Post from: Psycho Man!

Yes, Jen, to answer your question the profile picture is to tell you what you’re up against with who Mom calls Psycho Man as you can see my new signature.

To get in on the discussion: Guess what, both Matt and Mark are correct with their comments, but the most important thing is consistence, which I think Matt has been able to do for the longest period of time (1yr+) amongst this group in the most recent history. One thing to remember, I did this kind of thing for 15 yrs during my 20s & 30s, and then began the slide…WHY? Lack of consistence. JUST DO IT! as the Nike ad says. The problem is: you must continue the rest of your life, so if you can find something or some way to continue for the rest of your life (exercise), that will be the most important thing. I think the exercise way will solve the eating thing in the long run if you can do it consistently the rest of your life, and there will be no need for a diet. The diet is only to get a “jump start” on the loss of weight, but for the long haul, you don’t want to be on a diet, you want to eat right. Yea, Right! That’s the problem.

Now, enough theory. The real question is: I’m looking for someone who can keep up the pace with Psycho Man! Yesterday – 50minutes cardio. Diet stable, no cheating. NO CHEATING – JEN.

PS – Jen you better hold on to those angels. I do want to see a picture of that troupe going down the street. YOU CAN DO IT! as Tony would say :0)

Cardio only day for me, with some ab work

Today was an easy day for me, just 20 minutes on treadmill and 20 minutes on the elliptical. My muscles needed a day of recovery. I did do a little ab/core work which is one area that I have never focused on. I have done pretty well with the diet, and yes I am eating some carbs.

To continue the debate with Matt, I agree that whatever you can seem to do most consistent is best. I understand the competition part too. But I do believe Dad, Jen, Matt, Myself all have gym access. The better terminology would be resistance training, and you don't really need a gym or weights. I think the real issue with most people is they just don't know how to do resistance training, and or they have misconceptions about weight training and think that is only for the meat heads. I do know this, 30 minutes of resistance training will have a bigger impact on my physique than an extra 30 on the elliptical or jogging. Also, in my opinion the resistance training is less torturous. So it really just comes down to what your goals are, so to me it is about training smart. :-)

Resistance training can be aerobic as well, I am sure the torture Jen's trainer puts her through gets her heart in the aerobic zone.

Today's report from Silver Swan Super Woman

Cardio today, 30 minutes on eliptical, 30 on treadmill. I was only able to go because Ryan is home this week and he stayed with the kids so I could work out. I'll have to get creative starting next week. Still thinking on that. Stuck to my 1450 calorie diet eating every three hours. I wish dieting wasn't involved in losing weight. I really like ice cream!

I see Matt and Mark are going to provide the debate entertainment along the way. Dad, I think your profile picture is hilarious. Not hilarious b/c it couldn't or hasn't been you, but hilarious b/c it's intimidating. Is that what you were trying to do?

Ya'll are really going to be lauging when I post a picture of me jogging while pushing all three kids strapped in the bike trailer . Who's going to be scared then? :o) That's 100 pounds of kids uphill, plus the weight of the trailer, and my large behind! Do you think I can do it? I just hope I don't lose them going downhill.....

RE: Change your look not just your wieght

Mark
I agree yet other forms of exersize seem to stick longer with many people. The problem is that it seems that most people that I have seen over the years are not able to consistently weight train as a lifestyle rather than a on and off pattern. On the other hand, many that walk, run, cycle, tennis and others seem to be able to sustain it longer. One reason is that for some of these forms of exersize, they can be done from their front door but often weight training requires a gym membership of some sort and a drive to get there and maybe child care, etc. Additionally, events such at 5k runs, group cycling, tennis matches, etc add a element of competition and goal setting that does not occur with the average weight lifter. Just something to consider as everyone tries to change their lifestyle rather than just succeed at a short term weight loss goal.

Now with that being said, over the last year, I have always found that when I was lifting weights 3 times a week for about 20-30 minutes with minimal breaks between sets, I definately lost more weight more quickly.

One more thing, adding the swimming has changed my body without any weight lifting. It is a excellent upper body workout. Of couse this has to be done with some intensity rather than just banging out yard after yard at a slow pace. Intervals, those painful intervals..... build the cardio system and the muscle.

MOM - "No Pain - No Gain" - Yea, Right!

Ok, here she is, the one everyone has been waiting for! Notice the "pain" on the face Mark? Mom really has never been a fan of the "no pain, no gain" motto, so you know she doing well to be on the gazelle for 30 minutes the last two days, and even restricting the food intake to under 1200 cal the first two days. Good start, the test is coming as we head for Florida and those strawberry shortcake days!

Change your look not just your wieght

I know you guys know this, but just so you don't forget it. You have to lift weights and build muscle to change your shape. You can do just cardio and lose 20lbs and if you looked like a pear before you will still look like a pear just a smaller one. Also, building muscle is also the most important ingredient in increasing your metabolism as it burns 8-10 times more calories at rest.

Sprinters in my opinion have the most ideal physique. How do they train??

I can see the results in 3 days

It doesn't take long to see some changes in your body. It is amazing how quickly your body can adapt to physical stress and build itself stronger in order to handle it. If you think about it, it took most of us many years of neglect to get in the shape we are in or have been in. It is hard work to reverse it, but it can happen very quickly with a commitment and intensity!!

Examples:
Matt: Has lost 40lbs in a year without really dieting, just being reasonable with his eating and making a commitment to exercise regularly.
Jen: Prior to having Andrew lost a good amount of weight in a few months (2 or 3), she shaped up and built muscle she never had before and looked fabulous.
Dad: Last year reversed some pretty significant health concerns by making it a priority to exercise regularly. I am not sure how much weight he lost, but I am sure it was a good amount.
Me: Last winter I weighed 208lbs. I started Feb 1 and by April 1 I was 180, 28lbs in two months!! It took me 4-5 years of neglect to get that heavy, lost the weight in 2 months. I have been about 190lbs until the Christmas week pig out.

1600 Yrd Swim - A Walk in the Park

Yeh right. Learing to swim has been the most difficult physical challenge that I can remember. Cheryl & the kids met me at the pool today at the end of my swim and Cheryl took some video and pictures so I could analyze my stroke. I have gotten so much faster and smoother but I see alot of room for improvement.

We had a great time at the pool. Eleanora has been asking to go swimming and they have been heating the pool all fall & winter so I wanted to go this week if the weather was good. The high was around 75 today and the pool is about 80 degrees so all was perfect. Sunny, warm and a good day for some splashing.

Mom?? Are you there?

Haven't heard any reports from Mom.  Wondering if she is in denial or still with us. Don't give up, Mom!  5 minutes on the Gazelle, then 10, then 15.  You can do it!

Just Getting Warmed Up!

Well, today was 20 minutes on the weights, and 1 hr and 5 min on treadmill and stationary bike. Salad for lunch, bowl of dry cheerios for breakfast. Working this evening and taking a salad for dinner. Not hungry, No problems; just looking for someone to keep up with me :0)
Do ya got it in ya???

Ya'll are cracking me up!

I'm not scared.  I have 35 to lose to get to my goal.  I have Mary on my side, though.  I told her all about it and she weighed, measured, and pinched me today to see where I'm starting from.  I have to report to her on Mon, Wed, and Fridays with my food log.  Worked out for an hour today.  Mixing cardio and weights.  Ryan took all the kids to the doctor so I could go to the gym.  They're all sick.  Including me.  I have whatever cough they all have.  I still ran today, with my chest hurting.  I'll load up the before pics as soon as I can get them off the card.  I am a little handicapped with slow computers right now.  

Food today so far:  2 mini bran muffins, 1 turkey roll up.  I'm hungry!

Good start everyone!!

Yall don't be discouraged by this update, I might be willing to give the $50 dollars back to the second place winner. I have had nothing but protein since leaving Jen's (I did have a little OJ last night to replinish the electrolytes), and I have punished myself with the weights and cardio work!!

Sat: Legs and back workout. 30 minutes on treadmill and 30 minutes on elliptical
Two a Day Workout on Sunday: Chest and shoulders workout, 30 min on StairMaster, 30 min on elliptical. It just wasn't enough, I need to feel more pain!! So I went for a 7 mile run last night.

No Excuses!! No Pain No Gain!! I could hear Mickey in my corner on last two miles of my run last night.

Matt - Before Pictures

Are you brave enough to post pictures like this?? I was surprised that my profile is pretty good but the front view is not so good. This challenge should get rid of the love handles and some of the wide hips.

I weighed in at 203. 18lbs to go.

Off to some physical therapy this morning & then a 1600yrd swim. If I can get my legs healed, yall won't have a chance.

Sweat - The Sign of a Champion!

Just in case you don’t know what that wet stuff is on my hat – it’s sweat! SWEAT – the sign of a Champion! You young people gotta ask yourself: Do I really think I can keep up with a 59 year old?

Simple Tools of a Champion

I thought ya’ll might want to see the simple tools of the Champion!

Sat & Sun - 800+ calories burned each day.

Also, I weighed a little more than I thought, yea, like 10 lbs more, so instead of 30 lbs to loose, I gotta loose 40 to get to my goal. Not to worry though, it just levels the playing ground a little more for you young folks :0)

Before Pictures

I'm taking everybody's pictures in the morning.  Be ready!  Matt, post your picture ASAP!

Goals

Dad: 205

Mom: 160

Jen: 155

Matt: 185

Mark: 175

Cheryl, eat some ice cream for all of us!! :o)