Thursday, August 07, 2003
Measurements and weight:
I took my weight and measurements this morning, here they are and alongside of them is the difference between those readings, and the ones taken on Jun 30th, 2003:
Weight: 255 (- 25)
Neck: 16" (-2)
Chest: 49" (-3)
Stomach: 45.5" (-7.5)
Waist: 44" (-4)
Forearms: 12" (-1)
Biceps: 16" (+.5)
Thighs: 24.5" (-3.5)
Calves: 16" (-1)
Total inches lost: 21.5
Total weight lost: 25 pounds
Time frame: 6 weeks
That certainly motivates me to keep pushing on!
I took my weight and measurements this morning, here they are and alongside of them is the difference between those readings, and the ones taken on Jun 30th, 2003:
Weight: 255 (- 25)
Neck: 16" (-2)
Chest: 49" (-3)
Stomach: 45.5" (-7.5)
Waist: 44" (-4)
Forearms: 12" (-1)
Biceps: 16" (+.5)
Thighs: 24.5" (-3.5)
Calves: 16" (-1)
Total inches lost: 21.5
Total weight lost: 25 pounds
Time frame: 6 weeks
That certainly motivates me to keep pushing on!
Wednesday, August 06, 2003
DLPA:
I started taking a supplement a few months ago, which - I had found out through research, is good for fighting pain, depression, and a sundry of other maladies. When I first began to take the substance - I felt almost an immediate decrease in pain and depression (this is before I started dieting and exercising). But, about two weeks after the initial dose - it just didn't seem to work much for me. I think my low physical activity and very poor diet were the contributing factors that worked against the supplement positively affecting me.
Why do I think so? Because, ever since I started dieting and exercising - the DL-Phenylalinine (DLPA), seems to be having quite a positive affect on me. I've noticed, that if I don't take it for a day or two, my pain tolerance seems to be reduced - I start feeling a little sluggish and moody. I've also now realized, that I no longer need to take a perscription anti-depressant! Normally, if I did not take the anti-depressant for about 3 days - I would start to get dizzy spells, mood swings, bursts of anger and I would have nightmares. I'd also start having panic attacks if I was in a situation where there were a lot of people (shopping, eating out, etc.). It has now been 4 weeks - I have not taken a perscription anti-depressant, and I feel great! No withdrawl problems, no depression related symptoms.
You can read more about DLPA by clicking here.
Also, if you go to the Puritan's Pride Web site - they offer additional information about the supplement, and - they sell it at a very reasonable price. In fact, if you catch one of their promotions - you can sometimes purchase 2 or 3 bottles for the price of 1 - now, that's a deal!
I started taking a supplement a few months ago, which - I had found out through research, is good for fighting pain, depression, and a sundry of other maladies. When I first began to take the substance - I felt almost an immediate decrease in pain and depression (this is before I started dieting and exercising). But, about two weeks after the initial dose - it just didn't seem to work much for me. I think my low physical activity and very poor diet were the contributing factors that worked against the supplement positively affecting me.
Why do I think so? Because, ever since I started dieting and exercising - the DL-Phenylalinine (DLPA), seems to be having quite a positive affect on me. I've noticed, that if I don't take it for a day or two, my pain tolerance seems to be reduced - I start feeling a little sluggish and moody. I've also now realized, that I no longer need to take a perscription anti-depressant! Normally, if I did not take the anti-depressant for about 3 days - I would start to get dizzy spells, mood swings, bursts of anger and I would have nightmares. I'd also start having panic attacks if I was in a situation where there were a lot of people (shopping, eating out, etc.). It has now been 4 weeks - I have not taken a perscription anti-depressant, and I feel great! No withdrawl problems, no depression related symptoms.
You can read more about DLPA by clicking here.
Also, if you go to the Puritan's Pride Web site - they offer additional information about the supplement, and - they sell it at a very reasonable price. In fact, if you catch one of their promotions - you can sometimes purchase 2 or 3 bottles for the price of 1 - now, that's a deal!
Chronic pain and depression:
I have suffered from chronic pain and clinical depression for over 30 years. I've recently learned a vital lesson - it had actually been staring me right in the face now for several years. If I allowed the pain and depression to control me, that is - I stopped doing things, I stopped being active, I didn't watch what I ate - then the pain and the depression actually would worsen. I'd use the pain and depression as excuses for not pushing on, for not accomplishing anything - for doing nothing of significance.
I've also learned, that if I do push myself - if I do watch my diet; and exercise frequently - the pain and the depression subside, almost barely noticeable. It's a vicious cycle, when the pain level starts increasing, when the depression wants to grow darker - I want to just go hide in a cave somewhere, but when I basically "check-out" - I just feel worse, not better. So, now - I'm determined that in spite of the pain, in spite of the dark clouds that may hover over my head - I will continue to press on, I'll force myself to exercise - to watch what I eat, to get outside in the fresh air. So now my "because of" attitude has turned into "in spite of" determination.
I have suffered from chronic pain and clinical depression for over 30 years. I've recently learned a vital lesson - it had actually been staring me right in the face now for several years. If I allowed the pain and depression to control me, that is - I stopped doing things, I stopped being active, I didn't watch what I ate - then the pain and the depression actually would worsen. I'd use the pain and depression as excuses for not pushing on, for not accomplishing anything - for doing nothing of significance.
I've also learned, that if I do push myself - if I do watch my diet; and exercise frequently - the pain and the depression subside, almost barely noticeable. It's a vicious cycle, when the pain level starts increasing, when the depression wants to grow darker - I want to just go hide in a cave somewhere, but when I basically "check-out" - I just feel worse, not better. So, now - I'm determined that in spite of the pain, in spite of the dark clouds that may hover over my head - I will continue to press on, I'll force myself to exercise - to watch what I eat, to get outside in the fresh air. So now my "because of" attitude has turned into "in spite of" determination.
Monday, August 04, 2003
Giving up:
You know, since starting this diet and exercise program a month ago - I've sure had to give up a lot of things. Things like headaches, nausea, leg cramps, shortness of breath, stomach cramps, unending gas, depression, fatigue, and a very low energy level. Since I'm working out so much, and becoming more organized and productive (because I have so much more energy) - I've also given up a lot of television. You know what - I haven't really missed the "boob tube" - the constant insult to my intelligence and my morals. "Real TV" ? If that is real life - that is very scary and I don't want any part of it. I'm willing to wager, that these folks who participate in these reality television shows - are not being themselves. Think about it, they know that there are millions of people watching them - how many of us, could be ourselves under the same conditions? People will do anything these days to draw attention to themselves - to get their 15 minutes of fame, no matter how demeaning - no matter how foolish they look.
Hollywood tries to tell us, that the content of television and the movies is a direct reflection of the realities of society. I don't buy that that garbage - I believe that the content is actually the refuse generated by the demented minds of a just a relative small portion of society. They spread their disease and decay and we - the viewing public, take their distorted view of life and accept it for reality - and we pay them for that gift! You think our teenagers aren't copying the "heros" of MTV and BET? We are told to let our children be themselves, and yet - they aren't being themselves, they are imitating the hodlums on TV!
Our brains are just like our bodies - "gargage in, garbage out", we are what we think about and what we dwell on. If we listen to violent vulgar music - how can we not think and act that way? If, we watch sexually oriented entertainment - that is absolutely destructive and distorted, how can we not be affected by it - desensitized, numbed, and callous minded and hearted?
Tonight, I have more questions than I do answers.
You know, since starting this diet and exercise program a month ago - I've sure had to give up a lot of things. Things like headaches, nausea, leg cramps, shortness of breath, stomach cramps, unending gas, depression, fatigue, and a very low energy level. Since I'm working out so much, and becoming more organized and productive (because I have so much more energy) - I've also given up a lot of television. You know what - I haven't really missed the "boob tube" - the constant insult to my intelligence and my morals. "Real TV" ? If that is real life - that is very scary and I don't want any part of it. I'm willing to wager, that these folks who participate in these reality television shows - are not being themselves. Think about it, they know that there are millions of people watching them - how many of us, could be ourselves under the same conditions? People will do anything these days to draw attention to themselves - to get their 15 minutes of fame, no matter how demeaning - no matter how foolish they look.
Hollywood tries to tell us, that the content of television and the movies is a direct reflection of the realities of society. I don't buy that that garbage - I believe that the content is actually the refuse generated by the demented minds of a just a relative small portion of society. They spread their disease and decay and we - the viewing public, take their distorted view of life and accept it for reality - and we pay them for that gift! You think our teenagers aren't copying the "heros" of MTV and BET? We are told to let our children be themselves, and yet - they aren't being themselves, they are imitating the hodlums on TV!
Our brains are just like our bodies - "gargage in, garbage out", we are what we think about and what we dwell on. If we listen to violent vulgar music - how can we not think and act that way? If, we watch sexually oriented entertainment - that is absolutely destructive and distorted, how can we not be affected by it - desensitized, numbed, and callous minded and hearted?
Tonight, I have more questions than I do answers.
Plan of attack:
My father is having major surgery the end of this week - that is going to through my diet and exercise program off a little (limited access to exercise and problems with meal planning, etc.). I'll be at the hospital a lot for a few days to a week - basically sitting in waiting rooms and his hospital room. I'm going to have to focus on not eating very much - and getting up and walking as often as possible - I REFUSE to put that 20 pounds back on!!
When I get back home (the surgery is in Lubbock, Texas - about 2 hours from here) - I will initiate a more intense diet and exercise program. Here are my ideas:
Exercise:
1. Add one additional day of weight training per week - will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.
2. Add one additional day of power walking (very fast 2 miles) - will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
(I'll use Wed. as a "rest" day, except I'll probably go bike riding that evening)
Diet:
1. Absolutely NO fried foods
2. No cheese
3. No peanut butter (not even a little)
4. Only one piece of wheat bread a day (instead of two or three)
5. No sugar whatsoever - no sauces (bbq, spaghetti) that contain them!
6. Begin fasting one day per week - probably Wed. since I won't be working out.
7. No fruit juices whatsoever
8. No white potatoes (only small portions of sweet potatos)
9. No more brown rice (good for you - but high in carbs)
10. Smaller meal portions - less daily calorie intake.
11. No more banannas
I am determined to lose that additional 40-60 pounds. I'm tired of being "big" (fat!) - I want to wear "normal clothes", I don't want the weight related health complications that would eventually show up, I want to "feel" thin.
I'm determined to win this battle!
My father is having major surgery the end of this week - that is going to through my diet and exercise program off a little (limited access to exercise and problems with meal planning, etc.). I'll be at the hospital a lot for a few days to a week - basically sitting in waiting rooms and his hospital room. I'm going to have to focus on not eating very much - and getting up and walking as often as possible - I REFUSE to put that 20 pounds back on!!
When I get back home (the surgery is in Lubbock, Texas - about 2 hours from here) - I will initiate a more intense diet and exercise program. Here are my ideas:
Exercise:
1. Add one additional day of weight training per week - will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.
2. Add one additional day of power walking (very fast 2 miles) - will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
(I'll use Wed. as a "rest" day, except I'll probably go bike riding that evening)
Diet:
1. Absolutely NO fried foods
2. No cheese
3. No peanut butter (not even a little)
4. Only one piece of wheat bread a day (instead of two or three)
5. No sugar whatsoever - no sauces (bbq, spaghetti) that contain them!
6. Begin fasting one day per week - probably Wed. since I won't be working out.
7. No fruit juices whatsoever
8. No white potatoes (only small portions of sweet potatos)
9. No more brown rice (good for you - but high in carbs)
10. Smaller meal portions - less daily calorie intake.
11. No more banannas
I am determined to lose that additional 40-60 pounds. I'm tired of being "big" (fat!) - I want to wear "normal clothes", I don't want the weight related health complications that would eventually show up, I want to "feel" thin.
I'm determined to win this battle!
Status Report:
Seems like the emphasis this weekend was FOOD. I "ain't" happy. The scale told me this morning that I had not lost any additional weight since my last weigh in (I'd lost 20 pounds in three weeks at that time). My clothes still continue to get looser - I'm right now, at this minute, wearing jeans that I couldn't even fasten just a month ago - and they are very comfortable at this time.
My wife and I, and my brother Terry and his wife Cindy - were tasked with moving my nieces furniture and packed boxes from storage shed to my father's shop in his backyard (Saturday morning) - took about 4 pick-up truck loads to do it. As a reward for doing this, my father took us all out to eat for breakfast. It was an "all you can eat" buffet at Golden Coral. Although there were lots of pancakes, waffles, biscuits and muffins available - I avoided them. I pretty much just ate eggs and meat (sausage and bacon). I ate a little more than normal (the last month) for a meal - but not that much, at least - I didn't think so.
Following the breakfast, my sister-in-law (Cindy), invited my wife, I - and my father out for a barbaque that evening. So, we went - ate a small piece of chicken, and a couple of ribs, along with some salad - again, I thought I did pretty well considering the temptations that were available.
Then - Sunday afternoon, our church hosted it's annual churchwide picnic - lots of potluck food. I had one plateful of food - mostly consisting of meat (brisket, chicken strips, etc.) I did splurge and eat 1/2 of a peanut butter cookie.
All in all, there was much more food available to me this weekend, than there had been in a very long time. I've been basically eating very small portions (about every two hours) and have been avoiding every opportunity to be around large servings of food. The less temptation the better. I have noticed though, that over the past week or so - I've consumed a little bit of cheese, some fried food and some wheat bread. Could it be that these products - though low in carbs could be holding me back from losing more weight?
I'm going to re-evaluate my diet and exercise program and list some ways to increase my weight loss - I've lost 20 pounds, but that is still a good way from the 60 - 80 pounds that I want to lose. My wife suggests that muscle weighs more than fat, and that since I'm losing inches around my waist (I'll take measurements tommorrow) and my muscles are getting bigger (from weight-lifting) - that could be the cause for the scale to show no difference? She could be right?
Seems like the emphasis this weekend was FOOD. I "ain't" happy. The scale told me this morning that I had not lost any additional weight since my last weigh in (I'd lost 20 pounds in three weeks at that time). My clothes still continue to get looser - I'm right now, at this minute, wearing jeans that I couldn't even fasten just a month ago - and they are very comfortable at this time.
My wife and I, and my brother Terry and his wife Cindy - were tasked with moving my nieces furniture and packed boxes from storage shed to my father's shop in his backyard (Saturday morning) - took about 4 pick-up truck loads to do it. As a reward for doing this, my father took us all out to eat for breakfast. It was an "all you can eat" buffet at Golden Coral. Although there were lots of pancakes, waffles, biscuits and muffins available - I avoided them. I pretty much just ate eggs and meat (sausage and bacon). I ate a little more than normal (the last month) for a meal - but not that much, at least - I didn't think so.
Following the breakfast, my sister-in-law (Cindy), invited my wife, I - and my father out for a barbaque that evening. So, we went - ate a small piece of chicken, and a couple of ribs, along with some salad - again, I thought I did pretty well considering the temptations that were available.
Then - Sunday afternoon, our church hosted it's annual churchwide picnic - lots of potluck food. I had one plateful of food - mostly consisting of meat (brisket, chicken strips, etc.) I did splurge and eat 1/2 of a peanut butter cookie.
All in all, there was much more food available to me this weekend, than there had been in a very long time. I've been basically eating very small portions (about every two hours) and have been avoiding every opportunity to be around large servings of food. The less temptation the better. I have noticed though, that over the past week or so - I've consumed a little bit of cheese, some fried food and some wheat bread. Could it be that these products - though low in carbs could be holding me back from losing more weight?
I'm going to re-evaluate my diet and exercise program and list some ways to increase my weight loss - I've lost 20 pounds, but that is still a good way from the 60 - 80 pounds that I want to lose. My wife suggests that muscle weighs more than fat, and that since I'm losing inches around my waist (I'll take measurements tommorrow) and my muscles are getting bigger (from weight-lifting) - that could be the cause for the scale to show no difference? She could be right?
