2016 weight loss thread

[Paul Victory]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Ian.

I haven't been really sticking to the program, so my weight is not moving downwards as much as it should, but at least it's moved in the right direction (just about) since my last weigh in.

Paul V

Date_________Mass (KG)_______Weekly change_______Total change
31/12/15_______94.0___________n/a__________________n/a
29/02/16_______96.1___________+2.1_________________+2.1
26/03/16_______96.6___________+0.5_________________+2.6
03/04/16_______96.4___________-0.2_________________+2.4
17/04/16_______95.1___________-1.3_________________+1.1
12/05/16_______96.0___________+0.9_________________+2.0
18/06/16_______96.2___________+0.2_________________+2.2
25/07/16_______99.8 __________+3.6_________________+5.8
07/08/16_______99.4__________-0.4_________________+5.4
20/08/16_______98.9__________-0.5_________________+4.9

[Ian Bee]

With a firm grip on my wooden desk, things are going ok.... Just starting the third week with the Pete Plan, and I can see the variety aspect being a big bonus.

Entertainingly, the gym I frequent has a couple of concepts (PM5) so I'm seeing how my WR times compare. The WR is definitely faster, but not by quite the margin I was expecting - during a warm down I achieved a split of 2:17 on the PM5 (damper at 5) with similar effort to a 2:10 on the WR (filled to 19l). I shall investigate/test further over the coming weeks....

[J-Dog]

Is this the Lardies Anonymous meeting?

My name is J-Dog and I'm currently a Lardy.

5' 10" and close to 14 stone.
13 stone would be charmingly cuddly, 12 stone would be lean and mean.

Lowest I've been is 13 st 3 lbs, and lack of exercise, lots of work travelling, and too much food and drink has pushed me up to nearly 14 stone, where I get a nasty pot belly you could stand a pint on.

Just starting back on the C2, after a year or so away, but also need to cut the beers and munchies in the evening (or turn crisps into carrot sticks).

My first target will be 13 stone, hopefully about a pound a week. Probably easier when I get back to 10k rows, and I'm HR limiting at the moment.

My main motivation is remembering how unfat I looked when closing on 13 stone. I'm keen to get back there, if I can fight the beers and munchies off.

Weight posting when I get home.

J-Dog

[J-Dog]

OK, I'm currently at 14 st 0 lbs, so 14 lbs to go . . .

J-Dog

[Paul Victory]

14 stone is not particularly heavy for someone who's 5 ' 10" J-Dog. I'm just over 6 feet and I was told I looked emaciated when I got my weight down to 14 stone 7 pounds a few years ago. Mind you, nobody's said anything to me remotely close to that in the past few months.

Anyway, 13 stone sounds like a reasonable target, but 12 stone would put you dangerously close to being a lightweight and than you would have to start thinking about your diet ALL the time.

[J-Dog]

Paul,
you're right, of course. 14 stone doesn't mean I take up two seats on the plane.

It's really more body shape than absolute weight on the scales for me, I think.

If I had better strength (more muscle, instead of fat), and better abs to keep a better shape, then I might be fine with 14 stone.

I'm thinking if I get back onto the C2, and cut down on eating all the snacks and drinking beers most evenings, then I'll gradually lose the gut and get more healthy-looking. And get my cardio-respiratory capacity back to where it was a few years ago (no Mo Farah, but able to go at 160 for a full 48 min 10k).

I'm guessing (from your rowing stats) that you've got a lot of shoulder/back/arm/leg muscle you want to keep, as well as some lard you want to lose?

J-Dog

[Paul Victory]

With a firm grip on my wooden desk, things are going ok.... Just starting the third week with the Pete Plan, and I can see the variety aspect being a big bonus.

Entertainingly, the gym I frequent has a couple of concepts (PM5) so I'm seeing how my WR times compare. The WR is definitely faster, but not by quite the margin I was expecting - during a warm down I achieved a split of 2:17 on the PM5 (damper at 5) with similar effort to a 2:10 on the WR (filled to 19l). I shall investigate/test further over the coming weeks....

Hi Ian

If I recall correctly, Richard Steventon (a multiple British record holder and medal winner in the 60+ category) reckons that there's about 6% to 8% difference between the WR and a C2 machine. At 2:10 pace, this would equate to around 8 to 10 seconds per 500m. So not that far off your experience.

Paul V

[Ian Bee]

Hi Paul,

I'd not come across Richard's assessment, but it gladdens my heart slightly that my WR times are not as painfully slow as I believed. That said, speed is not my main concern: weigh-in with the gym's "friendly" fitness adviser next week.

[zootMutant]

@Mark -- I have never rowed a marathon... but I look forward (?) to the challenge. However, right now I'm not too optimistic. At the moment, I have been doing very well with a modified diet and strength training 4x per week. I'm hesitant to modify a plan that is working so well. If my progress slows? Well, I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it.

BTW, walking the Thames path seems like some excellent cross-training!

@Ian -- 4 months is usually when I get injured, too. When I am out of shape I tend to use a lower drag factor (around 110-115) and get in lots of cross training and stretching. Hope you're feeling better!

@Paul -- moving in the right direction! Slow and steady. 1 pound/week sounds perfect to me!

@J-Dog -- welcome, lardy! I agree with Paul, 13 stone sounds like a pretty good target.

=======

I'll post my weigh-in this weekend... but so far it feels good.

Cheers,
zoot

[J-Dog]

Zoot, Paul, Ian+,
I've been doing really well across Mon - Thurs (no beer, no snacks in the evening, minimal lunches), but yesterday was 'reward day' and the Bank Hol weekend may see it all going back on. We'll see on Monday.

I'm guessing I'll be a bit down overall, but not the 3 or 4 pounds I was down after trying hard.

Probably imagining things, but my posture already seems a tiny bit better, after two weeks back on the erg. My pint would definitely spill, now, if balanced on the gut

J-Dog

[zootMutant]

@J-Dog -- any drop is a good drop!

Here are my results so far this year...

Code: Select all

 Date      Pounds     Kg       Waist "    Hips "
Mar 17     239.8     109.0     46.50     43.50
Apr 01     237.7     108.0     46.25     42.75
Apr 10     234.4     106.5     45.25     42.50
Apr 17     232.7     105.8     45.00     42.25
Apr 24     231.0     105.0     45.00     42.00
May 01     229.3     104.2     45.00     42.00
May 07     227.7     103.5     44.50     42.00

Aug 01     228.5     103.9     44.75     42.00
Aug 07     226.5     103.0     44.75     42.00
Aug 14     223.9     101.8     44.00     41.75
Aug 21     222.5     101.1     43.75     41.75
Aug 28     220.4     100.2     43.50     41.50

Totals
Weight loss = 19.4 lbs (8.8 kg)
Fat loss = 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg)
Muscle loss = 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)

Very happy so far.

[Paul Victory]

Well done zoot. I think our combined weight has remained fairly constant over that period and I have now passed you out (or, more correctly, you passed me on your way down and I passed you on the way up!)

[zootMutant]

Well done zoot. I think our combined weight has remained fairly constant over that period...

If that's true, Paul, then I hate to say it, but: I hope you gain a lot of weight over the next few months!

[Ian Bee]

Broadly back to where I was before tweaking muscles, so hopefully I'll start building up again I've the next month.

While the other half was doing a shift this morning, I coated along to dawn of the planet of the apes. Those yellow subtitles were a bit of a pain.....

I'm targeting getting to "healthy" bmi by the end of October. Ish.

[Paul Victory]

Well done zoot. I think our combined weight has remained fairly constant over that period...

If that's true, Paul, then I hate to say it, but: I hope you gain a lot of weight over the next few months!

Just because it's true over the last few months doesn't mean it has to stay that way! I'm going to get my act together at some stage - I hope! Weighed myself this morning and I'm 100.6 kg, which puts me in the Red zone.

We have visitors staying at present and have been doing a lot of extra socialising. They're going home tomorrow, so my new leaf is being delivered shortly after they depart. I'll try to get back under 100 kg before I head off to Alvor at the weekend. Staying under 100kg while I'm there is another story altogether.

Paul V

Date_________Mass (KG)_______Weekly change_______Total change
31/12/15_______94.0___________n/a__________________n/a
29/02/16_______96.1___________+2.1_________________+2.1
26/03/16_______96.6___________+0.5_________________+2.6
03/04/16_______96.4___________-0.2_________________+2.4
17/04/16_______95.1___________-1.3_________________+1.1
12/05/16_______96.0___________+0.9_________________+2.0
18/06/16_______96.2___________+0.2_________________+2.2
25/07/16_______99.8 __________+3.6_________________+5.8
07/08/16_______99.4__________-0.4_________________+5.4
20/08/16_______98.9__________-0.5_________________+4.9
29/08/16_______100.6 __________+1.7_________________+6.6

[J-Dog]

@Zoot: impressively-sustained weight loss. Looks like new trousers are needed, which must be a big motivation boost.

@Paul: maybe you need to measure combined weight and socialising, so it's OK to get heavier if you're having a great time? Putting on weight with no good excuse is bad. Losing weight by cutting yourself off from friends is bad . . .

I'm planning to make some weight headroom, before Christmas, so I can put on a stone during the holidays

@Ian: not sure 'healthy' BMI works well for anyone with muscles (that's not me at the moment, but with all those metres, probably you). Might be better to give yourself a bit on top of the normal range?

Anyway, two pounds down, so I'm a happy bunny. No beer Mon - Thurs and fewer snacks seems to do it.

Date Weight weekly change % there
22 Aug 2016 14st 0lbs 0lbs 0.0%
29 Aug 2016 13st 12lbs -2lbs 14.3 %

J-Dog

[zootMutant]

Thanks, guys!

Broadly back to where I was before tweaking muscles, so hopefully I'll start building up again I've the next month...

I'm targeting getting to "healthy" bmi by the end of October. Ish.

Glad your back is feeling better! I look forward to seeing your BMI drop next month! (As J-dog points out, there is a huge natural variation in BMI... but it is very easy to calculate and monitor, so it is as good a metric as any to be watching.)

Well done zoot. I think our combined weight has remained fairly constant over that period...

If that's true, Paul, then I hate to say it, but: I hope you gain a lot of weight over the next few months!

Just because it's true over the last few months doesn't mean it has to stay that way! I'm going to get my act together at some stage - I hope! Weighed myself this morning and I'm 100.6 kg, which puts me in the Red zone.

Fair enough, Paul -- looking forward to your company on the downward path.

Anyway, two pounds down, so I'm a happy bunny.

2 pounds is excellent progress. Well done! =D>

[Ian Bee]

Good points well made re BMI - I'll attempt to use it as an approximate metric but little else.

The other half has just reminded me that the weigh-in is this evening - why did we schedule it after the BH? Were we not in possession of our senses???

Well done to J-Dog on the loss

-------

PS - the aftermath of the weigh-in:

• Increase of weight by 0.75kg over a month
• General body measurements are broadly the same over a month

So a mixed bag of results.

[Rob C]

Some impressive weight yo-yo taking place. Well done all who are heading in their desired direction =D> Must do better those who aren't like me

So it's a little while since I admitted my weight. A summer of slacking (lack of motivation, feeling feeble due to a cough, and all sorts of pitiful excuses) has had the inevitable effect. I suppose it could have been a lot worse. But top tip, if you are about to do a weigh in, don't indulge in a take-away pizza the night before

March 2016 - 17st 12lb (113kg)
April 2016 - 17st 5lb (110kg) - 1/2 stone (3kg)
May 2016 - 16st 13lb (107.5kg) -6lb (2.7kg)
June 2016 - 16st 11lb (106.5kg) - 2lb (1kg)
Sept 2016 - 17st 1lb (108.4 kg) +4lb (1.8kg)

Must try harder .....

[Tako]

Having experience as a weight loss yo-yo expert; i.e. going down several times (with training and changed diet) and then ending up higher in the end, I turned into a depressed, overweight, and unfit guy. Then I came across this (for me at least) inspiring TED talk:
https://youtu.be/jn0Ygp7pMbA
Recently Sandra Aamodt released a corresponding book with the title "Why diets make us fat".
Reading it made me first more depressed as it showed me how "bad" my situation is and how I have been a playball of my surroundings; however, after finishing the second half of the book I feel free. I stopped watching my weight and started training again. Dusted of my almost unused C2 and got going thanks to the C2 logbook challenges. So now the focus is on fitness, healthy food, and mindful eating; may the weight be where it is. Fit big guys are healthier than skinny unfit or skinny fit with bad diet. Fortunately the improved fitness comes with some shape improvements
Disclaimer: My deepest respect to all that are working hard to loose weight. I have done it and know how tough it is, believe me. But just had the need to share the above. Feel free to have a look at it or just leave it for what it is, my experience.
Anyway all the best and enjoy a good row!

[zootMutant]

Welcome to the team, Tako!

I came across this (for me at least) inspiring TED talk:
https://youtu.be/jn0Ygp7pMbA

Very interesting talk. Thanks for posting that.

Discussion about diet often takes on the tone of a religious discussion -- what with low fat vs low carb, and milk & dairy industry vs animal rights activists -- but Sandra Aamodt sidesteppes the whole controversy and instead talks about how the brain regulates hunger and body-weight 'setpoint'... and about how 'mindfulness'' may be a better approach than dieting.

@ Ian -- not a huge setback, but frustrating, nevertheless. Here's to a new month!

@ Rob -- 'slide-back summer' is over, back to work. Time for some mindfulness!

Weigh-in tomorrow.

Cheers,
zoot

[Paul Victory]

Final weigh in before heading off to Alvor. Didn't manage to cure my bad habits this week, but at least I'm not any worse than last week!

Paul V

Date_________Mass (KG)_______Weekly change_______Total change
31/12/15_______94.0___________n/a__________________n/a
29/02/16_______96.1___________+2.1_________________+2.1
26/03/16_______96.6___________+0.5_________________+2.6
03/04/16_______96.4___________-0.2_________________+2.4
17/04/16_______95.1___________-1.3_________________+1.1
12/05/16_______96.0___________+0.9_________________+2.0
18/06/16_______96.2___________+0.2_________________+2.2
25/07/16_______99.8 __________+3.6_________________+5.8
07/08/16_______99.4__________-0.4_________________+5.4
20/08/16_______98.9__________-0.5_________________+4.9
29/08/16_______100.6 __________+1.7_________________+6.6
04/09/16_______100.5 __________-0.1_________________+6.5

[Tako]

Welcome to the team, Tako!

...

Weigh-in tomorrow.

Cheers,
zoot

Thanks for the welcome!
I have to admit that I am so tempted to join the weigh-in, especially as I initially cut off 3kg in the first month of training, but they are already half back after a "normal three days weekend without workout". This makes me realize again what Sandra's story is about. I will focus on fitness and belly/hip measure instead. Those lost 8cm are not back yet
But I have to take it a bit more easy at the start as I can feel my back after playing with the kids.

Now I better stop disturbing this topic/post/thread
Good luck to you all!



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[J-Dog]

Lost one more pound, so now down to 13st 11lb.

Still 11lbs to go . . .

Bad weekend (or rather too good a weekend) put paid to gains I'd made during the week.

Had to fix the house a bit, yesterday, (rain getting in) rather than do any rowing. Ladders and sawing and nailing are very tiring, but not in a useful cardio way

Lots of driving this week, so I'll have to get rowing in wherever I can.

Have a good week, team.

J-Dog

[zootMutant]

@Paul -- no worse off. Hold steady while in Algor and you'll be well positioned to improve when you get back! Have a great trip!

@Tako -- mind the mindfulness! Fitness and hip/waist measurements are excellent for evaluating progress! I weigh myself daily to check for dehydration (any loss of more than 1/2 pound means I need to drink more water), but I judge progress by my monthly body measurements.

@J-Dog -- driving is my worst enemy. I get bored, then I stop and buy snacks to eat while driving. Sometimes I listen to audio drama to occupy my mind... sometimes if I feel energetic beforehand I can pack snacks like shelled edamame or jicama slices or rice cakes. Good luck!

==================

August was another month of steady progress...

Code: Select all

 Date      Pounds     Kg       Waist "    Hips "
Mar 17     239.8     109.0     46.50     43.50
Apr 01     237.7     108.0     46.25     42.75
May 01     229.3     104.2     45.00     42.00
~~~
Aug 01     228.5     103.9     44.75     42.00
Sep 01     218.2      99.2     43.25     41.25

Totals
Weight loss = 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg)
Fat loss = 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg)
Muscle loss = 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg)

Very happy so far.