Over 45 guys helping each other and compairing notes

Hey Mike, sorry it took so long to get back to you, just busy these days. You've made the right choice for you and your family. Do it for YOU first, then them. Other people may tell you different, but I've tried it and it just doesn't work as well. I love my family more than anything, but it won't work if you say you're doing it mostly for them. It makes you feel like you have to do it because it's for them. Just venting, sorry. I found a place in my head, finally, that makes me proud of watching my food intake, getting exercise and watching the pounds start to fall off. It's awesome to be in that place inside. I'm glad you replied as I think it's important to have somebody to talk to during this hard starting out time, and the best change in your life that you've ever done.

I got a wake up call when I had a heart attack at age 44, 190 lbs, 5'-9" tall. I lost 45% of my heart function because of that. I have 3 stainless steel stents in my heart now. For the first year after that I was scared to move, sweat, stress, everything. A horrible life to lead. I wished at some points that I didn't make it. It's been a roller coaster ride since then. I'll be 47 in April and I should be in the best shape of my adult life around that time, I hope. I gained some weight from not moving around enough after my heart attack. I was determined to keep up with my cardiac rehab workouts 3 times a week on the treadmill and stationary bikes at the hospital. I was doing good, but went back to work after a while and fell out of the routine. I was on again, off again smoking and drinking pretty good. Basically falling back into the old me and trying kill myself with my lifestyle. Then, last year my oldest brother Eric died of a heart attack at age 58. He was an outdoorsy guy, not overweight, ate pretty good foods, still died young. He didn't get checked out by a cardiologist even though our family has a history of heart disease. I probably would have saved his life if he did. Now I see a cardiologist a couple times a year. I have yet to do my stress test for 2009. I was putting it off because I was out of shape and they make you run on a treadmill until you're about to drop. Scared the hell out of me in 2008 when they did that. But when they do this, they do imaging on your heart and arteries so they can see restrictions, blockage and flow. This is pretty important stuff if you want to stay alive. By the way, my dad died in my arms when I was 14 and he was 53 of an abdominal aneurysm which is your big artery in you belly getting weak and tearing. Same as coronary artery disease like I have. But now they can put stents in that artery too if you catch it early enough. Most people are scared to find out they have a problem I guess, then they die young.

Sorry I rambled on about that, but it's important information from a person whole lived through that ****. You have to lose weight around your middle or you run a high risk of all of the above happening to you. You have to see a cardiologist even if you don't have heart problems. Have them do imaging on your heart and arteries so you can save you life now. It can be very dangerous to exercise if you have plaque in your arteries. I have a piece break loose in punch a hole in one of mine causing the attack and need for the stents. Get it checked out for yourself, then for your family. No kidding, it's so worth it even if you have to pay out of pocket for the testing.

So, with all that out of the way. November of 2008 we decided to move ourselves and 4 year old little boy at the time from Flagstaff to Fort Collins Colorado because the lifestyle here is more healthy. Bike trails, lots of walking and hiking, just a general feeling of a healthier population in general. I was still doing my ups and downs with smoking and drinking. But I was also riding my bike sometimes and feeling good about that. Then the beginning of November 2009 my wife Jane decided she was going to join Weight Watchers online and start tracking her points and working out. I decided I was going to track calories with an this online calorie counter too. I really had the turning point with the 2010 new years resolutions. I quit smoking 100% done, no cheats or anything. I watch every calorie and drink 64oz of water every day. I purchased a new treadmill and started using it on Monday. So every day after work I'm doing the pre-programmed workout for 30 minutes. Today will be day 3 of that. I know that's going to be what makes me live longer and makes me get those pounds off finally. I'm supposed to work out 20 minutes every day with a heart rate of 125 according to my doctors. I was doing that in rehab, but not so much since then. Stupid hugh? Anyway, I am bound and determined to do it at least 5 times a week, ride by bike when it's a little warmer outside, and do a little on my weight machine that I've had for years and used about a dozen times.

This morning I'm back down to 186.5 lbs which is thrilling. I feel great with the not smoking and eating really healthy stuff and staying hydrated. Oh, ya, make sure you drink the 8-8oz glasses of water every day, it makes a huge difference in how much and how fast the weight comes off. That's how your body gets rid of the burned fat is through peeing. So pee a lot!

Really proud of you for doing this. Now we can do it together if you want. If you need to chat or bounce something off of me, please don't hesitate to contact me. Good job on the community center thing. You'll probably start doing other stuff there as you get your wind back in your sails. Keep it up, I'll do it too. Please get a check up at the docs too.

Talk to you soon, Pete

Awesome job! You've lost more than half of what I weigh! Amazing. I thank God every morning when I open my eyes and I'm home with my family. Just to have one more day to do stuff is an amazing gift. I'm sure it's great on the other side too, but I'm way to young to find out right now. I'm just going to keep plugging away at it, and I'm going to get healthier, stronger, feel better and live longer. I already feel like a new man in only 20 days of really going for it. I'm excited about my future now, not worried every day if I'm going to drop dead at work or something. I was consumed with death, every waking moment. People that have had a near death experience from a health problem know what I'm talking about. Hypochondriac to the max. Totally unhealthy to live like that. When I first looked at your banner I thought you weighed 109 lbs. I was thinking, "Man that's a skinny guy" ; ) Then I looked again, WOW, that's crazy. I don't think I've ever met anybody that lost that much weight. It's amazing that you could drop your meds like that too. Good for your kidneys and liver. Welcome aboard and I look forward to keeping in touch with you. Who knows, maybe we'll drop down there someday and meet you for a glass of wine or something.

I feel really bad when I get up to about 9500 - 10,000 feet. I've tried going through Camaron a few times and it feels like I'm
gonna die when I get there. Even just driving the car. I think I just need to head up there more often and get my body used to it. I can't get to Steamboat without going through Camaron and Rabbit Ears passes to get there. Kinda sucks not being able to enjoy the state I just moved to.