Alright. So here's the scoop: I'm currently at 210.6 lbs. This actually seems to be the ideal weight. It's too much of a push to get below this and as long as I'm eating right this seems to be where my body wants to be. This will change, I'm sure as I finish my plastics but for now I'm good.
I've been out walking and biking a lot lately. I walk 6.5 miles almost every day now. I'm working on getting faster at completing that distance. On top of that I've been getting my daughter and I out on the bikes as much as possible. This past Saturday we rode our bikes over to the movie theaters. At the end of the ride (just before the theaters), there is a relatively big hill. I got up it without much trouble but had to stop and wait for my little one. You could tell she didn't want to do it but I give her credit, she plugged away, and amid cheering from the people at the apartment complex pool as they urged her on, she made it. I was so proud.
Anyway, it's been a hug daddy-daughter bonding experience. It's amazing me how much bonding getting out and doing a little exercise can occur between two people.
I've also been tanning for the first time in a REALLY long time. I don't want to get super dark (and doubt I could if I wanted to) but I do want some color. I thought that I would get a jump start using the salon down the street from me. It's been interesting, to say the least.
Anyway, today I'm filling out the paperwork to work with an online trainer. I'll keep you in the loop as to how that goes. I know we're all always on the look out for something that will help us be successful and maintain that success. It's my hope this will prove to be a powerful tool. As always, tune in for more information on this new adventure.
Take care and have a great Fourth of July.
Weight Loss
My Playlist
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Exercise / Trainers
Mmmmm. It's raining outside so I have the window open. I can't think of a smell I like better than rain. I should put my laptop in a poncho and go out and sit in the rain. I love summer rain. With that said, while I love the rain I do hope it won't rain all weekend. I have been really looking forward to getting on the bikes with Faith and getting out there.
I've had so much work on my plate over the past month that I've had to take a lot of it home with me. It has been that or sleep at work. Fortunately I've been able to watch the HBO series "Weeds" as I've been working. That has kept it from driving me too much insane. Good show by the way. I've made it a priority not to let my work interfere with my time with Faith and I've remained accessible to my friends and family but it has kept me from being able to get out and do a lot.
Anyway, the stress has been difficult to deal with. It's been hard not to fall back on bad habits and from time to time I do. Yesterday, however, I tried something different. Rode my bike over to a nearby park and went around the trail 8 times for a total of 6.4 miles (estimated). I didn't really have the time to do it but it was great. I need to do that more often.
I've also decided to investigate using a trainer. I used to work with this amazing woman. She has a daughter who is trained in physical fitness and martial arts and does personal training (online and in home/gym). I will probably post more about that later; however, if you want to get hooked up, let me know.
Just remember that your weight loss journey is only half of the trip. The other half is learning to live healthy and proper exercise and a good cardio make-up are essential to help you get there.
I've had so much work on my plate over the past month that I've had to take a lot of it home with me. It has been that or sleep at work. Fortunately I've been able to watch the HBO series "Weeds" as I've been working. That has kept it from driving me too much insane. Good show by the way. I've made it a priority not to let my work interfere with my time with Faith and I've remained accessible to my friends and family but it has kept me from being able to get out and do a lot.
Anyway, the stress has been difficult to deal with. It's been hard not to fall back on bad habits and from time to time I do. Yesterday, however, I tried something different. Rode my bike over to a nearby park and went around the trail 8 times for a total of 6.4 miles (estimated). I didn't really have the time to do it but it was great. I need to do that more often.
I've also decided to investigate using a trainer. I used to work with this amazing woman. She has a daughter who is trained in physical fitness and martial arts and does personal training (online and in home/gym). I will probably post more about that later; however, if you want to get hooked up, let me know.
Just remember that your weight loss journey is only half of the trip. The other half is learning to live healthy and proper exercise and a good cardio make-up are essential to help you get there.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Calories / Lagoon
So even though I'm not being as restrictive as I have been, I'm still finding that I'm not eating anything out of the norm. The biggest change really was on Friday when I added a couple of slices of cheddar cheese. This weekend zoomed by and I had to remind myself to actually eat. For Father's Day we spent a few hours at Lagoon. As always I forgot to eat until my low blood sugar reminded me. My daughter and I split a chicken rice bowl at Teriyaki Stik. Some chicken and a bit of rice. That was my deviation for the weekend. The funny thing is I don't really deprive myself (okay, so for my week long experiment I did but not as a general rule). I just watch how much of anything I eat and know where my triggers are.
Anyway...... I weighed this morning at 207.2 lbs. Nice.
Last Friday I also read a few articles which reminded me how easy it is to rack up calories. Amazingly so. This is why it is so important to understand how many calories are in everything. If you can estimate the amount of calories you are putting into your mouth then you are way ahead of the game.
One slice of bread is approximately 100 calories. Buffalo Chicken Salad at Chili's is over 1,000 calories. And so on. Get in the habit of knowing the calories now. It will help you estimate and that will help you tremendously.
Anyway...... I weighed this morning at 207.2 lbs. Nice.
Last Friday I also read a few articles which reminded me how easy it is to rack up calories. Amazingly so. This is why it is so important to understand how many calories are in everything. If you can estimate the amount of calories you are putting into your mouth then you are way ahead of the game.
One slice of bread is approximately 100 calories. Buffalo Chicken Salad at Chili's is over 1,000 calories. And so on. Get in the habit of knowing the calories now. It will help you estimate and that will help you tremendously.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
End of the Week Blurb
For those of you who would like to start running but are struggling with it because it's been so long since you have, here is a website just for you.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
How do you know when you're done with your weight loss?
Well the easy answer is that when your daily caloric intake rises to the point where it pretty much matches up to your daily caloric expenditure, your weight loss stops.
My answer however (which is basically the same as above) is when you try to lose weight and you can't because there's not much fat left on your body and you're exercising and eating enough to keep your body from eating your muscle tissue. This, I think, is what I ran into last week. But we'll see. I seem to have bottomed out weight-wise (which is totally fine because I'm perfectly happy with where I am).
Now if I could just affect the weather by how I eat and exercise that would be great. I need some sunshine this weekend.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
How do you know when you're done with your weight loss?
Well the easy answer is that when your daily caloric intake rises to the point where it pretty much matches up to your daily caloric expenditure, your weight loss stops.
My answer however (which is basically the same as above) is when you try to lose weight and you can't because there's not much fat left on your body and you're exercising and eating enough to keep your body from eating your muscle tissue. This, I think, is what I ran into last week. But we'll see. I seem to have bottomed out weight-wise (which is totally fine because I'm perfectly happy with where I am).
Now if I could just affect the weather by how I eat and exercise that would be great. I need some sunshine this weekend.
Day 7
Okay... hmmm. How to put this. I wasn't perfect today. Damn.
It started off well but my string of perfect days came to an end when I popped like 10 jelly bellies. Then I ate about 10 pieces of licorice and then like 15 small round chocolate candies.
*covers eyes* I hate myself already!
Anyway, the rest of the day went well (that all happened in about a 2 hour period) and I did get on the elliptical and workout when I got home (5 out of the last 6 days). So that did make me feel better. And my water has been phenomenal.
So there you have it. Tomorrow I'm getting back to where I was because I know I won't be perfect at Lagoon on Sunday (well, I might be really close). More updates to come.
It started off well but my string of perfect days came to an end when I popped like 10 jelly bellies. Then I ate about 10 pieces of licorice and then like 15 small round chocolate candies.
*covers eyes* I hate myself already!
Anyway, the rest of the day went well (that all happened in about a 2 hour period) and I did get on the elliptical and workout when I got home (5 out of the last 6 days). So that did make me feel better. And my water has been phenomenal.
So there you have it. Tomorrow I'm getting back to where I was because I know I won't be perfect at Lagoon on Sunday (well, I might be really close). More updates to come.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Day 6
Day 6.
Still cruising. Weighed this morning at 209.6 lbs. Drank lots and waited until 10am to eat 1/2 of my protein bar (150 calories - 7.5g protein). Drank more and then when I got home I jumped on the elliptical. After finishing my workout (at about 3:45pm), I drank a EAS protein shake (170 calories - 20g protein). About an hour and a half later I was actually a little hungry so I ate the other half of the protein bar (150 calories - 7.5g protein).
So right now I'm at 470 calories - 35g protein. At the end of the day I'll be at 670 calories and 50g protein. Add on the little bit of calories that flavoring my water brings and I'm right about 800 calories.
This is actually getting kind of fun. All in all though today was a bit more difficult than some of the other days. I had a harder time getting into the workout (the first 10 minutes is always the hardest) and I had a more difficult time stretching the meal times out (as noted by the 2nd half of the protein bar). But all in all, I'm cruising.
Still cruising. Weighed this morning at 209.6 lbs. Drank lots and waited until 10am to eat 1/2 of my protein bar (150 calories - 7.5g protein). Drank more and then when I got home I jumped on the elliptical. After finishing my workout (at about 3:45pm), I drank a EAS protein shake (170 calories - 20g protein). About an hour and a half later I was actually a little hungry so I ate the other half of the protein bar (150 calories - 7.5g protein).
So right now I'm at 470 calories - 35g protein. At the end of the day I'll be at 670 calories and 50g protein. Add on the little bit of calories that flavoring my water brings and I'm right about 800 calories.
This is actually getting kind of fun. All in all though today was a bit more difficult than some of the other days. I had a harder time getting into the workout (the first 10 minutes is always the hardest) and I had a more difficult time stretching the meal times out (as noted by the 2nd half of the protein bar). But all in all, I'm cruising.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Day 5
It's amazing to me how easy it is to live under 700 calories a day. If you had asked me 2 years ago if I could ever see it happening I would have thought you were crazy. But yet I've been on this kick all week. Today is day 5. Yesterday I ended up with 480 calories (plus whatever little amounts of calories I take in to flavor my water).
I'm now at 211.4 lbs. Yep. That was what I weighed in at this morning. That's almost 9 lbs down from when I hit my scary weight. The push is on to break the 200 lbs barrier. I'm exercising at least 5 times a week too in order to keep my body from breaking down muscle. Add to that the fact that I'm ingesting 20grams of protein immediately after every workout (have to love the EAS shakes).
Some have asked if this is a reaction to what I've been talking about in my personal blog. I guess it is a little bit but I actually started this before that happened. Others have asked how long I plan on doing this. I honestly don't know. At least until I get past the 200 lb barrier. And I don't think I'm opposed to occasionally eating out with friends/family/colleagues but then it would be the only meal of the day (most likely).
The ultimate question is when will this become a habit? After 28 days? Or will it always be something that will require my mental focus in order to happen? I mean it is fairly easy but it does require discipline. I have to watch and remind myself not to just eat because I think it's time.
Anyway, this is proving to be a very interesting experiment. More to come later.
I'm now at 211.4 lbs. Yep. That was what I weighed in at this morning. That's almost 9 lbs down from when I hit my scary weight. The push is on to break the 200 lbs barrier. I'm exercising at least 5 times a week too in order to keep my body from breaking down muscle. Add to that the fact that I'm ingesting 20grams of protein immediately after every workout (have to love the EAS shakes).
Some have asked if this is a reaction to what I've been talking about in my personal blog. I guess it is a little bit but I actually started this before that happened. Others have asked how long I plan on doing this. I honestly don't know. At least until I get past the 200 lb barrier. And I don't think I'm opposed to occasionally eating out with friends/family/colleagues but then it would be the only meal of the day (most likely).
The ultimate question is when will this become a habit? After 28 days? Or will it always be something that will require my mental focus in order to happen? I mean it is fairly easy but it does require discipline. I have to watch and remind myself not to just eat because I think it's time.
Anyway, this is proving to be a very interesting experiment. More to come later.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Eating and Exercise - An Ephiphany
Day four. Okay, so I was thinking this morning that I'm really not eating any different now than I was about 18 months ago. It's really similiar, actually more along the lines of how I should have been eating back then but we won't get into that.
So I've stopped thinking what I'm doing is unhealthy. Can I do it my entire life? Well, I could but I doubt I will. What I'm actually doing right now is eating four times a day. Three times at 200 calories or slightly less and the other is a snack under 100 calories. So that's putting me between 650-700 calories per day. If you add the flavored water, that's between 100-150 calories per day. All in all it boots me under 1,000 calories. But I'm still getting around 60 grams of protein per day.
This all aids in my push for 195 lbs. But how am I going to stay at 195 once I get there? Easy. That's where the exercise push comes in. I'm telling you here and now, right here, that exercise every day is the thing. As Disney puts it: You've got to move it, move it. Okay, so Disney didn't invent that line but I just say Madagascar 2 with a friend and my daughter so it's what came to mind.
I have a lot of goals when it comes to exercise. And let's talk about goals for a minute. I know some of you have talked to me about this in the past. Having an end goal is important but if that's the only goal you have, then your chances for failure are good. You need to have a long-term (end) goal but you also need to have several short-term (stepping stone) goals. Stepping stone goals are your pathway to your end goal. For example, I want to run a half marathon next spring in Ogden. How am I going to get there?? Well, by pushing myself on the elliptical, getting out and biking, starting to run and as my body accommodates, increasing the amount that I do each day.
As I'm a person who likes things to happen overnight (gets me in no end of trouble -- usually with other people), I like to jump into things too fast. This is no exception. But I'm working on holding myself back, being patient, and putting in the every day work that is required to get me to the level I want. Do I have a timeframe? Not really other than next spring. I don't really do timeframes well anyway. But in the back of my mind, I'd like to be tremendously closer by the end of July and that's the push. If it happens, great. If not, well I know I'll get there eventually, you know?
Email me if any of this doesn't make sense to you. I think it's important.
So I've stopped thinking what I'm doing is unhealthy. Can I do it my entire life? Well, I could but I doubt I will. What I'm actually doing right now is eating four times a day. Three times at 200 calories or slightly less and the other is a snack under 100 calories. So that's putting me between 650-700 calories per day. If you add the flavored water, that's between 100-150 calories per day. All in all it boots me under 1,000 calories. But I'm still getting around 60 grams of protein per day.
This all aids in my push for 195 lbs. But how am I going to stay at 195 once I get there? Easy. That's where the exercise push comes in. I'm telling you here and now, right here, that exercise every day is the thing. As Disney puts it: You've got to move it, move it. Okay, so Disney didn't invent that line but I just say Madagascar 2 with a friend and my daughter so it's what came to mind.
I have a lot of goals when it comes to exercise. And let's talk about goals for a minute. I know some of you have talked to me about this in the past. Having an end goal is important but if that's the only goal you have, then your chances for failure are good. You need to have a long-term (end) goal but you also need to have several short-term (stepping stone) goals. Stepping stone goals are your pathway to your end goal. For example, I want to run a half marathon next spring in Ogden. How am I going to get there?? Well, by pushing myself on the elliptical, getting out and biking, starting to run and as my body accommodates, increasing the amount that I do each day.
As I'm a person who likes things to happen overnight (gets me in no end of trouble -- usually with other people), I like to jump into things too fast. This is no exception. But I'm working on holding myself back, being patient, and putting in the every day work that is required to get me to the level I want. Do I have a timeframe? Not really other than next spring. I don't really do timeframes well anyway. But in the back of my mind, I'd like to be tremendously closer by the end of July and that's the push. If it happens, great. If not, well I know I'll get there eventually, you know?
Email me if any of this doesn't make sense to you. I think it's important.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Exercise and Your Self Image
Whew. I am so tired. It was a long (but good) day at work but coming home and working out and then going out for a long bike ride was just what I needed. I feel at peace. I'm still on this controlling what I eat kick. I calculated out that yesterday was around 750 calories (including the flavored water). Today so far I'm at about 550-600. Amazingly enough, eating less has led to more drinking so my water has soared to over 100 ounces.
How long will I do this? I don't know. When I hang with good friends, I pick things up from them. I picked this up from a friend late last week. Apparently its been an unhealthy but rather production tool for them over the course of their life. I wondered if I could do it, could live that way. Guess I'm finding my answer. I don't find it overly difficult, in fact I'm getting pretty used to it. I assume that if I kept it up long enough, it would become habit. Don't know if I want to go that far. But I'll probably continue through the end of the week.
I haven't changed my mind -- I want to push down to 195. That's about 18 lbs from where I am now. I'm exercising and getting in a good deal of protein after I finish so I'm sure the 18 lbs won't come from the used muscle. What I wonder is if I actually have 18 lbs of fat to lose. Guess we'll see. According to the BMI scale, I do.
I'm starting to get into the elliptical too. My next step is to bump it up an extra 15 minutes. Then once I get used to that, I'm going to start running in addition to the elliptical. I don't have a specific timeframe for this (I don't do timeframes) but I'd honestly like to be running 5 or more miles by at least the end of the summer. We'll see. Next summer I want to join some of my friends/colleagues in running the half marathon up in Ogden.
Many of you have stated that you hate exercise. I totally relate and understand. Up until now that is. I think hate of exercise is like hate of math. If you have the wrong mindset, you're screwed. You can't think of exercise as a have-to. You can't think "oh I have to get in shape." Once you make it a have-to, it's downhill.
When I first started this exercise journey, it was painful to try and get myself to do it. As I started realizing where the journey was taking me, that the exercise could alleviate my stress (it really is cathartic), that it was going to help me get to where I wanted to go (which is where I was headed when I started the weight loss), it's all become different now. Granted it wasn't at first but it so is now. I'm exercising every day now. I missed a couple of days last week due to a long date and time with my daughter but otherwise I was there every day. And this week I want to exercise every day and unless something better comes up, I'm there.
Some of you, I'm sure, have this image of yourself in your mind. This image is a toned version of yourself. Well, losing the weight is definitely a start. But any toned person you see isn't just skinny. They have spent time, put the hours in, to exercise. This means working out. Find your motivation. Find your reason. If you like hiking then thrill as your leg muscles get stronger. Start off small. Start with 30 minutes a day. If you don't like going to the gym, buy an elliptical. But do something that makes you breath hard (and sex does count but you have to do more than just sex -- well unless that's your job and you're doing it like 150 times a day) and makes your leg muscles wear out. Then as you get into that, add some weights and crunches. It's all part of the process. You're becoming like everyone else. Take this opportunity to become the person you want to be. Become the image in your head.
How long will I do this? I don't know. When I hang with good friends, I pick things up from them. I picked this up from a friend late last week. Apparently its been an unhealthy but rather production tool for them over the course of their life. I wondered if I could do it, could live that way. Guess I'm finding my answer. I don't find it overly difficult, in fact I'm getting pretty used to it. I assume that if I kept it up long enough, it would become habit. Don't know if I want to go that far. But I'll probably continue through the end of the week.
I haven't changed my mind -- I want to push down to 195. That's about 18 lbs from where I am now. I'm exercising and getting in a good deal of protein after I finish so I'm sure the 18 lbs won't come from the used muscle. What I wonder is if I actually have 18 lbs of fat to lose. Guess we'll see. According to the BMI scale, I do.
I'm starting to get into the elliptical too. My next step is to bump it up an extra 15 minutes. Then once I get used to that, I'm going to start running in addition to the elliptical. I don't have a specific timeframe for this (I don't do timeframes) but I'd honestly like to be running 5 or more miles by at least the end of the summer. We'll see. Next summer I want to join some of my friends/colleagues in running the half marathon up in Ogden.
Many of you have stated that you hate exercise. I totally relate and understand. Up until now that is. I think hate of exercise is like hate of math. If you have the wrong mindset, you're screwed. You can't think of exercise as a have-to. You can't think "oh I have to get in shape." Once you make it a have-to, it's downhill.
When I first started this exercise journey, it was painful to try and get myself to do it. As I started realizing where the journey was taking me, that the exercise could alleviate my stress (it really is cathartic), that it was going to help me get to where I wanted to go (which is where I was headed when I started the weight loss), it's all become different now. Granted it wasn't at first but it so is now. I'm exercising every day now. I missed a couple of days last week due to a long date and time with my daughter but otherwise I was there every day. And this week I want to exercise every day and unless something better comes up, I'm there.
Some of you, I'm sure, have this image of yourself in your mind. This image is a toned version of yourself. Well, losing the weight is definitely a start. But any toned person you see isn't just skinny. They have spent time, put the hours in, to exercise. This means working out. Find your motivation. Find your reason. If you like hiking then thrill as your leg muscles get stronger. Start off small. Start with 30 minutes a day. If you don't like going to the gym, buy an elliptical. But do something that makes you breath hard (and sex does count but you have to do more than just sex -- well unless that's your job and you're doing it like 150 times a day) and makes your leg muscles wear out. Then as you get into that, add some weights and crunches. It's all part of the process. You're becoming like everyone else. Take this opportunity to become the person you want to be. Become the image in your head.
Unhealthy Eating
So yesterday I ended the day at 755 calories. Taking into account the exercise, net calories were just over 200. Hmmmm. And today I'm still at it. I'm almost at 40 ounces of water but other than the water flavoring, I haven't eaten yet.
I know what you're thinking... unhealthy! And you'd be right. But I am exercising control and I want to see how far I can take this. It's only a temporary fling. Plus it reminds me of someone I care about a lot and those memories are good things. I want to spend time in those memories before they start to fade.
There is one additional thing I want to see. I want to see how my body reacts to this. I'm curious if it will fight back and try to keep from losing weight. How long will this battle last? How long will it take for weight loss to occur? Will there be other things that will pop up? When it's done will there be a rebound effect? All good questions and I'm intrigued to know the answers.
I think I have a new way to deal with emotional upheaval in my life. It's as unhealthy as the old one but I can deal with this one better than the old one.
I know what you're thinking... unhealthy! And you'd be right. But I am exercising control and I want to see how far I can take this. It's only a temporary fling. Plus it reminds me of someone I care about a lot and those memories are good things. I want to spend time in those memories before they start to fade.
There is one additional thing I want to see. I want to see how my body reacts to this. I'm curious if it will fight back and try to keep from losing weight. How long will this battle last? How long will it take for weight loss to occur? Will there be other things that will pop up? When it's done will there be a rebound effect? All good questions and I'm intrigued to know the answers.
I think I have a new way to deal with emotional upheaval in my life. It's as unhealthy as the old one but I can deal with this one better than the old one.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Control
So the last two days have been interesting. I've really eating next to nothing (though I've made a conscious thought to get in around 20g of protein after exercise). Where did this come from? I'm emulating a friend for various reasons. I know it's not long term but it's intriguing to explore how much control I now have over this little thing called eating and I plan on exploring it a bit further. So far today, I'm at 280 calories (32 grams of protein) and I expect to get in at least my 64 ounces of water. Add on exercise that is estimated to have burned over 500 calories and I'm running on negative calories right now.
I know, unhealthy. I'll tweak it so it won't be quite this extreme but the point I want to make is that gastric bypass gives you the control. It's up to you to exercise that control.
I know, unhealthy. I'll tweak it so it won't be quite this extreme but the point I want to make is that gastric bypass gives you the control. It's up to you to exercise that control.
Alteration
I'm taking out my last two posts. I have created a separate blog for my more personal ramblings. Bringing my personal and emotional things into this blog just distracts from what its purpose was to begin with. I'm going to strive to keep this blog geared more towards my journey. Since my weight loss portion of that journey is over, I'm now switching to the other portions of my journey that I now need to embark on. Any of you are still welcome to email me or (if you have my number) call me if you have any questions or need some support or advice.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Exercise - Ongoing Progress
So as many of you know, I had a bad couple of weeks due to stress about my job, etc. I gained 5 lbs and I was sitting at my scary weight of 220 lbs (yes, my new scary weight). This past week I've been trying to drink my water, I've been conscious of my daily caloric intake, I've cut out most carbs and I've spaced my meals. It's something I've dealt with every day but to be honest it hasn't been too hard -- other than I've had to be conscious about it.
Today I weighed in at 216 lbs (4 lbs down in a week). Not bad. So today I kicked it up another notch. I'm 6 weeks out from all the surgery I had so I need to get back on the exercise train. Here's something that many of you might not know... when you exercise it is easier to eat better. You might ask why. I'm not totally sure but it might be because of the reason you exercise, the fact you can feel your muscles afterwards, and that it makes you feel better all over (definitely makes you happier). Exercise can be cathartic if you let it.
So 40+ minutes on the elliptical (something that I'm going to incorporate in my routine as a daily activity from here on out. The result today has been nothing short of amazing. The caloric burn on the elliptical was about 470 calories and my caloric intake today was 1100. You do the math. Now let's see where I'm at in another week. With any luck I'll be back down around 212 lbs and in better shape. These 6 weeks of taking it easy due to the surgery has put a damper on the progress I had made at getting more fit.
Today I weighed in at 216 lbs (4 lbs down in a week). Not bad. So today I kicked it up another notch. I'm 6 weeks out from all the surgery I had so I need to get back on the exercise train. Here's something that many of you might not know... when you exercise it is easier to eat better. You might ask why. I'm not totally sure but it might be because of the reason you exercise, the fact you can feel your muscles afterwards, and that it makes you feel better all over (definitely makes you happier). Exercise can be cathartic if you let it.
So 40+ minutes on the elliptical (something that I'm going to incorporate in my routine as a daily activity from here on out. The result today has been nothing short of amazing. The caloric burn on the elliptical was about 470 calories and my caloric intake today was 1100. You do the math. Now let's see where I'm at in another week. With any luck I'll be back down around 212 lbs and in better shape. These 6 weeks of taking it easy due to the surgery has put a damper on the progress I had made at getting more fit.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Long-Term Success
I know I've said this before but I need to remind everyone about this. Gastric bypass is NOT the end all. Gastric bypass will cause you to lose weight. During the first 6 months, EVERYONE loses weight. You can't help it. You just can't eat enough to maintain your weight.
Right around the 6-8 month mark, however, your pouch matures and you can eat more. And you can eat more things. This plus the fact that you weigh less and so your body uses less calories to maintain itself slows the weight loss down. It's here where you have to start using the lessons that hopefully you learned durin the first 6-8 months. The next 12-18 months are all part of the weight loss journey and how successful you ultimately are depends on how hard you work at the weight loss.
Suffice it to say that gastric bypass is an avenue to make you like normal people. To have the ability to control your food addiction. To give you what you always wanted, will power. But you actually have to exercise that control. Yes there will be times when you will lose the battle. There will be times when you give in. But now you can see the big picture. It's only one little lose, not a couple of years of giving in and gorging yourself until you gain 100 lbs. Yay!!
Emotional eating (if that was your schtick) is still going to be a problem for you. Gastric bypass allows you to fight it -- as anyone has to. It allows your stupid ex(wanna be but doesn't know how to be a wife) to no longer affect you and your eating.
After your 2 year weight loss journey the rest of your life is yours. It will continue to be a vigilent battle the rest of your life but it's one that if you've done the work during the first 2 years you will be well-prepared to fight and win.
You might ask how you prepare during that first 2 years. It's ALL about becoming conscious of EVERYTHING you put into your mouth (food and drink) and having an idea of how many calories you are consuming per meal and per day. Some might say they don't do this but it is ESSENTIAL for your long-term success. If you take 10 gastric bypass patients and have 5 just try to eat right but not be aware of what they eat on a day to day basis and the other 5 and make them acutely aware of everything they eat every meal and every day, more of the group who is not aware will gain a significant portion of their weight back within just a few years after their weight loss journey is over.
It is in our nature to become complacent when we get comfortable with something and after 2 years you'll be comfortable with where you are with the gastric bypass. You'll be able to eat a lot more and most anything you want. That's when it gets tough.
So always remember the THREE BASIC RULES to your weight loss and long-term success:
(1) PORTION SIZE
(2) WATER
(3) SPACE YOUR MEALS OUT
If you don't know what those 3 rules mean, email me immediately. If you're not doing that, you're going to struggle (if you aren't already). If you follow them consistently, you will be very successful.
Best of luck everyone!!!!
Sean
Right around the 6-8 month mark, however, your pouch matures and you can eat more. And you can eat more things. This plus the fact that you weigh less and so your body uses less calories to maintain itself slows the weight loss down. It's here where you have to start using the lessons that hopefully you learned durin the first 6-8 months. The next 12-18 months are all part of the weight loss journey and how successful you ultimately are depends on how hard you work at the weight loss.
Suffice it to say that gastric bypass is an avenue to make you like normal people. To have the ability to control your food addiction. To give you what you always wanted, will power. But you actually have to exercise that control. Yes there will be times when you will lose the battle. There will be times when you give in. But now you can see the big picture. It's only one little lose, not a couple of years of giving in and gorging yourself until you gain 100 lbs. Yay!!
Emotional eating (if that was your schtick) is still going to be a problem for you. Gastric bypass allows you to fight it -- as anyone has to. It allows your stupid ex(wanna be but doesn't know how to be a wife) to no longer affect you and your eating.
After your 2 year weight loss journey the rest of your life is yours. It will continue to be a vigilent battle the rest of your life but it's one that if you've done the work during the first 2 years you will be well-prepared to fight and win.
You might ask how you prepare during that first 2 years. It's ALL about becoming conscious of EVERYTHING you put into your mouth (food and drink) and having an idea of how many calories you are consuming per meal and per day. Some might say they don't do this but it is ESSENTIAL for your long-term success. If you take 10 gastric bypass patients and have 5 just try to eat right but not be aware of what they eat on a day to day basis and the other 5 and make them acutely aware of everything they eat every meal and every day, more of the group who is not aware will gain a significant portion of their weight back within just a few years after their weight loss journey is over.
It is in our nature to become complacent when we get comfortable with something and after 2 years you'll be comfortable with where you are with the gastric bypass. You'll be able to eat a lot more and most anything you want. That's when it gets tough.
So always remember the THREE BASIC RULES to your weight loss and long-term success:
(1) PORTION SIZE
(2) WATER
(3) SPACE YOUR MEALS OUT
If you don't know what those 3 rules mean, email me immediately. If you're not doing that, you're going to struggle (if you aren't already). If you follow them consistently, you will be very successful.
Best of luck everyone!!!!
Sean
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