[stoomc]

Hi all,

I am basically looking for some positive stories and a pick me up!
I have spent a few hours on the net looking at miserable "studies" and horror stories about people that have lost weight to then gain it all back because of "set points" etc.
It's a real shame because it has put me on a bit of a downer and I now don't feel quite so excited about my weight loss.
I am under the mind thought that when I get to my goal weight that it doesn't just stop there and it isn't a diet but a lifestyle choice- I will continue to watch what I eat and exercise regulary.
However, do a quick search on Google and it is filled with nothing but doom and gloom after people have reached their goal weight.

So what is everyones thoughts? Have these people reverted back to a diet of crap, or is there such a thing as "set point" which works againts your hardwork and makes keeping the weight off incredibly hard?

I'm really doing a good job, and have been since before Christmas, but I am desperately in need of some success stories. E.g does anyone know of friends/ family that have lost weight AGES ago and still kept it off?

I hope I don't bring others down, but I am just having a really crap day and in need of reassurance

Thanks

[mr ooops]

heres a positive storey for you, about 3 years ago a work colleague decided he was going to loose weight, get fitter etc, was close on 20 stone, now in 2 years he lost 10 stone, a year on from that he is still 10 stone, still eats sensible and exercises, as long as when you reach your target goal you still eat/exercise sensibly then you will keep the weight off, but if you reach your target and then revert back to old habbits it will come back,

[stoomc]

Originally Posted by mr ooops

heres a positive storey for you, about 3 years ago a work colleague decided he was going to loose weight, get fitter etc, was close on 20 stone, now in 2 years he lost 10 stone, a year on from that he is still 10 stone, still eats sensible and exercises, as long as when you reach your target goal you still eat/exercise sensibly then you will keep the weight off, but if you reach your target and then revert back to old habbits it will come back,

Thanks
That's a great story! He has done so well- halved himself. Is he below average height? That's quite a low weight is it not?
I went on a diet a few year ago and went down to 10 stone and everyone was worried about my weight, however the scales in Boots still said I was slightly overweight, lol!

[mr ooops]

he is about 5' 11 , and its an incredible achievment, he was very over weight to start with, looking at him, id say 11 stone would be better weight for him, but he's happy with what he weighs.

[mr ooops]

as for boots weights, last time i weighed myself at boots, it said i was obese!! 6'5 and 90kg......

oh and stay away from internet doom and gloom stories, if your happy with the progress your making and you know its a lifestyle change, you will succeed

[stoomc]

Originally Posted by mr ooops

as for boots weights, last time i weighed myself at boots, it said i was obese!! 6'5 and 90kg......

oh and stay away from internet doom and gloom stories, if your happy with the progress your making and you know its a lifestyle change, you will succeed

I know
I am just having one of those days that I am not doing much so have had one of those days just reading and reading and making myself feel awful.

Thanks very much

[GBDG1]

If you're worried about reverting when you reach your goal - set a harder goal! Continuing to improve yourself is an uphill struggle, you not only have to fight yourself but also those around you.

I've never really understood it when people who are 4 stone overweight set out to lose 2 stone. When i was 5 stone overweight, i set out to lose every bit of body fat i possibly could - which is basically 5 stone.

Sure, i set smaller targets along the way, but it's a lot easier to motivate myself thinking "i want to look like Ryan Reynolds" than it is to think "i want to be average"

The more dramatically you transform yourself, the better it gets, and the easier it is to stay motivated.

[stoomc]

Originally Posted by GBDG1

If you're worried about reverting when you reach your goal - set a harder goal! Continuing to improve yourself is an uphill struggle, you not only have to fight yourself but also those around you.

I've never really understood it when people who are 4 stone overweight set out to lose 2 stone. When i was 5 stone overweight, i set out to lose every bit of body fat i possibly could - which is basically 5 stone.

Sure, i set smaller targets along the way, but it's a lot easier to motivate myself thinking "i want to look like Ryan Reynolds" than it is to think "i want to be average"

That's what I intend to do. My main focus at the moment is to lose all of the weight and then go from there.
I mainly do cardio, but I also introduced a kettlebell workout last week and really enjoying it. Weights will be my primary workout after I am at goal weight.

Thanks

[GBDG1]

Originally Posted by stooshee

That's what I intend to do. My main focus at the moment is to lose all of the weight and then go from there.
I mainly do cardio, but I also introduced a kettlebell workout last week and really enjoying it. Weights will be my primary workout after I am at goal weight.

Honestly, you should be much more certain in yourself. If you want to have a six pack, you can achieve that. If you want to be skinny, you can be skinny. Decide what you want from your body and focus on it. Then you only have to do two things, eat the right things and do the right training.

Today i've had an excellent day. I ate perfectly, did my cardio, took my supplimemts, did my stretching, did my weights session - all good sets to failure - and did my kettle bells and crossfit stuff too. If i've done all that today, then i 100% know i can do it tomorrow, and if i do all that for the next 2 months then the results will be amazing.

I just tell myself these tjings again and again, and it keeps me going.

[stoomc]

Originally Posted by GBDG1

Honestly, you should be much more certain in yourself. If you want to have a six pack, you can achieve that. If you want to be skinny, you can be skinny. Decide what you want from your body and focus on it. Then you only have to do two things, eat the right things and do the right training.

Today i've had an excellent day. I ate perfectly, did my cardio, took my supplimemts, did my stretching, did my weights session - all good sets to failure - and did my kettle bells and crossfit stuff too. If i've done all that today, then i 100% know i can do it tomorrow, and if i do all that for the next 2 months then the results will be amazing.

I just tell myself these tjings again and again, and it keeps me going.

You are also doing that Kris Gethin as well aren't you? That looks tough so good on you.

What was you starting weight and what are you at now mate?

[sniffer66]

I've lost around 3 stone of fat in the last 3 years and kept it off. The trick for me is to keep creating new targets. I got my weight down to where I wanted it then decided I was a little skinny so am now working on putting some muscle on. After that it will be something else.


If you want it badly enough and you keep focused you can hit any target you like


EDIT: another great thing to do is log, track and photo everything. Its seriously motivating looking back at the puny weights and flabby photos you were on when you first started. When you have evidence how far you have come it really helps on the days you dont feel up to much

[stoomc]

Excellent! That's exactly what I want to hear. If it truly is down to ME then it honestly puts my mind at ease- I trust myself and have great willpower/ motivation.
Well done on the weight loss/ maintaining sniffer- that's about the same weight loss I am trying to achieve in total at the moment!

So I take it none of you guys are believing in something like a "set-point" and all agree that it is purely down to the individual just not maintaining their healthy lifestyle once a target weight was achieved?

[sniffer66]

I honestly think a lot of people rebound because they hit their targets , then relax, dont set any new ones and just pile it back on. I also think those people who shy away from resistance training are more prone to putting weight back on as they haven't maintained lean body mass. A decent mix of weights and cardio will keep everything ticking over nicely

[Foster]

Originally Posted by sniffer66

I honestly think a lot of people rebound because they hit their targets , then relax, dont set any new ones and just pile it back on. I also think those people who shy away from resistance training are more prone to putting weight back on as they haven't maintained lean body mass. A decent mix of weights and cardio will keep everything ticking over nicely

What sniffer said, I mean I'm new to it all only been doing it since the middle of march, but I've lost 22lb so far, I've had to change my lifestyle alot but for the better and really enjoy the gym :D

[GBDG1]

Originally Posted by stooshee

Excellent! That's exactly what I want to hear. If it truly is down to ME then it honestly puts my mind at ease- I trust myself and have great willpower/ motivation.
Well done on the weight loss/ maintaining sniffer- that's about the same weight loss I am trying to achieve in total at the moment!

So I take it none of you guys are believing in something like a "set-point" and all agree that it is purely down to the individual just not maintaining their healthy lifestyle once a target weight was achieved?

Sure it exists, because most people set out to achieve average results and therefore don't get anywhere much.

The number of times i hear "i'm a big guy, i'd look anorexic at under 15 stone" or "i don't want to look like a bodybuilder" or "i enjoy food, i can't live off rabbit food". All of the above make me mad.

1. I am actually a big guy, i could carry off 17 stone. People didn't think of me as fat, more chubby. I'd have to get to about 11.5 stone at 6ft 1 before looking skinny. People should weigh a lot less than tgey think.

2. Looking like a bodybuilder takes amounts of time, dedication, bodily sacrafice that very few people are willing to put in. It will not happen by accident, and even if you set out to achieve that, it's going to take 5 years of hard work.

3. I love food. Everyone i know loves food - i didn't end up overweight by eating broccoli and chickrn breast. But the reality is that i eat over 40 meals per week. Not every one of them can be interesting or lovely. You can't achieve results if you're always seeking gratifiation from food.

I'm pretty hardline on this stuff, but when i set out to lose weight 1 year ago, i had no intention of dabbling with it. Now, 5 stone of fat down, arms 3 inches bigger etc, i can tell you that every single sacrafice was worth it.

[stoomc]

Originally Posted by sniffer66

I honestly think a lot of people rebound because they hit their targets , then relax, dont set any new ones and just pile it back on. I also think those people who shy away from resistance training are more prone to putting weight back on as they haven't maintained lean body mass. A decent mix of weights and cardio will keep everything ticking over nicely

I introduced kettlebells last week as well (as well as running 3 x a week) and really enjoying it.
Quick question- I don't expect to gain muscle as I believe that is hard/ impossible while on a deficit, however is the purpose of doing strength exercise while on a deficit to maintain what you have?

Thanks for the help guys. I actually think I am doing everything right, I just want to get a healthier more educated mind as well.

[stoomc]

Originally Posted by GBDG1

Sure it exists, because most people set out to achieve average results and therefore don't get anywhere much.

The number of times i hear "i'm a big guy, i'd look anorexic at under 15 stone" or "i don't want to look like a bodybuilder" or "i enjoy food, i can't live off rabbit food". All of the above make me mad.

1. I am actually a big guy, i could carry off 17 stone. People didn't think of me as fat, more chubby. I'd have to get to about 11.5 stone at 6ft 1 before looking skinny. People should weigh a lot less than tgey think.

2. Looking like a bodybuilder takes amounts of time, dedication, bodily sacrafice that very few people are willing to put in. It will not happen by accident, and even if you set out to achieve that, it's going to take 5 years of hard work.

3. I love food. Everyone i know loves food - i didn't end up overweight by eating broccoli and chickrn breast. But the reality is that i eat over 40 meals per week. Not every one of them can be interesting or lovely. You can't achieve results if you're always seeking gratifiation from food.

I'm pretty hardline on this stuff, but when i set out to lose weight 1 year ago, i had no intention of dabbling with it. Now, 5 stone of fat down, arms 3 inches bigger etc, i can tell you that every single sacrafice was worth it.

5 stone in a year is brilliant. Well done!
I am not counting calories (however I have a rough idea and I know I am on a deficit), I completely changed my lifestyle before Christmas and started exercising 3 x a week and the weight is coming off nicely. I eat out 1-2 a week... The way I see it is I am going to do now, what I am going to do for the rest of my life. The diet I am on just now is for life. If I cannot maintain a healthy weight on what I eat/ exercise then there is something far wrong! I am going to continue doing what I am doing just now and 1 day when I hit that equilibrium and I am happy with my weight, I imagine the next step will be to take the weights more seriously.
I am really enjoying it though.

[beastofrock]

Always set yourself new goals. I started the year at 19st 3lb with an aim to lose three stone all year. I hit that target within three months and have now lost just over 5 stone and weigh 14 stone. My goal now is to get down to around 13 stone and get my body fat down to 18% and then keep pushing myself to get down eventually to around 12% body fat maybe less. I have also set myself a goal of running the London marathon next year or any marathon of I don't get into the London.

One Day I will have the body of Ryan gosling

[DanTheManc]

Originally Posted by beastofrock

Always set yourself new goals. I started the year at 19st 3lb with an aim to lose three stone all year. I hit that target within three months and have now lost just over 5 stone and weigh 14 stone. My goal now is to get down to around 13 stone and get my body fat down to 18% and then keep pushing myself to get down eventually to around 12% body fat maybe less. I have also set myself a goal of running the London marathon next year or any marathon of I don't get into the London.

One Day I will have the body of Ryan gosling

Wow.

Congratulations. You, your family and your friends must be very proud.

[sniffer66]

Originally Posted by stooshee

Quick question- I don't expect to gain muscle as I believe that is hard/ impossible while on a deficit, however is the purpose of doing strength exercise while on a deficit to maintain what you have?

.

Yes it is. If you use your muscles regularly your body will do its best to maintain them. Making sure you get enough protein in your diet to help build and repair muscle will also help

What often happens when people yoyo diet is that they go on a massive cut by just dieting, lose BOTH fat and muscle, then they put a load of weight back on but because they lost muscle initially their body fat percentage is much higher then before they started dieting. So they end up in an even worse position. The best way to create a calorie deficit is to eat less and exercise more. Dieting on its own is a poor solution to weight gain and will more often than not end up in failure

Muscle burns more calories and looks a damn sight better than fat so weight training to maintain or build muscle is a win/win situation

[nwgarratt]

It simply comes down to not eating more than you burn in a day. Once in a while is ok for treats or special occasions. I use this site to work out what the calories are for sedentary or with exercise. Using that as a basis, a person can keep the weight off. If exercising, eat back the estimated calories burned or will be on a deficit.

Fat 2 Fit Radio » BMR

[zerpico]

Simple one.. 23 stone 4 years ago, 14.9 stone now and doing the Ironman UK in July 2012 (Completed the Slateman Triathlon on Sunday which was hell on earth!)

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by zerpico

Simple one.. 23 stone 4 years ago, 14.9 stone now and doing the Ironman UK in July 2012 (Completed the Slateman Triathlon on Sunday which was hell on earth!)

Impressive.

[sniffer66]

Originally Posted by zerpico

Simple one.. 23 stone 4 years ago, 14.9 stone now and doing the Ironman UK in July 2012 (Completed the Slateman Triathlon on Sunday which was hell on earth!)

Good for you mate - love reading stories like that

[GBDG1]

Originally Posted by zerpico

Simple one.. 23 stone 4 years ago, 14.9 stone now and doing the Ironman UK in July 2012 (Completed the Slateman Triathlon on Sunday which was hell on earth!)

Nice one mate - can you provide a bit more detail about training? How much you do now and how long you've been training hard for?

I quite fancy trying my hand at tri's and eventually Iron man. At various points I've been good enough at each individual sport, but I've never trained all 3 at once.

p.s. if the Slateman tri was hell, how you gonna get on with an Ironman - it's 4x as far!

[zerpico]

It was not the distance that was the issue. Swim was fine, bike a bit hilly but I am fine on the bike. The run was 7miles. The first mile was a 600ft climb up a slate quarry!! It was also a trail run, which is not really my thing. If it had been flat it would be fine.

Weight loss was stop drinking ! You do not need a crazy diet, just watch what you eat.

Training right now is very specific, tomorrow is a 5hr bike (Bolton>Blackpool and back) then 20min run straight after. That is not what I would normally do for general fitness.

Greater good and all ! So if you feel like sponsoring me on my Ironman quest I am doing it for SCOPE! Clicky


Also due to all this I ended up in my new career as a Swimming Instructor, which I absolutely love!

[stoomc]

Originally Posted by e1usive

Was 19 stone, now 15 and ripped, been cutting and bulking for 17 months, take my advice, don't do cardio.

Why do you say that?

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by e1usive

Was 19 stone, now 15 and ripped, been cutting and bulking for 17 months, take my advice, don't do cardio.

Why?

[zerpico]

Cardio is sooooo important! You do not have to hammer it, but keep it up.

[nwgarratt]

I would probably not have lost all the weight I have without cardio