Finding a diet plan that is right for you is just one of the important steps towards losing weight. Find a plan and stick to the plan. The next step is finding things you enjoy doing that get you up off of that couch and moving. This is where motivation is key. I am from the video game generation and even though I am well into my 30's I still very much enjoy playing video games. For a long time I was really into World of Warcraft. I still play time to time but not like I used to. I just don't have the time for it any more and that is a good thing! Something I have found that I find very cool is Nike+. Now I do realize there is a lot out there but typing in endless amounts of data day in and day out is not fun to me. I have tried a few other free online programs for walking / running and Nike+ is the tool that fits me and is fun for me. I use it with my iPod Nano, and it has several different options.
To use the Nike+ app for iPod or the iPhone you do not have to use the special Nike+ Sneakers. Those are just an added bonus for measuring your pace & distance. I have the sensor plugged into my iPod and the shoe pod in my Nike+ sneakers. Since buying these sneakers I have already logged over 110 miles! All I do is select the type of run or walk I am doing and press start. Once I am done I just sync with iTunes and my workout data is sent to the Nike+ website. I am able to do this from either work or home and that alone is extremely handy! As you can see I have found my motivation tool. But walking is not the only thing I am doing.
Some people have gone out and found them self a personal trainer and a gym. I think at some point I too will go out and look into a gym membership, but for me I am having a good time with working out with a Bob Harper Biggest Loser Boot Camp video I have mentioned in a previous blog post. I think once I find that video easy I will have to make the choice between 2 local gym's. Brick Bodies and Planet Fitness. My only reservation about Planet Fitness is the "Lunk Alarm" if you grunt or grown while working out they sound the alarm which can be rather embarrassing. Where Brick Bodies is a locally owned and well respected establishment but I believe their prices are much higher than Planet Fitness. Both are close to my house and one of the problems I am having with my workouts are not the tasks but my 2 little girls who want to do what daddy is doing. Now I don't mind that they want to do what daddy is doing but I also don't want to squish them! Our oldest turned 4 in October and she likes to stand close to me which is a problem when I need to start jumping side to side. Our youngest who just turned 1 in November does not understand what daddy is doing but it looks like fun so she stands under foot and just wants up! This becomes a problem when I need to switch to push-ups.
Find what motivates you to get moving, and stick to the plan!
-Mike
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
New Biggest Loser Season
So the new season of The Biggest Loser started tonight. I was a fan of the show until the season Rulon Gardner left near the end. Heck I think the season before that, I kind of soured on the show when Arthur Wornum was booted off. He was a person that really needed to be there but got booted. He was working hard and losing a lot of weight, I kind of forget why he was even booted. I was just sad because he really needed help and got the ole heave-ho. Alas this season is the change I think a lot of people wanted to see in the show. Not only are they helping adults but also kids. The kids can not be voted off the show! Which rocks! Needless to say I will be watching this current season as I too continue my road to weight loss.
I have been doing rather well with my Medifast diet. Since starting in September I have lost 52lbs! Tomorrow morning I will do my weigh-in and am hoping for a good number. This week I have ramped up my workout's a little bit. Since the 1st I have walked every day, trying to do at least 1.5 miles at work and 3.2 miles at home. Yesterday I decided to try walking / running 10k. I found running up hill was easier than running down hill. I know it sounds odd but I grew up in the mountain's of New Hampshire so maybe that played a part? If you have an iPhone or Android device I suggest installing the free Nike+ app. You do not need the special Nike+ shoes to use it on your smart phone. I use Nike+ on my iPod Nano and for that I use the sensor & shoe pod that fit into my Nike+ sneakers. It is an awesome motivational tool! Once I get into the 200's I will post some progress pictures.
Best of luck in this new year!
-Mike
I have been doing rather well with my Medifast diet. Since starting in September I have lost 52lbs! Tomorrow morning I will do my weigh-in and am hoping for a good number. This week I have ramped up my workout's a little bit. Since the 1st I have walked every day, trying to do at least 1.5 miles at work and 3.2 miles at home. Yesterday I decided to try walking / running 10k. I found running up hill was easier than running down hill. I know it sounds odd but I grew up in the mountain's of New Hampshire so maybe that played a part? If you have an iPhone or Android device I suggest installing the free Nike+ app. You do not need the special Nike+ shoes to use it on your smart phone. I use Nike+ on my iPod Nano and for that I use the sensor & shoe pod that fit into my Nike+ sneakers. It is an awesome motivational tool! Once I get into the 200's I will post some progress pictures.
Best of luck in this new year!
-Mike
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Can't forget exercise!
So a lot of folks have been asking me about what I am doing for exercise. "What gym do you go to?" "How many times a week?" "How much have you lost so far?" I get these questions a lot. I do not have a gym membership, I try to exercise every day, I weigh myself every Monday so I wont know for sure until then but its around X amount of pounds. Lots of times they get hung up on the fact I do not have a gym membership, "Wait no gym membership?!?!?"
I work in an office with no windows, so to be outside and take in some fresh air just rocks my socks! We have a lake right next to the office with a trail and I try to do a once around a few times a week when the weather is warm. Right now it is getting colder and they are doing work on the trail around the lake so its hard to get out and walk on my lunch break these days. I had to find some other form of exercise that I could really get into. A few years back I was into the Biggest Loser series, heck I even did a tryout video and sent in the form. I am kind of glad I did not get the call because I work in the entertainment industry and it would feel more like work to me than a life change effort. Back in late 2010 I had picked up a Biggest loser video by Bob Harper. The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Boot Camp. Unlike last time I intend to stick with it!
The last time I started on this video my buddy Greg had started coming over and we would rock out the routines together. We had gotten to the weeks 3 - 4 portion but he stopped coming over and I got a little bummed about that so I had stopped as well. Part of that was the fact that we were both not mentally ready for the long term commitment of a diet and exercise routine. What we lacked was a support system not only from our family but also from outside of our families. In my case I learned my bad eating habit from my mother, so it was nice when I got hooked up with my health coach Arnold! It was exactly what I needed because he is a guy who has been where I have been and has faced the same struggles. If any of you that read this blog ever have any questions please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.
All the best,
Mike
I work in an office with no windows, so to be outside and take in some fresh air just rocks my socks! We have a lake right next to the office with a trail and I try to do a once around a few times a week when the weather is warm. Right now it is getting colder and they are doing work on the trail around the lake so its hard to get out and walk on my lunch break these days. I had to find some other form of exercise that I could really get into. A few years back I was into the Biggest Loser series, heck I even did a tryout video and sent in the form. I am kind of glad I did not get the call because I work in the entertainment industry and it would feel more like work to me than a life change effort. Back in late 2010 I had picked up a Biggest loser video by Bob Harper. The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Boot Camp. Unlike last time I intend to stick with it!
The last time I started on this video my buddy Greg had started coming over and we would rock out the routines together. We had gotten to the weeks 3 - 4 portion but he stopped coming over and I got a little bummed about that so I had stopped as well. Part of that was the fact that we were both not mentally ready for the long term commitment of a diet and exercise routine. What we lacked was a support system not only from our family but also from outside of our families. In my case I learned my bad eating habit from my mother, so it was nice when I got hooked up with my health coach Arnold! It was exactly what I needed because he is a guy who has been where I have been and has faced the same struggles. If any of you that read this blog ever have any questions please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.
All the best,
Mike
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Trip So Far.
Today is a good day! As you can see on the updated weight ticker I have off to the right side of this blog I have lost a total of 41Lbs. What it does not tell you is that I have, so far, gone from a 52" waist to a 48" waist pants size! I had a stack of pants in my closet from birthdays and Christmas from the last few years and up until now they would not button and plain old would not fit! Just 20 more lbs and I will be down into the 200's!
I have to admit this week is a challenge for me. Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I am really hoping I can just lock myself in a room and not even think about the good food being shared by all! Its hard when you have little ones and you want to set a good example for them in regards to table manners. I was really hoping we would have thanksgiving at our house that way I would have plenty of space to just escape from all of the good smells and loud chatter. When I get stressed I tend to eat / snack to help deal. To an audio engineer silence is very refreshing.
No matter what, I need to stay focused on the goal. 20 more pounds to get under 300! I just need to remember to plan accordingly, and stay true to the road laid out before me. As long as I follow the Medifast guidelines I will do just fine. Its important to not just say, "The heck with it!" and do your own thing. I don't know about you but falling off wagon's does not sound like much fun! Have a happy Thanksgiving and be healthy!
Peace,
Mike
I have to admit this week is a challenge for me. Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I am really hoping I can just lock myself in a room and not even think about the good food being shared by all! Its hard when you have little ones and you want to set a good example for them in regards to table manners. I was really hoping we would have thanksgiving at our house that way I would have plenty of space to just escape from all of the good smells and loud chatter. When I get stressed I tend to eat / snack to help deal. To an audio engineer silence is very refreshing.
No matter what, I need to stay focused on the goal. 20 more pounds to get under 300! I just need to remember to plan accordingly, and stay true to the road laid out before me. As long as I follow the Medifast guidelines I will do just fine. Its important to not just say, "The heck with it!" and do your own thing. I don't know about you but falling off wagon's does not sound like much fun! Have a happy Thanksgiving and be healthy!
Peace,
Mike
Friday, November 2, 2012
Its Crunch Time!
November is here and we all know what that means. Discount and leftover Halloween candy, Thanksgiving, yes Christmas and other Holidays,and lets not forget New Years. Yes I know that some of these are still a ways off but before you know it temptation will be right under your nose! I don't know about you but this is a tough time of year for me when it comes to eating. My weak spots you ask? Donuts, Coffee with lots of cream and sugar, Hot Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Egg Nog, Stuffing, Nuts, chocolate, and cookies! On top of all this I have 3 birthday's to battle. I have to admit, it is tough to be the only person having water and only eating off the veggie tray. It is important to stay strong.
People have been asking me, "How do you resist the temptation at these events?" Well so far I try to distance my self from the room with foods in it. Yes the smell of the food drives me nuts because it is stuff I love and really want. This is the moment when you just suck it up and battle through! Do not give in, and no it is not ok to have just one. Because that just leads to just one more, then another, then another, and before you realize it you have eaten almost half the tray that was there. Do you hand a person with a drinking problem an ice cold beer? No you do not. I am on the Medifast 5+1 plan and that is all I can eat in a day. If I am going to a party I just bring one of my to go meals like Cheese Pizza Bites and put them on a party plate or what ever and eat them slowly that way it lasts for the entire time the food is out. This past Monday I weighed in at 328 so 29 more pounds and I will be in the 200's! Man its been since the late 90's that I have seen the 200's!
Peace,
Mike
People have been asking me, "How do you resist the temptation at these events?" Well so far I try to distance my self from the room with foods in it. Yes the smell of the food drives me nuts because it is stuff I love and really want. This is the moment when you just suck it up and battle through! Do not give in, and no it is not ok to have just one. Because that just leads to just one more, then another, then another, and before you realize it you have eaten almost half the tray that was there. Do you hand a person with a drinking problem an ice cold beer? No you do not. I am on the Medifast 5+1 plan and that is all I can eat in a day. If I am going to a party I just bring one of my to go meals like Cheese Pizza Bites and put them on a party plate or what ever and eat them slowly that way it lasts for the entire time the food is out. This past Monday I weighed in at 328 so 29 more pounds and I will be in the 200's! Man its been since the late 90's that I have seen the 200's!
Peace,
Mike
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Getting through cold and flu season.
Last week about this time I was feeling awesome! I had started walking 3 miles a day and started doing one of those Bob Harper Biggest Loser workout video's. Life was good, I was down to about 335lbs! Then Thursday afternoon happened. I was in the office sitting at my desk and started feeling woozy. Its that moment when you close your eyes and say to yourself, "Please don't be sick, please don't be sick. Dear Lord I'm sick!" Had to head home early and was laid out the rest of the weekend. Boy was I looking forward to Monday.
As the new week started I just had to get back up on that horse. They weighed me at the Dr's office and I saw that 330lbs pop up on that tiny screen. On the inside I was doing cartwheels and screaming like those people on Family Feud. I think I was more relieved that my body was still working as it fought off a virus. Tonight I am going to fire up that video again and pick up where I left off. So in total that is 30lbs down from where I started! I honestly do not remember the last time I weighed under 300lbs but I know it is somewhere near 1998. If my workout goes well tonight then it will be back to walking tomorrow!
Peace and good vibes!
-Mike
As the new week started I just had to get back up on that horse. They weighed me at the Dr's office and I saw that 330lbs pop up on that tiny screen. On the inside I was doing cartwheels and screaming like those people on Family Feud. I think I was more relieved that my body was still working as it fought off a virus. Tonight I am going to fire up that video again and pick up where I left off. So in total that is 30lbs down from where I started! I honestly do not remember the last time I weighed under 300lbs but I know it is somewhere near 1998. If my workout goes well tonight then it will be back to walking tomorrow!
Peace and good vibes!
-Mike
Monday, October 8, 2012
Going to need a belt!
So I hopped on the scale this morning. I didn't really want to see the number. The week before last I had only lost 1lb. Last week it was 3lbs, so I was expecting another 1lb number. This past week things had gotten rather busy at work. I was not able to get all of my walks in, I had to do my best at the ALDS game at Camden Yards last night finding something close to a lean and green. I found a Pizza stand that had a low fat gluten free pizza slice option! So I went with that, just one slice. I am learning what a healthy lifestyle is and it is helping me find and make the right food choices when I am away from the norm. Now back to this pesky scale.
So this is the moment. I have to remind myself that any loss is better than a big fat goose egg (a zero), or a gain. I step on and it does its little calculating animation. At this point I am thinking back to Garfield cartoon's where Garfield hops onto a talking scale and it says something like, "Get OFF!", or "Error!" I have had 2 scales give me the error message in the past. Sure it was a private event but stinks nonetheless. I look back down as the new number pops on the screen. -5 pounds oh yeah baby! So I have started at 360lbs and am now at 335. This is progress, my pants are starting to feel loose around the waist and I need to head to the store and buy a belt! What a great start to a Monday!
All the best,
-Mike
So this is the moment. I have to remind myself that any loss is better than a big fat goose egg (a zero), or a gain. I step on and it does its little calculating animation. At this point I am thinking back to Garfield cartoon's where Garfield hops onto a talking scale and it says something like, "Get OFF!", or "Error!" I have had 2 scales give me the error message in the past. Sure it was a private event but stinks nonetheless. I look back down as the new number pops on the screen. -5 pounds oh yeah baby! So I have started at 360lbs and am now at 335. This is progress, my pants are starting to feel loose around the waist and I need to head to the store and buy a belt! What a great start to a Monday!
All the best,
-Mike
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