I want to take some time to thank everyone who sent some words of encouragement. They definitely mean a lot to me. There seems to be an inner clash of the old Russ and new Russ, kind of like George Costanza and his world's colliding - although my clash is fat Russ and less fat Russ, but I get to put a really funny clip in here!! Everyday is a battle to make good decisions and following through feels like an impossible task, mostly because my focus has widened too much.
When I started the journey, by week 3 I realized that I had begun to see each shake as a small battle, and I would try and win that battle and not think about nine more weeks of four shakes per day. It was a daunting task and thinking about having almost 200 shakes left would have ended me right there. Now that I'm back on food, I am spending way too much time thinking about the next six months instead of devoting all my energy into making a great dinner choice. I'm not the greatest planner - in contrast my wife has filled TWO notebook pads with multiple itineraries for our trip to Florida....of course it will be fun!! On May 9th, from 3:46-5:18 miscellaneous fun is penciled in....I'm only half-kidding by the way; she's crazy!! - so being that far ahead completely messes me up, so back to the basics for me.
As you no doubt are aware - and if I am breaking new ground here, you are screwed!! - Valentines day is Monday. As a man who will be married for 16 years in May these are always tricky days. My wife and I rarely buy presents for each other anymore - mostly because I am awesome at it, and her, not so much!! - but we are going to head to see a movie on Tuesday in the afternoon while the kids are at school.
As one of the driving forces behind my desire to lose weight, there-by living a longer, healthier life, my wife has been in my corner from Day One. With subtle reminders and small admonishments, her love and support have been front and centre in my race to a new (old) me. Sometimes it may seem like I am not the most appreciative guy in the world. Also, I am pretty sure that I have given her the greatest gift I could ever think of - I DO NOT SNORE ANYMORE!!! Top that.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Hiding in Plain Sight
There was a time, not that long ago, when I thought drinking the OptiFast shakes for 12 weeks was going to be the hardest thing I would ever do. I was starting a program that would require discipline and perseverance that I hadn't shown in over 20 years. For those 12 weeks, I continually surprised myself by making it through each day. I had tremendous results and began to see myself in a different light. There was no better feeling than putting in a full effort and being successful.
Which brings me to today. For the past two months I haven't lost any weight; in fact I've gained about six lbs back. Coming back to food is now officially the hardest thing I will ever do - until the next hardest thing I will ever do - and there is no easy answers. I have all the knowledge I could ever need but my problem is I am not always putting it to use.
My mental state is significantly better than it was in August so I truly believe that with some renewed effort I can get back on track. All my major motivators are still intact and I have all the proof that I can do what needs to be done. This blog started as a way for me to tell my friends that I was taking my health serious for the first time in a very long time. It blossomed into an honest account of how things went for me on a per-week basis. No matter what happened I always wanted to be up front with everything that was going on.
So I write to you all today to say that my struggle has become considerably more difficult. By no means am I giving up or going to offer any excuses. I can do better and the only way for it to happen is through a concerted effort. Everyday, every meal, is another opportunity to go where I want to go. I have never had any illusions about giving up everything I like; I have always been honest about that. Now is the time to go with a little more moderation, a little more exercise, and a lot more motivation.
Which brings me to today. For the past two months I haven't lost any weight; in fact I've gained about six lbs back. Coming back to food is now officially the hardest thing I will ever do - until the next hardest thing I will ever do - and there is no easy answers. I have all the knowledge I could ever need but my problem is I am not always putting it to use.
My mental state is significantly better than it was in August so I truly believe that with some renewed effort I can get back on track. All my major motivators are still intact and I have all the proof that I can do what needs to be done. This blog started as a way for me to tell my friends that I was taking my health serious for the first time in a very long time. It blossomed into an honest account of how things went for me on a per-week basis. No matter what happened I always wanted to be up front with everything that was going on.
So I write to you all today to say that my struggle has become considerably more difficult. By no means am I giving up or going to offer any excuses. I can do better and the only way for it to happen is through a concerted effort. Everyday, every meal, is another opportunity to go where I want to go. I have never had any illusions about giving up everything I like; I have always been honest about that. Now is the time to go with a little more moderation, a little more exercise, and a lot more motivation.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Snow Day and No Food
My life isn't completely consumed with losing weight. I go to work and ferry my kids all over the place just like everyone else. Fitting in all the new changes has required some extra work on my part. For that matter my family as well. There are days when a quick trip for fast food would speed the process of getting to two different arenas - and don't get confused, it still happens some of the time - but we are trying to use the slow cooker more often.
As a family, we are not great planners and this lack of planning is what is our undoing. Shopping to a meal plan will always mean that there will be something nutritious to eat. When we do this right it is a healthy eating day; when we don't, well, we hunt for the pizza menus!!
Which brings me to today. As most of you know, we received a decent amount of snow in Hamilton today. The street we live on won't snow a snow plow for at least two days so getting out of our driveway will be a challenge. As we did not do any grocery shopping this week, it will be a day filled with fending for yourself. Ang and I made our way down to the freezer to do some hunting but it was a bit sketchy; although, Ang was able to procure a chocolate Easter bunny!!
Obviously there is no way I'm making it to the gym so shoveling the drive-way will have to do....seeing as I'll probably be doing it more than once, my arms should be sufficiently "Popeye'd" by the end of the day. I wonder how many times you have to walk to the end of the driveway to constitute 5k.....yeah, that's probably unrealistic.
As a family, we are not great planners and this lack of planning is what is our undoing. Shopping to a meal plan will always mean that there will be something nutritious to eat. When we do this right it is a healthy eating day; when we don't, well, we hunt for the pizza menus!!
Which brings me to today. As most of you know, we received a decent amount of snow in Hamilton today. The street we live on won't snow a snow plow for at least two days so getting out of our driveway will be a challenge. As we did not do any grocery shopping this week, it will be a day filled with fending for yourself. Ang and I made our way down to the freezer to do some hunting but it was a bit sketchy; although, Ang was able to procure a chocolate Easter bunny!!
Obviously there is no way I'm making it to the gym so shoveling the drive-way will have to do....seeing as I'll probably be doing it more than once, my arms should be sufficiently "Popeye'd" by the end of the day. I wonder how many times you have to walk to the end of the driveway to constitute 5k.....yeah, that's probably unrealistic.
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