I was approved for some running on Monday! So this morning I got up early and pulled on my brand spanking new running shoes and went to the gym. I'm SOOOOO glad that I did - this past week hasn't been as good for me as it could have been.
I am authorized to do 90 seconds of jogging followed by 30 seconds of walking, for up to 30 minutes. So I did a 5 minute warm up, followed by 15 90-second/30-second splits. After that, I kept walking for another hour and a half.
Ended up with 8 miles. It felt pretty good. With new shoes, there are a few tender places on my feet, but they're doing well now.
Tomorrow I think I'm going to either jump in the pool or get on a bike. I need to let my knees rest a bit, take it easy. But they're feeling well.
As for the past week...well, with Mother's Day, my wife wanted me to cook some chinese food. So I did. It was good. I think I might have underestimated the calories a little. Needless to say my weight loss stalled.
Still, back in the saddle again. I've already burned almost 2600 calories today, and I've eaten MAYBE 300. I'll have enough for a small snack later, and a good dinner, and come out with 2500 to 3000 in the deficit column.
Less than 4 weeks until that Hawaii trip...time to buckle down and get to 240!
First things first...250 before the end of next week. 240 after that.
-Silas
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday, May 07, 2012
12 miles in 24 hours.
Friday evening I strapped the little one on my back again and went for a walk. It was pretty fun. I needed to go to the ATM, so I did, and right after stopped by the local big-box retailer to pick up a headphone splitting jack. The thought occurred to me that the little one might want to listen to some music, so I bought the cheapest pair of headphones I could find and pulled out the iPod. I plugged us both in. It was quiet enough that we could still talk, so it was pretty fun.
The store was at about mile 1.75. By mile 3.5, he had fallen asleep. It had to be rather comical to see him on my back, completely out.
Anyway, by mile 4.5 he had woken back up, and we had a grand old time for the rest of the 6 miles. All in all, it was pretty good. We were out from 7:00 to 9:00 all told, including the store stop.
Saturday, we had a dance competition at a local amusement park. It was awesome - my daughter had finished both of her dances by 9:15, which meant that we were done before the rides even opened up. So we got to spend the rest of the day on roller coasters and everything else. It was awesome. The exerspy told me that I got in another 12,000 steps, which ROUGHLY translates to 6 miles for me. This all happened before 6:00 PM on Saturday.
So that means 12 miles within the 24 hours. VERY cool.
Physical Therapy this morning was good - and painful as usual. They had me back running a little. I did 4 minutes of running, interspersed with walking. I'm trying to get my gait to be in the right form. It is so frustrating, because there is no pain involved...NONE. But I can't do any more yet. But for those 4 minutes, it felt incredible. I really have found the endorphins that come from running.
So far so good. I get to do 6 minutes of running, interspersed with walking tomorrow evening, and we'll see what he says on Wednesday.
-Silas
The store was at about mile 1.75. By mile 3.5, he had fallen asleep. It had to be rather comical to see him on my back, completely out.
Anyway, by mile 4.5 he had woken back up, and we had a grand old time for the rest of the 6 miles. All in all, it was pretty good. We were out from 7:00 to 9:00 all told, including the store stop.
Saturday, we had a dance competition at a local amusement park. It was awesome - my daughter had finished both of her dances by 9:15, which meant that we were done before the rides even opened up. So we got to spend the rest of the day on roller coasters and everything else. It was awesome. The exerspy told me that I got in another 12,000 steps, which ROUGHLY translates to 6 miles for me. This all happened before 6:00 PM on Saturday.
So that means 12 miles within the 24 hours. VERY cool.
Physical Therapy this morning was good - and painful as usual. They had me back running a little. I did 4 minutes of running, interspersed with walking. I'm trying to get my gait to be in the right form. It is so frustrating, because there is no pain involved...NONE. But I can't do any more yet. But for those 4 minutes, it felt incredible. I really have found the endorphins that come from running.
So far so good. I get to do 6 minutes of running, interspersed with walking tomorrow evening, and we'll see what he says on Wednesday.
-Silas
Friday, May 04, 2012
OW! Ow, ow ow ow.
Also: ouch.
But it helps, they say, so I keep doing it! More physical therapy, in case you hadn't guessed.
It wasn't too bad today, except for one part of my hamstring which was pretty darned sore. But it's all good. I still think things are getting stronger.
Down to 258.7 this morning, which is down two pounds from yesterday, which was only down .2 pounds from last Sunday, but a grand total of three pounds down from last Saturday.
I've been frustrated the past few days. I've been working hard, and actually depriving myself of a certain amount of food (on purpose) to try to get down in weight as quickly as possible before going on the Hawaii trip. I'm usually eating between 1200 (not often that low) and 1700 calories, usually hovering around 1500. I burn around 3,100 if I do no exercise, and I can burn up to 4,000 if I walk for 5 miles.
However, things just don't seem to be working fast enough.
What? I've lost over 40 pounds in two months, and it's not fast enough?
I've decided that I am worrying too much about numbers. Or at least some specific numbers. I'm been so concerned with this short term loss, with 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day deficit, that I haven't taken into account the other variables.
Like not burning as many calories when you lose weight.
Like what happens when your knees don't support running for a while.
Like life.
And like the fact that even though my scale may not be showing the results, I can truly see differences in how I feel, how I look, and how my clothes fit.
I think I started to get irritated that I'm not burning as many calories anymore. Such as yesterday. There was a celebration at work, and they brought in cupcakes. Not a horrible problem, especially since they were actually rather small cupcakes. But I was getting angry that I couldn't have a cupcake and still get my burn in, unless I did two hours of walking.
I have been starting to lose my focus some, being bitter about what I can't eat, and how the skinny guy in my neighborhood gets to brag about the giant burgers he eats all the time.
Boo-hoo. Cry a little more. And suck it up.
So I am going to start moving my focus a little bit more toward the long term. I am going to focus on some of the basics again. Back to thinking about the water that I'm drinking. Back to making sure I get enough fruits, and even more importantly, vegetables in my diet. Keeping my calorie intake to under 2000 every day, 1700 most days, and 1500 some days.
I don't need to be at 230 when I go on vacation, as long as the mindset that I have is long-term. This isn't a sprint. This isn't even a marathon. This is a way of life. Keeping healthy, keeping active, eating less than I burn...it's the way life needs to be.
What this decisions is telling me is that my best is enough.
And I am at peace with that.
-Silas
But it helps, they say, so I keep doing it! More physical therapy, in case you hadn't guessed.
It wasn't too bad today, except for one part of my hamstring which was pretty darned sore. But it's all good. I still think things are getting stronger.
Down to 258.7 this morning, which is down two pounds from yesterday, which was only down .2 pounds from last Sunday, but a grand total of three pounds down from last Saturday.
I've been frustrated the past few days. I've been working hard, and actually depriving myself of a certain amount of food (on purpose) to try to get down in weight as quickly as possible before going on the Hawaii trip. I'm usually eating between 1200 (not often that low) and 1700 calories, usually hovering around 1500. I burn around 3,100 if I do no exercise, and I can burn up to 4,000 if I walk for 5 miles.
However, things just don't seem to be working fast enough.
What? I've lost over 40 pounds in two months, and it's not fast enough?
I've decided that I am worrying too much about numbers. Or at least some specific numbers. I'm been so concerned with this short term loss, with 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day deficit, that I haven't taken into account the other variables.
Like not burning as many calories when you lose weight.
Like what happens when your knees don't support running for a while.
Like life.
And like the fact that even though my scale may not be showing the results, I can truly see differences in how I feel, how I look, and how my clothes fit.
I think I started to get irritated that I'm not burning as many calories anymore. Such as yesterday. There was a celebration at work, and they brought in cupcakes. Not a horrible problem, especially since they were actually rather small cupcakes. But I was getting angry that I couldn't have a cupcake and still get my burn in, unless I did two hours of walking.
I have been starting to lose my focus some, being bitter about what I can't eat, and how the skinny guy in my neighborhood gets to brag about the giant burgers he eats all the time.
Boo-hoo. Cry a little more. And suck it up.
So I am going to start moving my focus a little bit more toward the long term. I am going to focus on some of the basics again. Back to thinking about the water that I'm drinking. Back to making sure I get enough fruits, and even more importantly, vegetables in my diet. Keeping my calorie intake to under 2000 every day, 1700 most days, and 1500 some days.
I don't need to be at 230 when I go on vacation, as long as the mindset that I have is long-term. This isn't a sprint. This isn't even a marathon. This is a way of life. Keeping healthy, keeping active, eating less than I burn...it's the way life needs to be.
What this decisions is telling me is that my best is enough.
And I am at peace with that.
-Silas
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Such sweet pain...
If you've been to the physical therapist in the past few years, chances are you've run across something called astym.
http://www.astym.com/default.asp
Apparently it is a way that they've come up with to stimulate healing. I've had it multiple times over the past few years when I broke my ankle, when I had tennis elbow, and then today.
If you're not familiar with it, the therapist takes what amounts to a very hard plastic spatula and digs down deep through about every layer of tissue that there is.
IT HURTS LIKE CRAZY. But to tell you the truth, if it can help me keep running, I'll sit and endure as much of it as necessary.
It's not nearly as painful as when they were digging right into the pain location when I had tennis elbow. That was just bad. However...I do not have problems with my elbow today, so I'll take it!
Took another walk last night with the scouts. They are some good kids. We did a mile and a half (OK, the other scoutmaster and I did a mile and a half, I think the scouts did like 36 miles what with all of the zig-zagging they did). I had them paying attention to find 10 different native plants and animals. Left to their own devices, they certainly came up with some interesting answers. (They wrote them down on papers).
So I have been having some cravings recently. I'm trying to figure out why. Every day before work, I have the urge to get some crappy food. (Did you know that the bag of "pretzels" that I used to eat daily has more than 1200 calories? I already mentioned that?) The good news is that there is nothing that I want to get that I am willing to spend the calories on. So I grab my apple and come in to work.
Every day for lunch, I want to just forget everything and do whatever. But again, there really is nothing that is worth it.
I'm down more than 40 pounds. It has not been easy. I have EARNED this weight off of me. I have WORKED for it. Hard. When it would have been easy on Monday to just take it easy when my wife and the older kids were at a play, instead I strapped the youngest to my back and hiked for 5 miles. When it's 11:00 at night and I only just then remember to do my stretches, I do them, even if I'm exhausted. When the work lunch comes up, I go to the gym early and do 90 minutes of swimming.
And every single time I put something into my mouth, I account for it. When I want the candy bar, I remember the 2,281 calorie average deficit for the past 2.5 months.
Add those up? 152,835 extra calories burned. That's 43.66 pounds, by the numbers, and over 40 by the scale. I didn't weigh myself this morning, but I'd would not be surprised at all if I was at 257.
Anyway, I'm sticking to my plan. I'm WORKING THROUGH THIS. While I want the crap, while the donut would be good, while the chips are calling my name, I refuse to give in.
I will beat this.
Thanks for letting me rant...
-Silas
http://www.astym.com/default.asp
Apparently it is a way that they've come up with to stimulate healing. I've had it multiple times over the past few years when I broke my ankle, when I had tennis elbow, and then today.
If you're not familiar with it, the therapist takes what amounts to a very hard plastic spatula and digs down deep through about every layer of tissue that there is.
IT HURTS LIKE CRAZY. But to tell you the truth, if it can help me keep running, I'll sit and endure as much of it as necessary.
It's not nearly as painful as when they were digging right into the pain location when I had tennis elbow. That was just bad. However...I do not have problems with my elbow today, so I'll take it!
Took another walk last night with the scouts. They are some good kids. We did a mile and a half (OK, the other scoutmaster and I did a mile and a half, I think the scouts did like 36 miles what with all of the zig-zagging they did). I had them paying attention to find 10 different native plants and animals. Left to their own devices, they certainly came up with some interesting answers. (They wrote them down on papers).
So I have been having some cravings recently. I'm trying to figure out why. Every day before work, I have the urge to get some crappy food. (Did you know that the bag of "pretzels" that I used to eat daily has more than 1200 calories? I already mentioned that?) The good news is that there is nothing that I want to get that I am willing to spend the calories on. So I grab my apple and come in to work.
Every day for lunch, I want to just forget everything and do whatever. But again, there really is nothing that is worth it.
I'm down more than 40 pounds. It has not been easy. I have EARNED this weight off of me. I have WORKED for it. Hard. When it would have been easy on Monday to just take it easy when my wife and the older kids were at a play, instead I strapped the youngest to my back and hiked for 5 miles. When it's 11:00 at night and I only just then remember to do my stretches, I do them, even if I'm exhausted. When the work lunch comes up, I go to the gym early and do 90 minutes of swimming.
And every single time I put something into my mouth, I account for it. When I want the candy bar, I remember the 2,281 calorie average deficit for the past 2.5 months.
Add those up? 152,835 extra calories burned. That's 43.66 pounds, by the numbers, and over 40 by the scale. I didn't weigh myself this morning, but I'd would not be surprised at all if I was at 257.
Anyway, I'm sticking to my plan. I'm WORKING THROUGH THIS. While I want the crap, while the donut would be good, while the chips are calling my name, I refuse to give in.
I will beat this.
Thanks for letting me rant...
-Silas
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
My kid is heavy.
He's only three, and he only weighs 33 pounds or so (skinny little dude), but after you strap him to your back and carry him for 5 miles, he gets HEAVY. It was a good 5 miles. It took 96 minutes and burned over 700 calories.
Frustration for the day? Since losing 40 pounds and really increasing my cardio fitness, I'm burning way fewer calories. I would have been up over 4,200 or 4,300 at LEAST for the day when I put in 14,000 steps and over an hour and a half of walking. Now, it's under 4,000.
Yeah, I know. Bad problem to have.
I'm still excited to get back into running. Walking (even with my kid on my back) just doesn't get my heart rate up enough to burn a lot of calories. I'm fairly sure that running will do it.
My knees are feeling stronger. The other day I was here at work, needing to hurry to the second floor. Without thinking, I just ran up the stairs. Between being much lighter and the stretches/strengthening exercises for my knees, it was effortless.
That's the good news.
I'm going to start getting on my bike at lunches a couple of days a week with my brother. I was going to start today, but it is going to rain pretty much all day. I'm also going to be walking a couple of miles with some boy scouts, so I'll at least get SOME exercise in.
Was at the grocery store this morning. I'm going to go eat an apple that I bought, instead of the OVER 1200 CALORIES of pretzels that I would have bought in the past. Oh - and those pretzels were just one package that I would have brought in. Usually way more crap.
Feeling good, fighting cravings, moving forward.
-Silas
Frustration for the day? Since losing 40 pounds and really increasing my cardio fitness, I'm burning way fewer calories. I would have been up over 4,200 or 4,300 at LEAST for the day when I put in 14,000 steps and over an hour and a half of walking. Now, it's under 4,000.
Yeah, I know. Bad problem to have.
I'm still excited to get back into running. Walking (even with my kid on my back) just doesn't get my heart rate up enough to burn a lot of calories. I'm fairly sure that running will do it.
My knees are feeling stronger. The other day I was here at work, needing to hurry to the second floor. Without thinking, I just ran up the stairs. Between being much lighter and the stretches/strengthening exercises for my knees, it was effortless.
That's the good news.
I'm going to start getting on my bike at lunches a couple of days a week with my brother. I was going to start today, but it is going to rain pretty much all day. I'm also going to be walking a couple of miles with some boy scouts, so I'll at least get SOME exercise in.
Was at the grocery store this morning. I'm going to go eat an apple that I bought, instead of the OVER 1200 CALORIES of pretzels that I would have bought in the past. Oh - and those pretzels were just one package that I would have brought in. Usually way more crap.
Feeling good, fighting cravings, moving forward.
-Silas
Monday, April 30, 2012
Upset, pleasantly surprised, then WOO-HOO!
That was my Saturday with the scale.
When I first got up, I had a place to be, so I quickly jumped on the scale. It said 264.3. What the heck? Down .4 since last week? With an average calorie deficit of nearly 2000? Didn't make sense.
Anyway, I took off for a couple of hours, and being busy, I didn't eat anything. When I got back home, I got back on the scale. 261.7. MUCH better! That made 2.9 down from last week. It actually close to matches the calorie deficit. That is what I used for my official weigh-in for the week.
I ate a small breakfast, and then went to mow my lawn.
Afterwards, I took a shower, and just for fun, jumped on the scale again. 259.9 Hence the woo-hoo.
Yesterday morning I was still at 259.9. Making a total of 40.1 pounds down since mid February.
Did more physical therapy this morning. It was good. I'm getting WAY more flexible than I had thought possible in a very short amount of time. I'm not as out of shape as I had thought.
Also, the grinding noise in my knees (the left one in particular) is noticeably less than even a week ago.
Hopefully on Wednesday I can get some good shoe recommendations from the PT, and find out when I can start the running again.
So good news for the day. That makes it even easier to stick with the plan
Moving forward...
-Silas
When I first got up, I had a place to be, so I quickly jumped on the scale. It said 264.3. What the heck? Down .4 since last week? With an average calorie deficit of nearly 2000? Didn't make sense.
Anyway, I took off for a couple of hours, and being busy, I didn't eat anything. When I got back home, I got back on the scale. 261.7. MUCH better! That made 2.9 down from last week. It actually close to matches the calorie deficit. That is what I used for my official weigh-in for the week.
I ate a small breakfast, and then went to mow my lawn.
Afterwards, I took a shower, and just for fun, jumped on the scale again. 259.9 Hence the woo-hoo.
Yesterday morning I was still at 259.9. Making a total of 40.1 pounds down since mid February.
Did more physical therapy this morning. It was good. I'm getting WAY more flexible than I had thought possible in a very short amount of time. I'm not as out of shape as I had thought.
Also, the grinding noise in my knees (the left one in particular) is noticeably less than even a week ago.
Hopefully on Wednesday I can get some good shoe recommendations from the PT, and find out when I can start the running again.
So good news for the day. That makes it even easier to stick with the plan
Moving forward...
-Silas
Friday, April 27, 2012
More therapy this morning
It's only been two days since the first appointment with the physical therapy office for my knees, but I have actually done all of the exercises that they have asked me to do. The PT is a runner/triathlete, and his office specializes in helping athletes, so this looks like the right place to go for me.
Here is my official diagnosis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chondromalacia_patellae
"Chondro" meaning cartilage, "malacia" meaning malady, or sickness, and patellae, meaning under the kneecap.
The bad news is that the PT has told me not to run for now, that we'll ease back into it, but for now, to not run. The good news is that Chondromalacia Patallae is apparently 100% reversible. Which is news to me, who thought that my knees were pretty much just shot forever.
Walking is just fine, so last night while my wife and the older kids were at a school function, I took our youngest to the gym. We have some pre-paid babysitting there, so I dropped him off for 45 minutes. (I wanted to go longer, but they were closing). I did three miles on the track, walking rather quickly. It was fun, but I realized something last night.
I absolutely love to run.
No, really! I do! I was walking along, and I just wanted to break into the slow, plodding jog that I like to call running. I missed it, SERIOUSLY missed it for the first time in a few years now.
There was a time about 6 years ago that I was very seriously into running. Enough that I actually started to train for a marathon. I had lost all of my weight - down to 203.5, I think, but then had gained back about 25 or more. So I thought that training for the marathon was a great way to get back down. And in reality, it was a good idea.
However, I got my training program from the wrong location. There's a neighbor of mine who runs tons of marathons. She is one of those people that would probably blow away if I sneezed too hard. She's not any sort of fitness person - no knowledge other than that she does work on staying in shape and she runs a lot of marathons.
The problem is not, I think, that I was marathon training. The problem was that I was doing the same thing that a VERY tiny woman was doing, and it wasn't good for my knees.
It was after a 14 mile run that I think that I first started having knee pain. I was pushing. And I overdid it.
To be honest, I think that might be when the crunchy-grinding noises in my knees started as well. It makes sense.
Time to stop rambling...
Anyway, I may never be a marathon runner, but I WILL get back into running.
What I will also do is to start thinking about/training for a triathlon. Because smaller/shorter runs, with biking and swimming...
Now THAT I can do.
-Silas
Here is my official diagnosis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chondromalacia_patellae
"Chondro" meaning cartilage, "malacia" meaning malady, or sickness, and patellae, meaning under the kneecap.
The bad news is that the PT has told me not to run for now, that we'll ease back into it, but for now, to not run. The good news is that Chondromalacia Patallae is apparently 100% reversible. Which is news to me, who thought that my knees were pretty much just shot forever.
Walking is just fine, so last night while my wife and the older kids were at a school function, I took our youngest to the gym. We have some pre-paid babysitting there, so I dropped him off for 45 minutes. (I wanted to go longer, but they were closing). I did three miles on the track, walking rather quickly. It was fun, but I realized something last night.
I absolutely love to run.
No, really! I do! I was walking along, and I just wanted to break into the slow, plodding jog that I like to call running. I missed it, SERIOUSLY missed it for the first time in a few years now.
There was a time about 6 years ago that I was very seriously into running. Enough that I actually started to train for a marathon. I had lost all of my weight - down to 203.5, I think, but then had gained back about 25 or more. So I thought that training for the marathon was a great way to get back down. And in reality, it was a good idea.
However, I got my training program from the wrong location. There's a neighbor of mine who runs tons of marathons. She is one of those people that would probably blow away if I sneezed too hard. She's not any sort of fitness person - no knowledge other than that she does work on staying in shape and she runs a lot of marathons.
The problem is not, I think, that I was marathon training. The problem was that I was doing the same thing that a VERY tiny woman was doing, and it wasn't good for my knees.
It was after a 14 mile run that I think that I first started having knee pain. I was pushing. And I overdid it.
To be honest, I think that might be when the crunchy-grinding noises in my knees started as well. It makes sense.
Time to stop rambling...
Anyway, I may never be a marathon runner, but I WILL get back into running.
What I will also do is to start thinking about/training for a triathlon. Because smaller/shorter runs, with biking and swimming...
Now THAT I can do.
-Silas
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Did it work? DID IT???
After leaving the restaurant with my co-workers yesterday, I was feeling very good about how I had done. It seemed that I had really been able to keep to my plan. I also did my best at estimating the calories in the food that I ate. I am not 100% sure how many calories it was, but I really felt that I was pretty close.
How close was I? Well, I may never really know, but I DO know that I was down yet another pound this morning. Today's weight was 262.6.
So close enough for me.
Heading to the physical therapist this morning, we'll see how that goes. I can't believe I didn't bring my running shoes - I hope that they can do the evaluation without them.
Anyway, hope it's a good day.
-Silas
ETA: Also - new blog layout. :)
How close was I? Well, I may never really know, but I DO know that I was down yet another pound this morning. Today's weight was 262.6.
So close enough for me.
Heading to the physical therapist this morning, we'll see how that goes. I can't believe I didn't bring my running shoes - I hope that they can do the evaluation without them.
Anyway, hope it's a good day.
-Silas
ETA: Also - new blog layout. :)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Doctors, and more work food.
I forgot to mention that I went to visit the orthopedist yesterday. He gave me some VERY good news. I had thought that the crunchy/grinding noise in my knees was on account of my cartilage being gone. Turns out that's not the case - it may not be the healthiest of cartilage, but it's there. I'm going to see another physical therapist about my knees - a guy who specializes in helping athletes. He's going to do a "gait study" to see how I run to help me correct any problems, as well as give me exercises to help strengthen my knees. He will also recommend some shoes. At this point, I'm not sure I care how much the shoes cost - if the shoes allow me to keep running, and I can lose the rest of the 53 pounds that I need gone, it will be worth every penny.
So I can keep running. Last night I got on my treadmill and did 4 miles. Not running yet, mind you. I walked/very QUICKLY walked, but I didn't want to pound on my knees until I get some help. I'm relieved about this. I may never be a marathoner - I am fairly sure that my knees will probably not support that - I am going to start getting into triathlons, I think. The orthopedist said that swimming and biking would be very good to do as well, so I will get into it.
About work food - here at work, we've had this massive project that we have had to get shipped out (I work for a Software company - I'm a professional geek). It took some work, and the team as a whole performed spectacularly. So our boss is taking us all out for lunch today at a Brazilian Grill. One of those places that, if you are not careful, can put you into a MEAT COMA. Basically, you go in, and they keep bringing you out different kinds of roasted meat until you can't stand any more.
Lovely.
What am I going to do about it? Well, to start, I went to the gym already this morning. Turns out I swim slowly, but I can do it indefinitely, or so it felt. I swam for 90 minutes. It was over a mile and a half. According to my fitness website, I burned almost 1400 calories. That excites me. I feel it, too. I'm pretty much exhausted. But in a good way.
Also - the very first thing I am going to do when I get in there is to eat an ENORMOUS plate of salad. I can fill up a very large amount of my stomach with lettuce and vegetables, and a low-fat mustard based dressing that they have, for under 300 calories. I seriously plan to do that.
And then I'm going to eat some of the meat. I will skip the bacon wrapped stuff. There is a possibility that I will consume 1000 calories of meat. But I am going to stop myself before I gorge. I just won't do it. After three pieces of meat, I'm going to go back for a small salad again, if I'm still hungry. And frankly, I can't pass up the grilled pineapple. :) But at the end of today, I plan to have at least a 2000 calorie deficit. This can be done. It will be done.
Why? Because right now, for whatever reason, it is more worth it to me to NOT eat the food. I was not mortified when I jumped in the pool today. Yes, I'm overweight. (Technically still obese, but even at goal, I'll be classified as overweight by the idiotic BMI scale) But I know how far I've come. This morning's weigh-in was 263.6. WAY better than 300.
So while there is another obstacle to overcome, I have planned for it, and I will overcome.
-Silas
So I can keep running. Last night I got on my treadmill and did 4 miles. Not running yet, mind you. I walked/very QUICKLY walked, but I didn't want to pound on my knees until I get some help. I'm relieved about this. I may never be a marathoner - I am fairly sure that my knees will probably not support that - I am going to start getting into triathlons, I think. The orthopedist said that swimming and biking would be very good to do as well, so I will get into it.
About work food - here at work, we've had this massive project that we have had to get shipped out (I work for a Software company - I'm a professional geek). It took some work, and the team as a whole performed spectacularly. So our boss is taking us all out for lunch today at a Brazilian Grill. One of those places that, if you are not careful, can put you into a MEAT COMA. Basically, you go in, and they keep bringing you out different kinds of roasted meat until you can't stand any more.
Lovely.
What am I going to do about it? Well, to start, I went to the gym already this morning. Turns out I swim slowly, but I can do it indefinitely, or so it felt. I swam for 90 minutes. It was over a mile and a half. According to my fitness website, I burned almost 1400 calories. That excites me. I feel it, too. I'm pretty much exhausted. But in a good way.
Also - the very first thing I am going to do when I get in there is to eat an ENORMOUS plate of salad. I can fill up a very large amount of my stomach with lettuce and vegetables, and a low-fat mustard based dressing that they have, for under 300 calories. I seriously plan to do that.
And then I'm going to eat some of the meat. I will skip the bacon wrapped stuff. There is a possibility that I will consume 1000 calories of meat. But I am going to stop myself before I gorge. I just won't do it. After three pieces of meat, I'm going to go back for a small salad again, if I'm still hungry. And frankly, I can't pass up the grilled pineapple. :) But at the end of today, I plan to have at least a 2000 calorie deficit. This can be done. It will be done.
Why? Because right now, for whatever reason, it is more worth it to me to NOT eat the food. I was not mortified when I jumped in the pool today. Yes, I'm overweight. (Technically still obese, but even at goal, I'll be classified as overweight by the idiotic BMI scale) But I know how far I've come. This morning's weigh-in was 263.6. WAY better than 300.
So while there is another obstacle to overcome, I have planned for it, and I will overcome.
-Silas
Monday, April 23, 2012
Ups and downs over a weekend
There was a lot of good and bad about this past weekend. While it all ended up quite well, it did show me how much I still have to work on things, most especially my relationship with food.
To start off: official weigh-in was 264.6. Making 35.4 pounds down since February 22, and a total of exactly 70 pounds down since my highest ever weight. It is also 4.4 pounds down since last week's official weigh-in.
The bad? Well, a couple of months ago, our kids brought home a fund-raiser from school. It was tubs of cookie dough. Basically, all weekend long there were cookies in my house. THAT REALLY SUCKED, as I appear to really love cookies. Somehow, they magically found their way into my mouth...
OK, all joking aside, I did make the choice, every single time, to eat the cookies. I didn't gorge. I didn't binge. But I also ate more than I know that I should.
And really, I did well, all things considered. I ended the weekend with a calorie deficit for each day - 2,124 calorie deficit on Friday, 2,713 deficit on Saturday, and 1,568 deficit on Sunday. But it could, and SHOULD have been better.
Why am I freaking out over some cookies? Because it's not just the cookies. It's the indication of the larger issue that I have with food - I know where I go when I allow myself to cheat without accountability. And that place is not pretty.
That place is stopping at the grocery store in the morning, picking up three donuts, two bags of chips (well, one is pretzels, and those are healthy, RIGHT???), 4-5 20 oz bottles of full-sugar soda, and something sweet to much on after "breakfast." For lunch, it's chinese food. Or a burger and fries. Or...
You see where that place is? I can go on. I know I have issues with food. I really do. I just don't want to go there. The ONLY way to keep myself from that place is to stay accountable right now - each and every day, and when weekends with too many cookies happen, I have to ratchet up the guards for the next few days, make correct and purposeful choices again, and get right back on track. IMMEDIATELY. So here I am.
What really kind of saved this weekend was strapping my 35 pound toddler to my back (we've got a backpack built for carrying small children) and hiking around my neighborhood. I did 3 miles or so on Thursday, a mile on Friday, 4 and a half on Saturday, and three more on Sunday. All walking, but it was good. Yesterday's calorie deficit would have been significantly smaller had I not burned those 500 calories during that hour.
Also, we bought a trampoline on Saturday. Putting that dang thing together took three hours, and you take more steps than you'd expect when assembling one of those. Add to that mowing the lawn in the heat, and the deficit was big, even with the cookies.
Anyway, Friday's obstacle course at work was just fine. It turns out the big obstacle was at home. It did slow me a little, but I'm not in this race to beat anyone - just to get to the destination.
And more than ever, that destination is in sight.
-Silas
To start off: official weigh-in was 264.6. Making 35.4 pounds down since February 22, and a total of exactly 70 pounds down since my highest ever weight. It is also 4.4 pounds down since last week's official weigh-in.
The bad? Well, a couple of months ago, our kids brought home a fund-raiser from school. It was tubs of cookie dough. Basically, all weekend long there were cookies in my house. THAT REALLY SUCKED, as I appear to really love cookies. Somehow, they magically found their way into my mouth...
OK, all joking aside, I did make the choice, every single time, to eat the cookies. I didn't gorge. I didn't binge. But I also ate more than I know that I should.
And really, I did well, all things considered. I ended the weekend with a calorie deficit for each day - 2,124 calorie deficit on Friday, 2,713 deficit on Saturday, and 1,568 deficit on Sunday. But it could, and SHOULD have been better.
Why am I freaking out over some cookies? Because it's not just the cookies. It's the indication of the larger issue that I have with food - I know where I go when I allow myself to cheat without accountability. And that place is not pretty.
That place is stopping at the grocery store in the morning, picking up three donuts, two bags of chips (well, one is pretzels, and those are healthy, RIGHT???), 4-5 20 oz bottles of full-sugar soda, and something sweet to much on after "breakfast." For lunch, it's chinese food. Or a burger and fries. Or...
You see where that place is? I can go on. I know I have issues with food. I really do. I just don't want to go there. The ONLY way to keep myself from that place is to stay accountable right now - each and every day, and when weekends with too many cookies happen, I have to ratchet up the guards for the next few days, make correct and purposeful choices again, and get right back on track. IMMEDIATELY. So here I am.
What really kind of saved this weekend was strapping my 35 pound toddler to my back (we've got a backpack built for carrying small children) and hiking around my neighborhood. I did 3 miles or so on Thursday, a mile on Friday, 4 and a half on Saturday, and three more on Sunday. All walking, but it was good. Yesterday's calorie deficit would have been significantly smaller had I not burned those 500 calories during that hour.
Also, we bought a trampoline on Saturday. Putting that dang thing together took three hours, and you take more steps than you'd expect when assembling one of those. Add to that mowing the lawn in the heat, and the deficit was big, even with the cookies.
Anyway, Friday's obstacle course at work was just fine. It turns out the big obstacle was at home. It did slow me a little, but I'm not in this race to beat anyone - just to get to the destination.
And more than ever, that destination is in sight.
-Silas
Friday, April 20, 2012
Obstacle course
Today should be interesting. We're having a different kind of day at work. Over the past 24 hours, anyone who was interested has created a team and worked on a small project - something that they thought might be useful for the company. Well, of COURSE they are going to have to bring in crappy food.
It's so funny how there are two diametrically opposed forces in the company - one that keeps wanting to bring in really bad things to eat, and the other side that does things like pay for a subscription to a website that helps to keep track of my calories.
Anyway, it's interesting, because yesterday, for the first time in a few weeks now, I sort of wanted to hang the whole weight loss thing up. Not go nuts and eat everything in sight, but to just stop paying attention to what I was eating. Yep, the cravings have returned.
I did well - I kept to what I wanted to eat, but in thinking about what I was craving, it really did occur to me how fast empty calories can really add up.
So yes, there are obstacles put up all over the place today, but I can overcome them. I am stronger than a craving, I am more than just a receptacle for food.
What makes it all worth it is that I am now wearing shorts that are two sizes smaller than when I started two months ago. And the pants that were two sizes larger did not fit back then - they were too small.
Hard? Yes. Worth it? I'd say so.
-Silas
It's so funny how there are two diametrically opposed forces in the company - one that keeps wanting to bring in really bad things to eat, and the other side that does things like pay for a subscription to a website that helps to keep track of my calories.
Anyway, it's interesting, because yesterday, for the first time in a few weeks now, I sort of wanted to hang the whole weight loss thing up. Not go nuts and eat everything in sight, but to just stop paying attention to what I was eating. Yep, the cravings have returned.
I did well - I kept to what I wanted to eat, but in thinking about what I was craving, it really did occur to me how fast empty calories can really add up.
So yes, there are obstacles put up all over the place today, but I can overcome them. I am stronger than a craving, I am more than just a receptacle for food.
What makes it all worth it is that I am now wearing shorts that are two sizes smaller than when I started two months ago. And the pants that were two sizes larger did not fit back then - they were too small.
Hard? Yes. Worth it? I'd say so.
-Silas
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Thank goodness for bleu cheese.
That vile substance kept me from eating cafeteria food this afternoon. It was befouling the potatoes.
Last night I strapped my three-and-a-half-year-old son to my back (in a backpack carrier) and basically hiked around my neighborhood for about three and a half miles. He's a skinny kid, so he only weighs about 35 pounds. It hit me about half an hour into the walk, just chatting with my son about every little thing on his mind, that he weighs about what I have lost.
Kinda eye-opening.
So needless to say I hit my calorie burn yesterday.
I ended up burning 3,876 calories, and I had consumed 1,447. Total deficit for the say of 2,429 calories. My average for the month of April is 2,175 calories.
I like information.
-Silas
Last night I strapped my three-and-a-half-year-old son to my back (in a backpack carrier) and basically hiked around my neighborhood for about three and a half miles. He's a skinny kid, so he only weighs about 35 pounds. It hit me about half an hour into the walk, just chatting with my son about every little thing on his mind, that he weighs about what I have lost.
Kinda eye-opening.
So needless to say I hit my calorie burn yesterday.
I ended up burning 3,876 calories, and I had consumed 1,447. Total deficit for the say of 2,429 calories. My average for the month of April is 2,175 calories.
I like information.
-Silas
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
A new low.
Total down since February 22: 33.9
It's interesting...I've been going up and down between the mid 280s and mid 290s for so long - probably two or three years now. I even had a stint all the way up over 310, I think. Finally getting back down to 266.1 is exhilarating.
My highest of the highs was 336.4. That means that I'm officially back down over 70 pounds from that. Quite excited about that.
All the work is paying off. All of the times that I am NOT eating that candy bar, NOT doing the donuts with co-workers, NOT overeating when we finally order pizza...
It's paying off. Woo!
-Silas
It's interesting...I've been going up and down between the mid 280s and mid 290s for so long - probably two or three years now. I even had a stint all the way up over 310, I think. Finally getting back down to 266.1 is exhilarating.
My highest of the highs was 336.4. That means that I'm officially back down over 70 pounds from that. Quite excited about that.
All the work is paying off. All of the times that I am NOT eating that candy bar, NOT doing the donuts with co-workers, NOT overeating when we finally order pizza...
It's paying off. Woo!
-Silas
Monday, April 16, 2012
One more day closer...
Currently there are 55 days left until the our trip, and I'm doing well. Last week's official weigh-in was 269, but this morning I was at 267.4, which was even further down from the lowest last week. This is a good thing.
My knee is feeling rather good this morning. It has all weekend long. I think I'll strap my knee braces on (the kind that are supposed to keep your kneecap in place) and try a SHORT run this evening. My daughter wants to do it as well, so I'm going to attempt it.
I'm still going to the doc's office next week, but since it's doing well, I'm going to try to see if I can ease back into some good exercise.
Part of my problem is that I know that I usually push myself too hard. I need to stop that, and just keep to the slow, easy, short runs until I can get things worked out.
So - according to my spreadsheet, I'm right on track for being at about 235 or so when I get on the plane. I can SERIOUSLY handle that.
I've been thinking more and more about the actual trip, as well. I am not going to try to lose weight in Hawaii. I just am not. But I am also hoping not to gain a ton. And while I do intend to eat some good food, I am becoming more and more certain that I will be different on vacation than I would have.
For instance - I really do not think that I am going to drink any calories. In the past, I would have gone for shakes/smoothies/soda/etc. (I'm a teetotaler, so no alcohol either way...) But it's coming to the point where such things just aren't worth it. I am going to try to embody the phrase that I've always liked to say - I can eat anything that I want to, just not everything.
We'll see how the mindset is there in Hawaii, but it's looking good for now. What I want to come back to is no more than 30 pounds until goal. If I can keep from gaining more than 5 pounds on the trip, I will be right where I want to be.
With all of the walking/hiking/swimming/snorkeling I intend to do, I think I will be fine.
-Silas
My knee is feeling rather good this morning. It has all weekend long. I think I'll strap my knee braces on (the kind that are supposed to keep your kneecap in place) and try a SHORT run this evening. My daughter wants to do it as well, so I'm going to attempt it.
I'm still going to the doc's office next week, but since it's doing well, I'm going to try to see if I can ease back into some good exercise.
Part of my problem is that I know that I usually push myself too hard. I need to stop that, and just keep to the slow, easy, short runs until I can get things worked out.
So - according to my spreadsheet, I'm right on track for being at about 235 or so when I get on the plane. I can SERIOUSLY handle that.
I've been thinking more and more about the actual trip, as well. I am not going to try to lose weight in Hawaii. I just am not. But I am also hoping not to gain a ton. And while I do intend to eat some good food, I am becoming more and more certain that I will be different on vacation than I would have.
For instance - I really do not think that I am going to drink any calories. In the past, I would have gone for shakes/smoothies/soda/etc. (I'm a teetotaler, so no alcohol either way...) But it's coming to the point where such things just aren't worth it. I am going to try to embody the phrase that I've always liked to say - I can eat anything that I want to, just not everything.
We'll see how the mindset is there in Hawaii, but it's looking good for now. What I want to come back to is no more than 30 pounds until goal. If I can keep from gaining more than 5 pounds on the trip, I will be right where I want to be.
With all of the walking/hiking/swimming/snorkeling I intend to do, I think I will be fine.
-Silas
Thursday, April 12, 2012
That awkward moment...
...when you get to the Doctor's office, even a little early, and the receptionist tells you that you are a week early...
DO'H!
So the doctor's office didn't happen yesterday. Silver lining? I get to lose a little more weight before they weigh me!
The knee is actually doing significantly better than it was. I was wearing a knee brace that keeps the kneecap in place, but in retrospect, I think it is meant to be worn only during exercise, and not all the time. I think it made the swelling and pain worse.
I'm still quite worried about it, so I have made an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. It's in two weeks. Until then, I'm going to take running out of the lineup. I think (with how it's feeling right now) that I will continue to walk, because it doesn't pound the knees. And I'm going to get back into the lap pool as well. That should give me enough exercise to keep doing well.
The bummer is the couch to 5K with my daughter - that has completely stalled out. I will have to find something else to do with her. She might like swimming laps! I'll ask.
Total calorie deficit since the end of February: 108,381.
-Silas
DO'H!
So the doctor's office didn't happen yesterday. Silver lining? I get to lose a little more weight before they weigh me!
The knee is actually doing significantly better than it was. I was wearing a knee brace that keeps the kneecap in place, but in retrospect, I think it is meant to be worn only during exercise, and not all the time. I think it made the swelling and pain worse.
I'm still quite worried about it, so I have made an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. It's in two weeks. Until then, I'm going to take running out of the lineup. I think (with how it's feeling right now) that I will continue to walk, because it doesn't pound the knees. And I'm going to get back into the lap pool as well. That should give me enough exercise to keep doing well.
The bummer is the couch to 5K with my daughter - that has completely stalled out. I will have to find something else to do with her. She might like swimming laps! I'll ask.
Total calorie deficit since the end of February: 108,381.
-Silas
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
FINALLY.
So I was hoping to hit this milestone before my birthday, but last week my weight was STUBBORN! It was a very mini plateau, but I've finally broken through!
Weight this morning was 268.1.
It's a good place to be right now.
Heading to the doctor's office in a few minutes. (Regular checkup, and I'm asking about my knee pain.) Since the last time I went in August, I'm down over 30 pounds. Since I wasn't really weighing myself then, it might actually be closer to 40. Wonder if they will notice? ;)
It's a good day.
-Silas
Weight this morning was 268.1.
It's a good place to be right now.
Heading to the doctor's office in a few minutes. (Regular checkup, and I'm asking about my knee pain.) Since the last time I went in August, I'm down over 30 pounds. Since I wasn't really weighing myself then, it might actually be closer to 40. Wonder if they will notice? ;)
It's a good day.
-Silas
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Still here...
So I've been a prodigal blogger, but still working the weight loss. This morning I was down to 270.1. I was HOPING to be in the 260's by last Friday, but alas, 'twas not to be!
I am not complaining, mind you. There was a birthday celebration in there. (I had a deficit of 2758 calories on my BIRTHDAY.
Right now I'm on track to be at 229.85 pounds when I leave for my vacation.
The bad news...I'm having some significant knee pain. I'm going to have to put the running on hold until I get this worked out. If this turns out badly, I'm going to be SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF.
The deal is, though, that it seems like the big issue with me is food. If I can keep my food under control, I can lose the weight. So food is going to be my focus for the near future.
Time to get back to work...
-Silas
I am not complaining, mind you. There was a birthday celebration in there. (I had a deficit of 2758 calories on my BIRTHDAY.
Right now I'm on track to be at 229.85 pounds when I leave for my vacation.
The bad news...I'm having some significant knee pain. I'm going to have to put the running on hold until I get this worked out. If this turns out badly, I'm going to be SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF.
The deal is, though, that it seems like the big issue with me is food. If I can keep my food under control, I can lose the weight. So food is going to be my focus for the near future.
Time to get back to work...
-Silas
Monday, April 02, 2012
Good weekend, feeling good.
The past couple of weeks has been freakishly busy around the Crutherton household - and yet my weight has gone down. The official weigh-in on Saturday kept my low as 273.6, which is fantastic - 26.4 pounds down in 5 weeks. Can you say "right on schedule"?
The one thing that has fallen by the wayside, what with a road trip and general busyness is exercise. I haven't been working out, and my calorie burn shows it.
Well, tonight we're getting back into it. My daughter and I are going to start the running again, starting Week 2 over again. If it's too tough for her, maybe we'll even backtrack, but regardless, it's back to the gym!
Here's to a good day...
-Silas
The one thing that has fallen by the wayside, what with a road trip and general busyness is exercise. I haven't been working out, and my calorie burn shows it.
Well, tonight we're getting back into it. My daughter and I are going to start the running again, starting Week 2 over again. If it's too tough for her, maybe we'll even backtrack, but regardless, it's back to the gym!
Here's to a good day...
-Silas
Friday, March 30, 2012
Eight pieces of pizza?
Since I've written, things have gone well. On Tuesday, we were in such a hurry that I picked up a couple of pizzas for the family. It was kind of another test for me - I know that pizza really can be a trigger food for me.
So I ate eight pieces. And that is a good thing, when you are actually eating two pieces cut into four each. I know it's stupid, but the psychological trick actually worked this time.
Turns out my calorie deficit for the day that I brought home pizza was 2,309.
I weighed this morning. I'm at 273.6, making in total 26.4 pounds down in almost 5 weeks.
Maybe I ought to plan a trip to Hawaii more often.
-Silas
So I ate eight pieces. And that is a good thing, when you are actually eating two pieces cut into four each. I know it's stupid, but the psychological trick actually worked this time.
Turns out my calorie deficit for the day that I brought home pizza was 2,309.
I weighed this morning. I'm at 273.6, making in total 26.4 pounds down in almost 5 weeks.
Maybe I ought to plan a trip to Hawaii more often.
-Silas
Monday, March 26, 2012
Flying colors?
So there was a significant test over the weekend, as per my last post. Going on a road trip can be a difficult thing in regards to weight loss. You're basically guaranteed to be eating out the entire time.
So I planned ahead and made quite a few decisions ahead of time. That, I think, made all of the difference.
So before talking about the trip, I wanted to note that on Friday, I did a weigh-in, and I was at 279.5. Good starting point, and over 20 pounds down in a month!
So the trip went pretty much exactly as planned. On the way there, I got a small sandwich at a gas station. It was 330 calories, but I took off all of the nasty cheese, so it probably dropped to 300 or less. (I counted 300). For dinner, I had more calories left over than I thought, so I asked the nice Denny's waitress for the nutritional info sheet, and chose a fajita skillet. (I can't remember the name, but that's basically right.) It SAID it was 940 calories with everything included, and the more I think about it, the more I think it was right - but with the tortillas, I added 300 more calories than it said.
Saturday, I had about 200 calories for breakfast, a 6" turkey breast and ham sub for lunch (290 calories as built), and another good dinner - it was about 950 calories, and I ate about a quarter of my wife's fries (400 calories for the batch, 100 for me). What with the swimming and walking around at a dance competition all day long, I burned over 4200 calories. So it was a good deficit for the day. :)
Sunday, I had about 300 calories for breakfast, about 600 for lunch, and another 6" sub for an early dinner on the road, so when I got home, I actually had a few calories left over for a small meal. (You can't eat too few, you know, or it causes problems!)
Throw in just a few little treats that were around to keep the little ones quiet (we're doing WAY fewer for the kids than in the past, trying to get them to be more healthy as well), and it was right where I wanted it to be.
The result?
I was at 276.7 this morning. I lost almost three pounds on a road trip.
And I couldn't be happier!
-Silas
So I planned ahead and made quite a few decisions ahead of time. That, I think, made all of the difference.
So before talking about the trip, I wanted to note that on Friday, I did a weigh-in, and I was at 279.5. Good starting point, and over 20 pounds down in a month!
So the trip went pretty much exactly as planned. On the way there, I got a small sandwich at a gas station. It was 330 calories, but I took off all of the nasty cheese, so it probably dropped to 300 or less. (I counted 300). For dinner, I had more calories left over than I thought, so I asked the nice Denny's waitress for the nutritional info sheet, and chose a fajita skillet. (I can't remember the name, but that's basically right.) It SAID it was 940 calories with everything included, and the more I think about it, the more I think it was right - but with the tortillas, I added 300 more calories than it said.
Saturday, I had about 200 calories for breakfast, a 6" turkey breast and ham sub for lunch (290 calories as built), and another good dinner - it was about 950 calories, and I ate about a quarter of my wife's fries (400 calories for the batch, 100 for me). What with the swimming and walking around at a dance competition all day long, I burned over 4200 calories. So it was a good deficit for the day. :)
Sunday, I had about 300 calories for breakfast, about 600 for lunch, and another 6" sub for an early dinner on the road, so when I got home, I actually had a few calories left over for a small meal. (You can't eat too few, you know, or it causes problems!)
Throw in just a few little treats that were around to keep the little ones quiet (we're doing WAY fewer for the kids than in the past, trying to get them to be more healthy as well), and it was right where I wanted it to be.
The result?
I was at 276.7 this morning. I lost almost three pounds on a road trip.
And I couldn't be happier!
-Silas
Friday, March 23, 2012
This is only a test...
So this weekend is my big test. Or one of the many big tests that I am going to encounter for the rest of my life, no?
We're heading on a road trip! Daughter 2 has a dance competition in a city 4 hours away. We're leaving this afternoon and getting back on Sunday afternoon/evening. What, you may ask, am I going to eat?
Denny's Menu
What will save me...
There's a significant amount of things on the Denny's menu that I can eat - that will be healthy, and actually taste good. And even better, fit within my calorie count.
Subway's Turkey Breast and Ham sub, footlong, on italian bread, with no cheese, tons of veggies, and honey mustard is less than 600 calories. I can do that.
Also, the hotel has a gym that I shall use.
Test?
I'm prepared.
-Silas
We're heading on a road trip! Daughter 2 has a dance competition in a city 4 hours away. We're leaving this afternoon and getting back on Sunday afternoon/evening. What, you may ask, am I going to eat?
Denny's Menu
What will save me...
There's a significant amount of things on the Denny's menu that I can eat - that will be healthy, and actually taste good. And even better, fit within my calorie count.
Subway's Turkey Breast and Ham sub, footlong, on italian bread, with no cheese, tons of veggies, and honey mustard is less than 600 calories. I can do that.
Also, the hotel has a gym that I shall use.
Test?
I'm prepared.
-Silas
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Monkey on my back
He's always there, you know. He's lurking. Right there, peering over my shoulder. He's been mostly quiet over the past month or so, but I know he's there.
He sits there, taunting me, mocking me, making me wonder if I'll ever be rid of him.
This is the monkey that so many of us know so very well.
I'm not the only one who has turned to food. And I know that I will not be the last, either. But that monkey is always there, and I know that he always will be.
So? He's there. He's not going away. Not anytime soon, anyway. Life goes on. And I have the choice - to either listen to him, or to ignore him. Recently I've been able to ignore him. Through a work party which I help cater with rather terrible food, to the grand opening of a new cafe on the first floor of my building (at least they are ATTEMPTING to serve healthy food...). Through it all, I have lost weight. 19.4 pounds of weight, to be rather exact.
I know that last week I said that I wasn't going to weigh in as much. Well, I was sorely mistaken. Unless I lock the scale up, I weigh in each morning, with some exceptions. Today was NOT an exception, and I saw 280.6 on the scale.
Did you know that in .7 pounds, I will just be simply obese? That's pretty cool. Another blogger wrote a post about something similar, and it made me add the BMI calculation onto my spreadsheet. I like it.
Anyway, still dropping, still WORKING HARD AT DROPPING...which I think is the key.
-Silas
He sits there, taunting me, mocking me, making me wonder if I'll ever be rid of him.
This is the monkey that so many of us know so very well.
I'm not the only one who has turned to food. And I know that I will not be the last, either. But that monkey is always there, and I know that he always will be.
So? He's there. He's not going away. Not anytime soon, anyway. Life goes on. And I have the choice - to either listen to him, or to ignore him. Recently I've been able to ignore him. Through a work party which I help cater with rather terrible food, to the grand opening of a new cafe on the first floor of my building (at least they are ATTEMPTING to serve healthy food...). Through it all, I have lost weight. 19.4 pounds of weight, to be rather exact.
I know that last week I said that I wasn't going to weigh in as much. Well, I was sorely mistaken. Unless I lock the scale up, I weigh in each morning, with some exceptions. Today was NOT an exception, and I saw 280.6 on the scale.
Did you know that in .7 pounds, I will just be simply obese? That's pretty cool. Another blogger wrote a post about something similar, and it made me add the BMI calculation onto my spreadsheet. I like it.
Anyway, still dropping, still WORKING HARD AT DROPPING...which I think is the key.
-Silas
Monday, March 19, 2012
Dropping, and happy.
Weigh-in on Saturday was great - down to 282.9! It makes for just about 17 pounds since starting this three weeks ago. I can't be more happy with where I am.
Yes, this flies right in the face of what I was saying the other day - about how impatient I was getting. I don't always have to be completely consistent, do I? :)
Seriously, though, I'm right where I want to be right now. There are still those times that I just want to say "screw it all" and eat whatever I want to - which is everything in sight. But then I think about the beaches of Hawaii, and snorkeling, and new clothes just before going...
Something is making it stick this time. I wish I knew what it was, and how to bottle it for later. I'm wanting to be near goal by the time I go on my trip. I know that I will not lose on the trip - and I don't want to gain a lot - but what scares me is what is going to happen afterwards.
Frankly, I'm not going to be so concerned about a 2000 calorie per day deficit when I get back. Right now I'm attempting to lose as much weight as possible before a trip, but when that trip is done, I want to lose for the LONG term. I think I'll cut my deficit to either 500 or 1000 per day. It will take me between 20 and 40 weeks, most likely, to hit goal after that.
From there? I just have to remember that it's OK to splurge every so often, so long as every splurge is tempered by the rest of the week that lets me even out the calories - less the rest of the days, and exercise.
Oh, and never stopping the exercise.
Well, time to get to work. Let's get out there and move today.
-Silas
Yes, this flies right in the face of what I was saying the other day - about how impatient I was getting. I don't always have to be completely consistent, do I? :)
Seriously, though, I'm right where I want to be right now. There are still those times that I just want to say "screw it all" and eat whatever I want to - which is everything in sight. But then I think about the beaches of Hawaii, and snorkeling, and new clothes just before going...
Something is making it stick this time. I wish I knew what it was, and how to bottle it for later. I'm wanting to be near goal by the time I go on my trip. I know that I will not lose on the trip - and I don't want to gain a lot - but what scares me is what is going to happen afterwards.
Frankly, I'm not going to be so concerned about a 2000 calorie per day deficit when I get back. Right now I'm attempting to lose as much weight as possible before a trip, but when that trip is done, I want to lose for the LONG term. I think I'll cut my deficit to either 500 or 1000 per day. It will take me between 20 and 40 weeks, most likely, to hit goal after that.
From there? I just have to remember that it's OK to splurge every so often, so long as every splurge is tempered by the rest of the week that lets me even out the calories - less the rest of the days, and exercise.
Oh, and never stopping the exercise.
Well, time to get to work. Let's get out there and move today.
-Silas
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ho very much hum.
Just another day. A good one, as well.
My daughter and I started week two of the couch to 5K yesterday. She did it, I'm quite proud of her! She said it wasn't that much harder than week one.
When we finished that, went two more miles. It was awesome. Running/walking, but it was in there.
Yes, after yesterday's post, I did weigh myself this morning. I can't seem to help myself! Down to 285.7. Awesome.
-Silas
My daughter and I started week two of the couch to 5K yesterday. She did it, I'm quite proud of her! She said it wasn't that much harder than week one.
When we finished that, went two more miles. It was awesome. Running/walking, but it was in there.
Yes, after yesterday's post, I did weigh myself this morning. I can't seem to help myself! Down to 285.7. Awesome.
-Silas
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Why I am impatient.
Sometimes I wonder how I can be so impatient when things appear to be going so well. I think I figured out what's going on.
I read a story last week that said that people who lose a significant amount of weight tend to keep it off better if they weigh themselves daily. I guess I can see why - if they see the creep up daily, they may be more likely to keep on top of things. Weekly sometimes just isn't enough.
I believe it would have helped me to keep the weight off.
So I've been weighing daily. The problem is that I will get disappointed almost every single day, with here and there an AMAZING loss. Intellectually I know that it all evens out. But somewhere inside of me there is the feeling that even though I'm doing well on the plan, I'm eating what I should and exercising, and yet I weigh basically the same as yesterday, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less!
No more. I think I may have to put the dang scale away except for Saturday mornings, and just pay attention to how dang loose my pants are already.
Sounds like a plan to me. One that I can follow, too.
-Silas
I read a story last week that said that people who lose a significant amount of weight tend to keep it off better if they weigh themselves daily. I guess I can see why - if they see the creep up daily, they may be more likely to keep on top of things. Weekly sometimes just isn't enough.
I believe it would have helped me to keep the weight off.
So I've been weighing daily. The problem is that I will get disappointed almost every single day, with here and there an AMAZING loss. Intellectually I know that it all evens out. But somewhere inside of me there is the feeling that even though I'm doing well on the plan, I'm eating what I should and exercising, and yet I weigh basically the same as yesterday, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less!
No more. I think I may have to put the dang scale away except for Saturday mornings, and just pay attention to how dang loose my pants are already.
Sounds like a plan to me. One that I can follow, too.
-Silas
Monday, March 12, 2012
Bleary, but here.
Blah blah blah, daylight savings complaint, blah blah.
So I did well over the weekend, even including last Friday. I mean, I ate more calories than usual on Friday, but I also burned more than usual as well!
Being a geek, I enjoy when numbers work out. Based on how many calories I've burned, here's where my armband would predict I would be right now:
289.0
Here's where I am as of this morning:
287.7
With the normal ups and downs, I have to say that it's fantastically accurate.
More numbers? Average daily deficit so far has been 2392 calories. (No, I'm not starving myself, but I AM making sacrifices. No, not enough sacrifices to kill my metabolism, either.) If I continue this pace (which is possible) where does my geekery predict that I will be come time for the big anniversary trip?
Somewhere between 225 and 230 pounds.
To be 15-20 pounds away from GOAL? I will MORE than take it.
What's the more likely scenario?
I would say to be around 240. Why? Well, as I lose weight, my BMR will go down, which means that I will not burn as many calories, either just by existing, or through exercise. So it will get harder and harder to keep the burn average up.
But that's OK. I'm burning. That's what's important.
Anyway, right now my personal weight predictilator is keeping me on track this morning, I have a good plan for burning some calories today, and everything is good.
Now to get to work...
-Silas
So I did well over the weekend, even including last Friday. I mean, I ate more calories than usual on Friday, but I also burned more than usual as well!
Being a geek, I enjoy when numbers work out. Based on how many calories I've burned, here's where my armband would predict I would be right now:
289.0
Here's where I am as of this morning:
287.7
With the normal ups and downs, I have to say that it's fantastically accurate.
More numbers? Average daily deficit so far has been 2392 calories. (No, I'm not starving myself, but I AM making sacrifices. No, not enough sacrifices to kill my metabolism, either.) If I continue this pace (which is possible) where does my geekery predict that I will be come time for the big anniversary trip?
Somewhere between 225 and 230 pounds.
To be 15-20 pounds away from GOAL? I will MORE than take it.
What's the more likely scenario?
I would say to be around 240. Why? Well, as I lose weight, my BMR will go down, which means that I will not burn as many calories, either just by existing, or through exercise. So it will get harder and harder to keep the burn average up.
But that's OK. I'm burning. That's what's important.
Anyway, right now my personal weight predictilator is keeping me on track this morning, I have a good plan for burning some calories today, and everything is good.
Now to get to work...
-Silas
Friday, March 09, 2012
Dutch ovens going...
I passed up a Krispy Kreme donut this morning, did you know that? Even two weeks ago I would have gladly helped myself. I think there were enough for two each. Passed it up.
I've had 100 calories today so far, almost all of that milk. I'm feeling pretty good about it. Usually I don't skip breakfast, but on a day like today, it's probably for the best.
Dutch Oven cooking is interesting - it's a very social thing to do. I like to do it around a lot of people, so that most of the food can be eaten by others. Why? Well, while it's POSSIBLE to cook healthy food in a dutch oven (it's just a cooking vessel...) it seems that all of the recipes are just terrible. YUMMY, but terrible.
Part of that is because of how good the dutch oven is at taking cheap, tough cuts of meat, and turning them into very tender, juicy things.
Note that the cheap, tough cuts of meat are so much fattier than their lean, more expensive cousins.
So the food today I'm cooking isn't good food. Baked beans and a dessert. BUT...
...can I eat it? Yes. Can I eat ALL of it? Absolutely not. If I take my portion, and give the rest away to my team here at work, I think I can work this.
I will let you know how it goes. So far so good.
So far today, I've taken over 4200 steps (up and down stairs, cooking and all of that), and burned over 1900 calories. I'm tired, and it's not even noon.
Oh...and one more little thing...
287 pounds, now 13 pounds down. Woo!
-Silas
I've had 100 calories today so far, almost all of that milk. I'm feeling pretty good about it. Usually I don't skip breakfast, but on a day like today, it's probably for the best.
Dutch Oven cooking is interesting - it's a very social thing to do. I like to do it around a lot of people, so that most of the food can be eaten by others. Why? Well, while it's POSSIBLE to cook healthy food in a dutch oven (it's just a cooking vessel...) it seems that all of the recipes are just terrible. YUMMY, but terrible.
Part of that is because of how good the dutch oven is at taking cheap, tough cuts of meat, and turning them into very tender, juicy things.
Note that the cheap, tough cuts of meat are so much fattier than their lean, more expensive cousins.
So the food today I'm cooking isn't good food. Baked beans and a dessert. BUT...
...can I eat it? Yes. Can I eat ALL of it? Absolutely not. If I take my portion, and give the rest away to my team here at work, I think I can work this.
I will let you know how it goes. So far so good.
So far today, I've taken over 4200 steps (up and down stairs, cooking and all of that), and burned over 1900 calories. I'm tired, and it's not even noon.
Oh...and one more little thing...
287 pounds, now 13 pounds down. Woo!
-Silas
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Stalling, work trap, and moving on...
OK, so "stalling" is a little misleading - I'm up from the ridiculous 289.7 weight (to 290.7) which is right where the little device on my arm says I should be. I say ridiculous, because frankly, I hadn't burned that many calories. So I have the two voices in my head, one telling me that I've gained weight, and the other telling me to remember - I can fluctuate 5 pounds between any two given days...this day is the up, in three days when I'm at 285 or so, I'll be happy.
9 pounds in 12 days? Not only will I take it, I will run with it as fast as I can go. Which, if you've seen me, is not fast.
Work trap...
My brother and I work together. It's pretty cool - we get along well, and we work together well. Both of us are unashamed geeks. And we have this reputation (not undeserved) of being Dutch Oven cooks. At my previous place of employ, we had a semi-annual Dutch Oven cookoff. I was a part of four of them. The first one there were no actual prizes, but my side dish was voted best by the cooks. The second time, I won first place. The third time, second place. And the fourth time? I think they called it Grand Champion - pretty funny stuff, they even gave me a chef's hat with the company logo embroidered on it.
Fast forward...tomorrow I've been asked to help out with a dutch oven lunch for the team. Do I mind? Nope! Is it going to be a time to be careful?
I can do this, I'm certain of it. The menu is half good, half horrible. I'll just eat some of the good, minimal of the horrible, eat a light breakfast and dinner...it should work out.
Fingers crossed? Nope. I'm going to move on from this one. I can do this. I know. I've done it before.
-Silas
9 pounds in 12 days? Not only will I take it, I will run with it as fast as I can go. Which, if you've seen me, is not fast.
Work trap...
My brother and I work together. It's pretty cool - we get along well, and we work together well. Both of us are unashamed geeks. And we have this reputation (not undeserved) of being Dutch Oven cooks. At my previous place of employ, we had a semi-annual Dutch Oven cookoff. I was a part of four of them. The first one there were no actual prizes, but my side dish was voted best by the cooks. The second time, I won first place. The third time, second place. And the fourth time? I think they called it Grand Champion - pretty funny stuff, they even gave me a chef's hat with the company logo embroidered on it.
Fast forward...tomorrow I've been asked to help out with a dutch oven lunch for the team. Do I mind? Nope! Is it going to be a time to be careful?
I can do this, I'm certain of it. The menu is half good, half horrible. I'll just eat some of the good, minimal of the horrible, eat a light breakfast and dinner...it should work out.
Fingers crossed? Nope. I'm going to move on from this one. I can do this. I know. I've done it before.
-Silas
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Another day, another 2200 calories GONE.
Well, 2,210, to be slightly more accurate. Love it.
Want to know why I am a believer that information is power?
To get halfway to my goal weight before my trip, I have to average somewhere around a 1300 calorie deficit until June.
To get to my original goal, it's around 1500.
To get to where I was HOPING for, it's around 1850.
To get where I thought I had no chance, it's around 2400.
Likely? The hope. Possible? if I average around 2200 calories under per day (doable, at least for now...) then I will end up only 25 pounds overweight, out of obese, and feeling AWESOME.
So it's easy to sit here right now, and talk about losing 2200 extra calories per day, when I'm burning somewhere near 4000 calories burned per day. Days I get a good workout in, it's around 4200 - 4500. Days I don't, it's around 3500-3700. I try to get a good workout in.
So when I'm down 50 pounds, is it still going to be as easy to burn the 4000 calories? Obviously not. So I'm either going to have to step up the exercise (which would be easier, except for the time thing) or cut down the calories, but you can only cut down so much without hitting the law of diminishing returns.
So I'm hopeful, yet wary for the future. Looking forward, time to get my burn on!
-Silas
Want to know why I am a believer that information is power?
To get halfway to my goal weight before my trip, I have to average somewhere around a 1300 calorie deficit until June.
To get to my original goal, it's around 1500.
To get to where I was HOPING for, it's around 1850.
To get where I thought I had no chance, it's around 2400.
Likely? The hope. Possible? if I average around 2200 calories under per day (doable, at least for now...) then I will end up only 25 pounds overweight, out of obese, and feeling AWESOME.
So it's easy to sit here right now, and talk about losing 2200 extra calories per day, when I'm burning somewhere near 4000 calories burned per day. Days I get a good workout in, it's around 4200 - 4500. Days I don't, it's around 3500-3700. I try to get a good workout in.
So when I'm down 50 pounds, is it still going to be as easy to burn the 4000 calories? Obviously not. So I'm either going to have to step up the exercise (which would be easier, except for the time thing) or cut down the calories, but you can only cut down so much without hitting the law of diminishing returns.
So I'm hopeful, yet wary for the future. Looking forward, time to get my burn on!
-Silas
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
The world, back to normal.
I got a happy email yesterday from the new website where my exercise data gets uploaded...my data is going to be recovered on Thursday! Relief. I'm happy about that.
In other news, the scale said 289.7. Um...what the heck? Not that I'm happy, but HOLY COW...10 pounds in 10 days is pretty cool.
This means that the weight loss will stall for a bit, because I haven't burned that many calories, but with the normal ups and downs, it will be just fine.
Happy day, busy morning, hope to post more later!
-Silas
In other news, the scale said 289.7. Um...what the heck? Not that I'm happy, but HOLY COW...10 pounds in 10 days is pretty cool.
This means that the weight loss will stall for a bit, because I haven't burned that many calories, but with the normal ups and downs, it will be just fine.
Happy day, busy morning, hope to post more later!
-Silas
Monday, March 05, 2012
Goal two within reach, and STUPID TECHNOLOGY.
Interesting how weight can fluxuate. By the time I weighed on Saturday (my OFFICIAL weigh-in day), I had gone up just a little, back up to 294.5. Still a 5.5 loss for the week, so I'm quite happy with that!
However, yesterday, I was back down to 293.1, and this morning I was 291.0. HOLY COW that is cool!
So as of right now, I have somewhere between 143,000 and 213,000 calories to burn, above and beyond what I eat, between now and June.
Ridiculous would be 266,000 calories, at a 2892 per day deficit, not going to happen, but I want the outside case.
Not as good would be 108,000 calories, at a rate of 1107 per day. MORE that certainly going to happen, so it's the OTHER outside case.
More than likely is 1821 per day deficit. Currently, since February 25, I've averaged 2352 calories per day. If I stick with that (which will get increasingly harder, by the way...as you lose weight, your BMR goes down), I'll be at 225 by my trip. Mentioning that my GOAL weight is 210 makes that sound incredible.
So there's my geeking out with numbers. I'm shooting for the 240 pounds, with the 1821 calorie per day deficit. That makes for 51 more pounds in 14 weeks, at just over 3.5 per week average. This can be done.
Now on to the stupid technology portion.
The website where I log all of my information, and the one that holds the key to me knowing how much I'm losing, decided over the weekend, to upgrade. Which meant that the information was not available for two days. And when I attempted to update the server, the info apparently got lost somewhere! I'm a bit ticked off.
But what can you do? Complain, yes. But other than that, not very much. Just keep going. So the info that I logged for Friday to Sunday (Saturday and Sunday especially) is approximate.
*GRUMBLE*
I've called the technical support, and I'm hoping that in the near future they can get their act together, but for the moment, I'm irritated.
Yeah, I know. First world problems. Good news is that life doesn't entirely suck, I'm EXACTLY on plan, and nothing, not even the work lunch coming up on Friday is going to ruin that.
-Silas
However, yesterday, I was back down to 293.1, and this morning I was 291.0. HOLY COW that is cool!
So as of right now, I have somewhere between 143,000 and 213,000 calories to burn, above and beyond what I eat, between now and June.
Ridiculous would be 266,000 calories, at a 2892 per day deficit, not going to happen, but I want the outside case.
Not as good would be 108,000 calories, at a rate of 1107 per day. MORE that certainly going to happen, so it's the OTHER outside case.
More than likely is 1821 per day deficit. Currently, since February 25, I've averaged 2352 calories per day. If I stick with that (which will get increasingly harder, by the way...as you lose weight, your BMR goes down), I'll be at 225 by my trip. Mentioning that my GOAL weight is 210 makes that sound incredible.
So there's my geeking out with numbers. I'm shooting for the 240 pounds, with the 1821 calorie per day deficit. That makes for 51 more pounds in 14 weeks, at just over 3.5 per week average. This can be done.
Now on to the stupid technology portion.
The website where I log all of my information, and the one that holds the key to me knowing how much I'm losing, decided over the weekend, to upgrade. Which meant that the information was not available for two days. And when I attempted to update the server, the info apparently got lost somewhere! I'm a bit ticked off.
But what can you do? Complain, yes. But other than that, not very much. Just keep going. So the info that I logged for Friday to Sunday (Saturday and Sunday especially) is approximate.
*GRUMBLE*
I've called the technical support, and I'm hoping that in the near future they can get their act together, but for the moment, I'm irritated.
Yeah, I know. First world problems. Good news is that life doesn't entirely suck, I'm EXACTLY on plan, and nothing, not even the work lunch coming up on Friday is going to ruin that.
-Silas
Friday, March 02, 2012
Goal one reached, working for the second...
So I'm now down 6.1 pounds - passing the first milestone! Since I have them every 5 pounds, they should come pretty fast and furious for the next little bit.
It's fun seeing a negative deficit left on my spreadsheet, though. Pretty cool. Cool enough that if I eat an EXTRA 38 calories per day between now and my trip, I'll be back where I began.
And considering I've had an average daily deficit of almost 2400 calories, that would mean a LOT more calories per day!
Yesterday I also got in 11,698 steps. 2,000 of them were from walking to Subway at lunch, and the rest were on the treadmill. I'm still quite slow, but I spent an hour between walking/jogging slowly, the first 30 minutes of it on an incline. WHICH also goes to why I had a good deficit yesterday. :)
Speaking of Subway, they have this cool thing on their website - you build your sandwich exactly how you will ask for it, and it gives you all of the nutritional information! That's how I know that a footlong Turkey Breast and Ham sub on Italian bread, no cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, green peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos, and honey mustard, is only 590 calories. For the footlong. Much better than the more than 1200 for the meatball sub that I used to get. And still better than the 950 for the Steak and Cheese.
Sheesh. I sound like a commercial. I just like knowing EXACTLY how many calories is in my food.
Oh, and exactly how many I burned going there. :)
It's weird - sometimes it's worth it to me to eat less. Sometimes it isn't. I guess I'll take it when I can get it.
-Silas
It's fun seeing a negative deficit left on my spreadsheet, though. Pretty cool. Cool enough that if I eat an EXTRA 38 calories per day between now and my trip, I'll be back where I began.
And considering I've had an average daily deficit of almost 2400 calories, that would mean a LOT more calories per day!
Yesterday I also got in 11,698 steps. 2,000 of them were from walking to Subway at lunch, and the rest were on the treadmill. I'm still quite slow, but I spent an hour between walking/jogging slowly, the first 30 minutes of it on an incline. WHICH also goes to why I had a good deficit yesterday. :)
Speaking of Subway, they have this cool thing on their website - you build your sandwich exactly how you will ask for it, and it gives you all of the nutritional information! That's how I know that a footlong Turkey Breast and Ham sub on Italian bread, no cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, green peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos, and honey mustard, is only 590 calories. For the footlong. Much better than the more than 1200 for the meatball sub that I used to get. And still better than the 950 for the Steak and Cheese.
Sheesh. I sound like a commercial. I just like knowing EXACTLY how many calories is in my food.
Oh, and exactly how many I burned going there. :)
It's weird - sometimes it's worth it to me to eat less. Sometimes it isn't. I guess I'll take it when I can get it.
-Silas
Thursday, March 01, 2012
The tools you use...
So I have this wonderful little device on my left tricep called an Exerspy. If you've ever heard of a Bodybugg or those kinds of devices - yep, this is one of those. It tracks my calorie expenditure, and the company says that they are accurate to within 10%.
From what I can see, they are within 1%. Ever since last Saturday, I've been meticulously tracking all of my calories (by logging them into the website that the Exerspy connects to), and it is correctly predicting my current weight within half a pound, and has been every day. It's just plain AMAZING.
The website that goes with it is cool - you give it a start weight, you give it a number of pounds to lose, and you give it an end date, and it gives you the number of calories to eat and the number of calories to burn so that you can get there by the date that you specify.
Paired with the exerspy is the watch that comes with it. It tells you three different things - the number of calories you have burned so far, the number of steps taken, and the amount of "moderate" exercise that you have completed. For example - so far today, I have burned exactly 1204 calories, taken 599 steps, and have 6 minutes of at least moderate activity. Since it's 9:00 AM, and I want to get in a 4,000 calorie burn today, that means that sometime today I'll have to get in some good exercise. Of course, I already have that planned...
I could go on and on about this thing, and if asked, I will, but the point of this blog post isn't to evangelize this device. It's to say that we have tools - I have ALWAYS had tools (albeit not necessarily this COOL) - but any number of tools won't help you if you don't use them.
Why is this on my mind? Well, I got this thing last October. I used it religiously until about halfway through November. And then for some reason, I stopped logging food, or even paying attention to it. Yes, it was on my arm, but I didn't really USE it. And what was my reward?
15 lbs gained over the holidays through Valentine's day.
Idiot. Instead of being 15 lbs heaver, I could have been 15-30 lbs LIGHTER. That's a 30-45 lb swing in weight! I could have been over halfway to my goal!
But what is, is. I am not dwelling on that to beat myself up, I am mentioning it as a reminder to myself, just for today, that I am either going up or down today. And in another three months, will I be happy that I used the tools, or sad that I let yet another opportunity go by?
I have the choice, today. For today, I choose to use the tools at my disposal to my benefit.
Just today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
-Silas
From what I can see, they are within 1%. Ever since last Saturday, I've been meticulously tracking all of my calories (by logging them into the website that the Exerspy connects to), and it is correctly predicting my current weight within half a pound, and has been every day. It's just plain AMAZING.
The website that goes with it is cool - you give it a start weight, you give it a number of pounds to lose, and you give it an end date, and it gives you the number of calories to eat and the number of calories to burn so that you can get there by the date that you specify.
Paired with the exerspy is the watch that comes with it. It tells you three different things - the number of calories you have burned so far, the number of steps taken, and the amount of "moderate" exercise that you have completed. For example - so far today, I have burned exactly 1204 calories, taken 599 steps, and have 6 minutes of at least moderate activity. Since it's 9:00 AM, and I want to get in a 4,000 calorie burn today, that means that sometime today I'll have to get in some good exercise. Of course, I already have that planned...
I could go on and on about this thing, and if asked, I will, but the point of this blog post isn't to evangelize this device. It's to say that we have tools - I have ALWAYS had tools (albeit not necessarily this COOL) - but any number of tools won't help you if you don't use them.
Why is this on my mind? Well, I got this thing last October. I used it religiously until about halfway through November. And then for some reason, I stopped logging food, or even paying attention to it. Yes, it was on my arm, but I didn't really USE it. And what was my reward?
15 lbs gained over the holidays through Valentine's day.
Idiot. Instead of being 15 lbs heaver, I could have been 15-30 lbs LIGHTER. That's a 30-45 lb swing in weight! I could have been over halfway to my goal!
But what is, is. I am not dwelling on that to beat myself up, I am mentioning it as a reminder to myself, just for today, that I am either going up or down today. And in another three months, will I be happy that I used the tools, or sad that I let yet another opportunity go by?
I have the choice, today. For today, I choose to use the tools at my disposal to my benefit.
Just today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
-Silas
Friday, February 17, 2012
Life, on purpose.
So I was watching some sort of TV show, and I heard a statistic that it takes 10,000 hours of doing something to become an expert. Interesting concept.
Reading around the interwebs, it apparently came from a book called Outliers by some guy that I don’t care so I won’t go look it up. I believe that he didn’t just say 10,000 hours of doing something, but 10,000 hours of directed practice.
I believed that a bit more. It is too simplistic to say that just by doing something over and over again will you become an expert. I really like the phrase “directed practice.” It implies intentionally making yourself better - looking at something that you are doing wrong, and working at it until you are no longer doing it wrong. No matter how long that takes. And then finding the next thing. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Take music, for example. I don’t know as I would be called an expert at playing the clarinet - I did play from 5th grade through my first year and a half of college. I did a significant amount of directed practice, but I don’t think I ever got 10,000 hours in. 4 hours a day, day in, day out, would take nearly 7 years. Oh, I probably (in all of that time) got in well over 5,000 hours, maybe 6,000. I got pretty good. In fact, I can still pick the thing up and play a lot of what I used to play. But I never got to be an expert. Any wonder why I don’t play for a living? (Although maybe I could have, if I had gone that route. I just didn’t see making enough money to support a family.)
Now take the guitar. I’ve recently started playing, at the end of November. I’m rather off-and-on with it, as I really am pretty busy - life just kicks in that way. But sometimes I’m frustrated with how slow it is going. I can’t just pick the thing up and play, as I can with the clarinet, or the wooden recorder. Why is it taking so long, I have wondered. It’s been over two months now!
Why? I’ll tell you why. I’ve spent an estimated time of 20 - 25 hours playing it. And I’ve taken exactly two private lessons. (Hey, they were free.)
Why am I not doing well? Because I’m not doing directed practice. Oh, I’ve got a method book, and I’ve got some songs, and I’m learning, but I don’t think that I’m doing any kind of directed practice. I’m just fiddling around.
Oh - and it’s also because I’ve spent next to no time doing it. Compared to 6000 hours on my first instrument, 20 hours is nothing. It’s a drop in the bucket. It’s noise. It’s nothing.
Yet.
So the end result of all of this ruminating is that I have decided three things:
1) I am never going to become and expert at the guitar. One hour per day would take the next 27 years. Half an hour per day would take me 54 years. Could it happen? Yes. Will it? Not probable.
2) What I really want is to become proficient at playing the guitar. I want to be able to play almost any relatively easy song, a lot of moderate songs, and even (with sufficient practice) a few very hard songs. How long will this take? How many hours? I don’t know. More than 100, I suspect. More than 1000. 2000? 2500? Who knows. But I want to find out.
3) Finally, I have decided to track how many hours I practice, to see how long it takes me to learn new things. I’m going to start at 20, because I think that’s a fair assessment of what I’ve done so far. I will post milestones, probably every 50 hours, with how I think that I’ve been doing, just to keep track. At the milestones, I’ll post what songs I have learned, and what things I think I have “mastered.” And where I think I need to go.
Ambitious? Freakin’ absolutely. But overriding all of this is a single principle that has been nagging at me recently, and which I think I need to start living by. And that principle is this:
I need to start living my life way more deliberately. Becoming someone else. Someone better. On purpose.
I spend a lot of my life, going from moment to moment, letting things pass me by. It’s not a bad way to live - really it’s not. I’m getting along. And I could probably do just fine in my life by doing this. And I could probably even be happy doing it.
But I know that there is so much more that I could be doing. I could be more fulfilled. I could be more creative. I could be more…well, who I want to be.
So there it is. I know who I am, and I know who I really want to be, and the only way to get there is to actually get up, and take that first step on the road to becoming that person. After the first step comes the second. And then the third. (Astute readers will notice the pattern that will arise from that).
“The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet.” -Lao Tzu
The more often quoted one has to do with a single step, but I like this more correct translation even better.
So here is to a new step, a new way of doing things, and being deliberate. I want to become. So I will take the steps to do so.
-Silas
Reading around the interwebs, it apparently came from a book called Outliers by some guy that I don’t care so I won’t go look it up. I believe that he didn’t just say 10,000 hours of doing something, but 10,000 hours of directed practice.
I believed that a bit more. It is too simplistic to say that just by doing something over and over again will you become an expert. I really like the phrase “directed practice.” It implies intentionally making yourself better - looking at something that you are doing wrong, and working at it until you are no longer doing it wrong. No matter how long that takes. And then finding the next thing. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Take music, for example. I don’t know as I would be called an expert at playing the clarinet - I did play from 5th grade through my first year and a half of college. I did a significant amount of directed practice, but I don’t think I ever got 10,000 hours in. 4 hours a day, day in, day out, would take nearly 7 years. Oh, I probably (in all of that time) got in well over 5,000 hours, maybe 6,000. I got pretty good. In fact, I can still pick the thing up and play a lot of what I used to play. But I never got to be an expert. Any wonder why I don’t play for a living? (Although maybe I could have, if I had gone that route. I just didn’t see making enough money to support a family.)
Now take the guitar. I’ve recently started playing, at the end of November. I’m rather off-and-on with it, as I really am pretty busy - life just kicks in that way. But sometimes I’m frustrated with how slow it is going. I can’t just pick the thing up and play, as I can with the clarinet, or the wooden recorder. Why is it taking so long, I have wondered. It’s been over two months now!
Why? I’ll tell you why. I’ve spent an estimated time of 20 - 25 hours playing it. And I’ve taken exactly two private lessons. (Hey, they were free.)
Why am I not doing well? Because I’m not doing directed practice. Oh, I’ve got a method book, and I’ve got some songs, and I’m learning, but I don’t think that I’m doing any kind of directed practice. I’m just fiddling around.
Oh - and it’s also because I’ve spent next to no time doing it. Compared to 6000 hours on my first instrument, 20 hours is nothing. It’s a drop in the bucket. It’s noise. It’s nothing.
Yet.
So the end result of all of this ruminating is that I have decided three things:
1) I am never going to become and expert at the guitar. One hour per day would take the next 27 years. Half an hour per day would take me 54 years. Could it happen? Yes. Will it? Not probable.
2) What I really want is to become proficient at playing the guitar. I want to be able to play almost any relatively easy song, a lot of moderate songs, and even (with sufficient practice) a few very hard songs. How long will this take? How many hours? I don’t know. More than 100, I suspect. More than 1000. 2000? 2500? Who knows. But I want to find out.
3) Finally, I have decided to track how many hours I practice, to see how long it takes me to learn new things. I’m going to start at 20, because I think that’s a fair assessment of what I’ve done so far. I will post milestones, probably every 50 hours, with how I think that I’ve been doing, just to keep track. At the milestones, I’ll post what songs I have learned, and what things I think I have “mastered.” And where I think I need to go.
Ambitious? Freakin’ absolutely. But overriding all of this is a single principle that has been nagging at me recently, and which I think I need to start living by. And that principle is this:
I need to start living my life way more deliberately. Becoming someone else. Someone better. On purpose.
I spend a lot of my life, going from moment to moment, letting things pass me by. It’s not a bad way to live - really it’s not. I’m getting along. And I could probably do just fine in my life by doing this. And I could probably even be happy doing it.
But I know that there is so much more that I could be doing. I could be more fulfilled. I could be more creative. I could be more…well, who I want to be.
So there it is. I know who I am, and I know who I really want to be, and the only way to get there is to actually get up, and take that first step on the road to becoming that person. After the first step comes the second. And then the third. (Astute readers will notice the pattern that will arise from that).
“The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet.” -Lao Tzu
The more often quoted one has to do with a single step, but I like this more correct translation even better.
So here is to a new step, a new way of doing things, and being deliberate. I want to become. So I will take the steps to do so.
-Silas
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