On the home stretch...I think

ebunte95
ebunte95 Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone. Back in January I decided to do something about my long-time obesity and try to get healthy. When I started I was weighing in at about 230 pounds, pretty bad. Now, I'm weighing in anywhere between 178 and 181 pounds. About 50 pounds lost, and I have not felt this good about myself in a long, long time. However, that doesn't change the fact that I've done some serious damage to my body from heavy alcohol consumption and mass amounts of junk food over the years. MFP has been instrumental in my weight loss and I am much more conscious about my nutrition. My question to you all now is this: at 5'11 weighing what I do at 19 years old, what is the most ideal amount of weight I could still lose before I start focusing on getting toned? I'm signed up at my local park district gym now, so exercise has become much easier for me than when I started losing. Also, what should my daily nutrition be as far as carbs vs. fat vs. protein? I'm not trying to rush anything here, I just want to put myself on the right path to begin losing this last bit of weight.

Replies

  • kaliedoskope
    kaliedoskope Posts: 20 Member
    You could have started getting toned right at the beginning. I have been at this for almost three years and been doing cardio and weight training the entire time. You will start noticing a difference in your body and how your clothes fit. As far as your nutrition questions...There are a bunch of sites that get mentioned on here all the time. One that I can remember is ifym.com.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    There is no ideal amount of weight to lose before focusing on "getting toned". Strength training and cardio can be done throughout the weight loss process. When you strength train while in a caloric deficit, you will lose less muscle mass while you lose weight, meaning that you can lose more fat %. Personally, I think it helps your metabolism and body composition if you do both. It is harder to try to build back the muscle you lost through diet alone afterwards.
  • ebunte95
    ebunte95 Posts: 11
    I have toned up a bit, gone down a couple pants sizes and have been able to fit in clothes I haven't even dared to wear in years. My only problem areas are my belly and chest. The rest of my body looks okay, I just need to keep hitting the weights.
  • ebunte95
    ebunte95 Posts: 11
    I know, I have been strength training the whole way. I haven't had access to any real weight equipment to use until now so I've been relying on calisthenics. I just want to know how much more weight I could ideally stand to lose.
  • kaliedoskope
    kaliedoskope Posts: 20 Member
    Check out the site I mentioned for the nutritional aspect....it should help you with losing the rest of the weight you want to lose as well as tracking your calories on mfp. The strength training will help sculpt your body as you reach your goal. I hit about a year long plateau that I barely got off of the beginning of this year. What helped me was setting a calorie goal and sticking to it by tracking all my calories and trying to hit certain macros.
  • dcamell
    dcamell Posts: 40 Member
    I've been on the same journey as you, having lost quite a bit of weight since Xmas. I've had access to a gym myself, and in spite of diligent strength training haven't gotten looking TOTALLY fit over the past six months, though I'm happy so far.

    as far as how much weight to lose, it's up to you at this point. people told me to stop twenty pounds ago, but I still feel happy and healthy even now. my goal weight shifted from an original 180 to 160-165 now. the only opinion that's really concerned me us my physicians, and he sad while I could certainly stop now, he wouldn't be concerned until I dropped below a bmi of 20. I'm at 23 or so now, and since I've begun running, I figure the little more weight lost can only help keep my joints healthy.

    ultimately, unhelpful as it probably sounds, it's up to you.
  • ebunte95
    ebunte95 Posts: 11
    Thanks man, that actually really helps. When I first started out I was so set on losing losing losing. I didn't even feel comfortable enough in my own skin to go out to a gym and start really hitting the weights. Now I do feel comfortable enough. Personally I don't want to get below 170. Do you have any advice on how to plan my nutrition now that I'm ready to start building muscle? Should I eat completely clean, lean protein, fish, nuts, fruits and veggies?

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