just curious about my diet
 

I'm not following a specific plan, just trying to eat less crap. I eat TONS of raw veggies, water, about 2 servings of chicken a day, fruit, whole wheat bread, fiber one cereal, soy milk (lactose intolerant), etc. Once a day i allow myself something that's not's so good, like soy ice cream, a piece pizza, whatever so I don't go nuts. I eat little meals all day and I feel full. I'm getting at least 1500 calories a day.

I'm 6 foot, 197 pounds. I can honestly say i look less than what I weigh becasue I'm so tall. The thing is, I want to lose some more weight (maybe get down to 185-190) before i start doing the elliptical trainer, treadmill, weight lifting, etc. I get muscles easily. They don't make me look like a Russian pole vaulter or anything, but I gain weight like mad.

All I want is to get down to 180 and into a size 12. i'm a 14 now. Does thsi sound reasonable to you guys? Anybody in a similar situation? Above all, I want to lose weight in a healthy way, but I do want to LOSE weight, not just gain muscle weight. :carrot:

No that sounds OK. But I wouldn't put off the exercising. Can you think of something that's easy light ... walking maybe?

Lose weight, not gain muscle
 

Well, if you do just the cardio stuff (elliptical, treadmill, etc) you'll lose weight - those burn calories. And since you're using slow-twitch muscles, they're really hard to build, actually. Unless you're doing weight-training (fast-twitch muscle building), I don't see you putting on a lot of muscle-weight. You will put on some, but not at a rate greater than losing fat. And the more muscle you have (whether you look like a Russian pole vaulter or not) the more fat is going to be burned when you're inactive, especially the hard-to get to fat between organs and stuff. :carrot:

--Janis

Your diet sounds very realistic and healthy.

I agree with the others in that you shouldn't put off exercising- muscles are a really good thing- the more muscle you have, the easier it is to maintain your weight loss. I'm not saying that you have to look like a body builder- but strengthening your muscles has so many benefits. Cardio exercise is also important for burning fat and calories as well as overall health benefits.

Yes, muscle weigh more than fat, BUT, you need to go by how you feel, how you look, and/or how your clothes fit, NOT by a number on a scale. That will drive you crazy. You might hit size 12 before you hit 185, and that is perfectly fine.

Thanks for the tips, guys! You all rock!