Well another resolution bites the dust

Hello from another :newbie:

You can call me Walter I am pushing 50 and in horrible shape (6’ tall and 270 lbs) and although I have no delusions of grandeur I would really like to get myself back into some resemblance of physically fit. I have young children and I would like to be around a while to watch them grow up.

I use to be a martial artist and I use to weight lift too but I had a rather bad back injury that took me out of it, lets just say motorcycles can be dangerous. My back is actually doing much better these days and I now have become rather interested in getting back into martial arts but I am way too heavy and way to inflexible to get into it right now. I am doing some reading and attempting to figure out a fitness program. That is why I am here I guess to look around learn what will work for me and ask a whole lot of what will likely be dumb questions.

I am glad I found this site

Oh the resolution thing

I made a resolution about 15 years ago and it was the only one I ever kept and that was to not make anymore resolutions. Well this year I made one and broke the longest kept resolution I ever made. I made a resolution to loose weight and get into better shape just like 90% of the rest of the world. But I am hoping 15 years from now to break my record for the longest kept resolution I ever made.
 
welcome

welcome Walter and congratulations on your choosing to be around for your kids. I am 51 with a 26 and 6 year old and a 20 month old as well as a 10 month old grandson. I told the doc i needed 20 but wanted 30 years. I soon realized i could be gone tomorrow. So what i affirmed i really wanted was to be the best i can be every day i am here. keep your committment and the kids will benefit.
 
What a great resolution to break. The difference today from 15 years ago is that you are older and wiser, therefore you must know that each moment is a chance to be a success. Keep track of all the positive things you do to work towards your goal, be specific about what you want, believe in yourself and forget the times you slip and move on. Don't give up! Make small changes that add up and be proud of yourself. It isn't an all or nothing thing, fitness. You build on it and get better over time.

Be sensible and make moves towards milestones. I know you'll be Kung Fu fightin in no time. :)
 
Last edited:
Thanks, I am hoping because I am older that I am more likely to stick to it. But part of me is telling me because I'm older I need to sit downand rest.
So far the sit down and rest part is loosing.
 
Plenty of time for sitting and resting when you are dead. Go Walter Go! How will you feel when you do your first back in shape Bruce Lee lighting fast hand move? Imagine how THAT will feel. Better than resting.
 
Hello and welcome to the forums.

Wes just killed it with all those excellent links, definitely should check those out.

Anyways, my best advice is to stay strict to a workout and diet program, diet being the most important.
As time goes on you can look at your progress, and that should be a huge motivation to keep going.

Eat to live, not the other way around.
And remember you can do it. You're still not old, and when significantly overweight you lose it pretty easily.
 
Thanks, I am hoping because I am older that I am more likely to stick to it. But part of me is telling me because I'm older I need to sit downand rest.
So far the sit down and rest part is loosing.

I am 49. I have no time to sit down and rest as I prepare for a 70.3 Ironman Triathlon on April 5. And I am a 2-time cardiac patient and had open heart surgery on April 4, 2008.
 
Mel Def

That reminds me of an old Warren Zevon song “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” But you are right, I will get no where but where I am or worse by sitting.


Wesrman

Thanks for all the links, I will go through them this weekend

As to what type of equipment I have, lots and it has been collecting dust for a while now

Weight Bench (I actually use to use this a lot and as recently as 4 years ago, but it needs to be replaced)
Free Weights: Barbell and dumbbell
A weight machine with cables and plates that I really want to get rid of
A Weight machine that works on resistance via electricity… I think that I also want to get rid of
A Total Gym
A chin up/Dip/Push up station
2 stationary bikes, 1 I really need to get rid of
A Bowflex
A treadmill, the newest acquisition just this past year.
2 heavy bags

My diet I need to work on and I am going to Barnes and Noble this weekend to look for a book or 2 that I think I should read. I have tons of nutrition and diet books but I tend to glaze over in the minute detail and not finish them. Currently I am just trying to eat less and eat more healthy.

A few years back I got the idea that I needed to get back into shape and I jumped in with both feet and tried to workout like I use to and pretty much injured myself out of training anything. By the time it was over my back was hurting again I had knee pain and tore a ligament in my elbow. This time I am starting MUCH lighter and I found a routine in Men’s health that so far I am sticking to and not injuring myself with. It is rather light weight and high rep and I am embarrassed to even post the weights I am using but this is the routine

25 reps
Bench Press – using the bowflex
Chin up – using the bowflex
Dead Lift – Using a barbell

40 reps
Dumbbell single-arm shoulder press
Dumbbell single-arm row
Dumbbell lunge or step-up

15 reps
Barbell bent-over row – Using a barbell
Dip – currently using 2 chairs
Squat – using dumbbells

Time is an issue, I don’t have much, My wife is not overly supportive of the workout but is supportive of the diet so the only time I really have is early morning between about 6:00am and 6:45am. I also have about another 15 to 30 minutes in the evening, sometimes, when she is getting the kids ready for bed. However evening tends to be the time I have to do all those things that need to be done around the house and help her with the kids. I have however signed up for a tai chi class 1 night a week, not what I am use to but then it has been years and it is a start back towards martial arts.

And thanks I am bound to have lots of questions


rideandshoot

Thanks

Motivation has been a problem in the past and when I look back on the time I was in my best shape I had nothing but time to workout and did about 1.5 to 2 hours a day. I was not married, had no children and worked second and third shift so my days were genereally empty for whatever I wanted to do. And although now I am happily married and love my kids and work a regular day job (to sedentary by the way) I have much less time and finding time is sometimes difficult and sometime I do realize it is not there because I am just being lazy and got to comfortable in my chair.

Diet is in need of work but I am working on it. No junk food, even though it is easier at work, I now bring my lunch. And I am trying to eat less as well.

And coincidentally one of the books I am going to buy about food and eating sounds like it is approaching the whole diet thing from a point of view like the one you posted “Eat to live, not the other way around” and I think that is what I need to figure out. Also I need to stop going so long at work that I become ravenous and run out to the pizza place across the street because it is quickest and easiest. Sorry I can’t remember the title of the book at the moment; I will post it later and see if anyone has any opinion of it.


g8r80

All I can say is wow.

I am not worknig for the 70.3 Ironman Triathlon but I will do my best to keep motivated.

Good luck in the Ironman Triathlon
 
hmm.. are you stil alive? does your arm feels like it is about to fall off? I still remember how sore I was when I re-started last year. Unfortanely, it only gets worse after the first week. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, after the 2nd week, the soreness and pain eases off somewhat. After about 1 month, post workout soreness reaches acceptable levels. That is if you workout hard 3-4 times a week after sedetive lifestyle. Good luck man. Remember, weight loss is a lifestyle change and not just a short term ordeal.
 
Update???

Hows it going so far???

I'm still alive and it is going ok now but it wasn't for a bit there.

I got pretty sick then I started getting better but then I got sick again, worse than the first time, and found myself in an ER for sever dehydration.

But I am getting back on track and I am all set to start again.

Thanks for asking.

I have some seraching to do on the site and then I may have more questions
 
hmm.. are you stil alive? does your arm feels like it is about to fall off? I still remember how sore I was when I re-started last year. Unfortanely, it only gets worse after the first week. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, after the 2nd week, the soreness and pain eases off somewhat. After about 1 month, post workout soreness reaches acceptable levels. That is if you workout hard 3-4 times a week after sedetive lifestyle. Good luck man. Remember, weight loss is a lifestyle change and not just a short term ordeal.

Still alive and to be honest today I am just happy I can breathe and not hurt but that has nothing to do with training most unfortunately.

I am all set to get back to the workout, did a bit yesterday morning and last night to see if I was functional or not yet and today I am not doing to bad so I am back at it I guess and happy to be able to start again.
 
Walter, I am so proud of you. It is such a struggle to make new things a habit and priority so the fact that you are hanging in there is GREAT. You are an inspiration to me. Even though I feel in my heart I wouldn't stop training and doing what I do, it is still hard at times to keep my goal and disipline on the path.

So many things can distract us but keep keeping on. It is so worth it. Take pictures along the way. I know I may seem vain but keeping records of me at my best keeps me going and also gets me back on track when I falter. I am cheering for you!
 
To avoid getting sick try easing into the routine instead of going full out right away. Then up the intensity as you get used to it. Also try eating more fruits and veggies and taking vitamins.
 
Thanks

I started Tony Horton’s 10 minute trainer this morning and I actually made it through the 10 minute cardio :action8:. However it proved to be a great example of how out of shape I am, but it is only the beginning and I have a long way to go.

And although I absolutely do not recommend Gastroenteritis as a diet plan on the up side I lost 7 pounds from it, I was 273 and I am now 266
 
Back
Top