New Member

msully7

Hey guys, figured I'd introduce myself.

I'm in my late twenties, 6'1 and around 280 at the moment. I'm a naturally big guy, but I should be down closer to 200lbs. I've been trying and stopping on and off for the last couple of years to lose weight. My high weight had been around 295 and I had gotten back down to 260. Hard to always keep at it though.

Anyway, I'm looking to get back into the swing of things and get back to working out and getting back to a reasonable weight which I really haven't been since high school. I'm not a huge weight lifter as I've never been a big fan but I am going to do some interval workouts with dumbells as I can get into that. I also do a lot of jogging which had been my go to. I just got a bike though and am going to look to integrate that. Tried once this week and actually put 10.5 miles in which was nice. Need to go slower though and get used to it as my body definitely needs to adjust. I think it might've been the first time I was on a bike since I was 14 or 15.

My biggest issue is probably controlling my calorie intake. I'm pretty good at not snacking but I'm well aware that my portions are most likely too large. Need to cut them down. And of course I like to drink. I'm a beer guy and for the most part I like the craft beers that are higher in calories.

Anyway, nice to see a mens group on here. Hopefully using this group helps me stay engaged and motivated this time.

AllanMisner

Welcome! It is better to do it now that you're young and have some semblance of a metabolism. No doubt you'll be successful.

If you're not into weights, but looking for something to help build strength, try kettle bells. The workouts are dynamic and more so than most dumbbell workouts, build functional strength. That said, adding muscle is the best way to lose fat. Reconsider lifting heavy things as a regular part of your program.

If eating is the issue, then you're going to have to either figure out portion control, burn more calories, or both. My advice, starting logging everything you eat and the calories burned working out. MFP helps with that, but don't just rely on the numbers they give you. You don't have to go overboard, but even basic logging will give you an idea where you can cut back.

I'm the crazy guy on here who has sworn off beer for going on my second month. Every single pound of fat I need to lose (all 25 of them) are sitting behind my belly button. I'm a muscular buddha. I know it was beer that put it there, and I'll be damned if I let beer keep me from losing it. Beer is worst than sugar. It has a higher GI, it increases cortisol, lowers testosterone and it is damn hard to get a good workout in the morning when you have a hangover. Moderation if you're not going to cut it out. I used it as a reward the first 25 lbs (I gave myself a beer night every five I dropped) but since I've plateaued, I haven't given myself another.

Again, welcome!

Allan
HW 250
SW 236
CW 212
GW 185 - 190

msully7

Thanks for tips. Not ready to swear off beer quite yet but some rationing is definitely in order. I'm trying to go with the calorie counter. I've done it before and it does seem to help. The biggest thing is sticking with it. I'll keep in mind the heavy lifting but I'm tryig to avoid the gym and I just don't have the equipment to do it at home. I find I stick best with a routine if I don't have to go anywhere to do it.