Good luck. One of the big helps with this stuff is reading labels. In addition to finding out calories, carbs, fat content, sodium, etc., you also start to see what sorts of junk they add to the food. That alone can scare you skinny.

Thanks John the label war is on!
Marc

Good luck to you both; it is a difficult task but making it public will make you accountable. You will have a tremendously positive impact on your audience if you do this right--take your time, learn about good food choices, exercise properly and regularly and have a great attitude. Set little goals so you are encouraged along the way. Yes, YOU can!!!!
; )

Thanks Kathleen...Yes I Can!...I can feel it!
Marc

Losing weight is one of the hardest things a person can do. Everyone has to eat, but choosing the right foods is an everyday challenge.

I wish you luck, and if you need a little support, please check out the link above. Diana Young, Iowa Avenue's registed Dietitian, and I would love to help with motivation or give you a kick in the pants, if required...................:)

Thanks you so much and you know I like a kick in the pants for time to time

Marc

LMAO! You aren't going to do anything! I see people like you all the time in the gym taking up space for the first couple months of the New Year every year...Taking up space, and getting in the way of serious people who don't diet, but understand that this is the way of life, forever!

Why don't you fat guys just stick with the burgers, fries and sides of grease! Stay out of our way...It is so irritating to watch you use all the equipment wrong, sweat over everything, and walk around the shower room looking like beached whales...Do us all a favor and just do you...Cause the gym and eating healthy is boring...It is too routine, and requires discipline (apparently if you think you can damage your body for years, get to 40 and get your 20 year old body back in a year - you don't have mental discipline from the jump).

So a better new years resolution I offer you; Just say yes to all the food you love, and a new flat screen tv to eat it in front of! Stay in the house, and please, please, stay off the beach!

Thanks Duane for your dose of reality! I'm not a fan of the offensive way you delivered your message by taking a personal shot at us Fat Guys but we take the challenge and the opportunity to show that we have the mental discipline to accomplish the stated goal. Remember a lot of us Fat Guys used to be the Fit Guys hopefully we were never the Jerk Guy as you appear to be.

Marc

Hi Marc-

I know a few people who are on the Smart for Life cookie diet. They have seen great results and were able to keep the weight off.

Remember it is not just a diet, it is a lifestyle change!

Good Luck!

Lakia

Thanks Lakia you're right it is a lifestyle change

Marc

I've lost 45 pounds over the last 6 months and my advice is to weigh yourself every week, on the same day at the same time and keep a running journal of the weight. It helps break the big goal into smaller goals and as you see progress it will keep you motivated. Also cut out any sodas and drink only water and low fat milk. The liquid calories are hidden calories that add up fast. Keep at it.

Thanks for great advice and congrats on the weight loss...awesome!

Marc

Dudes you can do it .I lost 90lbs since Dec 07 doing alot of cardio .I am now starting to do the stuff that will allow me to take my shirt off at the pool.It is not a diet it is a life style change .I feel guilty if I do not work out.I feel your pain my brothers

Good job man I'm proud of you...you're right we are all just habits and skin...gotta get rid of the bad habits.

Marc

Good luck guys! Losing weight is hard,hard work. The discipline involved in exercising on a cold,rainy morning alone is daunting. I would recommend (though i'm SURELY no expert) is to have something you like to eat once in a while,but in small portions.Cutting your favorites out completely may cause you to binge on them later. Best of luck,again!

Thanks for great advice from the heart and I'll keep you posted

Marc

I used to make those same promises every year. Sometimes I would lose a little, but then I would gain it back plus some more. Last year I got serious and started really working at in March. Since then I have lost more than 75 pounds and still have about 40 to go. I have cut way back on portions and eliminated a lot of high fat foods, kept a food journal religiously and increased my exercise. And I have dropped about 3 sizes in the process. I won't deny that occasionally I miss the mac and cheese, but I have found ways to still have some of my favorite foods and that definitely helps. If a couch potato like me can do it, than anyone can. Good luck.

Great job...your story got me fired up...so proud of you!
Marc

Like you 'Marc', I am in the obese category. My current BMI is 32. I do take very strong offense to Duane the Jerk. I use to be very fit. At my peak my BMI was 11 and that was through my 20s. I gradually went up the scale. My highest BMI was 38. Being fat does not automatically equate to laziness.

Anyway, I began on Monday the 5th, too. My goal that I WILL reach, is a 45lb weight loss by May 26th (my 40th bday). And for whatever reason, I know this time it's different.

So Jackass Duane, you better hope you maintain your so-called fit body, because you definitely don't have the intelligence to support yourself. You fit into the dumb jock stereotype. How ignorant. Good luck to you Jackass Duane.

As far as the picture, well, I'll see if I can muster up the courage for that. I will definitely text you my progress.

Love you Marc!!!
You Go Cuz...I'll see you this summer when you come to visit!

Love,
Marc

Too many people view dieting as a temporary fix and the weight comes right back when they return to the old habits. To lose weight and keep it off, you have to make lifelong changes in your food choices and workout routine. I know it's tough to change but anyone with the willpower can do it. Good luck!

Great Article on losing weight, I thought the information was very supportive and concise. However, you didn't have to "Ragg on Troy" like that, dawg. Thats your boy and you called him out. Be kind my friend!

I am about to look at the most recent blog, I think its video of you two. I am out, Be Breezy!

Yeah Shawn...he didn't have to do me like that! LOL! It's ok...I WILL get him back. Don't worry! Marc did provide a lot of great info...something we can all use!

Troy

Well i am totally against New Year's resolutions. Most are never kept. I do, however, know its time for a change. Even participating in "the biggest loser" at work. Attempting to try this "whey protein" shake for breakfast (you know some skinny person recommended that)!!

Come on Marc. We can do it!! We just gotta. Beach wear is right around the corner, and this year "I" turn 40. So, I just gotta!!!

I'm with you!..I love the beach and every year when we go to South Carolina I always say to myself "next year I gonna look good"...come on Helen! we focused man!
Marc

You're getting one free attaboy from me Marc! Good luck with it because we all want you to be healthy, my friend.
Happy New Year. Kenneth.

Thanks man I appreciate the support
Marc

Would you like to take some before pictures and have them on your blog?
I would do the same (I'm 285 lbs. at 6 ft. and 43 yrs. old). Let's write about our weekly workouts and food challenges as well as struggles. Let's give ourselves until the 4th of July for our new and improve pics. Let's get about 3-4 other fat guys who would be up for the challenge. I NEED SOME COMPETITION, to motivate me to lose this weight. The Notorious BIG look is not for me anymore. I'm to old for that!

I'm down with this! let's go fatboys anyone who wants in email me at marcclarke@mac.com
Marc

Great site.

Hello,
Interesting blog, I just found it and I'm already a subscriber
I hope it's not impolite but I have just begun blogging
my own weight loss(I went down 30 pounds in a month, so pretty good
, and I was curious if you could write about
the weight loss system I used for your blog readers.
My most recent blog post is
quick weight loss diet
I want to share my weight loss success
with your readers. If I can lose that much weight then
any one can. Whatever you do, don't give up and you WILL
reach all your weight loss goals!
much thanks for reading,
Joan

Joan! Congrats on your success! We will check out your story...it just might be the right spark for lots of us! Continued success to you!

Troy