Time to get in shape

[tristanhilton85]

So first a little back story.... At the end of '09 I was the heaviest I'd ever been at 220 lbs... not really huge by any means but I was out of shape and felt like crap... I went on a serious diet and along with some exercise got down to 175 lbs by March '10.  At that point I let up a little on the diet and exercise as I didn't want to loose anymore weight but just maintain it... Well here we are now about a 1 1/2 later and I'm 210 lbs.  Crap.  Anyways, I'm trying to loose it again and am rejoining the gym.

One thing that I am doing differently this time around, however, is I'm going to be walking a lot more when I golf.  Living in the Palm Springs area has major pros when it comes to golfing as there are great courses around here.  The downside is that nearly every single one, including my home course makes you ride in a cart... However, I found out over the summer that my "second" home course (SilverRock resort, formerly part of the Bob Hope) allows walking... When I found out it was about 105° outside so I passed on it then but I finally did walk the course yesterday.  With the exception of walking the local par 3 course twice within the last 2 years, I haven't walked a golf course since high school, and even then it was only 9 holes.  Needless to say, the walking kind of kicked my ass, but at the same time it was enjoyable.

I ended up having the worst round I've had in a long time (104) and a good deal of that is I was pretty fatigued from the walking... My goal is to get to the point where that isn't an issue anymore.  It is a little pricer for me to play there versus my other home course, but I'll probably do it once a month at least and I think it'll kind of be a good test each month to see how my work at the gym is paying off.

Anyways, I plan on using this thread to track my progress and help keep me in line with my goals.

[bunkerputt]

I've been exactly 221.3 lbs for something like two years straight.  I'm trying to get down to 210.  It's really tough, especially with turkey season approaching.  Good luck Tristan.

[newtogolf]

Good luck on your quest.  It's not abnormal for your body to gravitate towards a particular weight range which for you seems to be around 210 - 220.  Rather than relying on weight I'd suggest you focus on body composition.  Have your body fat measured by a professional to get the most accurate reading.  There are a number of ways to measure body fat such as;

• Underwater Weighing - expensive but accurate
• Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis- easy but inaccurate
• BIA Body Fat Scales and Hang Grip Tests - easy but not accurate
• Near Infrared Interactance - safe, easy and fairly accurate
• Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry - easiest and most accurate
• Skin fold Measurements - Calipers - easy and accurate if done by a trained technician

Body fat percentages provide better information than weight so you can design a program that will best help you achieve your fitness goals.  The chart below is fairly universal in categorizing body fat percentages in relation to overall fitness levels.

Description	Women	Men
Essential fat	10–13%	2–5%
Athletes	14–20%	6–13%
Fitness	21–24%	14–18%
Average	25–31%	18–24%
Obese	32%+	25%+

If you're body fat is less than 13% you may find it's very difficult to lose and maintain weight loss.  If you work out a lot or do physical labor and eat healthy you may find your body prefers to maintain a certain level of muscle mass which is why you seem to have difficulty staying under 210.

[saevel25]

There are a few equations, were you take neck size and waist size, and it can give you a general idea of body fat. I take it as, if your not an athlete, Like football player who might have a neck size of godzilla, its probably with in a few precentage points. Good enough..

Since its impossible to work out a specific area to reduce that area's body fat, meaing your body looses fat the way its genetically made up. Usually from outward in, meaing body fat at the furthest point, around the face, legs, arms, then to the core area, then around the organs. So the easiest way for me is just look at my belt size. I am to the point were majority of my body fat is in the stomach, and internal around the organs. So if my belt is getting smaller, i am loosing body fat.

But the key for me, cut out as much sugar as possible. I really sarted loosing more weight cutting out pop. That and i cook fresh as possible, i never eat frozen dinners, and premade meals. I love to cook so it just fuels a passion. But its great way to get healthy.