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Thread: Need some advice about losing weight

  1. #1
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    Need some advice about losing weight

    I started working out after about a 10 year lapse. I started at 255, and lost about 20 pounds. I have hit a wall that has lasted over 2 months. I am getting quite frustrated.

    I have cut out all fast food with the exception of subway, eating high protein, low carbs, veggies and some fruit. I try to stay under 2000 calories a day, but dam, I am getting pissed off that I am not losing anymore. I only have about an hour each day to work out, 30 minutes of cardio, like a treadmill or skiing type machine (cant remember what they are called) and 30 minutes of light weights.

    Any suggestions?

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gasitman View Post
    I started working out after about a 10 year lapse. I started at 255, and lost about 20 pounds. I have hit a wall that has lasted over 2 months. I am getting quite frustrated.

    I have cut out all fast food with the exception of subway, eating high protein, low carbs, veggies and some fruit. I try to stay under 2000 calories a day, but dam, I am getting pissed off that I am not losing anymore. I only have about an hour each day to work out, 30 minutes of cardio, like a treadmill or skiing type machine (cant remember what they are called) and 30 minutes of light weights.

    Any suggestions?
    If you're purely after weight/fat loss, and not general fitness, stay away from working out. IMHO, it doesn't burn enough calories to matter, but it creates a heck of an appetite.

    I'd suggest cutting calories a lot more than under 2000, but keep working out to a minimum and get lots of sleep.

    The wall you're describing is perfectly normal, just cut your calories and stick to it to jolt your body back into steady weight loss. It's all about mental commitment and perseverance to stick through it, visible results or not.
    Aimpoint M4S- Because your next Aimpoint battery hasn't been made yet.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by BushmasterFanBoy View Post
    If you're purely after weight/fat loss, and not general fitness, stay away from working out. IMHO, it doesn't burn enough calories to matter, but it creates a heck of an appetite.

    I'd suggest cutting calories a lot more than under 2000, but keep working out to a minimum and get lots of sleep.

    The wall you're describing is perfectly normal, just cut your calories and stick to it to jolt your body back into steady weight loss. It's all about mental commitment and perseverance to stick through it, visible results or not.
    That's ridiculous.

    As a former fitness trainer hearing "stay away from working out" and "keep working out to a minimum" is going to get you anywhere.


    He needs to do some serious cross training like crossfit or something similar including weights. The combination of weight training and cardio is the best way to get both a healthy heart and lose fat. Period.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gasitman View Post
    I started working out after about a 10 year lapse. I started at 255, and lost about 20 pounds. I have hit a wall that has lasted over 2 months. I am getting quite frustrated.

    I have cut out all fast food with the exception of subway, eating high protein, low carbs, veggies and some fruit. I try to stay under 2000 calories a day, but dam, I am getting pissed off that I am not losing anymore. I only have about an hour each day to work out, 30 minutes of cardio, like a treadmill or skiing type machine (cant remember what they are called/ NORDIC TRACK) and 30 minutes of light weights.

    Any suggestions?
    Although I do not have a background professionally as a fitness trainer or in medicine, I have worked-out and trained as both an athlete of several sports in my youth and have been an avid weight-lifter most of my life.

    I am of the firm belief that 'Dieting' and/ or 'Diets' are a complete waste of time.

    If you want to loose weight, exercise and eat right.

    If you are unsure what a proper diet is consider a consultation or two with a registered dietitian. They can educate you as to what is good for your body and particular health condition/ needs.

    As for the exercise plan, that can vary greatly from one individual to another dependent upon a variety of circumstances: age, health, physical limitations, medical history, and general overall health.

    As to what you are describing now, I would say that you appear to have a pretty good plan in motion. What changes would I consider?

    If you have ONLY 1 hour per day for exercise, I would focus the maximum amount of time to cardiovascular training; specifically running/jogging OR swimming.

    The time when I was in the best physical condition of my life is when I performed three exclusive forms of exercise: running, push-ups, and sit-ups. I lost weight and got into top form very quickly. -

    Changes I would consider to your current plan:

    My suggestion would be to weight-train 2-3 times per week and the other 4-5 days work at something such as running or swimming.

    Weight-lifting three times a week for 1 hour per session would be optimal in my opinion. If you want to go for a lighter-build, then definitely focus on HIGHER repetitions with lighter weights for toning-up and slimming down. -A lower number of repetitions with HEAVIER weights will bulk you-up.

    Also, STAY AWAY from fast food PERIOD. IT is ALL the same SHIT. I don't care what Gerad or whatever his name is says (supposedly he is fat again which is why he isn't doing their commercials anymore). SUBWAY or any of those other places put processed crap in your food because it is cheaper to buy that way and the food lasts longer with all of the sodium (salt) which makes them more money.

    Personally, As time passes I find myself eating-out less and less.

    Pack a lunch and eat at home. You will eat healthier and save money at the same time.

    It sounds like you are already watching your diet, but you may want to consider taking a close look at how much sodium (salt) and sugar you are consuming on a daily basis. These two items in excess are the reason why so many Americans are obese and result in a myriad of health problems.

    In addition, if you are not incorporating fish into your diet that is something to strongly consider. The Omega-3 fat in Salmon, Herring, and similar fish is very beneficial to your heart [From Wild fish, NOT FARM raised fish].

    Lastly, Keep up the good work. And as was already said, stick-it out. You WILL break past your plateau it if you can stay with your plan.

    And most importantly, be positive and try to break-up the monotony of your routine by alternating between different forms of exercises. Also, consider working-out with a friend, co-worker, spouse, etc. Having another person to help motivate you and spot you on the weights is never a bad thing. A little competition can be just the ticket to push you harder as well.

    Finally, just remember that when it comes to benefiting from regular exercise, THE most important KEY is CONSISTENCY.

    Good Luck and keep with it.
    SkiDevil

    P.S. I forgot to mention that you should definitely get enough sleep. For the average adult 7 hours per night should be the minimum. If you are already sleeping at least 7 hours per night then that is good. If not, try to start getting at least that many hours or as close as you can get to it.

  5. #5
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    I've let my weight fluctuate up and down by as much as 75 pounds several times in my life (I'm currently in my early fifties). After tagging the 250 mark last fall I made a commitment to shed some pounds. Since mid-October, I've managed to lose over fifty pounds (I was at 196 this AM).

    No specified diet plan, no calorie counting, no trainer, just trying to eat sensibly and exercise regularly. I even have a Subway tuna sandwich once in a while. But I primarily stick to lean meats, fruits and vegetables. And I cut WAY back on bread. The one carb I eat regularly is brown rice for breakfast (I know, sounds gross, but with a few toasted pecans and a little cottage cheese it's pretty good).

    As for exercise, I do a minimum of one hour of cardio five times a week. I also strength train with a Bowflex every other day. And I took a yoga class and try to work in a 20-30 minute session for stretching and flexibility every day. It's a significant time commitment but I made the decision to approach getting back in shape and restoring my health as a major life goal, a job--perhaps the most important one I have.

    If you've flat-lined for two months, that's a sure sign that what you're doing isn't working and it's time to shake things up. As the saying goes: "If nothing changes, than nothing changes." It may seem kind of hokey, but I found the book "You on a Diet" by Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz (yeah, THAT Dr. Oz) to be helpful in acquiring a better understanding of the physiology of weight management, fat metabolism, and the role of nutrition and exercise in achieving health goals. Good information in an accessible style with some excellent suggestions for achieving successful results.

    The comments by SkiDevil seem right on the mark. Stay after it, mix up your routine a little, and, if all else fails, talk to your doctor and make sure there isn't something else going on that can be gumming up the works. You didn't mention your age, but I can assure you taking off the excess weight gets a little tougher with each passing year so don't get discouraged and don't back off from your weight loss goals. Good luck!

  6. #6
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    Cut out the bread.
    I recommend...
    every 3rd morning cereal fiber one mixed with go kashi.
    also in cereal GNC mega men daily vitamin chocolate powder.
    every other morning 3 eggwhites and 1 yolk. skrambled or omlette.
    snacks include apples, carrots and fat free cottage cheese from walmart.
    dinner, lentils, beans tomato zuccini or 15 bean soup from walmart aswell.
    or salads, or qeenwa pasta or plain. no rice.. no chineese food. no fast food.
    no bread, not too much pasta, lots of hot sause, NO SODA, no beer, 1-3 a week max
    lots of whiskey, keep up exersize, do more precore. walk on the beach. ride a bike.
    lots of continious sex. get viagra drop 2 in whiskey and shlep some poundage.
    wifey will love it..
    eat more slowely.. one bite every minute and don't use a shovel.. more vegetables.
    push ups and sit ups in morning and before bed. that's what I do... went from 165 3 years ago to 185... and oh yeah... tons of water!!! I pee at least 20 times a day if not more... at the gym they call me water hose... really.

  7. #7
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    Hitting a plateau is normal in losing weight. However, I think you need aerobic exercise to get the metabolism cranked up to burn more. The same thing happened to me years ago. I was cleaning up my nutrition and riding my bike vigorously for 1-2 hours four times a week. I went from 235 lbs to 218 and just couldn't get below that.

    Then I started running. understand that bicycling is the most efficient means of moving and running is one of the least efficient. There is nothing like running on the road or trail, moving your entire body weight up and forward to burn calories and build hard endurance.

    If you are pressed for time, nothing will burn calories as fast as running and allow you to keep it up. You need to work up to it, but your goal should be 45 minutes 4 times per week. It takes 20 minutes just for the body to realize you are serious and it needs to respond with fat burning. Less than 20 minutes and you are just burning glucose. After 20 minutes you start burning fat. Do that for another 20 minutes or so and you will seriously cut off the fat.

    You can mix in other forms of exercise, but running one a track, road, trail should be a part of weight loss regimen. Machines don't work you as well.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by BushmasterFanBoy View Post
    If you're purely after weight/fat loss, and not general fitness, stay away from working out. IMHO, it doesn't burn enough calories to matter, but it creates a heck of an appetite.

    I'd suggest cutting calories a lot more than under 2000, but keep working out to a minimum and get lots of sleep.

    The wall you're describing is perfectly normal, just cut your calories and stick to it to jolt your body back into steady weight loss. It's all about mental commitment and perseverance to stick through it, visible results or not.
    Capital B.S.

    Eat sensibly and exercise.
    "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan

  9. #9
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    I just started the "Insanity" workout and I gotta say it totally kicks your a$$. Well worth the $$.
    you burn about 700-1000 cals per workout. that combined with a healthy "clean" diet should do the trick.

    let me know if you want more details

  10. #10
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    Wouldn't increasing muscle mass speed up the metabolism? You must do a combination of weights and cardio

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