OnePhatMan
I hope life has been treating you well. My life’s been pretty good, as always, but it threw me a curveball or two.
That’s why you’re back here, and why things look so different. But I digress—let me take you back a bit, and bring you up to date.
Until April of this year, I maintained my weight with no problems. I worked out six days a week, and spent a good amount of my spare time hiking, riding my bike, and kayaking. Sometimes my weight crept up a little, a few pounds, but then it crept back down with all my physical activity. Minor fluctuations are a part of life.
In April I had a vasectomy. There weren’t any complications, or anything like that, but it knocked me off working out as regularly for a few weeks. Couple that with comfort foods during the first week—my balls hurt, cut me a little slack—and I picked up 3 or 4 extra pounds. Not really a problem, definitely nothing to get bent out of shape or worry about, but still a blip on the radar.
Then in early June I went rafting on the Ocoee River with some friends from work.
About 15 minutes into the 90 minute trip, our guide took our raft back into a rapid we’d just come through and disaster struck. Another boatful of people crested the wave and came down onto our raft. Onto me. As they raced at me, I did the only thing my instincts allowed: I held my hands out in a vain attempt to stop them.
I failed.
When they rode up over me, something in my right shoulder twisted and gave, and I found myself under the other boat, my shoulder throbbing with the beats of my heart. I rowed over an hour after that, my shoulder screaming the whole time.
Doctors initially thought it was a bruised rotator cuff, and told me time would heal it. For several days I couldn’t even move my arm, but it gradually healed to some extent. During that time I missed a good number of workouts, and ate more of that food that seems to comfort so well in times of pain: Oreos.
Six weeks after the accident, I still couldn’t use the shoulder well. It ached most of the time, and really hurt when I tried to lift weights or use it for anything. The orthopedist sent me to have an MRI, and discovered that the cartilage around the end of my humerus—the labrum, it’s called—was torn.
And it wasn’t going to heal on its own.
In mid-August, I had surgery on my right shoulder to repair the torn labrum and hopefully get my shoulder back somewhere close to where it had been before the rafting trip.
Surgery knocked my workouts off even more. I’m back to regular cardio now, and though my shoulder is better than before surgery, serious weightlifting is still a no-no. As I did after the initial injury, I medicated the pain of surgery with more comfort foods. Literally—after the surgery I only took about 4 of the pain pills the doctor gave me. I hate the way they make me feel.
All this talk of comfort foods and eating is not to imply that I was out of control. I wasn’t. Mostly it was just excuses, the chief of which was my shoulder hurts, but I’ll bet McDonald’s would help me forget. But those days of a little here, a little there, coupled with not being able to work out as much, exacted a price from me:
I gained more weight. All in all, I’ve gained 15 pounds since April.
I stopped with the comfort food a few weeks ago, so that’s definitely not a problem, but the weight’s still there and something needs to be done about it. I’ve been talking about the 15 pounds for the last couple of weeks, but talking is all I’ve done.
And talking doesn’t cut it.
Last night, I had a minor epiphany while I tried to get to sleep. All the times I joked about the people who “only had to lose fifteen pounds”, all the times I’ve said, “I could shit off fifteen pounds,” those all came back to me. I realized that, despite the fact that I’m still working out 6 days a week, the fifteen pounds isn’t going anywhere unless I do something a little more radical. That’s when the idea sparked.
I decided to resurrect the phat man.
It’s time to focus on what needs doing, and get it done. I expect it to be more challenging now because of two things: I already eat healthy and am in good shape, and I have to watch what I do in the weight room.
Fortunately, the phat man loves a challenge.
I brought the site back online today. Better, stronger, and faster.
Full disclosure: There are some small ads on the site to offset the costs of running our server. Please don’t assume that I endorse whatever the ads are showing. Google controls those.
There’s almost no content right now, but that will change. I’m going to put up some of the old content, and I’m going to write regularly until the 15 pounds is straightened out. I’ll post regular food and exercise updates, and as much as it pains me to focus on the number, I’m even going to count the pounds down in that little box you see up in the upper left corner.
I’ll probably be cocky again, and I’ll probably make some people mad.
They’ll live.
Once I get this site up, I have an even bigger plan. I’m working to get the Chunk to Hunk domain back from the squatter who grabbed it when it expired, and when I do, I’m putting my book online, a piece at a time, for free. There’ll be more about that later, I’m sure, because there’s still a lot of work to do.
I hope to re-create some of the magic from the last time: the friends I made online, the camaraderie, the feeling of community. So with that, I leave you with a few questions:
Are you happy with your weight and health? Would you like to improve them? Are you being the best you can possibly be right now?
Will you join me?
If you want to get notified when I write an update, this link will do the trick.
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Good Luck Fred
Thanks for resurrecting the site. I received my notify just like before so that’s working.
Glad to have you back - missed ya!
I am SO happy you are starting your site back up and have NO DOUBT that you will lose this weight. You had a significant role in helping to motivate me almost 2 years ago when I decided to change my life for the good. I was almost 400 pounds and weighed in this morning at 225. I still have 75 pounds to go, but I know that I will get there. Your website and book meant a lot to me and I’ve given it to several people along the way. Looking forward to reading your posts and seeing your progress. Your friend in weight loss and moving toward LIFE, Shirley
Go Fred, a little bad luck befalls us all, but think of the good side, family will care for you.
Looking forward to the site. The book was great.
Dude! Since I read your book and began working out, eating right I have dumped 50 pounds. And I am still losing:) One pound at a time! Thanks for the inspiration:)
You are going to lose that pesky 15 pounds as well, it’ll happen!
Sorry to hear about the boating accident. Glad to hear you’re re-couping well. Kudos to you for realising something needed to be done before the numbers crept up even higher. Keeping a blog will help you get to where you need to be……….. keep up the good work, and I look forward to reading all your “cocky” comments!
It’s great to see you back though the reason behind it sucks (your accident, not the weight)
I’m going to be okay and live and all that but I definitely did the food comforting bit to help with the stress. Walking might’ve been a much better choice but it’s hard to walk and eat half a cake at the same time.
I myself have had my thyroid removed and found out it was cancerous but it’s a “good” cancer to have as my doctor pointed out…second on her list of favourite cancers to get
I’m glad you’re back…I’ve missed your site.
Good going Fred..better now than have 50 or more to lose
Good luck to you! I have no doubt you’l lbe successful.
I will join you, if a cranky thirty-seven-year-old high school teacher in seriously bad shape can join the ranks of no-bullshit health improvers.
Hey Fred,
Glad to see the site back up. We will be with you while you send those 15 to the other side. I have never been obese, but I have tossed your 15 on and off more times than I would like to admit. It is always the same excuse too. This happened or that didnt fit into my schedule…. I know Ill eat something and it will all be better. NOT! Its sill there and it brought extra lbs for company. Like my friend used to say “Old habits are in the freezer, just waiting to defrost” Good Luck!!!!
Yay! You’re back!!! Although I’m sorry you have 15 lbs. to lose. I have 20 lbs. to lose and your new and improved phat man will really give me a boost! Looking forward to reading!
Go, Fred! I’ve been “with” you and Robyn almost from the very start. I know you’ll drop this 15 in no time at all.
Let’s do it, Fred!!
Hey Fred.. as you can see, many people really support you. I look forward to watching you lose those nasty 15 pounds. I’ve lost 70, and maintained it for a year and a half.. but I had a little help. (yeah, I paid for some help.. lapband) but, I still struggle, work out on a regular basis, but lately not regular enough. I’m going to get back on track with you. Good luck. You are such an inspiration to myself and so many others.
Hi, Fred!
Nice to have you back!
You were an inspiration to me when I became ill and had to lose some pounds. Now I´m down from 315 to 180 and life is great. I have written a book on my own about my method, and a great number of people in Sweden is following my principles.
I don´t work out, like you do, I´m using a hormonal eating plan of my own. But I´ve learnt a lot from you about determination. (I don´t eat Oreos, but I believe they are packed with trans fats and sugar. I wouldn´t eat one of them, not for anything in the world. I´ve learnt that from Fred…)
Kind regards
Sten Sture Skaldeman
I was wondering what happened…. Good luck. I’ve been hit with some demons myself, including angioplasty with two stents at the ripe old age of 42.
Good to see the sites coming back. Thanks.
Hi, Fred! I too have been with you and Robyn almost from the first and have loved all of your sites over the years and bought your book. I lost about 50 lbs several years ago but gradually put back on 20 of it. So far I’ve again lost 10 of the 20, 10 more to go, or maybe more, who knows? Couldn’t hurt! So I’ll be joining you too along with all the others here. Like Mary said, Let’s do it!
Thanks a lot, guys — I appreciate the comments.
Let us accomplish good things, shall we?
Reading your book got me started on my weight loss. It’s been just over 8 months and I’ve lost 55 pounds. I’m halfway to where I want to be, and I’ve hit a bad skid lately. Your epiphany is contageous! I’m ready to kick my butt back into the gym! Hurt me, Fred, yell at me!
Atta boy Fred…YEEESSSSSS, the old sites back soon…..I have told you before…you and only you were the reason I lost my weight…..started out 360 and currently am pegging the 200 mark…No pills, no diet, no sissy ass weight watcher food points…..
Glad to see the old joints getting put back up!
I’m in. I want to get my tendinitisy shoulder back in shape, and oddly, it only takes a little weight training to make it happy.
Hey Fred. Good luck with that. I have a copy of your book, BTW, and I like your style.
I’ll be checking in with you every now and then.
Cheers,
Nelson
You were one of the first people who inspired me to go for it when I’d all but given up a little over a year ago. Your challenges bring to light they we are all human. Thanks for coming back, we missed you.
Fred,
Been here almost since the beginning…glad you aren’t perfect… almost thought you were…rock on!
Debbie
I will log on every day to see your progress. I’m 5′6″ and 283. I know what I need to do but I’m lazy. Your book inspired me for a while. I’m gonna get it off the bookshelf and re-read it. Along with that and this website community, I hope I can get some ambition to work out.
Now there’s a funny thing! Can’t believe it. In 2000, at 48 I decided I wanted to lose weight. While looking about diets online I came across your site, and was very soon hooked - to journals as a whole really, and I read a dozen regularly, have made friends from them. I lost 36 pounds which was much more than I’d imagined. Felt great. But slowly, the 36 and more have settled down with me. For weeks I’ve been uncomfortable and have kept thinking/saying I MUST do something about this. But motivation was gone. Last night I sat myself down at the computer and made myself a diet to suit me of can’t haves, may haves, and musthaves. I woke up really early this morning and couldnt get back to sleep, and decided RIGHT, I’m going to type that up, stick it everywhere and START TODAY (instead of my ususal, I’ll start mext week)
Printed it off, logged on for emails, and what should be there? Your notify - Fred - I just CANNOT believe that!!
I’m a great believer in fate, and well - what can I say??!!! Thanks.
Way to go Fred!You are very inspiring, I loved your book, but the blog is better. I too have shoulder problems, and at 58 have to be very careful how I lift weights, so it will be great to hear from you. All the best!!! Sali
Wow Dude!—————-Glad to see you back! You are my inspiration.
I didn’t know how to get your website, and thought you probably didn’t want to communicate with us any more. No, seriously, I had gained about forty pounds after having lost 90. I exercised every morning, but for some reason, just couldn’t stick to the healthy eating plan. This went on for about a year, finally I decided to go straight to the One who gave me my life to begin with. I begged, pleaded. whined, and cried; finally I thought Hm-m-m-m…….wonder if I am supposed to do something about this myself? Duh! So, I bought a lot of raw veggies, cut them up and put them in plastic bags for whenever I got the cravings, put the scales away (I don’t know how much I weight, would rather go by the clothes size) and began writing down my meal plan for the day, then at the end of the day, I journal. I am into the fourth day of my new life!
Fred, Sorry for your pain and the fifteen pounds. You inspired so many of us to start losing weight. Everyone slips up, but nip it in the bud and lets get back on track. I have lost about eighty pounds in the last two years from reading your web and having your book. My doctor told me to lose very slowly so that it will stay off at my age (over 50) The worst thing is that I lent the book to someone and they never returned it. Glad you will print some of it. I used it like the bible. When I needed help I’d pick it up and read any page. YOu should write even if you lose the fifteen pounds and get going on that second book about maintaining for life. Love you and Robyn and the Spud. Good Luck.
Hey Fred, I am glad this site is back. Just when I need major motivation for myself, here it is. Thanks.
Sure is great to see you back, sorry you have had a rough time but good for u finding that place to restart. Will join you on the way back to hunk WE WILL NOT HAVE CHUNK none of that again huh.
Hi Fred, I too have gained back 15 of the 35 lbs I lost along with you. I used to be an avid walker..Then something happened. I don’t recall what-besides my business exploding (in a good busy money making productive way)but I havent gotten back into it and I’m struggling to figure out where I have the time to pick it up again. Good luck to the both of us. PS-secretly glad phatman is back..I missed him..hee!
Yep - I was here at nearly the beginning too and it was sad to see the Phatman leave - although I understood. I lost over 70 lbs after I started reading your site and book (which I still break out every once and a while if I am struggling and need some motivation.) You will kick the hell out of these 15 pounds man - I have no doubt in that. Thank you for sharing your story!
Welcome back phatman! It’s understandable that you gained weight during your challenges this year. But I’m happy to see you back.
I’ve lost 20 pounds so far this year, but I have about 20 more to go. I’m kind of in a funk right now and unmotivated and not eating the way I should. Hoping to pick up some motivation from you.
And I hate the elliptical too. With a passion.
Hey Fred, you’re human after all! I was wondering about you. About how you managed to keep the weight off all this time. That has always been my downfall. I can lose the weight, but I don’t know, I guess I lose motivation and the weight starts coming back, until I am just as fat as before, and then some.
I’m sure if you hadn’t of been injured though, you wouldn’t be here right now. Good luck to you and trying to shed the extra weight. I’m sure you’ll have no problems. It is nice sharing the experience with others, to help keep you on track.
P.S. Not sure if you remember me or not, but I won one of your contests a long time ago. It was naming the haunted picture that sold on ebay. I won and you sent me a ton of Ocean’s Eleven stuff. Thanks again
Thanks again, guys. It’s good to be back in the phat man groove.
I just started back on Weight Watchers yesterday and am determined to lose it all healthily (again) and keep it off (this time). Though I wouldn’t wish the recurring struggle on anyone, finding out you are back here at the phatman today really excited and reinspired me. We will do it together Fred. I have 110 to lose, you have 15, but the struggle’s really the same, isn’t it? So glad you are back.
:) CA
I have also lost a significant amount of weight. 101 lbs. This took 2 years and was completed in 2001 following the Weight Watchers Plan and support group. I need to continue to go to the meetings for the support and accountability of the scale. If I don’t weigh in with someone watching the weight creeps back. Usuallly it is around 10 lbs. gained that the warning light flashes. Nothing in the closet fits anymore, I feel crappy etc. Good luck to you and know that I am pulling for you and you can do it.
I’ve was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a month ago. I have it in my background, over weight all my life, live with high stress last 2yrs. but had been able to hold it at bay until now. I am limited on how much physical work I can do so far as working out but I am working on getting into walking and chair excercises in small stages.
I’m taking glucophage 500mg twice a day and 100mg Zoloft and at last Dr. visit, I was put on a highblood pressure med because w/diabetes it is proceedure to protect heart and kidneys. One thing I had never had problems with was highblood pressure. BUMMER
I feel frustrated when it comes to the exercise because I am so limited with what I can do. I used to be so limber and had lots of energy even though I’ve been a big gal all my life. Now, I find myself feeling defeated before I start. I’m working on changing those thoughts and feelings to accent what I CAN do and go on.
I wish you luck on your journey and thank you for the chance to use your challenge as my motivation.
Somewhere way back in your cloud of dust I’ll be there, slower, but I’ll be there.
Good to see that onephatman.com is back. Today I just happened to type the address in to see if anything was going on and I was happy to see this!
I’m at a healthy weight and size. I lift weights and do cardio 5 to 6 times per week. I struggle with sugar and my goal for this week is to stop eating it at all for 3 days to get the cravings out of my body. My overall goal is balance. I would like to able to eat a cookie here one day, a piece of chocolate another day and not overdo. I can do this; I have to picture myself not eating those sugary desserts to a picture of myself eating good foods that will fuel my body.
Fred, I’m going in tomorrow for surgery on my torn labrum. Give me an idea of what to expect in terms of rehab., recovery, etc. I’m a senior in high school and in good shape. I lift weights 5 times a week and I’m really concerned about being inactive for a long period of time.
You’ve got the right attitude toward your exercise program and that is really important. Stay positive!