The Biggest LOOSER -- running weight loss thread

Really fell off of the wagon eating-wise the last two months of the year. I went from around 213-15 over the summer (which I am happy with), to 220 on November 1 all the way to 228 on the morning of January 2. Way too many desserts and was drinking far more often than I usually do.

My wife and I started doing the South Beach diet again. In 10 days, I've been able to take off of most of the recent weight and hope to be at 218 when I go away with my friends for Super Bowl weekend. Also, going dry until then with the exception of one pre-planned dinner. Ideally, will settle in around 210 or so.

The diet has been ok as I've done it before, but the early morning workout (up at 5:15-5:30) has been hard to getting used to again.

 

I stayed the same weight between Thanksgiving and last Thursday but I lost 3 pounds of fat and gained 3 pounds of muscle.

 

Tried that South Beach diet once and what I remember most vividly was headaches.

 

Never got any headaches. Hardest part for me has been cutting down on the desserts.

 

I'm nearing a year since I began my weight loss. I'm closing in on 150 pounds lost and my life is a complete 180 degree turn from where I was about 51 weeks ago. I've found a happy medium in my workout time, going about 3 hours per day. I've taken the workout I used to do every day and now do half one day and then the second half the next, taking off Sunday. I'm able to take in about 2,000 calories a day when I don't run and 2,500 calories a day I do run to maintain weight or lost a few tenths of a pound per week. I was worried about the winter and packing on pounds, but I lost another five pounds despite not getting to run as much as I'd like during this deep freeze we've endured. I keep my work schedule to no more than 50 hours per week. I've met a wonderful woman I've been dating for five months. It's a juggling act and one that will no doubt continue for the rest of my life, but I feel good about where I am.

 

That's fantastic, Brian! Way to go.

Three hours a day working out is still an awful lot, and I'm not sure it will be able to be kept up forever, but if you're finding a way to do it, and getting what you need and want out of it, more power to you. Keep up the great work. Really, you should be proud and enjoy your newfound life.

 

All of you are inspiring! Well done!

In 2009 my wife and I started running 5Ks and I ended up losing about 50 lbs, getting to about 185. I couldn't seem to lose any more. Then we moved into a house and going to the gym became more difficult so I gained about 70 lbs over 2 years or so. The past 6 months I had been trying to get back into a routine while staying in hotels for work. I'd go to the gym for 45 minutes a night, watch what I ate, etc. Not really any noticeable weight loss, but I felt better. Then about a month ago I broke my ankle playing hockey. I've been very limited in what I can do. My workout is hobbling around on crutches (getting a pretty good workout at PT, but it's obviously not the same). The only really good thing is that my wife has been in charge of portioning out food, and she does such a much better job than me. I feel like the only reason I haven't exploded is because of that. So all that to say, portion control is key to any weight loss. Lesson learned.

 

Hadn't checked back on this thread in a long time so I missed this. Are you talking orthotics you have to go to a foot doctor for or the kind you can get at something like "The Good Feet Store?" I have ones from The Good Feet Store but haven't used them in my walking/running shoes.

Also, I picked up a decent recumbent exercise bike eight weeks ago for 75 bucks off Craig's List. It's parked in front of the TV and I've been pretty good at being regular. Did an hour and 45 the previous two nights and 2 hours and 10 minutes tonight. Feeling much better and down 13 pounds so far. Doesn't bother the knee at all. Maybe the knees will handle things better when they're not lugging around so much weight.

Also, thanks to Small Potatoes for the response.

 

I have custom orthotics from my foot doctor. They cost about $600 all in (with my private insurance covering half of that) and have made a world of difference.

 

Reached the 20-pounds-lost milestone today. Makes the total goal of 53 pounds now down to 33 pounds. Seems a lot more do-able now. Looking forward to tonight's workout.

 

Been yo-yo'ing lately and am trying to get back on the wagon. Just moved from Georgia to Kansas (Army re-assigned me) and the stress of dealing with that has made me unmotivated when it comes to working out, whether it's running or doing a muscle-building workout. Now that I'm settled, I need to get the drive back.

 

Nothing wrong with taking a little time off, as long as it doesn't become the habit. I've plateaued to the point where I've continued with strong workouts but haven't lost any weight in the last three weeks so I'm taking four days off (this is the fourth) and then changing some things up. My knee no longer bothers me on brisk walks so I'm going to incorporate more good, long walks into the rotation. I still love the time on the recumbent bike, but will now push more to the walking until I lose enough weight to start feeling comfortable with jogging and then even some real, decent running.

So don't be too down on yourself for a brief loss of motivation. Just get back to it sooner than later.