rdthoms Member

Excellent work. Try to keep your calorie deficit no more then 20% or else it can be hard to maintain for the long term.

I get the fun of using celebrity models/examples but why not build your own "ideal body shape" - go to myshape.fitness (google it) and you can build your own 3D avatar shape and then track progress toward that. Maybe they should have some "J Lo" settings to help with that definition! :D

I've told so many folks if you log your food completely and honestly and hit your deficit goals you cannot not lose weight! I also use myshape.fitness (google it) to set a body shape goal and track progress to that (it builds a 3D avatar of your shape)

All good advice above. For a little extra motivation checkout myshape.fitness (google it) - it will build your 3D body shape avatar and you can set a goal shape and then track toward that. That can help with motivation.

ice cream - always ice cream

I come and go. When I hit a certain high weight I need to daily log to get back under control, when I hit a certain low weight I stop daily logging (then guess what happens!) :# I also log on myshape.fitness (google it) to better track body shape (it builds a 3D body avatar)

You can definitely lose weight by diet and not exercising. Much more so than by exercising and not dieting! Although by "diet" I mean good food choices not some fad diet scheme. Track your cals here, track your body shape at myshape.fitness (google it) to set some shape goals and see progress.

Daughter talked me into giving up diet sodas. I should try to add something special too.

Happy Scale is neat. Also checkout myshape.fitness (google it) for logging weight - it will build and track a 3D avatar of your body and let you set (and see) a body shape goal.

Turn up the music! I usually work out in a fitness class with music going on. Sometimes I go into the same room by myself and it's dead quite. The sounds of my knees during lunges and squats is horrifying ;)

since you are looking for "shape change" try myshape.fitness website - you can set a goal shape and track to that.

For our bootcamp workouts we used to say "it never gets easier, it just sucks less"

I'd say err on the lower side. Maybe "somewhat active". And don't shoot for 1500-1600 cals but rather for 80% of the calculated calorie intake if you choose "maintain current weight" option. Maybe that is 1500-1600 or maybe it works out to 1800 or more. 20% deficit is maintainable anything more can be difficult (for me…

I set my body shape goal at myshape.fitness (google it). 160lb / 42in chest / 34in waist. How long to get there? We'll see... :smiley:

I don't think you can find a cheaper gym than PF. You can't argue the value and you can't say you can't afford that level of gym. If you have one nearby and you are considering using a gym then it is an easy choice.

I did the same thing recently (moved to another state) - it was especially hard coming out of a great bootcamp fitness class with encouraging friends. It takes me some time to get to know folks to that level. I'm back in a fitness class now and that is helping. Tracking and seeing progress is the best for my motivation.…

For motivation try setting a shape goal and tracking progress with myshape.fitness (google it). Best of luck on your journey.

That flow chart is pretty awesome. Hang in there. Don't be afraid to skip to the 2nd blue box on the right. That is where the magic happens. Make sure you are honest with your calorie intake and don't count back too much (if any) of the exercise calories.

We are empty nester's too. I never thought about that causing weight gain but I do realize that what we often cooked for 4 now gets eaten by 2! (maybe with some leftovers but not always!) 1500 miles is a long way. Ours are 200 and 350 miles away so relatively easy for a visit. Best wishes on your journey!

Try myshape.fitness (google it) - you can enter just a few measurements and it will calculate your body fat % (and track your body shape with a 3D avatar). Great for monitoring trends like you said.

Either a) you're making muscle, or b) you're eating too much. Be very honest about tracking your calorie intake (measure well). Don't take credit for so many exercise calories (don't eat back all those exercise calories, zero if possible, half at most). It's good that you are losing inches. Checkout the myshape.fitness…

I wish!

Don't set a weightloss/week goal, but do set a calorie deficit/week goal of no more than 20% off your maintenance calorie calculation. Like others said you'll need more data. Be happy with 1.5lb this week and don't worry if it is 0.5 or even 0.0 another week.

I found fitness bootcamps to be a great place to start. Most will have all skill levels and if you get in a good group it is very motivating. It sounds like weight is not a problem for you just fitness. Those bootcamps have different workouts every session so you get all around fitness not just concentrating on one area.

Motivation is important. Many of the replies were more about just what to do. For motivation I need a goal and I need to see my progress toward that goal. The tracker myshape.fitness (google it) is good for setting a body shape goal and then tracking progress toward that.

Great job!

Can you start a group for "88th time" ;)

Excellent goals. If you are logging every day and honest with your food counts and hitting your target you'll lose the weight. Checkout myshape.fitness site for another potentially motivating tool (shape goals and tracker)

You should eat back *some* of your exercise calories especially if you are shooting for such a low (1200 calorie) net. Consider it some reward for your hard work in the gym! But I think sometimes those exercise calories are inflated so probably no more than half.

It's a journey. You've got time and a built in accountability partner (if you are both on the same page)! Don't expect or try for super fast results. Figure out your calorie budget and shoot for 10% deficit (no more than 20% for sure). Food is the most important and if you and wife are working this together you'll be able…