View Full Version : Weight loss resolution?
Freedom Walker
01-01-2011, 20:09
Myself and others on WB have said that we need to drop a few pounds to help with bad knees etc. One tip I heard today was to be specific with your resolutions, for example: Lose wieght, how much.
So, I am 210lbs now and want to lose 15lbs by Mar 1st, realistic and specific. Add your weight loss goal and we can report back over the next couple of months.
mweinstone
01-02-2011, 07:41
my goal is food. lots and lots of food.and to not loose any more weight.
heres my advise for loosing weight.
we here in america eat too much. but more importantly we are inactive. in an effort to pass food thru and not let it sit in our gut, and short of doing exersize,...what can be done is to speed up the foods exit from us. eat apples and prunes and fiber till your gut is eliminating much faster and more thoroely. next, stop eating after dinner. going to sleep on a full stomach is our other problem. since dieting is fools play yet needed,...eliminate only one single food group instead of following a diet . simply stop with the fryed foods. they are death and were invented in the cold war to cause the enemy to be fat and slow on the trigger. lol.
Basically what Matt said. Rather than going on a diet to lose x pounds, just eat healthier. A good rule of thumb is don't eat anything from the deli, and no canned goods. Of course keep up with the walks/hikes/exercise.
Blissful
01-02-2011, 09:47
Watch sugar intake and white bread. Eat Whole wheat.
jerseydave
01-02-2011, 10:20
On 8-1-09 I was more than 275 lbs
On 1-1-11 I was 185
I've got 10 more lbs to go to reach my goal and I WILL GET THERE before 8-1-11
wornoutboots
01-02-2011, 10:34
On 8-1-09 I was more than 275 lbs
On 1-1-11 I was 185
I've got 10 more lbs to go to reach my goal and I WILL GET THERE before 8-1-11
WOW Congratz!! Bet your knees are thanking you!
Wise Old Owl
01-02-2011, 11:39
I'm resolute - right after breakfast of eggs Benadict
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Flickr_sekimura_2390523527--Smoked_salmon_eggs_Benedict.jpg
jerseydave
01-02-2011, 12:17
WOW Congratz!! Bet your knees are thanking you!
And my back, cholesterol, liver (quit drinking as well), outlook on life..... etc. etc. IT'S ALL GOOD :banana
I wish luck to all of you looking to keep your resolutions....... one day at a time........ you don't have to change the rest of your life, just change today and today will take care of tomorrow!
topshelf
01-02-2011, 12:30
O man I have a resolution to lose 40 pounds which will get rid of my gut, I also need to lower my blood pressure. I got P90X as my workout program to lose weight, I've been doing it since Christmas and I can already tell I'm losing weight, but man it's killing me.
To reward myself I'll go fit myself into a new ULA Catalyst, and use it on a long section hike this summer. Hopefully I can get the pack as a birthday present in April once most of the weight is gone, and do the section hike in late June or July.
On 8-1-09 I was more than 275 lbs
On 1-1-11 I was 185
I've got 10 more lbs to go to reach my goal and I WILL GET THERE before 8-1-11
Jeez! That's like loosing a whole person. The overall effect has got to be amazing for you.
My Christmas present from ma Nature was a case of Gout. My doctor's out on vacation (good timing, doc).
While I've been on the couch most of the past week my wife's been researching the disease and my diet has to be altered drastically to reduce uric acid (which causes crystals to form in the joints, usually, and in my case, the one between the foot and the big toe.
No organ meats (don't like them, anyway).
Hardly any red meat (I used to be a vegetarian, so I can handle this).
Watch green, leafy vegetables (spinach, my favorite, especially).
No alcohol (especially BEER - NOW it's personal)!
More dairy (ok, I had JUST cut ice cream out of my diet to lose weight, but this was the most pleasant surprise).
It seems most everything has purine (the chemical which causes gout) in some percentage, so I am learning what is bad to eat and what is not so bad. I am also drinking gallons of water, with the obvious result.
So I think I'm being forced onto a diet, and I almost certainly will lose a good amount of weight.
The Winter Warmer is going to be interesting..........
I've dropped 30 lb of body fat in 7 months, but more importantly, put on 9 lbs of muscle. I've done it by working out hard and intense, eating 5-6 small, sensible, well balanced meals a day (2 of which are whey protein isolate shakes), no alcohol, no soda and occasionally rewarding myself for a job well done. I've got 35 more pounds to go to hit my immediate weight loss goal, 50 to hit my long term goal. It'll happen by the end of this year. :D
Odd Man Out
01-02-2011, 21:38
A year ago I weighed 213 lbs (6'0"). By mid June I was down to 193. But by the end of the year I was back up to 199. So my goal this year is to loose another 20 lbs like last year, but unlike last year, keep it off.
Last spring I was 220 lb. I'm down to 186 now.
My goal is 165 by Memorial Day.
58starter
01-12-2011, 20:19
cut out all sodas. weigh each day. write down everything you eat. count calories.
reduce your calorie intake by 500 from what you are eatting now. you will then loose weight. I have
the goat
01-13-2011, 10:00
exercise every day and eat whatever you want. pretty simple.
Tenderheart
01-13-2011, 12:33
On 8-1-09 I was more than 275 lbs
On 1-1-11 I was 185
I've got 10 more lbs to go to reach my goal and I WILL GET THERE before 8-1-11
That's really something. How did you do it?
jerseydave
01-13-2011, 13:11
That's really something. How did you do it?
For me it meant changing everything.
Starting with regular strenuous exercise.
6 to 10 hours a week in the gym on average, lots of high intensity cardio.
Total diet change.
Gave up bread and most all other starches, except for a portion of brown rice with dinner every night, very rarely a dry baked potato, small quantities of pasta (that come in lean cuisine or smart ones that I eat every day for lunch)
For the first year I gave up ALL beef and pork, only eating fish and fowl for dinner. I'll now occasionally have a small portion of either once in a while.
Lots and Lots of salad, veggies, and fruits.
Snacks ONLY consist of nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, prunes (you get the idea).... no goodies at all. (think protein and/or fiber when snacking)
Beverages are ONLY zero calorie. The only things I drink (consume) in liquid form that have calories is non fat milk...... one cup a day with my bran cereal for breakfast, and a splash in my artificially sweetened coffee.
I also gave up drinking any and all alcohol :eek: which was a big contributor to the weight gain since I was a regular beer drinker, that added over 500 calories a day on average.
I believe my system worked for me mainly because I finally admitted that I have an "addicts" personality, being unable to do things in moderation.
For me it's all or nothing, so I used that to my advantage and went "all in" on my weight loss plan, deciding that for me, when it came to "cheating" it had to be "nothing".
I give myself little treats at this point now that I've gotten nearer my ultimate goal...... a piece of good bread on rare instance, had a few homemade cookies here and there over the Holidays, will celebrate a loved ones birthday with a small piece of cake, once every 4 or 5 weeks we might go out to a restaurant and I'll indulge a little.
For the most part though I'm surviving on rotisserie chicken, turkey, and fish. Still lots of veggies, fruit, and protein rich foods when snacking. No beer, soda, juices....... no ice cream, chips, candy......
Yup, my life pretty much sucks...... LOL :D
Not really, you have to sacrifice certain things to attain a higher goal.
I feel so much better both health wise and mentally that I can't say I miss anything I've freely chosen to give up.
It's all good, anyone can do it if you want it bad enough.
Good Luck,
Dave
Second Half
02-01-2011, 09:53
Current weight: 285
I plan to start a 700 mile section hike in early May.
I'd like to be under 250 at the start, I'd love to be under 240.
I am 250 right now but what I would really like to do is get down to my original weight of 8 lbs 7 oz..... the last time I really lost any weight I was due to cutting back on the amount of fats in my diet.
Sickmont
02-01-2011, 14:09
"I resolved not to resolve long ago, and it’s the only resolution I’ve ever kept."
I was 238 at Christmas, I am 221 now. My goal is 215 by June and under 200 by the end of the year. I am counting calories and using a great app called MyFitnessPal. The website is free the app is like $.99.
jerseydave
02-01-2011, 16:30
I was 238 at Christmas, I am 221 now. My goal is 215 by June and under 200 by the end of the year. I am counting calories and using a great app called MyFitnessPal. The website is free the app is like $.99.
Very realistic goals. Stick with it and you should be happy with your sucess. Good luck.
270 at the beginning of the year. Down to 266. Going to try and get off as much as I can before mid-March.
After that it should come off right quick.
On April 9 I'm going on the AT weight loss program. Hopefully before then I'll lose at least my 13 pound base pack weight, so I'll only be carrying food and water on the trail, using twisted math. More than 13 is just gravy (so to speak). Have added stairstepper to exercise routine to prep for trip and burn a few more calories and build a few more muscle grams.
fredmugs
02-03-2011, 08:05
Every year I get down to my in shape hiking weight of 195 pounds and then over the winter I tend to put on 20 or more and then lose it again. This year I intentionally bloated up for a biggest loser contest that started 3 weeks ago where I weighed 223.4 Plan is to get down to 190 and I'm currently around 203. After the Super Bowl I plan to hit it hard the remaining 4 weeks of the contest and 190 should be easy to achieve.
Here's how I lose weight over an 8 week period.
First 4 weeks: Eat around 2,000 calories a day and cap the fat at 50g and the carbs at 150g a day. Give myself one blowup day a week. Cardio is primarily riding an exercise bike and burning 600 - 900 calories each time about 5 days a week.
Next two weeks: Cut the fat to 35g and the carbs to 100g. No blowup days but I may exceed those limits slightly (drink beer, etc).
Last two weeks: Cut the carbs to 50g. No slacking.
The crock
02-03-2011, 08:43
Current weight: 285
I plan to start a 700 mile section hike in early May.
I'd like to be under 250 at the start, I'd love to be under 240.
I was 240 at Springer last year [no training] by the time I reached Damascus I was 190, put 30 back on,This year Im starting at Trail Days and going for 6 weeks,I must beg you to train!!!!!! my knee killed me from Deep Gap shelter to Hot Springs. Got boiled in Hot Springs and it did not brother me again,maybe something to that place?Please train ,train, train,the Crock
Sickmont
02-03-2011, 09:06
Seriously, everytime i make a resolution public i fail miserably at it. So i stopped making them period. That being said, i REALLY need to lose some weight. Most people look at me and figure me to be about 230-240 pounds. I'm 285. When i was in the Air Force i was 165-170(I'm 5 ft 11 in tall). Havent seen my abs since. And i hate it. I ride my butt off of my mountain bike and i cant seem to shake the weight.
I ride my butt off of my mountain bike and i cant seem to shake the weight.
The same thing happened to me several years ago. I put in a lot of miles on a road bike with almost zero results. My son began sending me articles/information like this one. I still exercise several times a week but no longer have weight loss as a reason.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1914857,00.html
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/miscellaneous/to-lose-weight-you-need-to-eat-less-and-exercise-more/
fredmugs
02-04-2011, 12:52
I read the Time article and although I get what they are trying to say I really disagree with a lot of it. My bad eating habits are basically tied to being bored and once I get into one of those it is very hard to break out of. Once I break out of it, however, I tend to stay out of it.
I think that when you workout has a lot to do with it. I work on a Navy base and can use the gym for free. If I do a normal workout by the time I shower and get home it is an hour later. By the time I get home I am starving and I tend to overeat because the fullness factor has not kicked in.
Right now I am trying to lose weight for a Biggest Loser contest that I expect to win some $$$ in. My routine now is to drink coffee until around 1000 and then eat my frist meal. Aruond 2 PM I will eat again and then have dinner between 6 - 7. Around 9 I will workout at home, shower, and then go to bed around midnight or so. By not eating anything after working out I seem to get the best results.
john gault
02-04-2011, 13:08
It's true that to lose weight you can't simply exercise. It's also true that to lose weight there's absolutly no need to exercise, but you could lose weight faster if you exercise while also reducing food intake...but who does that, almost no one.
The way I look at it, weight loss and exercise are two completely different goals. They really shouldn't be confused, but that's the current paradigm.
Diet is for weight control at the same time fulfilling basic nutritional needs of the body.
Working out is for making a body strong and resistant to various challenges life throws at us.
Yes there's some overlap, but also some very basic differences that need to be appreciated.
Another thing people don't understand is that we eat way too much food. Yes, that message in itself is nothing new, but people have no clue really how much (or too much) we eat. I only know because of my thru-hike.
Mr Boston
02-04-2011, 13:18
Good luck everyone.
I've been training for about 9 months. It started with a few bike rides a week then every day. I went on a few day hikes and then joined my roommates for a weekend in september to Gorham. That was when i decided I really wanted to hike the AT. I also eliminated about 95% of beer and alcohol from my diet and started monitor my diet and eat less junk food. That was especially difficult given that I am a chef. Now I eat a proper diet and go to the gym for about 15 hours a week mostly treadmill on full incline, I work my core every day and lift weights a few days a week. I have a lot more weight to lose and Maine is still far off.
Second Half
02-25-2011, 12:43
How's everyone doing? I'm happy to say that this morning my scale touched the 270 mark for the first time in years. So that's 15 lbs. so far this month and 25 since I started losing about 6 weeks ago.
My basic plan is to eat 1300-1500 calories per day of only good food--lots of lentils, veggies, fruit, skim milk, 99% lean ground turkey (I love this stuff), skinless chicken breast, fish, shredded wheat cereal, etc. I haven't been perfect--there were a few days around Valentine's I cheated and I did get seduced by a six-pack a couple times.
I've stuck with the walking program and am now up to 4-6 miles per day, 5 to 6 days per week. Two days ago I did a 7 mile roundtrip hike on the AT around the Blue Mtn/Rt. 309 trailhead. So far the joints are holding up, but I do have one very low-grade nagging issue with my right ankle that's been there for about a year. It hasn't gotten any worse or better since I've been walking and I hope as I continue to lose weight it will improve thanks to the reduced load.
I started a trail journal, here's a link to it showing my ultimate goal (I have a LONG way to go :)):
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=337375
Hope y'all are doing well!
Sickmont
02-25-2011, 12:58
I have more than enough self esteem problems as it is. I dont want another reason to hate myself so i refuse to own a scale.
Second Half
02-25-2011, 15:48
Sickmont: You *CAN* do it! Trust me, I know all about the self-esteem problems, the bad habits, the feelings of hopelessness that the weight will never come off. It's a vicious self-reinforcing cycle. If I can do it, trust me, I'm certain you can.
What I have found, for me, is that the goal of losing weight for the sake of losing weight is not enough. I need a purpose, a goal to work towards. The last time I lost a lot of weight (about 40 lbs over 2 months) was in advance of a trip to Germany. I knew I'd be miserable in the tight airplane seat for 9 hours if I didn't do something. Unfortunately once I got there all the old bad eating habits came flooding back--and Germany is a great place if you like lots of beer and fatty foods.
Now my goal is the trail. The trick will be to find the motivation to stay in shape afterwards.
Anyway that's just a suggestion. Everyone is different and finds motivation in different ways.
Use this board for support. There's lots of people here who'd love to see you succeed and will cheer you on. You can do it!
fredmugs
02-26-2011, 10:16
How's everyone doing? I'm happy to say that this morning my scale touched the 270 mark for the first time in years. So that's 15 lbs. so far this month and 25 since I started losing about 6 weeks ago.
My basic plan is to eat 1300-1500 calories per day of only good food--lots of lentils, veggies, fruit, skim milk, 99% lean ground turkey (I love this stuff), skinless chicken breast, fish, shredded wheat cereal, etc. I haven't been perfect--there were a few days around Valentine's I cheated and I did get seduced by a six-pack a couple times.
Congrats on your progress! Sounds to me like you are doing all of the right things.
I'm at 217, down 21 pounds from Christmas and 35 pounds from my heaviest! My goal is 215 by June and under 200 by the end of the year. I may need to move those up but I am being cautious. In my past forays of weight loss the 220 mark is usually where it has come to a screeching halt! We will see. I have a long ways to go but I have come a long way too! Sometimes focusing on the progress I've made instead of the ground I still have to cover is what keeps me going.
I did a short little weekend hike last weekend around McAfee Knob. My hiking partners commented how much better I was doing compared to past hikes. It was a good feeling. I still get more winded than I like when hitting a hill but not as bad as it used to be!
jerseydave
02-26-2011, 12:59
I did a short little weekend hike last weekend around McAfee Knob. My hiking partners commented how much better I was doing compared to past hikes. It was a good feeling. I still get more winded than I like when hitting a hill but not as bad as it used to be!
I used that to fuel my enthusiasm.
That good feeling is what kept me going, and keeping up with it gave me an even better feeling, which in turn gave me more reason to keep going.
It kept building upon itself in a good way.
A year and a half into my journey and I can't even remember that feeling of lethargy and windedness that was an everyday part of just being "normal" for me.
Let that "good feeling" work for ya.
Good luck on the adventure to a new you.
jd
Freedom Walker
02-26-2011, 22:24
Since i started this post, i suppose I should check in too. I stepped on the scales this morning and it registered 198, down from 212 back in December. I haven't starved myself, just tried to cut back on sugar, eat more fruits and veggies, and exercise. Oh i had the knee surgery two weeks ago I and have slowed with the exercise a bit. Would like to get to around 185 and with warmer weather coming, I believe I will make it.
Welcome to the ONEder club! Congrats! I look forward to joining you! Keep up the good work!
Second Half
02-28-2011, 08:41
Since i started this post, i suppose I should check in too. I stepped on the scales this morning and it registered 198, down from 212 back in December. I haven't starved myself, just tried to cut back on sugar, eat more fruits and veggies, and exercise. Oh i had the knee surgery two weeks ago I and have slowed with the exercise a bit. Would like to get to around 185 and with warmer weather coming, I believe I will make it.
Congrats on getting under 200! How's the knee?
Second Half
02-28-2011, 08:43
Ashman: I see you're in Greensboro--I'm an alum of Kiser Jr. High and Grimsley Sr. High (didn't graduate there though, my family moved right before my senior yr.)
Freedom Walker
02-28-2011, 17:08
Congrats on getting under 200! How's the knee?
Thanks.
Doing so good I am tempted to go on a 10 mile backpacking weekend trip in a couple of weeks. But i won't, I will just walk down the road some and may do a easy day hike a few weeks from now. Don't want to reinjure it.
Add these exercise in your resolution for the weight loss.
Running is the best exercises because it helps you burn the calories.
Just in 30 minutes a person can easily burn 300 calories.
Walking, Sprinting and adding hills or an incline can burn 180 calories in 30 minutes.
Bicycling and Swimming of 30 minutes can burn 400 to 500 calories.
Current weight: 285
I plan to start a 700 mile section hike in early May.
I'd like to be under 250 at the start, I'd love to be under 240.
Good Luck w/ yer hike!:D
Maybe I'll see U out there...
hiking DWG Nobo to Kent,CT
May 28-June 12
w/ "Piece O'Work"
All that good German beer, junk food and my tending to pile on too much on my plate, produced a shocking scale weight of 205 on 1-1-11. To say that it was another attempt at a New Year"s resolution doomed to failure was not an option for me. I wanted to hike, and as my trail name suggests, I have bad knees. To reduce the pressure on those joints, I decided to go for a more sustainable and livable diet change. Being a meat lover, one word came to mind. "Atkins". No, or limited carbs to get the loss started and keep it going. I have lost the weight gradually and really crave my bad old food choices. I feel that I can now indulge in carbs on occasion without the guilt and not gain it back. The mind-set of portion control is a big part and just saying no to sugar, and starches is a real re-learning of how much and what to eat. I have always been active, and am really physical in my work. That wasn't the problem. I have always gotten my exercize.
I really miss the beer, pizza, pasta, chips bread etc. but realize that I consumed far too much of those. In moderation they are OK now. The key is moderation. I always ate veggies with my meals but now substitute the carbs part of the meal with an extra veggie. I count carbs now, not calories! Alcohol?...no beer, but I now have the occasional glass of red wine...Easier to take on the trail too!
I know the energy needed for the trail comes in the form of carbs and also am aware of the fact that with a higher metabolism on the trail I can, and will take plenty of those giving me the chance to re-enjoy them. Yeah, for adjusting diet according to need...not want. Looking forward to some letting go without weight gain.
Now the tale of the tape...
My knees are trashed from abuse over the years but they have responded to the pressure reduction somewhat and do feel a tad better. I don't feel that they will ever be like my younger years. However my blood pressure is down and belly disappearing. I have dropped 4" in waist size and it is a good thing that I saved all those jeans from the years of ballooning up the weight ladder. I am now wearing my 10-year old jeans again!
My loss was gradual and I feel sustainable. From 1-1-11 to present, in less than 5 months, I was 205 and I am now down to 173, a total of 32 pounds and well within reach of my target weight of 165. I do feel better! And, over-all, a little younger in body. I look better and have more stamina..Well worth it! I have removed myself from that obese list the average American is on. A real life change for me. I hope that this helps!
delaford321
05-26-2011, 12:56
Excellent! Congrats, Hobbler! I'm still about 25 pounds from my goal, but it's still doable...thanks for the inspiration and advise!
double d
05-26-2011, 15:16
Keep up the good work!
I am back to 225 after being down to 185 this time last year. Sucks.
Kudos to those that have managed to get down and stay down.
Second Half
05-26-2011, 16:02
Hmmm, I was hoping this thread would stay buried...LOL
My hiking, weight loss and professional life have all been stuck "on hold" for the past few months. I'm still at 270 and my plans for a 2-month hike have been sabotaged by a combination of injury (hurt my knee, happily it is now healed), family illness and a messy unresolved business-related legal situation.
I have been getting out for some day hikes on the AT as well as some local parks (Hickory Run has the best-named trail: "Shades of Death") and a rail-to-trail. But it's not nearly enough and I need to get out there more.
OK let's let this thread die again.
lol
How about first one to lose 10 pounds gets to re-open it?
Hope things turn around for you though, and me also.
OK now I'll lose 10 before I post in this thread again. :-)
Another benefit realized, by me at least, with the change to the Atkins diet...For the past 10 years, I have been living with GERD requiring me to take a daily dose of Prilosec. I could rarely sleep without having acid creeping up my throat during the night and waking me. I now have many days usually 3-4 go by without even a thought of having to take one. With the portion control, less carbs and weight loss, I don't feel the need to medicate regimentally every day with Omeprazole. I still have GERD but much more under control now. My sleep is better and I can now enjoy my morning fresh ground coffee without the worry of acid throat. Atkins is a life-style change and requires a lot of work and attention. I found it really hard at first to give up the junk-food (sugars, starches etc...) but the new mind-set makes it so much easier to avoid the bad stuff now. Like I said on another post, on the trail, I can go a little wild allowing carbs back in my diet temporarily to get the energy that is needed to hike. Everything in balance. Wonderful.
Oh, by the way, I do all the cooking for my wife and myself and that gives me the ability to control all the ingredients. And, I make and take my lunch every day, never going out to a restaurant. Tip...Bread-less Romaine Lettuce Roll-ups, that's right, no bread, with meat and cheese inside. Low calorie, no carbs and satisfying...I like it now...Who'd a thunk it?...Like I said a mind-set and life-style change. It does work.
ephbulay123
06-24-2011, 00:24
Well, I think I should make goals in losing my weight too. I am currently 200 pounds..
One thing I'm having difficulty with is I'm 290lbs but I've been told I look like I'm 190-210. I'm 6'2" I don't know what's up with me because I don't lift weights, but the last time I tried REALLY losing weight I was down to around 10% body fat at about 190lbs. At 220lbs I'm around 20% body fat and at 250lbs I'm around 27-30% body fat.
It's really difficult because you go to the doctor and your BMI says you're over weight but you have a six pack! It's also extremely annoying on the knees. My family doctor says I may just have really dense bones from my background in martial arts. I'm hoping the extreme calorie deficit from thru hiking the Appalachian trail will shrink my frame enough that with careful dieting I can finally get down to below 190!