Tezra

So I started off the year with an epic loss of 26 pounds... After the 5th week of the 6 week challenge, I pretty much stopped trying to lose weight. Don't get me wrong, I haven't completely relapsed and I am impressed to see that I have made a few lasting habits, such as eating fruit for lunch, rather than things such as sandwiches, chocolate chip brioche rolls and pizza, for example. I've somehow managed to miraculously more or less maintain the weight loss, however I have decided that it's time to stop being lazy and get back on track. So now that I've gotten my 'death' out the way, this is how I am going to respawn: I am going to give up bread, I've done it before, I can do it again - I don't think this will be too hard for me to accomplish.I am also going to give up chocolate, sweets fizzy drinks, etc. This will be hard, but there's no doing it gradually, I either jump in head first, or it won't happen (in this case).Do some form of excercise for at least an hour every day, whether it be a walk outside or lifting weights in the gym.No pasta either...I'm going to try and limit the amount of processed foods I eat, and try and achieve a diet close to paleo.I also want to pick up one or two new hobbies. I know that my college has a small-ish rock climbing wall in the gym which you can use on set nights (though it is rather expensive imho), and I would like to start doing it regularly. Any other suggestions are welcome! I am going to attempt to go to bed earlier, starting by trying to get myself to bed at 11pm (funnily enough, I'm typing this at quarter to midnight ). I am always tired, so this is definately a step in the right direction.. I think that those are enough goals for tonight...I am going to try and stick to the above for the next 5 weeks, since that was my limit before. I will then review my goals/progress at that point! I am looking for someone who can give me a bit of tough love when I want to sabotage my progress..If you're up for that please send me a pm Have a good night everyone!

Yeah, downloaded mfp last night, thanks though.Apparently it's bring a friend to the gym weekend, so I'll be able to go try out some of the proper stuff, will have to watch a bunch of videos to figure what I'm doing though, lol.

Hmm, maybe I've just not tried it for long enough to get used to it before

The barbell currently has 2 5kg weights on it, I could put those on the dumbbell and vice versa but I need a new job before I can afford to join the gym again and use their stuff (not that I know how lol). I might do the same but calorie counting is very tedious..

Well, despite me dropping the ball this week (I blame my exams), and eating a whole bunch of crap, I've managed to lose 2 more pounds, which takes me to the 20 pounds lost mark!

Sorry for late response, I haven't really been looking at my daily emails about who has responded to what. Thanks for the advice I figure that if I can control breakfast and lunch, then provided I don't do like you said and go over the top on whatever I eat in the evening, and make sure I don't snack on crap or anything, then I am alright. I'll start excercising tonight then, I'll bust out that barbell and start learning what I am supposed to do with it, alternatively I may do the beginner weights work out. Already have

I think that once I have gotten in shape, IIFYM is what I would switch to, but currently I wouldn't trust myself lol. I'll look into leangains, thanks for the advice. Definitely going to try lifting, starting to look forward to it lol Yeah, I'm painfully aware that I won't see a massive difference in 2 months, but I think even a minor difference will make me more confident. Definitely wanting to make a permanent change, if I can have shifted most of my flab by christmas, I will be a very happy guy. (And then it's onwards and upwards)

IIFYM? Will download strong lifts and mfp and look at my local gyms. When I notice a physical change, I think just that will drive me more than anything else. I think the main thing that made me fail in the past was that I didn't really notice a change in appearance so got disappointed and gave up, though I didn't take photos so I had nothing to compare to. Will aim for 9 hours sleep, currently get 6 -7 but I know I would definitely benefit from more sleep, just to keep me more alert in the day before you even factor in any of the other benefits.

How much sleep would you recommend, minimum?

Thanks for cleaning up my mess Teros Thanks for both of your advice.. should I go strict paleo and keep on with my 2 fast days a week? (Eat a maximum of 600 calories after 6pm) I have never really done a proper weights regime. What would you recommend? Realistically I'm probably not gonna get myself to a gym more than 3 days a week (Could probably do alternate days though). Also, if I did continue fast days, I assume I should fast on lifting days (would probably end up eating 30 - 45 mins after workout), so that I don't deprive my body on my recovery day?

Sorry for multipost, my phone got a little too excited I think...

So we're planning on going to Egypt in Easter... I want to get in the best shape I can so that I'm more inclined to let people take pictures of me and that I'm not too ashamed to take my shirt off... So, I'm willing to splash out on a gym membership if that will help me reach my goal quicker. I'm happy to do intermittent fasting (I already do it twice a week, I'm confident I could stretch to a week - though I am sure it will be challenging at the beginning) if that is recommended. If you were in my shoes, were 18 odd stone and wanted to get in shape asap for a holiday 2 months away, what would you do? Any input is greatly appreciated, really want to do this so I'm not refusing pictures or getting embarrassed or uncomfortable, when I should be making memories and enjoying myself. Thanks all, Tez

Thanks, I appreciate the extra support/accountability Now lost a total of 19 pounds