Official SI "Get in Shape" Support Group

[Kevaxe2k2]

Sooooo, anyone else go with the ol' "lose weight, get in shape, etc" New Year's resolution type thing? If so, what is your reasoning and how do you plan on meeting the goal?

My reasoning is simple. I have am 32 and I am carrying about 30 more pounds than when I was 22. . I am around 235 right now at 6'2. I am shooting for 20 lbs loss right now. I hit the weight room pretty hard for about 2 years (slacked in a HUGE way the last 6 months) So, I know there will be excess muscle weight and I wont' get down to my 22 year old weight. So, I am shooting for the 210-215 range and see where it goes from there.

To accomplish this, starting Jan. 2 I eliminated ALL junk food from my diet. No candy, cookies, ice cream, or soda. I eat my 3 meals with a piece of fruit for a snack usually between lunch and dinner. I also am having more veggies with dinner rather than potatoes, rice, etc. For breakfast, I have eliminated all my GOOD cereals (Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms, etc.) and have went with the Special K's, Cheerios, and Rice Crispies of the world. Not sure, how much difference that makes. I am sure there is a TON of sugar in those good cereals. I don't put any sugar in the cereals I eat. I only drink water, OJ, and the very occasional diet soda.

Needless to say, I am STARVING most of the time. So, I found a simple fix to that. Guzzle 2-3 glasses of water whenever I crave a snack. I get my water that way, and get the full feeling. The worst is post dinner/pre bed.

Doing sit-ups everyday (of course, the gut is the most bothersome thing!) and going to the gym Tues. Thurs and Sat. where I do the bike, a 45 minute weight workout, then the stairs, then a swim.

So, we will see where it goes. I have a cruise at the end of April and plan on being to lay on the beach without harpoons flying at me.


Anyone else fighting the good fight?

[Biff Tannen]

I didn't wait til New Years to get serious about things (again). I only have less than 10 pounds to lose to get to 160 (I'm only 5' 9" and I feel great at 160; 170 is a huge difference to me). So I've been doing more cardio (treadmill + walking outside when it's warmer).

Food wise, yes, it's all about lowering caloric intake and cutting out junk, but I never completely cut out the junk. I have a taste of it here or there and don't gorge on it. If you cut out all the crap cold turkey you'll want it even more.

Eating better (not perfect) and getting moving a little go a LONG way in feeling good and having more energy. It's sticking to it that's always a problem and falling back into lazy ways. Good luck, I'll be at it with you.

[Kevaxe2k2]

Awesome. Yeah, I just decided to eliminate sweets TOTALLY at least for now. I figure if I give myself an opening I could fall into the "well, ONE more cookie won't hurt". And, to my surprise, I have not craved them at all. Overall, I am just always hungry now and am always watching the clock for my next meal, ha! But I can already tell I am sticking to it this time.

I would like to get more cardio. I live very close to work and walk most days...so that is a mile or so. And I do a ton of walking at work (it's an arena). So, I do get a reasonable amount of activity on a daily basis. But nothing real strenuous. I plan on doing a ton of biking once the weather breaks.

I take it you have a treadmill at home? That has been on my "to buy" list for about 10 years.

[Biff Tannen]

Awesome. Yeah, I just decided to eliminate sweets TOTALLY at least for now. I figure if I give myself an opening I could fall into the "well, ONE more cookie won't hurt". And, to my surprise, I have not craved them at all. Overall, I am just always hungry now and am always watching the clock for my next meal, ha! But I can already tell I am sticking to it this time.

I would like to get more cardio. I live very close to work and walk most days...so that is a mile or so. And I do a ton of walking at work (it's an arena). So, I do get a reasonable amount of activity on a daily basis. But nothing real strenuous. I plan on doing a ton of biking once the weather breaks.

I take it you have a treadmill at home? That has been on my "to buy" list for about 10 years.

Yeah, I've had the same one for about 7 years. I just put the mp3 player on and have a tv in front of me, and it's much easier.

Losing weight is all a mind-set. You have to be locked in. I've tried other times too just to get a few pounds off here and there but the mindset wasn't there. Now, it is.

[Fletch]

I have been trying to eat better but my weakness has always been carbs.

When I did Atkins for a few years after college, it really helped...I was about 215 when I started and was able to get down to 162...I am 5-7, and you could see my ribs and hip bones stood out a ton...pretty bad. So I decided to add back on some weight to get to 175, where I felt healthy and still lifted 2-3 days a week. With my wife pregnant and the baby now here...I am back up to about 187...so I am trying to get back to 175 and it is harder then I thought.

I am still lifting, bscause if I am tone at 185 or so, I will be happy with that...but as I said earlier, carbs kill me. So I am just trying to be smart about what I eat and using and finding time to lift.

For those who are looking to drop more then 25 lbs, Atkins really works well if you are strict about it. My wife and I both lost 35-45 lbs and did not gain it back until the baby and we did not eat smart at all. I know that Mike dropped about 40lbs or so as well and another friend of our dropped a good 60 or so. As long as you are strong minded and are not stupid when you come off...the lbs start to fade away on a weekly basis and before you know it, your made your goal.

[yourmom_is_hot]

lol i'm actually trying to GAIN weight. right now i'm 6ft and 190lbs, and i'm trying to get to 200

[wkh1256]

i need to start doing something. I would probably like to loose up to 30 pounds. But right now its pretty tough, still in college, and work. I figure if i start packing a lunch for work instead of eating out everyday, that would help.

[BubblesTheLion]

lol i'm actually trying to GAIN weight. right now i'm 6ft and 190lbs, and i'm trying to get to 200

stay at 190. That extra 10 pounds makes a difference on your knee's

[Scotb]

I am 6'1 and about 235, when I was hitting the bars and trying to get some I was a 32" waist now I am a comfortable 38 I would like to drop about 25 lbs but truthfully cant find the motivation.
In the past I dropped weight simply eating better for lunch, eating a 6" sub rather than pizza or a burger. I can drop weight fast, I have pretty high metabolism but I love to eat.
I have no interest in excercise until I drop some weight....

I will start today healthy food for lunch, subway anyone???

[BigDog]

Allow me to point you to my signature.

I am in the middle of a 100-pound weight loss program (30 down, 70 to go). Five other people have joined my ranks, including my wife, and WayDownTownBang of these forums. Together, we've formed the F.A.T. Coalition - FAT being Fit And Trim.

Check out my blog, jump to the others involved on my sidebar, comment and encourage us, and if you want, start a blog and join us!

[yourmom_is_hot]

stay at 190. That extra 10 pounds makes a difference on your knee's

not really because when i graduated from h.s. i was at 135 and when i graduated from college in 2003 i was at 155 and my knees have been fine minus the jumpers knee i've had since i was 12.