Sign me up. Gotta beat this metabolic syndrome.

(03-26-2015 06:33 PM)Marathon Blazer Wrote:  I'll do it too. Despite my screen name, I haven't been doing any marathons lately. Last one was a year ago. Haven't even done a half since November. I started the year at my highest weight ever, but I've lost 10-15 pounds already.

(03-27-2015 03:31 PM)Eagle4Christ Wrote:  Sign me up. Gotta beat this metabolic syndrome.

Done!

Count me in as well.

I have always lost very slowly and I'm sure I will not WIN anything, but looking at the bigger picture I think it will give me motivation to eat healthier. I need to lose more than probably anyone on this site especially all of these young guys and gals.

In 12 weeks.... is it realistic to be able to lose two pounds a week? I would love to be 24 pounds lighter and fit into smaller pants by the end of the challenge.

Last year my sister joined a weight loss challenge program on the internet, it was really unique. Everyone that wanted to participate had to sign a contract and when they joined the group they PAID into a Pay Pal account $10.00.

On the day/date it started they had to take a picture of themselves with a local newspaper, this verified the date, showed them on the scale and confirmed the reading on the scale and their weight. Everyone agreed to get on the scale the same day and they had to do the same routine each time (once a week take a picture that showed them with a local newspaper -for the date and the reading on the scale). I think there were about 1,000 participates and the top 10 winners all got money. I think it was like $5,000 for 1st and they paid down to 10 places. I'm sorry to report my Sister did not finish in the money, but she lost weight and met a few people on line that really motivated her to work hard and succeed.

I think your BIGGEST LOSSER Challenge is GREAT.

Anyway, with that said.... COUNT ME IN and GOOD LUCK to everyone!

(03-26-2015 06:33 PM)Marathon Blazer Wrote:  I'll do it too. Despite my screen name, I haven't been doing any marathons lately. Last one was a year ago. Haven't even done a half since November. I started the year at my highest weight ever, but I've lost 10-15 pounds already.

Count me in...since I challenged Marathon. I'm in the middle of my weight loss process, but can always use the extra motivation.

(03-27-2015 04:46 PM)ODU Oldtimer Wrote:  Count me in as well.

I have always lost very slowly and I'm sure I will not WIN anything, but looking at the bigger picture I think it will give me motivation to eat healthier. I need to lose more than probably anyone on this site especially all of these young guys and gals.

In 12 weeks.... is it realistic to be able to lose two pounds a week? I would love to be 24 pounds lighter and fit into smaller pants by the end of the challenge.

Last year my sister joined a weight loss challenge program on the internet, it was really unique. Everyone that wanted to participate had to sign a contract and when they joined the group they PAID into a Pay Pal account $10.00.

On the day/date it started they had to take a picture of themselves with a local newspaper, this verified the date, showed them on the scale and confirmed the reading on the scale and their weight. Everyone agreed to get on the scale the same day and they had to do the same routine each time (once a week take a picture that showed them with a local newspaper -for the date and the reading on the scale). I think there were about 1,000 participates and the top 10 winners all got money. I think it was like $5,000 for 1st and they paid down to 10 places. I'm sorry to report my Sister did not finish in the money, but she lost weight and met a few people on line that really motivated her to work hard and succeed.

I think your BIGGEST LOSSER Challenge is GREAT.

Anyway, with that said.... COUNT ME IN and GOOD LUCK to everyone!

(03-29-2015 04:30 PM)blazerjay Wrote:  

(03-26-2015 06:33 PM)Marathon Blazer Wrote:  I'll do it too. Despite my screen name, I haven't been doing any marathons lately. Last one was a year ago. Haven't even done a half since November. I started the year at my highest weight ever, but I've lost 10-15 pounds already.

Count me in...since I challenged Marathon. I'm in the middle of my weight loss process, but can always use the extra motivation.

Great, I'm glad we waited a little longer to start, we got quite a few more signups! Initial weigh-in is Tuesday!

(03-29-2015 06:08 PM)niusfactuary Wrote:  Great, I'm glad we waited a little longer to start, we got quite a few more signups! Initial weigh-in is Tuesday!

Sent my PM into niusfactuary with my 1st week weigh-in..... just wanted to wish everyone Good Luck. I hope we all have success and feel better at the conclusion of the BIGGEST LOSSER Weight loss challenge.

and my butt went and forgot to weigh in this morning before leaving work. I'll get it done when I get some and send it off..

Good luck to all!

Just curious if anyone has any trade secrets for increasing weight loss or maybe recommendations to help in our weight loss journey. Obviously we all know cutting back on our calorie intake and to add some activity to our daily routine or even an exercise plan HELPS. I’m looking for some insight from those that have been doing this for awhile and what they felt was a big help or even motivated them.

Just recently someone told me I NEED to increase my metabolism and they suggested the following. You should always have 4 oz of protein every day. "I eat a lot of chicken". Her second part of this metabolism booster strategy is for you to include vinegar in your diet. She recommended "Sauerkraut or Kosher Pickles” to help satisfy that need. I love pickles so that is easy for me to include in my diet ......on occasions. I'm not sure if this is just an old wives’ tale or if there is any truth to this statement? Wondering if anyone has every heard this before!

I have decide to count calories and I'm limiting myself to less than 1,000 calories in any given day and NO snacks or food after 9:00 pm

I also have a friend who turned me on to the “Orville Redenbacker Smart Pop Popcorn” ….it is only 15 calories a cup. The entire bag or boat is 6 cups, so if you eat the entire bag it is less than 100 calories. The same friend sprays the popcorn with "PAM SPRAY" which is 0 calories and it adds a little extra flavor.

Good luck to all heading into our second week!

In my opinion, one of the best tools for weight loss is a heart rate monitor. It allows you to help make sure that you are exercising within your target heart zone and provides a solid estimate as to how many calories you've been in an exercise session so that you know how many you can roughly consume in that day to stay within your weight-loss limits.

Avoiding food too close to bedtime is generally a good practice for avoiding late-night binging, but there's no physiologic basis for it somehow aiding in weight loss (or helping avoid gaining weight that you would not have otherwise gained). The rumor is that because your metabolic rate slows while you are asleep vs. when you're out and about, food that you eat before bed time is more likely to be converted to fat than food consumed during other times of the day, but that's not really the case. Another popular approach is eating multiple small meals throughout the day rather than one or two "big meals". In reality, the basis of the multiple small meals approach is that it helps you satisfied throughout the day so that you are less likely to overeat vs. eating one or two large meals when you are hungry. So really, the main benefit of most of the popular eating strategies is really to help avoid over-eating, since for many people, it's the volume of food consumed that causes weight problems more so than what they are eating. There is no food (or dietary supplement) that raises a person's baseline metabolism on its own.

The best way to lose weight really is to watch your caloric intake while adding a mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Building muscle mass will actually help increase your metabolic rate since the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn (even at rest). In my opinion, you can really eat most things as long as you make sure to do a commensurate amount of exercise. I try to aim for 1200-1400 calories per day. So if I eat 2400 calories in a day, I try to burn off approx. 1000 calories exercising (personally, I prefer spinning; I bought a spinner bike to use at home and pretty much go at it until the HRM says I've burned 1000 calories). It's also important not to get discouraged; some days you may overeat, skip exercise, or both. If so, just try to pick up the next day, or even a day after. Not to sound cliche, but weight loss really is more of a marathon than a sprint. There were times in the past where I would binge on exercise and meticulously healthy eating, but I would only be able to sustain that for a few days in a row before I would burn out and return to my old, less healthy ways. Losing weight really is more of a lifestyle; just do your best to exercise as often as possible while eating as mindfully as possible, and eventually the weight just starts to come off. Good luck!

My doctor has said that the worst thing you can do is eat too few calories as when you do, your body goes into "starvation mode", slowing down your metabolism to conserve what fat you have. For women, it is recommended to go no lower than 1000-1200 calories per day and for men, the recommendation is to go no lower than 1200-1500 in order to encourage safe weight loss. By watching my portion size and changing to a low carb, lean protein eating style, I've found it quite easy & satisfying to be in that 1000-1200 calorie range.

I also do not eat anything in the evenings later than 2 hours prior to bedtime. This has been an easy change as I no longer am hungry in the evenings since making the dietary changes & incorporating more frequent exercise into my lifestyle.

(04-07-2015 11:44 PM)MrSaturdayMorning Wrote:  In my opinion, one of the best tools for weight loss is a heart rate monitor. It allows you to help make sure that you are exercising within your target heart zone and provides a solid estimate as to how many calories you've been in an exercise session so that you know how many you can roughly consume in that day to stay within your weight-loss limits.

Avoiding food too close to bedtime is generally a good practice for avoiding late-night binging, but there's no physiologic basis for it somehow aiding in weight loss (or helping avoid gaining weight that you would not have otherwise gained). The rumor is that because your metabolic rate slows while you are asleep vs. when you're out and about, food that you eat before bed time is more likely to be converted to fat than food consumed during other times of the day, but that's not really the case. Another popular approach is eating multiple small meals throughout the day rather than one or two "big meals". In reality, the basis of the multiple small meals approach is that it helps you satisfied throughout the day so that you are less likely to overeat vs. eating one or two large meals when you are hungry. So really, the main benefit of most of the popular eating strategies is really to help avoid over-eating, since for many people, it's the volume of food consumed that causes weight problems more so than what they are eating. There is no food (or dietary supplement) that raises a person's baseline metabolism on its own.

The best way to lose weight really is to watch your caloric intake while adding a mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Building muscle mass will actually help increase your metabolic rate since the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn (even at rest). In my opinion, you can really eat most things as long as you make sure to do a commensurate amount of exercise. I try to aim for 1200-1400 calories per day. So if I eat 2400 calories in a day, I try to burn off approx. 1000 calories exercising (personally, I prefer spinning; I bought a spinner bike to use at home and pretty much go at it until the HRM says I've burned 1000 calories). It's also important not to get discouraged; some days you may overeat, skip exercise, or both. If so, just try to pick up the next day, or even a day after. Not to sound cliche, but weight loss really is more of a marathon than a sprint. There were times in the past where I would binge on exercise and meticulously healthy eating, but I would only be able to sustain that for a few days in a row before I would burn out and return to my old, less healthy ways. Losing weight really is more of a lifestyle; just do your best to exercise as often as possible while eating as mindfully as possible, and eventually the weight just starts to come off. Good luck!

Great post and thanks for your insight and suggestions.

I have to approach the exercise or mobility issues very creatively, but I am working on that aspect to help me reach my goal. Unfortunately the fact that I am very sedentary I believe this is a big factor in my overall weight gain and may be a contributing reason why I loss very slow.

Again thanks for sharing your information.

By the way, where would I get a heart rate monitor and what type or brand would you recommend.

(04-08-2015 04:37 PM)ODU Oldtimer Wrote:  

(04-07-2015 11:44 PM)MrSaturdayMorning Wrote:  In my opinion, one of the best tools for weight loss is a heart rate monitor. It allows you to help make sure that you are exercising within your target heart zone and provides a solid estimate as to how many calories you've been in an exercise session so that you know how many you can roughly consume in that day to stay within your weight-loss limits.

Avoiding food too close to bedtime is generally a good practice for avoiding late-night binging, but there's no physiologic basis for it somehow aiding in weight loss (or helping avoid gaining weight that you would not have otherwise gained). The rumor is that because your metabolic rate slows while you are asleep vs. when you're out and about, food that you eat before bed time is more likely to be converted to fat than food consumed during other times of the day, but that's not really the case. Another popular approach is eating multiple small meals throughout the day rather than one or two "big meals". In reality, the basis of the multiple small meals approach is that it helps you satisfied throughout the day so that you are less likely to overeat vs. eating one or two large meals when you are hungry. So really, the main benefit of most of the popular eating strategies is really to help avoid over-eating, since for many people, it's the volume of food consumed that causes weight problems more so than what they are eating. There is no food (or dietary supplement) that raises a person's baseline metabolism on its own.

The best way to lose weight really is to watch your caloric intake while adding a mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Building muscle mass will actually help increase your metabolic rate since the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn (even at rest). In my opinion, you can really eat most things as long as you make sure to do a commensurate amount of exercise. I try to aim for 1200-1400 calories per day. So if I eat 2400 calories in a day, I try to burn off approx. 1000 calories exercising (personally, I prefer spinning; I bought a spinner bike to use at home and pretty much go at it until the HRM says I've burned 1000 calories). It's also important not to get discouraged; some days you may overeat, skip exercise, or both. If so, just try to pick up the next day, or even a day after. Not to sound cliche, but weight loss really is more of a marathon than a sprint. There were times in the past where I would binge on exercise and meticulously healthy eating, but I would only be able to sustain that for a few days in a row before I would burn out and return to my old, less healthy ways. Losing weight really is more of a lifestyle; just do your best to exercise as often as possible while eating as mindfully as possible, and eventually the weight just starts to come off. Good luck!

Great post and thanks for your insight and suggestions.

I have to approach the exercise or mobility issues very creatively, but I am working on that aspect to help me reach my goal. Unfortunately the fact that I am very sedentary I believe this is a big factor in my overall weight gain and may be a contributing reason why I loss very slow.

Again thanks for sharing your information.

By the way, where would I get a heart rate monitor and what type or brand would you recommend.

I HIGHLY recommend the fitbit. I have one and it was eye opening to see how little I actually move on a day to day basis because I have a desk job. It's something that I can check all day long to see how active I am. It's also been a great companion when it comes to running as well.

Here things I've learned and what works for me may not work for Buc or ODU Oldtimer or even Lucy..

Carbs are not necessarily bad.. Some carbs are good... But with anything else, do it in moderation.

Good lean proteins are good for you.. Again moderation is key.. Good protein in the morning, at lunch, and at dinner will help fill you up and keep you from eating bad foods. This is what bodybuilders try to adhere to.

Keep calories in check.. You can't burn 1000 calories but eat 10000 calories and expect weight loss..

Veggies are good for you.. So are different colors of veggies.. Your veggie intake doesn't have to be all green.. Throw in oranges, whites, purples, etc.

Know what burns fat? Muscle.. You know what builds muscle? Lifting weights. Even runners should try to lift weights, even if it's squats and bench press once a week, every little bit helps. Squats also burn more calories per set than any other lift. And for the ladies it gives you that hind end that all the guys love to see.

Don't confuse cardio with conditioning. Cardio burns everything.. Fat.. Muscle.. Conditioning helps keep muscle in check and burns fat..

Problem with some of the stuff I have listed above is this, you may not lose weight, you may lose inches.. But the question is, do you want to look like 200 lbs of feathers or 200 lbs of brick.

(04-09-2015 07:04 AM)BucFyre Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 04:37 PM)ODU Oldtimer Wrote:  [quote='MrSaturdayMorning' pid='11964044' dateline='1428468275']

By the way, where would I get a heart rate monitor and what type or brand would you recommend.

I HIGHLY recommend the fitbit. I have one and it was eye opening to see how little I actually move on a day to day basis because I have a desk job. It's something that I can check all day long to see how active I am. It's also been a great companion when it comes to running as well.

When I looked it up on the internet it appears there are Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Trackers in a few styles -body wraps, wrist bands and even a watch style. They seem to range in price from $59.99 - $249.99. On the low price end what would you suggest or even recommend. Is there any place that may have a better price so I can purchase.

Thanks

Oldtimer

(04-09-2015 07:35 AM)gdunn Wrote:  Here things I've learned and what works for me may not work for Buc or ODU Oldtimer or even Lucy..

Carbs are not necessarily bad.. Some carbs are good... But with anything else, do it in moderation.

Good lean proteins are good for you.. Again moderation is key.. Good protein in the morning, at lunch, and at dinner will help fill you up and keep you from eating bad foods. This is what bodybuilders try to adhere to.

Keep calories in check.. You can't burn 1000 calories but eat 10000 calories and expect weight loss..

Veggies are good for you.. So are different colors of veggies.. Your veggie intake doesn't have to be all green.. Throw in oranges, whites, purples, etc.

Know what burns fat? Muscle.. You know what builds muscle? Lifting weights. Even runners should try to lift weights, even if it's squats and bench press once a week, every little bit helps. Squats also burn more calories per set than any other lift. And for the ladies it gives you that hind end that all the guys love to see.

Don't confuse cardio with conditioning. Cardio burns everything.. Fat.. Muscle.. Conditioning helps keep muscle in check and burns fat..

Problem with some of the stuff I have listed above is this, you may not lose weight, you may lose inches.. But the question is, do you want to look like 200 lbs of feathers or 200 lbs of brick.

Thanks gdunn, your information is very helpful and more importantly everyone’s stories have motivated me to look for a more effective way to diet. I know the weight gain cycle did not happen overnight and the same will be true to lose the weight. I firmly believe it is a mental processes as well as a physical journey. Over the last seven years I honestly have not been in a position to have a routine conditioning plan but I will NOW be working on a weekly plan to increase my activity, and I am planning on incorporating a heart rate monitor. The fact is even with reducing my calories down to 800 - 1,000 each day I only lost 1 pound last week and I was very disappointed in the results. It is obvious I must do something different.

Thanks again, I am optimistic for my future conditioning and weight loss and have a goal in mind.

ODU Oldtimer: my husband & I are looking at FitBits as well & have asked our friends who use them for pros & cons of the different styles. We are looking at the FitBit Flex wristband type which has been available at Costco for between $95 & $99. I like that it is water-resistant & comes with different colors of wristbands (yes, a girly thing to coordinate with outfits ). It will also sync with My Fitness Pal which we use to track our food intake. One con that a friend told us about is that this version doesn't do as well for tracking exercises such as swimming or spinning where you are not taking actual steps, but we are not doing those at this time, so not a problem for us.

I have a FitBit. It helps me keep track of how much I do at work more or less.. On days I'm dog tired, I'll hit it and see I've hit 4 miles and know that well damn I did some walking, stair climbing, etc.

ODU Oldtimer, you're right.. It didn't happen over night and changing everything drastically overnight will derail. Start small. Figure out things in your diet you can cut out. Usually I start with my meals.. I eat 'x' number of meals at home and 'x' number of meals out a week.. Well let's reduce the meals out.. Then change the type of meals, instead of hitting Taco Bell twice a week, start with Subway or something healthy.. Then when you get that under control, look at the meals you eat at home and slowly change them for the better.. Always remember you should eat 21 meals a week (3 meals a day, 7 days a week).. Eat 20 awesome healthy meals, and let one be a cheat meal.. But don't let it turn into a cheat day, week, month.. After you get your meals under control work on your snacking habits. I find Cliffbars to be an excellent alternative to candy bars and they're better for you. Same with Larabars and Kind Bars.. Fruit can be more hurtful than helpful due to the sugars in it.. If you're concerned with sugars, research the fruits and find the ones with the amount of sugar you want in a serving.

I have the Fitbit Flex and I love it. The newer ones are more expensive and really all they do is measure flights of stairs and I think one answers phone calls. I don't go up stairs too frequently and I'm already getting my steps counted for that.

(04-09-2015 01:52 PM)BucFyre Wrote:  I have the Fitbit Flex and I love it. The newer ones are more expensive and really all they do is measure flights of stairs and I think one answers phone calls. I don't go up stairs too frequently and I'm already getting my steps counted for that.

Elevators ruined the modern world.. #truestory