266 down to 196...long road ahead.

[aFighter]

I'm 266lb but it's 'all over' rather than sitting in the middle. I've been called "a cute kind of pudgy" anyway all that aside.

 

My new years resolution is to get down to 196. So, lose 70lb in one year.

Doable or pipe dream?

any tips apart from the obvious ones like drink plenty of water, exercise and eat properly.

[brashgal]

Well, there are 52 weeks. A pound or two a week, you could conceivably do it. I don't know of any magic bullets but I did see Oprah Winfrey's trainer on TV this morning and he said you absolutely need to work out 5-6 days a week if you expect to lose weight. He recommended both cardio at least four days a week and strength training at least three days a week.

 

Good luck - you might inspire me!!

[Mary3]

That is very inspiring that you have decided to lose weight !

 

Can I ask the following ? :

 

Do you have a sedentary * sit down * desk job during the day ?

 

Do you consume fast foods more than say once a week ?

 

Do you have any exersize program planned ?

 

Just remember above all things : Make it a *lifetime* of eating changes....not a diet...which suggests a temporary eating style....make it FOR LIFE

 

A good idea of your typical day would help in suggesting some positive changes that can last a LIFTIME ...............

[7on]

Doable.

[moimeme]

It has to be about changing to a lifestyle you can enjoy but which is healthier. It can be done but it takes work. You need to find enjoyable exercises, or if not enjoyable, at least ones that you can get yourself to do regularly. You need to eat high-calorie foods infrequently and stick to foods that fill you up and are tasty without having loads of fat and calories in them.

 

Dr. Shapiro's 'Picture Perfect' books are actually very handy at demonstrating what sorts of foods you can eat without triggering big weight gains. Some things which seem innocent can pile on the pounds very quickly.

 

Start with shopping - just don't buy the stuff that's too full of fat/calories. Try low-cal healthy foods to see which you like. People are coming out with new stuff all the time to cater to people wanting to lose weight; chances are you'll find stuff you like almost as much if not exactly as much as the food you enjoy now. And, needless to say, avoid fast foods. If you do go out to eat, stick to healthy stuff - again, fried stuff tends to be the worst because gram for gram, fat has more calories than other foods.

 

Once you learn to love lighter foods, you'll actually discover that the fatty greasy stuff becomes unappetizing and then you'll know you're on your way to a permanent lifestyle change.

[Majik45]

My dad lost about 80 pounds in about 1 years time. He went from probably 320 to about 240 and has maintained around that weight for about 2 years. Want to know the kicker? He didn't change his exercise routine. All he did was watched what he ate, and did portion control (For example, he started going to Subway everyday instead of Burger King for lunch...yes, he's like Jared). He lost a couple pounds a week. Just realize that it is not all going to happen in a week or a month, and sometimes, you may hit a wall that will take a week or two to get over. Good luck!!

 

PS...One summer I lost about 20 pounds (245 to 225) just by riding an exercise bike 4-5 times a week so it can be done that way too. A combination of eating less/better and exercise is your best bet to have success!

[sophia34]

Hi aFighter,

 

You know that exercising regularly, cutting back calories, drinking water, etc., is extremely important, and you'll need to find the right plan that works for you. But my best advice would be to attend to your mental approach to the journey. Losing weight is great, but it's best to look at the exercise and healthy eating as an end in and of itself.

 

There will be times throughout the year (and through the years) where you slip. You'll eat too many cookies, you'll have too many drinks, you'll not exercise for a few days, you'll have a large meal, and you'll feel full and uncomfortable. OR, life will throw you a curve--a relative will fall ill, you'll go on a business trip, you'll have some important project to attend to, one that takes up more time, and you may find you have less time to exercise or prepare healthy meals. In those moments, it's too easy to think, "Oh, I blew it! It's all over." You MUST NOT let those moments make you think you've failed! In my opinion, that's the biggest obstacle to losing weight -- many people just allow themselves to be defeated and then stop their health plans altogether.

 

Instead, return to your mindset that you are living a "lifestyle," not just a weight loss plan. In those moments, you can modify that plan to your present circumstances (working out differently or on a different schedule, choosing convenient but still healthy foods, or simply returning to the plan after slipping), and stay on track over the long term. And within your plan, allow yourself a treat or two--a favorite food, a trip to a restaurant, etc., keeping the foods good but the portions small. Being overly restrictive is the death knell to a long-term healthy lifestyle.

 

So please don't look at the amount of weight you want to lose all in one chunk. Look at it as a series of daily, healthy choices you want to make over the next few months. Each day, you make choices, and you want most of them to be choices that benefit your overall health. If you look at this as a lifestyle change--and the new exercise plan, healthy diet, and an emotionally accepting approach to your own strengths and weaknesses as your FIRST goal, with weight loss a distant second--you'll be able to take your slip-ups in stride and get right back on your plan. And then, you'll be sure to see a significant weight loss by December 31st!

 

Good luck! And please return to the forum whenever you might need a pep talk!

 

Sophia

[SWEETTEE]

hey there afighter,

i also started a diet well let me say this right lol i am starting nextmonday..i am 35 yrs old and weigh 270 YUK

i am doing a carbdiet adkins mixed with others to keep it not boring..would you like to be diet buddy's?

 

i think the more buddys we have the better we do ..keep the support going..god knows i need all i can get..

i want to get down to 140lbs..

i am really worried about after the weight is gone about the access skin..i am terrified!!!!!

 

i also crave salt which is goin to the monster to try and not have..reason i like the carb diets is becasue i love meat..i am rambling on here i know its early inthe morning..lol

 

well need to get kiddies redy for school ...see ya all in a bit bye 4 now

[crisp]

I gained 8 pounds in 3 months.It doesn't sound like a lot, but it did drastically change my appearance and I do loose weight very slowly. Yet I put it on oh sooo fast. I absolutely MUST loose them. I just have a hard time exercising.

 

I Started drinking water and changed my diet for... 3 days. Well, better later than never.

 

Maybe we could all post and say how we're doing? Like a support group. I know I can do it, I just want to do it fast and I know I don't have the determination to do it alone.

 

So I'm ready if you are.

[moimeme]

LOSE. It is LOSE. When you LOSE weight, your pants get LOOSE.

 

AUGH!

[crisp]

That's a worrior scream ot something?

 

I'm trying, I've already told you I'm drinking water . Can't go any faster than that!!!

[Teag]

Go for it, you can do it. I've lost 45lbs in 4 1/2 months. If I can do it you can. I have about 15 more lbs to go then I'll be set. You just have to get serious & willing to make the sacrifices. Good Luck

[Mary3]

I think that the diets that are out there such as Atkins can't be used in the long term.

 

I think a better approach is to think this way : When you are in a Supermarket : Anything from the ground is good ( vegetables,fruits ) Anything from the animal contains fat ( beef,butter,lard,) and should be limited.

 

Anything in the center of the store is probrobly not good for you in excess ( boxed cookies,crackers,chips,microwave popcorn )

 

Basically like the Pyramid ( Food Chart ) the highest point is fruit and vegetables and the lowest part of the Pyramid is processed foods,starch,snacks.

 

Just remember fat took time to get there on your body and its going to take even more time in getting it off. Cardio works very well.....getting your heart beating fast , feeling the sweat drip off your face. Your body appreciates that you work it like a machine. ( Unless of course you have underlying health problems )

 

This is no easy answer but if it were easy then you would regain it all back so it worth the effort to go slow.

[alphamale]

Originally posted by aFighter

My new years resolution is to get down to 196. So, lose 70lb in one year.

Doable or pipe dream?

any tips apart from the obvious ones like drink plenty of water, exercise and eat properly.

 

 

yes, mentally prepare yourself cause the women will start coming out of the woodwork once you get down to your fighting weight of 195.

 

It's funny. all the beautiful women that would not give you the time of day when you are fat all of a sudden become very intrested when you are slim and in shape. Trust me on this one...

[corythosaurus]

Very doable.

 

Expect it to be difficult.

Expect to make sacrifices.

Expect to work hard.

Expect to have set-backs.

Expect a lifestyle change.

[reservoirdog1]

It can definitely be done. I lost about 40 lbs in 3 months, a little over a year ago. Two stages:

 

First 15 lbs or so: due to not really eating much b/c marriage was on the rocks.

Remaining 25: Atkins.

 

One thing I didn't do that I recommend you do is get into exercise while you're doing it. I've gained back about 15 lbs (which isn't a catastrophe, just a pain in the ass) for lack of that.

[Sukotto]

No real diet here, just exercise and cutting down on portion sizes and replacing the missing bits with raw carrots, they have to be cold though to be nice.

 

Down from 180 -> 150 in about 3 months, but that was the end of my long term relationship that caused that.

[HokeyReligions]

I've lost over 100 pounds. With me it got more difficult as I went along and not less difficult. People who have never been seriously overweight, or who have not spent their lives battling (and I do mean a battle) will never, ever, ever understand what its really all about. They think that anyone can live their lifestyle and will denigrate those who Appear To Them to lack discipline or will power. Losing weight is NOT about cutting calories or eating a balanced diet or exercise. It is something else entirely. Those things are the technical aspects that anyone can learn, but losing weight and keeping it off is not all technical.

 

Think of a career -- anyone can learn to be a teacher, or engineer, or whatever -- but those who are most successful are those who have a talent for their job. They enjoy it more. Its what they were meant to be or do. How many of us go to jobs that are okay, but not really what we would like to do? We chose our careers because of money, or prestige, or appearance and the job never quite reaches our hearts. "Dieting" is like that. We KNOW what we need to do and we try to motivate ourselves, but it's still a chore and something we have to force ourselves to do and we seldom if ever feel good doing it without also feeling in some way bad about ourselves. That is why so many people diet themselves into obesity instead of out of it. I'm still not explaining it right - I don't think anyone can make another understand what being overweight and obesity is REALLY about, unless they've been there.

 

I see all these diet gurus on TV talking about their great weight loss plans. They have not got a clue!

 

Here are some tips that helped me:

 

-Put signs and/or photos of yourself on EVERY cabinet door and appliance in your kitchen.

 

-Get rid of ALL of your standard size dinner plates and use saucers - OR - fill your plate so that your portions do not extend beyond the small circle in the center of the plate.

 

-Tape or TIVO your favorite TV shows and movies, etc. Make only one drastic change in your routine. Use the time you spent on your favorite TV show or movie to exercise - in a different room from the TV.

 

-Eat breakfast - don't skip meals.

 

-Get a water clarifier on your faucet or a clarifier pitcher and always keep cold water in your fridge. Drink as many as you can a day - at least 2 liters.

 

-Make a menu plan for the week

 

-From the menu plan, make a grocery list

 

-Never grocery shop when you are hungry. Learn to gauge your hunger so that you are full when shopping. Less likely to impulse-buy.

 

-If you regularly spend $80 a week at the grocery store and now spend $72, or you have stopped paying $5/week on take-out (or whatever) -- get a clear water bottle or some other large, clear "piggy bank" and start putting the extra $8/week (or whatever) into the jar. It is a visual reminder and motivator to continue. Don't use too small a container that will fill up fast -- you want a gauge to last a while. If it fills up too fast its like saying "diet's over - go back to old habits" long before new habits can kick in. Don't laugh, these things work.

 

-Do not weigh yourself every day. Once a week is enough.

 

-Weigh yourself at the same time each day. (First thing in the AM works for me)

 

-In the bedroom (or wherever) hang a smaller size set of clothes (your goal clothes) right where you can see them when you first wake up in the morning.

 

-Always remember, you are bound to stumble sometimes -- but you MUST not stay down. Think of what would inspire you to pick yourself up and keep going -- it might not be the same thing that inspired you to start this change! Keep that thought - or an article/object that represents that though available to you when you need it.

[Queen B]

Its DOABLE!!!

 

My best friend has lost about 60 pounds in the last year and it has been mainly exercise and a reasonable balanced diet,nothing crazy, no pills just a change in how she did things.

 

Good luck!!!!

[crisp]

I have already applied THE rule: no dinner after 18:00. Plus watching what I eat. And drinking 2 l of water.

 

The thing is: I cannot bring myself to excercise. Yeah, yeah, I know.... I'd better starve to death than do it. I love excercising, but I have to be well rested for it. I'm in school and it's really tough and competitive... anyway, I'm doing well. Didn't cheat.

 

I eat for breakfast Kellog's Special cereals. And if I'm dying for sweets I eat half a bar of thir Special stuff too: 84 Kcal. Are they good? I've also eliminated bread and I allow myself 2 Wassa's original - for the fiber.

 

I even eat an orange (I generally hate fruit, but... I was kinda hungry ).

 

aFighter, how is it going???

[SWEETTEE]

Hey you all!

I been out of town and goin again tomm <sunday> will be back on wednesday training for a new job ...so i will be getting on at night now,...

CRISP i think it would be great to start helping each other i need it..i think it would do us good to talk about it and post are gains and losses..

im all for it..since this week has been a mad house for me i am goin to offically start next monday that way im home and settled in the new job..

so count me in !!!!!!!!!

 

im pumped now.!!!!1 weeeeeeeeeee we will all do great i feel it...LETS GET THIS PaRTY GOING!!!

 

ok yall i will see ya when i get back...

[crisp]

Yesterday I've just broken rule one: I ate reallly late: around 9. Chineese: rice and beef. But did a good job during the day.

 

I hate Europe, I just can't find a book with all the calories of Asian food... Wonder if you could PM me a link or so.

 

Sweetie: I'm doing it, even if no one else does.

 

My bf came to my place this week end, so my plan to go to the swimming pool are off... Gotta find the will to work out, or I'll never get there!!!!

[moimeme]

Why not go swimming with bf? Go for walks with bf. Go dancing with bf. Having a partner can actually help you exercise a lot because you have somebody to do it with.

[crisp]

That's the best idea I heard in a long time. As a matter of fact I did invite him to come with me and swim, but he takes zinc for his skin treatment ( a bit obsessed since his skin is perfect!!!) and he was afraid the clore in the water... etc etc. He did offer to watch me swim, but I refused.

 

I never thought of getting him involed in this... LOOL, those pounds may ware off earlier after all.

 

Thank you. Best advice yet!

[Sukotto]

Getting a partner to go is great, my ex and I joined the gym together, she lost over 40lbs in the space of about 6 months. We then just focussed on swimming and occasional gym visit. Since we split she's been to the gym twice in about 3 months.