Motivated

[gopher]

Ok, a couple years ago I was in the best shape of my life...and I was in my mid 40's. I've let my diet slide, haven't lifted weight much, but have been playing tennis 4 days a week. However, I've put on weight around my midsection and as a result my clothes have gotten tighter and tighter. I went from 32" jeans to 34"s and even those began to feel snug. The final straw happened today. I left my home office and sat down on the couch to log into Loveshack when the frigging button on my cargo shorts popped off. Mind you, 2 years ago these shorts were falling off me....I am pissed at myself and have to make changes.

[tman666]

Hahaha sorry to hear about your button!

 

Hey, at least you're not a total newbie though. You're just a little rusty. Get back into the iron game and you'll be surpassing where you were in no time.

[reservoirdog1]

As you've already recognized, sounds like the issue is diet -- not exercise. You can bust your ass in the gym or on the court all you want, but if your diet is shyt, it's not going to help. As they say, "fitness starts in the kitchen".

 

I've always had a bit of a weakness for "bad stuff", never been terribly athletic, and have always been a bit pudgy, though never obese. I started karate about eight months ago and that helped; however, it wasn't until I radically changed my diet and started seeing a personal trainer who kicks my ass on a weekly basis that I've started seeing some results.

 

A few things I've cut out, almost entirely:

 

1. Beer

2. Chips

3. White rice, white pasta, white flour

4. French fries

 

A few things I've added or improved about my diet:

 

1. Radically reduced red meat consumption

2. Increased chicken/fish consumption

3. Radically increased fruits and vegetables (can't get enough fresh pineapple)

4. LOTS more water

5. Small snacks between meals -- handful of almonds, carrot sticks, an apple or banana, dried apricots, dill pickles

6. Often, a MUCH lighter evening meal -- sometimes just apple slices with peanut butter, plus another fruit

7. Radically reduced consumption of diet soda

 

It's still a work in progress, but it's going well so far. Give it a try!

[gopher]

Hahaha sorry to hear about your button!

 

Hey, at least you're not a total newbie though. You're just a little rusty. Get back into the iron game and you'll be surpassing where you were in no time.

 

Yeah, you always hear about those things and think it is a cliche until it happens..

 

Thanks, at least I know the committment it takes and know to build a program that works...

[gopher]

As you've already recognized, sounds like the issue is diet -- not exercise. You can bust your ass in the gym or on the court all you want, but if your diet is shyt, it's not going to help. As they say, "fitness starts in the kitchen".

 

I've always had a bit of a weakness for "bad stuff", never been terribly athletic, and have always been a bit pudgy, though never obese. I started karate about eight months ago and that helped; however, it wasn't until I radically changed my diet and started seeing a personal trainer who kicks my ass on a weekly basis that I've started seeing some results.

 

A few things I've cut out, almost entirely:

 

1. Beer

2. Chips

3. White rice, white pasta, white flour

4. French fries

 

A few things I've added or improved about my diet:

 

1. Radically reduced red meat consumption

2. Increased chicken/fish consumption

3. Radically increased fruits and vegetables (can't get enough fresh pineapple)

4. LOTS more water

5. Small snacks between meals -- handful of almonds, carrot sticks, an apple or banana, dried apricots, dill pickles

6. Often, a MUCH lighter evening meal -- sometimes just apple slices with peanut butter, plus another fruit

7. Radically reduced consumption of diet soda

 

It's still a work in progress, but it's going well so far. Give it a try!

 

Wow, great ideas and I know you are right about the diet. No matter what excuses I come up with, I just need to make those changes first. Surprisingly the toughest thing to cut back on will be my diet pepsi intake...

 

Congrats on your success!..keep it up and I'll compare notes with you as I go.

 

Thanks again for the advice.

[CrayonAngel]

I have to agree with reservior! Cut out simple starches and sugars...

and no POP.

[USMCHokie]

Another +1 on reservoirdog's post. In my experience, the single biggest change an average person can make to his/her diet is to eliminate liquid calories...

[2sure]

You dont need bigger shorts. Just move the button over.

 

Of course, that belly fat can be reduced by the changes suggested.

Or lipo.

 

I'm just sayin.

[gopher]

You dont need bigger shorts. Just move the button over.

 

Of course, that belly fat can be reduced by the changes suggested.

Or lipo.

 

I'm just sayin.

 

LOL Lipo...hmmmmm, had not thought of that....but, i think i will try the other changes first:p