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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 10 December 2007 08:56 pm |
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Hi, Long time reader, first time poster.
July 9, 2003; 9:17 am is a moment in time I will never forget. Suffering from an ischemic stroke thrust my life into perspective and I realized the choices I had been making for the preceding 30 years were not conducive to healthy living. While in the hospital, the doctors also informed me that I had extreme hypertension and diabetes.
Prior to my stroke, I wasn’t really concerned about weight. I’d been carrying extra weight for much of my life and had come to terms with my body size. Although active in my late teens and 20’s, I slowly became inactive after I gained weight.
When I began my "journey to health" in May of 2004 I had 440+ pounds on my 5’11" frame and wore a size 63 pant and a size 5X shirt. In November 2007, I weigh in at 165 pounds and my pant size is now 32. Through healthy eating and exercise, I have lost a total of 275 pounds! My blood chemistry is outstanding, and my BP averages 116/68!
If you are interested in hearing more,or have any questions, I would be glad to elaborate a bit.
MX is my passion! And Yes, that is me!
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clarinetgurl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 10 December 2007 09:51 pm |
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Wow, that is an amazing accomplishment Victor! Nice work!!
Welcome to CPH!!
CG
Last edited on 10 December 2007 10:08 pm by clarinetgurl
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thinkskinny
New Member
| Joined: | 10 October 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 101 |
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Posted: 10 December 2007 10:06 pm |
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OH wow! Congratulations! That is truely inspiring. You must have worked so hard and it was all worth it. Do you have people you haven't seen in a while just not recognizing you? you look totally different!
What sort of plan did you have, exercise, foods etc?
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Theresa
Senior Member
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Posted: 11 December 2007 11:24 am |
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Yes please tell us more Victor
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ndtx06
New Member
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Posted: 11 December 2007 04:57 pm |
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Congratulations, That is just amazing! I would like to hear more!
Your accomplishments remind me how small my strife is.
What is your daily eating routine now?
Have you taken up any sports?
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 December 2007 06:42 pm |
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The difficult thing is where to start.....
After my stroke and 10 months of therapy & rehab, I was able to again walk (and do other things) unassisted. This was the impetus for version 2.0! I then decided that it was necessary to make some significant changes in my life.
I TRULY believe that THIS MOMENT, the moment when I TRULY COMITTED to change was the moment that I actually suceeded. The following 2 years was just execution of the plan. I believe than many of us "TRY" to change, but never truly make a COMITMENT to change, and that is why we do not suceed. Change is 90% a mental process. As YODA said...."Do, or do not; There is no try."
OK enough of the philasophical "mumbo-jumbo".....What exactly did I do?
- Created an overall "objective which had NOTHING to do with losing weight. I determined that I would resume my "PASSION" of youth which was racing motocross motorcycles again and pass this love onto my new grandson. This required that I get in shape and get healthy as a prerequisite, but NOT as an objective or goal in and of itself.
- I started a calorie intake and exersize expenditure diary ( I believe this is not just a weightloss tool, but is a lifetime requirement) ;
- Created a spreadsheet to track: RMR, cals in, cals out, ave. cal over/under RMR, weight, & BMI;
I initiated "incremental" changes to my diet, and implemented them gradually;
- Elimination of "white powder" (sugar & processed flour),
- Switched to Equal or Sweet n Lo to sweeten anything/everything,
- Elimination of anything "FRIED" in fat,
- Increasing the number of calories from vegetables,
- Increasing the number of calories from fruits,
- Increasing the number of calories from Fish,
- Began to limit the number of fat grams per day to <=65,
- Created a calorie intake minimum (1400 per day), and a calorie intake ceiling of (enough calories for my RMR "maintenance number at my proper weight) 2200
- Created some "New" eating Habits:
- Small Plates < 6 inches,
- Chew each bite 30 times MINIMUM,
- Set my eating utensils down between each bite,
- Drink ONLY Water (8 classes) & Coffee/Tea/non sugar soda,
- NEVER used food as a "Reward", but found other ways to reward myself.
- Never "deprived" myself of the foods I loved, (just ate them in portion control)
45-60 minutes of areobic cardio 5X per week
10 minute warm up on treadmill
Cycle 12-15 miles as fast as I could (weather permitting)
Eliptical trainer (Lifefitness 9500)
Weight training 3X per week
- Then finally I "HELD MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE" :
Accepted that I and only I was responsible to "Do, or do not",
Accurately recorded my intake and expenditure daily, (trick, add 10% to cals eaten & subtract 10% to cals expended)
Did my exersize routines RELIGIOUSLY,
Focused on weekly averages in my numbers, and never let one "bad day" matter.
COOL things that happened along the way:
- Bought my first bicycle in June 2004 (weight 425),
- Joined a health club December 2004 (weight 310)
- Bought a racing motorcycle June 2005 (weight 250),
- Entered a motocross race in April 2006 (weight 200),
- Reached my target weight August 2006 (weight 185)
- Quit the health club and built a full home gym in April 2007 (Weight 184)
- WON a bout with Hemosepsis June 2007 (upgrade to version 3.0)
- WON my first motocross racing trophy June 2007 (weight 180),
- Had plastic surgery to remove excess tissue Novenber 2007 (Weight 165)(upgrade to version 4.0)
Well, that's my story, and I'm stickin to it! Thanks for asking.
Last edited on 11 December 2007 07:29 pm by Victor version 4.0
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 December 2007 07:40 pm |
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ndtx06 wrote: What is your daily eating routine now?
Have you taken up any sports?
Typical cals per day 2200-2400
Breakfast 500-600
Banana 110 cals
2 cups instant oatmeal 250 cals
12 oz no fat yogurt 120 cals
Morning snack 100-200
Granola bar 90 cals
Lunch 350-400
Soup or sandwich 250 cal
Fruit 100 cal
Afternoon snack 350
Nuts 350 cals
Dinner 700-800
lean meat 250 cal
lot O veggies 200 cal
fruit 100 cal
small desert 200 cal
My sport of choice is motocross racing....
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ndtx06
New Member
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Posted: 12 December 2007 12:36 am |
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WOW!
Again congratulations on the life change and your total victory in your life.
And thanks so much for sharing, you just gave me a extra boost to keep at it and reminder that I might have an uphill climb but others climbed a mountain.
And congrats on your first win!
The Strong Take from the Weak, but the Wise take from the Strong.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 12 December 2007 01:48 am |
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| Amazing and truly inspiring transformation Victor! I'm thrilled you decided to "de-lurk" and share it with us!!!!
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Theresa
Senior Member
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Posted: 12 December 2007 07:43 am |
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| You ought to be so proud of yourself. I am sure it must feel as if you are a better newer younger version of yourself. Well done and you are a total inspiration to many, and just proves that it can be done.
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EJ33
New Member
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Posted: 12 December 2007 09:57 am |
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Hello Victor version 4.0,
I would say your posts describing your "Healthy Eating Diet" as opposed to some crash dieting with minimal calories - plus a reasonable approach to exercising - is one of the best and most useful posts on this website I have ever seen.
Your day to day eating plan where you allocate so many calories for each meal and each snack is a lifestyle change - where you can continue to do it day to day rather than going on some restricted "Weight Loss Diet" is the secret to permanent weight loss.
Exercising 45-60 minutes five times a week is the type of exercise routine that you can do for a lifetime. It is a very reasonable amount of time to spend exercising rather than trying to lose weight by exercising 2-3 hours a day - which is almost impossible and simply a temporary approach to trying to lose weight in a hurry.
I'm convinced exercising is not the way to lose large amounts of weight but exercising is a great way to shift your weight down by 15, 20 even 30 pounds and improve your overall health. People assume if they exercise 2 hours a day and burn off 1000 calories a day they will lose 2 pounds a week. For the first week they will lose 2 pounds but they will not lose 104 pounds during the first year and 208 pounds after two years of exercising 2 hours a day. This is especially true if your starting weight for a weightloss journey starts at 200 pounds. Weighing -8 pounds doesn't compute.
Your average weighloss each week over the last 3+ years is like 1.4 pounds a week which is a very healthy approach.
Apparently, you are a very disciplined person to be able to design a very logical and sensible approach to a lifestyle change that gets you to a healthy weight and to get physically fit in the process. It's amazing that you have been able to stick to your plan for 3+ years.
I think your overall plan to get to a healthy weight is a blueprint that people on this site, who are looking to lose 25, 50, or 100+ pounds, could tailor for their own successful permanent weightloss journey.
Congrats on an amazing success story.
EJ33
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clonechemist
New Member
| Joined: | 13 September 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 10 |
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Posted: 13 December 2007 03:59 am |
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That is bad*** man, just have to say congratulations.
Is there a better feeling than taking action and doing something (mx racing for you, bicycles for me) that a previous version of yourself could never have imagined?
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Tom S
Member
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Posted: 13 December 2007 05:02 pm |
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Excellent job and great story Victor. It is great that you are on the CPH boards and telling your story.
Thanks for commenting on my success story (75 pounds lighter and feeling great). You look great and feel great (you can see that in your smile).
Congrats.
Tom
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 15 December 2007 06:19 pm |
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Truly amazing! Thanks for sharing and inspiring us.
These forums have MANY more people reading them than posting in them, which is fine. But I never understood why how someone could read them so much and not want to comment. Maybe I'm must more outgoing than some. ???
Anyway, I'm really glad you decided to share!
Peter
P.S.
I'm not sure you'll need another "upgrade" (though I could use a couple!), but if you do, I can change your username to Victor version 4.1 
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newstart
New Member
| Joined: | 26 July 2007 |
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| Posts: | 359 |
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Posted: 19 December 2007 03:29 pm |
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I just saw your story, Victor, courtesy of the e-mail cph news.
As my now 26, then 4 year old daughter would have said,
CONGULAGULATIONS!!!
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 19 December 2007 06:59 pm |
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Peter wrote: These forums have MANY more people reading them than posting in them, which is fine. But I never understood why how someone could read them so much and not want to comment.
It's just a matter of having the time Peter. I am an active member on many boards, and also have quite a full life.
I have just left a couple of those "other" boards, and now CPH is STUCK with my inane ramblings!
Victor
Last edited on 20 December 2007 02:35 pm by Victor version 4.0
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LattesMom
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 20 December 2007 02:48 am |
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OK, I was sitting there eating See's candy  while I was reading your post and I thought "how did I get this messed up when things WERE going so well?".
I have experienced that "Do or Do not; there is no try" and it is a wonderful feeling. I still do way too much emotional eating and reading your post reminded me that I can choose something else to do other than eating.
At the age of 50 I took up street motorcycle riding (Yamaha Virago 750) for the first time. For me it was an amazing journey into a world I had never been exposed to. Even when I was way out of my comfort zone (like as a student in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class with a bunch of 20 yr old guys) I still stuck to it. So I would like to take that ability to stick to something uncomfortable until it becomes a wonderful part of my life and apply that to eating and exercising.
Victor, reading your post reminds me of the results from the National Weight Registry research (Kelly Brownell) where creating your own eating and exercising plan, keeping a food/exercise diary, and being accountable were big factors in long term weight loss and keeping it off. The one thing I have never stuck to is keeping the food/exercise diary. Thanks for the new inspiration!
Guess I'll throw away the rest of the See's...
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 20 December 2007 02:34 pm |
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NO....DON'T throw away excellent candy!
Just decide that you will only have "ONE PIECE" every couple of days. I LOVE chocolate, and have all kinds of candy around the house. I just choose when to have one, and STOP at one.
You CAN do it~
Victor
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 24 December 2007 04:35 pm |
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Oh yea,
I forgot these and posted in a different thread.
http://www.caloriesperhour.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=4278&forum_id=19&jump_to=53208#p53208
These, are "face pics" BTW..
Victor
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midlife
Senior Member
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Posted: 26 December 2007 10:13 pm |
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Wow Victor - that is truly inspiring! How much better do you look!! - (let alone how much better do you feel!) So much of what you say is common sense, its the committing to it factor, I agree.
So I can keep the Lindt chockies I got for Christmas? I every second day and share them around eh? Certainly can't throw Lindt out 
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Beth
Senior Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 02:23 am |
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What an inspiration. There is something about that moment of clarity when you finally commit to making change, isn't there. I had that moment when I finally decided to quit smoking after pills, gum, you name it. One moment it was just finally time to quit cold turkey and not look back. I wish food was the same, but we have to keep eating.
Thanks for sharing. Was the skin surgery awful? I'm really trying to work on the skin as I go along in hopes I won't have to have surgery. I've got 80 lbs to lose and I've targeted 9 months.
Have a wonderful life!
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Beth
Senior Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 02:24 am |
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| Victor, I went back and looked at your heavy picture. You don't look like the same man. Do people have a hard time recognizing you if they haven't seen you in a while?
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mollymoo24
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 04:37 am |
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| Thank you for posting your inspirational story - you look FANTASTIC!
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 12:41 pm |
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Beth wrote: Victor, I went back and looked at your heavy picture. You don't look like the same man. Do people have a hard time recognizing you if they haven't seen you in a while?
NO they usually do not recognize me. Oh, I have a fun time "teasing" folks who I haven't seen for years...
I play 20 questions with them until the look of recognition comes across their faces and they ask, "Victor, is that you???"
V
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Beth
Senior Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 12:51 pm |
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| Don't you just love it!!!!! Congratulations again!!!
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GolfBrew
New Member
| Joined: | 17 January 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 151 |
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Posted: 23 January 2008 11:52 am |
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I just had to chime in and say congratulations as well!! Also, thanks for the tip about chewing the food and setting down the fork between bites, it works great for me to help enjoy the food instead of wolfing it down. I used to chew 3-4 times and that's it, I now force myself to chew 20-30 times and it really slows me down, which is a good thing. Thanks again!
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artistjohn
Senior Member
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Posted: 31 January 2008 10:58 am |
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Congrats, great story.
I'm slightly confused as usual!!!
I'm 49, 6" 2 and weigh 202lbs dropped 8 since 1.1.08.
I am training for half marathon and have target of 175 by end of june. I have high cholesterol so its imperative I get rid of fat belly!!
When I do calorie calculators I get a maintenance of 2700 - 3000 ish, depending on which activity calculator I use.
I was down one day to eating 1600!! I then upped to 1900 felt real weak on runs and desperately hungry!! Der!
I have now upped to 2300 - 2400 and intend to zig zig 3 days at 2300 1 day at 2700 say.
I run 2 days 1hr steady/hard next day 1hr 35 mins 885cals/1450cals burnt repectively. 1 day rest 3 days run 45mins - 1hr avg + some light weights and leg work lunges squats etc then 2 days rest.
If you look in diaries I'm under artist john attempts to stop yo yoing.
Sorry for long post would greatly appreciate any advice observations. I feel a lot better having upped calories.
John
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 27 March 2008 04:43 pm |
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I'm officially IMFAMOUS!
http://stylemedia.com/Site/Publishers_Letter.html
http://stylemedia.com/Site/2-Feature.html
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artistjohn
Senior Member
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Posted: 27 March 2008 07:30 pm |
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Thanks for answering my post of 31.1.08. Not!!
I suppose that's what fame brings!!
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Beth
Senior Member
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Posted: 27 March 2008 08:34 pm |
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| Victor, I looked at these links and didn't see anything about you. Am I missing something? Could you tell us where to look for the article? Thanks!
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 27 March 2008 08:50 pm |
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Ooops they moved on to the April issue...
Sorry!
Try these...
Last edited on 27 March 2008 08:52 pm by Victor version 4.0
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Beth
Senior Member
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Posted: 27 March 2008 11:01 pm |
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| Mike, that was really an inspirational article. I didn't realize you'd had a stroke, too. Please keep us posted about the May article. I'd like to read it. Maybe you could post it a little larger? Congratulations!!!!!!! You do realize you are a walking miracle!
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 13 June 2008 05:52 am |
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The May follow-up
http://stylemedia.com/Site/1-Feature.html
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Beth
Senior Member
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Posted: 13 June 2008 12:21 pm |
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| That is a very interesting article. Thanks for sharing it with us. It is certainly food for thought.
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hanna0322
New Member
| Joined: | 7 July 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: 9 July 2008 08:54 pm |
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oh wow wow wow two thums up!
Most of all, I respect your initial motivation to change your life style and your determination to do so. Awesome
I am getting married in early October this year and I am aiming to lose 20-25 pounds.
I am 5'4'' and 133 pounds. Not overweight but my thighs are a killer 
I tried to eat really healthy and exercise 1.5 hrs in the morning and another 1.5 hrs in the evening after work. I've never tried to lose my weights before. This is my first diet (I have no choice this time cuz I have to wear a bikini at the honymoon  )
Sweating while exercising feels great though. No pain no gain right?
Again, you are a true inspiration.
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 20 August 2008 06:11 pm |
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Just an update....
Just passed another milestone
2 YEARS on maintenance. 1500 days total since I chose change.
While I have added a couple of pounds, (muscle, not fat), I have dropped another size in clothing!
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Beth
Senior Member
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Posted: 20 August 2008 10:04 pm |
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Congratulations!!!
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kendra
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 20 August 2008 10:06 pm |
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| Congrats!!!!!!!
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Johnny_walts
New Member
| Joined: | 15 September 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 23 |
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Posted: 18 September 2008 12:01 pm |
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Hi Victor,
Its really inspirational, Congrats for your success.
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 19 September 2008 01:25 am |
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You truly are an inspiration, Victor. Way to go, bud.
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WannabeLoser
New Member
| Joined: | 24 September 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 155 |
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Posted: 5 October 2008 04:28 am |
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| Good stuff!
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khinelay
New Member
| Joined: | 10 October 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 23 |
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Posted: 12 October 2008 07:20 pm |
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Congratulations !
I envy you. I have to lose 60 pounds ...
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EweWho
Member
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Posted: 3 November 2008 12:20 am |
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Truly inspirational! You look great! Congratulations on not only taking it off, but keeping it off as well.
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dascki
Senior Member
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Posted: 3 November 2008 11:19 pm |
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| Great job! Your story is definately an inspiration!
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cportwine
Senior Member
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Posted: 6 November 2008 06:37 pm |
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You know, I have read this thread so many times, and I have never posted in it. lol
Anyway, with the new year coming soon, I was curious with all that you have accomplished, what is next on your list.
What goals do you have for yourself in 2009?
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 November 2008 07:25 pm |
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Since you asked...
2009 goals....
- Be a better Husband, Father, Friend, Person;
- Find a way to help motivate and inspire people affected by stroke/heart disease or other health improvement issues;
- "Top 5" in the 09 motocross season (Top 10 in 08);
- Get stronger;
- Take my cardio workout to "Level 20" (currently on 16);
- 6% body fat;
- Get a grip on my love of sweets! (This is the one I don't think I will suceed at!)
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kendra
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 November 2008 08:24 pm |
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Victor version 4.0 wrote:
Get a grip on my love of sweets! (This is the one I don't think I will suceed at!)
This is my weakness too, I love sweets...they call my name all the time...lol. And Halloween just passed and all that candy
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Anand
New Member
| Joined: | 6 November 2008 |
| Location: | India |
| Posts: | 33 |
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Posted: 6 November 2008 08:46 pm |
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Hello Victor, I loved reading your success story. I also need to reduce 25kgs(55lbs). How long that can take for me to do this?
Any advice?
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cportwine
Senior Member
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Posted: 6 November 2008 09:57 pm |
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Those are great goals, Victor. I find it interesting how are goals change after we lose weight.
Last year my goals were kind of lame, but this year, I allot of big ones.
So here's to reaching our goals in the new year.... 
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Beth
Senior Member
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Posted: 21 November 2008 11:21 am |
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I was just showing your post to my hubby. I'm back on track again after a break. I also have problems with sugar cravings. Grapes seem to help the most. If I can get to some grapes, I usually forget about the M&M's. I've also been known to eat marshmallows out of desperation. Not such a good choice, but no fat. It's hard to hide the evidence with those powdery lips.
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