Lose Weight Now!

[endoquest]

Great thread Zio.
My two cents: Start weening yourself away from the "12 weeks" idea. A lot of people that take advantage of timed programs lose sight of the fact that this is a long term deal. I'm sure, from your enthusiasm, that you have already considered this. Just a reminder.
About weight lifting. Avoid "plateauing" once a goal is met. This happens so often it's not funny. Keep burning, change programs often and keep educating yourself!
Cardio: Interval training(i.e. 2 min. hard/2 min. easy) is WAY more efficient than slogging out a steady pace.
You're definitely on the right track and you've done a good service by posting this, thanks.

Endoquest (inner-quest)
38 years old, best shape I've ever been in.

 

[biglou]

Progress report: Tomorrow is four weeks, with only about 2-1/2 weeks worth of exercising according to the plan, and about 90% discipline following the eating structure.

Started @ 265 ( :o ) nekkid, now at 245 in shorts and tennies. I got a long way to go, and 245 is nothing to be proud of, but I'm moving, and that's the important thing.

Hey, I figure if zio is brave enough to post his NAMBLA member photo here, I can post my weight...:p

 

[Philip]

Lou is that the BFL program?
If so thats good progress.

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Hang in there Lou. The dieting got easier for me with every day that went by and the work out routine is part of my day now...I don't even think about it, just get up in the morning and do it. You are on your way man. :thumb:

 

[Zenith]

I'm sitting here stuffing Easter eggs... feeling guilty now[:(]. Thanks for the detailed info Zio!

 

[zio]

Dang Easter holiday. I was a bad boy. But that's all behind me now (literally). Went to the gym last night, determined to lift more than ever. And I did. I decided ahead of time that I'd start out on higher weights for each exercise. And it paid off. Curled 100 lbs twice (standing bicep curl, cheater bar). That's an all-time best. Doing reverse one-arm tricep cable pushdowns (palms facing up in a reverse grip), I took a glance in the mirror- HOLY CRAP! IS THAT ME? I was blown away. The muscles are popping out, and the fat is melting away. My pecs now, when I look in the mirror, aren't round & booby-like. They're square. I've got to take a picture & post it. I can't believe it.

FYI- losing fat is a weird process, if you're doing it the right way. First, your body won't start burning the subcutaneous fat (underneath the skin, the fat we all see in the mirror) until it has first burned the fat within our muscles (think marblized steak, and you'll get the picture). So if you're flexing now, and your muscles don't feel rock-hard, you still have fat within them to burn. Then, once that fat is gone, you'll start shedding the more visible body fat.

So it's easy to lose several pounds of fat in the first few weeks, but still see no results in the mirror. Just hang in there. Remember, like everyone else has said- this should be a life-long goal, nut just a get-rich-quick scheme.

 

[zio]

Also, I've heard fat-loss described as "coming off in sheets", as in a roll of paper towels. For the first few sheets, or pounds, that you lose- the roll doesn't look any different. Then, as you continue to lose pound after pound, the results start to get more visible. The first sheet only goes around the roll once, but towards the end of the roll, one sheet will go around twice or more. Get it? Even though you continue losing fat at the same rate, the visual result compounds. :thumb:

 

[zio]

Again, in all my fat-slob-bad-posture glory...

 

[zio]

And now about ten weeks later, standing there, not flexing, no sucking in, no post-workout pump, etc. Compare it to the original...

 

[KiwiBird]

zio, I think the one red eye Borg look is what makes the photo.

 

[zio]

Really? You don't think it's the Don Johnson pants or fake tan? Because I've been walking around town in my sandals and teal blazer and getting tons of looks from the ladies. Maybe they're Trekkies.

 

[Smit-Dog]

Zio - What did you do with all the lint that eventually came out of your belly-button?
;)

Just kidding, great job!

I had lunch today with 4 old college buddies. We are all in our late 30's ( :scream: ); 3 of them are on the BFL program. As my other non-BFL buddy and I scarfed the fresh bread and ordered up flaming cheese (Opa!), the BFL'ers talked diet, supplements, and exercise.

The one that's been on it the longest (1 year) looks and feels great. Not that he was really overweight, but he lost 20lbs and is super lean now (claims 6% body fat).

Keep it up! :thumb:

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Originally posted by Smit-Dog
Zio - What did you do with all the lint that eventually came out of your belly-button?

:laugh:

 

[TVRider]

Resistance is Futile!!!!! You will be assimilated :laugh:

 

[cr25096er]

wow! 6% body fat, thats pretty lean. i know in school you cant wrestle if you are below 7% body fat. i wonder why?

 

[Zerotact]

The fat in your body is were you store energy. After reading several body building books, 6% is unhealthy. It is possible to get that lean but you will have no energy and will have to constantly eat. Body builders while " in season " are so easily weakened that just the minute they go and pose on stage wears them out. I am sure if you read up online you will find more information.

 

[zio]

Hold yer breath... 12 week Body For Life pics of zia are coming shortly. She agreed to let me post them.

Now for the business... This is for motivation for others out there. I'll see if I can get her to let me post her before pictures, but it isn't likely. She's still a woman and letting me post these was a huge attribute to what this program has done for her self esteem.

I don't mind anyone making fun of me or whatever, but she's off limits, kay? Not that any DRN'er would ever stoop so low (I honestly don't think any of you would), but I just figure I'll say it anyway. She's my love and I'm very proud of her. Drum roll please....

 

[zio]

Nevermind the lotion & funny poses... she hasn't looked this good since we were engaged. Both of us feel like a million bucks.

 

[zio]

Last one. Believe it or not, doing these poses is a workout. We both did it, and took about 15 or so pictures each. By the end, you couldn't tell if the shine came from Pam or from sweat.

 

[exc rider]

lookin good! and lean too! you should get those before pictures on here,that would really help motivate people,she should be proud to show how far she's come. good job,keep it up!

 

[STIguy]

Im on week 1.5 so far so good im so stiff from the gym whoo

 

[zio]

STIguy, stick with it. Zia just read that a staggering percentage of Body For Lifers don't complete the 12 week challenge. Here's my 12 week "after" photo that I'm sending in tomorrow. And keep in mind, I had a week-long disruption in my second week, which that early on basically meant I started from scratch on week 3.

 

[zio]

Here's my alternate, I haven't decided which one to send in.

 

[john_bilbrey]

Just think folks....in the time we've been reading this post, we could have gotten similar results ourselves. Kudos for sticking with it, for those who have! My wife has started aerobics again - I guess this means that I have to get back in the gym, too. I'm starting to miss that post-workout feeling you get, plus the S.O.F. (Shirt Off Factor) that comes with being in shape.

 

[biglou]

OK, no laughing or I come over to your house and eat all your pasta, capice?

Here is week 7 of eating correctly, week 5 of working out. 260-something down to 240.

It's a crappy photo, and I ain't doin' the shirtless thing for another month or five... Maybe sleeveless shirt next time?! :debil: I have a before pic, but it's at work, so I will put it up tomorrow. It's not an official before pic, but there is a difference to be noticed.