Health support from the ATM family

[KKXR400R]

I made myself a promise on my birthday to get healthy again and I am turning to my ATM family for moral support. I stepped on the scale for the first time in a long time the other day and immediately depression kicked in weighing in at 215lbs. In high school I was very fit and had an abundance of endurance but now days I can barely finish a desert race. So heres my plan.

Eating better
Start working out again
I want to drop to 185-175lbs This is a realistic goal
but my personal goal is 165
Quit smoking
Lighten the drinking

My wife is my main support and is doing a great job. I will post a weekly update. At this point in time I stopped drinking carbonated drinks, nothing but water, Gatorade and green tea. I actually eat breakfast now and lunch and dinners are low fat (chicken, rice and whole grain bread). I have a doctor’s appointment in July and will be getting some help with the smoking. I'll keep everyone updated.

-Kevin-

[DsBabyDoll]

Kevin,

Here is an idea. I'll bring the scale to RUTS. You & Dane both get on it and we make a chart that we keep in the trailer. Me & Tracy will keep you both honest and you each get weighed in at every race. We make a little contest out of it. Dane has the same goals as you (except he won't need to give up smoking). I think he will do better competing against you because he can't compete against me. We are each other's worst enemies. So, what do you think?

Deb

[The Baron]

You've got my support!

I went from 250lbs to 175 in 10 months after realizing that I had somehow let myself go. I am now 190lbs and in fair shape. I could stand to drop 10-15 but it really wouldn''t make too big of a difference. I'm 6'1" so I'm not way overweight and I was tired of constantly beating myself up because I didn't look as good with no shirt on as I did in high school. That was 10 years ago when I had nothing to do but run around and goof off. I'm a grown man and have earned the right to have a little beer belly.

I have cut the smoking out and truly feel that has helped tremendously. Get on Chantix for the smoking. It has helped everyone quit that I know.

We're here for ya, pal, but try not to go crazy about it. Losing weight isn't as easy for us guys as we remember back when.

[char393]

Kev...

Let me know what I can do to support you! You can do it mrsuperduperdesertracer! I have faith in you!

[KKXR400R]

Originally Posted by DsBabyDoll

Kevin,

Here is an idea. I'll bring the scale to RUTS. You & Dane both get on it and we make a chart that we keep in the trailer. Me & Tracy will keep you both honest and you each get weighed in at every race. We make a little contest out of it. Dane has the same goals as you (except he won't need to give up smoking). I think he will do better competing against you because he can't compete against me. We are each other's worst enemies. So, what do you think?

Deb

Thats a great idea! I like it. Do I still get to eat your great pasta...small(ish) portion???

You've got my support!

I went from 250lbs to 175 in 10 months after realizing that I had somehow let myself go. I am now 190lbs and in fair shape. I could stand to drop 10-15 but it really wouldn''t make too big of a difference. I'm 6'1" so I'm not way overweight and I was tired of constantly beating myself up because I didn't look as good with no shirt on as I did in high school. That was 10 years ago when I had nothing to do but run around and goof off. I'm a grown man and have earned the right to have a little beer belly.

I have cut the smoking out and truly feel that has helped tremendously. Get on Chantix for the smoking. It has helped everyone quit that I know.

We're here for ya, pal, but try not to go crazy about it. Losing weight isn't as easy for us guys as we remember back when.
Today 08:49 PM

When I read your post a while back on quitting smoking I realized...it sucks hacking and coughing when you wake up in the morning. Good job on the weight loss.

Kev...

Let me know what I can do to support you! You can do it mrsuperduperdesertracer! I have faith in you!

I bet you'll be happy if I quit smoking...remember the chimney in Texas...

[yzernie]

Kev,
Everyone is different with body metabolism but I have found that if I keep my fat intake to 15 grams or less per meal I lose weight easier. I have a weakness for chocolate and when I substitute fruits and other lower fat snacks that helps me a lot too.

One thing my doctor told me is to not give up what you like to eat but to be smart about portions and using good judgement when moderating portions.

Good luck and you now we are here to offer help and support for you.

[Woody_393]

Dude, I am SOOOOO with you.

I want in on the competition. I don't know what I weigh now, but ... we'll lets just say that since the bike is gone, I'm a couch potatoe poster child. I dare say 250+ Which would be a new record for me

You know we could really have a lot of fun doing this and support each other along the way. We could even come up with a good cause to go along with it? Sponsors maybe? $1 per pound donated to Rider down or something?

Oh man... I sooo want to lose weight and get into shape.

[MrsTwister393]

We could do an ATM Biggest Loser contest!! We could do it on percentage of body fat loss to make it fair for all sizes. We could join a free online tracker like [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] or keep track of it ourselves in one thread by everyone reporting to one person for updating.

I just finished a Boot Camp at my gym and already see the results leaving me, I could use a little motivation to get back to the gym. I have a trainer who would be willing to give some tips and answer questions as we go.

[Imahoot393]

Very well said everyone. Kevin I think a lot of us can relate. I am in the same boat. After my last two children being so close together and Jacob having autism, I was constantly eating on the run and so was my family. Getting through the day was hard enough but them putting together dinner with two screaming kids was really rough. I thought I would share what worked for me and maybe some of it will work for you as well. It is easier to come up with a plan after talking with others.

We have cut down fast food and I cook most nights. I have lost 15 pounds so far and I feel so much better. I can ride so long at the track now and I don't even need to really get off the track but I do because I need water. JJ and I go to the gym regurally. I has been very hard but we were determined.

I have read a few books, had a few sessions with a trainer, and the support of my family. All of these have been huge. The first thing that I read that truly helped was starting with one meal at a time to make a change. I changed my breakfast first and only worked on breakfast for two weeks. Changed what I ate, what I need, and limited my coffee intake. (coffee was my hardest and still my downfall). Then I worked on lunch for two weeks. Because of errands, my workout schedule, and Jacob's school release time this was very hard for me. I used to just get a burrito on the way to pick up Jacob. So now I plan ahead and on most days have something with me. Changing dinner has been big for us too. Still a lot to work on but definately something that is a good change for our family.

Are you planning to work out at a gym, at home, jogging, etc? Make a workout plan and stick to it. Try and acclimate yourself at first with just adding a few days....work your way up. Make it so that you are successful at first and that will help motivate you. Everything I have been reading and the trainer that I worked with said that interval training is the best. Basically working out in spurts. If you are jogging, walk for two minutes to warm up and then jog as fast as you can for 1-2 minutes. Walk for one minute, etc. Gives yourself a hard workout and they say that it actually helps keep your heartrate up a little longer and burns more calories and fat even after the workout. Combine this with some weights. Weights have have been huge for me. I cannot believe how this has changed how everything looks. I was worried about becoming muscle woman but frankly I have toned up my arms and I haven't seen them this way in a long long time.

Think about what your biggest challenge is with weight. For me it was eating out because we are a busy family and I had to find a babysitter so I can work out. There is a way to do it but it is just wrapping our minds around the idea and then doing it. My family was my biggest supporter in this way. My husband worked on my ability to get out of the house as he watched kids at night, I go to the gym every Wednesday night with JJ to have a good workout, and he stays at home and watches the kids on one weekend day so that I can go jogging with my friend. Family support is huge and I bet Tracy is great at this.

You will start to enjoy more energy and just feel so much better on the day to day. Good luck because I wish you the best. It is not easy and I have found that after 30 the body just doesn't want to lose it like it used to. I have to say my biggest problem is being unhappy with the time period it is taking. I started in November and have only lost 15 pounds. Everyone keeps telling me that is healthy but it is a little frustrating. I have to wrap my mind around that fact and still keep going. There is a lot more that I need to get off.

Drink water...tons of water. Sounds like you are doing well with this as well.

I am sure more people here have advice but this is what is working for me and hopefully some of it will help you achieve your goals as well.

[DsBabyDoll]

Originally Posted by KKXR400R

Thats a great idea! I like it. Do I still get to eat your great pasta...small(ish) portion???

That is actually on the menu Saturday night. All 2 days races denote Team Dinner Pasta. I might actually make a big salad to go with it too and I won't cook as much of that really yummy garlic/cheese bread. Tina...plenty of great advice. Cutting down on the fast food end of things is a huge step in the right way. When I lost 40 lbs a couple years ago, Dane had no choice but to lose weight as I HAD to cook certain ways and I wouldn't do the fast food thing. With it just the 2 of us now, it is really really hard to not "just pick something up" on the way home. Cooking for 2 sucks.

See you this weekend Kev. I'm dusting off the scale!

[Imahoot393]

I bet it would be hard to cook for two. Good luck at the track...that dinner sounds good Deb.

[yzernie]

Tina,
One thing to remember is this, when working out you build muscle tissue and muscle weighes more than fat. So, although you may feel the process is slow you might have hit a snag in the weight loss process, you may be, in actuallity, ahead of schedule as far as being in better physical shape.

[Imahoot393]

Originally Posted by yzernie

Tina,
One thing to remember is this, when working out you build muscle tissue and muscle weighes more than fat. So, although you may feel the process is slow you might have hit a snag in the weight loss process, you may be, in actuallity, ahead of schedule as far as being in better physical shape.

So true Ernie. I feel like I am in great shape but just carrying around a lot of extra baggage. I have so much more energy than when I was skinny and so much more strength. I can now ride Josh's 450 without my shoulders killing me for days afterwards. Thanks for the encouragment.

This is why I posted my experience up because we can all learn from it together and if it helps Kev or someone else then it has done it's job.

[Woody_YZF]

Good for you Kevin. I'm here to keep you honest. I'll check in from time to time on this thread to see how you're doing.

[Dirtbikindad393]

Kevin I will see you this weekend big boy!

[Woody_393]

Ok, so where is Kevin? Kevin are you willing to or wanting to do a contest? Not a competition, but a contest? If not it's not big deal, but I'm needing something to get me going.... Sitting here typing sure isn't helping me

[char393]

I'm liking the ATM's Biggest Loser idea...

Not a competition like you said Woody, but a contest. With pledges going to Rider Down? It'll be a cool fundraiser.

I'm sure there are a few of us who could use to lose a few pounds... me included.

[yzernie]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

I'm needing something to get me going.... Sitting here typing sure isn't helping me

Stand and type faster, you'll use more calories that way!!!

[P1M]

Kevin has already cut back on the drinking. Last night he only brought over a 12 pack of beer instead of an 18 pack

[Dirtbikindad393]

Come on Kevin where are you porky? You wanting to do a contest like Woody said.

I know this when I had my suspension done I had it set for one weight and I am way over that now.