Saturday December 18th 2010

Pretty much the whole week was a wash. I was lazy and did not do anything.I know this is going to hurt my progress, but I just decided not to do anything.

Enough about the week of lost work on to my Saturday. I was suppose to wake up and go running, but I could not wake up. So, I did some work on the side job. Later, that night Mike and his family came over for a little Christmas dinner. They brought a pumpkin pie, but forgot the whip cream. So, I figure Mike and I should go to the store and pick some up. I thought about taking the car, but Mike had other plans. He went to the restroom and came out dressed ready to run. I did not want to go for a run. I took a week off. this was not the way to jump back on the wagon, but I got dressed and we headed out. The run was fine until we hit Buckner Rd. There was not any room to run on the side of the street, so every time a car was headed towards us we had to get over into the grass. We we finally got to a point were we could run on the street and I was exhausted. Now I am regretting that week off. WE get closer to the light at 31 and I make a suggestion to get the Whip cream from the gas station on the corner, but Mike does not want to spend $2 more at the gas station versus Kroger, so we keep moving. We hit the light and sprint across the intersection so we catch the green light. We make it to Kroger and get what we need and head back to the house. At this time, I hated Mike, well I guess I hated myself, because this run would not have been so bad, if  I did not take that week off. As we hit the area where we run in the grass I am dead tired. My legs just want to give out on me, but we keep tracking forward through the grass. At this point my foot gets caught in a hole and I go down. I didn't hurt anything, but I just jarred my joints. Thank baby Jesus that we were close to my street. Once we hit the Sutherland, we decided to run form the entrance to my house. I pushed through it and made it to the house. It was a good(horrible) run, I haven't felt that bad in a while, but I am glad we did it. It put me back on track, but I still hated it.

Thanks, Mike!!!

Friday December 10, 2010

Nov 12 = 345
Nov 26 = 342.8 (-2.2)
November Total = 2.2

Dec 10 = 340.2 (-2.6)

Total loss so far  = 4.8

This morning, I tried my best to sleep in until I had to go to work, but I just could not do it. After, my conversation with my wife last night I could not make excuses for not doing what I need to do. I am a lazy sob, if I can find an excuse to get out of exercising I will, but this attitude has to change. Last, night my wife and I had a a talk about the 5K, the fact that we have about 22 days left until the big event and how I have been putting off running and trying to get out of eating right. Today, I need to turn over a new leaf and start motivating myself. So, I got up this morning at 7 and hit the road. It was pretty hard to get out there in the cold, but I did complete my run. Another couch to 5K run done. Day 2 down.

Distance: 1.98 miles
Time: 32:22
Pace 16'16'' per mile

Monday November 6, 2010

Today, I slept in so I was not able to run this morning. I did go during lunch. I am so glad I did not go run this morning. It was way to cold at 12 in the afternoon. If I had gone out this morning, I might have not made it the full 30 minutes. Boy, it was cold, but i finished my 1st day of the couch to 5K app.  I need to pick up the pace on the walking or running portions of this app. I am going to try and go for day 2 on Wednesday. Hopefully, I can get my pace down a little lower.

Distance 1.86 miles
Time 30:52
Pace 16'31''

Saturday December 04, 2010

Today, Mike called me at 9:00 am to see what was going on today. I think he sometimes forgets that people don't wake up early on Saturdays. Oh well, Since, I was up I decided to take a 30 minute walk just to wake myself up and get my day started. It was a simple walk, so nothing exciting to report.

Later on in the day. Mike called and we decided to hit the rec center again for some more swimming. We get to the rec and jump in the pool. We decide to swim for 40 minutes. I start doing laps with the breaststroke/backstroke routine. After 20 minutes it was all breaststroke, until my shoulders start to fatigue and I loss my rhythm. After another 20 minutes pass, Mike asks how many laps I have done. I believe I was at 9 or 10 at this time. So, Mike decided I was going to hit 16 laps(.5 miles). Man, I just wanted to punch him. I was tired, the 40 mins had come and gone. Now, I just wanted to leave, but I mustered up some more energy and finished out my 16 laps. Mike was stoked about the half mile I just completed. He was kinda disappointed when I was not as excited. I don't know why I am not excited, I should be. It is a pretty big accomplishment for me to swim that long and that far. I guess I am a little like Eeyore. I am not gloomy or anything, but I just don't get excited about a lot of stuff. I guess sometimes I am to hard on myself.  After, we finished our swim we hit the weights and burned through a few chest exercises. Now, my chest, arms and shoulders are shot. Good Day!

On January 1st, Mike, his wife, Me and My wife will participate in the Resolution Run 2011 5K. If anyone would like to join in the New Year fun, please come out and join us. 

Tuesday November 30, 2010

Yesterday, Mike called and asked if I wanted to hit the Rec Center for a swim today. I agreed with some hesitation, because I've never swam for the purpose of working out. So, Mike gets to the house at 5:30 am and surprisingly I am up and ready to go. We get to the rec center, get changed and get in the pool. We start on our first lap and I remember why I have never added swimming to my workout routine. I really can't swim and I look like a wounded dolphin. I go down to one end of the pool and back. As soon as I get back I see Mike talking to the life guard Kirsten and she suggested I/we try to use the kick boards to try and work on our kicking mechanics. Well, that did not work so well. It was very frustrating, because no matter how hard I kicked I did not go anywhere. I muddled through trying the kick board. I really hopped I was not going to have to do this much longer. I was correct! Kirsten, said the kick board might not be for me, so she suggested the "breast stroke". It worked much better then the kick board. After a few laps with the breaststroke, Kirsten then suggested that I also incorporate a backstroke, until I was able to get my breathing under control. I started doing the breaststroke down and then the backstroke up. After 1hr of swimming, I was done. My body was exhausted. So, We finished up, thanked Kirsten, and headed home.

The swim felt good, glad we can add something else to the workout routine to give my news a rest.

Thanks again to Kirsten and the other Lifeguard on duty at the Longview Rec Center this morning for the tips and pointers.      
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Monday November 29, 2010

Nov12 = 345
Nov 26 = 342.8 (-2.2)
November Total = 2.2

Total loss so far  = 2.2

I did not work out today, but Mike and I decided to keep track of our Caloric intake for a few days. Also, I had to add my weight.
Breakfast:
1. Banana and Blueberry Smoothie 1 serving
   - Ingredients: 1/2 Banana; 1/2 cup Blueberry; Tofu; 1/2 cup skim milk
     Calories: 204.1  Total Fat: 7.2g  Dietary Fiber: 4.7g  Protein: 13.2g
 2. Two Eggs (scrambled); 1 piece of Colby Cheese
    - Calories: 260.7  Total Fat: 19.1g  Dietary Fiber: 0.0g  Protein: 19.2g
Breakfast Total:
       Calories: 464.8  Total Fat: 26.3g  Dietary Fiber: 4.7g  Protein: 32.4g
Lunch: Wendy's
1.  Bacon Deluxe Single
    Calories: 650  Total Fat: 37.0g  Dietary Fiber: 2.0g  Protein: 34.0g
2. Large French Fries
   Calories: 520  Total Fat: 25.0g  Dietary Fiber: 7.0g  Protein: 6.0g
3. 5-piece Spicy Chicken Nuggets
   Calories: 230  Total Fat: 15.0g  Dietary Fiber: 1.0g  Protein: 10.0g 

Lunch Total:
       Calories: 1400  Total Fat: 77.0g  Dietary Fiber: 10.0g  Protein: 50.0g
Dinner:
1. Baked Barley Casserole with Mushrooms and Squash
( If you want recipe let me know, it was delicious) Serving Size 8 oz.
  - Calories: 232  Total Fat: 6.0g  Dietary Fiber: 7.0g  Protein: 7.0g
Days Total:
Calories: 1892.7  Total Fat: 109.3g  Dietary Fiber: 21.7g  Protein: 89.4g

Saturday November 27, 2010

The wife and I went over to Mike's again for dinner and a workout. Since my knees have been sore since the last workout we decided to do a little P90X yoga. I've done this workout before, but I totally forgot how hard of a workout this program offers. Needless to say I muddled and fumbled my way into the poses. There were a few moves that were pretty much impossible, but I pushed through and did my best. Before the first break I was pretty trenched in sweat. After the cardio section of the workout, it went into the balance poses. There was a slight break in the pace and the sweating. I thought I was free and clear.  The hard part was behind me know, but I totally forgot about the extra ab workout at the end of this little yoga experience. As we worked through the ab workout, my stomach muscles were burning and quivering. I am pretty sure I have not done a crunch or anything that resembles a crunch in a long time (unless you count getting out of bed or off the couch.). After the disc was done, I could barely get off the floor. Nothing really was sore, but I was just plum tired. I was able to go to sleep fairly quickly that night, but boy when I woke up Sunday, I was sore in places I didn't even know I had muscle.

I guess that's a sign of a good workout. One more day down. Lets see what this week brings!! 

Wednesday November 24, 2010

So, Tuesday Mike Calls and asks if I want to have Thanksgiving dinner with his Family on Wednesday. I totally was in for some extra turkey. After saying yes to the more Turkey question, he decided to inform me that I would be running the farthest I have run since this little journey started. After hearing that I pretty much was like F&%$ some turkey, but I said yes.(If I had said no I probably would have never lived it down, and in the long run this is for me. My health, My Life).

My wife and I arrive at his house ready to go. So, as the girls get ready; Mike and I set out on our run. The first piece is totally downhill. Moving 300lbs downhill is no problem, moving it down hill under control was some what hard on the old knees. We make it pass the first mile and then we get to the track where the bulk of my run will take place. We stretch and then start our timers. The first part of the run goes well, the middle part not so much. My left knee starts to get fatigues and slightly bulks. We slow down to a walk and start discussing some of he reasons I have not been able to achieve or continue working towards my weight loss goals. We talked of my fear of failure as the reason I just don't start things, because if you don't start or do anything; how can you fail. As these words come out of my mouth Mike turns to me and says something to the effect of "If you are not doing anything to make yourself healthier then you are failing." Those words made me start to think about how this weight effects my life and how me not trying or putting of losing the weight makes me a failure. At that moment I decided I will not fail at this task.I can not, this has to be for my family and my future. Once those thoughts went through my head, we slowly picked up the pace. There was still some walking, but the pace did pick up. Towards the end of the run Mike proceeds to drop is water bottle and the looks at me and says" Oh man I dropped my water bottle, we have to go pick t up, but I can't go backwards. Well, I had a few choices words for him, but I pushed on and we completed one more lap on the track and then we headed back to the house.

Distance 4.5 miles
Time: 1:08:23
Pace: 16'41" per mile
Calories burned: 1,092     

Monday November 22, 2010

This evening my wife came home and decided we should go to out for a run. The run started out fine, we started this couch to 5K app. She told me that we would have to run 30 secs and then walk 90 secs. In my head I thought "that sounds pretty good". Well, towards the middle of the workout I was dying. There was no way these 30 second intervals was 30 secs. I just stopped in the middle of one of the so called 30 sec intervals. My wife looked at me and said "Come on lets finish it". Then she threatened to leave me in the middle road and lock me out of the house. So, I decided to finish the run. You know your wife loves you if she threatens to lock you outside the house if you don't finish your run. 

Oh yeah by the way the program was 60 seconds run and 90 seconds walk. You might think wow that sounds easy, but just think if you had 345lbs strapped to you. Another day down. I have to start doing this blog thing more then just once or twice a week.   

Week 1

Well, I don’t really know where to start. I have not kept up with the blogging as well as I should have, but I will try to update more often.

Monday 11/15 – I was still getting over the bug I had, so I was not feeling up to doing a workout of any kind. Also, while I was done with the stomach bug, I think I pulled something in my back. Awesome, huh? Once one thing is over something else pops up. Well, they didn’t say this would be easy!

Tuesday 11/16 – Back was still tight. Did some light stretching to try and loosing up some, but other then that I took it easy. Probably should have gone for a walk or something. Feel like I wasted a good day.

Wednesday 11/17 – In the AM I did some light stretching and then I tried to do some yoga in the PM with the wife. Have you ever witnessed a 345 lb man do yoga? It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but I got to admit I am pretty graceful. Um take that back, my downward dog is not something to be admired. On a good note, the yoga did kind of help my back. It was not as tight the next day.

Thursday 11/18 – Mike texted me on Wednesday to see if I wanted to go for a run this evening, I reluctantly said yes. I totally did not want to go for a run. Heck, I did not want to do anything remotely resembling exercise. It’s funny how things change. I use to love working out, but I guess then I was working towards a more tangible goal. I worked out to be better every Friday night. Now, I work out to be better in life in general and I guess I just can’t see the big picture. The journey just seems too long, but I am going to stick to this path and see where it takes. I want to be that person who likes to exercise and get moving as much as possible. I guess I am going to have to chop this journey into smaller pieces and mike mini-milestones.

Anyways, let’s get back on topic. So, I went to Mike’s house and surprising I was early. Mike was not even home yet.  I guess my mind was thinking “if I had to do it, I might as well get it over with”. I was ready to go when I got to his house, but once he got home and dressed to go run, I totally was not feeling it. But you can not go to someone’s house to go run and then tell them you do not feel like running. So, off we went. It was not a terrible running/walk, but it just did not feel like the first time, but I figure every day will not be a good day, just keep you head down and push through it. Even though I did not feel like running, I did log my best mile. There’s the silver lining. It was an uneventful run. We ran, walked, and talked.

Distance: 2.67 miles

Time: 40:48

Pace 15’32’’

Total Distance for the week: 8.95 miles

Best Mile: 15’38’’         

I am tired, sore and my lower back hurts. Hopefully Next week I will have fewer problems next week. All in all I feel the week went well. I did not push myself to hard, but I could have done a few more days of walking, yoga, or P90X. So, next week I will try to do more.

Wish Me luck!

Sick Day!

Well, I was going to get up, eat a healthy breakfast, and go for a quick walk. Sometimes things do not go as planned. I woke up and could not keep anything down, so I decided to scrape the plans today and just take it easy. I hate feeling sick, especially with stomach issues. I hope it is just a 24 hour thing or something. I need to be able to hit the pavement again tomorrow. So, as of right now I haven't had anything to eat since this morning, but I have been sipping on ginger ale. aagggghhhhh, I hope I feel better sooner, rather then later. 

1st & 2nd Run

Friday November 12^th 2010

Weight: 345

Man, this day started early. I believe Mike was at my house at 6 or 630. I totally did not want to get up, especially to go for a run. After getting dressed and eating a banana we were off. The run/walk was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, we took it pretty easy. During the run we talked about goal setting and where I want to be in life. On the goal setting side of the house, I am slowly coming up with that answer. “Where do I want to be in life (pertaining to Health)? That’s a good question, I’ve really never thought realistically about this question. You get a total in your head, but you never plan on how to get to that number. So I have some work to do. I need to figure out my goals and where I would like to be (specifically).

Well, enough of the mind stuff, lets get to the physical. The run was not to bad, but there was a hill or two where mike decided to give me a pep talk up the hills, but you know what, I so wanted to stop and chop him in his throat, but I am glad he pushed me up the hills, because it showed that I can not things as long as I put my head down and keep pushing. It’s always a mental game. There were so many times my legs were burning and scream for me to stop, but my little Jimmy the Cricket (aka Mike), continued to say “You can do it”; Don’t stop!”. We finally finished our run/jog/walk. My stats or below:

Distance 3.40 miles

Time 54:14

Pace 15’54’’ per mile

Saturday November 13^th 2010

Woke up early again, and Mike and I went for a pretty quick easy run. Just to loosen up the tight muscles. The start of the run was hard, since every muscle in my legs were hurting. I pushed through the pain and everything started to feel much better. There was not much to report today. We finished our run and did some stretching. Stats are below:

Distance 1.78 miles

Time 29:07

Pace 16’16” per mile

I had a little slip up today. The wife and I went to Burger King for dinner. I guess I need to step up an start cooking dinner, when the wife does not feel like cooking.           

Thus it Begins

My name is William and I am overweight! My goal is to eat right, workout and get down to a healthy weight. I am hoping that this blog will help keep me on track and accountable for my actions. If that doesn’t work I’ve got MIKE!

To give a little background to this saga, I have been unsuccessfully trying to lose weight pretty much all my adulthood. I’ve tried every fad diet and site. I’ve counted the points, cut back on this and cut back on that. Um, let me be honest. I have started all that, but a week into I feel I deserve award; I then fall back two weeks. I continually tell myself I will start on Monday. Tomorrow must be Monday, because Mike will be coming over bright and early to help me jump start the rest of my long healthy life.

You can follow Mike’s blog at http://losingitwithmike.blogspot.com/  

As I sit here writing this entry, I come with a mixed bag of emotions, I feel nervous and excited by this new journey, well an old journey that I have never quite been able to finish. I am excited because I have a friend who will push me through it everyday, but I am nervous because I have a friend who WILL push me through it everyday.