I'm looking to get into beach shape by Memorial Day weekend (May 28). Anyone interested in signing on? Don't care what your stats are... just post your Memorial Day goals.

My current stats:
157.8 lbs.
13-14% BF (who knows, it's my scale, I don't trust it)

May 31st goal:
<10% BF
My main goal is get completely rid of my lovehandles... I want my obliques to be defined on the side. Who knows if that'll be enough to pop my abs.

I'll post starting photos on Monday.

I'll do it with you. I need as much motivation as i can get. We have similar stats, except i think im taller.

6'2
173 lbs
12% bodyfat <--scale says. seems acurate.

May 1st my foot should be all healed, so i'll be able to go running again every morning.

Monday sounds good to post some pictures. I'll try to cut as much as possible this weekend :) I need to figure out the timing function on my camera.

is it even possible to drop 3 or 4 bf% in 1.5 months? using the 2lbs per week assumption its easily possible, but since we're a little lower its tough.

:lol: wh0areume, you're in like 3 challenges! I think you need to start a challenge to see who can enter the most challenges.

I'll try to do this challenge, I'm not sure if I'll stay on (dedication problem) but I'll give it a shot.

My stats:
5'9
176lbs
12% BF (at the top of the 12-13% line)

I'll try to have pics by Monday.

Supa

slushpuppy - dont hate.

i figure the more challenges the better. :D and it wouldv been 4, but the kenyanese atkins experiment ended due to injury.

Just the challenge I was looking for :tu:

6'
180pounds
14-15% BF
BMR-1967


By May 21st
170 Pounds
9-10%BF

My workout/Cardio plan

Cardio 5 days a week in the am

M-Legs
T-Shoulders
W-Back/Bi
Th-Rest
F-Chest
Sat-Abs
Sun-Rest

2200-2400 cals a day (i may bump this up a tad)
40/40/20 as best I can
Fridays are my cheat days

Ive finally started using fitday

Here are my pics from 3-16 at 180.8. Not much has changed since then (trip to europe for 2 week, 2 weeks of catching up on the back-logged school work). I am about 1 pound lighter and maybe a marginal difference in BF%. Pics again in 3 weeks :tu:
http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5516

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5518
http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5519
http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5517

Now that ive finally started using fitday, I can now see the magnitude of my cheat day, and why it needs to be only a cheat meal

I consumed nearly 5000 calories yesterday :(

more than 2000 alone from milkshakes and beer :eek:

NO MORE CHEATS like this from here on out. Im never going to hit 10% by eating 5000 cals in a day.


Off to do my cardio now

Well, this weekend I have been rigorously studing for Finals but starting this Monday I will begin to "up" my M,W,F, cardio and T,Th,Sat. HIT Lifting.

Im currently eating around 1900 cals but I might bump it to 2100 with an added shake in the day.

Well thats about it short updat, but the detailed will begin the days of training.

Supa

New to the site - think this is a perfect way to begin a summertime challenge!! My stats 5'6, 150 pds, 23% body fat. I currently workout 6 days per week; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1 hour weight training with 30 mins of interval cardio, Wednesday and Saturday long cardio. My diet is what I really need to focus on, I am good 85% of the time, but a few slips seems to keep me at the same. I am toning up, but not getting the long lean muscles I want. Hopefully I will post pics later this week. Good Luck to everyone!!!
Goal 143pds 18% bodyfat

Yesterday- 10 minutes rowing
1 hr of basketball

Today-abs
45 minutes on the bike

I'm looking to get into beach shape by Memorial Day weekend (May 28). Anyone interested in signing on? Don't care what your stats are... just post your Memorial Day goals.

My current stats:
157.8 lbs.
13-14% BF (who knows, it's my scale, I don't trust it)

May 31st goal:
<10% BF
My main goal is get completely rid of my lovehandles... I want my obliques to be defined on the side. Who knows if that'll be enough to pop my abs.

I'll post starting photos on Monday.

Count me in. This will be my first challenge.

Current Stats:
164 lbs.
18-19% BF (According to my Taylor scale)

May 31st goal:

157 lbs.
14% BF

My dad stole the camera, so I won't be able to take photos today, but I am starting. My scale puts me at 158.8 lbs. and 12.8% (I think it's being generous here). I am setting a theoretical weight goal of 150.5 lbs, as this would bring me in at around 8%. To achieve that I have to lose 1.5 pounds per week.

I'm going back to logging food and exercise. My exercise plan is:
Monday: hockey (cardio)
Tuesday: back/bis
Wednesday: legs
Thursday: hockey
Friday: chest/tris/shoulders; PM hockey
Saturday: AM abs; PM hockey
Sunday: rest

I need to be hardcore about this and stay motivated. I have been seriously lacking in dedication lately... need to get back into things.

Yesterday I jogged 15 km - felt great!! I ate clean.
I decided to show my boyfriend (a personal trainer and # 1 supporter) my daily diet journal so I am hold accountable for what I eat. He is currently trying to gain bulk, so our diets differ in about 1700 calories!! He can eat so much compared to my chicken, tuna and green veggies - but the goal is the same - to reach our fit potential. Staying focused.
Everyone have a great day!!

I'm in, but I must revise my goal. Up to now I've planned for 218 pounds by May 28. But I'm going to shoot for 215 now. Am currently at 220 or thereabouts, down from over 250 in January. So these next 5 or so pounds call for a support group, and TAG!! you guys are IT! :D (I don't care about the swimsuit, really.)

Success to all!! :tu:
-Martin

too much cheating this weekend for me. i have to stop going out. i always eat clean during the week though.

Hey guys, is it too late to join?

I've been a member here for a year now and have never participated in a challenge.

Here's my current stats:
Weight:147
BF%: scale says 13
current pics can be found in my journal

My goals are to cut down to 142 or so, that would put me at the 8-9% bodyfat range.
I'm really excited about this!

Hey guys, is it too late to join?

I've been a member here for a year now and have never participated in a challenge.

Here's my current stats:
Weight:147
BF%: scale says 13
current pics can be found in my journal

My goals are to cut down to 142 or so, that would put me at the 8-9% bodyfat range.
I'm really excited about this!

Tomiko, how tall are you?

Definitely not too late.

So I got off to a bad start today. I did play hockey, but it was my birthday, and my friends took me out to dinner. I didn't plan on doing anything, but I couldn't refuse. So I had some beer, tacos, and an ice cream sundae. Guess the diet starts tomorrow...

45 mintues this morning on the bike

Going to do legs now.

Lifted yesterday, no excersizing today - just good eating, work, and video games.

Maybe i should go into construction as a career... but im afraid of bees, so outdoor work isnt an option.

I did morning lifting for the first time today. So hopefully that shocks my body a little since Im used to late night workouts.

Cardio tommorrow but for the rest of the day, good eating, lots of figgiting, and lots of studying (got Finals). C-ya

SUpa

Lifted yesterday, no excersizing today - just good eating, work, and video games.

Maybe i should go into construction as a career... but im afraid of bees, so outdoor work isnt an option.


Im deathly allergic to bees and I work outside :p

Tomiko, how tall are you?

Last physical put me at 6'0 but I think I'm a bit shorter then that. Maybe 5'11ish.


Yesterday I had a judo class, it was a blast. I should achieve my goals as long as I don't go insane on the cheat meals.

Last physical put me at 6'0 but I think I'm a bit shorter then that. Maybe 5'11ish.


Yesterday I had a judo class, it was a blast. I should achieve my goals as long as I don't go insane on the cheat meals.


for your weight, I would imagine you would be much shorter than that. Hmm, perhaps you should look into bulking (actually, I HIGHLY recommend this). You are only 16 years old, nows a great time to bulk with all the extra testosterone you have flowing in your system. I imagine with a high calorie bulking diet you could easier get taller too, but not eating enough might be detrimental to your development

As for me. 40 minutes of cardio this morning
just got back from doing shoulders

for your weight, I would imagine you would be much shorter than that. Hmm, perhaps you should look into bulking (actually, I HIGHLY recommend this). You are only 16 years old, nows a great time to bulk with all the extra testosterone you have flowing in your system. I imagine with a high calorie bulking diet you could easier get taller too, but not eating enough might be detrimental to your development

As for me. 40 minutes of cardio this morning
just got back from doing shoulders

hmm, part of the weight difference is from me having a very small bone structure (six inch wrists).
I'm not exactly at a caloric defecit right now, my diet is clean but I don't track calories.
It is also the first time that I have ever exercised consistently. I didn't have much muscle mass to start with and I seem to be making great gains in the last month while still losing fat.
My main goals right now are endurance, and keeping my healthy lifestyle in moderation to the rest of my life. A bulk just isn't right at this time in my life.

hmm, part of the weight difference is from me having a very small bone structure (six inch wrists).
I'm not exactly at a caloric defecit right now, my diet is clean but I don't track calories.
It is also the first time that I have ever exercised consistently. I didn't have much muscle mass to start with and I seem to be making great gains in the last month while still losing fat.
My main goals right now are endurance, and keeping my healthy lifestyle in moderation to the rest of my life. A bulk just isn't right at this time in my life.
buahahaha. man.. bulk. you're only 16 and your talking like a 40 year old. "keeping my healthy lifestyle in moderation to the rest of my life" - i think you're the only person your age who has ever said this, you've been reading these forums too much.

you're body is still growing. you're obviously not fat by the looks of your avator, so stick with the weights, and bump your calories up. if you bulk for a year or so, when it comes time for your senior prom and girls are haning all over you - you'll thank me.

you can put on muscle sooooo easily right now, take advantage of this time, you'll be thankful you did.. i wish i would have, but instead i drank alot of moutain dew.

i know no one can tell you to WANT to put on muscle, but just out of curiosity why is endurance your goal? i just want to re-iterate the fact that i severly (sp) regret NOT lifting when i was in highschool. alot of guys my age are wayyyy ahead of me as far as their bodies (for example - look at Reno_1td on these boards! perfect example). you can look like him easily by senior year highschool.


EDIT - i just checked out the first post in your journal. the food you ate that day looks like it came out to 1000 calories. if that is a normal day's food intake, then you're probably not eating enough, and your lifts are going up becasue of newbie gains. just like john's did. try tracking your calories for a day just to see what it comes out to.

Boy do I feel you on lifting weights in HS whoareume. When I was 16 I was 160lbs and 5'11". Instead of lifting hard, I got lazy and just ate out with my friends daily and got fat my SR year. This continued into the first 2 years of college. At the end of my sophmore year in college I was 225 and thats when I finally made the lifestyle change. If I knew then what I know how, I would be no where near where I am now in terms of condition. I could a college hockey player if I lifted earlier in HS

Definitely wish I would've lifted in high school. I quit swimming after my junior year, and went from 160 to 180. Then in college I put on another 16 pounds. Finally got all that off back where I started, but I don't have a good muscle base to work with. Bulking is going to be rough.

Anyway, I think I'm on track with my diet. I ate something like 1600 calories yesterday... probably need to bump that up by 1-200, but now I'm stocked up so that should be easier.

buahahaha. man.. bulk. you're only 16 and your talking like a 40 year old. "keeping my healthy lifestyle in moderation to the rest of my life" - i think you're the only person your age who has ever said this, you've been reading these forums too much.

you're body is still growing. you're obviously not fat by the looks of your avator, so stick with the weights, and bump your calories up. if you bulk for a year or so, when it comes time for your senior prom and girls are haning all over you - you'll thank me.

you can put on muscle sooooo easily right now, take advantage of this time, you'll be thankful you did.. i wish i would have, but instead i drank alot of moutain dew.

i know no one can tell you to WANT to put on muscle, but just out of curiosity why is endurance your goal? i just want to re-iterate the fact that i severly (sp) regret NOT lifting when i was in highschool. alot of guys my age are wayyyy ahead of me as far as their bodies (for example - look at Reno_1td on these boards! perfect example). you can look like him easily by senior year highschool.


EDIT - i just checked out the first post in your journal. the food you ate that day looks like it came out to 1000 calories. if that is a normal day's food intake, then you're probably not eating enough, and your lifts are going up becasue of newbie gains. just like john's did. try tracking your calories for a day just to see what it comes out to.

hahah, maybe I have been reading these boards too often. I've been a member for a little over a year now. Probably the most influential website ever. (Well, except this one (http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/ianknot.htm) )
I have a bit of fat on my chest that I'm really self concious about. It might be a slight case of gyne but I want to see if it will go away as my bodyfat approaches the 10% range. That's also a big reason for me not bulking yet.
I tracked everything I normally eat monday-friday and it came to 2687 calories a day. :confused:

Edit: forgot to add calories of kashi, olive oil

hmm... interesting.. i know what you mean about trying to get rid of last spots of fat before bulking. i'm probably in the same position - i should bulk, but i still have lovehandles on my back and a slight stomach. i figure since i've never been this low bf, this is my chance to get rid of em.

what size pants (waist) do you wear?


ucbgsr you dont look 14% bf from the pic in your journal. id say 12, 13, if that.

Well I had to skip todays workout. Had a test at 9 am and needed to study, and I think Im catching a cold, got the sniffles and been snezzing every 5 min.

Hope this goes away fast.

Supa

Yesterday was the end of week one for me. Somewhat disappointing, my mega cheat day on friday was a real set back. Just goes to show how 6 clean days of eating, 6 cardio sessions, and 4 liftin sessions can go to waste. So yesterday I was at 179.2...down from 179.8 :( . No super cheat this week so hopefully Ill get better results. I guess the scale numbers are still dropping, just not as fast as I wanted.

Can't do my morning cardio today because I have HW to do, but ill make it up with some HIIT later on today since its a non-lifting day

You take on a lot of water on cheat days. For example, Tuesday I was 159.2 after my cheat, same weight Wednesday... today I'm 157.4. It's not like I was undereating or anything.

I dont get bummed on cheat days, personally I dont care of the 3-4 lbs gain I get in 1 day I lose it within 3 days again anyways. There is no way in Hell I will ever drop cheats, maybe when I shoot for single digits I'll have 2 cheat meals spread out throught my week and thats it, but theres no way I am dropping cheats.

Why? Well, After I realized my determination on getting fit, and how I feel now that I am very knowledgable (sp?) I dont get too scared to have acheat here or there, as long as I have self-control and dont make it a habit. Lifes' Life, I want to enjoy it healthy and with my occasional sweets.

Supa

supa - i had that same kind of mindset about 2 months ago. and then a whole month went by and i had 0 progress.

always keep your goals in mind, and do everything in your power to reach them. my goal is to have brad pitt's body, and i know if i have cheat meals, it kills my progress for some reason. i dont know why, my body is unique and i put on fat very very very easily. shit, if i eat too many raisins in a day i'll put on fat.

so i simply go as long as i can without cheating, which usually means i go as long as i can without hanging out with friends. i have no planned cheatdays, instead - i tried to discover a way to make healthy eating enjoyable and not dredded.

For me, it wasnt just a cheat meal, it was a full blown cheat day where I went for 5000 calories. That extra 2000 over maintnance alone was nearly a pound I could have lost. Yeah, I got back to down in a few days to what I was before the cheat, but instead of getting back to where I was, I could have been losing more. Ill still have a cheat MEAL this friday, but it will be just that, a MEAL, not the whole day

hmm... interesting.. i know what you mean about trying to get rid of last spots of fat before bulking. i'm probably in the same position - i should bulk, but i still have lovehandles on my back and a slight stomach. i figure since i've never been this low bf, this is my chance to get rid of em.

what size pants (waist) do you wear?


ucbgsr you dont look 14% bf from the pic in your journal. id say 12, 13, if that.

Yeah, I'm so self concious about it that I still wear a t-shirt under my judo uniform.
Last pair of men's pants I bought were size 29(didn't know pants came in odd numbers) and those are pretty relaxed in the fit. I recently bought a size 28 belt but I added a buckle which probably adds an inch.

anyway, last night's workout wasn't so great. Didn't get started until later then usual and my stomach was cramping up while I was still warming up. Oh well, I was late because I went shopping and now my fridge is stocked with more lean meats then I can handle. :D

Very true , I believe if it wasnt for the girlfriend always wanteing to go out and eat, I would never have cheats. But she has been patient with me, she doesnt think I needed to diet, and she is still supportive of my new tranformation, so I love cheats, but I also think its a great time to share a milkshake with my true love and not worry about anything.

:::And end the sappy-stuff:::

Supa


supa - i had that same kind of mindset about 2 months ago. and then a whole month went by and i had 0 progress.

always keep your goals in mind, and do everything in your power to reach them. my goal is to have brad pitt's body, and i know if i have cheat meals, it kills my progress for some reason. i dont know why, my body is unique and i put on fat very very very easily. shit, if i eat too many raisins in a day i'll put on fat.

so i simply go as long as i can without cheating, which usually means i go as long as i can without hanging out with friends. i have no planned cheatdays, instead - i tried to discover a way to make healthy eating enjoyable and not dredded.

all this talk about cheat days is making me want to eat a full bag of saltnvinegar chips... mmmmm... oreo cookies, and a big tub of cookie dough.

My GF is making me cookies tommorrow I think I can fight the demons off till then. :D

SUpa

hmm... interesting.. i know what you mean about trying to get rid of last spots of fat before bulking. i'm probably in the same position - i should bulk, but i still have lovehandles on my back and a slight stomach. i figure since i've never been this low bf, this is my chance to get rid of em.

what size pants (waist) do you wear?


ucbgsr you dont look 14% bf from the pic in your journal. id say 12, 13, if that.

hmm, did you mean tomiko? hahhaa, I dont have a journal

GeniSoy Salt 'n' Vinegar Soy Crisps... that's where it's at. 25 chips is 100 calories, 2g fat, 14g carbs, 7g protein.

hmm, did you mean tomiko? hahhaa, I dont have a journal
hmm... you have a good point thurrr, eh.


saltnvinegar soy chips? 14gcarb? what kind of carbs are those? i'll look into em.

Well, I tried to take a pic of myself to post, but my camera died so Im recharging the batteries. Feeling a bit better, I've been fighting a cold all week, yesterday it hit me hard, but I rested all day, and today I feel better. I think Im gonna take it easy though, I tried doing HIIT Wed. and it killed me, I think thats what kick started my cold. Todays is a cheta day for me, my GF made me cookies since she knows Fridays are my days, I dont want to upset her so I'll have some. Since its a cheat day Im gonna force myself to do cardio. I gonna take it REAL SLOW though so I dont botch my immune system again, plus I feel better when I do cardio on cheat day. :) C-ya Later

Supa

why dont you do your cardio right after the cookies? burn up some of that sugar! HIIT i suggest!

seriously.

why dont you do your cardio right after the cookies? burn up some of that sugar! HIIT i suggest!

seriously.

You know the hardest thing for me to do is make myself do cardio/lifting while other people are awake. Cuz they make me go out and I skip my sessions of cardio. SO usually I like to wake up 1hr or 2 before they wake up thus its my time to exercise. But since I do feel like poo today, I think I may do the cardi later maybe at night after all the damage, but I doubt it will be HIIT, cuz I am still battling this cold and I dont want to push my immune sytem and feel like crap tommorrow.

i know what you mean... almost any thought or ambition of excersize while im sick is impossible, especially cardio.

those cookies sound really good right now. the only sugar ive had in the past 2 weeks has been from the 1g found in a serving of brocoli. (not counting the PWO dex)

ok, i really need to get some work done.

:spaz: WOW about 1 Gram of Sugar in 2 Weeks! :spaz:

Man, your hard-core, I couldnt go that long with only 1g average. I got 5 words to describe that achievement, "Hail to the King, Baby" -Ash, Army of Darkness

i know what you mean... almost any thought or ambition of excersize while im sick is impossible, especially cardio.

those cookies sound really good right now. the only sugar ive had in the past 2 weeks has been from the 1g found in a serving of brocoli. (not counting the PWO dex)

ok, i really need to get some work done.

Alright, Whats with the 12% battle? I mean Im at 12%, just got to it about 2 weeks ago, and I realized that many people are battling 12% bf to get lower. Is there something with 12% that the body reacts differently than if you had higher BF%. I mean, I guess the body holds onto that 12% harder as opposed to higher bf%. anyone?

Supa

just my 2 cents...

my last 4% is fat that my body decided to store about... 14 .. 16 years ago. then as i got older, my body stored fat in layers on top of it (love handles, lower stomach.). I almost think that my body FORGOT that it stored fat there, cuz that's some old fat.

also, these areas are comprised of mostly brown adipose tissue fat. This type of fat is difficult to lose because the low blood flow in these areas hinders the fat mobilization. So, if the fat can't be moved into the bloodstream to be used as fuel, those love handles will never go away, which seems to be where my last 4% is located.

also, these areas are comprised of mostly brown adipose tissue fat. This type of fat is difficult to lose because the low blood flow in these areas hinders the fat mobilization. So, if the fat can't be moved into the bloodstream to be used as fuel, those love handles will never go away, which seems to be where my last 4% is located.

Wow, I had never heard anything about that before today.

just my 2 cents...

my last 4% is fat that my body decided to store about... 14 .. 16 years ago. then as i got older, my body stored fat in layers on top of it (love handles, lower stomach.). I almost think that my body FORGOT that it stored fat there, cuz that's some old fat.

also, these areas are comprised of mostly brown adipose tissue fat. This type of fat is difficult to lose because the low blood flow in these areas hinders the fat mobilization. So, if the fat can't be moved into the bloodstream to be used as fuel, those love handles will never go away, which seems to be where my last 4% is located.

Me too, man. Love handles, lower stomach, and chest (hopefully).

hey, if you want to see how bad i have it, check out my latest post in the Cziffra challenge. a good percentage is loose skin, the rest is 18 year old fat that doesnt want to move.

hey, if you want to see how bad i have it, check out my latest post in the Cziffra challenge. a good percentage is loose skin, the rest is 18 year old fat that doesnt want to move.


I got the same problem man, same problem. Im at around 14-15%....my arms/legs look 10%ish....but my chest and abs look 20% :eek:

Still slowly shaving away at it though

You know lately I have been looking more bloated than ever. Sure today was a cheat day and my body is carrying that, but its really bad. I think its pickles that I put in my Boca Burgers, I know the Boca Burgers have sodium in them but I try to take that into consideration by drinking water. I gotta re-vamp my diet...

Supa

Start using fitday....it really helps

I wish I would have done it earlier , I would probably be much closer to my goal by now

Hey guys, this is Tomiko. I changed my name. Mostly because I felt weird having people refer to me as Tomiko.

New progress pictures up in my journal, I gained a pound. :p

nice job tomiko! ;)

after yesterday's chocolate and potatoechip feast, i lost a pound.

George - just checked out the new pics. stop cutting, bulk. The muscle will eat up any fat you might be worried about. use your age to your advantage while you still can.

nice job tomiko! ;)

after yesterday's chocolate and potatoechip feast, i lost a pound.

George - just checked out the new pics. stop cutting, bulk. The muscle will eat up any fat you might be worried about. use your age to your advantage while you still can.

You're right. I reread the rules of this challenge "Don't care what your stats are... just post your Memorial Day goals." Looking back at the last month, I've realized that I haven't actually dropped any scale weight. But I did drop bodyfat. (Change over the last month (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/RudeboyTomiko/JSF/monthprogress.jpg) ) I have been eating 2600+ calories in the last month too which is probably my maintenance. I'm thinking if I ramp up my food intake a bit, I would be on a slow bulk. I'll try this for the rest of the challenge. I've been planning a full-blown hardcore bulk starting mid June(about 7-8 weeks away) for a few weeks now. That's when my summer vacation starts and I'll have a lot more time on my hands.
Hopefully the above rambling makes some sense.

Start-of-challenge weight: 221 pounds (100.5 Kg)
Saturday weigh-in: about 218 pounds (99.1 Kg) – PROGRESS!
Prediction: Tuesday weigh-in will show 219 (99.5), depending on hydration and weekend eating.
Goal: 215 (97.7) by 28 May

Good choice george. If I were in your shoes I would be do the same :tu:

nice job never2old! progress is always great.

good to hear george.

me? maybe i should follow my own advice to george and stop worrying about this last fat on my stomach and just bulk. but ... mine is ALOT uglier. so i will cut until june1 because i get to start running may 1.

here's my goal for NEXT memorial day.

http://www.fatlosstips.com/abs_small.jpg

good to hear george.

me? maybe i should follow my own advice to george and stop worrying about this last fat on my stomach and just bulk. but ... mine is ALOT uglier.

Your's isn't uglier, I'm just better at taking pictures then you. :p

I'm actually heavier now. Weighed in this morning at 158.6. Too much sodium, probably. This fat is stubborn!

OK everyone seems to be complaining so I will take my turn. Man this morning I could see my top 2 abs, and about 10% of my mid-abs...but the bottm abs are still no-where to be found. I did find out that when I eat Natty PB as my last meal of the day, and my macros are higher fats and lower carbs that the next morning I wake up pretty ripped ;) .

I cant believe I can see almost 4 abs but my love-handles are still there, it sucks I have a pretty thin ab line, but I still have a sort of rounded outside...kinda like this---> (::), the "roundedness" is a little smaller than the picture depict but you get what Im trying to say.

Supa

congrats supa! seeing the ab outline is a great feeling.

im going to eat clean today finally. ate a good amount of lasania last night that i shouldnt have.

Yesterday's workout killed me. :D I upped all of my reps.
I had a stomach ache late yesterday and this morning. Probably me just getting used to the extra food.

I'm in! Just got back from a cruise and I'm not yet satisfied with how I look in photos and videos. Time for a super-summer cut, and Memorial Day is a nice milestone.

Stats and pics in my sig. My goals for Memorial Day are:

Bodyfat 7%
Maintain current lean mass of 182 lbs
< 32" waist

According to some quick calculations in Excel, I need to lose 5.25 lbs of fat while maintaining my lean mass in order to hit 7%. That gives me 5 weeks, or a pound a week. Should be doable, I certainly achieved a better loss rate than that during my December-March cut, but now that the levels get lower, its tougher and tougher to keep the muscle while doing this. I'll go for 1 pound per week.

Had a great chest workout yesterday :tucool:

Down to 177.5...off to do cardio

hey joe. just saw your pics, you've done an amazing job. i hope i'll be in your same position this time next year.

gl with the cutting, but i'm sure you already know what you're doing.

update on me: had alot of lasania last night, so i gained 7.5 lbs. no more cheat meals for me.

I havent been around a scale in like 3 weeks. Fortunatly though I lost alot of my water weight and I look pretty good in the morning so I would say Im still around the 175 range. I am though starting to feel that "skinny fat" feeling. I mean I still have lots of muscle but I 've never been this skinny ever in my life, I guess Im not use to looking this way.

I am starting to set up a bulking date, it will proabaly start July 1, since that would be 6 months of cutting. After that I think I will do a really slow bulk to minimize the fat gain, and bulking will probably be a 4 month long cycles then back to cutting. I dont know yet its still in the making.

Supa

ate like shit this weekend, today i'll eat better.

Dont worry bout it Wh0, My GF tempted me with cake today, so I had a slice myself. Unfotrunatly that means I'll give up some meals today so Im still within my daily calorie intake.

Supa

I would like to join in....
Today's stats:
Weight: 175 lbs, 5'10, ~16% BF
Goal: 165 lbs, 10-12% BF

Fairly optimistic goal, but maybe if I crack down I can do it - I've been cheating ALOT lately, yet still making progress.

Huge cheat day yesterday. Had homemade pancakes in the morning. Then went out with friends to an elaborate italian restaurant. I was disapointed with that. It seems the longer I eat healthy foods, the more I stop enjoying non-healthy foods.

Huge cheat day yesterday. Had homemade pancakes in the morning. Then went out with friends to an elaborate italian restaurant. I was disapointed with that. It seems the longer I eat healthy foods, the more I stop enjoying non-healthy foods.

I know what you mean this piece of cake I had today, gave me a serious head-ache. I've never gotten a headache from healthy food, this sucks.

Supa

Man I havent felt like doing anything lately. I just want to eat healthy and lounge, I've been slacking on my workouts and cardio. I used to feel pumped from workingout everyday but lately I've been blah and lost all inspiration. Damn, I wish I could get that "rush" again. :d_frown:

Supa

hey joe. just saw your pics, you've done an amazing job. i hope i'll be in your same position this time next year.

Thanks man. I got a bit of a shock yesterday and today when I dropped back down to cutting levels for calories. I'm coming off a 3400+ calorie/day bulking diet. Funny, when I started the bulk at 3000 cals I felt like I was stuffing myself all day, but I got used to it and was up to 3400 clean calories. Now I feel like I'm starving :)

Man I havent felt like doing anything lately. I just want to eat healthy and lounge, I've been slacking on my workouts and cardio. I used to feel pumped from workingout everyday but lately I've been blah and lost all inspiration. Damn, I wish I could get that "rush" again. :d_frown:

Supa

Hey man, sorry to hear about that. Maybe you need to change up your lifting routine?

Nothing new today. Im still seeing the affects of the cheat weekend in the mirror. If i kept up good eating during one entire weekend, i think my progress would be amazing. but it sets me back pretty bad.

Ate clean yesterday. I dont really count my calories. i just try to have 6 meals each meal consisting of 1 cup veggies, a fat source (nat peanut butter or almonds) and a good protien source.

...
Ate clean yesterday. I dont really count my calories. i just try to have 6 meals each meal consisting of 1 cup veggies, a fat source (nat peanut butter or almonds) and a good protien source.

Do you mean you try to avoid carbs appart from veggies?
Where do you get your fiber from?

What are you Pre- and Post-workout eating protocols?

Do you have a refeed day?

Do you mean you try to avoid carbs appart from veggies?
during normal non-workout days yes.

Where do you get your fiber from?
Veggies, nuts, peanut butter. i wouldnt be surprised if i eat >30g fiber per day. i eat 5-6 cups of veggies a day with 2g of fiber for each, plus 5-6 servings of nuts/peanutbutter which has 3g, 4g a serving.

What are you Pre- and Post-workout eating protocols?Preworkout the wise decision would be an apple, but i eat tuna and a bowl of oatmeal. PWO (immediately) is 30g protien, 60g dextrose, 12g glutamine peptide. then about 60 minutes after that i have another boal of oatmeal and some salmon. And those 3 meals i consider my refeeding. maybe i should have carbs all through out the lifting days?

Edit: Keep in mind i completly screw up every weekend, which is why it seems like i have no progress. but maybe a refeed day would be a good idea? i need to read the rest of that artical you posted a link to. I've been thinking about buying that book "burn the fat, feed the muscle" that that one 9% tatoo guy went by.

... I've been thinking about buying that book "burn the fat, feed the muscle" that that one 9% tatoo guy went by.

I have that book. Buy it. You wont regret.

Note that BFFM is a very traditional approach. That, IMO, makes things much simpler.

Tuesday weigh-in: 219 lbs. (99.5 Kg)
As predicted Saturday, a slight rise in weight. My scale is not extremely accurate. But I did eat more junk than usual between Saturday weigh-in and last night. Now walking 50 minutes, up from 45, so that should burn a few more calories per day.
Prediction: back to 218 by Saturday.
Goal: [still] 215 by Saturday 28 May.

Anybody in this challenge taking fish oil pills, plus/or glucosamine and chondroitin?

Had a fun judo session last night. Got thrown around a lot. Still getting used to eating so much.

Can't believe this... I am sick. Bad timing for many reasons. I woke up today at 156 lbs. (good), but I just layed on the couch all day and couldn't stop eating (bad). I hope I recover quickly.

Tuesday weigh-in: 219 lbs. (99.5 Kg)
As predicted Saturday, a slight rise in weight. My scale is not extremely accurate. But I did eat more junk than usual between Saturday weigh-in and last night.

Don't sweat those fluctuations. When I was cutting last time I frequently noted 2-3 pound spikes up or down in any given day. The biggest culprit is missing a bowel movement. Seriously, that accounts for 3 extra pounds for me. Its not just what you think - there's water retention that goes along with it. After a BM I drop a few pounds, but it takes a few hours to see the whole affect.

i havnt weighed myself recently - i dont really care. i know if i stick to my diet everything will be fine. i eat sooooo well during the week, but my weekends kill it. i cant believe ALL myfriends eat like shit constantly. no wonder everyone from my highschool is fat after college.

Thanks JoeBiron! And hang tough, Puddy, you'll get well! You've both made inspiring progress - please know that - we're in business together here to move forward, and all indications are, keeping our minds together is getting, and will get, all of us "there." You guys are huge helpers, THANKS!

Even though I am thinking much of exactly what you wrote, JoeBiron, it really helps me when I see someone else writing about it all. A one-pound "spike" is not cause for panic or overreaction. I think I'm a lot like Wh0areume, in the sense of just using the number on the scale, and not obsessing over it, while paying closest attention to what I am eating. I have some serious eating-correction to do, compared to my eating of the past four days.

I am lucky in that today at work, it's a kind of "stand-down day" (for a couple of hours, anyway) for a Health Fair. I want to get into the typically long line of people at the booth that's been set-up at previous years' fairs, to get blood chemistry checked. I want to have some numbers on glucose and cholesterol that I can compare with results of blood work I had done during a physical late last year, before I decided to transform. Then I want to show both sets of numbers to my Dr. when I have the long-awaited appointment May 10, and hope she'll do my blood work yet again. (I consider hers the "first opinion," and the Health Fair numbers the "2nd opinion.") There are just too many stories of diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, obesity, and heart problems in my family history for me to ignore the numbers in my blood work. I am at a new, "vulnerable" age. Like a virgin being shown the big city for the first time...I guess there is always one vulnerability or another you have to confront, no matter what your age...

Well, day 3of 4. Have a final today and a final tommorrow. I havent done cardio or lifted since Saturday. Im feeling kinda lazy, but I've been studying so much that my brain is fried. Well just 1 more day testing then, back to the fitness I go.

Im not really worried about it, Im eating still eating healthy, and Im not cheating at all. So I'll be good. If I have some muscle loss, I'll take it for the moment, but I'll gain it all back in my bulkibg phase 1 month from now.

Take it easy

Supa

Hmm...I've done cardio every single day since I started this challenge....16 days straight. I've eaten clean every single day except one cheat and havn't missed a lift (4 lift days/week)...and ive still only managed to lose 3 lbs. Kind of discouraging to see such hard work show so little, but I guess thats how it is as you get lighter and lighter. However, despite getting lighter and lighter, im still lifting the same

I can now do towel pull ups as well for sets of 8. If you dont know what I mean, ill explain. Put two towels over the pull up bar, shoulder width apart, fold them in a fashion so they are about 2-3 inches in width. Then grab each hanging towel such that the towels are holding you up on the bar, and then do pull ups. PLus, it looks crazy with your forearms/arms/back flexing. The girls always seem to watch me when I do these :) Great for grip strength, which will help when you get to heavy deads/shrugs. I can DL 275 easily without lifting straps now

On a side note, ive discovered the perfect 40/40/20 breakfast that fills you up like no other. Add cinnamon and splenda for flavor

Cheese, cottage, lowfat, 2% milkfat 203 5 10 28
Oatmeal, NS as to fat added in cooking 152 2 26 6
355 7 36 34

This was for 1 cup of cottage cheese and .5 cups of oatmeal uncooked

its actually 41/39/20 :p

Still stuck at 177 today. No worries though, even though the loss is goign slow, I'm still seeing results in the mirror. The top 4 abs are popping through, I can see my obliques from the side, I can see where my lats attach now, and v-cuts on the front are faintly visable

And im'm down to a 33" waist. Down from 37.5 just 4 months ago :D

The next 7-9 pounds should be the most shocking in terms of my appearance and waist line since thats where I store most of my fat. My arms/calves are pretty cut already

nothing new from me. just got back from lifting, and i think i accidently got some dextrose in my right eye. is this normal? will my eye start bulking now?

Oh yeah, I learned yesterday to never lift in the morning (at least for me).
This was the first time ive ever tried it, I had oatmeal, cottage cheese, and a jamba juice beforehand, but was still just completely gassed when I was done and didnt have any energy for the next 3-4 hours. Severely devoid of energy, I cracked and ate some chinese fast food :( . So yeah, never lifting in the morning again, I need at least 3-4 meals in me before I can lift

Joe - What's your shoulder workout look like? i cant believe your shoulders grew like they did. very impressed.

Hmm...I've done cardio every single day since I started this challenge....16 days straight. I've eaten clean every single day except one cheat and havn't missed a lift (4 lift days/week)...and ive still only managed to lose 3 lbs.
3 lbs in 16 days sounds just about right to me. Any faster than that means you're just losing water. If you are already eating clean, you probably aren't carrying much excess water to begin with, so your 3lbs is surely fat.

be happy man! :tu:

Joe - What's your shoulder workout look like? i cant believe your shoulders grew like they did. very impressed.
Well, a couple of things -

for one, I had been cutting previously, so when I started eating big for the bulk, I'm sure my muscle cells were just itching to grow.

Next, I specifically identified my chest and shoulders as being my main focus area, so I started a shock program of pushups, morning and night. I would do one epic set of pushups to failure, twice a day. Amazingly, I did not seem to get DOMS from this, and it did not affect my normal chest day routine.

Also, I realized that in my quest for bigger lifts, especially on shoulder press, I was sacrificing form. So I cut my weight back and dialed in my form, and went for 8-10 reps instead of 6-8 (MAX-OT).

I'm sort of at a crossroads now. My weight today is 200lbs, down 2 from Sunday (post-vacation), which is good, but I dipped down to 198.4 a few days ago, which tells me my current 200 is partially water.

I started HIT training this week for a change, just finished Ell Darden's book, and I'm wondering if I made the right decision. I have had such good results with MAX-OT and 70% cardio, I'm wondering if changing now is a mistake. Nevertheless, I'm goin in for a HIT workout right now...

Saturday weigh-in: 220 - going backwards!

The culprit, pure and simple: eating too much junk. Not "overeating," per se, but sufficient quantity of junk to regress. So now, I have made my goal as tough to achieve as possible.

It figures. I hum along for 100 days or so, lone wolf-style, accountable to no one but myself, and I witness the scale going down and down with scarcely a pause. Then, I join a group with shared or similar interests or goals, expressly to facilitate mutual support...and I go backwards. Am I blaming the group? No, exactly the opposite: I'm blaming my own way of "belonging" - an old, hippie "thing" about me that I now realize I must kill - yes, MURDER - just like I have murdered my overeating impulses since January.

In practical terms:
- must limit dining out to once per week (ONE meal in SEVEN days!)
- must not touch chocolate-flavored or "extreme" sugar-added foods
- must be more consistent about spacing of food consumption, instead of 3-meal-daily "bunching"
- must lower carbs and fat, and raise protein, in daily food ratios
- must be more of a "mean, nasty prick" about keeping a schedule of work and sleeping - I've been "too nice," too flexible and accommodating - must push back at the world's pushing on my personal (health- and fitness-enhancing and -ensuring) schedule

Up another pound this week, might be some water from the previous night's cheat meal.
New pictures are up in my journal.

Well, My finals are over. This means that now I can concentrate on getting back on track. I havent exercised all week, no lifting, no cardio, just a clean diet. I surprisingly lost 3 lbs. (174lb) but I think it might have been muscle, so thats bad. Oh well, I will be nearing my last month of cutting and then its full speed ahead into the bulk. I cant wait to start eating more and lifting like a demon...c-ya guys later.

Supa

must be more of a "mean, nasty prick" about keeping a schedule of work and sleeping - I've been "too nice," too flexible and accommodating - must push back at the world's pushing on my personal (health- and fitness-enhancing and -ensuring) schedule
You must take care of yourself before you can take care of others. You have to treat your workouts like they are as real of a responsibility as your job. You also must take full ownership of your own nutrition. There are times when I am a real ass about that. Like not eating the pizza and cake at kids' birthday parties. I just politely say no, and if I still get pressured, I say "no thank you, I cannot", and I give them "the look". ;)

I havent exercised all week, no lifting, no cardio, just a clean diet. I surprisingly lost 3 lbs. (174lb)
Maybe it was fat after all. When was the last time you had a week off from training? If you were previously overtraining, then it follows that your body was stubbornly hanging on to fat, and muscles were not able to fully recover. A week off could rectify that situation. As per the MAX-OT and other regimens, I take a full week off every 8 weeks.

And I wouldnt think that you'd lose 3 pounds of muscle in one week unless you were starving.

Very true, I didnt starve myself, so maybe it was 3lbs of fat. But still I was lazy this week and I need to jump back on the "exercise train". Well I'll be back on the tread-mill tommorrow and hopefully back to weights by tuesday.

Supa

It's been a bad 3-day streak. 3 straight nights of heavy drinking with my High school friends who came up to visit from san diego and san luis.

drinking means late night drunken eating. I'm not even going to bother with fitday for those 3 days.

Starting again today though. 1 month left in the challege, and I still have quite a bit to go.

cant do that man - thats how you erase progress. trust me, i do it all the time, usually every weekend. result - no progress. i eat PERFECTLY all week too.

try not to do it again until the challenge is over. i will too!

for sure. It was just a special occasion with my long time friends up to visit for the weekend.

I was at 182 today...5 pounds of water weight :eek:

No cheats and cardio EVERY day for the rest of the challenge :tu:

I just hope I can do it with finals coming up and ready to kick my ass

"Sucky" my (inaccurate!) scale says this a.m.: about 217 pounds. I won't know if I am progressing again until Saturday weigh-in at the earliest. Probably more like, next Tuesday, before I can be sure about whether I am on track. At least the number looks good, or better than the last one Sucky said.

I sure can relate to Wh0's weekends of relative misbehaving. That's exactly how I "dieted" some 20 years ago. Exactly how I progressed then, too - slowly, or almost imperceptibly, or sometimes progressing, sometimes regressing. To a lesser extent, it's still how I behave, or misbehave: "most careful" Mondays through Fridays, "less careful" Saturdays and Sundays. Except for last night...

I wish I could relate better to ucbgsr's drinking with his friends. Not because I wish I boozed more, but because I'd like to say something that would help him progress. I don't know what has taken hold in me over the years, where I generally avoid over-doing booze, and the social situations somehow don't "loosen me up" to misbehave any more than if I am taking booze while all alone. Still, I over-do it too, but more and more rarely. I'd like to believe that I actually do know better, and despite being an old dog, I still can learn new tricks, so I'd like to believe that each time after a too-boozy time, the lesson to not over-do booze sinks in a little deeper, a little more permanently, a little more effectively. Sometimes I wish I could cease drinking any alcoholic beverages cold-turkey and forever, like I did with soft drinks last July. But I have never consumed booze like I consumed soft drinks. So I continue, with booze drinks a "tasty convenience," just another class of foods of many that are pleasing.

It's like, I have to be convinced it's a problem, before I do anything about it. Maybe, ucbgsr, that's a key for you, in your case. If the booze is a direct blocker in your path, a definite hindrance to your attainment of your goals, and if you can see booze that way, you can gather-up your will to be with friends and stick to "only one," or, "only one tonight and none tomorrow - one, only one [drink] every other day." But of course, if trying that turns out to be just playing games with yourself, then the cold-turkey, absolute abstinence way might be necessary. I've tried to do the same with pizza, and am still trying. I don't want to tell about results or progress in that area yet, because one, I haven't given it enough of a go to know definitely enough yet, and two, I don't want to discourage anyone (or encourage anyone down a misleading path).

JoeB, you are right on! I have to think like they coach during those pre-flight instructions about using oxygen masks on airliners: take care of yourself first. It makes sense. Take care of yourself first, then you can get that mask on that flailing child or panicky adult next to you. There's nothing inherently or automatically "mean" or "nasty" about taking care of yourself first. Thanks, JoeBiron, I needed that! :tu:

Guys, I beg your patience (and pardon, if needed), for my long posts...

Nice post never2old. I know that drinking has lengthened my cutting phase somewhat, but not to the extent where its detrimental. I've still lost about 25 pounds since Jan 11th (drinking about once a weekend), and despite my weight spike, im back down today and my waist was at an all time low this morning, 32.75" :D

As for the drinking, I can control it, I usually only do it once a week in moderation, but at the same time, i'm in my last semester of college, so sometimes I let myself go and just get silly with my buddies. I'm still making progress, just not as fast as I could be, but I think the trade off is a good one. I need to have a little fun and cheat sometimes to keep my sanity. :nod:

Off for my morning cardio.

176.4 Today

My calipers say 12.5%, rustyiron.net says 12.2, Scale sales 15%.

Id say 13% is a good estimate, that would put my at 153lbs of lean mass which is what has consistantly been coming up

This is the best part of the cut, where my ab fat finally starts to go away :D The top 4 abs are coming out nicely now

176.4 Today

My calipers say 12.5%, rustyiron.net says 12.2, Scale sales 15%.

Id say 13% is a good estimate, that would put my at 153lbs of lean mass which is what has consistantly been coming up

This is the best part of the cut, where my ab fat finally starts to go away :D The top 4 abs are coming out nicely now

Good work man! You'll reach your goals by memorial day for sure!

Good work man! You'll reach your goals by memorial day for sure!


Thanks man. I sure hope so. Getting to 180 wasn't too hard, but this last 10 pounds has been a real struggle

W00t.

Down to 175.8 today. I know it could just be water flucuation, but its still the lowest i've ever been (well since like 10th grade in HS), and im still on the downward trend

My waist dropped again too, 32.5" around the belly button today, so I know the fat is the stuff being burned :claplow:

nothing new with me. i've been sticking to my diet perfectly this week, and i started running yesterday. feels so good to run again.

today i decided to wear my size 33' waist jeans. i shouldv' taken a picture of how loose they are on me.

some pics from today

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6204

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6205

lookn good ucbgsr!!! it really looks like you're going to hit your goals for memorial day.

scale last friday: 172.8lbs, 12% bf
scale this friday: 172.8lbs, 11% bf

couldnt ask for more :) looking at my topless picture, i know this number is a % or 2 too low, but that doesnt matter - it's a consistant number that's going down.

official measurements sunday.

Well, I hope I get there, however my challenge sort of ends the 18th. My GF comes back from france then, then I graduate college the 21st, so Ill be eating out with family and such that whole weekend. I know I won't hit 170 by then, but ill try to get really close

Do you think my 13% estimate is accurate?

MIssed my cardio this morning. I was up until 6am working on a report. As it is, im already late for work. Ill do some HIIT afterwards today when im full of cheat-meal carbs :D

Ucbgsr, great to see you succeeding!! Sorry I can't help with bf % measurement. Congrats on your...is it "matriculation?" Anyway, it's uplifting to read of another's passage through a time of rewards for hard work. Kinda cool too, that your gf gets back to town - from FRANCE - around the same time. Talk about "cream on top!" :D :tu:

I weighed about 217 (98.6) on my scale today. A scale in my office building seemed to reflect a one-pound drop between late last week and yesterday. Of course I don't want to play games with myself, but I do still feel optimistic about seeing a "215" number in the next few weeks. But it'll probably be down-to-the-wire as far as attaining 215 by May 28. And "final results" are likely to be "controversial" anyway, in the sense that there is no one "perfectly reliable" scale that I have available.

Honestly, now that I've come down from over 250, my focus now is shifting to monitoring blood pressure, LDL/HDL/glucose, heart rates, sleep regularity, & basic muscle strength/conditioning. Weight is less of a concern. I'm far from ready to start bulking - I'm fairly sure I'll never feel motivated to bulk.

So I say all that, but I don't mean to imply that my joining of this challenge has been to go at it half-assed. Joining with you guys in this period has helped me a great deal, and I appreciate it. I probably would be even less likely to hit 215 by May 28 if I hadn't joined. We've got three weeks to go yet, besides!

I still hope that in some way - despite my verbosity - I am, and will be, a help to y'all challenge-mates!

Weekly pictures and stuff are up in the journal. My weight went down 4 pounds?!? I'm writing it off as a bad week.

JoeB, you are right on! I have to think like they coach during those pre-flight instructions about using oxygen masks on airliners: take care of yourself first. It makes sense. Take care of yourself first, then you can get that mask on that flailing child or panicky adult next to you. There's nothing inherently or automatically "mean" or "nasty" about taking care of yourself first. Thanks, JoeBiron, I needed that! :tu:

That's what I'm here for brother.. :tu:

Here's my weekly update. Weight down 2 pounds to 198, though it dipped to 197 on Monday then shot back up to 200 for most of the week.

I'm pleased with the poundage loss rate, however the calipers do not show a change today - locked at 9.6%. I think I'm looking a bit tighter in the mirror though, so I'm not going to sweat the BF% yet. If I end up dropping 6 pounds and the bf doesnt move, then I'll get concerned.

Off to another kid's birthday party this afternoon, where I'll have to politely refuse pizza and cake. Jeez - can't these people serve lean deli turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread, and rice cakes for dessert? jk.

Did you mean to post this here? Or did you mean to start a new thread :)

Well, despite friday being my cheat day (had panda express for lunch, a burrito for dinner, and had a few drinks at the club), I was 175 today

w00t w00t, 5 more lbs to go

I guess all that dancing at the club helped a bit and I held back and didnt have any post clubbing munchies like my friends

Just did some measurements

Mybodycomp-11.8%
Rustyiron.com-11.7%
Fatrack II-12.2%

Assuming Ive maintained my 153 lbs of lean mass, I should be 12.6%

I also bought my first pair of size 32 shorts in like...i honestly cant remember the last time..i must have been in middle school

Still have stubborn lower ab fat though :(

Did you mean to post this here? Or did you mean to start a new thread :)
haha! woops... moving...

Blast. After 3 days of 175.XX, I was back to 176 today. I didn't cheat or anything, did my cardio, but I did eat 2400 (clean) cals.

Keepin it 2100 or below from now on.

weight doesnt matter. what i like the best is when my weight goes up, measurments go down. at 6'2, i dont want to see the scale go any lower than 173.

is ham bad for you? i had alot of it yesterday and i feel fat.

weight doesnt matter. what i like the best is when my weight goes up, measurments go down. at 6'2, i dont want to see the scale go any lower than 173.

is ham bad for you? i had alot of it yesterday and i feel fat.

yup...ham is usually loaded with sodium and isnt very lean

As for my weight...yeah I know it was just water weight...but im also pretty sure im not gaining any muscle mass with how much I eat and excercise, so dropping weight means dropping fat

Both my weight and measurements are going down. 32" waist today

bad day today. Unscheduled cheat meal, no cardio, havnt lifted since wednesday.

Being in one of the most rigorous mechanical engineering programs in the world and having ADD do not mix

220 pounds today, or so sez Sucky the scale, who (which?) reads anywhere between 221.5 and 219.5, plus several flat 220s, when stepped on for multiple samples.

The number no doubt represents lots of stuff in the gut, plus likely water retention from sodium in restaurant foods. Past two days have been "retro" (my term for "cheating") with eating.

So honestly, I am not worried. It might be only 18 days to go, but my 5 pounds to go are probably more like 3 or even 2. Near-term trend is "not good," but overall trend remains "transforming." Next-door neighbor gushed at me while we were both out in front of our houses Sunday (he washing cars, me pulling weeds), "Man, you have really lost weight!"

So today I finally get to see our new family doctor, and I've got a list that's half a page long of things I want to discuss with her. I know how to annoy. So here I sit, writing words words words words words and more words...parables proverbs trite cheesy goofy homilies similies metaphors and other basically useless verbiage...

OK guys....

I am getting a drift, from recent posts, that at least several of us are at this time (maybe) battling something in common in our minds, with respect to this challenge.

We're like race horses heading into the home stretch on a long track, in one "race" of many on a "competition circuit." We've done the Derby and the Preakness, so now we're in a sort of Belmont. Big difference is, each one of us has our own "Triple Crown" within reach. We don't care who's betting on us or how much they're betting; we are our own "jockeys" and owners. We are thoroughbreds. We are battling against...not complacency, not fear, not burn-out...no, I sense we are battling for...a gathering of willpower, to make our final sprint to the finish, to our goals. LET"S GO NOW!!!

ADD is probably the worst condition you can possibly have in engineering.

never2old - keep up the good work, and keep the diet clean.. you'll make it!

Switched my exercise routine to a 3 day fullbody HIT workout. I'm pretty excited to try this!

Update:

i'm gaining weight, and the bf% is still dropping. i contribute this to using my leg muscles again with running and biking, along with overeating on meats and complex carbs.

178.4 lbs, (+5 lbs from last week)
11.12% bf (caliper - 3 site method) (down almost a full % from last week)
11% (electronic scale)

My pecs are feeling embarrassingly sore - two days after "all I did" was two sets of KNEES-DOWN (!! :mad: !!) push-ups to failure: one set (16) before I took a 50-minute walk, and the 2nd set (12) after.

With wimpitude like that, I can't believe I'm considering going into more weight training...heck, at this rate, I'm gonna have to start with curls using apples and oranges! :o

But I think I'm back on track with a "good chance" to hit 215 lbs by 5/28.
- Martin

Weight: 175.2 (+ 2.4 lbs from last friday)

http://rustyiron.net/accumeas.jpg

Friday's End of week 2 skinfold measurements:

Pectorial:
6, 6, 6 mm

Abs:
15, 16, 14 mm

Thigh:
16, 16, 16 mm

Age:
23.5 yrs

Calculated BF%
10.493559788251104 (down 1% from last week)

used this method (http://rustyiron.net/formmale.htm)... i do it the same each time, so whether im 10% bf or 12% (i look more 12% or 13% in the mirror) it doesnt matter. its a number that's going down. yes, i'm cross posting, but its relavent to each challenge. do you guys really find these challenges helpful?

My diet has sucked recently so no loses for the week. I think im looking a bit more cut still though, perhaps that is due to my tan

216 today. I am AFRAID to measure my bodyfat %. Like ucbgsr, i have used food stupidly lately. -Martin

Went on a great run today, running will definetly become part of my weekly routine.
Question for the runners out there: how do you know what distance you run? Can you just tell by your pace and the time it takes to complete the run, or do you map it out ahead of time?

Well, despite my bad diet, I was down to 172 today.

My digital calipers, rustyiron.net, and my assumtion of 153lbs of LBM all put me right at 11% :D

Pec-8,6,6
Ab-19,19,20
Thigh-13,14,15

Looks like im going to need to go to 8% to get that full six pack, at 11% I still have some naggin low ab fat that will prob still be there at 9-10% :(

It's nice to see the top 4 coming through though

With wimpitude like that, I can't believe I'm considering going into more weight training...heck, at this rate, I'm gonna have to start with curls using apples and oranges! :o

:D - don't feel bad never2old... 10 years ago I could barely do 10 pushups. Now I can do 60. I just started training my nephew who is 21, and I'm grabbing 70lb dumbells to start my pec workout, and he's like "dude! I can barely lift the 40's off the rack". I remember CLEARLY struggling with 35lb dumbells. It's amazing how the pounds click away. The incremental progress really pays off in the long run.

Weekly Update: 5-15-2005

197 lbs. Not much droppage there.

8.7% bodyfat. Some movement there!! Thats an average of three caliper readings (7.7,8.7,8.7).

I've been playing with my calories this week. I'm trying to eat like i'm bulking on lifting days (MWF), and like I'm cutting on non-lifting days. It seems to be working. One day this week I ate 3600 clean cals (leg day), and another I had just 1900. This intake matches what my body seems to be telling me. On lifting days I'm just so HUNGRY. It would be stupid to ignore that message.

Take it from me, its easier to lose fat than to gain muscle. The last thing you want to do is lose muscle you just busted ass to gain.

joe - you only did 1 caliper spot on your body?
where on your body?

i do a 3-site one, but the number i get is far too low as compared to what i see in the mirror.

joe - you only did 1 caliper spot on your body?
where on your body?

i do a 3-site one, but the number i get is far too low as compared to what i see in the mirror.

No I do 3 sites. Each time my calipers calculate the bf% based on the measurements from those 3 sites (they are electronic). I do that 3 times, averaging the bf% from each of the 3 calculations. (so 9 total site measurements).

I usually find that the very first set of measurements are low, then the next 2 sets usually are in consensus.

I'f I'm not careful I can get a reading that is way too low. You gotta really grab that flab and get a good pinch.

k, we might do the same thing then. i do 3 sites, 3 times each, and enter them into this (http://rustyiron.net/formmale.htm) page, and it does it.

i have no idea what age has to do with it though.

Updates on me:
Put on 0.4% bf this weekend. drunken cashew binges are never good for progress. either is being drunk.

just got done with a bike ride. 12 miles. my lower back felt pretty worked, lots of hills. I'm going to be doing cardio twice per day. running in the morning when i wake up, and then a bike ride during my lunch break.

age[/i] has to do with it though.




The older you are, the more bodyfat you store internally. So, for example, even though your caliper measurements will show the same amount as someone who is 5 years younger, you may have 2% more bodyfat simply because you carry more fat around your internal organs.

k, we might do the same thing then. i do 3 sites, 3 times each, and enter them into this (http://rustyiron.net/formmale.htm) page, and it does it.

i have no idea what age has to do with it though.




I use the same site you do, and my calipers are the digital fatrack ones, so that gives me a reading as well. Then I do mybodycomp as well. They all correspond within 1% usually, and as long as they are ALL dropping, im a happy camper :D

The older you are, the more bodyfat you store internally. So, for example, even though your caliper measurements will show the same amount as someone who is 5 years younger, you may have 2% more bodyfat simply because you carry more fat around your internal organs.
amazing that i've never read that anywhere. i love learning new things. thanks!

nothing new with me today. didnt eat enough yesterday with all the training i did, and now i feel a cold coming on in my throat. couldnt sleep very well last night. does that mean i should put off lifting until tomorrow?

216 lbs today. Going to rest today, except for climbing stairs in my office building. And maybe doing some work in my yard - if I can get home from work before dark. Who are these people in my house? Family? Oh yeah, I guess I need to know them better... :rolleyes:

ive discovered that pulling all nighters makes you retain water. I didnt sleep at all last night, weighed in a 176.2, and hardly broke a sweat during my cardio :confused:

ive discovered that pulling all nighters makes you retain water. I didnt sleep at all last night, weighed in a 176.2, and hardly broke a sweat during my cardio :confused:
doing cardio on no sleep is very dangerous. its probably better for progress if you dont do it.

Yeah, i felt a little funny doing it.

Im usually actually pretty functional on 3-4 hours of sleep, so yeah, I didnt think much of it

Weight: 172 (- 2.4 lbs from yesterday)

http://rustyiron.net/accumeas.jpg

Wednesday's hump of week 3 skinfold measurements:

Pectorial:
6, 7, 6 mm

Abs:
15, 15, 15 mm

Thigh:
14, 14, 15 mm

Age:
23.5 yrs

Calculated BF%
10.088124587443928 (down 0.2% from YESTERDAY)

used this method (http://rustyiron.net/formmale.htm)... still not looking any better in the mirror that i'm noticing, but my measurements keep dropping. my electronic scale also says 10%. by looking in the mirror, im guessing im going to have to cut until my measurements say 5%

I imagine you are just really hard on yourself, like everyone else

Even when you hit a goal, its never good enough :p

blah...still at 175 today. I suppose my body is still holding in water somewhere. The waist is still at 32" though

Quick testimony, to exhort "don't do cardio after an all-nighter:"

The single most obvious post-all-nighter (or post-sleep-deprived) physical sensation I have experienced consistently, all my life, is congestion. The heart has not had its rest, so while tired and while having "missed its turn" in the "circadian rhythm," it's struggling to empty fluid out of my lungs. I cough and wheeze, and don't breathe as deeply or easily. I've experienced that, even during seasons of my younger years when I was a runner of 20+ 6-minute miles per week.

I take (non-cardio) rest after an all-nighter or near-all-nighter very seriously because of that. And, because my dad was not taking such rest on his stressful job at age 58, over 30 years ago. He ended up DOA with congestive heart failure (but was miraculously revived).

Y'all take care! -Martin

I didnt post more than once in this thread...but anyways. Scale weight now fluctuates between 166 and 170. BF looks like it is lower. I will post high quality pics when the challenge is up =P

I'm still eating stupidly - or at least, not smartly enough, often enough.

So I quit Oreo cookies today - for life. And I'm not dining out until May 28. How I'm going to manage that, with my son's high school graduation next Friday and guests coming to town, I don't know yet.

I'm still eating stupidly - or at least, not smartly enough, often enough.

So I quit Oreo cookies today - for life. And I'm not dining out until May 28. How I'm going to manage that, with my son's high school graduation next Friday and guests coming to town, I don't know yet.
salads.
if i know i'm going to dine out, i'll eat right before (good food), and then at the restaurant i'll get either a lean meat or a salad with lowfat dressing.

dont eat crutons because of the transfat. you need to protect your heart, and transfats will stick to your artery walls like crazy.

Good tips on "impact control" when dining out, Wh0! Thanks! Salads - definitely salads - with LOTS of spinach! :drool:

Croutons - I bake my own, using olive oil. Are there still too many transfats in the bread anyway? -Martin

used this method (http://rustyiron.net/formmale.htm)... still not looking any better in the mirror that i'm noticing, but my measurements keep dropping. my electronic scale also says 10%. by looking in the mirror, im guessing im going to have to cut until my measurements say 5%

I tried that page to do the calculations and they are right on par with the calculation my FatTracK II
http://www.accumeasurefitness.com/products/images/fattrack1.jpg
came up with.

Today I got readings of

Upper: 7 , 8, 7 mm
Mid: 9, 9, 10 mm
Lower: 11,11,12 mm

Calculating to 8.7%.

Weight in at 199lbs today. I've been continuing to eat 3000+ cals on lifting days and 2300-2600 on non-lift days. Not been doing much cardio either. I think I'm technically bulking, as my mass has gone up, but I've been slowly losing bf, so I'm happy.

The older you are, the more bodyfat you store internally. So, for example, even though your caliper measurements will show the same amount as someone who is 5 years younger, you may have 2% more bodyfat simply because you carry more fat around your internal organs.

I didn't need to read that! (Yes, I did.)

Weight = 215 (my goal weight, according to this challenge)

BUT...

Taking into account my scale inaccuracy, my variation in hydration from day to day, and my not-quite-yet-adequately controlled eating, I cannot look at that 215 number and declare "victory." Far from it...

Next Saturday, not today, is my target date. That 215 number only counts if it (or an even lower number) shows next Saturday. I absolutely SHALL NOT play games with myself with weigh-ins. No quibbling, no fudging, no b.s.

Well, the rumor in the house is that there is going to be a dine-out tonight - Italian, no less! Exactly what I would like to avoid until next weekend. But it's impossible to do, if I expect to enjoy any time with the family all rounded-up in the same room at the same time. That round-up only seems doable in restaurants these days.

So I'm going to have to take the cue from Wh0areume, and "prep" for the dine-out, to minimize its impact. My personal addition to the "prep plan:" to drink about a quart of water before leaving the house.

All y'all challenge-mates HANG TOUGH - one week to go!!! :eek:

Blah...my GF arrived back in the country on the 18th (with lots of french pastries and chocolate), then my family got here the 20th. So since the 18th my diet and excercise program has been in the gutter. I'm afraid to step on the scale

well, i hit 9.27% bf today. i'm very skeptical of how my bf% keeps going down. its almost like i purposely take readings so that the numbers go down, only accidently.
thats the benifit of having someone else doing it i think.

i sure don't look 9.27 %, but 11 i could see.

gained weight - up to 176.4 lbs. that's scaring me too.
theres no way i can put on LBM this easily. maybe i need to take a huge shit.

i think i'm going to go for a bikeride, but it looks like it's going to rain. i hate rain. maybe i should get some work done instead, and wait a few hrs to see what the weather does..

when i start bulking, i'm focusing 1000% on my sholders and upper back.
im also going to learn how to spell sholders if im spelling it incorrectly.

actually, i need to focus also on my quads, hams, ass, lowerback, biceps as well. i really need to bulk. joe - you look amazing. and you managed to keep a very low bf% while bulking. impressed and inspired as always.

Wh0, I like how you spell shoul...shol...that joint where your arm joins your chest. Inglish shood b eezier 2 spel!

I am not asking to argue, but merely curious: why is there such interest in bodyfat percentage around here?

Is it like, if you're 10% or more, you've got 10 times higher likelihood of cancer, or something? Of course low bf% means the muscles will "pop" better. (Right?) But for an old hippie like me, popping just isn't my bag, if you know what I mean. I don't care if others care that I pop or not. It's like a virtually irrelevant measurement to me.

I want to stay open-minded (like hippies are supposed to be, always). So, why would I want to care about bf%? -Martin

no one said you had to care about bf%.
with that said, no one says you have to change your lifestyle or fitness level either.

we all set goals for ourselves. i'm 23, and i'm noticing that the lower bf% i have, the better i look. i'm also hoping that low bf% will cure any insecurities i have about taking off my shirt. i want to be able to take off my shirt and know people are envious of how i look (if that makes sense).

we're only here once, only live once, only get to have one body - it might as well be perfect, right?

...

Is it like, if you're 10% or more, you've got 10 times higher likelihood of cancer, or something? Of course low bf% means the muscles will "pop" better. (Right?) But for an old hippie like me, popping just isn't my bag, if you know what I mean. I don't care if others care that I pop or not. It's like a virtually irrelevant measurement to me...


The deal with 10% bf has to do, I think, with the fact that we have 5 fingers in each hand.

Therefore, we count in decimal system. And thus we like single digits bf. Just because it seems a smaller number.

Should we have had 4 fingers each hand, we most likely would be aiming for sub 8% bf :D

OK, thanks Wh0 and Cziffra, really I am just curious. I can be weird about failing to recognize the obvious. I could read in these forums for months, as I have, and totally miss some important point, despite getting a bunch of other important points. BF% is a goal that fits the SMART criteria - I can dig it. Hey man, follow your dreams and "do your thing" - another old hippie jingo - that's liberty! Peace!

-Martin

i knew a hippy once. he was the best philosophy teacher at our college. definatly my favorite prof.

"solid G.B... solid."

Looks like im fat today because of sunday's highcarb day. i really need to keep better track of what i eat on those. wayyyy too many atkin grenola bars

Weight = 214. Home stretch to Memorial Day! Hopes are up.

Yeah, hippies can be good professors. That guy at U of Colorado - Churchill, I believe is his name - sure has stirred the pot. I wouldn't quite go where he's gone, but if I was a perfesser, I'd go somewhere else that would stir things up, no doubt.

I am getting to the age where I would like to be a perfesser. I've got the nutty part down. Now I just need to know something well enough that's worthwhile to teach. About all I qualify for at this time is "Doctor of Slackology." I like the adage, "A man doesn't start giving good advice until he's too old to set a bad example." (Thanks, Dad!)

I need to keep a high protein ratio this week and be careful about the carbs, if I am going to have any assurance of keeping 215 lbs or lower until and including May 28. AHOY, GOAL IN SIGHT!! -Martin

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000AQJRD.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg

Taylor® Bodyfat Scale:
Weight: 172.6
Bodyfat: 09%

http://rustyiron.net/accumeas.jpg

End of Week 4 Skinfold Measurements:

Pectorial:
5.5, 6, 7 mm

Abs:
13.5, 12.5, 13 mm

Thigh:
14, 14, 13.5 mm

Age:
23.5 yrs

Calculated BF%
9.272119565882974

used this method (http://rustyiron.net/formmale.htm)...
my goal for memorial day (monday) is to hit 9.0X% with my calipers.
i think it's definatly possible if it's good weather this weekend - lots of biking and running.... and working.

plus i think i have some nice insight on my low carb days.
they will now almost be "no-carb" days, where they werent before.

oh ya, i have to lift today.
i dont know when im going to find time though.

hope all is good with you guys.

Weight = 215 lbs. (97.7 Kg) – goal achieved, per Memorial Day Challenge

It’s a modest feeling of success, because I feel like I “barely squeaked by.” But, scale inaccuracy notwithstanding, I’ll take the number for a positive indication, and move on.

Next Goal: 212 lbs. (96.4 Kg) on or before July 4.

I know that July 4 goal probably does not seem ambitious to many if not most. But for me, I think it's a reasonable challenge. If I aim for some lower number, I might over-do (or under-do) something that would not be wise or healthy.

Today (May 28) was my "goal day." So as far as my reporting in this thread, I'm done. But it's always encouraging to read about challenge-mates, so I'll be lurking here a few days longer. I'll definitely keep following challenge-mates in their journals and their other posts.

Wh0, congratulations on your success to date and your certain additional successes to come!

And thanks to you and everyone in this challenge thread for your encouragement and support. I needed you guys' help to make this goal of mine, and I shall remember that!!

I hope that in some small way there is something I've said that has helped at least one of you similarly. There is a LOT to be said about mutual inspiration!

Y'all keep setting good and reasonable health and fitness goals, and GO GIT 'EM!!! Till the next challenge...:tu: -Martin

congrats on meeting your goals martin! that's great to hear!

as for me - i dont remember what my goals were. i dont think i had any exact ones, just to get as low bf% as i could. and i did that. i have pictures, but im on a Win98 pc and i dont feel like searching the web for sony drivers. so i;ll upload my before/after pics when i get back to milwaukee

Wow I've been so busy I missed Memorial day...

Well here's my current stats

198lbs
bf: 8.4%
waist: 32"

So I lost I think 1 pound, and about 1% bodyfat from when I started this challenge. Not as well as I had hoped - I think I need to add cardio back in. Next challenge....

Congrats to everyone for keeping clicked into this challenge. Remember that improvement comes incrementally. If you can just make 1% progress towards your goal every couple of weeks, and not slip back, you'll get there.