I went from morbidly obese to 6 pack abs! Ask me Anything

Thanks Vismal!! Indeed I won't be on the same diet for months, yet I'll watch over the macro to keep it balanced. Thanks also for the good literature you have provided. Since quite a while I longed to read serious papers about weight loss from a scientific perspective. I'll also take a peak to your Youtube channel.

And as you said, I won't be recording the calories for every physical activity I realize since I want to keep a deficit, not covering it!! I'm currently writing I burned "1 calorie" just to keep a record of what activity I'm doing and how often.

Another question for you, do you believe in fat cells memory? Or is it the same that happens to addicts (in a brain level) when after a long abstinence time they are exposed again to their specific drug and the risk of falling again for it is high?

First of all congratulations, you've done an awesome job, you must be very proud of yourself and especially the way that you answer people's questions in a polite and caring manner is very commendable, as if you were talking to a friend. You certainly are an inspiration to many people out there.

I am a 5'1", 45 yrs and currently weigh 128lbs. I weigh and measure everything (I'm from the UK so don't know what serving size a 'cup' is), even if means going over my cals allowance of 1200, though this is mainly on a Friday or Saturday night (I like my wine) - but not every week.

I sincerely apologise if you have answered these before or maybe even half of them, but I was wondering if you could give me some advice?

Anyway, 12+ months ago I weighed 14lbs less than I do now, did no exercise, and didn't eat as healthily as I do now. Unfortunately the weight gradually crept up due to a lot of stressful situations which caused me to comfort eat, not on chocolate, crisps etc, just larger portion sizes of everything, still with no exercise. I re-joined MFP a month or so ago, started eating healthier and exercising, just about to start 4th week of T25 (tried Insanity but didn't last a week!).

One of my questions is - my weight has stayed the same for 6 wks now, despite eating healthier (and recording it accurately), nearly every day I'm in deficit (sometimes might go over on the odd weekend), drinking more water and exercising (cardio) 5/6 days a week. However despite this I haven't lost a lb and I don't understand why. Some people say up your cals, some say eat back your exercise cals, some say don't etc, etc. What's your opinion of where I could be going wrong?

The other question is - I have lots of loose skin everywhere from previous weight loss/gains which obviously I want to get rid of (I'm aware that you can't spot reduce) and I want to start using weights to help with this. I don't live anywhere near a gym but have at home a kettlebell, 3lb and 2kg dumbells that could help with this, but I don't know what sort of programme I should follow. From what I've read from previous posts, it's seems to be a case of which do you prefer - to lose weight or gain muscle? I've now decided that it's now really the inches I'm more bothered with. Is there any programme you could advise me to follow and which would be more beneficial - dumbells or kettlebell?

Oh and I wish I had your calves - you said yours are 17.5inches - mine are 22inches!

Thanks in advance and apologies for going on a bit - just wasn't sure how much info to give you.

I drink a bottle Friday and one on a Saturday - that's my weekly treat. I've always done that, whether dieting or not, but don't drink during the week, so I'm drinking 14 units a week, which is supposed to be the max for women. I also alternate a glass of wine with a glass of water so I don't get dehydrated.

Don't know if this applicable, but I make the bottle last between 3 1/2hrs to about 4hrs, as those are the only 2 nights I stay up late.


Edit: Sorry not sure if the question regarding drinking was aimed at me or not.

Let me say Well done first

I love the fact that you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT - From experience and because you have background knowledge. I am sure that being a health care professional has helped you understand many things. For example I am just in my second year of university but I am starting to understand and read actual studies, whereas before I would just read articles written by some random people without any knowledge on the subject, simply expressing their opinions without knowing people might actually read that and believe it !

I love your youtube videos. So informational

Well done!

your beautiful can I keep you?

I just read 19 pages (!!) because I felt I was getting so much out of your answers.

Thanks for taking the time to answer everyone's questions and congratulations on your extraordinary transformation.

I read a few pages back that you didn't think 1200 calories per day was a good idea.

I have been on MFP for 8 weeks and have lost 17 lbs. I have about another 50 lbs to lose. I am 41, female, 5 foot 8 and 192 lb(currently).

My daily goal is 1200 calories net. I have a fitbit and an HRM and eat back any extra calories. I read your points about not trusting these gadgets, but my days and weeks are very inconsistent so I couldn't take the approach that you mention.

Since I am losing at a reasonable rate, do you think this is a reasonable approach ?

PS - I'm going to try Ice Cream Fitness 5x5 - thanks for the tip !

Thanks

Hey i just wanted to say your success and information is motivating me more than ever . I am currently 23 years old, weigh about 285, just started counting calories 2 weeks ago. I currently have a set calorie to 1680 ( 200 calories below what MFP set because i thought it was to high ) . I try to workout 4 times a week ,but usually only burn 200-400 calories on a elliptical ( cardio is just to boring for me, no cardio is fun to me in the gym ) i have a sit down job, and im slightly active afterwards. Do you think with this regiment i have a chance on meeting my goal of about 200lbs. Or should i really push myself to do a 1 hour workout lol. My goal is to lose about 2lbs per week maybe more if it allows.

First off let me say you made an amazing transformation. Can I ask you for help on making a basic home gym routine? or know of a site that can help me build one? Someone has given me access to the equipment listed below. I'm new to lifting weights and building strength. I am on day 8 of 30day shred. I am looking for something to build on to the fitness I gain from the dvd or willing to stop it if there is a better way of doing this. I also go out for a walk or do the biggest loser power walk video every day. My over all fitness goal is to loose a large amount of fat and build endurance, not bruit force. I do have the money to buy a few more hand weights but I don't really have the money for barbells or other expensive equipments.

Equipment: Vibration machine platform (t-zone without handles), weider home gym(like the one in the link below), a reflex punching bag, exercise wheel, 1lb to 5lb ankle weights, 2-3lb 1-5lb and 2-10lb dumbbell.

http://www.ourfernie.com/images/weider-home-gym

I need help!

I'm 5"6 and around 14 stone. I don't have a very high calorie intake normally, and I want to lose 3 stone by november. I don't know how to reach this goal as I don't know how I can restrict my calories further. I also dance 2 days a week and walk for a bit daily.
I eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

Any help would be greatly appriciated!

- I'm a student therefore I can't afford to attend the gym, and I attend college daily.