Workout tools -2 (329lbs)

Alright, I got sidetracked for a minute with the diet and such. Fortunately, I didn’t gain anything and I’m down a couple of pounds from my last post. I’ve been dealing with some personal issues lately and haven’t been focused on myself and losing the weight, but I’m back!!

So, Ive been looking for that home workout that I could do consistently here in my apartment. I use the resistance bands, but needed something for the lower body. I work the graveyard shift, so my sleep pattern is kinda crazy. I basically nap in the morning when I get off and nap again at around 7pm, until it’s time to go to work.  My wife usually goes to the track at the High School around 7pm because it’s not as hot outside. I would love to do that, but I have to get my rest before work, so I’m kinda stuck as far as cardio. We’re trying to cut cost, so we don’t belong to a gym and the treadmill at the apartment complex gym is always busted. I totally lack the motivation to go to a public park and walk after work, cause I’d be sleep driving there. The graveyard shift is rough!!! By the time I wake up around noon, it’s blazing hot here in Atlanta. Still in all, I’m gonna have to make the time to go out and do some cardio, but for the meanwhile, I discovered the “stability ball“. You know, that’s that big rubbery hippity hoppity ball you used to bounce on when you was a kid (at least back in the day), except this doesn’t have handles. I searched “Youtube” and found instructional videos on how to use the ball and different variations of exercises that I can do. Looks fairly easy.

I found out my ability to maintain stability is lacking. I’d roll off the ball. I’d slide off the ball. I’d go back to my computer and watch the videos again. I’d roll and slide off again and again. I don’t know why everthing’s so hard for me.  My daughter watches me and just cracks up.  I was able to do the crunches where you lay on your back with your legs up on the ball, looking like I fell off a chair and couldn’t get up. I also straighten out my legs with the back of my ankles up on the ball and do pelvic thrusts. I thought it looked kinda funny, but the next day, my hammys were tight and on fire. I’m going to conquer that stability thing, because I have to admit, you can get a good workout from the stability ball and the resistance bands.

Once I can get used to ball / bands, I’ll dust off the Tony Horton’s “10 Minute Trainer” or the “P90x” videos, or maybe even the “Hip Hop Abs” . I have a whole collection of videos that I don’t use. But again, baby steps. I gotta get my mind right in order to get my body tight. Hey, I like that. That just rolled off the tongue. Maybe that”ll be my catch phrase.

Urghh!! (+2) 331 lbs.

Kinda got laxed with the diet this week.  I spent a lot of time on the computer doing this and that. Time slips away and priorities drift away.  I’m kinda pissed off, but had to be realistic with myself also.  I didn’t put in the work, so what did I really expect? At the very least, I expected not to lose ground and gain 2 pounds.

I got caught up in the Facebook craze and lost my mind, when I was able to reconnect with friends that I haven’t heard from for the better part of 20 years (at least). Everyday I’m typing away, trying to see who else I can dig up. This can take hours, especially when you go through everyones friends list to see if you recognized someone else. If you’re on Facebook, then you know what I mean.

Oh well, a new day means a new start.  I’m ready to get back on track. The weather is pretty mild, so I’ll take advantage and do some outdoors stuff with my daughter. Maybe in time, I can post some photos on Facebook that doesn’t reflect an obese indvidual’s different stages through life. I’d like to have some slim fit flicks  to post (maybe not slim). Word!!!

Small changes (-4) 329lbs

So far the diet is working. I’ve lost 4 pounds basically by changing some of the food I eat.  I aint gonna lie, I’ve slipped up a few times and had chinese food and ice cream, but I haven’t compounded a big meal with another big meal, with another high calorie meal. I went very low on the caloric intake after a slipup and incorporated more fiber and water to flush out the bad stuff.  I wouldn’t recommend this, but it worked for me.

I’ll try to become more disciplined with what I eat. It’s a struggle, but I’m encouraged with the results so far. I have my 10 year old daughter for the summer and she’s not a big meat eater and loves veggies. I mean, she can eat a can of spinach like its ravioli’s. Maybe I can learn something from her because I don’t really have to worry about treating her to a lot of fast food restaurants.  She’s satisfied with a big plate of salad. I’m not ready for that, but remember, “baby steps”. I’ll get there. I try to follow other online blogs (Israel) or forums  (OD) just to give myself  that extra push.  It’s good to know that you’re not alone in your struggles and that others have found success through hard work and perseverance. My workout has slacked a little, so I’ve got to get busy with that too…

1st weight loss video post

I just made my first Youtube video for my blog. It felt kinda weird taping myself, but it’s not half bad.

Happy July 4th to all. I think I did good with not overdoing it with eating barbecue. No ribs this year, just chicken, collard greens, lean pork chops and potato salad. I didn’t use too much barbecue sauce, so overall I think I did well in comparison to previous barbecues. Usually the sauce would be dripping off the plate with mac and cheese, bread, sugary baked beans and dessert.

I’ve been working out with the resistance bands this past week, trying to get the circulation going and the muscles used to whats to come.  Monday, I’ll start some cardio such as walking and going to the park and just shoot around. It’s sometimes tiring just chasing the ball, but it’s a start

False start diet

Dieting and sticking to it is soooo hard!!! I can give you a few excuses as to why I had a “diet false start” (Anita Baker concert last night, The passing of Michael Jackson (R.I.P.)a couple of days before that, etc), but excuses are just that, “excuses“. That’s when I realized that emotions tend to sway you away from where you want to be and provided me with excuses not stick to my weight loss goals. Good intentions aren’t enough for success and as I sit here disappointed in myself, I have to work through it and not give up.

Let’s get it started

It’s important to me to start this journey and more important that I finish. For me, eating healthy is hard as hell, because I hate most vegetables. I’m allergic to apples, melons, pears,bananas and some shellfish, so I have to find a happy medium. Portion control is essential also, so I have to get my tools together (measuring cups, scale).  I would like to maintain 1800 calories or less daily intake. I think that’s a good starting point being that I probably triple that amount daily for most of my life.

I guess today is my start date, 6/26/2009, 6′0″, 333 lbs.  I bought some high fiber content cereal. I want to make sure I get my daily fiber in, so I can releases excess waste. I noticed I don’t feel so bloated when I get my daily allowance of fiber.  I also bought some of those portion controlled meals like Lean Cuisine and Michealina’s Lean Gourmet.  I’m thinking this would be a good start for the first day.

Welcome to my weight loss blog

This weight loss blog is my last ditch attempt to commit myself to losing weight and live a healthier lifestyle. My name is Mike, but for most of my life, I’ve been affectionately known as “Big Mike”. The pressure is on, as I expect to learn what works  best for me in terms of losing weight and to subject myself to “constructive” criticism wherever I need that extra push.

Alright, let’s keep it real!! My knees are killing me, my belt’s too tight and walking up a flight of stairs is breathtaking, literally! Being fat is totally wack, but being fat over 40 is like being a crab at the bottom of the bucket. Chances for survival is slim. Being obese creates a hardship on family and an overall way of life. You get a certain size and you no longer want to buy clothes or go out because you don’t have clothes that fit. More so, you have clothes that don’t fit, but you wear them thinking that they do fit. Sometimes you don’t see yourself realistically or as other people see you. Confidence and reality are sometimes two different objectives.

Hopefully, my weightloss journey will be successful and maybe inspire someone else’s, as I have found inspiration from others who chronicled their own.

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