AP's Fitness Progress Thread! Had a few health scares lately, so it's time to get in shape!

[Agent Provocateur]

Palemale, I do exercises at the pool that work my back.

So, I have some dismal news. I've lost a lot of my motivation to work out, and I've also been binging on junk food. I'm still trying to get to the pool for at least half an hour a day (fake it 'til you make it and all that) and I'm doing my best to control my calorie intake, though. I've hit the point where I'm really starting to feel the withdrawal from refined sugar (which is actually more addictive than cocaine and heroin), so it's a pretty rough time right now.

I haven't lost any fat since the last picture I posted, but I've definitely started to gain some muscle and (relatively) a lot of strength. I won't be posting a new picture because I look almost identical anyway, so I don't see the point.

I just need to push through this period of ennui and force myself to keep eating healthily and working out. My problem is that the unhealthy habits I have (drinking on Fridays and then binging on junk food while drunk) are keeping me from seeing results, which just reinforces the unhealthy behaviour. What this means to me is that I need to stop drinking, which will then help me to not lose control and binge, which hopefully will mean I'll start to see better results soon.

 

[cocksucker4use]

AP, I totally respect you for your complete honesty and sharing your pics and thoughts and feelings, victories and challenges.
This is the time to develop the habits that will sustain you. You are young and this is your shot...Here's a little personal experience:
When I was dating, seeing someone, I have always been motivated. Food? Fuck it! Gym...as often as I can...swim? Call me the little mermaid...seeing the look on that boy's face when he sees you: total incentive. Hell, find a work out bud, even if you're not fuckin' him, it is an incentive. In any event, this is a journey you are on, and you have to take the long view. A few years ago, I saw a pic from my backside, clothed even, and I could not believe things had gotten that....BIG. Weightwatchers on line, gym, etc.
Now I am much happier at 40 Lbs lighter....fitting into the clothes I like. Love the gym, my salt water pool...and the fat butt boys that come sniffin around....LOL. Don't get discouraged, don't give up.

 

[Benvolio]

For many people, carbohydrates trigger an insulin response, which triggers a craving for more food. Refined sugars seem the worst, but the problem is not limited to them. For that reason, among others, the very low carb diet works best. This is essentially the Dr Atkins diet which I recommend: buy the book cheap on Amazon or ebay. But it is best to think of it a a NO carb diet. Calling it low carb suggests that cutting back a little will work, and it does not. Eliminating carbs brings about a physiological change. The carbs do not trigger the craving, and the body burns fat rapidly enough to release ketones in the blood as a waste product, which help to suppress hunger.
While in theory a very slow and painful calorie counting diet helps long term weight control, for many, probably most people, it does not work.
Do not give up because you have fallen off the wagon. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. A new beginning, so get back on the wagon.

 

[Agent Provocateur]

Wow, I haven't updated in a while!

So, here's the scoop. I've started absolutely forcing myself to get to the pool almost every day. I've pulled a few all-nighters this week and used them as rest days, but aside from that I'm doing 50 minutes bare minimum every single day. I don't care if I really don't feel like going and I'm miserable the whole time (until those endorphins kick in ), I'm still forcing myself to go. I've heard the phrase "fake it 'til you make it" and I'm taking it to heart.

I'm also not restricting my diet as much as I have in the past, but I'm still trying to make healthy choices. I've posted in other threads that it's impossible to pare your diet down to purely healthy food all in one go, but I never followed that advice myself.

However, some good news: I'm technically not losing weight, but I am certainly slimming down. The scale is staying very steady at about 207-210lbs, but I'm noticing that I'm looking a lot buffer and not as loosey-goosey flabby as I used to. My shoulders are certainly getting broader and my upper arms are getting much thicker. It's not something anyone else would notice right off the bat, but it's extremely noticeable to me. I've also noticed I'm getting much, much stronger, relatively speaking.

I'm too lazy to get off my ass and take a picture, but I'll be updating with a picture soon.

 

[codeerror]

I'm also not restricting my diet as much as I have in the past, but I'm still trying to make healthy choices. I've posted in other threads that it's impossible to pare your diet down to purely healthy food all in one go, but I never followed that advice myself.

THIS!

Just by making those healthy choices, and actually being aware of what you eat is the key. You don't need to be on a strict diet, the results will come no matter what. It will just take some extra time. In the end, making subtle, but lasting lifestyle changes are easier than throwing your life around for the 2-3 months most people can make it.

Keep it up!