Accountability Thread

[Scatter]

Many thanks for your concern Mike and Bill..........I had a checkup probably 3 months ago. I'm incredibly healthy for someone who looks as bad as I do!! 

I've got a good 20 years of lifting/cardio experience, I'm a former EMT, I've got the background to do it properly. I just have to get on with it.

Raining today, and Nancy's grandma is in the hospital, so a bit limited in my workout.........4 miles of fast walking/light jogging. My hockey ankles and repaired ACL are giving me some aches, but so far so good.

I'm not cutting back on my simple carbs too much until I get into the groove because I always get into about a 3 day physical/mental funk at the outset. I don't need to deal with that while I'm trying to begin a routine. I won't weigh myself until Sunday, and then only once a week after that.

[Anton Phibes]

Food is definitely the enemy. Even if you can master staying thinner, the artery clogging fats are still there. My best friend's dad isnt really heavy---but he eats all the stuff we have been warned against. What we normally referred to as country style cooking before we got scared to death and informed.

He is just over 60 and had four consecutive strokes last weekend. Hes always been a pretty strong guy in mind, body and spirit---but he was begging the nurses to knock him out and give him his operation. He has the arteries in his neck blocked badly, and its causing him pain. The medication also causes extreme headaches. He surgery was supposed to be today.

Since my dad had his heart attack he raises his own food. Gardens, chickens, rabbit, quail and quail eggs. No processed food. Oner hamburger a month. Pizza every two months. He's thin as a rail and "shrinking" in body mass that comes along with age. But the doctors are amazed at his health since the heart attack. They actually told him he has no scarring or signs of ever having one, let alone two. Food is indeed the killer--but we can fight back and occasionally have the "tastes good but kills us" things,..... just in moderation.

[Dr. Madd]

I would, and I appreciate people who do this, but my one area of weakness is food.

[Moonshadow]

I just want to encourage and applaud Scatter -and everyone else who's joining in - for taking that big first step. My husband and I did the same thing back in January. The thing that got us started was seeing pictures from a recent trip. We decided we were TDF -Too Damn Fat. We had both been going to the gym but obviously it wasn't enough. We changed up our routine, started doing a program called P90X, plus plenty of walking, and really changed our diets. Long story short, we've both dropped some serious pounds -he's lost around 70 lbs and I've lost almost 20! I'm about 5 lbs shy of my college weight, which is something I never thought I'd see again. So you can do it!

I really think the key was more in the diet than the exercise (although that's still important). We really watch what we eat much more carefully now. Not that we don't still treat ourselves at least once a week; that's necessary for our sanity. But very rarely do we touch fast food, and our snacks are much healthier too. I can't say enough good things about the Eat This, Not That series of books too. Very helpful and eye-opening, especially when it comes to restaurant food.

So good luck everyone!

[Dr. Madd]

Might I suggest something from the food POV?

Sandwiches.

Hear me out. If you are exercising, eat sandwiches, according to my formula...

1 grain- bread or flatbread, tortillas, pizza crust, etc.
2 vegetables
1 meat
1 dairy

[marsattacks666]

I have to say, wow! I am late with this thread. Accountability! I would
have to with my weight gain since 1999. Two hundred thirty five pounds at 5' 11".
Not goooooood!!!

[Scatter]

I would, and I appreciate people who do this, but my one area of weakness is food.

I have multiple areas of weakness........

[Scatter]

OK, have to work both jobs today, so time for exercise was pretty limited. Did interval training running up this huge hill in Dreher Park. 15 minutes, but went as hard as I could. Some days you just take what you can get...........which is better than nothing.

[Unknown Primate]

Well, I went to physical therapy today, and my lower back, abs & ribs are sore as hell!  The therapist commented on the "abuse" my fat, out-of-shape, ape-like body has been through!  She twisted, pushed & pulled on me until I had to threaten her with a gorilla press (like I could actually do that anymore).  On the plus side, she thinks with my background in weightlifting, I can do all my stretching exercises at home - YES!  She also thinks I'm ready to start back at the gym.  Of course, I'll be training for core strength, but keeping weights fairly light and doing them very strict with medium-high repetitions.  Also, treadmill & stationary bike work.  I might start swim therapy in a few weeks also.  I am to expect a lot of soreness, aches & pains (so what else is new?).  I'm just jazzed to be given the go-ahead to do something!  I just have to remember - baby steps!

Tonight for supper:  TBLT sandwiches (turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato on whole grain bread), some veggies and yes, a few BBQ potato chips!

[Scatter]

Well, I went to physical therapy today, and my lower back, abs & ribs are sore as hell!  The therapist commented on the "abuse" my fat, out-of-shape, ape-like body has been through!  She twisted, pushed & pulled on me until I had to threaten her with a gorilla press (like I could actually do that anymore).  On the plus side, she thinks with my background in weightlifting, I can do all my stretching exercises at home - YES!  She also thinks I'm ready to start back at the gym.  Of course, I'll be training for core strength, but keeping weights fairly light and doing them very strict with medium-high repetitions.  Also, treadmill & stationary bike work.  I might start swim therapy in a few weeks also.  I am to expect a lot of soreness, aches & pains (so what else is new?).  I'm just jazzed to be given the go-ahead to do something!  I just have to remember - baby steps!

Tonight for supper:  TBLT sandwiches (turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato on whole grain bread), some veggies and yes, a few BBQ potato chips!

Does my heart good to see an active gorilla!! Especially YOU Magilla!! Very happy to hear of your progress my friend!! Hey, maybe I can sneak in a call this weekend??

[Unknown Primate]

If you can squeeze me in, that'd be great!

[Scatter]

If you can squeeze me in, that'd be great!

No, it's not squeezing YOU in............it's me wondering if YOU'RE available for a little chat. And I take it the answer is yes!! I'll be in touch!

PS, have you let any of your little creatures out of their plastic bins to inhabit the new digs yet?? We need pics!!

[Unknown Primate]

My injury sorta put a hold on my monster room, but they're in there - just mostly in their tubs!  It's still fun to go through 'em and get a feel for how I'm gonna display the little beasties!

Scatter, I just know how busy you are with the house, the jobs and now, working out...  but yes, I'm available bruddah!

[Unknown Primate]

Just got back from the gym - first workout since August 5th!  Very slow-going & had to use my cane to get around.  Last night, I got ZERO sleep & am slightly delirious - the wife says, " Tell me something I don't know! ".  Anyway, for those interested, here's the quick rundown.  Had to use ridiculously light weights, but it's better than nothing!

Walked from the car to the building, and into the exercise area - whew!  That was my warm-up.

LAT PULLDOWNS - 60 lbs. x 20 - 70 lbs. x 15 - 80 lbs. x 15
SEATED ROWS - 50 lbs. x 3 sets x 20
DUMBELL CURLS - 25 lbs. x 3 sets x 15

Walked back to car.  That was my cool-down.

Remember, Golden Gorilla, BABY STEPS!

Scatter, how's your calf injury coming along?

[Scatter]

The calf is still KILLING me. Thing even charlie-horses up in the middle of the night.