KONRAD695's SparkPeople Blog

REALLY...that's the road I came in on...MAN

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:38:27 EST

So this blog is well overdue. I'm going to try and download everything quickly so it's not too long to read. Don't worry about the negative stuff, I'm letting it go like a bag of bricks. Yes, I will finish on a positive note.

ok- I've worked way too many hours, hurt myself again (peroneal tendons), lost five weeks of training, gained some weight (only 2 pounds), and have gotten way too soft for my own liking. Sunday was supposed to be my first marathon. Personal life is ...

Rapid weight loss- CHEZCAKE STYLE

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:54:11 EST

You'll like this one. Mother's Day Brunch is a big deal at the Atrium (dining side of the Steinhaus). Every worker is scheduled to work, but one. Me. I'm brought in at 4 PM and stay until 2Am and make sure everything is closed correctly. Most all leftovers are disposed of. Some food that is left but never put out is allowed to the employees as a bonus. There were some beautiful cinnamon/nutmeg dusted vanilla bean cheesecakes.

Now, I have been having a rough time in life, not ...

Checking in.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:19:08 EST

Thought I should check in before people start calling the morgue.

I'm still around, but having a rough time of it. Work is still killing me, wife and I had a couple bad days again, and I broke myself again (5 stressed tendons).

Have you ever woke up late and can only find one clean sock? Yes, that has been my life for the past 2 months or so.

Good news though- next work schedule should have reduced hours (down to 50), had discussion with wife, and found an ...

A little clarity.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 23:13:39 EST

No, not for me, but for everyone who gets confused by my writing.
Yes, I do confuse myself.

1. There is the saying "If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade." Life gave me lemons, but I didn't make lemonade. I threw them away, created my own rules, and made protein bars to fuel my fitness.

2. Two side effects of iron are first, your energy going up. The second is trying to add prunes to bean soup and chasing it down with apple cider (you know, to get everyth...

Small Update

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 14:57:16 EST

Yesterday's blog was written quickly right before work. Usually don't make a list out of everything, but it turned out OK. I received my medical info and started working on treatment on Tuesday. It seems to have a quick impact. Recovery from the run yesterday is going much quicker than before. This is just the initial spike at the beginning, long term is yet to play out. The thyroid will take longer. I have meds for it, but wasn't taking them regularly. Like everyone, the better I fel...

Ups, Downs, and All-Arounds

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 16:55:32 EST

Going to do this one opposite of title. So here goes.

ALL-AROUNDS-

Got my blood test results. Low iron, low ferritin, low thyroid, and low CoQ10. (well, that explains a lot)
Love my new shoes. (Saucony Progrid Guide 6)
Person at work quit. (working all kinds of hours)
Had one of those holistic healers. (pegged my headache, bad eyes, and said pituitary gland)(also said spleen fine-I Don't Have One)
Managed to stop by every one of my friends pages an...

I Know, I owe everyone emails, I likes, goodies, and ..... But I just very quietly hit a goal.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:59:07 EST

Yes- IT WAS A VERY VERY BIG GOAL!!!!! 248

O.K.- I'll come to that later. On to all of you. Once again I apologize to everyone for not getting around enough. It seems that work and family have really put the clamps on my Spark and fitness time. Right now I'll leave myself logged in just so I can hop on quick and do my tracking and/or points.

Why don't I post quick, you say? Well, I type slow and reform my thoughts many times before I hit send. Those mess...

February Lessons and a little update.

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:55:26 EST

Don't know what to write. It's been 16 days and I need to something to get me going. I'm just going to fake it and keep moving.

UPDATES-
It has been 36 days from my last drink.
Cardiologist said today. "I'm OK" More electrolytes and water.
Still under 180 pounds, even with all this stuff, just feel slow and bad.

LESSONS-
Stay on your horse. Don't get off, it's a pain to get back on.
Keep touch with your friends. Even if it's only one per...

Wife, Health, Fitness, and Drinking

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:34:42 EST

WIFE
Would like to make a few comments concerning my wife Melissia (yes, there is an extra i). My last blog was a change for me. I let myself openly describe her or something she did in a negative light. This wasn't meant to bash her, but more to tell a story. The way things have been lately let me turn my filters off. Wed night was going to be talk night. That happened on Friday daytime. Nothing was truly resolved, but info, opinions, and feelings were shared. Will talk more on T...

Reasons I LOVE SPARK or Positives with IVs and ER visits.

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:35:36 EST

Disclaimer- before I start I would like to say that Wednesday was supposed to be the "big talk" night. There are a lot of things my wife is doing (and not knowing it) that are upsetting me. I was going to discuss it with her. So, yes, I am going to do something about it. On to my story.

Yesterday my body went on a partial shutdown. Blood pressure went down to 78 over 48 and would not budge, pulse would vary between 44 and 50. That's about 2 body stresses from dead. i.e.- stan...

Jan. Week #3 Update or NDB Day 15

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:07:35 EST

To say I'm doing well is an absolute understatement. The last 3 days have been amazing. Yesturday I hit 185 fitness minutes/ 1322 calories/29,735 steps.WOOT WOOT!!!!!

Jan Goals.
Up 1. Fitness- minutes not as high as I would like, but intensity is way up there.
Up 2. Muscle- really pushing it
Up 3. Protein/Calories- found a good balance and liking it

Down 1. Drinking- DONE, GONE, OUT-OF-HERE 15 days
Down 2. Candy- only had a 1/4 cup toffee peanut's....

NDB Day #11

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:58:00 EST

Stuck at work. Have to close, didn't expect that. Day number 11 almost done. Long stretch for the rest of the night. Wife went north, kids to inlaws, just the dogs when I get home. Hope they can hold it.

Have a great Saturday everyone. 67

NDB Day #10

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:47:37 EST

It's over a week, and we're into double digits.

Everything has been going well. Wanted to post a long blog about everything last night, but no internet at home. Most everything is backed up, and I get it done tomorrow.

Today- not that good so far. Wanted a strength training day and it didn't happen. Didn't get along with wife that well. Started to talk to her, byut soon realized needed to put more thought into how I phrased my talk. Will wait until later. Hope s...

Jan. Week #2 Update

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:20:59 EST

The 14th has past, and do you know what that means? Answer at the end of blog. HA HA!

This is my week two check in for January. I'm getting this one half and half.

Three ups-
1. Fitness- I've had some really REALLY good days, but not enough minutes to add up. Most of my time has been HIIT workouts which burn up kcals but don't burn up time.
2. Muscle- Still working on this one too. Getting half way there. Adjusting schedule to fit this in. Should happen...

NDB #7

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:59:04 EST

Chalk another one up. BAM!

NDB Day #6 or DAY OFF

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 17:38:13 EST

Who would like a day off? Guess what? You can have one!!! 224

I am at work with zero customers, one extra bartender, and no reservations. Looks like I'll be out by 10 PM. 345

To everyone who has been taking time to look in on me. And yes, I do realise the extra effort to keep checking up on me. Everyone can breath easy, grab some flavored water, have a lavender bath, and head to bed early. I'm not getting cocky or over confident, but I...

NDB Day 5

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:41:42 EST

It's is day five of no drinking. Last night was different. We were on a night that shouldn't be busy but was. Never had free time until late. Makes it easy to not drink when I work late and the owner is sitting at the bar.(this owner not a drinker) Makes it had to Spark when I thought I was going to be done at 10:30 PM.

I'm starting to realize my triggers. Such as boredom, not caring, screw this-I'm done, or what's the point. Well, maybe drinking is not the problem- COPING...

Weigh in Jan 11th.

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:16:39 EST

Overall good. My weight went up 2.2 pounds, but this is good. One of my goals was to up calories and protein. I adjusted my levels and have stayed near the top of ranges. Turned my fitness way up to go with this. WAY UP. Combining Tue/Wed/Thur I worked out four hard sessions, walked the dogs, and have hit over 19,000 steps each day. Each day consisted of 100 oz. of water or more. So- extra water+high calories+max muscle rebuild= 2.2 pounds of weight AND MY PANTS GOT LOOSER

Not Drinking Blog

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:19:02 EST

Well it's Thursday and I'm at work. Worst part is we are empty. All kinds of spare time and I have 8 hours left. Do it the hard way the first time and I'll never want to do it again (right?). 24

Decided to start this blog and go with it for a while. When I check in- it will be here. If I make a mistake- it will be here.

If you have any comments of suggestions, feel free to leave them.

Not suppose to be doing this right now, so I have to ...

My little plan needs help.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 15:59:55 EST

Going to try not drinking. Don't know how permanant or long term it will be, but I'll start at 7 days. Thoughts are 7 can become 10, 10 can become 2 weeks, can become rest of month, Feb is a short month (let's add that too), Add March= 1/3 of a year, Holy Smokes it 5k race day. If I add right- that is 6 goals plus a race.

Current status- I have that scratchy throat thing like half the country has (don't drink with that)
Starting running, n...

A little quote I came up with.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 15:37:56 EST

Remember when you go to bed tonight.

"You will wake up tomorrow morning not yesterday morning"

Update Jan 7th

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 23:50:41 EST

Hello all,

Hope everyone is well. 48 I'm doing good, but not great. Goals are proving sticky this time. Here we go.

Up 1. fit minutes- 950 for 7 days. 135/day. Skipped today- could be more
Up 2. muscle condition- ZERO, Have not worked on. Plans for tomorrow/Wed/Thur
Up 3. proteins/calories- nailing it

Down 1. drinking- very bad. only 3 days off. that's not good enough, days on were too heavy
Down 2. candy- maxed out fo...

Apologies

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 22:49:20 EST

Apologies to all my friends that I've neglected. I got rather busy this holiday season, and fell way behind. Then the Wifi at work went bad, so no sparking after work. Now I'm back at it and realized most of my reminder emails were not coming through. Sorry everyone, I'll go back through and try to get the back log caught up.

First blog of 2013

Wed, 2 Jan 2013 23:39:30 EST

It's the beginning of the month, and you know what that means. TIME TO BLEACH THE WHITES. My shirts look terrible after a holiday stretch like we just had.

December Recap-- December was a blur. Lost track of a lot of it. Many times didn't track my fitness or food. Can say that I past some goals and not others. Lost 3.8 pounds, fitness/cardio level went up, and muscle strength went down a little. Overall it was a success. Work got so extremely busy, and many days we were s...

Welcome to the Holidays

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 04:21:09 EST

Me Farting

Wife Snoring

Son Sneaking downstairs

Daughter Being a "GIRL"

A little fitness boasting. Sorry!

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:20:17 EST

I know it is not nice to brag or boast, but I couldn't help it.

Blood pressure was 106/74. That's actually about 5 points higher than normal.
Heart rate was 49. Rechecked. Then it was 50.

Went and worked out with some HIIT.
Pushed my heart rate up to 176. Able to hold it over 165.

Averaging just over 10 calories per minute while working out. That includes walking and stretching.

Sorry, wanted to pat myself on the back.

...

A few open ideas

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:33:26 EST

No, I'm not ready for Christmas, not one bit.

I tried going into maintenance, but that didn't start well. I'm an all or nothing kind of person. As soon as I relaxed, I let my guard down, WAY DOWN. Put back 2 pounds, worked out less, and decided a GIANT meal of chicken would be a good thing.

Then I figured it out (a little). Don't take it easy, keep pushing. Stay diligent with my tracking, meal planning, and exercise. Now I have to work twice as hard to get my lev...

Shawn's Last Supper

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:39:30 EST

My friend Shawn and I had this deal. We are going to a KFC when- I get past my goal weight enough to not bounce back above it. He treats it like a last supper, and now he goes into weight loss mode. See, he's got this friend on Spark People that's giving him a little push.

This is what boys being boys looks like. Pics were taken by my wife. She wanted nothing to do with it, but whats a girl to do?

I shaved calories for 3 days, worked out twice, drank 12 glasses of w...

December "Late" Update #1

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:57:49 EST

1. went out once, home early after 3 drinks- minor mistake
2. no drunk nights, one borderline- more tired
3. ate a couple times late, extra long nights with no dinner or snack
4. fell way behind on exercise, trying to boost it up. currently at 4388 calories.
5. gain 2 lbs, lost 2.5. so it's a 1/2 pound moral victory. gaining muscle, body changing
Adding 6. finish Dec below 181 (this will be hard, read next blog tomorrow)
Adding 7. stay positive

December Goals.

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 23:24:05 EST

This will be slightly shorter than Nov. Less physical with a heavy work month upon me.

1. No going out to drink. I can still hang, but no drinking.
2. No getting drunk.
3. No 3AM meals.
4. Exercise off 12,000 calories. 400/day avg.
5. Maintain health and weight.

A little shorter on the exercise but I will burning it up at work. My weight is down below my original goal (will reset that) but doesn't need to go much further. Will try a move ano...

Week 4 Nov. updates.

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:23:06 EST

It's the 28th, four weeks have past. Are you ready for my goals updates? I SAID- ARE YOU READY!!?? That is much better.

1. Nothing new, too tired to drink. Almost did one night, was tired, felt terrible, and just went home.
2. No meals at 3 AM, if when I was hungary, too tired to cook.
3. Workouts didn't happen. Sick plus upswing in work. I'm forgiven- 3x over.
4. Rest days, every one I could.
5. 17,000 calories. I'm at 16974 and will be walking the dogs...

Wine

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:54:11 EST

I've been told that men are babies and wine more when they are sick. Don't want to let anyone down, so here it is.

I posted how well I felt being sick. That was a mistake. Turned out to have strep throat. Got medicine for that but was left tired out and a nice sinus head cold. You know the kind where your nose burns from breathing and your teeth hurt from the pressure pushing down. That was my health.

Still kept trying to work out. Got about half done with most of...

Week three, Nov. Check-Ins

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:59:11 EST

It's the 21st and time for my third week check in. It is also weigh in day. Here are the results.

Weigh In- 187 again, no change. Would like lower but not getting upset. Fitness, strength, and muscle are way up. Clothes a starting to get very baggy.

Fitness levels- Have not done these before. Was able to get heart rate over 165. 224
Monitored blood pressure 3 times averaged 105/64 with pulse 68.
250 345 84 ...

Never felt so good being sick.

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:52:12 EST

I have the sinus and throat infection thing. White spots, green crud, head exploding.

I have never felt this good. Even though I'm sick, my body feels very good. I even worked off over 1000 calories today. Just have to wait for the antibiotics kick in. Haven't felt this strong and healthy since I was 16 and running.

If I can feel this good at 41, I'm never going back.

Keep pushing everyone, if you don't feel this good, you will soon.

...

Nov updates, two weeks

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:25:45 EST

November is 14 days over and I'm posting my progress for the 7 goals.

1. Drinking some, no more than 4 per day
2. No late night meals except one, worked late and missed normal dinner
3. Keeping up the exercise (no problem)
4. Taking one rest day, the day I just walk the dogs
5. At 8668 calories exercised. That's 723 calories, 6 times per week
( need a couple big days to help this out)
6. Weight at 187 on the 11th and the belt hasn't got tig...

Progress towards 7 ideas

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 21:45:08 EST

A little update of my goals/ideas for November.

1. Haven't been drunk all month. Have not drank for 3 days.

2. Only one night snack. Air popped popcorn.

3. 3 hard and 1 light exercise days this week.

4. Rest and family day on Tuesday.

5. Over 5000 calories exercised off.

6. Weight loss? belt is getting looser.

7. Looking on the bright side.

386 I will be.

381 Togeth...

November Ideas/Goals Update

Wed, 7 Nov 2012 21:57:22 EST

If you read my last blog than you know-- NO RUNNING. Change to idea #5.

New #5- Burn off over 17,000 calories exercising. That's about 4000 calories a week.

MRI Results

Tue, 6 Nov 2012 23:45:42 EST

Saw an orthopedic doc with my knee MRI. The results are official. I have about 3/4 of an inch of my inner right tibia stress fracturing. It is not getting worse, slowly getting better. Doctor has prescribed to change running style (already done), no NO no running for six weeks. Start back up with what I'm actually doing now 1/8 run, 1//8 walk for up to four intervals. (THAT STINKS). No squats, lunges, and nothing where my feet leave the ground. (THAT REALLY STINKS).

The go...

November Ideas

Sun, 4 Nov 2012 15:41:27 EST

I'm a little late posting Nov goals, but busy man - busy times. So here they are-

1. Do not get drunk the entire month. (as in- don't get where I don't care)

2. No eating meals at 3AM. (see #1)

3. Have 3 hard days exercise and 2 light ones each week. (minimum)

4. Take a rest, relax, and recharge day every week. (to balance #3)

5. Find a way to run this month. (even if I need a Nov 31st)

6. Maintain weight loss and finish und...

Correction- status update

Sun, 4 Nov 2012 03:12:56 EST

I wanted to update my status to

"Konrad is having a B+ day"

But, that is not what came out. Thought I missed a key stroke and did it once more. It came out wrong again.

Then I changed "B+" to Good. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

Brains and Brawn, both a little weak.

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:38:53 EST

If anyone has followed me they know I just had a few really bad eating and drinking days. This started from a bad report about my health from my doctor. After two bad days my brain reset. Then I decided to learn. Turns out that my TPO results which started around 550 went down to 450, and just shot up to over 800. I HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY REALLY HARD, both on gluten and fitness. Well, guess what?? There's more than one way to measure TPO. Mayo clinic is iU/ml on a scale of 0 to 9, t...

Moving forward and Thank you.

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:35:47 EST

Would like to start by saying Thank You 304 to Susheno and Spunkyducky for your comments and responses.

Got my brain reset and now moving forward. My legs are better from my Wed workout, that was rough. Today I walked twice, jogged a little, and stretched bunches. Flooding myself with water and eating healthy food.

Reported my weight at 194.6. Most of this is a "gluten bloat" and will most likely be back to 190 by next Sunday.

Thanks for rea...

Trudging through it.

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:07:05 EST

Still in my funk. Ate pizza at work last, must say, it tasted wonderful. Yes, getting the gluten problems again. Had pizza for lunch. Yes, that is stupid. On the not so dark side- they were both thin crust. For me the gluten has much more impact than calories. There is my confession.

Moving on. My Wednesday workout has finally let go of my body enough for me to move again. Will be going for a short warm up and stretching session before work.

Discussion of feelin...

Letting it out there, then walking away.

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:13:50 EST

Just want a little confession, complaint, and pity time. Don't know how to start, so I'll just free form write this.

If you've followed me at all you know I hit my 190 goal. When I reached it, I realized that I could go father, maybe another 10 pounds. I was on a huge roll. Shredding weight and feeling great, except for knees. Then came my doctors appointment. 39

Back up one day. Did my first high intensity core workout at the Y, thought I was in shape...

Catching up, Answering questions.

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:27:29 EST

Learned something new- Some of you out there have been leaving comments on my feed. I'm going to combine some answers to comments, blogs, and questions all in one.

1. don't take any protein supplements, just burning calories like a crazy man
2. don't eat enough so need to have meat refueling days
3. these days also double as mental refuel- do something for relaxation
4. not shy about photos, just haven't got around to posting any
5. family is doing the smal...

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, and the background.

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:49:54 EST

A little history. I'm gluten sensitive. To me it's like Taco Bell- bloating, cramps, and finally a purge. Then 6 months to forget why you should never ever do that again. But I get an added bonus. My bloat and cramps last for about 36 hours 224 then I get the purge 230 Wait, there's more- my sinus go nuts, just like a bad head cold that you can't treat. So, up to the present. My wife and kids were gone on a trip for a while. I spent all but one day burning...

Happy Blog

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:51:56 EST

30 30 30 30 30 30 43 43 43 43 43 43 334 334 334 334 334
224 224 224 224 224
30 30 30 30 30 30

I Hope Everyone Has A Wonderful Day!!!

6 pounds down with my wife out of town.

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:01:26 EST

It's OK, her and the kids are back now. They had a wonderful time in N.C. My little experiment paid off. They were gone eleven days, and spent almost the whole time working on me. Burned off thousands of calories working out (but blew up my knees again), Started reshaping my body (I look good), and gave myself a new relaxed attitude. It turned out great. That's my little brag session. Thanks for reading.

Konrad

Great Recovery Wednesday

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:05:27 EST

Awoke with a great attitude. Ate wonderful. Burned off lots of calories. Talked to a woman at the Y today. She looked as fit as a Romanian Gymnast, but she has bad knees too. Had a nice five minute conversation on how to handle it. Well, I guess I'm not alone. 224

Will be updating page soon. 388

Thank you to everyone who has shown interest in me. It's nice to be part of a caring community. 304

My Little Three Part Play

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:04:36 EST

Part 1-The Start
So Monday started off well. Energy was up, knee pain down, and I was feeling good. Ate a little good food and it was off to work out. My last run was the previous Wednesday. It was only 4 half mile runs with walking in between, but it had a major impact on knees. This wasn't the same pains I was in PT for. I digress. Did my 15 minutes walking on treadmill, 15 minutes on rowing machine, then some really good stretching. Time to run. Didn't even make it 200 yards...