QUESTION:
Okay tony, first of all I’d like to say that thanks to you I decided to change my lifestyle, your awesome man. So before I wanted to lose weight I was at around 200 pounds, 5'11" slightly muscular not much. After I saw your video I was instantly inspired. The next day I had begun, I cut out all junk foods, ate healthier but still had to eat bad stuff here and there because of family and social life.
After a month I ended up losing 20lbs but this is where the trouble comes in - I wasn’t losing any more weight. I was maintaining it, even though I was going to the gym 2-3 times a week. I reached my 2nd month of dieting the 10th of this month and had gained back 8lbs, I think a lot of it was water because I felt bloated a lot and just bigger, I’m really disappointed and frustrated that after such hard work I went back to my old ways. This Sunday was my last day of spring break in which I started to eat bad again,. It’s been weeks since I’ve worked out and I can’t find the energy to do it at home, I would really like to get down to lean but I’d say I want to lose around 50-60 pounds considering I’m tall and have muscle mass. I just wanted to share my story and express some things in hope of maybe getting some tips from you about how to approach all these obstacles. You’re a great inspiration to many people. If it wasn’t for you I would still be eating very poorly, also I’m not taking any proteins just taking vitamin E and A and iron pills that’s all. I hope to get back on my diet when school starts Monday.
ANSWER:
Hello, I want to quote a phrase I once heard “abs aren't made in the gym there made in the kitchen.” By this I mean that you can exercise 3 hours a day but if your diet is not consistent and supportive for weight loss, that weight loss will not happen. In order for you to continue to lose weight you have to cut out calories and increase exercise. The combination of the two will lead to weight loss and muscle retention.
If eating healthy has been difficult for you I suggest eating high protein foods because these are very filling. Limit your fat intake to healthy fats only from nuts, fish, or olive oil but try to only eat around .45x your body weight, total fat a day ( so 200x .40= the amount of fat you should have max). You can also decrease your carb intake to promote the burning of fat.
When you do eat carbs make sure they are complex and slow digesting like oatmeal and whole wheat/grain products. You should try to lose 1-2lbs a week and as soon as you begin to plateau that's when you drop your calories a little lower until you continue to lose weight.
Tony isn't a licensed nutritionist yet, so he can't give anyone advice on what to do. Please consult your doctor for his professional opinion on a diet/nutrition program that will work for you.
Tony's blog is a journal of his experiences and what has worked for him. He lists general guidelines and suggestions only. He is NOT a professional.
Wow i wouldve never thought you would get around to reading my email, thank you for responding, but unfortunately its been a while and ive completely fallen off, im eating bad again, no exercise at all (which isnt my fault) its hard to start up again, 10 pounds in total have been gained back its a week before my birthday and im dissapointed in myself, im still following your blog hopefully i can get myself to get back to dieting but its hard
ReplyDeleteI know how hard it is to get discouraged and fall off a diet I’ve been there time and time again. That weight you gained back certainly is not all fat though which must be a great relief. I’m guessing 3-5lbs of that is simply water weight. One of the best feelings in the world though is to hop on a diet and see results. The results accompanied by the compliments kept me going. I promise that if you can start eating healthy and exercising you will feel better mentally and physically.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you buddy. If I can make it through my struggles so can you. Find what it is you need to kick yourself into gear and keep you motivated when the times get rough.
-Tony
Unfotunately it wasnt really that i got discouraged, but the circumstances i was faced with, i wasnt able to go to the gym anymore so that stopped, and its kinda hard to do it at home but ill definetly agree with that, i felt great when i was -20 pounds even though my parents nagged me that i wasnt eating and "starving myself" suppposedly, its frustrating but well see how this goes, thank you for your support, if it wasnt for you i wouldve never taken the initiative to have changed my lifestyle, i wish the best for you.
DeleteHey, I just wanted to post my two cents. I don't go to the gym because of financial constraints, but I've found an excellent way to work out at home. I do calisthenics, which is basically simple exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, squats, jumping jacks, knee-highs, etc etc. I've lost almost 20 lbs by doing this every other day, and doing cardio on the off days. I just finished a calisthenics workout, and believe me, it's tough! I do 5 mins. of the exercises, then rest a few mins, then 5 more mins. I can only do 4 sets of 5 minutes. 5 sets if I really push myself, but I've gotten sick doing that once, so I'm building up to it.
ReplyDelete