[mosinnagant]

I figured I would introduce myself. My girlfriend and I are trying to loose about 80 pounds each. I am 280, striving for 200. I spent years working an office job, thats what probably contributed to me putting on the pounds. I recently got hired as a career Fire Fighter about 2 years ago. I can do the job, pass the PT test, but I am sucking wind compared to the other guys. I want to try and be the lean mean fire fighting machine (cliche'd i know) that I was 6 years ago in the Academy. I thought I would join here along with my girlfriend, diesel2011 to help each other along. Thanks.

Mosin Nagant

[JohnP]

Congrats on what many would consider a dream job!

My suggestion would be cardio six times a week. Doesn't have to be intense. Even a brisk walk will help your wind. Since you were previously in shape you'll get back there quick.

As for weight - office job didn't help but understand fat gain and fat loss is about calories consumed vs calories utilized and exercise doesn't burn that many caloires. Figure a 45 minute brisk walk burns 600 calories at your weight. That's a small glass of OJ + a bagel with cream cheese.

Goodluck!

[mosinnagant]

Thanks for the info. I made a plan on ************.com - it has me limited to 1550 calories a day. Day 2 and its working so far. We recently had one of our senior line fire fighters leave the station in the back of one of our Med rigs with chest pain. That was kind of an eye opener for me, even though I have been on many chest pain calls in my career, it hit a little closer to home when its one of our own guys who is out of shape and having cardiac issues.