Born Again 44 Year Old

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Plant_Op

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I've been lurking here for several weeks - picked up lots of good info, but maybe its time to break the ice and introduce myself.

I'm a 44 year old family bloke in the UK. Until recently, I had never been near to a gym in my life, didn't like sports, never ran, ate lots of junk food and drank even more beer. I had a double chin, man boobs, beer gut, and got out of breath climbing stairs. Its a familiar story - one day, it finally sunk in, I was heading for an early grave, and it wasn't fair on my wife and kids. Oh, about the same time, I bought a dog - a husky puppy. Funny thing is, that dog, and the need to exercise him, sort of acted as the trigger.

So about five months ago, for the first time in my life, I started eating healthy foods - reading about nutrition, and started walking the dog so to speak. In that period, I have transformed. I lost 47 pounds in weight, my doctor has given me a good health pass (blood pressure, cholestrol, heart rate etc), I am now an enthusiastic member of a gym, I enjoy running (treadmill and cross country), and a bit of swimming and cycling - and walking the dog of course...

I use the gym at least four times per week - I alternate between strength training and cardio sessions. I suffer from bad backs, and so far, I have restricted myself to weight machines only - I'm scared that I'm such a n00b for free weights that I could hurt my back and make a fool of myself! Still, its early days. Although I lost that weight, I still have more excess body fat around my torso than I would like - but I stopped cutting for now, because I want to build up muscle bulk before I start cutting again - I was getting wimpy with the fast weight loss. I'm presently eating lots of small meals - usually starting with porridge oats for breakfast, and I have recently increased my animal protein intake - I'm lucky - I LOVE low fat cottage cheese!

So there you go - maybe its not too late, I'm a born again 44 year old fitness enthusiast! Pleased to meet you...
 
Welcome to the Forum Plant Op, officially! :p
 
Thanks Simbl78!

I have been posting to the Weight-Loss forum for a few months (as Trojan_Llama), and kept an online diary there - but as weight loss isn't my goal anymore, and I seem to be lurking here more and more, I thought maybe it was time that I moved house.

I'll have to sort out a photo sometime - I really need some new photos, is my before and after weight-loss piccy. I don't like that photo though - it makes me look ill.

I just want to see how much fitter I can get now - and maintain what I have gained so far.
 
Great Job

Great Job!! It doesnt matter how long it took you to make the decision what matters is that you did. Welocome:p
 
Thank - its a pleasure to meet you all. I would like to say to anyone reading this, who is living badly, and has done for years (thats a lot of people these days - just look around), that its not too late, its not always hard, and IT IS WORTH IT!

I could have put up obstacles - I don't have time, I work shifts - I can't live healthy, I'm an asthmatic - have been since I was a kid, I'm genetically prone to be apple shaped - its in the family history, I suffer from bad backs, etc - but I just decided to do it instead!

I feel so much better! When I was fat, I suffered from terrible indigestion - almost every day. I used to drink Gaviscon from the bottle, and carry a pack of Rennies with me at all times. Well, I haven't had a touch of heartburn / indigestion for five months now! I used to get out of breath so easy - now I love the challenge of stairs - working in a power station, there are plenty of them. My face feels so much better, I have a better posture - I walk with my head up. My skin feels better - my legs feel lean. I sleep better, I don't wake up gasping for breath. I feel more confident - I feel the bees knees at for example, interviews (next target - get a better healthier job). I play with kids more. Walking the dog and going to the gym, I meet more people - sober people!

So my message to others thinking about starting a new lifestyle - grab the moment and start living!
 
Wow Plant Op! I can definetly see the progress. Great Job!
And thanks for sharing how it changed your life....very inspirational!
 
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man that husky puppy saved your fruitcake life!! You should buy it a new dog bowl or collar or better yet, a FEMALE companion (get its FREAKKK ONNNN YEEEEEE)!! hahah or if it's a female dog, a male companion. If you guys have puppies, send me a puppy i always wanted a husky puppy too.

:D

congrats!!
 
Yes, a medic did suggest that the dog may have given me several years extra (as long as I keep it up). A female companion wouldn't do him a lot of good as, I ... er had him sorted out down below ;) He is a real handful - huskies are great for fitness - they don't let you sit down too long - but can be so bad ... ;) He gets plenty of exercise - thats his payback, we keep each other fit. I also have a goal for next year - when he is old enough to compete, we are going to run at a .
 
I know hwere you are coming from!

Welcome!
I do know here you are coming from, and I want to let you know the road ahead is worth it! In my case, 50yrs old, 2 1/2yrs of work, 90 lbs down, health up, life is good, stay at it! Oh, I walk two dogs (pit bull and an akita), row, and lift. After many ups and downs, it is coming together as we speak! :)
 
Plant Op!! WOW!! Very inspirational story/pics.....Great job Dude...Keep it up! :)
 
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