Day 27: Travel day!! My Home away from Home....Airports & Hotels

You would not believe how early I have to get up to go home. I got up this morning at 3:30am this morning to leave by 5:00am to be at the airport by 6:30am. YIKES!!! It was far too early this morning. Needless to say I didn't workout.

Today's Workout Stats: None :(

Today's Meals

Breakfast
1 Slimfast shake
2 cups of coffee (1 black and 1 with coffeemate)

Lunch
1 sm airplane snack bag of pretzels
1 can Spicy Tomato juice
1 square bagel with margarine (at home)
1 Slimfast shake (at home)

Dinner
1 miso soup
Sushi
6 pcs Alberta roll (beef maki)
3 pcs Tuna
3 pcs Salmon
6 sm pcs Tuna roll (maki)
6 gyoza

I didn't eat that well during the day because I was on the run to catch the next plane and couldn't stop to eat. I really needed a sandwich or something, but there wasn't time. Dinner was great. It was so fresh and healthy. I was so hungry today just because I hadn't eaten. Like I said before I did want to eat I just didn't get a chance. I am not going to lose weight by starving myself. Remember this is all about being healthy and exercising. Everyday brings it's new challenges, but that is life. Tomorrow is a new day. Thank you to all the people who have left there comments. I am very touched by you words of encouragement! THANK YOU!!!

As always I will keep you posted

Day 26: Ah.. The Sweet Smell of Sweat In The Morning

Holy cow! Talk about fighting. I fought every step to not go back to bed and enjoy a few extra minutes of sleep instead of working out this morning. I fought the good fight and won. I did manage to drag my rather hefty ass down to the fitness area and do my workout.

I stayed up later than I wanted too last night. Remember yesterday I said that I wanted to go to bed early? Well that plan fell by the wayside. I didn't get to bed until 1:00am. I got home from my dinner at a friends house and then ended up talking to my wife on the phone for quite a while. I do have to say that I did a bonehead thing when I was home last week and I have to apologize to my wife in front of the entire world. Dear, I am very sorry! I inadvertently hurt her feelings and being a guy I was totally oblivious. Again I am sorry.

Today is my last full day at the hospital. Tomorrow is a travel day and I fly back home. I doubt I will workout tomorrow considering I have to leave the hotel at least by 5:00am to catch my flight in Memphis.

Toda's Workout Stats

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 2.7 to 2.9 Miles per hour
Incline: 8%

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
2 cups coffee (Black)
1 Bowl Special K w/ 2% milk
1 Banana

Lunch:
Garden salad w/ Honey Mustard dressing (1.5 oz +/-)
Iceberg lettuce
Carrots
Cucumber
Broccoli
Cherry Tomatoes
Sunflower seeds

Dinner
1 tuna salad sandwich on rye bread with lettuce and tomatoes
1 large American ice tea (sweet tea)
1 decaf coffee w/ coffeemate

Dinner was OK tonight. I could have gone crazy and stuffed myself, but I just didn't have the desire. It was a nice change to crave the largest, fattest and greasy meal. Even after having my sandwich I was full. I didn't feel like I had to eat anything else. i think if I did eat something else my stomach you have felt uncomfortable. Dinner did come with a 1/2 cup to a cup of coleslaw. Now I normally like coleslaw, but this 'slaw tasted like it was left outside for the last 2 days in the sun. Amazingly enough I didn't eat it. I am getting to the point that if I am going to stuff myself with calories, I want them to be on good, healthy food. Tomorrow is a travel day, so I will be on the run. My goal tomorrow is to try to eat healthy while dashing from plane to plane and airport to airport. FUN!

As always I will keep you posted

Day 25: When you fall off your bike, get back on!

EWWWwwwwww We. It was tough getting up this morning. I did however manage to stay up and actually go down the the hotel fitness room and workout!

I could feel the last 2 days weighing down on me. It is hard sometimes to get back after a couple of days not working out. the time change is no friend either. When I get up at 5:00am it is actually 3:00am at home. So imagine getting out of bed at 3:00am to workout after not working out for 2 days. See this isn't easy at times. The best part is that I actually did it and got my lazy ass out of bed and did my workout.

Today's Workout Stats

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 2.9 Miles per hour
Incline: 8%

The hotel treadmill is a lot better than the last hotel treadmill. This one actually works!

Today's Meals:

Breakfast
1 Slimfast shake
1 coffee w/ coffeemate
1 cup Special K w/ 2% Milk
1 Banana

Lunch:
1 Baked Chicken leg and thigh
1 - 2/3 cup corn
1 - 2/3 battered squash

Dinner:
1/2 cup coleslaw
4 sm pcs Corn meal coated Bass (a southern thing, it was light and good)
3 Hush Puppies (also a southern thing)
1 diet sprite

Dinner was good. It was a real pleasure to be invited to a house of people I am working for. They are really nice people and it was a real pleasure to have dinner with them. We shared stories and had a good time. It was true southern hospitality and I really appreciated it.

Tonight I want to go to bed early and catch up on my sleep so I can workout again tomorrow.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 24: Luggage, Where for Art Thou Luggage?

Well My luggage is supposed to be delivered today. It seem that is the same as the cheque is in the mail, but we will see. Of course the bag they didn't get to me also has my runners in it. I have everything else to workout except the shoes. I guess I could workout in my black dress shoes and look really dorky. Nevermind.

I hope my luggage gets delivered today as promised so I can at least workout tonight

Today's Workout Stats: None

Today's Meals:

Breakfast
2 cups black coffee
1 Cup Special K w/ 2% milk
1 Banana

Lunch:
1 bowl Wild mushroom Bisque (quite good w/ a little kick to it)

Dinner:
1 9oz Sirloin Streak (Med)
Steamed Broccoli
Steamed Green Beans
2 Dinner rolls
1 Jack Daniels (neat)
1 small Movie popcorn

My luggage finally arrived at 9:00pm at night. Tomorrow I can actually do a workout. I could have tonight, but I was full from dinner and I have a headache from talking all day during training.

Some of you may have noticed that I had a pretty big dinner, well you are right. It was definitely a larger meal than normal. I wished I had a bigger lunch and a smaller dinner, but I didn't. I did have a fairly reasonable dinner. I could of had a 12 or 16 oz steak and big fatty sides to match so I really have no regrets other than the bread. I certainly don't regret the 2 shot of Jack Daniels.

Tomorrow is definitely the morning I get up early and hit the treadmill down stairs. It looks to be reasonable new and working.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 23: Travel Day and it is Snowing Like a Mother#$%&*@!

It is unbelievable outside. It must have snowed a good 10". I hope my flight out of Vancouver is not cancelled. I am currently typing this in at 4:00am and it is still snowing.

Today I am not working out in the morning. As you can imagine it is a little early to get up at 3:00am or earlier to hop on the treadmill. I will try to workout when I get to the hotel.

I had someone post a great comment on my blog last night. It was a very inspiring story and I wish them all the best in their journey to keep their weight off. Thank you for your comment whoever you are and best of luck!

Today's workout: None

Today's Meals

Breakfast
1 cup coffee w/ half and half
1 square bagel w/ margarine

Lunch:
1 Tuna Sandwich on Whole Wheat (No butter or extra mayo)

Dinner:
1 Chick-Fil-A Southwest chicken salad w/ Low cal Honey mustard dressing
1 Diet Coke

I had great intensions of working out when I got to the hotel, but that was until the airline for got my larger of the 2 bags in Denver. Needless to say I had to check in and then go shopping for clothes for tomorrow.

I am glad that I didn't go crazy at dinner. I has been a real stressful day. My laptop will only work in safe-mode, The airline lost my luggage with my clothes and my training materials and I got some news that I didn't to hear. The news isn't end of the world stuff so don't worry, it is just a hassle for me. These are the days when I would go and stuff myself silly to get that food high us food addict crave. I have always used food to numb the pain or stress that I am going through. I am going to change that behaviour and channel it into being healthy and working out. Tomorrow I want to workout before I go to the hospital. I have to go downstairs and see if the treadmill even works.

As Always I will keep you posted.

Day 22: SNOW DAY!!! and weigh in day

It's snowing today!!!! These are the days that I am glad I have a treadmill. The only issue is that the treadmill is in the coldest part of the house. I haven't worked out in 2 days and the guilt is killing me. I have to get my ass in gear and get on my treadmill today!!!

Off our living room we have a sun room. Now In the summer the sunroom is way too hot, but in the winter the sunroom is way too cold. It seems we can't really win. I wouldn't get rid of it though. It adds a tone more space to our house and there are those perfect days when you can open the huge sliding door and it is fantastic.

Today is Weigh-in day. I am not too sure if I have lost any weight. If I haven't I am not too concerned. My goal per month is to lose 10 pounds and I have done that so far. My biggest concern of course is if I have gained any weight. I don't think I have, but you never know.

Today is also the 3rd weight in day.

Here are the numbers

Today's Weight: 291 lbs
Last weeks weight: 293.5 lbs
Start Weight: 305 lbs
Total weight Lost last week: 2.5 lbs
Total weight Lost: 14 lbs

I am very happy with my weight loss. I didn't workout 2 days in a row and I didn't eat as well as I could have at times.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.2 Miles per hour (faster than normal by 0.2 mph)
Incline: 8%

I was really happy with my workout today. I seemed to have a jump in my step. I actually needed to increase my speed today. I didn't think that the 3 mph was fast enough. My target during my workouts is to keep my heart rate in the 140 to 150 level for an advanced fat burning workout. So far these settings seem to be working.

Today's Meals:

Breakfast:
1 cup coffee w/ half and half

Lunch:
20 pcs Sushi
12 Kappa Maki (cucumber Roll)
8 Spicy Crab Maki

Dinner:
1 large Salad w/ Oil & Vinegar dressing
It was made by my mother-law with Love!

Tomorrow I am off to Arkansas again. My flight leaves at 7:15am so I don't think I am going to get up and workout before I go. I will see if I can muster the courage to exercise when I get to my hotel. I get to the hotel around 7:00pm at night so it might be a bit ambitious.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 21: Cuddle Day!!

With my wife way until 2pm it was a good chance to relax and cuddle with my 2 boys. Oh boy did we relax. All three of us just vegetated and watched cartoons and had a really good morning.

I think it is critical that I get to spent as much quality time as I can with these guys. The amount of travel involved with my job, I want to make sure we still get a chance to just hang out.

Today's Workout Stats: None

Today's Meals:

Breakfast/Lunch:
1 cup Bran flakes
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 Banana
1 Red Delicious Apple

Dinner:
1 cup Miso Soup
12 pcs Sushi
6 California Roll
6 Tuna roll
6 Salmon roll
1 small McDonalds Fries
3 McDonalds Chicken Nuggets

Man oh man. I have got to stop being the garbage can for my kids. The crack addict is back. It seems that I can't help but hoover up everything my kids won't eat. It is like a compulsion. I think I am going to have to add this to my short and long term goals to not to eat large portions and do not eat what other people leave behind. Yikes, that sounds so sad. It is as if I was a bum picking up someones discarded cigarette butt to have a smoke.

Tomorrow my new goal is to only eat my own food and no one elses (I told you is sounded bad).

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 20: Show Me The Love People!!!

It is truly a milestone for me to keep this up for 20 days. To be quite honest I thought in the back of my mind that I would never make it past 10 days. I am very proud of myself.

Now, having said that I didn't get up early this morning and do my workout. I was soooo tired and my cold had a bit of a resurgence. My nose is running like my wife at a department store sale (sorry dear). If I feel better I will do my treadmill workout tonight.

My wife has gone down to the US for Black Friday Super Thanksgiving Sales so I am looking after both boys tonight. I think I will have to either tie them up or lock them in their rooms so I can workout with having to bark orders for them to stop trying to kill each other (just joking about the tying them up part, but not about them trying to kill each other).

Today's Workout Stats: None

Breakfast:
1 Square 100% Whole Wheat Bagel w/ a VERY thin layer of Peanut Butter
1 cup coffee w/ half and half
1 cup coffee w/ 2% milk

Lunch:
1 Tuna sandwich 2/ Tomates on Flax bread (Light on the Mayo)
1 side mixed green salad
1 pkg Lite ranch Dressing (70 cal)
1 V8 Juice (70 cal)

Dinner: White Spot Restaurant
The under 5 gram of fat Chicken breast w/ steamed veggies and salad
1 White Spot Hamburger
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
10 fries
1 Diet coke

Ok, you might be thinking that he started out having a good dinner, but what happend. Well I knew that I could not resist the temptation of the hamburger. My youngest son didn't want it, so I ate it. Was it wrong? yes. My only defence is that my chicken dinner was only 310 calories. Not an OJ type of defence but oh well. My pledge is to be the best I can be each day and not beat myself up over the mistakes I make. As long as I don't fall off the wagon so to speak.

Tomorrow my wife is back from her overnight shopping trip so I have to make sure I clean up and get back to my routine.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 19: Another Day Closer to My Goal

One more time with feeling. Yes, I was able to get out of bed at 5:30am this morning and do my workout. I was tough today. I still am not 100% from this cold although I do feel better.

I don't feel as if I have really made any headway on losing weight this week. As you have seen I have exercised and eaten OK. Maybe I am not eating enough or eating the wrong stuff. If I haven't lost any weight this week it is not the end of the world. My goal for this month was to lose a little over 10 pounds and I have already done that. If I don't lose any weight for 2 weeks in a row then I will start to worry.

Today's early morning workout felt good. It seemed longer than normal this morning. My MP3 player ran out of battery power about 1/2 way through my workout, so I did the remained of my workout listening to my hooves hit the treadmill and my huffing and puffing away.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 8%

Today's Meals:

Breakfast:
1 Square 100% Whole Wheat Bagel w/ margarine
1 cup coffee w/ half and half
1 cup coffee w/ 2% milk

Lunch:
1 nice Apple
1.5 cups of sauteed Rigatoni with garlic (no sauce)
1 cup coffee w/ 2% milk

Dinner:
1 Med Spinach salad w/ real bacon bits (3 cups worth +/-)
4 dill pickles

After dinner the Lock family went to the West Vancouver pool and frolicked in the water for an hour plus. The boys had a good time and it was a great chance to play like a little kid and relax.
Let s see what tomorrow brings.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 18: Wakie! Wakie! Sleepyhead It's time to workout

This morning I tried to snooze my way out of a workout. I tried really hard. that bed was SOOOOOOOO comfortable and warm. I did manage to hit the snooze button 3 times until the guilt propelled my out of bed and into my workout gear. I am glad I did.

On the days when I workout in the mornings I feel so much better. If I leave my workouts until the end of the day it seems like I dread it more. It is nice to get my workout over with earlier and not have to think about it all day. Lets be honest as well, if there is an opportunity to get out of a workout, I am not the most well equipped guy to say no.

I did do my usually workout, which keeps my heart rate in the 130 to 150 beats per minute range. My Maximum heart rate is supposed to be 183 (220 - 37 (my age) = 183). A good fat burning workout should have me at 60% to 80% of 183 or a range of 109 to 146 beats per minute. I am at the very top end of that range and I need to make sure I don't over do it.


Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 8%

Today's Meals:

Breakfast:
1 Square 100% Whole Wheat Bagel w/ margarine (Yes, I said square!)
2 cups coffee w/ half and half

Lunch:
1 nice Apple
1 Slimfast Shake

Dinner:
1 Large Spinach salad w/ real bacon bits (3 cups worth +/-)
3 pcs Farmer sausage (1.5 of 6" pc makes sense?)
1 1 /2 cup fried pasta

Tomorrow I am going to try and do my workout in the morning. I also have to start to put my goals in order. I need to have definite long and short term goals. If I don't set these goals, I will be like a ship without a rudder.

As Always I will keep you posted.

Day 17: In The Office and Back to the Daily Grind

Today I was back in the office. It felt like I hadn't been there in weeks, but it wasn't too long ago. I didn't do my workout this morning like I should have. As a good friend of mine (Camilo) noted it was better for you to workout in the morning than later in the day.

I ate well today. Not a ton of crap and not the problem of not eating enough. I didn't have breakfast which is very bad, but I did have a healthy lunch and dinner

Today's Workout Stats:
None ;(

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
1 Square 100% Whole Wheat Bagel w/ margarine (Yes, I said square!)
1 cup coffee w/ half and half

Lunch:
Tuna salad sandwich on multigrain
Side tossed salad w/ Italian dressing
2 cups coffee w/ half and half

Dinner:
1 bowl Miso soup (my favorite it seems)
18 pcs Sushi
6 - California roll (My least favorite of all sushi)
6 - Tuna roll
6 - Tempura roll (sushi w/ something deep fried in the middle - so so)
1 glass Diet Coke

Today was another good day other than I didn't workout this morning like I should have. I did have a real motivation problem laying in bed at 5:00am. Tomorrow is definitely a day in which I am going to workout in the morning. In addition, I am also taking the buss to work, so I should get a little more exercise. I might invest in a pedometer just to see how much more I end up walking when I commute to work via the bus.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 16: Mr. Mom

I have the day off today and I am in charge of looking after my 3 1/2 years old son Evan. He can be a handful, but today he has been great (so far).

I didn't workout this morning, but I am going to workout tonight or at least later in the day.

I went and gave 4 to 5 vials of blood today at the lab so I feel like a pin cushion.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 28 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 8%

Today's Meals:

Breakfast:
1 cup Tim Horton Coffee w/ half and half (liquid of the GODS!)
1/2 a plain bagel w/ butter
1 Slimfast shake

Lunch:
1 ham & Cheddar cheese sandwich (3 slices each) on a whole wheat bun
1/2 a peanut butter sandwich

Dinner:
1/2 cup Rice Crispies
3 oz of 2% milk
1 Slimfast shake

I am not too motivated to write much today, sorry. My clothes are sure starting to fit a lot better. Some of my clothes are even getting to feel too loose. It's a nice feeling. Oh well tomorrow is a new day.

As always I will keep you posted

Day 15: Back in the Saddle Again & Weigh in Day

I GOT MY LUGGAGE!!!! Yeah!!

I can get back in the saddle and get back to my workout. I can't believe I just said that!!???!!! If you knew me you would know that I was the laziest man in the world.

Today is also the 2nd weight in day. Here are the numbers

Today's Weight: 293.5 lbs
Last weeks weight: 296 lbs
Total weight Lost last week: 2.5 lbs!!!!
Total weight Lost: 11.5 lbs (NICE!!!)

I am very happy with my weight loss. Remember, I was sick, I didn't workout and I didn't eat as well as I could have. The is a marathon, not a sprint. the whole goal is to get healthy.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 28 brisk walk/ 2 light jog - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour (Jogging @ 4 mph for 2 minutes)
Incline: 50% @ 7% and 50% @ 8%

This was a good workout considering I hadn't been on a treadmill in a couple of days and I am still suffering on the tail end of this cold.

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
1 cup coffee w/ half and half
1 Slimfast shake
1 cup Bran flakes
1/2 cup 2% milk

Lunch :
1 Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich (Milestones)
1/2 Streamed Vegetables
1 Diet Pepsi
1 cup coffee w/ half and half

Dinner:
6 pcs. Sushi (Salmon, Tuna & Ebi)
1 cup Miso Soup

Not a bad day for food. The Sandwich at Milestones was not ladend with any heavy sauces and it was a small portion. It wasn't some humongous sandwich like you would find in the US. The sushi was a nice way to finish the day. The rest of the family had saucy and fattening Chinese food.

I am really looking forward to tomorrows workout. It was nice to get back at it.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 14: Ah, It's Good To Be Home

Man o' man it was nice to sleep in my own bed. I think I am finally getting over this cold.

I hope my luggage arrives today. I REALLY need to get back on that treadmill. Tomorrow is my 2nd weigh in day and I am not too sure what the outcome will be. I didn't get much of a chance to workout much in the last 5 days. I didn't eat too badly, but at time I don't think I ate enough.

That is an very important topic. If you don't eat enough, your body goes into starvation mode and thinks it need to shut things down. I have to make every effort to eat 3 square meals a day.

Today's Workout Stats: None (No luggage)

Today's Meals:

Breakfast/Lunch:
1 sm. Banana
1 bowl Bran Flakes
1/2 cup 1% Milk
1 cup coffee w/ half and half

Dinner:
1 sm. cup of Miso Soup
12 pcs. Sushi

Well, my luggage didn't arrive today. I could have used my old shoes, but I am spoiled now. Apparently my luggage should arrive tomorrow between 7am and 11am. Let hope so.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 13: The Long Dark Journey into Night

Today was a long day. I woke up at 5:00 am and packed to go home (Yippee). The treadmill at the hotel is still broken so there is no chance for a workout today. After I work at the hospital in the morning I am going to the airport to wait for my flight. I will glad to get home. I am actually missing my workouts. Maybe I am just guilty for not doing them, but who cares at least I still have the drive to want to do my workouts.

Today's Workout Stats: None

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
1 banana
1 cup Special K cereal
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 Slim fast shake

Lunch/Dinner:
1 large Diet coke
1 Cobb Salad w/ a Balsamic vinaigrette (awesome and healthy salad)
1 can Spicy tomato juice
1 sm. pkg. mini pretzels (airplane)

It was not the greatest day for eating. Not that I ate anything bad, but with jumping from plane to plane there was not a lot of time to eat 3 proper meals.

By the way, the airline forgot my luggage in Chicago so I would get my suitcase until 3:00pm tomorrow. That would normally not be a big deal, however my new runners are in my suitcase. I have to decide whether to exercise with or without my new runners. If I decide to wait until my shoes arrive, my workout will not end up being until later in the day. I don't think it is the end of the world but I like to get my workout done in the morning to get it out of the way. We will see what happens.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 12: Sleeping Beauty

I was sooooo tired and sick last night that I went to sleep at 7:30pm. I unfortunately only woke up 12 hours later and was late to get up to go to the site. I had to race to get ready and that was not much fun.

The treadmill is still broken here so a workout is not possible. I could do something else, but I am soooooo sick. I almost had to leave the site today, because I was feeling so bad. I am glad I am going home on Friday.

Today's Workout stats: None

Today's Food

Breakfast
1/2 can of Ginger Ale
1 slim fast meal replacement

Lunch
1 cup coffee w/ half and Half
1 sm bowl chicken soup with corn and rice

Dinner
1 15 oz rib eye steak
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 onion deep fried and battered (ouch)
2 22 oz beers (yikes)

I was not happy with dinner. I could have eaten better, but I had a really bad day. I had my crappy cold, I threw up (twice) and had to work today. I thought I deserved a nice dinner.

That brings me to an interesting topic. Was tonight's dinner a horrible thing that I should beat myself up for? I am sure that there are going to be times when I eat out or don't eat as well as I should. I guess my justifications for this is that this is a marathon and not a sprint. There are going to be times when I don't eat as I should. I think as long as this it the exception apposed to the rule this is OK. Maybe you can tell me otherwise.

Tomorrow I am back on the wagon. I plan to go to bed early and get a good nights sleep and start my battle/journey again tomorrow.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 11: Everything is Sick and Broken (Me, The Treadmill, etc...)

Ah what a day!!!!

I pulled my sorry ass out of bed at 5:00am this morning to go down and workout. I get out of the elevator and see some skinny bitch working out on MY old dilapidated treadmill. I was so tired and sick that I turned around and went back to bed for an extra hour of precious sleep.

I trudged off to the hospital with a little more sleep, but a whole lot of guilt for not working out.

I got back to the hotel after work today and actually got dressed and ready to go down for a work out. When I started to workout of the treadmill, it was broken. AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
What does a fat guy have to do to get a decent workout today!!!!!!

I am still sick with a cold. I feel as if I have already run a marathon. I am sore, tired and feel like shit (pardon my french).

Today's Workout = Nothing worth noting (the streak is dead)

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
1 cup coffee w/ Half and Half
1 cup All Bran
1/2 cup milk
2 egg and cheese bagel thingies (?)

Lunch:
1 cup coffee w/ Half and Half
1 Special K vanilla breakfast bar (90 calories)

Dinner:
1 cup cooked Spinach
1 1/2 cup steamed mixed veggies
1 sm bowl seafood chowder (cream based, but no potatoes)

Even though I didn't exercise I still ate not too bad. I am going to go to bed early and figure out what I am going to do to get some exercise for the next couple of days. I would walk outside, but it is pick black at night and I am not too sure I am in the greatest part of town. We will see.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 10: A Carpenter is only as good as his tools

To say that this hotel has old equipment is a slight understatement.

I started my usual exercise program and you would have thought that I was slaughtering cows in the room. The treadmill had see better days indeed.

I still managed to get up at 5:00am after not getting to bed until midnight. My usual workout was not to be this morning. I started out with the usual 8% incline at 3.0 Mph, but the treadmill protested for a good 10 minutes until the noise was even unbearable to me. I then slowed everything down to 2.0 Mph, but I increased the incline to 11%. These setting gave me a better workout with a lot less noise.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 10 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk/light jog - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 8%

Time: 20 minutes
Speed: 2.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 11%

I told you it wasn't pretty. Tomorrow i am just going for the slow speed with the high incline.

Today's Meals:

Breakfast:
1 cup Special K cereal
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 cup coffee w/ half and half

Lunch:
1 peanut granola bar
1 cup coffee w/ Half and Half

Dinner:
1 bowl French onion soup
1 6oz pc. of grilled salmon
1 cup +/- steamed veggies
1 cup coffee w/ Bailey's (for my throat and cold)

I had a good dinner. I wished I had a bigger lunch and less of a dinner, but the timing didn't work out. I eat a fairly healthy dinner. Nothing excessive. As I have said before it is very hard to eat in the US due to portions sizes (always HUGE) and the fact that everything is either fried or covered in bacon AND cheese.

For the remainder of the trip I will watch what I eat, making sure I eat enough and not stave myself. That would be stupid. the whole goal is to get healthy and keep to the slower speed workout with the higher incline to get my heart rate where it needs to be.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 9: Travel Day. Off to Fall River, MA

Today I am travelling to Fall River, MA for work. I will be out of town until Friday. If anyone has ever travelled in the US you are aware that the food comes in huge portions and is usually covered in bacon and cheese. This will yet me another test of my will power.

I did my workout on the treadmill this morning because I am going to be locked up in an airplane or an airport for 8 hours plus today.

Yesterday I was awesome at the restaurant. I showed total control over the mounds and mounds of free food. I did drink, but I only had 2 beer and 1 martini. After we left the restaurant, I went and picked up some fresh sushi. A very healthy choice.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk/light jog - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 8%

I increased my incline to 8% to give myself a little challenge.

Today's Meals:

Breakfast:
1 cup Corn Flakes
1 cup Milk
2 cups Coffee w/ Half and Half

Lunch/Dinner:
2 cans of Spicy Tomato Juice
a Large garden salad w/ Low fat ranch dressing

It is hard to eat 3 square meals when you are on planes for 6 hours. I had the salad in Chicago on my way to Providence. I do have to eat a little more. I don't want to be unhealthy. I am still drinking lots of water and that helps a lot when I travel.

Tomorrow I have to be at the hospital at 8:00am so I need to get up at 5:00am to do my workout. I could do it when I get back, but I think i am going to be too tired. I think it is better to get it out of the way first.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 8: Sick, Going out for Free Food & Booze and it's Weigh-in Day

I still have his cold. I have been fighting it with NyQuil and I seem to be holding it at bay.

I still did my workout today. I can't believe it. This is now 8 days in a row. Some would say "Big Deal", but to me it is. I would have already started to find excuses and give up. My goal is to workout at least 5 days a week (5 times in 7 days). If I do more than that, it's all gravy as they say.

Today is the big day. My first weigh-in since starting my journey. I know I have lost some weight, because I can feel it in my clothes and how I feel. I am concerned as to how much. I am weighing myself after my workout so the numbers may be off compared to weighing myself before my workout. Here it is:

Today's Weight: 296 lbs!!!!

Last weeks weight: 305 lbs

Total weight Lost: 9 lbs!!!!

This is awesome!! I had hoped for at least 5 pounds. I must stay on track and still eat healthy and workout regularly. This is a marathon not a sprint!

My family and I are off to a opening of a new restaurant in Langley. One of our Friend is a opening a "Eastside Mario's" restaurant. I hope everything goes well for him! There is supposed to be free food and booze. Now I assume since it is call "Eastside Mario's" and there is a fork wrapped in Spaghetti that this is an Italian restaurant. All I can think of is high calorie, High carbohydrate and high fat foods. It is enough to make my mouth water ;)

Going to this restaurant will be a big challenge. My wife suggested that I might not want to go. I really have to go. I can't run away from social events because there maybe food there. This is going to be a very good test of my will power

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk/light jog - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 7%

I ran a little in the beginning and even increased the speed to 4 Mph at times. I am trying to vary things and challenge myself to do more.

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
1 cup all bran w/ milk

Lunch/Dinner:
12 pcs. fresh sushi
2 Beer & 1 small martini

I showed a lot of control at the restaurant and I am very proud of myself!!!!

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 7: The Sick Shall Persevere

I am sick with a cold. I knew I was going to get it. My whole family has or had this darn cold. I didn't waiver though. I not only ate well and exercised, but i also got a fancy New pair of runners for me workout.

I went to Forerunners in North Vancouver and tried a few pairs of runner on. As you remember my feet/ankles pronate so I had to find a certain shoe. I tried on the full range of shoes, from cheap to top of the line. I found a really comfortable and supportive pair and they also happen to be on sale. I bought a pair of Asics GT-2110 Running shoes. I put them through their paces in tonight's workout.

That's right. I worked out at night instead of the morning. There is nothing wrong with that. As long as I am working out that is all that matters. See below for the gory details.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 7%

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
1 cup of All Bran
1 cup 1% Milk (maybe less than a cup)
1 cup of coffee w/ Half and Half

Lunch:
9 pcs of fresh Sushi (all healthy)
1 bottle of water (I drink it all day as well)
1 Medium Coffee w/ Half and Half

Dinner:
1/2 cup coleslaw
1 triangle bun with garlis butter
2 pickles (I did share 1 with my son)
1 pc 6" cooked farmers Sausage
1 Cup Decaf Coffee w/ Half and Half

My wife and I went to see the movie "Borat" today. It was hilarious! My wife had movie popcorn and a couple of bags of candies, but I DIDN"T HAVE ANY!!! What strength.

Tomorrow we are going to a restaurant opening in Langley for our friend. This might be a tough challenge for me. The is supposed to be free food and booze. My to favorite 2 friends. I must show control!!!

TOMORROW IS WEIGH IN DAY!!

Last weigh in total: 305 lbs (yikes)

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 6: We're Off to See the Doctor

Don't worry, I didn't hurt myself. This is just my regular visit to see the Doctor. I need to get a prescription refilled.

My Doctor's name is Dr. Marck Hudon and he is a very nice guy. He in no uncertain terms wants me to lose weight. He is a strong advocate of the diet and excercise routine as opposed to the "Pill and Cut" method of medications and surgery. Not that I would get any type of surgery. I have thought about it and I would do it if it was free, but it's not so I won't.

I am of course going to tell him that I have started my excercise program and I might even let him know about this Blog (maybe).

Today was another day off so the temptation to just slack off and not do my excercise. I also feel a little under the weather. You know that feeling you get just before you get a cold. I have a little scratch or tickle in my throat and a bit of a runny nose. I am not going to let this deter me. If I do get sick, I am still going to workout, but maybe just nnot as hard. I don't want to get worse.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 7%

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
1 cup of coffee w/ Half and Half

Lunch:
1 cup lightly dressed coleslaw
10 ea. Grape or cherry tomatoes
1 Cup of coffee w/ Half and Half

Dinner:
1 small portion of Shepards Pie
1 1/2 cup of Grean Beans
1 pc. Garlic Bread

***NO DESSERT** and man was it tempting!!!

As always I will Keep you posted.

Day 5: The True Test of Will Power

Today was and still is a true test of my early determination. You see I have the day off. The first day off since I started this little journey. I could have slept in or made some excuse why not to use the treadmill. I have been really good so far. i have been getting up every morning at hoofing it away.

So, you ask "What did he do?" Did I wrangle sheer determination at hit the treadmill or did I did I hop the train to Lazytown?

Amazingly enough I did my usual workout. Not only that I actually bumped up the incline a little to make it a bit more challenging.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 6.5% to 7% (15 minutes each)

I am not going to keep posting how many calories I think I burned. I don't think I am very accurate. It really doesn't even matter to me. I am exercising to feel better.

Today's Meals

Breakfast:
Nothing, hey I got up late and was busy back off

Lunch:
Sushi (12 pcs) it was all rice and fresh raw fish and other nasty things (yum)
1 cup Miso Soup
2 cups coffee w/ Half & Half (I had these later in the afternoon)

Dinner:
5 oz Baked Salmon marinated in a herb & butter sauce (light)
3 pickles
1 cup homemade coleslaw

All in all not a bad day for eating considering it was a day off and the boredom can sometime result in me eating like crazy.

Tomorrow is another day off and another chance to test my will power to workout on the treadmill. Wish me well and think positive thoughts!

As always I will keep you posted

Day 4: Still Going Strong

I can't believe it! I actually manage to get myself out of bed again at 5:00am and hit the treadmill for 34 minutes of hard hoofing (Mr. Clydesdale).

I was a little concerned last night when I went to bed. My feet hurt :( I thought I was going to be in trouble. I also went to bed a little later than I wanted to as well. It's tough being old, fat and sore. When I woke up my feet felt ok and I wasn't as tired as I thought I would be.

Today's Workout Stats:

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.0 Miles per hour
Incline: 6%
Calories Burned: 315 +/-

Look familiar? At least I am consistent!

I had a pretty good day yesterday. I did my exercise, took the bus to work (which involves walking) and drank lots of water.

I did have a problem when I got home however. The food addict was back. I made a mistake of not eating enough during the day. By the time I left work I was so hungry I was feeling sick and giving myself a headache. I have to remember to eat a decent breakfast and pack a healthy lunch. So I get home and everyone else had eaten so I make myself a nice salad. I did you a whole bag of washed salad and tried to go easy on the dressing. I think I was pretty successful. This is were the story takes a nasty turn. After the salad I was still hungry (surprise, surprise) so I decided to have a small container of tortellini that I had made the night before. It was only about a cup full so it wasn't too bad. If I have stopped there it might have been ok, but of course I didn't. I opened the larger size and started to go to town. I could feel my stomach getting quite full. I did manage to stop before demolishing the whole thing, but the damage was done.

I have to be so careful when I get home. I learned a little about myself after that and I know I need to change these bad and unhealthy habits.

I am going to start to track what I eat. At least for a while.

Breakfast:
1 cup All Bran (just wait for that to kick in! yikes)
1 cup 2% milk (maybe less I didn't exactly measure)
2 cups coffee with cream (I am cutting down on the cream)

Lunch:
1 Apple
1 orange
2 cups of Tortellini (last night's debacle. I told you I didn't eat it all)

Dinner: (At Joe Fortes w/ Clients)
1 crossiant (at home before I left. I was starving)
2 Beer
1/2 a light Caesar salad
2 thin slices (small) of bread w/ butter
the fish trio (not heavy or a super large portion)
A Joe Fortes Alcoholic coffee

Not bad for dinner. I think I drank more than I should have, but I wanted the group to feel comfortable. The portions were good and there were not any heavy sauces. As far as dinner went I would rate my performance as a 5 out of 10. Not good, but not that bad.

I have tomorrow off, so we shall see how the treadmill goes. I HAVE TO EXERCISE!!!

As always I will keep you posted

Day 3: These Boots Were Made for Walking

3 days in a row!!! Up at 5am and on the treadmill. I did a 2 minute warm up, a 30 minute brisk walk (details below) and then a 2 minute cool down.

I felt a little sore today. I have to make sure I stretch before I hit the treadmill. My runners are going to be the death of me. I can feel my ankles and feet are going to be an on going issue until I get some better runners.

Today's Workout Stats

Time: 34 Minutes (2 warm up - 30 brisk walk - 2 cool down)
Speed: 3.1 Miles per hour
Incline: 6%
Calories Burned: 315 +/-

I did pretty well yesterday for eating. I was very good all day. I was bad in that I didn't have any breakfast, but I did have a very healthy lunch of fresh sushi. Lots of fresh salmon, tuna, rice, veggies, etc...

Dinner time is always an issue. I am like a rabid dog. I enjoy cooking and do not snack while I cook, but portion control and the after dinner snacking are the death of me.

I find the best way to beat these bad habits is to drink water, have my wife portion out dinner and have her put away the food afterwards. I am like a crack addict with food after dinner. It is as if I can't get enough or that this was my last meal. I really need to overcome these issues to keep myself on track. I can't always rely on other people to manage my portions or put away food so I don't consume everything.

In my next few posts I think I am going to start to start recording what I eat. I have heard that once you see what actually gets thrown down your gullet it can be quite a shock.

As a treat, my wife and myself are going to go see the Borat movie. I find that guy hilarious. I will let you know what I think of the movie tomorrow.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 2: Just like a friend of Bill W. "One day at a time"

Well you would be proud of me today. I got up at 5:15 am and hit the treadmill again.

You may be wondering what the title means today. Just like a person who has been through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), I have to take it 1 day at a time. People who have been to Alcoholics Anonymous always say "One Day At A Time" I think this is a good mantra for my mission. There are going to be times when I just can't get the excersize or eat the best. These are not days that I want to happen, but they will. As long as I understand that these days are just my "speed bumps" in my journey down the road to health.

Today's Workout stats

Time: 30 Minutes
Speed: 3.0 to 3.2 Miles per hour
Incline: 6%
Calories Burned: 315

I will weigh myself next on Sunday before I leave town on business.

Todays workout was good. I found it harder than yesterdays physically. I think my body was protesting all of the activity. Remember, just getting off the couch is a chore. I did almost fall off the treadmill wiping sweat off my very wet brow. It would have looked quite funny.

I do have to invest in some good running shoes. I have a pair of really crappy runners from Wal-Mart and they are going to be the death of me.

My ankles pronate. Now for those of you who know what that means "hurray" pat yourself on the back. For those that don't, here is the science:

Pronation is the flattening out of the arch when the foot strikes the ground. Normally, the foot will pronate to absorb shock when the heel hits the ground, and to assist in balance during mid-stance.

Supination is the opposite motion of pronation. A foot is in supination when the ankle appears to be 'tipped' to the outside so you are standing on the outside border of the foot. Supination allows the foot to be a more stable, rigid structure for when we push off on our next step. The foot naturally supinates during the toe-off stage (when the heel first lift off the ground until the end of the step) to provide more leverage and to help roll off the toes.

For the record, I pronate and have to invest in a running shoe that can handle pronation.

I did manage to wake up both of my kids with my Clydesdale impersonation. I might have to make my workout routine happen at night.

As always I will keep you posted.

Day 1: The first Step Down a Healthy Path

OK I tackled the BEAST!

I did 30 minutes on the treadmill. For those of you at home keeping stats, here is the lowdown:

Time: 30 Minutes
Speed: 3.2 Miles per hour
Incline: 6%
Calories Burned: maybe 330

The calories burned part is hard to calculate. The treadmill says 260 calories burned, but I have read online that the figure is based on a 154 pound man. LOL I was 154 pounds in grade 2. I did look for other calorie burning calculators online and this seems to be the consensus amount. If I find out any different I will let you know.

I guess I have to come clean and let you know my weight. The whole goal here is to be healthy and a nice byproduct of that is weight loss. Alright here it is: CURRENT WEIGHT 305lbs

There I said it. I am large and in charge.

A New Day

Well my mind is made up. I need to lose weight. Well I did know this a long time ago, but today I have to do something about it.

I am going to use this blog as motivation for myself. I know I should just be strong enough to lose the weight, but I am not. If it was that easy I would have done it a long time ago.

So here I am..... a hair under 6 feet tall and over 300 pounds... YIKES. What happened? It seems like yesterday I was under 200 pounds and had the world by the tail. I guess those extra slices of pizza have taken it's toll.

My biggest downfall is lack of exercise, so I am dedicated to eating better and working out more. Working out more... heck I haven't worked out in ages. Getting off the couch now a days is considered a work out now.

I have a fancy treadmill in my house, but I think it is going through separation anxiety, because I never get near it. THAT CHANGES NOW.

I am by no means a literatry giant, so things are going to be spelt wrong and at times might not make 100% scene, but hey it's my blog so too bad. Please stay posted for updates and follow me along as I travel down the road to physical fitness.

"May the speed bumps be few and I don't run out of gas!"