Mission Accomplished

Weight: 239 (-2, -13 total)

Well, I did it. A lot of you have asked what it was like and how it went so I'll do my best to sum up here.

The day started at about 7AM. While this may seem like I had a chance to sleep in, the opposite is true. Before I had signed up for Warrior Dash I had gotten tickets to see Marillion in Philly on the Friday before. I won't get into details about the show here other than to say I didn't get home until about 1AM, and didn't fall asleep until closer to 2AM. I woke up pretty tired, but was confident my adrenaline would get me through.

Chris and Steve before the race

We packed up our things, including a cooler of water, some snacks, and a change of clothes, and loaded everything into Steve's truck. The six of us (me, Kathy, Ryan, Steve, and his family) headed up to Pocono Raceway together, leaving at about 9:00 and arriving about 10:45 AM. Upon our arrival we got to the registration area, attached our bibs and then kind of wondered what we were going to do until our 1:00 start time. It didn't take long for us to decide to bail on the 1:00 and just get into the starting area and go. We ran in the 11:30 heat.

We made our way to the start which was very similar to any other race, with the exception of the level of enthusiasm. People were jumping up and down, literally pumping themselves up for the race. With the sound of horns, and an explosion of flames we were off. The race went around the perimeter of the speedway, and it wasn't until we ran about 0.75 miles that we encountered our first obstacle. This was not much of a challenge - it was kind of like a balance beam. There was a slight incline, then about 30 feet of beam, then a decline off of the beam. No big deal. Shortly after that obstacle we came to the next which was an area of swinging tires. This also was pretty simple to go through as it was just running through the tire swings. Granted, you could whacked on the head by a tire (there seemed to be about 50 of them), but it was pretty easy to navigate.

Approaching the fire obstacle.

At this point I was thinking that I was worried about this dash for nothing, but more interesting obstacles remained. Next up was something more along the lines of what I was expecting. This was a military crawl under barbed wire, through some mud, and over some rocks and brush. The barbed wire was real, and you definitely had to stay low. It only took about 30 seconds to get through, but this was definitely a little more challenging as there's nothing you can really do to train for something like that. We continued on through some more challenges. There were several walls that you need to scale. There would be a rope hanging from the top and you had to pull yourself up over the wall, shift your weight, and then climb down the other side. There were three of these, each increasing in difficulty. There was also a mud section to run through (not THE mud obstacle). The only thing to come out of that was soaking wet and muddy shoes. And a rock in my shoe. No big deal.

I'm in the green shirt coming over the top. This was the
easy part of this obstacle.

The more challenging obstacles included a series of walls that required you to put your feet on one wall, your hands on the other wall, and move through the obstacle suspending yourself. This was a tough obstacle. Imagine your hands on one inside of the letter V, and your feet on the other inside of the V, then get yourself through 50 feet of that. I felt like Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible. There was also a rock wall obstacle. This was a tall wall with about a 2 inch beam running along the bottom to support your feet. You had to balance yourself and reach for the hand supports to work your way through. This was a fun challenge. Finally, we reached the last 3 obstacles. The first, being the hardest challenge on the course. This was the cargo nets. Going up and down a cargo net was easy enough. However, climbing across 50 feet of cargo nets is exhausting and a little painful. It hurt too much to go on my knees, so I tried to just use my arms and legs to "spider" my way across from the beginning to the actual cargo net wall. This probably took me a good minute or two to navigate. This was followed by the leap over the fire pits. This was really just for show. Nothing to it. Finally, we reached the end and the last obstacle which was the giant mud pool. I eased in to the cool mud and much like a current in the ocean, just kind of used my arms to float to the other side, climbed out, and crossed the finish line in a time of 52:55, placing me 3,988 out of 7,549 runners.

Chris and Steve after the race.

Once we crossed the line we were awarded our medals, and proceeded over to the fire truck to get a little cleaned up. This was pretty futile, but the water felt great. Once we got most of the mud off we took our free beer chips, got ourselves a beer (this is my only real complaint about the Warrior Dash - to do this whole race for a Miller Lite kind of sucks. Warriors don't drink Miller Late. I'm begging you Warrior Dash, please get some better beer for next year!) We also got some giant turkey legs, talked to some other warriors, and spent an hour or so just hanging out and soaking it all in.

I also decided to donate my shoes to their giant shoe pile. Not sure if they are to be recycled or washed up and reused, but I didn't need them anymore. It was a pretty impressive pile of shoes, that's for sure.

A mountain of shoes.

As you know, thanks to all your kindness and support I was able to raise $275 and be a St. Jude's Warrior, which allowed me access to a special tent, showers, etc... This was great, but I didn't take advantage of it. The lines were just too long. When to came time to leave we just kind of cleaned up/wiped off, changed back at the truck and headed home - feeling inspired and proud of our accomplishment.

So that's it in a nutshell. I feel really good about what I accomplished over the last few months. I didn't lose as much weight as I had hoped, but I did lose 13 pounds, and am feeling better and stronger than I've felt in the last 10 years. I feel like I've turned a corner in my life. I'm finally making more sensible food choices, I'm exercising regularly, and I'm looking forward to continuing my 10K app and working to improve my 5K running. I don't anticipate updating this blog too much any more, but I really appreciate all of the comments and emails and support I've gotten over the last few months. Thanks for allowing me to indulge myself here. I had some fun writing it, and I hope I didn't bore you all too much. I plan on running this race next year. Kathy will be running with me, and if anyone else is interested it would be a lot of fun to get a huge team to enter the race. It really was a blast.

Finished.

Lastly, I just want to say thanks to Kathy and Ryan, who both supported me through this whole thing. Kathy inspired me with her training and her half marathon preparations, and Ryan was always ready to greet me with a hug when I came back from a run or the gym, and who drew me pictures and cards to cheer me on. Ryan and I are running a mud run together in October. Info for it is here. Come out and join us.

http://www.filthyfunevents.com/camp-kweebec.htm

My goals going forward are these: keep working to drop some weight and keep exercising. I made it under 240, but I have a long way to go. I would like to eventually get myself to around 210 lbs. I don't know if I can, but I need to try. To assist me with this I want to run one 5K per month. Since I am doing the couch to 10K app I think I may contemplate a 5 miler, but not any time soon. Most importantly though, I want to be around for Kathy and Ryan, and to be here I need to be healthy. I want to be ready for a Warrior Dash when I'm 50 - which is how old I'll be when Ryan can run his first Warrior Dash. I can't wait to do it with him.

One week left

Weight: 241 (-2, -11 total)


I was very glad to see the 2 pounds come off this week. I feel like I earned it. I didn't miss a day of exercise last week, and I paid much closer attention to my diet. In a way it was a little frustrating - only for the fact that if I was this dedicated from the start I'd be down more than the 11 pounds. Oh well, nothing I can do about that now.


I'm feeling really good right now. I kind of feel like I reached a crossroads this week and went down the right road. I've felt like this before, but it's a little different this time. I'm actually looking forward (gasp!) to exercising every day. I've noticed the changes that are the result of a more diligent weight lifting effort. I definitely feel stronger and can actually see and feel the results. I've lost weight before, but I've never done it conjunction with lifting weights at all. I also feel better already about my running. Maybe it was buying the 10K training app - maybe I need that app reminding me and ordering me when to run/walk. I think subconsciously I am transferring the responsibility of running to the app and not keeping it to myself. Not sure if that makes sense or not, but if I follow the app then I'm not in charge of telling me when to run or walk. It's always been too easy for me to say "WALK NOW"... Now I'm not doing it. The Couch to 5K app was great for me. I was much more dedicated and focused when using that. Now that I'm doing the 10K app I feel the same.


The Warrior Dash is on Saturday. I think I'm ready. I harbor no illusions of running it in a half hour or even 45 mins. I have a goal in my head to finish in under an hour. I have no idea if that is realistic or not, but that's the goal. Physically I feel stronger than I've ever felt. My cardio is probably not where I'd like it to be, but I think I'll be okay and able to run the segments between the obstacles. I did do some of my run today on grass and it was much more difficult than running on the road. That will be a little bit more of a challenge.


My goals for this week are: Drink a lot of water. Go to the gym on Monday and Wednesday. I will run on Tuesday and Thursday. Friday I will likely just take off. I am planning to go to a concert Friday night, in Philly. Dumb luck that it's the night before Warrior, but I had the concert tickets before signing up for the race. There's a chance I'll just eat the ticket and skip the show, but I haven't decided yet. Either way, I won't be drinking on Friday night, that's for sure. I'm going to try and eat healthy all week and then hope for the best.


I don't know if I'll be updating before Saturday, but I will definitely write a summary of the day next Sunday, assuming I survive and don't drown in a puddle of mud, or self-cremate myself leaping over a wall of fire. We are planning to leave around 8:30 Saturday AM. It'll be a long day, but I'm really excited for it. And I'd be even more excited if I could raise another $90 by Saturday. That will allow me access to a private shower, more free food and beverages, and most importantly will allow me to reach my goal of $250 for St. Jude Children's Hospital. If you can donate anything at all, please do. As I mentioned before, I'll buy you a beer next time I see you! Thanks for all your support. And thanks to my friends who do read this blog. I know its not the most interesting blog in the world, but I appreciate you allowing me to humor myself. And all of the words of encouragement really do mean a lot. This should be fun!

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?userId=746301&programId=901&eventId=259854

Two weeks to go

Weight: 243 (0, -9 total)

On Friday I ran the Jeremy Jedi 5K. The weather was ominous from the start and by the end of the race it had turned cold, windy, and rainy. I ran the 5K in 32:00, which was a little faster than the Phillies 5K in March, but not as fast as I had run my homemade 5K a few weeks back. I was a little disappointed in my results. I had been concentrating more on the elliptical than my running the past few weeks, and I think looking back that might have been a mistake. Cardio is cardio, but the hills, pounding, and humidity make a definite difference. So I've decided to up my game a little bit. I always feel like I'm struggling to run these 5Ks. I don't care how fast I go, but I do care when I find myself needing to walk for a minute, or struggling at the end like I did on Friday. I bought a new app for iPhone. I bought the couch to 10K app this time. I figure if I can build up to a 6 mile run, then I should be able to run a 5K with little trouble. I am going to start the app just short of the 5K marker and build from there. I don't know if it will impact my warrior training at all, but by my next 5K (Pottstown 4th of July) I should be feeling pretty good.

So I'm down to two weeks now. I'm feeling good about Warrior. I've noticed a difference in my strength from lifting, and I still feel good about my cardio, though I need to continuously work on it. I've been eating better and I am really looking forward to the event. One of my friends that I was looking forward to running with isn't able to make it, but fortunately he was able to transfer his registration to another friend who is willing to go. It'll be fun to run it with him, though I think I'll have my work cut out for me to keep up with him. I plan to not work on so much distance running the next two weeks, but will work on running all the hills in my neighborhood instead. The Warrior is a lot of shorter (quarter mile) runs, with the obstacles in between. I think working on the hills will prepare me well.

That's it. A quiet week. I've been great about going to the gym, and even went two evenings this past week when I really didn't feel like going. I'm going to really focus for the next two weeks - making sure I am drinking lots of water, and not eating anything too fattening or heavy. I don't have any social events on my calendar that should cause any problems, so I should be good to go. I'll keep updating as I get closer to the date.

Lastly, I'm still hoping to get a few donations. If you are able, even if it's only 5 or 10 bucks, please sponsor me. Every little bit helps these kids. Besides, if I can get to $250, I get access to a private shower and more food/drinks after the race, so it'll benefit K-Lo, too! Thanks for all your support.

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?userId=746301&programId=901&eventId=259854

Three Weeks to Go

Weight: 243 (-2 lbs, -9 total)

Well, it turns out the scale battery is fine. It was set to kilograms for whatever reason. Anyway, I'm down another 2 lbs, and just wrapped a great week of exercise. Today I topped it off with a run to the gym, 20 mins on the elliptical, a weight lifting session, and a run back home. I felt good. I've noticed though that when I run, the first 5 minutes are the toughest for me. I really struggle to get my breath and get into a rhythm. I always wondered why runners run before their races, and I think I'm going to try that at the 5K this Friday. I'll have plenty of time, so I'm going to go for a short half mile jog just to get my lungs and legs warmed up and then try to run the race. My goal is to finish under 30 minutes, which would be cutting 7 minutes off my time since November. Not too shabby!

My goals for this week are to really try and eat reasonably healthy. I want to feel good when I run on Friday. I usually do a good job of drinking water, so I'll keep pounding the water. I'm going to try not to eat anything real heavy or rich. I plan to go to thy gym on Monday to do some cardio, then run on Tuesday. Wednesday will be tough with the t-ball game, so I may take off Wed, then do some more cardio on Thursday. If I do that I think I'll be in good shape for Friday.

After that I am going to go into full Warrior mode for two weeks. I'm going to give up the sweets and greasy foods I love. I'm going to focus on being in the best possible shape I can be in for that day. I know its going to be tough, and I know I probably could have done more to get ready, but I feel as good and healthy now as I've felt in a long time.

I also want to acknowledge Kathy's accomplishment this weekend. She ran the Odyssey half marathon in 2:15. That's unbelievable. And to know how far she has come in two years is just really inspiring. She eats healthy, she's completely dedicated to running, and her dedication has clearly paid off. She looks great, and she's probably in the best shape of her life. I am so proud of her. I wish I could find that well of determination that she has. She does say that a lot of it is just mind over matter - overcoming the mental challenges. I always argue that when you have the limited mental abilities that I have that it doesn't really matter so much, but I get what she's saying. I know I can run the 5K under 30 mins. I know that I just have to keep those legs moving.

So that's it. Kind of a rambling update. I feel like I'm boring anyone that's reading this with the same updates week after week, but I also feel like I have to keep writing this to stay accountable to my goal. I promise a more entertaining update post-Warrior Dash.

I'll update Friday evening with the results of the Jeremy Jedi's 5K. And as mentioned before, if anyone wants to run or walk with me (come on work friends - we're in Malvern anyway...) you can sign up here (and there's free food after the race!!!)

http://jeremysjedi.org/

Lastly, if you can, please support my fundraising efforts for the Warrior Dash. All donations are for St. Jude Children's Hospital. I can't be the only one who sponsors me! Sponsor me and I'll buy you a beer next time I see you. Thanks!

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?userId=746301&programId=901&eventId=259854

A lot less fat!

Weight: 111 lbs (-141 total)

Yes, you read that correctly. I stepped on the scale THREE times this morning, and each time it read 111 lbs. I'll admit, I had a pretty good week, but that surpassed even my wildest expectations. Kathy seems to think it's the battery in the scale. I think its more of a product of hard work.

Since I don't seem to have an accurate reading today, I'll keep this on the brief side. Last Wednesday marked the one month till the Warrior Dash date. I have started eating healthier, and I have definitely ramped up my exercise. Last week I got to thy gym 3 times for weight lifting and cardio on the elliptical, and I also got out for two runs. This coming week I am planning on: gym on Monday, off Tuesday, gym Wednesday, run Thursday, off Friday, run Saturday.

In regards to running, I've hit a bit of a roadblock since my personal best two weeks ago. I haven't been able to duplicate that feat (in time) since then, but I feel like its been more of a mental hurdle than a physical hurdle. Maybe its the suddenly warmer/more humid weather. Maybe the increased pollen/allergies. Maybe I'm not drinking enough water (doubtful as I drink a ton of water)... Maybe it's a combination of all three. I just don't know. I'm very interested in how I'm going to do at the Jeremy Jedi 5K on June 1. My goal is to complete the run in under 30:00.

I'm really hoping to kind of round into better shape over the next month. Obviously I'm not going to lose 20 lbs, but I'm hopeful for another 5 or so, and I'm hoping to increase my strength and stamina. Right now I feel like I can do the Warrior Dash, but I don't necessarily feel like I could kick its ass or anything like that. I don't think I'll get there, but I am hoping to get to the point where I can do this dash and not just simply barely survive it.

And now for the business part of all this: if you are able, please support my cause. I signed up to try and raise funds by running this dash for the St. Jude's Children's hospital. Every little bit helps them do some great things.

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?userId=746301&programId=901&eventId=259854

Lastly, I am running the Jeremy Jedi 5K on Friday June 1. It's after work and is in Malvern. So if anyone from work wants to join me, I'd love to have the company. Check it out here:

http://jeremysjedi.org/

Back on track

Weight: 245 (no change, -7 total)

Well, I'd be lying if I said April and early May hasn't been a struggle. I didn't really have a problem with Easter or my birthday and the big meals that came with them, it was just a hard month for me to get through. As I briefly mentioned in my last entry I had a bit of a "physical" ailment which precluded me from getting any significant exercise for about two weeks. Fortunately, I'm back to nearly 100% and I have really been increasing my exercise and being a little more careful about what I'm eating. Right now I feel pretty okay.

I've been to the gym to lift three times in the past week so I am meeting my goal in that respect. I don't know if I notice anything, but I feel better about it. I'm not lifting a lot of weight, but I'm targeting all areas - especially my arms and shoulders. A few years back I injured my shoulder reaching for a ball that Ryan threw to me. For a few weeks I thought I tore my rotator cuff. I know that I didn't, but I certainly did something to my shoulder. It's been fine for some time now, but I really felt it again when I started lifting some weights that impacted my shoulder muscles. I had a hard time lifting any significant weight at all over my head. Other than that the weights are going good.

I've also been going harder on the elliptical machine and trying to increase my heartbeat and the length of time I'm on it. I'm trying to get more out of my cardio workouts. On Tuesday I went for a run outside for the first time in about 10 days and had the best run I've had in 25 years. I decided to run my own 5K and broke 30 minutes for the first time since high school (when I was about 165 lbs). I completed my run in 29:45, but that includes the 20-40 seconds I spent trying to figure out how to save the time on my running app. I was (and remain) very excited and motivated by this. I feel like even though I am struggling to lose weight, I am still getting in better shape. Last November I ran a 5K in 37 minutes. In March I did the Phillies 5K in 33 minutes. And now a month later I'm down to under 30 minutes. I was so excited I signed up for another 5K event to run in a few weeks as part of my Warrior Dash training.

So all in all, I'm feeling okay. I'm not really any less fat yet, but I'm definitely in better shape. I still believe the pounds will come off if I can find a way to commit to it. It's just so hard for me. I'm not a "foodie," but I really love food. I love to try new things, I love to go out to eat, I love to grill, I love picnics and parties. It's just not easy for me to cut things out, but I have been better. I'm eating healthy breakfasts and lots of fruits and vegetables. I'm not really snacking at night too much, except for some popcorn once or twice a week. But I'm even doing that healthier. We threw out our disgusting old microwave and I bought an air popper to make the popcorn. It's not as tasty, but it's certainly healthier than the microwave bags. I still have about 6 weeks until the Warrior Dash. I have time to lose some weight, and time to increase my speed and strength. I just need to maintain my focus. I'm hoping that will be easier now that I've seen some positive resultsin regards to my fitness level. Speaking of the Warrior Dash, I have opened my fundraising page (link below). All donations go to St. Jude's. My goal is to raise $250. If you can spare $5 or $10 please make a donation. Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement.

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?userId=746301&programId=901&eventId=259854

Lastly, I just want to say how proud I am of Kathy. Two years ago she decided to get healthy and fit and signed up for the Broad Street 10 mile run. Last year she kind of ran it just hoping to survive and finished in just under 2 hours. This year she attacked it and ran it in 1:44, with her 10th mile actually being her fastest. She's eating healthy. She's completely dedicated to her training, and she looks fantastic. She's running a half marathon in 2 weeks, and who knows, maybe a marathon in her future? She's been really inspiring. Maybe, MAYBE I'll sign up for Broad Street next year. I don't know.

I'd also like to give a thumbs up to my sister, Susie, who just started the couch to 5K program. She and I are going to run the Pottstown 4th of July 5K together and I'm looking forward to that. Now it's public, Susie. No backing out.

Oh yeah, one last item. I mentioned that I signed up for another 5K. Below is the link to the event if anyone (especially any friends from work) would like to run with me. It's Friday, June 1st in Malvern. Race starts at 6:30 and its another race for a great cause. And maybe we can go out and grab a cold brew afterwards.

http://jeremysjedi.org/

Rough week

Weight: 245 (+2, -7 total)

Sorry for the delay between posts. Last weekend was a crazy weekend and I just kind of ran out of time. Anyway, before everyone gets all bent out of shape over the +2, I must say that I actually feel lucky it isn't worse. Two weeks ago when I reached -9 lbs I was feeling really good. I continued that following week with eating well and increasing my exercise. I even motivated myself to get back to the gym and do some work on the weights. I felt like I had turned a corner. But then I had a setback. If this was a medical blog I'd go into more details, but for our purposes here I'll just say that I have been dealing with a very uncomfortable and painful issue which has made it difficult to do absolutely anything at all. The good news is that while I am certainly not feeling back to normal yet, I am feeling like I can resume some physical activity. I'm going to at least give it a go, and I look forward to getting back into a regular routine this week.

I have seven weeks to go until the warrior dash. I'm not exactly where I was hoping to be at this point in my training. I feel like my cardio is good and I won't have trouble with the running part. I still need to improve my strength and I'd really like to lose some significant weight, quickly if possible. Kathy and I made more of a commitment to eating not only better and healthier, but also to purchasing a lot more of our groceries from the organic department. So far we've been doing a pretty good job. Kathy has especially been doing well. I still have too many times where I give in to temptation, but I'm working at that.

So that's really about it. I don't have much to add today. I'm very frustrated in regards to the last 10 days. I haven't gotten any exercise at all. I've been eating okay, save for a rather disastrous evening at a Phillies game the other night. My exercise plan for the week is this:

Sunday: a brisk walk/light jog just to ease back into exercising, softball game
Monday: 40 mins. eliptical, weights
Tuesday: basketball (or 30 min. jog)
Wednesday: 40 mins. eliptical, weights
Thursday: off
Friday: whatever I can squeeze in between work and a t-ball trip to the Reading Phillies
Sat: run 30 mins.

I am going to register for a 5K this week too, just to keep giving me a target/goal for my Warrior Dash training. Kathy is running Broad Street next week, so I'll look for a race the following Saturday.

Thanks for reading. Since things have not gone so well the last 7-10 days I will post an update on Wednesday to document and progress.

41

Weight: 243 lbs (-2, -9 total)

Tomorrow I turn 41. I'm okay with the age, though I'll admit it is starting to seem a little strange. I noticed last week that Mike Brady and Lou Grant, two people I used to think were REALLY old, were 40 during the runs of those shows. Oh well...

I'm feeling good. I had a good week of exercise and ate less. This weather and being outside keeps me away from the snacks, which is what I need. I ran three times this week, but didn't get to play basketball, and didn't hit the weights. I definitely need to find the motivation/inspiration to go to the gym. Getting the cardio on my runs is good, but I have to do more. I just hate going.

Although I ate less, I didn't eat real healthy. I went to a happy hour on Wed and probably didn't need all the calories in the beer, but I really rarely go out for a few drinks so I cut myself some slack. We ate out at Chickie's and Pete's yesterday and I paid no heed to my caloric intake. I did not drink any calories, but we split an appetizer and I had no problem downing a cheeseburger. I ate a small lunch and breakfast though so I left myself some room. Today we had pizza for dinner, but I only had two slices and didn't eat a whole lot else during the day. As is our tradition on a birthday in this house, we are having ice cream tonight (we usually celebrate on the birthday weekend), so I am anxiously awaiting that.  As for the big day tomorrow, I'm not really counting my calories. Tomorrow morning I will be a guest of Ryan's at a "Donuts With Dad" event at his school, and Kathy offered to make me whatever I wanted for dinner, so we'll be having her killer meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. We'll likely top it off with a walk down to Rita's, and then I'll be back on track on Tuesday.

I have exactly two months until the Warrior Dash. I think I'm getting there. I'm not where I want to be yet, but my weight is going down and my exercise is going up. I just need to do a little more. I'm hoping to run another 5K in the next two or three weeks (maybe this Saturday, actually) to help me maintain focus. I'm feeling good.

An Easter miracle

(Weight 245, no change)

I don't know how I did it, but somehow I managed to hold firm and not gain any weight this week. I more or less mailed it in and did nothing this week. I did play hoops on Tuesday, but that was the only exercise I got all week. My eating was atrocious as I went to two cookouts on Thurs and Fri evenings, and two Easter meals on Saturday.I also had a large Easter meal today. I didn't count calories, and frankly I didn't even pay attention to anything. But Saturday night it all kind of caught up to me. I didn't feel well at all and dealt with a severely upset stomach. But I woke up feeling better today, and also feeling like I needed some exercise. I went out for a 2.5 mile run, felt good, and felt like I was instantly back on track.

This week my goals are simple: write down my calories, drink a lot of water, run 3x after work, play basketball on Tuesday, and get to the gym at least once to do some weights. I think I can do this.

Sorry for the short post. Busy day today, and honestly not much to write about. Hopefully I can get the needle pointing the right way again this week.

No news, but down a pound

Weight (245 lbs -1, -7 total)

Nothing new to report since Sunday. Exercise has been minimal, food choices could be better. I've just been having a busy and hectic week.

Feeling good

Weight (246 no change)

I apologize for the rather infrequent posts lately. I kind of got off schedule with a combination of doctors appointments, and really not having too much to say. I'll try to get back to the Sunday/Wednesday posts, though I may only do once a week if I don't have anything too interesting to talk about.

Yesterday I ran the Phillies 5K. I wasn't sure how I'd do. Lately my running has been a struggle. My shins, ankles, and knees have been really sore and I've been mentally checking out at about 2 miles and allowing myself to walk. I'm happy to say that I ran the full 5K yesterday without walking, and surprisingly did it 3 minutes faster than I did the race I ran in November. I think I'm definitely getting in better shape. Kathy was great to run with me too. I know she slowed down her pace to run with me, but having her there really helped keep me motivated and  kept me focused on running. I wasn't looking for an excuse to walk. We ran the race in just over 33 minutes. I think I could have gone a little faster - there were some real slow points on the course due to congestion/traffic (5,000 runners) but we kept a steady pace and I even felt like I had a little energy left when the race was done. I think I'm going to look for a 5K to run sometime in the next 3 weeks or so, and do another 2 or 3 before the Warrior Dash. That will be a good way for me to stay committed to getting this exercise.

My diet hasn't been great again. I'm really struggling with making good food choices. I haven't been gaining the weight, but I certainly haven't been losing at a very fast rate. I always say it on here, but I need to find a way to stay focused on what I'm eating. I need to get back to eating smaller meals and avoiding some of the other things I've been eating. This week I am going to really focus on eating my number of calories (1900 daily) and not going over. And I am going to get back to drinking a ton of water. I also need to avoid eating out.

All in all I feel good though. I'm running better, I'm playing basketball on Tuesdays, and it looks like I'll be playing softball on Sundays. I need to find a way to get to the gym and do some weights. Hopefully I can find a way to go twice a week. The  Warrior Dash is in 2 1/2 months. I have time to get in better shape and lose some weight, now I have to start increasing my effort.

Good News, Bad News

Weight (246 lbs. -1, -6 total)

I've been having a good week. I've been eating moderately, nothing too horrendous, and I've run Sun, Tues, and Thurs so far this week. Sunday I ran 3 miles and felt really good. Tuesday I ran 2.5, but could not get going. I started out too fast (for me) and couldn't get into a groove. Today I felt a little better and did another 2.5 miles. I have to get back to writing my calories down though. I've been neglecting that for about 2 weeks now. I also need to get back to the gym and do some weights. It's just been SOOO nice out, that I'd rather get my exercise outside.

So, the good news... As I mentioned previously, I went for my latest cholesterol check last Thursday. My numbers came back better than they've been at any point over the last 7 years:

Triglycerides are 159 (goal is <150). 7 years ago they measured at nearly 300.
Total cholesterol is 142 (optimal is 125-200)
HDL is 30 (goal is >40). This was less than 20 7 years ago. I've been consistently at this number for the past year or so, and not sure what else I can do to gain some points here.
LDL is 80 (goal is <130)
Cholesterol ratio is 4.7 (goal is <5).  I don't remember what my original ratio was when I started this, but I believe it was closer to 6.

This is a huge accomplishment. I'd like to say that it's solely due to lifestyle changes, but I know its because of the meds I'm on. I've been better - a lot better - for the last few months. I can confidently say that this improvement is a little more drastic because I have been watching my diet a little more closely and getting more exercise. I'm pretty proud of these numbers. Kathy was there 7 years ago when I got a Saturday AM call from my doctor saying that I needed to make some changes immediately. It hasn't been easy, but I have gotten my cholesterol under control now.

Now the bad news... I also mentioned a few months back that my doctor wanted to monitor my blood pressure. I was EXTREMELY disappointed that I was borderline high again today. Today it was 146/82. This marked 9 times out of my last 14 visits that one of my blood pressure numbers was borderline high. My doctor finally convinced me to go on to a low dose blood pressure medication. I did not/do not want to do this. After peppering him with every question I could think of for a half hour I finally agreed to it. He prescribed 50 mg of Losartan potassium. I know that once people start taking blood pressure medication they rarely get off of it. I don't want to take another med, but I am also getting to the age where I want to decrease my risk of heart attack or stroke and based on my personal and family history, this is probably the best way to get it under control a little more quickly. He did say that if I lose 20 lbs, keep eating better and exercising and we see great improvement in my blood pressure readings I can always try to go off it. The only risk with that is seeing it elevate again. If it does, then its back on the meds, likely for good.

So that's where I stand now. I'm down 6 pounds, but was hoping to be down about 10 by now. My cholesterol levels have improved greatly. My blood pressure is elevated, but will be treated. I'm back to being almost able to run 3 miles (the Phillies 5K is in 9 days and my shins are f%@*ing KILLING me. All in all I'm doing and feeling okay. I think I'm on track for the Warrior Dash, but I have to start ramping up my efforts a little bit. I'll be ready. Spring is here. I always eat less and exercise more when I can be outside.

And I can't believe I get to say it again, but I will... Go NC State!!!

March Madness

Weight: 247 (+1, -5 total)

March Madness is here and I handled it better this year than in years past. I did partake of a few beers on Thursday afternoon, but didn't completely stuff my face with food, and Friday I just spent the day at home eating some leftovers. I did not count the calories I had, though I know I should have, but overall I feel like I came through things okay.

My exercise wasn't great this week. I ran on Tuesday but really struggled. My knee and my shins were just killing me. I took an extra day which really helped. I ran on Friday morning and felt better than I've felt in a long time. I also ran farther than I have since the 5K last November. I ran just under 3 miles and didn't feel like I needed to walk at all. I'm mildly encouraged now and looking forward to the Phillies 5K in two weeks.

This week I plan on really sticking to things. I want to lose a few more pounds over the next two weeks. Once I get through the Phillies race I will begin to focus more seriously on the Warrior Dash. I will continue to eat smaller protein-rich breakfasts, and really pound the water. I want to run Sunday/Wed/Fri/Sun/Tues/Thurs over the next two weeks before the 5K. That seems like a reasonable goal.

On Thursday I also went for a blood/cholesterol test. I will get my results at a doc. appt. on the 22nd and will post them then. As mentioned, one of my meds was adjusted about 2 months ago and I'm curious as to the results.

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for the encouragement.

Weekly Goal Met

Weight: 246 (-2 lbs, -6 total)

Somehow I met my goal this week. I did not have a great week eating as we ended up running a bunch of errands in the evenings and scrambled for dinner a few nights. I think my saving grace was that I don't think I drank a single calorie last week. I also had some good exercise, though I'm paying for it a bit right now. I got in two runs last week, and took advantage of the nice weather on Thursday to play basketball after work. Unfortunately, the nice court where we play was packed so we had to play on a macadam court. Its amazing how different it is playing on the blacktop. My shins and calves are still killing me. I tried to run yesterday and it was a real struggle. I don't think I'm going to play basketball any more if its going to be on the macadam. As much as I love it, it's just not worth it. It's now Sunday morning, and this is the first morning since then that my shins didn't hurt when I got out of bed.

My food choices were okay this week. Not great, but not bad. We ate out twice and both times fries were to come with my dinner. I did not get them either time, rather I got a side salad in it's place. I know I saved some calories there. I've been eating smaller breakfasts that have had more protein in them, and though I'm definitely ready for lunch by 11:45, I'm not so hungry that I feel like I need to eat everything in sight. My lunches have been much smaller than they used to be. I'm eating tons of salads and fruit. I know deli meat is high in sodium and not too good for you, but I need some kind of meat on my salad if I'm not having a sandwich. The bread is the other thing I've been trying to cut back on. It just wasn't realistic for me to completely cut bread out of my diet, but I have certainly cut back.

We're in good shape for eating at home this week. We have plenty of chicken and ground turkey. We also got some fish and are having salmon tonight. I feel good about the direction I'm going. This week will be a good test for me though. As most of you know, I traditionally treat myself to an annual mini-vacation this week, each year, to watch the opening round of the NCAA's. That also includes heading out to a bar for lunch and a beer or two (or four) during the Thursday games, and usually getting some food that is a little out of the ordinary for at home. I'm still planning on going on Thursday (Champs at lunchtime in Collegeville, if anyone wants to come hang out) but will perhaps look for a more "healthy" alternative for the games on Friday.

Goals for the week: get more exercise and get outside. Daylight savings is here! No excuses for not running now. Mondays will be out as we start our t-ball practices tomorrow evening, but all other nights I should be able to find the time. I also need to get back to the gym and do some weight training. I did not lift at all this past week. I really despise going to the gym and as long as I'm getting outside and running I'm perfectly fine with not going. But I do need to get back on the weight training, at least 2X per week. I think I can manage that. I also need to keep drinking a lot of water (never a real problem) and make sure I'm documenting what I'm eating. I've been a little lax in that department. My weight loss goal for this week is one pound. If I can do that with all of the March Madness events, I'll be pretty happy.

Go NC State!

No surprises

Weight 248 (+1, -4 total)

It's no surprise I'm up a pound. We ate out both Friday and Saturday nights to celebrate Kathy's birthday. Our dinner on Friday that Ryan selected was at the Movie Tavern, to see The Lorax. Dinner was nothing special (cheeseburger sliders), but after the movie he wanted to take Kathy out for dessert. We went to Zwahlen's Ice Cream. For those of you that don't know, Zwahlen's is the ice cream mecca for this area. There is a lot of good ice cream around here, but none as good as Zwahlen's. That, and the fact that they had Take Five ice cream sent me over the top.

Saturday I woke up and went for a run. I tried to eat light during the day in anticipation of our dinner at Gracie's 21st Century on Saturday night. That dinner did not disappoint at all. I had the filet, russet potatoes, and two drinks (a martini, and then a glass of beer). Kathy and I also split a crab appetizer and shared a dessert. I did not feel completely stuffed afterwards and felt like I managed the evening pretty well. Yes, I'm up a pound, but I expected worse. The good news is that I don't really have any events on my calendar where I should find myself in too much trouble. I do have my annual March Madness vacation coming up, but I'm not too worried about that. Most of it is spent at home. I'll go out for lunch on the Thursday, that's it.

My exercise has been good. On Thursday I went for my longest run since the 5K back in November. Saturday I did intervals and did several short, but fast (for me) runs. My legs are still burning a little bit today. I'm 4 weeks from the Phillies 5K. I'm not to worried about being ready for the run, but I definitely need to step up my running and cardio over the next few weeks. The weight lifting has been going well too. I'm feeling good.

This week I hope to get back on track with the light breakfasts, healthier lunches, and balanced dinners. I will cut back on the carbs this week, push the water, and try to lose 2 lbs by next Sunday. That's my goal for the week.

Too much food!

(Weight: 247, no change)

Days like today aren't easy. Not only am I fortunate enough to get a free lunch at work every day, but once a month we have a celebration day for the good folks who have had birthdays and anniversaries. This wouldn't be so bad if the festivities weren't always held 5 feet from my desk. As evidenced by the picture to the left, today we had an egg and potato casserole, 4 or 5 different types of homemade cookies, a giant cake from a local bakery, brownies, cupcakes, 3 boxes of donuts, fresh fruit, bagels and cream cheese, chips, and Cheetos (delicately prepared by yours truly). Needless to say, it's not easy sitting at work on this day each month.

In all honesty though, I didn't do too badly. I knew it was coming so I did my best to act accordingly. I didn't graze all day (though the one at a time Cheeto as I walk past my desk continues to be problematic). I had a small portion of the egg casserole and some fruit. I also allowed myself a very small sliver (really, it was tiny) of cake and one of the cookies with the cream cheese icing that I really wanted (the middle of the picture.) I also love Asiago bagels so I decided to have one for lunch. Before you beat me up, remember that in the not too distant past I would have had the cake, cookie, and the bagel in the morning and still had a regular lunch. Today, I skipped the lunch meal and just had a small side salad along with the bagel at my desk. I know that some readers of this blog (Diane) will kill me for this, and I suppose I deserve it. In my defense though, I didn't completely pig out, and I did go to the gym after work. It wasn't good, it certainly could have been better, but it also could have been a whole lot worse.

The rest of the week is going to be challenging as well. Kathy's birthday is Saturday. Friday, Ryan is planning the evening which includes dinner, a movie, and ice cream (three of Mommy's favorites) and Saturday Kathy and I are actually getting a chance to go out to dinner as a couple. It's rare we have a babysitter so we are very thankful for this and are greatly looking forward to our evening. I will do my best to eat smaller healthy meals in advance of these two dinners, and will be sure to run both Thursday and Saturday this week. I'd like to say that I'll eat only half of my restaurant meals and bring the rest home, but I doubt that'll happen. There's no sense in writing or maintaining this blog if I'm not going to tell the truth, so that's the truth. It's a part of my struggle. I feel like I'm doing better. I'm exercising a lot more than I used to (I still need more) and I am paying greater to attention to how much I am eating rather than just ignoring it.

Goals for the week: try to maintain the current weight, get lots of exercise, and drink a ton of water. Survive until Sunday and then get back to what I was successful with last week.

Some movement on the dial...

Weight: 247 (-2, -5 total)

I've had a good week. I haven't been able to take advantage of all of the diet suggestions as I have several food allergies and general disdain for some of the foods that the trainer suggested. But I have a good knowledge of the things that I can eat to help me lose weight. I'm researching alternatives and modifying his suggestions a bit.

I had a great week of exercise since meeting with the trainer. I played basketball one day, and did two other days of cardio and weight training. The weight training has taken some getting used to. I'm pretty sore, especially my arms, but - and it just might be my imagination - I am already feeling "different." I'm excited about this and looking forward to going to the gym more this week. I've done work on my chest, my arms, legs, and abs. I need to do something to strengthen my back a bit though. My left knee has really been bothering me lately though. I'm working on the assumption it's just some mild tendinitis. I'm not worried about it at this point, but it is something I'm going to keep an eye on.

We went to the grocery store yesterday and bought some good foods. As most of you know, we have a tendency to eat out more than we should. Well, we spent our money at the grocery store on healthy foods, so going out won't be in the budget for the next few weeks. We're actively taking meal suggestions if anyone has any for us.

That's it for now. I'm feeling good, and I'm feeling motivated. Goals for the early part of this week: keep writing my food down, two days of cardio, and one day of weight training. Next post Wednesday.

Getting some help...

Weight: 249 (no change, -3 total)

On Tuesday I met with a personal trainer. This was a pretty eye opening experience. We met after work and for the first 15 minutes or so we discussed my goals in regards to weight loss and working out. He explained some foods to me that I should eat, and that I should actually consider altering the way I eat. He encouraged me to eliminate, or at least greatly cut down on the breads, which is a killer for me. I love bread with my dinner, and I more or less eat a sandwich every day for lunch (often for dinner too) and most mornings I eat a bagel with peanut butter. Cutting out bread is going to be difficult. He suggested I get up a little earlier and make some eggs with vegetables, or even eat things like grilled chicken or fish for breakfast. Chicken, maybe. Fish for breakfast? I don't think so. For lunches I am to try to cut back on the sandwiches and eat salads. I'll likely throw a piece or two of ham on the salad if there are no other options available at the salad bar. I don't know what we'll do about dinners here. We'll have to come up with a plan and do some grocery shopping this weekend.

After our meeting we hit the exercise area. This is where the evening took a turn for the worse. Not really, but this is where I realized A: just how out of shape I am, B: that my "running" isn't getting the job done as far as increasing my heart rate, and C: I am not only out of shape, but I am completely inflexible. I have no range of motion and am not as strong as I need to be. He put me through a one hour workout and I thought I was going to vomit and pass out after 10 minutes. The "workout" was just to show me the circuit I am supposed to do 3X a week. It started with a rowing machine and moved to the treadmill. I had no problem with this and actually enjoyed it. I felt my heart rate increase instantly. From there we moved to some agility/strength/core drills. These included: ankle flips, A skips and B skips. All were very awkward for me. From there I did a "Spider man" walk which is a yoga-ish move. Those of you that know me know I am not much of a yoga kind of guy. This was extremely difficult for me, but I managed. I followed that with a series of side steps with a taut rubber band around my ankles. This was kind of like a basketball drill which was a lot easier for me to do.

This led to the weight lifting portion of the workout. I used a 25 lb. kettle bell, then did bench presses (I haven't done a bench press in years) and lunge position rows. After the weight lifting we did an ab workout that included things called bird dogs, planks, and side planks.  I ended the workout with a few minutes on the treadmill.

Needless to say, I was in agony at the end of this workout. I actually felt a little light headed and nauseous for a moment. And the kicker is, this was just a quick series/sample for the workout. I only did one set of each. My actual workouts will be three sets of each, and should take about an hour.

On the nutrition/diet front: I had a lousy eating weekend, and feel fortunate to have maintained. I ate a lot of pizza and ice cream cake. I think the rest of my meals were rather sensible though, so maybe I did alright, after all.

All in all I feel good and inspired today. I had a great eating day today, and got to play basketball outside for an hour. I'm looking forward to the gym tomorrow and to see what happens with the weights. Should be interesting.  

Maintaining

Weight: 249 (0 change, -3 total)

I'm maintaining during this week of endless birthday parties and cake, so a zero weight change is okay with me. We've all been a little under the weather this week so my exercise has been low. On Friday though, I did go for a run with Kathy. It was the first time we ran together. She more or less left me in the dust as she's in better shape than me, but she was a good sport and ran at my much slower pace.

I know I seem to mention that I need to do better on every post, and that is true. This week though I am hoping to get the spark I need. I am meeting with a trainer on Tuesday evening to develop a workout/training plan for the Warrior Dash. This is a hard thing to do on my own. Yes, the blog is making me somewhat accountable for my actions, but paying for a trainer should also help me in that regard. I will not be meeting on a regular basis with him, but plan to check in every two or three weeks to monitor progress and measure specific goals. I am looking forward to getting started.

Today is the last of Ryan's birthday parties (just us on Tuesday, his school friends yesterday, family today). I'm starting to feel a little better, though I'm still having trouble breathing. I'm going to try to get either a jog or a good walk in some time today, and a more strenuous workout in tomorrow. I'll post on Wednesday, after I meet with the trainer.

Post-Ryan's Birthday/Valentine's Day

Weight: 249 (no change, -3 total)

I survived. For Ryan's birthday he wanted to go to Friendly's. We took a mid-afternoon trip there at 3:00 and that allowed me to use the meal as a lunch/dinner hybrid. I got a big cheeseburger, but coupled with my small breakfast, that allowed me plenty of room to have a piece if ice cream cake with him that evening. We really don't have much chocolate in the house right now, so I feel like I'm in good shape to navigate this week. We have two parties scheduled for this weekend, but both are pizza parties - they really shouldn't be any trouble. My goal will be to at least maintain this week, then really start to push to lose next week.

My exercise has been low this week. Ryan, Kathy, and I have been passing a cold back and forth and I just didn't have the energy. In fact, I took TWO naps over the weekend. I can't remember the last time I had even one nap. I have some work to do this evening, but tomorrow I am free and am planning on an evening trip to the gym. I'm actually kind of looking forward to it.

All in all I don't have much to report. Things are kind of slow right now. I'm not as focused as I need to be, but I am making more of an effort to at least be aware of how much I am eating. I've done a good job of hitting, and not surpassing my 2,000 calorie per-day goal. Tomorrow will make 4 months to the day until the Warrior Dash (and 7 weeks till the Phillies 5K). I feel like I have plenty of time, but I need to start increasing my efforts now.

Anne, if you are reading this, would you mind asking your trainer to shoot me an email? Thanks.

Next post Sunday.

Progress!

Weight: 249 (-3 lbs, -3 total)

A shorter post today as I'm dealing with a sick kiddo...

I had a great second half of the week. I drank a ton of water, got in a run, and kept count of my calories. See what happens when I pay attention? I still need to be vigilant about it, but it is nice to see some progress made.

This week will be a little tougher as it is Ryan's birthday (on Valentine's Day) so he is picking the dinner location, and we have two birthday parties this coming weekend. I think I'll be able to manage okay, except the ice cream cake might be a little challenging to stay away from. I'll have to make sure I save some room for a piece and increase my exercise a bit.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. They mean a lot. I'll post again on Wednesday.

Struggling

Weight: 252 (+1, total change 0 lbs.)

I don't have much to say or report this week. I'm struggling. Poor food choices and not enough exercise. I'm doing okay at work, but eating too much for dinner and snacking way too much at home. I think I need some help or some company to help motivate me. MF - I'm in for your challenge. I'll touch base with you tomorrow about it.

I got in some exercise on Sunday, and went for a good run on Monday. Tuesday I took off, and had planned to go to the gym today, but just never made it there. Tomorrow I am scheduled for a 5PM run, and I'm looking forward to that.

I think the reason I am struggling at home is because of the snacks we got for the Super Bowl. There's too much here that we don't normally have on hand, and I'm struggling to restrain myself. Tomorrow is our trash pickup, and I think I may try to talk Kathy into cutting our losses and doing away with some of the food we have. I need to get it out of here. If I was wealthy I think I'd hire a personal shopper to get my groceries and someone to prepare my food. I need some discipline.

The other thing is that I realize I'm really going to struggle trying to do this on my own. Yes, the blog is making me accountable for providing status updates, but there are no consequences for me if I don't lose any weight. A few years ago I lost a good chunk of weight with some friends that I know are reading this blog. If either of you want to meet on occasion to check in I'd be up for it. Send me a note if you do.

Warrior training: my endurance is improving, but I need to start the weight training. I've gotten in touch with the trainer I mentioned, but nothing has been set up yet.

Next post Sunday.

Super Bowl Sunday

Weight: 251 (no change)

On Thursday I had one of my semi-regular doctor appointments to discuss my most recent blood work. I have been on cholesterol medication for some time now. I know that the best thing you can do for elevated cholesterol is to watch your diet and exercise, and while I have been more attentive to my exercise lately, I have not been such in monitoring my diet. It almost seems as if I use the meds that I'm on as an excuse or allowance to eat what I want to eat, with the thinking that the meds will cancel out the bad choices. That is a mistake, and a battle that I must face and I must get better at. My results were as they always are: my total cholesterol is very good , my bad cholesterol is good, and my good cholesterol is bad. My doctor is changing my Tricor medication of 145 mg to Phenofibrate (200 mg). We'll see how it goes. I need to get my next blood work done in mid-March.

Another ongoing concern that I have is slightly elevated blood pressure (140/80). Unfortunately it has remained around this level for my last few visits. Since I have been more committed to exercise lately we are hopeful that it will bring my blood pressure down. We'll measure that again in March. I really don't want to go on any additional medication. I think I need to increase the intensity of my workouts as well to really see the benefits. All in all, I feel pretty good these days. I'm more energetic (thanks to the exercise), but like I said, I need to watch what I'm eating and get more rest too. I don't get enough sleep.

My eating has actually been okay this week. I have an app to count my calories, but I'm not using it as often as I should. I've been entering every 3 days or so, but I need to commit to recording it daily. My exercise was good this week. I had two good runs, both with a friend. I found that helpful in that since he is in better shape than I am, he was able to push me a little bit. I felt like I had to keep up and keep going in order to run with him. I wasn't as eager to just quit or slow down. It also resulted in me adding in some extra sprints which was great. I know I've been spoiled by the weather, but as long as it's sunny and warm enough, I'm going to try to keep getting him to go with me.

I am also planning to meet with a personal trainer either this week or next. While I certainly can't afford to hire a personal trainer, I can meet with one and come up with a plan. A friend of mine was kind enough to put me in touch with a trainer. I'm looking forward to meeting with him.

Lastly, I'm looking to try some new foods. What are you skinny people eating? What kind of snacks are you enjoying? I'm looking for some changes. I'm a little tired of all the regular things I've been eating and need to branch out. I'd love some suggestions.

As for today? Hopefully we won't go too overboard with the snacks. It is a special occasion though, so I'll likely cut myself some slack. I did go to the gym and burned almost 500 calories on the elliptical. I also did some short sprints while trying to teach Ryan how to ride his bike. I ate a small breakfast and lunch, so I'm okay for the Super Bowl. We have a pizza, some chips and dips, and a plan to make a small plate of nachos for all of us to share. As usual, I'll just drink a lot of water. It shouldn't be too horrible.

And just for the hell of it, here's my Super Bowl pick: Giants 24 Pats 23

Talk to you all on Wednesday. Goals until Wed: enter all my calories; run Monday, elliptical Tuesday, run Wednesday; get in touch with trainer and set up appointment.

Holy cow it's February already!

Weight: 251 (no change, -1 lbs. total)

It's been a long couple of days, and I haven't been in the best of spirits. Usually when I get like this I kind of reach for the comfort food and get a little lazy. I haven't eaten terribly the past few days, but I've probably been eating a little too much. They say you can't really eat too many fruits and vegetables, but I don't really agree with that. It's still calories. Last weekend we bought a ton of fresh fruit to last the week. We made a giant fruit salad and had all intentions of eating it for dessert and snacks. It barely lasted two hours. Not only did I love it, but so did Kathy and Ryan. We actually ate an obscene amount of fruit, which I didn't think was possible.

I've been doing okay at work this week. I've avoided the creamy soups, and I have not had any soda. I did, however, allow myself a small piece of chocolate cake on Monday and Tuesday that had been lingering for a day or two. My work station is about 10 feet from our buffet/party counter. It's amazing - we have access to free lunch, continental breakfasts if so inclined, yet we still find almost daily occasions to bring in cakes and goodies, or to celebrate some achievement. Not that I'm complaining or anything, it just makes it tough sometimes.

I went for a 2.5 mile run on Tuesday. This was the first time that I ever ran with someone else. A friend of mine joined me for the run and it was nice to have the company. It made me feel a little more committed to the workout. We jogged for a mile and a half and then alternated running fast and jogging city blocks for about half a mile. I felt like it was one of my better neighborhood runs lately. I really need to work on my endurance though. I felt pretty gassed a little too early on in the run. Today I was supposed to take the day off, and did, though I actually had planned to work out a bit. Things just got hectic after work/school and I didn't have the time. I have two commitments after work on Thursday, so I won't get a workout in then, but I think I will try to go Thursday evening after Ryan goes to bed.

I don't really have much to report other than the status quo. I don't feel like I have done a good enough job of paying attention to what I'm eating and the calories I'm taking in. I know what I have to do. I just haven't quite found the motivation to do it yet. Hopefully February will yield a stronger commitment from me, and in turn bring some more desirable results.

Next post Sunday!

A new week...

Weight: 251 (-1 total)

Well this week didn't go exactly as planned. In addition to a happy hour, I also found myself dealing with a last minute dinner at Chili's, and a pizza party at my Gramma's nursing home. I actually managed at Chili's alright. I had their club sandwich, which I'm sure was loaded with calories (I was too scared to look), but I drank only water and largely avoided the french fries. With the exception of Five Guys, I've more or less given up on fries. For the pizza party I should have only had two slices, but since it came from an old favorite (Vesuvio's, in Allentown), I allowed myself a third. Shoot me.

Saturday I kind of got myself back on track. I had a protein bar for breakfast, and got in a half hour run on just a glorious afternoon. I'll tell you what, this is my kind of winter. I ran in shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. Did I mention that it's January? I also got to the gym twice this week. Neither time I wanted to go, but I went. I'm hoping to do a little better this week.

Kathy has once again inspired me. Last year she ran the Broad St. 10 mile run in Philly. To top that, she just registered for The ODDyssey Half Marathon. Check it out here: http://www.oddysseyhalfmarathon.com/ She may think I'm nuts for doing the Warrior Dash, but I should be done in about 45 minutes, or so. At least I hope I am. I can't imagine running for 13 miles, or 2.5 hours. Anyway, she will once again be altering her diet, so I will just kind of follow along with her. She's a good inspiration for me.

I have also been challenged by a coworker to some kind of weight loss competition. The rules and stakes have yet to be determined, but I will post them once the wager is finalized.

Goals for this week: Smaller meals (cut the calories), drink only water or tea, more veggies and fruit, and no eating out. I'll tell you what, eating out is a HUGE problem for this family. In addition to the cost, it also is just so hard to eat out and keep it healthy. Both Kathy and I like to cook - just not as soon as we get home from work. There's that decision we make every day; should we play with Ryan and bring a pizza home, or should we cook dinner while he just watches TV by himself? I get about 2 hours to hang out with him every day during the week - I hate to spend it in another room. Don't get me wrong, we don't eat out all the time, just more than we should. We went to Costco on Saturday and got some chicken, pork and ground turkey. Hopefully we can find some things that are easy to make. If anyone has any suggestions for quick meals, or crock pot meals, let me know.

I appreciate the feedback I've been getting. It's nice to know people are reading this. Feel free to join or follow by using the link on the right. Thanks!

Next post Wednesday.

A killer lunch week at work...

Weight: 252 (no change)

For those of you that don't know, I get a free lunch at work every day. This is a blessing and a curse. It's great because I don't have to pack anything, but it's hard because, really, most things are pretty good. This has been a banner week though. Monday was fried chicken day, Tuesday was hoagie day, and Wednesday was the best day of all: leftover hoagie day. I am eating very small breakfasts (apple and a Fiber One bar) and making sure I burn some calories so I can eat these lunches.Tomorrow it's back to my usual turkey sandwich.

As far as the beginning of this effort to become a little less fat goes, I've been off to an okay start. I know I need to pick it up a little. I've been trying to eeeeease into it, but I really should just jump right in. I had hoped to exercise on Monday, but ended up meeting a few friends after work instead. I managed the outing pretty well though. I ate a light breakfast, had a manageable lunch (yes, I had the chicken, but I didn't eat the sides, I drank a ton of water, and had a handful of grapes for dessert) and then had two beers (at the bar, not at lunch...) and 4 more glasses of water. I did not eat out at the bar, but waited until I got home and had some of the turkey chili I made on Sunday.  I have to say, it's the first time I've used ground turkey in my chili and I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Tuesday was pretty good and I got a solid 40 minutes in at the gym. I used the elliptical and burned off almost 450 calories. I haven't followed my proposed exercise schedule yet, but I'm getting some exercise in so I'm okay with it. Wednesday Kathy went to zumba so I stayed home, and will get cardio and do a little lifting tomorrow

My next post will be Sunday. That should be interesting as I am playing in a flag football game in the afternoon. I used to play all the time, but haven't played in years. I have to remember to take it a little easy. The last thing I need, aside from a heart attack, is a pulled hamstring or groin. My short term goals for the rest of the week: keep counting calories, drink a lot of water, no snacks after 8:00, and get some more exercise.

I also wanted to let people know that the Kathinator and I registered for the Phillies 5K which is being held on March 31st. It ends with a lap around the warning track at Citizen's Bank Park and with a party in Ashburn Alley. Sign up and join us!!!

One last thing, I don't know if anyone is really reading this or not. If someone is, is there something you'd like me to talk more about? Less about? Or should I just shut up? Let me know how I can improve this blog. Thanks.

"Spring. Rejuvenation. Rebirth. Everything's blooming. All that crap."

Weight: 252 lbs

Well, it's not exactly spring (bonus points if anyone knows where that heading is from), but a Sunday seems to be as good a day as any to really try to get this thing moving. Stepping on the scale was a little unpleasant and I'm probably going to have to really pay extra attention to what I'm eating and make sure I am drinking a TON of water. I'm usually pretty good about drinking water, at least during the week, but at home I'm not as diligent.

Here is a pretty awful picture of my gut. This should provide some incentive. I'm going to post a new picture each month in the hopes that a change is visible.

I need a plan for the week. Sunday is usually the day where Kathy and I will take turns making some kind of meal that will carry us through to Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. I am going to make a pot of chili today and watch the portion sizes when I eat. I use a lot of beans and peppers in the chili. To try to be a little healthier, I am making it with lean ground turkey instead of beef.

As for exercise, we have struggled to get on a consistent schedule. Kathy is much more willing to go to the gym after Ryan goes to bed. I have a real hard time with that, but I realize I may have to if I'm going to incorporate some weight training. I am pretty good about getting home from work and going out right away for some cardio - normally a 30 minute run/jog. It's staying light out long enough to allow me to do that as long as I get home at my usual time. This will be my tentative plan for the week, though because of the icy roads this morning I modified my run today. I went to the gym and did 35 minutes on the elliptical (3.49 miles, 413 calories).

Sun: Run 30 mins
Mon: Run 30 mins
Tue: 15 min elliptical, 30 min. weight circuit, 15 min. elliptical
Wed: Off
Th: 15 min elliptical, 30 min. weight circuit, 15 min. elliptical
Fri: Run 30 mins
Sat: Off

Maybe a little ambitious, but seems reasonable. Thoughts? Next post, barring something out of the ordinary, will be on Wednesday.

And we're off...

Welcome to my blog! I made a few resolutions this year. One was to try to start writing. The other was to run a Warrior Dash this summer. So Kathy said to me, "Why not blog it?". Why not, indeed.

First off, I am not a writer. I have friends that are WRITERS. I just like to write. Secondly, I am not a warrior. I currently tip the scales at a shade over 250 lbs. I am soon turning 41, I have terrible eating habits, bad genes in regards to my heart, and absolutely no willpower. In November, I ran a 5K in a little over 35 minutes. Lately I have been a little more dedicated to exercise, but have just used that as an excuse to eat more.

So why blog? In short, I'm hoping that it makes me a little more accountable with respect to my efforts to run the Warrior Dash. I registered for the Warrior Dash on January 18, 2012 and the race is on June 15, 2012.I have 5 months.

Five months to get ready for this:
The Warrior Dash

Here is my plan in regards to my posts:

• Weigh in on Sunday and Wednesday mornings and post weight with a goal of weighing less than 220 lbs on race day.
• Discuss any successes or failures in regards to my eating. My goal is to eat 1,800 - 2,000 calories per day. Count those calories.
• Exercise (with a minimum of a half hour walk) every day. At least 3 days of running per week with a goal of running 5 miles by June 1, and 3 days of some kind of strength training (to be determined) 

Feel free to post any comments you like. If I need encouragement, give it. If I'm doing okay, let me know. My weight for the last 10 years has been like a yo-yo. I've gone from 260 to 210 and back to 250. Now is the time to get this under control.