Training & Nutrition - Have I lost anything, you judge

I don't have a scale, and I really don't give two flips about the weight anyways, but some people have mentioned it to me, so I figured a bunch of strangers could be straight with me. The first pic is a couple months old. The second one I just took. I took them in the same clothes and same area so hopefully there would be no eye trickery. So what do you all think?

http://s117405441.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/wpw-20050406/normal_DSCF2838.JPG
http://s117405441.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/wpw-20050607/normal_DSCF3131.JPG

Slightly narrower shoulders? Maybe.
Other than that, honestly, I don't see any difference.

your face looks skinnier in the second pic. But that may be because your tilting your head up.

take measurements with a seamstress tape...the only time I get on a scale is at the doctors...

wrist, bicep, neck, chest, waste, thigh, knee, calve...both sides of body...that is much better then knowing how much you weigh any day! Since May ive taken off 10 inches comnbined.

your shirt and pants look looser.

A bit hard to tell because the first pic shows your full body and the second cuts off. It looks like your pants might be looser.

More to the point, how do you feel? Lighter? Stronger? That's what counts!

Looks like one pic in the afternoon, the next in the evening. Hard to tell if you lost alot weight in three hours.
Honestly, I can't tell. Best way to tell if you have no scale, is the necessity of needing new pants.

You look like you're filling your clothes out a little less. I think that's probably the earliest and easiest thing to keep track of. I also don't have a scale and am not sure if it would tell me much over the short term anyway, since I'm at last weighing 140 and want to go down to 120. But there's the exchange of fat for muscle, and it took me years to get to 140 (a weight I thought I"d never reach!) and I don't expect to get back into shape in less than a couple of years. But I notice my clothes are a bit roomier!

Looks like you have less extra around the stomach, and your face does look thinner. Agree with the comment about your face tilting up as well. The stomach seems very striking to me.

You also look more dynamic and resourceful in the second pic. ;)

can´t see much difference but it is not very scientific- have you been dieting or just relying on the cycling?

do you have problems keeping up with others on group rides going up hills?

mmmm... about the same, honestly

Hey pwrd,

just some suggestions for ya. Try taking some pics with better lighting and wear something other than black. I wear black when I want to feel good about myself (it covers up the manboobs better :D ). If we had two better pictures to compare, this would be easier to do.

You clothes are definitely looser; I can tell you've lost weight...How do you feel?

Looks like there is a triple chin in top pic, and a big double chin in the bottom pic. Are you shorts elastic? Usually gauging from the waist for looseness in shorts is a good indication. Keep working at it.

you actually look like you got bigger. you need to get a different job. are your pants loose? that's how you really tell. also make sure you eat fruit and veggies. they will help you lose weight.

at least your heart is healthier now. that's the most important thing.

Your face looks skinner and your shoulders. Ask people you know and that are around you often, they would be your best bet. Keep it up!

I know what you've lost. You've lost your bike! It isn't in the second picture. ;)

looks like your face and neck are smaller in the second pic which is the first thing to get smaller normally! keep it up!

face neck for sure

leep diggin like hale

thumbs up bro!

The second picture is more zoomed in. Therefore, given the relation to the old picture, your body looks bigger. I doubt that's the case though, as your clothes hang more in the second pic.

I don't see it to be honest

Keep the gotee

Sorry, dude! Get a scale!

you're a lot shaper and in focus in the second pic. you may or may not have lost too much weight, but your photography skills are getting better. ;)

You look like you've lost some of your love handles. It could be that your arms are just in a different position in the 2nd picture but I can't be sure. Keep it up though, big changes don't take place overnight! :)

not to be mean...but it looks like u gained weight.

No way man, you have def. lost. If you guys look around his mid-section, you can see his stomach protruding sideways but in the next picture it isn't. Also, first picture he has facial hair and the second he doesn't. But you ask, "Hammer, why would facial hair matter?" and then I would say, "Because young padawan, big people (like what I once was) use facial hair to cover up their neck so if he has facial hair in the first and not the second you can def. see a difference in his neck development." So basically, big guys use facial hair to hid there double chins but you can tell he has lost some weight in and around the neck area.

I appreciate all the input...my clothes fit looser, and I continue to see gains in my cycling. I am attempting to diet, I try to take in less fast food, and eat at home more often. I don't consume near as many sodas as I used to. I'm working on it! Thanks for the input guys...and hammer you're right..the first thing I noticed when I shaved my chin hairs was my chin. Oh well thanks again for the input.

Looks like better lighting in the second picture.

Seriously. I have been following your efforts for months. I don't always speak up but have found your passion to be genuine. Many months / miles / trails from now you will look back and say "Who is that guy".

Take Care Now,

The whole eat at hoem thing to me is not a big deal i havent eatten at homein 6 months!!

I think you've definitely lost weight, though I had to study the pictures to tell for sure - the comments about wearing loose, dark clothing are apt.

Do you use a tape measure? That's also a good way to tell if you're getting smaller.

Keep up the good work - you're doing great!

I don't see any dramatic differences in your body. The picture quality is dramatically different. So what are you doing to lose weight besides riding? Are you extrememly committed to losing weight or just somewhat?

Keep in mind that riding alone isn't going to do someone with a significant weight problem a lot of good. Of course it is good and will help, but what you put in your mouth will play the largest role. Despite the zillions of $$$ spent on all sorts of diets, it all boils down to simple math. Calories consumed - Calories Burned + motivation or lack thereof = you are fat or you are skinny.

Cycling increases the calories burned thereby allowing a person at an average or below average weight to eat more than a sedentary person. An overweight person, doesn't have that luxury. You need to reduce the intake and increase the burned calories.

Lastly, people look at diets too often in terms of days. How many calories did i eat today? Actually the body is the way it is generally because of behavior that happens over weeks, months and years. No need for stupid fad diets. Simply start eating better and make it a lifestyle. Couple it with the riding and in a few months/ years you have some serious results.

Kill these things from your diet for the next 50 years and you will lose weight. Trust me! (actually you will lose about 1 pound per week. in two years you have lost over 100 lbs)

1. Fried Foods. Bye Bye FAst Food!

2. Any product that has double digits per serving listed in the Fat column can't be eaten. These are reward foods only and you can only eat them very occasionally.

3. Red Meat.

4. Regular soda; switch to diet. Yeah, yeah. I complained to and then switched and lost 10 pounds in a couple months.

I think you have lost weight. Your neck and chin look thinner and just above the belt looks thinner. It also seems that the clothes are not as tight. No mater how much or how little, you're doing something to improve your health. That's something to be proud of.

The more recent picture does make you look more FAMOUS though. :D

hmmm, you're wearing a lamp shade as an earring in the second pic---aside from that, no difference

Doesn't look like you lost any to me, but the pictures and the baggy black tee-shirt makes it hard to tell anyhow so you may have lost some. But I reckon you look heaps better in your avatar (if that is you?).... shave yer head and grow the goatee - would look awesome on you, the chicks dig it too.