it's all Dave/Not Dave's fault

OK, so as of yesterday morning I'm down 150 lbs... an amount I didn't even know I had available to spare.  Other than my normal activity for work, and the weekly hikes, I haven't really followed much of an exercise routine (ok, so it's really NO routine with no formal exercising).... so I know that some of that 150 that came off was muscle mass. to celebrate the -150 and the fact that I'm THIS CLOSE to my goal, I've gone and JOINED A GYM to get pumped I blame Dave/Not Dave I may be on more frequently asking dumb newbie type meat-head questions LOL

You know Sean....we talk about replacing one addiction with another....when you get  used to it...you will be addicted to the gym Enjoy Russ

Hey Russ and guys, Do you remember a book from the late 1970s or early 1980s called Positive Addiction. It was about running and endorphins and stuff. I read it (while eating packages of my then-favorite cookies, Nabisco Heydays) and shrugged it off. 130+ pound weight gain later, I've had to rethink things. Now I say, "Hooray for positive addictions!" Without them, I'd still be huffing along down the cookie aisle.

(yeah guys, I'm here...I'm just sitting here befuddled about how to answer any posts...)

Apologies...or congratulations, Sean! Nothing wrong with becoming an exercise addict as long as you enjoy it and don't get injured (or at least enjoy it, anyway).

My body shape really changed though, when I started doing HIIT. I'll post some links soon about that and other anaerobic exercise really soon. I'm still trying to sort out all of the fitness sites that I've visited in the last couple of months, but basically they are about how you can get the equivalent of two hours aerobic exercise in 20-30 minutes, then 500% jumps in growth hormone from stationary bike sprinting for the same amount of time, also why people should not do "steady state" cardio all of the time and even why even the elderly should be doing anaerobic stuff.

You might feel better, getting about a three-week weights base before you do any of that. Anyway, links are coming!

Good Luck,

Dave

Right there with you man; I joined a gym yesterday.  I had planned to wait a bit longer, but more and more guys at my office had begun going at lunch, both to get in better shape and save money on all the eating out we do.  Because I've lost so much weight lately, the comments that I should start going too were pretty steady. For the time being, I've also switched to split routines, since that's what the guy I drive with has been doing (he's been going three times a week at lunch the whole time he's been here).  Switching to free weights after a long layoff is always a bit slow.  Nothing humbles you like doing the same (or much less, on bench for example) as a guy that weighs 130 pounds less than you...

That reminds me Ard, a friend of mine said he went into a powerlifting room here in Japan and saw a trim, cute 17 year old girl clean and jerk her own body weight! Imagine...

That would be something.  I had a similar experience in college (I went to one of those schools where essentially everyone works out).  This attractive girl, tall and broad shouldered for a girl but certainly under 150, was waiting for the military press.  The guy before walked away leaving it loaded, a 45, 10, and 5 on each side (so 165 total).  She made a face at him then shrugged and got under the bar and did 10 effortless reps.  She then dropped it down to 135 (which I would later notice was her standard weight) and did two more sets of 20. Part of me was in love and wanted to ask her out, but the other part was afraid of her.

Way to go Sean! And me too - that is I've also just gone from 404 to 254 = 150 lbs of the "old" me is all gone!!!! WooHoo...aint that a great feeling!  Congrats !!!! Jim

Hey Sean, Boy, the pictures tell quite a story. I'm not in the same league as NotDave and CB, but I've made weight training a regular and satisfying part of life. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel, not just physically either, almost right away. Cool little smiley lifting weights!

Hi Doug,

Wonder if you've got any points about lifting at different ages. I'm 45 and you and CB may be in different age groups from me.

Dave