Last Visit: Today, 12:10pm Last Forum Post:Never Last Photo Upload: Nov 1, 2009 4:56am Last Profile Update: Today, 8:55am Last Blog Post: Nov 7, 2009 12:58am
Fit Status:
Cruise is two months from today...time to get in gear!
Motivation Level: 10/10
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
James F.
Sex:
Male
Age:
35
Location:
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Occupation:
Computer Security
Personal Website:
Primary Gym:
College:
High School:
When I Started:
Jan, 2009
How I Started:
I lifted when I played football in high school and from time to time in college. After I graduated college, I stayed relatively active. My wife and I had our first child, but I still regularly went to the local YMCA, where I lifted 2-3 times per week and played basketball 3 days a week. Then in 2005, my wife and I were shocked to find out that my wife was pregnant with quadruplets! On top of that, three days earlier, we had signed a contract selling our house because we had purchased some land a few months earlier with plans of building a new home. Since our family size was getting ready to explode, I decided to build the house myself to save some on the building costs while also working a full time job and trying to take care of my wife and daughter during a very difficult pregnancy. Over the next eight months, I rarely got more than 4 hours of sleep per day, never got any exercise aside from loading/unloading building supplies, and solely ate from fast food or convenience stores. I completed the house in early 2006 and moved my family of 7 into our new place looking forward to being able to breathe a sigh of relief and slow down a bit...afterall, all I now had to do was work my full time job and help my wife take care of 4 newborns. It did not take long to realize, though, that a larger family requires a lot more money to survive...bigger house payment, 600 diapers a month, more electricity, bigger vehicles which require more gas....the list goes on. So, before too long, it was apparent that I was going to have to take a side job to make ends meet, which meant getting back in shape was going to be delayed a little longer. Fast forward a couple of years, and I am at my all-time heaviest of 200 pounds and in horrible shape. I could not walk up the hill in our backyard without getting out of breath. In October, 2008, I made the decision that I was on the wrong path. If I wanted to see my kids grow into adults and continue to provide as the only source of income for our family, then I had to start taking care of myself. While working at my second job one weekend, I told the guys that I was going to lose 20 pounds before Christmas. A buddy bet me that I could not do it. With 2 weeks to go, I was down 15 pounds. At that time, we both called the bet off...he was scared I was going to win, and I was scared I'd never get the last 5 pounds off.
During that time, I lost the weight using a low carb diet. Even though I had lost weight, I still did not feel that much better and my energy had not improved. A few weeks after Christmas (and after gaining 4-5 pounds back over the holidays), I decided to try Body for Life and started the program on Jan. 12. Over the 12 weeks, I lost another 13 pounds, significantly improved my body composition, and increased my energy levels. At the end of the 12 weeks, I finally fit within the "ideal" weight range for the first time in a long time. However, the biggest accomplishment was and is feeling healthier than I ever have in my life!
I look forward to continuing my fitness journey and showing my kids how to live a healthy, active, and well-balanced life!
Why I Love It:
Builds self confidence, increases energy, enhances appearance, and overall makes me a healthier person.
How I Stay Motivated:
Thinking of my kids and knowing that they need me in their life, both to provide for them and to serve as a role model. Also, looking at my old pictures and looking at the transformation pictures of other BS members.
BB Accomplishments:
Losing 25 pounds while becoming stronger than I ever have been (for now).
I am taking my family on a cruise on January 7, so it is time to button down and get ready for shirtless days. I have been slacking for the last 3-4 weeks, claiming that work has gotten in the way. With the holidays coming and the vacation, it is time to get serious again! As someone...
ey bud how are the work outs coming? kids treating you ok? My oldest turned 16 this month. May want to stay off the roads, she got her permit.lol..take care.
HI! Its coming along good :) The mornings are pretty much the only best time for me to workout. I also feel great walking out of there with plenty of energy! What is your training like?
My kids are 2 and 4. The oldest is the girl, both are 100 miles an hour. The boy is all boy. If i raised my voice to my daughter she cries, my son is a different story. Lots of time outs.
Aw! That's so cute! Sounds like something my 3 would do. Although 2 of my 3 are sick but are bouncing off the walls like they're fine. What happened to staying in bed, reading a book until you get better? Oh wait, that's MY ideal day. HA!
AWSOME!!! If I could make enough money for the wife to stay home I could talk the wife into more kids. We are going to have one more making three, but that will probably be it. What are there ages and personalities like, laid back or hyper?
Normally about 5 times a week. Always at the least 250 reps each time. I usually try to do them monday thru friday at the end of each workout...They are something you can hit everyday and mold the way you want