Weekly Weigh-in - Life in 220ville - New Before/After pic

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Gratuitous before/after picture

Life is good in 220ville. I haven't been as aggressive as I should be with working out - I'm working on getting back in a good groove. Slow steady progress is keeping me motivated. I need to start training for my Rudolph Run 5k coming up December 17th. I only have 4 weeks left to get it in gear. My goal is to be able to run the Esplanade here in Portland (3.5 miles) by December 14th without stopping. I'm not going for speed - just the endurance of running the whole thing. I'm excited about sharing this with my best friend Jessica.

Now on to this week's weigh-in results:

Starting weight: 257 (2/28/2011)
Last weigh in: 229.3 (11/05/2011)
This week's weigh in: 228.8 (11/12/2011)

Weight loss since last weigh in: 0.5 lbs
Total weight lost: 28.2 lbs

Not surprised by the small weight loss. I wasn't as focused this week as I had promised to be last week. Being in 220ville is motivating me though.

My monthly goal (that I set months ago) is to be down to 222 by the end of November. I'm not sure if I'll make it, but I'm going to get as close as I can. That would require me losing 6.8 lbs in 18 days. Not impossible - but improbable. I'm currently working on strategies to mitigate the following:

- Heading to South Carolina next weekend for my friend Melissa's wedding. Food and drinks will abound. I must make wise decisions and get some exercise while I am there to offset the increase in calories I know I'll be taking in.
- Thanksgiving. Enough said. Coming from a Southern family, there will be lots of Paula Deen-esque side dishes. I plan on allowing myself one small paper plate of food and one dessert, followed by a run. No leftovers! Again, increased exercise to mitigate the calorie intake.

What are your plans to mitigate the temptations of the holidays?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TWOSWEET504 11/13/2011 6:03PM

Doesn't 220-ville feel !! Its motivating me but I did so BAD this weekend I hope I didn't gain all 5lbs I lost this past week. But I will be kicking major AZZ this week and for the remainder of the year because I want to look fierce for New Years my Goal Weight is 215lbs by NYE 2012!! I think you have a great plan I KNOW you can do it I KNOW you have a GREAT PLAN you just gotta stick to it and so do I. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS is KEY!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Catching up - in the 220s

Sunday, November 06, 2011

I've been a bum about logging into Spark, blogging, and keeping up with my Spark friends. I know I need to make the time for this - for myself - but work has been oh so busy. I've also been traveling. Nonetheless, I am going to try my darnedest to make November my reboot month.

Last weekend I headed down South to visit friends in Knoxville and watch a little South Carolina/Tennessee football. It was a much needed break from the stresses of work that have been preoccupying my time and thoughts. I got compliments from friends on my thinner stature, but my favorite was from my friend Mary who said "wow - your legs are really muscular". That made me feel good.

I've got my calorie intake pretty under control. I could eat cleaner and healthier - something I am going to continue to work on - but I have the calorie intake under control and am rotating my intake so I have higher and lower calorie days to keep my body guessing.

The one thing I don't have under control is exercise. Even though I continue to lose weight, my body shape isn't shifting a whole lot. I'm still VERY flabby in the torso area. I know time will work on that as I continue to lose weight, but I also know that calories change weight - exercise changes shape. I'm going to try to be more diligent about working out beyond just my elliptical and jogging routines.

I'm running the Rudolph Run 5k on December 17th with my best friend Jessica in Huntsville, AL. I'm looking forward to it but have to start my couch 2 5k training this week. Jessica has been running quite a bit over the last year. She's nervous about keeping up with me and my long legs, but I'm more nervous about my endurance with her. This will be my second 5k - trust me when I say that it won't be difficult to get a new PR this year haha.

So I think that about catches me up. Here are my weigh in results from yesterday:

Starting weight: 257 (2/28/2011)
Last weigh in: 230.4 (10/22/2011)
This week's weigh in: 229.3 (10/5/2011)

Weight loss since last weigh in: 1.1 lbs
Total weight lost: 27.7 lbs

Excited to be in the 220s, but know I have a lot of work to do and some changes that still need to be made.

Hope everyone has a good week sparking!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SHAWNEDA 11/10/2011 12:26PM

So glad you took a break. Congrats on the continued success. Slower the loss easier it is to keep it off! Keep sparking. Report Inappropriate Comment

TWOSWEET504 11/6/2011 9:45PM

First Congrats On Getting Away From Your Crazy Hectic Job I know you needed it!! Second Congrats On Getting Into 220-ville I'm So Jelly lol I'll be there shortly!! I know you are going to kick butt in the 5K Super Proud of You Keep it Up...We Can Do This!!! Twosweet504 Report Inappropriate Comment

SHIRNEST 11/6/2011 3:05PM

Sounds like you're making progress. Good luck with the training. Report Inappropriate Comment

Getting back on track - weekly weigh-in.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

I think my body was just waiting for me to get my gadget in gear again...



Starting weight: 257 lbs (2/28/2011)
Last logged weight: 233.7 lbs (10/15/2011)
Weigh-in 10/22/2011: 230.4 lbs

Total weight lost since 10/15/2011: -3.3 lbs
Total weight lost to date: 26.6 lbs

What? I lost 3.3 lbs this week? That's crazy talk.

Seriously though - it has been a challenging few weeks. I have been unmotivated, my will power has been flickering, and I've not been sparking like I should. This week, I started back with the basics. I started eating my morning oatmeal like I know I should. As busy as I have been with work, it became convenient for me to leave the house without eating any breakfast. As a result, I think my metabolism went "hell naw". Now that I'm fueling up in the mornings, I'm starting to see some results again.

I also got more exercise in this week. Am I consistent yet? Not at all. Will I get there? Yes - I'm determined. Seeing that number so close to the 220s on the scale this morning has renewed my resolve to get this thing done. I know it's not all about the number on the scale - but for me - that's a big way of monitoring progress since I have so much weight to lose. Once I get closer to my goal (eventually), then I'll switch my evaluation methods to things like inches, muscle mass, etc.

This loss could not have come at a better time to get me motivated. I'm off right now to enjoy a rare Portland partly-cloudy day with a walk downtown and maybe a run down by the waterfront later this afternoon.

Everyone have a good weekend!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TWOSWEET504 11/2/2011 8:27AM

I'm so proud of you Rich...every step regardless of how small or big it is towards the right direction is FANTASTIC!! You are my competition for real now because you are at 230.4 sooo jelly lol!!! Keep it up and Keep Sparking You Are The BOMB!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LALAFLOWERS 10/23/2011 7:26AM

So glad you're putting together the connection between eating well, and losing weight. That is often the hardest connection for folks to make. And Breaky really is the most important meal of the day~! You're on the right track! Good for you. If you are stressed and crazy at work, look up some slow cooker oatmeal recipes. These are where you toss all the goodies in a small slow cooker, and let it sit all night. You wake up, and breakfast is ready!!! And... you can make steel cut oats this way... they end up being creamy and yummy! Keep it up, it will all fall back in to step! You got this! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHAWNEDA 10/22/2011 11:42PM

Yay! Keep seeing yourself at goal in your mind and you'll be there in "no time." So happy for you. Keep sparking! Report Inappropriate Comment

Confessional - I owe it to myself to reboot.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Tonight, as I sit here listening to some cathartic music and engaging in some honest self-reflection, I'm recognizing that I cannot continue waiting another day to get my act together.

- I haven't been able to get back on track in over two weeks.
- I'm eating poorly and not exercising regularly.
- I'm not investing my free time wisely.
- I'm letting work stress dictate my emotions.
- I feel myself drawing inward and know that i need to reach outward.
- I did not fight this hard to lose my way now.

I've found myself in this place before, and I am fully aware of the consequences of not making a change and making it now. The change does not have to be huge and grandiose. I just have to make each day better than the one preceding it. As of now, I'm steering an opposite course.

- I will get my 30 minutes of cardio in tomorrow.
- I will eat right tomorrow including multiple healthy small meals.
- I will start the Couch 2 5k plan like I've been telling myself I would do for weeks.
- I will leave work at a decent hour and leave it at the office.
- I will only burden myself with the things I can change and not dwell on the unchangeables.
- I will take these actions and repeat daily until habits are formed.

Here's to my recommitment to myself. I deserve it.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TWOSWEET504 10/21/2011 9:28PM

Hey Rich...I'm Right There With You!! Its Weird that we are going thru the same exact thing. You know I'm with you 100%...we can get out of this RUT together!! You Can Do Anything Because You Already Have!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZIEQ1961 10/21/2011 2:22PM

Great self-motivation!! Keep at it and you will succeed. Report Inappropriate Comment

COOKWITHME65 10/21/2011 11:51AM

You so do. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHAWNEDA 10/20/2011 11:51PM

I just heard the machine power back up (you know like when you reboot your computer). Anywho you can do this. We're here cheering you on all the way. Keep sparking! Report Inappropriate Comment

CBAILEYC 10/20/2011 10:50AM

Witnessing your recommittment, and backing you 110%. Buckle down and DO IT! C~ Report Inappropriate Comment

PIGSOFGREEN 10/20/2011 10:45AM

You absolutely deserve it!! You can do it, those are great, small goals that you can reach. I really like the idea of making today better than yesterday - I need that kind of narrow focus to keep me on track! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLAPTHEFATCAT 10/20/2011 12:38AM

You will!!! And I expect you to! Report Inappropriate Comment

Weekly Weigh-In | Challenges | Motivation

Saturday, October 15, 2011

So I continue to be challenged by a lack of focus and motivation, but this week was better than the last. I read a blog this past week that really inspired me (http://www.bendoeslife.com). This guy went from 360lbs to running marathons and becoming an Ironman twice! The inspiring part of his story is that he started small. He began running and walking as much as he could in his health. Pounds lost and improving health motivated him to keep at it. Did he have setbacks? Of course. The key here is that - no matter what - he never gave up. He found goals to reach and had the determination to follow through on them to achieve.

He could be me, or you, or your neighbor.

I know I've got to refocus and figure out how to continue to make this work for me with all the craziness going on in my life. I have to make time and commitment for myself above all else - work - friends - social commitments. Above all, for once in my life, I have to be selfish and make what I need to do a priority.

I did get 3 good workouts in this week. For that I am proud. I know it isn't enough (as is evident in my results this week), but I must continue forward and make each day better than the previous one.

Starting weight: 257 lbs (2/28/2011)
Last logged weight: 233.0 lbs (10/8/2011)
Weigh-in 10/15/2011: 233.7 lbs

Total weight lost since 10/8/2011: +0.7 lbs
Total weight lost to date: 23.3 lbs

Am I defeated? Absolutely not. I am motivated. Life is good.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SHAWNEDA 10/18/2011 4:39PM

Great post and very accurate comment. Exercise dictates your shape, what you eat dictates your weight.(Original quote). You can do it Tim. Keep Sparking! Report Inappropriate Comment

VETTRANGER 10/15/2011 5:24PM

I've lost from 195 now down to 167 since mid-June. In that time I've had a chance to exercise some, but the way I've really lost the weight has just been healthier eating. I managed to focus on just eating "efficient" foods that give me what I need without all the wasted calories, and it worked great. I eat good tasting foods now, I don't ever "go hungry to diet", and the pounds fled. My personal philosophy is to lose pounds from what I eat, and to use exercise to get fit. I was always afraid that if I depended on the exercise to lose weight, as I've done in years past, if my schedule gets busy then I lose both the exercise and the weight loss. By controlling the weight loss through how I eat, which I must do every day no matter what LOL, I never got into that situation. Report Inappropriate Comment