Obesity Discussion Forums

[Trebeck]

I'm looking for ways to start taking off all the weight I've gained since high school. I have a bit of a problem in the fact that I'm a picky eater. The majority of vegetables and fruits are off limits to me. This means I can't really just start eating salads or something of the sort.

As far as where I'm at physically I weigh in at around 245lbs right now and ideally I'd like to get down to about 185 which is where I was in high school. I'm 26 years old about 5'10".

I'm going to be joining up with a local gym and hiring a personal trainer to get started but I'm not sure what the costs of these should be or if there are any decent gym chains I should consider.

I've tried doing this before but it's always a little tougher without being fully informed so I'm glad I found this place. It looks like everyone here does a good job of helping each other which is awesome.

[sass63]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

I'm looking for ways to start taking off all the weight I've gained since high school. I have a bit of a problem in the fact that I'm a picky eater. The majority of vegetables and fruits are off limits to me. This means I can't really just start eating salads or something of the sort.

As far as where I'm at physically I weigh in at around 245lbs right now and ideally I'd like to get down to about 185 which is where I was in high school. I'm 26 years old about 5'10".

I'm going to be joining up with a local gym and hiring a personal trainer to get started but I'm not sure what the costs of these should be or if there are any decent gym chains I should consider.

I've tried doing this before but it's always a little tougher without being fully informed so I'm glad I found this place. It looks like everyone here does a good job of helping each other which is awesome.

Welcome to the boards Trebeck
what foods do you like? I am a picky eater also and I started with a list of all the healthy food I do like and went from there. Also I made myself retry things I didnt think I liked our tastes change as we get older you might find you like stuff now that you never did as a kid. I hope this can help a little,

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

I'm looking for ways to start taking off all the weight I've gained since high school. I have a bit of a problem in the fact that I'm a picky eater. The majority of vegetables and fruits are off limits to me. This means I can't really just start eating salads or something of the sort.

As far as where I'm at physically I weigh in at around 245lbs right now and ideally I'd like to get down to about 185 which is where I was in high school. I'm 26 years old about 5'10".

I'm going to be joining up with a local gym and hiring a personal trainer to get started but I'm not sure what the costs of these should be or if there are any decent gym chains I should consider.

I've tried doing this before but it's always a little tougher without being fully informed so I'm glad I found this place. It looks like everyone here does a good job of helping each other which is awesome.

I don't really eat veggies or fruits myself (I know bad), so it's doable, and I'm sure I'm as picky of an eater as you are, I'm HORRIBLE about that. I am however able to apply what I eat to meat my calorie and macronutrient goals (protein vs. carbs vs. fat).

Personal trainer is a great idea. Go to a few places and get some rates. Most places like to lure you in with a long term package, some people have a promotion for a free session or two.

If it were me, I'd look at the person training me and how long they've been a trainer for. If they were more out of shape then I was, I might second guess using them. Just my personal preference. Also, some trainers may only offer lifting tips while others offer nutrition tips as well, something else to consider. I know of some trainers who are also registered dieticians, which I would find as a bonus.

Welcome!!!

[Trebeck]

Well my standard source of food is beef or chicken of some sort. Ground, steak, grilled, broiled, or anything like that. As far as vegetables I can't eat things like onions, lettuce, celery, broccoli, peppers, etc. It's easier to list the good list

vegetables: peas, beans, and corn are pretty much it. Mushrooms too if they fit under vegetables

I also don't eat sea food so I see alot of chicken in my diet. I'm definitely looking for a trainer with a dietian backgrounds simply because I have plenty of friends I can ask for advice when it comes to getting into shape, it's the food part that kills me. I don't drink pop anymore but early in the day red bull is a bit of a crutch so I've been weening myself off of that which should be later this week. Skim milk, water, and some oj here and there is the plan.


As far as which foods are healthy that I eat, I'm really not very well educated on whats healthy beyond things like chicken. I'm also planning on cooking with olive oil instead of butter from now on if I think a recipe will work for it. From what I've read, cutting out pastas is going to be a need as well. We have a full kitchen at my work which I think is going to be pretty helpful, I just need good recipes now. =)

[sass63]

OD has posted a ton of good recipes go check them out I am sure you will find something you like.

[Trebeck]

So I was doing some reading and came across the sticky from ot (and also in Sharona's thread) and it seems like the numbers are off or there's something I'm not understanding. So here are the numbers I came up with..

Current weight: 245lbs, 111.13kg
Current height: 5'10", 177.8cm
Current age: 26

So my BMR should be: 65 + (13.7*111.13) + (5*177.8) - (6.8*26)

So if I'm figuring this right, 2300.68 is my standard BMR. Since right now I'm at little or no exercise, 2759.62 is my standard maintenance caloric intake. Am I right so far?

I'd like to plan on trying to lose 2.5lbs per week starting out which I don't think seems too off the scale (no pun intended). This means if I keep at it, I can hit my target rate in 6 months. Reading on HowStuffWorks, I need to make a deficit of 8750 calories per week which puts me at 1509.617 per day. Since I'm going to start at the gym and hit moderately active, it goes up to a much more manageable 2314.506 calories per week starting out. To help keep track of this weekly, I have a handy spreadsheet I made in excel if anyone is interested.

I guess my days of milkshakes are done. =) Now that I have this figured out, I'm going to start watching my calories and planning what my meals will be to stay within this range. I've read alot about eating smaller meals but I think that will be more difficult for me than keeping it at 3 meals / day. Generally I'm not one to snack on things like potato chips and such.. The majority of my excess calories come from eating out and not watching what I eat. I don't drink pop anymore but I'm a bit of an energy drink fiend so I've been weening myself off of those the best I can to reduce headaches. I'm planning on starting full diet and exercise mode in about 10 days. First reducing my caloric intake, then increasing exercise to the rate I'd like to keep it at.
In the winter I should actually be a bit higher on the exercise scale with snowboarding so that should be good as well.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

So I was doing some reading and came across the sticky from ot (and also in Sharona's thread) and it seems like the numbers are off or there's something I'm not understanding. So here are the numbers I came up with..

Current weight: 245lbs, 111.13kg
Current height: 5'10", 177.8cm
Current age: 26

So my BMR should be: 65 + (13.7*111.13) + (5*177.8) - (6.8*26)

So if I'm figuring this right, 2300.68 is my standard BMR. Since right now I'm at little or no exercise, 2759.62 is my standard maintenance caloric intake. Am I right so far?

Originally Posted by Trebeck

I'd like to plan on trying to lose 2.5lbs per week starting out which I don't think seems too off the scale (no pun intended). This means if I keep at it, I can hit my target rate in 6 months. Reading on HowStuffWorks, I need to make a deficit of 8750 calories per week which puts me at 1509.617 per day. Since I'm going to start at the gym and hit moderately active, it goes up to a much more manageable 2314.506 calories per week starting out. To help keep track of this weekly, I have a handy spreadsheet I made in excel if anyone is interested.

2.5lbs is a quick pace which will be difficult to accomplish without exercise.

Did you mean by going to the gym you can afford to eat 2314.50 calories a day to reach your goals or that in a week you only need to create a calorie deficit of 2314 calories to achieve your goals?

I guess my days of milkshakes are done. =) Now that I have this figured out, I'm going to start watching my calories and planning what my meals will be to stay within this range. I've read alot about eating smaller meals but I think that will be more difficult for me than keeping it at 3 meals / day. Generally I'm not one to snack on things like potato chips and such.. The majority of my excess calories come from eating out and not watching what I eat. I don't drink pop anymore but I'm a bit of an energy drink fiend so I've been weening myself off of those the best I can to reduce headaches. I'm planning on starting full diet and exercise mode in about 10 days. First reducing my caloric intake, then increasing exercise to the rate I'd like to keep it at.
In the winter I should actually be a bit higher on the exercise scale with snowboarding so that should be good as well.[/quote]

You will be OK eating a few bigger meals instead of more smaller meals. There are reasons for eating more smaller meals, but that's above the scope of what you are trying to accomplish.

I think you understand what needs to be done. Get rid of all that sugar ladened food like milkshakes, energy drinks, etc and that in itself will make a noticeable difference. Eating out IS a killer too.....but at least you are cognizant of that and know that you need to order healthy.

[Trebeck]

Yeah I meant going to the gym I can afford to eat 2314.50 cal/day. I figure through a personal trainer along with using the gym we have at work during lunch 2.5lbs is a doable pace. Sorry about the post being somewhat circular, I was figuring out the numbers as I typed the post.

[MikeB]

If you have the ability a dip tank body fat test will be able to tell you your LBM (lean body mass) this will then tell you what you need to eat to maintain the muscle you have as fat takes no calories. I paid $40 for mine and although I thought I was around 200 to 210 LBM I was actually 189#'s LBM which allowed me to setup my true 10% BF goal of 210 vs the 220 I thought it would have been.
Mike

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

Yeah I meant going to the gym I can afford to eat 2314.50 cal/day. I figure through a personal trainer along with using the gym we have at work during lunch 2.5lbs is a doable pace. Sorry about the post being somewhat circular, I was figuring out the numbers as I typed the post.

Bingo. You've got it! Although don't be upset if it takes a week or two after you start this routine for the weight to come flying off. I'd try to err on the high side of too much exercise.

[William Wallace]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

I'm looking for ways to start taking off all the weight I've gained since high school. I have a bit of a problem in the fact that I'm a picky eater. The majority of vegetables and fruits are off limits to me. This means I can't really just start eating salads or something of the sort.

As far as where I'm at physically I weigh in at around 245lbs right now and ideally I'd like to get down to about 185 which is where I was in high school. I'm 26 years old about 5'10".

I'm going to be joining up with a local gym and hiring a personal trainer to get started but I'm not sure what the costs of these should be or if there are any decent gym chains I should consider.

I've tried doing this before but it's always a little tougher without being fully informed so I'm glad I found this place. It looks like everyone here does a good job of helping each other which is awesome.

I think 24hour fitness has a special for 5 personal training sessions for 49 bucks, plus other perks. But that's a one time deal. It's not cheap in the long run, but look into packages which tend to be cheaper in the long run. They're worth every penny if you commit.

[Trebeck]

Well last night I went ahead and signed up for a gym and some sessions with a personal trainer. The local lifetime fitness is running a special for $200 you get 6 sessions with a personal trainer which sounded like a steal of a deal. As far as determining how I should eat, they have licensed dieticians for that portion of the training. Now I just need to pickup some workout clothes and get started tonight.

I've also begun waking up earlier to eat breakfast before going to work. Breakfast has either been a bowl of rice chex with skim milk and a small glass of milk or oj, or an Egg in a Frame cooked with light margarine, and 2 slices of bacon, teamed with OJ. My lunch is kind of my cheating meal where I've been eating worse although I try to make sure it's a chicken sandwich of some sort. Then dinner has been broiled chicken and boiled potatoes. I'm sure the bacon isn't a great thing which is why I've kept it at 2 pieces. As far as fluids during the day, I'm now drinking only water, skim milk, and the occasional glass of oj. I'm going to do some reading today on whats best for me to be eating.

And on a side note, I weigh myself every morning and I've consistently been down 2 pounds the past 3 days. It could be mostly water weight but I won't tell myself that.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

Well last night I went ahead and signed up for a gym and some sessions with a personal trainer. The local lifetime fitness is running a special for $200 you get 6 sessions with a personal trainer which sounded like a steal of a deal. As far as determining how I should eat, they have licensed dieticians for that portion of the training. Now I just need to pickup some workout clothes and get started tonight.

I've also begun waking up earlier to eat breakfast before going to work. Breakfast has either been a bowl of rice chex with skim milk and a small glass of milk or oj, or an Egg in a Frame cooked with light margarine, and 2 slices of bacon, teamed with OJ. My lunch is kind of my cheating meal where I've been eating worse although I try to make sure it's a chicken sandwich of some sort. Then dinner has been broiled chicken and boiled potatoes. I'm sure the bacon isn't a great thing which is why I've kept it at 2 pieces. As far as fluids during the day, I'm now drinking only water, skim milk, and the occasional glass of oj. I'm going to do some reading today on whats best for me to be eating.

And on a side note, I weigh myself every morning and I've consistently been down 2 pounds the past 3 days. It could be mostly water weight but I won't tell myself that.

Congrats on the trainer! If you go see the dietician, I have a feeling they're going to say something similar to what I'm going to say.

I'm going to comment on your breakfast, because I think it may not be as healthy as you realize.

Bacon is about as bad as it gets. It's basically pure saturated fat. Have you ever tried Turkey Bacon as a substitute? It's substantially better for you. The margarine (more fat) in the egg isn't great either, and to be honest, orange juice isn't ideal either because it's loaded with sugar. The rice Chex I'm assuming is not a whole grain cereal....so again not the best either. You are getting some protein from the milk and egg, but ideally I'd love to see a lot more protein in your meals.

For lunch when you say chicken sandwich are we talking fried? Grilled? What exactly are you eating that's cheating?

Dinner looks good, but overall breakfast/lunch could use some work. Have you been counting the calories of what you eat to figure out if you're eating the right amounts to acheive your goals?

[Irving]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

I'm looking for ways to start taking off all the weight I've gained since high school. I have a bit of a problem in the fact that I'm a picky eater. The majority of vegetables and fruits are off limits to me. This means I can't really just start eating salads or something of the sort.

As far as where I'm at physically I weigh in at around 245lbs right now and ideally I'd like to get down to about 185 which is where I was in high school. I'm 26 years old about 5'10".

I'm going to be joining up with a local gym and hiring a personal trainer to get started but I'm not sure what the costs of these should be or if there are any decent gym chains I should consider.

I've tried doing this before but it's always a little tougher without being fully informed so I'm glad I found this place. It looks like everyone here does a good job of helping each other which is awesome.

welcome to our obesity forum!
gym and trainer will do wonders good for motivation and calorie burning. you are young so it should be easy for you to acieve your goals with dedication. good luck!

[Merle]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

I'm looking for ways to start taking off all the weight I've gained since high school. I have a bit of a problem in the fact that I'm a picky eater. The majority of vegetables and fruits are off limits to me. This means I can't really just start eating salads or something of the sort.

As far as where I'm at physically I weigh in at around 245lbs right now and ideally I'd like to get down to about 185 which is where I was in high school. I'm 26 years old about 5'10".

I'm going to be joining up with a local gym and hiring a personal trainer to get started but I'm not sure what the costs of these should be or if there are any decent gym chains I should consider.

I've tried doing this before but it's always a little tougher without being fully informed so I'm glad I found this place. It looks like everyone here does a good job of helping each other which is awesome.

You are so young dear that you will have no problems doing this, I know it! Welcome to the group! Where do you live? That helps determine good gym cains.

[Trebeck]

Well I've been mostly lurking so I thought I'd check in to help me keep my eyes on the prize. I'm a bit behind schedule but I still feel pretty good about where I'm at. I hit 30lbs lost last weekend on the scale at the gym!

I've gone somewhat non-conventional and have been exercising portion control more than anything else. I cheat fairly but I cut back every week. My theory is that if I give up all of the things I love to eat / drink, it's easier for me to just go nuts one day. I made it through the holidays so I know I'm well on track. The biggest thing was switching to sugar free red bulls I think. I eliminated them all together for the first 45 days, then went to sugar free and going diet didn't seem bad at all after having nothing.

As far as the gym goes, I'm visiting 3-4 times / week and doing 30 min on the elliptical along with cycling the chest/arms/back and then always hitting abdominals with cruches. I also try to be sure I get in basketball a couple times per week, then outside of the gym get on the hill and snowboard.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Trebeck

Well I've been mostly lurking so I thought I'd check in to help me keep my eyes on the prize. I'm a bit behind schedule but I still feel pretty good about where I'm at. I hit 30lbs lost last weekend on the scale at the gym!

I've gone somewhat non-conventional and have been exercising portion control more than anything else. I cheat fairly but I cut back every week. My theory is that if I give up all of the things I love to eat / drink, it's easier for me to just go nuts one day. I made it through the holidays so I know I'm well on track. The biggest thing was switching to sugar free red bulls I think. I eliminated them all together for the first 45 days, then went to sugar free and going diet didn't seem bad at all after having nothing.

As far as the gym goes, I'm visiting 3-4 times / week and doing 30 min on the elliptical along with cycling the chest/arms/back and then always hitting abdominals with cruches. I also try to be sure I get in basketball a couple times per week, then outside of the gym get on the hill and snowboard.

30 lbs in 4 months? That's incredible!!! I'm so happy for you! What you're doing isn't non-conventional at all. Your method is similar to what I do! After watching what I ate for so long I got a good feel for how much I should be eating to maintain where I'm at....I still count but do a lot of it in my head, or use portion control like you said. Keep up the good work and we'd love to hear your progress as you go!