New to this group - looking for advice

hi everyone,

i'm new to this group and 6 months new to exercise.

i'm 38 and have let myself go over the last few years. after a routine visit to the docs, he gave me a physical and figured out my BP was high, my bad cholesterol was up, my good cholesterol was down and i had very mild early stage diabetes. my weight was 327 lbs and although i am a big boned guy and 6'1', i was really obsese.

that was april 1st this year and i left the doc's office and joined a gym.

i started a strict diet (for example: Fibre One/fruit for breakfast, veggie sandwich for lunch and baked potato & no-fat cottage cheese for dinner) and cut out all in between snacks, drinks, candy etc.

i've been to the gym pretty much every day since. i started with walking on the treadmill for about 30 mins and i'm now up to 35 mins at 6.5mph monday to friday mornings, step class monday evening, circuit training tuesday evening, circuit training class saturday and step class sunday.

so, the good news is i've lost a ton of weight - now at around 260 lbs and the last visit to the docs a week ago confirmed that my BP is great, my cholesterol is 'normal' for both types and my diatetes has apparently gone away.. i've done a couple of fasting sugar blood tests as well as a couple of the tests where they take blood, give you a glucose drink and take more blood 2 hours later.. all fine.

the bad news is i seem to be stuck at this weight and whilst my clothes hang off of me, i still feel and look fat. i've been stuck here for several weeks and i feel like i need to lose another 40 lbs at least.

i like to push it at the gym - when i'm running i breathe normally - i use the 'could talk but wouldn't want to' metric but i wonder if i'm pushing things too hard and going out of the fat buring zone. i've thought about a HRM but i'm worried that my target rate is pretty low and i'll end up having to just walk on the treadmill - feeling like i've really done some exercise is an important motivator for me.

is there really a fat loss zone ? if i eat little and exercise a lot, eventually my body has to start using fat doesn't it ?

i know there are plateaus with weight loss - i experienced this myself, but never for this long.

i could do more exercise and eat less but i'm kind of at the limit both in terms of what i take in and how much time i spend at the gym.. plus i realize that i need to do this forever so going to the gym 14 times a week isn't going to work.

i keep thinking about varying the morning stuff - trying the elliptical trainer or doing weights instead of the treadmill every day. i like the feeling of coming off the treadmill dripping in sweat, slightly out of breath for a few minutes - feels like i've really done something, which is partly why i avoid doing any weight training. i guess a good workout on the elliptical could give me the same thing though.

sorry for the long rambling message - i've been meaning to post some questions here for a while and it seemed like a good idea to put them all together like this.

any comments or advice much appreciated.

thanks.

You have just described a complete success story

You never mentioned weight training (I would suggest you talk to your trainer about including this in your routines)

What you are doing though is fine you have just adapted your lifestyle to a MUCH more healthier one in just over 6 months you need to keep it up, congratulations

In twelve months take another look (Photo is good)

Keep a diary your success could be used to help others

Petzl
http://www.geocities.com/petzlx/ VIDEO HELP NOISE AIRCRAFT POLLUTION AIRPORT SYDNEY

thanks very much for the encouragement.

as far as weight training goes, i kind of refered to it in my original message - i personally find it very motivating to finish a workout and feel pleasantly fatigued and soaked in sweat - makes me feel like i've done 'real' work.

i had a session with a trainer who put together a 12 item weight training circuit for me a few weeks ago but i've only been able to do it a few times. i finish it and feel a bit tired but the pace is so slow, i don't feel like i've burnt any calories.

i know this is probably all crazy and the weights might even be better for me - certainly the variety must help - but i'm only talking from a perception pov.. i need everyone in here to tell me i must weight train more

i do have a photo of me at my peak weight and keep a diary of everything i eat and all the exercise i do so that'll be good to look over when i've reach my target and see how things progressed.

thanks again.

This is absolutely terrific! You are a shining example of what a workout program, a sensible diet and consistency can do.

OK just keep at it

I don't know where you got your advice from (you are bang on) a personal trainer is a good/great step to take (a lot would rather buy a watch?)

Weight training properly is good but it does need constant advice and use of a spotter. It is also tiring if done right. Weights tend to be more efficient in developing muscle this in turns feeds on calories (if you like 'fat' helping you to further lose inches

With weights you need a break of around two days between routine its during 'OFF' periods that muscle is made not while or during exercise

This also applies with intensive Aerobics! One need not stop, but should reduce exercise on 'off' days to a mild routine such as just go for a walk or a swim (do not vegetate or do absolutely NOTHING)

Take another photo (every 3 months)as your looks are the best guide to make judgements on your improvements (date them)

Denise Howard has replied to you and she is a great source of correct info, so print it out (Mine may kill you so take care and keep getting a doctors opinion)

Petzl
http://www.geocities.com/petzlx/ VIDEO HELP NOISE AIRCRAFT POLLUTION AIRPORT SYDNEY

Just a thought, and others may like to comment.

I'm wondering if you are actually eating enough and/or the right foods. I can't see a lot of protein in your diet.

Remember, the idea of less food = more weight loss is a MYTH. Don't get me wrong, you've made a bloody good start with what you are doing, but by your own admission, you have hit a plateau. If you don't change what you're doing, you won't change your body any further.

Best advice: go and visit a sports dietitian. How to find a good one? Contact a few pro sporting teams in your area, and find out which dietitians they use. (I'm doing exactly that - tonight I have my first session with the dietitian who works with the local AFL football team - the team just won their first national premiership, so I trust that she knows what she's doing.)

Good luck!

Barry