Do Meatheads Dream of Iron Sheep?

twojarslave · June 26, 2014, 3:51pm

[quote]DevilDog78 wrote:
Been reading your log. How is fat/weight loss going ? You seem to be stuck around 284 or so[/quote]

Hi DevilDog78. Thanks for stopping by.

Simply stated, the weight hasn’t been going. I have not been doing what I know I need to be doing.

There is no real mystery to solve, so I don’t consider myself “stuck”. I’m just not executing consistently enough. In no specific order, I need to…

Drink less beer. Reign in weekend behavior. Eat a little bit less during the week. Maybe get a little more cardio in. Don’t go to anymore birthday parties with leftover cake-pushers. Don’t drink maple syrup for a sugar fix when the cake supply runs dry. Stop eyeballing portions and use the food scale again. Log my diet with myfitnesspal.

Basically, I need to give fat loss the same level of effort and consistency I give to lifting weights.

I’ve also been thinking about switching to a high-rep, low weight, short rest interval workout routine to see if it might fire up the furnace a little more. But I’m happy with my routine now. I love lifting weights and I love lifting heavy and I love getting stronger. That’s not what I need to be focusing on though, so setting PR’s and making huge leaps on my squat is something of a distraction for me at the moment.

The good news is that I am down a pants size in the last three months or so, so I have been producing an overall positive change in body composition. I also notice other little things, like visible veins on my forearms that weren’t there before, my traps starting to give my shoulders a noticeably different profile, women I don’t know grabbing my junk in a crowded bar without having the courtesy to say hello first, and other little changes along the way from being really fat to wherever it is I am going.

It is also worth patting myself on the back for not regressing. I haven’t gone back to all of the terrible habits that got me fat in the first place. But that’s not good enough for me.

One thing is certain. I’m not giving up. The thought has not even entered my mind. I’m getting there, albeit very slowly, and having fun along the way. I just need to pick up the fucking pace already.

I hope this answered your question, DevilDog78!

jjackkrash · June 26, 2014, 4:00pm

I personally don’t think you need to adjust your training if that’s the training you enjoy. Losing fat is 90% food. Maybe add in some prowler work.

twojarslave · June 26, 2014, 4:16pm

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
I personally don’t think you need to adjust your training if that’s the training you enjoy. Losing fat is 90% food. Maybe add in some prowler work. [/quote]

I’d like to have access to a prowler. Maybe I can commission Mighty Matron to build me a custom rig. In the meantime I will try to work in more pool sprints and loaded carries.

Oh, and I think I’m going backpacking in the mountains this weekend. Dragging my fat ass up and down a few big hills with 40lbs of gear on my back should be good for at least a pound.

The biggest thing, as you so cruelly and mercilessly pointed out to me a few weeks ago, is that the beer has got to go.

LiftingStrumpet · June 26, 2014, 4:40pm

Great log, twojarslave. I think the “getting my junk grab in public” count is a great way to track fat loss.

Also, beer (and other alcohol) is also my cryptonite in the fat loss wars. I can literally swim to a tiki bar from my dock, so it’s a tough battle.

twojarslave · June 26, 2014, 4:54pm

[quote]LiftingStrumpet wrote:
Great log, twojarslave. I think the “getting my junk grab in public” count is a great way to track fat loss.

Also, beer (and other alcohol) is also my cryptonite in the fat loss wars. I can literally swim to a tiki bar from my dock, so it’s a tough battle.[/quote]

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for stopping by!

The tally of unsolicited penis grabs stands at 1 right now. If I were to put in some work with a good swagger coach I think I could see some real nice numbers. The sky is the limit!

DevilDog78 · June 26, 2014, 5:27pm

Two jars, I understand that. I did the same when I was working out. Unfortunately I’m unable to do same with current situation

ActivitiesGuy · June 26, 2014, 5:27pm

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
I personally don’t think you need to adjust your training if that’s the training you enjoy. Losing fat is 90% food. Maybe add in some prowler work. [/quote]

I’d second this. The training is terrific; that’s not the issue. As you have already said, twojar, you just need to put the same level of commitment into your eating/drinking as you do to your training.

(Truth be told: if you just carry on as you’re currently doing, that isn’t the WORST thing in the world…you should do what you enjoy, and you’re 100% better off than you were two years ago just by virtue of the lifting and added strength. You’re becoming quite a beast, too. But for the sake of health and longevity, you’ll probably be better off in the long run if you can trim yourself from 280 down to 240ish while preserving as much of that strength as possible)

We all are free to define our own “acceptable” level of fitness and body composition. Ultimately, it’s on you to strike the right balance between training, dieting, and enjoying your life.

One last thought: if a prowler is not available to you, and you want to add some sort of fat-loss “finishers” to your workouts a few times a week, BUY A DAMN KETTLEBELL ALREADY and finish every workout with 5-10 minutes of swings or clean-and-presses (alternating hands).

DevilDog78 · June 26, 2014, 10:54pm

Two jars, yep, you answered the question. I’m in the same boat of needing to tighten up diet. I can’t workout at the moment due to car accident. Look at local tire places or heavy equipment places to see if they will give you tires. I got a semi tire (~110#) and a front loader tire (~520#) for free. Tire flips and drags can be cardio if done fast enough.

DevilDog78 · June 26, 2014, 10:56pm

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
I personally don’t think you need to adjust your training if that’s the training you enjoy. Losing fat is 90% food. Maybe add in some prowler work. [/quote]

I’d second this. The training is terrific; that’s not the issue. As you have already said, twojar, you just need to put the same level of commitment into your eating/drinking as you do to your training.

(Truth be told: if you just carry on as you’re currently doing, that isn’t the WORST thing in the world…you should do what you enjoy, and you’re 100% better off than you were two years ago just by virtue of the lifting and added strength. You’re becoming quite a beast, too. But for the sake of health and longevity, you’ll probably be better off in the long run if you can trim yourself from 280 down to 240ish while preserving as much of that strength as possible)

We all are free to define our own “acceptable” level of fitness and body composition. Ultimately, it’s on you to strike the right balance between training, dieting, and enjoying your life.

One last thought: if a prowler is not available to you, and you want to add some sort of fat-loss “finishers” to your workouts a few times a week, BUY A DAMN KETTLEBELL ALREADY and finish every workout with 5-10 minutes of swings or clean-and-presses (alternating hands).

[/quote]

Kettlebell are great. I had just finished the 10k swing program when I got hit. Will do that program again

twojarslave · June 27, 2014, 2:07am

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:
Truth be told: if you just carry on as you’re currently doing, that isn’t the WORST thing in the world…you should do what you enjoy, and you’re 100% better off than you were two years ago just by virtue of the lifting and added strength. You’re becoming quite a beast, too.[/quote]

You are right about the status quo, but this is a mindset I have to reject. Simply being better off than a fat, lazy and woefully out of shape glutton is a rather low bar to measure one’s self against. I can do better. I desperately want to set myself loose on chasing strength, but I need to beat obesity into the ground first, feed it in to the woodchipper out back, pour gasoline on it and then light it on fire.

Everything else you said was, as usual, spot-on and very stimulating in the brain compartment area of my head.

tim48040 · June 27, 2014, 1:31pm

[quote]twojarslave wrote:

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:
Truth be told: if you just carry on as you’re currently doing, that isn’t the WORST thing in the world…you should do what you enjoy, and you’re 100% better off than you were two years ago just by virtue of the lifting and added strength. You’re becoming quite a beast, too.[/quote]

You are right about the status quo, but this is a mindset I have to reject. Simply being better off than a fat, lazy and woefully out of shape glutton is a rather low bar to measure one’s self against. I can do better. I desperately want to set myself loose on chasing strength, but I need to beat obesity into the ground first, feed it in to the woodchipper out back, pour gasoline on it and then light it on fire.

Everything else you said was, as usual, spot-on and very stimulating in the brain compartment area of my head. [/quote]

Nicely stated. I am fighting that same battle. At some point, I just have to man up and give up the crap diet. I will be following to see your progress.

Derek542 · June 27, 2014, 4:59pm

[quote]tim48040 wrote:

[quote]twojarslave wrote:

[quote]ActivitiesGuy wrote:
Truth be told: if you just carry on as you’re currently doing, that isn’t the WORST thing in the world…you should do what you enjoy, and you’re 100% better off than you were two years ago just by virtue of the lifting and added strength. You’re becoming quite a beast, too.[/quote]

You are right about the status quo, but this is a mindset I have to reject. Simply being better off than a fat, lazy and woefully out of shape glutton is a rather low bar to measure one’s self against. I can do better. I desperately want to set myself loose on chasing strength, but I need to beat obesity into the ground first, feed it in to the woodchipper out back, pour gasoline on it and then light it on fire.

Everything else you said was, as usual, spot-on and very stimulating in the brain compartment area of my head. [/quote]

Nicely stated. I am fighting that same battle. At some point, I just have to man up and give up the crap diet. I will be following to see your progress.
[/quote]
My mind set is I dont want to half ass anything in life.

If I am going to get healthy, strong and work on living longer. I cant just do the strong part and call it quits. It is a total devotion and package.

Cause what happens when I get an injury and cant lift? If my diet is still shit, than I just get fatter.

twojarslave · June 27, 2014, 5:20pm

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

My mind set is I dont want to half ass anything in life.

If I am going to get healthy, strong and work on living longer. I cant just do the strong part and call it quits. It is a total devotion and package.

Cause what happens when I get an injury and cant lift? If my diet is still shit, than I just get fatter. [/quote]

I half ass stuff a lot, as is obvious from my lack of recent weight loss.

I’m going hiking this Sunday. That’s a good starting point to put my whole ass into this endeavor for at least a few solid weeks. The last time I got on a roll with diet I really felt great. Personal problems derailed it and I haven’t gotten back on track for more than a few days at a time since.

I need to find that “lightning in a bottle” feeling about diet and fat loss again.

Derek542 · June 27, 2014, 5:23pm

[quote]twojarslave wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

My mind set is I dont want to half ass anything in life.

If I am going to get healthy, strong and work on living longer. I cant just do the strong part and call it quits. It is a total devotion and package.

Cause what happens when I get an injury and cant lift? If my diet is still shit, than I just get fatter. [/quote]

I half ass stuff a lot, as is obvious from my lack of recent weight loss.

I’m going hiking this Sunday. That’s a good starting point to put my whole ass into this endeavor for at least a few solid weeks. The last time I got on a roll with diet I really felt great. Personal problems derailed it and I haven’t gotten back on track for more than a few days at a time since.

I need to find that “lightning in a bottle” feeling about diet and fat loss again.
[/quote]
I am a stubborn fucker. So I just fall back on being a stubborn asshole.

Works for me. Honestly when things are going great is when I have problems staying on a diet.

twojarslave · June 27, 2014, 5:37pm

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]twojarslave wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

My mind set is I dont want to half ass anything in life.

If I am going to get healthy, strong and work on living longer. I cant just do the strong part and call it quits. It is a total devotion and package.

Cause what happens when I get an injury and cant lift? If my diet is still shit, than I just get fatter. [/quote]

I half ass stuff a lot, as is obvious from my lack of recent weight loss.

I’m going hiking this Sunday. That’s a good starting point to put my whole ass into this endeavor for at least a few solid weeks. The last time I got on a roll with diet I really felt great. Personal problems derailed it and I haven’t gotten back on track for more than a few days at a time since.

I need to find that “lightning in a bottle” feeling about diet and fat loss again.
[/quote]
I am a stubborn fucker. So I just fall back on being a stubborn asshole.

Works for me. Honestly when things are going great is when I have problems staying on a diet. [/quote]

There’s a lot of truth to this. Things are going generally well for me in just about every facet of life. Hell, I even get hit on and flirted with by attractive women (although I’m not in the market, it still feels good). This is something that hasn’t happened to me since I was in my early 20’s.

Bloodwork and health markers are all in the clear too (with the obvious exception of my extra fat), so I no longer have the sense of urgency that was such a big part of the spark to make a change. There’s no “if I don’t make a change, and soon, I may die before I turn 40” impetus to get my ass in gear.

Derek542 · June 27, 2014, 5:54pm