Originally Posted by
Turk
OK, I'm in.
Back story: Graduated at 6'4", 195 lbs, playing pickup ball, club ultimate, working two jobs, and following a Pits / beer subsistence diet. Got my first salaryman job in the DC area, still playing ball / other sports leagues after work, now living on the classic bachelor diet of ramen noodles / tuna fish / microwave burritos / PB&J / takeout Chinese / pizza, plus Friday and / or Saturday nights out with the boys. Somehow talked Mrs. Turk into getting married, and after we moved to the Philly burbs my whole life fell apart. (bada boomp). Better food, more regular meals, not as much ball, and my weight starts inching (pounding?) up. When Swee'Pea was born, I was 32 and 225 lbs but still playing in a couple leagues in the winter, and also playing golf (walking) in the summer, so decent shape for a guy with a desk job. But I was gaining about a pound a year until I retired from league ball at 40. By that point, we had added twins Felix and Oscar to the roster, with Sunshine as the runt of the litter. Fast forward a bit more, I'm coaching the young Turks, and down to one or two leisurely pickup runs a week with other fat old guys. With all those mouths to feed, I also need to make some bank, so I got into the consultant racket, with travel, long hours, or both, and my weight floated around 240-245. I almost lost my pregnancy weight in 2014, when I got down to 228 while prepping for a a 10 day, 100 mile camping trek in Philmont, NM with the Felix and the Scouts, hiking with full pack at about 8500 feet, with two or three peaks at 11-12,000. So it's not a completely lost cause, and I know I can get back under 230.
Fast forward to February 2018, and at age 55, I'm around 255 after falling into bad habits and doing lots of research trying to write the perfect "Ymm Beer" post. This isn't going to work. So I used Ash Wednesday as my kickoff - no alcohol. Making an effort to hit the hotel gym, avoid bread where possible, and eat better. Got a fitbit and using the 10,000 step goal, but have not done much data analysis. Using MyFitnessPal sporadically for food logging.
When I'm home, my local Y has a good set of programs. I like yoga for stretching, and a workout program called "Body Pump" - 1 hour, light weights, lots of reps, targeted muscle groups, and a bit of cardio. Better than I can do on my own. I want to save what's left of my knees for pickup, so I either do the elliptical, the bike, or run laps on the high school track. Some people find track laps boring, but I like the ability to do measured intervals and goals depending on how I'm feeling. I don't want to run on asphalt or concrete anymore ever. I have also been getting some weekend day hikes in with Mrs. Turk at Valley Forge or a couple of the state parks that are reasonably close. It might be time to change jobs and see if I can find something that pays the same with less effort; that would help a lot.
But we will work with what we have. Weight this AM was 247. Goal for Easter is 240. We'll re-evaluate whether to add the occasional Dogfish Head or Victory beverages back into the mix at that time.