200 by January

It's been awhile!

2010-02-08T09:39:00.000-05:00

I know it's been awhile, but I need to get back to it! I've been working out off and on, and was even training to run the Army Ten Miler this past year. I was sidelined with a knee injury though, had to stop training and never got back into it. I am thinking of joining a gym with my family though. I really want to get back to a healthier lifestyle.

Pennsylvania Paintball

2007-07-02T14:25:00.001-04:00

Just got back from Pennsylvania last night. I was up there to play at a friend's paintball field in Frenchville. That is near Clearfield, PA. They just opened the field in May, and have done a nice job setting it up. If you are in central Pennsylvania look them up! The link is to the right. Also while I was there we went to Denny's Beer Barrel Pub. Denny's has the biggest burgers you've ever seen. Google them to see the site!

paintball!

2007-05-21T09:40:00.000-04:00

I just talked to a very good friend last night. He has opened a paintball field at his lodge in Pennsylvania. Check it out at the link on the right!

Parkour Anyone?

2007-05-11T06:45:00.000-04:00

I have recently discovered parkour. This looks like a great way to get in shape, or seriously hurt yourself if you're not careful! But in any case it looks like fun, and might just be the right motivation for me to lose weight. I would like to find some groups in Virginia that participate in this activity.

Back in the saddle!

2007-01-13T17:07:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a long long time since I posted here. Don't know if anyone is reading this blog anymore, but I am back! I am jogging a 10K in March, and hope to lose a few pounds along the way. I'll be going to spinning classes twice a week, and jogging 3 times a week. I am trying to eat better as well, but not tryin to turn my diet upside down just yet!

I didn't make my goal

2006-01-10T11:36:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is January and guess what? I'm not even close to my goal. As a matter of fact, I'm back up where I when I started. At least I didn't gain more than I started with. It seems that 250 lbs is a barrier that my body is unwilling to breech at this point (thank God!). Some co-workers of mine and have entered into a weight loss competition. The three of us are right around 250 lbs. We have rules and a contract even! Stay tuned for details and pics...

USS Wisconsin - Nauticus

2005-12-01T11:16:00.000-05:00

My folks have been in town for the last few weeks. We went to Nauticus and also the USS Wisconsin (right next door to one another). I took the third pic on the way home from work one day while driving my car. Later, Roger.

I been sick!

2005-11-15T16:53:00.000-05:00

I've been sick for the past 5 days or so. Please excuse the lack of posts. My parents are coming into town for a few weeks, but I hope to still have time to post a few pics. My dad has been in Mississippi for the last week or so helping with hurricane work. He will be hitching a ride to my house with a guy he has been working with. My mom will be flying in from Montana (where my folks live). They will be here for a few weeks, including turkey day. I will most likely be frying a turkey, so that should be fun! Take care, Roger.

New personal record

2005-11-03T08:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I lifted 120,870 lbs (equivalent to 40 VW beetles)! That is 33,000 lbs more than ever before. I am ranked number 7th overall in points for the facility and I am number 1 in my age group. I am happy with the progress I am making. Here are some pictures of a trip to a farm that Will and I took over the weekend.

Cholesterol - 152!

2005-11-01T13:53:00.000-05:00

I have been making lots of progress in my workouts. Today is the start of a new month. I plan on being the top ranked person this month for my age group in Fitlinxx points. I should also be the top ranked by the amount of weight lifted. I have been cutting back on weight somewhat with some of the exercises because I am losing form while going for higher weight. It's no use being the top ranked person in the gym if I wind up in the hospital because of an injury. I estimate that I will lift more than 500,000 pounds in November.

Today I had spinning class and it was harder than ever before. The instructor normally puts us into a really hard section and then allows a recovery period where our heart rate goes back down to 65% MHR (maximum heart rate). Today we had no recovery period. We maintained 75-85% MHR and I sweat like never before. They were doing cholesterol screening and I am at 152! I guess I am doing something right. Take care all.

I'm Still Here!

2005-10-24T08:49:00.000-04:00

Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I have been a busy boy at work, plus there have been some unexpected events in my personal life. I have been very diligent with going to the gym. I go every day. On Mon-Wed-Fi I use the Fitlinxx machines at the fitness center. Tues and Thurs I go to spinning class. I really enjoy the fact that the weight machines track your progress. That is a great motivator. I compete with myself to life more each workout, I comete with Rod, and I comete with everyone in the gym through the Fitlinxx rankings! I look forward to my workouts now. The spinning class is pretty cool too. I never thought I would enjoy using a stationary bike, but these classes are great! The first real weight training workout I did on Fitlinxx I lifted over 36,000 lbs. The next time I lifted 50,930, and last Friday I lifted over 56,000 lbs. I am curious to see what I lift today! Take care, Roger.

New Spinning Instructor

2005-10-18T13:47:00.000-04:00

Our regular spinning instructor (Jeanette) is on vacation or something this week. We had Big Ed today and he will be leading the class again on Thursday. He hammered us pretty good. I feel tired. Of course, I haven't been to a spinning class in a week, so I'm a bit out of it. I am really looking forawrd to tomorrow's weightlifting workout. I had a good one yesterday too. I am getting familiar with the Fitlinxx machines. It cool to see at the end of the workout how much combined weight you lifted. Yesterday I lifted 36,930 lbs with about 2.3 times around the circuit. Rod lifted over 70,000 lbs, but he did about 6 times around the circuit. It's funny, he said since he started lifting weights his running has gotten faster and his swimming has gotten slower. Strange huh?

Pics from Florida

2005-10-17T15:11:00.000-04:00

I took a bunch of pics when I was in Florida. I even got to the gym once when I was there. Sweet! The first one is of the kids in the pool at my brother-in-laws house. The boy on the left is my son. The two on the right are two of my brother-in-laws triplets.

This pic is part of my wife's family at Cocoa Beach.

This pic is a model of the Mariner Valley on Mars. To put it in perspective, that squiggle at the bottom is the Grand Canyon.

This pic (and the last one as well) was taken at Kennedy Space Center. It's a neat place. The Imax movie (Magnificient Desolation) was very good.

Going to Florida

2005-10-11T09:42:00.000-04:00

I will be going to Florida for a few days, so I might not post much for awhile. I just checked my Fitlinxx rankings. I haved moved up to 35th position overall, and 4th position in my age group.

Fitlinxx system

2005-10-07T14:46:00.000-04:00

Weight lifted: 24,000 + lbs

The gym on base has a weight lifting system called Fitlinxx. It is really cool. It tracks all the exercises you do, the weight you lifted, and ranks your progress against others at you facility, or across the country. My workout buddy Rod and I are trying to figure out how to advance in rank. For my age group I am at # 6 and # 39 overall this month. I told Rod that next month I was going to beat him. He is #12 overall. He does a lot of reps with a lighter weight. I am doing much heavier weight, but I am doing the exercises more slowly so I don't have time to get 4 sets done. As I get more fit and also accustomed to the machines I will rack up points a lot quicker. As I build muscle it should help me to burn fat and lose weight. Of course the best measure of success is looser fitting pants!

New routine!

2005-10-05T11:20:00.000-04:00

Weight: 247.5

My current weight would be depressing if not for the fact that I was at 250 a week ago! I think I have settled into a new routine with the gym and exercise classes available to me. Here is the schedule I plan to keep. Anything that is taken in a class format will have class next to it in parantheses. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Monday: Yoga 1 hr (class)
Tuesday: Spinning 45 min (class)
Wednesday: Treadmill 10-20 min, 30-40 Fitlinxx weightlifting machines
Thursday: Spinning 30 min, 15 min Pilates (class)
Friday: Treadmill 10-20 min, 30-40 Fitlinxx weightlifting machines

I will still walk occasionally too. It is very nice outside now. With the new facility I have acces to though, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. Take care, Roger.

Workout Buddy!

2005-09-29T09:41:00.000-04:00

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. It's also been awhile since I've exercised! We just got a new guy at work. His name is Rod. He is a triathlete, and very into nutrition and exercise. Tuesday we went over to check out the gym on base and wow is it nice! I could pay for a memebership to a health club out in town and it might not be as nice as this place. Yesterday we did a short ride on the stationary bikes, and a lot of stretching. Rod does Yoga, so he incorporates that into the pre and post-workout stretching routines. This is good because I haven't ever done much stretching mainly because I didn't know how. Today we are going to a lunchtime class called cycle-lates. It is 30 minutes on the stationary bike and 10 minutes Pilates. On Tuesdays there is a spinning class. The spinning room has a large video screen with the trail you are riding on, and the instructor guides you and tells you what to do (increase resistance, stand up on the bike, etc). It looks like it will be a good workout. Here is a link to the gym website. Keep in mind that the pictures don't do the place justice. I will bring in my digital camera one day and snap some pics of it. Maybe the spinning instructor will let me get a pic before class. :)

http://www.monroemwr.com/fitness/fitness.htm

New Camera - Canon SD 200

2005-09-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

I got a new camera yesterday, actually used from a friend. It was a good deal though because it had only been used to take 80 pictures, plus it had an upgraded memory card. I took some pics of Will last night. Here they are.

Last day at this job!

2005-09-13T09:36:00.000-04:00

Well, today is my last day at this job. Tomorrow I go to work at Fort Monroe. I may not be able to post a blog entry tomorrow because I will be checking in to work, getting my network account etc. I did walk yesterday though. Will and I walked around the neighborhood. I was thinking that I have been getting more activity than I have been posting here on the blog. The other day we rode over to park on our bikes, and we go for walks at night with Will. I guess I think of it less as execise than when I walk in the mornings for an hour. It all counts though! Later, Roger.

got snacks?

2005-09-08T09:36:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.2

I only walked 2.2 miles today, but it's better than nothing. I feel like I was getting out of the habit, and that is something I don't want to do. Aimee got a bunch of snacks at the store last night, so I should have walked 10 miles! :)

Got to get moving again!

2005-09-07T16:08:00.000-04:00

Weight: 244

I haven't walked in the longest time it seems. I need to get back on the wagon. I'll never get an iPod at this rate! :)

Short walk

2005-09-01T13:35:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.2

I just went for a short walk today because I have been slack for the last 5 days or so. I am thinking that when I start my new job I can walk at work (I will need to leave earlier to get there on time because of traffic). Here is an ariel pic of Fort Monroe. I think there is a levee along the shoreline so it would be a nice, picturesque walk.

New job!

2005-08-31T09:29:00.000-04:00

Weight: 243.5

Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I haven't walked since last Friday (Aug 26, that's probably why I'm up 2 lbs). I was sick on Monday, and yesterday I had a job interview. I got the job by the way. I will be working at Fort Monroe. I know that the base is closing but the group I will be working with won't be leaving it's current location til 2011. Then it will move up the road to Fort Eustis. I got a really nice raise, and it sounds like a great opportunity as well.

Run Forrest Run!

2005-08-26T09:31:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.6

This morning I jogged twice during my walk. Both times it was for about a quarter mile. The first time my knees felt a little rickety, but the second time I felt like I could really fly. It was cool. I realized that all the walking has strengthened my legs and given me endurance that I didn't know I had. I should sign up for a 5k run soon. Anyone want to join me?

I went the same distance today as I went before I went to Indianapolis. I thought it was 4 miles, but it seems that it is actually more like 3.6 or 3.7. I measured the distance in my pickup initially. The stock tires on most pickups are undersize, which racks up miles faster on the odometer (hmmm...wonder why they do that?).
We're sorry, you're warranty is expired.
When I marked the mileage in the car, it measured more accurately.

Thanks to everyone!

2005-08-25T09:31:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.4

I would like to thank everyone that reads this blog and sends me email. It is very encouraging and seems to come at just the right time. Because of all of you I am motivated to get up early and go walking. Keep up the good work!

Ouch, my knees!

2005-08-24T09:23:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.4
Weight: 241.5

I felt really good today. I walked faster and felt better than I have in awhile. I felt like I could break into a jog, and at one point I did but it hurt my knees too much so I went back to walking. I thought after walking for 2 miles that my joints would be loose enough for jogging, but I was wrong. What do I need to do to start jogging? Maybe I'm just not ready yet, huh.

Rain

2005-08-23T08:36:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: approx 2.0-2.5 (40 mintues)

It's hard to believe but today was the first time I had to walk in the rain. I didn't go as far and I stayed close to the house in case it started raining really hard. Then I figured I could just get a jacket and keep going. It wasn't too bad though. The rain kind helped cool me off some.

Back to school

2005-08-22T08:55:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.0

After about 9 months hiatus I am going back to school. I have been pursuing a degree in Computer Science for years now. I've only got about a year left (I would be almost done now if I had stayed with it consistently), and I'm taking 2 classes this semester. The classes are COM318(E-Commerce) and REL401(The Catholic Tradition). This should be interesting balancing family, work, church, and school. Add to that my new exercise goals and I think I've got a full load. So don't ask me to fix your computer! :)

Scaling back

2005-08-19T08:53:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.2

I walked less today on the advice of a friend that said I should take it easy after my mission trip where I worked really hard. Next week I will bump the distance back up. Hopefully next Friday I will walk 4 miles again. I really need to start biking or something. I enjoy riding my bike to work, but I need a way to get my clothes there without wrinkling them. I have tried ironing my khakis before I put them in my bag, but they always look a little wrinkly when I take them out. Anyone have a suggestion on how to prevent that?

Chai tea

2005-08-17T09:01:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.6
Weight: 243

I up from the last weigh-in (2 weeks ago), but down from the weight that I gained while out of town. I'm ok with it, just need to keep chugging along.

I was at a friends house last night and had some chai tea. It was really good. I had to get some on the way home.

Feeling sleepy

2005-08-16T10:20:00.000-04:00

I was too sleepy to walk this morning. I don't know why since I went to sleep at about 9:30 last night. Maybe I need to take some vitamins or something. I will get up tomorrow and walk though. I can't take two days off in a row.

I'm Back!

2005-08-15T08:25:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.7

Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I was on a mission trip to Indianapolis. We were working with Wheeler Mission. I worked on several projects including building a fence (I dug holes for fence posts), digging a trench 24" wide X 36" deep X 72" long, and removing and old roof. It was a lot of work, and I figured I could eat snacks like chips and cookies and still lose weight. I was wrong. It seems that if you want to lose weight you still need to watch what you eat. Oh well, I only gained a pound or two. I keep telling myself that it's muscle though. :) I should have lots of pics from the trip to post soon.

I didn't walk every day while I was gone (only the first three days), although the facility where I stayed had an indoor track. I got back on the horse today though. I feel like I could jog some, but don't know if it would aggravate my heelspur. I might incorporate some weightlifting into my routine at some point. We have a good gym at work so I have no excuse.

Last Meal At Duck-In

2005-08-05T10:49:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I felt really good this morning so I walked 4 miles! I guess a day of rest really is beneficial and helps your muscles to recuperate. It also helps to get a good nights sleep. :)

We went to Duck-In in Virginia Beach for dinner last night for the last time. The restaurant is shutting it's doors on August 14. It's a real bummer too. The place is in a really cool location and has good food. It has a lot of sentimental significance for my wife's family as well. Her grandfather had a beach house near the restaurant and the family spent lots of time there fishing, crabbing, and hanging out on the beach. There are condos now where the house once stood, and condos will probably stand where Duck-In is now. I get sad when I think about that beach changing, and I never met Aimee's grandfather, nor did I ever see the beach house. That's all I got to say about that.

The President's Challenge

2005-08-04T10:14:00.000-04:00

I got an email from someone about The President's Challenge. It is a site where you can record your activity level, compare your progress with others, and receive rewards. I signed up for it and it is very cool. I entered my activities for the last 14 days (it wouldn't let me go back any further than that) and I have completed 9% towards a bronze medal! How cool is that? Maybe when you get a gold medal you get to meet the president or something?!? I live close to DC so it wouldn't be far to go. Here is the link: http://www.presidentschallenge.org/index.aspx

3 weeks - 244.5

2005-08-03T13:12:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.7
Weight: 244.5

Three weeks already! Wow, this is a first for me I think. I usually give up on exercise after about 2 weeks. I am also encouraged by the fact that I didn't go up in weight. With the food I ate this week that is a miracle.

I wish I had a pic of the sunrises I have been seeing. There are some really cool scenes that I would like to capture.

Quick post

2005-08-02T14:53:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.5

Felt okay walking today but not as energetic as yesterday. I'm sort of busy so I'll have to keep it short. Later all, Roger.

Almost 4 miles!

2005-08-01T09:23:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.5? (not quite sure)

I went almost 4 miles today. By then end of the week I should be there (4 miles that is:). I also walked faster than I ever have. I feel stronger every day. My clothes fit a little better too. I can now fit comfortably in my size 38 pants. This is good stuff! I should let everyone know that I will be out of town next week. My wife and I are going to Indianapolis to work at a homeless shelter. I don't know if I will be able to walk much, but we will definitely be doing physical labor. Also I don't know if I will be able to update the blog (I'm hoping to be able to post once or twice though). I should have lots of pics when I get back though. While we are there we will be going to the Brickyard 400. Anyone else going to the race?

Busch Gardens - Exit 243!

2005-07-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: ?

Aimee and I went to Busch Gardens on Saturday. I don't know how many miles we walked but we were there for 7-8 hours and didn't go on any of the ride with long lines so I know we walked several miles. It's a good thing we've been walking for exercise or we would have been dead tired at the end of the day.

On the way there we passed the exit by 23 miles, and we were very low on gas. If you know the Williamsburg area you know that is a bad place to be low on fuel, with the gas station exits being few and far between. Anyway we spent some quality time in the car, and we didn't have to wait in line to get in the park (it was 2:30pm:). It rained as well so we got free rain passes to come back for another day. We had a really good time!

New pics!

2005-07-29T09:07:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.4

I borrowed a friend's digital camera and took some pics. Here is a pic of the Marstall wardrobe I got at the yard sale.

Here is a pic I took of the sunset.

Here is one of Will by the flowers in front of our condo.

Feeling sluggish

2005-07-28T08:51:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.6

I was feeling a little sluggish this morning so I hit the snooze button a few extra times. I was not able to walk as far as yesterday as a result. Aimee likes to walk after I get home so I need to try to get up on time in the morning. Before I began walking I read some weight loss tips in Readers Digest. They are taken from a book called "Why French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano. The article was very timely for me to read right before starting a new lifestyle change.

Excerpt about the book from Amazon.com

Mireille Guiliano is CEO of Veuve Clicquot, and French Women Don't Get Fat offers a concept of sensible pleasures: If you have a chocolate croissant for breakfast, have a vegetable-based lunch -- or take an extra walk and pass on the bread basket at dinner. Guiliano's insistence on simple measures slowly creating substantial improvements are reassuring, and her suggestion to ignore the scale and learn to live by the "zipper test" could work wonders for those who get wrapped up in tiny details of diet. She sympathizes that deprivation can lead straight to overindulgence when it comes to favorite foods, but then, in a most French manner, treats them as a pleasure that needs to be sated, rather than a battle to be fought.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400042127/102-4922943-9808931?v=glance

These weight control concepts are very doable and make a lot of sense to me. I will post them when I get a chance. The RD article refers to more than just French eating habits. Asian and Mediterranean cultures are referenced too. Basically the articles takes into consideration the eating habits of cultures which have a low body-mass index (BMI).

2 weeks!

2005-07-27T08:59:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.0
Today's weight: 245

I was happy that my weight was 245 today because yesterday I didn't walk plus I ate some junk food. I thought I would be heavier today than last Wednesday. I felt pretty good walking, but it was very humid even at 6 am. Later today it's supposed to get up to 115-120 with the heat index! Be careful out there!

Keep on walkin'

2005-07-25T10:08:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.0

It seems as though I have a formed a habit. I don't have to force myself out of bed to go walking anymore (although I am sure there will yet be days when I do). I saw a nice sunrise this morning. What a great reward!

Great yard sale find!

2005-07-24T22:04:00.000-04:00

I was driving by a yard sale and my wife spotted an antique wardrobe for sale. I hopped out and looked at it but someone had claimed it, and said they would be back with cash to buy it. I looked at it anyway, and happened to catch the name (Marstall). We went home, and I couldn't help but google "marstall wardrobe". Turns out that Marstall was a reputable company that made high end wardrobes from 1893-1929. I went back to the yard sale (with cash and the pickup this time) and the piece was still there. I bought it and we loaded it into the pickup and took it home. It's a really cool well made piece of furniture and for the price I paid I'll soon be getting a digital camera (and maybe an iPod) when i sell it.

Get the whole family involved!

2005-07-23T20:21:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.0

Today I got plenty of exercise. Aimee, Will, and I went for a walk (Will was in the stroller). We had a good time. Then when we got home Will wanted to run around in the yard with mommy and daddy since he was rested up from the stroller ride. If I can keep up this level of activity on the weekends it will be great.

Financing an iPod

2005-07-22T08:59:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 3.0

I walked 3 miles today. Sweet! That's a milestone for me. In the past when I walked or jogged I never went that far. I feel like walking to work is closer than I originally thought. I still have the pants from the pic I posted yesterday (way in the back of my closet:). Also the shirt and tie. When I reach my goal weight I will put on those same clothes and take a pic and post it. That would be a cool thing.

I have figured out a way to get an iPod and a digital camera. I have some things that I can sell on ebay. They should bring enough money to get the iPod and camera and a few other things. Take care everyone!

Feeling Alright

2005-07-21T11:50:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.6

I'm feeling really good about walking now. It seems like I can go farther and farther. I don't want to push it though. I have been seeing people regularly on my route. I saw two women walking together and one of them was carrying a long stick, like a broom handle. I thought about doing that, but thought people might think I was weird or something. Sometimes I feel like if I had to fend off a dog or something it would be better to have something already in your hand. Maybe I just worry too much, eh?

I finally got a pic of when I was younger to post. This pic was taken on Easter day 1997 or 1998 I think. I was about 200-205 lbs.

Weigh-in Wednesday

2005-07-20T08:28:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.6

I stepped on the scale today and I am now 246! That's a four lb loss in one week! Cool, if this keeps up I will reach my goal in half the time. I went farther today then I ever have. I really need to scan the picture of me when I was 200. I just need to remember to bring it to work.

Fat Man Running!

2005-07-19T08:20:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 2.1

The route I normally walk is a road with no houses, building, etc. There is a highway on one side and a thick patch of woods on the other. I was walking along listening to music and I thought I saw a light in the woods. Remember, there is supposed to be nothing in these woods but plants and animals. When I got closer I saw that it was definitely a light, like a Coleman lantern. It was at eye level, about 6-8 feet into the woods. It looked like someone wanted others to see it, but only if they were looking for it. Well, I got a little freaked out and turned around and starting running the other way. I ran for a couple hundred yards, and could have run farther and faster. It's amazing how fast you can move when the adrenaline kicks in! I drove by there on the way to work and didn't see the light anymore. Weird huh? Should I call the cops about this?

Tomorrow I will weigh in and post the results. I think it will be a good number.

Finding a balance

2005-07-18T09:05:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 1.5

I need to find a balance. During the week it is easy for me to eat healthy and exercise, but the weekends are so busy that I don't feel like getting up early to walk. Also I am more apt to eat out so I am more susceptible to eating things I shouldn't. I guess if I were to eat unhealthy things I should at least get some exercise. That should be my rule from now on. Maybe that will keep me from eating things I shouldn't.

On a positive note, Will's party went well. I have a few pics that I can post. Here is one of him blowing out his candles. He had a lot of help from the boy on the right.

Here is one of him on his new bike. He really loves it!

Bad weekend :(

2005-07-17T21:00:00.000-04:00

I was bad this weekend. I ate too much at my son's birthday party. I'll post some pics of the party when I get them developed or downloaded from the video camera. Everyone had a great time at the party though. Will (my son) got some cool gifts including a new Thomas the Tank Engine DVD, a Thomas tent, a bike, a t-ball set, and some other stuff too. The problem is that we now have all this food left over from the party and it is laying around that house. Like that big box of Doritos, Cheetos, and other chips. We need to put that stuff away somewhere so it's not in sight.

I guess the best thing to do when you fall off the wagon is to get right back on it. I am putting some new music tracks on my MP3 player for my walk tomorrow. That should help me some. I really just meant to be bad on Saturday but then we went out to lunch today (at Red Robin) and I can't resist their gourmet burgers. Anyway, tomorrow is another day, right?

I should get an iPod

2005-07-15T09:21:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 1.5

Today's walk was much easier. It's amazing how much better I feel after only three days of walking. I was impressed when I got on the scale as well. I will wait until Wednesday to post my current weight. I figure I could post that once a week on Wednesdays (weigh-in Wednesdays?).

I was thinking It would be nice to get an iPod so I can listen to audio books while I walk. I should probably wait awhile on that though. I tend to jump into things with both feet. Then I buy a bunch of gear for that pursuit, and I usually lose interest in a few months. Maybe I could make it a reward at the halfway point. When I lose 25 lbs that should show that I am committed to my goal. I could sell something on ebay for the money to get an iPod. Anyone want to buy a tenor sax? Or trade one for an iPod? I have an MP3 player, but it only holds 192 MB worth of space (and that is only with a memory card that I don't yet have). It will work until I can get a unit with more memory though. I checked out www.fictionwise.com (suggested by a reader of this blog, I have readers? Sweet!). That is a site that sells audio books. It's pretty cool, and looks like there is a large selection.

I was shocked to see what my hit counter was at this morning. I will try to stay consistent with postings. I need to dig up some pics. I want to post one of what I looked like when I was about 200 lbs. I really need to get a digital camera. Then I could take pics on the route where I walk. The sunrise is very cool. I'm sure with the witty prose and the awesome pics I will be posting that this blog will win a Nobel prize for journalism.

Tomorrow is my son's birthday party. He will be 3. Plenty of cake and other food that will test my willpower. Here is a pic of the boy from last fall.

Day Two

2005-07-14T08:47:00.000-04:00

Miles walked: 1.3

It seemed easier to walk today than yesterday (and I went a little farther too). Near the start I grabbed a stick and amused myself by sweeping rocks off the road. It made the walk much more interesting. I guess anything to occupy the mind and keep you from thinking about the monotony of walking is good. I wish I could read while walking. Maybe an audio book, yeah. I'll look into that.

I altered my eating habits as well. Only one diet Coke yesterday. It's amazing how good it tastes when you only have one per day! More water, and no junk food. I met a friend for lunch at Chili's and had a grilled chicken sandwich with a side salad, and water to drink (normally I would have the queso and chips for appetizer and then a burger/fries). This is progress!

Here is a pic of me in Vegas in October of 2004. I was about 245 lb then.

Fat Man Walking

2005-07-13T15:33:00.000-04:00

I was inspired to track my weight loss progress in a blog. I figured if there are people looking at my blog (that's what I tell myself:) then I will be more motivated to keep losing weight. Yesterday I saw a news story about Steve Vaught, the 400 lb man that is walking cross country. I have been reading about his progress and felt inspired to do something about my weight too. I am currently 250 lbs, and would like to weigh 200 lb in January 2006.

This morning I walked about a mile or so. Got to start somewhere, right?