Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Obesity research confirms long-term weight loss almost impossible

Sample00 · 06-06-2014, 06:28 AM

I can pretty much tell you that its about lifestyle change.

Its not about dieting. Its about making a conscious decision to change the way you approach life and what it takes to sustain yourself.

It took me a long time to figure out that sitting on a couch, eating a bag of potato chips with dip wasnt going to cause me to gain weight. Surprise!! and I hit 285lbs. But that still didnt do it.

Then came the day when I was asked to host an awards ceremony. That meant buying a new suit, shirt, shoes etc. Having to go to King Richards mens wear to buy said clothes. It was embarrassing and leaving the store, I turned to my wife and said, never again will I go into that store.

Its like alcoholism or smoking. You have to decide that you want to change the way you live your life. And I did.

Its not easy. It takes time, dedication and the willingness to go on when you would rather do something completely different. It takes time to retrain your mind.

I had someone tell me about Livestrong and the calorie counter. I used that. Well even that didnt work at first. Oh sure, the tracker told me that I was allowed 1750 calories a day. And I tracked. The first little while I was done my calories for the day at 3:00PM and I still had dinner to go. Oh Oh! so, in order for me to buy back calories, I had to......exercise. And thats when things changed.

I bought a gym membership and went. I got to the gym and didnt have a clue of what to do. Frustrated I went home. I stood in front of my wife literally shaking with frustration. Tears in my eyes, I wanted to lose weight but I didnt know what to do at the gym. My wife being the smart person that she is, booked me an appointment with a trainer who was going to show me how all the equipment worked. So I went back on the day of my appt.

I got there and the trainer took me through all the appartatus and showed me how everything worked. My hour was up and I told her that i had to leave as my son had a hockey game shortly. She looked at me and said, " what team does your son play for?" I told her it was the Bantam team. She then advised me that my son didnt play til 2:30Pm and it was only 11:00AM. I had plenty of time to make the game and still get another hours work out in. I got called out! In a big way and it was a defining moment in my lifestyle change. I stayed and worked out for another hour with all my new found knowledge of exercise equipment.

The next day, I went back. Sore and tired but I went back. And again the following day, and the next and so on.

I started to change what I ate. No more chips and pop. I found that I could eat more of other foods and take in less calories. I budgeted better and then slowly I figured out that I could eat, feel less hungry and not even take in my days worth of calories. And I worked out. Harder each time, taking HIIT classes and getting stronger.

It took 9 months but I dropped almost 100lbs. That was 5 years ago. I dont work out quite as hard anymore but I still exercise and I still watch what I eat. I'm 195lbs and I'm comfortable with my weight. I also 50 years old and although my mind says, ya, you can do that. sometimes my body says, screw you!

I'm never going back..EVER! My mind now wont let me. I will eat right, exercise and take good care of myself cause i want to live a long, happy life. See my kids have kids and have fun with them. NEVER GOING BACK!!

oh, and did I mention, the day I started to work out, I also quit smoking on that same day.

LIFE IS GOOD!!!

06-06-2014, 06:28 AM	#23
Sample00 Sleazy Banker Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cold Lake Alberta Canada Exp:	I can pretty much tell you that its about lifestyle change. Its not about dieting. Its about making a conscious decision to change the way you approach life and what it takes to sustain yourself. It took me a long time to figure out that sitting on a couch, eating a bag of potato chips with dip wasnt going to cause me to gain weight. Surprise!! and I hit 285lbs. But that still didnt do it. Then came the day when I was asked to host an awards ceremony. That meant buying a new suit, shirt, shoes etc. Having to go to King Richards mens wear to buy said clothes. It was embarrassing and leaving the store, I turned to my wife and said, never again will I go into that store. Its like alcoholism or smoking. You have to decide that you want to change the way you live your life. And I did. Its not easy. It takes time, dedication and the willingness to go on when you would rather do something completely different. It takes time to retrain your mind. I had someone tell me about Livestrong and the calorie counter. I used that. Well even that didnt work at first. Oh sure, the tracker told me that I was allowed 1750 calories a day. And I tracked. The first little while I was done my calories for the day at 3:00PM and I still had dinner to go. Oh Oh! so, in order for me to buy back calories, I had to......exercise. And thats when things changed. I bought a gym membership and went. I got to the gym and didnt have a clue of what to do. Frustrated I went home. I stood in front of my wife literally shaking with frustration. Tears in my eyes, I wanted to lose weight but I didnt know what to do at the gym. My wife being the smart person that she is, booked me an appointment with a trainer who was going to show me how all the equipment worked. So I went back on the day of my appt. I got there and the trainer took me through all the appartatus and showed me how everything worked. My hour was up and I told her that i had to leave as my son had a hockey game shortly. She looked at me and said, " what team does your son play for?" I told her it was the Bantam team. She then advised me that my son didnt play til 2:30Pm and it was only 11:00AM. I had plenty of time to make the game and still get another hours work out in. I got called out! In a big way and it was a defining moment in my lifestyle change. I stayed and worked out for another hour with all my new found knowledge of exercise equipment. The next day, I went back. Sore and tired but I went back. And again the following day, and the next and so on. I started to change what I ate. No more chips and pop. I found that I could eat more of other foods and take in less calories. I budgeted better and then slowly I figured out that I could eat, feel less hungry and not even take in my days worth of calories. And I worked out. Harder each time, taking HIIT classes and getting stronger. It took 9 months but I dropped almost 100lbs. That was 5 years ago. I dont work out quite as hard anymore but I still exercise and I still watch what I eat. I'm 195lbs and I'm comfortable with my weight. I also 50 years old and although my mind says, ya, you can do that. sometimes my body says, screw you! I'm never going back..EVER! My mind now wont let me. I will eat right, exercise and take good care of myself cause i want to live a long, happy life. See my kids have kids and have fun with them. NEVER GOING BACK!! oh, and did I mention, the day I started to work out, I also quit smoking on that same day. LIFE IS GOOD!!!