Walking around

[Virgil]

Not sure if this sub is still active but i wanted to post my progress and and journey so far..

Start of January last year i decided to give exercise yet another try, over the years ive attempted to and pretty much each time got bored, gave up and quit after just a couple of months. Always had an excuse
This time i wanted it to be different, being single living alone, apart from sharing custody with my daughters, i had all the time in the world to make it work this time
Started small, just a couple easy 3-4km walks at a not to brisk pace. Didn't put any pressure on myself to go too hard, Which is likely why ive failed in the past. I throw myself hard into a new endeavor and it quickly runs its course.

This time i grew into it, walking regularly 3 - 4 times a week and slowly upping my pace and distance,
Going from an average of 10.00 -10.30mins per km to where i am now which is normally 9-9.10mins per km. Often doing 1km splits in the mid to late 8mins per km.
Last year i set myself a goal of reaching 1,000kms in total by the years end. I fell just short with 944km walked.
Struggled in the winter-early spring months but overall very happy. The occasional month i broke 100kms in total, averaging 25kms a week
Ive since started 2026 with a bang with having nearly 170km's last month. My pace is increasing too.
Im at a point where i look forward to it and get slightly anxie if i cant get out there.
It also does wonders for your mental health, not just your physical.

Speaking of the physical turn around, i didnt weigh myself at the start. I didnt want to become obsessed with weight and getting despondent over slow progress. I had a reasonable idea what i weighed and figured id see the changes in time.
it felt very slow to start but by mid year it was noticeable pants were getting looser, and discovered i had ribs instead of just a round tummy and torso. Then later in the year i started getting comments from people i hadnt seen for a while. Like actual surprised looks on their face and 'oh wow you look so different'. Felt fucking amazing
Im not a BIG guy but i have a small frame, had the classic spare tyre and belly that goes with it.
Went clothes shopping just before xmas last year, needed some new shirts to wear when out walking. Have only ever been wearing L for a number of years. Tried on a M and it was actually loose...so on a whim i tried a Small. A fucken small and it fitted! I can not recall the last time i comfortably fit into a Small shirt, probably when i was a teenager.

Next were pants, have generally worn 36-38 inch. Bought some shorts and comfortably fitted in 32 inch but even now they are feeling lose. I suspect i need to drop down to 30inch maybe even smaller.

Have since gone through my wardrobe and chucked away all my dress shirts and most of my t-shirts.
All my long pants/jeans are all too big now as well.

This week i decided to fuck it and weigh myself on a set of scales.
last time i did weigh myself i was around 95kgs. Id imagine i had maintained that weight ever since.

Jumped on the scales and it read 73kgs.
20+kg loss

Fucking stoked
Still have a little bit more to lose, most of the belly is gone but some is still there and the look of a spare tyre is gone.
Not running, no expensive gym memberships. Just walking and some diet changes. Nothing drastic, just moderation, cutting out snacking and eating anything after dinner etc.

If you have managed to make it this far i appreciate it and for reading my not so exciting story.

Hopefully plenty others out there are in better places with their health and fitness too

[taniwharugby]

@Virgil said in Walking around:

Im at a point where i look forward to it and get slightly anxie if i cant get out there.
It also does wonders for your mental health, not just your physical.

Awesome work, you should be stoked with that!! I havent weighed that much since last century haha

That is one sign IMO that shows you are on the right path, when your body is telling you it wants/needs to do some activity.

I'm still really active, although after weighing in at the most I have been in about 4 or 5 years just after Xmas, have upped my Cardio activity, swapping out 1 gym session for cardio only and adding a 2nd cardio only session, so including golf, I'm doing something 6 days a week.

But whole-heartedly agree on the mental health aspect, when I've had a tough day at work, I am always so amped to go to the gym, put my headphones on and physically thrash myself!

[MN5]

@Virgil said in Walking around:

Not sure if this sub is still active but i wanted to post my progress and and journey so far..

Start of January last year i decided to give exercise yet another try, over the years ive attempted to and pretty much each time got bored, gave up and quit after just a couple of months. Always had an excuse
This time i wanted it to be different, being single living alone, apart from sharing custody with my daughters, i had all the time in the world to make it work this time
Started small, just a couple easy 3-4km walks at a not to brisk pace. Didn't put any pressure on myself to go too hard, Which is likely why ive failed in the past. I throw myself hard into a new endeavor and it quickly runs its course.

This time i grew into it, walking regularly 3 - 4 times a week and slowly upping my pace and distance,
Going from an average of 10.00 -10.30mins per km to where i am now which is normally 9-9.10mins per km. Often doing 1km splits in the mid to late 8mins per km.
Last year i set myself a goal of reaching 1,000kms in total by the years end. I fell just short with 944km walked.
Struggled in the winter-early spring months but overall very happy. The occasional month i broke 100kms in total, averaging 25kms a week
Ive since started 2026 with a bang with having nearly 170km's last month. My pace is increasing too.
Im at a point where i look forward to it and get slightly anxie if i cant get out there.
It also does wonders for your mental health, not just your physical.

Speaking of the physical turn around, i didnt weigh myself at the start. I didnt want to become obsessed with weight and getting despondent over slow progress. I had a reasonable idea what i weighed and figured id see the changes in time.
it felt very slow to start but by mid year it was noticeable pants were getting looser, and discovered i had ribs instead of just a round tummy and torso. Then later in the year i started getting comments from people i hadnt seen for a while. Like actual surprised looks on their face and 'oh wow you look so different'. Felt fucking amazing
Im not a BIG guy but i have a small frame, had the classic spare tyre and belly that goes with it.
Went clothes shopping just before xmas last year, needed some new shirts to wear when out walking. Have only ever been wearing L for a number of years. Tried on a M and it was actually loose...so on a whim i tried a Small. A fucken small and it fitted! I can not recall the last time i comfortably fit into a Small shirt, probably when i was a teenager.

Next were pants, have generally worn 36-38 inch. Bought some shorts and comfortably fitted in 32 inch but even now they are feeling lose. I suspect i need to drop down to 30inch maybe even smaller.

Have since gone through my wardrobe and chucked away all my dress shirts and most of my t-shirts.
All my long pants/jeans are all too big now as well.

This week i decided to fuck it and weigh myself on a set of scales.
last time i did weigh myself i was around 95kgs. Id imagine i had maintained that weight ever since.

Jumped on the scales and it read 73kgs.
20+kg loss

Fucking stoked
Still have a little bit more to lose, most of the belly is gone but some is still there and the look of a spare tyre is gone.
Not running, no expensive gym memberships. Just walking and some diet changes. Nothing drastic, just moderation, cutting out snacking and eating anything after dinner etc.

If you have managed to make it this far i appreciate it and for reading my not so exciting story.

Hopefully plenty others out there are in better places with their health and fitness too

Good work Fella.

Walking is great, definitely a part of my regime. ( I'll leave that long distance running shit to the other half, I'll make do with a few sprints instead )

It's a wonderful way to get out in nature, have a think about life, stop and post something on the fern, listen to music, have a perve etc.

It should be something everyone who lives in NZ does whether urban or in rural areas. No shortage of great spots to do it in.

[MN5]

@taniwharugby said in Walking around:

@Virgil said in Walking around:

Im at a point where i look forward to it and get slightly anxie if i cant get out there.
It also does wonders for your mental health, not just your physical.

Awesome work, you should be stoked with that!! I havent weighed that much since last century haha

That is one sign IMO that shows you are on the right path, when your body is telling you it wants/needs to do some activity.

I'm still really active, although after weighing in at the most I have been in about 4 or 5 years just after Xmas, have upped my Cardio activity, swapping out 1 gym session for cardio only and adding a 2nd cardio only session, so including golf, I'm doing something 6 days a week.

But whole-heartedly agree on the mental health aspect, when I've had a tough day at work, I am always so amped to go to the gym, put my headphones on and physically thrash myself!

No one on earth has ever said "gee I really regret doing that workout" even if it just about kills you at the time. The endorphins and good feelings are real even if it might be more tempting to get on the piss with mates to forget your troubles ( this is still recommended in moderation ).

[Virgil]

@MN5 Cheers
ive tried running in the past too, the knees never appreciated it.

Ive realised too with the uptick in distance and pace i need to better fuel myself, up the protein intake etc
Have also worn out my first pair of sneakers, on the prowl for another pair

All this exercising, losing weight replacing your wardrobe doesnt come cheap!

[MN5]

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MN5 Cheers
ive tried running in the past too, the knees never appreciated it.

Ive realised too with the uptick in distance and pace i need to better fuel myself, up the protein intake etc
Have also worn out my first pair of sneakers, on the prowl for another pair

All this exercising, losing weight replacing your wardrobe doesnt come cheap!

Fuck running, jeepers that reminds me I need to get up early in a couple of weekends to drop the girl to the start line for round the bays......

Given we're friends on FB I have to say I'm slightly disappointed my feed isn't full of gratuitous posts about how far you've walked each day. ( complete with maps, times, elevation etc )

Do better.

[Virgil]

@taniwharugby i was shocked when i saw the 73 come up.
did it a couple more times just to be sure. I was expecting maybe 80ish at best.

agree re your body wants to get out there. Ive always taken a no pressure approach. Theres been the odd evening when im just shattered too tired. Could have pushed myself to go but i hadnt. Also be times when i was out walking but was struggling and would call it a day.
I think that has helped, now its just a part of my routine and i enjoy it.

Also realized too late listening to audio books while walking isnt that ideal. Switched back to music and the increase in pace was hugely noticeable.

[taniwharugby]

@Virgil funny, I recently just bought a pair of running shoes (usually only went for cross-trainers) and the comfort/support level is much better, so is def worth spending money on good shoes.

[Virgil]

@MN5 ill see how i go with losing this last bit of belly. Maybe you might get a treat.
also i cant even remember the last time i posted anything on FB.

[Virgil]

@taniwharugby said in Walking around:

@Virgil funny, I recently just bought a pair of running shoes (usually only went for cross-trainers) and the comfort level is much better, so is def worth spending money on good shoes.

i can imagine, just starting noticing recently how the soles of my feet would feel a bit tender after a long walk.
Might check out for any sales this long weekend

[MajorPom]

Great read, thanks for sharing such a detailed write up!

Be proud fella. Strut it out!

[Virgil]

@MajorPom said in Walking around:

Great read, thanks for sharing such a detailed write up!

Be proud fella. Strut it out!

Thanks mate appreciate it
i dont normally go for bragging or blowing my own trumpet etc but its been a real buzz the last couple of months seeing how things have changed for me. Just something minor as dropping clothing sizes, the comments when running into people. Seeing genuine surprise on their faces.
then the confirmation by jumping on the scales, still trying to get my head around the fact ive lost approx 1/4 of my body weight

[MN5]

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MajorPom said in Walking around:

Great read, thanks for sharing such a detailed write up!

Be proud fella. Strut it out!

Thanks mate appreciate it
i dont normally go for bragging or blowing my own trumpet etc but its been a real buzz the last couple of months seeing how things have changed for me. Just something minor as dropping clothing sizes, the comments when running into people. Seeing genuine surprise on their faces.
then the confirmation by jumping on the scales, still trying to get my head around the fact ive lost approx 1/4 of my body weight

Has there been any major dietary changes or do you put most of this down to the walking ?

Chicken and its amazing versatility has been key for me keeping a healthy weight, I won't be going down to the 70s any time soon though, I look emaciated at anything under 90kg !

[Virgil]

@MN5 said in Walking around:

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MajorPom said in Walking around:

Great read, thanks for sharing such a detailed write up!

Be proud fella. Strut it out!

Thanks mate appreciate it
i dont normally go for bragging or blowing my own trumpet etc but its been a real buzz the last couple of months seeing how things have changed for me. Just something minor as dropping clothing sizes, the comments when running into people. Seeing genuine surprise on their faces.
then the confirmation by jumping on the scales, still trying to get my head around the fact ive lost approx 1/4 of my body weight

Has there been any major dietary changes or do you put most of this down to the walking ?

Chicken and its amazing versatility has been key for me keeping a healthy weight, I won't be going down to the 70s any time soon though, I look emaciated at anything under 90kg !

There has been, i did initially try a very low carb diet but found it unsuitable for me. I love pasta, bread etc
in the end the biggest changes ive made is ive cut out lunch during the week. Ill have a light breakfast, i take some fruit and small yogurt to work and thats all ill eat until dinner time. Its not easy, i am looking to bring in healthy/high protein snack options.
I did this because most of the time my lunches at work were left overs from dinner the night before, which meant in effect i was eating 2 x dinner sized meals a day.
I might once in a while get a sandwhich up the road but its rare.

I also limited my takeaways, i have teenage daughters who i take out on a Saturday for lunch and often its maccas etc. Most times i wont get anything other than a coffee. Once in a while i might get a chicken burger.

If we have takeways during the week for a treat i limit what i have

ive also stopped eating after dinner time, no more snacking.
i do eat a banana have something with protein after a long walk thats it.

it helps meat is so expensive at the moment but i rarely eat red meat other than mince. Cant remember the last time i bought steak

it should be said i do have a weekly routine where on Sundays i have a mini fry up
its my one cheat day and treat. Couple of fried eggs, maybe a hash brown or 2 and a couple strips of streaky bacon
ive been doing that since the start of this weight loss thing and its obviously not effected me
also for some weird reason i started craving Chocolate last year, i regularly but a small chocolate bar (maybe every couple of weeks) and on some occasions buy a larger bar when on special and eat that over a few nights
Milk chocolate too

so its not like im 100% disciplined or anything, i think it helps im walking 25-40kms a week consistently

i just believe in moderation, also i dont drink as much. Not that i was a big drinker.
im a fan of spirits and cocktails, i didnt touch anything for most of the last 6 months of last year. Bar xmas when i allowed myself to consume a little bit....

[MN5]

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MN5 said in Walking around:

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MajorPom said in Walking around:

Great read, thanks for sharing such a detailed write up!

Be proud fella. Strut it out!

Thanks mate appreciate it
i dont normally go for bragging or blowing my own trumpet etc but its been a real buzz the last couple of months seeing how things have changed for me. Just something minor as dropping clothing sizes, the comments when running into people. Seeing genuine surprise on their faces.
then the confirmation by jumping on the scales, still trying to get my head around the fact ive lost approx 1/4 of my body weight

Has there been any major dietary changes or do you put most of this down to the walking ?

Chicken and its amazing versatility has been key for me keeping a healthy weight, I won't be going down to the 70s any time soon though, I look emaciated at anything under 90kg !

There has been, i did initially try a very low carb diet but found it unsuitable for me. I love pasta, bread etc
in the end the biggest changes ive made is ive cut out lunch during the week. Ill have a light breakfast, i take some fruit and small yogurt to work and thats all ill eat until dinner time. Its not easy, i am looking to bring in healthy/high protein snack options.
I did this because most of the time my lunches at work were left overs from dinner the night before, which meant in effect i was eating 2 x dinner sized meals a day.
I might once in a while get a sandwhich up the road but its rare.

I also limited my takeaways, i have teenage daughters who i take out on a Saturday for lunch and often its maccas etc. Most times i wont get anything other than a coffee. Once in a while i might get a chicken burger.

If we have takeways during the week for a treat i limit what i have

ive also stopped eating after dinner time, no more snacking.
i do eat a banana have something with protein after a long walk thats it.

it helps meat is so expensive at the moment but i rarely eat red meat other than mince. Cant remember the last time i bought steak

it should be said i do have a weekly routine where on Sundays i have a mini fry up
its my one cheat day and treat. Couple of fried eggs, maybe a hash brown or 2 and a couple strips of streaky bacon
ive been doing that since the start of this weight loss thing and its obviously not effected me
also for some weird reason i started craving Chocolate last year, i regularly but a small chocolate bar (maybe every couple of weeks) and on some occasions buy a larger bar when on special and eat that over a few nights
Milk chocolate too

so its not like im 100% disciplined or anything, i think it helps im walking 25-40kms a week consistently

i just believe in moderation, also i dont drink as much. Not that i was a big drinker.
im a fan of spirits and cocktails, i didnt touch anything for most of the last 6 months of last year. Bar xmas when i allowed myself to consume a little bit....

Yeah Red Meat is ridiculously expensive, I'll still treat myself to a steak every now and again but way more bang for your buck with Chicken.

I kind of do something similar to you in that I don't have brekky but often have a large lunch and dinner. Works for me in terms of keeping the "bad" weight off and fueling weights/calisthenics. I've also cut down on the booze but still had 6-8 beers every day over the Xmas/NY break ( and 12 Coronas on Xmas Day ) it was warm in the bay, I was hydrating.

Sunday fry ups are awesome although I poach my eggs rather than fry them. Bacon and black pudd once a week is fine, I'd eat it every day if it was good for me.

[Virgil]

@MN5 said in Walking around:

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MN5 said in Walking around:

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MajorPom said in Walking around:

Great read, thanks for sharing such a detailed write up!

Be proud fella. Strut it out!

Thanks mate appreciate it
i dont normally go for bragging or blowing my own trumpet etc but its been a real buzz the last couple of months seeing how things have changed for me. Just something minor as dropping clothing sizes, the comments when running into people. Seeing genuine surprise on their faces.
then the confirmation by jumping on the scales, still trying to get my head around the fact ive lost approx 1/4 of my body weight

Has there been any major dietary changes or do you put most of this down to the walking ?

Chicken and its amazing versatility has been key for me keeping a healthy weight, I won't be going down to the 70s any time soon though, I look emaciated at anything under 90kg !

There has been, i did initially try a very low carb diet but found it unsuitable for me. I love pasta, bread etc
in the end the biggest changes ive made is ive cut out lunch during the week. Ill have a light breakfast, i take some fruit and small yogurt to work and thats all ill eat until dinner time. Its not easy, i am looking to bring in healthy/high protein snack options.
I did this because most of the time my lunches at work were left overs from dinner the night before, which meant in effect i was eating 2 x dinner sized meals a day.
I might once in a while get a sandwhich up the road but its rare.

I also limited my takeaways, i have teenage daughters who i take out on a Saturday for lunch and often its maccas etc. Most times i wont get anything other than a coffee. Once in a while i might get a chicken burger.

If we have takeways during the week for a treat i limit what i have

ive also stopped eating after dinner time, no more snacking.
i do eat a banana have something with protein after a long walk thats it.

it helps meat is so expensive at the moment but i rarely eat red meat other than mince. Cant remember the last time i bought steak

it should be said i do have a weekly routine where on Sundays i have a mini fry up
its my one cheat day and treat. Couple of fried eggs, maybe a hash brown or 2 and a couple strips of streaky bacon
ive been doing that since the start of this weight loss thing and its obviously not effected me
also for some weird reason i started craving Chocolate last year, i regularly but a small chocolate bar (maybe every couple of weeks) and on some occasions buy a larger bar when on special and eat that over a few nights
Milk chocolate too

so its not like im 100% disciplined or anything, i think it helps im walking 25-40kms a week consistently

i just believe in moderation, also i dont drink as much. Not that i was a big drinker.
im a fan of spirits and cocktails, i didnt touch anything for most of the last 6 months of last year. Bar xmas when i allowed myself to consume a little bit....

Yeah Red Meat is ridiculously expensive, I'll still treat myself to a steak every now and again but way more bang for your buck with Chicken.

I kind of do something similar to you in that I don't have brekky but often have a large lunch and dinner. Works for me in terms of keeping the "bad" weight off and fueling weights/calisthenics. I've also cut down on the booze but still had 6-8 beers every day over the Xmas/NY break ( and 12 Coronas on Xmas Day ) it was warm in the bay, I was hydrating.

Sunday fry ups are awesome although I poach my eggs rather than fry them. Bacon and black pudd once a week is fine, I'd eat it every day if it was good for me.

Took the girls to Lonestar a couple weeks ago, ended up having Steak (normally a toss up between that and Pork belly)
must have been the first steak ive eaten in over a year...
I often buy chicken breast, i do enjoy making burgers at home. Both beef and or chicken

not a beer drinker really which i think also helps, spirits like Vodka have alot less calories than beer does. So that helps
But again i did indulge with drinking over xmas because fuck it you need to have treats in life. Ive been good ever since though. Might have the odd drink but not alot.
im at a point now where i feel i just burned a shit ton of calories on a 10kmm walk. Why come home and consume more. Its not easy though, as i do have a sweet tooth (weakness is ice cream etc)

Love black pudding, found some last year but its not easy to find

[MN5]

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MN5 said in Walking around:

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MN5 said in Walking around:

@Virgil said in Walking around:

@MajorPom said in Walking around:

Great read, thanks for sharing such a detailed write up!

Be proud fella. Strut it out!

Thanks mate appreciate it
i dont normally go for bragging or blowing my own trumpet etc but its been a real buzz the last couple of months seeing how things have changed for me. Just something minor as dropping clothing sizes, the comments when running into people. Seeing genuine surprise on their faces.
then the confirmation by jumping on the scales, still trying to get my head around the fact ive lost approx 1/4 of my body weight

Has there been any major dietary changes or do you put most of this down to the walking ?

Chicken and its amazing versatility has been key for me keeping a healthy weight, I won't be going down to the 70s any time soon though, I look emaciated at anything under 90kg !

There has been, i did initially try a very low carb diet but found it unsuitable for me. I love pasta, bread etc
in the end the biggest changes ive made is ive cut out lunch during the week. Ill have a light breakfast, i take some fruit and small yogurt to work and thats all ill eat until dinner time. Its not easy, i am looking to bring in healthy/high protein snack options.
I did this because most of the time my lunches at work were left overs from dinner the night before, which meant in effect i was eating 2 x dinner sized meals a day.
I might once in a while get a sandwhich up the road but its rare.

I also limited my takeaways, i have teenage daughters who i take out on a Saturday for lunch and often its maccas etc. Most times i wont get anything other than a coffee. Once in a while i might get a chicken burger.

If we have takeways during the week for a treat i limit what i have

ive also stopped eating after dinner time, no more snacking.
i do eat a banana have something with protein after a long walk thats it.

it helps meat is so expensive at the moment but i rarely eat red meat other than mince. Cant remember the last time i bought steak

it should be said i do have a weekly routine where on Sundays i have a mini fry up
its my one cheat day and treat. Couple of fried eggs, maybe a hash brown or 2 and a couple strips of streaky bacon
ive been doing that since the start of this weight loss thing and its obviously not effected me
also for some weird reason i started craving Chocolate last year, i regularly but a small chocolate bar (maybe every couple of weeks) and on some occasions buy a larger bar when on special and eat that over a few nights
Milk chocolate too

so its not like im 100% disciplined or anything, i think it helps im walking 25-40kms a week consistently

i just believe in moderation, also i dont drink as much. Not that i was a big drinker.
im a fan of spirits and cocktails, i didnt touch anything for most of the last 6 months of last year. Bar xmas when i allowed myself to consume a little bit....

Yeah Red Meat is ridiculously expensive, I'll still treat myself to a steak every now and again but way more bang for your buck with Chicken.

I kind of do something similar to you in that I don't have brekky but often have a large lunch and dinner. Works for me in terms of keeping the "bad" weight off and fueling weights/calisthenics. I've also cut down on the booze but still had 6-8 beers every day over the Xmas/NY break ( and 12 Coronas on Xmas Day ) it was warm in the bay, I was hydrating.

Sunday fry ups are awesome although I poach my eggs rather than fry them. Bacon and black pudd once a week is fine, I'd eat it every day if it was good for me.

Took the girls to Lonestar a couple weeks ago, ended up having Steak (normally a toss up between that and Pork belly)
must have been the first steak ive eaten in over a year...
I often buy chicken breast, i do enjoy making burgers at home. Both beef and or chicken

not a beer drinker really which i think also helps, spirits like Vodka have alot less calories than beer does. So that helps
But again i did indulge with drinking over xmas because fuck it you need to have treats in life. Ive been good ever since though. Might have the odd drink but not alot.
im at a point now where i feel i just burned a shit ton of calories on a 10kmm walk. Why come home and consume more. Its not easy though, as i do have a sweet tooth (weakness is ice cream etc)

Love black pudding, found some last year but its not easy to find

I love beer. Particularly the crafty kind. But by golly it bloats ya, Especially Hazys and Stouts.

Over Xmas as noted I switched to Coronas ( with lemon of course ) which were refreshing especially as I knew I'd be drinking from late morning to night time, I still fitted in a run around on the lawn with the kids and some jumping on the trampoline to burn them off.