So, I've got to lose 123 lbs.

[DrWeird]

So I wrestled in high school. 190 lbs. division. After graduation and all that bulimia, I figured I'd pull a Scarlet O'hara and never go hungry again. Sure, I figured, when I'm middle-aged I'm going to have to watch my figure and cholesterol and whatnot. But then again I figure, you only live once. So I've let myself go to shit for the last nine years, figuring it would eventually catch up with me. I just got health insurance for the first time in, you guessed it, nine years. So I decided to take advantage of it and go and get my chronic in-grown toenail removed. My blood pressure was so high it made the nurse's eyes bulge out of her sockets, so I decided to go pay a visit to the nutritionist, since I get two free visits on my new plan. It's kind of like one your birthday and you go around bars seeing how many free drinks you can get. Anywho, I'm a hundred and twenty three pounds heavier then I was when I graduated. Me and my nutritionist figure it's probably got something to do with the six liters of Dr. Pepper I drink a day, and the two square meals of fast food. So she stuck me on a diet, and I figure I can have it off in, oh let's see. I lost 12 pounds in three days to make weight for that meet with Euphrata, sooo... about one month. Shouldn't be a problem. Plus I'm telling myself if I get down to 190, I'll take up the sport of mountain climbing. Because lately I've been reading a bunch of books about mountain climbing, like "Touching the Void" and "Into Thin Air," which are about mountain climbing accidents where people break their legs or whatever and end up freezing to death at 26,000 ft. Sounds like fun.

Oh, btw. PBS is showing the documentary film, Touching the Void, in November. Check it out, it's real good.

[The Traveler]

1. You drop the weight

and I'll drop the tobacco and we'll meet to tread upon high places together, where few have gone. In our waning years, let us run where angels fear to tread ...

[camero]

2. It'll be a chore, but you'll do it

Remember, you lost that 12 lbs in 3 days the same way I lost the 6 lbs in 2 days to make weight. Three layers of sweatsuits and a spit cup.

You can't do that this time and be healthy.

Good luck.

[DrWeird]

7. LOL.

garbage bags. can't forget the garbage bags.

[camero]

11. Heh, true.

I didn't use them but others did. Plenty of chewing gum and peeing for me.

edit: Oh before I forget I did the same thing as you when I stopped. Gained 15 lbs in a week's time.

[miss_kitty]

3. Cutting out the soda will do wonders for your figure

and your teeth. sounds like you are off to a good start. good luck!

[drhilarius]

8. This is absolutely right...

I went from 230 to 157. One of the first things I did was cut out soda, which, I calculated, added up to about 3500 calories a week. It is one of the simplest things you can do if you want to lose weight. My advice, buy a big ass Brita pitcher (the one gallon size) and drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, everyday- It works wonders.

[aquart]

4. Dr. Pepper?

All that high fructose corn syrup. Bad, bad, bad.

Selter with a bag of Red Zinger over ice. Nice. Or just grate fresh ginger into the fizzy stuff. Refreshing!

And always, ALWAYS, add cinnamon to your coffee and anything else you can think of: it helps regulate blood sugar.

And never mind mountain climbing. Walk. Or ride a bike. Daily.

Then there are some very nice exercises that tone up the stuff you can't get rid of.

[neomonkey]

5. Dr. Pepper and fast food

It's kinda like alcoholism. They tell you the first thing you have to do is stop DRINKING. I think in your case, the first thing you have to do is stop EATING SHIT.

I know it's tough. Maybe you shouldn't do it all at once. But you must strive for the day where your treat for the week is a measly glass of soda and a fast food meal.

Walk. Seriously. Walk. Everyday. Build up your speed. Find a time of day you enjoy walking, morning, night, whatever.

And throw that TV out the window and never look back.

Good luck man.

[thanks jon]

12. neo and aquart are dead on

but ya ain't gonna keep [ losing that many pounds at the rate you just mentioned. Its a long slow burn.

[Bluebear]

6. 10 pounds at a time.

Make every 10 your goal instead of thinking of it all at once. Best of luck to ya!

[Melodybe]

10. That is what I did after the babies

I went five pounds at a time.

Glad to say I am back in my size 6's! I haven't been this small since I was 19.

You can do it, if a lazy cow like me can do it any one can.

[LoZoccolo]

9. Body-For-Life

It's a full-time job, but look at some of those people.

I've been on it and felt great.

http://www.bodyforlife.com

[jdots]

13. Don't do any fad stuff

go at your own speed this ain't no t.v. show it's your life replace the easyest habits first etc..... we need to all be in good shape to take on the freepers

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Take it slowly. It happened slowly.

My best suggestion would be to cut out the fast food. I'm sure that you saw the story about the guy who only ate McDonald's, to write about it, and almost died. I also gave up soda, and it wasn't easy. I used to drink Coke. I switched to caffeine-free Coke, but it still contained the sugar. My doctor had a thing about sugar. So I now drink sparkling water. But I still drink and smoke, so I'm no paragon. However, it sounds like you have a plan to take back your life. That's what you're doing, you know. I need to do the same, so am right here with you. Just don't fall off any mountains. I'm an acrophobic and don't even like bridges. Wishing you the best of luck with this and please keep us posted.
:grouphug: