Long time lurker, first time caller, love the show. 36M | 6'3 | 245
Recently I've been on a push for better health, and have dropped some weight but also gained quite a bit of muscle. Now I'm a massive guy already, former athlete with 19" calves, and the shot knees to go with it. I used the knees as an excuse. I used a crazy busy schedule as an excuse. I ate quick meals and drank too much, and said it was fine as long as I wasn't gaining weight (though was losing muscle and conditioning).
2 months after saying enough of that, and rearranging my subreddits to help motivate, I'm down 4% bf and 15 lbs total, but while I still look at how far I need to go, it's amazing what you start to hear around you. Friends recommending the solid squared off shirt over the flab covering plaid. Stranglers asking where you got that jacket. The girl you see as out of your league making a comment that it looks like you hit the gym. These are some highlights that have helped me get to the gym this weekend, but really it's the small comments that add up.
It's amazing the way subtle nuances change when your clothes fit better and stand up straighter (working out back combined with chiropractic care helps fix an issue for me causing a slump, watch out for this if you have an office job). If you're encouraging someone else, please keep this in mind as well. A gracious compliment taker wont make it obvious that your sideline comment just kept their ambition up for the rest of the day, and kept them from skipping that run to the gym.
Beyond that, it helps push mutual accountability. 2 months ago, when I would suggest going to the gym, I would get "Dunno man, kinda late...hit the bar instead?" And now I hear "Damn, I really dont want to...alright, give me 15."
Seeing progress on the scale also helps me keep on my micromanagement. Logging everything, making sure I'm not binging, but I'm also not dropping the calories I need for healthy weight loss and keeping the energy level up. For myself, that also forces me to evaluate when I break the routine, keeping me from saying "oh, I've already achieved X" and instead saying ok, social situations through me off my counts for the weekend, and that's fine, but Monday's here and it's time to boil some eggs and tie on the Adidas.
Some notes for off the scale progress: as mentioned with the posture, I find it easier to hold my shoulder back and head up with the slightly reduced weight and stronger back. I find myself being able to breath easier, and snore less (so I've been told) and my voice sounds more confident as a result, my knees hurt less, my stabilizers feel reinforced (those that are injury prone like myself will get that one), I have more energy, and my close friends are also encouraged to made better decisions. On top of that, my wallet feels MUCH better. Less drinks, less meals out, and the meals I make at home are either done in batches or cost less than a freezer meal (though the spinach paneer with a boiled egg saves me on busy days, 500 cal with high protein and low carb, thanks Trader Joe's).
The stories on here have helped greatly to make good decisions to not get in worse shape, but even more, to help inspire in keeping me focused on my milestone goals and what I need to do to get there. Like any journey, there will be detours and road bumps, but also nice open roads when you really hit your momentum. Here's hoping my late night incoherant rant can help others make the right decisions as Monday rolls again yet again, in this, the hardest season to stay disciplined.
TL:DR Benefits aren't always just on the scale, but feeling better, posture changes, and encouragement from friends and strangers help you to push for the next milestone.
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