Challenge accepted and done!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

With Sunday comes some snow, I woke up this morning to about 4 inches of fluffy snow and saw a chance to get in some movement so out I went and shoveled the driveway and parking areas outside our home. Yesterday got a bit busy and I did not have a chance to post the results from my challenge, I did the 26 minutes that I owed from all of your comments (thanks guys!) and then I got off of the bike and did some push ups and stretched a bit then it was onto the 20 minutes that I owed for the 4 pound loss this week. The break was needed between the minutes so that blood flow could resume in my arse, I really need to figure out a way around that because a 46 minute ride is not beyond me I could have ridden all 46 straight easily but apparently my rump says otherwise.

I mentioned that we got busy yesterday, well during that I bought a new digital camera so I can resume posting photos of my own again. our old digital camera was dropped while we were painting before we moved in and it would not focus and since it was a couple years old we decided it was just time to buy a new one instead of getting the old fixed. This also means that I can start getting compare pics again for my shirtless skivvys months end pics again, and I am excited about the first one since it has been a couple months since I took one, and wify says that she can see a difference from the last set of pics until now! I bought a 4M SD card and the display says that I can take 3400 pictures and have them on the card all at once so plenty of room for new pics which like I mentioned means more for the blog. When I first started this blog I would post photos of my meals, quick snaps of where I was along with pics of yours truly more often and I look forward to doing that again. The new camera we bought also takes video with sound so maybe look for a video message soon from me as well! ahhh the things that excite me are sometimes small.

My intake was right on schedule Saturday coming in at 1685 total calories and wify made breakfast for dinner last night, She made me maybe the best omelet that I have ever had! 3 eggs, 1 oz mexican blend light cheese, mushrooms, onions, chopped up turkey pepperoni, crushed garlic, sliced tomato and enough jalapeño to fry someones guts, and man it was good! I had a sliced dill pickle on the side along with my green tea. Todays dinner menu will include turkey burgers and a veggie and of course my green tea so two great dinners in a row this weekend. I have to go downstairs chop up some wood and get the wood stove burning so I will end this here for now, Thanks for all of the comments turned minutes and don't forget to drink that glass of H2O for making it through another one of my posts.

As Ever
Me

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KAZZLE3 1/18/2009 8:00PM

I love making omelets for dinner - you have a great wife! *Hope you count the cardio minutes from chopping wood - I know that is a workout. Have a good week! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIMPLE_TAILOR 1/18/2009 7:13PM

I understand about not being able to sit as long. It seems that a lot of weight came out of my butt and It just kills me to sit on a hard surface for any length of time. A small price to pay for looking so much better. Report Inappropriate Comment

DONEPAT 1/18/2009 4:48PM

I also llove doing mixed up meals Everytime I see/buy turkey pepperoni and laughing cow cheese, I cannot help but think of YOU. Oh, pics of you in your skivvies again (blush) how exciting. LOL . Well, we got half inch of snow and more coming, but got the dog out today for 45 min. It felt so good. I never thought of putting the pepperoni in the eggs, hmm. Tell Mrs. Meatball thanks! Patty Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGGIRL2082010 1/18/2009 1:23PM

New camera? With VIDEO??? Very cool! Good reward for doing so well on the weigh-in, in my opinion! That omelet sounds good - I've done the mixed-up meals before ... totally drives my family nuts! They go: You CAN'T eat rice for breakfast ... umm, WHY not, sez I? But man, now I want that omelet. Love jalapenos, cheese, peperoni ... and EGGS! :) Okay, you're definitely gonna have to post pics of things like that once you get that camera in action! Drank that water, did 50 squats. What did YOU do while reading this comment? Cheers, Maya Report Inappropriate Comment

Weigh in! a challenge and one happy guy!

Friday, January 16, 2009

This morning I actually woke up earlier than my alarm with a Christmas morning vibe floating through my head because of the notion of me making it into the 350's, Dork eh? but anyways, it was 1 degree outside when I woke up and there is wind so its below zero outside, so the floors were COLD! I walked to the bathroom to get any thing that isn't part of me out of me and straight to the scale. I stepped on and bamn! 358.0 lbs I know I smiled so onto weight two and 358.2 lbs showed up and now I know I was smiling, third times a charm and 358.0 lbs flashed again and with that I have lost 4.6 pounds this week! 7.2 last week and 4.6 this week, think I am happy about the last two weeks? Yes I am! I am officially into the 350's with a total of 176 pounds lost total to date, that number is insane to me sometimes when I think about it, one hundred seventy six pounds! GONE! and I am into a weight range that I consider not so bad.

I am on a mission to weigh less than 300 pounds by the end of June this year, I have had two good weeks where weigh in goes so I expect next week to be not so grand, but then again after the 7 pound week last week I thought this would be a low week too so who knows. Here are some things that weigh as much as I do and as much as I have left to lose.



This Yamaha outboard motor weighs 358 pounds like me.



This is Chloe Marshall and she weighs 176 pounds and was competing for Miss England, I have to say she looks awesome and shows that a woman with some meat on her bones can be as hot as any!


I have 83 more pounds to lose to get to my goal weight of 275, which is now penciled in @ 265 so that I can weigh the same as my father, but the goal stands at 275 for now. I am down enough that its getting difficult to find interesting things that weigh what I have left to lose so from here on out I will just show what I have lost and what I currently weigh. this weigh in brings me within 24 pounds of having lost 200 total pounds, yep thats right when I lose 24 more pounds I have lost 200 pounds! That is insane to me that I am so close to dropping that kind of weight, and just imagine this, when I get there I still have a lot to go! something else happened last night to go with my 4.6 pound loss this week, I told someone other than my wife my current weight, I was talking to my brother and I sent him the photo of me in the jacket that I wore to my wedding (I posted it a few days back) and he couldn't believe it and the conversation progressed to where I just told him, all he could say is "you must feel so good right now" and my response was just "yup".

Now onto this challenge that I set for myself, I said that I would ride my stationary bike for 5 minutes for every pound that I lost and I am counting this as a 4 pound loss this week (sticking to whole numbers from 362 to 358 is 4 pounds) so thats 20 minutes that I will ride for the weight, now here comes the part where you come in, for every comment that I receive on THIS post by midnight Friday (today), I will do 1 extra minute on my bike for tomorrows (Saturday's) cardio session. I have done these challenges in the past and they turn out pretty good and it has never failed to get me a good workout, and since I am feeling on top of the world these last couple weeks its time once again for a challenge. The only catch? you mention that ya drank a glass of water for your comment, so its a win win, I get to bust my ass because of you and you get to be hydrated because of me, sound fair?

A note to people reading this on spark I post my blog in a couple different spots and I am counting the comments that I get on the blogspot page here zeusmeatball.blogspot.com/ for the minutes challenge because if I were to combine the comments from here and there I would surely die tomorrow! That doesn't mean ya can't comment here! and or there, it just means that I can only realistically count them from one place and actually DO the minutes lol

Thank you for following along while I get healthy and don't forget that H2O!

As Ever
Me

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CATIATM 1/17/2009 4:29AM

BOTZZZ - I remember when you first started Spark. I'm amazed and impressed at your success. Keep up the great work! P.S. How do you get by on so few calories? I really struggle with hunger, and I eat more like 2000 - 2300 calories a day. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHEEKYMUNKEY 1/17/2009 12:05AM

Congrats! That is a tremendous accomplishment. You are really rocking this! Report Inappropriate Comment

DITRYING 1/16/2009 11:16PM

You continue to be a great inspiration and a hoot to read. Congrats and keep up the good work. Di Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGGIRL2082010 1/16/2009 6:38PM

Awesome! We knew you'd be in the 35x's today. :) Way to go! Keep it up! Can't "weight" for the next 24 to be gone ... it's gonna be fun following along! Cheers, Maya Report Inappropriate Comment

OH_HAPPY_DAY 1/16/2009 4:01PM

as always, I am inspired by your motivation and sucess each week! Have a great weekend!! ((gulp, gulp, gulp)) Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 1/16/2009 1:52PM

I knew you can do it an ofcourse I am going to drink 2 glasses of water. I think it's insane..24 more pounds to say u lost 200lbs in less than 2 years!! WOW EB **I posted this twice and by the looks of things on ur other blog you are going to be riding that stationary bike for a while. LOL** Report Inappropriate Comment

TRACYZABELLE 1/16/2009 1:39PM

You rock! I am so happy for you! NOw I need to get your energy so I can get those pounds down...woot woot! YOU ARE MY HERO! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONEPAT 1/16/2009 1:07PM

Okay, first of all Congrats, I had NO doubts. You keep this up, You'll be out of 350 in like, 2 wks. Blogspot would NOT let me log in today. Bah. but I did drink some h20 and greentea. I am headed for the gym. I have cabin fever. (no, no like the movie). but am sick of being home. Well, warm hugs and all that and you are just simply amazing. :) Patty Report Inappropriate Comment

IMREADY77 1/16/2009 12:35PM

You are a true inspiration! Keep up the good work and have a great weekend!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

EMSNANA 1/16/2009 12:30PM

Hey there - I was just reading your page and a couple of your blogs. What an amazing journey. You have accomplised so much. I look forward to seeing and hearing the rest of your journey. Good luck to you! Barb Report Inappropriate Comment

SLMTRACE 1/16/2009 11:28AM

YYEEAAYYY!!! i am soo happy for you! you are well on your way to your goal, you'll be there in no time! i hope this water tastes as good as your workout will be tomorrow! hehe keep on buddy keep on! Tracy Report Inappropriate Comment

SNEAKYGREG 1/16/2009 11:06AM

wow, wow ummm did I say WOW!!!!!!!! I agree with your brother you must feel great and OH yes I will be visiting you blogspot for the challenge and thanks for the glass of H2O Report Inappropriate Comment

KARBIE18 1/16/2009 11:04AM

Congratulations on making it to the 350s! I know that giddy feeling well. You are doing such a great job, and are an inspiration to so many people. I've enjoyed following your success story. Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

MICHMACH30 1/16/2009 10:55AM

Congrats to you for making it into the 350's! You must be floating on cloud nine right about now eh? I was anxiously awaiting your post as I couldn't wait to find out if you made your goal! You are doing fantastic and make me want to kick it into high gear myself! Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

TX.PATRICIA 1/16/2009 10:41AM

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ELFITZPA 1/16/2009 10:39AM

Awesome awesome awesome - congratulations!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIMPLE_TAILOR 1/16/2009 10:37AM

It is always curious to see what you currently weigh and what you have lost. on getting into the 350s. I know this is huge for what you were wanting to do. Keep going on my man!! I'll get going to the faucet Comment edited on: 1/16/2009 10:37:51 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

Weigh in eve and the chalenge is set.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Weigh in time has come around again, its funny how that happens every week, Last week I dropped 7.2 pounds which brought me to 362.6 pounds and I wanted very much to get into the 350's this week and that is still my goal. To be in the 350's I think will be surreal to me because I cannot remember a time in my life that I was actually "in the 350's" and yet that has been the weight that I have used on my license for years, it has been what I say to people when they asked if they asked, "so waddya think ya weigh?" to my "about 350" which I always knew was not even close to correct and now if can hit that weight I say it and be right on the money!



My intake was below my allowed 1700 yesterday coming in at 1665 total calories and I did get in a gallon of the good stuff AKA Green tea. I am also craving bananas, which is not a big thing normally but wify bought a bunch of bananas about 2 weeks ago and they were really green, nothing odd about that right? wrong! they are still green! some slight yellow is showing up on a couple of them but they are still not ripe, I think they are magical non aging, non ripening bananas or something, its driving me nuts because I am stubborn and won't throw them out, and before you say 'well are you sure they are bananas ant not plantains or the likes" I am sure they are bananas! one got yellow and I ate it a few days ago but the rest are still green (why did only one get yellow!?) and I am at a loss as to why so on the fridge they sit (now in a brown paper bag) and when they ripen I will enjoy them if only to prove to the banana gods that I won. Ok ok enough about the bananas, 25 minutes on the stationary bike along with some push ups and a stretching routine was how part of my afternoon was spent yesterday and will be in my plans for today as well. Will I make it into the 350's? I sure hope I do but if I don't it just means that its one more week before joining that clubhouse, but I will get there. Have a look at yesterdays menu.

01/14/09

Breakfast
8:00 AM
2 multigrain english muffins 200
2 wedges laughing cow cheese 70
1 serving Turkey pepperoni 70
sliced tomato 10
dill pickle 10

Lunch
12:00 PM
2 slices whole wheat bread 140
1 T peanut butter 95
1 T jam 50
1 dannon yogurt 80

2:30 PM
1 pear 85

Dinner
7:00 PM
4 slices whole wheat 280
1 can tuna 150
1 T miracle whip 35
1.5 oz jax 225
dill pickle/tomato/lettuce/onion 25

8:00 PM
1 WW Ice cream Sandwich 140


Grand total of 1665 calories for the day, and a challenge is set for tomorrows weigh in, I mentioned it in yesterdays post and here is how I shall work it. for every pound that I lose I will ride 5 minutes on my stationary bike and in addition to that, for every comment that I get before midnight Friday on tomorrows weigh in post I will do an extra minute on the bike. That means that the length of my Saturday cardio session will be dictated by anyone that leaves a comment! 10 comments, 10 extra minutes! 40 comments (gasp) 40 extra minutes! (I see 40 people following this blog now which I think is awesome so I used that for my gasp number) bring it on! make this big ol hunk of a dude sweat his arse off! the only catch is that I ask that for every comment that I get that the poster drink a glass of water, sound fair? heres to a good weigh in, wish me luck!

disclaimer: only comments on my zeusmeatball.blogspot.com/ will count towards the challenge minutes, I post my blog here on spark and on there and if I used both tallies I would likely experience death :) so for the challenge only the blogspot comments count for the minutes.

Thank you for following along and if you regularly read my blog you know that its time to grab yourself a nice big drink of H2O, and if you are new, get on up and grab a glass of water you deserve it for making it to the end of my post.

As Ever
Me

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NEWLYWED3709 1/15/2009 4:29PM

I can't wait to see you hit the 350's mark! You can totally rock this! (As for the bananas...we accidentally bought green bananas from Publix once and experienced the same phenomena. Give it another few days or so. The brown paper bag should definitely help!) Chugging that water! ^_^ Report Inappropriate Comment

TRACYZABELLE 1/15/2009 3:00PM

You can do it! YOur fellow sparkies have faith in you! GO! Report Inappropriate Comment

MICHMACH30 1/15/2009 1:33PM

I read your log and then ran to get a banana! I love them too! Good luck on your ride (as I know go over to the blog to comment)! Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

OH_HAPPY_DAY 1/15/2009 1:07PM

I love "nanners"! I could eat at least 6 and still want more! Here's hoping tomorrow's weigh in is great! Have a great day! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 1/15/2009 1:06PM

OK so I will see ya tomorrow my friend. And of course I will comment, why wouldn't I?? I am only doing it because I care..LOL BTW I try not to waste either, so if your ever find yourself with some really dark, not really edible bananas...banana fritter my friend!! Comment edited on: 1/15/2009 1:08:12 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

SLMTRACE 1/15/2009 11:25AM

Now i want a banana!! lol cant wait to read your post tomorrow!! Tracy Report Inappropriate Comment

SIMPLE_TAILOR 1/15/2009 11:22AM

Gotta admit that I try to avoid bananas. They are a trigger food for me that send me into a nearly uncontrollable eating rage. About the only thing that I have encountered that is worse is pizza. Keep it up my man. Report Inappropriate Comment

DONEPAT 1/15/2009 10:58AM

(singsong voice) "you're gonna maaaaake it." Who are you kidding? As for those bananas, I wish mine ripend that slowly. Geez. I can only get 3 at a time, as they get brown so fast here. ( I like not so ripe ones- they're not as sweet). Well, snowed as I said,-punk snow like yours, but ICE with it. so........ So. A day at home. Oh. Joy. Have a great one. Patty Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 1/15/2009 10:47AM

I am going to check later for the update-- that said, of course you're going to make it-- this week or next-- who ultimately cares? This change is for life after all! You totally made me crave bananas and want to go and eat better! Have a great day! Report Inappropriate Comment

New goals and a challenge for Friday.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I started this blog a bit more than a year ago, I started it to stay accountable with my weight loss and it has become more than that for me, I enjoy writing every day and I love hearing input be it negative or positive, most is positive but there are always the people that see it wrong."are you trying to be like most overweight people that say, "I'll start exercising tomorrow" and then never do?" That is a comment someone left for me after reading my post yesterday where I mentioned that I want to start seriously strength training when I hit 300 pounds. That comment floored me and then I realized that this person probably has not read my blog or at least paid attention to it if they have. I almost let myself respond with a snarky comment of my own but then realized that my mantra is negativity breeds more of the same and well thats just not me. If I was "trying to be like most overweight people that say, "I'll start exercising tomorrow" and then never do?" I would no doubt still weigh 534 pounds and I will leave it there.

Things are on track here, this week is coming along nicely says the scale this morning so I am in a great mood today despite the 13 degree windy day we have here in good old New England. I am planning on indoor cardio for the day in the way of a ride on the good ol stationary bike because of the weather and thats fine by me but I do have to admit that I am starting to get a bit of cabin fever and really would like a nice walk, as soon as the weather cooperates a bit it shall be so.

Since I have my bike set up in its new home I think it is time for another Friday challenge as well, I will for every pound that I lose ride my stationary bike for 5 minutes and one extra minute for each comment that I get before midnight on Fridays weigh in post. The last time I did one of these challenges to myself my legs hurt for a week! but it is time for another one. I will pay these minutes on the Saturday following weigh in and I will post when it is done, so here you have he chance to make me move more and help me get that 300 pound by June goal. How does that sound? feel like making a fat man work for his waist line? Oh, the only catch is that you need to drink a glass of H2O along with your post, so its a win win!

Intake for yesterday went as follows.

01/13/09

Breakfast
8:30 AM
1 banana 105
1 T peanut butter 95

11:00 AM
2.5oz ground turkey 100
1 80 cal roll 80

Lunch
1:15 PM
2 80 cal rolls 160
1 T peanut butter 100
1 T jam 50

4:15 PM
dannon yogurt 80

Dinner
6:15 PM
2 gortons fish fillets 340
9oz sweet potato fries 225
kidney beans 170

8:00 PM
1 pear 85

8:45 PM
1 pear 85

Grand total of 1675 calories so again right on the money if not a bit heavy on the carbs its not too bad of a menu. I usually don't eat many pre packaged meals lately but my daughter loves those Gortons fish fillets and we haven't had them in a while so onto the menu they went. This is no longer something I have to try to do, I AM doing it, I am eating properly and exercising daily and waddya know? health is happening right before my eyes! Yesterday while talking to a friend I found out that I personally know two people now that weigh more than me so I am no longer the heaviest guy I know! that in itself is very cool to me. I was also talking to My father who weighs 265 pounds and stands 6'2" tall last night, we were talking about my weight loss and I told him that I would weigh less than he does soon and his response was "no way" so I think I may just set a new goal weight to be 265 pounds, because you know I gotta prove the old man wrong! Thats the end todays post, make sure to tune in tomorrow, same bat time same bat channel, and don't forget that glass of H2O that you just earned for reading!

As Ever
Me

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRACYZABELLE 1/15/2009 3:17AM

A friend of mine who has lost 200+ on weight watchers did not start to exercise until she dropped 100 pounds.. I do moderate/low impact exercises as I can not lift my legs far off the floor.. knees are shot too. SO I do what I can. ONe day I will do more but until then I do what I can, believe me, just getting out of bed can be a struggle- you know that! Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGGIRL2082010 1/14/2009 6:19PM

Hahaha. Love it! Both your Friday challenge _and_ your new intention of hitting lower than 265 to prove Dad wrong! Our parents motivate us in so many way, huh? :) And half the time they don't even know they're doing it! :D Keep going! I'm drinking the water, and I'll be rooting for you to do at least 60 extra minutes on your bike because of Friday's comments! :) Cheers, Maya Report Inappropriate Comment

MICHMACH30 1/14/2009 1:49PM

When I read that comment yesterday I too was like...huh? But anyways you are doing a fantastic job and know better than anyone what is good for you so blah to all of the negative people out there! Reading your post always gives me a little push to better myself too so thanks for that! Keep on keeping on and you will prove your dad wrong in no time! Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

TX.PATRICIA 1/14/2009 12:29PM

Your positive attitude strikes all the negativity that could ever be thrown your way. All I have to say is that they were probably jealous, because you are doing such an awesome job at loosing weight! Keep up the great job, and you will cruise right by your dad in no time! We are all here to cheer you on the journey! Report Inappropriate Comment

PUMPKINFACE73 1/14/2009 12:02PM

As always I sit here smiling while reading your blog.. Got for it...show your Dad, you can and will do it. Drinking my H2O...been a little slacking there lately (has been replaced with grey goose...lmao) so thanks for keep your neighbor hydrated. Keep warm, cant wait for the high of 7 degrees on Friday...yikes...lol tick tock, tick tock....19 days.... Report Inappropriate Comment

DONEPAT 1/14/2009 11:55AM

AHH I enjoyed your blog very much. I enjoyed it even more because I'm doing what I should and feel good about it too (about time!) . Yes, Negativity does breed negativity. Some people don't get that. Just keep doing what you are doing. I love proving my parents wrong. I've done it more than once. It's such a sweet victory. Not a nasty one too. more like, playful competitiveness. So, you bypass your Dad and keep going. I'll keep reading and drinking water too. Wow. Just Wow. at you. LOL Patty Comment edited on: 1/14/2009 11:56:08 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

SLMTRACE 1/14/2009 11:42AM

i cant wait for your post tomorrow, i'm drinkin my water was i type, ive been doing good on it for the past few days too thanks to you! :) I couldnt imagine reading your blog and being negative, they need to read more, and then they'll understand how hard you have worked, and what great things you have done. Keep up the hard work! Tracy Report Inappropriate Comment

GUITARPULSATION 1/14/2009 11:33AM

You are totally awesome ... and I am totally sadistic! One more minute! Report Inappropriate Comment

NEWLYWED3709 1/14/2009 11:30AM

So I'm leaving you a comment and drinking my glass of H20 in return! ^_^ Sounds like you've got an amazingly positive attitude, a great (and realistic goal), and are finding ways to keep with the cardio despite cabin fever and uncooperative weather. You're the man! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIMPLE_TAILOR 1/14/2009 11:26AM

-insert maniacal laughter here- Making legs hurt is fun. I also understand that doing something just to prove your dad wrong. The problem is that they are right much more often. I personally think that they have just been around longer and know better ways to cheat. l8r Report Inappropriate Comment

TELERIE 1/14/2009 11:12AM

Don't worry about the negative comments, they aren't living your life. You do what keeps you going working hard and enjoy the weight loss that comes with it. Thanks for the water! Report Inappropriate Comment

KWOLF150 1/14/2009 10:58AM

Hey..you set that new goal! YOU can do it .. I know. You can pass your Dad right up. I am proud for you. Man! Look what you have accomplished. The negative comment....just not called for. Each person knows what works for them and what does not. Some times...it takes a while to figure that out. Do they not understand? Must not. But YOU......YOU my friend have set goals for yourself in the past and met them. Look where you are now. That my friend is more than most of us have done. Do you know how many goals I have set and failed? ...A lot! ( Not all of them) So..YOU... are on top of your game and all I have to say is...... GO MAN GO! You are way on your way! Kel Oh..and I am SO drinking the H2O. Bubba Keg full always!! Comment edited on: 1/14/2009 1:24:03 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 1/14/2009 10:18AM

so u know we will help you lose the weight by having another challenge. will it be on spark or your blogspot? I like those fish fillets too, but only have them 1x every other month..i have no self control. LOL Got my water in!! Report Inappropriate Comment

FLYINGTOFREEDOM 1/14/2009 10:14AM

I had on my sparkpage not too long ago that negativity breeds negativity. I think that unless you walk in someone else's shoes you have no idea why they are making the choices that they make, but it is their choice. Anyway, saw that post and well, to each his own I guess. You are doing wonderful. I subscribed to your blog because I want to find out when you reach that goal!!! Alethea Report Inappropriate Comment

ELFITZPA 1/14/2009 9:58AM

You're right to let the negativity slide. You've made amazing progress and anyone who took the time to read your page or blogs can see that. Good luck on Saturday - I'll try to comment on all your blogs until then, just to add to you pain!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Loose skin, Boxer shorts and a muscular shoulder.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Another day of eating well and getting healthy, I can't believe that its already Jan 13th this month is flying by. I will continue the assault on my body to take the fat away, and I will not stop until all of it has vacated the premises. everything is still going in the direction that I want it to but then again when one applies reasoning to this it will continue to go the way I want it to as long as I am staying true to what it is that I am doing. simple right? eat less and move more and weight should fall off, WILL fall off! I have been at this for 378 days now and there are significant differences in everything that is and was me.



Last night I was going to take a shower and we keep a small laundry basket in our bedroom so I pulled my shirt off and tossed it into the basket but when I looked to my left I saw something I did not recognize, I saw my shoulder and collar bone and the top part of my arm and chest, now this may not be such a strange thing to most but it is something that I haven't seen look that way in a good while. Some of you know that I take a comparison photo every month, I usually do it when I get out of a shower and I am in only my boxers with no shirt and wify snaps that pic in the beginning of every month and I then photoshop that picture next to the one taken on Jan 6th 2008 so that I can see the difference for every month that I have been doing this weight loss gig, its like one of those flip books, you can see me get smaller as I page through each picture. With the move and the holidaze I have not taken one of these photos since October 5th so I have not been paying attention to the way my body looks and the view of my shoulder caught me off guard. I called wify in and said "Look at this! when did that happen? it doesn't even look like my shoulder!" and as I was saying that I said something about how my collar bone was all popped out and you can see the shape of muscles in my shoulder and chest, Her reply was "Yeah soon its going to look like that all over, I have noticed your arms and shoulders for a while now" I am usually aware of what is going on with my body but I guess with the busy couple of months that we have had and the fact that I have not taken a shirtless compare picture since Oct that I just hadn't noticed the change. One day maybe I will be brave enough, or maybe its cruel enough to post the me in my skivvys photos but for now they are for my eyes only, I will save you the trauma for the time being.

Another issue that I have been struggling with is the excess skin that will be more of an issue with every pound lost. I can notice the skin being loose on my body now but I still have 85 pounds to go to hit my goal of 275 and honestly I will likely not stop there so this skin issue is bugging me a bit because I know that I will not like what I see when the fat has vacated, but I did this so that I did not have to have a surgery and now to get rid of the skin a surgery will be the only thing that will do it I think. On the other side of that coin is the fact that the skin will shrink some, and it is already doing that now because before thanksgiving I weighed about what I do now, there is no significant loss in the last 2 months and yet a 3XLT shirt fits me now where as 2 months ago it was snug on me so I know that something in the way of tightening is happening but lets get real here, I was 534 pounds at one point in time and thats a big package there will be excess skin to deal with.

Have a look at my menu from Monday, I hit 1700 calories on the nose and had a treat ala Weight watchers too.



01/12/09

Breakfast
7:15 AM
2 cups honey combs 220
1 cup 1% milk 110

10:00 AM
1 slice whole wheat bread 70
1/2 T peanut butter 45
1/2 T Jam 25

Lunch
2:00 PM
progresso soup 160
dannon yogurt 80

4:15 PM
2 pears 170

Dinner
6:30pm
8oz ground turkey 320
2 80 cal rolls 160
6oz sweet potato fries 150
onion/pickle/tomato/ketchup 50

8:00 PM
WW ice cream sandwich 140

Grand total of 1700 calories and that weight watchers ice cream sandwich was pretty decent as well as a good sized treat. I am feeling good about what I am doing and what I mean when I say that is that I feel energized all day long, I can remember being groggy all day and never having energy and now it is just the opposite, I am alert, I am active and I have energy to spare on most days. I need to get on up and make myself a glass of green tea so the post ends here, go ahead and get on up yourself and get yourself a glass of H2O and remember that if I can do this weight loss thing that you can do it.

As Ever
Me

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LEAVY1213 1/13/2009 5:01PM

Very cool you were able to be surprised by your body changes this week! Comment edited on: 1/14/2009 3:58:17 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

_RAMONA 1/13/2009 12:25PM

Hey there! First of all, congratulations on all you've accomplished... you are one inspiring guy... your attitude and effort make me want to dance! Your humility and honesty humble and inspire me to be a better person. Thank you for all of it. I want to pass on information regarding the loose skin issue. It comes up so often here on Spark, and I know it's a huge concern for a number of people. What I've learned so far is this... excessive loose skin is the result of a layer of fat just under the skin that continues to stretch it out even after the excess weight is gone. The younger you are when you take the weight off the less of an issue it will be, regardless of how much you lose. People who lose very slowly rarely have a skin issue. People who focus on building muscle and reduction of BMI, as opposed to simply losing weight, also rarely have an issue. People who care for their skin (moisturize) as they lose also rarely have a skin issue. Your skin will continue to adjust LONG after the weight comes off (1-2 years even... and this I know from a friend's personal experience). It is focusing on basic cardio, rather than strength training, or HIIT that creates a skin issue... you're potentially losing weight faster, but the skin can't keep up as easily. Creating your calorie deficit in what you eat rather than with exercise creates a loose skin issue (moderate calories and heavy exercise is better for the skin, than is low calories and moderate exercise). Eating REALLY clean also reduces loose skin issues. Now, all of these things are very personal in terms of deciding where to focus, and the people I've encountered who have spoken about the issue openly are people who have lost in the 100-200 pound range. I don't know if this changes significantly with a greater loss. Everyone has to weigh this for themselves (no pun intended). There are a vast number of people here at Spark with EXTRAORDINARY weight losses, who have not had loose skin issues. This reinforces for me that the key is in how you lose the weight. Here are some resources you might want to look into as you evaluate your own process and needs: Nichole's Journey to a Healthy Life http://www.sparkpeople.com/ mypage.asp?id=nichjones Reasons to 'Not Cut' http://www.sparkpeople.com/ mypage_public_journal_individua l.asp?blog_id=1031443 'Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle' by Tom Venuto He's trainer who has helped MANY people lose extreme amounts of weight and has not seen loose skin as an issue... he speaks about 'skinny fat' as being the problem, and that the answer is to focus on reducing BMI even after the excessive weight is lost, to burn off that layer of fat the continues to stretch the skin. Here's his take on the subject: http://www.tomvenuto.co m/asktom/loose_skin_and_weight_ loss.shtml I hope this information is helpful to you and anyone who visits... my heart aches when I come across anyone who works extraordinarily hard to accomplish a great feat, only to get there and still feel upset about the results for any reason (not even remotely suggesting you're in that camp!). I think you still have tons of stuff to teach the rest of us, and I'll be travelling along absorbing the lessons! {{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}} Ramona Comment edited on: 1/14/2009 4:38:54 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

RUNNING@MYPACE 1/13/2009 11:32AM

That is awesome! My Hubby is on here and has lost about 70 pounds and it really is amazing watching all those changes ...even better when they STOP ya like that one did you!! Congrats I love progressive lentil soup Thats what is for lunch today hehhee Hey stop by my hubbys page if you can he could use the support...I'll be out of state for a few days.... DADDY_4 Thanks Keep up the great work! Ijah Report Inappropriate Comment

FLYINGTOFREEDOM 1/13/2009 10:14AM

Wow, I am really inspired by you. YOu have really worked hard to get that weight off. Wow that is all I can say. Congrats. Alethea Report Inappropriate Comment

SIMPLE_TAILOR 1/13/2009 10:07AM

Three things after a quick, Hell Yeah. You are the man. 1 - Skinny Cow is a preference over the Weight Watchers. Give them a try if they have them in your area. 2 - That is so cool about seeing body parts that you haven't seen in a long time. The veins on the back of my hand were my personal favorite. 3 - I was worried about the skin issue to. I don't think I will have a huge amount, but it will take a little bit to get off as well. That is one of the great things about doing this right is that it isn't the dramatic drop and it gives the body time to adjust. Keep on it. L8r. Report Inappropriate Comment

DONEPAT 1/13/2009 10:06AM

Well, you are just.......chugging along. I'm getting my tea at the chinese market today, so I'll let you know how it goes. Have a wonderful day- and congrats on the shoulders and collar bone coming out. Patty Report Inappropriate Comment

LILLIAN364 1/13/2009 9:32AM

You're making great progress! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 1/13/2009 9:23AM

Hello. So nice post!! It's a good feeling that even though there is no major weight loss our bodies still continue to change and we feel better about ourselves. Just that boost of looking better, having more energy, not embarrassed to go places means sO much more than the weight coming off. Kudos to you for seeing some shoulder and collar bone!! I had a heart attack when I saw my collar bone making a comeback, it's not fully there but it's good enough for now. LOL Report Inappropriate Comment