How to stay focused/driven with a workout and what's the best workout to follow?

[Agripa23]

I've always been the big/fat of my group of friends, it never bother me because when I needed to I was always able to drop weight.

Now what I mean by that is I've always been a "yo-yo dieter" like every year in high school I was always able to drop 20lbs, before and during football season my senior year I was able to drop 37lbs. Even since high school has been over every fall and winter I get into this workout kick

But

As soon as summer comes around I gain it back plus some. As of right now I'm currently sitting at 290lbs. My idea weight would be to get down to 230-240 and maintain it or get a little smaller. So what I'm asking is for anyone and everyone to give me their best advised on weight lose and how to keep it off.

Now understand I'm not into doing anything that involves popping some "miracle" pill or taking some nasty shakes. As of right now the main thing that I've started doing is eating better. Actually here what my plan is so far(please add to it or critique as much as possible):

Eating:

-No greasy food

-No fast foods

-I've replaced most of my sugar intake with fruits

-I've cut back on the amount of seasoning in my foods

-For the three past weeks I've only eaten home cooked meal

-Trying to quit smoking currently at a pack every two days, down from a pack an a half a day

Workout:

-So far just walking

-Recently purchased P90X

-Planning on getting a gym membership to get into the flow of working out before starting P90X

-Once comfortable enough planning on doing P90X every morning(Monday-Saturday) and hitting the gym 2-3times a week at night(when I'm feeling up to it)

I just want to know how some of you knock the weight off and keep it off

Whats some of the more or completely natural supplements out there that you guys are taking and 100% approve of it

Whats the best things to be eating that'll give me endurance and help burn some of the fat faster

What kind of activities should I get into that are fun but are also major workouts

In general I'm all ears for any advise that any of you are willing to throw my way. I'm serious about keep the weight off this time just tried of being the fat guy

[kheserthorpe]

What seasonings are you using? Many of them are fine.

Home cooked meals are much better. Dial your carbohydrate levels to your energy needs. How long have you been on the meal plan?

The foods that give you endurance are the ones that keep you fat :D

In terms of working out, the workout that is probably best is whatever you most easily stick with. I'm not a huge fan of p90x in terms of it being 'optimal' because it certainly isn't, but if you like p90x, you can burn lots of calories doing it. Since your focus is simply calorie burning as opposed to really improving mass or anything, what you do doesn't matter all that much, as long as you do it lots and stick with it. Its up to YOU whether to focus on activities you find fun, or if you prefer activities where you have measurable results (which is a different way of being motivated).

I suspect for you the major thing you need to do is never stop weighing/measuring yourself. You are quite capable of eating clean and losing weight. If you keep measuring, then if you gain a few lbs, you'll lose them. The problem is if you stop looking and gain a few ... then a few more ... then a few more ...

You just have to keep your eye on it.

[ThenThereWas1]

Sounds like you're setting reasonable goals for yourself.

Tips:

Diet: People often forget that beverages have calories too. Cut out all sugary beverages and make water your best friend. Not only is water calorie free, it will also help flush or excess salt/sodium in your body. Also read labels like crazy. Sometimes things sound healthy, but then you read the package and your like "holy sh*t, this healthy thing has a crap ton of sugar in it!"

Fun exercise: Be sure to mix it up so you don't get bored. Something I find really fun is kick boxing--one of my favorites. I also enjoy hikes. If you keep a fairly quick pace, or it's a lot of uphill, it's amazing cardio. In addition, make sure to do strength exercises every week. The more muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn.

By the way I've done the P90X ab workout and it works reallly well. I feel the burn 3 days afterword. Good luck!