Good for you, and good luck.  I lost close to 60lbs earlier this year by doing a weight loss comp at work with weekly weigh ins and a 3 month biggest loser reward.  I won it and honestly don't know if i would have been into it as much if the money wasn't there and i didn't have my own $20 dollar entry. Being off my diet 10 lbs have creeped back, so that tells me I need to start watching my diet again.  I counted calories as well.  Before you know it, it becomes second nature. And the great thing is, is that a calorie is a calorie.  By counting calories you don't have to limit yourself by not eating any certain thing if you want do it, but just make sure it is logged and you stay with-in your goal. I had several weeks that were close to 10 lbs lost and several that was 1 or 2.  I would suggest maybe trying 3 month blocks instead of 2 years.  Give yourself a goal like 30 lbs for the first 3 months, that way you have a goal to strive for and will not be able to tell yourself that "there's plenty of time to make it up" if you are down (or not) a week.  Good luck and look forward to the updates,

Awesome. Good luck in your journey.

By the time the next Newport Cup comes around we'll be ripped 

I think it took me like a year to get near 235 lbs from the 285-290 range. Weight lose will be quick in the first 6 months if you are consistent with your plan. 

Hey that sounds familiar!  I went from 285 in January to 230 in September.  Goal is still (loosely) 215.

Hunter, I totally agree with you about having a goal with exercise other than "run x miles" or "lift x weight."  That's why the karate is working out so well for me.  It's good exercise in the context of a sport (one that I had no idea I'd like so much), with the goals being the belts.

Good luck to both of you!!

Good luck Hunter, as a young man it great when you take control of your heath and fitness.

It much easier now while your young and single, than later when obligations demand most of your time.

Sounds like you'll have support from Matt and Drew, both have experienced success with their lives. 

Club Rat

Besides when I was doing sports in high school the time I was in the best shape of my life was when I had a goal as well.  That goal was a triathlon so I trained for each segment and knew I would have to build lean muscle up as well.  I spent a fair amount of time in the gym, running, and swimming in the lap pool.  

I think I am going to train for a triathlon again.

Good luck!

That's some really good advice. I think I will break it down into a few month blocks. 

Thanks Matt. I think this plan'll stick, or at least I hope it well. 

Yeah, this goal thing has already helped motivate me. Now I have accountability in terms of golf improvement/fitness, which I never did before. 

Thanks John. I appreciate it. And I agree; another, hidden motive was that with being out of college and having my degree put me in a position where I knew my free time (i.e. time to figure out how I wanted to do things) was rapidly dwindling. I kind of looked at myself and realized that with work and other things in my life I might never find the time; the quicker I start it, the better chance I have of sticking with it. 

Totally agree! I played two sports (football and golf) while I was in high school, and I spent a lot of time working out and playing for fun with friends. I didn't realize how much better shape I was in then, and I regret not sticking with it. I'm trying to get back into that mindset again. 

That's great to hear about your triathlon! I hope it all works all well and you get to where you hope to be.