Kumochi

Michael

I just want to add my thanks and if you ever figure out that essence that flips the switch please let me know. I agree that when you have it nothing can derail you. If only we could bottle it for the times we need extra help.

Mary

rpmcduff

First I suggest you start a new thread for yourself asking this same question, you will get much better responses when it isn't buried inside another thread.

Here are some ideas of areas to look at to improve your results.
* What is your daily calorie burn, how many calories do you consume and what is your resultant calorie deficit? (Hopefully you have used the Fitday tools to help you see and track these. If not, you need to.)
* What is your Protein, Carbohydrate and Fat ratios for the calories you are eating? Many have problems losing weight if their protein ratio is not near 30% or greater. There are multiple threads about optimal ratios but the bottom line is you may need to experiment to see what works best for your body.
* Good food vs. Bad food- Food is not inherently good or bad. But most of us eat way too many calories for the nutrition that food provides. Try to eat nutrient dense foods like lean meat, eggs, legumes (beans, lentils, etc.), fruit and vegetables. These foods have relatively high nutrient/calories ratios. Don't leave out fats. Your body needs fat for nutrient transport and nuerological function as well as being shown to have a statiating effect on hunger. Avoid processed/packaged food, simple carbohydrates (white flour, sugar, fruit juice).
* It is much easier to adjust your diet than to try to out train it. You can eliminate calories from your diet much easier than you can exercise the same amount of calories away. This isn't to say exercise is not beneficial or necessary just that I've found the old saying 'You can't out train a bad diet' to be true. I say this because losing weight is 80% diet, but the focus of your post is all about your workouts.

Hope these ideas help you tweak your plan so you can achieve your goals.

01gt4.6

I'm glad to see that you had a healthy choice in your diet.

mecompco

Yes, vodka is a good source of carbs. I'd avoid the grapefruit juice, though.

Regards,
Michael

poohcl13

I couldn't care less what other people do or say. Once my "switch" is flipped, I can't be stopped.

Thank you!

taubele

Hi Mike,

I was wondering if you were ever in denial about your weight? I know I certainly was for a long time. I'd go out and look at people and think..."I'm not so big as her, I must be doing ok..." (Eventually, I started to realize I had to point out larger and larger folks to compare myself to!)

Or...were you pretty much aware of your habits and simply hadn't had the switch flipped yet to change?

Thanks for putting yourself out there like this!

path75

I completely agree with you that you have to just do it. I don't know how many times my husband comes home with goodies and I say no, you can have but I won't do it. It was hard at first, sometimes ending in binges but eventually I got sick of it and stuck to my guns. My health is more important.

mecompco

The sad thing is, I knew exactly what I was doing, where I was at and where I was headed. Sort of like a heroin addict shooting up. I don't know why.

Regards,
Michael

cwbraves

Hi, I'm new to this forum & I'm trying to get ideas on how to help my brother. He weighs about 400 lbs. and I'm so worried about his health. He never eats breakfast or lunch, then goes through a drive-through for dinner. He is completely sedentary, including at his job. He said he would be willing to try eating something quick and easy while driving to work, but is too busy to make breakfast. What can I suggest to him? I also want him to have some healthy choices at his desk, so he can eat throughout the day. But I have no clue as to what would be good for him - meal replacement bars, maybe? I don't think just a piece of fruit would be enough to keep him satisfied. Any suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated! My brother is 54 and I'm so afraid he won't be around much longer if he doesn't do something soon.

mecompco

From what you say, it doesn't sound like he is really ready for a lifestyle change. I speak from experience when I say that no one can make anyone lose weight. We all need to make the decision to do it for ourselves. I know where he's at and how it takes 99% of your energy just to get through the day. How it hurts just to get out of your chair and how out of breath you get just walking 50 ft.

Really, there's only a few little changes that have to be made and making time for a good breakfast it one of them. I eat a fairly high protein breakfast every day. A couple of eggs and either some bacon, turkey sausuge or beef steak. Around 300-350 calories and it will get you through to lunch time.

There's no reson to eat special diet food or any of that stuff. Just eat reasonable amounts of nutritious food. Exercise is important, but it may be a while before he can do much and that's fine. The last thing is to drink as much water within reason as you can.

This is that worked for me, of course, with the help of FitDay. The logging of your food intake and calorie burn is very important. You might encourage him to log on and set up an account. If he is really ready to make a change, he will. If not, well, there's not much you can do. I really hope he is ready.

Regards,
Michael