Sean Townsend
Level 3 Valued Member
Background:
I'm 44 years old and have struggled with being overweight most of my life. I'm one of the weirdo big guys that despite being overweight, I've always been athletic and strong. I've been into martial arts since I was 19, the majority of the time spent in Shotokan karate. The most fit I've ever been was back when I was 27 and discovered Pavel's books on training. Although I've had a career in IT for over 20 years, I did a 7 year stint in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff.
Fast forward to the last few years, and things are starting to take a toll. My joints started hurting, my job was sedentary, and my diet suffered. Osteoarthritis and digestive problems were making me miserable. I'm 6'2" and got up to 360 lbs. I even developed high blood pressure.
With the help of a great GI doctor, I found the source of digestive issues and changed my diet. I also had a surgery that corrected the severe acid reflux that was making me feel like I was having a heart attack daily. With elimination I found that I thrive on the keto diet and got down to 318 lbs. I got off blood pressure and acid reflux meds and now take no medication. The severe pain in my shoulders was diagnosed by MRI as rotator cuff tears and I just finished 8 weeks of physical therapy that has improved that dramatically.
Now that things are going well again, I feel it is time to regain what I can of my former self. I knew where to turn, I looked up what Pavel Tsatsouline was up to and bought the Simple and Sinister book. I've never kept a training journal before or put myself out in the open, so this is a very new experience for me.
Goals:
1. At least "Simple" standard on the Simple and Sinister workout.
2. Increased mobility. I can barely do a proper squat, and I want to achieve the "third world squat" position.
3. I want to achieve a real world level of fitness that lets me get the most of my time left on the planet.
4. I want to lose all excess body fat that is holding me back.
5. I want to be able to shop for clothes anywhere.
6. My main hobby is shooting and I want to be mobile and fast enough to do well in competitive shooting.
The Plan:
1. Simple and Sinister workout as laid out in the book.
2. I have a suspension training set up in my office at work. I'm taking a break every 90 minutes and using it to work on mobility, do supplemental strength exercises, and continue rehabilitation of my shoulders which are still not 100%.
3. Continuing a dairy-free keto diet which is working very well for me.
My Courage Corner:
Office NOSSK suspension setup:
Starting Measurements:
Weight: 318
Neck: 16 in
Shoulders: 51 in
Chest: 49.5 in
Waist: 53 in
Hips: 57 in (I know, I don't understand it either)
Upper arm: R 16 in L 17 in
Forearm: R 12 in L 13 in
Thigh: R 30.5 in L 31.5 in
Calf: R 18 in L 18 in
I'm 44 years old and have struggled with being overweight most of my life. I'm one of the weirdo big guys that despite being overweight, I've always been athletic and strong. I've been into martial arts since I was 19, the majority of the time spent in Shotokan karate. The most fit I've ever been was back when I was 27 and discovered Pavel's books on training. Although I've had a career in IT for over 20 years, I did a 7 year stint in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff.
Fast forward to the last few years, and things are starting to take a toll. My joints started hurting, my job was sedentary, and my diet suffered. Osteoarthritis and digestive problems were making me miserable. I'm 6'2" and got up to 360 lbs. I even developed high blood pressure.
With the help of a great GI doctor, I found the source of digestive issues and changed my diet. I also had a surgery that corrected the severe acid reflux that was making me feel like I was having a heart attack daily. With elimination I found that I thrive on the keto diet and got down to 318 lbs. I got off blood pressure and acid reflux meds and now take no medication. The severe pain in my shoulders was diagnosed by MRI as rotator cuff tears and I just finished 8 weeks of physical therapy that has improved that dramatically.
Now that things are going well again, I feel it is time to regain what I can of my former self. I knew where to turn, I looked up what Pavel Tsatsouline was up to and bought the Simple and Sinister book. I've never kept a training journal before or put myself out in the open, so this is a very new experience for me.
Goals:
1. At least "Simple" standard on the Simple and Sinister workout.
2. Increased mobility. I can barely do a proper squat, and I want to achieve the "third world squat" position.
3. I want to achieve a real world level of fitness that lets me get the most of my time left on the planet.
4. I want to lose all excess body fat that is holding me back.
5. I want to be able to shop for clothes anywhere.
6. My main hobby is shooting and I want to be mobile and fast enough to do well in competitive shooting.
The Plan:
1. Simple and Sinister workout as laid out in the book.
2. I have a suspension training set up in my office at work. I'm taking a break every 90 minutes and using it to work on mobility, do supplemental strength exercises, and continue rehabilitation of my shoulders which are still not 100%.
3. Continuing a dairy-free keto diet which is working very well for me.
My Courage Corner:
Office NOSSK suspension setup:
Starting Measurements:
Weight: 318
Neck: 16 in
Shoulders: 51 in
Chest: 49.5 in
Waist: 53 in
Hips: 57 in (I know, I don't understand it either)
Upper arm: R 16 in L 17 in
Forearm: R 12 in L 13 in
Thigh: R 30.5 in L 31.5 in
Calf: R 18 in L 18 in