Routine, or not Routine.

I figured out my problem.

Vacation sucks for the diet. I know, it's not some wild revelation, but ever since I got out of my work/school schedule, it's been impossible to stick to a true diet and keep up with a workout regime. I'm starting to learn that I'm either "all on", or "all off".

The good news is (and I can't believe I'm saying this), is that I go back to work this week, and then next week, school kicks back in. My schedule is flexible enough to allow PLENTY of time for working out into the day as well, so that's a bonus.

So, I need to get through the next few days, and get back into the routine. Tonight's New Year's Eve.. and what's better than actually having a resolution that you can actually accomplish?

Bar Hoppin'

Ok, so it's not really "hopping". And it's not really a bar. It's a hole in the wall named Bugsy's, and it's a Karaoke bar. I'm headed there in a few minutes, so this'll be short.

Today was again non-eventful. Worked a lot around the house, did some shopping for furniture (anyone recommend a good place near Detroit to pick up a 'plum' colored love seat?), and I'm headed to the bar with some friends.

Ate well, didn't go to the gym though. I'm regretting that. At least it's in my brain still. I'll probably go tomorrow, because I feel MUCH more motivated when I start the day in the gym. Again, a mental thing.. but then again, I'm mental.

Oh, and it's only a few days until New Years Eve, so if I'm going to do that 4-mile walk, I should probably round a few of you up, and get to it. My gym/athletic routine has been lacking lately.

Back in the Saddle

So, this morning, this is how the conversation went:


Wife: You should go to the gym, it's 9:00am and we have to head to Ann Arbor at 10:30am.
Me: I don't have time, there's so much to do around the house.
Wife: Go. You always say that you don't have time, and you do now, so go.
Me: I don't really want to.
Wife: You wanted people to get on your ass about going to the gym, so go. No excuses, just go.

Needless to say, I went to the gym this morning. Felt pretty good about it. Did 50 crunches (the kind you do with that big ball that you lay on and it kills you) and a half hour on the elypical machine. I feel pretty good about it. Ate healthy, and it feels like I'm finally back on track.

I also was able to get the entire office put together, and I can proudly say that I'm working in my office on my computer on the wireless internet that I wasn't able to use the past few weeks.

Things are looking up. First 'bright spot' in a while, but I'll definitely take it.

Until tomorrow.

Another Day

Nothing much to report here today. Didn't eat spectactular, but didn't really bend either. I wanted to hit the gym, but I spent yet ANOTHER day working on the house straight through the day, no breaks. Started around 9am, and didn't stop until around.. 4:30 or so. Just straight through. Finally got some major paint stains out of the carpets, got my office almost up and running (wireless ain't working yet), and then had some family over around 7ish until around 10:30. Running on fumes, but I told myself to NOT miss any more blogs, regardless of how boring.

Somehow, I've got to get in the gym. There's just NO time for it. I've got a few more days left to get this house in liveable condition, and I feel like I'm getting close to it. Erin (my wife for the new folks) and I have been working damn hard, and I'm proud to say that in the 12 days that we've owned the house, we're pretty much moved in, most the boxes packed away, and we're moved in.. almost. There's always something else to buy, install, put in, take out, fix, replace.. you name it, but it's worth it. I'm a first time home buyer, and I had NO idea how much there was to do.. and now I'm in the midst of it. I can't lie though, it's an exciting time of my life.

The problem is, my vacation is over on Monday. Back to the grind, full time work and full time school.. leaving very little time to get work done around the house. That's why I'm going full days on it. I know that I'll get back into a work/gym/school routine when the semester starts, but I don't want to wait that long.

Tomorrow, I spend the day in Ann Arbor helping my sister-in-law move into her place.

So, life continues, with or without me. My personal issues seem to have been worked out, so that's a bonus. Too many things on the checklist, but that one was a big one.

Nothing major to report, except for that I'm here, and I'm still going. Keep on me. If you guys hadn't have had those 12 comments waiting for me on the last blog, I probably would have moved on. It's scary how a few chains of events can knock you off track. Time to get back on the horse.

Gone But Not Forgotten

It's been almost a week since I posted, but I can promise you, it's not been more than a few hours since I've been thinking about you guys who follow this, and being able to type a blog.

Short explanation: I bought the house on the 15th, and I haven't been able to set up my office yet. My wireless isn't set up, so I'm using my wife's computer right now. I haven't been to work in a week, and between the holidays and painting, decorating, and doing those hundreds of things that you do when you buy a house.. it's just been to the point where I've spent literally no more than 5 minutes online per day since the house closing. For those of you who know me personally, I'm someone that spends HOURS a day online, and the shortage has effected the blog.

But, I'm back. I hope. I'm really going to try to keep posting as much as I can, and I really.. REALLY should keep posting every day. The truth is, with every bite that I take, I think of this blog. I honestly sit there and thing during each meal how important it is to keep this thing going strong, and bluntly.. I really.. REALLY appreciate those of you who have posted to urge me to continue.

Update on the diet...

It's been horrible. Just.. bad. Snacks at the holiday parties, many celebration meals, I could go on. Stress over the house, stress over the holidays, stress over some personal issues with a few friends of mine that I know read this.. things have really gotten to me mentally, and I just know that I haven't been nearly as strong as I need to be, and have quite bluntly failed miserably this week. I don't even want to THINK about what the scale says. I've worked my butt off in the house, and I'm just hoping that the physical energy I've spent doing 3 days of painting, lifting every box ever built, and these things have kept me maintained. I'm really.. really worried about weigh in. I haven't been to the gym in almost a week. I'm telling you, it's bad.

I've noticed something about myself. For those who know me, I'm pretty 'rock solid' when it comes to emotional issues, and I can handle pretty much anything thrown at me. But, there's been an issue lately with a few friends that has hit me pretty hard to the core. Usually I can shake things off, and put them on the back burner. Lately though, it's been as if something's missing in my life. And for those of you who live life like me.. you know where that leads you.

The cookie jar.

It's bad, but at least I'm conscious of it. Even as I type this at 12:30am, I know that it's not acceptable, and I'm using personal issues as an excuse to eat and not work out.

So what's the solution?

Stop being a puss.

I've got another huge day of work in front of me, but I'm going to eat better. I just have to. Personal issues may feel better after a sweet snack, but after it digests, it just makes me feel worse. Hell, I woke up sick to my stomach over personal issues this morning. Took it out on my wife. Got on her case over absolutely nothing, because things have been bothering me. I'm *NOT* that guy, and have never woken up mad about something the previous day.

So.. here it is again, new beginning #3,324,694.

Catch you tomorrow.

Thanks again for those of you who are sticking it out with me. You're saving my life.. in the literal sense of the word. It means a lot to me.

You Get What You Earn

Well.. it was a delayed weigh-in day, and I've got mixed feelings.

Notice that the name of the blog hasn't changed. When I weigh in, before I step on the scale I set the scale blocks to the exact same weight that I was the last time I weighed in, so when I step on the scale, the 'balance point' drops if I've dropped. Today, I set it, and it perfectly balanced when I stepped on the scale. I didn't gain a single pound in the last 9 days, but I didn't gain one either.

I want to be pissed off right now, but if I'm being real honest with myself, I'm lucky that I didn't go the wrong way. With the new house, we went out to dinner a few times for 'celebration' dinners, and just two nights ago I had a meal that I tried to convince myself that it was healthy, but I knew better. I've cheated here and there, had a bit of chocolate to go along with my buttery noodles, and I still balanced out even this week. Hell, this morning was my first time in the gym since Thursday.

So, as much as I am disappointed that the scale didn't show success, the honest truth is that I didn't earn that success. So, my focus is back. I'm re-energized. Sometimes you need a slap in the face to remind you that you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing, and it kicks back in. Again, without this blog, this may have been one of my many, many excuses to stop dieting and just put all the weight back on.

Oh, and for what it's worth, for those of you who read this, there's a new link on my "Friends Who Need Support" List on the front page of the blog, to your right. I browse a few weight loss websites, and I met a guy who needs your support the way myself, Kevin and Beck do. We're starting to start a coalition here, and Billy's our newest member. Please give his website the same support you do me, it's much appreciated.

So, another day, another pound. The next two weeks with the holidays are going to be one hell of a challenge.. one I plan on winning.

Home Sweet Home

We're moved in!

The house is in one piece, and there's still plenty of boxes lying around, but we've got everything that we own in the house, and most of our services ready to go. I still have to get AT&T out to the house to install some outlets (hence no internet at home yet, I'm blogging from work), and a ton more work to do, but the beef is between the patties. We're home.

So, I haven't been to the gym since the move, but I guarantee that I've done more working out in the past three days than I would have if I was in the gym. Up and down stairs with boxes, carrying, lifting, you name it, it was painstaking. I started to count my 'squats' as Josh had suggested, but I just lost count. For the last three days, it was pure chaos in its finest form. We busted our asses. And for those of you that read this and were able to help out, I really, really, REALLY appreciate you. Tom, Chris, Dad, Mel, Mark.. you're the man (ok, Chris and Mel.. not so much on the "man" part).

So, on the weight loss side, I haven't been able to weigh in this week, but I'm hoping to tomorrow. It just seems like every waking moment of my life needs to be dedicated to getting this house in order, but I've got to get my report up for this week as well.

I'll be around, and hopefully my few days of absence hasn't taken away from viewing this page. I'm always begging for comments, as they're the fuel to this machine. Wish me luck, as usual!