I need to brag on myself

[Droopy]

I started working out 2.5 weeks ago. I do 3 sets of 10 on twelve different upper body exercises that are designed to work every muscle in your upper body. I also walk 1 mile after the workout with the weights. On my off days from the weights I walk 2 miles. Today I decided to max out on the bench press for the first time. I maxed out at 230 pounds. Who knew? I was working out with 120. My goal when I started lifting weights was to be able to bench press my own body weight. I weigh 272 now and I didn't intend to be able to bench that much, I thought I would drop quite a bit of weight, but it looks like I won't have much trouble reaching my goal. That 272 is down from 277 when I started working out a couple of weeks ago. I've also quit smoking at the same time so I'm feeling really good that I've been able to drop weight while doing that. I also quit drinking about 3 weeks ago which probably has helped in dropping some of that weight. I really feel good for the first time in a long time. I was having some trouble with my knees there for a little bit because I was jogging at first instead of walking. I've since cut out the jogging and the knees are almost completely healed now. But it looks like my jogging days are over.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

1. That's excellent!

Keep up the good work! I know how hard it is.

[Droopy]

4. Thank you

It is tough, but I'm actually starting to enjoy going to the gym and working out. And I really look forward to my walks.

[leftofthedial]

2. way to go

[Droopy]

5. Thanks

[Akoto]

3. Congrats!

The things you are doing take a great deal of discipline. You should be proud of yourself for sticking with it. :)

[Droopy]

7. Thank you

I know what you mean by discipline. A few days there I really didn't want to go and work out. I had to force myself to do it. Now I'm starting to look forward to my times in the gym.

[knowbody0]

6. yahoo Droopy

sounds like you just have to avoid impact on the knees. you are an inspiration, especially the smoke habit. im impressed.

[Droopy]

8. Thanks

Yeah I'm thinking about seeing a doctor about the knees even though the pain has subsided. I read somewhere that the type of pain I was experiencing was indiciative of arthritis. But I don't know. If it were arthritis it seems like the pain wouldn't go away that easy.

[LastKnight]

9. right on schedule...

they say its best to lose at most 3 pounds a week, 2.5 weeks in... 5 pounds down... youre doing it the ideal way.

damn man 230 bench... up from 120... thats quite the jump, impressive.

quit drinking and smoking at the same time. damn good job.

keep it up, and youll have your goal reached in no time.

[Droopy]

10. Thanks

I was doing 3 sets of ten with the 120, though. I can only do on rep with 230. But I'm thinking about increasing my workout weight to 140 and seeing what happens.

[LastKnight]

11. they say

reduce your 1 rep max weight by 30-40 percent and that should give you a pretty good workout for a 3 set workout of 10-12 reps. so that would put you in the 150-170ish range. but if youre used to 120, i would work up to it over the course of 2 or 3 workouts so you dont hurt yourself. however youre doin it, its obviously workin for ya. so keep it up.

[Droopy]

12. Cool

I will take it easy moving up.

[FuzzySlippers]

13. That's fantastic!

It's remarkable that you're able to make all these changes and stick to them.

[Droopy]

14. Thanks

Regarding changes. It's very difficult to give up bad habits and start good ones. It's just been 2.5 weeks for me so I'm not really out of the woods yet. Someone told me it takes 6 weeks to start a habit. But I'm really motivated for health reasons. I do not want to end up with diabetes or high blood pressure as so many overweight people do. I don't want to get cancer or emphysema from smoking. I don't want to rot my stomach, liver, and brain with alcohol. I've been eating too much, drinking too much, and smoking for 16 years now. I've had my fun. It's time to get healthy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Wow, Droopy!

Good for you! I am most impressed at your progress...

You are doing one hell of a job with all this...you should be bragging on yourself!

Some days I have to force myself to go to the gym...and I am ALWAYS glad I went...

Your good feelings are mostly attributable to the physical improvements, but I think that you also have them because you look good and you know it...Psychological...

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Droopy]

16. Thanks Peggy

Yeah, my chest and arms are looking a little better, but I've got a long way to go before I really look fit. But I'm going to get there.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. You keep this regime up, and you will!

Any cute chicks at the gym?

:hug:

[Droopy]

18. Yeah, I see more women there than men

And they all look pretty good to me.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. I'll bet they do....

I think that this is a very good place to meet people, IMHO!

You never know what can happen....I've made a lot of friends at mine, both men and women...it's very helpful to have someone to talk to about the stresses and strains we undergo to get more fit and healthy...

Good Luck!

[gardenista]

19. Hey, Droopy, that's great!

And you have actually probably lost way more fat than 5 lbs, because you're building muscle.

You're inspiring!