Oh, How Time Flies

I can't believe so much time has passed since my last post. Silence for me is usually not a good sign, and this silence is true to form. I started off re-focused on what I was eating. Thanksgiving came. I didn't lose weight, but I didn't gain any, either. Not too shabby!

But then I sort of got... hmm, distracted. So much for a sustained effort!

In any event, thanks, Linda, for nudging me awake, as well as the kind words. I was not deliberately taking a break, it just sort of worked out that way.

Today was a good day. I ate well, only had one (!) soda, and drank plenty of water. A string of good days begin with a single good day. Tomorrow will make two in a row!

I still need to establish an exercise routine. I did pull out the ol' Wii Fit a few days ago. It made fun of me.

Aaaaand finally, I starting playing around with the 'Calorie Counter' application on my phone last night. It may be useful.

I hope things are going well for everyone. I'll try to stay in touch!! :-)

Not According To Plan

I did not keep specific track of what I ate this weekend. Nonetheless, I didn't go crazy, so while I didn't do myself any favors, I don't think I messed myself up, either.

I came into today with the idea of getting back on track. Instead, my wife stopped by work with my daughter. It made my day. We went out to lunch, and had a really good time. Alas, I didn't give a thought to portioning. I've been well fed today!

One silver lining is that I've cut my soda intake back from where it was last week, and drink more water during the day.

Also, it's pretty nifty that after all this time, a couple of people still stop by. Thanks, Ron, Andrew! And yes, indeed, it takes consistent effort to get into a good routine, but it only takes a few days to fall back into my old ways.

I'm off work for the next couple of days. Being around home traditionally makes things a bit more difficult (I totally wanna graze when I'm home). We'll see how it goes.

Back To It, Sparky

I haven't yet figured out lots of important things, such as how I want to track my progress, figuring out a fitness routine, and working out ways to keep myself motivated, day in and day out.

Regardless, I haven't let what I don't know get in the way of, well, getting started. I went back to SparkPeople for the first time in months. I use SparkPeople to help me keep track of what I eat, and to give me a calorie range to shoot for. For the first time in a long time, I had a decent meal day. I drank no soda at work today (normally I drink 2-4). I did water instead.

Still, the key to staying on track isn't so much what I put in my mouth, it's improving my physical fitness. If I don't improve my fitness, I will not be successful.

And hey, I still have some flexibility left over from Taekwondo, a nice discovery.

Walk of Shame (sans actual walking)

I have self-destructed.

Back in February, I was exercising regularly and down to 199 pounds. Not too shabby!

March came along. Me and my wife had a big falling out with our Taekwondo school. Taekwondo was my primary source of regular exercise, and between the aggravation of dealing with our TKD school issues, a large budget cut at work, and other stresses knocked me out of my exercise routine.

From there, it was all a downward spiral. The less I exercised, the less I felt like exercising. I went from a time when I couldn't imagine not exercising, to not feeling like doing it at all. It's gotten to the point where I've become completely discombobulated.

And my weight? Well, let's just say that I've really set myself up for some big time success! I now weigh in the neighborhood of 235-240 pounds: +40ish pounds in the last few months.

But the good news? I feel like getting back into healthier living. I'm a man in search of a routine, which is a much better place than I've been in over the past few months.

So, to summarize, I've not done myself any favors, but I'm ready to.

Time to Buy Those Glasses

My fitness goals have been so out of focus lately. I think I need to get my fitness eyes checked.

I haven't been "officially" recording my weight -- I'd have to admit that I'm officially headed in the wrong direction -- but I'm now up to 216 pounds. The jeans are fitting a little snug. My energy levels have been sagging. I'm again thinking that, gee, I should get things together.

There for a while, I was doing Crossfit with my in-laws. But that routine only lasted for a couple of weeks, and I sorta lost track of it.

The only pull-ups I've been doing lately is the kind where I'm pulling myself off the couch, getting a snack, and heading right back.

It's safe to say that I'm an officially yo-yo'er. Up and down and up and down and...

One Day in a Row

My brother- and sister-in-law have a Crossfit group that meets at their house 4 or 5 evenings a week. I was among them yesterday.

My exercise streak is now up to ONE!

Last night's workout was Helen, so I did 3 rounds of: 400M run, 21 reps of Kettleball swing, and 12 pull-ups, for time. I did mine in 15 minutes and something.

The workout called for a 1.5 pood Kettleball. I'm not sure how much weight that is, but I was probably doing less than that. And the pull-ups were jump pull-ups. But I was really pushing myself at the end. It was good.

One day in a row!

Still Alive

I'm still alive. Alas, I have not been very focused on weight loss or fitness.

One of my major sources of routine exercise was Taekwondo, 3 times a week, 3 to 5 classes. Unfortunately, I've had a falling out with my Taekwondo school. Look here if you'd like to read up on the whole frustrating story.

Not that the Taekwondo situation is to blame for my routine slipping away. I was struggling with motivation and trying to hold on to those last threads of my routine when the TKD thing went down, so it was all too easy to let everything go.

That hasn't stopped me from weighing every so often, but of course I haven't been recording my weight. Documenting my weight would make my motivation drift and lack of focus more real, I suppose.

I've gone running occasionally. And goodness, my cardio has really fallen off. And I did a CrossFit session: A modified "Diane". Unfortunately, I apparently did more lifting with my back than I thought at first. It did a number on me! But all better now. I hope to get back to it.

Wanted: Routine, focus and dedication.

It's Weeks Like These

It's weeks like these that make the good weeks particularly sweet. I didn't do so great on follow-through. The past three days, in particular, have been an eat-fest. And this week? Not exactly an exercise-fest, either.

Cardio Exercise - 3 Times/Week          NO
Strength Training - 2 Times/Week        NO
Taekwondo Practice - 2 Times/Week       YES
Stretching - 5 Days/Day                 NO
1500 - 1850 Avg. Calorie Intake/Day     NO

As you can see, I fell a little short. I missed my Monday run due to us being out TV shopping. I missed my Friday run due to a toe injury, though I wonder if it's just a way to justify my inaction.

Last week, I weighed 199.5. This week, I came in at 199.0, for a loss of a half a pound.

I ran a personal best 1 mile in 08:11. I also did a personal best 45 consecutive push-ups.

So, a bit of a silver lining, anyhow.

Next week will feature me getting back on track.

Undeserved Admiration

So... has anyone else admired the weight the scale reports back... even knowing that the weight loss is almost certainly water loss due to exercise?

... just me, eh?

On a Roll, Now Please Pass the Candy!

Overall, things are humming along well:

Cardio Exercise - 3 Times/Week       YES
Strength Training - 2 Times/Week     YES
Taekwondo Practice - 2 Times/Week    YES
Stretching - 5 Days/Day              YES
1500 - 1850 Avg. Calorie Intake/Day  YES

I ate candy nearly all day yesterday. I bought a bag of See's Hot Hearts (they're like Hot Tamales, if you are familiar). Ate all 12 onces yesterday. I'm nothing if not dedicated!

Good thing yesterday doesn't negate the rest of the week!

I weighed 201.6 at the end of last week. Yesterday, I came in at 199.5, a loss of 2.1 pounds. I set a recent best time for the 1 mile run (08:26), and a personal best for the 3 mile run (27:40). I also broke the 200 pound barrier. It's taken a little less than two months to go from below 210 to below 200.

This coming week, I plan on running a couple of 2 mile runs and a 1 mile run.

But right now, I think I'll go play the Wii with my boys. Their surprise that I'm pretty good is priceless. I'll enjoy it while I can.