I enrolled in a summer slimdown contest.

RD_Shane · 06-23-2009, 04:58 PM

So last week my best friend called me and told me that a local gym was offering free 6 week memberships if you entered this weight loss contest. So we got four people together to form a team and entered. The person who gets the most points (there's a whole list of ways to get points) will win a new care and the team that wins gets a trip for four to Vegas.

As of yesterday it was a full week. I've been every day doing at least 1 hour of exercise both cardio and weight training. I'm feeling pretty good about the work I've done and I've lost 5 lbs.

BUT...

I'm feeling discouraged because I feel like I should have lost more weight. Am I putting to much pressure on myself to lose it?

Does any one have any helpful hints on weight loss and exercise?

Man, quitting smoking wasn't this hard. LOL

student4ever · 06-23-2009, 07:12 PM

CONGRATS! That's a heck of a deal!

One of the main things to remember is that muscle weighs more than fat. Depending on where you are starting from, you may find that you don't actually lose that much weight as you end up replacing the fat weight with muscle weight.

The basic rule that I've heard over the years is that about 2 pounds of weight loss per week is a 'healthy' rate. Often when you hear about people losing a lot in the first week or three, it's water weight and the quick easy fat that goes. After that point, it takes longer to take it off.

The only key I ever found is just keep at it and what ever you do... DON'T beat yourself up if you get side tracked for a day or two or whatever. Just make sure you get back to it. You have to make it part of your life style. Took me a couple years of trying to focus on it as a life style choice. After some point though, I got to the point where my body craved the activity and exercise. If I go without it for too long, I get a little stir crazy...

Hang with people who understand the desire to do it and won't give you a hard time about it. They are generally just pissed that they aren't doing it. lol

Again CONGRATS!!! I hope you win!!

RD_Shane · 06-26-2009, 02:58 PM

Thank you so much! I've been going to the gym every day now for almost 2 weeks and I find that I really enjoy it. Besides the weight loss (and I am losing) I'm sleeping better and I feel more alert. I am going to keep going after the contest is over win or lose because it's been so good for me overall.

oceania · 06-29-2009, 11:57 AM

happy to see you sticking with it! that is the hardest part! i am back to walking 2 miles a day. i even managed that in SF this past week so i am happy with myself. no real weight loss yet but i added 2 full length mirrors (they are great for getting kinky but a big help when i just want to give up and eat a box of brownies) and put the cutoffs i wore on my 40th birthday next to the bedroom mirror as a constant reminder!

Vid Vicious · 06-29-2009, 12:15 PM

what kind of diet are you following? Are you drink at least 5 glasses of water a day?

Are you replenishing your system with protein whey after the work outs ?

In the first week 5 lbs is a nice weight lose when working out. dont' be so hooked up on the amount of weight your losing but rather how you look and feel. When body training you are replacing fat with muscle of which weights more.

RD_Shane · 06-29-2009, 04:00 PM

Oceania,
Yeah, it's been hard making myself go to the gym every day, but I do feel better when I go. I haven't missed a day yet! I'm really proud of you for sticking with your walking. Keep it up!

Vid,
As far as a diet I've cut myself down to 1100 calories a day, which from what I read is appropriate for the weight I want to be at. I drink tons of water a day.
I have been trying to make sure I'm eating enough protein after my work outs. It's rough though because I tend to not be hungry for a couple of hours after I'm done at the gym.
I've been trying to take every thing into consideration as far as weight loss and inches lost. It's not easy though because of the muscle weighing more than fat it's hard to tell if I'm losing weight or gaining muscle.

My overall goal is to lose 40lbs by Internext, well and to win the car of course! But I'm trying to do it right so that I don't end up gaining all the weight back in a couple of years.

PORNSTARGLOBAL™ · 06-30-2009, 05:56 AM

Good job!

B O B · 07-01-2009, 11:54 AM

hey hey
dont do weights the first few weeks of starting a new training....
if you do, then do only legs. Your legs are your biggest muscle, and working them out will burn more calories.
if your goal is to drop weight, then eat 5-6 small, smart meals a day, do at least 30 minutes of cardio a day

and most importantly, drink at least a gallon of water a day...it may be tough. But you can lose 10lbs alone by drinking this amount of water a day...

i have lost 45lbs of fat, and gained back 25 in muscle...Im actually at the point I would take my shirt off in public...

but its been long haul...

good luck to you and dont give up!

Itchy · 07-01-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B O B

.Im actually at the point I would take my shirt off in public...

LOL j/k

RD_Shane · 07-01-2009, 01:44 PM

Hey Bob, long time to talk to... How have you been?
I recently starting alternating the days that I do weights. From what the scale says it was the right thing to do. I don't use a lot of weights, I go for more reps since I really don't want to have manly muscles when I'm done with this thing. LOL
I keep hearing about the water but I didn't know it wast so important to a diet. I guess I'll have to start downing a lot more of it.

With respect to your own weight loss: Sounds like you should be posting that hotness here!

Hugs!

B O B · 07-01-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RD_Shane

Hey Bob, long time to talk to... How have you been?
I recently starting alternating the days that I do weights. From what the scale says it was the right thing to do. I don't use a lot of weights, I go for more reps since I really don't want to have manly muscles when I'm done with this thing. LOL
I keep hearing about the water but I didn't know it wast so important to a diet. I guess I'll have to start downing a lot more of it.

With respect to your own weight loss: Sounds like you should be posting that hotness here!

Hugs!

Hey Shane...
doing less weight and more reps is the right thing to do
if you can do real light weights and up to 45 reps of each, you will really burn the fat and get trim...

try doing a cycling class or something at the gym so you dont lose interest.

also, mix up your workouts every other week...your muscles have *memory* and wont get the workout you want if you do the same thing always...

there are a ton of great workouts at www.bodybuilding.com including workout sheets you can print up

good luck to you!