Fit to Fat to Fit Again?

ChappyEight
ChappyEight Posts: 163 Member
edited December 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Well, I found MFP a year or two ago and absolutely loved it. In the spring of 2011, I documented religiously for 75 days straight. Then, my daughter was born and I used it as an excuse to slack off on the logging.

Fast forward a year to this past May and I was as big as I've ever been (218 lbs., 98.8 kg, 15+ stones) and feeling awful. Things at work picked up and, in combination with the stress from being so out of shape, I started having anxiety issues with near panic attacks. I decided enough was enough and started logging religiously again. This time I've also begun heavily researching fitness topics in order to create a goal for myself. My hope is that by having a goal, I won't be so willing to give in.

So, I decided to give myself 14 months to get in shape to compete in a sprint triathlon next September. I'm starting with trying to make healthier eating choices, maintain a reasonable caloric intake, and using the "Couch to 5k" program to condition myself to run.

Growing up, I was a rail (as evidenced in my profile pictures). I played football, baseball, and basketball from the time I was 3 until I graduated high school where I graduated at 155 lbs., 11% BF. When I went to college, my major (architecture) took up all my time and what free time I did have, I spent playing pick up basketball. This was enough to keep me reasonably fit (roughly 180 lbs., 19% BF) for 3 of my 5 years in college. Then I moved in with a buddy for my 4th and 5th years and so began my downward spiral. He's the type of guy who can eat anything he wants and stay rail thin. I ended up eating whole medium pizzas by myself in addition to the atrocious snacking habits learned from my father.

By the time I graduated college, I was pushing 200 lbs. and 23% BF. The worst part was that my eating habits and lack of dedication to exercise had taken root and the pounds packed on.

Which brings us full circle to now, 6 years later. After having been fit and athletic the majority of my life, the past 6 years have been rough. I've never been clinically diagnosed but I have no doubt I moved in and out of light depression. Anger, resentment, apathy, and surrender are all terms I could safely use to describe the past couple years.

The good news is that, as of tomorrow, I'll have logged for 75 days straight (the second time around). I've been more successful this time and have been exercising regularly. Once I get down to, or close to, my goal weight, I plan to begin a program similar to EM2WL to pack on some muscle. But, first things first, gotta lose this crazy amount of fat and learn to eat properly, consistently.

Sorry for the wall of text, but now I feel properly introduced.

- Landon

P.S. I'm happily married to my smokin' hot wife. So, if you are a female and I send you a friend request or tell you you're looking great, it's 100% platonic, no creepin' here.

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