Tobin's Weight Loss Frenzy

[Tobin S.]

Actually, it's been more like Tobin's Weight Loss Slow Waltz. I've lost 64 pounds since last April. I've got 62 more to go to reach my goal. I've done it mostly by counting calories. I see that's kind of controversial. More on that in a minute.

I've weighed as little as 180 and as much as 356 as an adult. I've tried several methods of weight loss. When I was 180 I was told I was too thin. You could see my rib bones sticking out beneath my skin. I have an unnaturally sturdy skeleton, I guess. Hence my goal weight is 230, and I think I know how to stay there now once I get there.

I weighed in at 292 on Friday. I've gone from a 52" to a 46" waist. I haven't bought new shirts yet. I have 3XLs that are really baggy on me. I'm going to buy some 2XL shirts here in a week or so. I had five pairs of pants from when I was thinner before that now fit again.

I started by limiting my calories to between 2000 and 2500 a day. I later went to the doctor last August, and he told me that since I didn't move around a lot to limit my calories to 1800 a day and the weight would start coming off faster. It has worked. I now limit the calories to 1700 a day. I also took a couple of months off from dieting over the holidays. I maintained my weight during that time. So I've actually lost that 64 pounds in 8 months.

Some things I do in addition to cutting calories:

1. I don't eat beef or drink milk. I quit eating cattle products when I learned that cattle farming is one of the main contributors to global warming. It doesn't really have anything to do with losing weight, but I'm sure it doesn't hurt. I still haven't been able to kick cheese, however. It's like a drug.

2. I don't drink my calories. I drink mostly diet soda, water, coffee, and tea, but you'd be surprised at the amount of sugar-free drinks out there now days if you haven't checked into it lately. You're bound to find something you can live with if you can't just drink water most of the time.

3. As long as I'm staying under my calorie limit I eat whatever kind of food I want. I've really cut back on the sugar, but the other night I had a fierce craving for something sweet so I got a chocolate bar. No worries, I was still at my 1700 for the day.

4. I keep a tally in my head of everything I eat as far as calories go. Before I eat something, I know how many calories are in it. Having a smart phone with Internet access makes it really easy to look up foods even if I'm eating out.

5. I go to this web site. A DUer showed it to me and it has really helped me by making me more aware of what I'm eating. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

6. I eat more vegetables and less meat than I used to.

I'm hoping to add exercise in the future. Right now all I have time to do is eat, sleep, and work. When I get down to 230 pounds, I've calculated that I'll need about 2300 calories a day to maintain that weight. I'm looking at this as something I'll do for the rest of my life.

I have noticed that this approach doesn't work as well for women. Their calorie needs are a lot lower and there's not as much room to play with if you just want to try to lose weight by diet alone. You can do it, it will just be a lot slower than what most men can do. It's important for everyone to get enough exercise, but I think it's even more essential for women who want to lose weight.

[The Polack MSgt]

1. Keep it up Tobin S

[Nay]

2. Good for you, Tobin. You're going about it the right way. nt

[metroins]

3. Great job!

Losing weight is science based and you've got the science down!

[Generic Brad]

4. And don't be hard on yourself if you have a setback

I had a lot of success and relaxed for 5 months and put on 25 pounds extremely fast. Three weeks ago I want back to the habits that made me successful and have peeled off 10 pounds since then.

It stinks to have to continue to be disciplined, but you do what you have to do.

You are on the right track and I wish you continued success!

[procon]

5. Congratulations, that's quite an achievement.

I like your positive attitude, it seems like you're focused on finding all the foods you can eat rather than the things you can't.

[mopinko]

6. park a little farther away.

sneak in a few more steps by parking farther from where you are going.
maybe this even works for you during the work day.

well done my friend. i'm very proud of you for this and everything else you have done.

[teenagebambam]

7. Terrific!

I also had my biggest weight loss success through counting calories (lost 50 ish pounds a few years ago). After some backsliding I've started again in earnest, but this time being a little more thoughtful about what I'm eating. Share your bone structure, I think 230 would be perfect for me.

[NNadir]

8. Nice. It's the only way that's ever worked for me as well. #1 by the way...

...shows real social responsibility.

Thanks, and congrats.

[Major Nikon]

9. Sounds like a pretty good strategy

Counting calories pretty much forces you to eat better because if you eat calorie dense food you can't have that much of it and you'll get hungry again sooner. Maintaining a good balance between carbs, protein, and fat is going to work out better for most in the long term simply because it's more sustainable than fad diets. Looking at it as a lifestyle choice rather than a diet is a great approach.

Exercise is great for keeping weight off, maintaining heart health, and retaining muscle that might otherwise be lost from reducing calories.