Dude! What's Up?

Hey - this is a post for the guys out there.  I've made the choice, I'm losing the weight.  I'm a 33 year old dad who is 227 (started at 233) and am determined to lose the weight. 

I work a lot of hours and am full time with the kids and wife which have been excuses in the past to not be mindful of the weight but screw it!  I'm doing it this time.

If you want to come along for the ride let's go...

I've lost 3 kilos (6 lbs) already and am aiming high so if you want to join me in the journey I'd love to have you.  I'm here for the long run man.

Hey - of course ladies are always welcome too ;)

I know that finding time to exercise is hard with kids, but maybe you should give a bit more thought to the definition of the word exercise.  It is moving around and getting your heart rate up for a while.  Yes, an actual workout at a gym is also nice, but you can do a lot WITH kids. 

You can dance in the house.  You can play ball with them in the yard.  You can go to the park with them (no sitting on the bench and watching).  Kids love to run.  They love to move.  We lose that at some point, so we need to try to get it back.  Instead of some structured workout, just try to keep up with the kids in an active setting.  Trust me, you will burn a lot of calories.

That's all well and good and I do play with my kids as much as I can but when I'm at work from 8 until 7 or 10 I don't exactly have time to take them to the park every day.  They are still little so they go to bed early.  Plus it's over 45 C all summer where I live (Bahrain) which kinda reduces the opportunities for outside activities and there are not really good or safe parks either.  That being said I do activities with my kids when I can.

Anyway, not really the point of this post but thanks for your opinion.

Hi gdavis,

I'm like you.  I have a wife and child, work and responsibilities.  With all the demands of everyday life, it's easy to come up with lots of reasons why you can't focus on your health.  But really, your health is one of the best gifts you can give to your family.

I started watching what I eat on June 6 at 220 lb.  I am now 189 lb.  Mainly I just watch my diet and I ride my bike or go for a walk daily.  I also live in a desert and it's too hot to go out in the daytime, but at night it is fine.  Keep up the good work and motivation.  I'm sure you will reach your goals.

Cheers

Count me in.  Here's a little bit about myself.  I'm turning 47 on Sunday.  I'm a little further along on my journey than you are.  I started with CC on August 1st at 197lbs.  I'm currently at 164lbs which is 4lbs away from my second goal.  My first goal, which I hit, was to be at 175lbs for a 10 mile 9/11 hike up Mt. Lafayette which is in the White Mountains of NH (USA).  I have two boys ages 13 and 16.  Both are active and they keep me active.  The youngest plays football and makes me do a lot of his excercises at home when we watch TV.  The other encourages me to go swimming with him as he's on the high school swim team.  My end goal is to be at my normal BMI by the spring. 

Here are some of my secrets to success.  I use CC religiously entering food, activity and weight daily.  I only weigh myself in the morning.  I drink 100oz of water a day.  I gave up coffee, salt, sugar, soda and most processed food.  I stay true to the food pyramid so I'm getting all the right things EVERY DAY.  Yes, I'm a little obsessed.  I too work long long hours.  I get to the gym almost every day and on the days I can't, I make sure I do at least a 30 minute walk.  I make sure I get 7 hours of sleep every day. 

Hope to hear back, Alan.     

Thanks Wrentham and Halak I'll add you as friends here.  It's helpful I think to have someone other than yourself and your wife to talk to and help keep you on track.

I've just had a hernia operation to fix a hernia on both sides and am back to the gym in 2 weeks from today for at least some light/moderate exercise (no weights for another 2 1/2 months).

I'm keeping track of my calories and writing down everything I eat also.  I'm not as hard core as you are Wrentham but am keeping a close watch on my intake and making sure to keep it healthy with a good mix of stuff.

Thanks for the support, I look forward to being as far along as you guys.  It's just a matter of time.

Hey man. First off...congrats on making that decision to get healthy and get that extra weight off. You and I are a lot a like in this journey.

I started the last week in Oct and now have literally MADE the time directly after work to hit the gym for 5 days a week (thanks to 24hour fitness). At 40 (41 in Jan) I started out at 230 and have lost 5lbs and am seeing some toning going on. This is the best motivation to keep me going.

You do work some crazy hours, but I am finding that if you cant get that much needed exercise in, make sure you are following your daily recommend calories and keep them intact! Also check this site out "http://www.military.com/military-fitness/work outs/office-workout" this should give you some helpful tips on catching a quick workout that you can do right at your desk. In time you can add some ankle and wrist weights (if available to you).

We men have to stick together , so feel free to hit me up anytime and would be more the happy to send some motivation and support your way.

Good luck to you and you family.

Art

Hey - thanks Art.  I appreciate the support.  Yea, it's a bit hard to get to the gym but I'm trying to make it as often as possible.  I don't want to go right after work because I would never see my kids then.  I am lucky to get in a couple hours before their bed time as it is since they go to bed early.  I am working on it though. 

Thanks for the site about working out in the office.  Those look like some good ideas and I've not really thought about that option before.  Looks good for handling stress too.

Yea, us guys have our own unique needs for weight loss and exercise.

I'm down 6 kilos so far in 6 weeks (that's 13 pounds).  Not too bad and I'm noticing the difference.

Good luck to you and your family too.

Hello Garth and Art,

We made it.  It's Friday (the 13th) here in the US and the weekend is upon us. 

All my focus is on my sons football game this weekend.  They are the #2 ranked Pee Wee team in New England and they are playing the #1 ranked team on Sunday.  Man I hope they win.

Art, welcome to the group.  I'll add you as a friend when I get home.  We can't access Facebook at work.  Like Garth, I think we have a lot in common too. 

Enjoy your weekend,
Alan.

Hey Alan,

Thanks for the welcome...good luck with the game this weekend.

Hey Fellows - good luck too with the game.  It's Sunday tomorrow for me and back to work here in Bahrain.  Sad how quick the weekend goes.  On the plus side it's easier to keep to the routine during the week.  Hope you both have a good rest of you weekend.

Hello Guys, it's Monday and I might as well get this over with.  My son's team lost 12-8 in a grueling game on Sunday.  We scored first and dominated the possesion for most of the game, but it was just not meant to be.  Ironically, my son and the rest of the team were in great spirits after the game.  It was almost like a weight had been taken off them.  Later in the afternoon, he even asked me if I wanted to go to the gym, and we did, just the two of us.  Yes, yesterday was a good day after all.  Hope you both had a great weekend.  Alan.

Hello everyone,

Just another guy here trying to lose weight. I was starting to think I was the only guy on CC.  Hope you have room for one more. 

Welcome to the group Keegan.  Tell us a little about yourself.  Is that an Irish Setter?  My childhood dog was an Irish Setter named Muldoon.

Hey Kee,

Yeah man...the more the merrier the more the support! Welcome!

Hello

I am 39 yrs old 6'5" 327lb I was 350lb. I started CC on Oct.28 and just to give everyone a heads-up... my typing is awful and almost as bad as my spelling and grammer. This is the second group I have been in; my other group is all woman, I am the only man.  The women are GREAT! I have only been talking to them for a short time and already I think the world of them. However, I am still learning to speak female, but they understand and are still kind to me. I have a lot of weight to lose so support from all direction is needed.

The picture is my golden retriever but he is more red than gold. I named him Timber, he is a loveable BIG dog most of the time he knocks people down when he greets them Timber!!! (Kinda dino on Fred Flintstone)

LOL I know what you mean about "speaking female". The women on here are very supportive and knowledgeable and you do have to adapt to the different thoughts and mindsets. Support is support from whomever and where ever you get it.

I have two mini schnauzers: Freedom and BJ (6 and 5). They are my furry sons :)

Hey what's up Keegan - yea, welcome on board.  I'm certainly happy to have you here.  It's good to have other guys to help support each other.  It can really be tough out there.

You sound like you are already doing great though so congrats on what you've already lost.  In a year I think we are all going to be amazed at what we have accomplished.

Alan, congrats on having a great day with you son even though the game didn't work out.  In the end it's really all about doing your best and enjoying life more than just winning.  It's really great you got to spend time with him at the gym too, that's being a good roll model!

The women are great (I don't think anyone here would disagree on that) but it does help to have other guys who understand the temptation of a plate of wings.

All is going well here in Bahrain with me.  I am doing well still and keeping the eating under control.  I did eat some chocolate today but shared it with my wife and it was totally in my calories for the day.  That's what's good about counting calories, you can eat those bad things but in moderation as long as you are within your limit.

The temptation for a plate of wings comes with a beer too.... right?

Hey  Art

Forgot to say I got two dogs as well, my other is a border collie.