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Proggy
New Member
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Posted: 30 Jul 2011 06:24 pm |
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I'm a 38 year old man who refuses to get on a scale. The reason for that is because I'm pretty sure I'm back over 300 lbs. Probably more like 320, truth be told. (I'm 6'0".)
In 2004 I was even worse off and made the decision to lose weight. I did Induction-level Atkins for the entirety of 2005, went to the gym three or four times a week, and lost about 140 lbs. I was pretty thrilled, and spent 2006 and 2007 enjoying myself and my new-found looks.
Well, the years went on and I gained steadily. Now in 2011, I've found myself back up there - maybe not AS bad, but close enough. My sleep apnea has returned. All the cool clothes I bought (in the normal stores!) don't fit. My belly is huge. I feel like Peter Griffin from Family Guy. I'm pretty upset about it all. I do NOT want to do Atkins again. Too restrictive (there's only so many ways to dress up meat for dinner every day).
SO. A week ago I bought a treadmill, and have been using it daily for 40 minutes, doing a little over 2 miles (or is it kms?) and sweating up a storm (I'm a big sweater). I make motivational playlists on my ipod and this helps me greatly. I've also dispensed with the following:
- Ordering delivery (my biggest vice of all - pizza, Chinese food, chicken and fries, and desserts)
- BEER (Oh, how I love it) - and all alcohol for that matter, at least for the time being. When I re-introduce it, it will be vodka and club soda.
- All sweets (a major love of mine)
- Massive carb-loaded meals (Pancakes anyone? I had those twice or three times a week  )
- Eating until I'm beyond full.
From now on, it's fruits and vegetables, whole wheat pastas and rice, skinless chicken breast, salmon, eggs, fibrous cereals, etc. etc. etc.... I'm on day 6 now and I'm getting even more motivated as the days go on. I've started taking the stairs in my apartment building every day instead of the elevator. When I get home from work, it's straight to the treadmill I go for my 40 minutes (I may increase that as I shrink). I drink ONLY water and black decaf coffee. (Well, I drink V8 too, but that's not when I'm thirsty, per say). The water drinking is not a problem for me, I love water. I have a bottled water machine and several large jugs delivered every two weeks. Whatever the recommended daily water intake is, I surpass it no problem. I'm fortunate in that regard because I hear a lot of people complain about having to drink water. No problem there for me, so I'm thankful for that.
I shall also endeavour to eat several smaller meals throughout the day when possible. I work in a restaurant kitchen, so snacking is very easy to do. Unfortunately my choices are limited due to everything being so unbelievably high in fat, bad carbs and calories.
But I am able to snack on oranges, carrots, celery, chicken breast, and occasionally whole wheat toast with a little butter and honey. So eating a little bit throughout the day is not a big problem.
One big concern I have is that I will become too obsessed and screw this up. My motivation is high, but I need some thought-provoking advice from you fine folk. Any tips for this newbie? I've almost forgotten how I did it in 2005. But I know I *should* be at least somewhat successful. I mean, c'mon. I've begun exercising. I've stopped drinking. I've switched from terribly high-calorie meals to healthy grains and greens.
This should work, right?
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TheAntiTroll
New Member
| Joined: | 24 Jul 2011 |
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| Posts: | 49 |
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Posted: 30 Jul 2011 07:16 pm |
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Try to think back to the obsessiveness and willpower u had with the atkins and do it over again.
You WILL SUCCEED
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 30 Jul 2011 09:03 pm |
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You work in a restaurant kitchen and the only vegetables available are carrots and celery? I'll have difficulty dining there, then!
I've also dispensed with ... Eating until I'm beyond full.
If you make it vegetables you can allow yourself to go "beyond full". Personally I tend to 'go there' once per day.
I did Atkins in 2004 but only lasted about 3 months before falling off. I read 'Eat To Live' (quote the contrast) in 2006 and commited to it in 2007. I guess the the thing they both have in common is that grains (even whole-grains) are de-emphasized (unless you need to gain some weight etc.)
What do you mean by 'obsess' and how do you think it worked against you last time?
did all-or-nothing thinking play a part?
What do you think was your maintenance problem? did you have a plan? do you think you'll have one this time?
Welcome to the forum - from another 38 yo man
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Proggy
New Member
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Posted: 30 Jul 2011 09:25 pm |
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Nir wrote: You work in a restaurant kitchen and the only vegetables available are carrots and celery? I'll have difficulty dining there, then!
Ha, no... there are others! I just happen to like carrots and celery a lot. Plenty of other veggie options too.
When I say 'obsessing', I mean perhaps eating too little. It's best to be taking in the proper amount of calories to keep my metabolism running smoothly. I know it's best to eat when hungry - and I do - but perhaps I am not taking in enough. Time will tell. And yes, all-or-nothing thinking comes into play a lot.
I never did maintenance with Atkins. I did straight Induction level carbs (under 20g per day) for over a year. And like I said, it worked beautifully, but only that first time. After gaining back some weight and trying again several times, I was falling off more frequently and continuing to gain in increments.
I don't have a plan, other than to do my treadmill walks every day and continue to eat (much) more sensibly.
I'm going to look up 'Eat To Live' now.
Thank you for the welcome and the response! 
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