beauanderos
New member
There's a 160 lb runner inside this 245lb body, and I'm giving myself a year to drop my weight to that ideal number (I'm 5' 9"). I started at 277 on April 9th, when my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic, and that if I didn't take off some weight soon... I wouldn't be able to anymore, due to a tendency obese guys have towards insulin resistance. For some reason, the message took hold this time (maybe just to prove to him that I could do it?) and I decided to "show" him (the competitive side of an old athlete... aged 61). So, when I went back for my next check-in three months later, I had dropped 26 pounds, which according to him was almost exactly ten percent of my body weight. So now I've adopted that as my goal; to drop ten percent of existing body weight every three months until I get to my ideal weight. That means 225 by Sept 1; 203 by Jan 1; 183 by April 1; and 165 by July 1. I think that's a reasonable goal, as I've made an intensive study (I'm treating my body like a science experiment) of the best diet for sustained weight loss, and read several books on the benefits of exercise. A good one I just finished was Younger Next Year. Read it if you haven't had the chance yet... very motivational. In order to drum up support from my coworkers, I initiated The Incredible Shrinking Fat Man Contest, in which I offered everyone a chance to guess my weight at the end of the year, the winner to receive two dollars for every pound I lose. Actually, their guesses motivate me to exceed them. "What? I think, "that's all you think I can lose? Well, I'll show you!"
I have two goals, one serious and one inspirational. I'd like to get off my antihypertensive medications (Metaprolol and Maxide) as they just have too many adverse side effects, the Metaprolol anyway. I'm monitoring my blood pressure several times a day and have experienced about a fifteen point systolic drop since I started walking more (up to ninety minutes most days now, carrying one pound hand weights). I'm cutting my dose of metaprolol down to 88mg daily and my pressure has (for now) seemingly stabilized in the 100 - 120 (systolic) range. I plan on reducing my dosage each month by another 12.5mg (the pills are scored, making it easy to clip them). I'm an RN, so I'm aware of the need to very gently wean myself from the meds (completely stopping them can cause a BP spike and even an MI). As long as my pressures stay under 130 I will continue in the reduction direction. I also expect that the continuous weight loss will ameliorate the hypertension.
The goal that inspires me? To be able to run again. I've babied a torn meniscus in my left knee for three decades, and plan on trying Move Free or Osteo Biflex (any of you have any opinions on those?). I figure I have the best chance of pain-free running by reaching my ideal weight of 160 before I attempt to jog again, since I'll have less weight for my joints to deal with.
Well... that was a long-winded hello. I look forward to chatting with you guys, learning your secrets (and sharing a few of my own) and becoming a contributing member of this forum.
I have two goals, one serious and one inspirational. I'd like to get off my antihypertensive medications (Metaprolol and Maxide) as they just have too many adverse side effects, the Metaprolol anyway. I'm monitoring my blood pressure several times a day and have experienced about a fifteen point systolic drop since I started walking more (up to ninety minutes most days now, carrying one pound hand weights). I'm cutting my dose of metaprolol down to 88mg daily and my pressure has (for now) seemingly stabilized in the 100 - 120 (systolic) range. I plan on reducing my dosage each month by another 12.5mg (the pills are scored, making it easy to clip them). I'm an RN, so I'm aware of the need to very gently wean myself from the meds (completely stopping them can cause a BP spike and even an MI). As long as my pressures stay under 130 I will continue in the reduction direction. I also expect that the continuous weight loss will ameliorate the hypertension.
The goal that inspires me? To be able to run again. I've babied a torn meniscus in my left knee for three decades, and plan on trying Move Free or Osteo Biflex (any of you have any opinions on those?). I figure I have the best chance of pain-free running by reaching my ideal weight of 160 before I attempt to jog again, since I'll have less weight for my joints to deal with.
Well... that was a long-winded hello. I look forward to chatting with you guys, learning your secrets (and sharing a few of my own) and becoming a contributing member of this forum.
