It’s Been Awhile …

… but I’m still here. And actually, even though I haven’t been blogging a lot, I’m still faithfully working out and sweating my you-know-what off. In fact, I did 45 minutes of a hard workout just a little while ago.

Also, I’m still Smart For Lifeing, although highly modified so that I can work out hard (800 calories a day while working out just doesn’t cut it), and still Eat Stop Eating two days a week — in fact, I’m in the middle of an ESE interval as we speak. And toss a little Thintuition in, and I’m a happy boy.

I’ll post a more-complete report on my progress probably later Monday or Tuesday. Overall, I’m at 250 lbs., a 75 lb. loss from where I started last December 10th. Wow. What’s more, my fat % has been decreasing big-time ever since I’ve started exercising hard again. I’m back into what I considered to be my “skinny” size 40 pants — in other words, size 40 pants that I wonder if they’re 38s or not.

My scale weight hasn’t been dropping all that much in the past few weeks, but my measurements certainly have. I don’t need to see the scale weight drop as much as I thought I would, actually. My clothes and how I look are actually more important to me right now. The clothes look good. And from what I hear, I look much better than I have in years.

When I made the decision to start losing last December, I was in size 48s. Forty-frickin-eights! Man, I can’t believe it. It’s all really good, though, and I’ve been doing well.

And a quick follow up to my Well, Damn post: I’m going into the doctor’s next Monday to see how bad the cutting is going to be on my back. Even though I’m determined not to let this throw me off schedule, I am disappointed that I will very likely have to cut back on my exercising for awhile. I made a promise to myself, though, that I will get right back on the proverbial horse as soon as I can. Plus, I at least can walk and maybe even do cardio on the elliptical (probably as long as I don’t use the arm swingy thingies).

I’ll probably update next after my doctor’s appointment. Ciao for now.

Well, Damn

I visited my doctor on Friday, because some sebaceous cysts on my back were seeming to get bigger, and were definitely starting to bother me. Whenever I had to lay on my back for particular exercises, one would start to get sore. Ditto sleeping at night. And it is that one that was getting really big, too.

So I made an appointment, thinking I’d just go in and get the suckers drained, right? Nooooo. To really get rid of them (one of the two on my back was actually a returnee from my late teen years), I’ve got to go to a surgeon to get ‘em cut out. What’s more, he said the one is so big, that the surgeon will likely want to do it in the hospital (on an outpatient basis, I’m assuming — and knowing my cheap-ass insurance, will probably be).

So after that happens (I’m pushing to get it done ASAP), I’ll probably be out of fully working out for a couple of weeks, while I have stitches in two separate spots on my back. That won’t deter me in losing weight; I just won’t be able to exercise like I normally would. Hopefully I’ll still be able to do the elliptical, and maybe even kick up some of my interval training on that. Just won’t be able to do any resistance.

I don’t think I’ll be able to complete the Transformation Contest either, because of my situation. I just can’t see missing out a few weeks and still being competitive. I’ll definitely do the next one, though. And like I said, I’m still going to be on track for losing weight, so this thing truly isn’t going to get me down. I just won’t be able to be competitive this time ’round. No biggie.

If you’ve never heard of sebaceous cysts before, they’re pretty ucky things. Click the link to find out more. But in my particular situation, the doc said that they’re both getting more pronounced because I’ve lost so much weight (about 75 lbs. now and still going), and growing because I’ve spiked up my metabolism. This means my body is pumping even more gross stuff into them than before because my metabolism is up.

First more gout attacks because of my weight loss, then this … ? Weight loss can truly be a double-edged sword, my friends. But I still think it is worth it, and I’m still going to lose more. There’s just more challenges along the way.

Apologies for not posting as of late; we’re crunching at work, blah blah blah, punch and pie. The same ol’ story. But true!

Ohh … the Pain, the Pain

So I did my first “heavy” workout on Sunday, and my legs still haven’t fully recovered. They’re still pretty sore. But they’re better today than yesterday or Monday.

In fact, they were so sore that I didn’t even work out — period! — yesterday. I really felt like I needed a rest, so I took it. I feel that this is a long-term process, and I shouldn’t sabotage myself by just up and quitting at the first sign on trouble (like I’ve done in the past).

So I took my day off like a man, and got right back on that horse this morning, with 25 minutes of cardio. It went pretty well, actually, and I physically feel really good. Legs are still sore, of course, but feelin’ good otherwise.

It took me a long time to get all the way up to 325 lbs., and it took me awhile to get to my present 258, so it’s going to take more time to get back down to my goal weight. Now that that little point is implanted firmly in my thick skull, I’ll definitely succeed at this. Which is a good thing.

Turbocharge!

Today’s the first day of the rest of my life. Well, not really that long. Just for the next 12 weeks.

That’s because I’m starting the Transformation Contest today. For the next 12 weeks, I’m going to be working very hard to lose as much fat as possible, while getting into the best shape possible.

I cannot encourage you enough to join this contest. Besides having a chance to win lots of prizes (first prize, if memory serves, is $2,000!), it’s a way to really give a healthy kick in the ass to your fat-/weight-loss efforts.

The help and accountability at the Turbulence Training member area (via the membership there) is amazing. And Craig (the guy who came up with the whole TT plan and runs the site) is truly an inspiration and really helpful.

Here’s the deal, in terms of how I’m going to work this contest and this blog: I’ll post my overall progress here. But if you want to see my specifics (all of the specific figures, what exercises I’m doing, what I’m doing specifically with nutrition), you’re going to have to go on this journey with me. Yep, that means joining TT, becoming a member, following my specific posts in the forums there, and (hopefully) getting in the contest with me.

You don’t need to be in the contest to read this info, but I really hope you at least get started with TT’s “Turbulence Training for Fat Loss” program. The Introductory level workout is not difficult to do, yet it’ll get you started on the way (or should I say, “weigh” – I know, lame) to fitness and health.

You can do it; I know you can. That’s because I’m in the process of doing it. I got off of my lard ass last December and started losing weight with Smart for Life, and have already lost almost 70 lbs. with that, and now I’m entering the next phase of my Shrinking Man transformation with TC.

Wish me luck!

Computer, Disable Ignorance Mode …

Well, I broke down and weighed myself this morning. After going off the weight-loss road last week, I’ve really been hitting it hard this week, in terms of both exercise and diet. And my work has paid off — I’m at 258 this morning, which (if memory serves) is only a pound more than is exactly the same as my last weigh-in two weeks ago. Believe me, after the emotional roller-coaster that was last week, this is a big’un accomplishment for me.

What’s more, I think I’m down even more in terms of pure fat loss. I put on a pair of jeans today I have never been able to wear (size 40s — I’m here, bitches!). And when I say I put them on, I mean I put them on to frakkin’ wear today; not just to see if they fit. So that is a major accomplishment.

I’ve also noticed a bit more definition in my arms, legs and even my abs today; that tells me I’ve probably gained even more muscle. Believe me, I’m very far away from getting a six-pack, devil ears, etc. in the ol’ abs/lower trunk area. But I am starting to actually see progress. So I got that goin’ for me. Which is nice.

Additionally, I’m in the middle of another Eat Stop Eat fasting interval today. So hopefully I’ll be down even more in time for my Smart for Life weigh-in tomorrow. But even if I don’t lose an ounce of weight between today and tomorrow, I don’t care. I’m a happy, happy camper.

All of that, plus some good news with my work/career-related stuff (that I can’t talk about right now), and I’m going into this weekend on really, really high notes. Life is (very) good.

Then on Sunday, it’s Day 1 of the Transformation Contest for me! My next post will come on Sunday, and it’ll have all of the titilating “start” stats for this next major phase of my fat-loss life. See ya then!

A “Big” Announcement

… I always hesitate using the word “big” in a blog about weight loss    .

Any-who, the big news is I’m going to join the Transformation Contest when it starts back up. Cash and prizes, plus the ultimate in accountability (a contest!) — you can’t go wrong. I’ll post details as I come across them. Click on the link to see the winners from the last contest. The winner is kinda hot, too.

Coming up tomorrow or Sunday … an update on my weigh-in this week — the first full week of Turbulence Training with some Pace Program tossed in, with side dishes of Smart for Life and Eat Stop Eat and a dash of Thintuition. Could I fit more things into my life right now? Eh, maybe. But for now, this’ll do, reader, this’ll do.

BTW – the weigh in? Let’s just say I have a really good feeling about it. After all, I’ve had a sneak peek at week-to-date results.

Niiiiiice

Just wanted to quickly alert y’all to a comment in the post immediately below this one (here’s the link to it, in case you’ve stumbled across this post and not the whole blog). It’s from Craig Ballantyne, the guy who came up with Turbulence Training. I’ll let the post explain it all. Enjoy!

UPDATE: Well, aren’t I becoming *the* magnet for health, workout and nutrition celebs! First, Craig comments at this blog. Then I get a comment from over at the ttmembers.com message board from Eat Stop Eat writer Brad Pilon. I’ve actually put that comment in the comments section from the above-referenced posting, since it directly relates there.

So, this blog post has been upgraded from “Niiiiiice” to “Very Niiiiiice”!

An Update, then An Update, and Finally an Update

First, weigh in. I weighed in at Smart for Life at 262 – I’m essentially at 65 lbs. lost. Pretty snazzy. I’ve got to admit, though, the weight is getting tougher and tougher to drop. I’m wondering if this plan has run its course with me, in terms of effectiveness. My body really needs different stimuli to “shake things up,” and I think that 5 months on S4L may be the max for it. Believe me, I love S4L and would recommend it to anyone. But as you read so often, “No diet works 100% of the time,” and you need to do the ol’ “Shake things up” thing.

Second, Eat Stop Eat. My jaw almost dropped to the floor when my wife said, “yes,” she’d do it with me. So we’re doing the fasting thing as a trial. We’re starting today at 6 PM, and not eating again until Monday at 6. Wish us luck! I’m also hoping that combining this with S4L will be the “shake up” thing I need the next few months. I’ll update how it went tomorrow night.

Third, Turbulence Training. I’m back on it as of today. I’ll be going to work out this afternoon, marking my return to my original schedule of 2 heavy days (Sunday and probably Wednesday) and 4 light days each week. Don’t want to burn myself out! After a few weeks, it goes up to 3 heavy days a week. Can’t wait for that. Seriously!

The Plan

Okay, so after a bunch of contemplation, research and just asking myself, “Can I really do this,” here’s my test plan for the next two weeks:

Eating

• Smart for Life: 6 cookies during the day (unless I’ve eaten one of the new yummy Eating Right soups from Safeway for lunch; it’ll be 5 for those days), then a dinner on their plan, except for 2-4 oz. more protein
• Nature’s Best Zero Carb Isopure, Creamy Vanilla flavor, mixed with already-prepared Crystal Light orange (the line that’s designed for mornings). Drink after exercise for 50g of protein over and above what’s provided for on S4L (which I still think is too little for people)

Exercise

• in the AM (ugh), Sunday through Friday
• “Hard days” on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday; “Easy days” Monday, Wednesday and Friday
  • Hard days: Turbulence Training for bodyweight exercises for muscle strength/building, and Pace Power for the interval training on the elliptical (40 mins. 10-15 mins. for TT bodyweight; 20 mins. of Pace Power)
  • Easy days: Turbulence Training’s interval training on the elliptical and/or recumbant (just 20 mins.)
• Saturdays off – S4L weigh-in day

As I said up top, I’m giving this two weeks, to see how my body reacts vis-a-vis the “scale.” I’m guessing my weight loss on the scale will slow, but at the same time I’ll be gaining muscle while losing fat. When I’m at S4L this weekend, I’ll get my weigh-in on the fancy-schmancy Tanita scale that does a good job at analyzing fat and muscle loss/gain, to see what’s happening.

I’ll make some kind of decision about what I’ll do going forward in two weeks. So, April 26th will likely be a big day in the Shrinking Man process. No matter what happens, I’ll still lose weight. This is just an experiment, as I try to pull together the best of everything I’ve found and put it to use. Wish me luck!

Status Update – 4/05

No weight gain this week (still @ 271, almost 55 lbs. lost!), which was good. I’m on deadline for something, so I’ll quickly tell you how.

I did cookies every day. But because of a wide variety of situations, I wasn’t able to “do” the Smart for Life (S4L) plan at night like I should. But I did the best I could. The main killer was wine. You have to give up alcohol if you want to do well on this plan. Period. No way around it.

At least because I did everything else well, I didn’t gain any weight. So it wasn’t a bad week. In fact, the gal at S4L who weighed me in called it a “good week.” I’m not sure I’d go that far, but it definitely wasn’t a bad week.

Onward!