Made a decision

[Major Tom]

Hey all.

This winter has led me to gain a ton of weight. I'm not sure exactly why, I don't eat that much and get a fair amount of exercise. Maybe it's stress induced, maybe it's side-effects from meds, maybe my metabolism is slowing, or maybe it's all of the above.

In general I feel both physically and mentally like crap. I weighed myself last night after a week of eating what I thought was fairly healthy, other than a couple burgers and some ice cream. I weighed 127.4 kilograms. (About 281 pounds).. I'm only about 180 cm or 5'10". I was shocked to say the least.

I made the decision that I have to do something about it. Today I started my diet of grilled chicken, hard boiled eggs, fish, and vegetables. I'm going to try to keep to around 1,500 calories a day. I'm cutting sugars and am going to try my best to stay away from my nemesis, carbs.

I'm also going to try to put in at least 10,000 steps a day (around 5 miles). I also cleared some space in my shed and hung up my heavy bag. I won't be able to do much kicking because of a bum knee, but I'll get a good upper body workout from it and some cardio. I'm also going to try and get around 1,000 throws a day with my spikes, or knives.

I'm tired of feeling like crap, tired of myself and feeling lethargic all the time. I think I've hit rock bottom and the only way there is to go is up.

My goal is to weigh 100 kg (223 pounds) in around 9 months. I could use all the support and well wishes possible. It's going to suck, I've been on the chicken, fish, and vegetables diet before and the cravings for eating something else are almost as bad as cravings for a cigarette. Maybe worse at times. After about a week of eating these foods, I have a hard time even swallowing them. But it's even harder looking at myself in a mirror, I barely recognize myself anymore.

If any of you are struggling with your weight, let me know and I'll do my best to keep you posted as to how it's going.

Also, if you have any tips or tricks I'm all ears.

Best wishes all!

 

[unperson]

I'm in a hot climate, it's easy to eat light in warm weather.

If you get cravings, just have a small portion of whatever to shut up the cravings brain, I never found hard line stuff worked, just give yourself a pat on the back for what you've already done, I felt exhausted just reading about it.

All da best with your endeavour.

 

[Progster]

Probably a combination of factors. All these can play a role: getting older, slowing metabolism, lack of sleep, stress, changes in activity levels, changes in hormone levels, medication.

I've always been within the normal body weight for my height, except where I've bee through periods of severe anxiety and had great difficulty in eating.

I'm quite rigid about food and stick to one or two rules or principles:

- I eat from a small plate, and have one third protein, one third carbs, and as many non-starchy veggies as I like.
- I don't eat between meals. Edit: (this one can be a hard one, needs self-discipline)
- I don't eat late at night. I have four hours between eating and going to bed.

After losing weight, it is notoriously difficult to maintain a lower body weight, because your body will always be trying to get back to its starting weight, and this starting weight can change over time. So perhaps it's best to visit the doctor and get a general check-over, and then work on being healthy and having a healthy lifestyle, rather than worrying about your weight so much. The number of kilos is just a number - what is important is, how healthy and fit are you in general? It's possible to be thin and have health problems, or to be a bit overweight, and be perfectly fit and healthy or not have any major issues.

 

[Thinx]

Yes I feel like I need to lose a few pounds after the long lockdown we've had. @Progster makes some good points, although it sounds like you are a bit different from her in your relationship with food.

Spring is a good time to start losing some weight. I definitely think it may be worth tweaking your plan for optimum health and long term results, so that you find ways of eating that are not unpleasant to you. That gives better health outcomes, including your mental wellbeing, it should not be so painful .

I would look at finding lean versions of things you actually like. It's surprising how if you cut fat and carbs you can still have a meal with stuff you enjoy. The long term success is to have a basic regime that you want to eat, if at all possible. Currently I am going to cut down my snacking. And increase my exercise.

I had my covid jab last week, and it definitely slowed me down with achy arm and fatigue as predicted by the vaccinations staff, but now I am starting to arise and go forth. It's rainy and cold here, but intermittently sunny most days. And we put our clocks forward soon too.

Probably distraction is what works best for me. Doing something like a walk or wander or an engaging activity, not reading or watching TV or other passive snacking opportunities...

 

[Major Tom]

Yes I feel like I need to lose a few pounds after the long lockdown we've had. @Progster makes some good points, although it sounds like you are a bit different from her in your relationship with food.

Spring is a good time to start losing some weight. I definitely think it may be worth tweaking your plan for optimum health and long term results, so that you find ways of eating that are not unpleasant to you. That gives better health outcomes, including your mental wellbeing, it should not be so painful .

I would look at finding lean versions of things you actually like. It's surprising how if you cut fat and carbs you can still have a meal with stuff you enjoy. The long term success is to have a basic regime that you want to eat, if at all possible. Currently I am going to cut down my snacking. And increase my exercise.

I had my covid jab last week, and it definitely slowed me down with achy arm and fatigue as predicted by the vaccinations staff, but now I am starting to arise and go forth. It's rainy and cold here, but intermittently sunny most days. And we put our clocks forward soon too.

Probably distraction is what works best for me. Doing something like a walk or wander or an engaging activity, not reading or watching TV or other passive snacking opportunities...

I wrote this thread and that's exactly what I did, went for a walk. It's so beautiful here that as long as I appreciate the beauty, it should keep me motivated. I only did 8500 steps today, but it's better than my usual 2-3,000.

Here's what I can see just a little ways from my house:

 

[Major Tom]

Probably a combination of factors. All these can play a role: getting older, slowing metabolism, lack of sleep, stress, changes in activity levels, changes in hormone levels, medication.

I've always been within the normal body weight for my height, except where I've bee through periods of severe anxiety and had great difficulty in eating.

I'm quite rigid about food and stick to one or two rules or principles:

- I eat from a small plate, and have one third protein, one third carbs, and as many non-starchy veggies as I like.
- I don't eat between meals. Edit: (this one can be a hard one, needs self-discipline)
- I don't eat late at night. I have four hours between eating and going to bed.

After losing weight, it is notoriously difficult to maintain a lower body weight, because your body will always be trying to get back to its starting weight, and this starting weight can change over time. So perhaps it's best to visit the doctor and get a general check-over, and then work on being healthy and having a healthy lifestyle, rather than worrying about your weight so much. The number of kilos is just a number - what is important is, how healthy and fit are you in general? It's possible to be thin and have health problems, or to be a bit overweight, and be perfectly fit and healthy or not have any major issues.

Very good points and advice. I lack some major self-control. I tend to stress eat a lot. I think that for my weight, I am actually in relatively decent health and can do things that most people at my weight and with the physical issues I have perhaps couldn't do. I've always been well-muscled and that's part of my weight, but I feel best at around 95-100 kilograms.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Major Tom]

I'm in a hot climate, it's easy to eat light in warm weather.

If you get cravings, just have a small portion of whatever to shut up the cravings brain, I never found hard line stuff worked, just give yourself a pat on the back for what you've already done, I felt exhausted just reading about it.

All da best with your endeavour.

I struggle with the little things, like eating a small snack to curb the cravings. It's either all or nothing for me. I've always been like that unfortunately.

It's fixing to get hot here in no time, so hopefully that will help me to sweat off some weight too. I'll have to go for early morning and late night walks it gets so brutal, and the same thing goes with my throwing and working the heavy bag.

Thanks for your response!

 

[Progster]

Very good points and advice. I lack some major self-control. I tend to stress eat a lot. I think that for my weight, I am actually in relatively decent health and can do things that most people at my weight and with the physical issues I have perhaps couldn't do. I've always been well-muscled and that's part of my weight, but I feel best at around 95-100 kilograms.

Thanks for your reply!

Not snacking takes a lot of self-discipline, it's not that easy. As @Thinx mentioned, distraction is problably the best way to tackle it. Or making yourself wait until a certain time, and distract yourself until that time comes. going for a walk is a really good way to distract yourself, or doing chores, or engaging in a hobby, preferably one that will take you away from the kitchen/fridge

 

[Alexej]

I only did 8500 steps today, but it's better than my usual 2-3,000.

Here's what I can see just a little ways from my house:

I also live by the water - North Sea. In the last year I have started the day with a 1 hour walk which gets me up to about 8000 steps. Then getting the other 2000 in is not too bad.

Just being out in the fresh air is great.

 

[Major Tom]

I also live by the water - North Sea. In the last year I have started the day with a 1 hour walk which gets me up to about 8000 steps. Then getting the other 2000 in is not too bad.

Just being out in the fresh air is great.

That's a very good plan.It will hopefully also break me of the habit of wasting the first couple hours of my day on the internet too! I'm always up early anyways. I live just a little ways off the sea of Japan.

 

[Aneka]

I lose weight when I feel stressed or depressed. I skip meals, get physical symptoms like diarrhea and nausea (specifically in the morning). I don't want to lose weight but it happens every time.

 

[disconnected]

The most important part of losing weight is by eating in moderation. Buy a food scale and weigh your unhealthy items. Do not cut them out, be accountable if you want to have a realistic outcome. Diets will not work long term, but accountability and moderating will.

 

[Aneka]

Now to your question: Your weight is somewhat fixed genetically. Many factors like hormones and metabolism play a role. There even is a condition where a person chronically overeats because they never experience feelings of satiety. To rule out those factors, maybe make an appointment with a specialist, do blood tests and ask about genetic screening?

Training yourself to stick to new habits can help in the long run. Do sports every other day. It doesn't matter what kind of sports as long as you do them every other day and enjoy them. If you stress yourself to do something you dislike you won't endure. Fat is not that much of a problem. Sugar is. Sugar works like a drug in your brain. Although starch is made up of many sugar molecules it doesn't have the same effect on your body, you don't have to completly exclude it. And don't worry about how much sugar fruits contain, only the industrial sugar is a problem (and honey). Also keep away from sugar substitutes and light products. They will still give you an insuline high and are environmental pollution. Did you know that clarification plants can't filter out certain sugar replacements? Eat natural foods, as little processed as possible. If you don't like to cook, there is affordable organic fast food out ther as well.

 

[Primrose]

Just want to wish you well with your weight loss. I've had to lose weight in the past so I know what it's like. Keep posting for encouragement, if you want to.

 

[Mia]

I've been feeling really crummy and bloated this winter, spending far too much time baking and making bread. The weather here is so bad, so cold that for days at a time you just don't want to go out. Yesterday I was out walking and is was -2c, in those two hours with the wind it went down to -12c.

So I understand Major Tom how it can be. I also don't like how I feel. I absolutely need to lose the extra pounds. What your doing is good for you. It becomes harder and harder as we age to lose weight, although I think it's easier for men than women because of their muscle mass. When my husband and I had the flu a few years back he lost 43 pounds and I lost 32 pounds during that time.

Stopped eating anything with sugar two months ago, except for fruit. Several things I do to alleviate the hunger now, I wait five minutes when I want a snack and then I usually forget about it. No carbs at night; rice, potatoes, bread, cereal or pasta. Although I can have those for breakfast or lunch.

One of the most important things for me is not to have snack food in the house at all. With the exception of nuts and fruit there is nothing ready made that I can quickly have. So that helps. I wish you luck on your journey, if you slack off for a day, don't let it get you down, just get back to the next day or the day after.

 

[Loren]

What I would have mentioned, has already been suggested, but want to wish you much success!

 

[Major Tom]

I've been feeling really crummy and bloated this winter, spending far too much time baking and making bread. The weather here is so bad, so cold that for days at a time you just don't want to go out. Yesterday I was out walking and is was -2c, in those two hours with the wind it went down to -12c.

So I understand Major Tom how it can be. I also don't like how I feel. I absolutely need to lose the extra pounds. What your doing is good for you. It becomes harder and harder as we age to lose weight, although I think it's easier for men than women because of their muscle mass. When my husband and I had the flu a few years back he lost 43 pounds and I lost 32 pounds during that time.

Stopped eating anything with sugar two months ago, except for fruit. Several things I do to alleviate the hunger now, I wait five minutes when I want a snack and then I usually forget about it. No carbs at night; rice, potatoes, bread, cereal or pasta. Although I can have those for breakfast or lunch.

One of the most important things for me is not to have snack food in the house at all. With the exception of nuts and fruit there is nothing ready made that I can quickly have. So that helps. I wish you luck on your journey, if you slack off for day, don't let it get you down, just get back to the next day or the day after.

I forgot to mention that I'm going to have one cheat meal a week, that will hopefully help. I've also done as you said limited what's in the house, because I simply have no control. No bread, crackers, or other things I have no control over myself with.

It's 4AM now and I'm going for an early morning walk in a couple hours.

Good luck in your journey as well! You can do it!

 

[Major Tom]

Now to your question: Your weight is somewhat fixed genetically. Many factors like hormones and metabolism play a role. There even is a condition where a person chronically overeats because they never experience feelings of satiety. To rule out those factors, maybe make an appointment with a specialist, do blood tests and ask about genetic screening?

Training yourself to stick to new habits can help in the long run. Do sports every other day. It doesn't matter what kind of sports as long as you do them every other day and enjoy them. If you stress yourself to do something you dislike you won't endure. Fat is not that much of a problem. Sugar is. Sugar works like a drug in your brain. Although starch is made up of many sugar molecules it doesn't have the same effect on your body, you don't have to completly exclude it. And don't worry about how much sugar fruits contain, only the industrial sugar is a problem (and honey). Also keep away from sugar substitutes and light products. They will still give you an insuline high and are environmental pollution. Did you know that clarification plants can't filter out certain sugar replacements? Eat natural foods, as little processed as possible. If you don't like to cook, there is affordable organic fast food out ther as well.

Thanks for all the valuable information.

I do know that I also have a genetic predisposition to gaining weight, but that's to an extent just an excuse. It's mainly because I let myself go too far for too long.

I am definitely cutting sugar. Just a dash in my coffee in the morning. Otherwise I'm going to limit it to more natural sugars. Thankfully I don't have a sweet tooth!

 

[Sherlock77]

I walk an average of 5K to 10K steps per day, some days up 13K... Roughly 5 to 9 km of walking

I've always had good stamina for lots of walking, absolutely love it

Cycling is also an excellent way to get in shape, really whatever form of exercise works, I actually prefer walking over cycling, but do have a bike

 

[Major Tom]

I walk an average of 5K to 10K steps per day, some days up 13K... Roughly 5 to 9 km of walking

I've always had good stamina for lots of walking, absolutely love it

I took a 50 minute walk at 5am and only made it about 5,000 steps. I must be a slow walker or something. It was a nice walk though, the prescription seems to be about two 50 minute walks a day. Which is ok by me, keeps me away from the fridge.

Early morning walk.

• Major Tom
• Mar 14, 2021