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Eating and Exercise, My Month in Review


This weight loss journey has been a pain in the ass. I started out in May of 2007 weighing in at around 348 lbs. That’s 2 lbs shy of 350 freaking pounds. Insane!! When I first started I figured I would drop the weight in a few months and be fine. Boy was I wrong. It’s been a little over 2 years now and I am no where near the weight I want to be. I have had many ups and downs through out this journey but I have learned a lot as well. I don’t regret the path I have taken thus far. I feel more empowered now than ever before.

Unleashing Without Weigh Ins
With that said, over the last few weeks I have started to ramp things up and kick butt. I have seriously been unleashing. The thing with me is that I haven’t weighed in for a while, a few months actually. And I don’t plan on weighing in for a little while longer. I want to weigh in once I start seeing some serious physical changes in the mirror. My face has lost fat, and my body too, but I want to see some of the fat around my weight and love handles go down before I step on the scale. The last time I posted my weight I was 302.3 lbs. So I know that by the time I weigh in again I’ll be below 300 lbs for the first time in a very long time.

Some may not like this approach, but it’s been working for me and I like sticking to things that work.

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Working Out is Working
Speaking of things that work, my new workout routine has been killer! What have I been doing? Well, I have been focusing on major muscle groups first with multi-joint exercises. I have also incorporated body weight exercises and high intensity/strength work too. It has resulted in some visible fat loss, which makes me extremely happy. I workout 6 days a week, sometimes twice in one day. But I rarely workout for more than 30 minutes at a time, unless I am walking or on my recumbent bike watching tv (which I don’t count as a workout).

Eating and Feeling Satisfied
Eating wise, I have been a rock star! I have been staying at 2000 calories or less consistently and without hunger ensuing. I’ve been eating highly nutritious foods while still being able to eat things I like. I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, chicken, the occasional red meat and tuna. I limit the amount of bread I eat as well. Overall my food consists of fruits, veggies, and chicken. I drink chocolate milk and eat some peanut butter when I feel a craving coming on.

Something I have noticed is that I have a ton less cravings now. I think it has to do with all of the fruits I am eating, that natural sugar and fiber is holding me down. The other day I went to Arby’s and had some chicken. Then last week I went to Chili’s and had their chicken as well. For desert I had some chocolate pie thing that was delicious, but not so much that I lost control of myself. The next day I just made sure that I watched what I ate closely and had no bread or junk.

Overall, I feel good with my workouts and in control with my eating. These two things in addition to staying accountable online and offline (I have been personal traing my wife, with some great results) are exactly what I need to reach my goals.

About the Author

My name is Israel Lagares. I used to be the kind of guy that was always in shape, but over the last few years I've fallen off tremendously. This site is my final attempt to get back into shape. So far I've lost 70.4 lbs. Check out my weight loss chart, weight loss videos and progress pics. Follow my journey, those of others, and read our thoughts on various health topics. Share your thoughts, experience, and journey here on FMU.

Community Thoughts (25)

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  1. theantijaredNo Gravatar says:

    Great JOB!!!!! Can’t talk though, on my way to the gym for the second time!

  2. MikeNo Gravatar says:

    Diet Quote of the month,

    “Some may not like this approach, but it’s been working for me and I like sticking to things that work.”
    – The Fat Man Unleashed.

  3. Two years consistently focusing on weight loss and are not near to expectation, i really sad. I think you should try something different now.

    • It’s not sad at all. I disagree. I have had ups and down. I have not been working out and eating right consistently for 2 years straight. There have been months where I slack off and stop doing anything healthy. I don’t regret one bit of the last 2 years because it has helped me to get to the point where I am now. 100% in control.

  4. SirStoneyNo Gravatar says:

    Keep it up fella, you’ve come so far since that 348lb mark, not only have you lost a lot of weight, it’s clear you’ve gotten fitter as well which is probably most important of all. Keeping your heart and body healthy..

    You’ve got the support of your wife and this community, we believe you can do it.

    I’m on a bit of a health kick and weight loss journey myself at the moment. Gone from 276lbs down to 246 so far and trying to get to 220 or lower.

    Not quite as advanced as you yet training wise but when i feel confident enough that my body is ready i might have to try out one of your workout routines!

  5. Glad to hear that you are moving forward again with your weight loss. I know how you are feeling about the ups and downs. I’m currently on a downer and I’m feeling extremely guilty with myself because I’m not moving forward with my fat loss. Even more so because I’m letting the people who read by blog down.
    Nothing against you or other weight loss blogs but how many of us are actually doing what we preach.

    Good Luck with your weight loss.

  6. TylerNo Gravatar says:

    Congratulations on accomplishing all your goals. I think healthy snacking helps avoid the cravings that you were mentioning. I have found that apples fill me up; more so then any other fruit.

  7. That’s great really. Satisfaction is what we required in our life. And it is really good to know that you are feeling good. My intention was not to hurt you.

  8. JeetNo Gravatar says:

    @Israel: I believe weight training has better fat burning effect than cardio exercises like biking or running, though intense aerobics can help build stamina as well as loose weight.

    2000 calories, are you sure that’s sufficient for you? With the kind of exercises you are doing, I would expect you to have 3000+ calories everyday.

    I think you should definitely keep checking your weight regularly. Often people miss this and find their efforts were worthless because they had been doing ‘something’ wrong. But in your case since you are regular and can already see physical improvement, I would leave it to you. Next time you measure, let us know if you lost another 20-30 lbs. 😉

    • Weight training whether with dumbells, barbells, or body weight is a great fat burner. I agree with you on that. Intensity plays a big role in that fat burning though.

      2000 calories is good for what I am trying to accomplish, so I will stay at that for now. I’ve been seeing improvements in my body and that is why I don’t want to weigh myself and be tied down to a number on a scale just yet. I should be below 300 next time I weight myself.

      Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

  9. SzenoveraNo Gravatar says:

    It’s good to keep a healthy body and live a healthy lifestyle. In effect, it makes us feel good about ourselves.

  10. it’s nice to achieve the built that you want..well then, continue your routine and feel even better. have some patience and discipline on your work out and eating.

  11. gaoNo Gravatar says:

    great job.., keep rock star…!

  12. exercising is the hardest thing for me to do. but i do love the elliptical!

  13. BayrakNo Gravatar says:

    It’s good to keep a healthy body and live a healthy lifestyle. In effect, it makes us feel good about ourselves.

  14. SaraNo Gravatar says:

    For one thing, eating and exercise is hard to balance. I mean, when I started working out I still had lots of cravings.. but overtime, fruits really help you lessen those cravings.

  15. furrytonNo Gravatar says:

    Awesome work fella, it gives me the motivation.

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