A 1st today

Today as I was walking on the treadmill I decided to do something I have never done on a treadmill, or actually haven't done since my teens.  I ran!!  Yes, that's correct, I actually ran while on the treadmill.  I have never been able to do that, more so because I was concerned that the bounce would be pretty hard on the machine.  But today, I chose to run 2 minutes at 4.w mph, and at a 2% incline.  I did that twice in the 30 minutes.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I think I will be doing it again!

Below is my most updated ugly photo, and my original photo from August......



January 30th

August 28th

If we defend our habits, we have no intentions of quitting them

I found the quote in the title on the Internet this morning.  It seems so fitting for someone who has always had an excuse for why or why not I do what I do.  It is as simple as just doing the opposite.  Instead of making excuses, we have to learn to tackle those habits head on.  It takes 15 days to form a habit, but months to break it.  So, looking at the habit of food, I have taken myself to my starting weight through habit, lack of willpower and just a don't care attitude.  Now, I have formed my new habits by using that same will power, commitment and just plain old stubbornness to get my life on the correct path.  It will not be easy to maintain the weight, but this program has been teaching me the right way, and how to make the right choices.  I will always have weight issues, no question.  But if I can understand how the weight effects me and when, then I can enjoy myself, my food and my life, with out the constant struggle to maintain.  I look forward to getting to maintenance and experiencing a whole new way of living healthy.

To my best buddy Tom.  I am so proud of you and achieving your goals.  Tom is just about ready for maintenance.  He has dedicated himself 100% to the program and getting the job done.  We have not seen him since November, so in  4 weeks when we see him and Wanda in Calgary's airport, he better have a sign on him and Wanda.  We won't recognize them.  And to Wanda, you are doing so well.  Keep it up.  You will get there.

Pictures are coming, I promise...............

Todays weight

Sorry about the Blackberry photo, JANNA!!!!!

Well, this is not a surprise this week.  I have been away for 5 days sitting on aircraft, meeting tables and restaurant booth's.  So to lose 1/2 lb and 1/2 inch, I would say it was successful.  I really was all over the planet with my food choices.  Saturday was chocolate cheesecake, I had 4 of the new Tim Horton's whole wheat carrot and orange muffins, I think I had some veggie wraps in Edmonton, and I got absolutely 0 walking in, other then in the airport.  So, all in all, if I lost a bit I would have to say it is a good week.

I got a chance to speak to a lady today, that I truly respect and admire.  Not only for her abilities, but for the friendship I have with her.  She works for the same company and is head of our Industrial Relations.  She has been a confidant, a sounding board but above all a friend.  We hadn't chatted in so long, it was very nice to hear from her.  I told her about my journey, and the blog.  Her  kind words were great to hear today.  I hope she joins the azz kickers!!

So I made a promise to Lana this week.  I will lose 3 lbs or I take her for lunch.  I will make the 3 guaranteed!  And maybe 1 more for good measure.  I can hardly wait to see the 270`s.  Laurel agfreed to do updated photos to night.  I will post a couple later.

Quotes

I was playing on the net and found some of the following:

Our bodies are our gardens - our wills are our gardeners.
– William Shakespeare

"How long does getting thin take?" asked Pooh, anxiously.
– A.A. Milne

Just thought I should share this with u, to all my avid followers!!!!

The Blog issues

I have been posting from my BB everyday, and it appears the email; issue is still not corrected.  It appears that I will simply have to do it this way, from now on.  Damn computers!!

I spent the weekend in Edmonton at golf association meetings.  I was really amazed at the amount of people that had asked about my weight loss.  As I spoke to more people about what I was doing, and how I have done, it became more apparent to me that I was succeeding.  I still don;t see what others are seeing, because I still see that overweight and blob looking guy in the mirror.  I still see the big belly and the stretch marks as I walk by the mirror.  However, as I am seeing people I haven't seen for sometime, I am realizing the transformation is real. 

I had supper with a personal trainer on Friday night who was amazed that she was supportive of the program.  We talked about the radical nature of the program, but why it's radical.  I have lived my life in a n extreme when dealing with food.  It has placed me to where I am today.  I now have to be radical in a different way, and this is what Ideal Protein is doing. Once I get to maintenance, then I will have achieved the balance I need to survive in a healthy lifestyle.  She did say that if I could just do steady walking for 3 days of the week.  It would be the best form of exercise I could do.  She said running and jogging after 40, is not the best on the joints and body.  For someone who has been heavy all his life, it's even harder on the system.  Just walk and keep doing what I am doing was her recommendation.

I had a long chat with a young lady from Toronto, who's sister is heavy.  she wanted to know how the program worked, and how I was finding it.  We talked for 45 minutes.  At the end of our talk she informed me she was once 300lbs.  Today, she is 145.  However, she indicated to me that she simply does not east, and when she does it is small amounts and usually just enough to get by.  she often does not eat for a whole day and drinks coffee or tea.  She looks unhealthy and knows she needs to make some changes.  However she was worried for her sister.  I offered up my email and phone number to her.  I encouraged her to have her sister call me.  I really hope she does, because it sounds like she needs some help, as I did. 

The last two days I was in Regina.  Once again, I had a lot of compliments, and questions.  It was with people I have seen off and on in the lat 6 months.  I think that some people were surprised I was still doing this.  I do believe I surprised some people.  I guess they will be real surprised when I hit the 100 lbs lost.  I am 35 lbs away, and am going to work my best to get to the 245 mark by the end of summer.

Thursday weigh in is next.  2.5 lbs, will get me into the 270's..........................

It's Saturday, I must be in Edmonton

I am in Edmonton for Golf Canada meetings.  The weather here is -2 this morning and snowy.  We arrived Friday morning at about 10:30 AM.  It was -5. We are staying downtown at the Westin.  last night we went out for supper for our dine around to a place called The Wildflower Grill.  It is just off Jasper on 107 NW I believe.  Very nice atmosphere, and exceptional food.  The price was traditional for fine dining.  We did find out that the chef was on the show Hell's Kitchen.  That was cool.  I had the bison, which was so good.  One of our party asked about my weight loss.  One of the ladies I was sitting beside, it turns out is a personal trainer.  She was great to talk to.  She gave me some advice and a couple of tips.  It was all in all an excellent supper. 

I'm back



6lbs!

I have been avoiding the blog lately, and I apologize.  I have been a bit busy and have not been to concentrated on adding posts.  However, after the weigh in today I am happy to report that I am down another 6 lbs.  I went back to the simple basics, and have followed the plan closely.  The results are obvious.  I was surprised but so happy.  This is my largest weight loss since November.  After a few weeks of 1 or 2, this was really welcome.  So 63 lbs and 60 inch's to date.  I am seeing some results on in the clothing I am wearing, and it appearsI am going to be looking for new pants soon.  I had to go out and buy underwear again, because the ones I just bought are to big.  I can't believe that the changes happen so quick in the azz!  lol........oh well.

I am off to Edmonton for meetings tomorrow, and I know my blog email is not working.  I will post after the weekend!!!

Weekend blahs...............

Not much to say, other then Blah!  The weekends are so lazy and non productive, that I almost want to head back to work, just to do something.  I am really ready for a holiday, and our Phoenix trip. I am so in need of some warm weather activity!!!!

I am going to get Laurel to snap a couple photos today, to update my photos.  Stay tuned.........

Benny's Bistro

Last night we went to Nipawin for supper to Benny's Bistro.  it is located on the main drag right beside the Royal Bank.  Mark and Laura were telling us about it, sot 8 of us ventured to Nipawin for the evening.  It was exceptional!!!!  The building is the old Credit Union, I believe they said. It is a small but wide open area, that use\s a wood oven for cooking.  You can see right in to the kitchen and the oven on the back wall.  Their menu is limited but they give you choices of the evening.  They apparently have the best thin crust pizza around.  We watched the meals come out of the kitchen and they were spectacular. The pizza's looked sooooo good.  They would easily serve 3 or 4 people.  Or, 6 months ago just me!  

I had the steak special, 8 oz sirloin, served with baby potatoes and seasonal vegetables.  I was able have just vegetables.  The meal was served on a bed of spinach.  The veggies were fire roasted, and were unbelievable.  The steak was pan seared, but very tasty.  Laurel had pickerel on a bed of rice, which looked so good too.  We went over the top, and had their creamsicle cheesecake.  Wholly Molly, the piece was huge but it was melt in your mouth, literally!  Overall, this place gets a 8/10.  It is an excellent place to eat.  The only thing that I would say was a downer was the wait.  I thought it was a bit excessive, but I was so hungry. I chose an appetizer to start, so it helped.  Our entire trip up and back, with the meal was about 3.5 hours.  Not real bad for a fine dining according to the group.

I need to start traveling with my camera.  More pictures to share, but I never remember.  Janna keeps giving me grief about my pics on the Blackberry,so I guess I need to change my format.  I also want to say hi to our good friend Vera and Donna in Regina.  Thank you for following me on the Blog.  We hope to see you soon.

Weigh in and purging day.......

So today, I lost 1 more pound.  57 total pounds to date.  But the kicker today, 6 inch's lost.  That takes me to 60 total inch's.  The lost inch's were quite a surprise.  I expected a couple, but not 6.  It was a great feeling.  I spent some time with Lana talking about the weight and how slow it's been.  We reviewed my eating habits, and we think we came up with a reason.  I am enjoying to many of the restricted protein.  I need to go back to some basics, and restrict the restricted to 1 a day.  I think that this is part of the problem for me.  So, for the next week, I am going to go back to a bit more of the basic program and see how I fair from there.  I just need to get back to some larger losses.  I have been spending to much time being a bit nonchalant. 

So, the other pics are of my purge evening.  It was time to go through the closet and get rid of the oversize items.  When it was all said and done, I am left with 3 pairs of jeans, 3 khaki's, and 15 golf shirts.  I have 7 jackets and coats as well.  So, what did I get rid of??  Let's start by telling you I had given away 40 golf shirts in April of this past year.  Laurel has always told me that I had a shopping problem, especially for golf shirts and coats.  So, tonight the stack of cloth's lay out like this:

Shirts - 24
Dress Shirts - 6
Dress Pants - 5
Khaki's - 7
Walking Shorts - 11
Coats and Jackets - 24

I guess you can say, I do have a shopping problem.  80 golf shirts in the closet was a bit much, you can say.  Laurel was laughing at me, because she knew how hard it was for me to do the purge.  She then lectured me about the appropriate way to shop.  It's something I am getting used to now.  I do not have to buy every color of a shirt I find that fits.  I can wait, buy 1 and get another later.  I just need to learn the proper process for shopping.  It may take me a few purchases to get into the new habit!!

Fishing

Enjoyed this past Sunday on the frozen waters if Deshaumbault Lake.  Went ice fishing with Monty, Katie and Monty's dad Rocky.  We didn't catch allot of fish but what we caught Laurel and I enjoyed for supper last night.  It;s so good!  Fresh fish is just something that you can't beat.  And the fish is really good for you as well. 

We had an ice shack on the water so we were out of the wind.  It was pretty cozy.  Last year we went and were bundled up.  As a big guy, I was pretty much uncomfortable the whole time.  To many cloths that were tight fitting.  Hard to move around.  This year was a different story.  I had energy to move around, be comfortable and enjoyed the time.  I am finding however that the cold bothers me.  I seem to always be chilly and looking to warm up daily.  Drop 50 lbs and the heating is an issue.  I am okay with that too.  The alternative is not an option!!

Shopping Day!

Today I went to Melfort and did a bit of shopping.  My staff will  be so pleased with me, I bought a new coat.  And it fits awesome!  I bought at Mundt's Fashions.  A new Columbia, $119.95 for $60.00.  I like the new me.  I can actually buy something from a normal store.  Got sexy jeans as well, and a mock neck long sleeve shirt.  All toll, I spent $120.00.  6 months ago, that would have cost me $200, and mot likely not gotten a shirt with the coat and jeans.

I am slowly getting used to normal shopping.  I tried on 42 waist pants.  Just not quite there yet.  I think, that in 10 lbs, that will be the new waist.  I really don't see it getting much lower.  Even at 44, I am 8 inch's away from where I was in August.  And the 2 xl shirt is 3 x's less then the start of my program.  I am feeling really good about the progress, and excited about shopping!!

Looking forward to this evening.  Our friends that we haven't seen in a long time, are here for hockey.  We are going to have supper and a nice visit.  Tomorrow, I am hitting the lake for some ice fishing with the Monty and Katey.  That will be fun!

Dilema

I spent this evening going thorough my clothing and coats.  It is getting pretty obvious that I will need to do some serious shopping in Phoenix.  I have nothing but a couple pairs of pants and shirts to wear that actually fit.  My staff was teasing me today about how saggy my pants are, and they are the ones that were altered.  I spent allot of money on some repairs and now someone else will be able to enjoy the cloth's.  As for my coats, I am patiently waiting for my new coat at the local store.  I tried on every coat I own and is in this house.  I found two that I can keep and use for now.  I will report the numbers to you when I actually pack them up for the SA.  I am telling you right now, there are more then a dozen to get rid of. 

It's awesome to know that I can actually get rid of the large coats and look for some more stylish and in style product by simply going up town.  I am so looking forward to buying some new cloths.  My staff will be happy as well!

I'm Back

I made it!  After the tough couple weeks around Christmas, I was able to sneak into the 280's.  I lost 4 lbs in the last 2 weeks, to take my total loss now to 56 lbs, and 56 inch's.  It's a huge relief to see the loss once again.  Not much has changed other then the sweets and cheats are not in my day to day activities.  I think it's time to get back to a bit more of he structure and avoid to much willy nilly, as the last 6 weeks have been.  19 lbs to goal, and 51 days till holidays.

WIW

It is weigh in Wednesday!!!  I go for the 1st weigh in of 2011.  It's the start of my new goal direction.  It's important for me to get this weigh in off properly, which means no weight gain, and getting 1 lb off that nasty 293 I hit just before Christmas.  Anything more then that is a bonus.  We have 7 weeks before we leave for Phoenix, and I need to lose 20 lbs to get to 270.  2.2 lbs a week will get me there. 

Trying to get more motivated to get exercise.  No question that doing the smallest amount would help me.  However, I am as always, not that crazy about being outside in the winter.  The tread mill is set up downstairs, but that's not getting used that much either.  I have been taking the dogs out,so I just need to try and keep that up.  It is good for them, and really good for me. 

Go Canada!!!!!!

New Year, New Goals

I started back to work today.  Good I missed! I did not enjoy the time off.  I was bored to the max, and because of the weather and my restricted use of my hand, I was mostly miserable.  However getting back to the office made me realize, that if retirement is like the month of December, it will be along time before I call it a career. 

Being back at work will also allow for me to make sure I consume my water, and not allow for any temptations.  I went back to the program full time now, and I am anxious for Wednesday.  I am finding hunger in the afternoons and not sure why.  Drinking extra water to try and compensate the hunger for now.  if it continues I may have to try and put a small snack in to get me through to supper. The extra program protein will help. 

My new goal is to get to 270 by the time we leave for Phoenix on February 24th.  I then will try and keep my weight to between 270 and 275 while on holidays.  Anything below 270 will be bonus.  I am still looking for a 100 lb weight loss total.  I think I can do it.  Once spring comes and the golfing starts, the weight maintenance should be easier.  However, as I have seen this last month, nothing is guaranteed or easy.  I would like to be able to go away, and simply be watchful of the food I am eating, but also enjoy the food choices with little guilt.  Christmas was a good lesson, and I know some of the issues I had.  I now can be more attentive and make better choices. 

Wednesday weigh in is approaching..................

I'm Back!

Sorry about the lack of posts to the blog, but my email connection from my Blackberry is not working to the blog.  Not sure why, but I am working on it.....

Happy New Year to everyone!!  I am so looking forward to 2011, and the new me.  I have been really lamenting about the program, and where I am at.  Tom has been my encouragement to make this think work.  he is nearing his goal, and I am excited for him.  He has lost almost 60 lbs and has just been so dedicated to the loss.  He has picked up steam and can see the end.  It`s his commitment that will keep me going strong.  I am 45lbs away from 100 and 25 lbs away from my original 265 loss goal.  I am so looking forward to the next level.

I have been out and trying on cloth`s.  I was in our mall the other day and visited the Men`s store for the very 1st time.  They had items for me to wear, and I spent a bit of time trying cloth`s on.  It was a great feeling, being able to do that.  I am starting to realize, with Laurel`s reminder, that I do not have to rush out and buy when I find something that fits.  I have the ability to `shop`and pick up what I need or want when I find it.  Right now, there is no need to find an item, but it in every colour there is available, and start looking for something else.  I could have bought about 5 or 6 coats that all fit in the last week, and a few shirts.  I did buy a pair of Docker`s pants just before Christmas.  They were on sale for $25 and not from the Internet.  Jeans are plentiful, and stylish.  How can I not be excited about the loss of weight and the freedom to shop.  Our warm weather trip is coming at the end of February.  It will be exciting to actually hit the stores and maybe find a few $10 golf shirts and pants.

Weigh in day is Wednesday................................