The last few weeks, I have been doing the cross fit level 1 exercises, as I have already mentioned. Today was rough as I had to run a mile and every minute do 10 pushups. I have found that my legs were still really aching from the 100 air squats I did the day before, so my workout today was cut short when I started getting dizzy after getting off the ground from doing my 6th set of 10 pushups. I went into this knowing that the exercises were going to be a challenge and try real hard to not stop them at first discomfort, pushing through until there is a real sign of minor body distress. My upper legs are achy as all get out, but in that "man that was really work" sort of feeling, not the "Oh shit I screwed up" sort of way.
A couple of big observations I established this week were the following:
1: My appetite has lessened.
This threw me for a loop as I tend to not miss meals unless I am totally preoccupied with something. Last night I arrived at home and packed up my lunch for today out of last night's dinner. Yet there was no pull for me to actually have some. This didn't strike me as odd last night, however this morning when my wife got something for breakfast I realized I still was not hungry and it was past 12 hours since I had last eaten. I was the informed that the body goes through a intermittent fasting from time to time to actually process body fat, during these times, there is no requirement for food because you are actually getting energy from stored fat. On some scale, I knew this happens but to actually have it happen was mind blowing to me.
2: Clearer thinking.
The last 48 hours especially have been exciting for me when it comes to this. I feel that I am participating once again in the world. Questions have been coming up that I want answered and answer to questions from friends and family have been more than just a 2 or3 word reply. I am feeling more connected with the topics that I read and respond to. There was a time when I was younger and a part of the BBS scene back in the 80's where my posts and responses to topics were very verbose. I had a lot to say and I had good points and strong opinions. I feel that this is finally coming back to me. My imagination has been opening up as well and the desire to write is fluttering on the outskirts of need, creative writing that is, not just journal writing.
As time goes on, I know that more and more discoveries will present themselves. As they are found, they will be documented to the best of my abilities. Funny, I thought that the only exciting thing about this would be losing weight and maybe gaining a bit of strength back. Apparently there is a lot more to this than I have originally believed.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Hashing and Cross fit
I am and have been working towards a better me. As has been stated I have been on the primal diet full time since September and last week I stated doing a level 1 cross fit challenge for 30 days. At this point I still do not have any numbers on my 400 lbs home scale, however changes are still happening at a constant rate. My belt that I use is just about useless. I am on the last belt hole and it isn't as snug as I am comfortable with. Not quite to the point of pants falling off, yet I feel that I am literally weeks away from that. I am noticing small body changes in the way that my stomach and legs are reshaping. It's quite weird to find divots where fat nodules have shrunk down faster than the surrounding areas and there is no pain associated with it as it is a normal process. I am fitting better in to public places such as restaurant booths and chairs with arms on it. They are snug but not uncomfortable. I am tempted to do a couple sets of pictures to compare them to my before set and see if I can see a noticeable difference or not. The other thing that struck me as different today was my cognition in writing and replying to posts I found online. Usually I am good for maybe a sentence or two, but today I was writing paragraphs in reply that spawned off further conversations. It was rather exciting and enjoyable.
My next goal in the next few weeks to to get out to walking again. The cross fit training is stretching and toning the muscles that I will be using for walking, unlike when I was in Florida where I was simply walking at work during lunch time. Lunge steps, air squats and jogging in a circle in my basement for timed miles have been a large part of what I have been working with, my leg muscles are sore but not overly so. I am keeping an eye on how my body is responding to the exercise, I don't want to blow out a knee because I overdid it by accident. Once I get back into the walking stride, I will be posting the results like I have been. My walking goal is simply to be able to participate in a hash trail. If you haven't heard of hashing, look it up in your area. Odds are, there is a hashing group running around that you can hookup with if you so desire. The quick way to describe it is that they are a drinking group with a running addiction. I have gone to two hash events, pimping both. At my second event I was dutifully named an appropriate/inappropriate name. If you want to know said name, ask me off-blog and I will gladly share it, if you dare want to know it that is. :) The hash trails run 3 to 7 miles in off road terrain and I live now in a mountainous area, so unless I want to actually hurt myself, I need to train up to it.
Overall, things are going steadily well, I will be a tad happier when I can weigh myself at home and get results. Patience, as always, is the key. It took time to put it on, it takes time to pull it off. I trust anyone reading this will take away that important point from this blog. Never let time get you down, just keep on keeping on and you will be ok.
My next goal in the next few weeks to to get out to walking again. The cross fit training is stretching and toning the muscles that I will be using for walking, unlike when I was in Florida where I was simply walking at work during lunch time. Lunge steps, air squats and jogging in a circle in my basement for timed miles have been a large part of what I have been working with, my leg muscles are sore but not overly so. I am keeping an eye on how my body is responding to the exercise, I don't want to blow out a knee because I overdid it by accident. Once I get back into the walking stride, I will be posting the results like I have been. My walking goal is simply to be able to participate in a hash trail. If you haven't heard of hashing, look it up in your area. Odds are, there is a hashing group running around that you can hookup with if you so desire. The quick way to describe it is that they are a drinking group with a running addiction. I have gone to two hash events, pimping both. At my second event I was dutifully named an appropriate/inappropriate name. If you want to know said name, ask me off-blog and I will gladly share it, if you dare want to know it that is. :) The hash trails run 3 to 7 miles in off road terrain and I live now in a mountainous area, so unless I want to actually hurt myself, I need to train up to it.
Overall, things are going steadily well, I will be a tad happier when I can weigh myself at home and get results. Patience, as always, is the key. It took time to put it on, it takes time to pull it off. I trust anyone reading this will take away that important point from this blog. Never let time get you down, just keep on keeping on and you will be ok.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Quick update
It has been a little while since I have posted here. There has been a lot of things going on and I wanted to get my head in the right direction before committing anything down to text.
Started doing the 30 day cross fit challenge this week. Just finished my day 4. My muscles hurt and ache, I can't do any strength poses such as planking or proper push ups or sit ups, however I try to do the best I can with what I have. My weight, at least check 4 weeks ago, was 426 lbs. My goal is to try and shed those pounds as best I can and get my home scale to tell me my weight.
Still have a lot on my mind, things I haven't dealt with or just put aside to deal with later are coming up and getting in my face. It makes writing, tricky. So for now, that is where I stand.
Started doing the 30 day cross fit challenge this week. Just finished my day 4. My muscles hurt and ache, I can't do any strength poses such as planking or proper push ups or sit ups, however I try to do the best I can with what I have. My weight, at least check 4 weeks ago, was 426 lbs. My goal is to try and shed those pounds as best I can and get my home scale to tell me my weight.
Still have a lot on my mind, things I haven't dealt with or just put aside to deal with later are coming up and getting in my face. It makes writing, tricky. So for now, that is where I stand.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Reaffirmation and other things
Having settled back in the Northern climate, I have immediately caught a nasal infection, joy of joys. This is only compounded to the fact that I use a CPAP machine at night to assist me with breathing due to severe sleep apnea.My CPAP mask is nasal only and due to my sinuses being blocked up, I was not getting any good sleep at all last night. I tried a few things that worked for 'maybe' an hour or so and then I couldn't breathe again. I got to thinking about why I decided to work on losing weight and get more healthy.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
A revisit and musings
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/117714982
Revisited the walk to and from the grocery store today. Found out that it was a very possible walk for me. The runkeeper link for today only shows from the Store back to home. Sadly the going "to" trip got cancelled somehow and so blah.
It seems that walking and kettle bell lifting cannot be done on the same day. Or if it is, walking first then kettle bell. Otherwise my muscles are all fatigued out. The only muscle that was giving me problems today was my right shin to calf muscle. I need to get new walking shoes as the ones I currently have are broken in too much now. The right foot on the right side of the shoe has no support anymore, my gait slides my foot to the right as impact and slides my foot off the sole of the shoe, the overcompensation is whats causing the muscles to get angry. It wasn't til the end of the return trip that I started going into muscle failure on my lower back and legs, which was about a half block from the house. Stamina is still something that I am working on.
I was forwarded a few inspirational stories today.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/i-lost-weight-jerome-biggars_n_1818760.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/suzi-walthall-i-lost-weight_n_1618833.html
Both speak of how long the actual weight loss took based on personal experiences and life choices. My only concern is that both of them had to go through a skin removal operation due to the excessive skin that was left over from the weight loss. Now I have been told that if the weight comes off gradually over a long period of time, your skin will adapt and shrink with you. The reasons that these people had to go through the surgery was due to the speed of which they lost the weight, one of which was through a Doctor monitored diet. My concern is that I will eventually need said surgery myself. I find a lot of these articles flippant when they state that they went through a medical procedure, where the fact of the matter is that the procedure for skin removal is considered a cosmetic surgery and is not covered under health insurance, not that I currently have any. My father went through a liquid diet that was Doctor monitored and he lost a bunch of weigh and had the excess skin but could not get it removed because they could not find a place that would do it under the insurance due to it being considered a cosmetic surgery. I feel that if my Dad had been able to get the surgery done, he would have kept the weight off, as it was I feel that the excess skin was a hard reminder of what was and was tantamount to making him binge eat again. I don't want to get caught in that trap.
If I end up losing the weight and getting healthy, I am hoping that the skin will get healthy right along with me. Otherwise there will be some sort of silly fund raiser to try and gather the money required for the procedure. I find it difficult that a skin removal operation is considered as frivolous as a face lift when in reality it is removing the physical and psychological monkey from a person who has known nothing else than being fat equates to being ugly and unacceptable to society.
Revisited the walk to and from the grocery store today. Found out that it was a very possible walk for me. The runkeeper link for today only shows from the Store back to home. Sadly the going "to" trip got cancelled somehow and so blah.
It seems that walking and kettle bell lifting cannot be done on the same day. Or if it is, walking first then kettle bell. Otherwise my muscles are all fatigued out. The only muscle that was giving me problems today was my right shin to calf muscle. I need to get new walking shoes as the ones I currently have are broken in too much now. The right foot on the right side of the shoe has no support anymore, my gait slides my foot to the right as impact and slides my foot off the sole of the shoe, the overcompensation is whats causing the muscles to get angry. It wasn't til the end of the return trip that I started going into muscle failure on my lower back and legs, which was about a half block from the house. Stamina is still something that I am working on.
I was forwarded a few inspirational stories today.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/i-lost-weight-jerome-biggars_n_1818760.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/suzi-walthall-i-lost-weight_n_1618833.html
Both speak of how long the actual weight loss took based on personal experiences and life choices. My only concern is that both of them had to go through a skin removal operation due to the excessive skin that was left over from the weight loss. Now I have been told that if the weight comes off gradually over a long period of time, your skin will adapt and shrink with you. The reasons that these people had to go through the surgery was due to the speed of which they lost the weight, one of which was through a Doctor monitored diet. My concern is that I will eventually need said surgery myself. I find a lot of these articles flippant when they state that they went through a medical procedure, where the fact of the matter is that the procedure for skin removal is considered a cosmetic surgery and is not covered under health insurance, not that I currently have any. My father went through a liquid diet that was Doctor monitored and he lost a bunch of weigh and had the excess skin but could not get it removed because they could not find a place that would do it under the insurance due to it being considered a cosmetic surgery. I feel that if my Dad had been able to get the surgery done, he would have kept the weight off, as it was I feel that the excess skin was a hard reminder of what was and was tantamount to making him binge eat again. I don't want to get caught in that trap.
If I end up losing the weight and getting healthy, I am hoping that the skin will get healthy right along with me. Otherwise there will be some sort of silly fund raiser to try and gather the money required for the procedure. I find it difficult that a skin removal operation is considered as frivolous as a face lift when in reality it is removing the physical and psychological monkey from a person who has known nothing else than being fat equates to being ugly and unacceptable to society.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Veryupset with my current state of being
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/116904323
So the house decided to walk to the grocery store which is about a mile away. I went along and wound up not being able to do it at all. I got 4/10 of a mile out and my lower back gave out on me. I couldn't keep my breath, and could not keep up at all.
I understand that everyone is concerned about me and all, but it really PISSES me off when I can't even simply keep up. I am in a "fuck it all" mood now because I failed. I hate failing, I hate it to it's core. Its not even a learning situation for me, it is a detriment to my very being. I should be better than this but I am not. I know its all emotional and most of the people I am around are logical, not emotional and all they are gonna say is "Only you can fix it." FUCK YOU! I am not telling you how I feel so that someone can fix it for me. I state it so you UNDERSTAND what I am going through. No shit "Only I can fix it", who the fuck else is going to. All you are doing by saying that to me is rubbing it in my face and implying that I am not doing a good enough job. Regardless if that was your intent. All I want is an OK that people understand, not a OK just to shut me up.
So the house decided to walk to the grocery store which is about a mile away. I went along and wound up not being able to do it at all. I got 4/10 of a mile out and my lower back gave out on me. I couldn't keep my breath, and could not keep up at all.
I understand that everyone is concerned about me and all, but it really PISSES me off when I can't even simply keep up. I am in a "fuck it all" mood now because I failed. I hate failing, I hate it to it's core. Its not even a learning situation for me, it is a detriment to my very being. I should be better than this but I am not. I know its all emotional and most of the people I am around are logical, not emotional and all they are gonna say is "Only you can fix it." FUCK YOU! I am not telling you how I feel so that someone can fix it for me. I state it so you UNDERSTAND what I am going through. No shit "Only I can fix it", who the fuck else is going to. All you are doing by saying that to me is rubbing it in my face and implying that I am not doing a good enough job. Regardless if that was your intent. All I want is an OK that people understand, not a OK just to shut me up.
Out with one and in with another
Writing, as it seems, is something I always seem to come back to, no matter what I do in life. Though I have not been writing much here, I have been on my trucking blog due to the fact that I was exercising my CDL right to drive commercially. Though things did not go as planned financially, hence why I am not writing there at the moment, they went horribly wrong when it came to my health and well being.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Need new shoes.... and a passport
Runkeeper Stats
Did good walk tonight but slightly overdid it. Right calf is complaining about the abuse I gave it today. To be fair, it has a proper argument. My shoes are in need of being replaced as they are beyond broken in and are simply ground protection with no support. My stride on the right foot has a distinct slide to the right that destroys the right wall of the shoe. So when walking, I am trying to flip my show on its side on a natural step and then the over compensation to prevent that from happening is what is causing the leg pain. It's been just about 11 months since I bought my current shoes and they have gone through a fair amount of abuse after I started walking.
So new footwear is a necessity, however the first thing I need to do is get my passport so I can go in and out of Canada. $55.00 has to be scrounged from somewhere to make this happen ASAP. This mysterious message is brought to you from one of my other journals. You will just have to figure out which one. Should be easy enough.
Did good walk tonight but slightly overdid it. Right calf is complaining about the abuse I gave it today. To be fair, it has a proper argument. My shoes are in need of being replaced as they are beyond broken in and are simply ground protection with no support. My stride on the right foot has a distinct slide to the right that destroys the right wall of the shoe. So when walking, I am trying to flip my show on its side on a natural step and then the over compensation to prevent that from happening is what is causing the leg pain. It's been just about 11 months since I bought my current shoes and they have gone through a fair amount of abuse after I started walking.
So new footwear is a necessity, however the first thing I need to do is get my passport so I can go in and out of Canada. $55.00 has to be scrounged from somewhere to make this happen ASAP. This mysterious message is brought to you from one of my other journals. You will just have to figure out which one. Should be easy enough.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Second non-stop walk. Trending?
Runkeeper Stats
Completed another no break walk today. Minor challenge was resisting the urge to take a break after hopping the gate to the main road. On weekends they close it to prevent people from cutting through our parking lot. I haven't even entertained the idea of trying to jog yet. Walking like I have the last couple days have been wearing me out, if I jogged, I might only be able to do a quarter mile which is not even leaving the parking lot. Still too much gut to try as far as I am concerned.
Had a big mental crash overnight. Possibly due to the amount of "high" I was on the previous 24 hours. Lots of self-doubt and internal questioning. Then today at work, our "On-Call" manager is starting to do his bad habits again because on of the Upper Management crew that was keeping him in check is not out on Maternity leave. So that got me somewhat pissed off simply because micro-managing irks me to no end. So I almost didn't even go out on the walk because I just didn't feel like it. Lunchtime came around and I went anyway, by the time I made it to the half mile mark, I hit my road buzz and negative emotions started to burn off. Its nice to see that the walking therapy is kicking in more and more.
Chest was tight today, so the need to keep an eye on that is high. If the muscles are too tight tomorrow, will have to skip the walk to let it heal. Something about the need to breathe is a powerful motivator to rest and heal.
Completed another no break walk today. Minor challenge was resisting the urge to take a break after hopping the gate to the main road. On weekends they close it to prevent people from cutting through our parking lot. I haven't even entertained the idea of trying to jog yet. Walking like I have the last couple days have been wearing me out, if I jogged, I might only be able to do a quarter mile which is not even leaving the parking lot. Still too much gut to try as far as I am concerned.
Had a big mental crash overnight. Possibly due to the amount of "high" I was on the previous 24 hours. Lots of self-doubt and internal questioning. Then today at work, our "On-Call" manager is starting to do his bad habits again because on of the Upper Management crew that was keeping him in check is not out on Maternity leave. So that got me somewhat pissed off simply because micro-managing irks me to no end. So I almost didn't even go out on the walk because I just didn't feel like it. Lunchtime came around and I went anyway, by the time I made it to the half mile mark, I hit my road buzz and negative emotions started to burn off. Its nice to see that the walking therapy is kicking in more and more.
Chest was tight today, so the need to keep an eye on that is high. If the muscles are too tight tomorrow, will have to skip the walk to let it heal. Something about the need to breathe is a powerful motivator to rest and heal.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Endurance for the win
Runkeeper Stats
Today marks my first non-stop/non-break walk since I started walking at work. I found my pace which allowed me to walk without feeling too much back pain and my breathing remained steady. From what I could feel, my heart rate was good if not constantly up.
I know I haven't walked much these past couple weeks, there had been a lot going on in my life and had a lot on my mind. Last night, however, things were brought to clarity and resolution. So I am flying high in good graces and energy. Pretty much just naturally high right now, so I will leave it at that.
Today marks my first non-stop/non-break walk since I started walking at work. I found my pace which allowed me to walk without feeling too much back pain and my breathing remained steady. From what I could feel, my heart rate was good if not constantly up.
I know I haven't walked much these past couple weeks, there had been a lot going on in my life and had a lot on my mind. Last night, however, things were brought to clarity and resolution. So I am flying high in good graces and energy. Pretty much just naturally high right now, so I will leave it at that.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Vroom Vroom.. ow
Runkeeper stats
Its been a bit of time between walks and that was on purpose. The pain in my right shin was worrisome and needing time for it to heal was more important than getting out and pushing myself to critical failure and not being able to walk again. One thing that I did pick up in all this rhetoric of weight loss and diet is: "Listen to your body". It was telling me that something was wrong and I listened. There are those "tough guys" out there that preach the "More Pain is No Gain", I call bullshit of that philosophy. Your nervous system was designed to let you know when you are damaging your body and I say to them: "Stop Ignoring It!". So I healed and today's walk was a testament to that philosophy.
I was able to push myself, semi-comfortably, to only 2 breaks in the walk and was able to up my pace a bit at the same time. There were some surprising energy boosts along the walk which were inspired by the random set of 80's tunes that were being played on my phone as I walked. I never knew St. Elmo's Fire was that inspiring on a walk. That bridge to the chorus though, man it really boosts you if you are in the right headspace. By the second break I was really feeling the burn and pull of effort but i was able to walk the last .25 mile with ease.
Breathing was good through the whole thing and I found that lip syncing while breathing is a good breathing control mechanism. Had my first side stitch in a month and a half, yet it wasn't even that bad of a pain. The dissipating heat of the day was just bearable and comfortable mostly due to the medium breeze that was constant throughout. Overall, today was a very satisfying trek. We will see how the repercussions will be after I sleep tonight.
Its been a bit of time between walks and that was on purpose. The pain in my right shin was worrisome and needing time for it to heal was more important than getting out and pushing myself to critical failure and not being able to walk again. One thing that I did pick up in all this rhetoric of weight loss and diet is: "Listen to your body". It was telling me that something was wrong and I listened. There are those "tough guys" out there that preach the "More Pain is No Gain", I call bullshit of that philosophy. Your nervous system was designed to let you know when you are damaging your body and I say to them: "Stop Ignoring It!". So I healed and today's walk was a testament to that philosophy.
I was able to push myself, semi-comfortably, to only 2 breaks in the walk and was able to up my pace a bit at the same time. There were some surprising energy boosts along the walk which were inspired by the random set of 80's tunes that were being played on my phone as I walked. I never knew St. Elmo's Fire was that inspiring on a walk. That bridge to the chorus though, man it really boosts you if you are in the right headspace. By the second break I was really feeling the burn and pull of effort but i was able to walk the last .25 mile with ease.
Breathing was good through the whole thing and I found that lip syncing while breathing is a good breathing control mechanism. Had my first side stitch in a month and a half, yet it wasn't even that bad of a pain. The dissipating heat of the day was just bearable and comfortable mostly due to the medium breeze that was constant throughout. Overall, today was a very satisfying trek. We will see how the repercussions will be after I sleep tonight.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Short walk, big realizations
Runkeeper Stats
Light night tonight. I noticed that my right ankle was giving me some tension problems and instead of pushing it too much, figured it was best just to put in my mile and come back. The mile in itself wasn't too bad at all, the atmosphere was cooler tonight but seemed heavier and maybe a bit more humid than I thought as the sweat was rolling off my head as if I were walking the mile and a half.
The food hangover, as I have been told it was called, is slowly working it's way out. I don't feel 100% yet, but the "getting better" feeling is on the rise so there is hope. If anything, it shows me what junk food will do to you. I was the same way after quitting diet cola cold turkey. After the detox of the NutraSweet in my system, drinking anything with NutraSweet in it gives me an instant headache. Plus that sweet taste I used to love is now very very bitter. Needless to say, it was an eyeopener.
Light night tonight. I noticed that my right ankle was giving me some tension problems and instead of pushing it too much, figured it was best just to put in my mile and come back. The mile in itself wasn't too bad at all, the atmosphere was cooler tonight but seemed heavier and maybe a bit more humid than I thought as the sweat was rolling off my head as if I were walking the mile and a half.
The food hangover, as I have been told it was called, is slowly working it's way out. I don't feel 100% yet, but the "getting better" feeling is on the rise so there is hope. If anything, it shows me what junk food will do to you. I was the same way after quitting diet cola cold turkey. After the detox of the NutraSweet in my system, drinking anything with NutraSweet in it gives me an instant headache. Plus that sweet taste I used to love is now very very bitter. Needless to say, it was an eyeopener.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Unfortunate cheating with end results
Runkeeper Stats
I didn't walk yesterday because I was recovering from a couple of screw up's I did on Thursday. First off, it was the Marvel Movie Marathon event that showed all of the Marvel movies leading up to the premiere of The Avengers. The night before there was another weekly event that ended up with an "after party" at a strip club. Needless to say, sleep did not come until well after 4am. So arriving at the theater with around 4 hours of sleep did nothing for diet awareness or preparation, on top of which, movie theaters do tend to frown upon bringing food in from the outside. Long story short, it was a fast food/junk food day that ended around 5am. Sleep was not easily won or given as a phone call at 8:45am woke me up for a phone interview via a temp agency that I used to work for, from there it was broken sleep til 11am.
Lack of good sleep and lack of good food slammed me hard by the time it was walking time. I found that my addiction to candy has been drastically curbed. I had 2 bag of movie peanut M&M's and I almost could not finish the second one and had no desire to go find any more candy. The fried food I ended up eating just did not sit well in my system and even today my brain feels "waxy" coated. Getting home I had my first real meal in a couple days and feel loads better and actually full. I got a good amount of sleep last night that was pretty uninterrupted, so by the time work rolled around, my mind was clearer and sharper than the day before.
I can't say I looked forward to walking tonight and once I felt the air outside, the thought of doing a full circuit was daunting. However, the walk is broken up into three sections in my mind. Once I get to the second section, the half mile mark has already been broken and the rest of the street that's left is only about .22 miles. From there the incentive is just to get back to work on time from lunch. My daily goal, when walking will always be to break a mile if I can, it seems to be a good goal for a minimum goal to set. Breathing was pretty regular throughout the walk and recovery time on breaks are quicker now. Usually I listen to music on my phone while walking and my breaks tend to be one full song. Tonight, the need to go came up well before the song ended and there wasn't and reason for it other than that I was ready, which was proved by the fact that there was no instant drop of energy when the walking started.
Last night,. while I was at Wal-Mart doing some grocery shopping, I stopped by one of those blood pressure machines in the pharmacy section. I know they are not real accurate, but the average of spot checking I do on the same machine was consistent. The last time I took my blood pressure was 1 week after I started walking. My Systolic was in hypertension range and my diastolic was in pre-hypertension range. Last night my Systolic was down to pre-hypertension and my diastolic was in normal ranges. So my heart is getting better and in a few more weeks I will spot check it again and see if I can get both of them in the normal ranges.
It's unexpected mini-successes like this that are keeping me going and defeating my impatience. I did have the forethought to take a "Before" pic in the beginning of this journey. I dunno when I will have an after pic yet. When I do, they will be posted together. If I remember correctly, I already posted the before pics waaaaay back in the beginning. View at your own risk. :)
I didn't walk yesterday because I was recovering from a couple of screw up's I did on Thursday. First off, it was the Marvel Movie Marathon event that showed all of the Marvel movies leading up to the premiere of The Avengers. The night before there was another weekly event that ended up with an "after party" at a strip club. Needless to say, sleep did not come until well after 4am. So arriving at the theater with around 4 hours of sleep did nothing for diet awareness or preparation, on top of which, movie theaters do tend to frown upon bringing food in from the outside. Long story short, it was a fast food/junk food day that ended around 5am. Sleep was not easily won or given as a phone call at 8:45am woke me up for a phone interview via a temp agency that I used to work for, from there it was broken sleep til 11am.
Lack of good sleep and lack of good food slammed me hard by the time it was walking time. I found that my addiction to candy has been drastically curbed. I had 2 bag of movie peanut M&M's and I almost could not finish the second one and had no desire to go find any more candy. The fried food I ended up eating just did not sit well in my system and even today my brain feels "waxy" coated. Getting home I had my first real meal in a couple days and feel loads better and actually full. I got a good amount of sleep last night that was pretty uninterrupted, so by the time work rolled around, my mind was clearer and sharper than the day before.
I can't say I looked forward to walking tonight and once I felt the air outside, the thought of doing a full circuit was daunting. However, the walk is broken up into three sections in my mind. Once I get to the second section, the half mile mark has already been broken and the rest of the street that's left is only about .22 miles. From there the incentive is just to get back to work on time from lunch. My daily goal, when walking will always be to break a mile if I can, it seems to be a good goal for a minimum goal to set. Breathing was pretty regular throughout the walk and recovery time on breaks are quicker now. Usually I listen to music on my phone while walking and my breaks tend to be one full song. Tonight, the need to go came up well before the song ended and there wasn't and reason for it other than that I was ready, which was proved by the fact that there was no instant drop of energy when the walking started.
Last night,. while I was at Wal-Mart doing some grocery shopping, I stopped by one of those blood pressure machines in the pharmacy section. I know they are not real accurate, but the average of spot checking I do on the same machine was consistent. The last time I took my blood pressure was 1 week after I started walking. My Systolic was in hypertension range and my diastolic was in pre-hypertension range. Last night my Systolic was down to pre-hypertension and my diastolic was in normal ranges. So my heart is getting better and in a few more weeks I will spot check it again and see if I can get both of them in the normal ranges.
It's unexpected mini-successes like this that are keeping me going and defeating my impatience. I did have the forethought to take a "Before" pic in the beginning of this journey. I dunno when I will have an after pic yet. When I do, they will be posted together. If I remember correctly, I already posted the before pics waaaaay back in the beginning. View at your own risk. :)
Monday, April 30, 2012
Power Walking and Thank you!
Runkeeper Stats
Now that I know where my distance limit is, I am now playing with endurance and strength training. Today I power walked to the end of the road and slow walked back. My legs felt really close to muscle failure, which is what I want for now to get the fibers to break up and heal so that more muscle tissue can grow.
Had a nice wind today that really offset the lingering heat of the day. Breathing what a challenge today due to the warm air but had assistance when facing the wind. Yay for positive pressure breathing!
I found out today that I am an inspiration for someone. Talk about a turn around in attitude for me. It was all fine well and dandy for me to be pissed off because I couldn't get results. Now that I know I am an inspiration to someone, well that changes everything. It's not just all about me, its about anyone that I have inspired to try and do something better for themselves. It makes all my bitching and moaning seem trite.
So I would like to say thank you to those who have contacted me saying that I have inspired you. I would also extend a thank you for those who haven't contacted me but have found themselves adding miles to their day because some upstart who found himself in Florida decided to start a blog about it. :) I would like to also thank my supporters who check in from time to time, you know who you are. I have been asked about what people can do to help me on my way. Well I have been trying to buy a "Good" juicer machine for awhile. There are "things" on this blog that can be accessed that will help me on that goal. However, the terms of service prohibits me from specifically telling people to do such things. So, if you figure it out, thanks! :)
Now that I know where my distance limit is, I am now playing with endurance and strength training. Today I power walked to the end of the road and slow walked back. My legs felt really close to muscle failure, which is what I want for now to get the fibers to break up and heal so that more muscle tissue can grow.
Had a nice wind today that really offset the lingering heat of the day. Breathing what a challenge today due to the warm air but had assistance when facing the wind. Yay for positive pressure breathing!
I found out today that I am an inspiration for someone. Talk about a turn around in attitude for me. It was all fine well and dandy for me to be pissed off because I couldn't get results. Now that I know I am an inspiration to someone, well that changes everything. It's not just all about me, its about anyone that I have inspired to try and do something better for themselves. It makes all my bitching and moaning seem trite.
So I would like to say thank you to those who have contacted me saying that I have inspired you. I would also extend a thank you for those who haven't contacted me but have found themselves adding miles to their day because some upstart who found himself in Florida decided to start a blog about it. :) I would like to also thank my supporters who check in from time to time, you know who you are. I have been asked about what people can do to help me on my way. Well I have been trying to buy a "Good" juicer machine for awhile. There are "things" on this blog that can be accessed that will help me on that goal. However, the terms of service prohibits me from specifically telling people to do such things. So, if you figure it out, thanks! :)
Long Walk Home Update
As promised, I have updated the "Long Walk Home Challenge" map with my current walking distances.
The stats are as follows:
Which translates to this:
I am now officially on 95 North heading to Georgia. Having driven this route I am actually quite surprised I made it to I-95 already.
Virtual backpacking for the win!
The stats are as follows:
Which translates to this:
I am now officially on 95 North heading to Georgia. Having driven this route I am actually quite surprised I made it to I-95 already.
Virtual backpacking for the win!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Heat and Humidity. Yeah they matter..
Runkeeper stats
Last night's walk was nothing to write about. There were incoming thunderstorms and active lightning. I walk by a major airport, which is long open and flat ground. So I opted to walk around the parking lot just to keep some form of walking in play. Again, nothing to write about.
Tonight, the weather was warm and humid but there was a semi strong wind blowing that kept it tolerable. I found that the walk today was mentally challenging as my frustrations and impatience for change is growing. The urge to say "Fuck it all" was very close to the surface and walking through it was challenging. Not having a scale that is showing me any progress in one direction or another is more frustrating simply because I don't know what is going on weight wise. I still have the small changes happening and its a matter of believing that they matter. My worry has always been that my weight is due to a medical condition that requires a Doctor or surgery. It would really suck if all this time the weight I have been gaining was due to some benign tumor or something. So concern, worry and frustration are all factors in my day.
The heat and humidity were a big challenge on the comfort and breathing tonight. As always, the lower back is still giving my some trouble but that is happening later on in the walks everyday. My biggest challenge comes towards the time where I push my distance before turning around. Since I have made it to the end of the road, my new push area is the loop just past my return driveway. I found that today's walk was push the boundaries of my hour lunch. So until I can walk faster, I don't think my distance will increase much past today. So I have found my limit, I think. I am pretty sure if it were a cooler and less humid night, I may be a bit less likely to walk slow. On the other hand, until my strength increases and my weight balances, I am kind of at a tipping point limit.
The next couple of days may end up being weight lifting days as we are coming into some busy days at work. I may be working through my lunch break. So we shall see.
Last night's walk was nothing to write about. There were incoming thunderstorms and active lightning. I walk by a major airport, which is long open and flat ground. So I opted to walk around the parking lot just to keep some form of walking in play. Again, nothing to write about.
Tonight, the weather was warm and humid but there was a semi strong wind blowing that kept it tolerable. I found that the walk today was mentally challenging as my frustrations and impatience for change is growing. The urge to say "Fuck it all" was very close to the surface and walking through it was challenging. Not having a scale that is showing me any progress in one direction or another is more frustrating simply because I don't know what is going on weight wise. I still have the small changes happening and its a matter of believing that they matter. My worry has always been that my weight is due to a medical condition that requires a Doctor or surgery. It would really suck if all this time the weight I have been gaining was due to some benign tumor or something. So concern, worry and frustration are all factors in my day.
The heat and humidity were a big challenge on the comfort and breathing tonight. As always, the lower back is still giving my some trouble but that is happening later on in the walks everyday. My biggest challenge comes towards the time where I push my distance before turning around. Since I have made it to the end of the road, my new push area is the loop just past my return driveway. I found that today's walk was push the boundaries of my hour lunch. So until I can walk faster, I don't think my distance will increase much past today. So I have found my limit, I think. I am pretty sure if it were a cooler and less humid night, I may be a bit less likely to walk slow. On the other hand, until my strength increases and my weight balances, I am kind of at a tipping point limit.
The next couple of days may end up being weight lifting days as we are coming into some busy days at work. I may be working through my lunch break. So we shall see.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Warming up for the weekend
Runkeeper Stats (Part 1)
Runkeeper Stats (Part 2)
As much as I would have liked to have made this one full trip, my phone rebooted. I am only grateful in the fact that the app periodically saves the information to the webpage as the walk goes. Otherwise there would be a very unhappy camper.
While today's walk wasn't that record breaking, breathing has been improving. Its taking til the .75 mile mark before it becomes harder and somewhat forceful but nowhere near as debilitating as it was in the beginning. Also, the pain in the lower back, while there, is starting to spur on a challenge to the point where walking through the pain and pushing it, almost daring it to be worse than it is. Half the walk back was spent sneering at the pain and showing it who is boss of the walk. Plus there were only 2 official stop breaks tonight. Once was at the end of the road before turning around, the other was where the phone rebooted. Which shows that endurance is building up slowly.
My diet has changed a bit this week and will be further be merging to the Primal Blueprint. My protein intake has been upped dramatically as has my natural fat intake. So my evening meal is a four egg omelet with onions and peppers diced and a nice dash of Louisiana Hot Sauce. That, by the way, is a really tasty hot sauce. If you haven't tried it yet, I would highly suggest it. Then I would either have a pork steak or a few slices of bacon, which I have been doing simply for the grease to saute the vegetables and cook the eggs in. Its very hearty and fulfilling for a dinner. Maybe I will get sick of eggs, but for now I am loving it. tonight is shopping night and perhaps there will be some jimmy dean sausage rolls in the near future and whatever meat steak that can be found that is inexpensive.
I am slowly phasing out the excess carbs that I had bought prior to my diet switch over. Which is sad because I really do like my morning oatmeal. At any rate, the amount of food and quality of food is proving to be denser and longer lasting for fulfillment. I also think that my recovery time at the end of the week is increasing due to the larger portion of protein that I am ingesting. Soon I will be adding smoothies to my list of things to have. Which will be nice because I really enjoy a good smoothie, especially when it fills my chocolate sweet tooth.
No real update on what my weight is yet.The scale I have is not giving up the goose, still doing the scale scream (EEEEEEEEEEE) when I stand on it. The only real benchmarks I can give are that bending and reaching places on my body are getting easier, IE: putting on socks. My pants seem to fit comfortably now, which means they aren't cutting into the waistline sharply in either a standing or sitting position. On walks, as I have said, breathing is much easier. I don't see much "weight" falling off visibly as in my face/cheek areas, however a wise woman once told me that its hard to see millimeter changes on a daily basis. Patience is still difficult, some days I get the frustrated "Why bother!" feeling simply because the scale still isn't showing a reading and that makes taking the walks doubly harder to start. What keeps me going are the important people in my life. My wife, my family and my friends. I know that they want me around and have said as much. My hope is I can start reporting back hard weight data from my home scale on a weekly to bi-weekly basis.
My year had a rocky start and I needed a kick in the ass to get out and start doing what I planned to do. There are no apologies here just effort to kick start my life over again and see where I end up.
Runkeeper Stats (Part 2)
As much as I would have liked to have made this one full trip, my phone rebooted. I am only grateful in the fact that the app periodically saves the information to the webpage as the walk goes. Otherwise there would be a very unhappy camper.
While today's walk wasn't that record breaking, breathing has been improving. Its taking til the .75 mile mark before it becomes harder and somewhat forceful but nowhere near as debilitating as it was in the beginning. Also, the pain in the lower back, while there, is starting to spur on a challenge to the point where walking through the pain and pushing it, almost daring it to be worse than it is. Half the walk back was spent sneering at the pain and showing it who is boss of the walk. Plus there were only 2 official stop breaks tonight. Once was at the end of the road before turning around, the other was where the phone rebooted. Which shows that endurance is building up slowly.
My diet has changed a bit this week and will be further be merging to the Primal Blueprint. My protein intake has been upped dramatically as has my natural fat intake. So my evening meal is a four egg omelet with onions and peppers diced and a nice dash of Louisiana Hot Sauce. That, by the way, is a really tasty hot sauce. If you haven't tried it yet, I would highly suggest it. Then I would either have a pork steak or a few slices of bacon, which I have been doing simply for the grease to saute the vegetables and cook the eggs in. Its very hearty and fulfilling for a dinner. Maybe I will get sick of eggs, but for now I am loving it. tonight is shopping night and perhaps there will be some jimmy dean sausage rolls in the near future and whatever meat steak that can be found that is inexpensive.
I am slowly phasing out the excess carbs that I had bought prior to my diet switch over. Which is sad because I really do like my morning oatmeal. At any rate, the amount of food and quality of food is proving to be denser and longer lasting for fulfillment. I also think that my recovery time at the end of the week is increasing due to the larger portion of protein that I am ingesting. Soon I will be adding smoothies to my list of things to have. Which will be nice because I really enjoy a good smoothie, especially when it fills my chocolate sweet tooth.
No real update on what my weight is yet.The scale I have is not giving up the goose, still doing the scale scream (EEEEEEEEEEE) when I stand on it. The only real benchmarks I can give are that bending and reaching places on my body are getting easier, IE: putting on socks. My pants seem to fit comfortably now, which means they aren't cutting into the waistline sharply in either a standing or sitting position. On walks, as I have said, breathing is much easier. I don't see much "weight" falling off visibly as in my face/cheek areas, however a wise woman once told me that its hard to see millimeter changes on a daily basis. Patience is still difficult, some days I get the frustrated "Why bother!" feeling simply because the scale still isn't showing a reading and that makes taking the walks doubly harder to start. What keeps me going are the important people in my life. My wife, my family and my friends. I know that they want me around and have said as much. My hope is I can start reporting back hard weight data from my home scale on a weekly to bi-weekly basis.
My year had a rocky start and I needed a kick in the ass to get out and start doing what I planned to do. There are no apologies here just effort to kick start my life over again and see where I end up.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Damn you, lower back!
Runkeeper stats
Nice night for a walk. One of the coolest things that I get to see every night I walk is that transition from dusk to dark.
Breathing is no longer a problem while walking, I can now easily forget about it, where 2 weeks ago I was constantly conscious of the fact that I could not inhale any deeper and I needed more air. The only time my breathing become labored is when my lower back seizes up and I am over compensating my stride to accommodate for the pain. Lower back locked up about the same place in my walk as it did last night, I am hoping that it is only because I have a nice large belly that I am carrying around.
Either way, progress in strides. I will be working on my new distance for the "Long Walk Home" and post that later tonight.
Nice night for a walk. One of the coolest things that I get to see every night I walk is that transition from dusk to dark.
Breathing is no longer a problem while walking, I can now easily forget about it, where 2 weeks ago I was constantly conscious of the fact that I could not inhale any deeper and I needed more air. The only time my breathing become labored is when my lower back seizes up and I am over compensating my stride to accommodate for the pain. Lower back locked up about the same place in my walk as it did last night, I am hoping that it is only because I have a nice large belly that I am carrying around.
Either way, progress in strides. I will be working on my new distance for the "Long Walk Home" and post that later tonight.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Getting easier..
Runkeeper stats
The last few days have been emotionally trying through no fault. I think that the exercise and diet changes are finally having some physical and mental affects on me. I may not have exercised much, but i did kettle bell 2 out of the last 4 days. April 20th was my late Father's birthday, so I didn't feel the need to do anything.
Today, the first half mile was cake. Just trucking along, breathing was nowhere near what it was on day 1. Hit .50 and kept going to the first stop to take a quick break. The continued down the road to the end. By the time, a slow dread that a mistake may have been made in wanting to push that far today but since it an out and back type of walk, nothing really could be done about it. Took a break at the end of the road and headed back. About two minute back towards the original break point, my lower back seized up. One moment loose, next moment brick hard and painful. Pushed through the pain and made it back to break point 1 to sit and limber up. Took my time and did some stretching before heading back to my starting point. after that, it was pretty easy sailing. My last break point is right before having to jump the gate that the property management places across the driveway to prevent people from driving thru to get to the mall. From there its like .22 miles to the front door but it might as well have been 3 miles. Even though I rested and stretched on that last break, a minute into walking my lower back had quite enough and complained the rest of the way back.
So, things are improving and getting easier and I have found the next challenge level on my walk so good things to be had. Endurance seems to be forming up nicely and if the energy output continues to stay longer and longer, i may add the "round the block" portion to my walk if i can manage to keep the entire walk under 45 minutes.
In other news, I was reading a science report that claims that scientists have linked aspirin use to an enzyme that burns fat! (Go Australia). As usual with most reports, they do suggest that people not try this out on their own. So, I promptly added it to my daily supplement regiment. Nothing to drastic mind you, just what the first aid kit had available an only 1/2 dose a day. When I get shopping, I will find the lowest dose available that is not a kids chewable and add 1 pill a day for a few weeks and see if I notice any changes. I don't have any known health issues other than being overweight and I feel that a low single dose a day is almost a homeopathic route of application at any rate. So we will see.
The last few days have been emotionally trying through no fault. I think that the exercise and diet changes are finally having some physical and mental affects on me. I may not have exercised much, but i did kettle bell 2 out of the last 4 days. April 20th was my late Father's birthday, so I didn't feel the need to do anything.
Today, the first half mile was cake. Just trucking along, breathing was nowhere near what it was on day 1. Hit .50 and kept going to the first stop to take a quick break. The continued down the road to the end. By the time, a slow dread that a mistake may have been made in wanting to push that far today but since it an out and back type of walk, nothing really could be done about it. Took a break at the end of the road and headed back. About two minute back towards the original break point, my lower back seized up. One moment loose, next moment brick hard and painful. Pushed through the pain and made it back to break point 1 to sit and limber up. Took my time and did some stretching before heading back to my starting point. after that, it was pretty easy sailing. My last break point is right before having to jump the gate that the property management places across the driveway to prevent people from driving thru to get to the mall. From there its like .22 miles to the front door but it might as well have been 3 miles. Even though I rested and stretched on that last break, a minute into walking my lower back had quite enough and complained the rest of the way back.
So, things are improving and getting easier and I have found the next challenge level on my walk so good things to be had. Endurance seems to be forming up nicely and if the energy output continues to stay longer and longer, i may add the "round the block" portion to my walk if i can manage to keep the entire walk under 45 minutes.
In other news, I was reading a science report that claims that scientists have linked aspirin use to an enzyme that burns fat! (Go Australia). As usual with most reports, they do suggest that people not try this out on their own. So, I promptly added it to my daily supplement regiment. Nothing to drastic mind you, just what the first aid kit had available an only 1/2 dose a day. When I get shopping, I will find the lowest dose available that is not a kids chewable and add 1 pill a day for a few weeks and see if I notice any changes. I don't have any known health issues other than being overweight and I feel that a low single dose a day is almost a homeopathic route of application at any rate. So we will see.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Kettle bell in place of walking & Pedometer stats for 04/16/12
I did not walk today, felt the need to rest and heal up for the day seeing how the pain of chafed areas wanted a break. In place of walking was the kettle bell routine. In case it was not posted this is what it is:
I have a 20 pound kettle bell and it is enough to knock my ass out of commission after completion. Think it looks easy? Go ahead, try it out, get back to me on that.
Seeing how I need to add a weight regiment to my routine, any day that I don't walk, I do this. If its on my day off, I need to challenge myself to do this at least twice a day. On days I work, just once before going to bed.
For your viewing pleasure, my meager walking stats for the day:
Total steps: 824
Total distance: 0.26
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .26 miles
Hence kettle bell..
I have a 20 pound kettle bell and it is enough to knock my ass out of commission after completion. Think it looks easy? Go ahead, try it out, get back to me on that.
Seeing how I need to add a weight regiment to my routine, any day that I don't walk, I do this. If its on my day off, I need to challenge myself to do this at least twice a day. On days I work, just once before going to bed.
For your viewing pleasure, my meager walking stats for the day:
Total steps: 824
Total distance: 0.26
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .26 miles
Hence kettle bell..
Monday, April 16, 2012
Pedometer reset stats for 04/15/2012
Total steps: 6321
Total distance: 3.12
Minus Runkeeper walk: 1.37
Total distance walked modified: 1.75 miles
Total distance: 3.12
Minus Runkeeper walk: 1.37
Total distance walked modified: 1.75 miles
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Holy 88 mph!
Runkeeper Stats
I did not want to go out and walk tonight. Not for any real reason, just that the want or urge to get out of the chair and move forward was lacking. Needless to say, foot found pavement and the trip today was not bad, in fact rather eye opening. Not only was yesterday's distance pushed but time and space was lost for about 30 seconds. For me, this is a milestone as it was something that would happen all the time years ago when walking as a teen.
Woke up aching like crazy this morning hence the reason for a lack of desire to walk. Wasn't sure if I was going to change it out for the kettle ball weight or not. Looking to put more protein into my diet so the muscles will have a bit more room to heal. The last few weeks I have been reducing my calorie intake to try and get the stored fat to burn off a bit quicker. Not scientific, to be sure, however it made sense at the time plus soup is cheap and easy to make at work at the moment. Once the primal diet is figured out and I can portion it into a week long prep ahead situation, changes should start rolling in like mad.
I also want to start doing smoothies again. Once I get a blender there is going to be a trip to Aldi's to pick up some frozen fruit and peanut butter and whatever else I can find for interesting smoothie recipes. I saw that I should be adding some herbs to my shakes for some added benefits. Real mint, chocolate whey, peanut butter and banana smoothie. Sounds pretty good to me.
I did not want to go out and walk tonight. Not for any real reason, just that the want or urge to get out of the chair and move forward was lacking. Needless to say, foot found pavement and the trip today was not bad, in fact rather eye opening. Not only was yesterday's distance pushed but time and space was lost for about 30 seconds. For me, this is a milestone as it was something that would happen all the time years ago when walking as a teen.
Woke up aching like crazy this morning hence the reason for a lack of desire to walk. Wasn't sure if I was going to change it out for the kettle ball weight or not. Looking to put more protein into my diet so the muscles will have a bit more room to heal. The last few weeks I have been reducing my calorie intake to try and get the stored fat to burn off a bit quicker. Not scientific, to be sure, however it made sense at the time plus soup is cheap and easy to make at work at the moment. Once the primal diet is figured out and I can portion it into a week long prep ahead situation, changes should start rolling in like mad.
I also want to start doing smoothies again. Once I get a blender there is going to be a trip to Aldi's to pick up some frozen fruit and peanut butter and whatever else I can find for interesting smoothie recipes. I saw that I should be adding some herbs to my shakes for some added benefits. Real mint, chocolate whey, peanut butter and banana smoothie. Sounds pretty good to me.
Pedometer reset stats for 04/14/2012
Total steps: 7862
Total distance: 3.85
Minus Runkeeper walk: 1.24
Total distance walked modified: 2.61 miles
Total distance: 3.85
Minus Runkeeper walk: 1.24
Total distance walked modified: 2.61 miles
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Goal achieved
Runkeeper Walk Stats
I finally did it, time and technology finally came together and I have a full mile plus a lil bit on one Runkeeper walk. Recorded, documented, done.
Nice thing about today was that I didn't feel like I was carrying extra weight today. I am not sure that this is due to me stretching out from yesterdays walk or not. Breathing is becoming easier each trip out as well and actually had my sinuses pop wide open which shocked me so much I almost tripped. Nothing says "Surprise" better than an unencumbered inhale through the nose you didn't expect. What other stupid body trick I have in store for myself will be interesting to see. Had to take a couple of stops to loosen a side stitch, but overall it was a pretty good walk.
I am looking at following the Primal Blueprint soon, once I can gather enough information to form out a plan that I can follow. Trying not to fall into the trap of collecting information and immediately trying to apply it. I know from experience that all it does is frustrate me and causes me to give it up and a temper tantrum. The blog online that will helpful on this journey is http://www.marksdailyapple.com which is the online supplement to the books that are available. Anyone willing to go with me on this journey is welcome. Hit me up on a comment or email and we can collaborate.
Need to get my dinner and get back to the grind.`
I finally did it, time and technology finally came together and I have a full mile plus a lil bit on one Runkeeper walk. Recorded, documented, done.
Nice thing about today was that I didn't feel like I was carrying extra weight today. I am not sure that this is due to me stretching out from yesterdays walk or not. Breathing is becoming easier each trip out as well and actually had my sinuses pop wide open which shocked me so much I almost tripped. Nothing says "Surprise" better than an unencumbered inhale through the nose you didn't expect. What other stupid body trick I have in store for myself will be interesting to see. Had to take a couple of stops to loosen a side stitch, but overall it was a pretty good walk.
I am looking at following the Primal Blueprint soon, once I can gather enough information to form out a plan that I can follow. Trying not to fall into the trap of collecting information and immediately trying to apply it. I know from experience that all it does is frustrate me and causes me to give it up and a temper tantrum. The blog online that will helpful on this journey is http://www.marksdailyapple.com which is the online supplement to the books that are available. Anyone willing to go with me on this journey is welcome. Hit me up on a comment or email and we can collaborate.
Need to get my dinner and get back to the grind.`
Pedometer reset stats for 04/13/2012
Total steps: 2900
Total distance: 1.45 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: .85
Total distance walked modified: .30 miles
Friday, April 13, 2012
Back to the grind, focusing on back..
Today's Runkeeper Activity
Went out for my lunch walk and went a new direction to change it up. The problem I found with the new route is that it isn't a full mile as I had hoped. Either way, my lower back decided that it was not happy with me and complained the entire way. Also felt like I was really heavy today, more so than in the last week;s I've been doing this.Not sure what that is all about, be it environmental, weather or brain misfiring.
Sleeping is still somewhat of an issue. Not feeling tired by the time bedtime rolls around and then going to bed with less than 6 hours before getting up has got to stop. I am tired right now but will it actually last?
Went out for my lunch walk and went a new direction to change it up. The problem I found with the new route is that it isn't a full mile as I had hoped. Either way, my lower back decided that it was not happy with me and complained the entire way. Also felt like I was really heavy today, more so than in the last week;s I've been doing this.Not sure what that is all about, be it environmental, weather or brain misfiring.
Sleeping is still somewhat of an issue. Not feeling tired by the time bedtime rolls around and then going to bed with less than 6 hours before getting up has got to stop. I am tired right now but will it actually last?
Pedometer reset stats for 04/12/2012
Total steps: 766
Total distance: 0.28 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .28 miles
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Pedometer reset stats for 04/11/2012
Total steps: 1665
Total distance: 0.75 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .75 miles
Total distance: 0.75 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .75 miles
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Pedometer reset stats for 04/10/2012
A little(lot) late, but its up
Total steps: 1012
Total distance: 0.5 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .5 miles
Total steps: 1012
Total distance: 0.5 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .5 miles
Sleep happened
Went to bed at 12am and got up at 1:15pm.
So it seems my ability to sleep did not leave which is good. So, my legs got a good night's worth of healing which was sooooo needed. Had a moment of time there last night where I almost cramped out my left leg. It is amazing what missing a little sleep will do to you, or not do to you as the case may be.
So it seems my ability to sleep did not leave which is good. So, my legs got a good night's worth of healing which was sooooo needed. Had a moment of time there last night where I almost cramped out my left leg. It is amazing what missing a little sleep will do to you, or not do to you as the case may be.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Pedometer reset stats for 04/09/2012
Total steps: 826
Total distance: 0.45 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .45 miles
*edit*
My math was off. Oh well, fixed now
Total distance: 0.45 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 0
Total distance walked modified: .45 miles
*edit*
My math was off. Oh well, fixed now
Oook
So apparently the 6am to 7am hour is when I get tired. Not sure why, but I will take it.
I gotta be up by 10am for a business lunch, so gotta get my beauty sleep.
I gotta be up by 10am for a business lunch, so gotta get my beauty sleep.
Awake
Alright so I am not sure that this is officially insomnia or not. I got home tired as hell and went right to sleep, dreamed hardcore for like 3 hours and now I am wide awake.I laid in bed tossing and turning for 30 minutes before I gave up trying to get back to sleep and since I am on day one of my 3 day weekend, it seemed safe to try a little experiment to see how this goes.
So I am up.
So I am up.
Monday, April 9, 2012
....and we rested
I didn't do any walking today other than the standard wandering around.
Body was telling me that exercising would be a bad idea and that I needed to rest and get some damn protein in the system. The craving for a huge hamburger is somewhat overwhelming. So I will have to get a steak or something. Maybe a protein shake just to hold me over for the time being.
I think I will be more successful in sleeping tonight, I am exhausted and I damn near blew out my knee just walking back to my desk. Dammit, I am just falling apart tonight. Anyone nearby want to come by and give me a full body massage and put me back together??
Body was telling me that exercising would be a bad idea and that I needed to rest and get some damn protein in the system. The craving for a huge hamburger is somewhat overwhelming. So I will have to get a steak or something. Maybe a protein shake just to hold me over for the time being.
I think I will be more successful in sleeping tonight, I am exhausted and I damn near blew out my knee just walking back to my desk. Dammit, I am just falling apart tonight. Anyone nearby want to come by and give me a full body massage and put me back together??
Pedometer reset stats for 04/08/2012
Total steps: 5425
Total distance: 2.23 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 1.05
Total distance walked modified: 1.18 miles
Total distance: 2.23 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 1.05
Total distance walked modified: 1.18 miles
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Two times the challenge, Two times the fun!
Nightly Walk Part 1
Nightly Walk Part 2
Oh I was so pissed that my phone rebooted halfway through the walk. Sigh... So TOMORROW I will either get my achievement or I am switching to a new app. So there! smirk.. No, I don't feel better, but at least I vented.
The walk was a challenge today as I was really having a problem with my lower back on the left side. It was almost like a stitch but only in one spot on the one side on my lower back. It was weird and annoying. Breathing control is getting better, i am supposing that means my chest muscles are getting into shape and my lungs are increasing in capacity due to the load I am putting on it.
Losing myself while walking is a nice reprieve, the less I am able to focus on my normal body aches while walking, the better. I really do enjoy zoning out and just being able to enjoy myself instead of having the experience feel like work all the time. Making is fun and effortless is what I am striving for to keep my head in the game and keep moving forward.
My feeling of drained today actually was more than I thought as I caught myself nodding off halfway through my day. Which was only tempered by the fact that I found out the AC unit wasn't on and so I was warm, comfortable and mmmm, zzzzzzz.. Yeah it was kinda like that. Sleeping at night is restful but I am finding it difficult to go to bed earlier than 5 or 6 am and be able to actually get to sleep. Not sure whats going on there, might be the supplements, in which case that means I need to take my second dose before 6pm. or so.
One more day to my days off, I am thinking of reworking in the 3 minute kettle bell training into my weekend days because I don't really feel comfortable walking around my neighborhood much during the twilight hours. Daytime is fine, I can see people way off and decide if I am in danger or not. When the twilight hits, things get a bit risky. Yes I know that kidnapping a fat man is not practical but I don't want to be a practice run for anyone either. Plus I am hoping that the kettle weight exercises will loosen up and strengthen the lower back muscles that are giving my problems.
Nightly Walk Part 2
Oh I was so pissed that my phone rebooted halfway through the walk. Sigh... So TOMORROW I will either get my achievement or I am switching to a new app. So there! smirk.. No, I don't feel better, but at least I vented.
The walk was a challenge today as I was really having a problem with my lower back on the left side. It was almost like a stitch but only in one spot on the one side on my lower back. It was weird and annoying. Breathing control is getting better, i am supposing that means my chest muscles are getting into shape and my lungs are increasing in capacity due to the load I am putting on it.
Losing myself while walking is a nice reprieve, the less I am able to focus on my normal body aches while walking, the better. I really do enjoy zoning out and just being able to enjoy myself instead of having the experience feel like work all the time. Making is fun and effortless is what I am striving for to keep my head in the game and keep moving forward.
My feeling of drained today actually was more than I thought as I caught myself nodding off halfway through my day. Which was only tempered by the fact that I found out the AC unit wasn't on and so I was warm, comfortable and mmmm, zzzzzzz.. Yeah it was kinda like that. Sleeping at night is restful but I am finding it difficult to go to bed earlier than 5 or 6 am and be able to actually get to sleep. Not sure whats going on there, might be the supplements, in which case that means I need to take my second dose before 6pm. or so.
One more day to my days off, I am thinking of reworking in the 3 minute kettle bell training into my weekend days because I don't really feel comfortable walking around my neighborhood much during the twilight hours. Daytime is fine, I can see people way off and decide if I am in danger or not. When the twilight hits, things get a bit risky. Yes I know that kidnapping a fat man is not practical but I don't want to be a practice run for anyone either. Plus I am hoping that the kettle weight exercises will loosen up and strengthen the lower back muscles that are giving my problems.
Interesting observations
Today I didn't oversleep, though I could have easily. Not because I was tired but more because I felt extremely drained. Even still I wasn't struggling to get out of bed as if I didn't get enough sleep. This is the second day that this feeling has occurred and I think it is directly related to the new supplements I am taking. Which is pretty cool that it is having such a direct affect. I am always hopeful that this will help in shedding off some pounds and that the scale will finally stop saying "E" at me all the time.
Time and patience, what a bitch it is.
Time and patience, what a bitch it is.
Pedometer reset stats for 04/07/2012
Total steps: 5211
Total distance: 2.1 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: 1.0 (I'm so crediting myself that mile)
Total distance walked modified: 1.1 miles
Saturday, April 7, 2012
I so hit my mile..
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/80215333
Yeah, i hit it, not that I will get credit for it on runkeeper cuz the GPS signal was fubar. If you look at my previous maps and compare the distance out before i turn around top go back, you will see that I nailed it. Considering I only needed .05 to go last night. Fucking technology..;)
I mixed it up a bit tonight. I actually stretched a little before walking and that seemed to help my lower back issues I have been having. My breathing was controllable throughout the walk too. I didn't get to the point where I was gulping air just to keep going. No stitch tonight either, which is a nice change.
Tonight I think I came close to where I used to go in my mind when I was younger and had to walk everywhere. That fun numb place where its timeless and I used to review movies I liked in my head. I kept my pace steady and not too slow but not too fast. Had a nice breeze at my back on the way out which just felt like i was walking with a air cushion pushing up behind me and rolling around my sides and fingertips. It was real nice. When I got to my normal first stopping point to rest, I took it really as a precaution. I felt strained but no nearly as bad as I was the last few days I went out. I caught my breath and brought my heart rate down and continued on. I walked right past my second stop point without even noticing at first. Which startled me a bit when I realized it. I believe we call that a milestone.
Overall, today was a better than expected walk. I am no where near the point of attempting to jog or consider even running but there is definite progress happening under my nose when I am not looking.
Yeah, i hit it, not that I will get credit for it on runkeeper cuz the GPS signal was fubar. If you look at my previous maps and compare the distance out before i turn around top go back, you will see that I nailed it. Considering I only needed .05 to go last night. Fucking technology..;)
I mixed it up a bit tonight. I actually stretched a little before walking and that seemed to help my lower back issues I have been having. My breathing was controllable throughout the walk too. I didn't get to the point where I was gulping air just to keep going. No stitch tonight either, which is a nice change.
Tonight I think I came close to where I used to go in my mind when I was younger and had to walk everywhere. That fun numb place where its timeless and I used to review movies I liked in my head. I kept my pace steady and not too slow but not too fast. Had a nice breeze at my back on the way out which just felt like i was walking with a air cushion pushing up behind me and rolling around my sides and fingertips. It was real nice. When I got to my normal first stopping point to rest, I took it really as a precaution. I felt strained but no nearly as bad as I was the last few days I went out. I caught my breath and brought my heart rate down and continued on. I walked right past my second stop point without even noticing at first. Which startled me a bit when I realized it. I believe we call that a milestone.
Overall, today was a better than expected walk. I am no where near the point of attempting to jog or consider even running but there is definite progress happening under my nose when I am not looking.
Tech Update #2
Looks like comments are available for my newer posts but not my older ones.
I am, obviously, testing this theory now with this post.If this works, I will edit a couple of older posts and see if that will kick in the comments.
Here's to hoping!
I am, obviously, testing this theory now with this post.If this works, I will edit a couple of older posts and see if that will kick in the comments.
Here's to hoping!
Technical Update
I am aware that comments are not visible.
I am working towards fixing that, though one would suspect that a Blog Template would just simply work instead of having to modify the code, Alas..
Please keep checking back and hopefully I will have a working solution soon.
I am working towards fixing that, though one would suspect that a Blog Template would just simply work instead of having to modify the code, Alas..
Please keep checking back and hopefully I will have a working solution soon.
Whoops
So I overslept today.
I woke up drained today, like I had just finished pushing out a lot of built up energy. Not sure if that makes any sense but the weirdest part was that once I stood up, I wasn't tired, just drained. I am going to attribute it to the metabolism boosters I am trying out. Though one day does not constitute a complete test. Going on day 2 of these new pills to see if it improves my day to day life.
I know from last night I felt more mentally connected and alive with energy than I had been in awhile. Now to get that to translate to the muscles. On my walk, I didn't really feel much connection to that energy as I did while I was being still, could be a ramp up phase of things, like an old motor that hasn't worked in awhile that suddenly is now being told to start up after years of disuse or low load.
In other news, Pedometer has been reset for the day, my last entry has the totals. I put up a request for help in the side bar to the right. Any minimal help towards achieving that goal thru clicks would be awesome. A couple months ago I watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" and visited the associated website "Join the Reboot" to look around and see what it was all about. I would really like to try it, but with the way my life is at the moment, I cannot afford to get this super-epic-awesome juicer. So my challenge is to see if, through my readers, I can acquire this juicer "Multi-Speed Juice Fountain" or "The Juice and Blend" and attempt a 30 day reset.
*edit*
Testing comment theory
I woke up drained today, like I had just finished pushing out a lot of built up energy. Not sure if that makes any sense but the weirdest part was that once I stood up, I wasn't tired, just drained. I am going to attribute it to the metabolism boosters I am trying out. Though one day does not constitute a complete test. Going on day 2 of these new pills to see if it improves my day to day life.
I know from last night I felt more mentally connected and alive with energy than I had been in awhile. Now to get that to translate to the muscles. On my walk, I didn't really feel much connection to that energy as I did while I was being still, could be a ramp up phase of things, like an old motor that hasn't worked in awhile that suddenly is now being told to start up after years of disuse or low load.
In other news, Pedometer has been reset for the day, my last entry has the totals. I put up a request for help in the side bar to the right. Any minimal help towards achieving that goal thru clicks would be awesome. A couple months ago I watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" and visited the associated website "Join the Reboot" to look around and see what it was all about. I would really like to try it, but with the way my life is at the moment, I cannot afford to get this super-epic-awesome juicer. So my challenge is to see if, through my readers, I can acquire this juicer "Multi-Speed Juice Fountain" or "The Juice and Blend" and attempt a 30 day reset.
*edit*
Testing comment theory
Pedometer reset stats for 04/06/2012
Total steps: 3219
Total distance: 1.625 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: .97
Total distance walked modified: .655 miles
Total distance: 1.625 miles
Minus Runkeeper walk: .97
Total distance walked modified: .655 miles
Friday, April 6, 2012
Ouchie
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/80013750
Well, starting back into the groove of things and yes I will be the first to admit, I may have pushed myself a little too much today due to the lack of effort I had to endure last week. Needless to say, I am .5 away from my mile goal and I was very proud of myself to not cheat by walking a lap around the parking lot at the end just to squirrel in my mile goal.
Had to stop a few times because of my lower back, but my legs seemed to be straining a little bit but not nearly as bad as when I started out a couple weeks ago. Pedometer was on for the entire trip but that score won't be posted until the end of the day with the translation of distance with it, then minus the recorded walk distance from Runkeeper. I won't be near 10,000 steps, but I will have a nice chunk by the look of it today.
Well, starting back into the groove of things and yes I will be the first to admit, I may have pushed myself a little too much today due to the lack of effort I had to endure last week. Needless to say, I am .5 away from my mile goal and I was very proud of myself to not cheat by walking a lap around the parking lot at the end just to squirrel in my mile goal.
Had to stop a few times because of my lower back, but my legs seemed to be straining a little bit but not nearly as bad as when I started out a couple weeks ago. Pedometer was on for the entire trip but that score won't be posted until the end of the day with the translation of distance with it, then minus the recorded walk distance from Runkeeper. I won't be near 10,000 steps, but I will have a nice chunk by the look of it today.
A brand new day
Got up today and bought my brand new digital pedometer from Walmart which cost me about $4.00 plus tax. It measures steps and distance traveled, which for me is more than enough. Programming it was pretty easy too but my only wonder is whether a stride length will increase once my weight starts going down. It is something I will have to keep an eye one.
Another thing I picked up was a 5 cup Brita filter filter pitcher. I have found that I am VERY picky about the water quality that I drink. If it doesn't taste OK or flow smoothly down my throat when I drink it, I simply will do without or buy a soda.Seeing how I am trying to limit somewhat my soda intake and trying not to break my wallet by buying bottled water, the Britta filter seemed to be the best route. It does a real good job in taking tap water/city water and softening it up to be drinkable. Once that is done, I will sip at water all day long without thinking about it which is good for maintaining my water intake for the day which should be at 1 gallon. I got by the "Half your body weight by Ounces" thought process. I figured since I know I am over 400 lbs, i can safely guess that 265 ounces of water would be appropriate and if I manage to drink more than a gallon, sweet!
I have added a few more supplements to my daily intake as well. Walgreen's was having a buy one get one sale on a diuretic and a green tea appetite suppressor/metabolic enhancer.One thing i have noticed is that my energy level is actually up. My mood is perkier, I find myself being easily witty with my phone calls today at work but not jittery at all. I mean, the potential for being jittery is there but its controllable. The hunger suppression is kind of amazing right now as well, I am waiting to have my meal at the 5 hour mark and I had my breakfast and snack already. Co-workers ordered some really fragrant meals and while I identified that I was hungry, it didn't take control over my entire being like it usually does. To me that is mind blowing!! For instance, I am writing this between calls and I have had hunger pains come and go, easily ignorable. Is that what it's supposed to be like?? Seriously now, I feel that I have been missing out. Anything I try as new generally have a big impact the first few days, so we will see what happens after a few days of being on them. I am hopeful that these supplements will help and a box is only 6 bucks for a months worth.
Started a new thing today, I decided that I need to start using stairs again. Walking up them is a bit much as I work on the 4th floor, I can do it, but my recovery time is like 5 minutes and I can't have me gasping for air looking like I am dying at work every day. However, going down the stairs I can do. So instead of waiting for the elevator for a ride down, I am taking the stairs. Only had to use them once today so far and once I am able to get back to high school level of fitness I will start working on using the stairs in the upward motion. I'm still trying to figure out how I manged to run up two flights of stairs with a backpack full of books, its amazing how I thought I wasn't in shape simply from running from classroom to classroom like that.
It is the little changes that I am doing that adds on different challenges. Hopefully this will help me in the long run.
Another thing I picked up was a 5 cup Brita filter filter pitcher. I have found that I am VERY picky about the water quality that I drink. If it doesn't taste OK or flow smoothly down my throat when I drink it, I simply will do without or buy a soda.Seeing how I am trying to limit somewhat my soda intake and trying not to break my wallet by buying bottled water, the Britta filter seemed to be the best route. It does a real good job in taking tap water/city water and softening it up to be drinkable. Once that is done, I will sip at water all day long without thinking about it which is good for maintaining my water intake for the day which should be at 1 gallon. I got by the "Half your body weight by Ounces" thought process. I figured since I know I am over 400 lbs, i can safely guess that 265 ounces of water would be appropriate and if I manage to drink more than a gallon, sweet!
I have added a few more supplements to my daily intake as well. Walgreen's was having a buy one get one sale on a diuretic and a green tea appetite suppressor/metabolic enhancer.One thing i have noticed is that my energy level is actually up. My mood is perkier, I find myself being easily witty with my phone calls today at work but not jittery at all. I mean, the potential for being jittery is there but its controllable. The hunger suppression is kind of amazing right now as well, I am waiting to have my meal at the 5 hour mark and I had my breakfast and snack already. Co-workers ordered some really fragrant meals and while I identified that I was hungry, it didn't take control over my entire being like it usually does. To me that is mind blowing!! For instance, I am writing this between calls and I have had hunger pains come and go, easily ignorable. Is that what it's supposed to be like?? Seriously now, I feel that I have been missing out. Anything I try as new generally have a big impact the first few days, so we will see what happens after a few days of being on them. I am hopeful that these supplements will help and a box is only 6 bucks for a months worth.
Started a new thing today, I decided that I need to start using stairs again. Walking up them is a bit much as I work on the 4th floor, I can do it, but my recovery time is like 5 minutes and I can't have me gasping for air looking like I am dying at work every day. However, going down the stairs I can do. So instead of waiting for the elevator for a ride down, I am taking the stairs. Only had to use them once today so far and once I am able to get back to high school level of fitness I will start working on using the stairs in the upward motion. I'm still trying to figure out how I manged to run up two flights of stairs with a backpack full of books, its amazing how I thought I wasn't in shape simply from running from classroom to classroom like that.
It is the little changes that I am doing that adds on different challenges. Hopefully this will help me in the long run.
Breaks over
I feel that I am sufficiently over my cold. Although there were a few days that I thought it was done, tried to attempt to start a walk and my lungs threatened to jump out of my throat. So, like with any good labor negotiation, we sat down and talked about it. I conceded that I would not do anything that would stress my breathing until the start of the new work week and they said that they should be healed enough to give me a good fighting chance of not letting me suffocate in the process of exercising, so we will see how this works out at lunch tomorrow.
I spoke with a few people this week about my walking and was given a few tips. One that did peak my interest was the 10,000 step challenge. It starts with a pedometer and you have all day to walk 10,000 steps. It doesn't matter how you do it, just that at the end of the day you have your 10,000 in. I looked on my phone for a pedometer app that would progressively monitor my walking like that while i had it on me but had no luck. The idea interested me enough that I am still thinking about it now and I am looking at getting a pedometer. I never liked pedometers simply because they are not accurate at all. This has been something that bugged me about them for years and years, then I thought about it today and the reason I disliked it was due to the concept of that I would have to make up the missed steps. Then common sense kicked in at pointed out that making up steps that were missing is a good thing as it means you are giving extra effort to a goal that you want to achieve. So after a "DUH" moment at myself and a facepalm for good measure, I decided that I wanted to try it out in tandem with my walking. So the hunt for a pedometer before work will happen, probably find one at Walmart for a few bucks.
Side note: Here is the URL for the 10,000 Steps Program
The real challenge is finding the time while I am at work to get out of my desk and walk around. The goal of a Customer Support Person is to be at your desk and logging calls. So, I have a plan about that. My office is about 40 feet from a rotunda and I know my wireless headset will reach it. So when calls area slow, I figure I can walk around in circles and wait for the next call. All I really need to do for the most part is have a pen and pad of paper handy to jot notes down for the basic info and if it is a computer necessary call I can beeline back to my desk as needed. Working the weekends in an office building that is really empty can have its advantages in that. Plus, since Runkeeper can't work inside because it uses GPS to track itself for my efforts, a pedometer inside will work out pretty well.
The trick for me has always been viewable results. If I put effort into something and I cannot see a measurable result in return, I won't waste time on it and find something else to do, even if that is doing nothing. Which, come to think of it is ass-backwards in a sentiment. Anyway, I think its more along the line of, if i am going to do something outside of my usually comfort addictions, having a receipt of effort as a return is satisfying to me. Like being able to set a number and making that number in steps for a day. Then I can take that number of steps and translate it into distance and use that amount to add to my Long Walk home challenge.
The biggest thing about this whole thing is that I want not only to feel better, but look better. I know I will be a big person regardless of what I do. I just want to look in the mirror for once and see a better shape. I know what I am looking at now is the physical representation of me as I thought I looked like when I was younger and in school. I am done with that image. Now I have one that I want to see and have been envisioning and I am waiting to see that one start to show up as well.
Now, time for a chart. I found a distance conversion chart that will help me keep track of distance. Putting in a page break here so I am not totally destroying the blog with too much data.
I spoke with a few people this week about my walking and was given a few tips. One that did peak my interest was the 10,000 step challenge. It starts with a pedometer and you have all day to walk 10,000 steps. It doesn't matter how you do it, just that at the end of the day you have your 10,000 in. I looked on my phone for a pedometer app that would progressively monitor my walking like that while i had it on me but had no luck. The idea interested me enough that I am still thinking about it now and I am looking at getting a pedometer. I never liked pedometers simply because they are not accurate at all. This has been something that bugged me about them for years and years, then I thought about it today and the reason I disliked it was due to the concept of that I would have to make up the missed steps. Then common sense kicked in at pointed out that making up steps that were missing is a good thing as it means you are giving extra effort to a goal that you want to achieve. So after a "DUH" moment at myself and a facepalm for good measure, I decided that I wanted to try it out in tandem with my walking. So the hunt for a pedometer before work will happen, probably find one at Walmart for a few bucks.
Side note: Here is the URL for the 10,000 Steps Program
The real challenge is finding the time while I am at work to get out of my desk and walk around. The goal of a Customer Support Person is to be at your desk and logging calls. So, I have a plan about that. My office is about 40 feet from a rotunda and I know my wireless headset will reach it. So when calls area slow, I figure I can walk around in circles and wait for the next call. All I really need to do for the most part is have a pen and pad of paper handy to jot notes down for the basic info and if it is a computer necessary call I can beeline back to my desk as needed. Working the weekends in an office building that is really empty can have its advantages in that. Plus, since Runkeeper can't work inside because it uses GPS to track itself for my efforts, a pedometer inside will work out pretty well.
The trick for me has always been viewable results. If I put effort into something and I cannot see a measurable result in return, I won't waste time on it and find something else to do, even if that is doing nothing. Which, come to think of it is ass-backwards in a sentiment. Anyway, I think its more along the line of, if i am going to do something outside of my usually comfort addictions, having a receipt of effort as a return is satisfying to me. Like being able to set a number and making that number in steps for a day. Then I can take that number of steps and translate it into distance and use that amount to add to my Long Walk home challenge.
The biggest thing about this whole thing is that I want not only to feel better, but look better. I know I will be a big person regardless of what I do. I just want to look in the mirror for once and see a better shape. I know what I am looking at now is the physical representation of me as I thought I looked like when I was younger and in school. I am done with that image. Now I have one that I want to see and have been envisioning and I am waiting to see that one start to show up as well.
Now, time for a chart. I found a distance conversion chart that will help me keep track of distance. Putting in a page break here so I am not totally destroying the blog with too much data.
Friday, March 30, 2012
I matched yesterday? Shocking!!
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/78637336
So I started out today not feeling that good. When I start getting a cold, I get a slight burning in the back of my throat. Today was one of those days. So I wasn't really hopeful on getting my 1 mile today, hell I wasn't really hopeful that I was going to go too far today at all. Be that as it may, out the door I went and started walking, no goal, no expectations. Just my music and runkeeper calling out my preset cues to let me know when to turn around. I do a 10 minute out and 10 minute back walk so that I can get cooled down by the time I have to get back on the phones again for the night.
There was also some problems with GPS on my phone when I started out. Was not able to get a strong signal at first and started to feel like I was setting up rabbit ears in the 70's to get a good signal. Either way, the walk came and went with the 2 breaks I take to catch my breath, loosen my lower back and release the stitch in my side. Today, the stitch wasn't too much of a problem, in fact it was lesser than the past few days. Lower back is a different story as I am still having big time issues with the muscles tightening up and causing problems on the walk. Regardless, the end result shows that while even feeling a bit under the weather, I was able to match yesterday's distance.
Small victory and I will take it
So I started out today not feeling that good. When I start getting a cold, I get a slight burning in the back of my throat. Today was one of those days. So I wasn't really hopeful on getting my 1 mile today, hell I wasn't really hopeful that I was going to go too far today at all. Be that as it may, out the door I went and started walking, no goal, no expectations. Just my music and runkeeper calling out my preset cues to let me know when to turn around. I do a 10 minute out and 10 minute back walk so that I can get cooled down by the time I have to get back on the phones again for the night.
There was also some problems with GPS on my phone when I started out. Was not able to get a strong signal at first and started to feel like I was setting up rabbit ears in the 70's to get a good signal. Either way, the walk came and went with the 2 breaks I take to catch my breath, loosen my lower back and release the stitch in my side. Today, the stitch wasn't too much of a problem, in fact it was lesser than the past few days. Lower back is a different story as I am still having big time issues with the muscles tightening up and causing problems on the walk. Regardless, the end result shows that while even feeling a bit under the weather, I was able to match yesterday's distance.
Small victory and I will take it
The Long walk home
So having a goal in the short term is nice. However, I wanted to be able to show in a visual representation what I have done with my walking so far in the last year-ish that I have been tracking it.
This is the outline for my goal, I call it, The Long Walk Home.
I grew up in Franklin, Massachusetts and I currently live in DeBary, Florida. So my goal is to walk home.
This is the path that I will be taking. Consider it a virtual backpacking experience. The current total miles from point A to point B is 1,261 miles, the majority of which is highway miles.
I figure as I go, I can stop off in various locations and give a bit of a tour of places I am going to walk through. Which should be an interesting little side project while I work on walking up the East Coast
This picture shows my current position. I had to draw it kinda long hand and screen capture it as Google currently doesn't offer a way to plot out a course by hand and map it as a savable link, yet. I have faith in these guys peeking on my Blog and thinking this may be a good idea, so once it exists, I will start using it.
So far I have walked 16.47 miles that I have tracked with Runkeeper thus far. This means, I have a long ass way to go, but this is my large goal and I have my mini goals which are posted on the Runkeeper site under my profile. My current one is to get my 1 mile in 20 minutes back on track and from there is to get my stamina back up to where a mile isn't a big deal anymore. Once I get my mile, I will push for my 2 mile mark in a 6 week period. Again, after that I will have to evaluate my time and energy levels to see where I stand on the 3 mile goal. I may end up switching the longer distances to weekend walking jaunts and leave the lunchtime at work walks somewhere between 1 and 2 miles, if i can keep them in a 30 minute max time frame.
There are other things I would like to do, such as use runkeeper to share live walks with people that are interested and to add other cool technological aspects to my travels. However, funds are tight as is with everyone in the world. I'm not asking for money or donations, just visit my sponsors from time to time is all I ask. Heck I may be able to afford a heart monitor that can go with my runkeeper app and record that as well and see where I truly stand on a day to day basis.
Regardless, I appreciate you all taking the time to check in and leave words of encouragement. I take them all to heart and they add to my determination. Thank you one and all.
This is the outline for my goal, I call it, The Long Walk Home.
I grew up in Franklin, Massachusetts and I currently live in DeBary, Florida. So my goal is to walk home.
This is the path that I will be taking. Consider it a virtual backpacking experience. The current total miles from point A to point B is 1,261 miles, the majority of which is highway miles.I figure as I go, I can stop off in various locations and give a bit of a tour of places I am going to walk through. Which should be an interesting little side project while I work on walking up the East Coast
So far I have walked 16.47 miles that I have tracked with Runkeeper thus far. This means, I have a long ass way to go, but this is my large goal and I have my mini goals which are posted on the Runkeeper site under my profile. My current one is to get my 1 mile in 20 minutes back on track and from there is to get my stamina back up to where a mile isn't a big deal anymore. Once I get my mile, I will push for my 2 mile mark in a 6 week period. Again, after that I will have to evaluate my time and energy levels to see where I stand on the 3 mile goal. I may end up switching the longer distances to weekend walking jaunts and leave the lunchtime at work walks somewhere between 1 and 2 miles, if i can keep them in a 30 minute max time frame.
There are other things I would like to do, such as use runkeeper to share live walks with people that are interested and to add other cool technological aspects to my travels. However, funds are tight as is with everyone in the world. I'm not asking for money or donations, just visit my sponsors from time to time is all I ask. Heck I may be able to afford a heart monitor that can go with my runkeeper app and record that as well and see where I truly stand on a day to day basis.
Regardless, I appreciate you all taking the time to check in and leave words of encouragement. I take them all to heart and they add to my determination. Thank you one and all.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Took a couple days off
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/78494928?&mobile=false
Had to take a couple days off due to the fact I needed to heal. Lesser, yet more important fact was I wanted to spend time with my wife who was visiting me at the time as well. Yeah I could have exercised while she was there but I was healing a pain that is a factor in my life.
One of the things I detest most about myself is the amount of skin tags that grown over my body. If you aren't sure what skin tags are, I will tell you 2 things that they are not:
1: Fun to live with
2: A blogger utility tool
From Wikipedia: Skin tags (or Acrochordon) is a small benign tumor that forms primarily in areas where the skin forms creases, such as the neck, armpit, and groin.
I have two on my left inner thigh, that when I walk, they get pulled and torn. After all my walking this past week, it was really painful to walk to the next room without irritating the torn skin tags. Not having health insurance because it is so freaking expensive these days, I have no recourse to remove them unless I ask skilled friends that know how to cut things. Yeah it will be painful until it heals, but once gone, the ache is more bearable than a torn tag.
Today's walks was easier and farther than all my walks thus far. Which means my 1 mile is close and attainable. Getting to 2 miles will be a trick though. Especially on a 1 hour lunch break. My body is not fit to jog yet, so running to make up the miles won't happen but speed walking may happen by incidence. I do enjoy walking so long as I am not in pain or uncomfortable. When I was younger, I could walk from my house to the old Franlklin Cinema in 45 minutes which was 2.5 miles. So here's to getting back to that goal.
Had to take a couple days off due to the fact I needed to heal. Lesser, yet more important fact was I wanted to spend time with my wife who was visiting me at the time as well. Yeah I could have exercised while she was there but I was healing a pain that is a factor in my life.
One of the things I detest most about myself is the amount of skin tags that grown over my body. If you aren't sure what skin tags are, I will tell you 2 things that they are not:
1: Fun to live with
2: A blogger utility tool
From Wikipedia: Skin tags (or Acrochordon) is a small benign tumor that forms primarily in areas where the skin forms creases, such as the neck, armpit, and groin.
I have two on my left inner thigh, that when I walk, they get pulled and torn. After all my walking this past week, it was really painful to walk to the next room without irritating the torn skin tags. Not having health insurance because it is so freaking expensive these days, I have no recourse to remove them unless I ask skilled friends that know how to cut things. Yeah it will be painful until it heals, but once gone, the ache is more bearable than a torn tag.
Today's walks was easier and farther than all my walks thus far. Which means my 1 mile is close and attainable. Getting to 2 miles will be a trick though. Especially on a 1 hour lunch break. My body is not fit to jog yet, so running to make up the miles won't happen but speed walking may happen by incidence. I do enjoy walking so long as I am not in pain or uncomfortable. When I was younger, I could walk from my house to the old Franlklin Cinema in 45 minutes which was 2.5 miles. So here's to getting back to that goal.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Humpty Dumpty Jibber Jabber..
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/77854153?&mobile=false
Today was just a short walk to maintin the stretching of my muscles. They are really sore and blah on pain. BLAH I SAY!
Anyway, not much to report, did the walk, feel like im gonna die, go world! Meh..
Today was just a short walk to maintin the stretching of my muscles. They are really sore and blah on pain. BLAH I SAY!
Anyway, not much to report, did the walk, feel like im gonna die, go world! Meh..
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Oh my, look at the stars..
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/77652865?&mobile=false
Distance is slowly progressing farther each day. Doesn't seem like it is but that's why I am using Runkeeper to track it. My biggest obstacle has always been myself. If I don't see a point or progression in things, why bother doing it. Beating my efforts against an unmovable wall seems pointless and I could be doing better things like goofing off. The ability of measurement keeps me on awe and wonder enough to see what happens tomorrow.
Did a night time/dusk walk. I dislike walking in the sun simply because I am in the damn South and that's stupid for someone of my size to do. I made that mistake once and damn near paid for it. Lucky for me I was able to find shade and a water bubbler to drink from. Once I cooled off enough to walk me, I was able to make it to a store and get a Gatorade. It tasted like ambrosia, which told me I really fucked up. Anyway, the moon was out and two other bright points in the sky near the moon. Checking Google Sky real quick I found out I was looking at Venus and Jupiter, I am sure I have seen them in the night sky before yet this was the first time I was aware of what was being seen.
Had to stop 3 times tonight to rest. Breathing got really labored to the point of involuntary growling and my lower back was tight again. By the time the first stop was had, a stitch had formed in my right side. Caught my breath and climbed over the road gate (the building has an access road to the street i walk on that they lock on the weekends) and the jaunt over the gate took my breath away for a second and had to recover. I walked til the stitch came back and took refuge on a bench, then got back to my starting point. As I was finishing up closing the app down, a huge vertigo wave hit me. Good thing was leaning on the building or I would have gone to my knees. Never had that happen before. Will keep an eye on it.
The after affects of walking are already present. My upper back leg muscles feel like they were torn apart. Having random chafing between my legs as well that just sucks and is annoying. Plus I am tired but it sure doesn't help that I haven't been going to bed before 6am every day and getting up around 11:30 to Noon to go to work. I will get tired enough and not have anything I want to stay up for soon enough to go to bed at a more reasonable time.
Distance is slowly progressing farther each day. Doesn't seem like it is but that's why I am using Runkeeper to track it. My biggest obstacle has always been myself. If I don't see a point or progression in things, why bother doing it. Beating my efforts against an unmovable wall seems pointless and I could be doing better things like goofing off. The ability of measurement keeps me on awe and wonder enough to see what happens tomorrow.
Did a night time/dusk walk. I dislike walking in the sun simply because I am in the damn South and that's stupid for someone of my size to do. I made that mistake once and damn near paid for it. Lucky for me I was able to find shade and a water bubbler to drink from. Once I cooled off enough to walk me, I was able to make it to a store and get a Gatorade. It tasted like ambrosia, which told me I really fucked up. Anyway, the moon was out and two other bright points in the sky near the moon. Checking Google Sky real quick I found out I was looking at Venus and Jupiter, I am sure I have seen them in the night sky before yet this was the first time I was aware of what was being seen.
Had to stop 3 times tonight to rest. Breathing got really labored to the point of involuntary growling and my lower back was tight again. By the time the first stop was had, a stitch had formed in my right side. Caught my breath and climbed over the road gate (the building has an access road to the street i walk on that they lock on the weekends) and the jaunt over the gate took my breath away for a second and had to recover. I walked til the stitch came back and took refuge on a bench, then got back to my starting point. As I was finishing up closing the app down, a huge vertigo wave hit me. Good thing was leaning on the building or I would have gone to my knees. Never had that happen before. Will keep an eye on it.
The after affects of walking are already present. My upper back leg muscles feel like they were torn apart. Having random chafing between my legs as well that just sucks and is annoying. Plus I am tired but it sure doesn't help that I haven't been going to bed before 6am every day and getting up around 11:30 to Noon to go to work. I will get tired enough and not have anything I want to stay up for soon enough to go to bed at a more reasonable time.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Acceptance or Low burn..
I'm not angry tonight, just miserable. Not sure if that is a step up or not. I had to stop twice to let the muscles in my lower back unseize enough to let blood pass into my legs. Hoisting the amount of frontal weight that I am carrying allows me to empathize with all pregnant and large breasted women of the world.
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/77416848?&mobile=false
Here is a link to my activity because trying to embed it into this blog is proving to be an act of Christ under a boulder. Runkeeper is a pretty good app to use on your phone to track your activity. If you sign up, feel free to add me to your friend's list.
http://runkeeper.com/user/xianoth/activity/77416848?&mobile=false
Here is a link to my activity because trying to embed it into this blog is proving to be an act of Christ under a boulder. Runkeeper is a pretty good app to use on your phone to track your activity. If you sign up, feel free to add me to your friend's list.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Not a nice post
I say this to the world.
FUCK YOU!
I just walked for the first time since i left the Orlando area and it was only a 20 minute walk. I hurt and I ache in my back and my legs and my knees. I don't want to hurt, I don't want to ache, I DON'T WANT PAIN to be involved in this fucking life change. I don't care if that is how shit gets done, I don't like it. Fuck you, fuck you and you over there, just in case you thought I forgot you.. Fuck you too.
I don't want tough love, I don't want encouragement, I just want the pain to stop.I want to feel better. That is the biggest downer to this whole thing, that you have to feel worse than you are to feel better. What kind of fucked up shit is that? Who wrote these rules anyway. Yeah? Well fuck you too.
I am upset and angry and you will just either have to deal with it in here or you can go away.
I hate this, I hate everything about this, I have to do this or I will die. That's the long and short of it. Fucking addictions to foods and sweets. Fucking just HATE damn near everything right now. Breathing and circulation, you get a pass but everything else you are on my Grinch card.
I still don't even have a clear idea of what I want. Just not to die. Death is kinda final and a one time thing, don't need that quite yet. Pain is draining away, now I am tired. Fucking hell.
FUCK YOU!
I just walked for the first time since i left the Orlando area and it was only a 20 minute walk. I hurt and I ache in my back and my legs and my knees. I don't want to hurt, I don't want to ache, I DON'T WANT PAIN to be involved in this fucking life change. I don't care if that is how shit gets done, I don't like it. Fuck you, fuck you and you over there, just in case you thought I forgot you.. Fuck you too.
I don't want tough love, I don't want encouragement, I just want the pain to stop.I want to feel better. That is the biggest downer to this whole thing, that you have to feel worse than you are to feel better. What kind of fucked up shit is that? Who wrote these rules anyway. Yeah? Well fuck you too.
I am upset and angry and you will just either have to deal with it in here or you can go away.
I hate this, I hate everything about this, I have to do this or I will die. That's the long and short of it. Fucking addictions to foods and sweets. Fucking just HATE damn near everything right now. Breathing and circulation, you get a pass but everything else you are on my Grinch card.
I still don't even have a clear idea of what I want. Just not to die. Death is kinda final and a one time thing, don't need that quite yet. Pain is draining away, now I am tired. Fucking hell.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Cold chili
So I did an experiment tonight. I set out and made cold chili. My definition of cold chili is that the ingredients you use never touch heat. It actually came out better than I expected. I will write up the recipe for or tomorrow. It's 100% vegan, well the recipe is. My batch however is less so as I took a divot out of my ring finger while chopping up the peppers. Yeah, never a good idea to play chef when as tired as I am.
I need sleep. Will post more tomorrow.. Promise... Maybe..
Friday, February 3, 2012
Dead of night
Yeah, so got my shopping done and I'm gonna use that as my exercise for the night as I am sweating like a pig and it's almost five.
Hitting the shower and maybe getting 4 hours of sleep. Will work on my two meals tomorrow night when I get home. Bought the airlock tupperware bowls for portion and freezing. We will see how that goes. I am also cutting back on my oatmeal in the morning. I want to see where my hunger edge actually is.
Ok, shower then bed.
Late nights..
Woke up this morning and really didn't want to get out of bed yet. I know I am not getting enough rest at the moment due to all the overtime I am picking up. I am sure that I will catch up on the rest, just not today. The exercises are getting easier to manage and as I have said, I know that these are just the "softening up" exercises that will get me ready for bigger and better things.
I am adjusting my meal plan a bit this week. I want to see about using beans as my main protein intake this week and see how it goes. I am getting ingredients for a 3 bean salad and I am attempting to make a cold chili. I define cold chili as a chili that does not need to be cooked, sorta like a chili salad but not quite. I am going to use refried beans and can chopped tomatoes as a base and work in the rest of the ingredients from there and see how it goes. Also swapping out instant oatmeal for hot museli if it isn't too expensive. If i have enough cash left over in my budget, i might pick up a few veggie burgers to go with the chili and 3 bean salad.
I am nothing, if not adventurous.
Being at work til 3am is going to give me a unique opportunity to go shopping tonight as my paycheck MIGHT be in the bank before I leave work. If i do this right, I will be able to get my shopping done before I get home and try to get to bed before 5am. We will see. I will still have to be up and out of the house before 10:30 am so i can have enough time to fill up my car with gas for the week. 14 hours a day at work doesn't leave much time to do much else. I already have people asking if I ever go home. I may end up just not working overtime on Sunday so I can crash and sleep.
There is a lot more to my health kick than just exercise, gotta balance legitimate rest cycles and ponder food. Joy joy..
I am adjusting my meal plan a bit this week. I want to see about using beans as my main protein intake this week and see how it goes. I am getting ingredients for a 3 bean salad and I am attempting to make a cold chili. I define cold chili as a chili that does not need to be cooked, sorta like a chili salad but not quite. I am going to use refried beans and can chopped tomatoes as a base and work in the rest of the ingredients from there and see how it goes. Also swapping out instant oatmeal for hot museli if it isn't too expensive. If i have enough cash left over in my budget, i might pick up a few veggie burgers to go with the chili and 3 bean salad.
I am nothing, if not adventurous.
Being at work til 3am is going to give me a unique opportunity to go shopping tonight as my paycheck MIGHT be in the bank before I leave work. If i do this right, I will be able to get my shopping done before I get home and try to get to bed before 5am. We will see. I will still have to be up and out of the house before 10:30 am so i can have enough time to fill up my car with gas for the week. 14 hours a day at work doesn't leave much time to do much else. I already have people asking if I ever go home. I may end up just not working overtime on Sunday so I can crash and sleep.
There is a lot more to my health kick than just exercise, gotta balance legitimate rest cycles and ponder food. Joy joy..
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Day 5 exercise
Doing the exercises when you are really tired sucks. I did them though and got them out of the way.
Still no progress on the scale and that's fine, I truly didn't expect it to take a week before I saw things. I know this is just the loosen up stage before I start pushing myself a bit harder.
Horrible food day
So for End of Month days where I work, they go out and buy food for everyone.
In case you didn't know, i do technical support for Outback. So we get our food from Outback as well. For some unknown reason, I decided that a bloomin onion would be a good idea, that and a burger.
The burger was real good, the onion.. no so much. I could only get through barely half of it before my stomach was turning. Just the smell of it now is causing me to twitch a bit. So in my failure I find a success. Foods that I used to find attractive and alluring are now showing themselves to be gross and gag worthy. Which I find an interesting change.
As I wander down my new path I am taking, I am not dwelling on my supposed weakness of ordering something less than healthy. I am taking the lesson of learning that change is happening and that for every new thing I am gaining, I am dropping an old thing that was not really necessary in the first place. I know a lot of people see it as a way to sneak food and justifying it. Maybe that is so, however for anyone that actually has known me for any length of time will know that I have always used food as a comfort mechanism. If I don't try something that I have long thought of a comfort to discover that it is no longer such, I will delude myself even worse in the long run. Or so I feel.
I am also accepting the fact that I will stumble. I never expected this to be easy. The easy part was getting this way, the hard part is to break the habits and molds that I have created.
This is but a stumble, of which I get right back up and continue forward. I will do my exercises when I get home and I will go to bed and prepare myself for the next 14 hour shift and make tomorrow a better day than yesterday.
In case you didn't know, i do technical support for Outback. So we get our food from Outback as well. For some unknown reason, I decided that a bloomin onion would be a good idea, that and a burger.
The burger was real good, the onion.. no so much. I could only get through barely half of it before my stomach was turning. Just the smell of it now is causing me to twitch a bit. So in my failure I find a success. Foods that I used to find attractive and alluring are now showing themselves to be gross and gag worthy. Which I find an interesting change.
As I wander down my new path I am taking, I am not dwelling on my supposed weakness of ordering something less than healthy. I am taking the lesson of learning that change is happening and that for every new thing I am gaining, I am dropping an old thing that was not really necessary in the first place. I know a lot of people see it as a way to sneak food and justifying it. Maybe that is so, however for anyone that actually has known me for any length of time will know that I have always used food as a comfort mechanism. If I don't try something that I have long thought of a comfort to discover that it is no longer such, I will delude myself even worse in the long run. Or so I feel.
I am also accepting the fact that I will stumble. I never expected this to be easy. The easy part was getting this way, the hard part is to break the habits and molds that I have created.
This is but a stumble, of which I get right back up and continue forward. I will do my exercises when I get home and I will go to bed and prepare myself for the next 14 hour shift and make tomorrow a better day than yesterday.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Starting pics
The one bad thing about exercising before bed is that it wires you up for a bit afterwards.
So to fill the time til I am sleepy again, I cropped the before pics and uploaded them.
So to fill the time til I am sleepy again, I cropped the before pics and uploaded them.
Day 4 of exercise
Just did my 3 minutes of hell exercise.
Heart rate is pounding,but in a solid way not fluttering,
The squats are getting easier, which is surprising to me on just day 4. I can't pick up the speed of the squats yet, but the muscles seem to be accepting the work load a bit better today.
Food was not to par. I had a work meeting with the contracting company. So I figured I would order protein to support the muscle work i am doing. So I got a burger that came with home made chips. For supper, I grabbed one of my TV dinners I have hanging around for emergencies. I didn't want to tap into the food i bought for lunches as it will get me through to Friday exactly.
I also had a bad emotional day, which means I went out to get some chocolate to stabilize myself. Judge me if you must, but this is something that I have found that works. Usually I have a lindt bar of 80% to 85% dark chocolate in my desk, but with all the overtime I have been doing, I haven't felt the need for it, until today. So i got a couple of holiday candy from down at Walgreens to slap my chemical levels back into shape and I was good to go.
Tomorrow will be a 12pm to 3am shift, the first of three in a row. This will be fun. They haven't setup a OT schedule for saturday or sunday yet, but I am hoping that they will soon.
Shower time and then to bed. I have 3 "before" pics taken. I will add them later on. I am not happy about how I look, but to have progress, you have to have a base line. Meh..
Heart rate is pounding,but in a solid way not fluttering,
The squats are getting easier, which is surprising to me on just day 4. I can't pick up the speed of the squats yet, but the muscles seem to be accepting the work load a bit better today.
Food was not to par. I had a work meeting with the contracting company. So I figured I would order protein to support the muscle work i am doing. So I got a burger that came with home made chips. For supper, I grabbed one of my TV dinners I have hanging around for emergencies. I didn't want to tap into the food i bought for lunches as it will get me through to Friday exactly.
I also had a bad emotional day, which means I went out to get some chocolate to stabilize myself. Judge me if you must, but this is something that I have found that works. Usually I have a lindt bar of 80% to 85% dark chocolate in my desk, but with all the overtime I have been doing, I haven't felt the need for it, until today. So i got a couple of holiday candy from down at Walgreens to slap my chemical levels back into shape and I was good to go.
Tomorrow will be a 12pm to 3am shift, the first of three in a row. This will be fun. They haven't setup a OT schedule for saturday or sunday yet, but I am hoping that they will soon.
Shower time and then to bed. I have 3 "before" pics taken. I will add them later on. I am not happy about how I look, but to have progress, you have to have a base line. Meh..
It all starts at the beginning
I was not always overweight.
This truth took me years to figure out and I still have to remind myself of it almost daily when I think about myself and how I look.
I look back at the years I had growing up and I remember thinking that I was always fat becuase thats what other people always told me. I can remember the first time I was called "fat". It was my first day at kindergarten in 1976. I was 5 years old and I was going to school for the first time. I remember getting on the bus that day and having an epiphany that I would be doing this for the next 13 years. What I didn't expect was the stigma of being different that would accompany it. At recess, everyone was playing and a ball rolled towards me from a group of kids that were playing catch. I stopped the ball and picked it to give it to the kid that was running to get it. His name was Chris. I gave him the ball and said "hi" or something. He looked at me and said, "You are fat" then turned around and went back to his group of friends. I stood there dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what just happened. I am sure at the time it didn't actually bother me and I don't recall any other time that was ever brought up. In fact it wasn't until 2nd grade when things really got out of hand. I had my own fan base of kids that went out of their way to pick on me simply because of the way I looked. To them, I looked fat. I have heard all the variations of the word through the school years. Some of the earlier years were worse than others, however its those early years that really stick with you.
This truth took me years to figure out and I still have to remind myself of it almost daily when I think about myself and how I look.
I look back at the years I had growing up and I remember thinking that I was always fat becuase thats what other people always told me. I can remember the first time I was called "fat". It was my first day at kindergarten in 1976. I was 5 years old and I was going to school for the first time. I remember getting on the bus that day and having an epiphany that I would be doing this for the next 13 years. What I didn't expect was the stigma of being different that would accompany it. At recess, everyone was playing and a ball rolled towards me from a group of kids that were playing catch. I stopped the ball and picked it to give it to the kid that was running to get it. His name was Chris. I gave him the ball and said "hi" or something. He looked at me and said, "You are fat" then turned around and went back to his group of friends. I stood there dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what just happened. I am sure at the time it didn't actually bother me and I don't recall any other time that was ever brought up. In fact it wasn't until 2nd grade when things really got out of hand. I had my own fan base of kids that went out of their way to pick on me simply because of the way I looked. To them, I looked fat. I have heard all the variations of the word through the school years. Some of the earlier years were worse than others, however its those early years that really stick with you.
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