mpfunk weight loss thread

[MartyFunkhouser]

Well here is my weight loss tracking thread. The goal is 165 pounds and I'm shooting for the end of the year to make it happen. The reward for hitting the weight goal is a new TV.

I started at 204 about 6 weeks ago and am down to 188.6, which is a little over 2 pounds per week.

Right now I am shooting for around 1500 calories a day and exercise 4 times a week of at least 30 minutes. I am planning to incorporate in some weight training, but have never done much weight training so advice would be helpful.

The biggest problem with me and weight training is that I'm just not strong right now, so it is tough for me to do weight training at a gym because it is somewhat embarrassing for me. I can usually push myself to do it if I show up to the gym and not many people are there.

[Pheidippides]

The biggest problem with me and weight training is that I'm just not strong right now, so it is tough for me to do weight training at a gym because it is somewhat embarrassing for me. I can usually push myself to do it if I show up to the gym and not many people are there.

Nice work. I also had the problem you mention above. I got over it in a couple of ways. First, I remind myself that my weightlifting is not to get ball muscles or put up huge amounts of weight but rather to improve my performance running. Second, when I do arm curls with dumbbells, I do it in front of the mirror at the gym. That way, I'm focusing on myself - and gradually watching the veins in my arm pop out over the weeks made me forget about all the meatheads (no offense to resident meatheads intended).

I also do not lift a ton of weight, comparatively speaking. I tell myself this is because I am long and lanky and thus it takes more effort to lift. I have no idea if it is true, but it's a nice lie if not.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Nice work. I also had the problem you mention above. I got over it in a couple of ways. First, I remind myself that my weightlifting is not to get ball muscles or put up huge amounts of weight but rather to improve my performance running. Second, when I do arm curls with dumbbells, I do it in front of the mirror at the gym. That way, I'm focusing on myself - and gradually watching the veins in my arm pop out over the weeks made me forget about all the meatheads (no offense to resident meatheads intended).

I also do not lift a ton of weight, comparatively speaking. I tell myself this is because I am long and lanky and thus it takes more effort to lift. I have no idea if it is true, but it's a nice lie if not.

Thanks for the advice, I will give this a try and see if it can help me get over the mental hurdle. I also have some resistance bands at home that I can use, but it doesn't quite compare to actually lifting weights. I do feel better when I am lifting.

[bluegoose]

Also MPF if you're feeling a bit uneasy about lifting weights at the gym, you should consider starting out on the weight machines until you have a good solid base and then transition to free weights. You get plenty of resistance to isolate muscle groups, but no one knows how much weight you are actually using. Just drop the pin down a half dozen notches after your set to give the next guy something to think about.

[Tone Loc]

Funk, I know its easier said than done

but dont worry about what other people might think of you as you lift. Personally when I see guys that are relatively weak working out I think its cool that they are there trying. I have been in your situation before, but now I just dont care. I am too old and married to give a crap what people at the gym think.

I really think that the vast majority of people that go to the gym are too concerned with themselves to pay attention to you anyway.

Good luck, I love seeing people like you get after it and make a positive change like this.

[marsupial]

I knew this old guy who was a bodybuilder and had been winning competitions for a long time. He was HUGE. He said he is often lifting less weight than guys around who are much smaller than him. Most of them, he said, are lifting wrong and are not getting results because of it. If they would just lower their weight and lift correctly they would get the results they want.

But who says you need to go to the gym? You can get a great strength training workout with your own body weight. Sit ups, push ups, lunges, squats... Buy a few dumbells and you'll increase your strength-training possibilities.

[DrumNFeather]

Funk, how tall are you?

[MartyFunkhouser]

Funk, how tall are you?

5'9 and the most I have ever weighed was 240. I am glad that I am nowhere near that anymore.

[cougjunkie]

I see huge guys at the gym all the time lift a lot less weight than guys much smaller. Its all about form and technique as opposed to how much weight you are doing. Also dont you live in Lehi? Go to the legacy center it is never really that crowded and they have people lifting at all levels of fitness.

[falafel]

5'9 and the most I have ever weighed was 240. I am glad that I am nowhere near that anymore.

Way to own it, Funk! I, too, am 5'9" (sometimes, 5'9" and 1/2). It took me a long time to accept that I wasn't 5'10".

[Pheidippides]

Way to own it, Funk! I, too, am 5'9" (sometimes, 5'9" and 1/2). It took me a long time to accept that I wasn't 5'10".

I am holding on to that 3/4" that gets me past 6' like you can't believe. Genetics and my back condition tell me that I won't be able to hold on forever, but I'm sure going to try. It took me a long time to admit I wasn't really 6'1".

[il Padrino Ute]

Way to own it, Funk! I, too, am 5'9" (sometimes, 5'9" and 1/2). It took me a long time to accept that I wasn't 5'10".

I call myself 5'9" despite the fact that I'm 5'8¾". I'm still in denial and always will be.

[falafel]

I am holding on to that 3/4" that gets me past 6' like you can't believe. Genetics and my back condition tell me that I won't be able to hold on forever, but I'm sure going to try. It took me a long time to admit I wasn't really 6'1".

I call myself 5'9" despite the fact that I'm 5'8¾". I'm still in denial and always will be.

I propose we organize a support group. Niku, you bring the chili. Il Pad, you bring the cherry bucket, preferably with cherries. Funk, you can come and share your success stories about how you learned to accept your height.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I propose we organize a support group. Niku, you bring the chili. Il Pad, you bring the cherry bucket, preferably with cherries. Funk, you can come and share your success stories about how you learned to accept your height.

Um, I probably am not the one to share success stories on this subject. I am probably closer to 5'8" 3/4 like Garth and also round up.

[falafel]

Um, I probably am not the one to share success stories on this subject. I am probably closer to 5'8" 3/4 like Garth and also round up.

Then just come to commiserate with the rest of us.