Monday seems like a good day for regular blog entries, so we'll aim for that going forward, as I said before, ideally weekly, but bi-weekly at the least.
Welcome to 2012 everyone, a new beginning to the rest of our lives. A chance as we say goodbye to the old year to say hello to new habits and a new outlook.
And for me, a special milestone last Thursday, my 40th birthday. Celebrated in fine style with my beautiful wife.
You can't ever move forward unless you know where you have been, and you can't measure your changes unless you know where you are now. So, some key points for where I am now.
Current Weight : 261.4 (made it through new years and my birthday with a 3lb loss, not bad, now time to really go)
Current BMI: 35.4 (Obese Class II)
Waist Circumference : 45in (40inches is the point at which heart and diabetes risk increases)
5K Personal Best : 43:03.9
# of pushups before exhaustion = 18 (ugh, wow that's low)
Turning 40
I've been asked a few times in the last few days if turning 40 has bothered me, if I feel older. The simple answer is no. But there is a more complex one.
Turning 40 has been difficult for one reason, from a standpoint of health very little has changed for me in the past decade. Make no mistake, overall my life is VASTLY superior to where it was 10 years ago. Family, job, happiness, all dramatically better. But the one thing, the health of this now 40 yr old body, that hasn't changed. I've gotten older, but I've missed so many opportunities to get fitter.
So rather than languish on that shortcoming, I need to use it to power me into the next 40 years. I don't want to waste 10 years, 10 weeks, 10 days or 10 minutes in my drive to a healthier 41 year old me. I don't like feeling this way, and it is in my power to stop.
They say you are only as old as you feel, well I can't wait to find out how much younger I feel as the weight comes off and the energy goes up!
I have to give a couple of shout outs here, first thanks to @bl11courtney for the retweet recently, great to have some many new people on board with me!
Second, to my friend NS, congratulations on your 30lb weight loss. Your success is inspirational!
Hang in there everyone, keep at your plan, keep looking at your goals, keep yourselves and others motivated for change, and lets all change together!
@fatfitman
Showing posts with label self motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self motivation. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Half measures have availed us nothing
One year ago today I noticed my weight had jumped up to a startling 272.4lbs
I set out two simple goals;
A) lose 53lbs, putting me below 220.
B) run a 5k race
Well, looking back, how did I do? Not great. Today I weigh 264.4 lbs, so in one year I lost only 8 lbs. I participated in a 5k race, but by no means did I run it.
What happened to my year? I could list some excuses easily, injury, kids, time constraints.
But they are excuses. What's the real truth?
Half measures avail us nothing
That's the cold hard truth. I'm not trying to lose 10lbs to fit into a smaller pair of jeans. I'm trying to reverse years of neglect on my body. And I spent a year doing it half-assed.
Honest appraisal, I have more than 60lbs to lose. That's not to look better, that's simply to be healthy. Say what you want about BMI, but I need to lose 40lbs to not be classified as obese!
These are big numbers, these aren't "I'm going to cut down on my pasta" numbers, these are my life needs an overhaul numbers.
I would eat right, then not
I would log my food, sometimes
I would workout, when I felt like it
Half measures avail us nothing
This cannot continue. I cannot simply do the few easy things and expect a true change. I cannot simply hope things will get better while eating a cheeseburger. I cannot become more fit by averaging one workout a week.
So lets turn it around. Let's fix it. Now.
Goals for 2012
Goal #1: Get below 205 lbs. Once I am at that weight I'll take an appraisal of what a reasonable goal weight should be for me
Goal #2: RUN a 5k. Not walk, not half and half. Run. The whole way. This one might be harder than the weight loss.
Half measures avail us nothing
I'm not going to get there without changing how I do things. I can't occasionally log my food. I can't occasionally workout, and I can't occasionally blog about it.
Logging food is how I hold myself accountable for my choices, it has to be a daily thing.
Working out is good for my waistline, my heart, and for easing stress, 6 times a week is not unreasonable.
Blogging is my accountability to friends and family, my way of sharing my struggle, and hoping others are motivated to join me. I need to aim for weekly, but at least every 2 weeks I need to be in here, good or bad.
When I achieved successes during 2011 I did the above. When I stumbled in 2011 I did them occasionally.
Half measures avail us nothing.
No half measures for 2012. This is my year, this is my 40th year, this is the year I meet the fitman again.
@fatfitman
I set out two simple goals;
A) lose 53lbs, putting me below 220.
B) run a 5k race
Well, looking back, how did I do? Not great. Today I weigh 264.4 lbs, so in one year I lost only 8 lbs. I participated in a 5k race, but by no means did I run it.
What happened to my year? I could list some excuses easily, injury, kids, time constraints.
But they are excuses. What's the real truth?
Half measures avail us nothing
That's the cold hard truth. I'm not trying to lose 10lbs to fit into a smaller pair of jeans. I'm trying to reverse years of neglect on my body. And I spent a year doing it half-assed.
Honest appraisal, I have more than 60lbs to lose. That's not to look better, that's simply to be healthy. Say what you want about BMI, but I need to lose 40lbs to not be classified as obese!
These are big numbers, these aren't "I'm going to cut down on my pasta" numbers, these are my life needs an overhaul numbers.
I would eat right, then not
I would log my food, sometimes
I would workout, when I felt like it
Half measures avail us nothing
This cannot continue. I cannot simply do the few easy things and expect a true change. I cannot simply hope things will get better while eating a cheeseburger. I cannot become more fit by averaging one workout a week.
So lets turn it around. Let's fix it. Now.
Goals for 2012
Goal #1: Get below 205 lbs. Once I am at that weight I'll take an appraisal of what a reasonable goal weight should be for me
Goal #2: RUN a 5k. Not walk, not half and half. Run. The whole way. This one might be harder than the weight loss.
Half measures avail us nothing
I'm not going to get there without changing how I do things. I can't occasionally log my food. I can't occasionally workout, and I can't occasionally blog about it.
Logging food is how I hold myself accountable for my choices, it has to be a daily thing.
Working out is good for my waistline, my heart, and for easing stress, 6 times a week is not unreasonable.
Blogging is my accountability to friends and family, my way of sharing my struggle, and hoping others are motivated to join me. I need to aim for weekly, but at least every 2 weeks I need to be in here, good or bad.
When I achieved successes during 2011 I did the above. When I stumbled in 2011 I did them occasionally.
Half measures avail us nothing.
No half measures for 2012. This is my year, this is my 40th year, this is the year I meet the fitman again.
@fatfitman
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Challenges Challenges
What a frustrating week.
My exercise is up, my calorie intake is down, my diet is balanced. My wife is working out with me and as motivated as I am.
Sounds good right?
My weight is the same, my back is so sore I can't run, I'm basically not moving and it's driving me nuts!
I know, I know, stick with it, it's a bump, a bounce, a plateau. I get it. Just frustrating. I hate not seeing results on the scale, so I have to look for them elsewhere.
I found them...The other day doing my P90X routine I was able to do some of the ab workouts that had stymied me before. It's a small thing, but it points to changes in my body, in my core strength. My abdomen is measurably smaller than it was a few months ago. Both good indicators it's working.
But the best news was during a doctor's visit. My blood pressure has come down. Substantially actually. That was VERY encouraging.
We can get so focused on a goal, especially with weight loss, that when the goal is elusive we miss all the things that are also changing for the better. If I was strictly looking at the scale I would be pretty depressed and angry about this week. but I'm not. I'm not jumping for joy either, but I am revelling in the small things this week as I fight through this little weight burp.
It's a challenging journey, and that's ok. It's good to push ourselves, it's good to set lofty goals. And it's also good to appreciate achievements outside those goals, to keep motivation and fire burning inside as we go through some of the hard parts.
Speaking of challenges. On the weekend we had a family party. My cousin is leaving for Scotland, and her mother, my aunt, turned 50.
My Aunt has always enjoyed athletic pursuits, tennis, golf, softball. She was a natural athlete when she was younger, and continues to be even now. When I was a kid, I looked up to her for her athleticism. I went to her softball games at night, loved watching this little spark plug play. She was a very positive role model.
I know she reads this blog, and has enjoyed my writings. So, here is my shoutout to her, and my challenge. In this your 50th year, pick a goal for yourself, tell us what it is, stick to it for the year, enter year 51 better than you entered year 50. turn that competitive fire and energy you have into something hugely positive for you. Whatever it is, health, fitness level, improving your golf handicap, volunteering at something. But pick something, use the 25 year olds energy you have to accomplish something at 50 you can look back at and be proud of, continue being that great role model for your daughters, your nephews and nieces, and add to it being a role model for living young at an age when so many people say it's too late to change.
Good luck
@fatfitman
My exercise is up, my calorie intake is down, my diet is balanced. My wife is working out with me and as motivated as I am.
Sounds good right?
My weight is the same, my back is so sore I can't run, I'm basically not moving and it's driving me nuts!
I know, I know, stick with it, it's a bump, a bounce, a plateau. I get it. Just frustrating. I hate not seeing results on the scale, so I have to look for them elsewhere.
I found them...The other day doing my P90X routine I was able to do some of the ab workouts that had stymied me before. It's a small thing, but it points to changes in my body, in my core strength. My abdomen is measurably smaller than it was a few months ago. Both good indicators it's working.
But the best news was during a doctor's visit. My blood pressure has come down. Substantially actually. That was VERY encouraging.
We can get so focused on a goal, especially with weight loss, that when the goal is elusive we miss all the things that are also changing for the better. If I was strictly looking at the scale I would be pretty depressed and angry about this week. but I'm not. I'm not jumping for joy either, but I am revelling in the small things this week as I fight through this little weight burp.
It's a challenging journey, and that's ok. It's good to push ourselves, it's good to set lofty goals. And it's also good to appreciate achievements outside those goals, to keep motivation and fire burning inside as we go through some of the hard parts.
Speaking of challenges. On the weekend we had a family party. My cousin is leaving for Scotland, and her mother, my aunt, turned 50.
My Aunt has always enjoyed athletic pursuits, tennis, golf, softball. She was a natural athlete when she was younger, and continues to be even now. When I was a kid, I looked up to her for her athleticism. I went to her softball games at night, loved watching this little spark plug play. She was a very positive role model.
I know she reads this blog, and has enjoyed my writings. So, here is my shoutout to her, and my challenge. In this your 50th year, pick a goal for yourself, tell us what it is, stick to it for the year, enter year 51 better than you entered year 50. turn that competitive fire and energy you have into something hugely positive for you. Whatever it is, health, fitness level, improving your golf handicap, volunteering at something. But pick something, use the 25 year olds energy you have to accomplish something at 50 you can look back at and be proud of, continue being that great role model for your daughters, your nephews and nieces, and add to it being a role model for living young at an age when so many people say it's too late to change.
Good luck
@fatfitman
Friday, April 22, 2011
Motivation in 140 Characters or less, thanks @BL11Austin
Journeys of change are hard. Ask anyone who is on one or try one yourself and you'll see. If you know someone who has quit smoking, lost weight, kicked a bad habit, gone back to school, well, then you know someone who has challenged themselves and come out better for it. But take a second to appreciate just how hard a trip it was.
It's never an easy trip, and there are lots of pitfalls along the way. Lots of reasons to just go back to what is comfortable. Lot's of reasons to simply live in the now instead of being focused on your future.
And sometimes we need a little help, and sometimes it comes from surprising sources.
Earlier this week I posted a blog quoting Austin from The Biggest Loser. When I sent out a tweet tagging Austin I immediately got a response from him encouraging me. But that's not where the story ends.
The next day was hard, really hard. I didn't want to work out. I wanted to eat about half a tub of ice cream and just feel better for a minute. Then I took a quick look at my blog, I noticed that my last entry had 10X the amount of traffic I normally get. But I didn't know from where. I logged into twitter and discovered to my great joy that Austin had tweeted a link to my blog to his followers, and all these eyes had come over to read my story.
All these people, many in the same boat as me, reading about my struggles, my achievements, my journey.
And a funny thing happened. My motivation went through the roof. My next entry couldn't be about a failure. I couldn't let myself down and have to share that with everyone.
Austin, this young 20-something from California had, in under 140 characters, got me off a couch and out the door for a run. The ice cream forgotten, a healthy snack in its place. My journey uninterrupted. The struggles of the last 6 weeks erased, I wake up this morning back to 258.6, those extra pounds shed and me ready to continue.
I know weight loss, and any self-help goal has to be motivated by your own desire to change, it has to be a little bit selfish. But sometimes we all need some help. Sometimes it's a friend with a kind word. Sometimes its a family member with nothing more than a look. Sometimes it's a quote, an image, a TV show that gets us moving.
And sometimes its a stranger, a young man, tweeting from California, who gets us going again.
Thanks Austin, I needed that.
Fatfitman
It's never an easy trip, and there are lots of pitfalls along the way. Lots of reasons to just go back to what is comfortable. Lot's of reasons to simply live in the now instead of being focused on your future.
And sometimes we need a little help, and sometimes it comes from surprising sources.
Earlier this week I posted a blog quoting Austin from The Biggest Loser. When I sent out a tweet tagging Austin I immediately got a response from him encouraging me. But that's not where the story ends.
The next day was hard, really hard. I didn't want to work out. I wanted to eat about half a tub of ice cream and just feel better for a minute. Then I took a quick look at my blog, I noticed that my last entry had 10X the amount of traffic I normally get. But I didn't know from where. I logged into twitter and discovered to my great joy that Austin had tweeted a link to my blog to his followers, and all these eyes had come over to read my story.
All these people, many in the same boat as me, reading about my struggles, my achievements, my journey.
And a funny thing happened. My motivation went through the roof. My next entry couldn't be about a failure. I couldn't let myself down and have to share that with everyone.
Austin, this young 20-something from California had, in under 140 characters, got me off a couch and out the door for a run. The ice cream forgotten, a healthy snack in its place. My journey uninterrupted. The struggles of the last 6 weeks erased, I wake up this morning back to 258.6, those extra pounds shed and me ready to continue.
I know weight loss, and any self-help goal has to be motivated by your own desire to change, it has to be a little bit selfish. But sometimes we all need some help. Sometimes it's a friend with a kind word. Sometimes its a family member with nothing more than a look. Sometimes it's a quote, an image, a TV show that gets us moving.
And sometimes its a stranger, a young man, tweeting from California, who gets us going again.
Thanks Austin, I needed that.
Fatfitman
Monday, April 18, 2011
Checking back in
So 11 days ago I vowed to start working on that 5k run.
I'm happy to say I've been sticking with the Couch to 5K training plan so far. Yesterday I completed run #2 of the second training week. 5 min warmup then 90 seconds of running followed by 2 minutes of walking for 6 cycles (21 minutes) then another 5 min cooldown.
I'm also proud to say that my DW (darling wife) has taken up running with renewed passion. I say renewed because back before I met her she was an avid runner, 10Ks, half-marathons etc. But after she finished law school she stopped. Well, she seems to have the bug again and looks forward to her training days far more than I do!
It felt good to have some success again, its been a solid 6 weeks it seems of going backwards. Sometimes the early success we have can make us complacent. I know it worked that way for me. I stopped logging food, I stopped working out with the same regularity. I lost that first 10lbs easy. I should have known it would get tougher, I should have known it was the discipline I was showing that was leading to my success.
I want to thank @bl11austin for a tweet on Apr 16th. He quoted Jim Rohn "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment"
Don't ever forget that my friends. Goals are great, goals can drive us, goals make us reach for more. But discipline is required to achieve them. Without discipline goals are just empty promises to ourselves.
I'm happy to say I've been sticking with the Couch to 5K training plan so far. Yesterday I completed run #2 of the second training week. 5 min warmup then 90 seconds of running followed by 2 minutes of walking for 6 cycles (21 minutes) then another 5 min cooldown.
I'm also proud to say that my DW (darling wife) has taken up running with renewed passion. I say renewed because back before I met her she was an avid runner, 10Ks, half-marathons etc. But after she finished law school she stopped. Well, she seems to have the bug again and looks forward to her training days far more than I do!
It felt good to have some success again, its been a solid 6 weeks it seems of going backwards. Sometimes the early success we have can make us complacent. I know it worked that way for me. I stopped logging food, I stopped working out with the same regularity. I lost that first 10lbs easy. I should have known it would get tougher, I should have known it was the discipline I was showing that was leading to my success.
I want to thank @bl11austin for a tweet on Apr 16th. He quoted Jim Rohn "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment"
Don't ever forget that my friends. Goals are great, goals can drive us, goals make us reach for more. But discipline is required to achieve them. Without discipline goals are just empty promises to ourselves.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Don't go backwards
A very good friend of mine (JL) said something once I have always loved. "Let the bridges I burn light my way" Though he wasn't exactly making the point I am, the sentiment is the same. Don't go back the way you came, don't even allow yourself the option. Always move forward and create situations where moving forward is the only choice.
I mentioned in my last blog I needed to change my workouts because of an injury (which by the way I will be seeing a specialist about in July). So since one of my goals this year is to run in a 5K race, I figured i would start my training for that.
but how do I get myself out and doing it? Well, the easiest way to stop saying "I'll start tomorrow" was to force myself into a situation where tomorrow wasn't an option. I registered for the 5K race that is held in concert with the Mississauga Marathon. The 5K is held May14th. That's a mere 5 1/2 weeks away. That leaves me about the bare minimum amount of time to go from couch potato to struggling runner. I do not expect to be able to run the course by then, but I do expect to be able to run most of it. If you want to see a handy program for going from couch to run click here.
So last night was my first crack at the distance, finished in 43:59. Mostly a brisk walk, but for the first 20 minutes I alternated running and walking as per the program above. My neighbourhood is very quiet, beautiful and a little spooky in the dark I discovered.
The main thing is i know have a goal, an immediate one, one I can't ignore and delay and say I have lots of time for. I've committed to this run, I've left myself no option to slack off in the training. For the next 6 weeks it's all about getting ready for that day. Moving forward, one step at a time. I have my plan, my route is laid out, all I have to do is execute it.
I'll keep you up to date on the progress. What's your goal, and what are you doing to get yourself there?
I mentioned in my last blog I needed to change my workouts because of an injury (which by the way I will be seeing a specialist about in July). So since one of my goals this year is to run in a 5K race, I figured i would start my training for that.
but how do I get myself out and doing it? Well, the easiest way to stop saying "I'll start tomorrow" was to force myself into a situation where tomorrow wasn't an option. I registered for the 5K race that is held in concert with the Mississauga Marathon. The 5K is held May14th. That's a mere 5 1/2 weeks away. That leaves me about the bare minimum amount of time to go from couch potato to struggling runner. I do not expect to be able to run the course by then, but I do expect to be able to run most of it. If you want to see a handy program for going from couch to run click here.
So last night was my first crack at the distance, finished in 43:59. Mostly a brisk walk, but for the first 20 minutes I alternated running and walking as per the program above. My neighbourhood is very quiet, beautiful and a little spooky in the dark I discovered.
The main thing is i know have a goal, an immediate one, one I can't ignore and delay and say I have lots of time for. I've committed to this run, I've left myself no option to slack off in the training. For the next 6 weeks it's all about getting ready for that day. Moving forward, one step at a time. I have my plan, my route is laid out, all I have to do is execute it.
I'll keep you up to date on the progress. What's your goal, and what are you doing to get yourself there?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Nothing happens in a straight line
I'm just back from 2 weeks on the road. The first week was for business in Cleveland. More on that later. The second trip was 10 days in Florida with my family. To save on airfare we drove down.
In a straight line it is 1184 miles from Toronto to Fort Myers, FL. By car it is 1520 miles. 340 miles, 20% of the trip is zig zagging your way down the highways, 340 extra miles because it's not a straight line drive. We have to go around obstacles like hills, lakes, valleys.
Weight loss is similar. I'm not just going to go and drop 50 straight pounds...I wish. I'm going to have good days and bad, good weeks and bad. I'll get to my goal, but I'll have travelled a lot further than 50lbs to get there.
On January 30th I announced I had lost that first 10lbs. well, a few weeks on the road has proved to be a detour. I now weigh 263.8.
I could get all depressed here, and quit the process. I could say, well, it's bad, so I'll start tomorrow and have a nice grilled cheese and bacon sandwich for lunch. but just like driving to Florida, i want to get there. I don't want any more detours than I have to make. So the bodymedia armband is back on, I have an exercise date with my wife tonight, and we start pushing deeper into the process.
Some people have been asking me how I managed on the road with food and exercise. Well, it is HARD!!! Driving along seeing nothing but McDonald's, Cracker barrel, KFC...All poor choices. Subway was my salvation. Turkey subs, light or no mayo, lots of veggies, water to drink. healthy snacks in the car, made before we set out by my wife. Planning a little, waiting until we saw a Subway saved untold calories.
During the business trip it was even worse. At least in Florida we were staying at my parents house allowing us to cook. While in Cleveland I had to really watch what happens in the restaurants. Salad appetizers, dressings on the side, choosing small beef dishes (careful with chicken, many restaurants saute, or sometimes even presoak the chicken in butter!), went out for fish one night.
I was less successful with the exercise, in Cleveland I should have done much more, in Florida lots of walking.
All in all 2lbs or so gained after 17days on the road is not terrible. It's a detour. I didn't go too far out of my way, and I am ready for the next leg of the journey. I have to push hard these next few miles to make up some lost time, but overall...I'm still on course. How about you? Still on that good track?
In a straight line it is 1184 miles from Toronto to Fort Myers, FL. By car it is 1520 miles. 340 miles, 20% of the trip is zig zagging your way down the highways, 340 extra miles because it's not a straight line drive. We have to go around obstacles like hills, lakes, valleys.
Weight loss is similar. I'm not just going to go and drop 50 straight pounds...I wish. I'm going to have good days and bad, good weeks and bad. I'll get to my goal, but I'll have travelled a lot further than 50lbs to get there.
On January 30th I announced I had lost that first 10lbs. well, a few weeks on the road has proved to be a detour. I now weigh 263.8.
I could get all depressed here, and quit the process. I could say, well, it's bad, so I'll start tomorrow and have a nice grilled cheese and bacon sandwich for lunch. but just like driving to Florida, i want to get there. I don't want any more detours than I have to make. So the bodymedia armband is back on, I have an exercise date with my wife tonight, and we start pushing deeper into the process.
Some people have been asking me how I managed on the road with food and exercise. Well, it is HARD!!! Driving along seeing nothing but McDonald's, Cracker barrel, KFC...All poor choices. Subway was my salvation. Turkey subs, light or no mayo, lots of veggies, water to drink. healthy snacks in the car, made before we set out by my wife. Planning a little, waiting until we saw a Subway saved untold calories.
During the business trip it was even worse. At least in Florida we were staying at my parents house allowing us to cook. While in Cleveland I had to really watch what happens in the restaurants. Salad appetizers, dressings on the side, choosing small beef dishes (careful with chicken, many restaurants saute, or sometimes even presoak the chicken in butter!), went out for fish one night.
I was less successful with the exercise, in Cleveland I should have done much more, in Florida lots of walking.
All in all 2lbs or so gained after 17days on the road is not terrible. It's a detour. I didn't go too far out of my way, and I am ready for the next leg of the journey. I have to push hard these next few miles to make up some lost time, but overall...I'm still on course. How about you? Still on that good track?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
How do you fit it in?
Family. Religion. Friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business. - Montgomery Burns
He could just as easily have been talking about fitness it seems. Probably the number thing I am hearing from friends and family is where do you find the time to work out every day? I won't lie to you, it's tough. Two toddlers, a career, new house. It's a challenge when it's 9pm, all I want to do is sit down on the couch with my wife and watch TV.
But everyone does that, and the latest data shows we're all getting progressively bigger and more out of shape. And I've always done that, sat in front of the TV. And I've gotten progressively bigger and more out of shape. My favourite definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. How can I expect to get healthier, how can I expect to achieve my goals if I just sit here.
So last night my DW (darling wife) and I went downstairs after the kids were in bed and worked out together. I have to give her special credit here, last night was a resistance workout, she is not a fan of these, but she stuck to it and worked hard. She's also promised to join me tonight for the Yoga DVD. I always look so awkward compared to her doing Yoga, but I'll be doing it nonetheless.
When you have a goal, a dream, a journey, never forget you can't get there by standing still. You can't rise above the masses by simply doing what everyone else is doing. You have to put in that extra effort. you have to do the things others are not. You have to find it within yourself to stand up, get away from the couch, away from the TV, away from your comfort zone and start putting in the work to get to your goal. Unlike what Monty Burns said at the start of this blog you do not have to sacrifice those around you, you can find ways to make them part of it. I challenge all of my readers to do something tonight that moves you a step closer to your goal. If you are serious about your own goals you'll find the time.
It's worth it.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
An Object at rest
Well, my first month is over and it's time to see how I've done so far. The good news is I am down 10.4 lbs! I was thrilled this morning to see that number. 262lbs is still way too big, but a 10lb loss is a great start in one month. With my goal being 50lbs (minimum) this year, it feels great to be early in the year and 20% of the way there.
I want for a moment to thank my wife for her support in the first part of this trip. It's been very challenging moving and trying to do this, and her help has been huge. Also a number of my friends for your encouraging words and support. Especially JL who took the time to break down some numbers for me on what I had done to that point, then used those to motivate me when I was a little low. It is awesome to have the support level I have had in this journey so far
But weight loss was only part of this journey. The other part was my fitness level. I can lose all the weight I want, if I am still not feeling athletic then I have only gone part of the distance. So, it's time for phase two. Start moving big guy, and moving hard!
I have exercised on and off for years, treadmills, elliptical, free weights, machines, even yoga (try it guys, it's a MUCH harder workout than you think!) The problem was, I would get lost in the sea of suggested workouts, what to do today, how much weight to lift, etc etc.
About 6 months ago one of my co-workers mentioned he was doing the P90X routines. Now this co-worker, JB, is in fantastic shape. When we go on the road he is up at o-dark-thirty for his first workout and then goes back to the hotel after work for an hour workout before dinner. He's a machine, and I am a bean bag, but the program was fascinating. The guess work over what exercise to do is handled by the videos. 90 days of workouts, each day planned for you, all the workouts a manageable 1hour in length. Targeting different muscles, even different goals. Some days are cardio based, others strength, some flexibility, its all laid out. I tried a week a while back and really enjoyed it, but lacked the dedication to see it through.
I don't lack the dedication any more, I've shed those first 10lbs. Now its time to really bring it. The first DVD will go in tonight. The idea is 90 straight days (1 day off every 7) but I'll have to modify it a bit, life happens. But my rules will be no consecutive days off. If I must miss a day, I MUST do the next day.
Some starting numbers (these are almost as sad as my weight, but this blog is about openness and accountability)
Day 1
Weight 262
Chest 43in
Waist 45in
Hips 43.5in
Maximum push ups: 18
Heart rate after 2 min of jumping jacks: 170bpm
1min later:146
I have other numbers you record at the start of P90x, but those are the key ones. We'll check in on those after the first 30 workouts and see how I am doing.
Thanks again to everyone for the help so far. Stay with me, share your journey, and good luck with your goals!
I want for a moment to thank my wife for her support in the first part of this trip. It's been very challenging moving and trying to do this, and her help has been huge. Also a number of my friends for your encouraging words and support. Especially JL who took the time to break down some numbers for me on what I had done to that point, then used those to motivate me when I was a little low. It is awesome to have the support level I have had in this journey so far
But weight loss was only part of this journey. The other part was my fitness level. I can lose all the weight I want, if I am still not feeling athletic then I have only gone part of the distance. So, it's time for phase two. Start moving big guy, and moving hard!
I have exercised on and off for years, treadmills, elliptical, free weights, machines, even yoga (try it guys, it's a MUCH harder workout than you think!) The problem was, I would get lost in the sea of suggested workouts, what to do today, how much weight to lift, etc etc.
About 6 months ago one of my co-workers mentioned he was doing the P90X routines. Now this co-worker, JB, is in fantastic shape. When we go on the road he is up at o-dark-thirty for his first workout and then goes back to the hotel after work for an hour workout before dinner. He's a machine, and I am a bean bag, but the program was fascinating. The guess work over what exercise to do is handled by the videos. 90 days of workouts, each day planned for you, all the workouts a manageable 1hour in length. Targeting different muscles, even different goals. Some days are cardio based, others strength, some flexibility, its all laid out. I tried a week a while back and really enjoyed it, but lacked the dedication to see it through.
I don't lack the dedication any more, I've shed those first 10lbs. Now its time to really bring it. The first DVD will go in tonight. The idea is 90 straight days (1 day off every 7) but I'll have to modify it a bit, life happens. But my rules will be no consecutive days off. If I must miss a day, I MUST do the next day.
Some starting numbers (these are almost as sad as my weight, but this blog is about openness and accountability)
Day 1
Weight 262
Chest 43in
Waist 45in
Hips 43.5in
Maximum push ups: 18
Heart rate after 2 min of jumping jacks: 170bpm
1min later:146
I have other numbers you record at the start of P90x, but those are the key ones. We'll check in on those after the first 30 workouts and see how I am doing.
Thanks again to everyone for the help so far. Stay with me, share your journey, and good luck with your goals!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Back to it
Distractions Distractions......Truthfully? Excuses excuses. And I am good at excuses. Really good..Especially to myself.
Since last blog I have moved houses, had some sick kids, travelled for business, and been sick myself. Now, some would say it is reasonable to take some time off from a quest during these times. That it is unreasonable to try to exercise, diet, make healthy food choices, and maintain a blog when life is so busy. I fell into these "reasons" in the last 2 weeks.
Here's the problem though. Like a person trying to quit smoking, or an alcoholic trying to quit drinking, I cannot simply "let up for a day". 1 day becomes 2, becomes 4 becomes a fortnight. And in no time, unchecked, the old habits come back, the weight comes back. The motivation for change subsides, the accountability evaporates.
I can't let that happen. I have to make this healthy life a priority. It has to be above excuse, beyond reproach.
While I was away on business I had 5 mealtimes. Of those 5 I made exactly 1 good choice. bad odds..I had several hours in the evening to myself and the only thing I exercised was my remote control hand.
Can't do that and succeed. No matter what your endeavour, letting up for a couple of weeks puts you in a hole. You have to find a way to maintain the momentum. For me it's blogging, its watching The Biggest Loser, it's stepping on the scale and taking stock of where I am.
I was very lucky the last two weeks. Moving is hard work, and the exercise was helping me to keep losing weight while my food choices slipped.
So no more excuses, no more 2 week vacations from the effort. I'm making good progress. I need to keep driving forward. This is a year long journey, and like a job, you only get so many weeks off if you want to be successful. Those were my two weeks.
Think about you and the challenges you face on your own journey. Have you taken a few days off from your goal? Days that were counter-productive to what you were trying to achieve? Did you feel better or worse for the time off? I know my answer.
Since last blog I have moved houses, had some sick kids, travelled for business, and been sick myself. Now, some would say it is reasonable to take some time off from a quest during these times. That it is unreasonable to try to exercise, diet, make healthy food choices, and maintain a blog when life is so busy. I fell into these "reasons" in the last 2 weeks.
Here's the problem though. Like a person trying to quit smoking, or an alcoholic trying to quit drinking, I cannot simply "let up for a day". 1 day becomes 2, becomes 4 becomes a fortnight. And in no time, unchecked, the old habits come back, the weight comes back. The motivation for change subsides, the accountability evaporates.
I can't let that happen. I have to make this healthy life a priority. It has to be above excuse, beyond reproach.
While I was away on business I had 5 mealtimes. Of those 5 I made exactly 1 good choice. bad odds..I had several hours in the evening to myself and the only thing I exercised was my remote control hand.
Can't do that and succeed. No matter what your endeavour, letting up for a couple of weeks puts you in a hole. You have to find a way to maintain the momentum. For me it's blogging, its watching The Biggest Loser, it's stepping on the scale and taking stock of where I am.
I was very lucky the last two weeks. Moving is hard work, and the exercise was helping me to keep losing weight while my food choices slipped.
So no more excuses, no more 2 week vacations from the effort. I'm making good progress. I need to keep driving forward. This is a year long journey, and like a job, you only get so many weeks off if you want to be successful. Those were my two weeks.
Think about you and the challenges you face on your own journey. Have you taken a few days off from your goal? Days that were counter-productive to what you were trying to achieve? Did you feel better or worse for the time off? I know my answer.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Temptations, turning 39 and the Biggest Loser
Turned 39 today...A good chance to reflect on my 30's and think about all that changed for me. Interesting to note, I turned 30, weighed 268lbs, got separated, changed careers, moved back home, got divorced, lost weight (210!), met new girl, got engaged, got married, gained weight(240), shattered right leg, lost weight(220) changed careers, had first child, gained weight (250), had second child, turned 39 weighing..268lbs!
Seems a bit like a treadmill, but I'll tell you honestly, despite the fact my weight is the same, there is not one part of my life that is not better now than it was 10 years ago. I am thrilled with my life, maybe not with my weight and wellness, but with a great family, a supportive wife, a good job, now is the time I can concentrate on the changes I need to make.
Birthdays bring new temptations, I want my big steak dinner tonight, but I think I'll get some light thai food instead. My wife and daughter thoughtfully made a low-fat cake for me, and I'll be very mindful of the portions.
My big present? A night at a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey game. Tomorrow night in fact. Stadiums and I are not good from an eating perspective, so I'm going out to dinner before the game to better regulate my options, and hopefully come through the next couple of days with my weight unscathed.
The Biggest loser season 11 started last night. I love watching this show for the motivation and, honestly, the cautionary example. Two things stood out for me. One was a contestant who spoke of watching the show for years and always judging the people on it for their weight issues. He was very emotional when he took the scale and had to admit he was one of them. It is a lesson to us all that we should be mindful of how we perceive others, how we judge them, how we react to them. It is a slippery slope from us to them sometimes, and a real wakeup call when you hit the bottom of that slope.
The second thing that stood out was a contestant that commented how most people guess his weight wrong, he weighs over 400lbs, most people guess him around 300. This happens to a lot of us who are overweight. When I announced I was doing this, and said my starting weight was 272.4, people were stunned. Most had me 230-240. I tell people who don't know my weight I want to lose 50lbs, just to start, and they think I am nuts, that it is too much.
We can be deceived by these attitudes, we can allow those around us who tell us its ok, that we aren't "that" big, that we don't need to lose "that" much, we can allow them to shape our self-image and change it to a false one. We can say things about having a "real" body, that we like our curves, our love handles, our booty. I liked being the big guy. But it was false. All lies. Step on a scale, get a body fat analysis, try and run 1 mile. See if you are really where you think you are, where you want to be.
No, we don't all need to look like cover models, but we need to be honest with ourselves, we need friends to be honest with us, and us with them. If you can honestly look at yourself, and be perfectly happy, I congratulate you, don't lose that, do what you have to do to maintain it and be a model for others.
If, like me, you can't do that, then make this the day that the self-deception ends. Don't wait, start today, do it now, make the changes. Say goodbye to that person in the mirror and don't look back.
Seems a bit like a treadmill, but I'll tell you honestly, despite the fact my weight is the same, there is not one part of my life that is not better now than it was 10 years ago. I am thrilled with my life, maybe not with my weight and wellness, but with a great family, a supportive wife, a good job, now is the time I can concentrate on the changes I need to make.
Birthdays bring new temptations, I want my big steak dinner tonight, but I think I'll get some light thai food instead. My wife and daughter thoughtfully made a low-fat cake for me, and I'll be very mindful of the portions.
My big present? A night at a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey game. Tomorrow night in fact. Stadiums and I are not good from an eating perspective, so I'm going out to dinner before the game to better regulate my options, and hopefully come through the next couple of days with my weight unscathed.
The Biggest loser season 11 started last night. I love watching this show for the motivation and, honestly, the cautionary example. Two things stood out for me. One was a contestant who spoke of watching the show for years and always judging the people on it for their weight issues. He was very emotional when he took the scale and had to admit he was one of them. It is a lesson to us all that we should be mindful of how we perceive others, how we judge them, how we react to them. It is a slippery slope from us to them sometimes, and a real wakeup call when you hit the bottom of that slope.
The second thing that stood out was a contestant that commented how most people guess his weight wrong, he weighs over 400lbs, most people guess him around 300. This happens to a lot of us who are overweight. When I announced I was doing this, and said my starting weight was 272.4, people were stunned. Most had me 230-240. I tell people who don't know my weight I want to lose 50lbs, just to start, and they think I am nuts, that it is too much.
We can be deceived by these attitudes, we can allow those around us who tell us its ok, that we aren't "that" big, that we don't need to lose "that" much, we can allow them to shape our self-image and change it to a false one. We can say things about having a "real" body, that we like our curves, our love handles, our booty. I liked being the big guy. But it was false. All lies. Step on a scale, get a body fat analysis, try and run 1 mile. See if you are really where you think you are, where you want to be.
No, we don't all need to look like cover models, but we need to be honest with ourselves, we need friends to be honest with us, and us with them. If you can honestly look at yourself, and be perfectly happy, I congratulate you, don't lose that, do what you have to do to maintain it and be a model for others.
If, like me, you can't do that, then make this the day that the self-deception ends. Don't wait, start today, do it now, make the changes. Say goodbye to that person in the mirror and don't look back.
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