NWLJ – Days 48-50: Being Human

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a few days. For the past week, I've been sore, tired, and generally unmotivated. I don't know why. I haven't walked, I've barely worked out, I've struggled to maintain my diet. Tonight, however, I hope I broke through the funk. I worked out for about 20 minutes, and I'm feeling a little better, both about myself and my pursuit. I told myself I was going to do this, and I'm keeping to it, for better or for worse!

I've been eating grilled chicken and pasta, or chicken with a couple slices of wheat bread. I had a couple slices of pizza for a coworker's birthday, but one was a taco pizza with lettuce and tomato, so I guess that wasn't so horrible. Just not the best. I'm still having problems with timing my meals, and thus getting all my meals in. I guess practice makes perfect.

I did workout with Rachel and Jacinta this past Wednesday. I hope Matt comes by tomorrow evening so we can continue our walks. The 2 hour walk we had last week was great! I guess I just get lonely during my endeavors.

Anyway, I weighed myself on Wednesday. 278.8. Which means that I didn't losing any weight, but then again, I didn't gain, either. I also haven't been consistently exercising either. Better luck next weigh-in.

Well, that's about all for this time. Hopefully I'll have a post on Saturday or Sunday. I hope to go for a hike with the family tomorrow. *crosses fingers* Weather permitting.

See ya next time!

NWLJ – Days 45-47: No Two Ways About It... Ugh!

If weekends are Kryptonite to me, then holiday weekends are doubly so. I really didn't eat well the past few days. Burgers, fried chicken, soda. And no exercise. I'm actually really kinda depressed. Today wasn't that bad. I had a ham grinder. I know, I'm not eating as much as I ought to be. I'm also a bit sore. From what, I have no idea. My muscles ached all day, and I spent the majority of the day trying to idiot-proof a spreadsheet. Took me almost the entire day! As a result, no walk today either. Ugh!

I think I'm gonna go downstairs and cook up some chicken and pasta for tomorrow. I have some tuna and wheat bread at work. I just have to figure out some veggies.

I also hate doing alot of these things alone. I feel so much more into working out and walking when I have someone to do so with. I love the encouragement I get here, but that often doesn't help in the moment. I'm actually surprised I've made it this long. Maybe getting back into a routine will help.

Tomorrow is Weigh-In Wednesday. Last week, I was 278.8 lbs. I don't put much faith that I lost any this week, but I always say that, don't I?

See ya!

NWLJ – Days 43 & 44: Walkin' Fool

Eating hasn't been that bad the last couple days. However, I tried having a protein shake as a meal replacement, and it didn't work well at all! Yech! Mental note, only have one of those after a workout. Yesterday I had an egg and cheese on a multigrain bagel, a salad with tuna, the aforementioned shake, and finished with a plate full of pasta. Today, being my free day, I had a bowl of rice chex, a couple donuts, and a chicken breast sub. Not bad, even for my day off!

Last night, I went for a long walk with Metheaus. We prolly walked at least 3 miles. Granted, this was in the middle of the night, cuz neither of us wanted to sleep, and had plenty to say. It was great to go walking with someone and while away the time rather than just listening to an audio book or podcast, but normally I get by. I really wish I could convince Chrissy to go for a walk periodically with me, but we're almost always otherwise occupied. School nights and all. Maybe when school lets out... Nothing today, however, unless you count going for a stroll through the park exercise. Ah well.

Not much to say this time around. Everyone says that I look thinner, but I don't see it. Don't get me wrong, it's encouraging, but I'm trying not to let it get to my head. =D

Until next time, see ya!

NWLJ – Days 41 & 42: Concessions

I know, I should have written this yesterday. Sue me. Actually, don't. I don't have anything to lose, except weight. Isn't that what this journal is all about? ;)

I'm not gonna say much. I ate well yesterday, chicken and rice, etc, until dinner. Pizza again, because that's what was ordered. I've come to the conclusion that I can't promise that I will abide by these rules when I am having dinner elsewhere. It's all a matter of circumstance. If the group is ordering pizza or chinese or whatever, so be it. I can't force everyone else to adhere to my dietary needs. I am not using this as an excuse to jump ship. I'm still eating right, albeit not as often as I should be. Gotta work on that.

We worked out last night. Oh so good. First time in a week. I walked both yesterday and today. However, today's walk was a disaster! I did a high-intensity lap first (unintentionally) and my legs burned and ached. I slowed down, and tried to work my way through the burn, but at the end of lap three, I was practically limping. I had to stop, and I'm a little disappointed, but I shouldn't overdo it. I think I'll reserve that high-intensity lap for last, when it's ok to collapse.

Well, I hate to say it, but I've forgotten the guesses that people told me in person. Well, one way or another, I'm down to 278.8. I lost half a pound. Not alot, but still, I'm going in the right direction! I blame the lack of exercise. Shame on me! Ah well.

Well, tomorrow is another day. Hopefully, I'll get in a walk, but no promises. This weekend will be better.

See ya!

NWLJ – Days 40: Shake Shake Shake!

Today just proved that I don't have a ton of willpower. I had a milkshake. A medium one. It wasn't exactly my intent. I wasn't planning on having ice cream at all. Chrissy and I took Elizabeth to the park after I got out of work. On the way home, I decided I was going to treat them to some ice cream. I wasn't going to order anything, but the words slipped out of my mouth. "Small vanilla shake." Well, at least I ordered a small. That's not what I got. I got a medium instead. The waitress apologized. Damn right, she should apologize! I didn't want to go that far off the path, but she pushed it on me! DQ is the dietary equivalent to crack! I also realized that as I'm drinking this dairy narcotic that milkshakes have two detrimental qualities. One, they come in opaque containers. This makes it difficult to gauge visually how much you've drunk. And second, their weight to mass ratio is all out of whack! You make it through 3/4 of the cup and it doesn't feel really any lighter, but make it to 25/32 of the cup, and suddenly you feel just how empty it is! And that's about how much I had before succumbing to the realization that I spoiled my diet. Again.

Now, I'm not beating myself up. No, if I've learned anything about myself, I've learned that if I don't get back on that horse, the damn creature is going to drag me to my destination. Tomorrow, I'll resolve to do better, because if you can't forgive yourself, how the hell is anyone else going to?

I digress. Today was a pretty good day otherwise. Except that my salad this afternoon just didn't taste right. It looked alright, but past the lips it was not what I had hoped it would be. Could have been the tuna, or the dressing, or likely the lettuce. I don't know, but I wound up tossing half of it. Damn shame, too. I was so looking forward to it. Lettuce not dwell, for we are not in a pickle.

Chicken with rice, an egg and cheese bagel, and a subway chicken breast grinder pretty much was the standard fare. I need to pick something else to break up the monotony. I'm out of tuna for the moment. I'm out of peanuts, too. I have the protein shake powder now, and it's yummy! Crap, sarcasm doesn't translate as well in text. Ah well. It's not that it's horrible. It just has a weird aftertaste.

Took a walk today. 5 laps around the track. Tried running for the last lap, and wound up tossing my mp3 player in the process. I lost the battery cover, but it works fine without. Tomorrow is my weekly workout with Danny and Rachel, and I can't wait! I hope to take another walk again tomorrow during lunch. Gotta stay in the habit, right?

Tomorrow is Weight-In Wednesday, and that means I need your guesses! Ok, need is a strong word. I'd like your guesses. Last week, I lost a pound to bring me down to 279.2. I didn't stick completely with my diet, and wasn't as active as I wanted to be, so I'm not sure how much I've lost, if any. I don't think it's much, but I guess we'll find out in the morning. You'll find out tomorrow night. Well, I'd better get to bed. 'night all!

See ya on the flipside!

NWLJ – Days 37-39: Does Pac-Man Eat Like This?

Weekends seems to be my Kryptonite. On the weekends, I wind up in situations where I have a ton of food in front of me, and I am compelled to eat it all. Granted, Saturdays are my free day, but it often spills over into Sunday.

This past Saturday, I went to a small festival called Forest Folk. It was actually a lot of fun! They have workshops, vendors, and on Saturday night, they have a drumming circle. The writing workshop I wanted to attend was cancelled, so instead, I learned poi. Poi are these sacks at the end of strings that you twirl. The closest parallel I can make is juggling. Other people were doing yoga, meditating, learning belly dancing, or sitting by the fire. There was so much to do, even if you did nothing at all! The location was absolutely beautiful and tranquil. I wish I could have stayed all weekend, but alas, I could only afford to bring the family for one day. I had to get them home, and decided to just go home afterward, so I missed out on the drumming circle. I did finish the website for Mama Miron, which meant I sat at the computer the rest of the weekend, but it’s done, and I am very pleased with the results. I’ll post a link to the results when we get the site online.

I’m not sure I’ll get in much exercise this week, either. Normally, I’ll steal the TV before it’s occupied, which it remains until well past midnight. There’s not enough room in my bedroom to do an aerobic workout. However, we have company, so there’s a sleeping 7-year-old on the couch, and I don’t have the heart to wake her. I mean, I hate being woken up when I can otherwise sleep in, especially considering if I’m up for 5 minutes, I ain’t getting back to sleep. Not a refreshing one, at least. If I can help it, I won’t subject someone else to that. Anyways, I suppose I could do some weight training…

Saturday is my free day, and I really didn’t eat that badly. Well, that’s not entirely true. I had a sausage, egg, and cheese bagel, and then didn’t eat again until the feast. I had pasta, salad, some bread, and shared an orange. Then I went home and munched on some Bugles while I did some computer stuff. I love them, but they’re so bad for me! Sunday, I had a bowl of Cheerios with a packet of Truvia to sweeten. Then I had some ravioli and a big ol’ meatball with some salad. Dinner? Pizza. It was what everyone decided was for dinner, since no one wanted to cook. And how do I repay myself? A Klondike bar.

Today wasn't so bad, though. Protein shake for breakfast, chicken with brown rice for Second Breakfast, and Elevenses. Roast beef and potatoes for Luncheon, and a bowl of Rice Chex for Dinner. I think I'm gonna have to eat every 2 hours, rather than every 3, if I'm gonna get my full count of meals in.

Well, another week of resolving to do better. I hope I have the strength to actually go through with it this time.

See ya!

NWLJ - Day 36: “Diet” is a 4-Letter Word

Well, I came to class unprepared. No homework, no pencils, no textbook, which means I need to wing it hardcore, and that’s going to cost me. This morning, I just couldn’t get myself up and going. I wound up leaving the house with little more than an apple for Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevenses, (which actually works out to be “Onses”) and Luncheon. Fortunately, I got paid yesterday, but I need to conserve my money a bit more. I wound up getting an egg sandwich at D&D for Breakfast, and wound up skipping Second Breakfast since I couldn’t go out for lunch until later. I had a tuna grinder at Blimpies cut into thirds and ate one segment for a late Onses. The other two I had for Luncheon and Dinner, and a bowl of Cheerios for Supper.

I've invested some money into a stability ball. Y’know, those yoga balls that won’t pop. My biggest concern is where to keep it. I suppose I could deflate it every time, but that is such a pain. Right now, it's sitting on the floor, next to me, watching me. I don't know what it wants, but it's creaping me out... Anyways, from what I’ve seen on My Fitness Coach, I can use the ball in lieu of a weight bench, although the bench would be a little easier to use. The ball is a much smaller investment, (a workout bench is $50 while a stability ball is $10) so that's what I got. I had a weight set in my hands. Variable weights, 40lbs altogether, $20. I decided not to get it for the time being. I've got what I need for now.

Took a walk around BJs and Ocean State Job Lot, then through the cemetery and got a couple more pictures. Check out the pics here! I’d like to find some more scenic roads on which to walk. The walk lasted about 20 minutes so about a mile or so. Walked around Walmart this evening. I'm a walkin' foo'!

Peace out, yo! Um, I mean, See ya!

NWLJ - Days 34 & 35: Blah

Not really in the mood to write much right now. Walked and worked out yesterday. The workout was longer, and with the weights, it was alot more intense! Nothing today, due to weather and time. Been trying to stick to a regular eating pattern. Been good about it, 5-6 meals a day, grilled the chicken, and it was good. Though, tonight I had pizza, since I was over my parents' house and that's what they already ordered.

Yesterday's weigh-in was 279.2! I broke through the 280 mark! Congrats, Angela, for your guess of 278.

Well, I'm planning on walking through the cemetery in Willimantic tomorrow. I'll take some more pictures and post them on here. I'll try to post an update or something soon.

See ya.

NWLJ - Days 32 & 33: Back on the Horse, Again

(Sorry this one is late, I went straight to bed last night.)

Things haven't been that bad the last couple days. I've started to get used to eating more frequently, although I'm still starving when I get out of work. I'm eating healthier meals. The last two days, I've had Cheerios with fresh strawberries. Sooo good! But I can't live strictly on cereal in the morning. I'm generally missing my protein. I'm going to need to make some eggs the night before if I'm going to do the whole egg whites thing. It's just too hard to do it all first thing in the morning. I'll be late for work and then the yolks on me! Har dee har har! A protein bar after my walk was lunch yesterday, a chicken breast sub from Subway, and another chicken breast for dinner. I've started using my George Foreman grill. Its name is George. The chicken breasts I bought are frozen, so to make cooking them easier, I think I'm going to have to thaw them out. I think I might fire up the gas grill, grill a whole bunch all at once. Some of my salad with tuna for Second Breakfast and the rest for lunch, with a handful of peanuts. And another handful of peanuts to tide me over. And a burger and a baked potato, then a couple chicken patties. Not bad, but I know I could be doing better.

Working out is a bit difficult. Monday was my day off from exercise, but I went for my usual half hour walk. The last lap I tried to speed things up a little. Boy, could I feel it in my legs! Felt like jelly right after, but it wasn't debilitating. This morning, I went to do my usual cardio, but realized that some houseguests were sleeping in the other room, and I was going to make too much noise. I went for a walk during lunch as usual, but I really need a workout. I really want a workout, which I never thought I'd say. I guess that's progress! My walk today was rough. I tried to pick up the pace a little, and my legs ached after only one lap, so I slowed down, and then stopped a couple time to let the burning get to manageable levels. Wound up only doing 4 laps. I believe I was a bit ahead of my typical time, so I might have finished the last lap within the 27 minutes it normally takes me to complete the 5-lap circuit. Oddly enough, my pedometer said I only walked about .86 miles, when a full 5 laps brings me to 1.3 miles. I can only deduce that my strides were longer than normal. Did I think to check the number of steps? Nope. I'm an idiot.

I really think that nutrition should be in a school curriculum. We never learned to eat right as kids or teens, unless our parents were health savvy, which most Americans are not. Yes, there are tons of public service announcements that talk about good nutrition, but have been a kid once, they usually get ignored. I don't think kids have the capacity to fully appreciate the importance of good nutrition until middle or high school. Of course, nutrition isn't the only skills missing from young adults. I think we need a Life 101 class, in which kids learn practical things like eating healthy, basic car maintenance, and personal finance. I know way too many people who can't change a tire or balance their checkbook. I don't balance my checkbook, mostly because I constantly forget to update it, but that doesn't mean I can't. And I don't change my own tires because I have AAA. Not that I need them, except when I break down. Which is all too often. Stupid gremlins.

Tomorrow is Weigh-In Wednesday, and I'm actually a bit nervous, because I didn't eat all that well this weekend. I'm scared that I've taken a step backwards. Well, no sense in despairing over the present setbacks when one has hope for the future. Well, nonetheless, make your estimates and you'll find out tomorrow evening what the results were.

NWLJ - Days 30 and 31: You Put Your Right Foot In, You Put Your Right Foot Out...

This weekend both sucked and rocked. More sucked than rocked, but you take the good with the bad.

Well, it was a weekend of excess. I ate alot of stuff I shouldn't have. Friday, I had soda and Chinese. Saturday, I had pizza. Sunday, I had ice cream and Chinese. Anyone notice a pattern? Now, that doesn't mean that's all I ate. I had fruit, I had water, I kept my portions controlled. Well, maybe not on the pizza. I think I have a little Ninja Turtle in my DNA.

It's also been a very stressful weekend, for reasons I won't state. It's no wonder my appetite is out of control.

However, I did get my shopping done. I now have a bag of uncooked, frozen chicken breasts sitting in the freezer, just waiting for me to thaw and cook. I have a bag of brown rice, quick oats, apples, some salad stuff, and most of all, I got my hands on a box of Truvia. I know this may be cheating, but I've been mixing Truvia into my water, to give it a little flavor, and believe me, it's helped ALOT! I'm hoping that this will be a step towards getting off flavored drinks. I don't think I will get off flavored water altogether, but I need to be drinking more water.

I didn't get a chance to really workout this weekend. However, I helped clear out a storage area on Saturday, and did my biweekly eval for My Fitness Coach on Sunday. Granted, the latter wasn't as long or intense a workout as the normal workout, but it was something.

I can't start the Body for Life workout regiment without a bench and weights. Even though help has been offered, I'm not sure if I can or should take those parties up on the offer.

Anyways, I'm going to cut this for now. See you all on the next post!

NWLJ - Days 28 & 29: ...and, Boy, Are My Arms Tired!

My workout has officially kicked me in the bum! Last night, I got home, and it was just me and Adam, so I worked out, and my arms officially felt like jelly! And not even the good stuff! They felt like cheap dollar store jelly. Raspberry, I think. Only one man dares give me the raspberry!

Anyway, I had trouble reaching up to type on the keyboard. Am I happy I got the workout? Hell yes! Did I want to die? See previous response. But in the long run, it was worth it! Even though today was my off day for a workout, I walked a mile and a quarter, partly uphill.

I didn't do so bad nutritionally the past few days. Yes, I had a Wendy's burger last night, with a backed potato, and this evening I decided I would start my "free day" a little early with some sweet and sour chicken. I've learned my lesson, I'm not doing that again even if I'm allowed. I did have a nice salad with tuna and light ranch dressing this afternoon, and it was sooooo good! Filled me right up! I need to find more meals like that: portioned correctly and filling. It's probably true that the fat content of the tuna (no mayo, btw) is what filled me up, but it really hit the spot!

Again, another weekend filled with parties. It's going to be tough keeping to the new regiment, but I am not starting the Body for Life program until I can get a weight bench. My fiance's brother has offered to work out with me, and he's got all the weights, just no bench. Chrissy wants to join in the workout routine, too! The more people I can get to join in the pattern, the better off I think I'll be able to stick with it. Tomorrow is grocery day, and I'm going to have to get the chicken breasts and rice.

Oatmeal is eh, in my opinion. Not the best, but it's something. I had to add some sugar and some cinnamon to make it appeal more to my pallet. I also want to find a sugar substitute, but want to steer clear of anything with aspartame or sucralose. I want something natural, unrefined. I've been told to use Sugar in the Raw. I don't use sugar often anymore, but can anyone make any suggestions?

Anyways, time for bed. See you all tomorrow.

Nick's Weight Loss Journal - Days 27: Conversations with Snap, Crackle, and Pop

I've missed cereal. After nothing but yogurt and instant breakfast, having a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast was wonderful! I know, getting excited about breakfast is kinda weird. But look who you're talking to. I mean, reading about. I also tried Myoplex yesterday. Yech! I drank half and my body said, "Oh, hell no!" and had to pour the rest out. I'm hoping to find either a way to make the drink more palatable, or a tastier equivalent. Had a small salad for lunch, but since the protein drink didn't hit the spot, I was starving on my way to Danny's, so I had a chicken grinder for dinner, then some chicken after the workout.

I need to decide if I want to walk or eat during my lunch, because recently, I haven't been able to do both. I've had a slew of walk-in clients, and my walk yesterday was interrupted by an unexpected client. Ah well... I went to Danny's house last night, and didn't work out until late, which means I didn't get home until really late, and I went straight to bed. Thus the reason for this brief and late post. We did a 15 minute workout, and we used weights. It was an intense! Our arms felt like jelly half way through, but we powered through it and were satisfied with the results.

Yesterday's Weigh-In went well. I'm down to 280.5! Angela was the closest with her guess of 278.5, beating Shannon's guess of 278. Sorry, Shannon, better luck next time! Anyways, I am losing weight, and that makes me happy. I'm just hoping that this trend will continue. Parties this weekend will test my resolve. I'm hoping that the force is strong with me!

Until tonight, see ya!

Nick's Weight Loss Journal - Days 25 & 26: The Best Laid Plans are Dang Lucky!

I've spent the past week pouring over the Body for Life book, getting ready for the major switch to a regimented diet. I have no idea where I'm going to get the weights for the exercises. I'm kinda poor, so i don't even have the money for the start-up fee at a gym. I know that Shannon has offered to help, but I really feel like I'm intruding, and no matter how gracious the host. Some of my friends have memberships to gyms, so I'll see if I can tag along. *crosses fingers*

I have picked up food and a 4-pack of Myoplex. I'd like to see how it tastes before buying a tub. It would be just my luck, I buy a 30 serving jar and hate the stuff. I bought oatmeal. I really don't know if I'll like it, since the most oatmeal I've had was in cookie form. I made some salad, too. I need to throw some protein in there somewhere. I priced frozen chicken breasts, but didn't have enough tonight to get it.

My dietary habits have been a little wonky the last couple days. Yesterday was an instant breakfast, a tuna grinder, and a chicken sandwich. Today was yogurt and a bagel, a meal replacement bar, and pasta. I haven't been drinking alot of Vitamin Water. Still diluting it to bring down the calories.

No exercise the past two days. Crappy weather kept me from walking, and this morning, I just couldn't get out of bed. I'm hoping that if I can find someone to go to the gym with, I'll have less of an excuse not to go. I should be sent to bed without dessert. Wait, I already am. Dammit...

But, hey, it's Tuesday, which means tomorrow is Weigh-In Wednesday. I've already gotten one estimate. My weight on last Wednesday was 281.4 lbs. What will it be tomorrow? We'll find out!

See ya!

Nick's Weight Loss Journal - Days 23 & 24: Par-tay!

Well, this weekend was not the best nutritionally, but it was my daughter's birthday. I don't know any party's ever being healthy. On Saturday, I had a breakfast sandwich at Panera Bread on a whole wheat bagel. Not the best I've ever had, to be honest. Lunch was a ham and cheese sandwich, followed by cake and ice cream. I also nibbled on potato chips and had some soda. In all honestly, I much would have rathered have water, but tap water tastes nasty! Dinner was a couple chicken sandwiches. No workout, no walk. Shame on me.

This morning, Mom made blueberry pancakes. Woohoo! Upper body workout in My Fitness Coach, with weights this time. I feel much better, but the b#$%& made me do push ups. God I hate push ups, and crunches. I guess I should get used to doing them if I'm gonna get rid of the gut! Dinner was oven roasted turkey and potatoes. Cleaned my room, mostly, and folded my laundry. (Gasp!) Like I said in my mission statement, I want to establish better mental and physical habits, and what better way than to get organazized? Still got a long way to go, but I'm headed in the right direction.

I talked to Chrissy about doing Body for Life with me. We still need to work out the particulars, but it might turn out that it's not the diet for her. I think I'm still gonna do it, though.

No workout tomorrow, but weather permitting, I'm walking. I enjoy it. See you tomorrow.

Nick's Weight Loss Journal - Day 22: Going on the Hobbit Diet

Ok, so I’ve listened to Body for Life by Bill Phillips, at the request of Shannon, one of my co-workers. At first, I was skeptical about how much I’d agree with the program, but now that I’m done, I think I might try it out. Basically, it starts with reasons, decisions, goal planning, and positive thinking. I’ve recently formally set up my goal, (see today’s interlude) and I’ve done a lot of what he asks for in the first half. Then he goes into nutrition and exercise. Six meals a day with balanced portions of carbohydrates and protein, and veggies and fruit. And one day a week that I can eat whatever I want! Not a bad idea, I can get behind that. 30-40 minutes of exercise a day, with one day off. I’m already part way there! Just have to commit to it. He says I can get solid results in as little as 12 weeks, but I’m not looking for instant success. I’m still planning on keeping with the one year model. Ironically, I went to a book fair this evening with my mother and it was there! So I got a $27 book for $2! I love my mom! It’s worth a try, right? Any one out there use this program?

I was in Willimantic today, and the rain held off long enough for me to take a 15 minute walk around in the cemetery. I took a bunch of pictures of statues and headstones, but then the rain couldn’t hold back any more and I took refuge in Stop and Shop. Didn’t want to risk ruining my digital camera. Might as well get lunch while I’m hiding from the rain, right?

Breakfast, sadly, was only an instant breakfast. I wanted something more, but I didn’t have enough time to stop and grab anything. I need to prepare my meals at home from not on. I think I’ll finish off the stuff I’ve got and then not buy any more. I love the stuff, it’s better than having regular chocolate milk, but I can’t have it while doing the Body for Life thing. I had a third of a turkey grinder and an orange for Second Breakfast, and another third of my sandwich with an Apple for Elevenses, the last third for Luncheon, and a bowl of pasta with meatballs for Dinner. Now, what to eat for Supper. I skipped Afternoon Tea, though. Huh. That’s weird; I suddenly have the urge to throw a ring into a volcano...

No workout today, but I did walk for a little while. Tomorrow is my daughter’s birthday party, so likely cake will be present. That’ll be my free day. *sighs* I need a vacation. Mordor sounds nice this time of year...

Nick's Weight Loss Journal - Interlude: GOAL!!!

I’ve realized something lately. I’m doing this blog, working out, and eating healthier. But why? Yes, I’ve said I want to lose weight, specifically that I want to be 230 lbs, but I never said by when I wanted to be that weight. After years of being in student council and listening to my father’s self-help tapes, you’d think I’d remember the fundamentals of goals, but I forgot them. It was by listening to Body for Life that I was reminded that I wasn’t approaching this right. I’m going to start sounding like a textbook now, because I want to get this out, if for nothing else, for my own benefit.

Any positive change in anyone’s life starts with an aspiration. Aspirations are the imagining of the place or state of being in which you want to be. They fall into two categories: Hopes and Goals. Hopes are aspirations without structure. They energize us, but we otherwise we have no plans for voluntary action to manifest them. Unless something outside of our influence changes to our benefit, (yeah, good luck with that) they’ll continue to go unrealized. Goals are hopes that we plan to achieve. A goal needs three things: an objective, a deadline, and an action plan. In other words, what do you want to do, when do you want to have it done, and how are you going to do it?

A Mission Statement is a sentence or two that describes the overall aim of an individual or group, and the methods by which they will do so. This statement should not have specifics in it, but should talk about the themes about the author. For example, “to provide quality customer service” is a better mission statement phrase than “to answer claims within 2 days.” The latter is more of a goal, because it has a specific objective, a timeline, and defined actions would be attached to it.

So, how does this work into my weight loss ambitions? Well, first, I never stated my mission statement, nor have I defined my timelines for my goals. So, without any ado whatsoever, here he is, born a stone’s throw from this very arena, the son of Thomas Thatcher, Sir… William… Thatcher? er, crap, I was quoting A Knight’s Tale again, wasn’t I?

My Personal Mission Statement

It is my mission to improve mine and others’ quality of life through reduced stress, healthier physical and mental habits, and stronger and more meaningful connections to my friends and family.

I can never fully achieve my mission, since all of these points can always be improved upon. Rather it states the aim for my goals. It is separate from my professional mission statement. While I won’t bore you with some of the goals that don’t pertain to my weight loss journey, I will establish the relevant ones here.

Goal: Steadily and safely reduce weight to 230 lbs by April 1, 2010.

• Cardio workout five times a week
  - 15-30 minutes of aerobics and/or walking for 30 minutes.
  - Workout in a group at least once a week
  
• Weight training three times a week, 15-30 minutes.
  
• Remain active
  
• Eat balanced meals and snacks at regular intervals.
  - Read labels.
  - Prepare meals ahead of time.
  - Equal portions of carbohydrates and proteins per meal.
  - Multiple servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
  - Avoid excess sugars and fats, greasy food, and artificial sweeteners.
  - Take vitamin supplements
  
• Maintain daily journal and record activities and food intake.
  
• Continue education regarding nutrition and fitness.
  - Video, audio books, and podcasts
  - Discussion
  

(Right now, I’m only doing 15 minutes of aerobics (with weights for resistance) and weight training to ensure that I don’t burn out. (Last time I tried to do 30 minutes of aerobics, I wasn’t able to finish it. Then again, I wasn’t prepared to increase the difficulty.))

This goal is fairly conservative. I need to lose an average of 1 pound per week. I also can adjust a lot of the points as needed. I need to establish a new goal once I complete this one, and I might finish it early. Should I not complete it by the deadline, I’ll need to revise it and figure out new parameters to reach it.

Well, I think that’s it for me for this interlude. As always, your feedback is much appreciated.