Man to Man: A Support System for Men (part 2)

ccgisme

So, how long have you all been using MFP to monitor your food, activity, etc.? I'm curious if you've noticed phases to your progress. I've been here since early March. I seem to lose weight in spurts and then plateau and then lose... I feel pretty comfortable "falling off the wagon" and getting right back on at the next meal or on the next day. Some weeks, like last week, it takes a bit longer, but it happens and I can manage it.

For those of you who are at or near your goal weight - what has changed since you transitioned from weight loss mode to maintenance mode?

I won't ask if it's worth it, I know it is. I have 60 or so pounds to go. I've already lost close to 30 in the last 3 months. I'm not in a hurry - I'm on the slow wagon - I picture this conestoga wagon heading west. Someday I'll see the ocean. I understand there are mountains between here and there. I'm ready for the climb and will crawl the last 100 miles if that's what it takes.

I am looking ahead to the day that I change from weight loss to maintenance mode! :laugh:

CasperO

So, how long have you all been using MFP to monitor your food, activity, etc.?
<<almost 1-1/2 year>>
I'm curious if you've noticed phases to your progress
<<Yep, spurts & stops, a little backslide at Xmastime. Once you get down into teens for bodyfat it gets harder to reduce>>

For those of you who are at or near your goal weight - what has changed since you transitioned from weight loss mode to maintenance mode? <<Just more relaxed, less tension. I'm more interested in fitness now than pure weight loss>>

I won't ask if it's worth it, I know it is....<<In my case MFP world has just become a way of life. I sweat the cals a little less, but there's no 'end'. Now I just instinctively do it right most of the time. It gets easier, and you get better at it>>.

I am looking ahead to the day that I change from weight loss to maintenance mode! :laugh:
<<It's no biggie. You're changed now, there's no going back, and that's Ok.>>

Mindful_Trent

So, how long have you all been using MFP to monitor your food, activity, etc.? I'm curious if you've noticed phases to your progress. I've been here since early March. I seem to lose weight in spurts and then plateau and then lose... I feel pretty comfortable "falling off the wagon" and getting right back on at the next meal or on the next day. Some weeks, like last week, it takes a bit longer, but it happens and I can manage it.

For those of you who are at or near your goal weight - what has changed since you transitioned from weight loss mode to maintenance mode?

I won't ask if it's worth it, I know it is. I have 60 or so pounds to go. I've already lost close to 30 in the last 3 months. I'm not in a hurry - I'm on the slow wagon - I picture this conestoga wagon heading west. Someday I'll see the ocean. I understand there are mountains between here and there. I'm ready for the climb and will crawl the last 100 miles if that's what it takes.

I am looking ahead to the day that I change from weight loss to maintenance mode! :laugh:

I've been using MFP since September of last year (I think). I was doing great at first - lost about 30 lbs from Sept 2009 - early January 2010, but then I let life get in the way and I've regained about half of that. I'm finally back on track and dedicated to making this a permanent lifestyle change.

In general I'm okay with "falling off the wagon" for a day (or a weekend) every now and then, but this last spring I completely fell off (so to say) and didn't get back on till recently, but I know it won't happen again because there were circumstances that are no longer an issue.

I, too, look forward to maintenance-mode, but it'll take awhile to get there. I'd love to be about 75% to my goal by year end, which would be losing about 2 lbs a week for the rest of this year.

iplayoutside19

I've been on MFP since August 09. I started making lifestyle changes in January of 2009. MFP by far has been the best weight loss tool I've ran across.

I kind of fell off the wagon between March and the first part of May. But I'm back with a vengance. I would really like to be at my goal weight of 230 by Janurary. And I agree with Casper I can't ever see not being in a fitness lifestyle. Not after being where I was, and realizing what I was missing, and knowing the cost of being obese later in life.

But in the event I do go out to eat, or fall off the wagon for a day or two I'm not going to sweat it. If I have more good days than bad, and get my work in I will eventually get there.

I did my weights last night before I went to bed, and then rolled out of the rack and ran this morning. My muscles have that delightfully exhuasted thing going on.

But, I have an important, personal question I need to ask the guys here....Have any of you every air guitared between sets at the gym?

tex43

I've only been using MFP since April 1,this year but I have used a calorie counter in the past and it was a failure for me.The difference in MFP is that it for the most part calculates correctly and the foods are easy to find,the fact that it determines your *kitten* time,exercise and tells you how many cals you have left is huge.
I also know that in the past once I'd loose around what I have now I'd begin to get comfortable and fall off the wagon.This time however I want to loose another 35 lbs and I finally realize that I am going to have to do this the rest of my life,just like exercising it is just going to have to be part of my routine.

With all of that being said there is absolutely no doubt MFP is and will continue to be a big part of my success.

CasperO

I don't air guitar,,, I real guitar, and never when exercising. The toys get enough sweat and muck on them when playing on a warm day.

I tend to get a little wierd when lifting. The warrior mentality comes out. Once I get going it's all about rage-ego-pain-control-domination-hatred-anger-fear,,, I get a little spastic and my eyes get big, some stomping and some flexing. I love it. Haven't done it in a while. Makes the ol' lady pretty uncomfortable and she just leaves the room, which is probably for the best.

ccgisme

Thanks for all the responses. I like that we have a group of people here who have been using MFP for 9+ months and some relative noobs (which includes me, so please don't be offended by the term!). Not to mention guys who are at or near their goal weight and others (again like me!) who have a long way to go.

MFP has been a total game changer for me. The ease of use, the iPhone app, and the community all combine to make MFP so much more than a simple food diary ever could be.

Hope everyone is doing well on the July 4th challenge.

rolyprince

This is great. I was thinking this morning that I just need some extra motivation as I was starting to lose faith. So glad a I found this forum.
I found MFP for about 3 months ago and the weight's been coming off slowly. Which I'm pleased about. I've always got up earlier to do my exercise before work. Then I know it's done for the day. But recently I've been finding more and more excuses to not get out of bed and hit the snooze button. I have a feeling that knowing that you all are watching me will make get going tomorrow.

If it's not to late I'd like to join in your July 4th challenge.

I'm 5' 11
SW 239
GW 230

Keep me honest guys.

de1amo

Hi Guys--can i join in?

İ am a seven year cycle dieter-some people get the 7 year itch i get the diet bug every 7 years and then fall off the waggon-- My aim is to start wearing medium sized shirts and 32 waist trousers! im at large shirts and 36inch trousers now after 6 weeks dieting and crash exercising--still 12lbs to go and a stubborn gut ! its 6 months since i had my last beer and that is a first in my adult life!

onebeer

Hurrah

Not going to post it as my weight yet, as I want a few days for it to settle, but have just weighed in at 188.8, my lowest for, well, a while! As my previous weigh in was 193, I'm hoping it will settle around the 190 mark :happy:

Anyhows, keep going fellas

onebeer

Hurrah

Not going to post it as my weight yet, as I want a few days for it to settle, but have just weighed in at 188.8, my lowest for, well, a while! As my previous weigh in was 193, I'm hoping it will settle around the 190 mark :happy:

Anyhows, keep going fellas

gr8dad1975

Hey Guys

It's awesome see a group of men from so many different backgrounds and experiences coming together for a good cause. You are all doing an excellent job and it shows. I just wanted to take a moment to say "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!"

CasperO

Well, tomorrow's the big day - I will ride my bicycle to work. I brought my ditty bag to work this morning so I have a change of clothes and a towel for tomorrow morning, and I'll shower and change when I get here.

So - tonight I service the bike, 80 lbs of air in the tires, clean&lube the chain, make a couple adjustments. Tomorrow (thursday) morning I'll be up early and toss a lunch and a couple of clif bars into the basket of the bike and I'll head out. I've made the trip once before, one way only, and it took me about 1 hour 45 mins. I'm hoping to make the ride to the shop in 1-1/2 hour tomorrow morning.

It's 26+ miles each way, so the round trip is about 53 miles and will take over 3 hours. MFP says 3 hours of fast riding is worth about 2700 calories. Hmmmm.... I don't think I'll be eating that much :noway:

FORKDOWN

I don't air guitar,,, I real guitar, and never when exercising. The toys get enough sweat and muck on them when playing on a warm day.

I tend to get a little wierd when lifting. The warrior mentality comes out. Once I get going it's all about rage-ego-pain-control-domination-hatred-anger-fear,,, I get a little spastic and my eyes get big, some stomping and some flexing. I love it. Haven't done it in a while. Makes the ol' lady pretty uncomfortable and she just leaves the room, which is probably for the best.

I think I am developing a man crush.




(seriously just kidding, how about them Bears)

:embarassed:

FORKDOWN

Well, tomorrow's the big day - I will ride my bicycle to work. I brought my ditty bag to work this morning so I have a change of clothes and a towel for tomorrow morning, and I'll shower and change when I get here.

So - tonight I service the bike, 80 lbs of air in the tires, clean&lube the chain, make a couple adjustments. Tomorrow (thursday) morning I'll be up early and toss a lunch and a couple of clif bars into the basket of the bike and I'll head out. I've made the trip once before, one way only, and it took me about 1 hour 45 mins. I'm hoping to make the ride to the shop in 1-1/2 hour tomorrow morning.

It's 26+ miles each way, so the round trip is about 53 miles and will take over 3 hours. MFP says 3 hours of fast riding is worth about 2700 calories. Hmmmm.... I don't think I'll be eating that much :noway:

Good luck. Are you going to ice down the boys when you get there?
:laugh:

CasperO

I have a good pair of bike shorts with a nice padded chamois in the appropriate area, and my bike has a well fitted and well adjusted seat. That stuff's actually not a problem once you get the right equipment and get used to is a bit.

Bears? Like hairy gay men bears or Chicago bears? Kodiak bears? If you're talking sports heroes I'm more a Ruben Xaus or Ryan Young fan myself. Valentino Rossi rules,,, ((Motorcycle racers, google them for pics of real man doing really manly stuff)).

gr8dad1975

Bears? Like hairy gay men bears or Chicago bears? Kodiak bears? If you're talking sports heroes I'm more a Ruben Xaus or Ryan Young fan myself. Valentino Rossi rules,,, ((Motorcycle racers, google them for pics of real man doing really manly stuff)).

Okay Casper, how about them cougars?!?! :laugh:

tex43

Hurrah

Not going to post it as my weight yet, as I want a few days for it to settle, but have just weighed in at 188.8, my lowest for, well, a while! As my previous weigh in was 193, I'm hoping it will settle around the 190 mark :happy:

Anyhows, keep going fellas

WTG,that's got to be a pretty good feeling,good for you bro!:drinker:

darman

sorry im late guys - been kind of busy

running goal of increase to 20 miles per week - last week made 18 so i am on the way
weight goal of 170 - hmmm - well that is another story - that danged coastal uncorked got me this weekend - mexican food dinner

weighing in today at 175 - actually up 2 pounds - guess i will have to work harder - i hope its just that fluctuation thing that we all get sometimes

darman

ran my first 5 miler on saturday - not fast 48 min - but man it felt great

did 5 yesterday and then group power class last night - i think i pushed a little too hard - feeling washed out today - still got in pretty hard 3 mile run at lunch - 27.5 min - just couldn't go much harder..........

doing my weigh in on Friday's

1200 cal's burned yesterday - body is freakin out though - holding onto the weight - my water consumption and eating is off - got to get back on track with eating again...........haven't been logging food for a couple of weeks - back on that tomorrow also

great job on your progress men!! looks like we are all serious about this

iplayoutside19

I wish I lived close enough to work to ride in. When i lived in other areas i would ride to work. And I agree with Casper, once you get the proper gear it's not that bad. You can burn a ton of calories without out even noticing.

Speaking of calories. I'm halfway through the work out week. I went to bed last night -777. However, this morning I could not eat enough. I had to eat my lunch at 1030, and then go get some grilled chicken at lunch. And this evening I'm kind of in the same boat. I just had lasagna as a snack and I'm still over 700 down. (I wore my HRM while mowing the lawn, that's a lot of kC too) I'm not hungry, but I know I'm going to eat those calories at some point. Tomorrow is a running day, so I'll be starting off with a good deficit.

Bears, I saw an uncaged bear at RMNP last summer. If you leave beer cans and chips laying all over your campsite a bear will visit you too.

I'm a huge sports fan. Unless it's one of the seasonal shows on Discovery/History, I don't watch TV unless there's a game/race on.

dinos

Well, tomorrow's the big day - I will ride my bicycle to work. I've made the trip once before, one way only, and it took me about 1 hour 45 mins. I'm hoping to make the ride to the shop in 1-1/2 hour tomorrow morning.

It's 26+ miles each way, so the round trip is about 53 miles and will take over 3 hours.

Man, this 53 mile ride is quite an inspiration to me. I've never done anything like it before, but you have me checking out Wikiloc for a relatively flat route without too much elevation. Keep us posted on your trip.

pettmybunny

Speaking of bears.... I snapped these pictures when driving through the U.P. last summer. I think I took them in Trout Creek? Outside of a bar & grill...

de1amo

So I am out of commission for a while. Last Saturday we went out for mother's day and I fell down the stairs at the resteraunt.
I had my 4 year old niece in my arms and didn't see the steps below me. I thought I broke my leg, but thankfully, it's only bruised...but it's really bruised! So, I have a cain to help me get around for now. I have moments when I don't need it, but then if I sit or lay too long, I need it more.
I WILL get back to the program once I am able to get around better.

i am sure a few laps in the pool will keep you in the swim!! i hear a lot of guys suffering injuries and taking the foot off the gas--it can be fatal for the enthusiasm---i have 2 really banged up middle twos with half off nails--gained on the running machine because of the slope. İf i had to stop i would get in the pool and wait til the recovery --physios use pools!

CasperO

Well, tomorrow's the big day - I will ride my bicycle to work. I've made the trip once before, one way only, and it took me about 1 hour 45 mins. I'm hoping to make the ride to the shop in 1-1/2 hour tomorrow morning.

It's 26+ miles each way, so the round trip is about 53 miles and will take over 3 hours.

Man, this 53 mile ride is quite an inspiration to me. I've never done anything like it before, but you have me checking out Wikiloc for a relatively flat route without too much elevation. Keep us posted on your trip.

I made it, eventually,

I got a flat, with no pump & no spare tube. Pushed the bike prob 2 miles to a station. Aired up the tire and peddled like crazy to get to work before it leaked down again. Wound up making the trip in 2hours-15 mins, which ain't bad with 30+minutes of walking. Sometimes I am truly astounded at my own stupidity. Will use Co. truck to run out this PM and pick up a few things.

I feel great though, 10 feet tall & bulletproof. Can't wait to get this tire fixed and do 'er again going home.

FYI - if you're gonna do this, eat a Clif bar at the very first sign of bonking out. If you wait 'til you're really feeling it you're too late. Don't sweat the calories, just feed the machine.

de1amo

just read back through the thread--my challenge weight is now 163lbs and target is 154.2 by the 4th July(being british i cant figure out why you choose such a date!!)--i am a size 35 waist so want to be 32 and buy all new trousers to stop looking like a bag of rags!-my weight is around my waist now because i am in that middleage bracket. --my start out weight was 185lbs 6 weeks ago and in that time i havent had a break in loosing at least 2lbs but sense this last 8,8lbs might be the tougest

Mindful_Trent

Hey all. So I wanted to see if any of you have any experience with elbow injuries... I broke my elbow a little over a month ago (the head of my radius bone, to be specific). It was a pretty mild break - no surgery required. I have full (more-or-less) range of motion back, but the bone is still healing and certain actions will cause some pain. I realize I need to be careful not to cause further injury, but I want to do some kind of upper body work at the gym. I'm getting antsy not having been able to do it in over a month. I know some of the weight machines will allow me to work my shoulders/back/chest with minimal use of my elbow, so I'm going to try those out. I was just wondering if any of you have dealt with this (or something similar) yourselves... any recommendations on specific exercises I could do that would allow me to test my arm and see how it goes?

ccgisme

Hey all. So I wanted to see if any of you have any experience with elbow injuries... I broke my elbow a little over a month ago (the head of my radius bone, to be specific). It was a pretty mild break - no surgery required. I have full (more-or-less) range of motion back, but the bone is still healing and certain actions will cause some pain. I realize I need to be careful not to cause further injury, but I want to do some kind of upper body work at the gym. I'm getting antsy not having been able to do it in over a month. I know some of the weight machines will allow me to work my shoulders/back/chest with minimal use of my elbow, so I'm going to try those out. I was just wondering if any of you have dealt with this (or something similar) yourselves... any recommendations on specific exercises I could do that would allow me to test my arm and see how it goes?

So, no surgery and no PT? Hmmm.... Would you be content to focus on core and lower body strength? I'm not a medical professional, but I've been injured enough to hesitate before pushing a joint injury without a professional opinion. Good luck!

gr8dad1975

Hey Guys

My 8-year-old son has been teaching me how to ride his Rip Stick..:noway: Of course, you don't learn to ride one of these without making a few trips to the ground.:ohwell: I am not an expert by any means, but learning something new is a lot fun. By the way, if I don't make it for the Friday weigh-in, it probably means that I have broken my neck. But don't worry my wife says that my insurance policies are up to date.:huh:

Special Thanks to Casper who made riding his Rip Stick seem like so much fun..:drinker:

This really is a lot of fun guys, you got to try it!!!

weaklink109

Just have to pop in to say, maybe those things should be renamed "wrecksticks", or maybe "dipsticks"? :noway: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: On second thought, maybe the name is right after all--you know "R.I.P.sticks.:noway: "

Just lurking, and wanted to wish all of you well on your efforts.

Memo to Casper:
When you said at some point you were working to get rid of your "spare tire," I didn't realize that included the one for the bike, too!!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


Have a great holiday weekend!!