The fat guy who cried wolf thread

[FMCoug]

So this thread turned out to be yet another of my "false starts". But I guess you haven't failed until you quit trying right?

My latest attempt began two weeks ago. I've finally realized that in the condition I'm in, input (diet) is going to have be what I can control because output (exercise) is too painful. So all I'm doing for that is walking an hour a day.

Feel free to ignore this thread as I'm sure there are many rolling their eyes thinking "here we go again" but I've had some success already this time around which is what I hope will keep me motivated.

The score since starting on 8/5:
-16 lbs
-2% body fat
-8.5 inches
-2.9 reduction in BMI

[TripletDaddy]

forget the eye rolllers (although I don't think there are any). Walking an hour a day is a lot! Just keep at it.

Altering your diet is the best thing for you in the long run. You can more easily control what you eat than you can finding time to exercise, esp at the beginning.

Start with something achievable at first......eliminate soda, for example. Once you have mastered that, eliminate snacking on candy and sweets. Eliminate fried foods. The pounds will come off eventually. Don't give up. And if you do give up...try again!

[Fiyero]

-8.5 inches

Where all do you measure?

[ERCougar]

Where all do you measure?

My wife told me that she heard that for every 50 lbs you lose, you gain an inch (at least functionally). Not sure what she was trying to communicate there...

Anyway, way to restart FM. You're right--you don't fail until you stop trying. And keep in mind that regularly walking, particularly if it's taking you into an aerobic zone, is just as good for your heart and probably better for your body. We're running out of months to do it easily so take advantage of them.

[Slim]

My wife told me that she heard that for every 50 lbs you lose, you gain an inch (at least functionally). Not sure what she was trying to communicate there...

So... for every 50lbs you gain you lose an inch?

[Fiyero]

I wasn't being dirty, I just wondered if that meant a combination of waist, thighs, biceps, chest, etc.? 8.5 inches on waist alone seems high for only 16 lbs.

[I.J. Reilly]

Don't worry about the naysayers, FM (not that I see any here). Your health is more important than what they have to say.

[beelzebabette]

...I'm doing for that is walking an hour a day.

The score since starting on 8/5:
-16 lbs
-2% body fat
-8.5 inches
-2.9 reduction in BMI

I think that's fantastic. Great work, FM. I hope you're enjoying the walks; if not, I hope you start enjoying them soon.

[Pheidippides]

So this thread turned out to be yet another of my "false starts". But I guess you haven't failed until you quit trying right?

My latest attempt began two weeks ago. I've finally realized that in the condition I'm in, input (diet) is going to have be what I can control because output (exercise) is too painful. So all I'm doing for that is walking an hour a day.

Feel free to ignore this thread as I'm sure there are many rolling their eyes thinking "here we go again" but I've had some success already this time around which is what I hope will keep me motivated.

The score since starting on 8/5:
-16 lbs
-2% body fat
-8.5 inches
-2.9 reduction in BMI

16 pounds is real weight, so you're moving in the right direction for sure. There's nothing wrong with failing a few times as long as you try one more time than you fail.

[happyone]

Take it from one who has been there. I was 300 lbs and am now about 185 ( I did get down to 165 but that is a different story). Just keep at it. If I have any hints to give you it is keep track of what you eat. I mean everything that you consume and get some kind of exercise every day.

When I stopped recording my intake is when I put the weight back on. Also don't skip breakfast.

Good luck

[FN Phat]

My wife told me that she heard that for every 50 lbs you lose, you gain an inch (at least functionally). Not sure what she was trying to communicate there...

I heard that it was 1/2" for every 30 LBS. I am almost to the 1/2" gained mark

[FMCoug]

Where all do you measure?

You are correct, that is cumulative. Neck, Chest, waist, thigh, calf, bicep, forearm. 2" off the waist.

[kccougar]

I think walking an hour every day will do wonders for you.

[Rosebud]

I'm almost scared to post this because of all the calorie counters on this board... but I've seen so many frustrated people enjoy success that I just can't help but share in hopes that trying something new will make your weight loss so much easier.

So... that said... I'm posting this but I'm not planning on debating anyone who disagrees. Sometimes I have dogged determination in debates, but this is one debate that I will leave alone. Anyone who wants to find out if this works can try it. Results speak louder than words.

As for exercise... I'd think just going for a walk everyday is sufficient. Of course exercise is good for your health, but you don't need to feel like daily demanding exercise is necessary.

Not all calories are created equal. Your body will process 100 calories of bread differently than it will process 100 calories of vegetables. The way to get your body to a healthy weight is to eat what humans were meant to eat. Our evolutionary ancestors were hunters and gatherers. They ate meat, fruits, berries, vegetables, etc. that were available naturally in their environment. As civilization progressed the use of grains and dairy products become more common... but these aren't the foods that our bodies, evolutionarily speaking, are meant to digest. If you eat what humans are meant to eat, you will lose weight... no matter how many calories you consume.

So, if you want, try this:

1. Eat ONLY:
*vegetables (no corn... its a grain, no peas... they are legumes) tomatoes are okay.
*eggs
*nuts (no peanuts... they are legumes)
*meat
*fish
*olive oil (have as much as you want... the idea that eating fat makes you fat is linear but false)
*herbs

This diet is very effective. Most people can eat as much as they want and still lose weight quickly. But there is no cheating. Any grain consumption at all causes the body to stop working towards homeostasis. You will notice that there is almost no sugar in this diet as I didn't add fruits. That can cause some parasites inside of you living off of the sugar in your diet to die off and make you feel sick to your stomach. If this happens just eat an apple and the feeling goes away. Or... suffer through it... it goes away and won't kill you. Might be a good idea to supplement with psyllium (Metamucil) for fiber...

*** The most interesting thing you discover when you reduce your diet to the diet of a hunter and gatherer is that you can finish off two large plates of food and still feel hungry. Pretty soon it becomes evident that what you think is "hunger" is actually a sugar craving ("sweet tooth"). If you don't give into this craving for a couple of weeks the sugar addiction goes away and you don't have to suffer through the cravings anymore. (Unfortunately just as alcoholics will always be vulnerable to alcohol, people who have gotten past their "sweet tooth"s will always be vulnerable to sugars.)***

The great thing about eating what your body needs is that whenever you start craving sugars and carbs you can fill your stomach completely and not worry at all about how many calories you are consuming. EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!

2. A couple of weeks later add fruit to your diet so that you get the natural sugars your body needs. The weight falls off only a little bit more slowly.

3. When you can't handle it anymore add legumes (beans, peas, peanuts). This will slow the weight loss a little more.

4. DO NOT ADD: grains (wheat, oats, corn, barley, rye, etc.) and milk products until you are done losing weight.

Like I said... I'm not wanting to debate this one . If you're open enough... try it. It's not one of those scary diets... it just requires you to eat really well. It does turn the conventional wisdom of the food pyramid upside down, though....

Good Luck either way.

[JohnnyLingo]

So essentially the Atkins Diet.

I could never go completely off grains. Too much good food included there.