Help! I'm Fat - *** Official Exercise and Weight Thread ***

carvers4math

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
21,353
17,736
113
Update: I've lost about 35 pounds over the last three months. At times I've been concerned about eating too few calories, but I'm eating big/nutritious meals (intermittent fasting about 5x a week). I've realized that I must have been really bad with snacks, soda and sweets. I haven't had a soda in three months and don't even crave it which is interesting. I alternate strength training and cardio/walking every other day. I am starting to notice some gains in the strength by the weights I am using so losing a bunch of muscle luckily isn't a huge issue.

I want to start doing kettlebell swings using the dumbbells I have. I heard that they can be really good for you both strength-wise (heavier weight) and as cardio (lighter weight). My concern is that I've always struggle with the technique and don't want to injure myself doing them wrong. I don't want to pay for a gym membership/personal trainers but is there a way to have someone more experience help me with the technique without paying for a gym membership/personal training?
Assuming you have looked online for videos? When I first started yoga with no instruction, I just watched a video for a long time. Of course that provides no input on what you are doing wrong.
 

madguy30

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Nov 15, 2011
57,394
55,310
113
Update: I've lost about 35 pounds over the last three months. At times I've been concerned about eating too few calories, but I'm eating big/nutritious meals (intermittent fasting about 5x a week). I've realized that I must have been really bad with snacks, soda and sweets. I haven't had a soda in three months and don't even crave it which is interesting. I alternate strength training and cardio/walking every other day. I am starting to notice some gains in the strength by the weights I am using so losing a bunch of muscle luckily isn't a huge issue.

I want to start doing kettlebell swings using the dumbbells I have. I heard that they can be really good for you both strength-wise (heavier weight) and as cardio (lighter weight). My concern is that I've always struggle with the technique and don't want to injure myself doing them wrong. I don't want to pay for a gym membership/personal trainers but is there a way to have someone more experience help me with the technique without paying for a gym membership/personal training?

Whatever you do with the weights, keep it going with the diet! Great stuff.

I don't have suggestions for weights other than it doesn't need to require complex movements to be effective and it's possible to do simple things safely.
 

ScottyP

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jan 24, 2007
5,318
7,734
113
Urbandale, IA
Assuming you have looked online for videos? When I first started yoga with no instruction, I just watched a video for a long time. Of course that provides no input on what you are doing wrong.
I watch the instructions but want to make sure I'm getting the proper benefits and I don't want to hurt myself. Injuring my back could derail things exercise-wise.
 

carvers4math

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
21,353
17,736
113
I watch the instructions but want to make sure I'm getting the proper benefits and I don't want to hurt myself. Injuring my back could derail things exercise-wise.
There’s got to be some dude here that does them that could meet up with you at the gym a few times. I just lift old lady 10 pound hand weights so I am no help.
 
  • Like
  • Friendly
Reactions: MJ29 and ScottyP

ScottyP

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jan 24, 2007
5,318
7,734
113
Urbandale, IA
Whatever you do with the weights, keep it going with the diet! Great stuff.

I don't have suggestions for weights other than it doesn't need to require complex movements to be effective and it's possible to do simple things safely.
The good thing about the diet is that I feel like it is sustainable long-term. I use the perfect plate method with my meals that simplifies things (1/4 plate is protein, 1/2 plate is vegetables, 1/4 plate is carbs/fat). When I do have carbs, I try to have something that has fiber with it such as sweet potatoes, fruit, beans.

The last week or two have been a challenge with all of the sweets around the house. My wife asked me to frost some sugar cookies for a party she was going to that night. I broke three cookies while frosting so I had to eat them. That ended up around 600 calories, which is the same amount I had for all of my lunch.
 

madguy30

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Nov 15, 2011
57,394
55,310
113
The good thing about the diet is that I feel like it is sustainable long-term. I use the perfect plate method with my meals that simplifies things (1/4 plate is protein, 1/2 plate is vegetables, 1/4 plate is carbs/fat. When I do have carbs, I try to have something that has fiber with it such as sweet potatoes, fruit, beans.

The last week or two have been a challenge with all of the sweets around the house. My wife asked me to frost some sugar cookies for a party she was going to that night. I broke three cookies while frosting so I had to eat them. That ended up around 600 calories, which is the same amount I had for all of my lunch.

Moderation is still a thing that's ok imo. If habits are being formed you may find yourself actually craving the healthy stuff.
Re:fiber. If I want to lose some weight/waistband quickly, hevy fiber seems to do the trick. It's kind of wild to actually see results following action.
 

nhclone

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Nov 20, 2008
3,635
1,623
113
Ive been dealing with hammy and IT band stuff on one side for a while too. Mine seems to feel better with some regular lifting. My problem seems to pop up when I'm benching. Something about the position of my hips, knees and feet causes it to get really angry.
I had some IT band issues playing in a basketball league 4-5 years ago. Had a good friend who is a physical therapist recommended foam rolling on it twice a day using one of the 6" diameter 3' long foam pads. My pain issues cleared up in a week or 2. Might be worth a try if you haven't yet. Fair warning, it hurts like hell the first couple times.
 
  • Like
Reactions: carvers4math

BoxsterCy

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 14, 2009
48,448
47,384
113
Minnesota
I just started back up lifting weights after a 6 month hiatus. Stopped for a couple of reasons
1. Right elbow was giving me problems. (Most likely tennis elbow.)
2. Blood pressure was high. Consistently, stage 2 hypertension.

So I changed to treadmill workouts only for 6 months. Elbow feels better (still a little soreness at times but very minor) and dropped my blood pressure down to where it fluctuates between normal and elevated. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of upper body strength in the process.

Typically, I've lifted weights for bulk but I think I'm going to have to reevaluate. Definitely not a kid anymore.

I hate elbow stuff. Currently right elbow is all riled up, both "golf" and "tennis" sides but the tennis is worse. When that happens it takes months for it to settle down. Had to drop out a couple of arm exercises for the time being.

BTW, not my fav time of the year at the gym. Too many peeps off work and too many students on break and all seem to head over mid-afternoon which is usually my sweat spot for the gym not being too busy. Way too many teen and college boys. Guys always seem to workout in pairs or groups of three and sort of clog up access to popular machines. And there's the "I ate too much over the holidays and am going to get in shape now" crowd and the New Years resolution crowd. It will be back to normal by spring.
 

BWRhasnoAC

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 10, 2013
30,284
27,973
113
Dez Moy Nez
Update: I've lost about 35 pounds over the last three months. At times I've been concerned about eating too few calories, but I'm eating big/nutritious meals (intermittent fasting about 5x a week). I've realized that I must have been really bad with snacks, soda and sweets. I haven't had a soda in three months and don't even crave it which is interesting. I alternate strength training and cardio/walking every other day. I am starting to notice some gains in the strength by the weights I am using so losing a bunch of muscle luckily isn't a huge issue.

I want to start doing kettlebell swings using the dumbbells I have. I heard that they can be really good for you both strength-wise (heavier weight) and as cardio (lighter weight). My concern is that I've always struggle with the technique and don't want to injure myself doing them wrong. I don't want to pay for a gym membership/personal trainers but is there a way to have someone more experience help me with the technique without paying for a gym membership/personal training?
YouTube is your friend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2122 and ScottyP

carvers4math

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
21,353
17,736
113
I had some IT band issues playing in a basketball league 4-5 years ago. Had a good friend who is a physical therapist recommended foam rolling on it twice a day using one of the 6" diameter 3' long foam pads. My pain issues cleared up in a week or 2. Might be worth a try if you haven't yet. Fair warning, it hurts like hell the first couple times.
I got bursitis in my hip from riding an exercise bike with a seat broken in a position slightly askew. Had numbness in the it band. Got a foam roller and it cleared up. Not sure if it helped or it just improved with rest.

Reaggravated it this fall walking the dog when he pulled me into a tree chasing a herd of deer. I am pretty sure it helped that time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nhclone

MJ29

Well-Known Member
Aug 21, 2020
3,437
7,149
113
Moderation is still a thing that's ok imo. If habits are being formed you may find yourself actually craving the healthy stuff.
Re:fiber. If I want to lose some weight/waistband quickly, hevy fiber seems to do the trick. It's kind of wild to actually see results following action.

Most people don't eat enough fiber. When I started watching that number, I was surprised at how deficient I was. I'm making more effort now, and it definitely makes a difference.

(I mainly focus on protein and fiber along with some calorie tracking to stay in a deficit most of the time.)
 

BWRhasnoAC

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 10, 2013
30,284
27,973
113
Dez Moy Nez
Most people don't eat enough fiber. When I started watching that number, I was surprised at how deficient I was. I'm making more effort now, and it definitely makes a difference.

(I mainly focus on protein and fiber along with some calorie tracking to stay in a deficit most of the time.)
Eat that fiber and poop the fat out!
 
  • Funny
Reactions: MJ29

Hubbs4cy

Active Member
Oct 10, 2023
135
139
43
I watch the instructions but want to make sure I'm getting the proper benefits and I don't want to hurt myself. Injuring my back could derail things exercise-wise.
Focus on mind body connection first if you don't feel you are fully ready for heavy weights. Easy thing to do is lay on the ground and just focus on activating core/abs while still properly breathing. Once that mind body connection is working start trying to isolate other muscle groups (ie glutes, quads, pecs, etc). Just having that connection of knowing how to activate and use specific muscle groups while still properly breathing will make learning complex exercises a bit easier and less risk of hurting yourself. Next step would be understanding that you don't have to do same range of motion as the fitness guys on the videos, start with small range of motion and listen to your body.
 

cowgirl836

Well-Known Member
Sep 3, 2009
51,469
43,347
113
Most people don't eat enough fiber. When I started watching that number, I was surprised at how deficient I was. I'm making more effort now, and it definitely makes a difference.

(I mainly focus on protein and fiber along with some calorie tracking to stay in a deficit most of the time.)

I started tracking protein around Halloween and holy buckets I was short. Iron, which I knew and was supplementing for. And then potassium was the other one. I should watch fiber too because I bet that's low.
 

CloniesForLife

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 22, 2015
15,613
21,025
113
Most people don't eat enough fiber. When I started watching that number, I was surprised at how deficient I was. I'm making more effort now, and it definitely makes a difference.

(I mainly focus on protein and fiber along with some calorie tracking to stay in a deficit most of the time.)

Eat as much fiber as possible. Multiple health and fitness people I trust have talked about how you should basically eat as much fiber as you can. Great for living a long healthy life. Plus it helps people feel full.
 

clonechemist

Well-Known Member
Apr 3, 2007
1,820
2,233
113
40
Philadelphia
Sorry Carvers I get fired up on this one because kegels is also the only thing I was ever told (even by 1st ob) and it was hugely detrimental for me. Learned about the world of magical pt and now I'm an obnoxious evangelist frustrated with how little info we are given to take care of our own bodies.

 

ScottyP

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jan 24, 2007
5,318
7,734
113
Urbandale, IA
I started tracking protein around Halloween and holy buckets I was short. Iron, which I knew and was supplementing for. And then potassium was the other one. I should watch fiber too because I bet that's low.
Same thing for me on the protein. I started tracking my protein and I was way short on the protein I needed. I am just beginning to focus on fiber recently.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MJ29

BWRhasnoAC

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 10, 2013
30,284
27,973
113
Dez Moy Nez
Focus on mind body connection first if you don't feel you are fully ready for heavy weights. Easy thing to do is lay on the ground and just focus on activating core/abs while still properly breathing. Once that mind body connection is working start trying to isolate other muscle groups (ie glutes, quads, pecs, etc). Just having that connection of knowing how to activate and use specific muscle groups while still properly breathing will make learning complex exercises a bit easier and less risk of hurting yourself. Next step would be understanding that you don't have to do same range of motion as the fitness guys on the videos, start with small range of motion and listen to your body.
Yoga is really good for this. I can't praise what doing yoga consistently has done for my health. Life changing.