Hi from ohio, and is my goal realistic?

jasony0423

Hey everybody. I've just joined myfitnesspal as an option for keeping track of my goals. I'm a 35 year old guy from northern ohio. Over the years, my weight has steadily increased and has plateaued the past fee years at about 225 pounds. I'm 6'1", so I'm not obese by any means, but I'm not comfortable with how I look or feel, so I've been working on it.
The thing is, while I have lost weight over the past two months, 10 pounds to be exact, I don't notice any difference in how I look. I fear I may be making too many changes without enough follow through.
1- I joined weightwatchers. Mainly becausey insurance company pays the majority. It does help me to keep track of what I eat, so I suppose that's a good thing.
2- I started going back to the gym. I am there 4-6 days a week, and my routine consists of 30-45 minutes of moderate cardio, keeping myself in the fat burning zone, and then either weight training, or nothing.
3- I signed up to run in a 5k. Too much to accomplish by April? I don't know.

Any advice is welcomed. My diary is public, but I just started using it, so it's limited right now. I try to eat healthy, but I'm guilty of not measuring every calorie. Still, I've cut pop out of my diet completely, rarely drink, and usually get smaller portions. However, I still do eat dessert occasionally, a couple times a week maybe. Does that make a huge difference, or is it better to cut things out slowly, like I did with pop?

Ctrum69

We are inthe same boat.. though I'm about a decade older than you are.

Our "goals' seem to be the same (though I don't actually have a "Goal", I have a project.).

I don't think it's unreasonable at all. Without seeing your build, I wouldn't know if you are carrying it well, or not. The last few pounds, traditionally, are the hardest to lose.

Weight watchers is okay, but they don't do anything for you you couldn't do yourself with a little invested time, kitchen skills, and a food scale. If it works for you, great! But when you get tired of their food, realize you can do the same thing yourself and "eat whatever you want" within reason.

a 5K by april? Check out couch25K programs. This one can have you doing 5K in two months: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I'm not a runner.. my wife is, and that's what she used.

As to dessert? The problem with dessert is it's usually loaded with calories. and the portions they give you if you are paying for it are RIDICULOUSLY huge. Nothing wrong with eating it now and then, as long as you account for the food (if you are a calorie counter) or are at least mindful of how much, basically useless, calories tend to be in it.

The number one thing is to get yourself educated about what you are actually eating, and pay attention to not only how many calories you are eating (though some people simply ignore that, weigh every couple of weeks, and adjust either diet or exercise to account for changes), but what they are comprised of.

Good luck man!

Nikiki

Hey I live pretty close to you!
Whats is your short term vs long term goal? aside from the 5k in April (I highly second the recommendation of the couch to 5 k program its AMAZING, the only thing that got me to be able to run!) I ask because you probably don't have a whole lot of actual fat to lose, its more gaining muscle I would think so I wonder if your calorie goal is a little low... I'm used to feeding my husband who's a little shorter than you (5'11) and a little heavier than you (240-250) but works a very labor intensive job & lifts weights.

It was really hard for my husband to wrap his head around needing to eat more (when he attempted losing on his own he was maybe hitting 1800 calories, which is less than I eat on a typical day and I'm 5'2 and 150 lbs!) his goal has him up around 2800 pre-workout.

as for weight watchers, I couldnt wrap my head around the points system but I think it does help you learn the right things to eat and to look at more than just the calorie counts on things. I know quite a few people who had success with it. And you can get to your goal of a 5k in April easily, the biggest thing I can recommend on running though is to transition to running outside as soon as you can (I know I'm looking out my window in Elyria at another 2 inches so I'm sure we have awhile yet for that) running outside is totally different than running on a treadmill. Its harder in some ways (concrete vs. the cushier band on the treadmill, incline changes etc...) but its also easier because you're not stuck running a steady pace the entire time you can naturally change your pace as you go. Plus the scenery is a heck of a lot nicer. I hate running on the dreadmill!

jasony0423

I agree with the treadmill sucking. I'm going to Vegas tomorrow for a work trip, and I'm looking forward to actually trying outdoor running. I am doing the c25k program, as well. I'm just in the beginning stages right now, though, lol.
My body fat % is about 21% and ideally, I'd like to get it to 12-15... I'm sure things will tweak here and there, though.
As far as dessert, I need to be more conscious of it, I guess.

Nikiki

eh I dont know, I eat dessert a lot but I allow for it. I do track pretty much all the time, and I go by the full week (so I might go over in cals today but I'll be under tomorrow to make up for it). Although my dessert is usually just a couple pieces of good chocolate....

slocyclist

Howdy, neighbors! Jason, you look somewhat familiar, but maybe you just have one of those faces. Got kids that swim at Mills Creek? That's the only Ridgeville folks I know.

I'm reasonably new here as well, so won't profess to know any advice to give. Cutting portion size and cutting out sugars and fats has made a big difference for me. I've already been avoiding salt salt, and mostly drink water.

Good luck to you!
Slo in Avon

slocyclist

BTW, when I joined up here, I duplicated my introductory thread over in the Ohio group. There's so many "Introduce Yourself" threads that it very quickly drops off the first (or third or fifth) page.

Phildog47

Looking at your diary, you may be a carb-o-holic like me. Best advice, eat lots of veggies and protein. Drink plenty of water! Good luck.

imjolly

Sounds like you are on the right track. Running a 5k in April is great. Cutting out "pop", we call it soda on the east coast : ) is great. Drinking your calories isn't a good thing. As for desserts, I think cutting them out forever is probably impossible for most, so I limit my desserts to special occasions. Plus my dessert portions are small when I do decide to eat them.
Don't get discourage, give it time you will notice a difference if you are eating right, exercising and staying within your calorie limits. Good Luck.