Recently, I decided that it was time to lose some weight. I was the heaviest I have ever been, and although I don't think most people thought of me as overweight, I was/am. At 6'4", I just carry it better, which means that it doesn't show as much on my frame, but I was nearing 250 pounds. Officially, I think my highest weight was 248 or so.
I started eating better (meaning less junk), and lost about 10 pounds over a couple of months. I also started exercising a bit more - mainly walking when I had time.
This past week, I made a bigger commitment, and set some tangible goals as well. I am doing the only things that have ever worked for me when it comes to weight loss. I am counting calories and exercising daily. Nothing overly hardcore, but enough that I should be able to continue to lose a pound or two each week. I think this will result in a lifestyle change, as opposed to rapid weight loss from Atkins or something similar.
I started the week at 237.6 (the joy of digital scales, huh?). This morning, I was 233.4.
I heard about an iPhone app that has been helping, called Lose It!. It enables me to easily track my caloric intake and to add exercise, which means I "earn" more calories. My wife, son and I are all trying to lose roughly 30 pounds each.
My goal weight is 210 or less. I'm not sure if I'll be able to hit this by late September, but my wife has a high school reunion event and I am hoping to be close when that happens.
This past week, I have been biking with my son, walking, some running, swimming, weightlifting, and doing calisthenics. Using another iPhone app, "100 Pushups", I have worked up to doing 32 real pushups over the past week. On the first day, I could do exactly 4. :) My longest set is 11 thus far.
One of my other goals is to be able to do 3 or 4 real pullups. I don't recall ever having done ONE pullup properly in my entire life, so this goal is far loftier than it may appear at first glance.
I've found so far that it's much easier to lose weight when we are supporting each other, and I've also discovered that I have more time to exercise than I thought. My energy level is much higher already, and I feel stronger and thinner.
If you actually read this far, you're probably wondering why I decided to share this level of detail. Two reasons:
- It will allow me to look back and track my progress
- I think it will be motivational and hold me accountable to know that many other people know my goals for this
Thanks very much for reading! I'm off to get another glass of water now. :)
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If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
Go Jason. Great idea. You'll find lots of folks here to cheer you on.
Charles - I think you're right! I already feel a lot better - hoping for some nice results over the next few months. I don't want to be that heavy again anytime soon.
Good for you, keep up the good work!
I thinks great of you to realize and then make a change and stay committed... Good luck, your doing wonderful.
Hi Jason-
I'm delighted to hear that you are making progress with your health. We all need to support each other in our lifestyle improvements. Real estate is as tough business and has a lot of temptations to do more lead generation and sometimes, that's more than the hours in the day.
Even though you can't see me, I'm right there with you!
--Sara in San Antonio
HA! Check your email Jason...
Jason,
You'll make it!
Bill
Jason, we are cheering for you! Keep going!
Jason, you've got guts. You're a braver soul than I. I commend you for your openness and attitude. That's half the battle. I'll be pulling for you.
Jason....GOOD for you! I've got about 20 I need to lose, and I've changed my workout time from early am to mid afternoon. It seems to be a problem.
I learned that 7am-11am is my most productive time, and I was spending half of it in the gym. So, I;ve switched my gym time to 2-4pm, but I'm having one heck of a time keeping that appointment.
Thanks for a "nudge" to get back on schedule!
Hi Jason, looks as if you are on the right track. We are in your corner so keep us posted on your weight loss. You are keeping me motivated.
Jason, we love you just the way you are... but am so proud of you. I too have been on the road to a healthier me. For me it's weight watchers. I applaud you my friend, and the next time we see each other we'll be looking for a smaller t-shirt size!
Pam
Great goals Jason, and good luck. This advice may sound contradictory at first but trying eating more. More specifically eat more often but smaller portions. As you detailed, the goal is to burn more calories than you take in. When you eat more often, your metabolism stays at a higher level longer which in turn burns more calories. When you eat only three meals a day, your body stores energy for the time periods when it needs it between meals.
Also, cut out the red meat. It takes longer to digest which slows down your metabolism.
Doing both of those, plus running 4-5 times a week, I dropped about 17 pounds in May.
Aaron
All the best with your new goals -- may you accomplish them in record time.
Jason. Good luck with your goal. I have lost about 40#'s so far and have another 30 to go. It can be done. I found that for every 10#'s I had to change my game plan as the body seems to get used to what you are doing...
Good luck Jason and congrats on your success so far. By making this public statement, you have added to the folks cheering for you to meet your goal.
Jason,
Congratulations on setting a goal, publicly announcing it and having that accountability.
As you may know from Facebook and/or Twitter, I've completed the 100 Pushups App and am now working on the 200 Situps App. The great thing is that it does create that accountability. Your friends cheer you on and/or critique you (when you do less one day than you did the day before). You'll be surprised how many people actually keep track of your progress. Sometimes I'll run into people who say "how are those pushups going?"
By the way, you may notice that some of your friends follow your lead and start using these apps. Since I started, I know of at least 1/2 dozen other agents and other friends in my area who are now completing the workouts.
Good luck in reaching your weight and fitness goals.
Jason, great job, I love the accountability by going public. I believe that concept works. Oh and by the Greg Nino and I area planning a big BBQ, you know baby back ribs, brisket, corm soaked in butter, alright well we will save you some...
thanks for the inspiration as you amy not know, I need it
Good morning Jason,
Congratulations! You are definitely determined and sharing your goals does make you more accountable! We are cheering you on..you will make your goal for your wife's class reunion this fall! I'll bet on it!
Jason-congratulations on making an important decision and going public with it. We all have to have goals in our lives or we would just be wandering around aimlessly every day. Good luck.
Jason - that is AWESOME! Usually when i find myself with a little extra weight (LIKE NOW) all I do is start eating better (less junk like you) and portion control! That way I don't deny myself anything. I wish you so much success and I know that you can easily attain your goal my your wife's reunion! I'll be thinking of ya as I pull out my food scale this morning! Get us updated!!!!
I was a great routine this winter; then spring hit and I got busy. Now to just balance work life and exercise/eating right. With the crazy schedules we have in this business; it's not easy.
Keep up the good work.
Good luck with your weight loss goals Jason. I know you will feel much better once you hit your goal.
Sounds like you are on the right track. A life style change works better then any type of crash diet.
Keep it up.
Jason -Good for you. Got to do it myself - again! Walking seems to be best for me as I get older! Good luck with your plan! High school reunions exist to motivate weight loss!
I have been on this weight loss challenge myself and it still makes me giggle that in order to loose weight you have to "Eat Less/Wkout More" Less Calories in, More calories out...Thanks for sharing your goals with us, it's a great way to have accountability....Keep up the good work, Jen..ps as I only have 6 more minutes on the computer before i need to workout!
You and the fam can do it my friend. I'm on a mission as well to reach 180 and obtain a six pack. Abs, not beer! :-)
Congrats and good luck on reaching your goals Jason, I know you can do it, and so do you. :-)
Jason...you've made the right choice to live a healthy lifestyle. Good for you! I made the decision a few months ago and it has made a complete difference in how I feel. This was a great idea posting your goals here, it does keep you accountable.
Jason - kudos to you for braving the Texas heat and running and walking with your son. Geez, I hope you are tacklingthese activities in the mornings. I too am working to shed some unnecessary poundage (100 to be exact). My savior is the Body Bugg (24 hour fitness sells it). You strap it to your arm and it calculates the calories burned and allows you to enter calories consumed online. It rocks!
Hey there, just wanted drop by & thank you again for participating in the Twitter blog experiment. It looks like it's really been taking off :)
Good luck on the weight loss. I've been cutting back as well. I've found protein shakes are a great meal alternative... if you find one that tastes good at least :)
Jason: The Wii Fit has made me a lot more motivated to lose some pounds. A video game telling me I'm obese is simply unacceptable. That motivation got me to at least have it tell me I'm overweight. I may never be normal according to the Wii Fit, but I can guarantee you that I will continue to eat better and exercise just to see that graph of my weight coming down. It's a visual motivation. You can see the difference on the graph before you see it on yourself.
Oh gosh, and I just finished my creative kitchen therapy, after working all weekend... but I'm giving it all away today! Good luck, Jason... beauty and good taste can be appreciated like art :-)
Good luck from me as well. Jason don't they say things are bigger in Texas?
Jason, If you want to look better just stand beside me :) I have about 25lbs on ya. It's all strong fat though.
I stared working out heavily about a month ago and thus far have gained almost 10 lbs!!! Maybe next month I'll cut out the candy bars.
Going public is like writing it down. You aren't going to write down a lie. Best diet I was ever on was a parsons technology program called diet analyst. I've lost the 5.25 floppy long ago and can't find the program any where. Parsons tech got bought by Intuit. Too bad. The deal was, you enter what you want to lose...2 lbs per week...enter every thing you eat (and you can't enter 2 oreos when you ate eight)...and enter any exercise. I went from almost two hundred to 170 just in time for my wedding. And the new eating habits developed have kept it off.
Jason, good luck I'm sure you will get there. I am blessed I was always skinny growing up and hated it now I'm OK with it, little gut though.
Jason, good for you and your family! You are an inspiration!
I still have not checked out 'Lose It', but I did see that Push Up application and thought it was pretty cool. I think its great to go public with your goals because it holds you accountable. I should really do something similar because I could certainly lose a few pounds... Good Luck with your goal!
Good for you Jason, Some simple rules are energy in must be less than energy out.
If your food can be delivered through a take-out window, it's not good for you and should be avoided. Also, if it is processed, you would do better to leave it on the shelf.
Use a smaller dinner plate. Amazing how perception is reality.
ONe of my tricks is to keep a jar of vinegar-based pickles in the fridge and while I am preparing my dinner, I eat one along with a few pickled onions. This I find helps temper my appetite and heard that vinegar has a good effect to help us lose weight thoughI am not sure why.
Good Luck! Go slow, steady and make changes slowy you can incorporate in to your daily regime.
Hey Jason, deciding to take "control" of your body and taking care of it is a huge commitment. With all those temptations out in the world, it can be a challenge. I'm really happy to hear about your transformation and it will become easier because it becomes a lifestyle. You will not have to think about doing working out, you just do it and your body and mind will want it because it feels good in all aspects. A great way to get some cardio, a bit of residence, coordination and balance into your routine, if your ever in the mountains ...is to go rock scrambling, which will be posted in my next blog..very fun!!
The first thing you need to do is go back and read Greg Nino's post about the REALTOR(r) pin, alnd scroll down to my comment about how I lost weight wearing the magnetic version! Great goals, maybe you can start the Biggest Looser here on Active Rain? Congrats on making a good decision.
Jason - Glad to see you sharing this with everyone. I think your goal of using it as a reminder and a way to look back is excellent. Like you, I have been becoming more concious about my weight and trying to set goals to lose some. Just downloading that Lose It! app now to see how it works. Tom Ferry just challenged me to cut the junk and lose two pounds a week for the next seven weeks. I think I may take him up on it.
Thanks for even more supportive comments!
My weight today: 231.6
Jason - Not only will your health and energy level improve, your kids will have you around longer! A win-win on all sides! this is sure one way to make sure you stay on track!!!!
You go Jason! I was always thin and then about the time I hit 40 I started gaining weight and then losing it and yo-yoing for years. Now I'm thin again and I owe it to finally eating less and running. Running is my exercise of choice. Everybody has to find their own way, but we have to eat less and move more. Simple but hard to do. I also keep a journal. So I think you are on track and I look forward to seeing your weight recorded where it should be. Keep it up and be proud of every little pound lost. and....Never, never, never give up.
Good luck. I'm rooting for you!
Way to go Jason. And I like that you are going about this the smart way by using common sense. Watch calories, exercise. I think you are already a pretty energetic guy so watch out when you are a slimmer version.
My experience is that weight loss is first an intake issue. Exercise is for a healthy heart, etc, but it is hard to exercise weight off.
The real difficulty those is maintaining the loss with permanent life style changes.
Good luck. Nothing feels better than feeling good about yourself.
You can do it because you have discipline. Sometimes, it's all in the head and you have already won.
Hi Jason. I just noticed this post. I see that you are already on your way to achieving your goals.
Today's weight - 229.1
Feeling much more energetic and stronger!
I'm also 6'4" but 188. I was 175 until I had surgery on 10/31/03 at which point I put on 40 pounds. Last June I bought a handy dandy Canon Rebel XSi and have taken up photography again, which gets me out from behind this desk. With my daily walks I'm now down to that 188. I working on getting back to 175 since that was the weight I felt best at.
Right there with you buddy. I'm beginning Weight Watcher's again (online only). I successfully lost 27 pounds in WW over a 4+ month period. Experienced a family tragedy and began drinking wine on a nightly basis and have gained over 20 pounds back. So, back to it. Quite amazing how eating healthier made me so much more productive and positive - great benefits all around.
Good luck to you!
Hammering a stake into the ground like a public post is gutsy. No going back. Best gift a young Dad can give his kids is to be lean and mean. Okay, maybe not the mean part. Good luck. Your hardwork is showing in the new picture.
To those of you who were tracking my progress (mainly my family and myself probably), I was 222.3 this morning, which means I've lost about 26 pounds to this point. I'm thinking of revising my original goal, possibly to 200 instead of 210. Depends on how I feel when I get there. :)