Bought a workbench and weights...
Discussion
LordGrover said:
Quite the transformation. 
Well done Chris!
Nohomo.
Thank you Ian! Well done Chris!
Nohomo.
Still find it hard the shift the last vestiges of fat around the middle - am hoping by this time next year, it'll be gone.
This all stemmed from me looking at some recent pictures and thinking, f
k it, if I don't do something now, I never will, so bought the initial training equipment that day. Haven't looked back since - I think the change in diet helped the most....Just read the entire thread, bloody excellent Chris!! I'm in a similar situation, I'm 43...put on some pounds (15 stone!!), but have been weight training and careful diet management since March. I'm now down to 14 stone, but instead of working out at home (severe lack of space..my TVR takes up the whole garage), I joined a gym. I go everyday, and love it!!
I only eat fish & chicken for protein, Basmati rice and salad...with 2 - 3 protein shakes a day.
My weight has increased again now though, but the right kind..a bit of muscle, back up to 14 stone 6 pound.
I only eat fish & chicken for protein, Basmati rice and salad...with 2 - 3 protein shakes a day.
My weight has increased again now though, but the right kind..a bit of muscle, back up to 14 stone 6 pound.
Well done, amazing results and it hasn't even been that long in the scheme of things) really.
Definitely spurring me on, I am down a stone from when I started and starting to see a bit of shape, it feels good, my pants fit again, am down a cup size
just need to shift this tendonitis as it is limiting what I can do.
Definitely spurring me on, I am down a stone from when I started and starting to see a bit of shape, it feels good, my pants fit again, am down a cup size
just need to shift this tendonitis as it is limiting what I can do.Waynester said:
Just read the entire thread, bloody excellent Chris!! I'm in a similar situation, I'm 43...put on some pounds (15 stone!!), but have been weight training and careful diet management since March. I'm now down to 14 stone, but instead of working out at home (severe lack of space..my TVR takes up the whole garage), I joined a gym. I go everyday, and love it!!
I only eat fish & chicken for protein, Basmati rice and salad...with 2 - 3 protein shakes a day.
My weight has increased again now though, but the right kind..a bit of muscle, back up to 14 stone 6 pound.
Cheers Wayne! I only eat fish & chicken for protein, Basmati rice and salad...with 2 - 3 protein shakes a day.
My weight has increased again now though, but the right kind..a bit of muscle, back up to 14 stone 6 pound.
At one point, I was close to 16 stone, and I'm only 5'7"! Am now around 11.5 stone - have had to buy a whole new wardrobe as none of my old clothes, trousers especially, no longer fitted (36-38" waists, now 30")An added benefit is now that I'm lighter, that's extra free performance for the TVR!
V8covin said:
Quite a transformation.
What exercises are you doing for your abs ?
Very little - I realised early on that they were a bit of a waste of time (although I remember vividly laughing at myself when I first started, trying to do sit-ups and having trouble because my belly was in the way - what a fool I must look, I thought, if anyone seen me!What exercises are you doing for your abs ?
I am sure the heavy compounds (deadlifts, squats, rows, standing overhead press etc.) help take care of the abs, for me anyway. Oh, and of course, diet!
J4CKO said:
Well done, amazing results and it hasn't even been that long in the scheme of things) really.
Definitely spurring me on, I am down a stone from when I started and starting to see a bit of shape, it feels good, my pants fit again, am down a cup size just need to shift this tendonitis as it is limiting what I can do.
Cheers, I have a bit of tendonitis last year, took ages to fully recover.Definitely spurring me on, I am down a stone from when I started and starting to see a bit of shape, it feels good, my pants fit again, am down a cup size
just need to shift this tendonitis as it is limiting what I can do.I know this perhaps sounds a bit clichéd, but for the first time in about 20 years, it's nice to buy and have clothes that complement the body, rather than choosing stuff to hide it!
Chris, know exactly what you mean, I have dug out some old t shirts that are tighter, I am still a lot heavier than I should be but the top is bigger than the middle, my arms fill the sleeves so overall it doesn't look too bad in my humble opinion, was walking round the Trafford Centre and saw loads of blokes my age that looked utterly fked, spurred me on as I just dont want to be slightly better than the properly big fat chaps, or alright for my age, I want to look and feel good full stop.
ked, spurred me on as I just dont want to be slightly better than the properly big fat chaps, or alright for my age, I want to look and feel good full stop.J4CKO said:
Chris, know exactly what you mean, I have dug out some old t shirts that are tighter, I am still a lot heavier than I should be but the top is bigger than the middle, my arms fill the sleeves so overall it doesn't look too bad in my humble opinion, was walking round the Trafford Centre and saw loads of blokes my age that looked utterly fked, spurred me on as I just dont want to be slightly better than the properly big fat chaps, or alright for my age, I want to look and feel good full stop.
Good for you, it's that kind of attitude that keeps me going - all or nothing. I always think that, if you're going to do something, do it properly and always see it through.ked, spurred me on as I just dont want to be slightly better than the properly big fat chaps, or alright for my age, I want to look and feel good full stop.didelydoo said:
Very well done Chris- that's a great transformation, and well deserved with the effort you've put in
Thank you, that means a lot coming from you! Reading your routines always help inspire me to try a little harder each time.My only regret is not including Deadlifts from the start - I now realise that it is the heavy compound lifts that make all the difference, not the isolations, which are garnish in comparison..
Aphex said:
Superb effort mate
Thank you That spur of the moment decision back last May must be one of the best decisions I have ever made!J4CKO said:
Chris, know exactly what you mean, I have dug out some old t shirts that are tighter, I am still a lot heavier than I should be but the top is bigger than the middle, my arms fill the sleeves so overall it doesn't look too bad in my humble opinion, was walking round the Trafford Centre and saw loads of blokes my age that looked utterly fked, spurred me on as I just dont want to be slightly better than the properly big fat chaps, or alright for my age, I want to look and feel good full stop.
I'll second this. Same happened for me, although I'm not particularly ripped, just lightly toned I think. Before I started my weight loss regime, I thought I was ok, bit of a paunch maybe, but nothing too serious, BMI of nearly 28, at close to 16 stones (6'1"). Looking back at my wedding photos from 2 years ago, I was huge, very chubby looking. Not quite as big as the OP's photo, but still very overweight. Compared with now, and I can justifiably buy fitted sports t-shirts, and 'tailored' business shirts. ked, spurred me on as I just dont want to be slightly better than the properly big fat chaps, or alright for my age, I want to look and feel good full stop.Well done OP, it's a huge transformation and an incentive to the rest of us that it can be done.
I think part of my problem when I was massively overweight was denial. I think there can be a huge difference in what you think you look like, and what you actually look like. It was only when my wife presented me with that photo did the reality hit home and I could pretend no longer.
According to the one size fits all NHS BMI calculator, I am still (just) labelled as overweight! Still a little way to go...
According to the one size fits all NHS BMI calculator, I am still (just) labelled as overweight! Still a little way to go...
Unless you're going to compete, there's not much more to lose IMO.
The challenge of getting single digit BF may be a goal, but I doubt you'd get any healthier or fitter losing much more.
The problem is, we get the bug - it's almost like anorexia! What would've made us extremely happy when we started out is now achieved so by definition 'ordinary', so we want to go further. And further.
Have a pie and a pint - reward yourself. You've done well.
Just don't go backwards!
The challenge of getting single digit BF may be a goal, but I doubt you'd get any healthier or fitter losing much more.
The problem is, we get the bug - it's almost like anorexia! What would've made us extremely happy when we started out is now achieved so by definition 'ordinary', so we want to go further. And further.
Have a pie and a pint - reward yourself. You've done well.
Just don't go backwards!
That is impressive. Having a goal is good. I dunno if you need to lose more either as LG questions. Perhaps find a use for your new-found fitness?
Having discovered the joy of tennis and dodgeball recently and therefore rediscovered competitive sports, I've been focusing more on improving my ability. It's nice to be able to hold my own against and rub shoulders with people half my age...
... particularly the fit women.
Having discovered the joy of tennis and dodgeball recently and therefore rediscovered competitive sports, I've been focusing more on improving my ability. It's nice to be able to hold my own against and rub shoulders with people half my age...
... particularly the fit women.
I think the definition of fat has changed, we had some fat kids in our class at school, I wasn't skinny but these kids were the properly fat ones, looking at old school photos they weren't all that fat, watch any documentary about the seventies and people just werent fat, I see family photos, even my uncle who I always thought was a bit chunkier was wearing slim fitting flares and wouldnt pass for fat these days.
Go out these days and the world is full of super obese people, many are just overweight, myself included but there is a certain amount of denial, you can carry off a couple of extra stone if you are six foot, but not three stone or more, you run out of places to fit it, there is a guy I work with who goes on about being a "Big lad", like he is some kind of special case but that is the thinking that means you end up at 19 stone plus, most people fit into the normal build category, I have wide shoulders but that doesnt mean I can carry off being significantly overweight.
I reckon, if you turn up somewhere in a nice car it induces a certain amount of kudos, but nothing like having a good physique and being trim, I don't mean being an utter monster, just trim with some definition, and you dont need to wear super tight t shirts or muscle vests and baggies in Sainsburys, that makes you look a bit of a tit, it isnt just a physical advantage, its a bigger psychological one as well.
Go out these days and the world is full of super obese people, many are just overweight, myself included but there is a certain amount of denial, you can carry off a couple of extra stone if you are six foot, but not three stone or more, you run out of places to fit it, there is a guy I work with who goes on about being a "Big lad", like he is some kind of special case but that is the thinking that means you end up at 19 stone plus, most people fit into the normal build category, I have wide shoulders but that doesnt mean I can carry off being significantly overweight.
I reckon, if you turn up somewhere in a nice car it induces a certain amount of kudos, but nothing like having a good physique and being trim, I don't mean being an utter monster, just trim with some definition, and you dont need to wear super tight t shirts or muscle vests and baggies in Sainsburys, that makes you look a bit of a tit, it isnt just a physical advantage, its a bigger psychological one as well.
chris watton said:
I think part of my problem when I was massively overweight was denial. I think there can be a huge difference in what you think you look like, and what you actually look like. It was only when my wife presented me with that photo did the reality hit home and I could pretend no longer.
According to the one size fits all NHS BMI calculator, I am still (just) labelled as overweight! Still a little way to go...
Denial is definitely a big problem. I had it, thought I looked fine. According to the one size fits all NHS BMI calculator, I am still (just) labelled as overweight! Still a little way to go...
I see it a lot in other people who're overweight too, as I get told I look malnourished and skinny. For reference, I'm 12 stone 10-11 give or take now. 6'1", chest size is down from 44" (flabby I suspect) to about 40-41" (not flabby
), and still carrying too much fat around my waist for my liking. I'm not skinny though, it's just that the norm now in this country is fat.
Interestingly, I've just been in Canada for a month where the norm is quite slim, I'm not sure what the problem with the UK is, even in the states the average person is thinner than here, although they do have a number of absolutely huge people to balance it out a bit.
The reason you're high on the BMI scale is you're packing quite a bit of muscle. BMI is for 'normal' builds really, but I'm sure you know that.
We lived and worked in Italy for three years, and one thing I noticed when we came back to the UK was the amount of overweight people (young females especially), plus wheelchair and walking stick users who were no more than middle age! It seemed that very few were fat where we lived in Italy, even the very old used their pushbikes to get around!
Edited by chris watton on Wednesday 1st July 12:52
Super Slo Mo said:
chris watton said:
I think part of my problem when I was massively overweight was denial. I think there can be a huge difference in what you think you look like, and what you actually look like. It was only when my wife presented me with that photo did the reality hit home and I could pretend no longer.
According to the one size fits all NHS BMI calculator, I am still (just) labelled as overweight! Still a little way to go...
Denial is definitely a big problem. I had it, thought I looked fine. According to the one size fits all NHS BMI calculator, I am still (just) labelled as overweight! Still a little way to go...
I see it a lot in other people who're overweight too, as I get told I look malnourished and skinny. For reference, I'm 12 stone 10-11 give or take now. 6'1", chest size is down from 44" (flabby I suspect) to about 40-41" (not flabby
), and still carrying too much fat around my waist for my liking. I'm not skinny though, it's just that the norm now in this country is fat.
Interestingly, I've just been in Canada for a month where the norm is quite slim, I'm not sure what the problem with the UK is, even in the states the average person is thinner than here, although they do have a number of absolutely huge people to balance it out a bit.
The reason you're high on the BMI scale is you're packing quite a bit of muscle. BMI is for 'normal' builds really, but I'm sure you know that.
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