Paul's Ray Of Hope

[phsearle]

I have thought long and hard about whether to do this or not. I did not want to do a hey look at me thing. However I have seen a few posts lately about WHAT DO I DO? Well I don;t know what to do but I know what i did and here it is. I hope this provides some hope and a road map to the guys who need a plan but don;t want to speak up. Boys there is hope !

First off i was always a sporty type, played golf, tennis, football and cricket. I weighted about 85kg (187lb) in 1996 when I came to the USA.

Well through a combination of too much booze, bad eating and no exercise i got up to 131kg (287.4) my cholestorol, triglycerides and blood pressure were off the charts. I woke up one morning and said I can't do this anymore I have to make a change.

So the first thing I did was just got some light exercise I walked about 2 hours a day and took about 8000-12000 steps (invest in a pedometer they are cheap and an easy way to see progress). I DID NOT change my diet or anything else just walked.

From June 1 to Sep 23 I lost 15 pounds (7kg)

So at that date I looked at myself and said this is good but I can do better and this is where decisions HAD TO BE MADE.

First I cut out Alcohol completely and joined AA (happy to say I am still booze free)
Second I cut out junk food and started eating 5 times a day
Third I joined a gym ($9 a month)

This is where commitment set in if I was going to lose the weight I had to be strong.

It was fall and the wather was still good so I still did my walking and low and behold by Christmas I was down to 245 pounds (110kg) I was stoked.

So onward and upward but then winter hit and motivation waned. I also changed jobs and now work at a Pizza Company. So we are now at January 13 I am 235 pounds (106kg). My aim is 200 pounds (90kg).

I am now trying to refine my workouts and stay on diet whilst working at Dominos. Stay tuned for more.

I will finish this post by saying......I am no hero.....nothing I have done is overly taxing or burdensome. You just have to want it. There is hope, if you want to lose the wight and I mean REALLY want to lose the weight you can do it.

[Nokie173]

First I cut out Alcohol completely and joined AA (happy to say I am still booze free)
Second I cut out junk food and started eating 5 times a day
Third I joined a gym ($9 a month)

Those are great changes... What are you eating now? and what kind of workout are you doing?

So onward and upward but then winter hit and motivation waned. I also changed jobs and now work at a Pizza Company. So we are now at January 13 I am 235 pounds (106kg). My aim is 200 pounds (90kg)

Only 35lbs more... You can DO IT!!! Keep us posted...

[phsearle]

First I cut out Alcohol completely and joined AA (happy to say I am still booze free)
Second I cut out junk food and started eating 5 times a day
Third I joined a gym ($9 a month)

Those are great changes... What are you eating now? and what kind of workout are you doing?

either a protein shake (soy milk, whey protein, egg whites and fruit) or protein plus special k with whey protein and soy milk for breakfast
whey protein and soy milk for a snack
meat, low fat cheese, egg, salad sandwiches for lunch
whey protein and diet ocean spray juice (2 carb/2 TS) after w/o
normal dinner
whey protein and soy milk before bed

as for w/o

I have chopped and changed so many times but presently full body 4 times per week with cardio at the start, the end and between rotations

So onward and upward but then winter hit and motivation waned. I also changed jobs and now work at a Pizza Company. So we are now at January 13 I am 235 pounds (106kg). My aim is 200 pounds (90kg)

Only 35lbs more... You can DO IT!!! Keep us posted...

well 50 down so the worst is behind me

ALSO AND THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT

Drink HEAPS of water....not soda, not full juice, not beer or wine but water. If water aint your thing add some frsh lemon juice or lime juice but drink at least a gallon of water a day to flush out your system

[phsearle]

Bummer huh Not even wine or liquor

[Nokie173]

Bummer huh Not even wine or liquor

No comments!

either a protein shake (soy milk, whey protein, egg whites and fruit) or protein plus special k with whey protein and soy milk for breakfast
whey protein and soy milk for a snack
meat, low fat cheese, egg, salad sandwiches for lunch
whey protein and diet ocean spray juice (2 carb/2 TS) after w/o
normal dinner
whey protein and soy milk before bed

Uhhh.... how many times do you drink your protein shake in a day?? It seems like a lot.... (to me at least...)

[phsearle]

I guess the simple answer is that it is quick and easy. I make 4 in the morning put them in bottles and there they are ready to go

[Nokie173]

Make sure to try to eat your solid protein too instead of just drinking it. Grilled chicken in a container is easy and quick. Deli meat in a bag is quick, String cheese is quick. Almond or mix nuts is quick. Oh… and I noticed… not enough veggies… Just something I noticed…

[phsearle]

I hate veges lol

[phsearle]

In the interests of full disclosure

1. I am allergic to marine life
2. I need to keep my sugars low (high triglycerides)
3. I am basically lazy (measure as little as possible)
4. I am on a tight budget (4 kids)

So basically 4 lots of whey and milk per day

34 proteins
less than 3 fat
less that 20 sugar
less than 50 carbs
less than $4.00 for the whole thing
8oz plus 1 scoop easy to measure and record
Easily accesible
With so few fat and sugar it gives me some wiggle room for lunch and dinner

So that's why I do it.

Anyone reading this for the diet angle......this is my little cheat. What Nokie says is tchnically more correct if that helps any.

[phsearle]

I was just kidding.......I have salad on my sandwiches and veges with dinner when I'm not working.

[phsearle]

Ok so now down to 230

working out at the gym Mon, Wed, Fri (Full body w/ cardio) and on the WII fit Tue and Thu

I have found I am able to eat "normally" now ie real food......I love it. I still watch the fats, catrbs and sugars but I have got used to cooking within these parameters and can make some pretty good stuff.

Logging my food has become redundant I can pretty much eyeball what I am eating and know if it is Ok or not.

200 here I come !

[Nokie173]

Goof job man.. Keep it up, you can do it!
Just make sure to add some more of your veggies!!
I have increase it for my meals and it helps a lot!!!!

[phsearle]

True......seems salds are the choice du jour.........work nights are the hard ones I have no microwave at work and generally grab 2 pieces of pizza betweem runs......what is on it is up to the gods. So I am sort of in a bit of a spot 4 nights a week.

But as far as wight goes 220 is th next checkpoint as that is 100kg then 200lbs then 180lbs if I can maintain 180lbs for 1 year I may look into bcoming a personal trainer. Thankfully I kept my fat pants and fat photos.

[musculargirl]

Good for you Paul for keeping at it. How do you like the WI Fit? I'm sure you will get to your goal!

[phsearle]

WII fit plus is good for a low key workout between hard gym days. I don;t think it would work as a stand alone program but as an off day companion it is pretty cool.