Vacation has been good. However, an excessively greasy ham and cheese omelet coupled with the giant dinner from last night ended in lots of “pit stops” throughout the day. I started feeling super cold and was crazy tired. It didn’t slow us down too much, but I did have to take a nap in the middle of the day. We also didn’t have the rambunctious birthday for Wes we planned. That was more because everyone was tired from a 14 hour day of tourism that my stomach problems.

Anyway, I take it as good news my body is responding the the dieting changes I am trying to enforce. It basically told me that I was eating stupidly and responded by making me nauseous.

Other good news is that all the walking done throughout the day really helped offset all the calories gathered through the day.  It let me know that it is possible to approach a net zero calorie day. 

Now, it has stopped raining here, so off to another day of vacation.

Caloric Information:

Net Calories: +75

Normal Daily Calorie Intake: 4100 (at the beginning of this process)

Daily Calorie Intake Goal: 2500 (-190calories)

Goal Met

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Normally, I wouldn’t put vacation and dieting in the same sentence. For me, vacations are a chance to eat at new places and try local foods. This vacation isn’t much different. However, I am tracking my calories and will try to keep my choices under my maximum caloric goal.

Today started off well with a nice Bob Evans Low calorie breakfast. It ended with a big high calorie rib meal in Gatlinburg. The good news is that today still stayed under the caloric total. Plus, we walked all over the place, so that helped burn off extra calories.

On an un related note, it was like 50+ degrees and sunny here.  It was an awesome first day of vacation. It makes walking around no chore at all.

Caloric Information:

Net Calories: +1289

Normal Daily Calorie Intake: 4100 (at the beginning of this process)

Daily Calorie Intake Goal: 2500 (-170 calories)

Goal Met!

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The bane of any dieting individual is a buffet. The challenge to one’s willpower is enormous. My buddy’s kids had a birthday party today with a good spread of food. I didn’t go too overboard, but I squeezed breakfast and lunch into one meal. I’m sure that’s not healthy.

On the same day, Chelsea and I we guests at my brother’s for a make your own sushi night. I bashed a good deal of that. The cream cheese added up.

I did walk for a bit on the treadmill, so the day wasn’t a total loss. I am still enjoying watching the iPad while treadmilling it up.

I did exceed my total calorie content for the day. So I get a frowny face for the day.

What methods do my weight challenged friends out there use to keep themselves in check during open buffets?

Caloric Information:

Net Calories: +2423

Normal Daily Calorie Intake: 4100 (at the beginning of this process)

Daily Calorie Intake Goal: 2500 (+202 calories)

  Goal Not Met

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So today started off with an ice storm. At 5am, it was crappy outside. Everything look liked glass from the roads to the blades of grass in the yard. I said screw traveling to the gym. I went back to bed. I intended to sleep for another hour with further intentions to walk on the treadmill at the house. I slept until 8am.

I skipped breakfast because I was running late. I had a vending machine burrito for  breakfast. I had a vending machine chicken sandwich and another burrito for lunch.  They were high in fat and sodium. However, the calorie hit wasn’t too bad.

At dinner, we went to Abuelo’s in Beavercreek. I had the will power not to get the biggest thing on the menu. I also skipped dessert.  I did manage to come in under my calories for the day. Barely, but I did.

I also found that watching Netflix on my iPad is a great way to keep me on the treadmill. I can easily watch an hour long show (ahem, addicted to the Kevin Spacey produced Netflix original House of Cards) while keeping a good pace. I have a TV for the room, but I need to mount the thing. I may just stick with the iPad though, not sure.

All in all, today wasn’t the healthiest day. Even so, I think the lesson for the day is that you can still watch your calories and squeeze in exercise on an extra busy day.

Caloric Information:

Net Calories: +2240

Normal Daily Calorie Intake: 4100 (at the beginning of this process)

Daily Calorie Intake Goal: 2500 (-43 calories)

Goal Met!

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I’m posting twice today because I forgot to post yesterday. I hope that isn’t confusing. Also, on time posts, like this one, are a day behind my actual progress to provide complete and full details of the day.

At 5am this morning, I overcame the urge to skip working out. I was getting dressed and realized my swim trunks were still wet in the washer. I stood in the dark for probably two minutes deciding if I should just go back to bed, put them in the dryer, or find other swim trunks. I put them in the dry and found other shorts to wear.

I share that information because it was a milestone in my willpower. Normally, I would’ve just gone back to bed. However, that would have accomplished nothing. If anyone is reading this for inspiration, don’t give in to temptation or the easy way, you can reach your goal if you just build up you willpower.

While I was walking on the treadmill, I saw a few fit teenagers working out in the weight section. It took me back to something I said along time ago. In reference to a giant sized man of probably 450 or so, I declared “if I get that big, just shoot me.” I wondered if that’s what those youngsters think when the see someone like me. I certainly never wanted to be this big. I began wondering how I got here.

The short answer is overindulgence and laziness. I think part of it is my genes. I will never be 110lbs skinny. I think my Skeleton weighs more than that. My wrist bone is 3-4 times bigger than Chelsea’s. There is some truth to being big boned…that isn’t a dirty joke. My real initial weight gain started near my exodus from high school. I wasn’t nearly as active as I was after leaving. I got a desk job. I drank copious amounts of regular soda. I was probably around 250lbs then (approximately 2001). A couple more years of that aligned with a lightly active lifestyle saw me creep up to 300lbs. By 2005, I was 350. I got sick of it and worked out ferociously for a year. I dropped down to 270. I got cocky. I got lazy. I got fat again. Here I sit, walking the same road I did eight, crap its been that long, years ago. It feels like last week. I haven’t exercise in like 6.5 years. No wonder I gained weight.

Maybe the change will stick this time.

Notes on eating: Lunch was provided by my employer today. I had a roast beef wrap which included a wheat tortilla, lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese. I discovered that potato salad is high in calories. Another sad day for one of my favorite foods. 1 cups can be between 230 and 350 calories depending on how it was made. Even more, if it is gourmet with bacon. I also had two chocolate chip cookies. Between the cookies and the potato salad I could’ve had another entire wrap.

For dinner, I had the Happy Family from local Asian restaurant Misolsol China. They are always so friendly there. I also partook in several Chinese donuts. So good, but so not healthy. I did, for the first time in who knows how long, get full and not finish my meal. It was a weird feeling to be full and still have food left. I’m not sure I like it. I felt like I wasted money.

Caloric Information:

Net Calories: +1298

Normal Daily Calorie Intake: 4100 (at the beginning of this process)

Daily Calorie Intake Goal: 2500 (-260 calories)

Goal Met!

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Today I weighed myself at 5am. I weighed in at 348lbs.

That’s 7 lbs from the start of this initiative and 22 since I my peak weight of 370 lbs several weeks ago. It is good to see some traction.

The gym this morning was a nice relief from the crowds of last night. There were only 2 other people in the pool and maybe a dozen inside the gym.

Tracking calories is more meticulous than I’m used to being. It was difficult at lunch as the place was not a major chain. I had to manually calculate the calories based on the ingredients in the salad. I did use very little fat free dressing so that helped keep the total calories down. It was hard not to get their Ranch dressing as it is quite tasty. The Carriage Inn of which I am referring, over in Enon, OH, always has good food (no affiliation).

Dinner was at Friday’s and I had the Dragon fire chicken. I appreciate that Friday’s put the total calories on the menu for this item. It was so hard no to order some of the appetizers though. I stayed strong and didn’t steal one of Dusty’s pretzels.

Chelsea asked what she’d do with a skinny man. My answer was go to an amusement park. I haven’t fit in those rides in a decade. Even at 270, I didn’t much fit. I also look forward to having more room on airplanes. Though, skinny people feel cramped flying anymore. I look forward to not breaking anymore chairs. I look forward to shopping at a non-big and tall stores.

There are things I will miss. Being able to eat anything…any everything. Having to watch calories and make food decisions sucks. I want it all. I want it now. I want it in my belly.  Food that is.

I’ve had several ideas for Fat people themed services.  One was Fatland. An amusement park for fat people. I’m assuming it hasn’t been done because of the extra engineering that would have to occur. I still think it can be done. Think of the concessions revenue. The other was FAirlines. An airline that caters to fat people. Highlights would be a third as many seats in each plan, plenty of leg room, and gourmet meals.

This would also be a good time to thank the person that designed those heavyweight portable chairs. I broke many of those light-weight versions. I’ve had the same two fattie versions for several years now.

Anyways, I’d like to point out another small victory.  I managed to come in under 1800 calories today. That is amazing considering I could easily put away double that on any given day in a single sitting. Ahem, a large pepperoni pizza. 

Caloric Information:

Net Calories: +xxxx

Normal Daily Calorie Intake: 4100 (at the beginning of this process)

Daily Calorie Intake Goal: 1780(+720 calories)

Goal Met!

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Chelsea and I didn’t get up in the morning like we should have. However, we did go to the gym at night. It was much more crowded.  I still managed to walk a couple miles and get the leg exercises in, but no swimming for today.

I also found an android app that is awesome for tracking weight and calories. It is called myfitnesspal. I have no affiliation with this company, but it is an awesome tool.  In the first post I had to manually find the calories for each item I ate and then add them. With this app, you can search for the item you want to add. When you find it and add the item, it automatically subtracts if from your daily recommended calorie intake. Then it shows you how many calories you have left for the day. It is excellent for tracking calories on the fly.

I had a couple hard boiled eggs this morning for breakfast (white part only). I didn’t realize they were so low in calories. Good news. I love hard boiled eggs.  I also had some Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt. Chelsea pointed out that it is significantly healthier than the Light and Fit version I was eating before. It is more filling too.

For lunch I tried a Subway Salad. It was low in calories, but their veggies looked and tasted old. I ate it anyways.

On a side note, this transition into veggie land is wrecking my stomach. People are always like you should eat more veggies. Well, don’t if you aren’t near a toilet.

I’d like to give partial credit to Green Bean Delivery service for my ability to eat more veggies. I also have no affiliation with this company other than being a customer. This business focuses on the delivery of organic produce and other natural groceries to straight to your home. The prices are very reasonable. The quality of the food is excellent. I never knew how veggies were supposed to taste until I started receiving their products. As a former produce customer of Meijer’s and Walmart, I can say that Green Bean Delivery’s suppliers are infinitely better. I like to make sure I am selecting local, organic product when adding to my cart. I know that sounds like a pansy, hippie/hipster thing to say, but the taste can’t be beet (pun  & misspelling intended). As someone who loves to eat good food, having fresh, high quality ingredients keeps me excited about having salad.

I also learned, after eating my salad yesterday, that my Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing (that I love) is terribly high in calories. It was more calories than the entire salad itself, twice over. Lesson Learned.

Caloric Information:

Net Calories: +1447

Normal Daily Calorie Intake: 4100 (at the beginning of this process)

Daily Calorie Intake Goal: 2500 (-293 calories today)

Goal Met!

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I stepped onto the scale after a 3.5 year absence from exercise. The results were tragic, but not surprising. The signs were all there. Pants had seemed to shrink. Shirts had become to short. Stairs took away breath and the size of my meals would embarrass an elephant. However, shame wasn't a powerful enough force to induce change. Frankly, I'm not ashamed of being fat. I love to eat . Being large allows me the capacity to try all kinds of wonderful new foods and drinks..in volumes skinny people can't understand.

If the body is a temple, why would any want an efficiency apartment as their temple when you could have a sprawling mansion. My body is a temple. According to my pants size, my temple seats three normal sized humans with room to spare. I think the answer is maintenance. The temple is supposed to seat one snugly. Anything beyond that requires more upkeep. If the upkeep isn't done then the hallways of the temple get clogged. Metaphor aside, being fat kills you and I'm not ready to die.

I've had this epiphany before. 4.5 years ago. I lost 80lbs to a still roomy 270 lbs. Three weeks ago a pending health test prompted me to step on the scale. The scale howled out 370lbs. After double checking that the scale was zeroed out, it was on a hard, flat surface, the batteries were good, and other general checks of reality. I tried again. It did not lie.

I made a resolution then and there to lose weight. I was motivated to cut out soda, to exercise more, and eat healthier. The same crap everyone is always motivated to do. I did manage to significantly cut down my soda intake. I made it on the treadmill a few times. I had a few healthy meals. I did have a couple of stressful weeks at work. By the time the health assessment arrived on February 8th, I weighed 355. That is where I am at today.

However, today I have a plan. I also have a wonderful partner who is motivated to get in shape and go to the gym with me. Thanks my beautiful Chelsea. Of course, she weighs 3 times less than me then subtract 20lbs more pounds. She's a skinny person. She doesn't think so, but she is. More important than the plan is the new gym membership we have, the case of water at my desk, and my actual resolve to lose 140lbs by next Feb 16th.

Notes on Today:

Today Chelsea and I hit the gym at 530am after a 8oz Yoplait smoothie (Chelsea saw on Biggest Loser). Walked for a half hour, worked out for a half hour, then swam for another half hour. We had a reasonable breakfast of two eggs, a glass of 2% Milk (We need to finish the bottle before switching), a blueberry bagel (We need to get rid of them), and 8 oz of orange juice. For lunch, I had a Panera Bread Chicken and Avocado Cobb salad for lunch. I also had a small bowl of French onion soup. I also had my one soda (Diet Pepsi -- it is my addiction) for the day. Dinner was 16oz of Mesquite grilled chicken from Copey’s Butcher Shop, 2 Cups of BirdsEye Mixed Veggies (no Sodium), a fresh salad (with too much ranch dressing – shame on me), 1.5 % Milk (half 2% and half 1% – had to finish the bottle), and 1 chocolate covered cherry.

Caloric Information:

Net Calories: +2651

Normal Daily Calorie Intake: 4100

Daily Calorie Intake Goal: 2500  (+151 calories)

  Goal Not Met

However, it wasn’t a total failure as I still decreased my total caloric input by 1449 calories today.

Today was the first day of the true transition from big to buff.

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