Herrmann's Journal - I need Support!

[Herrmann22]

Howdy!

Well, I am taking the first step here by posting my journal online. I have decided to quit making excuses and finally get into shape. I am 37 years old and the big 40! is nearing and I am getting worried that if I let myself go too much longer I'll be facing more serious issues than just a tight pair of jeans. So, I am needing change and I also need support which I never thought I'd have to ask for!

You see, I am not a stranger to working out. I use to be into Body Building and I was quite the athelete too. Never in a million years would I have though I'd be scared for my own health! I also never thought I would struggle to lose weight!! Well, I admit it... I am. Too many years have passed wearing the same jeans, making the same excuses, falling off the wagon after two weeks, etc...etc...etc. Today is January 1st, 2006. Enough is enough!

Like I said, I'm 37 and I am about 5'-8" and sadly weigh about 202. I WANT to and NEED to weigh about 170 or 165. BUT, I can't ever get there. I once lost about 15 pounds in two weeks about a year ago but one party made me fall off the wagon and I gained it all back as fast as I lost it. This has been my pattern for too long. Year after year I go up and down by about 10 pounds but never remain on the wagon for more than a few weeks. What's wrong? I have no clue. I need help and I admit it.

So today I write to you seeking support. I'm sure I am not alone here! Come on guys, who's with me? I know you use to be the young stud once too but now you are nothing but a jelly belly. Haha... I guess that's what a wife and kids will do to a man. Once I got married and had a few kids my priorities kinda went from pumping iron to doing 12ounce curls if you know what I mean. It's sad. How could I let myself go? What do other people think of me? How do coworkers view me? Fat? Lazy? Man, this sucks! I use to be the guy everyone stared at walking down the Mall, now I am the guy who looks like Danny DeVito walking down the Mall. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I know what to do. Like I said, I am not stranger to working out and understanding nutrition. I've done it and I've tasted it. I know how it was but for some reason I can't get there again. I don't blame age but I know it's harder to keep weight off then it was when I was 20. My body has slowed down, period. I also can't be the gym rat that I use to be! Life has changed, I have changed and I don't like it anymore. I want to get back into shape and when I hit 40 I want to look 30, or even less! I know I can do it but it also takes support. My wife supports me but the more support the better in my book. I need a place to come where people share the same concerns. I need people in the same position as I am in.

I've decided to move my workouts (yes, I do workout sometimes) to the morning. I will wake up at 4:00am each day and hit the gym and go to work from there. This way I can make it a way of life and it won't interfere with my evenings which are usually busy with kid functions and Honey-Do lists! I can hardly get to the gym at night anymore and that's part of the problem. So, I have turned to morning workouts. This is a start but I believe it will work. I am excited actually. I went as far as to take a vacation this week so I can really get started on my plans. I will simulate waking up at 4:30am starting on Wednesday. This should give me an idea of who's at the gym and it will allow me to perfect my routine before next week.

Ok, enough for now sorry. I am going to post how the week goes but in the meantime I am open for suggestions and comments. What do you want to know so you can help me along the way? Diet, workouts, foods I like, eating habits, goals, dreams, what?? Ask me anything!

We'll talk soon!

:

HELP!

[threenorns]

you didn't slow down because you aged - you slowed down because you slowed down, lol. you said it yourself: your priorities changed. the problem happened because you continued to eat as if you had a BMR of 'x' when the reality was your metabolism had dropped to "x minus a quantity".

is getting up at 4am something you can honestly do for the rest of your life? if not, scotch that idea right now. i had the same idea until that alarm went off the first time and i woke up, thought "screw this!" and rolled over and went back to sleep.

instead, i leave the house at 6am and walk for an hour (4 miles) to catch the bus to work - i HAVE to walk, because i don't buy bus tickets for my local bus service. work is so brain-numbing i actually enjoy getting off at teh same stop and walking home unless i'm going to the gym. now, i do the morning walk with a 15lb backpack because i have to pack in my own drinking water. within a couple of weeks, i'll probably extend the walk by ten or fifteen minutes (little less than one more mile).

this is something that fits in with my daily routine, so it's easy for me to keep - it's actually easier for me to observe than to buck, since any deviation, such as cutting my walk short, causes my entire schedule to be thrown out of whack.

as for the night, your wife and kids will HAVE to understand that you NEED this time. it's only three evenings a week for a couple of hours and it will do you good mentally, as well as physically, to get away from stress. if you can get them on board, they will be your most valuable support system. an alternative would be a half-hour workout on your lunch break.

[Herrmann22]

I do understand what you are saying and also agree with you in many regards. I am choosing to go to the gym early because I am fed up with fighting the madness at my local gym at night, or after work, which is much worse. Trust me, I've tried going right from work, late at night, right before closing, nothing beats the morning as far as crowds. Now that it's a new year my local gym will be PACKED, especially in the evenings for at least this month. After that, people will quit and give up. But until then January is a nightmare at the gyms. I actually went early this morning and there was hardly anyone there, even being first of the year! As you can imagine, I don't like crowds and I hate the "gym" scene at night. So, I'm gonna try mornings. I think this will be the only way I get to the gym to be honest. If you don' t enjoy doing something you're not gonna do it.

No, I do not plan to get up at 4:00am for the rest of my life. Let me add that one day I want to have a workout room in my basement which will include a sauna too. (I love the Sauna!) But for now I must settle for a gym. I don't have the funds to build a workout center in my home, not yet. So although this is temporary it's a start. Another thing, I am an early bird. Yes, I actually enjoy mornings and I've been getting up at 5:30am for as long as I can remember! So, what's an hour and a half sooner? No big deal really. I go to bed early anyway.

You are correct, my life has changed but I think I can turn it around and at this point this is the only way I see possible is morning workouts. Again, I dread going after work or in the evenings and that equals not going, period. Everyone is different, some people actually enjoy the scene at night, not me!

Plus, the gym is clean in the morning, it's always the same people and a totally different type of attitude. At night it's a younger crowd, the locker rooms are usually filthy by then due to all the people from the whole day, and I don't enjoy waiting for equipment nor dealing with childish behaivor which often takes place in those hours. Call me a stick in the mud! Haha

I know, it sounds like I am trying to talk myself into this so time will tell I suppose. I will do it all week and see what happens. I do like the fact that my workouts are over before most of the country even gets out of bed. That alone is an awesome thought. Also, it will free me up to spend the quality time with family. My kids are always into this and that and I often could not work out because I had to take the kids here and there for their functions. So now you know why I chose this morning thing. I do hope it works out. If not, I will have to go in serious debt and build a home gym because the older I get the more I hate crowded gyms.

Keep in touch and I will let ya know how it goes. So far so good! I enjoyed this morning at least.

Chow!

[Herrmann22]

The day after...(1/3/06)

Ok, I made it my first day! Yesterday was good. I worked out (Cardio) and ate better but man was I a sleepy cat this morning so I slept in. I am on vacation this week so OFF MY BACK! haha

Anyway, here is my breakdown:

Calories: 1353 - 27p/44c/29f (need to work on this!)

But, in all it went well. Now that half the day is gone already today lets see how many calories I can get in me. I also plan a full body workout today so I need more protein for sure!

[Herrmann22]

1-4-06

My first day waking up at 4:00am to hit the gym and it went well. I actually like this. Hardly any people at the gym and it's a little after 7:15am and I'm DONE! YES!! What a feeling

I need to eat more and plan out meals. This right now is my main concern so today I make a trip to the grocery store to try and find some things to eat. I had about the same amount of calories as the day before so I need to plan!
This is the most difficult task for me and always has because I am a very picky eater. It sucks. I don't like Veggies and many other foods so although I know deep down I need to change it's still very hard. Any ideas on good, healthy meals would be good. I like meats, chicken, turkey, soups, pasta, potatoes, fruits, etc.. but green veggies...YUCK.

[tim_mcf]

Veggies are good if you cook them right. I like most things raw or steamed, no sauce or spice or anything. I eat a lot of broccoli, frozen grean beans, salad. Try spinach on your sandwich instead of lettuce.

Don't boil anything until it's tasteless muck, that will make any vegetable just rat nasty.

[.V.]

Herrmann, glad you are enjoying your workouts. Hang in there - it's sometimes tough with a family, work, and other responsibilities. Even my job interferes with my workouts sometimes and I don't know how folks with real jobs manage it every day.

One thing that helps keep me motivated is doing short, heavy workouts - low volume - only 3 sets and 4-6 reps / exercise. I'm in and out in under 40 minutes every day.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Herrmann22]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

...it's sometimes tough with a family, work, and other responsibilities. Even my job interferes with my workouts sometimes and I don't know how folks with real jobs manage it every day.

Morning workouts, before the rest of the madness starts! I hit the gym at 5:00am now. No other time to do it, period. :

[Herrmann22]

I've moved my journal over to another site, sorry. I do appreciate the support here though!

Good Luck to you all.

[.V.]

Hey man, as long as you are doing the work and keeping up with your goals so you don't give up...hang in there.

If you need support, we are here.

[Herrmann22]

Thanks a lot. I will be around, I just moved my journal. Not leaving by all means. I just can't update journals on more than one place! LOL

Actually, I do need some advice. I am looking into a possible career change and need advice on fitness careers and what the various earning potentials are. Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks!

[threenorns]

why can't you update journals on more than one site? do what i do: copy and paste. i have journals on three sites.

[Herrmann22]

Off my back woman!! LOL (jk) Cause I'm lazy? Ok, I'll think about it...

Time for bed, up at 4:00am. Night.

[threenorns]

well, it's just we feel left out of watching your progress.... <lonely little sniffle>