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.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
"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.
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.
Friday, January 20, 2012
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:
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.
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.
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