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Landscaping Weight Loss Question

HorribleUsername
HorribleUsername Posts: 4
in Health and Weight Loss
First I'll give some general information about myself.

I'm a big guy (not just fat, but big boned and just generally big), I was about 300 pounds last time I weighed myself (I doubt I've lost weight since). Considering my size, I wouldn't really say I'm "obese" I'm just fat and I plan to get a bit in shape.

I started doing landscaping last 2 months ago, but I only started eating "better" this week. My day pretty much consists of walking and mowing lawns. I don't actually push the mower as it's gas powered, so my "exercise" is walking constantly. Some lawns will take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour (if there's multiple properties on the same street or if the property is just big), then it's back in the truck to drive. Our days usually around 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, or even sometimes 10 or 11 hours. I also plan on doing some weight lifting in the next couple weeks.

My diet is pretty basic (I don't know too much about what to eat). For dinner, Mondays I have a salad with tomatos and some caesar dressing just to put a light coat on the salad. Tuesdays I have white or brown rice (whichever I feel like at the time). Wednesdays I have pasta with a tiny bit of butter, garlic and olive oil. Thursdays I have fish (it'll probably mostly be salmon), Fridays I have chicken breast and white potatoes, and on the weekend I kinda just eat whatever, as long as it's not too bad (I won't eat like, KFC or McDonald's or something like that, but I like to treat myself). For breakfast I just eat cereal. I usually just choose whichever box of Kashi cereal I feel like eating that week. I don't eat lunch, and I snack on some Nature Box & sometimes some beef jerky after work when I'm at home. Of course I've only started this "diet" this week, so there hasn't been any progress yet. I drink tons of water (I'd estimate around or more than a gallon a day), tea, and orange juice. I don't drink much else. I don't touch soda. I'll occasionally some chocolate milk or something and I suppose I drink milk in my cereal. Once in awhile I'll buy one of those muscle milk protein drinks or maybe a Monster Zero Ultra, but it's definitely not a regular thing.


This job last around 8 months per season. we finish in December and start up again in around April. I'm wondering what you people think is the best case scenario based on the information I gave you. How many calories do you think I burn each day? How much weight do you estimate I'll lose by the end of the year (and going forward)?

Simply walking is probably not the greatest workout, but considering the hours, I figured it'd be pretty good. Plus it's hot, so I'll be sweating like a pig, if that makes any difference. I do plan on getting a treadmill or doing some other kind of cardio exercises, but not while I'm working. Maybe during the 4 months or so I have off between each working season.

So, what do you guys think?

Also, if there's any more information you'd need to help me with my answer, just ask away.

Replies

  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,588 MFP Moderator
    Here are a few links that will help you get started:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

    The sexy pants one mentions Scooby which is a great calculator that will outline your BMR, TDEE, and give you an idea where to start with a calorie goal for weight loss. You should probably put your activity level as at least moderately active since you are walking a lot.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    other than that it is a matter of log every single thing every single day, in time you will figure out the best ways for you to eat to meet your goals and you will be on your way

    if you have any questions or just want a friend around feel free to add me

    ~best wishes
  • markjacobs1987
    markjacobs1987 Posts: 162 Member
    First off you say you don't eat lunch and that's something you really need to do. You need to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner to keep your metabolism running through the day to help you lose weight. Second thing, it looks like on most days I'm seeing a lot of carbs and not so much proteins (with the exception of the chicken and salmon). You should be eating 50% protein, 30% carbs, 20% fats to lose weight. Also be careful not to binge eat when you treat yourself on the weekend. One treat meal is fine, but don't go overboard. Try to eat at least 80% healthy food throughout the week. If you stick to that and keep an eye on your calories (2200 is probably a good place to start for you) you can expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week. As long as you exercise and eat healthy that would be somewhere around 25-50 pounds by the end of the year which would be great! Walking is a great way to start and build up your endurance. If time is an issue there are home workout programs between 25-30 minutes long that are great! Beachbody has some great stuff on the market for all fitness levels. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions

    Mark
  • douglasedward
    douglasedward Posts: 20 Member
    First off you say you don't eat lunch and that's something you really need to do. You need to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner to keep your metabolism running through the day to help you lose weight.

    I think this one has been pretty thoroughly de-bunked.

    Eat as frequently or infrequently as you want, OP.

    But, to be fair, skipping meals may lead you to overeat the next time you're around food.
  • HorribleUsername
    HorribleUsername Posts: 4
    What would you recommend I eat to get a good source of protein each day? I plan on doing some exercises at home, and I'll be weight lifting soon as well. As for skipping a meal, I wouldn't say I'm "skipping" it. I just don't really get hungry throughout the day when I'm out on the job. I also won't binge eat, or crave something more when I'm around food. I have 100% self control. :)

    Also, thanks for the answers.
  • markjacobs1987
    markjacobs1987 Posts: 162 Member
    As for a good source of protein lean meats are a great way to go such as salmon and chicken that you already eat. Protein bars are a great snack that you can pack with you for a source of protein. I personally use Pure Protein bars. Glad you have self control. That's a great thing and there are many people who have a challenge with that.
  • arendiva
    arendiva Posts: 177 Member
    Protein sources could include ground turkey, tuna fish, greek yogurt, cheese, chicken, occasional red meat, and shrimp. Just to name a few. Even if you aren't adept at cooking or don't want to spend a lot of time you could easily grill up some shrimp with a bit of olive oil and serve that with your rice.
  • HorribleUsername
    HorribleUsername Posts: 4
    Picked up some Greek yogurt. Adding shrimp to my rice each week sounds like a great idea, thanks. I think I'll start drinking almond milk. I bought some chocolate almond milk, but it's kinda up there in sugar (21g per cup). I also got some Nutribar protein bars, as those were all my grocery store had. I'll have to do more looking around the grocery store when I get the chance. I was in and out pretty fast.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    How many calories are you eating per day? Just from what you describe, that doesn't sound like it is anywhere near enough during the week.
  • HorribleUsername
    HorribleUsername Posts: 4
    How many calories are you eating per day? Just from what you describe, that doesn't sound like it is anywhere near enough during the week.
    Yeah, just logged the food/drinks I've had so far today, and it says 1,085.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    How many calories are you eating per day? Just from what you describe, that doesn't sound like it is anywhere near enough during the week.
    Yeah, just logged the food/drinks I've had so far today, and it says 1,085.

    Wow... yea. You need to be adding calories to that. Bulk up your meals. Add healthy fats and protein. Heck, have a treat every so often. I can eat 1650 a day and lose 1+ lbs per week as a 5'7" female who doesn't weigh near as much as you state you do. It is not healthy to eat such a low number of calories.
  • KimberlyinMN
    KimberlyinMN Posts: 302 Member
    So... I seriously thought this post was going to be about landscaping "down there" and how some people start doing this after they've lost some weight.

    whats-pubic-hair-for.jpg

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