Discussion
Not to sure how to title this, so that'll do.
I've always had a 'eat and drink what and when I want' attitude. Slowly over time, its got the better of me and I'm now a fatty fat fat. So, at the end of last year I decided I'd try and sort my self out a bit. Not to the point of rigidly strict, but generally be a bit healthier and lose some of the beer belly.
Before new year I'd probably drink every night, ranging from 1 or 2 bottles to a Friday with 6+ pints. I am fairly good with dinner, in terms of not eating chips every night and trying to eat generally sensible things.
I've swapped this with having at least 2 dry nights a week, and when I do drink, not having as much as before. I've swapped toast (butter and marmite) with wholegrain cereal for breakfast. Lunch has gone from a Cheese, butter (with other things) sandwich, to a wholegrain pitta with no butter, only ham and lettuce with some peri-peri sauce.
Dinners I thought have always been heathly-ish. IE, not pie and mash every night. I tend to have chicken a lot, with roasted veg (carrot, new potatoes). Sometimes a home made curry. Home made chili etc. I suppose there is still a lot of rice and potato in my diet, which may not be the best thing for me.
I do enjoy a good bike ride, and in the summer try to get out at least 3 times a week for ~10 miles each go. But as the nights are light so early, its not worth it. So, I've got a turbo trainer, which I currently have setup in the garden, but I don't want to use it in fear of pissing off the neighbours. I shall move it to my folks garage for a while and pop in there after work for a session. Once the evenings are light again, I plan on getting out alot more on the bike.
I feel like I'm aiming in the right direction, I just hope I can see some results. Any ideas, feedback would be welcome. I suppose I just wanted to see what people thought.
I've always had a 'eat and drink what and when I want' attitude. Slowly over time, its got the better of me and I'm now a fatty fat fat. So, at the end of last year I decided I'd try and sort my self out a bit. Not to the point of rigidly strict, but generally be a bit healthier and lose some of the beer belly.
Before new year I'd probably drink every night, ranging from 1 or 2 bottles to a Friday with 6+ pints. I am fairly good with dinner, in terms of not eating chips every night and trying to eat generally sensible things.
I've swapped this with having at least 2 dry nights a week, and when I do drink, not having as much as before. I've swapped toast (butter and marmite) with wholegrain cereal for breakfast. Lunch has gone from a Cheese, butter (with other things) sandwich, to a wholegrain pitta with no butter, only ham and lettuce with some peri-peri sauce.
Dinners I thought have always been heathly-ish. IE, not pie and mash every night. I tend to have chicken a lot, with roasted veg (carrot, new potatoes). Sometimes a home made curry. Home made chili etc. I suppose there is still a lot of rice and potato in my diet, which may not be the best thing for me.
I do enjoy a good bike ride, and in the summer try to get out at least 3 times a week for ~10 miles each go. But as the nights are light so early, its not worth it. So, I've got a turbo trainer, which I currently have setup in the garden, but I don't want to use it in fear of pissing off the neighbours. I shall move it to my folks garage for a while and pop in there after work for a session. Once the evenings are light again, I plan on getting out alot more on the bike.
I feel like I'm aiming in the right direction, I just hope I can see some results. Any ideas, feedback would be welcome. I suppose I just wanted to see what people thought.
illmonkey said:
Stuff
Hello there. You’ve made some good choices switching to whole grains etc and finding healthier alternatives. What are you goals? What weight are you now vs what you’d like/should be?I would start by calculating what your calorie intake should be to loose a healthy couple of pounds a week (many online so just Google) make a diary of everything you eat- My Fitness Pal is good it’s free and have a smart phone app. Huge data base of foods on there and you can add your own.
Generally speaking nutritional benefits aside 300 calories is 300 calories whether it’s chocolate, a lump of lard, bottle of beer, chunk of meat/protein. So if you like potatoes/rice etc just make sure you’re calculating everything and you’re less than or equal to you calorie goal and you’ll loose weight.
I’m still trying to loose weight so I’m trying to keep under 1700 cals a day it’s pretty easy with exercise, fine if I don’t exercise that day but really have to watch what I eat so I tend to do at least some exercise, drinking, eating crap, or allot really shoots it to s
t quite quickly so if I’m out for a meal or drinking I tend to make sure I’ve had some good exercise. You can eat very well and be full it’s just about making the right choices.I was in a similar position to you, just takes commitment and discipline and educating yourself a bit. As I’ve found it’s not rocket science burn more cals than you’re putting in and you’ll loose weight.
Just to put the cat amongst the pigeons, eating healthy won't make you slim. My aunties eat very healthily but they eat a lot of healthy, home-cooked food just like Jamie Oliver recommends...
However, eating less will. You don't have to eat one twig a day. Just continue to drink less (you even use the term "beer belly" rather than "pie and mash belly") and exercise. Also, eat 10% less a day than you previously did. You don't have to punish yourself when you lose weight and you will slowly lose weight with the long term goal in mind.
However, eating less will. You don't have to eat one twig a day. Just continue to drink less (you even use the term "beer belly" rather than "pie and mash belly") and exercise. Also, eat 10% less a day than you previously did. You don't have to punish yourself when you lose weight and you will slowly lose weight with the long term goal in mind.
Edited by Hoofy on Wednesday 25th January 12:55
No real goal, I just want to lose weight! I'm probably a few stone overweight.
I forgot to mention, I am cutting down on portions. I never generally snack at all anyway. It's the beer that's got me here, and that's what I need to cut out, well cut down on. But it can't help to eat healthier at the same time, hell I'm even discovering food I never thought I'd eat a few years back!
I will be sorting this bike out tonight this week so I can crack on with it. I'll try and get out this weekend for a kick start too.
Just looked at that site, and it looks like my daily intake is below what it should be without drinking, and just above if I do drink.
Yesterday for example, normal food for brekki and lunch, but made a calzone for dinner, mozerella, meat balls and chorizo, probably not the best! But that isn't a usual week time meal and I had a few beers. I was still only 200calories over recommended to lose 1 1/2lbs a week. If I done 30 mins on the bike, yesterday would have been a win!
I forgot to mention, I am cutting down on portions. I never generally snack at all anyway. It's the beer that's got me here, and that's what I need to cut out, well cut down on. But it can't help to eat healthier at the same time, hell I'm even discovering food I never thought I'd eat a few years back!
I will be sorting this bike out tonight this week so I can crack on with it. I'll try and get out this weekend for a kick start too.
Just looked at that site, and it looks like my daily intake is below what it should be without drinking, and just above if I do drink.
Yesterday for example, normal food for brekki and lunch, but made a calzone for dinner, mozerella, meat balls and chorizo, probably not the best! But that isn't a usual week time meal and I had a few beers. I was still only 200calories over recommended to lose 1 1/2lbs a week. If I done 30 mins on the bike, yesterday would have been a win!
make sure there is an alternative food for you to eat at all times!
the biggest issue I have found is when you start eating properly, you end up being hungry and bored, so snack on the stuff you were trying to cut out.
Carrots, bananas, apples, little dried apricot things, whatever you enjoy, get them in, and make sure you heda for those when you want a snack.
the biggest issue I have found is when you start eating properly, you end up being hungry and bored, so snack on the stuff you were trying to cut out.
Carrots, bananas, apples, little dried apricot things, whatever you enjoy, get them in, and make sure you heda for those when you want a snack.
Efbe said:
make sure there is an alternative food for you to eat at all times!
that's good advice, I bring a big carrot to work everyday for munching when the hunger bites.There's a lot written about losing weight, no carbs after 6pm, eat more oily fish, don't eat cheese in the morning, do this, do that, fast metabolism, slow metabolism, dont drink in the week and so it goes on....
In simple terms, less calories in, more calories out, ie, eat less, move more and it'll happen.
Don't want to sound like an arse, but...
I got properly fat through a combination of moving out (takeaways) and old age (moved out at 24, death to metabolism). And I got properly fat in less than 12 months. Thought no problem! Easy on, easy off. Cut out the crap, run a few miles here and there and I'll be back my 23 year old six pack self.
Nope.
I learnt to enjoy the running, so after 10 months or so really picked it up. 6 miles 3 / 4 times a week
No weight loss.
So, cut out the crisps, limit chocolate, sweets etc.
Nothing.
It eventually (12 months or so later) took comptelely overhauling my diet e.g. mackerel for breakfast, cottage cheese for lunch, nuts for snacks, chicken breast for tea, running 6 - 10 miles then getting straight on the bike and putting in 18 - 22 miles a pop.
Then, and only then, and after fking months of effort did it start to shift.
I'm the first to admit I took it to the extreme, I must have been in a state of ketosis for the best part of the week, but that's what it took.
Wish you the best of luck, just don't expect quick results otherwise the disappointment can derail a good diet.
I got properly fat through a combination of moving out (takeaways) and old age (moved out at 24, death to metabolism). And I got properly fat in less than 12 months. Thought no problem! Easy on, easy off. Cut out the crap, run a few miles here and there and I'll be back my 23 year old six pack self.
Nope.
I learnt to enjoy the running, so after 10 months or so really picked it up. 6 miles 3 / 4 times a week
No weight loss.
So, cut out the crisps, limit chocolate, sweets etc.
Nothing.
It eventually (12 months or so later) took comptelely overhauling my diet e.g. mackerel for breakfast, cottage cheese for lunch, nuts for snacks, chicken breast for tea, running 6 - 10 miles then getting straight on the bike and putting in 18 - 22 miles a pop.
Then, and only then, and after f
king months of effort did it start to shift. I'm the first to admit I took it to the extreme, I must have been in a state of ketosis for the best part of the week, but that's what it took.
Wish you the best of luck, just don't expect quick results otherwise the disappointment can derail a good diet.
Haha, best part OF THE week.
Weekends, all bets were off.
But then back on it Monday.
It is so hard though. Total respect to anyone who loses stone after stone, as I'm a reasonably active, skinny fella and it took me bd ages of nails hard work.
A good general rule though, if it comes from a packet, out a box, can't be eaten raw (poultry aside) or is labeled 'low fat', 'diet', or called Pasta... It'll make you fat ; )
Weekends, all bets were off.
But then back on it Monday.
It is so hard though. Total respect to anyone who loses stone after stone, as I'm a reasonably active, skinny fella and it took me b
d ages of nails hard work.A good general rule though, if it comes from a packet, out a box, can't be eaten raw (poultry aside) or is labeled 'low fat', 'diet', or called Pasta... It'll make you fat ; )
on the other side of the problem is exercise.
I would recommend weight lifting over cardio at the start, then bring in cardio later.
IIRC for every lb of muscle you put on, you will burn an extra 10calories a day in doing nothing extra, and that is not including the weight lifting.
infamous weight lifters like zyzz(google him) have proven that cardio is not the essential part of it. calories in/out is.
so my advice is to start by weight lifting, put on a good few pounds of muscle doing proper weights. no machines, just real stuff like dead lifts, squats, chest press etc.
then after a few months bring in cardio as well.
I would recommend weight lifting over cardio at the start, then bring in cardio later.
IIRC for every lb of muscle you put on, you will burn an extra 10calories a day in doing nothing extra, and that is not including the weight lifting.
infamous weight lifters like zyzz(google him) have proven that cardio is not the essential part of it. calories in/out is.
so my advice is to start by weight lifting, put on a good few pounds of muscle doing proper weights. no machines, just real stuff like dead lifts, squats, chest press etc.
then after a few months bring in cardio as well.
Efbe said:
on the other side of the problem is exercise.
I would recommend weight lifting over cardio at the start, then bring in cardio later.
IIRC for every lb of muscle you put on, you will burn an extra 10calories a day in doing nothing extra, and that is not including the weight lifting.
infamous weight lifters like zyzz(google him) have proven that cardio is not the essential part of it. calories in/out is.
so my advice is to start by weight lifting, put on a good few pounds of muscle doing proper weights. no machines, just real stuff like dead lifts, squats, chest press etc.
then after a few months bring in cardio as well.
Zyzz isn't a good example although I absolutely agree with what you said.I would recommend weight lifting over cardio at the start, then bring in cardio later.
IIRC for every lb of muscle you put on, you will burn an extra 10calories a day in doing nothing extra, and that is not including the weight lifting.
infamous weight lifters like zyzz(google him) have proven that cardio is not the essential part of it. calories in/out is.
so my advice is to start by weight lifting, put on a good few pounds of muscle doing proper weights. no machines, just real stuff like dead lifts, squats, chest press etc.
then after a few months bring in cardio as well.
Zyzz used insulin, clen, dnp, steroids and a bunch of other drugs to get and keep that shape and ultimately its widely considered cost him his life.
Ordinary_Chap said:
Zyzz isn't a good example although I absolutely agree with what you said.
Zyzz used insulin, clen, dnp, steroids and a bunch of other drugs to get and keep that shape and ultimately its widely considered cost him his life.
I know. I had actually just been using him as an example as of why not to take drugs for someone in our dept.Zyzz used insulin, clen, dnp, steroids and a bunch of other drugs to get and keep that shape and ultimately its widely considered cost him his life.
first guy that came to mind who was devoutly anti-cardio.
dextor jackson?
anyhow, I would never advocate being anti-cardio.
I think it's extremely important, but it work =s much better if you have a base layer on decent muscle first
Edited by Efbe on Wednesday 25th January 20:29
Update: yes, it's only been 3 days!
Got the bike moved across and done half an hour tonight, felt good, if a bit sweaty!
I'm using the app suggested, keeping a track of everything and looks like generally I'm eating/drinking about right to lose a lb a week, coupled with the excircise, on the right track. I hope to use the trainer 3 times a week, with a day 'rest' between, then get out for a long walk or bike ride on the weekend.
Just got to cut down on the weekends a bit now, they have always been my fall back!
I will buy some weights and some scales so I can keep a good record of how I'm going.
Got the bike moved across and done half an hour tonight, felt good, if a bit sweaty!
I'm using the app suggested, keeping a track of everything and looks like generally I'm eating/drinking about right to lose a lb a week, coupled with the excircise, on the right track. I hope to use the trainer 3 times a week, with a day 'rest' between, then get out for a long walk or bike ride on the weekend.
Just got to cut down on the weekends a bit now, they have always been my fall back!
I will buy some weights and some scales so I can keep a good record of how I'm going.
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