Hello - New to the ShapeFit forums and the FitTracker application. I am not new to the concepts, but you wouldn't know it by lifestyle, health, etc. Here's the short story:
September of 2004 I was running high blood pressure and was told by doctor that I needed to lose weight or I was going to experience significant health issues. By November, I hadn't done anything and went back to doctor to find that I had lost 2 pounds. He said, "Good Job, keep up the good work." (Bless his heart).
By February of 2005, I felt aweful, weighed 285, and could feel excess weight hanging from face and other body parts I'm not going to mention.
On February 14th (had nothing to do with the holiday) I came across "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle". It wasn't really anything revolutionary (set goals, small frequent meals, cardio and weights, etc.) but I had never seen it all put so succinctly as he did. The goal setting and information on how to get motivated was extra-helpful.
I also came across a Yahoo group of people following the program. The accountability and motivation helped a LOT. I used FitDay to track food, I was swimming 5 times a week (went from a TOUGH 4 complete laps to 24 continuous laps), weight training 4 times a week.
The Yahoo group all but dissolved because of philosophy disagreements (ie. should I eat a "not-so-good" packaged healthy meal instead of skipping until I can cook?) and the motivation went *poof*.
Over the summer of 2005, I lost 50 pounds, felt a LOT better. I started cheating more... then cheats turned into streaks... and I fell off the wagon.
Fast-forward to current - I weigh 290, workouts are nil, and I feel about as bad as I did before. I think the only reason I don't feel worse is that I gained muscle mass during workouts and BF% isn't as high as it was back in 2005.
I am regaining motiviation ( 7 and 6 year olds need to have a dad for many years to come) and I am starting again to track nutrition.
I was VERY happy to stumble across this site because not only does it offer the features of the OLD FitDay (now it seems to be turned into a spam/ad nightmare), but it appears to offer the community and accountability that is also needed.
*whew!* Ok... that's the short story. You want details, just ask!
-Steve
Introduction
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
.Any book is going to have points that you can agree or disagree with. That was biggest frustration with the message board I was on. It was like Tom Venuto could do no wrong and if you didn't follow each and every suggestion he made, you were less of a person. I don't think he even feels that way.
I won't promote fasted cardio to anyone as a "you should do this and you're bad if you don't" sort of thing, however I did benefit from fasted cardio...
That being said, it wasn't a high intensity cardio workout but I'd definately get up, drink a quart of water, and go for a 3 mile walk/light jog before breakfast (I'd do swimming before lunch between meals 2 and 3). I can't really say that doing it fasted was a major factor in fat loss, but I didn't feel any ill-effects from light cardio in a fasted state and I will give the scientific explanation a benefit of the doubt. I will also agree that some could have issues.
The issues I found with his book weren't necessarily with what he wrote, but with the followers that believed it was God-breathed. He offers many techniques, but also advocates small changes for results. Do what's working and don't change it until it stops working.
For example, I was losing 2 pounds a week by simply eating 2400 calories and walking 2 miles three times a week. I later added weights to decrease muscle loss. I later added increasingly intense weight and cardio training.
I think following any specific plan as if it is gospel, without input from "the outside", can be detrimental, however I believe there is some pretty good philosophy summed up in Tom's book.
Would the fasted cardio be the only point he made that you disagree with?
As far as the opportunities to come... bring 'em on!!
I won't promote fasted cardio to anyone as a "you should do this and you're bad if you don't" sort of thing, however I did benefit from fasted cardio...
That being said, it wasn't a high intensity cardio workout but I'd definately get up, drink a quart of water, and go for a 3 mile walk/light jog before breakfast (I'd do swimming before lunch between meals 2 and 3). I can't really say that doing it fasted was a major factor in fat loss, but I didn't feel any ill-effects from light cardio in a fasted state and I will give the scientific explanation a benefit of the doubt. I will also agree that some could have issues.
The issues I found with his book weren't necessarily with what he wrote, but with the followers that believed it was God-breathed. He offers many techniques, but also advocates small changes for results. Do what's working and don't change it until it stops working.
For example, I was losing 2 pounds a week by simply eating 2400 calories and walking 2 miles three times a week. I later added weights to decrease muscle loss. I later added increasingly intense weight and cardio training.
I think following any specific plan as if it is gospel, without input from "the outside", can be detrimental, however I believe there is some pretty good philosophy summed up in Tom's book.
Would the fasted cardio be the only point he made that you disagree with?
As far as the opportunities to come... bring 'em on!!
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fitoverforty
- VETERAN
- Posts: 3543
- Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:47 pm
Hello Welcome to the site!
So...that's what they call it - "Fasted Cardio" I had never heard of that before
all those years of running before breakfast!
First, let me say that I do believe for best and healthiest results and over all well being it is better to try to eat something in the a.m. before a run. I have been guilty of running on an empty stomach, mostly because of time issues, running very early before work (5:30 a.m.). Usually just a glass of juice, or water with a caffeine drink mix added to wake up. And only for short runs (3 or 4 miles max) Any longer than that and you really need some fuel for the body! I just didn't know any better at the time
I have learned since that I run much more efficient and longer with less injury when I am properly hydrated and fed before a run.
I have NEVER noticed that running on an empty stomach ever gave me better or faster weight loss than running after a small breakfast.
Anyway, just thought I'd throw 2 cents in!
Good luck with all you are striving to accomplish, you will find alot of great, helpful and supporting people here on Shapefit. I know I have and it has and continues to motivate me and keep me in line!
So...that's what they call it - "Fasted Cardio" I had never heard of that before
all those years of running before breakfast!First, let me say that I do believe for best and healthiest results and over all well being it is better to try to eat something in the a.m. before a run. I have been guilty of running on an empty stomach, mostly because of time issues, running very early before work (5:30 a.m.). Usually just a glass of juice, or water with a caffeine drink mix added to wake up. And only for short runs (3 or 4 miles max) Any longer than that and you really need some fuel for the body! I just didn't know any better at the time
I have learned since that I run much more efficient and longer with less injury when I am properly hydrated and fed before a run. I have NEVER noticed that running on an empty stomach ever gave me better or faster weight loss than running after a small breakfast.
Anyway, just thought I'd throw 2 cents in!
Good luck with all you are striving to accomplish, you will find alot of great, helpful and supporting people here on Shapefit. I know I have and it has and continues to motivate me and keep me in line!
Thanks for the welcome. I like the place already. Can't wait to get off work and go grocery shopping!
Regarding the fasted cardio, there is some scientific evidence/theory that indicates that basically, your body is already primed to burn fat in a fasted state. Lots of blah-blah that I'm not really going to get into, but I tended to do it simply because I can't eat when I first wake up or I'll get sick to stomach. Then "fasted cardio" came along and I could roll with it!
Regarding the fasted cardio, there is some scientific evidence/theory that indicates that basically, your body is already primed to burn fat in a fasted state. Lots of blah-blah that I'm not really going to get into, but I tended to do it simply because I can't eat when I first wake up or I'll get sick to stomach. Then "fasted cardio" came along and I could roll with it!
It's the only thing I really know. I don't read such books, and haven't really studied him in great detail. I tend not to prescribe or quote people like that. Not because I don't rate them, but just because I like to take a liberal approach to things, and try to see a persons situation in it's own way, not just apply a standardised method to it, and do that every time.
Just approach. I agree about your evaluation of one or two other sites. I don't like sites, that have an agenda like that. Sites like this, should be liberal minded, accepting and flexible.
I would only have a negative attitude to someones methods, if they were unhealthy, but even then I express that to a person on here, without getting all hardnosed, or bollocking someone, as it's not good to point out failings, like they're a stick to beat people with.
I'm sure you'll fit in just fine. You seem like a genuine guy, and that's what this site needs.
Just approach. I agree about your evaluation of one or two other sites. I don't like sites, that have an agenda like that. Sites like this, should be liberal minded, accepting and flexible.
I would only have a negative attitude to someones methods, if they were unhealthy, but even then I express that to a person on here, without getting all hardnosed, or bollocking someone, as it's not good to point out failings, like they're a stick to beat people with.
I'm sure you'll fit in just fine. You seem like a genuine guy, and that's what this site needs.