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Hello everyone! I’m a 35 year old guy who is currently living in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Several years ago I decided to try Bill Phillips’ Body for Life contest since I was tired of being overweight and I wanted to turn heads and feel good about myself for a change. I went from 210 to 155 in a few months through diet and exercise. I didn’t finish the contest though, nor did I pack on as much muscle as I would have liked since I couldn’t afford to take in enough calories to really build mass. (I had a really low paying job at the time.)
Eventually I quit working out and started eating junk. Those things, combined with having access to free fattening foods at a new job, resulted in me going up to 220 pounds. But a few months ago I did have my own “click”, even before I had heard about MTM. I quit eating so many high calorie desserts at work and drinking regular sodas. At first it was hard to give up that free junk at work, but it got to be much easier when I started to think of everything I could do when I was in shape again. I slowly started to feel better and I started eating healthier foods and drinking plenty of water.
A few weeks ago I joined a gym for the first time in three years. My first week of weight training was hard. My muscles weren’t used to the load, even though the dumbbells I used were between 10 and 25 pounds. I might have over done it a bit since I got to be so sore that taking off my shirt hurt a little and I had to take stairs one at a time for several days after my leg workout. I felt like an old man when I walked up or down stairs! But my body quickly adapted and I haven’t felt that sore since that first week.
Last week I took up running as well and I’m doing great. Now my goal is to start entering every race I can find once I get past my first three months of running. I’m going to start with 5Ks. I’ll also add cycling and swimming again since my ultimate goal is to get into, and finish the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. Of course I plan to win as well. I don’t care if others are younger, or they have longer limbs that give them an advantage, I’m going for this goal and I don’t plan to stop trying.
As of today I have dropped from jeans in a waist size 36 loose fit, which were getting a bit tight, to wearing a regular fit size 34 that are just fine. I’ve lost at least 15 pounds since I weigh 205 now. My body fat percentage has dropped by half a percent. My esteem is up and I’m happier than I’ve been in years. It is great to be here and I plan to stick around for awhile.
Sounds like you know what it takes to lose the weight, (you’ve done it before) and are motivated.
I have a couple of questions for you…
Why are you losing the weight? When we lose it, and then gain it back again, it’s good to know WHY we are doing what we do, so we don’t go back to gaining it again.
Your goal of the Ironman is a great one! Triathlons are fun, the people doing them are very cool, energenic, and have a zest for life that is contagious.....
keep up the great attitude and everyone here at MTM will support you (and your race victories) along the way!
Hi TomCarlsbad. Why am I losing weight? Well, there are several reason. In no certain order are:
My sleep seems to be affected by the excess weight.
Carrying the extra weight leaves me feeling wiped out by the end of the day.
I don’t want to be at risk for developing diseases, such as diabetes.
My self esteem and level of happiness have both been pretty low since I put on so much weight.
Since I’ve gained the weight I have pretty much become invisible to women. They want my friendship, but nothing more than that. I’m tired of being single.
Each of these reasons is equally important to me. In the past I’ve had some people try to offer their support in a misguided way. They tried to boost my self confidence, especially when I gave the answer about women. I’ve heard all about the fact that ‘oh, some women like big guys’. So it is good to be at a board that doesn’t pretend being obese is ok when you express your desire to lose weight and get in shape.
I am really looking forward to getting more involved with people who are seriously working out, especially those within the triathlon community. I also feel as if I can help a few at this board since I do have more knowledge than most since I’ve been down the path before.
Of course I have also been inspired by and helped by MTM as well. Scott talking about how he’d rather catch a MTM member out having an ice cream cone instead of stuffing their freezer with gallons of ice cream has motivated me to live like the Italians and go out for ice cream (gelato in their case) instead of keeping the stuff on hand.
Two of my goals are to finally become a registered dietitian and a certified personal trainer. Helping others keeps me motivated and inspired too. I don’t get to do that much in my current job as a pantry chef within a hotel, our guests usually want fat loaded calorie bombs.
Speaking of helping others, just a couple of weeks ago a guy at work asked me about the gym I joined, where it was located, how much it cost to join, etc. He said that both he and another co-worker of mine wanted to check it out. It feels great to know that I inspired two people to get interested in fitness. Also a couple of women at work joined a gym after I kept talking to one of them about what I was doing and the weight I was losing. Leading by example feels wonderful.
Sorry for the long posts, I usually don’t write this much. I’m just excited about being able to talk about these topics with people who are just as interested in them as I am.
Welcome, poeboy! I was also started on fitness through BFL and still consider myself a Bill Phillips “junkie.” *grin* Goals are a great thing to have, and you know you have what it takes- it’s just hard starting back at the beginning again (although you are no longer a true “beginner”, that was back when you started fitness in the first place). Just keep the goal in mind, adjust your course if necessary, but work toward it in all that you do.
Good to “meet” you! And if you want any advice about becoming a trainer, visit acsm.org, as they are the most respected certification in the profession. I’m working on my Master’s right now so I can be eligible for the Exercise Physiologist certification. Also, kudos on wanting to become a registered dietician. There are many paths to follow in that one, and my favorite is sports nutrition, since that one is more applicable to those who are trying to lose weight and become athletes than are clinical dieticians, who tend to work in hospital settings. I’m sure there are more paths in there that I don’t know about, especially since I’m not going for a RD in the first place.
The Ironman! Wow! That’s a great goal! And it sounds like you have picked all the right reasons to make your changes. I’m sure having a background as a chef gives you unique insights into food and will provide you with a good start towards your dietician career.
I’m glad Tom has jumped in and gotten you thinking about your “Whys”. There are negative Whys and positive Whys and it’s great that you’ve identified some of both! They’ll all help you “stay between the lines” as Scott puts it.
Good to hear you’re back on the healthy road. All the fitness work you’ve done in the past is still ‘in the bank’ so to speak. Your body will readjust quickly and so we can all lok forward to seeing you breaking the tape in Hawaii.
Welcome to MTM land! I look forward to hearing all about your running experiences, and how you’re getting in the good books with the ladies! *grin* Who knows, maybe you’ll hit it off with a few hotties on the race-tracks?
Welcome poeboy! I find it interesting that your screen name is a sandwich, but I love the name! You have great goals. I look forward to seeing you reach them.
Oh, I’m one of the women who like big guys, but I already married mine. Though he’s also working on becoming a bit smaller, and a lot healthier.
Welcome, poeboy! I was also started on fitness through BFL and still consider myself a Bill Phillips “junkie.” *grin* Goals are a great thing to have, and you know you have what it takes- it’s just hard starting back at the beginning again (although you are no longer a true “beginner”, that was back when you started fitness in the first place). Just keep the goal in mind, adjust your course if necessary, but work toward it in all that you do.
Good to “meet” you! And if you want any advice about becoming a trainer, visit acsm.org, as they are the most respected certification in the profession. I’m working on my Master’s right now so I can be eligible for the Exercise Physiologist certification. Also, kudos on wanting to become a registered dietician. There are many paths to follow in that one, and my favorite is sports nutrition, since that one is more applicable to those who are trying to lose weight and become athletes than are clinical dieticians, who tend to work in hospital settings. I’m sure there are more paths in there that I don’t know about, especially since I’m not going for a RD in the first place.
See you around!
Thanks for the advice. I didn’t really get started on fitness through Body for Life, that was just the first time I felt inspired in my adult life to do something about my weight. In high school we had several choices for electives in P.E. and I chose weight training for a couple of semesters. It was part of my dream back then, which was to either become a body builder or a pro wrestlers. I gave up on the body building when I discovered that steroids were pretty much required in the biggest contests. The wrestling idea went out the window when I stopped growing at 5 feet 6 inches instead of six foot or taller. But since then I’ve found many more reasons to not pursue those former drams. I don’t regret giving up on them.
The Ironman! Wow! That’s a great goal! And it sounds like you have picked all the right reasons to make your changes. I’m sure having a background as a chef gives you unique insights into food and will provide you with a good start towards your dietician career.
Kim
If all goes as planned, then what I do will be much bigger than the dietitian career. Stay tuned!
I’m glad Tom has jumped in and gotten you thinking about your “Whys”. There are negative Whys and positive Whys and it’s great that you’ve identified some of both! They’ll all help you “stay between the lines” as Scott puts it.
