Insight wanted :)

Renewing_me

Hello there!

I’m a daily poster on a different aspect of the site (and for those that may recognize my writing I again apoligies for my poor ability of explanation)

A recent wounding self revelation has set me to create a separate account - to discuss and hopefully explore the options of changing a growing concern, that not only has being occupying a large amount of my time mentally but may very well need the insight and skillful knowledge of those far more experienced on the subject - so any opinion on how to challenge and rectify, so to hopefully set me on the right path is warmly welcome.

I’m a 22 year old male from the west of Ireland, 6ft 1 and weigh 12st 3lbs, its being a two and a half year journey from tipping the scales on my 20th birthday at a daunting 21st 4lbs, and although not entirely disappointed with the weightloss I have met a lot of challenges, that so far I have being ill equip to overcome.

I am bound within the structure of a very tight schedule, with attending collage as a full time student as well as holding down two part time jobs (I’m currently typing this one from the warmth of the office space) so my free time is well curtailed (although this will hopefully be changing soon) I have had very little time to exercise and work on the body, so my physical regime is a dual cycle of a daily 5km walk (2.5 in the morning to the bus stop and again on my return in the late eve) and a long cycle, or rollerblade on Sundays, my only day off.

In terms of my Diet I rarely if ever feel hungry (?) I am a vegetarian, which began the same time as this weight loss journey, I have my three meals a day and try to incorporate protein in the form of nuts, cheese, milk and sometimes eggs – for a more overall look at the situation here would be a typical days intake (i.e. today’s)

On awaking I have a glass of water, pop myself into the shower and get ready for the day.

Breakfast:
2 Egg omelets with sliced pepper, scallions, red onions and asparagus
2 slices of brown toast.
Glass of Cranberry juice

Lunch
Pre-made porridge (60g of Oat with Soya milk) reheated with half a handful of raisins and nuts mixed in.
A pear.
Pint of milk.
Cup of Coffee

Dinner
Two roasted potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower.
Side dish of rice.

For a snack throughout the day I might make a quick smoothie of banana, coconut and mango and bring it with me.
Filing that I might just grab a cheese sandwich.

I understand this may be under feeding (?) and I have just noticed a serious lack of water (which ill note to rectify) the problem is that although I have experienced weight-loss my body shape has more or less remained the same.

I have a lot of untoned, lose skin that overlaps in areas – not necessarily depressive but leaves me deeply frustrated when there is doubt that the skin will be re-assimilated.

By nature I have a very small frame (the power of genetics) and my muscle to fat ratio is horridly low (seeing as I have never being in the gym or done any form of weight training) so I still have an awful lot of fat to loss and muscle to build (although with a tummy flapped tucked in I wear a size 32) so any suggestions of working in weights in a realistic way would be deeply appreciated.

I have some small hand held weights, but by the time I arrive home around 10 in the eve I’m beyond tired, so far from inspired to look at them never mind pick them up

Pics for visual representation to show you what I’m working with

*Note: Not exactly pleasant to the eye…

- Overflow when I bend:
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4487/1gravityfallrh6.jpg
- Lower abdomen
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/835/2frontalviewsj5.jpg
- Loose leg skin.
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3003/3legskintf4.jpg
- Arm.
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/6886/armflapbh9.jpg
- Upper chest
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8279/4upperchestok1.jpg
- Side view of abdomen - relaxed
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1479/7coreqq8.jpg

(I just realised that these must be the only photos Iv had of myself in over 4 years)


***Note - Just realised the pics are quiet big, so may have to edit and make smaller... just like the body i guess :P

I know there seems with the limitations to be very little to do, until my schedule lacks a bit, but that’s why I’m asking if anyone has any suggestions, hints, personal tips on how to turn this around, I’ve read the blocks in fitness thread and really must focus and start –I didn’t get this far to just give up now so if you may have insight (especially when dealing with such a large weightloss and its side effects) that I may very well of overlooked or not even considered, as I’m starting to feel all this effort was for little gain…

Thanks guys and gals, I appreciate – even if you just read

(And if it’s of any help for those that understand hormonal dynamics in the last three months I’ve become somewhat hairy?!?)

Renewing me.

EileenG

First, stop beating yourself up. That's an amazing weight loss, and it will take time for your body to catch up. Anyone who has a big weight loss has loose skin for a while, make a point of getting your essential fatty acids, and give time a chance to do its magic.

I just heard today on another site that Adidas made a cream called "Fitness" which really made a difference to stretch marks and loose skin after weight loss. Also, those oils aimed at pregnant women should help too.

Your breakfast and lunch don't look too bad, but you need to put a quality protein into your dinner. How about dumping a tub of cottage cheese onto your potatoes? I think you also need more green vegetables and less fruit and you seriously need more fats in your diet. If you won't eat fish, then you definitely need to be eating nuts and seeds and coconut, lots more eggs, more cheese and milk and lots of olive oil.

I'd suggest you buy some whey protein (Holland & Barrett have a sale on whey at the moment, it's 18 euro odd for a big tub) and add that to your smoothie.

If you google Crossfit, you'll find some amazing workouts you can do in a very short space of time and mostly using only bodyweight or things like pull-up bars.

At the very least, I suggest you do a quick routine of squats, lunges, deadlifts (you can use green bags filled with books or water bottles), press up, crunches, plank, wall shoulder press etc. Or try Tababta workouts, where you do as many squats or press-ups or whatever as you can in 40 seconds, rest for 20, and repeat. You'll be shattered within a few minutes.

Hi renewing me,

I don't really know about the skin, but just wanted to say that it doesn't look that bad at all. It definitely looks workable.

I have been playing around with two websites recently.
www.fitday.com and www.sparkpeople.com.

Fitday is a tracker than highlights the nutritional content of the food you eat, and compares what you are eating against your RDA.
I'd say your not getting enough Iron either, fortified breakfast cereal is a great source for veggies.

Sparkpeople works on the same idea, but is much more interactive. It allows you to choose tailored meal plans, giving you a shopping list and recipes to follow. Not only do they have a veggie catagory but they have a non-tofu eating veggie option. It also offers communities to lend support.

g'em

Renewing_me wrote: »

I’m a 22 year old male from the west of Ireland, 6ft 1 and weigh 12st 3lbs, its being a two and a half year journey from tipping the scales on my 20th birthday at a daunting 21st 4lbs, and although not entirely disappointed with the weightloss I have met a lot of challenges, that so far I have being ill equip to overcome.

First off, that's a huuuuge loss, so congratulations on your commitment, tenacity and hard work thus far!

Renewing_me wrote:

I am bound within the structure of a very tight schedule, with attending collage as a full time student as well as holding down two part time jobs

Trust me, we're all busy Sometimes you have to make that extra bit of effort to really make time to exercise; luckily bodyweight exercises cost nothing to do and can be done alomst anywhere - they're not a total substiution for the gym but they will help you build lean mass. There's some ideas here, and just try Googling "bodyweight exercises" for more ideas.

I echo what Eileen has said about using a whey protein to help you increase your protein intake. Snacking on nuts and seeds will also provide lots of minerals and good fats.

Renewing_me wrote:

I have a lot of untoned, lose skin that overlaps in areas – not necessarily depressive but leaves me deeply frustrated when there is doubt that the skin will be re-assimilated.

Changing your body compostion to increase your lean mass ratio is oging to be your best form of attack against the loose skin.

Renewing_me wrote:

(And if it’s of any help for those that understand hormonal dynamics in the last three months I’ve become somewhat hairy?!?)

This I'm not so sure about - normally a calorie restriction, lack of lean muscle and doing no resistance training would lead to a drop in Testosterone, but hair growth is usually a result iof higher Test levels; I'll look into it a bit more...