I noticed comments in one of the other threads about trying to get rid of some of the pounds many of us have put on. I am struggling hugely with this. One of my problems is that many of my previous favorite exercises (cycling, skiing, kayaking) take 3-4 hours to do from start to finish. Of course finding any time during the day seems to be a chore these days.
Any suggestions from the crowd?
Greg
I went on Weight Watchers in January. I've lost over 30 pounds, and it wasn't really hard at all. The good thing about WW is that you don't have to buy any special food from anyone. You can eat whatever you want: It just gives you a "budget" of points based on calories, fiber and fat, and it teaches you to control your portions and eat healthier. Plus, it provides some accountability every week when you get on the scale and they write your weight down in your little book. I would highly recommend it.
Also, if you play your cards right, you can get an hour or two out of the house in the evening or on the weekend, once a week, by yourself to go to the meeting.
I'm working with a nutritionist and insurance will reemburce you.
Ialso started studying tai chi which has been very helpfull and stay away from sodie-pop.
Good luck.
PS This is a tad gross and I'm not sure there is any real science behind it but my accupuntureist told me to drink a tablespoon of apple-cider vinigar in one cup on warm water first thing in the AM. Since I have been doing that I have more energy and people have told me I look better and all my cloths fit. Granted its part of a whole but it seems to work. She told me it helps wash fat out of the blood. (shrug)
Be Seeing You.
I am proud of you MileHi. I didn't know you were a WW bro. I am glad the online version works for you. I don't think I have the self-discipline to go online only. I need the weekly accountability, even though the only people who know how I did are me and the person writing it down on my card. Keep up the good work. I am pulling for you. I have a lot more that I want to lose, but I have made really great progress that everyone, including some of the hotter moms, have noticed.
Good for you JPhillip. That's great. WW never workedfor me because if I...please excuse the word...obsess over what I eat it makes me so crazy I loose track.
But be carefull, the hotter Moms may turn on you with the most horrable. "It's easyer for men to lose weight than women," envy attack.
Be Seeing You.
Way to go JPhillip 30 lbs. THAT IS AWESOME, I am down 27 now! I didn't know how the WW would be received here, but what the Hell, I'm proud of what I've done so I posted it. Today was my WI, down to 175 down, aka 3 lbs. AND that puts me within 12 of my overall goal and fighting weight! My WW goal is 170 so I got room to slack off if needed injury or holiday wise, and still attend for free. The best part is I eat a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sunday by Smart One's every night and I am getting down to fighting weight doing so! ROCK ON!! I'm not a member of Phatz anymore!
Gotta love the attention at the park I've been getting from Hot Mammas now that I don’t fit into the typical pear or beachball homemaker silhouette anymore!
The wife has joined as well, she is stuck at weight for 3 weeks now doing no cardio, I get 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day and she has now, just this morning, realized her "free" ride is over! She just got a new woman’s 30 speed Trek road bike (arriving today) for Ride the Rockies so I am not too concerned with blimpiness. She will do the passing this year instead of being passes like last year, but she did the 430 miles on a Mtn. Bike last year.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit."
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
Greg,
Just remind yourself and especially the wife, that everybody is there for the same reason and don't be bashful about it (absolutly nobody wants to admit they need to loose weight, but this is just step 1) because soon your weight now will only be a bad dream.
Stick with it and make activity a prioity in your life and you WILL loose! A simple 30 minute walk everyday with/without the family is good for the mind and body.
I got an eliptical in the basement along with a BowFlex and love it before 7 AM as I watch the news for 30-60 minutes; and then I workout to the soft bodied "Rach" (Rachel Ray) or Drew on TV for half an hour, Then squeeze in 10 minutes of eliptical here and there so it counts as arobic on my step counter and before I know it, I am over 100 minutes. BowFlex three days a week after the eliptical sweat and the eliptical get a workout 7 days a week. I am lucky my son is content for 20-30 minutes at a time and this allows me to escape here and there. I just tell him where I am going and to be careful and to yell if he needs something. Unless it's wiping his butt, I am good to go.
You can sit and watch TV or watch it while getting a workout, your choice. You will sleep better as well.
Sorry for the rant but I am pationate about life and fitness! OK, I'll stop. Must go to, need to, go workout... Its 11:00 AM and I got 14,000 steps already!
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
Congrats to those who've shed some AHD pounds.
As far as "finding any time during the day," another option would be to join a gym with childcare. I joined gyms in Chicago and in California that had $1 per hour childcare. Leaving the kids there for 45 minutes while I work out is a great mental break for me.
Definitely check out the childcare facility and staff before signing up. My old gym in Chicago had high childcare staff turnover and too small of a playspace. My new gym, 24-hour Fitness, has a huge childcare room, pictures of the certified staff posted on the wall, and security cameras that record the workers. I think there are a couple locations in Reno. Most locations have spinning classes as well.
Good luck!
Jim
I have lost 25.5 lbs since the first of the year on Weight Warcher.com AND it is totally on-line just for men. No public weigh-ins, nothing. Or you can opt for the weekly meetings in your area with the other fatz. Then once you meet your goal weight it is free on line or in person as long as you maintain 708 goal weight within two pounds, but you have to go to monthly weigh ins at meetings, but you are buff now and others are not so there is no psyche. There is wealth of information on the member site on line, everything from fitness routines to recipies, even motivational forums, I am in the Family Man Forum. I would however, join with the wife because she will more than likely want to drop a couple lbs. anyway, (and she will wish she did when you loose weight and sees you naked) and it's easier if you both are on plan because it changes what, who much you eat/drink, grocery shop and exercise in essence your life. You track it all on online so its a no-brainer to do. All you have to do is follow the recomendations, stay within your points AND YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT! I have had Chocolete Chip Cookie Dough Sundays everynight and want to reach my goal eating ice cream every day!
I was pretty slim going into the last conference, then got hurt, pulled a hami, and stomach muscles and it took the rest of the year off to recover, in the process of recoup I balooned, but now I am within 5.5 pounds of free mode, within 3 pounds of the buffest I been since my early 20's. I am in the mid 40's now. I feel good, look good, and loving life IMHO! I was wearing 38 waist Levi at Christmas and am now ready to try my 32 Levis again tomorrow -my weigh and post day, and if I am down 2 lbs, I fill fit. It is all totally private, you just record and chart your progress online.
Good luck and every day you wait, the heaver you get and the more you have to loose. It is the smartest thing I have done in a long long time, I have tried fitness only, diet and fitness, diet and fitness but it all boils down to portion control +fitness and logging what I eat and fitness I obtain. Buy a step counter, get 10,000 steps a day to a slimmer you (contact me if you want one, I got a great one that uploads and graphs to my PC and I will tell all). I hope to see a number of you there in the Family Man forum where we will rule. It's just good weight loss support; whats working, whats not working and encouragment. I could go on and on but you get the point guys, follow the plan AND YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT! Take a before photo and compare it to you in the mirror as you go and you will see big changes!
JUST DO IT!
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
Between June and November I dropped from 245 to 199. I'm floating at about 205 now.
Egg white something for breakfast; raw vegetable salad (I actually really liked trying out all the bean varieties I could eat raw) for lunch. And a sub-700 calorie dinner. It let me play around with what I drank during the day between water, vitamin water, and gatorade type stuff.
Fencing 4 hours per week (at night, after the kid's asleep); riding my bike 9 hours per week (light to medium hill climbs and up to 18 miles round trip 2 or 3 days per week).
After September the bike rides fell off due to weather and wife's schedule. And after Thanksgiving I fell of the hardcore diet regimen I had been on (and that's when I put those 5 or 6 pounds back on, over the holidays). But fencing twice per week and NO PEPSI (I was a Pepsi whore) has kept me from gaining any more weight even though I'm not eating like I used to.
We can all do this. Let's go boys!
Thoughts about fatherhood, philosophy, fencing, and hockey abound at http://shawn-burns.livejournal.com/
Now with new Dad Blog!: http://backpackingdad.blogspot.com
Whats your goal weight? How far you gotta/wanna go? Biking is a good thing now that we are Burleigh Bike Trailer Free!
I have graduated to pulling a tag-a-long third wheel on longer rides. Oh, he can ride a bike like nobodies buisness but I still need to provide horespower on longer rides. At 5, he can only go 3 or 4 miles right now. Once he got used to the tag-a-long he was pedaling without training wheels within two weeks, then life got fun again once he figured out you need to watch for cars all the time.
My mantra's the last nine months; "Watch for Cars" "Did you look both ways?" "Look both ways when you cross the street to go to Trevor's, then come back home".
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
Just got back from a short ride. For the last year I have gone out almost always on my beach cruiser with the wife . Today I took out my Litespeed Titanium road bike, and I forgot what a pleasure that bike is to ride. The biggest problem was that I went outbound down hill and into the wind and then struggled through uphill into the wind on the way back.
It was so nice to get out.
Greg
P.S. is it bad that I stopped for 2-3 minutes to "Look at the River" While I waited for 2 incredibly hot girls to jog by?
I need to turn this whirlpool around and decided to take Baby steps instead.
The WW life style change is a great idea but I need to set goals first.
First, stop eating off the kids plates. I hate wasting food and I always cook to much. Some days theyr'e hungerer than others but that isn't a reason to stuff my gut.
Second, Push-ups. I asked my PT after an accident last year(broken collarbone) the best way to get rid of the gut. She said push-ups. So I started to do them at the sink counter at a angle. Making coffee, do 10. Drop the spoon when making dinner, do 10 etc...I now have moved to the stairs and worked my way down to stair number 3. 20 before I go out, 20 when I come back in. Goal is to get to the floor.
and Third, walk to the club house and get my phat ars on the tread mill. Did one mile yesterday, 2 miles today, steeper incline, up the speed.
These are small goals I'm setting for now.
Also, don't eat anything that may use palm oil. I lost to many friends (with little ones) to heart disease that were in their 40's and early 50's and that stuff is a sure way to leave your youngin's behind.
That which does not kill you, only makes you stronger...
Failure is not an option!
Doing 10-15 mile hikes with that 20lb kid on my back.
Duh.
Backpacking Dad forgets his own head next...
My goal weight is between 182-189. I figure if Nicklas Lidstrom can stand 6'1 189 and not be a big bruiser of a defenseman, that's a fine weight for a less muscular, chunkier, non-athlete dad in his 30's.
10-15 lbs to go before I'm 31. That's the goal. The first 40 were tough to take off, just because they were the first and I wasn't use to it; the last 10 will be tough just because they're the last and I'm too used to it.
Thoughts about fatherhood, philosophy, fencing, and hockey abound at http://shawn-burns.livejournal.com/
Now with new Dad Blog!: http://backpackingdad.blogspot.com
I too am on WW and I have lost 25 and soon I will hit my 10% Goal..
Even professional eaters need help once and a while. RenoDad if I can do it so can you.
Chef Kev
That's just ickey, please don't put anything in the toilet bowl!!!!! is my newest thing I say to KGA.
JPhillip said it, therefor it is, Chef= C=Caring, H=Helpful, E=Excellent, F=Fubar
Honestly, WW will help you with those "First things first" as well. Don't put it off. You will never feel better than when you start dropping those pounds. I sleep better and snore less. I have 3 times as much energy for my kids now. And, I just feel kind of cool being able to tuck my shirt tail in without being embarrassed for a change.
...them as Hot Mamas in general terms, no problem it goes with the sport. That is, only if they had incredibly hot biking lycra on!
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
The increase in energy is most awesome, not quite like a toddlers energy but close. Old clothes, as out of style as they may be, will fit again, my 32 inch waist, 501 jeans are going to fit as soon as I try em on! If you do the pool in the summer as I do, you don't have to worry about the underside of your Dunlop, as in Dun lop over my belt, never seeing the sun and being white around the pools Hot Mamas.
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
Well this is not a real advise, but have you tried natural food?
I mean, no extra sugar (nor sweeteners), no extra salt, no extra oil, no extra preservatives?
Plain food as it is, just boiled or steamed to REDISCOVER the real flavors and taste of food, and plain water to prevent dehydration.
Once you rediscover the flavor of the food, you could start a diet or just enjoy the mixes of real flavors.
BTW, I also hear about the apple-cider vinegar in the morning and it seems to work for some people, and if natural, maybe is harmless.
======================
Congratatio pro erudio et auxilium
Itux
Points
How many pointes per day are you? 30? Retake the points quiz because when I signed up I got 14 points and as you know, that aint shit! I was getting dizzy and grumpy, thinking I had reason to quit. I retook it and came back with 29 points and was able to eat and never looked back.
The first thing you have to realize is, that its not just a diet but a lifetyle change and you must want the change enough to make it work for you. Go to the store and get some food low in points if that is the plan your on. Raw veggies are the best 0 point free snacks and fruits roll in one or two points.
Just yesterday I ran the numbers on my sons Frosted Flakes Gold (whole wheat and honey) and for 3/4 cup you get two points. I had been eating those fancy granolas at 4 points mixed with Dannon Light and Fit Vanilla Yogurt (1 cup) for 2 points. Anyway, I mix the Dannon in with the Frosted Flakes and am good to go. I upped the serving to 1 1/2 cups and it still rang in at 2 points, so mixxed with the Yogurt I can eat till full and get 1 milk serving from the yogurt. Do not skip breakfast! Brreakfast if done right, is key in weight loss and like your Mom used to say, the most important meal of the day. It's true so don't skip it! Give it a chance and explore Weight Watchers for Men, it'll answer all your questions and if you have more look to the forums, ask question get involved. People understand and answer. It's nothing like what you see here, but useful all the same. I am in Family Man, username ski4free.
Foods
Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine from the store's frozen isle are what I do for lunches, they're good, low in points, and have the point value on the label, there is much food that has the WW point value listed.
One last thing, and it's the hardest, let the meals that you make for your kids go uneaten by you, pack em into Tupperware or baggies, just don't touch them. It's hard I know, but once you get past those you are on the right track.
OK 2,
Fitness If nothing else, go for a thirty minute walk per day, it'll aid in the losses and you can swap Activity Points for Food Points, 5 per day. Make fitness a proirity, walking is just about as good for you are jogging or running.
Biking also earns points, but be honest with yourself on the intensity of the time spent doing it.
Greg, good luck and we'll see you on the other side!
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
Just so you know, Pop Secret 94% Fat Free microwave Popcorn is 2 points for 6.5 cups. Munchies are allowed. Not bad either, it works!
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
Thanks,
Today I was just looking at the points as I at a relatively regular day. Just to get some perspective and a feel for the tools. I have some snaking that I have to put in now that will probably kill the rest of the week's gimme points. :-)
Greg
You need to go to the meetings. Once you get the hang of it, then maybe online only. Trust me. I know it's painful to make yourself go, but that is what it is probably going to take. Don't be afraid. There's nothing to it. You don't have to say one word to anyone. And, no one is going to personalize it for you. You just blend in to the crowd if you want.
I lost 25lbs last year in about 3 months. I am working on my last 10lbs. Only 6lbs to go.
One thing that worked for me, was to make a friendly bet with two male family members. We all agreed on a fair weight for each of us to reach by a certain date. The losers had to take the winner to a sporting event of his choice. I actually won too!!! This is great if you are very competitive. The thought of losing to them kept me on track.
It is important you can trust the people you bet with, since it is kind of the honor system. Maybe you can tweak it to make it more interesting for you.
Good luck to all trying to lose those LBS. It is not easy...
Not doing anything diet related just to get an idea I came down to a 71 Point day out of 31 points allowed. We had Ethiopian food for dinner (Really, Really good) So I had to try to make a substitution there.
I guess now that I've seen a baseline today it is time to start planning how to get serious. :-)
Greg
Joined: 2007-10-25
Dad Points: 196