Conan
05-21-2008, 03:25 AM
I don't think I've mentioned much about this, but I've been working out and eating well for about 3 months and I've lost 15lbs of pure fat since February.
I was going through a lot of changes over the last 2 years (mostly negative) and that's when the weight gain really took off. I was never obese by any means, but I was fat after sping 2007.
Things are so much better now, and I've worked really hard to make myself a better person all around. I just thank the Lord for helping me and keeping me focused.
So here's what I've been doing:
1.) Eating right:
When it comes to losing weight or fat this is the MOST important aspect. I never went on any diet plans, diet foods or shakes. I just don't eat foods that are nutritionally detrimental. Meaning I don't buy cokes, donuts, pizza, candy, ice-cream or fried foods. I've eaten these things at times, but it's very rare. Believe me, taking these foods completely out of you diet is effective. I also cook most my meals every night. I don't shy away from breads or meats at all. Meats and wheat products are actually really good and in my opinion almost essential if you are not eating special alternatives (nuts and grains) or supplements.
2.) Exercise:
I've been running a lot. I was running 3 miles a day at one point, but with 40 hr work weeks this summer I try for 3 or 4 times a week. Running helps you shed a lot and has also made my thighs and calves tight. Nobody likes running, but it grows on you. I feel really good while running now and it's become fun for me. I try to sprint as much as I can near the end so that I can really feel my stomach & sides burning. It's all motivation and you'll get it once you see results. I've been trying to work with weights as much as I can, but I mostly do lots of pushups, dumbell kickbacks and curls. I also make use of my pull-up bar. All this I do at home. I'm not real big by any means, but I was proud to work-out pretty easily (3 sets of 10 reps) with 180 on the bench last week. After losing all that weight I've been trying to start lifting at the gym, but I'm slowly getting into that.
3.) Consistancy
This is the most important part. It's so easy to quit and quit early. Reason being is lack or motivation. Lack of motivation comes from several sources and I've been personally challenged by all of them. First off just getting tired is an issue. I got tired fast and my own body was telling me to stop. I dealt with this by actually giving myself plenty of time to recover. That meant maybe taking 1 day off or changing routines for a couple days. The best way not to get burned out and de-motivated by your body is to sleep normally. You're going to need normal rest in order to build muscle and burn fat. Your body will beg you to stop anyway because of homeostasis, but you need to be smart and ignore it sometimes. Secondly I was demotivated by results. It takes a long time to change because your body is in that state of what it believes is best for your environment. It takes a while to persuade it that your environment has changed. Keep pushing it and be consistant. Third I was demotivated from cooking, but I love it now. I hardly give in to take-out now, but it was a struggle at times. Lastly, I was demotivated by my friends. Everyone wants to go out to eat, but aside from being broke I wanted to as well. It's hard to stay firm and not listen to people tell you to give in to fast-food and Chilis. They understand now and repect that... I think.
I have some before pictures, but I'm afraid to post anything like that. I just wanted to let you know, because I was so proud of myself. Also I wanted to let you know that it was God who helped me do this and he cares about every aspect of your life as you do.
I'm sorry to post such a long post, but I'm working a night desk and had time. I also wanted to share what I was doing and give you ideas and insight on how to accomplish losing fat yourself. Along with my revelation about dressing nicer, this has really made an impact on my daily life.
I was going through a lot of changes over the last 2 years (mostly negative) and that's when the weight gain really took off. I was never obese by any means, but I was fat after sping 2007.
Things are so much better now, and I've worked really hard to make myself a better person all around. I just thank the Lord for helping me and keeping me focused.
So here's what I've been doing:
1.) Eating right:
When it comes to losing weight or fat this is the MOST important aspect. I never went on any diet plans, diet foods or shakes. I just don't eat foods that are nutritionally detrimental. Meaning I don't buy cokes, donuts, pizza, candy, ice-cream or fried foods. I've eaten these things at times, but it's very rare. Believe me, taking these foods completely out of you diet is effective. I also cook most my meals every night. I don't shy away from breads or meats at all. Meats and wheat products are actually really good and in my opinion almost essential if you are not eating special alternatives (nuts and grains) or supplements.
2.) Exercise:
I've been running a lot. I was running 3 miles a day at one point, but with 40 hr work weeks this summer I try for 3 or 4 times a week. Running helps you shed a lot and has also made my thighs and calves tight. Nobody likes running, but it grows on you. I feel really good while running now and it's become fun for me. I try to sprint as much as I can near the end so that I can really feel my stomach & sides burning. It's all motivation and you'll get it once you see results. I've been trying to work with weights as much as I can, but I mostly do lots of pushups, dumbell kickbacks and curls. I also make use of my pull-up bar. All this I do at home. I'm not real big by any means, but I was proud to work-out pretty easily (3 sets of 10 reps) with 180 on the bench last week. After losing all that weight I've been trying to start lifting at the gym, but I'm slowly getting into that.
3.) Consistancy
This is the most important part. It's so easy to quit and quit early. Reason being is lack or motivation. Lack of motivation comes from several sources and I've been personally challenged by all of them. First off just getting tired is an issue. I got tired fast and my own body was telling me to stop. I dealt with this by actually giving myself plenty of time to recover. That meant maybe taking 1 day off or changing routines for a couple days. The best way not to get burned out and de-motivated by your body is to sleep normally. You're going to need normal rest in order to build muscle and burn fat. Your body will beg you to stop anyway because of homeostasis, but you need to be smart and ignore it sometimes. Secondly I was demotivated by results. It takes a long time to change because your body is in that state of what it believes is best for your environment. It takes a while to persuade it that your environment has changed. Keep pushing it and be consistant. Third I was demotivated from cooking, but I love it now. I hardly give in to take-out now, but it was a struggle at times. Lastly, I was demotivated by my friends. Everyone wants to go out to eat, but aside from being broke I wanted to as well. It's hard to stay firm and not listen to people tell you to give in to fast-food and Chilis. They understand now and repect that... I think.
I have some before pictures, but I'm afraid to post anything like that. I just wanted to let you know, because I was so proud of myself. Also I wanted to let you know that it was God who helped me do this and he cares about every aspect of your life as you do.
I'm sorry to post such a long post, but I'm working a night desk and had time. I also wanted to share what I was doing and give you ideas and insight on how to accomplish losing fat yourself. Along with my revelation about dressing nicer, this has really made an impact on my daily life.