Let's lose a tractor!

[ACHINBAC]

Need some big support guys, I've fallen off the wagon (actually the wheels blew out). Caught a bad case of the Heineken Flu this winter . . .

First pic is workin' the yard with the young un last summer, second is on vacation this winter . . . . Fraid I may have added a few new parts to the tractor.

 

[Uncle Doug]

Well, I've officially lost my first 50 lb bag of feed. I'm down to 215 from my starting weight of 265. Woohoo! I only have 50 lb more to go. I'm wearing jeans I've not worn in two years or more. That's a good feeling. Three months ago, my wife was suggesting that I let her take the pants to the resale shop. Now I can let her take my "fatty pants."

That is a great milestone.

I reached my 50 lb sack of feed level this week. I am now down 52 pounds. I will think about that much weight every time I pick up a 50 pound sack of feed. Just thinking that my knees and feet carried around that much extra weight for more than 25 years.

I don't know how far I will go but am still willing to try. I know I could spare another 50 and am now at 274. At just over 6 foot tall my target for now is 250 but 225 looks very good and reachable.

 

[Uncle Doug]

Need some big support guys, I've fallen off the wagon (actually the wheels blew out). Caught a bad case of the Heineken Flu this winter . . .

First pic is workin' the yard with the young un last summer, second is on vacation this winter . . . . Fraid I may have added a few new parts to the tractor.

Welcome to the phatt farm.

I carried around the spare tire and a tool shed for over 25 years. Now at 52 I wish I had done this many years ago. I guess you can teach a old dog new tricks. It was not until my weight started affecting my health (4 hernia's in 2 years) did I decide to do something about it.

I have several friends and coworkers who did the weight loss surgery. I did not want to go that route having had the 4 hernia surgeries. While I have been going to a weight loss doctor it has been easier that I thought. The biggest issue is avoiding eating when around others with lots of snacks and other foods. At home I tend to do much better.

I have been off work for over 4 months and paying this doctor out of my pocket. Its amazing that the insurance companies will pay out the azz for surgeries but not a penny for weight loss products. Good thing I upped my pre-tax medical fund last year.

 

[tallyho8]

Well, I've officially lost my first 50 lb bag of feed.

I reached my 50 lb sack of feed level this week.

This is amazing! Congratulations to both of you. I think that both of you are going to be very happy as you discover the things that you are able to do now that you were unable to do in the past.

One of my best friends that used to go trailriding with me in the Ozarks every year is now over 350 and can not ride his horse anymore and that was his main joy in life. It has him very depressed because he has tried to diet with no success. The more depressed he gets, the more he eats. He is very touchy about mentioning his weight so no one tries to help him. I am unable to help him as I am only 5 pounds overweight and I can't even get that off. I guess it is like quitting smoking, you just have to wait until you are ready and just do it and nobody can help you before you are ready.

 

[Nissan197]

I have lost a whole 4 lbs, but have not been trying real hard. Been exercising more, but not watching what I eat. Working mids does that to me. I find myself eating junk from the quick shops.

 

[Uncle Doug]

This is amazing! Congratulations to both of you. I think that both of you are going to be very happy as you discover the things that you are able to do now that you were unable to do in the past.

One of my best friends that used to go trailriding with me in the Ozarks every year is now over 350 and can not ride his horse anymore and that was his main joy in life. It has him very depressed because he has tried to diet with no success. The more depressed he gets, the more he eats. He is very touchy about mentioning his weight so no one tries to help him. I am unable to help him as I am only 5 pounds overweight and I can't even get that off. I guess it is like quitting smoking, you just have to wait until you are ready and just do it and nobody can help you before you are ready.

Thanks, friends I have known for years are starting to notice.

I was at the mid 340's this time last year. I had only been on a horse once in 20 years and that was mainly due to my size. Most stables limit rider size to 225-240 pounds max.

If someone is serious about loosing weight but need help then have them seek out like a weight loss doctor. It has not been that expensive for me even paying out of pocket. Just over $1,000 over the past 12 weeks. That includes all meds, vitamens and doctor visits. Compared to the weight loss surgery of $20,000 to $25,000 which most insurance will not pay for either. The real incentive for me comes when I think about that it is my money being spent each week and I if blow off a few days on the diet then I just waisted thats weeks money. I have done that for a couple of days and then spent the rest of the week just getting back to where I was.

I know I could push harder but am happy with the current rate of loss. The first 4 weeks was about 25 pounds total. The next 4 weeks was about 12-14 pounds each month. Nothing shabby and much better results than I expected.

Support of friends and family is very important. Even though my wife is not on a diet she has been a big help. Going on the afternoon walks and preparing healthier meals.

 

[Uncle Doug]

I have lost a whole 4 lbs, but have not been trying real hard. Been exercising more, but not watching what I eat. Working mids does that to me. I find myself eating junk from the quick shops.

4 pound is a start. When I started last year on my own I only lost 4 pounds the first month. I thought at this rate it would take 5 years.

I have been a industrial shift worker for the past 30 years. That long strech between midnight and 5 am is full of sugar rich soda and snacks from the vending machines to keep awake and full of energy. I have had the benefit of being off work on short term disability during the whole weight loss period. Even though it has meant being on half pay, using some savings to live on I have been in no hurry to get back to work and full pay. That would mean going back into that enviroment that is less than healthy.

 

[jinman]

Need some big support guys, I've fallen off the wagon (actually the wheels blew out). Caught a bad case of the Heineken Flu this winter . . .

The first step is realizing what is causing your weight loss. The 2nd step is getting it under control. That step really tests your willpower. I always find that getting angry at myself and refusing to lay blame on anyone except myself is a good start. Heineken is not the reason you have gained weight. Your opening it and drinking it is. You know what you have to do. The payback will certainly be worth it.

I'm definitely in a weight loss lull. I'm eating very little, but my weight is fluctuating up and down. I have grapefruit, apples, cantaloupe, and fresh pineapple in the refrigerator, but it may go bad before I get a chance to eat it. I just threw out four apples from a bag because they rotted. I ate a grapefruit this morning and will not eat anything else until tonight. I'll probably have a salad and a couple of smoked ribs for dinner. You'd think I would be dropping weight fast, but that's just not the case. I'm losing inches around my waist and in my butt, but the pounds are hard to come by. Oh well, it's kinda fun to have baggy pants.

 

[Uncle Doug]

I actually bought a new pair of jeans about 2 weeks ago. It was the first pair of Wranglers I have had in years. I went down 2 sizes and all the old ones were very baggy. Even most of the old pairs were getting to big. I will wait awhile before buying another pair. Shirts are big on me but they will not fall down around your knees.

 

[Uncle Doug]

I hope all the weight loss plans have not gone the way of all the other New Years resolutions.

It has been a slow month for weight loss so far. I went back to work a couple of weeks ago after being off since surgery just before Thanksgiving. So far at work I have done OK an avoided the snack machine. My wife packed plenty of my own snacks like grapes and cantalope.

We took the grandsons on a cruise out of Galveston over the Easter break. I thought I was doing good but still managed to gain 3 pounds on the cruise. It must of been the chocolate melting cake. It took me the rest of the week to loose that. For the month my net loss has only been 2 pounds with a total loss for the year at 54 pounds. About 70 total since this time last year. My goal from here on out is to loose about 5 pounds a month until I reach my final goal. I did get my BMI below 35 which drops me out of the health high risk catagory.