My 'Leangains' cut

SyNyStEr14

New member
Greetings all.

So, here I am again, back on this site after a few years away, back to starting a 'Diary' which will hopefully keep me focused on my goals.

At my heaviest, I weighed 350lbs at 6' 5"..I had been overweight since the age of 9-10, and by the age of 18, my weight was higher than my age (in stones).
I had tried every 'healthy' diet there was.. Weight Watchers, Slimming World etc and although I would lose a few lbs, it would inevitably come back on as I lost focus on following the diet..my fault, not the diets.

One day I decided to weigh myself after not doing so for a few years, and was presented with 'ERROR'..the next morning I tired again, and just snuck under the 350lb limit, 349lbs to be exact.
Something finally clicked..I still to this day don't know why, but I KNEW that was it, that was the start of my new life, and through calorie tracking and regular exercise, in a year, I lost 150lbs.

I was left with excess skin, mainly around my stomach, but was extremely fortunate enough to receive a circumferential body lift on the NHS, i.e. free surgery.
I still have some loose skin in certain areas, but not enough to cause me any issues, physically or mentally. Plus, I have a gnarly scar..chicks love scars right? ;)

A few months ago, my Fiancée left me, we'd been together for 7 years, she was with me at my biggest, and although it destroyed me, we're still very close friends.

This experience made me realise how life can change dramatically in the blink of an eye, and has made me more focused on my goals.

I want to finally have a body to be proud of.

Don't get me wrong..I'm proud of the achievements I've made, and I'm proud to have bettered my life..but I'm not 'there' yet, and my journey continues.

My main focus right now is to lower my BF% to around 10%, then SLOWLY add some muscle to fill my frame out. I'm currently sitting around 201lbs, and guesstimate my BF% to be about 13-15%.

I go to the gym 3 times a week, following 'Starting Strength' lifting programme, focusing mainly on compound exercises, including Squats, Bench, Deadlifts. I also do BJJ and MMA a couple of times a week (although now I'm left to pay the bills myself, this has been on hold for the last few months!!)

Diet wise, I am following the Leangains Intermittent Fasting approach..I won't go into details, but it's basically a carb/calorie cycling approach, with lower calories on 'non-lifting days', and higher calories on 'lifting days'. Fasting for 16 hours (8pm-12pm) then an 8 hour eating window.

There is nothing 'special' about this diet..other than it allows me to eat ALOT of food in a short space on lifting days, which satisfies my inner greedy demon!

I am guilty of taking pictures of my feasts, and will no doubt be posting them on here (apologies in advance!!).

Hoping to get some inspiration of others, as I have in the past, and also to help as and when I can :)

If you made it this far..thank you, and say hi!

Syn.
 
you achieved some awesome weight loss, I will be watching as you finish the journey :)
 
Is Ice cream addiction a thing? :)

Weekend update:

FINALLY went back to a BJJ class Saturday, it's been about 3 months, but it felt like only yesterday I was there once I got going.
Was great to see my training partners again, and also to test my cardio, which held up surprisingly well!

Food wise, I was aiming for maintenance calories (around 2700) with not too much focus on on macros (just try to get a minimum of 100g protein.

- Homemade Spaghetti carbonara with chicken.
- 2 Homemade lean beef burgers in Bagles, with cheese and candied bacon.
- Protein Shake x2 and a banana pre BJJ.
- 200ml Peanut Butter crunch ice cream

No pics, was too hungry!!

Sunday was gym day, broke my 16hr fast with a large bowl of low sugar cereal, a Banoffee whey protein shake, and of course, coffee!!

Hit a new PB on both 'Bench Press' and 'Deadlifts', so a successful day in the 'Iron office'!

Went round my sisters to play with my nieces (burn those extra calories) and had a large serving of Spaghetti Bolognese with Garlic bread!! Had to estimate calories, something I hate to do, but I realise if I want to eat outside of my own kitchen, there is an element of guesstimating to be done.

Once home, more Ice cream...estimated my calories to be around 2900 (was aiming for roughly 3,300) no idea on my macros, but Protein levels were most certainly exceeded.

We have a weekly weigh in tracker at work which I started beginning of last year, and tomorrow is weigh in day, so hoping to hit my weekly target loss of around 1lb.

Low carb/calories day today, but some good food to come, and maybe some pics :D

Syn.
 
Tasty lunch was tasty!

- 3 x BBQ Chicken legs
- 2 x Cheesetrings
- 1oz Pork rinds
- Hickory Turkey breast

Total: 675 cal, 3g carbs, 31g fat and 84g protein.

Big Chicken Salad for tea, so not too upset with the lack of fibre/greens so far today!

Got the new lady friend coming round tomorrow night, plus it's my high carb/calories gym day, so decided to get pizzas in, and more ice cream!

Also, getting an ice cream maker off my sister for an early B/day present..I think I now officially fall into the 'addict' category :)

Syn
 
Thank you little_star :)

I'll try to make it as entertaining as possible, but unfortunately a life of dieting and exercising is far from thrilling!!

Glad to have you on board, thanks for your support :seeya:
 
You know that overweight people see you eating ice cream and they say "That guy's lucky, he can eat ice cream and still be thin!". Oh if they only knew. You are my inspiration to assume that every thin person I see eating unhealthy foods has to bust their butts to do it.

With enough hard work and time, one day I'll be "lucky" too.
 
You know that overweight people see you eating ice cream and they say "That guy's lucky, he can eat ice cream and still be thin!". Oh if they only knew. You are my inspiration to assume that every thin person I see eating unhealthy foods has to bust their butts to do it.

Having seen this from both sides..I understand exactly what you mean!!

It's all about Calories in vs Calories out.

I never gave up bread, pasta, chocolate, Ice cream!! and still managed to lose weight.

Now, is eating ice cream every day a good thing? Probably not, no. Is having a small amount that fits into your macro's once, twice a week a good thing? For me, the answer is yes. I couldn't imagine eating ONLY lean meats, nuts and steamed veg EVERY day..for me, it just wouldn't work..it DIDN'T work the many times I tried.

You need to find what works for you, and again, aslong as IFYM (It fits your macros) then do it.

Don't get me wrong..I eat ALOT of salads, veg, lean meats and healthy fats..but I also eat Ice cream..like a boss :)

With enough hard work and time, one day I'll be "lucky" too.

You won't be lucky, you'll be REWARDED for all the hard work and effort you put in, and I have every faith that you can do this..you ARE doing this.

Syn.
 
Amazing salad for tea..simple yet filling:

Piri Piri chicken, Spinach, Tomato's and red Bell Pepper, with a creamy ceaser sauce (need that Fat on a low carb day!) finished with a poached egg :D

View attachment 19792

Peanut Butter and Banoffee whey 'Sludge' for 'dessert'.

View attachment 19793

Daily total:

1597 cal
29 carbs
89 fat
167 protein

Perfect.

Syn.
 
Weigh in Day: Week 3

So today was week 3 of the 'Weigh ins' we do at my work.

Start: 204lbs

Week 1: 202.2 (-1.8lbs)
Week 2: 201.0 (-1.2lbs)
Week 3: 199.6 (-1.4lbs)

Total loss: 4.4lbs

Broke the 200lb barrier (again)..couldn't be happier :)

Gonna aim for another 5lbs or so, then re-asses my goal, and see if it's time to start a lean bulk.

Today is gym day, consisting of Squats/Over Head Press/BB rows/Core and Chin ups.

And as it's gym day, it's also my high carb/calorie day :D

I'll break my fast around 12:

- BBQ Turkey sandwich on wheat bread x2
- BBQ Chicken leg
- Apple
- Rice cake with Nutella x3

Standard Pre workout:

- Banana
- Banoffee whey shake

Post workout FEAST:

- Whole Pepperoni pizza (about 10")
- Oven fries
- Chocolate Pop Tarts x2
- Peanut Butter Ice cream
- Small Banoffee whey shake with 1% milk

Daily total:

3,320 cal
435 carbs
94 fat
166 protein

A little bit high on fat, but a little under on total calories, so not too concerned.

Hoping for a new 'PB' on the Over Head Press, and possibly mixing up squats to lower weight/higher reps.

I can feel the burn already :ack2:

Syn.
 
The lifting routine sounds like Starting Strength. I approve. You should put your numbers up. I'll be getting back to power lifting one of these days. So far I just do a little deadlifting once in a blue moon.
 
The lifting routine sounds like Starting Strength. I approve.

You would be correct sir!

I dabbled with several different set ups over the years, no wonder I never really 'progressed'!

You should put your numbers up. I'll be getting back to power lifting one of these days. So far I just do a little deadlifting once in a blue moon.

My numbers are pathetic..but their mine, and I accept them. As I'm 'cutting' I'm focusing more on form and lifting at least what I have been, although i have increased a couple of my lifts, albeit by small amounts!

I will no doubt post numbers when I focus on my lean bulk, it'll be more important then than it is now :)

Good luck getting back into Power Lifting, a nice 'fitness goal' to aim for!

I love Deadlifts..they ruin me every time! :D

Syn.
 
Wow what a journey thus far - you have done amazing and you look like a different person. We'll be here to support you on the rest of your journey to achieve your goal weight.

U really doing fab !! Keep it up!
 
Hey thanks for stopping by my diary.
Awesome job on the weight loss! You look great! You got lucky with that NHS surgery.

I agree with you about not giving up ice cream, chocolate etc (I am eating a piece of dark choco heaven right now) It's all about portion control for me - as well as burning the calories in the gym :D

Good luck with getting into shape!
 
Wow what a journey thus far - you have done amazing and you look like a different person. We'll be here to support you on the rest of your journey to achieve your goal weight.

U really doing fab !! Keep it up!

Thanks Mands,

Appreciate you stopping by and your kind words! :)

Need as much support as possible, so good to know you're on board :D

Syn.
 
Hey thanks for stopping by my diary.
Awesome job on the weight loss! You look great! You got lucky with that NHS surgery.

Hi Justina, my pleasure, will be checking in regularly :)

I got VERY lucky, there was a period of about 2-3 months where I was seeing my GP and hoping for a referral, and then once he did refer me to the Hospital, I had an anxious 2 month wait before they agreed to do the surgery..needless to say, was extremely happy when i found out, and celebrated with a Chinese Takeaway! (some things never change) :D

I agree with you about not giving up ice cream, chocolate etc (I am eating a piece of dark choco heaven right now) It's all about portion control for me - as well as burning the calories in the gym

I *sometimes* feel guilty about the food I eat, but you're right, with portion control and staying within your calories, there's absolutely no need to cut out the food you like completely, aslong as your diet overall is balanced of course.

Good luck with getting into shape!

Thank you, and thanks for stopping by :)

Syn.
 
Pretty sure I'm coming down with some sort of man-flu/cold :ack2:

I blame the missus, she's been 'on deaths door' for a few days now.

Didn't have the greatest workout yesterday, certainly was nowhere near obtaining any new PB's, but a cruddy workout is better than no workout at all..right?

Day off the gym today, so low carb/calories.

Food will be the same as Monday, so nothing exciting to report there.

Found a link to the Doc 'I want to look like that guy', so will probably re-watch at lunchtime, not in the mood to be wondering about the city looking and feeling like a zombie.

Not back at the gym till Friday, so hopefully with the assistance of lots of drugs, I'll be back to normal(ish).

Syn.
 
My willpower was tested HARD last night.

For some reason I was absolutely ravenous all day yesterday, and last night I was craving, in particular, cupcakes of all things.

Also, I was round a friends house most of the evening, a friend who was drinking..drinking delicious, delicious ale. But, I did not falter, so a tick in the 'winning' box for sure.

Feels good.

Syn.
 
Hunger levels have been more than manageable today, especially compared to yesterday.

Broke my fast at 12:00

- Pork Rinds
- Cheese
- Rice cake with P/B
- Banoffee Whey Protein shake
- BBQ Chicken legs

Dinner:

- Quorn Chicken style pieces
- Mushrooms
- peppers
- spinach
- Sour cream with chives
- small bowl of Peanut Butter Ice Cream (still to come :))

View attachment 19809

Daily Totals:

1,663 cal
67g carbs (net 58g)
76g fat
158g pro

A little low on Protein and Fat, and a little high on Carbs, but not a bad day food wise.

Only exercise was my usual 3 mile walk home.

Gym tomorrow..which means food..which means happy :D

Syn.
 
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