I’m really back now. October 2, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Exercise, Exercise Bike, Health, Journal, Treadmill, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.3 comments
A switch was turned on today, this morning. Maybe yesterday. I knew it was turned on already before I got on the scale this morning and that driven part of me that has been gone for the last few months is back. I had a 4 pound gain this week. Embarrassing. I don’t know why. But I’m through with it. I’ve snacked too much at work and ate too late at home. ENOUGH!! It’s time to get things reigned in and take control. This won’t be a trigger for more depression. This is a new starting point. I have the same goal in mind and I will not stop until I get there. Hopefully my computer won’t stop either.
This morning’s exercise was good. Started on the treadmill at first but was frustrated right away with the noise that I got off and finished the workout on the bike. Tomorrow begins the treadmill teardown. I’m replacing a bearing, possibly the platform board, and adding rubber grommets at each junction to give it a tighter feel.
Eating was good today. Getting back to my regular eating habits and ignoring the snacks. I mentioned earlier this week that I’m getting the anger back. Maybe it’s not anger. Maybe it’s just a focus that I’m not used to. It usually comes out with a look of determination that could be interpreted as a ticked-off look. I just know what needs to get done and I am going to do it. I’ve made my choices. It’s time not to go back on them. It’s time to follow through.
Finally, the end of the week. September 18, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Health, Injury, Journal, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.3 comments
And a good day. Today was the first day since the surgery that I went a day without pain medication. I do not like pain medication. I don’t like feeling in control and all the other stuff that comes with it. Yesterday I took the new medication and while it did suppress the pain, by 2 in the afternoon I was so dizzy that I had to go home for the day. The pain wasn’t so bad today and what a difference to feel more in control. I’m getting better but promise to take it easy getting back into my routine.
I miss my routine. My body misses my routine. I was feeling bad this week about how the pound piled on this week. Several reasons. No exercise, especially hurts compared to how much exercise I was doing before. Metabolism slowed way down. And then I ate quite a bit more. The one thing about the medication is that it dulled the pain but it was still there. In the evening I would not take any medicine because I can’t go to bed with that foggy feeling but to take my mind of the pain, I would eat. Nothing like I used to, but more than I’m used to. Another big reason that I just found out about today was that both medications I have been taking can cause constipation. And boy, did the cucumber I had at work this morning take care of that. This morning when I weighed myself I had gained 9 lbs over the week. Unbelievable. We’ll see what I weigh tomorrow morning after today’s cleansing but I’m debating whether to include this weight in my charts. I know I’ll lose it in no time, there’s just something holding me back from documenting it. Thoughts?
This will not be long September 11, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Day Off, Health, Injury, Journal, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.3 comments
I’ve already passed out once from the pain. Surgery went a little longer than scheduled and it was pretty painful. The medicine wore out and they still were not halfway done. Myself and the doctor had to wait 20 minutes there until the medicine kicked back in. I’m glad I only have to do this once. When I passed out I was just standing up reading a post on Facebook of a friend who got fired today. The next thing I know I’m doing a faceplant right into the wall. I don’t remember anything happening. All of a sudden my forehead is dragging down the wall in front of me. I’m confined to the couch for a long time now.
Today weigh in was just what I wanted, 1 pound. This way I don’t have to proclaim 60 only to fall back a week later. Today before the surgery, when I got weighed in, we looked at how much I weighed when I was in last 9 months ago. 282. At least I reached the 60 pound mark in some way. I’m very happy with how my body is changing. I love how t-shirts and jeans fit and how they look. Other people have noticed, getting more compliments and that is something I am grateful for.
Time to lay down. Have a great weekend.
Not today, not this week. September 4, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Exercise, Health, Journal, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.2 comments
No weight loss for the week. My sister is probably right, not enough calories and my body is holding back what it can. Yesterday was a perfect example. I had a salad when I got home when instead I should have had a couple of pieces of homemade pizza. I’m more frustrated about that than I am about not making it to the 60lb mark.
I also gained muscle this week from that new workout and getting the muscle is great. It’s going to help me lose more weight in the future and I’m really enjoying the shape that my body is taking. To feel the strength, the tone, the hardness of my body is something I thought I would never experience. And big picture, I’ve lost 58lbs in 6 months. So what if it takes another week to get to 60. I knew it was going to be hard to reach this goal in the first place. But this is not a failure, it’s a challenge that I’m still working towards. But does it count if I get there tomorrow?
Leaving today for a long weekend in Omaha. I hope everyone else has a great weekend.
Lessons Learned – Update – Accomplishment August 28, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Exercise, Health, Journal, Milestone, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.Tags: running outside
2 comments
I made a mistake yesterday. Not with bad food or not exercising, it was a timing thing. First of all, I had a strong day yesterday. Someone had brought in my favorite snack, chips and a homemade cheesy salsa dip with veggies on top and it was across the cube from me all morning. But right now I’m on a mission to get to 60 in 6 which is next week so I didn’t have any. That moment pushed me through the rest of the day and I was determined to do a 6 miler last night. Here is where I learned my lesson.
Several factors need to be known. Yesterday was my oldest’s birthday and we were going to have family over in the evening so I had to run right after I got home. Second, my wife made pizza which I love and I got the mind-set that I had to eat that pizza last night. That is where I really messed up. I should have forgotten about the pizza last night and had a couple of slices with me for lunch today. I should have had a peanut butter sandwich before the run and waited a half hour to have energy. I did none of that. I had 3 cashews and took off. The whole run was a struggle. It was warm and humid out and I couldn’t get my heart rate up to where I wanted it to be. It averaged around 132/133, not good. Then my pace was off and it added 5 minutes to my time I had last time. Just yuck all over. So then I get home, eat 2 squares of pizza, a half of chicken breast and washed both down with 2 glasses of water. I could feel right away that this was not a good idea. It kept me up until 11:30 and I’m still feeling it. Never again will I set myself up for that. Not worth it.
That being said, it’s Weigh day and I am down 3lbs this week. Need to lose 2 more lbs to reach 60lbs in 6 months. I feel good about it but we’ll see. I feel my focus and determination turning up a notch and hopefully that will carry me through.
Expectations met – Update. August 21, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Circuit Training, Exercise, Health, Journal, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.2 comments
I have to post early this morning because tonight I’m going to try to take my son out again for the car races. After eating a quick dinner at home we’re taking off with some friends and won’t be back home til late. Should be a good time.
Weigh in this morning was about what I expected. I have a one pound gain for the week. Big picture, not bad at all. This might happen more often as I get closer to my goal. Just need to keep chugging along, chipping away at that weight. I’ve lost 55lbs so far and that is quite the achievement. Some things I’m going to work on next week:
- Bring back the yoga and circuit training. I have gotten shy about circuit training thinking that it’s going to build too much muscle. Need to get past that and realize that I need that muscle to burn more calories.
- SLEEP. I have not been getting enough sleep. The effects have been that I’ve lost a little focus at home with exercise and at work. Also focus with my diet.
- Time away from the computer. I’m watching a lot less tv but that time is getting replaced by the computer, looking at blogs and just silly things that are not gaining me anything.
Update: Thanks to Rob for the suggestion to mix up my cardio. While I don’t have a stair climber at home I did find something else. Friday is usually a sprint day but instead of going for speed I put the incline at 10% and then did 10 1 minute sprints of 6mph and then kept the rest time to 1 minute. It was great and I’m feeling the effort now. Better go walk around. Thanks again, Rob!
A nice surprise August 14, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Exercise, Health, Journal, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.7 comments
Weigh in day and I lost 3lbs for the week. I think I stepped on and off the scale about 8 times to make sure it was right. Have no idea if it’s because I kept light on the food yesterday (and today continuing that) or the quick bike ride last night but I’ll take it. That’s 56 pounds in 23 weeks and 24 pounds away from my main goal. Today it hit me how much closer that goal is getting. I’m going to push myself harder with my diet and realize this is a push to lose weight. Right now I feel like how I’ve been eating is more of a maintenance diet which has been fine. I just need to clamp down and look at each piece as part of a bigger picture. How is this going to affect my journey to that desired weight. It’s been hard adjusting to but I’m ready for it.
Today’s run was pretty good. I was very strong with my sprints and went a bit longer as it just felt good. During my sprints my elbow got caught in the shirt armpit so I’m guessing that’s a good sign that the shirt is a little big. But I love that shirt. Someone suggested it’s time to make that one a muscle shirt and I may go that route. It’s good to have friends that are always thinking.
Now to enjoy the Vikings first pre-season game. I’ve restricted my diet to allow for some chips and salsa but going to ration out how many chips to have instead of bringing the bag along with me. I love football.
Quick post August 7, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Exercise, Health, Journal, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.2 comments
This will be the only time I get a chance to write today as tonight I will be away with my son. Weigh day today and I lost 2lbs for the week. Not excited about it but maybe that’s just because I’m tired. One problem I’ve noticed is that I’m content about where I’m at with my weight loss or the weight at where I am at now. I feel comfortable here and that’s scary.
Let’s go push some cows around July 31, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Exercise, Exercise Bike, Health, Journal, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.2 comments
Not many people know this but cows can provide great exercise. If you are looking to get some cardio, go out in the pasture and do some one on one herding. There you will work on your lateral movement as you go from side to side trying to direct the cow and then sprinting to beat a cow to a certain spot. If that one cow gets tired, go find another. You’ll find them off in one group as they are watching you chase around one of their friends. Now don’t scare the cows so they’re terrified of you when you enter the pasture. No yelling is a very important rule. After a few runs they will learn to appreciate the game and have fun with it.
The other exercise is cow pushing. You’ll want to find some older cows this as they won’t run away from you and they provide great resistance as older cows are a bit more stubborn. Now what I’ve found best is trying to herd the cow into a cattle trailer to move them to another pasture. There is usually a narrow cattle shoot (no, not the gun type of shoot) involved which makes it hard for them to get away. The exercise is to push the cow into the trailer with your shoulder. If you are lucky, you’ll get a cow that is very stubborn and will dig her front hoofs in the ground creating great resistance. Be careful not to raise the cow too high off the ground as it may hurt both yours and the cow’s backs. Also be very careful to avoid ‘accidents’ if the cow thinks that will give her an advantage. These cows are very smart creatures and will take any advantage they can find.
So why am I doing the cow talk? I feel so strong today, so young and these were things I did as a teenager. Not a daily thing but something that I enjoyed. I remember laughing while running to catch a runaway calf who was kicking up it’s heels enjoying it’s new found freedom. I do remember that feeling of pushing that cow into the trailer and feeling my strength (and stubbornness) matched against hers. My body held itself differently today. I had a great workout last night on the exercise bike. I aimed at keeping my heart rate between 130 and 140 for 30 minutes with a good warm up and cool down afterwards. Once again I pushed my limits of endurance and felt great although my t-shirt was drenched again. This morning I woke up late but figured out a way to get a full workout in. I ate half a protein bar and then got going. What I usually do on my morning (takes me 3 miles for the whole thing) is warm up for the first half mile, do my sprints over the next mile, job back for the rest except for the last 1/8th mile where I cool down. This time I jogged that first 1.5 miles and did my sprints on the way back which really helped my body get loosened and warmed up for the sprint. The sprints were great. Same thing I did on Wednesday. 6 reps that are twice the distance per rep that I have been doing. I felt much stronger (there’s that word again) this time versus Wednesday so I think this is my new sprint routine. RobFitness asked me is this I always ran. Not at all. When I first started losing weight I was stuck on the treadmill because I couldn’t do much time at anything over 3.5 miles an hour. I focused more on the incline and carrying weights. When I felt I wanted to try pushing myself a bit, I would try to see what I could do. I learned about the sprints, HIIT, from my aunt Grace and have enjoyed that. The sprints actually helped me develop better muscle in my legs which helped me increase my running distances. I just enjoy pushing myself and seeing what this body can do.
Lastly, today is weight day and I have no weight loss for the week. It really didn’t bother me as I understood that my body was really adjusting this week. I had a hard time getting to sleep as I was feeling how it has changed, especially around my torso. Today kinda confirmed that as the compliments were quite frequent. It just was a good day. I know I’m still on course and look forward to striving for that goal for Labor Day weekend.
Almost to 50 July 17, 2009
Posted by Ehren in Circuit Training, Exercise, Health, Journal, Treadmill, Weigh Day, Weight Loss.2 comments
Today’s weigh-in showed a 2lb loss for the week for a total of f 48lbs in 19 weeks. The 50lb mark is so close I can feel it (taste it would not be appropriate). It was a good week and the last few days I’ve just felt thin. I’m in territory that is so foreign to me but I’m loving it. Today for casual day I wore my jeans that I bought a few months ago but I had to take them off right away to make sure I had the right ones on. These were so tight on me and now they are too big. It’s hard to buy new jeans that will likely need to be replaced in a few months as I keep this going. Not if I keep this going, as I keep it going. I think the thing to do is to buy some slacks for the normal work days and live with the jeans a little bit longer.
Workout was good this morning. 10 sprints are now the norm. I realize that I run faster outside than the fastest speed the treadmill can offer which is why it wears me out more when I’m outside. Another reason to love the outdoors. Tonight I didn’t get home right away so yoga will have to be a little bit later. Still too sore to do a circuit training. I plan to hit the 6 mile run early tomorrow morning with the dog and then do my circuit training later in the afternoon. The county fair is in town so my wife wants to take the kids tomorrow afternoon and then we have friends coming over tomorrow night for homemade pizza and a night of Wii. Should be a blast.
