PH losers 2021 - The journey continues!
Discussion
Well done to everyone who's still battling on. Don't give in.
It's been a long time since I updated on my progress. With a few literal ups and downs, things have generally gone well with the weight loss. I could be around around a stone lighter than I am now but I've still continued to enjoy takeaways and a drink, albeit in moderation compared to before, so loss is more gradual than dramatic.
Having gone from ultra lean, fit, Ironman at 11st 4lb in 2016 to nudging 16st, I had a way to go to get back to where I once was. I'm getting closer and now being in my late 30s age isn't on my side.
All the numbers are looking decent enough. Weight loss has been pretty decent in absolute terms but it's the fact that almost all of the loss is fat which is encouraging. Unfortunately the scales didn't record body fat in Feb 20 - I was probably too fat - but I've cut body fat by over half since then, with fairly minimal muscle loss.
Having remained fairly decent on the road bike I started running again a few months ago. I felt like death after the first run having only covered 2.5 miles at nearly 10 minute miles and a ridiculously high heart rate. I'm now just under 8 minutes a mile over 5 miles or more and with less effort / reduced heart rate compared to May's 2.5 mile effort. I've a 10k coming up in late September and hoping to crack under 48 minutes.
A picture(s) says a hundred words. Keep at it everyone.
It's been a long time since I updated on my progress. With a few literal ups and downs, things have generally gone well with the weight loss. I could be around around a stone lighter than I am now but I've still continued to enjoy takeaways and a drink, albeit in moderation compared to before, so loss is more gradual than dramatic.
Having gone from ultra lean, fit, Ironman at 11st 4lb in 2016 to nudging 16st, I had a way to go to get back to where I once was. I'm getting closer and now being in my late 30s age isn't on my side.
All the numbers are looking decent enough. Weight loss has been pretty decent in absolute terms but it's the fact that almost all of the loss is fat which is encouraging. Unfortunately the scales didn't record body fat in Feb 20 - I was probably too fat - but I've cut body fat by over half since then, with fairly minimal muscle loss.
Having remained fairly decent on the road bike I started running again a few months ago. I felt like death after the first run having only covered 2.5 miles at nearly 10 minute miles and a ridiculously high heart rate. I'm now just under 8 minutes a mile over 5 miles or more and with less effort / reduced heart rate compared to May's 2.5 mile effort. I've a 10k coming up in late September and hoping to crack under 48 minutes.
A picture(s) says a hundred words. Keep at it everyone.
Edited by thenortherner on Tuesday 10th August 21:25
Someone further up the thread posted something like 'diets are like trousers, there isn't one size fits all'. I think the same of lifestyles as well.
I lost 3.5 stone over five months in 2018 (17st 10 to 14st 4, old money as I'm around 50. Also 6ft 4 for context) through diet and light exercise.
Compared to some others who have found that not commuting/travelling for work has been great, more time to exercise, cook properly etc, I have found lockdown and WFH has been rubbish for me, mostly because I have nowhere suitable to work so I'm sat in the kitchen next to the food
I find it all about habits, when I lost all the weight it was, light cereal breakfast, either cheapo tesco salad and a packet of ham/chicken etc for lunch (or basically the same but more expensive from one of the site restaurants. I work across lots of customer locations, some had restuarants, some didn't) and then a normal evening meal but keeping the carbs low.
Now it's too many protein bars, apples and bananas when at home (all good things but not when a couple of each per day) and shop bought sandwiches/crisps/coffees on the rare trips out. All the site restaurants have closed, never to re-open sadly. At best replaced with a grab'n'go.
I did keep up the gym when it was open though as well as running 5k a couple of times a week to replace parkrun (although I'm not anything like as fast)
As a result I have ended back up at 15 st 7. Resolved to do something about it a few weeks ago. Had a week off so hit the roads or the gym every day. good diet proper cooking etc. Lost two pounds over two weeks, excellent.
Then my son then tested positive for C-19, so stuck at home again. Balls.
Need to stop buying snacks when travelling, get to a local office I can use rather than WFH. Buy the right things when I go and get lunch (making lunch never works, I have terrible self control so it's eaten by 10am). I'm still better then where I was three years ago, no exercise at all and a snack was a Mars bar or whatever but it's a slippery slope!!
I lost 3.5 stone over five months in 2018 (17st 10 to 14st 4, old money as I'm around 50. Also 6ft 4 for context) through diet and light exercise.
Compared to some others who have found that not commuting/travelling for work has been great, more time to exercise, cook properly etc, I have found lockdown and WFH has been rubbish for me, mostly because I have nowhere suitable to work so I'm sat in the kitchen next to the food
I find it all about habits, when I lost all the weight it was, light cereal breakfast, either cheapo tesco salad and a packet of ham/chicken etc for lunch (or basically the same but more expensive from one of the site restaurants. I work across lots of customer locations, some had restuarants, some didn't) and then a normal evening meal but keeping the carbs low.
Now it's too many protein bars, apples and bananas when at home (all good things but not when a couple of each per day) and shop bought sandwiches/crisps/coffees on the rare trips out. All the site restaurants have closed, never to re-open sadly. At best replaced with a grab'n'go.
I did keep up the gym when it was open though as well as running 5k a couple of times a week to replace parkrun (although I'm not anything like as fast)
As a result I have ended back up at 15 st 7. Resolved to do something about it a few weeks ago. Had a week off so hit the roads or the gym every day. good diet proper cooking etc. Lost two pounds over two weeks, excellent.
Then my son then tested positive for C-19, so stuck at home again. Balls.
Need to stop buying snacks when travelling, get to a local office I can use rather than WFH. Buy the right things when I go and get lunch (making lunch never works, I have terrible self control so it's eaten by 10am). I'm still better then where I was three years ago, no exercise at all and a snack was a Mars bar or whatever but it's a slippery slope!!
Keep going mfmman, at least you have some idea of how you can shift it again!! 
Two weeks into my umpteenth attempt to lose weight and keep it off and I've lost half a stone. Found walking is my saviour again having walked nearly 30 miles in that time. Combined with eating a little better and it's coming off nicely. Will continue (I hope) in a similar vein for the next two or three months to shift a couple of stone then will have to ruffle things up a bit so as to not get in a rut.
Two weeks into my umpteenth attempt to lose weight and keep it off and I've lost half a stone. Found walking is my saviour again having walked nearly 30 miles in that time. Combined with eating a little better and it's coming off nicely. Will continue (I hope) in a similar vein for the next two or three months to shift a couple of stone then will have to ruffle things up a bit so as to not get in a rut.
Cheers Mart, and you
When you are ready think about Parkrun, you won't be the only one walking round. It's a great motivator, it's the fact it's the same time/same faces every week etc. Even if you don't speak to anyone, (I don't unless a couple of people I already know are there) it's the camaraderie of it all.
When you are ready think about Parkrun, you won't be the only one walking round. It's a great motivator, it's the fact it's the same time/same faces every week etc. Even if you don't speak to anyone, (I don't unless a couple of people I already know are there) it's the camaraderie of it all.
mfmman said:
Cheers Mart, and you
When you are ready think about Parkrun, you won't be the only one walking round. It's a great motivator, it's the fact it's the same time/same faces every week etc. Even if you don't speak to anyone, (I don't unless a couple of people I already know are there) it's the camaraderie of it all.
Parkrun is definitely on the radar. When I lost the weight last time, I was keen to do a Parkrun for several reasons.... firstly, I'd completed Couch 2 5k and therefore knew I could complete the distance okay. Secondly, I know the thought of running with other people of a similar standard would be good for the motivation to complete it and thirdly, a hot MILF from one of my customers said about going along with her to her local Parkrun as she'd never been to one.When you are ready think about Parkrun, you won't be the only one walking round. It's a great motivator, it's the fact it's the same time/same faces every week etc. Even if you don't speak to anyone, (I don't unless a couple of people I already know are there) it's the camaraderie of it all.
Not sure her husband was so keen though.
- pops head back in*
t at this aren’t I? Eating wise I’ve not been too bad lately. Reduced the sweets massively which has helped and feeling better. Not jumped on the scales for a while though as they broke. But belt feels looser.
Got my fitness test for work in a months time, and although it’s only 5.4 on the bleep test I worry about it every year. Just been for a run after work. Aiming for 1.5 miles each time. First time was 23 minutes on the dot. Tonight was 21:27.
Makes me feel sad when I think ten years ago I could do 1.5 miles in under ten minutes! I’ll be happy with under 15 minutes to start with
. tr7v8 said:
Well today weighed in at 101.2 kg. Started at 120.2 kg on Jan 1 2021 so 19kg drop. According to the excel it is half a kilo a week.
Must admit out on the bike it really notices how much easier hills are! Not having to pedal nearly 20% of my body mass along makes a difference.
Congrats on the superb progress chap! Must admit out on the bike it really notices how much easier hills are! Not having to pedal nearly 20% of my body mass along makes a difference.
What are you doing diet wise?
Scobblelotcher said:
tr7v8 said:
Well today weighed in at 101.2 kg. Started at 120.2 kg on Jan 1 2021 so 19kg drop. According to the excel it is half a kilo a week.
Must admit out on the bike it really notices how much easier hills are! Not having to pedal nearly 20% of my body mass along makes a difference.
Congrats on the superb progress chap! Must admit out on the bike it really notices how much easier hills are! Not having to pedal nearly 20% of my body mass along makes a difference.
What are you doing diet wise?
Diet is Keto lite, so I do salads every night with either meat (ham, Matesons smoked sausage etc.) or fish sometimes peppered smoked mackerel or tinned tuna or salmon or mackerel. Lunch is a pepperami & a couple of snack cheeses. Tracking on My Fitness Pal & sticking to around 1200cals Max. Few treats such as some choccy on a Friday & Sat night, but not too much.
Walking at least 30 mins a day, longer if I can fit it in & getting out on a bike everyday (doesn't work so well) for at least 30 mins up to an hour & three quarters. If A. the weather is OK & B. if time permits.
I'm doing a PPL & the Civil Aviation Authority don't like porky pilots i.e. BMI over 35. I was close to 40, now around 34.x
Gone from 46+ trousers to a 40", which is a pain as on hols in a week or so & will need a new wardrobe
The local charity shop are about to do very well!tr7v8 said:
Scobblelotcher said:
tr7v8 said:
Well today weighed in at 101.2 kg. Started at 120.2 kg on Jan 1 2021 so 19kg drop. According to the excel it is half a kilo a week.
Must admit out on the bike it really notices how much easier hills are! Not having to pedal nearly 20% of my body mass along makes a difference.
Congrats on the superb progress chap! Must admit out on the bike it really notices how much easier hills are! Not having to pedal nearly 20% of my body mass along makes a difference.
What are you doing diet wise?
Diet is Keto lite, so I do salads every night with either meat (ham, Matesons smoked sausage etc.) or fish sometimes peppered smoked mackerel or tinned tuna or salmon or mackerel. Lunch is a pepperami & a couple of snack cheeses. Tracking on My Fitness Pal & sticking to around 1200cals Max. Few treats such as some choccy on a Friday & Sat night, but not too much.
Walking at least 30 mins a day, longer if I can fit it in & getting out on a bike everyday (doesn't work so well) for at least 30 mins up to an hour & three quarters. If A. the weather is OK & B. if time permits.
I'm doing a PPL & the Civil Aviation Authority don't like porky pilots i.e. BMI over 35. I was close to 40, now around 34.x
Gone from 46+ trousers to a 40", which is a pain as on hols in a week or so & will need a new wardrobe
The local charity shop are about to do very well!1.5 mile run in 19:57.
It’s nice that I’m faster each time but it does make me think I’m not pushing myself as much as I should be if I’m three minutes faster than I was three runs ago, but I don’t want to push too hard in case I injury myself.
Jumped in the scales today after lunch and I’m the same as I was a couple of months ago. Whilst it’s not less it’s not more! Strange how my clothes are looser though.
It’s nice that I’m faster each time but it does make me think I’m not pushing myself as much as I should be if I’m three minutes faster than I was three runs ago, but I don’t want to push too hard in case I injury myself.
Jumped in the scales today after lunch and I’m the same as I was a couple of months ago. Whilst it’s not less it’s not more! Strange how my clothes are looser though.
I've gone from about 13st at the start of the year to 11st 4lb now. Mostly through a slightly better diet through portion control. Having overnight oats for breakfast, but taking them to work and eating at 8am rather than at 6am before work means I'm less hungry through the day and so don't snack.
I've also upped the exercise, fast walk / jog one day, core the next and chest and arms on day three, twice a week with a rest day.
I've also upped the exercise, fast walk / jog one day, core the next and chest and arms on day three, twice a week with a rest day.
LosingGrip said:
1.5 mile run in 19:57.
It’s nice that I’m faster each time but it does make me think I’m not pushing myself as much as I should be if I’m three minutes faster than I was three runs ago, but I don’t want to push too hard in case I injury myself.
Jumped in the scales today after lunch and I’m the same as I was a couple of months ago. Whilst it’s not less it’s not more! Strange how my clothes are looser though.
You get weeks like that where you feel like you've nailed it, your clothes are looser and you stay the same weight. Just toning up, I think, hence your body shape is slightly changing and your clothes feel different. It’s nice that I’m faster each time but it does make me think I’m not pushing myself as much as I should be if I’m three minutes faster than I was three runs ago, but I don’t want to push too hard in case I injury myself.
Jumped in the scales today after lunch and I’m the same as I was a couple of months ago. Whilst it’s not less it’s not more! Strange how my clothes are looser though.
Re the running, better a slow runner than a no runner. Keep pootling along at whatever pace and gradually you'll get quicker.
GloverMart said:
You get weeks like that where you feel like you've nailed it, your clothes are looser and you stay the same weight. Just toning up, I think, hence your body shape is slightly changing and your clothes feel different.
Re the running, better a slow runner than a no runner. Keep pootling along at whatever pace and gradually you'll get quicker.
I’m aiming to run a little faster each time I run. Start at 8kph for two minutes. Walk until I’ve rested (6kph), run at 8.5kph for two minutes etc. Got to 10kph last time for about 90 seconds. Re the running, better a slow runner than a no runner. Keep pootling along at whatever pace and gradually you'll get quicker.
I need to work on my breathing though. My legs feel like they can go on but I struggle with the breathing side of it.
Also need to work out when to eat before going for a run. Didn’t leave it quite long enough last time and felt sick.
LosingGrip said:
I’m aiming to run a little faster each time I run. Start at 8kph for two minutes. Walk until I’ve rested (6kph), run at 8.5kph for two minutes etc. Got to 10kph last time for about 90 seconds.
I need to work on my breathing though. My legs feel like they can go on but I struggle with the breathing side of it.
Also need to work out when to eat before going for a run. Didn’t leave it quite long enough last time and felt sick.
wait at least an hour, better two.I need to work on my breathing though. My legs feel like they can go on but I struggle with the breathing side of it.
Also need to work out when to eat before going for a run. Didn’t leave it quite long enough last time and felt sick.
Read the last few pages and good to see some great results from various members as well as others offering warnings about keeping the focus on maintenance.
Back at the beginning of 2020 I was close to completing C25k but then I moved house to a hillier area and lockdown hit and what the with stress of work and renovating the wreck of a house we bought all exercise (except using a e-bike to go to the pub!) went out the window. I was still around 16st 6lbs. No attempt at dieting.
Just got back from holiday having gained about 5lbs to be 16st13lbs on Saturday. 16st 11lbs this morning and my goal is 15 stone. I'm 6'1" and 44.
Plan is cut carbs a lot i.e. no beer except maybe one at the weekend. Gin & slim if I want a drink Friday or Saturday. No pizza, pies, sandwiches, biscuits or crisps. More salads and veg.
Road bike 3x weekly building up to 20km per ride and dumb bells. I'm not sure if I'll go back to running - it's quick and intense but I reckon if I walk the dog further (3 miles as opposed to one) combined with the cycling and diet and a one day per week fast (Monday lunchtime to Tuesday lunchtime) I should achieve my goal by 1st November. 10 weeks 2.5lbs per week loss.
Back at the beginning of 2020 I was close to completing C25k but then I moved house to a hillier area and lockdown hit and what the with stress of work and renovating the wreck of a house we bought all exercise (except using a e-bike to go to the pub!) went out the window. I was still around 16st 6lbs. No attempt at dieting.
Just got back from holiday having gained about 5lbs to be 16st13lbs on Saturday. 16st 11lbs this morning and my goal is 15 stone. I'm 6'1" and 44.
Plan is cut carbs a lot i.e. no beer except maybe one at the weekend. Gin & slim if I want a drink Friday or Saturday. No pizza, pies, sandwiches, biscuits or crisps. More salads and veg.
Road bike 3x weekly building up to 20km per ride and dumb bells. I'm not sure if I'll go back to running - it's quick and intense but I reckon if I walk the dog further (3 miles as opposed to one) combined with the cycling and diet and a one day per week fast (Monday lunchtime to Tuesday lunchtime) I should achieve my goal by 1st November. 10 weeks 2.5lbs per week loss.
Piginapoke said:
wait at least an hour, better two.
Seemed to help, thanks . 19:45 this time. Did a five minute walk at the start at 6KPH then 2.5 minutes at 10kph before a 2 minute walk. Was aiming for 3 minutes but not too annoyed. Then did a minute at 10KPH and two minutes walk at 6KPH until I couldn’t go any longer at 10KPH. Dropped it to 8.5KPH until the last 0.2KM.
I should be fine for my fitness test in a couple of weeks if I keep this up
. Seem to be recovering quicker as well.
My wife and I have fallen off the wagon a bit the last 3-4 years. Went back to the gym for the first time in ages tonight. Only about 15-20 minutes workout but it's a start. I'm at 164lbs, which is the heaviest I've been in about 10 years (5'4"). It's a long road ahead, but I'm excited to start.
LosingGrip said:
I’m aiming to run a little faster each time I run. Start at 8kph for two minutes. Walk until I’ve rested (6kph), run at 8.5kph for two minutes etc. Got to 10kph last time for about 90 seconds.
I need to work on my breathing though. My legs feel like they can go on but I struggle with the breathing side of it.
Also need to work out when to eat before going for a run. Didn’t leave it quite long enough last time and felt sick.
Same problem I had, just had to battle through it. The problem was that the only thing which made it improve was doing it more!I need to work on my breathing though. My legs feel like they can go on but I struggle with the breathing side of it.
Also need to work out when to eat before going for a run. Didn’t leave it quite long enough last time and felt sick.
Apparently talking to someone while you jog helps a lot because it means you can’t breathe in a steady pattern. I found that getting into a rhythm was fine but as soon as I fell outside of it, I couldn’t recover.
Still working on it though so I don’t have a definitive solution.
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