Dropping weight

**NeilG** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 3:16pm

Originally Posted by Devil

Although possible, that's too much weight to lose in a healthy manner in two months though, IMO.

Originally Posted by Devil

3 pounds a week is doable. Been there, done that. Not even that hard if you have some discipline and aren't a big puss.

Mixed messages there. Which is it, unhealthy at 3 lbs/week or you're a big puss for not doing 3 lbs/week?

OP - starting from 250+ is definitely a little easier for the big cut. The lighter you get the tougher it gets because your BMR (the calories you require just loafing) drops along with your weight, requiring you to either eat less or work out more to maintain the loss. But congratulations on your success so far!

**itwasntme** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 4:25pm

Originally Posted by NeilG

Mixed messages there. Which is it, unhealthy at 3 lbs/week or you're a big puss for not doing 3 lbs/week?

He was saying 30 lbs in 3 months is doable, but 2 months might be unhealthy.

OP - starting from 250+ is definitely a little easier for the big cut. The lighter you get the tougher it gets because your BMR (the calories you require just loafing) drops along with your weight, requiring you to either eat less or work out more to maintain the loss. But congratulations on your success so far!

Yeah, I was worried about plateauing which is why I was wondering about eating before bed. I want every advantage I can get. And thanks!

**itwasntme** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 4:44pm

Originally Posted by ChenPengFi

Some pretty straightforward stuff here:
http://scoobysworkshop.com/losing-we...ng-6-pack-abs/

Wow, there is a lot of good info here. Cleared up a couple of misconceptions I had as well.

One thing it leaves me wondering though is why is it unhealthy to lose more than 2 lbs a week?

**ChenPengFi** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 4:50pm

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Wow, there is a lot of good info here. Cleared up a couple of misconceptions I had as well.

One thing it leaves me wondering though is why is it unhealthy to lose more than 2 lbs a week?

I wouldn't say that's written in stone, but more of a rule of thumb.
The risks of losing weight too rapidly include gallstones and malnutrition among other things.
Your body doesn't like running on a caloric deficit.

**jn1996** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 6:35pm

Originally Posted by itwasntme

I'm trying to drop a good deal of weight over the next 2 or 3 months so I can fight at a comfortable weight around December. Before I had any kind of time frame to work with I was already not eating after 7 pm as a general rule. Is this a good idea? One of my weightlifting friends was saying I should eat some boiled eggs after I ran last night but it was already too late. Is it alright to eat lean before bed or would that hinder my weight loss?

To lose weight, cutting out about 500 calories a day from what you are currently eating is a good rule of thumb.

**Devil** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 8:16pm

Originally Posted by NeilG

Mixed messages there. Which is it, unhealthy at 3 lbs/week or you're a big puss for not doing 3 lbs/week?

You suck at reading and/or math.

**Devil** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 8:26pm

Originally Posted by itwasntme

One thing it leaves me wondering though is why is it unhealthy to lose more than 2 lbs a week?

Like ChenPengFi said, it's a rule of thumb. I can point to MIT studies that say 3lbs. a week is okay, but that's so boring, isn't it?

Like I said, I've done it myself. I've done 3lbs/week over about a three month period. And that was with a splurge day every week. The rest of the week was a nutritious but very strict diet with no exceptions.

One other caviat. In my case I've always been in pretty good shape and I've always done a lot of cardio. When I needed to lose weight it was because I ate like a horse for a while and had extra fat to get rid of. But I wasn't out of shape to the point that exercise was hard for me. It's a lot easier to burn the necessary calories when you can immediately exercise intensely instead of having to work your way up from really bad conditioning.

**itwasntme** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 8:41pm

Originally Posted by Devil

Like ChenPengFi said, it's a rule of thumb. I can point to MIT studies that say 3lbs. a week is okay, but that's so boring, isn't it?

Roger that.

Like I said, I've done it myself. I've done 3lbs/week over about a three month period. And that was with a splurge day every week. The rest of the week was a nutritious but very strict diet with no exceptions.

I don't necessarily have a splurge day, I just don't get stupid with it. If I eat something that isn't good for me I don't eat a lot of it, that's it for the day, and I bust my ass. Also, I rarely do that but maybe twice a week. Every time I see my arch nemesis the Ho Ho I just remind myself I have a muffin top and that ain't gonna win me a fight. I figure if/when my progress slows I can throw my metabolism a curveball by eating strictly healthy. Is this dumb?

One other caviat. In my case I've always been in pretty good shape and I've always done a lot of cardio. When I needed to lose weight it was because I ate like a horse for a while and had extra fat to get rid of. But I wasn't out of shape to the point that exercise was hard for me. It's a lot easier to burn the necessary calories when you can immediately exercise intensely instead of having to work your way up from really bad conditioning.

I was already active enough to where this wasn't really an issue even at first. Also, do you think that Powerade after a good workout is a bad idea?

**Mr. Machette** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 8:51pm

I lost 30 lbs in two months @ a year ago.

I was living on the street, carrying weight for many miles every day (trying to find work and a place to stay) and eating @ 1000 calories on "good" days.

It was not fun or healthy, and I certainly wasn't in any condition to fight. Not like an athlete anyways. Maybe like a crazy starving dog. But definitely not like an athlete.

That was my 30lbs loss in 60 days experience though. FWIW.

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Also, do you think that Powerade after a good workout is a bad idea?

Check the sugar content in Powerade. Terrible idea if you're trying to trim up.

If you need it for refreshment, cheap out with lime juice and cold water. If you need it for electrolytes, develope your own mix so you can control the calories.

Powerade is going to sugar you out, mang!

**itwasntme** · Posted On: 9/19/2012 8:58pm

Lol I think I pretty much have as long as I need, my coach said there's always events in Virginia. December was just the timeframe my coach gave for whatever reason. I see it happening in January since December will be a busy month for me between work, Christmas get togethers, and my kid's bday. I guess only time will tell. Ftr, I will not be in starving dog mode but feral beast mode.

Edit: I know nothing about electrolytes :( How do you make your own mix?