B A Rabbit

[B A Rabbit]

Ok, Heres the skinny... My name is Chris and I've decided that my life is (or was) out of control. Not just my weight, mind you, there are other aspect also. But I'll try and stick to the subject at hand.

In 1996, I wasen't invited to re-enlist in the Marine Corps due to my weight, I wasen't that fat. Just 215 when I was suppose to be at 197. Hell, I had a good excuse My dad had just died and my Girlfeind flew the coop while I was home burying him. Needless to say, I didn't care about anything. And so in went the food and up went the weight.

On it stayed and up it went untill I was at 260 in 2002. Sept 11 had just happened a few months prior and I was begining to feel very helpless. Eventually I figured out I could join the Border Patrol as the weight restrictions weren't as Heafty as the Marines, And I'd still be searving my country. So I started Running again for the first time in years. My diet got good and things were looking up. I passed my psychical , My background checks and all that was left was waiting for my ship date. But time passed .Lotsa time. And the more time that passed, the more I didn't hear from them, I began to think something was up. Sure enough By the time I figured out who to call and find out they wern't hiring anymore I was to old to join. My 37th birthday was in 2004 and that was the cut-off. No border patrol.

And I got depressed again. so on went the weight. Mom died, on went the weight. eventually by christmas of 2005 I was up to 310. And like others here I was just drifting around doing nothing with myself. Bills started to pile up and my wife lost her job so we couldn't pay them. The hounds were truely at my door. We coudn't answer the phone becouse we knew it was just another bill collector that we can't afford to pay. We have to hide the car around the corner becouse the Repo man comes on a nightly basis. The dogs have ripped the floor tiles up and the wall paper off the wall. The Washing machine got repossesed. And dagnabbit, we ned a dishwasher.

Then sometime last month, I found an article in the Boston Globe about how the Army was hurting for people. They had loosened the age restriction from 34 to 40 years old. And I begain to think that I might have a chance. I would have to do a lot of work and fast but still the odds were better then what they would be if I didn't that chance. So I went down and talked to a recuiter. Cute kid whose wife is expecting their second child, Standing there at 310 and 39 asking about joining the army, I just knew they wern't going to take me seriously. But I knew different. Heck 3 years ago I did the same thing witht he Boarder Patrol So I knew If I set my mind to it, I Can accomplish this.

For the Army it's not about weight, It's about Body Fat. When I started this thing. (I don't call it a diet, I call it a life-style change) I was at 310 and a body fat reaching 40%. Since the end of Febuary when I started in earnest, I have lost 35 pounds and 6%body fat Now I'm at 275 with a body fat closing in on 34%. (it helps to have a short stubby and muscular neck when figgering body fat).

I may have to sacrifice everything thats left that I hold dear in my life up to this point. But I can't live like this anymore. My wife thinks I'm nuts But Knows also knows the landlord is selling the house, meaning the rent is likely to go up substantually.

Good day.

 

[B A Rabbit]

Ok this weekend was OK, I guess, I started off Friday night by rewarding myself with two slices of pizza, as I haven't had anything like that in a montha and I'm down so much.

I really thought I'd be up a couple of pounds by monday morning, But I made up for my reward with and extra six miles around the pound. (three and a half times around over two days)

I guess the rest of my diet didn't suffer as much as I thought it did. I wound up eating breafast at dinner time and dinner at breakfast time.

But come Monday I was still down a pound. Expect this week to be tough as The boss has some extra work for me and my partner to do. It will wreak havok with my exercise schedule, mostly all of which is done at work during down time.

Received some extra motivation on saturday when the landlords secretary called and said the banker would be by monday morning to appraize the house for sale.

Tuesday will be an interestering day.

 

[somesaymisty]

Don't worry about not having as much time to exercise. Stick with eating healthy and you won't lose any ground. Good luck this week! You'll be fine!

 

[B A Rabbit]

Don't worry about not having as much time to exercise. Stick with eating healthy and you won't lose any ground. Good luck this week! You'll be fine!

Thanks for the encouregment.

 

[B A Rabbit]

Well, Even after yesterdays debacle, I still managed somehow to keep on track today. Got back to the streaching, exerciseing, yoga, and running today. And boy, did it feel GREAT! I still hate the stairs though. Had a larger than normal breakfast, But made up for it with water intake and skipping second daily meal. REALLY looking forward to my next meal, But it will have to wait until the window opens and that doesen't happen for a few more hours.

Drank, a least, 6 quarts of water again today. This seems do do the trick. Just keep drinking water, water and more water. I am going to have to find a bathroom a little closer to work though. By 8 am, I can't go twenty minutes without having to pee. And home is a good half hour away. The best thing about drinking so much water is how it lets the muscles relax and recharge, well maybe thats not the best thing, but it sure ranks right up there. The best thing is how you can trick your stomach into thinking your full by drinking water instead of downing a pizza or two.

The landlord was very understanding when we told him he couldn't come in and do his inspection yesterday morning. I just wish his son, who is buying the house was as well. Pretty soon know everything with this will be out on the table and nobody will have anything left to hide.

 

[B A Rabbit]

Well Wednesday of Hell week is here. No exercise again last night, No running and no jogging. Just walking. ANd my back is paying the price for not streaching like I ussualy do. OUCH!

For my diet I again switched Breakfast with dinner... Ya gotta understand, I work nights, so when I switch these two I'm actually doing the rightway, n ot the switchy way. Anyway, I had my Chicken ceaser wrap in the morning and my cereal in the afternoon, I drank water all night.

I asked the chef here at the Cafe for one of those big, big totilla warps so I can show my wife that they do indeed make larger ones than the one I have. He also gave me a couple of tips on how to make the blasted thing stick together after I build it. Warm it up first.

TRUE CONFESSIONS: When I had my breakfast yesterday the afternoon meal, I acctually had two bowls of cereal, not one. This is a no-no as in the long run it caused me to not lose a single pound yesterday, I didn't gain any moind you, But as of right now, My goal for Frday of 270 seems a little out of reach. I have to remind myself that just becouse my "window" for eating is open, I still can't over due it.

 

[B A Rabbit]

Hey, Thursdays edition of Hell week wasen't much better than Wednesdays, In fact I couldn't have had a worse day.

No sooner did I get up than I found my wife sitting in the Living room balling her eyes out. "They are coming to get the car and if I don't give it to them they are going to have me arrested."

Now we need two cars in our house, there is no doubt about it. But what we don't need is another Bill when neither of us can afford it. See I realize this, And anybody reading this proberly can to. I mean you can only cook so much spagetthi in a pot without it spilling over. But for the life of me I can't convince my wife of this.

Her tears quickly turned to resolve to get herself a new car. I didn't matter that we are behind on rent, No washing machine a ripped up floor and the kitchen and the wall papper falling off the walls in the bedroom, (pulled off is more like it. Phoenix has got to be the single most destructive puppy I have ever seen. His brother Aspen isn't much better, But at least he listens. And big momma Cheyanne, well she feels terroized and dosne't come out from under the bed.)

Anyway, within a hour of finding her crying, We were on our way south of Boston to find one of those "Buy here, Pay Here" places where the weekly bill in only $50.00 or so. Normally, The ride would take about 30-45 minutes, But in Boston durning rush hour it streaches out to 2 hours. So ThereI was, Three dogs in my lap. On my way to to let my wife put us further in debt by buying a new car becouse her old one will be gone in the morning. I swear she was treating this like Money was no object. Now, I don't make lot of money, SHe don't either. Together, we can live happily. Seperately, we are doomed.

Earlier, she had just told me how she felt she wasen't all there the last year or so. Eight months of which she spent unemployeed becouse she couldn't find the courge to get up and look for a job. And that this repossision had opened her eyes. I guess I was going on this god forskasen trip 2 hours down the road to see if she was going to be true to herself or if she was just going right back in the same boat.

So we get there. I go to walk the dogs and check out some of the cars, She goes right inside and starts filling out paperwork while the salesguy is putting plates on a caviler so she can take a test drive. WTF happpened? Next thing I know I'm in a big fight with her about driving us further into debt when we can't climb out of the hole she already dug for us by doing things just like this FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS!!! But I have nobody to blame but myself, I had hoped and prayed that she would see the light. But it just hasen't happened. Right there in that used car lot. I left. I put the dogs in the (soon to be repoed car and started walking down the street. I didn't know where I was going or how I was going to get there. But if she was going to continue to do this crap, I'd be dag-gummed if I was going to stick around for it. I didn't have a dime in my pocket, Ididn't have my cell phone, I didn't even have my wallet. AND I had to be to work in three hours.

Needless to say, It wasn't a good night. I sinccerly hope she learns to cherish the things she has and not to lust after the things she dosen't otherwise shite like this is bound to happen again soon and I'm afraid of the out come.

Well as for my diet? I managed to keep it up. I didn't resort to the comfot of food like I would have normally. I just drank my water the whole time. That being said, I'm writing this week off as a total lose. I've accepted the fact that I will have to start over and maintain. But right now, I just want a HUGE bowl of pasta.

 

[B A Rabbit]

Sorry about your rough night, but you should be so proud that you didn't turn to food you turned to your water. I hope things get better for you and your wife. Hang in there you can do it!!

The fuuny thing is, She ain't even my wife. I just call her that becouse we have been together so long. Maybe It would be better if I just called her by her name Instead of by "The Wife"
Thank you for the support. your screenname is quite wuvable.

Anyway, Alexia and I talked things out this morning. We agreed to put a cap on the amout of money we are willing to spend on a new (used) car. $4510. I had told here that once I join the army she would be getting a new car anyway so it was might be best to wait till then and just stick with a really cheap jalopy for now. But what she said made sense also. She dosen't want to spend $800-1200 bucks on an old car and then have to pump two or three hundread dollars into it every couple of months. I can see her point. This way we'll KNOW what kind of money we'll be looking at spending each month. PLUS my getting in the Army all depends on my success with this diet and exercise thing.

So $4510 is more than I'd like, But less than what she wanted. Thats one good thing I like about our relationship. Even when things seem their bleakest, we are always willing to talk things through.

There must be something about how your body reacts to discourgement and/or depression. I had spent the first three weeks of March riding high emotionly and spirtually, but this last week, I felt bloated a lot, I had no drive, I didn't lose focus, But I just didn't really want to put forth the effort to "get the job done" It Might have been all the extra work I had to do, But I got that done early, and jumped right back in the saddle.

I think it was through this talk with my wife that my motivation and drive returned in earnest this evening. I had a great jog, 4 great sets of Yoga. (I usually do only two) and an excellent exercise period. For the week, I only lost 1 pound instead of my goal of 5. But I've accepted this defeat and set a new goal for myself. The Army recruiter wants to weigh me on April 12. Thats almost two weeks. I wanna be at 265 by then. It sounds reasonable if I can keep up this level I'm at this morning.

Joining the Gym on Monday also. I'm looking to rachet up my cardio and work on strengthing my knees up for starters. I also can';t wait to back in the steam room. I Love the steam room. Not only does help with that last little bit of water weight but You get such a good clean from it also.
I just hope the place isn't to busy at 9am each day. The idea of sitting around neekid with a bunch of guys dosen't really excite me to much. I like it when I can sit there by myself.

If I don't post again, I want everybody that reads this to have a great weekend.

 

[somesaymisty]

I'm glad you were able to talk things through with your "wife." And I completely know where you're coming from when you say your body reacts to your emotions. When I'm happy, I live the way I want (energized and healthy) and when I'm down, I have no energy; I feel crappy in general; and food starts to become an obsession. I'm glad your able to stay on track.

I was reading through some posts the other day and came across one you might be interested in for your weigh-in. (You may have already seen this yourself.) It was written by someone who also has experience with military weigh-ins. JellyBelly posted it. I'm sure it's not the healthiest approach, but it just might be what you need to make the recruiter convinced you're able to get yourself into shape. Hope this helps!

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/showthread.php?t=3050

 

[B A Rabbit]

I was reading through some posts the other day and came across one you might be interested in for your weigh-in. (You may have already seen this yourself.) It was written by someone who also has experience with military weigh-ins. JellyBelly posted it. I'm sure it's not the healthiest approach, but it just might be what you need to make the recruiter convinced you're able to get yourself into shape. Hope this helps!

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/showthread.php?t=3050

THank you Misty. I'll have to remember that. I have done some pretty crazy things to try and lose that last few pounds before a weigh in.

This time I have a long way to go though, THis up coming weigh in isn't anything special though, right now at least. I am trying to use it for motivation. The weigh ins will really count once I get close. like 220 or so. But thats still 51 pounds away and a good 6 or 8 months away.

Saturday night... I didn't do anything. My diet suffered a little But I thought I could afford it what with my impending joining of the Gym on monday. Too bad it didn't happen.

Sunday night, I had to go to work so that ment an extra work out. That coupled with my diet really got my metabolism going. I was bounceing around like a jumping jack come monday cleaning the house and walking the dogs.

Monday night, same thing, good diet, good run, good exercise. I can't afford to go to the gym becouse rent had to be paid. first time in like three or four months that it was paid on time. SO I'm not really upset about it. I'm told it will hapopen on friday, But repairs on my car are due so I'm not really expecting it.

Lasst night, I felt down. really tired, No running. but good exercise. Mega in take of water this morning. May skip morning meal.

I am also looking into "Bitter Orange" its the new ephedra But its not suppose raise your blood pressure the way ephedra does.

 

[somesaymisty]

You're doing great so far! You'll definately be able to reach your goal by the 12th. Be careful if you're trying any supplements. I've never heard of that one, but the word ephedra is scary!

 

[B A Rabbit]

You're doing great so far! You'll definately be able to reach your goal by the 12th. Be careful if you're trying any supplements. I've never heard of that one, but the word ephedra is scary!

I haven't taken any supplements as yet. I would like to take it the next time I level out maybe around 250 or so.

See, I've set this thing up in four phases. Each one representing about 25 pounds. I plateaud at 275, and plan to do so again at 250, 225, and 200 If I get that far. After each platea, I try and come pack a little stronger than I did the for the last phase. The First phase or 25 pounds was just getting started. Thats is establishing what I need to do and adopting a routine. Then when I reach my goal, which I did. I rest and let my body become comforablte with itself again. Then I pick it back up, and add little. FOr the phase I am in now, phase two, I wanted to contine my nightly exercise, yoga, and jogging of my tours, plus add the gym during the day.



According to this link, It treats everything from stomach-pain to insomnia. From what I understand it is safer than ephedra, which I'm not even sure is legal anymore. First though, I need to wear myself out at the gym. And I'm not even close to that yet.

If at some point, I find myself not able to come back from one of these plateus, Thats when I'll start with the supplements.

Although, I did have great results with ephedra in 203 when I was trying for the Border Patrol. And would like to re-create those results now.

And heck, If I can cure a little anxiety and back pain along the way, I'm all for it.

Last night I kept my diet going. Its Really starting to pick back up again. And my exercise, yoga and jogging isn't slowing down either. I'm prety hungry tonight, But thats what the water is for.

Oh, and during lunch, (my chicken ceaser salad wrap) I tried to eat a little yogert just for taste, but I didn't even want it. Gave it to the dogs. they loved it, But it was just to sweet for me.

 

[somesaymisty]

Yogurt is definately an acquired taste! It took me a long time to start eating it. I have to convince myself it's for a good cause! I eat it really fast so that I can barely taste it!

I wish I could have a plan of action like you do! My plan is to eat healthy and exercise. That's a pretty broad plan, right? I'm trying to work on that though. It helps to read other peoples routines. Keep up the good work!

 

[B A Rabbit]

Yogurt is definately an acquired taste! It took me a long time to start eating it. I have to convince myself it's for a good cause! I eat it really fast so that I can barely taste it!

I wish I could have a plan of action like you do! My plan is to eat healthy and exercise. That's a pretty broad plan, right? I'm trying to work on that though. It helps to read other peoples routines. Keep up the good work!

I hate anything with a "Y" and a "G" in it.

Plan of attack? I ain't got no plan of attack. I Just know that If I don't do this, Then I'll never get anywhere, And I'll prolly be dead before I'm fifty. I'm sick of the pain. Can't claimb the stairs to get into my my own apartment. Can't twist around to get out of my own truck. My fingers swell just from sitting on my ass to long. I wake up with a headache.

No, I ain't got no plan of attack. well maybe I do... I don't know.

I do know that the more I learn about this stuff, The better off I'll be in the long run. For instence, I know know what an alpha-blocker does.

But thats gettin' off the beaten path.

What I've done since my last visit here.

Friday, I joined the Gym. Well my wife joined for me. She has this strange fixation with controling the money and wouldn't let me do it for myself. it may have something to do with her wanting a New (used) car, I don't know. I do know that shes the one that comes and saves my but when it's stranded on the side of the road with no gas. But thats another story. So I joined the gym on Friday.

Didn't get down there until saturday morning and sunday afternoon. But that was by design. I started off with my USMC streaches, My Yoga and some Jogging (on saturday, walking on sunday). Moving on I entered the weight room. I identifed my target areas ( areas on my body that need some work) and found the appropiate exercises. I used very low, as in no resistence just to make sure they were the proper things I should be doing. Sunday I found a decent weight on each machine that I could set my levels.

Everything gets written down. I don't lift one weight without writing it down. I don't jog on foot without writing it down.

For the time being, I will work on my Knees/legs, My shoulder/arms and my abs. When I get board I will have to change things up but hopefully that dosen't come until May.

I spent 25 minutes in the steam room, ten minutes in the whirlpool and would have sat in the sauna for 15 minutes but there was this fat nasty nekkid guy sitting there and I didn't feel comfotable with.


For my run times I am looking at haveing to beat 2 miles in 34 minutes and 20 seconds. Thats a speed of 3.5 MPH so moving up shouldn't be to hard. But I have to stay aware of "Shin Splints" and "stress factures" and know enough to back off when they hit.

Ok thats about it....No wait my diet... No money this weekend so no way to keep up buying supplys for my diet. Friday we went out to a great Italian resturaunt I had Chicken parm with a big meatball But I stayed away from the spagetti, Saturday I felt great! But it may have had something to do with the carb intake from the night before, So I tried to recreate it with home-made Ziti and Meatballs, No red sauce Buy sunday I felt a little run down but nothing major. Sunday saw a little hamburger helper. Nothing over the top like I used to do, But proberly more than I should have had.

I also settled on a supplement. "Hydroxcut Hardcore" I gauntees me to lose 7.9% body fat. RIght now, its the newest thing on the market, and I couldn't find any warning on the internet about it.But once the FDA gets a hold of it, Who knows.

 

[somesaymisty]

You're definately easing into the gym the right way. I have no patience when it comes to figuring things out and writing things down. I usually just dive in head first. So far no injuries (knock on wood). You'll have to keep us posted on how well the hydroxycut works. Keep up the good work!

 

[B A Rabbit]

You'll have to keep us posted on how well the hydroxycut works. Keep up the good work!

For the first three days, I had to take 1 pill, then the next three I take 2 pills and from day nine on you take three pills. Your suppose to take them with meals, or one days of your wworkout you take one of the "servings"
with your workout.

Today, I started two pills. And let me tell you I was bouncing off the walls.

I got home from work yesterday morning, and found one of my puppies covered in blood. Well it wasn't that bad. He had somehow ripped off the padding on the back of his front paw and it was just hanging there.

Alexia, or Lori or whatever shes calling herself these days (the Wife) and I took him to the hospital and paid almost $400 for 17 stiches. THats like... a billion dollars a stich or something!!!!

Anyway we couldn't leave him home aolne so I had to adjust my schedule so that when the wife is at work, I'd be home and when I'm at work, she'd be home. we did this so he, or one of the other doggies wouldn't rip the bandage off, or the stiches out.

Of course this played havok with my schedule as I am working today and get off a four pm and then have to be back at midnight tonight. I planed on resting Monday, and hitting the gym back up on tuesday and wednesday before my weigh in. But there is no way I am going to want to go the gym in the 8 hours between my shifts. and I doubt I'll be ready come wednesday morning.

I should have at least visited the sauna on Monday. I am not using this as an excuse, I'm adjusting my schedule. Hopefully, (well I know he will) I can push my weight in back to friday. shouldn't be a problem and I should be back on track by then.

And My diet is continueing to suffer as we don't have the money to buy the proper foods. Right now I am trying to remember that I have to limit the portions of food that I am intakeing and not to over do it.

My water intake is being kept up. THat seems to be the one thing, (along witht he Hydroxycut) that dosen't take time or effort to maintain. I am glad I have that to hold on to when all all fails. It like a bridge.

 

[somesaymisty]

I'm sorry to hear about your puppy! I hope he feels better soon. I have a cat who is allergic to everything, and she's always at the vet for some medicine or treatment or other illness, so I can identify with how expensive those vets are! I really want a puppy, but I'm terrified I would get another sickly animal (that always seems to be the way it goes for me) and not be able to afford it.

If the hydroxycut is giving you that much energy, I bet you're dropping weight as we speak. Don't worry about hitting the gym. Just try to get in some pushups and situps to keep building lean muscle. You'll keep burning calories that way! Good luck and keep it up!

 

[princessmylissa]

Hey there, I'm new so I thought I would stop in and say hello

 

[Bella2]

Man, with everyting that is going on in your life just the sheer fact that you have stayed on course with your diet is amazing!

I'm sure it has been helpful to have been in the marine corp so you know what to expect and how to prepare your body and how to make your body work for you.

I am finding that the hard part for me is actually doing the workouts and healthy eating. I know exactly what I should be doing --- it's just doing it that's the problem.

Good luck to you. I truly hope you keep seeing results.

BTW, what are the active ingrediants in hydroxycut?

 

[B A Rabbit]

Man, with everyting that is going on in your life just the sheer fact that you have stayed on course with your diet is amazing!

You ain't just wistleing dixie. Ah it ain't that bad. Having no money to buy food is a great way to stop eating.

I'm sure it has been helpful to have been in the marine corp so you know what to expect and how to prepare your body and how to make your body work for you.

Invariably! Having two fat sisters always on a diet while I was growing up didn't hurt either.

I am finding that the hard part for me is actually doing the workouts and healthy eating. I know exactly what I should be doing --- it's just doing it that's the problem.

Thats a motivational issue. Do you set yourself up with rewards? After this weigh in thing, My next goal is to get below 260. Once I do that, I promise myself a slice a pizza. NOT A WHOLE PIZZA MIND YOU LIKE IN DAYS PAST!!! just a slice.

Good luck to you. I truly hope you keep seeing results.

BTW, what are the active ingrediants in hydroxycut?