Going cold turkey and really hitting the gym

Hi,

I'm 5'8" and the most I've ever weighed is 186 lbs (maybe hit 190 + without knowing it).  I've always been concerned about weight without necessarily being too worried or actively pursuing a healthy diet.  I have always been fairly active in sports, I did martial arts for a few years back in high school and college, and have always loved playing basketball.  I am what some would call functionally fit since I had the stamina and strength for all these activities without really having the body for it.  I was chubby when I was small then I guess sort of leaned out as I grew older.  When I was in college, I weighed about 145 lbs, and through the years have steadily gained weight especially during travels abroad.

A few months ago I moved to a new apartment complex with a top of the line gym, and that sort of got me working out.  Like many people, I tried the gym many times before without results - I simply hated it.  One of my friends who is really quite the gym bunny started joining me and that's when it all really improved.  He was very encouraging and always challenging, and in 4 months I lost about 20 lbs and am starting to see some real definition.  I also started running quite a bit, something that I've always hated, but now I am able to run 6km non-stop at about 10kph.  Nowadays I get about 1-2 hours of exercise after work at least 5 times a week.

Apart from that, I also went cold turkey on my diet.  I simply stopped eating rice and junk food,  cut out softdrinks and have really been avoiding high calorie foods.  I barely eat out nowadays and if I do, I still avoid binging.  I have only been having salads with some protein for lunch, and snacks mainly consist of nuts.  I haven't gone all out and once or twice a week I do indulge in chocolate or some other dessert.  I don't count calories but generally try to keep myself some away from really rich foods.

I've never felt more fit in my life, and I think I will be able to, in a few months, achieve some definition on my stomach.  Something which for many years have evaded me.

Have any of you had the same experience?

Yes, altho I was heavy all my life, I started losing my weight about 7 years ago and then quit smoking April 2010 and gained the 5 pounds of the weight I lost and got scared. At the age of 41 (May 2010) I started finally living the healthy lifestyle. I too, never ran a day in my life, and started running and am up to 6K as well. The way it has changed me and made me feel, I really wish I had discovered it earlier, but 'better late then never' right?

Congratulations to you! Well done!

do you listen to music an ipod or an mp3 player?

that helps me enjoy my workout and my workout usually consists of using the treadmill and I do run a bit for about an hour

Hey thanks.

I've sort of got into a plateau.  I'm sort of stuck at the 165lb mark, and have been going down 2-3 lbs and then going back up.  My diet hasn't changed - it's still pretty much the same and I wouldn't call it a diet anymore because I'm just really used to it now.

I now workout almost everyday - still running at least 5-6 kms for 30-35mins with high speed intervals and then some weights afterwards. I have basketball a couple days a week as well. 

Is it true that you're supposed to take a bit of a break when experiencing a plateau - so that your body can adjust? Or should I just continue with what I'm doing?  I've already increased the amount of exercise but still nothing's happened.  I did notice gaining some muscle but is that enough to level me at this weight? 

Hi, I do but really it's only to isolate me from outside especially when running on the treadmill.  I turn it on and don't really listen to the music itself.  Hearing other people's footstrikes makes me lose my pace.

I'm running the 10km at the Dubai Marathon in a couple of weeks - wish me luck.  Hoping to do it under 1 hour.  I did it in 1:06 last year.

Ohhh! Good luck with the 10K run!!

Finished the run with a good time.  56mins!

Also, I think I overcame my latest plateau and dropped some 2-3 pounds, and now down to 160.  But think I need to up protein intake since muscle doesn't seem to be building despite frequent workouts with increasing intensity/weight.

I was unemployed for awhile and now have started a new job so I have missed my gym workouts in the process

although I am walking back and forth to work 30 min ea way if I powerwalk

I had a cold too last week which kept me from the gym

hopefully this week I will get back to it

Don't have any answers for you, but I just relate to your story as I have simular stats, I am 5'8'', I did get up to 193lbs, now down to 167lbs, and decided to go for a goal 162lbs to meet my healthy BMI for age 37.

Anyways I am doing a lot less consistent exercise than you, but I think that is going to be my new goal once I hit 162lbs.   I have been doing some running, about then same distance/pace, about 30 minutes running when I go.  Also using a weight room on my way home from work, usually try to stay for 30minutes, but now that I am reading up on how to work out, my last session I stayed for 90minutes, and asked a guy to teach me some routines.

This Friday coming I am going to make an appointment with a trainer there, so again I think this is the next piece for me, a consistent exercise plan, and therefore my calorie intake is going to need to be more.  Very interesting process.  I am loving having lost the 20lbs though, feel so much more confident with myself, and found a bunch of shirts in my closet I wasn't wearing because of the big belly, now I like wearing those shirts, I guess I am getting some vanity, and wanting to show off the weight loss.