How Long Has It Been?

The lack of a post is not indicative of a lack of continued effort on my part. I think initially I need a bit more public awareness of my goal, and thus I updated more. As I get more successful, I place more importance on my own continued effort.

As of this week, I weigh about 221lbs, a full 39lbs down from my horrific starting weight. I continue to work out 2-3times / week, depending on schedule, and run 2-3 / week, 5km per time. I've been focussing on lifting heavier weights, and running faster, and it's paying off. I realized the other day that my total weight loss is also a bit different, as I have been building muscle, so losing 39lbs while also putting on muscle changes the body that much more.

So, I'm still plugging a way, and hope to be 210 -215 by Christmas!

Fall Weather Bring Running Goals

Well the weather is beautiful and thus no excuses for getting out an exercising! I did the Terry Fox 5km race on the weekend, and while happy to have competed, I was not pleased with my running time of about 30 minutes. I was hoping for about 3 less minutes, wow.

So as I continue to drop weight at a safe pace, 27.5lbs as of this morning, I think it's time to adjust my goals and modify them. So I still hope to drop down to 210-215lbs, but I also want to add a running goal so that after I get to that weight, I'm still motivated.

So here goes. I would like to run a sub 25 minutes 5k before December. I also plan to run the Refrigerator run this Winter, but I MAY consider trying the 8 mile as opposed to the 8km (or the 3k that I did this year). So there you have it, goals are set!

So my back is still pretty sore for the mystery injury, but I really am focussed on making a lasting change as far as activity is. So yesterday, Carolyn and I, along with the kids and our friend Dave, went Geocaching in Stratford. If you don't know what Geocaching is, check out this link to Geocaching.com.

We probably walked about 4km around the pond / river by the Stratford Festival Theaters. It was a bit windy, nicely cool, and we spent a good two hours finding 6 caches, and a couple so snack breaks for Hannah!

Anyways, it's nice to know that if you just make the commitment to get outside, the activity will find you!

September Already

It's been a really long time since I updated this blog! Well, I think I reported that before I went on holidays I did in-fact get down to 230lbs, which was the goal that would allow me to let a bit loose on the trip, have some drinks etc.

So after a full week where I had some beer and rye (and I really did keep it to a minimum), and ate really fatty and tasty food, I came back and only gained .5lbs! So that was great. I got back into the gym, got back into running, and on Wednesday I did something to my back that has absolutely destroyed me! I haven't been able to sleep, it's hard to walk, hurts to breathe, really not good, and I have no idea what I did (other than that I know I aggravated my bad discs). The result is that I can't work out in any fashion, and I'm already showing up two pounds, so not good.

So we'll see if I loosen up this weekend, it would be great to at least go for a hike or a walk even. Now more than ever is when I have to be careful with the diet, cause this is prime time to eat comfort foods and balloon up.

On a good side note, I went to the back of the closet and I'm fitting into dress clothes I haven't put on in years!

Goal 1 Complete

Monday Mornings are my official weigh in days. Yesterday was my final Monday weigh in before I leave on holidays this Thursday. I had two goals. The first was to lose half of my goal weight by now, which was 25lbs. I met this one a few weeks ago. I had a second personal twist on this, which was to lose 30lbs before holidays. If I was to meet the second goal, I would reward myself by taking some beer on my fishing trip, and let lose a little bit. Well I'm happy to report that both goals were met.

The big challenge for me now will to keep my activities in moderation, and not over-indulge. Despite my best efforts, I think the rich foods, a couple beers, and sedentary holidays could lead to me gaining a few pounds, but I'll be able to re-double my efforts and get back to it. My next goal is to drop the final 20lbs by Christmas!

Almost There...

It's been a while since I've posted, but the work has continued. Tomorrow is my big "pre-holiday" weigh in. Basically, I stopped drinking booze at the end of March to cut the calories. I have a challenge with my brother that I wanted to loose 1/2 my goal weight by holidays, but if I could drop an extra 5lbs, then I'd allow myself some beer and snacks as part of the holidays as well. So I've passed the halfway mark, but I'm still a bit short of the bonus. I'd have to weight 230lbs (total loss of 30lbs) to make it work. I've been under 230lbs a couple times this week, but I tend to hit lower numbers mid week. So the question is...what will I weigh tomorrow morning. To be honest, if I'm not there, I'll give myself until I leave on Thursday :).

I continue to lift weights 3 x week, and run 15-18km or so. The diet continues with few...indulgences, such as last nights pizza, but overall it's going well. I still have 20bls to go, and I can tell you as the guy who see's myself in the mirror, there really is 20lbs to go :).

But, I expect to gain a few on holidays, and I'll be OK with that, and just come home and go at it again!

Almost at the Half Way Point

I hope you are all enjoying the Civic Holiday, it's always a nice treat to get a day off! I'm just having a coffee, watching Hannah build with foam blocks, and Jacob playing with pots. He'll be off to be soon.

Thought I'd give an update at where I'm at. I've still be running 3 x week, getting up to 5 km each run now, which is where I'll likely level off. I'm still lifting weights 3 x week as well, but getting much stronger (though far below where I was in you early 30s).

As a review, I started at 260lbs, with a doctor imposed goal (of which I agreed) to get down to 210lbs. As of today I'm down to 236lbs, so a drop of 24lbs, and that's almost half way! I was actually down to 235lbs a few times in the week, but I....indulged last night and I suspect it hasn't cleared my system yet.

Now, I actually had 3 goals. 1 was to get down to 210, with no real time frame for that, perhaps in a total of one year, secretly hoping for success before the end of 2010. The second was 25lbs before my holidays begin on the 21st of August (feeling pretty good about that). The 3rd was a very selfish one. I stopped drinking at the end of March, and my holidays are a fly in fishing trip. I'd really like to be able to have a few beers on the trip, but since my health is kinda important, I don't want to take any huge steps back. So I set a 3rd goal of saying that if I could get down to 230lbs by the time I left for holidays, I'd allow myself some MODERATE alcohol consumption. So it's getting down to the wire. I have less than 3 weeks to drop 6lbs, and throwing up and laxatives are not allowed...

So wish my luck that my metabolism ramps ups for the holidays!