However, the last time I posted was back in 2008. I've jumped off and back on the wagon so many times I should be in shape by default! I'll not bore everyone with details, so just let me tell y'all where I'm at now.
Early this year, I topped out at 280lbs. At 5'8", that's too much weight. I am also being medicated for high blood pressure and diabetes. I kept getting started with losing weight, eating healthier, but something (or someone) always seemed to get in my way. My feet would crack open and bleed (horrendous dry skin issues), my knees would start in on their thing (injured USMC 1991), or my brain would kick in with a round of "I don't wanna", or "I can do that tomorrow"
Jump forward to July of this year. My wife and I devised a 6-week challenge for us, including my 13-yr old son who was getting a bit hefty himself. The plan was a simple, reward-based system designed as a baby step into building exercise and diet habits. In each week, we set up exercise (individual choice) to be a minimum of 3 days @ a minimum of 10mins each day, BUT needing a total of 75 minutes. For dietary, we agreed on getting 2 servings of fruit or veg each day, and a minimum of 48oz of water a day. I know this may not seem like much, but given our diets and habits up until that point, it turned out to be a very positive thing. I walked 1.6 miles 3x a week, taking about 30 minutes to do it. I also ended each walk by doing as many pushups (on my knees) and sit-ups (feet under couch) as I could. I also took the diet one step further, and I have completely cut caffeine. I only drink water, 100% juice or decaf sweet tea (1/2c sugar per gallon... just to take the edge off. You really don't want to know how much sugar was going into a gallon)
I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised at my results. After the 6 weeks, PLUS an extra week of vacation in Dallas/Galveston, we weighed and measured. I lost only 4 lbs... but I lost 3.75 total inches from my chest, waist, hips and thighs.
We've started another 6-week challenge. Exercise has been increased to 4 days for 100 minutes, diet has been changed to 2 servings of fruit and veg (not or) and water remains the same (I generally drink 96oz of water/day). I've also added .6mi of walk/run to the end of my morning walks with a short term goal of running a 5k. I still want to complete a duathlon, but I need another bike.
I know what I'm doing doesn't seem like much, especially to a hard core fitness group. I am trying to correct 40 years of sloth and bad habits so I can 1) be around to see my grandkids, and 2) see my youngest daughter (14 mos) graduate college. I am of the mind that slow and steady may not WIN the race, but damnit I'm going to FINISH it.
Early this year, I topped out at 280lbs. At 5'8", that's too much weight. I am also being medicated for high blood pressure and diabetes. I kept getting started with losing weight, eating healthier, but something (or someone) always seemed to get in my way. My feet would crack open and bleed (horrendous dry skin issues), my knees would start in on their thing (injured USMC 1991), or my brain would kick in with a round of "I don't wanna", or "I can do that tomorrow"
Jump forward to July of this year. My wife and I devised a 6-week challenge for us, including my 13-yr old son who was getting a bit hefty himself. The plan was a simple, reward-based system designed as a baby step into building exercise and diet habits. In each week, we set up exercise (individual choice) to be a minimum of 3 days @ a minimum of 10mins each day, BUT needing a total of 75 minutes. For dietary, we agreed on getting 2 servings of fruit or veg each day, and a minimum of 48oz of water a day. I know this may not seem like much, but given our diets and habits up until that point, it turned out to be a very positive thing. I walked 1.6 miles 3x a week, taking about 30 minutes to do it. I also ended each walk by doing as many pushups (on my knees) and sit-ups (feet under couch) as I could. I also took the diet one step further, and I have completely cut caffeine. I only drink water, 100% juice or decaf sweet tea (1/2c sugar per gallon... just to take the edge off. You really don't want to know how much sugar was going into a gallon)
I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised at my results. After the 6 weeks, PLUS an extra week of vacation in Dallas/Galveston, we weighed and measured. I lost only 4 lbs... but I lost 3.75 total inches from my chest, waist, hips and thighs.
We've started another 6-week challenge. Exercise has been increased to 4 days for 100 minutes, diet has been changed to 2 servings of fruit and veg (not or) and water remains the same (I generally drink 96oz of water/day). I've also added .6mi of walk/run to the end of my morning walks with a short term goal of running a 5k. I still want to complete a duathlon, but I need another bike.
I know what I'm doing doesn't seem like much, especially to a hard core fitness group. I am trying to correct 40 years of sloth and bad habits so I can 1) be around to see my grandkids, and 2) see my youngest daughter (14 mos) graduate college. I am of the mind that slow and steady may not WIN the race, but damnit I'm going to FINISH it.
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