Sunday afternoon, we had a "mid challenge weigh in." After two weeks, I'm down 3.7 pounds. That's a huge way to start, and with the "will power success" I've had lately, I feel like I'm headed in the right direction. The only real hiccup I've had so far was Saturday, when Sarah and I went to a bbq for our Bible Study/Sunday School class. Everything was set up buffet style, and I ended up hovering to close to the dessert table eating cinnamon chips.
Oh well, c'est la vie. The past two days, I've done really well, and I feel confident about the continued success.
Can't wait to see where I am again in the next two weeks.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Back On the Horse
It's been a while since I've tried to lose weight, and since I've written in this blog. However, in the past week, I've exercised every day and have been counting calories for the past few days. I've been under my calorie max, and my carb max every day, and I've only gone over on my fat maximum once.
Actually, the way this came up was that in our Bible study, someone suggested a "Biggest Loser" type contest, using the Wii Fit, with a $5 entry fee, with the pot going to the person who loses the highest percentage of BMI. Nothing entices me more than the thought of free money, so I decided to sign up.
I then tried to figure out exactly how I was going to do this. I started thinking about the most successful I've ever been at losing weight, which was the summer of 2006. Over about 3-4 months, I lost about 25 pounds, and looked and felt great. So...what did I do back then? Well, there were three things that I could point to as being elemental in losing weight then.
1. I didn't drink soda. I didn't drink soda for most of 2006, which was really good for me. Unfortunately, in 2007 I started drinking it again, and while I wasn't drinking much, it slowly escalated to the point where I was drinking a great deal of soda, a great deal of the time. As I write this, I'm wearing my XXL "I'm a Pepper" shirt...which probably says a lot.
2. I counted my calories religiously.
3. I exercised. Specifically, I played Dance Dance Revolution. Everyday. I've discovered that I just don't have the attention span for "regular" exercise (running, stair machine, etc) . I have to be doing something that stimulates me mentally in addition to physically. My favorite form of exercise is basketball...but only if I'm playing a game. When I play a game, I'm compelled to keep going no matter how winded/tired I am. Whereas with running, I don't have the will power to make myself keep going. Dance Dance Revolution stimulates me in the same way that basketball does. I'm compelled to keep going until at least the end of the set of songs...and usually I'm compelled to keep going until I meet my calorie target on workout mode.
So, this week I decided to give up soda, start counting calories again, and I bought a copy of Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party for the Wii. I've played DDR every day this week, and done a bunch of the Wii Fit games as well. I feel confident, and I'm really excited for what the future holds.
There are a couple of things that have gotten me back into trying to lose weight:
1. I don't like the way I look.
2. I don't like the way I feel.
Actually, the way this came up was that in our Bible study, someone suggested a "Biggest Loser" type contest, using the Wii Fit, with a $5 entry fee, with the pot going to the person who loses the highest percentage of BMI. Nothing entices me more than the thought of free money, so I decided to sign up.
I then tried to figure out exactly how I was going to do this. I started thinking about the most successful I've ever been at losing weight, which was the summer of 2006. Over about 3-4 months, I lost about 25 pounds, and looked and felt great. So...what did I do back then? Well, there were three things that I could point to as being elemental in losing weight then.
1. I didn't drink soda. I didn't drink soda for most of 2006, which was really good for me. Unfortunately, in 2007 I started drinking it again, and while I wasn't drinking much, it slowly escalated to the point where I was drinking a great deal of soda, a great deal of the time. As I write this, I'm wearing my XXL "I'm a Pepper" shirt...which probably says a lot.
2. I counted my calories religiously.
3. I exercised. Specifically, I played Dance Dance Revolution. Everyday. I've discovered that I just don't have the attention span for "regular" exercise (running, stair machine, etc) . I have to be doing something that stimulates me mentally in addition to physically. My favorite form of exercise is basketball...but only if I'm playing a game. When I play a game, I'm compelled to keep going no matter how winded/tired I am. Whereas with running, I don't have the will power to make myself keep going. Dance Dance Revolution stimulates me in the same way that basketball does. I'm compelled to keep going until at least the end of the set of songs...and usually I'm compelled to keep going until I meet my calorie target on workout mode.
So, this week I decided to give up soda, start counting calories again, and I bought a copy of Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party for the Wii. I've played DDR every day this week, and done a bunch of the Wii Fit games as well. I feel confident, and I'm really excited for what the future holds.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Basketball
Oof...it's been 40 minutes since I left the gym, and my chest is still burning.
Let's back up: after I got off work, I went directly to the gym in order to burn a few calories. I ended up shooting around by myself for about 15 minutes. There was another guy shooting at the other end, and after I got my heart rate up slightly, I asked if he'd be interested in playing one on one. He said sure, so we ran one game to 10...which I won. As we were playing, a few other guys came in, and we ended up playing three on three.
One thing you must understand...I'm not really what you might call athletic. I love playing sports, though, and there are times when I can play basketball well above my skill level. Today was one of the days that I got in the zone. I mean...I'm no Ice Cube. I didn't mess around and get a triple-double or anything, but I played well. I probably had 8 points (including two three pointers), three steals and three blocks (THREE BLOCKS? I'm 5'7"...granted some of the guys I was playing weren't that much taller than me). I had a good time, and according to Sparkpeople's estimations, I burned about 800 calories over that hour.
It felt really, really good. I feel really, really good.
I certainly plan to continue playing basketball on a regular basis.
Let's back up: after I got off work, I went directly to the gym in order to burn a few calories. I ended up shooting around by myself for about 15 minutes. There was another guy shooting at the other end, and after I got my heart rate up slightly, I asked if he'd be interested in playing one on one. He said sure, so we ran one game to 10...which I won. As we were playing, a few other guys came in, and we ended up playing three on three.
One thing you must understand...I'm not really what you might call athletic. I love playing sports, though, and there are times when I can play basketball well above my skill level. Today was one of the days that I got in the zone. I mean...I'm no Ice Cube. I didn't mess around and get a triple-double or anything, but I played well. I probably had 8 points (including two three pointers), three steals and three blocks (THREE BLOCKS? I'm 5'7"...granted some of the guys I was playing weren't that much taller than me). I had a good time, and according to Sparkpeople's estimations, I burned about 800 calories over that hour.
It felt really, really good. I feel really, really good.
I certainly plan to continue playing basketball on a regular basis.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Snacking
Throughout my life, I've had a profound enjoyment of sweet snacks. I love Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Jolly Ranchers, soda, SweetTarts, Nerds, soft serve ice cream, banana splits. I also like salty snacks: Pringles, peanuts (although, I seem to always be drawn to honey roasted), sunflower seeds, etc.
My biggest problem since I started gaining weight has been finding snacks that taste decent, but won't cause me to pack on the pounds. However...recently, I found something. Tastefully Simple (I know...I mention them a lot) has a product called Oh So Berry granola mix. It's really good, and I love that it won't kill me on calories, as a 1/3 cup has 120 calories.
It's helpful to someone trying to control his caloric intake.
My biggest problem since I started gaining weight has been finding snacks that taste decent, but won't cause me to pack on the pounds. However...recently, I found something. Tastefully Simple (I know...I mention them a lot) has a product called Oh So Berry granola mix. It's really good, and I love that it won't kill me on calories, as a 1/3 cup has 120 calories.
It's helpful to someone trying to control his caloric intake.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Worst 10 Minutes Ever
Whew...when someone tells you that if you work out for 10 minutes a day, you'll see results, it's kinda hard to believe. However...if they tell you that it's ten minutes with Tony Horton...brother, believe it.
I didn't get to the gym today, and since I've gained weight over the last 6 months or so, I knew that I'd never get through any of the P90X routines. So I pulled out Tony Horton's Ten Minute Workout DVDs. I decided that I'd do cardio today, so I put in that DVD.
I'd forgotten how hard it was, and how long ten minutes seems...when it's Tony Horton's ten minutes. However, I did get through it...although, it actually took me about 15, since I had to pause to let my heart rate go down.
I'm also using Wii Fit to track my weight goals, and for some workouts. My short term Wii Fit goal is 12 pounds in 2 months. We'll see how that goes.
I didn't get to the gym today, and since I've gained weight over the last 6 months or so, I knew that I'd never get through any of the P90X routines. So I pulled out Tony Horton's Ten Minute Workout DVDs. I decided that I'd do cardio today, so I put in that DVD.
I'd forgotten how hard it was, and how long ten minutes seems...when it's Tony Horton's ten minutes. However, I did get through it...although, it actually took me about 15, since I had to pause to let my heart rate go down.
I'm also using Wii Fit to track my weight goals, and for some workouts. My short term Wii Fit goal is 12 pounds in 2 months. We'll see how that goes.
Monday, February 22, 2010
A good start
Okay...day one (again) is just about over.
We made a delicious home made chicken stir fry for dinner, using Sesame Teriyaki Stir Fry Sauce (no fat) from Tastefully Simple. It was great, and I was able to fill up on that, and use approximately 800 calories (at least, that's my best guess based on Sparkpeople's data base.)
So...for the first day, I was in the middle on all my dietary tracking:
1688 calories, 231 grams of carbs, 42 grams of fat, and 103 grams of protein.
A pretty good day all in all, and I didn't even drink any soda.
We made a delicious home made chicken stir fry for dinner, using Sesame Teriyaki Stir Fry Sauce (no fat) from Tastefully Simple. It was great, and I was able to fill up on that, and use approximately 800 calories (at least, that's my best guess based on Sparkpeople's data base.)
So...for the first day, I was in the middle on all my dietary tracking:
1688 calories, 231 grams of carbs, 42 grams of fat, and 103 grams of protein.
A pretty good day all in all, and I didn't even drink any soda.
Yikes
Well...it's been a little while since I wrote in this blog, and in that time, I've gained way too much weight. It's time to get back at it, and renew my commitment to getting a bit slimmer.
I went to the gym this morning, and did some time on the treadmill and the stationary bike.
For breakfast, a few minutes ago, I had a vanilla soy meal replacement shake.
So...this is the beginning of the rest of my life, and from here on, it seems like the only place I can go is down.
:-)
I went to the gym this morning, and did some time on the treadmill and the stationary bike.
For breakfast, a few minutes ago, I had a vanilla soy meal replacement shake.
So...this is the beginning of the rest of my life, and from here on, it seems like the only place I can go is down.
:-)
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