What kind of weight loss should I expect?

[PowerMacG5]

So, after seeing my reflection in the window at the car wash, I decided it was time to lose weight.

I have started going to the gym every day doing 30 minutes on the elliptical (15 on, 5 minute break, another 15 on). I am going to gradually increase my time on it every week I go, but don't want to hurt myself at first.

My diet usually consists of no breakfast, a snack at work (A Take 5 usually), lunch (pizza, chinese, quiznos, cafeteria, or fast food generally), and dinner.

For dinner I usually either eat subway, moes, or cook myself something (frozen fried chicken, pasta, sloppy joes, etc...). I have decided to kill all snacks at home like chips and whatnot. When I get subway, I get a 12 inch italian bread, with turkey, pepperoni, lettuce, cucumbers, and mayo. I don't think I will eat Wendys or McD's much anymore (maybe a quick bite to eat after being out all night, so a hamburger, but nothing fancy).

I don't know what more to list, but I don't really want to drastically change my diet, even though I probably should. I am just going to try and eat smartly, in the sense that I won't eat junk food at home, and won't eat late at night.

I plan on going to the gym 4-5 days a week.

So what do you all think, how much weight should I expect to lose? My current weight is 280 measured this morning. Thanks for any of your help.

 

[FleshLight]

You need to start counting calories.

 

[KLin]

Start eating breakfast. Skipping meals just means you'll be more hungry around lunch or dinner time.

EDIT: And you need to thing about adjusting your diet. Losing weight/getting in shape takes a lifestyle change.

 

[JS80]

wow that's some crap you're eating...your metabolism will adjust and you won't lose anything. in fact you may gain weight...

 

[Chrono]

You need to stop being fat.

 

[imported_Tick]

Originally posted by: JS80
wow that's some crap you're eating...your metabolism will adjust and you won't lose anything. in fact you may gain weight...

Wow that is so not supportive.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: FleshLight
You need to start counting calories.

Exactly. This website is helpful:

Fitday

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: JS80
wow that's some crap you're eating...your metabolism will adjust and you won't lose anything. in fact you may gain weight...

Make some suggestions then instead of putting the OP down asshat. :thumbsdown:|

 

[MustangSVT]

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: JS80
wow that's some crap you're eating...your metabolism will adjust and you won't lose anything. in fact you may gain weight...

Make some suggestions then instead of putting the OP down asshat. :thumbsdown:|

are you fat too?

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: Chrono
You need to stop being fat.

Wow, go fvck yourself. I am sorry I wasn't blessed with the godly gene's your parents gave you so you have the physique of a greek god.

Thanks to all those so far who actually gave real answers.

 

[iamaelephant]

You need to change your diet drastically. I used to eat like you, but I gradually made small changes. I made about one change a week. For example, one week I would stop eating bacon with my eggs. The next week, replace all soft drinks with their sugar-free counterparts. As you make more and more of these changes they become just a part of your lifestyle.

After a few months and consciously trying to change one more thing about my diet for the better every few days, I wound up focusing more on a healthier lifestyle than weight loss. I then noticed about 3 weeks ago that I had lost a heap of weight without even noticing! I had to buy a new belt because my old one no longer fit me, and I'm lookin a lot better. People have started to compliment me, and asking if I had lost weight lately. All this and I had effectively forgotten that I was even trying to lose weight!

No only that, but I feel a lot better. I drink a couple of cups of green tea a day, I have a healthy balanced diet where I can eat food that tastes great and I don't even have to think about what I'm eating because I subconsciously choose the healthier alternative. The best part of all of this? I have hardly increased my excersive at all. I hate excersive - I know that sounds lazy, but seriously I hate running! I love to walk so I have increased my walking a fair bit, but I do very little hard cardio work. I just eat well.

 

[Descartes]

As others have said, you need to get a handle on your calories. A lot of what you're eating might sound healthy at first, but once you start to consider everything they put on those sandwiches the calories really start to add up.

I would first learn your BMR. From that you can at least determine your basic caloric needs. For every 500 calories or so extra that you intake on a daily basis you'll gain about a pound a week (on average); for every 500 calorie deficit a day you'll lose about a pound a week. Find that balance so that you see yourself losing that pound or so a week and simply keep doing it.

That's simplifying things a bit, because watching your calories + exercising like you are you should start seeing the pounds disappear. You could throw in some supplements if you're willing. A lot of people have had great success with them, but I personally don't take them.

Good luck!

 

[rezinn]

You eat crap, basically. Start by eating a healthy breakfast and start packing yourself a lunch (not pepperoni sandwiches) with fruit and not fried chicken and you will be taking a huge step. The exercise is great. A rule you can follow is that if it comes packaged and if you ordered it, its probably making you fat and unhealthy.

 

[Journer]

holy ******...i need 3600 calories a day according to that site O_O...its amazing to think i must eat more than this...damn, i'm a fat ass

 

[iamaelephant]

When you order a subway meal, do not get a 12 inch. That is way too big of a meal for one person. Get a 6 inch, and go for one of the low calorie dressings. Also pass on the pepperoni.

 

[TheNinja]

if you don't want to drastically change your diet you aren't going to see that much gain and will be wasting a lot of hard work in the gym.

Even do little things like:
1. Do not get Mayo on your sub, and get whole grain bread instead of white bread. May not seem like much but it can make a difference.

2. Don't have pepperoni or fried chicken, instead of turkey breast and grilled chicken

3. Don't have a "take 5" candy bar. Have natural granola bar, some nuts, and/or fruit

4. Lift some weights, more muscle burns more calories.


By doing these things you will see results MUCH faster. PRobably just changing this diet and hitting the gym 4 times a week you could realistically lose 15 pounds the first month.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Journer
holy ******...i need 3600 calories a day according to that site O_O...its amazing to think i must eat more than this...damn, i'm a fat ass

Its an interesting site though, eh?

 

[AbAbber2k]

Count Calories, eat breakfast, STOP EATING OUT and space out your food into more, smaller portions throughout the day. If you can, got to the gym EVERY DAY. 2-3 days of weight training, cardio on the rest (increased muscle mass = increased metabolism). Hire a trainer if you're not too experienced.

Impossible to give you weightloss estimates unless you know exactly how many calories you're taking in and burning off. 1-2lbs per week is a healthy, realistic goal. Remember, this is a life changing task that requires all your dedication. Don't give up and you will see results... it just doesn't happen over night.

 

[MoPHo]

Well if you start working out, you'll gain weight first before you lose it as fat turns into muscle. so don't get discouraged, stick to it.

if you start eating better you should start losing weight but if you are gymming 4-5 times a week, you will gain before you lose.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: MoPHo
Well if you start working out, you'll gain weight first before you lose it as fat turns into muscle. so don't get discouraged, stick to it.

if you start eating better you should start losing weight but if you are gymming 4-5 times a week, you will gain before you lose.

He will have to make some major changes to his diet if he wants to build muscle.

 

[Rudee]

With diets, you pretty much get out of it what you put into it. The cleaner you eat and the more active you are, the better the results.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

You're going to have to drastically change your life if you really want to see the pounds come off. You need to stop eating such junk for all your meals. If you eat subway, get something the 7 grams of fat or less, and don't get dressings, just veggies, and cheese at most. I just did it today for lunch myself, and it was a pefectly fine sub.

EAT BREAKFAST. It will give your metabolism a kick start. SOMETHING, a bowl of special K, a bowl of oatmeal, 2 pieces of toast with LIGHT margarine or something. It will wake your body up and kick it back out of the starvation state that it will fall into during sleep. And spread your meals out throughout the day instead of just having big meals. 6 small meals a day will keep your metabolism running strong all day long and keep your body from trying to store fats that you dont want.

Your exersize will pay off perfectly fine if you stop eating such bad stuff. And switch off sodas if you drink any. Drink water instead, or at least the diet/sugar/caffine free ones. When I drink soda all I have is diet caffine free sprite/7up/sierra mist. That will also help you alot.

 

[Sentinel]

Eat breakfast, drink water as soon as you get up and get the recommended amount throughout the day. Need to eat healthier, pack lunch with whole wheat bread sandwich, fruits/veg no pop/soda. Same goes for dinner, make healthier choices fruits/veg, vinegar dressing on salads, etc... Workout 30 min and don't slouch about it either.

edit: if you are drinking diet sodas, they contain aspartame which is a poison to your body...fyi

 

[Azndude2190]

You should expect gradual decline of weight.Your doing great so far,keep it up!Increase your time in exercising.You dont need to cut down on any meals or snacks as long you exercise to make up for it.Its always good to monitor your intake on calories.TRY to eat "healthy" and not as much as the fattening foods.Replace juice/soda/beer/etc with water.I lost weight from running a mile every morning,walking around the neighborhood after dinner.And ALOT of swimming/biking during the afternoon.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: Sentinel
Eat breakfast, drink water as soon as you get up and get the recommended amount throughout the day. Need to eat healthier, pack lunch with whole wheat bread sandwich, fruits/veg no pop/soda. Same goes for dinner, make healthier choices fruits/veg, vinegar dressing on salads, etc... Workout 30 min and don't slouch about it either.

edit: if you are drinking diet sodas, they contain aspartame which is a poison to your body...fyi

Can you provide a link to a published study indicating that aspartame is harmful?