Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Here I Am Again...
Betcha thought I'd gone away, didn't you? I guess I did. But I'm back, and as fat as I ever was.
In late 2011 I joined a gym to do boxing for fitness, but found I was caught in the Fat Man's Catch 22. I needed to do the program to lose weight, but I had lose weight to do the program. I just couldn't keep up with the physical demands of boxing. From jumping rope, to shadow boxing, to 60 second ring time, my breath would leave me, and my heart rate would climb to dangerous levels. I did successfully make it through the holiday season without actually gaining weight, but eventually I had to quit for, ironically enough, health reasons. Boxing for fitness wasn't good for me.
So I was faced with weighing 317 pounds once again. Then I stumbled upon Weight Watchers For Men! Yeah! For men! I had tried Weight Watchers in the past, but found the program to be geared primarily for women, or very gender neutral. The new program, however, addresses men's diets, physiology, and even psychology. Within 6 weeks I had dropped 30 pounds while still enjoying (most of) the food I love. The big change that really helped was that fresh fruit and vegetables no longer counted against me, so I could satisfy any mid-day hunger cravings with an apple, slice of watermelon, a banana or two, etc. without sacrificing the points I wanted to conserve for a good supper later.
But after 6 weeks and 30 pounds my weight loss essentially stopped. I would drop a half pound in a week, but be back up a pound the next week, and eventually I stopped losing anything. I had to do something to kick the weight loss back into gear. Talisa had already joined Anytime Fitness and started taking Zumba classes, so during a visit of a facility I decided to drop three lunches out with my friends during the week and join as well. I have no delusions about being a member of a gym AGAIN. This is the third gym in two years that I have been a member of. If I don't go, I won't lose.
I mentioned in an earlier post that the more gung ho I am about a program, the quicker I'll lose interest - much like a bottle rocket. The fire starts; the rocket zooms into the sky with a scream; then there's a quiet *pop*, and the inevitable empty stick falling to the ground in the dark. I knew that to be successful I would have to start slowly.
I found the Couch To 5K running program (C25K) to fit that bill perfectly. It is a very slow and gradual program that really does move you from no exercise to being able to exercise and eventually to a 5k (3 mile) run or a sustained run of 30 minutes. So that's where I am now.
I'm back on Weight Watchers For Men. I'm a member of Anytime Fitness, and I'm doing the C25K program.
And I'm back to blogging about it all. Stay tuned.
In late 2011 I joined a gym to do boxing for fitness, but found I was caught in the Fat Man's Catch 22. I needed to do the program to lose weight, but I had lose weight to do the program. I just couldn't keep up with the physical demands of boxing. From jumping rope, to shadow boxing, to 60 second ring time, my breath would leave me, and my heart rate would climb to dangerous levels. I did successfully make it through the holiday season without actually gaining weight, but eventually I had to quit for, ironically enough, health reasons. Boxing for fitness wasn't good for me.
So I was faced with weighing 317 pounds once again. Then I stumbled upon Weight Watchers For Men! Yeah! For men! I had tried Weight Watchers in the past, but found the program to be geared primarily for women, or very gender neutral. The new program, however, addresses men's diets, physiology, and even psychology. Within 6 weeks I had dropped 30 pounds while still enjoying (most of) the food I love. The big change that really helped was that fresh fruit and vegetables no longer counted against me, so I could satisfy any mid-day hunger cravings with an apple, slice of watermelon, a banana or two, etc. without sacrificing the points I wanted to conserve for a good supper later.
But after 6 weeks and 30 pounds my weight loss essentially stopped. I would drop a half pound in a week, but be back up a pound the next week, and eventually I stopped losing anything. I had to do something to kick the weight loss back into gear. Talisa had already joined Anytime Fitness and started taking Zumba classes, so during a visit of a facility I decided to drop three lunches out with my friends during the week and join as well. I have no delusions about being a member of a gym AGAIN. This is the third gym in two years that I have been a member of. If I don't go, I won't lose.
I mentioned in an earlier post that the more gung ho I am about a program, the quicker I'll lose interest - much like a bottle rocket. The fire starts; the rocket zooms into the sky with a scream; then there's a quiet *pop*, and the inevitable empty stick falling to the ground in the dark. I knew that to be successful I would have to start slowly.
I found the Couch To 5K running program (C25K) to fit that bill perfectly. It is a very slow and gradual program that really does move you from no exercise to being able to exercise and eventually to a 5k (3 mile) run or a sustained run of 30 minutes. So that's where I am now.
I'm back on Weight Watchers For Men. I'm a member of Anytime Fitness, and I'm doing the C25K program.
And I'm back to blogging about it all. Stay tuned.
Monday, August 24, 2009
It Really Works!
Today's Weight - 294
I really am losing weight! I am under 295 for the first time in a year, and today I put on pants that I haven't been able to wear in over a year.
The initial weight loss has been pretty easy, actually. Changing portions and ingredients is a major help, as is just going to the gym a few times each week. Our workouts aren't intense or painful - just... active.
I'm still wondering when the renewed energy will kick in, however.
I really am losing weight! I am under 295 for the first time in a year, and today I put on pants that I haven't been able to wear in over a year.
The initial weight loss has been pretty easy, actually. Changing portions and ingredients is a major help, as is just going to the gym a few times each week. Our workouts aren't intense or painful - just... active.
I'm still wondering when the renewed energy will kick in, however.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Good Fast Food?
I just had a hamburger, fries, and soda for lunch for a total of 20g of fat, 660 calories (170 from fat), 11g of fiber, and 0 cholesterol at Evos.
Compare with me, if you dare:
If I'd had the same thing at Wendy's (Wendy's single with medium fries it would have been 40g of fat, 850 calories (360 from fat), 7g of fiber and 75mg of cholesterol.
That made me happy.
Compare with me, if you dare:
If I'd had the same thing at Wendy's (Wendy's single with medium fries it would have been 40g of fat, 850 calories (360 from fat), 7g of fiber and 75mg of cholesterol.
That made me happy.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Damn, I'm sore...
Today's Weight - 297
It seems, according to the scales we bought over the weekend, that I've lost 15 pounds since I was at the doctor. That loss has been just through portion control and smarter choices with what I eat.
Instead of a double burger, I'll get a single. Instead of mashed potatoes, I'll have steamed vegetables. Instead of blue cheese dressing, honey mustard does just fine.
We also joined a gym and have been working out regularly the past two weeks. I can't say the changes have been immediate or dramatic, but I will say that I got up early Sunday morning and went right outside to do yard work. The same yard work that winded me a few weeks ago was now, while not "easier", less strenuous.
Progress is slow but steady, and I expect to maintain my 1 pound a week loss with little difficulty (as long as I keep going).
It seems, according to the scales we bought over the weekend, that I've lost 15 pounds since I was at the doctor. That loss has been just through portion control and smarter choices with what I eat.
Instead of a double burger, I'll get a single. Instead of mashed potatoes, I'll have steamed vegetables. Instead of blue cheese dressing, honey mustard does just fine.
We also joined a gym and have been working out regularly the past two weeks. I can't say the changes have been immediate or dramatic, but I will say that I got up early Sunday morning and went right outside to do yard work. The same yard work that winded me a few weeks ago was now, while not "easier", less strenuous.
Progress is slow but steady, and I expect to maintain my 1 pound a week loss with little difficulty (as long as I keep going).
Monday, August 10, 2009
In all things moderation
Over-doing, or being "gung ho" about it tends to burn me out quickly. If I get excited about something at the beginning, my excitement wanes quickly.
So when I dove into this blog, I was afraid that I would lay off fast, too. I was right. But here's an update for you all the same.
I started with adjusting my eating habits. Not "dieting". I will never "diet", but instead of a triple bacon cheese burger, I may order a single. Or instead of a burger, I'll order some baked or grilled chicken. Talisa and I have made a concious effort to not eat out as much and cook at home instead. I have stocked the freezer with fish, chicken, lean pork and beef. In the past few weeks I've eaten more fruit than usual.
Those changes alone have contributed to a 7 pound weight loss in the past 6 weeks. I am happy, but know that I will even out on losing weight that way, and it will not get me into "shape".
A few weekends ago I was doing some yard work. Simple stuff really - rake out the old straw in a flower bed, pull the weeds and creeping grass, put down some new plants, put in a 25ft border, lay weed cloth, and add new mulch. I took me, seriously, all day to do that little bit of work. I kept getting horribly winded and feeling like I was going to pass out. I would do some work, get winded, take a break longer than I worked, and start all over again.
It was ridiculous.
I realized that all the adjustments to eating habits in the world wouldn't make me able to work in the yard without being completley destroyed. I have to combine diet with exercise {shudder}.
Walking in the neighborhood, while better exercise than what we were doing, is, frankly, boring. And the fitness gains are s l o w. Talisa wanted to join a gym - again. I was reluctant since we've thrown money down that rat hole too many times in the past.
The problem has always been that it wasn't "convenient" to go to the gym. After being at work all day and getting stuck in traffic on the way home, it was too easy to justify not going - leave the office at 5:30, tack 20-30 minutes onto the drive home to get to the gym, work out, drive home, clean up, cook supper - all of a sudden we're 9pm before we have supper.
So we quit going to the gym.
I knew all of those "excuses" would come back into play, so I had to find a place that was difficult to NOT go to. I found one. There is an LA Fitness literally on the way to and from work for me, and right around the corner from Talisa's office. I have to pass it twice a day. There is no reason for me to NOT go anymore. Stopping in and working out for an hour doesn't add any inconvenience to my day.
So, if you're at the Windward Parkway LA Fitness, look for me - and make me do just 10 more minutes of cardio!
VITAL STATS
Current weight - 300 lbs
So when I dove into this blog, I was afraid that I would lay off fast, too. I was right. But here's an update for you all the same.
I started with adjusting my eating habits. Not "dieting". I will never "diet", but instead of a triple bacon cheese burger, I may order a single. Or instead of a burger, I'll order some baked or grilled chicken. Talisa and I have made a concious effort to not eat out as much and cook at home instead. I have stocked the freezer with fish, chicken, lean pork and beef. In the past few weeks I've eaten more fruit than usual.
Those changes alone have contributed to a 7 pound weight loss in the past 6 weeks. I am happy, but know that I will even out on losing weight that way, and it will not get me into "shape".
A few weekends ago I was doing some yard work. Simple stuff really - rake out the old straw in a flower bed, pull the weeds and creeping grass, put down some new plants, put in a 25ft border, lay weed cloth, and add new mulch. I took me, seriously, all day to do that little bit of work. I kept getting horribly winded and feeling like I was going to pass out. I would do some work, get winded, take a break longer than I worked, and start all over again.
It was ridiculous.
I realized that all the adjustments to eating habits in the world wouldn't make me able to work in the yard without being completley destroyed. I have to combine diet with exercise {shudder}.
Walking in the neighborhood, while better exercise than what we were doing, is, frankly, boring. And the fitness gains are s l o w. Talisa wanted to join a gym - again. I was reluctant since we've thrown money down that rat hole too many times in the past.
The problem has always been that it wasn't "convenient" to go to the gym. After being at work all day and getting stuck in traffic on the way home, it was too easy to justify not going - leave the office at 5:30, tack 20-30 minutes onto the drive home to get to the gym, work out, drive home, clean up, cook supper - all of a sudden we're 9pm before we have supper.
So we quit going to the gym.
I knew all of those "excuses" would come back into play, so I had to find a place that was difficult to NOT go to. I found one. There is an LA Fitness literally on the way to and from work for me, and right around the corner from Talisa's office. I have to pass it twice a day. There is no reason for me to NOT go anymore. Stopping in and working out for an hour doesn't add any inconvenience to my day.
So, if you're at the Windward Parkway LA Fitness, look for me - and make me do just 10 more minutes of cardio!
VITAL STATS
Current weight - 300 lbs
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Cooking Healthy Food: Why Do They Leave Out Men?
One of the challenges I'm facing as an overweight, middle-aged man who actually enjoys food is finding healthy recipies with good food. Although I applaud and am envious of people who have successful massive weightloss, I am unable to get on board with the kind of diet that works for them.
Food should be a treat to the senses - smell, taste, sight, texture. A "peanut butter and banana on whole wheat toast" is not what I would consider a meal, especially not much of a breakfast. I would much prefer something hearty, and something that would stick with me until lunch - not leave me craving a snack at 10am. Of course, finding healthy and tasty alternatives is tough.
My wife subscribed to Cooking Light magazine, and I think I have found the answer to most of my concerns about healthy and tasty ways to prepare food. The recipies aren't "diet" food. They're healthy approaches to the kinds of meals, snacks, and treats that I like. Their website is
loaded with great recipies that you wouldn't know were healthier alternatives. There's even a recipie for grilling a ribeye!
Overall, I love Cooking Light magazine, but I do have a complaint about the magazine in particular, and weight loss publications in general. It is clear from the advertisements and the articles in Cooking Light magazine that the majority of the readers are female. Look at the fan list on their Facebook page. Look at the articles and ads on their website.
I have never seen an article or ad in Cooking Light magazine geared towards men and men's health (exception - I did see an ad about some prostate drug). It would certainly be helpful to me if there were an article or ten about healthier living from a man's point of view.
Of course, there is stuff like Men's Health magazine, but the emphasis seems to be on fitness, being ripped, and, of course, being a sexual gymnast. The weight loss goals of the readers of Men's Health magazine seems to be a "mere" 10-20 pounds, not 100 like I ultimately need to lose. There is some interesting, and sometimes helpful information to be found in Men's Health magazine and magazines like it, but you have to wade through too much irrelevant information to find something helpful.
I don't want this to sound like an excuse entry. It isn't. I will continue to use Cooking Light and Men's Health in my quest to lose weight and be fit. It isn't going to be easy to lose the weight, and it will take time. I didn't get to weigh over 300 pounds in just a few months. I certainly can't expect to lose it in a few months. There are other things in my life that I enjoy and are fun for me, and I have no problem learning and getting information from a variety of sources to become better at those things. Fitness should be the same.
If I approach my weight loss like my favorite hobby, I will accept that there is not one source of information tailored 100% for my needs. Everything I need to know is available to me, I just need to find it and absorb it.
FOOD UPDATE
I have been conciously eating smaller portions and attempting to eat healthier foods, and have, so far, been successful. Three days is easy. I hope to be saying the same thing in three months.
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