Tuesday, September 30, 2008

3 weeks til my birthday....

Three weeks til my birthday as of Wednesday. I'll be 31. I hope my
family gives me money so I can buy clothes. I think having some nice
clothes will help me to feel better about myself. I'm wearing a 2X
shirt today since I can't afford clothes that fit. If I were to wear a
shirt that fit, it's be more like a medium shirt or a large at most.
It's hard because you know you'd look good in clothes that fit, but
that little thing called money is keeping you away from those clothes.
Now, if only my family read my blog! HA! Then again, my mom and dad
are the only ones that will get me anything, so I won't be able to buy
a lot (not complaining! Just thinking aloud).

Sent from my iPhone

Monday, September 29, 2008

Today's workout....

I hit the cross trainer today for 40 minutes. I upped the resistance
level from 12 to 15 for either 20 or 30 minutes (I forget). For the
remainder of the time, I slowly lowered the level.
I burned 550 calories in those 40 minutes! I ate maybe 350-400
calories or so before going to the gym. Not sure how many calories I
burned after that when I hit the weights then did ab exercises.
We upped the weight on a lot of the machines. I'll be upping the rest
of the machines next time. I'm now squatting more than I weigh. :-)


Sent from my iPhone

Thursday, September 25, 2008

I did it!!!....

I weighed-in tonight before the show. I needed to lose 2 pounds to get
to my goal of losing 116 pounds in under a year.
I lost 2 1/2!!! I beat my goal! I weigh 199 1/2! I haven't weighed
under 200 pounds for the first time since probably junior high!
So awesome! I am so stoked!

I was at Kohls last night trying on some clothes. I wanted to buy some
but just couldn't afford it. It was pathetic. I ended up getting a t-
shirt that came with a long sleeve t-shirt. I tried on a few dress
shirts. I wear a MEDIUM now!!! CRAZY! I started out less than a year
ago in a XXXL shirt. WOW! I haven't worn a medium since before junior
high, I think.
It's crazy.
19 1/2 for my next goal!

Sent from my iPhone

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Watching The Biggest Loser....

So I missed The Biggest Loser premier last week because I thought it
started this week. I was bummed last week when I learned of it.
As I watch it, it makes me realize how far I've come and what I've
gone thru to get here. I'm so lucky to have this opportunity to lose
this weight. These people have been given an amazing gift as well.
As I watch, it reminds me that I need to be working on my 2 speeches
for my upcoming speaking engagements. The speech I'm giving on October
8 is regarding motivation. It's so easy for me to STAY motivated right
now. The tough part, I remember, is getting motivated and STAYING
motivated in the beginning. I think that'll be a big focus of my
speech is how to motivate yourself to start making the change and how
to keep it going once you've begun.
The people in tonight's episode are dealing with the historically-low
week 2 numbers that everyone experiences on the show. Apparently the
average loss for week 2 of all the seasons is 2%. Meaning the average
percentage of their weight loss is 2%. The father/son team netted
zero. The dad lost 3 & the son gained 3. Those weeks of gaining are
HARD. I can only imagine how hard it is early on. I was lucky enough
to not gain anything until quite some time in, and that was TOUGH.
Trying to stay motivated when you see yourself gaining after working
so hard makes you question doing it. You feel like you've failed. As
long as you've worked hard, that's all that matters. You eventually
learn that your body does what it wants to do as far as weight loss.
All you can do is give it the necessary tools by working hard.
Where do I buy motivation? If I could just afford a trainer I wouldn't
have to worry about motivation. The answer is you can't buy
motivation. A trainer can't motivate you. A trainer can ENCOURAGE you,
but motivation must come from within. That's not to say trainers
aren't worth the money. I haven't paid my trainer (someone has) but
she's encouraged the hell out of me.
I think I have an unintentional start to my motivation speech....

Sent from my iPhone

Monday, September 22, 2008

Walk from Obesity....

This coming Saturday morning I've volunteered to help with the Walk from Obesity in Waukee. I'll be registering people for the walk. Some co-workers also volunteered. Should be fun.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Dear diary....

This is pretty much the only vessel (searching for a better word but
can't find it) I have to get my feelings and thoughts out.
I hate to continue to harp on my feelings as of late. They're so
negative and sad. I feel empty. I feel lost. I feel no sense of
belonging whatsoever. I feel there's no light burning from within. I
feel like a campfire left to burn out on its own after everyone left.
My fire has quit burning because there's nobody left to fuel it.
I get around groups of old friends now and feel no sense of belonging.
I don't engage anyone and nobody engages me. I don't feel a part of
anything anymore. I've been trying to put my best foot forward lately
and have been trying hard to be in a better mood around people. We
went out after the show tonite. When I got there, I was left to sit at
the end of the table by myself behind everyone else. It just seemed
like how I was feeling was playing out before me, physically. Joe &
Jolene showed up and sat near me. I tried engaging them a few times,
but they were busy talking and snuggling so I just sat there until I
finished my 1 beer. I couldn't afford that single beer, but I thought
I'd go anyway to try and feel a part of the cast. Instead, I was
placed on the sidelines to watch.
Maybe people just feel a vibe coming off of me...pharamones, maybe,
that tell them to stay away from me.
When I try to speak, I either get interrupted or nobody pays any
attention and I feel like an idiot.
On the occasional trip to Billy Joe's for karaoke, I sit alone. There
once was a time where I'd invite a friend or meet some people there
and we'd hang out. Now when I invite people either nobody responds or
they don't want to hang out. I'm left to be the loner sitting by
himself drinking a few beers and watching people have fun while I do
my thing. I've tried staying home & watching tv instead of going out,
but then I feel more lonely. At least there are others at the bar so I
feel less lonely by proxy.
What is there to do on a weekend alone? I honestly feel abandoned
these days. This isn't some plea for sympathy or something from those
few that read this. This is me just trying to get in touch with my
feelings. To actually see what it is that I'm feeling and to try and
work thru it. I'm not sure how to do that. I don't have the tools to
work thru what I'm feeling.
This isn't about being single. I prefer being single after my last few
relationships. I don't necessarily feel alone because I'm not in a
relationship. I feel alone because there's nobody around me. It's a
vicious cycle. One that I don't know how to break. I'm like a stray
dog taking a break from his journey to chase his tail because it's the
only thing to do other than continue along alone. Wow. Horrible analogy.
Why do people I once hung out with no longer want to be around me?
Have I changed or have they? Seemingly, I have. By sheer numbers, all
of those people can't have changed, so it must be me.
Maybe this is my fate. Maybe this is all for some reason I'm yet to
discover. When people say they're on a journey to find themselves,
what do they mean? How does one find themselves? I've no flashlight,
and it's so dark here in my room. The only light is coming from my
alarm clock which ticks away the number of minutes I'm alone. Like a
prisoner marking the number of days in their cell. The other light is
coming from my phone. The phone that doesn't ring anymore. I call out
only to hear nothing coming back but my own voice leaving a message on
someone's voicemail. I reach out and touch someone with a text message
waiting for them to send one back but I'm left staring at the light of
my phone listening to the cricket in the basement. It's kind of funny
when you think about it: like a comedian telling a joke and you hear
nothing but a cricket chirping. Just call me cricket.
How does one make new friends when the old ones don't want you around
anymore? Where do people go when they're alone?
I need mental stimulation outside of work. I don't really talk to
anyone anymore because there's nobody to talk to. Nobody that wants to
listen.
After the show Friday night I went downtown to spraychalk the streets
so people at the farmers market would see the advertisements as they
walked along. Me & BK decided to hit Dos Rios for a small bite to eat.
I talked to the cute waitress a bit. Left her my # on the check when I
left. She texted me today. I asked who it was and she told me. I asked
her some small talk questions but got very short replied of 1 or few
short words. Finally asked if she was single and the reply was 'Nope'.
Asked her what made her decide to text me and got no response. Why
would you text someone that you apparently don't want to talk to? Weird.
Time to quit counting the words and minutes and drift off to sleep
only to try and make tomorrow better and less socially-awkward.
"I'm a loner, Dottie, a rebel."

Sent from my iPhone

Monday, September 15, 2008

Strange observation as I drift off to sleep....

So just before bed I saw the blue veins in the back of my hands for
the first time ever. Being fat all my life, I had never seen them
before. Small thing, but big in an odd way. I looked at them for a
minute and poked at them.
I still don't recognize that guy in my mirror.
Yesterday I was moody. Today was better. The difference may have been
that yesterday I had some free time before rehearsal. I think maybe
when I have free time my mind starts thinking and for some reason goes
to the places I don't want it to. I'm really not sure. Maybe if I keep
it busy & preoccupied it keeps me from having a chance to get
frustrated, grumpy, moody, and lonely.
Anyway, today was good. I saw my veins. :-)

Sent from my iPhone

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Today's workout....

Today in class we did our usual Thursday body-sculpting class with dumbbells. After weights, we did ab exercises.
Before class I knocked out an intense 5 minutes on the cross trainer. After class I did a 5 minute cool down walk.

Tomorrow the trainer from today will be doing a yoga class. Since my trainer is gone, she's taking over for the day. Should be fun. Yoga always leaves me sore.

Yesterday's workout....

Yesterday I decided to run since it had been a while. I ran about 20 minutes then walked for a couple and I think I ran 5 more or so (I forgot!) then did a cool-down walk for a few minutes.
After that, I hit the weights.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

My post the other day about 'Who am I?'....

So the other day I posted a blog about being a bit depressed lately and not knowing who I am anymore. A friend sent me the following today, and I wanted to share it because it's great insight:

"Perhaps you are struggling with self image. The jolly fat man was both security and an accepted stereotype for you to fall into. Surely as you no longer have food as a comfort, some support has been kicked out of from under you. I think the psychological component of weight loss and change cannot be underestimated and I think it would not be a bad idea to investigate some sort of counseling -- just as you got help with changing yourself physically. Perhaps you really are undergoing a mood swing / chemical change? Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus and yes, Mr. Cruise there is post partum. This could be similar. Just a thought. I'm not suggesting Woody Allen's years of psychoanalysis (nor dating your "daughter") but definitely if you feel the urge to vote for McCain -- GET HELP. LOL"

When I worked for the Department of Corrections, I had a lot of problems, especially, toward the end, with management harassing me and whatnot. This depressed me and sent me in a downward spiral. I ended up going to Employee and Family Resources for some counseling. Mostly the lady just listened to me and how unhappy I was due to that job and management. It was very cathartic just getting it all out there.
It wouldn't hurt to do that all again. We as people have baggage. It's just a fact of life. I'm a believer that some level of counseling is beneficial for everybody. I should look into some as my friend suggested.

I really have lost sight of who I am. Having been overweight for so long, my perception of my self was so wrapped up in that image. I was the jolly fat guy. I had to be happy in order to get people to like me. I wouldn't allow myself to have bad days, I guess, or at least not to show it as much. I just feel a bit lost now, I think. I have changed an incredible amount physically and probably emotionally/mentally as well. I have to reevaluate, somehow, who I am now. It may not make sense to those of you who haven't undergone such a drastic change, but it's real. As great as I feel about losing weight and transforming my body, I feel as equally lost right now.
So much about me has changed. I used to go to the bar and knock back 3 pitchers (18 beers) of Boulevard Wheat and not even have a buzz. Now that I've lost 114 pounds, I drink 1 pitcher (6 beers) and I'm buzzing -- a couple more than that and I'm drunk.

I need to explore some resources. I bet there's some good books out there. Maybe if I find some free time, I'll look for some info online. Maybe there are even support groups for people that have lost large amounts of weight. Who knows.

What damn time does Walgreens open?!?!?!

Arg!
So this morning I did my routine which was eat breakfast and then hop in the shower before heading off to the gym. I know, I know, 'Why shower before the gym when you're going to get all sweaty, only to shower after you're done before heading off to work?'. It's just part of my routine. Anyway, I went to my gym bag for some deoderant, and it wasn't there. I decided to head to Walgreens on 22nd Street in West Des Moines near 235. I drove by there at about 6:30am and they were closed. Now I remember a while back that some of their stores changed their hours from 24 hours a day to less hours. I kept driving and figured I'd go to the Walgreens on University Ave in the Drake area. I figured that store would do great overnight business, especially w/ school in full effect, and figured they'd be open. And they weren't! Needless to say, I went to the gym sans deoderant. Hopefully nobody noticed! I couldn't smell me! I went to the grocery store after the gym (and after showering) to get some things, including deoderant, before heading to work. I was so irritated that Walgreens was closed at 6:30 and 6:50am! Arg!

Today's workout....

Today we had steap aerobics class. I didn't get to the gym in time to warm up beforehand, so I went straight to class. After class I did a 5 minute cool-down walk on the treadmill.

Monday, September 8, 2008

My trainer is gone this week.... Today's workout....

My trainer is gone this week....

My trainer, Deb, is gone this week. I think her husband is having surgery.
I'll be hitting the workouts solo this week (except for Tuesday and Thursday classes).



Today's workout....

I hit the cross trainer today for 30 minutes. I upped it from level 10 to level 12 today for the first time. After the cross trainer, I hit the weights as usual.

Last Thursday's weigh-in....

I weighed-in last Thursday and stayed at 202. Zero pound loss. Not disappointed at all. The way my body has been working, I may end up losing a decent amount this week. Seems I'll not lose anything or even gain a pound or two one week then the next week I'll lose 3 or 4.
Still 2 to go to get to my goal!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Who am I?....

I haven't been me for a while. It's hard to explain. I'm not sure why
I've not been me. I'm irritable. I isolate myself.
It's hard when you're so happy about some things, but other things
you're not happy about.
I'm used to being happy-go-lucky and funny, etc. I haven't felt like
that for a while. If you're reading this and we're friends, please
understand that it's not personal and, honestly, not something that's
easy to deal with. I'm going to work on it.... Sorry.

Sent from my iPhone

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Today's workout....

I only had enough time to do like 2 minutes on the cross-trainer to warm up before class.
In class we did weights as Thursday is body-sculpting day. We did just a tiny bit of step to get our heart rates up a tad. Then we used our dumbbells for many different upper body workouts.
Good workout as usual!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Today's workout....

I haven't really run much since my 5K. Today I decided to do a bit of running.
I did a 2 minute warm-up walk then ran 5 minutes then walked 1 then ran 5 then walked 1 then ran 5 and walked 1 then ran 5 and walked a few.
After that, I hit the weights then did some abs.

Yesterday's workout....

I'm really enjoying the fact that even in Tuesday classes lately we're incorporating weights sometimes. That means some weeks I'm doing weights 5 days in a row.

Yesterday we did step aerobics then incorporated some upper-body with dumbbells. After that we hit the abs. I did a 10 minute warm-up on the cross-trainer and a 5 minute cool-down on the treadmill.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Saw some old pics of myself today....

I was watching a DVD today that had some stills of me from some short
films I did in the past. Man. I had forgotten just how huge I was. My
body is COMPLETELY different than it used to be. I just can't believe
how different I look! I look so much better now! I also saw some
recent pics of me on the same DVD and was amazed at how thin I look! I
haven't been this thin since junior high or before! There's no better
feeling than seeing how far you've come!

Sent from my iPhone

No workout today....

Since today is Labor Day, the gym is closed. No workout today.
I think Wednesday my trainer is doing my measurements. It'll be great
to see that progress!

Sent from my iPhone