Exercise Log through November 30, 2009

Yep I've been gone a long time. I don't know exactly what will happen, but I'd like to make a push to at least be more active this last month to see what I can raise for the Buffaloe Scholarship. Thank you to anyone who sees this for sticking with me.

September 10: Played basketball. Lots of fun but ended up with 2 giant blisters under the big toe of each foot. They literally knocked me off my feet for a few days and then kept me from even trying any activity for a couple weeks.

October 11: Football game at the Jones family reunion. Actually ran, blocked, and only knocked one person to the ground (unlike high school sophomore Morgan, who leveled her dad's uncle at full speed)

October 13-16: Disneyworld was at least 2 miles of walking a day in the kind of humidity that results in a layer of sweat rather than beads.

October 25: Walked 2 miles at the Rec Center.

October 31: Walked 3 miles around Lake Pflugerville.

November 11 and 18: I joined my company's dodgeball team! Lots of fun.

November 25 and 27: During a family Thanksgiving in Bastrop, I took 2 longish walks/hikes. I'm counting them as 2 miles each to include all the other walking around the resort.

November 30: Walked 4 miles at the Rec Center.

Weigh-In September 9, 2009

337.3 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.3 pounds

Monthly Gain: 4.5 pounds

Total Loss: 23.5 pounds

Food Log September 8, 2009

Return of Food Log!!!

Breakfast: banana

Morning Snack: asiago cheese bagel with honey almond shmear

Lunch: cheeseburger, fries, and an apple

Afternoon Snack: mixed veggies, 2 tortillas with sour cream, and crackers with Laughing Cow spread

Dinner: egg rolls, salad, breaded(crusted?) chicken with some kind of yellow vegetable, and vanilla cake

Evening Snack: 2 granola bars

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water and 3 Coke Zeros

I don't know if I can swing the just-water thing - caffeine really helps for meetings and tedious tasks.

Weigh-In September 8, 2009

336.0 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.7 pounds

Monthly Gain: 3.2 pounds

Total Loss: 24.8 pounds

Exercise Log September 7, 2009

Biked 4 miles this morning.

Where do I go from here?

3 months down. 26.5 pounds down, which is no small feat. But I'm stuck. I first passed this weight on July 12, so I've been kinda treading water for almost 2 months. Here's where I am:

• I am having trouble keeping myself from eating the food in front of me.
• I am having increasing trouble keeping myself from going to get worse food from drive thrus.
• My legs are starting to hurt around the knees and elsewhere. That could certainly be related to yoga stretching unfamiliar things and slowing down my aerobic work.
• My exercise and motivation to do so are slipping severely.
• I'm tired of blogging.
• I've stopped checking blood sugar regularly although it's still light years better than May.

On the other hand:

• I am wearing 3X clothes that haven't fit me in a few years (ie, seem to be down from 4X).
• The belt I bought in June is hovering between the 5th and 6th notch - it was at the 3rd when I bought it so almost ready for the next belt.
• I've ridden, walked, and played more than I thought I could, and never would have expected to make it through 8 yoga classes.
• I've been outdoors more this summer than I have been since college.
• I make a mean scrambled egg.
• I've raised over $650 for the Buffaloe Scholarship.

So what now? Much like Dexter, I feel a need to change up the code, to keep myself motivated and moving forward. All time scales beyond TODAY just seem counter-productive, so I'll try the following:

1. Eat 5 servings of fruits/veggies.
2. Eat no more than 1 chocolate-inclusive snack.
3. Look for protein and fiber at each meal.
4. Drink only water.
5. Exercise at least 10 minutes on the jump rope or 2 miles walked or 4 miles biked (ideally more).
6. Write up the posts each day. Weekends will be exercise-only.

Will it work? I don't know. I like the progress I have made, but can't help doubting what I'll do now. I'll keep the site updated.

Activity Log September 5, 2009

Walked 5 miles around Old Settler's Park with Craig.

Weigh-Ins September 1-5, 2009

September 1: 332.8

September 2: 332.8

September 3: 336.2

September 4: 335.4

September 5: 334.3

Incremental Gain from 8/31: 3.4 pounds

Monthly Gain for August: 4.3 pounds

Monthly Gain for September: 1.5 pounds

Total Loss: 26.5 pounds

Exercise Log August 30, 2009

Walked 2.5 miles with Steve, including up The Hill. Walked another 3 miles with Michelle in the evening.

Weigh-In August 30, 2009

331.4 pounds

Incremental Loss: 4.3 pounds

Monthly Gain: 2.9 pounds

Total Loss: 29.4 pounds

Exercise Log August 29, 2009

Walked 6 miles around Old Settler's Park with Craig.

I honestly forgot until late afternoon to weigh myself, so will skip the weigh-in today.

Weigh-In August 28, 2009

335.7 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.7 pounds

Monthly Gain: 7.2 pounds

Total Loss: 25.1 pounds

No exercise unless you count a session of LaserTag.

Exercise Log August 27, 2009

1 yoga class.

Weigh-In August 27, 2009

337.4 pounds

Incremental Gain: 3.8 pounds

Monthly Gain: 8.9 pounds

Total Loss: 23.4 pounds

Weigh-In August 26, 2009

333.6 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.4 pounds

Monthly Gain: 5.1 pounds

Total Loss: 27.2 pounds

Exercise Log August 25, 2009

1 yoga class.

Weigh-In August 25, 2009

332.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2 pounds

Monthly Gain: 3.7 pounds

Total Loss: 28.6 pounds

Exercise Log August 24, 2009

Biked 5.5 miles in 34 minutes. Jump roped 203 reps in 9 minutes and walked a half-mile.

Weigh-In August 24, 2009

334.2 pounds

Incremental Gain: 2.3 pounds

Monthly Gain: 5.7 pounds

Total Loss: 26.6 pounds

A switch for the rest of the month - I'm losing motivation for a lot of this effort, especially the blogging. I'm skipping the food log the rest of the month so I keep up at least part of it. Sorry to disappoint.

Exercise Log August 23, 2009

Different tack today. 15-20 minutes doing stretches (yoga and not), then 217 jump rope reps in 13 mintues - longest streak was my last 28 in a row.

Food Log August 23, 2009

Lunch: southwest enchilada and tortilla chips from Chuy's

Afternoon Snack: Coke Slurpee and raisins

Dinner: salad and 3 pieces BBQ Chicken pizza from Promise Pizza

Evening Snack: popcorn

Liquid Refreshment: more soda than water - bad Me!

Weigh-In August 23, 2009

331.9 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0.0 pounds

Monthly Gain: 3.4 pounds

Total Loss: 28.9 pounds

Food Log August 22, 2009

Brunch: 2 bacon/egg/potato/egg breakfast tacos from Taco Shack (THE place for breakfast tacos)

Afternoon Snack: 2 fudgesicles

Dinner: turkey ham and cheese Texandwich

Evening Snack: cheeseburger and fries

Liquid Refreshment: 2 glasses of water

Exercise Log August 22, 2009

9AM yoga class. Who knew I had hamstrings?

Weigh-In August 22, 2009

331.9 pounds

Incremental Gain: 0.1 pounds

Monthly Gain: 3.4 pounds

Total Loss: 28.9 pounds

Food Log August 21, 2009

Breakfast: leftover Chicken Romano and 1 bite-sized Special Dark

Morning Snack: 1 banana and 5 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars

Lunch: gyro and basmati rice at Pars

Afternoon Snack: 4 cookies and popcorn at the theater

Dinner: cheeseburger and fries from McDonald's

Liquid Refreshment: 3 glasses of water and 5 Coke Zeros

Exercise Log August 21, 2009

Biked 5.5 miles in 33 minutes this morning - I thought I'd go faster but I'll blame yoga this time.

Weigh-In August 21, 2009

331.8 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.3 pounds

Monthly Gain: 3.3 pounds

Total Loss: 29.0 pounds

Exercise Log August 20, 2009

Yoga class. Never felt so good doing something so badly.

Food Log August 20, 2009

Breakfast: 1 bacon/egg/cheese breakfast taco from TacoDeli (not my favorite place)

Morning Snack: 1 banana

Lunch: some calamari and tortilla chips with sour cream and half the lunch portion of Chicken Romano at Cheesecake Factory

Afternoon Snack: 1 box of raisins and 2 Mr. Goodbars

Dinner: theater popcorn

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water and 3 Coke Zero

Weigh-In August 20, 2009

333.1 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0.7 pounds

Monthly Gain: 4.6 pounds

Total Loss: 27.7 pounds

Also I'm wearing a 3X Tshirt today for the first time in a long time.

Food Log August 19, 2009

Breakfast: bacon biscuit and banana-strawberry yogurt smoothie from ChickFilA

Lunch: Turkey Tom from Jimmy John's and a bite-sized Hershey's

Afternoon Snack: box of raisins

Dinner: Royal Red Robin burger and steak fries

Liquid Refreshment: 2 Diet Cokes and a lot of water

Weigh-In August 19, 2009

333.8 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0.6 pounds

Monthly Gain: 5.3 pounds

Total Loss: 27.0 pounds

Exercise Log August 18, 2009

Attended my yoga class.

Food Log August 18, 2009

Breakfast: sourdough English muffin with peanut butter

Lunch: cheeseburger and fries at Wendy's

Afternoon Snack: box of raisins

Dinner: turkey and swiss sandwich, bag of Baked Doritos, and banana

Evening Snack: small handful of trail mix and 3 stolen waffle fries

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 3 Diet Cokes

Weigh-In August 18, 2009

334.4 pounds

Incremental Gain: 3.8 pounds

Monthly Gain: 5.9 pounds

Total Loss: 26.4 pounds

Food Log August 17, 2009

Breakfast: 2 McDonald's hash browns

Morning Snack: asiago cheese bagel with honey almond cream cheese

Lunch: small Texadelphia cheesesteak and tortilla chips

Afternoon Snack: box of raisins

Dinner: chicken and broccoli white rice bowl with egg and carrots at Zen

Evening Snack: some crackers, cheese, squash, and gluten-free chocolate at a party

Liquid Refreshment: all water but I forgot to count

Weigh-In August 17, 2009

330.6 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2 pounds

Monthly Gain: 2.5 pounds

Total Loss: 30.2 pounds

Exercise Log August 16, 2009

Walked 3.5 miles with Michelle tonight - 1.5 miles on a middle school track and 1 mile each way.

Food Log August 16, 2009

Breakfast: sourdough English muffin with peanut butter

Lunch: southwest enchiladas, rice, and tortilla chips from Chuy's

Dinner: Amy's frozen dinner of rice mac n cheese and an apple

Liquid Refreshment: Didn't count, but all water today

Weigh-In August 16, 2009

332.6 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1 pound

Monthly Gain: 4.1 pounds

Total Loss: 28.2 pounds

Food Log August 15, 2009

Breakfast: sourdough english muffin with peanut butter

Lunch: turkey sandwich with mustard and mayo and 2 glasses of apple-cranberry juice

Dinner: bacon cheddar burger, tots, and cheese fries from Waterloo and 2 excellent slices of strawberry birthday cake with cream cheese frosting

Exercise Log August 15, 2009

Walked 7 miles around Old Settler's Park with Craig.

Weigh-In August 15, 2009

331.6 pounds

Incremental Loss: 3 pounds

Monthly Gain: 3.1 pounds

Total Loss: 29.2 pounds

Food Log August 14, 2009

Breakfast: 2 bacon/egg/potato/cheese breakfast tacos from Rudy's

Morning Snack: box of raisins

Lunch: peanut butter and Mr. Goodbar sandwich with a bag of Cheetos and 2 bite-sized Snickers

Dinner: 7 mini-rolls with brie and apple chutney, pecan-crusted chicken, broccoli, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, a cup of hot chocolate, and a chocolate silk pie (I think) from Eastside Cafe and a stolen bite of patty melt from Freddy's

Evening Snack: 5 pieces of cheese at a party

Liquid Refreshment: Sorry, I really don't remember the numbers, but water and Coke Zero only

Weigh-In August 14, 2009

334.6 pounds

Incremental Gain: 0.6 pounds

Monthly Gain: 6.1 pounds

Total Loss: 26.2 pounds

Exercise Log August 13, 2009

Biked 5.5 miles in 34 minutes this morning - I think I can improve on that time.

Food Log August 13, 2009

Breakfast: 1 banana, a little trail mix, and 2 bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast tacos

Morning Snack: 2 bite-sized Special Darks

Lunch: rice/sour cream/cheese/lettuce burrito from Chipotle

Afternoon Snack: 1 bag of Cheetos and 2 carrot sticks

Dinner: tortilla chips and beef fajitas at Chuy's

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and 4 Diet Cokes

Weigh-In August 13, 2009

334.0 pounds

Incremental Gain: 0.8 poiunds

Monthly Gain: 5.5 pounds

Total Loss: 26.8 pounds

Food Log August 12, 2009

Breakfast: 1 sourdough English muffin with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: 1 box of raisins

Lunch: 1 turkey sandwich with swiss and provolone and a bag of Cheetos

Afternoon Snack: a bag of Cheetos

Dinner: chicken and broccoli white rice bowl with carrots and egg at Zen and a chocolate chip cookie

Evening Snack: small handful of trail mix

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water and a Diet Coke

Weigh-In August 12, 2009

333.2 pounds

Incremental Gain: 0.7 pounds

Monthly Gain: 4.7 pounds

Total Loss: 27.6 pounds

Exercise Log August 11, 2009

1 yoga class. I feel a little bad when she says "This next one might warm you up a little bit" and I'm already dripping ... er, glistening.

Food Log August 11, 2009

Breakfast: leftover pasta

Morning Snack: 1.5 chocolate donuts from Lone Star Bakery

Lunch: beef fried rice from PFChang's

Afternoon Snack: a Coke Classic and some trail mix

Dinner: 1 sourdough English muffin with peanut butter, greens/carrots/apple/almond salad with Cashew Tamari dressing, 2 orders of fries

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 2 Coke Zeros

Weigh-In August 11, 2009

332.5 pounds

Incremental Loss: 3.9 pounds

Monthly Gain: 4.0 pounds

Total Loss: 28.3 pounds

Exercise Log August 10, 2009

Walked 5 miles with Andy around Pflugerville.

Food Log August 10, 2009

Breakfast: sourdough English muffin with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: grapes and blueberries

Lunch: leftover pizza and some carrots and broccoli

Afternoon Snack: raisins

Dinner: pasta with asiago cheese and greens/carrots/apple/almond salad with Cashew Tamari dressing (meant to have more protein but the turkey didn't work out)

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water and 1 Coke Zero

Weigh-In August 10, 2009

336.4 pounds

Incremental Gain: 3.5 pounds

Monthly Gain: 7.9 pounds

Total Loss: 24.4 pounds

Exercise Log August 9, 2009

Walked 4 miles with Kat, Steve, and Avery, including 2 miles up The Hill. Oy that hurt.

Food Log August 9, 2009

Breakfast: bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast taco from Taco Cabana

Lunch: salad with greens, carrots, onions, and chicken, 4 pieces of white pizza from Promise Pizza, and a natural cane sugar cola (your guess is as good as mine)

Afternoon Snack: banana and handful of trail mix

Dinner: cheeseburger, fries, cole slaw, a little mac n cheese, and part of a brownie and a bread pudding at Cover 3

Evening Snack: Coke Slurpee

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water

Review to Date (through Week 10)

I've fallen off the review wagon a bit, so here's kind of a sum-up. I'll try to get better about weekly updates.

Total Pounds Lost: 27.9 pounds (4.4 pounds off my best, but still 7.73% off the original and my 5th-best day)

Total Days with Workout: 57 out of 69 days, encompassing 150.5 miles walked, 62 miles biked, 2 evenings of basketball, 2 yoga classes, and 2 bowling outings

Amount Raised for the Buffaloe Scholarship: $667.90

A few years ago, either on my 29th or 30th birthday, I set an internal goal of losing 30 pounds by the next birthday. I could never even get started as the goal just seemed too big (and I obviously failed to start a blog). This summer I lost it in 2 months, and that's just cool. It's still amazing me how much I can do if I just push a little bit. Even though my eating's not as good as it initially was, the activity is still a huge gain this summer.

Also, if I may be permitted to brag, I just got the results from my blood work taken on Wed July 29 (comparisons from a mid-May set of tests).

Glucose (expected 65-100, I've been told 90-130): 129, down from 188

Hemoglobin A1C (long-term average blood sugar measure, expected 4.0-6.0): 5.5, down from 8.1

Triglycerides (cholesterol-type chemical, expected under 150): 148

That feels incredibly good. It accomplishes a tremendous part of the goal for this effort, although I still want to push all the numbers further down.

Weigh-In August 9, 2009

332.9 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2.3 pounds

Monthly Gain: 4.4 pounds

Total Loss: 27.9 pounds

Exercise Log August 8, 2009

Biked 8 miles this morning to the nearest 7-11. Unfortunately I got a flat on the way back so I didn't complete the 10 miles. On the plus side, I conquered the hill of AW Grimes going north from 45 - didn't put my feet down the whole trip except as required by traffic.

Also walked 1 mile tonight with the wife, Beth, and Beth's 3-month-old daughter Penelope. Strollers are short little things - do I get extra credit for pushing it along?

Food Log August 8, 2009

Breakfast: 12oz Coke Slurpee and a banana

Morning Snack: 1/2 peanut butter sandwich and trail mix

Lunch: peanut butter sandwich with some chocolate chunks

Afternoon Snack: 3 egg rolls from Jack In the Box and a stolen spoon of Oreo blizzard

Dinner: Pork Tenderloin Spinach Salad and a few sweet potato fries from Kerbey Lane

Evening Snack: popcorn and a Coke

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water

Weigh-In August 8, 2009

335.2 pounds

Incremental Gain: 0.9 pounds

Monthly Gain: 6.7 pounds

Total Loss: 25.6 pounds

Exercise Log August 7, 2009

Walked 4 miles at the Rec Center, and spent about 10 minutes doing yoga stretches afterwards.

Food Log August 7, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: 1 bag of animal crackers

Lunch: cheeseburger and garlic parmesan fries at Cover3 with one bite of cod and about 1/2-cup macaroni and cheese stolen from fellow diners

Afternoon Snack: 1 bag Cheetos and 7 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars

Dinner: about 10 tortilla chips, a banana nut smoothie, a small Garden Patch salad, and farfalle gorgonzola at Mother's

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water and 2 Coke Zeros

Weigh-In August 7, 2009

334.3 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.0 pounds

Monthly Gain: 5.8 pounds

Total Loss: 26.5 pounds

Exercise Log August 6, 2009

Took another yoga class. This one felt much better.

Food Log August 6, 2009

Breakfast: bacon biscuit and hash browns from ChickFilA

Lunch: 2 banana nut minimuffins, 2 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars, and a peanut butter and raisin sandwich

Afternoon Snack: 1 bag of sun chips and 2 Special Darks with almond

Dinner: 1 energy/protein bar, 1 bag of Doritos, 2 bags of Cheetos, a Whataburger and fries

Evening Snack: a small cup of chai tea

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 4 Coke Zeros

Bad mojo Thursday night. Dunno exactly why I went quite so nuts, but yoga quite frankly busted me out of it quite nicely.

Weigh-In August 6, 2009

333.3 pounds

Incremental Loss: 4.8 pounds

Monthly Gain: 4.8 pounds

Total Loss: 27.5 pounds

Exercise Log August 5, 2009

Walked 4 miles with my cousin.

Food Log August 5, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: 2 homemade chocolate chip cookies from a coworker

Lunch: 4 blueberry/banana nut minimuffins and 1 box of raisins

Afternoon Snack: 1 banana and 1 bag of Cheetos

Dinner: 2 banana nut minimuffins and a chicken-broccoli rice bowl with carrota and an extra egg from Zen

Liquid Refreshment: 8 glasses of water and 2 Diet Cokes

Weigh-In August 5, 2009

338.1 pounds

Incremental Gain: 0.4 pounds

Monthly Gain: 9.6 pounds

Total Loss: 22.7 pounds

Well the rate of gain has slowed. And tonight I'm walking for the first time since Sunday morning - definitely need to re-up the exercise.

Exercise Log August 4, 2009

Took a 75-minute hatha yoga class. Not exactly high-energy, but I was sweating through a lot of it (nope, not the hot yoga where they crank up the heat, just that out of shape for holding myself up). I don't know if this will end up being my thing, but will at least finish the 8-session class I started and see how I feel then.

Also, they serve a cup of tea at the end, so that should've been in the food log (as well as the bit of trail mix I washed it down with).

Food Log August 4, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: banana

Lunch: chicken waldorf salad with bleu cheese dressing at California Pizza Kitchen, 2 pieces of buttered white bread, and 2 Mr. Goodbars

Afternoon Snack: 1 box of raisins and 2 Mr. Goodbars

Dinner: turkey sandwich w/provolone and swiss cheese, a bag of Sun chips, about a dozen grapes and 2 Mr. Goodbars

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and 1 Coke Zero

Weigh-In August 4, 2009

337.7 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.2 pounds

Monthly Gain: 9.2 pounds

Total Loss: 23.1 pounds

Food Log August 3, 2009

Breakfast: whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: box of raisins

Lunch: whole-wheat turkey and baby swiss sandwich with carrots and broccoli and 5 tortilla chips

Afternoon Snack: 1 chicken/beef combo fajita with cheese and sour cream

Dinner: whole-wheat peanut butter sandwich

Evening Snack: 1 onion ring and a handful of trail mix

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 2 Coke Zeros

Weigh-In August 3, 2009

336.5 pounds

Incremental Gain: 8 pounds

Monthly Gain: 8 pounds

Total Loss: 24.3 pounds

I enjoyed the weekend too much. I don't know if the overeating momentum or the exercise momentum will play out in the next couple of days.

Exercise Log August 1-2, 2009

Saturday, August 1: walked 6 miles around Old Settler's Park with Craig. Turns out I was undercounting our earlier walks, but I won't try to make any corrections.

Sunday, August 2: walked 4 miles along trails with Kat, Steve, and Avery.

Exercise Log July 31, 2009

Biked 4.5 miles to the Rec Center and back, where I walked 2.5 miles in 45 minutes. Couldn't get much walking speed, but I think that's understandable based on recent activity.

When I first bought my bike in mid-May, this was the plan - to not drive to the gym, which was ironic on so many levels. I tried it the first day I had it (pre-BLP program), and I had to walk it part of the way there, and stop to rest several times on the way back. Today I zipped along, and I ended up walking it a little because I took a wrong turn and ended up going uphill over a damp field, but it was amazing how easily I could do so much more. And that after playing basketball last night for longer than I ever used to be able to. That feels good, very good.

Weigh-In July 31, 2009

I believe I'm the happiest person ever to see the following on the scale:

328.5 pounds

Incremental Loss: 4.1 pounds

Monthly Loss: 11.1 pounds

Total Loss: 32.3 pounds

So many reasons I'm so happy about this. This is the end of July for my purposes - there will probably be no food log today and possibly no weigh-in tomorrow. Exercise logs will continue.

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday deeeear Charles!
You've lost 32.3eeeeeee!

Exercise Log July 30, 2009

Played at least 1.5 hours of basketball. I hurt. But bystanders claim my feet left the floor a few times. Who knew?

Food Log July 30, 2009

Leftover from Yesterday: 1 stolen onion ring at lunch (forgot -sorry about that)

Breakfast: 2 bacon/egg/cheese breakfast tacos

Lunch: 1/2 chicken salad sandwich and 1/2 turkey sandwich from Jason's Deli plus a few potato chips and a few blue corn tortilla chips

Afternoon Snack: a few more chips of each kind and an apple

Dinner: 1/2 chicken salad sandwich from Jason's Deli and a box of raisins

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water and 2 Coke Zeros

Weigh-In July 30, 2009

332.6 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2.3 pounds

Monthly Loss: 7 pounds

Total Loss: 28.2 pounds

Exercise Log July 29, 2009

Walked somewhat over 3 miles with my cousin last night. Planned to work out again this morning, but was up too late talking to my parents.

Food Log July 29, 2009

Breakfast: turkey and baby swiss sandwich and carrots

Morning Snack: 1/2 cup of trail mix throughout the day

Lunch: chicken sandwich (with chipotle mayo) and tater tots at Waterloo

Afternoon Snack: apple with peanut butter

Dinner: peanut butter sandwich, carrots, and 2 Special Darks with almonds

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water and 3 Diet Cokes

Weigh-In July 29, 2009

334.9 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0 pounds

Monthly Loss: 4.7 pounds

Total Loss: 25.9 pounds

Food Log July 28, 2009

Breakfast: english muffin with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: carrot cupcake with icing and nuts

Lunch: burger and fries at Cover 3 - the burger was excellent, especially the bun (not for this particular effort, but in terms of overall deliciousness) - and 1/2 chocolate cupcake

Afternoon Snack: apple and 1/2 cup of trail mix (spread over the day)

Dinner: peanut butter sandwich, carrots, and a peanut butter cookie

Evenign Snack: slice of baby swiss cheese and a very little bit of trail mix

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and 5 Diet Cokes

Exercise Log July 28, 2009

Rode about 3 miles this morning around nearby neighborhoods and trails, finishing with a run up Swenson Farms Blvd and back down to the house. My legs started protesting as soon as I was on the bike, so probably not as much intensity as yesterday.

And then tonight I biked 2 miles to the Rec Center, and walked 2 miles on their track. I would've ridden back, but my back tire was really really flat, so the wife was good enough to pick me up. Time to buy an air pump and see if I need new tires.

Weigh-In July 28, 2009

334.9 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.7 pounds

Monthly Loss: 4.7 pounds

Total Loss: 25.9 pounds

Food Log July 27, 2009

Breakfast: english muffin with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: carrots, thumb-sized piece of chocolate chip cookie, and part of 1/2 cup of trail mix spread throughout the day

Lunch: Turkey Tom sandwich from Jimmy John's

Afternoon Snack: apple with peanut butter

Dinner: a wonderful dinner for an impromptu early birthday party by my in-laws featuring steak, broccoli, corn, roasted potatoes, and birthday cake beautifully iced by my sister-in-law at her cake decorating class

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water and a Coke Zero

Exercise Log July 27, 2009

Biked 5 miles this morning - feet only hit the ground once so I felt pretty good.

What? You thought this log was done? Nope, after work I hit the gym to walk 3 miles. Woot me.

Yes this is a blatant push to improve the month's numbers. Just think of the extra workout as that cop waiting just over the hill with a speed gun.

Weigh-In July 27, 2009

336.6 pounds

Incremental Gain: 2.1 pounds

Monthly Loss: 3 pounds

Total Loss: 24.2 pounds

Food Log July 26, 2009

Breakfast: bacon/egg/cheese taco from Taco Cabana

Lunch: movie popcorn

Dinner: beef fajitas from Chuy's

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 3 Diet Cokes

Exercise Log July 26, 2009

Walked up a hill for 2 miles in 30-45 minutes this morning with Steve. I don't know exact elevations, but it's been listed as one of the 10 toughest slopes for bicycling in Austin. It hurt but felt good. There are 2 even harder hills in Steve's neighborhood - we might try them sometime. A long time from now. Not as much distance or time as I've frequently done, but it felt good to feel the muscles burn a bit.

Weeks #7 and 8 In Review

Pounds Gained: 3.4

Miles Walked: 18

Miles Biked: 8

Hours of Basketball Played: 1

Amount Lost for the Buffaloe Scholarship: $9.70 ($620.30 total)

It's been a weird couple of weeks, with some other work and personal stuff affecting my mood and discipline. Can't really blame anything externally, though - my discipline's really slipped further with the eating. I feel like exercise has held pretty steady, though, which I am proud of. I actually just signed up for 8 yoga classes in August to add something new. I also picked up some different stuff at the grocery store - pre-cooked microwaveable stuff that might spice up my meals a bit.

Another huge round of thanks to people who have been so helpful - Alyssa for teaching me to cook nutburgers, Scott for helping with exercises, and stretching, so many people willing to walk with me, and all of the encouragement from all of you. It's really made a difference to have people to lean on through this project.

A little administrative note - July will end on the morning of July 31 instead of the morning of August 1. That's a flat-out cheat to allow me to celebrate my birthday however I feel like it on Friday and not have it impact a major measurement like the end of the month. I feel like I have a chance to have lost 10 pounds in July, but am not banking on it. My main priority is staying about where I am today so I've gone 25 pounds total.

Weigh-In July 26, 2009

334.5 pounds

Incremental Gain: 2.6 pounds

Monthly Loss: 5.1 pounds

Total Loss: 26.3 pounds

Food Log July 25, 2009

Breakfast: english muffin with peanut butter and an apple

Morning Snack: apple with peanut butter

Lunch: at a 3PM Alamo movie, had mozzarella sticks, and Alamo burger with fries, and helped finish the wife's chocolate ice cream

Evening Snack: at a party, had some fries, a few chocolate chip cookies, some of my trail mix, and an M&M cookie ice cream sandwich

Liquid Refreshment: 2 glasses of water and 6 Coke Zeros

Exercise Log July 25, 2009

Walked at least 3 miles around Old Settler's Park this morning. I think it was 4, but I'll count it conservatively to keep the boobirds away.

And ran into Mme Cotter, my high school French teacher, which was a great bonus. And my coworker Joe, who apparently runs out there whenever his 1-year-old gives him time to himself. A good morning in many, many ways.

Weigh-In July 25, 2009

331.9 pounds

Incremental Loss: 4.3 pounds

Monthly Loss: 7.7 pounds

Total Loss: 28.9 pounds

Woot! Yeah it's post-workout, but woot! Gives me hope for the end of the month, at which time I must be at 25 total pounds lost, and would love to actually hit 10 for the month.

Food Log July 24, 2009

Breakfast: english muffin with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: 1.5 donuts and 1/2 cup of trail mix and a baked Dorito (1 chip, not 1 bag)

Lunch: peanut butter sandwich, small fries, and small Coke

Afternoon Snack: banana and another 1/2 cup of trail mix throughout the day

Dinner: half an order of combo fajitas at the Oasis (on 4 corn tortillas with a little sour cream and cheese)

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 1 Coke Zero

No exercise today as I recovered from basketball (little people's shoulders tend to dig into me ribs).

Weigh-In July 24, 2009

336.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2.2 pounds

Monthly Loss: 3.4 pounds

Total Loss: 24.6 pounds

Let's hear it for basketball!

Exercise Log July 23, 2009

Played basketball for the first time in a year and a half or so. I had predictable readjustment problems (on top of my normal lack-of-skill problems) but I was able to keep going steadily for over an hour of playing time, and had enough to contribute several points and rebounds as my teams went 3-1 on the evening. I was walking more than running at the end, but I never had to stop or take a timeout, and my feet had no problems.

It felt good. No, it felt great.

Food Log July 23, 2009

Breakfast: 1/2 of a BAD bacon/egg/potato/cheese taco and a little trail mix and 2 Mr. Goodbars to clear the palate

Morning Snack: carrots and a 1/2 cup of trail mix spread throughout the day

Lunch: spinach/pecans/chicken/onions salad with cherry vinaigrette at Plank's, a bag of Baked Cheetos, and 2 Mr Goodbars

Afternoon Snack: 4 Mr Goodbars

Dinner: apple with peanut butter and LeanCuisine chicken alfredo with broccoli

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 3 Coke Zeros

Still way too much candy snacking - need to stop letting the run get started. On the plus side (and this is a small plus!) I've at some point on my drive home the last 2 nights decided to hit a fastfood drivethru for a late snack, and have held off from doing it both times. Small victories count too, I suppose.

Weigh-In July 23, 2009

338.4 pounds

Incremental Gain: .6 pounds

Monthly Loss: 1.2 pounds

Total Loss: 22.4 pounds

Food Log July 22, 2009

Breakfast: a banana and a piece of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: carrots and a cup of trail mix that was spread throughout the day

Lunch: leftover fried rice from PF Chang's and 2 bite-sized Special Darks with almond

Afternoon Snack: apple with peanut butter and 2 bite-sized almond Special Darks (Pink Lady apple was kinda sour and needed something to wipe away the taste

Dinner: leftover beef lo mein from PF Chang's and a box of raisins

Evening Snack: a few (5?) tortilla chips and some queso

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water and 4 Diet Cokes

Weigh-In July 22, 2009

337.8 pounds

Incremental Loss: .4 pounds

Monthly Loss: 1.8 pounds

Total Loss: 23 pounds

Exercise Log July 21, 2009

Wakled 3.5 miles at the Rec Center to the company of a Science News and a Newsweek. Feet started really hurting or I would've done 4 miles. Taking off tonight to see if rest helps them.

Food Log July 21, 2009

Breakfast: english muffin with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: 1 cup of trail mix spread throughout the day and 3 Mr. Goodbars

Lunch: Chili's turkey sandwich (and a mini-burger and 2 fries stolen off a friend's plate) and 2 Mr. Goodbars

Afternoon Snack: greens/carrots/almonds/grapes salad with Raspberry Pecan dressing and 3 Mr. Goodbars

Dinner: 2 Nutburger patties w/cheese and 1 set of whole-wheat buns, roasted potatoes, and a pretzel

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and 3 Coke Zeros

Weigh-In July 21, 2009

338.2 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.4 pounds

Monthly Loss: 1.4 pounds

Total Loss: 22.6 pounds

Exercise Log July 20, 2009

Walked 2.5 miles at the Rec Center in about 40 minutes while reading Science News. Got there too late to get 4, and was on pace for 3 but started getting some twinges in my left calf so I slowed down.

Food Log July 20, 2009

Breakfast: english muffin with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: 1 cup of the trail mix spread throughout the day

Lunch: Jimmy John's Turkey Tom and 3 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars

Afternoon Snack: greens/carrots/almonds salad with Raspberry Pecan dressing and 3 Mr. Goodbars

Dinner: 2 crab wontons, a chicken lettuce wrap, and about half of a Beef Fried Rice dish at PF Chang's

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water and 2 Coke Zero's

Weigh-In July 20, 2009

336.8 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1 pound

Monthly Loss: 2.8 pounds

Total Loss: 24 pounds

Exercise Log July 19, 2009

Walked 3 miles down Pflugerville trails with the wife tonight.

Food Log July 19, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: apple and carrots

Lunch: turkey, ham, and cheese Texandwich

Dinner: quarter-pounder w/cheese and medium fries

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 3 Diet Cokes

Weigh-In July 19, 2009

337.8 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.6 pounds

Monthly Loss: 1.8 pounds

Total Loss: 23 pounds

Not in a good place mentally, so will skip the total review for the week. Trying to revert to a happy, maintainable medium. Also tried to prep a bit by making up a trail mix from nuts at the grocery store - a 1/2 cup is about 445 calories, 37g fat, 18g carb, 6.5g fiber, and 11g protein.

Food Log July 18, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: small popcorn

Lunch: chicken relleno, rice, and broccoli at Iron Cactus

Dinner: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and a Diet COke

Weigh-In July 18, 2009

336.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0 pounds

Monthly Loss: 3.4 pounds

Total Loss: 24.6 pounds

Food Log July 17, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: trail mix

Lunch: rest of the Daily Grill pesto penne and 2 Mr. Goodbar's

Afternoon Snack: apple with peanut butter and 4 Mr. Goodbar's

Dinner: Mighty Fine junior bacon cheeseburger, chocolate shake, and about half an order of fries

Evening Snack: large Coke Slurpee, a Baby Ruth, and a brownie

Liquid Refreshment: 2 glasses of water and 3 Coke Zero's

Yeah slipped off that wagon somehow. Bad week in a lot of ways, but I expect things to improve.

Weigh-In July 17, 2009

336.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: .6 pounds

Monthly Loss: 3.4 pounds

Total Loss: 24.6 pounds

Not what I would've hoped from the bike ride, but late dinner and water/soda drinking might have skewed it.

Exercise Log July 16, 2009

Biked 6.3 miles in the 5PM heat from the office down to Tarrytown for the company party. Made $12 as bribes/challenges from my biking compatriots.

Food Log July 16, 2009

Breakfast: banana and a 2 bacon/cheese/egg breakfast tacos

Lunch: leftover chicken and rice from Monday plus part of a veggie tray

Afternoon Snack: trail mix

Dinner: tenderloin, potatoes, and a little sausage at a company cookout plus a lot of crackers afterwards

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water, about 3 Diet Cokes, and 3 glasses of eLoad(?) to help replenish electrolytes following the bike ride

Weigh-In July 16, 2009

336.8 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.8 pounds

Monthly Loss: 2.8 pounds

Total Loss: 24 pounds

Nope, not a great weigh-in. Not even a good one. I bet tomorrow's will be better though - await the logs.

Food Log July 15, 2009

Breakfast: 1 piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: 2 Nature Valleyr roasted almond granola bars

Lunch: cucumber roll, buda roll (their spelling), and a side of sticky rice at Sushi Sake

Afternoon Snack: an apple with peanut butter and probably about 8 Mr.Goodbars/Special Darks scattered throughout the afternoon

Dinner: junior-sized Justaburger (no cheese) and small fries from Whataburger

Evening Snack: large coke and large popcorn at Harry Potter 6

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 3 Coke Zeroes

My usual Wednesday walking partners were unavailable, so I decided to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Celebrated a great movie with an unusual snack, which might not be great, but it was an all-around fun experience.

Weigh-In July 15, 2009

335.0 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0 pounds

Monthly Loss: 4.6 pounds

Total Loss: 25.8 pounds

Food Log July 14, 2009

Breakfast: 1 piece of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: about 1/7 of the HEB trail mix and 2 Special Darks with almond

Lunch: Turkey Tom sandwich at Jimmy John's

Afternoon Snack: 1 apple with peanut butter and a Special Dark with almond

Dinner: 2 pieces of buttered sourdough bread, a few bites of mashed potatoes, a few bites of the most excellent mac and cheese, and about 1/3 of the pesto penne chicken at Daily Grill

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and 4 Diet Cokes

Exercise Log July 14, 2009

Rode my bike about 3.5 miles in 25 minutes, repeatedly going uphill on Swenson Farms Drive.

Weigh-In July 14, 2009

335.0 pounds

Incremental Gain: .5 pounds

Monthly Loss: 4.6 pounds

Total Loss: 25.8 pounds

Exercise Log July 13, 2009

Walked 2 miles at the Rec Center.

Food Log July 13, 2009

Last Night's Evening Snack: another 1/6 or so of the trail mix

Breakfast: 1 piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: about 1/7 of the HEB trail mix

Lunch: turkey/havarti sandwich, carrots, and 2 bite-sized Hershey's Special Darks

Afternoon Snack: apple and a Special Dark

Dinner: reheated chicken and rice

Evening Snack: another 1/7 of the HEB trail mix

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water

Weigh-In July 13, 2009

334.5 pounds

Incremental Gain: 3.4 pounds

Monthly Loss: 5.1 pounds

Total Loss: 26.3 pounds

I knew a rebound was coming, and I ate/drank pretty late last night (especially all that rice). Let's hear it for Monday the 13th!

Food Log July 12, 2009

Breakfast: bacon/egg/cheese breakfast taco from Taco Cabana

Morning Snack: banana

Lunch: 3 eggs scrambled with turkey and asiago, and a spinach/carrots/almonds salad with Raspberry Pecan dressing

Afternoon Snack: 5 Sonic tater tots plus 1/6 of a trail mix from HEB - apple bits, nuts, some kinda caramel flavor

Dinner: 2 scrambled eggs with a chicken breast and 1.5-2 cups of rice

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water

Exercise Log July 12, 2009

Trekked 4 miles with Kat up and down Bull Creek. Twas much fun, and made me long for Enchanted Rock - once the temperature's bearable again.

Week #6 In Review

Pounds Lost: 6.2

Miles Walked: 15

Miles Biked: 11

Games Bowled: 2

Amount Raised for the Buffaloe Scholarship: $131 ($630 total)

A beautifully plummeting kind of week. I don't know exactly what to think, but I have a feeling there could be a rebound that will see me slightly gain weight this week. Maybe I'll be wrong - I hope so.

I'm trying some things this week by pre-cooking chicken tonight and using some store-bought trail mix to add a little protein and variety to ye olde diet. We'll see if it works - I definitely need to avoid having quite so many meals at restaurants.

I also want to up the workouts a bit. The last 2 mornings have been good hours outdoors, but I'd like to increase my strength as well as my endurance, so might add some repeated uphill segments to the bike rides and look for other opportunities. Hopefully some basketball if my Thursday nights ever open up (not this week), and eventually even racquetball again.

In the Woot! Celebrate! category, I tried on my suit pants, whose waistline in September couldn't even meet up around me. They fit. And that's just cool.

Weigh-In July 12, 2009

331.1 pounds

Incremental Loss: 3.4 pounds

Monthly Loss: 8.5 pounds

Total Loss: 29.7 pounds

Wow. Cool number, but I *strongly* expect some bounceback.

Exercise Log July 11, 2009

So for the last several years, 7-11 has celebrated the Slurpee's "birthday" by giving out free 7.11 oz Slurpees. Yes, yes, it's a really silly marketing idea, even in the world of marketing ideas, but didn't you read the part about the free Slurpees? I wanted one, but figured I should earn it. So I biked to the nearest 7-11, at Gattis School Road@ Mays in south Round Rock.

I google-mapped the route I ended up taking, and I spent from 6:34AM (as little sun/80-degree weather as possible) to 7:18AM going 5.9 miles there, and 7:32 to 8:17 going 5.3 miles back, so I'll count it as 11 miles. Many thoughts went through my head I wanted to share:

1) I pushed a little too far. Walked the bike a lot on the return leg, especially uphill.

2) But I made it. Let's hear it for stretch goals (and we all knew it would take a Slurpee to motivate me!)! Seriously, a month and a half ago, I never would've imagined powering myself to Round Rock in any way, shape, or form.

3) Carbon-free Slurpee run! Except for the carbon in the Slurpee, the energy used to make it, ship it, and store it - but my efforts were carbon-free. Except for the carbon used to make the bike, ship it, etc. I don't think I can end up winning this point.

4) I now understand people who say they walked uphill to school both ways. Going northwest like I did is definitely uphill, so the return journey was net downhill. But the uphill parts loomed much larger in my fatigued state. So it felt like a whole big mess o uphill.

5) Dunno why, but I went in planning to buy a Slurpee in addition to the tiny freebie, but didn't feel like it. I like that even if I don't understand it.

btw last night pushed me past 100 miles walked (101, actually) since I started this little project. Round numbers please me.

Food Log July 11, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: 7.11oz Coke Slurpee (free!)

Lunch: Royal Red Robin burger and steak fries

Afternoon Snack: medium popcorn at the theater

Dinner: tortilla chips and chicken fajitas at Chuy's with another (free!) 7.11oz Coke Slurpee

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 6 Diet Cokes

For those who are anywhere close to as detail-oriented as me, drinks only go in Liquid Refreshment if they have no calories - diet soda and water. Drinks with substance (i.e., Nature's Most Perfect Beverage) are recorded with their meal.

Weigh-In July 11, 2009

334.5 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.8 pounds

Monthly Loss: 5.1 pounds

Total Loss: 26.3 pounds

Probably has to do with the fact I forgot to weigh before going on my epic bike journey about to be detailed. :-) But in fairness I'd also consumed breakfast, 2 large glasses of water, and the Best. Morning Snack. Ever.

Exercise Log July 10, 2009

Walked 4 miles at the Rec Center while wrapping up a Newsweek and starting the UT alumni rag Alcalde.

Today's Day 40, and I'd like to brag briefly that I have worked out 34 of those days, or 85%. Or 100010 in binary.

Interesting idea for my workout tomorrow, but won't say anything and jinx it. Yet.

Food Log July 10, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: carrots, 30 grapes, and a quarter of a Dunkin glazed donut

Lunch: double cheeseburger and small fries at McDonald's and 2 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars

Afternoon Snack: an apple with peanut butter and 2 Mr. Goodbar's and 2 Snickers (all bite-sized spread throughout the afternoon)

Dinner: chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli at Verde's plus tortilla chips and queso

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and 4 Diet Cokes

Probably would've been more conservative at lunch if I'd known I was having Mexican for dinner.

Weigh-In July 10, 2009

336.3 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0 pounds

Monthly Loss: 3.3 pounds

Total Loss: 24.5 pounds

Holding place after last night's dinner is hugely encouraging.

Exercise Log July 9, 2009

Bowled 2 games - a 91 and a 97. Not good, but nowhere close to my worst.

(Some will say the same about this "workout".)

Food Log July 9, 2009

Breakfast: a banana and a bacon/potato/egg/cheese breakfast taco

Morning Snack: carrots

Lunch: turkey/havarti sandwich, some slivered almonds, and a Special Dark

Afternoon Snack: an apple with peanut butter and a chocolate chip cookie

Dinner: peanut butter sandwich and lots of slivered almonds, which got me hungry enough for a small bag of Cheetos

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water

More on the post-dinner weirdness later.

Weigh-In July 9, 2009

336.3 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.6 pounds

Monthly Loss: 3.3 pounds

Total Loss: 24.5 pounds

I love new lows.

Exercise Log July 8, 2009

Walked 3+ miles around an outdoor track with Lee in an hour.

Food Log July 8, 2009

Breakfast: banana and potato/egg/bacon/cheese breakfast taco

Morning Snack: 2 Nature Valley roasted almond granola bars

Lunch: Zen chicken and broccoli white rice bowl with carrots and extra egg and a bite-sized Hershey's Special Dark

Afternoon Snack: 2 Special Darks and an apple with peanut butter

Dinner: Nutrisystem chicken wrap, tortilla chips, a Special Dark, and a box of raising

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and 3 Coke Zeros

Weigh-In July 8, 2009

337.9 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2 pounds

Monthly Loss: 1.7 pounds

Total Loss: 22.9 pounds

Always nice to rebound down the scale as well as up. :-)

Exercise Log July 7, 2009

Walked 4 miles at the Rec Center in an hour while reading half a Newsweek.

Food Log July 7, 2009

Breakfast: banana and a piece of toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: apple with some peanut butter and carrots

Lunch: banana and 3 eggs scrambled with 1 slice turkey and asiago cheese

Afternoon Snack: spinach/carrots/almonds/turkey salad with raspberry pecan dressing and an oatmeal-raisin granola bar

Dinner: peanut butter sandwich, 5 Sonic cheese sticks, and a slice of Havarti cheese

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water and a medium Diet Coke from Sonic

Went to Sonic for the delicious taste of a fountain soft drink, and found myself getting the cheese sticks as well. Dunno why, except that I wanted them.

Weigh-In July 7, 2009

339.9 pounds

Incremental Gain: 2.6 pounds

Monthly Gain: 0.3 pounds

Total Loss: 20.9 pounds

Yeah, the weekend finally caught up to me. Back on the wagon.

Food Log July 6, 2009

Breakfast: apple and carrots

Lunch: large Coke Classic and medium popcorn at the theater

Afternoon Snack: banana and oatmeal-raisin granola bar

Dinner: 2 eggs scrambled with a slice of turkey and asiago cheese and lots of steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water

Weigh-In July 6, 2009

337.3 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0 pounds

Monthly Loss: 2.3 pounds

Total Loss: 23.5 pounds

Week #5 In Review

Pounds Lost: 1.9

Miles Walked: 17

Miles Biked: 10

Amount Raised for the Buffaloe Scholarship: $44 ($499 total)

First off, thanks for the encouragement! Reminded me why I'm doing this in the public eye, and I've gotten lots of good ideas. As this weekend was a serious slide for me, it was nice to see the weight similarly un-understandably not going up, so I'm feeling pretty good whatever the scale says each day.

Food Log June 5, 2009

Breakfast: bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast taco
Morning Snack: 2 oatmeal-raisin granola bars
Lunch: peanut butter sandwich

Afternoon Snack: 5-10 tortilla chips with queso, some carrots and broccoli with ranch, 2 pizza bites, a Swiss Roll, and a small piece of birthday cake with Candy Jar ice cream
Dinner: double quarter pounder, large fries, and a large Coke
Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water and 3 Diet Cokes

Exercise Log June 5, 2009

Walked at least 4 miles on hilly roads and clamber-y trails with Kat, Steve, and Avery White over about 2.5 hours this morning.

Weigh-In July 5, 2009

337.3 pounds
Incremental Loss: .9 pounds
Monthly Loss: 2.3 pounds
Total Loss: 23.5 pounds

June In Review

Seems like a good time to take stock.

In June I:

--Lost 21.2 pounds, or 5.9% of my body weight

--Saw the 330s for the first time at least since I got married (the last time I really checked weight was trying to be a better fiance/husband)

--Lost 3.7 pounds in a single day (twice!)

--Gained 3.9 pounds in a single day (must ... keep ... humility) (or find it to begin with)

--Dropped my fasting blood sugar by 53%

--Bought a new belt, and another to shrink into

--Walked 73 miles

--Got a gold star at the gym for my walking

--Biked 16.5 miles

--Bowled 2 games (OK not everything on this list is impressive)

--Worked out 25 times, at least 5 times each week

--Saw the sun rise

--Raised $449 for the Judy Buffaloe Memorial Scholarship with pledges of about $2600 when I hit 75 pounds

--Started this blog, and kept up with it every day

--Got 73 comments from and exchanged an additional 77 emails with supportive readers like you

--Ate 1 burger

--Ate 9 partial servings of fried side dishes (cheese sticks, fries, etc)

--Ate 49 chocolate treats

--Ate 56 servings of vegetables

--Ate 49 servings of fruits

--Ate 15 turkey sandwiches

--Ate 78 pieces of bread

--Ate 22 servings of peanut butter

--Ate 17 salads

--Ate 12 frozen dinners

--Drank 161 glasses of water

--Drank 44 sodas

--Bought 20 meals from restaurants

Food Log June 4, 2009

Breakfast: a banana and 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast with asiago cheese

Lunch: Chuy's chicken fajitas with corn tortillas and a little sour cream and cheese on each, and about 5 tortilla chips

Dinner: another party (no blame to the hosts - it's me doing the grazing); a hot dog and a piece of cake definitely happened, as well as repeated uncounted grazing of fries, egg rolls*, and cookies

Liquid Refreshment: 3 glasses of water and 5 Diet Cokes

* I was asked to bring sides and I decided to use one of the most American inventions ever, the drive-through, to assert American's independence by finding the foods we've most effectively "adopted" from other countries - french fries, egg rolls, and nachos. If anyone would like to suggest other additions for future celebrations of America, let me know.

Exercise Log July 4, 2009

Walked 7 miles in 2.5 hours outside (running out of hot jokes, but it's still hot) this morning. Saw more of Pflugerville than I ever have.

Weigh-In July 4, 2009

338.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0 pounds

Monthly Loss: 1.4 pounds

Total Loss: 22.6 pounds

Exercise Log July 3, 2009

Biked 4 miles in a loop through Pflugerville parks with Lee in about an hour at 6:30 this morning. Temperature was almost cool enough to support human life.

Food Log July 3, 2009

Breakfast: banana and a peanut-butter granola bar

Morning Snack: 1/2 peanut-butter sandwich

Lunch: chicken club sandwich and fries at Alamo

Afternoon Snack: apple and peanut butter

Dinner: grilled chicken, small corn-on-the-cob, greens salad with ranch dressing, 3 buttered crescent rolls, and a piece of shortcake with strawberries, blueberries, and Cool Whip

Evening Snack: 2 oatmeal-raisin granola bars

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and a Diet Coke

Weigh-In July 3, 2009

338.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: .1 pounds

Monthly Loss: 1.4 pounds

Total Loss: 22.6 pounds

This is the happy ending. Not much of an improvement, but I still lost .1 pounds. And my blood sugar, despite last night's sugar binge, was only 117 (up from 97 the day before). Not that it justifies my behavior yesterday, but it's nice to see the stickiness of weight and glucose keeps me from bouncing up as much as it keeps me from plummeting down. If I'm gonna whine about the negative effects, I'll also enjoy the positive (well I'll try to).

Another note - I'm not tracking the blood sugar on here, but I've been below 130 since June 16, and below 120 since June 21. My average since June 1 is only 137 (I was above 200 the first couple of days), and the average since June 16 is 117. There's been no number more encouraging to me than that - I hope it will turn into a reduction in my medication after my next round of bloodwork in August.

Exercise Log July 2, 2009

Walked 2 miles at the Rec Center. They finally got my 100-mile gold star on the wall. :-)

This isn't the happy ending yet - same frustrated rebellious feeling sapped my will to push through to a normal 4-mile walk. Couldn't even keep up my normal pace, which just made me angrier. Bad place mentally.

Food Log July 2, 2009

Breakfast: bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast taco, and one pig in a blanket

Morning Snack: 20 grapes

Lunch: 2 fajitas - each had one piece of beef, 2-3 pieces of chicken, sour cream, and cheese

Afternoon Snack: greens/carrots/provolone/almonds salad

Dinner: Mangia blanco pizza and about 1/3 Ooey Gooey Chocolate Brownie

Evening Snack: large (not extra large!) Slurpee and a Baby Ruth

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water and a Coke Zero

Normally any one of these meals would've been an indulgent day, but company provided breakfast and lunch (where I could have stopped at one fajita), and at the end of the day, I found myself not so much wanting to eat healthy as wanting to deliberately eat unhealthy - not a good place. On the other hand, the end of this story's a little more uplifting - keep reading folks!

Weigh-In July 2, 2009

338.3 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.3 pounds

Monthly Loss:1.3 pounds

Total Loss: 22.5 pounds

Exercise Log July 1, 2009

Walked 4 miles in an hour around Lee&Michelle's neighborhood at about 8:30PM.

Doing My Part To Keep Texas Out of the Top 5

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/01/obesity.rankings/index.html

Food Log July 1, 2009

Breakfast: 1 piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, a banana, and carrots

Morning Snack: half a turkey sandwich and 20 grapes

Lunch: Mooyah junior cheeseburger with 1/3-pound patty (jr? really?), lettuce, grilled onions, ketchup, mustard, mayo

Afternoon Snack: greens/carrots/provolone/almond salad and a chocolate-chunk granola bar

Dinner: half a turkey sandwich and 3 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water and a Diet Coke

Weigh-In July 1, 2009

339.6 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.6 pounds

Total Loss: 21.2 pounds

Food Log June 30, 2009

Breakfast: chocolate Pop Tart (last one!), a banana, and some carrots

Morning Snack: turkey sandwich, 12 grapes, and 12 blueberries

Lunch: Turkey Tom on wheat from Jimmy John's

Late Afternoon Snack: salad

Dinner: Nutrisystem cheese and spinach ravioli and an apple

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water

1989 calories

249g carbs

35g fiber

77g fat

97g protein

I had planned to split my normal meal of sandwich and salad into my 2 snacks for today, and try to go more to several consistent mini-meals than 3 big meals with small snacks. Might work, but I hadn't realized just how big and filling the Turkey Tom sandwich is - the wheat bread actually makes it worse for me, which I hadn't realized. Definitely felt stuffed after lunch.

Weigh-In June 30, 2009

338.0 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2 pounds

Total Loss: 22.8 pounds

Exercise Log June 29, 2009

Walked a full 4-mile outdoor loop in an hour with cousins tonight. 9PM is much different from 9AM outdoors. And I won the race with Lee for the last 100 yards or so (sure, I didn't tell him we were racing until I took off, but that's just his unpreparedness). Should any other cousins I have a competition with take this as a bad omen for their odds? I think so. I think so.

Bought new sneakers today - those just always feel great. Until I pound them into submission, which should be pretty soon at this rate.

Food Log June 29, 2009

Breakfast: 1 chocolate Pop-Tart and a banana

Morning Snack: carrots and an oatmeal-raisin granola bar

Lunch: turkey-and-provolone sandwich and a greens/carrots/almonds/provolone salad

Afternoon Snack: apple and peanut-butter granola bar

Dinner: Zen chicken and broccoli bowl with extra egg and carrots, and half a large chocolate chip cookie

Liquid Refreshment: 8 glasses of water

I kept track as close as I could of nutritional content today, and I believe these are my totals. If so I definitely need to up the protein and probably the calories a little bit as well. And the fat is high - I'm a sucker for cheese.

1907 calories

240g carbs

33g fiber

66g fat

103g protein

Weigh-In June 29, 2009

340.0 pounds

Incremental Gain: .8 pounds

Total Loss: 20.8 pounds

Exercise Log June 28, 2009

Rode the bike 6 miles tonight - sun was down but Texas remains hot 24/7 this time of year.

Food Log June 28, 2009

Breakfast: 2 chocolate Pop-Tarts (yeah I know, I'm almost out and won't buy them again for a while)

Lunch: peanut butter sandwich and an oatmeal-raisin granola bar

Afternoon Snack: medium popcorn at the theater

Dinner: Just Enough smaller portion of sweet and sour chicken with broccoli and jasmine rice (left a quarter of that on the plate for better or worse) from Mimi's Cafe with a piece of some kind of nut bread and a buttered half-roll

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and a large Coke Zero at the theater

I've pre-packed sandwiches and salads for the week so hopefully that will help me get back on the wagon.

Also, just out of curiosity, how do you feel hunger? I've gotten close to a sugar crash before, and I know that feeling. But I haven't been close to that in a couple of weeks (even with my somehow-lower blood sugar levels), even though I've been eating often less than 2000 calories a day. I want food, but it's a mouth urge, nothing about emptiness or from the stomach, and isn't much different just after I've pigged out. Anything to contribute to this understanding?

Week #4 In Review

Pounds Lost: 0.5

Miles Walked: 18

Amount Raised for the Buffaloe Scholarship: $15 ($455 total)

I'm getting frustrated. Not about the walk-canceling effects of last night's indulgence, but overall. Can eating the amount of calories (even if not the healthiest mix yet - I'm working on that) I'm eating, and working out as much as I am cause someone to gain weight to 340 pounds? I don't think so, so how is it sustaining me here? I feel like I'm already eating less (not on purpose - working on smartly increasing the amount) and exercising more than I'm likely to on a life-long pattern, so how is 340 the result?

Part of my frustration is that my discipline is steadily falling away. Surprisingly not on exercise (my 2 off days were the results of a weird week at work), but my better dietary inclinations are being nibbled away. I think I can reassert them (I can stop whenever I want to! isn't that the cliche?), but it does make me nervous about keeping this up. And it's tougher to keep myself in line when efforts don't lead to results. Right now exercise efforts are generally having results, but not so much food efforts.

Another surprise to me is I've had no thoughts about quitting. But at the moment, it just feels too hard to even think about much. And it leaves me with no reserves to tackle a surge at work, or other things that come up. It's a long, slow slog with no end in sight.

At this point I could use 1) encouragement (thanks to many of you who have provided that with no prodding needed, just still need it), and 2) ideas for snacks to improve my protein intake.

Thanks again for everyone's support.

Weigh-In June 28, 2009

339.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.4 pounds

Total Loss: 21.6 pounds

Looks like walking 4 miles in the heat outweighed last night's party. I'll take that as good news.

Food Log June 27, 2009

Breakfast: banana and a chocolate Pop Tart

Lunch: 1/3 Cheesecake Factory Chicken Romano and a chocolate chunk granola bar

Afternoon Snack: chocolate chunk granola bar

Dinner: 2 pieces of toast with shredded asiago cheese

Evening Snack: oops*

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water, 3 Coke Zeros, and oops*

*Went to a party last night, and I ended up snacking on more chicken tenders and tortilla chips than I should have. Also a ton of Coke Zeros, and perhaps a wee bit o' rum. Anyway it wasn't the awesome gluttony I've displayed in the past, but I pretty much lost count.

Exercise Log June 27, 2009

Walked 4 miles around Old Settler's Park with Craig at 8:30 this morning. Took about 90-100 minutes. Still definitely feels like Texas in June.

Weigh-In June 27, 2009

340.6 pounds

Incremental Gain: .8 pounds

Total Loss: 20.2 pounds

I weighed myself after my walk today, and was down to 334.3 pounds, which would have been an incremental/total loss of 5.5/26.5 pounds. Not that it counts, but nice to see I can at least dip into that territory.

Exercise Log June 26, 2009

Walked 4 miles in an hour at the Rec Center while enjoying last week's Science News. It's funny how fascinating science is when I'm not in a class for it.

Food Log June 26, 2009

Breakfast: banana and a chocolate Pop Tart

Lunch: Z Tejas parmesan pecan-crusted chicken salad (chicken, spinach, bacon, bleu cheese) with 3 tortilla chips and about a quarter-circle of their delicious cornbread with a little butter

Afternoon Snack: apple

Dinner: 1/3 Cheesecake Factory Chicken Romano

Evening Snack: dark chocolate cherry granola bar

Liquid Refreshment: 3 glasses of water and 2 Diet Cokes

Weigh-In June 26, 2009

339.8 pounds

Incremental Loss: .6 pounds

Total Loss: 21 pounds

I have no idea how yesterday was a gian and today was a loss. Any explanations beyond day-to-day weight is unpredictable?

An amazingly unmistakable plus: my blood sugar was still only 120, which is pretty low for yesterday's choco-carb storm. That is awesome.

Food Log June 25, 2009

Breakfast: bacon, potato, egg, and cheese breakfast taco (and it was oh so good)

Morning Snack: 4 bite-sized Mr. Goodbar-type candies

Lunch: turkey sandwich (no tomatoes), broccoli w/carrots, and 10 french fries from Chili's

Afternoon Snack: Drumstick (directors came around the office playing ice cream truck music distributing ice cream - I had to be polite!), then 8-10 bite-sized chocolates

Dinner: Nutrisystem steak melt wrap including cheese and green peppers

Liquid Refreshment: 3 glasses of water, 2 Coke Zeros, a large Diet Coke at the theater and a Coca-Cola Classic

Evening Snack: a little bit of peanut butter (for medication)

Yeah I lost it on the snacking this afternoon - frustrated and tired is my explanation, although it's not an excuse. Led to a surprise weigh-in the next day.

Weigh-In June 25, 2009

340.4 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.3 pounds

Total Loss: 20.4 pounds

A little surprised, even though I didn't work out, since I didn't eat after 5:30 or drink after 7:30.

Food Log June 24, 2009

Breakfast: a banana and a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: baby carrots, 2 grapes, 3 blueberries, and a bite-sized Mr. Goodbar

Lunch: 1/2 piece of New York-style meat lovers' pizza, and a greens/turkey/carrots/Parmesan salad with raspberry pecan dressing

Early Afternoon Snack: oatmeal-raisin granola bar

Late Snack: apple

Dinner: oatmeal-raisin granola bar, bite-sized Snickers, and a greens/turkey/carrots/Parmesan salad with raspberry pecan dressing

Liquid Refreshment: 3 glasses of water and 2 Coke Zeros

Just leaving work now, so no workout today for me.

Weigh-In June 24, 2009

339.1 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.3 pounds

Total Loss: 21.7 pounds

Exercise Log June 23, 2009

Didn't think I'd have time for the gym tonight, but made it just in time to cram 2 miles walking into 28 minutes.

I've noticed sore spots on the outsides of my pinky fingers, just below the last knuckle. They've gotten rawer and even a light callus - I finally realized I'm using them to hold the loops of my shoelaces while I use my index fingers to pull tight close to the foot. Never thought tying my shoes could hurt me. Power to the flipflops!

Food Log June 23, 2009

Breakfast: 1 banana and a frosted chocolate fudge Pop Tart

Morning Snack: 2 Nature Valley roasted almond bars

Lunch: Turkey Tom sandwich from Jimmy John's

Early Afternoon Snack: apple and 2 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars

Late Afternoon Snack (at a company meeting/happy hour): 5 chicken tenders with a bit of ranch or BBQ sauce on each and a tortilla chip dipped in queso

Dinner: Nutrisystem steak melt wrap including cheese and green peppers, and 2 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars

Liquid Refreshment: 3 glasses of water and 2 Coke Zeros

Weigh-In June 23, 2009

340.4 pounds

Incremental Gain: 1.5 pounds

Total Loss: 20.4 pounds

Ate (and drank 2 Coke Zeros) after 7:30 last night, which I think had something to do with this.

Exercise Log June 22, 2009

Walked 4 miles at the Rec Center while reading most of a Newsweek. My 100-mile placard isn't up yet. Alas, alas.

Food Log June 22, 2009

Breakfast: 1 banana and a frosted chocolate fudge Pop Tart :-)

Lunch: Nutrisystem beef and veggies dinner, a Harvest Energy peanut butter chocolate chip Power Bar, and 7 stolen fries from Moo-yah's (stolen from the eater, not the restaurant)

Afternoon Snack: apple

Dinner: turkey sandwich on wheat and a 90-calorie chocolate chunk granola bar

Liquid Refreshment: 3 glasses of water and 2 Coke Zeros

I think I've abandoned the no chocolate for this week. It will return.

I've gotta say, the texture of the pebbled frosting with the fudgy interior made the Pop Tart as rewarding as I'd remembered. Mm mm good.

Weigh-In June 22, 2009

338.9 pounds

Incremental Loss: .8 pounds

Total Loss: 21.9 pounds

Exercise Log June 21, 2009

Walked 4 miles at the Rec Center while finishing the Colbert Newsweek, which was panned by Letters to the Editor, but I thought he only added to my reading enjoyment.

On a side note, I hit 100 miles walking for the year today. The Rec Center has a wall of recognition for folks walking 100, 500, and 1000 miles in the calendar year, and this is the 2nd year in a row I've hit 100. Last year I stalled out between 225 and 250. This year I'm sure I'll beat that but I won't cry if I can't get to 500 because I add other forms of working out. :-)

Yes, overly detail-oriented readers might know this only makes 55 miles walked for me in June - I had 48 from earlier months, so today's 4 raised me to 103.

Food Log June 21, 2009

Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled with turkey and parmesan and a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: 1 dark chocolate cherry granola bar and 2 bits of sample chocolate at HEB

Lunch: Nutrisystem toasted ham and cheese pocket, 1 chocolate chunk granola bar, and 3/4 of an apple (the other quarter had a deep ugly bruise)

Afternoon Snack: a small buttered popcorn at the theater

Dinner: salad of greens, carrots, almonds with fat-free Raspberry Pecan dressing, a banana, and 2 white cheddar rice cakes
Desset: 2 stolen fettucine noodles from a cream-sauce dish

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water, a large Coke Zero at the theater, and a can of Coke Zero

Note 1: I also stole a tortilla chip with queso after dinner Friday night. Wasn't sure the best way to log it since I forgot that day, but wanted to mention it to keep myself honest.
Note 2: Sometime last week I switched from regular extra-chunky peanut butter to low fat chunky, both Jif products.

Buttered popcorn eaten one kernel at a time is another sublime pleasure. Speaking of pleasure, I couldn't find the individually-wrapped Pop-Tarts but I will find some way to get them soon.

Week #3 In Review

Pounds Lost: 8.7

Miles Walked: 20 (10 in the HEAT!)

Miles Biked: 3

Amount Raised for the Buffaloe Scholarship: $204.80 ($440 total)

Outdoors exercise seems to induce the biggest losses - I'm a little flabbergasted at this morning's weigh-in, but I'll take it. It's nice to see that a limited indulgence like yesterday's McDonald's lunch doesn't derail my effort. And my glucose has been under 130 every day since Tuesday. I can do better on that (it's usually in the 120s), but it's a great level to reach.

I also managed no chocolate last week, despite watching people eat delicious chocolatey desserts. I've taken a mini-break from that today (so far a dark chocolate cherry granola bar and some sample chocolate bits at HEB), and am rewarding myself with 2 frosted chocolate Pop Tarts split over 2 breakfasts sometime this week. Besides that I'm going to try to stick with that plan a second week.

Everything is still clicking pretty well. Exercising more than I dreamed I ever could consistently, generally eating well (and always better than I did before this month!), and continual support from all of you, on- and off-blog, well, it's just been an amazing month so far. I'm sorry I've been bad about replying to some emails - I promise I will get back to everyone.

Weigh-In June 21, 2009

339.7 pounds

Incremental Loss: 3.4 pounds

Total Loss: 21.1 pounds

Yes, that is the 4th tens digit I've wheeled through in the last 3 weeks. :-)

Food Log June 20, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter

Lunch: small Coke, cheeseburger without pickles, and 10 french fries from McDonald's

Dinner: steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots with a little Parmesan, 2 eggs scrambled with turkey and a little more Parmesan, and an apple

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and a large Coke Zero at the theater

Yeah, I cheated at McDonald's today. Coke from the fountain is one of my most refreshing tastes, as is McDonald's fries, and I actually like their burgers. Dinner worked out quite nicely.

Exercise Log June 20, 2009

Walked a 5-mile loop around Old Settler's Park with Craig this morning. At 9:30. In Texas. During June. It was frackin' hot! And that's my story for why it took 2 hours (and I think Craig is lying and it was longer).

Weigh-In June 20, 2009

343.1 pounds

Incremental Gain: .5 pounds

Total Loss: 17.7 pounds

Food Log June 19, 2009

Breakfast: the other 1/2 of last night's Queensland salad and a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter

Morning Snack: 1 Nature Valley Roast Almond granola bar (every other time this week I've had a package of 2)

Lunch: 1/2 gyro and basmati rice combo from Pars Deli and carrots

Afternoon Snack: apple and 1 Nature Valley Roast Almond granola bar

Dinner: other half of Pars combo and oatmeal-raisin granola bar

Evening Snack: 2 white cheddar rice cakes

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water and a Diet Coke

No exercise for Friday - stayed in the office until 10:30 last night.

Weigh-In June 19, 2009

342.6 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0 pounds

Total Loss: 18.2 pounds

Exercise Log June 18, 2009

Got to the gym late, and only got in 2 miles in half an hour before it closed. But more Stephen Colbert-edited Newsweek made it worthwhile.

Food Log June 18, 2009

Breakfast: bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast taco

Morning Snack: carrots

Lunch: Turkey Tom on wheat from Jimmy John's and a peanut butter granola bar

Afternoon Snack: apple and an oatmeal raisin granola bar

Dinner: 1/2 Queensland salad (chicken salad on real salad with bacon, egg, greens) from Outback and about half a loaf of their brown bread, buttered

Evening Snack: 1 white cheddar rice cake

Liquid Refreshment: 8 glasses of water

Not my best day of eating, but better than last Thursday. :-)

Weigh-In June 18, 2009

342.6 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2.6 pounds

Total Loss: 18.2 pounds

Finally I actually have a net loss in my cousin's challenge. For better or worse, this is the first time I've been below last Thursday's weight. Now I'm just hoping to get lower than this in less than 7 days.

Exercise Log June 17, 2009

Walked 5 miles through hiking trails, Sendero Springs, Brushy Creek North, and back to Lee's house in about an hour and a half. It was dark for most of it, but still hot.

Food Log June 17, 2009

Breakfast: peanut butter on 1 piece of whole wheat bread and a banana

Morning Snack: 2 Nature Valley peanut butter granola bars

Lunch: 1/2 Cobb salad, some buttered bread, and a half-cup of corn

Afternoon Snack: apple

Dinner: Nutrisystem cheese and spinach ravioli and carrots and an oatmeal/raisin granola bar

Liquid Refreshment: 8 glasses of water and a Diet Coke

Sorry for the late posts - much busyness.

Weigh-In June 17, 2009

345.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: .4 pounds

Total Loss: 15.6 pounds

Did I cheat by giving blood? Not to my mind. Blood sugar was even lower, even after a Chipotle burrito.

Food Log June 16, 2009

Breakfast: 1 piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, carrots, and a banana

Morning Snack: Nature Valley Roasted Almod granola bar and fresh blueberries

Lunch: 1/2 Chipotle burrito w/rice, cheese, sour cream, lettuce and 4 Nutter Butters

Afternoon Snack: peanut butter granola bar

Dinner: the other half of the burrito and a half turkey sandwich with havarti cheese

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and a Caffeine Free Diet Coke and a Coke Zero

It really, really sucks to be avoiding chocolate (just this week, PJ!) on the day I give blood - best excuse for a package of Chips Ahoy or Oreos.

Exercise Log June 16, 2009

What's this? An exercise log posted in the morning?!? Yes, Virginia, there is a dawn.

Rode 3 miles in 20 minutes this morning - temperature was almost cool enough to feel just right.

Weigh-In June 16, 2009

345.6 pounds

Incremental Loss: .1

Total Loss: 15.2

Exercise Log June 15, 2009

Walked 4 miles in an hour at the rec center while finishing my Science News and starting last week's Stephen Colbert-edited (seriously!) Newsweek.

It's not as cool as buying a new belt, but I did have to retie my exercise shorts tighter. Signs of progress are fun. :-) And the shins didn't hurt - I did do some stretching beforehand, so I hope it helped.

Another good feeling tonight - I'm planning tomorrow to bike in the morning. It's cooler, and will free up the rest of my schedule. So coming home from work I figured I wouldn't walk tonight to save myself for tomorrow. But that didn't feel right, so I decided to walk to the mailbox. That didn't feel right, either, so I headed to the Rec Center ready to stop whenever I felt like it. Next thing I knew, an hour and four miles had passed. I still haven't experienced exercise feeling "good," but I'll call this an interesting new experience.

Food Log June 15, 2009

Breakfast: 1 piece of whole wheat toast with turkey and 1 slice melted havarti cheese and a banana

Morning Snack: carrots

Lunch: Nutrisystem Asian Beef with Vegetables (including rice! I miss rice!), an oatmeal-raisin granola bar, and about a quarter of a walnut-raisin cookie

Afternoon Snack: apple

Dinner: Nutrisystem Chicken Alfredo with broccoli and carrots and a peanut butter granola bar

Evening Snack: 2 white cheddar rice cakes (needed food for medicine and before working out)

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and a Coke Zero

Weigh-In June 15, 2009

345.7 pounds

Incremental Loss: 2.7 pounds

Total Loss: 15.1 pounds

I think it takes a special kind of perseverance to reach my goal twice in the same month! No re-celebration, though - I want to take off another 10 this month if I can. And I think I can.

Exercise Log June 14, 2009

Walked 4 miles in an hour at the Rec Center while starting last week's Science News.

The sides of my shins had a little burn early, but that disappeared somewhere in the second mile. I'll try to do some stretches, but probably also need to do more biking and different exercises.

Food Log June 14, 2009

Breakfast: 1 piece of whole wheat toast with turkey and 1 slice melted cheddar cheese and a banana

Lunch: toasted turkey sandwich with 1 slice cheddar cheese with an apple, an oatmeal/raisin granola bar, and a rice cake

Afternoon Snack: peanut butter granola bar

Dinner: peanut butter sandwich and a cheese stick

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water

Avoided the soda today. Also realized the chocolate-free week dictates some selectivity on my granola bars - my wife has thoughtfully agreed to eat only chocolate-containing ones to leave the rest for me.

Week #2 In Review

Pounds Lost: 0.9

Miles Walked: 21

Amount Raised for the Buffaloe Scholarship: $102.70 (total $235.20)

It was the best of weeks, it was the worst of weeks. One really bad day, another I-don't-know-why weight-gain day, but that's still 5 positive days. Exercise is getting easier (thank you for all the great suggestions!).

I've started to have a few times where I'm wanting to eat things not on the list. Not hunger, just wanting. I know I'll need to increase the variety, but I still need to get the blood sugar under control - which it is this morning for the 2nd day out of the last 2 weeks. I do want to try blocking specific things out occasionally to force myself to a little more creativity - this week I'm going to leave out chocolate. One person suggested taking out all the bad stuff for a while, and see if I still like it afterwards. Let's see what happens.

Your generosity continues to astound. I'm up to $18/pound with a $950 bonus for hitting my goal. I also have a $200 bet with my cousin on who loses the highest % of body weight by December 31. Naturally I set the starting weight on Thursday, so technically I'm now at -1.3%. Hopefully she appreciates the lead I'm spotting her.

Weigh-In June 14, 2009

348.4 pounds

Incremental Gain: 2 pounds

Total Loss: 12.4 pounds

The downside of daily weighings, right?

The Short and Long of It

Yesterday I had to go buy a new belt. Told them I had been a size 52 and need the next-lower size, and so I bought a 46-48 belt (apparently 50-52 is a belt size - you'd think I'd know these things when I buy them, but the extent of my ignorance is yet to be revealed). Went into the dressing room to swap belts (yes, the need is that immediate!), and it was at least 3 inches short from the ends meeting. That's when I looked at the old belt, and realized it was a 54-56. Ouch. So I went sheepishly back to the salesman with a 50-52 belt, and he started ringing up an exchange. "Nope," I stopped him, "I'll need the first one too." The 2 guys behind the register smiled agreeably and skeptically. And my next belt story won't have to involve buying one. I'm already on the 3rd of 7 notches on this one, so hopefully it won't be long.

Did I tell the whole story just to point out that I've already outshrunk a belt? Probably.

Exercise Log June 13, 2009

Walked 4 miles in an hour at the Rec Center while finishing last week's Newsweek.

After considering the many pieces of advice on the chafing, I tried the BodyGlide from RunTex as the cheapest and most easily available option to try first, and I am pleased to report success. Back didn't ache this time - I must have been walking funny to avoid the pain.

Food Log June 13, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast with strawberry preserves and 2 scrambled eggs

Lunch: 2 hot dogs on buns with 2 slices cheddar cheese and a greens/almonds salad with Raspberry Pecan dressing and a granola bar

Afternoon Snack: granola bar

Dinner: 1/2 turkey sandwich, 1/2 greens/onion/cucumber salad with vinaigrette, and apple combo at Panera and a rice cake

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water and a large Coke Zero at the movies and a large Diet Coke from Sonic

Nothing like a fountain drink, even if it's not a real Coke. Also I made it to the grocery store today to replenish bananas and other staples to regain a touch of variety in the diet.

Weigh-In June 13, 2009

346.4 pounds
Incremental Loss: 1.4 pounds
Total Loss: 14.4 pounds

Almost back to the June goal. :-)

Exercise Log June 12, 2009

Walked 4 miles in 1:05 at the Rec Center while reading Newsweek.

No log for Thursday because I didn't exercise. Still was sore for these laps - I think I should only walk on the Rec Center's track once a week maybe?

Food Log June 12, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter
Lunch: Nutrisystem turkey meal with cauliflower, carrots, and broccoli plus a granola bar and 2 Mr. Goodbar's
Afternoon Snack: apple plus 1 Mr. Goodbar
Dinner: hot dog and bun with 1 slice cheddar cheese and a greens/almonds/parmesan salad with Raspberry Pecan dressing
Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water

Back on the wagon, and it feels so good.

Weigh-In June 12, 2009

347.8 pounds
Incremental Gain: 3.8 pounds
Total Loss: 13 pounds

Yeah, a 4-pound penalty for Thursday's foul. Sorry.

In better news, I had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning, and even with this recidivism, she went from planning to increase my diabetes medication to praising my efforts. That was cool.

The First Skip Day (warning: introspection ahead)

Yeah I took off running dietwise on Thursday. Almost didn't post the food log for the day (an especial thanks to my wife for getting me to do what I should) cuz it ain't pretty. Lunch wasn't bad although I easily could have stopped at 1 breadstick. As Micha told me not to blame her for taking the third breadstick, I figured I should blame her publicly - I hope everyone agrees.

That night, my eating just grabbed momentum and rolled on. Went for what I wanted, stomach was full, I just wanted more. My mind was weirdly split - I was enjoying it all (very tasty!) but knew I shouldn't. I know which side won for that night.

There are some definite silver linings that I also want to keep in mind. 1) It was a pretty heavy meal + 2 desserts, but I did stop after the Drumstick - no snacks or anything afterwards. There were a lot of nights in the past I didn't stop there. 2) I don't think the day as a whole was much worse than my normal days - the snacks were pretty light, and 3 breadsticks with alfredo is less than my normal Olive Garden meal. 3) Yeah I re-gained 4 pounds and my blood sugar spiked, but it was still way down from where I started. This isn't the kind of day I want to be a normal skip day, but it's nice to see how much progress I've made regardless.

Food Log June 11, 2009

Morning Snack: 2 white cheddar rice cakes and some slivered almonds (needed food with medicine)
Breakfast: bacon breakfast taco - this one was much bigger than Taco Shack, and I think I should've eaten just half
Lunch: salad and 3 breadsticks w/some Alfredo dipping sauce from Olive Garden plus 2 dessert mints
Afternoon Snack: apple plus 4 Mr. Goodbar's
Dinner: Cheesecake Factory chicken-salad sandwich and part of the just-greens side salad
Dessert: small Rocky Road from Amy's
Evening Snack: Drumstick (ice cream, not turkey)
Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water plus one Diet Coke

I splurged a bit in celebration of this morning's weight/glucose, which I'm sure will be reflected in tomorrow's readings.

Weigh-In June 11, 2009

343.9 pounds

Incremental Loss: 3.3 pounds

Total Loss: 16.9 pounds

Yep, that's the June goal.  In 10 days.  Yep.

And my glucose was 90 this morning (normal range 90-130).  Now I believe.

Exercise Log June 10, 2009

Walked 3.7 miles in 57 minutes with Michelle (she keeps much closer track of time and distance).  It was 8:00 but it's still hot outside.

Legs still chafe, so might try Jen's suggestion, but I think tomorrow will likely be a day off from exercise but who knows - I wouldn't have expected to make 10 consecutive days.

So, many of you will deplore my obsessive-compulsive nature, but I weighed myself after exercising tonight, and it said 345.8 pounds.  For those of you who don't know why I am jumping up and down with glee (more exercise!), that's my June goal.  15 pounds lost.  On Day 10.  Official weigh-in is only the mornings, and for those who have pledged a reward for this goal, I'll keep it off a full week before making you pony up.

Food Log June 10, 2009

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter (forgot to buy bananas last night)

Morning Snack: granola bar

Lunch: turkey sandwich w/1 slice provolone on whole wheat bread and carrots

Afternoon Snack: apple

Dinner: NutriSystem chicken and wild rice with green beans and a granola bar

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water plus two Diet Cokes

Good news for me on meals.  A vegetarian coworker signed up for NutriSystem with the one-free-week-of-food promotion, and they sent her all meat-containing entrees.  She got them to replace it, and is giving me the old stuff.  Free healthy meals - woohoo!

Weigh-In June 10, 2009

347.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: .8 pounds

Total Loss: 13.6 pounds

90% to my June goal on Day 10!

Exercise Log June 9, 2009

Walked 2.5 miles in 40 minutes at the rec center.  Back soreness and leg chafing suggest a day off from walking - possibly Thursday.  Open to other recommendations too.

Food Log June 9, 2009

Breakfast: whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: carrots

Lunch: 1/2 of a Zen veggie rice bowl with extra egg

Afternoon Snack: apple (got Jazz since the Fujis looked bad yesterday - not bad, but no Fuji)

Dinner: Other half of the zen bowl

Evening Snack: 2 white cheddar rice cakes

Liquid Refreshment: 8 glasses of water plus one Coke Zero

Weigh-In June 9, 2009

348.0 pounds

Incremental Loss: 0 pounds

Total Loss: 12.8 pounds

Treading water, but given my late snacking yesterday I think holding place is not bad.

Exercise Log June 8, 2009

Walked 3.5 miles with Andy outside.

Yeah, I said outside.  In 7PM Texas heat.  That kinda outside.  It also made me appreciate the rec center track's walking surface, but the company more than made up for it.

Food Log June 8, 2009

Breakfast: whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: granola bar

Lunch: Lean Cuisine lasagna plus a bite-sized Mr. Goodbar

Afternoon Snack: carrots w/2 Mr.Goodbars

Dinner: Turkey Tom on wheat bread from Jimmy John's

Evening Snack: 4 small tortilla chips dipped in queso plus a granola bar

Liquid Refreshment: 8 glasses of water plus a swig of Diet Coke

The granola bar was to take my medications.  I bought rice cakes for this eventuality in the future (big food, little calories/carbs) when it's just Metformin, but for a couple more days, I'm on another drug that requires a bit more food.  I think it might sink my morning weight/blood sugar, but it was necessary.

Today was the first hard day for eating.  Really wanted an extra snack this afternoon - 2 tiny Mr. Goodbars is better than I normally have snacked at the office - and almost bought a second sandwich at dinner.  On the plus side, I can't remember the last time I resisted that kind of craving, so I'm still loving the momentum.  Bought some apples tonight to provide a tastier snack for the rest of the week at work - got the ones with extra fiber too, in case that helps.

Weigh-In June 8, 2009

348.0 pounds

Incremental Loss: 1.3 pounds

Total Loss: 12.8 pounds

Exercise Log June 7, 2009

Walked 3.5 miles in 1 hour while reading about half of a Newsweek.

Week In Review

Pounds Lost: 11.5

Miles Walked: 10

Miles Biked: 7.5

Games Bowled: 2 (these were lesser quality performances than my walking-while-reading and even my neophyte biking, but I rarely get to use the phrase ChuckSMASH! in other situations)

Amount Raised for the Buffaloe Scholarship: $132.50

One person asked me to post what's different in my life each week from this.  This week was a great start.  I don't expect to keep up this kind of velocity on the weight, but that's OK.  While the tracked goal is weight loss, that's because it's quantifiable and easily sharable with all of you.  The end product of this process needs to be a maintainable lifestyle that keeps me healthy.

The walking/biking every day has surprised me with its sustainability.  I really thought my knees or feet would protest, but they've felt excellent all week.  I would like to thank the Pflugerville Rec Center for resurfacing their walking track this spring - it's made a huge difference!

I'm (overly?) proud of myself for what I've eaten this week.  I'm not perfect, there's still things I need to do less or more of, but any one of these days would be the healthiest day of most weeks I've had.

I'm nervous after this morning's weigh-in.  Rationally I know this is the danger of frequent weigh-ins, and that the momentum is still built, but it scares me a bit to think that my activity and eating levels the last 2 days could sustain me at 350 pounds.  I hope these fears will go away soon.

The main feeling this week has been shock and awe at how all of you have responded beyond my hopes when I started this blog.  10 individuals/companies have pledged $11/pound, $1/workout, books for meeting my monthly goals, and $850 for meeting the 75-pound goal so far, and 31 of you have contacted me with support and encouragement.  That's been a huge difference-maker in keeping up the exercise and healthier eating each day.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Food Log June 7, 2009

Breakfast: whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: none (high blood sugar from last night's late eating so not needed)

Lunch: all-beef hot dog w/ half-slice cheddar cheese plus steamed carrots/broccoli/cauliflower and grapes

Afternoon Snack: granola bar

Dinner: peanut butter sandwich with carrots and grapes

Liquid Refreshment: 8 glasses of water and one Coke Zero

Weigh-In June 7, 2009

349.3 pounds

Incremental Gain: .1 pounds

Total Loss: 11.5 pounds

Not as great as the weekdays were, but most weekends I wouldn't have held steady under 350, so I'll take it.

Food Log June 6, 2009

Breakfast: whole wheat toast (new loaf is Double Fiber - see, I am taking your advice!) with 2 scrambled eggs and a banana

Morning Snack: granola bar; also stole 2 tater tots and 4 fries from my mom's lunch

Lunch: all-beef hot dog with 1 slice cheddar cheese and some grapes

Afternoon Snack: none

Dinner: turkey sandwich with 1 slice provolone and celery/carrots/apple

Evening Snack: 3 deviled eggs and about a thumb's width of icing stolen off a cupcake (everyone else was de-icing the host's cupcake and I had to pitch in)

Late Night Snack: granola bar (I know never to do this, but forgot to take medication with dinner and I must take it with food)

Liquid Refreshment: 7 glasses of water plus 2 Coke Zeros

Working out in the morning had me feeling close to a sugar crash by late morning (almost used it as an excuse for a small Coke Slurpee!).  Might add a granola bar or second piece of toast to get more carbs in that situation.  And/or eat lunch earlier.

Exercise Log June 6, 2009

Got out at 6:45AM to beat the heat and biked 4.5 miles in 30 minutes.  Definitely beats the 5:30PM not-so-slowly-baking feeling.

Exercise Log June 5, 2009

Walked 3.5 miles in about 55 minutes while finishing the Science News and getting a third of the way through last week's Newsweek.

I'm planning on starting to accept some of the joint-exercise invitations next week.  If you've invited me and haven't heard back yet, you will.

Food Log June 5, 2009

Breakfast: whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: carrots

Lunch: Turkey Tom on wheat bread from Jimmy John's (includes lettuce, alfalfa, mayo) plus 2 bite-sized Mr. Goodbars

Afternoon Snack: grapes plus 1 bite-sized Mr. Goodbar

Dinner: Salad of greens, grapes, almonds with raspberry vinaigrette; 2 pieces whole wheat toast with 1 slice cheddar cheese each

Post-Workout Snack: 90-calorie low fat chocolate chunk granola bar

Liquid Refreshment: 6 glasses of water plus 1 Coke Zero

A little more snacking today.  I don't think that's bad, especially considering the workouts, but will try to steer healthier than Mr. Goodbars.

Weigh-In June 5, 2009

349.2 pounds

Incremental Loss: 3.7 pounds

Total Loss: 11.6 pounds

Will probably shift to a MWF weighing schedule now.  Unless I get impatient which is also possible.

Also, for those who know about diabetes, my fasting glucose count is down 52 points.  Not quite normal, but really close.

Food Log June 4, 2009

Breakfast: bacon breakfast taco - I've done well enough to enjoy work's Taco Thursday

Morning Snack: memories of the glorious breakfast taco

Lunch: peanut butter sandwich and banana and a bite-sized Mr. Goodbar

Afternoon Snack: a mix of celery, carrots, and apple

Dinner: 1/2 Chili's turkey sandwich and salad, and a few of the fries they accidentally gave me

Evening Snack: no need

Liquid Refreshment: 4 glasses of water plus 2 Coke Zero's (will work on more water tomorrow!)

Exercise Log June 4, 2009

Bowled 2 games at lunch.  The low scores of 83 and 82 not only represent my skill, but also the fact that I had almost no strikes, and thus bowled more times, increasing the exercise.

I'd planned on something additional after work, but went to the eye doctor and had my eyes dilated, so that was a no-go.

Weigh-In June 4, 2009

352.9 pounds

And the %-a-day binge comes to an end.  Alas, alas.  Or it's more than halfway to my monthly goal on Day 4.  Makes me curious to see what I can do.

Food Log June 3, 2009

Breakfast: whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana

Morning Snack: carrots

Lunch: 1/2 of a Zen veggie rice bowl (2 cups white rice with generous helpings of broccoli, carrots, and onions and 2 eggs)

Afternoon Snack: apple

Dinner: the other 1/2 of the rice bowl (reheated was excellent!)

Evening Snack: small bunch of slivered almonds

Liquid Refreshment: 5 glasses of water plus 2 Coke Zero's