I just turned 40, and for the past 5 or so years I have been unhappy with the way I look.
All my life my metabolism has been insane, I could literally eat anything all day and not gain a gram, which has its downsides as well, but not the point.
My weight went up to 80kg and I formed a pot belly which I didnt like. One night I decided enough was enough, started a diet and exercise routine.
I did look at gyms but they are stupid expensive where I live, so I bought a resistance band thing from InnStar. Its like a Gymproluxe if you have been bombarded with Facebook ads. I use it every day for bench press, preacher curls, and some other things I dont know the name of.
I also started using a body weight exercise app that claimed results in a month.
The diet I thought would be hardest, but I immediately stopped all snacks and moved onto a weightloss protein shake which are amazing and I cant believe it took this long to taste them.
Its been a week, and I feel better, Im not sleeping as much, I look forward to exercise, I am much more physically active than before, but I dont feel like I look any different. I am not expecting instant results and I havent booked myself into a Mr World contest this weekend, but I am curious to hear real experiences of when people started to notice their own changes.
The good news is the first few pounds are the easiest to lose.
The bad news is that you will not see a meaningful difference in just a week, or even one month, not enough to be the only thing keeping you motivated, at least. Depending on what you are after, caloric weight-loss might not even be enough to reach a very specific look, though it will go a long way.
My advice to you: find a way to stay motivated that is not based on results. This needs to be a new mindset, a journey you are undergoing. You’ll need a sizable adjustment to your routine. Find a laborious project you are excited about to keep you off the couch and on your feet.
Most importantly, realize that weight loss is almost all about what you eat. It’s very hard to go on a caloric deficit just by exercising, because a) exercising will make you more hungry, b) will convert fat to muscle which is heavier (though leaner), and c) it’s a LOT more work and time. Instead, physical activity is more of a way of attaining a deficit without an extremely boring diet of lettuce and it also takes away opportunities to eat out of boredom.
You’ll feel more hungry than you are used to, especially in the first couple of weeks as your body learns a new metabolic normal. Drink lots of water to both stay hydrated, and to feel full.
Thanks, that makes me feel hopeful!
The diet and exercise is making me feel hungry, because I was eating out of boredom I am eating a lot less, but I am now drinking a lot more water, so I am getting up to pee in the night more.
I should have just stuck to the cakes.