The Workout/Weight Loss Thread
- Thread starter boywonder
- Start date
Progress report: weight is now below 180 (179) for the first time in 13 years. About 63 pounds gone and nearly 12 inches off my waist line. I'm pushing 52 - feel more like 32!! In more ways than one!! :biggrin1:
Can't believe I've come this far. Don't recognize myself in the mirror some times.
Can't believe I've come this far. Don't recognize myself in the mirror some times.
imported_animes2k
New member
:up awesome work, everyone on this thread.
I recently decided that the jiggle in my belly was more than I was comfortable with. I simply started tracking all calories and exercise with an app for my phone. It also tracks your weight and goal weight. Just by watching caloric intake and making sure to get exercise regularly, I've managed to drop 10 of the 15 lbs I want to drop in the course of about six weeks. I've been able to notch my belt one hole tighter, which I haven't been able to do in roughly 3-4 years, even when I was riding regularly (I was still overeating compared to my calories burned).
Mostly cutting out things like the occasional donut(s) with my morning coffee and full-strength craft brews, as well as preparing my own food have really made the difference. It's amazing how easy it is when you're keeping track of calories and comparing serving sizes and calories in different items. 300 calories in that ONE chocolate frosted kruller? That's a banana and a greek yogurt with fruit and some cereal on top. Or a piece of fruit and bowl of oatmeal (which is healthier and more filling).
Now if I could just get my *** back on the bike regularly, those last five pounds would be easy.
I recently decided that the jiggle in my belly was more than I was comfortable with. I simply started tracking all calories and exercise with an app for my phone. It also tracks your weight and goal weight. Just by watching caloric intake and making sure to get exercise regularly, I've managed to drop 10 of the 15 lbs I want to drop in the course of about six weeks. I've been able to notch my belt one hole tighter, which I haven't been able to do in roughly 3-4 years, even when I was riding regularly (I was still overeating compared to my calories burned).
Mostly cutting out things like the occasional donut(s) with my morning coffee and full-strength craft brews, as well as preparing my own food have really made the difference. It's amazing how easy it is when you're keeping track of calories and comparing serving sizes and calories in different items. 300 calories in that ONE chocolate frosted kruller? That's a banana and a greek yogurt with fruit and some cereal on top. Or a piece of fruit and bowl of oatmeal (which is healthier and more filling).
Now if I could just get my *** back on the bike regularly, those last five pounds would be easy.
Decided to finally post some "before" and "after" photos, although the "after" is really "so far", because I'm not done with this weight loss (or as one of my customers calls it, "Extreme Makeover: Lenny Edition") Posted links, because for some strange reason, none of my pictures would upload.
Before:
Before
After:
After
Before:
Before
After:
After
imported_animes2k
New member
Damn, Len. Nice job!
Just signed up for a gym last night, since they had a monthly special with no initiation fee. Needed somewhere to go while at home and this one is right around the corner from me. Hopefully I can go almost every day for the next two months and see some of the same results I got while at school and went regularly.
Accumulator
Well-known member
StuLax18- That sounds convenient, good move :xyxthumbs
Even with a 5 week layoff after my wreck, I am at 2140 miles for the year. Last year at the end of June I had 1516 miles. Even though I only rode half of June (started back on the 14th) I was able to get in 403 miles, so I can't make any excuses if I can't do 800+ miles a month until it gets too cold here to ride regularly (usually early December) and can hopefully still crack 6000 miles this year.
I gained about 5-6 pounds during the 5 weeks I was off the bike but lost it all plus another couple of pounds in the 2 1/2 weeks I've been back riding.
I gained about 5-6 pounds during the 5 weeks I was off the bike but lost it all plus another couple of pounds in the 2 1/2 weeks I've been back riding.
Finally figured out what I was doing wrong.
Before - 242 pounds (& I'm barely 5'6"), 46" to 48" waist:
After - 179 pounds, 36" waist (& an almost maniacal disposition to the camera..LOL):
Still have at least ten more pounds to lose, maybe fifteen. Want to take, at least, another two inches off my waist, maybe four. It will take however long it will take.
Before - 242 pounds (& I'm barely 5'6"), 46" to 48" waist:
After - 179 pounds, 36" waist (& an almost maniacal disposition to the camera..LOL):
Still have at least ten more pounds to lose, maybe fifteen. Want to take, at least, another two inches off my waist, maybe four. It will take however long it will take.
imported_animes2k
New member
Hey Scott, is it mostly flat where you live? The roads accommodating to cyclists?
My biggest problem getting back into it is a combination of our rolling terrain, dangerous roadways and the absolutely maniacal drivers around here.
Plus the general hatred for anyone on two wheels.
(I know, excuses, excuses)
My biggest problem getting back into it is a combination of our rolling terrain, dangerous roadways and the absolutely maniacal drivers around here.
Plus the general hatred for anyone on two wheels.(I know, excuses, excuses)
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nice to see this thread back to life and that people are doing well!
I had basically a one week layoff back in May when I recertified at Tony Scotti's Vehicle Dynamics Institute - Protective Driving Training . No workouts, big Denny's bfasts, burgers for lunch, etc. etc. It was actually good for me to take a break from my usual workout regimen and I didn't gain any bodyfat that I could tell. The first cardio day after I got back was a bit tough though.
Scottwax- Good thing that you like doing all that biking, huh? The people I know who like it, well...they *really* like it!
Interesting how you gained while recuperating, glad you got that burned off so quickly and that you're still losing.
Len_A- Fix those pix, all I see are red "x"es! That "it'll take however long as it will take" is a good way to look at it :xyxthumbs
So what was the thing you figured out that you were doing wrong?
I had basically a one week layoff back in May when I recertified at Tony Scotti's Vehicle Dynamics Institute - Protective Driving Training . No workouts, big Denny's bfasts, burgers for lunch, etc. etc. It was actually good for me to take a break from my usual workout regimen and I didn't gain any bodyfat that I could tell. The first cardio day after I got back was a bit tough though.
Scottwax- Good thing that you like doing all that biking, huh? The people I know who like it, well...they *really* like it!
Interesting how you gained while recuperating, glad you got that burned off so quickly and that you're still losing.
Len_A- Fix those pix, all I see are red "x"es! That "it'll take however long as it will take" is a good way to look at it :xyxthumbs
So what was the thing you figured out that you were doing wrong?
animes2k said:Hey Scott, is it mostly flat where you live? The roads accommodating to cyclists?
My biggest problem getting back into it is a combination of our rolling terrain, dangerous roadways and the absolutely maniacal drivers around here.
(I know, excuses, excuses)
Mostly flat but there are hills I hit occasionally, wind is a bigger issue. In Texas, you either learn to ride in the wind or you won't be riding much. I do most of my riding out at River Legacy Park (same place I got that bobcat video) which has a back path that is 7 miles one way, full paved. No cars but plenty of horrifically stupid people out there who apparently don't have the ability to turn their head 180 degrees and look before they cross the path or turn around on it.
Accumulator-I was doing a lot of walking but in the two hours or so it took to walk 7.2 miles and burn approximately 720 calories, I can ride a tick under 40 miles and burn 2000 calories. Huge difference!
Accumulator
Well-known member
Len_A- OK, pix fixed, and yeah, that's quite an improvement! I bet it feels different just walking around, huh?
Yeah, huge diff indeed!
And hey, with that kind of caloric expenditure I can see how you can pretty much eat what you want. I've never done much about figuring out caloric expenditures (other than the StairMaster's readout and I sure don't believe that for a second :grinno ) so those numbers were interesting.
I'd never thought of walking as truly being "exercise" for people who don't have serious issues, but a friend of my wife's is staying slim by merely walking. IMO she's kinda speed-walking, but still..I was impressed that it works for her long-term.
Scottwax said:
Yeah, huge diff indeed!
And hey, with that kind of caloric expenditure I can see how you can pretty much eat what you want. I've never done much about figuring out caloric expenditures (other than the StairMaster's readout and I sure don't believe that for a second :grinno ) so those numbers were interesting.
I'd never thought of walking as truly being "exercise" for people who don't have serious issues, but a friend of my wife's is staying slim by merely walking. IMO she's kinda speed-walking, but still..I was impressed that it works for her long-term.
Yea, and it's been a bit weird. I got stopped, when I'm walking my dog, by neighbors who haven't seen me since before winter (they spend winters in Florida), until recently, and they tell me that if it wasn't for the dog, they wouldn't have recognized me! I can't tell you how many times people, driving by, have pulled over to tell me that. While I try to keep it from going to my head, I have to admit, I like the recognition. Now just wish a few other people would notice...of the female variety.Accumulator said:
the other pc
New member
animes2k said:
Bad roads and drivers' attitudes can definitely be problems. Not as convenient as starting from home, but lots of guys pack up their bikes and drive (not too far) to more reasonable routes.
I met a guy at a ski camp who lived somewhere around the DC area (don't know exactly where) and road quite a bit.
Rolling hills can be a good thing. Big hills are even better. :evil:
Had a buddy in college whose high school gym coach had been an Olympic class walker. He said the dude could walk distances faster than most of his students could run.Accumulator said:
Len_A, Way to go!
And speaking of caloric intake, the Tour de France starts tomorrow. The domestiques will be showing us how to eat 7000 calories a day for three weeks, and lose ten pounds.
pc.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Len_A said:
Roger that!
Heh heh, for that matter, I'm pretty sure I'm in better shape at 51 than I was at 32! My current cardio regimen woulda killed me back then.