The 70-Pound Project

You’re wondering why you’re seeing a lot about my weight loss plan, day-by-day accounts of my eating habits and exercise routines. I’m working on getting fit so that when my son is old enough to run around (which, depending on his development will be anywhere from 10-15 months from now) that I will be fit enough to keep up with him.

I want to not groan every time my wife asks me to go for a walk with her. I enjoy my time with her, but in my current state, I’d rather be sitting on the couch or in bed talking (which just so happens to be near a TV) than actually doing something.

I’ve been following Seth Simonds on Twitter for some time now. As do a lot of people. He is the kind of blogger/twitterer that gets you thinking. He has recently started a new website: PrimalStride. It’s his personal mission to lose 100 lbs, and he’s asking some other folks to come along side and be accountable to one another in the journey of losing weight.

I joined on the second week, and I hope never to look back. But first: a quick look back.

I’ve been the chubby kid/big guy for as long as I can remember. As far as I can tell, I’ve been overweight since I was about 6 or 7 years old. I’ve tried weight loss plans, none of them worked for me. I’ve joined gyms, too expensive and didn’t work for me. I even did the Atkins diet, which worked; until I worked at a summer camp – and I’m not blaming them entirely – that fed not-so-healthy or Atkins-friendly food choices. So I ballooned to about 15lbs more than I was before I started on the Atkins diet. I’ve settled at a weight of 290 lbs, after losing 30 lbs just from starting to have to walk around at work. I worked from home for the final term of college, much to the detriment of my health.

That was then, this is now.

My toolkit:

  • A Basal Metabolic Rate of 2600 Calories (What my body would burnper day at 290 lbs, 6’1″ if I did no physical activity),
  • Being a decent cook, starting to create meals that are lower in fat and include green vegetables,
  • Actually doing some physical activity (working my way up to an hour a day),
  • Really wanting be able to do some physical activity that doesn’t require 5 minutes rest for every 10 minutes of activity.

What I want out of this:

  • To be there for my wife and my son for the long haul; and therefore
  • avoid any of the illnesses that have plagued my family, like heart disease and diabetes;
  • be able to run around and play with my son and enjoy every minute;
  • and walk with my wife, once again, enjoying not only her company, but the activity of walking as well.

The tenets of PrimalStride:

  1. Hunger is an indicator, not an order.
  2. The results of exercise are to be measured in terms of stamina, strength, and speed. NOT weight. (Unless you’re talking about lifting weights at the gym.)
  3. Weight is lost through sustained reduction of caloric intake. Lots of variables but this is the one thing that holds up no matter what crazy diet mongers write about.
  4. Feeling starved is a bad thing. Eating the same amount in terms of bulk but with fewer calories seems to work quite well.
  5. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet. Diets are for bimbos. Being healthy is for real people.
  6. I am forgiven. Each day presents a new opportunity to make the right decisions. There’s no need to get stuck in the past because my past has trouble shopping at normal stores.

I know I would and I’m sure all the participants in PrimalStride would love for you to join us. It doesn’t matter what your goal is drive is toward healthy living, just that you want it. I encourage you to take a look at each challenge – which aren’t set in stone, you can modify them as you need to – and start moving to a healthier you – with web 2.0 social community accountability.

You’ll be glad you did.