The Ineluctable 2018 Weight Loss Thread

[Zaxxon]

Code: Select all

Date	Weight	Fat %	Muscle	BMI

1/1	175 (Est)
1/30 	171.0	21.5%	41.8%	24.5
2/3	169.9	21.2%	41.9%	24.2
2/10 	169.3 	21.1% 	42.0% 	24.2
2/17	168.2	20.8%	42.1%	24.1
3/3	169.7	21.1%	42.0%	24.3
3/17	167.9	20.7%	42.1%	24.0

Total net loss: 7.1 lb.

[RunningMn9]

Code: Select all

Week 1: -2.1 lbs
Week 2: -6.3 lbs
Week 3: -3.5 lbs
Week 4: -3.3 lbs
Week 5: -2.9 lbs
Week 6: -1.1 lbs
Week 7: -1.0 lbs
Week 8: -2.6 lbs
Week 9: -3.0 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -25.8 lbs

[Zaxxon]

Net Tonnage Change: -25.8 lbs

All-celery diet? Nicely done, sir.

[Jeff V]

Scale says 208. Wife gave away our nice digital scale and replaced it with an old fashioned rotary dial.

If and when I resume hamster wheel use depends on if this plague ever leaves. I just coughed out a third of my lung and last night the 4 year old was so frustrated with his coughing that he started yelling at it between fits. This has been ongoing for two months now.

1/8 - New digital scale bought. After another illness-wracked weekend, survey says 207.0. YTD: -1.0

1/15 - After a weekend indulging in new beers, clocked in at 208.6 YTD: +0.6

2/4 - Lack of exercise is killing me. Or maybe it's replacing exercise with beer. 209.0 YTD: +1.0

I dared the scale today, cold windy weather has been limiting outdoor activity. Surprised to see that I clocked in at 204.6, so -3.4 YTD.

[Paingod]

Since the beginning of the year at 245.2, I weighed in at 223.2 this morning. -22lbs.

This is the lowest I've been since I was in the early 20's. If I can get down to 200, I'll weigh as much as I did when I was 19.

[RunningMn9]

All-celery diet? Nicely done, sir.

Not quite. But not far off I guess.

Mostly just switched to a whole foods diet, and dramatically dropped simple/processed carbs and red meat. And I don't drink calories except for the occasional whisky (maybe once per month). At this point, I've totally reset my appetite, which is about 100x less than what it was. Most days look like this:

Breakfast: 2 hard-boiled eggs, about 1/2 cup of berries if I feel like it
Snack: 1 orange, 1 apple (or banana)
Lunch: Salad (baby spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, sliced mushrooms, shredded carrots, some avocado, legumes, baby beets)
Snack: 1/4 cup nuts (peanuts, almonds, pistachios), one icelandic yogurt if I feel like it
Dinner: Lean chicken (or pork tenderloin once per week), mixed vegetables, and sometimes a grain (whole grain brown rice or quinoa)

If I am done with dinner before 7 pm, I might have a very small bowl of ice cream for dessert. Nothing but water after 7 pm. And nothing but water before 8:30 AM. During the day, I only drink water (usually 96 ounces) or black coffee. Lately I haven't really been hungry at all, so have dropped the optional stuff. I don't have to count anything, though, which makes this fairly easy to follow once you have a system down to make the workload efficient (the salad has a fairly high prep time).

[Zaxxon]

That's similar to what I did back in the 2012-2013 timeframe (which, totally coincidentally, is when I last was 'fit' for some non-ironic definition of the word). Working to get back to it, but I likes me my beer and crappy nighttime snackin' when the kids are in bed.

[Jeff V]

That's similar to what I did back in the 2012-2013 timeframe (which, totally coincidentally, is when I last was 'fit' for some non-ironic definition of the word). Working to get back to it, but I likes me my beer and crappy nighttime snackin' when the kids are in bed.

I think I peaked out a year or two earlier (2012 was when I did a marathon, but I wasn't in top shape for that). What helped a lot, besides running nearly every damn day (Nike+ challenges!) was going beer and ice cream free for much of the spring and summer. Now because of the kids and wife's I can't go run at all and no beer would make Jeff CRAZY

[Kraken]

(Two weeks)

Code: Select all

04/03 190.3
03/19 190.5
03/12 190.9
03/03 191.4
02/26 191.6
02/19 190.9
02/12 192.0
02/05 191.8
01/29 192.9
01/08 191.4
01/01 190.9

TOTAL -0.6

Miles walked this week: 9.3
Miles walked this year: 90.6

Miles walked 2017: 514.5
Miles walked 2016: 725.8
Miles walked 2015: 593.9
Miles walked 2014: 735.7

Although I'm still just treading water, that actually constitutes progress. Historically, I gain 5-10 lbs between xmas and the middle of April, and then spend the rest of the year working it off. You can see that trend developing in my January and February stats, so remaining at break-even in April bodes well. It's even more remarkable because I've been walking so little -- we're having a cold, wet spring, and it seems like every day is too cold, or too wet, or too windy, or I'm too busy...I can always find an excuse when it's nasty outside. We just had snow again yesterday and I hear there might be more over the weekend.

[Isgrimnur]

Code: Select all

04/03 - 244.8
03/11 - 244.0
02/28 - 245.8
02/23 - 247.4
02/20 - 248.2
02/10 - 250.0
01/29 - 248.4
01/08 - 248.2
01/06 - 249.6
01/01 - 256.4

Net loss -11.6

There was an unfortunate incident involving my favorite pizza buffet a couple weeks ago that pushed me back into early February territory.

[RunningMn9]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -2.1 lbs
Week 02: -6.3 lbs
Week 03: -3.5 lbs
Week 04: -3.3 lbs
Week 05: -2.9 lbs
Week 06: -1.1 lbs
Week 07: -1.0 lbs
Week 08: -2.6 lbs
Week 09: -3.0 lbs
Week 10:  0.0 lbs
Week 11: -1.6 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -27.4 lbs

The past 10 days have been particularly difficult due to having to eat out too many times to maintain discipline. We are back on track though, I think.

[Kraken]

The universe weighs 2.0 × 10^49 tons. I weigh .095 ton. It hardly matters if I absorb or give back another .005 ton. So why does God want me to be fat? I'm sure that he does, or the salad bar would not have been closed on Easter.

[Paingod]

Moderation leads to the Dark Side, and the Dark Side leads to fat.

Two weeks ago our restrictive diet slipped for a little break that turned into a weekend-long binge with my wife leading the charge. I gained 10 pounds in 3 days. We slipped again last weekend, too - but not with consequences as dire. I'm back down to 8 pounds over my best weight this year and am struggling to get back down. Sucks. Hard.

[pr0ner]

What are you eating to gain 10 pounds in 3 days? I can have a terrible weekend where I eat unhealthy almost every meal (think pizza and Chinese food) and drink a lot of high ABV beer, and I might put on a pound if I'm overly sedentary, but 10? In 3 days? Noooooooope.

[Smoove_B]

Ok, as a way to keep RM9 honest, I'll join in. For reference, I measure in 0.5 increments. I don't know what type of fancy scales you all have, but that's how I roll.

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.0 lbs
Week 02: -6.0 lbs
Week 03: -3.0 lbs
Week 04: -2.0 lbs
Week 05: -2.0 lbs
Week 06: -2.0 lbs
Week 07: -1.0 lbs
Week 08: -1.0 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -22.0 lbs

Weight loss has leveled off to what most professionals would likely consider healthy/safe levels, but I do want to make sure it continues to move down and that I don't stall out. Ideally I'd like to be closer to a 2lb drop a week, but I just don't know how realistic that is as I'm not doing anything but diet modification at this point.

Once again, thanks to Moliere for initiating the sugar/bread fasting thread as that's what started me down this path!

[Paingod]

What are you eating to gain 10 pounds in 3 days? I can have a terrible weekend where I eat unhealthy almost every meal (think pizza and Chinese food) and drink a lot of high ABV beer, and I might put on a pound if I'm overly sedentary, but 10? In 3 days? Noooooooope.

My wife called it 'bloat' and not fat, but it sure as hell is coming off slowly. I'm back to +5 over my lowest weight this year.

We ate ... everything. Dairy Queen, pizza, lasagna & garlic bread, Thai, apple pie & ice cream, cereal, Easter candy, Chinese.

[Sectoid]

This is more of a workout question than a weight loss one, but...
When you work out, do you do cardio first or last before free weights/machines? The reason I ask is because, traffic wise (inside the gym) it is always faster and easier for me to do cardio last. When I get there the cardio area is packed, but if I do some machines and free weights for about a half-hour, the cardio area empties. Anyway, which do you do?

[pr0ner]

This is more of a workout question than a weight loss one, but...
When you work out, do you do cardio first or last before free weights/machines? The reason I ask is because, traffic wise (inside the gym) it is always faster and easier for me to do cardio last. When I get there the cardio area is packed, but if I do some machines and free weights for about a half-hour, the cardio area empties. Anyway, which do you do?

If I'm doing both weights and cardio on the same day, I do weights first since I don't want to start fatigued if I'm trying to lift heavy that day.

[Kraken]

Code: Select all

04/09 191.1
04/03 190.3
03/19 190.5
03/12 190.9
03/03 191.4
02/26 191.6
02/19 190.9
02/12 192.0
02/05 191.8
01/29 192.9
01/08 191.4
01/01 190.9

TOTAL +0.2

Miles walked this week: 3
Miles walked this year: 93.6

Miles walked 2017: 514.5
Miles walked 2016: 725.8
Miles walked 2015: 593.9
Miles walked 2014: 735.7

[Zaxxon]

Code: Select all

Date	Weight	Fat %	Muscle	BMI

1/1	175 (Est)
1/30 	171.0	21.5%	41.8%	24.5
2/3	169.9	21.2%	41.9%	24.2
2/10 	169.3 	21.1% 	42.0% 	24.2
2/17	168.2	20.8%	42.1%	24.1
3/3	169.7	21.1%	42.0%	24.3
3/17	167.9	20.7%	42.1%	24.0
4/7	166.4	20.3%	42.3%	23.8

Total net loss: 8.6 lb.

This is more of a workout question than a weight loss one, but...
When you work out, do you do cardio first or last before free weights/machines?

I do cardio first, but that's mainly because my main goal is the cardio and I want to perform my best at that.

[Sectoid]

This is more of a workout question than a weight loss one, but...
When you work out, do you do cardio first or last before free weights/machines? The reason I ask is because, traffic wise (inside the gym) it is always faster and easier for me to do cardio last. When I get there the cardio area is packed, but if I do some machines and free weights for about a half-hour, the cardio area empties. Anyway, which do you do?

If I'm doing both weights and cardio on the same day, I do weights first since I don't want to start fatigued if I'm trying to lift heavy that day.

I do both every time I go to the gym. I thought everyone did. Maybe I'm wrong.

[pr0ner]

This is more of a workout question than a weight loss one, but...
When you work out, do you do cardio first or last before free weights/machines? The reason I ask is because, traffic wise (inside the gym) it is always faster and easier for me to do cardio last. When I get there the cardio area is packed, but if I do some machines and free weights for about a half-hour, the cardio area empties. Anyway, which do you do?

If I'm doing both weights and cardio on the same day, I do weights first since I don't want to start fatigued if I'm trying to lift heavy that day.

I do both every time I go to the gym. I thought everyone did. Maybe I'm wrong.

Oh, no. I avoid cardio a lot because a) playing hockey gives me that in spades, and b) I don't take long breaks between sets when lifting to keep the heart rate somewhat elevated.

[Sectoid]

Oh, no. I avoid cardio a lot because a) playing hockey gives me that in spades, and b) I don't take long breaks between sets when lifting to keep the heart rate somewhat elevated.

That's understandable. I usually try to keep my breaks minimal between sets, but when switching machines I sometimes get blocked by other people. Anyway, just wanted to know which was better, before or after.

[Smoove_B]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.0 lbs
Week 02: -6.0 lbs
Week 03: -3.0 lbs
Week 04: -2.0 lbs
Week 05: -2.0 lbs
Week 06: -2.0 lbs
Week 07: -1.0 lbs
Week 08: -1.0 lbs
Week 09: -2.0 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -24.0 lbs

[Kurth]

Starting weight was 186.9. Goals are twofold: (1) we have a Disney cruise coming up in June, and it’s bad enough I’m going to be pale as a ghost from all this great Pacific NW spring weather; I don’t want to be the great white whale at the pool; and (2) my running (~20-25 miles weekly) is starting to result in annoying wear-and-tear injuries, and I think this is at least in part due to being 10-15 lbs heavier than I’d like to be. A friend put it in perspective the other day when I said to imagine running carrying a decent sized bowling ball. That’s basically what I’m carrying around as a result of being overweight.

My wife is leading the charge, and she’s big on this “Keto” diet thing. We’re nearly two weeks in, and it’s tough, but effective. I’ve dropped down below 180 consistently, and I’m still dropping. But, this is a tough diet. No calorie counting. It’s all about “macros” and ratios of carbohydrates, protein and fat. The goal is to get all your calories from a ratio of 5% carbs, 25% protein, and 70% fat. Once you give up the good things in life (pasta, pizza, BEER), getting below the 5% carbs isn’t all that hard. But limiting protein to 25% and consuming 70% of your caloric intake from fat I’m finding to be really difficult. It’s just so contrary to what my diet normally has been, which is generally low fat.

My typical breakfast has gone from a heaping bowl of fresh fruit, a breakfast bar and Greek yogurt (umm, Chobani), to 3 eggs and 3 sausages fried in bacon fat with an avocado on the side. I’ve also gone from eating a bowl of dried fruit as a nightly snack to eating a “fat bomb” of 3 tablespoons of almond butter and 3 squares of a big Lindt 90% chocolate bar melted together and cooled in the fridge.

But, it definitely seems to be working. I’m not just losing water weight or bloat. I’m noticeably leaner.

But, there are also downsides. The idea of the diet is that you start to burn fat instead of glycogen (releasing “Ketones” which you detect in your urine by peeing on test strips . . . Scientific!). For runners, though, this is a tough thing to adapt to. My endurance is shot these days. My pace is off, and I struggle to get through a 10K, which was routine for me prior to the diet. I read that this is part of the “adaptation” phase, but it does suck. I’d be interested to know if anyone else has tried this and had similar issues and how it turned out for them.

As it is, I’m going to stick with it until the cruise in June, but this is definitely not going to be a long term “lifestyle” choice for me. I miss beer!

[Isgrimnur]

Code: Select all

04/18 - 248.8
04/03 - 244.8
03/11 - 244.0
02/28 - 245.8
02/23 - 247.4
02/20 - 248.2
02/10 - 250.0
01/29 - 248.4
01/08 - 248.2
01/06 - 249.6
01/01 - 256.4

Net loss -7.6

April is a horrible month. Allergies mean I spend the whole time fatigued and/or in a drug coma (and not the fun kind). It makes using willpower to actually pay attention to my diet one of the first casualties.

[Kraken]

Code: Select all

04/16 192.9
04/09 191.1
04/03 190.3
03/19 190.5
03/12 190.9
03/03 191.4
02/26 191.6
02/19 190.9
02/12 192.0
02/05 191.8
01/29 192.9
01/08 191.4
01/01 190.9

TOTAL +2.0

Miles walked this week: 10.2
Miles walked this year: 103.8

Miles walked 2017: 514.5
Miles walked 2016: 725.8
Miles walked 2015: 593.9
Miles walked 2014: 735.7

April is a horrible month. Allergies mean I spend the whole time fatigued and/or in a drug coma (and not the fun kind). It makes using willpower to actually pay attention to my diet one of the first casualties.

Ordinarily April is my turnaround month as I can start walking regularly again (and actually enjoy it), but the way winter is hanging on this year today is like the 108th of January. Still waiting for that turnaround.

[Smoove_B]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.0 lbs
Week 02: -6.0 lbs
Week 03: -3.0 lbs
Week 04: -2.0 lbs
Week 05: -2.0 lbs
Week 06: -2.0 lbs
Week 07: -1.0 lbs
Week 08: -1.0 lbs
Week 09: -2.0 lbs
Week 10: -1.0 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -25.0 lbs

I'll take slow and steady progress

[Kraken]

Code: Select all

04/23 192.7
04/16 192.9
04/09 191.1
04/03 190.3
03/19 190.5
03/12 190.9
03/03 191.4
02/26 191.6
02/19 190.9
02/12 192.0
02/05 191.8
01/29 192.9
01/08 191.4
01/01 190.9

TOTAL +1.8

Miles walked this week: 15.2
Miles walked this year: 119

Miles walked 2017: 514.5
Miles walked 2016: 725.8
Miles walked 2015: 593.9
Miles walked 2014: 735.7

[Smoove_B]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.0 lbs
Week 02: -6.0 lbs
Week 03: -3.0 lbs
Week 04: -2.0 lbs
Week 05: -2.0 lbs
Week 06: -2.0 lbs
Week 07: -1.0 lbs
Week 08: -1.0 lbs
Week 09: -2.0 lbs
Week 10: -1.0 lbs
Week 11: -2.0 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -27.0 lbs

I'm within striking distance of my lowest weight in 4 years, which is pretty damn cool.

[RunningMn9]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.1 lbs
Week 02: -5.4 lbs
Week 03: -3.3 lbs
Week 04: -2.2 lbs
Week 05: -2.5 lbs
Week 06: -1.8 lbs
Week 07: -2.1 lbs
Week 08: -1.9 lbs
Week 09: -2.9 lbs
Week 10: -0.1 lbs
Week 11: -1.2 lbs
Week 12: -0.1 lbs
Week 13: -2.1 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -30.5 lbs

I recalibrated how I tracked things. I weigh myself every day, but I was only counting every Monday as the official day, but that was creating an annoying set of circumstances where one day would be out of whack with the rest, but it was falling on Monday or Sunday, and screwing things up. So I went back and instead I just average all 7 days in the week, and track that average value from week to week. That smooths out some of the day-to-day variance and doesn't really place any more importance on one day over another.

In any case, I am back to the point where I was back in 2012 when my gallbladder went critical and my stomach stopped being able to report hunger signals for a few months after the surgery. I no longer have any pants that fit, which is a pleasant problem to have I suppose.

[Smoove_B]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.0 lbs
Week 02: -6.0 lbs
Week 03: -3.0 lbs
Week 04: -2.0 lbs
Week 05: -2.0 lbs
Week 06: -2.0 lbs
Week 07: -1.0 lbs
Week 08: -1.0 lbs
Week 09: -2.0 lbs
Week 10: -1.0 lbs
Week 11: -2.0 lbs
Week 12: -1.0 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -28.0 lbs

Three months! For whatever reason, these 10lb milestones seem to mentally stress me out and I'm concerned I won't be able to turn the corner and keep dropping. I think if I can break through to this next tier over the next few weeks, it'll be more of a mental victory than anything else. Also, my pants are starting to become...unwieldy.

[Kraken]

Code: Select all

04/30 192.7
04/23 192.7
04/16 192.9
04/09 191.1
04/03 190.3
03/19 190.5
03/12 190.9
03/03 191.4
02/26 191.6
02/19 190.9
02/12 192.0
02/05 191.8
01/29 192.9
01/08 191.4
01/01 190.9

TOTAL +1.8

Miles walked this week: 10.3
Miles walked this year: 130.2

Miles walked 2017: 514.5
Miles walked 2016: 725.8
Miles walked 2015: 593.9
Miles walked 2014: 735.7

[Kraken]

Code: Select all

05/06 192.5
04/30 192.7
04/23 192.7
04/16 192.9
04/09 191.1
04/03 190.3
03/19 190.5
03/12 190.9
03/03 191.4
02/26 191.6
02/19 190.9
02/12 192.0
02/05 191.8
01/29 192.9
01/08 191.4
01/01 190.9

TOTAL +1.6

Miles walked this week: 3.2 (+2 hours gardening)
Miles walked this year: 133.4

Miles walked 2017: 514.5
Miles walked 2016: 725.8
Miles walked 2015: 593.9
Miles walked 2014: 735.7

My mileage will suffer over the next 3-4 weeks as I divert some of my exercise time to putting my garden in. Each hour spent gardening is 3-4 miles I didn't walk instead.

[Smoove_B]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.0 lbs
Week 02: -6.0 lbs
Week 03: -3.0 lbs
Week 04: -2.0 lbs
Week 05: -2.0 lbs
Week 06: -2.0 lbs
Week 07: -1.0 lbs
Week 08: -1.0 lbs
Week 09: -2.0 lbs
Week 10: -1.0 lbs
Week 11: -2.0 lbs
Week 12: -1.0 lbs
Week 13: -1.0 lbs

Net Tonnage Change since 2/9/18: -29.0 lbs

I can see why scale measurement averaging might be better, but I'm going to stick with what I've been doing and hopefully burst through the 30lb ceiling and squarely plant myself on the other side by this time next week.

[RunningMn9]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.1 lbs
Week 02: -5.4 lbs
Week 03: -3.3 lbs
Week 04: -2.2 lbs
Week 05: -2.5 lbs
Week 06: -1.8 lbs
Week 07: -2.1 lbs
Week 08: -1.9 lbs
Week 09: -2.9 lbs
Week 10: -0.1 lbs
Week 11: -1.2 lbs
Week 12: -0.1 lbs
Week 13: -2.1 lbs
Week 14: -1.5 lbs
Week 15: +1.1 lbs

Net Tonnage Change: -31.0 lbs

Week 15 annoyed me. However, Week 16 is going well, with the current average coming in around -2.0 lbs, so the next report should be solid.

[Sudy]

Getting started late this year.

Code: Select all

Week Ending / Weight (lbs) / Steps Conversion Walked (km)

May 12th / 312.6 / 31

[Smoove_B]

Code: Select all

Week 01: -5.0 lbs
Week 02: -6.0 lbs
Week 03: -3.0 lbs
Week 04: -2.0 lbs
Week 05: -2.0 lbs
Week 06: -2.0 lbs
Week 07: -1.0 lbs
Week 08: -1.0 lbs
Week 09: -2.0 lbs
Week 10: -1.0 lbs
Week 11: -2.0 lbs
Week 12: -1.0 lbs
Week 13: -1.0 lbs
Week 14: -1.0 lbs

Net Tonnage Change since 2/9/18: -30.0 lbs

Small progress over the last three weeks, but I'll take it.

[Paingod]

My weight loss has completely stagnated - still 15lbs lighter than at the beginning of the year - but for the last three weeks, I've weighed in at 230.2 consistently.

I'm also not trying very hard to lose weight and am simply being aware of how many calories I'm stuffing in my pie hole each day. They're not particularly good calories, but they're controlled.

[Kraken]

Code: Select all

05/13 191.8
05/06 192.5
04/30 192.7
04/23 192.7
04/16 192.9
04/09 191.1
04/03 190.3
03/19 190.5
03/12 190.9
03/03 191.4
02/26 191.6
02/19 190.9
02/12 192.0
02/05 191.8
01/29 192.9
01/08 191.4
01/01 190.9

TOTAL +0.9

Miles walked this week: 6.4
Miles walked this year: 139.8

Miles walked 2017: 514.5
Miles walked 2016: 725.8
Miles walked 2015: 593.9
Miles walked 2014: 735.7