Weight loss help/advice

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Rhal

Rhal

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I recently had the unfortunate event of having to drive to my folks house without my shirt on due to it being used for my daughter to sit on in her car seat because an accident that happened. It was very embarrassing and was one of those moments were I just couldn't ignore how heavy and down about myself I had become. This experience has put it into my head again that I really need to get healthier and lose weight for a multitude of reasons and I can't just shrug it off and put it on the back burner anymore. I used to have a very physical job and that kept me in shape, while allowing me to really eat anything I wanted to, but since having a kid and switching to a less physical job the pounds have added up fast.

Just going to the gym isn't a very good option because of how mine and my wifes work schedule are, it leaves me with little time to do anything that doesn't involve including my almost 2 year old daughter. Because of this I purchased the "Insanity" home workout and i'm in the process of figuring out a way to cut out all the junk food and Soda and eat healthier.

If anyone has helpful advice/tricks that they or a close friend/spouse has used to help themselves either lose weight or stay in shape i'd enjoy hearing them.
 
I let go a bit before I came over here because I couldn't fathom spending time in the gym vs. with my 2 kids under 3.

Since I've been here I've been very faithful about drinking lots of water, and it's been helping me shed weight. Obviously I'm watching what I'm eating, but it's actually much more about portion control than specific foods. Drinking a bottle of water before meals while loading up on more veggies than I'm used to has been helping me eat less of what I want without losing the "full" feeling.

I'll also caution you that, when you do start working out, you won't be the same person you were 5 years ago. Don't get frustrated about not being able to lift as much or run as far or do as many pushups...you have to set a new baseline (even if it abhors you) and focus on being incrementally better. Don't overdo it in the beginning--what I've seen for myself is that this has to be the beginning of lifestyle change, not just "get back to being in shape as quickly as possible". Getting injured and going backwards is what I've had to overcome the most, while slow and steady will help you healthily get to where you're going and stay that way.

Well done getting started, and good luck!
 
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BrianFromWA said:
I let go a bit before I came over here because I couldn't fathom spending time in the gym vs. with my 2 kids under 3.

Since I've been here I've been very faithful about drinking lots of water, and it's been helping me shed weight. Obviously I'm watching what I'm eating, but it's actually much more about portion control than specific foods. Drinking a bottle of water before meals while loading up on veggies has been helping me eat less without losing the "full" feeling.

I'll also caution you that, when you do start working out, you won't be the same person you were 5 years ago. Don't get frustrated about not being able to lift as much or run as far or do as many pushups...you have to set a new baseline (even if it abhors you) and focus on being incrementally better. Don't overdo it in the beginning--what I'm seen for myself is that this is the beginning of lifestyle change, not just "get back to being in shape as quickly as possible". Getting injured and going backwards is what I've had to overcome the most.

Well done getting started, and good luck!
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I'v learned that the hard way way last time I tried lifting weights again. Did a few sets that would have been easy for me two years before and ended up pulling a muscle in my bicep fairly badly and being unable to make quick movements or fully stretch my arm out for about a week.
I really like the idea of drinking a bottle of water before a meal and loading up on the veggies. A big weakness of mine is the "snacking" up until dinner because i'm not full when I have a light lunch. That is something i'll definitely try tomorrow. Very encouraging post, thanks BFW.
 
Rhal said:
A big weakness of mine is the "snacking" up until dinner because i'm not full when I have a light lunch. That is something i'll definitely try tomorrow.
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Do you have anything you like that's healthy, or rather, just not "bad for you"? For example, I like hot sauce, a lot. So whenever I want a snack, I'll just douse some non-buttered, non-salted popcorn in hot sauce (which has no fat, just a little sodium). Celery dipped in hot sauce is also pretty great. There are a lot of great alternatives to the typical snack foods out there that are actually pretty good, if you just key in on a flavor or food that you like.
 
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Thanks for starting this thread Rhal, I could surely benefit from it as well.
 
While I've gained a few pounds (In my industry, we often have to hold or attend events with booze and calorie-filled foods), I'm still relatively healthy. I used to run 5-10 miles/day, but my body (knees and back) can't take that beating. I find yard work and the occasional bike ride through the neighborhood really helps.

Brian's note about portion control is spot on too. I sometimes had a penchant for snacking while working from home. I did the lemonade diet to try to kill that (go ahead and laugh). Did it for 10 days, and man, days 4-6 sucked. But beyond that, I dropped 15 pounds, and then focused on portion control and not over-snacking, while doing yard work here and there and short bike rides a few times/week. I've found I've kept the weight off (and I'd probably be losing if not for work-related events I'm stuck doing).
 
Rhal said:
I'v learned that the hard way way last time I tried lifting weights again. Did a few sets that would have been easy for me two years before and ended up pulling a muscle in my bicep fairly badly and being unable to make quick movements or fully stretch my arm out for about a week.
I really like the idea of drinking a bottle of water before a meal and loading up on the veggies. A big weakness of mine is the "snacking" up until dinner because i'm not full when I have a light lunch. That is something i'll definitely try tomorrow. Very encouraging post, thanks BFW.
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I try to drink at least 3 bottles worth of water whenever I eat anyone, one before, one during and one after. I lost 85 pounds, and my trick was really just water, water, and more water.
 
Portion control and walking (now running) helped me lose 30 unwanted lbs. I'm now in the best shape of my life. I don't drink as much water as they say you should. A couple of cups of coffee in the AM and a bottle of water a day on the average.
 
ABM said:
Portion control and walking (now running) helped me lose 30 unwanted lbs. I'm now in the best shape of my life. I don't drink as much water as they say you should. A couple of cups of coffee in the AM and a bottle of water a day on the average.
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Two wards for you "Weight watchers". I have never had weight problems myself but I know many people who have done weight watchers and it works.
 
Great genetics/metabolism, a job that requires a lot of physical activity and lifting weights 5 days a week (sometimes dragging my ass to the gym when I'm way too tired) allows me to eat like complete shit and still look good with my shirt off.
 
MickZagger said:
Great genetics/metabolism, a job that requires a lot of physical activity and lifting weights 5 days a week (sometimes dragging my ass to the gym when I'm way too tired) allows me to eat like complete shit and still look good with my shirt off.
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Are you 30 yet? ;)
 
when my daughter was young, I found that the best way to take care of her and still put in some exercise time, without high impact, was to get an elliptical full body trainer. My knees were fucked, so I purchased one with a seat, but they come upright, reclined and seated. Think you can still get somthing of reasonable quality for a few hundred bucks, half an hour a day on easy mode to start, and you will see results fast..soon you will be dialing up the tension and whatnot..down side is, if you do something when your child is older, like join the Y, well, the machine may be relegated to a fantastic clothes hanger
 
DaLincolnJones said:
when my daughter was young, I found that the best way to take care of her and still put in some exercise time, without high impact, was to get an elliptical full body trainer. My knees were fucked, so I purchased one with a seat, but they come upright, reclined and seated. Think you can still get somthing of reasonable quality for a few hundred bucks, half an hour a day on easy mode to start, and you will see results fast..soon you will be dialing up the tension and whatnot..down side is, if you do something when your child is older, like join the Y, well, the machine may be relegated to a fantastic clothes hanger
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Ellipticals are cool. Have an upright one, a tread mill, and a BowFlex. The equipment is nice on super-wet days, but there's something to be said for actually getting outdoors and moving around.
 
ABM said:
Portion control and walking (now running) helped me lose 30 unwanted lbs. I'm now in the best shape of my life. I don't drink as much water as they say you should. A couple of cups of coffee in the AM and a bottle of water a day on the average.
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This is really the best thing an average adult over 40 can do for their body. (maybe more water, but I don't drink enough myself) the fastest, and sometimes most difficult, way to lose weight is cutting out all soda and juice.
 
chiming in on Portion control as well. I know Weight Watchers sounds Girly and all that, but the online only stuff really helped me. I'm always gonna love bad foods. Burgers, Fries, Pizza, etc. What Weight Watchers helped me with was realizing that I dont need 2 Burgers, A Large Fries, and Large Coke at Mcdonalds or something, I would be just as fine with one burger, a Medium Fries, and Small coke.

I hate the Gym with the fire of a thousand Suns, but with weight Watchers and about 3 times a week of 45 Min on eliptical, I dropped about 30 lbs in 4 months.

Keep up the fight Rhal!
 
Wheels said:
with weight Watchers and about 3 times a week of 45 Min on eliptical, I dropped about 30 lbs in 4 months.

Keep up the fight Rhal!
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Good for you man!


Sent from HCPs Baller-Ass iPhone 5...FAMS!
 
I eat non-fat yogurt, with about a tablespoon of Grapenuts mixed in for breakfast, five days a week. I eat non-fat yogurt, with about a tablespoon of chopped walnuts mixed in for lunch, five days a week. I also eat an apple with lunch.

On the weekends, I eat fairly healthy foods with a close eye on portion control.

Water, water and more water when you get hungry. My doctor told me that we should drink enough water to pee two liters a day.

On alternate nights, I ride my stationary bike and do about 5 minutes on an AbLounger.

Go Blazers
 
oldguy said:
I eat non-fat yogurt, with about a tablespoon of Grapenuts mixed in for breakfast, five days a week. I eat non-fat yogurt, with about a tablespoon of chopped walnuts mixed in for lunch, five days a week. I also eat an apple with lunch.
Go Blazers
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Do you find yourself getting bored, or tired of it that often? I eat a Healthier Kashi Oatmeal for breakfast a lot, but I find myself getting fatigued with the same old all the time. So I find myself mixing it up, but that leaves me a bigger chance to eat bad if I dont have my food planned for the day.

Trying to figure out how to combat that lol
 
A couple of years ago, I came back from a road show 23 lbs. heavier than when I left. My wife told me I had sleep apnea and I was feeling like excrement. I stopped eating sugars (other than from fruit) and most carbohydrates (potatoes, bread, etc.). Without doing anything else, I dropped that weight and a bit more. Better yet, my sinuses cleared up, I feel better and have more energy. Perhaps I have a mild intolerance to grains, but I don't know anyone that hasn't done the same and felt better within a week.

Best of luck, man.
 
Went from 295 in January 2011 to 210 now (and still losing)

It takes a conscious decision to say enough is enough. I "tried" losing weight in the past, but never really stuck to it. This time, i did. It took me to look at a picture of myself at 295 to be totally disgusted and want to really do something about it. At a high-level, here is what i did.

1) Cardio 5-6 times a week, between 40-60 min. Started slow, but progressively did more and more. At first i had shin splints from running 4 mins, now i can run a half-marathon in under 2 hours.
2) Calorie intake, at the beginning i was limiting myself to 1000-1500 calories a day. I now prob eat 2000 calories a day, but when you burn 1000 from a 60 min exercise daily, it really helps
3) I did have a "little" help. Took ephedra extract pills.
4) Gave up soda, started drikning coke zero, and recently been trying to give that up to, drinking juices and what not.

Let me know if you want anymore info/tips
 
BrianFromWA said:
Are you 30 yet? ;)
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27, but people in my family just don't get that big. My dad doesn't eat great and drinks lots of beer and is 56 and doesn't have any kind of gut at all. I'm super active as well, I doubt weight will ever be a problem.
 
Wheels said:
Do you find yourself getting bored, or tired of it that often? I eat a Healthier Kashi Oatmeal for breakfast a lot, but I find myself getting fatigued with the same old all the time. So I find myself mixing it up, but that leaves me a bigger chance to eat bad if I dont have my food planned for the day.

Trying to figure out how to combat that lol
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Every morning I eat 2 hard boiled eggs, a Carnation Instant breakfast, a packet of oatmeal and a yogurt. Then plug my nose and down extra caffeinated coffee.

^Thats where its at right there.
 
MickZagger said:
27, but people in my family just don't get that big. My dad doesn't eat great and drinks lots of beer and is 56 and doesn't have any kind of gut at all. I'm super active as well, I doubt weight will ever be a problem.
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That's kind of amusing.....your dad is the same age as me.
 
MickZagger said:
Every morning I eat 2 hard boiled eggs, a Carnation Instant breakfast, a packet of oatmeal and a yogurt. Then plug my nose and down extra caffeinated coffee.

^Thats where its at right there.
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You eat like an old woman
 
RoyToy said:
You eat like an old woman
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Thats during the weekdays. I wake up take a shower and am out the door in 20 minutes.

During the weekend, its eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls. Preferably the orange flavor.

What do you eat, playa?
 
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