Everyone else is talking about weight loss

[msi1337]

so, after reading a lot of threads lately on people planning to lose weight, get in shape.. here is my dilemma...

I am 27yrs old...230lbs, 5'9...I have a BMI of about 34...yes that means I am considered obese... so sad... but I realize its my own damn fault..

anyways, so I really dont eat anything like I used to...my main diet now is fresh fruits and veggies, lots of salads, and mostly chicken for meat (sometimes lean turkey).

I know I can lose the weight... I successfully quit smoking after 12 years, so I am sure I can handle losing about 50-70lbs...

my biggest concern is how to avoid extra skin? I have heard that losing the weight slowly and exercizing regularly... I want to get healthy..but I do not want to have to pay for plastic surgery to stretch the skin later on... also...it is not so important to me that I am 160-170lbs... I would be more than happy to be 190 and 15% bodyfat

so, my question is...whats the best method for me to lose the weight and get in shape without the effects of excess skin, strechmarks..things like that?

 

[CellarDoor]

I honestly don't know about the extra skin, but it sounds like you're off to a good start with the diet. Congrats on quitting smoking as well! Good luck!

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Extra skin shrinks on its own. It's not overnight, but it does shrink after a bit.

 

[PunDogg]

congrats on quiting smoking, maybe add weight lifting to your routine, can replace some fo the fat with muscle, maybe so the stretch markes are not as bad??

Dogg

 

[Blazin Trav]

Excersize, especially running, does the trick for me. All about eating a bit less and working out a lot.

-Trav

 

[msi1337]

thanks for the words of encouragement guys!

I wont let ya'll down :beer:

 

[cleanerupper]

It will take at least 6 months for you go get to 170 LBS in a healthy way. Just keep your eating habits right and don't push yourself too hard when excersizing. You want to build up a tolerance to it, especially if you're not an "active" person right now.

Do lots of cardio: walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming and as other people have said, add in some weight training to help build some muscle under that fat. Most important of all: stick to a healthy diet. Don't starve yourself, just eat the right stuff.

You will start to see results after a month or so, just don't get discouraged because these kinds of things take time.

 

[IAteYourMother]

run
diet
no "rewards"
3 meals a day with snacks of fruit only inbetween
work out

 

[sourshishke]

Eat a tape-worm,and let it eat you from the inside.

 

[Compton]

Set realistic goals for yourself.
Don't jump into a strenuous exercise program overnight... ease your way into it.
Avoid simple carbohydrates and trans fats.

 

[thegimp03]

Have to echo what Compton said. Don't go out and kill yourself in the beginning. You might make gains, but it will wear you out and make working out a horrible experience. Easing into it is the best way to go.

Excess skin...it goes away eventually, just get into a routine at the gym and set realistic goals.

 

[Ranger X]

Focus on getting a lot of cardiovascular exercise.

 

[Injury]

Don't step on a scale every day. Once a week at most. The minor fluctuations from day to day can really mess with your head.

 

[Nextman916]

Originally posted by: sourshishke
Eat a tape-worm,and let it eat you from the inside.

FTW

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

holy, you are 70 lbs heavier than me, and I think my 5'9" 160 is fat... I'm trying to drop down to 150...

But you know what? Go for it. Start slow...

watch your diet first, and then start gym membership. find someone to work out with so you are motivated...


Edit: Don't worry about the skin. As long as you're not losing 80lbs in 1 month, I think you'll be fine. If you do it over 6 months, you shouldn't notice any problems with skin.

 

[l6873]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
run

Any sort of cardiovascular activity is fine.

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
diet

Don't diet. You need to change your lifestyle to one that incorporates healthy eating and exercise.

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
no "rewards"

Occasional cheat meals are fine.

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
3 meals a day with snacks of fruit only inbetween

Eat 6 smaller meals a day. Don't eat too much fruit.

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
work out

The only one that you got right.

 

[Injury]

We need to create a thread or small webpage for AT'er to find exercise buddies.

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: sourshishke
Eat a tape-worm,and let it eat you from the inside.

 

[Xyclone]

Do it the healthy way. forum.bodybuilding.com and http://www.wannabebigforums.com/ are great places to learn everything you need to know. :thumbsup:

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Just start out slow and work your way up. Let your body adjust to the new conditions and congrats on quitting cigs.

Just alone in being active you will feel better. As you feel better you will see your body wanting more and more good stuff. Just listen to your body and work your way up. Your body will adjust accordingly.

Stay away from the lose weight fast programs and set yourself on a good old fashion diet and excersize plan. It really doesn't matter which one you pick as long as you pick one you are comfortable with. There is no perfect weight loss solution except the one you believe in the most yourself. Just think not every athlete does the same workout. So there are thousand different variations.

Dont forget to log your goals and your progress.

 

[msi1337]

awesome! you guys have a lot of good info.

the good news is that we have an extensive home gym so I dont need to get a gym pass...although I was considering it, because I love to play basketball and jog..but no where to do that around our apt. I am going to set a goal of 2-3 lbs a week and lose the weight slow and try to tone up as I am losing to avoid skin issues. Cant wait to be healthier!

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: msi1337
I would be more than happy to be 190 and 15% bodyfat

You'll have to workout pretty hard to achieve that at 5'9". I'm about 6'0", 178lb, and pretty muscular, but my BMI is closer to 16-18%. I'm working to hit ~170lb and 15% by the end of August.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: msi1337

my biggest concern is how to avoid extra skin? I have heard that losing the weight slowly and exercizing regularly... I want to get healthy..but I do not want to have to pay for plastic surgery to stretch the skin later on...

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/49/40027.htm

How much your skin will tighten depends on your age, length of time
the skin was stretched and how much it was stretched, how much weight
you lost (and to some degree how fast you lost it), the amount of
elastin in your skin, and genetics (you have no control over that).
Exercise can help as it will tighten the skin to some degree, plus it
will tighten and tone muscles under the skin, which can have an affect
on the appearance of your skin. We generally ask people to wait 8-12
months (assuming they are eating healthy and regularly exercising)
once they've reached a goal weight to see how much the skin tightens.
If after this time the skin is unacceptably loose (cosmetically
unappealing or a health risk), then surgery may need to be considered
to correct it. In some of these cases, when it is deemed a health
risk, insurance may cover the surgery."

 

[LanceM]

Originally posted by: l6873

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
run

Any sort of cardiovascular activity is fine.

Bingo. But I'd suggest elliptical and biking.

Originally posted by: l6873

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
diet

Don't diet. You need to change your lifestyle to one that incorporates healthy eating and exercise.

People often forget the multiple meanings of "diet."

Originally posted by: l6873

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
no "rewards"

Occasional cheat meals are fine.

I completely disagree.

Originally posted by: l6873

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
3 meals a day with snacks of fruit only inbetween

Eat 6 smaller meals a day. Don't eat too much fruit.

100% agree.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd go with a high cardio workout like cycling...that's my answer for everyone looking to lose weight though. Might have something to so with the fact that I'm an avid cyclist.

I would start out slow though. Do 7-8 mile rides a few times a week and gradually increase your mileage and you'll be doing longer rides in no time.

I ride 3-4 times a week and frequently ride 30-40 miles at a time (20 on the days I commute by bike). I rode 110 miles last week between Sunday and Saturday. I'm down to 185lbs from 210 less than 1 year ago. I'm 5'11" (barefoot) BTW.

Edit-I haven't really changed my diet much at all. I do eat less at meals though. I'd like to lose another 10-15lbs and I'd be happy with my weight.