* Big Fat Weight Loss Thread *

AndyCr15 · 20 Jan 2021 at 14:52

If anything, you'll make your waist bigger as the muscles will get bigger

Look up 'spot reduction', it's generally believed to be a myth. Your waist is determined more by calories in versus calories out. Eat slightly less and go out for a run

Of course, situps will burn calories, but you might as well do push ups or chin ups. They will have as much effect on your waist size. Do you do enough situps to the point you're sweating? Do you keep your heart rate up over 130 or so, for 10 to 15 minutes(at least)? That's the kind of thing that will burn the fat off your tum tum.

ik9000 · 20 Jan 2021 at 14:57

ah, right. more running, less crunching and fewer crunchies. With you.

B&W · 20 Jan 2021 at 14:59

Find it hard to eat 220 gram protein when cutting without going over the calorie limit...

neoboy · 20 Jan 2021 at 15:49

Depends on the deficit?

ik9000 · 20 Jan 2021 at 18:33

neoboy said:
Depends on the deficit?

what the national debt affects my waistline? I'm screwed then!

Merlin5 · 21 Jan 2021 at 21:55

Martynt74 said:
The soundcore ones are fairly decent, to be honest, when you're out running and have all the background noise you don't really notice any nuances in the music anyway, it's more just there as background music.

A chest strap would be more accurate than a watch, however this is generally for interval based workouts. A watch can have delays in readings so i'll find i can finish a sprint and it's around 30 seconds later that it shows the increased HR, a chest strap will be more accurate and responsive, but for a base reading a watch is fine and as you say has all the extra benefits that come with a watch.

I have a Garmin Fenix 6X Pro, but obviously there's no need to spend that much! I'm not sure about an Apple Watch being most accurate, i had one prior to this, and would often get different distance readings on the same route, something which doesn't happen with Garmin.
Depending on budget, something like the Garmin Forerunner 245 would be a good option. You can also get a music version so no need to carry a phone at all.

AndyCr15 said:
No chance. As I say, it can be hard getting in sometimes to get the things out, let alone them coming out when you don't expect it!
As Martynt74 says above, Garmin are considered a safe go to for a running watch. I have the 735XT and it cost me less than £200 if that's any good?

Thanks Martyn and Andy.

Andy, I need a watch that can display the four listed things below all at once if possible. Can the 735XT display these without needing to scroll through screens?

Distance walked/jogged
My speed
Heart rate
Calories burnt

Martynt74 · 21 Jan 2021 at 22:00

From what I can see. Both the 735 and 245 can only display 3 data fields per screen so you’d have to scroll.

I think to get 4 data fields you’d need the 645.

Although someone else may know better.

Merlin5 · 21 Jan 2021 at 22:21

Martynt74 said:
From what I can see. Both the 735 and 245 can only display 3 data fields per screen so you’d have to scroll.

I think to get 4 data fields you’d need the 645.

Although someone else may know better.

Thanks, yeah, that's what I'd seen on photos of fitness watches, just 3 data fields. I'll have a look at the 645 but no doubt it'll be way too pricey.

Martynt74 · 21 Jan 2021 at 22:32

You could possibly look for a refurbished Fenix 5.

What’s your budget and I’ll have a look around.

Merlin5 · 21 Jan 2021 at 22:42

Martynt74 said:
You could possibly look for a refurbished Fenix 5.

What’s your budget and I’ll have a look around.

Oh, the Fenix 5 does 4 data lines? But my max budge is about £150 so I'm sure it'll be a no go.
Thinking more about it though, I guess I'd be happy enough displaying calories, bpm, and either pace or distance. The bpm and calories data would be the most valuable to me.

I'm currently watching videos on the Garmin Vivoactive 3. It's touch screen, that would make it easy to scroll through while jogging. It looks like it holds 4 data fields at once. I think it can also receive heart rate data from a chest band which I were to wear one which would be handy if the built in watch monitor isn't as accurate. I'm seeing it at £139.95 on Amazon which is within my budget. Maybe the Fenix and 735XT do the same so I'll youtube those too.

ik9000 · 21 Jan 2021 at 22:49

today has not gone well. I found a bag of mini toblerones and have been rather grumpy. The combo means tomorrow and Saturday's weigh-ins will not be pretty.

ic1male · 22 Jan 2021 at 00:29

ik9000 said:
today has not gone well. I found a bag of mini toblerones and have been rather grumpy. The combo means tomorrow and Saturday's weigh-ins will not be pretty.

That’s partly why I switched to a weekly weigh in. On that day, I’m going to have something I know would wreck my progress. But then I have six days to undo it again before the next one. I suppose it’s down to being in the lucky position that I’m almost at my goal so can ease off a bit. Trying to work out strategies for maintaining rather than losing or gaining. Monday is weigh day so it’s pizza and ice cream this week. It’s no good trying to cure myself of a sweet tooth. I’d rather be dead.

Merlin5 · 22 Jan 2021 at 00:59

I concluded my first week's diet last night. \○/ Target set for me by MyFitnessPal was 1,580 calories per day which is 11,060 per week.
I've gone under that and eaten 10, 767 calories in 7 days so I'm pleased with that. Each day I've eaten very nutritiously with lots of steamed veg, high protein foods, fruit, and low carbs. I've treated myself each day to a small chocolate bar and a couple of biscuits and the occasional muller yoghurt. Since I was well within my calorie allowance, does it matter that I ate those refined sugary things?

Merlin5 · 22 Jan 2021 at 01:00

ic1male said:
It’s no good trying to cure myself of a sweet tooth. I’d rather be dead.

I'm with you on that!

ic1male · 22 Jan 2021 at 01:25

Merlin5 said:
I concluded my first week's diet last night. \○/ Target set for me by MyFitnessPal was 1,580 calories per day which is 11,060 per week.
I've gone under that and eaten 10, 767 calories in 7 days so I'm pleased with that. Each day I've eaten very nutritiously with lots of steamed veg, high protein foods, fruit, and low carbs. I've treated myself each day to a small chocolate bar and a couple of biscuits and the occasional muller yoghurt. Since I was well within my calorie allowance, does it matter that I ate those refined sugary things?

When are you getting on the scales to see if it worked? I think you showed good discipline. I tend to go mad if I have a chocolate bar and want three or four more. Same with biscuits. On Tuesday I had three biscuits with a cup of coffee but then carried on and had fifteen more! Hence trying to just have one day a week for refined sugar.

neoboy · 22 Jan 2021 at 01:26

Sweet tooth has been the biggest problem with weight loss so I'm going a little extreme next month and doing no refined sugar way. Figured February is best month for that, being the shortest and all

Merlin5 · 22 Jan 2021 at 02:20

ic1male said:
When are you getting on the scales to see if it worked? I think you showed good discipline. I tend to go mad if I have a chocolate bar and want three or four more. Same with biscuits. On Tuesday I had three biscuits with a cup of coffee but then carried on and had fifteen more! Hence trying to just have one day a week for refined sugar.

Thanks. Lol, yeah, I can identify with that. Not eating a load of sweet snacks is hard isn't it. When I'm eating a single garibaldi, rich tea or chocolate bar, I savour it like I'm eating gold. Before the diet I would also eat a ton of them. I've only been doing it a week though so I'm currently motivated, but no idea how much willpower I actually have for the long haul.

I've been getting on the scales every day. I started at 13 stone 3lb last Thursday and each day was going down. I must have been losing water or something, definitely not fat in such a short time. I've been at 12st 13lb the last couple of days so it seems to have levelled out now.

ic1male · 22 Jan 2021 at 06:53

Ah, OK, early days yet. Just keep doing what you’re doing as it takes 2-3 weeks for your body to catch up to new routines so I read. At the end of the day, if you’re in a calorie deficit you should lose weight.

AndyCr15 · 22 Jan 2021 at 08:36

Merlin5 said:
Can the 735XT display these without needing to scroll through screens?

Distance walked/jogged
My speed
Heart rate
Calories burnt

Yep, this is possible. I'm not sure where you guys are getting a 3 data display limit? I have 4 on my main screen. (Maybe the use of 'lines' is confusing, as it displays 4 things over 3 lines... the middle line has two data types.)

Merlin5 said:
It's touch screen, that would make it easy to scroll through while jogging.

Hmm, I would be concerned about this myself. When I'm running I think it's quite hard to operate your phone, for example. I like the watch has solid buttons I can grab and press. I think tapping on a watch screen, while jogging, would be very difficult. Then also, when it's cold and I have sleeves, do they interfere with the touches? Probably not I guess...

ic1male said:
I tend to go mad if I have a chocolate bar and want three or four more. Same with biscuits.

Yeah, I definitely find this. I have a large Cadbury Caramel bar in the cupboard. I know I can't just have a few pieces. If I start it, I'll finish it. I think I need to just not buy these things and not have them in the flat!

Merlin5 said:
I've gone under that and eaten 10, 767 calories in 7 days so I'm pleased with that.

Great control. Well done! I look forward to the result... but at the same time, don't be too annoyed if it's not a huge difference, or even none. It's a pattern and shift of momentum you're making. The results will come, just get that momentum moving that way

**EDIT** Okay, missed the last couple of posts. So yes, you've seen a couple of lbs come off, that's great, now it's stabilised a little. So, just keep at it and it'll gradually come off.

Have you started the exercise too? I love to see the effects of exercise alter the balance of my calorie deficit in MyFP

I cycled 50 miles a couple of days ago, Strava suggested 3,000 calories burnt! In theory, I could have eaten about 6,000 cals that day! (I didn't but it's nice to know I can go up to about 3,500 and not worry)

Merlin5 · 22 Jan 2021 at 19:20

ic1male said:
Ah, OK, early days yet. Just keep doing what you’re doing as it takes 2-3 weeks for your body to catch up to new routines so I read. At the end of the day, if you’re in a calorie deficit you should lose weight.

Yep, I'm certainly hoping to keep it going.

AndyCr15 said:
Yep, this is possible. I'm not sure where you guys are getting a 3 data display limit? I have 4 on my main screen. (Maybe the use of 'lines' is confusing, as it displays 4 things over 3 lines... the middle line has two data types.)

Ah! That's good to know, Andy.

AndyCr15 said:
Hmm, I would be concerned about this myself. When I'm running I think it's quite hard to operate your phone, for example. I like the watch has solid buttons I can grab and press. I think tapping on a watch screen, while jogging, would be very difficult. Then also, when it's cold and I have sleeves, do they interfere with the touches? Probably not I guess...

You've got a point there. The one I'm looking at, the Garmin Vivoactive 3, only has one button. I'd also love to know which out of that and the 735XT has better heart rate accuracy.
Then again, as long as neither is more than 5bpm out, I probably don't need exact precision, just as long as I know I'm over about 135 to 140bpm. Also, having done some research, I believe heart rate monitor watches are more accurate when they're tighter on the wrist and and a couple of fingers width higher up from the wrist bone. And apparently there's more accuracy on the right wrist.

AndyCr15 said:
Great control. Well done! I look forward to the result... but at the same time, don't be too annoyed if it's not a huge difference, or even none. It's a pattern and shift of momentum you're making. The results will come, just get that momentum moving that way
**EDIT** Okay, missed the last couple of posts. So yes, you've seen a couple of lbs come off, that's great, now it's stabilised a little. So, just keep at it and it'll gradually come off.

Thank you!

I weighed myself this morning and was 12 stone 11lb. So for some odd reason I've lost 5 or 6 pounds in eight days. Must just be water loss plus 1lb of actual fat. The NHS BMI calculator says 12 stone 11lb is overweight for my height and age, but 12stone 10lbs is a healthy weight but right at the top end of it. So one more pound to lose puts me in the healthy weight range. Nevertheless I want to lose several pounds more than that.

Here's the thing though that concerns me. My stomach hasn't changed and I'm not sure it's just excess fat. Sure I can grab an inch or two around my waist, but I feel there's something else at play because my stomach always feels like a blown up balloon. I spoke to my doctor a few weeks ago about bloating and he recommended a blood test and stool test. They came back with no issues. I'm just wondering if I either have constipation or some food intolerance. This morning for instance, my stomach felt fine. Not flat, but no discomfort. Then I had a sandwich with high protein low carb bread, low fat cheese and a couple of tomatoes and a stick of celery. Then I went out to Tesco. I could feel my stomach stretching and looking bigger. Anyway, whatever it is, do you think regular exercise would eventually get rid of it and flatten it out?

AndyCr15 said:
Have you started the exercise too? I love to see the effects of exercise alter the balance of my calorie deficit in MyFP I cycled 50 miles a couple of days ago, Strava suggested 3,000 calories burnt! In theory, I could have eaten about 6,000 cals that day! (I didn't but it's nice to know I can go up to about 3,500 and not worry)

50 miles and 3000 calories! :eek:

That's amazing, good job!
I haven't started yet, I've just been focusing on my diet this last week. Now that I have a better idea of what I'm doing, I can start focusing on the exercise. Although I'd like to have a fitness watch before I start so I can see my stats and know if I'm on track. I'm also looking into high intensity training. Apparently 15 minutes of HIT can do as well as 30 minutes of jogging but I don't really know what it would involve. I think it involves some sprinting. I like sprinting but there isn't really a good place to sprint as there's always too many people at my local park and my park would only really suit jogging.

*** Big Fat Weight Loss Thread ***

* Big Fat Weight Loss Thread *