Day 14

So,

            I noticed the holidays kind of threw me off and I didn’t write a journal entry on Monday; which means I have already betrayed the schedule I told myself I was going to follow.  This is something I am going to have to fix, because the way I see it is if I don’t even have enough discipline to sit at a desk and type on a consistent schedule.  It isn’t likely I am going to have the discipline to work out, eat, and see the doctor on a consistent schedule either.  Developing discipline should be all encompassing and I should  try to limit my excuses as to why it hasn’t gotten done.  On that note though, I made sure to eat as well as I could over the holiday, stuck closer to veggies and things of that nature and minimized the amount of sweet food I consumed.  In fact aside from a little bit of candy at my dad’s house, I stayed completely away from cake and pie which were at both the holiday gatherings I went to.  And of course only had one plate of food at each meal.

I started taking some advice from friends and family, both in regards to products/foods they enjoy using for health benefits; as well as schedule ideas and have so far been very happy with the results!  It was cool to have people actually giving me suggestions, as well as find people were reading what I was writing (Without me having to suggest to them).  In particular it was suggested to me that instead of using energy supplements as a way to ‘refuel’ after a work out, they should be consumed about 30mins before I intend to work out.  The idea being that I will have more energy and that it will boost my metabolism into burning the calories I am actually trying to lose, throughout the day.  Instead of burning a bunch during the work out, then taking something heavy in protein which will replenish and slow the metabolism back down.  I got up about 45mins earlier than I am used to this morning and gave it a try, and I must say it felt pretty good.  During the work out I felt much more energetic, and a lot less sore afterward.  Granted, this was just the first day…but I think I will be happy with this result in the long run, as down time and lack of energy in the morning is something that seems to bring down my work out.

I decided I’m only going to weigh myself on them month, meaning on the thirty (30) day mark of each entry from the last.  I think if I focus too narrowly I will begin to lose concentration on what is important, which is my overall health and wellness, not just shedding pounds.  Also looking at the changes at the end of a 30 day period will make those changes larger by nature, and will probably play well into my over all mood.

So far the exercises the chiropractor gave me are awesome! They are wicked hard to do, but I can notice the muscles in my stomach and lower back are for sure getting stronger.  I can’t wait for her to give me the next sequence when I’m ‘ready’ for them.  Also I scheduled to have a physical on Jan 11^th (I wish it could have been sooner, but this was the next available), to get a lock on my over all health…Blood sugar, cholesterol, heart and lungs, and have an actual idea of where I am starting rather than going off of how I ‘feel’.  I think I will plan to have a physical three times during the period to chart my progress and of course to get the doctor’s opinion on what would be the healthiest and optimal options.

Day 7

So,

       admittedly I have not been working as hard as I could have been, I have been working out every morning.  But I think I could be trying harder or at the least twice a day instead of only when I wake up.  Also I have not embraced the changes in my diet as much as I think I should be, although I have made a lot of them.  So first thing (Tonight, and tomorrow) I am going to do is make the full change to only 1-2 cups of iced coffee a week (preferably 1), drinking tea as an alternative if I find I still want the caffeine in the morning; plus there are a lot of green teas that would actually be good for my kidneys as well.  The milk and chocolate that go into the coffee I like to drink is a huge detriment to my efforts, and although I have cut it down significantly, I would like to cut THAT down by less than half…so 1-2 a week, or only 1 on weekends if you want to add it up that way.

Also, while I have been good about packing my lunch (instead of getting something at work), and making sure it is all light/nutrient friendly/a good choice over all…There have been days when I had to leave the house in a rush, or got too distracted doing other things (Reading, futsing around on the computer, talking to people) and was unable to pack my lunch.  So also starting tonight, I will be packing my lunch the night before as part of my daily routine, to make sure I am well disciplined about having it ready to take with me the next day.  This includes a packet of grits for a “breakfast” at 10am, an actual lunch, and some type of snack (sliced veggies, almonds, antioxidant fruit) to have close to the end of the day around 4-5 before I go home and begin the process of preparing dinner.

On the note of working out, I feel like I have been slacking in that arena.  While it is true that I do a work out of some nature every morning, I sometimes have only been doing the routine my chiropractor showed me for my tummy/back and calling that “good enough” especially on days when I accidentally sleep in and don’t feel like I can fit a whole routine into my morning.  I think this is probably not good enough, and that the small routine (Usually about only 15mins of sit ups and other crunches) my chiropractor gave me, should be seen as a supplement.  It was the wrong mindset to look at it as an actual work out, and I should have never let myself fall into that mentality, even for only a few days.  So…the schedule I am going to follow starting tonight is…a regular 45-50 minute work out first thing in the morning,  then when I get home from work something that is cardio specific/heavy, followed by the 15minutes of crunches and such suggested by my chiropractor.

Today I also looked into finding a physician so that I can have my first physical, I have decided that when they weigh me at the doctor’s office, that will be my “official” starting weight…unless…it is 5lbs lower than what I claimed I started at (272lbs), because I doubt I lost 5lbs since starting, if it is more than I claimed ( L I certainly hope it isn’t), than aside from being an even more grotesquely fat kid…it will be more money donated in the long run and I’m going to try to look at that is a positive thing, seeing as how I am losing all of it no matter which way you cut it.  After that I will get their advice on a periodical check up, to make sure that everything is healthy and happy as I bring my body mass down.  As well as get some ideas on what kind of diet I should be aiming for, when considering my other health concerns.

Other than that there is not much else to report…I have a noticeable increase in energy, even if I don’t look/feel different over all.  My attitude is thus far very positive, although I am disappointed at the short comings listed above.  I am still just starting out, and I don’t want to drag myself down my small set backs so early on.  I have yet to hear back from Shriners about any advice or assistance they can offer, but one way or another I am going to figure it out, even if it is on my own.  I figure it is more important to get the method and health aspect figured out, before I worry about donation and accountability.

Also…I am going to start a schedule for the entries, so that I am putting up a new blog every couple days (Probably Mon, Wed, Fri…with maybe a bonus Saturday night post from time to time).  I think a good way to help me embrace the changes in routine and discipline is to be disciplined in EVERY aspect of the project, and that means writing these updates as well.

Thank you for the feedback I have received both on and off the blog site, it means a lot to have the guidance!

Talk to you soon!

Day 1

Hello!

Hopefully this will become something exciting and fun for you to read, and for me to continue to write; and not yet another project that goes on the back burner for one excuse or another (Cause that’s what they are, excuses). 

It has been becoming more and more clear to me that I try to move in too many different directions, and a lot of the time this results in me just standing still (or running in place, whichever analogy you prefer).  Usually I am trying to juggle 1-2 things at work or school at once, falling off and climbing on the exercise wagon in an attempt to get in shape, as well as constantly daydreaming about a billion or more little charity ideas that strike my fancy.  The end result of course is that I spend  a lot of time working towards nothing, gaming, and not working on any charity of any nature.

For the time being I would like to focus on my health though, something that seems to be a pillar to everything else.  When we eat heavy/salty/fatty foods our mood is generally much lower, as a result of our energy being lower.  This can result in workflow slowing down, sleep patterns becoming all buggered, and of course we don’t’ want to exercise or change these habits so we find ourselves in a kind of circle.

To date (December 13^th 2011) I am 25 years old, I stand at 5ft 8inc tall, and weigh about 272lbs (with slacks and socks on).  This, I’m sure I don’t need to explain to anyone, is completely unacceptable.  Both as a method of living everyday life, as well as a vehicle to prolonging and improving my life.  In my family there is a history of both heart disease, as well as identities; and I’m sure I am not doing my other organs or joints any favors by living the way I currently do.  My current weight puts me at about 112lbs overweight (Which is well beyond the clinically “obese” measurement), which is a disgusting 25lbs or more than I weighed the last time I tried to lose weight by changing my diet and work out routine.  I have said before, and it has always been evident that this must change immediately.  So as to avoid serious health conditions later in life (probably not that far down the road at that), as well as repair what damage I can, which I have already caused by treating myself so poorly.

On a lighter note…

If you know me, you know that I have been a patient of Shriners Hospital for Children almost my entire life (My last clinical visit with them was around the time of my 22^nd birthday).  If you let me I will talk for hours and hours, about my visits, extended stays, and many other experiences with the group.  I’ve known nurses and doctors who watched me grow up from infant, who I still stay in contact with today when I am able.  What is more amazing is that the services rendered at the Shriners locations around the world, are completely free to the families of children who need them.  Everything from extreme and life saving surgery, to rehabilitation, to grief and emotional counseling, hospital stays, check ups.  Everything they can do that is in their power is turned into a force to help many disabled or ill children, and the things that which are not in their power they will find the person whom it is.  If you don’t already know who I am talking about I highly suggest you go to a search engine and read up about them, they are an amazing, life saving, organization who can use all the support you can give them and I encourage you to.

One of the many things I discuss when referring to Shriners is pride.  Pride that I grew up knowing the people I did, both patients and staff, pride at experiencing the things that I did.  Pride at being around people and in a place that instilled in me the most important characteristic us as Man has known during our time on this planet.

Perseverance.

I am very proud to have gone through the things that I did, and helped others do the same, and felt that someone cared for me enough to help me persevere through a, perhaps bad hand, that some are dealt early in life.  It took a lot of grief and hard work to obtain the health that I do, and the abilities and life that I have.  But it has occurred to me, that if you saw me on the street.  Then you might not guess that about me at all.  It is pretty contradicting to say that I take pride in these things, if I have let myself fall into the current state of bad health that I find myself.  Furthermore it makes those struggles valueless if I begin to contract new and totally avoidable ailments, simply out of laziness.  And it certainly doesn’t show the level of respect I claim to have for those who helped me, when their efforts are squandered on someone who is voluntarily watching their own health deteriorate.

That is why I think this is the best solution to all problems listed above…

Over the next 365 days, I intend to focus my free time into both physical and mental health.  Building my resolve and discipline back up to what I would like it to reflect.  As well as finally bring my physical health back to a level that better reflects the hard work that has gone into it as a child.  I have already retained visiting a chiropractor (for back pain, unrelated to this decision), and will continue to see her for consultation on how to safely work my back and shoulder muscles.  I also intend to choose a regular physician to get a physical, as well as inform them of my work out routine and get their guidance.  My goal is that at the end of these 365 days I will be down to 150lbs (That’s 122lbs loss…a whole person, gone from my joints and muscles), and can begin to focus on actual athleticism instead of basics. 

I encourage future readers and followers of the blog to “sponsor” this weight loss, by setting an amount to each pound I lose, as a donation to the Shriners Hospital in Sacramento CA.  100% of whatever I earn from donations will go directly to the hospital, I will not be keeping any of it, and I have written the PR dept of the hospital itself to see if they have any guidance they can give me as far as organization is concerned. 

Everything is in the very early stages thus far, although I have already begun changing my diet and working out daily.

I know this first post is extremely scattered and somewhat uninteresting to read, but I’m hoping it will improve over time!  I would greatly appreciate any support that is out there, and even if you are uncertain of this particular idea.  I highly encourage anyone to look up and contribute to the Shriners Hospital organization, they are an amazing group and deserve all the help they can get.

That is all for now, I will post every couple days or so.

-David