It's time for change

Good luck Matt! I hope you can stick to your goal. Don't punish yourself, enjoy what you like now and then, but keep to your plan and just replace a lot the crap you'd normally eat, especially during those late night times, with something better and healthier. There's plenty of good nutritional stuff that can replace candy & crap.

A month ago I was watching the news in the morning, there was a guy who was speaking about men in their 40's. This guy was in great shape. He was on the cover of some magazine about men and their health in their 40's. The guy was ripped.

He was very inspirational, and very down to earth, just a real normal dude and I loved what he had to say. The things that stuck out and I remember most are.... people spend too much time in the gym, just watch the calories going in and the calories getting burned, drink more water, and spend 20 minutes a day getting the heart rate up. He said that's what you need on daily basis, 20 minutes. Focusing on something different each day.

Good luck Matt! You have big nuts coming here and posting your thread. I'm 46 now, 6 ft tall, about 198-200 and need to focus on getting my heart rate up more often and eating better so I can be around for my one year old son and my wife! I don't want to be hooked up to oxygen when he's 13. I used to eat better and mountain bike with my friends, every day. Now all I do is work in my shop, but do still take a lot of walks, which are great, but just don't get the heart rate up enough or burn the calories I really should be burning.

Without reading all the other posts, I really like the advice dexterdog gives in post #41. I'm sure there's alot of good advice in this thread, and a lot of good people rooting for you.

 

Thank you, Chris and Brian! Very encouraging words and great advice.

I'm lucky to have such great people rooting for me.

A little update, I'm down 15lbs since I started this regiment last Monday. Lunch has been very easy, either a salad with chicken from Chipotle or a brown rice and veggie bowl with chicken from Flame Broiler. Haven't had a burger in 2 weeks...which is almost unheard of for me but it's not bad. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, which is making this feel more like a lifestyle change than a diet.

No soda either...that's a big one for me as well. I've been drinking nothing but water and unsweetened iced tea for 2 weeks.

Thanks again! Pics will be up soon.

 

Great job on the weight!!!!! I bet it feels good.

How are you doing on the smoking? It's been 8 weeks smoke free for me and I feel fantastic!

 

Thanks! Like I said earlier, I'm down to pretty much a pack every 45 days. I still have a pack on me at all times, but I only smoke when I'm at a social event, etc. And never really more than 2 in a single day. Going from 17/day to 20 a month, I think that's a huge improvement.

 

Congrats on the 15lbs weight loss. That's great so far. Keep it up dude. I know it can be hard to do. I'm at 40 lbs loss now and I feel stuck. Like in a rut and I can't get out lol but just gotta try hard. If your sick of drinking tea Walmart has the single packets of like fruit punch, ice tea, lemonade and pink lemonade. It's one buck for 10 little packets that you put in your water bottle. No sugar in them and only 5 calories . Really good for you. Just thought I would point that out. There really good and healthy for you. Keep it up dude. Good luck

 

That's a great tip! I actually really enjoy unsweetened iced tea, but I'll give those a shot! definitely a good thing to have when going to a restuarant with friends, etc.

Thanks man

Another Update: Now that I'm in the 200's again, I tried on some jeans and a belt that I used to be able to lock in at the first notch. Now, I have to go to the THIRD NOTCH to keep my pants from falling down!

 

Keep up the good work! Quality of life is very important to me so I follow a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

killing the fat

 

AWESOME! keep it up man, I haven't read the whole thread, I believe you have to look at this as not a quick fix, but a change. As of now, you need to see yourself as a guy who eats well, and exercises, takes care of himself, and no longer a fat guy who loves cheeseburgers. If you can do that, you are going to look good and feel even better! again, nice work brother!

 

It's actually become so routine, I completely forgot to update you guys! I'm 3 sizes down on my jeans from when I started exactly a month ago, and I've lost a total of 25lbs so far, putting me right on track to lose 100lbs by Spring Break 2013!!

I reviewed some of Edwin's notes, and he said he allowed himself one cheat day a week. I hadn't even known that until last week, so I thought I'd try it and if it felt out of place, I'd continue without one. It was nice to be able to go out with friends and eat what they eat for once, but I'm still off soda and I minimized white carbs.

Thanks for holding me accountable! I gotta remember to update you guys at least once a week.

 

That is awesome Matt! Keep it up!




something you might want to look into this as supplemental nutrition, I been drinking it for a month...AMAZING stuff!

This was the video that had me convinced....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzHPVDtzr-Q

 

Matt,
I just read this for the first time and let me just say you are doing great. I recently did something similar. Wanted to lose 40lbs and decided I was tired of being out of shape. I've had three knee surgeries so that extra weight really put a hurting on my knee. I was almost 200lbs and want willing to go over that mark.

I had been on a roller coaster for about 3 years and was sick of gaining and losing. So I decided to set reasonable goals for my life. I would lose 5lbs a month and make good choices for my nutrition, starting with portion size. Cut back on sweets, sodas, alcohol, and limit condiments (all empty calories) and it's working. I'm down 20lbs with 20 more to go! Just stay disciplined and choose feeling good over that instant gratification.

You're doing great and keep it up! Rooting for you man and you have tons of support here!

Shannon

 

Great Matt, Im happy for you man. I read though you first post, and that was truly inspiring. I think that you will exceed you goal tremendously if you keep that good attitude you have. Walking really does help burn off the calories bro. I walked for 45 minutes at a brisk pace a day for 6 weeks, watched what I ate, and lifted at the gym for around 10 hours a week. I lost 20 lbs in fat. I weighed 237 when I started at 24% body fat. I am now 217 at 11% fat. You can do bro. Remember, the burn feels good, abs are made in the kitchen, and you have everyones support. GOOD JOB BRO

 

Matt, I just wanted to let you know I was inspired by your post today and I've decided it's time for a lifestyle change for me too. I'm tired of always feeling self conscious about what I look like and I remember when I dropped weight 1-2 years ago and how fucking amazing I felt. I'm not excessively over weight but I do need to drop about 20 lbs to get to my healthy weight (I'm only 5' 7'' and 183lb). I went out to the grocery store today and picked up some much healthier food than what I was eating and I'm changing my diet (not just going on a diet). Thank you for the inspiration and hopefully we can both get to our goal!

Matt

 

No soda without exception, only food I eat outside of home is Flame Broiler or Chipotle, ordering chicken breast with brown rice and vegetables. It's nice to change it up sometimes. Only excercise I'm doing right now is walking. I want to shed about 40lbs then start lifting...right now, I'm focusing more on the cardio, keeping my heart rate up, and keeping the sweat flowing.

Hey Matt,

I'm glad I was able to inspire you to make a great choice in your health! Please let us know how you are doing along your journey to a healthier you!

 

not yet...Still working to get the pesky pounds off. Sticking to meals like this...my lunch today was brown rice, grilled chicken breast and steamed carrots, broccoli, snap peas, and green onions with one packet of gluten free low sodium soy sauce.



Biking about 10 miles a week now, which I can barely fit into my schedule consider how cold it's getting after dark these days.

Current weight is at 288lbs. It's getting harder to shed the pounds, but I'm constantly trying to trick my body out of it's comfort zone to keep the numbers dropping.

 

I've actually been drinking a combination of Mio and unsweetened iced tea. They sell iced tea pretty much everywhere so I've been opting for that when I don't have my Mio around.

Average caloric intake is around 1100-1500 cal/day.

 

I like it, I need to get back into shape myself. 6'2 210 lb, I never watched what I eat and I try the functional fitness thing since the 2 kids keep my on my toes. I am glad that you are keeping it up and updated. Cant wait to see if you have reached your goal by Spring!!!! Congrats and keep it up!!!!

 

have you guys thought about weight watchers? My brother has lost 40+lbs on it. He loves it because he still gets to drink his beer and eat like a normal person. If you have an iphone, it is really easy to do.

Keep up the good work!

 

I try to keep breakfast around 500cal, lunch at 500, and dinner anywhere between 100-400. The best advice I can give is to keep yourself busy, and your mind off food. I work 55+ hours/week, so it helps me keep my mind off the munchies.