50-60 lbs by Christmas - Weight Loss Message Board

taihawk · 06-21-2006, 08:12 AM

Hey all. This is my first post on this particular board. I'm a 35 year old male. Have really, really let myself go over the last several years with a sedentary job, and then for the last 2 years, spend all my nights and weekends on a barstool. I am 6'1", around 275 lbs. I don't eat that much, but drink about 8-20 beers a day (8-10 weekdays, maybe up to 20 on weekends).

Here is my plan, and tell me what is right or wrong about it (and please no lectures on alcoholism). this week I am on a one-week "detox" regimine of drinking nothing but water, and chicken/fruits/vegetables (to make it short), which is supposed to detoxify the system and make you drop around 10 lbs. if you are my size. Since staying out of the bar has kept me quite active around the house, I'm using that as a warm-up for re-joining my gym.

Beginning next week, after this diet, I plan on spending at least 1/2 hour 4-5 times a week on cardio, and 1/2 hour 3-4 times a week on weight lifting (nothing heavy... just to try to get a little tone). I plan on cutting back on red meat, really cutting back on fast/fried foods, eating more chicken and fruits and veggies, cutting WAY back on the beer, though not completely quitting... and trying to force myself to eat 3 meals a day instead of one, as I've been doing for 2-3 years. I also broke down and ordered a workout (Tae-bo) set of DVD's in order to try to get me going in the mornings.

Anybody have any suggestions or criticisms of this plan??? I want to drop 50-60 pounds by Christmas, and it would be nice to have 30 or so of it gone by football season.

thank you in advance for ANY input on this.

Selene71 · 06-21-2006, 09:06 AM

Hello Taihawk!

First of all, congratulations on making a plan to get into shape--that's the easy part. The hard part is following through with it.

I've made similar goals and my plan is almost like yours. I want to lose 20 pounds by Christmas.

The "detox" sounds good for a jump-start. I'm using the "cabbage soup diet" as a jumpstart for me--I think I can survive that for a week.

I find that the eating part of weight-loss is definitely more important than the exercise. I count every calorie that goes into my mouth on ******.com. If you haven't already, check it out--it's easy, and you can track your food AND exercise!

I've resolved to work out 8 times per week, for at least an hour. 30-40 minutes cardio, and 20-30 minutes weight training. I'm using magnets on my fridge to keep track of the workouts, and for some strange reason, it motivates me to get to the gym.

I think your goals and plan is definitely workable--it helps to have support of people around you, so let someone in on your plans--that's another motivator! Oh, and even support through these boards is great--I find a plethora of info here!

Good luck!! I hope you post your progress for us to marvel at!

bluejbirdie · 06-21-2006, 09:16 AM

Sounds Like a Great Start. It will be alot to do all at once...but if you manage it you should get some good results. Be Careful about trying to change too much all at once...it can be difficult.

taihawk · 06-21-2006, 09:48 AM

Thanks guys! Agreed about changing too much at once, I've made that mistake all in the past too many times. Just a subtle change in my diet. I am not going on any permanent diet for now, as I know me, and I realize that if I have to "count" anything like 'points' or 'calories'... I'll give up pretty quickly. Plus, any long-term diet will end up by the wayside, because they all seem to limit what foods you can eat. I just like my variety and being able to grab a bit wherever I go and whatever time it is. I'm sure I'll plateau at some point after the first or second big drop in pounds, and at that time, I'll be far enough in on my other routines that hopefully I'll be able to focus more on a particular diet. But, for right now, Its just me trying to adjust to eating regularly and smaller amounts.

taihawk · 06-21-2006, 09:49 AM

Selene:

What is the cabbage soup diet??? I've heard of it before, but never asked about it or paid attention. What is the regimine and what is it supposed to do?