I have been to some great parties in my life!! I can find any reason to hoist a drink and celebrate with friends and will look for any excuse to do so. One of the best parties of my adult life was held out in "The Village" - seriously, that place is like the land time forgot but it is awesome out there. It's almost like a whole new world where all the neighbours know each other, they all drop in on each other AND leave their doors unlocked!! You know, kinda like when we were growing up.... - at Ken and Nicole's and it was a Halloween party.
It was a dress-up party - I went as a woman, with nylons, skirt, full make-up, belly shirt....yikes... - and all the college guys and wives were there. We laughed and drank and went til the wee hours of the morning. Nicole, who LOVES Halloween, went all out. The place was spooky and it was a complete hit.
I bring this up as another October 31st comes around only because I happened to be looking at some of those pics on Facebook and giggling to myself. This year will be spent saying no to the little KitKat bars that both of my kids don't like - how that's possible I will never know. KitKat's are phenominal!! - and convincing them that we can walk a little further to hit some more houses.
As always I will be wearing my pedometer and Sunday I will be looking to set a record. If my kids want all the little goodies that come from this night, their feet will be paying the price.
I also went and saw my doctor to finish off a physical which left me with one quick question; when did my doctor become so hateful?!?! As you all know I'm fairly excited about my progress and upon trying to tell her all about what I've been doing, she basically tried to hurry me up so she could get back to her office. Nothing like getting solid support from the person who is supposed to be invested in your health....oh well, no big deal. I come home and bragged to my wife. Even though she's heard me talk non-stop about it, she still acts like it's the first time she heard it...sort of like when Ang, Nicole, Tammy and Carol all laugh when we talk about chopping a tree, or Beaker....
HAPPY HALLOWEEN.....and mix in an apple or an extra little walk when you sneak some candies out of your kid's bag!!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Howie Long
One of my favourite Oakland Raiders of all time is Howie Long. Most of you may know him from the Fox Sunday pregame show where he's a funny, jovial guy. I choose to remember him as the big, nasty defensive tackle of my childhood team. The Raiders ran a 3-4 defense at that time and he was a disruptive force in the middle of that defense.
Why, you may be asking, am I bringing up Howie Long? Well, I've lost 75 lbs which was his number - actually 74.8 lbs but nobody wears 74.8 in any sport I'm aware of!! I now weigh 366.8 lbs and lost another 8.2 this week. I can't impress upon you enough how this has changed my life. I went grocery shopping with the family on Sunday to see all the exciting options I can choose from when I start food in a few weeks.
I'm ready for the food to start and for all the exciting recipes I've been saving to pop out from the paper. I'm ready to cook with whole wheat flour and egg substitutes. I'm excited to have turkey burgers and salad, and buy some ground turkey. I'm excited to drink Miller Genuine Draft 64 - they're not sponsoring me, but I'm for sale!! - and continuing down this path.
I learned today that there is talk of potentially changing the program down the road so that instead of shakes you would actually be eating food. I'm not sure how that would have worked for me in the beginning when I was in a different mindset. I know this is working for me so I'm pretty partial to this plan, but obviously these people know what they are doing.
I've almost lost the equivalent of my son's weight. I am losing the weight of small people, yet still have a few small kids to go. I look forward to putting my son on my back as a reminder of what life was like trying to get up the stairs and use it as motivation to never have to do it again!!
Russ
Why, you may be asking, am I bringing up Howie Long? Well, I've lost 75 lbs which was his number - actually 74.8 lbs but nobody wears 74.8 in any sport I'm aware of!! I now weigh 366.8 lbs and lost another 8.2 this week. I can't impress upon you enough how this has changed my life. I went grocery shopping with the family on Sunday to see all the exciting options I can choose from when I start food in a few weeks.
I'm ready for the food to start and for all the exciting recipes I've been saving to pop out from the paper. I'm ready to cook with whole wheat flour and egg substitutes. I'm excited to have turkey burgers and salad, and buy some ground turkey. I'm excited to drink Miller Genuine Draft 64 - they're not sponsoring me, but I'm for sale!! - and continuing down this path.
I learned today that there is talk of potentially changing the program down the road so that instead of shakes you would actually be eating food. I'm not sure how that would have worked for me in the beginning when I was in a different mindset. I know this is working for me so I'm pretty partial to this plan, but obviously these people know what they are doing.
I've almost lost the equivalent of my son's weight. I am losing the weight of small people, yet still have a few small kids to go. I look forward to putting my son on my back as a reminder of what life was like trying to get up the stairs and use it as motivation to never have to do it again!!
Russ
Friday, October 22, 2010
Busy Weekend
This weekend does not start off in the greatest of ways. Today we are going to the funeral home to say good-bye to the father of some great friends. I've known these woman for fifteen years and my heart breaks for the sadness that they are living in. It will be tough because there are no words I can say that will comfort them and it always makes me sad when I see other people sad.
After the difficulty of the afternoon, I will be taking Zack to his hockey practice then we are off to a pleasant surprise. As some of you know, I was asking for votes as Zack entered a play in the Nissan Arm Chair Quarterback contest. His play was one of five chosen by the coaching staff to win two tickets to tonight's game against Montreal. He will also be on the field at half-time!!
I am interested to go to this game. I have been to that stadium many times, but never at 375 lbs. I'll be able to walk up the stairs and not feel like I'm dying!! I will also, hopefully, not need half of my son's portion of the bench!! Sure I won't be having the sausage on a bun/beer combo but it's not that big of a deal.....it's not that big of a deal......
Tomorrow is a day filled with a hockey game, football practice, acting class and a hockey tryout. This kind of day would have tuckered me out something fierce two months ago but now...now I'm trying to think about where I can get a mile or two in!!
I thought a lot about the unfortunate events of this week and, even though this was a freak thing, I am so happy I've started to take the steps to make myself a healthier man. Nothing in this world is guaranteed but if I don't give myself the best chance I can, I would really be selling myself short.
After the difficulty of the afternoon, I will be taking Zack to his hockey practice then we are off to a pleasant surprise. As some of you know, I was asking for votes as Zack entered a play in the Nissan Arm Chair Quarterback contest. His play was one of five chosen by the coaching staff to win two tickets to tonight's game against Montreal. He will also be on the field at half-time!!
I am interested to go to this game. I have been to that stadium many times, but never at 375 lbs. I'll be able to walk up the stairs and not feel like I'm dying!! I will also, hopefully, not need half of my son's portion of the bench!! Sure I won't be having the sausage on a bun/beer combo but it's not that big of a deal.....it's not that big of a deal......
Tomorrow is a day filled with a hockey game, football practice, acting class and a hockey tryout. This kind of day would have tuckered me out something fierce two months ago but now...now I'm trying to think about where I can get a mile or two in!!
I thought a lot about the unfortunate events of this week and, even though this was a freak thing, I am so happy I've started to take the steps to make myself a healthier man. Nothing in this world is guaranteed but if I don't give myself the best chance I can, I would really be selling myself short.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Killing It
Like I talked a bit about yesterday, I have a completely different perspective on my life and why things happen. When I choose to make a change, it will happen. When I don't, it won't. So it was a great confirmation to go on the scale and see that I was 375 lbs, down 8.2 lbs from last week and 66.6 overall in eight weeks. Yeah, 66.6 lbs in eight weeks!!
Now I'm a guy that succeeds. I'm a guy who instead of being described as "You know, he has some good days", is a guy who sometimes has some bad days. I own everything I do, good and bad. I recognize that alot of people wanted into this program and it is incumbent on me to do everything I can to prove that I deserve that spot.
We talked about ownership and I was happy to report that, through my blog, I am documenting all the changes I've made. Also, it's given me the chance to get support from all of you which has been huge. You've kept me on the straight-and-narrow by following my path and I definitely did not want to write down that I've cheated and have you all read that!!
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but I think it should be amended to "You can't teach an old dog new tricks if he doesn't want to learn them". When you decide that your life needs a new direction, you are the only person that can do it. Folks, I've lost over 66 lbs and it's because I realized it had to happen and I fully committed to myself. Anyone can make any change they want - you only have to make the first step.
Now I'm a guy that succeeds. I'm a guy who instead of being described as "You know, he has some good days", is a guy who sometimes has some bad days. I own everything I do, good and bad. I recognize that alot of people wanted into this program and it is incumbent on me to do everything I can to prove that I deserve that spot.
We talked about ownership and I was happy to report that, through my blog, I am documenting all the changes I've made. Also, it's given me the chance to get support from all of you which has been huge. You've kept me on the straight-and-narrow by following my path and I definitely did not want to write down that I've cheated and have you all read that!!
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but I think it should be amended to "You can't teach an old dog new tricks if he doesn't want to learn them". When you decide that your life needs a new direction, you are the only person that can do it. Folks, I've lost over 66 lbs and it's because I realized it had to happen and I fully committed to myself. Anyone can make any change they want - you only have to make the first step.
Monday, October 18, 2010
re-Birthdays!!
A man has lots of time to think when he locks himself out of the house. I decided to walk to my gym this morning, do a workout and walk back. I g-mapped it out and it equaled three miles which would be pretty decent for the day. Before I left I decided not to take my house key as Ang would be home by the time I was done and it's a pain-in-the-ass to carry my keys as I would have no pockets.
The walk and workout were great, and as I've already given away, Ang was nowhere to be found. Seeing as carrying my keys was out of the question, obviously bringing my phone was not in the cards either. As I sat on my porch for an hour-and-a-half - seriously, how much stuff is there to see at Walmart? - I've thought about how far I've come.
I started to think about how the introduction of this program has completely changed my life. I realized that my first day with shakes, August 24th, 2010, marked a new beginning for me. All apologies if someone else is using this word and sells t-shirts and mugs and other stuff, but I'm calling this my re-Birthday. Not only am I losing weight, but I'm changing my whole attitude. I'm looking at things in a whole new way, and seeing myself in a whole new light.
So I want you to ask yourself, when is your re-Birthday? I doubt you can suck anyone into giving you presents, but you should celebrate with yourself. If you don't have one, why not think about it? You don't have to completely overhaul your life, but try to make a change. I know some of you are thinking that this "new" Russ is considerably cornier than the old Russ, but I will tell you this; I will take corny and happy over cool and miserable everyday!!
Don't worry, I will give you my weight update tomorrow, but I wanted to jot this little blurb down now while it was still fresh and in my mind. Make a small change today and see where it leads you...who knows, maybe I can start reading about how corny you've become on your blog in a few weeks....
The walk and workout were great, and as I've already given away, Ang was nowhere to be found. Seeing as carrying my keys was out of the question, obviously bringing my phone was not in the cards either. As I sat on my porch for an hour-and-a-half - seriously, how much stuff is there to see at Walmart? - I've thought about how far I've come.
I started to think about how the introduction of this program has completely changed my life. I realized that my first day with shakes, August 24th, 2010, marked a new beginning for me. All apologies if someone else is using this word and sells t-shirts and mugs and other stuff, but I'm calling this my re-Birthday. Not only am I losing weight, but I'm changing my whole attitude. I'm looking at things in a whole new way, and seeing myself in a whole new light.
So I want you to ask yourself, when is your re-Birthday? I doubt you can suck anyone into giving you presents, but you should celebrate with yourself. If you don't have one, why not think about it? You don't have to completely overhaul your life, but try to make a change. I know some of you are thinking that this "new" Russ is considerably cornier than the old Russ, but I will tell you this; I will take corny and happy over cool and miserable everyday!!
Don't worry, I will give you my weight update tomorrow, but I wanted to jot this little blurb down now while it was still fresh and in my mind. Make a small change today and see where it leads you...who knows, maybe I can start reading about how corny you've become on your blog in a few weeks....
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Light is not a Train
Week seven in the books and I've melted off another 6.6 lbs, for a total of 58.6 lbs. I'm starting to see the end game and it doesn't scare me. I am really starting to believe that I can do this and make it work. I am now walking more than I have anytime in the last 10-15 years. Thanks to my friend Ruth for this site http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ as it helps me find longer routes to take and up my activity.
I made it through Thanksgiving weekend but it sure was tough. I was starting to feel a little lonely as Ang and the kids went to our friends house for turkey dinner. A small bout of feeling sorry for myself was quickly replaced with the urge to get off my somewhat smaller ass and walk over where everybody was and socialize. It was at that moment I realized that I had been shutting myself off and not leaving the house.
I missed the sense of being out of my house to see other people. Usually when I am doing that I am mixing drinks in with that but obviously that was not the case Sunday. So it was just having idle chit-chat with friends about simple little things. It was a nice evening.
We talked about resistance training today and how there are eight techniques to help burn the fat fuel and increase lean mass. You can do this the traditional way with weights or you can use the elastics. Those elastic ropes just look funny to me and I have serious visions of the rope coming loose from the door and drilling me in the face. In fact, I may video the first few times just in case so I can become a youtube sensation.
So that's it for today's weigh-in. All my blood work was great and they are excited about my weight loss. I have heard from some of you who tried to do a few things for yourself and to you I say CONGRATS!! It's been a great week - heck, even the Raiders won - and I have five more until I try some real food....I'm not American, but I think I may celebrate US Thanksgiving!!
I made it through Thanksgiving weekend but it sure was tough. I was starting to feel a little lonely as Ang and the kids went to our friends house for turkey dinner. A small bout of feeling sorry for myself was quickly replaced with the urge to get off my somewhat smaller ass and walk over where everybody was and socialize. It was at that moment I realized that I had been shutting myself off and not leaving the house.
I missed the sense of being out of my house to see other people. Usually when I am doing that I am mixing drinks in with that but obviously that was not the case Sunday. So it was just having idle chit-chat with friends about simple little things. It was a nice evening.
We talked about resistance training today and how there are eight techniques to help burn the fat fuel and increase lean mass. You can do this the traditional way with weights or you can use the elastics. Those elastic ropes just look funny to me and I have serious visions of the rope coming loose from the door and drilling me in the face. In fact, I may video the first few times just in case so I can become a youtube sensation.
So that's it for today's weigh-in. All my blood work was great and they are excited about my weight loss. I have heard from some of you who tried to do a few things for yourself and to you I say CONGRATS!! It's been a great week - heck, even the Raiders won - and I have five more until I try some real food....I'm not American, but I think I may celebrate US Thanksgiving!!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Giving Thanks
It's Thanksgiving Weekend!! Well, for most of you - my American readers will have to wait another month for their blast of turkey and mashed potatoes. As it has been well documented I will be attacking this great food weekend with a liquid diet; no, not rye and water but my OptiFast shakes. I love this weekend; fall is my favourite time of year and the meal is pretty strong too!!
I know that by doing what I'm doing, I am extending my opportunities to have turkey dinners for a long time coming. So instead of dwelling on the food - did I mention mashed potatoes and gravy? - I'm going to come up with some things to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for my parents and brother who give me the support I need to make it through. This will be the first time we don't have Thanksgiving dinner together, but they know what this is all about and let's face it, more left-overs for Bob!!
I'm thankful for an intervention that got me to where I am. It was a wake-up call and it has begun to give me my life back.
I'm thankful my TV is not broken yet. The 2010 Oakland Raiders are going to make for a long fall and winter. Don't even get me started about my last place fantasy football team!!
I'm thankful my kids are doing the things they love the most. Allie is in an acting class where she sings and will be putting on a show at the end. I know, you're thinking it's quite the stretch for her!! Zack is two games into his football schedule and has three TD's so far. Hockey season has also started so the smile is hard to get off his face.
I'm thankful for my wife. She has had some struggles, and these weekends don't make it easier.
So while you sit down with your families this weekend, remember not only the great things 2010 has brought you, but also the tough times. Nobody goes through life unscathed, but don't let it define you. Live your best life and enjoy your family and friends....and mashed potatoes!! Did I mention those?
Russ
I know that by doing what I'm doing, I am extending my opportunities to have turkey dinners for a long time coming. So instead of dwelling on the food - did I mention mashed potatoes and gravy? - I'm going to come up with some things to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for my parents and brother who give me the support I need to make it through. This will be the first time we don't have Thanksgiving dinner together, but they know what this is all about and let's face it, more left-overs for Bob!!
I'm thankful for an intervention that got me to where I am. It was a wake-up call and it has begun to give me my life back.
I'm thankful my TV is not broken yet. The 2010 Oakland Raiders are going to make for a long fall and winter. Don't even get me started about my last place fantasy football team!!
I'm thankful my kids are doing the things they love the most. Allie is in an acting class where she sings and will be putting on a show at the end. I know, you're thinking it's quite the stretch for her!! Zack is two games into his football schedule and has three TD's so far. Hockey season has also started so the smile is hard to get off his face.
I'm thankful for my wife. She has had some struggles, and these weekends don't make it easier.
So while you sit down with your families this weekend, remember not only the great things 2010 has brought you, but also the tough times. Nobody goes through life unscathed, but don't let it define you. Live your best life and enjoy your family and friends....and mashed potatoes!! Did I mention those?
Russ
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Back to the Grind
Week six is in the books!!! YEAHHHH!!!! I am half way through the no-food portion of the program and after today's loss of 6.6 lbs, I am down a total of 51.8 lbs!! Let's put this into perspective - we drove past a farm the other day and he was selling 50 lbs sacks of potatoes. If he was generous and gave us a few extra, I just dropped them out of my trunk!!
I have been having some issues with dizziness and headaches, but as I am programmed to do, I did nothing about it. I had a pretty bad one yesterday and made the mistake of having it when my wife was around so you know what that meant!! I left the house early today so I could speak with the doctor to see if it had anything to do with the OptiFast, or if there was another problem.
He took my blood pressure and had me go for some more blood work. We also discussed the possibility that I am not drinking enough water. I told him that if I could put rye in it I would drink it like it was my second job; he was not amused.
We compared my blood pressure from when I first started, and before we go into the numbers it should be explained that I really had no idea what was good as far as blood pressure went. He told me 120 over 80 was pretty normal and I sat there with a glazed look on my face and smiled and nodded. So, the 120 means Systolic, or when the heart beats and pumps blood. The 80 is Diastolic, or when your heart relaxes and fills with blood.
On July 29th I was 145 over 95, but today was 128 over 88!! Everybody that wants to lose weight has specific reasons. Vanity, health, whatever your reason, but when you put in an effort and see positive results, not only in the mirror but for your long-term viability here on earth, it's a rewarding feeling.
I've been writing this blog since August 2nd and been updating you on my progress since I started. You've all been so good to me with words of encouragement and helping keep my spirits up. I want to take this last paragraph and try something a little different - I want to see if I can motivate you. I want to see if I can convince you to park your car on the street when you come from work so you have to walk a little farther to get to the door. Park farther at work, walk to the corner store or substitute one food item for something lower in fat and calories. Try something small this week, and next week try something else. Add any cliche you want about how big tasks have to start with the smallest of steps, but do something today. You'll love it!!
Good luck and I would love to hear if you try something. I used to think Malibu Rum mixed with Gatorade would be my biggest contribution to society - and don't kid yourself, it's pretty awesome - but I think if just one person makes a change, and they give that to one person, this could be bigger...
Russ
I have been having some issues with dizziness and headaches, but as I am programmed to do, I did nothing about it. I had a pretty bad one yesterday and made the mistake of having it when my wife was around so you know what that meant!! I left the house early today so I could speak with the doctor to see if it had anything to do with the OptiFast, or if there was another problem.
He took my blood pressure and had me go for some more blood work. We also discussed the possibility that I am not drinking enough water. I told him that if I could put rye in it I would drink it like it was my second job; he was not amused.
We compared my blood pressure from when I first started, and before we go into the numbers it should be explained that I really had no idea what was good as far as blood pressure went. He told me 120 over 80 was pretty normal and I sat there with a glazed look on my face and smiled and nodded. So, the 120 means Systolic, or when the heart beats and pumps blood. The 80 is Diastolic, or when your heart relaxes and fills with blood.
On July 29th I was 145 over 95, but today was 128 over 88!! Everybody that wants to lose weight has specific reasons. Vanity, health, whatever your reason, but when you put in an effort and see positive results, not only in the mirror but for your long-term viability here on earth, it's a rewarding feeling.
I've been writing this blog since August 2nd and been updating you on my progress since I started. You've all been so good to me with words of encouragement and helping keep my spirits up. I want to take this last paragraph and try something a little different - I want to see if I can motivate you. I want to see if I can convince you to park your car on the street when you come from work so you have to walk a little farther to get to the door. Park farther at work, walk to the corner store or substitute one food item for something lower in fat and calories. Try something small this week, and next week try something else. Add any cliche you want about how big tasks have to start with the smallest of steps, but do something today. You'll love it!!
Good luck and I would love to hear if you try something. I used to think Malibu Rum mixed with Gatorade would be my biggest contribution to society - and don't kid yourself, it's pretty awesome - but I think if just one person makes a change, and they give that to one person, this could be bigger...
Russ
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