Losing Weight with Starscream
 

Over the past few years, I have gone on several diets in order to lose weight. One diet was very successful and over a period of four months I lost 30+ lbs. But I always seem to lose focus and gain it all back. It's time to get my focus back. It's time to not just diet and exercise, but to have a lifestyle change. It's time to make this a permanent change. I know their are other BOTLs out there who are on diets or thinking about it, therefore I am starting this thread in hopes that some other members will jump on board w/ me. I know several of you were in the Diet Contest at CS and lost some weight, others not so much. So let's get this show on the road.


My starting weight, Nov 19th: 264lbs.

Weight as of Dec 11th: 258lbs.


My diet right now is low-fat (for the most part). Thinking of switching to a low-carb diet, but need more time to make that decision. Nothing is set in stone just yet.

Exercise: Right now I am working out w/ dumbells at home. Not in the gym yet. Started some cardio workouts this week too.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

It def is a lifestyle change, best of luck to you brother.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I'm there with you in spirit only for now Brother.

I could stand to lose 20 or so pounds, but I'm writing my thesis and not very active right now.

I return to work after the New Year, so I can focus on my eating habits and activities.

Get 'r done.:tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Gotta lose about 100 lbs! There is still a contest until April at CS. Don't know what's up with that- I probably should put in a post to see who, if anyone, is still working and visiting. I don't think it would be acceptable to move the contest over here.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

The first contest didn't go so well for me. Hope to stick w/ it this time though.:ze

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I will jump on the support band wagon! I have more or less reached my goal weight but I am still trying to redistribute some of the weight from my gut. My weight loss was my new years resolution last year, and I have to say its probably the first one I have ever taken seriously. You have made the right first step in calling it what it is, a definite Lifestyle change!

Start - Jan 1 2008 250lbs
Current - 187lbs

I started out just doing Weight Watchers (I highly recommend the online tracking program, it REALLY helps you in watching what you eat even after you stop using it) for the first 3 months and lost about 30lbs. Then I started hitting the gym for 45 minutes 3 times a week. We did 20 min of cardio then 25 minutes of lifting. I am now doing 45 minutes of lifting 3x a week and 1-2 hours of racquetball 2 times a week. I feel worlds better then I did this time last year and am pretty happy that I was able to accomplish this.

If ya have any questions let me know :tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I'm supportive but not participating.

I've changed my life to eat healthy and workout, it's not coming off as fast as i'd like it too tho

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Congrats! Way to go. I am using the WW points calculator for now, although I'm not sure i'm gonna stick w/ that method. It worked for me last time, but I just didn't stick w/ it.

I'm not in a contest, working at my own pace. I'll get there when I get there. Hopefully sooner than later though.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Great work!! I am currently almost 230 and want to get down to 185. Need to start the cardio after the new year. I have a brand new elliptical in the house that I haven't touched yet.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Ive have lost weight and gained muscle with Stew Smith Workouts. I HIGHLY recommend him and his workouts. If you are already fit and slim, he has some really advanced stuff from his Navy Seal Days. Check him out!

Former Navy Seal Stew Smith
http://www.stewsmith.com/

weight loss tips
http://www.military.com/fitness-cent...t-loss/archive

Military Workouts
http://www.military.com/fitness-cent...rkouts/archive

Special OPS Workouts
http://www.military.com/fitness-cent...ations/archive

Navy Seal Workout
http://www.military.com/military-fit...l-fitness-test

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Andy, you're already off to a great start & Shaerza, way to go, that's freakin' awesome! I too am a big fan of WW (Weight Watchers). My mom took me to WW as a kid back in the '80's and I've pretty much been on or off all my life. The times I've gained some weight, I've just been lazy and not heeded the proper 'lifestyle'; it's entirely my fault. For the most part in the past decade, I've found success using what I've learned in WW and applying it in my daily eating routine. Unlike other diets out there where you've got to buy & eat the company's proprietary foodstuffs, WW taught me the tools necessary to conquer eating normal food, going out to dinner, etc. When I've felt weak, I've returned to the meetings which offer great group support which surprisingly enough, is part of WW's appeal & success.

During the holidays before our wedding, mrsreindeer & I joined up again to get some weight off and it worked great again and now she & I adhere to the guidelines mostly during the week and enjoy ourselves on the weekends and we've been doing pretty well maintaining.

And we use the point system too; it's great & so easy. Eat a bowl of cereal...5 points.....eat more points up to your daily max of well, I'm trying to be at 24....very simple.

I just need to reintroduce some exercise as I've really slacked off there and that also helps so much in your dieting.

Best of luck to you guys. It's tough during the holidays but doable; hang in there!

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Last week I decided I needed to make the commitment also to get more active. I am at about 235 right now and would at least like to get under 225-220, but the main thing for me was getting more cardio.

I made the jump last Tuesday to get on the elliptical sitting unused in the basement every morning M-F. So far I haven't missed a day although this morning was close.

I figured I might as well do something productive while waiting for the coffee to brew in the morning.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

30 points a day right now. Will be less very soon.
Thanks!:tu





My only downfall right now, is that my wife won't get onboard. She says she is supportive, but continues to buy and cook things that are either unhealthy or cooks entirely too much for one meal.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Oof, that's tough Andy....you always need a support network in things like this...that's why we've found the meetings so helpful and it was easier having my spouse do it with me....but you can do it. My wife has really enjoyed cooking really tasty stuff out of Cooking Light magazine (and Cooking Light books). Full-flavored stuff that's healthy for you. It'd be good for both you and your wife and I'd be surprised if your wife didn't enjoy the recipes.

30 points! sigh....what a luxury!

Hey, here are some favorite 1-point snacks to help you get through the day but remember that a lot of the time the way they get the points down is to bump up the fiber so drink lots of water!:

-Hostess 100-calorie 3 mini cupcake packs (1 point for chocolate, UNREAL)
-1 bag of a 100-calorie pack of reduced fat popcorn (1 point...very filling, seems like a lot)
-1 sugar-free Jello Pudding....60 calorie kind (1 point...delicious, truly)
-Weight Watchers chocolate singles (toffee or crispy cluster, YUM!)
-WW yogurt (1 point for a good-sized cup)

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Sounds good. Lots of other great foods at dwlz.com

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

:tu:tu:tu:tu:tu:tu freaking Godsend that Dotti! We use it all the time!

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I've noticed cigar smoking has helped w/ my appetite. Whenever I am home and get the urge to eat a snack, I go out and light up a cigar. It keeps me from eating. :tu
This probably goes hand in hand w/ my weight gain and quitting cigarettes. I stopped smoking cigarettes 2 1/2 yrs ago. My weight was between 220-230lbs when I was smoking. As soon as I quit, my weight shot up. :hn

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I can't agree with you more. I lost 25 lbs this spring/summer just by going outside to have a cigar at night instead of sitting in front of the TV. I eat when I am bored. Since the weather has turned colder here, and I can't sit outside to smoke, I have gained 10lbs back in the last 2 months or so.
My wife was put on a very restrictive diet to help with her Rheumatoid Arthritis, and has lost 50lbs in the last 6 months. I am diabetic, and need to lose that much also. 50lbs would put me down to 10lbs less then when I weighed in for my sr year of HS football. That would be good.:hm

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

How are things going today Andy? I had oatmeal for breakfast..2 cups of coffee so far with brown sugar and lil' cream...lunch looks like a chicken breast sandwich.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Took Friday off for alcohol.
Saturday evening for alcohol too.
My wife is cooking dumplins tonight. Very tempting, but I think I'm gonna have a leftover chicken breast.
Oatmeal, coffee, and a Perdomo Slow-Aged for breakfast this morning.
Gonna have a big meal Sunday after church, but then it's back to the routine.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Going out to smoke an LFDC Selectos to fight the urge to eat some high fat Chicken n Dumplings.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I am carbo loading for a 5k race tomorrow. :tu PIZZA TIME!! :r

IDK if you have access to an Asian market but try getting some dim sum dumplings you can steam :tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Dim Sum Dumplings are good!

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I tried everything... but ended up losing 45lbs with the south west diet.. it was easy, except for the NO drinking the first two weeks.. other than that you just have to be careful what you eat. I did not have to exersise, just changed my eating habits.. I have kept it off for 5 years now....I just don't eat a bunch of crap now! Oh... and stay away from :aldrinking magnums of wine
:al

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

South West Diet? More info...

Oh, and the alcohol is my downfall...

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

South West? Or South Beach? South Beach I've heard, and tried. It actually worked pretty well as long as you pay attention to what you're eating and stick with it. It's based off the glycemic index which you end up picking foods that don't cause spikes in your blood sugar. It's not about removing all carbs, just removing the bad ones and moderating the good ones.

Between that and exercise I had myself down to 170lbs on the South Beach diet. Then a whole bunch of life-changing events happened and it threw my entire life around and I gained it all back because I stopped eating smart and stopped exercising altogether.

Now I'm working on my way back to there... slowly but surely.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Whooo! Pigged out at the local Mexican Restaraunt. Enchiladas, a taco, and tons of chips n salsa.

Back on track tomorrow. No more food today.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

You can buy the book at Amazon, or at the book store.. it was written by a Cardiologist, originally for his heart patients.. its a lower carb diet, but NOT a no carb diet. A lot of veggies, chicken, fish, and meat, balanced diet, no special food, just good food. The book has recipes, really nothing crazy, just less portions, and more times a day. Check out the book....its pretty easy stuff. It taught me how to eat right again, especially being on the road a lot.
Its just no alcohol for the first two weeks. I started being able to tighten up my belt in 2 weeks, and went from a 38 waist, to a 34 in three months.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

wigg, is this the book you're talking about?

The South Beach Diet by Dr. Arthur Agatston

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I started the Smart For Life Diet in April when I was 310 lbs. I now weigh 240 on my way to 200.

Life is great!:D

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Rough day here. Gonna try and stay as in line as possible. English Dept. social is today immediately after school. Gonna be lots of sweets and other goodies.
Started the day w/ a meal replacement shake, lunch is a chicken breast, and I guess this gathering at school will be supper.
Gonna have to force myself to exercise when I get home. I know I'll be dragging.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

i have a piece of fish and some nice eggplant/zuchini/tomato ragu i made that i'll be eating for lunch and for snacks gunna have a protein shake in the morning and another in the aftn. Gunna go work out tonight after work too :D

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Sounds like a good lunch.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I found that another things that helps when I need a quick fix for something to eat is to always have fruit and veggies cut up and available in the fridge. After a while you tend not to go to the fridge as often and when you do it is something natural and good for you.

The key is to make sure that it is cut up or prepared so all you have to do is eat it. I find that it is to easy to hit the "junk" food than the fruit and veggies if they aren't prepared.

I hit the elliptical this morning but almost talked myself out of it!

Hang in there!

J

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Somebody slap me if I don't get in some physical exercise today. Didn't do anything yesterday. Was at school until 6:15pm. When I got home, my family came over to break the bad news in. Didn't feel like doing anything after that. This weekend's gonna be rough as far as eating healthy too. A lot of fast food (White Castle) and whatever my extended family decides to cook while I'm in KY. Temptation will be great.:(

Today:
Breakfast - protein shake
Lunch - small portion of spaghetti and meatballs
Dinner - unknown as of now

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Hotredsmama is on a Christmas baking spree, and my waist is much the worse for it!

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Halloween through New Year's is the hardest time to eat healthy (for me anyways).:(

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Totally agree Andy; hang in there!! I'm havin' a devil of a time myself..... we're going through IVF this week and having to make several trips out to the Doc's lab in Pasadena and running errands and not home much so we've been eating out and eating terribly ahead of mrsreindeer's bed-rest starting tomorrow (instead of this past Monday, as it turns out). And my Dad's in town staying with us and we had a friend in town on Saturday, so of course, we're having to entertain....ugh....this time of year is always tough. And it won't get better....Christmas next week and parties and New Year's... oh my.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Breakfast = small ham and cheese croissant.. Coffee dark and little sugar...but I deserve it since I kicked butt at the gym last night! :tu


Lunch is a small portion of Ravioli.


Dinner = 3mile run. :tu

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Dinner sounds good!;)

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Today:

Breakfast = meal replacement shake

Lunch = Chicken breast, baked red potatoes, and butter beans

Dinner = Chili

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

YEP

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

How did you guys fair during the holidays? I did terrible and feel pretty down about it. I wasnt making the worst choices on portion control etc, but i was snacking and drinking WAY too much. Damnit beer being so good! Now with my sailing trip in 2 weeks I have to try to shed off the 4+lbs I just added:mad: Guess its time for some extra hiit sessions.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Funeral food is bad, Christmas food is bad, and New Year's drinking is bad. Not gonna post in here again until New Year's Day.:(

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

It is a good day on the homefront! I convinced my wife to get onboard w/ me. I had to make a sacrifice in order to get her onboard, but she is finaly w/ me. I had to make a New Year's Resolution to quit drinking, but that will only make my task the easier. So starting Monday, my wife will be officially on board the weightloss track w/ me. I know that this will make my task all the easier as I will have some direct support now.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Absolutely, that's great Andy! :tu:tu

I've fallen off the wagon....I'm gonna need to get back on track and drop the friggin' 15 pounds or so I've put on because of the damn holidays and busy stuff and crazy schedule we've had lately.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Wow thats awesome that you are going to give up booze. I wish I had the willpower to even think about doing that.. well maybe not.. but its one of the best ways to jump start some healthy weight loss. Good news on the wife joining too. So much easier when you have people actively supporting ya. Good luck!

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

Allright guys, Day one (again). My wife and I are both in this together. Using the Weight Watchers system (bootleg). I'm allotted 30 points a day. Had a bowl of oatmeal this morning and a salad w/ ham and no dressing for lunch. Chugging plenty of water.

Weigh in this morning was 265lbs. Wow, Christmas break and the funeral sure did me no good. Oh well, gonna be easy now that I've got some support.

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

I'm relocating for a few months on Wednesday, so I am going to weigh in on Thursday morning.

Then the game is on.

I'll be watching what I'm eating and increasing my activity level.

:bx

Re: Losing Weight with Andysutherland
 

:tu Awesome!:bx:ze