Monday Update - 30 JUL 2007

310.5

This Week: 6 lbs
July Total: 10.0 lbs
Total: 30.0 lbs

Well, now here's some progress!!! Although I did lose 10 lbs for July and hit the 30 lb total, I'm a little (and I mean little) annoyed at the number this morning. See, because of some of the things going on, I jumped on the scale Saturday morning. And, well, let's just say it was a little better than this morning. However, I did meet my personal goal of hitting the 30 lb mark. As for August, which will end Sept 3rd, I have a major milestone goal...BELOW 300!!! I so much want to see a 2 at the front of that number. And, since I have a "doctor's scale" at home, I'll no longer have to slide the weight to the 300 lb position!

Oh, since this is the first time, I almost forgot. Sponsors, be on the lookout for your monthly update emails. They should be sent by Tuesday night.

Last Friday, I had an unexpected, but at the same time, goose bump moment. The first donation check arrived. Thank you Stacy, you made my day!

Up til recently I absolutely dreaded the thought of going through my closet to figure what shirts I could no longer wear. Well, Saturday night I did just that. And I couldn't have had more fun!!! I found that many of the shirts I thought would be tight and might fit in a couple months already fit!!! There are several shirts I haven't worn in several years. And one shirt that I don't think I've worn since our honeymoon...and that was 6 years ago!! Who said losing weight couldn't be fun?!?!?!?

This morning I upped my workouts yet again to 45 minutes. Back on Friday, I did 2.21 miles in 40 minutes. This morning I did 2.42 miles in 45 minutes. The hardest part about the added time is my patience. It was one time to keep myself occupied for 30 minutes...but 45, no way! Lou, thanks for making those 100 minute podcasts. I can get 2 good workouts in for every show! (Insert sheepish grin here.)

Well, that's enough for one post. Be on the lookout for some more additions to the Phat Disney Geek web site coming in the next day or so.

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

Lou...Lou...Oh...Lou....

Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege to spend some time with Lou Mongello recording a segment for today’s WDW Radio Show. Lou has so graciously welcomed my effort with open arms and didn’t even think twice about having me on the show to talk about my sponsorship program. I am truly blessed to able to call Lou my friend.

For those that don’t know Lou, he is an author, webmaster and podcaster extraordinaire. He owns and runs DisneyWorldTrivia.com; is the author of 2 Disney World Trivia books; and is host of the WDW Radio Show podcast. In the online Disney community, Lou is truly an icon as is respected by everyone.

So much of what I’m going is because of Lou. As an extension of his Disney World Trivia book and web site, he created the Disney World Trivia Dream Team with the purpose of raising money to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to visit Walt Disney World. Recently, during MagicMeets 2007, the Disney World Trivia Dream Team Silent Auction raised $9,000. All of which went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America.

But, the one person that has provided the most inspiration to me and deserves all the credit for what I’m doing is Jonathan Dichter. It is Jonathan who came up with the weight loss sponsorship idea and is also raising money to go to Make-A-Wish® through Lou’s Dream Team. Jonathan, keep it up, because Main Street really does await us!!!!

Till Next Time…Take Care!!!

Early morning....

...well, for me!!

I got up at 5:30 this morning so I could get out and get my workout in. I did 2.1mi in 40 minutes. Not too bad, but not great either. My hamstrings are still a little sore from the weekend so I did take it easy and not over do it. It feels so much better having gotten my workout in than to have to figure out how to get it in after work. Not to mention the 15-20 degree temperature difference between 7-8pm and 6am!!

Yesterday, I said that my "gain" this week was not real. Well, I'm "down" 2.5 from yesterday...

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

Monday Update - 23 JUL 2007

316.5

This Week: +5.5 lbs
July Total: 4.0 lbs
Total: 24.0 lbs

Hmmmmm...I didn't actually say it last week, but I knew the 6 pound lost was somewhat of a fluke. And, I'm 100% sure it was mostly due to dehydration. I think the real number for last Monday should have been around 3 pounds, which puts this weeks number at +2. But, even then, I believe todays number is not "real". A few weeks ago (June, 18th), I posted a gain but also said that it would come right back down...and it did. I think today's number falls into the exactly same category. Just as last weeks number was low because of dehydration, this weeks number is high because of water retention. Between my body fighting off sore muscles and fighting off some ant bites I think it's understandable. So, I won't be surprised if I'm back down to around 311 by midweek. We shall see.

So far I've received 15 sponsors. Most of whom are Trideum employees. This is a very good thing because the Trideum Corporation is matching every dollar given by Trideum employees. But for this to work I need to have more non-Trideum sponsors than Trideum sponsors. Last weekend at MagicMeets I received several verbal commitments from book authors to donate books to the wish children as the Trideum Foundation adopts each wish. Thanks to everyone who has already sponsored me and to those to come.

I'm finally getting back into the swing of things with my "running". I've been bad over the last few weeks and haven't been consistent about getting out and exercising. I am also changing my routine from the 30/30 workout to more of a "goal in mind" workout. Instead of just running 30 second segments, I'm now running till I need to recover. So far that is anywhere from 1 minute to 2 mintues per segment. I've already increased the distance covered in 30 minutes by about .2 miles. I really wanted to get out this morning and do my first 6.5K, but I'm still a little sore and tired from Saturday's workout and 5 hours of yard work. What I'm working towards right now is to really start getting ready for the Tower of Terror race in October. My plan is to get used to going the distance and then work on increasing the pace. Right now I believe I can do the 6.5K (4.04mi) in about 72 minutes. My goal is to knock at least 22 minutes off that time. I've got just over 3 months and I believe I can...no, I belive I will do it. Game on, Mike!!!

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

It's Official!!!!!

Well, the day has finally come!!!!!

After weeks of getting things in place and some changes along the way, I'm officially announcing the launch of the Phat Disney Geek Weight Loss Sponsorship Program.

I'll spare the dirty details as they can be found by clicking the "Sponsorship Info" link on the left side of the page. But, I have to say that his is going to be one of the most exciting things I've ever done. Through my relationship with the Trideum Foundation, we will be working closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama. The Trideum Foundation will be participating in the Adopt-A-Wish program where it will be paired with children with wishes to go to Walt Disney World. Trideum will also be able to host the wish kickoff party where the child and family is granted their wish.

So, to jump start things I'm asking you to consider sponsoring the weight I've already lost. With just a few generous sponsors, we can create some magic and bring some hope and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

As a part of the program launch, you will notice the changes I've been mentioning. There is now a "Phat Disney Geek Links" section on the left with links to Phat Disney Geek and sponsorship related items.

If you are a Trideum employee, you will be receiving an email from Van with special information that just might influence your decision!

If you have additional questions, please feel free to email me at or use the "Contact Me" link.

So, the day is finally here. Let the party begin! Game On!!!!!

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

Monday Update - 16 JUL 2007

311.0

This Week: 6.0 lbs
July Total: 9.5 lbs
Total: 29.5 lbs

Ok, I admit it, I feel guilty. After the week I had, how on earth could I be down 6 pounds?!??!?! I ate out so many times I lost count. However, for most of the meals I didn't not come close to finishing my plate. But, still!!

And, I've got to get better about posting the Monday Updates on...well...Monday. It's Tuesday afternoon as I write this.

In my last post I mentioned killing time in Cincinnati. Well, to add insult to injury, after the 3+ hour layover, my flight to Harrisburg was delayed by over 2 hours!!! To make up for the extra time going to Harrisburg, I had the worlds shortest "layover" coming home. We were supposed to have 90 minutes in Cincinnati. But, we were about 90 minutes late leaving Harrisburg. We pulled into the gate in Cincinnati 2 minutes after the scheduled departure time of our flight to Huntsville. All I have to say is never let me say "if it wern't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all." Even though our flights were only 20 feet away from each other we had to go back up the hallway to the gate agent. He was able to get us on the flight, and back down the hallway we go. We were "on the ground" in Cincinnati for maybe 3 minutes. Intrestingly enough, one of our 3 bags made it with us to Huntsville. The other two were delivered Monday afternoon.

As for MagicMeets....WOW!!!! What a weekend!! I'm still trying to recover from the lack of sleep over the last week. It was amazing to see 520 Disney "Geeks" in that ballroom. I've got a wide angle shot of the ballroom I'll post soon that really captures the scale of things. It was great to see everyone again and meet some new people. We all almost reduced Lou Mongello to a "blubbering idiot" (Lou's words, not mine!!) by raising exactly $9,000 through the Disney World Trivia Dream Team Silent Auction, button sales and donations. All of the $9,000 went straight to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of America.

Speaking of Make-A-Wish®, I can now say that my sponsorship program will also support Make-A-Wish®. Specifically, the funds will go to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Georgia and Alabama. There are some very good reasons for this and will be explained soon. I am literally within a day or two of launching the rest of the phatdisneygeek.com site, complete with program details and sign up form. So, please check back througout the week for further updates!!

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

Yawn.....

Right now, I'm sitting in the Cincinnati airport during an "unplanned" 3.5 hr layover!!!

So, I'm bored and decided I'd share my boredom with everyone. Exciting? Yes, I know!!

So, here's the story. I'm traveling to Harrisburg, PA today for this weekend's MagicMeets. Because Trideum has an office close to Harrisburg and I'm the Network Admin for the company, I am going up early and work a couple days in the office. My flight out of Huntsville was scheduled to leave at 7:50am. However, weather delayed the crew coming in last night. And, because the FAA requires a certain amount of rest in a 24 hour period, my 7:30 flight got pushed back to 9:00am. With only a 1 hour layover in Cincinnati originally, this meant that I would miss my connection to Harrisburg. So, I re booked for a later flight out of Cinncy.

But, wouldn't you know it, I get to Cincinnati to find out that my original connection to Harrisburg has been delayed I could have made it. HOWEVER!!!!!...My luggage would probably not make it on that flight!!! So, I basically had to decide....wait 3 hours in Cincinnati or wait 3 hours in Harrisburg?

So, I'm sitting here with about another 45 minutes to kill.

I realised that it had been awhile since I mentioned how my back was doing. Considering the carry-on bags I'm lugging around and the most uncomfortable seats in the world, my back is doing great. I guess I had a small "setback" at the end of last week. Where we live we were able to shoot fireworks on the 4th. So, I did a lot of bending over to light the fireworks. It wasn't till I woke up Thursday morning that I felt any pain. Then combine that with mowing, edging and weed eating the yard on Thursday, the weekend was a little painful. To make matters worse, I spent MANY hours working on sponsorship stuff and sat was too much. However, with the help of some Advil, I was able to get out on Sunday and do just about 1.7 miles. I went with my previous idea of extending my running segments and have to say that I like what I saw.

Well, it's about time to end this "little" post. I hope you feel exceptionally blessed by my sharing of boredom!!

I hope to post over the weekend about MagicMeets, so check back!!

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

Monday Update - 09 JUL 2007

317.0

This Week: 3.5 lbs
Total: 23.5 lbs

Finally!! I was able to get things moving in the right direction this week. Even though I wasn't actually able to get myself moving physically. Go figure. I did focus more on what and how much I ate, so I know that's what did it this week.

I did get out and go about 1.6 miles last night. I'm at the point where I'm transitioning away from the 30/60 workout. I need to start adding time to my workouts and also extened the running segments. Up to this point I've limited myself to 30 second running segments and tried to increase the number of segments in the 30 minute workout. Lately, I've felt that I could easily keep going after 30 seconds. So, last night that's just what I did. I still only did a 30 minute workout. It was still 85 and very humid at 8pm. Combine that with a cutback in exercise over the past few weeks and I just didn't "feel" like doing any more.

I believe I'm also at the point where I need to get used to doing the distance of the races in the coming months. Since the Tower of Terror race is the longest (6.5K, 4.04mi), I'm going to start going that distance and work on increasing how much I run and ultimately the time.

This week is shaping up to be a very challenging week. MagicMeets is this Saturday, so I will have several days of travel to overcome. Even though MagicMeets in on Saturday, I'm actually heading up to Pennsylvania on Wednesday. The company I work for has an office fairly close to Harrisburg, so I'm going to get some work done there before the weekend.

While this week will be very challenging, it could also be extremely rewarding. Some of the changes I mentioned in an earlier post are starting to take place. phatdisneygeek.blogspot.com now "redirects" to blog.phatdisneygeek.com. It is still hosted by Blogger, however. You will also notice a new "Phat Disney Geek Links" section in the left sidebar. The only link right now is to the new phatdisneygeek.com site. The site is very much under construction and I have some parts of the site under review for approval. As soon as I get the site finished and receive the approvals I need, my sponsorship program will be active and I'll come back and tell you more about it.

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

Monday Update - 02 JUL 2007

320.5

This Week: 0.5lb
June: +0.5lb
Total: 20lbs

So, up half a pound for June and down half a pound since the end of April. That's pretty much no change for 2 months. Now, I could be very annoyed at this. But, I'm choosing to not dwell on what I haven't done lately. The last couple weeks have been pretty hard since I hurt my back. However, I was able to get out on Sunday and do 1.6 miles in 30 minutes. Oddly enough, it was one of my best workouts in a long time. Since Sunday, however, I haven't done any of my "regular" exercise. Wednesday was non-stop being the 4th, with food, fireworks and Dole Whip!!! Yes, the real thing!! I've got myself in a bad schedule lately of staying up late which results in getting up late which causes me to have to work late which causes me to stay up late....you get the idea.

A big part of the reason why I'm not too annoyed about the lack of change over the last couple months is because the sponsorship program I mentioned back in April is finally taking shape. I've received the go ahead from the Trideum Foundation (more on them in a later post) and am now in the middle of putting together the materials so that they can be approved. To give you an idea of what's coming. I know most of you who read this blog also read Jonathan Dichter's blog. If you do, you have a good idea as to what to expect. There will be some differences, but I think they only make it that much better. As to what the sponsorship will support, I'll just say that Lou and Jonathan are on the right track.

Along the lines of the sponsorship program, I would like a little up front feedback. Assuming that sponsors will pledge so much per pound, will you consider sponsoring me? If so, would you also sponsor the weight I've lost up to this point? I'm not asking for a commitment now, I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect. So, if you would, please do me a favor and either leave a comment or send me an email at .

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!