Things are Looking Up

I am getting a little stricter with my breakfasts and I have stepped up my workouts.

I increased my six exercises from 3 sets to 4 sets.  The weights used for each exercise is increasing at a good pace.  I am not pushing to hard and trying to focus on form.  Form is really important when you get to the hihger weights.  It will reduce the chances of injury.

My weight as of Friday was 469.  I hope that it keeps coming down and won't make any big jumps again.

I know I need to add cardio on my off days and I will eventually do that.  Right now I am doing the exercises that I enjoy (weightlifting).  It provides me with a sense of accomplishments, when I increase the weights used, and it helps me to reduce the temptations of eating the wrong foods.

Please remember, even though it may sound cheesy, treat your diet as everyday is a new chance to eat well.  it doesn't matter how you did yesterday, today is the day that I will eat the foods that are healthy and will help me lose weight.

Until next time,

David

Ups and Downs

In the last few weeks, there has been a swing of 7 lbs up and down.  And it's very confusing and frustrating at times.

My eating has been more consistent.  Of course I can always do better.

My workouts are more consistent.  But that can definitely get better.

The things that keep me going is the love of my family and friends who root for my success.  I keep reminding myself that I am running a marathon and not a sprint.  I am making those small changes now that will lead to big dividends down the road.

I wake up everyday and look for the positive things in my life.  Things that I need to keep in perspective.  That no matter how bad I have it, there are many many people who have it a lot worse than I do.

Tomorrow is another day.  I need to continue to find the strength that will help me to strive and become the best version of myself.

1st step.  Continue to find the joy in the growths made in my workouts.

A Good Day

The last few days have been very good.  I have been using the Diet to Go Meals, along with the meals that I have been preparing for myself. 

No real bumps in the road.

I had recently switched my DTG menu to traditional low fat and I am enjoying the change. 

Today I have had my 2nd workout of the week at Evolution Health and Fitness and it is helping me keep on track with my eating.  I am starting to be able to push myself in my workouts, but still have to be careful since it is relatively new.

Tomorrow will be another day of success.

Diet Re-start # 429

It has been a long time since I have blogged.  I had stopped trying to lose weight for a while and I can't give you a reason why.

During my lapse I gained 9lbs and got back up to 474 pounds.  I have begun to work out again, with weights, during the week at Evolution Fitness near my job twice a week and once on the weekend at home.

As of this morning I weighed 467 lbs.

Daily Struggle

Everyday I wake up and I mentally plan my meals for the day.  Does everybody do that?

There are times when I am at my weakest point and I get tired of thinking about food all of time.  I don't want to think about food.  There are many more important things to think about ( my parents, my job, my friends, my future..).

Unfortunately if I don't eat there may be health consequences. :) 

One of the most recent theories, that seem to be repeated in different articles, is that I am a food addict.  Instead of taking that drink or toke I reach for the fridge or delivery menu.

It's about dealing with it one day at a time.  It's not about worrying if you will make the right decisions tomorrow.  It's not about obsessing about the mistakes you made yesterday.  It's about making the right choices today. 

Eat that healthy meal.                Put in the tae bo cd.

Start again.

Challenges - Good & Bad

The past 2 weeks have been full of challenges.

Challenges (bad):

I have not had internet at home for over a week (during my vacation).  I put in my car for oil change and battery replacement, 3 days and $1,200 dollars later I get my car back just in time to go back to work.

So I was home with no car and no internet for 4 days, eating healthy was another challenge good and bad.  I did eat healthy, but I don't think I did well with the amount of calories that were consumed.

Challenges (good and very good):

One of the reasons I have been stressed the last few weeks is because I was preparing to propose to Benita.  We were coming up on our 2 year anniversary and I felt I was ready to make that final step.  Even though we had been talking about marriage, there was still that little nagging worry of her saying no or not liking the ring that I chose for her.

Well, she gave me a very enthusiastic yes and that made a me a very happy man.  We started the 1st full day of our engagement by going to church and I think that was the best way to start the rest of our lives.

I know that Benita will be a good partner to help me get healthier, so that we can have many years together.

I am re-energized to lose weight for the wedding and the other good reasons.  I hope to have a working computer again soon, so that I can be more consistent in my blogging.

Thanks to my family and friends for the congratulations and support.

Stress - Part 2

I decided to not weigh myself on Friday, I was just too chicken.

This has been a long week at work, my car is falling apart, my 2 year anniversary with Benita is coming up.  And I have reacted by not making the best eating choices. 

Although I did not totally give up, each day I had one really bad meal.

I just couldn't face my week of failures.  It's just a temporary set back and I will get back on the horse.  Of course it would have to be a really big horse.  : )

This week: I get back to the workouts, I get back to good eating choices, I get back to using my Diet to Go meals.

Emotional Eater

Welcome everyone today to the 1st meeting of Emotional Eaters Anonymous.  We will start today's meeting with a testimonial.

Hello my name is David.  And I am an emotional eater.

The statements above is how I truly feel today.  I deal with stress by eating.  I celebrate victories by eating.  I need to change my pattern before it really catches up me.

I am stepping out my comfort zone with this blog because I need to do something different  to make my weight loss permanent.  Like many others I have lost and gained throughout most of my adult life.

About 15 years ago, I went from 425 lbs to about 235 lbs in 2 years.  In the last 13 years, I gained it all back and more again.

I can't believe I did this to myself again.  I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS TO MYSELF AGAIN!!!!!!!!

I need to succeed for my family (present and future).  I need to succeed for myself.  On both sides of my family tree, my grandparents lived to be in their nineties.  I won't make it that long with my current weight.

I want to live.  I want to live.  I want to live.  I want to live a long life of quality.

Anticipation

I weigh myself once a week on Friday morning.

Before the actual weigh in, the previous 7 days flash in your brain.

What did I eat on Sunday?  Monday and Tuesday were good days. I'm glad that I worked out on that day.  Will my cheat meal on Saturday show up on the scale?

I'm sitting on my bed going through my whole week.  Whether it was a good week or a bad week, you don't know if it will be reflected on the scale. 

You remember the week of bad food choices and no work outs, but you lost a few pounds.  You remember the week you busted your butt working out hard and eating right, but you gained a pound.

You ask again what will the scale say.  Ironically my scale does talk.

I place the scale on the floor.

I tap it once with my foot.  It says "ready"

I stand on the scale and stay still for a moment.  Again the questions flash in my brain.

And the scale says.......

Welcome to my Friday morning ritual.

This week my weight stood still at 465.  It's not good news, it's not bad news.  And that's the way I have to see it.  I have to remember that it is a marathon and that I looking to change the rest of my life.

No, I didn't lose weight.  But I didn't lose ground and gain weight.  Tomorrow is another day to fight the good fight.

Typical Workday

During the week, my busy schedule helps me to keep my mind off of food.  I have set up reminders through my computer (Outlook) to remind me when to snack during the day.

I don't leave my meals or snacks for the week to chance.  I plan my meals days at a time.  The less I improvise, the healthier my food choices. 

My typical workday: (all times are approximate)

5:40 am - my alarm goes off

(I wake up very slowly.  I am not a morning person)

6:15 am - protein shake for Breakfast

7:15 am - leave for work

8:40 am - arrive at work in one piece

10:30 am - snack time (nuts, protein bar, or protein shake)

1:00 pm - lunch time (Diet to Go)

4:30 pm - snack time (protein shake, half a sandwich, or Diet to Go)

5:30 pm - leave for home

• during my commute I listen to the radio or to audio books
• For those not familiar with the DC metro traffic, it is one of the worst in the country.  Just about every day, at some point, I will come to a full stop on the highway one or more times.
• My average, one way, commute time is 90 minutes but if an accident happens it can take me 3 hours.

7:00 pm - arrive home

7:30 pm - Dinner (Diet to Go or cooked meal)

11:30 pm - sleep

In my vast amount of free time, I need to fit in exercise that is not too close to dinner or not too close to my bedtime.  Most likely it will have to be right after work.

Wish me luck.

Vacation Eating

For the past week, I have been off from work.  When you're trying to lose a weight, it's a lot easier when you have your regular routine.  I like to plan out my meals and the times I am going to eat, but being away from home for many hours means that I don't have my regular sources of meals handy.

Eating wise, I have done a good job for the most part.  My girlfriend, Benita, has been a big help also.  The meals that we have had together have been nutritious and my portion sizes have been good.  Through Diet to Go, I am starting to get a better grasp on the correct portion sizes for myself.

For me, it's about learning to eat until your satisfied not when your stomach is full.  It's also about learning to not to medicate a bad day with a high calorie junk food meal.

I went to my local gym, Fitness4Less, a couple of times to get the kinks out and get my body ready for the real workouts that will be coming up.  Even though I have lapses in my workout consistency, I am part of the small percentage of people who actully enjoy working out at a gym. 

I have been going to the gym, off and on, for about 25 years.  The trick is to go light on the first few workouts, so that you can move your arms and legs without excruciating pain the following days.  The worst part is that you feel like a weakling compared to your past workouts.

I weighed myself last Thursday (9/16/10) and I have lost 2 more lbs.  Total weight loss 28 lbs (465).

I will be more consistent in writing every few days.  Until next time.

Re-Dedication

Thank you to family and friends for your words of encouragement.

Thank you to Michelle and Michele, of Diet to Go, who gave me the nudge to share my story with others.

I consider September to be the start of my Re-Dedication to making my weightloss a priority in my life.  To make sure that I make the choices that will lead to my success.

Why now.  Why do I need to lose weight:

I don't want my size to dictate what I can and can't do anymore.

• I want to go into a restaurant (theater, a friend's home, a business meeting...) and not worry whether or not I can fit into a chair. Or worry about breaking a chair.
• I want to walk up stairs without my knee hurting.
• I want the ability to walk into any men's store and buy clothes.
• I want to walk down a street without the stares of strangers or the little kid who yells out "You're Fat"
• I want to fly in a airplane without a seat belt extender and the look of terror in the eyes of the person that I sit next to.
• I want to live many healthy years with my girlfriend, who may one day, become my Wife.
• I want to be healthy enough to still have the possibility of having kids or adopting.

 This has been a good week.  I met with Mark, the owner of Evolution Health and Fitness, for an initial meeting.  The gym is close to my job, so I will be able to exericise after work.  I will begin my exercise program in a week.  I have taken off work this week.  I went to a restaurant yesterday and made the healthy choice of grilled salmon and vegetables. 

I weighed myself on Friday and I have lost 5 lbs. Current weight loss 26 lbs (467).

Introduction and Goals

My name is David and I am 44 years old.  I have been heavy most of my life. 

When I was younger it usually didn't bother me because I was athletic and could fit in easily most of the time.  It's strange sometimes the random memories that stick in your brain.  When I was in elementary school, I took great pride in being the fat boy who usually won dodge ball.  As the big kid, you were thought to be an easy target.  It brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.

I was always proud to break any stereotypes about what a big kid could or couldn't do.  In basketball, I didn't want to be the center, I wanted to be the point guard.  So I practiced a lot and became a very good dribbler who could drain a 3 point shot.

Every once in a while I would come across people who wanted to make fun of me, but because I had  friends, I had people who stood up with me or for me.  Of course, being the funny guy was another way to deflect any pain that I would feel.

I am currently using Diet to Go to help me lose weight and to permanently change my eating habits.  I had been searching for something that would help me make a lifestyle change.  With Diet to Go, I believe that I will be able to take the weight off and keep it off. 

In order to achieve my goals: I will need the support of family and friends, I will need to be mentally ready to make the changes, I will need to have a strong enough "WHY" in order to stay on track when I mess up, and I think that Faith will also play a strong part.

Short term goal is to lose 10-12 lbs per month. 

Long term goal is not a specific weight, but to have a 40 inch waist.

I started Diet to Go a few months ago at 493 lbs and a 67 inch waist.  I haven't measured myself lately, but I can tell by my belt that I am making progess.  I usually weigh myself on Friday mornings.  My latest weigh in was on (9/3/10) and I weighed 472 lbs.

I have lost 21 lbs.  Yeaaaahhh!!!!

Beginning the Journey

I am nervous.

Although I am a very friendly person who smiles and laughs a lot, I am very slow to let people in to my private thoughts.  The ups and downs of losing weight will be a personal journey that I share with the world.

I hope my experiences will help someone else start on their own journey to better health.

Here I go. 

4 people, in the whole world, know my true weight (parents, girlfriend, & doctor) because I am embarrassed to say it out loud.  I guess it's one of the ways I protect myself.  If you don't know my weight than you can't hurt me with it.

I start my new weight loss journey at 493 lbs.  When I saw that number on my scale I didn't see 493, I saw 500 lbs.  My mind flashed to those stories you see on the TV news, "today Mr Smith was lifted from his house by forklift and towed to the hospital  in the back of a truck".

I will stop here and hope that I have intrigued you enough to learn more about me and see how I fare in the future.

Thanks,

bigman76