June Report

Today's Weigh In: 288.5
Four Day Average: 290.875
Calorie Count 1622 or less

Nutrition Report

Fat - 26.7% (49 grams) Protein - 22.7% (93 grams) Carbohydrates - 50.6% (207 grams) Alcohol - 0.0% Other - 0.0% Daily Sodium Intake - 1,905 mg Daily Cholesterol Intake - 90 mg Daily Fiber Intake - 19 grams

Nutrition Grade B

Side note: I'd usually have a "five day" average, but since I just got back into the gym the last four days, I didn't have a weigh in for a few days prior, so I went with four this week instead of five. Just a clarification for my FAT Coalition family.

On my calories, I say "or less" because we went to TCBY for a snack tonight, and I had "Peanut Butter Delight" - a 96% fat free yogurt. This was AMAZING. I couldn't find a number for it online, so I just found the highest caloric yogurt on their menu and went with it. So, chances are my number would be lower, but I'd rather record too high than too low.

So I went to the gym today, mowed the lawn, and ate pretty well. I've been trying to focus on MUCH smaller levels of sodium, and today was pretty good. I figure if I can keep this up, this may be the push I need.

Ok, so here's what I've done since I've started. I didn't have a weigh-in on the 30th of each month, but I think this speaks volumes about where I've been, and where I can go. With the July Summer Sizzler Challenge - losing 10 pounds being the goal, in order to see where you're heading, you need to remember where you've been.

November 22 - 350.0 (starting point)
January 2 - 345.0 (5 pounds lost in December)
January 31 - 330.5 (14.5 pounds lost in January)
February 28 - 325.0 (5.5 pounds lost in February)
March 30 - 311.5 (13.5 pounds lost in March)
April 30 - 301.0 (10.5 pounds lost in April)
May 30 - 296.0 (5 pounds lost in May)
June 30 - 288.5 (7.5 pounds lost in June)

8.79 pounds per month. That's what I'm averaging since the beginning.

In order to lose 10 pounds this month, I need to really push hard. Very few, if any, "Cheat Meals". Work hard during workouts, and be consistant. Just keep pushing. I know what the challenge is in front of me, and as you guys already know - when it seems impossible, that's when I push the hardest.

So, members of the FAT Coalition - good luck with your weight loss. I'm looking forward to this.

Starting Now

This is a weight loss support group.

I will no longer be going into drama and such.

If you guys want to follow suit, I hope so. This whole challenge is getting out of hand, so I'm going to go back to talking about weight loss, successes and struggles, and whatever else is related.

If it's not about your weight loss journey, I'm not commenting on it - and I will delete anything that is not related about weight loss.

So, after this little dotted line, it's all about weight loss again.

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Yesterday's Weigh In: 289
Calorie Count: Not sure, low 3000s?

We went to a wedding last night, and had a blast. Good times by all, so I tried to keep my calories REAL low during the day (like 700), because wedding food and free open bar isn't a great calorie consumption tool.

That being said, I had fettucine alfredo, breaded pork chops and ham - but at least in one reasonable serving. I also had a salad and 2 bites of Erin's dessert, which honestly, I could have done without. No real way to measure the calories accurately, so I'm not going to bother trying.

That being said, today's going to be squeaky clean. I had egg whites and mushroom omelet with 2 slices of ham for breakfast (and 2 bites of bagel) and rye toast (dry), and that's probably going to be all I see until dinner tonight. Drinking lots of water, being active - and that's about it for the day.

So, I'm back on the horse, and making the right decision. The leg is still killing me at times, but I'm seeing great improvements - I'm playing softball on Monday, so I'll be going full steam for the July challenge.

Catch ya'll soon!

Any Better?

Weigh In: 294 (recorded earlier today)
Calories Counted: 1,609

Fat - 22.8% (41 grams) Protein - 23.0% (93 grams) Carbohydrates - 54.2% (220 grams) Alcohol - 0.0% Other - 0.0% Daily Sodium Intake - 4,007 mg Daily Cholesterol Intake - 191 mg Daily Fiber Intake - 27 grams

Nutrition Grade A

Ok, I'm going to try to remember to start putting this up there every day. This is what calorie-count.com does with your food log when you put it all in there. I should, but I don't, know where I should be with my sodium, cholesterol and fiber, so if someone can point me in the right direction (also fat/protein/carbs) and give me an idea of what I'm shooting for, I'd appreciate it.

So here's the bottom line for today.

I ate much better, and didn't cave in to temptation. It was really hard today. I think back a few months when I was on this strong move, and avoiding the 'tough' foods was easy. I'm really seeming to have a hard time with this thing lately, but I know what I've said a million times, and it hasn't changed. YOU GET WHAT YOU EARN. Hopefully today I earned a small victory.

Also, as I mentioned before, I'm getting pretty frustrated with my leg, even though it's starting to heal up a bit. It's MUCH better than it was a week ago tonight when I messed it up, but I feel like I'm unable to go full tilt in the gym, I'm still apprehensive, and the pain still appears, even though I pretend it doesn't. I really.. I mean, REALLY, am looking forward to being 100%.

So, I know I'm not supposed to expect results on the scale per day, but I could really use a pick-me-up in there. I just hope I get the benefit of the doubt. If I don't, that's OK too - but a drop in weight would really give me a boost that I desperately need.

Out of Control

Yesterday's Weigh In: 292
Today's Weigh In: 294

I feel like I'm losing control. I avoided blogging yesterday for the first time since I started this whole thing. A week ago today, I hit 286 and was finally hitting my stride. A leg injury, and a week later, I'm 8 pounds higher than I was that day.

I don't understand how this keeps happening. I know that we go in streaks, and I know that this is a struggle, and I know everything that we've talked about these past few months, but this boggles my mind.

It seems like I keep falling into every possible trap that there is. Injury = no working out. Eating right for 90% of the day = useless. For example, yesterday after I hit that mind-boggling 292, I set out to eat perfect. I mean, PERFECT. And I did, up until dinner.

We went to the Detroit Fireworks last night, and since we went to my father-in-law's building down there, they had 'free dinner' beforehand. I figured, what the hell, let's go.. and when I get there - it's all hog dogs and hamburgers and full fat chips.

Shit.

So, I decide to go no-bun. Then, justifying that since I'm going no-bun, I decide to get 2 hot dogs. Now, keep in mind, these aren't your ordinary Ballpark variety. These were big freaking hotdogs. So, I sit down with my 2 huge tube steaks and some ketchup and mustard, and go to town. I was pretty much satisfied hunger wise, so I was content. Not the most healthy, but the best possible solution.

But then there was a dessert bar.

Everyone else decided to get ice cream, but I was 'willful' enough to pass it up. So, what do I reward myself with?

Another freaking hotdog.

WHY?

Because if they were having something, I 'deserved' to have something.

I don't understand this mental justification of bad decisions in my life lately when it comes to my diet. I mean, I had a few months back in the day.. like, February/March - where I can pretty much just eat 'what makes sense' - and since I'm working out like Rocky the week before he went face to face with Ivan Drago in Rocky IV - I'm just fine.

I can't keep doing this. As I type this, I'm not even sure how I feel. Am I pissed off? Depressed? Remorseful? Just mentally weak?

I don't get why I keep doing this, but I need to cut this out, and in a hurry. 300's right around the corner staring at me.

Back On The Track?

Weigh In: NONE

A few quick notes tonight - I'm starting to get some improvement on the leg quicker than I thought, so that's promising. Erin's aunt is a nurse, so I've had her check out the leg twice, both Sunday and again tonight. She has this magic potion that she's soaked my leg with twice now, and it's helping speed the process up - taking the infection right out, and really helping with the healing process. It's moving along.

This is good, because I went to softball tonight - not intending to play, but we were short guys so I went out and played first base for one inning until the late comers were able to make it. I made two solid plays at first, and got a single - I was hobbling a bit and not 100% - but it was great to be able to be somewhat mobile, a great sign of recovery for me. I then spent the rest of the game coaching third, so I was on my feet.

My biggest problem with the leg hasn't been the actual 'scrape' that was caused. The muscles underneath have been getting INSANELY painful and tightening up with the blood rush that flows into the leg, making the blinding pain rush through. Yesterday it got a bit better, and again today it was that much more better. Good enough where I was able to accomplish what I did today.

So, tomorrow I hit the gym. I'm going to test the non-impactiveness (it's a word now) of the Elliptical and see how the leg reacts. Then, Gary and I are going to hit the upper body pretty hard, and then I'll see how it feels. I'll get my first weigh in since Thursday in, so I'm a bit nervous about that. You guys all seem to think that I'll see major improvements as my eating has been in line, but honestly, I'll be happy if I just maintained the 286 that I had on Thursday.

That, of course, assumes that I'm wrong and you're right.

So, here goes nothing. Hopefully I'll have some successes to report tomorrow.

PS: I finally did measurements for the first time today. I'm a bit mad at myself for not doing them at the beginning, I'm curious to see the differences.. but I'll be doing them for now on. They're on the right column posted.

Riding the Pine

Not much to report today.

I ate well, but couldn't work out at all. It's frustrating to me. I know that I should be accepting the fact that I can't work out and just deal with it. I know that you all have told me to just take the time to relax and just rest up, but I'm not handling that too well.

I should be doing something. I just broke that plateau a few days ago, and this is when I should be working HARDER, not less.

I appreciate the fact that you guys think that I will feel better about this, and that I may even experience good weight loss. That may be completely true, and I don't doubt you for a half of a second.

But it doesn't feel right to me right now. I should be up and at the gym. I should be playing softball. I should be running, lifting, everything that I know I can do.

I was taught at a young age that you get what you earn, and you earn what you get. That's why I've never had a problem with gaining the extra pound or two on this journey when I know that I didn't do what I should have been doing. I feel like it's completely out of my hands, and frankly, that's now how I operate.

So, I wait. Honestly, I feel like I'm sitting on a park bench watching the racers go by.

I need to be in that race.

On The Shelf

Weigh In: NONE

Well, it's official. I probably won't be working out this week. Haven't worked out since Friday. Basically - long story made short, my leg 'scrape' from the sliding turned into 2 pretty big gouges in my leg, and I've been having a hard time keeping weight on it since Friday. Every day's been a cycle of "rinse, peroxide, rinse, peroxide, soap, rinse, gauze, bandage, wrap".

The problem is, it's not really the 'scrape' itself that is causing the pain. What it really boils down to it, with a wound this size, (it's about 7-8 inches deep, about 3-4 inches wide) the body rushes all of the blood cells to the injury to help rebuild. What that translates to is, when my leg is up, or there's no real pressure or weight being put on my leg, it's relatively painless. Alternately, when I'm standing and walking and there's continuous pressure on the leg, it doesn't hurt either. What REALLY hurts is when I've had no pressure on the leg, but then I apply pressure (aka: getting up, taking multiple steps and then stopping and then continuing again, etc), that's when there is an immediate blood pressure rush to the wound, and the pain is blinding.

What that means is that I can't work out. I can't run. I can't do any type of exercise without really getting into that pressure situation. I missed a 5k run today that I was planning on doing, I've cancelled my softball games for the week, and I'm pretty much on the shelf.

It's defeating, I can't lie. Just when I hit a string of new loss on my weight loss goals and finally beat that freakin' plateau, one stupid slide that thousands of people do without going into injury mode, puts me up for a week or more.

I mean, I know what I have to do. We've preached for months that "eating is 80% of the battle", and I'll continue, and be even MORE stringent, on taking the right amount of calories in. I'm still in it, and I'll still lose my weight. I know Erin is worried that this will be the beginning of my downfall and that I'm going to give up and gain the weight back, and in the past, it may have been a concern, but with this support system that I've got, and the drive that I've got to reach this goal - quitting never once crossed my mind. So Erin - no worries, I'm still going strong.

But I can't even pretend that I'm not pissed off about not being able to hit the gym. I've been at Bally's almost every day for the past 6 months, so not being able to go is just killer for me.

Oh, and one other thing - my scale is there too. So, no gym means no scale.

Frustrated.