Back for the Thousandth Time

With 2.8 pounds lost over the past 6 days, I'm back on track. For like the thousandth time. My weight loss journey would be some badass roller coaster. Huge ups and downs and seems to go on forever and ever.

I'm going to stay positive and believe that this will be the last big drop. Then it'll be just years of level - healthy - going.

There are no excuses other than the choices I made, but the past has past. I'm trying to be more Zen and living in the moment. I'll do what I can day by day.

The weight loss over the past 6 days came strictly by diet. I counted calories and was extremely strict in what I ate. Small portions in all the food groups daily along with 8 cups of water.

This week I'll get out and exercise in addition to the diet. It was a combination that worked so well for me last fall/early winter. It was manageable and not too unrealistic. It will help not having the two jobs this summer. It'll free up time so that the exercise doesn't eat up the time I would use for sleep. Being fully rested and unstressed helps with any weight loss program.

So, I'm back to it. Here we go again.

It Happened Again

I did it again, just what I worried I might do. I fell off the weight loss train. Got mangled in the tracks, my plan all torn to shreds.

However, I am not going to let that stop me this time. Sure, I've spent the last two weeks eating like a pig and doing nothing for a workout other than shoveling heavier and heavier plates of snacks into my mouth. The guilt was ENORMOUS. And the pounds packed themselves back on. On the 2nd I was 204.4 pounds. Today I'm up one more at 205.4. I was all the way down at 193! That's 12.4 pounds in 2 weeks. That's an even worse gain than the last time I fell from the train.

*sigh*

There, that's out of my system. I'm done with the failure. The guilt is gone (or going). Today, I'm back. It's going to be difficult. I mean, I was standing in my kitchen this morning staring at all the tempting snacks sitting on the counter, some I purchased just yesterday. I was asking myself: "What's the worst that could happen if it's just one more day of snacking?" I knew the answer before asking the question. The worst is what has happened the past two times I went one day, then another, and another until I was back to the overweight wreck I've all too frequently become.

Breakfast today was 180 calories (Fiber One cereal and milk with a glass of V8). I drank 2 glasses of water. I faced my shame and updated my weight and restarted my tracking on The Daily Plate. I'm back.

This time until the end.

I'm going all Spartan on the calories again for a few weeks, just until I get under 200 pounds - 5.5 pounds to lose to reach that goal. I'll then start building the calories back up to a normal person's level, shooting to consume a net of 1,800 - 2,000 calories a day while maintaining my new healthy weight of approximately 165 pounds.

The exercise will have to decrease in hours because I simply don't have the time to workout as much as I did during November and December. I want to do more (write, draw, read, start to date...yeah, I need to get on that - that's what she said - if I want to have a family anytime soon). So the weight loss will be slow going. Once under 200 pounds I'll shoot for an average of 1.5 - 2 pounds loss a week. I'm hoping to be at my 165 pounds by the end of June. Just in time for RAGBRAI and the start of training for the Walt Disney World "Goofy" (half-marathon AND full marathon, back-to-back) next January.

Onward, Pirate! You've got some work to do.

My Dilemma / My Good Night

How I Track

This is how I keep track - in addition to filling out my page on The Daily Plate - of what I've done throughout the week. Just an extra insight into my disciplined, healthy lifestyle.

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Running Out of Clothes

I'm down to my skinniest pair of pants. I've dropped from a 44 waist to a 38 waist...in just 7 weeks! I'm also at the notch I had to create on my belt because it no longer would cinch tight enough. I didn't think I'd have to go buy new clothes so soon, but I might not even make it to Christmas before I need some new pants. Definitely can't go to work pantless.

Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT complaining. In fact, I'm downright impressed with my progress. It's nice (again) to be out of the giant boy pants.

The Week of Killer Workouts (and Rest)

I took Sunday off after a big workout Saturday...and because I can be lazy. I was talking with the Monkey about how tough it is to fit in a workout after my second job on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we both decided it would be in my best interest to take those days as my rest days for the week. That means I'll have workouts on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday (if I don't skip this one due to laziness after a movie), and Saturday.

In theory, it seems like a good idea, even though I'm a little worried about two rest days a week. (Seems counterproductive.)

Doing this I have to do all that was I was doing over two days in one night's workout. That makes for an extra long time at the gym. I was splitting the ab work and weight work up over different nights. Now I'm doing all of it, plus some extra biking or work on the elliptical trainer. I'm shooting for a workout lasting around 2 hours, burning 1,200 calories. That would give me 6,000 calories burned in a week.

Just typing it I now recognize how ambitious it sounds. But wouldn't it be cool if I could manage it? I'd be in pretty decent shape after a few months.

I know I won't have perfect weeks - I'm busy as shit. But I'll do my best and catch the rest when I can. Any workout is better than no workout.

He's Back, Bigger than Before (but shrinking)

It's funny what a year off from healthy living can do.

Funny in a sad way because I packed back on all the weight, plus some. I was over 240 pounds a couple of weeks ago. Funny in a great way because I lost a massive amount of weight in just my first 6 days of starting back. And funny in a maddening way because when I look back to a year ago, I was consuming only about 1,400 calories a day and netting a -666 calories after at least an hour of exercise a day, and I know (think) I can't come close to that now.

How do I juggle two jobs, a tendency to eat when stressed (and let's face it, when am I not stressed, depressed, or otherwise moody?), a change in the weather for the poorer, and the other inherent difficulties of losing weight?

The best I can. That's the only answer that I have. The only answer there is.

I was able to follow the suggested number of calories to consume during my first week, and that number only shrinks with each passing week and pound lost. I know what happened in the past, but this is a different time, a different life, and I can only do what works for me now.

This week I add exercise to the mix (outside on the days it isn't raining and doing what I can inside on the days it pours). I can't expect to see weight loss numbers like I saw this week, but at least with the addition of exercise I stand a chance of continuing to lose weight on a weekly basis.

I'm 30 years old now. And it's time to finally be healthy. I'm looking to be down under 200 by year's end. By summer I hope to have met that goal I set a few years back: 169 lbs. and in the best shape of my adult life.

The ball's rolling...

A Disaster of a Week

This week - at least the first half - has been a total failure. No exercise. A crap-ton of candy consumed. Just poor choice after poor choice. I've already eaten more than my normal week's worth of calories, and that was by Wednesday.

Doing some calculations, it does look like I might be able to salvage some of the week. If I can reign in the calories to my weekly goal of 1,400 a day, while also burning a minimum of 800 calories a day over the next three days, I might be able to maintain my weight. Best case scenario would be a loss of maybe a pound, but I'm not holding out any hope. I thoroughly screwed myself earlier in the week.

It's frustrating how easy it is to fall back into bad habits.

Stressed Eating

I eat when I'm stressed.

That becomes obvious on days like I had today when I try to follow my careful counting of calories. I'm not going to splurge and gorge myself on food, even though I want to do just that. I'll maintain my daily goal of less than 1,400 calories, but it won't be easy.

I guess I have always been aware of this connection between stress and food, but it's never been as painfully obvious as it was today.

Ah, weight loss. You enlightening bastard.

Week of Working Out - May 10

Here is a list of the exercise I completed during the past week,
May 4th – May 10th.
---
Monday: rest

Tuesday: rest

Wednesday: rest

Thursday: rest

Friday: rest

Saturday: rest

Sunday: rest
---
I know, I know. I said I'd try and get out Sunday night for a walk. Instead I turned in early and woke up the next morning feeling more refreshed than I have in weeks. So - it was both good and bad.

I'm Back - RAGBRAI - Aiming for 500 Miles

The lack of recent posts should have given you some indication of how well things were going in my pursuit of a healthy life. (Hint: not well.) Over the past month – in fact the entire month of April – I’ve gained back 8.4 lbs of the weight I worked so hard losing earlier this year. For the past 5 weeks (and probably this week, too) I’ve gained weight. This is due entirely to a lack of exercise and good portion control.

It all ends now.

I’ll be (essentially) starting over with the entire diet and exercise routine. To make things easier, the month of May will have no theme. It is my goal to find my way back on to the path of healthy living. I’ll return to more regular wellness blogging to help ensure I stay the course.

Upcoming event: RAGBRAI XXXVII – July 19th – 25th (riding bike 442 miles across the state of Iowa)

The time for training is now. The bike will be cleaned, the tires will be aired, and the rides will begin this week. My goal is 500 miles between now and July 19th. The addition of a second (maybe third) job will impact the amount of time I have to ride, but I’ll do my best to hit those 500 miles. It will only make RAGBRAI that much easier if I can squeeze the training in.

April - Rest and Relaxation Month

Before you even think it – this is NOT an excuse to be lazy.

After burning out with the exercise, I’ve found myself in a bit of a decline. There’s been some weight gain, some poor diet choices, and an overall lack of motivation and poor attitude.

So, I got to thinking. Instead of setting myself back on the same path, I decided to head down a different road. I’m attempting to combat the attitudinal and motivational difficulties of healthy living by challenging us to maintain a relaxed state of mind in the hopes that this tranquil state will more adequately balance the rigors of exercise and diet with the lackadaisical tendencies of real life.

The research is out there to support the fact that sleep and relaxation are vital components of a healthy life. The amounts of sleep and time spent unstressed vary from study to study, from individual to individual. This research has shown that a lack of sleep can increase the risks for obesity and depression. Thus, the quality and quantity of sleep are important factors in maintaining a healthy mind and body. For more information regarding sleep, click through to this great, in-depth, article on the topic.

It seems like a simple thing – common sense, really. But sleep and relaxation are the first things we sacrifice when pursuing a goal. I know I have; and, turns out, not to the benefit of my cause. Take a breath, pause – relax – and start anew: refreshed and renewed.

I'm Flaky

I flaked out on my uncle and our weekly bike ride tonight. I am at home busily working, but I did promise I'd be there tonight to ride. I didn't do my work Monday (or over the past 2 weeks) and it's back to bite me - and my plans - this evening.

I just couldn't see any way to accomplish what needed to be done tonight and still find the 2 hours of time for the ride and travel to and from Kyle's Bikes.

So, public apology: Steve, I'm sorry I couldn't make the ride tonight.

I will try to get a short walk in tonight - it'll be cold (and I deserve the discomfort of a chilly, windy workout), but manageable - if I can just force myself out the door.

Wellness Log - Mar. 22

Exercise: none

Food:
Breakfast – bowl of Fiber One Original, glass of V8 Fusion juice
Lunch – none
Dinner – Arby's: regular roast beef sandwich, medium curly fries, 4 cheese sticks, 20 oz Diet Pepsi
Snacks – 2 bags of Orville Redenbacher Smart Pop popcorn w/butter sprinkle topping, 2 glasses of Diet Coke, glass of milk, 45 Hershey's Kisses, 25 smoked almonds

Challenges:
30 – 40 grams fiber – 14 + 11 + 22.4 = 47.4 g fiber

Other: Up at 10 AM; day of reading, TV viewing, and relaxation - very pleasant, indeed; in bed at 10:30 PM

Wellness Log - Mar. 21

Exercise: none

Food:
Breakfast – bowl of Fiber One Original, glass of V8 Fusion juice
Lunch – can of Campbell's Hearty Chicken w/vegetables soup, corn w/butter sauce, 1/2 can of Bush's Original baked beans, glass of milk
Dinner – Subway: foot-long chicken & bacon ranch sub, w/provolone, lettuce, and pickles on garlic herb and cheese bread, bag of Cheetos, 3 chocolate chip cookies, 20 oz Diet Coke, 16 oz of V8 Fusion juice
Snacks – 1/2 large bag of peanut M&M's, glass of Diet Coke

Challenges:
30 – 40 grams fiber – 14 + 15.75 + 13 + 4 = 46.75 g fiber

Other: did not sleep hardly any time at all last night - some kind of indigestion-like thing that was so new and painful, I couldn't sleep; finally got out of bed at 6 AM to try breakfast; food (or time) seemed to have worked; took a 5 hour nap on the couch around 9 AM; day of reading; in bed at 12 AM

Wellness Log - Mar. 19

Exercise: none (again)

Food:
Breakfast – 2 bowls of Special K, glass of V8 Fusion juice
Lunch – bag of Act II Buttery Cinnamon popcorn, glass of Diet Coke
Dinner – can of Campbell's Chunky Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo soup, glass of milk
Snacks – 14 brownies, Fiber One oats and caramel chewy bar, M&M's, glass of Diet Coke

Challenges:
30 – 40 grams fiber – 1 + 5 + 6 + 19.5 = 31.5 g fiber

Other: Up at 9:15 AM; another day of reading and no working out; falling back into bad habits for no good reason at all; in bed at 11:30 PM

Wellness Log - Mar. 18

Exercise: [we’ll see…]

Food:
Breakfast – bowl of Fiber One Original, glass of V8 Fusion juice
Lunch – Olive Garden: Herb-Grilled Salmon, steamed broccoli, salad w/Italian dressing, 1 breadstick, 3 lasagna frittas, 2 glasses of Diet Coke
Dinner – box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Spirals, 1/2 can of Bush's Original baked beans, glass of milk, 6 brownies
Snacks – small carton of Whoppers Mini Eggs, 2 cans of Cherry Coke Zero

Challenges:
30 – 40 grams fiber – 14 + 1 + 15.25 = 30.25 g fiber

Other: Up at 9:30 AM; day of reading, grocery shopping, new comics, and more reading; in bed at ?

Wellness Log - Mar. 17

Exercise: walk - 11:50 PM; 2 miles; 25:37.51 minutes; temps pleasant in the 40's; was an amazing, invigorating - and quick - walk after 9 days of no exercise; just what I needed to reignite my drive to workout

Food:
Breakfast – bowl of Fiber One Original
Lunch – Papa John's: 3 large slices of thin crust Ultimate Pepperoni pizza, 1/2 bag of Peppercorn Ranch Sun Chips
Dinner – can of Campbell's Chunky Sirloin Burger soup, can of Cherry Coke Zero Snacks – bag of Act II Buttery Cinnamon popcorn, Keebler Fudge Stripes cookies (26), 2 cans Cherry Coke Zero

Challenges:
30 – 40 grams fiber – 14 + 13 + 8 + 5 = 40 g fiber

Other: Up at 9:00 AM; day of reading and TV watching - lots of both; finally - FINALLY - back to exercising with a quick, 2 mile walk; in bed at 12:50 AM

Wellness Log - Mar. 16

Exercise: none

Food:
Breakfast – bowl of Fiber One Original
Lunch - Z'mariks: fettuccini alfredo bowl w/broccoli, glass of Diet Pepsi
Dinner – Donnelley’s Pub: 4 fried chicken sliders, sweet potato french fries, 2 glasses of Diet Coke
Snacks – raisins, Fiber One oats and chocolate chewy bar, bag of Act II Buttery Cinnamon popcorn, 6 Keebler Fudge Stripes cookies, can of Cherry Coke Zero

Challenges:
30 – 40 grams fiber – 14 + 5 + 5 + 16.6 = 40.6 g fiber

Other: Up at 7:30 AM; spent the day in Iowa City; was not in the mood to workout tonight when back from Iowa City; NEED to make it to the gym this week; in bed at 11:30 PM

Nothing Good

Not even going to talk about the first part of this week and the exercise and diet. I simply have nothing good to say, and no reason for my bad behaviors.

Too many snacks, not enough exercise.

I need to snap out of whatever this is that I'm in. And soon!