So today is the official kick-off for my new health plan and I've decided if I want to reach my goal of losing 40 pounds by the end of the year, I need to change the way I think. Especially about food.
Right now I use it as a crutch, a comfort and a way to kill boredom. Not good. Not only that but I eat in larger portions than is really necessary. So it's no surprise why I've been steadily gaining weight.
Now I must change my mind completely. I need to start looking at food as a fuel. If I want to be a lean, mean anything machine I need to use the proper fuel in the correct amounts. Like the cliche goes, "garbage in, garbage out". Flood your engine with too much fuel and it sputters and dies.
So here we go. Week 1 and my starting point: 264.7 pounds. Goal weight is 225 by the end of December. I can do this.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Melting Away
As always, I resolved to lose some weight at the beginning of the year and have had little to no success at this point. Most of it was due to my lack of motivation and discipline and a variety of half-hearted excuses.
Like a switch being thrown, I decided to finally get my act together a little at a time. About three months ago I took the first step by cutting out soda, including energy drinks. I was buying them in the morning as an energy crutch, but the only thing getting a boost was the vending machine owner's bank account. I'm pleased to report I've only had a small sip of my wife's cream soda and am still going strong.
Next was something more drastic and much more challenging. I work maybe twenty steps from a wonderful bakery and cafe and would visit almost daily for a cookie, some cake or other sweet delight. Once again it served me no benefit, only shrunk my wallet and expanded my waistline. It's been a month now since I said bye bye to those lovely confections without a relapse but still struggle with other unhealthy foods.
In comes my most recent and daunting challenge yet: to stop eating junk food altogether. Not that my wife and I are drive-thru jockeys or deep-fry aficionados, we just enjoy an occasional pizza or grab a burger because we come home from work late and exhausted and really don't feel like cooking. I do have a sweet tooth and usually find myself with something sugary but empty of vital nutrients.
Along with eating the right things is portion control. Most men struggle with that, especially growing up in an era that reinforced this notion by parents echoing the "clean your plate before you leave the table" mantra.
The final facet of my plan is to gradually introduce more physical activity into my daily routine. Last week I attempted to use the elliptical treadmill for 20 minutes and had to stop after 15. My legs were so sore I couldn't walk or sit properly for several days, but it taught me some valuable lessons: I need to stretch before attempting anything like that again and pay attention to the signals my body is sending me. Nothing shatters your masculine image, both self and what others perceive of you, like wincing with every step.
"That's all well and great, but talk is cheap." you say. Well, I've devised a way to make myself accountable. First is to track my progress on a weekly basis. Not only will I be recording how much weight I lose and the inches that drop off, but a simplified record of my food. Second, I'll be posting my results here with pictures to prove that if I can do it, anyone can.
My wife couldn't be more supportive and is starting to make the same changes for herself. So stay tuned as I begin this journey, because it's going to be a great one!
Like a switch being thrown, I decided to finally get my act together a little at a time. About three months ago I took the first step by cutting out soda, including energy drinks. I was buying them in the morning as an energy crutch, but the only thing getting a boost was the vending machine owner's bank account. I'm pleased to report I've only had a small sip of my wife's cream soda and am still going strong.
Next was something more drastic and much more challenging. I work maybe twenty steps from a wonderful bakery and cafe and would visit almost daily for a cookie, some cake or other sweet delight. Once again it served me no benefit, only shrunk my wallet and expanded my waistline. It's been a month now since I said bye bye to those lovely confections without a relapse but still struggle with other unhealthy foods.
In comes my most recent and daunting challenge yet: to stop eating junk food altogether. Not that my wife and I are drive-thru jockeys or deep-fry aficionados, we just enjoy an occasional pizza or grab a burger because we come home from work late and exhausted and really don't feel like cooking. I do have a sweet tooth and usually find myself with something sugary but empty of vital nutrients.
Along with eating the right things is portion control. Most men struggle with that, especially growing up in an era that reinforced this notion by parents echoing the "clean your plate before you leave the table" mantra.
The final facet of my plan is to gradually introduce more physical activity into my daily routine. Last week I attempted to use the elliptical treadmill for 20 minutes and had to stop after 15. My legs were so sore I couldn't walk or sit properly for several days, but it taught me some valuable lessons: I need to stretch before attempting anything like that again and pay attention to the signals my body is sending me. Nothing shatters your masculine image, both self and what others perceive of you, like wincing with every step.
"That's all well and great, but talk is cheap." you say. Well, I've devised a way to make myself accountable. First is to track my progress on a weekly basis. Not only will I be recording how much weight I lose and the inches that drop off, but a simplified record of my food. Second, I'll be posting my results here with pictures to prove that if I can do it, anyone can.
My wife couldn't be more supportive and is starting to make the same changes for herself. So stay tuned as I begin this journey, because it's going to be a great one!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Catching Up
I know it's been a few weeks since my last post, but things have been hectic lately. The move back into my parents' house went well; my wife and I are still trying to organize and unpack all the things we need into a small bedroom, one cupboard in the kitchen and a small shelf in the garage. This has been not only a logistical challenge but a battle of will. Juggling work, spending time with my wonderfully patient wife, some semblance of a social life and church is difficult enough. Trying to find time and energy to unpack and organize has been a daunting task.
I have, however, managed to start taking better control of my health. Two or so months ago I resolved to stop drinking soda. I was using it as a crutch to boost my energy. The only boost was going to the vending machine company's wallet, so I stopped cold turkey. I miss the cold, refreshing taste of Mountain Dew from time to time, but overall have done well without it.
Next and far more challenging was to stop frequenting the bakery I work near for pastries and desserts. Delicious, yes. But expensive and loaded with calories, a double hit I do not need. Axing junk food entirely is my next tactic as well as adding some low-impact exercise and vitamins to accelerate my results. Portion control is also part of the plan and finding the right foods to fill me up on the first, smaller serving.
Mother's Day weekend was awesome. Saturday I spent most of the day outdoors photographing a friend's birthday party in 65 degree sunshine at a lakeside park. 5 rolls of film were used and the weather continued Sunday, where I got up extra early to make buttermilk waffles with strawberry sauce from scratch and then go to church. For dinner we had most of my wifes' side of the family over and my youngest sister-in-law and I made spaghetti with pomodoro sauce; my wife made a salad and dessert was provided by another sister-in-law. Entertainment consisted of my devastatingly adorable 18 month-old nephew.
That pretty much sums it all up. My small side photography business is finally getting some momentum and soon I'll have enough saved for my dream camera!
I have, however, managed to start taking better control of my health. Two or so months ago I resolved to stop drinking soda. I was using it as a crutch to boost my energy. The only boost was going to the vending machine company's wallet, so I stopped cold turkey. I miss the cold, refreshing taste of Mountain Dew from time to time, but overall have done well without it.
Next and far more challenging was to stop frequenting the bakery I work near for pastries and desserts. Delicious, yes. But expensive and loaded with calories, a double hit I do not need. Axing junk food entirely is my next tactic as well as adding some low-impact exercise and vitamins to accelerate my results. Portion control is also part of the plan and finding the right foods to fill me up on the first, smaller serving.
Mother's Day weekend was awesome. Saturday I spent most of the day outdoors photographing a friend's birthday party in 65 degree sunshine at a lakeside park. 5 rolls of film were used and the weather continued Sunday, where I got up extra early to make buttermilk waffles with strawberry sauce from scratch and then go to church. For dinner we had most of my wifes' side of the family over and my youngest sister-in-law and I made spaghetti with pomodoro sauce; my wife made a salad and dessert was provided by another sister-in-law. Entertainment consisted of my devastatingly adorable 18 month-old nephew.
That pretty much sums it all up. My small side photography business is finally getting some momentum and soon I'll have enough saved for my dream camera!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)