and was pretty disgusted when I saw my profile.

I simply stopped eating Checkers burgers everyday, Sausage Mc muffins every morning, Ribeyes at night. I am on NO DIET what so ever, but I eat a lot of Mahi, Mahi, Chicken breast, Filet Migon, rotissiere chicken (be careful where this comes from, Costcos is the perfect food, not butter added, Bostom market is worse then a Checkers burger, REALLY!), Apples, Broccoli, instead of fries (have not had a fry in 6 months). Very little fried food. I am by no means fanatical though, and will eat a mc muffin from time to time, going to breakfast soon as I finish this post, chicken fried steak and eggs I think. Difference is for now is I will have for lunch, grilled chicken, for dinner, crab legs (no butter) and steamed vegetables. Because of the 1200 calorie breakfast I will not lose any weight today, but I will not gain weight either. I have a stationary bike I ride sometimes, but not often enough. but I do think that helps as it says I burn 300 calories when I ride 30 minutes. Sex burns a lot of calories, so I try to substitute that for bike riding every chance I get!

So the result, By SEMA I was 224. 32 LBS and a lot of people noticed. Nice slow weight loss. From morning dryer tight 42s to brand new dryer tight 38s at SEMA. By noon, 38s are good. Now after the holidays, LOTS of drinking and eating, I was 233 new years day, 4 days or eating right and 229 this morning.

My goal, I will never be 190 again, simply NOT willing to dedicate what it takes at 46 Y/O to get to a 23 Y/O weight, but 210 and 36" would be great. By Year One this year I hope to be 215 is the goal.

Now that I posted it in public, I guess I have to!

For the record, over the years I have been a professional dieter. Most successful diet by far was Adkins 5 years ago. I was 210 again in a fricken hurry, but felt like absolute Sheot! And there was no converting that diet into healthy eating without gaining a bunch of weight. Now, when I eat right, I simply feel better.

When gain weight because we eat to much bad stuff! Period.

Good luck Tony.
Good luck Tony.

trapin

01-05-2008, 07:52 AM

Jill...thank you very much for that information. If you have more, please don't hesitate to jump back in here. You know what I find interesting is...we have a crock of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" in our refridgerator and I noticed that it says "No Trans Fats". But then I look at the ingredients and it says it contains Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil. What a minute....isn't that a Trans Fat? I don't get it.

I try to by Organic when I can but you're right in that it does get expensive. But organic food does taste so much better. In the Summer you can get strawberries from the farmers as you drive more north where they have the roadside stands. The berries tend to be half the size of the ones you get at the Supermarts but they have 3 times the flavor. The ones in the Supermarts are genetically engineered to grow bigger but as a result they taste almost like nothing.

TonySS...if you think that hamburger story was amazing you should see the documentary "Supersize Me". They did the same thing with a carton of McDonalds french fries and they lasted for over 3 months in a container and never changed their appearance.

trapin

01-05-2008, 07:59 AM

Frank...thanks for the input. I didn't know that about Boston Chicken, I'll be staying away from there. Funny, I was at Costco's yesterday and almost picked up a Rotisserie chicken. LOL!!!

I'm going to start getting my 30 minutes in on my lunch hour. The Tecnical Center has about 2 miles of underground tunnels that I can walk through as the weather is colder than hell right now.

ProdigyCustoms

01-05-2008, 09:04 AM

I'm going to start getting my 30 minutes in on my lunch hour. The Tecnical Center has about 2 miles of underground tunnels that I can walk through as the weather is colder than hell right now.

30 minutes of sex on lunch hour? You really do have a good job!

Yeah, the was a story some time back, that Boston is just pumped full of everythg bad, exactly why it taste so good.

2yellow69

01-05-2008, 12:20 PM

I looked up "hydrogenated oil" on google and this is one of 365,000 articles.

www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/PartiallyHydrogenatedOils.html - 21k -

It's an interesting read.

Matt

Project69

01-05-2008, 01:26 PM

Yogurt... replace your morning meals with non-fat vanilla yogurt and granola. Also the key is not to eat less but eat more.

Thats right eat six small meals a day, between breakfast lunch and dinner eat a small high protien, or high carb snack like unsalted peanuts, yogurt.

Im sure we've all heard that your body can digest and burn more calories more effecient if you intake smaller meals more often as opposed to 3 large meals.

trapin

01-05-2008, 01:32 PM

Thanks Jill.

Well...that explains it. And I had a feeling that's what it was too.

showa

01-06-2008, 09:39 PM

Might I suggest, since you're changing your eating habits, get a chart of food Ph like this.....There is belief that cancers and such can't survive in an alkali system...Healthy can help lose wieght AND possibly help prevent diseases..... Just some thoughts... (plus + is good)

Alkalising Foods/Drinks Relative pH Acidifying Foods/Drinks Relative pH
Cucumber +31.5 pork-38.0
Alfalfa Sprouts +29.3 Veal -35
Soy Sprouts +29.5 Beef -34.5
Avocado +15.6 Chicken -18
Tomato +13.6 Eggs -18
Summer Radish +39.4 Hard Cheese -18.1
Kamut Grass +27.6 Quark -17.3
Carrot +9.5 Cream -3.9
Soy Beans (soaked) +12.8 White Bread -10
Soy Lecithin (pure) +38 Wholemeal Bread -6.5
Cabbage +14.1 Rye Bread -2.5
Celery +13.3 Pistachios -16.6
Garlic +13.2 Peanuts -12.8
Spinach +13.1 Cashews -9.3
Watercress +7.7 Margarine -7.5
Leeks +7.2 Corn Oil -6.5
Courgette +5.7 Butter -3.9
Fresh Soy Beans +12 Artificial Sweeteners -26.5
Tofu +3.2 Chocolate -24.6
Lemons +9.9 White Sugar -17.6
Limes +8.2 Fructose -9.5
Cucumber +31.5 Honey -7.6
Wheatgrass +33.8 Ketchup -12.4
Sprouted Radish Seeds +28.4 Mayonnaise -12.5
Barley Grass +28.1 Mustard -19.2
Red Cabbage +6.3 Soy Sauce -26.2
Almonds +3.6 Vinegar -39.4
Olive Oil +1 Liquor -38.7
Flax Seed Oil +3.5 Wine -16.4
Turnip +8 Beer -26.8
Asparagus +1.3 Coffee -25.1
Onion +3.0 Fruit Juice (Natural) -8.7
Watermelon -1.0 Fruit Juice (Processed) -33.6
Tea (Black) -27.1
Sorry for long post....

Aceshigh

01-06-2008, 11:30 PM

Well....I'm not quite overweight, but I thought I'd chime in on what I've learned.

I'm with ya Tony, but from experience, you cannot cut those foods entirely out of your diet and be succesful.

Hence why Weight watchers is the most successful program out there. ;)
My woman uses it and so do many of the people I know who have lost
the weight, and kept it off. Portion control and calculating the healthiness
of each item is key. Never understood all that stuff til I met her either.
Now I look at the nutritional info for EACH item I purchase.

Atkins......you will gain more once you get off it.

My resolution was to start running more. ( I hate it ...hate it....hate it)
I'm 33 and both sides of my family have Diabete's, and now I just
found out I'm a LITTLE bit over my normal blood sugar levels. I'm
still at the point of "lifestyle change" capacity. So I was working out
religiously until my baby boy was born in Oct. I was also a big time
partying drinking fool. (I'm Irish) That's all changed now.....baby changed all that.

My new years resolution will be to run as often as I can to keep my
body clean and burn as much fat as possible. I'm 5'11" and 185lbs
so I'm not "fat" but I could be in much better physical shape. Plus I'm
going to be getting married on the beaches of the bahama's this summer. So I gotta cut up for it.

I was at Costco's yesterday and almost picked up a Rotisserie chicken. LOL!!!

Costco ROCKS dude.....

Here's my breakdown for food advice.
Chicken - Costco - 12 pack breasts $16-$20 max - Buy 2 or 3 packs.
> (get Chicken flavor packs at your local grocery and bake.....they have so many flavors )
Burger meat - Costco - Substitute with Turkey burger, you'll get used to it. Trust me.
Bacon - Costco - 4 pack of Turkey bacon is the best out there, tried quite a few.
Apples - Watch for Honeycrisp when they are in season. Best crispy apples ever IMO. Expensive though.
Get a apple slicer/coring thingy...lol Then dip in peanut butter for a snack....dude they're awesome.
Milk - ONLY 1% or skim milk for the protein. Milk has ALOT of protein in it.
Potatoes - steer clear as much as possible. Especially chips or fried.
DO NOT EVER microwave them either. It increases the Acrylamide in them.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2005/2005-03-07-05.asp
Eggs - Eat egg whites only, or only 1 yolk per 4 egg whites at the most.
Get used to it. Yolks are horribly bad for you.
Red Meat - Eat as little as possible, but if you DO eat it, get good lean pieces of steak.
Carbs - Finally.....reduce your carb intake, be conscious of it, but DO NOT cut them out.
I always load up on Carbs for breakfast.....most important meal of the day. :)

Give yourself a "Splurge" day ONLY if you're strict all week. Once a week you get to eat bad.

If you like tuna, I can give you an AWESOME quick tuna lunch idea
that isn't like your normal boring tuna salad. trust me. PM me if you
want the recipe. It's totally different and I eat it like candy.

Vegas69

01-06-2008, 11:36 PM

I have been working out regularly my entire adult life. I have seen work out partners come and go. The usual problem is they shoot for the moon. I want to work out 6 days a week,blah, blah, blah You have to stick to a plan that is achievable and maintainable. It's much easier to stick less in your mouth than work it off at the gym.
I agree with the weight watcher remark. My lady has lost a good amount of weight and keeps it off. It educates you on how much and what you can eat. If I was overweight I would probably do it and not tell anybody. haha

CHRIS67

01-08-2008, 04:54 AM

Count me in. I used to be in great shape. I usually went to the gym 4 days a week, mountain biked 20-30 miles each weekend day. Then roughly 8 years ago I stopped exercising because work got busy, taking care of my son, etc.. The problem was my eating habits didn't stop when my physical activities stopped, so today I'm roughly 50 lbs. overweight.

My biggest issue has been that I didn't want to be that fat guy riding down the trail, or that fat guy at the gym and get the "look", so it was easier just not to do it. :hah:

I'm not sure about drinking soy milk, but at least I can start exercising and eating better. No more egg and cheese on a bagel for breakfast, oatmeal please.

Tony_SS

01-08-2008, 05:02 AM

Another good tip is to have a cheat meal once a week. The whole idea is that it will help you stay on track with the junk food cravings and also is said to actually increase metabolism since the body isnt used to it, it will work harder to break those calories down.

Edit: I just read about the SPLURGE DAY! I wouldn't eat junk the whole DAY, just one meal.

I eat 5-6 times a day. 3 meals and 2-3 snackes. Some things I'll snack on are yogurt, peanuts and granola bars. Eating more often also helps keep your metabolism up high as opposed to skipping meals or eating 2 huge meals during the day.

Jim Nilsen

01-08-2008, 06:30 AM

I have a cousin that took the advice I heard on the radio one day and it was to eliminate 1 thing out of your diet and change nothing else and they claimed you would lose weight.

2 yrs later at a reunion she told me "every time she sees a Sausage Egg Mc Muffin she thinks of me" I asked how that came about and she said she simply eliminated her daily routine of eating them and she lost 20lbs. in 2 months and has not ever gained it back.

A long long time ago I was taught to eat when your hungry and only when your hungry and you will always have your weight under control. I get people asking me at times " Aren't you going to eat?" and I just tell them I am not hungry. I usually never eat breakfast and never really have. It works for me and I eat whatever I want when I am hungry. This does go against some of the nutritionalist that say you shouldn't let yourself get hungry but goes with the ones that say you should fast once in awhile.

I wish all of you the best of luck and hope you all reach your goals.

It's the phosphates in the pop that break down the calcium in your bones.

68Formula

01-08-2008, 09:05 AM

Gave up soda pop a week ago. Down 3lbs so far. But man do I miss my Coke a Cola.

harshman

01-08-2008, 09:25 AM

i droped coke, the cola, 2 weeks ago. I was out today and got thirsty and picked one up - tasted like i just swallowed a mouthfull of sugar. I've never gave up caffeine so i have iced tea as my drug of choice. whatever works - eh?

trapin

01-08-2008, 09:27 AM

Thursday will be one week for me on my lifestyle change (not diet). Oddly enough I do have a Weight Watchers book that I keep with me that tells all the points for all the food. I concur...it is a great system but I just can't bring myself to go hang out with a bunch of 50 something women and grandmothers once a week for a half hour. LOL!!! Not that I have anything against 50+ year old women and grandmothers mind you.

Here's what I've been doing basically...

Breakfast - Oatmeal
Snack 1 - Lowfat yogurt
Lunch - Tunafish Sandwich (lite bread, lite mayo), apple or orange
Snack 2 - Fresh veggies (brocolli, carrots, red peppers, cauliflower)
Dinner - Garden salad made with Romaine lettuce and low fat dressing and either chicken breast or pork tenderloin on the Foreman grill. 2 days this week I had Subway but got the "6 grams and under" sandwiches. No chips or soda with it either.
Final snack - Small bowl of fruit (cantalope, pineapple, bananna)

In addition to all that I have a cup of tea in the morning with lemon (no sugar), drink 60 ounces of fresh water, soymilk with my oatmeal in the morning and a glass of red wine with dinner.

We'll see what happens. I face the scale on Thursday and I'll report back in here. If I'm successful then I'm going to reward myself Friday night when I go out to dinner with the wifey. I'd like to see everyone else chime in with what they're doing too.

Aceshigh

01-08-2008, 11:35 AM

No chips or soda with it either.

THAT is the kicker that is Americas habit that is horrible.
French fries, and potato chips and soda's. Good job. :)

Your diet looks awesome. Stick to it but keep different foods
in there so you don't get bored and deviate and you'll shed lbs.

Oddly enough I do have a Weight Watchers book that I keep with me that tells all the points for all the food. I concur...it is a great system but I just can't bring myself to go hang out with a bunch of 50 something women and grandmothers once a week for a half hour. LOL!!!
You don't need to.

That is just the weigh in and support group part of it.
They sit and babble and swap recipes for good healthy food.
You don't need to do that. They pay for it for emotional support
and the guilt trip it gives them when they screw up.

All you NEED to make Weight Watchers work for you is buy the food calculator and Scale and know how many "Points" you need daily to eat healthy and drop weight. :) They sell them at just about EVERY weight watchers location. Scale is $50 and calculator is.....$10 IIRC.

Keep the calculator in your briefcase, get used to using it.
Once you use it long enough you'll no longer need it to know how
to calculate points.

Also, Smart One's microwave meals are sponsored by Weight Watchers. http://www.eatyourbest.com/
They already list the "Points" for each meal on the box.
these are excellent for mid day supplemental small meals while on the go.

FYI, my woman NEVER went to the meetings for years until AFTER
her pregnancy (now) and she's dropping .5 - 1lb a week. That was
without exercise....now she's at the gym 3 days a week. Should shed off quickly now.

It's the phosphates in the pop that break down the calcium in your bones.

ruh roh......have to look into the diet pop effects more then.

trapin

01-08-2008, 02:04 PM

I don't think diet is much better for ya.

JMarsa

01-08-2008, 06:54 PM

Well....I'm not quite overweight, but I thought I'd chime in on what I've learned.

Potatoes - steer clear as much as possible. Especially chips or fried.
DO NOT EVER microwave them either. It increases the Acrylamide in them.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2005/2005-03-07-05.asp

You should be a little more thorough. According to the article you posted baking and frying both had the same affect and it applied to both potatoes and cereals which are foods people should eat as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Additionally, potatoes are a healthily food when eaten the way mother nature prepared them, not Wendy's. They are also medium on the glycemic index, see this article for positive attributes of potatoes.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=48 (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=48)

--JMarsa

JMarsa

01-08-2008, 06:58 PM

2yellow69 (Jill),

Would you mind posting some of the before and after changes to your shopping list? What items did you buy and what items have you replaced them with?

--JMarsa

jilge71

01-08-2008, 07:18 PM

2yellow69

01-08-2008, 08:30 PM

Jill here. I just want to say again that we aren't on a "diet", we've just simply changed some of the ingredients going into our bodies but it has absolutely helped in the weight department.
Here's a quick list of some of the things that we've changed/replaced on our grocery list. I am willing to provide more details in a private message to anyone who's interested.
-I make my own side dishes now (rice, potatoes, veggies, etc.) instead of buying the pre-made box stuff
-Buy a lot of Back to Nature brand products instead of more popular brands (Nabisco, Keebler, etc.)
-We do buy some frozen pizza but still have to check the ingredients (some of the Red Baron & DiGiorno's Ultimate pizzas are okay)
-Only buy plain chips, tortilla chips or pretzels - no more Doritos, Cheetos, etc.
-Buy organic condiments instead of regular brands (ketchup, salad dressings, bbq sauce, peanut butter, etc.)
-Real mayo (Best Foods or Hellman's) instead of Miracle Whip
-I haven't bought any microwave meals in a long time. Most of them have hydrogenated oils in them.
The easiest thing when shopping is to look for the all natural or organic section in the all aisles. Most groceries stores are starting to carry more of these products which helps out a lot. Again, a lot of organic/all natural products can have a "different" taste when you first try it but by the second or third one it tastes better than what you ate before. A good example of this is the following: Matt loved Chips Ahoy cookies (they were his favorite). I bought these Back to Nature brand chocolate chip cookies & the first couple he ate weren't bad but did taste different. After a while he had a Chips Ahoy again & spit it out because it tasted horrible!

68Formula

01-08-2008, 09:34 PM

I don't think diet is much better for ya.

It's really not. I replaced my regular stuff with water and unsweetened ice tea when I want flavor.

WayneE

01-09-2008, 05:42 AM

im in with you guys... i have a hard time finding healthy things on the road as i work all the time. im up early and out late and im single so if i cook its always to much.i have tried to eat smart ones for lunch and chicken and rice for dinner and saw results but how do you stay with it?i can hang for a week or two but one crappy day and it all goes down hill. anyone else have this problem. im 5'9" and 250. i broke my leg last year and gained 50 pounds and cant get it off.

You need to take time to cook for yourself. It will take some trial and error, but you can do it.

When I had an office job that required me to leave the house early and get home late, I prepared my day's meals before I left the house in the morning. I would grill up some chicken, cook rice or sweet potatoes and veggies in 25-35 minutes. Pack that in for lunch, then throw in some canned chicken or tuna along with 2% cottage cheese and sunflower seeds for snacks. Add in a couple pieces of fruit and I could be gone all day without worrying about eating right.

I go to Costco and buy the 6 packs of 1 gallon jugs of water and carry those with me every day. No worries about not drinking enough water and I can track my water intake all day.

As a general rule, if you want to lose weight, you need to take in less calories than you're burning.

Use sites like calorieking.com and mypyramidtracker.gov to track your food intake if you're not sure how many calories you're eating each day.

Much like your daily spending, it helps to log your daily food intake. I always tell my clients to log a week or two for me, before making any changes to their diets. This gives a good idea on what they're eating and it's really easy to grab on to the low hanging fruit to make some changes that will get quick results to keep them on track to make real lifestyle changes.

For people that are overwhelmed at the prospect of exercise and diet, hiring a nutritionist and personal trainer can have excellent results.

Good luck!

Tony_SS

01-09-2008, 05:56 AM

Can someone remind me why Diet soda is bad? I'm having a hard time kicking the soda habit.

One thing I have found as a replacement is Kool-Aid. I use sugar but its better than the syrup and junk found in soda... No caffiene though..

ProdigyCustoms

01-09-2008, 06:04 AM

I drink flavored seltzer waters, no calories, no carb, and different from plain water. Still get the carbonation

harshman

01-09-2008, 06:26 AM

I’m not trying to be the devil’s advocate here, but hear me out.

I used to own a grocery store and I know the business well enough. I’d try to sell produce cheaper than anyone else. Example: I would advertise oranges @ 4 for $1 and I would double my money. Now compared to a very large store’s add for 3 for $1 my price was good but they were too big. I hope you can see that the big guys are making some massive profit on produce. So, I also hope you can see how much profit the organic fad is making for them. There is little control on switching the tag on a bunch of bananas from regular $1 to organic @$5 – big profit. As far as taste, it is impossible to tell the difference unless your mind’s eye wants it to be there.

I guess my point is that organics can be very easily fraudulent without the purchaser knowing. Furthermore, they don’t help in any way to shave lbs. off your gut. Cooking real foods and staying away from the center of the store does more than anything else. Watch the food network and learn to love to cook using unprocessed vegetables, fruits, dairy, fish and chicken. I’m learning too as my Father-in-law was diagnosed a diabetic and we cook for him. We have a nutritionists “diet” that we must follow and he has lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks.

BTW, the whole acidic diet is intellectually absent. My Mother-in-law died from cancer last year. All the best doctors and nutritionists never mentioned this diet. Do they expect us to believe that cancer, the thing that grows inside many of us from mutated cells, will not survive a person with constant heartburn? Think about it. Why is Kemo so effective? It kills the cancerous cells while also destroying the good ones too.

My $.02

zero g

01-09-2008, 06:50 AM

I replaced diet soda with Lipton Diet Green Tea. It tastes pretty good and claims to have the benefits of green tea. I have to have something with some flavor. I can't get into water. Maybe i should try some of that flavored h2o.......

trapin

01-09-2008, 08:15 AM

I'm not going to bother with flavored ANYTHING. I drink my water with a few splashes of fresh lemon juice, that's it. I bring a lemon with me to work, roll it on the table a few times to break up the juices, slice it in half and squeeze one half into my 32 ounce cup of ice water. I use the other half for my other 32 ounce cup of ice water I have in the afternoon. I just don't want to be dependent on my beverages having to have sweetness to them. I think it's best to just get the fresh water in your system and not ingest all those chemicals that are in the flavored waters. Just my $.02.

Jill....I do have a couple questions for you. In that article about Hydrogenated Oil, there was a part in there that spoke about using vegetable oil to deep fry…the quote goes;

“…..but subjecting the unsaturated fatty acids contained in a vegetable oil to the high heat of a deep frying vat is deadly, the result would be the same kind of trans fats that you get in the hydrogenation process!”

This only speaks to deep-frying…right? I can’t imagine that sprinkling a couple of tablespoons into a pot to begin frying up some onions for a sauce or a soup is a bad thing. The author kind of makes it sound like the minute you heat up unsaturated oil like vegetable oil or olive oil that you make it bad for you. Then what other purpose would the oil serve? Or is this only applied to deep frying?

Also the article makes mention of how Wheat is bad for you. This is the first I’m hearing of this. I know it speaks about the gluten in wheat but not sure if his diagnosis is strictly for people who are gluten sensitive or if he’s saying everyone should stay away from it.

Any clarification you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

HOOLIGAN

01-09-2008, 08:18 AM

I'm with all of you in regards to the "lifestyle change". I'm not overweight but I've recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides. I'm now on BP medication, exercising and changing my diet. It's not easy and I wish everyone the best of luck.

trapin

01-09-2008, 10:11 AM

Rubes

01-09-2008, 10:17 AM

Just standing, sitting, breathing...anything you do normally that uses any muscles at all still burns calories...dont it? so if your normal activities dont provide the burn...you need to suplement with added excersize. But I have no business in this thread anyway cause I'm so not knowing about any of this stuff you guys are talking about.

blackbeast

01-09-2008, 10:23 AM

And its cheaper and sweeter than sugar, that's why it's in everything.

Not so much that's it's cheaper or sweeter. But big agro lobbied against real sugar back in the day to jack up the price of corn, and now we have this horrible substitute. And guess what, we're still levied against sugar imports even though corn is at an all time high due to biofuels....

more reasons the government hates you and me.

/rant.

derekf

01-09-2008, 11:54 AM

Rubes

01-09-2008, 12:14 PM

...You withdraw however many calories it takes to keep you alive (I've heard 10x your weight in lbs as a rough estimate) ...
:hmm: math don't seem to work out for me here.

So a 100lb person would withdraw 1000 calories just to stay alive?
and a 500lb person would burn 5000 calories just to stay alive?
Now the BigMac will still be 500 calories reguardless who eats it.
The skinny guy only gets two before starting to gain weight, but the fat guy gets 10. If he only eats 5, he's ahead.
Sounds like being the fat guy has advantages...lol

Sorry guys, just trying to ad some levity:naughty:. I know thats not what you meant.

Tell me to :getout: if you must. But just think of all the calories you'll burn kick'n my butt:box2:

trapin

01-09-2008, 03:11 PM

Alright...this link helped.

http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/e4/rubberbag.html

So apparantly, just waking up in the morning and going through my daily routine as an office worker for the day means I'm already burning 2260 calories right off the bat. That's with no exersize.

A one hour walk for me means 500 calories burned. So yeah...If I can keep the caloric intake around 2100 and I walk a couple of miles each day, I'll be burning 2760 calories a day and only taking in 2100, an advantage of 660 calories.

Wow....I'm so smart. :jump:

trapin

01-09-2008, 05:15 PM

I just did a calorie assessement of everything I ate today and it came to 1700 calories. And I ate a lot today too. Interesting. With a little extra work I can burn an extra 1000 a day.

For everyone that is on board, use the links...they have been very helpful.

Aceshigh

01-09-2008, 07:23 PM

I need to have the whole "take in less calories than you burn" concept explained to me. I did some research online and found out that my daily caloric intake requirement to lose weight is 2300 calories. I also found out that if I spent my 30 minutes a day walking, it will only burn 150 of that 2300. I don't get it....are you saying I'd have to burn 2301 calories a day to see any results? That's crazy...I'd be spending 10 hours a day in a gym.

I'm sure I'm way off base on this. Someone smack me upside the head and set me straight. Thanks.

Here's how it works. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006

Your body whether it's sleeping, working, sitting, eating, talking, studying, etc BURNS calories all day long on it's own to function. That's the part you have to figure out for yourself based on your weight, metabolism, age, and etc etc. Exercise SUPPLEMENTS the calories burnt and also accelerates the body's functions overall...thus...burning even more calories.

No 2 people burn the same amount of calories in a day. Each person's
metabolism is different, along with their weight, and how much their body burns.
These sites can only give you a roundabout ESTIMATED average for you to go by.

Alright...this link helped.

http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/e4/rubberbag.html

Ewww.....that is a good link. Good deal, saving that one.

The whole theory of any person losing the same as the next person with the same age, height, weight
is so false it's not even funny. You have to take into account their work they do too. If you're a desk
jockey who sits 12 hours a day in front of a computer taking in 2500 calories a day with no exercise,
your TWIN who is say a Union Laborer brick layer who does hard labor all day long and intakes the same
exact foods you do will obviously be burning a HELL of alot more then you are just sitting at a desk.

That's why I said those charts are a general guideline but not "the bible". Some common sense is required.

nancejd

01-09-2008, 07:40 PM

Whenb I started out a little over a year ago, my trainer told me about this website, www.fitday.com (http://www.fitday.com). It's free to use, you just have a few ads to look at on the sidebar. basically, you can track what you eat, and what your activities are for the day, and provided you're at least reasonably honest with yourself, it's actually pretty accurate I think. You can also track your weight on it.

I lost 75lbs in one year. I gained about five back over the holidays, but that will soon be gone.

Frank's right, it really is about how much you take in, and how much you burn.

Once you start logging what you eat, you'll be shocked. I was. I had days that I'd eat 5000 calories. Now I average about 2400.

rscamaro73

01-09-2008, 08:04 PM

Here's how it works. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006

Your body whether it's sleeping, working, sitting, eating, talking, studying, etc BURNS calories all day long on it's own to function. That's the part you have to figure out for yourself based on your weight, metabolism, age, and etc etc. Exercise SUPPLEMENTS the calories burnt and also accelerates the body's functions overall...thus...burning even more calories.

No 2 people burn the same amount of calories in a day. Each person's
metabolism is different, along with their weight, and how much their body burns.
These sites can only give you a roundabout ESTIMATED average for you to go by.

Ewww.....that is a good link. Good deal, saving that one.

The whole theory of any person losing the same as the next person with the same age, height, weight
is so false it's not even funny. You have to take into account their work they do too. If you're a desk
jockey who sits 12 hours a day in front of a computer taking in 2500 calories a day with no exercise,
your TWIN who is say a Union Laborer brick layer who does hard labor all day long and intakes the same
exact foods you do will obviously be burning a HELL of alot more then you are just sitting at a desk.

That's why I said those charts are a general guideline but not "the bible". Some common sense is required.

Sally....:slap:

Your examples sound almost like you and your brother....lol.

Aceshigh

01-09-2008, 08:26 PM

Sally....:slap:

Your examples sound almost like you and your brother....lol.

Hahaha.....Bonzo just PM'd me to get offline. lol

I'm such a crack fiend for forums. lol I've been offline ALOT though dude
trust me. ALOT less then I was with Nastyz.

2yellow69

01-09-2008, 08:38 PM

Trapin-
I did some extra research on your questions, because I honestly wasn't too sure. 1st the frying - I believe that the article is touching on deep frying & not sauteing or pan-frying. Here is something that I found off another site about cooking with olive oil so I hope it helps clear that question up for you.
Olive Oil Myth: Heating a cooking oil will make it saturated or a trans-fatty oil.
The Facts: As far as making a saturated fat, according to Dr. A. Kiritsakis, a world renowned oil chemist in Athens, (Book - OLIVE OIL FROM THE TREE TO THE TABLE -Second edition 1998), all oils will oxidize and hydrogenate to a tiny degree if repeatedly heated to very high temperatures such as is done in commercial frying operations. Olive pomace oil and virgin olive oil are both highly monounsaturated oils and therefore resistant to oxidation and hydrogenation. Studies have shown oxidation and hydrogenation occurs to a lesser degree in olive oil than in other oils. But in any case, the amount of hydrogenation is miniscule and no home cook would ever experience this problem.
...You cannot make a saturated product like margarine at home by heating olive oil or any other vegetable oil in a pan. We don't know where this weird notion has come from. Changing a cis-fat to a trans-fat does not occur on a home stove.

2nd the wheat thing - I've never heard that before either. I think as long as it is "whole wheat" you should be fine but I'll see if I can find anything more on this & get back to you.

I'm going back to the whole organic food thing now too. As far as organic fruits & veggies, my husband & I luckily came across a company that delivers locally grown organic fruits & veggies at a very reasonable price. I would actually say that the amount we pay is very comparable to that of non-organic fruits & veggies at the grocery store. We have noticed a difference in taste but I do know other people that haven't. Fruits & veggies are important no matter how you buy them. However, as far as snack type foods, condiments, etc., I have found that organic or all natural foods are better & do help keep the weight off because they don't contain the hydrogenated oils. Some of these items are a little more $ but not all them.
Thanks! Jill

jdove

01-09-2008, 08:52 PM

THAT is the kicker that is Americas habit that is horrible.
French fries, and potato chips and soda's. Good job. :)

Your diet looks awesome. Stick to it but keep different foods
in there so you don't get bored and deviate and you'll shed lbs.

You don't need to.

That is just the weigh in and support group part of it.
They sit and babble and swap recipes for good healthy food.
You don't need to do that. They pay for it for emotional support
and the guilt trip it gives them when they screw up.

All you NEED to make Weight Watchers work for you is buy the food calculator and Scale and know how many "Points" you need daily to eat healthy and drop weight. :) They sell them at just about EVERY weight watchers location. Scale is $50 and calculator is.....$10 IIRC.

Keep the calculator in your briefcase, get used to using it.
Once you use it long enough you'll no longer need it to know how
to calculate points.

Also, Smart One's microwave meals are sponsored by Weight Watchers. http://www.eatyourbest.com/
They already list the "Points" for each meal on the box.
these are excellent for mid day supplemental small meals while on the go.

FYI, my woman NEVER went to the meetings for years until AFTER
her pregnancy (now) and she's dropping .5 - 1lb a week. That was
without exercise....now she's at the gym 3 days a week. Should shed off quickly now.

ruh roh......have to look into the diet pop effects more then.
^^^^What a crack smokin monkey :bsjerk: ...lol

Cruiser

01-09-2008, 10:52 PM

This is a great post. I hope I can add something that will help.

let me start by telling you I am a Type II Diabetic for those of you that don't know that basically means I don't use insulin to maintain proper glucose levels. There are other things that differ between type I and II but that is the basic.

I have learned that if all people followed the dietary recommendations needed for a type II to maintain proper glucose levels we would not have these weight problems and big problems with diabetes in America.

Get checked for diabetes at your next visit to the DR. If your going to the bathroom allot, have sores that don't heal quickly or like they used to. Mood swings, tired and wanting to sleep all the time. Those are just some basics to look for. If caught in time your chances of minimizing the effects on your body's organs, eyes and tissues will be better.

Check out this man's site. It has load of great information on food, diet and diabetes. Just because it's about diabetes does not mean you should not look at it. The lady that cuts my hair is not diabetic but uses this site as reference and other diabetes in sites to diet and lifestyle changes. In the last year she has lost 40 lbs!!

http://www.mendosa.com/

Thanks
Joe

Aceshigh

01-10-2008, 02:29 AM

^^^^What a crack smokin monkey :bsjerk: ...lol

I've taken a 30 day voluntary hiatus from Nastyz and they're all coming here to break my balls now. lol

trapin

01-10-2008, 03:54 AM

That's cool, as long as they don't hijack the thread.

Jill...thanks for finding that information. That's good to know because my wife and I have used extra virgin olive oil exclusively for many years. We rarely use vegetable oil and almost never deep fry anything.

Steve68

01-10-2008, 05:36 AM

the headaches are killer. Im going through a whole gambut of tests and stuff. I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was 220/130 The doctor about had a stroke! Needless to say I'm on blood pressure meds. lol. Time to start taking my health seriously, Before something seriously takes my health.

Great line Tony, I lost 6lbs in two weeks cutting out sodas, I too have put on the pounds, weighing now around 194 should be around 185, so food habits and the DRINK have changed,

harshman

01-10-2008, 05:51 AM

Here is another piece of info for you regarding olive oil. We cook with it exclusively. Folks complained to me about the cost and the difference between extra virgin, virgin, 100% pure and pumice oils. While there is a substantial cost difference, it is all the same oil. Extra virgin and virgin are the first pressed olives and there is no difference between the two. It is the most expensive because it is the most pure and it also is the strongest tasting. 100% pure olive oil is the second press and is much milder in taste and pumice (mostly sold in foodservice industry) is the third press or the remaining. I always told my customers that they should try different oils and find the one they like based on taste. Olive oils are just like wine – cook with the oils that you like.:Alchy:

Smock67

01-10-2008, 06:12 AM

If you trying to lose weight its really not that hard especially for guys. I lost about 140lbs during my sophomore year in high school. From 340 down to 200. It's not hard at all. Water should be your main concern drink atleast 1 gallon a day the more the better. The reason for more water is it fills up you stomach and you don't want to eat.

I made no other lifestyle changes and according to my doctor and what not my cholesterol and everything else is great. I still enjoy Thai food and most other spicy foods. The key is staying on the water as it flushes out your system. If you wanna test this drink soda for a weekend or what ever then drink nothing but water lets put it this way you'll feel why water is good.

I mean 140lbs is a lot but take what i say for whats it's worth which is about 2 cents. Good luck on your goal if there is anything i can do to help out let me know.

SatisTraction

01-10-2008, 07:13 AM

here is a post that can get you started in the gym. It is easy to start and will burn off the fat. I lost 30 pounds in about 6 months and it was easy.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=998224

i skipped the dead lifts but the squats are a must. it is a all over core exercise that keeps the body buring calories for days.

the weight watchers does work. i have seen people at work lose 50 plus pounds and keep it off.

trapin

01-12-2008, 03:14 AM

First weight loss to report....5 pounds. It's a start.

Anyone else?

ProdigyCustoms

01-12-2008, 06:20 AM

Oh, I am struggling a bit. Lisa and i have been taking a little time off here and there since we have worked 7days a week since Summer. So that is causing problems as there are a lot of of, to hell with it, I will eat right tomorrow days. It is really hard when your trying to relax, have a good time, have a few cocktails, eat a good dinner. So I am stuck still 7LBS from my SEMA low. But that is OK.

Someone earlier talked about cooking at home, pre cooking. For me that is critical. I really need to grill some fish and chicken and and have microwave ready, or I end up eating somethng bad, or at minumum not a good weight lose food.

Like I said earlier, I am not fanatical about this entire diet / lifestyle change at all, but I do step on the scale every morning after I relieve myself. Just keeping tabs will help keep from spiraling out of control.

SatisTraction

01-12-2008, 11:01 AM

182 on the 1st and 178 today. goal is 160 since i am 5'5" short :)

Tony_SS

01-12-2008, 07:28 PM

Good job on the 5lb loss Tony!

I gained one pound this week. And with us redoing the kitchen, its going to be a struggle to eat right.

Something to keep in mind. Lean muscle burns calories so any strength training helps the body become alot more efficient at burning calories/fat. You will not loose weight really since you will gain muscle, but you'll loose fat and that's the whole point.

WayneE

01-16-2008, 06:41 AM

Someone earlier talked about cooking at home, pre cooking. For me that is critical. I really need to grill some fish and chicken and and have microwave ready, or I end up eating somethng bad, or at minumum not a good weight lose food.

I think that was me.

What time of day do you find yourself falling off the wagon?

Like I said earlier, I am not fanatical about this entire diet / lifestyle change at all, but I do step on the scale every morning after I relieve myself. Just keeping tabs will help keep from spiraling out of control.

Keep in mind that your level of hydration will play a part in your weight. It's good that you weigh yourself at the same time, but keep that in mind when looking at gains/losses.

68Formula

01-16-2008, 10:43 AM

I usually check every Sunday morning. So far I am down 6 lbs cutting out high sugar foods and beverages, and starting hitting a punching bag for a few minutes a day. Wife is on board now too, so that helps.

CHRIS67

01-16-2008, 11:11 AM

So far so good. Lost 4 lbs this week and found time to do 30 - 45 minutes of cardio 5 days a week. :attn:

68Formula

01-16-2008, 11:40 AM

182 on the 1st and 178 today. goal is 160 since i am 5'5" short :)

Oh, this is not good! Nearly the same starting weight, same current weight, and same end goal? I can see this turning into a :enguard:

LateNight72

01-16-2008, 01:47 PM

Alright. I guess I will throw my hat into the ring, also. I am currently 6'4", 320. I played Offensive line in High School. I was born 10lbs 4oz, and have been large-ish all of my life.

Anyhow, I will be trying out for the University's football team come August, and I need to drop to 240-250 range to be at my ideal target weight (for the intended position, TE).

I currently guzzle around 1.5L of Soda daily, and eat like its going out of style.

Obviously I will have to make a ton of changes to get back into shape, starting with Diet and exercise. I have just taken up running again, and I did 1.5 hours of jogging today.

-Todd

trapin

01-17-2008, 07:47 AM

Glad to see more people gettin' on board.

Well...I lost another 3 pounds this week for a total of 8 this month. I think I'm off to a good start. I probably could have done better this past week but I had a bad lunch last Saturday with my cousin who was back in town from business and there was a small chocolate chip cookies and milk incident that happened on Tuesday night. I also was not good about my water intake. I will rectify that this coming week.

Lets go ahead and make this a "sticky". There is just too much good information in here.

JohnLClark

01-19-2008, 02:03 AM

Figured I'd jump in here. I am starting a liquid diet plan Feb 1, monitored by my doctor. I have dieted many times in the past. Came to realized that my eating habits have got to change so much, that I am just going to do the liquid diet and start from scratch. Then when I start eating solid food again I will learn the right way to feed my body.

Is anybody else on a liquid diet? Any suggestions?

BMF Machine

01-19-2008, 04:45 AM

I quit drinking Cokes? But lets face it, most of us burn the candle from both ends. I am burning mine from both ends and two ways in the middle; so, I lit another candle at both ends and a Marlboro. Stress will kill me before anything bad I put in my system. I am not getting rid of my two kids nor my wife, I will keep a dayjob, and I will keep hammering away at my little shop until it is successful; therefor I will die? I am not worried about it, I am gonna live while alive and sleep when DEAD!
:firefire:

Steve Firebird

01-19-2008, 05:37 AM

Well I have been thinking about it alot for a long time and think I am going to try and make a change in how I eat. I know if I cut back on my sugar and fat intake I will head in the right direction. I am also going to start back into martial arts so that will help burn off the fat as well. I am 5'8" and right at 200 lbs that makes me obese acording to the body mass index I looked up on the internet. If I drop to 195 I will be over weight but I would need to get down to 163 to be at a "normal". I just cant see myself below180. I would look like a toothpick at 160. When I make it to 180 I think I will have a bodyfat check done and go from there. If I have a heathy body fat % I guess i don't really care what the BMI tells me. Breakfast today black coffee oatmeal plain and home made rye bread 1 slice. Going to the Dojo with my son later on to work on my forms so I can get back in the swing of things. Good luck to everyone and stay with it!

68Formula

01-19-2008, 10:18 PM

I'm saving money!

Just added up the cost of soda pop I drink on an average day (at lunch, another in the afternoon, and then one at home). Nearly $1000/yr!

Of course avoiding medical problems will be an even bigger savings, but this is easy to see what an instant effect it has.

BTW SatisTraction, I'm at 174 this morning for a total of 10 lbs since Jan 3rd.

trapin

01-27-2008, 11:36 AM

I had a bad week guys. Gained back 2 pounds. I'll be fightin to get those back off this week and refocus my efforts. I can't let a minor set back get me off track.

Young Gun

01-27-2008, 11:58 AM

come on Tony! dont let it get to yah, just work twice as hard this week...you got it man!

6'9"Witha69

01-28-2008, 09:57 AM

I had a bad week guys. Gained back 2 pounds. I'll be fightin to get those back off this week and refocus my efforts. I can't let a minor set back get me off track.Good to see you won't let it get you down. It is all about routine, not results. Focus on the routine and the results will come. Focus on results and you can become discouraged and the routine suffers firther spiraling the issue.

trapin

02-03-2008, 04:26 PM

Well a bout of Bronchitis helped get me back on track. I lost the 2 lbs plus another 4 over the past 5 days. So I'm down a total of 11 lbs. How's everyone else doing?

ProdigyCustoms

02-03-2008, 04:53 PM

Well, I was on the road traveling for a week and eat like a bear will driving. My truck and trailer is a 62 foot long rig, so I am forced to use truck stops, And there is nothing good at truck stops. So I am up 2 LBS, but on my fish and chicken diet again today shooting for 225 by Hot Rods & Restoration show at the end of the month.

6'9"Witha69

02-25-2008, 10:05 AM

Time to bring this back up. How is everyone doing?

TonyL

02-25-2008, 10:58 AM

I was 243 yesterday. My wife and I started going to the gym three days a week. I feel SO much better. So Im offically down 11 lbs. I do an hour of cardio 3 days a week and work all the other machines I can stand to. I've cut way back on soda. And eat a lot of beef jerky for snacks now.

harshman

02-25-2008, 11:07 AM

I cut out Coke and all things corn syrup and lost about 12 lbs so far (going on 4 weeks).

trapin

02-25-2008, 12:18 PM

I leveled off where I was at and gained a few back. Not happy about it so it's time to get back on the wagon this week.

dcozzi

02-27-2008, 09:00 AM

We are doing the "Fat-Off" at work. $20 per person to get in and the one who loses the most by weight index wins the pot.

It goes for a month and I'm in it to win it.

Chicken, fish, water, juice and veggies for the next month and excercise. OH BOY!!

Currently (38yrs. old) 5'9" - 232lbs. (Big Block)
In High School (17yrs. old) 5'9" - 157lbs. (Small Block)

6'9"Witha69

02-27-2008, 09:33 AM

Currently (38yrs. old) 5'9" - 232lbs. (Big Block)
In High School (17yrs. old) 5'9" - 157lbs. (Small Block)The BBC/SBC thing has me rolling.

shep

03-02-2008, 08:25 PM

Went for a check up the other day I was down 10 pounds, my cholesterol was 153 down from 180 and my triglycerides were down from over 800 to 173. I have done this with minimal exercise and diet change. Mostly portion control.

6'9"Witha69

03-03-2008, 09:39 AM

:twothumbs

newbaa

03-04-2008, 09:57 PM

better late than never i guess, but i'm in. i recently - like closer to the beginning of the year - hit a all-time high of 240. and... i'm only 22. Right now i'm at 235.
So i'm in this for the long haul. Goal is to hit 190 by the end of this year at the latest, preferably sooner.
I am a wildland firefighter in the summers and i need to lose the extra weight and build up the leg muscles for the walking and hill climbing that we do.
luckily i have free access to a gym (school) and a buddy to work out with... and i signed up for a strength training class next quarter...

my biggest problem has to be portion sizes. i am mostly a vegetarian - i'll eat chicken or turkey at like subway or something - i don't eat a lot of sweets, i RARELY drink pop/soda, and i down the water like it's goin outta style. i just tend to eat too much.

i'm really researching into supplements too, like creatine, and protein and such. I think those will help out a lot once i can really get into a exercise routine. and no, i'm not trying to turn into a professional bodybuilder, but i do want some definition.

so i'm gonna need some help sticking to this thing. so i'll try to be on here frequently to keep up the enthusiasm.

bigvegan

03-19-2008, 06:44 AM

Just started my new diet 10 days ago - no flour, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugar or deep-fried food, but other than that, as much as I want of whatever I want (not that there's anything left).

I've got about 150lbs to lose, which is a bit of a drag, but this diet seems to be working so far as I'm down 12lbs in 10 days. Amazing what happens when you take the garbage out of your diet.

Steelhorses - Nutribiotic Brown Rice Protein Powder is a solid non-soy vegetarian protein. If you need vegetarian/vegan advice, let me know.

Steve68

03-25-2008, 06:59 PM

Read through some of your guys post, All I can say is keep it up!!

Young Gun

03-25-2008, 08:08 PM

i'm really researching into supplements too, like creatine, and protein and such. I think those will help out a lot once i can really get into a exercise routine. and no, i'm not trying to turn into a professional bodybuilder, but i do want some definition.

Creatine is basically just water weight, dont do it, try to avoid creatine supplements. A company called BSN released a new product a few months ago called "ATRO PHEX" and it helps you to manage your eating... It is the most powerful substance out there right now and honestly I have used a box of it and it is amazing. It basically goes for the 1 -2 knockout on the thyroid and you are not as hungry and you dont get cravings for food. I am NOT a nutritionist and you should consult one before you take anything, I repeat, CONSULT A TRAINED NUTRITIONIST OR TRAINER... the drawbacks I have found from it (having taken it for about a month now) is that you need to drink about a gallon of water a day, most supplements will require this, you need to make sure you dont do any damage to you kidneys. the other thing is that you need to make sure that you eat within 30-45 minutes of taking it, you begin to feel queasy if you dont. I have begun to eat leass at each meal. I did not need to lose much weight to begin with but regardless it works well to knock out your uneccessary cravings for food. I personally have had good results with it and would suggest you do some reasearch, see if you think it would be good for you, and talk to a trainer. Again consult an athletic trainer or nutritionist before you take anything, dont trust the person at GNC, they are not necessarily completely informed so you want a professional if you put anything in your body.

Also, GREAT JOB GUYS KEEP IT UP!!!!

trapin

04-03-2008, 04:54 AM

I'm still struggling a bit. Must be the stress in my life right now. I am going to try and catch the wagon again tonight and continue on my journey. Glad to hear that others are doing well...it has inspired me to keep on trucking.

minendrews68

04-18-2008, 11:21 AM

I'm telling ya the weight is really hard to get off and keep it off. The older you get the harder it is too.... besides, It's not that I'm overweight, I'm just too short, I need to be about 7' 9".:rotfl:

1968CamaroSS_Sam

04-18-2008, 11:58 AM

Good luck with the weight loss guys. I need to do the same. All of these fun toys we are building up on this site is of no use if we are not alive to enjoy it. Thanks for putting up this post to remind us that health is just as important as good brakes.

6'9"Witha69

04-18-2008, 03:27 PM

6'9"Witha69

06-16-2008, 04:15 PM

Alright guys, summer is upon us and it's time to sound off on whether you are on course to looking good (or at least better) at the beach, lake, pool party, etc this year.

I know I will be. Much more trim in the waistline and bigger and more toned in other areas.

Where you at?

2yellow69

09-01-2008, 11:37 AM

OK everyone,
This thread was started about 9 months ago. How is everyone doing?
I now weigh 183, down from a high of 220ish. Jill is 160, down from 180ish. We are sticking with what Jill was posting on here in the beginning. I still want to be about 175 and Jill wants to be about 145. I hope everyone here has seen some success!

Matt

paul67

09-01-2008, 01:45 PM

Yes I'm interested there's 1 person on here is trying to loose my more than my partners body weight:jawdrop: ,also any before and after pics , when I did weight training this was the best form of checking as you do not see much if not until you see the before pics.

dcozzi

09-04-2008, 01:21 PM

OLDFLM

10-03-2008, 05:10 AM

I'm down 24lbs since 21 July so far... Down to 216lbs as of this morning and have at least another 20lbs to go.

My original goal was to drop 40lbs (from 240) but I'm gonna keep going until I hit 190lbs and then use 200lbs as my ceiling to let me know when I'm getting sloppy and need to work harder...

dcozzi

10-23-2008, 12:57 PM

Update 09/04/08:
I am finally managing to control portions and cut out soda and beer abuse and am at 218lbs. Not great but the lbs are coming off.

10/23/08 215lbs.

shep

11-14-2008, 07:43 PM

9/25/08 242 down from 260.
I started a spinning class first of this month and am down another 5 or so.
I have met my original goal of 20# and now have a deal with the wife. If I get to 200 and maintain I get $5,000 to spend on the car.

Jim Nilsen

11-14-2008, 11:58 PM

Hi guys, while going through hell with my health condition I became dehydrated one night and lost 5 lb. in less than 15 hrs just sleeping. So I went on line and googled how much water I should be drinking and I came across this website. I think that when you all go here and check it out and see how people are losing weight with this method you will all have an easier time with the cost and effectiveness for you to take off the weight.

www.watercure.com (http://www.watercure.com)
www.watercure2.org

Goodluck and enjoy the journey it will take you and I can assure you that it changed my health around in less than 2 days to feeling a lot better. Share it with everyone you know whether they are overweight or not. You have to search through to find the benefits for weight loss since it is not right out in front to see it quickly but it is there.

:cheers:

andrewb70

12-20-2008, 11:20 AM

I am starting this (http://www.precisionnutrition.com/products/) after the holidays.

Andrew

b-man

12-21-2008, 10:42 AM

I started my weight loss resolution after a big barbeque pig-out on the 4th of July this year, I gained about 4 pounds that weekend. While at work the next day on July 5th I weighed 229.5 pounds on the shipping scale and I'm only 5'10" tall.

So I decided to replace some high-calorie foods with lower calorie foods. I also decided to stop eating so damn much.

I used to eat about 1/4 (4 little squares) of one of those 5 oz Hershey bars (200 calories) with my black coffee to get going when I arrived at work. Now I eat only one square (50 calories), I gotta have my daily chocolate.

I replaced the peanut butter and jelly sandwich (over 500 calories, yum!) I used to eat every morning at first break with a low fat yogurt (220 calories), saving at least 300 calories. I'm still eating the apple (140 calories) I was eating at that time.

I stopped snacking on Wheat Thins and Goldfish during my work day, saving at least 400 calories. If I was hungry between lunch and break times, I drank water. Soon the hunger went away, my stomach shrank from eating less.

I cut down by about half the size of the lunch I was eating, I already brown-bag it every day so I almost never eat out. Now I eat only one cheap frozen burrito (330 calories) instead of two along with 2 hard-boiled eggs (70 calories each). With water only, every day. Used to eat a yogurt for lunch along with the two burritos, but it got moved to morning break.

Afternoon break consists of another apple (140 calories) and sometimes a small container of sliced cantelope or honeydew melon (calories unknown).

I almost never ate fast food before this, and I stopped drinking soda years ago (I only drink iced tea with lemon, no sugar). I have been drinking black coffee for many years, so I was already at zero calories there.

I've done my best to eat very little bread. I don't eat red meat but once every couple of weeks. But when I do eat a steak it is always with a buttered (real unsalted butter) white Russet potato. Most of the meat I eat is oven-baked skinless chicken breast. I do eat white rice.

But I do occasionally eat breaded frozen fish patties on toasted white burger buns, with American cheese, tartar sauce and lettuce. These kick ass, so good.

I make my own refried bean (canned Rosarita, jalapeno) and cheese (Monterey Jack, I go easy on it) burritos, with green salsa and lot of hot Tapatio sauce splashed on with a lot of chopped red onions. I buy the low-fat big flour tortillas (180 calories each) to make them. Sometimes half of my dinners will be these tasty devils during the week, I love 'em.

My wife makes some great cheese enchiladas with Monerey Jack cheese and spanish rice. Plenty of Tapatio sauce for me, none for her. I just don't eat 6 or 7 of them anymore, just 3 or 4. Once a week at the most.

I don't exercise. Unless you count busting my ass 10-1/2" hours a day at work (I do laser welding on medical devices) and most of my weekends spent on my car projects execising.

So far since July 5th I've lost 37 pounds, I'm down to 192.5 pounds now. No diet, just common sense and a little discipline. Eat less, eat smarter.

It doesn't hurt that I can handle eating pretty much the same thing day after day, but after I get sick and tired of something I switch to something else until I'm sick of that too, and so on.

Getting in and out of the driver's seat of my '02 WS6 T/A is a lot easier now.:smoke:

I don't smoke, never have. I rarely drink, lotsa calories in that. :)

Good luck y'all.

Bart

2yellow69

12-21-2008, 12:36 PM

It sounds like everyone is doing pretty good. Just don't get discouraged; sometimes it takes awhile to see results.

I finally broke the 180 mark a few days ago but I've been really bad with the holidays here (back to 182 today). I've lost over 40 lbs since I started to care what I eat. Now I'm having problems keeping my pants up! I've never worn a belt with jeans but now I have to.

I've been really busy so I haven't been on the site very often and just wanted to check in with everyone.

Jill and I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

Matt and Jill Hurley
(and I can't forget Hudson, Khumo, and Shelby)

1360

12-21-2008, 04:05 PM

My biggest problems are Mountain Dew addiction & I cannot stand to eat chicken, fish, or turkey.

I'm fairly agile @ 6'7" 300-lbs, but need to slim down some. I did get down to 260-lbs in '06, but chemo sucks.

I figure dropping the MD & limit sweet tea will help a ton.

I try to knock down water regularly during the day.....shooting for 275-lb.

trapin

01-05-2009, 09:19 AM

Fellas.....I'm back.

Day one of the 2nd attempt in this thread.

I plan to eat 5 times a day (small portions throughout the day and sensible dinner) and will make sure I get in at least 4 serving of fruit and vegetables, 2 servings of milk (I drink Soy), and at least 64 ounces of fresh water.

We'll see how it goes and if that curbs my appetite enough to succeed. I am glad many were able to glean something from this thread and had their own success. I fell off the wagon, but it's a new year and I gotta fix this sh*t now. I'm not getting any younger.

Wish me luck, and good luck to everyone else.

OLDFLM

01-05-2009, 10:46 AM

I'm back too after a two week break over the holidays!

Last fall I lost 26lbs and dropped from 240 to 214lbs.

This morning I'm at 219 after the holidays... not bad for not eating right or working out for over two weeks! And I can loose it quickly...

New goal for 2009 is to lose another 25lbs and get down to 195lbs by my birthday in April!

I'm doing 12 weeks first so I don't lose focus... then reevaluate for the last 6 weeks of the 18-week Transformation deal. But my birthday is April 18th so 12 weeks puts me at April 5th anyway.
Cardio M-F and weights T, TH, F during PT.
I'm doing the Body-For-Life Upper body workout Tues and Friday and the lower body workout on Thursdays...

I need an accountability partner!!

This morning I had a Bill Phillips Right Light Protein shake for breakfast.

Mid-morning meal was 1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese with 1/2 cup of fat free vanilla yogurt and some fresh blueberries.

Lunch (now) is a boar's head (deli) turkey sandwich on wheat toast with fat free mayo and lettuce and tomato.

Afternoon-mid meal will be an apple and two pieces of sargento string cheese.

Dinner will be something clean and low in fat high in protein... don't know yet...

9pm mid meal will be another Right Light Protein shake...

That's pretty much my meal plan... seems to have worked so far... just gotta get enough sleep to have the energy for my workouts... I can push through the cardio but it's hard to push weights heavy when you're sleep deprived.

Case in point... My wife is taking our baby boy, Mason, to the Dr today for a suspected ear infection... night before last he was up every hour on the hour... last night she was up with him every hour and at 3am I took over so she could get some rest. I can rock him/hold him in the recliner and sleep there (she can't because of her back)... anyway... that was a big LIMFAC for me last time out with him just being born on 10 June and then I started on 21 July... should be better this time around. We'll see.

Who wants to be my accountability partner?

V/R,

chicane67

01-05-2009, 01:06 PM

I have gotten good results with some simple additions to my normal (which hasn't been all that good) diet.

I have a Lean Body or Myoplex shake within a half an hour of getting up in the morning and right before going to bed at night, I eat a cup of cottage cheese with two table spoons of Flax Seed.

Without changing ANYTHING else in my diet, or changing my activity level, I have been averaging 1 to 1.5 pounds a week. So... that is a start. Now... it's time to increase activity out of the house... strap on the HRM and get busy !!

Even with all the food I consumed over the holidays... I only picked up about a pound. Cant complain 'bout that !

Other things that have helped... drinking 100oz of water a day, ZERO carbinated drinks, understanding glucose (and the science of nutrition to say the least)... and if you drink, drink liquor - no beer.

andrewb70

01-08-2009, 09:35 AM

I am officially starting my program on Monday, but I figured there is no time like the present. So this morning I went to the gym and did some cardio interval training. I also weighed myself. In my workout clothing and in my shoes I tipped the scale at 301 pounds :-/

Andrew

andrewb70

01-21-2009, 09:33 AM

I just got back from the gym and already I am starting to see results. It is amazing how the body remembers. Muscle memory and all that. The first week was brutal, but I am starting to settle into a routine. My goal is to hit the gym in the mornings before starting my day. Its been relatively easy now since school hasn't started yet. No doubt it will get more difficult on Monday.

It's been 13 days since I started working out and eating better. Today I weighed myself and was delighted. I am down to 299 exactly. That's a great pace of about 1 pound per week. I also know that at the same time I am gaining muscle so the actual fat loss is more dramatic.

The program that I am following is definitely the most healthy and effective that I have ever done.

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/

Andrew

JJSmitches

01-21-2009, 09:48 AM

andrewb70

01-21-2009, 10:30 AM

My wife started us both on a plan to eat healthier and decrease (drastically in my case) the number of calories we take in each day. She has started a page for both of us on sparkpeople.com. The part I like best is being able to track your daily calories online no matter where you are as long as you have internet access. There are also tons prepared items you buy in the grocery store as well as fast food that already have nutritional values in an easy search/drop down menu.

Jason,

I know that it is tempting to cut calories, but in my experience (I have been fighting the battle of the bulge all of my life) it is only a temporary solution. Cutting calories is also not pleasant. I hate being hungry!

The key is to speed up the metabolism with working out and giving your body the nutrients that it needs at the proper time.

As I type this, I am finishing up my post workout meal.

One cup of quinoa. I cook mine with an Asian touch with chopped onions, fresh grated ginger, a touch of sesame seed oil, and cilantro. On top I have a Egg Beater + one whole omega 3 egg scramble with spinach and a little grated cheese.

https://www.pro-touring.com/%7Eandrewb/photo.jpg

It's not as big as it looks...LOL The plate is small.

https://www.pro-touring.com/%7Eandrewb/photo-1.jpg

I am never hungry. As a matter of fact, I have a tough time eating everything I am supposed to and I am still shedding pounds, and gaining muscle at the same time.

JJSmitches

01-21-2009, 03:45 PM

Jason,

I know that it is tempting to cut calories, but in my experience (I have been fighting the battle of the bulge all of my life) it is only a temporary solution. Cutting calories is also not pleasant. I hate being hungry!

The key is to speed up the metabolism with working out and giving your body the nutrients that it needs at the proper time.

As I type this, I am finishing up my post workout meal.

One cup of quinoa. I cook mine with an Asian touch with chopped onions, fresh grated ginger, a touch of sesame seed oil, and cilantro. On top I have a Egg Beater + one whole omega 3 egg scramble with spinach and a little grated cheese.

I am never hungry. As a matter of fact, I have a tough time eating everything I am supposed to and I am still shedding pounds, and gaining muscle at the same time.

Andrew,

I actually have a few pounds on you! I have been able to drastically cut my calories and at the same time increase the volume of food I eat throughout the day by making better choices. I plugged in a typical day of eating fast food to see what I had been eating and it was embarrasing!

I have not cut my calories in an attempt to diet, I have cut them forever, as a life style change. The results so far have been impressive.

Example: I would go to Taco Bell for lunch and buy a #1 = Beef Burrito Supreme, Taco Supreme, and a Mountain dew which is about 1060 calories.

Yesterday I had 1 serving of Turkey spinach meat balls that my wife made, 1 cup of Creamy Roasted Red pepper soup, and an apple which was 442 calories.

Now I am eating what an average sized man should eat...instead of 2!

andrewb70

01-21-2009, 03:56 PM

Andrew,

I actually have a few pounds on you! I have been able to drastically cut my calories and at the same time increase the volume of food I eat throughout the day by making better choices. I plugged in a typical day of eating fast food to see what I had been eating and it was embarrasing!

I have not cut my calories in an attempt to diet, I have cut them forever, as a life style change. The results so far have been impressive.

Example: I would go to Taco Bell for lunch and buy a #1 = Beef Burrito Supreme, Taco Supreme, and a Mountain dew which is about 1060 calories.

Yesterday I had 1 serving of Turkey spinach meat balls that my wife made, 1 cup of Creamy Roasted Red pepper soup, and an apple which was 442 calories.

Now I am eating what an average sized man should eat...instead of 2!

Interesting point Jason. It is amazing how fast the calories add up when eating fast food! Good luck and please keep us updated.

Andrew

Larry Callahan

01-21-2009, 04:43 PM

I should join in. I'm in the low 290's and have been for 20 plus years. Susan and I quit smoking about 3 weeks ago and we all know what happens to a lot of people when they quit smoking.

JJSmitches

01-22-2009, 11:56 AM

Do it...Do it NOW!

6'9"Witha69

01-22-2009, 12:07 PM

I should join in. I'm in the low 290's and have been for 20 plus years. Susan and I quit smoking about 3 weeks ago and we all know what happens to a lot of people when they quit smoking.I quit smoking in October of last year. I have had maybe 3 since (you know how it is when you drink around smokers). It was the single best thing I had done was to quit after 13 years. I don't feel my lungs burning during exercise anymore. Keep it up. We all get edgy when coming off any drug, but it is better overall once you kick the habit.

dropit69

01-26-2009, 10:21 AM

andrewb70

01-26-2009, 10:57 AM

i started on cutting my Pepsi intake since the 1st...i usually drink about 60 onces of pepsi a day..now cut to about 20 ..and my body has been acting weird..not usre if its caffenine withdrawl or not but have a DR appt friday to get on a regement and make sure everythings ok..oh and i noticed i have to pee about half as much even after replacing the pop with water..weird..

Caffeine is a pretty powerful diuretic. Since you cut back on it it makes sense that you are going to the bathroom less often. Drinking a lot of pop can be really deceiving. You think you are getting water, but more is being taken out then taken in.

I also have no doubt that you are going through heavy caffeine withdraws. It will be a rough couple of week, but your body will adjust quickly.

Good luck!

Andrew

jilge71

01-26-2009, 11:39 AM

the best thing i found is give your self a challenge...i had a buddy that i made a bet with and it was who ever lost the most weight in a certain amount of time(ours was about 6 weeks) won...the loser had to wear texas gear(burnt orange hat and shirt) to 2 of my OU(boomer sooner) bbq's and then to wear the gear to watch the ou texas game on campus in norman ok!!! and bragging rights lol...if anyone knows football you know ou and texas are big rivals....no offense to any texas people:)this bet made me stay on my diet and do cardio better because i knew that i didnt want to wear that stuff and get made fun of!... i kicked his butt 16lbs to 10lbs...we should have bet on body mass but we shook before it was thought of...lol good luck to all

andrewb70

01-28-2009, 09:15 AM

Weighed myself after my workout this morning, just as I had been doing all long.

297.6 Lbs

I can actually tell a slight difference in the way my pants fit. I am really excited!

Andrew

6'9"Witha69

01-28-2009, 09:25 AM

Good going Andrew. The true measure of success is where you do and don't fill out your clothing compared to before.

b-man

01-28-2009, 05:55 PM

Way to go Andrew, keep going!

I'm pretty excited myself, I've finally hit the 'minus 40 pound' mark. Since last July I've changed my eating habits and it's working for me, I'm down to 189.5 pounds now.

Getting in and out of the WS6 is noticeably easier now!

Bart

andrewb70

01-30-2009, 08:16 AM

Good going Andrew. The true measure of success is where you do and don't fill out your clothing compared to before.

Yes indeed. I try not to pay too much attention to the scale. For me it is much more rewarding when I have to tighten my belt an extra notch!

Andrew

JJSmitches

01-30-2009, 12:13 PM

Tomorrow is the "Official Weekly Weigh-In."

So far I am down 16 pounds. Tomorrow I will see if I have added to that number over the past week.

My wife is down 8 pounds and 1 dress size.

andrewb70

02-05-2009, 07:28 PM

OLDFLM

02-06-2009, 05:46 AM

Great Job my friend!!!

I'm down 6lbs in the last 4 weeks myself. I took off from Thanksgiving thru the Holidays... I guess you could say I had a holiMONTH off! And just started back up on 12 Jan 09. The good news is that I only gained 6lbs back during that long break from eatinig clean and exercise.

That puts my total loss at 26lbs so far... From 240 to 214. Still shooting for 195 by my birthday in April... 19 more in 12 weeks... we'll see.

Hey guys, chech out Bill Phillip's new site:

www.Transformation.com (http://www.Transformation.com)

IF consistency is the key... I'm a tortoise!

V/R,
Ty

68Formula

02-06-2009, 09:24 AM

fishtail8

02-06-2009, 09:54 AM

I read this thread over a couple of days, and I'm glad to see some of you are taking steps to make your lives better. I myself don't belong in this thread, but I have enough people around me who won't do anything about their weight issue that it's glad to see some who want to.

Go get em'....

Jim Nilsen

02-06-2009, 11:56 PM

i started on cutting my Pepsi intake since the 1st...i usually drink about 60 onces of pepsi a day..now cut to about 20 ..and my body has been acting weird..not usre if its caffenine withdrawl or not but have a DR appt friday to get on a regement and make sure everythings ok..oh and i noticed i have to pee about half as much even after replacing the pop with water..weird..

Good thing to cut down on. I have found that the 5 pepsi's a day I used to drink equaled 900 calories a day that was actually keeping me alive. Of coarse it was also doing me more harm. I am finding that I have to have 1700 calories a day to maintain my weight and 2000 or more to gain.
Go to the www.watercure2.org (http://www.watercure2.org) and you can learn about what is going on with your body and the change from pepsi to water. water is the best and if you get the right salt it is even better.

Talk to your doc about it when your there.

Take care.

OLDFLM

02-11-2009, 07:54 AM

Hey guys!

I've been working with a great personal trainer who's willing to send tips for free if you just send me your email address! ([email protected]) Or the email addresses of your friend who you think would benefit from professional advice...

I believe EVERYONE would benefit from receiving these fun and informative tips (I mean... who do you know that doesn't want to lose a bit of body fat, have a laugh, get in better shape, and live a happier life?) I have found that most people enjoy the fact that the tips are short and simple and provide a quick way of getting on track, getting back on track, or staying on track.

So if you're interested:

With permission, send me any and all email addresses of those you know who would enjoy receiving these tips directly.

If you are uncertain whether they would like to be included, she's happy to send them a quick note along with a sample tip. (Simply indicate this at the top of any email list you send me with the words, "Ask First.") The message that will be included with their sample tip will indicate that a friend suggested she send them a tip and will provide them instructions on how to subscribe if they wish.

I completely understand that many people have really had it with email boxes full of junk, so please make sure to forward email addresses of only those people you feel would really benefit from this fun and informative tip. Please reassure each person you ask that it is just as easy to "unsubscribe" as it is to "subscribe" - so they can discontinue any time!

There's no gimmick... I'll recieve no kickbacks... she's not going to make anything off of it... it's just a great tool to help stay on track and maybe learn some fun and helpful stuff along the way too! Many of you know me... I wouldn't post this if I didn't think it was useful! If you're interested or just want to check it out, send me an email.

V/R,
Ty

dropit69

02-11-2009, 08:18 AM

well it ended up i had a upper respatory infection ..5 day course of anti's and i feel alot better..still staying on 2 pepsi's or less a day...might try to weed those off more but love them too much and being i dont smoke or drink coffee i figure i need something bad for me..lol..dropped about 5 pounds by just cutting the sugar ..now comes exercise..lol..

andrewb70

03-31-2009, 08:01 PM

Today was exactly 4 weeks since I started.

January 8, 2009 --- 301.8 pounds
February 5, 2009 --- 293.4 pounds

8.4 pounds lost, and I bet some muscle gained as well.

I doubt that I will be able to maintain this pace for more than another 4 weeks, but I am feeling good.

Andrew

Yesterday I got back into the gym after about a 4 week break. Damn I am sore today.

March 30, 2009 --- 289.8 pounds

So that's 12 pounds in about 12 weeks. I am right on track for my goal of 50 pounds by the end of the year.

Andrew

Andrew

shep

04-01-2009, 06:29 PM

Last check up at the doctor I was 237. I have been doing a cycling class since Oct. last year and started a boot camp class in Dec. I have only lost 20 or so pounds since I started this but have dropped from a 40 inch pants to 36 which are a little too big but the 34 is still a little small. I am at the YMCA Sunday through Thursday. My Doctor is a marathon runner and is in the boot camp class so there is a little extra motivation for me to stick with it.

venturabeachpup

07-09-2009, 10:14 PM

I've been trying to quit the sodas myself guys. And the snacks! But with my business I'm around it all the time. This thread has me fired up about eating well....and no sodas! I've dropped 4lbs to 198lbs.!!!

Don't look at the housing. Look at the background. I sell those things by the thousands.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/backofhousing-1.jpg

Stay away from these things. They are the enemy!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/machine2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/machine1-1.jpg

Pro Stock

08-09-2009, 02:38 PM

I work for a healthcare company and our new CIO has taken a pretty cool aproach to health. They are running a Biggest Loser contest from jan 22 to april 17th. FIrst prize 2500, 2nd 2000 & 3rd 1500.

You you say car parts! ;>) Sudenly I feel motivated to get off the couch!

Man I wish that I would have had more employee's like you, I had a guy that worked for me that weighed 400+ lbs. He is a friend of mine and I was concerned for his health so I tried to give him an incentive to lose 2 lbs a week for a year or 100 lbs, if he succeded I would pay for him to attend Roy Hills Driving School and do it in one of my Pro Stock cars, he turned me down without hesitating ! The moral to this story is: "If your not ready to do it don't even try"
Being diebetic I have found that you need to do everything in moderation and don't get frusterated and give up if you don't hit your number every week, the key is that you can have about anything you want in moderation, 1 cookie, not the whole bag at a time.
PS. How do I sign up for the contest ? HaHa

Dale

Thumpin'66

08-24-2009, 06:58 PM

Hey guys,
I sure am glad I am not the only guy on this board who needs to drop some weight. I am totally unsatisfied with my physical condition and know how much better I will feel and look when I drop some weight. I dropped over 30 pounds two years ago (ate healthy and excercised) and felt great but somewhere along the way I fell back into my old eating and no excercise habits. I spend all day driving and talking and am at work for 12 hours so by the time I get home I just want to relax and watch tv or be on the laptop. I haven't looked lately but I know I am hovering around 300 pounds. If some of you guys want to have a little friendly compettition I think it could motivate me since I would be in the company of gearheads like myself. I am doing a frame off on my Chevelle now and plan to have it looking and running in top form by next July. I want to have my body in great shape by then also. I also take blood pressure meds and know the weight is a major factor (it's like I am carrying another person everywhere I go). I think my weight affects my chances for promotion at work and quality of family life. So, is anyone up to making a change and enjoying some compettition? We could do a daily post in this thread or a new one just to briefly recap what we ate and any excercise we did. Once a week we could "weigh in". Anybody?? Bueller? Bueller?
Russ

b-man

08-24-2009, 08:17 PM

Thumpin'66

08-25-2009, 07:26 AM

52 pounds lost! Holy smokes, you are the man!

b-man

08-25-2009, 03:36 PM

52 pounds lost! Holy smokes, you are the man!Thank you, I am the b-man!

It took me just about a year to do, I changed to my new better eating habits on July 5th of 2008.

By the time I gave away my daughter at her wedding in early March of this year I was down by 43 pounds.:smoke:

Thumpin'66

08-25-2009, 03:48 PM

I just came off the scale at the doctor's office. 297 pounds!! I am starting today and making a change.

eville

09-05-2009, 12:49 PM

I'm down 7.5# after starting to ride again. So far I'm lucky if I get 2 rides per week in. I have a riding buddy to make my ass get out of bed...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/CIMG0335-1.jpg

Jim Nilsen

09-06-2009, 09:18 AM

Got my weight down to 177.5 for a 52 pound loss. :)

That last 12 pounds took a while to lose.

I could drop another 10 or 20 to get down to my ideal weight, but that will take some work. So far the only exercise I've been getting is sweating out in the garage on my Tempest project.

Been hovering between 179 and 182 for the last few weeks, not bad.

I have finally allowed myself to eat a few doughnuts and some icecream lately.

My doctor told me I can probably get off my blood pressure meds completely, when I first got on them 50 or so pounds ago she said I'd be taking them for the rest of my life.

Good luck guys.

That's great news that you defied your doctors prediction, the sad thing is that she was trying to get you to belive her and she actualy believed it herself.
I am intersted to hear what she had to say when she had to change her mind? Did she act surprised? Did she say it was UNBELIEVABLE?

You will probably miss her a lot now that you are healthier with no real poitive outlook from her. To me ,not telling you you could lose weight and not need the medicines and telling you that you would probably be taking them the rest of your life is almost proof that she wanted to keep you and the relationship with your insurance ongoing.

I always remember the phrase , can I help you out? When you hear that at the doctors office you need to ask wich way did I come in?

It's great to hear you doing so well with just a weight loss and a better way of living.!!!!

scogin918

09-27-2009, 04:04 AM

Just ran my 1st road race in 3-1/2 years, an 8k, and got 1st place in my age group. My new job is at a college so I get to use their athletic facilities before work and during lunch. It has made a big difference; even from how I used to train before. I'v already lost 15lbs over the summer and am back down to the same weight when I was my fastest at about 197.

Thumpin'66

09-27-2009, 07:21 AM

Well, I have been eating extremely healthy (primarily vegetarian) and getting in some excercise every other day and am feeling better already. I know I have lost weight but I have decided not to use the scale. What is important to me is getting down to the size and condition I want to be in and not just dropping pounds on the scale. I lost over 30 pounds a few years ago and I think using the scale made me feel so good about myself that I started with a few treats here and there and before you know it I was back up to my old weight. This time I am making a permanant life change and seeing it through. I refuse to be on cholesterol and blood pressure medicines all my life. When I buy smaller pants I will know that I am doing well and I will also have to weigh in at the doctors in 60 days when I go in for bloodwork so I 'll post an update then. I am supposed to be taking cholesterol meds as of two weeks ago but I chose to fix the problem rather than the symptom. I hope to see my cholesterol levels lower on the next test results. Thanks for sharing your stories, it's nice to know that I am not alone in this quest.

Vegas69

09-27-2009, 07:27 AM

I'll exercise vigorously until the day I die. It's been a big part of my life for nearly 15 years and you just feel so much better. Make it an important part of yours and you will reap the benefits down the road.

cheapta

10-18-2009, 04:56 PM

I'm just seeing this thread for the first time. I had to make a change myself earlier this year-my Dr.wanted to put me on blood pressure meds and I refused,I told him I would get healthier. He was a little pissed off but gave me about 6 months.If I wasn't significantly lighter and the BP wasn't better we agreed I'd start the meds.That was in Feb,09.
I'm 55 years ol,5'9" and weiged 205. That might not sound like a lot but I'm not a big guy and I carried all the excess weight right around my waist.
I started an excersize program the next day-power walking. I finally honed that routine to a 3-mile route with two very significant uphill sections.I do that 3-4 times a week and I've actually started running a few sections of the last mile,so I'm doing 9-12 miles a week.
I lost a few pounds immediately but stalled out after that.At my wife's urging I started the Weight Watcher's plan and the lbs started ,melting awayThat was in the middle of June and,asI write this in Oct.I've lost 33 lbs. I can't believe the change in my appearance-I'm trim once again,no more giant belly that enters the room before I do!
I have to give my wife the credit for this,she prepares everything I eat(she always did,cooking is her hobby) and keeps track of the points values of everything.
I go back to the Dr. in two weeks and am anxious to see what the BP numbers are.
Good luck to everybody that's fightinf the middle-age spread

samuel good

11-08-2009, 11:33 AM

I have been fighting heredity my whole life and at my max weight I had let myself get up to 297. I went to the doctor because of what I thought was a urinary problem ( pissing 20+ times a day ) to be hit with the bad news that I have type 2 diabeties (sp) . To say the least, it scared the crap out of me. Doc said that my blood sugar was in the 900+ range. I got my fat ass off of the couch and started exercising. I walk at least 3 times a week and sometimes run. I watch what I put into my body like never before, and as of today my weight is down to 259. My jean size is down from a tight 44 to a loose 40.

Motown 454

11-08-2009, 01:21 PM

Well guys I should have joined this thread the first day it was posted. I've always weighed 240-250 for the last 30 years. I worked construction and it kept me in that range . I got arthritis in my hip and it destroyed the joint. It got so bad when I had to get something on the job I took the truck where before I would walk. I went up to 300 lbs . In may I had a complete hip replacement No more pain. I got gout which lasted from mid May until mid September. Now there's a pain you won't forget. Finnally got it under control started walking around the park got all out of breath ,I figured I was and am out of shape. For the next two weeks until Thursday Oct 29th I felt light headed and out of breath for no reason. I went to my doctor told them my problem. They rushed me into an exam room hooked me up to EKG and oxigen. Next thing I know they dial 911 and I'm on my way to hospital. Of course they can't get the IV in 6 tries.
When I get to the emergency room they check my BP it was 218 over 136 . Thats high but its also on two meds and a water pill. They admitted me and checked my blood for enzimes that show heart attack .Thank god ( and I have plenty ) no heart attack . I was on a monitor and if I so much as brushed my teeth my heart rate would go to 175 no pain not dizzy just breath heavy . They checked my colesterol and trigliscerides 220 and 800 two new meds for those. Cardizan to slow my heart down baby asprin. and two other meds I can't remeber right now.
One good thing they did a catherization and no blockage and no damage he said the wasn't even the beginings of build up. So I'm one lucky guy . So I'm in . My mother and daughter have Diabetes and my brother passed away at 56 from complications from diabetes. Mine is pretty good 129 at 4pm so its starting to creep up. Sorry for the long post I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I was in for 7 days.
Wayne

Young Gun

01-02-2010, 11:38 AM

Its a new year guys! How is everybody doing and what plans have yall got for making your improvements? Keep up all the hard work!

Tony_SS

01-02-2010, 12:13 PM

I just want to add my wife's been doing the p90x for the last 30 days and she's looking good! Its a 90 day course... I'm thinking of trying it myself.

Jim Nilsen

01-17-2010, 07:10 AM

Being on the other side of the scale I have finally gotten back up to 145 and I fluctuate about 5 depending on my appetite which is getting better all the time. I was down to 125 and was not very strong, with the weight gain it has helped the strength a lot.

The hardest thing is to find what would help me gain some weight which is the same foods that you guys want to avoid. The foods that help me the most to gain are potatoes with lots of butter,pasta of any kind and ice cream. I ate mostly fruits,vegetables and meat for awhile trying to do the healthy eating thing but couldn't gain a pound. So I decide it would be better to gain some no matter what if my strength depended on it cut loose to the old eating ways.

I can tell you it isn't any easier being on the other side of the scale for your health and hope that a little insight from the other side can help.

Cancer is a weight loss program everyone could do without. So far it is still gone and I feel better everyday and am almost back to being as good or better than I was before.

I think of you guys and wish you all good health and good luck for the new year !!!!

1360

01-17-2010, 07:24 AM

Cancer is a weight loss program everyone could do without. So far it is still gone and I feel better everyday and am almost back to being as good or better than I was before.

I think of you guys and wish you all good health and good luck for the new year !!!!

Congrats on getting better.....long road back to feeling normal again, I know personally - cancer is a bitch.

rebelgtp

02-01-2010, 11:38 PM

Jim Nilsen

02-02-2010, 05:58 AM

Well I'm joining the ranks of trying to lose some tonnage. I've hit over 300 lbs and I look damn funny with my 110 lb girl friend. She could care less how I look but would like me to get healthier so I'm around for longer.

I'm cutting out all the fast food and soda that has worked it into my diet from being a computer tech. We are going to cook more fresh foods and generally eat much better. Going to go on regular walks with the girl friend and I've started the P90X system. Did the first work out today and damn was it rough going but I managed to keep up decently for being such a fat slug. Going to keep up with it and do what I can and make it a goal of being able to do everything on there and keep up with the pace of the videos.

From my experience it isn't the fast food that adds the weight even tho it may not seem as healthy to some, but the soda is the biggest thing to get rid of along with any sugar. I practically lived on Pepsi when I was working 3rd shift for something to drink and keep me awake, the caffiene is also the a big no no. I sustained an extra 25lb just with the sugar.

Water Water Water is what is best to drink,it may seem hard to do at first but once you get used to it you will feel a lot better.

Sound like you are going to do well, goodluck!

Motown 454

02-06-2010, 03:00 PM

Glad to hear your doing well Jim.

gearheads78

02-06-2010, 03:41 PM

I started feeling tight in my 36" pants over the last couple years or so and refused to go up again in pants size so 3 weeks ago I committed to a healther lifestyle. No Dr Peppers, 3 morning a week in the gym and substituting some fruits veggies and shoothies to cure muchies instead of cinnimon rolls from the vending machine. Not much weight yet but I am already feeling my dress shirts feel looser around my neck and putting my 36" pants I don't need to suck in to button. Ive got a 4 yo and one in the oven so I would like to be around for a while.

Bob's68

02-15-2010, 12:35 AM

Dang I know the feeling, I have never consider myself that fat but I hit 260 and went S***! Time for a change down to 240 im back to hitting the gym like i use to, bike riding, Taekwondo , and eating better. I need to get back to training/comp weight. 200 here I come mofo.

monteboy84

02-15-2010, 07:47 AM

6'1" and hit 215, decided it was time for a change. I know that's not real heavy for my height, but I don't want to get any bigger than what I am. My schedule does not allow me time for exercise outside of work or wrenching at the race shop, so I need to regulate by eating healthy. Definitely not doing any soda, that's the biggest contributor and for me, the easiest to give up. I also don't do caffeine, but that's very easy on a proper diet.

I know it's polarizing, but I'm doing the Atkins diet, properly with a healthy amount of veggies, a rotating variety of protein sources (eggs, red meat, chicken, fish), and vitamins to make up for fruit until I up my daily carb allowance. I feel great and am able to eat food I like on a regular basis. The other bonus is that it's saved me money, I now make most every meal at home (salad for lunch at work) versus eating out fairly often before the switch.

It's been less than 2 weeks and I'm down to 205, that's 10lbs already, my goal is 180, which is where I was when I graduated high school 6 years ago.

Keep it up gents, no better feeling than having one's body in good shape.

scogin918

05-26-2010, 04:33 PM

Well, completed my 1st triathlon in five years and was able to come within 5 minutes of my personal best. The positive thing was the 5 minute difference was a mistake on my part, so I'm really pumped to do the next one. Training to get back into these has motivated my wife to start running and she has lost a little over 30 pounds since December. She's back to how much she weighed on her wedding day and I think she's more beautiful now than ever.

Motown 454

05-26-2010, 07:31 PM

Sweet! Glad to hear you did well. I on the other hand am failing missurable.

6'9"Witha69

05-27-2010, 07:21 AM

Keep it up guys! I have motivated a few folks here at work to start going to the gym and it is a great feeling. Unlike some I am actually gaining weight, good weight though. I am now 261 lbs and climbing!

andrewb70

10-04-2010, 07:57 AM

Tony_SS

10-04-2010, 08:40 AM

I lost 12 lbs just from diet alone... NO exercise! It took a few months, but I drastically changed what I ate. Not portion sizes, but the actual food.

OLDFLM

10-04-2010, 09:00 AM

Bringing this back from the dead.

I've been neglecting myself for the last year and it just had to stop. Four weeks ago I started doing the attached workout routine, and following the nutritional guidelines from Precision Nutrition.

I am down 10 pounds in 4 weeks and feeling pretty good. Great gains in strength, and I have to tighten my belt to the next hole.

Andrew

I'm back on the wagon too! LOL Just started back last week... watching my diet and running/pushups/situps since I have my PT test the end of the month...then once that's over back in the gym!

ProdigyCustoms

10-11-2010, 04:58 AM

OK, so i got the **** scared out of me 6 weeks ago and went to the hospital with a bleeding nose. long story short my blood pressure was 246 over 150. Out of the book, the nurses got really scared and rushed me into ICU. I felt fine! But should have stroked or died. My nose is my 250PSI pressure relief valve! Long story short, 3 weeks in the doctors office everyday kept me out of the hospital. Some pills have that under control now.

I also had slightly elevated sugar which could be attributed to the high blood pressure. But the sugar scares me more then blood pressure. it is not super high and docs think weight lose and diet will control it. So I cut pretty much all carbs for now and eat low fat high protein fish, chicken, turkey, pork, veggies, lots of chef salads with oil and vinegar. Until I lose some more weight and get the sugar down some more I have to watch fruits as they spike my sugar pretty bad. I am also watching calories down to under 2000 a day.

I am pretty serious about it and check sugar every morning and blood pressure a few times a day in different scenarios.

When I was first diagnosed with the high blood pressure, they were so concerned they would not let me on a treadmill at all. One month ago I got released to start slow and monitor my BP right after my walk.

4 years ago we bought a killer tread mill but for whatever reason sitting it in the room did nothing for me? I hit the treadmill 30 minutes minimum everyday now or walk a couple miles every day around the lake, or sometimes do the tread mill in the morning and walk the lake at night. Our weather is so fantastic right now it makes it easy to want to go for a walk. Today I added some running for 2 minutes every 5 minutes of my 30 minute brisk walk and my cardio is SO MUCH better.

I have taken this serious and just weighed in after not weighing for a month since I added the tread mill. Started at 252 (record weight) the day I went to the hospital, down to 234 today in 6 weeks. I am over 2 inches in additional belt and not changing that belt as it is my gauge.

The results are starting to show. Saturday I must have had 4 different people I see occasionally ask me if I lost weight!

I turn 50 next year and vow to be in much better shape on my 50th B Day then any of the B days in the 40s!

So I put it out there in public, so I cannot fail.

I have some challenges coming up with Biketoberfest this weekend and Sema in a couple weeks. I expect to fall off the wagon at SEMA, but plan to get right back on the horse and pick up where I left off

scogin918

10-11-2010, 05:13 AM

Sorry to hear that you had to subscribe to the "Scared Straight" program, but glad to hear about your progress. Slow and steady is the best method as it tends to become more of a habit than a passing fad. Keep it up and just tend to think of the falls of the wagon more as rewards to yourself for all of your hard work.

My427stang

10-11-2010, 06:37 AM

I dropped 25 lbs since Feb.

Followed the rule, "run more, eat less"

Running sucks, but when you can get to the point that you can run, even old lady slow, for 25 minutes, the pounds drop off FAST

trapin

10-12-2010, 03:27 AM

Somebody unstuck this thread.

When I find out who....they're gonna get stuck. :enguard:

DarkBuddha

10-30-2010, 11:03 AM

I don't know how I missed this thread when it was originally posted, but my goodness, I'm both saddened and happy to find it. Actually, I think I needed to find this. See, I'm a fat guy... always have been. I grew up being a fat kid, a fat teenage, a fat college kid, a fat adult, and now a fat dad. I was put on "programs" all my life, until I got old enough and resentful enough to say screw it. Then after having my first kid in 2004, I got a bit more health conscious but stayed fat. In 2007 after having my second kid, I found that I had diabetes. Okay, time to get serious, which I did for a while. At that point, I had reached 420 lbs. Mind you, I wasn't really suffering for it... I got around fine, I walked reasonable distances, could climb a couple flights of stairs, etc. Still, I dropped 100 lbs in 7 months by pretty much diet alone. Inspiring, right? Nah... I like to say that losing the first hundred is easy, it's the second hundred that's tough. In fact, while I maintained my new weight for a couple years, eventually I put a bunch of it back on and got back up to around 390 lbs. in early 2010. Kids, grad school, stress, moving... it all just caught up with me.

Anyway, in April of this year, my wife got on me to get a check up by my primary doc and see a cardiologist just because. Of course both docs said I needed to lose some weight, control my diabetes, and get some exercise, so I started yet another diet. And because my echo showed some oddities, in June, the cardiologist wanted to do some more testing, including a cardiac pet scan, which is supposedly 95% accurate. Well that freaking did it... the pet scan showed that I'd had several heart attacks and had severe and permanent damage to 75% of my heart, indicating significant artery blockage. They were not very optimistic about my prognosis... and I'm only 37 years old! WTF?!?!!!

They told me there was one more test to be sure: a cardiac cath to inject dye and do imaging. But the problem was they weren't giving me good odds on actually surviving the procedure if my heart was as bad off as the other test indicated. I wrote worst-case-scenario goodbye letters to the kids, my wife, family, and friends, and wrote a will. In late August I went in for the procedure and, low and behold, I'm in that 5% error of the previous test. I was pretty much clean; no blockages, no heart damage, no heart attacks, no oddities. But it was enough of a scare to get me thinking a lot more about getting healthy once and for all.

So, over the last 6 months, I've dropped just under 50 lbs, but have been stalled for weeks now. I've actually found myself deviating heavily from the strict eating-out-of-boxes diet I'm on, so I'm redoubling my efforts and adding exercise to the routine to see if I can get moving down again. You'd think it'd be enough knowing that I'll live longer, have a better quality of life, spend better time with my family, live to see my kids grow up and become adults, etc., but it just doesn't seem motivating. So I'm gonna try a new strategy... I'm gonna post my weekly progress here, publicly, and hope that will get me motivated to do it. So here's my baseline:

10/30/2010, weight: 343.5

Wish me luck, and give me hell.

andrewb70

10-30-2010, 01:37 PM

Wyatt,

Thank you for posting your story.

I am absolutely convinced that diet or exercise by themselves are not enough. In order to make lasting changes to our bodies composition both exercise and nutrition must work together. I am also absolutely convinced that "dieting," as in reduced calorie intake is also not the answer. There is a lot of research out there that shows that when calories are reduced, the body goes into a "survival" mode. All metabolic functions are slowed down in order to preserve life. The body literally thinks that you are starving. What calories it is not getting from food, it will get from within. Unfortunately it will start to use up the most accessible stores of energy first, that being the muscles. Muscles are easier to break down than fat, so that is what the body does. It is quite well adapted to preserving life in distress situations. So when you "diet" alone you will loose pounds, but those pounds are mostly muscle, exactly what you don't want to loose. So once you stop "dieting" the sedentary caloric requirements are lower than when you started because of lost muscle mass. So people start to eat "normally" and of course they pack on the pounds. But the pounds that get packed on are the worst kind. They are in the form of fat reserves. Many of us have experienced this phenomenon. I read a great quote: "Blaming being fat on calories is like blaming guns for war."

I am 100% convinced that the only sustainable program has to include careful nutrition, without a drastic caloric drop, and a weight training regiment that is geared towards building muscle mass. Only in this fashion can the metabolism be increased, fat lost, and muscle gained. I strongly recommend the book, "Metabolism Advantage" by John Berardi. The book outlines the basics of his program and can give you a quick jump start. His more comprehensive program can be purchased through his company, Precision Nutrition. It is a nominal 100 bucks and includes a huge binder filled with information and recipes. I am in no way affiliated with the website or the program.

I just finished week 7 of Carter's workout that I posted earlier. The scale is still only showing about 10 pounds lost, but I know I am loosing fat and gaining muscle. My gauge is my belt, certain shirts that I couldn't wear anymore, and the mirror. The workouts are short but very intense. I lift 4 days per week and do cardio 2 times per week. I'd like to get that up to 3.

Good luck everyone.

Andrew

Thumpin'66

10-30-2010, 01:46 PM

I started to make draft a quick reply and it turned in to this.
PROJECT HUMAN BODY
A Gearhead’s Approach To Weight Loss

I can’t help but wonder how I became so determined, dedicated and patient when building my project cars. I get a vision of the finished car in my head, one that might change slightly daily but a vision none the less. I plot everything out in writing and consume thousands of hours researching different parts and procedures until I find the magic ingredients needed to build my dream. Every time I have an extra $100 from a bonus at work or selling off some old parts, I buy an item on my extensive wish list and check it off. My wife has been frustrated at times due to piles of engine parts and car magazines under the coffee table. Prior to my building a shop, the stashing of parts in the house and working on a car in my driveway even in rain or snow was the norm. When I was younger I had zero patience and threw my cars together with swap meet finds and whatever leftover parts my buddies had. As I grow older I realize that having over a hundred project cars has given me a lot of experience but that I never really built a car the way I wanted. I made the cars go fast, drove them hard and then moved on to another project thus never finishing one in the process. By finished I mean nice paint, ride quality, and interior. Today I am over 70% done with my 1966 Chevelle SS and it is a great feeling to see it come together exactly how I want it. I enjoy sharing my progress with friends in the car community via internet forums. I document everything with pictures and will have a nice build book assembled when the car is done. When it is complete I will drive the wheels off of it and enjoy car shows and cruises and racing events with my wife and kids.
So what does this have to do with losing weight? I am glad you asked, but first did I mention that I was a smoker? I smoked two packs a day in my early 20s and not a 15 minute period would go by without me lighting up. I always had a smoke hanging out of my mouth while working on cars even while at work (it was allowed back then). I remember when a friend’s tri-power 1965 GTO ran out of fuel and we had to push it for a few blocks. I felt like I was gonna die I was wheezing hard and could barely breathe. I also remember waking up in the mornings and hacking before lighting up my first smoke of the day. When I was out with friends having a beer everyone smoked and it was greatly accepted or even deemed as “cool”.

During the same time period my father passed away due to alcoholism. After failing in multiple rehab programs he could not overcome his addiction and poisoned himself to death. He was a great man with a fantastic personality and a creative mind and died young. I pondered his passing and related it to my smoking. I considered the ever elevating price per pack and how I could better use that money for car parts. The fact that alcohol companies profited on my father’s addiction and tobacco companies were profiting on my smoking addiction inspired me to quit cold turkey. It was hard for the first month because every time I worked on a car or had a beer with friends I wanted a smoke. After not smoking for six weeks I had a rough day and said “hey, give me a smoke” to my friend in the bar and he obliged. I took a few puffs and minutes later my head started pounding and I felt sick to my stomach then smashed the cigarette out in the ashtray. That was my last cigarette. It has been over 20 years now and I don’t miss them at all, in fact I am very sensitive to the smell and can’t stand to go to a Casino or bar that allows smoking because the smell saturates my clothing. I can’t imagine what my health would be like today if I had not quit and also how it would have affected my three daughters. I look at it as a huge win for me in life and try to remember it when I talk to myself about my being over-weight. It seems that all of my best decisions were just that, a decision that I made and followed through on. I never tried anything and had success because I was just “trying” to do it. When I tried a diet or tried working out I was doomed for failure. Now I have to dig deep into the same elements of my being that helped me quit smoking and help me now building an awesome project car. These characteristics of vision, dedication, determination and patience will be the only way I will get my body in the shape I really want it.

Will I be able to do it? I will most definitely, but not until the day that I decide to do so. Today I am just sharing my thoughts. The next step for me is creating a clear vision of the finished version of my own human body project. Then I will put a build needs list in writing and follow through with dedication and patience. It may take years to complete but the best things don’t usually come quick and easy. After all, what’s the point in building the perfect ride if you aren’t around to enjoy it?
Here’s to healthy camshafts and hearts for everyone,
Russ

andrewb70

10-30-2010, 01:52 PM

Well said Russ.

In the eternal words of Jedi Master Yoda,

"Do or do not. There is no try."

Andrew

ProdigyCustoms

10-30-2010, 04:39 PM

I have cut carbs to almost nothing except the few i get from the vegetables, I eat, nothing white. I also am watching sodium for water weight retention. I am eating lean meats, Chicken, Turkey, Pork and Fish (Sirloin if I have steak), and eating smaller portions and nothing after 9PM except some 20 calorie sugar free Popsicle. Eating late was a big problem for me.

I was making sure i did 10,000 steps a day, now i am closer to 15,00 as i get 7000 to 7500 in just my one hour treadmill. Every morning no matter what I am doing elementary school exercise touching toes and windmills before I get on the treadmill. I am up to 1 hour on the treadmill at 3MPH and am running a couple minutes every 10 minutes, or using dumbells in different ways. Basically I am always doing something on my fast walk other then just walking. I just bought cloths before SEMA and for the first time in my 40s bought 38s and they are getting a little loose. I was pushing 42s. And i bought XL and 2 XL shirts instead of 3XL (shoulders are still broad).

Weight is not dropping but moving as Andrew said. Waist it way down 4" and man boobs don't bounce as much on my runs! So I am gaining muscle and losing fat.

I am really digging the transformation.

NOW, i have the HUGE challenge of SEMA this week. It is going to be really hard, lots of drinking and lots of opportunity for bad meals choices. So I expect to pick up a few LBS, but will lean out my intake when I get home. I am curious to see how much i pick up and how long it takes to lose it

trapin

11-07-2010, 06:51 PM

I am on the threshold of 40 (39 now, will be 40 in March) and my weight makes me avoid taking the stairs at work. I find I get winded very easy and recently I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea (due to the weight mostly).

The other day I had some time alone and took a few minutes to think about all the problems in my life and coincidentally (or maybe not) they are all tied in some fashion to my weight. If I can just get this small human being off my frame (a metaphor for how much weight I need to lose) I truely feel my life would be SO much better.

Tommorow I start the journey once again....but this time if feels like my life depends on it.

DarkBuddha

11-08-2010, 04:26 AM

I'm right there with you Tony... I just turned 38 in October and find myself thinking more that many of my internal problems are very much related to my weight and being fat all my life. While it emboldened me to say "screw what others think", I reached a place where I said it didn't matter, when in fact it does matter very much. I'm beating myself and beating myself up for it, and that doesn't make any sense.

I said I'd post my progress, but the problem is I haven't made any in the last couple weeks... my weight this morning: 343.5 lbs. But today is a new day, and I'm gonna make sure I suffer for the good fight today, not the stupid one.

John Wright

11-08-2010, 05:29 AM

Been a while since I checked in this thread....keep up the good work guys.

I have been maintaining, not any real progress, but I feel better just from all of the exercise. I started a new program http://www.50pullups.com/ and hoping to progress through this and meet my goal (staying ahead of my 14yo)....LOL I can do 10 fairly consistantly, some days get 15, so I started on the mid-way program and working through week 2 day 1..it is fairly easy right now, but I don't want to skip ahead too far, because I'm hoping this will build me up a rate where I will be able to keep at it and not get to a point where I can't finish the routine laid out for the day that I'm working on. I learned from doing the 100 pushup program that you can get too far ahead and your body doesn't have time to recover before having to step up for the next day's routine.

Keep after it guys....it is worth it

6'9"Witha69

11-08-2010, 12:08 PM

Keep at it guys. In my desire to increase muscle mass I got too aggressive and went to almost 270 lbs from ~240. I leaned it down to 250 and am just adding slowly and properly again. Diet is absolutely key to anything you want to do withj your body. What you eat is important but how often and how much plays a hjuge role as well.

Brad1970

11-08-2010, 12:12 PM

here you go.... HA!!!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html?hpt=T2

Brad1970

11-08-2010, 01:04 PM

We had a weight loss competition at work... I dropped 23lbs in 7 weeks. Started out at 246 down to 223. I'm 6'6" tall.

Started out at 2000 calories a day restriction.

took 10 flights of stairs 4 times a day minimum

ran (jogged at moderate pace) 2 to 3 miles outside (not on treadmill) twice a week

stepped down the amount of calories I was taking in each week. by week 7 I was taking in 1000 calories a day.

I used a food journal to keep track of intake (calories, carbs, etc.) & exercise.

I was using Kroger Slim Rite shakes (170 cals per can) & eating one sensible meal at night. Cut breads, sugars, starches out as much as possible.

Keep in mind this was only to win the competition, NOT A WAY OF LIFE & not used to keep weight off. I've put back on 5lbs since (which it's been since June) so not too bad, but I've been keeping my calorie intake around 2000 calories & stay more active than I was. (stairs, walking, etc...)

Eat less, eat better, move more

ProdigyCustoms

11-08-2010, 08:45 PM

Had a rough week at SEMA. Every night someone wanted to go to dinner or drinking, or both! LOTS of drinks, few really bad (fantastic) meals. I mean come on, you cannot go to Del Frisco's and not eat the bread (whole loaf, lol), a huge steak and the Chateau mash potatoes! Had some late night 4AM breakfast to avoid a wicked hang overs. Got forced into sausage and egg biscuits a couple mornings. It is ritual to go straight to In and Out burger soon as we arrive.

But still tried to eat good (buffet) as often as I could and used the Fitness Center (awesome) at the hotel every other day. Walked miles and miles at the show, on my feet all day countered most of the bad food I think. Picked up a 3 LBS in all, a cheap price to pay for a great week, back on the diet now. Lets see what happens.

I must admit it was cool having so many people ask about the weight drop.

MuscleRodz

11-08-2010, 10:03 PM

I don't consider myself heavy, but have been gaining weight this last year and now pushing 200, highest I have ever been. Got a scare a about a month ago when I notice a skipping beat and abnormal pains. Went to doctor, sadi everything was OK, probably stress and other bad habits I need to change, so I will be working on eating better and exercising next year to be in better shape when I am 40 than when I was 30.

Frank, you did look much better than when I had seen you at SEMA last year. I guess you can blame Tracy, Mark and I for one of those 4 am nights, it was definitely worth going without sleep. I got 9 hours sleep in 64 hours between Wednesday and Friday when I got home, and can't wait till next year!

ProdigyCustoms

11-11-2010, 06:38 PM

Frank, you did look much better than when I had seen you at SEMA last year. I guess you can blame Tracy, Mark and I for one of those 4 am nights, it was definitely worth going without sleep. I got 9 hours sleep in 64 hours between Wednesday and Friday when I got home, and can't wait till next year!

Good friends, good stories, good times. One of my favorite nights.

I figure we all got a great ab workout from laughing so hard!

See ya next year.

ill steez

11-16-2010, 07:29 PM

This is a great thread! I love seeing people making a positive change in their lives.

If I can make a suggestion for you guys;

http://www.amazon.com/Paleo-Solution-Original-Human-Diet/dp/0982565844

Buy and read that book. It may seem a little extreme, but I promise the results are worth it.

I personally have eaten strict paleo for the past year and a half and feel better than I ever have before.

rfalker1

11-16-2010, 08:47 PM

Suggestion as a pro athlete who loves candy, Moderation and Moderation, even I have packed on pounds during the middle of the season, so I wish each and everyone the best of luck, remember if you don't have it you can't eat, but indulging from time to time is always a must!!!!

tylers88

12-06-2010, 07:54 PM

I stopped eating as much and drinking so much pop, plus got myself back on the bike(ching ching not vroom vroom) and in a about 17-18 months I dropped from 265ish to 200-205ish, going to start hitting the gym again soon

Stg1Regal

03-13-2011, 04:44 PM

Glad to see you guys out there trying.... I mean "DO" by losing weight.
I just turned 45 this past week, and known for a while that I am overweight.

5'11" at 315 lbs!!!
Dang.... feels weird sharing that.

Now the fun part ... my daughter & her boyfriend live with us ( background note: they blessed us with a beautiful grand daughter:& they are trying to complete their Nursing school training), but the boyfriend is into fitness..BIGTIME and the daughter has taken to it also and worked off the baby fat.
They are on me all the time for my health... there actually to sections of food in the house thier good food and ours. believe it or not I dont eat all that much in bad foods, it's just the amount.

I do wanna loose weight and I have tried, its just harder too ( they try to get me going) got no damn energy.. did the WI fitness a few times, wore my butt out.

The main thing is they do try to get me going, but they do it at their pace, I cant do that, gotta work up to it ..so it gets me down I cant keep up with them.

They do ride my butt kinda hard couple 3 times a day.

So Im planning on just getting out and walking cause its starting to get into spring,then go from there, I am going to put a TV in my basement, with a GAZELE glider fitness piece and plug in the WI.

I don't drink or smoke, I drink tea, not pop or soda. and my wife cooks some damn good meals, so I guess that where my weight comes from, just comfortable and adjusted.

There is a pic posted here on the Pro-Touring website of last years RTTH, at the drags on Sunday, I was standing behind the wall in the pic my gut wasnt.

Gotta fix it...... or DO fix it, I used be known as Gilligan's (my brothers nickname) little brother in H.S., now I look like Skipper.

Open to suggestions......

6'9"Witha69

03-14-2011, 10:34 AM

1. Start slow. Too many people try to keep up with those of elevated abilities and it does get disaapointing. It is also hard, depending on what you do, to maybe see the needle not move. Don't judge results just by weight, but by size measurements as well. I ca take a 5% body fat cut and only drop 1 pound. It all about about muscle vs.fat. Total weight can often be deceiving.
2. Portion control. It's not just how much you eat, but when. Breakfast should be your largest meal of the day and work down from there. I also use the grazing technique. I eat little bits all day long, every 1.5-2 hours. It helps promote good consistent metabolism.
3. Muscle burns fat. Everybody who wants to drop weights just does cardio. But Muscle burns fat all day long and even whiole you sleep. Building up muscle through trying various exercises like weight training, heavy effort running like sprints, etc will all help build muscle, helping burn fat. This also attributes back to #1.
4. Variety. Change it up. Your body will soon adapt to this new fitness trend and it will no longer be as effective as when you started. Change up your workout regularly (every 2-3 months). It also helps ensure you don't bored. Also, don't do the same reoutine every time you go to the gym. The big guys, they don't exercise the same muscle group but every 3rd ot 4th time they hit the gym, maybe more. Muscles need time to heal, so amke a workout plan that allows for variety day to day, then change that plan every few months.

It sounds like your daughter loves you and wants you to be around for a while. Heck, you're a grandpa. Give them all the time you can.

And don't worry about meeting their goals, just set and meet your own.

DarkBuddha

03-14-2011, 11:05 AM

I've been failing miserably lately... too many personal issues dragging me down. It has been an epic couple of years, and I've let it take over me plain and simple. I get going and then fall off the wagon. I was down nearly 70 lbs this past year and then have rebounded 40+ now. Not good. I don't have many outlets for stress relief and I find myself turning to food over and over. Combined with bad habits, eating when I'm actually thirsty, not getting exercise, sitting in a car driving 3 hours a day, family responsibilities and emotional demands, etc., it's all going to kill me. And worse, it's making it difficult to be physically active with my kids and it's stopping me from enjoying the few things I really do like and look to for stress relief. All of my good intentions have paved a road straight down and I'm feeling the heat under my feet the lower I go. Gotta get it turned around... NOW!

DarkBuddha

03-15-2011, 02:33 AM

Got up at 5:15am and went to YouFit. I've been a member for over a month and this was the first time I've gone, but it's a start.

Thumpin'66

03-20-2011, 12:49 PM

Hey guys,
I haven't posted in a while so here is a big update on my get healthy decision. I tried some of my usual "eat right and get some excecise" strategy and wasn't doing well as far as staying on track or results. My friend Charles lost 54 pounds in the last 6 months and just got engaged to a beutiful lady from Peru and co-incidently has received promotion offers at work. He did it by utilizing the Take Shape For Life program. I researched it and decided that a structured program would really help me change my habits. I knew that if there was a "plan" and proven results I could do it. The price scared me at first -about $300/mo for food but I really wanted to get off the blood pressure pills and lower my weight significantly from the 300 pound mark I was at. I started the 5 n 1 meal plan on Feb 21st 2011 and here are my results so far:
Begin 2-22-2011 300 pounds
Date: Weight Difference
2/28/2011 291 -9
3/7/2011 282 -9
3/14/2011 274 -8

So, as of last Monday I had lost 26 pounds in only three weeks! I feel so much better and am so confident that this program will work long term for me that I have gone through some training and am becoming a health coach for the program. The beauty of this program is that only the first week was difficult as I sat in front of the tv at night and craved my bag of chips or bowl of ice cream. By week two the cravings were nill. As long as I remember to eat one of my five medifast meals every 2-3 hours I do not get hungry. I have one "lean and green" meal a day and sometimes make it at lunch, sometimes dinner. If I go out to lunch with someone I order a chicken salad or something similar and drink un-sweetened iced tea or diet cherry coke zero and lots of water (64oz/day recommended). It is really easy and after I reach my target weight there is a set plan to gradually re-introduce fruits, dairy, pastas, etc. and move off the medifast meals. I also have my buddy Charles as my assigned health coach and am now helping others as their health coach wich motivates me even more. All of the excuses I had for not doing this before I now realize were un-justified. I wish I would have done this earlier but am really glad I am on the right track now. My goal is to get down to about 215-220 and I am certain I will and that makes me feel soooo goood! If you decide that you want to commit to something that works please don't hesitate to email me for more specific info. I spent a lot on light-weight parts trying to lighten the front end of my drag car to launch better. I can't wait to see what it will be like when I have taken 80 pounds directly out of the driver's seat!

I will weigh in again tomorrow and see how I am doing. I felt more of a change in muscle mass this week than weight loss and will do 30 minutes of cardio excercise this coming week instead of the 15 I have been doing to help me keep the train going. The cool thing is that all of my medifast meals give me all the vitamins, minerals and proteins I need to be healthy with none of the bad stuff and keep me in a fat burning state. Did I mention that I am extremely stoked about this program?? Anyhow, I hope to hear more stories from everyone and wish you all success on reaching your goals no matter how you get there. Please don't take my post as shameless advertising for the program I am on because it is not. If you look at my earlier post in this thread you can see how my feelings were and still are about my wieght. I am just glad I can really do something to help myself and others about it now. Next month I will see my doctor and get a full blood workup to see if my cholesterol and blood pressure are improving as I expect they are.

Russ Wolden

Motown 454

03-20-2011, 03:10 PM

Hi Guy's I'm a food aholic. and thats the truth. I used to work construction as a laborer. The last 4-5 years I worked I had really bad ostio arthritis in my back and hip. The hip is replaced now. I worked all day and drove to and from work for an hour by the end I was almost 300 lbs. Then I couldn't work any more because of the hip pain and had to retire which only made it worst. I'm an emotional eater if I get pissed I take a fit then clam up and go eat something. also when I'm bored and almost everything else too. About 6-7 weeks ago I got in my truck and it was tight behind the wheel and my legs are to short to push it back any further. lol I checked and I was 316 lb fully clothed (and you guys are the only ones I've told). I was shocked. I started eating the package dinners Smart Ones . They're actually good, and they fill me up. I find that I am eating less then 1800 calories a day and not hungry. So far I've lost 26 lbs and still going. The weather up here has been pretty crappy so I didn't walk until this week I'm walking 2-1/2 mile in 40-45 minutes 4 times a week. I'll up that later. It was tuff and I had to push my self not to eat extra in the beginning but now it easy and seeing the weight loss is getting me cranked up. Plus I want to be able to fit in the Camaro! They are really cheap to buy they come on sale just about every week and they are 2 for $5. I used to eat more than that in 1/3 of one of my old meals.

Wayne

DarkBuddha

03-20-2011, 03:54 PM

He did it by utilizing the Take Shape For Life program. I researched it and decided that a structured program would really help me change my habits. I knew that if there was a "plan" and proven results I could do it. The price scared me at first -about $300/mo for food but I really wanted to get off the blood pressure pills and lower my weight significantly from the 300 pound mark I was at.

That's how I dropped nearly 50 lbs. in 4-5 months last year, and it was going great until I stalled hard. And now, over the last 5-6 months I've actually gained quite a bit back (~30 lbs). The trick is that the moment I deviated or slipped, it was a quick slide back. The first 2 weeks were miserable for me because of the constant hunger pains (and I mean PAINS!) and how tired it made me from dropping from 2000+ calories per day to only 800 on the program. And to be honest, I continue to find it difficult to reconcile the idea of "healthy" eating with eating pre-packaged, boxed, formulated food. I also can't stand the fact that when I'm on the program hardcore that I have to piss every freakin' hour, which is very typical of being on the program. I find that to be a huge inconvenience and actually a bit debilitating... it means I have to plan where I'll be and when I'll get there so I can be sure I get to pee. I'm being completely serious! It really doesn't work well for a guy that may be out and about for hours at a time or hung up at places that it wouldn't be convenient to have to go to the bathroom. And while having a "health coach" is helpful, I don't need a health coach so much as a psychologist, which leads me to the following:

For all my complaints about Medifast (Take Shape For Life), I know it can work, but that doesn't mean it's going to work for me. As I think I've said elsewhere in this thread, I've realized that I've got other issues that go beyond my weight. I've always been fat, and because of that I've learned to accept myself and know how to get along and feel okay about myself while being fat. But those other issues are the ones challenging me, and I've realized I have very little available to me for stress relief, and often have very little flexibility or time to accommodate making better choices. And really, I spent my entire life this way so simply going on a program (one of many I've been on in my life) is not going to solve my weight issue or eating habits. So what to do?

Well, I'm proud to say that I got to the gym everyday this week, and even doubled up on all of my reps and circuit stations today. It's been hard, but I feel better and see the difference in my body and attitude already. And while I haven't actually lost any weight really (maybe a couple lbs.), maybe it'll be enough to get me back onto Medifast. But for now I'm just happy to be doing something that makes me healthier and gives me a bit of an outlet for stress.

Thumpin'66

03-20-2011, 08:07 PM

I can relate to the other things getting in the way. I was so stressed at work last year and being an outside sales guy I am always on the road and just happen to know all the good places to eat. I started going to the ymca about 3 months ago every weekday morning (and I still do). It felt good to get my system pumping in the morning before work but I just wasn't dropping the weight. The Take Shape For Life deal is all about a lifestyle change, not about Medifast or losing weight. I wouldn't be able to just do Medifast food and have good results. If you just do Medifast to lose weight you will definitely gain it back after you lose it and feel "done" with the program. The Medifast food is a tool used to train you to get used to eating small meals throughout the day and lean green choices. The key behind keeping it off is the transition stage after you reach your target weight. If you don't ease back in to other healthy foods while slowly replacing the medifast meals you will rebound. As you start to take in those extra calories again you have to adjust your activities/excercise to compensate and balance calories in vs calories out. There is no magical diet that will allow anyone to lose a bunch of weight then go right back to eating junk in massive quantities and not get fat again. Take Shape For Life calls it the Be Slim Lifestyle and offer the support network for someone who chooses to fully embrace the program. As far as having to pee alot, I haven't noticed it even though I am on the road all day. It would have been a good topic to bring up on one of the weekly Doctor led conference calls that are part of the program. I do have trouble remembering to drink 64oz of water so maybe you did better at it then I. I typically take 48oz of water in my lunch box and drink one glass in the morning and one at night at home. I also drink some tea, coffee and soda on occasion for my caffeine fix. I was drinking two of the shakes daily last month and am switching to one shake daily this month and an replacing it with an extra crunch bar. Having my friend as support helps becasue we keep each other honest and remind each other why we are making the changes in our lifestyle. I used to start my day with a venti caramel machiato with whip creme from starbucks then switch to MT Dew to keep the caffeine flowing. I think I needed it to keep me going because any time I drove by a good place to eat I would stop and have my favorites and tell myself it was ok because I work hard and I deserve it. I was always eating large quantities at lunch then going home to a large dinner with the family and having 2nds or thirds. Now I telll myself I deserve to be healthy and fit and I will survive without all that food. I plan on taking my wife out for a nice rib eye steak and potato dinner in August to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I am sure I will have leftovers since I doubt I will be able to finish a pound of meat like I used to.. but that will be just fine with me!

WildBillyT

03-21-2011, 07:10 AM

and how tired it made me from dropping from 2000+ calories per day to only 800 on the program.

Is that seriously what they did? A 60% calorie reduction is considered very excessive and well under when most people's bodies kick into survival/starvation mode...

Thumpin'66

03-21-2011, 07:15 AM

If you stick to the program guidelines it is around 1100 calories per day. It includes snacks, condiments and a lean green meal you cook yourself.

WildBillyT

03-21-2011, 07:17 AM

If you stick to the program guidelines it is around 1100 calories per day. It includes snacks, condiments and a lean green meal you cook yourself.

Ok, that seems more realistic, even though it's still a bit on the low side. The cutoff for most people is 1200. But if it works, no biggie.

DarkBuddha

03-21-2011, 10:13 AM

If you stick to the program guidelines it is around 1100 calories per day. It includes snacks, condiments and a lean green meal you cook yourself.
I don't know how you're fitting 1100 calories into the program if you're following it properly...

500-550 calories - 5 Medifast "snacks" (meal substitutes), each is 100-110 calories.

250-ish calories - "Lean and green" meal (one 5-7 oz. serving lean protein + three 1/2 cup servings of veggies). A common example meal would be something like 165 cal. for 6 oz. chicken + 30 cal. for 1/2 cup steamed broccoli + 20 cal. for 1/2 cup steamed summer squash + 30 cal. for 1/2 cup steamed turnip greens. Other meal combinations would be slightly more or less, but it all works out under 300 calories easy.

10-20 calories - extra snack (i.e. couple stalks of celery, sugar free jello cup, etc.)

25-50 calories - condiments. My health coach was pretty strict about limiting 'em and there is no way he would've said 300+ calories in condiments would be okay.

That's the 785-870 calories that I was typically getting when I was hardcore on the Take Shape for Life program. Very tough, but manageable and effective if you can keep with it. I've just found it doesn't work for me very well, but not necessarily because of the calorie limitations.

WildBillyT

03-21-2011, 11:53 AM

I don't know how you're fitting 1100 calories into the program if you're following it properly...

500-550 calories - 5 Medifast "snacks" (meal substitutes), each is 100-110 calories.

250-ish calories - "Lean and green" meal (one 5-7 oz. serving lean protein + three 1/2 cup servings of veggies). A common example meal would be something like 165 cal. for 6 oz. chicken + 30 cal. for 1/2 cup steamed broccoli + 20 cal. for 1/2 cup steamed summer squash + 30 cal. for 1/2 cup steamed turnip greens. Other meal combinations would be slightly more or less, but it all works out under 300 calories easy.

10-20 calories - extra snack (i.e. couple stalks of celery, sugar free jello cup, etc.)

25-50 calories - condiments. My health coach was pretty strict about limiting 'em and there is no way he would've said 300+ calories in condiments would be okay.

That's the 785-870 calories that I was typically getting when I was hardcore on the Take Shape for Life program. Very tough, but manageable and effective if you can keep with it. I've just found it doesn't work for me very well, but not necessarily because of the calorie limitations.

Is this a keto diet? It seems that way.

DarkBuddha

03-21-2011, 03:50 PM

Is this a keto diet? It seems that way.
Essentially, yes. But it is intended to create a very mild state of ketosis. It is not anything like what folks on Atkins (or similar) experience. It's a very controlled lower carb and lower fat diet, as any good weight loss diet should be. And as a diabetic,I can say that it does very effectively control blood sugar levels and keep them very level (if a bit low for me), which helps control fat burn and insulin levels.

WildBillyT

03-23-2011, 07:49 AM

Essentially, yes. But it is intended to create a very mild state of ketosis. It is not anything like what folks on Atkins (or similar) experience. It's a very controlled lower carb and lower fat diet, as any good weight loss diet should be. And as a diabetic,I can say that it does very effectively control blood sugar levels and keep them very level (if a bit low for me), which helps control fat burn and insulin levels.

What type of workout are you doing at the gym? The low-carb stuff will be rough if you are doing any strength training.

DarkBuddha

03-23-2011, 03:04 PM

First, to be clear, I'm not doing the "low carb" thing right now. In fact, I wouldn't even call what I'm doing a diet really. I eat reasonable meals with regular snacks, and try to avoid eating total crap or binging. So far, so good. I do plan to start sculpt and control my diet better soon, but I knew it would be terrible to start a strict diet at the same time I started working out regularly.

BTW, for a workout, I'm doing your basic circuit training routine that alternates a resistance or nautilus machine with cardio in the form of stepping or similar. I proceed through the circuit starting with lower body & legs, then upper body & arms, then torso/core. I do every station for one minute, usually 20-30 reps per, with 30 seconds of rest between. For a guy that hasn't been working out for years, it's downright brutal. But I can honestly say I feel the difference and am already doing 3 times what I started doing just 10 days ago. And while I haven't lost any weight (in fact, I think I've gained a couple lbs.), I feel better, and today I noticed my clothes have been fitting more loosely. I can live with that for the moment and look forward to start taking the weight off.

chicane67

04-09-2011, 12:52 AM

Update for me...

January 28 2011, @ 268
BP 135/85, resting 78; A1C @ 7.4; average blood sugar 112-118

March 6 2011, @ 235
BP 128/76, resting 68; A1C @ 4.1; average blood sugar 92-105

April 8 2011, still making adjustments...

As of January 1 2011, no smoking (not even cigars)... and zero alcohol.
Reduced sugar to absolutely the minimum, to include table and naturally occuring sugars.
February 1 2011, reduced my carb intake to at/just under 100 total carbs per day.
I have increased my fat intake and lowered my sodium, which was at that time I thought low, even lower by greater knowledge of 'naturally occurring' substances in the foods that I eat.

Observations:

Read the book "Protein Power"... it will explain the most simplistic and rudimentary nutritional science... even to the point of specific food interactions.

Low fat diets are mythical... not to mention a waste of time and money. The science is the balance and amounts of correct fats. As soon as America started driving the "low fat" garbage down our throats, heart disease, obesity, blood pressure and diabetes have quadrupled in the last 60 years (right about the time the onslought of processed food were hitting the market.) I have almost doubled my fat intake from what it was and have been loosing fat, most notably in my BMI and blood work results... only from a change in my diet.

You cannot get rid of carbs and/or fat. Period. If you do, you risk bringing other ailment's to the table that are just as damaging. You can however, reduce carbs (and consume them at the right time of your day) and consume the correct fats to lower your weight, improve your overall health and in most cases rid your self of many perscriptions... just from a change in your diet alone. It's amazing what you can accomplish with some nutritional education.

Carbs stimulate hunger. Its that simple. Just make sure that you do eat... and definately make sure that when you put something in your mouth... make damn sure it's the right thing and at the right time.

I applaud everyone that has stuck to it !! Dont give in. Dont give up. Make a realistic goal, short and long term, and then make it happen.

I have finally gotten to a point where I now understand how my body reacts to the specific things that I eat... and when I eat them. If you want to as well... go get yourself a blood glucose meter... and chart yourself correctly for one single month. You will easily see how even the slighest adjustments make the biggest difference.

:cheers:

DarkBuddha

04-09-2011, 04:05 AM

Awesome man! I found that I lost the most weight when I was on my diabetic diet and carefully monitored my blood sugar. It's not an unreasonable diet, but does mean being selective about the foods you eat. I'm going back on it ASAP.

BTW, I haven't lost anything. In fact, I think I've gained a few lbs., but I've been going to the gym pretty much everyday for 40-50 minutes (even when I really really really dread it). And while i haven't lost any weight, the difference in how I feel is amazing. Physically getting out of bed in the morning is significantly easier. Getting up from the floor, getting in and out of the car, hell, pretty much anything and everything I do is easier. And boy do I notice it when I have to miss a day.

Anyway, I'm gonna start controlling my diet more and add more cardio to my workout, and see how I do.

chicane67

04-09-2011, 03:04 PM

I hear you on the selective diet part... I had to give up the majority of the things I like to eat. Mainly due to the fact that they are a starch. I mean, peas ? Come on now... its a vegitable... but no, it is also a starch, so it had to go. Man it sucks. Giving up things that you, your entire life were brought up to believe that were good for "you"... are just the opposite.

You know, I don't believe in the common definition, or mis-definition, of 'diet.' I like to think of it as more of a 'lifestyle change.'

As for working out, I found that when I went and hit the gym hard... I got that same results as you. No weight loss. However, a reduction in stress and better sleep was well worth the effort. But it wasn't exactly what I was looking for... it just happened to be a worthy side effect. So, I looked into this a little more and made some adjustments to net the results that I was looking for.

Hardcore weight training and cardio just wont do it. Yes the idea sounds good, but I believe it is a step that should be focused on later in the process. The basic idea is you want to strip the fat and maintain the muscle that you have... as it's a step toward 'lean mass.' Yes, muscle mass naturally burns fat, however, I believe that the first goal is to lose weight. Not only does this make everything we do easier by taking weight off of the skeletal system it also makes the largest impact on our overall BMI. So... the way to do this without gaining more mass is to work the 'slow twitch' muscle fiber, which are the largest muscle groups on your body. That is done simply, by walking... at your target heart rate for your age. The best part is, its doesn't require a gym membership or a dime out of your pocket except for the initial cost of a heart rate monitor. Just get outside and walk... the fresh air is a big part of it.

Once the initial fat burn and weight loss have occurred, then I believe that a more robust weight training and cardio routine will have an even greater effect. Its your diet and the low impact activity that gets you the fastest results... and it also aids you into a state of ketosis... which is all part of the idea in the first place. All without the abuse of having to trash yourself at the gym to the point of dreading even going. Then as you decrease your overall mass, you can eventually start increasing your overall activity at a rate that is comfortable, without pain and soreness. Its a natural progression.

Being a diabetic also has an impact on this as well... as the diet is going to be more critical than for someone that is not diabetic. And don't forget your suppliments... I'm currently taking the following:

GNC Mega Men Sport, multi vitamin
GNC Triple strength Fish Oil, 900mg
GNC Flax Seed Oil, 1000mg
GNC Potassium & Magnesium Aspertate, 250mg
GNC Turmeric, 500mg
GNC Cinnamon, 500mg
Slo Niacin, 500 mg

Just knowing what you eat and how it will effect 'you'... is a big thing. Who woud have thought that a new staple in my diet would be Chipolte grilled chicken soft tacos with guac... I mean I can eat three and my blood sugar doesn't even move. Who says you can't enjoy great food and lose weight !??!

Keep it up brother. You'll find your stride...

70455HOVert

04-13-2011, 06:17 PM

Gents....Just a couple thoughts. Go Primal. Read The Primal Blueprint. I went Primal in Feb and have lost 10% of my bodyfat and now have abs appearing. It's like falling off a log once you get through the carb flu for the first week or so. I haven't eaten bread in 3 months and don't miss it at all. Check out this website.

www.marksdailyapple.com

It's ridiculously easy. Like eating a ton of meat and protein? It's for you.

andrewb70

04-26-2011, 09:55 AM

I am jumping back on the bandwagon. The spring semester has kicked my ass and I had precious little time to exercise or even to shop for good food at the grocery store. I will be following the general guidelines put forth by Precision Nutrition. Their guidelines are essentially in-line with what Chicane67 posted in his last two posts. Proper timing of starchy carbs, lean protein and vegetables with every meal, sensible supplements.

Andrew

buzzkiller

05-31-2011, 05:53 PM

ProdigyCustoms

06-01-2011, 05:13 AM

Update:

This weekend bought 36" jeans for the first time in I don't know how many years. In the low 220s now. Have not been doing the treadmill or working out (need to), just really watching what I eat best I can. Lots of Ahi Tuna salads for dinner, Mahi, Chicken, Pork. Turkey bacon breakfast, basically high protien / low carbs. Still bad quite often with bad meals and drinking on occasion, but as a general rule just watch what I eat and slowing sheding LBS.

In the end it is a eating lifestyle change, and working out obviously would help tremendously, but is harder to budget time then eating roght for me.

ill steez

07-23-2011, 04:49 PM

Ditto this. I have followed this way of eating since Feb. 18 and have gone from 237 to 216 and feel like a new man. I will never go back to the conventional way of eating.

I've eaten like that for a little over 2 years now. I'm stronger and leaner than I've ever been.

Sleepingdog

07-24-2011, 05:13 PM

Just want to applaud you guys for recognizing the health hazard and making intelligent, realistic goals and plans. I was mobilized in 2009 and got into good habits of exercising, but I was eating ANYTHING edible that crossed my path. The exercise and climate allowed me to eat ridiculous foods in more ridiculous amounts and only gain minimal fat weight. I came home and all of the other commitments of regular life kept me from continuing my workouts regularly and they eventually stopped but I still found time for drive-thru, late night snacks, processed foods, etc. The numbers may seem insignificant to some of the bigger guys, but keep in mind I'm barely 5'10. I went from 180lbs to 212lbs in 3 months. Over 10lbs a month was a wake up that i needed to do something. I've since cut out 90% of the junk food (I cheat a little or else I'd break down and binge), re-assessed which foods are truly "healthy", and gotten back into a 4 days a week power-lifting routine. I'm currently 184lbs and feeling great!

Keep up the good work guys, and if there's anyone reading this thread that has doubts about the foods the eat, ask one of the contributors to this thread, they seem to really have their poop in a group. Never be afraid to try improving yourself.

zombiekiller

08-05-2011, 05:45 AM

I'm new here, but i've been working on dropping weight for about a year.

I had an extremely stressful, long-hours job and had no energy to do a damn thing for 3 years. Prior to that I was 6'2, 220 , 12% BF and very active.

By the time I got married in 2009, i was a very fat 286 lbs. I still have no idea why my hot wife married such a tub!

Fast forward to now, I've since ditched the job, bleached carbs, junk food and stress snacking. We relocated to the south, I got a job that is low stress with a better environment and i'm down to 235 and feeling very very healthy ( with more work left to do) .

For all of you that are doing this, I applaud you! I could not have made such strides without my loving wife's support.

I also had a scare with my Dad who ended up in the hospital just short of a diabetic coma. I wont even get into what his blood sugar was. I shared my diet with him and my mom ( which his nutritionist approved and actually called me about) and I'm happy to report that 6 months later he doesnt require meds for his diabetes and has dropped 40 lbs. ( He has far more free time to exercise than i do, retirement must rule!).

Anyway, keep it up guys, taking care of yourself is worth it! That and dropping driver weight will allow you save money and buy the cheaper , heavier parts!

Off Duty

08-05-2011, 06:36 AM

Ok, I'll jump in too.

When I was working for the department(s), I kept the weight off.

A lot of time in the sun (dropping water weight), as a range instructor, and of course as a motor officer.
Additionally, due to the stresses of the job, as well as the demands, I exercised pretty regularly as well.
Didn't do much in the way of diet, but it all seemed to balance out.

Post retirement, I got back heavily into the martial arts.
That in itself is not generally a weight loss exercise (look at the multitude of fat black belts:( ).
But, it kept me active.
I hit the gym 2-3 days a week, did MA's 3-4 days a week, and taught self defense.
All this while running a full time business.

Needless to say, something had to give.

The stress and long hours of my current vocation, combined with lousy eating habits, little sleep, minimal workouts and absolutely NO supplementation, led to a body weight of 250# @ 5'8"!!

Needless to say, I felt crappy.
I bounced up and down with my weight for many years, until this year.

This year, I've lost several close friends and family members, including a my former motor partner who was only 4 years older than me and what I thought to be in better health.
Then recently, my mom.

She had cancer and started chemo, but her diabetes, bad heart, etc., didn't take the chemo well.
1 Course and she was gone.

All of this has made me start to evaluate my life again at almost 55, which has led me to make some huge decisions recently.

1) I'm cutting back on the workload and clientele.
Hell! I'm retired. Not enough to live on thanks to our crappy retirement system at the time, but better than nothing!
So why work myself into an early grave?
2) I'm starting to do more of what I enjoy doing. It's still business, but it's a passion. Doesn't make as much as my current business, but I enjoy it more.
3) Started turning more of the present business over to a manager.
4) Cutting back on expenses. Getting rid of the DEBT will take a huge load off, and certainly move to better manage stress.
5) Got my fat A$$ back into the gym this week.
Cardio, cardio, cardio, is all I'm focusing on at present, with just enough weight work thrown in to tone up a bit.
6) Diets? Don't really believe in them. Most work but unless you stick to them, you revert back and end up in worse shape than before (BTDT). Instead, and someone else mentioned, I've just cleaned up the way I eat. More as they said, of a lifestyle change. I still do some carbs, I'm just more careful when in the day, and how much?
Regardless of what the "experts" say, you can't live without them.
7) I've dumped the soft drinks and cut so far back on the alcohol that I can barely see it (lol).
"Maybe" once a week, and only one regular (no talls).
8) Less sandwiches, more salads and white meats.
9) Water water water.......and more water.
10) Just started a new thermogenic that I like. Doesn't have the side effects the previous supplements had.

So far, I'm down from 248 to 236 since about May.

Just got serious about the gym and cutting stress.
We'll see how it goes.

Slick68

08-23-2011, 08:43 AM

OK, I joined a few days ago and just came across this thread. I haven't read all the posts yet, but I'll read through them all eventually.

I know I need to lose some weight, so I'll join in on this and see if I can change some habits and help out my overall health.

As I write this, I'm 6'4" and about 305lbs. I'll be turning 33 in a couple weeks. I've had a belly since I was in the 4th or 5th grade. Even at my least weight, ~230 @ age 22, I still had a gut, so I doubt I'll ever lose it. I've noticed over the past several years, I haven't gained as much fat as much as just girth. My shoulders are very wide and I'm really just a big guy in general. I'm not trying to make excuses or make it sound like I'm not as fat as I really am.

Overall, I'm very healthy. I've been having frequent checkups and bloodwork done. They keep telling me that nothing shows up abnormal. All my levels keep showing they're OK. This may be part of the reason to be lazy. I guess in the back of my mind, I'm thinking if I'm healthy enough, why bother? Well, I've been wanting to change for a while now, but I lack the self-motivation. Maybe being involved in this thread will help.

I used to drink Mtn Dew and sodas in general, almost religiously. As of the past 2-3 years, I rarely drink a 20oz. a day, if that. I don't drink water like I hould, though. My major weakness, however, is sweet tea. I drink ALOT of it, and most of it in the evenings after work while at home. I know that much sugar before going to bed isn't helping any.

I took some martial arts training from a friend at church a couple years ago. He showed me some simple exercises and workout routines to follow. He also advised me not to eat anything 5hrs before going to bed. Unfortunately, I haven't followed his advice well.

I think if I follow some the advice I've read so far, and some the advice I'm sure to read later, I can lose some poundage.

I think I'm going to set a goal of 30 lbs. by the end of the year.

Stg1Regal

09-02-2011, 08:37 AM

Back last March I posted I weighed 315, well with a new job ( that keeps me moving) Cafe Steamers, water , Bananas, and yogurt for lunch, water only on breaks, working second.... dont want to eat much when I gethome, and whole grain ceral for breakfast,IM AM UNDER 300 #s.

299.0#s.....!! not a dramtic drop with the length of time elasaped. But none the less weight drop......told myself, at 290 I will try to start working out... or jus do more in that lines.... plain tired after a 10 hr day on 2nd shift.

Going keep trying....

DartorDemon

09-02-2011, 03:35 PM

I'll play. I just started working to lose weight 2-3 months ago.

I'm 6'4 and 3 months ago I hit 277lbs. So i jumped online to use a daily calorie calculator so get a rough idea of where i need to be each day to lose weight. Then i started jogging 3 days a week, 3 miles per time out.

As of today i'm down to 261lbs. Shooting for the 230-240 range.

Stg1Regal

10-04-2011, 02:57 PM

Today so more weight loss yet the weight keeps coming off......slowly.

292 Lbs....

Same things to eat for lunch and now working 3rd shift.

Got a new position where I load and start my assembly line with intake manifolds, then build 3 of three of them, run to the next station and add studs for throttle body,Pcs and then install EGR crossover pipe and tighten down. Then run back and start the process all over again.

It keeps me moving...

DartorDemon

10-06-2011, 12:51 PM

Update for me, roughly a month later and i'm down to about 250-252lbs. I've got myself on a 1900 calorie limit(supposedly need 2400 or so to maintain my weight) and i jog on every i'm day off. regardless of the weather.

Its a damn good feeling when your clothes fit too loose. 30 more pounds to go.

Stg1Regal

10-26-2011, 03:57 PM

Well..... a month later....or so 289 LBS!!!.........same job.. promised myself and the kids at under 290, Id start working out..so ......going to look into whats near me at the house or work.

seems now Im slowing down in weight loss, so need some different excersises to get the motabalism going.

rfalker1

11-07-2011, 05:21 AM

Ok, I am not a dietician but I do know about things that help keep weight as I watched my parents stay extremely then for 55 + years.
The one thing I will say that is really good for keeping weight or shedding weight is finding a good cardiovascular activity that causes pain when you really go at it activity that is fun mixed with a little weights .
Because, I often dread going to the gym even though I get paid to do it. So my imagination is that people who don't get paid for going to the gym really dont like doing it.
But however if what you are doing is fun then by all means you will more inclined to the activity thus producing a more healthy life style.

P.S As you all probably know, muscle will burn more fat than you can imagine, get more muscles and watch the fat melt!!!!

Just my 2 cents.
6'7 237 lbs. The lightest I have been in years ;) I love this weight

rfalker1

11-07-2011, 05:27 AM

andrewb70

11-16-2014, 02:38 PM

Bringing this thread up from the dead.

In 2009 I moved to Memphis and was at about 275. During my time there I managed to put on enough weight that my digital scale was reading OL, which I took to mean "over limit." My GF and I started cutting back on carbs and we had immediate good results. Within a year I was down to 290, which meant at least a 25 pound loss.

I am now living in Oshkosh and I recently read the book "The Art and Science of Low carb Living" (http://www.amazon.com/Art-Science-Low-Carbohydrate-Living/dp/0983490708/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416177123&sr=8-1&keywords=the+art+and+science+of+low+carbohydrate+l iving)

Now everyone knows or has heard about the Adkins diet. Dr. Adkins first published his book in 1972 and from the start he was labeled a quack and a heretic. Well, in the last 30 years there has been a tremendous amount of research done regarding the role of carbohydrates in the human body, and the science is pretty clear. Based on genetics some people can tolerate carbohydrates, while for others they are like a poison.

I am in my second week of strictly limiting my carb intake and I am down to 280. The book is filled with science and is an excellent read for the intellectually curious. However, if you want to watch some interesting videos, just look up Dr. Phinney or Dr. Volek on youtube.

Here is an excellent lecture by Dr. Phinney.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkQYZ6FbsmI

Andrew