Overweight/Getting Back into Shape Support System Thread

I gained 40lbs this one summer I had the HEB granola cerial/Soda everyday. I'm normally 143 and I got up to 185 at one point lol.


I'm 150 now and what worked for me is the same stuff I used to do when I was really skinny in highschool. Basketball, proper rest, cardio, no lifting and no soda .

 

I travel weekly for work and have put on about 30 pounds in the past two years I've had the job... it's rough eating healthy and staying active when you spend five nights a week in a hotel room.

I recently began the Insanity workout video series, and surprisingly I enjoy it. I was about a week in before the holiday threw everything off, so I'll probably start fresh come Monday... but I highly recommend the video for anyone starting out.

I'm a good 40-50 pounds over weight, and I can do it. I like it because you don't need weights, or bands or pull up bars or anything like you do for P90X, and most of the exercises are kinda cool, like a basketball motion, Heisman pose, etc. It's tough as hell of course, but it is cool because the people on the video get exhausted too, and take short breaks so it makes me feel better sucking so bad at first.

You can find Insanity easily on torrent sites, but it isn't that expensive on Amazon either.

 

Thanks. The problem is I've seen people start out exercising along with changing the way they eat and doing well for a month or two. Then reality kicks in and they can't (or don't want to) continue exercising, discouragement bites them, they end up tossing the dietary changes too and end up back at square one.

I lift and it's a great, fun hobby to me. But most new guys I see at the gym are gone after 6-7 sessions. I assume cardio is similar. That's why I suggested he try to mentally lock in long-term, dietary changes first. I lost 40 lbs in 4 months and became "skinny" (by American standards) with zero exercise.

If his goal is weight loss, he should major on the major (diet) and less so on the minor (exercise). I do realize regular exercise (especially cardio) helps some people eat better and therefore assists weight loss. Whatever works best.

 

I will say start off focusing on diet first. Then when your body gets used to it add in exercise. Doing things you enjoy will help out a lot. I like biking, rock climbing, running, sand volleyball etc. You don't need to start off lifting weights, but I would do bodyweight exercises. Do the fundamentals such as push-ups, pull-ups, air squats, sit-ups(crunches don't do much of anything). There is a way to modify everything until you can build your strength up to do a full rep. Such as on pull-ups putting your legs on a chair to take a lot of weight off. Start with diet, trust me you will shed some pounds real quick then work up to exercising.

 

I hear what you are saying and being able to stick with a healthy regimen is important. I am a big proponent of exercise for everyone and think it is important even without losing weight. A new study recently showed that exercise helps create neurons that release a type of neurotransmitter that helps reduce stress and improve overall health.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505269_162-57592433/new-study-sheds-light-on-exercises-impact-on-brain/

Many studies have shown that even light exercise can provide many health benefits so if the OP is looking to improve himself overall I would strongly encourage both exercise and dietary changes.

 

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

 

Trying to get back in shape. Any quick ways to boost metabolism? I used to just do cardio 4 days a week and eat healthy and lose like 3-4 lbs/week. That doesn't work now that i'm 29....

 

I feel your pain. Similar situation. I can be good about exercising most days, and at least eat somewhat healthy, and I'm lucky to break even, let alone lose what I want to. Seems like everybody (not just on Clutchfans) is starting new regimens lately, losing tons, having the willpower to do drastic things which I guess I just don't have the strength for. I can't stand being hungry. Told myself to go low carb, but I can't stick to it. I'm trying to at least make all the carbs whole grain, drink more water, and cook almost all my own meals instead of processed/fast food, but who knows if that will do anything.

Wish there were some good ways to increase energy, other than caffeine. I have to get up so early for work this summer that it's hard to have energy for cooking/working out later. What I need is either to spend all day at the gym (there is a time limit on the childcare) or, better yet, to keep taking Zzzquil so I'll sleep through being hungry (obviously unrealistic since I have responsibilities). Kind of disappointing to know you probably do not have it in you to do what it takes.

 

Bro, you're still young. Start lifting weights and enjoy the results. I just turned 27 and getting the best shape of my life. Stop overdoing the cardio and hit the weights.

 

Muscle burns fat. To build muscle you have to eat. To get lean with little muscle is hard. Get a strong base then cutting will come easy.

 

Take bsn hyper, after mixed feelings I do recommend. Gives me the energy and knocksout my hunger. Zzquill Breh?

 

Here's what I've done the last 3 months. Started about 15lbs too tubby.

Downloaded the Myfitnesspal app. Set the protein to 2x my body weight as I find I get headaches when I begin exercise if I don't eat enough of it.

Signed up for a 5k with my family. My mom runs half marathons so I decided to tag along for a quarter of her race. Got me running a couple of times a week. Joined the Nike+ community with some friends and family. Nice app for keeping you honest about running (get the GPS, foot pod is really inaccurate).

Started lifting 4 times a week. Nothing crazy. Downloaded a workout series with some ripped dude coaching me from bodybuilding.com. Attention b****es, the lard is begging to melt.

I spend a of time at the lake in the summer. No real gym around there. I was there for 6 weeks. As I got more comfortable with the running I started thinking about swimming. Did a lot in HS and a little in college. Triathlons have always been something I've wanted to do but the open water swim has been a big deterrent no matter how much I've swam in a pool. Oh yeah. I am clueless on a bike...

Started swimming a couple of times a week in the lake. Running 3-4 times a week. 1-2 HIIT workouts a week. Are those abs?

Met my goal of getting the Nike+ platinum trophy (100 miles in a month) in June. Can now swim my mile in open water without stopping and, most importantly, freaking out.

I've lost 20 pounds which is more than I planned on. I'm a little skinnier than I'd like but I am more concerned right now about learning to bike. That's my work for now. My goal is to do a half ironman in the next year.

 

I agree.

 

Get a Blendtec or Vitamax for smoothies, I use spinach, apple, water and whey protein.

 

is this filling? do u have this for breakfast or as a snack?

 

Best advice I've seen here. Lift, eat, sleep. Repeat. Compound lifts for beginners.

 

I eat way too much at Texan games :\

 

havent gone thru the comments but have to understand that this doesnt happen overnight, at one point i was 106kgs after I tore my MCL (for some reason had massive amounts of fluid for a long period of time and couldnt walk 2 months) and went into some ridiculous bulking phase, (keep in mind im relatively lean at even 97kgs (Definately learner/more vascular than Harden), got down to 92kgs in that phase relatively easily, once you realise everything you're putting into your body has to have a purpose.

I would definately recommend intermittent fasting. Its not easy for the first week but once you get into it and it becomes part of your routine, you will shed ALOT of fat. Moreso with me it helped cut out snacking, even if I did snack given then fact it was within a say 8 hour window I'd still at the end of the day be at a caloric deficit. also need about 40/40/20 terms of carbs to protein to fat ratio.

can give proof of broscience if need be