My Fitness Pal (1 Viewer)

[MAC_32]

Now that I have lost the weight I am finding the new numbers frustrating. I am allowed less calories and I dont burn as many when doing cardio. Maybe that is why they say the last few lbs are the hardest?

I had a bad weekend but I will make it up during the week. I am looking forward to maintenance calories.

You got it. Depending on your goals as a general rule when going from bad shape to good shape if you exercise and eat well you'll get there. If you want to go from good to great shape that's a lot more difficult. For 99% of the population the diet has to be near-perfect. Going beyond just calorie counting, but going to specific types of foods, ones that help promote burning more calories keeping your metabolic rate high. Some are able to do it with just increased exercise - quantity or intensity, but as we all get older it's more challenging. In my single days I was lifting 6x per week, playing rec sports 3-4x per week, and running on the non rec days and even some of the rec days - always taking one day (usually Friday) off. I ate more because due to the increased exercise I needed to and was in the best shape of my life. 6'1 185 under 10% body fat - think I peaked at 8. Marriage + children + added a side job and I don't have nearly as much time as I used to. Exercise between 4 and 6 times per week but not nearly as much as before. Diet's stayed the same and now I'm around 190-195 and body fat's closer to 15%, last I checked it was 13 but it fluctuates. If I ate perfectly I could maintain at 185, but I won't do that so I'm not expecting to get and stay there.

Sorry, I rambled, if the exercise won't change, you still have a few lbs to go, and you've plateuad then you have to eat better calories. Generally speaking, the outer rim of the grocery store, stay out of the aisles and be careful about dairy and salt/fat-heavy meats. Fruit (berries are best), veggies (no corn and potatoes), seafood/fish, turkey, chicken, (homemade) protein shakes, almonds, pistachios, macadmaias, oatmeal, etc. That's your diet.

I would say I am 80% there. My demon is alcohol.

For some reason I can cut out beer 100% and have no problems, but Pepsi is the tough one for me. For now Ive just been working in one can to my calories but I know at some point I will need to cut it out mostly.

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

 

[NewlyRetired]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

 

[shadyridr]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

not a calorie killer but can cause cancer and can make you hungrier

 

[NewlyRetired]

Does anyone know how to transfer a recipe from one account to another? I want to send the 30 or so recipes I entered to my wife's account.

Transfer, no. BUT, if you name your recipe, can't you add it to the MFP database and she can select it? I was going to do that for me wife the over the weekend but she told me not to worry about it (thus, I am not sure if it really works). I see enough custom recipes come up that I assume that is the easiest way. Plus, you will get the benefit of sharing them with the community (trade mark them though )

I will look into this. Thanks!

If it works, will you post how it does so I can be lazy and not look it up? Thanks!!!! We may need a "FBG Recipe Book" on the app.

in reading around it sounds like "sharing" recipes with friends is one of the most asked for features so I bet it comes soon in a future update.As for adding a recipe to the data base, I think it can only be done via the web, which I rarely use. I think at the time of creation of the recipe, there is a question as to whether you want to add it to the data base.

 

[NewlyRetired]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

not a calorie killer but can cause cancer and can make you hungrier

that would make it number 10,000,000 of the things that can cause cancer Out of curiosity how does it make you hungrier? I remember reading an article about this a few years ago but at that time the evidence was considered at best inconclusive. I assume they have updated the studies since then with better data.

 

[shadyridr]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

not a calorie killer but can cause cancer and can make you hungrier

that would make it number 10,000,000 of the things that can cause cancer Out of curiosity how does it make you hungrier? I remember reading an article about this a few years ago but at that time the evidence was considered at best inconclusive. I assume they have updated the studies since then with better data.

I honestly dont know for sure. Im just repeating what Ive heard a million times. I stay away from it cause of the cancer thing, cuz its kind of nasty, and cuz I dont mind water

 

[pacman_fl]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

not a calorie killer but can cause cancer and can make you hungrier

that would make it number 10,000,000 of the things that can cause cancer Out of curiosity how does it make you hungrier? I remember reading an article about this a few years ago but at that time the evidence was considered at best inconclusive. I assume they have updated the studies since then with better data.

We're all gonna die? My 3-4 diet cokes per day are about the only "vice" I have left (unless coffee really counts) - life is no fun.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Now that I have shed the weight and have moved from being in horrible shape to decent shape, I am toying with the idea of adding Insanity to my work outs.

How do I track calories I burn in Insanity? I can't seem to find it in the cardio exercises from the app.

 

[MAC_32]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

 

[MAC_32]

Now that I have shed the weight and have moved from being in horrible shape to decent shape, I am toying with the idea of adding Insanity to my work outs. How do I track calories I burn in Insanity? I can't seem to find it in the cardio exercises from the app.

Whatever number you would find would be inaccurate. The amount of calories burned during workouts depends on metabolic rate, heart rate, and workout intensity. Generally speaking, you'll burn more calories doing Insanity than a typical weight workout or run but how much depends on how intense the actual workout is completed.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Now that I have shed the weight and have moved from being in horrible shape to decent shape, I am toying with the idea of adding Insanity to my work outs. How do I track calories I burn in Insanity? I can't seem to find it in the cardio exercises from the app.

Whatever number you would find would be inaccurate. The amount of calories burned during workouts depends on metabolic rate, heart rate, and workout intensity. Generally speaking, you'll burn more calories doing Insanity than a typical weight workout or run but how much depends on how intense the actual workout is completed.

I wonder if high impact aerobics is the best match for Insanity?

 

[NewlyRetired]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

This is interesting to me. Is there any scientific proof for this? As a side note, I do chuckle a bit that I do so many things wrong regarding metabolism (eat artificial sweetners, eat the vast vast majority of my calories after 6:00pm, eat only one big meal a day, eat less than 1200 cals per day on occasion etc etc) and yet am still losing almost exactly what the proven science says I should be. I get the feeling the metabolism may be so person specific that saying what hurts one person might not always hurt the next person, but who knows.

 

[shadyridr]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

This is interesting to me. Is there any scientific proof for this? As a side note, I do chuckle a bit that I do so many things wrong regarding metabolism (eat artificial sweetners, eat the vast vast majority of my calories after 6:00pm, eat only one big meal a day, eat less than 1200 cals per day on occasion etc etc) and yet am still losing almost exactly what the proven science says I should be. I get the feeling the metabolism may be so person specific that saying what hurts one person might not always hurt the next person, but who knows.

I think somebody said it earlier. If youre overweight enough, all that other stuff doesnt matter. Its when you wanna hit that perfect weight and body type that all that other stuff becomes important.

 

[NewlyRetired]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

This is interesting to me. Is there any scientific proof for this? As a side note, I do chuckle a bit that I do so many things wrong regarding metabolism (eat artificial sweetners, eat the vast vast majority of my calories after 6:00pm, eat only one big meal a day, eat less than 1200 cals per day on occasion etc etc) and yet am still losing almost exactly what the proven science says I should be. I get the feeling the metabolism may be so person specific that saying what hurts one person might not always hurt the next person, but who knows.

I think somebody said it earlier. If youre overweight enough, all that other stuff doesnt matter. Its when you wanna hit that perfect weight and body type that all that other stuff becomes important.

That makes sense to me.

 

[dhockster]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

This is interesting to me. Is there any scientific proof for this? As a side note, I do chuckle a bit that I do so many things wrong regarding metabolism (eat artificial sweetners, eat the vast vast majority of my calories after 6:00pm, eat only one big meal a day, eat less than 1200 cals per day on occasion etc etc) and yet am still losing almost exactly what the proven science says I should be. I get the feeling the metabolism may be so person specific that saying what hurts one person might not always hurt the next person, but who knows.

You're right, you could just have a high metabolism which is helping you overcome some of the things you are doing. My wife has a very slow metabolism, so if she does not follow diet recommendations to a T, she has a hard time losing weight. Be careful, though, because your metabolism can change over time based on your exercise/food choices. You may not get the same results in 10 years doing what you are doing now, if your metabolism has changed. Good luck with more intense exercise (insanity or whatever exercising you decide to do).

 

[belljr]

Now that I have shed the weight and have moved from being in horrible shape to decent shape, I am toying with the idea of adding Insanity to my work outs. How do I track calories I burn in Insanity? I can't seem to find it in the cardio exercises from the app.

Whatever number you would find would be inaccurate. The amount of calories burned during workouts depends on metabolic rate, heart rate, and workout intensity. Generally speaking, you'll burn more calories doing Insanity than a typical weight workout or run but how much depends on how intense the actual workout is completed.

I wonder if high impact aerobics is the best match for Insanity?

That's basically what it is

 

[NewlyRetired]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

This is interesting to me. Is there any scientific proof for this? As a side note, I do chuckle a bit that I do so many things wrong regarding metabolism (eat artificial sweetners, eat the vast vast majority of my calories after 6:00pm, eat only one big meal a day, eat less than 1200 cals per day on occasion etc etc) and yet am still losing almost exactly what the proven science says I should be. I get the feeling the metabolism may be so person specific that saying what hurts one person might not always hurt the next person, but who knows.

You're right, you could just have a high metabolism which is helping you overcome some of the things you are doing. My wife has a very slow metabolism, so if she does not follow diet recommendations to a T, she has a hard time losing weight. Be careful, though, because your metabolism can change over time based on your exercise/food choices. You may not get the same results in 10 years doing what you are doing now, if your metabolism has changed. Good luck with more intense exercise (insanity or whatever exercising you decide to do).

I agree. At my age I am certain my metabolism is obviously not what it was in my 20's. I guess all things being equal ones metabolism usually slows a bit as you age in general. Thanks for the good wishes for Insanity. I am hoping to start next Monday but I want to do some more research to understand more about it and make sure my current fitness level is appropriate. I have <ahem> acquired the whole Insanity program ready to stream so at least that it all set.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Now that I have shed the weight and have moved from being in horrible shape to decent shape, I am toying with the idea of adding Insanity to my work outs. How do I track calories I burn in Insanity? I can't seem to find it in the cardio exercises from the app.

Whatever number you would find would be inaccurate. The amount of calories burned during workouts depends on metabolic rate, heart rate, and workout intensity. Generally speaking, you'll burn more calories doing Insanity than a typical weight workout or run but how much depends on how intense the actual workout is completed.

I wonder if high impact aerobics is the best match for Insanity?

That's basically what it is

That seems to make sense for the majority of the program. I was not sure if the pieces that focused on abs were the best fit though for aerobics.

 

[John Bender]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

This is interesting to me. Is there any scientific proof for this? As a side note, I do chuckle a bit that I do so many things wrong regarding metabolism (eat artificial sweetners, eat the vast vast majority of my calories after 6:00pm, eat only one big meal a day, eat less than 1200 cals per day on occasion etc etc) and yet am still losing almost exactly what the proven science says I should be. I get the feeling the metabolism may be so person specific that saying what hurts one person might not always hurt the next person, but who knows.

You're right, you could just have a high metabolism which is helping you overcome some of the things you are doing. My wife has a very slow metabolism, so if she does not follow diet recommendations to a T, she has a hard time losing weight. Be careful, though, because your metabolism can change over time based on your exercise/food choices. You may not get the same results in 10 years doing what you are doing now, if your metabolism has changed. Good luck with more intense exercise (insanity or whatever exercising you decide to do).

I agree. At my age I am certain my metabolism is obviously not what it was in my 20's. I guess all things being equal ones metabolism usually slows a bit as you age in general. Thanks for the good wishes for Insanity. I am hoping to start next Monday but I want to do some more research to understand more about it and make sure my current fitness level is appropriate. I have <ahem> acquired the whole Insanity program ready to stream so at least that it all set.

I will pray for your knees.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I will pray for your knees.

Don't like the sound of that.

 

[phishphan]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

This is interesting to me. Is there any scientific proof for this? As a side note, I do chuckle a bit that I do so many things wrong regarding metabolism (eat artificial sweetners, eat the vast vast majority of my calories after 6:00pm, eat only one big meal a day, eat less than 1200 cals per day on occasion etc etc) and yet am still losing almost exactly what the proven science says I should be. I get the feeling the metabolism may be so person specific that saying what hurts one person might not always hurt the next person, but who knows.

You're right, you could just have a high metabolism which is helping you overcome some of the things you are doing. My wife has a very slow metabolism, so if she does not follow diet recommendations to a T, she has a hard time losing weight. Be careful, though, because your metabolism can change over time based on your exercise/food choices. You may not get the same results in 10 years doing what you are doing now, if your metabolism has changed. Good luck with more intense exercise (insanity or whatever exercising you decide to do).

I agree. At my age I am certain my metabolism is obviously not what it was in my 20's. I guess all things being equal ones metabolism usually slows a bit as you age in general. Thanks for the good wishes for Insanity. I am hoping to start next Monday but I want to do some more research to understand more about it and make sure my current fitness level is appropriate. I have <ahem> acquired the whole Insanity program ready to stream so at least that it all set.

I will pray for your knees.

Tried it for a couple of weeks. My knees hurt the entire time.

 

[MAC_32]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Both of those drinks slow your metabolism. You're not technically consuming more calories, but you're burning less off so it has the same effect. Similar story with all artificial drinks, regardless of the raw calorie content.

This is interesting to me. Is there any scientific proof for this? As a side note, I do chuckle a bit that I do so many things wrong regarding metabolism (eat artificial sweetners, eat the vast vast majority of my calories after 6:00pm, eat only one big meal a day, eat less than 1200 cals per day on occasion etc etc) and yet am still losing almost exactly what the proven science says I should be. I get the feeling the metabolism may be so person specific that saying what hurts one person might not always hurt the next person, but who knows.

I think somebody said it earlier. If youre overweight enough, all that other stuff doesnt matter. Its when you wanna hit that perfect weight and body type that all that other stuff becomes important.

Generally speaking yes, used to train and specifics like this were reserved until my clients were well over their first hurdles - information overload and too many changes at once often leads to failure. Something I didn't bring up til much later in the process or if a client (ones with just generally slow metabolism) is having problems with weight, is doing the calorie counting + exercise right but probably isn't consuming the right foods. That said, dhockster hit the nail on the head about varying metabolisms person to person and that they can and will change with time. I've read the scientifics before, but not being licensed anymore I don't access to the info. The effect articifical's have on your body varies person to person and chemical to chemical but as a very broad rule they slow down your metabolism. How much? Depends on the person and the specific chemicals.Speaking for myself, I am absolutely a product of what I eat. Since I've met my now wife my diet hasn't been nearly as strong and I added 5-10 lbs and about 5% body fat - flat lined at 190-195 and 13-15% and will keep it that way. I'm exercising less, but I was exercising too mcuh before anyway, the body change was due to the food and drink I consume. As long as I can eat and drink like this and stay at this I'll do it, but am well aware I'll have to adjust as I age, especially as the intensity of my workouts will have to decrease.

 

[MAC_32]

I will pray for your knees.

Don't like the sound of that.

Depends where you are physically and fitness-wise. No muscle issues, no joint issues, good form, and good shape - should be fine. If you have muscle or joint issues you have to be careful with your form, especially as you fatigue. You have to be careful with form regardless, but especially if you're working through current issues and those are most likely to pop up when working out while fatigued, which you must do to get anything out of it. If you're not in good shape push yourself but don't go overboard. Pushing too hard will more likely cause you to use poor form while you fatigue or put more stress on your muscles and joints than your body can handle.Most people that seem to like this do it for 6-8 weeks as a change of pace, not prolonged.

 

[John Bender]

I will pray for your knees.

Don't like the sound of that.

Best of luck. I'm certainly not here to discourage you but I've tried to get through this 4 or 5 times now and usually last until about week 4 before I have to shut it down with some injury.Developed plantar fascitis due to all the lateral movement.Next round my right knee was killing me (from all of the plyometric style stuff).Shut it down - next round was my left knee.It's no joke at all.Maybe start with Power 90 first and ramp up to Insanity? Power 90 is not P90X, it's an easy version of them.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I will pray for your knees.

Don't like the sound of that.

Depends where you are physically and fitness-wise. No muscle issues, no joint issues, good form, and good shape - should be fine. If you have muscle or joint issues you have to be careful with your form, especially as you fatigue. You have to be careful with form regardless, but especially if you're working through current issues and those are most likely to pop up when working out while fatigued, which you must do to get anything out of it. If you're not in good shape push yourself but don't go overboard. Pushing too hard will more likely cause you to use poor form while you fatigue or put more stress on your muscles and joints than your body can handle.Most people that seem to like this do it for 6-8 weeks as a change of pace, not prolonged.

Thanks. I think the whole program is only 8 weeks long. For me it is more about change of pace and trying something different. If I start to hurt myself like you and John Bender indicated could happen, I will just return to the daily routine I have now of biking/jogging/elliptical cardio.

 

[KiddLattimer]

That damn Yoplait strawberry and peach Greek yogurt is like crack cocaine to me. Seriously, I like it better than ice cream.

I hated Oikos and Chobani Greek Yogurt but I bought some Yoplait on your recommendation and it's awesome! Thanks for the tip

 

[KiddLattimer]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

not a calorie killer but can cause cancer and can make you hungrier

that would make it number 10,000,000 of the things that can cause cancer Out of curiosity how does it make you hungrier? I remember reading an article about this a few years ago but at that time the evidence was considered at best inconclusive. I assume they have updated the studies since then with better data.

I used to drink diet soda about 7-8 years ago but all of the sudden I would get horrible headaches whenever I had a diet soda. I'm not sure if its related to the phenylalanine warning on the side of the can, or what but when I started researching it I read lots of stuff about it causing "irreversible brain damage" which was enough for me. It could be nothing but I'd rather have the extra sugar than a chemical anyway.

 

[KiddLattimer]

So my Achilles tendonitis is creeping up on me again so I'm going to lay off the bike for a few days but I don't want to stop exercising.

Anyone have a fun way to burn around 400-500 calories? Preferably low impact, at least to the ankle/achilles area. Thinking of giving the wife's "Turbo Jam" workout a shot for a few days

 

[pacman_fl]

So my Achilles tendonitis is creeping up on me again so I'm going to lay off the bike for a few days but I don't want to stop exercising.

Anyone have a fun way to burn around 400-500 calories? Preferably low impact, at least to the ankle/achilles area. Thinking of giving the wife's "Turbo Jam" workout a shot for a few days

As you asked me once, is this a euphemism? - no advice on the low impact side but hope that clears up soon. I have thought on 3 different occasions I may have a problem creeping up but I have avoided it so far.

 

[KiddLattimer]

So my Achilles tendonitis is creeping up on me again so I'm going to lay off the bike for a few days but I don't want to stop exercising.

Anyone have a fun way to burn around 400-500 calories? Preferably low impact, at least to the ankle/achilles area. Thinking of giving the wife's "Turbo Jam" workout a shot for a few days

As you asked me once, is this a euphemism? - no advice on the low impact side but hope that clears up soon. I have thought on 3 different occasions I may have a problem creeping up but I have avoided it so far.

I forgot about thatI had the AT diagnosed about 6 months ago when I was just sitting around and not exercising, then when I started working out more it went away so I thought I had "cured" it but the last few days I've been pushing hard and I think I re-aggravated it.

It had been a bit sore the last few days but I pushed through it, but today I ran up the stairs and felt a burning sensation on the right (the side that usually gives me problems) so that scared me enough in to resting a bit.

 

[John Bender]

You guys trying to stay off the scale mid week?

I have this bad habit of weighing myself every day just to see.

I was down 4 lbs in the middle of the week by by the team my official first week was up, I gained a pound back and I usually get discouraged from that. Still lost 3 pounds on the first week. not as much as some of you but it's probably because I've allowed myself more carbs and my body is correcting for the lack of them previously.

I have no cheated and followed the plan to a T.

 

[pacman_fl]

You guys trying to stay off the scale mid week?I have this bad habit of weighing myself every day just to see.I was down 4 lbs in the middle of the week by by the team my official first week was up, I gained a pound back and I usually get discouraged from that. Still lost 3 pounds on the first week. not as much as some of you but it's probably because I've allowed myself more carbs and my body is correcting for the lack of them previously.I have no cheated and followed the plan to a T.

I weigh in daily (for grins mainly but it helps me). I understand the fluctuations and don't get overly discouraged - my "fiber count" drives much of it. I know it isn't recommended to weigh daily though. My wife told me she doesn't log weight loss unless she has the same number 2 days in a row (or a slightly lower number day 2) - I adopted that policy. 3 pounds in the first week isn't bad at all especially with the increased carbs. Congrats.

 

[KiddLattimer]

You guys trying to stay off the scale mid week?

I guess it depends on your personality... Im way to impatient to stay off for a whole week so I usually check daily, or every other day, but if you do that you cant get down if you go up. You definitely will go up at some point so just dont let it get you down. Even if you gain because you ate bad, you WILL burn it off if you keep on this plan so dont sweat it.I have to say though, weighing myself every day I probably went down about 85% of the time, even if only by a fraction of a pound. This program kicks ### and works really really well

 

[phishphan]

I weigh once a week - Friday mornings as soon as I wake up.

This morning, I'm 232.4#, so I've dropped 24.9# in 10 weeks.

 

[pacman_fl]

I weigh once a week - Friday mornings as soon as I wake up. This morning, I'm 232.4#, so I've dropped 24.9# in 10 weeks.

- AWESOME JOB

 

[NewlyRetired]

I weigh once a week - Friday mornings as soon as I wake up. This morning, I'm 232.4#, so I've dropped 24.9# in 10 weeks.

 

[NewlyRetired]

You guys trying to stay off the scale mid week?I have this bad habit of weighing myself every day just to see.I was down 4 lbs in the middle of the week by by the team my official first week was up, I gained a pound back and I usually get discouraged from that. Still lost 3 pounds on the first week. not as much as some of you but it's probably because I've allowed myself more carbs and my body is correcting for the lack of them previously.I have no cheated and followed the plan to a T.

I stick to the once a week weigh in. I know my personality and I can easily be discouraged so I wanted to keep them spaced giving me the best chance to see progress every week.

 

[KiddLattimer]

I weigh once a week - Friday mornings as soon as I wake up. This morning, I'm 232.4#, so I've dropped 24.9# in 10 weeks.

Awesome job Phishphan!

 

[phishphan]

Thanks, guys!

 

[John Bender]

I've got to also get better at HOW I eat.

It's not uncommon for me to skip breakfast and lunch and not eat a single thing all day until dinner thanks to my job.

Then by dinner time, I'm looking to fill my 1600 cals with whatever the hell I want.

I've really really really got to get into the habit of 5 - 300 calorie meals per day, I'm just terrible at it.

I bought some protein powder and mix for shakes and I'll sub one snack a day for that (after I add bananas, milk, and blueberries it comes to about 380 cals anyway). Have some PB crackers for my other snack to round out to that 600 for the 2 snacks.

It's the other meals fitting to 300 cals that's impossible for me. I'd much rather skip breakfast and get to eat 2 fajitas for dinner instead of 1. I hate breakfast food. I hate cereal, oatmeal, eggs, bfast sausage, everything about it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I've got to also get better at HOW I eat.

It's not uncommon for me to skip breakfast and lunch and not eat a single thing all day until dinner thanks to my job.

Then by dinner time, I'm looking to fill my 1600 cals with whatever the hell I want.

This is exactly my problem as well. I have decided to break this process into three phases, to focus on different things.

Phase 1: Lose Weight Fatty

Focus on weight loss, majority of weight loss to occur in this stage

Eat smaller portions and strictly count calories

Cook healthier

Exercise every day (jogging, elliptical, walking, biking etc).

Phase 2: Fine Tune

Adjust how I eat. At the bare minimum, add in a breakfast every day, and try to lower night time calories

Adjust exercise to add in interval training (Insanity or something like that)

Slowly increase caloric in take. Weight loss is not a priority but losing a couple more pounds is fine

Phase 3: Maintenance mode

Continue to count calories but goal is for no weight loss or gain (maintain a window of weight)

Increase caloric in take to match maintenance mode

Continue to exercise, but will have to keep in lock step with what I am eating for calories

I am nearly done with phase 1, possibly on Monday if weigh in day goes well.

 

[MAC_32]

So my Achilles tendonitis is creeping up on me again so I'm going to lay off the bike for a few days but I don't want to stop exercising.Anyone have a fun way to burn around 400-500 calories? Preferably low impact, at least to the ankle/achilles area. Thinking of giving the wife's "Turbo Jam" workout a shot for a few days

Swim!

 

[KiddLattimer]

So my Achilles tendonitis is creeping up on me again so I'm going to lay off the bike for a few days but I don't want to stop exercising.Anyone have a fun way to burn around 400-500 calories? Preferably low impact, at least to the ankle/achilles area. Thinking of giving the wife's "Turbo Jam" workout a shot for a few days

Swim!

Would be perfect but I dont have any place to swim. Its hot today too so it would be awesome

 

[belljr]

So my Achilles tendonitis is creeping up on me again so I'm going to lay off the bike for a few days but I don't want to stop exercising.

Anyone have a fun way to burn around 400-500 calories? Preferably low impact, at least to the ankle/achilles area. Thinking of giving the wife's "Turbo Jam" workout a shot for a few days

Turbo Fire >> Turbo JamFIRE DRILL!!!!!!!!!!

woooooooooowooooooooooooooo

:crackcrack:

 

[prosopis]

As far as fluids go just about anything other than water and black coffee is a calorie killer.

I don't understand this. I don't drink it but why is something like Diet Coke a calorie killer? I thought it had 0 calories for some reason.As for me, thank god for things like crystal lite because I do not like plain water at all.

Not a calorie killer but it can get you wanting/expecting something sweet on a regular basis. That can lead to calories from other sweet things. You dont want to condition your self to expect the sweetness daily. It should really be a once in a while treat. Other then that all the chemicals in diet sodas can not be good for you.

 

[prosopis]

I weigh once a week - Friday mornings as soon as I wake up. This morning, I'm 232.4#, so I've dropped 24.9# in 10 weeks.

Nice

 

[James Daulton]

I've got to also get better at HOW I eat.It's not uncommon for me to skip breakfast and lunch and not eat a single thing all day until dinner thanks to my job.Then by dinner time, I'm looking to fill my 1600 cals with whatever the hell I want.I've really really really got to get into the habit of 5 - 300 calorie meals per day, I'm just terrible at it.I bought some protein powder and mix for shakes and I'll sub one snack a day for that (after I add bananas, milk, and blueberries it comes to about 380 cals anyway). Have some PB crackers for my other snack to round out to that 600 for the 2 snacks.It's the other meals fitting to 300 cals that's impossible for me. I'd much rather skip breakfast and get to eat 2 fajitas for dinner instead of 1. I hate breakfast food. I hate cereal, oatmeal, eggs, bfast sausage, everything about it.

You don't have to worry about eating that way, in fact there's a new trend called intermittent fasting that recommends taking in all your calories in an 8-hr window each day. If you google leangains, you'll come upon some scientific theory about how this burns more fat, but more importantly for some, if you eat once or twice a day you can have much bigger, satisfying meals. As long as you don't go over your calorie threshold for the day, you really don't have to worry about what you're eating (assuming you're getting proper nutrients).

 

[NewlyRetired]

I've got to also get better at HOW I eat.It's not uncommon for me to skip breakfast and lunch and not eat a single thing all day until dinner thanks to my job.Then by dinner time, I'm looking to fill my 1600 cals with whatever the hell I want.I've really really really got to get into the habit of 5 - 300 calorie meals per day, I'm just terrible at it.I bought some protein powder and mix for shakes and I'll sub one snack a day for that (after I add bananas, milk, and blueberries it comes to about 380 cals anyway). Have some PB crackers for my other snack to round out to that 600 for the 2 snacks.It's the other meals fitting to 300 cals that's impossible for me. I'd much rather skip breakfast and get to eat 2 fajitas for dinner instead of 1. I hate breakfast food. I hate cereal, oatmeal, eggs, bfast sausage, everything about it.

You don't have to worry about eating that way, in fact there's a new trend called intermittent fasting that recommends taking in all your calories in an 8-hr window each day. If you google leangains, you'll come upon some scientific theory about how this burns more fat, but more importantly for some, if you eat once or twice a day you can have much bigger, satisfying meals. As long as you don't go over your calorie threshold for the day, you really don't have to worry about what you're eating (assuming you're getting proper nutrients).

Damn. Science can be worse than economics some day. There is always a decent contrasting theory out there.

 

[James Daulton]

I've got to also get better at HOW I eat.It's not uncommon for me to skip breakfast and lunch and not eat a single thing all day until dinner thanks to my job.Then by dinner time, I'm looking to fill my 1600 cals with whatever the hell I want.I've really really really got to get into the habit of 5 - 300 calorie meals per day, I'm just terrible at it.I bought some protein powder and mix for shakes and I'll sub one snack a day for that (after I add bananas, milk, and blueberries it comes to about 380 cals anyway). Have some PB crackers for my other snack to round out to that 600 for the 2 snacks.It's the other meals fitting to 300 cals that's impossible for me. I'd much rather skip breakfast and get to eat 2 fajitas for dinner instead of 1. I hate breakfast food. I hate cereal, oatmeal, eggs, bfast sausage, everything about it.

You don't have to worry about eating that way, in fact there's a new trend called intermittent fasting that recommends taking in all your calories in an 8-hr window each day. If you google leangains, you'll come upon some scientific theory about how this burns more fat, but more importantly for some, if you eat once or twice a day you can have much bigger, satisfying meals. As long as you don't go over your calorie threshold for the day, you really don't have to worry about what you're eating (assuming you're getting proper nutrients).

Damn. Science can be worse than economics some day. There is always a decent contrasting theory out there.

At the end of the day, it really is all about calories in < calories out. It's that simple, doesn't matter what kind of calories, nor when you eat them. If you consume fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight.I've been intermittent fasting for a couple of months and I really like it. My typical day consists of coffee at work, then around noon I'll have about 800 calories for lunch, dinner will be about 800 calories (which is actually a lot of food if you're eating healthy). I may have a 200 calorie or so snack around 8pm if I feel like it. That's it. If I workout at lunch, I'll workout fasted if I can, but I'll mix in an energy bar if I'm feeling really hungry. I may be hungry from 11am to noon but that's it. When I tried to eat 6 small meals, I was never satisfied/always hungry. This type of eating fixes that.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Phase 1 is complete!!!

Weigh In Day

Just finished week 8 with the app

Initial weight: 164

Week 1: 159.5 (1601 Net Calories Under for week)

Week 2: 157 (3610 Net Calories Under for week)

Week 3: 155 (4424 Net Calories Under for week)

Week 4: 153 (5213 Net Calories Under for week)

Week 5: 150 (7001 Net Calories Under for week)

Week 6: 147 (7049 Net Calories Under for week)

Week 7: 145 (6600 Net Calories Under for week)

Week 8: 144 (5129 Net Calories Under for week)

20 pounds off in 8 weeks and over 12% change in body weight.

Now I start Phase 2.

* Introducing interval/circuit training via Insanity starting today

* Increasing caloric in take

* Try to eat breakfast every day

* Weight loss not a goal but if I lose a small amount over the next few weeks that is fine too.

* I will still use MFP to track every thing I eat.

I have no idea how long Phase 2 will last. If my knees give out on me, I will likely just give up on Insanity and move into a maintenance mode. If not, I hope to stay in this phase for 4 weeks.