Another new guy

[adam-s]

I'm another new guy that needs to lose weight. I opted out of sports after a hernia + switched from an active job to programming. 5 years later I had gone from a slim 185lbs to 270lbs.

I'm currently about 255 and about 20% body fat. My ultimate goal is too replace my remaining fat with muscle and end up at around 230 to 250 pounds with under 10% body fat.

Hoping to get alot of this done before summer starts.

 

[Ned]

Adam, can I ask how you measured your body fat and how tall you are? If you currently weigh 255 lb with just 20% body fat you must be either hugely muscled or quite a height - with a lot more muscle than the average programmer needs to click a mouse button.

What matters most for good health isn't so much how much fat but where it is. Expert medics now say that any man, regardless of height, with a waist bigger than 37" is at a health risk. The figure is just 32" for a woman. That measurement is taken round the belly with a tape measure and isn't your clothes size which usually flatter you by 4" or so.

 

[Steve]

Welcome aboard.

Working out realistic goals is an important step. Losing all your fat and replacing it with muscle probably isn't going to happen. Building a lot of muscle requires an abundance of energy (calories). Losing your excess fat requires a deficit of energy (calories).

So you can see, both are not likely to happen at the same time. Sure, there's a good chance you'll experience some simultaneous body recomposition.... but it won't be to the extent where you are adding muscle at the same rate that you are losing fat.

Best to you and look forward to seeing you progress!

 

[adam-s]

Hello. Thanks for the replies. Body fat via one of those wrist body fat and pulse + whatever gizmos. Not very accurate but accurate enough for me as the goal is really just a guide.

I have a kind of freakish build that lets me lose and gain both weight and muscle almost while I sleep. It really is hard to explain and I know that people worry when I try. If I had a picture it would probably tell the tale better.

I don't exactly diet...just try for more health food and I don't hold back on what I know will build me some muscle. As a result I've gained over an inch in biceps/triceps and lost 2 around the waist since January. I wear 36 in jeans now.

Very hard to explain. Hmmm...imagine a guy drinking a whole two liter bottle of mt dew last night and still losing weight or a guy that used to eat ten crisp meat burritos at taco time on the way home from work and maintain a slim 180lbs...before the hernia that is and/or order the taco bell 10 taco/burrito special and wipe it out by myself.

Anyway...won't torture you with the details and I won't presume that my situation is special but as long as it seems to be working well and I'm going in the direction I want then I'll probably stick with it. I feel incredibly good and full of energy from morning until night.

I do expect to see a 6 pack within a year. If this means I have to go to conventional dieting then I'm very willing to do so.

 

[wishes]

hate to say it but there is nothing freakish about it. its all science of calories in and calories out, and that differs little between people. There are probably many things you just hadnt realized you were doing that had that affect

Also its a rolling average of calories rather than the binge of 1 or 2 days eating then eating sparsely the rest of the time.

Anyway welcome to the website!

 

[adam-s]

Thanks...makes sense. Maybe I'll post a picture when I hit vacation in march and let it fuel a bit of extra challenge in me + back me up a little. I know I have nothing to prove but if you don't know me my stories sound pretty wild.

++ It would give me a chance to score against the evil bmi chart. The thing practically says I should be hospitalized just off weight and height. If I don't prove it wrong maybe I'll surprise myself and prove it right

 

[wishes]

BMi is overrated.
BMI says Steve is hugely obese, and im overweight, it doesnt take into account that Steve is a muscle bunny, and ive always been heavy even though i wear 2 sizes smaller clothes than anyone my weight. (though i still have those last pesky few lb to drop).
Some people are naturally lighter and some heavier. My husband is about 135-140lb, and its the perfect weight for him, his whole family are small boned and lightweights (though not particularly weedy).

 

[Ned]

++ It would give me a chance to score against the evil bmi chart. The thing practically says I should be hospitalized just off weight and height. If I don't prove it wrong maybe I'll surprise myself and prove it right

Yep, it's a generalisation.

But what height are you? The reason I ask is that your aim to be 230 - 250 lbs is still a lot of weight to be fit and healthy unless you're 6'6" and more. I'm 6'2"; 231 was the heaviest I've ever been and I feel much fitter and agile for weighing less.

Look at the fittest men on the planet: the top professional athletes like international soccer and tennis players, yes even the incredibly fit top male ballet dancers if you want. You won't find many weighing in at 250 lb unless they're way over the hill.

Muhammad Ali was 6'3" and his fighting weight was 215 lb at his peak. Forget the well-oiled pinups in the gay magazines, for all the lumps and bumps they don't approach the fitness of top athletes in any meaningful way.

To get your waist size you need to use a tape measure. Wearing 36" waist jeans could mean you actually measure 38" to 40". Anything over 37" is generally assumed to be a risk to health.

 

[adam-s]

I'm 5'11". I do know what you mean. I'm kind of a walking chest and shoulders and it looks a bit weird skinny.

My chest is 48"+ around the armpits and all bone and muscle. It's something I'm stuck with genetically but not necessarily bad. Just people can't believe I weigh what I do.

My goals are pretty strange...I admit. You should see the rest of what I've done with life. With me usually it's whatever it takes. I'll get there.

Mostly just looking forward to reading and learning from all the information posted here. Also enjoy the stories of people completely changing their lives.