I lost weight. Playing bass is much easier now!

[tb-player]

Most of my life, I've been a big guy. But in recent years, I put on a lot of pounds sitting behind a desk. Recently, I decided it was time for a change. So I started eating clean and exercising. I've been surprised at how easy it's been to drop about 80lb (not without its challenges). Even more so, it's been incredibly rewarding. My head's clear. I sleep better. My doctor tells me my vitals and blood-work are perfect. It's really cool how much better I feel!

But little did I know how much it would affect my bass playing. I mean, I can actually see my fretboard! My body doesn't ache after hours of playing. The instrument feels much more comfortable around my neck. I take up less space on stage. And for some reason, heavier basses don't cause me nearly the problems they used to. It's kind of amazing.

Looking at this photo comparison, it's not so easy to share (or admit to myself). But it's also kind of awesome!

Curious if anyone else has ever had this experience

Moderator note- pics removed by request.

 

[2saddleslab]

Skin & bones.

Congrats on your loss!

 

[LBS-bass]

Great job on the weight loss. Congratulations!

 

[foolforthecity]

2015:

2021:

It's amazing how things change

Edit: all the weight transferred to my hair, so it's a wash

 

[ReillyProductions]

Congrats, the hard work paid off!

 

[T Bassman]

Nice one mate! Very inspiring post.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Looking at this photo comparison, it's not so easy to share (or admit to myself). But it's also kind of awesome!

Congrats on the weight loss, not an easy task.

I'd say I'm average, would like to lose some but not a huge priority.

 

[tb-player]

2015:
View attachment 4411665
2021:
View attachment 4411664

It's amazing how things change

Nice work. Now you'll have to teach me how to get a head of hair like that

 

[foolforthecity]

Nice work. Now you'll have to teach me how to get a head of hair like that

LOL I actually cut it two months ago, South Texas heat and all

 

[tb-player]

LOL I actually cut it two months ago, South Texas heat and all

You probably lost 5 pounds right there

 

[PaulS]

Congrats on the weight loss, amazing! Takes a lot of discipline! I could stand to lose 10-15 myself. Been walking like crazy which is helping. Being at a desk all day is so bad for you, hate it some days.

 

[Jebberz]

It has changed everything for me (lost nearly 200 pounds), tothe point that I sold all my basses and bought new ones, because the comfort changed. Back to regular scale basses and now I find the T-Bird bass comfy to play.

 

[Jefenator]

Way to go, OP!!
I used to be a lot more hefty. It's scary to think I used to walk around everywhere with the equivalent of a ceramic woofer 2x10 cab's worth of extra weight.
I just cut out sugar for the extra win.

 

[Ken R]

Most excellent job on the new you!!

 

[sabre79]

Most of my life, I've been a big guy. But in recent years, I put on a lot of pounds sitting behind a desk. Recently, I decided it was time for a change. So I started eating clean and exercising. I've been surprised at how easy it's been to drop about 80lb (not without its challenges). Even more so, it's been incredibly rewarding. My head's clear. I sleep better. My doctor tells me my vitals and blood-work are perfect. It's really cool how much better I feel!

But little did I know how much it would affect my bass playing. I mean, I can actually see my fretboard! My body doesn't ache after hours of playing. The instrument feels much more comfortable around my neck. I take up less space on stage. And for some reason, heavier basses don't cause me nearly the problems they used to. It's kind of amazing.

Looking at this photo comparison, it's not so easy to share (or admit to myself). But it's also kind of awesome!

Curious if anyone else has ever had this experience

Good show!

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Most of my life, I've been a big guy. But in recent years, I put on a lot of pounds sitting behind a desk. Recently, I decided it was time for a change. So I started eating clean and exercising. I've been surprised at how easy it's been to drop about 80lb (not without its challenges). Even more so, it's been incredibly rewarding. My head's clear. I sleep better. My doctor tells me my vitals and blood-work are perfect. It's really cool how much better I feel!

But little did I know how much it would affect my bass playing. I mean, I can actually see my fretboard! My body doesn't ache after hours of playing. The instrument feels much more comfortable around my neck. I take up less space on stage. And for some reason, heavier basses don't cause me nearly the problems they used to. It's kind of amazing.

Looking at this photo comparison, it's not so easy to share (or admit to myself). But it's also kind of awesome!

Curious if anyone else has ever had this experience

That's fantastic! Great job!

 

[mrcbass]

Good job OP.

I dropped about 60 lbs sometime ago (12-13 years ago), so I know how challenging it is. It was well before I started playing bass, so not comparison there. But I do feel like the belly forces me to play in differnet positions than others. I've been stuck in a rut about 30 lbs from where I should be, but still try to work at it.

At least my weight is not the first thing my Dr. mentions these days.

 

[Gothic]

Congrats OP, losing weight's always a boost in many areas in my experience.

Currently I'm on the rounder side. For the better part of this year I was in constant pain, away from work and pretty much bedridden from cervical hernias and gained a lot of weight which has pretty much destroyed my self esteem as well.
It's been a couple of weeks since I'm back to work after my surgery and I'm trying to shed the weight again, although I'm finding it difficult without being able to exercise effectively (weight lifting and running are off the table and I'm too damn bored to just walk around aimlessly).

Here's hoping!

 

[KohanMike]

Bravo, I'm very envious. I need to loose 35 pounds, I'm 5-10 and weigh 210 lbs, should be 175, but I have a heart condition caused by radiation treatments for Hodgkins Disease that prevents me from exerting myself, leaving only diet as a control, not easy to do.

 

[two fingers]

Most of my life, I've been a big guy. But in recent years, I put on a lot of pounds sitting behind a desk. Recently, I decided it was time for a change. So I started eating clean and exercising. I've been surprised at how easy it's been to drop about 80lb (not without its challenges). Even more so, it's been incredibly rewarding. My head's clear. I sleep better. My doctor tells me my vitals and blood-work are perfect. It's really cool how much better I feel!

But little did I know how much it would affect my bass playing. I mean, I can actually see my fretboard! My body doesn't ache after hours of playing. The instrument feels much more comfortable around my neck. I take up less space on stage. And for some reason, heavier basses don't cause me nearly the problems they used to. It's kind of amazing.

Looking at this photo comparison, it's not so easy to share (or admit to myself). But it's also kind of awesome!

Curious if anyone else has ever had this experience

Congrats! That's awesome!

I'm 6'1" and about 180 pounds. Pretty skinny to average. Eating got me to this weight. Exercise needs to redistribute things a little. I finally got started recently.... at least regularly anyway.