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Posted
39 minutes ago, Parliament said:

Great changes there.  Paying a personal trainer makes it feel more “real,” and helps with personal accountability.

6-8 oz bourbon is 4-5 beers fwiw.

I got up to 12+ beers a day, and then I'd do bourbon on top of that. I've been a daily drinker for a long long time. I've decided to channel that energy and addictive behavior into changing my lifestyle for good. I'm hoping to get to a point where I can kick the bourbon also, but we'll see. I feel great where I'm at right now. 

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Posted

Started the month at 211 after holiday binge, and currently at 204, which is kinda weird to me that that's a number I'm fine with, but so much more of it is muscle than it used to be. At my height and build, before I started working out a few years ago, if I was anywhere close to 200 lbs, that meant I was getting pretty damn fat. Now despite being "big," I'm getting close to dropping from a 34 to a 33 waist. Still would like to shed a few more body fat % and eventually get down to around 195 or so, but I really don't have any ambition to try and get back into the 180's.

All that said, after working a ton this month, both at my job and in the gym, and barely drinking at all since New Years, here's going to be me on Saturday:

giphy.gif

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Posted
5 hours ago, SurlyBDR said:

I turned 41 in December, and at the same time I had hit a new low in terms of my physical and mental health. My alcohol consumption hit an all-time high last year, which (obviously) led to anxiety, depression, and physical problems throughout the year. I have managed to stop drinking beer daily and now just having a nightcap of 6-8oz of bourbon each night.

I could probably count the number of times I've worked out with intent in my life with both of my hands, but this month has become of the best I've had in a long damn time. I joined a local private gym and hired a personal trainer to keep me motivated and also show me proper technique/form. I am mad at myself for not taking charge of my health before now. I am thinking clearer and feeling better on a daily basis, even if I can barely walk because my legs are sore. It hurts so damn good. 

 

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Fuck yeah, man. It’s never too late. Keep it up!

When you got a couple more weeks of the workout routine behind you, why not try cutting out alcohol on the weeknights and save it for the weekend? Or at least maybe take every other day off?

I’ve said this before here or on other threads – when you age, sleep quality is so much more important. Better sleep helps with longevity and the mid-life “I feel like a new person” mentality. And alcohol fucks with that. I had become a daily drinker in my 30s and neglected my physical fitness, and as I was approaching 40, I cut back big time and started a fitness routine, and it was like a rebirth. 

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Posted (edited)
50 minutes ago, South Austin said:

 

Fuck yeah, man. It’s never too late. Keep it up!

When you got a couple more weeks of the workout routine behind you, why not try cutting out alcohol on the weeknights and save it for the weekend? Or at least maybe take every other day off?

I’ve said this before here or on other threads – when you age, sleep quality is so much more important. Better sleep helps with longevity and the mid-life “I feel like a new person” mentality. And alcohol fucks with that. I had become a daily drinker in my 30s and neglected my physical fitness, and as I was approaching 40, I cut back big time and started a fitness routine, and it was like a rebirth. 

Thank you!!

 

Ultimately, that is the goal (to cut back or possibly quit drinking altogether). I've had a complete 180 in terms of gut health by not ingesting 144+ ounces of beer a night. While that is no surprise to anyone, it was simply something that I turned a blind eye to for way too long. It's amazing what 3-4 weeks of reducing that intake to what it is now can do for oneself. Alcoholism is a sonofabitch. This new chapter of my life is looking and feeling wonderful. I am looking forward to posting more updates to this thread.

Edited by SurlyBDR
Appreciation
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Posted
On 1/28/2025 at 2:10 PM, Js1 said:

I just can't give up the sweets.  And the further into the year, the worse work gets and I just want a damn cookie after dinner. 

I'm being good with not eating out except Friday nights, bringing my lunch to work, etc.  But the sweets....

GIF by Saturday Night Live

I eat a lot of lunches at my office. I keep a jar of those individually-wrapped York peppermint patties in the kitchen, and eat one after lunch. The mint part tells my brain that mealtime is over. 

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Posted

Well 175 by May certainly seems achievable lol.

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 wish I had weighed myself in college. I was chubby in high school, at about 200, slimmed down in college when I walked everywhere and didn't have a pantry. I would guess mid 170s though is about the lowest I've been in my adult life. I'm surprised at how not difficult it's been to get close to there again. I was getting frustrated earlier this week that I was stuck at around 182, but then I went into work on Wednesday and put on a button down tucked into chinos for the first time this year and realized how much progress I'm making. I still have a belly, I wonder what I would weigh if I got actually thin. I'm about to go pull out some shirts that have been relegated to the back of the closet for about 10 years....

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Posted
48 minutes ago, Celery Man said:

Well 175 by May certainly seems achievable lol.

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 wish I had weighed myself in college. I was chubby in high school, at about 200, slimmed down in college when I walked everywhere and didn't have a pantry. I would guess mid 170s though is about the lowest I've been in my adult life. I'm surprised at how not difficult it's been to get close to there again. I was getting frustrated earlier this week that I was stuck at around 182, but then I went into work on Wednesday and put on a button down tucked into chinos for the first time this year and realized how much progress I'm making. I still have a belly, I wonder what I would weigh if I got actually thin. I'm about to go pull out some shirts that have been relegated to the back of the closet for about 10 years....

Username checks out.

You doing cardio today?  If so maybe shift some of that time to weight training.  

Posted
1 hour ago, Parliament said:

Username checks out.

You doing cardio today?  If so maybe shift some of that time to weight training.  

straight calorie deficit right now. i have maybe 45 minutes unscheduled every day, it's a beating. I do want to start doing some casual cycling. Maybe I'll get a kettlebell or something.

Posted

Passing along a book that helped me quit drinking alcohol.  My drinking habits were incredibly similar to the author and similar to some described in this thread.  It worked for me.  YMMV, obviously.  There's an awesome AA thread in DT as well.

https://a.co/d/c0qILLf

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Posted

Banged up my shoulder skiing over New Years (skied 6 days and fell on the last run of the last day doing something stupid). Minor injury -- mostly discomfort and less range of motion. Been keeping up with running and body weight fitness like push ups and dips.  Was able to lift actual weights for the first time since New Years.  Did not lose any progress as far as I can tell.

Still sitting around 190 at 6'2".  More interested in replacing fat with muscle now.  185 would probably be about right with the right body comp. Just going to keep eating a lot of lean protein and hitting the gym.  

 

Posted

Going to StretchLab for a few months. Sitting at a desk has made my inflexibility worse. I’d like to be able to easily touch my toes and be able to run around with the soccer team I coach without hips hurting. I’ll let you guys know how it’s goes.

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Posted (edited)
6 hours ago, Js1 said:

I did Dry January and feel great 

Thank fucking Christ tomorrow is February lol 

I hear that.

I drank a total of 3 times this month, the last time being 2 Saturdays ago. Thought about maybe having a couple Mexican beers with the fajitas we were having for dinner tonight. Even bought a sixer on the way home from work, but just never got around to opening one. I've got the rest of the weekend to imbibe, so didn't feel like cheating again with just a few hours of January remaining. Besides, going to bed after having 3 or 4 beers tonight would likely just make me wake up at some point around 3 am and take forever to fall back asleep. 

Tomorrow is a different story though. 

Edited by Storm the Field
Posted
15 hours ago, Celery Man said:

 I was stuck at around 182, but then I went into work on Wednesday and put on a button down tucked into chinos for the first time this year and realized how much progress I'm making. I still have a belly, I wonder what I would weigh if I got actually thin. I'm about to go pull out some shirts that have been relegated to the back of the closet for about 10 years....

The belt doesn't lie. I don't use a scale

Posted

I agree in principle about weight not being the number or perhaps the most portent number, but I will say that for me tracking metrics is important in my ability to stay on target during a slow process like this.

i look forward to the “ what’s it going to be” every morning on the scale. And this is the first time I’ve done calorie counting - that makes a big difference. I want to just eat that cornbread muffin sitting there but more than that I don’t want to fuck up my number. Also I finally ordered a bowl for the first time at chipotle - I know bread is a calorie bomb but I finally gave in when I was playing with the nutrition counter on their website trying to figure out how I could get cheese and sour cream.

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Posted
I agree in principle about weight not being the number or perhaps the most portent number, but I will say that for me tracking metrics is important in my ability to stay on target during a slow process like this.
i look forward to the “ what’s it going to be” every morning on the scale. And this is the first time I’ve done calorie counting - that makes a big difference. I want to just eat that cornbread muffin sitting there but more than that I don’t want to fuck up my number. Also I finally ordered a bowl for the first time at chipotle - I know bread is a calorie bomb but I finally gave in when I was playing with the nutrition counter on their website trying to figure out how I could get cheese and sour cream.

I know I need to drop another 15 - 20 pounds. I have no idea what that final number will be, but Im guessing around 200. I’m more interested in my waist hopefully being 34”.
Posted
26 minutes ago, T’Boo Ted Marshall said:

From the little reading I have done thus far there’s a lot of focus on waist size correlating to health. 

True, there was a pretty useless invention that I saw at the Medical College of Wisconsin, but it was a numbered belt, because waist size change has the best correlation between cardiovascular health and disease.

Posted
2 hours ago, Celery Man said:

I agree in principle about weight not being the number or perhaps the most portent number, but I will say that for me tracking metrics is important in my ability to stay on target during a slow process like this.

i look forward to the “ what’s it going to be” every morning on the scale. And this is the first time I’ve done calorie counting - that makes a big difference. I want to just eat that cornbread muffin sitting there but more than that I don’t want to fuck up my number. Also I finally ordered a bowl for the first time at chipotle - I know bread is a calorie bomb but I finally gave in when I was playing with the nutrition counter on their website trying to figure out how I could get cheese and sour cream.

And skip the sour cream.

Posted

Cottage cheese actually would work there too, that’s probably what I would do if I was at home.

 

but if I’m spending a day in office, I’ll hit up chipotle or get a smoothie and eat a quest bar.

 

i eat a lot of popcorn - wife got me this as a stocking stuffer and I guess I’m surprised you can just microwave dry popcorn kernels in what amounts to a steamer. This has made controlling nighttime snack calories fairly easy.

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Posted

I had an early call this morning with my team in Europe which overlapped with my workout time. I was mainly going to listen in so decided to workout while on call. I've done this a number of times while lifting but today I was doing a weighted jump rope workout.

Things went pretty smooth about halfway into my workout until disagreements on the call broke out which was when I was deep into my workout. I kept having to step in every 5 or so minutes.

If you want to challenge yourself. Try doing a HIIT workout with weighted jump ropes then try having a conversation during the second half of the workout.

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Posted

I start my slate of meetings at 6 or 630 most days. Fuckin India. Placing the iPhone on the changing table where I can reach the mute button but where the 1 year old won’t kick it into the shitty diaper is an art.

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Posted
2 hours ago, Celery Man said:

I start my slate of meetings at 6 or 630 most days. Fuckin India. Placing the iPhone on the changing table where I can reach the mute button but where the 1 year old won’t kick it into the shitty diaper is an art.

You should probably change your diaper more often then. 

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Posted
6 minutes ago, Celery Man said:

My body, looking for fat to burn as I run on a calorie deficit

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This. It’s my wrist and fingers and suddenly my Oura ring keeps sliding off 

Posted (edited)

I started on January 20th, no booze, diet of basically chicken breast, turkey, fish and vegetables.  I've worked out 15 of the last 16 days after not doing much of anything the last 6 months. I feel great and can already tell a big difference in the amount of cardio I can do. Haven’t weighed in yet, waiting for the three week mark of working out but I can see changes already.  Thinking of pushing the strict diet and no booze to 60 days minimum.  

Edited by Hook1997
Posted

Lift heavy shit. Cardio is great and whatever but lifting heavy shit is, in my opinion, the way to go. I'm a unique case. Got in a wreck a few years ago. Broke everything from my tits to my eyeballs. I have three plates in my face holding everything together. But lifting keeps me upright and alive. I don't love it. And i have calluses on my hands and bloody shins, but I think it's the remedy. Squat heavy. Deadlift heavy. Everything else is for show. 

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Posted
Lift heavy shit. Cardio is great and whatever but lifting heavy shit is, in my opinion, the way to go. I'm a unique case. Got in a wreck a few years ago. Broke everything from my tits to my eyeballs. I have three plates in my face holding everything together. But lifting keeps me upright and alive. I don't love it. And i have calluses on my hands and bloody shins, but I think it's the remedy. Squat heavy. Deadlift heavy. Everything else is for show. 

Heavy is subjective. I no longer try lifting heavy. I lift a weight I can get 8-12 reps in with tempo. I’m going for functional strength - not power lifting.
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Posted
Lift heavy shit. Cardio is great and whatever but lifting heavy shit is, in my opinion, the way to go. I'm a unique case. Got in a wreck a few years ago. Broke everything from my tits to my eyeballs. I have three plates in my face holding everything together. But lifting keeps me upright and alive. I don't love it. And i have calluses on my hands and bloody shins, but I think it's the remedy. Squat heavy. Deadlift heavy. Everything else is for show. 

With this mindset and approach, username definitely checks out.
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Posted
43 minutes ago, Goofyboy said:

Heavy is subjective. I no longer try lifting heavy. I lift a weight I can get 8-12 reps in with tempo. I’m going for functional strength - not power lifting.

Same.  I'm 50 and I'm long past the days of maxing out with 5-6 reps.  I'm not trying to get swole.  I lift to failure in the 8-12 rep range, focusing on form, and on most exercises I rest just a minute between sets.  It works just fine to maintain lean muscle mass, tone, and endurance.   

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Posted
40 minutes ago, South Austin said:

Same.  I'm 50 and I'm long past the days of maxing out with 5-6 reps.  I'm not trying to get swole.  I lift to failure in the 8-12 rep range, focusing on form, and on most exercises I rest just a minute between sets.  It works just fine to maintain lean muscle mass, tone, and endurance.   

We are the same age. I'm the furthest thing from swole in the world. I guess to rephrase I would say lift the heaviest shit you can while keeping good form, thereby preventing injury. And choose lifts that work multiple muscle groups. 

I'm just a proponent of strength training, especially as we age. 

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Posted
12 minutes ago, pops said:

I'm just a proponent of strength training, especially as we age. 

Completely agree.  I see middle-aged to old guys at the gym who just hop on a bike or elliptical machine doing nothing else, and I shout at them in my head, "You're doing it wrong!"

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Posted

I indoor cycle at lunch and lift after work MWF. I’m on my hiking treadmill at lunch and then coach U15 soccer in the evening TTh. Im finally just a good sore and not in pain from just living. Move it or lose it.

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