Good luck. I know this isn't exactly motivating, but if you're only 13 pounds away from a goal of 210, you can't possibly be that fat to begin with.

You know when I posted that I thought the same. I even thought people are going to think I'm a bit nuts on it.

But its easier to start now than start at 230+. Many years ago my wife and I really let ourselves go, or more like we didn't adjust for being older and started to gain.

We had an epiphany. At the time we were both getting 30 something fat, we had started actively swinging after being on a break. We did the usual bad profile pictures everyone takes and went on our merry way. Unlike most of Swing Lifestyle we do update our pictures regularly, and we both started to really lose weight that summer/fall. Well come about 9 months later, I find our original profile pictures. It was the sort of thing where you don't recognize your self for a second and give an honest opinion, and my opinion of both of us was 'no thanks'. I showed my wife the pictures and asked 'would you swing with us' and again it was a negative. Maybe that makes us shallow but we were not attracted to our fat selves in the least.

I really want to nip this in the bud this time. Gaining a pound or two a month doesn't seem like much, especially to a guy but they do all add up and for me I can see what I think of as negative physical changes and I don't feel as good after I hit about 215. Perhaps my goal should have been 205, we will see when I get there.

I don't like seeing love handles over my pants, and I rather doubt most women see it and think 'sexy'.

Its not about motivation at this point, its discipline.

First of all, that has always been one of my favorite internets pics.

Second of all, you're doing it the right way. I'm just over 6 ft tall, and a few years ago I got serious about dropping down to my playing weight. I managed to get to 190 or so, and stayed there for about 3 years.

Then, we went on a 7 day cruise. Good for the spirits, but bad for the gut. I picked up 5 pounds. Then the holidays came around, and 10 more pounds. Then work stress started kicking in big time, so did 10 more pounds. So, a couple years later, and I'm a fatass (in my mind) again.

It can slip away so quickly.

Chicup

It sounds like you have the right attitude and idea going into this. Good for you!

I too have about 15 pounds to shed. Traveling as much as I do, it is difficult to find time to eat right much less a place that serves foods that are not so bad for you.

Furtunately, I am tall enough that the fat stretches out a bit. HOWEVER, I don't like the way I feel when I have the extra pounds so, each year, come spring, I hit the gym more often and get back to my trolling weight by June. What a pain in the ass. If only I could just stay home and eat right and not have to kill myself every year! SIGH!

Good luck to you sir!

Perhaps we need our own support group.

'Swinger guys who should be thinner but aren't quite fat and have been to lazy to do something about it.'

I think that support group would be a good fit for both guys and gals. We all get to that point! I had to get on the scale yesterday for our weight-loss competition at work, only to realize over the winter I gained back the 7 pounds I lost last fall. AARRGGH. Starting over again.

Mr NC on the other hand, has lost his weight (not on purpose), and maybe, just maybe, could stand to lose about 3 whole pounds.

Mrs. NC

Losing weight is like communication... better to do it early and often than to let it lapse for too long. It's a hell of a lot easier to lose 10 pounds than 20 or 30.

I gotta ask, how tall are you?

Just over six feet.

I've got a bulky build, if I get under 200 I look too thin, my ideal 'fighting' weight is 205.

Good luck on shedding the pounds! I'm not (quite, barely) overweight, but I need to get off my lazy butt and exercise, if for no other reason than to pull my cholesterol down (currently on a statin for this, it's that bad)

I'm about a 6'-1" - 6'-2" guy, currently 188lbs according to my last Dr visit (about a month ago)

Been trying to get in the habit of going to the gym at our local city rec center, and at least doing 20-30 minutes on the treadmill at a brisk walk / slow jog, but these last few weeks haven't been helping (family situation)

Jason

Maybe I'll take the dog for a walk now, instead of reading the forums...

Yep, Julie is definitely right when she says it's easier to lose a little weight than a lot. I weigh myself every morning, so I can see any creep that's happening. It's hard enough to take off those three pounds when they inevitably make their appearance... I don't want to let it get any further away than that.

Chicup, when you say "eat less", do you mean eat less of everything you normally eat, or are you cutting out more of certain foods?

I basically aim for lower calories, which means I will eat less of some kinds of foods, but I don't say eliminate bacon (thats a sin in my personal religion, though shalt not offend bacon) or butter. Just lower amounts.

I've done atkins before as well and it worked pretty well, especially to prime the pump. I found it easier going from high calorie - to Atkins - to low calorie than just going high calorie-low calorie.

I'm also trying to avoid bland. I eat more of bland, so extra spicy/flavorful.

Since I'm something of a foodie these days, it makes it both easier and harder.

MMmmmmm. Bacon.

(hotlinked, so let's hope it holds!)

God I love bacon.

Shouldn't it say "I love sausage"?

LOL Mrs. Fuse!

Chicup, Speed commented after our first swinging experience, "damn I need to get in shape!" Of course, he's done exactly NOTHING about it yet either. He's maybe 5-10 lbs "heavy" but really wants more defination in the abs.

Guess he should join the support group. "Hi. I'm Speed and I'm an out-of-shape swinger."

Weight: 220.2

Yea me!!!

Oh wait no.

I weighed myself at night when I did this, the next morning I was 220.6, and I think morning weight is more consistent so I'll be using that.

So -.4, could be a glass of water difference or progress to early to tell.

Cool, that means you've lost about three pounds since you first blogged! (Oh yay, I can subtract!) Have you made any specific changes besides the ones you talked about before?

I have had awful cravings for the past week and a half, and have given in to them several times. Trying to undo the damage now. The scale is relentless in its lack of pity. I had it right where I wanted it for a couple of weeks...

Actually I've lost .4 pounds really.

So yea, gotta keep going

When you started the blog entry you were at 223, now you're at 220. So I'm figuring since the start of the thread.

Yea I was a 223, the NEXT morning I weighed my self and after nighttime water loss it was 220.6 so thats my 'real' weight as morning will be the most consistent.

So this morning I was 220.2 which isn't enough to be sure is even 'real'.

So I'm naked in the bathroom mirror shaving and I think, I look better, abs more defined, less muffin potential.

So I get on the scale. 216

Ah being sick for a week, natures extreme diet plan

Sorry you were sick. I hope you feel better now.

I've not posted on this for a while, but I gained back my sick weight (bad) and then lost it for real (good).

I'm at 215 right now, 5 more to go.

Way to go! It's not easy, I know, but you're getting there!

Thanks for the update. I'm continually fighting off the same 3-4 pounds and then gaining them back when I relax just the slightest bit. I wish it wasn't so hard.

Keep going... you can do it! And I want to see pictures!