Howdy All

Hi

I thought I would tell you all a bit about myself, so sit right there and I'll tell you how I became the prince of bel....no thats not right...Aaaaanway.

I have never been sylphlike‎ or thin by any defination of the word, but was a lot slimmer than what I am now. I used to skateboard and play basketball, now in my mid thirties that has been replaced with a computer programming desk top. I have tried in the past to lose some pounds but have never gotten anywhere but this time after discovering this site and its phone app I am really determined. I know it's too late for this summer (which is almost over with here in the U.K.) but it gives me plenty of time for next year. I want to skate again (I still sort of do but its just crusing as I am too overweight for tricks and such), and next year want to go surfing. These are my two main sources of motivation to keep going with this.

So I weighed myself on Friday 19th July and whilst it was not as much as I thought it would be, it was still far too much at 267lbs (19.1st). I am currently 6'2" if that helps anyone visualize the size. I believe my "ideal" weight is 182lbs(13st), but I am not too sure if I should worry about that because surely that doesn't take into account peoples unique frame and muscle. So what I am doing is using that as a rough figure but more concentrating on body size and shape and feeling healthier. I am breaking this down into chunks with the first goal is to reached 224lbs(16st).

Following the MFP, I have it so if I follow the plan I should be loosing 2lbs a week. My first weigh in since starting is this Saturday so we will see. I am assuming that at first I won't see much as I have no muscle so whilst excersing I am loosing fat but gaining some muscle so my weight may not change??

At the moment I haven't really noticed a major change in my life style as I have always eaten pretty healthily. I have never eaten processed foods or pre cooked ready meals as I don't like the flavours. I think what has let me down is more the size of the meals. So as I say with the current plan there haven't been any major changes, which should make it easier to stick to, but there have been some minor changes, which I hope that in time will add up to some major changes in my weight. These are:

* I am now weighing all my foods. I have always had cereal for Breakfast and Lunch but before just filled the containers I took into work right up, where as now I weigh, usually taking between 50g to 100g depending on my day. Also I am now eating half a Grapefuit for breakfast and Muesli for lunch, rather than two lots of cereals.

* Weighing main meal ingredients and tracking calories, keeping portions sensible. I have never been a fan of salad but this week I have started, making a fresh mixed leaf, with pepper and herbs (all home grown).

* To begin with, no more take aways. In the past whilst not been every day there would be once or twice where a take away would come in if too tired to cook.

* Excerise routine. I walk 1.5 miles into work every day at a brisk pace. 4 out of 5 working days of the week I am currently doing a 15 minute work out using Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. I do plan to increase the time as the weight comes off. The other working day of the week I plan to go swimming for a 30 minute session, again upping it as I get fitter. The first swimming session was last night. I was nervous about it as I would have to expose my belly to the public but I did it! Saturday I will have a wind down day and start learning Tai Chi which is something I have always wanted to do. And finally Sunday I will have an early morning skate session going somewhere private and out the way (re)learning some tricks.

It's only been a few days so there's no real change to see but one thing I have noticed is that I can now move my leg (both sides) up above my knee with ease now (sitting down or standing up) without having to put them there in postion with hands. So I guess thats a postive thing. I think it's going to need these little milestones to keep me going as the actual phyical difference is going to take a long time so will need them to mark that there are improvements and to keep going.

Thanks for reading my waffle, and I hope this time I can stick with and next summer there will be a healthier and fitter me.