My first 14 days of dieting, a positive outlook. *Please read*

[Fritzo]

After my girlfriend was gone 9 days, I decided to make a change in my life. Currently I'm only consuming about 1200 calories a day.

That's a bit low for someone of your size. You should do 1600-1800 or you might feel sick/get fainting spells.

As for your rapid weight loss, you're losing a lot of water right now (you might notice that you're peeing a lot). The first two-three weeks of a strict diet you'll get great results:you'll lose 10, 20, even 30 pound very quickly. The bad side is, after your water retention is depleted, you'll start burning fat, at which point you'll only lose 1-3 lbs. a week. That's the point in which most people get frustrated and give up, because they're starving themselves and no longer getting quick results. You have to stick with it---it will be gradual (3-6 months), but you'll lose a good 20-40 lbs. over that time with your diet. When you start burning fat, that's when the payoff begins. Your body mass will start shrinking and people will start noticing

Here's some tips:

1) Eat several small meals/snacks a day instead of 2-3 large meals. If you eat 200 calories say...every 2-3 hours, your body will keep it's metabolism running at full speed and you'll lose weight faster. If your body feels like it's being starved, you'll enter "famine mode" and your metabolism will slow down...so you'll have to work harder to burn fat. This is why I suggested going to up 1600-1800 calories, as 1200 a day might not be enough.
2) You have to exercise. Muscle replaces fat, so producing more muscle mass will eat up your fat cells. Keep in mind that if you do weight training, your actual weight may stay the same (or actually increase!) due to the extra mussel tissue. This is why you need to do waistline measurements instead of using the scale as a guide. If your waistline shrinks, but you're not getting any lighter, that's not a bad thing
3) Do cardio workouts. These are great for losing weight because 1) You don't need to belong to a gym to do them 2) They can be done anywhere 3) It burns a ton of calories in a short time. Cardio workouts also increase your lung capacity and help remove plaque from around your heart ( the heart muscle replaces the fat surrounding it). Swimming is probably one of the most effective exercises because you use every muscle in your body...if you have a good swimming program, stick with it. Add some chest/arm/ab/glute weight training so you don't get all flabby when the weight comes off.
4) Once you get to a point where you're comfortable with your weight, raise your caloric intake to 2000-2400 (depending on how much exercise you're still doing). This will maintain your weight lever. And for God's sake...eat a cheeseburger or a steak once a week so you're not depriving yourself. You can still eat whatever you want, the key is you have to eat it in the right quantity. Giving yourself rewards will help you get into the mindset that you're not on a diet, you're living a healthy lifestyle.

Hope this info helps. I was really into physical fitness a couple of years back, but cut back after I had kids (I had the six pack going and everything...I just didn't have the 3 hours a day it took to maintain them anymore). Good luck to you.

 

[xyion]

Originally posted by: MaxDSP
Dieting is an exercise in frustration when you have to eat Indian food at home almost every day. I wish I could eat subway everyday

I eat indian food just about every night as well. Just cut back on the rice a bit, and have more protiens. Unless you're going wild on the deserts too (mmm!)

 

[Modeps]

Congrats on the lifestyle switch!

I currently am in the process of changing mine as well... Currently, I'm 6'3" and 245 (well, I was that when I weighed in on monday) and would really like to be down to my high school weight by next august (180 and somewhat muscular... going to college did a number on me). A friend of mine, who in my opinion really doesn't need to, started weight watchers, so I followed his lead and did the same. I really didnt feel like, nor have the time to goto meetings or whatever, so being the computer geek that I am, signed up for weightwatchers.com. Granted all they are doing is keeping track of your caloric / dietary fiber intake with a formula that converts it to 'points' but honestly, I already feel better for the diet I'm on and I dont feel myself getting hungry when I follow it properly. Another friend of mine knows quite a bit about nutrition so i'm kind of combining his thoughts with the point system.

I only started this a little more than a week and a half ago, but hopefully it will help me out. I've also returned to the gym to bike for 20 minutes and lift weights for 40... I cant wait till the wonderful soreness leaves and I can just bust out.

 

[Mucman]

mmmm Indian food

I agree that you should be working out... the main benifit of it is not the calorie burning but the fact that it increases your metabolism. The more muscle mass your body has, the more energy
it will need to keep working. So if you increase the muscle mass you increase the fat burning factory

I think I should shut up about complaining about my weight though... I am 6'1" 180lbs (33" waist) and I keep saying I am fat! Stupid gut...

 

[BigJohnKC]

I keep reading all these success stories about weight loss, and I fell almost inspired. I need to lose some weight, desperately. I'm 6'7", about 300 or so (haven't weighed myself in a long time). Maybe I should try the swimming thing every day. I've already tried cutting out snacking at home, which has helped, but I need to quit with the soda pop too. I can feel the inspiration flowing....

 

[rahvin]

Believe it or not, you are losing weight too quickly and posibly risking your health in the ride. Talk to your doctor. AFAIK you shouldn't lose more than 1lb per week for it to be healthy and long term weight loss.

 

[divinemartyr]

Believe it or not, you are losing weight too quickly and posibly risking your health in the ride. Talk to your doctor. AFAIK you shouldn't lose more than 1lb per week for it to be healthy and long term weight loss.

When you're as overweight as I am, losing more than 1 lb per week is NOT unhealthy. If I were only 20-30 lbs overweight, you're probably right, 2-3 lbs per week should be the maximum. At my weight (at least 100 lbs overweight) when I started, what I am doing is not necessarily 'unhealthy'. Let me just put it this way, i feel great and the main this this has opened my eyes to is taking care of myself and eating right. Also, doing exercise is going to be a vital part of my life starting from now on.

Fritzo

Your comments were possibly the most helpful in this entire thread. I think I'm going to take some of your advice, but not until I stop losing the weight at the rate I am now. I'm not starving myself, and for the most part I am fairly satisfied most of the time. You just have to realize what you can eat in the alloted 1200 calories, and cut out any extras like soda, candy, potato chips, and most red meat with the exception of very lean beef.

To everyone else

Thank you for the positive comments as well as the constructive criticism. It is certainly appreciated. While many of you say what I am doing is unhealthy, until I start to feel negative effects, I don't think I'll be changing my pattern too much. I haven't tried to lose any weight for probably 6+ years, and this being my first attempt and being successful, feels too good to change the pattern as of now. I am already needing an additional loop on my belt and will soon need to have my slacks altered.

Any additional comments/insight are as always appreciated.

To anyone else who is thinking of losing a few extra pounds, don't wait until tomorrow, start today! Watch everything you eat, lower your saturated fat intake, and make sure you exercise at least 20 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week.

dm

 

[KidViciou$]

I am 5'11, 6' and weigh 150 - 155. I am on a diet where i will cut ALL fat from around my midsection, and put on about 30 pounds of muscle after that.

So far, my diet has been working GOOD. my waist is getting slimmer, my abs are starting to show, and my muscles are getting sculpted.

My diest is as follows
Breakfast: One serving of oatmeal and 2% milk(rare) or water(normal)
Lunch: Either a 6 inch sub which i have gotten used to or i will go to the grocery store, get a grilled chicken breast, and a salad and eat that.
Snack after work: If im hungry, i'll eat a lowfat serving of fruit yogurt, or a bowl of Honey Nut cheerios and 2% milk.
Dinner: Whatever my mom cooked, she doesn't make too unhealthy food, and she makes indian food for me like Chicken Curry, or some vegetables i like. i dont really like indian sweets, so that is not a problem for me, and i never eat rice unless we have a dhal that i like. I normally eat chapatis(indian bread). Other times i will cook what i want, or get something healthy.

I dont drink soda, instead opting for Juice unless soda is the ONLY option available. Trust me, there are times when this is the case. I dont like candies too much, i dont eat ice cream often, maybe once a month at most, and i aim to keep my fat intake down to about <30g a day. Mind you i wont deprive myself of something. Like yesterday i had some western fries, but i rarely eat that stuff just cuz it is so unhealthy. I rarely eat chips, opting for baked chips or healthy chips if available. Can you believe the healthy dorritos are only like 2.5g! And they taste JUST like regular dorritos. i just find their smell lingers, which i hate.

i LOVE to eat carrots and dip, unfortunately the dip is too fattening because of the sour cream. do they make fat free sour cream?

I work out about 3 days a week. it would be more except i dont have ANY time. i dont even get to sleep regularly. During my workouts, i do jogging for about 20 minutes which is a HUGE hurdle for me because i used to HATE running. now i tend to enjoy it as i let my mind wander while on the treadmill and look down to see how long ive been running and the time flew

I'm trying to get a modelesque swimsuit figure, and it seems to be coming along quite nicely.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: divinemartyr

Believe it or not, you are losing weight too quickly and posibly risking your health in the ride. Talk to your doctor. AFAIK you shouldn't lose more than 1lb per week for it to be healthy and long term weight loss.

When you're as overweight as I am, losing more than 1 lb per week is NOT unhealthy. If I were only 20-30 lbs overweight, you're probably right, 2-3 lbs per week should be the maximum. At my weight (at least 100 lbs overweight) when I started, what I am doing is not necessarily 'unhealthy'. Let me just put it this way, i feel great and the main this this has opened my eyes to is taking care of myself and eating right. Also, doing exercise is going to be a vital part of my life starting from now on.

Fritzo

Your comments were possibly the most helpful in this entire thread. I think I'm going to take some of your advice, but not until I stop losing the weight at the rate I am now. I'm not starving myself, and for the most part I am fairly satisfied most of the time. You just have to realize what you can eat in the alloted 1200 calories, and cut out any extras like soda, candy, potato chips, and most red meat with the exception of very lean beef.

To everyone else

Thank you for the positive comments as well as the constructive criticism. It is certainly appreciated. While many of you say what I am doing is unhealthy, until I start to feel negative effects, I don't think I'll be changing my pattern too much. I haven't tried to lose any weight for probably 6+ years, and this being my first attempt and being successful, feels too good to change the pattern as of now. I am already needing an additional loop on my belt and will soon need to have my slacks altered.

Any additional comments/insight are as always appreciated.

To anyone else who is thinking of losing a few extra pounds, don't wait until tomorrow, start today! Watch everything you eat, lower your saturated fat intake, and make sure you exercise at least 20 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week.

dm

I urge you to consult your doctor. Excesive weight loss done to quickly DOES strain the heart and cardio system. It can cause havok that you won't feel or see for 10-20 years but when you have that first heart attack at 35 you will understand the damage you are doing. Losing or gaining weight quickly damages the body, the change needs to be gradual. Your body MUST have time to dispose of the excess chemicals and building blocks (cholesterol) stored in your fat. If you lose to quickly that stuff plaques up your arteries and kills you.

I'm dead fvcking serious with you here, go get a physical and talk to your doctor. He'll agree you need to lose weight and give you the healthy guidelines for the manner to do it. You didn't suddenly get fat in 2 months and you shouldn't suddenly get skinny in 2 months either. Not to mention the fact that if you do lose the weight that quickly you are going to be getting plastic surgery to remove excess skin.

Understand the complications and consequences of the path you walk.