Need tips on moderation and weight loss

[NeedaMirer]

My background: I am a 33 year old lawyer who sits behind a desk all day. I am 6' tall and 240 lbs. I am actually pretty athletic for my size. I was a 3 sport athlete in college and I used to be 170 lbs when I ran track.

Here is my problem, I am very competitive and I do not know moderation very well. Every time I go on a diet or try to get in shape, I do it to the extreme. For example, several years ago I lost 28 pounds in in two weeks through extreme workouts and calorie reduction. Another time, when I couldn't run more than two miles in a row, I ended up completing the Chicago Marathon 9 weeks later. The last time I started running, I had to push myself everytime I went out. While I enjoy pushing myself in this regard, I open myself up to fatigue, injury and burnout. Its happened several times.

Anyone else here have this problem? I do not like to simply go to the gym and hit the treadmill. I like to build toward a goal like running 5K's competively. However, patience is something I lack. That is a significant problem because I realize sustained weight loss requires patience. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

[Manfred_Man]

hey, NeedaMirer! welcome to the EF community!

sounds like you already know the issue: patience is a virtue, my friend! it's been said that lack of moderation is abuse... going about weightloss/fatloss that way is abuse to your body.

have you read the stickies on weightloss/fatloss? if not, i'd recommend that.

btw, you say you like to build toward a goal. then build a goal that is not time-based. aim for a body-mass-index reading or bodyfat percentage. maybe you need to become more task-oriented and plan your workouts rather than plan a goal-oriented workout... that is, your goal is to do your workout, and thus develop a lifestyle that includes exercise.

really, what you need is a paradigm shift and a change of priorities. goals are great to strive for, but they shouldn't be greater than a vision: a healthier, balanced, stronger, livelier way of living.

trust this helps...

take care of yourself.

[Doughboy]

Ahh M. Man got to the thread before me. Anyway he is right man