I was a pretty big guy for the majority of my 20’s. I quit smoking early in my 20’s, and then quit my mostly-outdoor job to go finish my B.A.’s in my mid-20’s, and I just packed on weight. I was sitting still for most of every day, and I wasn’t smoking while I did it. Every couple of years I’d drop ten pounds and then put it back on after congratulating myself about it.
After Erin was born I became single-minded about weight-loss. Having Emily home on maternity leave for six months and knowing I wasn’t going to be taking the 2007-2008 academic year off I had an incredible chance to develop a crazy routine/regimen that worked for me. I would go for long bike rides, eat basically nothing, and then do a crazy Tony Horton ab workout every night.
Over 6 months I dropped forty pounds.
Forty. I went from 240 to, for two brief days, 199. I maintained at around 200-205 for a while after that initial period, and I looked pretty damned good if I do say so myself. But then Emily went back to work and my long bike rides were over. I walked a lot, and with Erin on my back, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with my crazy appetite, which I had slowly regained after eating snowpeas and carrots for lunch every day for six months. By the next summer I was up again to around 220. At 225 I was in the 2009 Hot Blogger Calendar, so I couldn’t have been looking too bad. But then I was back in school, back at a desk, and it was game over.
By the time Adrian was born I was nearly back to my starting, slovenly weight. I dipped down a little bit at the beginning of 2010 as I started hiking with both kids, but I couldn’t keep that up during the hot summer months. So, here I am again.
Hello 40 pounds. I believe I’ve seen you somewhere before.
I just did a little checkup on myself. Back when I was still around 215 I was doing a lot of pushups. I kept trying to do more in a row every day and I got up to 78 or something one day but I’ve never been anywhere near that since. I think I had roughly the same count for situps. Today I managed a surprising 40 pushups, and a disappointing 40 situps.
I believe that a man who can do 100 pushups and 200 situps can change the world.
So whatever else I do from here out to change my body and my mind I want to hit those numbers. I don’t know what that guy will look like, or what he will weigh, but I think focusing on looks and weight is what got me in this mess in the first place. I want accomplishments. I want my body to be able to do something.
So, 100 pushups, 200 situps. That’s what I want. I am saying goodbye to the 40/40 club.
Is that too much to ask of myself? I don’t think so. I’m not trying to get Ryan Reynold’s abs or anything here. I just want to see what happens to my life if I can join the 100/200 club.
So, today it was 40/40. Tomorrow? We’ll see.
To quote a major movie: YOU CAN DO EEEET. I'm a huge fan of finding that goal that brings you back to a healthier you. It's as individual as the people who create it.
Dude. YOU CAN DO EEET.
I shall wish you luck, sugar, but shan't be joining you – I can do a few (a very few) sit-ups, but nary a psh-up. I have a floating bone chip in my wrist that makes it painful and danged near impossible to put that kind of load-bearing duties on it.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Whatever way works for you is the right way to do it. Best of luck….and post photos
Good luck. I'm trying to lose the same twenty pounds I gained pretty much the day after becoming a SAHD, and started trying to will away the day after that.
I am literally right there with you, Mr. For me, exercise is the key. If I'm on the treadmill every day, I can eat whatever (almost) and I'm good. No exercise? Hello 40!
Good luck!
Casey
Run.
You've inspired me! After moving out West and finding every excuse in the book (l've got to open this one little box and reorganize my jewelry drawer).. I've put on the 15 lbs that I worked entirely too hard in the gym to lose.. so.. I'm going for the 50/200 – what.. I'm a girl, I'm a wuss when it comes to pushups!