Diet Question

[Powernick50]

Hey guys, I am pretty new to this world of dieting. I am basically one of those active gamer/sports freak that is settling into a desk job and putting on the pounds quick from my previously fast paced lifestyle. I usually average about 3k-4k calories a day, from mountain dew and such, and so I'm up to 204 pounds, putting on perhaps 25 pounds since I started this job last year. I'm too lazy to hit the gym, but I could probably spare 15-30 minutes daily for jogging on the treadmill. I plan on a variation of the South Beach Diet, String cheese, Meats, cutting out the carbs, and lastly switching my mountain dew/caffeine addiction to Coffee/Diet Pop.

Does this sound like it will begin a drastic change if I maintain this relatively strictly? There will of course be vegetables and what not thrown into my diet so its not going to be JUST the things I mentioned.

Comments?

 

[Steve]

Hey guys, I am pretty new to this world of dieting. I am basically one of those active gamer/sports freak that is settling into a desk job and putting on the pounds quick from my previously fast paced lifestyle. I usually average about 3k-4k calories a day, from mountain dew and such, and so I'm up to 204 pounds, putting on perhaps 25 pounds since I started this job last week. I'm too lazy to hit the gym, but I could probably spare 15-30 minutes daily for jogging on the treadmill. I plan on a variation of the South Beach Diet, String cheese, Meats, cutting out the carbs, and lastly switching my mountain dew/caffeine addiction to Coffee/Diet Pop.

Does this sound like it will begin a drastic change if I maintain this relatively strictly? There will of course be vegetables and what not thrown into my diet so its not going to be JUST the things I mentioned.

Comments?

You are too lazy to exercise? Don't you think that may be something you should work on? Not just for your weight loss, but also your health.

Also, I HIGHLY doubt you put on 25 lbs in a week.

 

[Powernick50]

You are too lazy to exercise? Don't you think that may be something you should work on? Not just for your weight loss, but also your health.

Also, I HIGHLY doubt you put on 25 lbs in a week.

Sorry mate, I mean't to put last year. Yes too lazy, as in not enough time if I really tried. I am a graduate student, so it really would not fit in unless I bought a home gym, I don't have time to travel to a gym and what not, maybe on the weekend perhaps. Not to mention a Horrible Asthma condition that has developed and severe shin splints from about 7-9 years of indoor soccer

Anyways, anything constructive about my plan? Lazy was mean't to be an easy way of explaining that I didn't plan on going to a gym. That doesn't mean I can't do pushups etc.

 

[Steve]

Sorry mate, I mean't to put last year. Yes too lazy, as in not enough time if I really tried. I am a graduate student, so it really would not fit in unless I bought a home gym, I don't have time to travel to a gym and what not, maybe on the weekend perhaps. Not to mention a Horrible Asthma condition that has developed and severe shin splints from about 7-9 years of indoor soccer

Anyways, anything constructive about my plan? Lazy was mean't to be an easy way of explaining that I didn't plan on going to a gym. That doesn't mean I can't do pushups etc.

Constructive, hmmm..... let's see what I can pull out.

First let me say, I am a graduate student with a full-time job, a part-time job, a home, and an active social life..... yet, I make it to the gym 4-5 times per week. It is possible, if you really want it.

At your weight, your maintenance caloric intake is right around 3000 cals. Meaning, if you eat over that, you are going to gain weight. If you eat under that, you are going to lose weight. You say there are days where you go up to 4000 cals. Add laziness into the mix, and you have a great combination of events that lead to fat gain and storage.

My advice. Stop eating shit, start eating at maintenance if you want to maintain what you've got or under maintenance by 10-20% if you want to lose some of what you've got.

You get bad shin splints. Why not find a low/no impact type of cardio equipment such as a stationary bike?

If I were you though, I would find a way to join a gym. Or, if financially sound enough, buy some weights for your home.

 

[ToothlessFerret]

I don't know what a South Beach Diet is, and I'm not sure that I want to. Losing weight is pretty simple - cut the calories to a sensible level below maintenance, and become more active. Eating real healthy food will also help with your health and weight. You don't have to go hungry in order to lose weight - and if you have hunger pangs, as opposed to cravings, then you are probably doing it wrong. Eating more fibre, drinking plenty of water, lots of healthy foods especially green vegetables - along with such tricks as buying low cal vegetable soup and eating plenty of lean proteins will help keep you feeling fuller than you probably feel living on the junk food. The cravings are another thing - it takes time to develop new tastes, but tastes can be forged through forced habit.

Getting more active can take lots of forms. Not everyone likes gym, or keeps it up for more than a few months. I always advise people to find activities that they enjoy, so that they continue post-weight loss. For example, I like cross country running and hiking with my dog, and I like playing at strength training at the gym. At times I also like cycling. I hate cardio in a gym. Look fr more ways of injecting activity into your life - you know, use the stairs, or park further away - walk down to the shops etc. By the way, I'm a 44 year old asthmatic, with lots of past self-abuse and a little arthritis here and there. Until last year, I never exercised or practiced any sports.

Whatever way you do it, you are making the right choice in getting a grip with your weight - well done and I wish you the best of luck!

 

[contrari4n]

Losing weight is actually really straightforward. I am always surprised when people post asking what they have to do to lose weight!

As already mentioned in previous replies, eat fewer calories.

There are two ways of doing this (if you discount the fad diets)

1. Count your calories and keep them below the maintenance level for your weight and exercise regime.
2. Only eat low density food. Sticking to food with a low energy density means you will struggle to overdo the calories. Low density food includes most fruit and veg, lean meat and fish. It does NOT include breakfast cereals, pasta, cheese, etc. Common sense really.

There is a list of low density food at . This is a short ebook that can be downloaded for free.

Hope this helps.