Need Help
marine3228
Posts: 3
ok I am new to MFP. I tried Weight Watchers and it seemed like it didn't work. I hated counting points and I just had issues with sticking with it.
So far I have been doing MFP and it seems like I can do this a whole lot better, but I need help.
I spent 6 years in the Marines and was in the best shape I could be. Used to be able to run 3 miles in 20 minutes, do 100 crunches in 2 minutes, and could do 15 dead hang pull ups. I got out in 2004. When I left I used to weight 200lbs, was wearing shirt size L, and waist size 34.
Fast Forward 8 years later and I wear 44 waist , XL in some clothes and XXL in others. My current weight is 260lbs. In the Marines I was always told what to eat, when to work out, and had to keep in shape at all times. I wished I kept that up when I got out, but I started to slack.
I have a beautiful wife and a wonderful 4yr old daughter that I want to see grow up and do stuff with. My goal is to be able to fit back into my Dress Blues for my wife this Novemeber when we go on a cruise.
My main this is working out. I am thinking about doing the couch to 5 k thing, but I need a good routine to work out to. I set aside 1 hour a day mon-fri to work out, but I don't know what I should do each day. ALso I am trying to cut back and not drink sodas, but need to to know about meals too. I have been eating Yogurt and a banana in the morning. Then another yogurt for a snack. Been also eating progresso soups for lunch, and for dinner something small and light. I also would love to know a good snack to have and didn't know if I could eat grapes or apples. (can't have nuts as wife and daughter have nut allergies).
I guess when it comes down to, I need another Drill Instructor to tell me what to eat and what workouts to do.
So far I have been doing MFP and it seems like I can do this a whole lot better, but I need help.
I spent 6 years in the Marines and was in the best shape I could be. Used to be able to run 3 miles in 20 minutes, do 100 crunches in 2 minutes, and could do 15 dead hang pull ups. I got out in 2004. When I left I used to weight 200lbs, was wearing shirt size L, and waist size 34.
Fast Forward 8 years later and I wear 44 waist , XL in some clothes and XXL in others. My current weight is 260lbs. In the Marines I was always told what to eat, when to work out, and had to keep in shape at all times. I wished I kept that up when I got out, but I started to slack.
I have a beautiful wife and a wonderful 4yr old daughter that I want to see grow up and do stuff with. My goal is to be able to fit back into my Dress Blues for my wife this Novemeber when we go on a cruise.
My main this is working out. I am thinking about doing the couch to 5 k thing, but I need a good routine to work out to. I set aside 1 hour a day mon-fri to work out, but I don't know what I should do each day. ALso I am trying to cut back and not drink sodas, but need to to know about meals too. I have been eating Yogurt and a banana in the morning. Then another yogurt for a snack. Been also eating progresso soups for lunch, and for dinner something small and light. I also would love to know a good snack to have and didn't know if I could eat grapes or apples. (can't have nuts as wife and daughter have nut allergies).
I guess when it comes down to, I need another Drill Instructor to tell me what to eat and what workouts to do.
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Replies
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Feel free to add me! I would love to do all I can to help and support you!
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Well I can't be your drill instructor but I can recommend that you do something you can maintain in the long-run because if you try any kind of fad diet, your weight loss will be short term. Of course you can eat grapes Everything in moderation. Personally I try to avoid sweets and salts altogether bc I have trouble with control, but that doesn't mean you can't! 0
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I can, but its a drill sargeant 0
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The couch to 5k thing is a great idea.... More or less http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml tells you EXACTLY what to do. Also... as to what to eat. Use MFP to set your calories. Makes notes to yourself after each meal how you feel after eating and 2 hours after eating. If you feel hungry an hour after eating it.... stop eating it. If you feel full 2 hours after eating it... incorporate more of it in your diet. If rice cakes and yogurt dont satisfy you... dont eat it. Everything is personal so just finding what works for YOU is what is important.
Ill add... for me personally... Chicken, beans (like fat free refried beans as an example), Peanut butter (measured on a scale), and baked potatos (no toppings) make me feel full. Might not be the same for everyone.0 -
Sign up for the couch to 5K program or something similar. It will have a structured plan for you to follow every day. Also sign up for www.randomabs.com emails. This site will email you every day and tell you to do certain ab work outs. Tell yourself that both of these programs (or anything else you sign up to do) are your drill sargeants - you have to do what they say.
I would also suggest, run about 4 times/week. If you want someone to yell at you to do that, feel free to add me and I will do my best to yell at you
Edited to add: my fav snacks: apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, quacker chewey chocolate bars, carrots & humus, and most importantly WATER because half the time you think you're hungry, you're thirsty!0 -
Remember we ate HUGE breakfast's in the morning. I know in basic we werent allowed cheeseburgers and stuff but pancakes were good to go. we have to get back into that mind set. I just started 100pushups.com with my girlfriend and our combined 3 kids. They love it and after week 1 I can already see the difference. We have to adapt to the civilian life. As a tanker I always thought we are more like lineman in football. We needed to eat a lot so we could move heavy objects around... now that those days are passed and my heavy objects sit on this keyboard but my appetite is the same.... it isnt so easy. Work hard play hard (drink absurd amounts yadda yadda yadda) doesnt quite cut it.
Big Hooah (Ura) wee can do this0 -
If you need someone to act like a drill sargeant, telling you what types of food to eat and how to work out, why not consider hiring a personal trainer? They can at least get your back on the workout portion?0
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the best thing you could do would be to add friends and watch their diaries. feel free to add me. i eat lots of snacks , but im completly junk food free.0
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P90X......They tell you what to eat, what to do during your workout, they do it with you via video.......Very good choice!!! Good Luck to you.0
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I would suggest opening up your food diary....>That's the only way we can give any feedback on diet/food etc. Feel free to add me as well.0
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I bought P90X. I love it because it's challenging, and you don't really have to know crap about working out in order to just do what Tony says. :P Also it's a ONE TIME EXPENSE and then you have it forever. None of this gym membership recurring expenses thing.
As far as nutrition goes - eat your food groups! Small amounts of each food group and lots of water, and you're usually good to go. Some whole grains, some fruit, some vegetables, some lean meat and some dairy. Nice and balanced.
P90X also provides a meal plan, so you could do that too. I found it really difficult to stick with personally, but maybe it's easier for dudes, lol.
Feel free to add me - I can usually answer general health questions concerning how your body works and why you need certain things at certain times.
Good luck! You're on the right track!0 -
I have to agree with moderation. If you are used to eating whatever, whenever it will be a bit difficult but taking out entire food groups (unless for medical reasons, like allergies or intolerances) will show results, but what are you learning really? Couch 2 5k is great if you are looking for structure because you know what you have to do for months and can still go at your own pace. If you are looking for some Strength workouts to do on the off days of your running try http://www.nerdfitness.com .. They do mostly bodyweight workouts but there are advanced workouts and I don't think you would have to buy anything special. I know for weights we have filled up milk jugs with various things like water and sand to get different weights.
Good luck! You will definitely get to your goal 0 -
P90x is awesome (I agree)
I would also recommend body for life as well as it is more of a routine and will get you into the workout mode for 12 weeks then move into P90X for the final deathblow0 -
Well, first of all Devil Dog, you need to look in the mirror and remember you are a Marine. Once that sticks in, the next part is easy....This is something I had to come to grips with when I got out after 10 years and gained 70 pounds. I was a sub 18 minute PFTer, could bench press twice my body weight and was the one on runs everyone wanted to beat. Fast forward 15 years and I couldn’t take the mirror anymore. A Marine friend I hadn’t seen in 20 years came by my house to see me and I was embarrassed. He was still in great shape and I was a nasty civilian we all talked about. I started running on a greenway by my house that is 3/4 of a mile long. It took me almost 9 minutes to run to the end of it. I then walked back and did it again. Now i am running 10+ miles at sub 9 minutes a little over a year after I took that initial 3/4 run. You have to want to do it, you have to motivate yourself just like a Marine does every day. You wake up knowing that you will accomplish losing one pound by the end of the week. When you don't do it, you double down and do better until you do drop that one pound. And always remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint. March 9th was my one year anniversary of being MFP and I have dropped 35 pounds. I have another 30 to go to reach my goal weight.
This sight has plenty of ways you can educate yourself on calorie intake, diet needs etc. Plus, you can see what other have achieved and it will motivate you.
Add me a friend. There are a couple of other Marines in the same boat, and we can get out of it together...0 -
follow us . make some friend .. check our diaries and what we eat.. we are all here to support eachother .. keep in your cal range and work out 5 days a week!0
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If you are unsure what to eat I would suggest to start with the basics. Lean proteins like chicken, fish, pork tenderloin, milk, lowfat cottage cheese, beans etc. along with lots fresh fruits and veggies. and whole grains like whole wheat bread.
In my experience there isn't any food you should stay away from unless you have a sensitivity to it. For me it is processed sugar.
Make sure you change things up with flavors so you don't get bored.
I like the website skinnytaste.com for lower calorie recipes. My boyfriend has lost 10 lbs without even trying by eating my cooking for the last 3 months. Damn men!!! lol
As far as exercise, I am not the person to ask from personal experience, but a lot of men on here have posted that they got great results by lifting weights. The great thing about building muscle is that it will help you burn fat even when you are not exercising.
Good luck and try to take it just one day at a time. I know you have a short term goal, but try to think about the after too. I think it will help you stay on track for good.
Good luck!!0 -
Wow everyone, thanks for the response. I had requested friend invites as you requested and I will keep a food diary as well.0
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