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.