My New Erg Adventure for Weight Loss and Health!

[IMHester]

BPP Week 3 is in the books! Took a couple of breaks on the long distance pieces which is an improvment from week 2. Did the last workout (BPP 3.5 - 500m rows /2min intervals x6) this morning and kept the final interval separate and made it my PB! Just about killed myself but it felt good when I saw that it was a big improvment on my last 500m ranked piece!

Still not focusing too much on the pace, just glad I've got this far with it.

[Steve1960VA]

I was once nearly your weight, not so long ago, so this thread is interesting to me.

I always read your updates. For many people, a lot of weight can be lost, if they really, really put their mind to it.

Good luck to you.

[IMHester]

I was once nearly your weight, not so long ago, so this thread is interesting to me.

I always read your updates. For many people, a lot of weight can be lost, if they really, really put their mind to it.

Good luck to you.

Steve:

Absolutely correct. I'll be the first one to admit that I have barely made any changes to my diet. As you say, I need to put my mind to it (which hasn't happened yet). The posting to this thread is somewhat of a motivator in itself; I want this thread to ultimately be a success story since I see a lot of people have been reading it and I want to be an inspiration. Of course nothing is easy, especially when you weigh what I weigh.

I know myself, and I know from experience if I start 'dieting' (I hate that word btw) I'm doomed to fail and fall off of it eventually. I ultimately need to transition to a lifestyle change that is something that I can accept for the long term.

As for rowing, I love it. It makes me feel great and I'm starting to embrace the BPP. I will own an erg for the rest of my life.

And thank you for reading my posts and updates. It's always good to know I'm not the only one out there!

[IMHester]

BPP Week 4 - Complete!

Did the first 4 days during the work week and finished the 5th and final workout for the week today. Also completed the C2 Dog Days Challenge for week 2 so it was a good accomplishment. I have to admit I had some beer and whiskey last night so my head was hurting a little so I was dreading today's workout, but once I got on and got a rhythm going I felt very good!

My attitude is getting better towards the distance workouts; when I tried to start the BPP up a couple of months ago I was not looking forward to the longer distances which made me quit at week 2. I'm finding what works for me and I'm now looking forward to the distance pieces - I'm typically doing them in the mornings before I go to work and found that this keeps me energized all day and I'm getting a very good nights rest.

I'm not paying attention to the paces either, I'm just focusing on doing the best I can. If I actually complete the entire plan I may consider doing it again and putting more focus on pacing but that's far away

[Anth_F]

I have to admit I had some beer and whiskey last night so my head was hurting but once I got on and got a rhythm going I felt very good!

Wish i could say the same for me.

Never have a good session after a night on the plonk.

[IMHester]

BPP Week 5 complete!

Thursday's 7k was a little rough; absolutely didn't want to get on the rower in the morning before work but I didn't have time after work and I'm trying to stay true to keeping each week's workout confined to Sunday-Saturday at the same time completing the C2 Dog Days Challenge. I broke through the funk about half way through the piece and felt great! Just goes to show that once you get going you WILL feel good.

I'm also proud to say that I jumped on the scale this morning - I haven't weighed myself since the beginning of the plan - I'm down to 285 pounds (129kg)! Lost 25 pounds since starting the BPP at 310 pounds 5 weeks ago. I've slowly made some minor changes such as eating more oatmeal in the mornings and decreasing my meal portions. These are things that I can definitely do without feeling like I'm starving myself.

Still a long way to go to my goal of being 220-200lb range but I'm glad I'm seeing a difference. Much more energy nowadays and it felt pretty good change the number to 285 on my signature

[hjs]

Thats very much, sounds very good.

[Steve1960VA]

BPP Week 5 complete!.......I'm also proud to say that I jumped on the scale this morning - I haven't weighed myself since the beginning of the plan - I'm down to 285 pounds (129kg)! Lost 25 pounds since starting the BPP at 310 pounds 5 weeks ago. I've slowly made some minor changes such as eating more oatmeal in the mornings and decreasing my meal portions. These are things that I can definitely do without feeling like I'm starving myself.

Still a long way to go to my goal of being 220-200lb range but I'm glad I'm seeing a difference. Much more energy nowadays and it felt pretty good change the number to 285 on my signature

Moving from ~310 to 285 is a very significant achievement - I know from personal experience. My sincere congratulations to you. Just please don't do what I've done and let a bunch of lost weight creep back on. Gotta stay vigilant (and I'm speaking as much to myself as to you).

If you get to that 220 you'll be amazed at how much different you'll look and how much younger and probably more energetic you'll feel. It's worth the effort, or it was / is to me.

Two years ago I lost from 307 to 230. At a plant (workplace) photo session a person with whom I'd worked for years, but who I don't interface with often, didn't know who I was when she was positioning me for the photo! That much difference. Good luck to you.

[IMHester]

Finished up BPP Week 6 yesterday and it was a rough one. Had a sinus infection so there were a couple of days that I didn't want to get on, but did nevertheless. Once again, felt great to accomplish it!

Completed BPP 7.1 this morning (8k) which was a little challenging but the fact that I finished is still a great feeling and is one of the reasons I like the BPP. Every week is a longer distance and is that much more difficult but every week you can be proud of yourself that you finished! I took several 'standing' breaks where I got up off the erg, stretched, had some water, and oh yeah changed out some laundry. Taking that advice from some of you about focusing on just completing the darn thing has paid off. Serious rowing like this is new to me so I'm still finding myself and learning not to push too hard (except for the CTC challenges); better times and paces will eventually be there.

Also finished the Dog Days Challenge at the same time. From reading the forums, it appears the challenges aren't revered much but I do like them - a reason for me to buy a T-Shirt

[jackarabit]

Chris, the deadlines of these seasonal challenges encourage the habit of daily exercise. They don't have to be revered--just done. Don't be put off this basic training tool by pace shamers and self-appointed fraud investigators.

[IMHester]

BPP Week 8 is complete! 1/3 of the way through it and it's not getting any easier Last workout of week 8 is a 3-1000m interval workout so I went for a PB on the last 1000 and cut my pace from 2.27 to 2.18! This week also marked the halfway point to my first 1 million meters.

[Neorticros]

Wow, losing 5 lb a week even if they were the first 5 weeks was huge. Just need to remember this if a long way race, even if you just lost 1 lb a week, by the end of a year you'd have lost 50 lb. Think about it, weight is long way race and keep it up!!

[IMHester]

Wow, losing 5 lb a week even if they were the first 5 weeks was huge. Just need to remember this if a long way race, even if you just lost 1 lb a week, by the end of a year you'd have lost 50 lb. Think about it, weight is long way race and keep it up!!

Thank you Neo, and you are absolutely correct. I don't ever go on the scale because to me that is just a number, it's all about how you are feeling and I'm feeling great! And yes, this is a race for longevity of life so hopefully it will be an extremely long one

[IMHester]

Week 12 is complete and I am half way through the BPP! Didn't think I could make it this far but I did it! This is the first week I didn't complete all 5 workouts; I hurt my foot so I'm giving it a couple of days rest. I was trying to get to 200k for the Fall Team Challenge but I'm not so sure I'll be able to make it by the 15th but I'll definitely complete as many meters as possible.

Figured that trying to row with an injury as slight as it is would be counter-productive.

The BPP is definitely getting tougher but I always take the longer distances in stride and just go for it. Again, I have to thank you folks that reached out and gave me some encouraging words; I wouldn't have started back up if it weren't for you!

Also got a couple entries in for the IRL and this month's CTC. I'll probably try for a better time each week this month as those distances are within my range

[Paul N]

Been following your log Chris as you rack up the metres on the FTC board - it's good to see your regular BPP entries. Great job - keep at it.