ew. i have a gut.

**redcolours** · 08-20-2007, 07:57 PM

ive seen it starting last year, but now its gotten noticeably bigger.

UGH! i cant believe ive let myself go - its hideous!

this is totally unacceptable.

i used to have a svelt figure (ha ha! not really, but i never had this bloat before), now i look like a toad (thin arms and legs, and a big tummy). yes, disgusting. all the sitting down in my job the past 5 years, and poor diet, no workouts, and uncontrolled snacking... they have GOT to STOP.

vanity aside (admit it, we all want to look good, for ourselves, for our loved ones), i do need to get in shape anyway. Lately ive noticed how very lethargic ive been ALL the time (i cant be depressed this much), so the exercise can provide a natural endorphin boost. Not counting the fact that i come from a family (both sides) with a penchant for heart disease. If i continue this way, i will die by the age of 50.

So this week im gonna start watching what i eat, and yes, ill bring my sneaks and my workout clothes to work everytime now, so i can jump in our fitness room as soon as i get off the clock.

i dont need to go to a gym or get a fitness instructor - my expanding gut is motivation enough!

**renovation** · 08-20-2007, 09:12 PM

redcolours
how old are you it could be just a fact of life .i dont drink and in the last couple of years my guts started to stick out .and i have jumped from a 31 to a 34 waist also from 160 pounds to 175 pounds . but im also in my early 50's

**Thesifer** · 08-20-2007, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by renovation

redcolours
how old are you it could be just a fact of life .i dont drink and in the last couple of years my guts started to stick out .and i have jumped from a 31 to a 34 waist also from 160 pounds to 175 pounds . but im also in my early 50's

I wouldn't say it's a fact of life. He already said he doesn't work out, snacks too much, has a bad diet, etc.

The trick now is to start working out, and eating right, but ease yourself into it. Don't just dive right in, head first, or it won't last very long.

You should start out by eating healthy most of the time, while also working out at least 3 times a week, for 30 mins or so minimum per day. After you get on a good schedule doing that, make sure you start eating right as often as possible, every day if you can. Then start to up the days you work out. 4-5 is good for me right now.

Personal Trainers aren't necessarily just for motivation, they can also offer meal advice and certain work outs to do certain things.

Don't try and do sit ups to get rid of your gut either, you need cardio for that

Sit ups will only build the muscles below the fat and make you look fatter. After you burn off the fat, you can work on the 6-pack.

**zippyjuan** · 08-20-2007, 10:45 PM

Put down the sodas and cupcakes. Sodas are a big contributor of empty calories. Some weight training can be helpful as well as cardio- it will add muscle which is more efficient at buring calores. And then just do something every day. Getting out in the sun will help you feel a bit more energy. Walk. Ride a bike. Play volleyball. Doesn't matter what. Just get moving. And schedule it. Right after work before you sit down, put on your athletic gear and do something. Once you sit down into your home routine, it ia harder to put it down and go out again. You sound motivated. You can do it!

**mcs328** · 08-21-2007, 06:50 AM

Haha...I'm in the same boat. I used to have abs and 8 years later I have this gut. Love the toad/frog description...I couldn't have put it in a better way. I've gone the Subway diet with run/walk tradmill routine. I used to be 28" waist in college and then 30" a year or two when I started my job. Several years later I'm 34" waist and I've gained 50lbs from 110lbs to 160lbs. All the fast food everyday finally caught up to me.

**utcpal** · 08-21-2007, 03:18 PM

hope you started already on your workout routine....

**Thesifer** · 08-21-2007, 07:42 PM

Frankly I wish the "It's a fact of life" stigma would leave the greater population. Especially here in America. Too many people go with the excuse, "I'm just meant to be this way." "I'm genetically pre-dispositioned to be overweight." There are FEW People that can't get to where they want to be and be healthy at the same time.

That's not saying everyone needs to be a marathon runner and 120-160 lbs.. But that's also not saying that most can't be that if they really wanted to be.

It's a good thing you see a problem and decided to work on it. Now you just need to ease into it and stick with it. You will be glad you did.

**Markel** · 08-22-2007, 07:39 AM

Go for it, and stick with it. I've dropped 45 pounds since September, and I'm feeling much better. I've still got a ways to go, but at least I'm over half way there.

**Maarchk** · 08-27-2007, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Markel

Go for it, and stick with it. I've dropped 45 pounds since September, and I'm feeling much better. I've still got a ways to go, but at least I'm over half way there.

Thats awesome!!! GOod job and keep it up. We should have the got apex weight losing contest! So we all keep each other working hard at losing weight.