November 1st to February 1st Transformation Motivation Thread.

[biggoron]

I've been maintaining my weight for a while now (which isn't bad) but now I'm confused. My TDEE is 2454, my BMR is 1784 and my estimated calorie consumption to lose 20% fat is 1963. I eat 1450 (give or take 100 over. I'm doing pretty well with logging everything lately, however I am in college so I don't own a scale. I stay in a dorm but I measure what I can.) I'm confused as to why I'm maintaining and not losing?

That's probably why. How can you know how much you eat if you don't weigh it?

[noelleha]

Yeah, the thyroid issue has been on my mind for a few weeks now. It is starting to look clear that even if I didn't exercise, I should be losing some weight, which means possibly there is something more wrong. Just on top of diabetes, and asthma, I'm having to build up my courage to find out if I have something ELSE wrong as well.

I've been on this routine for about 6 weeks, but have been repeatedly going back to the start until I get every rep at the current weight, before moving onto the next week in the program. It's a cutting program, as opposed to size, so I'm not surprised to see no strength gains, just more overall endurance.

I did basically go from zero exercise into a fitness routine, but as I said, that was a while a ago now. Water retention is another possibility, but my bf% calliper measurements haven't shown any change either.

I guess all I can do is keep going for a few more weeks, and if no change from there (if I'm still bouncing between 102 and 104kg) I'll have to get myself off to the doctor.

In either case, I appreciate your input on this matter. It really makes a difference to have someone who can listen and make suggestions.

Good on you for not giving up! It's extremely frustrating when results don't come after sacrificing and working hard. But I'm confident you'll get there!

So I am down 4 lbs of fat this week! Pretty stoked, though no matter what I do, I always feel like I could have done more

I took some measurements this week as well. I want to see my progress and know building muscle and cutting doesn't happen, but I know that given my body type, routine and workout, I'll have some muscle mass building.

Anyway, I am really appreciative of those on bodyspace, and looking forward to more feedback and such from new friends on here

EDIT :: I feel like I should note that I started at 307 back in August. I started walking on August 16th, and have since graduated to a fairly hardcore workout via the BB.com database. It's never easy, but I'm loving the hard work involved AND the progress I've made.

^^^Great job! 4 lbs is a very nice loss.

As for me, Saturday wasn't so great diet wise. Dinner started ok, DH wanted Chinese so I got the healthiest thing I could - chicken & broccoli, no rice, sauce on the side, only ate half of the meal. I was feeling pretty good & decided to have some wine....then dessert. I think I'll avoid alcohol for awhile cuz it really weakens my resolve.
Anyway, I'm not going to stress about it. But I MUST get stronger and more disciplined.
Back on track today. May take a spin class later for some extra cardio. How's everyone else doing?

[kassiebby1124]

That's probably why. How can you know how much you eat if you don't weigh it?

I mean, I can't exactly own a scale. I'd have no place to use it. The dining hall has measuring cups that measure by ounces, which isn't great, but it's the best I have. when you can't weigh everything, you have to improvise. My question is how continue losing when you can't weigh everything?

[Frontman44]

I mean, I can't exactly own a scale. I'd have no place to use it. The dining hall has measuring cups that measure by ounces, which isn't great, but it's the best I have. when you can't weigh everything, you have to improvise. My question is how continue losing when you can't weigh everything?

Sorry, but I call BS on that comment. A digital scale is about the size of a tablet and could be carried around in a backpack and used whenever you wanted to. IMHO using measuring cups would be more of a hassle as they would have to be washed. With the scale you put whatever plate/napkin/bowl you are going to use on it and zero it out. Put your food on it then zero it out again for the next item.

A decent scale is also pretty inexpensive.

[kassiebby1124]

Sorry, but I call BS on that comment. A digital scale is about the size of a tablet and could be carried around in a backpack and used whenever you wanted to. IMHO using measuring cups would be more of a hassle as they would have to be washed. With the scale you put whatever plate/napkin/bowl you are going to use on it and zero it out. Put your food on it then zero it out again for the next item.

A decent scale is also pretty inexpensive.

The dining hall comes with the cups already. They are what is used to serve the food. I understand the effectiveness of a scale, but it isn't that easy to weigh out my food as I'm trying to serve myself. This isn't the first time I've encountered this problem with using BB for advice. College isn't as easy to prep for foodwise as being at home is. It's not so simple to whip out a scale in the middle of a line to weigh my food. That's why I wanted alternative options.

[Frontman44]

The dining hall comes with the cups already. They are what is used to serve the food. I understand the effectiveness of a scale, but it isn't that easy to weigh out my food as I'm trying to serve myself. This isn't the first time I've encountered this problem with using BB for advice. College isn't as easy to prep for foodwise as being at home is. It's not so simple to whip out a scale in the middle of a line to weigh my food. That's why I wanted alternative options.

I'm sorry if I came across as an a$$ but I am just being honest with you. Simply put, if you want to use a scale you could make it work...it might not be 100% convenient or easy but it is possible.

Suggestion #1

Put scale on tray. Put plate on scale and zero it out. Place first food item on scale and record weight on small notebook. Zero out scale and move onto the next item. Repeat for entire meal.

Suggestion #2

Grab 2 plates. get your meal and go to where ever you are going to eat. Transfer food to the second plate while weighing it and record your values.

I realize that college may not be easy in terms of food prep...try being at home and having a 6 year old feak out because he's having issues with homework/video game/ reading a word he's stuck on all while a 2 year old is pulling on your pant leg and crying to have you pick her up as you are in the middle of prepping a meal. It's not exactly paradise either.

I have used my scale in the woods on a camping trip. I am confident that you would be able to find a way to incorporate the use of one if you really wanted to. It is easy to find excuses to not do something. I could make a bunch of them every day...but that will not get me where I want to be.

Again, I am sorry if my responses upset you.

[caprica6]

Kassie, if you're not going to absorb or try any of the methods that have been offered to you in the September thread, please listen to me. i haven't counted calories in years and i haven't been obese in years. this is still a calories in vs calories out equation, however.

whatever you are currently consuming, you must consume less than that or move more.

you are, de facto, eating at maintenance given your current activity level.




please understand. these are my methods. i'm not trying to insult you by breaking this down in the following manner. you know i care about your welfare. i took the time to make a motivational poster for you.

when i finally find the discipline to launch myself off of plateaus, i accept that i have to do some or all of the following...

how i eat less:
i leave a few spoonfuls on my plate.
i leave something in my glass.
or whatever i usually serve myself, i serve myself a li'l less.

how i move more:
i workout longer and/or more frequently.
or i workout with more intensity.
or i workout with heavier weight.



try the "eat less" trick at least twice a day for one week (eta: while continuing to log what you eat) and see what happens. i promise you won't die. :P

if you are experiencing some mental or physical fatigue on your present diet, accept the fact that you must continue to eat at maintenance for a while before trying to cut again.

[jshpark]

Definitely, tons of people lose weight without counting calories. You just need consistent habits that keep you at a deficit. Things won't be exact but you can still monitor your weight loss and eat a little bit less or more.. I personally wouldn't be caught dead carrying around a scale and weighing my food in a public setting..

[GetItBack]

Got a pretty good unplanned workout Friday. My wife and I arrived to LAX just as the shooting started. In fact, we were watching the Satellite feed on the aircraft while we on final approach about 20 minutes out!

We were stuck on the plane for about 30 minutes before we could park but amazingly our bags were waiting for us when we finally deplaned.

Anyway, the shuttles to the off airport car rental companies weren't running as the LAPD had the Airport on lockdown so my wife and I had to hoof it to Fox Rent a Car about 1.5 - 2 miles from there. The walk wasn't bad it was the lugging two 45 lb checked bags that was the killer! Thank God the weather was nice and not killer hot!

I'm not at a place I can post picks so I'll do that at a later date to prove I'm not fraudin'.

[kassiebby1124]

Thanks everyone <3 I wasn't trying to get defensive

[strongerani]

Definitely, tons of people lose weight without counting calories. You just need consistent habits that keep you at a deficit. Things won't be exact but you can still monitor your weight loss and eat a little bit less or more.. I personally wouldn't be caught dead carrying around a scale and weighing my food in a public setting..

haha yup me neither! just eat less and healthier things and count the calories that you can (like yogurt etc). try avoiding creamy sauces and dressing, don't add any cheese, etc... and at some point youll learn how much you have to eat to lose weight. do u eat in the dining hall for every meal?

[outofmyhead]

I've been maintaining my weight for a while now (which isn't bad) but now I'm confused. My TDEE is 2454, my BMR is 1784 and my estimated calorie consumption to lose 20% fat is 1963. I eat 1450 (give or take 100 over. I'm doing pretty well with logging everything lately, however I am in college so I don't own a scale. I stay in a dorm but I measure what I can.) I'm confused as to why I'm maintaining and not losing?

if you dont own a scale you are not tracking.

[kassiebby1124]

haha yup me neither! just eat less and healthier things and count the calories that you can (like yogurt etc). try avoiding creamy sauces and dressing, don't add any cheese, etc... and at some point youll learn how much you have to eat to lose weight. do u eat in the dining hall for every meal?

I do, most of the time. It's either that or fast food T:

[5kycrawler]

I do, most of the time. It's either that or fast food T:

Fast food is fine as long as u stay in deficit

[chevy72blu]

I've always had issues losing weight, and over the last 12 months i've pretty much ended right back where i began.
After reading through the posts on this thread i noticed someone mentioned IIFYM TEE calculator so took a look at it.
A few days ago i used Fitness Frog to calculate my TEE (first link i saw on google) which worked out my TEE at 2409 ( the last time i entered one of these 3month weightloss things i was aiming for 2500, so i thought it was right)
Im Male, 5'10, 204lbs 33% bodyfat (I have Withings scales and my bodyfat has fluctuated between 30-33% over the last 12 months) the IIFYM can use the Katch-McCardle formula which takes bodyfat into the equation.
Using Katch-McCardle, my TEE is 2054. So during my last attempt to lose weight, i was eating at 2000 cals (500 under TEE) where as it looks like i was actually eating at my maintenance, i only lost a little weight just from additional exercise.
Even tho i feel pretty stupid, i'm super motivated to get it right this time!

Just as a reference, I am 5'11" and 200lbs at the moment. I am cutting on 1750-2000 cal/day working out 6 days a week (full body 3x/week on All Pros and MISS or HIIT + abs on off days).

[KrisGuitarNY]

Would it still be possible to join this? I just graduated from SOI-E for the Marines, so I've been a little busy the last week. Lost over 30 lbs at boot, went from around 200 to 170. Trying to build off this and keep cutting.

[PJ03029174]

Not sure about the calculator you used but that sounds like it is your BMR, not your TDEE. We are about the same size (you've got a few inches of height on me) and I am losing on a 2000 cal target, which I frequently go over by a bit.

My advice is to stick with 2000 cals ensuring you track everything religiously and dial in your excercise plan. Give it a few weeks and adjust from there if you need to. Increasing caloric expenditure or reducing caloric intake will have the same end result. From my experience a large factor in getting and keeping weight off is a meal plan that considers satiety. Going too low in cals or eating meals that do not leave you satisfied will only lead to cravings that will eventually breakdown your willpower. Whichever way you decide to go, good luck getting things dialed in for yourself. I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress.

Cheers for the input Frontman44, i'm gonna try a few weeks at 1500 and see how it goes, i'm only managing a quick Cardio session each day at the moment, as i get more time i'll up the calories as i spend more time in the gym.

[PJ03029174]

Just as a reference, I am 5'11" and 200lbs at the moment. I am cutting on 1750-2000 cal/day working out 6 days a week (full body 3x/week on All Pros and MISS or HIIT + abs on off days).

That sounds awesome, how much you looking to lose?

[tamethismind]

So I am down 4 lbs of fat this week! Pretty stoked, though no matter what I do, I always feel like I could have done more

I took some measurements this week as well. I want to see my progress and know building muscle and cutting doesn't happen, but I know that given my body type, routine and workout, I'll have some muscle mass building.

Congrats on the progress so far & I'm sure there's more to come! I always found that tracking (measurements/pix) definitely helped with the motivation to keep going when I'd hit a plateau. Just to see how far I'd come to that point, etc.

[chevy72blu]

That sounds awesome, how much you looking to lose?

Goal for this cut is 160-165, so around 35 lbs by April/May

[cyanotikat]

PutaFever, go.

[Nottoway]

What a weekend, work my 40 in 3 days...did get in 3 walks for 10 miles. Just ate an up-carb meal, headed to the gym at 5am.... Hope everyone gets off to a great start this week!!!!!

[Flexish]

Think I'm dropping cals a bit for this since I've been hitting the gym multiple times a week, counting and measuring but have only dropped 4 lbs since October. :/

I use someone else's but can anyone please recommend me a food scale?? Thanks. My amazon is fired up.

[born2drum]

Think I'm dropping cals a bit for this since I've been hitting the gym multiple times a week, counting and measuring but have only dropped 4 lbs since October. :/

I use someone else's but can anyone please recommend me a food scale?? Thanks. My amazon is fired up.

I have a Taylor digital scale. It was $20

[RoWdY_RuFf_BoY]

How often does the sheet get updated.

Widget, I pm'd you my starting weight on the 1st, but am not on the sheet.

[2013challange]

Hi all

MY goal for this thread is 200 pounds by Feb 1st. Weighed in at 220 Lbs on Friday the 1st. This is down 5 lbs from my weigh in at the beginning of the week. It is amazing what happens when you change up a couple things like drinking more water and no soda. If this weeks loss is any thing more than 2 lbs then I will up calories a bit going forward.

had two really good days in the gym this weekend and was able to fit in a few pieces of Halloween candy. Looking forward to the week.

[caprica6]

hey, 2013.

Would it still be possible to join this? I just graduated from SOI-E for the Marines, so I've been a little busy the last week. Lost over 30 lbs at boot, went from around 200 to 170. Trying to build off this and keep cutting.

congrats! yes, you can still join.

Think I'm dropping cals a bit for this since I've been hitting the gym multiple times a week, counting and measuring but have only dropped 4 lbs since October. :/

I use someone else's but can anyone please recommend me a food scale?? Thanks. My amazon is fired up.

listening in for answers.

How often does the sheet get updated.

Widget, I pm'd you my starting weight on the 1st, but am not on the sheet.

i can't answer for Nitro but he probably has about 170+ pms to get to.

i've been filling the sheet with the names of everyone who posts in this thread in the meantime... i think i'll go ahead and make another update in just a few minutes. edit: updated as of 10:15-ish pm.

[laurat10]

Wow some people really like scales huh? Hehe I track using a guesstimate and myfitnesspal!
Refraining from getting some food scales because I would end up stressing myself out with them!
Taking things abit easier on the diet this time, after staying the same weight after relaxing for 2 months I figure if I slip up it doesn't really matter just have to be better the rest of the day. Although I'm seriously thinking about IF, think it would be way easier for me just would need to get enough calories in within the window of time.

[rocketman766]

Starting a new workout at a new gym tomorrow. I'm hoping to be at 260 lbs next weigh in. Doing my best to keep my calories ≤2000 calories. Weighing my food and using the MyFitnessPal app so I hope I am at least close.

I'm thinking about taking my wife to the gym one day so she can talk with a trainer. I'm getting tired of arguing about what my workouts should be about. She expects nothing but 2 hours of cardio a day... just venting a bit here.. sorry.

[justynrowe]

For sure, mixing the two would be a great way to go.

Just be careful in quoting me. Apparently i got neg rep for my opinion of martial-less taichi, and am now marked as 'Not very helpful', despite everything else I post.

Oh well!

Nope. You are totally right! Tai Chi without the martial/kungfu aspect is what my instructor used to call, California Tai CHi. You can't get the essence and real intent of the movements and all of the benefits by just rolling some rote movements. As I recall, the real secrets were hidden when the Manchurians invaded China...

AJ, I wish you were here in FL... You'd have atleast 10 students right away. ME and all of the Wing Chun people would be there. Tai Chi married with Wing Chun is just simply awesome!