What does it mean to be "Livin' Large?"

[James Newman]

When JP and I were brainstorming this subforum we had a lot of ideas. Great ideas if you ask me. What I am really interested in; however, is what are YOUR ideas?

For you, what does it mean to be "Livin' Large?"

For me, it is the transition from a state of self-indulgence and physical degradation to a state of physical edification (strength, wellness) with a peace of mind (read:contentment). It is about living with passion. It is more about DOING big things than being a BIG thing. It is about being larger than life...but not in and of ourselves.

As a blogger (unsinkablemollybrown) put it:

Livin' large means viewing life as one Great Adventure, not wasting a precious moment, learning something new every day, and being thankful for what you have...

The world is ours! We are Livin' Large......now what are we going to do with it?

What do you want to see in this subforum?
What do you want to share with others?

Lurkers....time to continue to come out of the woodwork. This subforum is for ALL of us. For those of you who have already walked the path that we are now walking, please continue to chime in too. Thank you for your support and sharing of knowledge.


Newman

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by James Newman

For you, what does it mean to be "Livin' Large?"

For me, it is the transition from a state of self-indulgence and physical degradation to a state of physical edification (strength, wellness) with a peace of mind (read:contentment). It is about living with passion. It is more about DOING big things than being a BIG thing. It is about being larger than life...but not in and of ourselves.

Strangely, what initiated my latest journey to be fit was a tiny event, four or five years ago. I went downstairs to get my daughter a drink. I came back up and was huffing and puffing. My daughter looked at me like I was crazy. I decided that I'd better get in shape and lose some weight.

I didn't immediately go out and lose weight, but it was the tiny spark that eventually lit a fire under me. Here I am now.

I hope people will share their stories here. You may not think your story is motivating, but it is. There's someone like you, lurking here.

I hope people will share their hopes, frustrations, fears, successes, and all. But, whatever you do, just come off "lurker" status and start posting.

When I posted that I'd lost over 70lbs, I got some message indicating surprise. At work, the newbies never saw the fat me. And, without a mirror to look into, I still think of myself as fat. I even find myself reading articles in Men's Health on how to dress to look thinner... But, there are pros and cons to all of these things, I don't know that I want to ever forget that I was fat.

So, that's one story. Sorta motivational? You got folks who don't buy that you were fat. You got yourself still seeing yourself as fat. Same time.

Here's something else. Losing weight is hard. Eating right is hard (at first). Some people look at their new lifestyle and dread eating that way forever. Believe me, it gets easier. Just like eating too much became a habit, so does eating right.

I spent a good three years counting calories, and thinking about what I shouldn't eat. Now, it's old hat. When people tell you that it's not a diet it's a lifestyle, they leave out the part about your new lifestyle becoming a part of you and no longer being something you have to constantly focus on. At some point, you find yourself focusing on other things, and food will no longer be your focus.

It's weird to write all this, because I feel like no one ever understands. I don't know anyone who's ever gone on a diet and stayed on it. No one.

Sometimes, I look in the mirror and feel like crying. I'm 39 and for 35 years, I was big. It was a fantasy to be fit and slim. But, part of me thought it would never happen and that was why I'd always failed. Once I knew I'd do it, I did it. (still hard to believe, sometimes)

I've said enough for now.

[Lifty]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

Strangely, what initiated my latest journey to be fit was a tiny event, four or five years ago. I went downstairs to get my daughter a drink. I came back up and was huffing and puffing. My daughter looked at me like I was crazy. I decided that I'd better get in shape and lose some weight.

I didn't immediately go out and lose weight, but it was the tiny spark that eventually lit a fire under me. Here I am now.

I hope people will share their stories here. You may not think your story is motivating, but it is. There's someone like you, lurking here.

I hope people will share their hopes, frustrations, fears, successes, and all. But, whatever you do, just come off "lurker" status and start posting.

When I posted that I'd lost over 70lbs, I got some message indicating surprise. At work, the newbies never saw the fat me. And, without a mirror to look into, I still think of myself as fat. I even find myself reading articles in Men's Health on how to dress to look thinner... But, there are pros and cons to all of these things, I don't know that I want to ever forget that I was fat.

So, that's one story. Sorta motivational? You got folks who don't buy that you were fat. You got yourself still seeing yourself as fat. Same time.

Here's something else. Losing weight is hard. Eating right is hard (at first). Some people look at their new lifestyle and dread eating that way forever. Believe me, it gets easier. Just like eating too much became a habit, so does eating right.

I spent a good three years counting calories, and thinking about what I shouldn't eat. Now, it's old hat. When people tell you that it's not a diet it's a lifestyle, they leave out the part about your new lifestyle becoming a part of you and no longer being something you have to constantly focus on. At some point, you find yourself focusing on other things, and food will no longer be your focus.

It's weird to write all this, because I feel like no one ever understands. I don't know anyone who's ever gone on a diet and stayed on it. No one.

Sometimes, I look in the mirror and feel like crying. I'm 39 and for 35 years, I was big. It was a fantasy to be fit and slim. But, part of me thought it would never happen and that was why I'd always failed. Once I knew I'd do it, I did it. (still hard to believe, sometimes)

I've said enough for now.

This darn story deserves a bump. Lost Dog I am REALLY becoming fond of you! You are an inspiration.

Here's my story. Well a small, very small, part of it.

I have never been over weight per say. I have always been able to lose some fat. I never knew how to go about it. I always thought endless amounts of cardio and minimal amount of weight lifting was the way to go. I finally found a forum, that led me to this forum, and I am well on my way to becoming a lean mean fighting machine. I am not looking to become miss Olympic, I am just trying to be lean and healthy.

During these last few months I have definitely gone through ups and downs. And still am. (currently an up as of today.) I figure all the people I admire have been doing this for years and the reason they semi have a hang of it is because they have been doing this for so long. I still have some learning to do.

My biggest stall in my program has been Diet. I did great at first, but then the 4th of july came and I went on a mini vacation to my parents lake house (mom cooks a LOT and really, REALLY good.) During that week I would have no access to a gym and access to lots of food and lots of beer. I took that week as my 'break' week from my work out, since I hadn't in months. My goal before this trip was to look and feel the best I have ever felt in past years during our 4th of july trip. Goal met. Onto my next. BUT I just fell off the band wagon of diet after that.

I have since slightly gotten back on track. I found one of my biggest problems in diet is drinking. I just love to have beer on the weekend. I stopped before the 4th of July and It has been real hard to go back since. Well, one of my goals are to not binge drink on the weekend. I am starting with this weekend. (along side of many of my re-occurring goals)

Anyway, I guess this turned way longer then hoped. Maybe you'll read it, maybe you won't. Lost dog inspired me to stop lurking. Blame him.

[stingo]

Dang Lost Dog, didn't realize you'd dropped 70lbs - congratulations!

Lifty - beer is my problem too... Trying to support a new local beer bar is tough work, but someone's gotta do it.

The start of my story can be found here at post #23.

[Lifty]

Originally Posted by stingo

Dang Lost Dog, didn't realize you'd dropped 70lbs - congratulations!

Lifty - beer is my problem too... Trying to support a new local beer bar is tough work, but someone's gotta do it.

The start of my story can be found here at post #23.

Yup nothing beats a nice cold bruskie after a long day of work. Or a nice hot summer day and an ice cold beer. mmmmmm. haha

I am going to start reading your story after I post this.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by stingo

Dang Lost Dog, didn't realize you'd dropped 70lbs - congratulations!

Lifty - beer is my problem too... Trying to support a new local beer bar is tough work, but someone's gotta do it.

The start of my story can be found here at post #23.

Thanks guys!

By my calculations, I've lost about 70lbs of fat. I went from 235 and fat, down to 165 and not so lean, but have since popped back up to 185 and lean.

[Simon C]

Dang Lost Dog, I also didn't realize you'd dropped 70lbs - congratulations!