DM then: a good athlete (football, baseball, tennis), 5'10, 177 pounds, athletic build, BP 120/80.


DM Now: nearing 40, led a relatively inactive life the last 4-5 years sitting at computers, eating, and drinking. I gradually put on weight, with a large increase during the last year--put on 25 pounds in total since "before", BP 136:78.
Feeling a bit low energy, dragging, out of shape, bloated, take your pick...

The objective: Let's face it, at our/my age, there is a slippery slope with regard to diet, exercise, and health. I woke up feeling "fat" for lack of a better term, and didn't like it. I finally decided to do something about it and figured I would base my efforts on an improved diet and light-to-moderate exercise. As you guessed, the diet part is south beach centric and the exercise part is (for now) covered with some brisk walking for 35 minutes a day. I certainly don't want to endure needless aches and pains on my aging joints, especially while their supporting my winter adding.

The rest of the posts are my daily and/or weekly progress reports... thoughts, idea, what works, what doesn't, etc.

Our own version of "Fat Actress" in the making

Fat Monger

Except if DM's fat then I'm obese !! That ain't right !

Kudos to you DM. If you have the steel to make more of yourself (by making less of yourself), then you are better man than most. Whe are an aging nation growing fat and lazy. I applaud any who will make the stand and take the effort to add mongering years to their life!

I turn 45 in August and the days when I could do whatever I want to my body and suffer not for it have long since past. I, like you have had to modify my lifestyle considerably. My hat is off to you in your quest!

thanks Val!

One of the bad things about being a prior jock, is that we're used to eating tons of carbs and beating our body up as we historically burned off a shitload of calories. As we age, the metab slows, and we start sitting on our asses, we often fail to modify our lifestyle in terms of eating and exercise to compensate for other changes. Result is a bunch of outa shape jocks talking about their glory days.

Time to reclaim some prior glory and keep the torch going!





(Message edited by donmarco on May 20, 2005)

Hear Hear! I was a marathon runner when I was in my prime. I had to take in over 4000 calories a day to keep from LOSING weight.

Now I'm an aging smoker, who has to pinch his caloric pennies so to speak. Other than the wisdom of greater experience, getting older sucks.

Forget about diet... u gotta dump the cigs.

I used to love the occasional Drum and Dunhill when I was feeling lazy, but it's the best gift anyone can do for themselves-- QUIT.

I agree completely. It is just really hard after 20 years and living a life full of stress.

I have tried the patch and Wellbuterin. I was thinking about Hypnotherapy, as I have a friend who has had some luck that way.

Also heard there is a new cool lazer technique where they hit certain nerve points to change the chemical release process or some such thing. I don't know if it is proven effective though.

I want to live long enough to see my kids grow up, ya know?

yup I do. I personally think most of the battle is psycological, so set your mind to do it, wear the patch/chew/whatever u have to do, hang around non smokers, and avoid stress as much as possible for a couple weeks.

Best of luck amigo in that pursuit when your ready.

Val
Nothing will help until you actually WANT to quit. Most smokers get some kind of secondary gain from smoking - usually stress reduction. It cannot be the great taste that keeps you coming back for more. The nicotine addiction is hard enough to tackle. If you do not have maximun motivation and a true desire to stop then quitting is a lost cause. When you have your first heart attack you will have an epipheny !

Better to use your kids as motivation and quit now. Throw the suckers away and reach for a pic of your kids instead of a cig when the urge to smoke hits you.

I add my good luck wishes to those of DM.

Thanks guys. Actually, the nicotine has not been the hard part for me. I have quit for around a week 3 or 4 times. Nicotine clears your system in 3 days. It is the psychological aspect that is the challenge for me. Part of it is called the "Oral fixation". The need to feel the cigarette on your lip. It is why so many ex-smokers suck on lollipops.

No blow job/oral jokes please, I have heard them all and this is serious. It plagues me constantly. I think that the low stress environment would be the big hump. I have not spent any time in one for about 15 years, other than short vacations.

I appreciate your genuine concern and support guys. it is an unexpected perk of this site. Thanks.

Val

There's an old saying, "Quitting smoking is easy, hell I've quit hundreds of times"

KM is on the mark. You'll know when your ready.