Against my better judgement, greetings MFP'ers!

My name is Chris, I'm 42 from Kansas, working to get down to my ideal weight, and more importantly, get myself in good physical shape.

I've been a member of MFP here since some time in June, and think the MFP program is a really great tool. It has helped me to get past a point where I stopped losing weight, and am right back on track now.

I've been perusing the message boards since I joined, not sure what to make of some of you, because some of you might just be even more crazy than I am. I avoided chiming in because I was doing well on my own and didn't want to change anything, or start getting other "expert opinions" that would change the track I was on. That and how ridiculous some threads seemed to be (I actually enjoy ridiculous because I'm a total nutbag at heart, but yes, I scoff at some of you, in a friendly way of course).

I actually started the year 2014 at 316 pounds and this morning weigh in at 236 pounds. I am 6' 2" tall meaning I have 3 more pounds to lose until I am no longer obese and simply "overweight" (yay). I'm really looking forward to being overweight. Seriously.

My target weight, according to BMI anyway, is 180 pounds, and I have NEVER been anywhere near that...but then again I have always been either fat and out of shape, or less fat and in some measure of relatively decent shape (but never actually "fit"). So maybe I can hit 180, who knows? I'm going to find out though.

I have to give all credit for the start of my weight loss journey and the successes this year to my doctor, actually. He prescribed Metformin sue to elevated blood sugars, and advised not to exceed 120g of total carbs per day. For once in my life I actually did EXACTLY what the doctor told me, and not doing my own "research" and second guessing his "trained medical opinion". I figured, what the heck, going my own way based on research from many various "expert opinions" never actually worked all that well for me before, why not just do what the freaking doctor says for once?

It worked. What can I say other than, it worked for me, and I am thrilled.

Just getting the blood sugars straightened out and reducing my carb intake caused me to start shedding 11 pounds per month average, from January onwards. It was fantastic.

In April I started walking, figuring at some point I would plateau going just "diet alone". At this point I am running. OK, running for bursts and then walking, but going a distance of 4.2 miles currently in 50 minutes, and the bursts of running are now up to a half mile each. May not sound like much to some, but trust me, for this guy, that is AMAZING!

Each time I get to where I increase my time, distance, speed, resistance, whatever, I find I push a bit too hard and have a small injury setback and have to rest a few days. I did that again earlier this week but am back now and ready to run again today after two full days rest (luckily it was that minor this time, longest wait was two weeks). I am getting better at listening to my body and not pushing myself into injuries, and I am glad I stopped my run on Wednesday when my legs simply didn't "have it", and the next day felt my left quad feeling tender like it was pulled slightly.

Wow, I getting all chatty. Sorry about that.

I hope to do some distance running, like 10k's on a regular basis. Actually, what I want to do is a marathon, but my intermediate step is to start with 10k's, maybe even doing regular 6 mile runs. I'm in no rush, but considering where I have been, and when I am now, this regular 6 mile run seems perfectly reasonable and in reach.

My wife wanted to join a local gym, which I felt could also benefit me. I took a Les Mills BodyFlex class, and that is what I think overworked me earlier this week. I plan to do more classes, hoping to do BodyPump, BodyFlex, some Yoga for stretching, and of course still running. I need these extra "strength" workouts because at this point my runs are not limited by my breath or heart rate, but by my legs. They crap out and run out of strength to continue. So I need to build up some strength to go the extra distance.

OK, I'll stop yabbering now.

I don't know how much I'll contribute here, but I can be chatty.

I have a warped sense of humor, and love making people laugh. But I also have an intense focus on things, almost OCD, which is why I had not participated on the boards yet. I don't want to lose focus on simply exercising, and tracking my nutrients.

OK, let me have it. Haze away!