So day 25 is Friday, and as I promised every 25 days we'd check in and see how I was doing, I am ready to face the measuring tape and some of those exercises I did back on Day 1.
Unfortunately I have an appointment with my Osteopath on Monday, which means no working out, so tonight and tomorrow morning is when I'll have to go through the routine. A bit early, but that's ok.
Yesterday was a challenge for food. I was asked to go the Jays game last night, which was great (lost, damn). I know when I go to the ball game with my friend TG (you'll hear more about him, he his an upcoming Monday profile), I know we will go out to dinner.
Going out to dinner is not a problem, there are lots of good choices on a menu. But I did something kinda dumb. I also went out for lunch.
Now don't get me wrong, I made good choices at both. But I'm a food addict, and eating 2 meals in a row out starts a little engine inside of me that cries out for more fuel. I don't need anymore food, but man I want it. I managed, with some help, to get through the ballgame without having another bite, but it wasn't easy. Fortunately I had some great distractions to keep my mind off of food.
It is another lesson on this journey though. We all know what can knock us off track, and we can pretend afterwards that it was inevitable, but the fact is we know, and since we know, we have a duty to ourselves to deal with it, avoid it, overcome it.
I'm happy to have had a fun night out. I'm glad I did it without over-indulging. Not over-eating did not detract from my night at all. I'm getting to that place where I don't need food for fun, and it's an awesome place to be.
I'm going to subject myself to my rowing machine, to the tape measure, to the scale. I do so knowing I've had a pretty good first 25 days. I know I can do more in the next 75, but this has been a great start.
Check back tomorrow and see how it's shaping up.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Day 21 - Monday's Spotlight
Weigh in tomorrow. I'm looking forward to this one. I've had a good week, back pain be damned. I've done my workouts, with a huge thank you to Rob from @trainersonsite the modified workouts allowed me to keep this body moving.
I've been good with food, the back is feeling a bit better, all signs point to a good morning.
No Spotlight last week with the holiday, but today it's spotlight #2
I first met JB about 10 years ago at my office. As long as I have known him he has been fit. How fit you ask? This is a guy who runs duathlons, which is like a triathlon for non-swimmers. When we would travel for work together he would wake up in the morning, very early, and run 5k or so to get his day started. Then he'd be back on the treadmill or elliptical before dinner. I'd get my workout raising a glass to my lips.
As I said, fit. But it doesn't stop at just being fit. A little over a year ago he decided to focus on his fitness even more. The results are incredible. He's down another 30lbs. I would never have guessed he could lose 30lbs, but he has. He looks incredible.
How is he doing this? Well, he's watching his diet, even more carefully than he used to. He runs frequently, then for a second workout it is almost daily bike rides with his teenage son (another fitness buff) through the hills around their home, or if the weather is no good for riding, they are doing the "Insanity" workout DVDs. On the weekends its 80-100km of road biking.
What makes this even more impressive is JB commutes from Guelph to Toronto everyday. This is a guy in his forties, in the car for a long drive home, and instead of collapsing in front of the TV and eating something packaged, has a healthy meal and then works out twice!
As if this isn't enough on it's own, JB has more personal integrity than any one I have ever known. He genuinely cares about the plights of his friends and co-workers, you will never meet a better listener, or confidant. He also gives back to his community, having been a hockey referee for over 20 years
We could all stand to be more like JB, not just for his healthy living, but for his strength of character. I would love to live in a world populated by people displaying his caring, dedication, and commitment.
So thanks JB, I'm motivated to be more like you in every way!
I've been good with food, the back is feeling a bit better, all signs point to a good morning.
No Spotlight last week with the holiday, but today it's spotlight #2
I first met JB about 10 years ago at my office. As long as I have known him he has been fit. How fit you ask? This is a guy who runs duathlons, which is like a triathlon for non-swimmers. When we would travel for work together he would wake up in the morning, very early, and run 5k or so to get his day started. Then he'd be back on the treadmill or elliptical before dinner. I'd get my workout raising a glass to my lips.
As I said, fit. But it doesn't stop at just being fit. A little over a year ago he decided to focus on his fitness even more. The results are incredible. He's down another 30lbs. I would never have guessed he could lose 30lbs, but he has. He looks incredible.
How is he doing this? Well, he's watching his diet, even more carefully than he used to. He runs frequently, then for a second workout it is almost daily bike rides with his teenage son (another fitness buff) through the hills around their home, or if the weather is no good for riding, they are doing the "Insanity" workout DVDs. On the weekends its 80-100km of road biking.
What makes this even more impressive is JB commutes from Guelph to Toronto everyday. This is a guy in his forties, in the car for a long drive home, and instead of collapsing in front of the TV and eating something packaged, has a healthy meal and then works out twice!
As if this isn't enough on it's own, JB has more personal integrity than any one I have ever known. He genuinely cares about the plights of his friends and co-workers, you will never meet a better listener, or confidant. He also gives back to his community, having been a hockey referee for over 20 years
We could all stand to be more like JB, not just for his healthy living, but for his strength of character. I would love to live in a world populated by people displaying his caring, dedication, and commitment.
So thanks JB, I'm motivated to be more like you in every way!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Day19 - Enjoying the little changes
I want to lose 65 lbs, be faster, stronger, fit in stylish clothes and do athletic activities well again.
But that is a long way off.
The trouble with getting healthy the right way is it takes time. We are bad at patient. We have fast food, drive-thrus, minute rice, and are always looking to be quicker
We want results now. We used to wait a day for someone to call us back, a week for a letter. Now if we call someone and they don't instantly answer we're annoyed. E-mail? Even that's too slow, so we invented instant messaging.
But a healthy change takes time.
Note I didn't say weight loss. You can do weight loss fast. Many have. And many (though not all) are right back where they started or worse.
My example? I have lost 65lbs, twice, on a well known and well advertised weight loss plan. Both times the program worked as advertised. But it is not a sustainable lifestyle, at least not for me, not for most. I gained all that weight back, plus some extra.
The goal here is to do it right, normal eating, add exercise, avoid the pitfalls of too many treats or "cheat" days.
But how do you stay motivated? When I was on that weight loss program, it was very motivating to see 5lbs a week coming off. (and very depressing to watch 30lbs go on in one month at one point)
My weight loss to date is much slower than that, so I can't look to the scale for the drive. So where is it?
It's in the small things. Here's 2 from the past couple of days.
1. Went to the Mandarin last night for Dinner. Normally that would be 3 plates of food, plus desert, at a minimum. But I'm just not that hungry anymore. Over 110 days since I dramatically overate, my body understands full again. So after plate one, I just couldn't go again to the buffet. I didn't want to, it would have felt gross to do so. That is a huge improvement. That is motivating.
2. We do Karate as a family. All four of us have a great time at our dojo. We had taken the summer off, and returned this week. I was shocked at how good I felt on the dojo floor. From leading the warm up, right through the katas, I felt amazing. More energy, more flexibility, less tired.
Two small Non-Scale Victories (NSVs). Two things I felt good about, that will help keep me going.
We can't always get the big change we want right away. Most journeys are ones of hundreds, thousands of small steps.
Don't sabotage your goals by looking for the quick fix. There are no shortcuts.
Find your joys in the journey, and the journey will seem short on its own
But that is a long way off.
The trouble with getting healthy the right way is it takes time. We are bad at patient. We have fast food, drive-thrus, minute rice, and are always looking to be quicker
We want results now. We used to wait a day for someone to call us back, a week for a letter. Now if we call someone and they don't instantly answer we're annoyed. E-mail? Even that's too slow, so we invented instant messaging.
But a healthy change takes time.
Note I didn't say weight loss. You can do weight loss fast. Many have. And many (though not all) are right back where they started or worse.
My example? I have lost 65lbs, twice, on a well known and well advertised weight loss plan. Both times the program worked as advertised. But it is not a sustainable lifestyle, at least not for me, not for most. I gained all that weight back, plus some extra.
The goal here is to do it right, normal eating, add exercise, avoid the pitfalls of too many treats or "cheat" days.
But how do you stay motivated? When I was on that weight loss program, it was very motivating to see 5lbs a week coming off. (and very depressing to watch 30lbs go on in one month at one point)
My weight loss to date is much slower than that, so I can't look to the scale for the drive. So where is it?
It's in the small things. Here's 2 from the past couple of days.
1. Went to the Mandarin last night for Dinner. Normally that would be 3 plates of food, plus desert, at a minimum. But I'm just not that hungry anymore. Over 110 days since I dramatically overate, my body understands full again. So after plate one, I just couldn't go again to the buffet. I didn't want to, it would have felt gross to do so. That is a huge improvement. That is motivating.
2. We do Karate as a family. All four of us have a great time at our dojo. We had taken the summer off, and returned this week. I was shocked at how good I felt on the dojo floor. From leading the warm up, right through the katas, I felt amazing. More energy, more flexibility, less tired.
Two small Non-Scale Victories (NSVs). Two things I felt good about, that will help keep me going.
We can't always get the big change we want right away. Most journeys are ones of hundreds, thousands of small steps.
Don't sabotage your goals by looking for the quick fix. There are no shortcuts.
Find your joys in the journey, and the journey will seem short on its own
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Day 17 - One more day
So I saw my Osteopath Tuesday, things aren't too bad, but I am going to need at least another day or two to recover before I can go back to full working out.
It's disappointing, but not disheartening. I was able to do most of a Karate class yesterday, my Son's first, which was awesome. Then I came home and hit the new TRX workout I had. Still need to make some minor modifications to avoid further aggravating the back, and certainly rowing tonight is out of the question. I just tried and it seems I'm not quite there.
But that doesn't mean the journey stops. It means tomorrow I do Karate again, another Strength workout as well, mostly focusing on Arms and Chest. It means being super careful around food, so that I don't start undoing my gains.
It would be a simple matter to just stop now, like I have so many times before. But I'm sick of back pain, I'm sick of injuries, and the only way to get better long term, is to allow a bit of short term healing and then get right back to it.
So, I'll do what I can, instead of stopping completely, I'll focus on what I can control instead of worrying about what I can't.
How much better would we all be if we just did that? Simply focused on the things we can control, and not try to force the things we cannot. I can't make myself get better, but I can control what I do in the meantime. I can't change the weight causing me back pain today, but I can control how I act today to keep it from hurting in 6 months.
What are you trying to control right now that is actually uncontrollable? Are you worried about something that hasn't happened yet? Focus on what you can do, leave the rest to whatever happens happens.
We only control ourselves, believing anything else is foolish, and a recipe for resentments
It's disappointing, but not disheartening. I was able to do most of a Karate class yesterday, my Son's first, which was awesome. Then I came home and hit the new TRX workout I had. Still need to make some minor modifications to avoid further aggravating the back, and certainly rowing tonight is out of the question. I just tried and it seems I'm not quite there.
But that doesn't mean the journey stops. It means tomorrow I do Karate again, another Strength workout as well, mostly focusing on Arms and Chest. It means being super careful around food, so that I don't start undoing my gains.
It would be a simple matter to just stop now, like I have so many times before. But I'm sick of back pain, I'm sick of injuries, and the only way to get better long term, is to allow a bit of short term healing and then get right back to it.
So, I'll do what I can, instead of stopping completely, I'll focus on what I can control instead of worrying about what I can't.
How much better would we all be if we just did that? Simply focused on the things we can control, and not try to force the things we cannot. I can't make myself get better, but I can control what I do in the meantime. I can't change the weight causing me back pain today, but I can control how I act today to keep it from hurting in 6 months.
What are you trying to control right now that is actually uncontrollable? Are you worried about something that hasn't happened yet? Focus on what you can do, leave the rest to whatever happens happens.
We only control ourselves, believing anything else is foolish, and a recipe for resentments
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Day 15 - Could have been a real downer
First off the weight, as expected up slightly at 254 lbs. That's ok. I know why, I know how to deal with it mentally. I'll be alright.
Except that my back has started to hurt. Now normally I'd be concerned here.
Here's what my normal response to some back pain would be.
1) Cease all exercise
2) Get depressed that once again injuries had derailed my attempts at health
3) Rest back
4) After back has healed, stay lazy for at least 6 weeks thinking about working out again.
Now this time we're going to do something a little different.
Last night, as soon as I felt it flaring up I contacted Rob, my Personal Trainer from @trainersonsite . I advised him of what was happening, and within a few hours I had a new workout routine, one that won't stress my back in anyway while it heals. He included some specific instructions on supporting my spine while doing some of the routines.
So tonight I'll go see my Osteopath, who has been a miracle worker for me in the past. With any luck the back will be normal shortly.
But again, such a key lesson, when faced with a challenge, how do we respond? Do we sulk? Do we turn to Dr. Internet and hope we can find reasonable advice? Or do we turn to experts, like Rob, like Doctors, like other professionals in our fields, and ask them for help?
We cannot do all things by ourselves, there are powers and knowledge higher than ours, we have the ability to tap in to those to help ourselves.
So that's the lesson for today, whatever ails you, whatever stands between you and your goal, whatever it is, there is someone out there who can help, someone who knows a way forward.
Don't be afraid to ask.
Except that my back has started to hurt. Now normally I'd be concerned here.
Here's what my normal response to some back pain would be.
1) Cease all exercise
2) Get depressed that once again injuries had derailed my attempts at health
3) Rest back
4) After back has healed, stay lazy for at least 6 weeks thinking about working out again.
Now this time we're going to do something a little different.
Last night, as soon as I felt it flaring up I contacted Rob, my Personal Trainer from @trainersonsite . I advised him of what was happening, and within a few hours I had a new workout routine, one that won't stress my back in anyway while it heals. He included some specific instructions on supporting my spine while doing some of the routines.
So tonight I'll go see my Osteopath, who has been a miracle worker for me in the past. With any luck the back will be normal shortly.
But again, such a key lesson, when faced with a challenge, how do we respond? Do we sulk? Do we turn to Dr. Internet and hope we can find reasonable advice? Or do we turn to experts, like Rob, like Doctors, like other professionals in our fields, and ask them for help?
We cannot do all things by ourselves, there are powers and knowledge higher than ours, we have the ability to tap in to those to help ourselves.
So that's the lesson for today, whatever ails you, whatever stands between you and your goal, whatever it is, there is someone out there who can help, someone who knows a way forward.
Don't be afraid to ask.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Day 14 - Feeling good, but that scale awaits...
Last day of summer really. I know not officially, but tomorrow the regular routine begins again.
I'm not all that different from a school kid tonight. This past week I have been on vacation, relaxed, doing lots of fun things, all outside my normal routine.
On the one hand tomorrow marks the end of that, back to work, back to the stress of deadlines, projects, back to waking up early and braving traffic.
On the other hand tomorrow also marks the return of familiar patterns, routine. When you're trying to make a lifestyle change like I am, routine is your friend.
This past week I've kept a nice routine with working out. I've not shied away from putting the work in. But to be honest my food, especially the last few days has been a bit sloppy. Being away from routine will do that. Its too easy to grab an extra snack. I'm on vacation and I'll take a drink or two, eat a few things I shouldn't.
Now in the past I would have had quite the feeding frenzy over the last few days, this is nothing like that. This is more normal small indulgences. That said, it still has an effect.
Tomorrow, aside from being the first day back to the routine, also marks my return to the scale. I am not going to be at all surprised to step on it and find no decrease or even a slight up tick.
Will I be disappointed? Sure, a little. Will I say to hell with it and take a giant leap backwards?
I will not.
I'm 14 days into a 100 day start to the rest of my life. I do not expect this to be a perfectly smooth journey. No one should, whatever you are trying to do in your life, success looks nothing like a straight line. If Michael Jordan can get cut from his High School basketball team, I can handle a minor setback on my trek to health.
Tomorrow, no matter what it says, I will blog about it, I will workout, I will re-enter my routines.
What I won't do is look at the scale and say I failed. I said a couple weeks ago, this is not just about weight loss. This is about a long term change. This is about a lot of things.
Tomorrow is one measure, 15 days later at the 30 day mark is a whole bunch of measures.
But the real measure is at Day 100. And it won't be in inches, pounds, or a personal best time at something. It will be in how I feel, how consistent I was, and how many of you I have inspired.
Stick around
I'm not all that different from a school kid tonight. This past week I have been on vacation, relaxed, doing lots of fun things, all outside my normal routine.
On the one hand tomorrow marks the end of that, back to work, back to the stress of deadlines, projects, back to waking up early and braving traffic.
On the other hand tomorrow also marks the return of familiar patterns, routine. When you're trying to make a lifestyle change like I am, routine is your friend.
This past week I've kept a nice routine with working out. I've not shied away from putting the work in. But to be honest my food, especially the last few days has been a bit sloppy. Being away from routine will do that. Its too easy to grab an extra snack. I'm on vacation and I'll take a drink or two, eat a few things I shouldn't.
Now in the past I would have had quite the feeding frenzy over the last few days, this is nothing like that. This is more normal small indulgences. That said, it still has an effect.
Tomorrow, aside from being the first day back to the routine, also marks my return to the scale. I am not going to be at all surprised to step on it and find no decrease or even a slight up tick.
Will I be disappointed? Sure, a little. Will I say to hell with it and take a giant leap backwards?
I will not.
I'm 14 days into a 100 day start to the rest of my life. I do not expect this to be a perfectly smooth journey. No one should, whatever you are trying to do in your life, success looks nothing like a straight line. If Michael Jordan can get cut from his High School basketball team, I can handle a minor setback on my trek to health.
Tomorrow, no matter what it says, I will blog about it, I will workout, I will re-enter my routines.
What I won't do is look at the scale and say I failed. I said a couple weeks ago, this is not just about weight loss. This is about a long term change. This is about a lot of things.
Tomorrow is one measure, 15 days later at the 30 day mark is a whole bunch of measures.
But the real measure is at Day 100. And it won't be in inches, pounds, or a personal best time at something. It will be in how I feel, how consistent I was, and how many of you I have inspired.
Stick around
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Day 12 - Whats this strange feeling in my stomach?
I have overeaten most of my life. Multiple helpings of meals, meal-size snacks, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, lunches that went on and on. I was always the guy you could count on to order the most food, and eat whatever was left at the table. I'd also be the guy going to town on the appetizers before all that even started.
As I mentioned before it has been over 110 days since my last big binge. And today I noticed something.
Something very strange.
I am full.
I don't remember the last time I felt like this. Normally I am a pretty bottomless pit, food goes in, and the feeding doesn't stop. But today is different.
After 111 days of not abusing myself with food, of normal eating, I suddenly am aware of having eaten enough (or truthfully, maybe a little too much)
I made ribs and my wife made pasta as a dinner tonight for my visiting parents. No snack appetizers, one glass of wine.
I had a quarter rack of ribs and a helping of pasta, then had a little bit more pasta (my wife is an amazing cook)
Suddenly I realized I was uncomfortable, a strange heavy sensation in my stomach. It was a long old memory to recall what is was.
As much damage as I have done with overeating, and my lack of physical activity, as difficult as this journey has been getting my food under control, and raising the bar on my fitness, this is a watershed moment.
Suddenly recovery seems so much closer.
I may pay on the scale for tonight, I don't know yet, but I have reached a breakthrough you need to have battled the demons of food to understand.
My body is remembering what full feels like.
My body is telling me it's had enough
My body is sending a message it hasn't sent in a very long time. Stop eating, that's enough, anymore food would not be pleasant.
If this seems mundane to you, I envy you, though you may battle weight, you may never battle food. If this sounds like something you can relate to however, you understand my joy.
Suddenly recovery seems so much closer, because my body is remembering what normal is.
It's taken over 110 days, but it's worth it.
Off to my rowing machine, lets keep these good days rolling
As I mentioned before it has been over 110 days since my last big binge. And today I noticed something.
Something very strange.
I am full.
I don't remember the last time I felt like this. Normally I am a pretty bottomless pit, food goes in, and the feeding doesn't stop. But today is different.
After 111 days of not abusing myself with food, of normal eating, I suddenly am aware of having eaten enough (or truthfully, maybe a little too much)
I made ribs and my wife made pasta as a dinner tonight for my visiting parents. No snack appetizers, one glass of wine.
I had a quarter rack of ribs and a helping of pasta, then had a little bit more pasta (my wife is an amazing cook)
Suddenly I realized I was uncomfortable, a strange heavy sensation in my stomach. It was a long old memory to recall what is was.
As much damage as I have done with overeating, and my lack of physical activity, as difficult as this journey has been getting my food under control, and raising the bar on my fitness, this is a watershed moment.
Suddenly recovery seems so much closer.
I may pay on the scale for tonight, I don't know yet, but I have reached a breakthrough you need to have battled the demons of food to understand.
My body is remembering what full feels like.
My body is telling me it's had enough
My body is sending a message it hasn't sent in a very long time. Stop eating, that's enough, anymore food would not be pleasant.
If this seems mundane to you, I envy you, though you may battle weight, you may never battle food. If this sounds like something you can relate to however, you understand my joy.
Suddenly recovery seems so much closer, because my body is remembering what normal is.
It's taken over 110 days, but it's worth it.
Off to my rowing machine, lets keep these good days rolling
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