Alright, now that I've gotten that out of the way, I can get on with the post. No, I'm not actually on a break from losing weight, just a break from work. It's been tough staying away from the refrigerator when I'm at home all day. I've been trying to take in smaller meals, but I keep grazing. I'll make more of an effort to get out of the apartment tomorrow.
The weather has gotten nice here and since I have the week off, I thought it would be the perfect time to start Couch to 5k. It was exhilarating. For those of you who aren't familiar with the program, it's a 9-week 5k training program for non-runners. I haven't run in a long time and it was so freeing. I started with a 5-minute warm-up walk and then I alternated between running for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds for 20 minutes. The best part was I got to utilize the fantastic Midtown Greenway. I've officially stepped it up a notch.
On a less exuberant note, I attempted to complete my 100 push-ups challenge on Saturday. I managed to squeeze 43 out of myself. I took a break and came back for a second set. This time I got 40 out before collapsing. The third set was comprised of a piddly 17 push-ups. So I did exactly 100 push-ups, it just took three sets to accomplish. I'm going to repeat week six. Hopefully, I'll have a little better luck on my next test. Life isn't always about success. Sometimes it's about you deal with failure.
And now it's time for the weigh-in.
<5 minutes pass>
Alright, I'm back. I have a plan for a great weigh-in next Monday:
1. Do a morning and afternoon work-out this week. Since I'm doubling the time I spend exercising, I'll do something fun as one of my work-outs.
2. Count my calories very closely. I'm going to shoot for 2200 a day.
3. Kick up my water consumption. Someone suggested to drink as many ounces of water as half my weight in pounds per day. Since I weigh 265 pounds, I would drink 132.5 ounces. That's just over one gallon of water per day. So for the next week I'll be drinking 5.5 bottles of water a day. That's almost double what I was drinking before. I'm going to be doing a lot of peeing this week.
Lastly, I've decided to start taking measurements as another way to monitor my loss. I had no idea what I should be measuring, so I found this site. It's not a weight-loss site, but it was the only site that I could find that explained how to take measurements on a man, which I am. I think I'll be measuring every two weeks to start. If I'm not seeing much of a change, I'll switch to monthly. Let's get started.
This is exactly what I look like, including the black, shadowy groin region.
Neck: 19"
Shoulder: 54 3/4"
Bicep: 16"
Chest: 50 1/2"
Waist: 51"
Hips: 46 1/2"
Thigh: 28 1/2"
Calf: 18 1/2"
And that's how big I am. I'll pull out the measuring tape in 2 weeks to see how well I've done.
I once heard a speech analyst say how much he hated that politicians don't actually end their speeches anymore. So on that note, thank you and God bless the United States of America.
Keep up the good work. I just measured recently too -- I thought it'd be cool to see what the difference is in like a year or so.
ReplyDeleteI did a 5K for the first time last year. It's very doable and gives a good sense of accomplishment. It's a good reason to get outside, too! I'm glad to hear you're trying out a training program for it. Let me know if you want to run a 5K this summer.
ReplyDeleteYeah! Nice work on that C25K! Keep it up! And spring break from work is awesome. You'll have some time to relax and enjoy yourself :)
ReplyDeleteI should start taking measurements but we have no tape, so I've started using my jeans as a measuring tool. Seems like it's working.
I have 2 weeks before my first 5K which I'm super stoked for and then a month after that before my 10K and then POSSIBLY a half marathon...but man. That's a LOT of training. I don't know if I've got THAT much in me.
Jess: if you don't have a tape measure you can always just use... a string or shoelace and a ruler or something.
ReplyDeleteI laughed a lot when reading your post. I don't' know why but this was a particularly funny thing to read in my head "It's not a weight-loss site, but it was the only site that I could find that explained how to take measurements on a man, which I am. "
You have come so far I can't believe it. Do you have any tips on staying on top of things? I'm working out but don't have a scale so I can't weight myself and I'm sort of monitoring what I'm eating (I too have gotten worse at Daily Plating every day). Any tips/advice is welcome!
PS My parents are really impressed with your weight loss!
Man, Andrew, this post was great and hilarious! I learned some tineresting things: for instance, you're a man!? Hehe!
ReplyDeleteI think that's an okay loss--given that you were on break! I think you'll crush the next one (especially with your plan of attack).
And the ending? Awesome!
Did you buy a flash gun when you hit the 270 mark?
ReplyDeleteHere is an idea for when you reach another weight goal: home weight system; even bells help a lot if you just want to do some lifting at home. :)
That amount of water scares me. Did you know that most of your daily water requirements can be met through the foods that you eat, especially if you're taking in enough fruits/veg? Use thirst as a guide, otherwise you may dangerously deplete your electrolytes (the things that keep your body's electrical signals firing efficiently and keep you from dying).
ReplyDeleteJackieDee, you may have a point. I'll do a little more research before I start uberhydrating.
ReplyDeleteLiza, no I didn't buy a flash gun. I'm poor and can't afford one. If you want to buy me one, I'd be happy to give you a free photo shoot.
Good progress and well done on the C25K.
ReplyDeleteHey Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI also started drinking a lot of water this year. What I do is drink 2 12 ounce glasses before each meal because:
1. I need the water
and
2. It cuts down on my hunger before I eat.
Soon it becomes a habit and is not as I hard as I once thought it would be.
Be careful with that water.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication
Do not listen to Liza. Don't buy a weight set. I've considered buying weights in the past and I've come to this conclusion: If you're buying weights because you're not motivated enough to go to the gym, you aren't going to be motivated enough to use the weights at your house.
ReplyDeleteYou should run with me and Leo over Spring Break. It will make you feel good to run alongside a greyhound and realize that you're able to keep up easily. Cross country is wasted on a greyhound; they're natural sprinters.
I'll echo the water safety sentiments but fill up before a meal.
ReplyDeleteThere's one part you forgot to measure...
Nice sign off.
CONSISTENCY! Keep tracking your food!
Which flash gun are you looking at?
Getting out and walking around every day on top of your usual routine can help a bunch - use that SPRING BREAK! WOO! Rock the next weigh in!
a loss is a loss indeed!
ReplyDeleteI started the c25k program 9 weeks ago and could barely do the 60 seconds.
Yesterday I ran for 30 minutes non-stop! First 5k is slated for June 12. I'm doing a walking half marathon may 11th. This moving this is pretty fascinating.
I can't wait to hear about you doing some kick ass running soon!
I've been looking at the Canon 430 ex II flash gun. I wish I could afford that bad boy, but it's just not in the cards right now.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theonion.com/articles/health-inspector-repulsed-by-restaurants-customers,17141/
ReplyDeleteWonder how much money you've saved on food...
ReplyDeleteBuying healthier food can be more expensive than buying food that's bad for you.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great! We all have weeks that aren't what we'd like them to be. I'm sure you'll crush next week. Congrats on Couch25k! I did that last year, never having run at all before, ever. Now I regularly run 3-4 miles, and I have a half-marathon on the schedule for fall!
ReplyDelete