Just wanted to say hey :-)

[Fish Chris]

In case anyone wonders where I've been, and what the heck I've been up to....

Well, the whacked out weather caused me more lost days of fishing this Spring, than any other year in my life I replaced some of that time with photography.

But my big new major change in life, has been my new health and fitness kick.

Do any of you watch "Biggest Loser" ? Well, I haven't been on TV, but I'm a pretty big loser myself

October of 09', I weighed 268 lbs. Blood pressure averaged 150 over 100 ! (yikes !) Cholesterol, about 300 ! Geeez, I wonder why ? You don't think it could have been from eating 6000 to 8000 calories a day (seriously !) of fat, processed sugar, and chemicals I can't even pronounce, do you ? In a nutshell, I was heading for an early grave !

Skip to the present. (9 months later)

I currently weigh 196 (72 lb loss) Blood pressure averaging 123 over 78. Haven't had the cholesterol checked yet, but it has to be down.

I'm still eating a good, healthy amount of calories... was about 2000 a day, when I was fat cutting, but I have bumped it back up to 2500 now, with the addition of protein shakes, for muscle building, and cardio workouts.

Still almost ZERO processed sugar though. And what little fat I get, comes from Salmon, avocado's, and almonds / nuts.

I'm doing this power hill climb thing (it's 3.0 miles, and involves an 1100 foot vertical climb) 3 or 4 days a week. Still kicks my arse.... but my time has improved by like 30%.

And yesterday, I just got me my Bowflex ! Whooo Hooo !

So, with my current weight at 196, and body fat, still probably 16%, my 3 year goal, is to get back up to 215 (220 or 225 would be even cooler though ) at 8% body fat. I always wanted to be ripped. From 15 to 18 years old, I was well on my way..... then, somehow my stupid arse let that get away

But that's water under the bridge, right ? I can't change the past, but I can sure change the future !

Anyway, sorry to ramble. But as you can tell, I'm pretty stoked

Here's my new toy

Wish I had some better "ugly, fat shots"... I was such a master, at hiding it... But even with size 40 pants, and a huge shirt, you can still see that belly rolling... and that pumpkin head...

I've actually lost about 20 more lbs since this shot, but as I say, I'm not trying to lose any more weight now anyway... just a little more fat, and start gaining muscle.

Don't worry, I'll be posting some fish pics sometime soon.

Maybe Halibut next week ?

Almost surely Sturgeon this Fall.

And definitely a few of those Green and Bronze ones next Spring

Hope everyone is doing well, and sticking some good ones.

Peace,

Fish

[Big Tom]

It is really good to hear from you and I am glad everything is going alright.

Congratulations on the weight loss, too.

[1inStripes]

Awesome FC.  Amazing job on the weight loss, but even in your picture of the bowflex my eyes couldn't help but notice the big fat bass pictures you have hanging up.

Keep up the good work man.

[Dwight Hottle]

Your on the road to a much healthier lifestyle. The added bonus of losing weight beside the the obvious health benefits is that your fish pictures will look even better because of the contrast between the smaller you & your trophy's will be even greater. 

[SirSnookalot]

Outstanding, you look great.  I bought the first generation bowflex back in 87 or 88 ( still have it ), far cry from the new ones.  4 times a week for an hour I was totally ripped.

[Fish Chris]

Much thanks guys

To say I feel better now, just doesn't close to describing it. I actually feel like a whole different person.

I was thinking that since I got the Bowflex, I was just going to concentrate really hard on it, 3 days, and only do my cardio every 4th day, for a little while.....

But I didn't climb my hill yesterday, and today I think I'll be climbing the walls if I don't go do some kind of cardio again !

It's starting to get to the point where "I just have to do something to release those endorphines" or I'll go crazy !

But I guess this is a good addiction to have, right ?

Thanks again guys,

Peace,

Fish

[Nibbles]

The difference is actually quite big between your old and new pictures.

Gone are the round cheeks, and the bulge around your waistline. Your shoulders and chest are noticeably wider than your waist now.

Congrats!

I'm also cutting weight with the goal of adding some more muscle as well. Currently at 245 with a BP of around 110 over 80, so I guess I will have an easier time getting healthy due to me not having to watch my BP as much 

Still, my body fat % is likely around 21-24%, so that's gotta go down for sure.

For protein, I would invest in whey protein isolate powder as it's much lower in fat and cholesterol for the same amount of protein when compared to premade shakes and whey protein concentrate powder.

If you want to build muscle and lose fat, remember to drink a protein shake after each cardio workout so your body doesn't start to burn your hard earned muscle for fuel.

Wish you luck.

[FishingBuds]

Thats awsome Fish and hard dedication, way to go man 8-)

[Dockhead]

So this Bowflex thing really works??!!

I hate the idea of going to the gym, but would love to have something in the house.

All of those things just always seem like such a gimmick.

[Grey Wolf]

You definitely made a life altering decision which should add years to your life. Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sam]

You look awesome!

You are an inspiration to all of us who need to drop a few pounds, like me.

Thanks for the post. I will start swimming again and once again be thin and happy!  ;D

[roadwarrior]

Man, you're lookin' stealthy!

;D ;D ;D

[Glenn]

You look great Chris!  You've inspired me as I'm sure others too!

[SirSnookalot]

Bowflex definitely is not a gimmick, the real deal.   Along with my bowflex I had a nordic track, great cardio workout.

[Fish Chris]

Much thanks again guys

Hey SirSnook, that's for sure ! I got a great work out last night. Of course it's up to you how hard you train on the thing. I'm starting out light... don't want any injuries. But I can already tell that by bumping the tension up a little, and going through full steady motions, that thing will flat kick your but !

Oh, and yea', late this Fall, when the weather starts turning, and I can't do my hill climbs, I plan to get a tread mill... or maybe a good exercise bike.

Big muscles look cool, but heart / lungs are what keep you alive.

Peace,

Fish

[fishinfiend]

Great job, Chris! You are doing great!

[tallydude]

Chris, you're looking great! Great motivation for all of us.

[MrWrinkle]

Awesome job -- be proud of yourself for working so hard at it! I know what you've been through... A couple of years ago I lost 70lbs with a combination of better eating habits, treadmill, Bowflex and a 100lb punch bag (the latter is amazing cardio, and an awesome stress reliever!). Keep it up -- it's well worth it!

[Hammer 4]

WTG Chris...look forward to those cool fish reports.. 8-)

[Vyron]

Great transformation Chris, keep up the good work!! 

[edbassmaster]

Congrats Chris! I have been coming here all the time wondering where you were. Besides...I think we were only looking at your awesome bass pics, I never even knew what you looked like

[Redlinerobert]

Chris,

Congratulations on getting back into shape.  I too have been gong through the same thing.  I've lost 20 lbs, am gaining muscle now and feel so much better.

I can't work out at home, I need to go to a gym.  3 days a week I lift weights and 2 days a week I run.  That combination works well for me.  Im also taking whey protein as well as protein shakes as a meal replacement.  The combination has helped me drop weight consistently.  I went from a 'snug' 36 inch waist to now where my 34's fit loose. 

I think the biggest change for me was all of the Cokes I was drinking.  Literally I'd drink 3 -4 a day.   Now I might have 3-4 a week, but I only drink the glass bottled ones from Mexico which are made with real cane sugar and not the high fructose crap they sell here.  Also no more junk food. 

Keep up the good work Chris.

[grimlin]

Great job on losing all that weight and improving your health!

We miss you around here!