uemuramaiku
New member
First, let me begin by apologizing, I did not know where the best place to post this thread was, but this seemed like the most neutral of places in the forum.
Second, a little about myself. In 2012, I lost 115 pounds. I went from a little over 300 pounds down to around the mid-180's, in a relatively short amount of time (from Feb 2012 to August 2012). This was accomplished through exercise and diet, NOT SURGERY. I'm male, age 43. I was overweight for quite some time, at least since my late 20's. I've gained lots of weight in the past, and lost lots of weight (teens and early 20's). This time I found the key, which was my soda habit. No more soda, no more weight gain. Since 2012 I've maintained my weight loss, I go to the gym about 4 times a week to do cardio (1 hour sessions, burning approximately 650 calories each session). I eat less than 2000 calories a day, approximately 1600 calories is my daily allotment. I went from a size 44 pant, to a size 33. Shirts went from XXL to L (sometimes medium, depending on brand/fit). Even things like shoe size changed.
My dilemma now is this: I feel that I've come so far, but things seem out of reach for me. I would like 6 pack abs. My doctor seems to think I would need skin removal surgery for that to happen. As it stands now I still have some belly fat, but I can see the beginnings of a "V" shaped torso. Whenever I tell my doctor about any of this, his answer is always surgery. I'm disinclined to believe him. Other people tell me I should just be happy where I'm at, which is all good and fine philosophically, but that does not give me a body that I envisioned I would have when I began this journey. Although my outward appearance has changed radically (clothed) I'm not happy by who I see in the mirror. I would like some tight, solid muscles. I go weight training, and do it for a while, then quit, because I never see any outstanding results. I've done crunchs, situps, planks, to no avail. Things feel solid in the middle when I tighten up the muscles, but let's face it, you can't see it on the outside. I'd even be happy if I could just have a flat stomach, but right now I have this quasi-slightish-muffin top that persists.
So I've consulted with doctors, personal trainers, and honestly, get different answers from both. What I want to know is this: At age 43, given the above, what are my realistic expectations for having a gym body? I mean a toned, muscled body with minimal skin hanging/flapping? I feel like I need to find a place where I can go and have a consultation by a panel of people: plastic surgeon, doctor, nutritionist, physical therapist, personal trainer, dermatologist; but where is this place? Does it exist? I need a real assessment so I know what to expect and what to do. I can read all the books I want, I can listen to all the friendly philosophizing, or personal trainers who just want to make a buck, and even the doctors that want to make a buck. But that doesn't help me. I need to know what the realistic expectations I should have, and that I can accomplish them within a reasonable amount of time. I do not want gigantic, bulging muscles, I just want definition, and I want it within a reasonable amount of time, and I want to know that it's doable. Where can I go to get this assessment? Does anyone have a clinic or type of clinic that I should be searching for? I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Second, a little about myself. In 2012, I lost 115 pounds. I went from a little over 300 pounds down to around the mid-180's, in a relatively short amount of time (from Feb 2012 to August 2012). This was accomplished through exercise and diet, NOT SURGERY. I'm male, age 43. I was overweight for quite some time, at least since my late 20's. I've gained lots of weight in the past, and lost lots of weight (teens and early 20's). This time I found the key, which was my soda habit. No more soda, no more weight gain. Since 2012 I've maintained my weight loss, I go to the gym about 4 times a week to do cardio (1 hour sessions, burning approximately 650 calories each session). I eat less than 2000 calories a day, approximately 1600 calories is my daily allotment. I went from a size 44 pant, to a size 33. Shirts went from XXL to L (sometimes medium, depending on brand/fit). Even things like shoe size changed.
My dilemma now is this: I feel that I've come so far, but things seem out of reach for me. I would like 6 pack abs. My doctor seems to think I would need skin removal surgery for that to happen. As it stands now I still have some belly fat, but I can see the beginnings of a "V" shaped torso. Whenever I tell my doctor about any of this, his answer is always surgery. I'm disinclined to believe him. Other people tell me I should just be happy where I'm at, which is all good and fine philosophically, but that does not give me a body that I envisioned I would have when I began this journey. Although my outward appearance has changed radically (clothed) I'm not happy by who I see in the mirror. I would like some tight, solid muscles. I go weight training, and do it for a while, then quit, because I never see any outstanding results. I've done crunchs, situps, planks, to no avail. Things feel solid in the middle when I tighten up the muscles, but let's face it, you can't see it on the outside. I'd even be happy if I could just have a flat stomach, but right now I have this quasi-slightish-muffin top that persists.
So I've consulted with doctors, personal trainers, and honestly, get different answers from both. What I want to know is this: At age 43, given the above, what are my realistic expectations for having a gym body? I mean a toned, muscled body with minimal skin hanging/flapping? I feel like I need to find a place where I can go and have a consultation by a panel of people: plastic surgeon, doctor, nutritionist, physical therapist, personal trainer, dermatologist; but where is this place? Does it exist? I need a real assessment so I know what to expect and what to do. I can read all the books I want, I can listen to all the friendly philosophizing, or personal trainers who just want to make a buck, and even the doctors that want to make a buck. But that doesn't help me. I need to know what the realistic expectations I should have, and that I can accomplish them within a reasonable amount of time. I do not want gigantic, bulging muscles, I just want definition, and I want it within a reasonable amount of time, and I want to know that it's doable. Where can I go to get this assessment? Does anyone have a clinic or type of clinic that I should be searching for? I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area.