Back on track

[chrisleakfan4life]

I've had a solid week so far, ive been very close to 1200 calories every day this week(a couple days i was in the 1300's) and i got back into the motion of going to the Gym every MWF.


I was at 203 last week and im back to 196(which was my pre-vacation weight). It's been a solid and consistent week so far but i've got a ways to go. I'm hoping to get down to around 170-175 by the time my birthday rolls around(Nov 19th) and i think its achievable if i don't get sidetracked.

One thing I'm doing differently, I printed out a calendar and on the calendar i put an X if I met my calorie goal for the day, i circle that X if i went to the gym(so on MWF there should be a circle) and i write down my weight from my weigh in every morning.

I'll be able to track my work and weight every day, hopefully this helps me stay consistent as well.

I'll try to keep this updated and hopefully i don't get sidetracked.

[Dreamliner]

Good for you, Chris!

[chrisleakfan4life]

Good for you, Chris!

Thanks, i went a little high today(around 1450) just to give my body a little switch/extra couple hundred calories.

I haven't taken into account my weight lifting this week(don't know how much i have burned) so ill be fine.


I also work all day tomorrow(until 9 pm) and ill be eating one meal so i'll be fine as i will probably eat around 800 calories tomorrow.

[Dreamliner]

Again I'll suggest that if, at your age and weight, if you're anywhere near 1,200 calories, you should be losing weight steadily and RAPIDLY. That is a VERY aggressive (but not necessarily unhealthy) calorie deficit. Skinny as I am, I lose weight steadily on 1,500 calories.

[trufloridagator]

What's your lifting programming & background like?
How much protein you eating/day?

[chrisleakfan4life]

What's your lifting programming & background like?
How much protein you eating/day?

Not really focusing on protein at this point, im still a good 30-40 pounds over weight, right now im 5'7" to 5'8"(maybe 5'9") and i weight currently 197. Right now im planning on keeping this low calorie diet until i get into the 170's(around 170-175) after that ill see how i look, how clothes fit etc and see about what i should do from there. After looking at my gut as it were, i don't think 170 will a correct weight for me and i feel the 150's is more appropriate for my size but ill see when i get there.

I know long term if i focused on weight lifting it would pay off, but i prefer the other method of losing weight and than trying to add some muscle.

I go for about 45 minutes each sessions(3 times a week) and just do machines just to get some lifting in, im not trying to bulk up right now. I'm only there for about 45 minutes because i try not to rest between sets, i actually go to different machines and work different muscle groups, once i finish a round on all the machines i take a 2 minute rest to take in water.


I have been basically eating whatever right now, i try to avoid fattening foods and i just limit calorie intake to 1200 calories(i go higher depending on if im actually hungry, but no higher than 1400 calories).

I've been holding steady at 197 the past 3 days, hoping to get back to 195 over the next week.

The calendar I'm doing is helping me to be more focused, and im much more focused now and when i try to eat when i shouldn't im telling myself not to.

Ive got a good ways to go, but each day i get closer to my goal. With football season around im also more motivated to lift weights because of it.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Today is going to be a rough day, i took in about 800 calories already as i have to work 2-11 pm tonight and than im going to the Gym after work and probably to bed after that(have to get up at 7:30 in the morning to drive my sister to school). I don't eat at work and ill probably have a muscle milk light after work to conclude my calorie intake for the day.

Probably won't get to bed until 1 am or 2 am.

I'm off tomorrow thankfully and will be going back to bed after i drop my sister off.

[trufloridagator]

GL, I wouldn't recommend doing SS on that huge of a deficit anyway :) but...

Eating protein or lifting CANNOT make you bigger if you're eating at a deficit. It can't make you bigger even eating at maintenance minus some age or genetic related aid. It can make you stronger even eating at a deficit while losing weight. You can maintain muscle while losing bf if you eat a decent amount of protein.

The last thing bigger guys worry about is losing muscle, since they just want to lose the weight, but if you had an infinite amount of time, it would certainly be the optimal way to go. Creating such a huge deficit may not even allow your body to lose the weight any faster than say a 20-30% deficit while lifting. You could potentially eat in the range of 1600-1800 calories a day and lose the same amount.

Obviously you don't have an infinite amount of time, and if you just want to lose the weight to make you happy, then that's a great thing, but I think if you knew you could lose it nearly as fast and maintain muscle(helping you look better & have a potentially lower bf%) when you're done, all while increasing strength, you would take it in a heartbeat. The only really con I see is if it makes you unhappy and you could lose weight faster at the huge deficit you're on. However, you also have the benefit of being able to eat a bit more and not giving you any potential for you to make mistakes in your diet, and want to kill yourself along the way. ;)

FWIW, there is no "correct weight". I am your height and feel a tad chubby at 174ish, but in a perfect world my weight would probabaly be closer to 190 with 13-17%ish bf, +/- a few. Worrying about the number is rather silly(long term), worrying about a happy body composition & strength level is far more important.

I'd def recommend SS once you get down as an optimal strength program & eating maintenance calories to maintain weight.

What are your long term goals?

Big edit in there, so sorry if it's too much rambling.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Well i overate yesterday, had about 1800 calories or so, so im going with 720 today plus whatever i burn lifting weights tonight.

Diet hasn't made much progress the past week, been stuck at 197 since Friday. Hopefully by the end of week ill be down to around 195.

[Dreamliner]

chris, of course scale weight can be cruel. Even as skinny as I am it can vary 3-4 pounds during the day. But at your age and weight, if 1,800 calories is overeating, fat should just be falling off your body. I'll be interested to see what you weight a couple of weeks from now.

[chrisleakfan4life]

chris, of course scale weight can be cruel. Even as skinny as I am it can vary 3-4 pounds during the day. But at your age and weight, if 1,800 calories is overeating, fat should just be falling off your body. I'll be interested to see what you weight a couple of weeks from now.

Yeah i ate at around 2:30 pm today and its now 9:53 and I'm getting hungry.

Got to hold out until tomorrow though, have to make up for yesterday.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Yeah i ate at around 2:30 pm today and its now 9:53 and I'm getting hungry.

Got to hold out until tomorrow though, have to make up for yesterday.

Well in the best interesting of having a decent workout tonight, i upped my calorie intake for the day to 950 calories.

I made a turkey sandwich on whole wheat double fiber bread with mustard, 230 calories and 12 grams of fiber.

So i'll be at 950 minus any calories i burn at the gym in a couple hours.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Weighed in at 194 today, im sure a little bit of that is water weight.

I believe my real weight is in the 195-196 range.

[Dreamliner]

You're extraordinarily disciplined, chris. And you're doing exactly what I tell my trainees to do when they go over one day ... go under by a corresponding amount the next day. It's not unlike the way we have to budget our cash.

[chrisleakfan4life]

You're extraordinarily disciplined, chris. And you're doing exactly what I tell my trainees to do when they go over one day ... go under by a corresponding amount the next day. It's not unlike the way we have to budget our cash.

To be honest I'm taking a hunger control pill(prescription) that helps. Don't get me wrong i still get hungry and i still have to control my hunger but im able to get stay within 1200-1300 calories a day.


Yesterday to eat i had a Stouffers Chicken Pesto Pasta thing that was 400 calories and than i had a California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza which the whole pizza is only 900 calories and my younger sister ate a couple slices so i had around 700 calories. I also had a little bit of ice cream(Haagen Daaz), i buy the regular size ones but i eat only about half of what their little ones have which are usually around 250 calories.

For the whole day i probably had around 1250-1300 calories.

I don't exactly eat the healthiest stuff. I avoid the fried foods like McDondalds and when i actually do get fast food i stick to tacos(which arn't all oily) or Chipotle Burrito Bowls.

Otherwise when im at home i eat pretty much anything from frozen foods to turkey sandwiches on double fiber wheat bread and i occasionally splurge for pizza and when i do i go with BBQ.

This has been my diet plan for the past year, basically just cut down the calories and try not to eat fattening greasy foods like McDonalds.

Other than that i don't really restrict myself on what i can eat because i know if i try to eat health food or eat a lot of salads and oatmeal and all that I will give up.

I am back on track so far, i started this diet August 1st(weighing 203) and tracking it(with my calendar) and i have been on track pretty much every day(except for the one day i went over in which case i made up for it the next day).

This is my "90 day challenge" to get over the hump in time for my birthday and I'm not allowing myself any liquor at all and im avoiding fast food for the most part.

I try to get to the gym at least 2 times a week, 3 would be nice but i usually am too worn out on Monday's to go.

I make sure i go at least Wed and Friday and i sort of play Monday by ear. I probably should force myself to go on Monday's, maybe drink a 5 hour energy shot or something so i don't feel as tired.

[Dreamliner]

Well, hunger pill or no, I look forward to telling certain of my trainees that I know a guy who got healthy by eating unhealthy.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Well, hunger pill or no, I look forward to telling certain of my trainees that I know a guy who got healthy by eating unhealthy.

Not quite there yet, still got a ways to go :grin:

[jdrgator]

Can I ask why some of you are on such a severe caloric reduction? At 200 lbs, it seems to me that only taking in 1200 cals per day might burn too much muscle along with whatever fat one wants to lose.

Having both run a gym and trained people for over a decade, the only people I put on such severe intake are those that plateaued or were already quite small. Even then, it wasn't something done daily but two, maybe three times per week. Otherwise, they'd have their normal caloric intake while training.

For me though, after leaving the health industry, I also stopped working out and subsequently gained nearly 100 lbs (I am now 300). I recently hired personal trainer and am on a 2400 calorie diet, which is between 600 and 1000 less than I probably could put just to maintain. My target date is May 2012. But I will not go below 2k in cals unless I plateau.

[Dreamliner]

I think it's a fair question, jdr. However, I'm ambivalent about calorie deficits. I wouldn't normally advise a young, heavy man to go as low as 1,200. On the other hand, I don't see the harm in going as low as one can manage provided that they are getting in some strength training. I suspect that fear of muscle loss is somewhat exaggerated.

There is at least one reason why an aggressive calorie deficit and rapid weight-loss is preferrable. A new study shows that people who lose 10% of their bodyweight rapidly are more apt to keep the weight off than those who lose gradually. And just from a human nature standpoint, I can see where rapid, noticeable progress would provide the sort of motivation required to propel a person to their goals.

[chrisleakfan4life]

1200 calories a day puts me at about 2 pounds of weight loss per week.

Really is its not that hard to do, i usually dont eat until 11 am or 12 pm.

Try not to eat until 5, than i eat dinner snd maybe a snack later on that night.

My biggest problem is since im a night owl i tend to want to eat at night.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

[Dreamliner]

^ This could be termed as Intermittent Fasting by means of the Condensed Eating Window.

[jdrgator]

I think it's a fair question, jdr. However, I'm ambivalent about calorie deficits. I wouldn't normally advise a young, heavy man to go as low as 1,200. On the other hand, I don't see the harm in going as low as one can manage provided that they are getting in some strength training. I suspect that fear of muscle loss is somewhat exaggerated.

There is at least one reason why an aggressive calorie deficit and rapid weight-loss is preferrable. A new study shows that people who lose 10% of their bodyweight rapidly are more apt to keep the weight off than those who lose gradually. And just from a human nature standpoint, I can see where rapid, noticeable progress would provide the sort of motivation required to propel a person to their goals.


Interesting take. I can certainly see that angle.

[Dreamliner]

And bear in mind that whereas it is easy to lose bodyweight rapidly (my obese trainees will typically lose five pounds a week in the early going), it is difficult to lose fat rapidly, hence the importance (for some) of the aggressive calorie deficit.

[jdrgator]

1200 calories a day puts me at about 2 pounds of weight loss per week.

Really is its not that hard to do, i usually dont eat until 11 am or 12 pm.

Try not to eat until 5, than i eat dinner snd maybe a snack later on that night.

My biggest problem is since im a night owl i tend to want to eat at night.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

I hear ya, but I would still be concerned about losing muscle especially if you are lifting to build muscle. Your muscles need nutrients to grow. It's why anorexics always look so bad. They lose muscle and bone density from the severe caloric and nutrient deprivation.

Muscle loss concern was the chief reason that I used to only "stagger" people's caloric intake when training them. I'd only let them go really low twice per week, max, otherwise they would be on a far less drastic lowered caloric intake. Plus, besides the "seasoned vets" that I trained whom I might push it for them, many were somewhat new to the industry and had a lifetime of bad habits, so my first goal was to ease and control how I'd introduce changes into their lives.

For myself though, in the past (1997), I've staggered my calories as well but only twice, maybe three times per week. And usually this meant about 1600-1800 cals. Anything less used to lead me to a bad reaction of overeating through picking at food.

On at least one day during the week, I'd take in my normal amount of calories (anywhere from 3-4k) or even a little above, and still managed to lose quite a bit of weight; I went from 230 to about 187 (to about 10% body fat) over the course of about 4 months doing it this way.

This routine benefited me in a few ways. Pysch-wise, it satisfied my need for sometimes less healthy food (on the one day, I'd go to normal calorie intake) and to just indulge a little bit without the "guilt." Also, I really believe it made me stronger by feeding my muscles the nutrients. Always had great workouts the day after!

By allowing myself this varied caloric intake and some "controlled indulgence," I rarely went off my diet since it was flexible enough to allow some indulgence but also strict enough to force my body to shed the fat while building muscle mass.

p.s. I also did it the wrong way before back in high school where I starved myself and exercised in rubber suits in a steam room to go from 200 to 167 for wrestling (coach wouldn't let me wrestle at the higher weights). I got there in a matter of five weeks but not without two trips to the hospital first.

[jdrgator]

And bear in mind that whereas it is easy to lose bodyweight rapidly (my obese trainees will typically lose five pounds a week in the early going), it is difficult to lose fat rapidly, hence the importance (for some) of the aggressive calorie deficit.

Yes, so very true. I've seen when I trained people, and experienced it myself (see my above comments). So maybe the severe caloric restrictions would be something for the obese clients later on when they start plateauing, otherwise start them off with a more moderate reduction since their the bodies of obese people tend to respond quickly to shedding fat simply by getting them moving and eating somewhat healthier. But if they stick with it and get down quite a bit, it does get harder so their programs need to be fine tuned, so to speak.

[Dreamliner]

I do see the merit in staggering the calorie deficit. It's an approach that has worked for me. Clearly, there are myriad ways of skinning the cat.

That said, I am of the growing conviction that the sensation of hunger (which leads to overindulgence) is neither here nor there and need not be heeded. Indeed, that the habit can and should be broken. Innumerable people all over the planet have never had the luxury of going over and then under simply because they do not have access to enormous quantities of food like we Americans do.

And I ask my trainees to think about these people.

[Dreamliner]

Continuing: but whereas most of my trainees seem to prefer the regularity and predictability of a consistent eating strategy, for example, 1,500 calories a day, every day, no 'cheat days' ... nonetheless, I do urge them to program in some flexibility. Naturally they will go over some days. And so I tell them to go under by a corresponding amount the next day. So, although it is not a conscious strategy, they might get 1,700 on Monday and then 1,300 on Tuesday. No guilt. No frustration. Just rolling with the punches to stay on track.

[jdrgator]

I do see the merit in staggering the calorie deficit. It's an approach that has worked for me. Clearly, there are myriad ways of skinning the cat.

That said, I am of the growing conviction that the sensation of hunger (which leads to overindulgence) is neither here nor there and need not be heeded. Indeed, that the habit can and should be broken. Innumerable people all over the planet have never had the luxury of going over and then under simply because they do not have access to enormous quantities of food like we Americans do.

And I ask my trainees to think about these people.

Excellent point. Indeed, I feel do feel guilt for my past over-indulgences on food. The goal is to get down and stay down, and to be mindful of the "embarrasment of riches" we have. It's certainly a choice not to give into such sensations!!!

[Dreamliner]

Excellent point. Indeed, I feel do feel guilt for my past over-indulgences on food. The goal is to get down and stay down, and to be mindful of the "embarrasment of riches" we have. It's certainly a choice not to give into such sensations!!!

Amen! And I confess right here and now that I'm by no means above the fray. I certainly do have my moments!

[jdrgator]

Continuing: but whereas most of my trainees seem to prefer the regularity and predictability of a consistent eating strategy, for example, 1,500 calories a day, every day, no 'cheat days' ... nonetheless, I do urge them to program in some flexibility. Naturally they will go over some days. And so I tell them to go under by a corresponding amount the next day. So, although it is not a conscious strategy, they might get 1,700 on Monday and then 1,300 on Tuesday. No guilt. No frustration. Just rolling with the punches to stay on track.

Another good approach. Stability in ones diet is important, since it allows the trainee to exact some measure of control over their lives. I think you made a great point above about the choice of giving in to hunger pangs. Training others (and oneself) to deal with that in a way that doesn't lead to wild fluctuations in intake is a good thing.

Lack of self-control is at the core of many obese/overweight persons. Add on to it the constant onslaught of food marketing designed to lure people into eating tasty/high caloric meals, and growth of bad eating habits in general makes training others lose weight/get in shape a tall order, to say the least.

[Dreamliner]

Another good approach. Stability in ones diet is important, since it allows the trainee to exact some measure of control over their lives. I think you made a great point above about the choice of giving in to hunger pangs. Training others (and oneself) to deal with that in a way that doesn't lead to wild fluctuations in intake is a good thing.

Lack of self-control is at the core of many obese/overweight persons. Add on to it the constant onslaught of food marketing designed to lure people into eating tasty/high caloric meals, and growth of bad eating habits in general makes training others lose weight/get in shape a tall order, to say the least.

And one of the things that frustrates me with people (who've forgotten more about nutritional science than I'll ever learn) is the failure to distinguish between direct and indirect causes of fat storage. They confuse people by talking as if hunger and myriad hormonal signals (insulin, etc.) store fat. But when I try to help people lose weight I do make it my aim to learn the things they do which, for them, either stem or trigger hunger so as tailor a weight-loss plan that works for them.

[your_perfect_enemy]

Add on to it the constant onslaught of food marketing designed to lure people into eating tasty/high caloric meals, and growth of bad eating habits in general makes training others lose weight/get in shape a tall order, to say the least.

I've never thought this to have an effect until I started trying to limit my calories. I'm trying for about 1200/day myself and don't find it very difficult unless I make the mistake of watching Man v Food and find myself wanting to eat a 6 pound burrito

[Dreamliner]

I've never thought this to have an effect until I started trying to limit my calories. I'm trying for about 1200/day myself and don't find it very difficult unless I make the mistake of watching Man v Food and find myself wanting to eat a 6 pound burrito

You CAN eat your 6 pound burrito. Be flexible. Just go under the next day by a corresponding amount.

Oh, wait.

[Dreamliner]

THE 'S' Diet

(S)maller plates.

(S)maller portions.

(S)avor, don't shovel.

(S)ame damned meals over and over again, quantifiability helps.

(S)lip ? Slide! Keep your feet moving. Flexibility is key.

No (S)econds.

No (S)nacking.

Eat your (S)ugar ... in moderation. Deprivation doesn't have an enviable track record.

It's okay to (S)kip meals, intermittent fasting is a live option.

(S)coff at hunger pangs. Who's the boss anyway ?

[jdrgator]

You CAN eat your 6 pound burrito. Be flexible. Just go under the next day by a corresponding amount.

Oh, wait.

You just reminded me of something, which would have made it impossible to go under by a corresponding number of cals.

Having been out of the "industry" now for over a decade, I've forgotten some of the little things that I used to do when I trained heavily. And one of them was watching for hidden calories, especially in processed foods, and then adjusting accordingly (as you suggested) if I went over.

I realized this last week when I ordered a medium peanut power smoothie at Smoothie King (as a meal replacement after the gym, of which i went straight to work right after my training session). I though I had been ordering a lite smoothie, worrying only about the total cals. Well their lite one is about 600 cals, which at 300 lbs, my body handles the cals easily. But then I found out it wasn't the lite one but I had been drinking just their straight peanut power drink, and found out it was nearly 1600k at one pop!!! F$##$!!

Anyway, there is no balancing that out the next day since I am taking in about 2200-2400 a day. I simply cut SK out completely and just make my own or eat a few protein bars after my work out on the days that I teach.

[Dreamliner]

You just reminded me of something, which would have made it impossible to go under by a corresponding number of cals.

Having been out of the "industry" now for over a decade, I've forgotten some of the little things that I used to do when I trained heavily. And one of them was watching for hidden calories, especially in processed foods, and then adjusting accordingly (as you suggested) if I went over.

I realized this last week when I ordered a medium peanut power smoothie at Smoothie King (as a meal replacement after the gym, of which i went straight to work right after my training session). I though I had been ordering a lite smoothie, worrying only about the total cals. Well their lite one is about 600 cals, which at 300 lbs, my body handles the cals easily. But then I found out it wasn't the lite one but I had been drinking just their straight peanut power drink, and found out it was nearly 1600k at one pop!!! F$##$!!

Anyway, there is no balancing that out the next day since I am taking in about 2200-2400 a day. I simply cut SK out completely and just make my own or eat a few protein bars after my work out on the days that I teach.

Hehe, reminds me. Some, not all of my trainees do keep food journals. I couldn't figure out why one woman wasn't losing weight on 800-900 calories a day. Turns out she was forgetting ENTIRE meals. She even forgot the FOOT-LONG Philly Cheesesteak sandwich she had the night before. She later protested, "It was only one thing!" I pointed out that a 15-pound watermelon, only one thing, contained fewer calories than her sandwich. We are NOTORIOUS for: (A) underestimating calories consumed and overestimating calories burned.

[chrisleakfan4life]

I'm not trying to add muscle right now, just trying to tone up the arms a bit while trying to lose fat.

I'm not going for long term, i would rather lose weight first, see how i look and then look into building muscle.

For the time being i just want to try and tone up, not look like one of our Linebackers.

And i don't think my calorie intake has really taken away from my muscle toning work.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Well time to hit the Gym, LETS DO IT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcJ1lrllZ7o

[chrisleakfan4life]

Got my first weight lifting session on a monday in. I only lifted once last week(Wednesday) as i was just exhausted from an adjusting schedule. I now have to drive my younger sister to high school every day which requires getting up at 7 am in the morning. Well I'm a night owl who is used to being up till 1 or 2 am every night so i was only getting about 5 hours of a night of sleep last week and it caught up to me by the end of the week.

Anyway last night i went to bed around 1:30 am but was smart enough to get some sleep before i had to work at 2 pm, so i slept from 8:30-1 pm today to make sure i got plenty of rest.

I had to make sure i went today as i did not go last Friday and i try to make sure i go at least 3 times a week so i need to go Wed and Friday as well.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Weighed in at 194.0 today so I'm within 9 pounds of my 185 pound goal which is my first goal.

I think my calendar idea that i started has been a good choice so far, it helps me to stay focused and take it one day at a time. One addition i made is that any time i go over my "calorie zone" (1200-1400 calories) i mark an X on that calendar date, but i also write down the amount of calories i took in so i know that i didn't take care of business to my fullest abilities that day.

It basically seems to work like those stars your teacher gave you in elementary school anytime you did something good(usually on some sort of calendar with all your class mates).

As silly and childish as it may sound i find it to be a very successful tool to keep me focused every day and it helps me to take it one day at a time.

It also helps me not get pissed off anytime i step on the scale and it says i gained 2-3 pounds. I was at 194.5-194.8 for a few days and it jumped up to 195.7 and i got pissed but the next few days it jumped right back down to where i had been at 194.5 and so i have data so i can see that my weight will fluctuate but it will go back down as long as im within my calorie count each day.

Anyway August 15 was the start of Week 3, i have anywhere from 9-12 weeks until it is around my birthday and i hope to be in the 170-175 range, I've got about 20-25 pounds left to get there, i might be able to do it by then but if i don't its not the end of the world, I'm just hoping to see a change in my pants/shirt sizes really.

My major goal right now is to get into around a 34" waist and be able to war basically a medium size shirt(i.e. Nike size medium for say a Gator t-shirt).

For my height im suppose to be able to fit into a small and have around a 30-32 inch waist i don't know if/when ill get to that point, but the 34" waist and medium size shirt is my primary goal.

[johnl]

Weighed in at 166 the other day at Publix, down 7lbs from where I top out at after a typical night of Miller High Life Lighting. This may have something to do with hiking 120 miles over 8 days in the Uintas.

Anyone interested in losing 16+ lbs should look into a 19 day thru-hike of the John Muir Trail. Just bring a couple lighters, a knife, about 10 feet of duct tape, and make sure the shoes fit properly even if you get a worn out pair from a lost and found box in Mammoth Lakes.

[Dreamliner]

Yes, walk 120 miles in 8 days and you'll lose some weight. :wink:

Also, I think it's a wonderful thing to do 'stupid things' like this once in awhile, to undertake certain challenges.

My very earnest question is, since almost no one can sustain anything remotely close to that sort of physical activity, how do they manage their weight afterwards ?

[chrisleakfan4life]

Argh ive been the same 193.0 since Friday and it doesnt seem to want to drop.

Ive been under or at my calorie counts and ive been going to the gym.

Hopefully over the next few days it drops.

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[Dreamliner]

Argh ive been the same 193.0 since Friday and it doesnt seem to want to drop.

Ive been under or at my calorie counts and ive been going to the gym.

Hopefully over the next few days it drops.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

A watched pot never boils. Stay the course. It will drop. And probably more than you think. Are you weighing yourself at the same time of day ?

[chrisleakfan4life]

Yup every day first thing in the morning after my morning piss haha.

Im guessing it'll drop sometime late this week.

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[Dreamliner]

Yup every day first thing in the morning after my morning piss haha.

Im guessing it'll drop sometime late this week.

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I personally don't see the point in weighing every day, especially if you have a handle on intake. But if you're into torture ... :wink:

[chrisleakfan4life]

I personally don't see the point in weighing every day, especially if you have a handle on intake. But if you're into torture ... :wink:

Gives you a somewhat General track on where you're heading and lets you know if you're doing it right.

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[chrisleakfan4life]

Since i decided to do a little drinking during the opening game, im cutting extra calories in advance as to not spoil my dieting.

On Monday i only took in 500 so i have an extra 700 and today im gonna finish off some left over pasta for dinner and ill have an extra 700 after today so a 1400 calorie breathing room for Sept. 3rd.

Il probably try to cut a little extra next week so i can get up to 2k extra.

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[Dreamliner]

Gives you a somewhat General track on where you're heading and lets you know if you're doing it right.

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Well, I hear that a lot. But how did that help you yesterday ?

The scale lies every day.

The scale tells the truth every week.

[gatorman_07732]

Have to do some chiming in here since I've had some recent success in dropping weight. I've done some pretty heavy duty bodybuilding in my younger years which left me with some excess weight as a got older. I really fell into a rut and got up to 235lbs and was feeling every bit of it. I am now down too just under 210 with more to go too my magic 200lb mark and may not stop there, but that is my short term goal.
I have to admit I'm not counting calories, but I am taking a commonsense approach with discipline. Harvest (from my garden) has helped this tremendously as those veggies taste pretty good grilled. I've been eating fish, chicken and yes some red meat (need those amino acids). The morning has to be fast for me so either just a bagel with butter or some Cheerios. I started riding my bicycle to the office which is 4 miles one way which takes me about 20 minutes. I usually try to make enough leftover for dinner to bring with me for lunch the next day. Then bicycle home for an additional 20 minutes exercise. I incorporated the exercise portion which is very efficient time wise. I have little ones at home so time is precious. Here's the part not many people would like and that's no alcohol. Anyway, nothing that scientific but it's working well with energy levels increasing and feeling good.

[Dreamliner]

Have to do some chiming in here since I've had some recent success in dropping weight. I've done some pretty heavy duty bodybuilding in my younger years which left me with some excess weight as a got older. I really fell into a rut and got up to 235lbs and was feeling every bit of it. I am now down too just under 210 with more to go too my magic 200lb mark and may not stop there, but that is my short term goal.
I have to admit I'm not counting calories, but I am taking a commonsense approach with discipline. Harvest (from my garden) has helped this tremendously as those veggies taste pretty good grilled. I've been eating fish, chicken and yes some red meat (need those amino acids). The morning has to be fast for me so either just a bagel with butter or some Cheerios. I started riding my bicycle to the office which is 4 miles one way which takes me about 20 minutes. I usually try to make enough leftover for dinner to bring with me for lunch the next day. Then bicycle home for an additional 20 minutes exercise. I incorporated the exercise portion which is very efficient time wise. I have little ones at home so time is precious. Here's the part not many people would like and that's no alcohol. Anyway, nothing that scientific but it's working well with energy levels increasing and feeling good.

Sounds like you're on the right track! But how did bodybuilding leave you with excess weight ?

[your_perfect_enemy]

Well, I hear that a lot. But how did that help you yesterday ?

The scale lies every day.

The scale tells the truth every week.

I have also heard weighing in every day can become very disconcerning for a lot of people when they don't see the weight immediately drop off and tend to think their diet/excercise isn't working.

Now I dont think this is a problem for chrisleakfan4life as he seems very disciplined, but overall one of those generalities that's good to follow.

[gatorman_07732]

Sounds like you're on the right track! But how did bodybuilding leave you with excess weight ?

It seems to have widened my structure. When I was 18-21 years old I was weighing in at 180lbs. My regiment was 3 days on then a day off in the weight room. I was doing everything I could for weight gain including 6 meals/day. By the time is about 24 years old I was carrying 225lbs with minimal body fat. I was completely addicted to the weight room which has turned out to be a mistake.
As I fazed away from this type of lifestyle with no exercise I obviously started dropping muscle and gaining useless weight became all to easy.

[LeafUF]

I have also heard weighing in every day can become very disconcerning for a lot of people when they don't see the weight immediately drop off and tend to think their diet/excercise isn't working.

Now I dont think this is a problem for chrisleakfan4life as he seems very disciplined, but overall one of those generalities that's good to follow.


I have seen this as well, but I have also seen others that it helps. I find some people become obsessed with it and that can be a problem.

I have tried both once a week and every day when I have been serious. I think taking the average of daily weigh ins is probably more accurate but it involves some work and a healthy mindset. For those that would get emotional over daily fluctuations weighing once a week at the same time under the same conditions is the best way to go.

Of course, the scale isnt even the best judge anyway. And Dream has laid out the problems with BF% testing as well. The real true judge is whether or not you are happy when you look in the mirror.

[Dreamliner]

I have also heard weighing in every day can become very disconcerning for a lot of people when they don't see the weight immediately drop off and tend to think their diet/excercise isn't working.

Now I dont think this is a problem for chrisleakfan4life as he seems very disciplined, but overall one of those generalities that's good to follow.

I have a new trainee who started a week ago. He weighed himself yesterday because he knew I'd be coming over. Said he'd lost 2 pounds the first week. He apparently couldn't contain his curiosity, weighed again today and the scale says he's lost 5 pounds. Did he lose 3 pounds overnight ?

[LeafUF]

It seems to have widened my structure. When I was 18-21 years old I was weighing in at 180lbs. My regiment was 3 days on then a day off in the weight room. I was doing everything I could for weight gain including 6 meals/day. By the time is about 24 years old I was carrying 225lbs with minimal body fat. I was completely addicted to the weight room which has turned out to be a mistake.
As I fazed away from this type of lifestyle with no exercise I obviously started dropping muscle and gaining useless weight became all to easy.

It sounds like years of eating to put on mass left you with the habit long after your body needed those extra calories. I wouldn't say bodybuilding was the problem though. For people who never compete they seem to always be chasing the never ending bulk and if you stop lifting but keep eating is where you get into trouble.

[Dreamliner]

It seems to have widened my structure. When I was 18-21 years old I was weighing in at 180lbs. My regiment was 3 days on then a day off in the weight room. I was doing everything I could for weight gain including 6 meals/day. By the time is about 24 years old I was carrying 225lbs with minimal body fat. I was completely addicted to the weight room which has turned out to be a mistake.
As I fazed away from this type of lifestyle with no exercise I obviously started dropping muscle and gaining useless weight became all to easy.

It widened your structure alright ... with fat. :wink:

It's why I don't recommend 'bulking and cutting.' Yes, I know that some swear by it. But I sure haven't seen it work much except for the bulking (read:fattening) part.

[your_perfect_enemy]

I have a new trainee who started a week ago. He weighed himself yesterday because he knew I'd be coming over. Said he'd lost 2 pounds the first week. He apparently couldn't contain his curiosity, weighed again today and the scale says he's lost 5 pounds. Did he lose 3 pounds overnight ?

Wait, you're not that good that one visit will do that?

[Dreamliner]

Wait, you're not that good that one visit will do that?

Well, yes I am that good. I just didn't want to come across as a braggart. :wink:

[gatorman_07732]

It widened your structure alright ... with fat. :wink:

It's why I don't recommend 'bulking and cutting.' Yes, I know that some swear by it. But I sure haven't seen it work much except for the bulking (read:fattening) part.

Most that swear by it (at least that I know) ended up like me. Back in the day mindsets were different and I was among the gym rat's racing to get the 21 inch arms and Tom Platz like legs. Another negative thing I got out of it is a bad right elbow from doing tricep extensions with too heavy of a weight. It hurts to throw a ball now.

[Dreamliner]

Most that swear by it (at least that I know) ended up like me. Back in the day mindsets were different and I was among the gym rat's racing to get the 21 inch arms and Tom Platz like legs. Another negative thing I got out of it is a bad right elbow from doing tricep extensions with too heavy of a weight. It hurts to throw a ball now.

Oh, I hear you. We were all just doing what we were advised to do. It's just that they didn't have the courtesy to also tell us that the bodybuilders we revered picked better grandparents than we did, and also used EXTREME measures to diet down to 'shrink-wrapped', and that they only looked like that a few days out of the year.

[gatorman_07732]

Oh, I hear you. We were all just doing what we were advised to do. It's just that they didn't have the courtesy to also tell us that the bodybuilders we revered picked better grandparents than we did, and also used EXTREME measures to diet down to 'shrink-wrapped', and that they only looked like that a few days out of the year.

So here I am trying to revert back to where I was before all of that mess. Kinda funny how all that works.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Well i had an off today today, im guessing i ate around 1800(its probably more like 1400-1500) so i am for sure fasting tomorrow(i was suppose to today).

I'm disappointed, going to the Gym tonight though so ill try to burn a few of those calories off.

No ifs ands or butts tomorrow i am not eating a single crumb.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Time for the Gym, gonna try something a little different tonight.

[chrisleakfan4life]

Glad i went to the gym tonight after missing on Monday, i want to go 2 times a week, 3 if i can.

I was just exhausted on Monday, school and work from 7:30 am until 11:30 pm.

[Dreamliner]

You'll go into starvation mode and shoot your eye out if you don't eat!!!

[chrisleakfan4life]

Had an off weekend on Fri and Sat so im making up for it.

Taking in only 500 calories at the moment(yesterday and today) and ill try for 500 tomorrow.


Than ill slowly up my intake back to 1200 by the end of the week.

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