Body Transformations

[D-rock]

A lot of us are unhappy with our self image and its hard to change that. Is it an impossible task? Obviously, no. Changing your body takes on mental and physical anguish.

Obesity is unfortunately not that uncommon these days. It makes you feel fatigued, unattractive, etc.... But once you reach a certain goal your feeling of self accomplishment is like none other. Your endorphins hit hard and even your personality changes (for the better.)

I'd like for some of you to tell your story of your past met goals or current that are being tended to. I know psychologically when you read other stories of success it inspires you. Feel free to post before and after pictures.




Me:

Currently I'm 194 pds. (started at 252) and working towards 160ish-170ish. Lucky for me I loose weight quickly. But I can gain it just as fast if I binge eat. I'm inspired by music (It's my driving force.) I keep a mental picture in my head of what my body Will look like. Im avoiding heavy carbs; i'm eating carbs at most twice a day. Lean meats and veggies is what fills my plate the most. I work out two times a day. Strength training 3 times a week. Thats my story....whats yours. Ill post pics with results in a while.

[Derek The Infamous]

Post photos son! I will definitely be contributing to this once I get to my ideal weight however.

[Puresque]

I changed from 209 pounds to 141. It took quite some time, means - some years. I was never really keen on sports, so it's not like I would have excercised a lot to loose weight. I guess I just controlled what to eat, although I never abstained from eating. I never starved or something. I still want to loose 11 pounds, I started to excercise recently, so I hope that's going to help.

[Derek The Infamous]

Your weight loss has always inspired me greatly Anne, it's in the back of mind when I have days where I don't feel like I can continue. It's unbelievable what you did :).

[travz21]

I'm pretty much the opposite of this. I'm about 5'10'' and 145, used to be 155 when I was in good shape a few years back, and my goal is 160-165 now. When I get lazy and lose ambition I start losing weight because of how amped up my metabolism is. I need to make sure I eat enough or else I run into problems.

I'm not terribly upset with how I look now, but I know I'm not in shape and I'm not very healthy. I feel like shit and get self-conscious now and then when I think of my goals. I've been saying for months that I'm finally going to take working out seriously, but I haven't made that push yet. I've just been half-assing it for awhile, which has basically just maintained my current scrawny form.

I kind of feel like a little bitch posting this here compared to the struggles other people have, but I like connecting with others that I know also need that determination and mental toughness to reach their goals. Those people inspire me. Good luck to everyone who posts in here and I'm looking forward to you reaching your goals and seeing some sexy pics.

[D-rock]

I changed from 209 pounds to 141. It took quite some time, means - some years. I was never really keen on sports, so it's not like I would have excercised a lot to loose weight. I guess I just controlled what to eat, although I never abstained from eating. I never starved or something. I still want to loose 11 pounds, I started to excercise recently, so I hope that's going to help.
31833184


Wow I had no idea! Thats fantastic Anne! You're so thin now! Thanks for sharing this. Very inspirational! :)

[Derek The Infamous]

Trav21, you have to look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if the way you look is how you want to be for the rest of your life. That's what it took for me to finally wake up. Sometime about two months ago, I was at 240 and I looked in the mirror and was just seriously disgusted with myself. I didn't feel sexy, I didn't feel healthy (I was sluggish and just the slightest amount of exertion made me short of breath) and I was extremely depressed. I didn't know what to do, and then I saw my uncle had lost about 60 pounds going on this one diet. I was so impressed with the way he looked that I decided to try it, and I'm thankful I did so. I'm now at about 214-217 (having lost at least 20 pounds) and I look the best I have in years. I've started mountain biking and going for walks at work, and I know that what I'm doing has saved my life.

With you, you have to gain weight...get healthier, but it's the same concept. Do you want to die early (like I was on the path to do) or live a long healthy life? Choice is yours. We have your back here if you start weight lifting!

[D-rock]

318531863187


Ok so the first one is what I was originally. (In Scottsdale,Az)

Second one FAT FAT FAT. (In the GrandCayman Islands)

Third is the best shot I have of a current body picture. (At home :lol:)


More to come folks....

[D-rock]

I'm pretty much the opposite of this. I'm about 5'10'' and 145, used to be 155 when I was in good shape a few years back, and my goal is 160-165 now. When I get lazy and lose ambition I start losing weight because of how amped up my metabolism is. I need to make sure I eat enough or else I run into problems.

I'm not terribly upset with how I look now, but I know I'm not in shape and I'm not very healthy. I feel like shit and get self-conscious now and then when I think of my goals. I've been saying for months that I'm finally going to take working out seriously, but I haven't made that push yet. I've just been half-assing it for awhile, which has basically just maintained my current scrawny form.

I kind of feel like a little bitch posting this here compared to the struggles other people have, but I like connecting with others that I know also need that determination and mental toughness to reach their goals. Those people inspire me. Good luck to everyone who posts in here and I'm looking forward to you reaching your goals and seeing some sexy pics.


Sorry to double post here but, trav, I want to hear that side of the story as well. I'm really good with nutrition. It's 90% nutrition and 10% workout. Believe me. If you ever need help in gaining let me know. We all feel insecure at points but with dedication and a fucking awesome attitude you can achieve it.

[Timothy]

Sorry to double post here but, trav, I want to hear that side of the story as well. I'm really good with nutrition. It's 90% nutrition and 10% workout. Believe me. If you ever need help in gaining let me know. We all feel insecure at points but with dedication and a fucking awesome attitude you can achieve it.

Agreed. It's all about attitude. Once I dedicated myself, the dieting and working out wasn't really that hard. As cheesy as it sounds, nothing is hard when you wake up every day oozing with confidence and determination.

And congrats all around on the weight loss, guys. :)

[travz21]

I used to run a lot and lift lots of reps with lighter weights when I was around 18 and still in high school. Was on the cross country team and basketball team. I've always been naturally athletic and I was lucky to be born with a slender body. But my first year of college I didn't really do much and didn't gain any weight, but lost a lot of my muscle. I turned into the typical skinny/pudgy kid. That was the worst year for me really. Since then I've been lifting pretty regularly and still playing sports, but I only put forth about 50% of my effort when I'm not in a competitive environment. There's always that barrier holding me back from really breaking through and getting in that stellar shape I know I can get in.

I did do a 3 month course of P90X 2 years ago, and I did gain quite a bit of muscle in places I didn't even know I could gain, but since then I haven't been serious about getting in shape.

What's worse is that my diet is horrendous. I'm eating only about 2,000 calories. Some days less. And a lot of that is just calorie dense foods in 2 meals a day. When I'm working out 100% I need around 4,000. It's just hard to eat healthy and take in that many calories, so I usually end up getting burnt out from all the extra effort of planning meals, shopping, cooking, etc. I'm a pussy.

I just have some big mental block that doesn't let me keep a workout/diet schedule. I make up really good plans, do them for a week, and then get lazy and quit. I do this probably 2 or 3 times a year. It's like I'm afraid of truly succeeding. It's hard to know the real reason. I live an emotionally consistent (or void) life with no depression, but I just keep underachieving. I would love to stick to a plan and follow through. The worst part is that I know how lucky I am compared to other people and how little time I would need to put in to reach my goal, but I'm just not as mentally strong as you guys and many people in general when it comes to that kind of stuff.

I just need that wake up call that makes me realize that I really, really want to do this and that it will be so rewarding once I'm there. Talking with people as strong as you guys inspires me a ton, I just need to harness that feeling even when I'm feeling down and use it to get to where I want to.

[Geki]

I'm 21 years old, 230 pounds and I'm 6'2. I need to lose a lot of weight, I'm not in the obese range but I am in the overweight range. Last week I started going to the gym, I'm going to push myself each week. My hardest goal is to stop drinking soda/energy drinks and stop eating so much junk food. The soda/energy drinks are what make me gain the most weight, I thought it would be easy to just only drink water but it wasn't. I have short black hair (currently a small mohawk) and I have decent size holes in my ear (5/8 of an inch, used to be at 7/8 of an inch) and a good majority of my body is tattooed. That's pretty much me in a nutshell. I want to lose weight and get more ink done.

[Derek The Infamous]

Geki, pick up a book called The 17 Day Diet by a Dr. Moreno. I haven't followed it 100% to the tee, but I have eaten the foods it recommends (while cutting out high calorie, high carb, and high sugar foods) and I've dropped a significant amount of weight in just two months. Make sure to eat Flintstones Gummies while on the diet (best multivitamin out there believe it or not) and you'll be good. Also take up a hobby like biking, or walking...something that guarantees at least 17-20 minutes of exercise a day and you'll be good. It's also important you drink at least 6 8oz glasses of water a day (or 48 oz of water) if you start any diet, as staying hydrated will guarantee your body burns fat properly. Good luck!

[D-rock]

Geki, pick up a book called The 17 Day Diet by a Dr. Moreno. I haven't followed it 100% to the tee, but I have eaten the foods it recommends (while cutting out high calorie, high carb, and high sugar foods) and I've dropped a significant amount of weight in just two months. Make sure to eat Flintstones Gummies while on the diet (best multivitamin out there believe it or not) and you'll be good. Also take up a hobby like biking, or walking...something that guarantees at least 17-20 minutes of exercise a day and you'll be good. It's also important you drink at least 6 8oz glasses of water a day (or 48 oz of water) if you start any diet, as staying hydrated will guarantee your body burns fat properly. Good luck!

Flintstone Gummies the best? Could you please provide some research. That just seems odd to me.

[Derek The Infamous]

Flintstone Gummies the best? Could you please provide some research. That just seems odd to me. It's a matter of choice. Chewable vitamins (gummies etc) are marketed for kids but also preferred by adults because they are a lot easier to ingest then the pill form which is why some dr's recommend it. Of course because of the sugars and filling that is involved, their potency isn't as high so as as a result they aren't very strong. That's why the bottle says for adults to take TWO a day as opposed to one. With the pill form, they're good because the potency is higher but due to their size and hard shell they're very hard to swallow. They also do not allow the flexibility of dosing that liquids and powders would because they cannot be broken. As always, vitamins don't replace a healthy diet, and should only be used to supplement rather than replace. Right now I drink a protein drink with vitamins in it (I don't take any vitamin gummies) and I feel okay and don't feel like I'm missing anything, but I did take two flintstone gummies a day (as recommended by that diet book) for the first month and it helped a lot.

[D-rock]

It's a matter of choice. Chewable vitamins (gummies etc) are marketed for kids but also preferred by adults because they are a lot easier to ingest then the pill form which is why some dr's recommend it. Of course because of the sugars and filling that is involved, their potency isn't as high so as as a result they aren't very strong. That's why the bottle says for adults to take TWO a day as opposed to one. With the pill form, they're good because the potency is higher but due to their size and hard shell they're very hard to swallow. They also do not allow the flexibility of dosing that liquids and powders would because they cannot be broken. As always, vitamins don't replace a healthy diet, and should only be used to supplement rather than replace. Right now I drink a protein drink with vitamins in it (I don't take any vitamin gummies) and I feel okay and don't feel like I'm missing anything, but I did take two flintstone gummies a day (as recommended by that diet book) for the first month and it helped a lot.

Ive been researching nutrition since I was 16 and just never came across this. Sounds like sound advice.I have a hard time swallowing pills so I think I will go this route. I know it doesnt have as many vitamins as the pill form but a lot of the time you just end up peeing out half of the vitamins in them anyways. Plus the sugars in them are very little and wont do much harm in the fat burning process. So ketosis should still kick in. I shall pick up some! Thanks :)

[F-ck Casey]

I moved out in January, I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and discovered I've lost exactly 40lbs. I'm down to a lean and mean 230lbs, which I'm happy with. Of course, the way I went about losing the weight wasn't ideal, which is not eating for a day or two (no money), then eating small meals once a day when I do. My stomach has shrunk so incredibly small that a tiny hamburger from like, Burger King, will fill me up and probably make me sick as well. Smoking cigarettes when you're hungry helps, too.

This is the self-destructive diet plan. A lot of things contributed to it, it wasn't out of choice. I didn't just up and decide one day that I want to stop eating. It just happened. I never felt attractive, or whatever, then I moved out and lost my girlfriend, got depressed, got another girlfriend, cheated on me with my roommate, and that's when it all reallyyy went downhill (or up?)

[Dean]

I was around 200lbs last year and I'm down to around 180. 200 wasn't as bad as it might sound though considering that I'm pretty tall and have a big frame anyway. All I have to do now is get cut and I'm more or less done.

[D-rock]

I moved out in January, I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and discovered I've lost exactly 40lbs. I'm down to a lean and mean 230lbs, which I'm happy with. Of course, the way I went about losing the weight wasn't ideal, which is not eating for a day or two (no money), then eating small meals once a day when I do. My stomach has shrunk so incredibly small that a tiny hamburger from like, Burger King, will fill me up and probably make me sick as well. Smoking cigarettes when you're hungry helps, too.

This is the self-destructive diet plan. A lot of things contributed to it, it wasn't out of choice. I didn't just up and decide one day that I want to stop eating. It just happened. I never felt attractive, or whatever, then I moved out and lost my girlfriend, got depressed, got another girlfriend, cheated on me with my roommate, and that's when it all reallyyy went downhill (or up?)


Congrats on loosing 40 pds. Thats incredible but that stress causing you to loose weight was not good. You could have future issues with your body by doing that. But the honest truth, your story is close to mine (my past story.) Its pretty much what I did to. I used to be able to eat 2 super sized Mcdonalds fries (when they still had the supersize option) and two double quarter pounders. I lost a bunch of weight in a short amount of time (stress) and when I tried eating normal again a regular cheese burger would fill me WAY up. Be good to your body. You only have one afterall. You need some coping skills sounds like.

[F-ck Casey]

Congrats on loosing 40 pds. Thats incredible but that stress causing you to loose weight was not good. You could have future issues with your body by doing that. But the honest truth, your story is close to mine (my past story.) Its pretty much what I did to. I used to be able to eat 2 super sized Mcdonalds fries (when they still had the supersize option) and two double quarter pounders. I lost a bunch of weight in a short amount of time (stress) and when I tried eating normal again a regular cheese burger would fill me WAY up. Be good to your body. You only have one afterall. You need some coping skills sounds like.

Yeah, I've quit all my recreational drugs, taking medication for my anxiety and depression, and I'm seeing a therapist. I've got it sorted out, I just hope my weight doesn't ballon back up. As it stands right now, I still don't have much of an appetite but I make myself eat anyway. I'm taking Bupropion, and I have to eat when I take it or I'll get sick, so there's that. And Cymbalta after I eat dinner, but I usually just take it around dinner time if I don't eat.

[D-rock]

Yeah, I've quit all my recreational drugs, taking medication for my anxiety and depression, and I'm seeing a therapist. I've got it sorted out, I just hope my weight doesn't ballon back up. As it stands right now, I still don't have much of an appetite but I make myself eat anyway. I'm taking Bupropion, and I have to eat when I take it or I'll get sick, so there's that. And Cymbalta after I eat dinner, but I usually just take it around dinner time if I don't eat.


I know exactly what youre going through. Im seeing a therapist and im on meds to. Its easy to gain weight but also to loose it as well. I take it your body weight fluctuates? Cause mine does. We have a lot in common my friend.

[F-ck Casey]

It used to, it hasn't went up at all this year. Although, I do notice some days when I look in the mirror, I'm considerably more skinny than I was the previous day and whatnot. My arms look frail and my gut is non-existent, then it'll crop up again in a few days. I feel bloated sometimes, other times I feel like skeleton. It's definitely odd, to say the least.

[.Amanda.]

I've been using Nutrisystem since May and I'm currently down 22lbs from 167 to 145. I'm working towards 125 as my end goal.
My university offers free membership to any of our 4 on-campus gyms so I've been making it a point to go at least twice a week. I focus mostly on cardio but I like to do at least an hour total of weight training every week.
I was doing Insanity for a while after my failure of P90X last year but I found it was just too hard for me. I plan to attempt it again in the Spring when my muscle mass is back to how I was when I had my physical for the Marine Corps.
For those of you who have been around as long as I have, you may remember that when I first joined here in 2005 I weighed all of 108lbs soaking wet. I was going through a very hard time in life (a teenager transitioning from junior high into high school) and I was not eating regularly then. I was TOO THIN for my frame and it caused me many physical issues and medical problems (all of which stopped me from being accepted into the Marines which was a huge blow to me).
So all I can say is for those of you trying to lose weight, whether it's to lose a massive amount of body fat or just to tone yourselves up, stay healthy.
It's not worth the "glamour" of being thin if it means you hurt your body. In the end, I went in entirely the opposite direction, gaining almost 100lbs and peaking my weight at 194lbs.
Good luck, everyone. I will be keeping you all posted on any progress.

[Puresque]

Just wanted to say, you are all awesome. This is a great community and I'm positive that everyone who realises that he wants to change is going to change eventually. Everyone totally has my whole respect here.

[Hybrid]

My body fluctuates my weight regularly. Perhaps it is stress that is making me do this... I'm right now at 235. Two weeks ago I was at 247. Two and a half months ago, I was at 221. My body can't decide what it wants to do...

[Derek The Infamous]

Ive been researching nutrition since I was 16 and just never came across this. Sounds like sound advice.I have a hard time swallowing pills so I think I will go this route. I know it doesnt have as many vitamins as the pill form but a lot of the time you just end up peeing out half of the vitamins in them anyways. Plus the sugars in them are very little and wont do much harm in the fat burning process. So ketosis should still kick in. I shall pick up some! Thanks :) A lot of the vitamins out there actually aren't even good for you because they use synthetic vitamins which the body can't even absorb. It's why you have to be careful which vitamin brands you trust, and also make sure you're eating foods that provide you with some of those vitamins *naturally*. Google "vitamins bad" and you'll see the pluses and pitfalls of using certain vitamin supplements. However; as with anything, consult your doctor to get the best advice.
Just wanted to say, you are all awesome. This is a great community and I'm positive that everyone who realises that he wants to change is going to change eventually. Everyone totally has my whole respect here. A lot of people have pushed for us to make threads like this. When Mr. Carlson offered to make it, I saw no harm in it...seeing as I'm on a health kick myself lately.
It's not worth the "glamour" of being thin if it means you hurt your body. In the end, I went in entirely the opposite direction, gaining almost 100lbs and peaking my weight at 194lbs. Good luck, everyone. I will be keeping you all posted on any progress. Exactly. Amanda's advice is too important for anyone trying to lose weight. Do a diet you can handle...don't overexert yourself, and never try to starve yourself. It's a long known fact that starving to lose weight doesn't work. Your body needs fuel to survive, and by not eating your body grows convinced that it is starving to death and goes into survival mode. It slows down your metabolism so you burn less food, because your body wants to live as long as possible. The slower your metabolism goes, the less weight you lose until suddenly you can't lose anymore because not enough calories are being burned. Much like how running low on gas can cause damage to your car...running low on food can severely impact your health. Do not starve. Instead, find a diet you can handle, make sure you're eating at least the minimum recommended calorie intake per day, and exercise. You'll drop weight before you know it, and you'll feel better too.

[Timothy]

I guess I'm kind of lucky in that most unhealthy food makes me feel like dog shit, so it's a little easier to avoid.

As far as dieting goes, the best way to approach it is to not even think of it as dieting. Just think of it as a lifestyle change. Calorie and/or carb counting is fine, but it isn't essential. Simply try to avoid processed foods and go for the fresh stuff and you're 90% there.

[ThaHandyman]

This is pretty sweet seeing all these people tryin to get their body's back in shape, I know its something a lot of people struggle with. All I can say is diet and exercise, and I agree with Derek on the Flintstones Gummies (I take the sour).

I'm 6'2" at the 195ish range trying to gain weight. Since college I've gained about 25 lbs, which is cool and all, but I can't really dunk anymore. My bro kept saying he was gonna get bigger than me, and idk if it was ego or what, but I was like nah, and stuck to my workout more consistently. Which brings me to note this for anyone trying to lose weight, HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY! If someone else is dieting with you, or getting up early to workout with you, its sooo much easier if you're being pushed, promise.

[Derek The Infamous]

Diet buddies are great. And oh yeah, one more tip...in addition to drinking lots more water, try drinking diet Green Tea as well. Green Tea has a lot of antioxidants and vitamins in it and is really good for your body and the diet version has less sugar. Tastes great too.

[Ree]

I weigh like 98 pounds :/ I want to put on weight but I have the most fucked up diet ever. I live on junk food, never eat breakfast and skip dinner quite often. I just don't feel hungry and I also get full up very quickly. I tend to lose my appetite when I'm stressed so I can never really maintain any weight that I end up gaining. I think my weight is ok for my height but I know I'm fucking up my body by eating bad food. I just find it really hard to eat healthy food!

I blame my mother.

[Dean]

I thought if you drink protein shakes without working out they make you gain weight.

[ThaHandyman]

You might gain weight, but after the body uses the proteins it needs to repair muscle (which if you weren't working out there wouldn't be much), the protein would be stored as extra calories aka fat. Excess protein doesn't necessarily equate to lean body mass. Gotta have exercise.

[Dean]

That's what I mean. I could be wrong but I figured that if you wanted to gain weight that could help, as long as you don't go crazy on it and stay active enough to temper the effects.

[ThaHandyman]

Yessir I have a kind of a high protein diet, try to drink lots of water, and of course my nutrition class I'm takin helps a bit!

[Timothy]

I weigh like 98 pounds :/ I want to put on weight but I have the most fucked up diet ever. I live on junk food, never eat breakfast and skip dinner quite often. I just don't feel hungry and I also get full up very quickly. I tend to lose my appetite when I'm stressed so I can never really maintain any weight that I end up gaining. I think my weight is ok for my height but I know I'm fucking up my body by eating bad food. I just find it really hard to eat healthy food!

I blame my mother.

I was kind of in a similar situation with regards to diet. I grew up eating really unhealthy food (lots of fried food), because that's what my parents ate. Hell, my grandmother used to cook her eggs in a pan full of fucking bacon grease. And I'm pretty sure the biscuits she made (American biscuits, that is) had lard in them. If it wasn't an unhealthy home-cooked meal, it was probably some equally unhealthy fast food.

[Derek The Infamous]

I weigh like 98 pounds :/ I want to put on weight but I have the most fucked up diet ever. I live on junk food, never eat breakfast and skip dinner quite often. I just don't feel hungry and I also get full up very quickly. I tend to lose my appetite when I'm stressed so I can never really maintain any weight that I end up gaining. I think my weight is ok for my height but I know I'm fucking up my body by eating bad food. I just find it really hard to eat healthy food!

I blame my mother. http://nutrition.about.com/od/dietsformedicaldisorders/f/GainWeight.htm

Here's something to help you out. Depending on your height you may need to gain at least 15-20 pounds, but you'll feel better after you do. Good luck!

[Jen]

I need to lose weight too, but exercising is very hard on my body, I've had bad knees since I was a kid due to a bone defect and I've been in 4 car accidents since 2008 which have caused a lot of damage to my hips and back. I currently weigh just under 190 lbs and I'm around 5 feet tall. I am miserable, and it shows. I have a hard time finding clothes that fit, or that are even cute. Any suggestions on things I can do, I don't really eat carbs or sugar, I try to drink at least 5 glasses of water a day. I'm really at a loss as to what to do now.

[Puresque]

Jen, I lost a lot of weight with counting calories. For some years I've been eating 1200 calories per day, 1400 is okay as well. I COULD have eaten 1600 without gaining weight, but less than that to of course actually loose some. For me it worked great because you can eat whatever you want as long as you don't eat pizza AND chocolate cake AND pasta AND..... at a day. You can, if you want, eat a pizza each day without gaining weight, but then you have to cut back on other food for that day.

[travz21]

I weigh like 98 pounds :/ I want to put on weight but I have the most fucked up diet ever. I live on junk food, never eat breakfast and skip dinner quite often. I just don't feel hungry and I also get full up very quickly. I tend to lose my appetite when I'm stressed so I can never really maintain any weight that I end up gaining. I think my weight is ok for my height but I know I'm fucking up my body by eating bad food. I just find it really hard to eat healthy food!

I blame my mother.

I'd make you breakfast in bed.

[Jeff]

I still need to lose quite a bit more weight, but I was WAYYYY more chunky than I am now. Right now I weigh about 245ish pounds.


This was back when I was almost 16 (Scary lol)
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii172/lauer619/meandjeremiah.jpg

This is me now.
3219


It scares me to see how big I used to be verses how big I am now. I still have a long way to go, but I'm just glad I'm nowhere close to 300 pounds anymore, and I hope I never will be again. X_X

[Puresque]

Jeff, you look great. Especially in comparison to when you've been 16.

[Derek The Infamous]

I definitely have noticed a difference just over the past year from pics you posted when you first joined, compared to now. Definitely an improvement Jeff. Keep it up!

[D-rock]

Diet buddies are great. And oh yeah, one more tip...in addition to drinking lots more water, try drinking diet Green Tea as well. Green Tea has a lot of antioxidants and vitamins in it and is really good for your body and the diet version has less sugar. Tastes great too.


Another tea that knocks fat out of the ball park: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukicha

You can find this kind of tea at Trader Joes, Whole Foods, your local organic market, online, etc...

Health Benefits:http://www.natural-salt-lamps.com/benefits-greentea.html

[Star Scream]

these pictures of people before and after are just unbelievable

you really inspire alot of people with this:awesome:

[Pidgeon]

I'm really fortunate, in that my body kind of keeps itself at about 155 which is slightly under weight for my height (5'9") but I think good diet is important for everybody no matter how your body reacts. For a while I was buying fast food, sometimes for all 3 meals. And even though my weight maintained I just felt like shit. all the time. I'm a tad better now, mostly because I can't afford fast food lol. but it just goes to show that diet is important no matter your body type

[Rocky]

Awwww, the only body transformations I've received are scoliosis, BPH, and 1 pound a year. I'm 5'6, 24yrs old and 120 pounds. I've been wanting to gain weight for years, but I've got too many medical conditions and haven't seen a doctor in years, so I'm always afraid of trying to do something my body might not be able to take. When I was a teenager, I worked out every day, but had a really poor diet and would wake up in the middle of the night crying and not being able to breathe properly because I barely ate and would do 1k crunches a day. Now that I'm out of school and just produce music, I sit on my ass all day, not gain weight, and have a shitty diet thinking "fuck my life".

iono wtf the point of my post was lol....but I love this thread and everyone's stories. We can all kinda relate to each other and support each other's aspirations. :)

[Derek The Infamous]

I've kinda hit a plateau right now, and I think it's because I fell off of my diet a little bit. Not completely, but a little. Starting next week I'm adhering to my diet 100% again and working out regularly. I want to lose the remaining 20-30 pounds. I've already lost 20-25.

[D-rock]

So I thought I'd update myself here. I weigh 174. Yep. I've gone through some heavy stuff in my life lately but my will is my strength and thats why I push on. So here I am at a weight I havent been in I think four or five years. Feels good. Your mentality changes. Mine has. Summer 2012 I can fully enjoy. I wasnt getting much attention from the ladies but lately I go out and (not to be conceited) but I've had a lot of gals hitting on me. Feels good to be the person I was. Still going though. Have a few more Pds. to drop. Still have a belllay. But fuck if I'm giving up! :awesome:

[travz21]

Nice work. It must feel good.

[D-rock]

Nice work. It must feel good.
Thanks. Sure does. It's tough business.

Ohh also the supplements I am taking: B liquid complex, Vitamin D 5000 IU (theres no sun right now), Mega Red (Krill Oil), and Flintstone Gummies (ty Derek)

[Apop]

Freshmen 15 was a reality for me, started going to the gym less partly because of work and school but laziness is definitely a factor. Trying to get back into playing some basketball again and going on a regular schedule at the gym. Gotta tone up!

[travz21]

So I'm finally sticking to a workout and diet routine. It's only been going on about 2 weeks, but I feel like I'm going to make my goals this time around.

I'm doing intense lifting 4 times a week and sprints/short distance running 2 times a week. I'm also playing basketball twice a week, but that's not part of my workout. I'm trying to eat 4,500-5,000 calories a day and drink 1.25 gallons of water. That's the hardest part of the whole thing. I'm also trying really hard to get at least 9 hours of sleep a night.

I'm up to 160 pounds right now and started at 150, but I'm pretty sure I'm carrying around at least 5 pounds of extra weight just from the vast amounts of food and liquid I have in my body. True weight is probably only around 155. These next 4 weeks should see some significant muscle and strength gains, so I'm pretty excited.

[Timothy]

Bulking up is super hard. I mean, I like to eat, but trying to consume 3,500+ calories of healthy food was no fun for me. Good to hear that you're getting some nice results. Keep it up.

[travz21]

It's hard for me to actually "eat" that much. I've been drinking about a half gallon of whole milk a day, which is like 1,200 calories and a good source of other things I need. This allows me to digest the calories quicker than a solid food so I'm not full for as long. If I had 5,000 calories of solid food I'd be full 24/7 and I'd be shitting out bricks.

[Jen]

Since the beginning of October I have lost 40 lbs. I am around 172 (give or take a few lbs). I started going to the gym in January and taking Zumba classes a few weeks ago. I was hoping to get to 125 by June 1st, but I don't think I'll quite make it by then.

[Rebecca Black]

I actually have a different problem: I'm almost 5 11 and I only weigh 120 pounds. :/ And I try to consume 3000+ calories a day.

[Hybrid]

I want to lose weight, but I don't know where to start... I know I have to stop drinking soda, but I am addicted to it.

[Pidgeon]

I want to lose weight, but I don't know where to start... I know I have to stop drinking soda, but I am addicted to it.

Oh dude, I replaced soda with tea and it did wonders. Even as someone who has no weight issues, but just as far as Like feeling healthier, quoting soda does a lot. I used to drink a shit load and now I'm down to 1 or 2 a week. It's kind of hard to explain seeing as how I don't how I have no visual effects to go on. It's just a healthier feeling

[shinformant]

Don't drink soda period. Stay away from dairy milk as well if you drink that often. Both are ridiculously unhealthy not just in terms of calories.

[travz21]

How is dairy milk unhealthy?

[Hybrid]

So, I'm beginning to ween myself off of soda. I've only had a glass and a half today. I bought some Diet Lipton Green Tea and have been drinking that. Starting off on this, I am at 235. At one point, I was 247-my heaviest. That was Novemberish/Decemberish...

[travz21]

My friend cut pop out of his diet completely starting February 1st and started drinking a gallon of water a day in its place. He said he's also doing really light workouts just 3 times a week. So far he's lost 20 pounds he says. He's about 6'3'', 220 now. It's amazing what your body will do when it's properly hydrated and when you avoid empty calories.

I quit drinking pop when I was around 12 or something. So it's been about 11 years for me. I'll have it only a couple times a year when someone coaxes me into a mixed drink. Once you quit drinking it, you really never miss it after a while.

[Hybrid]

My friend cut pop out of his diet completely starting February 1st and started drinking a gallon of water a day in its place. He said he's also doing really light workouts just 3 times a week. So far he's lost 20 pounds he says. He's about 6'3'', 220 now. It's amazing what your body will do when it's properly hydrated and when you avoid empty calories.

I quit drinking pop when I was around 12 or something. So it's been about 11 years for me. I'll have it only a couple times a year when someone coaxes me into a mixed drink. Once you quit drinking it, you really never miss it after a while.

Thank you... I wish I could quit it completely. I tried that and I got the shakes and was really antsy with a head ache. I was literally going through withdrawl and it was pure hell. I have to ease myself out. I don't think there is any other way. The Green Tea is very tasty and is a great supplement, in my eyes. I'm also going to start replacing my lunches with soups. I did that a few years back and I got all the way down to 216.

[cradle]

I need to stop smoking.:rolleyes:

[Hybrid]

I need to stop smoking.:rolleyes:

If there isn't one, maybe you should start a stop smoking thread???

[Jason]

My story is a little different than some of the ones here but I figured I would share.

I played baseball all through high school, and I was a pretty lean guy. At the time, I was around 6'1", 190-195ish. Strength training, cardio, daily.
When I entered college, my lifestyle changed. I was no longer playing baseball, and started working odd jobs frequently to supplement the outlandishly expensive tuition bills. I stopped working out, and all the muscle I built in high school dropped off me in my freshman year. On top of the lifestyle changes, I also dealt with some personal issues that further affected my appearance. My weight dropped to about 155, and I became extremely scrawny and unhealthy looking. I know this is contrary to alot of posts in here, and most of the people in this thread would be thrilled to drop ~30 pounds by doing pretty much nothing, but for me this was a problem. I wasn't happy with my appearance, and I apologize if this rubs anyone the wrong way.

The good news is, I've been in the process of doing something about it. In October of 2011, I began lifting weights 3-4 days per week (when I can, sometimes 2 jobs doesn't allow it), eating better, and drinking protein shakes. I am now up to 180 lbs, and I have never felt better about myself. My girlfriend makes me go running with her, which I despise, but I know is good for me. I'm still not back to my peak physical condition that I was in high school, but I'm happy with my progress.

Not really a success story, but more of a "come back in the making" story. :)

[+ / –]

The Freshman 15 for me was the Freshman 40. Maybe 50. But I was unhealthily skinny due to Tae Kwon Do competing. At my heaviest in high school, I was 120. As it is, a relationship and a job sitting and not having time to work out while still keeping my eating habits wasn't healthy.

In the time since the break-up, I've had more time to work out which means I've lost about 35 pounds so far. I'm looking at another 20 by the end of the summer. That's being conservative, of course.

Just goes to show, eating right doesn't mean shit. Work out enough and your body will do the rest. I'm still considered the black hole among my friends. Food that enters my event horizon just disappears. 30 minutes a day, that's all you need!

[Timothy]

30 minutes a day, that's all you need!

I don't think a lot of people realize this. Unless you're trying to bulk up and get ripped, you really don't need to work out for that long (and even when lifting, 45 minutes to an hour is fine). I lost a shit ton of weight without working out for any longer than 40 minutes a day, 5-6 days a week. Shit, I had my workout whittled down to 20-25 minutes for a while. It was an intense 25 minutes, but 25 minutes nonetheless.

[Hybrid]

At my heaviest in high school, I was 120.

Not sure if typo or trollololing.

[+ / –]

Not sure if typo or trollololing.

Neither. Here's me when I got my Black Belt certification my Junior(?) year:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/minusxero/Me/thepresent.jpg

Now mind you that shirt is a small and that belt is as far buckled as it can be.

I don't want to get THAT skinny again. That was all muscle and was probably a bit unhealthy considering how lack of fat in the body can mess with how it grows. But I've bulked up a bit in the arms and chest so a good 140 is what I'm aiming for.

In September I was a pretty solid 210. This was me about 10 pounds lighter in November:

http://i.imgur.com/DVygp.jpg

I'm not fooling myself here: I was still considered 'skinny' body wise (that button-up is also a small. Still baggy), but you can definitely tell in the face. That's my main concern. All my weight went to my ass (which the girl I'm seeing has not complaints for) and my face.

Aaaand this is me last month:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/32578336/2012-02-18%2015.29.23.jpg

Also about 20 pounds later. Slimmed down the face a whole bunch and still drink a shit load to boot! Listen to Timothy and I: 30 MINUTES OF EXERCISE DAILY IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO LOSE WEIGHT.

That and go from 3 big meals to like 6 small meals throughout the day.

[travz21]

How tall are you?

[+ / –]

How tall are you?

5'8"

[Ryo Hazuki]

Sonic screwdriver...


I guess I shall post something on topic.

Sonic screwdriver.

[Hybrid]

Wow, Minus, I misread your whole first post. I thought you were saying you were 120 and lost 35 from that. Anyways, you look healthier now. :)

Unfortunately, I'm having a gout attack right now and my left toe/foot is killing me. Yet another reason why I need to lose weight. The shittiest thing is that I have really bad ankles from playing hockey in high school, so running and/or any strenuous exercise is out of the question. I'll get days where I wake up and can't even walk just because of a short sprint the day before. It sucks. I really don't think I'm obese either. I'm 6'0'' and weigh approximately 235 lbs. And all of those diet pills are out of the question. I think they cause more damage than they help. I guess that's my story...

[+ / –]

I know exactly how you feel. A lot of people have strange... weight distributions. I know a lot of people refuse to believe I'm 180, but that's just how the cookie crumbles.

Sucks about the ankles. There are plenty of alternative workouts that involve less stress on the ankles. Anything in the water, for example. P90X's Ab Ripper consists mostly of workouts on your back or side.

[Hybrid]

I know exactly how you feel. A lot of people have strange... weight distributions. I know a lot of people refuse to believe I'm 180, but that's just how the cookie crumbles.

Sucks about the ankles. There are plenty of alternative workouts that involve less stress on the ankles. Anything in the water, for example. P90X's Ab Ripper consists mostly of workouts on your back or side.

Strangely enough, swimming hurts too... Maybe if I diet first, it will be easier for my ankles to function... Thanks for the tip though. :)

[shinformant]

How is dairy milk unhealthy?
If you're making a conscious decision to be healthier, there's not a lot of point in drinking it when there are alternatives which are (IMO) tastier, inexpensive, less fattening and caloric, just as if not more nutritious, and more sustainable.

And even diet soda is still acidic and bad for your teeth. I learnt that the hard way.

[Hybrid]

I wanted to post a "weigh-in." As of right now, I am at 228. I've been drinking a lot more water. The only thing is, I haven't eaten anything today, but I can't eat pounds and pounds of food in a day...

[Timothy]

I wanted to post a "weigh-in." As of right now, I am at 228. I've been drinking a lot more water. The only thing is, I haven't eaten anything today, but I can't eat pounds and pounds of food in a day...

Keep up the good work, man. Have you not eaten anything because you don't want to, or do you just not have the time?

I think I'll do some weigh-ins, too. I'm at 178 right now. I've been fluctuating between 175-180+ for about a year now, and it's fucking ridiculous. I've been losing, gaining, losing, gaining, losing. . . . I need to stay away from the ice cream and shit. But I've been eating clean for a couple of weeks now and getting nice results. The only "cheating" I've done is the occasional cup of hot cocoa, but a man's got to have a vice, right? Anyway, 170-ish is my goal weight, and I've been losing about a pound a week (losing slowly is best when you're just trying to drop a small amount of weight, I find).

[Hybrid]

Keep up the good work, man. Have you not eaten anything because you don't want to, or do you just not have the time?

I think I'll do some weigh-ins, too. I'm at 178 right now. I've been fluctuating between 175-180+ for about a year now, and it's fucking ridiculous. I've been losing, gaining, losing, gaining, losing. . . . I need to stay away from the ice cream and shit. But I've been eating clean for a couple of weeks now and getting nice results. The only "cheating" I've done is the occasional cup of hot cocoa, but a man's got to have a vice, right? Anyway, 170-ish is my goal weight, and I've been losing about a pound a week (losing slowly is best when you're just trying to drop a small amount of weight, I find).

That's awesome, Tim! You keep it up too! I didn't eat because I didn't find time. I had a sandwich for lunch though. I kept fluctuating too. It gets annoying. This is the first time this year that I'm under 230, so I'm happy about that. I'll try to do weigh-ins every couple of weeks or so... That way it can keep me focused. I'm not killing myself with a diet either... Just more conscious.

[Timothy]

That's awesome, Tim! You keep it up too! I didn't eat because I didn't find time. I had a sandwich for lunch though. I kept fluctuating too. It gets annoying. This is the first time this year that I'm under 230, so I'm happy about that. I'll try to do weigh-ins every couple of weeks or so... That way it can keep me focused. I'm not killing myself with a diet either... Just more conscious.

Yeah, it's not worth it to try and force yourself to eat a lot of foods that you don't want to eat, not right away at least. One step at a time.

[travz21]

I'm starting week 5 tomorrow. Going to switch up the lifting routine each month to hopefully stimulate the muscles more.

I'm at about 162. I think all that weight I gained right away was just from all the food and water in my body. I'll probably slowly gain from here on out as my body starts turning that into muscle and some fat.

I'm pretty happy after the first month. I actually quit sprints the last 2 weeks because I felt like my body was using too much energy and my muscles weren't recovering very well. I think I'll start it up again this month since my body should be better adjusted to the stress and recover quicker. I didn't want to injure myself early on.

I saw some gain in size, but nothing significant. I did get quite a bit stronger already, which is really nice. I expect the next few months to show a decent increase in size since my body will be able to handle more weight more efficiently and I won't have to worry about hurting myself from lifting too much like I was this first month. I wish I had the body type that could easily put on muscle and weight so I wouldn't have to eat so much goddamn food, because I literally feel full and bloated the entire day. I know I'm putting on fat along with this muscle too because I'm simply eating everything I can so my body has the most energy possible to create muscle. I'm sure there's days where I eat too much and it just turns to fat. But it's pretty much all I can do to ensure weight gain. Hopefully in 6 months or something I can reach a size I like and start eating less.

[Promofrog]

Losing weight is probably the most difficult task to tackle, food addiction is worse than many drug addictions as it normally begins in childhood and is percieved as right.

For instance you can eat a burger in front of someone and they don't care, stick a needle in your arm though and people go apeshit.

[Anya]

I've been trying to lose weight lately myself, but I get really bored with running and going to the gym. A friend of mine had me join a Roller Derby league in January and I LOVE it. It's been a great way for me to get exercise and do something that really excites me! I've lost a little weight here and there, but I only go two times a week and I don't eat all too healthy sometimes. I just moved into a house with a my boyfriend almost a year ago and I find it hard to spend money on healthier food since it's so much more expensive! I also don't really cook but it looks like I'm going to have to start trying. I also may skate outside of my normal practice with roller derby once I can find the time.

[Snail]

I'm starting week 5 tomorrow. Going to switch up the lifting routine each month to hopefully stimulate the muscles more.

I'm at about 162. I think all that weight I gained right away was just from all the food and water in my body. I'll probably slowly gain from here on out as my body starts turning that into muscle and some fat.

I'm pretty happy after the first month. I actually quit sprints the last 2 weeks because I felt like my body was using too much energy and my muscles weren't recovering very well. I think I'll start it up again this month since my body should be better adjusted to the stress and recover quicker. I didn't want to injure myself early on.

I saw some gain in size, but nothing significant. I did get quite a bit stronger already, which is really nice. I expect the next few months to show a decent increase in size since my body will be able to handle more weight more efficiently and I won't have to worry about hurting myself from lifting too much like I was this first month. I wish I had the body type that could easily put on muscle and weight so I wouldn't have to eat so much goddamn food, because I literally feel full and bloated the entire day. I know I'm putting on fat along with this muscle too because I'm simply eating everything I can so my body has the most energy possible to create muscle. I'm sure there's days where I eat too much and it just turns to fat. But it's pretty much all I can do to ensure weight gain. Hopefully in 6 months or something I can reach a size I like and start eating less.

Just some pointers:

-Switching up the lifting routine each month isn't recommended. Switch it up when you plateau instead.
-The body-type you're talking about would be an endomorph.
-Gaining muscle without a little bit of fat is next to impossible
-You shouldn't be 'eating everything you can'. Doesn't work that way.
-Stick to lean proteins
-Carbs = energy
-Reduce intake of white carbs
-Increase intake of brown carbs
-Stay away from frozen & processed foods.
-Quality food equals quality gains.

[D-rock]

Just some pointers:

-Switching up the lifting routine each month isn't recommended. Switch it up when you plateau instead.
-The body-type you're talking about would be an endomorph.
-Gaining muscle without a little bit of fat is next to impossible
-You shouldn't be 'eating everything you can'. Doesn't work that way.
-Stick to lean proteins
-Carbs = energy
-Reduce intake of white carbs
-Increase intake of brown carbs
-Stay away from frozen & processed foods.
-Quality food equals quality gains.


This

[@LP2K12]

Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition! Before I joined the Army I was about 290 lbs, after nine weeks of basic training I was 215 lbs. I went on to advanced training and by the end of that (another six months) I came home at 175.

I got married and we had children. Lots of stress, crappy food and inactivity bumped me back to 275. I started small with the things I learned in the Army. I cut out ALL soda. Yes, even diet. Our bodies convert natural sugars better than any of the synthetic crap in diet sodas. When I absolutely have to have something sweet besides water I'll do homemade 1/2 unsweetened iced tea mixed with 1/2 sweetened iced tea. However, mostly it's water all day for me.

I keep track of the food I eat on the LiveStrong website, they have a great calorie tracker that syncs with the iPhone through an app. My gym also has an iPhone app. I've also found one called GymPact that's pretty cool. Basically, you bet on yourself. I believe the minimum is still $5. You say, I will go to my gym three times this week. If I don't, I have to pay GymPact $5 (the money is an award to people who meet their goal).

I'm kind of in the same boat as Derek. I looked in the mirror one day and felt disgusting. Then I thought about how that image fell on my children. How would they view nutrition and exercise if I kept following this path?

The change has to be for you. Kudos to everyone trying to lead a healthier life.

Here's a good example. Heck, you don't even have to look at my body, you can see the weight gain in my face.

436043614362

[D-rock]

436043614362

Thats insane! I wish you the best of luck! You know what to do! :D

[ZoeLinkingal]

Well, since everybody is posting their story, I'll post mine as well.

I used to be a VERY active kid but not anymore. here's my timeline, as far as I can remember:

2004 - 2005, 9 - 10 years old, Primary 3 & 4: This 2 years were the most active part of my life. I had these group of male friends, we always play together. My school CCA is basketball and 2 times a week we had training, almost 4 days a week after school me and my friends would stay back until 6:30pm and just keep playing basketball. Every weekend we would run in the playground, play block catching (in SIngapore, we have HDB flats, 15 storey high and we use the whole block of flats and play a game of tag, it's insanely tiring but fun) In this phase, my older brother was hogging the computer all the time so I basically kept going out to play, it kept me fit, I had alot of stamina.

2006 - 2007, 11 - 12 years old, Primary 5 & 6: Streaming year, all my friends seperated as we moved up, some went to better classes some went to lesser classes. We didn't hang out or play basketball anymore, my lifestyle began slacking. At the middle of 2007, there was a big national exam and we had to quit our CCAs to focus, I began staying at home and playing computer games after the national exam and that's when my stamina lowered and my weight increased.

2008 - 2009, 13 - 14 years old, Secondary 1 & 2: Here, my CCA changed to field hockey but my stamina was no good and I was usually the last to finish the running laps but I still managed to run 3 rounds around the hockey field without stopping, but my speed was not as it used to be anymore. In the middle of 2008, I also moved house to landed property, there were no playgrounds, no blocks and no courts to play in anymore, my neighbors were strangers then so I did not go out and exercise much.

2010 - 2011, 15 - 16 years old, Secondary 3 & 4: In the middle of 2010, my relationship with my teammates in hockey went from bad to worst so I quitted the CCA. I guess it was because I was not as good as them so they usually give me the cold shoulder. Basketball was my forte but my school didn't have basketball for girls and sports was the only thing I was interested in so I chose hockey. After I quited, I didn't take up another because I wanted to study for another national exam - the 'O' Levels in mid 2011. Around end of 2010, I had some family problems and had to stay at home so I couldn't go to school for about 2 and a half months. Since I wasn't active anymore my weight increased and stamina dropped to an all time low.

2012 - 17 years old, Pre-University Year 1: Now, I managed to pass the exam after all but my stamina is really low now, I can only run at most 2 rounds the field without stopping, 4 rounds with some walking but took me about 15mins, which is bad considering the requirement for my age is complete 6 rounds in less than 18mins.

My stamina is at an all time low and my diet is worst. I'm trying to save money so I don't eat well. I eat 2 slices of bread with peanut butter for breakfast and lunch, the only real nutrition I get is during dinner. by dinner I would be extremely hungry and sometimes over eat. School ends about 6pm everyday, I can't exercise much except for friday, sat and sundays but I can't get the motivation to exercise because my stamina fails me and I always feel depressed when I can't achieve :(

[Pidgeon]

My stamina is at an all time low and my diet is worst. I'm trying to save money so I don't eat well. I eat 2 slices of bread with peanut butter for breakfast and lunch, only real nutrition I get is during dinner. by dinner I would be extremely hungry and sometimes over eat. School ends about 6pm everyday, I can't exercise which except for friday, sat and sundays but I can't get the motivation to exercise because my stamina fails me and I always feel depressed when I can't achieve :(

Drop the bread dude. Ny sister lost a bunch of weight just cutting down on all the bread she'd been eating. Replace it with fruit and veggies

[ZoeLinkingal]

Drop the bread dude. Ny sister lost a bunch of weight just cutting down on all the bread she'd been eating. Replace it with fruit and veggies
Seriously? Wow, I think I would ask my mother to buy more on fruits and vegetables and stop buying bread.

[Hybrid]

4603

Over 21 pounds!

[Timothy]

Nice job, Hybrid! Keep it up, and you'll be lean and mean in no time.

I was down to 172 last time I checked. Still got a little bit of dough around the waist, though, so I'm going to keep plugging away.

[Kameiko]

I like this thread. I am on my own regimine to lose weight (3 weeks and counting i Can tell i lost weight in my legs already with the constant walking I do).

Cutting out the soda wasn't all that hard for me since I stopped since January 1st of this year. I am committed to not drink it either. Even though Vanilla Coke is my all time favorite, and seeing it when I go to Florida makes me me want to bang my head against the wall.

The only problem I have with this is that I eat too much of the same foods that are good for me. Variety is def not on my list, but I do work out, lift weights, walking, and eating right.

I made a lot of sacrifices to get to where I am. I won't know how much I weigh till I get to the doctor, because I don't like scales in my apartment. Having scales just scares me, and I would want to get on it every day checking and checking...As for counting calories I don't do that. I do force myself to drink Orange Juice no matter how much I hate it xD.

[TattooedMommy]

this is so hard to say knowing so many people will read this but at my heaviest i was 306. after having 3 kids having numerous operations i put on alot of weight. i felt miserable. i had no energy. i had no will power. i finally gave in and bought an elliptical and a bottle of the weight loss medicine alli. i ate right and followed it to the "t". after the first week, 10 pounds down. i was amazed! so far i have lost 50 pounds after a year. i still have a long ways to go but its a start1

[+ / –]

Awesome work TattooedMommy! keep it up!

I've been stagnant these last few weeks due to going out on lavish dinners with my girl and not getting nearly enough sleep or time to work out. But hey, being stagnant is better than putting weight back on, right?

[11:54]

Like many, I am trying to lose weight, too. So what me and my girlfriend got involved in is the INSANITY program. Now, I'm not following it to a T, but I do the workout 5 times a week, even though it's supposed to be 6, and go to the gym for an hour or so on the "rest day".

I don't wanna be all ripped and shit, I just wanna lose 20-30 pounds. When I started I was 206 as now I've lost about 10 pounds. I cut out soda and changed me diet completely buly drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, and just overall really paying more attention to what I'm taking in.

Even though the weight isn't just falling off the cliff, I never worked out, now I'm working out 6 times a week and walking wherever I can. I don't run much because it's hard on my knees from wrestling almost 10 years. I think it's pretty good. The program lasts until July 8th, so we'll see where I'm at then. If I can get down to 180 I'll be stoked. We'll see.

[TattooedMommy]

its nice to be able to get on here and see that we have support of others struggling with the same battle. im glad this thread got started!

[Andreina]

I weigh 88lbs (40Kg) and I am around 1,55m tall (sorry for lame conversions), and obviously my struggle is to gain weight. According to a quick research I made I'm about 10kgs under my ideal weight (which is a lot), and I'd really like to gain at least half of that.

What are my struggles? Appetite. I feel like I eat like a kid in terms of portions (not like, I most likely do) and the thing is that I get satisfied quickly and therefore I can't eat more that I do. Sometimes I feel a bit like a robot because I treat food the way cars treat gasoline, only for functional purposes.

The good aspect of it is that I eat only what's necessary for my body and I don't do it for cravings or for gluttony, the bad thing is that I got stuck in that weight and can't go up.

My diet I don't think is the best, it doesn't have much variety so I might be missing something. I'm not a fan of vegetables, I eat them only as food seasoning and they have to be cut in tiny pieces because in large chunks I find them unpleasant. I have also been in a sedentary state since I entered college, so I stopped doing sports and my physical activity resistance has lowered a lot.

My short-to-medium term goal is to exercise more, I have a friend who is a bodybuilder and he gave me a few routines I can start with, he also told me exercising will help me gain weight in a healthy way because it'll be muscle weight. Other than that I pretty much don't know what to do because if my appetite won't let me, I cannot eat more, and my mom has a pharmacy so since I've been a kid I've taken all sorts of appetite-enhancing vitamins, which work at the beginning but then it'll be the same again.

I really want to start my internships because I'll be out of town and on my own, and I won't have many of the distractions that I have here, so hopefully I can work there and start creating a habit and by the time I get back I would have that routine.

----

Oh and by the way I wish you all good luck on your journey, it takes a lot of physical and mental strength to reach the change we want for ourselves.

[travz21]

You won't gain weight from lifting weights unless you consume more calories, too. I'm going through the same thing. Hardgainers are in a tough spot. They either have to eat more during each meal, eat more meals, or eat calorie dense foods. Most people don't have the time to eat 4-6 meals a day, and most aren't hungry enough to eat bigger portions at each meal. I've been trying to eat more meals and calorie dense foods, and that seems to be working for me so far. I started going for whole milk and lots of noodles and grains. That's pretty much the only thing I changed with my diet. Plus lots of water.

And you also have to stimulate your muscles enough in order for them to rebuild and grow.

[Andreina]

You won't gain weight from lifting weights unless you consume more calories, too. I'm going through the same thing. Hardgainers are in a tough spot. They either have to eat more during each meal, eat more meals, or eat calorie dense foods. Most people don't have the time to eat 4-6 meals a day, and most aren't hungry enough to eat bigger portions at each meal. I've been trying to eat more meals and calorie dense foods, and that seems to be working for me so far. I started going for whole milk and lots of noodles and grains. That's pretty much the only thing I changed with my diet. Plus lots of water.

And you also have to stimulate your muscles enough in order for them to rebuild and grow.

Yes well I'm taking this very lightly at the moment as I need to "get myself together" in terms of balancing my lifestyle, I'll soon be working on my thesis so that will take a huge chunk of my time. I will focus right now on trying to get a little of physical resistance back.

I will not lift weights, since I really have to catch up first (5 years of no strong physical activity certainly does no good) I am going to start "from scratch" with prop-less routines I can do at home like crunches, lunges, squats (small props) etc, also I can't afford a gym subscription.

And as for diet, certainly eating bigger portions is not an option for me, and the food you named sounds like a good place to start, although I would have to get that right first so I wouldn't do it all wrong and start eating poorly. Too bad I'm not a fan of italian food, pasta is an option I hear name a lot on weight-gaining conversations.