The Health, Wellness, weight loss, and fitness thread

[Jwar]

Ok guys! Creepy photo's time!!

So I'm 9 weeks out from my first bodybuilding show. I hope you guys don't mind me posting these. I'm super nervous but want to share my progress. It's INSANE the amount of difference there has been. I've been with my coach for a year now. Check this out.


Typically I'm not a fan of doing this, but I have to learn to be.


Ok so one year ago. Yikes...

This was 220lbs. Literally a year ago too. This is what I looked like as a personal trainer. I'm not a ashamed to say I am ashamed of how I look. I'm seriously. Fucking fat asshole slob. lol




front side.




Today, well the front pic is from last week, but close enough. LOL

197 today. hahaha. This is at 8% body fat.

Back. Look at the difference. INSANE.


Bed head and my junks kind of showing. Sue me. LOL. You can see lines though!!!




Practicing a back lat spread pose. I can never see this one in the mirror, so I asked my wife to take a picture. Normally I can wing out more, but I was tired.




So for reference here's some info.

This was hard as hell to do, but I'm a very, very dedicated person and have MAJOR OCD.
It took a full year to achieve where I am today.
I do NOT cheat on eating.
I do not smoke or drink.
I do 8-15 minutes of HIIT cardio 4 times a week and that's it. Fuck cardio.
I actually thought I was in good shape in the first picture. Sigh.
My self esteem and general health has improved so much, I almost can't believe.
My wife finds me more attractive now. She won't say that, but I assume it's true. LOL


OH! So actual stuff.

Starting out I was almost out of a size 34 pants. My t-shirt size was bordering on extra large and I just was not feeling that great.

Now I'm in a size 29-30 pant. I can fit in a small but it looks like it's painted on. For the most part I still have to wear an XL for comfort of my shoulders. And I feel fucking amazing!


Hope this isn't weird or creepy. I'm extremely insecure, but I love you guys.


OH! And the large scar on my stomach is from skin removal surgery I had when I was 27. I was pushing 250 at that time and dropped down to 175 after going to a personal trainer for 9 months. There's was skin loose as far as the eye can see. hahaha

[Big Mon]

^^^ At 220, you didn't look NEARLY as fat as I currently look at the same weight. Looks like you're making good progress

[gunslinger_burrito]

Nice work dude! I Bet it feels awesome to look back at the old photos and see how far you've come.

I might start photographing or otherwise logging my progress with my gymnastic stuff.... I've already gained most of my flexibility back from when I was in martial arts about 10 years ago. I might be more flexible in some aspects. Im still maybe 8 inches or so from full middle splits though. My front splits are shiiiiitay though.

[Jwar]

Thanks guys! It does feel great to see these!

My coach makes me take pics every week. So I have 52 plus weeks of progress pictures! haha


It's crazy, I'm 32 and I'm in better shape then when I was like fucking 16. I'm stronger, faster and overall just feel fantastic. Not all the time obviously but a lot of the time.

[hbombgraphics]

dang dude, that before and after is inspiring.

I went to the Dr. the other day hit the scale and was like "what the hell happened to me?"
think I am floating around 215 currently

which at 5 11 pretty much sucks

J-war to you keep a scale at home?

When I had a working home scale I was doing way better.

[Jwar]

Yea I weigh myself every morning and evening. hahahaha. Have for the past year. It's a really bad OCD thing. If I were you though, I'd only do it on Friday mornings. You are always lighter in the morning.


Let me tell you this too. If I can do it, so can you. It's not easy, but it's not overly hard too. You just have to follow a plan. Make a plan, have someone make one, whatever. Stick to it. Fuck holidays, birthdays, and all the other excuses to eat shit. They aren't important enough. I got so tired of feeling like crap I took a stand and said "ENOUGH". I'm done being that guy. From now one I want to be a healthier me. Whatever that looks like.

[hbombgraphics]

That's great advice yo

I do think cheat days friggen kill me.

I feel like crap later but at the same time it starts an eating cycle

the other issue I have is that I need to drive by places, it's a small victory but if I don't hit the convenience store on my way to work it makes a huge difference.


since the weigh in at the dr. I have been doing ok, with the exception of airplanes, I can't fly without candy......yet


Working out in hotels is going well and I walked to the factory yesterday (although I had sweat through two shirts on the way in)

lots of squat thrusts pushups and jumping jacks over the last week,

I feel like I can see a difference already,

[gunslinger_burrito]

Got my gymnastics membership today

so stoked!!!

[Big Mon]

Got my gymnastics membership today

so stoked!!!

Fuck yeah, dude! 'grats!

[alexa.]

I haven't been smoking weed since February (don't smoke tobacco anyway). Feels good, I'm surprised. I feel more clear in my everyday life awareness wise, I don't get as extremely moody anymore, I'm feeling like I'm letting go of past patterns that just kinda seemed to lock me up in life situations cuz I'd be acting from a place of reflex, instead of mindfulness. I feel healthier.
Adding that up to Aikido practice, all the mountain climbing I've done in the last few months and my everyday random exercise sessions.
Really happy with what I'm doing. Even my posture improved.
And the fact that I see all the things that are wrong with me and need work on is just testament to how much I evolved.
Weeeeee progreeeeesss

[skullservant]

My job pays for lunch every day, which is a perk. But it's been hard on the road trying to pick healthy options that are near each of my stores without going out of the way or going over my $8 limit. I had also been slipping back into the habit of soda, which just makes me feel awful. Luckily this job doesn't have me at a desk, so I'm up moving all day and I've managed to lose 30ish pounds since I started. But now I'm really trying to quit soda again, and pick healthier options while I'm out. The part that bums me out is its so much more expensive at fast food restaurants for their healthy options. I was at Sonic the other day, and it cost over $12 for chicken, a side of apples instead of fries, and two bottles of water. $12!!

I don't think it helps being with my in laws who drink soda all the time. My wife and I never had it in our apartment when we were there which forced us to drink water while we were home. But I'm really trying. I had some raw broccoli last night with a light champagne vinegarette that just hit the spot. Now to figure out what I am going to do for lunch today...

[Big Mon]

My job pays for lunch every day, which is a perk. But it's been hard on the road trying to pick healthy options that are near each of my stores without going out of the way or going over my $8 limit. I had also been slipping back into the habit of soda, which just makes me feel awful. Luckily this job doesn't have me at a desk, so I'm up moving all day and I've managed to lose 30ish pounds since I started. But now I'm really trying to quit soda again, and pick healthier options while I'm out. The part that bums me out is its so much more expensive at fast food restaurants for their healthy options. I was at Sonic the other day, and it cost over $12 for chicken, a side of apples instead of fries, and two bottles of water. $12!!

I don't think it helps being with my in laws who drink soda all the time. My wife and I never had it in our apartment when we were there which forced us to drink water while we were home. But I'm really trying. I had some raw broccoli last night with a light champagne vinegarette that just hit the spot. Now to figure out what I am going to do for lunch today...

Could you pack a lunch?

I haven't been smoking weed since February (don't smoke tobacco anyway). Feels good, I'm surprised. I feel more clear in my everyday life awareness wise, I don't get as extremely moody anymore, I'm feeling like I'm letting go of past patterns that just kinda seemed to lock me up in life situations cuz I'd be acting from a place of reflex, instead of mindfulness. I feel healthier.
Adding that up to Aikido practice, all the mountain climbing I've done in the last few months and my everyday random exercise sessions.
Really happy with what I'm doing. Even my posture improved.
And the fact that I see all the things that are wrong with me and need work on is just testament to how much I evolved.
Weeeeee progreeeeesss

Ex-stoner pals, yay!

[skullservant]

Yeah I've thought about packing a lunch, but then I wouldn't really be taking advantage of the $8 a day I get for food. Unless each day I just went to the grocery store and spent $8 on groceries towards a whole meal

[Big Mon]

Yeah I've thought about packing a lunch, but then I wouldn't really be taking advantage of the $8 a day I get for food. Unless each day I just went to the grocery store and spent $8 on groceries towards a whole meal

Or you could get whatever the 8.00 would cover and bring something to go with it from home. Maybe buy one of those brita-type pitchers and a squeeze bottle so you always have water without buying a bottle or two every day.

[gunslinger_burrito]

Unless each day I just went to the grocery store and spent $8 on groceries towards a whole meal

This. $8 ought to buy you some fruit/veggies, a up of yogurt or something, and some lunch meat. A lot of grocery stores these days (at least around me) sell premade salads and such too. You'd be set provided there's a grocery store on your way to or nearby work.

OR you could pack the main part of your lunch and use the $8 to add to it.