Matt said just what I was going to say.
You gain weight in the midsection and then it disperses outwardly from there. When it comes off, it goes in reverse.

So, your stomach may be the last place you notice a change.

I've used Jay Robb's before. It was actually pretty tasty, but at the time my diet wasn't clean so I didn't see the benefits.

I currently use Nitrean protein, but I usually only have a drink just before an intense cardio session.

@ Stina, I lift hard-heavy, like the boys in the gym and burn more fat, because I have more muscle. Before gaining weight, I always lifted heavy and was very thin. There is nothing about me that is masculine either

Damn good job!!! You look fabulous!

Curious, how long did it take?

Mike, you've already done one heck of a job, losing 48#.
You know, the closer you get to the finish line, the harder it gets to cross it. Just stick to the plan and you'll get the rest off!

HIT Day 1

Due to the exertion headaches, I had to pull back from doing HIT for a little bit. Hence, my need to start over. Ironically, I can see the positive feedback in such a short time.

Leg Curl:
DAY 1 - 50 x 12

Leg-Extension:
DAY 1 - 90 x 11

Leg Press:
DAY 1 - 190 x 11 *up 5% from first attempt at HIT

Seated Calf Raises:
DAY 1 - 55 x 15 +

Bench Press:
DAY 1 - 50 x 11

Bent-over row:
DAY 1 - 30 x 12 *need to have someone check my form

Later raise w/db:
DAY 1 - 15 x 8

Bent-arm fly with d/b:
DAY 1 - 10 x 10

Overhead Press:
DAY 1 - 50 x 11

Triceps extensions:
DAY 1 - 20 x 10 *lower than initial start*

Biceps curls w/barbell:
DAY 1 - 40 x 12 *up 25% from initial start*

Trunk Curls:
DAY 1 - 15
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On September 8th, I officially walked into my gym to work out for the first time in years.

The results? I'm about 40lbs lighter. My next goal was to weigh in at 134.4 by Jan. 8th, exactly 4 months after starting. However, I think that I may actually beat that goal, as I'm only .5 lbs away from that goal today.

I have more energy. I can get into some of my old clothing. I can eat food without feeling like I need to purge *still have food issues, but at least I don't throw it up anymore*

I went from a size 16 to a size 8 and can even wear some of my old size 6's.

My resolutions?

I have adopted a new lifestyle. Although, I had been a vegetarian, I find that my body responds well to lean protein. So, I'll continue eating clean, with occasional cheats.

I'll continue working hard in the gym.

I will do my best to encourage any and everyone who needs help.

I will set a positive, healthy example for my rascal.

Lastly, I'll get the last 10 pounds off asap, because I know how to do it know, without starving.

To all of you who have encouraged me, thank you!!

Alas, I broke my plateau yesterday. I lost 2lbs.

But then...we went to DH's Christmas dinner. Thank GOD it was a meat-fest. There was meat from just about every animal one could think of, cooked in just about every way one could imagine YUMMMY!!

I skipped desert and prayed that the scale didn't jump too high this morning. It did go up a wee bit, but I'm still under my plateau.

I did HIT today. I have to increase the weights on just about every exercise.

Yesterday was a monumental day for me.

It was my birthday and I lost almost a much weight as my son currently weighs.

I did my first re-feed on Wed. It made me nervous. I was advised to eat cake, pasta, bread, all of the things that I have sworn off.

I felt bloated *as predicted* for the next day or two, but I am expected to break my plateau by Monday or Tuesday...we'll see.

As for my workouts, I'm still doing HIT and actually like it a lot now. I'm still spinning like a mad woman and see that my stamina has increased greatly.

Prior to spinning, I was unable to last 5 minutes on the stairmaster. Today, I missed the first spinning class, didn't want to stand around doing nothing, so hopped on the stairmaster. I did an easy 20 minutes of interval training on the machine without even batting an eye.

Leg curl 50 x 12
Leg extension 75 x ? *this exercise has been causing me major exertion headaches
Leg Press - 180 x 12
Straight Arm Pullover - 20 x 12
Bench Press - 55 x 8
Bent-Over Row - 40 x 12
Overhead Press - 15 x 11
Biceps Curls 40 x 12
Triceps extensions - 20 x 12
Standing Calf Raises - 75 x 12
Trunk curls - 12 <10/5 cadence>

3 consecutive spinning classes

Workout - First Day of HIT



Um...I'm sore already



Leg Curl 60 x 7



Leg-Extension 90 x 12



Leg Press 180 x 10



Straight 20 x 12

arm Pullover



Bench Press 50 x 12



Bent-over row 40 x 15



Overhead Press 20 x 8



Biceps Curls 40 x 10



Triceps 20 x 16

extensions



Standing Calf 90 x 12

Raises



Trunk Curls 50





Diet

No carb day

My final is over. WooHoo!!!



So, here's the plan.

Monday, I'm going to weigh-in, take measurements and start HIT.



I don't think that I'll be on the scale after that, until the end of Jan, but we'll see.

My final is on Friday, then...it's ON!!

I'm going to do my best, anything within my power, to cut the last 15lbs, while building muscle.



Anyway...



Workout



I got a little anxious, wanted to try HIT today, although I won't be officially starting until Monday. I followed the beginner's 2-week program, verbatim and felt spent when it was over.



Leg extension - 40 each leg x 8

Leg Curls - 40 x 12 +

Standing Calf Raises - 45 x 8



1 hour spinning



Bench Press - 25 x 12 (smith machine)

Overhead Press - 20 x 8

Dumbell Curls 40 x 8

One barbell triceps - 20 x 8



I was drenched when I was done, but really wish I had a reliable gym partner to help me complete my last 3 reps. Regardless, I could actually see my biceps have developed fairly decently, even through a long-sleeved shirt.

Someone I respect, admire and look to with regards to nutrition and weight-training sent me an early Birthday/Christmas present.

I received a copy of Ellington Darden's "The New High Intensity Training"



I'm completely excited about this as I don't have loads of time to spend in the gym, but I feel incomplete when I leave. I often feel like most of my workouts were half-arsed.



Since next week is finals week, I'll start reading the book after finals are over and start implementing the technique immediately! This technique may be ideal for me, as I find that although I work hard, I don't get all of my exercises in and I just don't feel like I've accomplished anything.



This technique will also work, because I am totally addicted to spinning (never saw that coming), which means spending less time on the weights, will free me up to spin more



So, I'll be reading this book from cover-to-cover and hopefully implementing it before Christmas.



Concerns: My only concern is doing many of the exercises alone, getting to the point of complete fatigue. However, I suppose practice will help me iron out any wrinkles.



On another note, I definitely think that I am benefiting from carb cycling. Yes, I feel extremely bloated on high-carb days, but on low and no carb days, I feel like I'm actually burning fat. We shall see.

Workout



Hack squats - 3 sets to failure

Angled squats - 3 sets to failure

Calf raises 3 sets to failure

V-squats - 3 sets to failure

Ab/Adductor 3 sets to failure



Going later for spinning



Diet

No-Carb day



Note: I vowed not to weigh-in until Jan 1, so I'm going to try to stick with it. I thought that I had put on a pound or two, but tried on a pair of slacks that were too tight when I bought them a month ago. I grabbed them in the dark this morning and threw them on; much to my surprise they FIT!!

Yes, it really is amazing what happens after putting in hard work and sticking with it.



Thanks for the recommendation for Chinups/Pullups! That's an excellent idea!!

Workout



There's a new fellow teaching spinning; he's IN-CRED-IBLE!

His routines are different each class; there are some classes that focus on sprinting, while others focus on strength, but he definitely is a powerhouse. Outside of the gym he offers training, but I'm not sure that I need, or want to sign up for that just yet. Besides, there's a new trainer at the gym who looks to be equally incredible and he happens to train the Steelers. That's a pretty impressive resume.



Anyway, I worked biceps today - did a giant set, starting at 5 pounds, working up to 15 and working each set to failure.



Did the same with shoulders.



I really should have worked my back, after the spinning class, but was pressed for time. I'll go back this evening to finish up.



Diet

Today is medium carb day.

It's too soon to comment on how I look after only a few days of carb-cycling, but I can say that I definitely have more consistent energy levels.

Thank you Sarah!

I have to admit that after starting, stopping, battling bulimia/anorexia and then just getting fed up, I was almost ready to accept being overweight, and out of shape. Now, however, I can say that if I can do 90 days, ANYONE can.

Workout



I had an awesome workout today.

I worked shoulders/triceps doing giant sets.

I'm going to tweak the routine by next week, but feel pretty good about what I'm doing so far.



Diet



low carb day



Sidebar: I have to actually work harder at consuming enough calories. I forced myself to eat 4 meals today, but I knew that I NEEDED those calories. I'm staying off of the scale, will weigh-in every other week, possibly wait until the end of this month.

Hey Joe,



I hope you're feeling like new today!

Giving up empty calories is the best! After a week or two of eating clean, you don't even miss the refined sugar or other non-essential foods.



Anyway, I started a new weight routine today. I worked legs. I'm so sore.

I'll post my workout when I can. I"m using a backup laptop, because mine has been infected with a virus or trojan.



Today was a no-carb day for me.



In the mean time, I'm documenting my workout, as I always do.

After 90 days of eating clean, working out hard, even harder than I planned and losing over 35 lbs, I'm ready to take this journey to the next level.



I am about 15lbs away from my ultimate goal, however I am going to change my focus a bit.



Rather than focusing on the pounds gained or lost, I'm going to concentrate on bf%. I want to be lean, not just skinny, or thin. The challenge is that while my endurance increases, it becomes more difficult to lose weight. I have not yet hit a plateau, but it is extremely likely that one will occur very soon.



With that said, I am going to start hitting the weights again tomorrow, with a new program, but I am also going to focus on carb cycling.



The benefit of carb cycling? It will prevent my metabolism from becoming to accustomed to any one meal plan by shocking my system and it will also supply the adequate amount of carbs on heavy-weight days.



Carb cycling is supposed to be an extremely effective way to cut the stubborn body fat, PLUS on hi-carb days you can have a treat. I'm not sure that I'm ready to allow myself to have a "treat" but I'm all for trying something new.



The draw backs? I won't be able to get on the scale anymore, as it's not uncommon to experience bloating and drastic fluctuations within a two week period while carb cycling.



I'm also considering trying a new weight-lifting routine. Rather than doing multiple sets, I'm going to try doing 1 set to failure, per exercise.



Anyway, I'm starting tomorrow, if anyone cares to join me, jump right on in! That means you Joe

Hey Joe,



24-hour gym? That's awesome!! Mine is open M-F from 5am to midnight and 8-8 on weekends. I really have no excuse for not working out LOL.



Tabata is challenging, but it is really awesome! Both of my knees are in bad shape, which is why I don't do weights (yet) with my squats, even for Tabata. However, I am slowly getting the hang of doing squats on a smith machine.



My typical workout is split up into body parts.

M, Th I work my leg

Tu, Fri I work shoulders, tri and chest

Wed is bicep and back



I do calves every other day.



However, the last few weeks, I haven't done weight training. I'm going to pick up with it tomorrow. I'm in the middle of working out a new routine and also phase two of cutting.



You're welcome to join me, if you like

Hey Joe,



I did, indeed have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

How are you feeling? Everyone is getting pummeled by the flu. I hope that you are feeling better!

OH...Happy Thanksgiving!

I am kinda cheating - No, not on the food, but I weighed in today.



I have officially lost 35.2 pounds in 89 days.



My original goal was to lose 30 lbs. within 90 days, and then keep up the cutting phase until I lost a total of 50 lbs. So, I surpassed my first goal.



On the downside, well, not really a downside, but now it's going to get much harder to lose the last 15.



Sorry for cheating, but I forgot that we're traveling, won't be able to get on the scale.

I went back from one more spin class, stayed for the second one, but felt my knee cap slipping.



I'll see how I feel tomorrow; if I'm pain free, I'll work legs and then spin before Thanksgiving dinner.



Passing on the desserts is going to be tough...

Heya Joe,

Thanks for the support (you can never, ever have too much)



Yep, I try to get the cardio in daily. In fact, it really has become somewhat of an addiction. I cannot do step classes anymore, due to bad knees. I'm fine for a while, but then after a few weeks of pounding, I start to feel the injuries hurting again.



Weight training (which I need to resume again) is different from cardio, with regards to making your legs weaker, at least in my opinion.



With cardio, you are doing two things:



1. Developing endurance and

2. Burning fat.



On the flip side, when I weight train, I document everything and I to allow proper recovery time. If I work legs on Monday, I won't do them again until Wednesday, at the minimum.



Where are you in your journey? Are you trying to lose weight, or trying to build muscle?

Day after tomorrow is my 90 day weigh in. Um...what on EARTH was I THINKING?!



The day AFTER Thanksgiving is the last day anyone (anyone normal) wants to check their weight. However, I'm going to keep my word and get on the scale.



We'll see, huh?



As for today's workout:



1.4 hours of spinning @ 5:45 am



1 hour spinning @ 9:15 am



I may try to get my fanny back into the gym this evening, but that remains to be seen ;)

Good job!!! You're burning a lot. What are your workouts like?



My gym is open tomorrow, so I'll be taking a spinning class.

Ya know, you may want to look up Tabata on youtube.com.



When I can't get to the gym, I do Tabata (body-weight squats). It's only a 4-minute workout, but it kicks BUTT!!

Hey! Where is everyone?

You all didn't jump ship did ya?

You all kept me going, kept me inspired.

1 hour spinning, may go back this evening for 2 more hours.



I've got only a few more days until my big weigh-in finally.

I will NOT let over indulging in holiday festivities get in my way.



I'm going to continue to eat clean, but I will have my Starbuck's Latte, a slice of chocolate cake and sushi (not necessarily in that order) on New Year's Day, then it's back to eating clean