Obesity Discussion Forums

[Obesity Discussion]

After working for about 4 months on the road without access to a gym or healthy food, I noticed I was really putting on weight. I'm about 5'5" and weighed as much as 175+lbs. I've never weighed that much in my life. I was as out of shape as I had ever been. I was about 6 years removed from having about 5% body fat in college, and was easily getting up to the 20+% bodyfat level and had a BMI in the low 30s, which is in the "Obese" category.

I was fortunate enough to be able to work locally for a few months, which allowed me to eat my food and go to the gym whenever I wanted! I went to the gym about 5 days a week, lifted weights for an hour and did an hour of cardio each time. The results were more than I had hoped for, but the hard work did pay off! I got my weight down to 155lbs and easily put on 5lbs of muscle after losing 20lbs or so of fat.

Now I've been so swamped with work the last month, in addition to the holidays, that I haven't hit the gym in a month, and I'm starting to revert back to where I was. Darn genetics! Time to hit up the gym again ASAP.

[William Wallace]

Good for you! Talk about dedication!

I've lost 10 lbs in the last 3 months, and still going! Mostly through extra walking in the morning and reducing my portion size.

[Dustin]

Any particular machine or muscle groups you were putting emphasis on?

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by INCINR8

Any particular machine or muscle groups you were putting emphasis on?

Actually all of the muscle groups and mostly freeweights. I get a full workout on all my muscles, and I usually focus on two muscle groups each day. I tend to hit all the major muscle groups once a week. My goal is to look half decent all around, and not have say muscular arms with chicken legs

I'm not nearly as strong as I used to be (in college) in certain areas. My biceps can only lift about 2/3 of what I used to, and the same goes for my legs and abs. Everything else seems to be about on par strength wise compared to when I was my strongest. I can bench press 225lbs about 6 times, squat 275lbs at least 12 times, and leg press 800-900lbs about 10 times . I'm not lifting as heavy as I used to for fear of injuring something.

Little update, after losing all the weight I described by January, I had a 2 month "slacking period" in the eating, sleeping and exercise dept during April and May due to working insane hours (80-90 per week). I probably put back on about 7-8lbs, but have since lost most of it in June by getting back in the gym, eating healthier again and getting more sleep. Right now I'm at about 157lbs, and trying to get back to where I was in January. It just amazes me how quickly the weight gets back on after just one month off of my diet/exercise routine.

[William Wallace]

At least you're dedicated in the long run which is what counts!!! Keep it up!