A mixed week.
The good news is that I finally started my exercise program, although due to factors beyond my control (doctor appointments, stuff at school) I was only able to get two workouts out of five.
My plan is to do something at least 5 days each week, in the mornings while the kids are at school.
So far, I am focusing on getting back into regular exercise ( I have not exercised since the girls were born, over 5 years ago). So I am doing lots of stretching and 20 minutes of cardio (I will up it to 30), along with some random use of weight machines, just to get the feel of them. I plan to stick with the cardio and then add a weight training program once my cardio is up to a reasonable level, likely in about a month.
The bad news is the weight loss. There was none. I am still at 223 pounds. Disappointing, as last time I had lost 15 pounds by now (I was at 218 pounds after 2 weeks, so still within 5 pounds). However, considering I cheated a bit and I did not gain anything, I guess I should be happy. There really is no hurry to lose weight, as I am giving myself about 5 months (until May). They say that slower weight loss is more likely to stay off.
As long as I am ready for bikini season.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Resolutions - Day 10 - Cheating
Today, I cheated.
I couldn't take it any longer. Denied my favourite tastes I broke down and ate 3-4 candies, (about the size of Hershey's kisses) and stole a jelly bean and an M&M off of my daughter's cookie.
I am not proud of it, but man cannot live on protein alone.
I couldn't take it any longer. Denied my favourite tastes I broke down and ate 3-4 candies, (about the size of Hershey's kisses) and stole a jelly bean and an M&M off of my daughter's cookie.
I am not proud of it, but man cannot live on protein alone.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
"Then You Cook the Fish!"
Sometimes, the Wife can be very frustrating.
I enjoy cooking, but it has to be my own meal idea.
The Wife does not like seafood. She hates it. The only seafood she will eat is fish, and she is not a fan of that. I love seafood, (I almost considered dumping the Wife when we first started dating because I would never be able to take her for sushi) except for fish which I can take or leave.
The Wife often comes up with meal ideas, usually good ones. Unfortunately, she tries to get me to cook her ideas. I usually don't listen. I need to be inspired and to make an idea my own for me to enjoy cooking it.
So, when she comes up with a good meal idea, I usually tell her to do it herself, when it is her turn to cook.
The other day the Wife decided to make a fish dish. Neither of us are fans of fish, but it is good for you and is part of my diet, so I was game.
As an aside, the Wife has been very supportive of my diet, buying food and coming up with ideas to relieve my food monotony. It has been a great help.
As any man, I pride myself on being able to cook meat perfectly. The Wife acknowledges my superiority in this task, and she did so again, by asking me to cook the fish for her.
I am a firm believer in the old saying "Too many cooks, spoil the broth". If I am cooking, it is my meal and anyone else in the kitchen is working for me. The Wife seems to think the same way, as evidenced by her yelling at me when I occasionally open the oven door to see what smells so good on her night to cook.
I was reluctant to cook the fish, because when I cook I like to be in charge. However, she asked me and I caved, thinking I would just do the fish and be done.
The Wife is paranoid about under cooking things. She likes all her meat very well done. You cannot understand the pain I go through each summer as a barbecue a lovely piece of meat to perfection, nice and juicy, only to have her bring it back to me with a look of utter distaste, as if I had served her vomit, and ask me to burn all the flavour out of it. I keep cooking everything properly, hoping one day she will realize her error, and stop insisting everything be burned to a crisp.
So with some trepidation, I agree to do the fish. I fry it up to perfection, cooked all the way through, somewhat proud at having cooked it perfectly, as I do not have much experience with fish. The wife says "Could you put it back in for a bit, it needs to be white all the way through and fake easily with a fork." I reply that it is perfectly cooked, white all the way through and I demonstrate how I can easily flake it with a fork. Now, I don't mind if you want something more cooked that it is (well, actually, I do mind considering it is cooked perfectly), but don't claim it does not meet your criteria when it clearly does.
Of course, this precipitates an argument where I make such statements as "If you want it burnt, just say so", "Don't tell me it is not done when it clearly is", "Why did you ask me to do it, then?" and the title of this post.
I enjoy cooking, but it has to be my own meal idea.
The Wife does not like seafood. She hates it. The only seafood she will eat is fish, and she is not a fan of that. I love seafood, (I almost considered dumping the Wife when we first started dating because I would never be able to take her for sushi) except for fish which I can take or leave.
The Wife often comes up with meal ideas, usually good ones. Unfortunately, she tries to get me to cook her ideas. I usually don't listen. I need to be inspired and to make an idea my own for me to enjoy cooking it.
So, when she comes up with a good meal idea, I usually tell her to do it herself, when it is her turn to cook.
The other day the Wife decided to make a fish dish. Neither of us are fans of fish, but it is good for you and is part of my diet, so I was game.
As an aside, the Wife has been very supportive of my diet, buying food and coming up with ideas to relieve my food monotony. It has been a great help.
As any man, I pride myself on being able to cook meat perfectly. The Wife acknowledges my superiority in this task, and she did so again, by asking me to cook the fish for her.
I am a firm believer in the old saying "Too many cooks, spoil the broth". If I am cooking, it is my meal and anyone else in the kitchen is working for me. The Wife seems to think the same way, as evidenced by her yelling at me when I occasionally open the oven door to see what smells so good on her night to cook.
I was reluctant to cook the fish, because when I cook I like to be in charge. However, she asked me and I caved, thinking I would just do the fish and be done.
The Wife is paranoid about under cooking things. She likes all her meat very well done. You cannot understand the pain I go through each summer as a barbecue a lovely piece of meat to perfection, nice and juicy, only to have her bring it back to me with a look of utter distaste, as if I had served her vomit, and ask me to burn all the flavour out of it. I keep cooking everything properly, hoping one day she will realize her error, and stop insisting everything be burned to a crisp.
So with some trepidation, I agree to do the fish. I fry it up to perfection, cooked all the way through, somewhat proud at having cooked it perfectly, as I do not have much experience with fish. The wife says "Could you put it back in for a bit, it needs to be white all the way through and fake easily with a fork." I reply that it is perfectly cooked, white all the way through and I demonstrate how I can easily flake it with a fork. Now, I don't mind if you want something more cooked that it is (well, actually, I do mind considering it is cooked perfectly), but don't claim it does not meet your criteria when it clearly does.
Of course, this precipitates an argument where I make such statements as "If you want it burnt, just say so", "Don't tell me it is not done when it clearly is", "Why did you ask me to do it, then?" and the title of this post.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Resolutions - Day 7 - Week 1
This is day seven of my weight loss and one week into my two week induction period for Atkins.
My weight is now 223 pounds, so a five pound loss in one week, which is not bad. Not as good as last time, but my weight was a bit higher.
The first few days were a bit tough, as my body adjusted to a reduced carb intake. During this time, I felt, not sick, but definately out of balance. Something similar happened last time, so I was prepared. The combination of no carbs plus greatly increased protein made me feel "off". Also, I don't usually eat much fat and because Atkins doesn't concern itself with how much fat you take in, I didn't bother to use a paper towel to get the excess fat off my bacon or drain the fat from the frying pan before cooking my eggs. That was a mistake. I must have increased my fat intake by at least 500% in just one breakfast.
Things seem to be on the right track. This week I will start on the exercise portion of the plan.
My weight is now 223 pounds, so a five pound loss in one week, which is not bad. Not as good as last time, but my weight was a bit higher.
The first few days were a bit tough, as my body adjusted to a reduced carb intake. During this time, I felt, not sick, but definately out of balance. Something similar happened last time, so I was prepared. The combination of no carbs plus greatly increased protein made me feel "off". Also, I don't usually eat much fat and because Atkins doesn't concern itself with how much fat you take in, I didn't bother to use a paper towel to get the excess fat off my bacon or drain the fat from the frying pan before cooking my eggs. That was a mistake. I must have increased my fat intake by at least 500% in just one breakfast.
Things seem to be on the right track. This week I will start on the exercise portion of the plan.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Happy Birthday to Me
Today is my birthday. I am the same age as the Ultimate Answer to the Question of Life, the Universe and Everything.
I was watching the movie The Matrix a few days ago. At one point in the movie, after Neo learns the truth about the Matrix, Morpheus mentions residual self image. It strikes me that all men have residual self image.
I am 42 years old, somewhat overweight, my man boobs starting to sag and hairline starting to recede.
Yet, if I walk down the street and notice an attractive woman, I don't see an old, fat, balding (and probably creepy), man leering at a young girl, but a strong, attractive 25 year old, appreciating beauty, as would be expected.
The problem with all the creepy old men leering at young women is that these guys don't see themselves as old. They see themselves as they were, at 25, not as they are. Like in the Matrix.
Growing old sucks.
I was watching the movie The Matrix a few days ago. At one point in the movie, after Neo learns the truth about the Matrix, Morpheus mentions residual self image. It strikes me that all men have residual self image.
I am 42 years old, somewhat overweight, my man boobs starting to sag and hairline starting to recede.
Yet, if I walk down the street and notice an attractive woman, I don't see an old, fat, balding (and probably creepy), man leering at a young girl, but a strong, attractive 25 year old, appreciating beauty, as would be expected.
The problem with all the creepy old men leering at young women is that these guys don't see themselves as old. They see themselves as they were, at 25, not as they are. Like in the Matrix.
Growing old sucks.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wisdom of a Four Year Old - How Old is Daddy?
K: Daddy, did you have a blankie when you were young?
Me: Yes.
K: What colour was it?
Me: It was orange and some other colour, maybe yellow. I don't remember.
K: Maybe it was red.
Me: I am sure it was not red, it was yellow or beige.
K: Why not red? Did they not have red when you were young?
Me: Yes K, your Daddy is so old that they didn't have the colour red when I was young.
Monday, January 16, 2012
New Year's Resolutions
I am not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions.
If you want to make a change in your life, no need to wait for a new year to do it. That said, New Year's is a good excuse to get started.
I made a number of resolutions this year, two of which are to lose weight and to write/blog more. So why not combine the two and write about weight loss.
I am six feet tall, 228 pounds and 41 years old. Not grossly overweight, but enough that my doctor recommends losing 10-15 pounds. I have decided to go farther than that. I am finally going to get in the shape that I have always wanted. My weight problem is three parts. Overeating, lack/no exercise, and an improper diet. The improper diet is probably the least of my worries. I barely drink alcohol, don't drink coffee, and stay away from sugar, except for the occasional Coke Zero.
I am going to use a modified Atkins diet. I tried it out a few months ago and lost 15 pounds in two weeks, so I am confident that it will work but it will not be easy. My food weakness is not sweets, it's salty. I love potato chips. I love carbs, especially bread and pasta.
While I also enjoy many of the things on the Atkins plan, such as meat and various vegetables fried in butter, I do get tired of them pretty quick. This helps me reduce my food intake.
This weight loss project is also part of another, larger effort, the details of which I am not ready to divulge at this time.
Check back for weekly updates. Posts on my progress will be a few weeks behind real time.
If you want to make a change in your life, no need to wait for a new year to do it. That said, New Year's is a good excuse to get started.
I made a number of resolutions this year, two of which are to lose weight and to write/blog more. So why not combine the two and write about weight loss.
I am six feet tall, 228 pounds and 41 years old. Not grossly overweight, but enough that my doctor recommends losing 10-15 pounds. I have decided to go farther than that. I am finally going to get in the shape that I have always wanted. My weight problem is three parts. Overeating, lack/no exercise, and an improper diet. The improper diet is probably the least of my worries. I barely drink alcohol, don't drink coffee, and stay away from sugar, except for the occasional Coke Zero.
I am going to use a modified Atkins diet. I tried it out a few months ago and lost 15 pounds in two weeks, so I am confident that it will work but it will not be easy. My food weakness is not sweets, it's salty. I love potato chips. I love carbs, especially bread and pasta.
While I also enjoy many of the things on the Atkins plan, such as meat and various vegetables fried in butter, I do get tired of them pretty quick. This helps me reduce my food intake.
This weight loss project is also part of another, larger effort, the details of which I am not ready to divulge at this time.
Check back for weekly updates. Posts on my progress will be a few weeks behind real time.
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