I'm desperate to lose weight..

[PakAttack86]

I'm 27 years old, , currently at 5'11 and 300 pounds. I have a desk job and I'm fairly sedentary for a good portion of the year due to our long and cold winters, however I can't use that as much of an excuse since Minnesota is supposedly the fittest state in America. I enjoy fishing and walks with wife and I do enjoy being outdoors, but I am fairly sparse of any regular strenuous activity.

For the last 3 years I've been trying and failing at eating healthy and getting on a good workout routine. I'll be good for maybe a month, and then I lose motivation and just stop for a few months until I decide I want to start again.. and frankly I'm getting tired of it. prime years will be gone soon and I'm already pre-hypertensive with blood pressure, and with diabetes in family I know I'm on that path. Also I'm tired of being fat, I'd like to have a good body to go with good health.

I'm at the two week point of umpteenth "fresh start". I haven't had any fast food, I've limited carb intake, I've reduced caloric intake from 3,000 to 2,000, and I'm working out twice a day 5 times a week. two biggest problems are as follows;

1.) Willpower.

biggest enemy is food. I LOVE the worst sorts of foods for you, and everyone always tells me that eventually you get used to eating in moderation or you get used to eating healthy. I have yet to find that in me. I enjoy some of the healthier stuff I eat, but while I'm munching on a seasoned piece of Tilapia I can't help but think about how good a cheesey quesedilla would taste instead. I'm one of those folks who has food on the mind a lot, I live to eat and I'm trying to change that... but it's difficult for me. It literally effects mood in a negative way when I'm not satisfied with meal, even if stomach is satisfied.


2.) Workout Routine

I LOVE lifting weights. I can spend two hours in the gym power lifting and I love the sensation and post-sensation of that achy muscle feeling. The problem is I know lifting results in mass, which is not what I want. Eventually I do want it, but not before I cut fat.. which I know cardio is only means. problem is I can't stand walking/running for extended periods. I get bored, knees and feet hurt within 10 minutes and I lose all motivation. And even if I make it through a 30 minute session I only burn maybe 150 calories, which seems pathetic to me.



Sorry for the long post, just looking for advice, particularly from people who may have been in shoes once and persevered. Are there any lifting workouts that result primarily in fat loss instead of muscle gain? I enjoy swimming but I can't afford the gym membership, nor a trainer. Fortunately there's a halfways decent gym where I work, so that's where I can get exercise. Thanks for all and any input. I would love to, within a year, drop at least 60 pounds if not more... hoping this is the time.

[musculArgirl2]

Good Luck with your goals! if there is ymca nearby sometimes they make work with you on how much you can afford for a gym membership.

Bossman (the moderator) is around here somewhere he can help you with your goals and give some advice. me not so much. he usually posts in the evenings but not sure if he is here tonight.

[Boss Man]

Hi Brandon good to speak with you.

In essence the only kind of fat loss workouts with little muscle gain are cardiovascular, as strength training workouts will promote muscle gain, but how much depends on the intensity and the kind of nutrient intake per day.

However strength training has a two fold benefit.

1. The strengthening of muscles, bones and connective tissue.

2. Fat loss, up to a point, as 1lb of added muscle burns an extra 45-50 calories per day, owing to the growth and / or repair process.

So doing strength training routines are actually beneficial so feel free to continue with them.