My Battle with My Weight

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Name:: AJ Coutu
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Health & Fitness > Weight Loss > My Battle with My Weight

My Battle with My Weight

Martin tried to be subtle and hint at the fact that he wanted me to provide an update about my weight in his recent post, "I'll Never Get Fat Again!" Ha!. Fortunately, he realized that I didn't get the hint and told me in response to my comment.

For those of you who were not along for the ride, Ray's heart attack and inspiration from The Biggest Loser played major roles in convincing me to lose weight. In six months, I lost 60 pounds. Chris Pirateman really has me beat in that area! YAY CHRIS! That was a total of 80 lbs in a year, and I had hit my target weight of 164 lbs. Other than being a little jigglier than I wanted to be, I was thrilled.

The good news is that I have been pretty good about keeping the weight off. I recently started doing some weight training (see earlier comment about jigglierness). I wanted to get rid of that and get a little toned. I am not really a gym bunny, but that doesn't mean I can't in get in better shape, particularly in the safety and privacy of my own home.

One annoying side effect of the weight training is that it has left me hungry all the time. Ray keeps asking me if I am pregnant. My friend Mikey, who designed my training, saide that makes sense since my body wants more protein. He did say that I have to be careful.

He is really right. I have put a little weight on ... about 10 lbs. That is not as bad as it seems. Part of that is conversion to muscle. Most of my Ts are actually feeling tight in the arms. Now considering that I was the equivalent of a 98 lbs weekling (go Rocky Horror Picture Show)with a certain chubbiness. And don't tell anyone, but I am starting to getting so that I am not ashamed when I look at my timmy in the mirror!

In fact, Mikey wanted to see how I was doing so he wanted me to take a pic of myself without a shirt on. After about a month of bickering back and forth about it, I finally did it. And no, I can't post it, Martin. I used my cell phone, and I have no idea how to get the picture off the thing. I was able to text it to him. He applauded me. Basically, my little spare tire has shrunk into just a little thing above the waste, and I am starting to show a bit of a six pack.

So, anyway, to make a long story short, I don't now how to translate my new weight so I can compare it to my target weight. Anyone have any ideas. Martin, I am sure you know. You used to be a professional when it comes to weight. Is 10 lbs too much weight gain for that kind of muscle result?

posted on June 20, 2008 3:29 PM ()

Comments:

AJ, great post, great success, great future outlook!

I'm a slacker, that's for sure, but I never let my desire to lose weight or to firm up ever get too far out of my sight. With Martin's encouragements, I did get started again and did lose some weight. I slacked a bit and, yep, you guessed it! So, I've since gone back to following Martin's advice and have lost that new gained-back weight, so now I am picking up where I should have left off. Another blogger has given me some helpful hints that are really quite easy to live with and they have been helpful in learning how to pace myself (in the eating and the exercising departments) and to replace all concepts of having dieting/exercising attitudes into a seemingly unconscious part of life. Between her and Martin, I know I can do this.

comment by donnamarie on June 26, 2008 3:53 PM ()

I am sure you can do it. I think the important thing to me is not to diet. You have to find the lifestyle changes that you like. It is more the little things than major changes.
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 27, 2008 9:30 AM ()

I'v always found that moderate exercise decreases my appetite, because tight belly muscles make you feel 'full'. hunger is often triggered by a slackness in the abs... we can either eat to tighten them or exercise. good on you anyway. But weight alone is not informative. it depends on how tall you are. For your 164 lb you should be about 5 foot 11 in. for 174 lb you should be approaching six foot... are you?

comment by clovis on June 21, 2008 11:17 PM ()

I am 5'10 3/4. I did not know that about the tightening of the abs. Why am I not surprised that I seem abnormal in that way, too.
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 22, 2008 11:17 AM ()

Drink plenty of water -- that seems to be a good filler when you get the bad munchies. That's what my Mom does on her Weight Watchers plan.
Keep up the good work. I bet you look awesome already!

comment by mattguru18 on June 21, 2008 4:13 PM ()

It is really weird when you drinkn so much where you hear it swishing around when you walk!

reply by lunarhunk on June 22, 2008 11:16 AM ()

You know what, I've lost about 40 and it was hard hard work. It is not worth it to ever gain weight again after all that, but I know what you mean about being hungry. There are times I could eat an entire pizza, but I have that self-control which stops me. usually I just fix myself a big bunch of veges with a lot of herbs and spices. Not the same, but it fills you up.

comment by teacherwoman on June 20, 2008 6:59 PM ()

Yeah, AJ but 60 lbs! Amazing!

reply by teacherwoman on June 20, 2008 7:02 PM ()

You realize that Martin is our voice of reason! I appreciate that about him.

reply by teacherwoman on June 20, 2008 7:02 PM ()

I forgot to mention how wonderful your weight loss have been. That is great!
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 7:01 PM ()

I bet that does. Veggies are wonderful for that!
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 7:00 PM ()

I weigh myself twice a week--every Monday & Thursday--same time, same scale--though I really don't need to step on a scale to tell me I am gaining weight!

The bottom line is how many calories you take in and how many you work off in a 24 hour period--since I don't exercise my weight losses are a little slower but if I keep the calorie intake to 2,000 a day I LOSE WEIGHT!

comment by greatmartin on June 20, 2008 6:09 PM ()

Sounds about right to me. I don't count calories. I just sort of try and be conscious about it. I know when I am being bad.
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 6:11 PM ()

I am a type 2 diabetic AJ as you know-or may not? Have met with PROFESSIONAL dieticians (have to because diet is sooo important with my disease) and it all comes down to portion control. You do not need to go without your favorite foods or starve yourself. NEVER DO THAT FOR ANYONE! Eat slow, moderation, and exercise but do it for you and NO ONE ELSE BUT YOU

If someone told me they did not desire me anymore because I had put on weight, I would tell them to go f themselves!!

That is so ignorant; I don't know if I could respect someone like that or see their point of view at all; I love someone for what's inside not whether they have a little tire around their waist or not. It is what is inside that counts and being healthy is important but I have seen pics of you and you look terrific

comment by brian45 on June 20, 2008 4:54 PM ()

I am a stocky guy pal and have had no problems getting boyfriends *grin* Will lose more weight due to my diabetes but love myself nonetheless and don't beat myself up over extra baggage. You accept me for me or you know where you can go! "Real people" are attracted to someone who is confident and personable from the inside out I eat well, try to talk walks everyday, love to dance, but I am 45 years old man. Obsession is not healthy either. Shows a great deal of insecurity. Staying healthy is what is important and you don't have to be muscular and have a wash board stomach to be healthy. Everyone has a different metabolism. I love food but know when to put the fork down and stay away from excess amounts. It is on the inside that counts and if you had any ounce of spirituality in you then you would realize that. What you said was extremely judgemental and is one of the things that is wrong with a good portion of gay culture; narcissism and too much focus on body image

reply by brian45 on June 21, 2008 11:29 PM ()

it's all very well Brian to say it's what's on the oside that counts, but what's on the ourside is a fair indication of what's on the inside. A spare tire indicates sloth, self-satisfaction, weakmindedness, unhealthy diet, ...

reply by clovis on June 21, 2008 11:12 PM ()

Trust me. Having an illness where diet determines blood glucose level (and exercise!) I think I know a thing or two.

reply by brian45 on June 20, 2008 5:03 PM ()

Now you sound like that lady who wrote the French Women Don't Get Fats books. They were really helpful to me when trying to eat healthier. She really believes in portion control. I will say that did work.
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 4:57 PM ()

'Thanks! It still is a lot of work to keep it off, though' Thanks for agreeing--I don't think people understand this!

comment by greatmartin on June 20, 2008 4:50 PM ()

Oh, I weigh myself everyday. Not because I obsess, but if I notice a trend where there is an increase, I work on behaving myself a little better.
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 5:00 PM ()

' don't now how to translate my new weight so I can compare it to my target weight. I am about 10-12 pounds over what 'experts' say I should weigh but I like what I see in the mirror and how I feel.
Our weight does flucuate and we do have to deal with that.
We both know the importance of weight control regarding health so being concerned about it is a good thing--and, yes, I am too concerned about it about it helps me control it!

comment by greatmartin on June 20, 2008 4:34 PM ()

Well, I am a little confused because I am not gaining any inches on my waist. That is why I am not sure the weight is bad weight or OK weight. Am I still healthy if it is because I am converting some of my fat into muscle?

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 4:38 PM ()

Well how about those protein drinks.
I feel the same way after my workout and have a drink of some
sort.Or any kind of fruit is good.Glad that you kept it off.
Good boy.On the weight gain did you talk to the trainer there.
If the weight gain is muscle then it is great.

comment by fredo on June 20, 2008 4:26 PM ()

Fruits have become my new best friends! They fill me up and seem to not pack on the pounds.
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 4:35 PM ()

Hey, Way to go!!

comment by greeneyedgemini on June 20, 2008 4:22 PM ()

Thanks! It still is a lot of work to keep it off, though.
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 4:33 PM ()

I won't make any harsh comments about the "weight issue" except to say that usually in the summer I tend to eat less so lose a bit of weight and with the nice weather I get out more and walk :) Refuse to work out; used to love to dance and that kept the weight off

Working out if frickin' boring and I won't do it; I am happy with me and that's all that counts. Healthy is more important than anorexic. LOL. Gay men (and Americans in general) are too obsessed with weight instead of working on deeper emotional issues and it makes me sick

I am not pointing the finger at you AJ just what I notice around me. That's all I am going to say

comment by brian45 on June 20, 2008 3:54 PM ()

reply by brian45 on June 20, 2008 4:49 PM ()

I so agree with you about getting too concerned about weight. That can be even more dangerous.
AJ

reply by lunarhunk on June 20, 2008 4:12 PM ()

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