So I have lurked on the boards for the better part of a year. I originally discovered John's transformation over on the BB.com boards prior to his establishing this fantastic community.

Today is the day that people have started with the 'over the hill' jokes. I turned 40. About six weeks ago I decided that I was not going to go gently into that good night. It was after a bout of wrestling with my 3-year-old son and being completely out of breath. He sensed my weakness, and launched himself off the coffee table, threw me in a head-lock and buffalo'd me into the carpet. I blacked out after that I'm pretty sure. :p

The capper was when my wife handed me a new pair of shorts (because all of my other shorts no longer fit) that had elastic waist panels on the side. She is a cold, hard woman - but I do love her so.

So, I'm here. I'm letting everyone know that I'm actually trying to do something about the shorts ...

My unprofessional advice? If your loving family wishes to take you to The Cheesecake Factory for your birthday dinner, accept graciously and mentally prepare yourself that you might be stepping just a bit outside of your regimented eating schedule.
The food was wonderful. I thought that they served everything family style, until I realized that each family style sized portion was actually for an individual.

I'm not lurking any more. Having started at 196 pounds, I am now at 184. I can't say that I know exactly where I want to get to yet, I'm primarily using the mirror as my guide. I'm no stranger to training, but in the past had difficulties with absolutism - succeeding or failing at any given moment. This is in part why I am hesitant to set hard and fast goals. I am trying to proceed with a long-term healthy lifestyle attitude.
However, I will try to post pictures soon.
Thanks to John, thanks to all of you - you are all inspirations.

Don M.


Does the world really need 50 kinds of cheesecake?

dmul-

welcome! hilarious writing in your post. i know exactly what you mean about absolutism--it helps if you limit your weigh-ins and BF% estimates so that you can avoid the paranoia that minute fluctuations from day-to-day cause.

at any rate, switching from lurking to posting will be the most beneficial thing for your fitness you've ever done. good luck!

Good to see you on the boards! Everyone has setbacks, I have had plenty of my own setbacks. The key is not letting it get you down. I would get so upset when I would have a cheat meal or a cheat day. Finally it just sunk in that this is a marathon and not a sprint. I was trying to be perfect and would of course fail because no one is perfect (except of course JS :bow: ).

All kidding aside, look at this as a new life NOT a new diet. You have the same reasons for changing your life as I do (my kids). There is nothing I won't do for them and that includes changing. I am sure you are the same way. So good for you! Take this new motivation and change your life. We'll be here for you. :gl:

We all fall off the wagon once in a while. As long as you get back on you will be fine. But get back on with great intensity.

One of the great things about doing this right is that you look at things in the longer term, so a minor slipup does not morph into a change in plans or mindset.

Keep up the good work. Get rid of those shorts once the elastic won't get small enough.

bd

I too recently started, but have similar starting 'issues' ... I'm a shade over 41, 6'2" and started at 254.5lbs ... yikes. Stretchy shorts, check. "Daddy's fat", check.

I started a few weeks back before finding this site, and am in the low 240s now ... amazing what a little diet and exercise will do for you.

I too haven't liked the absolutism, but I went and made one for myself anyway ... after seeing all the transforms here, I've decided 1st goal is 9%bf (my guestimate is I'm starting around 32%) ... I want to at least once see my abs. After that I have some functional strength targets (pullups, pistols, 1 arm p/u's) I'd like to hit that will require a bit of building/bulking, but I'm guessing for the next 6-7 months, I'm cutting.

So, you're not alone my friend.

... and no, the world doesn't need 50 kinds of cheesecake, of course I don't even need 1 kind ;)

Thank you all for the input. With a myriad of fitness forums out there, JSF is by far, one of the most supportive, positive, and in my opinion, successful.

Best of luck code monkey, keep the right attitude and a little perspective, and everything works smoother.

There was a time when I weighed, measured and analyzed everything that I ate. It was rarely a problem in the short term, but over time it became onerous for me.

I'm actually hoping a 'Whatever ...' approach will benefit me. My problem essentially was that I consistently focussed upon what I wasn't doing, instead of all of the good things that I actually was. This skewed view ultimately led to a string of success yo-yo's. I'd lose, buff up, get frustrated, then backslide to my starting point, or in the most recent case - my starting point plus 20 more pounds. I'm sure there are some folks out there that can relate.

good luck! That place is tasty and nobody should be expected to leave without feeling sickeningly full. It's the CCF way. I've only been once, but would like to return.

Tssk, tssk, tssk. Let that be a lesson to ya! Don't go into a barber shop if you don't want a haircut!!!!!!!
Just joshin'. Happy B-day. I wouldn't sweat one meltdown.
By the way - WELCOME!!!!!!

Yes, the world needs 50 kinds of cheesecake...because frankly it'll make most of us look that much better when the others have all 50 kinds :p

Congrats on your progress so far...I think most of the people here are works in progress in one form or another, so stick with it and use this site as a support network :D

Hey most of their cheescake is less that 1000 calories per slice! But if you are going to blow it, that is a good way to go.

White Chocolate and caramel ... :eat:


I must say that I am always amazed how quickly (whether physical or mental) your body can make adjustments to food. There was a point at work when pastries in the morning were as routine as deleting spam emails. Now I reach for my bowl, and mix some yogurt, whey protein, and Kashi together - this is what holds the appeal. And consuming yo-kashi doesn't leave me feeling bloated, and sleepy.

I just find it interesting that cravings and desires change. I can't shake the desire for something sweet in the afternoon, but a few caramel rice cakes now feel more satisfying than my former vice ... Milky Way Midnight.

I just find it interesting that cravings and desires change. I can't shake the desire for something sweet in the afternoon, but a few caramel rice cakes now feel more satisfying than my former vice ... Milky Way Midnight.

For my sweet tooth I usually turn to No Sugar Maple Syrup. I know it's not great for you but it has very little calories and no sugar. You can put it in oatmeal or some people mix it with naty PB. Anyways finding some little sweet food that you can eat when you get those cravings will usually help. Just my 2cents hope the PB and syrup didn't gross anyone out. :gl:

For my sweet tooth I usually turn to No Sugar Maple Syrup. I know it's not great for you but it has very little calories and no sugar. You can put it in oatmeal or some people mix it with naty PB. Anyways finding some little sweet food that you can eat when you get those cravings will usually help. Just my 2cents hope the PB and syrup didn't gross anyone out. :gl:

I recently got turned on to natty P.B. I mix the shit with EVERYTHING! DELICIOUS. By the way, me being the "dad" I am, I love your avatar!!!!

I love the Cheesecake Factory and i know how easy it is to ruin your CLEAN EATING goals when you go there. They have such a great and extensive menu. Everyone loosens up on their diet once in a while.

Oh, and my best friend has all the cheesecakes except for 4 of them. His goal is to finish off the whole cheesecake menu. My fav is the plain cheesecake with fresh strawberries and the Apple caramel Struesel:)