Monday, May 11, 2009

Two Years...

It's been two years since I hit my goal weight. As I noted last year at this time, the second weekend in May 2007 I dropped below 180 pounds, which had been my (twice-revised) goal for my weight loss. I had originally been shooting for 220 lbs. (from a start of >280!), but as I approached 220, it became obvious that I could still lose more weight. I revised to 200, and the same thing happened.

Well, below 180 I fall below the magic threshhold of "overweight" for my height (using standard BMI index; yes, I realize they're far from perfect). This is the first time in my adult life I've done so, and even as a child only briefly did I reside anywhere but "husky", "chunky", or "plus" sized. I went from a 44 inch waist to 30/32" and from a XXL shirt to M. I've lost so much weight, I've completely run the spectrum - where before I couldn't find clothes that fit me because I was too large, now I can't find any because I'm too small.

Believe me, I prefer it this way...

I'd be lying if I said it was easy. It's tough getting up every morning at 5 so I can work out before Mrs. G. goes to work - I'd much rather sleep for another two hours, sure. I've tried working out in the evening, but it just didn't work for me - the workout would often start at 9PM and run until after 10, meaning that I was trying to get to sleep shortly after a vigorous workout. Not happenin'. I've also passed on more birthday cake, comfort food, fast food, and party fare than I care to mention - the price of thin-dom is eternal vigilance.

Two years. That amazes me. I never would have thought the willpower would have held out this long...

That is all.

15 comments:

agg79 said...

Congratulations on passing the two year mark. Definitely an inspiration to the rest of us slackers. Losing that baggage adds a spring to your step and years to your life. More time to enjoy the kids & momma when they get older.

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Jay! That is downright inspirational.

How often are you working out? Were your workouts considerably different when weight was coming off as opposed to keeping it down?

Mikael said...

Congratulations.

I almost wish I had your former problems, to motivate me to train regularly... not that I need to lose weight, though I wouldn't mind losing a couple of inches at the waist, mostly just to keep me in shape. (Actually, if I were more motivated, I'd try to work out to gain some weight, in muscle).

I really need to start going to martial arts practice again at least...

-5'7" couch potato, unknown weight somewhere between 150 and 170 lbs, haven't got a scale.

OrangeNeck said...

Hey man, it's a good thing you're doing.

Christina RN LMT said...

Outstanding, Jay.
I've still got forty or so pounds to go, but I hope in a few years I'll be posting a similar post...:)

Anonymous said...

In the immortal words of "Bear Claw" Chris Lapp........."You've done well pilgrim", except for the hair part. ;-)

Jay G said...

agg79,

Really, everything I've done has been for the kids. I've tried my damnedest to set a good example for them by not smoking or drinking, and by eating right and getting regular exercise.

Aside from having been off blood pressure meds for over two years now, I've found another benefit - when I do suffer the inevitable gout attack (like I did this past weekened), the duration and intensity is FAR less now than before when I was putting 50% more weight on my feet...

David,

I'm working out basically M-F these days, chosing to take the weekends off from exercise. Well, other than the exercise one gets chasing two small children arounds... ;)

Interestingly enough, I didn't start working out until most of the weight had come off - I decided to deal with one thing at at time. The workouts have gotten more intense over the past 2.5 years - when I started, I was hitting the treadmill at 3.6 MPH and 8º incline; now it's 5.0 MPH and 12º inclne.

Mikael,

I doubt I'd have anywhere near as much motivation to work out if:
A) I were already thin; and
B) I didn't have kids to set an example for.

When I was in college, for example, I lifted weights every day, but ate MUCH worse than I do now...

Thanks Wai!

Christina,

I found that after the first 20-30 pounds came off, the psychological impediments had been removed and losing the rest was much easier.

Best of luck with that last bit!

Angrywhiteman,

Hey, there's not much I can do about the hair... ;)

RW said...

Congrats, buddy.
I'm working on that "longer comment" vis-a-vis the training post from last week.

Weer'd Beard said...

To you still see the fat guy when you look in the Mirror?

Wally said...

Jay, Awesome.
I dropped 50 and have been without it for almost a year now.

If I get diagnosed with some fatal disease, or possibly in November of 2012, I'll eat a whole meat lovers pizza.

Steve M. said...

As trite as it may sound, I would like to hear more of the details of little decisions you make daily to achieve your success. I have advanced DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease), so vigorous workouts are not in the cards. Because the vertebrate are unstable, every time I try working out, I do more damage to my bones/nerves. I will have to do it solely on diet. I have to lose 60 lbs before the doc's will consider the operation. (fusing the vertebrate) There are disc replacement procedures, but HMO's consider these "experimental" and will not reimburse the $50k/disc cost. I need 3 replaced.

Jay G said...

RW,

Thanks man. I figured if anyone could help in that department, it'd be you.

I'm planning on picking up a goodly amount of free weights and a couple barbells in the very near future - I figure at the very least I can do squats and dead lifts as well as full arm curls. That ought to set me up pretty good without having to buy any other equipment, and will still serve me well down the road if/when I get a bench.

Will be interesting to see what you have to say.

Weer'd beard,

Absolutely. I still instinctively go to the larger size pants/shirts/etc. whenever I go shopping, then have to catch myself and go to the other end.

Like I said, though, what I find humorous is that when shopping at places like BJs, I find myself in the same situation as before I went on the diet - while I couldn't find pants then because they stopped at 42; now I find that it holds true the other way, too - 32 is the smallest waist available, and in many brands I wear a size 30...

Wally,

Congrats on the 50! That's awesome.

And I'll make you a promise - if the unthinkable happens and the Lightbringer is ousted in 2012?

I'll eat a meatlover's pizza with you...

Steve,

I've actually posted a good deal of my tips in various "Fitness Fun" posts - this is probably the best place to start.

Anonymous said...

Gout sucks, try this;

Cherry fruit extract 10:1 concentration 1500mg daily for maintenance, 4500mg daily when gout is active.

It is also good for joint health.

I have used it everyday for over three years, my knees quit hurting and I have only had gout twice in that time, and the episodes were short lived. Usually less than two days, and swelling was minimal.

James R. Rummel said...

Good job!

James

Asphyxiated Emancipation said...

Jay, that's awesome. Good to hear of someone who has kept it off. I've lost 40 pounds since February 28th, and counting...