Week 3 Complete - Momentum in the Right Direction

Starting Weight: 240
Todays Weigh in : 231
Weight Lost this week: 3
Total Weight lost : 9

I got on the scale this morning after waking up and happily saw that my weight has started to creep down in the right direction after having a no loss week last week. I did a pretty intense HIIT session last night and my legs feel on the weak side today. Tonight I will most likely take a break from the cardio and do a upper body lift session. Anyway thanks again FAT coalition for being around it really does help keep my goals fitness and health wise at the forefront of my mind. Its funny cause I talk to my wife about you guys like we are all a bunch of old buddies. The other night I was like "babe, you got to read about this workout that Beck is doing", or "Billy posted these really funny pictures to prove that he is still fat" or "I can't believe Rob is running 5ks, I need to start training for one of those". Anyway you all are making a positive impression at the Ripx household and I thank you for that.

Is it Already Monday?

Last weekend was a pretty good weekend diet wise and ok in the workout department. Proably could have been a little better in both catigories but could have been allot worse also. My wife and I decided to replace our older big screen TV with a plasma this weekend so I spent more time lying on the couch watching TV then I do most weekends. TVs have really come a long way even in the last 5 years. Our old TV was HD but this new ones picture is hands down far superior. I watched OSU win the College world series in glimmering HDTV which was good thing for us in the Pacific North West. This coming extended weekend I am going on a dirt bike riding trip in eastern Oregon. My goal is to maintain a healthy diet and not get hurt/injured. I always get a good workout when I go out dirt riding. I am not a very good rider so I have to make up for my lack of skills by over compensation physically. I am sure I will be sore as heck by the time I get home and really whipped. Tomorrows my weigh in day so tonight should be a intense workout for me.

Aspartame and Splenda

So what is you guys/gals take on diet sodas or crystal light on the go packs (to add to water)? I would imagine that 80% of my liquid intake is water but I do enjoy a diet soda or flavored water. There is allot of mixed thoughts on it when I have tried to find information in the past. Anyway just curious about what you all thought? I think I kind of use it as a crutch when I am craving something sweet.

Week Two Report

Starting Weight: 240
Todays Weigh in : 234
Weight Lost this week: 0
Total Weight lost : 6

Two weeks in the books... I was both relieved and disappointed to see the same number on the scale that was there on last weeks weigh in. I know I made a few bad diet decisions over the weekend but I feel like I made more good decisions than bad over the entire week. I have found that my work days are dead on for diet and exercise. Its so much easier for me to fall into a routine of good food and exercise when at work and home. I make my meals before I leave and we have dinner when I get home. Everything is set in stone food wise and its hard for me to find a excuse to deviate. My weak point is when I am at someone elses house and they set bad options in front of me. I know in my head that I have total control of what goes into my mouth so I am not trying to make excuses. I also know that I need to nut up and just do whats right. I do feel like I am making good steps in that direction, I just need to do it way more often than not. I am trying to follow the nutrition guidlines that Marcol posted on his blog a few days ago (so far so good). I know my body is sensitive to carbs (found that out last time I successfully lost some weight) so these guildlines should be good for me. I do feel more firm and better in general so I know I am making some good progress even though its not really showing on the scale or in the mirror. Tonight I am going to do some yard work at a elevated pace to burn some extra calories and then lift legs. Im going to wear my Polar heart monitor to see if I can get my heart rate up there mowing the lawn etc. Anyway I know this entry is kind of random and all over the place so I will quit writting. Keep on moving and loosing FAT!

Tin or Fools Gold....

This weekend wasn't what I would call a failure or a success. Something somewhere in the middle I suppose. I knew there would be temptation and there was. I made some really good choices and a few others that where not so great food wise. We did work long days hanging siding and moving a few windows so I am sure that helped negate some of my food indulgence. The bad stuff was beer and cool ranch chips ( the later being my willpower kryptonite). I did come home on Sunday and throw myself on the treadmill for a good workout. I am guessing that my weigh in this week will reflect my not so great choices and I will be sitting at about the same as last week, I just hope that I don't gain any. I am hoping for a really productive week this week and a few pounds lost.

Testing My Metal

This weekend should be somewhat of a test of my resolve and will to obtain my goals. I am heading north to Seattle to stay the weekend with a friend and help work on some projects on the outside of his house (siding, windows, etc). We usually entitle these kind of weekends "Mans Weekend" and generally beer, bbq, UFC watching or some other violent sport are on cue. I know that I will drink some beer etc (hopefully light beer and limited quantities). I think this weekend will be my time to practice portion control and making smart choices. I am going to try to get out at least one morning for some cardio and will be doing some body weight exercises before bed. Luckily my friend is generally very supportive of diet and exercise so hopefully I can get him to partake some, or at least be able to influence what's on the food menu for the weekend. I should be home Sunday early morning (to be around for fathers day) so I really only have two days to worry about Friday and Saturday. I will be taking my laptop so I can stay in touch and see whats going on in the world of FAT.

First Week in the Books

Starting Weight: 240
Todays Weigh in : 234
Total Weight lost : 6

I guess I can consider my first week back on a success. I am sure that a good portion of the weight I lost is water and whatever else you build up in your system when you are living badly health wise. I did a pretty intense round of HIIT training last night in hopes that it would land me at a good loss for the week. So last week I got in 2 steady state cardios, 2 HIIT cardios, and 3 weight training sessions. Tonight I am going to lift upper body and do some abs work.

I have been getting some of the hunger pains that many of you talk about from time to time. I feel like I am eating way more than I used to and definetly more often (5-6 times a day). The difference is my diet is much more balanced and healthy. I am really trying not to lose lean body mass. Even as a healthy individual in the past I have never been heavily muscled nor have I been able to make big gains muscle wise even when trying. However I do not know if I had my diet setup correctly for gaining muscle back in those days. I guess getting big has never been my goal. I would much rather be lean, fast, and agile than big, ripped, and bulky. Guess I am getting ahead of myself here.... :) need to lose some weight first.

Anyway the first week was a success for me and I owe allot of my motivation and healthy brain activity to many of you in the FAT coalition. Let me say thanks again for letting me be part of your community and for all of the support thus far and in the future.

Anti Productivity

Well yesterday was a tuff day in the food arena for me. We celebrated my sons second birthday and spent time with some friends we haven't seen in about a month. Started my day out great with some cardio in the morning and ate well in the morning too. At my sons party we choose to serve strawberry shortcake instead of your usual high calorie high fat deserts. So I had to have a small piece of that (ok I choose to have a small piece of that - no excuses). Then our friends invited us out for dinner at their place and you all know how that goes since you really don't have any say on what you eat. I had a pretty good portion of spaghetti and some bread and green beans. Of course all the bread and noodles were your standard white varieties (we try to always do whole wheat at our house). So I consumed some of that and then proceeded to have two gin and tonics (bad ripx....) Felt kind of guilty by the time I got home. But all things considered I think I could have been much worse and would have been a week ago. I did skip desert at their place. I wanted to get in another round of cardio to help negate some of it but it was late and I knew my alarm was going off at 4:50am so no go on that.

Tuesday is weigh in day for me so I am hoping my first week has been somewhat successful. I feel better even after only a week so I guess I can already say its been a success. I just hope that the scale reflects that too.

Fighting The Good Fight

Well its day 3 for me today. I guess thats a start but it sure doesn't sound good. I cant wait to get some time and air under my belt. I decided that I will weigh in once a week on Tuesdays. Not to say I don't step on the scale a few other days a week. I just don't want to be a slave to the scale. I have been hitting the weights and doing my cardio. My legs feel like jello today. I did db squats, lunges, and wall sits last night. My food intake has been very good and clean the last 3 days.

Do you ever want to swing a big ole motivation stick at the little voices that are lurking in the fields of your mind. Mr. lazy aka "I will work out tomorrow" tried to show up this morning when my alarm went off at 6:40am. I work 4 10s Monday through Thursday 6am to 4:30pm. Friday is what my wife and i call daddy day care ( Where I get to spend a full day playing with and caring for my son). So usually I sleep in as long as possible (until my wife walks out the door for work) . Anyway I had to lean on the power of the FAT coalition to get myself to swing the stick of motivation +10 at Mr. Lazy and get my butt out of bed. I found myself on the treadmill for 40 min where I tried to hold my heart rate between 135-150. Anyway after I was done I felt great and I am glad i did it. I thought about many of the FAT members accomplishments during those 40 minutes to help push through the pain.

So far another good day towards learning to live again.

GOALS!!! and F.A.T.

Over the last few days I have put allot of thought into creating a list of goals that I would like to complete as I embark on learning to live again. I tried to make them obtainable goals. Some have no time frame and others do. In this journey I would like to be able to do what many of you have already done, cross things off your list. For most of my weight loss goals I am shooting for 1.5 lbs a week. I have done a bunch of reading and I hope this number isn't too aggressive. I have tried to make my list of goals not to far apart (may add a few more). Having my eye on the prize helps me continue to stay successful.

I really think being part of the FAT online community will help me stay the course, and get me through some sticky times. I am looking forward to all your comments and feedback. I also aspire to inspire others like many of you have already done for me.

Starting Pic

Current Weight: 240

I never thought I would be posting a picture of myself on the internet with my shirt off. But I feel this is the only way to keep myself accountable.

Introduction

Name: Ripx
Age: 32
Height: 6'0
Starting Weight: 240
Status: Married with one child

In my 32 years of life I have struggled with my weight for the vast majority. I am no beginner to the fitness/nutrition world and have walked the walk a few times before. In 2004 I battled my way down 52 pounds but find myself here again at 240 lbs in 2007. It makes me sick to think of all the effort and time I have wasted. As I get older my health has started to deteriorate and I am showing signs of early departure from this life if I don't do anything about it. I am currently on hypertension and high cholesterol meds. When I first went on them about 3 years ago it was only borderline high numbers that they where trying to be proactive about controlling. I know that my weight, activity level, and diet will play hugely into this equation but yet I still find myself in the "fat" situation. I seem to really be lacking motivation to work out or to control what is in my hands to control. So yes I really need to get a grip.

R&R (Reason and Reflection)
I have every reason in the world to take better care of myself. I have a wonderful loving wife. A awesome little 2 year old boy that means the world to me. Some of the best family and friends a guy could have asked for. A good career making a descent salary. A nice home with nice things. I don't ever want to be a embarrassment to my child because daddy is fat. I want to be able to play sports and be active in life. I like to be able to buy clothes and feel I look good in them. I no longer want to avoid having pictures taken of me because I hate the way I look. I am tired of having low self esteem and self image. I would like to be able to go with my shirt off and not feel like a oddity or freak show. I want to be a good role model to those that are most important to me. I know I need to take better care of myself which in return will take better care of the things I love. I want to grow old and watch my family do the same.

TP & RB (Turning Point or Rock Bottom).
These things I want to list for myself as reminders of why something has to change. There have been several things in my life as of late that have made me realize I really need to do this.

1. We just got back from a trip to see my in laws and extended family. When I saw pictures of myself I was thoroughly disgusted. I have been in denial and seeing these pictures made me very aware of just how far I have let myself go.
2. I broke a camping chair while trying to get up out of it (it couldn't handle my weight).
3. One of my good friends commented on the fact that I had gained weight and mentioned how much older it made me look.
4. My wife wrote this to me in a e-mail " "
5. I played a game of pickle ball and my lower back started hurting really bad.
6. I get winded easy and am constantly tired.
7. I feel like I am a big fat slob. I have always thought that the shape that a person is in is a reflection on the type of person they are. So you know what that makes me in my eyes.
8. I am getting older and it only gets harder to maintain a descent physic.

I know many of these things are harsh and may not seem helpful to some or anti productive, but to me a negative equals positive reaction and output. Also I really need to quit lying to myself and stare the truth in the face. I am going to try to and take pictures ever week to show progress. Anyway wish me luck and hopefully I will be successful in learning to live....