weight issues for a new merman

[Delphinus]

So, I've gained more weight than I would have liked, and I'm trying to shed it again. Little things seem to be helping at a very slow but steady rate. I drink a lot of water, lots of tea, very little soda if at all, no ice cream, very little sweets, take walks for casual burning etc... and so I've been cutting things like snacking unless I know I haven't eaten a proper amount for a day. That kind of thing.

Anyway, I'm extremely self conscious about the way I look right now, and I'm trying my best to get into a physical shape I'd feel comfortable mer(manning?) without a shirt on. Does anyone have any advice they can give on additional things to help trim down? I enjoy physical activity quite a bit, but running has never been one I like. I was hoping that swimming again would help, since I swam all the time as a kid, and it kept me downright skinny.

My other thought was that until I get where I'm comfortable, that I could wear a vest or sleeveless rash guard, but I worry about how that'd look on a merman. Even if I got crafty with it.

I don't know, I'm just really concerned with my body. :(

[Mermaid Jaffa]

It doesn't matter if you're fat or thin. If you're happy with yourself, then that's who you are. I weighed myself earlier tonight and am not the weight I thought I was. It upset me a little but I got over it really fast as I know I am now exercising a lot more than last year. Until last year, I was a couch potato. I didn't like walking or any kind of exercise, now I enjoy my swims, and always have fun and relaxing time in the pool. Have even dropped down half a size in pants! Its not immediate weight loss unless you take some magic pill, but even that has its side effects. Its better to take things slow so that you don't hurt yourself in the process of trimming down.

And if someone barges into your lane, you could just tuna belly them out of it!

[SeaGlass Siren]

Taebo is the best for me personally. It gets you working out using your own body weight and it's awesome for cardio.

What I did was cutting grains out of my diet (breads, crackers, rice, etc) and replaced it with veggies. Also cut dairy and pork meat out. Also, matcha green tea (but don't put anything in the tea. The bitter the better) before and after a meal helps you digest better so your stomach doesn't bloat as much.
Drinking cold water with a slice of lemon in the morning helps too.

[BayouMermaid]

Ed has a really cool merman vest that has fins on it. They also painted it to match their tail. Do what makes you comfortable :)

[Vrindavana Starfish]

I'm losing weight too. Sounds like you're changing your diet in a way that will be healthy and maintainable, and that's the hardest part! I used to run, but stopped doing it. It was hurting my knees and killing my flexibility. Running is great, but it certainly isn't the only way. And you don't have to look ripped to be a merman, but I totally understand not being satisfied with your shape.

I recommend HIIT workouts, and DEFINITELY some kind of strength training. You don't have to be a gym rat or bench press a bear or anything, but building muscle will increase your metabolism, burn more fat, make you feel and look stronger. There's a website that I LOVE called FitnessBlender.com. They have tons of free videos. All of their videos are free, but if you want more structure, you can pay $10 for one of their programs. I'm doing an 8-week fat loss program now. I highly recommend.

Also, most of their stuff doesn't require equipment, and if it does, it's just a set of dumbbells, which are inexpensive and worth investing in to get fit, so this would be a great option if you're on a budget.

[SIF]

Eat 6-7 times a day, in portions no larger than a baseball or two, and drink lots of juices and waters. Cranberry juice is a good one to naturally boost your metabolism and keep your (everything, really) healthy. Hope this helps in a cheap, affective, natural option. :)

[AniaR]

I just got a fitbit and it is reallllly helping. I got flex :)

[Vrindavana Starfish]

I just got a fitbit and it is reallllly helping. I got flex :)
I have a FitBit One. Love it. :)

[Merman Dan]

If Larry the Cable Guy can be a merman, anyone can! I myself sport 12-pack abs. ;)

https://bearmythology.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/larry-the-cable-guy-merman.jpg

[Delphinus]

I love how unbelievably positive all you fine mers are. I actually don't think I've really ever been so inspired to focus on something, short of my writing, ever before! The lack of pressure, apart from my own, makes me really feel more comfortable to get where I'm happy at my own pace.

[Coradion]

Doing ten minutes a day of elevated heart rate cardio prevents new fat formation. I know how it goes, I keep getting booked by new swimwear companies for underwater shoots and it's been hard. My body isn't where it needs to be and I have to get even more serious about it if I want to keep these contracts. :/

[MerShellly]

@Merman Dan- Love the photo!

[Keiris]

Delphinus, you're on the right track. The key to maintaining muscle mass and losing weight is consistency no matter which combination of cardio/strength training that you do. You don't have to be a gym rat to get results but you DO have to be consistent! Diet plays such an important role in staying lean and strong. I hate to run so I do a little cardio 3 times a week (the elyptical machine works for me cause you can add resistance). I also strength train to keep lean muscle on. Even when you are done lifting weights for the day, your body continues to burn calories all through the night even when you are asleep! Doing just cardio alone doesn't. Those benefits stop within the hour that you stop the cardio. Just remember...start light and be consistent. You'll be amazed how quickly your body can change. Good luck! :D

[PrinceAriel]

i say as long as you eat healthy, or healthy-ish and watch your health, as long as youre happy you shouldnt care about your weight. some guys look amazing with a bit of chub to them. i, myself, am a bit of a chubby dude, and fluffy, and have battled against self confidence issues all my life. hell i was that psycho who would wear hoodies in 100 degree weather cause i was so insecure about my body. now all i usually wear is wifebeaters. you gotta love yourself. everyone comes in all different shapes and sizes, and colors. just like our tails, we're all different and unique. i say there needs to be more chubbier mermen anyway. if we let all the adonis' rule over the male merfolk look, we'll never bring diversity to such a wonderful thing. not that theres anything wrong with fit/skinny people, we just definitely need more diversity. also bodyhair, cause i dont think ive seen a single merman with bodyhair, lol.

but again, it all comes down to what YOU want to do, and how YOU wanna look. be yourself and enjoy ^_^ sorry im kinda rambling

[telzey.amberdon]

Swim with a mermaid, no one will be watching you and you can get in all the swim time you need.

[Keiris]

Prince Ariel if it makes you feel any better, I am a Merman with body hair! lol It's only too evident in a pic I posted around a week ago modeling a necklace I wanted opinion on. Not a shave my chest kinda guy. We seem to have a decent range of body types here. I haven't seen any "Adonis" mermen, as you said, but all of the mermaids seem quite lovely.

[Delphinus]

I get ya, Prince Ariel! I do have to say that as long as there's a comfort with where one is at, that is indeed the important thing. :) That said, I've been maintaining a daily exercise routine of walking with my dog, riding a number of blocks on my bike, and assorted mini-exercises for good measure. It's nothing overwhelming, but keeps me going. I haven't seen a difference yet, but it takes time, and I believe that it's kicking off.

A big thing was getting in the water more often, which I kickstarted on my recent Catalina Island birthday trip. Swimming was always my favorite activity. :) Soon I can do so with a tail, too!

As far as hair goes, we'll have to see! I don't really have much more or less than any given guy. lol But I actually agree! I remember talking about body hair and body fat in merfolk recently, which would make sense for an aquatic humanoid race. At least, assuming they retain the mammal qualities from the human part. But that's an age old discussion, I'm sure. XD

[Coradion]

I like acrobatics for practice, I think I'm more fit than I look but I'm still not as big or as toned as I should be.

https://41.media.tumblr.com/cd356243cdd213ead881307f05edf5d6/tumblr_now2kfQKS11seod7xo1_1280.jpg

[Coradion]

I have a lot of visible fat around my waist line that you can see in my acrobatics practice videos on Instagram and a bit on the pic below @HawaiianMerman if you feel like checking it out, it does show in my tail sometimes, I'm working on making a higher waist line so it's not as noticeable and also trying to burn it off with more cardio. It's always a work in progress, as long as you beat where you were yesterday it's still your progress and something to be proud of. I doubt I could've done the exercises I've been posting six months ago so that's a win. Keep working until you're happy :)



https://41.media.tumblr.com/2bb1cd58544a06d48d8b9a2889b7235a/tumblr_noluaaeYfL1seod7xo1_1280.jpg

[SeaGlass Siren]

Sir I dunno about you but I cannot see a lump of fat on that body :| awesome job with the workout btw!

[Coradion]

Trust me, it's there and there. I think I'm at 14% body fat now and I need to hit 8%

[telzey.amberdon]

But on you it looks really good!

[Keiris]

Coradion I think you look fantastic in your tail!!

[Coradion]

Thank you, and I know rationally I'm in a good place body wise but I want more for myself :/ I've been obese at 245 pounds and 5'10" in high school it's taken me six years to lose most of that weight. Now I'm 190 and 6'0" but I can do better.

[Keiris]

I had no idea you had undergone such a DRAMATIC body transformation! I think it's awesome that you have given yourself a goal and let nothing stand in your way to achieve it. You will be an inspiration to many.:D

[Seatan]

Thank you, and I know rationally I'm in a good place body wise but I want more for myself :/ I've been obese at 245 pounds and 5'10" in high school it's taken me six years to lose most of that weight. Now I'm 190 and 6'0" but I can do better.

You look pretty damn good to me, my friend. Really good. Anymore and you will be one VERY sexy merman. :eyepop: That's really amazing, the change you've made!

[SeaGlass Siren]

he's basically one of those success stories.

[Delphinus]

That's a really awesome change. Makes it really daunting for me, though!

I personally feel like I'm trying to punch my way through an iceberg. D:

[Coradion]

That's a really awesome change. Makes it really daunting for me, though!

I personally feel like I'm trying to punch my way through an iceberg. D:


I know how it goes, take it one day at a time. This was me in 2009, I switched up my diet from eating whatever I wanted to just being smart about things. I took the time to learn about the best fitness strategy for my body type and went from there. It's taken me five years to get to where I am now I went from 245-250ish pounds at one point two years ago I was about 160. Now I'm around 190 but that's largely due to active attempts to build muscle. On good days I have a six pack but I'm still working on myself. You'll feel better just knowing you're making progress even if you're not there yet :) I'm happy to share any tips or advice.

https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/1923257_1208337332952_385646_n.jpg?oh=831e896a7e3b e95d617dd46d239bef00&oe=5607D2D2



And here are some from a month or two ago.

https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/q82/s960x960/11080465_819334471489569_8161053228451968310_o.jpg

https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11264898_834043073352042_4350541302573157766_n.jpg ?oh=007fc72db92ae974ed080191e4557867&oe=55C211E3

[SeaMonkey]

i like wut i see :mermaid kiss:

[Delphinus]

Coradion: Any tips could be pretty helpful. I'm usually fairly stuck, since my days are mostly taken with in-home assistance for my mother (who needs live in care that my dad just can't afford), or I'm trying to study. Recently I had to pick up overnight security shifts, which messed up the extremely well scheduled bicycling routine I had set up, which had me feeling better and healthier each day I did it.

Any thoughts on how to better approach that? Overnighters are 8PM to 6AM, and I commute about 30-40 minutes, so daytime has little room for activity, beyond sleep and preparing for work. Once that's done though, I'm returning to my cycling routine. Maybe suggestions for better eating and/or mini exercises to do almost anywhere? I've spoken to Keiris about me doing squats and stuff whenever I think about it if nothing's happening. (I do wall pushups too, if there's enough room to incline enough. That way I can avoid nasty grounds if I'm out.)

[Coradion]

It's about taking control of your body. Most people don't have the willpower to force a diet upon themselves so you have to control your body in a reasonable manner. Eat when you're hungry but do it intelligently and in small amounts. The slower you eat the more time you have to realize you're full and avoid over eating. Workout the way you want to but understand that you're not going to have amazing gains without serious work. People who walk extra etc might keep new fat from forming but they're not usually going to slim down or gain muscle. Honestly getting addicted to an activity helps. I love acrobatics so that's what I do now about 4-6 days a week. A day off is harder for me than the workout. Surrounding yourself with like minded people also helps.

[Coradion]

The #1 thing is there are 0 excuses. You can bog yourself down with them all you want, but at the end of the day it's your body and you control it. If you want to do a full workout you will find a way to do it.