Trying again!

[StLaurent785]

Hello my name is Mike and I'm giving it a go once again to lose weight. Tried about 2 years ago and quit but I'm 100% committed to doing it this time. Lost both of my parents a few years ago and went through extreme depression and made it harder to motivate myself to lose the weight.

I've been 220-230 since the mid 90s and have always been uncomfortable at that weight. My dream is to get down to about 185-190. Would like to reach 10-15% bf by summer if possible.

Any help/encouragement is appreciated. I have been reading some of the stories on here and they are inspiring.

Pics are from 1/1/18 and yesterday 2/9/18.

[xsquid99]

You put your mind to it you can be at your goal in less than 6 months, easy... You're not that overweight.

Go back 1 page and read the "Don't Look Past the Basics" sticky.

[StLaurent785]

You put your mind to it you can be at your goal in less than 6 months, easy... You're not that overweight.

Go back 1 page and read the "Don't Look Past the Basics" sticky.

Thanks for the encouragement! I'll check out the sticky.

[yoojungl]

Good luck! Weight loss is a slow process, so make sure you're not rushing it and give it all you got

Stay focused and put your goals above everything else!

[StLaurent785]

Good luck! Weight loss is a slow process, so make sure you're not rushing it and give it all you got

Stay focused and put your goals above everything else!

Thank you! I really appreciate it. I've given up too many times…this time I'm committed for as long as it takes. Tired of feeling miserable in my body. BTW..I looked at the pics in your profile…looking great…keep up the good work.

[CidBone]

Awesome man!

A few tips:
Be active.
Drink lots of water.
Don't go on crash diets!!!
Remember that Fat Loss takes time and what's most important is consistency.
Don't rush the process.

You can do it, I'm looking forward to see your transformation!

[StLaurent785]

Awesome man!

A few tips:
Be active.
Drink lots of water.
Don't go on crash diets!!!
Remember that Fat Loss takes time and what's most important is consistency.
Don't rush the process.

You can do it, I'm looking forward to see your transformation!

Thank you my friend…great tips. Drinking some ice water as we speak. Ill post some pics along the way. Hope I have abs like you eventually haha.

[xsquid99]

Be sure to take a picture in the same pose, in the same place, with the exact same lighting once a week (and keep all the photos). I really wish I had done that.

[StLaurent785]

Be sure to take a picture in the same pose, in the same place, with the exact same lighting once a week (and keep all the photos). I really wish I had done that.

Good idea…Ill be doing that. Was taking them everyday but figured thats just a recipe for getting frustrated since its hard to see a difference.

Ill post the before/after pics if I reach my goal. Did cardio and weights today plus filled my grocery card with not a single thing that Im looking forward to eating so I guess I'm on the right track

[CommitmentRulz]

Hey, OP. If you're a coffee drinker (and don't add a bunch of cals to it) I find that a good hot cup of coffee helps me manage my hunger. In general, just eat less and move more. You can do this. Good luck.

[StLaurent785]

Hey, OP. If you're a coffee drinker (and don't add a bunch of cals to it) I find that a good hot cup of coffee helps me manage my hunger. In general, just eat less and move more. You can do this. Good luck.

Thanks for the encouragement man! I really appreciate it. About the coffee I had to go decaf a few years ago because the more caffeine I have the more I want but Ive heard that caffeine does control hunger. I actually don't eat that much to begin with, I just am naturally a big fat build without much calories. However Im going to be adding in lots of cardio and avoiding some of the bad stuff Ive been eating so we will see how it goes!

[xsquid99]

Good idea…Ill be doing that. Was taking them everyday but figured thats just a recipe for getting frustrated since its hard to see a difference.

Ill post the before/after pics if I reach my goal. Did cardio and weights today plus filled my grocery card with not a single thing that Im looking forward to eating so I guess I'm on the right track

Fix that... There is absolute no reason to choke down stuff you hate just because you think you need it to lose weight, thats a recipe for failure. I never ate a single thing I didn't like when I was cutting.

[CidBone]

Thanks for the encouragement man! I really appreciate it. About the coffee I had to go decaf a few years ago because the more caffeine I have the more I want but Ive heard that caffeine does control hunger. I actually don't eat that much to begin with, I just am naturally a big fat build without much calories. However Im going to be adding in lots of cardio and avoiding some of the bad stuff Ive been eating so we will see how it goes!

Sorry, I find it very hard to believe that.
You've most likely gained all that, through constantly being in a caloric surplus.

Fix that... There is absolute no reason to choke down stuff you hate just because you think you need it to lose weight, thats a recipe for failure. I never ate a single thing I didn't like when I was cutting.

This! It's more sustainable to eat things you like. Forcing you to eat stuff you hate will not work long term.

[StLaurent785]

Fix that... There is absolute no reason to choke down stuff you hate just because you think you need it to lose weight, thats a recipe for failure. I never ate a single thing I didn't like when I was cutting.

Sorry, I find it very hard to believe that.
You've most likely gained all that, through constantly being in a caloric surplus.
This! It's more sustainable to eat things you like. Forcing you to eat stuff you hate will not work long term.

Yeah you guys are right…I shouldn't torture myself with kale full time just to lose weight…it'll never last. I'm certain you're right about the calorie surplus although I really don't see how…I'm 6' 225 and don't eat that much. My gf who is 5'6 130 eats way more than me.

Thanks as always for your advice and taking the time to reply very open to any input. I want to make a permanent change not just a temporary drop in weight.

[StLaurent785]

1 week ''progress''…despite putting in tons of hours in the gym, eating way better, getting lots and lots of sleep and drinking way more water there is no discernible difference.

Its fine though…if my fat piece of crap body doesn't want to lose weight I will force it to.

Pics of today and a week ago.

[xsquid99]

Slow your roll man, you will likely not notice a change in the mirror after only a week.

In the beginning you have to let the scale be your guide. However, since weight tends to fluctuate a lot (depending on what you eat, water retention, etc) you should weigh yourself every day at the exact same time. Usually first thing in the morning after you use bathroom is the best time. Log your weight each day of the week, then take the average over 7 days to get your weekly average. The next week do it again, and average those 7 days. Then compare week by week (not day by day).

Weight loss is also not linear. One week I lost less than half a pound, the next week I lost 3lbs, its just the way it works... Its a long, slow process and its about sustainment of proper nutrition and exercise over the long term. Think about how long it took you to collect all that fat in the first place...

[StLaurent785]

Slow your roll man, you will likely not notice a change in the mirror after only a week.

In the beginning you have to let the scale be your guide. However, since weight tends to fluctuate a lot (depending on what you eat, water retention, etc) you should weigh yourself every day at the exact same time. Usually first thing in the morning after you use bathroom is the best time. Log your weight each day of the week, then take the average over 7 days to get your weekly average. The next week do it again, and average those 7 days. Then compare week by week (not day by day).

Weight loss is also not linear. One week I lost less than half a pound, the next week I lost 3lbs, its just the way it works... Its a long, slow process and its about sustainment of proper nutrition and exercise over the long term. Think about how long it took you to collect all that fat in the first place...

Thanks for the wisdom and encouragement….you made some good points. I do feel like Ive lost some weight (don't have a scale so just judging by the mirror) but its frustrating when you can't see a difference when Ive been putting in some serious work.

I have a phobia of scales but will pick one up soon and weigh in in the am like you were saying. Good idea with the averaging over a week period too.

Ill post more pics in a week or maybe wait an extra week.

Thanks again

[tehdingmeister]

1 week ''progress''…despite putting in tons of hours in the gym, eating way better, getting lots and lots of sleep and drinking way more water there is no discernible difference.

Its fine though…if my fat piece of crap body doesn't want to lose weight I will force it to.

Pics of today and a week ago.

I see a slight difference, nevertheless I echo what the others have said, just be patient and consistent and the results will come. Track everything you eat or drink that's not water and weigh everything that you cook with especially cooking oils/butter. Keep to your 500 calorie deficit and hit your macros so you keep up your gym performance.

I weighed myself everyday as well on a spreadsheet after my morning piss, you see the numbers start dropping first before you really notice it in the mirror though I agree that taking weekly or biweekly pics is a good judge too. You'll be surprised at how much progress you'll see if you just stick to the basics.

[Scooty56]

Hello my name is Mike and I'm giving it a go once again to lose weight. Tried about 2 years ago and quit but I'm 100% committed to doing it this time. Lost both of my parents a few years ago and went through extreme depression and made it harder to motivate myself to lose the weight.

I've been 220-230 since the mid 90s and have always been uncomfortable at that weight. My dream is to get down to about 185-190. Would like to reach 10-15% bf by summer if possible.

Any help/encouragement is appreciated. I have been reading some of the stories on here and they are inspiring.

Pics are from 1/1/18 and yesterday 2/9/18.

Simple equation my friend, calories in<calories out. I believe in you!

[StLaurent785]

I see a slight difference, nevertheless I echo what the others have said, just be patient and consistent and the results will come. Track everything you eat or drink that's not water and weigh everything that you cook with especially cooking oils/butter. Keep to your 500 calorie deficit and hit your macros so you keep up your gym performance.

I weighed myself everyday as well on a spreadsheet after my morning piss, you see the numbers start dropping first before you really notice it in the mirror though I agree that taking weekly or biweekly pics is a good judge too. You'll be surprised at how much progress you'll see if you just stick to the basics.

Simple equation my friend, calories in<calories out. I believe in you!

Thank you guys for the encouragement! I really appreciate it, you have no idea. Ive been sticking with it, eating cleaner than I ever have and at the gym almost everyday. Ive reached the point that I cant wait to go to the gym everyday so thats good. I can feel already where Ive lost some weight around the midsection but I'm still afraid to buy a scale…I dread going on it and having it say the same weight so Im going to just keep going a few week without on and taking pics every week.

@tehdingmeister Im glad you can see a slight difference, I cant see one in the pics yet but I do feel a difference which is good

[StLaurent785]

New pic, one from 2/9 and one from today…I think I'm starting to see a small difference. I definitely feel much better!

[Jplodd]

New pic, one from 2/9 and one from today…I think I'm starting to see a small difference. I definitely feel much better!

most important is that you are feeling much better! congrats
you will see different milestones..cherish those!

and remember: this is a race...not a sprint. You are changing your lifestyle and will enjoy it!

[CommitmentRulz]

New pic, one from 2/9 and one from today…I think I'm starting to see a small difference. I definitely feel much better!

Yep, I can see a difference, too. Just keep plugging away. Slow and steady wins the race.

[StLaurent785]

Thanks for the positivity, guys. Really appreciate it. Having this forum is helping me stay focused and motivated. The people around me aren't exactly helpful, I'll just leave it at that. I'm glad that you can start to see a small difference! Its hard for me to tell but I know I feel better both mentally and physically. Also my insatiable cravings for sweets and coffee are going away now that I'm drinking mostly water and have switched to having a little popcorn for a treat instead of candy bars.

[Scooty56]

Thank you guys for the encouragement! I really appreciate it, you have no idea. Ive been sticking with it, eating cleaner than I ever have and at the gym almost everyday. Ive reached the point that I cant wait to go to the gym everyday so thats good. I can feel already where Ive lost some weight around the midsection but I'm still afraid to buy a scale…I dread going on it and having it say the same weight so Im going to just keep going a few week without on and taking pics every week.

@tehdingmeister Im glad you can see a slight difference, I cant see one in the pics yet but I do feel a difference which is good

Homie dont even trip on the numbers yet, if you're hittin it everyday and feelin good and noticing fat loss, thats all that matters!

[StLaurent785]

Homie dont even trip on the numbers yet, if you're hittin it everyday and feelin good and noticing fat loss, thats all that matters!

Thanks bro…Definitely a huge change in how I feel everyday and thats worth the work. Cant say I see a huge difference in the mirror yet but friends have said they see it which is nice. Thanks for the encouragement!

[StLaurent785]

Hey guys….still chipping away. Been doing loads of cardio and core work along with pushups and light weights. Not tons of change visually but I think there might be a little.

Showing a pic from my last post( 2/21) and today.

[elgatito71]

Hey guys….still chipping away. Been doing loads of cardio and core work along with pushups and light weights. Not tons of change visually but I think there might be a little.

Showing a pic from my last post( 2/21) and today.

Great job Mike, keep pushing. I see some progress within the last weeks.

[StLaurent785]

Great job Mike, keep pushing. I see some progress within the last weeks.

Thank you!! I will definitely keep going

[StLaurent785]

Just for the heck of it I made a side by side pic of 11/2/17 and today. November was rock bottom, I had no self esteem or happiness to speak of in life. All I could think about was the loss of my parents.

I did 100 pushups on Nov 25 to ''officially start'' my training routine but was so in pain from that for a few weeks that I lost motivation, so I started working out 2/1/18, less pushups this time.

I don't know how much weight Ive lost because Im afraid of scales but I can say that I am now much happier and don't feel like I am hauling my body around like a bag of bricks. I appreciate everyone's encouragement greatly, you guys have been a big help when I had only people saying I couldn't do it, especially myself.