First off, i just want to say good job on your cut. Keep up the good work. But how long did it take u to get where you're at now from your starting weight at 267? I'm currently 263 and i'm trying to cut to around 230-225. I'm just trying to get an idea for a realistic goal.
Took me a bit over 3 months, 14 weeks or so...
BUT
Keep in mind that I have never weighed anywhere near 265 in my entire life. I've been between 195 and 240 for 15 years, and was at 218 before I reinjured my back and started drinking and eating more than I ever have in my life. Also, it was relatively easy for me to lose the initial weight because I traditionally don't eat empty calories, I used to juice every day, and I'm used to doing different forms of system maintenance like fasting. So going from 265 to the 237-245 range in 3 months was hard work, but easier for me than it would be for most of my friends. I was doing so much eating and drinking that I never did before that it was easy for me to cut it out, an the pounds melted off when I exercised in conjunction with that.
Going from this 237-242 to 225.... now that right there will be much more difficult for me. Also, it might not be right for my body anymore to be that weight. MMS is right, weight lies - when you're lean you're lean, and that's all lifting (and cardio if you work that in effectively). I'd take a lean, strong 230 over my old lean, strong 218.
Patience, a realistic outlook, dedication, and ignoring the scale are very important when you're cutting weight. Trust the math in terms of caloric deficit. Weigh in every 3 weeks, and let yourself be pleasantly surprised by the 2-5 pounds you lose. Don't scale watch every day, it'll fukk you up psychologically, weight fluctuates so wildly on any given day. Last week I was at 250 when I hopped on the gym scale, but I had just ingested 32 ounces of water and had eaten a huge dinner the night before, and forgot to take my sneakers off; by the next day I was at 242. Scale watching will drive you crazy and can make you overwork at the gym, which will hurt you in the long term.
Shoot for a pound a week and know that it might be 4 months before you see significant change. But once you do see that change, it'll be nothing for you to find the dedication to take your routine to the next level, because you'll believe in it, and it'll make you feel so much better physically and mentally.
MMS is on point: trust the caloric formula, stay dedicated and patient, accept that healthy weight is preferable to losing weight. Keep checking in here, it's nice to feel like you know other people who are putting serious, consistent effort in, keeps you on your grind.
Keep track of the shyt you eat so you get a subconscious feel for how many calories and protein and fat are in your meals, eventually it'll become second nature. Always be honest with yourself about when you're slacking, don't waste your own time with excuses. Commit, and you'll reap the benefits.
I bet you can lose anywhere between 14 and 25 pounds in 4 months, while eating enough to satisfy yourself and not feel like you're wasting away. You've got to know the difference between cravings and needs, between hunger and addiction, and between emotional and physical needs when it comes to food. Do detailed reading about food - you want to know why you're eating the way you are, and what exactly it means. The more you know, the more you'll trust what you're doing.
Good luck, my man. Dare to be better.
