Monthly Update: December

Things that went well

Overall, this month went really well, given that it was December with all the landmines that come with it. I lost almost 7 lbs, and I managed to not hurt myself lifting weights, which led to some good strength gains.

Things to improve

Still not doing great on the veggies, but I bought a new steamer and I'm in the process of getting more veggies in my diet. Also, the holidays threw a grenade into the routine, so I need to make sure that I re-establish the routine on January 2, not February 2.

OVERALL PROGRESS

Weight as of 12/31: 181.96

Total Weight Lost: 24.84 lbs (7 this month)

Total reduction in measurements as of 12/31

Neck: 1.375 inches
Chest: 3.750inches
Bicep: 2.375 inches
Gut: 6.625 inches
Waist: 4.5 inches
Thigh: .875 inch

Pant Size: 33

Monday morning update

Good news, bad news. I GAINED .44 lbs this week, but my measurements are good. So I'm not too freaked out. I did have some weak moments, but overall, I ate better this xmas than I ever have. One more party (tonight), then it's back to the all important routine.

The lifting has gone reallly well over the last few weeks, so I think I have gained some muscle, which is a good thing.

Weight Average: 181.96- gain of 0.44 pounds this week (24.84 lbs total)

Measurements (Losses/Gains are for the week, not total)

Neck 14.625- No Change
Chest 38.750- Loss of 3/8"
R. Bicep 13.125- Loss of 1/4"
Gut 34.625 - Loss of 1/8"
Waist 35.500 - Loss of 1/4"
Thigh 23.125 - Gain of 1/8"

Happy New Year!

The Godfather

You may all think that Billy is the pioneer of our family's fitness, but in fact, he is not. Our older half-brother, Tom, has been fit for decades (he's now in his 50's). Both he and his wife have been (and still are) into exercise, doing triatholons, lifting weights, eating healthy, the whole deal. If you saw them, you would think they are in their late 30's, early 40's. In fact, when I was pushing maximum density, people would see the two of us and ask who the older brother was (he's 17 years older than me, yikes). Not a fun time for yours truly.


Why do I mention all of this? Because I used to look at Tom and his wife and think to myself "Wow, I could never do what they are doing." And I just realized how defeatest and ridiculous that thought was. Both Tom and his wife work, they have two children, they are living a normal life, yet they managed to make health and fitness a priority. Why can't I do the same, and do it for DECADES (not just this year, or for a "while")? They are truly an inspiration and an example of what can happen when you take care of yourself for a long time. What happens:


1. You tend to look much younger than you are.

1a. You tend to feel much younger than you are.

2. You can enjoy the time you have when your kids are grown, because you have the energy to do lots of the things you didn't do when you had kids (travel, play sports, etc)

3. You don't have as many health problems as people who treat themselves like shit.

4. People ask you if you are younger than your much younger brother/sister.


Something to think about...

Post Xmas

First, thanks to my brother for posting that picture of us after xmas dinner, I look like I ate the table. Not sure why I look so bad in that pic, oh well.

Ugly day on the scale, weighed in at 183.8, after being 180.6 last week. My average has gone up 2 pounds, and besides the carnage that was yesterday, I think I've done really well. I can see how people that go nuts for a week or two can easily gain 5-10 pounds.

I expect that there will be a quick rebound. Going back to the gym today.

I got a bunch of gift cards for Banana Republic for xmas. We just got back from the mall, I tried on some size 33 pants and they fit! I'm going back and buying the same style pants, only in a size 31 (which do NOT fit :)). Nice to have something to look forward to.

Harry and David Royal Riviera Pears. Best fruit on earth. You won't believe that you are eating something that is good for you, but it is. 120 calories, 5g of fiber. Trust me, go out and buy a box or do it online. They are expensive ($30 for 8 pears), but less expensive then buying 8 lattes at Starbucks. Trust me.

Monday morning update

I lost 1.68 pounds this week. Not too bad. My only gripe is that I've seemed to gain weight by osmosis the last few days. I was cruising towards an over 2 lb loss until a few days ago. Here are this weeks weigh ins:

182
181.2
180.4
180.6
181.8
182.8
182

Nothing like ending up where you were! I can only explain it by saying that I lifted well this week, so my muscles may be taking up some water or something. But I've been really good about the eating, even though we had a bunch of events this week. Oh well.

Weight Average: 181.52- loss of 1.68 pounds this week (25.28 lbs total)

Measurements (Losses/Gains are for the week, not total)

Neck 14.625- Loss of 1/8"
Chest 39.125 - Gain of 1/4"
R. Bicep 13.375- No Change
Gut 34.750 - Loss of 1/4"
Waist 35.750 - Loss of 1/8"
Thigh 23 - Loss of 1/4"

One more week to go before eating season is over! Hope everyone has a good holiday, but stay away from the feedbags....

Monday morning update: Day 100

Day 100 today. I lost 2.28 pounds this week. Also started lifting again, so this is a good result. I'm almost to the halfway point (around 182)! I'm happy with the measurements as well.

Weight Average: 183.20- loss of 2.28 pounds this week (23.60 lbs total)

Measurements (Losses/Gains are for the week, not total)

Neck 14.75- No Change
Chest 38.875 - Loss of 3/8"
R. Bicep 13.375- No Change
Gut 35 - Loss of 5/8"
Waist 35.875 - Loss of 1/4"
Thigh 23.250 - Gain of 1/8"

The weights went well this week, I changed up the workout to emphasize exercises that would be kinder to my joints (knees, elbows, shoulders), and I'm feeling less pain and I'm still getting a good workout.

Historically, I've only been able to stay on diets for about 2-3 months, then I'd go veering off dramatically. I feel like this time is different because I'm not really on a "diet", I'm changing my eating habits for life, and right now I"m just in a cutting phase (albeit a LONG one). Still, I need to be aware of this timeline (I'm at the 3 month point) and make sure that I don't veer off course.

Xmas comparison

OK, here are a couple of comparison pictures I found. Like I said, there aren't that many fat pictures of me because I wouldn't let people take very many pictures of me. But I found one. The first pic is a family pic from Xmas 2006, where I was probably around 205. The second is a pic taken on 12/3/07, where I'm around 185...

Confusion: Monday morning update

I lost 3.2 pounds this week. Great, right? But I'm confused because my body fat % didn't go down much at all, and neither did my measurements. Based on my computations, my BF% indicates that 2 of the pounds that I lost this week were lean mass! Very confusing.

Weight Average: 185.48 - loss of 3.2 pounds this week (21.32 lbs total)

Measurements (Losses/Gains are for the week, not total)

Neck 14.75- Gain of 1/4"
Chest 39.25 - No Change
R. Bicep 13.375- Loss of 1/4"
Gut 35.625 - Loss of 1/4"
Waist 36.125- Loss of 3/4"
Thigh 23.125 - Gain of 1/8"

Back to the gym today, I took the week off at the gym (I just walked on the treadmill), because I'm doing something wrong when I lift. I get sore in my knees, neck and lower back. It is probably bad form. So I'm going to stick to the machines for a few weeks and try to ease my body back into lifting. Also, based on the bad BF %, I'm going to go back up to 2000 calories.

A message to Santa

I have some thoughts around what Billy calls "eating season". If you are in any way offended by obscene language or hostility towards Santa, please stop reading NOW.

Fuck you Santa, you fat bastard. I'm trying to lose some goddamn weight over here. And what do you bring for me in December? A children's holiday party? Yeah, I'm sure there will be a lot of healthy options there. A "make your own gingerbread man" party and buffet? Great, thanks. A fucking cookie exchange? Are you kidding me? My wife is going to come home with a giant goddamn platter of cookies? Big help there, fatso. Oh, and then, of course, we need to have a neighborhood holiday party, where I have to pretend to like my drunk neighbors as the stuff their faces full of shit.

And we haven't even gotten to the big day! First, we have Xmas eve dinner! Bet there won't be any salmon there! Then, of course, Xmas day! My brother can tell you all about the carnage involved there after he kicks your ass. Yeah, he's the buff one in the corner there, he's been bulking up just for this moment.

But guess what? I'm not doing it. I'm going to lose 8 pounds this month, not gain 8 pounds. Just give my kids some presents and beat it. And it wouldn't hurt for you to try a salad once in a while.

20

20 pounds total off the average today! I'm sure Billy can provide information as to what that equates to. A large cat? A small dog? I think my youngest daughter is 25 pounds, so I can't post a picture of her yet.

Monthly Update: November

Things that went well

So this month went pretty well, I lost 7.5 pounds. My measurements went down as well, and I'm starting to look and feel better. We went and had some family pictures taken this past weekend, and I'm really happy with how they came out. For a long time I avoided the camera at all costs, so it's nice to have a picture with me included in it!

Things to improve

I started to drift away from the veggies. I'm eating a lot of fruit, but no more salads, and not much other veggies either. I'm going to try to get back on the veggie train. Also, my knees are aching a little bit, I've got to keep an eye on that.

OVERALL PROGRESS

Weight as of 12/3: 188.68
Total Weight Lost: 18.12 lbs (7.5 this month)

Total reduction in measurements as of 12/3
Neck: 1.5 inches
Chest: 3.25 inches
Bicep: 1.875 inches
Gut: 5.375 inches
Waist: 3.125 inches
Thigh: 1 inch

Monday morning update

So some good news, but I expected some good news after last weeek: I lost 2.24 pounds this week. Even after a mini-disaster trip to Atlantic City, where I ate cheese fries, good lord. But my average is now under 190!

The measurments reflect the lack of weight loss:

Weight Average: 188.68 - loss of 2.24 pounds this week (18.12 lbs total)

Measurements (Losses/Gains are for the week, not total)

Neck 14.5- Loss of 1/4"
Chest 39.25 - Loss of 1/2"
R. Bicep 13.625 - Loss of 1/8"
Gut 35.875 - Loss of 5/8"
Waist 36.875- Loss of 1/8"
Thigh 23 - Loss of 1/4

I'm going off the creatine, it makes me retain too much water. I know that Billy won't approve, but psychologically, I can't deal with the fluctuations that it seems to cause.

I'm also going to continue eating 1700-1850 calories a day for the next week to see what happens.