Exercise

I got you beat on being the heaviest one of the group I think. Its all good. Like most of the people on the board, I realized that I need to make some hardcore lifestyle changes.

Im only 27 and weigh over 300 lbs. It sucks, big time. In high school, freshman year I weighed 190. Then the time from then and now is when it all started packing on.

The last lifestyle change that I need to make, is getting my butt to weight watchers. That should be the last piece of the puzzle that I need to do. Since I decided to really focus on this, I joined a gym in like May and I have been going religously 3 times a week. It sucks being the biggest one at the gym, but everyone has been really cool there. I got myself doing a 10 minute warm up on the treadmill, then 200 crunches, and then 30 minutes of cardio on the ellipitcal machine.

Its very hard being on the road M-F driving all over. No really healthy options out there availalbe to me, but I try to do my best (haven't had fries in god knows how long).

Anyway, some of you guys heaviest weights is like my goal weight. I have broad shoulders and a big frame, so if I see 220 I would be a happy camper.

My doctor told me I could be a candidate for that Al Roker surgery, but I don't want to go down that road. In maybe 3 years if nothing is making a drastic change at all, then maybe. But in the meantime, I am bustin my ass trying to do something. The weight gradually was put on over a few years...so I know its going to take a few years to come off....

It sucks, its a challenge, but I have nobody to blame but myself for getting this way. Thank god my gym has hot chicks that I can stare at to get me through those workouts...
 
I'm 5'11" 137 lbs. have been this EXACT height/ weight since 8th grade, which was 6 years ago. Crazy.

My metabolism just wont let me get bigger :p helps that i eat 4-5 meals a day i think. Im sure it will slow down before i realize it.

Need to start bulking up. with muscle. Been sick for a week so havent done anything, must work out... damn flu.
 
Give it your best cmack! we all support ya here.

think about your 1/4 mile! hehe. :)
 
Good look to everyone and there goals. The best thing to do is get someone else to do anything with you. I neven went to the gym or did anything until I started going with other people. I feel obligated to go even when I don't want to because if I don't, I screw things up for them. It keeps me going and it keeps them going.

Oh and weight watcher works wonders. My wife started going and has lost some weight, and I have been considereing going. Any impovement is good.
 
I'm finally losing all my "post army weight". Damn you gein waight like a whale when you stop running two miles every morning. I used to be a complete gym rat taking pretty much every supplement there was on the market. I am now back inot it finally though. At my prime, when I was in Military school in AZ, I weighed 148lbs and had a 1 rep max on bench of 305lbs. Yep, I could bench more than twice my body weight. I then went to Ft. Hood and I was on the All Army Powerlifting team for Ft. Hood. I competed in only bench press, dead lift, and squat. My best in a competition was 295 on bench, 410 on squat, and 480 on dead lift. The thing that always surprised people is that I'm only 5'5". Hence the name "Big Ben". I got that nick name in the Army.

Then I got married and got out of the military and quit working out. Guess what all that muscle turned into. But I have lost like 20lbs since January and I'm back in the gym 4 days a week now. I love going to the gym. I almost forgot how awesome it was.
 
No really healthy options out there availalbe to me, but I try to do my best (haven't had fries in god knows how long).
Actually there are, you just have to know how to look for them. I know it's hard to over look the typical big burger that is the biggest picture on the drive thru board. The lower calorie stuff is always in smaller print and there is no photo of it either.

I agree that these fast food places shouldn't be held liable, but it is partly their fault that so many people in the US are overweight. They advertise the bad stuff on purpose. Think about it, if you get the big fat burger and then supersize it, your stomach will stretch, you will gain weight, and then you will need more and more of it. Therefore they will make more money. It's capitalism at it's best, and I don't disagree with it. That's doesn't make it right though.

I can name a few things at different restaurants that are low fat and how and why they are not advertised as much as the more fatening things.

McDonalds, Wendy's, and all other "burger" places:

The grilled chicken sandwich WITHOUT MAYONAISE is probably the most lowfat thing you can get. And it tastes as good if not better than the big fat burger. BUT, it is ALWAYS at least $1.00 more than the burger and it takes much longer to cook. So now you have to spend more money, and you have to wait for it because they don't sell many of them so they are cook to order.

Sonic:

They also have the grilled chicken sandwich, but I always get the chicken strip wrap. There is a VERY small picture of it. And it's more expensive than other stuff. Since it's fried, it still has lots of fat, but it's not as bad as a burger and fries.

The secret to fast food restaurants is NEVER GET THE FRIES. If you are hungry, get another chicken sandwich, it has less fat and lots more protein.

Sit down restaurants such as Applebees, Tony Romas, etc:

The next time you go to one of these restaurants, take a look at your order before you start eating it. Look at how HUGE of a plate of food it is. Their burgers are at least 1/2lb, they serve a rack of ribs that are about 15 inches long! Then on top of that, they give you a huge side of fries, or something else deep fried.

I have learned that at most of these restaurants, the lower fat things are usually better anyway. They usually taste VERY good. Like Quesidillas, delicious! As long as there isn't loads of cheese on them. I love restaurant salads. Oh yeah, try the bean or garden burger at a restaurant next time you go there. Trust me, you won't be dissapointed. My freezer is now full of them they are so good. And they taste like a real burger.

Some restaurants are still good though, like Outback. There is nothing wrong with a steak as long as you excercise twice a week. The protein and creatine you get from it is very good. Most good cuts of steak are pretty lean also.


Here is the one thing that I truly think not many people have noticed about fast food restaurants
The diameter of the straw has steadily increased over the past 10 to 15 years. The straws used to be very thin. You couldn't drink your sugar filled soda very fast. Now the things are huge! And the size of the drinks have also steadily increased. There was no such thing as "supersize" when I was a kid. Here is a secret to people that want to lose weight, don't drink any type of soda at all. Not even diet. Those things are so damn bad for you. They are full of sugar, and the biggest thing people forget about them is the sodium. You will retain so much water weight from that crap its unbelievable. I NEVER drink soda anymore. I stoped when I went through basic training, and I have never looked back. I only drink water, tea, milk, and beer, and in that order of amounts.

Anyway, since this has gotten very long I'll end it here. the biggest trick to losing weight and keeping it off is excercise. That's the ONLY way to do it. Good luck Cmack, I know you can reach your goals. All you have to do is make a habit of it, then it's just a matter of patience because it will take some time to get there. And remember, the older you get, the harder it is to lose weight. So start while you are young and make a life long habit of keeping it off.
 
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Hey Ben,

Nicest post that I have read in a while....Thanks for all the simple little pointers. Those are the tips and stuff that I need to get through the day!

I appreciate it!

Craig
 
Oh and Cmack, don't fret over any fad diets (ie Low Carb Atkins, etc) When you break it down to it's simplest form you have to burn more calories than you take in- PERIOD. All these people have so many complicated philosophies about carbs, and food combining- it's all irrelivent. Trust me back in 8th grade I was 218 and I dropped 66lbs...soon after I did my first body building show. Don't count fat or carbs- watch your calories closely. Granted the calories that you DO take in you want to be fairly low in simple carbs like sugar etc, and make sure you take in a decent amount of Protien. Protien is what helps you maintain/build lean body weight while loosing fat. I can't tell you how many times I hear people brag about loosing 50lbs- and I look at them knowingly that roughly 20-30lbs of it was muscle atrophy.
Regarding the gastric bypass- forget about it. Put it this way- if you can fit into a P5 then your NOT a candidate!! Besides it's way to risky especially for someone who has so much going for them- your still young Craig. I would suggest continuing the cardio and trying to hit weights a few times a week. It's a little known fact- the more muscle you have the more calories your body will burn in a day. Plus you can stimulate your metabolism by eating smaller more frequent meals. 6- is the magic number it seems. If you break your food down into smaller portions...you 1.Never over-eat 2.Constantly stimulating your digestive system throught the day which, in turn, helps boost metabolism and 3.Keeps the hunger away. It's kinda hard to be hungry when you eat every 3 hours! lol
I myself am on a strict diet now. I'm trying to keep it in the 2000-2400 cal. zone. Granted some days (lol like the day we ordered hoagies from Lee's....LOL) I cheat, and thats good actually. As long as you can keep it down to 1 day a week or less. Sometimes you need to cheat to continue loosing. Your body will sometimes settle in a rut when you depravate your body of some of the higher calorie and fat foods. I totaly condone "cheat days" as long as they don't multiply and it's kept under control. I don't mean eat 37 whoopers or anything...lol.

Anyway if you ever have any questions or need some help drop me a line man. Heck you could even come train with me. I'm in Williamstown- maybe 15 minutes from Marlton...if you had the time. Take care man- keep in touch!
 
Oh and Big_Ben, WOW. Your lifts are a hair under mine- but in relation to your bodyweight (ie Power to BodyWeight Ratio) you blow me away! Small guys that can move big weights have always impressed me- as well as boggled my mind! For me it seems no matter what I do- when I loose weight my lifts drop a bit and when I gain weight....even fat, I get substancially stronger. :) Maybe it's due to the fact when I'm eating like a pig I'm getting ALL the nutrients/calories I need....where'as dieting it's a hard equation to pin-point- the exact amount you need without going over or under. Either way great lifts man- Impressive!
 
I left the Air Force at a very fit 150 lbs at 5' 9". PT was definitely a factor. 12 years later I weigh 170 lbs. and I ride 25 miles a day and hit the gym only on the weekends. I've entered a bike tour that will run 150 miles in 2 days (see http://www.nationalmssociety.org/fls/event/event_detail.asp?e=340) I'll be upping my mileage to 50 miles after Saturday.

Exercise has always been a component of my life. I'm not looking to bulk up, I'm just looking to stay fit so I can extend my years.

My goal is to be driving my MP5 when I'm 102. I just need to keep the car in shape so IT makes it.( I wonder if this car could survive another 68 years considering how hard I drive it.) LOL!
 
Oh and Cmack, don't fret over any fad diets (ie Low Carb Atkins, etc) When you break it down to it's simplest form you have to burn more calories than you take in- PERIOD. All these people have so many complicated philosophies about carbs, and food combining- it's all irrelivent.
Yep, I totally agree. Fad diest are just quick fixes. The waight always comes back. The only way those diets are popular is because they work quick. Then about 3 months later, the weight comes back.

The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to burn more calories than you take in. The only way to do that is to diet moderatly and excercise moderately. If you go on a crash diet, you will only last about 2 weeks. If you just eat the normal amounts like you always do, but just eat smarter things, you will have better success. It will take a little more time, but so what, the weight will be easier to keep off. I know you can do it, Cmack. One "fad" diet that I do like is the Subway diet. You still get to eat a big ass sandwich, and it's low in fat. That's one diest that I do agree that works good.
 
Genetics aside. I'm still 5'10" and 165lbs. Have been for over 20 years. However, I will say that exercise has re-distributed muscle over fat during that time. (Not that I'm fat). I run every other day 5-7 miles and on off days do sooooooo many reps of crunches and push ups, it hurts. I'm gonna be 44 this year and have been consistently exercising in one way or another (round ball, tennis, racquetball, running/jogging, free weights, etc.) just to stay healthy and essentially prevent problems. Only major slow down was an achilles tendon repair following an indoor volleyball game in '99. 12 months of inactivity was TERRIBLE. Thankfully, I'm better. Worst part was not being able to drive (right leg) for over 6 weeks! Oh well. Stopped alcohol in 1990, never smoked, or abused the body..... ask me in about 10 years how it's goin' then.
 
Well, I am 6'3" and weigh something like 215-225 lbs?:confused: I remember 5 years ago when I was in highschool, and going to Karate like 3-5 times a week. I had been doing so since I was 13. I was skinney as hell, but cut at about 195-200 lbs. After highschool, I started working part-time and going to school at ITT Tech. I stopped attending Karate regularly, but worked like a slave in the warehouses of FedEx for about a year. It was a year later when I started working in IT for Baylor Healthcare that I slowly started to gain weigh. Getting a desk job was a major lifestyle change. I use to have the matabolism of a hummingbird, but that slowly changed. About 9 months later, I started working for AT&T Wireless, and started making twice what I made at Baylor. What this meant is that I could pretty much eat out whenever I wanted to, and uh, oh. I gained about 30 lbs. I now have the broad shoulder and have bulked up. Everyone who sees me now thinks I have been working out, which is true, just that it has been my jaw muscles for chewing...LOL! I am not "fat", but accually more close to my idea body weight for my height. I need to tighten up so I don't become so. I started drinking a lot more water, and a lot less soda, and started bringing food to work like saladad and such. I notice now that the 2 sizes I had went up are now loose again! I now need to complete the equation and get back to the physical aspect of working out. CSMACK buddy, you have some work ahead of you, but it WILL pay off for you in the longrun!
 
Im a teenager. I could post my weight/workout practices/what i eat/ ect.. but that would just make people jelous haha so I will just say being a teenager is sweet! I never want to get older than 21. lol...
 
Yeah tell me about it- if your metabolism is at it's peak as a teen I'm in trouble! lol I started putting on weight in my teens. I think the last time I had ripped abs was when I was 6 or 7...lol! The one good thing about having a endo/meso body-type mix is I can gain muscle weight fairly easily too. I just have to be carefull though because with enough fat on top of the muscle it looks like ALL fat! :) I "look" heavier when I'm leaner, ironicly enough because I start to regain muscular definition. At this point- I don't think any of you would guess me to be over 250 if you saw me in person. Most guess between 190-220, I kid you not! Well I guess it's "kinda" good to not "LOOK" as heavy as I am. :)
 
LazerBlueP5 said:
I just have to be carefull though because with enough fat on top of the muscle it looks like ALL fat! :)

Kinda like The Kingpin in the Spiderman comics huh?
 
Ha ha ha- precisely. Ya know what speaking of Kingpin- I was skeptical at first about Michael Clarke Duncan playing Kingpin, but after thinking about it...it was probably a good choice. What other actor in hollywood is that damn big. He's a monster! Granted you could find bigger guys (ie Ronny Coleman) but his acting would be horrendous and he doesn't have the whole muscle-fat thing going on! lol
 
I've been bodybuilding for over 10 years lifting for over 15 and have competed in both Power Lifting and BodyBuilding shows. I've trained over 100 people and I'll share some quick important tips to know without drowning you in text:

1. The more lean muscle mass you carry the faster your metobolic rate works. One pound of lean muscle mass can burn up to 7 pounds of fat in 24 hours under proper exercise conditions. One pound of FAT, well,....DOES NOTHING!!..LOL!!

2. The older you get, the better it is to develope lean muscle mass due to your natural declining metabolic rate and hormones(men)

3. The average person needs approx. 0.8-1.0 times your body weight in grams of protein to sustain the muscle's needs without canabolizing(sp) itself. The average bodybuilder needs 1.5-2.0

4. You do actually need fats...just take it the right kinds

5. DRINK lots of WATER.....help speeds up your metabolism and control weight gain...more water in = more water out..LOL..i.e, you'll pee all the damn time!!

6. Stay away from diet supplements like ephidrine

7. Get plenty of rest...very important. Over working yourself or training is worse than not training at all...why??, you never allow your body to heal and rest

8. Stay dedicated and committed...it has to become a part of your life to be successful..not just something you do!!

9. Peace and hope this helps!!!
 
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