199.2

Up a little bit, but still under 200!

Frank and Giselle

A little more than three weeks ago, Lori and I took off for a much anticipated vacation to California.  The vacation was a spur of the moment decision.  My brother practically begged me to come visit a couple of weeks earlier and I wanted it just as much as he did.  With a week of unused vacation in the bank and the perfect opportunity, a transition between my old position and a new one, to take it, I came home and asked Lori if there was any way we could afford a trip to San Diego.  With the late notice, I held out little hope of finding cheap airfares.  But, I went online and there they were, flights to San Diego on Southwest for just over $100!  Our good luck continued when my mom informed Lori that she had moved out to a new apartment and still had the old apartment available for us to stay in.  In the blink of an eye, we found ourselves a little more than two weeks away from warmth and sunshine... a nice treat after a very cold January.

I could hardly contain my excitement.  I looked forward to seeing my mom.  I looked forward to seeing my sister Rita.  I looked forward to seeing my mom and Rita even though they had just visited Colorado a few short weeks before.  I looked forward to seeing my mom's new apartment... heck, I looked forward to seeing my mom's old apartment as well.  I even looked forward to just plain seeing my mom in her new life in San Diego!  I looked forward to seeing Rita's new apartment.  I looked forward to meeting Rita's new friends as she slowly started to blossom in her new surroundings.  I looked forward to seeing my nephew, Hunter, who just moved out there to live with my mom.  I looked forward to seeing my brother's step-kids, Milla and Matthew.  I looked forward to seeing Helena, my brother's girlfriend.  I looked forward to seeing all of Helena's family, a great group of people.  I looked forward to having lunch with my son's friend, and our friend, Daniel.  I looked forward to the beach.  I looked forward to hiking and climbing mountains again.  I looked forward to feeling the warmth of the sun.  I looked forward to visiting one of my favorite cities in the world. 

But, let's not kid ourselves.  The two biggest reasons that I couldn't wait to get on that plane were Frank and Giselle, my brother and my niece!  Since the day I started this blog and with each weight barrier I broke, I have longed to see my brother.  The same brother who has anxiously hoped for the last ten plus years that I would change my life.  My brother who has encouraged me every time I embarked on all of my previous attempts. My brother who provided inspiration by being the picture of health.  My brother who still plays competitive soccer at age 42 and looks almost 10 years younger than he is.  My brother who was the sole reason that I started this blog and the only person I needed to read it for it to be worth writing in.  My brother who was so desperate for me to be healthy and to live a long and healthy life that he even suggested stomach surgery at one point... oh, how little you knew me.  My brother who is my best friend.  My brother who I miss every single day.  My brother who makes me want to live in San Diego even more than the city does by itself.  I couldn't wait for the moment he saw me.  I couldn't wait to hug and kiss him.  I couldn't wait for the reaction.  Because, despite seeing photos, I knew seeing it in person would be a different thing.  I wanted so badly for my brother to be proud of me.

My kids both thought that Frank would cry when he saw me.  I originally thought the same.  But, I also thought I would do the same when I broke 200 and that didn't happen.  So, I had my doubts.  He didn't cry.  He started laughing an excited laugh that was half excitement and half hysteria.  He said he couldn't believe it was me as he pulled up.  He repeated "Oh my god!" several times, a common reaction these days.  He hugged and kissed me.  Repeated OMG again, then hugged and kissed me again.  Mumbled something again, as he is prone to do, and then repeated the Os and Xs one more time, laughing hysterically the entire time.  Not sure where these words came from, but all I could manage was, "Sorry it took so long".  It was a moment I had anticipated for almost a year and it was worth the wait.

The second biggest reason for the trip was my niece, Giselle.  I saw Giselle at her christening almost two years ago.  After appearing that my brother may never have children as he closed in on 40, Giselle was a great and welcome surprise.  I wish I could see my goddaughter more often.  I wish I could be a part of her life.  I wish it hadn't been two years.  She is adorable and a complete joy with an incredible spirit.  She is funny, smart, talkative, and cute as can be.  I enjoyed every moment with her and had an incredible afternoon at Ocean Beach running through the sand and water with her and feeding flocks of maniacal seagulls. 

I got to see everything I mentioned above.  I got to spend time with loved ones.  I got to climb mountains.  I got to lay out on the beach in the sun.  I got to spend an incredible week with my beautiful wife.  In the end, despite how I may have sounded over the last two weeks when talking about my weight, I had an absolutley perfect week and hated to come back home.  I wanted to thank Lori for making this possible.  Lori started working at WalMart over the Christmas holidays.  She didn't take the job so that we could build a San Diego vacation fund.  In fact, we weren't planning a San Diego vacation any time in the near future.  But, that job and the extra money is the only reason that this trip was possible.  I needed this trip.  I needed to see my brother's reaction and I needed to see him be proud of me.  This trip meant the world to me and I can't thank my wife enough. 

As I left, my brother pulled me aside and said, "It was worth the wait" and he said he was proud of me.  In case I haven't said it enough, I am proud of you bro.  Proud of the father you have become... I knew you had it in you.  Proud of the man you are.  I love you with all of my heart and miss you always.  Here's to memories that will never fade...

198.6

Four days under 200.  The other two times I went under 200, I stayed there for exactly six days.  Given that I will be in Denver starting Tuesday for our big annual meeting, it is looking like six might be the magic number once again.  Of course, I won't know if it would have been any longer because I will not have my scale available.  But, we all kind of know that this doesn't bode well for me breaking my record despite any plans I may have to the contrary.

198.8

Three days in a row!  Only 11 days shy of coming up on the year anniversary of this blog and of exercising every single day.  Feeling stronger by the day.  Feeling fitter by the day.  Feeling more alive by the day. 

199.8

Well, what do you know, under 200 for two straight days.  Maybe I can start a new streak...  [he says while remembering that he will be at a four day annual meeting next week and will probably gain 10 pounds!]

199.8

First time back under 200 in almost three whole weeks!  Took my 30 day photos for my P90X update last night.  While they don't seem as dramatic as what I see in the mirror,  there is a subtle, yet noticeable, difference in the photos and it made my day.  I can't wait to take the 60 day photos!

201.6

My brother mentioned to me yesterday that I was starting to sound like my San Diego trip was a bad thing.  Okay, so I didn't eat very well.  I still had the time of my life.  My bad.  More to come on that tonight and this weekend.  For now, let's stop blaming that beautiful city for my current weight woes...

201.8

The 200 barrier continues to elude me! 

200.6

Creeping ever so close to putting San Diego behind me!

201.4

Much better day.  I need a couple more of those since my first P90X photo update, for the first 30 days, is coming up in a couple of days!

203.0

At the moment, P90X and the club are the only thing keeping me from weighing 230 this morning!

202.2

Between the good days, bad days, and even the day where I basically didn't eat, I think my body is confused.  It responded by losing 2.2 pounds despite the fact that I had pizza and chicken wings at our training session yesterday!  Who knows...

204.4

I don't like myself.  But, this is an improvement.  Because I used to hate myself!  Curse my boss for ordering such good food for our training sessions.  Curse me for not being able to resist the same old foods.

202.6

Nice.  Some positive movement and an end to my San Diego funk and my brother's enabling... or as he calls it, "sabotaging".  A 3.6 pound drop after a good night on the treadmill and my introduction to P90X Core Synergistics. It's a good thing they don't have this workout on the first night!  We may have quit.  I definitely couldn't have imagined doing what I did last night when I started this three weeks ago!  Nice.

206.2

My San Diego funk continues...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to each of you!  I hope all of you had as good of a day as I did!  Despite still not feeling the greatest, I wasn't about to call in sick on my first day in my new job.  Still with the same company, just a different role.  I like change.  And, I like new experiences.  And, given the changes I have made over the last year, a change in my job seemed only appropriate. 

I came home to a "heart" healthy meal that Lori had prepared.  No dining out tonight.  Lori wanted pizza Saturday night and because I was intent on getting back on the food wagon today, I made a deal with her to have our Valentine's Day exception on Saturday.  It was good.  But, tonight's meal was far healthier and I enjoyed it even more than the pizza.  The meal was accompanied by a beautiful card that Lori had handmade... from her "heart".  My gift was perfect as well... a "heart" rate monitor... something I had been eyeing over the last several weeks.  And, despite knowing that Lori really didn't feel like going to the club, I dragged her along to exercise our "hearts" and continue to increase our chances of many more Valentine's Days to come.  Sorry Lori, I know you think I am a little obsessive.  But, in the end, I do all of this for the right reasons... that is the best gift I could ever imagine giving you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm Back! 199.6/204.8/204.4/206.4

Miss me?  Well, I missed all of you and I missed this blog (and I know of at least one follower who e-mailed me to give me grief for not posting).  I had planned to blog while I was in San Diego last week.  But, I ended up having issues connecting to my brother's network and, to be honest, my vacation just got in the way!

I wanted to blog.  I really did!  I even have a plethora of subjects that I will be posting over the next few days.  But, let me start by summarizing the numbers above...

199.6 - That was my weight on Saturday, February 5, the morning that we left for San Diego.  I was feeling pretty good as I got on the plane heading to see my brother and knowing that, for at least the moment that I gave him a hug, I would be under 200 pounds.  That happened.  But I imagine that after my lunch a couple of hours later, that was the last time he saw me under 200.

204.8 - That was my weight on Saturday, February 12, my first weigh-in after returning from San Diego early Saturday morning.  I had gained 5.2 pounds and was surprisingly upbeat that it wasn't much worse. 

204.4 - My weight yesterday morning when I woke up sick as a dog feeling achy and queasy.  I spent the day sitting comfortably on the couch while catching up on a wealth of Tivo'd television shows that needed to be watched before we ran out of space!  Most of the day was spent watching Man Vs. Food.  Yes, MVF is still a favorite of mine despite the fact that it almost makes me ill watching him eat that much food when a year ago I used to watch and think to myself that "I could do that!".  Well, no more.  Now, I just root for Adam and am content knowing I could no longer even come close.  While I came close to skipping my workout, I ended up forcing myself and got about 50 minutes on the treadmill before I quit in a moment of exhaustion.  I had no appetite all day.  Which for me is still a rarity despite my success.  I ended up drinking a Myoplex shake and eating about an ounce of chicken.  That was it!

206.4 - This morning's weigh-in.  Seriously?!  I ate basically nothing yesterday and still gained 2 pounds.  I could have eaten another big meal in San Diego and gained less.  I guess watching 12 episodes of MVF is not much different than eating all day!  Who knew?

199.0

I never would have guessed, but the Yoga X portion of P90X is the hardest 90 minutes out of all of the DVDs.  My body feels exhausted when I am done and my knee says some ugly things to me that it shouldn't be saying.  Down .8 pounds.  One more day of snow and cold and then I take off to see my brother!  I am counting down the minutes!

199.8

I was expecting to gain this morning.  Actually, I fully expected to be somewhere between 201-202 after the late night meal I had last night.  So, the gain of only .8 was good news.  My daughter and her boyfriend invited us over for dinner in their new apartment.  Because she had to work, I knew we would be eating late... a definite no-no for me these days.  I also knew we would be eating Mexican, specifically green chile and tortillas.  Mexican is another no-no for me, mostly because I have no self-control.  But, how does a dad say no to his little girl who is so excited to have her parents come over for dinner?  Of course, I couldn't.

When we got there I soon found out that green chile and tortillas weren't the only thing homemade and yummy for dinner.  Their was salsa, rice, pinto beans, ground beef with jalapenos... and everything was homemade.  By the time we ate it was somewhere around 9:15.  The tortillas were the highlight of the show and I ate too much of everything.  Partly because it was extremely good and I love Mexican.  But, partly because I wanted to make sure my daughter's boyfriend knew I appreciated the invite and the effort to  put together such an awesome meal.  I have talked about "social eating" before.  But, I think this is another type of eating.  I will call it "complimentary eating".  The type of eating that is associated with complimenting the host.  A part of me wanted to skip the tortillas, cheese and rice and just make a nice plate of ground beef with green chile and some beans.  But, that would have been rude.  So, I continued eating to thank our hosts... or so I will keep telling myself...

199.0

One day in to February and I have lost a whole .2 pounds!  LOL.  Of course, if I averaged that for the remainder of the month, I would still end up losing 5.6 pounds!  Not sure that is even possible now that I am doing P90X and have a trip to San Diego sandwiched in there as well.  But, I am not worried about it either way.  I feel myself getting stronger and I am no longer worried about dropping the weight as long as I am staying fit. 

199.2

I forgot that today was the start of a new month.  I finish January under 200 pounds and 10.6 pounds lighter than when I started the month.  Nice way to start the new year!  Feeling incredible!  Feeling stronger!  Feeling like a young man again!  And, loving life!

TJWIGMFBAFANAD Status: Day 31 - (0.2), Final Total - (10.6)