Starting my lifestyle change

[vanslem6]

On my 25th birthday I decided that I needed to make that change. 5'9", 215. I'll be 31 in two weeks, and I weigh about 135-140 today. The only way you'll make a change is if you change your lifestyle. I might suggest cutting out red meats and eating a LOT of green things. As much as possible. Most important is to learn about food and figure out what works for you. I have paleo friends while I eat a vegan diet. So there are certainly different ways of doing things. Be forewarned, however, there's a lot of misinformation out there. For example, milk and dairy is not a health food.

There's a lot more to say, but I just lost my train of thought entirely. Haha, best of luck.

You, sir, are on the right track and my hat is off to you for going after what you want! You will almost certainly find some relief from depression, but do not be surprised if you need some extra help in the form of medication, if only for a short while. Meds can be a great leg-up on the road to recovery and can help the sufferer from slipping back to old behaviors or mental states. Again, think of high cholesterol. Some people use statins for a while and then move off them. But either way, it's about living healthy. You're doing that!

Medications should be the very last step along the way - a last resort, so to speak.

 

[I.N.F.K]

I appreciate all the support folks.

 

[bflying]

I just subscribed to this thread. That doesn't happen often, but you inspired me. I only need to loose 50-60, but you inspired me. Good on ya! Looking forward to updates.

 

[Burke]

I assume you have talked to a doctor about what the optimal diet for your condition is (I don't know a lot about yeast infections). I agree that fresh whole foods and lean meats are best but grains and carbs in moderation are also ok for most people and can make the other stuff a lot more palatable long term.

I am on a similar path to you although I am older (which makes it a little harder) and less overweight (which makes it easier). The two things that I have found extremely helpful are logging my food on the MyFitnessPal app on my phone and Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength book. I have been lifting weights and cleaned up my diet since the end of April and I've lost 20 lbs (probably more like 25 lbs of fat) going from 270ish to 250 and increasing my strength and also improving my appearance. Barbells are also great because they are much more scalable in difficulty than a lot of other exercises (let's face it, running is not going to be fun or probably even healthy for your joints for a long time) and are something that bigger guys can excel at. I will add that the material on nutrition in Starting Strength is meant for underweight young athletes not overweight guys so apply your judgement to those portions.

 

[I.N.F.K]

So it's the end of day three, and this past weekend has consisted of zero soda, zero choclate, and zero alcohol (it was a very boring weekend). Instead I ate fish, beef jerky (homemade), chicken jerky (homemade), veggies, and fruit. So I'm pretty much on working on the paleo diet.

 

[Clinto.]

As soon as you realize that starch, sugar and fake sugar only make you fat and unhappy, is the instant you realize what happiness is.

Being healthy, having a significant other and enjoying yourself/body makes for the best life. I weigh an optimal 175 lbs and I still don't eat birthday cake at any birthday party. I will share one or two bites with my kids, but it honestly flips my stomach now. No one ever asks "are you on a diet?". Knowing what each bite of sugar/starch does to your body just ruins it.

I have also found drinking beer doesn't do any damage at all. So if that helps keep your sanity, do it (2 or less on weekdays/4 or less on weekends). But otherwise, try to only eat meat and vegetables. (just like our ancestors did) With as little starch as possible, only being in natural real food like sweet potatoes that digest slowly with less fat build up. No pasta ever.. No processed anything.. Nothing from a box.. ever..

Do not eat past 6pm. If you get hungry at 8pm, just realize that every minute of hunger equals diminishing fat.

That's it, if you just eat real food, not out of a box and just drink water only or coffee/tea with NO sugar and beer (not too much). That's all you have to do. The fat will just fall off..

After that, you will lose weight, gain muscle (if you lift weights which i cannot recommend enough) and be happy.

I cannot congratulate you enough for making the decision that you have made. It is the one that will impact your life the most.


EDIT: I meant to put on here that this is all just my opinion. When I say "you" I mean me.. You can realize what ever you want. This was all just my experience for myself and is all just my opinion.
I wish you nothing but the absolute best on your new journey!

 

[Clinto.]

If you get a minute, check these guys out. They have 1.2 Mil subscribers on youtube. Very entertaining, very funny and very helpful.

God Speed!!


[video=youtube;SBEeUFZSSh4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBEeUFZSSh4[/video]

 

[ryan9977]

It's been almost a year since I started loosing weight....I've lost almost 90 pounds....I got about 5 more pounds I wanna loose....trust me , if I can do it, you can.....I cut out soda, and that was about it....I eat a lot of veggies, salad, more veggies, lots of eggs, chicken.....I still have a burger and fries.....but maybe once a month instead of four times a week....lol.....feel free to pm me if u ever need any help....good luck to u....ryan

 

[RevDevil]

Good luck in your quest. Remember to be consistent and write yourself a list of goals a d things you want and need to get done. It can and will happen. Search for motivational stuff online to get yourself started.

 

[I.N.F.K]

So tomorrow will be my 1 week mark and so far so good. I have noticed a depletion in my engery since I started ristricting my carbs more. A fitness nut at work says that it is normal. But I have been feeling less of a need to snack more often that I did. I use to use food as a stimulation for my mind becaue I would get so bored. But because I eat mostly veggies and fruit now I have found more breathing room with my financials to pursue other sources of stimuli.

On a side not I did cheat a little yesterday. I had two slices of thin crust pizza and a soda, but I'm not totally commiting to he paleo lifestyle.

 

[RevDevil]

Try substituting soda for iced tea or just tough it out and drink water.
https://www.yahoo.com/health/what-one-can-of-coke-does-to-your-body-in-only-one-125354269592.html

 

[Dopic1]

Good Luck on your journey, just remember you didn't gain it all in one day so keep that in mind.

 

[taldesta]

Hey I.F.N.K.

Long ago, you posted a thread "bucket list"

At that time, I wondered if you were a young 'old soul' ... or an old person of experience simply asking.

Either way, I thought to put my bucket list to words in a post. I have you to thank for that.

You know, once you put your goals to words, you kind of feel obliged to live up to them.

For my part, I have the map of Canada to the left of my reading lazy-boy. I work to make the changes needed to actually realize my own personal bucket list as posted - every day - honestly making progress bit by bit. No homework intended for readers

As you have supported others, may I offer my support and encouragement to you personally ... because you have 'gone for it' and you know well enough that a little slide is no big deal in actually reaching the end goal.

The tiniest gain is one hell of a gain in moving you to the life you have chosen for yourself. No icon covers my sincerity in saying this to you.

 

[SurpriseGoat]

So tomorrow will be my 1 week mark and so far so good. I have noticed a depletion in my engery since I started ristricting my carbs more. A fitness nut at work says that it is normal. But I have been feeling less of a need to snack more often that I did. I use to use food as a stimulation for my mind becaue I would get so bored. But because I eat mostly veggies and fruit now I have found more breathing room with my financials to pursue other sources of stimuli.

On a side not I did cheat a little yesterday. I had two slices of thin crust pizza and a soda, but I'm not totally commiting to he paleo lifestyle.

That's really common. Called a paleo hangover. Your body will work through it in another week or two. But watch your cheat days when your just starting out because to much can set you back to feeling tired/worn out.

 

[KrabbyKakes]

Alright, I have nothing to say about your sickness, depression, or your new diet.

BUT...

After that, you will lose weight, gain muscle (if you lift weights which i cannot recommend enough) and be happy.

DO THIS!

Depending on how fat you are, you will lose weight by eating better, but eventually, you are going to have to start excersizing. Everyone is gonna jump on a treadmill, but cardio SUCKS. The only reason I do it is because I have to for football. O would much rather just lift.

Lifting is also going to be a lot better for you. Your a big guy, so you should be able to get decently strong faster than most. Now, don't expect to walk in and start repping 225 on bench the first day, but at the beginning, your strength is gonna shoot up. Also, your physique will improve quicker if you get muscular and skinnier instead of just skinnier.

A word of advice though:
If you do lift, don't pay attention to the number on the scale. You might gain, you might lose when you start. Just look at yourself in the mirror instead. Weight isn't going to continuously drop either, you might lose 5 pounds one day, gain two the next, and lose 3 the next one. Just keep going.

EDIT: If you do lift, ignore the supplements. You don't need creatine, BCAAs, or pre-workout to weightlift. Hell, you don't even need protein that lots of people swear by. Just go into a gym and lift. Don't worry about muscle building excersize and complex plans that you see on Bodybuilding and those websites. Just find a nice simple routine and stick to it. Best of luck!

 

[vanslem6]

On a side not I did cheat a little yesterday. I had two slices of thin crust pizza and a soda, but I'm not totally commiting to he paleo lifestyle.

It has to be a lifestyle change, because diets don't work. Not a good sign, IMO!

 

[Clinto.]

Alright, I have nothing to say about your sickness, depression, or your new diet.

BUT...



DO THIS!

Depending on how fat you are, you will lose weight by eating better, but eventually, you are going to have to start excersizing. Everyone is gonna jump on a treadmill, but cardio SUCKS. The only reason I do it is because I have to for football. O would much rather just lift.

Lifting is also going to be a lot better for you. Your a big guy, so you should be able to get decently strong faster than most. Now, don't expect to walk in and start repping 225 on bench the first day, but at the beginning, your strength is gonna shoot up. Also, your physique will improve quicker if you get muscular and skinnier instead of just skinnier.

A word of advice though:
If you do lift, don't pay attention to the number on the scale. You might gain, you might lose when you start. Just look at yourself in the mirror instead. Weight isn't going to continuously drop either, you might lose 5 pounds one day, gain two the next, and lose 3 the next one. Just keep going.

EDIT: If you do lift, ignore the supplements. You don't need creatine, BCAAs, or pre-workout to weightlift. Hell, you don't even need protein that lots of people swear by. Just go into a gym and lift. Don't worry about muscle building excersize and complex plans that you see on Bodybuilding and those websites. Just find a nice simple routine and stick to it. Best of luck!

KrabbyKakes, you must be my separated at birth, fitness twin.

I agree 100% with everything you said. Cardio is only good for wasting time and feeling like crap. Don't do it. Simply hit the weights. And have fun doing. It is very enjoyable.

 

[I.N.F.K]

Hey I.F.N.K.

Long ago, you posted a thread "bucket list"

At that time, I wondered if you were a young 'old soul' ... or an old person of experience simply asking.

Either way, I thought to put my bucket list to words in a post. I have you to thank for that.

You know, once you put your goals to words, you kind of feel obliged to live up to them.

For my part, I have the map of Canada to the left of my reading lazy-boy. I work to make the changes needed to actually realize my own personal bucket list as posted - every day - honestly making progress bit by bit. No homework intended for readers

As you have supported others, may I offer my support and encouragement to you personally ... because you have 'gone for it' and you know well enough that a little slide is no big deal in actually reaching the end goal.

The tiniest gain is one hell of a gain in moving you to the life you have chosen for yourself. No icon covers my sincerity in saying this to you.

I have completley forgotten about that thread that I posted two years ago. I haven't really gotten around to any of those that I listed, well I did go about 90 in my ranger on a very dangerous mountain trail. Which ended up blowing my lower ball joints, bending a wheel, and I had to replace every seal on my truck. I guess one way people have described as being an old man, but that's due to my upbringing. I hope you achieve your big camping trip someday and don't let it slip by. I see too many elderly folks that seem to do nothing but work.

It has to be a lifestyle change, because diets don't work. Not a good sign, IMO!

I'm still going for a lifestyle change, just not full paleo. I have done it for the most part, I eat a ton of veggies now, and just as much fish. I drink veggie smoothies as well and fruit, but the sugar content is really high. I do have certain aspects tha I enjoy about the paleo, but just not the certainty to fully commit.

On a side note, I have found myself walking a bit straighter than I usually do. I use to have such a roll in my shoulders it would drive me insane. You know it's really the cravings for junk foods than the hunger really. I'm starting to cut back on portion sizes right now and taking smaller bites. I have a tendency to inhale my food, leaving me hungry and wanting more.

I do plan on driving by a few gyms that are on my way home from work once I get off my shift. I too agree that I would prefer to lift rather than cardio, I have travelled the route of cardio and it is awful.

 

[I.N.F.K]

If you get a minute, check these guys out. They have 1.2 Mil subscribers on youtube. Very entertaining, very funny and very helpful.

God Speed!!


[video=youtube;SBEeUFZSSh4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBEeUFZSSh4[/video]

I checked out their vids, and they are certainly a unusual pair.

 

[Shotgun]

Woot! Way to go.

A couple things that help me out. First is fiber. It helps to regulate the blood sugars and fills your tummy up. This goes a long way toward fighting off hunger. If you eat right, you wont be hungry. Do not limit your vegetables intake. You cannot eat enough of them. The second is kinda contrary to what you want but I think it's worth saying. Don't have a goal of losing weight. It's a permanent lifestyle change. The target is to die a healthy person and not to hit some arbitrary "this is what society tells you looks good" number. If you eat a healthy diet and get some exercise, the weight will sort itself out. I don't even pay attention to my weight. The only time I know I've lost weight is if my pants fall down or I get a compliment. Or both at the same time. Stick it out. It's totally doable. And remember that once you've adopted a new eating habit it will become easier to avoid processed foods. In fact a lot of processed foods I used to love I now cannot stand. Eating clean for a while, you really can tell once you've eaten fast food or candy. My whole body just goes haywire. Energy drops, blood sugar spikes, etc. So the cravings are almost gone. Still love pizza way too much though.