I’m Fat and I Don’t Want to Be
I’m not a small guy. Far from it. You can use titles that make it sound nicer – “husky”, “stout” or even “thick”. But the bottom line is this – I’m overweight. To use the even uglier, but more accurate word: I’m obese. (My Wii Fit scale even tells me so…)
Back in 2002, I lost a bunch of weight – about 60 pound – doing the low-carb thing. I ate nothing but large quantities of meat and dropped a ton of weight in a matter of months. The problem is, it all came back. And more. Fad diets don’t work – I wasn’t healthier (in fact, the large quantities of BBQ probably did more harm than good), I was just thinner. And my lifestyle didn’t change.
I’ve struggled with this for a long time. I eat out boredom and routine (certain activities seem to “require” mindless munching on junkfood – watching movies, sports, etc.). I eat as a way of coping with stress – and this really isn’t healthy. (In fact, I’ve gained around 50 pounds in the past 6 years since we started the church) – and that’s not good at all. Clothes that were once loose are now snug.
I’m tired of it. And something has to change.
I’ve seen guys I really respect like Ed Stetzer and Joe Thorn drop weight like it was going out of style, so I know it’s possible. But there’s no secret weapon. Eat right and exercise. That’s it. Eat good foods for fuel (not for entertainment), and then get active and work out.
Simple, but not easy.
I don’t have a super complex plan: I’m going to learn to make better choices when it comes to what and when I eat, and I’m going to exercise several times a week. I don’t care if weight comes off really quickly, or whether it takes awhile. I want it to be sustainable.
Sure, I want to look better – but more importantly I want to feel better. I want to set a better example for my family and church. And most importantly, I want to stay alive – I want to see my kids grow up, I want to grow old with my wife, and I want to serve Jesus for as long as possible.
I’d ask for advice or tips, but the truth is I don’t really need any. My problem is not that I don’t know what to do – it’s that I simply haven’t been doing it. But that is going to change. I know I’ve got a long way to go, but it has to start somewhere…
I’m big-boned as well. I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for 2 weeks & have dropped 8 lbs.
Good for you, man. Knock it out.
A few years ago I dropped 55 pounds myself, just eating “better” and working out regularly. The exercise was the key and I was even able to maintain — not losing weight, not gaining — while eating a few more things I really liked, so long as I kept up my workouts.
I’ve probably gained 30 of those pounds back in the years since. I’ve been told I “carry it well,” but I don’t feel like I do. I need to get healthier. Waiting on my wife to move here so my pastor/writer/single dad lifestyle can get recalibrated.
Kudos to you for taking control.
Btw, that photo: Are those the Avett Bros.?
Thanks, guys.
Joel – Weight Watchers will indeed be the name of the game for me. My challenge will be not simply staying within my points, but eating the balance of foods (read as: vegetables) that they want me to.
Jared – I’ve made an art form of “carrying it well”, so I feel you on that. And who are these Avett Bros. of which you speak? Some bluegrass duo? I’ve been too busy listening to good music to notice…
From one fat guy who’s trimming down to another, I am a big fan of this! Let me know what I can do to help.
Bill,
I did the low carb thing twice, losing 20+ pounds each time, only to gain it back (and then some).
At the end of December, I started using an app on my iPhone, LoseIt, that allows me to easily keep up with the calories that I eat, and tells me how many calories I can have per day to get me to my goal weight in the amount of time that I want to do it. It’s been great! I’ve lost 25 lbs. so far, and still going! The great thing is I don’t feel like I’m going without, like I did with the other “diets.” In fact, I don’t think I’m really dieting, just eating real food reasonably.
Also, I started the Couch to 5k (C25K) program (another iPhone app), and ran in my first 5k the day before Valentines day! I was never a runner, but this helped me stay motivated and not do too much too soon. I’m now training for a half-marathon! (D.V.)
Also, just to motivate a little on the food stuff, it helped to watch Food Inc. (you can rent it on iTunes), and read Michael Pollan’s books, In Defense of Food, and Food Rules (very short, easy to follow guide to what to eat).
Keep up the good work!
Bill,
Thanks for this post. As a big guy, I know what you are saying. It’s the sin that no one calls me on. I needed to read what you wrote.
Brian
I was always the fat kid who couldn’t run. When my wife was pregnant with our first child I repented of my life of gluttony and laziness. This was shortly after dealing with enslavement to pornography. I found that dealing with both was very difficult. However, I had help through the folks at the website http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com
I can tell you from my own experience and that of the hundreds of men I worked with that diets are not the answer. If you were a glutton before you started dieting what makes you think you won’t be after you lose weight? Your experience with Atkins demonstrates that, right?
I apologize for being a bit blunt, but there isn’t really a chance to build bridges through blog comments. I just want to put this out there as something to think about. As Brian wrote, it is the sin that no one calls us on.
i want to lose weight. did you started and did it worked?
Thanks dude, that is really good information, thanks.
Nice! It’s a rare find for a nice web site like this. I enjoyed it. Kudos to you. Have a very nice day!
timely wind and rain bring good harvest
It sounds such as you’re creating problems your self by making an attempt to solve this difficulty as a substitute of taking a look at why their is a problem within the first place.
That’s an attention-grabbing point. I never thought about it that way. it is a nice instance of that too.
Bill,
I’m a personal trainer for over 15 years. I’ve been working on a book about the gospel and gluttony, because I’ve worked with so many people who really struggle with weight/food issue. Praying for you Man!
Hit me up, if you want some of the best free resources or need a head start! And no I’m not selling anything, I promise! I’m only offering help! It’s so hard to sift through the junk!