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My name is Steanson, and I am a 39 yr old nearing 40, and made the insane career change decision a year ago to become a firefighter. I’m almost there, but the PAT’s (physical agility tests) are giving me some problems. Google PAT, CPAT or youtube firefighter combat challenge to get an idea of what it’s like.
^(FAT AND UNHAPPY ME)^
In high school and college I was so skinny I thought the only way to get "bigger" was to first just pack on pounds, then the muscles would be easier to build. Little did I know that I would bounce from 135 to a whopping 198, where I stayed for many years...never gaining, never losing. I wasn't happy with it, but not so concerned I was compelled to do something about it. There was one time, my last semester of college, that a breakup caused me to go extreme, get into shape, and show "her" that I was the guy for her...but a semester of beer and pizza brought me right back to where I was before.
The first time I tried Atkins was around 2000. I made it through induction and several months of clean eating, but the thirty something pounds I lost returned due to poor choices...pizza, pasta, pies, taco cabana. I also knocked my weight down from 214 to 190 at the end of 2006 when I signed up for the fire academy as a major career change late in my life. 24 pounds in 3 months was amazing, considering I ate anything and everything (no alcohol though), but that’s what 2 hours of PT in the morning and in the evening 5 days a week will do. I also killed a 500-count bottle of advil in that time. ;^) Following the academy was EMT school…and LOTS of sitting and reading, and back to the cocktails...POOF, 215 lbs all over again.
So here I am. Thought I would give it a go again (although I gave in to the whiskey and water for a Soldier's Return Party and a friend's birthday...I forgot induction was two weeks, but I have stayed true (aside from the alcohol). Actually, this started last weekend when I knew I had a Physical Agility Test with a great department coming up. This was going to be the most difficult test ever, as not only will I be wearing a 50 lb weight vest, but also 10 lb ankle weights while performing multiple tasks in a timed event. I NEEDED TO DROP WEIGHT. Aside from the obvious needs to be healthy and fit, the best way to offset added weight is to lose the weight on ME. My problem is really just my gut (ok, a little under the chin), but I have made it my goal to be fit, look fit, and “get the badge” before I hit 40 on Christmas Day. I think the hardest part is dealing with all the armchair nutritionists out there…”It’s not healthy”…”It’s going to kill your metabolism” (uh, which metabolism is that?)…”You NEED carbs!” (right dolface, carbs, not CAKES)…but only time and results will silence the naysayers, and possibly even pick up a few converts along the way. I think the funniest part of all this is that I actually have vegans tell me it’s not healthy to eat only one kind of food. Ungh.
So there ya have it, I started writing this in my profile bio and realized I was long winded and needed to post an intro message in the forum. Oh, on a little side note, I found this site the other day on the googles when I searched “nori spicy tuna handroll” trying to get some advice on the seaweed wraps…was distracted my a recipe for muffins, and here I am. =)
I wish everyone well in your endeavors and hope to hear from you when I hit a stumbling block.
Sincerely,
Steanson Parks, Jr.
^(FAT AND UNHAPPY ME)^
In high school and college I was so skinny I thought the only way to get "bigger" was to first just pack on pounds, then the muscles would be easier to build. Little did I know that I would bounce from 135 to a whopping 198, where I stayed for many years...never gaining, never losing. I wasn't happy with it, but not so concerned I was compelled to do something about it. There was one time, my last semester of college, that a breakup caused me to go extreme, get into shape, and show "her" that I was the guy for her...but a semester of beer and pizza brought me right back to where I was before.
The first time I tried Atkins was around 2000. I made it through induction and several months of clean eating, but the thirty something pounds I lost returned due to poor choices...pizza, pasta, pies, taco cabana. I also knocked my weight down from 214 to 190 at the end of 2006 when I signed up for the fire academy as a major career change late in my life. 24 pounds in 3 months was amazing, considering I ate anything and everything (no alcohol though), but that’s what 2 hours of PT in the morning and in the evening 5 days a week will do. I also killed a 500-count bottle of advil in that time. ;^) Following the academy was EMT school…and LOTS of sitting and reading, and back to the cocktails...POOF, 215 lbs all over again.
So here I am. Thought I would give it a go again (although I gave in to the whiskey and water for a Soldier's Return Party and a friend's birthday...I forgot induction was two weeks, but I have stayed true (aside from the alcohol). Actually, this started last weekend when I knew I had a Physical Agility Test with a great department coming up. This was going to be the most difficult test ever, as not only will I be wearing a 50 lb weight vest, but also 10 lb ankle weights while performing multiple tasks in a timed event. I NEEDED TO DROP WEIGHT. Aside from the obvious needs to be healthy and fit, the best way to offset added weight is to lose the weight on ME. My problem is really just my gut (ok, a little under the chin), but I have made it my goal to be fit, look fit, and “get the badge” before I hit 40 on Christmas Day. I think the hardest part is dealing with all the armchair nutritionists out there…”It’s not healthy”…”It’s going to kill your metabolism” (uh, which metabolism is that?)…”You NEED carbs!” (right dolface, carbs, not CAKES)…but only time and results will silence the naysayers, and possibly even pick up a few converts along the way. I think the funniest part of all this is that I actually have vegans tell me it’s not healthy to eat only one kind of food. Ungh.
So there ya have it, I started writing this in my profile bio and realized I was long winded and needed to post an intro message in the forum. Oh, on a little side note, I found this site the other day on the googles when I searched “nori spicy tuna handroll” trying to get some advice on the seaweed wraps…was distracted my a recipe for muffins, and here I am. =)
I wish everyone well in your endeavors and hope to hear from you when I hit a stumbling block.
Sincerely,
Steanson Parks, Jr.
The healthiest lifestyle there is!
Wow! between Atkins and your rigorous firemans training workout you will be at goal in no time. Just stick with it! be true to the plan and it WILL work for you! Booze is rung 5 on the ladder. You could be there in 7 weeks or so. Welcome aboard!
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