Otis fad diet thread — yoga, fasting, and kevzilla walking on🚶‍♂️ (1 Viewer)

[GregR]

Full rest day today and I'm already feeling twitchy as I normally get in a morning workout by now. Think I might go hit a mall for a walk when it opens. Though I had to stop daily walks earlier as my knee started to flare up.

Down 3 more pounds since I came back into the thread. 36 lost total, 45 to go for my target.

 

[krista4]

What happened to @krista4? Did she forsake us!?

Sorry, just not around here at all as much as I used to be. Right now I'm on a new "lose weight and get in better shape again" plan for a lot of reasons, including a hiking trip in Sicily in September. I have a long way to go to be ready. Picking up the yoga and walking again, and then will ease my way into hiking again.

 

[GregR]

What happened to @krista4? Did she forsake us!?

Sorry, just not around here at all as much as I used to be. Right now I'm on a new "lose weight and get in better shape again" plan for a lot of reasons, including a hiking trip in Sicily in September. I have a long way to go to be ready. Picking up the yoga and walking again, and then will ease my way into hiking again.

This makes me very happy to read! Good luck with it, keep us updated!

 

[krista4]

What happened to @krista4? Did she forsake us!?

Sorry, just not around here at all as much as I used to be. Right now I'm on a new "lose weight and get in better shape again" plan for a lot of reasons, including a hiking trip in Sicily in September. I have a long way to go to be ready. Picking up the yoga and walking again, and then will ease my way into hiking again.

This makes me very happy to read! Good luck with it, keep us updated!

Thank you! Nice to see that you're back in the thread. I'll try to check in here more.

 

[kevzilla]

Taking more days off than I would prefer. My heels are messing with me a little. I'm sure everything will be fine when I go to Vegas on Thursday and start logging 15K steps a day

 

[GregR]

Little set back. I came down with something last night that wiped out my digestive tract pretty much. Don't know it was anything I ate unless my roast beef I've had the previous 4 days suddenly spoiled overnight.

Had gone to a mall for a 2.4 mile walk on my rest day, nurse friend said stomach bugs are going around so could have caught it there. Tried some Gatorade a bit ago but it didn't stay in my system long. So guess I get back to back rest days. Hopefully better tomorrow.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Little set back. I came down with something last night that wiped out my digestive tract pretty much. Don't know it was anything I ate unless my roast beef I've had the previous 4 days suddenly spoiled overnight.

Had gone to a mall for a 2.4 mile walk on my rest day, nurse friend said stomach bugs are going around so could have caught it there. Tried some Gatorade a bit ago but it didn't stay in my system long. So guess I get back to back rest days. Hopefully better tomorrow.

As we age these damn set backs are more common. For me, the patience to allow my body to recover is the hardest and most necessary part of my regime. Listening to my body and trusting what it’s telling me is a big focus for me these days. I’m resting today because my body is telling me to.

 

[GregR]

Little set back. I came down with something last night that wiped out my digestive tract pretty much. Don't know it was anything I ate unless my roast beef I've had the previous 4 days suddenly spoiled overnight.

Had gone to a mall for a 2.4 mile walk on my rest day, nurse friend said stomach bugs are going around so could have caught it there. Tried some Gatorade a bit ago but it didn't stay in my system long. So guess I get back to back rest days. Hopefully better tomorrow.

As we age these damn set backs are more common. For me, the patience to allow my body to recover is the hardest and most necessary part of my regime. Listening to my body and trusting what it’s telling me is a big focus for me these days. I’m resting today because my body is telling me to.

Good on you, definitely listen to your body. Yeah I've been making sure to take rest days, and if something starts to nag at me I'll change up to give it time to rest.

 

[GregR]

Made it through the stomach virus. Lost 9 lbs in 2 days not in the good way. Rehydrating back up the last 2 days and ended up with a net 2 pounds lost during it.

Got another InBody measurement to compare to one two weeks ago. Hydration is back. 8.4 lbs net loss, but a lot of it was muscle with having zero to miniscule calories for a few days when I couldn't hold anything down.

Recalculated my calories and exercise and going to up my calories in general on days I'm doing cardio, don't think I've been getting enough, even apart from the sickness.

 

[GregR]

Saw this and immediately thought of ya'll.

 

[krista4]

Saw this and immediately thought of ya'll.

Unfortunately I'm more the second one now.

We have happy hour plans tomorrow, but Tuesday will start a re-commitment to healthy eating and living. I think I'll post here for accountability.

Tuesday, April 16 weight: some ungodly amount

 

[GregR]

So I tried upping my calories to not lose quite so fast (was losing 3-4 lbs a week lately). Going based on just Fitbit calories for weight training and spinning sessions on exercise bike. Also had the stomach bug mess me up during that stretch. Well I ended up gaining back like 3-5 pounds though it was probably mostly temporary weight.

I cut back again, I'm back down to my previous low (247). I'm going to cut the Fitbit calorie reading in half (as an amount to increase calories) and see if that works better.

Other news, which is incredibly good. I hit 6.3 on the A1C in Nov/Dec (5.7 to 6.4 is pre-diabetic, 6.5 is diabetic) which is what again started me on this weight loss path. Had a home test in March, 6.1. Since it reflects 3 months it went back to December, while I started dieting in January and not exercising until mid Feb.

Did one today that would reflect dieting in January and 2 months of exercise, and 39 lbs lost. Dropped to 5.7! Right on the border for pre-diabetic now. A little bit more and I'll be back in the normal reference range.

Having eye surgery on Wednesday that is going to keep me from exercising for a few days at least, but hoping to just get it done with diet over that stretch.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

So I tried upping my calories to not lose quite so fast (was losing 3-4 lbs a week lately). Going based on just Fitbit calories for weight training and spinning sessions on exercise bike. Also had the stomach bug mess me up during that stretch. Well I ended up gaining back like 3-5 pounds though it was probably mostly temporary weight.

I cut back again, I'm back down to my previous low (247). I'm going to cut the Fitbit calorie reading in half (as an amount to increase calories) and see if that works better.

Other news, which is incredibly good. I hit 6.3 on the A1C in Nov/Dec (5.7 to 6.4 is pre-diabetic, 6.5 is diabetic) which is what again started me on this weight loss path. Had a home test in March, 6.1. Since it reflects 3 months it went back to December, while I started dieting in January and not exercising until mid Feb.

Did one today that would reflect dieting in January and 2 months of exercise, and 39 lbs lost. Dropped to 5.7! Right on the border for pre-diabetic now. A little bit more and I'll be back in the normal reference range.

Having eye surgery on Wednesday that is going to keep me from exercising for a few days at least, but hoping to just get it done with diet over that stretch.

Awesome!

 

[krista4]

I walked three miles, with lots of steep hills, and did about an hour of gardening today. A couple of years ago I'd be embarrassed to admit to doing so little, but I'm really out of shape, so baby steps. Baby steps. Tomorrow I'm going to do my first weigh-in. Pray for me.

 

[krista4]

Good news: ate well and did 20 minutes of yoga today. No booze.
Bad news: my weigh-in was even more horrifying than I imagined it would be.

Hunkering down and taking this seriously again.

 

[kevzilla]

It's been a week since I got back from Vegas, so I'm going to roll out into the neighborhood at lunch today. What a draaaag it is, getting old....

 

[krista4]

I don't think I like this "weigh every day" thing and am going back to once a week. Today I weighed 0.2 pounds more than yesterday. Pissed me off. Did another steep-hill walk and ate well with no booze. Will probably gain weight.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I don't think I like this "weigh every day" thing and am going back to once a week. Today I weighed 0.2 pounds more than yesterday. Pissed me off. Did another steep-hill walk and ate well with no booze. Will probably gain weight.

H@ng in there.

 

[3C's]

I don't think I like this "weigh every day" thing and am going back to once a week. Today I weighed 0.2 pounds more than yesterday. Pissed me off. Did another steep-hill walk and ate well with no booze. Will probably gain weight.

I think about that sometimes, weighing every day while (trying to) drop weight, and I know for me that while it can be discouraging to put on weight instead, even a little, it pisses me off too and makes me push even harder.

 

[Tecumseh]

*sigh* Back on the weight loss roller coaster… last summer I was down to 218, then let everything go to hell and ballooned back up. 242.4 last Monday. 238.6 on Saturday. Cheated pretty hard for Easter. 241.0 this morning.

This time around, I’m focusing on increasing protein. Still struggling to achieve 1g per lb of target weight, but my intake is definitely higher. Primary goal is sub-200lbs. Secondary goal is to be able to do a true pull up. Idk if I’ve ever been able to do that.

I’ll be weight training minimum 3x week, with some cardio mixed in periodically. Mostly trying to maintain muscle, but lose the fat via diet.

One full month in the books- sitting at 231.8, so 10.4lbs gone. Been lifting 4 days/week, and I’m noticing maybe a little growth in my chest and biceps. I’ve been doing assisted pull ups, and have been able to lower the assistance weight from 75 to 50lbs.
I know I’m still not getting enough protein, but in my case calorie deficit is more important. I’m eating twice a day, usually around 1pm and 7pm.
This weekend will not be helpful, since I’m staying with a friend and going to 2 baseball games, but I’m going to try not to go off the rails too badly.

 

[GregR]

So no lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs, no bending over (squat to pick up things)... for a month. Definitely will cut into my exercise.

Can go for walks. Which my twice-scoped knee can handle about a week of walks of a couple of miles each day before it starts hurting. So yeah, going to try to mostly manage calories, and throw in a few walks but try not to overdo it.

Then soon as this eye is good and have confident I'm not going to lose vision to an infection or something, will be time to do the other eye and go through the same. So going to be a prolonged break from exercise. :(

 

[DA RAIDERS]

So no lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs, no bending over (squat to pick up things)... for a month. Definitely will cut into my exercise.

Can go for walks. Which my twice-scoped knee can handle about a week of walks of a couple of miles each day before it starts hurting. So yeah, going to try to mostly manage calories, and throw in a few walks but try not to overdo it.

Then soon as this eye is good and have confident I'm not going to lose vision to an infection or something, will be time to do the other eye and go through the same. So going to be a prolonged break from exercise. :(

Go crazy focused on diet

 

[krista4]

Down 1.5 pounds over the past two days. Going in the right direction. Couldn't get out to walk today due to high winds and rain, so I did a difficult yoga practice that I'll regret tomorrow.

 

[GregR]

*sigh* Back on the weight loss roller coaster… last summer I was down to 218, then let everything go to hell and ballooned back up. 242.4 last Monday. 238.6 on Saturday. Cheated pretty hard for Easter. 241.0 this morning.

This time around, I’m focusing on increasing protein. Still struggling to achieve 1g per lb of target weight, but my intake is definitely higher. Primary goal is sub-200lbs. Secondary goal is to be able to do a true pull up. Idk if I’ve ever been able to do that.

I’ll be weight training minimum 3x week, with some cardio mixed in periodically. Mostly trying to maintain muscle, but lose the fat via diet.

One full month in the books- sitting at 231.8, so 10.4lbs gone. Been lifting 4 days/week, and I’m noticing maybe a little growth in my chest and biceps. I’ve been doing assisted pull ups, and have been able to lower the assistance weight from 75 to 50lbs.
I know I’m still not getting enough protein, but in my case calorie deficit is more important. I’m eating twice a day, usually around 1pm and 7pm.
This weekend will not be helpful, since I’m staying with a friend and going to 2 baseball games, but I’m going to try not to go off the rails too badly.

You rock, Tecumseh, keep up the good work!

I'd suggest protein shakes to up your protein without adding a lot of calories. The Gold Standard double chocolate is pretty good, GNC carries it. 24g protein for 120 calories each, 96 of which are the protein. Two of those a day, 240 calories isn't too hard to find somewhere else you can cut. Or throw in a 2 mile walk each day to offset them.

Protein bars are often double the the calories but half the protein compared to a shake, so I only use them for an energy boost, not for upping protein.

 

[GregR]

Did the InBody machine again.

Compared to a month ago, 10.4 lbs lost. 3.6 lb water loss + 1.5 lb muscle loss + 5.3 lbs body fat loss. That is 14% of weight loss is muscle, which I believe is extremely good. Only having 25% of your weight loss be muscle is considered good.

Compared to 2 weeks ago after the stomach virus ravaged me, I actually put back on 0.3 lbs of muscle and 1.5 lbs of water, and lost 3.8 lbs of fat. 2 lbs net change.

Percent body fat, today compared to a month ago, dropped by 0.6%.

 

[Tecumseh]

*sigh* Back on the weight loss roller coaster… last summer I was down to 218, then let everything go to hell and ballooned back up. 242.4 last Monday. 238.6 on Saturday. Cheated pretty hard for Easter. 241.0 this morning.

This time around, I’m focusing on increasing protein. Still struggling to achieve 1g per lb of target weight, but my intake is definitely higher. Primary goal is sub-200lbs. Secondary goal is to be able to do a true pull up. Idk if I’ve ever been able to do that.

I’ll be weight training minimum 3x week, with some cardio mixed in periodically. Mostly trying to maintain muscle, but lose the fat via diet.

One full month in the books- sitting at 231.8, so 10.4lbs gone. Been lifting 4 days/week, and I’m noticing maybe a little growth in my chest and biceps. I’ve been doing assisted pull ups, and have been able to lower the assistance weight from 75 to 50lbs.
I know I’m still not getting enough protein, but in my case calorie deficit is more important. I’m eating twice a day, usually around 1pm and 7pm.
This weekend will not be helpful, since I’m staying with a friend and going to 2 baseball games, but I’m going to try not to go off the rails too badly.

You rock, Tecumseh, keep up the good work!

I'd suggest protein shakes to up your protein without adding a lot of calories. The Gold Standard double chocolate is pretty good, GNC carries it. 24g protein for 120 calories each, 96 of which are the protein. Two of those a day, 240 calories isn't too hard to find somewhere else you can cut. Or throw in a 2 mile walk each day to offset them.

Protein bars are often double the the calories but half the protein compared to a shake, so I only use them for an energy boost, not for upping protein.

I’ve been using the Core Power 42g variety after each work out. They’re a little pricey, so I pulled the trigger on a case of them from amazon yesterday.

 

[Tecumseh]

*sigh* Back on the weight loss roller coaster… last summer I was down to 218, then let everything go to hell and ballooned back up. 242.4 last Monday. 238.6 on Saturday. Cheated pretty hard for Easter. 241.0 this morning.

This time around, I’m focusing on increasing protein. Still struggling to achieve 1g per lb of target weight, but my intake is definitely higher. Primary goal is sub-200lbs. Secondary goal is to be able to do a true pull up. Idk if I’ve ever been able to do that.

I’ll be weight training minimum 3x week, with some cardio mixed in periodically. Mostly trying to maintain muscle, but lose the fat via diet.

One full month in the books- sitting at 231.8, so 10.4lbs gone. Been lifting 4 days/week, and I’m noticing maybe a little growth in my chest and biceps. I’ve been doing assisted pull ups, and have been able to lower the assistance weight from 75 to 50lbs.
I know I’m still not getting enough protein, but in my case calorie deficit is more important. I’m eating twice a day, usually around 1pm and 7pm.
This weekend will not be helpful, since I’m staying with a friend and going to 2 baseball games, but I’m going to try not to go off the rails too badly.

Another week down- 229.8, so 13lbs total.

This little adventure has evolved into a personal challenge; 52x52. Goal is to lose 52lbs by the time I turn 52 in December. Need to average 6lbs/month, which is realistic and doable. May even start a TikTok account to document along the way.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

*sigh* Back on the weight loss roller coaster… last summer I was down to 218, then let everything go to hell and ballooned back up. 242.4 last Monday. 238.6 on Saturday. Cheated pretty hard for Easter. 241.0 this morning.

This time around, I’m focusing on increasing protein. Still struggling to achieve 1g per lb of target weight, but my intake is definitely higher. Primary goal is sub-200lbs. Secondary goal is to be able to do a true pull up. Idk if I’ve ever been able to do that.

I’ll be weight training minimum 3x week, with some cardio mixed in periodically. Mostly trying to maintain muscle, but lose the fat via diet.

One full month in the books- sitting at 231.8, so 10.4lbs gone. Been lifting 4 days/week, and I’m noticing maybe a little growth in my chest and biceps. I’ve been doing assisted pull ups, and have been able to lower the assistance weight from 75 to 50lbs.
I know I’m still not getting enough protein, but in my case calorie deficit is more important. I’m eating twice a day, usually around 1pm and 7pm.
This weekend will not be helpful, since I’m staying with a friend and going to 2 baseball games, but I’m going to try not to go off the rails too badly.

Another week down- 229.8, so 13lbs total.

This little adventure has evolved into a personal challenge; 52x52. Goal is to lose 52lbs by the time I turn 52 in December. Need to average 6lbs/month, which is realistic and doable. May even start a TikTok account to document along the way.

Love it!

 

[DA RAIDERS]

13 gym visits in April. Measured my body fat for S&G I’m at 19.7

 

[kevzilla]

Had my annual physical Wednesday, got all the results today. The EKG was fine, but not much else.

 

[DocHolliday]

Had my annual physical Wednesday, got all the results today. The EKG was fine, but not much else.

Good luck in improving your health. It is an important mission.

 

[GregR]

Going it with calorie control and walks. Had an 8 day plateau then lost 5 lbs in 5 days. Another 6 day plateau and then lost 2 lbs the last 2 days. Down 47 pounds total. 34 left to go to first target.

Eating about 1300 calories and then half of what Fitbit says I burned on my walks. Got up to 2.75 mile walks. But bad knee is cranky. Slightly swollen and dull ache. Saw orthopedist and got an MRI to see if it needs to be cleaned out again. Been 8 years since the last time. Waiting to hear back results, skipped walk to rest the knee today.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I’m about two months away from it being two years since I started weight training. I’m pretty happy with my progress.

My gym is a little weird. It’s all group classes of “metabolic conditioning.” Essentially weight lifting at pace. And we don’t have barbells or benches or squat racks. But I can make some educated guesses about where I am.

The first time I tried to do a dumbbell chest press off a medicine ball, I ended up tumbling off the ball with 55 lb dumbbells. Today, I can do 10 reps with a pair of 110 lb dumbbells and five with 120 pounders. I can rep out Romanian Deadlifts holding two 150 lb kettlebells. I can strict military press two 75 lb dumbbells and do a push press with two 90s. I can front squat with two 100 lb dumbbells front racked.

There is maybe one other guy over 50 in the gym who can lift what I do. Most of the guys doing the weights I do are in their 30s.

I still hate cardio. I should still lose 30 to 40 lbs. But I have recomped something like 30 to 35 lbs of fat into muscle without dieting. Yeah, TRT has helped, but I’ve gone 5 times a week pretty much without fail for 20 months. The work becomes a habit.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I’m about two months away from it being two years since I started weight training. I’m pretty happy with my progress.

My gym is a little weird. It’s all group classes of “metabolic conditioning.” Essentially weight lifting at pace. And we don’t have barbells or benches or squat racks. But I can make some educated guesses about where I am.

The first time I tried to do a dumbbell chest press off a medicine ball, I ended up tumbling off the ball with 55 lb dumbbells. Today, I can do 10 reps with a pair of 110 lb dumbbells and five with 120 pounders. I can rep out Romanian Deadlifts holding two 150 lb kettlebells. I can strict military press two 75 lb dumbbells and do a push press with two 90s. I can front squat with two 100 lb dumbbells front racked.

There is maybe one other guy over 50 in the gym who can lift what I do. Most of the guys doing the weights I do are in their 30s.

I still hate cardio. I should still lose 30 to 40 lbs. But I have recomped something like 30 to 35 lbs of fat into muscle without dieting. Yeah, TRT has helped, but I’ve gone 5 times a week pretty much without fail for 20 months. The work becomes a habit.

Impressive. I don’t even try to go heavy anymore.

 

[Chadstroma]

I have been struggling a while with my weight. I had lost a lot of weight several years ago, right before COVID, where I was on a doctor supervised low carb diet and successfully got in the habit of exercise. The low carb diet was something I was able to stick to (more insight on that later) however, I started having what was diagnosed as gout attacks and even had two rounds of kidney stones. Without any doubt these were directly affected by my low carb diet. With both of them in discussions with Doctors about it, I was give a list of foods to avoid.... for both it was basically my entire diet. Now, to be fair, I don't think I was nearly enough hydrated which is also a big factor but clearly there was a direct link in that though I had had gout attacks in the past they were very rare. As well as never having kidney stones before.

I went back to the doctor and told him along the lines of "We need to change what we are doing" and he went on for a bit but then asked me "Do you want to die or do you want pain?" This pissed me off because that can't be the only two options. I stopped seeing him and decided I would get through the holidays and then find another place to work with.... then COVID hit. I stopped working out and eventually fell into old habits and gained all the weight back.

I have been trying for a long time to lose weight. Tracking my eating, limiting my calories and/or structuring my meals and a bunch of things... they all failed. I even got put on Ozempic because I was knocking on the door of being pre-diabetic as well as it being useful to lose weight. It had some impact but really not.

One thing I have not wanted to do was looking at some form of surgery to assist. It just wasn't an option I wanted to consider as I have seen people do it and either have complications or end up gaining the weight back or whatever. But, I felt defeated. I felt like I was weak willed and a failure. A loser. Why can't I just not eat at night? So many others are able to do so... why not me? My wife has come out of cancer treatment and that means we have met our family plan so basically any medical things I do are covered 100%. This has worked for the Ozempic as my insurance normally will not cover it. I went to refill early this year and it came out as $950. I said, no thanks, I will be back in a couple of weeks once all the other bills came in. With this all in mind, I set an appointment with my doctor to begin looking into surgery options as if I was going to do it, financially, it made sense to do it this year.

At the appointment, as we discussed everything, I expressed to him that the thing that seemed to always make all the attempts to lose weight before was that I would have cravings after dinner. It was this that I could not control. My will power would falter eventually, and I would give in. The reason why the low carb diet worked was when I had those cravings, I would go to town on some cashews, pistachios, and broccoli with hummus as my usual go to's (all of which are on the gout and kidney avoid food lists). This would satisfy the craving and I kept in line with my limited carbs for the day even if I added calories. Thus the diet 'worked'. When I explained that he thought for a moment (I love my doctor, he listens, takes his time and is very good... I think he loses some patients because I know if my appointment is at 1pm, I won't see him until like 3pm or later because he gets backed up.... and that is because again, he takes his time). He then told me that there was a medication called Contrave. It is often given to addicts in recovery. He wrote me a prescription and also put in to have scheduling set up the consultation process for bariatric surgery. I started to take Contrave and OH MY GOD.... what a difference! The cravings are gone. I still have found myself going to the fridge at night but I think that is more habit than anything and I am able to willpower it down. I haven't been exactly following a specific diet but I end up having one meal a day with a smaller portion than I use to have and then no nearly uncontrollable urges at night to raid the pantry or fridge. I haven't really been weighing myself but I did today. I am down 20 pounds from my heaviest. I don't know how much I have lost how fast as again, I was not doing weigh ins but knowing that over time I have dropped that is very encouraging. I have tried to drink or eat a meal replacement for the meals I am not eating but sometimes I forget or really just don't want to but I do make sure I have at least one and then whatever meal I have.

For me, the Ozempic and Contrave have helped me. Starting Contrave has given me great insight in that though it wasn't the only factor, the big failure in my weight was something that wasn't just being weak willed. The cravings would be intense and now that I look back on it, different from regular hunger pains, and that true addiction to the food was a hard fight without help. There have been a couple of other areas where I have noticed differences and now realize that they too were based in a compulsive behavior, for example, social media. I would excuse it as important for me to get business but really that is an excuse. I am much more focused now and now wasting time on it. Coming from a family of addicts and never recognizing that I basically was addicted to food, it has given me great insight into the kind of struggles my family members have gone through with alcohol and drugs as alcohol had never been an issue for me.

I don't know about the Contrave but I do know that I basically have 7 months on the Ozempic before it will be cost prohibitive to continue on it. So, my goal is to use these as tools now to lose all or the majority of the weight I want to lose while I can. Hopefully coming off the Contrave, those cravings will not return like before but I will fight that battle another day.

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

 

[GregR]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

 

[massraider]

Going it with calorie control and walks. Had an 8 day plateau then lost 5 lbs in 5 days. Another 6 day plateau and then lost 2 lbs the last 2 days. Down 47 pounds total. 34 left to go to first target.

Eating about 1300 calories and then half of what Fitbit says I burned on my walks. Got up to 2.75 mile walks. But bad knee is cranky. Slightly swollen and dull ache. Saw orthopedist and got an MRI to see if it needs to be cleaned out again. Been 8 years since the last time. Waiting to hear back results, skipped walk to rest the knee today.

Cycling to reduce knee impact?

*not a doctor

 

[GregR]

Going it with calorie control and walks. Had an 8 day plateau then lost 5 lbs in 5 days. Another 6 day plateau and then lost 2 lbs the last 2 days. Down 47 pounds total. 34 left to go to first target.

Eating about 1300 calories and then half of what Fitbit says I burned on my walks. Got up to 2.75 mile walks. But bad knee is cranky. Slightly swollen and dull ache. Saw orthopedist and got an MRI to see if it needs to be cleaned out again. Been 8 years since the last time. Waiting to hear back results, skipped walk to rest the knee today.

Cycling to reduce knee impact?

*not a doctor

I was, but after eye surgery was told no exercise (other than a brisk walk), lifting over 10 lbs or even bending over for a month. Asked about the bike and she said no, too much swaying back and forth. That should be up next week, but then I only have about 3 weeks I can start up again before I'll go back in for the other eye to get done.

Heard back from orthopedist on the knee yesterday. Not the previously operated area, a new tear he said. Not a particularly big one, but in an area he said it gets felt a lot. So will take care of that once the eyes are done. Don't want to be stumbling around on crutches while the eyes are healing.

 

[fred_1_15301]

I’m about two months away from it being two years since I started weight training. I’m pretty happy with my progress.

My gym is a little weird. It’s all group classes of “metabolic conditioning.” Essentially weight lifting at pace. And we don’t have barbells or benches or squat racks. But I can make some educated guesses about where I am.

The first time I tried to do a dumbbell chest press off a medicine ball, I ended up tumbling off the ball with 55 lb dumbbells. Today, I can do 10 reps with a pair of 110 lb dumbbells and five with 120 pounders. I can rep out Romanian Deadlifts holding two 150 lb kettlebells. I can strict military press two 75 lb dumbbells and do a push press with two 90s. I can front squat with two 100 lb dumbbells front racked.

There is maybe one other guy over 50 in the gym who can lift what I do. Most of the guys doing the weights I do are in their 30s.

I still hate cardio. I should still lose 30 to 40 lbs. But I have recomped something like 30 to 35 lbs of fat into muscle without dieting. Yeah, TRT has helped, but I’ve gone 5 times a week pretty much without fail for 20 months. The work becomes a habit.

Wow you’re freaking strong! Nice work.

 

[Chadstroma]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

 

[GregR]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

While high protein diets promote weight loss and muscle retention, 30-35% caloric intake from protein is really high.

I’ve posted the study in the longevity thread, but anything over 10% (animal protein) has been associated with increased mortality in middle age.

 

[Chadstroma]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

While high protein diets promote weight loss and muscle retention, 30-35% caloric intake from protein is really high.

I’ve posted the study in the longevity thread, but anything over 10% (animal protein) has been associated with increased mortality in middle age.

But wouldn't the likely cause of that be for the other things meat do and not protein itself? I would wonder what a study would show that a large portion of that protein being from protein shakes like Greg and limiting red meat. It seems to me that the likely cause isn't protein itself.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

While high protein diets promote weight loss and muscle retention, 30-35% caloric intake from protein is really high.

I’ve posted the study in the longevity thread, but anything over 10% (animal protein) has been associated with increased mortality in middle age.

But wouldn't the likely cause of that be for the other things meat do and not protein itself? I would wonder what a study would show that a large portion of that protein being from protein shakes like Greg and limiting red meat. It seems to me that the likely cause isn't protein itself.

Read the longevity thread. Tons of protein discussion in there

 

[Chadstroma]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

While high protein diets promote weight loss and muscle retention, 30-35% caloric intake from protein is really high.

I’ve posted the study in the longevity thread, but anything over 10% (animal protein) has been associated with increased mortality in middle age.

But wouldn't the likely cause of that be for the other things meat do and not protein itself? I would wonder what a study would show that a large portion of that protein being from protein shakes like Greg and limiting red meat. It seems to me that the likely cause isn't protein itself.

Read the longevity thread. Tons of protein discussion in there

Who wants to live forever?

 

[Terminalxylem]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

While high protein diets promote weight loss and muscle retention, 30-35% caloric intake from protein is really high.

I’ve posted the study in the longevity thread, but anything over 10% (animal protein) has been associated with increased mortality in middle age.

But wouldn't the likely cause of that be for the other things meat do and not protein itself? I would wonder what a study would show that a large portion of that protein being from protein shakes like Greg and limiting red meat. It seems to me that the likely cause isn't protein itself.

It’s the animal protein, in part because animal protein contains greater density of amino acids triggering pathways of aging. But yes, meat (esp. red meat) contains other stuff that promotes disease as well.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

While high protein diets promote weight loss and muscle retention, 30-35% caloric intake from protein is really high.

I’ve posted the study in the longevity thread, but anything over 10% (animal protein) has been associated with increased mortality in middle age.

But wouldn't the likely cause of that be for the other things meat do and not protein itself? I would wonder what a study would show that a large portion of that protein being from protein shakes like Greg and limiting red meat. It seems to me that the likely cause isn't protein itself.

Read the longevity thread. Tons of protein discussion in there

Who wants to live forever?

The goal is to remain young as late as possible, ie. maximize healthspan.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

While high protein diets promote weight loss and muscle retention, 30-35% caloric intake from protein is really high.

I’ve posted the study in the longevity thread, but anything over 10% (animal protein) has been associated with increased mortality in middle age.

But wouldn't the likely cause of that be for the other things meat do and not protein itself? I would wonder what a study would show that a large portion of that protein being from protein shakes like Greg and limiting red meat. It seems to me that the likely cause isn't protein itself.

Read the longevity thread. Tons of protein discussion in there

Who wants to live forever?

The goal is to remain young as late as possible, ie. maximize healthspan.

I want to be as functional as I can be, as long as possible.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Next up... getting back into the gym on the regular. After that, maybe being more intentional on my food choices versus just smaller portions and less eating.

Great to hear you found something that's making a difference. Keep it up. Small changes add up when you keep them up over time.

If you have more issues with evening cravings, I've mentioned protein shakes making a big difference for me. I have 2 with lunch and 2 with dinner and I rarely am craving food in the evening. It's very noticeable the few days I don't have them. It digests slower and so helps limit them.

Man, that is a lot of protein, how much are you taking each day typically with those shakes and then whatever you eat?

Have seen that 25-35% of calories from protein can help you retain muscle as you're losing weight. I have been aiming for 30-35%. Above 40% is too much from what I've seen.

Today I'll end up with about 1600 calories, 136g of protein (4 cals each so 544 cals from protein). So 35% of calories from protein. The shakes are 24g of protein each and 120 calories. So they are 96g of my 136g of protein. I can't hit 35% without them unless I'm eating mostly meat.

A 1k cal deficit for me is about 1350 calories (enough to lose 2 lbs a week) not counting extra exercise. I did a 600 cal walk, I add about half back in as I found the full amount was too much. So 1650 is a good range for me to aim for so I'm right about there.

While high protein diets promote weight loss and muscle retention, 30-35% caloric intake from protein is really high.

I’ve posted the study in the longevity thread, but anything over 10% (animal protein) has been associated with increased mortality in middle age.

But wouldn't the likely cause of that be for the other things meat do and not protein itself? I would wonder what a study would show that a large portion of that protein being from protein shakes like Greg and limiting red meat. It seems to me that the likely cause isn't protein itself.

Read the longevity thread. Tons of protein discussion in there

Who wants to live forever?

The goal is to remain young as late as possible, ie. maximize healthspan.

I want to be as functional as I can be, as long as possible.

Yep.

If you as people “Would you like to be young forever?”, it’s a different answer than just surviving indefinitely.

 

[Chadstroma]

I didn't realize humor was absent today.