So it turns out obesity is not okay

[z1ggy]

I think it's also the case that if you're trying to lose A LOT of weight (like I am, started at 308 in March of 2014, as of this morning i'm at 240), then building up the underlying muscle can help stave off the loose, floppy skin thing that happens to some people. Even that is predicated upon genetics, some people just have better skin elasticity.

Congrats to you, glad you took the leap into fitness.

There's plenty of better qualified folks on here to give advice than I am, but I'm a firm believer in weight training. I think OP will see faster, more drastic and pleasing results if he commits to a lifting program.

 

[Protoman25]

I think it's also the case that if you're trying to lose A LOT of weight (like I am, started at 308 in March of 2014, as of this morning i'm at 240), then building up the underlying muscle can help stave off the loose, floppy skin thing that happens to some people. Even that is predicated upon genetics, some people just have better skin elasticity.

Yeah I'm currently 250 and my dream goal is 180, which was how much I weighed when I graduated high school. I'll definitely start looking into weights though. Wife might not be too thrilled (she's supportive of my weight loss and me getting in shape though) with the purchases so I might have to build the collection slowly. Lift some gallons of milk or something to start out with haha

 

[z1ggy]

Yeah I'm currently 250 and my dream goal is 180, which was how much I weighed when I graduated high school. I'll definitely start looking into weights though. Wife might not be too thrilled (she's supportive of my weight loss and me getting in shape though) with the purchases so I might have to build the collection slowly. Lift some gallons of milk or something to start out with haha

Based on your current standing, I honestly think you can get a decent work out if you got some nice resistance bands, and potentially a few dumbbells. I would guess at this point, a traditional push up might be difficult still? If so, to work and build your chest, arms and shoulders, sets of as many push ups you can do (traditional or on knees) will be a great starting point.

Dumbbells (buy 5s,10s, and maybe even 20s) & resistance bands will cover like 90% of the rest of your needs for now. Things like lunges holding the DBs will work your legs and using the bands to do shoulder presses, curls... tricep extensions.... the list goes on and on.

You can easily find 100 different home work out plans to build some muscle and strength if you did 5 mins of Google-ing.

 

[SP33Demon]

Just my opinion, but I think you are getting to far into the weeds. IMHO, you should do the following:

1) start at a decent calorie count (2500) of good, nutritious food (no sugar, good protein, nice mix of veggies...throw in fruit to conquer any sweet cravings)
2) start exercising regularly and start pushing yourself.
3) slowly creep back on food intake and pay attention to how it is affecting your exercise. If it hurts your exercise...hold off on dropping any more calories until your exercising regains momentum.

Just keep doing #3 until you find a good balance of caloric intake and exercise ability.

In the mean time, you can make adjustments to the food you eat and the exercises you do as you do more research and see how your body responds.

This is good advice, although I'll add that when exercising, you should be exercising to gain muscle, not do the cardio rat race. Muscle is the key because your body is going to use those extra (quality) calories to repair, which will also jack up your metabolism. More muscle mass will also need higher caloric intake, so if you have a weak moment(s), then you're not going to take a fat conversion hit as quickly as the average (non-muscular) Joe. For me personally, I've also noticed a huge difference in my body going from 3 day powerlifting to 4, metabolism-wise. Everyone will differ, but I'd start out with 3, and then increase to 4, and then 5 if you can (even if it's 15 minutes that day). You have to be consistent, it doesn't even matter how much weight you lift but that you keep your body in the repair phase and that metabolism stays high. Consistency is the #1 thing you have to focus on, even when there are days you are mentally weak and don't want to do it. Hell, even I struggle with that, especially if there's a million other things going on in my life.

Muscle is how you attack fat from the inside out, since it's always working for you in the calorie battle. It's like a pet, be sure to feed it well (protein, good carbs, continue to give it resistance training) or it will die and you'll get sick with grief (be fat). Don't let your pet die, people!