32" FART (long post)

Hi guys,   It's been along time since I updated where I am in this journey. First off I turned 50 on 1-25. Ended up just another day at my house. Kids sent either an email or card.My wife of 25 yrs. wished me a happy birthday and that was it. For some reason I thought turning fifty should have been a bigger deal. She made it a lot easier to shop for her birthday come September.   Now for some FARTS. First I guess I will have to admit that I too am a clothes ***** Since I have discovered the clearance racks I must admit that if I am in a store that sells men's clothes I feel compelled to check them out. With that being said I found some dress shorts on a clearance rack a couple of weeks ago for 2.50 ea so I bought three pair. Took them home and tried them on. They were to big. Took them back and bought size 32, they fit!! So that had been in the back of my mind wondering if they were just made big or if it was possible I could really wear a 32. About a week or two ago I had to go to the mall so I stopped in Sears and tried on a size 32 Levi's and they fit. I went and got another pair just to make sure, along with a pair of dress pants, they fit.  I refrained from buying anything. I did get on ebay and I am wearing a pair of 32 Levi's as I write this.Down from size 54. Night before last I was at Kohl's and bought a medium fitted dress shirt that was normally $36 for $7.80, down from XXL or XXXL. Also there is something about a nicely pressed shirt. I work at a desk most of the day in a warehouse. I wear jeans every day and a dress shirt. Probably over dressed but for $7.80 even if they get stained and ruined I am not out big bucks. I have bought several shirts like this. I get a lot of comments about how good I look, some times it's embarrassing, and some times it's pretty damn nice.   I have applied for a different position at work and have been told that my name had already been brought up. A year ago I would have never even considered it.    I am in better shape than I can ever remember, I have walked or ran 220 miles since the first of the year. I walk 2 miles every day at lunch and then hit the treadmill most every evening. Usually work on the treadmill  for at least an hour to a hour and a half. Start off walking at 6%, then 12% and finally 15% grade. Work may way back down, that usually takes a half an hour and then I start running at a 4% grade and work my way down to 2% throwing in some sprints along the way. I do that for half an hour, usually run about 3 miles. The most I have ran is 4 miles. I have actually been entertaining the idea of running a 5 K.    The only ****** is I am fifty years old, why did I wait so freaking long to do this? The surgery is not a cure all, but it has allowed me to take control of my life. Maybe I am just old enough or mature enough now to know this might be my last chance. What ever the case may be this is the best thing I have ever done for my health and for me and this has translated to my family as well. I am no longer the bump on the log I used to be. I want and can do things with my wife and grandchildren.    It's not all roses, but my problems seem to be self inflicted. I either eat to fast or don't chew well enough. Get the feeling someone is twisting my guts. I do a lot better after one of those episodes.   When it is all said and done, life is good.   pan head

Congrats on the 32's, that is awesome!  The 5-0 is a big deal and they should have partied like it was 1999.  As far as waiting as long as you did, take some comfort knowing there are some 30-year-olds out here following in your footsteps.  I rely heavily on teh advice and experiences of everyone on here whether 50 or 20.  I have not posted lately but I am always "lurking". 

Paul

Thanks, Paul This site has been my means of support since before I had surgery. I too seem to lurk more than  post, but you can get so much information from everyone elses questions and posts.  pan head

Hey Panhead, HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    You have had some great farts along the way.  Your journey is an inspiration to all of us.  I don't think I will ever be running a marathon but I hope to one day be walking somewhere near the marks you have set.  Getting into smaller clothes feels absolutely great and I am so happy that you are experiencing that feeling.  Good Luck on the new position at work.  I hope that works out for you.  Take Care and continue to enjoy your new life!!!!!

Thanks fellow mountaineer, when I first started walking in the hospital all I wanted to do was make to the end of the hall and back. When I got home I would walk aroud the kitchen for 20 minutes. I worked up to it slowly, mainly because that was how I moved, SLOWLY.  I remember going out to lunch with a business consultant at work prior to surgery and I was worried about walking the 2 blocks and keeping up and not being soaked when we got there.  As I lost weight and started to regain my health and the ability to do more the motivaton came as well. If I can do this any one can.  pan head

Well Happy Birthday to ya man!! And congrats on the huge fart too!

Thanks, Bob.

Hey Dude....the sale racks are great.... Sean and I were talking over the weekend, how nice it is not to be raped by Causal Male anymore... And on a side note....I was sitting next to a guy, and he had on a tee shirt...PANHEAD Motorcycles......from somewhere up north.. it made me think of you glad all is well Russ

My wife just shakes her head now when I come home with something new.  I do the same thing when I think of Japan or runners or weight lifters or cyclists or plays or hiking. They remind me of the guys here.  pan head

 The only ****** is I am fifty years old, why did I wait so freaking long to do this? It's the old, "if we knew then what we know now" syndrome. I'm not to far behind you, at 47, but quite a bit behind you at only 3 months out and still in the mid-300's, but I'm starting to realise that I was in serious denial about my health and fitness, as well as how I looked. It's part of what makes us obese in the first place. Congratulations on the 32's. My goal is to wear a pair of Wrangler 36's. If I'm ever in 32's, I'm gonna go get checked for cancer.