Welcome to the Group

Welcome! We would love get to know you, so please tell us a little bit about yourself. You can choose any format you'd like, but most of us here share some or all of the following details:

1. History with weight loss:
2. History with Calorie Count:
3. Reason for joining this group:
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:

And now just go ahead and make that first post!

Hey, I just started using this site today and just wanted some help from other lifters deciding the best ways to get what I really want out of it. I'm an offensive tackle in transformation to a defensive end, and along with the 5 power-lifts a week, i try to get ab workouts in every night, and agility drills are starting soon. Since last year I've lost about 45 lbs out of just diet and the lifting. I'm still a pretty big boy at 231, but what i want is to put on lean muscle, not just lose fat. I'm afraid this site-along with my nazi like dieting-not used correctly will just cause me to lose the fat i could be turning into muscle and I'll turn into a kid that had a decent chance at a scholarship to an undersized, understrengthed highschool starter...

Any tips?

1. History with weight loss:

I have yo-yoed my whole life with my weight.  I started weight lifting the summer of my senior year of high school to lose some weight which I did and had a wonderful senior year in a size 9/10 instead of 13/14.  Some bad relationships put some weight back on but I gained the most putting me at 165 when I met my husband because he's a bit heavy and a big eater.  We got on the Atkins diet and I got down to 135 but with stress and too much going on it creeped back to 160.  My husband finally decided to actually get back on a body building program after a fight gone bad so we are doing it together.  I'm 170lbs but I'm in a size 13 after gaining almost 10 lbs of muscle over the last 7 weeks of training with him.  I decided to get the body I've always dreamed of.  I'm going for something like Jessica Beil. 

2. History with Calorie Count:

 I just started this a week and a half ago.  Its a HUGE eye opener to actually see the numbers add up so fast.  I really need to eat more low cal foods so I'm not so hungry keeping it under 1300.

3. Reason for joining this group: 

Advice and friends who are into the same thing I am.

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests: 

I work at a university sitting behind a desk all day so I have to use my lunch break to exercise at the health center on campus 3 days a week and then I go home to weight lift for 2 hours with my husband 4 days a week.  I have 2 little chihuahuas, Peaches & Paco, and I have 4 outside cats, Itty Bitty, Frankenstein, Stewie, and Shadow.  Before I had to put my cats outside because of my step-daughter's allergies, it was a crowded bed with 2 people and 6 furry creatures in it.  My animals are my babies and I love them all dearly.  My husband loves anything fast with an engine so I get to listen to him ramble about cars ALL the time.  Other then that, I love video games and watching movies.  I have a hard time staying active but I plan to make this all into a lifestyle this time.  No going back.

 

I just finished putting my history with weight loss into a public journal entry yesterday, so I'll paste it here.  It's pretty long, but I figure you can just skip over it if you get sick of my inane ramblings, right?  LOL

My history with Calorie Count...I joined sometime last year, I think.  May have been 2007, I'm not sure.  No matter...I never used it until now.  I had been using another online food log.  I quit it quite some time ago, and am back to logging and this one is much quicker.  Not near as many tools, but I love that I can get on, log my food and activities and be out in less than ten minutes.  I also love the tool bar.

I joined this group because of the title and the number of members.  I haven't read into it yet, but will this evening and hope to find it's an active group.

About me:  married to my high school sweetheart who I met in 1982, I'm 41 years old with a 19 year old daughter and a 16 year old son, live in Texas which I love, have a black Lab (Dodger) who is 12 years old and a Pomeranian (Koda) who is almost 3 years old.  I love weight lifting/bodybuilding and all fitness in general,  will get certified as a personal trainer and open a training studio at home by the end of Spring.  I love to swim/cycle/run and hope to enter (and FINISH) my first triathlon this year, love home decorating, cross-stitching, reading.  I HATE TV!  Music is my life...couldn't survive without my IPOD!  I'm very opinionated (LOL), and the best friend anyone could hope for to those few I TRULY connect with, very positive by nature and want everyone to be the same way! 

Well, I've bored y'all enough!  I wish everyone luck on their fitness journey and let me know if you need a cheerleader!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Below is a pasted copy of my first public journal entry:

Well, my first journey started in June of 2007, when I weighed almost 250 pounds and wore a size 22/24.  I dropped down to a size 18 and about 205 pounds by October of that year, when I started weight lifting.  That was the best thing I have ever done!  It completely transformed my body.  I would never have believed it could happen.  By March of 2008, I was in a size 12 and sometimes even a 10!  But here is the kicker:  I dropped from a size 18 to a 12/10 but lost less than ten pounds!  I had replaced a ton of fluffy, space-hogging fat with lean muscle, which weighs more, but takes up less space.  It was amazing.

Then Fall of 2008 came and I slacked off on my eating habits.  I increased my body fat percentage by several points and went up to a size 14.  Not THAT big of a deal, but I'd like to be a solid size 10 or maybe even an 8.  It really just depends on how I like what I see in the mirror.  I like what I see right now, but want to stop the jiggly spots and lean out.  Plus, "skinny" is something I never wished to be.  I'm tall at 5'10" or a little more, with curves...I want to keep those curves and not look like a stick.

So I am back to eating clean and logging my foods.  I've stepped up the exercise by incorporating more cardio at the gym (LOVE the Stairmaster) and I've started running.  Alongside my clothing size goal, I have a body fat goal of 22% as my first goal.  If I can get to 20% next, then 18%, that would be awesome.  I don't know if my genes will cooperate, but I will try.

In 2007 when I started, I was 40 years old and had never dieted in my life.  I never felt the need since I have always been happy with me.  I made the change for better health, then found I absolutely LOVE working out and weight lifting.  Now it's a bonus when people tell my 17 year old son that he has a "Hot Mom"!  LOL

But I digress a lot.  So here's to new beginnings...my goals are:

• Size 10 jeans, maybe 8 if not too skinny-looking
• Body Fat to 22% initially, then as low as 18%...again if not too skinny-looking
• Get certified as a personal trainer and start a training studio at home, do online training and also maybe do training-to-go in clients' homes

Wish me luck ~ Stef

I'm still learning, and didn't hit the "quote" button!  Sorry!

Hey, I just started using this site today and just wanted some help from other lifters deciding the best ways to get what I really want out of it. I'm an offensive tackle in transformation to a defensive end, and along with the 5 power-lifts a week, i try to get ab workouts in every night, and agility drills are starting soon. Since last year I've lost about 45 lbs out of just diet and the lifting. I'm still a pretty big boy at 231, but what i want is to put on lean muscle, not just lose fat. I'm afraid this site-along with my nazi like dieting-not used correctly will just cause me to lose the fat i could be turning into muscle and I'll turn into a kid that had a decent chance at a scholarship to an undersized, understrengthed highschool starter...

Any tips?

 

"Nazi-like dieting"...what does that mean, exactly?  Because muscle gains will come from 10% lifting right and 90% dieting right.  You weigh 231?  Then you should be eating a minimum of 347 to 462 grams of protein a day.  For me it is impossible to do by whole foods alone.  Quality whey protein shakes get me into the right range every day.  I usually double up...my protein powder calls for two scoops per 6 to 8 ounces of liquid, but I use four scoops per 8 ounces of water.  That gives me 54 grams of protein in only 300 calories.  Anyhow, protein is the key.  I've toyed with this a lot and found the best ratio, at least for me, is 40% protein, 30% carbs and 30% fats.  Sometimes I go over in fats, but it's okay because it is always due to salmon, which is high in good fats.  As you might notice, I could go on forever!  Let me know if you have any specific questions and I can try to point you in the right direction.

Hello i just started  on this site thanks for having me i need a little advice i am 29 6ft 1in 202 work out every other day have some body fat but i wont to way 230 then turn that extra 28 pounds in to muscle i eat rite at lest 4 times a day lots of protein and i usualy carb up before i go to the gym i work out a hour our some times2 every time i go do i need to work out every day our just longer more time off from the gym what is some good suggestions

HI!

1. My history with weight loss: I have been athletic and active my entire life.  I've never had a weight issue other than wanting to be more muscular. Besides gaining and losing 45 lbs when I was pregnant, I stayed pretty much on target with my weight for my entire life.

2. My history with calorie count: I just stumbled upon this site as I was looking for a new way to keep track of my calories and my 5 day split.  I hope to use this tool as a replacement for my worn out and ratty notebooks.  I also find it very helpful that we are able to look up the calorie counts of almost any food!

3. My reason for joining this group: I love weightlifting and this seemed like one of the few groups that is focusing on building muscle and eating clean.  I just want to learn something new and hopefully share some of the knowledge I have with other people that like to lift.

4. Interesting details about myself: I am 25 years old. I have one daughter and a husband that I wouldn't trade the universe for. My hobbies include lifting, cooking, and working on remodeling/upgrading our first home (recent first time home buyer). I am currently working out with a 5 day split that has yielded some pretty good results.  I am looking to cut bodyfat another 2-3% to have that lean, feminine muscular look.  I actually got the idea for that particular workout from bodybuilders.com which is another great website.

Have a wonderful day :) I look forward to meeting fellow weight lifting addicts! 

I'm new :)

1.  One day I guess I woke up and realized I was fat.  I lost 15 pounds by starving myself and somehow managed to keep it off.  My boyfriend introduced me to weight lifting and I set out to make my own unique program.  It's been a couple months and I'm very happy to look at the progress I've achieved.  I've lost 20 more pounds and love my new found passion for fitness.

2. I just recently joined calorie count.  I found it by looking up calories for my food diary.

3. I looked at the group and it seems like it's full of fitness lovers of all kinds.  I am really looking forward to see what others have to say that have had this kind of amazing lifestyle for longer.

4. I'll officially be enrolled in college in one month.  I'll be receiving my CNA license and after that I'll be working on getting my masters in occupational therapy.  I have an awesome yellow lab that loves to get physical with me.  Me and my boyfriend are the perfect spotters for eachother we love to workout together.

God Bless and have a great day :)

Ok I am a 42 year old mom of 5, grandmother of 3, I am an EMT, working full time on a great ambulanceservice and working on my Paramedics license.  I am severely overweight but I used to body build  a long time ago.  I want to get back to it.  I have yo yo dieted for along time.  I lost 47 pounds 3 years ago and fell off the wagon, this was on weight watchers.  I have had 4 surgeries 2 major 2 minor on my right knee.  Doctor says I won't be able to continue in my profession if I don't loose weight. (tore up the knee when I was 15 riding dirt bike motorcycles).  I still love to ride, and I am tired of looking like a "fat cow" on my bike, she's a beauty and I want to be too.  My husband and I ride to our vacation destinations in the summer and I ride everywhere all the time. 

I just joined calorie count and so far I love it.  It gives so many tools to use there great.  I also found it by looking up calories of a food I was wondering about.

I joined this group because I love to lift weights, I need a partner to keep me motivated and I am hoping you all can help me out with that, there aren't many women my age that are into lifting around here.

thanks for listening

Hi Guys

Im 27, i was obese most of my life, until the age of 21 when i was 20 stone (thats 280lbs).  I had asthma as a kid and they put me on steroids which gave me a huge apetite, got fat as a kid and never lost it, as i grew up also had problems with drink and other stuff, had serious health issues and decided to turn my life around.

Started lifting at 21, by 24 i was about 11 stone ish (154lbs), thats me in the profile picture, i looked kinda scrawny though and decided i wanted more as i like size and power (big muscles). Im now 27, 14 stone and bout 12% bf.

I work as a  web developer (code monkey in asp.net) but i train for 1 hour 4 times a week at lunch and do a 20 mins intensive cardio 6 nights a week. 

I joined the group to share my experience with others and give advice where i can but also to learn from others too.

i look forward to chatting with you guys :)

hey whats going on my name is Jeremy. i'm 23 from south jersey. My weight history has not been good at all before now..i have been obese most of my life; until going into my second year of college when i started to lose. My highest weight was a staggering 325. i am now down to 214 and feel great.

i have been with caloriecount for about 2.5 years now and love. i think this is the best site to calculate your daily caloric intake; there is not else like it.

i joined this group to look for insight on different weight lifting routines and to hear different views on weight lifting. i have grained a good amount of muscle over the years. my real main focus is my forearms, back, and abs.

im really looking forward to gaining some insight!

hey i haven't had much of a history with weight loss cus im only 13 and im pretty new to calorie count as well. I started weight lifting to bulk up about 3 months ago and I really liked it. I didn't do a whole lot of stuff because I was kind of limited to a set of 8 lb weights, a sit up mat, and a crossbow machine. I started seeing results recently and so I am getting more serious. I just joined a weightlifting club at school and I also am saving money for a gym subscription. Another reason I joined this group was to hear about good excercises and product reviews, and just to get advice from you guys since I'm new. Also, my favorite foods are peanut butter and sushi (not together) haha

1. History with weight loss:I really have no history. I was always the skinny guy in high school 140lbs at 6'2(I know). Now I am 196 after losing 10lbs over the past month. This is what a happy marriage and kids gets you.
2. History with Calorie Count:Again no history I could always eat what I wanted and never had to worry
3. Reason for joining this group: I have recently started weightlifting and love it. The guy I work out with is a member of this group and said I should join to.
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:I work at Uhaul 6 years. Been married for 5years with two wonderful little girls. I have a dog and a cat who are just as spoiled as the girls. My hobbies used to be PS3 and kids. Now Its getting up at 4am and hitting the plates and pushing my self harder than I have ever pushed myself

Hi I am new and am interested in finding out the benefits to lifting for someone in their 30's.     Lynn

Hi Lynn,

Lifting Rocks (as in, it's cool, not like lifting heavy stones)!

I'm 34 and I just started lifting this year. In general, lifting builds muscle, builds stronger bones, gets your heartrate up so it burns fat, and it's fun. Weight lifting can also increase our resting metabolism rate for up to 48 hours after a lifting session. I love this because it means the work I put in during a workout continues to pay off even when I'm sitting on the couch watching Lost.

Personally, I've noticed a significant difference in my self perception and confidence that comes from being, and feeling, stronger, even though my scale weight hasn't changed all that much.

I know there are lots of ladies lifting and I hope they chime in too. Also, please feel welcome to visit the group, New Rules of Lifting for Women. This group is for women who have read and are using the book and training program by the same name - but you'll get a good sense of what lifting for these women has been like even if you aren't familiar with the source material.

Enjoy the quest,

Kristen  

1. History with weight loss: Up and down since I was a teenager. I'm 5'4" and presently weigh around 147. I've been as high as 167 (2006). I come from a family of obese people and used to believe that I was doomed to the same fate. 

2. History with Calorie Count: I first joined CC in 2006. I love the site!

3. Reason for joining this group: Gold's Gym opened in the town I live in on January 1 this year. I joined in March and began working with a personal trainer there on March 18. He immediately had me begin weight training - which I previously thought was strictly for those desiring to have HUGE muscles. I didn't understand the TREMENDOUS benefits of building muscle - I feel like I am still just beginning to understand. Last week my trainer added HIIT to my 3x/week weight training routine. I am LOVING everything about my workouts and am excited to learn everything I can.

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests: I'm 38, married for almost two years (April 20), and have a 20 year-old daughter. I have a very demanding and stressful career - but I'm grateful for it and I love it. We have three furry companions: Setra (Weimerainer), Moka (my daughter's rescue kitty), and Bagger (our Siamese/Pixie Bob kitty - my baby boy who can do NO wrong!). I love Harley-Davidson motor cycles (we have an '09 Road Glide). I also have a 2006 GTO (my mid-life crisis car!).

 

Original Post by skittles299:

hey i haven't had much of a history with weight loss cus im only 13 and im pretty new to calorie count as well. I started weight lifting to bulk up about 3 months ago and I really liked it. I didn't do a whole lot of stuff because I was kind of limited to a set of 8 lb weights, a sit up mat, and a crossbow machine. I started seeing results recently and so I am getting more serious. I just joined a weightlifting club at school and I also am saving money for a gym subscription. Another reason I joined this group was to hear about good excercises and product reviews, and just to get advice from you guys since I'm new. Also, my favorite foods are peanut butter and sushi (not together) haha

 I <3 this... way to go and get started early Skittles :).

My name is Mike (kind of obvious from the Screen Name). I am 45, married, have 8 kids (youngest is 17) and 7 grandkids.  Having so many kids involved in various sports activities have kept me in decent shape (can't let them be better than their old man!!)

By all charts and details, I am slightly over weight, although I do not feel that way. I am 6'-0" and my weigh oscillates between 218 and 222. My weight maintains the same whether I go to the gym or not. Been pretty much the same for the past 5 years. I wouldn't mind getting down to 200 pounds, but I am not holding my breath.

I accidentally fell into Calorie Count and have been enjoying reading various articles and posts since then, contributing to a couple when I think I have something useful to say.

I am particularly interested in developing a routine where my asthma will not be too much of an impact. I have developed adult onset asthma over the last couple of years, and I find that I tend to need a little longer rest when weight lifting in order to feel safe about the lifting.

Take care all. Looking forward to more reading and feed back as it comes.

Original Post by melkor:

Welcome! We would love get to know you, so please tell us a little bit about yourself. You can choose any format you'd like, but most of us here share some or all of the following details:

1. History with weight loss:
2. History with Calorie Count:
3. Reason for joining this group:
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:

And now just go ahead and make that first post!

 Hello all my name is Jason, and I am 29 years old, will be 30 in August. 

1.  My history with weight starts early, I was a chubby kid starting about 4th grade, and was always concious about it.  In high school I started eating less, but I still ate fast food and such cause I didn't know squat about nutrition and just thought eating less would benefit, and I also played basketball with my friends and such never for school or anything like that.  Somehow it worked and I got down to something like 140 or so my senior year, which was way too skinny.  I had never even seen a weight, let alone lifted one.  I then went to college and during college I steadily gained weight until my first year in grad school where I topped the scales at 267.  I then decided it was time to do something cause of family history of heart disease and I bought an exercise bike from Sears.  This was in 2002 I lost about 50 lbs. with that bike and burnt out 2 belts in 6 months in the process on the bike.  That is when late in 2002 I first started lifting, I had little to no experience other than friends telling me what to do and 1 friend introducing me to muscle and fitness magazine.  I took lifting advice from there and others and put together my own program.  I ended up getting to a weight of 185 and I was stronger then I had ever been but I stalled and never made anymore progress.  Now I know it was because I wasn't eating enough. 

Now comes the real bad part, after I met my current wife and she got pregnant with our first child I started to not workout, eat bad, etc. and gained almost all the weight back.  Now that brings us to Jan. 2009 where I hit 257 lbs. and my dad had triple bypass.  I decided that it was time to turn it around again and started walking, and lifting.

I came across calorie count by mistake looking up the calorie info on some food, and I have now been hooked.  Based on melkors advice I started Starting Strength on 3-3-09 and have seen fabulous results so far.  I am down to 227 from 257 and I am already lifting more in most exercises than I ever did on my own program.  My deadlift is what I am most proud of I am up to 265 lbs for 5 reps.

I joined this group cause I am on here everyday looking at posts and the fitness part of the site is what I am here for and is what I am interested in.

Currently I am a stay at home daddy, I know not many of those are around, and I live in Fort Wayne IN which I just moved here so I don't know anyone.  That is why I am on here a lot and share my successes thoughts, etc. cause I have nowhere else to really say it ;).  I have 2 boys Aidan (2), and Colin (1), hence my screen name.  My wife is currently pregnant with our first girl.  Which is exciting!  Oh and for pets we have 2 fish and 2 rats.

I think that is all for now, I wrote a book anyway, hope no one minds.

I am 64; in reasonably good shape; weigh about 172 lbs; do cardio 3 times a week, and weights twice with stretching after every session.  My goals are balance, flexibility, strength, fitness.  I started free weights three months ago, and am still trying to get a workout sequence down. 

       &nb sp;   

Hi!

I'm 19, female, 5'6 and 120 lbs. and I have NO upper body strength, whatsoever. I'm like, freakishly weak. Anyway, I really want to get strong! Also, for safety! Every girl should be able to sock someone in the face if they have to...

I don't own weights and I'm thinking of buying some. Should I start with five pounds? Ten pounds? What do you guys/gals think?

Glad to be part of this group!

-claire