Winter is Coming

Winter has declared war on me. I've spent the last week in the trenches battling it's latest act of bioterrorism. Bronchitis is no joke. I'm on the mend, but there is no guessing what Winter has planned in the war room.  My only hope is that Spring will send in reinforcements before my body succumbs to one of Winter's attacks, be it illness, biting cold, or slick sidewalks.

Somehow, despite holidays and illness, I managed to keep the weight loss going, though it definitely slowed toward the end of December. I was worried last week in particular because most of my meals where fast food or pizza that Dann so graciously got for me. I was far too ill to cook for myself, and I had to blanket all my food in crushed red pepper just to taste anything.  I was hoping that my violent coughing was tightening up my abs. My intercostal and and rectus abdomens muscles hurt enough that it felt like I had done a major ab workout! Of course, it was a fool's wish. 

I am very pleased with my weight loss results for the month of December.  In January, I need get a gym routine going and I have challenged myself to logging all my food entries at My Fitness Pal. I really enjoy their calorie counter, and while sometimes it may not be exact, I feel that the act of knowing what you are eating helps. You don't realize how much you eat until you write it all down. If you're interested in what I'm eating this week, the link will take you to my food diary.  Today's entry has a ridiculously low amount of calories. I woke up late and didn't have breakfast, but I snacked on dishes I was cooking for the week and didn't log it. I promise I'm not starving myself.

Goal: 172 lbs.

Current Weight: 263.8 lbs.
Difference: 91.8 lbs.
Loss to date: 8.4 lbs

December 2012 - 272 lbs

January 6, 2013

Treachery

Dear Diary,

Today is my 10,765th day on this planet. This place has gotten the best of me.  For some unknown reason I have become complacent and addicted to cookies, chocolate, cheesecake, fast food, and soda.   It appears that most people on this planet are currently infatuated with the linguistics of a small red four-legged creature.  In the coming days I will bravely search the wilderness in pursuit of one of these creatures and begin my interrogation immediately in hopes of finding a cure.   Wish me luck.

Goal: 200 lbs.
Current Weight: 310 lbs.
Difference: 110 lbs.
Loss to date: 0 lbs

Workout today: 30 minutes on the elliptical at Planet Fitness and stretching

P.S. Per protocol, I cannot confirm nor deny my wife's allegations of sabotage.  I shall remain steadfast in my mission.  GLORY SHALL BE MINE!

The Starting Point

This is where we are now. In an effort to lose weight and live healthier lifestyles, Dann and I have decided to start this weight loss blog. Both of us need to lose at least a total of 100 pounds to be closer to a healthy weight. Together, we hope to lose a combined total of 200 pounds through diet and exercise.

I have personally, never been in "great shape." I have never been a very active person, even as a child. Finding the motivation to go workout will be my biggest challenge, especially in the cold winter months.  I did enjoy taking long walks this summer and fall outside, but unless I find a way to brave the cold, it looks like exercise will be indoor only. Luckily, our apartment complex offers a small  workout room with a couple of treadmills, elliptical, and weights for free. It isn't fancy, but much better than paying for the price of a gym membership that always seems to go unused. If Dann and I can get into the habit of working out on a regular basis and start seeing results, we will consider upgrading to a nicer gym membership, but we need to instill the habit first.

I have been able to lose a considerable amount of weight before through diet, so I am not worried about that. My problem, like others, is maintaining a healthy weight after weight loss. I lost a considerable amount  of weight the summer between middle school and high school doing the Atkins diet. However began slowly gaining that weight back. After beginning a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle change about two years ago,  I lost about 40 pounds, but after stopping that last year, I have gained that weight plus another 30 or so back. I am now that the heaviest weight of my life and I am ready to make a change for good! I am so glad that I have Dann on my side, making this change too!

Initial Weigh-in and Starting Photos

December 4th, 2013
Starting Weight: 272 lbs

I probably could have taken the time to comb my hair for these pictures.