How do you keep the weight off?

[yimyammer]

I dropped 30 one time doing Atkins and really didn't have a problem with staying on it, then something happened. Through some life changing events, my cravings and taste changed. I do believe I became a stress eater but had to have comfort food, which had not been comfort food in the past. So, now I am back to needing to drop 30.

OH!!!!!! I also added scotch to beer and bourbon, rye, gin, vodka, rum, tequila and wine!!!!! I really love wine and would have a hard time cutting that out on Atkins.

I tell ya, Ranching, here's where my head is now and I have a very hard time selling myself off of this. I am 72, live alone so I don't have another I am trying to please and I am not searching for the next one to do that with and I am content, if not happy, with that. As I explained to my doc when he suggested I reduce my alcohol intake, give up cigars and lose about 30 lbs, I asked him "why? You want me to give up the things that bring me joy in order to get healthier and deprive myself of the few things in life that bring me joy and whatever level of emotional and mental happiness I have now? Just so I can say I did it and celebrate by returning to my self-indulgent lifestyle?" He hasn't come up with a good answer for me yet.

What I do care about is how I feel while still above ground. So, I am looking into my assault on my cuddly self and devising a plan, I find a bottle of wine helps me plan better, with Atkins, Keto and South Beach Diet in the mix. I walk everyday but am still limited by Hector, my new hip, but I bought a recumbent exercise bike and that takes the stress off the back and the hip.

Lifting the big 6 heavy weights (Squat, Deadlift, Bench Press, Military Press, Rows, Pull Ups), walking a lot, drinking lots of water, fast one day a week and run a calorie deficit of 200-300 calories a day with a high protein diet works great, I just cant seem to sustain it because I love to cook & eat good food but when I have, its been like a time machine where I get stronger than the 20 somethings I'm working out with.

I did one of those HIIT classes 5 days a week for almost a year and never seemed to get any stronger, got tennis elbow and joint pain too. They tried to teach us how to do a hand stand push ups and I could barely hold the position much less do a push up.

I eventually quit doing the HIIT class and switched to the Big 6 heavy lifts 3x week plus walking daily + lots of protein and a year later I was watching that HIIT class try to do hand stand push ups and thought I bet I cant even hold myself up and decided to give it a try. To my utter surprise I could not only hold myself up but banged out 6 upside down push ups. This was after about a year of walking and lifting heavy only, I was shocked because I had only spent about 3 hours a week in the gym and took leisurely strolls while listening to podcasts daily. I was 49 at that time.

Heavy weights and being active with a good diet is the only thing close to a fountain of youth imo

 

[BigStar]

Sleeping pills? I'm worried about you buddy. Those things are no good to take on a regular basis.

Dimenph something arouthers (says non habit forming but could see growing a tolerance). Just a couple times a week, they give me the zombie vibes if I take too many the following day.

 

[Ranching]

I love your attitude, I feel the same way in many aspects and I’m sure the older I get the closer I’ll feel to the way you do...but I have a ways to go

I’ll say this, working out helps me mentally but it’s more of a hobby. My dream is to retire in the mountain and be able to hike and snowboard whenever I want.

If I lived in the mountains now I would probably never touch a weight again and as a result I would lose about 20-30 lbs of muscle and just be “skinny” but fit from hiking and boarding all the time. Living in DFW, there’s really nothing I enjoy doing outdoors so I end up at the gym by default.

I lost 4 pounds today when I unholstered my Smith and Wesson.

 

[Fredbeard]

I'm 5'8 and used to weigh 275 when I was in high school up until I turned twenty. I got down to 200 and I'm around 170- 175 now.what worked for me was doing cardio exercises for about a hour or hour and a half a night. You might want to buy more equipment such as a rowing machine or versa climber if you can afford it . Maybe look into taking cardio boxing and/or cardio kickboxing so you have plenty of variety in your workout routine

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I like doing up/downs and in/outs.

Is that a broke back mountain reference?

And if it is...are you the QB, or are you the wide receiver?

 

[BigStar]

Is that a broke back mountain reference?

And if it is...are you the QB, or are you the wide receiver?

Nah Runnin is a defensive back...probably hooking up with Hathaways

 

[Ranching]

I'm 5'8 and used to weigh 275 when I was in high school up until I turned twenty. I got down to 200 and I'm around 170- 175 now.what worked for me was doing cardio exercises for about a hour or hour and a half a night. You might want to buy more equipment such as a rowing machine or versa climber if you can afford it . Maybe look into taking cardio boxing and/or cardio kickboxing so you have plenty of variety in your workout routine

I have a big treadmill, stationary bike, Bowflex and a Sauna in my home gym. I just hate working out alone. Riding the bike in the open air has been pretty cool. My gym opened up again, but I haven't gone yet. Gonna wait a bit longer. Used to have a heavy and speed bag. Used them for a while and got bored. Gave them to a friend. Kind wish I had kept them. Lol. Thanks for the input.

 

[SlammedZero]

I'm going to be right behind you. Found a fantastic deal on a Weider home gym that I built up in the corner of my garage along with a treadmill (I hate running but it is what it is). I've been stuck in this weird weight purgatory for about 10+ years. Now while I will not pretend that I ever went hardcore at any given diet or workout, I have tried both, and between trying those and also eating whatever the hell I wanted, I have been stuck in this 201-212 area. It's weird. lol The 201 had me excited as I haven't seen 200 since my early 20s...but then my elbow gave me fits. Think I had tennis elbow and it pretty much chased me out the gym (I know I could have still worked out other ways, I was just being a baby).

So.....anyway, I plan on getting back after it. I'm not super overweight or anything but I would love to shed this "dad bod" and just feel good again. I noticed being out of shape I always feel sluggish.

 

[Rockdoc]

whatever your method,
add hot sauce, spicy food. has to hot enough that you notice it.

 

[Creeper]

1. DONT go on a diet, change your lifestyle to eat healthier

2. Portion control: it’s a real thing. Whatever you have in your plate, eat 70% of it and put the rest in the refrigerator

3. prefer proteins over carbs, salt and sugar. NO fast food or soda or juices. Minimize fried stuff and DONT eat out except occasionally

4. Aerobic Exercise regularly: Swim or water aerobics if knees are bad.

This!

 

[CouchCoach]

I'm going to be right behind you. Found a fantastic deal on a Weider home gym that I built up in the corner of my garage along with a treadmill (I hate running but it is what it is). I've been stuck in this weird weight purgatory for about 10+ years. Now while I will not pretend that I ever went hardcore at any given diet or workout, I have tried both, and between trying those and also eating whatever the hell I wanted, I have been stuck in this 201-212 area. It's weird. lol The 201 had me excited as I haven't seen 200 since my early 20s...but then my elbow gave me fits. Think I had tennis elbow and it pretty much chased me out the gym (I know I could have still worked out other ways, I was just being a baby).

So.....anyway, I plan on getting back after it. I'm not super overweight or anything but I would love to shed this "dad bod" and just feel good again. I noticed being out of shape I always feel sluggish.

That tennis elbow is caused by real beer. Switch to light beer and you should be fine in a case or two. In fact, take two and call me in the morning.

 

[Creeper]

I weighed around 200 lbs at age 40 when I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. I was heavy for my height - 5' 10" but I didn't notice it or care. Reading about the complications of diabetes scared the crap out of me so I immediately stopped eating sugary foods and drinks. I dropped down to 175 lbs in about 6 weeks. If I added any exercise, in addition to my regular activity, I dropped more.

The moral of the story is eat fewer carbs. This doesn't mean no carbs. We need carbs to produce energy. Don't deprive yourself to the point of uncontrollable binge eating. Don't forget to count the carbs in alcoholic beverages. Speaking of which, alcohol can stimulate appetite. If you like hitting Jack-In-the-Box for tacos after a few beers, you may want to cut back on the beers - and Jack-In-the-Box. At the same time, do not deprive yourself of treats forever. The occasional slice of cheesecake is not a major problem. Just make sure you have the willpower not to eat the entire cake!

Good luck!

 

[aria]

I’m drinking my 3rd glass of wine and am about ready to cook a huge pot of rice! Can’t wait. Brown rice with lemon juice is delicious. I also use real wild rice, hand harvested from MN, for special or not so special occasions. Don’t fear the carb...unless it’s sugar.

 

[nightrain]

57 yrs old 6'0" 200 lbs. Been keeping my weight in a range between 198 and 203 lately. Work out 3 days/week alternating days between upper and lower body routines. Cardio and core on the three days.

M-F strict adherence to intermittent fasting. Nothing other than water or coffee between 7PM and Noon next day. I cheat on the coffee with a small amount of sugar free creamer or a splenda and half and half. Home made sandwich at noon with 3 pieces of fruit usually for lunch. A protein drink days I work out at about 5PM. May snack on some jalepeno tortilla chips or mixed nuts and or fruit. Dinner is whatever the Bride makes with portion control. Sometimes an Oikos Yogurt for dessert.

Weekend I still intermittent fast, but I eat more food during Saturday and Sunday. Also have take out and or eat out. I do start my day at noon with plain oatmeal with an apple, banana, mixed nuts, yogurt and cinnamon. More likely to splurge on sweets, cheeses, processed meats, other "good" stuff., but not to excess.

Two table spoons of apple cider vinegar with mother every day. This has kicked my metabolism up a notch.

I keep finding I need to adjust my eating lifestyle annually just to maintain my weight. Staying active is a must.

 

[rags747]

57 yrs old 6'0" 200 lbs. Been keeping my weight in a range between 198 and 203 lately. Work out 3 days/week alternating days between upper and lower body routines. Cardio and core on the three days.

M-F strict adherence to intermittent fasting. Nothing other than water or coffee between 7PM and Noon next day. I cheat on the coffee with a small amount of sugar free creamer or a splenda and half and half. Home made sandwich at noon with 3 pieces of fruit usually for lunch. A protein drink days I work out at about 5PM. May snack on some jalepeno tortilla chips or mixed nuts and or fruit. Dinner is whatever the Bride makes with portion control. Sometimes an Oikos Yogurt for dessert.

Weekend I still intermittent fast, but I eat more food during Saturday and Sunday. Also have take out and or eat out. I do start my day at noon with plain oatmeal with an apple, banana, mixed nuts, yogurt and cinnamon. More likely to splurge on sweets, cheeses, processed meats, other "good" stuff., but not to excess.

Two table spoons of apple cider vinegar with mother every day. This has kicked my metabolism up a notch.

I keep finding I need to adjust my eating lifestyle annually just to maintain my weight. Staying active is a must.

Bingo, Intermittent Fasting is the winner! Breakfast is NOT the most important meal of the day, it is actually the worst unless of course you are out in the fields all day plowing.

 

[Ranched]

...are you the QB, or are you the wide receiver?

Neither. Raunchy is, are you ready for this....

 

[Ranching]

Neither. Raunchy is, are you ready for this....

I'll pucker for you anytime!!!!!

 

[dallasdave]

Neither. Raunchy is, are you ready for this....

Now I know the rest of the story

 

[John813]

Eating clean and working out. Rarely eat take out or bad fatty foods. Most of my fats are from tree nuts.

Cut back on red meats to once a week and try to avoid processed meat to a minimum of once or twice a month.

Need to do more cardio, but after a meniscus and acl injuries in my 20's, it's not exactly easy to run/bike consistently.

 

[RodeoJake]

My weight stays in a healthy range from being strict about carbs and eating right. Also, running a small farm burns the calories. I don't like to cook, so that's another reason my weight stays under 200.