And, I have it on good authority that Coldfire ate a whole large double thick deep dish New York Style pizza, with sour cream and Salmon Chunks. For his beverage, a nice glass of melted pig fat.
I’ll say this:
Losing weight & getting in shape is not impossible. Tough, but not impossible. Based on my experience, there are a few important points:
1. WATCH what you eat. Watch it like a hawk. Eat if you're ** actually ** hungry, not when you are bored.
2. Get regular exercise. Weightlifting, cardio, etc... doesn't so much matter so long as you do it regularly & as intensely as you feel you can.
3. Take the long-term approach. This is probably the biggest one. Don't aim for something ridiculous like "I want to lose 30 lbs in 2 months". That's about six lbs a week, which is unrealistic. Instead, set a goal like "I want to lose 30 lbs in five months", which is a pound and a half per week, and is absolutely realistic.
4. Find someone to work out with, talk to about it, etc... who is supportive, but won't let you slack off either.
5. Take some before/during/after pictures. If you keep it up, you'll be amazed. Also, keep around maybe one old pair of pants so you can see just how they don't fit anymore!
And now for my vital stats:
Age: one week shy of 28
Height: 6'1"
Original Weight: 273 (1/16/2000) (size 42 waist)
Target Weight: 200
Current Weight: 222(yay!) (size 36 waist)
I just eat about 1500-2000 calories per day, & lift weights 3 times a week. Nothing amazing, but I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Hey, if you were using the Daisy Fuentes tape, I’d do her. Er, it. 
It’s true. All beginnings are hard. Kids, what we are trying to avoid are conversations like this (God bless ICQ):
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:38 Hey fatso 
Mr. 8-9-00 19:38 What’s up, Chubby?
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:39 Nothing much… just vegging behind the PC, waiting for the… uhm… pizza LOL
Mr. 8-9-00 19:39 Ha! I’m doing all I can to avoid having lunch. I hate having to give up the burger that’s NAMED for me. lol
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:40 SWell, ya know I DID work late. And it IS friday night. And I DO have to go to a birthday later on, so I have little time. Yes, I DESERVE that pizza
Mr. 8-9-00 19:41 Ha! Make sure to get extra anchovies, eh?
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:41 Better! This is a sour cream & salmon chunks Deep Pan New York fuckin’ Giant BigAss YumYum gimme gimme pizza 
Mr. 8-9-00 19:42 Salmon Chunks? Wow! I would have never thought of that! Or sour cream, for that matter!
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:42 Believe me, it is DELICIOUS.
Mr. 8-9-00 19:43 I’m a huge fan of the White Pizza, myself. Rub the dough with olive oil, sprinkle crushed garlic and sliced onions all over it, and then hit it with cheese. No tomato sauce at all. It is fantastic. And, would you believe I’ve never tasted salmon at all!
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:45 No salmon? Get thee to a store and buy some smoked Canadian! You’ll love it, if you like fish.
Mr. 8-9-00 19:46 Oh man, last week in Texas, the folks I was visiting took me to a cajun place. Had me some
blackened catfish, with a pontchartain sauce over it. I almost licked the plate. I gotta tell you, salmon steaks do look REALLY good.
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:47 And they are… catfish kicks ass, too, like you said. And don’t get me started on swordfish. That’s pure heaven on your plate.
Mr. 8-9-00 19:48 Is it flaky? It looks as if you can almost peel off individual layers of meat! Now, I’ve got this other dish in my head. Seared Ahi tuna, crusted with crushed pepper, served with a raspberry sauce on the side. Oh My God.
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:49 Salmon, well prepared, is really tender and peals off layers easily. Swordfish is more heavy, almost like a beef steak. But MAN is it good.
Mr. 8-9-00 19:50 Hmmmmmmmm…how are they on the grill?
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:50 ESPECIALLY good on the grill. An Aussie mate of mine BBQ’s them all the time. Heavenly.
Mr. 8-9-00 19:51 Cause I was thinking about firing up the grill this weekend, and I happen to know an excellent butcher/seafood shop.
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:51 Try it!! You won’t be disappointed.
Mr. 8-9-00 19:52 I will do that. Maybe both. A filet of each.
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:52 Knock yourself out
Mr. 8-9-00 19:53 Heh! And, what do you have on tap for the weekend?
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:55 Tonight, a birthday party. But I’m driving there, so I’m gonna have to restrain myself Tomorrow, I’m going to my old college town to visit my best friend, who yesterday became the father of twins. I’m bringing two handmade Cuban cigars Hmmm… pizza has arrived
Mr. 8-9-00 19:56 Cubano! Damnit! I wish I could get them here.
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:57 Bought them in Mex, they were about USD 15 each
Mr. 8-9-00 19:57 Oh man!
Coldfire 8-9-00 19:58 but they’re probably worth it. one hand now, eating
Mr. 8-9-00 19:59 lol! I just had lunch dropped off for me as well. Beef Tenderloin sandwich, with a caesar salad, Oranges, and some kind of cake.
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:00 Hot damn. We’re sure working out, huh LOL
Mr. 8-9-00 20:00 lol! Lots of curls.
Mr. 8-9-00 20:03 For the record, I ate the cake first.
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:04 thank you. ftr, i am currently eating slice 3 of 6
Mr. 8-9-00 20:05 lol! PIG!
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:05 hey, it’s merely a medium
Mr. 8-9-00 20:06 I’ve seen mediums that would constipate an elephant! Especially if they’re Double thick deep dish new york style creamy goodness smothered with cold cream and pickles.
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:07 It would have to be a big elephant, but yeah: it’s one of those motherfuckers
Mr. 8-9-00 20:07 LOL
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:08 commencing 4 of 6… will he make it???
Mr. 8-9-00 20:08 Course you will, you’re no quitter.
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:09 Hell no. And I worked for it, dammit
Mr. 8-9-00 20:09 lol! You realize, of course, that this must be posted in that thread.
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:10 That’s what I just thought!! Great minds. Who will do it?
Mr. 8-9-00 20:11 Hold on, rooster, I’m on it.
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:11 Superb… we’re gonna get toasted LOL
Mr. 8-9-00 20:11 lol! I hope so!!!
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:12 5 out of belch… 6… UGH
Mr. 8-9-00 20:17 It’s up!
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:17 I’m in there now, lemme refresh
Mr. 8-9-00 20:18 lol
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:19 Shall I just post the ICQ Convo?
Mr. 8-9-00 20:19 Yeah!!! That would be a hoot!!!
Coldfire 8-9-00 20:19 Hang on
All together now: BAD COLDFIRE! BAD CYNICAL!!
Let this be a lesson to you kids 
I’m not trying to lose weight, as such would be nearly impossible for me, I’m (like Tymp) trying to gain muscle. Stats (far as I know):
age: 18
height: 5’10" (1.778 m)
weight: 155 lbs (70.455 k)
target weight: 170 lbs (77.3 k)
Coldie and Mr. C – Nice start on the workout regimen, guys. What’s your cool-down gonna be? A case of Grolsch?
Cool. I want to play.
I had been working out fairly regularly (4-5 times a week) until I got the cold from hell, which I have been battling for 2 weeks.
Stats:
Name (sort of): Ceejaytee
Height: 5’2"
Weight: 185 lbs
[I am metrically impaired; calculate at your own risk]
My goal: 150 lbs by January, 2001, when I will try to conceive for the first time, and gain it all back
My plan is to exercise 5 days a week, weights 2x week, and aerobics the rest of the time. I walk to work (25 min. each way) but that apparently isn’t enough. I have weird endocrine problems (thyroid and adrenal), so I am about to try a low carb diet, which is supposed to be good for that. First I have to read the book and explain it chapter by chapter to my (thin and wiry) husband, who worries I am going to be killed by a fad diet (recommended by my dr. no less).
At the end of September, the hubby and I are going hiking for 2 weeks in Utah (Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches) and hopefully I won’t keel over. We have backpacked before, but we have been extremely sedentary this year.
This should be fun.
For me, it isn’t so much the weight (altho I’d like to lose 8-10 lbs., but I can accomplish most of that by eating rabbit food for lunch); it’s the out-of-shape bit. Got hit by a hell of a case of the flu in early April, and wasn’t really back to normal until mid-May. A busy year, both at work and at home, means I haven’t gotten any exercise to speak of all year.
Plus, during the past year, I got hooked on one of them damned online message boards…;)…it’s hard to get exercise while typing away on the keyboard. I need to find a way of posting to the SD while riding a bicycle!
Does Grolsch come in Light? I’d hate to take on any extra calories.
Coincidentally, I just started one of my semi-annual quests to get in shape on September 1st. I’m not eating refined sugar or dairy (mmm . . . cheese . . .) and trying to step up the length and frequency of my walk/runs.
If anyone needs an e-mail buddy for this adventure, drop me a line. Oh, and way to go Porcupine! You should be very, very proud of yourself.
Thanks for the advice robinh and Peta, I’ll look for those books and videos. You know what somebody needs to invent? Aerobics for klutzes. Or at the very least, Clumsy Folks Night at the gym. I can’t even jog because my feet get all tangled up!
And I am totally going to kick Coldy and Mr C’s asses at this get fit thing. As I’m typing this, I’m bouncing my feet up and down, totally burning the calories from tonight’s Pizza Hut. (well what was I going to do? My niece came over and I’d already promised her some Cheezy Crust)
Just got back from walking the dog.
It was interesting really, a concrete path that goes through semi prairie land with houses all around. The path goes up and down hills and going down was okay but my legs and buttocks were burning when going up.
I saw some pretty cool back yards and one house that looked lived in but had three windows broken out of it. It looked as though it had been a while since they were broken out so I didn’t call the authorities or anything. 'Sides I was behind the house so I wouldn’t be able to tell the police where the house is located.
I ended up with only 30 minutes as but the dog and I are out of shape, I didn’t want to over do it for either of us. (The vet told me my dog needs to loose about 7 pounds so I have an additional incentive to get out and get moving. His health is dependent upon me to get him moving.)
So while Coldfire and Cynical were over-indulging on food I was out walking with the canine.
Age: 41
Height: 5’10"
Weight: 115 lbs.
Target weight: 140 by Xmas.
Now that my back is doing better, I can start to exercise again. So I’ll start doing water aerobics again and walking. Once I’ve saved for it, I’ll join a gym. I need to lose and tone. As far as my statistics go, if you are that interested, email me and I’ll tell you, otherwise you’ll just have to take my word on it.
Anyone interested in buying and picking up a NordicTrak Pro machine or one of those elliptical/orbitrak machines? They are in good condition. I can’t use them anymore because of my back, but they are in good condition.
Count me in too.
Name: 5Que (5K – I use 5K races to keep me motivated to run. Goal: not finish last. Successful so far, but 3rd from last once.)
Age: 44 and 3/4
Height: 5’8"
Weight: 210
Goal: 180-ish
I am trying to primarily run, using a heart rate monitor and effort based training. I think it’s the best bang for the buck to lose my pot belly.
I attended an “adult onset running” school two weeks ago, and got a running program from a well known coach (college, Olympics). I’m trying to make it a priority in my life, if my right calf muscle will cooperate. Long history of muscle pulls and cramps, which knock me out of running for 2-3 months at a time.
Currently I’m trying for 4 times per week. I am up to about 12 miles/week now, with the goal of getting to 35/week in about 4 months. Also trying some basic weightlifting in the basement a couple of times a week.
I am also trying to stick to the Zone diet, like Girl Next Door. Looking at my diet, I didn’t eat that much but it was way, way too high on the carbs. I’m met a couple of people who have had real good success on the Zone.
My turn, my turn. I am not overweight, but seriously out of shape. I just can not seem to get motivated. i need my own personal drill sergeant. God knows THAT worked!
Here’s mine -
Height - 5’9" ( 173cm I think)
Weight - 135 -140 (61-63 kgs)
My goal to lose a few inches. I want my old measurements back, they used to be great!
Name: Silo
Age: 21
Weight: 194 3/4 lbs.
Height: 5’11"
Target weight: none
weight in picture (180): www.geocities.com/sdpeoplepages/silo.html
Well I’ve gained about 15 lbs. since that picture, but, it’s muscle.
Don’t focus on weight, focus on your appearance!
If your going the weightlifting route, remember to use proper technique, ingest abnormal abnormal amounts of protein, and use the same muscle groups at different angles.
Well…maybe someday I’ll look like this guy:
www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Rink/9267/2/steiner6.jpg
heheh
Well, I’ve got plans to commit a few 12 oz Curls tonight for my workout!
Name: (Duh) Silver Fire
Age: 19
Height: 5’4"
Weight: 135 pounds
Target Weight: 115 pounds by my next birthday (February 2001)
AIM name: slvrfire19
ICQ #: 89099968
If someone could just occasionally message me and yell at me to “Put down that cookie!!” I’d greatly appreciate it.
Well, I’m not fat or out of shape any more, but that’s after I put in the time to exercise and lost 50 lbs and gained a lot of muscle…soooo, I’ll just stick around an root you all on.
Here are some of my tips:
- Try different forms of exercise and/or dieting. Some ways work for some people and not for others. Try going to a gym, or to save money, do pushups, situps/crunches, and run a mile or so when you have time (It’s what I started with and it worked really well…I lost 20 lbs in a month of exercise).
- Try joining an athletic group. Kickboxing, Tae Bo, whatever, they work you out (I prefer kickboxing…nothing better than getting in shape by kicking someone’s ass).
- Stay away from Keebler Fudge Shop cookies!