Hi all,

Welcome to the 200 Club!

There are a few of us posting in the Guy's area of the board who are determined to achieve the goal of 200 lbs. We are all starting from slightly different beginnngs, but are all headed to the same place. We had the idea of starting a board for us - the 200 Club. If you are headed anywhere near this destination, DO JOIN US.

This invitation is to join us to share experiences and successes, to encourage each other, and to keep us all focused on the big prize!

Here is my intro:

I'm Brian, 48, married, two grown kids, living near Philadelphia.

I started with alli at 250 lbs. One week later, I'm 7 pounds lighter.

I've exercised 5 of the last 7 days. (I'm world class at joining gyms, but have been useless at actually going to them).

My calorie target is 1800. I'm tracking every mouthful at www.fitday.com. I'm averaging 1900, but I am working on it.

I have given myself the fairly agressive target of losing 50 lbs in 4 months. I have seen some truly inspirational experiences on this message board and am totally psyched. To quote President Obama: Yes we can!

Best wishes to you guys. I look forward to learning more about you as we put this 200 club together!

Brian

 Here's my info:

My name is Brad, I'm 40 years-old, married with three kids from ages 9 to 15.  I live in the beautiful Northwest, in Olympia, WA.  I started the program on 1/10/09, but didn't start taking the pills until 1/13/09.  My beginning weight was 233 lbs, and as of 1/25 I weigh 223 lbs, and my goal is to get down to 195 lbs by June.  I haven't started exercising/working out yet, but plan on starting a weight circuit program on Monday.  I'm eating anywhere from 1,700 to 1,900 calories a day, with the goal being 1,800 calories a day (I wonder if this taget for calories decreases as your weight goes down?). 

Anyone else have injury problems?  About a year and a half ago I began having severe problems with my sacro-illiac joint, which eventually got to the point where I couldn't play basketball anymore.  It hurt to walk or laydown for a few weeks, then it would seem to reset itself.  Unfortunately, I seem to re-injur it every couple of months, and man is it painful!  Went to a physical therapist about a year ago who determined that my left arch had collapsed, probably causing my back to get out of whack over the years.  I was also having a hard time jogging, after about five minutes of it my achilles would ache so bad it felt like it was going to burst, it would get terribly tight, and I'd have to stop (had to do with my collapsed arch I was told).  So, I've been using injury excuses to avoid exercise and to justify eating like a pig.  No more!!  I'm finally doing what the PT told me to do, I'm seeing a foot specialist and see if I need custom orthotics, which will hopefully solve some of my problems.  But, I can still lift weights and like I said, am going to do a circuit routine.

Anyway, good luck to everyone, even if you can't exercise yet.  If you've read the stories, there are a lot of people who have lost weight just by following the eating guidelines and taking the pill.

 I'm on board for the 200 club.  I'm 5' 10" and at 220lbs.  I turn 30 in March and will hit my goal weight by then.  I stayed in good shape for the better part of 2008 and gained 25lbs from Sept-December.  I just moved to a new town and joined a new gym so let's see what happens.  I believe Alli is going to work for me solely based on the fact that I'm afraid if I cheat on my diet I will get "treatment effects".

Rod, you and I are pretty similar...  I am 27 and my starting weight was 225 which is mostly because I have always eaten what I wanted when I wanted it.

I started taking alli and watching what I eat around December 12.  I am currently at 208 (as of last weigh in) which was the same place I was the week before.  I get around an hour of sports or working out in 4 times a week.  My goal was 200 by February but my stall is going to make me miss that mark.

I will simply be happy with a loss this week.

 well , I am 47 just turned this monday. I tipped the scales at 283 starting on new years day  and my goal is 200. I have no time line for my goal and as long as i know that i am making better choices and being active , then i am already way ahead compared to the path i was going down.  I plan on checking in after each weeks weigh in and will keep everyone posted. I look forward to seeing everyone elses progress too. Oh by the way, 21 down 63 to go see you all at 200.

Hey Oly,

I am just to the south of you in Washougal, East of Vancouver. I have a real bad ankle and i cant run or jog. But we do have a elliptical machine that is very low impact and after 50 minutes gets my heart rate where it needs to be . There are some real good low impact machines that you could try that might not impact your injuries. If not well like you said stick to the plan, do some weights and you will still see results most likely.

 Oly,

My ankles just can't handle me running on a regular basis. My favorite exercise is the rowing machine...the one with the big fan infront of you. Concept is one brand. Its a really good all-over workout. You might find that OK with your bad joint. As golfnut says, the eiptical is a great non-impact workout too.

You are right, though, people can lose weight without exercising. Its hard to start, at first, but stick at it and it might become a habit.

Brian

 On the topic of exercise, I was recently given a terrific book by someone interested in me being healthier.

The book is "Younger Next Year". Copies are on Amazon for less than $8 (I just looked). It's by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge.

This is a brilliant, rational, motivating read that convinced me to exercise now for a better, longer life and to have many more active years ahead of me.

It is written by a gerontologist and one of his patients. It is very, very compelling.

Interestingly, I saw a newspaper photograph of President Obama the other day. He was carrying a book. The photo printed zoomed in on what was in his hand.... and it was this book. As fit as he appears to be, he's planning on being younger next year too!

Cheers,

Brian

rodhicks:

 I'm on board for the 200 club.  I'm 5' 10" and at 220lbs.  I turn 30 in March and will hit my goal weight by then.  I stayed in good shape for the better part of 2008 and gained 25lbs from Sept-December.  I just moved to a new town and joined a new gym so let's see what happens.  I believe Alli is going to work for me solely based on the fact that I'm afraid if I cheat on my diet I will get "treatment effects".

 Rod,

Moving is stressful - so all power to you as you have managed that and adopted a new healthier lifestyle.

I'm careful like you, regarding treatment effects, though I've realised I'm not eating enough fat in my 1800 calorie target to get the full value of the power of alli. I have been eating just under 20% fat and should be around 30%. This means proportionally less carbs and protein, more fat, and then and alli steals more calories away from me, and I lose more weight! That's the plan, anyway, LOL.

On TE's, I've just had some gas is all. If it continues, I'll add Beano to my routine.

Good Luck,

Brian

 Awesome..   I'll join..

I'm 36, 216, and heading for under 200...... Goal is to lose the 16 pounds in the next month..

Possible?..   hope so.   I've been on the diet for several days, and today I started with the Alli pill.

Staying home today.. (just in case)..

Good luck everyone.  Mike

Thanks guys for the input, I do appreciate it.

Golfnut, beautiful area down there!  I've thought about getting an elliptical machine, but don't really have the room for one.  I've done the circuit weight routine before and it works awesome when it comes to losing weight, you're getting the benefits of both a weight workout (strengthening muscles, toning the muscles, increasing metabolism) and a cardio workout (increasing heartrate for a sustained period of time), but I need variety in my workouts (although I could play basketball every morning or night of the week and be happy) so as not to get bored doing the same thing over and over.

Brian, that rowing machine with a big fan in front sounds pretty cool (pun intended), I sweat like a pig about to be slaughtered!  I'll look for the book you recommend, I can always use some inspiration or motivation to stay fit!

Brad

 Welcome Mike!  Anything is possible if you want it bad enough, and it's definately possible to lose 16 lbs in a month. 

Looking forward to hearing your progress.

Brad

 Are you taking any other supplements besides Alli?  I've been an avid believer for my adult life and started adding to my diet.  I'm taking flaxseed oil and essential fatty acids to up my fat intake as well as CLA.  I thought about mixing in a thermogenic but since they banned ephedra they are basically just caffeine and have little or no weight loss effect.  My only concern is losing muscle mass so my protein intake  is through the roof.  I'm wondering how this will affect my weight loss. 

 those might be questions better answered by the moderators. I take the multivitamin at night like they recommend for now. I would like to take something that increases my metabolism while working out to get a good lather going. Not that the current one is good but i bet i could burn off a little extra each workout. Or i guess i go a little longer if that ends up not being a good idea.

To my fellow Washingtonians, I too hail from this great state we live in. I am representing Kent,Wa. I have been on the alli program for 6 days now. I am supposed to weigh in tomm. I have been very solid with my diet so far and have had no treatment effects. I have averaged 1700 cal. for the week and I find it is getting easier to do everyday. I have noticed I have more energy now and I feel good about what I am trying to accomplish here. I am 6'4" and weighed 260 when I started a week ago. I will log my results tomm. (I dont own a scale yet). You guys are inspiring me to fight the good fight and make my goals come true. Heck yeah, I want to be in the 200 lb. Lets do this!

Bruce