It was time to lose some weight.

**Checkman** · 12-04-11, 05:03 PM

I'm 43 - going on 44. Last Christmas I finally acepted the fact that despite going to the gym two or three times a week I had lost the battle of the bulge. I was pushing 250lbs

and my blood pressure was in the danger zone. My waist had swelled to 44 inches, nothing fit right, my back bothered me ect. ect.

So right after the holidays I joined the local YMCA. Mainly because the Y has elipitical machines (which work for me the way running used to - before my bad back and no longer being able to run) . Started going three to four times a week, increased my cardio, cut back on sweets, ice cream ect and so on and so forth. By August I was down to 230. Not bad.

In August I decided to try the eat four to five small meals every three to four hours. Not so much on my days off, but when I'm on duty. It worked.

I'm now down to 210. My waist has shrunk to 37 inches and I'm wearing the equipment belt that I was wearing when I was hired eleven years ago. Only it fits better now.

My doc is happy as well. Blood pressure is normal, resting heart beat in the mid 60's and so on.

I'm done with where I was. I still eat bad stuff only not all the time. Last night (for example) I ate a humburger from Carl's Jr. Boy it was good! But today I'm serious again.

It can be done. My back isn't bothering me as much, my wife says I've stopped snoring at night and the last couple suspects I took to jail didn't call me a fat ass. They just called me a "fucking asshole". Hey there is no greater compliment.

No secret formula. Not vanity at my age, hoplessly married and balding. Honestly I was partially motivated by fear guys. But fear can be useful if you make it work for you.

Anyhow that's my MOTIVATIONAL STORY.

**IMGreat101** · 12-04-11, 06:07 PM

That is an awesome story! It is also something I need to work on.

My customers will always call me a f*ing a*hole tho

**Jenna** · 12-04-11, 06:07 PM

Great work!

:sheep:

**Pinki** · 12-04-11, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Checkman

the last couple suspects I took to jail didn't call me a fat ass. They just called me a "fucking asshole". Hey there is no greater compliment.

.

Congratulations on the healthier you!

**Pudge** · 12-04-11, 08:53 PM

Good on ya!

**lewisipso** · 12-04-11, 09:28 PM

Been easing my way back into the gym myself after a torn tendon. Congrats!

**KaiGywer** · 12-04-11, 11:17 PM

Nice job! I made the same decision a few months back and it sucks not being able to eat that burger anytime I want it, but it is a great feeling having lost 27 lbs since September.

**Checkman** · 12-05-11, 08:40 AM

Thanks guys.

**Bjohnson63** · 12-06-11, 08:48 AM

I was going to get back in the gym myself today after 2 weeks off... that is until I fell on the icy roads last night and messed up my shoulder. Its been a rough 5 days. First I get bit by a dog, then fall on some ice... at least it was on duty I guess. And good job on the weigtloss. The gym was always easy for me, the foods was always the hard part. Speaking of, how did you eat healthy on duty? Did you take food with you or eat that leafy crap they sell next to the apples?

**Checkman** · 12-06-11, 09:44 AM

The local hospital provides food for EMs, firefighters and cops. The food is a mix of healthy and junk. Your choice. I get the salads and canned fat free tuna salad w/fat free whole wheat crackers and fruit and once in awhile one of the turkey or low fat ham sandwiches. I don't put salad dressing on the salads and avoid putting the mayonise on the sandwich.

When I go to the local coffee shop I get a cappucino made with skim milk and no syrup flavors or sugar. The one thing that has really helped me out is going to the small meals every three to four hours. I tend not to get as hungry plus I've read that when you eat small meals on that type of schedule your body is kept busy burning the calories so you ramp up your metabolism.

No fad diets or pre-packaged meals ala Jenny Craig. I've done to many fad diets over the years - especially when I was in the Army and was always being hounded about my weight. The weight always comes back and then some. I'm short and stocky so the weight will always be an issue, but like I posted earlier this time I got scared. It helps. The vanity stuff is nice of course, but this time it really is secondary.

But I'm not a fanatic. Last night (after a good day) my wife made sausage, scrambled eggs and home potatoes for dinner. I had one serving, no cheese on the eggs or potatoes and dry toast. For desert I had two sugar cookies and called it good.

I go to the Y three to four times a week.

**Buttercup** · 12-06-11, 10:24 AM

Congratulations, Checkman!

**Odd** · 12-06-11, 10:33 AM

The tastiest calories, like youth, are wasted on the young. If they only knew... nope, I won''t be telling them either, not that they'd listen.

Well done, Checkman.

**Checkman** · 12-06-11, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Odd

The tastiest calories, like youth, are wasted on the young. If they only knew... nope, I won''t be telling them either, not that they'd listen.

Well done, Checkman.

No I wouldn't have listened either.

**berserk** · 12-07-11, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by Bjohnson63

The gym was always easy for me, the foods was always the hard part. Speaking of, how did you eat healthy on duty? Did you take food with you or eat that leafy crap they sell next to the apples?

I've read that diet has a much more pronounced effect on health & fitness than exercise does. Exercise is a lot more fun that diet, though.

On the other hand, that leafy crap is pretty good with salsa.

**Bjohnson63** · 12-07-11, 06:40 AM

never tried it with salsa... I have some homemade stuff my parents make and its awesome. Maybe I will try that.

**abom334** · 12-08-11, 05:18 AM

awesome job! keep up the good work!

**Bjohnson63** · 12-08-11, 09:49 AM

When people ask me what happened to me... I tell them I got hired to be Santa at the mall this year.

**keith720** · 12-08-11, 03:53 PM

Always been fat, will always be fat! That's just the way I roll!

**keith720** · 12-08-11, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Bjohnson63

When people ask me what happened to me... I tell them I got hired to be Santa at the mall this year.

Hey Big, I just met a couple of Deputies from your department doing a prison transport. They told me you got that nice truck because you were too big and kept breaking the Crown Vics!

**Bjohnson63** · 12-09-11, 06:50 AM

Hahaha!!! yup... I broke the steal welds in my cage, the seat, armrest, and a few other things in the old Crown vic. I wonder which guys you ran in to... Was is Duane and Kevin? tall old guy, shorter older guy with glasses? Those two are like some cars... They're classics LOL.

Duane is from a different era... I hear stories all the time about when he was a road deputy. Guys would borrow his car and when they popped the trunk it would be full of various beaver, otter, fox traps and sometimes a fishing rod. LOL...