I lost weight. Playing bass is much easier now!

[-Asdfgh-]

Most of my life, I've been a big guy. But in recent years, I put on a lot of pounds sitting behind a desk. Recently, I decided it was time for a change. So I started eating clean and exercising. I've been surprised at how easy it's been to drop about 80lb (not without its challenges). Even more so, it's been incredibly rewarding. My head's clear. I sleep better. My doctor tells me my vitals and blood-work are perfect. It's really cool how much better I feel!

But little did I know how much it would affect my bass playing. I mean, I can actually see my fretboard! My body doesn't ache after hours of playing. The instrument feels much more comfortable around my neck. I take up less space on stage. And for some reason, heavier basses don't cause me nearly the problems they used to. It's kind of amazing.

Looking at this photo comparison, it's not so easy to share (or admit to myself). But it's also kind of awesome!

Curious if anyone else has ever had this experience

I seem to find it hard to drop 8lbs never mind 80lbs! But good on you.

 

[Parzival]

I don't take up quite as much space now. Before and after:

 

[Eilif]

Just wanted to say major congrats to those who have been achieving their health goals. I'm seeing some pictures here that represent ALOT of sustained effort and lifestyle change.

I thought I was at the edge of "M" as far as this poll is concerned, however I just checked my BMI and it says for a 6'3" male like myself...
Normal is 152 to 199 lbs, Overweight is 200 to 239 lbs and Obese is 240 to 311 lbs.

This is a bit confusing to me. I'm currently at 210 pounds with long limbs and relatively slender all over, except that I could probably lose 10 (maybe 12?) off my skinny-guy-gut. After that, I don't know where I could lose and still be healthy. Heaven forbid I put any muscle at all as I'd then be well into "overweight". Further, could a 6'3" Male be #152 and not be dangerously underweight?

Regardless, my wife and I have been eating healthier recently and taking more morning walks since we moved so I'm hopeful I can shed a couple pounds. If not, I'm feeling ok if I just don't add any.

 

[Joybass]

my wife and I have been eating healthier recently

This, for shure, is the most important thing. Your efforts should be towards achieving health instead of a certain BMI, or weight, or a eating a specific number of calories. Most importantly you should try to achieve metabolic health by eating high quality whole foods. Cut down on all forms of sugar, processed carbs and seed oils. Look for the information provided by people like Dr. Jason Fung and Dr. Sten Ekberg on Youtube to get on track with this. I have been doing this for about half a year, lost 20 pounds and a nasty eczema that bothered me since 2006. Now I am 160 pounds at age 64 and 5'10", and feeling great. I regularly walk 15 to 25 miles on an empty stomach without problems like low energy or fatigue of hunger. Check it out, it is a real eye opener.

 

[tb-player]

This, for shure, is the most important thing. Your efforts should be towards achieving health instead of a certain BMI, or weight, or a eating a specific number of calories. Most importantly you should try to achieve metabolic health by eating high quality whole foods. Cut down on all forms of sugar, processed carbs and seed oils. Look for the information provided by people like Dr. Jason Fung and Dr. Sten Ekberg on Youtube to get on track with this. I have been doing this for about half a year, lost 20 pounds and a nasty eczema that bothered me since 2006. Now I am 160 pounds at age 64 and 5'10", and feeling great. I regularly walk 15 to 25 miles on an empty stomach without problems like low energy or fatigue of hunger. Check it out, it is a real eye opener.

OP here. Jason Fung's book on fasting changed my relationship with food. These days, I balance macros, eat for fuel and pay closer attention to hunger vs habit. Really interesting stuff.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I'm not a big framed guy, but I've struggled with weight since my 18th birthday. At my lightest I'm unhealthy at 125 lbs. At my biggest I was unhealthy at 190+ lbs.

Right now I'm in a push to lose maybe 7 lbs of belly fat. I've been 147 lbs consistently for 36 hours now lol!
How to get in shape... exercise and eat less!
I interval fast. Today's brunch was 3 small tortillas with hummus. I slipped a little at "lunch" and had some roller food from the QT (buffalo chicken things?) wrapped in tortilla.
Dinner was around 400 calories.
Walked 25 minutes this morning and swam 10 laps just now. Was a big cargo day, had 5 gallon paint buckets...so got a workout.
It's a constant ongoing struggle.
Cake? Just kidding.

 

[Joybass]

How to get in shape... exercise and eat less!

This will never work, it will only be a constant ongoing struggle. Exercise won't burn a lot of your fat, and eating less will only make you hungry to the point where you will start eating more.
What you should do is cut the carbohydrates out off your diet. No more sugar and soft drinks, no more grain products like tortilla wraps and bread, no more starchy vegetables, no more vegetable seed oils, and dairy and fruits only sparingly. Exercise is optional. Eat only whole real foods, like meat, eggs, butter, fish, leafy vegetables. Try some intermittent fasting. After a few initial weeks of transitioning your body will start burning the fat like crazy. Don't believe it? Check out the youtube channels of Dr. Ken Berry or Dr. Anthony Chaffee, or read 'The Obesity Code' by Dr. Jason Fung. And my previous post.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

This will never work, it will only be a constant ongoing struggle. Exercise won't burn a lot of your fat, and eating less will only make you hungry to the point where you will start eating more.
What you should do is cut the carbohydrates out off your diet. No more sugar and soft drinks, no more grain products like tortilla wraps and bread, no more starchy vegetables, no more vegetable seed oils, and dairy and fruits only sparingly. Exercise is optional. Eat only whole real foods, like meat, eggs, butter, fish, leafy vegetables. Try some intermittent fasting. After a few initial weeks of transitioning your body will start burning the fat like crazy. Don't believe it? Check out the youtube channels of Dr. Ken Berry or Dr. Anthony Chaffee, or read 'The Obesity Code' by Dr. Jason Fung. And my previous post.

It will never work? Lol. I'll be 140 lbs by late October. And exercise is necessary in order to hit old age.
Atkins had a heart attack and died... Just saying.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Do RESEARCH before you give blanket advice. Carbohydrates feed the brain. Does this mean one should go into a mashed potatoes coma? No. But removing complex carbs entirely from ones diet often stresses the kidneys into ketosis and starves the neurons in the brain.

People present a Paleo diet as if Paleo man had a choice between a roasted elks liver and a plate of macaroni and cheese.
The Mac and cheese is not diet food...but I guarantee it's instinct to eat carbs swimming in animal fat.
The ideal diet for living and being healthy involves very small portions of complex carbohydrates with lean meat and tons of fresh fruits and cooked vegetables.
Look at the "influencer" whom just died from her raw diet plan. At least she can't influence any more people into a poor dietary direction.

At 140 lbs I have a BMI of around 21.5.
What's the percentage of 57 year olds who can claim that?
Eat clean. EXERCISE!
The heart needs health as well.

 

[Joybass]

Atkins had a heart attack and died

This is another persistent lie. Atkins died of head trauma after he slipped on an icy sidewalk in New York. Do your own research.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

This is another persistent lie. Atkins died of head trauma after he slipped on an icy sidewalk in New York. Do your own research.

And kidney failure? Not Atkins, his followers.
Take your own advice, research.
BTW are you authorized to give medical advice on a bass forum? Unsolicited medical advice I might add.

Jeez, I just wanted to chat with people about the plus or minus 10 lbs which creeps up at middle age.
"I can't come to bed... someone is wrong on the internet!!!!".

...

 

[Spidey2112]

Jeez, I just wanted to chat with people about the plus or minus 10 lbs which creeps up at middle age.

I'm down 17 lbs, from the start of '22, til today. I realized it's hard to put 10 lbs of sausage in a 5 lb casing.

 

[Marko 1]

I used to have the body of a Greek God...

Now I just look like a Greek.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I just ate two large scoops of ice cream.
#tryagaintomorrow

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Most of my life, I've been a big guy. But in recent years, I put on a lot of pounds sitting behind a desk. Recently, I decided it was time for a change. So I started eating clean and exercising. I've been surprised at how easy it's been to drop about 80lb (not without its challenges). Even more so, it's been incredibly rewarding. My head's clear. I sleep better. My doctor tells me my vitals and blood-work are perfect. It's really cool how much better I feel!

But little did I know how much it would affect my bass playing. I mean, I can actually see my fretboard! My body doesn't ache after hours of playing. The instrument feels much more comfortable around my neck. I take up less space on stage. And for some reason, heavier basses don't cause me nearly the problems they used to. It's kind of amazing.

Looking at this photo comparison, it's not so easy to share (or admit to myself). But it's also kind of awesome!

Curious if anyone else has ever had this experience

Moderator note- pics removed by request.

I recently lost about 35 pounds. I'm 5'7" and was 192 pounds. I got on the scale this morning and weighed in at 157. I do enjoy the way I feel and the way the bass fits my body now. Fasting and exercise got me here and continue to keep me here (at this weight). Congratulations on your success! Keep up the good work!

 

[KingRazor]

I've lost 65 pounds, but to be honest it's been so gradual it's hard to notice if I really even feel that different. I mean, I'm much happier with how I look, and I don't snore as much or as loudly anymore, but I haven't noticed feeling all that different.