This is SPARTA! Well.. not really..

[Mremedia]

Good afternoon to all!

I'm a long time lurker on this site, and I've decided now is as good a time as any to make a proper introduction.

I'm 27 yrs old, and work in IT. As a result, I spend alot of time behind a desk. With the birth of a baby boy this spring, my wife and I didnt get to spend much time outdoors this summer, so my usual habit of cycling 7 days a week was completely missed this summer.

I'm getting fat! And FAST. It's killing me... in more ways than one. My energy level is falling, I'm getting more and more lazy by the day, and let's talk about the odd pains and aches. Crazy.

I decided today that I've had enough of this, and its time to do something drastic about it.

A few years back I spent 6 months in Europe, and came back in the most incredible shape of my life. Walking everywhere plus most days just working out due to boredom, and not having access to all the usual junkfood/fastfood I have here resulted in me losing close to 20lbs, and packing on tons of muscle.

I know that if I'm going to make this change, the only way for me to do it is to jump in to the deep end, and go big. As of tomorrow morning, I'm starting with a 6am workout, 5 days a week, cutting out sugar and caffeine completely, and eliminating all fast food/junk food from my diet.

My wife is behind me 100%, and I've already been on the phone with the gym just down the road from where I work setting up a personal trainer and everything.

I also have access to a swimming pool through work, and get a staff discount to swim every day I want to also. I dont start work until 830 AM everyday, so gym/swim from 6-7(or 730) will still allow me time to get home, changed, and in to work. (Plus, living in a small community means that travelling between locations takes only minutes).

I'm currently drinking caffeine again (for the last two weeks), but I was quit for 114 days, thanks to Steve's tips. After feeling the difference in the last few days, I'm ready to quit again.

I've also quit smoking already, with only a few "slips" here and there.. a random drag reminds me how much the taste/smell of cigarette smoke disgusts me now, so as long as I dont go out to the clubs, I'll be fine. (I'm not even a social drinker anymore.. liver troubles in the past.)

My inspiration really came when I watched 300. Yes, a bunch of guys ripped beyond belief inspired me to get my fat ass into gear again, and try to look that good.

I'm currently 5'10, and 220lbs. I'm still packing lots of muscle, I've just gotten soft on the outside. I have no idea what my body fat percentage is, but I'll find that out tomorrow at my initial meeting with the trainer.

I realize that overtraining or even trying too hard too fast can not only burn you out, it can injure you, so I'll be working up the "300 workout" instead of going straight into it. I really need the trainer though to keep me going, and remind me why I'm doing it.

I'm also still looking for a workout partner, but all my friends here either work really ridiculous hours, or are already in WAAAY better shape than me, so I would be holding them back. :P

I'll begin my workout log tomorrow am, along with details of the workout and bodyfat analysis for everyone to laugh at.

[SmellyOrc]

Great to hear. Good luck with your efforts!

But ehm, the 300 workout is just a fitness test. By no means should i be employed for other reasons other than to test your current level of fitness.

Good luck to you!

[Mremedia]

Yeah, I read that also.. I'm looking for a proper workout to get me those kind of results.. something reallly really hard.

[Gene]

I congratulate you on the choice to live a healthy life! Do let us know some of the milestones of your journey.

[dmauder]

Originally Posted by Mremedia

I'm a long time lurker on this site, and I've decided now is as good a time as any to make a proper introduction.

I'm 27 yrs old, and work in IT. As a result, I spend alot of time behind a desk. With the birth of a baby boy this spring, my wife and I didnt get to spend much time outdoors this summer, so my usual habit of cycling 7 days a week was completely missed this summer.

I'm getting fat! And FAST. It's killing me... in more ways than one. My energy level is falling, I'm getting more and more lazy by the day, and let's talk about the odd pains and aches. Crazy.

I decided today that I've had enough of this, and its time to do something drastic about it.

Dude, I can TOTALLY relate! I also work in IT which pretty much guarantees I'm not going to move too much unless I force myself to do so.

I've been on and off the fitness wagon so many times, I've lost count. The problem is, when I'm at home I just have zero willpower. If there is junk food in the house, I'm ALL OVER IT! However, if I'm traveling on business, I can stick to salads and other healthy fare no problem.

Getting active again will definitely be my biggest challenge. If I could just do that, I'm sure I could stand the occasional junk food meal.

Keep us posted on your progress - I'm sure it will be motivating.

Dave

[Mremedia]

Day 1:

A rough start to say the least. I got a 630am phone call from the trainer, saying that she was unable to make our appointment (7am), and that she would reschedule for later today.

So, the workout for day 1 didnt happen. On the upside, I opted for yogurt and granola for breakfast, and passed on the sugary cereal.

I've also vowed to do all my cleaning/moving of equipment today so that should keep me on my feet and moving around for most of the day.

I've also got 100% support from my wife to make this happen, and I'm going to hit up my boss to see if I can use my "flexible health spending account" to pay for the trainer, and gym/pool time.

I'll post again after my meeting with the trainer. I also have to move a bunch of furniture tonight, but I'll try to hit the pool and swim this evening.

[Amadeus]

Mremedia, it doesn't seem like getting fat is your problem, as much as your vain ego. Being healthy is not an all or nothing thing. By gaining a few pounds and not maintaining 5% body fat doesn't mean you are going to die sooner. The most important thing is that you have a healthy boy and you got to spend time with him this summer. All this working out you plan to do, will it take away precious time that you'll be able to spend with your baby?
Have you ever thought about "letting go" of this idea that you won't continue to look like a Arnold Schwarzenegger. You're only getting older and your cells (including muscle cells) will divide less and less as you age. Personally I know cyclist who cycle 3 hours a day......in the hot sun. They are in great shape but their skin looks like leather.
There is a good book I would recommend you reading called The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck. One chapter talks about life is about letting go of things like being overly competitive, thinking that you will live forever, etc. Maybe you should let go of this past thinking of perfection.

[Mremedia]

Rock me Amadeus. I am always careful to wear long sleeves and sunscreen when cycling. No worries about over exposure to the sun.

As far as the new baby goes, yes, I am eternally grateful that we have a healthy and happy baby boy, and I can workout at home a bit (elliptical trainer), and we try to walk with him in the stroller whenever we can. Here's the thing though.. he sleeps until 730-8 every morning, so if I am home by that time, I wont miss any time with him.

I understand that I wont live forever, and may never look like Ah-nuld, but the simple fact is that I have never been in this bad of shape before, and if I had anything but a desk job, I wouldnt be in this shape now. Changing jobs isnt an option at the moment, as the pay is good, the benefits are great, and I have 2.5 yrs left on my contract. After that, I'll be expanding my side business to a full time one.

Not to mention the fact that if my goals seem unrealistic to you, then you wont achieve them. I'm trying to.

Day 2:

Rough night.. wife kicked me out of the bed for snoring too loud; she's not feeling well and my snoring was the final straw. I woke up to her crying, and she booted me out to the couch. That would have been fine, but we have a house guest atm, and so I slept on the floor in my home office. Ouch.

The personal trainer contacted me, and unfortunately she's unable to do a 6am session with me, and has referred me to someone else who may be interested in it. I'm waiting on their contact. *sigh*

As a result I'm doing the elliptical trainer thing, still cutting out my junkfood/fast food, drinking loads of water, and trying to keep moving as much as I can during the day. I was hoping to go swimming, but with halloween today I'll be helping hand out candy to the neighborhood kids.

Swim tomorrow morning I suppose. What a disappointment.. already Wednesday, and no farther along than when I started.

[escapee]

In addition to your brilliant exercise plan, I recommend the following without reservation. It really does not matter if you 're vegetarian or non-vegeterian, it works almost the same way. Best wishes!

Amazon.com: Protein Power: Books: Michael R. Eades,Mary Dan Eades

Brian Peskin is Brilliant, Truth about Brian Peskin, Essential Fatty Acids, Basic Essence, and Quantum Nutrition | Home Page | The Truth About Prof. Brian S. Peskin, L.S.E.

I have reservation over the use of sunscreen because it blocks the UV light required by the body to make cancer fighting Vitamin D . I would personally prefer optimizing the intake of essential fatty acids, minerals and antioxidant nutrients to guard against sunburn (Eg: Skin cancer is rare in okinawan despite frequent sun exposure )

The sunscreen myth: How sunscreen products actually promote cancer

[Mremedia]

Day 4 -

I've been on the elliptical trainer a couple times a day, since the personal trainer who *might* be able to do a 6am session is on holidays. *sigh*

Still off the junk food, had a salad for lunch today. I'm trying to drink nothing but water throughout the day also, and as of this morning I had my last energy drink.

I've noticed that caffeine, while it does give me a boost of energy, makes me angry off and on for no apparent reason. Nothing sets me off, I just "snap" all of a sudden, and I'm pissed off at the slightest little thing.

I noticed it today while driving into Calgary to pick up some hardware. I realized that I was furious at all the cars around me for driving the wrong speed, the radio for playing too many commercials, etc. I realized that the only thing different was that I've been back into the energy drinks for a week or so, and not only am I getting angry for no reason, I've been snoring like CRAZY. I have no hard evidence that the caffeine is causing me to snore, but I'll stop it again, and see if that clears up.

I'll get myself on the scale tonight too, and see where I'm at.