New here, just started to get fit after years of slackin!

M

meepers

New member
Hello everyone,

new here. been lurking for the last 2 days. After years of being a sloth, I realized I needed a change in my life. This last holiday season was very bad for me, and I put on 30 pounds from turkey day to xmas. There was a tremendous amount of stress from outside factors including sever depression.

I have decided I no longer want to be depressed, single and chubby and decided to be more active like I was 10 years ago. I recently joined a gym with a friend, and have been going for the last 3 days. I have set a few short term goals, and hope to change my lifestyle overall.

Looking to get back down to 170-175 as my 2 month goal from my current 210. 6 month goal is to start seeing a 6pack. I know thats going to be a very hard goal to reach, but with my changing in eating habits, I am confident I can get there. I thank everyone in advance for the fantastic advice and I look forward to getting my goals and staying active.
 
Hi and welcome.

The first thing I'd suggest is registering for a free account on FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal or Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate and starting to log your food. This will let you see how many calories you're eating and how your nutrition levels are breaking down. Once you know that, you'll be able to see more clearly where you can make adjustments, cut back, change your nutrition, etc.

The next thing I'd suggest is checking out the various sticky posts in the exercise area of the forum (Weight Loss Through Exercise - Weight Loss Forum). There are some very good posts on exercise, both cardio/aerobic and on incorporating weight lifting into your exercise plans.

I'd also suggest starting a diary in the weight loss diary area (Weight Loss Diary - Weight Loss Forum) as well as reading and participating in other diaries. This is a good way to make updates to your progress and to get support from others. It helps to find the diaries of people who have successfully lost weight (or are losing weight) and reading through them as well. Following the diaries of those who have been successful is both inspiring and informative.

Finally, I'd say you should read as much as you can of the posts on the board, especially anything that's marked "sticky". There is a ton of good information around here and a lot of times questions that new folks have has already been answered very thoroughly - so do take the time to look around and read. :)

Hope that helps you to get started.
 
hi, it's great to be here and find people whom I can relate with. I totally admire what you did meepers it's great to have a change in your life specially if it's for the better. Great to hear your successful journey with losing weight! Hope we can share some thoughts. Thank you.
 
Thanks for the support! I will read everything that I can. It was hard for me to look in the mirror and realize I have gotten so far out of whack with where I was 10 years ago. I am very thankful that my sisters man works out regularly and knows his way around the equipment, and he also has a personal trainer, who, lucky for me, I watched his dogs for a year while he was out of town. This week was kind of a warmup for me. We are going to start hitting it hard monday. Its crazy how after just 4 days, I already feel better about myself and seem to have more energy through the day.

I will get a diary setup in the next few days, along with the pics I took before I started just to keep track.

I look forward to my new healthier life and the friends I hope to make here.
 
Hey Meepers

I can relate with your case. I understand the depression thing. It really complicates and trips up your struggle with weight.

It sounds like there is a strong attachment to food going on. Low energy tends to keep you close to the frig. To begin with, don't give yourself a rough time. A lot of time you gain weight and you think you are a big fat guy. Well, you aren't. You're just a guy that has gained weight. In other words, don't identify with your condition.

Before you make too many changes at once just try keeping a list of all of the stuff you eat in one day. And then, just look at it. I was amazed at the things I was eating and how many calories there were in some of the things I was eating.

Just write it down now. I know that you have probably never needed to do this before, it is really simple once you do it one day.

Give it a try
 
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