Is there anything better than chili-dogs, beer and football? Sure, some of you will say commercials - seriously?!?! - but next Sunday is one of the best sports-themed parties of the year. I have had some epic Super Bowl Sunday's - the road outside Eric and Michelle's is still not the same - and this year will be no different. Well, maybe a bit different.
There will be no need to start drinking at noon - in fact, plans are being put in motion to take the kids out before the festivities for some fun in the snow. The other big thing will be to make sure I eat something before heading over. As it stands right now, we are ordering some pizzas and everyone is supposed to bring one snack. The question I have for you is, what is your tastiest, healthiest, snack? Now remember, this is a Super Bowl party, so don't give some tofu, foofy thing - I can't get laughed out of the place!!
As far as the game goes, gimme Steelers, 27-23 - my head will explode if Aaron Rodgers is a Super Bowl champ!!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Managing my Life
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" - Eleanor Roosevelt
Today we spent the hour of our class talking about how you manage your moods and dealing with the ups and downs of everyday life. Anytime something bad happened to me, I used that as an opportunity to feel bad for myself, which would generally be followed up with some combination of bad food. There is a downward spiral that was created and would lead to more food, which made me feel worse about myself, which made me eat more and on it went.
As I've mentioned before, I really see things on a different level now. I can recognize that good things actually do happen to me. The quote at the top rings so true for me because I had a low opinion of myself and assumed everyone else did too. The human psyche is a wonderful thing. Having some small success at the weight-loss thing has transferred to so many other areas of my life. I'm more confident now - hell I said I was going to enter a 5k and started doing them on the treadmill!! - and I'm generally more positive as well.
Learning to forgive yourself can be a grueling process and it means you really end up taking a hard look at yourself and what you've become. Many times I would look at people and think how lucky they were that their weight was something they never had to worry about. There is another quote that really puts that into perspective for me; "When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it may be that they take better care of it there" - Cecil Selig
Friday, January 21, 2011
Back on Track
I'm not fully sure how much damage the Niagara Falls weekend did, but suffice to say I know it was not pretty. I will never regret my decision to go and tear the place up, but after all the work I did this week, it does make me think about where I would be if.....
Training has been going great. I went to the gym on Tues, Wed, and early Friday morning - sidebar; what a freaking gong-show at 6:30 am!! I've never been there that early before but the clientele is a whole other world of human being - to begin the long process of convincing myself that being on a treadmill for an hour can be fun...it's not!!
After walking over 5K on Tuesday I prepared myself for the same on Wednesday. After about 35 minutes, I began to feel a familiar rumble. I had hoped this feeling would pass and decided to press on. At the 43 minute mark I knew we were reaching the point of no return and concluded that while 5K would be awesome, the embarrassment of staying even a few minutes longer would kill the joy of reaching that milestone. So sheepishly I made my way down the stairs and lived to fight another day. And fight I did, as this morning I again surpassed the 5 km mark and dropped my weight down to 338lbs.
I hear people talk all the time about waiting for something to big happen that will change their life. In my recent experience, I've come to realize that there are many little things you do, or can do, which determine your path. It's unrealistic to think that you will just wake up and be a changed person. It's small steps that lead to leaps. It's an exhausting process and there are so many opportunities to give up because the big picture is not in focus. When I sit down to write, it's in these times that I can reflect back on the past couple days and see the small steps I took. Conversely, I can see the small steps I didn't take and it's those steps that I miss that I strive to not miss again.
I'm so much better now at cutting myself some slack and realizing that it's better to do some than none at all. I always had the attitude that if I couldn't run like the guy on the treadmill beside me, then what's the point? Now my outlook is that I do everything that I can do, and tomorrow, hopefully, I can do a tiny bit more. It doesn't work like this everyday, and Lord knows it's been a work in progress since August, but the days it does work are great.....as long as the rumble doesn't come back!!
Training has been going great. I went to the gym on Tues, Wed, and early Friday morning - sidebar; what a freaking gong-show at 6:30 am!! I've never been there that early before but the clientele is a whole other world of human being - to begin the long process of convincing myself that being on a treadmill for an hour can be fun...it's not!!
After walking over 5K on Tuesday I prepared myself for the same on Wednesday. After about 35 minutes, I began to feel a familiar rumble. I had hoped this feeling would pass and decided to press on. At the 43 minute mark I knew we were reaching the point of no return and concluded that while 5K would be awesome, the embarrassment of staying even a few minutes longer would kill the joy of reaching that milestone. So sheepishly I made my way down the stairs and lived to fight another day. And fight I did, as this morning I again surpassed the 5 km mark and dropped my weight down to 338lbs.
I hear people talk all the time about waiting for something to big happen that will change their life. In my recent experience, I've come to realize that there are many little things you do, or can do, which determine your path. It's unrealistic to think that you will just wake up and be a changed person. It's small steps that lead to leaps. It's an exhausting process and there are so many opportunities to give up because the big picture is not in focus. When I sit down to write, it's in these times that I can reflect back on the past couple days and see the small steps I took. Conversely, I can see the small steps I didn't take and it's those steps that I miss that I strive to not miss again.
I'm so much better now at cutting myself some slack and realizing that it's better to do some than none at all. I always had the attitude that if I couldn't run like the guy on the treadmill beside me, then what's the point? Now my outlook is that I do everything that I can do, and tomorrow, hopefully, I can do a tiny bit more. It doesn't work like this everyday, and Lord knows it's been a work in progress since August, but the days it does work are great.....as long as the rumble doesn't come back!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Training has Begun
As I mentioned last week, I was taking a minor detour from my journey and heading to Niagara Falls for a weekend with the fellas. I decided to go with no plan and just enjoy myself and deal with the consequences when I got back. I weighed myself before I left - 337.6lbs if you're keeping track - and whatever happened when I came back I would deal with that.
Let's just say I have some "dealing with" to do!! A couple of KFC buckets - quick sidebar..that stuff's gross!! I have no idea how I used to eat it, and don't get it twisted I ate the hell out of those buckets, but it does awful things to your body chemistry.....we'll stop there - and enough booze to sink a tanker made for a rough Sunday AND Monday. That's right, TWO-day hangover.
On the trip down to the rented house, my brother and I started talking about my quick-trigger decision to enter a 5K. He started talking to me about the best way to get ready for one and I sat, intently listening. It seems so rudimentary, and honestly I'm not sure why it was such a revelation to me, but he said I needed to get on the treadmill...AND WALK 5K!!! Is it possible I've become stupid as I've gotten up there in age?
He told me the best plan of action was to walk at a speed of around 3.3 and an incline of two for a couple of weeks to get the distance down. Most treadmills at the gym only let you go for 60 minutes and that speed would ensure that I could get 5 kms in before my time ran out. He said once I was used to that speed, that I should increase it by a little each time so I can get up to a faster time and perhaps start running. I thought, yeah, let's just make sure I don't die at the 3.3 for an hour first!!
I awoke today, hangover completely in the rear-view mirror and was off to the gym to give my new adventure a whirl. I found my iPod, after having to tear the house apart for a few minutes, and away I went. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice to say I went 3.19 miles in 58:21, which works out to 5.13 kms. I did it and I lived to tell about. There is nothing more exciting than doing things you could never imagine accomplishing. I look forward to breaking the next barrier....and the next one after that. Who's with me?!?!
Let's just say I have some "dealing with" to do!! A couple of KFC buckets - quick sidebar..that stuff's gross!! I have no idea how I used to eat it, and don't get it twisted I ate the hell out of those buckets, but it does awful things to your body chemistry.....we'll stop there - and enough booze to sink a tanker made for a rough Sunday AND Monday. That's right, TWO-day hangover.
On the trip down to the rented house, my brother and I started talking about my quick-trigger decision to enter a 5K. He started talking to me about the best way to get ready for one and I sat, intently listening. It seems so rudimentary, and honestly I'm not sure why it was such a revelation to me, but he said I needed to get on the treadmill...AND WALK 5K!!! Is it possible I've become stupid as I've gotten up there in age?
He told me the best plan of action was to walk at a speed of around 3.3 and an incline of two for a couple of weeks to get the distance down. Most treadmills at the gym only let you go for 60 minutes and that speed would ensure that I could get 5 kms in before my time ran out. He said once I was used to that speed, that I should increase it by a little each time so I can get up to a faster time and perhaps start running. I thought, yeah, let's just make sure I don't die at the 3.3 for an hour first!!
I awoke today, hangover completely in the rear-view mirror and was off to the gym to give my new adventure a whirl. I found my iPod, after having to tear the house apart for a few minutes, and away I went. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice to say I went 3.19 miles in 58:21, which works out to 5.13 kms. I did it and I lived to tell about. There is nothing more exciting than doing things you could never imagine accomplishing. I look forward to breaking the next barrier....and the next one after that. Who's with me?!?!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A Little Fun in the...Cold?
As most of you know, I missed two Guy's Weekends - technically only one, but going to the cottage and not having booze is considered a miss in my books!! - in the fall while I was on OptiFast. I didn't regret my decisions as I knew there would be many more in my future....like this upcoming weekend!!
The guys in my Fantasy Football League are renting a house in Niagara Falls for a couple of days and I couldn't be more excited. I have no illusions about what these two days will bring, and mostly, I'm not concerned. I can't drink as much as I used to - being a smaller guy just keeps getting better and better - so the all day drinking binges will be a thing of the past, but that too is probably a good thing.
No class for me today as I have not been feeling well the past couple of days and decided to stay home. I did go to the gym to sweat some stuff out and was able to jump on the scale there and am down a couple of lbs at 337. It feels good to be going in the right direction again, and even though this weekend will put a damper in next week's positive number, I think I will be able sleep.
I am in the process of thinking, THINKING, about entering some kind of 5k. I am working my way to that distance on the treadmill - hit about 3k today - and would love to hear any advice anyone has. I assume I can walk in these things - I'm not at the running stage yet - but I don't have a clue what to do. Look forward to hearing all your stories and gleaming some info for my next adventure.
The guys in my Fantasy Football League are renting a house in Niagara Falls for a couple of days and I couldn't be more excited. I have no illusions about what these two days will bring, and mostly, I'm not concerned. I can't drink as much as I used to - being a smaller guy just keeps getting better and better - so the all day drinking binges will be a thing of the past, but that too is probably a good thing.
No class for me today as I have not been feeling well the past couple of days and decided to stay home. I did go to the gym to sweat some stuff out and was able to jump on the scale there and am down a couple of lbs at 337. It feels good to be going in the right direction again, and even though this weekend will put a damper in next week's positive number, I think I will be able sleep.
I am in the process of thinking, THINKING, about entering some kind of 5k. I am working my way to that distance on the treadmill - hit about 3k today - and would love to hear any advice anyone has. I assume I can walk in these things - I'm not at the running stage yet - but I don't have a clue what to do. Look forward to hearing all your stories and gleaming some info for my next adventure.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Nothing to Say
When this whole journey began, it seemed like there was so much to talk about. It was easy, because everything was so new. There was 12 weeks of no food and all it's effects. There was the descending weight number and new realizations at the gym. Now I'm at a point when most of this stuff is old-hat. I found turkey pepperoni to use for mini-pizzas (less fat, cals, and most of the important numbers...and IT'S GOOD) but a whole blog entry on that will have you running to the next blog screaming "Russ has jumped the shark!!!"
I wanted to try and keep up with at least two entries per week and I thought today would be a great day to ask you guys what you're going to do for yourself this year. Most of you don't need to lose weight - all my regular lady readers are beautiful....yeah, I'm pandering!! - but there is something you want to do. I've always thought New Year's resolutions are lame and unrealistic. My belief is you need to be comfortable in your own skin before you can even think about changes you want to make.
Deciding to make a change is no easy task. I've gone to the gym twice this week and noticed quite a few more people in there than three weeks ago. I've always wanted to lose weight, even knew I had to lose it, but the motivation was pretty low. Whatever change you decide to tackle, understand what's involved. Many of those extra people I've seen at the gym will fall off, never to be seen again. Some of those people will stay, and their commitment will help them reach the goal they set-out for themselves.
I guess the question becomes, why did one person succeed, and the others will fail? Looking at my own situation, and my small measure of success, the only answer I can come up with is it had to come from within me. Whatever change I wanted to bring about, in this case weight-loss, it had to be because I want this change and it isn't for someone else. There will always be a nice by-product that my change will positively effect those around me, but if someone else was pushing me to do this, I would have failed.
One of the benifits of writing this blog has been different people confiding in me about their difficult journeys. I've had people tell me how they've tried and tried to lose weight, but it doesn't work for them. They want to join the program because it worked for me. The advice I try and give them is summed up above; there is no magic elixir. Whatever your change you want to make, I hope it's for the right reasons and you make sure you get the right info....but first, enjoy where you are now!!
I wanted to try and keep up with at least two entries per week and I thought today would be a great day to ask you guys what you're going to do for yourself this year. Most of you don't need to lose weight - all my regular lady readers are beautiful....yeah, I'm pandering!! - but there is something you want to do. I've always thought New Year's resolutions are lame and unrealistic. My belief is you need to be comfortable in your own skin before you can even think about changes you want to make.
Deciding to make a change is no easy task. I've gone to the gym twice this week and noticed quite a few more people in there than three weeks ago. I've always wanted to lose weight, even knew I had to lose it, but the motivation was pretty low. Whatever change you decide to tackle, understand what's involved. Many of those extra people I've seen at the gym will fall off, never to be seen again. Some of those people will stay, and their commitment will help them reach the goal they set-out for themselves.
I guess the question becomes, why did one person succeed, and the others will fail? Looking at my own situation, and my small measure of success, the only answer I can come up with is it had to come from within me. Whatever change I wanted to bring about, in this case weight-loss, it had to be because I want this change and it isn't for someone else. There will always be a nice by-product that my change will positively effect those around me, but if someone else was pushing me to do this, I would have failed.
One of the benifits of writing this blog has been different people confiding in me about their difficult journeys. I've had people tell me how they've tried and tried to lose weight, but it doesn't work for them. They want to join the program because it worked for me. The advice I try and give them is summed up above; there is no magic elixir. Whatever your change you want to make, I hope it's for the right reasons and you make sure you get the right info....but first, enjoy where you are now!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
One-in-a-Row
Back to the grind, which means back to Tuesday classes at the Bariatric Clinic. They were closed last week and I didn't make it down there the week before, so it's been awhile since I was there. Before waking up today, I really feared going in, and in fact was going to skip. During the holidays I did my best Viking impersonation and ate everything in site. My new favourite was a caramel dip for apples which could also be called Poison in a Tupperware container. Cream cheese, caramel and Skor bars broken up because it wasn't fattening enough!!
When I woke up today, my plan was to go to my work appointment, then off to class. My appointment was canceled so in that moment I made the quick decision to head to the gym. I haven't been there in some time and was thankful that I remembered how to get there. I felt great after making what I felt was my first good choice in two weeks. A nice healthy breakfast and lunch and I was back on track.
On my way to the General, I went through the emotions that are involved in the realization that I was going on the scale and it would be awful. I was sure with my myriad of bad choices that I had gained at least six lbs. When I showed up our nutritionist Vanessa was waiting for us in the hall. She asked me how I did and I let loose with some serious verbal diarrhea. She stopped me before my head exploded and said let's hit the scale.
Off she went to get my chart, so I waited for her in our weigh-in room. I was anxious, but not to the point where I hated myself. When Vanessa came in I was ready to take my medicine, and on the scale I went. As the numbers starting appearing, I could barely look at it. Finally, after what felt like 15 minutes, I looked and saw the results....I lost a 1/2 lb.
Vanessa laughed at me..laughed!!! We sat down and she again asked me about my last couple of weeks. As it turns out I had used some of the things I was taught, some of the time. I have talked a lot about how my mindset has changed in the last four months, but I also realized how far I still have to go. I concentrated so much on my failures, that I never stopped to recognize my successes. While I'm that thrilled about some of the food choices - Poison in a Tupperware container not withstanding!! - I know that I made enough good ones to maintain my before Christmas weight, and that makes me happy....ish!!
When I woke up today, my plan was to go to my work appointment, then off to class. My appointment was canceled so in that moment I made the quick decision to head to the gym. I haven't been there in some time and was thankful that I remembered how to get there. I felt great after making what I felt was my first good choice in two weeks. A nice healthy breakfast and lunch and I was back on track.
On my way to the General, I went through the emotions that are involved in the realization that I was going on the scale and it would be awful. I was sure with my myriad of bad choices that I had gained at least six lbs. When I showed up our nutritionist Vanessa was waiting for us in the hall. She asked me how I did and I let loose with some serious verbal diarrhea. She stopped me before my head exploded and said let's hit the scale.
Off she went to get my chart, so I waited for her in our weigh-in room. I was anxious, but not to the point where I hated myself. When Vanessa came in I was ready to take my medicine, and on the scale I went. As the numbers starting appearing, I could barely look at it. Finally, after what felt like 15 minutes, I looked and saw the results....I lost a 1/2 lb.
Vanessa laughed at me..laughed!!! We sat down and she again asked me about my last couple of weeks. As it turns out I had used some of the things I was taught, some of the time. I have talked a lot about how my mindset has changed in the last four months, but I also realized how far I still have to go. I concentrated so much on my failures, that I never stopped to recognize my successes. While I'm that thrilled about some of the food choices - Poison in a Tupperware container not withstanding!! - I know that I made enough good ones to maintain my before Christmas weight, and that makes me happy....ish!!
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