HELP! Getting Slow AND Fat

you seem worried about this. worried enough to post on this board. you can do it. just get out and kick your ass into shape. Get to the gym, burn off the fat. Don't eat out anymore. Vegetables, fruit, oatmeal, lean meats. No excuses.

I second this motion!

You can do it Carlton. The only thing good about gaining weight is the great feeling you get burning it off again.

I gained almost 20 lbs after running a marathon last fall at a lean 152 lbs. I was injured all winter, but it still sucked having to get my pants altered. What a bummer. I started looking at fat people walking down the street and seeing myself someday soon!

The weight will come off if you do the right things. It's a scientific certainty.

Don't eat with Phil.

Have you raced recently? Planning and running marathons is a good motivation for me. I hit age 40 and found myself at 215 lbs. I started to cut out sugars and refined carbs (ala South Beach) and started running again. Two years later I am at 165 and recently ran a 2:42 marathon. You can do it!

Carlton,

It sounds like your motivation is there, now it's just time to act on it. Just some thoughts that I hope will help...

Don't think of the big picture with this one, just take it one step at a time (literally) and one day at a time. Start out doing something every day that you are proud of and then build on it. It can be big or small. Like if you have a particular weakness for a certain food, give it up for one day. Take a walk around the block one day. Then take a walk AND give up your favorite food one day. Then make the walk a jog. Then make the jog a faster run. Then increase the distance. Take it slowly and focus on the positive.

If you think you are eating bad stuff, try substitution before abstinence. Like, if you eat regular potato chips, go for a baked chip and then for a smaller bag of a baked chip and eventually no chips at all.

Don't go all or nothing. If you backslide one day, don't think of it as condemnation on your whole effort. Just give yourself permission to not be perfect and start the next day again.

Choose a goal race to work towards. Keep the goal modest but real. If you're worried about your time, pick an untimed fun run or a trail race, just something you would feel good about accomplishing.

You can do whatever you set out to do. Just stay focused and think positive. Good luck!

There is nothing wrong with getting fat and slow. Maybe you should switch to a sport like bowling, darts, pool, or softball!

I gained twenty pounds over the past eight months and am completely out of shape. However, I just signed up for a marathon in October and realize that I need to start running now so I dont embarass myself. Just get out the door and start running a bit and watch what you eat. Like others have said...sign up for a race!

[quote]FAT AND LAZY wrote:

There is nothing wrong with getting fat and slow. Maybe you should switch to a sport like bowling,

Sorry, We don't let fat guys on the tour!!!

fashionista & others,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I think that one of my issues is comparing my current 8 (ok, closer to 9) minute miles to the 7 or less a few years back. I just need to leave the watch at home and enjoy running, even if at a slower pace.

Just today, I skipped that dessert that was calling my name at Starbucks after dinner.

Think about how many heavy people that live a long time. It's the thin people that live a long time. Modify your eating habits to lose a pound a week. You didn't put the weight on overnight. Set realistic goals, you'll run again.