ArnoldsProtege

k this is kinda long, but i really need the help of some of you who have been overweight and overcame that problem. Well im 18, 5 11 and 235 lbs. Ive been consious of my weight problem and been trying to curb it for the last few years. ive gotten a gym membership (expired now) started eating better and even lost a few pounds here or there. but i cannot for the life of me get under 220 lbs and KEEP GOING. my peak weight was 245, and my loswest weight (since ive been tyring to lose) has been around 219. That was at the end of this summer, wich also happened to be the end of my gym membership. I kept telling myself im going to get back to it, keep eatnig well, and lose more wegiht (my goal is to be 180-190 lbs but more importantly, leaner and healthier.) however it got to a point where i was not only losing weight, but CRAVING all those wonderfully delicious and horrible foods i once divulged so heavilly in. Pizza, cakes, icecream, to name a few... and not only that, my portions only got bigger and bigger, and i never felt like i had enuogh. to say i got out of control and rebounded would be a huge understatement. Well its that time again. An event that happened on new years involving a girl and something that could have been had i been..."her type" (and i am of course, refernig to physically) REALLY inspired me to stop being a fat guy. i put in all this work, making her laugh all night, only to be beaten out by that model looking sonofoabitch when it came down to it....but ANNYWAYS, THAT was the last straw. and all of my clothes i boguth over the summer arent fitting me well anymore. and that was some damn stylish apparel. so heres where i need help from all of you who have been in the same predicament, battling weight for a long period of time, going back and forth, only to come out on top and in control. my biggest problem by far is i cant help myself. i see foods out, i eat. i get bored, i eat. im constintly nibbling throughout the day, and when i get hungry, i sometimes feel like i get out of control and of course, suffer the guilt afterwards,etc. I want to lose weight FOR GOOD this time. eat like a normal person, to live, not to live to eat. I have a huge weakness when it cmoes to food and i love eatnig. im greek, so food is a hgue part of our liefstyle as well. Here what ive been doing lately. ive been eating really clean. Cheerioes, orange juice, a multivitamin and a small banana for breakfast and i ge3nerally have a tuna sandwich or turkley breast on whole wheat for lunch(or something to that effect) i still eat chips on occasion, but only a handful here or there. my question is, how much cheating is acceptable? ive recently got an eliptical ni the basement, and my goal is to use it at least 4 times a week for at least a half hour. can you guys give me some useful tips? those of you who were in the same situation, and lost 35-50 LBS and KEPT it off? what rate do u think it will take me to get to my goal weight (185)? any tricks to help feel full, forget about food, lose most weight ANYTHING from u guys who have been in the same boat. i dont want to be too strict with what i eat becuase then ill just snap one day and go nuts with food. but thenagain, i dnot wanna be too lenient and hinder my progress... please, i must lose this fat. id ever so love to be able to take my shirt off and feel pride, to play soccer and outlast everybody...to....LIVE!!! lol im jj with the last part, but seriously. thanks for reading my long but lively post. look forward to the (hopefully) good advice

Age:19
Height: 5'11
Weight: 190 lbs

KarlW

Wish I could help but I've never been more than a bit overweight. I don't mean to sound smart I just mean I don't know what it's like to be heaps overweight and battle with that every day.

One thing I know is you sound like my wife. Always saying this and that about dieting but continually eating chocolate and donuts.

Good luck with it.

What this means is that when we drop a ball and it falls to the ground, it wasn't the ball that moved (down to the ground), but the ground that moved (up to the ball)

Squaggleboggin

First, if she'd choose him over you because of that, why would you want to date her anyway?

Back on topic.

The Diet and Nutrition section will help you the most. However, having been in the same boat (5'11'' at 235 when I was 16; now 6' at 185 and 17) I can give you some easy-to-do pointers.

-Do some basic research about food. Avoid things with a lot of sugar, things that are processed, or things that offer no nutritional value.
-Make each and every meal a meal designed to help you achieve your goal (AKA if the meal isn't healthy, it's not helping you, so don't eat it).
-Eat six times a day, but smaller meals each time.
-Replace whatever you're drinking with water as an easy way to cut calories.
-Start some kind of exercise regimine, whether it be weights or cardio. Use something simple and definitely effective (AKA check the stickies and try not to change anything). Stick to it no matter what.
-The more you research, the easier it will become to achieve your goals.
-Always stay positive.
-Record your weight and any other measurements daily. Check them every couple weeks to see whether you're progressing. Don't freak out about small increases over a day or two - body weight fluctuates.

I'm Italian, so I know what it's like to have a family that doesn't eat the best things and what it's like to have that kind of food shoved constantly in your face. However, if your parents cook for you, I'm sure they won't mind if you start doing more cooking for yourself. If you like burgers, use turkey meat; if you like pasta, use whole wheat pasta.

I find it easier to just avoid completely the foods I know are bad for me. You just have to be mentally strong. I once had to stop eating all dairy and wheat products for several months because doctors thought I had allergies to these foods. After a while you don't want to eat it anymore. Just think: If I've gone one meal without crappy food, what's stopping me from going just one more meal? Think that after every meal and you'll be fine. Take each and every meal one at a time.

Please feel free to PM me if you need other info or support. If I can't answer your question I can probably direct you to someone who can.

Push yourself. Enjoy yourself. Be yourself.
Knowledge is power. Obsessed with functional strength. Journal

ArnoldsProtege

thanks alot squaggle.... really good post i am doing a minimum of 4 cardio sessions a week(30 min miniumum.. i do more if im feeling energize/overate/didnt work that day) and ive been eating significantly healthier AND every time i goto the bathroom, i put up a postit to remind me to drink a full cup of water. Ive been eating alot smaller portions, and for a snack when im hungry i reach for a banana or orange instead of chips or something to that effect. i was just wondering, at what rate could i expect to lose this weight and get to around 190 lbs? im about 230 now (just weighed myself, lost 5 lbs woo) if i could have a goal set in mind it would make it easier to keep on the regimen. Im gonna get like, a food diary or something like that to record how im feeling, how ive been eating and exercising and just to keep me on the boat. thanks again for the good advice. i hope to follow your path to fitness lmao.

Age:19
Height: 5'11
Weight: 190 lbs

El Hefe

I maintained a calorie deficit of roughly 500 a day, and I lost 85 lbs in 10 months, and i didnt even exercise too much in that period, so with the right diet and exercise routine 10 lbs a month is a realistic rate.

sinverarity

Just remember to, if you start lifting weights, and working out hard, you are probibly not going to see a decrease in weight. But, keep in mind, the fat is being replaced with muscle.

I know I was in your boat as well.. Albeit, I didn't decide to change until I hit 250, or more and at 31. Ack, 31. Anyway.

Stay focused, eat small meals, and stay away from things deep fried, buildings that refer to Fast anything, and pop.

Alcohol is another killer, I sacrificed myself for research this summer and put on about 25lbs of beer weight. I'm now working like hell to remove it.

I started out, running, I ran to the end of the block and back. Then if it was a good day, I might do it a couple times. The next week, I moved on to two blocks. Keep in mind if you pulse is up, so is your metabolism, so your burning more calories. Instead of the elevator, run up the stairs. Keep in mind if your going down, you may choose to run down the stairs then.

I went from being 250 at the begining of 2005 to 207 at the end. I was also very out of shape, and had the goal of running the Police POPAT, it's a physical obstical course for entrance to the police. I couldn't run more than a couple minutes without being out of breath. I was fairly strong, but at the end that really doesn't matter, if you can't breath.

I started with short runs, and started working out at the gym, full body routine, nothing major, hour every other day, maybe more on the weekend. Keep in mind, I still hate running.

I'm now 235, learning to eat better with the help of a dietician, company paid for beniefit. I can now run 30min + without problems.

Stay with it, if not for the women, but for the better life at 60.

Have a good one..

ArnoldsProtege

Thanks sinverarity, its good to hear from people who have been where i am. I do cardio every day now, AND im eating alot less and more importantly, alot healthier. i just need to keep seeing results to help keep me motivated. 5 months seems like such a long time

Age:19
Height: 5'11
Weight: 190 lbs