Cant lose weight

[whusytte]

I am a 37 year old male. I want to desperately lose my gut and get 6 pack abs. I am 6 foot 2 and close to 240 lbs. About 6 weeks ago I was 237 pounds. I set a goal of 222 pounds by December 1st. Six weeks later I have actually gained a few pounds. Whats weird is I have done more cardio and eaten less bad food (sweets, cheese) than at any other period in my life but I cannot lose weight. A year ago I could lose 2-3 pounds in a week with no problem. All I had to do was hit the treadmill for about 3-4 miles a week. I know most of you are saying that isnt much but it always worked for me in the past. In the past 6 weeks I have done more ab work and run more miles than at any time in my life. Am I just all of a sudden getting older? Am I at the point where I have to work extra hard to get the same results? I have always had a problem with sweets. I can go a whole weeks without touching any sweets and then I may have 3 scoops of ice cream and pina colda in one day. I know thats bad but like I said I could always work it off in the past. I was down to 228 about 3 months ago and I know I didnt work as had as I am now. My diet consists of Monday-Friday: oatmeal, raisins, mangos, hard boiled eggs, grits, whole wheat toast, high fibre cereal, smoothies, bananas, grapes, raw nuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts, prunes, hummus on rice cake, pineapples,flaxseed, grilled chicked, occasional salad, baked chicken, quizznos turkey subs on whole wheat (no cheese), grilled steak, whole wheat pasta, carrots, broccoli,squash,spinach, vitamin water, and on the weekends: occasional buffalo wings and blue cheese, occasional cheeseburger and fries, pancakes, and basically everything else I have during the week. Probably at least 3-4 times a week I go to bed with no carbs for dinner. I also take 2-3 shots of protien powder every other day and I occasionally drink egg whites. I guess what I am asking is do I need to change some things to lose the weight I desire? I am desperate and I want to make changes for good. Thanks for any advice

[Shaolin Temple]

Do you engage in bilateral workouts only, or do you incorporate unilateral workouts? Unilateral is far better for core training.

You should do a bit of both however. The "big boy" workouts are almost always bilateral.

[whusytte]

I'm not sure what you mean by those types of workouts. I work all body parts with mostly free weights 3-4 times a week.

[Shaolin Temple]

Bilateral workouts are when your limbs are working in unison, basically creating a sense of balance. For instance, when you do a shoulder press, you stand with feel shoulder length apart and push with your arms simultaneously. Bench press and squats are examples of bilateral workouts

Unilateral workouts are when there isn't that balance. For instance a lunge is a unilateral workout since one leg works at a time. So, if you were to stand on a balance board while curling, it will be unilateral since your legs have to work independently for you to balance. Not saying that you have to work on a balance board, just an example. I almost never workout using those boards.

A pretty cool workout is the static curls. Someone told me about this workout not too long ago and I loved it ever since. Using DBs just curl with your right arm as you keep you left arm at 90 degrees and switch ever 4 reps and you will feel the difference. Just as an example.

Also, in order to lose weight you must burn more calories than you consume. I know it sounds simplistic, but that is really all you have to do. So, figure out your BMR (just google BMR calculator) and plan your diet with that caloric expenditure in mind. Also, start running in the mornings on an empty stomach. Start super light and don't worry if you have to take a break. Just don't stop, walk and keep your HR above 100 at all costs (at least as a beginner) and work your way up. After 5 running sessions, you will improve. You should eventually run 3-6 times a week for 2.5 to 5 miles each time, not including warm up. Also, you protein intake should be primarily from chicken and fish. Limit red meats.

[Borg166]

You're not going to lose weight by walking 3-4 miles per week. Try walking 90 minutes a day if you're serious.

Once you hit your goal, you can keep it consistent by walking 30-60 minutes per day.

[keylomc3]

Stop worrying about your abs until you lose the weight necessary for them to show. If you're dedicated to losing the weight, count your calories. Find out how much you are consuming on a weekly basis, then lower that until you are losing somewhere between 0.5 and 2 pounds per week. Your diet looks good, but there are a couple of high calorie items on there that really need to go. It's OK to have a cheat day, but I'm wondering how much cheating you're really doing.

[Primus]

Everything already posted is pretty much on point. I always see good results from cardio, complete muscle workout and dieting.

Hit up the cardio everyday. 20 - 40 minutes is cool. Work your muscles from head to toe. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.htm, will guide you to isolate each muscle group. As far as diet, good luck. Its pretty much up to you on that.

Go hard on treadmill EVERYDAY!!......Hit the weights 3 -4 days a week.

Your body has no choice but to shed fat with increased cardio.

[BlackAtCha]

First of all, don't worry about unilateral workouts or any of that. Find a place where you can get metabolic testing or an organization that offers sensewear/bodybug. These devices will give you a ballpark estimate of how many calories you are expending on a daily basis. Increase the intensity of your workout. If you use the treadmill, then increase the incline by three percent and the speed by .5 percent. You can get the idea. Your resistance training should be three days a week and consult a personal trainer for ideas.

[manuael1]

hate to tell u but if ur not under the age of 24 or a football player u aint getting abs just wear bigger shirts f@g

[BlackAtCha]

hate to tell u but if ur not under the age of 24 or a football player u aint getting abs just wear bigger shirts f@g

lol. Peyton

[Prophetic-Poet]

alot of cardio....eat well....hit the gym alot...

take your time...its not gonna happen overnight....

GOOD LUCK....

[TurbulentMonk]

don't worry too much about the number on the scale. bodyfat percentage is more important for your health and even for getting a 6-pack. maybe you gained muscle. in anycase, from what i learned in phys-ed, to get a 6 pack you gotta reduce bodyfat. to reduce bodyfat you gotta accelerate your metabolism. Unfortunately, as you get older, your metabolism slows down. doesn't mean it's impossible just means it'll be a little harder.

to reduce bodyfat and increase metabolism:

-make sure you get enough sleep
-try the HIIT cardio program and do cardio atleast 3-4 times a week.
-do more resistence muscle training (muscles are heavier than fat so you might actually gain weight BUT the bigger muscles are, the more fat they burn)
-eat 5 small meals instead of 3 big ones (higher number of meals makes your metabolism faster)
-reduce carbs intake i guess

that's all i know. people have probably said a lot of it but i didn't read the whole thread. i hope it helped.

[Young City]

turbulentmonk brings up some good points.

if youre REALLY looking to cut and will do anything, you should try the velocity diet that got really popular in the bodybuilding community.

check it out here:

http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle.do?article=05-009-diet


you basically drink five shakes a day, 6 days a week. and one of the days, you drink 3-4 and consume one solid meal. this diet supposedly changes your eating habits too. few of my buddies have done it and the results were amazing.

[whusytte]

Thanks everyone for responding. I am going to take the advice given here. I atually started a colon cleanser called sculpt and cleanse at the urging of my massage therapist. It seems to be helping. I will definitely increase the cardio and even though I dont eat much of it I have made a vow to cut out all sweets, fried food, and cheese until the end of January. My goal is to get down to about 220 and be Terrell Owens-like (yeah right). I hope it works. I will report back.

[wolf2007]

Thanks everyone for responding. I am going to take the advice given here. I atually started a colon cleanser called sculpt and cleanse at the urging of my massage therapist. It seems to be helping. I will definitely increase the cardio and even though I dont eat much of it I have made a vow to cut out all sweets, fried food, and cheese until the end of January. My goal is to get down to about 220 and be Terrell Owens-like (yeah right). I hope it works. I will report back.

what does that cleanser do

[Primus]

Thanks everyone for responding. I am going to take the advice given here. I atually started a colon cleanser called sculpt and cleanse at the urging of my massage therapist. It seems to be helping. I will definitely increase the cardio and even though I dont eat much of it I have made a vow to cut out all sweets, fried food, and cheese until the end of January. My goal is to get down to about 220 and be Terrell Owens-like (yeah right). I hope it works. I will report back.

No doubt. You might want to cut red meat too. Its hard to digest. You can supplement protein with turkey, chiken, fish and shakes. Moderate carbs, low sugar and high veggie intake will help too. Just a suggestion, keep a cheat day so its not so menotinous.Good Luck!!

[Da King]

exerciser, eat no more then 1700cal a day

[Verbinh]

I am a 37 year old male. I want to desperately lose my gut and get 6 pack abs. I am 6 foot 2 and close to 240 lbs. About 6 weeks ago I was 237 pounds. I set a goal of 222 pounds by December 1st. Six weeks later I have actually gained a few pounds. Whats weird is I have done more cardio and eaten less bad food (sweets, cheese) than at any other period in my life but I cannot lose weight. A year ago I could lose 2-3 pounds in a week with no problem. All I had to do was hit the treadmill for about 3-4 miles a week. I know most of you are saying that isnt much but it always worked for me in the past. In the past 6 weeks I have done more ab work and run more miles than at any time in my life. Am I just all of a sudden getting older? Am I at the point where I have to work extra hard to get the same results? I have always had a problem with sweets. I can go a whole weeks without touching any sweets and then I may have 3 scoops of ice cream and pina colda in one day. I know thats bad but like I said I could always work it off in the past. I was down to 228 about 3 months ago and I know I didnt work as had as I am now. My diet consists of Monday-Friday: oatmeal, raisins, mangos, hard boiled eggs, grits, whole wheat toast, high fibre cereal, smoothies, bananas, grapes, raw nuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts, prunes, hummus on rice cake, pineapples,flaxseed, grilled chicked, occasional salad, baked chicken, quizznos turkey subs on whole wheat (no cheese), grilled steak, whole wheat pasta, carrots, broccoli,squash,spinach, vitamin water, and on the weekends: occasional buffalo wings and blue cheese, occasional cheeseburger and fries, pancakes, and basically everything else I have during the week. Probably at least 3-4 times a week I go to bed with no carbs for dinner. I also take 2-3 shots of protien powder every other day and I occasionally drink egg whites. I guess what I am asking is do I need to change some things to lose the weight I desire? I am desperate and I want to make changes for good. Thanks for any advice



You're 37?


Consider a karate class.


Tae Bo ***

[wolf2007]

Man for me its hard to take off the weight. I can put it on in a flash.. It sucks I am trying to eat right but that **** aint working. I was at 242. I am down to 235 and I am stuck

[Stephano DiMera]

Man for me its hard to take off the weight. I can put it on in a flash.. It sucks I am trying to eat right but that **** aint working. I was at 242. I am down to 235 and I am stuck

You shouldn't worry about wieght so much as say, your waistline. If you notice that your staying the same wieght, but your pants are getting looser, thats a good thing. Matter of fact, just stay off the scale for a month and half. By the time you get back on, you will blow your mind.

[wolf2007]

Aight homie thanx

[Young City]

turbulentmonk brings up some good points.
if youre REALLY looking to cut and will do anything, you should try the velocity diet that got really popular in the bodybuilding community.
check it out here:
http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle.do?article=05-009-diet
you basically drink five shakes a day, 6 days a week. and one of the days, you drink 3-4 and consume one solid meal. this diet supposedly changes your eating habits too. few of my buddies have done it and the results were amazing.


dont underestimate this

[dat boy rh]

maybe you should go to a fitness
center and start your regime.

[lilwettongue]

I am a 37 year old male. I want to desperately lose my gut and get 6 pack abs. I am 6 foot 2 and close to 240 lbs. About 6 weeks ago I was 237 pounds. I set a goal of 222 pounds by December 1st. Six weeks later I have actually gained a few pounds. Whats weird is I have done more cardio and eaten less bad food (sweets, cheese) than at any other period in my life but I cannot lose weight. A year ago I could lose 2-3 pounds in a week with no problem. All I had to do was hit the treadmill for about 3-4 miles a week. I know most of you are saying that isnt much but it always worked for me in the past. In the past 6 weeks I have done more ab work and run more miles than at any time in my life. Am I just all of a sudden getting older? Am I at the point where I have to work extra hard to get the same results? I have always had a problem with sweets. I can go a whole weeks without touching any sweets and then I may have 3 scoops of ice cream and pina colda in one day. I know thats bad but like I said I could always work it off in the past. I was down to 228 about 3 months ago and I know I didnt work as had as I am now. My diet consists of Monday-Friday: oatmeal, raisins, mangos, hard boiled eggs, grits, whole wheat toast, high fibre cereal, smoothies, bananas, grapes, raw nuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts, prunes, hummus on rice cake, pineapples,flaxseed, grilled chicked, occasional salad, baked chicken, quizznos turkey subs on whole wheat (no cheese), grilled steak, whole wheat pasta, carrots, broccoli,squash,spinach, vitamin water, and on the weekends: occasional buffalo wings and blue cheese, occasional cheeseburger and fries, pancakes, and basically everything else I have during the week. Probably at least 3-4 times a week I go to bed with no carbs for dinner. I also take 2-3 shots of protien powder every other day and I occasionally drink egg whites. I guess what I am asking is do I need to change some things to lose the weight I desire? I am desperate and I want to make changes for good. Thanks for any advice
unfortunately (and thank god i havent gotten there yet) your body's hormones go thru changes as you age...there are tons of variables..sometimes your body gets mixed brain messages and it keeps the weight on for protection..when once it was easy to shed weight doing this methods are now difficult and ineffective...but u you definitely need to count your calories as much as eat as much fiber (as i see youre trying to do)..and try revvin up the cardio...maybe doing sprints and interval training..wack ur body back into a groove of convincing it, that it needs to ..high-intensity cardio (kickboxing, boxing, boot camp style aerobics)