Greetings and salutations!

Hello MFP.

I am a 6ft, 233 lb, 36yr old male cursed by genetics (paternal side - dad died at 40, uncle died at 44, grandfather died at 50 ... all overweight, all living a non healthy lifestyle, filled with strokes and heart attacks) but trying my best to overcome them (better late than never).

I had never been particularly healthy but after a horrible accident in 2005 it started an accelerated path to my rock bottom. Lack of mobility took my already minimally active lifestyle to a zero, depression practically moved me into the fridge, and my body and mind paid the price.

Got married to a wonderful woman in 2007 who had stuck with me during my worst.

Had a kick *kitten* son in 2009.

6 years later I find myself wanting/needing to get myself in a place where I don't feel like I'm running out of time.

I tried MFP haphazardly in mid 2014 but after some trouble logging things I found it all too easy to walk away from it. Late 2014 I started gym'ing intensely after recovering from a much belated back surgery. Early 2015 I find myself looking at it less as a grab one thing and do it and more as a toolbox that needs to be filled with a variety of tools so I find myself doubling down on trying MFP again and adding it to my toolbox nice and proper like.

My general diet is much better than it used to be but nowhere near where it should be and my greatest nemesis (other than the horrible habit of "just going to the fridge" for no rhyme or reason) is my sweettooth. It was worlds easier to switch soda to water and tea than it is for me to walk past a reese's peanut butter cup and not eat it and all of it's delicious brothers and sisters.
Luckily I've found some nice alternatives recently (thank you Quest bars!!).

My general fitness and gym time has gone from plans and wants to doing it and keeping it up which has been great for my spirit and the feeling of "being able to do it". It's not changing my body in ways that are easily visible to me but I've noticed lots of cues from pants fitting better, average BPM going down a lot during peak exertion, and being able to go longer and farther with less pain all showing me that there is improvement happening.

I hope to end up at a place closer to 199lbs (but I'll settle for slightly more attractive by summer for our Disney World trip=) ), I hope to end up living longer than any of my relatives have before me, I hope to live "better" every day until then, and I hope to provide a good example to my son to show him that no matter which direction the deck is stacked - enough effort, willpower, and motivation can move the deck wherever the hell you want it.

So there is my Big Blue introduction with where I've been, where I'm at, and where I hope to be.
I look forward to knowing the community better and transitioning from a lurker to an active participant.