As Promised...

OK here we go. It's been aprox 3 months now and I've been plugging away with my diet and my workouts like a trooper. I'm going to say right off that I'm still highly motivated. I am encouraged by some things however I'm also slightly concerned about some areas of slow to nonexistent progress.

Let's start with the numbers.

6/08/06
Total Weight: 527.6lbs (239.8kg)
Body Fat: 51.5% or 271.7lbs (123.5 Kg)
Fat Free Mass: 48.5% or 255.9lbs (116.3kg)

7/04/06
Total Weight: 533.8lbs (242.6kg)
Body Fat: 50.4% or 266.7lbs (121.2 Kg)
Fat Free Mass: 49.6% or 262.5lbs (119.3kg)

7/19/06
Total Weight: 532.4lbs (242.0kg)
Body Fat: 46.8% or 249.2lbs (113.3 Kg)
Fat Free Mass: 53.2% or 283.2lbs (128.7kg)

8/31/06
Total Weight: 525.6lbs (238.4 Kg)
Body Fat: 47.0% or 247.0lbs (112kg)
Fat Free Mass: 53% or 278.6lbs (126.4kg)

The numbers show a Total Loss of 2lbs
but if you look at the Body fat...
on 6/08 My body fat was at 271.7 lbs
on 8/31 My Body fat is at 247lbs
Total fat Loss 24.7 lbs
Total lean Body gain 22.7lbs

Total loss of 2lbs

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Measurements

I didn't take any measurements until 8/3/06 so I don't have the over all changes but here's what I have for the last month:
*********** 8/3*******8/29
Neck:**********21.5******20.75**-0.75
Upper Arm:****21.5******19.75**-1.75
Forearm:*******15.25*****14.75**-0.50
Chest:**********69.5******68.5****-1.00
Waist:**********74********71.5****-2.50
Hip:************75********75******-0.00
Thigh:**********38.25*****37.25***-1.00
Calf:************25.5******25.5****-0.00
Measurements are in Inches

Pictures


Like the numbers show, there has not been too much change. Sloooooooow start. lucky me...



Biggest change I've seen is in the shoulder definition area. I seem to be losing the most weight in the upper back and shoulder area.


Ok..here's the deal. I'm not in the best mood over these results. I don't want to have to spend 3 hours crunching numbers in order to squeeze out something that resembles a good result. I want to sit down at my computer and say "hey..I lost 5 lbs, or hey...gained a pound this week but I'm back on track."

Three months in, working out 5 to 6 days a week and I'm just tired. That and I stepped in a hole today and screwed up my foot even worse. Tomorrow's another day but Today I'm tired...

August 28, 2006 Meals and 28 and 29 Workout

Meal 1: protine shake

Meal 2: skipped

Meal 3: togo's large Turkey Sandwich

meal 4: stir-fry chicken and veggies over rice

Water and Vitamins

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8/28 workout

Crunches holding 10 lb weight over head: 3 sets, 20 reps

Seated rows: 165lbs 3 sets, 15 reps

Benchpress: 135lbs 3 sets 10 reps

Treadmill: 45min

8/29 workout

Standing pull-ups on lowered bar: 3 sets, 15 reps

Standing straight arm pull downs: (unknown weight) 3 sets, 12 reps

Crunches holding 10 lb weight over head, alternating left and right sides: 3 sets, 20 reps (10 each side)

Seated squats w/ knee lift upon standing: 3 sets, 20 reps (this kicked my butt)

Treadmill: 25 min

August 26, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: skipped

Meal 2: protein Shake

Meal 3: large Subway Chicken teriaki Sandwich on Wheat roll, lettuce and pickles, mayo, bottle of sobe lean

Meal 4: Roasted Turkey breast, mashed potatos, small amount of gravey, Garden Salad and whole wheat roll

water and vitamins

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Workout:

Standing pushups on a lowered bar: 3 sets 15 reps

"gimmie my rope back" pulling against resistance band while creating large figure "8" motion: 3 sets 12 reps each direction

Balance and core workout: holding resistance band, lean forward while standing on one foot and pull back band until standing upright: 3 sets 10/15/15 reps

Squats using ball between back and wall for support: 3 sets 15/15/20 reps

Treadmill: 25 min

August 25, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: Slept in

Meal 2: protein Shake

Meal 3: Large Togo's turkey sandwich, whole wheat roll, lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo

Meal 4: Small Subway chicken teriaki sandwich on whole wheat roll, small bag of baked potato chips

Water and vitamins

********************************************

no trainer day:

Treadmill: 35min
Crunches holding 10lb weight above my head: 3 sets 20 reps
Benchpress: 135lbs 3 sets
seated rows: 3 sets 15 reps

August 24, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: slept in

Meal 2: Protein Shake, peanut butter on 2 slices of whole wheat bread, 1 apple

Meal 3: Chicken Breast Sandwich, lettuce, Tomato, Mayo

Meal 4: Grilled Chicken Breast, Salad and mixed veggies

Water and Vitamins

********************************************

Workout:

Crunches holding 10lb ball over my head: 3 sets 20 reps
Steps holding 12lb barbells lifting them alternately while steping up: 3 sets 10/12/15 reps

Squat/lift w/ 10lb ball: 3 sets 20 reps
(not sure what to call this) one armed pull down: 3 sets 15 reps 60lbs

Treadmill: 25min

Bits of tid...

Ok! First...for those who've been asking. I know it's been a while and I want you to know I hear ya...I pledge (and I want you to hold me to this) to weigh in on 8/31/06! That's one week from today. I will also take some new pictures and post some more full body shots from the same day as my profile picture for comparison. And if that weren't enough I took some measurements with my trainer about 2 to 3 weeks ago and I will post those and have some new ones taken...so...1 week from today! I know you can wait!

next...Jared Fogal...

My brother, P, from new York sent me the link to a radio interview with Jared (from Subway) and I must say I have a new found respect for him. Not that I didn't respect him for what he did and I would jump at the chance for an endorsement deal like the one he pulled off but let's face it the guy can come off as a little goofy at times. Listening to him speak about his experiences from a personal perspective, however, gave me a little more insight into Jared the man and I don't see that much difference between him and myself...well except for my striking good looks. ;0) Well, that and he's reached his goal and I'm still on the path. I'll give you the link if you're interested...I encourage you to check it out.

Jared Interview


There is something else that became more clear while listening to Jared speak about his experience...he mentioned that at his largest he was wearing 60in pants waist and a 6x shirt. I thought to myself..hey that's what I wear...then he mentioned that at his heaviest he weighed 425 lbs....which got me thinking...I weigh 100lbs more than he did and we wear the same sized clothes...It just confirmed to me what I had always thought to be the case...that I may look big but I carry my weight in such a way that I look quite a bit smaller than I really am...at least 50 to 100 less...
When I do finally loose the 250lbs I'm gonna be a dead sexy beast! Look out ladies...

.....uh yeah...I don't know what that means... ;0)

August 23, 2006 Meals and Workout

Woke up pretty late so I only got 2 meals in today. Joping to do better tomorrow as i plan to force myself to get up by 8am.

Meal 3: chicken breast sandwich, whole wheat roll, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, bottle sobe lean

Meal 4: chicken, rice, bean burrito w/ hand full of corn chips and salsa

Water and vitamins

*******************************************

30min on treadmill

Crunches: 3 sets 20 reps w/ 45 lb weight plate

Bench Presses: 3 sets 12 reps 135 lbs

Rows: 3 sets 15 reps 150lbs

'Back again back again jiggity-jig!'

Well...what was that all about?

Sorry 'bout that folks. I just spent the last week sick and thought I'd use the time to work on my insomnia a bit as well so I just shut down everything and hybrinated! I'm still batteling the insomnia for the moment but I feel much better and I'm ready to get back to business.

As far as the past week goes, I missed 4 or 5 days of gym time but I also hardly ate anything so I think there was fairly little damage done. I feel like I lost a little muscle tone (boy that happens fast) but I've been back to the gym 3 days now and things are about back to normal so I'll start making my daily diet and workout posts again on wednesday for those who follow that sort of thing. I do think I'm going to cut some of the carbos a little more though. We'll see how that goes. I still have to get some food shopping done as well so wish for inspiration and maybe the menu will reflect it.

If I still have any readers...I love you for sticking with me. My goals haven't changed one bit! It'll take more than a little sleeplesness and a cold to block my path. We've got a long road ahead of us so let's get back on it!

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If you'll all indulge me for a moment I thought I'd try something. Having a blog with even a small readership has a way of creating a little bit of a minor celebrity status for a blogger and if your name shows up on search engines enough you draw the attention of all sorts of people...sometimes people you used to know but have lost touch with...I thought I'd give something a shot and see if it works...

Carrie? If you read this and feel like it, drop me an email...I'd love to know how you're doing. I hope you're well.

ukefoo@earthlink.net

...I guess we'll see...

recent lack of posts

hello folks!

As some of you have noticed I haven't posted regularly in the last few days. I plan to try to get that back on track wednesday but because of my horrible insomnia and a cold that I just picked up I haven't felt very creative or social. Just to let you know everything is still on track diet wise although my eating times have been weird because of my sleep patterns and a couple of days I only really got 1 meal in. My workouts have been ok... I had to skip sunday because I did not sleep all saturday night and was trying to force myself to not nap so that I would sleep sunday night. I did get back in on monday and got in 1/2 hour on the treadmill and 100 crunches. Unfortunately I had to skip tuesday's trip to the gym because I caught a cold (probably from the gym). I will be trying to get in on wednesday for a simple workout just to try to keep on track.

I want to thank everyone for bearing with me! Like I said I should be back to regular posts on wednesday. :0)

I've got prune hands!

First things first! I want to thank one of the posters here for the latest contribution to my Diabetes fundraiser!

Wizie was kind enough to make a very genreous donation to help fund diabetes research and I want to take this opportunity to thank her for helping me reach one of my goals! Thanks you from my heart!

************************************
One of the little effects of having such horrible insomnia has been a few late trips to the gym. Now I know I should be home trying to sleep but sometimes you just have to get out and do something...anything. Friday night was just this type of occasion. I ended up at the gym with a lot of energy to burn and it was late enough so that the place was pretty empty. I got done with my treadmill and my crunches and some weights and decided that if I was going to get over my nervousness about swimming in public now was my perfect opportunity. I had some shorts in the car and a clean t-shirt so I got changed and slipped into the pool. As I lowered myself in I thought back and realized that I had not accutually been in a pool for at least 15 years and all because of my weight and the negative self image it has caused. I quickly remembered why I liked swimming so much and ended up lounging around in the water for about 2 hours. The sheer enjoyment of near weightlessness alone was worth it. Every bone in my body was relieved of the stress that over 500 lbs places on it 24 hours a day. It was pretty amazing. I must say though, it was far too easy to get used to the feeling. The moment I got out of the water I really felt every ounce of the weight that I carry. It was nothing less than crushing. For a moment I wondered how I could ever carry that much weight because it felt like the weight of the world and I honestly worried that my body wouldn't recover and accept it's burden... It took me at least 10 minutes until my body got used to it again.

All in all it was a good experience and I think that i'll be able to swim around friends the next time the occasion calls for it. I'm glad I did it but it did serve to remind me that I have a long way to go and another reason to get there.

August 12, 2006 Meals and Workout

Today was really simple. I woke up at about 6pm in the evening after catching up on some very much needed sleep and I went out and did 45 on the treadmill and then got a small Togo's turkey sandwich for dinner. um...yeah.

Sunday I plan to go shopping so my menu next week should reflect that and It will probably be a little more diverse.

August 11, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: again slept through

Meal 2: protein shake

Meal 3: turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread w/ watermellon cubes

Meal 4: large turkey sandwich from Togo's on whole wheat roll, bottle of sobe lean, apple

Went to the movies, had a small popcorn no butter

water and vitamins

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workout:
(trainer out of town until a week from this coming tuesday so I'm on my own for a while)

Treadmill: 45min

Crunches: 5 sets 20 reps w/ 35 lbs of extra weight

Seated Presses: w/ 135lbs: 3 sets 12 reps

Lounged in the pool for 2 hours

August 10, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: stayed in bed trying to get some sleep...

Meal 2: half a large togo's turkey sandwich like I like it...

Meal 3: second half of sandwich w/ apple and bottle of sobe lean

Meal 4: Chicken breast sandwich on whole wheat roll, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard

I'm very proud of myself. I went to see Justin and Brian play a show at the Nevada County Fair and I avoided all of the normal Fair Food...Let me tell you It was hard not to wolf down a couple of corndogs and other assorted meat on a stick!

Water and Vitamins

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Workout:
Series 1:

Standing pushups (bar placed slightly above my knees and pushing completely off of the bar at the top of each pushup) 3 sets 15 reps
Squats assisted by horizontal bar same height as for pushups: (one leg on 6 in step and pushing up on the elevated leg so that the other foot in off the ground at the top of the squat) 3 sets 12 reps

bench press:
135lbs 1 sets 15 reps
155lbs 2 sets 12 reps w/ assistance

August 9, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: Slept in

Meal 2: protein Shake

Meal 3: Small togo's turkey sandwich, whole wheat roll, mayo, mustard, lettuce, pickles, tomato w/ Apple and bottle of sobe lean

Meal 4: green salad w/ half sliced turkey breast, vinegret dressing

Water and Vitamins

************************************

workout:

Treadmill 45min

(light day)

Major break through!!

I'm about to completely blow your mind with this one! Are you ready?

I Sean Steven Perkey (Yeah that's right "Steven"), on this very day... bent over and...(are you sure you're ready...cause I can hold on and let you leave the room or cover your eyes or something)....

"I bent over and picked up a quarter!!...right off the ground!! without even thinking about it!!" Isn't that Amazing? *doing a victory dance while waving a quarter in the air singing...* " I got da quarter..da shiny quarter and I'm gonna spendit all...gonna spend up all my quarrrrterrrrr!!"

Oh...I guess it bares mentioning that until today and for a long time I have not been able to reach the ground from a standing positon let alone reach it with enough manual dexterity to pick up a coin. I guess that little bit of info is important to the story.. :0)

ok that's it. Just wanted to share...now I'm gonna go to sleep and dream about all the things that i can buy with my new quarter...ahhhh...5 sugar free gum balls...mmmmm....1 game credit on the old centipede video game at the corner quickie market (rock!)...day old bagel...mmmmmmm

I love my quarter <3

August 8, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: Protein Shake and 1 Apple

Meal 2: skipped

Meal 3: turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread w/ lettuce mustard and mayo, 1 apple

Meal 4: chicken breast sanwich, whole wheat roll, fresh spinach, mustard, mayo,

Water, Vitamins

********************************

Workout:

seated rows: (unsure of weight) 3 sets 15 reps
seated squats w/ dumbells (light weight) dumbells pressed above head upon standing and raising alternating leg: 3 sets 12 reps (10 reps on first set)

standing rows: (Unkown weight): 2 sets 15 reps
wood chop w/ 10lb medicine ball: 2 sets 10 reps
Side step w/ feet tethered together by resistance band: 2 sets (10 steps to the left and 9 step to the left

treadmill: 15min

August 7, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: protine shake

Meal 2: small bag of peanut, rasin,sunflowersead sun flowerseed trail mix (bottle of sobe lean)

Meal 3: Turkey sandwich, w whole wheat bread, lettuce and tomato, mayo and mustard and an apple

Meal 4: Grilled, chicken breast sandwich, white bun, w, lettuce, mayo and mustard

Water and vitamins

*************************************

Workout:

Treadmill: 45 min

Bench Press: 3 sets 12 reps 135lbs

Crunches: 5 sets 20 reps w/ 35 lb plate on chest

(post to come soon. Still not sleeping at all... workin' on it... *sigh*)

Weekend recap and Brain hijinks

Hello again!
the weekend is over and I just want to sort of recap because I didn't get a chance to post for yesterday.
I got out of town a little this week end and was able to spend some time with my Father and his wife and my brothers from NY and LA. I don't really feel like doing a detailed food post for 2 days but let me just say that I kept to my basic food schedule although I had a long drive on Saturday so I did drink some diet pepsi and a diet redbull because driving alone makes me a little sleepy sometimes and I didn't want to die in a firey wreck of fire and twisted chevy malibu maxx! Oh and ditch. I did also have a piece of peach pie that my father's wife made and it was scrumptious and no you can not have any because my brothers took the rest of it to L.A.

I am happy to note that I was able to find a 24hour Fitness down the street from my father's home so my brother D and I went in for a work out. I was able to get in my 45 min on the treadmill and 100 crunches (w/35lbs of weight). We also saw a pro basketball player taking advantage of the B-bal court for some extra practice time. My brother suggested that I tell him about my blog....I decided not to...

I did, however, take today off. I'm really chomping to get back into the gym tomorrow right after work. I just think my body needs a rest. My foot really hurt a lot over the weekend and I was hobbling so much that I kept thinking to myself that no one is going to believe that I put as much time into the gym as I say I do because it looks like I can hardly walk a couple feet. I mean seriously, I walk like an old man. I've found that even though my foot may hurt during normal activity, once I get on the treadmill it only takes about 5 minutes before it warms up and stops hurting so I guess I may not be able to walk down my front steps but 45min on the treadmill is no trouble...go figure.

Ok...

The brain.

It's a tricky little bastard. It basically runs everything. Bodily functions, emotions, perception... but the brain for all it's power is not the most responsible or trustworthy organ in the body. Ok take the bladder for instance. There is one organ who, when working properly, will never let you down. If it's empty then life is grand and you can do whatever you please. Jump up and down on a trampoline if you like. If it's full you're the first one to know and as soon as you take the needed action you're right back on that pogo-stick or what have you. Your eyes...will never lie to you...wait...I know what you're gonna say but you're wrong the eyes (again if functioning properly) don't lie but the brain can monkey with info and it'll do what it wants when it wants because it's the brain "damn it" and it's in charge.

Case in point. I know I'm fat. Fatty fatty two by four...something 'bout a bathroom door. But I don't always feel it. No. I don't. I don't know if it's my brain's attempt at protecting my feelings or if it's my brain's idea of a little joke. You ask a lot of large people and I bet that they will tell you the same thing. Personally (and please make sure there are no brains in the room when you read this....are they gone?....good) Personally I think it's some sort of a conspirasy. To what end I do not know but I think the brains must be plotting or there is some kind of cosmic inside joke that we're not privy to but here's what I know... I walk around all day feeling normal. I feel great, for the most part. Strutting around feeling attractive and charming. And the reason I think it's a conspiracy is that other people willmost often treat you exactly how you perceive yourself at that moment...so the brains must be sending out little waves to other brains with messages that say things like...

"pssssst...just play along..i've got this fool feeling pretty good about himself right now so don't mess it up...if you're a girl brain make your host smile at him...make him feel even better...yeah that's it...he's feeling good now...if you're a guy brain make your host look him right in the eye and give him a good nod, that's the universal sign of manly approval...that's it! Now he feels powerfull...HaHa! But don't go too far away because you're gonna want to watch this. I'm about to pull the rug out from under his feet when I make him walk past this full length mirror! HAHA Gottcha Fatty!!!"

And that that exact moment reality snaps you in the ass with a wet towel and all that built up self respect drains out of you faster than, well, something that's slower than how fast the self respect drains out of you under such circumstances.

Then there you are loooking straight at reality through your truth-telling eyes with the faint sound of laughter somewhere deep in your subconscious. Then the cycle starts all over again. And the messed up part...the really truely screwed up part of it is that you don't really have to have anything wrong with you for your brain to pull off that trick.

Funny huh?

Last bit...

Mirrors. Personally I avoid them unless it's face high and then, you know....well look at me...I'm gorgeous... j/k
I avoid them unless I know the mirror is at the right angle because I know exactly at which angles I'm able to view myself that won't trigger self loathing. Random glances are avoided at all costs. Let me tell you how bad this can get. When I walk by a large window or mirror, the side of my body (especially my face) will acctually increase in temprature with the fear that I may glimpse myself. How sick is that. When I go to the movies (and I love the movies) I have to be carefull how I stand in the lobby due to the freaking fun house-esq decor they have in there with all the mirrors. Now I realize that people go to the movies on dates but my God...the last thing I want to see before I buy my popcorn is my ample face looking back at myself from over the counter because once again the theatre believed that the concession line would be another good place for people to Once again check their lipstic or their..I dunno, what? chest hair motif before going into a dark room for a couple of hours where you can't see a damn thing anyway!

Well enough of that. As fun as it was to get it off my chest. I hope your week if fruitfull or at the very least devoid of conspiracy driven brains hell bent on pulling the rug out from under you when you're on top of the world!

Please, also, take a moment and swing by my good friend "The Eye's" blog and congratulate him on the birth of his brand new baby girl Sophia! The new father hasn't posted yet but his mother was kind enough to share the good news! Congrats EYE! I wish all the best of love and life for you and your growing family!

August 4, 2006 Meals and Workout & little note

Meal 1: Protein Shake (yum)

Meal 2: Turkey sandwich on Whole Wheat bread, lettuce, tomatoe, slice of cheese, mayo, mustard/ bowl of watermellon cubes

Meal 3: Chicken breast sandwich on wheat roll, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard/ bottle of sobe lean

Meal 4: Chicken breast, small mixed green salad, small slice of tri-tip beef, 2 slices of salami, 2 slices of cheese, 2 crackers, 10 m&m's

water and vitamins

***********************************

Workout:

no trainer today

treadmill: 45 min

Crunches: 2 sets 20 reps w/ 35 lbs weight (had to cut short, was running late to friend's birthday party)
*************************************************

On Saturday I will be out of town visiting my father and 2 brothers that live in L.A. and NY so I'll be missing my regular training session woth kendrick but I plan to find a 24hr fitness there so I can get in some cardio and a basic workout.

I also plan to put off today's post until i get home saturday night because it's late and I'm about to crash.

G'night folks! Sweet dreams!

Cardio....ugh...

Ok so I've made a decission to force myself to do more cardio in an effort to jumpstart my metabolism. I'll let you know right off though that I hate walking or jogging for exercise. My parents used to make me do it when I was younger and it seemed more like punishemnt than like exercise so I have a bit of a mental block with regards to it. (Dad. If you're reading this..no hard feelings really i just grew to dislike it and am trying to find ways to do it until I'm fit enough to include other types of cardio in my workout plan)

You may remember that I first tried listening to music to get me through my cardio sessions but I soon found out that my mind still wanders and the more my mind wanders the more I think about what I'm doing and how much I hate it. I start thinking about all the discomfort and breathing etc. and I tend to wear myself out in about 15 minutes and if I can get in 1/2 hour it's a miracle.

Well I think I truly found the secret this time but it makes my workout much more complicated. Television. That's right the ole Boob-Tube! I've found that I have to be totally emersed both visually and audibly. But here's the rub. At my gym they have televisions but you have to have an fm radio inorder to receive the proper channel's sound. I have NO radio. I have an iPod which can be converted to an fm radio but I'm not wanting to ssopend the $50 or so to buy the device. And I suppose I could just buy a radio too but I don't wanna.

So on days when I don't see my trainer I've been going to another 24hr fitness across town where they, not only have several more tvs and a plug on the treadmill handle where you can tune the TV sound for the partiular screen and channel that you want to watch. I find if I get a good show I can walk for a long time without even thinking about it. So, when I'm done I really feel like I've acomplished something.

Today was the first time that I decided to try going to my trainer at one gym and then driving across town to the other gym for cardio.

Positives first.. I did it. I worked out with Kendrick then I shot on over to the other sight and got through another 1/2 hour of cardio.
negatives: takes alot of time and cooling off after my main workout on the way to the othr gym makes for a lot of pain that generaly goes away after a few minutes on the treadmill.

I don't know if I'll continue to go to the other gym on the same day that I viit my trainer. I may just end up getting a cheap radio so I can use their tv set up. I do, however like the change of scenery so I probably will continue to go to the second gym on my days off.

August 3, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: Protein Shake and 1 apple

Meal 2: Bowl hearty Chicken soup with vegitables 2/ slices of whole wheat bread

Meal 3: McDonalds Chicken breast sandwich, whole wheat roll, lettuce, mayo and mustard/ small fries

Meal 4: Small Togos turkey sandwich, whole wheat roll, lettuce, mayo and mustard

water and vitamins

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Workout: (short due to time constraints)

Inclined Bench Presses: 3 sets 12 reps 135lbs
side step up and reach across body w/ 6 lb medicine ball: 3 sets 10 reps each leg

Treadmill: 32 minutes

Nourishing Traditions

I love getting things in the mail so today was a good day in my book! Today I received a wonderful gift from an extra generous "watcher" named Talena Winters. As Talena's blog bio reveals she is a wife a mother of 3 boys under 3 an artist, musician and she's writing the next great Canadian Musical! On top of all that she has time to blog about her exploits and send people, in far away lands, fantastic cookbooks so that they can be more healthy and make better food choices. I don't know how she does it! Honestly! I can''t find time to get in 4 square meals on a daily basis and she got all of that going on? Are the clocks different in Canada? I mean are there like 47 hours in a day up there? lem'e'see...half the distance to the north pole...square the hypotenuse...carry the one...dang! I'm gonna have to take off my other shoe...aaaaand ad the vector... Nope same 24 hours! What's you're secret?

Well while we're waiting for her answer check out her blog here Winters Day In.
The book she sent me is Nourishing Traditions written by Sally Fallon w/ Dr. Mary G. Enig Ph.D. It's a cookbook! From what I've read so far it's not just a cook book but a book full of good old, time tested nutritional information mixed in with tastey recipes that appear easy to make. The book goes into how foods work together to promote good health and lays down the straight skinny on the body's need for the proper fats in natural foods! All in all it looks like a keeper. I can't wait to try some of these and I'll let you know when I do!
Thank you Talena! A very thoughtful gift!

I should also point out that I've finished the supply of Nature Greens that Ryan Kiel from Vibrant Living sent me about a month ago and I'll be posting a review in a day or so.

other than that what's to report? Still batteling this insomnia but I've spoken with my Drs and they've given me some really good pointers so hopfully in a few days I'll have the situation under control. I've completed my original package of sessions with my trainer and will be signing on for more so that we can keep trying to crack the code my body seems to have put on the fat vault. All the signs are there as far as fat loss goes. I feel stronger. Clothes fit better and my stamina is getting better....I was able to get in 45 minutes on the treadmill today and 100 crunches. I caught a glimpse of myself today in a full length window and I can't say that I see it yet but I'm not worried because...What do we say? "I'm not done yet"...that's the affirmation...anytime I get discouraged I simply remimd myself that "I'm not done yet" and I realize that there is no need to worry because it's all part of the process...

ok folks...off to sleep. g'night.

August 2, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: Protein Shake

Meal 2: Chicken breast sandwich on whole wheat roll, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard

Meal 3: Turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, fresh spinich, mayo and mustard, 1 apple

Meal 4:(went out) garden salad with 1/2 chicken breast, tomato, onions, feta cheese, italian dressing

water and vitamins (minus Nature greens which I'm out of and will post review of tomorrow)

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No trainer today

Treadmill 45 minutes

Crunches (100) 5 sets of 20 reps holding a 35 pound plate to my chest

August 1, 2006 Meals and Workout

Meal 1: skipped

Meal 2: turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread w/ lettuce, pickles, mayo, mustard
Bowl of cubed watermelon

Meal 3: Chicken, rice and salsa burrito

Meal 4: skipped

Water and vitamins

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workout: today the work out was light. I developed a bit of a painful hip after the last workout but rather than not go in I decided to tough it out. Turns out that it does feel a bit better now and may not have if I had stayed home.

series 1: lean forward at the waist and raise leg in back extending ball at arms length: 3 sets 15 reps for 2 sets/ 20 reps for last set
side leg lifts: 3 sets 12 reps first 2 sets 15 reps last set
standing reclined pullup holing bar for support and to pull up.
the bar was a little lower than chest high

series 2: inclined bench crunches with arms extended holding resistance band also held by my trainer: 3 sets 15 reps each

treadmill: 15 minutes

Thank you Jacob!

Ever since Junior High school when lovely substitute teacher with bright green eyes played Graceland in class during a free work session I've been in love with the music of Paul Simon. Like I said in yesterday's post I think I must have worn that tape out 3 times before I bought the CD. It was with Graceland that I think I first developed my love of the acoustic sound and great lyrics and it's amazing to see, 64 year old, Simon 'still rockin' after all these years'.

The show appeared sold out and was just kicking off as the sun set over the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe making the sky look like (as my friend jacob noted) an upside down lava flow. The setting was breath taking and the weather was perfect for an outdoor concet. I'll go as far as to say that sitting there 11th row center was amazing enough to make the puny plastic folding chair i was trying not to break little more than a petty pain in my butt. ;0)

Simon's band was terrific that night as they played for what seemed like 2 hours complete with 3 encores! Playing almost everything you could imagine from "Bridge Over Troubled Water" to several songs from Graceland which were beautifully performed thanks in large part to the wonderful harmonies his band was able to pull off. And, for fans of his newer work he didn't dissapoint playing a beautiful version of Father and Daughter which I noticed had a few men in the audience misting up a bit.

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two wooo
There could never be a father who loved
His daughter more than I love you


I really don't know what else to say. It was a great evening with 2 old friends and some stellar music in a beautiful setting. Thanks Jacob, for thinking of me! And, Summer it was great to see you again. Let's not wait so long to do it again...oh and your baby is beautiful.

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Oh, oh, what a night, oh what a garden of delight, even now that sweet memory lingers.
I was playing my guitar, lying underneath the stars
just thanking the Lord for my fingers.

July 30 & 31, 2006 Meals and Workout

July 30

Meal 1: 1 Apple and 2 slices of bread w/ peanut butter

Meal 2: skipped

Meal 3: Chicken breast Sandwich and Sobe lean

Meal 4: Chicken/beef fajita combo in Tahoe after the show / lettuce, tomatoe, grilled onion and peppers, 3 tortillias, half breast of chicken and aprox the same beef, little sour cream/ 4 onion rings and 2 glasses of diet pepsi

Water and vitamnis

work out:
treadmill: 20 minutes
crunches: 3 sets 20 reps

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July 31

Meal 1: Skipped

Meal 2: Turkey sandwich / 2 slices of whole wheat bread, spinach, mustard and mayo/ 1 Apple

Meal 3: skipped

Meal 4: (before I tell you, promise not to get mad) ;) Cheese burger w/ pastrami, lettuce, tomato, onion, some kind of sauce... 1 apple

Water and Vitamins

Workout:

Treadmill: 30 Min

Crunches: 4 sets 20 reps (holding a 35lb weight plate to my chest)


Ok so two days of not so great eating. especially Meal 4:. I hope to get back on track tomorrow.