I didn’t really do very well on my second week of the “Couch to 5K” program I am starting… again (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml). I did do it one day in the mountains, and it was a killer and I was sore for the rest of the week. I did start it again this week however, and while it is harder than week 1, it is still quite manageable. I am starting to lift weights this week in addition to the running. I am taking protein shakes and I feel like eating better when I am doing other healthy activity. I am stoked about losing 2 pounds this week while out of town and not running much. I feel good about my progress this week and I am looking forward to having another good one!
Starting Weight (May 25, 2009): 285 lbs.
Starting BMI: 39.7
Weight Last Weigh in: (June 22, 2009) 278 lbs.
Weight Today (June 29, 2009): 276 lbs.
Current BMI: 38.5
Weight Change This Week: -2 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 9 pounds
Goal Streak: 5 weeks in a row
NEXT GOAL: 275 lbs. (1 lbs. to go)
Our vacation to the Oregon Coast was fabulous. Susan and I got four whole days to ourselves, sans kids. Woo hoo!
My weight loss efforts went unscathed. We actually took quite a bit of food with us, and ate just one meal out a day. This was kind to both the pocketbook as well as my diet. In the evening, we found some great places to enjoy some fresh, local seafood, and of course take in a local brew or two. We were even able to hit up Mo’s a couple of times. Hey, when you’re on the Oregon Coast, you’ve GOT to go enjoy some fish and chips and a bowl of chowder at Mo’s. It just wouldn’t be right if you didn’t.
I kept track of my calories every single day but one, and on the day that I didn’t, I’m fairly certain I didn’t go over by much, if at all. My theme seems to be enjoying good, healthy food in moderation.
Good, consistent exercise still eludes me, though, and we still don’t have a scale. I have no idea how much weight I’ve lost, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was eight pounds or so. I just feel better overall, and my 38 shorts are fitting me much better. I’m still going to give it a couple more weeks before I venture into my 38 pants. Also, I recently dropped some bucks on some new clothes for a new job I have starting this fall, and I bought 38’s because they’ll fit me then, not because they fit me now. I have every bit of confidence I’ll be in them in a month or so.
Technorati Tags: dieting, weight loss, vacation, Oregon
One of the interesting things that I’ve noticed over the past six months or so, as various people see me and react to the changes they’ve seen in me, is that a lot of people don’t have a true picture of what it really takes to make the changes I’ve made in my life. I’ve written several times in this blog about my issues with the health and fitness industry, particularly how it preys upon unsuspecting and easily influenced people in search of quick solutions to complex problems. I think part of why people don’t fully understand what it takes, is that the health and fitness industry would be happy to have most people believe that all they have to do to get into shape is to go for a 30 minute walk and they’ll be fine. Now, I acknowledge that my journey started with my inability to sustain a 30-minute walk, and I do respect the fact that we all have to start somewhere. But what I find particularly intriguing is the fact that many people think that there’s some quick-fix — a little known secret that helps make this sort of transformation occur. A few weeks ago, I wrote about my secret to success: good old hard work, intense focus, and an unshakeable commitment to myself and my success. Many people I’ve encountered don’t realize that I actually DO work out six days each week. I eat like a champ. I train like an athlete. Losing 151 pounds in just over a year and a half takes more than simply going for a walk for 30 minutes a day. This is tough stuff to do, and actually doing it has helped me to realize why so many people struggle with this issue. It’s incredibly hard work. But it pays off.
Read the rest and check out videos of me kickboxing with my trainer at www.secondcomingofchris.blogspot.com
I was actually kind of surprised that I only lost 1 pound this week. I completed the first week of the “Couch to 5K” program I am starting… again (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml). I haven’t been lifting weights yet, but I have been getting the cardio in. I’ll take a pound, as long as they keep coming off! I am going to the mountains for the week and hopefully when I get back I’ll be another pound or two down. I’m going to try really hard to do the second week of “Couch to 5K” in the mountains, but it is a few thousand feet higher than where I live, so it may be tough. I have found some additional channels of support, so I hope those help as well.
Starting Weight (May 25, 2009): 285 lbs.
Starting BMI: 39.7
Weight Last Weigh in: (June 15, 2009) 279 lbs.
Weight Today (June 22, 2009): 278 lbs.
Current BMI: 38.8
Weight Change This Week: -1 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 7 pounds
Goal Streak: 4 weeks in a row
NEXT GOAL: 275 lbs. (3 lbs. to go)
After the first week, I feel great. Again, I don’t have any numbers, but here’s what I do have:
- My wife noticed a difference in my upper body shape, just this morning.
- My 40’s are looser. Not quite to a 38 by any means, but it’s a difference. I’m giving myself two more weeks before I try on any of my 38’s.
- My belly just doesn’t feel like it’s getting in the way like it was.
- Belt loop notch is still where it was.
We’re going on vacation next week to the Oregon Coast, and my wife and I already have a plan to have fun and eat healthy.
Have a great weekend, everybody.
I posted some months ago about the study I’m doing as a part of my Graduate program in Social Work. It is looking into the factors that make weight loss effective and successful. In the end I hope to show the obesity epidemic does effect social programs.
If you are interested in participating… it is annonymous (I won’t know who the answers belong to). Either comment here or email me and I will send you the link to the survey.
One pound lost this week… I think I was pretty dehydrated though, so I’m looking for another 2 pounds or so next week. We will see on Monday. I got blood work back from the doctor and need to make an appointment to talk about the results. It doesn’t look too good though… most stuff is in the middle, but a couple of things are kinda high. I’m pretty sure losing weight would fix it all pretty easily. I am on a good streak and have been trying harder to think about what I am eating. I will be in the mountains next week, and that should be fine for my weight loss efforts. I am also meeting with a group on Monday that is concerned with getting healthy and holding each other accountable.
Starting Weight (May 25, 2009): 285 lbs.
Starting BMI: 39.7
Weight Last Weigh in: (June 8, 2009) 280 lbs.
Weight Today (June 15, 2009): 279 lbs.
Current BMI: 38.9
Weight Change This Week: -1 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 6 pounds
Goal Streak: 3 weeks in a row
NEXT GOAL: 275 lbs. (4 lbs. to go)
This past week, I went to the annual conference of my professional association, the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS). The conference was a four-day event, hosted at my alma mater, the University of Waterloo. I have to admit, I was feeling a wee bit anxious about going, not only because these sorts of events have a lot of social time, and as such tend to produce a lot of anxiety for me, but also because this was going to be the first time I came face to face with a large number of people who have been following my journey either on Facebook, on Twitter, or through my blog. I thought it was going to be a little off-putting to finally interact with a group of people who now know more about me than they ever knew before. It was also going to be odd to interact with people who know me, but who haven’t seen me in over a year and who had no idea what I’ve been up to over the past twelve months.
Read the rest of the story at SecondcomingofChris
** Cross-posted @ All Things Ron **
That number doesn’t represent a bid on The Price is Right. It also does not represent a year that has gone down in history as an important date. That number you see is the total number of calories burned with two hours of cardio throughout today. If you think about it, if my diet required 2200 calories per day, I’ve just melted off over 2/3 of that. It’s an incredible achievement as I’ve been wanting to up my cardio for quite a while. There as a session weeks back where I pushed myself to do 90 minutes total but today was something else.
Shortly after I woke up, I felt the urge to go to the gym and do an hour of cardio. I think I’m starting to really like the feeling of uncontrollable sweat drop off of my face as I strive to melt this fat. Sometimes it even feels like my hair sweats as it drips on the back of my neck! Fortunately, I stay hydrated. I’ve had at least 5-6 bottles of water today.
On top of the first hour, I went to the gym with Jerkface. We warmed up with 30 minutes on the Cross Ramp machine which was a lot like the elliptical (which was full, by the way) but seemed to focus solely on the lower leg region. I did the “Fat Burning” program which consisted of 4 minutes of not so bad followed by 4 minutes of intensity and repeat. The second half hour (after the weights were done) was rough. I got to about the 18th minute and didn’t want to go any further. I thought to myself that if I finished another 2 minutes, I’ll be alright. I soldiered on for another 7 and felt myself getting exhausted by 25 minutes. I stopped. The machine paused itself and my feet got slight relief as I took the pressure off one at a time. Five more minutes didn’t seem impossible so after I got the feeling back in my feet I pushed myself and finished a solid half hour!
I’m pretty impressed with myself, I must say.
Here is the breakdown of what I accomplished today!
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** Cross-posted @ All Things Ron **
Last night I was planning on going ot the gym to do up an hour of cardio just to keep the ball rolling. I was feeling really wiped out by about 9pm so I decided on a nap. I even asked my girlfriend to give me a call to ensure I was awake and ready to go. As it turns out, when I’m asleep? I’m asleep. I don’t hear a thing. Here’s another example…
A few years ago I was working (and living) in a group home. I was the overnight guy and decided on a short nap before my shift. My friend was in charge of the home and when I wasn’t awake to start my shift, he came down and pounded on my door. Nothing. No response. He had the master key to the house so he let himself into my room and yelled at me to wake up. Still nothing. I was napping on a couch at the time so he came over and kicked it in an attempt to get some kind of response from me. You can pretty much guess at this point I didn’t budge.
“Dude. If you don’t wake up, I’m going to pour water on you.”
“Zzz….”
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