Day 270-Weigh-in Day: 317lb

WEEK 37

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week's Weight: 314.8

Current Weight: 317

This Week’s Weight Loss: +2.2lbs

Total Weight Loss: 48.4lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 0

Total Miles Biked: 1948.1

Miles to Go: 5551.9

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1238 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands)

The Weeks Workout

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest

TODAY:

This week I traveled to New York on business. I was waking up at 3am and going to bed at 8pm…I was exhausted every day. I guess this is my excuse for not working out. There was a nice fitness room in the hotel, but again, I was just too tired to workout. Oh well, I gave it a good effort. And as we all know it was Thanksgiving this week too. I did enjoy the meal, but didn’t overdo it. My good sister did make my favorite Pecan Pie! I had to have a small piece.

So I guess I get to look at this week and say it was not a training week. Back to the gym first thing on Monday and I will be there every day working hard.

LEARNED:

It’ better to buy a turkey and eat that meat instead of buying Costco’s high quality turkey breast slices. Too much sodium in lunchmeat.

EATING:

We truly do live in an abundant place. There is every kind of food you’d ever want to eat at our fingertips. In some cultures being large and obese is a sign of your wealth. I would say that could also apply to the United States too. We may think that we don’t have enough, and that times are difficult with the economy, etc., but I don’t think we really understand how much abundance we live in.

For me, It’s ironic that I live in such abundance, that I have to actually work hard to keep away from it. Isn’t that a fascinating thought? We have to prevent ourselves, or push ourselves away from the abundance so that we can stay healthy. I guess it’s the old adage, “Too much of a good thing is not good.”

So the next challenge will be this coming month as all the parties and opportunities to overeat will surround us. I guess what it comes down to is do I want to work hard and lose 2-3 pounds a week and at the end of December weigh 10-15 pounds less (gee I could hit the 300lbs or 299lbs mark!) Or do I want to enjoy the temporary taste and enjoyment of food?

To me the vision of me weighing in at 299lbs by December 31^st, is very exciting, and far out weighs the temporary taste of a piece of pie. So shall I set a goal…

By December 31, 2012, I will weigh-in in the 200’s, and leave the “300 Club” behind me in the old year. Wow, what a way to start the new year!

FILM:

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Have a great rest of November!

Don

The 200-calorie Thanksgiving Dinner! NOT!!

My wife made her traditional multi-layered jello extravaganza!

Day 263-Weigh-in Day: 314.8lbs "FINALLY 50 POUNDS LOST!"

WEEK 36

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week's Weight: 320.4

Current Weight: 314.8

This Week’s Weight Loss: 5.6lbs

Total Weight Loss: 50.6lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 13.2

Total Miles Biked: 1948.1

Miles to Go: 5551.9

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1238 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands)

The Weeks Workout

Monday: GYM

Tuesday: GYM + 8.26 miles

Wednesday: GYM

Thursday: GYM + 5 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: GYM

TODAY:

FINALLY! I hit the “50 pounds lost” mark!!!

This has been one of the best weeks I’ve had this year! I was very consistent going to the gym this week! I haven’t quite gotten to that feeling deep inside where I just throw everything into my workout. I’d say I’m about 67% there. I still have a lot inside to give. I’ve been doing treadmill, Elliptical, stationary bike, and resistance training every day. I get a good sweat going, but need to still up it a little. I am excited about the weight loss because I know I have earned it. I made some discoveries that you can read about down below at EATING. I got up a few times at 4:30am this week, and also went late at night. I’m just getting the workout in when ever I can fit it in. I have committed to do it, and when I see progress, it makes it all the easier to keep going. This coming week is the beginning of the diet killers…Thanksgiving. I think it will be okay to enjoy the day, but I think I’ll be staying away from anything fattening, like dessert, and watching my portions. I am committing now to make this week another week of losing at least 2lbs…not gaining or maintaining.

LEARNED:

I learned that getting back to the basics…watching calorie intake or portion size, putting in consistent workouts, and drinking a lot of water is always a good idea to constantly assess.

EATING:

I have discovered that I have been overeating still. Not overeating, but mis-calculating the amount that I am eating. I had been eating dry cereal quite a bit before, but I have practically eliminated it. I’ve also started eating 5-6, 300-400 calorie meals each day. It’s taken about a week for my body to get used to it, but I think it keeps my metabolism humming along and I usually feel very satisfied, despite not eating a lot in these smaller meals. Some of my meals may be:

Breakfast-2 egg whites, soy milk, 3 slices of turkey, apple

Snack-Clif Bar

Lunch-Homemade chicken soup with veggies

Snack-Oatmeal and soy milk

Dinner-Tuna fish sandwich, fruit

Snack-Greek lite yogurt, whole wheat ritz crackers

Each meal doesn’t sound like much, but it’s enough to last about 3 hours. Then I eat again. I’ll keep doing this and see how it goes. It takes a little more planning, but this week it worked well.

FILM:

Nothing to report here.

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As an end note, this coming week is the week we focus more than usual on counting our blessings. There is so much I am thankful for. My wife, my daughter, my family and friends. A warm home with food, and a car that runs (most of the time ;) Peace, a job, hobbies, music, and opportunity!

I think this is also a great time to be thankful for health. I am probably at least 50 pounds lighter this year than I was last. It’s exciting to be moving in the right direction.

May you and all yours have a truly wonderful Thanksgiving this week. Give someone a hug that you haven’t hugged in years. Thank your mom and dad for putting up with you, and pass on that pumpkin pie! (Or at least, enjoy a sliver)

Gobble Gobble!

Don

Ate a Vermicelli Salad for lunch this week

Cold and early...too things that I don't like!

My bike is having a spoke fixed AGAIN. Poor bike is looking neglected right now.

Day 256-Weigh-in Day: 320.4lbs

WEEK 35

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week's Weight: 318.4

Current Weight: 320.4

This Week’s Weight Loss: +2lbs

Total Weight Loss: 45lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 5.8

Total Miles Biked: 1934.9

Miles to Go: 5565.10

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1225 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands)

The Weeks Workout

Monday: GYM

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: GYM

Thursday: 5.6 miles + GYM

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest

TODAY:

Today it snowed like 8 inches! I have been dreading the snow, but it was actually a little enjoyable seeing how beautiful everything looks in white.

However, back to reality...

I can’t tell you how tired I am of seeing the numbers 317, 318, 319 and 320! For the past 3 ½ months those are the numbers I’ve been seeing every time I weigh in. It's been one of those numbers. I'm getting very tired of it! Gee! Did I say I’m getting tired of it? Gee again!

I got to the gym 3 times this week. I went last night at 10:30pm, and when I got there they were closed. I guess on Friday night they close at 9:00pm. So I get credit for at least showing up! That would have been 4 times. I'll be shooting for 5 workouts this week.

When I go to the gym I usually warm up on the treadmill for 5-10 minutes. Then I go do some resistant training for 30 minutes or so. Then I do about 30 minutes of cardio on an elliptical. So, I have gotten going. I am not sure why I gained 2 pounds, but I continue to do the work.

It's embarrassing to reveal my lack of progress on the scale, but like I said, I am doing the work.

LEARNED:

Still learning patience!

I feel inside of me something wanting to bust out. The gym allows me to work and sweat, but I feel that I am at level 5 and that I need to get to level 10. One of the trainers at the gym had me do the 30-minute circuit training which consists of cardio and weight training in 1-minute increments. So I would life weights for a minute, then move to Cardio. I would  jump down into push up position, then jump up to standing position, jump back down, then jump up. When I was doing stuff like that, I almost died, but it felt good to be moving my entire body. That is the kind of stuff I need to be doing. I guess if I had a personal trainer standing there, holding me accountable, it would make a big difference. I have to be the one to make myself do the exercise…and sometimes I’m not as hard on myself as I should be. That’s what I’ve got to learn--to just go for it!!

EATING:

I did well eating this week. I ate at Subway a few times, and went out to Chinese eating mixed veggies and shrimp. I also ate a chicken fajita dinner at a Mexican restaurant. I may have ate out too much this week, but made good eating decisions.

This week I am going to plan 6 smaller meals and have them all planned out to take with me to work. I am going to stay away from the dry cereal and eat more veggies and fruit this week. I’m really trying to  test things out until I hone in on something that will work. This is quite a process. I guess during this 18 month challenge, I am learning and discovering. Failing is part of the education, so I will just keep learning, changing things up when I hit a wall, and move forward.

The holidays are upon us all. In a few weeks it will be Thanksgiving. Then all the parties and gatherings of Christmas will begin. I am participating at work on a thing called Project Zero. It’s an incentive to not gain any weight over the holidays. All the employees that want to, weighed in this week. I weighed in at 315.8 on their scale. Right after New Year’s we will weigh in again. Anyone that has maintained the same weight, or has lost, gets their name put in a drawing for some nice prizes. I know I will lose weight. So, I’ll let you know what I weigh-in as after New Years.

FILM:

Snow is falling and I need to get some video of me dealing with the weather. So I will be looking for some opportunities to shoot some more video.

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Have a great week. I’d love to hear from you as always. Thank you for continuing to follow me. I know things aren’t as exciting right now…but we are moving down the road. I can’t wait to get to Spring!

Don

This is what I looked like 2 weeks before I started my challenge. I was being a dork in Disneyland.

Today, I'm still a dork!

Day 252: Politicians Even Exercise

Okay,

Since it's election day here in the US, I'm going to go out on a limb and wax political. Even politicians have time to exercise. Below is a small collection of some well-known politicians doing their thing.

Despite all the chaos with this election, I've put in a few subliminal messages below for all of you health-conscious people to continue your workouts today.

Think about it. Our political system encourages people to "run" for office. Today, make sure you "exercise" your right to vote! This has been a grueling election "cycle." We all hope that who ever wins the presidency, that things will "workout" for the country.

Happy Election Day!

Don

Clinton running to McDonalds

You lose more calories if you get "on" the bike!

A true dilemma, should you let the president win?

Dockers aren't for jogging

Day 249-Weigh-in Day: 318.4lbs

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WEEK 34

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week's Weight: 318.4

Current Weight: 318.4

This Week’s Weight Loss: 0lbs

Total Weight Loss: 47lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 9.7

Total Miles Biked: 1929.1

Miles to Go: 5570.90

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1220 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands)

The Weeks Workout

Monday: GYM

Tuesday: 9.7 + GYM

Wednesday: GYM

Thursday: GYM

Friday: GYM

Saturday: Rest

TODAY:

Well, my bike riding has shifted. It’s shifted in a good direction. I’m now the proud owner of a gym membership and I got 5 days of cardio and resistance training in this week. I started out a little slow, so I could get to learn how all the machines work, but have started to make some great progress. Unfortunately you don’t see  many bike miles this week, and since I am only keeping track of the miles biked, the results don’t look very impressive. However, I am up to 30 minutes of cardio on the Elliptical and treadmill, and 30 minutes of weight training, every day!

I went last night with a friend of mine who stayed on the Elliptical for 60 minutes! Gee…I can only do it for 15 minutes right now. I have felt really good though, and not as wornout as I did when I’ve been riding my bike 15-20 miles a day. The next 3-4 months will be an excellent change for me. So let me set a goal right now that on March 1, a year after I started this challenge, I will weigh in at least 32lbs lighter than today! On March 1^st, 2013, I will weigh at least 286.4lbs. lighter.

So the plan for now is to ride my bike to work every day as the weather permits. Once I get my gym workout humming along, I will incorporate the stationary bike at the gym into my daily workout too. I can then continue adding my miles every week. With about 2000 miles under my belt, I have 5500 more miles to go! We’re just getting going!

On kind of a realistic note, I sat down and looked at my progress over the last 8 months. The first 3 months I lost 33lbs, at an average of 11lbs a month! Then over the last 5 months I’ve lost only14lbs, for an average of 2.8lbs a month. I have wasted a lot of time thinking that I’d get past this plateau. This plateau started about mid July and has gone through August, September and October. I think I blew 3 months! Not that there hasn’t been improvement in my health, but as far as getting to my goal, I’ve been stagnant. I should have changed my course a lot sooner!! According to my calculations, in order to hit the 210lbs mark on June 1^st 2013, I need to be losing 16lbs a month. Gee. That means I need to burn 2800 calories a day! That’s working out 20 times a month. Hmmmm. I’ve got to break this all down and be thinking how I’m going to do this. Do I need to be going to the gym 2 times a day? I’ve got to figure this out, cause I don’t want to over-do things. Given the goal I set above for March, I should easily be able to achieve it assuming I workout this hard. So do I work out this hard and hit my goal, or do I accept the fact that I will not hit my goal? Oh, the drama…

LEARNED:

While at the gym this week, I discovered that I can’t even do one pushup but that I can at least hold myself up in pushup position! Ha ha ;) My muscles have been pretty sore this week. There are parts of my body that have not felt muscles being worked out for over a dozen years! I am weak! But, this is all part of the journey.

You noticed, or maybe you didn’t, I didn’t do a weigh-in last Saturday. I was too embarrassed by my actions the entire week. I over-ate, I ate stuff I usually don’t, and didn’t do any bike riding. It was a “fail” week. Again, I was too humiliated to weigh-in and post. During last week I stepped on the scale a few times and saw where I was going. I was not heading to a good place. Oh well, this week I not only got back on track, but have had an excellent week of recommitment.

EATING:

I was a saint with my eating this week. I stayed in my calorie range of 2200 calories each day. I started keeping track of what has gone into my mouth this week. Something I haven’t done in a few months.

FILM:

Nothing to report here this week.

Have a great week pedaling, swimming, running, lifting, pumping, jogging, or what ever you do!

Don

Gee! Look at the bags under those eyes! Corn Row Hair.

Day 247: Working Out

This week I've been getting to the gym every morning. I spend about an 60-90 minutes working on the Eliptical, treadmill, and resistance Training. It's taking a little longer this week as I am getting to know the weight machine equipment at the gym. I am working out, and eating perfectly this week. I've also been riding my bike to work on some of the nicer days.

We'll see what Saturday brings.