Official Pokercast GETYOURFATASSFIT Club thread

[AHanrath]

Originally Posted by SGT RJ

I might not be ever able to do anything like a triathlon (or even close), but there is a running program I've tried that in order to at least run somewhat. It's called Coach to 5K: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

That app changed my life.

Long post coming... TLDR on end.

I graduated from college in 09, 5'11 and 247 lbs... I had gained a bit over 40 lbs in college through mass drinking and unhealthy eating, and when I returned back to my hometown I realized how far I had declined, becoming recently single at the time didn't help either.

I've always been athletic, played hockey my whole life, baseball and football in high school, and a few club sports in college... I came back and joined my dad's beer league hockey team, and my endurance was horrible. I was being out-skated by guys twice my age... Since most of my friends we're still in college when I finally decided to make a change, my first step was to cut down on my drinking and I downloaded that app.

The interval system worked perfectly for me. I started running three times a week, and worked my way up to a 5k within a month or so. The weight started to come off. Slowly, and steadily, I was down to about 220 lbs when people really started to notice my weight loss and compliment it. I got more girl interest, things were going well... I ran a 5k 2-3x a week for months.

Having started Couch to 5k in November, 11 months later and down to 203 lbs, having never having ran more than a 5k, I got up one day feeling good and was like "i'm gonna run a half marathon today". Plan was to just slow down, keep a jogging pace.

Got up, drove over to the forest preserve, where I could swing by water fountains along the trails. I was running a 5k (3.1 miles) at around 27 minutes at the time. I got my GPS started, put on some music, and started...

I kept telling myself I could do it, 3 miles down, no problem. 10k (6.2 miles), feeling alright... 8 miles... starting to feel it... but i'm way past halfway there and couldn't stop now. 9.5 miles... I get some doubt in my mind and and think about just stopping at 10 miles, after all, I was pretty drained. I stopped looking at my GPS.... once I was sure I'd past 10 miles I looked, pleasantly surprised to see 10.8 miles... just one more lap around the "short" trail at the forest preserve... 12 miles, No way I'm going to stop now. Then I started to cramp... not just the ache in the stomach, but the sudden shooting cramp around the knees. The first time I nearly fell, but I composed myself and worked my way through it. GPS says 13 miles, .1 to go.... and sure enough, 13.1.

I got home, and despite drinking a few bottles of water since the run, I know i'm still down a few lbs. I weigh in, 199.6. First time i'd seen under 200 since 7th or 8th grade. 200 lbs was my goal. I stopped the exercise routine. I got comfortable again, I still run, but only when I feel like it. My hockey game was excelling, girls are interested in me, and my friends are moving home... things are good.

Fast forward to February. Sync break during an FTP session, I run to the bathroom and while there weigh myself in. 220... Really? I let myself gain it back? I see the Chicago Marathon sign-up is coming up in a few days. Why not?

This post is dragging on... but yeah, I ran the Chicago Marathon last year. I've signed up to run it again this October (see avatar) and hopefully I'll actually run the New York marathon as well a month later if I luckbox the random draw.

I've bounced between 206 to 230 for the last year and a half. This week I weighed in at 224.6, though it's quite a bit different than the 225 from a few years ago, I've been focusing on strength training and have put on a good amount of muscle over the winter.

It's about to warm up again here in Chicago (Go Blackhawks! The worst part of the podcast is when you mention the Canucks ) I'll start up my regular running again and anticipate more weight loss. Guess I'll jump on board too.

TLDR:
Overweight? Couch to 5k works
I gained 40 lbs in college, then lost 45 through running, 25 lbs back on now
Weight loss is a long struggle, but definitely possible
Commitment, accountability, and social support is key

[SGT RJ]

Originally Posted by Aimee

Exercise doesn't have to mean running - have you tried an elliptical machine? It's a lot less impact on your body and would probably keep your back from hurting as much. Walking is good too but swimming and biking are other options that come to mind for lower impact cardio.

I've used an elliptical before, and it's okay, but I get bored so quickly exercising indoors.

When the pool opens for the season I can swim.

But alternating walking and running may work if I'm very, very careful. I can do the first two sets of intervals without spasm, and I'll stay with those levels until my overall endurance is better.

I think the trick for me is finding that balance in carefully pushing myself. Not letting my injuries be an excuse not to exercise, but also recognizing I have to be very careful.

[AdamSchwartz]

Update:

204 this morning. Yesterday's food consisted of the following:

Breakfast: Fruit/veggie smoothie
Lunch: Split pea and ham soup (homemade), crackers.
Dinner: Green salad with tuna
Snack: remainder of smoothie

Feel so much better, more alert, better mood etc.

Only question now is how hard is it going to be to blend Guinness and lamb into a smoothie.

[plowking2010]

i would highly recommend the p90x program to anyone who wants to get in really good shape quickly (90 days).

it's a really tough program, requiring you to do about an hour to an hour and a half of difficult workouts, 6 days a week for 90 days.

the good things about the program is that it works (the results are great if you can stick with it). you can do it in a relatively small space from home (no expensive gym memberships). all you need are the DVDs (or the .avi files ) with a TV to watch it on, a yoga mat, some free weights, and a pull-up bar. each day of the week is a different exercise. one day you might be doing a lot of pull ups and push ups... the next day might be cardio, the next day yoga, the next day leg exercises and squats, etc.

just type in "p90x transformation" or "p90x results" into youtube and you can see how ordinary people did. some of them are pretty spectacular transformations.

anyways... i think for most people who are serious about getting in shape, this is a great program. it's definitely not easy though... you'll be in pain for the first few weeks until your body gets used to it.

[Steve3791]

Was 245 lbs just after xmas

Will be 175 lbs by next xmas

I'm 5'10 so that also makes me obeese. Before I started, I had a cardio-check done to make sure I could exercise OK...please get checked before doing hard workouts.

I'm in an IT consult job, so fairly stationary ... but losing weight fairly easily doing the following:

Eat breakfast that is low-carb, low-fat and high-protein. This will help you feel full until about 10:30 am. Bacon (fat removed) and eggs is ok ... or find high fibre protein added cereal. Stay away from sugar.

Mid morning - Eat about 12 rice-crackers (the little 1 inch ones) with low fat hoummus or tzatziki dip (70gms) ... this provides more protein and some calcium. Try and stay away from the MSG laden ones though
Eat some fruit whenever you are hungry.

Lunch is 100gms of protein (ham, chicken, turkey, beef, tuna), as many salad veg as I can eat. Have some carbs if you need (bread, tortilla, crisp breads.

Mid-afternoon - have some fruit

Dinner - about 200gms of lean meat, steamed veg (or stir-fry) ... a couple of small boiled potatos are ok. If you are really hungry do a clear-broth soup with veg before mains. Fruit for desert - melons or berries

If I stick to the plan for the day - I reward myself with a really nice shot of whiskey to finish the day with.

I drink lots of coffee, but try to drink mainly water. Softdrinks (even diet soda) messes with your head. don't do the sweet thing.

One night a week (ONLY one), do whatever. Beer, Pizza ... whatever.

So far I'm at 229 (down 16 lbs) ... no exercise at a rate of about 2 lbs a week.


It's not a diet ... it's about lifestyle change.


Good luck with your change.

[NoMercyEh]

I'm in.


Weeks since start: 0
Starting BMI: 27.9
Starting weight: 206
Current weight:206
Goal weight: 185 (aiming for the 2+2 party on July 6th)

[True North]

Originally Posted by SGT RJ

I might not be ever able to do anything like a triathlon (or even close), but there is a running program I've tried that in order to at least run somewhat. It's called Coach to 5K: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

There's an app for it that tells you when to run as you work your way up from walking.

Even if I never really can run a 5K (my back goes into spasm when I run, and I don't know if it will subside when I build up - it didn't when I tried about a year and a half ago), but even if I always run/walk to some degree, it's better than nothing.

Right?

I've done that. Several times, in fact, which says more about my inability to stick with a consistent fitness program than anything.

[hornsby15]

Since publicly stating my intention to focus on losing weight, I have eaten greasy pizza twice (as a fourth meal both times) and had two doughnuts (RUTRTW, I won them, how could I not!).

Yet strangely I weighed in at 269.5 this morning.

I usually have large swings, which is normal when you eat the steaks I do.

[Cangurino]

Good luck with your goals everyone.

I'd join, but although I've gained 20 kg in the last seven years you might still consider me skinny by comparison. Moreover I currently live in a place where it's hard to avoid the carbs (pita with hummus and falafel, anyone?).

Anyway, make it your goal to change your habits for good.

[WCTHEMI]

Good luck everyone, I should get in on this myself, really want and need to quit smoking and get in some type of shape, hope this can give me some tips and support in the process.

[Shumkoolie]

I just finished reading through this thread, and I just want to wish everybody luck in achieving their own goals. My story is really no different, but one I'd like to share.

As I mentioned in another post somewhere, my father passed away last October (leukemia). I had a heart to heart talk with him about a week and a half before he passed away. It was very emotional for both of us (I still miss him so much even 5 months later), but the one thing he said to me is, You need to lose weight. You have a young family (twin 1 year old boys, and a 4 year old girl and my lovely wife), and you want to be around for a long time to enjoy them. Anyone who knew him always said that he always put everyone's needs before himself. As much pain as he was in, he was still mindful to give me important advice. He never stopped being my Dad, and that's what made him special.

Anyhow, here I am.....225 pounds, with two goals. 1st, to get to about 190 pounds, but second, to be healthier so I can be here as long as I can for my children. My biggest downfall is late night snacking (I'm just simply cutting it out.....cold turkey). I'm going to drink more water (I pretty much cut out pop consumption already, save for the very odd time, probably once a week at most). I'm going to pick up the intensity again at the gym, and on nicer days, I'll go for walks. I am also going to play pickup basketball (I miss playing it).

Johnny D - That's a very cute picture of you and your little one.....that's my inspiration too (my kids).

SGT RJ - Yours is quite a story, and I am interested to hear your progress, as we all are I'm sure.

CdnSweets - I was a gym rat too, and have let it slide, but no more!!! Congratulations on your first child, like Johnny Douglas, it will serve as inspiration for you.

Adam - I'm going to try a smoothie similar to what you have. I don't care for honey, so that's out, but great thread starter here.

[poker4life]

Weeks since start: 27
Starting BMI: 37.4
Starting weight: 246.0
Current BMI: 28.9
Current weight:190.4
Goal weight: 164.1 (BMI = 24.9 / "normal")
Target date: 9/25/2012 (one year from when I started)

Put another way, I've lost 55.6 pounds in the past six months. My goal is to 26.3 more in the next six months, thus putting me in a "normal" weight range. This would represent 81.9 pounds of weight loss in a year.

When I started this thing, I was class 2 ("morbid") obese. I've since worked my way through "class 1" and am currently "overweight." The goal is to get to "normal" by the one-year mark.

[Skleice]

Well done P4L! Keep it up!

[SGT RJ]

Originally Posted by poker4life

Weeks since start: 27
Starting BMI: 37.4
Starting weight: 246.0
Current BMI: 28.9
Current weight:190.4
Goal weight: 164.1 (BMI = 24.9 / "normal")
Target date: 9/25/2012 (one year from when I started)

Put another way, I've lost 55.6 pounds in the past six months. My goal is to 26.3 more in the next six months, thus putting me in a "normal" weight range. This would represent 81.9 pounds of weight loss in a year.

When I started this thing, I was class 2 ("morbid") obese. I've since worked my way through "class 1" and am currently "overweight." The goal is to get to "normal" by the one-year mark.

Hearing stuff like this is a great encouragement. Keep up the awesome work!

[leconnaisseur]

I started two weeks ago at 250 and i'm gonna be less then 200 before six month.
I'm 185 in perfect shape with a lot of muscle mass.
My flaw is how much I'm raging for food when I smoke weed.

My main advice is : put twice as much attention at what your eating then on how your training.

If you wanna lose a bucnh without busting your ass running, a protein diet is the best thing cause it will permit you to maintain your training/muscular mass and you will cut half of your sugar intake. I skip breakfast and diner and I take 2 shakes with that in it:

1 - 2 scoop of protein ( body food - maintaining )
2 - 1 scoop of glutamin ( to fill energy, after and before training )
3 - 3 table scoop of concentrated veggies
4 - 3 table spoon of concentrated anti oxidant fruit.

and I add argynin when i'm training ( one of viagras main ingredient to dilate the veins to increase bloddflow/oxigen in the muscles. ). you run like a mad man after talking that cause you feel way less the strain of training. also youll **** like crazy when you take it before the act. there is no side effect really.

also investing in vegetables concentrate ( contain about 50 kinds of veggies in one powder box, some veggies are so discusting you won't ever eat them in their proper form anyway ) and anti oxidant ( 20 kind of fruits ) concentrate will give you a boost that you cannot imagine before training.

good luck yalll