Hello everyone,
I am new to CC, and just wanted to introduce myself. I've struggled with my weight ever since I graduated high school it seems. I went to school at Marshall University (for all you WVs out there), and by the end of my second year I had gained almost 50lbs. A combination of staying up till 3-4am playing PS2, and having fast food within walking distance of the dorms didn't help either.
I decided I was pretty burnt out on school and decided I wanted to lose my weight and join the service back in 2004. It took about 6 months, and I wasn't allowed to join until I dropped the weight. I started at 245, and the day I raised my hand to enlist I came in at 202. After basic training, AIT, and jump school, I did put some of the weight back on, but it wasn't too bad. I then left for Iraq in January of 2005 and was bound and determined I was going to come back in the best shape of my life. I started at about 235-240 (once again), and over the course of again about 8 months, I came back to the states at 206. I was a happy 206 though, because I had put on a ton of muscle mass from lifting 5 days a week on top of my cardio everyday. I ran 2-5 miles a day, depending how I felt, and you can imagine at 120 degrees everyday the endurance I built. I was happy again.
I swore I wouldn't come home and let myself go...but of course, over time it's simply caught up with me. I was happy to be home, and I slowly quit working out all together...and now a year later I am the heaviest I think I've ever been. I'm sitting easily at around 250, and I know what I have to do, it's just getting up and doing it. Unfortunately, we live in a society where we want things NOW, and don't want to have to work for them. I understand it takes time, but it's just hard somedays to stay motivated. I absolutely love to eat, and I probably always will. I just need to learn how to control it.
Present day...I work night shift as an IT specialist in Martinsburg, WV, and it's the first night shift job I have ever had. Sure I did plenty of night shifts in the military, but doing it everyday and trying to have a steady routine has been difficult for me. I've adjusted, and I don't mind working it...it's just taken me a while to get into somewhat of a groove. I'm glad I found this site, because I spend over half of the time I'm awake on a PC (at work), and it's already making me much more conscientious of my eating decisions. I also threw the Ipod on and went for a short run for the first time in months, and I'm not going to lie....it hurt LoL. I think I've turned a corner though, and I'm ready to whip myself back into shape. I just want to stay in shape once I get there. I've got my high school reunion coming up, and also have my best friend's wedding in July...so it's time to start looking good again. I think I carry the weight ok, but of course I'm heavy in my mid section and in my face. I'm a pretty broad figured lad to begin with, so I plan on encorporating some good weight training too.
I'm sorry for the long post, and I thank you in advance for listening to me ramble if you've read this far. It's always a relief to know there's others out there who feel just like I do, and to be able to feed off one another's motivation is a good feeling. Needless to say, I'm ready to get off work here in a little while, and then it's time to jump on the treadmill. 
It's nice to meet all of you,
Gettin' it done,
Chris
welcome to CC and good luck on your goals! i always thought jump school would be so much fun, but then the ex went and um... it sounds like it hurts!
Depends on how soft that ground is...
They try to teach you how to "fall" during school...but when it all comes down to it, all that goes right out the window and you hit like a sack of potatoes LoL...
Whats up chris? Are you in the guard or did you do a 3 year commitment with active army. I am going on my second year of a six year commitment with the texas national guard, i am currently deployed in iraq (cob adder, tallil) i will be coming home in 4 months and then returning 2 months after that with the 56th BCT for another 12 months. I was 220lbs when i got out of AIT in AUG 2006 and then put on 60lbs over the next 6 months then deployed in May 2007, so i,m paying for it now because i didn,t get my E-4 due to my weight but i,m loosing it slowly but surly i,ve lost 4 inches off my waist since OCT 2007. I will get my 4 before i leave here i,m on a UFC training program thats kicking my ass i hit the gym at 4am m-f and by 4:45 am i,m ready to pass out. Well good luck to you and hope your army experience was a good one.
What's going on bro...
No, I'm still in the national guard through 2010. I was fortunate enough to enlist as an E3, so I just pinned on my E6 this past August. I hate the military's guidelines as far as what's "healthy". I've haven't failed a PT test since I've joined, but I've been flagged for failing tape test at least two times. It's aggrevating, because big guys like us can't really help it, so we are forced to make our necks huge and our waist small...I'm sure you know the deal LoL. I was in Southwest Baghdad for my tour, and worked at Baghdad International Airport training Iraqi Special Forces. I'm sure once it starts warming up over there a little bit, you'll start dropping weight quick. I managed to lose almost 40 lbs, and I didn't even really diet at all. I just ate balanced (meat, starch, vege) every meal, and made sure I hit the cardio and weights in the afternoons. Never have been one for getting up early to workout LoL...anyway, take care over there, and of course get your ass back safely. Take it easy, and I'll try to stay in touch with you over CC.
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