New Recruit

[ajlox]

Hello everyone! My name is Anthony. I love video games, reading sci-fi/fantasy, math and perusing the internet.

About a year and a half ago, I escaped from a relationship to find I was about fifty pounds heavier than when it started at 225 lbs. To get more active and lose weight, I decided to take up karate. About five months into that, I realized I wasn't really losing the weight as quickly as I'd like between 215-220 lbs. I did some research, bought a few books, bought a membership at the Y and started working out three times a week. (The book I eventually decided to follow advocated doing one set of an exercise at about eight to twelve reps, but to do it to failure. I didn't include cardio in my workout because of karate.) At the same time, I adjusted my diet considerably: I started drinking water only and more of it (except the occasional alcohol beverage on the weekends), stopped eating at any fast-food restaurants (although Subway was an exception), started eating more fruits and vegetables and started eating every 2-3 hours, supplementing my food intake with apples, pears, carrots, celery and some Kashi granola bars.

After four months of this regimen, I was hovering around 200-205 lbs. Then the holiday season started, my diet mostly stopped although I still ate every 2-3 hours and still drank only water. I still went to the gym but less frequently and was still continuing with karate. Surprisingly, when I started going back this January, my weight still hovered around 200 lbs. I'm guessing I lost a bit of muscle and regained some fat. I started going back to the gym and found that after two months I hadn't lost any weight. I've never been much of a runner, trying many times in the past and failing spectacularly at building up any endurance, and decided I would try again. To aid me, I purchased an application for my phone that gradually increased the time running and decreased the time walking. After nine weeks, I was running for thirty minutes at a stretch.

I am now hovering at about 190 lbs and have been at this weight for about a month or so. While doing some searches, I came across this site and decided to look through the articles. I definitely liked what I read and plan on putting a few things into action as soon as possible. I'm going to try to start introducing the paleo diet into my everyday life, although that may be difficult for a couple of reasons and any help would be appreciated.

An example of my current diet is...

Breakfast: Either Honey Nut Cheerios or Shredded Wheat

First Snack: Large Granny Smith apple or a pear or Kashi granola bar

Lunch: Prepackaged Hormel meal (only 90 seconds to heat up!) or a bowl of Healthy Choice soup

Second Snack: Carrots or celery or Kashi granola bar

Dinner: Two PB&J sandwiches or Subway sub (Wheat with ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, olives and oil.)

Third Snack: Another bowl of cereal or one/two hard-boiled eggs

I'm not sure if I'll be switching up my workout as well, but I would like some feedback on what I should be focusing on to lose weight, if anyone is willing to share their opinion? I look forward to being active in this community and, of course, losing the last 15 pounds to reach my goal. And after that, maybe more!

Edit: I suppose some stats would be helpful? I'm 5'11" and 25 years old. I don't know any measurements or body fat percentage.

[Dantes]

Welcome!

I know exactly what you mean about the exercise and not losing any weight. Turns out that the ole proverbial fork is pretty damn quick.

A lot of people here advocate the paleo style of eating. (Or primal, Check out http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ for all the information you'll ever need about it). It might be worth a read if you're just on the cusp of going paleo but aren't sure how.

Personally I want to follows it but as a poor poor student I don't have control over Dinner at my house often and as such get sucked into the easy carbs I imagine you have a similar situation?

With regards to working out the most important thing is something you can stick to. Do NOT make the mistake (which I have made) of trying to do to much. Sticking to it for a couple weeks and then slacking off, the boards here are great for accountability that way.

Anyway, hope some of that helps, welcome to the boards and I look forward to hearing about your inevitable progress.