I did not think I would have the time to do the 100 days the right way - so I didn’t - then I realized that was just another excuse. All of you are busy and make the time and find the time - so I will too - thanks for the motivation. I am in job where it is easy to try to wear a “badge of honor” in working a lot and not take care of yourself - really another excuse!!

So here we go - no more excuses - I have been doing cardio regularly since 3/18/07 (thanks to my handy Polar HR monitor and it tracks these things), listening to MTM and reading the forums a little. I do not not my exact start weight, but it was somewhere around 255-260 (at 5’9"). I am now 242 and on the way down, but a ways to go. I have lost a lot of weight a couple of times, once with some exercise, mostly fad diets (Aktins, Diet Center, etc - you know the drill) only to pack ‘em back on.

This winter I had hip surgery (not replacement) and my Dr. said “I have never been a big on weight, but the facts are the facts - for every pound you lose, that is 9 pounds of stress off your hips”. I had subscribed to MTM via iTunes since about December and never listened. So I started listening, got the “click” and got moving.

I enjoy the elliptical, the arc machine, and riding my bike outside - but it is hard for me to get my heart rate up riding the bike. I am up to an hour 3/4 times a week. I would like some comments since I am trying to lose weight - am I better with the “long slow burn” that Scott references - or should I challenge myself more?

For today - I am going to do the LSB for an hour then ride my bike for fun with my wife (I am off work on Mondays).

We have 2 boys and I love being a husband and parent. I am also working on my goals, values and integration of fitness and family.

I look forward to participating more in the forums rather than just reading.

Welcome Judd,

Sounds like your off to a great start!

Are you adjusting your diet?  (Eating healthier and smaller portions). Or did you lose the weight from exercise?

This is a great forum (your may already know this) filled helpful and knowledgeable people.  There will be someone along to answer your long slow burn question before you know it.

Once again welcome.

juddpgapro - 14 May 2007 09:46 AM

I did not think I would have the time to do the 100 days the right way - so I didn’t - then I realized that was just another excuse. All of you are busy and make the time and find the time - so I will too - thanks for the motivation.

With an attitude like that, you’ll do great Judd!  Glad to have you with us!

You asked about the efficacy of the long, slow burn.  Well, that’s the only way to burn fat.  Keep your heart rate down around 75% of your max and go for 45 minutes to an hour.  Or longer, if you’re a real masochist!

Maybe if you want to challenge yourself, you could try adding in some other activity like yoga or pilates or weight training or maybe some activity you think you’d stink at!

Judy

P.S.  I mention the “try some activity you think you’d stink at” because that’s what I’m contemplating right now!  I’ve always felt very awkward and uncoordinated on the occasions I’ve tried doing yoga, so I’m thinking that that is what I need to add to my challenge! 

Thanks for the welcome - I am looking forward to being more active. On and off the forum!

I did adjust my diet - nothing radical as in the past - I try to eat 3-5 small meals. Breakfast of cereal with fruit or light whole wheat eng muffin and V-8 juice, some kind of salad with protein for lunch - or a pita of some type; and a sensible dinner - chicken of some sort 3X a week. Snacks are apples or 100 cal packs or nuts.

I do still have pizza on Friday nights - but I did eliminate the pepperoni and either have a frozen whole wheat DiGorgno or a mushroom or veggie. Not ready to give that up yet. I am trying to limit portions. The more I work out the easier that is .....

On my official first day - I did 35 minutes on elliptical and 40 walking on treadmill and no hip pain!

Hi Judd

I’m a little late with the welcome because we just may have the same job - “where it is easy to try to wear a “badge of honor” in working a lot and not take care of yourself” You have a great attitude and with that, anything is possible. 

So what’s the right mix of exercise for you.  To lose fat, nothing beats the long slow burn.  Just what you’re doing now.  I would also recommend adding some strength training - a weight workout 3 times a week to build some muscle.  I’ve struggled to add the weight training, but I think it’s worth it in my overall fitness level.  Building muscle gives you an extra ability to burn calories even when you’re doing nothing (or in my case, in endless meetings in a foreign language)

The final part of fitness is flexibility, not just mentally, but physically.  Many people on the forum practice yoga in some form.  I’ve recently started adding it to my daily routine and I’m amazed at how much it helps keep me relaxed.  I’ve been dealing with some old sports injuries for years now - particularly in my lower back.  Just a few minutes of yoga makes a huge difference in keeping me pain free. 

Sounds like you are doing well on the diet.  I think it it as learning to eat for life.  Moderation is the key.  It sounds like you’re already there, so just keep up the great work.

I’m looking forward to hearing more about your goals and progress.

Welcome to the challenge, Judd!

that was very interesting about every pound adding 9 to the stress on your hips. Wow!

Looking forward to watching your progress...you are going to be great!

Another late welcome, Judd. Glad you’ve dropped the excuses and have joined us. Since you’ve been doing well on the LSB for a while, I’d recommend layering in another aspect. Yoga will target the strength and the flexibility in one shot. Lifting weights will add some great muscle, which helps to burn fat quicker. You could always add in some harder cardio shortly after your warm up, then go into the LSB to get both benefits in one workout.

Can’t wait to see what you do next.

Bree

Wow - you all are great - thanks for the response(s).

I actually did a 45 minute bike ride with my wife after my day 1 cardio. Mondays are best for me to do that

Day 2 went well - an hour of the LSB on the elliptical this AM at 5:15 - and knowing I had to post got me on the elliptical.

When I was doing 3 days a week it was easy to say not today. My goal for the challenge is 5-6 times a week cardio to burn off my flab and belly.

Thanks for all the ideas about yoga - could help my golf too!!

Diet is good - the only time I goof that up is when I do not plan ahead and run out of stuff - apples and the like.

Breakfast today was banana, Shredded Wheat and Bran cereal and Kashi Go Lean - medium bowl. Coffee - lots and black and v 8 juice. Wrap for lunch - 2 apples as snacks.

Trying to lower my diet pop to 1 can per day - and eventually down from there - but one thing at a time.

Hey Judd!!!

Welcome to MTM and congratulations on graduating from a “lurker” to a “participant”!!!!  We are glad to have you here!!!  I see that you are from Cleveland, it is great to add another Ohioian to the bunch (I reign from Akron)-Your first two days are looking good....Your goals sound realistic and attainable as well.  You have already cut a lot of drama out of your life by ditching the excuses WE ALL USE, why is it that we need MORE motivation to take care of ourselves than what we need for job goals and such?!  Without our bodies, well, our job goals just won’t cut it!!!  Before you know it, you will be that 175 and strutting around in those glorious golfer pants we all love.....

As for you diet pop intake, always a good thing to enjoy those in moderation....I am a recovering diet soda addict myself....

Welcome once again, can’t wait to hear about your success(ES)!!!

Julie

Thanks Julie - I like your “signature” - the funny thing is that a guy wouldn’t notice the 2 pound box and gaining 5 until it was 10 and 25 ..... and then he would say it was the scale .....

Judd -

Having to post on the forum really does help me get my exercise in.  I’m sure you’ll find the same thing. 

An hour on the elliptical sounds like a pretty good workout. 

Looks like you’re off to a great start.

Ada

Great start Judd!  You will find after a couple of weeks that you look forward to doing your exercise so you can come online and post your Day’s exercise.  I know I do.

Wow, you’re a golfer.  I’ll bet your game will improve as you get in better and better shape.  I haven’t played much lately, but I still have my clubs and still enjoy the sport.

I am one of those who expects to be perfect at everything I try....I tried Golf and realized, that this goal of perfection is well....unattainable.  That usually results in me throwing my clubs. lol

Day 3 is off and running - end of Day 2 was wild and we ate dinner late - I had a Quizno’s black and bleu salad after 2 boys baseball games about 9:15 PM which I do not like and got to bed a little later than normal - but did still get up at 5 and got in my hour on the Elliptical. I amtired now - so I am enjoying my morning black coffee. I went right from work to the boys games - probably should get a bar to grab on the way for days like that.

Trying to figure out whether or not to make tomorrow an off day since I have to leave my house at 5:45 AM for a golf tournament in Toledo and then I have to give a golf clinic back in Cleveland at 5:45 PM so I may be out of gas. But I feel better when I work out - so I may try to get in something - may be not just the hour. My hip will not allow me to walk in the tournament.

I had several comments about yoga - is this something I would start in a class or with a DVD or a book?

Thanks for all your support.

Hi Judd!  I don’t know anything about Yoga, but here is my favorite cartoon about finding time for exercise.  It’s my wallpaper on one of my monitors at work.

Welcome, Judd. As far as the food issues go, my trainer has reminded me that he eats 5 to 6 “meals” a day to keep his body from going into starvation mode and storing as much as possible. He’s in incredibly good shape but he also works out and he makes good food choices. My weight loss has been very slow but I refuse to “diet” this time around. It sounds as if you’re making sensible food choices--and that’s something you can stick to long-term.

Don’t forget that a rest day is acceptable and necessary--as long as you get right back to the activity the next day or so.

Golf is one of my long-term goals. I bought clubs after I retired but wanted lessons before I went out. I golfed years ago and was awful. I also have had a series of shoulder injuries and it hurt quite a bit if I hit the ground rather than the ball. When I started with the fitness drive, I put aside the golf goal for the time being. I’m assuming that if I have shoulder muscles I’ll be less likely to injure my shoulder again. Right now, it’s feeling good. I don’t have time to work out 4 to 6 days a week, live, and take golf lessons and play golf all at once. I plan to get to the golf eventually. My hope is that once I’m in shape I can cut the workouts to 2 to 3 days a week and then have time for things like golf.

I don’t know what’s wrong with your hip but I have had iffy knees for a long time and had surgery on one knee 15+ years ago. I have been surprised at how much having stronger knee muscles has eliminated any knee pain. I’m not saying the same will happen with your hip but you can hope.

Well - day 4 is an off day for me exercise-wise- did play in my first golf tournament since hip surgery in February - with the results you may expect - rather inconsistent.

Several of you have mentioned that you either play or have played - it is indeed the game of a lifetime. There is not a lesson that I give, or a time that I play - that I do not learn something - about the game, about me - how I respond - react - or how the ball comes out of a certain lie in the grass - or how the wind hits or effects the ball - how I play when I am nervous - how much farther the ball goes with adrenaline - how I play better sometimes when I do not try so hard!

I REALLY missed working out and am anxious to get back at it tomorrow AM - however the little triumph - I got through the post tournament buffet having a salad and thinking about MTM.

I tend to grab an Adkins bar for breakfast on days when I have to rush out the door fast (like today) - it is low on carbs and calories (the meal replacement bar) and decent on protein so I thought it OK. Is there better or worse alternatives?? I kind of like it because I can make that call and get on with the day

Thanks so much for all the support. It is very humbling and inspiring that you would take the time for all of your comments and I thank you.

Judd… as far as meal replacement bars go… I absolutely LOVE the Kellogg’s Special K Protein bars (190 cals, 10g protein, 25g carbs). Also, I feel that it is good to have smaller meals but have some protein and some carbs. (Carb deprivation makes me cranky!! )

Hi Judd,

I like to get bars that are at least 15g.  I really feel it when I don’t get enough protien. 

Hi Judd!

Just a welcome note from another newbie...sounds like you are off to a great start.  I appreciate that you are another person, besides myself, who is learning to leave the stories behind and just DO it!

I’ve got a set of custom golf clubs in the garage (old birthday present to myself) that I am looking forward to putting into use again as I get more fit. Here’s to a game that drives you crazy one minute, until you make the one sweet shot that gives you hope and keeps you coming back. 

Keep up the good work!
Patty