Monday, June 30, 2008
Week 4 weigh in
My weight this morning is 198.8 pounds. This means no loss in the last week so I am still at the 4 pound mark since I began again 4 weeks ago. I can't give a reason for why I didn't lose any this week. I've not recorded my eating for at least a week so I don't know how I did calorie wise, but I'm guessing I've been eating more than I should. Snacks when around home have really been a problem. But, I didn't gain anything and just need to keep at it.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Running
I am not a runner. I guess in high school I did run a 10k once; but it was just on a whim. I found out about it the night before when a friend of my sister said she was running it. I got up that morning having done no training what soever and ran the 10k in 55 minutes. It was fun. But then trying to run another later I quit after a few miles, it almost seemed like a fluke that my body let me run the 10k on that one day.
So, though I'm not a runner, I've always like the idea of running. When I was younger I was a lot more involved with religious stuff. I used to think about what heaven might be like. At that time I though it would be great if in heaven you could run and run and never get tired. And there would be music all around almost if inside you head (good rock music btw). While I'm not nearly as in to religion as back then, the idea of being able to run without getting tired is still very appealing to me.
I've been trying to do some running this year. In fact last weekend I ran with a torch as part of the "torch run" for the State of Nebraska Cornhusker State Games. But, I really hated it. I had been working at running a one mile segment. When I signed up I had to specify an estimate of how long it would take me and I put 10 minutes, not really having any idea. While doing my training I was really working on being able to do it in 10 minutes - too fast really for what I should have been doing. Two days before the run I then found out I was going to be doing 2 miles!!! Great.
The day of the run came. It wasn't terribly hot, but windy with it blowing in my face. It got to my turn and I started up a hill. I was running the pace I had been doing for 1 mile. It actually felt really good for the first minute, but then my mouth just dried up and my body was tired. I was out of breath and my dry mouth made it hard to regain it even after slowing down. I crested over the top of the hill which felt better, but still could not keep moisture in my mouth. Jsut short of the 1 mile mark I switched to a walk. I hated doing this. I felt like I had to run my pace of 10 minutes per mile. There was a pace van in front and the guy slowed down next to me and got me water which helped. I'll spare the rest of the details, but at about the 1.25 mile mark the van driver switched with me and ran the last 3/4 of a mile. I hated it.
But..... I'm still running. I was stupid about the pace I tried to run considering my current body. In the last 6 days since that run I have gone out 4 times. For the first one I just mean to walk but found my body wanting to run. For the second third and fourth time I went out meaning to run but decided to go slow. Really not much faster than my fast walk. And each of these times I've ran over 2 miles and even been able to sprint a block at the end of the run. It feels GREAT!
So do I like running? I don't really know. But I am trying to lose weight and live a healthier life. Running does work my body and I need to do that. Tonight my son went with me too on his bike and that was a lot of fun for both of us. I'm gonna keep doing it this summer, maybe working on getting a little faster or perhaps for a longer distance. And maybe, just maybe, I'll even try to run a 5k later this summer. A little motivation like that might be helpful.
So, though I'm not a runner, I've always like the idea of running. When I was younger I was a lot more involved with religious stuff. I used to think about what heaven might be like. At that time I though it would be great if in heaven you could run and run and never get tired. And there would be music all around almost if inside you head (good rock music btw). While I'm not nearly as in to religion as back then, the idea of being able to run without getting tired is still very appealing to me.
I've been trying to do some running this year. In fact last weekend I ran with a torch as part of the "torch run" for the State of Nebraska Cornhusker State Games. But, I really hated it. I had been working at running a one mile segment. When I signed up I had to specify an estimate of how long it would take me and I put 10 minutes, not really having any idea. While doing my training I was really working on being able to do it in 10 minutes - too fast really for what I should have been doing. Two days before the run I then found out I was going to be doing 2 miles!!! Great.
The day of the run came. It wasn't terribly hot, but windy with it blowing in my face. It got to my turn and I started up a hill. I was running the pace I had been doing for 1 mile. It actually felt really good for the first minute, but then my mouth just dried up and my body was tired. I was out of breath and my dry mouth made it hard to regain it even after slowing down. I crested over the top of the hill which felt better, but still could not keep moisture in my mouth. Jsut short of the 1 mile mark I switched to a walk. I hated doing this. I felt like I had to run my pace of 10 minutes per mile. There was a pace van in front and the guy slowed down next to me and got me water which helped. I'll spare the rest of the details, but at about the 1.25 mile mark the van driver switched with me and ran the last 3/4 of a mile. I hated it.
But..... I'm still running. I was stupid about the pace I tried to run considering my current body. In the last 6 days since that run I have gone out 4 times. For the first one I just mean to walk but found my body wanting to run. For the second third and fourth time I went out meaning to run but decided to go slow. Really not much faster than my fast walk. And each of these times I've ran over 2 miles and even been able to sprint a block at the end of the run. It feels GREAT!
So do I like running? I don't really know. But I am trying to lose weight and live a healthier life. Running does work my body and I need to do that. Tonight my son went with me too on his bike and that was a lot of fun for both of us. I'm gonna keep doing it this summer, maybe working on getting a little faster or perhaps for a longer distance. And maybe, just maybe, I'll even try to run a 5k later this summer. A little motivation like that might be helpful.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Week 3 weigh in
A few days late posting here; it's a busy week.
Last week I lost 0.8 pounds, for a total of 4 pounds lost now in 3 weeks. Not exactly a stellar pace, but at least I'm not gaining. I feel like I have my eating under control for the most part and I have been out walking or running most nights. More weight will come off I'm sure, it just takes time.
I calculated that it took me about 20 years to gain about 70 pounds (high school to age 38). Using my higher math skilz, that works out to be about 3.5 pounds per year; and it really was quite gradual. So considering that, I've already removed over 1 years worth of weight gain in 3 weeks. Not bad really. But really the important thing is that I'm eating better and exercising some. Any weight loss is an added bonus.
Last week I lost 0.8 pounds, for a total of 4 pounds lost now in 3 weeks. Not exactly a stellar pace, but at least I'm not gaining. I feel like I have my eating under control for the most part and I have been out walking or running most nights. More weight will come off I'm sure, it just takes time.
I calculated that it took me about 20 years to gain about 70 pounds (high school to age 38). Using my higher math skilz, that works out to be about 3.5 pounds per year; and it really was quite gradual. So considering that, I've already removed over 1 years worth of weight gain in 3 weeks. Not bad really. But really the important thing is that I'm eating better and exercising some. Any weight loss is an added bonus.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Week 2 weigh in
Two weeks have now gone by since I restarted try to lose weight. We went camping over the weekend and by all accounts I should have GAINED weight based on what I ate. But I didn't. I actually lost 2.4 pounds. Yippee!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Week 1 weigh in
One week has gone by since I started my attempt to lose more weight. My Monday morning weight was 202 for a total weekly loss of 0.8 pounds. Not exactly the 2.8 pound I was looking to lose this week. At one point last week I was down to 200 pounds. However going away to a weeding over the weekend did not help.
Next week I'll be down below 200 pounds. Really.
Next week I'll be down below 200 pounds. Really.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Doomsday Begins Next Thursday, June 12
Dig out your bomb shelters, nuclear war is going to start next Thursday and the only way to be saved is by having the last name Hawkins. As last that is what a prophet in Texas is saying.
Of course this guy predicted the same thing for September 12, 2006 and I don't recall it happening then either. But, he will sell you all they supplies you need!
Why do we have people like this around? More importantly why do people follow them? I often wonder about religious leaders, both main stream and ones generally considered to be nuts; do they really believe what they are doing or is it just a big scam for them? Reading the article about Yisrayl "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins I feel that he is trying to scam people. The whole tie in to selling products just says scam to me and makes me think his motivation is taking people and their money. Religion is a tool for him.
What about the other sects found in Texas and other areas? Does Warren Jeffs really think he is doing god's work isolating his followers and marrying off multiple little girls to old guys? Obviously his followers believe of they would not put up with it, but how about the leaders? Do they really believe of have they just found a way to live, exploiting others, that is really good for them?
Those were a couple of more extreme examples I realize, but lets go closer to home. How about your local pastor, priest, rabbi, sheikh, or whomever leads a church you may attend. Do they believe everything that their 'church' professes? Do you? If not everyone within individual religions believe the same thing how can they all claim to be the correct one? It is easy to say "oh that religion is so wrong, how can they believe some guy found gold tablets with additional commandments on them", but how more outlandish is that than saying Moses climbed a mountain, talked to god, and came back with stone tablets? In both cases there is no physical evidence.
Someone I know likes to think about what an alien race would think if we tried to explain christianity to them.
"Well, you see aliens, there is god, and jesus and the holy spirit. Jesus is the son of god but they are really the same person. But we can't ever see or hear them, they communicate and live in us through the holy spirit, which is also god and jesus, the three in one."
How ludicrous does that sound if you have not grown up with it (and even if you have)? Probably about the same as other religions sounds to a christian.
I don't mean to offend anyone with the statements I've made here. I'm not trying to say that christianty or any other religion is wrong. I'm simply asking people to step back and really examine things you believe in. Don't believe something just because someone told it to you or you read it in a book (or blog). And don't feel that just because someone else believes something different than you that they are wrong. As a society we need to get beyond our differences and embrace our diversity.
What a boring place this world would be if we were all the same....
Of course this guy predicted the same thing for September 12, 2006 and I don't recall it happening then either. But, he will sell you all they supplies you need!
Why do we have people like this around? More importantly why do people follow them? I often wonder about religious leaders, both main stream and ones generally considered to be nuts; do they really believe what they are doing or is it just a big scam for them? Reading the article about Yisrayl "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins I feel that he is trying to scam people. The whole tie in to selling products just says scam to me and makes me think his motivation is taking people and their money. Religion is a tool for him.
What about the other sects found in Texas and other areas? Does Warren Jeffs really think he is doing god's work isolating his followers and marrying off multiple little girls to old guys? Obviously his followers believe of they would not put up with it, but how about the leaders? Do they really believe of have they just found a way to live, exploiting others, that is really good for them?
Those were a couple of more extreme examples I realize, but lets go closer to home. How about your local pastor, priest, rabbi, sheikh, or whomever leads a church you may attend. Do they believe everything that their 'church' professes? Do you? If not everyone within individual religions believe the same thing how can they all claim to be the correct one? It is easy to say "oh that religion is so wrong, how can they believe some guy found gold tablets with additional commandments on them", but how more outlandish is that than saying Moses climbed a mountain, talked to god, and came back with stone tablets? In both cases there is no physical evidence.
Someone I know likes to think about what an alien race would think if we tried to explain christianity to them.
"Well, you see aliens, there is god, and jesus and the holy spirit. Jesus is the son of god but they are really the same person. But we can't ever see or hear them, they communicate and live in us through the holy spirit, which is also god and jesus, the three in one."
How ludicrous does that sound if you have not grown up with it (and even if you have)? Probably about the same as other religions sounds to a christian.
I don't mean to offend anyone with the statements I've made here. I'm not trying to say that christianty or any other religion is wrong. I'm simply asking people to step back and really examine things you believe in. Don't believe something just because someone told it to you or you read it in a book (or blog). And don't feel that just because someone else believes something different than you that they are wrong. As a society we need to get beyond our differences and embrace our diversity.
What a boring place this world would be if we were all the same....
Thursday, June 5, 2008
I'm hungry!
I think I could probably just eat all the time. I never really seem to get full and like to munch on food a lot of the time. I'm trying to keep a journal of my eating right now to help me lose weight. I find that it really does help provide context to my eating habits.
A couple of days ago I was going to have a few Hershey's kisses that one of my co-workers keeps in a bowl. Just little pieces of chocolate, right? So getting ready to eat a few I looked up the nutrition information on Hershey's site. One serving is 9 pieces. Seems a bit high, but I'd easily eat that much, more even if I kept a bowl in my office.
So anyway.... this one 9 piece serving is 230 calories and 13 grams of fat! OUCH. I'm trying to still to 30-35 grams of fat per day so one serving would be over 1/3 of my daily fat allowance!
So I only had 4 pieces instead of 9. WOOT!
A couple of days ago I was going to have a few Hershey's kisses that one of my co-workers keeps in a bowl. Just little pieces of chocolate, right? So getting ready to eat a few I looked up the nutrition information on Hershey's site. One serving is 9 pieces. Seems a bit high, but I'd easily eat that much, more even if I kept a bowl in my office.So anyway.... this one 9 piece serving is 230 calories and 13 grams of fat! OUCH. I'm trying to still to 30-35 grams of fat per day so one serving would be over 1/3 of my daily fat allowance!
So I only had 4 pieces instead of 9. WOOT!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Democratic Primaries
Well, it looks like it is all over. Barack Obama has seemingly secured the democratic bid over Hilary Clinton. He got the needed delegates and has 'clinched' the nomination.
But, was this a good process? Is the way that we nominate candidates and run elections fair? I'm not so sure.
Let me use my state as an example. Much has been made about how Obama has done much better in Caucuses than Clinton. In Nebraska this year for the first time the democratic party held a caucus, moving things up over a month from when they usually hold a primary. It was on a Saturday evening, and in my county I think you had to be there at 7:00 pm. I have kids; one of which can't be around lots of people. Does that mean that just me or my wife should have gone while the other stayed home with the kids? Or perhaps we were to get a baby sitter, but of course that would prevent the baby sitter from attending the Caucus (is it legal to ask and only hire a sitter if they are not democrat so we ensure they don't miss the caucus too?).
I don't see the logic in holding a Caucus where everyone must be there at the same time. Besides my example of kids, what about all the people who had to work at the time of the Caucus? By holding a Caucus instead of the traditional primary in Nebraska a lot of voters were disenfranchised; their votes not able to be cast.
Am I just whining because Clinton lost and trying to find an excuse to get her to be the nomination? No I am not. Obama won fair and square based on the current system in place and I hope that he wins in November. I am simply saying that I do not find the current system to be fair and wish something better could be done. What? I don't really know. But a good start would be for states to all have primaries where people are allowed to place their votes any time over a span of several hours.
Oh, did I mention my blogs are no longer going to just be about my losing weight???????
But, was this a good process? Is the way that we nominate candidates and run elections fair? I'm not so sure.
Let me use my state as an example. Much has been made about how Obama has done much better in Caucuses than Clinton. In Nebraska this year for the first time the democratic party held a caucus, moving things up over a month from when they usually hold a primary. It was on a Saturday evening, and in my county I think you had to be there at 7:00 pm. I have kids; one of which can't be around lots of people. Does that mean that just me or my wife should have gone while the other stayed home with the kids? Or perhaps we were to get a baby sitter, but of course that would prevent the baby sitter from attending the Caucus (is it legal to ask and only hire a sitter if they are not democrat so we ensure they don't miss the caucus too?).
I don't see the logic in holding a Caucus where everyone must be there at the same time. Besides my example of kids, what about all the people who had to work at the time of the Caucus? By holding a Caucus instead of the traditional primary in Nebraska a lot of voters were disenfranchised; their votes not able to be cast.
Am I just whining because Clinton lost and trying to find an excuse to get her to be the nomination? No I am not. Obama won fair and square based on the current system in place and I hope that he wins in November. I am simply saying that I do not find the current system to be fair and wish something better could be done. What? I don't really know. But a good start would be for states to all have primaries where people are allowed to place their votes any time over a span of several hours.
Oh, did I mention my blogs are no longer going to just be about my losing weight???????
Monday, June 2, 2008
A new beginning
Just a short posting…… but I need to put in something. I’ve put on about 7 pounds since the end of March and my heartburn is starting to come back a little.
It’s time to take back control.
I’ve just re-setup my food journal and exercise logs and plan to start using them again. My current weight is 202.8 pounds according to my scale which is typically 3 pounds heavier than the one at the YMCA. I’ll be using my own scale this time so more important than my actual weight is simply the change in weight. I’ll weigh in on Monday mornings and record the weights weekly.
First Goal: Get below 200 pounds again.
Goal Target: 1 week, June 9.
I’ll get my new food and exercise journal linked to later today hopefully.
Oh, and I should point out this is my new blog site! For anyone who cares my old blog that I kept during my YMCA Biggest Loser Challenge is at http://blogs.creighton.edu/rem35384. I've moved the new one to this site for various reasons.
It’s time to take back control.
I’ve just re-setup my food journal and exercise logs and plan to start using them again. My current weight is 202.8 pounds according to my scale which is typically 3 pounds heavier than the one at the YMCA. I’ll be using my own scale this time so more important than my actual weight is simply the change in weight. I’ll weigh in on Monday mornings and record the weights weekly.
First Goal: Get below 200 pounds again.
Goal Target: 1 week, June 9.
I’ll get my new food and exercise journal linked to later today hopefully.
Oh, and I should point out this is my new blog site! For anyone who cares my old blog that I kept during my YMCA Biggest Loser Challenge is at http://blogs.creighton.edu/rem35384. I've moved the new one to this site for various reasons.
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