Introduction

Name: Ripx
Age: 32
Height: 6'0
Starting Weight: 240
Status: Married with one child

In my 32 years of life I have struggled with my weight for the vast majority. I am no beginner to the fitness/nutrition world and have walked the walk a few times before. In 2004 I battled my way down 52 pounds but find myself here again at 240 lbs in 2007. It makes me sick to think of all the effort and time I have wasted. As I get older my health has started to deteriorate and I am showing signs of early departure from this life if I don't do anything about it. I am currently on hypertension and high cholesterol meds. When I first went on them about 3 years ago it was only borderline high numbers that they where trying to be proactive about controlling. I know that my weight, activity level, and diet will play hugely into this equation but yet I still find myself in the "fat" situation. I seem to really be lacking motivation to work out or to control what is in my hands to control. So yes I really need to get a grip.

R&R (Reason and Reflection)
I have every reason in the world to take better care of myself. I have a wonderful loving wife. A awesome little 2 year old boy that means the world to me. Some of the best family and friends a guy could have asked for. A good career making a descent salary. A nice home with nice things. I don't ever want to be a embarrassment to my child because daddy is fat. I want to be able to play sports and be active in life. I like to be able to buy clothes and feel I look good in them. I no longer want to avoid having pictures taken of me because I hate the way I look. I am tired of having low self esteem and self image. I would like to be able to go with my shirt off and not feel like a oddity or freak show. I want to be a good role model to those that are most important to me. I know I need to take better care of myself which in return will take better care of the things I love. I want to grow old and watch my family do the same.

TP & RB (Turning Point or Rock Bottom).
These things I want to list for myself as reminders of why something has to change. There have been several things in my life as of late that have made me realize I really need to do this.

1. We just got back from a trip to see my in laws and extended family. When I saw pictures of myself I was thoroughly disgusted. I have been in denial and seeing these pictures made me very aware of just how far I have let myself go.
2. I broke a camping chair while trying to get up out of it (it couldn't handle my weight).
3. One of my good friends commented on the fact that I had gained weight and mentioned how much older it made me look.
4. My wife wrote this to me in a e-mail " "
5. I played a game of pickle ball and my lower back started hurting really bad.
6. I get winded easy and am constantly tired.
7. I feel like I am a big fat slob. I have always thought that the shape that a person is in is a reflection on the type of person they are. So you know what that makes me in my eyes.
8. I am getting older and it only gets harder to maintain a descent physic.

I know many of these things are harsh and may not seem helpful to some or anti productive, but to me a negative equals positive reaction and output. Also I really need to quit lying to myself and stare the truth in the face. I am going to try to and take pictures ever week to show progress. Anyway wish me luck and hopefully I will be successful in learning to live....