First, thanks to those of you who had some reading suggestions for me. Between here and Facebook I think I’ve got some really interesting books to look into. If you’ve got some others, please feel free to leave them in the comments section of yesterday’s post. I’ll let you know later what I go with.
Now, on to today’s post…
If you follow me on Twitter or are a friend of mine on Facebook (I’m sure most of you do or are), then you know that I started feeling sickly the other day. Since I’ve got an international trip quickly approaching, I wanted to knock out whatever was going on with me. So I went to the doctor. I don’t always immediately go to the doctor. I don’t particularly enjoy doing so for a number of reasons. Usually I see if I can’t treat my sickness myself with OTC stuff, plenty of fluids and lots of vitamin C. Anyway, however, this time I went to the doctor.
As I’m sure you all know, one of the first things they do when you visit the doctor is measure some of your vitals. This might include, but not be limited to, your temperature, your blood pressure, your pulse, your height and… your weight. Now, I’m a big guy. I know. But I haven’t always been. I’ve never been particularly skinny (though during a particularly dark time in high school, I kinda stopped eating a lot and dropped to about 135 lbs.), but I spent the majority of my life at least at an average weight and decently healthy. Over the past, I’d say, eight years or so, that has ceased to be the case. I’ve progressively put on more and more weight. The problem for me, though, is since I haven’t been a heavy/overweight/obese/fat guy for most of my life, I don’t feel like one. In other words, I never really think about or realize how big I’m getting or have gotten until I’m forced to stare it in the face.
This has been happening more and more lately. First, a lot more pictures of me have been popping up. This is mainly because of Story. People want to take pictures of Story, and since I’m probably holding her half the time I end up being in a lot of those pictures. Then I see those pictures and think, “what have I become?” Second, my belt has started rubbing a sore on the front of my belly where my gut hangs over it while I sit at my desk all day. This sore hurts. A lot. So, either I endure the pain or stop wearing a belt. I’m a pansy. So, I’ve stopped wearing a belt. This means that my pants are always falling down. You wouldn’t think this was the case since, you know, I’ve got a big gut. However, the big gut serves to push my pants down rather than keep them up. So, now I’m one of those big dudes who’s either always pulling his pants up or revealing too much to the world around him. Third, I had to get weighed at the doctor yesterday. My weight typically fluctuates, not a lot, but in a range of about ten pounds. If you had asked me yesterday how much I weighed, I would have estimated around 270 lbs., definitely not light. When I stepped on that scale, I couldn’t believe my eyes. 290!!!! That means I’ve not yet reached the dreaded 300, but it’s still absolutely ridiculous and embarrassing.
It’s time to stop the insanity!
For one thing, I’m just not healthy and that’s not good. For another, I have a daughter that I’m sure is going to be a very active little girl once she gets moving around. I want to keep up with her and be able to play with her and run around and all that kind of stuff. Also, I think my obesity is mostly the result of sin in my life… gluttony… laziness… etc. Then I want to look good for Liza, and there’s also the fact that there’s a lot of things I want to do with my life. I want to have a long life in order to do all of them (God willing).
I’ve known things have needed to change for awhile and have genuinely wanted them to do so. I’ve tried a number of popular weight loss techniques with catchy names that worked, but then when I stopped adhering to the strict (and, frankly, absurd) rules I ballooned back up. So, I’ve known it would take a true change in lifestyle. I’ve been implementing small changes over the past few months. Drinking a lot more water. Cutting out most soda. Eating smaller portions. Introducing some exercise. Making better decisions about what I eat. Limiting fried food. Etc. However, the small things, while good introductory steps, just aren’t cutting. It’s time for big things. I don’t know what those are, exactly, but I’m working on figuring it out.
I also know myself well enough to understand that left to my own devices, I won’t do much. It’s too easy for me to convince myself to not excercise for whatever reason or why that large blizzard is okay “just this once” even though I know it won’t be just this once. So, a major part of this journey is going to be accountability. That’s where you can come into the picture if you want.
1. I give any and all of you full permission to call me out. Ask about what I’m eating, how much I’m exercising, what my plans are, how things are going. All of that. I won’t promise to always like it, but I will give my word to always answer you honestly. I just ask that you do so with the purpose of being encouraging and not amusing yourself with my struggle (I know how much you all love schadenfreude).
2. If you are in a similar position as mine, maybe you’d like to join me on my quest. We can work out some things to do together as part of our plans. Just let me know.
3. Maybe you have suggestions on the major changes I should make. Again, I’m not looking for the latest trends, a quick fix or something like that. I’m looking for a new way to live. This type of change doesn’t come easy and will have to happen over time whether than all at once. So, keep that in mind. You might also want to know that I’m not an early riser, I’m a pretty busy guy, running is not something I particularly enjoy doing and I have a wicked sweet tooth. I’m not saying I’m not willing to change/adjust/adapt any or all of those things. I’m just painting you a picture of where I currently am.
4. I’ll be putting regular updates of how I’m doing on this blog and elsewhere for the world to see.
5. Here’s the big one. My goal is to lose 50 lbs. in six months. That’s not a small goal, nor is it an unachievable one. I’m going to take the month of July to continue with my small steps, develop a plan and strategy and then start my six month journey on August 1. That would mean that if I achieve my goal I will have lost fifty pounds by January 31. If I do not achieve that goal I am going to pay $50.00 (that’s one dollar per pound) to anyone who comments on this post here on this blog (not on Facebook) in the next week (by July 8). Come on people, my failure could be your profit. If I achieve my goal, you owe me nothing other than a simple “congrats” and “job well done.”
So there you go.
Who’s with me?
July 1st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
How about a pedometer, so you can challenge yourself everyday? They have cool ones now that don’t look like mall walker accessories. And p.s. I had a friend who dropped like crazy by not eating after 7 pm and curbing his late night hunger w/ hot teas (which also helped him sleep).
There’s my swell advice. I think you’re awesome. Go for it.
July 1st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
It takes guts to lay that out like you did…..and I totally feel you man….I was weighed at the doctor’s office recently and am 31 pounds heavier than I was in college….and like you I fear if I don’t make some changes it’s only gonna get worse…So know that I will keep you in my prayers and will be walking on this journey with you….With your guidance I’ve already walked through five summers worth of journeys….so how bout one more for the road!
July 1st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I hope I get no money from this.
Brandi and I will go through some of our 64,000 cookbooks and pull some healthy recipes that don’t taste like plastic and newspaper for you.
I’d be shocked if there wasn’t a pedometer app for the iPhone (if you have one).
Cooking, cooking, and cooking will help a lot. Stay away from eating out. Cook enough to take leftovers for lunches (you’ll enjoy a healthy spike in your bank account too). It’s an activity, and you can control everything that goes into what you eat.
July 1st, 2009 at 3:25 pm
So through seminary and the few years after, I gained about 30 lbs. So I did Weight Watchers. Not the “go to the meeting thing,” but the “sign up online and print off and pirate all the lists of what different foods are worth.” Then I discontinued the account. It worked.
Good luck buddy. You can do it.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:04 pm
The not eating after 7pm works. Also, I hate the gym (this is well documented), and find that I don’t feel like such a dummy when I can exercise in the comfort of my own home and not in front of people who just make me feel bad. Videos, man. Videos. P90X and Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred are really popular and will kick your a.
Also, you should set aside one day (maybe one day every two weeks or even one day a month) to relax your rules. It gives you something to work towards and it rewards you. I’m really bad with rewarding myself with food (hello issues!), so maybe rewarding yourself with a purchase (taking the money you will not be giving the commenters and buying something you’ve been wanting for awhile, or using that money to sponsor an LDP student or something). Positive reinforcement.
A worthy and admirable goal. I salute you.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:45 pm
please oh please don’t give away story’s daycare money! just kidding!
i’m very proud of you my love and we’re going to continue to push each other to be the best we can be!
i’ll even sing my motivation song for you if you want!
i love you!
July 1st, 2009 at 6:23 pm
If you aren’t cutting out sodas all together, switch to diet. Also only drink water between meals. Park farther away instead of in princess parking. Eat on smaller plates. Eat vegetables first. Drink water before you eat. Eat slowly.
I also hope you don’t owe anybody any money and I’m not betting against you Kins.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
You guys should look at cookinglight.com. you can search recipes, etc… and sort by ratings. If you do the ones that have 4 stars they are really really good – and healthy!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
hey bro, here was my big key when I went from 210 to 170 is just a few months. I had to make the diet, exercise, etc. something that I was actually interested in and understood. For me that came mostly through reading. Not diet books, but health magazines and different websites that help to understand how your body and food works. I guess it kind of became a hobby. Also, I found what works for me instead of trying to adhere my life to another person’s diet routine. Oh and that’s the time in my life when I discovered my favorite past-time… podcasts. Got me through workouts. (i’ll take Liza’s cut since she’s kinda out of the running)
July 1st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
You da man, Kins. If you set your mind to it like you do when you really have something in your sights, you’ll be successful.
I struggle with my weight. Always have. The healthiest I am is when I eat 5 or 6 small meals a day and exercise regularly in the morning . . . Keeps your metabolism going all day.
You can do it brother. And you are doing it for the right reasons.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 am
Kins! Kins! Kins! (I’m cheering you on! can you hear it?)
Ok, I’m the ultimate fat kid. NOT athletic at all. And I’m ok with it. Recently, kate, space and LH talked (brainwashed) me into running. So, I did. I will say easy-does-it with life changes/exercise is the way to go. I started running/walking slowly and started minorly watching what I ate and LBs started to come off all by themselves. Actually, not all by themselves…I was running my big a up hills, but what ev. Anyway I did the couch to 5k method and then ran a 5k at the end of the 7weeks. YOU GOTTA HAVE GOALS. Saving face at that race was the only motivation I had. I
cliche of the day: I did it, and so can you!
July 4th, 2009 at 7:36 am
YOU CAN DO IT!
I think the most important thing besides what all these other peeps have said is having a partner or two! I will find every excuse in the world not to exercise if Kate and LH cant come with me! And although I could feel the daggers coming out of Crystal’s eyes a time or three while running, it was good fellowship time as well:)
I am sorry you are going to SA without the bham girls! Those drives won’t be the same…just remember all those convos we had that made you nice and comfortable…
July 8th, 2009 at 9:49 am
[...] @ Sanibona! …sarah mac @ Happy Fourth of July! …Space @ Extra Baggage… And Lots Of It …crystal @ Extra Baggage… And Lots Of I …Andy @ Extra Baggage… And Lots Of It [...]
July 8th, 2009 at 10:06 am
First of all – talk about motivation, putting it out there for everyone to see is huge motivation. And for the record, I’m not interested in $, as Liza said, Story needs to go to daycare!
But, I have wanted to post since I first read your blog. Here are my thoughts, I’ve dropped about 10 pounds since Christmas (which is probably close to 20 for a guy!) and I have done is make a few small changes. For one thing, I love sweets. Now, instead of just trying to stop (which absolutely does NOT work, I keep dove chocolate squares for after dinner. I know I’m having one after I get the boys down. I don’t eat a dessert anymore, but I do get a treat every night. And I’ve switched to water or diet coke only eating out. I don’t keep cokes at the house, even diet. If I’m thirsty, I have to drink what’s there. Be careful going to the store – If you don’t buy it, you can’t eat or drink it!
Best of luck to you, my friend!
July 8th, 2009 at 11:15 am
240-190 in six months. You’re right in that it’s a lifestyle change. Now that I’m here, I’ll never go back.
Here’s the hard truth. Lots of people encourage. Lots of people ask and offer helpful advice. But only you can do it.
And you do it by yourself. You do it when everyone’s going to lunch and you stay in your office and eat the salad you made. You do it when it’s still dark out and everyone’s asleep but you still get up and exercise even though it’s the LAST thing you want to do. You do it by doing the research to know EXACTLY how many calories there are in EVERYTHING you ingest. You do it by making 1000 tough little decisions every day.
But it gets easier. I promise it does. But you have to start. That’s the hardest part.
We’re in the same boat bro. Not an early riser. Big-time sweet tooth. Love food. Went to the doctor for ankle pain and came out with stroke-level blood pressure.
What worked for me: find sustainable change. For me it was (and still is) a fruit smoothie (that I make myself so I’ll know exactly what’s in it) for breakfast, a salad for lunch (I’ve now moved to soup and turkey sandwiches), and restraint for dinner. Cheat a lot, but only once a day, and make sure your cheats are less than 200 calories (>200 calories = 3 dove dark chocolate promises or 1/4 cup of Jelly Belly’s, see what I mean? do the research). Cut calories, not food (read: eat more veggies. Eat them first so you’ll fill up faster). And then find an exercise regimen that works for you. For me it’s a modified version of Jillian’s “30 Day Shred” in the play room.
That was me. You gotta find it for you. Good luck. You can do it.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I’ve always been skinny so I don’t have much to say about what to each how to eat it etc, but as far as exercise, I understand not wanting to run. It hurts big guys, and can be really boring to some.
However I have a couple of “big” friends and when I bring them to the house and have them hit the heavy bag in the garage, they LOVE IT.
Why? Cause big guys can really make the bag move. You guys hit hard, the bag swings and sways and creaks. There is a tangible result in hitting the bag. It feels good to pound on something after a long day of work too.
It’s a great stress relief, cheap ($40 or $50 for an old “Rocky” style canvass job) you can do it at home, whenever your schedule allows and it is one HECK of a total body workout!
Try doing it for 30 or even 15 minutes. Break it up into “rounds” of 3 min each. taking a 1 min. break between them. The time really flies if you imagine putting a beat down on that guy who cut you off in traffic, or that stupid editor who sliced up your latest project! You’ll be surprised what you think about when you are punching and “fighting” the bag. VERY cathartic.
There are tons of videos/workouts online explaining good technique/form and routines to work. Be sure to check them out before starting. You can SERIOUSLY mess up your wrists and hands with bad form and inadequate hand protection.
I LOVE my heavy bag. The best piece of exercise equipment I’ve ever bought. I hit it all the time. (less now with all the running) Just buy the bag, some hand wraps and you are off and running…I mean punching and before you know it, you’ll be losing weight, gaining stamina, increasing muscle all over and kicking Taylor and Andy’s butt at will!
Good luck!
July 8th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
So, Erin my wife read this post and told me about it. Chris as a 290 pound man myself I feel your pain. And your right you have to do something about it, me too. My dad recently lost over 100 pounds. It took him about 1 and half years. from over 300 to about 210. He didn’t do a specific diet or anything. He ate what he wanted when he wanted. What he did do though was take hold of Philippians Ch.2. Read it and practice it not just for weight loss but for life. The idea of self denial or delayed gratification goes a long way. My dad tells me when I get my food at a restaurant before I start eating cut my food in half and place half in a to go box. if you get a steak before you take a bight, cut it up into little pieces. Anything to delay the gratification of eating. Also, practice saying no to yourself in other areas than just food. It’s hard to tell are selves no until we start doing it. Take one thing food or not food related everyday and say I will not have it. For me my practice of saying no is somedays when I want to play xbox I just say tomorrow not today. Anyways hope this helps, and hope I didn’t comment to long on your post. All the best Kinsley!
July 9th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Chris,
I’m proud of you for going public and taking control of this issue. One of the biggest takeaways from the Student Life Biggest Loser of this last year is that my body didn’t naturally want to be carrying around that extra weight. Once I jump-started my system, the weight came off steadily b/c my 5′6 frame didn’t need to be lugging around that extra weight.
I did Weight Watchers as well and loved it. I kept an excel grid of every food I ate and how many points I used for the entire 4 months of the contest and it really helped. The reason I was a fatty is b/c I had no self-discipline. Therefore keeping a journal required self-discipline. It’s more than the weight, it’s about changing our natural tendencies.
You can do big daddy!
Brad Barnett
August 10th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
[...] Because, as promised, I am genuinely trying to turn over a new leaf, make a life change, improve my health, lighten the [...]