(01-05-2023, 09:36 AM)Caldrac Wrote: Weight loss used to be my go to resolution but I have really cleaned that up over the last two, almost three years since my Son's birth. Was 310 pounds a week after he was born. Weighed 241 this past Monday. That's with fluctuation of course with up's and down's around binge eating and holiday's.

However, I will say this. For anybody looking to lose weight. Two things have worked for me in particular after many years of off and on diet specific trends, etc. I did Keto, I did Paleo, I did Vegan, I did Vegetarian, I did Atkins, I did the Blood Type Diet, etc.

None of that was sustainable for me over the long haul. What did work for me was:

1. Fasting
2. Calorie Counting

That's about it. I started off with fasting 16 hours between my first and last meal, then, I gradually got up to 18 hours, then 20 hours. Now my average is basically 20 - 22 hours between my first and last meal. Essentially OMAD (One meal a day) where I eat whatever I desire. Could be a few pieces of pizza, some Ben and Jerry's, maybe a sandwich and some chips. Just as long as it fits my daily caloric allowance of 2,200 calories per day.

I now do a 36 hour fast every week. Essentially I stop eating on a Wednesday night, go all day Thursday not eating and then break my 36 hour fast (in some cases, I can go even longer if needed) on Friday morning. That 36 hour fast is enlightening for me. Really allowed me to focus on my body and hone in on how it was responding to specific foods. My gut cleans up really well and turns everything into [BLEEP] pretty quickly so you learn the do's and don't post 36 hour fast real FAST.

That's my goal though. I need to stay right at or under 2,200 calories per day in order to average 1 pound of loss per week to hit my goal of 225 pounds. I do next to nothing in cardio. I like weight lifting which I do on a 2 days on, 1 day off rotation. Incorporating dumbbell work on one day for each muscle group and then heavier, compound movements for strength training.

It works. At least for me. This year the goal is to stay within those same guidelines but just clean up the food I am putting into my body daily. Instead of ben and jerry's let's aim for more fruit or yogurt. Instead of processed stuff just try and keep it simple on my end.

You mentioned calorie counting.  I’ve done that in the past.  I’m not “overweight” but I’ve done this a few times in the past.  It worked for me really well.  I’d actually write down what I ate and the calories.  Some may be surprised to know how few you can eat while still not starving.  Plus having a visual reference to where you stand lets you know you’re heading in the right direction.  I always needed out and did the math 3500/lb stuff.  I’d lose more than what’s recommended but it works.

Me personally, I drink my calories.  The times I quit, I drop it fast.  I drink mostly water all day every day, some unsweetened tea and a diet soda.  The beer however… is not zero cal.

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