What is going on?

I mean that question in the most literal sense; what is going on with me? The past 3 weeks have been terrible, but not quite horrible. I have managed to exercise on a semi regular basis but not as mush as desired and eating has been bad but not off the charts! This Saturday will be one month since I have weighed in and expecting the worst! I have not lived as I have wanted to and have not lived up to my own personal rules I have set.

Today, almost feel like back on track, almost. My motivation has gone away and I have become lazy. Maybe it is because it is summer, or I am just burned out, or I am just sick of it all? No excuses man! Time to get back up and get it in gear! I feel like I am completely out of control.

I have done much talking over the past few months with little action. It is time to be a man of action and face the consequences of my bad choices. I hope this is a stepping stone to even greater things!

I am going to play golf for the first time in my life soon! It is going to be embarrassing!

Been a bad man!

It has been a rough go of it the past week; all from my own doing! I have partaken in beer and ice cream over the past few days, not making very good decisions. This would of been devastating to me years ago but not this time. I am not giving up and am back on track today!

Was on television again this past Sunday and made something really bad to eat. I just had a small bite thank goodness! You can find the recipe here.

Over Training? Back to basics...

Who would think you can over train yourself? Never really thought or considered the possibility but it is real. I had an apifiny over the past few days. I was thinking back to the last time I have lost a bunch of weight and gave up. Got to a point where I was exercising really hard and my appetite became veracious. Was at a strong plateau level; just giving up and putting all of the weight I had lost back on very quickly.

Have been stuck for the past month like before but this time is quite different. Over the past two weeks, I rested from exercise 4 days in a row and 2 days in a row this week. Looking back to late last year and how I was exercising then; I believe it is time to get back to basics.

I had adjusted my exercise routine over the past few months to 5 or 6 days a week of working our intensely; one day of upper body training, one day of lower body training (30+ minutes of just resistance exercise), and plenty of aerobics on top of all of that. Before, I was basically doing a full body workout 3 or 4 times a week for 20 minutes at a time plus a good amount of aerobics.
I am going back to this. I still may work out 5 times a week but I am really going to relax on the weight training. I feel as strong as I ever have right at this moment; doing exercise like I did when I was a teenager.

I lost 3 pounds this past 2 weeks and am back to where I was before. If I had gained 5 pounds, that would not of surprised me so I am extremely happy to get back to basics! All of this makes me wonder about "The Biggest Loser". The show gives the appearance the contestants are working out for hours and hours every single day. Do they really do that? There must be time for rest! Really looking forward to seeing how this adjustment works for me.

10 Miles Behind Me...

Yes, I walked 10 miles this morning. It was really tough; the last two miles were very hard! The last mile was almost unbearable but I wanted to finish and I did. My legs are fatigued but I feel pretty good right now. I have a very hard time seeing myself walking 12, 15, or even more miles at one time. Feel free to beat me like a drum if I ever say I am going to attempt that!

The last time I walked 7 miles, my hands swelled up pretty good during that walk; something called edema. I had never experienced that and got a little worried. I did a little research and found out that I needed to drink more water and possibly a sports drink during the walk because of an electrolyte imbalance. Today, I drank plenty of water before the walk and drank a Gator Aid half way through the walk, and very limited swelling today! I like that!

I have raspberry bushes in my back yard and they are starting to yield some really tasty berries! I love fresh stuff like that!

A few days off and 10 miles...

After really struggling or just feeling like I have been struggling, I have taken 4 days off from exercise. I needed to give my body a rest and let the shock of starting up again take hold of my body. (Thank you Laura!!) It is all about changing things up all of the time. In the past, taking this much time off would of been devastating and I would of just given up. Never again for sure.
So what better way to jump right back in than with another big walk; I am shooting for 10 miles tomorrow morning. I am taking a little flatter and more forgiving route this time out am going to drink plenty of water before and during the walk, and maybe a Gator Aid as well. I am even going to take a short break during the walk for a little culinary inspiration (watching a short cooking demo at a farmers market).

This has been a really long, tough week. Work has really eaten into my personal time, our new puppy is a hassle, and that makes the wife a little upset, and it seems like it has rained for the past 3 weeks straight (not really, just feels like it). Tonight is the first time I have been able to get on this computer and blog or anything at all, all week long. Once again, no confidence for weigh in next week but I am sure feeling good! Life is great and it was such a great day and week!

TGIF!!

Just as expected...

I actually had another gain this past two weeks, 5 ounces. It does kind of really stink but it is just one of those things I have to deal with, face full on, and get past. It really could of been much worse for sure! It could of been a gain of 5 pounds.

My eating the past 2 weeks was not the best. I really pushed the exercise extra hard. If I can get my eating under control, I think things will improve very much. I need to journal my food intake (and I have said this over and over with out staying true to my word) on a more consistent, daily basis. I know for a fact that in the past, I would be so extremely discouraged at this moment and quiting this whole thing would be so easy, but right now, I am not down in the very least. I even feel energized and encouraged at this very moment! I have 3 months before I reach my year of living a healthier life. Am sure I will not reach my goal of 280 pounds but I am still going to give it a shot! At this point, If I can make it to 299 by August 23, I will be beyond happy!

This whole journey has not been about weight loss; it is about making better choices and leading a healthier life and I have done this. Weight loss is just a side effect!

I am on television tomorrow morning.

Pain and Depression

I have battled depression for most of my adult life but things have been good recently. Monday and Tuesday, I was really feeling down and out, just about the worst I have felt in years and years. No particular reason; just something which happens from time to time.

I really feel like I have been working out really hard over the past 6 weeks, pushing my body in ways I have not done since I was a teenager. After my long walk last Saturday, I was feeling pretty good and did more yard work Sunday afternoon. My legs hurt so badly the past few days, just from planting flowers! Using muscles in a way they have no been used in many years! Really makes no sense to me at all.

I have no confidence for my weigh in this Saturday at all. I hope there will be a loss and at best, I am hoping just to maintain. My energy level this week has just crashed! It took everything I had just to work the aerobic step for one hour tonight (and sore legs are not helping!). I am feeling so anxious right now; I just need to chill out a bit and relax

We have a new addition to our family. He is a pug and his name is Sushi. What a cute little dog he is.