Losing that winter blubber

[kneedownnate]

So I kinda stole this from pirate, but this just gets regurgitated on all kinds of different boards anyway.  Soooooo..... my belly is gettin bigger and bigger all the time, and noticing my waste band on my spidyman underoos folding over itself I realized that something must be done.

I know I'll lose a little of my blubber when I'm out in the hot sun every day this summer, but that alone doesn't cut it.  I cut soda out of my diet back in midish august 06 (probably one of the best things I've done to date), but that's been replaced by sobe or fruit juices.  I typically do drink more water than anything during the summer, so that'll help a little too.  As for diet, I'm a firm believer that you need food to live healthy, so as long as you're not eating horribly you'll be ok sticking to your standard diet.  I think it's more interesting to see how what kinda difference you can make by just doing one thing at once anyway, ie: changing only exercise habits for a while, then changing eating habits, etc.

So that leaves excercise.  I'm a huge procrastinator, but there again I'll get more active as the weather gets better.  I plan on putting some serious miles on my mountain bike on my coming days off, as well as wearing out atleast one set of trail running shoes, though those will be mostly wasted hiking. 

I'm also not a firm believer in only setting a goal weight.  Not that it doesn't help a lot of people to have something solid to strive for, but weight is only one factor in the problem.  Fitness, tone, energy/endurance and appearance (I'm not veign SP, just don't want to be embarassed to take my shirt off around others) are more important to me.  I was under 115 pounds when I graduated hs in 93 and had incredible energy and endurance from riding my bicycle 7 days a week, but would be surprised if I'm under 145 now.  Granted I've packed on more upper body muscle than I had back then, which helps me to not look like stick figure torso on big legs, but I'd rather find a happy medium between what I had and what I have.  I guess I'd hafta say I'd like to shoot for 130 or so if I HAD to pick a goal weight.

Anyway, what are you crazy kids gonna do to try and get in better shape in the coming months? 

[topar]

Go to McDonald's 

[motorider228]

Damn how tall are you Nate?  I weigh about 155 and am pretty darn skinny being that I am 6 feet tall.  I may also weigh a little more as I do have some good muscle mass. I cut soda out a few years ago and have had probably a 24 pack in 3 years, best dietary thing I have ever done.  I also watch what I eat and make sure to eat fruit for snacks instead of things like chips.  I do not eat fast food mainly because it is disgusting but also to stay healthy and I run 2.5-3 miles every other day.  Running shaves the weight off quick.  I also recently took a job loading trucks at UPS so I'm sure in time I will get in better shape because of this job.

[BLACKDOG]

Nate, I hate you

I'm almost 2x your sice

Granted, I think I'm a bit taller than you too.  I'm weighing in at 260 or so right now, wouldn't mind dropping 20 or so lbs, but I too know it isn't so much the weight that matters, as opposed to body composition.  I've been running already, usually about 10 miles a week, but I plan on ramping that up here right about now  other than that, its just a mtter of eating right, and burning more calories than you intake (but you already knew that)  I need to buy a bike, but I can't afford one that'll actually fit my tall/fat  

so for me:
running
eating right
and dieting

As as this sounds, I've actually been eating slimfast meal bars for lunch, and they keep me full.  each has about 220 cal. so I usually wind up with 1500 calories or so for the day.  I've lost about 10lbs that way

[kneedownnate]

I'm 5'3" with a tailwind 

[Wermz84]

Im going to build another bicycle for this summer season.  the only reason i haven't built another one yet is because i would rather put the money toward my rig (I have rather expensive bike tastes) 


I like to set several little goals instead of one massive goal that seems so unabtainable. this way i won't get discouraged and give up.

[kneedownnate]

I cut soda out a few years ago and have had probably a 24 pack in 3 years, best dietary thing I have ever done.

Seriously, but I also think/hope I've taken a step away from getting diabetes down the road.  I haven't touched one since I stopped, though I've had about 4 dreams where I'm doing something, go for a drink thinking "I don't want a soda", then realize that I have empty soda bottles and cans around and have just been drinking out of another soda.  Wierd.  I can say in all honesty, the only hard part of quitting soda is trying to find something to drink.  I can go to the most podunk backwoods hole in the wall store and find atleast a decent selection of sodas, but try finding anything else to drink and you're forked.

I've been running already, usually about 10 miles a week, but I plan on ramping that up here right about now

You know, that's part of my problem too.  I'll go weeks or more doing nothing more than working, then go out and do a long hike.  The last decent hike/run I did last year was about 19 miles in one day, a few miles of which was a rarely used "old" section of trail that was pretty grueling.  I didn't believe it when I read it on the map, but I take that map a little more seriously now   I'd be much better off if I could go for a good hike/run once a week and try throwing something in once a month that's closer to 20 miles. 

Crazy thing is I eat like a bird on those days.  I know you're supposed to throw down lots of calories, but I feel too weighted down with a meal in me and get indigestion whenever I eat, and I don't fancy stopping every 50 feet to belch

[kneedownnate]

Wermy, that's actually a helluva good idear   It's too bad more people with serious weight problems didn't take on that mindset, they'd probably be able to stick to it much longer.

Build the bike man!  I bet you can ebay/craigslist any parts you need fairly cheap.  I haven't had to do anything other than replace tubes on my mountainbike since buying it in late 96, but I'm pretty sure it has less than 500 miles on it too.  My old 89 specialized had over 6000 miles on it when I retired it.  It was heavy but well built.  I've never got used to my univega, probably need to experiment with new bars and stem, but that takes

[BLACKDOG]

if your appearance is a driving factor, I've found taking a picture of yourslef once a month in the same pose while doing a exercise routine is beneficial.  You can see the difference when you compare the months, whereas you can get discouraged if you just look at yourself in a mirror, because you don't notice the drastic change. 

A few years ago I quit drinking regular soda, switched to diet, and I lost about 10lbs just doing that   I know diet isn't much better with all the chemicals, but at least I'm not drinking upwards of 100 empty calories

[Wermz84]

I learned that one the hard way, took me years to figure it out. 

Yeah, ive got to build the bike, thanks.


i quit drinking soda 2 years ago.  i was drinking about 4 44oz cups a day.  terrible amount of suger consumption.

[kneedownnate]

I should try the taking pics of myself, just don't host them to photobucket   I could just imagine somebody doing that and ending up on a gay porn site

[Wermz84]

I should try the taking pics of myself, just don't host them to photobucket   I could just imagine somebody doing that and ending up on a gay porn site

what are friends for right?

[BLACKDOG]

I should try the taking pics of myself, just don't host them to photobucket   I could just imagine somebody doing that and ending up on a gay porn site

yeah, I wouldn't recommend that

[motorider228]

I want to buy a moderate mountain bike, probably a specialized or K2 hard tail.  I have a friend that built a sweet specialized hard tail for downhill and just easy trails and he dropped $4,000 building it, sweet ass bike but DAAAAMMMNNN haha.

The bad thing about diet soda is all that sodium.  I am easy to find drinks as all I drink is water and milk then some juice every now and then, oddly enough I only crave soda less than 4 times a year and the rest I just really want a cold glass of water.

My motivation to stay in shape is kind of for looks as most 19 year olds are self conscious with that stuff but it's mainly to prevent diseases later down the road.  My family is big on diabetes and heart problems so I want to get rid of that risk, I also do not smoke and I rarely drink alcohol.  My older brother and my younger sister are both morbidly obese as well so I do not want to end up like that.  I enjoy being active and when you are like that it is real hard and they will probably die earlier than me because of their health.

[BigMike]

I was under 115 pounds when I graduated hs

I'm 5'3"

Who is this, and what did you do with Nate?

[BLACKDOG]

My motivation to stay in shape is kind of for looks as most 19 year olds are self conscious with that stuff but it's mainly to prevent diseases later down the road.  My family is big on diabetes and heart problems so I want to get rid of that risk, I also do not smoke and I rarely drink alcohol.  My older brother and my younger sister are both morbidly obese as well so I do not want to end up like that.  I enjoy being active and when you are like that it is real hard and they will probably die earlier than me because of their health.

I'm right there with you on that one motorider.  Both of my grandparents on my dad's side are dead now, mostly due to health problems from being obese.  My grandfather died at 57 years old back in '92.  Looking back, due to his lack of self control, he missed out on so, much, just in the last 15 years:

My cousin's wedding and 2 kids (might have been avoided if he were alive even )
My recieving of eagle scout
going on 5 graduations this spring
wheelin with me
and of course, just the family time

I porked out in middle school, lost quite a bit in HS, hained some back in college, but over the past year or so, I've really been kicking myself into shape (trying to)  Thankfully my family is fairly fit, and we even go jogging occasionally as a family.  

[kneedownnate]

I was under 115 pounds when I graduated hs

I'm 5'3"

Who is this, and what did you do with Nate?

Well, from the looks of me I'm a clone who devoured myself

[kneedownnate]

That quote inside a quote is annoying as fork!

[BLACKDOG]

I was under 115 pounds when I graduated hs

I'm 5'3"

Well, from the looks of me I'm a clone who devoured myself


Who is this, and what did you do with Nate?

That quote inside a quote is annoying as fork!

meh, Its kinda nice when you are quoting someone who has quoted a relevant quote, but yeah, over and over again is irritating

[RHG]

I have fluctuated so much in the last 4 years its crazy. When I graduated HS I was 140 at 5'10" and then for a year I worked odd jobs and whatnot, ate terrible so I gained weight to about 155. At that point I joined the AF and through basic I lost soo much weight in 6 weeks. Dropped to 130, and through out tech school I only peaked at 140. Which I wish so dearly I could be now. I was running 10 miles a week and doing PT 3 times a week. I was lean and had energy. Now I am at my heaviest of 175. Basicly unheard of for me. Now that the weather has finally started to clear up I found a running buddy and will see what I can lose by pounding the pavement.

[BLACKDOG]

I have fluctuated so much in the last 4 years its crazy. When I graduated HS I was 140 at 5'10" and then for a year I worked odd jobs and whatnot, ate terrible so I gained weight to about 155. At that point I joined the AF and through basic I lost soo much weight in 6 weeks. Dropped to 130, and through out tech school I only peaked at 140. Which I wish so dearly I could be now. I was running 10 miles a week and doing PT 3 times a week. I was lean and had energy. Now I am at my heaviest of 175. Basicly unheard of for me. Now that the weather has finally started to clear up I found a running buddy and will see what I can lose by pounding the pavement.

fatass

Yeah, running buddies always help.  I'm actually starting to run with one of my sister's friends who still lives in town.  She's a PITA sometimes, calls and says "Lets go running" when I really don't want to, but hey, thats what you need sometimes

[BUBBA]

Well Im just plain fat.When I got outta school I think I weighed about 340.But I am 6'6".Most people didn't realize I weighed that much.I carried it well i guess.About 6-7 yrs ago the place I work at had struck a deal with a gym close by.A 2 yr membership would only cost 20 bucks a month.So a co-worker and I started working out together.I cut soda almost completely out.Only one a day with my dinner.I just couldn't eat it and drink water.I eventually got down to about 280 after about 6  months or so.I was averaging about a 1lb a day.But then I hit a plateau,I couldn't lose anymore.I got discouraged and pretty much gave up.Well I have since gained everything I lost back plus a few more.I am currently up to 345 now.

I have made the decision to get back to a healthy state.It's gonna be hard with my work schedule but I am determined to make it.I'm tired of being fat.

We should start a fat people support group here.For all that want to participate and receive support.Post up a pic of the current you and we can encourage and support each other.

[RHG]

Ya I know what ya mean. Workin nights I sometimes get the lets go running phone call that wakes me up and I just want to sleep some more...mainly cause sleeping is soo much nicer than running haha

[BLACKDOG]

Well Im just plain fat.When I got outta school I think I weighed about 340.But I am 6'6".Most people didn't realize I weighed that much.I carried it well i guess.About 6-7 yrs ago the place I work at had struck a deal with a gym close by.A 2 yr membership would only cost 20 bucks a month.So a co-worker and I started working out together.I cut soda almost completely out.Only one a day with my dinner.I just couldn't eat it and drink water.I eventually got down to about 280 after about 6  months or so.I was averaging about a 1lb a day.But then I hit a plateau,I couldn't lose anymore.I got discouraged and pretty much gave up.Well I have since gained everything I lost back plus a few more.I am currently up to 345 now.

I have made the decision to get back to a healthy state.It's gonna be hard with my work schedule but I am determined to make it.I'm tired of being fat.

We should start a fat people support group here.For all that want to participate and receive support.Post up a pic of the current you and we can encourage and support each other.

good idea

Ya I know what ya mean. Workin nights I sometimes get the lets go running phone call that wakes me up and I just want to sleep some more...mainly cause sleeping is soo much nicer than running haha

you aren't kidding there mines the opposite though.  I get done with a long day of wor/school, get home, kick back...and the phone rings

oh well

[chim]

Hey Bubba... I can sympathize with ya... when I was in school I was 260 and 6'-1.. then when I got divorced at 25yrs old I was 355 and 6'-4... then I was having health and stress issues so I dropped down to 295.. I have since gained back about 15 since dropping that 2 years ago.. I will be 30 years old next month and dont want to think I have hit my prime yet...

So.. a couple months ago. I started drinking lots of green tea at work, and snacking on lots of fruit.. mainly ruby red grapefruit,.. several years ago I was hitting soda and starbucks pretty hard.. and now starbucks is out except for maybe once or twice a month, and soda has crept back in.. but I need the strength to ditch it all together again.. its just tough when you go to friends and functions and its everywhere! But yeah.. exercise may help too!

Being big sucks.. one day I want to be able to take my shirt off and not feel like a fat loser! But im not sure if pics on here are a good idea!! haha..

[BigMike]

That quote inside a quote is annoying as fork!

So just disable it!

[kneedownnate]

So just disable it!

Looked in profile settings and didn't see how to

[BigMike]

Looked in profile settings and didn't see how to

You probably need to be the administrator to do that

[Not A Toy]

im 6'6 and 215 on a good day.. i have a gary fisher big sur that i love and it was only like 1200 bucks.. hardtail.. i think biking is one of the better ways to drop pounds.. in my opinion running is one of the worst things you can do to a human body.. to much slammin impact and the knees die. and if youll take a look at the people that run in marathons all the time there stomach muscles usually are droooping from being bounced so much......

[BLACKDOG]

im 6'6 and 215 on a good day.. i have a gary fisher big sur that i love and it was only like 1200 bucks.. hardtail.. i think biking is one of the better ways to drop pounds.. in my opinion running is one of the worst things you can do to a human body.. to much slammin impact and the knees die. and if youll take a look at the people that run in marathons all the time there stomach muscles usually are droooping from being bounced so much......

Or its because they fail to develop their core.    I know plenty of people who run in marathons, or ultra marathons, but most of them do full body workouts, and they don't have droopy abs

Running by itself is not the greatest thing for you, but if it is the option of running or sitting at home, I'll take the running any day.  anyone who runs knows that developing the smaller muscles around the knees is extremely important, so they do leg presses and curls to develop those muscles.