309.5
November Total: +5.5 lb
Total: 31.0 lb
While I'm not exactly happy with the number today, I cannot complain too much coming after Thanksgiving week. I believe I did quite well during the week with the many "family buffets" during the week. However, I'm not at all happy with the weekend. As has been the case almost from the beginning, my weakness is eating at home. I can do awesome during the day at work, but it all goes to pot when I get home.
I also have not exercised since last Friday morning. No real excuses or reasons, I just haven't done what I need to do. It it just me, or is this getting really old?!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
A journey to liberate fat from my body, get stronger, get healthier, enjoy the process and love all things Disney World!!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Another First
Here I sit @ 7:00am in Carrollton, GA after doing 2 miles. Yep, other than the 2 races, this was the first time I had run while away from home.
It is a balmy 38 outside with a nice breeze to go with it. But, with a couple extra layers and my "running condom" as Mike calls it, I was fine after 5-10 minutes. By the time I finished the 2 miles I perfectly warm and even took a couple minutes afterward to lie down in the driveway. Just before I was going to get up, I got a nice surprise in the form of a awesome visible pass of the International Space Station. At first I had to make sure it wasn't an airplane (Carrollton is close to and in the flight path of Atlanta), but could very quickly tell that it was not an airplane. After I came in I got on heavens-above.com and confirmed that it was the ISS. Very Cool!!
Today we are off to Arab country. Arab, AL that is to spend some time with my Dad's extended family. Yesterday, we spent time with my wife's family...her Dad, two sisters and families...12 people (if I'm counting correctly). Today however, that number will multiple. By the time you add it up, there should be around 33-35 people. And that's with a couple cousins and families not able to be there.
Well, it is about time to get ready and hit the road again....in the car this time.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
It is a balmy 38 outside with a nice breeze to go with it. But, with a couple extra layers and my "running condom" as Mike calls it, I was fine after 5-10 minutes. By the time I finished the 2 miles I perfectly warm and even took a couple minutes afterward to lie down in the driveway. Just before I was going to get up, I got a nice surprise in the form of a awesome visible pass of the International Space Station. At first I had to make sure it wasn't an airplane (Carrollton is close to and in the flight path of Atlanta), but could very quickly tell that it was not an airplane. After I came in I got on heavens-above.com and confirmed that it was the ISS. Very Cool!!
Today we are off to Arab country. Arab, AL that is to spend some time with my Dad's extended family. Yesterday, we spent time with my wife's family...her Dad, two sisters and families...12 people (if I'm counting correctly). Today however, that number will multiple. By the time you add it up, there should be around 33-35 people. And that's with a couple cousins and families not able to be there.
Well, it is about time to get ready and hit the road again....in the car this time.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Hello....Anybody Home?
Ok...so I up my posting frequency and the comments go away. (scratching head....) I'll keep posting and someday somebody will read it. I hope.
My weight workout yesterday has already reared its very ugly head. I knew there would be some pain starting today, but I woke up at 3 this morning not being able to bend my left arm or put any pressure on it. I needed to take something for the pain but couldn't get my hand up to my mouth to drink or take anything. Luckily, I'm right handed, so I just had to change how I normally take something. Thankfully, the Motrin has kicked in and I can now move my arm (for the most part), but still have a good deal of pain. My right elbow has the same sort of pain, but no where near what I feel in my left arm.
Since I was pretty much up at 3 and didn't really sleep much after that, it was fairly easy to get up at 5 and get 2 miles in. I was a little concerned at first that my arm would hurt to much to run, but turned out to not bother me all that much. I wanted to do more than 2 miles, but there was some sort of fire in a neighboring neighborhood and the smoke was being blown all over our neighborhood. It wasn't too bad when I started but after 30 min or so, I was getting that burning sensation from breathing in the smoke. Since I only did 2 miles (about 36 min), I am going to try to get some more time in tomorrow morning. Then, my plan is to get some time in on Friday morning while at my in-laws. We'll see about that. And it is going to be cold on Friday.
Today I get to visit a very special place. The house that grandparents lived in was turned into the city library a few years back after my grandparents passed away. And yes, it is a very small town. While I only live an hour and a half away, I have yet to see the library since it opened. I did get a chance to see it early during construction, however. The house is located on the "main" corner in town and right up the street from the High School. The neat part of the house was that my grandfather had a store and gas station attached to the house. Oh to have just one more Coke from that old Coke cooler....
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
My weight workout yesterday has already reared its very ugly head. I knew there would be some pain starting today, but I woke up at 3 this morning not being able to bend my left arm or put any pressure on it. I needed to take something for the pain but couldn't get my hand up to my mouth to drink or take anything. Luckily, I'm right handed, so I just had to change how I normally take something. Thankfully, the Motrin has kicked in and I can now move my arm (for the most part), but still have a good deal of pain. My right elbow has the same sort of pain, but no where near what I feel in my left arm.
Since I was pretty much up at 3 and didn't really sleep much after that, it was fairly easy to get up at 5 and get 2 miles in. I was a little concerned at first that my arm would hurt to much to run, but turned out to not bother me all that much. I wanted to do more than 2 miles, but there was some sort of fire in a neighboring neighborhood and the smoke was being blown all over our neighborhood. It wasn't too bad when I started but after 30 min or so, I was getting that burning sensation from breathing in the smoke. Since I only did 2 miles (about 36 min), I am going to try to get some more time in tomorrow morning. Then, my plan is to get some time in on Friday morning while at my in-laws. We'll see about that. And it is going to be cold on Friday.
Today I get to visit a very special place. The house that grandparents lived in was turned into the city library a few years back after my grandparents passed away. And yes, it is a very small town. While I only live an hour and a half away, I have yet to see the library since it opened. I did get a chance to see it early during construction, however. The house is located on the "main" corner in town and right up the street from the High School. The neat part of the house was that my grandfather had a store and gas station attached to the house. Oh to have just one more Coke from that old Coke cooler....
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Monday Upd...a....not quite.
This will not be the normal Monday update. When I weighed this morning, I got a result that is way out of line with my progress in the last week or so. The number was so drastically different that I weighed on two different scales.
All this aside, I did something this morning that I haven't done in over 6 months...and now I'm paying the price for it. I started with the weights this morning. I did an upper body workout...things like presses, triceps extensions, arm rows and curls. I can feel the effects but not any pain...that will come tomorrow night into Wednesday. I've been meaning to get back to the weights for some time, but like everything else, I've not been good about doing what I need to do.
My plan is to alternate upper and "lower" workouts. By lower, I don't so much mean there will be a big focus on the legs but more of a core workout. My previous experience of true leg workouts tells me that I will pretty much be out of commission for a day or two a couple days following the workout. Plus, because I have had to move around so much weight for so long, my legs are strong and maybe even have too much muscle in some areas. I will probably continue to do things like calf raises but that will probably be it... no lunges or squats (for now). The other thought is that because I (think) have plenty of muscle in the legs I don't won't to lose out on time I could spend on working on the core areas. Which is an area I really need to work on.
I'm hoping to repeat the type of results I got back in the spring. Increased muscle leads to higher metabolism and more calories burned. At the same time, I have to accept the possibility that I may see a period of little scale change as I add some more muscle. However, I feel that if I eat like I should and get my running and cross-training workouts in like I should, I actually think I will see a scale change for the better, even as I add muscle.
Ok...time to address the fact that this in Thanksgiving week. My days of "concern" are Thursday and Friday. Thursday will be spent with my in-laws and Friday with my extended family. Of course, both days will have LOTS of food around. Sounds funny to say it, but I'm already mentally preparing myself for what I need to do. I'm focusing on how I need to eat and also trying to figure out the best way to get a run in sometime during those two days.
As may or may not be obvious, I'm gradually finding some renewed enthusiasm in what I'm doing. The hard part will be breaking the habits I've allowed myself to re-develop over the last month or two.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
All this aside, I did something this morning that I haven't done in over 6 months...and now I'm paying the price for it. I started with the weights this morning. I did an upper body workout...things like presses, triceps extensions, arm rows and curls. I can feel the effects but not any pain...that will come tomorrow night into Wednesday. I've been meaning to get back to the weights for some time, but like everything else, I've not been good about doing what I need to do.
My plan is to alternate upper and "lower" workouts. By lower, I don't so much mean there will be a big focus on the legs but more of a core workout. My previous experience of true leg workouts tells me that I will pretty much be out of commission for a day or two a couple days following the workout. Plus, because I have had to move around so much weight for so long, my legs are strong and maybe even have too much muscle in some areas. I will probably continue to do things like calf raises but that will probably be it... no lunges or squats (for now). The other thought is that because I (think) have plenty of muscle in the legs I don't won't to lose out on time I could spend on working on the core areas. Which is an area I really need to work on.
I'm hoping to repeat the type of results I got back in the spring. Increased muscle leads to higher metabolism and more calories burned. At the same time, I have to accept the possibility that I may see a period of little scale change as I add some more muscle. However, I feel that if I eat like I should and get my running and cross-training workouts in like I should, I actually think I will see a scale change for the better, even as I add muscle.
Ok...time to address the fact that this in Thanksgiving week. My days of "concern" are Thursday and Friday. Thursday will be spent with my in-laws and Friday with my extended family. Of course, both days will have LOTS of food around. Sounds funny to say it, but I'm already mentally preparing myself for what I need to do. I'm focusing on how I need to eat and also trying to figure out the best way to get a run in sometime during those two days.
As may or may not be obvious, I'm gradually finding some renewed enthusiasm in what I'm doing. The hard part will be breaking the habits I've allowed myself to re-develop over the last month or two.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Friday, November 16, 2007
5 Months in the Making...
...and the running log is finally online. Yep, if you look over to the right under "Geek Links", you will see a new "Running Log" link that contains my running history back to March 21st. So, there you go Mike, you first mentioned it on June 5th.
In getting the log online I noticed some interesting things about the numbers. Things like how I've gone up and down from one month to the next (and drastically), how August was my "best" month in terms of time and distance (11.5 hours and 36+ miles) yet I only lost 4 pounds (vs. the 10 pounds in July after only 4 hours and 13.5 miles). Also, I noticed that my "Average Pace" (since I've been mostly outside) hasn't changed much but my time per workout is now consistently higher.
If you look at the log, you will notice two recent entries. I finally got back "out there" Wednesday morning. I could difinately feel the effects of the recent layoff. Then, on Thursday evening, I ventured out into the cold for my first sub-60 degree run. And by sub-60, I mean around 42. Ok, I know, some of you "Northerners" are saying "what's the big deal". But, this is Alabama and it was my first run in relatively cold weather. The only thing I noticed was a tight lower left leg (ie shin/calf). I'm not sure if it was the layoff, weather, consecitive days or some combination of the three.
As of this coming Monday, I will have 2 weeks left in November. And, although I pretty much took the first half of November off, I'm not quite giving up on all my November goals. Ok, so I think I can only realistically shoot for 1 of the 3 goals I set. I don't think November will be my best weight loss month (it could still happen, but 10 pounds total loss, and I've got the 4 to lose that I gave back). And, I don't think that I'll be able to do 3 miles in 45 minutes (again, it could happen, and if it does I will have to get out at least every other day and even then it would probably happen on the last day of the month). BUT, my goal of finally getting to the 200's is still well within my reach and by all accounts I "should" get there.
Speaking of the 200's...I've come to a conclusion that this "getting out of the 300's" wall, is just that...a wall. And I think it's also a mental block as well. While it should be motivation, the only thing I've known for the last 10 or so years is being over 300 pounds. I guess it is that kind of "saying goodbye" to what was. While I'm more than ready to say hello to what is to come, I'm not sure I've completly come to terms with saying goodbye to what is and what was. Maybe I need to continue with my "Things I Look Forward To" idea....
One last thought...again following Mike's idea, I want and hope to post much more frequently. I know I've been bad about posting only on Monday's and even then not saying much about what I'm really doing (or not doing). This serves as my promise to you (yes, I said promise) that I will make an effort to post much more often...and I expect you guys to hold me to it.
Till Next Time...Take Care.
In getting the log online I noticed some interesting things about the numbers. Things like how I've gone up and down from one month to the next (and drastically), how August was my "best" month in terms of time and distance (11.5 hours and 36+ miles) yet I only lost 4 pounds (vs. the 10 pounds in July after only 4 hours and 13.5 miles). Also, I noticed that my "Average Pace" (since I've been mostly outside) hasn't changed much but my time per workout is now consistently higher.
If you look at the log, you will notice two recent entries. I finally got back "out there" Wednesday morning. I could difinately feel the effects of the recent layoff. Then, on Thursday evening, I ventured out into the cold for my first sub-60 degree run. And by sub-60, I mean around 42. Ok, I know, some of you "Northerners" are saying "what's the big deal". But, this is Alabama and it was my first run in relatively cold weather. The only thing I noticed was a tight lower left leg (ie shin/calf). I'm not sure if it was the layoff, weather, consecitive days or some combination of the three.
As of this coming Monday, I will have 2 weeks left in November. And, although I pretty much took the first half of November off, I'm not quite giving up on all my November goals. Ok, so I think I can only realistically shoot for 1 of the 3 goals I set. I don't think November will be my best weight loss month (it could still happen, but 10 pounds total loss, and I've got the 4 to lose that I gave back). And, I don't think that I'll be able to do 3 miles in 45 minutes (again, it could happen, and if it does I will have to get out at least every other day and even then it would probably happen on the last day of the month). BUT, my goal of finally getting to the 200's is still well within my reach and by all accounts I "should" get there.
Speaking of the 200's...I've come to a conclusion that this "getting out of the 300's" wall, is just that...a wall. And I think it's also a mental block as well. While it should be motivation, the only thing I've known for the last 10 or so years is being over 300 pounds. I guess it is that kind of "saying goodbye" to what was. While I'm more than ready to say hello to what is to come, I'm not sure I've completly come to terms with saying goodbye to what is and what was. Maybe I need to continue with my "Things I Look Forward To" idea....
One last thought...again following Mike's idea, I want and hope to post much more frequently. I know I've been bad about posting only on Monday's and even then not saying much about what I'm really doing (or not doing). This serves as my promise to you (yes, I said promise) that I will make an effort to post much more often...and I expect you guys to hold me to it.
Till Next Time...Take Care.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday Update - 12 NOV 2007
308.0
This Week: +4.0 lb
November Total: +4.0 lb
Total: 32.5 lb
Well, ahem...... I have had several people ask me about not posting anything last week. Well, that number you see up there is the primary reason I didn't. I have no excuses....I haven't been sick (well, not physically, at least), I didn' t have any trips, no special schedules to "get in my way". I just didn't eat or exercise like I should. Period!! I have been down lately (call it depressed if you want), and when I get down I look for comfort.....you know the rest of the story.
So, as for my "special month"....yeah, good question. No, I'm not giving up, as much as I sometimes would like to. I guess my pep talk of what I "will" do this month was just that, a pep talk to try to get me going. I guess it didn't work. I've got a lot of soul searching to do and not a lot of time.
On a more positive note, my 4 lb gain over the last week and a half has allowed Jonathan to catch me. Yep, as of Monday we are both at 308. Jonathan, congratulations, keep it up and stay focused...believe me, STAY FOCUSED!!!!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
This Week: +4.0 lb
November Total: +4.0 lb
Total: 32.5 lb
Well, ahem...... I have had several people ask me about not posting anything last week. Well, that number you see up there is the primary reason I didn't. I have no excuses....I haven't been sick (well, not physically, at least), I didn' t have any trips, no special schedules to "get in my way". I just didn't eat or exercise like I should. Period!! I have been down lately (call it depressed if you want), and when I get down I look for comfort.....you know the rest of the story.
So, as for my "special month"....yeah, good question. No, I'm not giving up, as much as I sometimes would like to. I guess my pep talk of what I "will" do this month was just that, a pep talk to try to get me going. I guess it didn't work. I've got a lot of soul searching to do and not a lot of time.
On a more positive note, my 4 lb gain over the last week and a half has allowed Jonathan to catch me. Yep, as of Monday we are both at 308. Jonathan, congratulations, keep it up and stay focused...believe me, STAY FOCUSED!!!!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
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