Losing weight in 2015

[RNwastash]

Hi All,
I'm down 6.2 pounds since I last posted.  Now I need to lose 25.2 pounds til my goal of #135.  I'm training for a half-marathon (verrry sloww pace) so I have to balance being able to run my long runs and weight loss.  I can get back on track after my event on March 15th.  I also love reading everyone's progress.  Keep it up, gang!!

[Cinder]

[votu]

Seventh Week

Last week weight: 147.8
Current weight: 145

[wintersun]

I am on a slide of overeating of refined carbs in the last week.  After losing a total of twenty pounds I began to slide a bit and now it is time for the brakes. I am glad to be able to share to be accountable here.

This time of year is traditionally a bleak one for me so I think I need to examine options for lifting myself up, I think I am eating to feel better.

[PatStab]

I have now lost 24, but it is very hard for me the last 3 weeks  I have 16 to go to be  normal
BMI, some calculators tell me I should weigh in the 140's, at 5'8", but 160 says on the BMI
chart.  I haven't gotten to that weigh in probably 30 years.  I'm at 176 right now. And I'm working
 on it.

[wintersun]

Hi PatStab,  We are around the same height, and I know what you mean about the varying weights on charts, etc.  I used to be in the 140s a million years ago but am sure that would be too thin now. It will be interesting where you end up feeling at ease. 

[boarder42]

Well returning from my first business trip of the year and all in all it was a success. Had one blatant violation of my diet a Manhattan.  Hoping to still end this week under 193lbs.

[votu]

Eighth Week

Last Week Weight: 145
Current Weight: 144.4

[boarder42]

was flat last week.  as much as you can try to eat right on business trips you never know what a person is putting in that food they are cooking you... but i'll take a flat week.  better than gain.  Hoping to cross 193 this week now.

[Nate R]

1/8/2014: 219

12/28/2014: 205
2/19/2015: 189
3/16/2015: 186 ---Weight loss is slowing as I get closer to an ideal weight. But still moving in the right direction!

[boarder42]

Dang thats some crazy weight loss their nate how tall are you.  i'm slowing around mid 190s at 6/4 b/c ideal for me is around 180-185

[Nate R]

Dang thats some crazy weight loss their nate how tall are you.  i'm slowing around mid 190s at 6/4 b/c ideal for me is around 180-185

5' 10"

Not sure what ideal is for me, haven't been this low since sometime in high-school! BMI chart says mid-170s is getting into normal territory. I figure from the way I look now, I have at least another 5-10 lbs to get to ideal.

I focus on staying low-carb through the colder months, and staying away from wheat, sugar and processed foods.

[boarder42]

yeah i do slow carb diet from Tim Ferris Four hour body.  have crazy good copy cat recipes for most things developed after 2 years on and off this diet.  cheese is my weakness ... once i hit the goal weight the cheese comes back in.

[wintersun]

I have been eating more lately, I think it is that time of year when I seek out carbs.  That is okay, this too will pass. 

[Cinder]

Dang thats some crazy weight loss their nate how tall are you.  i'm slowing around mid 190s at 6/4 b/c ideal for me is around 180-185

5' 10"

Not sure what ideal is for me, haven't been this low since sometime in high-school! BMI chart says mid-170s is getting into normal territory. I figure from the way I look now, I have at least another 5-10 lbs to get to ideal.

In 2011 I weighed 220 lbs, I'm about 5'9"~5'10"

Though eating smaller portions, more made from scratch food, and trying to ride to work as often as I can (probably average 4 days a week, 11mi a day), I hit an absolute low of 147 in sept 2013, and have pretty much stayed around 150~165 without trying to hard, during the winter, more holidays, more snow days (right now I only have my road bike functional, so snow can be tough).



Back when I hit 170, I thought I had made it, that was good enough, and I never imagined being below that weight again... but the weight kept peeling off. 

I never had 'weight loss' as my goal, I've always just tried to focus on being healthy, making good choices, and weight was just a data point..

[DollarBill]

Check in time. Just closed out my 2 month mark. Started Jan 20th at 233 lbs and I'm now down to 218.

[vulgar_girl]

At 5'7" and 166 lbs, I'm 7 lbs into the "overweight" category on the BMI charts. I want to get below 159 lbs (aka "normal") and stay there. Currently I am sticking to a Paleo diet and doing Crossfit 4-5 days/week to achieve this goal (granted, I've been doing both of these for quite some time, but we're tightening down on cheats and drinks this year); I started the year at 169 lbs.

I am also 5'7" with the same goal of reaching "normal" at 159.  I have 10 pounds to go after losing about 25 pounds in the last 7 months.  I am in!

[Genevieve]

Hi guys, I'm in for the challenge!

I weigh 199 lbs. I'm 5'4" so this is significantly overweight. The BMI charts suggest that I should weigh 145, but I'm planning on taking a break and trying to maintain for a little while once I get under 180. I can always get there and then reconsider.

My goal is to lose 2 pounds per month so 185 by the end of the year. I'm also tracking my body fat. If get down to 26% body fat by the end of the year, I'll meet my goal as well.

This has been a multi-year challenge for me, and I've been seeing a health psychologist to help me stay accountable and learn new ways to stay on track.

My general strategy is to count calories on My Fitness Pal and eat a minimum level of protein every day. I have a million other strategies as well to increase compliance, but it does come down to eating less so these are the main guidelines. 

[wintersun]

Welcome vulgar_girl and Genevieve,

V_G,ten lbs. to go sounds doable to me.

Genevieve,  seeing a psychologist sounds like an excellent support for weight loss since so much of weight gain can be psychological.

[lovesasa]

A bit late, but I'm in.

I'm 5'2" and my goal weight is 120lbs/54.5kg (BMI says 118lbs is ideal... close enough)
Current weight: 135lbs/61kg  Since Summer 2014 (with some small ups and downs)
Highest weight: 165lbs/75kg  Summer 2013 (I think I actually weighed more than this, but I stopped weighing myself at 165...)

My plan is to modify my diet, low carbs high protein. Cheat day on Saturday.
Light exercise daily (situps, pushups, yoga). Couch to 5K running 3x/week.

That photo of 13 lbs to go is about how I feel this year has gone for me, haha.

[HappierAtHome]

Down 3.9 kg now. Eating a mostly plant-based diet seems to work well for me with feeling healthy and well, not feeling deprived, and still losing weight (albeit very slowly).

[votu]

Ninth week

Last Week Weight : 144.4
Current Weight : 144.2

[wintersun]

Lovesasa, welcome onboard.  Congrats on getting from 165 or higher to 135, that is very admirable.

[RNwastash]

Down 8.4 pounds from my last entry on Jan. 28th.  23.6 more pounds to go to my goal weight of #135!!

[Philociraptor]

So I've decided to give up on this goal in the name of Crossfit. I'm 5'7", 165# right now. The majority of CF athletes that I see doing really well are "overweight" or even "obese" on the BMI scale, and I've decided that I'm okay with that. Bring on the carbs!

[savedough]

I lost 9lbs 13oz today.    The rest will have to come off a little more slowly and won't be nearly as adorable.

[NinetyFour]

I have decided that I cannot purchase any more nuts until I lose 10 pounds.  I know they are good for me in moderation, but I do not have the discipline to eat reasonable portions of them.

Also, for the past few days, I have not eaten any food past about 4pm.  I think this is a good thing for me.

I weighted myself yesterday and came in at 153.5.  I need to lose 15!

[votu]

Tenth week

Last week weight: 144.2
Current weight: 146.2

Too much celebratory food.

[tmac]

I lost 9lbs 13oz today.    The rest will have to come off a little more slowly and won't be nearly as adorable.

Congratulations!  :)

I haven't posted to this thread before, but I've had my eye on it, and am rooting for everyone.

Height: 5'10"
Oct 2014: 248 lbs
Jan 2015: 235 lbs
Mar 2015: 221lbs

Goal: 171 (just over the line to a healthy BMI) and about what I weighed last time I felt really healthy and attractive.

I've been recently diagnosed with PCOS, which tends to go along with insulin resistance, so I'm especially sensitive to carbs.

My eating plan is paleo (no grains, dairy, or legumes; lots of veggies, protein and some fruit). It's keeping my hunger and auto-pilot eating in check, and my calories are fairly low without having to track it. I've also cut booze to one drink or fewer per week, mostly out of solidarity with my husband, who has had to give it up due to a health issue.

I allow one "free" meal per week, which usually includes dessert. It helps deflect the mid-week cravings to know that I can have the thing that I want; I just have to wait until Friday.

I've been exercising more to help with my carb sensitivity -- walking 2x a week, running 1x , and sprint rowing 1x (30s fast, 90s slow, for 20 minutes).

[boarder42]

hit 191.4 saturday morning before starting my cheat day.  i dont know the last time i was under 190 but that should happen this week sometime.

[DollarBill]

http://www.refusetoregain.com/

Someone posted this site on a different post and it has some good reading. Thought I'd share.

[lovesasa]

Lovesasa, welcome onboard.  Congrats on getting from 165 or higher to 135, that is very admirable.

Thank you! I still can't quite believe it. Even the pants that I bought in the US last summer (after I thought I lost all the weight I was going to) are too big for me now.

Just weighed myself on Friday, I was at 127.5lbs/~58 kilos. I definitely didn't lose all of that this month, but I hadn't weighed myself in a while when I joined the challenge. I often fall off the wagon when I feel like I've been "good" and deserve a reward... I haven't been at this weight since I was maybe 20?

7.5lbs to go! Seems much more doable, but also really hard as I've made all the "easy" changes.

[votu]

Eleventh Week

Last week weight: 146.20
Current Weight: 143.80

[Cassie]

8 months into this & have lost 30lbs. 10 more to go.

[wintersun]

I have never been one to weigh myself except once a year when I go to the doctor.  I feel I am quite equanimous about the scale. However, a few weeks back I got on a scale and it said I had put on 18 lbs in 3 weeks.  I had been eating a lot and despite being told that scales vary I got quite depressed about it.  Then, I weighed myself again todayand was 13 lbs lighter making me realise the problems with weighing on different scales and taking the numbers too seriously.

I think, and it looks, as though I have gained about 5 lbs of winter carb weight.  I  feel as though I am coming out of the slump. 

[Meggslynn]

I am in too!

Better late than never. After thee most stressful 4 months of my life I am 36lbs higher than I want to be.

I lose weight rather slowly but I am still setting a goal of 36lbs down by year end as I will be trying to get pregnant in the new year.

I will do this by:

1. 4-5 workouts a week (I am already doing 3-4) and increasing the intensity of them.
2. Logging daily in myfitnesspal
3. Avoiding sugar and refined carbs as they make my cravings worse

[wintersun]

Welcome Meggslynn, your plan sounds very doable to me.  I especially agree on the refined carbs making one hungry.

[Cassie]

YOur goal sounds great. I have been doing the slow way also. Buying a Fitbit really helped me so I could not lie to myself. I know if I hit 10,000/steps/day. Also at least 30 mins needs to be vigorous activity. Good luck!

[Meggslynn]

YOur goal sounds great. I have been doing the slow way also. Buying a Fitbit really helped me so I could not lie to myself. I know if I hit 10,000/steps/day. Also at least 30 mins needs to be vigorous activity. Good luck!

Yes, I just got a fitbit and really does help keep you accountable. I like how it sync's with myfitnesspal so I know if I am eating more or less calories than I am burning.

[wintersun]

I finally went back to the doctor's office to the original scale I used in the fall and I have officially lost 12 pounds total since September.  Now to get back on the wagon and stop using different scales. I feel like it is easier to lose weight when I am not craving carbs in the winter. Yay spring!

[Nate R]

I finally went back to the doctor's office to the original scale I used in the fall and I have officially lost 12 pounds total since September.  Now to get back on the wagon and stop using different scales.

This was important for me, I found. Once I had a scale that worked and I could trust, I knew my weight was right, and couldn't chalk up a steady gain over weeks to scale issues, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000U6F2M/

Expensive, but I've had this scale for 4 years now, and it's been accurate to doctor scales, and repeatable. I tried a few different ones before I pulled the trigger on this one.

[HappierAtHome]

I've fallen off the wagon (holiday, then Easter, then... just eating all the food) so today I'm back to tracking and eating mindfully.

[mrpercentage]

How I lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks. You see I work with a semi-pro bodybuilder and I asked him how he trims fat while maintaining muscle before a show.
This is what he said and it absolutely works: "It's a bitch bro but if you do it.. it will work."
First lets not talk about what you can't eat- the 99%. Let just focus on what you can.
1.
Oats for breakfast.. old man kind not little flavored packets.
2:30 in the micro with a hand full of frozen berries thrown in to cool it down. Maybe splenda or just a teaspoon of heavy cream. Measurements matter.
or Eggs

2. Followed by (no later then every 4 hours) Brownrice with a can of tuna on it and maybe a splash of franks hot sauce.
or
Talapia
or
Grilled chicken but fish works best.
Flavor as you like- teriyaki, bbq, soy @ wasabi ect. Note do not over do honey bbq. Its like cake frosting. No shit read the label.
and
add some veggies- no corn thats a grain.
and
Have some zero calorie diet soda for that sugar tooth. Diet Cherri Pepsi, Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Dr Pepper are best IMHO
finally
Maybe a muscle milk or gold standard protein shake.. You have to be careful with shakes because some are loaded with carbs.
You can switch the rice with sweet potato.
No Regular White Rice
No Regulare Potato
No Corn
No Grains
No added Sugar
No Dairy except that splash of cream

The irony is you will pay less in Groceries then you probably have your whole life.
Buy those little square tupperware containers and eat half at a sitting. If you stick to the diet and are hungry eat, but only what I told you.
Get some boil in bag brown rice and don't be afraid to throw away left overs they aren't good anyway.
This is not for the long term its for point A to Point B.
Long term is sensible eating and exercise to keep weight off.
This is absolutely gold advice that works for everybody. It took me down to 10% body fat at 33 years old when I started at 17%

You can cheat once a weak.. normal portions do NOT screw up a whole pizza. If you mess up go back to the diet.. do binge don't give up. You got this

[votu]

Twelfth Week

Last Week Weight: 143.8
Current Weight: 143.6

For once I’m not feeling discouraged by the lack of change since the weight has been dropping consistently throughout the week.  Just yesterday, I was in the 141 range, so I have no idea where this come from…probably just back up a bit.

[kiblebuka]

5'9", girl, 26.
Last I know I was 200lbs. It's probably 205 or 210 guessing by how badly I've eaten while moving house. I'd like to get to 175 first, and then maybe lower from there. I want to be able to stop driving to the train station.
Have issues with stress eating and laziness in cooking that need to be fixed. Also exercise is painful (I can't run, let alone walk fast)

[mtn]

Throwing my name in the ring. 25, male, ,5'10", and about 205-215. Will get an exact figure tomorrow night.
Things working against me:
Currently living at home (with parents) (short term, but indefinite for now)
I love beer, Dad buys beer
Mom cooks and makes my lunch and breakfast. She wants to do it, and I can tell I make her feel bad when I say I don't want her to. Her lunches are very healthy, but the breakfast has too much butter and the dinner is almost always heavy. Also came from a family where big eaters were rewarded
I hate exercise
I stress eat

Things working for me:
built in 1.1 mile walk in my commute, and in good weather an additional 1.5 miles.
Golf season is starting, I hope to be able to walk 9 holes at least 2 times a week.


Goals (Weight goals assuming I weigh 205 right now):
200 by May 1
Be able to do 100 situps by May 15
Be able to do 100 pushups by June 1
195 by May 15
Be able to do 5 chin ups by June 15
190 by June 15
185 by August 1
Break 90 by August 1

[HappierAtHome]

Is anyone willing to share their approach to protein?

I've just been reading that apparently 35% of my calories should come from protein (found this in a few places online). An online calorie counter suggests that my total calories per day should be about 1950 given all the relevant details.

How on earth am I meant to eat 682 calories of pure protein a day? Even an entire chicken breast (which is a LOT of meat for me) is only 224 calories of protein (the rest is fat). My favourite non-animal sources of protein (nuts, beans) don't seem to actually contain all that much protein.

Please tell me I'm getting something wrong here? Anyone care to explain this to me, or link me to a good source?

[HappierAtHome]

Is anyone willing to share their approach to protein?

I've just been reading that apparently 35% of my calories should come from protein (found this in a few places online). An online calorie counter suggests that my total calories per day should be about 1950 given all the relevant details.

How on earth am I meant to eat 682 calories of pure protein a day? Even an entire chicken breast (which is a LOT of meat for me) is only 224 calories of protein (the rest is fat). My favourite non-animal sources of protein (nuts, beans) don't seem to actually contain all that much protein.

Please tell me I'm getting something wrong here? Anyone care to explain this to me, or link me to a good source?

And now I've found another source that suggests about 15-20% of calories should come from protein. Hmmm.

[mrpercentage]

How on earth am I meant to eat 682 calories of pure protein a day? Even an entire chicken breast (which is a LOT of meat for me) is only 224 calories of protein (the rest is fat). My favourite non-animal sources of protein (nuts, beans) don't seem to actually contain all that much protein.

Please tell me I'm getting something wrong here? Anyone care to explain this to me, or link me to a good source?

The reason most nutritionists tell you to eat lots of protein is simple:
1. Protein is filling
2. Protein is only 4 calories per gram
3. You will under eat and feel full
4. You will lose weight

Protein will keep your body from cannabalizing its own metabolic furnace (your muscle) when you undercut your calories.
Instead you start cutting out the starch, the bread, the corn, the sugar, and you will get thirsty and a funny metallic taste in you mouth which means you are burning fat cells by the bus load.

[Philociraptor]

I aim for Protein in grams equal to lean body mass in lbs, i.e. I'm 170 lbs @ 18% BF, so I try and get 170*(1-18%) protein per day (139g). That's 556 kcals, with my TDEE around 2,200 on inactive days and 2,500 on workout days. The remaining calories I fill with carbs and fat, 70/30, 70% carbs on workout days and 70% fat on rest days. Of course, these are rough guidelines; at one point I actually tracked, but now I just eat ad libitum.