Day 1 of 74-week program

[Mycroft221b]

After sustaining an injury three years ago coupled with poor diet and virtually no exercise, my weight increased from 185lbs to 365lbs. I am 36 years old and 6 feet tall. I am ashamed to reveal these numbers, but I think making some form of a "public" statement of my goal is an important part of what I am trying to do. I have developed an eating plan with a nutritionist in addition to formulating a 74-week program for Concept2. Losing 180lbs in 18 months sounds impossible, but I am determined to succeed with a healthy and balanced approach. I rowed heavyweight crew in college and am no stranger to the erg, so making the Concept2 the focal point of this regime is comforting. My form is good, but it will be interesting to see my numbers now that I am older, much heavier, and totally out of shape. I have read many of the other posts under this topic and they were very helpful and encouraging.

[quickstepper]

Hi Mycroft,
One of the memories that has stuck with me most about the concept 2 rower was about a guy from my high school 20+ years ago. Big guy (320+ pounds) who just decided to start rowing at our gym. He would get on the machine at 8:30 at night and they would kick him off at 11:00pm when they closed. He got down to 157 in about 9 months.

This is an extreme and I'm guessing you're workout regime will not be like this but your goal is definitely achievable. Just stick to the plan and you should do great.
Good luck and enjoy the journey.

Marco

[Mycroft221b]

Thanks, Marco. That is a great story. I think 18 months is a conservative time-frame. Just feeling more fit will be a huge bonus at this point. Thanks for the support.
Eric

[Mycroft221b]

Just an update: After one week I have lost 11 lbs. I stick faithfully to the interactive workout plan, but I add one or two 20-30 minute pieces each day when I have time. I am eating around 2500 calories per day--no bad carbs, sugar, or eating out. I drink one gallon of water each day and never eat after 8PM. Best part is I feel so much better than a week ago.

[c2jonw]

Inspiring stuff for sure and best of luck. There's no shortage of weight loss stories with the Indoor Rower. Here's one you might like:
http://rowdanielrow.com/about/

C2JonW

[julieofarc]

Eric,

Good job getting back at it! I'm sure you'll see some pretty great progress quickly. FWIW, I'm just getting back on track after gaining about 30# with a new office job... yikes! Which means I have a total of about 50# to lose which doesn't come off as easily at 40 as it did pre-kids and whack hormone stuff.

Keep us posted on how things are going. Did you have a week 2 update? (I know the holiday throws things off.)

You got this!

[COMike]

Keep at it Eric!!!

I will be joining you on a quest to get back into shape as well!

Mike

[Mycroft221b]

Week 2 and nine more pounds lost, even with some overindulgence on Thanksgiving Day. I do not take a day off and add two or three pieces to the prescribed workout plan every day depending on how much time I have. I love the erg since it brings back good memories of college. The diet is the biggest challenge, especially since rowing makes me so hungry. So far so good...Thanks for all the support!

[cooledit]

hi Mycroft221b

just finished my 1st month on only Concept2.
I'm walking the same journey as you weighing at the moment 226.6pounds. Would like to get in at 189pounds
I do 5*10km a week at the moment on level 5-6. Getting times down currently on 42:11.7

I'll keep updating here as well on a weekly basis.

Regards
Uffe

[Mycroft221b]

Good luck, Uffe. I think the Concept2 is the best investment I could have made for my goals. This is a good place to check in. I look forward to hearing about your progress.

[cooledit]

first 1/2 maraton in 1h 40m

[DanielJ]

How is it going, Eric?

From what I read it seems you, like I do, like rowing and rowing and rowing every day as much as you can. But I feel so much better and refreshed when each week I take just one day off. It makes a big difference, even if you use that day off to do something different like a 10k walk.

Also, make sure your water and fibre intakes are both high.

[cooledit]

hi there good new year to you all.

I've taken a new stand this 2015 I will not be going on the weight until the end of February , not that I think I weigh a lot just could not bother.

My new PB on 10.000m is now at 41:41:00 so I'm happy with that.
will try to get time further down rather than concentrating on weight.

Uffe

[mselflea]

I am reading these posts and wish everyone the best.

I am 57 years young, 5'11" and I typically fluctuate from 185 to 190 pounds.

My goal is to fluctuate from 170 to 175.

I just did the holiday challenge, (200,500 meters) and for me, I find that the challenges that concept 2 puts up are good motivators as well, I trust those of you on weight loss journeys are aware of these extra motivators and are taking advantage of them.

Good erging everyone.

[Kyosaku]

My weight has been stable at 300 lbs. for 12 years of commuting and sitting at a desk. I started a serious weight loss effort just before a triple by-pass that put me out off any intense workouts for a few months. The upside of the surgery is that the chemical taste it left in my mouth, made all food taste terrible for most of that time. I had been swimming, 60 or more laps every other day and counting calories obsessively. I lost 30 lbs. before the surgery, and gained back another 14 lbs. 314...grumble, but got back down to 280 before I started rowing in mid August, 2014.

A couple of interesting things happened. I got shelved at 280 for a month and gained back to 295 after a month off following hand surgery. I am back at it and loosing is harder than ever. For me to be successful, I have to watch my diet and calorie intake religiously...particularly as much as my appetite is goosed by rowing. I have logged 762k since I started. Even though I am not loosing the weight as I would like, I feel absolutely terrific. My heart monitoring is letting me know that the ticker is rock-solid...and I am enjoying the minimal bragging rights.

The gist of it is that with the Concept2, on-line community, the challenges, and the self-challenge, there are a lot of intrinsic rewards and joys with this fitness routine that I haven't had with anything else I could do at home. The weight loss is a goal but it is secondary to the goals that improve my game...faster, farther, heart strong, and better than yesterday. Love it!

Good luck reaching all of your health goals...and I hope you have fun getting there... "Calm seas and following winds."