"I want to lose weight!"

[Whoosah]

Just had my Try-Out session at the gym! I have a allround machine schedule! My arms are feeling destroyed but it feels so damn good!

[JoeFair1977]

Wife and I both are not content with where we are health wise. We've both got good bicycles, and I'm going to start riding mine after work in the morning. I work third shift. We've already started with what we eat and such...I want to lose 100lbs by years' end.

[Michael1989]

Anyone else on that "summer cut"? Hoping to hit a good 5 - 6% bodyfat. I got about 6 - 7% 3 years ago and felt awful as I jumped the gun too quick.

[TheDZA]

Originally Posted by Michael1989

Anyone else on that "summer cut"? Hoping to hit a good 5 - 6% bodyfat. I got about 6 - 7% 3 years ago and felt awful as I jumped the gun too quick.

Yeah I'm pushing it, looking forward to a Cabo trip with my wife's work. I got a good fit swimmers build, not as much mass as I use to have, look great in a tank. Shirt off, a cpl pinch worthy rolls here and there that I'm dogging it hard to minimize in 3 weeks. Using the push sled at the gym and extreme circuits to help. Definitely more ab work than usual, lol.

[Michael1989]

The push sled is brutal. We even have a yoke now which is fun. I've temporarily dropped my carbs to 25g - 50g a day. It works a treat and my fat has dropped even more. Going to have a higher carb day tomorrow then get back to before.

[TheDZA]

Originally Posted by Michael1989

The push sled is brutal. We even have a yoke now which is fun. I've temporarily dropped my carbs to 25g - 50g a day. It works a treat and my fat has dropped even more. Going to have a higher carb day tomorrow then get back to before.

I'd love to have a yoke, we're running out of room as my gym keeps taking sections away repurposing them for other things and classes. It's madness as they'll rope off 200sqft for 20 out of 24 hours, using only it for that 4 hours.

The push sled, I've actually been loving pulling it backwards in a back pedal in the middle of a lift circuit.

I found it almost impossible to get under 50g carbs, when I tried it, I settled mostly in the 80-100 range. That's essentially just meat and green colored vegetables plus some randoms like cauliflower, red cabbage. I probably could have got to your range if I didn't have two boys under 4 and somewhat of a food budget. but at 6'2 205, 48/50 shoulder 33/34 waist 80-100g ain't too bad. I hadn't thought to limit the carbs this next 2 weeks but I guess it can be greens week!

[Batman1980]

My solution to carbs is cardio but I'm a distance runner and I know that's not for everyone.

[TheDZA]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

My solution to carbs is cardio but I'm a distance runner and I know that's not for everyone.

Distance running is a GREAT pizza antidote. If I run longer than 10 mins I have to have a partner to keep focus. After 10 or so mins the demons in my head take over suggesting terrible things.

[Rodney-2187]

Carbs do not make you fat. Stop being afraid of them. I've been eating vegan for almost a year. I get about 70% of my calories from carbs and I've lost about 100 pounds. The weight loss really picked up when I cut out oil. Almost impossible to eat out and not have oil, but we don't use it at home at all anymore.

Low carb, low fat, vegan, keto, weight watchers, whatever diet you want to do, they can all work. If you limit your calories, especially from processed foods because they are high caloric density, you can loose weight. It's more about calories than carbs, fat, or protein. It's the law of thermodynamics. They can all make you loose weight. Which one is actually healthiest is the point of much contention though.

I have never had a problem loosing weight. Whenever I waned to, I would just count calories and the weight would fall off. I never kept it off though, because honestly, I love to eat. Vegan is working best for me because it is a true lifestyle change. There are so many tasty vegan foods out there that don't have a lot of calories, I can eat a lot and still lose weight, as long as I don't go crazy. French fries, oreos, and beer are vegan, but not a weight loss plan. I am more whole-food plant-based at home, vegan when I eat out.

Getting back into running now. Did a few 5Ks. I want to do a sprint triathlon next year. I have a lot of training to do.

[TheDZA]

You are correct that in the end losing weight is about calories in/calories out. Though for most people the type of mass that is decreased is important, obviously fat over muscle. That's where differentiating between carbs and protein can make a difference, in addition to the type of workouts done. Foods are comparable to fire accelerants gasoline, kerosene, alcohols; some "burn" more quickly than others keeping us full and providing longer lasting energy, but we all know these principles. You're right about the calories in and out, just for most the discussion has been losing fat, not just anything that results in a lower number on the scale.

[Batman1980]

Reminds me of so many former co-workers who eat healthy probably 10-30% of the time and "exercise" by walking and doing really nothing else. I call these people who put in less than minimal effort and expect maximum results. And some of them actually wonder why their health never improves. It's called being lazy.

[TheDZA]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Reminds me of so many former co-workers who eat healthy probably 10-30% of the time and "exercise" by walking and doing really nothing else. I call these people who put in less than minimal effort and expect maximum results. And some of them actually wonder why their health never improves. It's called being lazy.

I agree, though lazy maybe not the right word. Apathy comes to mind. Those you describe have the desire and some motivation, just not the strength of will. I was an unhealthy 270 after being an athlete, and worked at fat loss and I say, "Once you get it here (point to my brain), you'll get it here (point to my midsection)."

[Michael1989]

Originally Posted by TheDZA

You are correct that in the end losing weight is about calories in/calories out. Though for most people the type of mass that is decreased is important, obviously fat over muscle. That's where differentiating between carbs and protein can make a difference, in addition to the type of workouts done. Foods are comparable to fire accelerants gasoline, kerosene, alcohols; some "burn" more quickly than others keeping us full and providing longer lasting energy, but we all know these principles. You're right about the calories in and out, just for most the discussion has been losing fat, not just anything that results in a lower number on the scale.

Yes. Big difference between between lean and healthy and those skinny fat types

[TheDZA]

Originally Posted by Michael1989

Yes. Big difference between between lean and healthy and those skinny fat types

I like your tag line about average results. It reminds me of Macho Man from king of the hill.

[Rodney-2187]

True, but also a big difference in looking healthy and being healthy. You can look healthy and have high athletic performance while eating poorly and having high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. You can’t out run a poor diet.

[Michael1989]

I repsect my body enough to give it the food it needs. Luckily for me I actually enjoy what I eat so it's sustainable year round

[GenPion]

So I’m giving weight loss a try again. Last time I was really dedicated to trying to lose weight I was a junior in high school. Lost 50 pounds in 3 months from doing weight watchers and exercising 30 minutes a day.

Haven’t done that since. But I’ve lost 30 pounds in 3 months and am now trying to work out 30-40 minutes a day. I agree with those saying it’s mainly a calorie intake and exercise related test to losing weight.

You also need to make sure to drink loads of water (including before/after meals) and to have more veggies and fiber.

[GenPion]

For anyone trying to lose weight, less sugar is important too. Try cutting back on soda and replacing that with better alternatives for most of the time. I love Coconut water, for example, which is low calorie with only a little sugar. Or ICE drinks which are flavored but calorie and sugar free.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by GenPion

So I’m giving weight loss a try again. Last time I was really dedicated to trying to lose weight I was a junior in high school. Lost 50 pounds in 3 months from doing weight watchers and exercising 30 minutes a day.

Haven’t done that since. But I’ve lost 30 pounds in 3 months and am now trying to work out 30-40 minutes a day. I agree with those saying it’s mainly a calorie intake and exercise related test to losing weight.

You also need to make sure to drink loads of water (including before/after meals) and to have more veggies and fiber.

Drinking water is important but you can drink too much. Check with your doctor to see how much water you actually need each day.

[Cronus70]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

Drinking water is important but you can drink too much. Check with your doctor to see how much water you actually need each day.

Depends what you classify as 'to much water'. Depending on gender and climate you should be drinking between 1.2/2 litres of water per day, maybe slightly more in very hot climates.