Over the last couple days I had been feeling kinda blah and not quite myself. Today was different, thank God. I awoke with pep in my step and the bloated feeling I have had was gone. My clothes seemed more baggy than they had last time I wore them a week ago. So I decided to do an impromptu weigh in before work. I am so glad I did, as I reached a new milestone and am now in the 350's...358 to be exact!
My weight had always just kinda popped up on me. I didn't weigh often when I worked a warehouse job in my early 20s, but the physical work kept me at around 280 pounds. Yes, that was way overweight too, but it just didn't seem as dire. I remember weighing in for the heck of it at my works loading dock scale right before I moved from Indianapolis to Kentucky and seen I was at 300 pounds and just felt devastated. Flash forward 2 years later and I joined a small weight loss club with my mom as I knew my desk job had packed on a couple pounds over those two years. I will never forget my first weigh in not being able to get my weight recorded because the scale stopped at 350 and the special little weight that made it go up to 400 pounds couldn't be found. I was so embarrassed, depressed and mad at myself. Within 4 months I was down to the 330s and then just did one of my famous jumps from the weight loss wagon. A few years later I weighed at work and found myself in the 370s. All I could think about is how there is no way I can get to 400. So I dieted hard and then would slip....and then diet hard....and then slip, and basically hovered the 378 pound mark for years. Than my lowest point happened at my largest point. I weighed in at a staggering 412 pounds about 2 years ago. I was scared to be that weight. Unfortunately not scared enough to stick to a common sense weight loss plan. Over the last two years I have tried all the fad diets and lost several pounds, only to go back to eating large servings of crappy food and gain it back. Thankfully, that whole better late than never thing kicked in with me.
So here I am 5 weeks into my new life that I started with my family and a crew of friends on my weight loss support group. My reaction to 358 pounds is quite different than the first time I seen that number. I gave a cheesy fist bump and smiled ear to ear. There is a lot of road in front of me, I know this, but knowing that over the last few weeks I have busted through the 390s, 380s, 370s and now the 360s completely inspires me to keep up the fight and get this fat off of me for good. I know I can do this and not just temporarily.
Protein power, low carb, low fat, low calorie, vegetarian, vegan, shakes, cabbage soup, South Beach, Slim Fast, Adipex, Hydroxycut, and the 1,500,000 other weight loss products/books/plans/ideas can be great. Unfortunately, too many of us spend time and money looking for the magical solution that will make us lose weight fast and still let us eat those delicious, yet horrible for us, foods. I wish I could have back the money I have spend over the last 18 years of my adult life on the weight loss fads/pills/programs and put that money towards exercise equipment and running shoes. Hopefully someone reading this who is looking for that magical solution for weight loss will find it here: Eat lean meats, vegetables and fruits in moderation...drink a lot of water everyday...exercise each day, even if it is just walking...stop eating processed foods like crackers, chips, soda (even diet sodas), sugary snacks and fast food.
Some may say this is awful preachy and reminiscent for someone who still has over 100 pounds to lose. But this weight loss thing is very important to me. I want my friends and family to get healthy that are doing all the things I used to think would lead to weight loss that only were keeping me in a cycle of looking for something better. I also know that I am only a bad meal away from my old habits, which is why I post small proud moments like this on here so often now, because it reminds me of how far I've come and that I have done too good to turn back now.
Thanks for bearing with me on my reflecting about my weight climbing and my sermon of healthy eating and exercising. I love you all and hope you find the desire to make those necessary changes for a healthier you or that you keep doing what is working for you to reach that goal you want most.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
What's going on?
Today marks the second day that my get up and go seems have gone up and went. Yesterday I thought the reason my evening walk/jog became just a casual paced walk was my dinner. I had made a nice healthy dinner, but it was more carbs than usual with a sweet potato and corn on the cob. After tonight's walk though, I'm not so sure. I was even slower tonight and didn't hardly jog any at all. Dinner, which was 2 hours before my walk, was green beans and chicken breast so I know that wouldn't have made me sluggish. So now I wonder what the heck is going on.
Less than a week ago I was at my fastest/furthest jog/walk. I wanted to go as hard as my joints would allow. At my size it is hard to jog long distances, but I sucked it up and did it anyway. I am just not finding the desire to push myself these last couple days. Thankfully, Chloe and the other two are kicking butt every time we head to the track. So tomorrow I think I will ditch the walking track and head to the gym. I'm going to do some weights and then add a mile of treadmill. My hope is to conquer my anti-social shyness and ask someone to show me some weight exercises instead of me doing those weight machines that I am always scared I will topple over. Maybe tomorrow will be that day. Not trying to get all weight lifter huge, but I need to get some strength and build up what muscle I do have under all this flab.
I am very thankful to have my motivation still at an all time high. My eating habits are still strong...and I have ditched all diet sodas, even those with Splenda that I mentioned a few post ago. Maybe it is the last 3 days of drinking that crap after not having any for a month that has caused my sloth like slowness on the track. Maybe it's the frustration of thinking of how far I still have to go. Who knows what it is. Oh well, all I can do is keep on moving. After all, no matter how slow I may be now, I am faster than I was sitting on my couch.
Less than a week ago I was at my fastest/furthest jog/walk. I wanted to go as hard as my joints would allow. At my size it is hard to jog long distances, but I sucked it up and did it anyway. I am just not finding the desire to push myself these last couple days. Thankfully, Chloe and the other two are kicking butt every time we head to the track. So tomorrow I think I will ditch the walking track and head to the gym. I'm going to do some weights and then add a mile of treadmill. My hope is to conquer my anti-social shyness and ask someone to show me some weight exercises instead of me doing those weight machines that I am always scared I will topple over. Maybe tomorrow will be that day. Not trying to get all weight lifter huge, but I need to get some strength and build up what muscle I do have under all this flab.
I am very thankful to have my motivation still at an all time high. My eating habits are still strong...and I have ditched all diet sodas, even those with Splenda that I mentioned a few post ago. Maybe it is the last 3 days of drinking that crap after not having any for a month that has caused my sloth like slowness on the track. Maybe it's the frustration of thinking of how far I still have to go. Who knows what it is. Oh well, all I can do is keep on moving. After all, no matter how slow I may be now, I am faster than I was sitting on my couch.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Trivial Matter, Maximum Thoughts...
As I start this post at about 1:30am, during yet another bout of sleeplessness, I've got a restless mind tonight. The day (I am referring to yesterday...kind of confusing writing in the early hours of the next day about the previous day) started off great. I did my weight loss contest final weight in and confirmed my 27 pound/7.11% body weight loss. Then me and the kids met friends for lunch. I didn't want a salad and I didn't want to eat crappy either. So I opted for a turkey bacon avocado sandwich on rye with steamed broccoli on the side. Two things wrong with this order on my part, I forgot to say no mayo and I have pretty much quit eating bread. The bacon I wasn't worried about, as I don't eat much greasy meat and am almost always under my calories. I didn't beat myself up too bad over the mayo and bread, and my lunch totaled less than 600 calories, so no biggie.
Tonight however I found out something that I kind of wish I could forget. Let me back up for a second first though to recap...I have not had a diet soda in a month due to the use of Aspartame and the link that has been found between it and food cravings, compulsive eating that it may cause and countless other not so good side effects. Since quitting diet soda, and all pop, I have felt great and had no food cravings (except for one stress eating night a few weeks ago) and have not regretted quitting it. So now back to tonight and what I learned: A favorite diet soda of mine, Diet Cheerwine (only available in the south and the closest place that carries it is 20 minutes away from home), is made with Sucralose sweetener (Splenda) instead of Aspartame! This was big news for me since I use Splenda as my sweetener and have not had any of the reported issues that are associated with Aspartame, so I figured now I can have the occassional Diet Cheerwine as a change up beverage.
Now though, 4 hours removed from that bubbly stranger diet soda, I have this feeling of guilt and regret. Usually this is reserved for eating bad foods, but right now it is because of a drink. My gut feels bloated. I'm sure the infusion of caffeine is helping my sleeplessness. I also wish I had drank more water today because after my diet soda I didn't have another drop of water. I guess part of my fear is that my subconscious will associate diet soda with the crap foods I used to eat and start craving them again. Another fear is that this will lead me to drinking more than just 1 can every other day and lead to decreasing my water intake and slowly get me out of my good habits. Who knew a 12 oz can of 0 calorie soda could lead to anxiety and fear of relapsing to food past food addictions.The other side of that is this opens up a low calorie treat that I have missed since quitting Aspartame sodas. Looks like the nervous "what ifs" outweigh the "no big deal" when it comes to discovering a legal diet soda.
So with mixed feelings on a trivial matter, I think I will stay the course with water as my bff and leave the Diet Cheerwine as my bi-weekly treat. I don't think I can trust myself to having one a day or every other day. The old Mike is not gone yet, he is merely being trained on healthy living. I'd hate for him to cut class and fall off the wagon because of the sweet taste of diet pop. I figure I am the only person that can read so much into drinking a can of soda, so it's okay if you have that "are you kidding me" look on your face after reading this. Just had to vent about a 1:30 am thought that was on my mind and this blog is the only thing awake that would listen.
Tonight however I found out something that I kind of wish I could forget. Let me back up for a second first though to recap...I have not had a diet soda in a month due to the use of Aspartame and the link that has been found between it and food cravings, compulsive eating that it may cause and countless other not so good side effects. Since quitting diet soda, and all pop, I have felt great and had no food cravings (except for one stress eating night a few weeks ago) and have not regretted quitting it. So now back to tonight and what I learned: A favorite diet soda of mine, Diet Cheerwine (only available in the south and the closest place that carries it is 20 minutes away from home), is made with Sucralose sweetener (Splenda) instead of Aspartame! This was big news for me since I use Splenda as my sweetener and have not had any of the reported issues that are associated with Aspartame, so I figured now I can have the occassional Diet Cheerwine as a change up beverage.
Now though, 4 hours removed from that bubbly stranger diet soda, I have this feeling of guilt and regret. Usually this is reserved for eating bad foods, but right now it is because of a drink. My gut feels bloated. I'm sure the infusion of caffeine is helping my sleeplessness. I also wish I had drank more water today because after my diet soda I didn't have another drop of water. I guess part of my fear is that my subconscious will associate diet soda with the crap foods I used to eat and start craving them again. Another fear is that this will lead me to drinking more than just 1 can every other day and lead to decreasing my water intake and slowly get me out of my good habits. Who knew a 12 oz can of 0 calorie soda could lead to anxiety and fear of relapsing to food past food addictions.The other side of that is this opens up a low calorie treat that I have missed since quitting Aspartame sodas. Looks like the nervous "what ifs" outweigh the "no big deal" when it comes to discovering a legal diet soda.
So with mixed feelings on a trivial matter, I think I will stay the course with water as my bff and leave the Diet Cheerwine as my bi-weekly treat. I don't think I can trust myself to having one a day or every other day. The old Mike is not gone yet, he is merely being trained on healthy living. I'd hate for him to cut class and fall off the wagon because of the sweet taste of diet pop. I figure I am the only person that can read so much into drinking a can of soda, so it's okay if you have that "are you kidding me" look on your face after reading this. Just had to vent about a 1:30 am thought that was on my mind and this blog is the only thing awake that would listen.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
30 Days Later...
Yesterday was the 30th day of my family's pledge to healthier eating and exercising. This is the first time as a family we have committed to a new lifestyle. Usually we would adopt a diet, follow it for a few days or weeks and then fall off the wagon. I just wish that I would have committed to living a healthy new life years ago. Fortunately, we as a family are doing it now and loving every day of it!
At my heaviest last year I was around 413 pounds. Somehow though I was numb to my weight and just carried on as normal. But things were and are not normal. Being considered morbidly obese is not even close to normal. To get winded tying shoes or picking up dropped change is not normal. Eating three loaded plates at a buffet is not normal. Finishing off 10 hot wings, 6 slices of pizza and washing it down with a diet soda is not normal. Watching Food Network and salivating over the foods is not normal. Yes, I have been in my own world of denial off and on for many years. Thank God my head is clear and I still have time to fix things.
The reasons why I wanted and needed to lose weight have always been plentiful, yet never strong enough to keep me on course. My family medical history tells me that if I stay obese I face heart disease, cancer, hypertension and diabetes. Being a pallbearer at my Aunt's funeral years back found me wheezing and fighting for air, along with the reminder that at my weight there are no pallbearers if I die due to my casket would be way to heavy. In fact they actually use a small bulldozer and chains to move king size caskets. (Yes that is morbid, but it is also a fact). Our kids are 14 and 12 years old, and I have never been able to fit an amusement park ride with them or been confident enough to get in a pool at a water park with them. Then there is the anxiety of if I will fit in the booths or plastic chairs when we walk into a new restaurant. I could go on and on....but you get the point.
Thirty days ago all of these thoughts weighed on my mind, and chest pains in the middle of the night helped hammer them home. My 12 year old son didn't like weighing more than his mom. Chloe wanted to lose her weight before the best of her teenage years. My wife wanted to get healthy, as she never has had a weight problem, but she knows her choice in foods hasn't been good. I just want to live life normally and without restrictions that my gut has placed on me.
So after 30 days, here are the results:
Mike - 27 pounds lost and can walk over 2 miles at about 4 mph and even jog a bit and quit drinking pop
Chloe - 18 pounds lost and can now jog longer during 2 mile walks, almost cut out pop
Austin - 4 pounds lost and can run and walk longer than he ever has, almost cut out pop
Crystal - 2 pounds lost, has doubled her miles walked a day and quit drinking pop
I know I have a long way to go to hit my goal weight. I also know that changing our lifestyle from crappy habits to being healthy will get me to what I need to weigh. My life no longer revolves around the next meal I eat or the awesome deal on candy I find. Instead it revolves around my family and all the things I will one day be able to do with them and hopefully the added years I will have to spend with them.
At my heaviest last year I was around 413 pounds. Somehow though I was numb to my weight and just carried on as normal. But things were and are not normal. Being considered morbidly obese is not even close to normal. To get winded tying shoes or picking up dropped change is not normal. Eating three loaded plates at a buffet is not normal. Finishing off 10 hot wings, 6 slices of pizza and washing it down with a diet soda is not normal. Watching Food Network and salivating over the foods is not normal. Yes, I have been in my own world of denial off and on for many years. Thank God my head is clear and I still have time to fix things.
The reasons why I wanted and needed to lose weight have always been plentiful, yet never strong enough to keep me on course. My family medical history tells me that if I stay obese I face heart disease, cancer, hypertension and diabetes. Being a pallbearer at my Aunt's funeral years back found me wheezing and fighting for air, along with the reminder that at my weight there are no pallbearers if I die due to my casket would be way to heavy. In fact they actually use a small bulldozer and chains to move king size caskets. (Yes that is morbid, but it is also a fact). Our kids are 14 and 12 years old, and I have never been able to fit an amusement park ride with them or been confident enough to get in a pool at a water park with them. Then there is the anxiety of if I will fit in the booths or plastic chairs when we walk into a new restaurant. I could go on and on....but you get the point.
Thirty days ago all of these thoughts weighed on my mind, and chest pains in the middle of the night helped hammer them home. My 12 year old son didn't like weighing more than his mom. Chloe wanted to lose her weight before the best of her teenage years. My wife wanted to get healthy, as she never has had a weight problem, but she knows her choice in foods hasn't been good. I just want to live life normally and without restrictions that my gut has placed on me.
So after 30 days, here are the results:
Mike - 27 pounds lost and can walk over 2 miles at about 4 mph and even jog a bit and quit drinking pop
Chloe - 18 pounds lost and can now jog longer during 2 mile walks, almost cut out pop
Austin - 4 pounds lost and can run and walk longer than he ever has, almost cut out pop
Crystal - 2 pounds lost, has doubled her miles walked a day and quit drinking pop
I know I have a long way to go to hit my goal weight. I also know that changing our lifestyle from crappy habits to being healthy will get me to what I need to weigh. My life no longer revolves around the next meal I eat or the awesome deal on candy I find. Instead it revolves around my family and all the things I will one day be able to do with them and hopefully the added years I will have to spend with them.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Now where was I...
Whew, it has been a busy 11 days since my last post so I have been a slacker on posting here. I know that many of you reading this that have been following me probably assumed I had fell off the wagon again, and that would be understandable. BUT I DIDN'T, so keep reading...this is an upbeat post, lol.
Over the last week we have replaced gym/track exercising with cleaning out a shed and rearranging the house. So instead of a mile and a half walk with some weights, I am bending, lifting and pulling stuff at home. At least I'm moving and sweating. By Monday we should have our house in order and be back to doing the usual exercise routine.
Eating habits have remained great for the most part. I have not had pop of any sort, or anything with aspartame, since 6/24 and am finally good with just drinking water. I do use the flavor enhancers occasionally that are made with sucralose sweetener (Splenda) just to have something different. There was one particular night that I broke bad and had a mini food binge. A lot was on my mind and I let that lead me to food for comfort. Included in this 4 hour binge was a pack of Pop-Tarts (bought prior to my 6/24 fresh start) and about 800 other calories made up of bread (which I usually avoid) and other processed foods. Fortunately, the next morning I dissected the night before and recognized why I ate like a hog and have been all good since.
Let me mention Chloe, since this is Mike AND Chloe Lose It. Chloe has been doing great, but did have a week off eating wise. She was a volunteer at church camp a county away from us. Her chores mainly revolved around helping the women in the kitchen at meal times. She had great exercise from all the walking and constant moving things around and taking out garbage. Unfortunately, Summer camps are not known for low fat and lower carb foods. She did have watermelon and salad, but she also enjoyed chicken tenders, pizza, ice cream and candy bars, along with regular pop. What the heck, she's still a kid, so I'm glad she had fun and didn't get tore up over eating not so well. After all, the camp would not have been able to fix her the healthier options that we have at home, so she didn't have much choice.
So now Chloe is back home and we are all finishing up the house deep clean and rearrangement this weekend. Come Wednesday it will be one month since our fresh start. I will post here a new pic (I plan on taking a pic of us every month to see the changes) and my updated weight loss numbers. Don't forget, we have a weight loss friends group on Facebook called "We're all losing it". If you'd like to be a member, let me know and we'd be glad to add you. No obligation to post anything, but it is a friendly group with the same goal of losing weight and being healthy that offer motivation and support.
Over the last week we have replaced gym/track exercising with cleaning out a shed and rearranging the house. So instead of a mile and a half walk with some weights, I am bending, lifting and pulling stuff at home. At least I'm moving and sweating. By Monday we should have our house in order and be back to doing the usual exercise routine.
Eating habits have remained great for the most part. I have not had pop of any sort, or anything with aspartame, since 6/24 and am finally good with just drinking water. I do use the flavor enhancers occasionally that are made with sucralose sweetener (Splenda) just to have something different. There was one particular night that I broke bad and had a mini food binge. A lot was on my mind and I let that lead me to food for comfort. Included in this 4 hour binge was a pack of Pop-Tarts (bought prior to my 6/24 fresh start) and about 800 other calories made up of bread (which I usually avoid) and other processed foods. Fortunately, the next morning I dissected the night before and recognized why I ate like a hog and have been all good since.
Let me mention Chloe, since this is Mike AND Chloe Lose It. Chloe has been doing great, but did have a week off eating wise. She was a volunteer at church camp a county away from us. Her chores mainly revolved around helping the women in the kitchen at meal times. She had great exercise from all the walking and constant moving things around and taking out garbage. Unfortunately, Summer camps are not known for low fat and lower carb foods. She did have watermelon and salad, but she also enjoyed chicken tenders, pizza, ice cream and candy bars, along with regular pop. What the heck, she's still a kid, so I'm glad she had fun and didn't get tore up over eating not so well. After all, the camp would not have been able to fix her the healthier options that we have at home, so she didn't have much choice.
So now Chloe is back home and we are all finishing up the house deep clean and rearrangement this weekend. Come Wednesday it will be one month since our fresh start. I will post here a new pic (I plan on taking a pic of us every month to see the changes) and my updated weight loss numbers. Don't forget, we have a weight loss friends group on Facebook called "We're all losing it". If you'd like to be a member, let me know and we'd be glad to add you. No obligation to post anything, but it is a friendly group with the same goal of losing weight and being healthy that offer motivation and support.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
A Truly Happy Birthday
Today is my 36th birthday. I never get too excited over birthdays and never really celebrate mine. Today was no different in that sense, but it hit me tonight just how special it is. This birthday is the first one I have had while living a healthy lifestyle. That is something celebration worthy. Just check out the alternative birthday cake that my awesome kids made for me (yes, that is an apple with grapes) for further proof that this one is a special birthday.
Every previous birthday has involved a big meal out somewhere. After devouring probably 1600 calories, I would come home to a couple pieces of cake or giant cookie and ice cream. Than I would think about all the things I wanted to do that particular year in my life. It never failed that losing weight was always tops on my list of to do items.
How crazy is that?! No wonder I have never succeeded at long term weight loss. I started every year with a binge eating day. But hey, that's what you are supposed to do on birthdays...only it doesn't have to be. There is so much more to a birthday.
At least three people mentioned birthday cake or asked my dinner plans while I was at work. To be honest, I never even considered having either one today. Instead I took some time today to think about how special this day is and how great this year will be. Starting my 36th year in the midst of a 20 pound weight loss in the last 15 days is a perfect beginning. My kids and wife are right there with me eating healthy and exercising. We have a new lifestyle, not just a diet, that will benefit my whole family. By next year I could be at or near my goal weight and my risks for all the hereditary diseases in my family will be reduced greatly. No cake or entree can come close to those things.
For the first time in a long time, I feel like I am living again. So many years I just went through the motions of life. Work, eat, sleep, tend to kids, tend to my mom and sometimes tend to myself. Now I am actually doing the right things to take care of me and help me out. Having the family doing the same thing as me takes away any guilt I think I used to feel when I would just focus on me.
There are still some emotional issues that I think lead me to some of my food addiction I am working through understanding, As I approach my late 30s I am thankful to finally recognize these things so that I can leave them in the past. Another positive sign that this will be the best year yet health wise.
That is why today is a truly happy birthday...even without wings 'n fries, marble cake and french vanilla ice cream!
Mike
Every previous birthday has involved a big meal out somewhere. After devouring probably 1600 calories, I would come home to a couple pieces of cake or giant cookie and ice cream. Than I would think about all the things I wanted to do that particular year in my life. It never failed that losing weight was always tops on my list of to do items.
How crazy is that?! No wonder I have never succeeded at long term weight loss. I started every year with a binge eating day. But hey, that's what you are supposed to do on birthdays...only it doesn't have to be. There is so much more to a birthday.
At least three people mentioned birthday cake or asked my dinner plans while I was at work. To be honest, I never even considered having either one today. Instead I took some time today to think about how special this day is and how great this year will be. Starting my 36th year in the midst of a 20 pound weight loss in the last 15 days is a perfect beginning. My kids and wife are right there with me eating healthy and exercising. We have a new lifestyle, not just a diet, that will benefit my whole family. By next year I could be at or near my goal weight and my risks for all the hereditary diseases in my family will be reduced greatly. No cake or entree can come close to those things.
For the first time in a long time, I feel like I am living again. So many years I just went through the motions of life. Work, eat, sleep, tend to kids, tend to my mom and sometimes tend to myself. Now I am actually doing the right things to take care of me and help me out. Having the family doing the same thing as me takes away any guilt I think I used to feel when I would just focus on me.
There are still some emotional issues that I think lead me to some of my food addiction I am working through understanding, As I approach my late 30s I am thankful to finally recognize these things so that I can leave them in the past. Another positive sign that this will be the best year yet health wise.
That is why today is a truly happy birthday...even without wings 'n fries, marble cake and french vanilla ice cream!
Mike
Monday, July 8, 2013
Two Weeks of Freshness
Two weeks ago yesterday, my family and I proclaimed a fresh start to living healthy. This was probably the 1000th fresh start I have had since I was a dieting 4 year old. It seems different this time though. I have put all the little helpful tidbits I have known for all my years of trying to lose weight and added them to new things. This fresh start has been something special, I can feel it and see it.
The education of food has been with me for ages...I just chose to make excuses not to follow it. I know low fat means higher carb and low carb means higher fat. I know fried is bad and grilled is good. I know what calories I need and can judge how many are in most foods. More importantly now though, I know the difference between processed crap foods and clean foods. Also, I now realize as long as I am eating the right foods, I don't have to waste my time worrying about carbs, fat grams or, to a point, calories.
I've heard "eat less, move more" for ages...I just didn't pay attention to the move more part, and as stated above, I disregarded eat less. I bought the workout clothes. My cabinet has housed tons of vhs and dvd workouts. No episode of weigh loss reality shows go unwatched. I joined a gym multiple times, but would walk a treadmill a few times and quit. I could dress, shop and talk like I exercised, but I didn't exercise. Now, everyday we are either at a track or gym getting our long walk in. I have also came to terms that I will not be able to go hardcore on working out until physical limitations my size has me under are lifted. One day though, my 1.5 mile walks will be a few mile jogs mixed with weights. I know this now to be true for my future.
The above knowledge mixed with this blog, our weight loss group on Facebook and the fact the entire family is in this together makes this fresh start special and still fresh. As of Sunday 7/7/13 I weight 18 pounds less than I did 6/24/13. This is all thanks to following the common sense I had previously ignored. I drink lots of water, I eat regular portions of real food and I make myself sweat and exercise each day. No secret pills and no starvation, just doing what I should have been doing for decades. Better late than never.
I am early in this journey, but one day I will look at these posts and will hope that my journey (and that of my whole family) may inspire others to make their changes for a better life too.
Til next time,
Mike
The education of food has been with me for ages...I just chose to make excuses not to follow it. I know low fat means higher carb and low carb means higher fat. I know fried is bad and grilled is good. I know what calories I need and can judge how many are in most foods. More importantly now though, I know the difference between processed crap foods and clean foods. Also, I now realize as long as I am eating the right foods, I don't have to waste my time worrying about carbs, fat grams or, to a point, calories.
I've heard "eat less, move more" for ages...I just didn't pay attention to the move more part, and as stated above, I disregarded eat less. I bought the workout clothes. My cabinet has housed tons of vhs and dvd workouts. No episode of weigh loss reality shows go unwatched. I joined a gym multiple times, but would walk a treadmill a few times and quit. I could dress, shop and talk like I exercised, but I didn't exercise. Now, everyday we are either at a track or gym getting our long walk in. I have also came to terms that I will not be able to go hardcore on working out until physical limitations my size has me under are lifted. One day though, my 1.5 mile walks will be a few mile jogs mixed with weights. I know this now to be true for my future.
The above knowledge mixed with this blog, our weight loss group on Facebook and the fact the entire family is in this together makes this fresh start special and still fresh. As of Sunday 7/7/13 I weight 18 pounds less than I did 6/24/13. This is all thanks to following the common sense I had previously ignored. I drink lots of water, I eat regular portions of real food and I make myself sweat and exercise each day. No secret pills and no starvation, just doing what I should have been doing for decades. Better late than never.
I am early in this journey, but one day I will look at these posts and will hope that my journey (and that of my whole family) may inspire others to make their changes for a better life too.
Til next time,
Mike
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Happy 4th of July!
Better late than never as I start this post at 11:22pm. The holiday that used to revolve around food, revolved around family instead this year. Gone was the cake, greasy meat and high carb side dishes. This year the new lifestyle was easy to spot.
Rain took out the option of grilling. This kinda worried me as mom brought up frying burgers or getting fried chicken as options for today. After I made it clear we would not eat bad today, mom was back on board...though we could tell she missed the old foods. As we arrived at moms we were presented with much healthier food. Boiled chicken tenders that were browned after cooking with no oil, homemade cole slaw with miracle whip not mayo, corn on the cob, watermelon and sugar free chocolate mousse. Total calories for the whole day for me was 1100!
So proud of my family for ditching the sweets and fatty food tradition. We didn't even miss the old stuff as we spent the afternoon playing games and focusing on stuff at home. It finally feels like we are focusing more on living and less on eating.
There is a phrase I heard years back "eat to live, don't live to eat". Not sure who said it, but for the first time, maybe ever, we are doing this. Counting this day as a non-scale victory as food was not our focus on this great holiday.
Mike
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