Saturday, April 3, 2010

Day 565 It's Like Riding A Bike and A Big Dinner

Day 565

It's Like Riding A Bike and A Big Dinner

I woke up today and thought, hmmm...Today, I'm getting a bike! I recently proclaimed that I would get a new jump rope and a bike---and I even set time limits on acquiring these items...but still, I didn't. I'm going to make that right, you watch! I slept in this morning, off work for the holiday weekend, and I got up to the most beautiful day. It was incredible outside, with a temperature around 70 and a beautiful blue sky decorated with a few puffy white fair weather clouds. I could only imagine how wonderful it would feel to cut loose on a bike on a day like today. I started looking for a good used bike locally on the internet. My search came up short, although I did find one an hour away, but it was a little out of my price range. The search will continue tomorrow! I'll actually go out and see some bikes at garage sales and such. I don't want anything complicated, a simple cruising bike with a regular pedal brake like I had as a kid, that's all I need really. I read ZaaBaby's post www.zaaisshrinking.blogspot.com recently about her bike experience, and was so inspired. I haven't been on a bike in so long. Will I remember how to ride one? Surely I will, I mean that's where we get the expression “it's like riding a bike.” Apparently, no matter how long it's been, you never forget how once you learn. I can't wait to find out. I can feel another “On The Go” Video—Bike edition, coming soon!

My breakfast this morning was a banana and some vanilla yogurt with strawberries and blueberries. It was 230 calories total. A couple of hours later, I prepared a mess of scrambled egg whites with mushrooms and black pepper. Oh yes, the day was calling me outside to play! I was a kid again. Just let me get my shoes on, and I'll come out and play in this beautiful day!

The trail was packed! A bunch of people out there walking and jogging, some running. Me? I was walking/jogging, and I wasn't stopping until a 5K was in the books. It was beautiful and just warm enough to work up a really good sweat. I always hated sweating before. Now, I love to sweat, because it's a wonderful way for me to tell what kind of workout I'm getting---and today was good.

Kyle asked yesterday, “Did you get the digits?” Uh, no! But thank you for asking! I was just impressed with her amazing accomplishment, as she was mine. We probably have a lot in common too, but nah---I'll have plenty of time for that stuff someday. And dating? I've had some dates...but really, I don't have time to get caught up in dating too much. Sharing a dinner and company with someone occasionally is very nice, but I'm starting to see where that could really distract me from what I need to be focusing on right now. And that's me....you know what I mean?

Dayne asked, “How many times have you been told you look like Tom Green?” Just one other time my friend. I'm not sure that's a compliment though...but I know you meant well! If I shaved off this goatee, I doubt you would see the resemblance. Of course, Tom Green was married to Drew Barrymore for like five minutes...and Drew is my favorite actress to see on screen...much like Tom Cruise was always Irene's favorite. I knew Irene always had a mad crush on Mr. Cruise and she always knew I had one for Drew Barrymore....and it was always fun to give each other a hard time on the subject. Good times, good times.

Tom Green? Really?...Oh Dayne...My friend...oh my.

I was invited over to a friends house for dinner tonight. The menu? T-bone steak with shrimp linguine in butter and garlic. Oh yeah....I had to be careful here. I immediately passed on the bread. My friend made my plate. Probably not a good idea, but they reminded me “you don't have to eat it all!” No, no I don't...because I'm pretty sure I'd bust the Calorie Bank and Trust wide open if I did! It was an amazing meal and my plate was presented to me completely full, with a heaping helping of the shrimp linguine and a big ole T-Bone steak. Wow...My immediate plan was to eat only half, maybe less than half. I ended up eating half the plate...and my best guesstimate was 800 calories. Yeah---hmmm. I normally don't like going over 500 for a meal, but for a special dinner invite---OK, hey we're living after all! The key here was coming up with an honest and fair guesstimate and keeping track of how I felt. At the half-way point, I was satisfied completely. I wasn't stuffed at all, just comfortably full, and done. Eating like a responsible person, like a normal person---that's a big difference for me. And it feels so good to feel normal.

Several of my blogging friends have awarded me blog awards lately, and thank you! I sincerely appreciate it, I do. But please forgive me for not fully participating and following the rules. You know why I don't? Because I did at one time, and I about drove myself crazy trying to pick 10 blogs to pass it along...I didn't want to leave anyone out!! I seriously stressed over the whole process! And the other reason is simply this: I already devote a great deal of time to writing this daily account of my transformation...and everything along the way. And it's so personal---I mean seriously, if you've read every single day---you pretty much know almost everything about me. So what more could I possibly share? If I haven't shared it already, it's probably way too personal---and doesn't belong on this blog anyway. There is a line...although I've been guilty of crossing it a time or two....anyhow. I will not feel bad if you remove me from consideration for future blog awards. I appreciate your kind understanding.

Another thing I rarely do is challenges. Maybe I should huh? Tammy at www.foodaddict-fromfattofab.blogspot.com just started an April challenge. The goal? Lose 10 pounds this month. I can do that! I will do it! Tammy has often referred to me as her “weight loss mentor,” and I appreciate that, but seriously---I'm not sure if I qualify for “mentor” status...it does make me feel pretty special though. Ok, you know what? Ummm...yeah---that just makes me want to set an even better example! Your confidence in me Tammy has raised my resolve a little higher! Thank you! Tammy and I have become pretty good weight loss friends along this road, regularly communicating via text and phone, and we've never met...but I hope to meet her and Dwayne (her boyfriend) really soon. They're good people. And Tammy's blog---Oh my, I hope you check it out if you haven't already. It's good!

I'm only 8 pounds from the “crossing point,” that magical point where I'll have lost more weight than I currently weigh...I'll have lost exactly half of my previous size...that's huge...and I can't wait! It's coming, oh yes it is!

Thank you for reading! Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean

13 comments:

  1. I LOVE your on the go videos!
    I hope to see one soon!

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  2. Crossing point... I like that. :D

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  3. I think you are definitely mentor material. I hope you see yourself and this blog as others see you and it. "They" are both really AMAZING!

    Melissa in Tulsa

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  4. Sean, I also would say that I consider you a mentor. It is amazing to see that you are only 8 pounds away from the "crossing point".

    I'm inviting you to do our MayDay Challenge for your last 8 pounds. There are a bunch of us now, striving to meet our individual goals by May 1st. We update thru comments, each Saturday, starting today.

    Take a look if you have some time:
    http://clydesdaleproject.blogspot.com/2010/04/mayday-challenge-begins-with-4-weeks.html

    Everyone is welcome to join us.

    Big Clyde

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  5. Hi Sean,
    I hadn't been on a bike in about 6 years until about 6 months ago. A friend of mine was moving back to New York, had 4 bikes and didn't want to take them all back. She sold me her grandma's bike from the 80s for $40. It was a perfect purchase. I love it. Took me a second to get started, but once I did I remembered everything I loved about riding as a kid. Keep an eye out on Goodwill and thrift stores. This time a year, people often buy new ones and donate their older ones. Good luck!

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  6. Alright, I'm doing the challenge too even though I haven't lost 10 pounds in one month for a while. If you're doing it, I'm doing it.

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  7. I think you will love having the bike. I was a bit shaky when I got my first one two years ago after not being on one for close to 25 years. But you really never forget. Now rollerskating- that's a different story...you DO forget how to do that ;)

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  8. Hey babe!! So glad you joined the challenge...my weight loss mentor...doing MY challenge...how cool is that???? We have 21 participants...isn't that exciting???? Hope you're having a fabulous weekend! :)

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  9. hmmm....read this earlier and didn't comment...not like me at all. I used to cycle everywhere..on my handy dandy ten speed. Have fun sean!
    And great idea on holding off on the whole dating thing and focusing on you. You have been in a relationship for a very looooong time. which was good...but finding out who you are now? Priceless.
    Have fun with it.
    Your friend,
    Chris

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  10. So exciting that you're getting a bike! Finding a good used one can be really difficult, especially if you're looking for a fixed gear with a brake in the pedal (like you had as a kid). I know a standard handbrake and gears might seem intimidating but they're not bad at all and can offer a lot of assistance once you get used to it. Can't wait to hear about your experiences and the new found freedom you're going to have once you're on two wheels!

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  11. I would also highly recommend a geared bike with hand brakes. Doesn't have to be real fancy but I think you'd be much happier with it.

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  12. Sean,

    I am so excited about you getting a bike. This will open up a brand new facet of fitness for you and you are just going to LOVE it!

    When you don't feel like pounding the pavement with a walk or jog, you will love having the option to jump on the bike and wiz around.

    It's so interesting to read about all the new experiences one has when shedding a lot of weight. It's like being re-born!

    You are doing soooo great! I love your blogs sooooo much! Thanks!

    Tina
    Diet Buddy Girl

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  13. Sean, the first time I rolled in, I saw Tom Green. :) I love me some Tom Green. Freddy Got Fingered is hilarious to me. Just dumb funny fun. *sing* I'm the backwards man...the backwards man. I can do things as fast you can... LOL Take care ...

    btw, I printed your comment and put it on my desk and in my purse. Thank you for caring. It means a whole lot.

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