Figured this would be the best place to start right.
First Name: Jonathan
Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Age: 32
Height: 6'0"
Weight: Was 410 pounds on Feb 16/2004 and was 330 pounds June 23/2004.
Well what to say? I guess it goes something like this:
As a young kid, I was always big. Not fat but just broad shouldered and strong without ever trying to be. I sort of got use to every one calling me big guy and stuff like that. For whatever reason though, I always felt I was fat. It wasn't till years later looking back at old pictures that I realized I was in great shape at the time.
Back to the story. In high school I was very active, played endless hours of tennis, football, basketball, baseball. Was quite good at it too. :P But eventually my self loathing, and inability to see myself in a good light, did me in. I found drugs and alcohol (as myko mentioned hehe)... I have been a daily user of drugs basically since I was about 14 till about 2 years ago now, as well as a regular smoker. Starting off slow at first, I eventually found my favorite drug in cocain.... till eventually I spent 30000 dollars, my entire life savings (which wasn't much).. lost my job, and basically had a mental breakdown. Anyway, over the years I started to put on weight, and it just kept on coming... till eventually I was 410 pounds.
I ended up putting myself in rehab to get all that **** worked out, and although I messed up a bit, I finally am 100% drug free and have been for the better part of 2 years now. I quite smoking on Feb. 9th. I started Atkins on Feb 16th. As well as started a daily cardio and weight training program of sorts.
So far I have lost 80 pounds in about 4 months. Probably more when you read this.
I have gone from near dying trying to walk .5 km... to now jogging/walking at least 3 miles every morning with an average sustained heart rate of 150+.
I have recently hiked 10km over a bush trail and lived to tell about it.
And I have pretty much doubled my strength in most area's.
I realize that a low carb diet, may not be the perfect partner to trying to build muscles.. but so far it is working incredibly well for me. I obviously am getting more then enough protein to make my muscles happy loosing about 4.5 pounds a week since I started yet still doubling my lifting power and endurance and in some cases more then that. Obviously though as I get closer to goal I keep adding in carbs. And realize there are benefits to carbs where weight training is concerned.
I have alot of questions regarding lots of things... supplements... routines... the whole nine yards... So prepare to hear some newbie questions... hehe. I have been looking around though too, and I do like to educate myself somewhat before I start wasting peoples time.
Eager to meet you all, and learn a thing or too.