Page Title

Introduction Text Hello. I am 52 (now 53) and have been overweight (reality, I'm obese based on my BMI) for a number of years. I joined SparkPeople in September, 2006, but really didn't get serious about losing weight until February, 2007. My wife, BeachBlonde, has really been an inspiration for me through the results she has achieved. She has motivated me to finally tackle my weight issues. On 2/15/2007, I weighed 285 lbs and was wearing a size 46. I'd gained 50 lbs over the last 12 years through really poor nutrition and lack of consistent exercise. Fortunately, my blood chemistry results have always been excellent. Good genes I guess. I reached a point in my life where I had enough of being "really" fat. Being brutally honest with myself was the first step (as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words) towards making meaningful changes in my lifestyle. 6/30/2007: I now weigh 240 lbs and wearing a size 42, working towards size 40. My loss of 45 lbs so far is something I'm proud of accomplishing in 4 1/2 months. I've worked my tail off to achieve these results on my own. This is the most determined I have ever been about losing weight in my life. My results are motivating me to keep going. 9/30/2007: Whoa... I've accomplished goal #2, to get to 225 lbs. I haven't been at this weight since the mid 1990's. I've now lost 60 lbs so far in 7 1/2 months. Wearing size 38 shorts now. I've got 40 lbs to go. The weight isn't coming off as quick as it use to. I've added more strength training which may account for some of this. Feels great to wear semi-normal clothing again. 12/31/2007: The Bad: I didn't loose any weight this entire quarter. The Good: I didn't put any weight back on. The Fantastic: I ran my first 5K race and a Sprint Triathlon (1/4 mile ocean swim, 10 mile bike and a 5K) race this quarter. Never thought I would ever do this in my life given how I looked in the top picture back in December, 2006. This quarter I did a lot more weight training than cardio. Despite not losing any weight I took another 2 inches off my waist. Replacing fat with muscle, a good thing. Want to jump start my weight losing again so I'm going to focus heavily on the cardio again for the next quarter. Lost 60 lbs and 10 inches off my waist in 2007. Six weeks to go in my 1 year journey. 2/15/2008: I can't believe 1 year has gone by already since I started this journey. Didn't lose 100 lbs but I lost 65 lbs and 11 inches off my waist. This is the lowest I've weighed since the early 1990's. Can't wear a size 34 yet but can get into it. Went from size 46 to 36. Went from XL to L. Ran two 5K's and one Sprint Triathlon in the last year. I feel great about what I've accomplished. Doing things I never thought I would ever be able to do. I'm more determined now than ever to achieve my goal. It's just going to take 6 months longer. Anybody who reads this; stay focused, determined and don't lose site of your goals. Be committed... you are 100% responsible. You CAN achieve them! 3/31/2008: Still at 220. Didn't lose any weight this quarter. I've kept the weight off 6 months now. Started to let my calorie count creep back up. I'm really frustrated I can't lose any more weight. I've re-done my plan and am approaching the next 3 months as though I'm starting fresh and from ground zero. 6/30/2008: LIFE GOAL: to loose 100 lbs in 18 months. Goal date is 6/30/2008 to be at 185 lbs and wearing size 34 pants.

My official weigh-in days are the 1st and 15th of each month. Goal #1: Reach 250 lbs Accomplished: 6/07/2007 Goal #2: Reach 225 lbs Accomplished: 9/30/2007 Goal #3: Reach 200 lbs Accomplished: Goal #4: Reach 185 lbs Accomplished:

I approached this as a 1 year journey. I wasn't looking to diet. I wanted to make meaningful lifestyle changes. The first 6 weeks I started with cardio (treadmill; 6 days a week, 2x each day) and worked up to 60-90 minutes. Didn't change my eating habits but started tracking my calories. Surprise... I was eating between 3500 - 4500 calories a day. Even without changing my eating habits I started losing weight because of the intense cardio. The next 6 weeks I started reducing my calories while maintaining my cardio program but only worked out once a day. By the end of that 6 weeks, I was down to 1700 - 2000 calories a day. With 12 weeks behind me and an action plan in place the weight really started coming off. I stayed focused on my nutrition and cardio and added some variety by incorporating the elliptical machine, walking, biking, swimming and basketball sprints into my routine. Also added strength training. After 7 1/2 months, lost 60 lbs and 8 inches off my waist.

Financial Advisor Tampa, FL



Add a Link
Save Changes