Its time for me to change

S

shaunbaird

0
Hi, I am 35 year old male, in the UK weighing 15 stone 2 pounds (212 pounds) and I am 5 foot 2 inches tall - about 60 pounds overweight.

When I was in my twenties I ran half marathons, did martial arts and was fit and healthy, but always had a belly on me.

These days I do nothing, My job is outdoors and very active, but at home I'm on the PC every night, drinking 2-4 cans of beer, eating all sorts of very bad food, Im ashamed to say.

My problems - I can sometimes motivate myself to start a diet, but keeping the momentum going is VERY hard for me, and this is what always knocks me back.. I have joined diet clubs and lost over 30 pounds in the past but always put it back on, and more.

As I stand right now, I am not motivated, but want to be - I'd absolutely love a chiselled look, being small my proportions need to be important - I just look like a small fat blob!

Money is tight so I cant afford a gym membership, but might be able to stretch to some dumb bells - I am fine to go running if needs be.

Im afraid to start, because after 1 day Im hungry and nasty/grumpy/miserable to others.

I'd love to have that "fire in me" to do this.. part of me thinks I should find a fit buddy to get fit with - anyway, otherwise, I am just saying hello, introducing me, hoping that somehow this might be the start of a new me.. although not sure.

gulp, here are 3 pictures of me at the start (today!) overweight) - Im keen to lose 60 pounds, tighten up my body, feel healthy and fit, regain my place in the bedroom(confined to a spare room as I snore!) and see some good definition in my body muscles.
Ive also gained stretch marks and get more aches and pains these days..





Im not sure what Im asking of you, maybe support, advice, or a good kick up the rear, just need to make it work...:eek:
Shaun
 
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OK, Im gonna increase my post count so I can show my photo's.. back soon with images!
 
Welcome my friend! Since you posted on my diary, I'm posting on yours, it's only fair! :)

First off, by no means am I an expert. I have lost 30lbs since Feb (or so) 2006 and have managed to keep it off. For a bit now I have been back to eating crap and not working out, I was out of the mindset that I WAS GOING TO BE THIN. So, that mindset is back, and I'm back to this site to help keep me on point.

Here are a few things I have learned so far:

Sites like this help a ton.
Reading up on nutrition via fitness mags, online postings, this site, also help a ton. I find that the more I keep health and nutrition on the brain, the better I am at keeping myself in control.
It's not all or nothing, every step counts, and you have to walk before you can run.

Here are a few things I noticed about your post:

You say that "these days you do nothing" but then you follow it with "your job is outdoors and very active". What do you do for a living? If you have a very active job, then that's probably a plus, you probably burn a good amount of calories in a day then. The problem may be that you aren't eating enough or often enough, or you're eating the wrong, high calorie crap. That sounds like me!

Read this, it helps: John Berardi - 7 Rules

It sounds like you are motivated, you are here and you posted a message, right? DO NOT let yourself be a victim, you are in control brotha!

You don't need a gym membership to lose weight. You don't even need weights to get started. Just start running, sweating, doing something for 30 minutes per day at least. You want to sweat for 30 solid minutes as often as possible per week. Running/jogging is awesome. Try intervals, run/jog for 3 minutes, walk for 2, for 30 min. Intervals work great, you can find tons of info about interval training on the web.

Guess what! I'm also a gamer, I spend hours upon hours at my PC at times, playing World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, etc etc. They key I found was that when I played games that much (or spent that amount of time at my pc) I wasn't eating properly, I was going for long periods of time not eating, then I would eat garbage (drumsticks, hot dogs, etc), anything FAST, so I could get back to the game. Eat every 2-3 hours, properly, and you will break this problem.

Post, post, post. In my mind, I need this site. I need to be able to log what I eat, how i feel, what I weigh, etc. Even if nobody reads it, it's still nice to have, it keeps me in-check so to speak.

Remember, I'm no expert, just offering some help to a fellow fat brother! Together we can all get skinny.

Feel free to add me to your messenger if you would like someone on IM to chat with. Santropez@gmail.com on MSN Messenger.
 
Thanks Tropaz! I agree, and believe you - keeping it "in your mind" at all times, i.e. focus on it does seem to work - he he I havent even officially started yet - I am sort of having my "last beer" tonight with a view to getting going tomorrow!

I wish we could get fit and still enjoy beer.. oh well.. when Im closer, I can use it as an incentive and moderate it.. ok ok Im getting ahead, but seriously THANKS for your very detailed reply... I got some work to do on this now :) - I dont use MSN much, but if Im feeling low Ill add you and send you a message - thanks!

Shaun
 
I would bet there are tons of fit people who still enjoy beer. They key is they probably don't drink an entire six. Enjoy it, just keep it in moderation, just like everything, and you will win. Also, I would be willing to guess that your beer tonight will probably not stop at 1, or even 2, that may be the culprit!

I hope you make it a light beer! LOL

:beerchug:
 
Forgot to reply, my job is dealing with peoples grass/lawns - yep... I feed and weed their precious lawns, so Im on my feet all the day.. when I first started the job I lost 3 to 4 pounds a week with no diet, but then it stabilised - the winter work is heavier going so, in about 2 months we begin the heavy winter work(even though its not winter..!) so it might help

Ive a feeling that just cutting down on the crap will shift some weight for a few weks but after that Im gonna ahve to get seriously focussed like everyone else in here and "plan" - might be worth me doing it sooner rather than later - ok, better go start planning.. come on shauny boy!
 
ok... Im going to bed now (11.45pm) and even though I havent yet worked out a plan or routine (feel free to help me decide how many calories I should eat, what foods etc etc etc) Im "attempting" to get up at 6:15 in the morning and go for an active walk or jog (and yep, Ive just finished drinking a few beers so I must be MAD)... I figure that if I absorb myself here in this forum all the time I might just get through the other side... a glimmer of hope - night all, and goodnight journal...
 
Shaun, you CAN do it when you put your mind to it and focus on the goal. I was a fat tax lady coming in at 270 lbs, and with the help of people on this site, and working REALLY hard with my GOAL in mind, I have so far been able to lose over 65 lbs. I still have a way to go, but I am more focused than ever on getting there.

Every mile begins with the first step--you just need to get on the path and make it a priority to achieve your goals--you CAN do it!

Good luck--I am here for you if you need help, encouragement, or a good ass-kickin'! :)
 
Greenhorn, way to go sister, I bet your gettin' hawt! ;)

shaun, if you have that type of job, and you are keeping that active, it has to be the diet bro. If I were you, I would start out with the diet. You need to eat often, and the right stuff, or, if you don't eat, your body packs it on thinking it's winter and you are starving it due to lack of food (think a bear in a cave at winter). Your no bear bro, you a man! LOL

Seriously, clean up your diet, eat every 3 hours starting when you wake up and eat breakfast (don't skip it, trust me). Also, drink a good amount of water, stay off the sodas (even diet), flush yo **** out homie!

We are at about the same phase, you are starting fresh, I'm returning, together we got this.
 
Shaun, no "wallowing" allowed!! You are not a victim!! It takes discipline, will power and not waiting for tomorrow. You have to get serious about this for your own good. Snoring to the point that you need to sleep in the spare room? Shaun, get healthy man!! Do it for health first and the chiseled part is the bonus. You need to have a plan of action...small goals. Track everything you put in your mouth, seriously this works. Take responsibility Shaun and you will be healthier, smaller, chiseled even and definitely happier. Good luck Shaun and sorry I was hard on you but I know you can do this if you put your mind to it!! Keep us posted that's what this is all about. By the way I'm a personal trainer if you have questions feel free to ask.
 
I was 240, who knows how high of a body fat, but I could sinch myself into a 46 inch waiste. Sitting in the couch watching a marathon finish, I caught a vision.. I wanted to finish a marathon.

It took me a few years to do, but I did it. now, many years later, I live a fitness way of life.

my journal is flyinfree and Derwyddon, before that is was "Performance is not enough" - both of those are in the journal section. In the photo gallery you can find my thread "FF headed to ironman, and see my rpogress photos over the last 2 years.

I tell you all that to tell you this-

you have now come to a point where you KNOW, you can do it. I am a hack, advanst in dumb, jackass soert of a dude!

YOUI CAN DO IT TOO!

you came and posted pics and all that- R.E.S.P.E.C.T>.

here are a few items I believe are key-

1. flax seed every morning- get good fat in, and keeps ya nice a regular
2. a gallon of water a day- get a gallon jug and finish it every day
3. sweat daily! a single sweat bead is the catalyst

good luck man

It takes gonads (bullox) to step up and get better.

Sweat Daily
FF
 
/\/\/\/\ BEST ADVICE! Track every calorie, there is a reason the government requires they are listed on all packaging. You NEED to take care of yourself.
 
WOAH! Now I am up for it.. so YES I gonna "get startd" for real TODAY.... even with a clear head :beerchug:

I ralised I genuinely don't have time this morning for exercise but I do this afternoon, so Im gonna put some time in later, but today Im gonna start on the diet.
It IS my diet, yes indeed... I must eat 4 slices of toast every morning oozing with butter and a mug of Tea (skimmed milk).. I think what Im gonna do is start writing down in here everything that goes IN and try to list calories etc.

Im guessing the best way is to monitor things, see how much comes off and work out my own calorie intake from that. I'll look for guidelines though first.

THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR MESSAGE - I feel like Ive got that "kick up the rear" to get me going!

Today there will not be 4 slices of toast - maybe 2, or even cereal... Im gonna have to try and battle the will to make this work.. Im gonna use this journal like its a brain dump I reckon.. I think I will weigh myself again on Monday... later I'll try to get some measurements.
Cheers guys - better re-read all the comments again! This is the most motivated Ive felt for a while so it must be working!

Shaun
 
Today's breakfast - 2 slices of white toast 98kcal per slice - so I guess that means 188 calories.
Then there was about 2 teaspoons of spread per slice of toast, based on a 5ml spoon being the same as 5grams, I equate this to being 10 grams per slice, at 73kcal per slice, so a further 146 calories.

Breakfast was thus 146 calories + 188 calories = 334 calories. Half my normal amount of food so I will try to eat something ina few hours, but today is awkward as Im in a meeting all morning, so I might have to fill out on a mug of tea or coffeee, or even water - wahay.. Im drinking about 300 ml of water this morning with my breakfast

I equate this 300 ml glass to 0.079 gallons - so I need to drink about 12 glasses of day to get to a gallon - does this seem right - feels like a lot.
 
I think for a diet and for losing weight you should follow a strict plan. I got the below from my boss who used to be a BIG guy, now he's married and a bum, lol. Anyways, here's the 7-Day plan.

---
While health experts offer an endless array of weight-loss methods, these plans often take time and, being impatient, we lose hope. Now a new short-term eating plan may help people who are overweight to kick-start their weight loss.

Below you will find the recipe and seven-day eating plan for stage one of the Kick-Start Soup Diet. At the bottom of the page you will find links to the complete Kick-Start plan.



The Kick-Start Soup Diet recipe
(Makes enough for one person for two days.)
INGREDIENTS
• 3 tomatoes
• 2 large cans of crushed tomatoes
• 2 cans of liquid stock (beef, chicken or vegetable)
• 2 cups of water
• 1 packet of vegetable or French onion dry soup powder
• 1 bunch spring onions
• 1 bunch of celery, including leaves
• 2 cups of green beans
• 3 green capsicums
• 1kg carrots
• 2 stock cubes (chicken, beef or vegie)

METHOD

1. Chop all the vegies into small pieces and put them
in a big pot with the remaining ingredients.
2. Add salt and pepper (not too much salt).
3. Boil rapidly for two minutes and simmer until it's
nice and tender.
4. If you want it thinner, add a bit more water.

Have as much of the soup as you want, whenever you want.

Seven-day eating plan

The quantities recommended are per day.

Avoid toast and cereal for breakfast while on this plan. Stick with the recommended foods for each day.

You should only follow this seven-day eating plan for a maximum of three times in six months.

• DAY 1. SOUP AND FRUIT: Eat any fruit except bananas because they are high in kilojoules. Eat as much as you want. If you don't want soup for breakfast have a fruit salad instead.

• DAY 2. SOUP AND VEGIES, NO FRUIT: Eat as much fresh, raw or lightly steamed vegies as you like. Leafy greens are great but avoid peas, corn and beans as they are high in sugar. Reward yourself at night with a jacket potato, a little butter or better still, some yoghurt.

• DAY 3. SOUP, VEGIES AND FRUIT: Eat all you want but no potatoes.

• DAY 4. SOUP AND BANANA SMOOTHIES: Make a banana smoothie with low-fat or skim milk - it's a great source of potassium. Have a maximum of three large bananas per day.

• DAY 5. SOUP, BEEF AND TOMATOES: Eat a piece of lean beef or a skinless breast of chicken no bigger than a deck of cards with six luscious tomatoes. Vegetarians can substitute tofu. These quantities are per day. You can go easy on the soup today.

• DAY 6. SOUP, BEEF AND VEGIES: Eat plenty of beef (or skinless chicken or fish) and vegies today. Again, vegetarians can substitute tofu. You mightn't need soup as much but your body will tell you. No potatoes.

• DAY 7. SOUP, BROWN RICE, VEGIES AND FRUIT JUICE: You might need more soup today.

Remember: do not eat any bread, fried foods or oil on the seven-day plan.

Drinks

• While on the plan, do not have any soft drinks or alcohol.
• You can drink unsweetened fruit juice or cranberry juice; black, green or herbal tea (you can have skim milk with black tea); coffee; skim milk and plenty of water - six to eight glasses a day.

Side effects

• Because you're not consuming many carbohydrates, some may find the glucose in their bloodstream becomes too low, causing hypoglycaemia.
• This can cause a range of symptoms, such as headache, sweatiness, anxiety, irritability and drowsiness.
• Don't worry, it might sound awful but it's easily fixed.
• Have a sandwich with whole-grain bread, a slice of low-fat cheese and a bit of ham but no butter or margarine. Vegetarians can try a low-fat cheese and tomato sandwich. But only have a maximum of one sandwich per day.
• If these symptoms occur repeatedly consult your doctor.
Click to expand...

Hope the read helps, it's no use for me because I don't want to lose that much!
 
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shaunbaird said:
Today's breakfast - 2 slices of white toast 98kcal per slice - so I guess that means 188 calories.
Then there was about 2 teaspoons of spread per slice of toast, based on a 5ml spoon being the same as 5grams, I equate this to being 10 grams per slice, at 73kcal per slice, so a further 146 calories.

Breakfast was thus 146 calories + 188 calories = 334 calories. Half my normal amount of food so I will try to eat something ina few hours, but today is awkward as Im in a meeting all morning, so I might have to fill out on a mug of tea or coffeee, or even water - wahay.. Im drinking about 300 ml of water this morning with my breakfast

I equate this 300 ml glass to 0.079 gallons - so I need to drink about 12 glasses of day to get to a gallon - does this seem right - feels like a lot.
Click to expand...

Drop the white breads of any nature, switch to whole wheat, it's empty calories and your body gets nothing good from it. Also, you had no protein in that mix. Just toast and spread? You need more food but better foods. The toast was a waste (since it was white bread) and you don't get anything from the spread except calories.

Tea isn't bad as long as it's sugar free, try green tea.
Coffee isn't that bad either, just watch the sugar and creams.
Drink your ass off when it comes to water, don't worry about getting too much of the clear stuff!

I would grab some fruit or a protein bar (not an "energy bar", make sure it has very low sugar and high protein) to keep with you for days like today when you are trapped in a meeting. You don't want to leave that meeting, be starving, then hit the buffet.

Good luck b-ra.
 
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Thanks Riv, very informative, and I would give it a go, but Im what youcall a "fussy eater" - I dont like tomatoes, but THANKS!!!

Thanks Tropez for the additional info - I feel I could actually do this in here!
Im gonna go buy some wholewheat bread to replace the white bread... Ill look for some suitable breakfast proteins.. I need to get more informed, so got some reading to do..

I had no mid-day snacks, apart from 2 cups of black coffeee, one with 1 teaspooon of sugar(5ml)

Plus 2 glasses of water.

Lunch

1 tin of tuna - 155 cals
1 jackept potatoe - 150 cals approx
serving of carrots - 25 cals

Total 330 cals for lunch(plus 334 for breakfast) so Im definitely within target..
s
 
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