I lost 100 pounds over COVID. AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you have weight loss surgery?

No. But I don't judge people who do.

For years I tried all kinds of medications to control cravings and appetite. They all had side effects, and ultimately they didn't work. But I know that feeling that you don't feel you are capable of actually doing this yourself.

Somehow I did. I'm sort of amazed at myself. And amazed my body is so resilient. It's crazy that I can get on an elliptical and work out 80 minutes intensely without any trouble. Our bodies are incredible.

You're awesome OP, congratulations!

[Anonymous]

OP, can you talk about what you do in your 80-minute workouts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP did you base your diet on a specific plan? Sounds like Dr. Fuhrman. I usually eat vegan but don’t know if I could stomach tofu twice a day. Good for you!

Was wondering this, too. It sounds like Joel Fuhrman's "Eat to Live" plan, if I recall correctly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP did you base your diet on a specific plan? Sounds like Dr. Fuhrman. I usually eat vegan but don’t know if I could stomach tofu twice a day. Good for you!

Was wondering this, too. It sounds like Joel Fuhrman's "Eat to Live" plan, if I recall correctly.

I do a little Furhman and a little Esselstyn. Mostly, I try to eat good foods and avoid too much oil. But I do use a little oil. I cool my veggies usually in olive oil spray with a little vegetable stock.

On the question if I can maintain post Covid, I definitely hope so. I am planning to walk or bike to work every day just to ensure I at least am active. I think I spent too much of my life filled with anxiety about work that spiraled into me eating to keep my energy up to keep working. As I get closer to retirement, I am becoming less anxious about work, so maybe that will help.

[Anonymous]

Congrats OP!

Have you treated yourself at all? Vegan pizza etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congrats OP!

Have you treated yourself at all? Vegan pizza etc?

Absolutely. Everything in moderation. I had some great homemade biscotti and a berry cobbler at Christmas. I'll have vegan ice cream or vegan pizza now and again.
By and large, I go a week or two of higher calories with some splurges which allows me to hover around a certain weight. Then I'll be more careful and rigid for a week or so, and over that week I might lost 6-7 pounds. Then I'm back to a week or two of maintaining that.

At least that has been the way it has been over the past 3-4 months. Which is good because you don't want to feel deprived for 10 months straight.

[Anonymous]

OP I wish I had the strength to pull this off in March. But I sure am impressed and motivated by hearing this.

I would love to go from 235 to 185 and then eventually 150.

[Anonymous]

Amazing.
Can you add more about how you prepare the veggies?

[Anonymous]

This 54 year old who’s gained 14 lbs during COVID is VERY inspired. Thanks for sharing, OP. And congratulations.

[Anonymous]

OP, what exercises are you doing besides walking? Do you drink a lot of water?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amazing.
Can you add more about how you prepare the veggies?

Frozen vegetables actually have more nutrients in them than their fresh counterparts apparently -- something about them being frozen when they were just picked, so the nutrients are higher. Anyway, generally I just take a bag of frozen veggies (usually something like a onion/pepper stir fry mix, or sometimes shredded broccoli and carrots) and dump it in a frying pan with a little olive oil spray. I cook the veggies, and if I need to add liquid I'll add vegetable stock. Usually I'll add some mushrooms too, and always about 2-3 cups of kale.

So I have a nice gigantic vegetable mix, and to that I usually add a little vegan cheese, just to give it a thicker more substantial feel and taste. Sometimes I'll throw in a little salsa too. Then I top with beans or air fried tofu.

I think frozen veggies are a good option because you don't waste food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what exercises are you doing besides walking? Do you drink a lot of water?

Normally I do 80 minutes of elliptical every day. Sometimes less, but not less than 60 minutes. During the summer I would switch out elliptical for bike riding (a real bike), but it's too cold now.

I drink a lot of water, yes. And I take B12, vitamin D and Flax seed supplements.

[Anonymous]

Wow, great job. This is very inspiring to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll answer the obvious: yes, flabby flabby skin now. My arms flap like flags.
Maybe I'll splurge on an arm lift some day.

Damn. Impressive. I've lost 65 and it feels soooooo slow..... how'd you do it?

[Anonymous]

Op are you male or female?