Between November 2024 and Aug 16, 2025 I lost 35 pounds and I finally conquered the flab that had been plaguing me since my last BIG drop in 2,000 (when I had turned 40 and that was only 14 lbs). After moving from Richmond, VA to Claremore, OK-The intensely stressful success at building a wealth management department and conceiving and building a trust division (2,002-2012) coupled with the natural slowing of my metabolism at my age helped contribute to a 40 pound gain in weight by 2014 (205lb😳 at 67.75” tall). Martial arts, fly fishing, and singing in a kilt didn’t protect me from the stress induced binge eating I did here in Oklahoma where the state bird is the chicken fried steak and holy communion is briskets and gravy. After a heart attack in 2017, between 17 straight years of failing to re-attain my year 2,000 - 40 year old weight- I went drastic last year and beat my 40 year old weight (166) by my 65th birthday (160.5 by 8/16/25). I saw this gag gift, the hillbilly diet pill, but essentially it works. Rather, I did some pretty well thought out extended fasts (100 hours built up to over 4 months or 1 per month: 36hr, 72 hr, 90hr, 100hrs) In 2026 my goals are to do some body sculpting: gain muscle of an inch or two in my shoulders, one inch in my chest, (all to save $ on clothes) and lower my body fat percentage from 21.5 % to 13-16%. The plan is to be there by August and the method is to intensify my lifting, swimming and martial arts. Wish me luck. - the things I learned last year are: • Be realistic about your time horizon (sustaining 1lb a week is hard as hell) • sleep and staying out of the kitchen is 90% of it • have accountability partner(s). Not counting my wife I have an 81 year old personal trainer and a 67 year old 7th degree blackbelt I meet with multiple times per week. Have a blessed 2026 - Whatever your goals are fellas. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8NRtHJqwuGA

OK, so by introducing yourself you are guaranteed to get to level 2 - it's really that easy and I LOVE learning more about the cool people in this group. Feel free to share where you're from, why you're here, what you do for a living, and what you like about style. Are you a watch guy, suit guy, fragrance guy, or maybe just getting started? Have fun here!

As in preparing for A BIG night. I basically got dressed up for a 6:30 AM weekly mens group (had 31 guys today) and tonight’s festivities. But I am glad I did as I went out on errands and ran into a lot of friends today. Each year after the 5:00 PM service we host a group at my house celebrating the Birth of the Christ child as well as our friend Robin’s birthday. The group this year blossomed to 18. Should be quite interesting. Bought 14 pounds from our favorite butcher of prime rib $$$$$$$$$. An exciting evening ahead. • MTM Royal blue blazer • CT PoW French Cuff shirt in blue w green • French horn links • green w red and white bow tie • navy w green and red suspenders • burgandy polka dot pocket square • MTM Calvary Twill charcoal trousers • Pendleton national park socks • J Fitzpatrick captoes • Wenger field watch

In keeping with my colors of Christmas theme, I chose a gold sweater (Christmas liturgical colors are either gold or white) to go under my Royal blue blazer with a gold and blue pocket square (to celebrate the Advent season). Grabbed a green with light blue and gold micro dot shirt and a green rep tie with gold along with my grey flannel pants. Pantherella socks, 1982 Cole Haan Waxhides and my Seiko Model 5. Having lunch with a pastor client today.

I am not a fan of navy ties with navy suits for several reasons. Mainly it falls short regarding creativity. It also rarely matches the right tones when wearing a monochromatic outfit. To my eyes it usually looks like a guy who is very new to wearing a tie and suit (or never ventured far from that stage of dress). However, when done rightly it can also produce a look for a seasoned dresser that represents a bold and brave approach. Here its use is neither. In the midst of 4 meetings, I attended a funeral for a passed fellow Boy Scout district board member and chose tie from Florence with fleur di lis on it (both the Florence Italy symbol as well as Boy Scouts of America). To add some interest I chose my Prince of Wales blue shirt with green accents and a navy and green pocket square to pick up those colors in the tie. Still in mourning for my friend Tim, the Guinness cufflinks felt appropriate. Navy Byford OTC socks, J Fitzpatrick captoes, and my Seiko 5 finished off the OOTD.