You can do anything you set your mind too. Good luck in 2018!

Thanks bud!

I dont really eat "sugar". Very seldom have a Coke, no sweets in my home. Just not a fan. But Doc. informed me that noodles (ramen, pho, pasta etc.), bread, beer, (YES I KNOW!!! EVEN MY BEST FRIEND BEER!), breaks down into nothing but sugar. So even though I am not eating "sugar" my sugar levels can be high.

I am working on that already.

Cholesterol... yeah that's the red meat and the whole milk, and cheese! I love diary but its not really loving me back so have to cut way way back on that and red meat once a month max. I will save TONS on steaks!

I'm working on smaller portions, but it's a challenge. Think it's just natural instinct to eat until your full, or graze anytime there's food set out. Thankfully we're out of the holidays for a while.

Or, if you grew up in the 60's or 70's like I did, there's always that parental voice in the back of your head saying 'Clean that plate boy'.

Got blood work back from the Doc.

Cholesterol 273. Not sure good vs. bad but she said the good was "normal". BP for the last 30 days averaged 140/90. BMI is 28.6 so at 6'4 235 I am "overweight". Sugars were "borderline high" and she took more blood to look into that deeper.

So I have my work cut out for me. Gonna get this under control this year or else in 20 years I am going to stroke out or have a heart attack. She suggested a Mediterranean type diet so I have looked into that and it will be a big change but its something I can do and stay with... I like fish and whole grains, and wine ha ha. (In Moderation of course!)


The worst part is no more instant noodles, no more pho, no more french fires, burgers are out lol.

Wish me luck yall!

Best of luck with the transition! I had an in depth convo with my doc about BMI. BMI is a farce utilized by the insurance companies that applies to the "majority" and the majority has never been truly defined and continues to change and evolve. My doc said yes however we are obligated to go by that as the baseline. Fortunately he has some common sense and knows it does not apply to everyone. If you were an athlete growing up, still train some, and maintain some level of muscle (lean muscle mass) it will throw the BMI charts off. A friend is 6'2" and 252. Measured body fat is 5% (which is very low for a 50 y.o.) and the BMI charts show him as overweight/obese. Point being make the changes based on cholesterol/sugars rather than scale weight. Sugar issues are genetic as are cholesterol. Good thing is both can be controlled by food/fuel/hydration and increased activity.

Big bones? Big muscles?

True, but that is not the "normal" 50 year old build.

'Athletic build' and active. Define "normal".

Most 50 year olds don't fit this mold. Not in Texas.

Do I want to be enjoying myself fishing when I am 70 or 80 or even older?

Could not agree more and that's their damned problem - choices choices choices - I have been choosing a new way to eat since September. Down 28 pounds, blood sugar has improved, getting off my cholesterol meds soon and feel better than I can explain.

Krawlin good work man!

Choices indeed right? We all have them, and we all, for the most part, know the good from bad. But do we have the will power to side with the good?

When you talk about enjoying yourself into your older age its a great goal! Do I want to be enjoying myself fishing when I am 70 or 80 or even older? Or dead at 55 or 60 from a heart attack...choice is mine.

Last night on the news they also talked about a new study....mid age people (40-65) who never worked out....who start 5 hours of moderate workouts a week can decrease their risk of heart disease or complications by starting a regimen and reversing the conditions they acquired over 40 years. That is great news for the folks who are just joining the lifestyle!!

Well its been one week and I am down to 228! 7lbs in a week!?

Been doing really well on the diet. Smoothie/fruit/protein shake for breakfast. Been having big salads with NO BS (cheese, croutons, ranch dressing etc.) for lunch. Just veggies and some Olive oil and vinegar.

Dinner has been baked fish and veggies each night. Good think I just stocked up on blue cats! ha ha. Got a freezer full. Been having an apple or pear if I get really hungry but with the amount of water I am drinking thats not common. Have not really been on the exercise much but I do get 13k+ steps a day. Take the dog on 1.5 hour long walk each day... its not grueling but hey its moving lol.

13k steps is great. The days I break 10k are very active days, mowing, ridding, or doing chores around the house. Most days I probably avg around 5-6k.

I just wish it did better counting them on the bicycle, I know I can either get 10k doing a 4 mile run, or about 30 on the bike.

I need to get back on a health diet, salads for lunch are a good start.

Don't be afraid to have a "cheat" day. You will be much more successful in the long haul. I and many I know attempt to live by the 80/20 fueling rule. 80% of the time eat clean which for most is Monday - Friday at lunch and 20% you can have what you want. In time the 20% becomes moderate and overindulgence isn't as fun anymore!

Problem is some folks can really screw up a Monday- Friday good pattern with a bad weekend of eating and drinking. There are studies now saying you should look at the weekly total calories instead of daily. A 12 pack of beer on a Saturday night can really set you back. Add in a couple gluttonous meals and a large blizzard and you are screwed!!

No one can run that much!

I haven't had 12 beers on a Saturday since college.

I'm kind of enjoying the Mediterranean diet. I'm down to 224 so definitely trending the right way!

Not counting calories or anything but down 11bs in a few weeks.

Baked fish, fruits and veggies seems to work.

212 this AM. Have not been doing much exercise but I am going to start like today. I still get 10-15k steps a day so I focus on walking but thats not intense enough.

Down 25 lbs in 3 month. Where I am now about ideal for my height but I really want to get to 200. I kind of have abs at 200 and thats hot!

Really weight lose has slowed way down...Only about a pound a week or less even the last month or so... gonna have to hit the gym!

Thx butch.

I'm not going to lie it's not been easy. I've had to make major changes to how I eat. My original goal was to lower my blood pressure and my cholesterol and I've achieved that. Now I really want to get these last 12 pounds off and get to my goal weight

Thx butch.

I'm not going to lie it's not been easy. I've had to make major changes to how I eat. My original goal was to lower my blood pressure and my cholesterol and I've achieved that. Now I really want to get these last 12 pounds off and get to my goal weight

Had my 3 months follow up with my Doctor yesterday. She gave me a high five!

She was very impressed. Down 30lbs in three months, cut my cholesterol 120 points, blood sugar is normal again and my BP is very good! Now I am on BP meds but she suggested to decrease my dosage as with my weight down I may not need that much medication anymore and perhaps can get off it all together at some point.

So we are testing that out see how that goes.

I am at 207 now and am targeting 200. Almost there. Heck when I get to 200 I might look to get down to 190. At that weight I am slim and sleek...like a sexy car ha ha.

Oh one bummer, I have to buy new clothes, the GF said they look way too baggy now and my pants will fall off without a belt.

NICE!

Had my 3 months follow up with my Doctor yesterday. She gave me a high five!

She was very impressed. Down 30lbs in three months, cut my cholesterol 120 points, blood sugar is normal again and my BP is very good! Now I am on BP meds but she suggested to decrease my dosage as with my weight down I may not need that much medication anymore and perhaps can get off it all together at some point.

So we are testing that out see how that goes.

I am at 207 now and am targeting 200. Almost there. Heck when I get to 200 I might look to get down to 190. At that weight I am slim and sleek...like a sexy car ha ha.

Oh one bummer, I have to buy new clothes, the GF said they look way too baggy now and my pants will fall off without a belt.

NICE!

197lbs! Thats 42 pounds down.

Pushing for that 190. Getting there slowly but surely. Lately I have stopped eating after 2pm. That's how I got it jump started. Cheated on that for a few days on the camping trip but back on track now.

Like the way this is going. One thing I dont like, half my clothes dont fit right ha ha.

194 this AM!

I know that number will go back up, but was nice to see a new low.

Seems when I hit a new number, a new low, the next day or two it stays one or two lbs over that new low, then a few days later it lands on that new low and stays there till a new number shows up.

Going very well. If I can do it, anyone can do it!

Dan, your story is identical to mine. Just keep up the rigorous exercise and healthier eating. It�ll be fine!

18 Months later!! UPDATE

So 18 months ago I was 239.

Got as low as 198. Been sitting right in the 215-220 spot for 6 months. Need to get back to 210 but yea. Year and half later and I am still down 20lbs+ so I am pretty happy with that.

Now, time to renew and get back down to 200. Run number two is begun.