Weight loss thread

[underGRADFlame]

An update for me. I've now lost just under 50 lbs total, probably 55-60 lbs of fat. I've now decided to modify my goal weight by 15 lbs too. So once I hit goal, I'll have gone from 292 lbs to 220 lbs!

[MacGruber]

one thing that is difficult about this process that i should find as inspiration is seeing other people hit or come within 15 lbs of their goal. i wish i had taken time out earlier in my life to do this, and i wish i hadnt allowed myself to get as unhealthy as i was/am. it sounds great to say ive lost 43 lbs and look at the scale and see the weight come off... but when i consider that i still want to lose another 60-70 this year and 100 lbs by feb 12, it's incredibly discouraging. i guess it feels like going inch by inch across a tight rope perched above a mountain... cant look down.

[Meelapo]

I think I'm at the point where I need to try something else to lose those last few pounds. I've gone from 280 lbs --> 187 lbs, started doing more muscle work and went up to 210lbs, went to New York and went to 225lbs. I'm now at 207 lbs and I'd like to get to 200 lbs but the last bit of it is really hard. I'm thinking of trying this place close to the airport called Plantoon FX. They have this crazy sand obstacle course type thing that might be a fun way to do some intense cardio.

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by MacGruber

one thing that is difficult about this process that i should find as inspiration is seeing other people hit or come within 15 lbs of their goal. i wish i had taken time out earlier in my life to do this, and i wish i hadnt allowed myself to get as unhealthy as i was/am. it sounds great to say ive lost 43 lbs and look at the scale and see the weight come off... but when i consider that i still want to lose another 60-70 this year and 100 lbs by feb 12, it's incredibly discouraging. i guess it feels like going inch by inch across a tight rope perched above a mountain... cant look down.

You have to look at it as a pound by pound thing or it's too overwhelming. When I first started I hit a wall at 12 lbs and it took me 2 weeks to lose another pound, I figured it was over and was close to just giving up. But i just kept going, and its paid off. theres weeks where I'll only lose .5 lbs, and theres other weeks where I drop 5-6 lbs. You just have to keep going and keep your goal in your mind and the reasons your doing it.

[valo403]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, or if these are even available in Calgary, but my gym has these ViPR tubes that are a great way to add some new things to your routine. They're basically just rubber tubes, but they allow a lot of dynamic movement and can really help to combine high intensity cardio with high intensity weight training. I've been mixing them in with kettlebell workouts over the last month or so and have noticed a big change in general strength and explosiveness.

[Azure]

One thing I've noticed is that if you can force yourself to change your eating habits for 30 days, after that it becomes easier.

I guess it becomes more of a habit.

I'm at the point where I hardly ever touch pop or juice, and can easily stay away from junk food, even if I could afford it. At some point you start seeking out more healthy alternatives without even thinking about it.

[fundmark19]

Had one hell of a work out yesterday. Surprisingly I dragged myself to the gym for spin class and went by myself something I don't normally do because I am lazy. Had a new instructer who kicked the poop out of me. Next was lacrosse practice which normally is good for a nice light jog. Turns out it was wind sprints and high pace drills since we crapped the bed on sunday. I was done after that and am pretty sore today. Scale was down to around 177 so I am hoping to hit my 175 short term-goal tommorow!

Bad news is stag this weekend camping so there is going to be way to many beers consumed

[Komskies]

I finally decided to get serious about hitting my goal weight and smashed through my plateau this week. Down 10 pounds over the last 7 and a bit days, from 188 to 178 this morning. Planning to hit the 170-175 range, maintain that for 2 weeks, and then move back into a muscle building phase.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Azure

One thing I've noticed is that if you can force yourself to change your eating habits for 30 days, after that it becomes easier.

I guess it becomes more of a habit.

I'm at the point where I hardly ever touch pop or juice, and can easily stay away from junk food, even if I could afford it. At some point you start seeking out more healthy alternatives without even thinking about it.

This is the thing that has stopped me from losing weight in the past and likely will stop me from trying in the future.

I give everyone who has lost the weight they have a lot of credit because for me the change in diet is way, way too hard to do.

The exercise part, while not fun, is easy enough for me to do but as many have mentioned it doesn't do much if the diet is still crap.

So congrats to all that have been able to make changes and lose the weight that you have. I know it is not an easy thing to do but there seems to be a lot of success stories here which is good to read.

[SeoulFire]

Insanity starts on Monday next week. If things go well I may purchase P90X and then alternate them.

I already eat pretty healthy but am going to try and change my snacks from junk to fruits and veggies.

For weight I am looking to drop about 20 pounds and then reassess from there.

[ComixZone]

I started myfitnesspal tracking on Monday (after seeing underGRADFlame's progress bar and looking into it).

It's definitely a great app that's easy for me to keep track of things. I'll get a progress bar up on here for myself as well, looking to drop 40lbs to get down to my ideal weight. I'm interested to see if I can actually pull it off, because as others have mentioned, habits are a !@#$% to kick and I'm a habitual eater.

This thread has been a pretty motivational read for me, any tips anyone's willing to throw my way would be greatly appreciated.

[Smyth's Skate]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I started myfitnesspal tracking on Monday (after seeing underGRADFlame's progress bar and looking into it).

It's definitely a great app that's easy for me to keep track of things. I'll get a progress bar up on here for myself as well, looking to drop 40lbs to get down to my ideal weight. I'm interested to see if I can actually pull it off, because as others have mentioned, habits are a !@#$% to kick and I'm a habitual eater.

This thread has been a pretty motivational read for me, any tips anyone's willing to throw my way would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the club. MFP has really helped me to see what food choices are the most beneficial for me.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by moon

The exercise part, while not fun, is easy enough for me to do but as many have mentioned it doesn't do much if the diet is still crap.

That's really not true at all. Even if you have a terrible diet, if you start working out, you should notice results. Now, obviously you will not be maximizing your potential, but to suggest that progress depends on your diet is simply wrong. My advice to you is, don't let the whole diet thing be your excuse. If you want to get in better shape, start going to the gym and keep everything else the same. Then, as you get into the swing of things, you can alter your diet slowly. You might start changing your pre and post workout meals. Then, move on to cut out one thing at a time from your diet that is unhealthy. If you try to change everything all at once, odds are you will get discouraged and give up quickly. The key is to always try and make slow progress.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ark2

That's really not true at all. Even if you have a terrible diet, if you start working out, you should notice results. Now, obviously you will not be maximizing your potential, but to suggest that progress depends on your diet is simply wrong. My advice to you is, don't let the whole diet thing be your excuse. If you want to get in better shape, start going to the gym and keep everything else the same. Then, as you get into the swing of things, you can alter your diet slowly. You might start changing your pre and post workout meals. Then, move on to cut out one thing at a time from your diet that is unhealthy. If you try to change everything all at once, odds are you will get discouraged and give up quickly. The key is to always try and make slow progress.

Agree completely. I actually find that the more I workout the better I want to eat, not out of any concious desire to eat healthy either, the fatty stuff just doesn't taste good anymore.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by valo403

Agree completely. I actually find that the more I workout the better I want to eat, not out of any concious desire to eat healthy either, the fatty stuff just doesn't taste good anymore.

I find that exercising regularly doesn't make me crave healthier food but I avoid junk all the same. The reason being is that most junk food makes it down right impossible to have a good work out. I feel gassy, sick and more lethargic if I eat a burger or a pizza before working out. A quality meal gives that little extra oomf.

[fundmark19]

I find the same ever since I started my crash diet my chicken salsa salad has been great and when I cheat on weekends I look forward to getting back to my chicken salsa salad diet come monday

[Oilbert]

I always go to the gym at around 6 am until 10 am, than I walk to work (block away). This made me lose 23 pounds the past year or so.

[BurningYears]

Originally Posted by Oilbert

I always go to the gym at around 6 am until 10 am, than I walk to work (block away). This made me lose 23 pounds the past year or so.

Dude, what are you doing for 4 hours at the gym?

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by Azure

One thing I've noticed is that if you can force yourself to change your eating habits for 30 days, after that it becomes easier.

I guess it becomes more of a habit.

I'm at the point where I hardly ever touch pop or juice, and can easily stay away from junk food, even if I could afford it. At some point you start seeking out more healthy alternatives without even thinking about it.

You actually retrain your taste buds. They no longer register fatty and sugary things as fantastic. When I changed my diet and cut all that crap out, I found that junk, fast foods, pop, etc. didn't even taste good. Pop was unbelievably sweet, fast food burgers and fries were disgustingly greasy, etc. Not to mention you feel pretty gross afterward. So when you think you're going to "cheat," you'll end up regretting it and reinforcing your new dietary behaviour.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by BurningYears

Dude, what are you doing for 4 hours at the gym?

Maybe he goes to one of those ultra sketchy gyms that offer post work out "massages"