BigfellaUK
New member
Hey Guys.
I am 37 years old, married, 3 kids and live in Plymouth, UK.
In my teens and early twenties I was a keen soccer player and used to train and play up to 4 or 5 times a week. I liked to work out and liked to stay fit, but also liked the social benefits of being part of a team and have ALWAYS enjoyed my food.
None of that was a problem while I was so active. However, in 1999 aged 26 I suffered a serious knee injury and after 12 months of trying to recover, I was forced to quit playing the game I loved. I have tried 2 or 3 times over the years to make a come back at a lower level, but have struggled with the same knee and also suffered a further serious ankle injury.
Over the last 11 years my lifestyle has not changed a great deal. I still enjoy a drink and I still thoroughly enjoy food. Cooking it and eating it. However, due to the severe lack of excersize, my weight has steadily increased over that time. I have lost weight on numerous occasions, but have always put it back on again.
I'm a big lad anyway. I'm 6ft 5in tall and once I got out of my gangly teenage stage, I was always pretty well proportioned.
In 1999 and when fit, I generally weighed in comfortably around the 16st (224lbs) mark. But, over the years my weight has gradually increased and, when I started my latest diet on 29 October 2010, I weighed in at exactly 21st (294lbs).
I have rejoined a local gym with the intention of increasing the level physical activity, while also not putting too much strain on my creaking joints. It's a bit of a catch 22 scenario really, but I do struggle with my knees and my lower back, but do also realise that getting some of the weight off would help that.
My intention was to lose around 2st (28lbs) by cutting back and then restart the gym - giving me a bit of a headstart and less strain.
I am happy to say that today, Friday 10 December, I weighed in a 19st 5lbs (271lbs) which represents a 23lb loss in that time. I am really pleased with that, but it is something I've done before and with Christmas coming up I want to make sure that I stay motivated and disciplined.
I have not really stuck to any particular diet, I have merely made sure that I eat breakfast (normally porridge and fruit), take lunch rather than buy it (normally Express Rice with Fruit & Cereal Bars) and not have too large a portion for dinner... and don't eat the kids' leftovers!! On top of that, I have banned crisps, chocolate and have tried not to each very much bread at all (which I could eat by the truck load)!!
I already feel so much better. Clothes that I have not worn for ages all of a sudden fit me and people have noticed a change, which makes you feel good too.
Tucked away in my wardrobe is a polo shirt I bought about 3 years ago. It was bought at a time when I was dieting again and began losing weight, but I never got down enough to wear that shirt. The tag is still on it and this time, I am determined to be able to wear that shirt!!!
My aim is actually to be able to shop for clothes and merely worry about the length, rather than worry about the width. I'd like to be able to wear the clothes labelled 'slim fit' once more!!! In fact, I have loads of clothes in my wardrobe that I could wear again.
So... I need to keep going. Any tips for motivation, and any tips on how to stay disciplined over the Christmas period?
I am 37 years old, married, 3 kids and live in Plymouth, UK.
In my teens and early twenties I was a keen soccer player and used to train and play up to 4 or 5 times a week. I liked to work out and liked to stay fit, but also liked the social benefits of being part of a team and have ALWAYS enjoyed my food.
None of that was a problem while I was so active. However, in 1999 aged 26 I suffered a serious knee injury and after 12 months of trying to recover, I was forced to quit playing the game I loved. I have tried 2 or 3 times over the years to make a come back at a lower level, but have struggled with the same knee and also suffered a further serious ankle injury.
Over the last 11 years my lifestyle has not changed a great deal. I still enjoy a drink and I still thoroughly enjoy food. Cooking it and eating it. However, due to the severe lack of excersize, my weight has steadily increased over that time. I have lost weight on numerous occasions, but have always put it back on again.
I'm a big lad anyway. I'm 6ft 5in tall and once I got out of my gangly teenage stage, I was always pretty well proportioned.
In 1999 and when fit, I generally weighed in comfortably around the 16st (224lbs) mark. But, over the years my weight has gradually increased and, when I started my latest diet on 29 October 2010, I weighed in at exactly 21st (294lbs).
I have rejoined a local gym with the intention of increasing the level physical activity, while also not putting too much strain on my creaking joints. It's a bit of a catch 22 scenario really, but I do struggle with my knees and my lower back, but do also realise that getting some of the weight off would help that.
My intention was to lose around 2st (28lbs) by cutting back and then restart the gym - giving me a bit of a headstart and less strain.
I am happy to say that today, Friday 10 December, I weighed in a 19st 5lbs (271lbs) which represents a 23lb loss in that time. I am really pleased with that, but it is something I've done before and with Christmas coming up I want to make sure that I stay motivated and disciplined.
I have not really stuck to any particular diet, I have merely made sure that I eat breakfast (normally porridge and fruit), take lunch rather than buy it (normally Express Rice with Fruit & Cereal Bars) and not have too large a portion for dinner... and don't eat the kids' leftovers!! On top of that, I have banned crisps, chocolate and have tried not to each very much bread at all (which I could eat by the truck load)!!
I already feel so much better. Clothes that I have not worn for ages all of a sudden fit me and people have noticed a change, which makes you feel good too.
Tucked away in my wardrobe is a polo shirt I bought about 3 years ago. It was bought at a time when I was dieting again and began losing weight, but I never got down enough to wear that shirt. The tag is still on it and this time, I am determined to be able to wear that shirt!!!
My aim is actually to be able to shop for clothes and merely worry about the length, rather than worry about the width. I'd like to be able to wear the clothes labelled 'slim fit' once more!!! In fact, I have loads of clothes in my wardrobe that I could wear again.
So... I need to keep going. Any tips for motivation, and any tips on how to stay disciplined over the Christmas period?
