I'm Just Gonna Create My Own Weightloss Thread

[Guest Cody_T]

Hey people,

So I'm 5'8'' and I weigh... 190... wait, 188 pounds. That's right. Down two from last week

but anyway, I've always been somewhat overweight and had my parents on me to do something about it since the second I hit puberty and lost my skinniness, but I never had the motivation to fix a body I a. was detached from and b. didn't want to look girlier. But, since I kind of accepted all this stuff I realized that I don't want to spend my life out of shape and overweight, and I heard scary stories about going on T and gaining weight but never losing it. (if this is false, please don't tell me so. I need all the motivation I can get). Therefore, I am newly motivated to lose weight for my own sense of mind and not anyone else. Not to mention, if I'm skinny, the sweatshirts I now own will cover any curves I may develop.

So, my weight loss plan:

Lose two pounds a week (cause that's the healthy amount), until I meet my weight loss goal of 145 pounds. Which allows for a week losing one pound, or a week losing three pounds. Whichever occurs first.

How to do so:

Eat about 1,400 calories a day

Not to mention:

I'm newly vegetarian, because I felt like it might be fun, and also because it seemed like a good way to take control of my diet and be cognizant of what I'm eating. I'm considering becoming vegan in the future for the same reasons, which might be bad reasons, but I don't care because I like them.

So, the strict plan:

No meat (duhh)

No liquid calories, although if I really need it, a Propel with like 5 calories is okay

Get those 100 packs of white cheddar popcorn so I can teach myself not to binge on it (2,000 calories worth of white cheddar popcorn in one night is *not* a good thing)

Fiber One cereal with every meal (if you don't get it, I won't get into it)

Other than that, I can eat whatever I want, although I'm aiming at lessening my dairy intake so that the switch over to being vegan in the future won't be so hard.

Not to mention: as I get these current restrictions down, I'll be moving on to more restrictions and/or foods that I should eat more of. So if anyone has any good suggestions, please let me know.

And for anyone else seeking to lose weight, check out the best invention in the world, www.thedailyplate.com I'm sure there are plenty of sites like that, but the whole idea of it is great, and it really helps to see what you're eating.

So yeah... that's about it. Feel free to share your own stories or give tips or insist that animals are meant for eating (cause I'm right there with you). And good luck to anyone else who's working on their own weightloss.

[Guest Evan_J]

Right on Cody! I'm not vegetarian or anything but I'm right there with ya.

[Guest Sergei]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Since I went on T I've put on two stone, and I was quite over weight anyway. I just never seem to get have the time or motivation to commit myself to a diet plan, so good for you. x

[Guest Kelly Ann]

I quit smoking 7 weeks ago now (cigars) and didn't want to go through what quitting cigarettes did to me...<ARGH> 152-156 lbs to 210 lbs in 5 weeks. Whats working for me is eating earlier, more often and smaller portions and stopping the snacks/sugar completely, no food after 8p.m. and smaller portions all around (this is THE biggie). Don't know about the weight yet as I'm afraid to weigh myself but I can tell I've lost whats just as important to me...inches. Previously I went from a 31" waist to a <<gulp>> 38-40" and felt like the Doughboy. My 34's are fitting a little looser now and so is my belt (whew)...now if I can just get over the chemical withdrawals (THIS is horrible for me)from the anti-smoking drug I'll be a happy lady. Best of luck to us all on this, Kelly Ann

P.S. If I can outrun and/or overpower it I'll eat it...oh oh I can't believe I said that...errrr yes I can

[Guest Linus Thomas]

Hey Cody, I'm vegan so if you have any questions, just ask.

Because of my job I tend to not move a lot and gain a lot weight. I eat like I did when I did my long distance bicycling touring but barely move (thanks online teaching and traveling). At 5'1" and 210 I need to lose weight. One thing I'd highly suggest: stay away from processed foods as much as you can. I suspect (personal introspection) that has been my biggest downfall. That's pretty nice site. The ability to see how much and what you eat is a big thing. Don't forget to add weight training and cardio to your plan. Your muscles will burn more when they are used more.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Cody

Start any legitamate tread you want sweet - you read the rules and know the limits. No apology needed.

Hey - we can post our personal weight loss here too - wow

I started October 1st - 226 pounds

Goal - 198 which I met Christmas day

Today - 196 = 30 pounds gone - yeaaaaaaaaa

New goal 182-186 range

I now have a waist for the first time

[CAUTION: I am 6'2" so - I could safely lose ten pounds a month - so you people be careful of losing too fast]

I was 140 pounds in High School

I was 180 pounds in College

I was 188 pounds at age 30

I was 236 at my peak - about two years ago

Because of my height I need a thinner frame to help me pass as a woman. My real goal is to get about 10 pounds below 186 and then gain it back with HRT distribution in the chest, hips and thighs - and its working already - yeaaaaaa.

This topic is great. Can I keep posting?

[Guest Cody_T]

P.S. If I can outrun and/or overpower it I'll eat it...oh oh I can't believe I said that...errrr yes I can

lol that is awesome

Hey Cody, I'm vegan so if you have any questions, just ask.

Because of my job I tend to not move a lot and gain a lot weight. I eat like I did when I did my long distance bicycling touring but barely move (thanks online teaching and traveling). At 5'1" and 210 I need to lose weight. One thing I'd highly suggest: stay away from processed foods as much as you can. I suspect (personal introspection) that has been my biggest downfall. That's pretty nice site. The ability to see how much and what you eat is a big thing. Don't forget to add weight training and cardio to your plan. Your muscles will burn more when they are used more.

Thanks . I'm right with you on the exercise thing... I ran a marathon in eighth grade, and I haven't seemed to adjust to not needing the carbs anymore. Also, I have to admit, I've heard the term and I've even told people to avoid them, but I'm not entirely sure what processed foods are...

I started October 1st - 226 pounds

Goal - 198 which I met Christmas day

Today - 196 = 30 pounds gone - yeaaaaaaaaa

New goal 182-186 range

I now have a waist for the first time

wow, congrats! Good job, and good luck on your next goal

This topic is great. Can I keep posting?

Please do The more the better

And my random observation of the day:

It is very very very hard to go to a salad bar when it is next to a pizza bar. Actually, it might be physically impossible.

[Guest Linus Thomas]

Thanks . I'm right with you on the exercise thing... I ran a marathon in eighth grade, and I haven't seemed to adjust to not needing the carbs anymore. Also, I have to admit, I've heard the term and I've even told people to avoid them, but I'm not entirely sure what processed foods are...

Technically, anything man-made and bought in a store. So, pasta is processed as are creamers, junk food, prepared food in boxes, etc. Any time you can go into the store, buy fresh veggies and fruit and make a meal from that, it's not processed (whether cooked or raw). I make my own vegan mayo (actually better than regular mayo, IMO, and only takes about 10 min to make). Although that is a slightly processed item, not as much as other items. Also, ensure that you put in a regular mix of beans and nuts into your diet as those will add more protein and if you're interested in bodybuilding, I am an admin on a vegan bodybuilding website/forum so I can link you with that.

[Guest Cody_T]

Technically, anything man-made and bought in a store. So, pasta is processed as are creamers, junk food, prepared food in boxes, etc. Any time you can go into the store, buy fresh veggies and fruit and make a meal from that, it's not processed (whether cooked or raw). I make my own vegan mayo (actually better than regular mayo, IMO, and only takes about 10 min to make). Although that is a slightly processed item, not as much as other items. Also, ensure that you put in a regular mix of beans and nuts into your diet as those will add more protein and if you're interested in bodybuilding, I am an admin on a vegan bodybuilding website/forum so I can link you with that.

oh okay, that makes sense. I eat too much processed food, but I've been trying to cut down. And the link to that website would be great, thanks.

[Guest Cody_T]

185

although I kind of ate too much today since we had guests. The good news though is that eating around two thousand calories in a day feels like eating four thousand used to. That has to be progress... hopefully I won't lose it.

So far I've had more trouble avoiding foods I shouldn't be eating than not eating at all. Like, if I really really want pizza I end up eating it, but then I can avoid any snacks until dinner easy. It would probably be healthier to eat healthy food all the time, but that's kind of harder

[Guest Cody_T]

177

totally lost it over finals... seriously, it's like christmas, easter, thanksgiving, halloween, and severe depression combined, with a pound of cherries on top. The AP tests are gonna get me too.

And I've noticed that I have more curves than I ever thought I did before... like, it goes in where my ribs end and then curves out until my pants... and I really hate it...

It was always there, but it seems a lot more pronounced now... could that be from losing weight?

And on good news, I now fit into some of my brother's old pants

[Guest Irielle]

Cody - congratulations on your goal and you'll reach it!

Don't forget to get protein in your diet. Your body needs protein and if you're not going to eat meat you'll need protein from other sources. Fish is one if you're not giving that up. Beans are another but be prepared for side effects. I don't eat much meat but sometimes chicken and I love fish.

At the supermarket, shop the perimieter and avoid the aisles. If you'll notice, the outside walls of the supermarket are where the good stuff is, fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, all the less processed stuff. That's because the shelf life of those things is much less and the turnover is faster. The outside walls are easier to get to and it's less disruptive when they are restocking so that's where they put the more perishable things.

The aisles in the middle of the store have the processed stuff. Some of that stuff was there before World War II I think.

The closer something is to the way it is out in the wild real world the less processed it is.

Be sure to exercise, both aerobic and weight training. Aerobics to burn fat and weight training to put on muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat so adding muscles increases your weight loss.

Also remember that your weight is important but so is your body fat percentage. You could be at your desired weight but if your bodyfat percentage is 30% then you ain't healthy. Use a full length mirror. If you weigh more than you wanted but your body looks good in the mirror I wouldn't worry.

[Guest Zack L]

I approve of this thread! Wish I could diet...maybe if I exercise a whole lot I can lose something. Been hovering at about 145 for a while, and I would love to get back down to 130 or 125.

Times like this make me wish I had no eating disorder and wasn't diabetic. Makes the losing weight thing really hard. =P

Great job Cody, you've made good progress!

[Guest Cody_T]

176

Irielle-

The shopping thing is definitely a great idea, thank you. I tend to wander througout the middle aisles, and I should stop because I'm just as likely to crave fruits/vegetables as goldfish and chocolate... but of course, it's the bad ones that I see while shopping

Also remember that your weight is important but so is your body fat percentage. You could be at your desired weight but if your bodyfat percentage is 30% then you ain't healthy. Use a full length mirror. If you weigh more than you wanted but your body looks good in the mirror I wouldn't worry.

I know in actuality this is great advice... but the idea of me thinking my body looks good in a mirror still strikes me as funny

Oh and I've actually been eating protein like crazy. Seriously, a basic day of food for me is edamame, apple, soy tenders, tofu, tempeh, and maybe some ice cream or white cheddar popcorn if I really had to. So everything in there has protein in it. Of course, then I had to go on this stupid retreat and subsisted on potato chips, red vines, and famous amos chocolate chip cookies. Oops Word of advice to others on diets? Avoid retreats like the plague. Ruuuuunnn!!!!!

Did you know that there are about 30 calories to a red vine? And it's physically impossible to eat fewer than say... five at a time. And there are quite a few chances to eat those five in a day... So yeah, due to that whole retreat fiasco, one pound in two weeks is just dandy. Cause I was a little worried it was gonna go the other way

[Guest Cody_T]

179

I'm being such a pig lately... I'd say it's partially cause of things with my mom... and partly cause food tastes good . I'm going on a cruise for next week, so I'll get back on the bandwagon after that. Here's to staying under 180! haha

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

179

I'm being such a pig lately... I'd say it's partially cause of things with my mom... and partly cause food tastes good . I'm going on a cruise for next week, so I'll get back on the bandwagon after that. Here's to staying under 180! haha

Have fun on the cruise! You should definitely not worry about dieting on vacation!

I'm heading out to the gym now. *sigh*

[Guest The Jishmiester]

Wow that's really cool. I hope you reach your goals.

I could do with losing a good 40 lbs or so . Recently I started running with my best friend who also wants to lose about 30 lbs or so. So we both are running together and doing stretches and trying to eat less and more healthy.

[xanyx]

Yes, muscles make huge difference.. I heard too much soy protein can be feminizing that's why I try not to eat to much of it.

Whey and egg protein are great. I mix whey, egg protein and casein. Also hemp protein is good to add (because of high fiber). I use BCAA too. (branched chain amino acids). The more muscles, more fat burning occurs and + lots of cardio. And, before cardio--taking some Glutamine powder prevents body from breaking down the muscle, and makes it more likely to turn onto fat.

Good fats are really important (and prevent binges)... Buying a bottle of flax seed/borage oil (not capsules, but raw oil) or fish oil and having a table spoon a day is really good, plus using only grape seed oil or olive oil in cooking/salads. CLA fats (congugated linoleic acid) are really healthy fats that help burning fat. Animal fats are bad... but some needed I think cause they are important for good Testosterone levels. (no fried foods of course, no fractionated or partially-hydrogenated (which is transfat), or palm oil in ingredients). Coconut oil's good replacement for animal fat and tastes great.

When I want to lose more weight I go on regimen of protein mixed with low-sugar juice with ground flax seed added.

And lots of fish and green leaves like arugula or cabbage.

Basically, if you want to avoid processed food, it's a good idea to spend extra money and shop only at local health food store/farmer's market or something like that.

[Guest Cody_T]

175

Just went to the doctor who told me that, so it's official. I went on a cruise and lost weight... that's gotta be a victory. Although I'm lucky cause I got super sick about halfway and couldn't eat enough to gain weight the last few days. And then I went to the gym with my dad today. That does nothing for the weight, but I'm sore and sweaty so I need to let people know . I have to get strong quick, w/out T... fun.

xanyx... thanks, I'm definitely going to make use of that information

[Guest Benzrathe]

WTG, Cody! Good onya for stickin' to it. You're earning every ounce of your success, bud! =]

[Guest Cody_T]

177

So I gave myself a break for AP tests... it seems like I spend more time deciding when not to follow my diet than actually dieting =P

Some things... I started working out with my dad again, this time in a much more regular manner and really pushing it with the weights. We do a certain workout that he likes and I know that it builds shoulders, pecs, biceps etc, based on his previous experience, as I have no idea how to find out if my pecs exist. Good news first, it seems like my shoulders are getting broader and I fill out my shirts a lot better. It's nowhere near perfect, but I've just noticed them fitting better in the shoulder area. Also, I've lost about 10 pounds and absolutely nothing from the chesticular area. I know that's not a lot of weight, but I was kind of hoping it'd do something. Although I guess I should be glad that I'm losing weight in the areas I'm hoping to actually keep, at least. And then I put on my binder today and found that my chest is less compressible. I don't mean by the binder because that was never perfect, but that I can't add manual compression to the same level. Before I could make a big difference, now it's like a centimeter. I hadn't bound since before we started working out again, so I'm wondering if having pecs could impact that?

Oh, and if you're looking for a good healthy snack, frozen peas are amazing. Get the early harvest kind since the others taste like dirt, and then just pour some frozen peas in a baggie and eat them. Since they're cold they take longer to eat (for me at least), they give you water, and the method of eating is similar to chips, popcorn, and other unhealthy foods.

If you're dieting too, let me know how your goal is going

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

My chesticles wouldn't flatten no matter what I did. I think it has more to do with the density of the tissue than what's underneath it. Apparently I had "very prominent pectoral muscles" according to my surgeon. They were buried under mounds of flesh. Dr. Garramone also commented that my breast tissue was really, really dense...like the most dense he'd seen. Since he is a plastic surgeon, that probably means something coming from him. When I asked about tissue density he said that part of it is that young people have denser tissue. Hormone levels also matter. Density changes across the dreaded cycle. Dense chesticle = less squish

I keep gaining weight. I was up 3 pounds when I was at the doctor's on Tuesday. This was odd because my pants sure have been sagging. Oh well... I eat healthy and work out 4 times a week. I'm also on T, so I am still gaining muscle too.

That's awesome that you are weight training with your dad. Stay with it! Are you planning on getting chest surgery at some point? If so, definitely keep up with the pec exercises. I worked out for a year before I had surgery and it really paid off.

[Guest 1charlotte1]

I swim! It keeps me thin! Is easy on my joints, and gives me lean muscle! (I don't want to brag, but I recently found out I fit into a size 0 jeans! OMG! I was stoked!!) I do wish I wasn't so straight tho, I want curves!!!! Ahhh! Anysuggestions for curves? Other than hormones?

m>_<m peace, Charlotte