Got a bet here

[onuthin]

Guy's I need some help here. Last night my wife was giving me a real hard time about my weight.I had a triple bypass 3 years ago and lost a bunch of weight. Until recently I had kept it off.I told her I could lose it anytime I wanted but she kept on.She said she would bet me ANYTHING and that means A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G I want if I lose 30 lbs by June 21 09.I could not think of a thing that I want but I love to win bets.It took about 30 minutes to come up with the perfect bet. I am sure there is at least one member who's wife has complained about the sensual aroma that surrounds you as you drive along in your series 1 Z. The eye watering smell of exaust that stays with you for days but doesn't seem to bother men because it represents the good old days when you could roll your windows down to breath no matter how cold it was.Well she doesn't like to ride in the Z because of that Wonderful fragrence.She loves her nissan Frontier with all of it's ammenities including AUTOMATIC trans.She has never driven a stick and never had a desire to learn. The bet is if I lose the weight,she loses the truck and the only transportation she will have is the Z. She has to learn to drive a stick and not get any tickets.As long as I keep the weight off I keep her keys to the truck.What I am hoping for is she will learn to drive the Z for long enough to get past the smell and love to drive it. I will then get her a newer one and we can travel together in it. My problem is not food or beer but inactivity.I spend my time reading all about cars and trucks and looking for parts to finish restoring my 64 chevy truck. I need help reminding to get busy and get off my arse and exercise some. OH yea if I lose I have to finish remodeling the house before I can work on my cars.

[geezer]

I'm no expert on the subject but 30lbs in just over 3 months seems a little aggresive to me. Probably, the best course of action would be a consultation with your doctor first and a nutritionist second. You should develop a daily exercise schedule that you can adhere to. My doctor tells me that a steady regime of walking is the best thing for me. Whatever methods you use to reach your goal, it should be a "life plan" and not just a 3 month marathon to win a bet. I know it can be tough. Before retiring I never gave a thought to weight gain. I was so active that it was not a problem. I'm sure that your wife is only concerned about your health and well being and a bet is just her method of getting you to respond. I've always heard lower but steady progress is better. What is the significance of June 21-09?

[citjet]

Here is a link with some good basic information concerning the way to structure your diet without going overboard: http://health.yahoo.com/weightloss-inspirational-stories/lose-30-pounds-in-3-months/mens-health--32787.html

The exercise portion should be discussed with your cardiologist to see what level of activity and target heart rates you should be aiming for due to your previous bypass.

While 30 pounds in 3 months is not at all impossible, it is definitely something that should be discussed with a physician.

Geezer is right too, make this change something for the long haul, we need people like you around for a long time!

[Z train]

30 pounds in three months is do-able.But some major"lifestyle changes" will be required.The major thing is aerobic "activity".Walking will not do it.You need to get in a gym.And possibly get a trainer for these three months.

[cbudvet]

Hi there,

I agree with Z Train. 30 pounds in 3 months is a fair amount of weight to lose. I would join a gym and get a trainer. Having worked with a trainer before there are several advantages. First, they know what they are doing. There are a lot of misconceptions about working out and being able to get the most out of it. After the trainer, I see a lot of people working out and they are just spinning their wheels (not on a bike). With a history of heart disease you don't want to get into trouble. The other benefit is that you are now financially obligated to work out (unless you don't mind losing the money you spent for the trainer). For me, that was the biggest incentive to keep going to the gym. Good luck with the bet. We will be rooting for you but take it easy so you don't end up with heart issues again. "You can do it!!!"

Carl

[onuthin]

I've always heard lower but steady progress is better. What is the significance of June 21-09?

June 21 is the first day of summer and it's my birthday. Thanks for any and all help. Ronnie

[Zak's Z]

You said you had a triple-bypass a while ago, so I would certainly see your doctor to get advice before getting a personal trainer and hitting the gym hard. Don't risk your health just to get healthy and good luck!

[bigoak]

A couple of aternative thoughts...

1. Take a part-time job as a hand on a local horse farm. When we moved onto the farm my wife lost 20 lbs (and I thought she was hot to begin with) in the first 2 months shovelling manure, etc. And that was looking after only 2 horses. Make a few extra bucks for Z projects as a benefit.

2. Bear with me on this one. Comes from my borther who is a pro athlete... Bust up your shoulder or knee so you require arthroscopic surgery. Make sure you are prescribed Demerol as a pain killer. As well as a decent buzz it makes for a great appetite suppressant. My brother lost 20 lbs in 5 weeks on the stuff.

All kidding aside, be healthy. No bet is worth your life.

[rtaylor]

Everyone else is concerned with your weight. To me the important thing, if it were me that was confronted with this scenario, is that I would never let my wife drive my Z, well, for any length of time that is. Not that she wants to drive the Z. The opposite is the truth, she won't drive the Z as there are no airbags. But I don't like anyone else driving my Z either. I would be heartbroken if there was a crash.:mad:

Your wife must drive better than mine.

Edited March 16, 2009 by rtaylor

[geezer]

We have a public weigh scale a few blocks from my home that I can weigh my car every day if I want. Do you have one nearby? It might be fun to post your progress by writing the cars weight with driver along the roofline where a race driver would typically have his name or maybe lettered on the front fender and cross off the previous weight with the next weeks weight. Just thinkin'...too much..OK, I'll go away now!

PS - No fair taking parts off the car either, thats cheating!

Edited March 16, 2009 by geezer

[Zak's Z]

Everyone else is concerned with your weight. To me the important thing, if it were me that was confronted with this scenario, is that I would never let my wife drive my Z, well, for any length of time that is. Not that she wants to drive the Z. The opposite is the truth, she won't drive the Z as there are no airbags. But I don't like anyone else driving my Z either. I would be heartbroken if there was a crash.:mad:

Your wife must drive better than mine.

Good point here. What is it you really win? You have to work off 30lbs AND give your Z to your wife??

[stevef1972z]

No joke doctor first. Triple bypass is a warning shot, and you need to make sure the path you are taking to loose the pounds are also helping your overall heart health.

Portion control and increased activity will always lead to loss, may be slower than what you want, but if the overall outcome is what you are looking for it will be worth modifying the bet.

Sealing the car will help with the fumes as well, the tailight gaskets on my Z let in a lot of fumes. I also added chrome tips to extend out even with the bumber and this helped as well. I think a rear spoiler might also aid in getting the air directed away from the low pressure area that forms in the wake of a Z. Then you get the best of both worlds!