Getting back in the game

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Although this really isn't a game is it?

Getting and staying healthy is serious business and if you read the blogs of the successful ones out here you realize they too have struggled a lot from time to time. So what makes them successful and some of the rest of us not so much?

Well I know my old football coach would simply say - they want it more! That means they sacrifice their time to do healthy things and they accept failure but come back - some of us just quit until next week.

The successful ones efforts turn out to not be a sacrifice - they have grown to love the hikes, bikes, zumba, weights, runs and so on! They love it - it's not work but a hobby.

To be honest - most of the time I don't want to go to the gym - I would rather read or mess around on the computer. When I do go to the gym and really workout I feel great at the end of it. That's part of growing to love it. So that gets me to the fake it til you make it concept. Just doing the right thing over a period of time will probably let you realize that at some point - you have grown to love it.

I have 35 days until I leave for my cruise. I have challenged myself to lose 20 pounds. That is going to be a stretch but I can make it happen by just doing what I know and who knows - maybe I'll come to love it!

Glad to be back!

Later,

Vandal

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BIGLITTLEWOMAN 5/22/2013 4:58PM

I love those coach cliches, sounds like what my grandpa would tell me. Tough it out, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, apply yourself, push yourself away from the table, etc., etc. But he is right. So, fake it until you make it is a good mantra This is my body and I own it. Report Inappropriate Comment

NANCY- 5/22/2013 8:46AM

Welcome back, glad you are here. What a tease you are...saying here I am only to leave again. sigh :) Perhaps you need to find another pursuit. Thankfully we do have many options that can be explored. Your coach was training your body for football, some of the approach can be applied to your current life. If you were to coach yourself... what you you do. Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 5/21/2013 7:48PM

Gotta say . . . I don't ever expect to "love" going to the gym. But like you, I love the way I feel AFTER I've gone to the gym. And that's probably as good as it's going to get! Report Inappropriate Comment

FREELADY 5/21/2013 7:40PM

Sure, we can think of it as a game, add a little zip and fun....why not! It's okay if you don't grow to love it...I don't love brushing my teeth or wearing a seat belt, but I feel strongly about the RESULTS. Just think how you will LOVE being 20 pounds lighter next month! You will feel like a different person....and enjoy your cruise just that much more! Three cheers for your focus and goal-setting. Now I have to get myself in gear to set some goals! Report Inappropriate Comment

Just off the air for a short time

Monday, May 06, 2013

Hello and thank you for the emails of concern. I am fine but I have just been running (not literally) and working. My consulting gig got extended until the middle of August but I don't think it's going to be as hectic as it has been.

Rather than start blogging and then stop and start and so on I just elected to drop Sparkpeople for a short while. I expect to be back online in the next couple of weeks and fully committed to making my program happen. Just right now all I'm trying to do is maintain and not add stress to my life.

PM and I are going on an Alaskan cruise at the end of June and then my daughter really wants us to come to Australia for Christmas - of course PM agreed immediately!!

So enough about me - I'm fine and again thanks for the concerns some of you expressed.

I am going to spend some time catching up with you but then I'll probably be silent until around May 20 or 27.

Take care and let's make this a great summer!! and one of good health for all.

Vandal

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NANCY- 5/7/2013 8:31AM

Crap. SP isn't the same without you. But you gotta do, whatcha gotta do. Thanks for the heads up. Your presence will be missed and I look forward to your return. already! Report Inappropriate Comment

FREELADY 5/6/2013 11:05PM

It is a blessing to have work to do, and someone to do it for! We went to Alaska a couple of years ago. We absolutely loved it. And I'm so glad you'll visit dd's family again. You'll be so glad when you get there! How great to have you check in! Keep us posted! Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGLITTLEWOMAN 5/6/2013 9:13PM

We'll be here waiting for your return. Enjoy the dynamics of being a consultant. I bet you are excellent at what you do. Report Inappropriate Comment

MIAJOEB 5/6/2013 7:11PM

keeping busy is great and so glad you touched base with us... Report Inappropriate Comment

So where the heck have I been?

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Well not blogging that's for sure but I think I have an acceptable excuse.

This consulting project just exploded with new projects within projects and I've been working 12 to 14 hours a day - I know sounds like I'm just pumping myself up and maybe I am. Seriously this thing has taken on a life of it's own and that's part of the reason.

Then my mother had a couple of issues pop up with her taxes that required me to go down and meet with her accountant and then the phone company decided she didn't need her land line anymore and just took it out. She didn't understand why and I can't blame her - they were the ones that totally screwed up - anyway more time for that.

So I just decided to set Sparkpeople aside for awhile while I was dealing with those issues. I should have let you know because I worry about all of you when you suddenly go silent but rest assured I'm fine.

I have now finished the consulting job but they asked me to do a follow-up phase and I agreed. I just don't know how much work and time it will take since we are still scoping out the size of the project plus I have to go back to my mothers next week so I'll be off and on but I will make a conscience effort to be on a least once a week with an update report on how well I'm doing.

Have to go now but I will be catching up with all of you so keep doing the right things the right way!!

Vandal

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NEW_PARADIGM 4/27/2013 5:41PM

Wonderful news on being recognized for the great value you add. Balance is such a tricky thing amid all that...keep working toward what will work for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

NANCY- 4/22/2013 7:40AM

It is nice to be loved and wanted. :) In a previous blog you did say that the job would keep you busy as things wrapped up. Kudos for being a loving son and looking after your mom. I just hate trying to fix corporate screw-ups and you had to deal with them away from home. Wow! Look after yourself. You need to be fit and vibrant to take on the world as you do. Report Inappropriate Comment

FREELADY 4/21/2013 6:13PM

Pretty cool that you're so valuable, they won't turn you loose! Your mom is a blessed woman to have your kindness and effectiveness! Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 4/21/2013 5:43PM

You HAVE been busy: and it's nice to hear from you. Sounds to me like you're enjoying your work!! Totally get that myself . . . . Report Inappropriate Comment

Moving on from where I'm at

Monday, April 08, 2013

Today was my weigh in and I'm down 1.5 pounds. Not exactly great and I was expecting more but it is what it is.

Hopefully (at age almost 64) I have really learned that it is just a number - an indicator or what I have or have not been doing. On the biggest loser it is not uncommon for someone at my weight to drop 10 to 12 pounds a week - or consistently 6 to 8 pounds a week. So the indication is I'm not quite doing enough of the right things.

What I have to improve is my exercise. I did a lot of walking with PM last week since she was off of work and we wanted to spend time together. However that kept me out of the gym. No let me rephrase that - I elected not to spend additional time at the gym.

I think I really need to be in the gym and WORKING HARD for an hour a day 6 days a week. Walking with PM can be a bonus.

Eating - I didn't follow the South Beach recipes but I stayed within my calorie range and did not eat junk (okay one bag of small chips but that's it). No alcohol although I did imbibe with the non alcoholic beer and those are really empty calories so I guess they have to go this week. Back to the actual South Beach recipes.

I'm headed in the right direction - just need a few tweaks to move ahead a little faster.

I have promised myself I will not whine (or wine) and complain. The numbers are indicators and not a "be all end all number" to get too excited about. It's what I do when I get those indicators that are important.

With that said - I'm off to the gym!

Later,

Vandal

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NANCY- 4/9/2013 8:13AM

What are you talking about ... Living life and dropping 1.5 pounds is great. Remember this is not a tv show... you are living life. You take this 1.5 and add to it on your next weigh it and over time you will get to your goal. Sure perhaps not at warp speed, (Scotty needs to fix those engines) but you will get to your goal with your persistence and perseverance. Report Inappropriate Comment

FREELADY 4/8/2013 9:54PM

I like how you're moving forward. I'm hearing realism and objectivity in what you say. Yes, it's hard work. But you have tackled many other hard things. Now you're taking care of your health. Hooray! Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 4/8/2013 9:10PM

You're pointing in the right direction! Thanks for your comment on my birthday blog: I'm thinking that with more travel you'll enjoy your retirement more too like TRAVELGIRL. However, it's hard to be involuntarily retired I know! Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGLITTLEWOMAN 4/8/2013 3:42PM

Biggest Loser contestants do drop large numbers BUT they work at it ALL day long, as in exercise all day long in the gym. The tweaking you listed shows that you know how to get it done and you already made the plan. That gym really does work for you doesn't it? Report Inappropriate Comment

I need to manage my time better

Sunday, April 07, 2013

It's already been almost a week since I blogged and while I said I wouldn't stress if I didn't blog everyday I did expect to do more than one or two a week.

As to the challenge. I thought about just ignoring it but that would be just wimping out so I'm going to man up and just say I'll pass on this one. Not because I wouldn't win but because I want to come up with something more creative. I know I know the ultimate goal is getting the weight off and what better challenge than a percent of weight loss but somehow that didn't appeal to my competitive nature. I think I'm looking for something more rigid or something. Not sure what but I'll come up with something.

My consulting gig has taken a turn for the better or worse - not sure yet but at the end of the day I get more $$$'s so that's good. It's just more work after I was planning on gearing down and getting on with my retirement. That's one reason I haven't been too active out here but it's all supposed to be done by May 1 so hand in there and I'll become more entertaining shortly.

Take care!

Vandal

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KO1215 4/8/2013 10:12AM

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NANCY- 4/8/2013 10:05AM

Kudos for doing what you need to do for you. Right now I am reassessing my needs and putting together a plan to implement for May 1st or perhaps even earlier. Perhaps April's challenge is to develop a plan for your well-being. As for being active here on SP and blogging (I do love your blogging) you still need to do what you need to do for your needs. If blogging helps Great! If not, put your efforts toward what will help you meet your goals and needs. Yes this is all about you! Report Inappropriate Comment

FREELADY 4/8/2013 1:06AM

That's fine, Vandal, to define your own challenge. But I'm eager to hear specifics! How about picking a certain day this week to announce what your challenge will be? Love reading your blogs! Report Inappropriate Comment