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This journey actually started on the 7th of February when I decided to start a diet. I weighed myself that morning and tipped the scales at an unbelievable 273 lbs. Only 3 years ago, I came out of the field as a drilling rig hand in the oil and gas industry to an engineering role for a service company. I went from a very physical job, to a very intellectual, non-physical one. When I switched jobs, I was 195 lbs and ripped. I had ‘abs’. A six pack. Now I have a keg. No room for 6 of these. I could go hard for 12 hours a day, 14 days straight. Now I lose my breath climbing the stairs.
Late in March/08, I signed up for a premium membership here at MTM and started my 100 day challenge on Mar 28/08. The morning I started exercising I weighed 254 lbs, so I dropped about 20lbs by diet alone. When I started exercising, My weight loss slowed significantly. I am putting muscle back on, man does it come back fast. I have only lost about 7 pounds in the last 3 weeks, but (more importantly) have lost 2 inches off my waist, 1 inch off my chest, and 1/4” off my neck. I can see my jaw line again. I don’t pant after climbing the stairs anymore, and I am starting to get my strength and endurance back.
I love this feeling, I feel trim again. When I look in the mirror, I wonder who this fat guy is that’s looking back. I don’t see myself as the “big dude” anymore. My goal is to be in the 205-210 lb range by my 38th birthday in September. Ultimately I want to get to the 185 lb mark. Those last 25 lbs will probably be the ones that take a year to get rid of. Who cares, always have something to work towards. It’s all about the journey anyways, right? Take small steps, enjoy small victories, and reap huge rewards.
I recently bought a membership to a new gym due to open sometime in May. Smokin’ deal, and because of a referal, my rate is locked in for life. My employee benefits pay for a good portion of this membership, so ultimately, out of my pocket will be $40/month for my wife and I. All inclusive, normal weights/cardio etc plus spinning and yoga and water classes and latin dancing and etc. It’s all included. The spa services are the only extra costs, albeit at a highly reduced rate. Also got free child care there for the first year. NICE!!! I can’t wait to try the hot yoga. Quick somebody else pat me on the back ... my arm is getting sore.
Whenever I get around to it, I will post some before and after photos of myself here.
Quick somebody else pat me on the back ... my arm is getting sore.
This made me laugh—sounds a bit like Scott! What’s nice about this forum is everyone gets how good you feel. I find it hard to talk about this stuff with people who don’t understand. Either they’ve never had to lose a lot of weight, or they think I’m being extreme or unhealthy, or that I’m thin enough now and should be happy… or just that they don’t understand the balance of elation and frustration along the way.
Ann - I know what you mean. This is a great forum, particularly because the the content is moderated by people who have already or are currently fighting the same battles we are. For the life of me I can’t figure out why anyone would discourage anybody else from making the efforts we all are making here. It’s awesome though, I have never even seen a hint of anyone being negative like that. It doesn’t matter if your goal is to lose 5 pounds or 500, maybe someone needs to gain a couple. It’s all about moving, right? It’s all about getting yourself to where you want to be, where you feel comfortable. Personally, I came here for the peer support, and hopefully return the favour.
Bree - Thanks. I’ve been working hard. It’s nice to see results right away. Although my energy is sometimes forced, it never stays that way. If I am having a bad day, I pretend its good and it usually ends up that way. Hey, in my cartoon world, this usually works.
As for my wife ... well ... she is not like me, but that’s ok. She has always been heavy, and really wants to slim down. I told her that I gained my weight so we could lose it together ...... I got “The Look”. Right over the rims of her glasses. She then went “Little Hitler” on me. She is my drill sergeant. My weight cop. Together, we are getting fit. I provide the energy, she provides the honesty. Her enthusiasm is not quite where mine is at, but getting there. We really are having a good time with it though. I think she will enjoy the gym.
Way to go Derek - being honest with yourself (and putting it out here for all to see!) is the hardest part of the battle. Glad that your wife is getting on board with you - once she starts seeing results her motivation will come up to meet yours!!
Thanks for the encouragement you have posted on my 100 days tread. The affirmation is always a boost!!
Great journal, Derek. Thanks for sharing with us. {{{{{more pats on the back}}}}} Congrats on all you’ve accomplished so far. I’m glad that you wife is joining you. Hopefully she’ll have her own “click” soon and will be just as enthusiastic as you are. Until then, keep on moving and keep on encouraging each other. You’re doing great, man. Keep it up!
Congrats on starting the journey (from a fellow newbie) ! I am excited to watch your progress! Has your gym opened yet? How is working out with that new gym smell?? ***pats on the back from this direction too***
Congrats on starting the journey (from a fellow newbie) ! I am excited to watch your progress! Has your gym opened yet? How is working out with that new gym smell?? ***pats on the back from this direction too***
Oops, my bad, I really wanted to document my journey in here. My past experiences are my greatest motivator, and hopefully for others as well. My embarrassing moments that are unsharable, have nothing to do with fitness anyways, so lets get on with a bit of an update.
Alrighty, so my gym is open, and the entrance smells of new car leather. A few steps in tho and it reeks of fresh rubber. Oh well, it is my new home for a hour or so every day. The pool isn’t open yet, but soon. The staff is exactly what I expected, young and incredibly gorgeous. They are very professional, and I am extremely impressed. I made a couple of friends there and one is a trainer ... don’t think that’s accidental. I don’t want him to feel used, so if he ever needs an oilwell drilled in his backyard, well, I’m more than happy to ... lol.
It’s really a nice place, however due to my injury, I find that I haven’t yet had the chance to take full advantage of it thus far. That will change soon. I am gettin cured up real good. OK, about the injury. A while back now, I was on my way home from a workout at another gym and was rear-ended on the freeway. I suffered some whiplash, but the majority of the injury was from 2 herniated disks up near my shoulder-blades. I was struck from behind with enough force that my airbags deployed. After they cut the door open to get me out, I discovered that I couldn’t see to well. Both eyes were black, I looked like a raccoon. Sux to be me? Not really. My massage therapist is drop-dead-gorgeous and she rubs me all over. Quite regularly too.
My weight began to climb a bit after the accident, but I got control over my habits immediately and corrected my diet. I have spent much of the last 8 weeks or so in physio, under the care of a great doctor, chiropractor, and massage therapist. Even if you aren’t injured, I recommend seeing these professionals. I know I will, long after my injuries have healed. I am back on track with the food, and get as much exercise as I can handle in the pool, but try some cardio equipment now and again. It’s not too bad now, but there have been a couple instances of regression. Nothing too serious.
As I write this, I am down to 237 pounds from ~250 when I got back on track. Most of it is due to diet, but some is muscle loss too. I am now officially on 2 weeks vacation from work, so I was planning on spending as much time as I can at the lake with my kids. My wife doesn’t get any time off until late November when we are going to the Caribbean for a week or two. I want to be a hunk for her then ... I don’t need a six-pack or anything, just get all this fat off my muscle. There is still a fair amount of it under the insulation. I can actually see my triceps again and my man-boobs are becoming pecs again.
Thanks, Bree. I’m as OK as I want to be. It’s mind over matter. The injury has the potential to be far more serious if I don’t take care of it. Time now for more brains than brawn.
It’s the 4th of July! Not a big deal for most Canadians, but I use any excuse I can to fire up the smoker. I have been cooking all day ... 2 Beef briskets, a fist full of quail, sausage links, tamales, grilled corn on the cob, and stuffed bell peppers with chicken, parmesan, and garlic/chive seasoning. Also have a few other sides to make it complete. I hope they are happy, those briskets have been cooking for almost 13 hours.
Currently I am taking a rain break and since I have few minutes before the rest of my guests show up for the BBQ, I thought I would update my journal ....
Today, I just completed my first 100 day challenge. It seemed like a perfect time to try and incorporate some weights back into my routine at the gym. So I did. Nothing too strenuous. I don’t want to push to far too fast, but WOW. That felt great!
Anyways, there is a nasty looking thunder cell moving in from the west. If anything could throw off a tornado this is the storm do it. I have to get pictures of this ...
Derek, congratulations on your first 100 days! I smile every time I see this subject header. I could use some of your bravado. Mmm, brisket sounds wonderful. Learning what to push and what not to push is the key to our progress, I think, so congrats on not overdoing it, and on doing it.
Congrats on moving thoughout your 100 days despite the accident!! I was reading some stuff on another site and one of the articles talked about training “around” injuries vs. “through” them. You have done just that - done what you could to keep moving while listening to your body and taking care of it! Good Job!!
Today I took my family to the Calgary Stampede. We spent most of the day on the midway and my kids, well everyone, had a blast. No workout today, just didn’t have time. Tomorrow is a new day. I weighed 240 this morning. A little too much BBQ, ah well, it’ll be a while before that happens again.
Busy week next week. Still on vacation. I have to get a haircut, some groceries, and somehow find time for 6 workouts. Whatever shall I do?
