Official 20

Weight: 230 lbs

I have now officially lost a full 20 pounds! I have gone from my belt not being quite big enough to it being perhaps a little large. Even my favorite t-shirts no longer hug my belly!

Having a more active job, and walking 20-30 minutes to and from it every day is really making a big difference, as is just flat eating less. I think I actually have a smaller appetite. I am eating a healthier variety of foods, and take every chance to add veggies to a meal or snack.

One thing that's surprises me about the weight loss is that my caffeine intake, via soda, has actually gone up in the last couple of weeks. Now, I imagine that if I can get my sleeping pattern regulated, and cut back the soda long term, that my weight loss could kick into overdrive.

To celebrate my lower weight, I walked an extra 20 minutes on the way home from work. That's right, I used exercise as a reward rather than a punishment. I'll tell you what, that is a mind-blowing thing for me.

Stockboy to GenCon

Weight: 237 pounds

     Well, having a job as a stockboy is starting to pay off, in terms of exercise and weight. It would pay off even better if I didn't have such a bizarrely changing schedule from week to week, forcing me to down caffeine to try and regulate my energy levels...

     Admittedly, it doesn't take that much for to get me to drink soda.

     I'm hoping to go to GenCon later this year with some friends, which means I'm looking at getting another job to pay for that, and to help save a bit more for the college I'm starting the week after.

A New Belt

Weight: 240 lbs

I got a new belt right about a month ago. I now need the smaller size. Yay!

The primary changes I've made in my life are:

   •  Mall Walking: 2-4 times a week, about a mile and a half worth of walking each time.


   •  Extra Walking: About an hour 1-2 times per week, in sunlight.


   •  Less Soda: This has been less intentional, but I have been drinking significantly less soda


   •  Snacks: I make sure to have healthy snacks to curb hunger, and I decrease the size of my meals a bit to account for the extra calories.

What small changes can you make to make a difference in your health?

More to Go

Weight: 244 lbs 

     244 lbs. That number seems so high, and I suppose it is. It's frustrating to know how much further I have to go. I do seem to have gotten stuck on that number.

     I've been walking about a mile and a half still, several times a week. I need to crank that up a couple miles and push it to every single day; that should help.

     I'm taking a closer look at my diet this week, seeing how I can improve it and still enjoy it. I need to eat more vegetables compared to what I've had over the last week. I need to find a good chocolate substitute.

Health Games and Oatmeal

Weight: 243.1

A couple of days since I posted, but I probably don't need to be keeping detailed track every day. Then again, maybe I should. Hm.

The weight I've lost is probably due mostly the natural fluctuations of weight that most people go through. I've been eating a little lighter, and trying to choose the healthier choice. Yes, I went to fast food on Wednesday; but I chose a kid-size soda and fries, and a regular cheeseburger - no bacon or second patty of beef. I've also been cutting way back on my soda, so good on me for that. I've been doing fairly good at walking as well; in fact, once this post goes up, I will go out walking for a half hour or so.

I've also signed up on Superbetter.com, which is a site that helps people achieve their goals by making them more game-like. (See the TedTalk about it here.)

A surprisingly simple and filling snack/meal I've been having is oatmeal. Just put some instant oatmeal in a bowl, add some milk (experiment with the amounts a bit) and top off with some honey for sweetness, maybe some cinnamon for flavor. I put it in the microwave for a minute and a half, stir, and run it through for another 1-1/2 minutes. I use honey instead of sugar because, despite having a few more calories per teaspoon, it also has more nutrients.

Egg Sandwich Recipe

Weight: 248.3 lbs

I started the day off fairly well. I had an apple and a tangerine fairly early, then went mall-walking. Walked about 2 miles, in total, around the mall. At just high enough speed to start to smell the sweat, though not enough to get my shirt wet. Increased heartbeat is the key.

After, I had a fried egg sandwich to complete my breakfast. (Recipe below.) I can understand not enjoying egg sandwiches, but me? I love 'em.

I didn't do so well for lunch - my brother-in-law decided to take me to a pizza buffet place. Not ideal situation, I grant you. But, I did go for a variety of toppings, chewed well, and ate a little slowly. I was still very satisfied, and ate a good amount. But I didn't eat as much as I used to.

The side benefit to that is I needed very little dinner! I had a glass of juice, and I don't think I had much besides that.



KP FRIED EGG SANDWICH

     2 Eggs
     Pepper, to taste
     Parsley
     Just a little salt
     Tomato (Ketchup or salsa work, as well)
     Mayo (Lite Mayo works great!)
     Bread

I have a tiny little pan that just barely holds the two eggs, and turn the temperature on low, maybe medium low. I add the pepper, parsley, salt, and a little bit of tomato, ketchup, or salsa while the eggs are still pretty uncooked. When it is solid most of the way through, I flip the eggs. (Or, in the case of my tiny pan, hold the eggs with a spatula and flip the pan over top of the eggs, then turn the whole mess over.) Give it enough time to solidify,

Spread mayo on the bread, lightly is fine; it's mostly so the bread isn't too dry. Put the eggs on the bread, and you're done! (Again, small pan, so I put the bread on the egg and just turn the pan over to get it out.)

Baby Steps

Weight: 250 lbs

Well, I ate smaller portions than normal today. Breakfast was a fried egg sandwich (I love fried egg sandwiches to an unjustified degree.) I did use light mayo rather than regular, and spread it a little thin. For lunch, I had rice with a gravy topping that included some beef and onions. I ate light for dinner: a snack of oatmeal, and a peanut butter sandwich. Plus one small chocolate, and less soda than normal. Altogether, not the best choices for foods, but I did eat smaller portions and made some decent options. I'm pretty satisfied, too. I need to add some veggies into the mix; I'll probably have a tangerine before bed.

I walked for almost an hour (50 minutes). I walked even swung by my game store, but didn't go in because I was a little sweaty and stinky. So, a good day for walking. Tomorrow morning I'm going Mall Walking - the mall opens the doors, though not the stores, unbelievably early so people can get some exercise walking around it.

Don't expect these diet and exercise ones to be terribly entertaining; they're mostly a way to hold myself somewhat accountable for my diet, exercise, and general health. I'll try to think of some way to mark the Headlines when I think I have something interesting to say or share on the subject.

Breakfast of Champions

Weight: 250 lbs

This morning, I had two pieces of cold deep-dish pizza and a leftover taco for breakfast. But I stopped at two pieces for breakfast. I had the other two for lunch. So, not the most auspicious start to an attempt at weight-loss. But it could have been worse; I wasn't hungry, but I still could have finished off those other two slices for breakfast.

I had much less soda than normal. I also chose a sandwich which included vegetables over a giant sausage for dinner. I probably could have done without the ice cream. But it was really good ice cream.

I got outside for a few minutes, but I could have done with a bit more walking around today.

Overweight

Weight: 250

Body Fat %: Beats me. I need something to measure this.

I went in for a checkup at the doctor's today. (Today as in yesterday; I'm up too late right now.)

I am 5'10", 250 lbs. My blood pressure is borderline, though the bottom number is good. I didn't hear anything bad about my heart rate or pulse, so I assume those were within normal parameters.

I am tired of being overweight. I want to lose weight so that I can have more energy and avoid the health problems associated with being overweight - High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Diabetes, etc. My goal is 180 lbs or less than 18% body fat. Since I don't have a machine for the second, I'll focus on the first.

Here's the thing: I don't want to give up everything I love. So, I'm going to try cutting back on the things I can - I don't really need an entire half a pizza - and adding in healthier things so that cravings for unhealthy things are lessened.

That is what this blog is for. It shouldn't take away from my previous blog, which I have been admittedly lax on. Rather, it should actually improve my postings there, as my brain function and general attitude improve. I'll keep you updated on weight, exercise, and healthy choices I make (or try to make).

My first healthy choice? Well...it's late. So I'm going to bed and getting a full nights sleep.