Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Keep it up fellas. I've been down another pound at 244 for the last few days.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I'm down 23 pounds to 243- been on the South Beach Diet.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I hope you wear your Ricky track pants for the after, too, brother.
I have the same exact ones. :D

I made it back down to 199.2 today. It's still easy for me to knock off pounds when I feel good, cause I'm active. I've been feeling good for a week or so, and lost 6 pounds fast. I hope it holds out for a few more weeks so I can get to 185. That's been a very elusive number. :)
I have a few rough doctor appointments in the next two weeks, and I'm hoping I don't have to change meds or add a whole bunch, as things are starting to iron out a bit. (I quit a couple meds that were killing me and doing nothing, I'll probably catch hell.)
I've gone walking for the last two days and it's been a LONG time since I've been able to do that. It's a huge help. Thank God!!! :tu
I've also got to get a cigar in every day on my walks, and I desperately missed that. I'm gonna smoke a big dark nasty stinko today. I can't wait. :D

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Nice work Andy! keep it up brother.

Shawn ,you certainly look like a guy that I would avoid f*****g with no matter what you weigh.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

244.7 lbs today. trying to get to 242.5 till the end of the month

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

down to 202, 2 more pounds till my goal although I might bring my goal to 190 now. 9 weeks and almost 40 pounds down.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

This thread is motivating me....I feel like I've gotta hop on a bike and run all my errands instead of laying on the couch!

Keep up the great work everyone.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Get 'er done!:tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

The body is a truly amazing thing............it can do stuff without your permission.

I went for my semi monthly check in yesterday and my progress had slowed. To which I had assumed was impossible............after all its simple math right.

Calories intaken less calories burned................if that is a negative then you will lose weight............well that is true but there is also Macro Nutrients to consider. Which is why most if not all creditable nutritionists advice a nutrition plan high in lean protein and complex carbs (fruits and veggies) and stay away from processed carbs.

Seems I have been working out too hard and as a result have caused my body to crave (and I mean like a rock hound craves crack) carbs for energy, and I subtly switched my diet so that I was consuming much much more carbs (not extra calories mind you just more sugars and starches). My progress was not what I expected. Now any "normal" person would have been happy with the results but I was pissed and even went so far as to get snippy with my trainer/nutritionist/motivational coach. Not his fault but damn I worked my ass off and expected better results.

Took me a full 24 hours to realize that I let my subconscious guide my eating habits out of the acceptable range of my process but validate it by assuming that calories are calories and all are processed the same. This morning I went back through my journal and could see where the change had started and progressed, it is all a result of increased levels of Anaerobic exercise to the point where my muscles where screaming for carbs for energy.

So reset today..........back on the right plan and have slightly lowered my workout intensity and regimen.....essentially as you lose weight you require less energy to do the same work so in effect you burn less calories and lose less total weight. So I compensated by amping up exercise........apparently that only goes so far........intelligently I know that but my subjective says work harder and it will work.

So that is the if it doesn't fit use a bigger hammer mentality.........damn for such an intelligent person I am a moronic ass when it comes to myself.

Having said that..................I am lower than I have been since I have been married (20 years) and still have the drive to keep it going.

end of rant thanks for listening.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Keep up the good work, Shawn.
I've had exactly the same thing happen along the way. When I get to a point, my body screams for carbs, and I settle back around 195.
The only way I'm going to break that barrier is to get active playing ball and stuff, and that's not going to happen with my health being what it is. Not right now, anyways.
I'm just going to have to be patient, and patience is running thin. :)

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

199 this morning. Goal reached, 41 pounds lost since January 12th. I feel great and went shopping the other day and purchased 34 waist pants. I was up to a 40" so this was a great feeling. Last time I was in 34's, I was 25 years old (nearly 9 years ago). I'll go to 190 and then I'll be great! This thread has been a great motivator, thank you Andy for starting it. I found myself wanting to hold myself accountable not only to myself but to you guys here that are doing great with your weight loss goals.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Incredible work, Scott. Congratulations!!! :)
I was totally stoked when I bought 36's. I was squeezing into 38's before I lost all the weight. Never went up to 40's, although I should have.
I'm sure I could get into 34's at this point, but I'm not buying pants again till I get to 32's. :tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

My 34's were getting a bit tight on me, and reading this thread helped me realize I needed action! I typically work out 3-4 days a week, but it was my diet that was killing me. Simple substitution of healthier foods for the crap I was eating has helped me to shed nearly 10 lbs in a little under a month.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Shawn, great job in going back and finding where you went wrong. That's why journals are a useful tool.

Scott, congrats on hitting your goal! Now to mainain it.

Scott (Shilala), I've been eating nothing but carbs on this road trip which sucks. It's hard to eat healthy when the family wants to stop at BK, White Castle, and Taco Bell and all I can't eat meat right now. That means pretty much french fries.:(

JR, Good luck to you!:tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Well three days back on appropriate dietary intake (both caloric and nutrition balance) and I feel better and I am back on pace.

Unbelievable really but I guess there is more to the power of the subconscious than I am willing to admit.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Don't sweat it, Andy. Shawn's recent discovery is a lot of what I use to manage. I just listen to my body.
Problem with that is that the meds I take screw that all up. One of them has a common side effect that it makes a person crave sweets, especially candy.
Until I get smoothed out, I just try to eat what's good for me. Lots of good cereal and wheatgrass juice (that I grow and juice myself).
Aside from that, I just try to avoid crap. But I do have a whopper now and again cause I love them. :)
If anyone saw what I eat, they'd probably never believe I'm not 500 pounds, but I'm careful and conscious. The whole thing even confuses me, so I'll shut up there. :D
I guess what I was trying to say is that what I eat doesn't appear to be nearly as important as how much I eat. My stomach has shrunk and I can't eat nearly as much at a sitting, and I stop eating when I'm full. That's very important stuff. I even throw food away instead of eating the last five spoonfuls. Honest. Even if it's macaroni and cheese. :D
Oh yeah, got two hot dogs with nacho cheese and onions and sauce at Sheetz the other day. Ate one, put the other one in the fridge. Then I threw it out.
I just can't eat like I used to. :tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

243 lbs this morning. not too happy but better than nothing. i have two weeks easter holidays and plan on working out a lot. goal is to dropp 10 pounds

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I need to refocus on physical activity. I'm gonna start running/walking again tomorrow. Maybe get back in the gym too.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

passover = forget it

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I know the feeling.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Raining hard today. Maybe it'll clear this afternoon so I can run before baseball practice. If not I'll hit the gym.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I'm really struggling at this for some time as I have major motivation issues. After a couple of weeks, I virtually give up. Depression really sucks and I don't know if medication is a good way to go as I think the side effects of a few of them
are weight gain.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Hey Shawn,

TC came over for dinner last Wednesday for dinner and cigars...

I almost didn't recognize him at 1st ( down 54 lbs ! )... He is ecstatic about how he looks.

He told me how you and him are motivating each other...

I can't wait to see you in May, Bro'... Keep up the great work!!

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Thanks Amigo...........yup he is in awesome shape. He is now seeing the same guy I am using.

Gets tougher as you get close to your goal but worth every pain and drop of sweat.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I think battling your depression through the physical challenge of getting in shape and attaining weight loss goals might be up your alley. I was struggling with a touch of depression as I work all the time, don't see my family enough and on top of it I was getting so out of shape that I wouldn't take my shirt off in front of myself. Tell you what, getting in shape helps me sleep better at night, wake up with no issues in the morning. The wife comments on how much she enjoys looking at me now and I have more energy to truly enjoy those limited times with the kids.

People do not change when we tell them they should; they change when their context tells them they must.

I think you need a change.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I'm up around 205 now. I'm gonna go look for the "Gaining weight with Andysutherland" thread. :tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I agree 100% with the above. I wasn't initially going to respond as each persons issues are there own and to assume what works for some will work for others is something I try not to do.

However, I have been medication free for over 6 months, and over the last 4 have felt even better than when on meds due to exercise. I like being in control of my own well being rather than relying on meds. Don't get me wrong I do not recommend doing anything without discussion with your doc but my personal experience is that changing my physical health and well being has had a direct correlation to my mental health and well being.

There are also some very good physiological reasons to lose weight and exercise.

Researchers have found that although antidepressants facilitate a more rabid therapeutic response than exercise; exercise was equally effective in reducing depression over periods of 16 weeks or more. Exercise helps the brain to build up a resistance to serotonin so the that the body doesn't tire as easily.

Some of the major benefits are

• People have reported that, when they exercise, can think more clearly, feel happy, feel better about themselves, lose weight, develop strength, and enjoy a sense of well-being.
• Exercise increased positive mood
• they sleep better
• have less nervousness and anxiety,
• Exercise decreased negative mood
• Exercise improved vigour
• Exercise is effective in reducing stress, anger, fatigue
• Many evidence proved that exercise plays a vital role in uplifting depression
• Exercise improved the motivation and self-esteem in the person
• Many people even report that they look and feel younger when they exercise regularly.
• Exercise may help in increasing the feelings of coherence
• Exercise increased the feelings of social integration
• An exercise and depression study in which participants walked daily for even weeks found that the decrease in depressive mood and the improvement in vigour continued after five months.
• Another exercise and depression study which compared exercise alone, medication alone, and exercise plus medication found lasting improvements after six months in participants who had exercised without medication.
• When the participants continued to exercise the on going improvement was even greater. This study concluded that medication may produce quicker relief but exercise yields more long term benefit.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

If I was depressed over nothing more than my physical appearance, this is obviously a great thing for me. In my situation, I still haven't really moved on from the loss of both parents, 2 grandmothers, and my job in the span of January 2008 and August 2009. My problem lies in very low motivation to stick with it after more than 7-10 days at a time. I feel like Peter from Office Space at times after being on the plan. I'm just hoping there's something that can light a fire under my ass once again.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

PM sent Duane.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I wasn't implying that you were depressed over your physical appearance and I apologize if that is what you thought. I am talking about suffering from clinical depression. This is a serious mental issue.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I didn't interpret it as such. I'm actually going through an abnormal psychology class right now and it's kinda funny that the instructor joked that a lot of us will somehow feel as though we could be diagnosed with many of the disorders we're covering. It's a pretty interesting class and gives a lot of insight over a lot of these things.

Obviously depression can be attributed to a number of factors in ones environment and feelings over your physical appearance can obviously have a significant impact on it. Obviously the goal is to cut the weight because I obviously recognize the health/mental benefits of it. It's just that darned problem I have with virtually no motivation from the time I start my diet and it just unravels after a few days. I have that goal of losing ~ 55 lbs, but I seem to have lost that competitive edge anymore to stick with it.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Duane, I'm sorry to hear, and wish you all the best.

For some situations, time is one of the biggest healers.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

There's a gaining weight with hardcz thread out there somewhere in thread limbo.:)
Duane, have you tried setting smaller goals? Don't try to lose 55 lbs. Set a goal to lose 5 or 10 pounds. Then when you reach that goal you will feel that you have accomplished something. Then set another goal of 5 or 10 pounds and so forth. Keep setting small goals so you will constantly be successful. Eventually you'll reach that 55 lbs. goal. Short term goals help a bit with motivation. 55lbs seems like so far away that you'll give up more quickly than you would with a 5 pound goal.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Tommorrow is weigh in day still time to get a guess in at my contest.

Oh except for you Andy.........:banger

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

:tg

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Hey everyone,

Hope you are all doing well. Life has been crazy busy since I landed in Alberta. I haven't been able to maintain any kind of regular exercise except when I'm working. The weather is getting nicer here, so I hope to spend more time outside.

My weight has been fluctuating but since the first month or so up here I've been able to keep it around par for me (235). This morning gave me a nice surprise of 231.2. Now the goal is to at least stay at this weight or drop a few more. Maybe I will go run some stairs in the river valley.:ze

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Down 12.5 lbs from my peak a little over a month ago to 185. Sub 180 is in my sights!

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

228.8 this morning

For reference I was 240 when I graduated high school.

I am kicking ass and taking names and I have no intent on slowing down.

Muscles are starting to peak through here and there. My wife says that while she always thought I looked hot............that now she fears others might start thinking so (dunno about that ugly is ugly LOL)

No six pack yet but there is a 2 pack (my lower abs are rock hard and showing) pretty damn cool

Body fat % is down to 19.4%, been burning a little muscle the last couple of weeks in addition to fat but that can't be helped.

15 to 20 more to go then its muscle building time.

C'mon over and take a guess for month 4 RIGHT HERE

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Awesome Shawn!:tu
I've spent the afternoon in the heat at baseball practice and then went outside in the yard with my son and worked on catching and fielding. Worked up a good sweat today.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I just bought a Wii Fit Plus. Gonna test this thing out now.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I had blood drawn on Friday to test thyroid and various other stuff. I figured if I'm gonna do this right, I need to know if my thyroid is working against me anyway. I've also set up an appointment for Wednesday to discuss the results and inquire about an anti-depressant of some sort that will hopefully help me stay on track.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Thoughts and prayers sent for positive results Wednesday, Duane.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

weight yesterday 240.3. gym is closed today + my first day without training in 10 days. big easter meal today + on wednesday i am going to fire up my grill for the first time this year.
The great thing is that the 100 kg mark is in sight. goal is to be under it at the end of may (first time since summer of 2005 when i was 17)
I am also going back to keeping a food + exercise diary after the easter holidays because i dont think i can get to my goal in time without one....

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

198 this morning althought ill put on 5 pounds today with all this food. might make a run at 190. I graduated high school at 190.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Thanks...I'm actually kinda hoping they do find something a little off with my thyroid so I actually do have a bit of an excuse when it comes to how much harder it's been for me to lose weight in the past 5 years. Being down in the dumps and not really caring about much will do a lot to undermine your dieting efforts as well.

At any rate, I'm hitting the spinning class starting tomorrow from 9:15-10:15am at LA Fitness Monday-Friday and getting back on my program full-time. We'll see if I can keep from falling off the wagon this time around.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Been playing Wii Fit for about two hours. only burned 250 calories. Too much time taken to explain everything. Maybe when I set up my routines it will let me keep exercising at a steady pace. This things pretty awesome, though!:tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I think I was 204.8 this morning. The weight is coming off since I got all my drugs settled in. I'm starting to feel pretty good, too. :tu
I'm excited to see what the next month brings. :)

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Had my 2 week check in with fitmetabolism today.

Had the best two week results since I have started my program.

Add that in to the training for the 200k ride and things should keep progressing nicely...........hell I even had Easter Dinner and still did well.

I have my up days and down days but there seem to be more up of late.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

My labs came back normal, so nothing appears to be working against me other than getting a bit older compared to when I had a lot more success 6-7 years ago.

Doctor gave me 6 weeks worth of lexapro and diagnosed me with more of an adjustment disorder rather than full blown depression per se. I think he also wanted to note me as something less severe because he knows I'm going back to school to pursue nursing as he specifically commented to the fact that if I'm ever asked if I've been treated for depression, I can answer no. I'm sensing that issues of depression in the past may work against you going into the medical field, so he's probably trying to help me in that regard. I'm quite jittery after my first dose this morning.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

+- 0 frustrating... had one high cal day + one day without working out...but when i work out i work out hard.
going to keep track of everything i eat again. goal for the month is to get under 105 kg..