Hello guys and gals! I'm BigP, Big for, well, being overweight, and classified as a big person by friends. P is the first letter of my name.

I'm 19, 6'1, 256lbs as of this morning. I'm big because of my eating habits, and my inability to put down fast food, Extremely sweet tea, and lack of exercise. I work as a granite counter top installer, so I'm fairly strong, a good base to build off of hopefully.

I play basketball every Wednesday night, and outside of that and work, I don't exercise. I have a gym membership to the local YMCA, and it has the tools I need.

I guess I just need the general shove in the right direction. I've read the stickies and such, expend more calories you take in, water, cut back on the fast food and such.

My problem though, is my office so to speak is a f250 superduty. No microwave, just whatever I can pack in my little blue lunchbag. So it's fairly easy for me to say screw it, and buy a burger and fries.

My question is, is there a beginner program that I could use to possibly get me started, exercise wise? I know it's different for everybody, but I'm sure there's someone here who can get me started in the right direction. Also, suggestions for on the go food that requires little preparation.


My schedule is M- F, 7:30am - around 4pm. It's not unusual for me to be out late, but usually doesn't happen. My gym is open until 10 every day except Sunday.

Also, where do you guys get the motivation from? My job is physically demanding, and some days I'm just spent. I hate looking like this, and know that it will lead to eventual health problems. I just can't bring myself to exercise. It doesn't help that I'm a HUGE procrastinator.

Thanks guys, I got a feeling this is a place that will help jump start my journey to a healthier and sexier life!

I understand the issues you have with the fast food. It is so easy and always available. I have learned that small steps in the right direction will eventually lead to a big change. When it comes to fast food, I am not going to try and make a case that it can be healthy, but there are ways to make it less "un-healthy".
Alot of burger joints have started allowing side salads instead of french fries. Add a low fat dressing and use only 1/3 of the dressing in the packet.
Try changing your burger by not ordering the cheese or mayo. Use mustard instead.
Try changing your sandwich completely by having a grilled chicken sandwich instead of a burger.
Once in while, you could try a large salad as a meal instead of the Value meals advertised. Again, you will want to have a low fat dressing and use only 1/2 the packet.
I hope you can see where I am going with this. Make a decision to be as healthy as possible when you order, and you will see the results without losing the convinience of a drive through.
Another trick I learned was to keep cold drinking water around all the time. It helps to avoid eating when you are bored or drinking the sugary drinks. If you have to have something flavored or sweet, there are alot of flavor packets out there that are low calorie and some even claim to have vitamins in them. Again, not the healthiest choice, but a small step in the right direction can get you going.
As far as the exercise, there is alot of great information on this site. Read the posts you will be amazed at the education available to you. When it comes to those days that you are just "worn out" from work, I would make a commitment to yourself to walk on the tread mill at least a mile on those days. Think of it this way, it is a mile you wouldn't have walked before and you will still have some calories burnt. It is mainly just to get you to the gym which is usually the hardest part. I know that my biggest hurdle was getting to the gym everyday, but once I was there, I might as well work out.
I hope you might find something in here helpful. I am new to this too, and I know that there are alot of people on this board that have alot more experience than I do, but I had some of the same hurdles you do and thought my personal experience might help. Good luck and don't give up. This is possible.

Hey BigP

First welcome to the site.

Now granted I have a lot more weight to lose than you but as afellow fast food junkie here is what I have done.

I still eat at McDonalds to much but I don't eat any of the snadwiches at all the only thing I will eat there is the wraps keep in mind they are not great but they are a lot better then most of the other foods, I will also eat the Salads but use the low fat dressings.

One of the best things I have found is to limit carb intake to 60g or less at a meal and watch the fat.

I started out getting exercise on a bicycle what I had to do was get on it right after work dont even go in the house, I did that for about 2 months then went to the gym to give it a try, now I really just don't feel right if I dont go work out.

Another thing that has helped me a lot is having someone to go work out with either my son or my girlfriend go to the gym with me and it has been a great help.

One more thing I did was I hired a trainer he has really helped me know how hard I have to work to get results.

Good luck with your efforts.

I heard that swimming and running really helps to lose weight. Try it )

Had a good workout tonight, getting with the trainer to get a routine going. Did 10 minutes of warmup cardio, and did some lifts that my friend was showing me. Finished with 20 minutes of cardio and got 2.5 miles in. Not bad, but no where what I used to run!