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traineo Community / Before & After Gallery / 80lbs. (almost) lost...6 pack is next!
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Nathan P.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 498
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 # Posted: 15 Dec 2006 17:19 - Edited by: PozzSka


I started out at 305 last Christmas. This Christmas (10 days from now) I hope to be 225. 80lbs. in 1 year. I feel pretty good about that, and I feel just plain good (better). Still want to lower my BF% and lose the love handles (damn things just won't go away).

(Scott red handed has asked twice now for these so here you go scott.)





Jennie W
Fitness Guru
Posts: 477
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 # Posted: 15 Dec 2006 17:46


Nathan,

You look great! Mind sharing with some of us the techniques that really worked for you and the ones that didn't? Again, congratulations!

Jennie
Brandon Wood
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 160
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 # Posted: 15 Dec 2006 18:12


That is great Nathan, your transformation is pretty amazing. Congrats on what you have lost so far, and good luck with what you still hope to lose!
Heather Madrone
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 137
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 # Posted: 15 Dec 2006 18:31


Great work, Nathan. I hope I look as good as you do next year this time!

How did you stick with it over the long haul?
Nathan P.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 498
Post History
 # Posted: 15 Dec 2006 18:33 - Edited by: PozzSka


Thanks a lot!

Eat Less, Exercise more! (basically)

I ate less carbs (very low to start, only meat and veggies), then the more weight I lost, I started eating more complex carbs, now I eat a pretty balanced diet. 40/40/20 (protein/carb/fat).

I started doing more cardio (4-7 days a week), and started lifting again (3-5 days a week).

I also picked up the intensity of my Kung Fu and Tai Chi workouts (if anyone ever tells you tai chi is easy you send them my way).

What didn't work was eating a lot, sitting around, making excuses...it's definitely as much a psychological change as physical. I like to think I'm mentally strong, so logically thinking about things really helped me stick to it. We all know that healthily you're not going to lose more than 2lbs./week (generally), so when I only lost 1 I didn't get mad, I logically and scientifically knew that that was normal and good. So that made it easier. The other thing I didn't was started reading a lot. I read every topic of exercise I could, I subscribed to a couple magazines to get more info from them, I started asking a lot of questions to whomever could ansewr. The knowledge helped me understand what was going on.

Thanks again!
K M
Fitness Guru
Posts: 392
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 # Posted: 15 Dec 2006 19:23


Great Job! Keep on Keeping on.
Dave O
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 159
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 # Posted: 16 Dec 2006 01:56 - Edited by: zap120


Way to show us! I'm going to the gym!

Keep losing!

Dave
Leo -
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 113
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 # Posted: 16 Dec 2006 04:06


Good work Nathan!
Felinesleek Cat
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 86
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 # Posted: 16 Dec 2006 07:25


Congratulations. Love handles? You forgot to include them in your pictures!
Not visible to me!
But if you want to get leaner, I won't discourage you.
Your way to fitness sounds sensible, realistic and maintainable. Good for you!
NYCinephile .
Fitness Guru
Posts: 328
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 # Posted: 16 Dec 2006 12:14 - Edited by: NYCinephile


@Nathan: I'm joining the chorus in congratulating you! I invite you to document your progress in our Train(eo)ing for Fitness Flickr Group.
Fred L
Fitness Guru
Posts: 753
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 # Posted: 16 Dec 2006 14:56


Congrats Nathan! That is awesome!
Jessie A.
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 97
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 # Posted: 17 Dec 2006 15:27


Awesome! Very impressive. I agree that it has lots to do with mind set. That's one thing I have working for me at least. I have a crazy amount of willpower...once I say "I'm not going to eat so and so anymore", (in my case alcohol, soda, junk food and chocolate) I keep it out of the house and don't give in to temptation when I'm out. It's stories like yours that keep me motivated. So...thanks! And congrats! Keep it up!
Nathan P.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 498
Post History
 # Posted: 18 Dec 2006 19:30


I really appreciate everyone's comments. This site has helped me a lot the last 2 months. I've learned a lot here, and definitely feel like I'm not the only perosn trying to do what it is that we do. Thanks again.
Alissa Bush
traineo Newbie
Posts: 9
Post History
 # Posted: 19 Feb 2007 06:39


Quoting: PozzSka
What didn't work was eating a lot, sitting around, making excuses...it's definitely as much a psychological change as physical. I like to think I'm mentally strong, so logically thinking about things really helped me stick to it. We all know that healthily you're not going to lose more than 2lbs./week (generally), so when I only lost 1 I didn't get mad, I logically and scientifically knew that that was normal and good. So that made it easier. The other thing I didn't was started reading a lot. I read every topic of exercise I could, I subscribed to a couple magazines to get more info from them, I started asking a lot of questions to whomever could ansewr. The knowledge helped me understand what was going on.



Very motivational paragraph and just what I needed to hear. I struggle in the self-control department for sure. I know this diet/life style change is different for me because I am attacking my mind set just as much as I am the work outs and what I eat! Nathan your pictures are awesome!!! Congratulations!... can't wait to see the six pack! I know with that attitude YOU WILL GET THERE!

Alissa
John Stephens
traineo Regular
Posts: 57
Post History
 # Posted: 19 Feb 2007 14:30


way to go nathan! outstanding progress man.
Joann R
traineo Regular
Posts: 34
Post History
 # Posted: 19 Feb 2007 16:58


Nathan~ I've appreciated alot of your posts, and I admire your dedication towards you goal, I'm new to this site and I've really needed to find some support on my journey as well, thanks for the encouragement


Julie Scott
traineo Newbie
Posts: 1
Post History
 # Posted: 19 Feb 2007 17:44


The mental side of motivation and sticking to this is most challenging for me. . It's scarry too. I really want my old body back, and i know that sitting on the couch is NOT going tomake it happen for me... but it IS still hard.

I feel almost like an alcoholic must feel with the booze... but for me it's chips and chocolate.. on and off.... I need YOUR help.... to get to the goal, Iknow I can, IF I exercise every day.. so help me out..ALL OF YOU, Please


Fred L
Fitness Guru
Posts: 753
Post History
 # Posted: 19 Feb 2007 18:39 - Edited by: bigmex44


Julie, welcome! I have always said that overeating or being overweight is similar in some ways to being an alcoholic.

You will see that when you lose the weight that you will still be challenged on a DAILY basis to say no to the bad foods. You will still have people ask you to have some donuts at the office. They will tell you look great and not care by insisting you have to have some great donuts. Do you think they would ask a recovering alcoholic to have a glass of beer?

Nathan, where are the updated pics? Looks like the you have fans asking to see the 6 pack and an update on the guns!
Jack B.
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 105
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 # Posted: 19 Feb 2007 19:45


Nathan:

You, sir, rock.

Keep up the fantastic work.
Nathan P.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 498
Post History
 # Posted: 20 Feb 2007 17:48


6 pack is a bout 3 months away. Getting married June 1st, and the goal is to have my 6 pack by then.

I recently started trying to put on some muscle mass, so I've been eating a lot. 6 pack won't show through that, but I can still see my upper abs just a little so I know that with the 14 pounds I've gained, not all of it is fat, so we'll see.

I'm going to start a "cutting" period (i guess that's what I'll call it) probably around end of march or middle of april. Depending on how i feel my "bulking" progress is going. Then i'll pick it up and strip the fat away and do my best to have that sixer by june 1st.

Thanks, you're welcome, good luck to you too, and "whatever other responses that I missed here".
x ss
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 174
Post History
 # Posted: 20 Feb 2007 18:05


Congrats to you! I had a total of 80 lbs. to lose starting last July, so I still have a long way to go.

Just curious -- losing that much weight per month, did you find you were losing a lot of muscle mass as well? Or were you able to keep your muscle mass relatively stable through weight training?
Aaron Freeman
traineo Regular
Posts: 35
Post History
 # Posted: 20 Feb 2007 19:48


Out of curiousity, how tall are you?

Im 6'3" and the same weight as you and don't look anywhere near that. I think at best I would need to lose another 30lb to reach where you are.
Kamal Gautam
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 92
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 # Posted: 20 Feb 2007 23:16


That's awesome, Nathan, congrats on your progress!
Nathan P.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 498
Post History
 # Posted: 21 Feb 2007 15:53


I ws losing the 1-2 lbs. per week, so i don't think I lost too much muscle mass, but also I was sick about a month before those pics were taken, and I had lost 12 pounds in 14 days, that was definitely muscle. Before that I was definitely a little more muscular.

I wish I had taken the pics before I got sick, but that didnt happen, so we'll see.

I'm 6'6" and in that pic like 230 or so.

Right now as I said I'm trying to put on some muscle, and I have, I have a lttle more muscle mass than in those pics now. So I'll bulk for another month to month and a half, and then start to cut for my wedding. Then I'll probably go back to a bulk after that and try to add some muscle mass while minimizing fat gain. I haven't figured that out yet, I'm either going to use a very specifc diet at very specific calories or use a carb cycling diet that I don't fully understand yet. i'll keep you updated.
Aoife Hammersmith
Fitness Guru
Posts: 254
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 # Posted: 21 Feb 2007 18:23


CKDs are usually brutal, but most people seem to find them effective. Mostly brutal though. Like, noone wants to be around your grouchy ass kind of brutal. So uh, if that's your choice, have fun with that.


You could prolly get some good input at places like jpfitness.com or precisionnutrition.com (though you need to have bought Berardi's stuff to get on that forum) that's solid without being too crazy.
(or t-nation or bodybuilding.com but I know you know about them so...)
Nathan P.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 498
Post History
 # Posted: 22 Feb 2007 15:55


Yeah I've got pretty good ideas right, I just have to wait to implement them, and hope it goes well.
Shen D
traineo Newbie
Posts: 17
Post History
 # Posted: 22 Feb 2007 17:08


Although I'm a bit heavier, and a lot shorter (5'10), I'm 323 now...I hope by next year I can say I dropped 80lbs. You are truly an inspiration sir. I just gotta make sure I stick with it, and dont get discouraged.
Fred L
Fitness Guru
Posts: 753
Post History
 # Posted: 22 Feb 2007 17:31


Quoting: AoifeFey
CKDs are usually brutal, but most people seem to find them effective. Mostly brutal though. Like, noone wants to be around your grouchy ass kind of brutal. So uh, if that's your choice, have fun with that.


Haven't you seen some of his posts on "toning"? I think he is there already.

J/K Nathan!


Nathan P.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 498
Post History
 # Posted: 23 Feb 2007 17:11


I used to get reall grouchy when i frist started I think it was sugar withdrawl, but now I can eat what I want when I want. NOt meaning I can eat everything, but if my goal is to gain weight, I eat 4 whole food meals a day, and two big protein shakes a day totalling 3500 calories. If I want to lose I eat the same 4 meals and 2 or 3 shakes totalling 2000 calories.
I'm past the food now, it is just one more thing to accomplish my goal, I do what I gots to do.

Pshaw...toning...
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