The new me!

[Oneslowz28]

So I have tried the whole diet thing in the past and to say the least, it did not last long. The main reason was I was just not committed to it nor did I really want to do it. They usually came to be from comments doctors or family members said about my weight. So after reviewing some photos from the CES Las Vegas trip, and injuring my back a few weeks ago, I realized that I was seriously overweight. I knew I had to do something about it or I was going to become something I hated.

So I began walking with a goal of hitting 2.5 miles every day. The first day I only managed 1.25 miles before giving out. During my second walk I had the idea to use the GPS on my phone to track my distance. I then searched the Android Market and found an app that will not only track my workout, but will calculate my calories burned based on my weight, pace and stride. So after putting in my information I began my walk and wound up walking 2.65 miles. With the app it was much easier than guessing how far I had went. As a bonus the app uploads my workout details to my facebook so my friends can keep me in check and make sure I stick too it.

I have been unable to walk since Friday as I have been way too busy to make it home in time. I plan on starting back tomorrow and trying to bump the walk up to 3 miles. While playing around with the app I noticed it could track my heart rate as well if I had a bluetooth heart rate monitor. I should have mine in by next week.

I am aware that I am not gaining weight just by lack of exercise alone. I realize that my diet has a lot to do with it. I have been eating McDonalds 3-4 times a week for lunch which is usually a double quarter-pounder meal with large fries and a large sweet tea. Then for dinner its usually take out like Chinese, Mexican, or a large pan pizza from pizza hut. So I have sat down and made a list of more healthy things I can eat. This week I began my more healthy diet. Tonight I ate grilled salmon with some grilled corn on the cob and some grilled peppers. For lunch tomorrow I plan on a simple salad consisting of Romain lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and some very light dressing. Don't know about dinner yet but I am leaning towards some grilled bone-less chicken breast with some wild rice seasoned with some garlic powder and just a touch of fat free butter substitute.

So far here are my work out stats.

Start Weight 285lbs
Goal Weight 220lbs

10 April 2011 Walked 1.6 miles and burned 170 calories 33:10min mile
11 April 2011 Walked 2.1 miles and burned 330 calories 29:43min mile
12 April 2011 Walked 2.6 miles and burned 421 calories 38:44min mile
13 April 2011 Rained out
14 April 2011 Walked 2.4 miles and burned 400 calories 26:09min mile
15 April 2011 Walked 2.5 miles and burned 415 calories 23:27min mile
16 April 2011 Did not walk
17 April 2011 Did not walk
18 April 2011 Did not walk
19 April 2011 Did not walk
20 April 2011 Walked 2.5 miles and burned 397 calories 18:39min mile
21 April 2011 Did not walk
22 April 2011 Did not walk
23 April 2011 Did not walk
24 April 2011 Worked in garden using rake and hoe for 4 hours.
25 April 2011 Walked 2 miles and burned an estimated 300 calories in 38 min. Daily caloric intake 2019

So what I am asking you guys to do is help me stay on track with this. If I do not update this post every day please send me a flood of PMS and post in this thread to motivate me to keep it up.

[crenn]

Does that app do km as well? What is the app called? Can it export to something other than facebook?

[NightrainSrt4]

I'll try and keep an eye on it if I can.

Maybe it will get me motivated, lol. Having my surgeries, and those two years of not being able to do anything, have definitely changed my exercise habits. I need to get back into doing something: running, basketball, something. I haven't gained any weight. I've actually lost weight last time I checked, from 155lb to 150lb. Weight too. light for 6'2", but that doesn't mean I shouldn't exercise more.

Good luck, and keep pushing.

[AmEv]

Come on! Hook up your computer to your treadmill!

Force yourself to run in order to be able to turn it on!

Joking.



But do find good motivation.

[TheGreatSatan]

I went from 265 last Oct to 208 today. Good luck

[Luke122]

I'm down to 220 from 235.. goal is under 200, or at least to get bodyfat % to under 10.

[Oneslowz28]

The app is called Cardio Trainer and its 100% free. I am also 6'2 and I agree that 155 is very light. You must be a toothpick.

[NightrainSrt4]

Lmfao. Ya, pretty much. I look much better at 150-155 than I did when I was 130 before my surgeries.

Messed up genes. It's funny as I was light even when I was working out every single day due to teaching martial arts. Hundreds of push-ups, situps, running on top of all the regular martial arts stuff each day. Still was a scrawny thing, even with a huge calorie intake to match.

[Oneslowz28]

20 April 2011 Walked 2.5 miles and burned 397 calories 18:39min mile

Got my pace under 20 min!

[AmEv]

Not to make you envy me, but I'm glad when I make a TEN minute mile.

[Oneslowz28]

My brother in-law was a cross country runner in high school and college. He tells me the same thing.

I will not be walking tonight. I came home sick today. Running a 100 degree fever and feeling like crap. Got some nyquil and theraflu in me hoping it clears things up by morning.

[knowledgegranted]

Wow, now I feel like a dick for posting on your FB page. :)

[nevermind1534]

Not to make you envy me, but I'm glad when I make a TEN minute mile.

Those are fun

[simon275]

I recently went from 187 to 176 pounds.

My secret is I take an hour long lunch and go for like a 3 mile walk + eat a sandwich, I also go to the gym on weekends with my better half and I just watch what I eat and only eat healthy low fat food.

[NightrainSrt4]

How are things going? Just giving you a bump. You're probably still feeling crappy though, as the 21st wasn't too long ago.

[Oneslowz28]

Just got back from a 2 mile walk. My cell was dead so I have no idea on the actual calories burned or my heart rate but I did complete it in around 38 minutes.

[NightrainSrt4]

Nice! I said I would try and check in, so was trying to keep my word. I know how, with anything really, having someone/anyone telling you to keep going can be the difference between success or giving up.

[Oneslowz28]

I really appreciate it Nightrain. I still do not feel 100% and 2 miles was about all I could handle today. I am going to shoot for 3 tomorrow to make up the difference. I spent 4 hours yesterday working in my garden and was physically worn out when finished so that should have been a decent workout as well.

[NightrainSrt4]

We worked on our little balcony garden a bit today. She found out about the Lowe's million tree giveaway so we had a couple of those she wanted to plant instead of plants. It works because they are supposed to be in a bucket/pot for a year or so before being moved into a permanent spot. A year from now if they survive we'll move them to either my or her family's yard.

She forgot to grab a basil plant when she was home. They've got a good nursery down there. We'll have to do the other bucket once we get some plants. I didn't feel like growing from seeds this year.

But ya, even just tilling the big storage buckets we've got is a bit of a workout.

[SgtM]

Those are some pretty decent results CJ. Keep it up man!

[Oneslowz28]

Thanks Rick!

[HackSore]

Great work, you will feel so much better for it!

One thing i would say though, is dont go too crazy with the diet.
Keep in mind that you are getting more excercise then you were getting, so cutting your food right down could have a detrimental effect.
Im not a dietician or anything like that, but the way i did it was i continued to eat most of what i was eating anyway (though cutting down stuff like fast food, and pretty much completely cutting out soda) but cut the portions down bit by bit and start adding more veg to the meal.

You need carbs to keep your body fueled for the excercise.
the main thing you want to cut out is saturated fat, thats the real killer.

Im sure you know all this already though, but just wanted to chip in as i know what its like, i was knocking on for 19 stone (120kg) a while back and i am now weighing in at just under 13 (81kg)

Also, one of the best things around for both weight loss and toning is working out on a punch bag, if you have somewhere to hang a decent heavy bag then i would strongly advise it!
Brilliant workout, great fun and handy to have when you get stressed out!

Anyway, good luck with it all, im sure you are feeling better for it already!

[Luke122]

Keep at it! Keep going! It just gets easier!

[Blibbax]

Good luck dude :D

And yeah, a 18 minute mile is 3 miles per hour, decent distance runners manage 2-3 times that, so room for improvement :P - you planning to step up to jogging and then running as you get fit enough for it?