Though I've been a member for a while, I am starting NEW

[djturnz]

I have committed myself to get back on the wagon and lose weight. I transferred my gym membership to one where two of my friends also joined. I had been going to a gym near work, but I never felt like going, and basically no one was there that would "bug" me when I didn't go. Plus it got way too crowded after New Years last year. They really over-booked membership and I didn't feel like waiting in line for a treadmill.

So now I am back in the gym, Monday and Wednesday for about 1.5 hours after work and Saturday morning for 2-2.5 hours. With a fulltime job, a wife and three kids, I can't really afford much more time away from home.

I weighed in yesterday at 401.2lbs, fully clothed with boots. That is the highest I have ever been. I am 6'3" and I just turned 30 two weeks ago.

I work a mostly desk job at a computer probably 70% of my work day.

Other than some back pain, I don't really have any medical issues. Normal blood pressure, no diabetes (yet).

I have successfully lost weight in the past with pills and moderate dieting. Usually 30lbs in the first month. Then I would get off the pills and just try for the couple pounds a week with exercise and diet. Eventually I get off the wagon.

I used two different calorie calculators. Both have me at over 4500 calories just to mantain my weight.


I am using a calorie counter application on my phone. Yesterday I went kind of light on my food intake and only hit 1500 calories. I know that isn't enough so I guess I need to find more good foods to add some calories without adding to the problem.

My normal daily food intake through my work week is:

7am- caramel rice cake with peanut butter and (usually) a mozzerella cheese stick
10am- Corn flakes with 2% milk
1pm- some kind of Healthy Choice or Weight Watchers microwave meal and a lite yogurt.
6pm (or 7 on gym days)- whatever the wife makes for dinner. Not always healthy, but I try to control my portions.

Throughout the day I drink either water, water with crystal light packet, or diet soda. Today I am drinking Poweraide zero and it will be water the rest of the day once that's gone.



I really need to stick with this thing this time. But of course I don't really know what I am doing. I'm not even sure that this is the right site for me. Every post seems to be about bulking up. I know I need to add muscle, but my main goal is to get that number on the scale down first. I have been high 300's for a while, but seeing that 4 really messed my head up. It's funny though, I had decided to get this going again last week and I was still in high 300's, then I come in on Monday and check my "start weight" and it's over 400.

I am not opposed to suppliments or pills or whatever, but I'm not going to spend a ton of money every month on them.

 

[MtR]

Congrats on making the decision to get back in shape. You are obviously a big guy but don't let the road ahead deter you from doing what you know you need to do. My good friend and workout partner went from 330lbs of fat to a lean 220, it just takes time and dedication bro.

If I may, why do you consider 1500 calories "not enough"? Right now you're main focus should be on fat loss. Consume a good amount of protein and be mindful of your carb and fat intake for the day. As you know I'm sure, even the smallest changes are going to make a difference for you. If you aren't feeling like you need to break out an assault rifle and start shooting because of extreme hunger based on the 1500 calories you are consuming I would say that would be a good place to start IMO.

Anyway you cut it good luck with your goals.

 

[djturnz]

Everything I have read says not to cut calories too drastically. All the calculators say 5000 would mantain this weight. So I just assumed that 1500 wouldn't really get the fire going.

One calculator I used gave me credit for burning 1000 calories because I drive 2 hours every day.

 

[MtR]

Everything I have read says not to cut calories too drastically. All the calculators say 5000 would mantain this weight. So I just assumed that 1500 wouldn't really get the fire going.

One calculator I used gave me credit for burning 1000 calories because I drive 2 hours every day.

1000 calories burned from driving????????? WTF LOL!! I can't see how some of the people who run these diet/nutrition sites can sleep at night.

You WILL lose weight by putting yourself at a caloric deficiency. If 5000 calories will maintain your current weight anything less than that will put yourself in the state needed to lose weight. Of course there can be negatives like lethargy, hunger pangs, etc..... but you are talking about a lifestyle change and one that will more than likely save you from an early death. Have you considered hiring a nutritionist? It might be worth the investment not only from a physical standpoint but you can gain a huge amount of knowledge that you can use in the future when your goals may change. Ask around your area for somebody who comes highly recommended.

 

[djturnz]

I'm not sure where I would ask. My gym offers personal trainer services, but they also have PIZZA MONDAYS. So I'm not sure I'd want to look there.

Would Nutritionist be a yellow pages catagory?

 

[MtR]

I'm not sure where I would ask. My gym offers personal trainer services, but they also have PIZZA MONDAYS. So I'm not sure I'd want to look there.

Would Nutritionist be a yellow pages catagory?

It could possibly be listed like that. If you have a personal physician I would ask them maybe or a privately owned personal training studio would be a great place as they usually employ or refer people to nutritionists. Just make sure you advise the nutritionist of your goals whether they be general health or more of a bodybuilding type thing so they can adjust accordingly.

 

[djturnz]

My number 1 goal is to lose weight, just the number.
My number 2 goal is to lose inches, waist/gut.
My number 3 goal is to get some muscle definition. Mainly arms and chest, which is completely superficial I know.

 

[MtR]

My number 1 goal is to lose weight, just the number.
My number 2 goal is to lose inches, waist/gut.
My number 3 goal is to get some muscle definition. Mainly arms and chest, which is completely superficial I know.

Nothing wrong with superficial if for no other reason than most of us here would be completely screwed if that was the case lol. Regardless of how you chose to do it whether it's 1500 calories per day or 3000 you are on the right track and that's what matters at this point. The rest will come in time, stay motivated and good luck.

 

[gtbmed]

All 3 of your goals are related to each other.

I suggest using fitday.com to track your intake. It will allow you to know exactly how many calories you're consuming. Often times people cheat a bit throughout the day and they end up consuming more calories than they think.

I am not much of an expert on dieting so I would not know what an appropriate caloric deficit is for a person your size. With any caloric deficit, you will lose weight. The key is finding a diet/plan that works with your lifestyle and will be easy for you to stick with.

 

[GearsMcGilf]

Are you working out at Planet Fitness by chance? If so, you should GTFO! No one there is serious, just typical New Year's Resolution types. If you go to a more mainstream type gym, they will have a nutritionist and trainers that can help.

 

[djturnz]

Are you working out at Planet Fitness by chance? If so, you should GTFO! No one there is serious, just typical New Year's Resolution types. If you go to a more mainstream type gym, they will have a nutritionist and trainers that can help.

I figured someone would figure that out.

I do go to planet fitness. It's cheap. I don't care about who else is there. There is plenty of equipment, it's inexpensive. I go with two friends that are also serious about this.

I went to a more mainstream type gym 2 years ago. All I saw were the bell hops that would do two sets of dumbell curls with 75lbs each, then sit there and talk for 20 minutes. It looked like 1 guy working out with 4 spotters. At least at PF, people are doing something, some are eating pizza, but they aren't in my way.