Day 208
A Nice Message In The In-Box and A Good Friday 10K
When I received a personal e-mail from Richard Simmons on March 6th, it was an amazing feeling. Beyond amazing really. Richard Simmons is an American icon of weight loss and fitness, and he took a few minutes to type a personal message to me? No way. Yes, yes he did. He never came right out and said that he's read the blog, or parts of it, but he said some things that indicated to me that he did read about some of this journey. I honestly read that e-mail thirty times for at least a half hour, just staring at the screen in awe of his personal words. Yesterday I had another wonderful e-mail moment when I opened up a personal e-mail from Ralph Marston. Remember on Day 193 when I posted an inspirational paragraph from Ralph Marston? After I did that, I realized that I violated his copyright, so I found his website http://greatday.com and officially requested permission to re-publish his work on that particular blog entry. I admitted to him that the request was coming after the fact, but I wanted him to know that I did it, and I apologized for not requesting permission prior to posting that evenings blog. I also asked him to read the blog. I highly recommend his “Daily Motivator.” Mr. Marston is a successful author and one of the most gifted motivational writers of our time. It thrilled me that he actually did go back and read several days of my blog. He even watched the Day 165 Bonus Video Blog of the “Lose To Win” Kick-Off speaking engagement. Here's what he said about the blog and video: I did take a look at several of your blog entries and can truly feel the sense of positive dedication and commitment that come through your words. Your motivational speech is delightful, completely engaging, and very inspiring. I know you will make a difference in the lives of many, many people. Wow, that's so cool my friend. I'm so honored that he took the time to do that and then offer those words, what a great person. Let's face it, he could have just sued me for copyright infringement, or just sent back a standard form letter granting permission to re-print, or not, but instead he took the time to do this. Thank you Ralph Marston, your writing inspires me deeply!
Good Friday is a special day, and I thought, why not have a Good Friday 10K walk? It was so much fun last Saturday night, why not try it again? This time I had company. Courtney laced up her shoes and so did our “Lose To Win” teammate and friend, Brandon Jackson. Normally we don't “visit” when we workout. The headphones go on, the tunes are turned up, and we're in our own world of lyrical and rhythmical motivation the entire time. But tonight was a wonderful change that could only happen when two people maintain about the same pace. Courtney's pace was a little quicker, so she listened to her iPod and did her own thing, quickly moving ahead. Brandon and I maintained the same pace and talked the entire 6.2 miles. When we started I told him that I didn't know if I could keep our pace up, thinking I may have to back it down a few notches at some point, but I never did. It was a better workout than last Saturday night's 10K, I promise! Again, my approach to the 10K is different than my “hard two” or 5K on a treadmill or at the trail. Since I'm going for distance, I have to pace myself so I don't over do it, but still get a great workout. I'm reminded just how good it was every time I get up out of this chair. Brandon and I shared a wonderful conversation. I'm thrilled that he really understands that the critical “forever” parts of this journey have little to do with food and exercise, and more to do with the way we think. We're on the same journey and on the same page with every aspect along the way. Last Saturday's 10K set my personal record for miles walked at one time. And tonight's 10K did the same thing for Brandon! Courtney was getting a blister on her left heel, so at the five mile mark, she waited for us to finish. That 5 miles was a personal distance record for her too! I know she felt bad about not doing the last 1.2 miles, but she shouldn't! If I had a blister brewing, I'd be off that trail much quicker than her. The last thing you want is to be hurt and have that effect your workout for the next several days. Courtney did the right thing! I have to say, the feeling of accomplishment is awesome, and even more so when you're sharing it with others who are accomplishing the same thing at the same time.
When we got back home I immediately grabbed some carbs in the form of a Blue Bunny 70 calorie Dream Bar. Those things are incredible! And I still can't believe only 70 calories, but it's true! I wish I would have taken a picture of my dinner plate tonight, I should have posted it here. Oh well, I will others. It was an amazing dinner. I grilled some really inexpensive steaks on the grill, seasoned them up real good, and man they were amazing! We had salad on the table for Irene and Courtney (I don't like salads, remember?), I had green beans with melted white american cheese, Irene and Courtney had some broccoli with cheese (I don't do the little green trees either), we also enjoyed a corn cobbette, and a baked potato with real sour cream. For desert? Fresh watermelon and cantaloupe chunks. That's eating real food, normal portions, and losing weight every single day doing it! During our 10K tonight, Brandon and I talked about how some people take the very unhealthy approach of “extreme low calorie” or simply not eating at all to lose weight. People do it all the time because they see food as the enemy. Our metabolisms need food to work properly, our bodies need food to function normally, food is not the enemy, food is our friend. It took me years and years to finally discover, that instead of food being the enemy, I was. Listen, I'm not a doctor or a dietitian, but I promise they'll tell you the same thing. You have to eat food to lose weight in a healthy way. Thank you for reading. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Day 207 Weight Training and "Wow" Reactions
Day 207
Weight Training and “Wow” Reactions
Last night's blog was exactly the kick in the behind I needed to get into that weight room tonight. It's very easy to get discouraged about my lack of upper body strength. My pecs seem to be OK, but the biceps and triceps are acting bothered. Like I'm asking too much of them. I'm just trying to wake 'em up and make them grow! And they will. It doesn't make any sense to allow myself to get discouraged about my weakling upper body, then becoming inconsistent as a result. It's the consistent effort that will turn it around and build healthy muscle, and it'll do it relatively quick too. So I just have to be patient and committed, and I'll get there. Excuses and circumstances may be two different things, but I honestly feel like I've allowed circumstances to become convenient excuses when it comes to weight training. I've made sure to get my cardio/walking in despite whatever circumstances came up, even if it meant walking in the cold rain at midnight with the alarm set for 4:30am. Of course I don't have access to a weight room after 9pm on the weekdays, so maybe some circumstances couldn't be helped. Whatever, that's behind us now. I entered the weight room tonight without my iPod. I left it at home. For awhile, I need to concentrate on the wonderful book gifted to me and the routine Mark has written. That's what I did tonight. I sat down, pulled out the book, and started looking up the exercises Mark recommended. I'd find one, read the description until I fully understood, then I proceeded to crank out the reps. I actually ran into Mark's wife tonight, she was doing her weight training routine too. She offered some encouraging words, it was very nice. While taking a break between sets, I did another “On The Go” Video, it's posted below.
This journey has been such a blessing to me, and to imagine that it only gets better is sometimes overwhelming, because it's so wonderful now. I put on the 48's today and was pleasantly surprised at the reaction. I had to stop at the business office of Team Radio today, and the staff had a real “wow” reaction to my appearance. A lot of times I'll wear the old stuff, the jeans several sizes too big, and you just can't see the real total difference in my size. But with the 48's on there's no denying the dramatic difference. It feels real good, I mean real good to get that kind of reaction. I'm convinced that when I reach my goal, then run into old acquaintances, I'll be able to walk right past—they will not recognize me one bit. I'll have to stop them, then spend a few minutes convincing them that it's really me. Oh, that'll be a fun little thing to experience!
I'm really getting good at this eating every two to three hours deal. I'm constantly giving my metabolism something to chew on, it's bound to make a difference. It's really had a nice effect on my calorie budgeting. You might think the opposite, but no, it's helping me manage my calories. A couple of rules we've learned from fitness and life coach Melissa Walden: Snacks should be 150 calories or less. And no meal over 500 calories. I've totally violated this numerous times in the last 207 days, and I've still lost weight...BUT...These are suggestions to optimize the results. The basic principles of keeping the metabolism fire burning and not overwhelming the body with too much to process at a time just make perfect sense to me. I've also “accidentally” done it right several times, preparing wonderful meals that check in under 500 calories for the entire plate and snacks that most always check in under 150. The wonderful things I'm learning from the experts around me are just incredible, I'm really blessed.
Well, I knew it would be a matter of time before someone would challenge me to a game of racquetball. The challenge has been set by my boss, the owner of Team Radio. He told me that inside that court we'll no longer have any kind of working relationship. That's good, because beating the boss might not be a good thing. But since he can't be the boss inside that court, I guess I can give him the beating he deserves. Wow, this friendly trash talking is kind of fun. You hear that boss man? Huh? Yeah, I'm talking to you! You and me, in a racquetball court at the YMCA, 3:30 pm Monday afternoon. Be there, unless you're scared! That was a fun exercise in over-confidence. Near the top of my Easter weekend to-do list: Learn how to actually play racquetball.
Tonight my prayers go out to those in our state who have lost their homes and belongings because of the raging wildfires. The news reports are very scary to watch. May God be with you and yours. And hats off and God bless to the firefighters who have done everything they can do all afternoon and evening long to protect lives and property from the inferno.
Thank you for reading, good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
A rough start is better than no start!
Weight Training and “Wow” Reactions
Last night's blog was exactly the kick in the behind I needed to get into that weight room tonight. It's very easy to get discouraged about my lack of upper body strength. My pecs seem to be OK, but the biceps and triceps are acting bothered. Like I'm asking too much of them. I'm just trying to wake 'em up and make them grow! And they will. It doesn't make any sense to allow myself to get discouraged about my weakling upper body, then becoming inconsistent as a result. It's the consistent effort that will turn it around and build healthy muscle, and it'll do it relatively quick too. So I just have to be patient and committed, and I'll get there. Excuses and circumstances may be two different things, but I honestly feel like I've allowed circumstances to become convenient excuses when it comes to weight training. I've made sure to get my cardio/walking in despite whatever circumstances came up, even if it meant walking in the cold rain at midnight with the alarm set for 4:30am. Of course I don't have access to a weight room after 9pm on the weekdays, so maybe some circumstances couldn't be helped. Whatever, that's behind us now. I entered the weight room tonight without my iPod. I left it at home. For awhile, I need to concentrate on the wonderful book gifted to me and the routine Mark has written. That's what I did tonight. I sat down, pulled out the book, and started looking up the exercises Mark recommended. I'd find one, read the description until I fully understood, then I proceeded to crank out the reps. I actually ran into Mark's wife tonight, she was doing her weight training routine too. She offered some encouraging words, it was very nice. While taking a break between sets, I did another “On The Go” Video, it's posted below.
This journey has been such a blessing to me, and to imagine that it only gets better is sometimes overwhelming, because it's so wonderful now. I put on the 48's today and was pleasantly surprised at the reaction. I had to stop at the business office of Team Radio today, and the staff had a real “wow” reaction to my appearance. A lot of times I'll wear the old stuff, the jeans several sizes too big, and you just can't see the real total difference in my size. But with the 48's on there's no denying the dramatic difference. It feels real good, I mean real good to get that kind of reaction. I'm convinced that when I reach my goal, then run into old acquaintances, I'll be able to walk right past—they will not recognize me one bit. I'll have to stop them, then spend a few minutes convincing them that it's really me. Oh, that'll be a fun little thing to experience!
I'm really getting good at this eating every two to three hours deal. I'm constantly giving my metabolism something to chew on, it's bound to make a difference. It's really had a nice effect on my calorie budgeting. You might think the opposite, but no, it's helping me manage my calories. A couple of rules we've learned from fitness and life coach Melissa Walden: Snacks should be 150 calories or less. And no meal over 500 calories. I've totally violated this numerous times in the last 207 days, and I've still lost weight...BUT...These are suggestions to optimize the results. The basic principles of keeping the metabolism fire burning and not overwhelming the body with too much to process at a time just make perfect sense to me. I've also “accidentally” done it right several times, preparing wonderful meals that check in under 500 calories for the entire plate and snacks that most always check in under 150. The wonderful things I'm learning from the experts around me are just incredible, I'm really blessed.
Well, I knew it would be a matter of time before someone would challenge me to a game of racquetball. The challenge has been set by my boss, the owner of Team Radio. He told me that inside that court we'll no longer have any kind of working relationship. That's good, because beating the boss might not be a good thing. But since he can't be the boss inside that court, I guess I can give him the beating he deserves. Wow, this friendly trash talking is kind of fun. You hear that boss man? Huh? Yeah, I'm talking to you! You and me, in a racquetball court at the YMCA, 3:30 pm Monday afternoon. Be there, unless you're scared! That was a fun exercise in over-confidence. Near the top of my Easter weekend to-do list: Learn how to actually play racquetball.
Tonight my prayers go out to those in our state who have lost their homes and belongings because of the raging wildfires. The news reports are very scary to watch. May God be with you and yours. And hats off and God bless to the firefighters who have done everything they can do all afternoon and evening long to protect lives and property from the inferno.
Thank you for reading, good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
A rough start is better than no start!
Day 206 A Musical Memory Moves Me and My Weight Training Resolve
Day 206
A Musical Memory Moves Me and My Weight Training Resolve
“Come on, let's go to work. We got what'll make your body jerk. Make you throw your hands up in the air shake your booty and scream, "Oh, yeah" 'cause we are the Jam On Crew And jammin' on it is how we do the do. We'll funk you up until you boogie down, so come on people check out the sound.” I'll never forget the lyrics to that song. I memorized them when I was twelve years old. My cousin Steve and I discovered the song “Jam On It” by Nucleus about the same time kids our age were discovering rap around the United States. It was revolutionary and we knew it made us feel so good. So we listened to it over and over until we had every word memorized, then we worked on our break dancing moves. To this day I can still sing the song and do the wave, head move, and full body wave. We were committed to that song and our break dancing. That's one of my fondest childhood memories. It was a pleasure to add it to my workout tonight at the YMCA. The beat moved me on that treadmill and I have to admit, I almost busted out my sweet break dancing moves right there in the Y Fitness center. That song took me back to 1983 tonight. I was a big kid with even bigger dreams. Back then I would fantasize about performing “Jam On It” in the school talent show in front of everyone. Tonight I closed my eyes as I walked on that treadmill and dreamed that same dream again. As the wave traveled up my right arm, through my head, and down my left arm, I finished it through my finger tips, and pointed to Steve for him to pick up the wave I was sending. Just then I realized that the person on the treadmill next to me wasn't my cousin, it was just another person exercising to their own musical memories and motivations.
Our workout at the YMCA tonight was OK. It wasn't great for me, and I'll explain why: I'm reasonably disappointed in myself because I feel I've dropped the ball with my weight training. I haven't allowed myself to really establish a solid, committed, get-it-done-at-all-cost routine just yet. The kind of determination that I apply to my regular exercise routine is lacking. Do I want it? Yes! When I get to where I'm headed, I want form dog gone it! I want visible muscles, not flabby skin. I want a body that gives absolutely no indication that I was ever over 500 pounds, ever. Then when I reveal that information, people will not believe it, no way! I'll have to show them the proof. I don't want to look like a guy that use to be fat. I'm fully comfortable with the idea of needing a full body tuck to remove some of the most stubborn excess skin, but for the most part good old fashioned weight training will do wonders. Believe me, there isn't a workout that can rid me of all the damage I've done to this body, surgery is the only way to fully correct my excess skin around the stomach and thigh areas. I've got to remember Day 1, maybe I should go back and read Day 1 through 20 again. Because that's how I feel in the weight room. My upper body is extremely weak. But I know from experience with walking that with consistent effort and total commitment I'll progress rapidly, so what's my problem? You will not hear any excuses from me. I've had a few circumstances get in the way, but no excuses. I didn't bring my weight training pad and a pen to the Y tonight, so obviously I was only planning a cardio workout. Then I ran into Mark. He arrived mere seconds after Courtney and me. I felt like a kid who didn't do his homework, and now the teacher is asking for everyone to pass theirs to the front of the room. Mark was very nice, he didn't ask to see my weight training logs, he just said “You doing cardio tonight?” and I replied “Uh, yeah, yeah, cardio, that's what we're doing tonight.” Mark has taken his own time and written me a fantastic weight training routine to get me started, and he knows that Wednesday is on that schedule, but still he didn't challenge me on that point. He just smiled and headed downstairs to the weight room. As I walked toward the fitness center and the treadmills it hit me: “I didn't say thank you for the weight training encyclopedia book!” I immediately flew down the stairs and luckily caught him before he put on the headphones and entered his weight training zone. I thanked him for the book, and I can't really think of what else I may have said. But I'm sure it wasn't an excuse! I'm looking forward to fully applying what he's taught me and really showing what can be done and how far you can come when you set your mind to it and decide. Then I ran back up the stairs and headed for the treadmill. On the way back to the fitness center I was thinking—your not one that gets excited about something for two weeks and then let's it go and forgets about it, get it together Sean, get the plan down, read and reference the book that he so generously provided, and get in there and get it going. I will be weight training tomorrow evening from 8 to 9pm in the YMCA weight room, you can bet your last dime on that. And even though I can barely use a 10 pound weight on some of the movements, I know that with time and consistent effort, my muscles will grow and define, and soon I'll be able to lift much much more.
Irene prepared the most wonderful homemade vegetable beef stew in the crock-pot today. I had a mini bowl of it as an afternoon snack, then a hearty bowl of it for dinner. The wonderful aroma filled the entire house, I just couldn't resist having some early! That girl can cook some mean beef stew I tell ya! I also sampled some deep fried venison back-strap. A friend of mine brought me some venison he processed and I was going to throw the back-strap on the grill, until he told me the only way to prepare that part of the deer is to batter and deep fry. Since we don't do much deep frying around here, I took the package to my sister-in-law's house and she battered and deep fried it up real good. I stopped by for a sampling and it was amazingly good. And that back-strap is virtually fat free. The batter and oil on the other hand, well...it was so good! I still have plenty other packages of venison from his gift, and I can't wait to fire up the grill. The calories in venison isn't bad at all! Less than beef in fact. Now, if only I could convince Irene and Courtney that it's not Bambi, maybe we could have it as a family meal. Until then I guess I'll save some room on the grill for their chicken breast and beef while I enjoy the venison, more for me right?
I stopped at a convenience store today that I normally don't to gas up and I ran into a clerk that I might have seen once or twice before in my entire life. She took one look and asked “how much weight have you lost? I replied “Officially One hundred and thirty-seven pounds so far.” The looks I get from people standing in line and the clerks behind the counter are fantastic. That was a nice confidence booster. Then when I called my friend Dan to thank him for the venison, he told me that he and his family watched the “Lose To Win” kick-off video of my talk on February 19th. He told me that he really enjoyed it and his wife felt inspired once again to get started on her own journey. She was talking in the background about it, so Dan just handed her the phone. She sounded profoundly effected, and gave me some of the best compliments I've ever heard about my public speaking. She's requested copies so she can share it with a few of her close friends that she feels could benefit from the message. That video is posted in four segments on a special Day 165 Bonus Blog in the archives. Dan, Mary Ann, and Becca, thank you for that boost of confidence, the extremely kind words, and that venison!
I'm headed to bed tonight with a renewed spirit and resolve. Weight training will not be something I slack on anymore. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll treat it as such, ridding myself of whatever it is that's made me inconsistent with the weights. Thank you very much for reading. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
A Musical Memory Moves Me and My Weight Training Resolve
“Come on, let's go to work. We got what'll make your body jerk. Make you throw your hands up in the air shake your booty and scream, "Oh, yeah" 'cause we are the Jam On Crew And jammin' on it is how we do the do. We'll funk you up until you boogie down, so come on people check out the sound.” I'll never forget the lyrics to that song. I memorized them when I was twelve years old. My cousin Steve and I discovered the song “Jam On It” by Nucleus about the same time kids our age were discovering rap around the United States. It was revolutionary and we knew it made us feel so good. So we listened to it over and over until we had every word memorized, then we worked on our break dancing moves. To this day I can still sing the song and do the wave, head move, and full body wave. We were committed to that song and our break dancing. That's one of my fondest childhood memories. It was a pleasure to add it to my workout tonight at the YMCA. The beat moved me on that treadmill and I have to admit, I almost busted out my sweet break dancing moves right there in the Y Fitness center. That song took me back to 1983 tonight. I was a big kid with even bigger dreams. Back then I would fantasize about performing “Jam On It” in the school talent show in front of everyone. Tonight I closed my eyes as I walked on that treadmill and dreamed that same dream again. As the wave traveled up my right arm, through my head, and down my left arm, I finished it through my finger tips, and pointed to Steve for him to pick up the wave I was sending. Just then I realized that the person on the treadmill next to me wasn't my cousin, it was just another person exercising to their own musical memories and motivations.
Our workout at the YMCA tonight was OK. It wasn't great for me, and I'll explain why: I'm reasonably disappointed in myself because I feel I've dropped the ball with my weight training. I haven't allowed myself to really establish a solid, committed, get-it-done-at-all-cost routine just yet. The kind of determination that I apply to my regular exercise routine is lacking. Do I want it? Yes! When I get to where I'm headed, I want form dog gone it! I want visible muscles, not flabby skin. I want a body that gives absolutely no indication that I was ever over 500 pounds, ever. Then when I reveal that information, people will not believe it, no way! I'll have to show them the proof. I don't want to look like a guy that use to be fat. I'm fully comfortable with the idea of needing a full body tuck to remove some of the most stubborn excess skin, but for the most part good old fashioned weight training will do wonders. Believe me, there isn't a workout that can rid me of all the damage I've done to this body, surgery is the only way to fully correct my excess skin around the stomach and thigh areas. I've got to remember Day 1, maybe I should go back and read Day 1 through 20 again. Because that's how I feel in the weight room. My upper body is extremely weak. But I know from experience with walking that with consistent effort and total commitment I'll progress rapidly, so what's my problem? You will not hear any excuses from me. I've had a few circumstances get in the way, but no excuses. I didn't bring my weight training pad and a pen to the Y tonight, so obviously I was only planning a cardio workout. Then I ran into Mark. He arrived mere seconds after Courtney and me. I felt like a kid who didn't do his homework, and now the teacher is asking for everyone to pass theirs to the front of the room. Mark was very nice, he didn't ask to see my weight training logs, he just said “You doing cardio tonight?” and I replied “Uh, yeah, yeah, cardio, that's what we're doing tonight.” Mark has taken his own time and written me a fantastic weight training routine to get me started, and he knows that Wednesday is on that schedule, but still he didn't challenge me on that point. He just smiled and headed downstairs to the weight room. As I walked toward the fitness center and the treadmills it hit me: “I didn't say thank you for the weight training encyclopedia book!” I immediately flew down the stairs and luckily caught him before he put on the headphones and entered his weight training zone. I thanked him for the book, and I can't really think of what else I may have said. But I'm sure it wasn't an excuse! I'm looking forward to fully applying what he's taught me and really showing what can be done and how far you can come when you set your mind to it and decide. Then I ran back up the stairs and headed for the treadmill. On the way back to the fitness center I was thinking—your not one that gets excited about something for two weeks and then let's it go and forgets about it, get it together Sean, get the plan down, read and reference the book that he so generously provided, and get in there and get it going. I will be weight training tomorrow evening from 8 to 9pm in the YMCA weight room, you can bet your last dime on that. And even though I can barely use a 10 pound weight on some of the movements, I know that with time and consistent effort, my muscles will grow and define, and soon I'll be able to lift much much more.
Irene prepared the most wonderful homemade vegetable beef stew in the crock-pot today. I had a mini bowl of it as an afternoon snack, then a hearty bowl of it for dinner. The wonderful aroma filled the entire house, I just couldn't resist having some early! That girl can cook some mean beef stew I tell ya! I also sampled some deep fried venison back-strap. A friend of mine brought me some venison he processed and I was going to throw the back-strap on the grill, until he told me the only way to prepare that part of the deer is to batter and deep fry. Since we don't do much deep frying around here, I took the package to my sister-in-law's house and she battered and deep fried it up real good. I stopped by for a sampling and it was amazingly good. And that back-strap is virtually fat free. The batter and oil on the other hand, well...it was so good! I still have plenty other packages of venison from his gift, and I can't wait to fire up the grill. The calories in venison isn't bad at all! Less than beef in fact. Now, if only I could convince Irene and Courtney that it's not Bambi, maybe we could have it as a family meal. Until then I guess I'll save some room on the grill for their chicken breast and beef while I enjoy the venison, more for me right?
I stopped at a convenience store today that I normally don't to gas up and I ran into a clerk that I might have seen once or twice before in my entire life. She took one look and asked “how much weight have you lost? I replied “Officially One hundred and thirty-seven pounds so far.” The looks I get from people standing in line and the clerks behind the counter are fantastic. That was a nice confidence booster. Then when I called my friend Dan to thank him for the venison, he told me that he and his family watched the “Lose To Win” kick-off video of my talk on February 19th. He told me that he really enjoyed it and his wife felt inspired once again to get started on her own journey. She was talking in the background about it, so Dan just handed her the phone. She sounded profoundly effected, and gave me some of the best compliments I've ever heard about my public speaking. She's requested copies so she can share it with a few of her close friends that she feels could benefit from the message. That video is posted in four segments on a special Day 165 Bonus Blog in the archives. Dan, Mary Ann, and Becca, thank you for that boost of confidence, the extremely kind words, and that venison!
I'm headed to bed tonight with a renewed spirit and resolve. Weight training will not be something I slack on anymore. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll treat it as such, ridding myself of whatever it is that's made me inconsistent with the weights. Thank you very much for reading. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Day 205 Nearly Thirty-Two Hundred Pounds and Never Giving Up
Day 205
Nearly Thirty-Two Hundred Pounds and Never Giving Up
Today was a wonderful day. All afternoon the staff at the “Lose To Win” headquarters tallied up the collective pounds lost. With 507 out of 757 weighing in at the one month mark, it was an exciting number for sure. So far the participants in the program have lost 3,193.6 pounds! Over a ton and a half in a month! That's simply amazing. More numbers: 91% lost weight. Average number of pounds per person: 6.3. This is simply incredible. Everyone involved should be so proud, I'm thrilled for everybody.
I do want to say something to someone, anyone who might be struggling. Perhaps when you stepped on the scale it showed a weight gain. But you were there, and that shows you haven't given up. Don't ever give up. If you're eating smaller portions and working out, staying away from empty calories, and drinking plenty of water, and you still gained weight, I would consult with your doctor. I'm not qualified in any way to offer advice or consultation on the topic of unexplained weight gain. From experience I do know that we can retain a bunch of water weight at times. I know that thyroid conditions can hamper weight loss, as can certain medications. All I can say is, hang in there, don't give up, and consult your doctor. If on the other hand, you know you haven't done everything you could have so far, then whatever you do from this point forward, don't beat yourself up! Put it behind you and move forward. Have a long talk with yourself, re-evaluate your motivating thoughts, assess your self-honesty, and most importantly---Do not make things difficult. Don't allow this task to intimidate you. Break it down in simple terms. Eat less, exercise, and be completely honest with yourself about everything you put in your body. Feed your mind with positive things, not negative, and never lose sight of why you want and need to lose the weight. Always remind yourself of your reasons for staying committed. I've failed so many times at losing weight, I feel like I'm an expert on the topic, I've been there many times. A couple of things I've learned to remember: You couldn't possibly eat so much in one day that you've “ruined everything.” So if you have a bad day, write down how you felt and what you feel triggered the binge, read it and try to understand it as you take full responsibility for your actions, then put it behind you immediately and erase it from your memory. And remember, if you give a consistent positive effort, then you'll more than likely get the results you're after. Consistency, either positive or negative, will generate positive or negative consequences. Stay positive!
Registered Dietitian Sandy Gifford gave a wonderful presentation tonight on nutrition for life. Her presentation was informative and entertaining and most importantly easy to understand. Understanding the fundamentals of proper nutrition is key to life long results and healthy living. She had some wonderful handouts that can be really helpful to understanding and getting to a place where better nutrition and good choices become part of our everyday behavior. I really appreciate her guidance and expertise.
After the seminar we decided to have dinner out. We settled in to one of our favorite places and was lucky enough to get our favorite table. I scanned the room and discovered Mayor Nicholson in a booth across the restaurant. I had the “Lose To Win” statistics in my back pocket, ready for air in the morning, so I just couldn't resist sharing the good news with our city leader. He was amazed and excited. He too understands what a positive impact so many people losing weight and feeling great can have on our community. Positive actions lead to positive results. And like I've experienced, it's not just about losing weight and looking better. This journey impacts positively everything in a person's life. It's very cool that hundreds of people around here are experiencing this positive uplifting at the same time!
I've developed a few little tricks while dining out that not only save calories but make it much more affordable. I always order water with extra lemons. I then squeeze the lemons into the water and sweeten it with a sugar substitute, and walla lemonade! I immediately start scanning the menu for a smaller portions section. I've found that many restaurants will allow you to order the smaller senior and sometimes kids portions if you tell them you're counting calories. Again, cheaper both calorie wise and money wise. I opted for a plain chopped steak and a serving of mashed potatoes with the gravy on the side. I also had a small portion of corn. The entire meal was right at around 500 calories, well within my calorie budget this evening. If you run into a restaurant without smaller portions as an option, consider splitting a meal with someone in your party. Irene and I have done this many times and never left unsatisfied.
The future looks incredibly wonderful as I approach the 150 pounds lost mark. I got a haircut today at Snip and Clip and the stylist suggested I go with a completely new look. I told her maybe when I get below 300. But I doubt it, I kind of like my hair. But I appreciated the suggestion. And who knows, maybe when I get below 300 I'll get a wild hair and let her have at it, that is if my buddy approves of course. I've been getting my hair cut at Snip N Clip for a very long time. I like what they do there. It doesn't cost a fortune and they do good work every time. Another thing I like about going there so consistently, I can now feel how much easier it is to fit in the chairs. I always worried before about breaking an expensive stylist chair, lucky for me I never did, and more than likely I never will. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Nearly Thirty-Two Hundred Pounds and Never Giving Up
Today was a wonderful day. All afternoon the staff at the “Lose To Win” headquarters tallied up the collective pounds lost. With 507 out of 757 weighing in at the one month mark, it was an exciting number for sure. So far the participants in the program have lost 3,193.6 pounds! Over a ton and a half in a month! That's simply amazing. More numbers: 91% lost weight. Average number of pounds per person: 6.3. This is simply incredible. Everyone involved should be so proud, I'm thrilled for everybody.
I do want to say something to someone, anyone who might be struggling. Perhaps when you stepped on the scale it showed a weight gain. But you were there, and that shows you haven't given up. Don't ever give up. If you're eating smaller portions and working out, staying away from empty calories, and drinking plenty of water, and you still gained weight, I would consult with your doctor. I'm not qualified in any way to offer advice or consultation on the topic of unexplained weight gain. From experience I do know that we can retain a bunch of water weight at times. I know that thyroid conditions can hamper weight loss, as can certain medications. All I can say is, hang in there, don't give up, and consult your doctor. If on the other hand, you know you haven't done everything you could have so far, then whatever you do from this point forward, don't beat yourself up! Put it behind you and move forward. Have a long talk with yourself, re-evaluate your motivating thoughts, assess your self-honesty, and most importantly---Do not make things difficult. Don't allow this task to intimidate you. Break it down in simple terms. Eat less, exercise, and be completely honest with yourself about everything you put in your body. Feed your mind with positive things, not negative, and never lose sight of why you want and need to lose the weight. Always remind yourself of your reasons for staying committed. I've failed so many times at losing weight, I feel like I'm an expert on the topic, I've been there many times. A couple of things I've learned to remember: You couldn't possibly eat so much in one day that you've “ruined everything.” So if you have a bad day, write down how you felt and what you feel triggered the binge, read it and try to understand it as you take full responsibility for your actions, then put it behind you immediately and erase it from your memory. And remember, if you give a consistent positive effort, then you'll more than likely get the results you're after. Consistency, either positive or negative, will generate positive or negative consequences. Stay positive!
Registered Dietitian Sandy Gifford gave a wonderful presentation tonight on nutrition for life. Her presentation was informative and entertaining and most importantly easy to understand. Understanding the fundamentals of proper nutrition is key to life long results and healthy living. She had some wonderful handouts that can be really helpful to understanding and getting to a place where better nutrition and good choices become part of our everyday behavior. I really appreciate her guidance and expertise.
After the seminar we decided to have dinner out. We settled in to one of our favorite places and was lucky enough to get our favorite table. I scanned the room and discovered Mayor Nicholson in a booth across the restaurant. I had the “Lose To Win” statistics in my back pocket, ready for air in the morning, so I just couldn't resist sharing the good news with our city leader. He was amazed and excited. He too understands what a positive impact so many people losing weight and feeling great can have on our community. Positive actions lead to positive results. And like I've experienced, it's not just about losing weight and looking better. This journey impacts positively everything in a person's life. It's very cool that hundreds of people around here are experiencing this positive uplifting at the same time!
I've developed a few little tricks while dining out that not only save calories but make it much more affordable. I always order water with extra lemons. I then squeeze the lemons into the water and sweeten it with a sugar substitute, and walla lemonade! I immediately start scanning the menu for a smaller portions section. I've found that many restaurants will allow you to order the smaller senior and sometimes kids portions if you tell them you're counting calories. Again, cheaper both calorie wise and money wise. I opted for a plain chopped steak and a serving of mashed potatoes with the gravy on the side. I also had a small portion of corn. The entire meal was right at around 500 calories, well within my calorie budget this evening. If you run into a restaurant without smaller portions as an option, consider splitting a meal with someone in your party. Irene and I have done this many times and never left unsatisfied.
The future looks incredibly wonderful as I approach the 150 pounds lost mark. I got a haircut today at Snip and Clip and the stylist suggested I go with a completely new look. I told her maybe when I get below 300. But I doubt it, I kind of like my hair. But I appreciated the suggestion. And who knows, maybe when I get below 300 I'll get a wild hair and let her have at it, that is if my buddy approves of course. I've been getting my hair cut at Snip N Clip for a very long time. I like what they do there. It doesn't cost a fortune and they do good work every time. Another thing I like about going there so consistently, I can now feel how much easier it is to fit in the chairs. I always worried before about breaking an expensive stylist chair, lucky for me I never did, and more than likely I never will. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Day 204 The Cream Always Rises To The Top and Pardon Me While I Dream A Little
Day 204
The Cream Always Rises To The Top and Pardon Me While I Dream A Little
For those that may have thought that I was a shoe in to win the overall biggest loser prize in the “Lose To Win” Challenge, let me remind you of something very important. After losing 137 pounds so far, I've settled in to a very nice, normal pace. I've lost 14 pounds so far in the challenge and I personally know of five people who have bested that, there's probably 50 to 100 more that might have, who knows. And that's awesome! Congratulations to everyone! I have no complaints about averaging 3 to 4 pounds per week. I'll take that every week of the year. Congratulations to everyone that participated in the mid-point weigh-in! The prize money is within anyone's reach. But more important than the money, so many are learning that a life free of obesity and all of it's horrible effects is completely possible. I really don't care about the money, it pales in comparison to the rewards I'm reaping everyday and will for the rest of my life. My hope is that more and more people feel the same way. Will I give it my all? Yes, you better believe my “A game” is on, my team deserves for me to give it everything I've got. You'll be hearing about many more 5 and 10K's in my near future! Brandon called me today and told me to call him the next time I go out for a 10K and he'd join me. That's team work my friend. I didn't ask Brandon permission to mention his mid-point weigh-in results, so I can't reveal that, but let me say this, it's jaw dropping. He's losing weight at the pace I was in the beginning of this journey. And he understands why, because when you have a bunch to lose it's naturally going to go fast at first.
Brandon, Irene, and I talked about the possibility of “cheaters” trying everything imaginable to win the money in the “Lose To Win” Challenge. Sometimes money, or more specifically, the pursuit of money brings out the worst in people. But I decided today that those who may have shoved weights in their pockets at the initial weigh in, those people do not have what it takes to do this. The only weigh-in someone like that could gain an advantage is the first one, after that it's up to them to shed the weight. And if their moral fiber is thin enough to try something like that, they haven't the necessary honesty and work ethic to complete the task. Their goal isn't good health. Their goal is fast cash. And guess what? They can't hang with those of us who are committed to this journey for the right reasons. If you're doing this for the right reasons, you know it, and that makes you part of the cream my friend. And the cream always rises to the top! I'm completely confident that when the awards ceremony is held in mid May, the big cash winners will be people who really worked hard to make a difference for themselves and everyone around them. You'll be able to see the difference in their appearance and in their eyes. The eyes give away so much information and on that night you're going to see many happy eyes. What excites me most isn't the results in mid-May, it's several hundred people in one community making a change that will dramatically improve the rest of their lives. Yeah, this goes way beyond May my friend and way above anyone trying to artificially manipulate their results.
I stopped logging my daily foods on Fitday.com. I did log every bite, everyday for a month, and it's given me a nice breakdown of what I typically consume. It breaks it down, goes way beyond calories, it covers everything. If you've read some of the early days of this journey you know that I have never been a “write down everything you eat” kind of person. It's very easy to keep track of my intake, especially now that I'm making an effort to eat something every three hours. I always have an accurate count in my head. You might be different and really need to write everything down. For me, I did it to give myself and a few experts an accurate representation of what I'm eating on a daily basis as far as fat, protein, carbohydrates, and calories. Initially I was told to do it for a week and I completed a month. I stopped doing it to save time. Time seems to be a very precious commodity in my world these days.
I tried to wear my baggy 8XL wind pants this evening. The only way I can keep those giant things up is to wear a belt around the waist. Irene wouldn't let me, she insisted I wear the new size 48 jeans. I did, and I was happy about it! I feel so wonderfully “thin” in those things. Everyone yells “throw the old stuff away, give it away, do whatever, just get rid of them.” And I understand that way of thinking. But I've always had a very limited wardrobe, so something makes me want to keep them around and make them work. Like wearing a belt to hold up pants that are 15 sizes too big. That's kind of crazy, I know. I'm getting there mentally, slowly but surely. There will be a bunch of new clothes in my future for sure! And I may get rid of some of the old stuff, and I may keep some as “visual aids” for when I speak to people in the future about losing weight.
Thank you Toby for the wonderful compliment you left on Saturday's Myspace edition of this blog. It was very nice: ---“10K is awesome Sean! Keep up the good work. I really do think you need to start thinking about writing a book about all of this. I would be one of the first people in line to buy it!”--- Sharing my story is something I plan to do for the rest of my life. I look forward to the day when that's all I do. I want to write for and speak with people that feel the way I did for so many years. I feel it's my responsibility and honestly, I feel it's my calling. I'll never take credit for anyone's success but my own. A friend and co-worker today attributed part of her success to reading this blog everyday. Oh no you don't! It's all you lady! You're the one that's taking the action and doing what needs to be done. All I can do is set the best example I can everyday and continue sharing in these pages. Will I ever make writing and speaking a career. Without a doubt, yes. A little pre-mature to start thinking that way? Perhaps. But maybe not. If you've read this blog long enough, you know I'm a realist. I don't get carried away with pie in the sky dreams of being an author and motivational speaker. But do I dream about it occasionally? Sure, but only because it's a very real possibility. This blog is only the beginning. I've read compliments like Toby's from others and it just re-affirms my desires. Thank you for the boost of confidence!
Irene and Courtney experienced wonderful success on the scale today too! I'm so very proud of them. I heard from several friends about their fantastic mid-point weigh in and it makes me so happy. You can do this and you're proving it everyday! Thanks for reading, I can't thank you enough for the support. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
The Cream Always Rises To The Top and Pardon Me While I Dream A Little
For those that may have thought that I was a shoe in to win the overall biggest loser prize in the “Lose To Win” Challenge, let me remind you of something very important. After losing 137 pounds so far, I've settled in to a very nice, normal pace. I've lost 14 pounds so far in the challenge and I personally know of five people who have bested that, there's probably 50 to 100 more that might have, who knows. And that's awesome! Congratulations to everyone! I have no complaints about averaging 3 to 4 pounds per week. I'll take that every week of the year. Congratulations to everyone that participated in the mid-point weigh-in! The prize money is within anyone's reach. But more important than the money, so many are learning that a life free of obesity and all of it's horrible effects is completely possible. I really don't care about the money, it pales in comparison to the rewards I'm reaping everyday and will for the rest of my life. My hope is that more and more people feel the same way. Will I give it my all? Yes, you better believe my “A game” is on, my team deserves for me to give it everything I've got. You'll be hearing about many more 5 and 10K's in my near future! Brandon called me today and told me to call him the next time I go out for a 10K and he'd join me. That's team work my friend. I didn't ask Brandon permission to mention his mid-point weigh-in results, so I can't reveal that, but let me say this, it's jaw dropping. He's losing weight at the pace I was in the beginning of this journey. And he understands why, because when you have a bunch to lose it's naturally going to go fast at first.
Brandon, Irene, and I talked about the possibility of “cheaters” trying everything imaginable to win the money in the “Lose To Win” Challenge. Sometimes money, or more specifically, the pursuit of money brings out the worst in people. But I decided today that those who may have shoved weights in their pockets at the initial weigh in, those people do not have what it takes to do this. The only weigh-in someone like that could gain an advantage is the first one, after that it's up to them to shed the weight. And if their moral fiber is thin enough to try something like that, they haven't the necessary honesty and work ethic to complete the task. Their goal isn't good health. Their goal is fast cash. And guess what? They can't hang with those of us who are committed to this journey for the right reasons. If you're doing this for the right reasons, you know it, and that makes you part of the cream my friend. And the cream always rises to the top! I'm completely confident that when the awards ceremony is held in mid May, the big cash winners will be people who really worked hard to make a difference for themselves and everyone around them. You'll be able to see the difference in their appearance and in their eyes. The eyes give away so much information and on that night you're going to see many happy eyes. What excites me most isn't the results in mid-May, it's several hundred people in one community making a change that will dramatically improve the rest of their lives. Yeah, this goes way beyond May my friend and way above anyone trying to artificially manipulate their results.
I stopped logging my daily foods on Fitday.com. I did log every bite, everyday for a month, and it's given me a nice breakdown of what I typically consume. It breaks it down, goes way beyond calories, it covers everything. If you've read some of the early days of this journey you know that I have never been a “write down everything you eat” kind of person. It's very easy to keep track of my intake, especially now that I'm making an effort to eat something every three hours. I always have an accurate count in my head. You might be different and really need to write everything down. For me, I did it to give myself and a few experts an accurate representation of what I'm eating on a daily basis as far as fat, protein, carbohydrates, and calories. Initially I was told to do it for a week and I completed a month. I stopped doing it to save time. Time seems to be a very precious commodity in my world these days.
I tried to wear my baggy 8XL wind pants this evening. The only way I can keep those giant things up is to wear a belt around the waist. Irene wouldn't let me, she insisted I wear the new size 48 jeans. I did, and I was happy about it! I feel so wonderfully “thin” in those things. Everyone yells “throw the old stuff away, give it away, do whatever, just get rid of them.” And I understand that way of thinking. But I've always had a very limited wardrobe, so something makes me want to keep them around and make them work. Like wearing a belt to hold up pants that are 15 sizes too big. That's kind of crazy, I know. I'm getting there mentally, slowly but surely. There will be a bunch of new clothes in my future for sure! And I may get rid of some of the old stuff, and I may keep some as “visual aids” for when I speak to people in the future about losing weight.
Thank you Toby for the wonderful compliment you left on Saturday's Myspace edition of this blog. It was very nice: ---“10K is awesome Sean! Keep up the good work. I really do think you need to start thinking about writing a book about all of this. I would be one of the first people in line to buy it!”--- Sharing my story is something I plan to do for the rest of my life. I look forward to the day when that's all I do. I want to write for and speak with people that feel the way I did for so many years. I feel it's my responsibility and honestly, I feel it's my calling. I'll never take credit for anyone's success but my own. A friend and co-worker today attributed part of her success to reading this blog everyday. Oh no you don't! It's all you lady! You're the one that's taking the action and doing what needs to be done. All I can do is set the best example I can everyday and continue sharing in these pages. Will I ever make writing and speaking a career. Without a doubt, yes. A little pre-mature to start thinking that way? Perhaps. But maybe not. If you've read this blog long enough, you know I'm a realist. I don't get carried away with pie in the sky dreams of being an author and motivational speaker. But do I dream about it occasionally? Sure, but only because it's a very real possibility. This blog is only the beginning. I've read compliments like Toby's from others and it just re-affirms my desires. Thank you for the boost of confidence!
Irene and Courtney experienced wonderful success on the scale today too! I'm so very proud of them. I heard from several friends about their fantastic mid-point weigh in and it makes me so happy. You can do this and you're proving it everyday! Thanks for reading, I can't thank you enough for the support. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Monday, April 6, 2009
Day 203 The Forever Part and Buying Empty Wrappers At The Grocery Store
Day 203
The Forever Part and Buying Empty Wrappers At The Grocery Store
The 10k last night felt great and boy did I sleep sound last night! I need to do more of those. As the weather warms I'm looking forward to expanding my exercise regimen to include bicycling and swimming. I think we're going to start looking for some bikes real soon. I can order my heavy duty bicycle seat from Living XL Magazine and we'll be good to...Wait a second! I may not need a heavy duty seat before too long! Scrap the whole special seat idea. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather like never before. At over 500 pounds I dreaded the heat. Not only did I dread the heat, I avoided the heat at all cost. If I could just stay inside 24 hours a day by an air conditioning vent, I did. Now I'm looking forward to the added benefit the heat will provide to my workouts. It's amazing how losing weight can completely transform your attitude and overall outlook on things. When I say it changes everything, I mean everything. That's what I keep telling my mom and anyone else that will listen, just stay consistent long enough to achieve significant results and you'll be so thrilled with how you think, feel, and look, you'll never want to go back! Of course you have to do more than just eat less and exercise. You have to do what I've done and completely change your mind about food and exercise. Because as I learned in 2004, just because you get a taste of weight loss freedom, it doesn't mean you're completely free. You're only free when you become mentally changed. That's the forever part. The mental aspect is what will keep the weight off. Learning to be completely honest with yourself and 100% responsible for your decisions is key. Learning how to properly use food to live and fuel your body is paramount. It's OK to “love food,” sure, it's totally cool and normal to have your favorites and foods you're passionate about, never give them up! But never eat so much of them that it makes you feel like giving up. How did this happen? I was talking about exercise and all of a sudden this paragraph became all about food and personal responsibility. Anyway, one of the big factors in my success so far is never feeling deprived. I have zero restrictions. I can choose to eat anything I want. If I want a cookie, I'll have a cookie, maybe two or three, but I will not eat the whole package. If I want pizza, I'll have pizza, more than likely thin crust and only two or three pieces. Oh sure, I could have deep dish or pan pizza, but I can have two slices of the thin to one thick. Choices, that's all it is. And educating yourself on proper portions and calorie counts. Knowing how much is too much is critical. For years I never knew, because I wasn't counting or even looking. I didn't want to know how many calories I had in that over-sized bowl of tin roof sundae, nor did I care.
Even after losing the first 137 pounds and as rock solid as I am mentally, there are still foods I refuse to keep around the house. I will not buy a half-gallon carton of ice cream. I don't trust myself with that stuff. Crazy? Maybe a little. I know that if I dipped out a portion (most times ½ a cup), I could occasionally enjoy ice cream from a half gallon without breaking my calorie bank for the day, but still, I just can't. Another item? Cottage cheese, oh please! Whoever designated cottage cheese a “diet food,” never knew me. They've never witnessed me take a carton of that stuff, grab a sleeve of saltines, salt and pepper, and a spoon and hit the couch. I love cottage cheese. I could eat that stuff all day long. I still occasionally enjoy some, in fact just the other day, but it's always a very controlled portion, and never at home with a full carton. I know myself better than anyone and Irene knows me better than anyone else besides me. She's watched as many cottage cheese cartons, purchased in the name of protein, have made their way to the trash, emptied the first night they made it home. Some never even made it into the fridge. And if the store had some plastic spoons handy, it may not make it out of the store. Have you ever ate something while you're still in the store? I have many times. I may not have paid for it yet, but I will! I once handed the checker an empty popcorn chicken bucket from the deli and a candy bar wrapper. People must do it all the time or else she was just being polite, because she scanned the empty items and threw away the evidence without so much as a strange look. I don't do that anymore. It's surprising I ever did it in the first place, since I always hated being the stereotypical “fat guy.” I may be confident but my guard is never completely down. I know my sneaky little self all too well to ever be completely unguarded.
We made the trip to pick up Courtney today. Amber and she had a blast on sisters weekend. Except most of the sisters were younger, in some cases really young. And most of the activities planned were designed for youngsters. So Amber and Court did their own thing all weekend long. They really needed that time together. On the way down we picked up my mom for the ride. She wanted to go and see the countryside and visit during the drive. We had a fantastic conversation traveling along highway 33. She informed me that she's lost 9 pounds since March 10th, isn't that fantastic! And she's out there walking all the time lately. I told her how proud I was of her and to keep it up! At 63 she has an opportunity to add years to her life, but there's no time to waste! She could have another 20 to 30 years, or another 5 to 10, her choice. Well, God's choice really. Only God knows for sure, but if she continues what she's been doing lately, the walking and eating less, then she'll have a legitimate shot at the 20 to 30 range! We all hope and pray for a long life and sometimes we forget that there are things we can do that'll give us a better shot at that long life. For me it's losing weight and quitting the nasty cigarettes.
No Funyuns snack this trip, instead we packed fresh apple slices in little baggies. I consumed almost as many calories in apples today as I did in Funyuns on Friday.
I hope you didn't feel like the first part of yesterday's blog was one long commercial for Todd Starnes's new book. I've never had to have open heart surgery, thank God, but I still identify with so many things his book says. Aside from the weight loss and exercise, the mental changes and all, aside from all of that, I found we also share a love for the perfectly peanut buttery cookie, Nutter Butter. Ask Irene, she'll tell you. She's witnessed many a Nutter Butter and milk binges on this side of Sean Town. Not in the last 203 days, in fact that's one of the things I was reminded of while reading yesterday. I haven't had a single Nutter Butter this entire journey. Well, I must make some room for a few tomorrow. That's it, I'm having some Nutter Butters! Not a whole package like before, just a serving. A normal sized serving. Maybe I can hang out in the cookie isle at Wal-Mart and wait for someone to grab a package, then offer to buy a few from their pack. That would be hilarious, but it also might get me kicked out of Wal-Mart. I know, I'll buy the little convenient four pack at a c-store! There we go, that's it. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
The Forever Part and Buying Empty Wrappers At The Grocery Store
The 10k last night felt great and boy did I sleep sound last night! I need to do more of those. As the weather warms I'm looking forward to expanding my exercise regimen to include bicycling and swimming. I think we're going to start looking for some bikes real soon. I can order my heavy duty bicycle seat from Living XL Magazine and we'll be good to...Wait a second! I may not need a heavy duty seat before too long! Scrap the whole special seat idea. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather like never before. At over 500 pounds I dreaded the heat. Not only did I dread the heat, I avoided the heat at all cost. If I could just stay inside 24 hours a day by an air conditioning vent, I did. Now I'm looking forward to the added benefit the heat will provide to my workouts. It's amazing how losing weight can completely transform your attitude and overall outlook on things. When I say it changes everything, I mean everything. That's what I keep telling my mom and anyone else that will listen, just stay consistent long enough to achieve significant results and you'll be so thrilled with how you think, feel, and look, you'll never want to go back! Of course you have to do more than just eat less and exercise. You have to do what I've done and completely change your mind about food and exercise. Because as I learned in 2004, just because you get a taste of weight loss freedom, it doesn't mean you're completely free. You're only free when you become mentally changed. That's the forever part. The mental aspect is what will keep the weight off. Learning to be completely honest with yourself and 100% responsible for your decisions is key. Learning how to properly use food to live and fuel your body is paramount. It's OK to “love food,” sure, it's totally cool and normal to have your favorites and foods you're passionate about, never give them up! But never eat so much of them that it makes you feel like giving up. How did this happen? I was talking about exercise and all of a sudden this paragraph became all about food and personal responsibility. Anyway, one of the big factors in my success so far is never feeling deprived. I have zero restrictions. I can choose to eat anything I want. If I want a cookie, I'll have a cookie, maybe two or three, but I will not eat the whole package. If I want pizza, I'll have pizza, more than likely thin crust and only two or three pieces. Oh sure, I could have deep dish or pan pizza, but I can have two slices of the thin to one thick. Choices, that's all it is. And educating yourself on proper portions and calorie counts. Knowing how much is too much is critical. For years I never knew, because I wasn't counting or even looking. I didn't want to know how many calories I had in that over-sized bowl of tin roof sundae, nor did I care.
Even after losing the first 137 pounds and as rock solid as I am mentally, there are still foods I refuse to keep around the house. I will not buy a half-gallon carton of ice cream. I don't trust myself with that stuff. Crazy? Maybe a little. I know that if I dipped out a portion (most times ½ a cup), I could occasionally enjoy ice cream from a half gallon without breaking my calorie bank for the day, but still, I just can't. Another item? Cottage cheese, oh please! Whoever designated cottage cheese a “diet food,” never knew me. They've never witnessed me take a carton of that stuff, grab a sleeve of saltines, salt and pepper, and a spoon and hit the couch. I love cottage cheese. I could eat that stuff all day long. I still occasionally enjoy some, in fact just the other day, but it's always a very controlled portion, and never at home with a full carton. I know myself better than anyone and Irene knows me better than anyone else besides me. She's watched as many cottage cheese cartons, purchased in the name of protein, have made their way to the trash, emptied the first night they made it home. Some never even made it into the fridge. And if the store had some plastic spoons handy, it may not make it out of the store. Have you ever ate something while you're still in the store? I have many times. I may not have paid for it yet, but I will! I once handed the checker an empty popcorn chicken bucket from the deli and a candy bar wrapper. People must do it all the time or else she was just being polite, because she scanned the empty items and threw away the evidence without so much as a strange look. I don't do that anymore. It's surprising I ever did it in the first place, since I always hated being the stereotypical “fat guy.” I may be confident but my guard is never completely down. I know my sneaky little self all too well to ever be completely unguarded.
We made the trip to pick up Courtney today. Amber and she had a blast on sisters weekend. Except most of the sisters were younger, in some cases really young. And most of the activities planned were designed for youngsters. So Amber and Court did their own thing all weekend long. They really needed that time together. On the way down we picked up my mom for the ride. She wanted to go and see the countryside and visit during the drive. We had a fantastic conversation traveling along highway 33. She informed me that she's lost 9 pounds since March 10th, isn't that fantastic! And she's out there walking all the time lately. I told her how proud I was of her and to keep it up! At 63 she has an opportunity to add years to her life, but there's no time to waste! She could have another 20 to 30 years, or another 5 to 10, her choice. Well, God's choice really. Only God knows for sure, but if she continues what she's been doing lately, the walking and eating less, then she'll have a legitimate shot at the 20 to 30 range! We all hope and pray for a long life and sometimes we forget that there are things we can do that'll give us a better shot at that long life. For me it's losing weight and quitting the nasty cigarettes.
No Funyuns snack this trip, instead we packed fresh apple slices in little baggies. I consumed almost as many calories in apples today as I did in Funyuns on Friday.
I hope you didn't feel like the first part of yesterday's blog was one long commercial for Todd Starnes's new book. I've never had to have open heart surgery, thank God, but I still identify with so many things his book says. Aside from the weight loss and exercise, the mental changes and all, aside from all of that, I found we also share a love for the perfectly peanut buttery cookie, Nutter Butter. Ask Irene, she'll tell you. She's witnessed many a Nutter Butter and milk binges on this side of Sean Town. Not in the last 203 days, in fact that's one of the things I was reminded of while reading yesterday. I haven't had a single Nutter Butter this entire journey. Well, I must make some room for a few tomorrow. That's it, I'm having some Nutter Butters! Not a whole package like before, just a serving. A normal sized serving. Maybe I can hang out in the cookie isle at Wal-Mart and wait for someone to grab a package, then offer to buy a few from their pack. That would be hilarious, but it also might get me kicked out of Wal-Mart. I know, I'll buy the little convenient four pack at a c-store! There we go, that's it. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Day 202 A Book of Interest, A 10K Conquered, and My Love of Hot Rolls
Day 202
A Book of Interest, A 10K Conquered, and My Love of Hot Rolls
I'm ashamed to say that I've never really been a book reader. I'm a TV watcher, radio listener, magazine reader, newspaper glancer, but not really what you would classify as a book reader. If I do read a book it's something of particular interest to me, like when I was heavy in the world of stand-up, I read Jay Leno's and Paul Reiser's books cover to cover. When Irene and I started writing a screenplay and developing screenplay ideas I read “The Complete Idiots Guide To Screen writing.” And I've never in my life before today read a book cover to cover in one day. If a book didn't capture me or interest me too much, it would end up in the bathroom only to be thumbed through and read in 5 to 15 minute chunks over the course of several months. I've never read a book of fiction, never, not even in high school. Oh sure, we were assigned to read certain books, but the closest I came was buying the Cliffs Notes versions. Again, not proud of that, just being honest. And I have to say I'm so proud that my daughters have taken after their mom in the reading department. They read, in fact Courtney is reading “The Catcher In The Rye” right now. Thank goodness they read. Since my interest now is so big in losing weight and writing this blog, it's not surprising that I did what I did today, just unusual. I spent my afternoon reading. Totally not like me, I know! I read a book cover to cover in one sitting! OK, I did run to the restroom, fix a turkey sandwich, and refill my Splenda sweetened ice tea a few times. I just couldn't put down Todd Starnes new book “They Popped My Hood And Found Gravy On The Dipstick.” Todd Starnes is a Fox News Radio anchor living and working in New York City. He spent his formative years in the South and was raised on his mom's presidential worthy southern cooking. By the time his 30's rolled around, he found himself at 300 pounds, and in not long heart problems followed. He had to undergo open heart surgery and after surviving the surgery he had a choice: Lose the weight or die young. Sound familiar? His story is humorous, spiritual, sad, and triumphant all rolled into one very nice paperback. It's a story that follows his broadcasting career straight to New York, but it's not a story about broadcasting. It follows his open heart surgery, but it's not a book about bad hearts. It follows the wonderful relationships he had with his parents, but it's not all about them either. He proudly gives praise to God throughout the book, and even quotes scripture along his journey, but it's not all about his faith. It is a book all about choosing life. Todd Starnes chose to live life, and with that decision came many changes, not only in his habits but in his mind. It's a fabulous story of triumph told with humor and down to earth honesty. It really tripped my trigger, and I just couldn't stop reading. Todd has lost 150 pounds and even ran in the 2007 New York City Marathon. What an inspiration! I highly recommend this book to you! You can find it in numerous bookstores around the country, I personally ordered my copy through Brace Books and More.
With Courtney away at the SWOSU “Little Sisters” weekend with Amber, it was just Irene and me around the house. So I decided to take my lady out to dinner. We decided on J.W. Cobb's, a local family style restaurant with down home country cooking. It would be real easy to eat a bunch of calories at Cobb's, in fact I have many times in the past, but remember it's all in the choices we make. I had the juiciest most flavorful chicken breast in the world, and Irene went for the chopped steak. We split a baked potato and Irene had green beans while I enjoyed tomato slices with salt and pepper. The waitress brought out two hot dinner rolls, even though we didn't request them, and after one bite Irene questioned “why do they have to be so good!” I've dramatically cut down on my bread intake and I haven't really missed it that much. However, I can and do eat bread, I can eat whatever I want right? I just don't invest that many calories in bread these days. You must remember, I'm a hot roll lover from way back. When we would have hot rolls at school everybody at the table would hear me ask “do you want your roll?” Because I did! I couldn't get enough hot rolls as a kid, and as an adult I became kind of a hot roll snob. I know a good hot roll when I taste it. Irene's grandma Bertha made the most incredible hot rolls, and to this day, Irene and I compare every hot roll that crosses our lips to her grandmothers masterpiece of yeast! Lucille's in the tiny town of Mulhull, Oklahoma is the closest to Bertha's perfection, but J.W. Cobb's comes real close too. So there we were face to face with an old friend, the hot dinner roll. I had one question I had to ask myself. Could I afford some calories for this wonderful looking and smelling creation? The answer was yes! But I only had half of it, and without butter, because I wanted to have enough calories for a nice snack later. That's control my friend. We use to ask for at least a half dozen of those things pre-journey.
Since I spent the afternoon reading, I didn't get into the YMCA, but that was OK because with the weather as beautiful as it was today, I'd already decided my workout would be outside. Irene had to leave for work at 7:30pm, and I left for the walking trail shortly after. The temperature was somewhere in the 70's with a nice breeze and the sunset was emitting some of the most beautiful colors in the western sky. It was a perfect night to walk. I decided that tonight's walk would be special. I'd planned on doing a 10K last night, but quickly scrapped that plan when it became way too late. I had also planned to do a 10K for the first time today anyway, remember me mentioning an organized YMCA 10K not too long ago? Well, that official 10K was canceled a week ago, so if I was going to stick with my plan to do a 10K on April 4th it had to be a solo effort. I made a special 10K playlist on my iPod and hit the trail with a confident stride. I love walking outside in the fresh air on a perfect evening. I decided that I would pace myself for distance rather than pushing myself in well timed burst like I've been doing. Nope, no jogging for me tonight. I did adjust my pace up and down some, and when I felt the need to use the bathroom about halfway, I stopped to do it. Only one problem, the bathroom door was locked! I thought maybe someone was in there, so I waited a few minutes before knocking and asking, “is anybody in there?” No answer. I should have done that three minutes before then. By this time I really had to go, I was in trouble here! I'll stop my little restroom emergency story right there, because I don't want to incriminate myself, but let me put it this way...The rest of my 10K was in comfort, well, as comfortable as walking 6.2 miles can be. The first 3.1 miles were easy, in fact it wasn't really until the last mile that I started wondering if I'd bitten off more than I could chew. That last mile was brutal. After reading about Todd Starnes NYC Marathon experience, I had to do this. Todd survived that Marathon with strength and determination directly from God. He had several legitimate excuses to give up, but he didn't, he couldn't. You'll have to read his account to see what I mean. With my legs burning and the sweat dripping, I powered through that last 1.2 miles like a champion. At the end there wasn't a tape to burst through, I didn't see a crowd, or an official time clock, and I wasn't wearing a number or an official t-shirt. But I felt like a bona fide champion. I won tonight's endurance walking challenge! I walked a 10K, that's 6.2 miles around the very trail I couldn't even walk a quarter of a mile on 202 days ago at 505 pounds. I know I've said it many times before, and I really wouldn't need to say it at all, because my actions say it for me, but it really does get easier and easier. If you're just getting started and it feels almost impossible to move, just do what you can, no matter how small it seems, and with consistent effort it will get progressively easier, I promise!
My dear mother is finding out that it does get easier to exercise. She's had a hard time getting started, but now she's progressing just fine, and it makes me so happy! I called her shortly after I left the trail to tell her of my triumph, and before I could tell her she told me her great news. She finished walking two thirds of a mile tonight. I'm so happy for her. I love my momma like Elvis loved his, I'm a proud mommas boy and always will be. I've prayed for her to find the strength and will to break free from obesity, much like she use to pray every night for me to lose weight. We both worry about each other constantly, but now she doesn't worry about me as much as I do her. I want her to choose to live the best life she can live for the next however many years God will allow. Mom and I have had some very good conversations about this before and we'll have many more. I want to see her happy. I want to sit back and watch as she discovers the happiness within her. I want to see her smile in the purest most content way. Nothing would make me happier. You're doing fantastic mom! I know I told you earlier, but I can't help but to repeat it here: I'm so proud of you and I love you!
Tomorrow we're heading to Weatherford to pick up Courtney and deliver Amber's Gazelle. Amber requested we bring her Gazelle before, but we never could figure out how to transport such a large wild animal. I'm kidding, it's not a Gazelle from the African plains, it's that Tony Little endorsed exercise machine. Amber bought it years ago with her own money and now she plans to keep it at her boyfriends parents house in Thomas so she can use it when she's over there on the weekends. I'm headed to bed for some pre-drive rest. Thank you for reading everyday. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
A Book of Interest, A 10K Conquered, and My Love of Hot Rolls
I'm ashamed to say that I've never really been a book reader. I'm a TV watcher, radio listener, magazine reader, newspaper glancer, but not really what you would classify as a book reader. If I do read a book it's something of particular interest to me, like when I was heavy in the world of stand-up, I read Jay Leno's and Paul Reiser's books cover to cover. When Irene and I started writing a screenplay and developing screenplay ideas I read “The Complete Idiots Guide To Screen writing.” And I've never in my life before today read a book cover to cover in one day. If a book didn't capture me or interest me too much, it would end up in the bathroom only to be thumbed through and read in 5 to 15 minute chunks over the course of several months. I've never read a book of fiction, never, not even in high school. Oh sure, we were assigned to read certain books, but the closest I came was buying the Cliffs Notes versions. Again, not proud of that, just being honest. And I have to say I'm so proud that my daughters have taken after their mom in the reading department. They read, in fact Courtney is reading “The Catcher In The Rye” right now. Thank goodness they read. Since my interest now is so big in losing weight and writing this blog, it's not surprising that I did what I did today, just unusual. I spent my afternoon reading. Totally not like me, I know! I read a book cover to cover in one sitting! OK, I did run to the restroom, fix a turkey sandwich, and refill my Splenda sweetened ice tea a few times. I just couldn't put down Todd Starnes new book “They Popped My Hood And Found Gravy On The Dipstick.” Todd Starnes is a Fox News Radio anchor living and working in New York City. He spent his formative years in the South and was raised on his mom's presidential worthy southern cooking. By the time his 30's rolled around, he found himself at 300 pounds, and in not long heart problems followed. He had to undergo open heart surgery and after surviving the surgery he had a choice: Lose the weight or die young. Sound familiar? His story is humorous, spiritual, sad, and triumphant all rolled into one very nice paperback. It's a story that follows his broadcasting career straight to New York, but it's not a story about broadcasting. It follows his open heart surgery, but it's not a book about bad hearts. It follows the wonderful relationships he had with his parents, but it's not all about them either. He proudly gives praise to God throughout the book, and even quotes scripture along his journey, but it's not all about his faith. It is a book all about choosing life. Todd Starnes chose to live life, and with that decision came many changes, not only in his habits but in his mind. It's a fabulous story of triumph told with humor and down to earth honesty. It really tripped my trigger, and I just couldn't stop reading. Todd has lost 150 pounds and even ran in the 2007 New York City Marathon. What an inspiration! I highly recommend this book to you! You can find it in numerous bookstores around the country, I personally ordered my copy through Brace Books and More.
With Courtney away at the SWOSU “Little Sisters” weekend with Amber, it was just Irene and me around the house. So I decided to take my lady out to dinner. We decided on J.W. Cobb's, a local family style restaurant with down home country cooking. It would be real easy to eat a bunch of calories at Cobb's, in fact I have many times in the past, but remember it's all in the choices we make. I had the juiciest most flavorful chicken breast in the world, and Irene went for the chopped steak. We split a baked potato and Irene had green beans while I enjoyed tomato slices with salt and pepper. The waitress brought out two hot dinner rolls, even though we didn't request them, and after one bite Irene questioned “why do they have to be so good!” I've dramatically cut down on my bread intake and I haven't really missed it that much. However, I can and do eat bread, I can eat whatever I want right? I just don't invest that many calories in bread these days. You must remember, I'm a hot roll lover from way back. When we would have hot rolls at school everybody at the table would hear me ask “do you want your roll?” Because I did! I couldn't get enough hot rolls as a kid, and as an adult I became kind of a hot roll snob. I know a good hot roll when I taste it. Irene's grandma Bertha made the most incredible hot rolls, and to this day, Irene and I compare every hot roll that crosses our lips to her grandmothers masterpiece of yeast! Lucille's in the tiny town of Mulhull, Oklahoma is the closest to Bertha's perfection, but J.W. Cobb's comes real close too. So there we were face to face with an old friend, the hot dinner roll. I had one question I had to ask myself. Could I afford some calories for this wonderful looking and smelling creation? The answer was yes! But I only had half of it, and without butter, because I wanted to have enough calories for a nice snack later. That's control my friend. We use to ask for at least a half dozen of those things pre-journey.
Since I spent the afternoon reading, I didn't get into the YMCA, but that was OK because with the weather as beautiful as it was today, I'd already decided my workout would be outside. Irene had to leave for work at 7:30pm, and I left for the walking trail shortly after. The temperature was somewhere in the 70's with a nice breeze and the sunset was emitting some of the most beautiful colors in the western sky. It was a perfect night to walk. I decided that tonight's walk would be special. I'd planned on doing a 10K last night, but quickly scrapped that plan when it became way too late. I had also planned to do a 10K for the first time today anyway, remember me mentioning an organized YMCA 10K not too long ago? Well, that official 10K was canceled a week ago, so if I was going to stick with my plan to do a 10K on April 4th it had to be a solo effort. I made a special 10K playlist on my iPod and hit the trail with a confident stride. I love walking outside in the fresh air on a perfect evening. I decided that I would pace myself for distance rather than pushing myself in well timed burst like I've been doing. Nope, no jogging for me tonight. I did adjust my pace up and down some, and when I felt the need to use the bathroom about halfway, I stopped to do it. Only one problem, the bathroom door was locked! I thought maybe someone was in there, so I waited a few minutes before knocking and asking, “is anybody in there?” No answer. I should have done that three minutes before then. By this time I really had to go, I was in trouble here! I'll stop my little restroom emergency story right there, because I don't want to incriminate myself, but let me put it this way...The rest of my 10K was in comfort, well, as comfortable as walking 6.2 miles can be. The first 3.1 miles were easy, in fact it wasn't really until the last mile that I started wondering if I'd bitten off more than I could chew. That last mile was brutal. After reading about Todd Starnes NYC Marathon experience, I had to do this. Todd survived that Marathon with strength and determination directly from God. He had several legitimate excuses to give up, but he didn't, he couldn't. You'll have to read his account to see what I mean. With my legs burning and the sweat dripping, I powered through that last 1.2 miles like a champion. At the end there wasn't a tape to burst through, I didn't see a crowd, or an official time clock, and I wasn't wearing a number or an official t-shirt. But I felt like a bona fide champion. I won tonight's endurance walking challenge! I walked a 10K, that's 6.2 miles around the very trail I couldn't even walk a quarter of a mile on 202 days ago at 505 pounds. I know I've said it many times before, and I really wouldn't need to say it at all, because my actions say it for me, but it really does get easier and easier. If you're just getting started and it feels almost impossible to move, just do what you can, no matter how small it seems, and with consistent effort it will get progressively easier, I promise!
My dear mother is finding out that it does get easier to exercise. She's had a hard time getting started, but now she's progressing just fine, and it makes me so happy! I called her shortly after I left the trail to tell her of my triumph, and before I could tell her she told me her great news. She finished walking two thirds of a mile tonight. I'm so happy for her. I love my momma like Elvis loved his, I'm a proud mommas boy and always will be. I've prayed for her to find the strength and will to break free from obesity, much like she use to pray every night for me to lose weight. We both worry about each other constantly, but now she doesn't worry about me as much as I do her. I want her to choose to live the best life she can live for the next however many years God will allow. Mom and I have had some very good conversations about this before and we'll have many more. I want to see her happy. I want to sit back and watch as she discovers the happiness within her. I want to see her smile in the purest most content way. Nothing would make me happier. You're doing fantastic mom! I know I told you earlier, but I can't help but to repeat it here: I'm so proud of you and I love you!
Tomorrow we're heading to Weatherford to pick up Courtney and deliver Amber's Gazelle. Amber requested we bring her Gazelle before, but we never could figure out how to transport such a large wild animal. I'm kidding, it's not a Gazelle from the African plains, it's that Tony Little endorsed exercise machine. Amber bought it years ago with her own money and now she plans to keep it at her boyfriends parents house in Thomas so she can use it when she's over there on the weekends. I'm headed to bed for some pre-drive rest. Thank you for reading everyday. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Day 201 A Long Friday and Slowing Down To Catch Up
Day 201
A Long Friday and Slowing Down To Catch Up
This weekend is “little sisters” weekend at SWOSU. I spent most of the day driving to and from Amber's campus. Amber and Courtney are planning to have a blast! Courtney is so excited about staying in the dorm. Our snack choices on the way down ended up being some cheese and Funyuns. We love the Funyuns, and since we very rarely have them, it seemed OK to share a bag for 160 calories each. We also snacked on some cheese. By the way, Funyuns are lower in calories than any potato chip or Doritos product you'll find. Compare the labels and see for yourself. Courtney gave me the best compliment during a stop on the way out of town. She said, “Dad, you're no longer fat-fat, you're just a tall chubby guy now.” I totally get what she's saying, I can see the reflection, it's much different from before. She made my day by saying that. I'm so proud of her and Amber both.
This self-image stuff can be hard to shake. I've heard of people who have lost a bunch of weight, but still they see themselves as they were, not what they've become. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
That's as far as I could get last night before falling asleep sitting up at the computer. I woke up drooling on myself at nearly 3am and decided to go get some bed rest. I was a tired young man: My day started at 4:45am Friday morning, I did my morning show and a bunch of production without taking a lunch break, so by 1pm we were headed out on the highway for Stillwater and the eye doctor, then to OKC for an hour and a half wait at The Department of Health Vital Statistics for an official birth certificate (beats a few weeks waiting by mail-Courtney needs it for her driving permit—we can't find the original!), We knew that we had to be at the state health department by 4pm to get what we were after and since we didn't get out of the eye doctor until 2:55pm, it was going to be tough to get there. Thank goodness the speed limit is 70 on I-35, still the flow of traffic was about 75, and that speed got us within a few city streets of our destination with six minutes to spare. Once we arrived in the parking garage, we had exactly three minutes to get through the doors of the vital statistics office. So we jogged. We would have never made it if I were still over 500 pounds, no way! We jogged into the building, and then instead of taking the elevator, we jogged up two flights of stairs! Stairs! That was hard, but by golly we did it! We barely made it with just seconds to spare, then we realized there were still about 80 people in front of us, so we settled in and talked a good long talk, people watched, talked some more, joked around, laughed a little, and an hour and a half later we had an official birth certificate for Courtney! Then it was back to the highway and on to Weatherford. We arrived on the campus of SWOSU shortly before 7pm. Amber was waiting at the front doors of her dorm, and we all helped carry Courtney's stuff up to the room. It may be just a weekend, but Courtney packed like she was moving in! I gave hugs and kisses, then I quickly departed no less than 10 minutes later to head home. I decided to head north out of Weatherford and hit Highway 33 for the trip back through Watonga and Kingfisher, getting back on I-35 at Guthrie. While driving I started to think about what kind of a workout I could do when I arrived home. I was feeling kind of adventurous apparently, because I decided on a 10K. That's right, 6.2 miles worth of walking! Originally I had planned on doing a 10K on the 4th, but that organized 10K was canceled due to “lack of interest.” So I was going to do my own little private late night 10K at the walking trail. I figured it would only take about an hour and forty minutes, maybe a few minutes more, but I could handle it I'm sure. I was listening to music loud and driving on that nearly empty highway when I looked down and realized I was speeding a little bit. Not enough to get pulled over I thought, but enough to make a little better time back to Ponca City. It wasn't long before my speeding mini-van was spotted by Officer Cagle of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Their new light bars are so pretty, but not so much when they're coming up fast behind you. I knew better! I honestly thought I was only speeding “a little bit,” but I guess it was a little bit too much. I immediately thought about my clean driving record getting a blemish and I was upset with my decision to “make some time.” I knew better, and that's exactly what I told the trooper. He told me that he planned on giving me a warning, then he took my license and headed back to his sweet patrol car. I was relieved! When he returned we started talking about Ponca City, he mentioned my KLOR window sticker, and I told him I did mornings on that station. Then, and I don't remember what turned the conversation to this, but then we started talking about weight loss. Maybe it was the dramatic difference in my appearance, compared to my drivers license photo, I don't know. And of course I can't talk about my weight loss without mentioning this daily blog. He talked to me about his weight training, and I mentioned mine, and then he wrote down this blog address on the back of his ticket book. It was a very nice, short, unexpected conversation. I also told him about how I use to not be able to wear a seatbelt, he was impressed with the results, and of course all the while my seatbelt was fastened perfectly. Hats off to Trooper Cagle, not for giving me a warning, or sharing a short conversation, but because he's out there doing a job that requires fierce bravery. He puts his life on the line everyday to protect others (sometimes protecting us from ourselves!), I have the utmost respect and admiration for him and any who wear the badge and serve in that profession. It takes a special person to do what he does.
Where were we? Oh yeah...So I knew that I wasn't getting back home until at least 10pm, and I still had a workout to get in and write Fridays edition of this blog before going to bed. I stopped on my way into town to pick-up and give a friend a ride home, we then started visiting, and before long it was pushing 11pm. Had I been wearing my walking shoes I could've just headed straight for the trail, but I was wearing casual boat shoes, so off to the house! I really wasn't too fair to my metabolism today, oh by the way, I did stop outside of Guthrie for a turkey and swiss sandwich. But I was still a little hungry, and with about 250 calories remaining for the day, I decided to have some eggs before heading out to the trail. I changed shoes, fixed eggs, sat down checked my e-mail and other messages while I enjoyed the eggs, then I headed back out to the trail. I pulled into the trail at 11:50pm. I thought about my crazy plan to do a 10K, then decided tonight just wasn't the night. I really wanted to, but at a certain point your intentions meet reality, and a clearer idea of what can be done at that moment appears. I was tired already, so I power walked through a nice two miles, not 6.2, but still a good cardio workout. And I was home to settle into my nightly blog by 12:30am. You see how far I made it above. I must have slept for nearly two hours slumped into my chair, sitting up! When I woke up at nearly 3am, I decided my best move was to the bedroom. And I slept! Slept good and long. I needed that. As my schedule gets busier, I must manage my time better. This blog is extremely important to me, I credit most of my success to these writings, so it's something I dearly value and will continue writing until after I heal from the full body tuck I know I'll someday need. Courtney and I talked about that day while we waited at the health department, What will the last blog entry say? We have plenty of time and plenty more blog pages to go before then, so I'll think about that when the time comes! I sincerely appreciate your readership! Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
A Long Friday and Slowing Down To Catch Up
This weekend is “little sisters” weekend at SWOSU. I spent most of the day driving to and from Amber's campus. Amber and Courtney are planning to have a blast! Courtney is so excited about staying in the dorm. Our snack choices on the way down ended up being some cheese and Funyuns. We love the Funyuns, and since we very rarely have them, it seemed OK to share a bag for 160 calories each. We also snacked on some cheese. By the way, Funyuns are lower in calories than any potato chip or Doritos product you'll find. Compare the labels and see for yourself. Courtney gave me the best compliment during a stop on the way out of town. She said, “Dad, you're no longer fat-fat, you're just a tall chubby guy now.” I totally get what she's saying, I can see the reflection, it's much different from before. She made my day by saying that. I'm so proud of her and Amber both.
This self-image stuff can be hard to shake. I've heard of people who have lost a bunch of weight, but still they see themselves as they were, not what they've become. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
That's as far as I could get last night before falling asleep sitting up at the computer. I woke up drooling on myself at nearly 3am and decided to go get some bed rest. I was a tired young man: My day started at 4:45am Friday morning, I did my morning show and a bunch of production without taking a lunch break, so by 1pm we were headed out on the highway for Stillwater and the eye doctor, then to OKC for an hour and a half wait at The Department of Health Vital Statistics for an official birth certificate (beats a few weeks waiting by mail-Courtney needs it for her driving permit—we can't find the original!), We knew that we had to be at the state health department by 4pm to get what we were after and since we didn't get out of the eye doctor until 2:55pm, it was going to be tough to get there. Thank goodness the speed limit is 70 on I-35, still the flow of traffic was about 75, and that speed got us within a few city streets of our destination with six minutes to spare. Once we arrived in the parking garage, we had exactly three minutes to get through the doors of the vital statistics office. So we jogged. We would have never made it if I were still over 500 pounds, no way! We jogged into the building, and then instead of taking the elevator, we jogged up two flights of stairs! Stairs! That was hard, but by golly we did it! We barely made it with just seconds to spare, then we realized there were still about 80 people in front of us, so we settled in and talked a good long talk, people watched, talked some more, joked around, laughed a little, and an hour and a half later we had an official birth certificate for Courtney! Then it was back to the highway and on to Weatherford. We arrived on the campus of SWOSU shortly before 7pm. Amber was waiting at the front doors of her dorm, and we all helped carry Courtney's stuff up to the room. It may be just a weekend, but Courtney packed like she was moving in! I gave hugs and kisses, then I quickly departed no less than 10 minutes later to head home. I decided to head north out of Weatherford and hit Highway 33 for the trip back through Watonga and Kingfisher, getting back on I-35 at Guthrie. While driving I started to think about what kind of a workout I could do when I arrived home. I was feeling kind of adventurous apparently, because I decided on a 10K. That's right, 6.2 miles worth of walking! Originally I had planned on doing a 10K on the 4th, but that organized 10K was canceled due to “lack of interest.” So I was going to do my own little private late night 10K at the walking trail. I figured it would only take about an hour and forty minutes, maybe a few minutes more, but I could handle it I'm sure. I was listening to music loud and driving on that nearly empty highway when I looked down and realized I was speeding a little bit. Not enough to get pulled over I thought, but enough to make a little better time back to Ponca City. It wasn't long before my speeding mini-van was spotted by Officer Cagle of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Their new light bars are so pretty, but not so much when they're coming up fast behind you. I knew better! I honestly thought I was only speeding “a little bit,” but I guess it was a little bit too much. I immediately thought about my clean driving record getting a blemish and I was upset with my decision to “make some time.” I knew better, and that's exactly what I told the trooper. He told me that he planned on giving me a warning, then he took my license and headed back to his sweet patrol car. I was relieved! When he returned we started talking about Ponca City, he mentioned my KLOR window sticker, and I told him I did mornings on that station. Then, and I don't remember what turned the conversation to this, but then we started talking about weight loss. Maybe it was the dramatic difference in my appearance, compared to my drivers license photo, I don't know. And of course I can't talk about my weight loss without mentioning this daily blog. He talked to me about his weight training, and I mentioned mine, and then he wrote down this blog address on the back of his ticket book. It was a very nice, short, unexpected conversation. I also told him about how I use to not be able to wear a seatbelt, he was impressed with the results, and of course all the while my seatbelt was fastened perfectly. Hats off to Trooper Cagle, not for giving me a warning, or sharing a short conversation, but because he's out there doing a job that requires fierce bravery. He puts his life on the line everyday to protect others (sometimes protecting us from ourselves!), I have the utmost respect and admiration for him and any who wear the badge and serve in that profession. It takes a special person to do what he does.
Where were we? Oh yeah...So I knew that I wasn't getting back home until at least 10pm, and I still had a workout to get in and write Fridays edition of this blog before going to bed. I stopped on my way into town to pick-up and give a friend a ride home, we then started visiting, and before long it was pushing 11pm. Had I been wearing my walking shoes I could've just headed straight for the trail, but I was wearing casual boat shoes, so off to the house! I really wasn't too fair to my metabolism today, oh by the way, I did stop outside of Guthrie for a turkey and swiss sandwich. But I was still a little hungry, and with about 250 calories remaining for the day, I decided to have some eggs before heading out to the trail. I changed shoes, fixed eggs, sat down checked my e-mail and other messages while I enjoyed the eggs, then I headed back out to the trail. I pulled into the trail at 11:50pm. I thought about my crazy plan to do a 10K, then decided tonight just wasn't the night. I really wanted to, but at a certain point your intentions meet reality, and a clearer idea of what can be done at that moment appears. I was tired already, so I power walked through a nice two miles, not 6.2, but still a good cardio workout. And I was home to settle into my nightly blog by 12:30am. You see how far I made it above. I must have slept for nearly two hours slumped into my chair, sitting up! When I woke up at nearly 3am, I decided my best move was to the bedroom. And I slept! Slept good and long. I needed that. As my schedule gets busier, I must manage my time better. This blog is extremely important to me, I credit most of my success to these writings, so it's something I dearly value and will continue writing until after I heal from the full body tuck I know I'll someday need. Courtney and I talked about that day while we waited at the health department, What will the last blog entry say? We have plenty of time and plenty more blog pages to go before then, so I'll think about that when the time comes! I sincerely appreciate your readership! Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Friday, April 3, 2009
Day 200 Bonus Blog By The Numbers
Day 200
Bonus Blog By The Numbers
200 Number of Daily Post (not including bonus blogs)
1,036 Average number of words per blog post
207,300 Total number of words
137 Pounds lost
342 Number of pounds the four of us have lost as a family
17,379 The number of times the blog has been read (combined both versions)
1,013 Number of reader comments (Both versions combined)
14 Number of pant sizes I've gone down around the waist
321 Approximate number of miles walked
46 Estimated number of low fat vanilla ice cream cones consumed
17 Number of countries that have read this blog
34 Number of states that have read this blog
3 Number of near meltdowns
60 The hardest day so far
82 The second hardest day so far
58 Number of songs on my iPod
28 ½ Number of weeks so far
15 Official Weigh-Ins (including Day 2)
.68 Average number of pounds lost per day
4.8 Average pounds lost per week to date
24 Estimated number of small Wendy's Chili I've consumed
11 Number of different fast food restaurants I've enjoyed
365 Number of days per year I worried about dying because of my weight prior to this journey
0 Number of days I've worried about dying in the last 5 months
I could go on and on. Day 200 is such a wonderful thing! This is my celebration. Putting numbers on a page! It's a far better celebration than eating a truckload of calories in the name of accomplishment!
My favorite number from above?
342 Number of pounds we've lost as a family
That's what it's all about. My dream is coming true with that number. Irene and me leading our daughters out of the trap of obesity is the most important thing. We spent years setting a horrible example, now we're turning it all around and learning together how to accomplish what seemed so impossible before. One day at a time, one step at a time, slowly but surely we'll make it to our ultimate goal. We will because our “good choices” far outweigh the “bad choices.” And with good choices come good consequences. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Bonus Blog By The Numbers
200 Number of Daily Post (not including bonus blogs)
1,036 Average number of words per blog post
207,300 Total number of words
137 Pounds lost
342 Number of pounds the four of us have lost as a family
17,379 The number of times the blog has been read (combined both versions)
1,013 Number of reader comments (Both versions combined)
14 Number of pant sizes I've gone down around the waist
321 Approximate number of miles walked
46 Estimated number of low fat vanilla ice cream cones consumed
17 Number of countries that have read this blog
34 Number of states that have read this blog
3 Number of near meltdowns
60 The hardest day so far
82 The second hardest day so far
58 Number of songs on my iPod
28 ½ Number of weeks so far
15 Official Weigh-Ins (including Day 2)
.68 Average number of pounds lost per day
4.8 Average pounds lost per week to date
24 Estimated number of small Wendy's Chili I've consumed
11 Number of different fast food restaurants I've enjoyed
365 Number of days per year I worried about dying because of my weight prior to this journey
0 Number of days I've worried about dying in the last 5 months
I could go on and on. Day 200 is such a wonderful thing! This is my celebration. Putting numbers on a page! It's a far better celebration than eating a truckload of calories in the name of accomplishment!
My favorite number from above?
342 Number of pounds we've lost as a family
That's what it's all about. My dream is coming true with that number. Irene and me leading our daughters out of the trap of obesity is the most important thing. We spent years setting a horrible example, now we're turning it all around and learning together how to accomplish what seemed so impossible before. One day at a time, one step at a time, slowly but surely we'll make it to our ultimate goal. We will because our “good choices” far outweigh the “bad choices.” And with good choices come good consequences. Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Day 200 Making Breakfast Time and A Weight Loss Power Lunch
Day 200
Making Breakfast Time and A Weight Loss Power Lunch
We've really developed a nice habit of gathering around the breakfast table well before 6am. We've never done that until just recently. Breakfast was always the meal that where we all just did our own thing, grabbed whatever, I'd normally eat my oatmeal or cereal while on the air between six and seven . We've always heard that breakfast is the most important meal and it really is, so we've focused a little better, put it front and center on our daily priorities, and made it a habit. I've added some protein to my breakfast by eating eggs regularly. I usually have some Oatmeal or Cheerios too. They say the eggs could raise my cholesterol, but the Cheerios and Oatmeal have been proven to lower cholesterol, so the way I see it, it all evens out! Thanks to Dr. Amy we've been turned on to Steel Cut Oats. The research I've read on this stuff is incredible. Steel Cut Oats take a little longer to prepare, but the health and weight loss benefits are worth every extra minute it takes to prepare them. The metabolism needs to be revved up first thing every morning, it's paramount to healthy weight loss, so we're doing it everyday.
We met with our “Lose To Win” teammate and friend Brandon today. He's doing absolutely fantastic on his journey. I'm so happy to see Brandon so fired up. He really gets this in every way. It's amazing how many of our old eating habits were identical. When we tell each other about some of our old habits, the other just sits there nodding “yes” to everything. We enjoyed a very rare upscale lunch today at a restaurant of Brandon's choosing. He was treating so I wasn't going to argue. I suggested Subway or Taco Bell, turns out he's had Subway a few times in the last several days, so he suggested The Rusty Barrel Supper Club. Irene and I split a 10 ounce Fillet Mignon, with each half coming in at under 250 calories. We also split the potato ordered without butter, and we added some sour cream, salt, and pepper. Irene and Brandon enjoyed a salad and I had a half cup of cottage cheese and two club crackers. It was a fantastic lunch and a wonderful conversation. We discussed our workout strategies and eating habits. I couldn't be happier that Brandon is on our team. Although I've always been about 100 pounds heavier than him, and he's about 10 years my junior, I can't think of anyone else who's history with being overweight more closely resembles mine. Brandon, I hope you don't mind me writing about you, you know that if you come in contact with me on any given day, you could end up on this page! I have no doubt that Brandon's success will positively influence countless others to do the same.
That's the thing about this journey for anyone and everyone. You have the power to influence others to get healthy and lose weight too. You can't guarantee anyone's success but your own, but you can lead by example. Just do what you do and as the weight drops, people close to you can't help but notice, and if you can do it they can do it! This positive influence effect is why I'm so excited that 757 people in this community signed up for the “Lose To Win” Challenge. Even if only 200 really make the changes necessary for long term results, think about all they can possibly inspire, and it goes on and on! We might have started a chain reaction here! That's exciting, real exciting.
My boss, the owner of Team Radio, gave me several pair of pants that I can't wear yet, but give me a little while. Thank you kind sir! He's lost enough to not need them anymore, and when I do get into them in the next month or two it'll be an amazing day. They're size 44's. I'll get there in not long! They look so tiny to me, much like the 48's do, and I can wear the 48's! These big rewards along the way of this journey are so amazing, it's truly a blessing every day. And Mr. Blue Blazes, you're looking fantastic! And I'm not just saying that because you hold my broadcasting career in your hands, you really do look great, everybody is noticing my friend, not just employees looking to compliment the boss. Thanks for the pants, I'll wear them proudly into your office one day soon.
Our workout at the YMCA tonight was real nice. I started with some upper body weight training. I kind of mixed it up, doing the exercises I could remember and skipping the others. I then went back upstairs to the fitness center and hopped on a treadmill. It wasn't long before Mark's daughter showed up with a gift from Mark. It's a fantastic how-to book all about weight training, thank you Mark! I can't wait to read it and reference it during my training.
The other day I picked up Todd Starnes book “They Popped My Hood and Found Gravy On The Dipstick.” Todd is a Fox News Radio Network Anchor in New York City. His journey started when a doctor told him he needed open heart surgery. Todd quickly checked his day planner and told the doctor he could fit it in much later in the year, then the doctor told him it couldn't wait. Todd has gone from 300 pounds down to 150 and has even ran in marathons! His journey is very inspiring and spiritual, I can't wait to finish it over the weekend! I sent an e-mail to Todd congratulating him on his success and book. I also invited him to read my blog. He replied with congratulations for me and said he would read this blog and he'd get back with me on his thoughts. What an amazing individual!
It's getting late so I better wrap this up. I know I say it over and over, but really...Thank you for reading my blog. It's my passion to share the daily experiences that are transforming me into a healthy normal sized man. Be sure to check out the Bonus Blog “By The Numbers” too! Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
Making Breakfast Time and A Weight Loss Power Lunch
We've really developed a nice habit of gathering around the breakfast table well before 6am. We've never done that until just recently. Breakfast was always the meal that where we all just did our own thing, grabbed whatever, I'd normally eat my oatmeal or cereal while on the air between six and seven . We've always heard that breakfast is the most important meal and it really is, so we've focused a little better, put it front and center on our daily priorities, and made it a habit. I've added some protein to my breakfast by eating eggs regularly. I usually have some Oatmeal or Cheerios too. They say the eggs could raise my cholesterol, but the Cheerios and Oatmeal have been proven to lower cholesterol, so the way I see it, it all evens out! Thanks to Dr. Amy we've been turned on to Steel Cut Oats. The research I've read on this stuff is incredible. Steel Cut Oats take a little longer to prepare, but the health and weight loss benefits are worth every extra minute it takes to prepare them. The metabolism needs to be revved up first thing every morning, it's paramount to healthy weight loss, so we're doing it everyday.
We met with our “Lose To Win” teammate and friend Brandon today. He's doing absolutely fantastic on his journey. I'm so happy to see Brandon so fired up. He really gets this in every way. It's amazing how many of our old eating habits were identical. When we tell each other about some of our old habits, the other just sits there nodding “yes” to everything. We enjoyed a very rare upscale lunch today at a restaurant of Brandon's choosing. He was treating so I wasn't going to argue. I suggested Subway or Taco Bell, turns out he's had Subway a few times in the last several days, so he suggested The Rusty Barrel Supper Club. Irene and I split a 10 ounce Fillet Mignon, with each half coming in at under 250 calories. We also split the potato ordered without butter, and we added some sour cream, salt, and pepper. Irene and Brandon enjoyed a salad and I had a half cup of cottage cheese and two club crackers. It was a fantastic lunch and a wonderful conversation. We discussed our workout strategies and eating habits. I couldn't be happier that Brandon is on our team. Although I've always been about 100 pounds heavier than him, and he's about 10 years my junior, I can't think of anyone else who's history with being overweight more closely resembles mine. Brandon, I hope you don't mind me writing about you, you know that if you come in contact with me on any given day, you could end up on this page! I have no doubt that Brandon's success will positively influence countless others to do the same.
That's the thing about this journey for anyone and everyone. You have the power to influence others to get healthy and lose weight too. You can't guarantee anyone's success but your own, but you can lead by example. Just do what you do and as the weight drops, people close to you can't help but notice, and if you can do it they can do it! This positive influence effect is why I'm so excited that 757 people in this community signed up for the “Lose To Win” Challenge. Even if only 200 really make the changes necessary for long term results, think about all they can possibly inspire, and it goes on and on! We might have started a chain reaction here! That's exciting, real exciting.
My boss, the owner of Team Radio, gave me several pair of pants that I can't wear yet, but give me a little while. Thank you kind sir! He's lost enough to not need them anymore, and when I do get into them in the next month or two it'll be an amazing day. They're size 44's. I'll get there in not long! They look so tiny to me, much like the 48's do, and I can wear the 48's! These big rewards along the way of this journey are so amazing, it's truly a blessing every day. And Mr. Blue Blazes, you're looking fantastic! And I'm not just saying that because you hold my broadcasting career in your hands, you really do look great, everybody is noticing my friend, not just employees looking to compliment the boss. Thanks for the pants, I'll wear them proudly into your office one day soon.
Our workout at the YMCA tonight was real nice. I started with some upper body weight training. I kind of mixed it up, doing the exercises I could remember and skipping the others. I then went back upstairs to the fitness center and hopped on a treadmill. It wasn't long before Mark's daughter showed up with a gift from Mark. It's a fantastic how-to book all about weight training, thank you Mark! I can't wait to read it and reference it during my training.
The other day I picked up Todd Starnes book “They Popped My Hood and Found Gravy On The Dipstick.” Todd is a Fox News Radio Network Anchor in New York City. His journey started when a doctor told him he needed open heart surgery. Todd quickly checked his day planner and told the doctor he could fit it in much later in the year, then the doctor told him it couldn't wait. Todd has gone from 300 pounds down to 150 and has even ran in marathons! His journey is very inspiring and spiritual, I can't wait to finish it over the weekend! I sent an e-mail to Todd congratulating him on his success and book. I also invited him to read my blog. He replied with congratulations for me and said he would read this blog and he'd get back with me on his thoughts. What an amazing individual!
It's getting late so I better wrap this up. I know I say it over and over, but really...Thank you for reading my blog. It's my passion to share the daily experiences that are transforming me into a healthy normal sized man. Be sure to check out the Bonus Blog “By The Numbers” too! Good night and...
Good Choices,
Sean
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