It's sort of a misleading title, there's no way I'm hitting 90, and most of it has been some kind of crisis but it's what my mom and friends keep calling it. So far in the few months I've;
Gotten a tattoo
Bought a red Corvette
now Wednesday in getting Vertical Sleeve surgery. Last year I started dieting, exercising, and trying to lose some of the weight I put on. I started at 395 and got to 310, then went back up to 340 where I've been stuck. My doctor suggested the surgery, and a number of friends and coworkers are doing well with it. After jumping through a number of hoops I go in next Wednesday. My doctor and the surgeon both think I should be able to get down to a reasonable weight in a year or so.
Just grow to about 8ft tall and you'll have a great BMI. Or, do what you're doing. Best of luck!
In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :
That's awesome Wally! Though I'm a little disappointed you didn't entrust the hive to pick out your tattoo. (j/k)
Great news. I know many where this has changed their life for the better.
Follow the doctors plan. This is a good thing but you gotta keep at it.
What's #4 on the list?
I was a personal trainer for 24 years and delt with a lot of people trying to loose weight. I used to be adamantley against surgery for weight loss. Lack of Willpower, dedication, etc... I was massively judgemental. About 10 years after starting training I changed my mind. Normal people with reasonable willpower who I really care about were doomed to a shortened life no matter how hard they tried. There is a tool that works available. You are a smart, caring, dedicated individual who for some reason despite trying the same tools some people have success with (diets, etc.) can't get to a healthy weight. That tool failed. Use the tool that works. I'm happy for your decision and would love to follow along.
02Pilot
UltraDork
8/20/21 5:45 p.m.
Who's in for the GRM location/subject of Wally's tattoo pool? 
In reply to MrJoshua :
I've had trouble with my weight since I was a kid. I've tried diets, exercising, plans and nothing worked well. Even at my heaviest I was still active and have no health problems as far as high bp, diabetes and such. Still it makes things difficult and is takin a toll on my knees so I'm happy to try anything at this point.
02Pilot said:
Who's in for the GRM location/subject of Wally's tattoo pool?
Pencil me in for the "tramp stamp/butterfly" square.
Disappointed in no tattoo pics but man to lose 85 pounds is a big deal. I've had friends that surgery really help them to keep weight off.
The tattoo I has something specific in mind, I thought I'd shared it here but maybe not there was a lot going on.
I was never a big tattoo person, but I felt the need for something after I lost Jodi. She loved penguins. They're all over our house, she's gone to meet some, they're very popular here.
When we were dating I did a lot of driving back and forth from along Island to Albany. Our nephew decided I needed company and got me Penguin to ride with. He stayed buckled in the passenger seat of my Escort until we got married.
Around our wedding someone found a second one. Jodi and my sisters got it dressed as a bride and the couple was waiting in the limo when we got out of the church. Unfortunately they were lost in a flood a few years ago.
I wanted something like this as my tattoo and sketched something out.
Thankfully the artist was able to improve on my sketch and make it fit better on my calf. I have to go back and have the dates put on, I forgot to do it at the time.
As for number 4, I'm open to suggestions. Right now I'm looking at some traveling.
I like it, I like all of it. As people have previously said you seem like a genuinely nice person. I hope all those things make you happy, no matter what label people want to put on it. Enjoy every phase of your life.
Suggestions? Quit your job, start working out and start smoking weed
Take a GRM tour, if you can swing it. I don't know where you are as far as vested career or seniority or whatever, but if you could swing 6 months off somehow, do a tour and visit all of us.
Edit: maybe grand plan it so that it end at challenge.
In reply to Datsun310Guy :
That...doesn't end well.
Tramp stamp this:
Prove to the world the hero we know you are.
Appleseed said:
In reply to Datsun310Guy :
That...doesn't end well.
Tramp stamp this:
Prove to the world the hero we know you are.
That would go really well with his Vette. If he doesn't jump on it as a tattoo then I'd vote for it as an underhood mural.
Wally (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to MrJoshua :
.......Even at my heaviest I was still active and have no health problems as far as high bp, diabetes and such.......
That is really good to hear.
Wishing you the best in modern medicine and a speedy recovery, Wally.
In reply to New York Nick :
Happy is kind of a weird thing, I don't know if I'm ever what I'd have considered happy a few years ago. Most days I'm somewhere between functioning and ok but it's a big improvement over where I was a year ago. The distractions help a bit.
In reply to Datsun310Guy :
I've been working out, thought a bit about quitting my job but I'd have to have a really good offer of some type first. Not saying I couldn't but better than that. Weed never really did much beyond making me eat so I'll pass on that.
In reply to RevRico :
I'd love to take that kind of time but our office doesn't work that way. We're pretty shorthanded right now so I'm lucky to get the breaks I do. My next trip is going to be a weekend in Seattle to see a couple friends, then in October I'm hoping to take two weeks and go to Texas. If the paperwork gets straightened out with the Corvette I'm taking it otherwise I'm going in the Jeep. I have tickets to the F1 race and a support group I'm in is meeting in Dallas the weekend before.
In reply to Appleseed :
I wish I'd seen that sooner
It's not a full-on midlife crisis until you get a tattoo of your Corvette.
Get the operation. My daughter's girl friend did it, and lost over 100 pounds. It took time, but with help, she looks and feels sooo much better. You CAN do it. Remember the good times, and focus on that. Misery can be like quick sand. I know, easy for me to say, but it sounds like you have supportive people around you. I used to get memorial tatoos, but the older I get, I'm kinda running out of room.
Talk to NYCERS. See what your retirement looks like, now or a little later. Sounds like you're in Tier 4. Check your options, and start scouting for after MTA life. Retirement is nice. I ended up driving a School Bus for 12 years. Jingle money, with plenty of time off. I'm out 18 years (NYDS), and my pension is still holding up. Good luck Wally, you can do it!
In reply to Dirtydog (Forum Supporter) :
I'm getting the surgery Wednesday, I'm a bit excited to get it over with.
I am tier 4, have 9 more years to retirement age and I'll have 30 years in so I'll be in good shape if it's still there. I've got a few ideas for when I get out, few of them involve working that hard.
In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :
Excited, you should be. It's another chapter in your life. You'll be OK. Best of luck, I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Certainly hope the pension system holds up, I kinda rely on it, LOL. My son has 10 years to go with FDNY, he's hoping too. Can't blame you on your retirement goals...
In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :
Waldo, please continue to let us know where you are in the whole process. Here's to your speedy recovery!
