Slow and Steady Wins The Race

[Aluado]

Hello, everyone! I've been following Nerd Fitness blog for some time, but never participated in the forums. I decided to give it a try. I'd be glad if I could help anyone... and to be helped, too, hehe.

 

Allow me to introduce myself: I'm a 25 years-old Brazilian guy who has been chubby since his childhood days. I've always been ashamed of my body, and have lost many good moments (involving being shirtless, like going to the pool or to the beach) because I was disgusted with my belly. However, I never really looked fat while clothed. Actually, people told me I looked kind of muscular.

 

Well, in my last college year (2012), because of bad eating habits, lack of sleep, and stress, I had gotten 10kg (22lbs) fatter. But that made me take the decision: once I graduated, I'd start taking care of my body - and, finally, defeating my personal Goliath.

 

I started eating in a healthier way right after I graduated, but started going to a gym only some months later.

 

Now, 2 years after I started going to the gym, my body had simply transformed: when I started, I was 1.63m tall (5'4") and weighed around 67kg (148lbs), with 25% BF. Now, I'm 1.67m tall (5'6") and weigh 63kg (139lbs), with 9.5% BF.

 

I've changed my eating habits and I do lots of exercises every day (even when I don't go to the gym; I do fasting aerobics from Monday to Friday and do HIIT at least 3 times a week). However, my biggest problem is overcoming my gluttony. I feel hungry almost all the time. And it's hard to deny a chocolate, a candy or a snack when someone offers to me (it's been happening a lot in my job lately).

 

Even though I fail many times when it comes to not eating what I shouldn't (except in "cheat meals"), the important is never to give up. If I fall, I rise up and try again.

 

Well, I hope I can contribute to this forum. Nice to meet you, guys!

[redpuma]

Wow! What a transformation story! Nice to meet you

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Welcome to the rebellion, that's a great story. Glad to have you with us.

[sassyfrassy]

Welcome aboard, friend! Stress is such a strong enemy. One of the worst ones to face,  I think.

 

Your transformation story is amazing and very inspiring! Here is to even more success and good times!

[Aluado]

I decided to post here a picture of my "transformation". The left picture is me in May 2014 (after 9 months going to a gym and eating in a healthier way) and the right one was taken in June 2015.

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I can tell you've put in a lot of hard work.

[Aluado]

Thanks, man! I'm still struggling to lose the last pounds, though. Only after 2 years of working out and eating better I started losing belly fat lol

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

From the pic I don't think you need to lose weight. If your body fat % is that low, losing weight at this point might be from muscle instead of fat.

[JessOfAllTrades]

It's amazing what you have accomplished so far. Welcome!

[Archon]

Wow. Welcome to the rebellion, and wow!

 

I would encourage you to read some of the articles on Nerd Fitness website by Steve about food. My thoughts are that if you are eating healthy foods, you should be able to listen to your body and eat when you are hungry. Now, that assumes healthy eating (like vegetables & protiens, etc)... but if you are working out that hard, I feel like you also deserve to reward yourself for your hard work. I would encourage you to come up with a plan that works for yourself though. Here at Nerd Fitness we believe in researching all-the-things. Question everything. Come up with answers that work for you and that you believe in!

 

When I started my journey, I decided on the following strategy: I don't count calories, I just eat when I am hungry and make sure that all of the things I am eating are good things. I gave up on liquid calories 100% (except alcohol). I gave up on candy 100%. I limited my drinking to healthier levels. I have moderated my sugar intake (less desserts). I eat tons of protien. I am not 100% paleo, probably more like 70% or 80%... but I eat bacon & eggs for breakfast 6+ days a week. Chicken breast with veggies for lunch every weekday. It works for me. I eat lots of "fatty" foods and lots less "sugary" foods (like breads).

 

Your results so far have been awesome (as evidenced by the pictures). I would urge you to worry less about how much you weigh and focus more on just building muscle (or whatever your goals are).

[sassyfrassy]

Piggybacking on Tank, remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so the weight you are seeing could definitely be muscle mass rather than fat. Awesome job on your journey, though! Congrats and keep up the amazing work!