Weight Loss

[Jax]

Over the last 9 months I started to focus on my weight as I basically gave up for a decade and spent my 20's being overweight. Entering my 30's this year, I really wanted to work on it and see if I can return to a healthy weight in the long term. I began by virtually cutting out all Fizzy/Soda and trying to reduce junk food with the former being very easily to do but the latter being more of an issue for sure. I then decided to hit the gym with a friend (made it much easier to go) and that helped for sure, allowing me drop over a stone in weight from 18st to under 17st.

The new year didn't start the best and by the start of April, I found myself hovering just over 17st and going the wrong way. I decided to use a calorie count app called MyFitnessPal to record what I eat + monitor my exercise levels and even my general steps per day and this has been a godsend for sure. Since April, I have gone from 17st, 1lb to my current weight of 15st, 9 lb and mainly thanks to the app.

Progress is slower these days as my body has adjusted itself to the reduction of calorie intake compared a few months ago and due to financial reasons I stopped going to the gym though my sister has a exercise bike that I use. I am hoping to be at 15st by the end of summer (22nd September is the goal I have set) and then before Christmas, be no heavier than 14st 2lb. The healthy weight territory begins at 12st, 2 lb although I want to be under 12st in the long term, hanging about 160-165 pounds at any given time.

Are any other BBS members trying to lose weight? or did so in the past? How did you do it, what were the biggest obstacles? I would love to hear other people's stories on this subject.

 

[UncleRogi]

First off, if IRC, a stone is 14 lbs, just for folk doing math in head.
Second, good job!

I've never really had a weight issue (5' 9", 180 lbs, mid 50's), but participated whole heartedly with
my ex-wifes' journey (5' 2", 240 +) and still do, sorta. The best thing was giving up soda. No joke!
That stuff is poison, and in my life I've had very little. The thing that works best for her is simply
walking anywhere she has to go less than 2 miles, and tries to consume 2500 calories or less a
day. Mostly protein.

Her biggest obstacle is she's bipolar, and her med of choice is pizza. She goes back and forth,
but lately she's in the 190-200 range, and I'm very proud of her.
The best thing is the support system one surrounds themselves with.
I'd wish you luck, but that would be redundant as I know you're going to make your goal.

 

[Kor]

I found myself way out of shape a number of years ago in the aftermath of a depressive period coupled with pain sustained in auto accidents along with the typical sedentary modern lifestyle with too much junk food and not enough movement, although I had wanted to get into better shape for some time.

Once I felt well enough and motivated enough, I was able to drop about fifty pounds and eight inches off the waistline in six months by restricting food intake to about 1,100 kcal a day and doing two or three-hour cross-country running/powerwalking sessions every single day in addition to light weight training, and keeping that up for weeks and weeks on end until I reached my goal. I would allow myself one cheat meal a week.

That worked for me personally, as I was trying to lose as much as possible as quickly as possible. Of course, some might consider that program to be rather extreme, perhaps even to the point of being unhealthy. So I can't recommend that method for anyone else. It would be better to consult a physician prior to starting a weight loss routine. Oh, and I had to completely change my wardrobe twice, which put something of a dent in the pocketbook... but to me, well worth it.

Once I got all that out of the way, I was able to focus on a more fitness-oriented lifestyle. My preferred physical activity is progressive weight training based on old-school bodybuilding routines, and my nutrition is focused on supporting that. I cycle through different nutritional routines every few months, either to build strength and muscle, or to cut body fat.

To me, this is a full-blown paradigm shift and a permanent change in lifestyle. In modern sedentary society, we have a tendency to "let ourselves go" without even realizing it. Then we may spend a few months desperately trying to get into better shape, but then we give up and go right back to the old way and let ourselves go all over again. I feel that a long-term permanent lifestyle change is more sustainable.

Kor

 

[Starbreaker]

I lost 15 pounds earlier this year while working automotive assembly. We had three straight weeks of paid workouts that lasted three weeks. I think got a stomach virus right after than and lost another 5 pounds. I went from 200 to 180 pretty quickly. I gained it all back as soon as I moved and started doing food delivery/Uber again. My calorie intake is still pretty low, but I'm just not exercising enough to keep the weight off. I should get back into the gym.

 

[Jax]

I was able to drop about fifty pounds and eight inches off the waistline in six months by restricting food intake to about 1,100 kcal a day.

That worked for me personally, as I was trying to lose as much as possible as quickly as possible. Of course, some might consider that program to be rather extreme, perhaps even to the point of being unhealthy. So I can't recommend that method for anyone else

My app tells me that 1200 is the minimum I should eat a day otherwise I would be risking health concerns. If I eat under that amount the app also refuses to give me a projection of where my weight might be 5 weeks if every day was like today, etc. My app is currently set to losing a minimum of a pound per week so my daily allowance is 2,040 Kcal with limits set on Carbs, Fat, Protein. Sugar & Sodium. I typically try to leave a few hundreds Kcal spare from that target so some weeks I might lose a tad more than just 1 pound. I have recently accommodated a cheat day typically Saturday.

I had to completely change my wardrobe twice, which put something of a dent in the pocketbook

Lucky I had a lot of old clothes I couldn't previously fit in to fall back on but I am reaching the limits of belts to wear some shorts and jeans (t shirts n shirts are less of a problem). I imagine at the end of this year I will be investing in some new clothes but it's more than worth the price

Once I got all that out of the way, I was able to focus on a more fitness-oriented lifestyle. My preferred physical activity is progressive weight training based on old-school bodybuilding routines, and my nutrition is focused on supporting that. I cycle through different nutritional routines every few months, either to build strength and muscle, or to cut body fat.

To me, this is a full-blown paradigm shift and a permanent change in lifestyle. In modern sedentary society, we have a tendency to "let ourselves go" without even realizing it. Then we may spend a few months desperately trying to get into better shape, but then we give up and go right back to the old way and let ourselves go all over again. I feel that a long-term permanent lifestyle change is more sustainable.

I focus on cardio workout more than strength, while I know that building muscle is very efficient way of burning fat, I struggle with being able to have the will power for such a work out. Building muscle requires a more active and regular workout, which at the moment I don't think I am in a position to meet. I grew up playing a ton of sports so I find cardio requires less motivation for me to do, however once I reach a healthy weight or close to it, I do intend to try and focus on some strength/muscle training as dropping several stones of weight is going to cost me in terms of physical strength.

 

[ITL]

I started to lose weight about 3 years ago when I was 47. I was around 20 stones, now I'm at 14. This year I upped the exercise (mainly walking TBH, but I walk around 10 miles per day), and tweaked the diet, and the weight's dropping off. Never felt better, believe me. Next up - maybe some gym time, not sure. I'm really enjoying the new me, and I'm not finished yet.

 

[Stephen!]

Over the last 9 months I started to focus on my weight as I basically gave up for a decade and spent my 20's being overweight.

Were you overweight much as a teenager, or just when you reached your twenties?

 

[Jax]

My 20's...

I always ate a lot as a kid but I played sports most days so it always balanced out.

 

[DimesDan]

Good for you @Jax, I've found since I hit thirty, my waist line has increased, plus it doesn't entirely help that I'm not as active as I once was. My Glucose and Hba1C levels are more stable since being on my infusion pump, which is a good thing, but not the weight gain which means it's taking more insulin to get those results.

 

[Jax]

My July target of hitting 15st, 7lb looks to be hit since i'm hovering just over it by oz rather than lb so happy with that. Yesterday and today looks to be at around 1400 intake of Calories, which has helped. The next target is 15st by the end of summer in late September.

 

[ITL]

For me, being motivated enough to revise my eating habits and get some exercise in the first place was the hardest part. Once I'd made the decision to do it, the rest followed easily enough. YMMV, of course.

 

[Sophie74656]

Best of luck, I know very well how hard it can be. For me the only thing that has worked has been low carb/high protein diets. I also try to keep my calories under 1500 a day for weight loss.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I've been working on losing weight over the last couple of years. Started off at 23 stone 1 pound and not down to 17 stone 10 though still have another couple of stone to lose. I'm on the Cambridge Weight Plan.

 

[Sophie74656]

I've heard of a lot of people having great success with a Ketogenic diet (spelling?)

 

[Jax]

I've been working on losing weight over the last couple of years. Started off at 23 stone 1 pound and not down to 17 stone 10 though still have another couple of stone to lose

Awesome work May I enquire to what your eventual goal is?

A friend of mine who started his diet/gym just before me, has gone from around 24 stone to 17 stone. His diet is completely different from 12 months ago and he's been working with a PT the last few months to add muscle. His weight has stayed pretty consistent since then but his body fat has dropped a further 5% and the change in the shape of his body is dramatic. I wish I had that kind of commitment, though it helps he lives 10 mins away from a 24/7 Gym

I passed my target weight I set for the end of July, looks like am 15st,6lb (and a few Oz) so am pretty happy with that. The last 7-10 days have been a real success with an increase in exercise combined with a further reduced calorie count.

 

[Gary7]

Age is a big factor. When you're older, it's harder to lose weight. Also, I've learned recently that sleep can make a big impact. I'd gotten accustomed to about 6~6.5 hours a sleep per weeknight, then like 9~10 on a Saturday. I'm now trying to get myself to 7.5 hours every day.

With diets, it's important to cut back on portions. They say when you spread your meals out from 3 moderate sized meals to 5 smaller sized meals, your hormonal carburetor has no spikes to it, so it helps you shift your metabolism. And of course, eat healthier, minimal junk food, etc.

I can't see spending $100 USD per month at the local gym. The one that is more reasonable is too far. So I started to try jogging regularly in my neighborhood. But that was really tough. When you're overweight, jogging is very difficult because those extra pounds are punishing your knee and ankle joints. Bicycle riding is better, but then you need an environment conducive to it (meaning minimal car traffic). It's boring, but I have been trying to travel up/down a large nearby hill repeatedly with my bicycle, so it's kind of "interval training."

 

[marillion]

^^ This... Age is a huge factor.. It can be done, but losing weight at 47 is a different game than it was at 37, as I have found.. I just started a serious campaign to lose weight this week, in fact.. A combination of medication, diet, exercise and accountability with a dietitian... I lost 115 lbs over the course of a year in 2006/2007 and kept most of it off for about three years.. Then it slowly crept back on and I find that since that time, I've added about 75 lbs back.. Sigh.. So my goal is to drop that 75 and keep it off..

You can't think of this as a diet.. A diet is something you plan to eventually get off of... To achieve meaningful change and maintain it, you have to affect lifestyle change.. For me, in the immediate future, that means no beer, strictly limited wine and no fried or processed foods.. Limit your salt, up my fiber intake and, with everything (including fruits and veg) moderation...

Going to the gym is useless for weightloss unless you have a good meal plan to go with it.. If you work out but don't feed your body what it needs, it will retain every single calorie you give it and you won't lose any weight. When I lost all that weight, I never set foot into the gym.. I did 10,000+ steps a day, every day.. I didn't get to the gym until I was ready to tone up, almost a year into it.

It can be done... It will be done..

Of course, there's always the Butterfield diet.. I've heard mixed reviews.. LOL..

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[Jax]

So for next 2 weeks am going to try and keep to a 1500 Calorie limit (even with exercise) instead of anything under 2000. Also the next two Saturdays will not be a cheat day either

So far I did 1482 yesterday and I am at 1500 for today (dinners in the belly so that's it for today). Tomorrow is planned in with 1369 but it may still it nudge up + tomorrow will be the first day of exercise while trying to keep under 1500. Hopefully a combination of football on the telly/radio & Netflix binges of Mad Men will stop me eating in the night when am bored cause that's when I tend to snack.

 

[DimesDan]

Well done.

 

[RAMA]

I spent half my 20s overweight. I finally decided to go back to weightlifting and eating right after a 9 year layoff. It changed my life, made me more confident, feel better and healthier. I haven't looked back since. So it's possible to do something at any point in your life. I wish you success.

RAMA

Over the last 9 months I started to focus on my weight as I basically gave up for a decade and spent my 20's being overweight. Entering my 30's this year, I really wanted to work on it and see if I can return to a healthy weight in the long term. I began by virtually cutting out all Fizzy/Soda and trying to reduce junk food with the former being very easily to do but the latter being more of an issue for sure. I then decided to hit the gym with a friend (made it much easier to go) and that helped for sure, allowing me drop over a stone in weight from 18st to under 17st.

The new year didn't start the best and by the start of April, I found myself hovering just over 17st and going the wrong way. I decided to use a calorie count app called MyFitnessPal to record what I eat + monitor my exercise levels and even my general steps per day and this has been a godsend for sure. Since April, I have gone from 17st, 1lb to my current weight of 15st, 9 lb and mainly thanks to the app.

Progress is slower these days as my body has adjusted itself to the reduction of calorie intake compared a few months ago and due to financial reasons I stopped going to the gym though my sister has a exercise bike that I use. I am hoping to be at 15st by the end of summer (22nd September is the goal I have set) and then before Christmas, be no heavier than 14st 2lb. The healthy weight territory begins at 12st, 2 lb although I want to be under 12st in the long term, hanging about 160-165 pounds at any given time.

Are any other BBS members trying to lose weight? or did so in the past? How did you do it, what were the biggest obstacles? I would love to hear other people's stories on this subject.