Almost 2 weeks into cutting...

[Mystic79]

Some observations and thoughts. First, I'm finding myself having ALOT more energy during the day. Rather than 4 large meals heavy with carbs I'm eating most of my carbs early in the day and scaling down. Also the combination of the increased activity level of cardio daily has helped. I no longer feel tired during the afternoon and no need for naps.

I look the same, although I feel leaner, mainly because my stomach isn't as full as it used to be. I have lost only 2lbs this week but I definately feel healthier/leaner.

Dieting is hard work, you have to plan every single meal, every amount of protein and carbs. And I do miss those extra carbs, it's amazing how satisfiying some foods are, but of course, they aren't healthy and promote fat gain. Our society in regards to health and food promotes laziness, dieting requires alot of discpline which is maybe why the huge obesity epidemic.

I love my sweets... cookies, cake, baked goods, etc. It's been difficult not to have something sweet after a meal. I have been eating sugar free Jello, which is a decent substitute... no carbs and no sugars.

Although I'm slowly losing weight I know I'm goingin the right direction. going to keep at it. I remember the first time I dieted I lost maybe 15-20lbs and it seemed like all of a sudden my weight went down, maybe I didn't check my weight on the scale for awhile, I dont know..

[burban25]

Mystic,

I definately agree with you on society being lazy. It's amazing how society in general caters to the unhealthy. I too have a bit of a sweet tooth but the recipe section on this board has definately helped out. I have tried out quite a few but Layne's cheesecake is definatley one of my favorites. Try freezing up a protein shake for a few hours, it's almost like ice cream. Keep up the good work!

burban

[gti steve]

Good job Mystic. Its hard now, but it will eventually get easier and more methodic. #pizzasmiley4om#

and you are right about society being lazy. i nticed this today as i sat outside to enjoy the weather during my lunch break. alot of the people walking out of my building were over weight, some more so than others. i saw this one gentleman walk out. he was very large, his shirt was tight and he was atleast 250+. the jeans had to be buckled lower than his waist cause they were obviously too small. its obvious he has a desk job but then he comes back with a big mac, fries, soda and 2 cookies....im like #aslap2lt#

its such a shame how easy it is to be lazy and eat eat eat.

[Mystic79]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm finding not so much I can't eat clean, but more my quantity. I get SOO hungry between meals., so instead of waiting every 3 hours I wait 2 hours, which in turn causes more calories in a day.

Do you guys ever try doing cardio two times a day? I thought about doing this, especially on days I am not hitting the weights. My two complex carb sources are in the morning (1/2 oats) and for lunch (1/2 rice, or 1 med. potato)., i'm *trying* not to have any other compl. carbs after those times.

[Mystic79]

A frustrating way to end the week. Went too low on carbs today and didn't eat any before my workout, I ended up having no energy and no strength. To top it off I eat the leftovers of my cheat meal tonight late (10:30pm), which again was pizza. It seems like I will never lose this fat that I hate which has been around my midsection for years. Sometimes I feel like taking a knife and cutting it all off, I'm sick of having it. I have a great physique but this stubborn fat doesn't want to budge. I find myself trying to rationalize to QUIT dieting because I'm frustrated. I absolutely hate my bodytype, that is, skinny/fat. I see people with lean muscular bodies who eat like crap barely exercise and here I am doing all this extra work and I barely look normal. I tell myself:
1.) it's easier to just eat whenever, and whatever, this prepping meals and eating bland chicken/fish day in and day out is boring
2.) I can't ever get really lean, I used to be strong I used to be lean, but I can't get to that point again in my life.

I'm just frustrated today, I think I'll go sleep and myself tomorrow I'll have a better outlook.

[RUBICON19]

Dude. Dont freak!!! You can do whatever you want. Dont give up. This is one of the reasons no one in our society is in shape. It is very hard to acheive and people just rather give up than suck it up and go through with it. If things arent going right, than fix your diet. Dont just trash the whole idea. Anyone can do anything they put their mind to. REACH your GOAL. Be positive!! You will not be happy with yourself if you give in. Also. Forget about what others are doing/ eating. They are not you!!!! Do for you, what will work for you!!

[Mystic79]

Yep you're right Rub, it's not easy. I just get frustrated easily. Luckily I didn't set myself back, if anything I just did it mentally. However, I will keep at it and have patience. I'll change up my diet to keep it from getting stale and try to think positive. I have made a little bit of progress in these 2 weeks but my goal seems very far away.

[Mystic79]

What more I've learned:

- keep fluid (water) intake VERY high ,always have water on me, and if I do go out for the night, always have water.

- have SOME carbs before a workout. Not having any energy for lifting weight sucks, you feel weak and sluggish. Next time I will eat a banana or half a baked potato.

- if you do happen to go out to eat with friends at a restaurant, have no alcoholic drinks, no pop/soda, and don't order dessert. try to find a chicken or fish dish and watch out for the carbs/breads. Going out and dieting can work I think, Ijust have to be smart about it.

- don't beat myself up if I screw up a day or two. dieting is hard work and takes time.

[RUBICON19]

mystic79 said:

What more I've learned:

- keep fluid (water) intake VERY high ,always have water on me, and if I do go out for the night, always have water.

- have SOME carbs before a workout. Not having any energy for lifting weight sucks, you feel weak and sluggish. Next time I will eat a banana or half a baked potato.

- if you do happen to go out to eat with friends at a restaurant, have no alcoholic drinks, no pop/soda, and don't order dessert. try to find a chicken or fish dish and watch out for the carbs/breads. Going out and dieting can work I think, Ijust have to be smart about it.

- don't beat myself up if I screw up a day or two. dieting is hard work and takes time.

VERY, VERY good. You are learning and that is what its all about!!

[Mystic79]

I started at 154lbs now I'm at 148lbs. So I still managed to lose another 2-3lbs this week despite a horrible saturday which I indulged in 3 Krispie Kreme donuts all in the evening too I couldn't control it, my friend had a gift certificate for a free dozen PLUS they gave us 3 for free. I learned from it tho, and I'm stronger and can resist better next time.

I can now see my top two abdominal muscles so I have a slight "2pack" going, lol. Feels good to see SOME abs finally. It's not cut by any means, but I can see a slight outline of my abdominals now. Stomach is flatter too, although there is a layer of fat that has to be chopped down, as well as the love handles.

Dieting is harder than usual this time because I'm going out with friends alot, so not being at home it's hard to have as much control with meals. I'm comtemplating buying those high protein bars, like Pure Protein.

Consistancy and strictness is what I need to work on. I'm finding that I get bored eating the same thing day in and day out, so I'm starting to experiment more. And Im a person who LOVES good tasting food, it really is my vice. I love baked goods, beer, cheeseburgers, pizza, fried foods, you name it.

[EBA84]

mystic79 said:

1.) it's easier to just eat whenever, and whatever, this prepping meals and eating bland chicken/fish day in and day out is boring

You are right. It is easier to do this. This why 70% of the American population is overweight. It has to be a life style. You can't turn it on and off when you want to. You have to crawl before you can walk. You took the first step in at least trying it. Just keep with it. Sure you are going to back step here and there but just stick with it. Put your mind to it and succeed!

[Maximum6]

you are on a 2day/ week workout plan right?

that gives you WaYYYYY too much free time.

You say you have time to go out with friends alot.

why don't you try and go for a 4day / week workout..that way the energy is more spread out...and you still have 3 days to rest and do whatever.


Also...who cares about what other people look like. Everybody has a different body type. You can't go from Point A(starting) to Point B (muscular) without hitting Point C (dicipline) first.

what i mean is...you want to look like the bodybuilders..then you'll have to be dedicated, diciplined, and diet down/lose the fat. And then work your way back up in weight in muscle!

If i'm not mistaken..a few years ago..you said you've reached your goal in gettin the abs you want. If you did it once..you can do it again.

[Tim Wescott]

Asw Eric said you have to make it your lifestyle instead of looking at it as drudgery.

Enjoy the journey even though there will be bumps in the road............if you quit like so many others do,you will never have abs.

Nothiong beats trying to achieve a goal while everyone else "enjoys" donuts and you step on the beach a year from now and look totally great.

Hell yeah it`s hard,but you`ll never get anywhere by just giving up.

Look at your body as an experiment and you must do certain things to alter the way it looks by a certain time pereiod.

Get strict,get serious,get busy,get motivated,get on the ball and MAKE those changes occur.

If you were starving ,you wouldn`t get a full stomach just wishing you had food.................get to work buddy,and earn your physique !!

[sicario]

Hey dude, I'm jumping in here a little late, so I'll try and make up some ground in this post. First, don't get hung up on what the scale is telling you. It is a good indication of what direction you are going, but it DOES NOT take into account BODY COMPOSITON, which is much more important for a bodybuilder. Muscle weights roughly 9 times more than fat, sooooo while the scale may not reflect a great weight loss, it could be because you are changing your body composition as you diet. Don't go by the mirror either, as it can "play tricks" on you too. Clothes, however, will NEVER lie to you, so keep what I call a pair of "fat pants" hanging around, and every few weeks or so put them on just to see how they fit. It's really rewarding to put them on after a month of dieting and seeing how they are a looser. Also as others have said, try not to compare yourself to others, I can tell you from experience that it won't get you where you want to go. Unfortunatly, like life itself, bodybuilding is very, very, unfair. My best friend in Cali would come over to my house and have frozen burritos and "regular" Coke for breakfast, and he ALWAYS maintained a 29 inch waist and 19 inch arms. He never took protein, and when people would ask me if he was "jacked" I'd assure them that he didn't even know what it was (which is true). In your journey in the gym you will run into a lot of people, like that, the key is not to compare yourself to them, rather to concentrate on what YOU can do to improve YOU!!!!!!! And lastly, remember that sugar is addicting, so it's going to take some time before you "ween" yourself off of it. Just stay as strong as you can for right now, and gradually your body will become accustomed to not having sugar and you'll get to a point where you can look a doughnut without even flinching, LOL, stay tough buddy, Vin.

[Tim Wescott]

Great post Vin !!! #arockon6ha# #goodpost4pw#