You weigh yourself everyday? You mad bro ?

Hey Guys,

So today i want to talk about something that's important. Numbers.

You may be wondering what this has to do with weight loss.... well it has everything to do with it.

At the heart of weight loss , its all about the numbers , consume less calories than your body requires and burn calories via exercise and boom , your weight will decrease. Its all about the numbers.

Now i have a (bad?) habit of weighing myself everyday.... yes ... everyday.... Now before anyone starts talking about the affect that habit has on my mental health, Here is why i do it.

In my case , i have about 40kg(88 pounds) that i want to lose overall. Now , I know already that this amount of weight will take about a year or more to lose. That is a long time, if i weighed myself every week , that means in that year there are 52 weigh ins... means that i can course correct over a week at a time if i don't happen to lose any weight. Daily weigh ins means i have 365 weigh ins , means i can course correct on a daily basis.
The other and most important reason is trends and patterns.. I have an app that i log my weight under everyday , and it provides me with a graph. When i review the graph i can clear see that there are patterns in the numbers... In my instance , its weekends were i tend to eat a bit more than i should .. that's valuable data i can use now to adjust my diet... if i weighed weekly , i wouldn't know where about in the week exactly things went off. I have also found been able to find out that soy sauce causes me to retain water which leads to increased weight. All because I weigh myself everyday.

Now , as good as all this data analysis is , there are several downsides to doing this. You have to understand that the numbers don't define your progress, putting on muscle and losing fat could mean that you don't actually change in weight you may even increase! This may make you feel that you're not making any progress , so in addition to this , i take measurements of my arms , waist , etc to supplement my weight analysis. As long as those measurements are going down , i know i'm making good progress regardless of what my weight is doing.

You have to understand that i do this for simple data analysis methods.. yes when the numbers go up , does cause a bit of stress , but i've learned that its nothing to stress about, I know that i am eating healthy calorie controlled diet and i am training hard. If i do those things , I am definitely going to hit my goals...

This method is not for everyone , but there is merit in it , if you decide to use it , proceed with caution. Don't let your journey become about just hitting a weight goal , let it be about becoming healthy and trying to extend your life.... thin people at your target weight have also died from heart attacks and also have had diabetes... so focus on being healthy and living a long and prosperous life.

Stay Strong. Eat Clean. Train Hard.
Peace.

Weigh In Update

Hi Guys,

So just an update of my weight , I am currently at 154.2 kg as at 07 June 2016.

Its been progressing really well and im definitely seeing a downward trend in weight. My diet is 100% and now im getting my training 100%.

Looking to see this number drop quite nicely over the next weeks.

Stay Strong!
Peace

Emotional Eating

Hi.

Its been ages since i posted, truth it i went on a bit of a bender for awhile , put on 5kg over Easter. T_T.. but ive gotten back into training and diet the last 3 weeks and have dropped those 5kg so things are back on track now.

So today I would like to put forward my thoughts on this. Many people suffer from this type of thing , its a real problem and i believe it to be a contributing cause to people being overweight.

Life is difficult and everyone goes through problems, in those difficult times we are conditioned to believe that we need to seek comfort from external sources. Comfort comes in the form of many things , eating, sleeping all day , etc. We have been conditioned to believe that this is way we get over these emotional situations, you see it on tv all the time, girl breaks up with her boyfriend and then is sitting on the couch drinking wine and eating ice cream.

If you are already overweight and you are an emotional eater , like me , then we have a problem. Im not going to lie and say its easy to overcome, because it is difficult. I mean its easy to eat your favourite foods , when your life isnt going your way or is spiraling out of control , the easiest thing in your control is what you eat , so why not get pleasure from that especially when life is kicking you down constantly ?

Honestly , i dont blame someone who emotionally eats, being someone who does, sometimes is quite overwhelming and you feel like you have no way of winning except with this one glorious meal.

Its hard to break away from something like this , to start thinking differently , to start handling your issues differently. The best advice i can give you is to take things one meal at a time.

Everytime you eat , ask yourself , how is this meal going to help me reach my goal ? ... this type of thinking has helped me alot. What also has helped is just avoiding those situations that may cause you become emotional. Ignorance is bliss?

Stay Strong Guys
Peace

Happy New year

Happy New Year!

So its been a great 2015 the start of an incredible journey. I took a holiday back home to durban and even though the holiday was great , I ended putting on 5kgs.

Needless to say that my commitment to the journey and process was waning a bit towards the end of last year , but now its a new year and I am getting back on track. Its my first day back at gym , I have a new plan and new found motivation going forward.

So in light of all the goal setting that happens at the start of the year, I've decided to set the following goals for myself:

1 months time - Complete the 21 day plan without missing a day of training or diet
6 months time - Reach 20% body fat or lower  + Reach 140kg body weight
12 months time  - Reach 120kg body weight + Reach 15% body fat or lower

I think these goals are achievable , I just have to work hard and stay disciplined. No more excuses.

Its time to get to work.

Stay Strong Folks
Krishin

How my life has changed so far.

So with these big changes to my diet and just training in general my life has come down to the following:

1. Work
2. What I eat
3. When i gym
4. Writing my blog and book.
5. Video Games and Gaming

Little time is available for anything outside this list. Training and diet is difficult. Anyone who has attempted it will know just how crazy it can be. But the golden rule is consistency. It will just take continued effort.

I find myself preparing and planning my dinners. Thinking about the best time to hit the gym , thinking about how i can beat my last time/effort on the rowing machine. How much weight im going to attempt on the machines.

When im home , i am watching videos on people who have transformed themselves. Learning about new nutrition tips and training tips on bodybuilding.com. Searching for new stories on people transforming.

My clothes are all fitting better, and getting loose. I find myself discovering/seeing muscles and veins for the first time ever. I find myself feeling better , more energy (despite hobbling around after leg day)

I had no idea my life would change to this. No idea the discipline i would learn from this , no idea that i would finally be able to conquer my body and win this war i have lost my whole life. I finally found hope in the deepest part of my efforts. Hope that i would lead a normal life one day and attain the body i always dreamed about having.

My life will never be the same again.

Eat Clean. Train Hard, Stay Strong
Krishin

What are you hungry for? - My views on cheating

So we have all heard the concept of the cheat meal.

The Rock's Cheat Meal

By definition it is a regular meal where you can eat whatever you want. Usually undertaken on a weekly basis.

Now the cheat meal is useful for many different reasons. You can use it as a measure of sanity, allows you to satisfy your cravings for food you cant eat in an organised manner. So you like KFC , its cool , eat some KFC once a week and it will help you keep your mind on track.

Personally , the cheat meal is an excellent method of keeping your sanity. But i realise that eating whatever you want for one meal is also dangerous. I could eat a whole pizza , which is easy 2700 calories + , now granted that this is a rare occurrence , its not one that i want to partake in , because i know going over my calorie limit for the day is going to make me gain weight, pushing me ever so slightly away from my goal.

I think that the real change comes when you make your diet sustainable, find a healthy replacement for those foods i used to love , but now i can eat this alternative without feeling guilty or without pushing myself further from my goal. There are plenty of awesome resources for carb free pizza bases , or guilt free ice cream.

Ultimately whether you replace your cheats with alternatives or you partake in a cheat meal, comes down to one question.

What are you hungry for?

Are you hungry for some temporary pleasure , or are you hungry to reach your goal. Do you want to eat like everyone else and also look like everyone else? or do you want to achieve your dream physique.

Its something to think about the next time you think about cheating. Eating right is part of reaching your goal , so eat to reach your goal.

If you want some of those replacement alternatives to your favourite foods , hit me up with a comment , ive done a ton of research , im sure i can help :)

Eat Clean. Train Hard. Stay Strong.
Krishin

The real life Hero - Jesse Shand

So i frequent Bodybuilding.com and some time ago I came across the story of Jesse Shand. 

This was a man that was over 350kg he was really big.. And the crazy part is that this guy turned his life around.  He posted a trolling thread on the forums and the members started encouraging him and helping him along the way. He now is 120kgs!!

And they did a video of his journey (see link below)  and after I saw this,  I went to the original thread he posted and pretty much read everything. I couldn't help but shed a tear in awe of this man's will and discipline.
 

The phrase "we're all gonna make it!" was often used to encourage Jesse and everyone on the forum.. Those words touch my heart as I go into my own journey, they have become an endless source of inspiration and motivation especially when I want to quit or I'm struggling... 

Watch the story of Jesse and be inspired like I have!

Eat Clean. Train Hard. Stay Strong.
Krishin

Recipe - We all love Ice Cream!

If you're like me then you are sure to love eating ice cream, but you are on a diet and and cannot eat the store bought one T_T.

But never fear i am here with a plan.

So i have tried this recipe out:http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-creamy-ice-cream-with-just-one-ingredient-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-93414

and it was AMAZING!

I got awesome ice cream that was definitely within my diet. I REPEAT THIS WAS NOT A CHEAT!

So i suggest you give it a try and see for yourself!

Eat Clean.Train Hard.Stay Strong.
Krishin

Weigh In Fridays!

So Every friday i have been doing my weigh ins. I will be posting the results of my weigh ins every friday. But first a few thoughts about this week.

The diet has been 100% good this week, i have not cheated or eaten anything outside it. However my training was a bit bad , i only trained on monday and have been having some sinus headaches and stuff lately so i have taken a break. I am feeling alot better and will resume training monday.

So now , I have not posted a weigh in as yet so my weight as at the 26th October was 160.5 kg

And the magic number today was : 158.3 kg!!!!

Im so stoked that i am down into the 150s now. Gonna work super hard to reach the 140s!

My goal weight is 118kg. So i got about 40kgs more to go.

Eat Clean. Train Hard. Stay Strong.
Krishin

Im going about it on my own

Ive been training with a personal trainer at my local gym lately. It has been great! Seeing lots of results but unfortunately i cant keep it up any longer from a financial point of view , so as of December , I am going to be going at this on my own.

Now, it is very daunting. Not having a person to spot you and not having someone to challenge you. I gotta do this myself. The training partner is really important having someone to push you beyond what you think youre capable off.

Ill be honest, i am a little scared that i wont be able to push myself enough to make this week , or i will push myself too much. Either i gotta try it. I wont know what im capable off ,if i dont try and push myself beyond my limits!

Eat Clean. Train hard. Stay Strong.
Krishin

Diets. They arent that difficult at all!

Hi again!

So I recently moved here to Johannesburg , and I live on my own. So needless to say that all the food shopping and cooking is done by me.

I have always heard from everyone everywhere the excuse that being on a diet is expensive and people hide behind that excuse.

I have discovered that this is untrue. I have found myself spending a fairly normal amount of money on food which is the same as what i used to spend when i was eating unhealthy.

I have a few points that I had to figure out over the past 2 months before its finally working out for me in a good way.

1. Know what the principle behind your diet is

The diet that I have been following is a low carb, high protein diet. The main principle behind any weight loss diet is a calorie defecit. What this means is that you consume an amount of calories everyday that is lower than what your body needs to function. When you body realises that its not getting enough from your food , it will start using up stored fat. 

Now , there are many calorie calculators out there and using any one will tell you what your recommended amount of calories you should be eating in a day. Mine is 2700 , but my daily diet only covers about 1600 -2000 calories. 

In addition to this , I also know that carbs and sugars are usually stored as fat. Where as protein usually gets used for muscle building etc. So i simply cut carbs and sugar out of my diet and just eat protein and vegetables (not the starchy veg like potatoes).

Its working out quite well for me so far, its been a month and I can already see my body starting to change.

2. Build a meal schedule.

So now that I know what I should be eating , I need to buy the food , cook it and eat it.
I figured out early , that when i went shopping, I didnt understand how much of food to buy , or what to buy. There are alot of factors when it comes to purchasing food , cost , quality , preparation , quantity. If you dont know how much food you need , you will always end up buying more than you need. 

My solution to this was firstly building a weekly meal schedule and figuring out how many chicken breasts , fish , steak , etc that I needed to buy. Once I figured this out , next time I went shopping , it was so easy to see how much I needed for a month. I bought exactly what I needed for that month and it worked. I spent less than I usually did and had more than enough food to last me the whole month.

3. Cooking.

So the next part i had to figure out was how to cook all the food I bought. I knew how to cook , i just didnt want to spend large amounts of time cooking dinner after a long day at work. So what I did was quickly figure out what was the easiest way to cook the food in the shortest possible time. I have a george foreman grill , that cooks my steak and chicken in less than 10 mins everyday. I buy frozen vegetables , which are already prepared and keep for a long time , and steam them in the same 10 mins that the protein is cooking in. so by 15 mins after coming home , dinner is ready.

To reduce the time further , I have my chicken and steak marinade already made and ready for when I am cooking.

These are not definitive steps or laws but they are working for me really well.

Eat Clean.Train Hard.
Krishin

What Motivates you ?

Hi Again :)

So a question that someone has recently asked me , "Are you doing this for yourself or for some other reason ?"

Its a deep question and what it comes down to is what motivates me to continue this journey?

Personally , its 2 fold.

Firstly , I need to get healthy. My family has a history of heart attacks and diabetes. I don't want to get any of those complications as I get older. I want to live a long and full life. If I continue my old ways my life will still be good , but it will be short and I would prefer a longer life!

Secondly , the quality of life will change. Being overweight has various problems that regular sized people do not have to deal with. Finding clothes that fit , uncomfortable airplane and cinema seats, being able to run/hike for a day, climb a mountain, engaging in physical activities, etc. There are many problems each of them different based on different lifestyles. Being in the normal size range for a person would solve alot of these problems. I have been big my whole life , and you learn to work around these issues , finding solutions that dont solve them , but make them easier and I grew accustomed to that. I accepted that this was the hand I was dealt.

I am an fine with just the way I am. I accepted it and I continued with life. BUT do i long for a change? YES!

Even though I have worked around all my "fat guy" problems , I know deep down (and so does every overweight person out there) that there is only one solution. Diet and Exercise. And we all loathe the idea of that amount of effort.

But I just got to a place lately , where I realised that I had enough of all these problems. I will solve them once and for all. I am in control of my life , and  I will not let my size dictate what I can and cannot do anymore.

Having supportive friends and family helps alot, it really does give that little edge when you dont want to train or you crave something outside your diet. But ultimately it comes down to you wanting to change because if you dont want to change then you simply will not.

I hope my 'motivation' challenges you to ask yourself the same question.

Eat Clean. Train Hard. Stay Strong.
Krishin

Greetings Friends

Hi Everyone!

My name is Krishin Pillay. I am 28 years old , living in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am overweight. I am nowhere near the physical condition that I want to be in. So I have decided to make a change and start this journey towards where I want to be.

I decided to start this blog because I know that there are lots of people out there who are also in the same predicament. People who want to make a change but don't know where to start and what to do. Also people who are on a journey already but are possibly facing the same challenges that I have faced.

If I can help at least one person with my blog , then all this effort would definitely be worth it :)

Catch ya on the flip flop...
Peace.