Weight Loss Goal: Question...

ChefChiTown

New member
Hi everybody. I'm new to the forum. I joined not too long ago. Anyway, I've been browsing the site and it seems like this is the most appropriate section to post this in...

There is a lot to the reason "why" I'm not starting my trek towards weight loss at this very instant, but I won't go into that here. Within the next few weeks I plan on starting a weight loss regimine and I was hoping that somebody could answer a question for me, or just offer up some advice.

I am 5' 7". I don't know exactly how much I weigh, as I don't own a scale, but I would estimate that I weigh around 240-250 lbs. I have a wedding that I have to go to in September, on the 19th. I am in the wedding party and I don't want to be a fat slob while the wedding is going on and a bunch of pretty women are looking at me, holding back their vomit.

I plan on running at least 5 days per week and working out (weight training) 3 days a week. My usual weight, the weight I want to get back down to, is around 190-200 lbs. So, my question is...

Do you think it is reasonable to lose 40-50 lbs between March and September, AKA - 6 months?

If anybody has been in a similar situation, I would be extremely grateful for any advice.

Thanks.
 
1 percent of your body weight a week is a reasonable goal...

and just for the record, being seen as a slob has little to do with weight but more to do with how you carry yourself and how you present yourself... Stand up straight, dress nicely, brush your teeth and you will charm the bridesmaids...

since i'm already lecturing... do spend some time reading around the forum - there's lots of nutrition advice and workout advice that will help you get to your goal and stay there.
 
Sure it is, sounds alright. at 2lb a week over 26 weeks thats 50lb. (this is providing you also check the diet)
You might want to vary the exercise a bit so you dont get bored.

But do recall that diet is a key factor to weight loss, you cant do it with just exercise alone (this is where it pays to read the sticky threads which explain this better).

Good luck to you on your journey.
 
hey,

well i dont think its impossible. But it is going to take a lot of work and dedication.

I plan on running at least 5 days per week and working out (weight training) 3 days a week.

Im not trying to be rude but that goal very vage. Instead try plannig out your routine differently.. EX..

Mon - 45 minutes of cardio and 35-45 minutes of upper body training.

Tues - 45 Minutes of cardio and 35-45 minutes of lower body training.

Ect....

If you can try and workout each body part seperately.

chest and back

bi's and tri's

legs and shoulders

This will help your muscles tone up easier, and also give them time to rest which is very important.

Now, with losing that much weight its going to really come down to your diet.

So, that is the first thing to plan.....If you just say Im going to eat healthy 6 days a week you will fail. Instead try and sit down on sunday and put together all your meals for the coming week. This will help you stay on track and not cheat. If you dont plan your meals, you get busy and have to settle for whatever you can eat...This is bad...'

So, i dont think that its impossible, but you need to plan out a good work out regime, and a good diet plan to follow...

If you need any help with a routine let me know!
 
I think you are refering to weight workouts only BigTex, where as doing cardio 5 days a week is perfectly acceptable as well as the weights :)
 
I think you are refering to weight workouts only BigTex, where as doing cardio 5 days a week is perfectly acceptable as well as the weights :)


Hey! Yes mostly...I do think you need to do cardio 3-5 times a week, but it is also very important to split up your resistance routine as well..
 
Thanks for the advice so far everyone.

Hey! Yes mostly...I do think you need to do cardio 3-5 times a week, but it is also very important to split up your resistance routine as well..

I haven't had a strict weight lifting routine in years, but when I did, I would usually do the following...

Monday and Friday

Light weight training
4 sets of 12 reps for each exercise*
50% of max out weight for 1st set
55% of max out weight for 2nd set
60% of max out weight for 3rd set
65% of max out weight for 4th set

Wednesday

Heavy weight training
3 sets of 6-8 reps for each exercise*
70% of max out weight for 1st set
80% of max our weight for 2nd set
90% of max out weight for 3rd set

*(bench press, inverted bench press, lat pulls - to chest, lat pulls - to back of neck, sitting bicep curls, tricep extensions, hamstring curls, lunges, leg extensions, push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts)

I plan on doing the same sort of routine, but I'll obviously mix and change things around as I find out what is working best for me.
 
Why are you ramping up % of 1rm each set like that?

When I used to play baseball, that was what my trainer had me do. A lot of people have asked me that same question though. It was what my trainer told me to do and it worked for me.

I'm lucky, in the sense that I can build up muscle and strength very, very fast. So, with that routine, I can add a ton of muscle and strength within the first 2 months. Also, when I combine that routine with running, I cut weight really fast.

During my senior year in high school, I lost around 35 lbs in 2 months, just from keeping on that routine. Obviously, I'm not 17 anymore, but I'm hopeful it will work again. Maybe not as well as it used to, but I'm still hopeful.
 
It is not how I'd structure things if I were lifting for muscle preservation while dieting.

In fact, it's not how I'd structure things ever.
 
It is not how I'd structure things if I were lifting for muscle preservation while dieting.

In fact, it's not how I'd structure things ever.

Im with Steve on this one....

When I did my bodybuilding comp and I was in the last 6 weeks of my diet, you can't buuld muscle. So, I was sticking between 15-20 reps for each exercise I was doing and really focus on the contraction.

I know your case is a bit different, but it allowed me to have better definition, and I felt like I kept most of my mass
 
The point is a certain threshold of intensity must be applied to the muscle to force positive adaptation.

Said adaptation in the context of eating enough calories = growth

Said adaptation in the context of dieting = muscle maintenance

Spending a bunch of time below that intensity (which you're doing) only stands to fatigue you for the sets that actually count, ie, the ones at or above said threshold.

That's why I wouldn't structure things like that.

This doesn't mean it won't work. Anything works, and most things in spite of why you think they're working.

But it certainly means it's not optimal.
 
Well said Steve... You know your stuff

To build on this topic....Your body will always change and what works for everyone else might not work for you.

You should always change your routine up. This will encourage weight loss/muscle growth, and help you with a plateau.

Its all about experimenting.
 
Its all about experimenting.

Experiment? Like a college girl? :rofl:

No, but seriously, thanks for the input guys. I'm going to start off the way that I did before, but I do plan on changing things up as time progresses. My body isn't the same as it was when I was still 17 and I know that. I've been looking into different exercises that I can do, which will stimulate the same muscle groups, but keep me from getting stuck in a boring routine.

Plus, I've heard from a lot of different people that keeping a routine is great, but varying my exercises will be a lot better for me.
 
Well said Steve... You know your stuff

To build on this topic....Your body will always change and what works for everyone else might not work for you.

You should always change your routine up. This will encourage weight loss/muscle growth, and help you with a plateau.

Its all about experimenting.

In truth, I think far too many people change their routines up for the simple sake of changing and nothing else, which nets in a limiting force on progress.

Change should be linked to bodily feedback.

And I'm not sure of change in itself encouraging weight loss.
 
Back
Top