where to start

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6/6/12 11:52 A

I think your goal is way too aggressive. It's possible (barely) but I think that you're setting yourself up for failure and disappointment, because the closer you get to your goal weight, the less you will generally lose per week. Someone who is over 300 lbs could easily lose that, but you're under 200.

I'm 5'7 too. I've been at this for 7 months, and I've lost about 20 lbs. I've had some months of plateaus, and imperfections. I could have lost faster, yes, but I've built healthy lifestyle changes that are not chained to the scale. I can outrun my 16 year old niece!

I think you should set a healthy goal of about 1 lb per week... that would give you a slow, safe goal that's easily attainable. Some weeks you'll lose more, some weeks you'll lose less. My first 12 lbs practically melted off... it's been much harder to go from 199 to 190 (it's literally been months.)

As others have noted, you can't spot reduce the parts of your body you don't like. Believe me, if it were possible, I'd have the flattest stomach in the world, but I don't. I do serious ab work! I still look pregnant. ;)

Remember that true weight loss happens in the kitchen. It's important to eat ENOUGH to support your activity, while creating a healthy deficit to produce weight loss. Starving yourself while working your butt off in the gym is counterproductive, and will slow your metabolism.

And finally, those skinny people in the gym? Don't care about you. They're not looking at your, not thinking bad thoughts about you. They're focusing on their own workouts, and believe me, they don't care about the people around them. Don't worry about what other people think... it doesn't matter. What matters it that your need to be healthy is more important than ANYTHING they could ever think about you!

current weight: 186.0

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6/6/12 8:18 A

Thx a lot every one. I have started long walks, some aerobics and weight training on alternate days for the beginning. :)

current weight: 436.0

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Posts: 33,289
6/4/12 3:06 P

Oh wow. Because I see tickers in kg's I didn't notice that. Here, this should help you fix the ticker.

www.sparkpeople.com/community/help_answer.
asp?id=92

SparkPoints: (54,029)
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6/4/12 7:52 A

I agree with the previous posters. You can't spot reduce specific areas. Also, setting a weight loss goal that is extremely aggressive might wind up being very frustrating.

In addition, you should make sure your Spark account is set up properly. Your weight ticker says you weigh 400+ pounds but you posted here that you are 198. Did you set it to kilograms by accident? Make sure that Spark knows your correct height, weight and goal date so your calorie range is correct.

As for the gym, try not to worry about what everyone else is doing or what they look like. This comic might make you giggle and see things a little differently. (It has NSFW language so beware.) theoatmeal.com/comics/gym

current weight: 173.8

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6/4/12 5:04 A

I was about 30 pounds lighter than you when I started my journey, but I'm 3 inches shorter. It took me 8 months to lose 45 pounds, and I am now at the low end of the BMI "normal" range, so the last 5-8 of that were pretty much vanity pounds. My goal of 115 I've pretty much backburnered as I was getting burned out trying to get off that last 5 and lose the tummy fat. So, 60 pounds in 7 months, is pretty lofty. Please don't ie all your hopes to that and get discouraged if it doesn't happen. Don't use the scale as your only measure. Taken pictures and measurements and use a favorite pair of pants to help gauge progress. As has already been mentioned, you can't pick where you lose from, and there's no magical exercise. Really, the key to fat loss is nutrition. You must get your diet in check in order to lose weight. I'd then suggest 2-3 days a week of cardio and 3 alternate days of a good, heavy lifting program. I'd start slowly with lighter weights, then move up to lifting at a nice, challenging (in about 8-12 reps) weight. Big, compound lifts like squats, deadlifts and bench. Accompianied by bent over rows and overhead press and if you want to work some smaller muscle groups, you could add in something like skull crushers or curls. (All of this is, of course, contingent upon whether or not, 7 months post op, you are allowed to lift heavy. A trainer would be a good idea.)

Edited by: JENMC14 at: 6/4/2012 (05:06)

current weight: 127.2

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6/4/12 2:07 A

Hello there! When I started this journey I was 192lb and 5'8". That was 5 months ago and I have lost 20 pounds. While 60 pounds may be possible it may not happen. Just be aware!

When you go to the gym, go with a plan. Write it down if you want to! That means you won't have time to float around and look at the 'skinny people'. You just need to get in there and do it. Sorry, no silver bullet! Maybe have a trainer show you around and give you some ideas?

Track your calories and start going to the gym for 30 minutes a few times a week. You will get there.

current weight: 146.0

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6/4/12 1:52 A

Hi and welcome!

First off, you might need to reconsider your goal. Why the next 7 months? If you lost 40 pounds in that time would you be "a failure"? Wouldn't that still be a fantastic success to celebrate!? And then you can take another few months to lose the last 20.

Weight loss slows down as you get lighter - only obese people over about 200lbs can realistically expect to lose 2lb/week. So you can probably start at that or nearly (8lbs/month), but since you're just under 200 now, you'll very soon slow down to 1.5 ... and then lucky if you can lose 1lb a week as you get closer to your goal. So losing 60lbs can take upwards of 60 weeks - because while you can lose the first 20lbs at 2/week really fast, the last 20lbs can take several months on their own!

So set a realistic goal that will set you up for success, not failure - maybe 1lb/week on average (acknowledging it'll be faster now then slow down) - so about August 2013 to lose 60lbs.

As for losing fat on your tummy, thighs and arms, we don't get to choose from whence it comes, sadly. You will lose fat wherever you are genetically predisposed to, and no exercise or type of food can change that. However, if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and continued weight loss, most 'problem areas' should be okay by the time you're at a healthy weight.

Your gym will probably offer sessions with a personal trainer. You should probably save up and book in for one (not an ongoing relationship) to at least find out how to use the gear right, and get started on a basic programme. You can update your programme with the trainer every 6-8 weeks for ongoing benefits.

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6/4/12 1:05 A

I am 5 feet 7 inches and i weigh 198 lbs. I want to lose 60 lbs in next 7 months. I have joined the gym but i have no idea from where to start. I cannt jump or run due to tummy tuck i had last year. I want to know how can i lose fat around my tummy, thighs arms. when i go to gym i feel so ashamed when i see skinny people that i come home without doing anything but i know this is not the solution.So i need help in making my gym routine like what all work outs i can do and how to do. Please help me in making my dream come true.

current weight: 436.0

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