229.0

Good start to the Mark Gregory Challenge.  Down 2.0 pounds after a solid day.  Yeah, those are the easy two pounds.  Those are the pounds I gained from an okay weekend with too much salt.  Now, it gets harder.  The next four days will go a long way in determining whether or not I am committed to meeting the MGC or simply blowing smoke.  Ahead of my MGC pace by 1.7 pounds.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.0

Change from previous: (2.0)

Total: (49.4)

Total Days: 235

Mark Gregory Challenge (November 1, 2014):
Starting weight: 231.0
Current weight: 229.0
Pounds lost: 2.0
Ahead/(Behind) pace: +1.7
Goal weight: 219.8 (11.2 pounds)
Days remaining: 32

231.0

Okay.  Disappointed to be up 1.4 this morning.  But, glad to be down from Friday's weight.  Now I move on to the Mark Gregory Challenge!  Okay, Mark didn't really challenge me.  I asked for a prediction and he gave me a rather bold one.  Mark has been an ardent supporter and was even kind enough to give me a shout out on a Colorado preps forum when I lost the weight a few years ago.  But, I liked Mark's November 1 prediction of 220 and decided to make it a challenge anyway.  I need any motivation I can get at this point and need something to get me back in gear.  So, what I heard Mark say was, "Anthony, I don't think your fat ass can actually get down to 220 or even close by the end of October".  So, I accept Mark's challenge!  LOL.

I have been in search of something to get me over this recent bump in the road.  Not sure this challenge will actually do it... especially since it is quite contrived and Mark did not actually doubt me.  But, he believed in me.  So, maybe that alone will be enough to motivate me.  Below, I will track how I am doing towards meeting this challenge.  Well, at least as long as I am actually moving towards it and haven't given up.  

That means I need to lose 11.2 pounds in 33 days, or 0.34 pounds per day.  I start today.

Here's to contrived challenges...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 231.0

Change from previous: +1.4

Total: (47.4)

Total Days: 234

Mark Gregory Challenge (November 1, 2014):
Starting weight: 231.0
Current weight: 231.0
Pounds lost: 0
Ahead/(Behind) pace: Even
Goal weight: 219.8 (11.2 pounds)
Days remaining: 33

229.6

After a breakfast burrito at The Pantry, I will take it.  Managed to stay under 230 for at least one more day.  Up 0.4 pounds.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.6

Change from previous: +0.4

Total: (48.8)

Total Days: 233

229.2

Almost forgot!  Down 2.0 pounds.  Which sets me up nicely to go back over 230 tomorrow.  LOL.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.2

Change from previous: (2.0)

Total: (49.2)

Total Days: 232

231.2

And there it is again.  Up 1.8 after a late late late night dinner loaded with salt and a lot of fluids.  

I first saw 231.2 on July 2.  That means I have wasted three months, or my whole summer.  I fully expected to do better over the summer since I am usually far more active.  But, I guess the other thing about summers is that I have a lot more things going on.  Not sure if it was these events - vacations, weddings, graduations, nights on the river drinking beers and eating pizza - or that I got complacent.  Maybe I was too happy with 230.  Maybe it's that 230 seems to be the weight where I really start to get compliments.  Maybe I felt too much of a sense of accomplishment after only reaching part of my goal.

My biggest concern is that I wanted some momentum heading in to the end of the year.  Those last six weeks of the year around Thanksgiving and Christmas are notoriously difficult times to be good.  But, I have given myself no cushion.  

In the end, I am proud of the 50 pounds I lost.  And, I am still a little bit happy that despite my lack of focus and diligence over the last three months, I have managed to not gain any of the weight back.  That is a good start.  But, I am not done.  I am not content.  Hopefully, the lack of temptations that the next couple of months brings will be enough for me to get it back in gear. 

Here's to the winter...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 231.2

Change from previous: +1.8

Total: (47.2)

Total Days: 231 

229.4

I swear to you I am not trying to get back over 230.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.4

Change from previous: +0.4

Total: (49.0)

Total Days: 230 

229.0

Up 1.2 pounds.  Still not eating like I want to and can't seem to quite get fully engaged despite the positive feelings I got from running again last week.  I had hoped that my decent weekend would help me gain some momentum and that 225 would be in the discussion by the end of the week.  But, I keep having one bad day during the week that sets me back.  I would like to remove those completely, or at least save them for the weekends. 

Time to reset my goals once again...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.0

Change from previous: +1.2

Total: (49.4)

Total Days: 229 

227.8

Good day.  Down 1.8 pounds.  Must... get... to... 225.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 227.8

Change from previous: (1.8)

Total: (50.6)

Total Days: 228 

229.6

Still under 230 coming out of a weekend.  That is always a good thing.  Got my usual Saturday morning drop after sleeping in and working out and found myself at 227 even.  After a wedding on Saturday, I was up to 228.6 yesterday and another pound to 229.6 this morning.  But, the good news is that I am still down 0.2 from my Friday weight and starting off the week still under 230.  

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.6

Change from previous: (0.2) (via -2.8, +1.6, +1.0)

Total: (48.8)

Total Days: 227 

11:22

I have always stated that while the very nature of a blog has vanity written all over it, the intent of this blog is not grounded in it.  I have never denied that there isn't a part of me that gets some satisfaction at posting my successes.  I think that has been proven in how hard it is to post when I am doing poorly and vice versa.  But, the primary goal of this blog has always been about accountability.  I think some of the sad, and even disgusting, stories that I have shared about myself prove that point.  Not sure those embarassing stories help me stay accountable.  The daily weight seems to do that on it's own.  But, they are part of my story and help me to remember the things I don't want to do ever again.

The number above is proof that this blog is not about bragging.  That number is the time it took me to run/walk a mile yesterday during the annual YMCA Corporate Cup competition.  Like I said on Saturday, pedestrian number to be sure.  But, it is so much more than that to me.  Saturday I ran for the first time in a long time.  I felt good.  But, a couple of days later, my knees were sore and stiff.  I limped through a couple of nightly walks and found myself hurting more than I expected.  Originally, I wanted to try to run/walk the mile in a similar fashion... even pushing it to 50/50 instead of 45/55.  Originally, I wanted to do the mile in about 12 minutes.  I still hadn't seen my time from Saturday.  So, I wasn't sure if 12 minutes was reasonable or not.  But, with sore knees, a big lunch, and allergies acting up, I started thinking that a nice mile long walk was in order. I figured if I could even walk at a 4 mile per hour clip and finish in 15 minutes, I would be fine with it. 

But, that urge to push myself took over when I approached that starting line.  So, I started the race jogging.  I went until I couldn't go any longer.  Then I walked.  As soon as I stopped gasping for air again, I started jogging once more.  I figured I was running slightly more than I did in the 5K.  I would have guessed about 50% of the time.  I didn't think I would reach my 12 minute goal.  As I approached the finish I could see the clock and I saw that it said 11-something and it made me run even faster and push through that last little bit of pain.  I finished in 11:22.   I had not only reached my goal, but had beaten it pretty substantially.

Yeah, I know people are running 4 minute miles.  There were plenty of people in front of me.  But, I was in the first 1/3 of the overall group, beat 12 minutes, and felt pretty good!  And, I felt like I ran about 60% of the time.  Then I did the math.  I figure I walk at around 3.6 mph, despite always pretending it is closer to 4.  I jog at about a 6 mph clip.  Based on that, I calculated that I ran about 73% of the time!  That is awesome!

Okay, so maybe this is a different sort of bragging.  I am not telling you how fast I ran.  I am not telling you that I ran the whole thing.  I am not telling you that I looked good doing it.  But, I guess what I am bragging about are those other things that I am more proud of... perseverance, attitude, effort, and hard work.  I could have walked the course.  I could have skipped the whole thing as I debated doing.  I could have jogged until it was slightly uncomfortable and ran for 40%.  But, I pushed through it and that is what I want to shout out to the world.  I finished a mile in 11 minutes and 22 seconds and still found it worthy of calling Lori from the car and telling her that I had broken 12 minutes.  Crazy how such a minor thing can feel so good.

That run ended up making up for a bad lunch... a belated birthday lunch with friends and a sandwich I had craved because it had been so long.  Down 0.8 and back under 230.  I am not even going to say a word about this being the last time.

Here's to small accomplishments that feel much larger...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.8

Change from previous: (0.8)

Total: (48.6)

Total Days: 226 

230.6

Down 1.4.  But, she's still hanging on.  While I will miss 230, I think it's getting close to time to say good-bye.  We had a good run.  In fact, it lasted longer than it should have.  She will always have a special place in my heart.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 230.6

Change from previous: (1.4)

Total: (47.8)

Total Days: 225 

232.0

Same, same, same...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 232.0

Change from previous: no change

Total: (46.4)

Total Days: 224 

232.0

Down 0.8 pounds.  230 and I are getting along fine.  Thanks for asking.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 232.0

Change from previous: (0.8)

Total: (46.4)

Total Days: 223 

232.8

Well, I guess I am no longer flirting with 230.  We are officially dating.  It's an on-again off-again type of relationship.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 232.8

Change from previous: +3.2

Total: (45.6)

Total Days: 222 

229.6

Up 1.2 pounds.  I just keep flirting with that 230 number.  All I can say is that last night was a lot of fun.  I will leave it at that.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.6

Change from previous: +1.2

Total: (48.8)

Total Days: 221 

228.4

Down only 1.4 pounds from yesterday.  Not a great number heading in to the weekend.  But, I feel great.  Because for the first time in three years, I ran again!  This morning I ran/walked in a 5K.  My plan all week, despite no running and knees slowly returning to form, was to walk some and run a little if it felt okay.  I started out in a jog and felt pretty good.  I walked when I got winded. But, found that my knees weren't hurting as bad as I expected.  So, I kept alternating.  In the end, I ended up running just under half of the 5K.  I would estimate somewhere around 45%.  I estimated my time at 45 minutes.  While I haven't gotten my official time, I am guessing I finished around 35 minutes... 40 at the maximum.  I will update you when I know.

Tomorrow, I ride in a 12.4 mile bike ride.  Last year I finished near the back.  I wasn't in shape.  I hadn't been riding.  And, I was almost 50 pounds heavier.  This year, my goal is to shave off at least 30 minutes from my time.

So, why am I sharing this with you?  Or, bragging about such pedestrian numbers?  Because despite my disappointment in the last couple of months, today I felt proud that I ran.  I felt proud that I pushed through some pain.  I felt proud that I felt so good running and walking 3 miles in the early morning.  I feel proud that I am going to ride my bike tomorrow. I felt proud that I am not the same person that I was a year ago and continue to move forward both physically and mentally.  I am thrilled that my knees held up and I am still walking right now.  In fact, Lori and I are about to go on a four mile walk down by the river.

This is how I look today.  It's not where I want to be.  But, it's a far cry better than seven months ago!  That light jacket that I have on is still a little snug.  But, I have never worn it and it never fit me when I bought it probably more than a year ago.  That makes me smile too.

Oh, and yeah, I like bright colors.

Here's to running the entire way next year...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 228.4

Change from previous: (1.4)

Total: (50.0)

Total Days: 220 

229.8

I have once again proven that my best strategy for losing weight is avoidance and that I don't have any true willpower.  We received an invite from my Mom right before I left work to join her and my sister at Red Lobster.  I like Red Lobster when trying to lose weight and have had some reasonable success in the past.  That was not the case last night.  Not sure if it was the salt, the Endless Shrimp, or the slight allergic reaction that I get when eating endless shrimp... something that you think might keep me from indulging by itself... but I ended up gaining 3.4 pounds this morning.

The funny thing is that I look at that number and am stunned that I could gain that much weight in one day.  It still amazes me.  But, the craziest thing are the good choices I still made last night that I used to never make.  I surely would have gone back over 230 if I hadn't skipped the biscuits, not drank only water, not eaten any rice, and not ordered green beans instead of some kind of potato.  Of course, that was all somewhat negated by a bite of my Mom's key lime pie, a bite of my Mom's chicken (some sugar-glazed concoction), a couple of bites of my sister's lobster mashed potatoes (who thinks of these things?), and a bite of my sister's cheesecake... oh, and that extra helping of the Parmesan Shrimp Scampi (drowning shrimp in butter wasn't fattening enough so they decided to add cheese to the equation).

Disappointed in myself and my choices and continuing to search for the strength to be able to join family and friends out for a bite to eat without ruining everything I am trying so hard to work for.  While practicing avoidance is a legitimate strategy, I still feel that I need to find some small amount of willpower to combat these moments and not set myself back.  And, at the same time, still slightly overjoyed that I didn't see 230 this morning... ever the optimist.

Still searching...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 229.8

Change from previous: +3.4

Total: (48.6)

Total Days: 219 

226.4

Down 1.6 to a new recent low!  Hopefully, that means this bicycling is paying off.  Still, I wanted to be lower as I edge closer to another weekend.  Oh this mixture of happiness and disappointment that seems to be my best friend.  

Still smiling after a third straight day of riding to work.  My car is starting to miss me.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 226.4

Change from previous: (1.6)

Total: (52.0)

Total Days: 218 

228.0

After months of talking about it, I finally rode to work on my bike yesterday... and again today.  What a great feeling!  I was so excited when I got home last night.  Lori and I went to dinner and then walked around the Riverwalk several times and were out there for well over an hour.  Because Duke was left out and we felt bad, we took him for a short stroll around the neighborhood when we got home.  This morning I was rewarded for all of my good exercise with a 1 pound weight gain.  I didn't eat great.  But, I am still at a loss... and uncomfortably close to 230 again. I will try not to cry.

But, I got up again this morning and hopped on the bike.  We will see what tomorrow brings.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 228.0

Change from previous: +1.0

Total: (50.4)

Total Days: 217 

227.0

Hopefully, the rewards for my good day will come tomorrow.  Down 0.4 from yesterday.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 227.0

Change from previous: (0.4)

Total: (51.4)

Total Days: 216 

227.4

Down 0.8 yesterday and starting the week 3.2 pounds lower than my post Labor Day start last Tuesday.  My net for the weekend is a gain of 0.8 pounds.  All things considered, I will take that.  Barring something ugly happening, like my office having five straight free pizza parties, I believe I have finally put 230 behind me and can focus on 225.  

Tomorrow, I start riding my bike to work.  That should help.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 227.4

Change from previous: (0.8)

Total: (51.0)

Total Days: 215 

228.2

Up 1.6.  Contrary to that result, it was a good day.  I ate decently, took a walk, took a long bike ride, and even got some exercise fishing.  This weigh-in is about getting up at 6:00 AM and not getting a workout before my weigh-in.  So, feeling good despite the gain.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 228.2

Change from previous: +1.6

Total: (50.2)
Total Days: 214

226.6

Well, I didn't get any text messages or phone calls from any of you last night... though my brother did send me a very honest and encouraging e-mail earlier in the day.  But, I managed to get through the fundraiser without a so-so effort and found myself down a pound and down to my new recent low!  The best thing is that this puts me further from 230.  I think this may have truly been the last time.  This is the lowest I have been since October 30, 2011.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 226.6

Change from previous: (1.0)

Total: (51.8)
Total Days: 213

227.6

Down 0.8 and 0.2 away from my recent low.  With a fundraiser event tonight, I need to focus on not only staying below 230, but actually breaking my recent low.  Feel free to text or call me with encouraging words between 5:30 and 8:30 tonight.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 227.6

Change from previous: (0.8)

Total: (50.8)
Total Days: 212

228.4

As Chris Berman would say, "Back, back, back, back, back, back, back...".  They say the seventh time is the charm.  Well, maybe they don't and that's just what I say.

Down 1.8 pounds and back under 230 FOR THE FINAL AND ABSOLUTE LAST TIME OF MY FRIGGIN' LIFE!!!

Okay, those capital letters should do the trick...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 228.4

Change from previous: (1.8)

Total: (50.0)
Total Days: 211

230.2

Down 0.4. The bad news is that I didn't break 230 again.  The good news is that because of that, I have no risk of going back over 230.  LOL.

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 230.2

Change from previous: (0.4)

Total: (48.2)
Total Days: 210

230.6

I should have gotten up and gone to the club this morning...

So bummed.  Up 2.4.  No surprise.  

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 230.6
Change from previous: +2.4

Total: (47.8)
Total Days: 209

229.0/228.2

Yesterday's weigh-in was expected.  We were out of town all day on Saturday and nothing I ate that day could be remotely considered good.  I woke up and immediately hit the club not wanting to even see my weight before getting some exercise in.  I ended up being up 1.6 and relieved that I remained under 230 despite my bad day.

Yesterday, Lori and I went to the Colorado State Fair.  Now, despite my love for food, I have never been a huge fan of fair fare and never really crave anything while we are out there.  Giant turkey legs?  Meh.  Funnel cake?  Not for me.  Fried Snickers, fried cookie dough, fried PB&J, fried Oreos, fried Twinkies, fried bacon-wrapped Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?  Not for me.  Fried pickles or fried Pueblo chile pepper?  Yeah, that is more up my alley.  But, not in the mood last night.  In fact, Lori and I rarely ever eat anything while at the fair and I can't remember the last time I partook.  Last night was different.  We hadn't eaten dinner and after a couple of beers, the bratwurst with peppers and onions was calling my name.  Even the fried cheesecake was starting to sound good.  Things I normally resist suddenly were tempting me.  I was starving.  I wanted to eat something at the fair.

But, here's the thing.  If I had woken up on Sunday and weighed 223 pounds, I would have gotten something.  But, because I had gone up to 229 and because I SO wanted not to go back over 230 one more time, I skipped it.  I left without eating.  I ate a handful of chips last night and decided that those beers were my dinner calories... healthy, I know.  When I woke up this morning, rather than skip the club and relaxing on this Labor Day holiday, I went and had a great workout. 

When I got home, I got on the scale and was 0.8 pounds down and still under 230!  That made all of those hard decisions and that little bit of anxiety while leaving the fair last night worth it.  Next year, I will be under 210 when I go to the fair.  And, I plan on eating that bratwurst I missed this year... maybe.  I want to try that cheesecake... I think.  Maybe next year I won't really want to try either.  I will let you know.

Here's to faring well at the State Fair...

Starting weight (this time): 278.4
Current weight: 228.2
Change from previous: +0.8(via +1.6, -0.8)

Total: (50.2)
Total Days: 208