It's MFP and the "F" is awesome!

Chevy_Quest

It's MFP and the "F" is awesome!

Everybody does things their own way. I get that; we are a diverse lot.

MFP is like the United Nations of various: IFFYM adherents, Sugar Nazis, Beachbody hucksters, "Pass/Hug/Spank/Merry" aficionados, People who lift serious Iron, People who move their A55, and people who eat low calories and don't exercise, Kitten Gif evangelists, Whiners, Cajolers, Advice givers with various fuse lengths, Noobs, Derps, Hall Monitors types, shameless flirters, Rah Rah helpers, Diary Voyeurs, Clean Eating people, Low Carb promoters, Calorie In vs. Calorie out drum bangers, People (like me) who can't stand the misuse of "lose" vs. "loose", sociopaths of garden varieties, and thousands of "Special Snowflakes".

The "F" is one of my favorites

I am an average middle-aged guy. I have about 40 lbs to lose, have a waistline that is 40", I am about 29% BF. I could run a 5K, but it would take me over 40 minutes. However I just realized something.

Working out - Exericse - Is fun!

It is not a "cross to bear" an "obligation" or a "burden". It has become fun. I like running on trails, I like picking up iron things, I like doing ab exercises to a video, I love looking at fitness blender for ideas, I am in a pushup challenge, a MYA group, a "Three things" group, and a running group.

I am actually planning my days NOT around food, but now around Exercise

---

This is a "lifestyle" and a journey. I really don't give a rip about how fast I lose. I probably will attain my goal weight a year from now or more. I am steadily losing netting between 1600 and 2100 calories per day. But I know one thing..

I will be Fitter

---

Looking forward to hearing from other people who feel lucky about geting to workout instead of "whining" about it :drinker:


** Of course I am sensitive to people who have chronic conditions and disabilities which prevent traditional exercise.

Chevy_Quest

bump

Aaron_K123

Cheers man that is definitely a good headspace to be in and it uas great that you have discovered exercise to be fun for you.

I enjoy being fit and I like hiking in the mountains but hiking isn't something I can do after work so for that I do work out videos. Honestly most times to me it still feels like a chore though so I haven't found that mix of weekday convenience and enjoyment.

jkal1979

:drinker:

For me it's a stress reliever. I just get lost in my thoughts during cardio and I feel a lot better mentally.

Saying that I now realize I would be a lot better off turning to exercise instead of food when my emotions get the best of me.

Chevy_Quest

definitely a good headspace to be in

@aaron - This is definitely the term. I realized my "head" is starting to look at things differently - Cheers!

Chevy_Quest

Saying that I now realize I would be a lot better off turning to exercise instead of food when my emotions get the best of me.

@jkal1979 - that is right on. If this was me a year ago- I would have gone on a Burger King Dairy Queen binge if I was bored. The exercise clears my head!

nutmegoreo

Well you managed to get just about everybody in there, but I think you left out us sarcastic folks :grumble: :laugh:

I enjoy the feeling of being stronger. I feel more safe and secure. As strange as that may sound. I also like the challenge of seeing how much further I can push myself. I hope at some point I can be more motivated by the fitness rather than the scale, but I still have a long way to go. I would be thrilled to get back where I was years ago. Still considered overweight, but fitting into a size 5/6. It was pretty cool.

It helps to have motivating people around though. :flowerforyou:

Chevy_Quest

@nutmegero

Well you managed to get just about everybody in there, but I think you left out us sarcastic folks :grumble: :laugh:

I knew I forgot one group LOL!:laugh:

I also like the challenge of seeing how much further I can push myself.

When that feeling "drowns out" my scale angst - I know something is happening - It doesn't happen every day for me.. but I like it!:drinker:

Chevy_Quest

shameless bump.. but I just got out of the Gym.. My T-Shirt is soaked through, My hair is matted down and I feel great! :drinker:

shadow2soul

Chevy_Quest

@Shadow - This is the best! :drinker:

RHachicho

Yep honestly it's becoming a problem because even on my rest days I just "have" to get my 2hour brisk walk in or I feel like crap. And man my bunions hurt. sometimes XD. It's annoying though cos im just marking time with the weight lifting though. I've kind of hit my strength peaks for the amount of muscle mass I have so I wont get much stronger till I've finished losing the weight and do my first bulk. Which is kinda sucky. Still I got pretty damn far. In the time i've been dieting I got my bench press from 10 kilos to 35 kilos on a 10r/3set and seen similar improvement all round. Always sucks to hit a wall tho hehe.

Chevy_Quest

In the time i've been dieting I got my bench press from 10 kilos to 35 kilos on a 10r/3set and seen similar improvement all round. Always sucks to hit a wall tho hehe.

@RH - That is so impressive that your bench has grown even while losing weight - That is really cool!

leggup

Feel free to add me. I'm less of a "running" type fit person and more of a "fast-walk-the-dogs and swim and pick up heavy things and put them back down and zumba and swing dance" kind of fit person. I need to be more consistent with all of the above, for sure.

Chevy_Quest

Feel free to add me. I'm less of a "running" type fit person and more of a "fast-walk-the-dogs and swim and pick up heavy things and put them back down and zumba and swing dance" kind of fit person. I need to be more consistent with all of the above, for sure.

Thanks - request sent!

Chevy_Quest

bump

Slashnl

I love this!

Boobietrap1337

You can add me. I'm addicted to roller derby, which is quite a workout in itself. I also just started 30 day shred, and the couch to 5 k, and a lifting regimen and I like to do yoga on Thursdays and Saturdays.

tibby531

exactly.

loving this thread!!!

kbeardmore22

Love your post! Well said, I too feel so much better after I exercise! I would like to work on becoming a runner, but right now I'm doing brisk walking, elliptical, stationary bike and strength training (all of which I've learned to love :-)). I'm going to send you a FR as I would love to work towards running a 5k...one of my goals in the next year or so and maybe I can get some tips from you.

Chevy_Quest

Love your post! Well said, I too feel so much better after I exercise! I would like to work on becoming a runner, but right now I'm doing brisk walking, elliptical, stationary bike and strength training (all of which I've learned to love :-)). I'm going to send you a FR as I would love to work towards running a 5k...one of my goals in the next year or so and maybe I can get some tips from you.

@KBeardmore - Getting to a 5K is my goal later this year or early next year. .. FR Req sent. :-)

TX_Rhon

Well, since we are already Friends - I already know how awesome you are.

I do need your motivation for exercise!!

My favorite F word is a bit different........It's Free shoes!! LOL :laugh: :laugh:

Thanks for all your support. You rock :drinker:

lemurcat12

Saying that I now realize I would be a lot better off turning to exercise instead of food when my emotions get the best of me.

So much this. It's weird because I know that I enjoy exercise when I do it regularly (especially activities that I actually like, like running and biking), and that it's great for stress and makes me a happier person overall. Yet once I stop doing it regularly and start getting out of shape that knowledge becomes just theoretical and somehow loses its motivating force, and I'll have crazy thoughts like "I can't exercise, I'm too stressed, I need to relax and eat a donut" or the like. Yet every single time I go do something active instead it makes me feel so much better. It's like there's a block that develops, or sloth-induced amnesia.

Luckily I've now gotten back in the exercise habit so I do find myself wanting to exercise regularly, missing it when I don't, and being more apt to turn to it as a stress-release, but I can't say my first impulse to go for the easier option is really gone. I'm sure it will always be something of a mental game.

Chevy_Quest

My favorite F word is a bit different........It's Free shoes!! LOL :laugh: :laugh:

Thanks for all your support. You rock :drinker:

@Rhon - Thanks so much! :drinker: Free Shoes That is just so classic - I am almost tempted to find a "Kitten in Shoe" gif... but I will restrain myself :laugh:

kimberlyblindsey

Glad you're loving the "F." I for one have always enjoyed fitness and the good it does my body. Long time runner, and pretty new weight lifter. I see it as the fountain of youth. It allows me to eat more-yay, sleep better-like a rock, helps with mobility in everyday tasks, and gives me a grip of energy. It's really a win-win.
I too pick my WO either from Fitnessblender or bodyrock the night before, and now that I have a fitbit, I'm even more obnoxious, lol

Chevy_Quest

Saying that I now realize I would be a lot better off turning to exercise instead of food when my emotions get the best of me.

It's like there's a block that develops, or sloth-induced amnesia. ......

--- I'm sure it will always be something of a mental game.

@lemurcat12 - That is right on - sloth-induced amnesia - It is like before I knew in "abstract" that exercise was good.. but I would polish off a whole pizza and chow on some oreos thinking 'Oh, I am too tired to workout.. ".
It is that mental game!

Chevy_Quest

and now that I have a fitbit, I'm even more obnoxious, lol

@kimberly - Oh.. I have to bite my tongue because I want to yell at the world how much I dig my fitbit... but then i don't want to hang out in a straightjacket

Carry On!

knitapeace

Excellent OP. I've found as I get closer to my final goal weight that it matters less and less. I'm not nearly as proud of the number on the scale as I am of how much my body can do that it could never do before thanks to walking, running, HIIT and weights. And I'm with you* in thinking that any new changes that happen can happen as slowly or as quickly as they like, because I'm going to be consistent, be happy, enjoy excessive food and drink on occasion without guilt, and keep moving forward. It's stopped being a goal-oriented process and started being just life.

*I'm also with you on the "loose/lose" thing but it's a loosing proposition...ba dum ching.

Chevy_Quest

It's stopped being a goal-oriented process and started being just life.

@knitapeace - I feel like a "prospector" mining all these gems and nuggets of awesome quotes - Well put!

*I'm also with you on the "loose/lose" thing but it's a loosing proposition...ba dum ching.

Yes - and I understand that you will "be here the whole week" ---**tips waitress on way out**

stacynoell

I swim 3 times a week with a group of older ladies who crack me up with their stories. Today I realized the class was over and we all stayed in the pool 35 extra minutes chatting and still doing aerobics. It can be fun. I also dance 3 times a week and lift weights 2 X. Lifting is a chore, but a necessary one....Keep up the good attitude! :happy:

lemurcat12

I hope at some point I can be more motivated by the fitness rather than the scale, but I still have a long way to go.

This is my goal too. One of the reasons I wanted to work on fitness as soon as I could and started with a bunch of fitness goals, as well as a weight loss one, is that I don't want to get too focused on watching the scale move. I mean, if it wasn't I'd reevaluate my approach, but we all know that on a weekly level it does what it does sometimes, and overweight people (meaning me) can often get kind of defeatist or superstitious and worry that it won't work for them. So I decided that I would pick something I could control much more certainly--moving more and getting into better shape--and then whatever happened I'd know I was accomplishing something and getting healthier. I don't honestly know what I would have done if the scale had disappointed me, but this allowed me to obsess somewhat less about the scale and made it easier to see it just as data points.