I didn't take time to read the whole thread but a couple of years ago when I gained wait like nobody's business I freaked out.

Fortunately, a co-worker and friend from kollege had just started a program and convinced me to try it with him.

It was the body-for-life program. I was convinced after I read the book on it, and I started right away.

The biggest thing about weight loss and getting an ideal body for you with the program is discipline. Three months after I started, it was phenomenal.....I was a walking adonis .

Seriously though, it was that incredible....health-wise, spiritually, and as a confidence builder.

I plan on starting this again very soon.

 

Here's another vote for the Body-For-Life program! Since it's based on the tried and true 'Eat well and Exercise' idea, it's one of the more healthy ways to lose weight and modify your lifestyle in the process, so you don't start gaining fat back as soon as you stop the strict program.

Ignore the touchy-feely stuff in the book (unless it helps motivate you), and go fo it!

JonasM

 

There are all very good comments in this thread. Most importantly, it takes motivation. If you aren't motivated to change your eating/exercise habits, you won't loose weight. Cut out the soda and juice drinks, and just drink water for one. That helps a lot. Start eating the right foods. Stay away from fried stuff, you can still eat the bad stuff, just don't over do it (once or twice a week at most). Eat more meals a day (4 or more), but stop eating when your hunger is satisfied!!! Do not stuff yourself by finishing the entire meal. You can still snack throughout the day as a meal, but snack on low fat, low calorie stuff. When grocery shopping always look at the fat and calorie amounts, keep the fat content down. It's true that your body requires fat, but just don't over do it.

Protein is good. Very good after a workout as well. Your body needs protein to rejuvenate the muscles after working out, consider a protein drink for post workout refreshment.

When I started working out in Feb. of this year, I was at 204 lbs. Today, I'm at 189. I would still like to get down to around 180, so that's my goal. Either that or to continue to get rid of the belly, and build more muscles. I do not want to be bulky in muscles though, just toned. I joined a gym and started working out 3 - 4 times a week. In one month I lost only around 2 lbs. My workouts always consisted of 30 minutes of cardio with a pulse rate of 15 beats per 6 seconds (fat burning zone), then I would hit the weights for another 30 - 45 minutes. I would alternate arms/chest on one day, then shoulders/back on the other days. Legs were done on each workout but two different machines on each day. Then I always finish with ab exercises.

The funny thing is I stopped for a week and a half (family issues came up), and I lost 6 lbs during that time. I figured the fat I was loosing was converted to muscle, so I wasn't loosing too much weight. So the weight loss must have came from loosing the muscles that were getting built up. I now scaled back my routine to twice a week but play tennis 1 - 2 times a week. I'm continually loosing weight, which is a good thing for me, and getting the much needed exercise my body deserves.

Sorry for getting long winded, but back to motivation. What motivated me, was the fact that my father is diabetic, and my oldest brother is too. They're both overweight, and that really scared me. I've had my share of physical problems lately so it was time to do something about it. It was time for me to get healthy. I could not believe that at one point I weighed 214 lbs. I never want to get over 200 lbs again. Find your motivation for getting into shape, and keep reminding yourself of it. The more out of shape and overweight you are, the faster your health will degrade. Hope this helps along with the other great advice given here.

 

Here are my favorite ways to get sweaty:

play "21" in basketball since it can have many players as you want, everybody against everybody (you don't have any teams), continous until someone makes "21" points-then it starts over

rollerblading-involves high speed and turning

Both are very fun

"Hey, does anybody here ever play "21" in basketball? If you do, you know how continuous and fast-paced it is."

 

eat right and excercise 1 hour a day is a start you can lose a pound a week just by eating 500 less calories a day, then run or bike and burn off 500-1000 more and you are looking at 2-3 lbs a week, if possible lift weights, muscle burns calories faster, keep it up you loose 30-50 lbs in about 6 months small price to pay to look better and have more self confidence