Monday, May 26, 2008

No Monday Morning Stats Today

There will be no Monday Morning Stats today. Today is a day off pretty much everything. We got a new tent and set it up yesterday and did a trial run in the back yard last night. I wanted to get it all put up and away before the sun got too hot this morning so I didn't have time for my normal stats report and weigh in.

The last couple days I have eaten more than I should have, but not as much as I used to. I have one more meal that I am sure will be along the same lines, but I don't feel guilty enjoying time with family and friends.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Is technology making us fat?

Is technology in general making us gain weight? As many of you know I have been in the IT industry for the past 8 + years. The funny (or not so funny) thing is I can see a real correlation between the time I joined the IT industry and when I started to really put on the weight. Now, don't get me wrong, I have always been overweight, but sitting in front of a computer all day really didn't help that at all.

This post over at Channel Insider talks about how technology has helped us to become more sedentary as IT workers as now we don't have to get up and go to the server room, go to the users desk, etc. We can now do just about anything we need to do remotely meaning we are getting less and less exercise.

But... does this hold true for everyone, not just IT workers? Absolutely! The constant evolution of technology has made it easier and easier for us to become more sedentary in everyday life. Sometimes we don't think about it, but what has the garage door opener and the remote control done for our waistline?

As those living in the technology driven era, we need to take this into account with our actions and get up and move. Do we need to banish technology? - No. But we need to understand that as technology makes life more sedentary we need to counteract it with more intentional exercise.

Monday, May 19, 2008

The kind of athlete I used to want to be

Monday Morning Stats - 5-19-08

Last weeks stats

This weeks stats:

Weight:
Scale: 166.4
Week Low: 165.0
Week High: 168.0
Average: 167*
Last Week Average: 168
Loss: 1

Measurements:
Waist: 34
Stomach: 35
Chest: 38

Body Fat Measurement:
Caliper: 14.8
BMI: 24.7 **

*According to PhysicsDiet.com rounded up - my official weight.

**According to the official BMI calculations and this BMI Calculator.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Less than desirable week

This week has been a little hard as far as eating well is concerned. I am not quite sure why, but I guess these times will come. I have not done extremely horrible, and I am not concerned about gaining any weight, however I really don't expect to lose any either.

Tomorrow being the start of the weekend I am hoping to get back on track with an early morning Saturday run. You can check up on me and my running at my running blog >> blog.262quest.com

Monday, May 12, 2008

Monday Morning Stats - 5-12-08

Last weeks stats

This weeks stats:

Weight:
Scale: 169
Week Low: 165.0
Week High: 168.6
Average: 168*
Last Week Average: 169
Loss: 1

Measurements:
Waist: 34
Stomach: 35
Chest: 37.5

Body Fat Measurement:
Caliper: 14.8
BMI: 24.8 **

*According to PhysicsDiet.com rounded up - my official weight.

**According to the official BMI calculations and this BMI Calculator.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Officially Normal - 90 lbs later

Today is a big day in my 2big journey. When I got up this morning and stepped on the scale and the weight said 167 it marked the time when my "official average" dropped to 168. I don't use the scale as my "official" weight, but rather I use my average as my "official" weight. My average is calculated by using PhysicsDiet.com. Today with the 167 on the scale my average weight dropped to 167.93 which marks my official drop to 168.

Here is what my chart looks like since starting 17 months ago:
As you can see.... things get tough as you get close to your goal weight. If you consider my activity level in the last few months you would think that there wouldn't be any red dots at all near the end.... and that the curve would be way lower.

What this 168 means is that I have officially (according to Government's BMI Calculations) obtained the normal status. I think it was awful nice of them to actually use my height as an example on their website. :)
With a BMI of 24.8 I have passed by the 24.9 that says that I am normal. Now, I am sure that this is the only measure in my life that makes me normal.... but I am still quite pleased. Now, before I get comments.... which I will.... on the government's BMI.... no, I don't put a lot of stock in it, but is still quite cool to be normal in the government's eyes.... does this mean I now get a tax break? :)

Here is a snapshot of where I started.... and where I am now, taken from the BMI Calculator at the Mayo Clinic:













The other big accomplishment that today at 168 helps me attain is my official toppling of the 90th pound. Starting off at 258 in January of 2007, and hitting 168 today, May 7th, 2008. It has not been as fast as some, but I have taken off an average of 1.25 lbs a week. Based on any doctor I have ever heard, the slower you take it off the better for the long term keeping it off and the better it is for your body to adjust. I still have some droopy skin, but that gets better all the time as well.

Am I done? Well, not really. I am happy with my weight if it never drops another pound, but I am not yet done. I would like to lose a little bit more, but I am more concerned with toning up a bit and losing the flabby belly. I am fairly certain that my belly is not as bad as it looks, as it is still a bit flabby because of the droopy skin.

What can I close with? I can close with.... if you are reading this and you are not yet there, or have not yet started.... If I can do it - you can do it. It just takes determination and not giving up when things don't go great. I had many times along the way where I was down and depressed. I also had many plateaus, one lasting almost 3 months where I hardly dropped a pound. You can see where I started here. Keep it up - you can do it!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Monday Morning Stats - 5-05-08

Last weeks stats

This weeks stats:

Weight:
Scale: 168
Week Low: 165.6
Week High: 169.4
Average: 169*
Last Week Average: 170
Loss: 1

Measurements:
Waist: 34
Stomach: 35
Chest: 37.5

Body Fat Measurement:
Caliper: 14.8
BMI: 25.0 **

*According to PhysicsDiet.com rounded up - my official weight.

**According to the official BMI calculations and this BMI Calculator.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Medium Man

Just a quick post that is overdue. I don't remember the last time I was wearing anything less than a large or XL shirt. Just this past month I have graduated down to a medium shirt. I was a bit hesitant, but my wife went out and bought me one and WOW - it fit.... and fit good!

I now have a few t-shirts and dress shirts that are medium and fitting great. The funny thing is now that I am wearing the mediums the larges are feeling kinda big. :) I am also wearing 34 jeans and dress pants, but the funny thing is they are starting to feel a little loose. The last time I remember wearing size 32 jeans was back in high school...... we will see. :)