Week 10 check in

So last week I was swamped and didn't post for that main reason. However, I had also plateaued (small loss) and was getting frustrated which also played into me not posting. I went into this week fully expecting another plateaued weigh in but was pleasantly surprised. I have had a few readers contact me offline to ask me how things were going and why I didn't post.  I will commit to posting at least once a week good, bad or indifferent going forward.

Here are the numbers:

Weight:  405.6 lbs
Delta from previous week:  -4.4lbs
Total delta:  -23lbs

Neck:  19.75 (0 inches)
Chest:  55 (+.5 inches)
Belly:  57.5 (-1 inches)
Waist:  52 (0 inches)
Cumulative delta from previous week:  -.5 inches
Total delta:  -15.5 inches

Week 8 - Small plateau

So I'm still here...still working this.  I tracked every day, and have stayed on track for the most part.  Last week I did weigh in and I was up 1.8, but have reduced inches again.  This week I've maintained pretty much from where I was last week.  I've also added exercise back into the mix.  I'm walking more, and have biked twice so far this work week (M/W).  I'm shooting for 4 days each week for now.  Then eventually would like to add weight lifting back into the routine.  Another positive to add, I've had to buy new jeans already.  :)


Here are the numbers:

Weight:  410.2 lbs
Delta from previous week:  +.2 lbs
Total delta:  -18.4 lbs

Neck:  19.75 (0 inches)
Chest:  54.5 (-.5 inches)
Belly:  58.5 (0 inches)
Waist:  52 (0 inches)
Cumulative delta from previous week:  -.5 inches
Total delta:  -15 inches

Week 6 - a pattern emerges

So I'm finished with week 6, and other than a party on Saturday night where I gave myself permission to let loose (and felt the effects afterwards - more on that in an upcoming post), it was a good week.  The important thing isn't that I went off track for the party, but that I righted the ship the very next day and was on track the rest of the week.

I love data.  It's a main part of my job - looking for trends and patterns and coming up with plans to address what I'm seeing in my analysis.  With 6 data points, I'm seeing enough to call it a trend at this juncture.  This is very similar to my weight loss pattern 10 years ago.  Big loss one week, small gain or maintain the next.  As you can see from the graph below, that's exactly what's happening.  This is good information to have for anyone trying to lose weight.  Learn your body rhythms.  In my case this means not stressing over a small gain one week as long as the trend line continues in the right direction.  One thing I have to monitor and keep on top of is the "loosey goosey effect" of getting lazy the week after a big loss.  "I can do this because I just had a big loss and I'll make it up next week" can't be part of my thought process (and hasn't so far).














Here are the numbers:

Weight:  408.2 lbs
Delta from previous week:  +1 lbs
Total delta:  -20.4 lbs

Neck:  20.25 (+.5 inches)
Chest:  56 (0 inches)
Belly:  59 (0 inches)
Waist:  53 (+.5 inches)
Cumulative delta from previous week:  +1 inches
Total delta:  -11.55 inches

Reflections from previous week and little things

So 2 days after weigh in and I realize why the previous week didn't feel like a great week for me.  There were 3-4 times where I felt like I ate too much.  A little too full....not to bursting point, but overly full.  I never went out of my caloric totals, but on the fullness scale, topped out over where I wanted to be a few times.  I think because of that, my brain was telling me it wasn't a good week.
Something to keep in mind going forward.

Speaking of going forward, I've been doing some little things to add more movement into my day.  Parking at the far end of parking lots from the door, using the bathroom in a different building, getting water from a different source further away.  Hasn't added up to a ton of calories burned but I can definitely feel a difference.  On a normal work day, I usually get in 4000-5000 steps.  Yesterday I worked from home.  When that happens, my step count drastically decreases.  I was at 700-ish when I was getting ready to meet a friend for dinner.  When I realized that, I decided to walk to the restaurant to meet him.  1.5 miles round trip from my house.  Six weeks ago, I never would have even considered that...even laughed at the suggestion.  That added 4000 steps onto my day to get me back to my average.  Little things.

Week 5 checkpoint

So I had a better week with numbers than it felt like as I was going through.  I didn't feel like I had a bad week, but it didn't feel like a great week.  I was always within calorie targets, but went over my adjusted target a few times.  Overall, I'm happy with results, but need to reflect on how I felt over the week vs my results and see if there is anything I can glean from it. Stay tuned for another post later this week.

Here are the numbers:

Weight:  407.2 lbs
Delta from previous week:  -4.6 lbs
Total delta:  -21.4 lbs

Neck:  19.75 (-.5 inches)
Chest:  56 (-1 inches)
Belly:  59 (0 inches)
Waist:  52.5 (-.5 inches)
Cumulative delta from previous week:  -2 inches
Total delta:  -12.55 inches

Weigh In

I posted a bit over the last several days, and as expected I was up a bit.  Overall I'm looking at this as a win since it could have been much, much worse.






Here are the numbers:


Weight:  411.8 lbs
Delta from previous week:  +2.2 lbs
Total delta:  -16.8 lbs

Neck:  20.25 (0 inches)
Chest:  57 (0 inches)
Belly:  59 (0 inches)
Waist:  53 (0 inches)
Cumulative delta from previous week:  0 inches
Total delta:  -10.55 inches




Another thing that I'm tracking is that in the past, my weight loss pattern would be a big loss one week, then a tiny loss/maintain/small gain the next.  So far it looks like it's starting to follow that pattern again, but too little data to definitively say for sure yet.


Stay tuned.  :)

Guy's weekend - wrap up

So the weekend didn't go exactly as I planned.  I overdid it Saturday for sure.  Sunday was a bit better but still over target.  The good news is that yesterday I was back on track.  I still anticipate a gain this week.  On the bright side, I had a great weekend with friends, and was able to do some good things, made some good choices, and regardless of the scale tomorrow I'm looking at this as a partial win.  I will do some things differently next time we get together which should help keep me on track even better.

Guys weekend - day 3

Today was not a good day eating I really overdid it and am paying the price for it now. Bloated, uncomfortable, and acidic. Need to get back on track tomorrow.

Guys weekend - Day 2

So I started today with exercise to plan to give me more calories. I did 5 minutes of stairs (8 flights) and then 29 minutes of biking. Turns out I didn't need them.  I ate healthy with lots of fruit and veggies and was still able to have time two pieces of fish for dinner.

Good day. 

Guys weekend - Day one

Great week and a challenging weekend upcoming

I had a great week in the last week.  I had a few challenges that I was able to overcome and stay on target for calories this week.  This is not rocket science.  The formula is very simple  Calories expended > Calorie intake = weight loss.  What makes the difference is the drive and dedication.  All of the support I'm getting is helping me.  All of the comments on FB and blog, all of the people in real life asking me how it's going, all of the people who have stated I'm inspiring them....that all helps to keep me on track which is going to show in the numbers below.

Week 3 report:
Weight:  409.6 lbs
Delta from previous week:  -12.2 lbs
Total delta:  -19 lbs

Neck:  20.25 (.75 inches)
Chest:  57 (-1 inches)
Belly:  59 (-1 inches)
Waist:  53 (-1 inches)
Cumulative delta from previous week:  -3.75 inches
Total delta:  -10.55 inches

While I'm celebrating my successes, I have a lot of work to do for this weekend.  I am getting together with a group of guys from college.  The last two times we did this we had so much food and beverages that I literally ate myself sick.  Based on the fact that my stomach is settling in, I'm not getting hangry as much, and smaller amounts of food (approx half of previous) are filling me up, I think I'm ready for the weekend.  All of the guys are on my support team for this, and will help keep me accountable.  I plan on changing what I'm eating a little bit, but mostly how much.  Portion size is the key for me.  Denial turns into binging which does me no good.

All that said, I'm also going to blog every day over the weekend (starting Thursday night), so that gives me another level of accountability.  I'd really like to do 25 lb pictures in the next week or two which is within arms reach currently.

Weigh in, stumbles and routines

So I had my first stumble over NYE weekend.  I did overeat (not as bad as usual).  I didn't track as well as I could have.  It happened.  It's over.  I got back on track yesterday and moving forward.  This is something that would cause bigger issues in the past.  One bad meal led to a bad day, to a bad week, to a bad month, etc.  I have the motivation and the support to stay on track this time.  A stumble doesn't mean I'm out of it.

Another thing I re-learned over the weekend was, I'm a creature of habit.  Out of my routine, it's real easy for me to get off track.  We were in Chicago last Thursday and Friday (where I packed my own food for most of the 2 days), but again, outside of my routine.  Then the NYE party along with a family Christmas gathering on Sunday - out of my routine.  Not an excuse, just an observation.  I usually eat the exact same thing for breakfast every morning  (when I eat breakfast).  I can eat the same thing for lunch multiple days in a row.  Dinners can vary, but are usually derived of the same main foods.  This could bore some people, but I'm okay with it.


Moving on to this week's numbers:

Weight:  421.8 lbs
Delta from previous week:  +2.2 lbs
Total delta:  -6.8 lbs

Neck:  21 (0 inches)
Chest:  58 (-1 inch)
Belly:  60 (-1 inches)
Waist:  54 (0 inches)
Cumulative delta from previous week:  -2 inches
Total delta:  -6.8 inches

So my weight was up a bit, which to be honest bothered me more than it should.  I can take comfort though in some of the redistribution of my body weight.  Two more inches lost means losing fat.  That's a good thing.

I received a text on Monday from a good friend asking me why I haven't posted recently.  This is why I feel I will be successful this time around.  I have more people involved.  People that are willing to reach out and ask me what's going on.  This is a good thing.  On another note tied to blog posts:  I have decided to not post my daily meals here anymore.  I track them already on myfitnesspal, and if I hold myself to plugging them into two places, I run the risk of saying screw it and not tracking in any places.  If you're truly interested in what I eat, please sign up for myfitnesspal (it's free) and add me as a friend on there.

Thanks again for everyone's support!

Chicago

Nearly all of this was with a 30 lb backpack as well. I'm sore now, blister on left foot, and will be aching tomorrow, but it was a good day. 

12/29 Meals

Breakfast:
Eggs
Turkey sandwich
Calories: 568

Lunch:
Dinner roll
Grilled chicken sandwich
Sweet potato chips
Calories: 814

Dinner:
Turkey sandwich
Eggs
Celery w pb dip
Chips
Calories: 1062


Snacks:
Turkey breast
Eggs
Calories: 455

That puts me at a total of 2899 for the day. A bit over my suggested total and well over the 2000 target I have, but considering we traipsed around Chicago all day and I packed and ate most of my own food, I consider this day a win.

12-28 Meals

Breakfast:
Bagel
Cream cheese
Eggs
Calories: 552


Lunch:
Chicken sandwich
Mashed potatoes
Salad
Calories: 597


Dinner:
Turkey breast
White rice
Salad
Cheese
Pickles
Calories: 738

Snacks
Carrots and celery with pb dip
Calories: 128


Total for day: 2016

One week in!

So I've been doing this thing again now for a week.  Some may say one of the toughest weeks to start with Christmas in the mix.  I had a good week overall.  Only got hangry once or twice.  Never felt bloated or over-stuffed, and had a great return on the numbers.

I want to take a moment and thank everyone that has provided me with support, not only this time around but on previous attempts too.  With Facebook, the virtual support group I have is going to be key to my success.

Here are the numbers:

Weight:  419.6 lbs
Delta from previous week:  -9 lbs
Total delta:  -9 lbs

Neck:  21 (-.8 inches)
Chest:  59 (-1 inch)
Belly:  61 (-2 inches)
Waist:  54 (-1 inch)
Cumulative delta from previous week:  -4.8 inches
Total delta:  -4.8 inches

12/27 Meals

Breakfast:
Eggs
Bagel
Cream Cheese
Calories:  512



Lunch:
Chicken soft tacos
Calories:  640


Dinner:
Salad
Turkey breast
Pickles
Corn
Calories:  596



Snacks:
Popcorn
Veggies and pb dip
Fruit salad
Turkey breast
 Calories:  725



That took me to 2473 calories for the day.  Higher than the 2000 I've been targeting, but still within range of where I need to be.