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Let's lose some weight in 2021. Back to the grind... who else is in? (2 Viewers)

Starting back on your diet is a critical skill that you have not yet developed.  It's one of the things people call "willpower" but it's really something you have to learn. I did not have this skill when I took my first ever cheat day, and it derailed me for a week. I tried logging in to do myfitnesspal and I just... didn't stop when I hit my calorie goal. In my head I knew that a cheat day wasn't the end of the world, so why not two?  In the morning I was ready to diet again and conquer the world, but at night I was conniving and wanted to eat more and drink wine. 

One of the things that helped was that I was not going over my daily energy expenditure, just my calorie goals.  So if my goal is to lose two pounds a week, my goal is set for 1000 less than I need, and if i go over my goal by 500 today, I'll still be burning 500 more than I ate.  So one thing that helped was to keep tracking even when I was "cheating" and keep the cheat from getting out of control.  When you turn off myfitnesspal altogether, you're more likely to have the 5000 calorie blowout. 

Bear in mind that I literally turned off myfitnesspal Tuesday night after a day of otherwise good eating and drank wine and ate food I shouldn't have. I'm not saying you can never do that, just that doing it has consequences and it will take time to undo those. I weighed in this morning and still weigh a bit more than I did Tuesday morning.  

And Wednesday when I woke up I had coffee and regretted my decisions and felt a little gross because I definitely did not stop at one glass of wine, and I hadn't drank a drop in over a month so it hits different. And it sucked. I woke up and logged my coffee and my breakfast but I wanted to eat like i did last night because that was so much more fun and dieting sucks and why am I like this and oh yeah this is how I got so fat in the first place. So I logged everything, and stayed under my calorie goal, even though I didn't really feel like it. 

You turned off myfitnesspal for what... 4 days? 5?  Depending how much you over indulged, it might take you a couple weeks to undo that.  That's totally normal. It's part of the process. But imagine if you had contained that to 3 days. Or two. 

Another thing that I think really helped me was taking "cheat meals" fairly often but not taking "cheat days".  Keeping breakfast and lunch small, doing my exercise, and then going all out on a 1000 plus calorie dinner. For you that's been a smallish dinner and a glass or two of wine.  And I think that's what helped you get on board with myfitnesspal and that's awesome. 

Cheat meals are the reason I don't usually need cheat days. Today is Saturday and I'm taking my kid somewhere for his weekly reward.  He's excited to go to a local pizza place... that's known for their giant slices... and awesome barbecue chicken and Buffalo chicken pizza.... and I love this place. This could easily be problematic.  I could easily justify to myself that this is a special occasion and a lot of weeks he picks some bull#### place I don't even like but this is a favorite and I'll cheat.  But I don't have to.

I'm going to make a protein shake with lots of fruit to get some vitamins and fiber without a lot of calories, I'm going to do my yoga and cardio to earn some more room, I have some cooked shrimp and carrots/broccoli/cauliflower that are a ton of protein and fiber, and I'm leaving myself room for three huge slices of pizza without going over. And I'll have three more tomorrow for the superbowl. 

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Think about what I'm saying here. The reason I'm giving you these examples is that these are the skills to get back on. 

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Accept that you cheat but contain the cheating to as few days as possible. 

Learn that it takes several days to recover from one day of cheating badly, and that cheating badly today will really piss you off later. 

Try to put constraints on your cheat days by logging your food even if you go over goal. If you eat 1000 calories over your goal of burning 1000 extra, it still feels like cheating but you won't put on any fat. 

Don't cheat when you don't have to.  You cheat when you're under stress. Ok, then don't cheat when you're not under stress. Use cheat meals like i do, plan your day Sunday around the cheating, and don't just think "I'll make some nachos and wings and a beer or two", but check out the calories in advance and decide how much of each you can have based on the food and exercise you have earlier in the day. If that's three beers, 7 wings and a dozen nachos, then you get a beer and count out the nachos on your plate early in the game and then go back for 3 wings later and then go back and get a beer and two more and two more after that and another beer and spread it out a little. Or whatever works for you. 

After a cheat day, get back started on myfitnesspal the next day and log everything. In the morning you're able to do it. It's night time that gets you. So start it up in the morning and give yourself a chance to get back on track later. 

Get used to that ####ty feeling when you're getting back on your diet and want to just keep being a big fat fatty.  You broke your routine and need to reestablish it. 

And yes you will need to get used to eating healthier over time. But you are doing awesome, even with some cheating in there. Because you're developing the skills that will last a long time. Just make sure you actually do it. 

I love that you are finding ways to indulge during the week while staying under calories. Eventually I would like to see that become so normal that you can tweak it, but Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are healthy habits so let's focus on one thing right now and that's getting your calorie intake under control and losing the weight you've been trying to lose for the better part of a decade. So right now as long as your doctor isn't telling you that you need to cut the salt or the booze or make other urgent changes, focus on this one thing. 
 
👍 

 
Not sure if I'll even bother counting today.  May just call it 4ooo and call it a day.

Yesterday was 1561.  Damn extra potato and a single beer turned an excellent day in a miss.  That's 3 consecutive days over goal.  I did get to the gym to lift.

Amazon delivers the new scale today.  I guess I can blame lack of progress on the new scale.

 
Not sure if I'll even bother counting today.  May just call it 4ooo and call it a day.

Yesterday was 1561.  Damn extra potato and a single beer turned an excellent day in a miss.  That's 3 consecutive days over goal.  I did get to the gym to lift.

Amazon delivers the new scale today.  I guess I can blame lack of progress on the new scale.
Oh...I will log it...and I will not like the number I see at the end of the day.  But also will make me think to not get that second plate of mac and cheese or more ribs.  And make better choices this morning.  

But its also good to have a day to sort of let it out of your mind (and not go too overboard of course).

 
Not sure if I'll even bother counting today.  May just call it 4ooo and call it a day.

Yesterday was 1561.  Damn extra potato and a single beer turned an excellent day in a miss.  That's 3 consecutive days over goal.  I did get to the gym to lift.

Amazon delivers the new scale today.  I guess I can blame lack of progress on the new scale.
Count and log it anyway.  Better to stay in the rhythm of tracking, being honest and accountable.   Maybe it will mean you only eat 3000 calories instead by tracking it.   Or it lets you know the impact you have by eating 4000 calories in a day.  How much it sets you back.

One of the biggest changes I've had the past 3 months.....is that I've stopped lying to myself.  That's a huge change.

 
I went 23 calories over yesterday and decided not to do a few extra minutes walking on the treadmill just to get the check mark for finishing.  I know that doesn't sound like a big deal but it's danger zone for me when I'm making a hard push like this because I have a bad habit of talking myself into going 100 calories over next time. 

On a plus note, I ate my pizza yesterday but still hit 120g protein and got a not horrible 15g fiber, had an awesome run (27:30 5k which is really good for me), and did some lifting, some yoga, and continued my 100 pushups per day.  

I've been eating clean today and should hit my protein and fiber goals or close to it.  Going to do an hour of yoga and get on the treadmill for a little bit and then I get to have some of that pizza from yesterday during the game. 

 
Meal time coming up. porterhouse should push me to 5000k and then the beer drinking gets serious if Mahomes can stop sucking 

 
Lots of people here had a cheat day yesterday... i had mine earlier in the week... one of the hardest things to do is get back on track the next day but it's so important.

It's frustrating because when you do get back into it you're like ok I'm ready let's do this I'm going to work twice as hard today!

But there's nothing you can do to really speed this process up. It's going to take time to lose weight safely.  It's not about working harder today, it's about finding the motivation to stick with it every day.  And after a cheat day you've just had a taste of not sticking with it, maybe you turned off myfitnesspal for the day or kept a running total of 230 calorie beers and pizza like bass... it's tough to wake up and get back to it. 

So let's talk about some things to be motivated about. 

I haven't been to the doctor's in a while and am overdue for a physical that I should have scheduled but covid... I feel like I've been studying hard for a test that everyone fails and I'm about to ace it. 

I can't wait to see friends who haven't seen me since I was near my peak weight.

What are some things you are looking forward to?  

 
Lots of people here had a cheat day yesterday... i had mine earlier in the week... one of the hardest things to do is get back on track the next day but it's so important.

It's frustrating because when you do get back into it you're like ok I'm ready let's do this I'm going to work twice as hard today!

But there's nothing you can do to really speed this process up. It's going to take time to lose weight safely.  It's not about working harder today, it's about finding the motivation to stick with it every day.  And after a cheat day you've just had a taste of not sticking with it, maybe you turned off myfitnesspal for the day or kept a running total of 230 calorie beers and pizza like bass... it's tough to wake up and get back to it. 

So let's talk about some things to be motivated about. 

I haven't been to the doctor's in a while and am overdue for a physical that I should have scheduled but covid... I feel like I've been studying hard for a test that everyone fails and I'm about to ace it. 

I can't wait to see friends who haven't seen me since I was near my peak weight.

What are some things you are looking forward to?  
Not being a fat ###.

Back at it today.  Leftover beers are going into the other fridge to age until summer.

 
Like many, I indulged on Sunday and now feeling the effects - sluggish, puffy and uninspired.  On days like these, I find it's even more important to get a workout in so your body can reset and less likely to carry on with your unhealthy ways.   I'm going to need another cup of coffee.  

 
Lots of people here had a cheat day yesterday... i had mine earlier in the week... one of the hardest things to do is get back on track the next day but it's so important.

It's frustrating because when you do get back into it you're like ok I'm ready let's do this I'm going to work twice as hard today!

But there's nothing you can do to really speed this process up. It's going to take time to lose weight safely.  It's not about working harder today, it's about finding the motivation to stick with it every day.  And after a cheat day you've just had a taste of not sticking with it, maybe you turned off myfitnesspal for the day or kept a running total of 230 calorie beers and pizza like bass... it's tough to wake up and get back to it. 

So let's talk about some things to be motivated about. 

I haven't been to the doctor's in a while and am overdue for a physical that I should have scheduled but covid... I feel like I've been studying hard for a test that everyone fails and I'm about to ace it. 

I can't wait to see friends who haven't seen me since I was near my peak weight.

What are some things you are looking forward to?  
My “cheat day” was Saturday.  Had friends visiting us (outdoors) and ate way too much.  But fortunately, I ran 9 miles in the morning and walked another 5 with my wife before company arrived.  So “cheat day” turned into me eating way more than normal but also burning tons of calories.  Still, I ate like crap.

I’m looking forward to buying new clothes.  And going to the doctor for a physical.  And playing basketball/tennis without the same level of fatigue.  Gotta put on more muscle still - if I can stick with the muscle/healthy weight gain plan until summer, I look forward to wearing a swimsuit in public.

 
I’m looking forward to buying new clothes.  And going to the doctor for a physical.  And playing basketball/tennis without the same level of fatigue.  Gotta put on more muscle still - if I can stick with the muscle/healthy weight gain plan until summer, I look forward to wearing a swimsuit in public.
Oh yes swimsuit or just shirt off in public will be awesome. 

 
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I survived my anniversary weekend in New Orleans and got back on the plan yesterday. We hit a great cocktail place along with Shaya Friday night, but considering the overall temptation in the big easy I feel great. 

My biggest transgression was Friday night ( 1 fancy cocktail and 4 Old Fashions) 😎

Anyway the point is - this is starting to feel like a lifestyle change and maintenance already and not some death march to another failure. After Friday and Saturday off - I eased right back into Peloton, yoga, push ups, and a 3 mile walk yesterday. 

Have a good week everyone, I will weigh in again this weekend. 

 
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Count and log it anyway.  Better to stay in the rhythm of tracking, being honest and accountable.   Maybe it will mean you only eat 3000 calories instead by tracking it.   Or it lets you know the impact you have by eating 4000 calories in a day.  How much it sets you back.

One of the biggest changes I've had the past 3 months.....is that I've stopped lying to myself.  That's a huge change.
Yeah...that is what was big with yesterday and still keeping it logged...and part of why I found myself opting for something like noom...that extra kick in the pants (and having spent money making me more accountable and honest with myself).

And actually thought more yesterday when eating...not indulging in so many snacks knowing ribs were coming...knowing what dessert was here. Which made logging difficult when someone brings a dessert and Im basically guessing how bad it was for me (but delicious...some mix of crushed oreos, whipped cream, and I have no idea what else).

 
I survived my anniversary weekend in New Orleans and got back on the plan yesterday. We hit a great cocktail place along with Shaya Friday night, but considering the overall temptation in the big easy I feel great. 

My biggest transgression was Friday night ( 1 fancy cocktail and 4 Old Fashions) 😎

Anyway the point is - this is starting to feel like a lifestyle change and maintenance already and not some death march to another failure. After Friday and Saturday off - I eased right back into Peloton, yoga, push ups, and a 3 mile walk yesterday. 

Have a good week everyone, I will weigh in again this weekend. 
shaya is probably my favorite place in New Orleans.  Dallas was lucky that we stole someone from there who opened a similar concept restaurant called Sachet.  

 
Thanksgiving to Christmas: 229.2 to 220.4.

New Years to Valentine's Day:

Jan 3: 220.0

Jan 9: 218.0

Jan 16: 216.2.

Jan 24: 214.4
Jan 31: 213.0

Forgot to weigh myself until after eating a couple of cinnamon rolls and a glass of milk, but close enough. Still on track. 
Feb 8: 213.8. 

Nuts. Fell off the wagon this weekend. I was helping my parents move this weekend and there were always snacks, soda, and beer laying around. But I'm back on the wagon this morning. 210 by Valentine's Day isn't going to happen, but 212-213 is definitely doable, and then shooting for 210 by end of February. 

Also need to change up the workout strategy for the next week or two due to weather. I'm not running when the high temp is single digits (or negative, as the case may be this week). My wife dug out to old bike trainer and set that up in the basement for both of us to use. She's pretty awesome like that. 

 
shaya is probably my favorite place in New Orleans.  Dallas was lucky that we stole someone from there who opened a similar concept restaurant called Sachet.  
Nice. I highly recommend Saba also further down Magazine. That is the offspring of the original chef from Shaya after the legal issues. 

 
  • Date         |  Weight   |   Chg From Start  |   Weekly Loss   |   Calories
  • Nov 27         226.1                                           
  • Dec 24         212.9                -13.2                                          Avg daily calories during period: 1523
  • NEW START DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS TO VALENTINES DAY
  • Dec 26         213.1               -13.0                                          Avg daily calories during period: 1510       
  • Jan 1           211.2                -14.9                  -1.9                  Avg daily calories during period: 1983
  • Jan 8           210.3                -15.8                  -0.9                  Avg daily calories during period: 1546
  • Jan 15         207.0                -19.1                  -3.3                  Avg daily calories during period: 1524
  • Jan 22         205.4                -20.7                  -1.6                  Avg daily calories during period: 1513
  • Jan 29         203.0                -23.1                  -2.4                  Avg daily calories during period: 1521
  • Feb 5          202.1                -24.0                   -0.9                  Avg daily calories during period: 1594
  • Feb 6          201.5                -24.6                                           1480
  • Feb 7          201.0                -25.1                                           4000 - Super Bowl Cheat Day
  • Feb 8          203.2                -22.9
Well the good news, hit the 25 pound weight loss mark!  Then I had my 2nd cheat day since Thanksgiving at the Super Bowl and put on 2.2 pounds. I'm hopeful some of that is water weight because I had some salty stuff (a couple of salami, proschutta (sp), and ham sandwiches). The real splurge was the bowl of chocolate ice cream with hot fudge and oreos on top. I have a hard time quantifying that so I'm going to go with 4000.  Should still hit 10 pound weight loss by Valentine's Day but likely torpedoed getting sub 200.  Hopefully the week after that though. 

 
1/25. 201.4

2/1. 199.6

2/8. 198.4.  

Ate too much on Saturday and went over my calories goal but worked out and ate right yesterday to get back to the winning ways.  Seems like I go over my calories goal one day/week.   I will take that every week.  

Most of us will eat poorly at times.  As long as it does not become a habit and is not an excuse to abandon your goals, it’s not a road block; instead, it’s only a speed bump.  

 
1/25. 201.4

2/1. 199.6

2/8. 198.4.  

Ate too much on Saturday and went over my calories goal but worked out and ate right yesterday to get back to the winning ways.  Seems like I go over my calories goal one day/week.   I will take that every week.  

Most of us will eat poorly at times.  As long as it does not become a habit and is not an excuse to abandon your goals, it’s not a road block; instead, it’s only a speed bump.  
Why Johnny Ringo, you look like somebody just walked over your grave......

 
Been on a diet (keto based low calorie) since 2/02. 

I am def in ketosis (was completely drained yesterday with the "keto flu" which happened last time). Will weigh in next week.

 
Kept to my two beers yesterday as promised myself. Also kept to not counting as I promised myself. And instead of rowing I shoveled heavy wet snow outside twice (we got about 8” here), and rewarded myself with nachos and stuff. 
 

Today was first day in a while back on full counting. It feels glorious. I just had a great IPA, and cookies and chips, and still closed out my diary with a few hundred calories to spare. Enjoyed it all, feel great.  The first day back is the most important. 
 

Off we go. Fred, you’re ahead of me here, but only by a handful of pounds I’m guessing, so still within reach of you. The race is on!

Oats 

 
One calorie to spare today. 

Rowed with the resistance up a little. Gave my knee a break from running. Did my hundred pushups in four sets going slower than usual, really focused on my pecs and back, it seems to make a big difference. Did my curls and bent over rows but that was it for lifting, no core. 

119g protein is a little low

28g fiber also on the low end for me recently but in the right range

Huge piece of salmon for dinner, lots of omega 3s

Kept sodium down to 1627mg

I have one bottle of wine in the house, if I get to 220 on the scale before ash Wednesday (next week) I'm opening it up, if not I'm saving it. Either way I'm giving up drinking for lent. 

 
Kept to my two beers yesterday as promised myself. Also kept to not counting as I promised myself. And instead of rowing I shoveled heavy wet snow outside twice (we got about 8” here), and rewarded myself with nachos and stuff. 
 

Today was first day in a while back on full counting. It feels glorious. I just had a great IPA, and cookies and chips, and still closed out my diary with a few hundred calories to spare. Enjoyed it all, feel great.  The first day back is the most important. 
 

Off we go. Fred, you’re ahead of me here, but only by a handful of pounds I’m guessing, so still within reach of you. The race is on!

Oats 
224.2 this morning, and while I am happy for you to call it a race I want you to know that if i somehow can't beat mr IPA cookies and chips it will... be my great pleasure actually.?. because it will mean that you've finally made a breakthrough... I'm fully locked in right now so you'd best bring your A game. 

 
12/29: 268.6

2/9: 239.6

Down 3.4 pounds this week, and 29 pounds total after 6 weeks. Started some intermittent running this week. Was able to do a little over a quarter mile at a time. Hoping to get that up to a half mile this week. Baby steps. Still feeling good and like that my fat pants are getting pretty loose, and will soon be able to jump down to a smaller size.

 
Definitely seeing the small bump from the weekend.  Not yet likely it was due to overeating (as I was not too bad).  Some likely from the amount of sodium consumed.  

Back to making sure I hydrate better (which I have been doing) and get back on my afternoon hot tea (yeah, I may be turning British...but darn it, a couple of cups of vanilla chai tea or green tea in the afternoon is enjoyable rather than brewing more coffee)

 
  • Jan 1 - 214.0
  • Jan 8 - 211.4
  • Jan 15 - 207.2
  • Jan 22 - 207.6
  • Jan 29 - 207.2
  • Feb 5 - 205.6
  • Feb 6 - N/A
  • Feb 7 - 207.4
  • Feb 8 - 208.2
  • Feb 9 - 206.2
Up and down we go... but it's all good. 

 
overall fitness wise, I am really starting to feel good. I've run almost 150 miles so far this year and basic strength stuff is far better. Lower weight number would be nice but general fitness is quite a bit better. 

 
  • Date         |  Weight   |   Chg From Start  |   Weekly Loss   |   Calories
  • Nov 27         226.1                                           
  • Dec 24         212.9                -13.2                                          Avg daily calories during period: 1523
  • NEW START DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS TO VALENTINES DAY
  • Dec 26         213.1               -13.0                                          Avg daily calories during period: 1510       
  • Jan 1           211.2                -14.9                  -1.9                  Avg daily calories during period: 1983
  • Jan 8           210.3                -15.8                  -0.9                  Avg daily calories during period: 1546
  • Jan 15         207.0                -19.1                  -3.3                  Avg daily calories during period: 1524
  • Jan 22         205.4                -20.7                  -1.6                  Avg daily calories during period: 1513
  • Jan 29         203.0                -23.1                  -2.4                  Avg daily calories during period: 1521
  • Feb 5          202.1                -24.0                   -0.9                  Avg daily calories during period: 1594
  • Feb 6          201.5                -24.6                                           1480
  • Feb 7          201.0                -25.1                                           4000 - Super Bowl Cheat Day
  • Feb 8          203.2                -22.9                                           1390
  • Feb 9          202.3                -23.8
 
Thanks - I may dip my toes in and try the Southwest Chipotle flavor on my eggs.  May also try sprinkling it on my shrimp. 

I've noticed that I haven't really missed the taste of salt.  I made a turkey burger (using lean ground turkey) yesterday with simply italian seasoning, paprika and provolone cheese and it was awesome.  I use the same seasoning on my salmon (sans the cheese) and it tastes great.  
I'm telling you guys, habanero pepper.  Simple, cheap, and super good.

 
224.2 this morning, and while I am happy for you to call it a race I want you to know that if i somehow can't beat mr IPA cookies and chips it will... be my great pleasure actually.?. because it will mean that you've finally made a breakthrough... I'm fully locked in right now so you'd best bring your A game. 
Pretty sure you’ve got me here. And I’m playing the long game. I’m sipping a glass of wine and about to pour another, but with over 600 calories remaining, who’s gonna stop me???

actually was disappointed to step on the scale this morning and see it 4lbs higher than before I left for my work trip. Week 1 was stellar, week 2 was apparently total devastation. Now, I’m thinking some of that is bloat and will vanish fast in the next couple days, but then again even that would put me a few lbs behind you. 
 

:Sips wine:

 
Pretty sure you’ve got me here. And I’m playing the long game. I’m sipping a glass of wine and about to pour another, but with over 600 calories remaining, who’s gonna stop me???

actually was disappointed to step on the scale this morning and see it 4lbs higher than before I left for my work trip. Week 1 was stellar, week 2 was apparently total devastation. Now, I’m thinking some of that is bloat and will vanish fast in the next couple days, but then again even that would put me a few lbs behind you. 
 

:Sips wine:
Why do you think a several hundred caloric deficit that includes alcohol and junk food on consecutive days immediately after a bad week is 'playing the long game?'

 
Why do you think a several hundred caloric deficit that includes alcohol and junk food on consecutive days immediately after a bad week is 'playing the long game?'
He has a 1600 calorie deficit, his goal is 1000 calorie deficit per day, and he's 600 away from that number. Alcohol and junk food aren't ideal but if he's building a sustainable habit of tracking calories and staying under his target every day, and getting used to turning the app back on after a cheat day or cheat week, he should not only lose some weight, but develop the long term skills to stop the inevitable backslide. 

I believe in Otis. I've been hurt before but I'm letting my heart decide and it says my man otis is going to do this. 

 
Jan 1   274.4

Feb 1   256.4  - 18.0 lbs

Feb 7  xxx.x  -  xx.x lbs, 7000 cal

Feb 8  260.4 - 14.0 lbs, 450 cal

Feb 9  258.2 - 16.2 lbs, 950 cal, lift, run...no jog...no waddled 5 miles.

Gonna need to be spot on to get to the 24x.x this month.

 
Rowing, pushups and some treadmill intervals, and stayed under calories, but my macros sucked after a snacky evening.  Will get back after it tomorrow. 

 
Checking in from Florida.  Have been eating too much food (averaging about 2200 calories per day for over a week now) and more importantly, not eating healthy enough.  That said, I’m exercising a ton (13 miles per day of run/walk combo + push-ups + yoga).  And I’ve been successfully eating more lean protein.  But too much ice cream and donuts.

Won’t know if I’ve done damage to my weight until we get home on Sunday.  But based on my calorie counting, I should be down slightly or very stable.

My main focus continues to be trying to eat healthier, more protein/veggies/fruits, push-ups and yoga.  Lean muscle building.

 

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