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Lets hear some stories about successful weight loss
Posted on 5/17/15 at 7:46 am
Posted on 5/17/15 at 7:46 am
Who here has made some significant changes over the years. How about how you did it? Any secrets? Pointers for others.
I will go, but not first.
Lets hear them
I will go, but not first.
Lets hear them
20
Posted on 5/17/15 at 8:11 am to LanierSpots
I went from 238 to 199 in about 5 months. I'm back up to 208, but that's from additional muscle. Mrs. Tantal is only 5'1" and went from a size 11 to a size 2 in about the same amount of time. Knowing that psychologically we needed an early win, here's what we did. We committed ourselves to 30 days of:
#1-Eating clean without a single cheat. We did (and still do) food prep on Sunday and take our food to work.
#2-Exercise every single day. Even if we didn't make it to the gym, we did SOMETHING, even if it was only a 20 minute walk in our neighborhood.
#3-Not a single drop of alcohol. We. Didn't even keep any in the house.
The results were so dramatic after the 30 days that Mrs. Tantal wanted to do another 30, so we did, then went on a little mini-vacation. Once we got back it was back to the grind.
The things that I learned are that if you don't prep your food, you WILL end up eating shitty. Secondly, you have to go to the gym BEFORE coming home after work. If you come home to change, something will always sidetrack you and you won't make it. Now we eat mostly clean, but will have a day or two where we might slip a little. We make it to the gym a minimum of 4 times a week, sometimes as many as 6. Not sure what your finances look like, but you might consider a small boutique gym, at least for the first few months. My gym is a little spendy, but they write my workouts and I send in my weight and pictures every 3 weeks, then they send me my new diet. As long as I stick to the diet, I get excellent results.
#1-Eating clean without a single cheat. We did (and still do) food prep on Sunday and take our food to work.
#2-Exercise every single day. Even if we didn't make it to the gym, we did SOMETHING, even if it was only a 20 minute walk in our neighborhood.
#3-Not a single drop of alcohol. We. Didn't even keep any in the house.
The results were so dramatic after the 30 days that Mrs. Tantal wanted to do another 30, so we did, then went on a little mini-vacation. Once we got back it was back to the grind.
The things that I learned are that if you don't prep your food, you WILL end up eating shitty. Secondly, you have to go to the gym BEFORE coming home after work. If you come home to change, something will always sidetrack you and you won't make it. Now we eat mostly clean, but will have a day or two where we might slip a little. We make it to the gym a minimum of 4 times a week, sometimes as many as 6. Not sure what your finances look like, but you might consider a small boutique gym, at least for the first few months. My gym is a little spendy, but they write my workouts and I send in my weight and pictures every 3 weeks, then they send me my new diet. As long as I stick to the diet, I get excellent results.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 8:50 am to LanierSpots
I've gone from about 160 down to 150 in the last two years. 
Posted on 5/17/15 at 9:05 am to LanierSpots
5'10.
I went from 240 to 159 over the course of a year. Combination of Insanity, portion control, yogurt for lunch everyday, dipping to skip breakfast.
At 159 I said this is stupid and started eating a little more poorly. I've got up to 180 and usually hang out between 180-175 for the last 3 years.
I am probably in the best shape of my life post HS but I can't lose my muffin top. Even when I was down to 159.
I went from 240 to 159 over the course of a year. Combination of Insanity, portion control, yogurt for lunch everyday, dipping to skip breakfast.
At 159 I said this is stupid and started eating a little more poorly. I've got up to 180 and usually hang out between 180-175 for the last 3 years.
I am probably in the best shape of my life post HS but I can't lose my muffin top. Even when I was down to 159.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 9:07 am to LanierSpots
The best way to lose weight is not to get hung up on the actual number on the scale. Getting (and staying) in the habit of working out regularly and burning more calories than you consume is the key. That, and ensuring those calories aren't of the "empty" variety.
Everyone's body responds differently--there are no "secrets," per se--it's really about figuring out what works for you.
Mrs. T and I are both gym rats, but we go about our fitness routines in different ways. Hers is very cardio-intensive, whereas mine involves a lot of weights since I can't really run for my cardio anymore like I used to.
Didn't really see weight-loss results right away when I got back in the gym after my ankle surgery. While I know part of that was because of all the weightlifting, I also forced myself out of the habit of constantly weighing myself, and just started working out a lot and eating simple/healthy foods regularly just for the sake of doing it. Turning myself into a creature of healthy habit is what I feel has helped me maintain a steady decline more than anything. I know myself--if I lock in on a particular goal, I'll bust my arse to get there, but lose motivation to continue once I hit that mark. For me, eliminating set goals once I established a healthy routine actually helped me make long-term progress.
As it stands now, I've dropped 35lbs and 4 pants sizes since getting back into the gym. Only know that because I had to step on the scale at the doc's office last week
Best shape I've been in since immediately after Field Training and Basic Training, but much more conducive to maintaining since these results aren't the result of the body shock/stress of the training environment.
Keeping up with Mrs. T is pretty good motivation, too, I can't lie Having the SO as invested in a healthy lifestyle as you are is essential, IMO.
Everyone's body responds differently--there are no "secrets," per se--it's really about figuring out what works for you.
Mrs. T and I are both gym rats, but we go about our fitness routines in different ways. Hers is very cardio-intensive, whereas mine involves a lot of weights since I can't really run for my cardio anymore like I used to.
Didn't really see weight-loss results right away when I got back in the gym after my ankle surgery. While I know part of that was because of all the weightlifting, I also forced myself out of the habit of constantly weighing myself, and just started working out a lot and eating simple/healthy foods regularly just for the sake of doing it. Turning myself into a creature of healthy habit is what I feel has helped me maintain a steady decline more than anything. I know myself--if I lock in on a particular goal, I'll bust my arse to get there, but lose motivation to continue once I hit that mark. For me, eliminating set goals once I established a healthy routine actually helped me make long-term progress.
As it stands now, I've dropped 35lbs and 4 pants sizes since getting back into the gym. Only know that because I had to step on the scale at the doc's office last week
Best shape I've been in since immediately after Field Training and Basic Training, but much more conducive to maintaining since these results aren't the result of the body shock/stress of the training environment. Keeping up with Mrs. T is pretty good motivation, too, I can't lie
Having the SO as invested in a healthy lifestyle as you are is essential, IMO.Posted on 5/17/15 at 9:10 am to TbirdSpur2010
quote:
pretty good motivation, too, I can't lie Having the SO as invested in a healthy lifestyle as you are is essential, IMO
Mrs. Out makes me pretty motivated not to be a tub of lard. The problem is that we're at different gyms and she does group fitness and I don't play that game.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 9:15 am to LanierSpots
I went from 298 to 250 a little while back by just cutting soda waters and sweets. I'd like to drop 30 to 40 more just haven't decided to do it. Yeah I got a lazy streak in me but I'll get it done.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 9:17 am to LanierSpots
Freshman year of high school I dropped from 250 pounds down to 180 pounds during the football offseason. I didn't really change my eating habits all that much but I did Texas high school football offseason program which seemed like the equivalent of a military bootcamp. Basically all it was was lifting weights,doing pretty much every possible core exercises and getting yelled at everyday. Also it didn't just drop my weight it I gained a ton of muscle. It lasted 55 minutes during school then 55 minutes after school and then hour long track practice every Monday-Friday.
This post was edited on 5/17/15 at 9:19 am
Posted on 5/17/15 at 9:18 am to 3nOut
quote:
The problem is that we're at different gyms and she does group fitness and I don't play that game.
Ditto for me and Mrs. T
She works out almost exclusively at the local women's gym, and also substitute teaches group fitness classes and such. I just stay motivated seeing the results of all her hard work, like you 
I prefer to work out alone in my own little world with my music blaring. The staff at my gym know me as "the black guy with the Aggie bandana who's always singing to himself," I found out the other day
Posted on 5/17/15 at 9:38 am to Tantal
Lost a 100 pounds in five months from three ten to two ten. Gained only fifteen back. All I did was get rid of carbonated drinks for the first month. Lost twenty. Next month I cut out all food brought to the work place. Boudin, doughnuts,kolaches etc. lost another twenty. After that I got serious about the two main rules move more eat less.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 10:39 am to rantfan
That is very similar to my story rant fan.
I started a new career about 15 years ago. A lot of you know I fish for a living. When I started that I was working 6-7 days per week and going like crazy. I also gained weight like crazy. I was about 215 when I started (I am 6-1) in 1999. In 2007 I won a huge tournament on a local lake and got a lot of press.
When I saw the TV coverage, I finally came to the fact that I had blown up. I was 305 pounds. I immediately went on a program with some help from a trainer/Nutritionist
Over a year, I went from 305-205. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I basically got on a eating plan and worked out like crazy. Doing exactly what the guy told me to do.
I have been able to pretty much keep the weight off for 8 years. I have stayed between 205-220 for the most part. Dropping some and gaining a little but never over that. Last fall I started working more from home. I go so busy that I have not been eating good, drinking more and not exercising. I am now around 230 but have been at it pretty good for two weeks and should be back down to 210 in a few months
Basic things I did
Did cardio and weight training. Most times, i did my cardio early then my weight training later in the day
Cycled my carbs. I needed them so I had them at times and cut them at times. But ate good carbs - Sweet potato, oatmeal, etc
When I did not have carbs, I increased my good fats. This helped with my energy
I basically made eating boring. I found some things that I could eat and stuck with it. Egg whites, oatmeal, baked chicken breast, grilled fish, Okra, sweet potatoes, alvacado, etc.
Had lots of shakes as snacks. Also a few almonds and rice cakes with peanut butter.
But in the end, I think the biggest thing I did that helped was doing morning empty stomach cardio. I basically got up early 5 days out of 7, got on my treadmill or on my stationary bike and did 30-40 mins of medium intensity cardio before I ever took on any calories. I would typically get up around 4:30, do the cardio, shower then have breakfast before I left for my trips or got to work.
When I got home in the evenings, I would do my weight training (about 50 mins-1hr per session). I typically took on some protein and a few fats before I did my weight training. Then had a shake directly after with a little carbs. Then had dinner 1 hour later.
This pretty much worked for me. And for the most part, I have been able to keep it off. Now I am older than most here and i was in my lower 40's when all this happened. Changed my life.
If there are some of you out there doing this now, I wish you the very best and encourage you not to quit. "Failure should be your biggest inspiration". Things happen along the way, you are not going to meet goals at times, cheat at times, just keep at it and dont give up.. It will happen
Will post some pics later.
I started a new career about 15 years ago. A lot of you know I fish for a living. When I started that I was working 6-7 days per week and going like crazy. I also gained weight like crazy. I was about 215 when I started (I am 6-1) in 1999. In 2007 I won a huge tournament on a local lake and got a lot of press.
When I saw the TV coverage, I finally came to the fact that I had blown up. I was 305 pounds. I immediately went on a program with some help from a trainer/Nutritionist
Over a year, I went from 305-205. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I basically got on a eating plan and worked out like crazy. Doing exactly what the guy told me to do.
I have been able to pretty much keep the weight off for 8 years. I have stayed between 205-220 for the most part. Dropping some and gaining a little but never over that. Last fall I started working more from home. I go so busy that I have not been eating good, drinking more and not exercising. I am now around 230 but have been at it pretty good for two weeks and should be back down to 210 in a few months
Basic things I did
Did cardio and weight training. Most times, i did my cardio early then my weight training later in the day
Cycled my carbs. I needed them so I had them at times and cut them at times. But ate good carbs - Sweet potato, oatmeal, etc
When I did not have carbs, I increased my good fats. This helped with my energy
I basically made eating boring. I found some things that I could eat and stuck with it. Egg whites, oatmeal, baked chicken breast, grilled fish, Okra, sweet potatoes, alvacado, etc.
Had lots of shakes as snacks. Also a few almonds and rice cakes with peanut butter.
But in the end, I think the biggest thing I did that helped was doing morning empty stomach cardio. I basically got up early 5 days out of 7, got on my treadmill or on my stationary bike and did 30-40 mins of medium intensity cardio before I ever took on any calories. I would typically get up around 4:30, do the cardio, shower then have breakfast before I left for my trips or got to work.
When I got home in the evenings, I would do my weight training (about 50 mins-1hr per session). I typically took on some protein and a few fats before I did my weight training. Then had a shake directly after with a little carbs. Then had dinner 1 hour later.
This pretty much worked for me. And for the most part, I have been able to keep it off. Now I am older than most here and i was in my lower 40's when all this happened. Changed my life.
If there are some of you out there doing this now, I wish you the very best and encourage you not to quit. "Failure should be your biggest inspiration". Things happen along the way, you are not going to meet goals at times, cheat at times, just keep at it and dont give up.. It will happen
Will post some pics later.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 10:40 am to Tantal
quote:
The things that I learned are that if you don't prep your food, you WILL end up eating shitty.
Probably the best sentence in this thread. Dead on
Posted on 5/17/15 at 10:54 am to LanierSpots
I lost 40 lbs in 6 months. 250lbs to 210lbs LINK
Posted on 5/17/15 at 10:56 am to TbirdSpur2010
quote:
The staff at my gym know me as "the black guy with the Aggie bandana who's always singing to himself," I found out the other day
Posted on 5/17/15 at 10:58 am to Tantal
quote:
The things that I learned are that if you don't prep your food, you WILL end up eating shitty. Secondly, you have to go to the gym BEFORE coming home after work.
meh, some people have to do this.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 10:58 am to hawgfaninc
quote:
I lost 40 lbs in 6 months. 250lbs to 210lbs
Dude, that is impressive. How old are you? You got a ton of shape in a short time. I really think I am too old to gain a lot of muscle. I would like to lean back down to 205-210 and just shape up.
Awesome results.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 11:00 am to LanierSpots
I'm 28
Posted on 5/17/15 at 11:02 am to LanierSpots
My biggest obstacle is the mental side. I wasn't an over eater and have always been active. It's the type of foods I ate. When I eat a meal either at home or at work I don't sit down to eat and I don't make the meal the priority . So I eat much slower and usually don't finish it. It helps that I'm very busy raising three kids and running my department. If I get in a habit of taking a few hours a chilling out during the week I will gain weight. It took me a long time to learn that with my body chemistry I have to stay active during the waking hours.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 11:13 am to hawgfaninc
Be gentle.
Before. 305 pounds and about a 44 inch waist. At this point, I could not walk to the mailbox without being out of breath.
And after. Not a great pic but its all I have that I wil post. about 210 here and a 34 in the waist.
Before. 305 pounds and about a 44 inch waist. At this point, I could not walk to the mailbox without being out of breath.
And after. Not a great pic but its all I have that I wil post. about 210 here and a 34 in the waist.
Posted on 5/17/15 at 11:36 am to LanierSpots
Good job, like I said earlier I dropped 40 or 50 lbs by just cutting sodas and sweets. I'm working on eating better and I need to make myself start walking or riding a bike (about all my torn up knees will allow me to do) but I admit to having a bit of a lazy streak when not at work. I also have sleep issues but that shouldn't be an excuse to not exercise more.
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