Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Backsliding and recovering

So yeah...

I went all the way down to 155 pounds and felt pretty good besides not feeling that strong. Then injuries and life happened...

Right now I am back up to ~210 and went up even further due to working an extra job, having a few injuries, my gym changing it's schedule and eventually closing, and just not prioritizing the maintenance. Really though, the only person that I can blame is myself. Circumstances did not help me, but we shouldn't let obstacles determine our final outcome.

So now begins the new goal and deadline. As of today it is 72 days until I plan to leave for Thailand again to get married. Without healthywage.com to worry about (the BMI thing is crap if you work out and have more muscle) I can focus more of gaining strength and the muscle gain/fat loss will come naturally. I think with the extra cardio focus before I lost muscle just to hit a arbitrary number. One of my new trainers said 180 with muscle would look good on me and would be achievable in that time given a clean diet. I guess we will see...

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Wow... I am so bad at updating this... 2 weeks until final weigh-in!!!!

So yeah... Weight from last post compared to weight now... Well I'm ~170 or so right now. Don't even remember the last time I posted on here so I'm sure it must be a significant loss.

Lots have happened since last posting time and I don't know how much I'll be updating this with the stories of what's been going on in between or even as I move closer to not just the healthy BMI, but ultimately my goals of a 6-pack and getting the health and body that I really want.

For my height I need to hit 164 lbs. Already, being close to that weight with 2 weeks left, the goal is attainable. It wasn't easy as I've had periods of backsliding, BUT I never totally gave up. If fitness laxed I tried to be better about nutrition and vice-versa. Already, I can see that at my goal of 161 (for healthywage.com's 10% challenge i'm doing) that the weight may not be ideal. I think with my size and muscles I have now, 150's would be better for my weight. I do want to get back into weight training though as I feel in losing a lot of the weight as of late, I've sacrificed my muscles.

Anyways, that's all for now. I'll post pics soon. It's funny looking back compared to other pics I've put on here as you can tell there is a marked difference.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Happy New Year

Wow... so it's been a month since my last post. Soo much to say, yet I don't even know what to post...

An update to my progress should be appropriate. So it's 37 days until I leave for Thailand! Also, today is 52 days until my first half-marathon! Well, I've run the length before a couple times training for the Chicago marathon and obviously did that distance when I actually completed the marathon so it's not a big deal. The issues I see are the heat though we start at 5AM, training (I'll be in Thailand and just don't like running that much as I'm not a fan of endurance sports, mostly because of the body types of those athletes), and hydration since this is the 1st International Thai Half-Marathon. I am in much better shape than when I last ran the marathon so we'll see...

As far as weight is concerned, I haven't been concerned about it. I really need a measuring tape as that's the best way to document my results. With personal training, I know I've been gaining muscle, but how much compared to the fat loss is hard to tell. I did want to do a DXA scan, but it's not cheap and I'm on a budget right now. I do know that I am still getting results even though it's harder for me to notice. A person in boot camp class that hasn't gone in about a month commented on my loss saying it's a dramatic difference. At work, I was told I've lost even more weight and I haven't seen that person in only about 2 weeks.

Thinking about all the sacrifices I've gone through (I have cheated for the holidays, but I really wish I hadn't), I'm appreciative of all my compliments I've received that much more. I do wish my girlfriend wouldn't be so relaxed as it's hard to feel like I have to be the one to be strong for myself instead of us sacrificing together. When one person wants to backslide and indulge it's so much harder not to do the same. It's what it is though and my results are what I earned and means more the way things are now. I just resolve to not be bothered by it and focus on myself. It would be nice though to have a partner doing the same thing.

For this new year, I have decided to dramatically cut off a lot of meat for health, ethical, and environmental concerns. I've thought about this before, but here's why I really want to try and commit to foregoing meat.
Click here for the youtube link. FYI, I don't want to preach anything on this blog, but just am presenting information.

Anyways, below is a recent picture taken on NYE. Will REALLY need to do measurements soon and maybe a full pic sometime so I can have some more documentation on comparing myself in a couple of months. Also, will need to try not to indulge too much in Thailand except for fruits and veggies. I've decided that I can enjoy myself as much as I want with fresh produce. Maybe I'll try to explain that more next time.

Happy New Year!!!!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I broke the 200lb barrier on Thanksgiving... then promptly gained the weight back during feasting :P

So on Thanksgiving I weighed myself and I broke the 200lb mark weighing in at 198.4. This was in the morning after using the washroom and before hydrating with my water that I usually take in when waking up. Currently, I am at 200.4 which means that I probably stayed the same for weight more or less as I usually weigh myself after drinking my water.

Anyways, yeah... Right now it doesn't feel like a lot of time has passed especially considering that I don't post frequently. I am thankful that I have my gf with me as we work towards becoming more fit.

It's funny how I have been getting a lot of compliments as of late when I am at the point where I don't really notice any changes to my body. I have hit a plateau in terms of weight loss due to probably enjoying my self more with food and also my body acclimating to my workout regime.

To counter my stagnation, I have personal training sessions 3 times a week with my boot camp instructor. Had my first session yesterday and for the first time in a long time I feel really sore. I swear I flipped this big tire so much that I should have gotten a ton of frequent flier miles for the distance I covered! This session was one hour after my boot camp class that I take with my girlfriend.

Also, I'm letting Tony, my personal trainer/boot camp instructor adjust my nutrition for me. I pasted my shopping list below! That's 5200 calories a day! It seems like a lot, but I'm going to be adding more muscle so we'll so how this goes for the month of December!

Anyways, I guess that's all for now. Just wanted to update people on what I'm up to and where I'm at.


Fruits
Grapefruit, raw : 1 large (approx 4-1/2" dia)
Grapefruit, raw : 1 large (approx 4-1/2" dia)
Grapefruit, raw : 1 large (approx 4-1/2" dia)
Grapefruit, raw : 1 large (approx 4-1/2" dia)
Orange juice : 1 cup
Orange juice : 1 cup
Orange juice : 1 cup
Orange juice : 1 cup
Apple, raw : 1 large (3-1/4" dia) (approx 2 per lb)
Apple, raw : 1 large (3-1/4" dia) (approx 2 per lb)
Apple, raw : 1 large (3-1/4" dia) (approx 2 per lb)
Apple, raw : 1 large (3-1/4" dia) (approx 2 per lb)
Banana, raw : 1 large (8" to 8-7/8" long)
Banana, raw : 1 large (8" to 8-7/8" long)
Banana, raw : 1 large (8" to 8-7/8" long)
Banana, raw : 1 large (8" to 8-7/8" long)
Banana, raw : 1 large (8" to 8-7/8" long)
Banana, raw : 1 large (8" to 8-7/8" long)
Banana, raw : 1 large (8" to 8-7/8" long)
Banana, raw : 1 large (8" to 8-7/8" long)
Strawberries, raw : 1/2 cup, NFS
Strawberries, raw : 1/2 cup, NFS
Strawberries, raw : 1/2 cup, NFS
Strawberries, raw : 1/2 cup, NFS
Strawberries, frozen, unsweetened : 1/3 cup, thawed
Strawberries, frozen, unsweetened : 1/3 cup, thawed
Strawberries, frozen, unsweetened : 1/3 cup, thawed
Strawberries, frozen, unsweetened : 1/3 cup, thawed
Vegetables
Broccoli, cooked, NS as to form, NS as to fat added in cooking : 1 cup, flowerets
Broccoli, cooked, NS as to form, NS as to fat added in cooking : 1 cup, flowerets
Broccoli, cooked, NS as to form, NS as to fat added in cooking : 1 cup, flowerets
Broccoli, cooked, NS as to form, NS as to fat added in cooking : 1 cup, flowerets
Carrots, raw : 10 baby carrot
Carrots, raw : 10 baby carrot
Carrots, raw : 10 baby carrot
Carrots, raw : 10 baby carrot
Carrots, cooked, from frozen, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, sliced
Carrots, cooked, from frozen, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, sliced
Carrots, cooked, from frozen, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, sliced
Carrots, cooked, from frozen, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, sliced
Sweetpotato, baked, peel eaten, fat not added in cooking : 1 large
Sweetpotato, baked, peel eaten, fat not added in cooking : 1 large
Sweetpotato, baked, peel eaten, fat not added in cooking : 1 large
Sweetpotato, baked, peel eaten, fat not added in cooking : 1 large
Lettuce, salad with assorted vegetables including tomatoes and/or carrots, no dressing : 1 side salad
Lettuce, salad with assorted vegetables including tomatoes and/or carrots, no dressing : 1 side salad
Lettuce, salad with assorted vegetables including tomatoes and/or carrots, no dressing : 1 side salad
Lettuce, salad with assorted vegetables including tomatoes and/or carrots, no dressing : 1 side salad
Beans, string, green, cooked, from frozen, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, frozen
Beans, string, green, cooked, from frozen, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, frozen
Beans, string, green, cooked, from frozen, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, frozen
Beans, string, green, cooked, from frozen, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, frozen
Cauliflower, cooked, from fresh, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, flowerets
Cauliflower, cooked, from fresh, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, flowerets
Cauliflower, cooked, from fresh, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, flowerets
Cauliflower, cooked, from fresh, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, flowerets
Mushrooms, cooked, from fresh, fat not added in cooking : 1 Typical Serving
Peppers, red, cooked, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup
Peppers, red, cooked, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup
Peppers, red, cooked, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup
Peppers, red, cooked, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup
Grains
Oatmeal, cooked, regular, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, dry, yields
Oatmeal, cooked, regular, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, dry, yields
Oatmeal, cooked, regular, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, dry, yields
Oatmeal, cooked, regular, fat not added in cooking : 1 cup, dry, yields
Plant Proteins
Cashew nuts, roasted, without salt : 1/3 cup
Cashew nuts, roasted, without salt : 1/3 cup
Cashew nuts, roasted, without salt : 1/3 cup
Cashew nuts, roasted, without salt : 1/3 cup
Almond butter : 3 tablespoon
Almond butter : 3 tablespoon
Almond butter : 3 tablespoon
Almond butter : 3 tablespoon
Peanut butter : 3 tablespoon
Peanut butter : 3 tablespoon
Peanut butter : 3 tablespoon
Peanut butter : 3 tablespoon
Meats
Chicken, breast, with or without bone, roasted, skin not eaten : 1 large breast (yield after cooking, bone and skin removed)
Chicken, breast, with or without bone, roasted, skin not eaten : 1 large breast (yield after cooking, bone and skin removed)
Chicken, breast, with or without bone, roasted, skin not eaten : 1 large breast (yield after cooking, bone and skin removed)
Chicken, breast, with or without bone, roasted, skin not eaten : 4 oz, boneless, cooked (yield after skin removed)
Chicken, breast, with or without bone, roasted, skin not eaten : 1 large breast (yield after cooking, bone and skin removed)
Ocean perch, baked or broiled : 12 oz, boneless, cooked
Ocean perch, baked or broiled : 12 oz, boneless, cooked
Ocean perch, baked or broiled : 12 oz, boneless, cooked
Ocean perch, baked or broiled : 12 oz, boneless, cooked
Eggs & Dairy
Milk, cow's, fluid, lactose reduced, 2% fat : 12 fl oz
Milk, cow's, fluid, lactose reduced, 2% fat : 12 fl oz
Milk, cow's, fluid, lactose reduced, 2% fat : 12 fl oz
Milk, cow's, fluid, lactose reduced, 2% fat : 12 fl oz
Milk, cow's, fluid, lactose reduced, 2% fat : 12 fl oz
Milk, cow's, fluid, lactose reduced, 2% fat : 12 fl oz
Milk, cow's, fluid, lactose reduced, 2% fat : 12 fl oz
Milk, cow's, fluid, lactose reduced, 2% fat : 12 fl oz
Yogurt, fruit variety, lowfat milk : 1 8 oz container
Yogurt, fruit variety, lowfat milk : 1 8 oz container
Yogurt, fruit variety, lowfat milk : 1 8 oz container
Yogurt, fruit variety, lowfat milk : 1 8 oz container
Cheese, cottage, lowfat (1-2% fat) : 1 cup
Cheese, cottage, lowfat (1-2% fat) : 1 cup
Cheese, cottage, lowfat (1-2% fat) : 1 cup
Cheese, cottage, lowfat (1-2% fat) : 1 cup
Egg, white only, cooked : 3 white
Scrambled egg, made from cholesterol-free frozen mixture with vegetables : 3 Typical Serving
Scrambled egg, made from cholesterol-free frozen mixture with vegetables : 3 Typical Serving
Scrambled egg, made from cholesterol-free frozen mixture with vegetables : 3 Typical Serving
Scrambled egg, made from cholesterol-free frozen mixture with vegetables : 3 Typical Serving
Miscellaneous
Italian dressing, made with vinegar and oil : 3 tablespoon
Italian dressing, made with vinegar and oil : 3 tablespoon
Italian dressing, made with vinegar and oil : 3 tablespoon
Italian dressing, made with vinegar and oil : 3 tablespoon
Coffee, NS as to type : 16 fl oz
Coffee, NS as to type : 16 fl oz
Coffee, NS as to type : 16 fl oz
Coffee, NS as to type : 16 fl oz
Tea, herbal : 453.59g
Tea, herbal : 453.59g
Tea, herbal : 453.59g
Tea, herbal : 453.59g
muscle milk : 1 Typical Serving
muscle milk : 1 Typical Serving
muscle milk : 1 Typical Serving
muscle milk : 1 Typical Serving
muscle milk : 1 Typical Serving
muscle milk : 1 Typical Serving
muscle milk : 1 Typical Serving
muscle milk : 1 Typical Serving
Optimum whey vanilla : 2 Typical Serving
Optimum whey vanilla : 2 rounded scoop
Optimum whey vanilla : 2 rounded scoop
Optimum whey vanilla : 2 rounded scoop
Optimum whey vanilla : 2 Typical Serving
Optimum whey vanilla : 2 Typical Serving
Optimum whey vanilla : 2 rounded scoop
Optimum whey vanilla : 2 Typical Serving

Friday, October 28, 2011

Wow... I'm 30

So I turned 30 recently and got to enjoy myself 3 times with cheat meals. While I didn't like what I saw on the scale after the weekend, I am content with myself again. It's important to allow yourself things you enjoy. For me, being a foodie brings me much joy. Considering I don't have a cheat day every week. I actually haven't given myself one besides my birthday for a couple of months. Here is a pic of me and my gf after going to the best brunch I've ever had! Getting slimmer again! I guess I should post a before pic from earlier in the year to see a difference. Maybe that will be later...



Right now I'm at 209.8lbs. I do look at the scale everyday, BUT I don't let it rule me. Sure, I get a bit discouraged if I don't like the number I see, but I know I am making progress overall and change doesn't occur instantly for becoming a healthier person.

My female bootcamp instructor, Julie was amazed at my loss as I haven't been to her classes in a while. It's always good to hear encouragement. I have a determination to get to a level of health I've never reached before and it will be hard to deter me at this point, but it's always good to have support on your side. I think that's why I'm liking my bootcamp classes a lot. I do feel like I compete a bit, but there is also a camaraderie from my fellow bootcampers as well as guidance from the trainers.

Oh... talking about getting to a certain level of health, I've set my long term goal to be at 165-170lbs. Essentially, as long as I don't lose muscle mass along with the fat, I should easily have a 6-pack. I actually have a body I want to emulate. I know it's a long way away (~40-45lbs), but I think I can make this by next summer or so. Anyways, I have posted a picture of the body I want. Yes, I think it's funny to even think of this as my long-term goal, but hey... if you have to dream then dream big. Btw... That's Buakaw Por Pramuk. I'm researching where his training camp for the off chance I may be able to see him while I am in Thailand. He's an inch taller than me, but I think he is a good fit for me to try and emulate... maybe one day (and probably billions of sit-ups and kicking drills) I can get a body like his.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Whoa... I lost another 15lbs since my last post!!!

So yeah. I'm sure everyone is smart enough to do the math, but after weighing myself I found myself to be 210.4lbs. I feel like I am losing weight like I am on The Biggest Loser, but I know that I am fine in how much weight I am losing. I am eating much healthier and I did use MediWeight Loss Clinics for a bit of the time. I will not give much credit to them as I don't think they've been that helpful, but I will say that I owe a lot to Tony Battle at Chicago Fitness Coach for my weight loss.

I think the reason for my success is because of my support system. Sure, I can lose the weight by myself w/o support, but I have my girlfriend who is supporting me (I've had problems with gaining weight before when I get comfortable in a relationship) and I also have a place to workout hard where I don't have to think about my workout. With bootcamp classes, I don't have to worry about what I'm going to work on like I did when I was at the gym. Also, I can't slack in class like I can when working out by myself. With my girlfriend, we push each other though I admit I do get a bit zealous with my health craze. It's good to have someone who is getting fit with me!

So with the additional weight loss comes a ton of benefits. Everything fits better for clothes! Like it or not, we're all a bit superficial and vain. I got my haircut today and it's the first time I didn't sit in the chair and look at a round face. It's only slightly round now. That means a lot to me. It brings confidence and gets the ball rolling for more progress. The compliments I get helps a lot!

My blood pressure and heart rate are totally normal now and not at all on the high side. My resting heart rate is also lower. Health wise, I feel great. While I am nowhere close to my skinniest, I do feel almost as fit as I've ever been. When I was at my skinniest, I was a cardio fiend and I don't think that was the best for me.

Right now, my goal for the end of the year is to hit 200 or less while not losing any of the muscle I've gained. That gives me 74 days to make the goal. Really, I think it'll be pretty easy to hit, but I do expect to hit a plateau soon... If I had my way I'd hit 190 with muscle gain.

So what does that mean for what I'm doing now? Well, it means more days of being strict with myself. I haven't indulged myself and have been eating healthy. Even when going out, I'll still watch myself where I'm not even close to going over my calories I burn a day. I miss my food trucks because of this sacrifice. I miss my indulgences. I miss being a foodie. Honestly, healthy cooking is a bit boring as I don't have really cook too much for variety. It's been a lot of chicken breast and egg beaters for myself with different veggies. Working out will be the same. I may add extra days if possible of workouts, but we'll see about that after I refer to my bootcamp instructor.

It's been a lot of sacrifice... but so far with the results it's been totally worth it! There are times when I think it's not, but that's temporary situations. I'm happier and healthier like this overall... I wouldn't change anything I've been doing except work harder!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Below 225!!!

So many obstacles to get through and endure... and yet... I am starting to totally feel I'm really progressing.

Obviously, I didn't keep my other goal for weight loss by September for my cousin's wedding. I didn't even go as there was a lot going on. However, things are finally settling a bit (besides work which always sucks so whatever.)

Finally, I have been able to focus better on working out which I've been doing quite regularly now. I'll even try and go upstairs to workout during lunch at work if I have time though I haven't been able to block off time to do so regularly yet.

Honestly, I want to say my weight loss is because of others like my bootcamp instructors, my girlfriend, or because others worry about me... It really is because of me though. When stressed, I don't grab a pizza puff. Even when I feel lazy, I make myself go to workout as I love the feeling I get after I'm done with the workout. I really should talk about my bootcamp classes sometime soon as I love the variety and always feel challenged (there are some exercises that are staples that I don't like though.) Maybe next post...

None of my usual comfort foods are turned to right now. I will admit my weight should be lower as before I started my new nutrition regiment I indulged myself. I had 2 hot dogs, a pizza puff, and fries on a Monday and a big thing of combination fried rice on Tuesday. Besides a hamburger, I essentially ate all my favorite fast food. Now, I'm on a hiatus from that kind of food until Thailand (going to Thailand around the end of the year!). Sure, I probably can have the things I love once in a while, but I'm content with the healthier stuff for now and since it's a while away everytime I treat myself will add up a bit. I know that if I fall off when I'm being so strict that it would probably be harsh or start me on another cycle of indulging, but I want to be able to walk around without a shirt on the beach and enjoy myself.

Anyways, just wanted to post on my sub-250 milestone.

Maybe I should make a short-term goal for my birthday... If I have around a month what do you think it should be? Personally I'd love to say 200 or sub-200, but I don't think it'd be too realistic for around a month timeframe. Maybe I'll say 210-215?