Sir Belly Jeans

Family Lobstah Fest 2009

2009-08-09T15:30:00.001-07:00

Because Facebooks sucks to upload slide shows with music that is why this is here.

Becoming a Meander-thal

2009-07-29T18:32:00.001-07:00

By the time I leave work I check my pedometer. I make sure I see more than 5 miles a day. It hasn't been a problem since I work in a place with a huge campus of 5 buildings. I park far away, I enter the wrong door, I take the long way to the bathroom. I walk to the next building for lunch and try to get 2 miles after lunch before the afternoon meetings. If by the end of the day I need to pull in a mile, I walk the "loop road" which is 1.5 miles. It all adds up. I walk slow because of the pain mentioned in previous posts... but I do walk about 2.5 miles/hour. The 15 minutes here, 10 minutes there and 40-60 minutes at lunch all add up at the end of the day. Therefore, I've decided that I am now a meander-thal, since I take meandering paths to get my daily activities done.

Funny though, my knuckles no longer drag.

A new low!

2009-07-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Alright, walking it off seems to be working. I am walking at least 5 miles a day now and maintaining a healthy balance on the intake. Even through a vacation I was still able to maintain my healthy choices and stay within target. As a result, I got on the scale this morning and saw 238.5 lbs. The first time in years I've seen below 240! My double XL's are starting to be too large even.

Gotta keep moving... catch you all later.

I'm not taking this sitting down!

2009-06-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

For starters I HATE set points... and ANY talk about set points. My Body's set points have screwed me up in the past. I'd start out strong in a healthy regime of diet and exercise. I'd see some early success, then a plateau. Anticipating feedback from a scale I would get frustrated, hang on a short time and then grow indifferent before settle back into unhealthy routines.

What I hadn't taken into consideration until now is that my body IS adjusting. It's rebelling... but adjusting none the less. I look for other signs of success like being able to take two flights of stairs without requiring oxygen when I reach the top. Clothes fitting differently or better is another good indication.

So, with my awakening a month ago, I refuse to take my body's set point sitting down. I started out jogging for the first couple of weeks but because I have problems with shin splints and heel spurs... I rapidly discovered that walking a distance was better on this improving frame. I have a pedometer that is calibrated and records the distance i travel in a day.

I use a program that tracks my calories as honest as I enter them. I am committed to the accuracy of this because its for my own good. (I am also an engineer and calculating things appeals to me) It also keeps track of my exercises. The first couple of weeks I found moderate success in the form of feedback from an inanimate object know as a scale. But the 2 pounds that it said, remained unchanged for two weeks as I maintained a caloric budget in my target for my goals. I fought back the indifference and exasperation. Instead of jogging I focused on walking 2-3 miles a day. Then I increased it to 3-4 miles a day. Shin splints and heel spurs still surfaced. But about half way into the second week, I stopped getting shin splints and I just walked through the pain until my heel stretched itself out.

I wasn't going to let my body win. Finally I jumped on the scale and I saw 5.5 pounds off! I ran the calculations too, and discovered that given the delta of my RMR and the calories I consumed and burned, I was right on target! The scale didn't seem "broken" any more. I am continuing my daily walk and have increased my range to 4-5 miles a day. I have sworn off elevators at work and other places I frequent. I feel healthier and that is my ultimate goal. By mid summer I want to be walking 5-6 mile a day with out pain.

The weight will come off if I ignore that inanimate object and my body's rebellion. I will not take this sitting down.

A wake up call

2009-05-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

Yes... it's been a year.

Anonymous commentor of my last post was also a good prompt.

This past weekend I had a scare. On Saturday afternoon, after a vigorous workout with a small chain saw, I had several brief episodes of sharp chest pain (around 4 pm). Not wanting to take any chances, I headed to the emergency room at Emerson Hospital. I had another episode in the car, and later, one in the ER.

In the ER, they hooked me up to EKG, drew blood, inserted an IV, and applied a nitroglycerine patch. And then we waited. And waited. they decided to keep me over night for observations because of a long list of risk factors for heart attack-- type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history, overweight, under exercised.

I had had an echocardiogram the next morning (which was normal), but there were problems scheduling the stress test as on a Sunday, and due to cost cuts, they didn't have a technician. Finally, around 2:30 pm, the cardiologist managed to get a technician. The treadmill stress test took about 30 minutes .The stress test was normal, too.

I was discharged later that afternoon and was told this was not a cardio event. Rather, it was most likely due to the activity with the (dull) chain saw.

I am back at a fitness regimine. I am starting out slow and looking at becoming more healthy rather than lighter. Hopefully the otehr will follow.

I hate myself... I hate my body

2008-04-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

I fell off the exercise wagon since the last post.... no surprise my weight climbed back up to 251.5.

I hate it... I friggin hate this shit. I crave carbs I crave bread... I want to devour entire collumns of cookies and jelly beans. I want to be a body at rest. I got so tired of exercising my ass off only to get small incremental results of 1/2 pound... even after logging all my calories etc showing I was "in target" I was making no progress... I gave up.

It was the wrong thing. I have to fight the LAZY urge to say "F* it" I give up.

I hate changing up at the gym... I hate it that I sweat to simple work and it drips in my eyes... I am sick of dieting and not seeing any REAL friggin results. I hate trying to go for walks only to get shin splints part way through.

This bites... I hate my body ... it wants me fat. It wants me unhealthy and lazy.

Just getting it off my chest... I realize I don't much traffic but if you are reading this I sure could use some encouragement.

Must fight urge... Must overcome my body's complacent urges... Must get back on track.

Happy doctor

2008-02-11T17:18:00.001-08:00

I hit 244.5. I went to see my doctor today and was beginning my tirade about how I am exercising, counting calories and making healthier choices and how it seems like I am going nowhere. The doctor stopped me and said " But I was going to ask you how you lost the weight."
It's slow. I hit plateaus. But steadily, I am losing weight. The doc explained to me that the plateaus are normal as my body shifts its mass to making muscle when we exercise. It sometimes spikes up. Patience and persistence is required.

Onward.

PTHS ( Post traumatic Holiday Syndrome)

2008-01-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

On the 21st of December I weighed in at 247 and the next time I dared look at the scale was on January 2nd. As the scale was "warming up" ( digital scale) I was saying to myself " If it's under 250 I'll be happy." It returned with 247! No gain, despite the peak intakes on chritmas and New years eve festivities. My home elliptical broke over the break adn I was too far to drive into the work gym. Thank god for a record snow fall as shoveling equates rather well as a replacement exercise routine.

Later... I hope to be less of a man this year.

Doctor's Order

2007-12-02T15:04:00.000-08:00

Yeah yeah yeah... It's been a while.

I peaked back up to 255.5 and when my doctor saw me, I was told to move more and eat less. ( same old same old)

So what's different now? I joined the fitness center at work. I had my Resting metabolic rate (RMR)done and picked up a piece of software that helps me keep track of my intake and my exercise routine. I am doing 30 minutes a day on the elliptical and have been maintaining this now for 3 weeks.

I am back below 250 at 248.5. I am eating within my "budget" and targeting 2 lbs a week.... so far so good. This is going to be tough entering the holiday season but I can manage. I survived T-day ... peaked beyond my "loss budget" but stayed within my "sustain" budget based on my RMR. So it was no surprise to see I didn't lose any weight... but I didn't gain either and I just got back on my 30 minutes a day regimen.

My first goal is get off of High blood pressure medication. My second goal is to get off the CPAP... but I've said that all before.

Happy holendaise ... I mean Holidays ( damn food on my mind)

Back to 248

2007-05-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

I am still battling my Jelly Bean addiction. I "relapsed" a week ago, but I picked myself back up. I am just checking in.

I saw the Doctor since my last post. My BP is still uncomfortbly high and I need to lose weight. Duh.

I am trying to work on portion control now. I am consistently still making better choices, so i guess that's an upswing. I just need to watch the volume of these good choices.

Breaking the silence

2007-04-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, I fell off the face of the earth. I need to rat on myself because a little honesty is what really makes the differnce when one wants to change certain aspects of their lives.

My weight is back to where it was originally. I'm walking more, I'm making better meal decisions ( trying to make better portion decisions) but I have to confess, my jelly bean addiction was hidden from this blog ( aside from the blatant spoonerism of my moniker). I have been compensating with HUGE quantities of gourmet jelly beans, quantities you can buy at a wholesale club. Everynight, while working on my other life crippling addiction, I'd have fistfulls of jelly beans while practicing chess. Zero-fat, no points Right? WRONG!

So from this day forward, let it be known... I, Sir Belly Jeans, am a recovering Jelly Bean Addict to which I admit my powerlessness. I surrender. Today I make a concious effort to stay away from the sugars of bunnies.

Trending in the right direction

2007-03-08T05:04:00.000-08:00

Its been a hectic time the past few weeks. Stressors at work and at home usually triggers me into adverse eating habits. I am still hanging in there and have resolved to keep it simple for my self. Learning how to not throw it all away while under fire is a big step. Some may regard it as a baby step but for me its a huge step. I'm still focused on making good food choices ( lower in fat and high in fiber) but have thrown out the point counting for the time being. I can say I make good choices about 80% of the time and try not to go over board during the peak. Its at the point now where its not "foreign" for me to make the right food choices. Having fatty foods has taken on the feel of "this is not right".

I need to increase my activity to the point its not "foreign". This is the next baby step I need to take. What I am really trying to do is change my lifestyle to healthier one. If it requires accounting.. and points and weighing food ...this is not going to work for me long term. I realize I have to make gradual changes that i can internalize. Then its a natural progression, one that I can sustain.

I want to thank you all for nudging and encouraging me. I am a tenacious person ( as seen in my other crippling addiction called chess). This is a great vehicle to keep track of my journey.

Oh, and I have gotten rid of 1.5 lbs. I am down to 248.5 lbs

Sustaining..but no gain

2007-02-25T10:25:00.000-08:00

I have lots of excuses as to why I haven't posted recently...but I at least wanted to keep my program honest by reporting where I am.

I haven't gained ...but I haven't gotten rid of any pounds either. I have been keeping an eye on my choices but I have not been excersing AT ALL. I know this is crucial in order for me to get beyonbd this plateau. Just do it... as the saying goes.

Belly Jeans

Excuses

2007-02-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

Got rid of a pound and then I put it back on as of two days ago, I don't even want to look at teh scale... lost Motivation

Since my last post, I was real good about points and recording it all only to be discouraged with no results after a week. I saw my doctor in between and was told that this time of year its hard to lose because our body's metabolism slows down. The remedy is to exercise more. So what did I do, I exercised LESS!

Man! I am discourage. Work has been nuts and my lunch time routine has been fowled up because of deadlines. We've been in a deep freeze up here and I've been under tremendous stress. My way of dealing with stress, Food.

I know ... excuses excuses... I've got to get a handle on this. I am back to point counting but this weekend was really bad ( pizza.... and an old fashioned Sunday brunch...huge points).

I am so tired of fighting my inner battle.

Luck ran out

2007-01-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

Grrr.

Found 3 pounds

Weight 250lbs.

I was counting points for 4 of the 3 days. I did have a birthday ... with cake (too much)... not enough walking inbetween. This may also be my body catching up with my "winging it" approach in the last 2 weeks.

You know, I thought I was doing better last week too... despite the cake on the B'day. I had even brought in a lean cuisine ( I call them lame cuisine)to work but found it not enough to satisfy this bear. mid afternoon I was grazing for more food... and someone brought in girl scout cookies. Please don't feed the bears.

I am back on track this week. No cake or girl scouts in sight. I am counting points and back to walking.

( Thanks for the nudge Kim)

2 More pounds this Week!

2007-01-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

Current Weight: 247.0 lbs
Weekly Loss : 2.0lbs
Total Loss: 7.6 lbs

More walks helped I think. I am still having a hard time writing the points down. This is a struggle. I got "lucky" this week. But I have to get honest and shoot for a better journal of the points.

Week 6: Back on track

2007-01-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

I managed to lose 1.5 pounds post Holiday food festivities.

Weight : 249.0
Weekly Loss : 1.5 lbs
Total loss 5.6 lbs

I've been walking a mile a day this week, but I have to admit to not counting points religiously. I've only been flying by instinct. I need to get back to the "routine" or I'll blow it.

It's tough. Like one day, at the tail end of my walk, I passed a sub shop and couldn't stop myself from having a hot pastrami... ( one of my weaknesses but high in points) ... that night I had a spaghetti squash spaghetti to compensate with LOTS of salad. I fogot about the temptations that come and the "voices" telling me which way to go or not go. Its a constant internal struggle. Blogging about it gets it out of my head.

Week 4-5 ...he's up... he's down... he's sideways

2006-12-30T12:19:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays. Its been tough over the past couple weeks with all that's been going on. My weight has ping-ponged from 252.5 to 249.5 and last measured at 250.5 ( yeah I've been getting the 1/2 pounders in). Oh well, to be honest, its been hard to keep track of points ... writing down only when I've been " good" ... is not a good method. I need to get through this weekend and I can be back on my regimine and get back on track.

I spent the night at the sleep clinic having my sleep apnea checked and get recalibrated for a new machine since its been almost 10 years I've been running on my old machine.

I am at the heaviest I've ever been and now I need more air in my CPAP machine ( which I am getting on Thursday.

Just checking in.... overall, I don't think the past couple weeks have been a disaster.

Week 3 ...blah

2006-12-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

No loss .. but no Gain either. I was surprised at how quickly I fell into the " I don't feel like counting points anymore" mode. I am sure this was the reason of no loss... and surprised at least I didn't gain. I need to get back into the swing of things. The holidays is a hectic time and new ventures seem to fall to the wayside when I am stressed. I can't affford to do this. I must get back on track and stick with it.

Week 2 a Holiday and still a Loss!!

2006-11-30T17:56:00.000-08:00

Weight : 250.5 lb
Weekly Loss : 1 lb
Total Loss : 4.5 lb

I was happy to see a loss! Thanksgiving, I was over my points with Pie and all the trimmings. Friday I was not doing well. I succumbed to THREE peanut butter toasts with homemade bread... I am a carb junky. Saturday was just over my points but then I went back to eating within the points on Sunday after all the pie was out of the house. I could have walked more and did more on the Eliptical but I did manage to walk a Mile on Monday during lunch and get shin splints ( I was dehydrated.... foolish thing). I've been within my points all week. I hope I continue the trend.

Week One

2006-11-22T13:10:00.000-08:00

Pounds Lost: 3.1
Total : 3.1
Current weight: 251.5 ( Started at 254.6)

Off to a losing start! Week one was tough, mainly because I am adjusting to a new way of life. The first two days I was WAY over my points but my first goal was to reach my point range in 3 days and then maintain that. I did it!

I could use a little more time and frequency on the eliptical trainer ( ET) though I did do a total of 3 times on the ET at 10-15 minutes each ( pretty pathetic I know...but it's a start) . I am walking more too at least 10 minutes a day but 3 times I did 20 minutes.

Oh yeah... food day tomorrow. trying to be realistic. I've been really good this week and have a few points "banked". I'll have to play it by ear and not set any expectations. It's just good to know that I am entering it with good points, weight loss and a realistic perspective.

I'll try to check in at least once a week.

Later all.

Day one ( All over again)

2006-11-16T06:42:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it takes a jarring moment to startle you into a new regime. A few years ago, I was following WW and actually lost 35 pounds and was making progress. I stopped following the method after several business trips and complacency set in. Fast forward to today and all those 35 pounds I lost found their way back ... and they brought SEVERAL friends along.

I saw my doctor, weighed in ( 254!) and discovered my BP was 168/100 ...alarmingly high.

That's motivation... plus the sleep apnea thing ( 11 CCM's pushing through my nostrils each night for the past few years).

So I am back to counting points..because that seemed to work last time. My first goal was to get myself back in range. Yesterday was that day!

Here we go...One day at a time.