Interesting thread, funny, yet seems several of us are realizingwhatwe need to do and doing it.
I'm down 15# so far, started a week before Christmas. I'm using the South Beach Diet, which works very well and is a healthy diet. It can be a bit trying at times, but it works. Why SB? It was developed by a cardiologist.
I'm 46, 5'8" and had crept up to 210#. Not cool. My problem, I love food. I love to cook, and eat. I was on a See-food diet for too long, and I was getting seriously winded doing a lot of remedial labor. Went to see my Doc, and when I saw my cholesterol numbers, something had to change. 276 with triglycerides over 400. He told me I ain't 20 no more, and I gotta pull my head outta my arse.
I knew it, and got to thinkin on the way home. I'm a firefighter/paramedic. One thing I've noticed over 22 years on the job is the average age of people I see dying from sudden cardiac arrest is getting lower. When I was a newbie, most of 'em were in their 60-70's. Now we see a lot of em in thier mid 40's. Like me.
Makes me sick when I gotta run a call on a guy with his kids in the other room crying in total shock cuz their Dad just dropped dead. Wake up call. Gut check. Whatever ya wanna call it, I knew I had to change my ways.
I have 2 boys and a wife that would never deserve me droppin dead, and it was up to me to pull my head out and get motivated.
My goal is to drop at least another 25# and go from there. My game plan is this.
1.Slow, steady and determined progress. Its not a race.
No fast food( other than venison). No junk food. No processed foods. If it comes in a box, I don't eat it.
Whole grains, whole wheats only. Nothing with white flour, or "enriched" grains.
Lots of fresh healthy fruits, veggies and homemade soups.
Get more exercise. Havent started on that one yet, but even with the 15# I've lost so far, I feel so much better.
Its a process of learning how to prepare your favorite foods in a manner that is healthy, and tastes every bit as good, but its worth it.
I think the South Beach diet program suits all that perfectly. I was 140# when I got out of the Navy in 1986. I am looking to retire in 18 months, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it hunting fishing and experienceing the backcountry of America. Can't do it very well if I'm dead.
Good luck to those who are also trying to drop some baggage.