32, about to be a dad, and life is passing me by

Hey all!

It's becoming obvious that the longer I go without getting serious, the farther away my life gets from me. I have a made a number of moderately successful attempts at losing weight in the past, at one point losing over 60 lbs on Atkins.

I've also been fairly active in my life but fallen short of many goals. I set a goal to climb Mt. Rainier with my sister a few years back, and the training hike up Mt. Baker almost killed me, so I didn't even attempt Rainier that season. I started a couch to 5k program and ran a 5k race, then fell off the wagon.

Now, I'm 275 lbs - right back up ay my top weight. I am self conscious of my appearance, especially these cursed moobs that I've had since a my teenage years. At 6'3", I should weigh about 195.

I'm about to become a dad (January 6th!) and this has me reflecting on my own dad, who for a long time has suffered with heart health/weight challenges, and his dad, who passed away from heart disease in his late 50's. I can follow in their footsteps or change the pattern for me and my son.

I've decided that it's now or never for me to learn new habits and change my lifestyle. You only get one chance at life. I want to be an active dad. I want to feel great about how I look in all the photos that are yet to be taken. I want to do so many things that people who weigh 275lbs can never do, like sky diving. I want to physically feel healthy and energetic.

I'm here because I think rigorously tracking my progress will keep me focused. But I also need help - someone to check in with every single day on how the diet and exercise are going. I've learned from my past efforts that it's so easy to "mess up" for a week or two, and then never get going again. I'm hoping I can find that person here.

To the rest of life!

Cheers

Replies

  • mwilke
    mwilke Posts: 378 Member
    Welcome and good luck with your weight loss. One of the hardest things is just deciding to begin and you have done that. You can do anything you set your mind to!
  • kimad
    kimad Posts: 3,010 Member
    Welcome!

    I think you will like MFP.
    Like you I have lost weight using 'programs' and for me shakes, pills, this that and the other thing only to gain the weight back.
    This time I decided to eat healthy and exercise, not only have I lost the most weight I ever have before, I have kept at this a lot longer.

    So for me, it has to be a LIFESTYLE change you can stick too. If you like diet pop don't cut it out, if you like bread don't cut it out. Also allow for moderation and life to happen. You can't go on a diet and hope to go back to your old eating habits, we know this doesn't work. So make changes you can stick to and you will do fantastic.

    Congrats on your upcoming child :)
  • Waszo
    Waszo Posts: 41
    Waszo here, joined in Feb. 2012. Was 278 lbs. now 236. 59.5 years old. . Ditto the health concerns. I joined a weight loss clinic. They have help me make the life style changes I needed to make. Friend me if you want . - jim (waszo)
  • elleru
    elleru Posts: 12 Member
    Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your son!

    Here is a piece of advice, take it or leave it:

    During the next several months, when talking to your spouse/partner about your lifestyle change, emphasize your improved health and well-being, and not the lower scale readings. At 6 months pregnant, she may not get too excited about your weight loss when she can no longer see her feet! :-)
  • marie_25m
    marie_25m Posts: 64 Member
    Welcome and congrats on becoming a dad in this next january. you'll do great on mfp, its more a lifestyle change than a diet. good luck
  • LilEmm
    LilEmm Posts: 240
    Welcome, and CONGRATULATIONS! You're already a great Dad, thinking about how to be there for yourself, your son & your family.

    I know many men, about your age and size, that have done this. I think it's something new, like anything! Just know it'll be different, but we all went to school for the first time and carried on that knowledge for life, or started the first day at work and kept going back. Adjusting your lifestyle is kind of like that. :)

    Best to you~
  • baoneill29
    baoneill29 Posts: 138 Member
    Hi, I'm also 6'3" and was over 250 at my heaviest. I lost and gained several times before I totally committed to it, and it sounds like you are getting there!
  • nancybuss
    nancybuss Posts: 1,461 Member
    Congrats on becoming a dad very soon!

    you are about to have a LOT of lifestyle changes for sure! use these next two months to get into better eating habits at home, and it will be Very helpful when your son arrives. otherwise you'll both be reaching for 'easy, boxed, processed' foods. New babies can be tough, but they are the greatest joy.

    I agree, focus on the lifestyle change, not 'diet'. Accountability is huge for most of us, hence why sites like this exist!

    Friend me, I'd love to be part of the accountability. I have a 3 and 5 year old.