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[Davey Cakes]

I'm on the "eat what you want" diet. It's been working. Thankfully I don't want too many crappy foods too often, though I am guilty of indulging here and there.

I'm still technically underweight, probably.

My biggest issue is making time/energy for the gym.

 

[AlteredBeast]

I'm on the "eat what you want" diet. It's been working. Thankfully I don't want too many crappy foods too often, though I am guilty of indulging here and there.

I'm still technically underweight, probably.

My biggest issue is making time/energy for the gym.

I remember those days! I used to drink 2 liters of pop a day, tons of candy, pizza, hot dogs, etc. Then, one day, something changed and I went from a skinny, but cut teen, too an over weight tired 20 something

 

[Psychotext]

I remember those days! I used to drink 2 liters of pop a day, tons of candy, pizza, hot dogs, etc. Then, one day, something changed and I went from a skinny, but cut teen, too an over weight tired 20 something

My nephew just had that happen to him. I warned him it was coming, but until it happens to you (I guess it's not guaranteed) then it's hard to believe.

For the OP... the real key is sticking with it for years rather than weeks. I used to yoyo diet all the time, going from shredded to borderline obese. Only in the last couple of years or so have I made changes that I've been able to incorporate as part of my life on a long term basis. Most of the people I know that have lost massive amounts of weight generally end up putting it back on again for whatever reason.

Would actually be interesting to see some before / after / 1 year later on most people that lose large amounts in a short period of time.

 

[M3d10n]

Every person is different. The OP was fit in his younger days, so it definitely helps. Things can be a bit harder for people who were fat their whole lives.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Dieting IS easy, as long as you treat it like an addiction you're overcoming, because really, you are. If you eat like shit that is.

One of the things that helped make dieting click with me was "all you have to do is NOT eat shit" - it's literally zero effort to not eat bullshit that keeps you fat. It's nothing. You can do it.

Another thing that helped is I took the joy out of food, and I eat plain things, on a schedule. I eat so I can live, I don't live to eat.

Good luck to anyone else struggling, I hope those two pieces of advice help in some way.

 

[mdubs]

Congrats OP! Contrary to popular belief, dieting is extremely easy. Don't really have a lot of sympathy for people who say it is hard, all you need is a little self control and apps like you have been using. It's all about eating right, and it's great to see so many in this thread having a lot of success!

Dieting IS easy, as long as you treat it like an addiction you're overcoming, because really, you are. If you eat like shit that is.

One of the things that helped make dieting click with me was "all you have to do is NOT eat shit" - it's literally zero effort to not eat bullshit that keeps you fat. It's nothing. You can do it.

Another thing that helped is I took the joy out of food, and I eat plain things, on a schedule. I eat so I can live, I don't live to eat.

Good luck to anyone else struggling, I hope those two pieces of advice help in some way.

This is excellent advice and very true.

 

[rtcn63]

It gets easier and harder as you decrease in bodyfat percentage. (Though once you hit that sweet spot, it's not too difficult to maintain) For me, going from 155 to 145lbs was probably more stressful than 180 to 155. And I've learned to eyeball calories, as I pretty much eat the same portion size and type of food from month to month.

 

[Herr K]

Are you proud of the before picture? Because you didn't even lift. That was just being thin, no muscle at all. Disgusting figure, OP.

Spoiler

Kidding. I followed the guidelines set by other members on the Bieber thread. Hope you hit your target OP.

 

[richiek]

Cutting soda from your diet is first and easiest thing you can do.

 

[Malvolio]

Dieting IS easy, as long as you treat it like an addiction you're overcoming, because really, you are. If you eat like shit that is.

One of the things that helped make dieting click with me was "all you have to do is NOT eat shit" - it's literally zero effort to not eat bullshit that keeps you fat. It's nothing. You can do it.

Another thing that helped is I took the joy out of food, and I eat plain things, on a schedule. I eat so I can live, I don't live to eat.

Good luck to anyone else struggling, I hope those two pieces of advice help in some way.

This was also something that clicked with me. I told myself that not doing something is amazingly easy, hell I've been not doing things my entire life. Doing things, however, like exercising or working out requires much more willpower as you actually have to do something. Thankfully, I've built up the required willpower to get that done, but it took much longer than fixing my diet.

 

[Frustrated_me]

The worst is Skinny FAT. There's a nudge of belly fat that seems impossible to lose no matter what I do.

I run 10 KMs a week. Play soccer once a week and eat relatively good. Still can't lose it at 173 pounds.

Must be my damn genes.

 

[Psychotext]

I run 10 KMs a week. Play soccer once a week and eat relatively good. Still can't lose it at 173 pounds.

So what you're actually saying is.... you exercise twice a week and don't use weights? Yes, must be those genes.

 

[Frustrated_me]

So what you're actually saying is.... you exercise twice a week and don't use weights? Yes, must be those genes.

I actually do (did, had to stop for the past month or so) lift moderate - heavy weights. Something I need to start again.

 

[AlteredBeast]

Every person is different. The OP was fit in his younger days, so it definitely helps. Things can be a bit harder for people who were fat their whole lives.

It helps that I have retained a lot of my muscle mass from when I
wasa healthier, more active person, but actual weight loss just seems like a numbers game to me. I need to eat this to weigh that, so I go out and do it. Simple as that.

Dieting IS easy, as long as you treat it like an addiction you're overcoming, because really, you are. If you eat like shit that is.

One of the things that helped make dieting click with me was "all you have to do is NOT eat shit" - it's literally zero effort to not eat bullshit that keeps you fat. It's nothing. You can do it.

Another thing that helped is I took the joy out of food, and I eat plain things, on a schedule. I eat so I can live, I don't live to eat.

Good luck to anyone else struggling, I hope those two pieces of advice help in some way.

I definitely agree on a lot of these points. Eating is a real joy for me, so I could definitely do better than I am, but taking the hot out of what I drink and snack on had helped immensely. That and not snacking at all after dinner.

Congrats OP! Contrary to popular belief, dieting is extremely easy. Don't really have a lot of sympathy for people who say it is hard, all you need is a little self control and apps like you have been using. It's all about eating right, and it's great to see so many in this thread having a lot of success!

Thanks!

I think there is a way to add friends on MyFitnessPal to track each other's progress and add words of encouragement. If anyone is interested in tracking alongside me, my username is FattyMcFatThe3rd. Stupid name, I know, but it just came to me.

 

[Psychotext]

I actually do (did, had to stop for the past month or so) lift moderate - heavy weights. Something I need to start again.

Fair enough. Was just that based on your post it looked like you expected to be ripped... just without the effort!

actual weight loss just seems like a numbers game to me. I need to eat this to weigh that, so I go out and do it. Simple as that.

Can be, but the real challenge is trying to retain muscle when you're losing a lot. Weight loss in itself is simplicity (starve yourself for a couple of weeks and you'll drop loads), but obviously most people would rather lose fat rather than fat and muscle.

 

[Impeccable]

It's not easy for the first week or two but then you shift to a new way of eating and you suddenly notice yourself doing the right thing as your new way of life.

Pretending it's "easy" always rubs me up the wrong way.

 

[AlteredBeast]

It's not easy for the first week or two but then you shift to a new way of eating and you suddenly notice yourself doing the right thing as your new way of life.

Pretending it's "easy" always rubs me up the wrong way.

Obviously it isn't easy for everyone, but it was incredibly easy for the first weeks for me because I could see results immediately every day in my bathroom scale and in notches on my belt. Now it is harder because the rate of loss has slowed down. Even then, there is no way I go back to the old Eric.

 

[M3d10n]

I was always skinny, but I ate a shitton of sugar during my childhood and teenager years. In my 20s I started moving into "skinnyfat" territory so I cut sweets and soda from my diet almost entirely and after half an year on that my tolerance for sweet taste became very low.

For example, I cannot stand soda anymore, it just tastes like crap when I sip it. Give me water, tea or at most juice (unsweetened, please). If I'm in a wedding or some other situation where there are sweets, I can at most sample a slice of cake and some sweets before my taste buds go "nope". I now love bitter chocolate and feel nothing for the sweet varieties.

 

[Link1110]

I've been dieting and on track to hit 10kg tomorrow. I've been eating like 1900 calories a day but I swim five days a week which burns like 500 calories then walk to and from the pool which knocks off like another 250. I'm at 105.7 kg now and hope to get to 85 at some point.

After ever lap swimming I do five pullups on the lifeguard chair (in the water) hoping to gain some muscle.

 

[Quixzlizx]

Hey OP. I'm actually coming from the opposite end of the spectrum from you. I've weighed around 130 pounds since i was 16 (I'm 31 now), and this involved eating like shit and having no exercise the past 5 years. I started improving my diet around 6 months ago (eating more protein, veggies, and whole grains, and less empty carbs), but now I want to try and gain muscle weight.

I've started to run in the mornings and also do yoga, because I was afraid that showing up to the gym in my decrepit state would cause my back to explode while trying to do a squat or something. After another month or so of this general fitness training, I'm hoping I can motivate myself into lifting weights and actually putting on weight for once. I'm going to have to use Myfitnesspal, but to make sure I cram as many calories down my throat as I possibly can, and to hit my protein targets. This may piss the overweight people off, but I feel like trying to eat when I'm not hungry all day might be more difficult than eating less every day, lol. I'm already training myself to consume more calories by eating healthy but high calorie snacks like almonds, adding butter to my hot cereal, etc.

I'm definitely going to use the success stories in this thread to motivate myself.

 

[The_Inquisitor]

Been using myfitnesspal for 1 month. I'm only trying to lose 12 lbs but I ended up losing 3 lbs on a 2 week business trip to Germany. It really kept my proportions in control.

 

[Mupod]

I'm on the "eat what you want" diet. It's been working. Thankfully I don't want too many crappy foods too often, though I am guilty of indulging here and there.

I'm still technically underweight, probably.

My biggest issue is making time/energy for the gym.

The 'making time' thing was big for me until I realized something - I've always been an insomniac, but nights that I do my workout on, I fall asleep instantly. So I'm gaining time, if anything. Plus I watch giantbomb while running which makes the time fly by, and it's something I'd do anyways. And more importantly it's a habit now, I'm not forcing myself and it's just something I do.

 

[AlteredBeast]

The 'making time' thing was big for me until I realized something - I've always been an insomniac, but nights that I do my workout on, I fall asleep instantly. So I'm gaining time, if anything. Plus I watch giantbomb while running which makes the time fly by, and it's something I'd do anyways. And more importantly it's a habit now, I'm not forcing myself and it's just something I do.

I wonder if being an insomniac helps me burn more calories than a typical person...

I honestly sleep about 4.5 hours a night on average. One has to burn more calories while awake rather than sleeping, right?

 

[Einbroch]

I cook too many "elaborate" dishes to be bothered with an app like MyFitnessPal. It takes me longer to enter the damn information than it does to eat the meal.

But if it works for you, that's awesome.

 

[A Link to the Past]

It kinda is and it kinda isn't, for me anyway. I went on a diet/exercise plan, but sickness and lack of energy made it hard to keep up with it.

 

[The Boat]

I used to be very underweight and I suffered a lot because of it, since I started taking anti-depressants I gained weight like crazy. I didn't get too fat, a bit chubby, but I'm feeling so much better, being skinny (and not sleeping) was killing me.

Now I'm watching what I eat and joined the gym to see if I can lose a bit of fat, I'm not too obsessed about getting ripped or whatever, fuck that. I need to find better snacks though, the pills make me hungry all the fucking time and it's hard to find a suitable snack. I've been eating greek yogurt with no sugar, fresh cheese and some peanuts, but it's getting boring really fast.

 

[Guevara]

The old truism is that losing weight is easy, keeping it off is hard.

 

[Skux]

I have always been skinny but my body is starting to slow down and I've noticed a gut developing. So far, some small changes:

- no soda/soft drinks, diet, sugar free or otherwise.
- no lifts/elevators. I take the stairs and I work on the 7th floor.

I think I'll start running soon, I just need to go to bed earlier so I can wake up earlier.

 

[Knox]

It was pretty easy for me too. Earlier this year I went from 255 to 215 (I'm 6'3") in like 4 or 5 months doing pretty much the same thing you did. I had just never tried losing weight before so cutting all the bad shit out wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I've kinda stalled around 215 since starting a new job which has changed my routine, but I'm starting another push to try to get down to 200.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

So that app sucks for food where you don't know the 'origin'. Ate lunch, provided by the job and I'm guessing the amounts. It was too much to figure out.

Like, how would I log a small slice of ham, 3 chicken wings and a mixed salad?

 

[ShinNL]

Nah nothing traumatic just depression/hypochondria/anxiety that hit me hard in my early 20s, I should have gotten help but I didn't. So I became a recluse for ~10 years and gained 250 lbs (180-430). I went to college, and work (both part time) during this time, and eventually I pulled my head out of my ass and graduated, got a good job, paid off A SHIT TON of credit card debt, and am saving to move, but yeah I pretty much spent my 20s working/school, and sitting in my house, my social life was gone (once in my mind I became fat, I stopped dating, I don't find fat women attractive, and I am not going to be a hypocrite, plus I wasn't happy with my own body).

I started dieting in fall of 2012, I got about 130 off by last fall then this year went a bit slower with 40 to 50 in the last 9 months, but upping my caloric intake, and doing HIIT cardio has been helping.

As far as the get even part is, its just bitterness talking, my 20s are gone, im alone, and feel I didn't get the life I was entitled to have (yes I know poor word to use). Again its the depression talking. So I just keep putting effort into me, losing weight, paying down debt, saving to move to portland or seattle, and hoping someday life gets better.

My therapist wanted me on prozac ASAP but it causes weight gain, so I quit going. I toughed this out 12 years so far, I think I can manage another 1.

Fuck, I need some Rocky music with this T_T

 

[AdventureRacing]

I wonder if being an insomniac helps me burn more calories than a typical person...

I honestly sleep about 4.5 hours a night on average. One has to burn more calories while awake rather than sleeping, right?

Not sure but i know that not getting enough sleep is really bad for you. I've found that since fixing my sleep schedule somewhat i feel much better and i'm starting to see better gains from my weightlifting as well. It really makes a huge difference in your life. My sleep schedule will never be perfect because i'm a shift worker but i'm trying to make it as normal as possible.

 

[Sora_N]

Great job OP. I tried the app but it got so tiring entering everything and since I eat mostly Asian food it got really awkward entering everything manually.

 

[Jimothy]

I was was around 190 this past April and now I hover around 160. My "diet" started one week where I basically had no money and was eating a cliff bar and yogurt for lunch with some rice and beans for dinner for about a week. I realized how much better I was feeling and just made a conscious choice to eat less. My diet is still shitty (Chinese takeout for life) but I average around 1500 calories a day, which for my height and weight is considered undereating but whatever. Feeling a little light headed from not eating breakfast is better than feeling fat and out of breath walking to the subway.

 

[Mineshaft_Gap]

You're 30 years old?

 

[ramparter]

In Greece you wouldn't be considered a fat person at all, really close to average.

 

[Randam]

what is the deal with myfitnesspal and facebook?

 

[AlteredBeast]

You're 30 years old?

Yeppers. Is that good or bad?

 

[MarkMclovin]

Good job OP.

Dieting is mostly a mind game. Get over that and your habits and yeah, piece of piss.

I went from 245lbs to roughly 180lbs over the space of a few years. I wanted it to be nice and slow to keep it off. Towards the end of my goal, I ran a half marathon. Something I thought I'd never do in my life. In the space of 9 months, I went from running a mile each time and nearly killing myself, to running up to 11 miles with hill runs a few times a week and then 4 to 6 miles every other day. I fucking killed that HM let me tell you, it didn't phase me at all. I felt like such a badass on that finish line and I had plenty left in the tank!

However, about a month ago, I've flipped the switch and now I'm bulking for the first time. Jesus, it IS hard. I've gone from eating below 2000 cals a day, to nearly 3000 and I'm not seeing the 1lb a week gain I want. I even had a dirty bulk week and I actually lost!

Keep it up mate.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Facial below. Took this about 3-4 weeks ago and posted it on face GAF.

My face looks thinner than that now but I will wait until early December for that.

 

[+Aliken+]

I did Atkins from mid July to mid August (so about a month) and lost 7 kg (15.5 pounds).
Since then I haven't been as strict as I would like to be but I am still trying to avoid sugars and too many carbs.

I have now stabilised at 76.5kg (I was 84kg)

 

[MaizeRage25]

I have just started something similar earlier this week.

Bought a Jawbone UP24 and downloaded MyFitnessPal. We'll see how it goes, but it seems to work pretty well so far in terms of being more conscientious of what I am eating and my general activity level.

 

[Randam]

will myfitnesspal post stuff on facebook?

 

[AlteredBeast]

will myfitnesspal post stuff on facebook?

If you want it to. It doesn't post automatically.

 

[Gibbo]

Op, you starting this thread has influenced me to start monitoring my diet as well. Im quite an active person , but i tend to overreward myself in terms of junk food.

Since downloading my fitness app 2 weeks ago, ive been religiously keying in every single thing i consume during the day. Results are starting to kick in. Ive lost about 2 kg since then.

Tbh, i find the whole process quite addictive.

 

[Kevyt]

Op, you starting this thread has influenced me to start monitoring my diet as well. Im quite an active person , but i tend to overreward myself in terms of junk food.

Since downloading my fitness app 2 weeks ago, ive been religiously keying in every single thing i consume during the day. Results are starting to kick in. Ive lost about 2 kg since then.

Tbh, i find the whole process quite addictive.

It is addictive. At least from seeing my mom that is. She would monitor everything that she ate. But to be fair, she lost a lot of weight.

 

[7DollarHagane]

Ive been following the burn the fat feed the muscle p!an for about 3 months. I go to the gym 3 times a week about 2 hours each visit. I'm down 20 lb but I've been building muscle as well so likely lost more than that in fat.

I started at 368 or So and 348 feels better. Im also 6'3 with a large frame so getting below 300 for me will be a big accomplishment.

I've always been big and its kind of been a depression thing and gotten worse since I was married and have a desk job.
I just eat a lot of lean meats fish and vegetables.

You need four things-
Motivation
Nutrition
Cardio
Strength Training

That's how you get healthier.