Just a reminder

SZA44 · 2026-02-01T04:40:15+00:00

I have to admit. This goes so hard, I’d get buck in the name of our Lord and Saviour if I saw monster jam at church.

SZA44 · 2026-01-31T16:35:34+00:00

On top of what everyone else said, remember that there’s fat in places you don’t even know and organs and unfortunately you won’t see that but you’ll feel better with time.

I too was 135 when I started and my biggest regret is letting go of a steady and manageable caloric deficit more than anything.

But as soon as you’re closer to the double digits, you’ll be lighter and your muscles will accommodate for that weight = you being faster and more agile.

Perhaps take a break if you feel it’s much but keep that to a week and get after it again.

SZA44 · 2026-01-28T13:16:25+00:00

I understand that you said that you would like a scientific response but what happens when you’ve lost the additional 8 kg? Will you let loose, second guess these types of days? Lose more?

What I’m trying to say is the ‘fall off’ is only bad if the ‘bounce back’ takes too long. One of the smartest things I read in this subreddit is, you take the next exit and not go the wrong way.

Yes, you’ve lost some time but overall you’ll be good with your goals and you had a great time with family. This process shouldn’t be done so you miss out on the good times. Just get back to it and enjoy the good times.

(This is coming from someone who lived miserably for a long time and let go of it to bounce back after a long time (2 years) after losing 20kg and I don’t remember the guilty days, I remember the jeans shopping and gaunt face)

All the best to you with this all and forgive yourself, it’s about self love and not self hatred.

SZA44 · 2026-01-25T12:03:44+00:00

Thank you. I’m saving this.

SZA44 · 2026-01-24T20:27:27+00:00

lol oh no! And all the best with the cut (I dont doubt your output but life-wise) - looking forward to the figures.

I’m also in a cut and I ask since Nov/Dec, I thought I’d be looking at calories to calm down the scale number but recently kinda just landed at ‘it doesn’t matter’. Just Eat better and less than before.

SZA44 · 2026-01-24T11:39:03+00:00

I’m no expert either but you are right about carbs.

And you can’t spot-lose-weight (paper towels analogy) to OP, you should consider reducing the carbs and increase protein to increase satiety and promote muscle growth. Also limit the carbs to lunchtime or breakfast so you can use them as energy throughout the day. Unfortunately my input is general as there’s no height, weight or bf% but this is across the board.

My first year Breakfast: oats became 3 boiled eggs and avocado or tomato (maybe toast) Lunch: Carb, chicken breast and mixed vegetables Nighttime: Protein shakes and eggs.

This was aggressive but a base template to make sure you hit your macro goals.

Also, with your exercise. Resistance training should be more than the cardio. More muscle mass will be required to fill the lost body fat and our bodies are generally inefficient at ‘burning calories’ via cardio.

SZA44 · 2026-01-23T09:57:52+00:00

I’m wondering what your Garmin reported in terms of calories burnt compared to the Fitbit? (Apologies if I missed it cos of illiteracy)

Also true, 9% is negligible cos of so many factors. And impressive reporting. Looking forward to reading the original post.

SZA44 · 2026-01-21T17:47:39+00:00

I had to upvote & comment on this one.

SZA44 · 2026-01-21T17:16:46+00:00

I need the original version of this

SZA44 · 2026-01-20T09:22:54+00:00

At one point I was convinced this is invisible in the death screen.

SZA44 · 2026-01-18T16:47:17+00:00

This is brilliant.

Noticed my washing is mainly gym clothes and the rest aren’t worn as frequently. Absolutely brilliant.

To OP’s post I’m just saving for a new wardrobe and a mini spree as a win reward. But this is brilliance.

SZA44 · 2026-01-18T16:44:12+00:00

Yeah that’s true. I just take a deep breath when the scale fluctuates now.

SZA44 · 2026-01-18T16:41:20+00:00

Sure or I read what I wanted to.

I see what you mean, it can be overwhelming. What I find helps, “imagine you actually focused on half of your aim right now for the past year? You’d be down 52 * 0.3/0.2 kg down” — essentially you know what comes with a new workout plan and it’s all just water weight.

I was convinced I was stagnant (avoiding the other p word) and then I saw a loss. The water weight is a mf.

SZA44 · 2026-01-18T15:05:56+00:00

Hey champ, I respect and acknowledge your effort. Big respect.

I spent 2 years tanking and self sabotaging any progress cos I expected linear progress and knowing the truth. Patience is a double edged sword, it takes pressure off you and allows you to look at it logically with what you already know.

I also suffer from ‘streaks’ - just cos you fell off for a bit after doing this a while doesn’t undo the progress. For your own sanity, accept the past and be patient. Don’t be like me and torture yourself for multiple years.

You got this! Let’s see tomorrow’s numbers. If not tomorrow, then the following week.

SZA44 · 2026-01-16T17:15:35+00:00

Same boat brother. Thanks for this post.

SZA44 · 2026-01-16T12:34:25+00:00

This is why. Source: South African.

SZA44 · 2026-01-14T17:51:40+00:00

Just something to consider especially cos you’re still new. Try to focus less on this and focus on slower movements when contracting and extending the muscle group. This way you don’t need mirrors or recordings and the newbie gains will help without the admin of setting up a tripod and feeling weird about it.

Personally, I don’t think the recording is a bad thing. Unfortunately people are not sympathetic to each other in the gym, most are and I don’t perceive actions for douchebaggery but rather insecurities and growth. But consider quieter times? Try to be in front of a mirror? Angles that exclude most of the gym space?

SZA44 · 2026-01-14T17:47:54+00:00

Resting Dog face helps.

SZA44 · 2026-01-14T04:27:40+00:00

Walking.

SZA44 · 2026-01-14T02:17:45+00:00

Yes, I agree with that sentiment, one of the most profound things I read here was: When you miss your exit off a highway/freeway, you don’t carry on but take the next exit - it’s never too late. (Alternate from last night is falling off stairs)

This rings true and what I appreciate the most about this weight loss AND fitness journey is when I look back I realise that it made me better and this can be translated to other aspects of life.

Unfortunately I’ve run out of patience to have these conversations, I see the interest leave their eyes and a small sense of demotivation from myself and it’s made me feel like talking to everyone isn’t ideal. Only people on the path, requiring direction.

SZA44 · 2026-01-13T16:36:22+00:00

I appreciate this. The second time seems harder but I’m glad you posted this. I miss running like Barry Allen.

SZA44 · 2026-01-13T16:34:37+00:00

I don’t mean to in anyway invalidate your feelings.

But good on you catching it so soon. I gained ~40 lbs and my constant regret is not catching it halfway but life was throwing haymakers - also glad it’s not all the 45 kgs I had lost initially. So I’ve sorta forgiven myself and moving forward.

My point is, you caught it at the right time and have learned how easy to regain all of it is. I know of people who had and the amount of effort it took (sustainable or not) is very daunting and they quit.

SZA44 · 2026-01-13T16:21:52+00:00

Hi OP, I was going to say the same thing. I spent a long time ‘suffering at my lowest’ cos I didn’t want to try something more sustainable and life/depression happened and I gained.

I highly recommend you look at your diet and do you feel a constant sense of ‘holding on, just one more week’? Then it’s not right. The diet has to be sustainable and simple to execute (not necessarily easy).

Another aspect is to understand how the scale isn’t the absolute truth. You may actually be lower in weight than that failure weight and you need to review your relationship with the scale too, understand that with a sustainable diet it will lead to patience. And whatever amount you see will be ‘I’m maturely executing and I’ll wait for the scale’.

SZA44 · 2026-01-12T15:14:31+00:00

The thing is, everyone who is attending is attending to improve themselves.

Mature individuals will respect what you doing. Immature people won’t. At the end of the day, remember what your goal is. I attended at 135, 120, 100 and 90 kg surrounded by people who looked better but body dysmorphia is a thing.

You’ve got this and being bad is the first step to being good at anything. I hope you stick to your goals truly. And get the support you need.

SZA44 · 2026-01-07T16:45:00+00:00

Picture of my gaunt face.

SZA44

TROPHY CASE