Joined a gym..

[Eastcoastdiesel]

So I am a little excited and a bit nervous!

I have been a gym rat in high school, and stress and depression had really taken a till on me, enough to make me just give up.

Wasn't a pretty sight to say the least, sat on the computer and played online video games, Instead of getting out there.

Well! Even though my job is pretty physical, I'm gonna get in shape again! Wish me luck my family

[j hancock]

At least you can get some exercise and reduce stress while messing with your fleet of critters.

Watch out for gym hunks, lunks, bunks or whatever they are called.

[other dog]

Good luck- Bulldogman might have some helpful gym rat info, he stays in the gym...looks like superman

[hatcity]

Good luck at the gym

Do want you want to work on. Aerobics or strength training

Take it easy for the first few days/weeks. Your body will let you know you are going to far. Listen to it.

Don't try to lift 200 pounds right away-you end up with a hernia-like me

[mack mhe9]

My wife does that Crossfit boot camp she loves it. Said its a good group of people and they don't judge you they just try to help you get to you max potential.

[1958 F.W.D.]

ECD- in October of 2010 I weighed about 385.

Around Thanksgiving of 2011 My Doctor had a heart-to-heart (pardon the pun) with me about my heart, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, back problems, etc but mostly about the high BP, cholesterol and type II diabetes. Told me that if I stayed on the path that I was on, that by Christmas of 2012 I would have full-blown diabetes and would be giving myself a shot in the stomach everyday. I said "SCREW THAT." (except using a different word.) I cut back on a lot of activities, including being a volunteer firefighter. (I had to medically retire from my career firefighting job due to my back injury which was aggravated by my weight....)

Had RNY gastric bypass on May 30, 2012. The day of surgery I weighed 328lbs. Yesterday at the gym I weighed in at 197. I am up at 0500 4 days per week (if not more) and am at the gym by 0530. If I don't get there, I get PISSED!!!!

Living healthy and losing weight has allowed me to do things I have not done in years. I am enjoying doing things with my boys (a lot of sledding in all this snow lately for one) I have also become active once again with my volunteer fire department, not only in a driving capacity (which is all I was able to do for years due to the weight and bad back) but also as an interior firefighter as well- watch this old man run circles around the kids and climb over them when they wimp out in hallways!!)

Bulldogman and I constantly egg on one another on Facebook about our gym schedules and thrive off each other, all in fun of course! Good on you for making the decision to get back in the gym- and remember that getting in the gym is half the battle, you also have to eat healthy if you want to be healthy!!

[farmer52]

ECD - congratulations on your decision and good luck. I hope you achieve the results you want.

But we need some before and after pics....oops.

You know the saying.....pics or it didn't happen.

[mike69mackman]

Good luck at the gym, but by judging some of the pics you've posted of yourself you look like your already in great shape.😉

[mowerman]

good luck with that,,,,most of us go like twice,,,,and then the car just wont go there,,,,lol.bob

[bulldog man]

I Tried quotes on Tom (Other Dog & Randy Y (1958 FWD) NEITHER WOULD WORK FOR ME BUT HERE IT GOES :

ECD- Congrats Hun glad to see you getting back in the gym .

As Tom & Randy both sid I stay in the gym . if im not cutting grass or hauling recaps during the busy season im in the gym . after harvest season in the fall & all through winter if there is no work for me im in the gym & ill stay there sometimes for 4-6 hours . I Used to be active in my teens to mid 20's stayed in decent shape then I stayed in the drivers seat of the dump trucks we had or in the operators seat of farm, logging, & construction equipment 12-14 hours a day for many years & after I got home I didn't go any thing but sit on my butt .

I Had a severe case of depression esp after my sons mother & myself got split apart by other people interfering in our relationship . Matter fact its still a bit touchy so I don't talk about them much on FB @ ALL to keep the drama down !!

I USED TO BE ON 7 DIFFERNT MEDS FOR EVERYTHING FROM Acid Reflux , Depression, 2 pain killers , HBP , Cholestol, & Gout . When the dump truck I was driving was idling waiting to be loaded (& I didn't have to load myself) I was pulling out Twinkies , ho hos (no pun intended yall ) Polish sausage, red hot sausage, hot souse , bologna, any kind of candy but esp chocolate just mention a few things that was in my Coleman cooler to eat . I used to be the same way when I was loading trucks cause the same cooler stayed in the cab of the track hoe w/ me . if that machine was idle I was eating & drinking a coke.

I used to drink Coke, Diet Coke & other soft drinks like water . I slowly weaned myself off of them , now I hate the taste of them & it takes me awhile to drink a 12 oz can if I don't throw it away or give it away 1st. my diet 7 days a week for many years was a NOT 1 BUT 2 JUMBO COMBOS W/ 2 LARGE SWEET TEAS FROM TOPS BBQ A LOCAL MEMPHIS BASED BBQ RESTRAUNT W/ LOCATION ALL THROUGHOUT THE MID SOUTH . I did this twice a day . The Millington location is within walking distance of my house & the wind blows to the South I can smell that hickory wood cooking that bbq. I was told by my dr in may 2010 TOPS WAS OFF LIMITS TILL I GOT MY WEIGHT DOWN . Tops was my biggest weakness . now I may go in the 3 or 4 times a year vs every day like I used to . tops now will give clean me out in 30 minutes . ...lol

IN April 2004 I was 28 just a few months from being 29 yrs old : I was under our 87'R688ST Mack tandem dump (I think its a pic of the red sleigh in my gallery & named cause the regular driver looked like a thin version of Santa & the truck was tagged by the scale master in rock pit in Memphis) I was servicing the sleigh checking transmission for oil, greasing grease fittings , check other things as well . I went to crawl out from under the sleigh via the passenger side saddle tank . MY BELLY TOUCHED THE BOTTOM OF THE 75 GALLON FUEL TANK . I had to slide back behind the tank & in front of the front tandem behind the belly blower exhaust on the passenger side to get out & I struggled to get back up .

My grandfather that raised me from 2 yrs old & his older brother my great uncle both told me "son that's what myself & your uncle have been trying to tell you , the crew has tried to tell you you got to loose the weight . they made me promise id loose the weight . They both passed on to the other side in April & May of 2005 a month a part from 1 another.

I continued to drive tri axles dumps for buddies of mine after their passing along w/ driving a recap truck for my buddies who sold us our new & cap tires both.

In April 2007 I was curious how much I weighed so I waited till the scales were empty @ the rock pit I used to haul gravel out of for ourselves . the scale master was a buddy of mine . I stepped on the scale I was 330 lbs & a 48" waist . In July of 07 ' I went to get my physical done they wouldn't pass me because of my health . I lost my CDLS IN JULY OF 07 CAUSE I WAS TOO LAZY TO GET OFF MY FAT ASS & MOVE.

I continued to drive a F250, F350 Ford PSD PULLING 16' -20' TIRE TRAILERS FOR MY BUDDIES Hauling caps & casings . I used to wear out before we got the trailer loaded or unloaded . now I hang w/ the best of them .

IN THE LAST WEEK OF May 2010 I Went to my dr for a check up : I was 34 & just a couple months from being 35 . he told me your almost 35 yrs old. your a stroke & heart attack waiting to happen , diabetes is in your dads family you don't have it but you'll have it soon . your on blood pressure , gout, acid reflux, cholesterol & 2 pain killers for you cebral palsy & back . He said you sit on your ass all day & you get home you sit on your ass then . He said you wont live to see your son grow up let alone see 40 yrs old . he said get up & move your ass & if you don't since you are an heavy equipment operator take a back hoe to the grave yard where your dad & grandfather are buried & dig a grave & lay down in it . He reminded me that I was still 330 lbs & a 48" waist & still had that dadgum scale ticket of my weight . cause in 07 he didn't have a scale that went to 400 lbs like he did in 10 . All that woke me up .

By June 5 2010 I started walking a local track that is 3/4 mile walking track w/ no support system what so ever . @ 1st I didn't last quite last 10 minutes w/o huffing & puffing . by august 2011 I was walking up to an hour half a day close to 10 miles a day . I called my insurance company about a co pay & the lady on the other end says "Mack we pay for your gym membership as long as you pay your premiums through a program & your not using it ". I lmao told her I didn't know about it . that was 8-15-11

I found out I had old friends of mine , my parents , my grandparents , folks I worked with in the past all in the local YMCA . I FOUND MY SUPPORT SYSTEM THERE . I started there I was around 300lbs & lost about 30 by myself on the track . I started 30 minutes a day 3 days a week there & still 3 days on the track . eventually over time I phased the track out & walk the sidewalks around the Y During decent weather & I do cardio 6 days a week & strength train 3 days a week . I work out up to 4 to 5 hours a day if I don't have anything to do esp in the winter like now .

If I miss a day in the gym & I don't tell them whats going on , I Get called or visited by other members or some of the staff including personal trainers . that makes me feel good that I have that kinda support . they have me on video there I have been in front of the METRO BOARD Of the Metro Memphis YMCA (Board over all the Local Y's) & told my journey . they have pics of me there also. THEY HAVE SEEN MY PROGRESSION . I don't own a full lenth mirror in my house . but I get @ the gym & stare in the mirror & wonder where in the hell the fat boy went .

Im now stay about 180 -185 lbs & a 32 -33 waist . THE GYM IS MY DRUG OF CHOICE & IF I DONT HAVE IT I GET WITH DRAWLS . @ 1ST the Workout was a chore . Now its a drug : I gotta have it & im in the 6 days a week regardless of what my schedule is . & my dr has me off all meds but 1 )25 mg bp pill & said I ought to be off it soon . tells me I wish all my patients do like you did .

all I take now is about 3 supplements & a vitamin & that's it. I watch what I eat & drink . im 38 be 39 in July & I feel like im 16 again tho I know im not ...lol & the dr says I can get my CDLS BACK & I Can pass the physical now .

& there are times I have speak w/ old friends & family who hasn't seen me in awhile they don't know me till I speak then they reconized my southern voice ...lol .

My gym rat friends & my friends from other circles & family plus 1958 FWD (Randy) Push Me & keep me going . w/o the support I have now I would have never made it this far & possible gave up . Yardo & myself give each other hell on FB All in fun & that pushes me to do more .

The 1 thing im most proud of is not only the 150lbs I lost, BUT: The Fact I kept my promise to pop (grandfather) & my great uncle I Sure hope they would be proud of me .

Don't over do it hun & build yourself back up slowly . you've been a gym rat before you know what im saying . I'LL be here for support if you need it .

aka Bulldog Man

[Eastcoastdiesel]

Thank you so much for the encouragement and stories guys.

Matter of fact it is the summerville YMCA I have joined. I just hope I can find awesome friends like y'all have to give me that extra push!

[DCR]

Great testimony Bulldog Man. I need to keep reading it so as to become motivated to get moving and knock off a few pounds. At one point in my life I was running about 30 miles a week and it does become a GOOD drug. Keep it up.

[1958 F.W.D.]

Thank you so much for the encouragement and stories guys.

Matter of fact it is the summerville YMCA I have joined. I just hope I can find awesome friends like y'all have to give me that extra push!

You're welcome. Now stop pushing computer keys and start pushing weights!!!! LOL Just kidding. Workout and eat right- remember they go hand in hand.

[eddeere]

Great testimony & story. Most likely a lot of us could use more exercise and a better diet. I retired thee years ago and your post gave me a wake up call. I realized that I am in the worst shape I have ever was in. Not good 5' 9" 180# but fixing a flat on my Mack left me short of breath. Good luck to you and Eastcoastdiesel stick with it.

[Eastcoastdiesel]

Thank you!

My first day in the summerville y and I am just too enthusiastic! I enjoyed myself and I feel so much happier.

I could use some meal tips though! The south makes it hard!

[hatcity]

In the South, most things are fried. It's the best way to cook some food.

BUT, look for foods that are baked, grilled, etc. NO LARD (gasp)

Light on the seasonings too. Some stuff has so much other stuff, it defeats the purpose.

Vegetables-lots of them

Fruits

One of the best ways is to cook you own so you can control it.

Once in a while you can go off the specialty foods. You need a splurge time; just don't let it go on a three day binge.

Cut back on alcohol intake-if you so imbibe

Chicken is good. So many ways to cook. Also fish. Not Tuna from a can.

I tell you this with a big crock pot full of chili in the kitchen.

[MACKS]

In the South, most things are fried. It's the best way to cook some food.

BUT, look for foods that are baked, grilled, etc. NO LARD (gasp)

Light on the seasonings too. Some stuff has so much other stuff, it defeats the purpose.

Vegetables-lots of them

Fruits

One of the best ways is to cook you own so you can control it.

Once in a while you can go off the specialty foods. You need a splurge time; just don't let it go on a three day binge.

Cut back on alcohol intake-if you so imbibe

Chicken is good. So many ways to cook. Also fish. Not Tuna from a can.

I tell you this with a big crock pot full of chili in the kitchen.

Agreed, also turkey and from what Im told a few ounces of alcohol a day is good for your cardio system, a top notch vascular surgeon told me this..

[farmer52]

Agreed, also turkey and from what Im told a few ounces of alcohol a day is good for your cardio system, a top notch vascular surgeon told me this..

Heard that today...a few ounces a day.....not several bottles! However us diabetics can't have any.

[hatcity]

Drink Johnnie Walker instead of beer

My comment was to cut back-not cut out

[j hancock]

Damn! No lard?

What the hell kind of diet is this?

[bulldog man]

Thanks DCR & Eddeere : It was a mind set I had to make up my mind I wanted to do this & the dr telling me what he did made my mind up .

BTW Yall I used to dread being behind a push mower now I don't mind @ all .

ECD - YW Keep it up & I agree w/ everything Randy (1958 FWD ) Ed (Hatcity ) have said . I Couldn't had said it better myself fellas . My grandma used to cook w/ a lot of Lard & fatback too . now I wonder how in the hell I ate like that .

1 of my other weakness besides Tops BBQ Is my Grandmother's Homemade Blackberry cobbler that my older sister , my Aunt & Cousin know how to make just like she did . I Eat my weight in it if I don't watch myself . it is 1 of my favorite splurges to this day . I had just a small helping @ Christmas & my family was surprised not only the way I looked but the way I ate . I used to eat 3 or 4 plates then 2 or 3 plates of dessert . now around the holidays I eat 1 plate & a small helping of dessert & im done . My family was trying to get me to eat more @ Christmas ...lol I didn't budge .

I Used to drink Jack Daniels Black label on the weekends like water . & kept @ least a fifth in the freezer most of the time I had a half gallon of JD Black . . now I hardly drink any alcohol @ all . I drank some @ new years 1 st time in I don't know when . & whats left of the JD Honey will be used by myself or a buddy for cooking.

I eat a lot of grilled chicken , white turkey meat, fish, (I love grilled salmon) & eat quite a bit of Subway, & Lenny's (a Memphis based sub shop) I rarely eat mayo anymore on any sandwich . most of the time I use mustard , or sweet onion sauce @ subway .

[PeterMack]

Bulldog Man its funny you mentioned the mower because that is one of the things I do to stay active. I have a big enough

yard for a rider but I kept the push mower and it forces me to move. I've always tried to stay active (mountain biking, weights,

golf, etc) but in the summer when your working a ton of hours it gets tough to squeeze in workouts so mowing is at least

one way to get moving. I try to look at washing my truck and trailer as a workout or if I'm doing lowboy stuff and slinging

chains it feels better to get up and move rather than sitting on my ass all day. Gonna be 34 shortly and getting a little

fatter than I'd like to be, so I've cut back on the boredom snacking and am trying to get my ass back in gear. It's tough

after a 12 hour day in the truck but, gotta do it. Good luck to all.

[keg1]

After reading all this I even got motivated to go spend some time on the treadmill tonight. I haven't done that for a long time.

[eddeere]

There is a lot of knowledge & help on this site. Stay healthy live long so we can help each other. If some one passes every thing they know maybe lost.

[1958 F.W.D.]

Much of my diet is dictated by my RNY Gastric Bypass. There is a lot that I can and cannot eat. Many think "oooh gastric bypass- he can't eat anything good anymore." Baloney. In fact I am tired of meat all the time. I would love to have a salad- they are ok for me, they have vitamins and nutrients but no protein. I have to eat a lot of meat, eggs, nuts, granolas, and other protein food. Beans are good for me (HAH!) Chili is a great food for me to have- especially turkey or venison chili!!!!

I am the last person to dispense diet advice, but from my limited edumacation, the three biggest downfalls of the American diet:

1. Too much carbohydrate intake/not enough protein.

2. Too much sugar intake

3. Portions too large.

Part of a successful eating is overcoming your mind's tendency to dictate how much you eat. "I want to eat a whole pizza" or "I want to eat four slices."

Bullshit. That's your mind talking. You need to slap yourself upside your head and convince your mind that "I only NEED to eat one slice. And some chicken" (or another source of protein.)

Easter Sunday of 2012 I cut out ALL soda. All of it. Even the diet soda, They are garbage in liquid form, especially non-diet sodas. And I drank a 2-liter bottle of Coke or Dr Pepper a day. It was tough breaking the habit but I did it. I also cut out all sugary junk foods like candy. If I want a snack, I'll grab a handful of peanuts, or a granola bar, or a tablespoon of peanut butter.

I cut out a lot of bread. I might have a roll (like say with a cheese steak or tuna/chicken salad) once or twice a week but for the most part I eat flour tortillas (wraps) instead of bread with sandwiches. Most carbs went out the door too- potatoes (unless if it's a baked sweet tater- they're ok as they have a lot of protein) and the hard one for me- PASTA. Giving up pasta in quantity sucked royally. Love me a big old plate of red gravy and meat balls and pasta. But I can still have a little bit- just angel hair as thats the only kind my stomach can now tolerate and digest properly.

Deserts: For me, sugar is bad news. I wont get into the specifics but if you are curious, just google "Gastric Bypass Dumping." No one is saying you have to cut out sugary food altogether, but cutting back is absolutely in order. No sugary stuff for breakfast- have some oatmeal instead. I have a FANTASTIC overnight crock-pot oatmeal recipe.

Cut back and cut out is in order. Cut back on the portions. Cut out the garbage. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eat more chicken and fish without processed sauces. Learn to cook using spices and other natural flavors. Steamed and baked pork, fish and chicken can be fantastic if you learn how to do it right.