Need some advise

Hi,

Name is Justin, I am 35 years old, married with one son.

I started two years ago and some months trying to lose weight. My first objective was to run a marathon as I figured I could eat whatever I wanted because running would burn so many calories. I lost weight but still kept the spare tire around the middle.

Next, I tried exercise PLUS weight watchers, I lost weight BUT still kept the spare tire around the middle.

I have in the past tried South beach diet, various cleansers, weight lifting, H.I.I.T, lemonade diet and other crap I guess I can't think of right now. In any case, the spare tire around the middle remains.

What the hell? I am now at calorie counter and I go two steps forward and then two steps back. So I am not really losing anything but I'm not gaining either.

I find motivation to work out daily hard, since I use a lot of mental power at work and at the end of the day I really feel like staring into space just so that I can go and do it all again.

I have figured out a lot of my bad eating habit cues but most of the time, I just don't give a damn. I would LOVE to change that attitude. I also would love to overcome the "I know I shouldn't eat this but I'm going to anyway" syndrome.

Any advise?? Help? Encouragement would great!!

Thanks,

J

Hello Justin!!!  I am not sure how much help I can be but I will try.  First the "I know I shouldn't...", don't put the stuff you SHOULDN'T eat in the house.  That is an easy thing to try.  Or go for the water first, if you still much have whatever it is, go for it but in moderation.  Try fruit or veggies first.  Anything healthy first!!  Don't make me come smack your hand for reaching for a cookie. 

As for the "spare tire", I am with you on that one but I have been doing core training with my running and I have noticed the "spare tire" getting smaller.  I have read and read and read that you can't do spot fat loss, you have to do total body fat loss.  The mid-section may just be the last place on you body to loss fat.  Keep at the exercise and building muscle and the mid-section will get smaller.  Muscle burns fat faster.

Sorry, I wish I could be more helpful to you.  Good luck to you!!

Kate

Hi!

It helps most when I log in and share for some reason.

I was hoping someone would respond, it is motivational. For some reason I always get going down the right path and then fall off and it takes something like this to get me to "reboot".

 

Thanks!!!

 

Justin

Justin, add me as a friend and message me anytime.  I am good about putting a flame under one's butt!!!    I will bug you everyday if you want.  I actually chat with quite a few people on the "looking for chat and challenges" post.  We girlies only have 2 guys in our chat group if you are interested in chatting with us, we would love to have another guy.  Our guys are pretty knowledgeable about weight lifting too.  They might be able to help you more.

Have a great day!!

Kate

Hey,

 

Good deal! I added you as a buddy, now I have to find the group. :-)

 

I went for about a 2mile walk with my wife both yesterday and the day before. I plan on running again but wanted to walk into it, I'm sure you understand why.

Let's keep in touch and keep pushing! Just these last two days have made a big difference in my choices.

Hoorah!

Justin

Justin keep in mind that you cant out train your diet (unless you’re Michael Phelps). I suspect you know what your down fall is you just have to decide what is more important. And I have this quote I tell myself when I want to go over board.

“Only I can stop me, only I can do this for myself”

Good Morning Justin,  Great job on the walking.  I haven't walked with my family in awhile.  I totally understand walking into running.  That is what I had to do to start.  I have to confess something to you.  I totally fell asleep on the couch last night.  Here I am talking to you about exercising and I fall asleep.  And tonight is a massage night so I can't run.  I do plan on weeding A LOT this weekend.  I will count that plus do my weights and running.  I might have to take my little monkey to the park too.

Have a great day!!

Kate

Justin,

As for the spare tire...cardio, cardio, cardio. :D I'm still working on mine, but I have found that between my runs and my soccer practices, my belly is slowly but surely fading away. Also, most ab work will protrud your belly more which makes it seem like your belly isn't going anywhere. Seriously, I know most women do it, but try pilates or some kind of ab work that strengthens and lengethens your abs. Then after a while, you can start on traditional ab work for definition.

So, that being said, I hope that's helped you get a bit motivated. Join the Roll Call Challenge, that helps me. http://caloriecount.about.com/roll-call-septe mber-exercise-challenge-ft150596 Also, do you like sports? Find a team sport or something that makes you meet on a regular basis. Your commitment will be your motivation. Trust me!

Justin,  Carin (sokkamum) is one of my "looking for chat and challenges" people.  Come on over when you can!!

Kate

Hey Justin,

you found a great site and a great group! I understand you on the "middle" section of our wonderful bodies lol.

The very last place I lose weight is my stomach. Within 3 weeks of me changing the way I look at life and food, my wife noticed a significant change in my upperbody - chest, shoulders, face. Just last week she said "your legs are looking skinny-er" which is funny because my legs are built like an old oak tree. Needless to say, my stomach remains mostly the same. I have gone from a 40 waist to a 38 (tight but they fit!) but that is it. I have also found that this time through is more difficult for me in general.

Keep up the hard work, in my experience and reading, losing belly fat is difficult and may require pushing the extremes of calories and excerise.

I am glad to have you aboard!!

mat

 

Hi Justin! Welcome to the group :)

I totally understand the working yourself into running! I started with walking and then did 5 minutes of walking followed by 5 minutes of running and worked up to an hour workout. Now I run 3 days a week for 3.5 miles each time (about 45 minutes) and I feel great! The other days I workout with weights. Keep positive, the spare tire will work its way off with the weight-loss. My spare tire is slowly disappearing - YAY!!!

Carin is right tho, if you "work" the abs they will bulk :( Work the BODY! My hubby is a big guy and he has found the spare tire his greatest challenge too. His back arms and legs have been really toned since the spring but he still had his tummy :-P He noticed how much the running has made a difference for me so he switched from doing his cardio at the gym on the eliptical to running 20 minutes on the treadmill and that was all it took :) He has been cracking up lately cuz ALL his pants are falling off... and he's a plumber lol. PLUMBERS CRACK!! He also uses a jump-rope which is a great workout. (@ Mat - Did you ever try the jump-rope?)

You should totally hang out with us in 30 Somethings - Looking for Chat and Challenges! We are a fun group of peeps . http://caloriecount.about.com/looking-chat-ch allenges-gt48-86 It really helps to motivate me.

Dawn :)

Look at that, Justin, I brought 3 of my buddie to you.    I told you we were a great group. 

Kate

no jump rope yet.... I am procrastinating, although I watch jump rope videos on youtube  LOL!! and I have found a few sights that get you started... Look out Rocky Balboa, here I come!!

Mat

Hi All,

 

Thanks for all the advise and encouragement! I still need it as I went to visit the in-laws this weekend and ate like there was no tomorrow. Sadly, there was a tomorrow and now I am fatter for it. :-)

These chats do help so I will keep coming back and I appreciate the posts, shares, comments and just learning what others are doing.

 

Glad to be a part of the group!

Justin

wow ~ u guys RAWK!! i certainly wanna be in touch with such motivators so I can pop on here for a distraction when I'm just about to steal one of the kiddos cookies!!! LOL

*WAVES*  ~ Hiya everyone.....

I know I am late to this conversation - but I too carry all my weight in my middle. I too joined weight watchers & went from 220 lbs to 180. I am on here because I regained 15 of it cheating on my diet with my new boyfriend. I too can't seem to lose it in my middle. It did go down in size - but comparatively speaking to the rest of me it's really out of whack. Asking the doctor who told me I have to work on it because of health risks, but then told me I can't really help it because genetically EVERYONE in my family holds weight there. Grrrr.What the heck good was that???

I completely understand your frustration!!!!!

I can possibly offer tips on how my shrinking ratio is going but I figured sometimes just knowing someone else has the same issue might be good. I just lost 9lbs & not one inch came off my body. I in fact gained an inch in my waist...how's that for frustration!!!

If you need an online partner in crime - give me a shout anytime.