Its been 2 months since my initial challenge. Any updates?

I'm not using a scale or measuring body fat, but I am going to the gym and using a book called Body Rx:

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Rx-Scott-Connelly/dp/0425186075/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3810822-3023242?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182740551&sr=8-1

It's a 6 month program and I'm just a few weeks in but it feels right. The basis of the plan is to workout with weights 4 days per week while adding protein and fiber to the diet while decreasing carbohydrates. He divides the process into 4 stages, starting with adding muscle and then sculpting it and burning fat in later stages.

Anyway, I'm in phase one and already feeling a difference. Upping my gym days from 2 to 4 was clearly a good starting point, but dropping the carbs has been easier than I thought it would be too. If I can keep it up thru the 6 months I've no doubt I'll have a much better body.

What I am doing is going to the gym at least three times a week, substituting fruit for a couple of my meals and no soda or coffee.

Posted by Allanfan20:

Just a small Allanfan20 update. I am headed into week 4, and in terms of losing actual weight, I'm not making a lot of progress, but I am making progress dieting and working out. It's getting frustrating, and my friends are just telling me I'm adding muscle. I made up my own little plan...

Week 1: Just start going to the gym.
Week 2: Take away fast food.
Week 3: Add cardio.
Week 4: Take away soda (Starts tuesday)
Week 5: Improve ab workouts.

Just a gradual and slow process, just in order for my mind to stay in the game. I'm already getting stronger, and I am pretty sure I've burned some fat, but I'm increasing the weights at the gym, but it's frustrating and would like to see the results on the scale. I guess patience is a virtue in this case.

I think this is norm, especially if you start by lifting and then add cardio after. If you cut the soda and hit the cardio hard - drinking lots of water and eating smart - the weight part will do its thing.

To hell with the scale, muscle weighs more than fat. If you're feeling stronger and your clothes fit better you know you're on the right track.

Sweet drinks have to be the first things to go. Try to eat/drink stuff that has either protein or fiber in it. Stuff like soda and Snapple are just sugar-water with pretty much zero nutritional value. Fresh squeezed juice is another matter -- that's loaded with vitamins, minerals and enzymes -- but bottled juice is boiled, filtered and essentially "killed". Try to eat nutritionally dense foods as much as possible. Nuts, whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice, etc.,) meat, cheese, eggs, beans, fruits, veggies, etc. If you need a sweet drink try a rice-milk like Rice Dream, but sweet drinks should go.

I just had an hour and a half basketball workout with my girfriend. Boy am I beat. Haven't lost much in the weight department, but have gone walking a few times a week and played basketball at least once a week. Hopefully if we can get this according to plan, we'll either go walking or play basketball every day.