Helluva Mess! - Fatso

MarcusFenix

Hey lads

I posted on here before about losing weight and found advice from a few guys (mainly Transform) extremely helpful.I lost some weight which I was happy about, but then final year in college set in and the gym + eating proper took a back seat. I put back on the weight with some extra over the last year, I'm now 100Kg (15 1/2 stone) and about 5' 7" and see no light at the end of the tunnel in terms of being able to lose it.

I recently started a job which has me traveling constantly so I'm never anywhere for more than a few weeks at a time, and when I am back in Ireland I'm staying with someone i.e. I can't get a gym membership that I will use.

In terms of diet I suppose the best way of describing it would be carefree but guilty, up until last week when I decided to leave out carbs as I couldn't stand being bloated anymore.

When I am away I have a flat or hotel room so I could exercise there, if I knew what to do!

I'm looking for advice/suggestions on how I can lose weight and the best way to do so with my lifestyle.

P.s. I don't really drink or eat sweets:pac:

Thud

there's a home workout thread in the stickies, it has workouts that don't require equipment and can be done in a small enough space that might suit you.

Getting out running is also an option, can be a good way to see new places if you are travelling a lot.

MarcusFenix

I never thought of looking in there! I thought stickies were for rules etc.....sound!

columok

MarcusFenix wrote: »

Hey lads

I posted on here before about losing weight and found advice from a few guys (mainly Transform) extremely helpful.I lost some weight which I was happy about, but then final year in college set in and the gym + eating proper took a back seat. I put back on the weight with some extra over the last year, I'm now 100Kg (15 1/2 stone) and about 5' 7" and see no light at the end of the tunnel in terms of being able to lose it.

I recently started a job which has me traveling constantly so I'm never anywhere for more than a few weeks at a time, and when I am back in Ireland I'm staying with someone i.e. I can't get a gym membership that I will use.

In terms of diet I suppose the best way of describing it would be carefree but guilty, up until last week when I decided to leave out carbs as I couldn't stand being bloated anymore.

When I am away I have a flat or hotel room so I could exercise there, if I knew what to do!

I'm looking for advice/suggestions on how I can lose weight and the best way to do so with my lifestyle.

P.s. I don't really drink or eat sweets:pac:

I suspect Transform's advice if it worked before will likely work again. (particularly regarding diet). Diet should be your first port of call as its 90% of weightloss in my eyes!

InTheTrees

MarcusFenix wrote: »

I recently started a job which has me traveling constantly so I'm never anywhere for more than a few weeks at a time, and when I am back in Ireland I'm staying with someone i.e. I can't get a gym membership that I will use.

You're going to hate me...

But running doesnt require a gym, just some shoes and a pair of shorts. And you can do it almost everywhere.

And its an amazingly holistic exercise thats aerobic and will firm up your muscles...

Its developing the habit thats the most difficult, over and above health goals..

MarcusFenix

No your right it is probably great. But it is immensely difficult to get started in the sport, I bought running shoes a few months ago with full intentions of using them but that never materialized for me really, motivation is unbelievably difficult to achieve I feel.

top madra

MarcusFenix wrote: »

No your right it is probably great. But it is immensely difficult to get started in the sport, I bought running shoes a few months ago with full intentions of using them but that never materialized for me really, motivation is unbelievably difficult to achieve I feel.

Lets not beat around the bush at your height and weight you are fairly overweight ( I'm not insulting you, just being blunt ) and you already know this...

If you can't motivate yourself, your on a losing streak before you even begin..
Lets be straight here, you need to clean up your diet and start walking or running or pay as you go in the closet gym ( walking or running is free tho )

You lost the weight before so there's no reason you can't do it again but you have to want to do it yourself and that means getting off your ass and going for a walk/run..

P.S Sorry for being blunt, its just the way I am.

MarcusFenix

I know I'm technically obese!:eek: even though I'm quite muscly anyway (without the extra weight) so I would offset my ideal weight by about a stone anyway. I know everything your saying but I still have no motivation, or something. I mean I truly hate sitting there after lunch at work in one of two states...1. Bloated, uncomfortable, and self conscious. or 2. Hungry and fighting off the eventual snack or something bad.

But then I just seem to forget after I relax! I have changed a part of my eating as I said earlier and after a week of 70% effort I am already feeling better and more comfortable. The last two days Ive basically ate the following:turkey sausages, water, diet yogurt,boiled eggs, apples, weight watchers microwave meals, broccoli and donegal catch. That to me is a very good few days.

I'm going to try transforms home workouts and maybe I can see how I feel after a month or so of that.

The thing with running is there is zero enjoyment in it for me. I can enjoy pushing myself on a rowing machine in HIIT or on a bike but I detest running, I'm constantly out of breath and counting down the seconds to when I can finish!

accensi0n

columok wrote: »

I suspect Transform's advice if it worked before will likely work again. (particularly regarding diet). Diet should be your first port of call as its 90% of weightloss in my eyes!

This.

Do what worked before, but stick with it. Get your diet sorted and do any exercise you enjoy. Be consistent. Come up with a plan that allows you to eat healthy during your traveling.

MarcusFenix

On the diet side of things, if I'm in a hotel it is difficult, the only thing I can do is when eating out, stick to either salads or fish, not ideal but it's probably the best I can do.

metamorphosis

Then make the best choices possible regarding your food. Having food limited shouldnt make pure ****e food the only alternative. Pick the best choice. Diet will make or break it.

Also when eating out don't be afraid to ask off menu or for a side of veggies etc. Most places will do this no trouble.

RobAMerc

I'm sorry but I am going to be blunt ( it's early and I am a grump ), I am reading a lot of excuses here, lots of people manage to stay fit and eat healthy while working and travelling a lot. It's not ideal, but most decent hotels your company will send you to will have gyms, no one likes running imo it stinks but people in your position who truely want to lose weight just get out and do it ! As regards eating... your paying for it so ask for the dish without the cream sauce or spuds or whatever you are avoiding they wont mind, it's their job !

MarcusFenix

Ya I'm all excuses, that's my feckin problem! If I was here full time i'd try a personal trainer to see what they would advise.

I'm thinking of joining westpoint in blanch while it's cheap, do they do that sort of thing?

columok

MarcusFenix wrote: »

Ya I'm all excuses, that's my feckin problem! If I was here full time i'd try a personal trainer to see what they would advise.

I'm thinking of joining westpoint in blanch while it's cheap, do they do that sort of thing?

Stop eating crap. Hotel schmotel. You can follow most of the aforementioned advice eating in a hotel! It doesn't have to be all steamed fish and salads. Eat meat, cheese, eggs, lots of butter, veggies. Go easy on the spuds. Cut out the pasta, bread, cereals, sugar. Easy. If lower-carb can be tastily done in McDonalds it can be done in a hotel.

MarcusFenix

Well ive given up pasta and bread altogether, and spuds. The only carbs I would eat generally would be related to a burger or something. Ya I know that's it's only in the last week Ive tried to cut the crap, I even got a burger "in a bowl" from The Counter on Saturday to make it OK :pac: god I am useless!

columok

MarcusFenix wrote: »

Well ive given up pasta and bread altogether, and spuds. The only carbs I would eat generally would be related to a burger or something. Ya I know that's it's only in the last week Ive tried to cut the crap, I even got a burger "in a bowl" from The Counter on Saturday to make it OK :pac: god I am useless!

If the only carbs you're eating are burger related (presumably bread) then you will most likely lose the weight. Hang in there.

If you're eating a burger double up on the burger factor and ditch the buns. Make sure that the bun-less in a bowl burger is filling and satisfying. Also extra bacon, egg and cheese always helps!

reprazant

MarcusFenix wrote: »

The thing with running is there is zero enjoyment in it for me. I can enjoy pushing myself on a rowing machine in HIIT or on a bike but I detest running, I'm constantly out of breath and counting down the seconds to when I can finish!

That is because you are unfit.

The more fit you become, the less out of breath you become.

MarcusFenix

columok wrote: »

If the only carbs you're eating are burger related (presumably bread) then you will most likely lose the weight. Hang in there.

If you're eating a burger double up on the burger factor and ditch the buns. Make sure that the bun-less in a bowl burger is filling and satisfying. Also extra bacon, egg and cheese always helps!

I like you

RobAMerc

MarcusFenix wrote: »

The thing with running is there is zero enjoyment in it for me. I can enjoy pushing myself on a rowing machine in HIIT or on a bike but I detest running, I'm constantly out of breath and counting down the seconds to when I can finish!

Nobody enjoys running - except those sadomasochistic types. God invented cars and bikes cause even he hates it. But the fact is you are going to have to do something if you really want to lose weight, running seems to be the one thing you can do easily in your situation. Remember - what goes in must come out and running will significantly reduce the amount that comes out as body fat, soon when you get used to it you may even be able to eat more than you do now and maintain a healthy weight because you burn it all off !

O.P.H

RobAMerc wrote: »

Nobody enjoys running - except those sadomasochistic types. God invented cars and bikes cause even he hates it. But the fact is you are going to have to do something if you really want to lose weight, running seems to be the one thing you can do easily in your situation. Remember - what goes in must come out and running will significantly reduce the amount that comes out as body fat, soon when you get used to it you may even be able to eat more than you do now and maintain a healthy weight because you burn it all off !

I dunno what ye're on about, I love running and look forward to gettin out for a long run. Obviously if you're very fat it will be hard at first and will take time to get used to but all you need is runners, maybe an ipod shuffle, some good runnin gear and away you go. You feel immediately better after a run, its a fantastic de-stresser and if you do it like every second day within a couple of weeks you will look better and lose weight. To be fair man you are wasting your time postin on this forum, losing weight is common sense and everything else you can just Google, you're just just stallin man - STOP EATIN CRAP AND DO SOME EXERCISE - simple as!

MarcusFenix

Well I'm glad you enjoy running but I've really only been this unfit for around 5 years, before that I played hurling, football and soccer,and I never once enjoyed a run in my life. So really I found that over the last few years when I have tried to lose weight, by running, I dreaded the thought of a workout which involved a run.
It doesn't work for me and neither has anything else Ive tried. I suppose was hoping to hear opinions and stuff from others and see if any of it sounded like it would suit me, I think Transform's stuff would be a good start if I don't go the personal trainer route.

In any case my intention when posting here is the exact opposite of stalling. I know Ive been stalling with the last few years (on and off) so that is why I'm posting here, to get some bleedin help!....:):rolleyes:

InTheTrees

How about a bike? Or a stationary bike even?

In a gym or at home.

MarcusFenix

Ya cycling is good, I like it and whenever I do go to gym I use the bike for most of my "cardio" HIIT training, but again it is pretty rare that I get around to actually using one with all this travel.

RobAMerc

have you tried interval running ?
8 * 30 secs flat out with a 1 min break ( can be changed about a bit ) but you will quickly find yourself getting better at it.
It speed up you metabolism no end - the pounds will fall off and you'll have been all of 12 mins running ! Not bad considering the results.

hug0

Dont wait to get 'motivation' first just get out there and do it, think to yourself will I feel better or worse if I go out for exercise?

Get some decent gym gear and get out there, 10/15 mins interval running is great for weight loss, do that 2/3 times a week and a kettlebell class or something to keep you motivated! Consistency is key, dont give up! The weight didnt come on over night and either will weight loss!

Keep track of portion size and the amount you are eating also. Fitday is good for giving you an idea of what exactly you are eating.

Good luck with it!

cmyk

Here it is pretty bluntly...

MarcusFenix wrote: »

Hey lads
I posted on here before about losing weight and found advice from a few guys (mainly Transform) extremely helpful.I lost some weight which I was happy about, but then final year in college set in and the gym + eating proper took a back seat. I put back on the weight with some extra over the last year, I'm now 100Kg (15 1/2 stone) and about 5' 7" and see no light at the end of the tunnel in terms of being able to lose it.

This proves you can and have done it, and I assume you can tell the difference between how you lost it and how you gained it? I don't understand your comment of "no light at the end of the tunnel?" for this reason. You've got to be the one making the decision to change your lifestyle.

MarcusFenix wrote: »

I recently started a job which has me traveling constantly so I'm never anywhere for more than a few weeks at a time, and when I am back in Ireland I'm staying with someone i.e. I can't get a gym membership that I will use.

Dietary changes are going to make the biggest impact...you can start that now, from pretty much anywhere in the developed world. You've stated you don't like running, but what about walking. Every county in Ireland has some pretty decent walking trails/forest walks etc. it's the simplest form of exercise and no equipment needed? Here you go.

MarcusFenix wrote: »

In terms of diet I suppose the best way of describing it would be carefree but guilty, up until last week when I decided to leave out carbs as I couldn't stand being bloated anymore.

You don't have to do extreme diets to lose weight, at 100kg you could afford to eat roughly 2600kcals per day and should still see results. That is still a decent amount of food.

MarcusFenix wrote: »

When I am away I have a flat or hotel room so I could exercise there, if I knew what to do!

Again, walking costs nothing, you also don't have to be breaking your neck with 2hours in the gym to effect weight loss. As you've stated before I think transform has a basic bodyweight circuit, try that and build it up. You also don't have to exercise either, it's recommended of course for multiple health benefits above and beyond weight loss. What you do or don't put in your mouth will have the biggest effect.

MarcusFenix wrote: »

I still have no motivation, or something. I mean I truly hate sitting there after lunch at work in one of two states...1. Bloated, uncomfortable, and self conscious. or 2. Hungry and fighting off the eventual snack or something bad.

So change it...slowly, as I've already said you don't need to go to extremes.

MarcusFenix wrote: »

I have changed a part of my eating as I said earlier and after a week of 70% effort I am already feeling better and more comfortable.

There you go.

MarcusFenix wrote: »

The thing with running is there is zero enjoyment in it for me. I can enjoy pushing myself on a rowing machine in HIIT or on a bike but I detest running, I'm constantly out of breath and counting down the seconds to when I can finish!

So don't run then, find something you do enjoy doing and it stands to reason you'll stick with it longer...but it's going to be a long thread if we have to keep guessing what you like doing. If you live in any of our major cities, you've an endless amount of sport/activities to choose from.

MarcusFenix wrote: »

On the diet side of things, if I'm in a hotel it is difficult, the only thing I can do is when eating out, stick to either salads or fish, not ideal but it's probably the best I can do.

It is only your attitude that is making it appear difficult. Most menu's have a healthier option. Read the stickies and get and understanding of basic dieting.

MarcusFenix

I know what I like doing but that is unavailable to me; HIIT on both rowing and bike mixed with weights. That's what worked before and it's what I enjoy.

cmyk

MarcusFenix wrote: »

I know what I like doing but that is unavailable to me; HIIT on both rowing and bike mixed with weights. That's what worked before and it's what I enjoy.

You can pick up a cheap indoor bike or rower on donedeal, and pick up a kettlebell for about 50e! Improvise when you are away. There are too many 'but's' and 'if's' on this thread. You are going to have to make some sacrifices to change your lifestyle.

Transform

MarcusFenix wrote: »

I know what I like doing but that is unavailable to me; HIIT on both rowing and bike mixed with weights. That's what worked before and it's what I enjoy.

get back on track like you know you can dude.

Are you just asking or do you really want to know - sometimes it comes down to wanting it bad enough is all.

hardCopy

OP, back in April I was 15 Stone 5 Lbs and living in a hotel.

Mid April I signed up to do GaelForceWest and have been training, mostly running, ever since. I'm now down to 12'12".

I did find it hard when I was in the hotel, it's definitely easier now that I'm home. Try and avoid room-service, I found the portions were usually massive.

Would it be possible for you to book a hotel with a gym on site?

If motivation is a problem maybe try signing up for a race. There are plenty of races on over the next few months, have a look at a training program like Couch to 5K and pick an event from here.

If you don't know the area your staying in, have a look on MapMyRun.com and search for routes near your hotel.

MarcusFenix

cmyk wrote: »

You can pick up a cheap indoor bike or rower on donedeal, and pick up a kettlebell for about 50e! Improvise when you are away. There are too many 'but's' and 'if's' on this thread. You are going to have to make some sacrifices to change your lifestyle.

Ya I know it looks like that but as I said in my first post I'm not anywhere for longer than a month or so, and when I am back, I'm in leixlip which means I have to stay with friends etc (home home is Cork). So basically anything other than a skipping rope and running shoes is out of the question.

Are you just asking or do you really want to know - sometimes it comes down to wanting it bad enough is all.

Ya I don't know really, it makes sense that as HIIT worked for me before that I should aim for that again. I'm looking at some of your home workouts and I don't see why I can't try them.

I have got an offer from someone to try out an online personal trainer free for a month so I'm going to try that for a while.

@cmyk I'm not saying it's sorted but I have a better idea of what I'm doing diet wise than workout wise, I can change my diet easily bit by bit as you said and that gets very good results.

Transform

MarcusFenix wrote: »

Ya I know it looks like that but as I said in my first post I'm not anywhere for longer than a month or so, and when I am back, I'm in leixlip which means I have to stay with friends etc (home home is Cork). So basically anything other than a skipping rope and running shoes is out of the question.



Ya I don't know really, it makes sense that as HIIT worked for me before that I should aim for that again. I'm looking at some of your home workouts and I don't see why I can't try them.

I have got an offer from someone to try out an online personal trainer free for a month so I'm going to try that for a while.

@cmyk I'm not saying it's sorted but I have a better idea of what I'm doing diet wise than workout wise, I can change my diet easily bit by bit as you said and that gets very good results.

good call on the home workouts and just make sure you do all the recovery stuff also - foam rolling, stretching etc

MarcusFenix

hardCopy wrote: »

OP, back in April I was 15 Stone 5 Lbs and living in a hotel.

Mid April I signed up to do GaelForceWest and have been training, mostly running, ever since. I'm now down to 12'12".

I did find it hard when I was in the hotel, it's definitely easier now that I'm home. Try and avoid room-service, I found the portions were usually massive.

Would it be possible for you to book a hotel with a gym on site?

If motivation is a problem maybe try signing up for a race. There are plenty of races on over the next few months, have a look at a training program like Couch to 5K and pick an event from here.

If you don't know the area your staying in, have a look on MapMyRun.com and search for routes near your hotel.

I just found out where I will be for the next year or so and it's got more prolonged spells in places so that will now make it easier to get into a routine, and as these places are for > 2 months at a time I'll most likely have an apartment so that's instantly better news.

Fair play to ya losing that much weight that's where I want to be.

Thud

if you're going to be somewhere for two months get a €20 over door chin up bar and leave it on a door you walk through a lot, do a pull up/chin up every time you pass it and build up the numbers from there.

best €20 you'll spend!

Transform

kettlebell is less than €60 also

Bands less than €30

Oryx

I agree with the comments that its all excuses youre giving! Its like you want to do it but by finding an easier way! There is no easier way. Getting back into this will hurt, but you learn to love it. If you can do HIIT sessions, then you have the right head for it.

Dont dismiss the running. You'll hurt for the first few weeks, and then all of a sudden it will click, and you wont hate it. It is worth working through those first sessions to get to a point where you can run consistently, because you can run no matter where you are.

You dont need equipment or a particular venue to train, youre just clinging to the rower and bike as comfort zones and excuses. You can work up to enjoying other disciplines just as much. So learn bodyweight and core exercises. Use hotel gyms when you have access to them. Find a way to do it. Make yourself do it till it becomes a habit you hate to miss.

MarcusFenix

Might get a kettlebell actually or a set of 6-8kg dumbells, over a few months that's nothing really.

thebiggestjim

Hey Man,

The following is a very effective and healthy way to lose weight. If you do it consistently and progressively (aim to improve, don't just stay at the same level) you will drop the lbs quickly. It will also suit your work and travel situation.

1) You have to be more careful with what you eat, cut out the carbs etc.. There is no way round this. You know this, so I won't dwell on it.

2) 6x400M runs at least 3 times a week. Your rest time between each 400M is your work time from the previous 400M. These runs need to be at a good 3/4 pace. You will need a stopwatch, you must time yourself and you must improve over the weeks. i.e. you have to push yourself.

Thats it, if you do this I guarantee the weight will fall off you.

These 400M runs with not much rest time are a lot more effective at burning calories than just running.

If you want to do this you will make excuses to get your workout done rather than make excuses to not get it done. There is plenty of ground on this earth, so should have no problem finding some no matter where you are working.

Good Luck,

Jim

MarcusFenix

Thanks for the advice, sounds like something I could do.

Could I start out with 300 meters and work up to 400? I don't think I could physically do 3/4 for 400m. The last time I ran was during the winter for GAA training and we had to do a 3/4 for 200m, jog 100m, 3/4 for 300m, jog for 100m and so on. I literally had to stop after 100m as I couldn't breath. I then would run for as long as I could and whenever I had to stop, I would walk to the next 100m marker and run again.

To me this was total torture, but as it was in the winter and on grass I would expect it to be easier on gravel/concrete now.

Basically if I tried running 400m using your advice it would be ages before I could get to a level where I would be getting up to 3/4 pace for the whole 400 and then again I don't know how long after that it would take me to be able to improve.

What do you mean on the rest time by

Your rest time between each 400M is your work time from the previous 400M.

?? I don't get it sorry

Edit: Wait....is the rest time the time it took me to do the 400m??

thebiggestjim

Yes, by all means start off with 300M that is fine as long as you up it after a few weeks or when you feel yourself improving.

When I say 3/4 pace I mean you should start your first lap at that pace. You will inevitably tire (as everyone does) and get slower. As long as you are putting in the effort to push yourself, you will get the benefit from this. What I mean by that is not run 1/4 pace on the 4th lap when you could really run 1/2 pace for most of it. You will get out of this workout what you put into it.

"Your rest time between each 400M is your work time from the previous 400M. "

What I mean by this is

Lap1 2m:00s
Rest1 2m:00s
Lap2 2m:10s
Rest2 2m:10s
.
.
.

Its not an excuse to be lazy, higher lap time more rest. Push yourself and don't skip and laps towards the end because you are tired.