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!!!!

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

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.

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!

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?

Salad... Starting to feel like a rabbit

232.8lbs. I did go below 230, but after bday celebration feasts I weight in at 232.8 this morning. Oh well.

Just wanted to post on my lunch of a sandwich and salad. Getting really sick of the salad. Even with different greens and different veggies one can only vary it so much where it really seems different. I'm starting to not like my lunches and put off eating stuff while I work. I'm not starving or anything and it's funny that I will actively choose to not eat right away around noon. I think I'm finally getting away from eating because it's time to eat or because I'm bored mentality.

Anyways, salad is a great filler as I sit here and type this stuffed from the salad I ate. I just think a little variety needs to be had. Tomorrow I am going to try and make the tofu noodles (google hungry girl and pasta and you should be able to see what I'm talking about). Hopefully it'll be something I can have instead of salad almost every weekday. Really will try to post pics of things soon as well.

You are what you don't eat...

We've all heard the expression "you are what you eat"before. I have also been asked to think about what I put into my body and that those are my building blocks that I use for when I get injured and for maintaining my body. Recently, I was chastised by my bootcamp instructor on eating 6 dumplings. I could have eaten more and my mom made them so it's hard to refuse them. This got me to thinking... It's not just thinking about what you're putting into your body as much as thinking about what you're not putting into your body.

Think about that... I'm sure when I was almost 170 that the Nutrisystem I had was fine, but moreso it was the hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza puffs (really liking pizza puffs right now for some reason) that I didn't eat at all that led to the weight loss. I'm not endorsing Weight Watchers as I don't really know how I feel about the system yet (though I have generalized a few strong opinions), but they don't count fruit and vegetables as points. I don't really think about how many snack bags of baby carrots I eat or how many oranges. I don't think about how much salad I eat. I just eat it because I know those things aren't going to impact me like some other foods will.

Just yesterday, I went to a Chicago White Sox game (won the tickets otherwise I wouldn't go). I thought a great deal about nachos, hot dogs, beers, and all the other good stuff you can get at a ballgame. It was the self-control in knowing I shouldn't really eat any of that stuff that stopped me. I still wish I could have had the $11.50 nachos in the baseball hat. I even tried to justify it by saying I could give the hat to my little nephew when he visits. In the end, I saved myself from probably a 5 figure calorie count... Yes, I would have probably eaten most of it and probably would have snapped at my gf if she took more than a few of the nachos. So really, is it the prevention of 10k+ calories that I should be more conscious about or is it making sure I eat all my veggies that's important?

I'm not advocating preventing yourself from eating foods that you like, but just for kicks think about what you wanted to eat and didn't. Keep track of it like I'm going to do. It's amazing how calories can add up for food that you're not eating!

Btw... I had a polish, fries, and a cup of chili at Lindy's before the game with my gf and friends. I could have looked to get a salad, but comparing what I ate to what I could have eaten still indicates that I saved calories... and really, if you can't enjoy yourself with friends sometimes how can you really be happy?

It'll be another big meal on Friday for a birthday, but I've been good otherwise. Will post as soon as I hit 230 if not sooner!