Not bad, Cachinnatees... not bad. In Week 1 of Project Big Boy, I lost 3 lbs., I quit caffeine completely, and I quit drinking soda. I drastically reduced my fast food intake. And possibly the biggest accomplishment is that I averaged about 6.5 hours of sleep per night which is up from approximately 4.5 hours per night. I now have a subscription to Men's Health magazine, (thank you Kat), and I'm actually getting motivated.
That's all the good news. The bad is that I did still eat fast food. I think three times during the week. In my defense, all three were due to unforeseen time constraints, but what I need to do is plan my eating for the day knowing that it could be interrupted. I also made no progress on exercise. And one that I forgot to mention last week was my nail-biting habit. I made no progress there either. That one will be tough. That's a life-long habit, there. Oy.
But like I said, I'm starting to feel motivated! I believe! I can do this! The combination of internal motivation, public humiliation, and your encouragement has me feeling like Rocky in one of his training sequences:
Theme Song:
So what's next? This week I hope to do away with fast food and begin a regular exercise program. I may try to make a dent on the nail biting, but I don't want to... heh... bite off more than I can chew!
What suggestions do you all have for exercise regimens or nutrition programs? Any good recipes? More encouragement? Some scolding? I'm glad you're here to hold me to this!
18 Cachinnations
By the bye, today was mine and Beeki's 2nd anniversary... so nothing that I ate today counts.
(Though for the record, I am still caffiene and soda free.)
Posted on 6/19/2006
Happy Anniversary!!!!
Nutrition advice:
Smaller portions more times a day. But eat ONLY when you're actually, not habitually, hungry. Learn to listen to what your body is telling you. Also, try first drinking water to see if that makes any "hunger" pains go away. Sometimes we're just thirsty. But most importantly, eat just until you are pleasantly full, which is probably less than what we all normally eat.
Excersise routine:
I think someone already said this. Set reasonable goals, and take small steps forward from there. If you don't, it's easier to get discouraged and quit. But try at least four times a week. Also, if possible, find exercise that you really like to do. I know...sounds impossible. But, I like to dance, so my excercise wouldn't be running. I get bored and it just sucks.
Posted on 6/20/2006
Reasonable goals??? No Way!! Set Ridiculous goals...it's like Casey Kasem use to say..."Keep reaching for the moon, and even if you miss you'll land among the stars" That doesn't sound like a reasonable goal to me...Be Ridiculous!!!
Watch "The Biggest Loser" It will make you feel good about yourself.
I already told you that there is a magic toy in the mail to help you with your nail biting...it also makes you look a bit intimidating in classes and important meetings.
Posted on 6/20/2006
Oh, and happy anniversary to you and Beeki!!
secret word - bvxzbcyb...it's a greek anniversary greeting...really it is!!
Posted on 6/20/2006
First, Congrats on 2 years! Meant to call you yesterday to wish you warm fuzzies, but I didn't have time. Didn't call the dad's on fathers day either so you're just one of many on my I owe you a call list.
Second, I only hope Mama Rauch does not have a link to your blog... Years of vocal training go completely without notice on that WB "Superstar" quality rendition of Eye of the Tiger.
Oh wait...you wanted criticism on "PBB" (I don't have time to type that all out, you know what I'm sayin'). Fast food in and of itself is not bad. Try a ham sub from Subway with lite mayo (or regular if lite makes you gag) with bakes lays instead of cool ranch Doritos, or go to Chick-fil-a for a grilled chicken sandwich...you can even have the fries once in a while, but try to swap out for the fruit if you can. Stay away from the big macs and the whoppers, but if you must--do the whopper Jr. and a salad instead of fries. If you take away the option of fast food, you will fail. Unfortunately in our time restrictive lives we must have room for the quick meal, just make smart choices. Check the calorie count at your favorite places so you'll know what you're getting into before you go.
Congrats on the caffeine & soda free week. That's a HUGE step! :)
Posted on 6/20/2006
You people are all to nice...am i the only one who's here for gentle chastisement??? I guess it's up to me. I did see a piece on MSNBC or Dateline or one of those shows the other day. They had people that wanted to lose weight but never could stick to a diet or workout program...so they signed a contract with them.
After signing the contract, they took pictures of them wearing speedos and tiny little swimsuits...then they told them to lose 15 lbs in 2 months...if they didn't then they would post the pictures all over the internet and on TV.
I thought to myself "hey, maybe that will help my friend cach" So...when i get back if you haven't lost the weight...we'll make that same deal...no better way to loose the weight that be shamed into it.
Posted on 6/20/2006
happy anniversary!
Posted on 6/20/2006
Happy Anniversary. My wife has taken on a similar diet, but she's also eliminated oils from her diet. It's tough and the preparation alone burns calories. Good luck!
Posted on 6/20/2006
Cach - Hey, Happy Anniversary!
And congratulations on getting off to a strong start. The caffiene and soda thing is a huge step. Huge.
First, as for the fast food -- I agree with the earlier comment that it may not be realistic to completely eliminate that, especially if you're a busy on-the-go guy like so many of us. If you can avoid it altogether, great, but if not, consider healthier fast food. For example, McDonalds (of all places) has salads that are complete meals, not just sides. Like a grilled chicken breast on top of a fresh salad. More and more, fast food places are offering healthy alternatives, because there's a public demand for them. Don't automatically assume you have to have a burger and fries (if you've looked up the nutrition facts on those, you know that those are absolute deal-breakers).
Also, I agree with Fancy -- small portions, more times a day. Practical ways to do this include buying lots of healthy little snacks (fruit, veggies, nuts, trail mix, whatever) that you keep stocked up on, and grab a few every time you head out. This has two benefits - it lets you actually eat a little something when you are hungry between meals, and it means you can eat much smaller meals, which is what you are aiming for.
You must learn to disregard a lifetime of training with regards to "eat everything on your plate". I'm still guilty of this, it's pounded into us, but it's dead wrong. It takes 20 minutes for the "full" sensation to hit us, and by then, we've usually overstuffed ourselves by eating everything. If you eat much more slowly, and stop as soon as you feel satisfied, rather than "stuffing", you'll also feel other benefits -- like not getting that sleepy, sluggish feeling after meals.
And there have already been good suggestions here about exercise -- find stuff that is fun if you find it hard to just run or lift weights. My wife doesn't call it "going for a brisk walk", she calls it "exploring". She always goes to new places, and goes a little further each time. So it's fun and engaging instead of a drudgery.
Or the other alternative is to find a committed and available workout partner. This means that running, or weightlifting, or whatever you do becomes part of a disciplined routine, and somebody holds you accountable to show up, and you encourage one another and challenge one another.
Finally, remember that what you are doing is making a permanent change for the long term, not just a fad diet. Looking forward, there is probably not ever going to be a time where you don't feel busy, with a job and responsibilities, eventually kids and other things that will require your time/attention, so think of this in terms of establishing healthy habits and lifestyles permanently. When that becomes your mindset, you'll realize that it's perfectly achievable to habitually lead a healthier lifestyle, it becomes what you do naturally, and because you feel better, you won't be able to imagine it any other way. You can do it!
Posted on 6/20/2006
Get yourself one of those fancy lunchbags and fill it with tasty treats. Baby carrots. Dried fruit. Organic whole grain crackers. Raw almonds. Reduced fat string cheese. Protein bars. Put some organic peanut butter in a little tupperware container and dip celery sticks in it.
When you find yourself getting hungry, you'll have those healthy things to munch on.
And fancypants is right. Water intake helps stave off an unruly appetite. Just remember NOT to let yourself go hungry. Eating healthy things is MUCH better for you than not eating anything at all. An active metabolism is a happy metabolism.
If you have to go to fast food, go to Wendy's. They have really good salads! Just beware of the dressing. Try to go with dressings that are clear. You can also go to Chik-fil-A and get one of their grilled chicken sandwiches and a side of fruit salad!
But best of all, FIND THE SMOOTHIE KING or SMOOTHIE FACTORY!
Thanks to 'Super Size Me', lots of fast food places now offer healthy alternatives to burgers and fries.
You'll miss greasy food at first, but soon you'll be hot and when you see people stuffing their faces with crap you can have a nice sense of superiority.
When you make your sandwiches, try to skip out on the mayo. If you can't live without it, they have the organic stuff (do NOT go with soy. That's just stupid) in the natural foods section. It has less processed junk in it--and NO trans-fats!
With the changes you've made you're already WELL on your way to success, Cach!! Keep it up! Your body will love you for it! It's ALL about diet and exercise. Since you're trying to slim down, I wouldn't worry about weights right now. You can do some toning with light weights, but really focus on getting 30-45 minutes of cardio for the time being.
Soon you'll be ab-cessing about your abs! Woot!
Would you like the recipe for Forkish Smoothie Supreme?
Posted on 6/20/2006
Thanks guys! Keep it coming!
Forky, yes, I want your Forkish Delight recipe.
And now that I've heard it a few times, I feel compelled to let you all in on this tidbit from my life:
I HATE MAYONNAISE.
I'll explain soon in a full-out, ruined childhood, traumatic mayo experience post. Just, suffice it to say that mayo tempts me not.
Posted on 6/20/2006
Also for the record, since Redoody Bilbo brought it up, I actually am a trained professional opera singer. I just have more fun singing like a dumbass.
Posted on 6/20/2006
Well, Happy Second! everyone else took care of all the good wishes and I wholeheartedly echo them. By year two you are sufficiently revealed. All your weird quirks, bad habits and bad morning breath are confidently in the light and she still loves you. You made it! I guess it was more than the diamonds and booze.
Kat, I hate to say it but it is literally IMPOSSIBLE to walk into Chick fil A and buy a Grilled Chickin thingy. The smell itslef of that blessed place is an hypnotic. I can't count the times I have been on my way to the counter to order the grilled tastless thing and found myself, minutes later, chomping into a big juicy, peanut-oil-fried classic Chick-fil-a sandwich.
Well, impossible for me I guess. Maybe Cachy Balboa can pull it off.
"ADRIAN!!!!!!..........GET THE NUMBER 3 WITH NO PICKLES!!!!!
Posted on 6/20/2006
Happy Anniversary!
Okay, Cach...I have a couple of motivations for you. The first is that you need to be able to fit into your old costumes from undergrad for "Complete Works" this fall. Normally I won't fit a moving target, but I don't have many larger costumes in stock or much time to make any extras between Hamlet and R&G this fall. I also have to make all those oversized dresses for Gray-ham. You need to get back to your undergrad measurements by October. Motivation enough?
Oh, and I need a copy of the script pretty soon so I can get started.
The other motivation is to rename all our favorite fast food restaurants so that they're less appealing. Ex. Taco Smell, Chronic, etc.
My word verification is "otamba". I wonder what that translates in Swahili.
Posted on 6/20/2006
Otamba Bin Laden is how I say his name when I have a cold.
Posted on 6/20/2006
Professionally trained or not, I'm just saying that with that dumbass rendition, you could have made a high quality contestant on the WB's Superstar USA. As one of the few people on this planet who truly hates reality TV, particularly American Idol, (ok, I gave it a chance 2 seasons ago, but then they cut Constantine, what the?!?--and I have to admit I do enjoy the rejects on all programs) I did get completely addicted to Superstar USA.
Anyway, for those of you who care (and are still reading this completely unrelated post) I wanted to pass on the sheer enjoyment that this show brings and why I think Cach's theme song would complement the variety of "styles" represented on this show. I had to hunt a bit, but as if William Hung wasn't enough, there is actually a soundtrack to this hilarious show. Visit Amazon and scroll down to listen: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000286S4C/103-7525427-7159031?v=glance&n=5174
I must warn you, it isn't for the weak at heart, particularly Rosa...
Posted on 6/20/2006
Exercise advice: It sounds really simplistic, bht here it is--walk. When I lived in NYC, I was in great shape just by mere virtue of the fact that I walked constantly. From apt to subway to school to work to subway to apartment. If you can spend even 30 minutes each day of the work week walking around your neighborhood or the Bear Trail ;), you'll notice a difference. Walking is also something you're less likely to burn out on, since you already know how to do it and it comes quite naturally. It's also easy on the joints.
Keep up the good work, and Happy Anniversary to you and Rivkah (yes, I remember your tatoo)!
Posted on 6/20/2006
My wife loves Billy Blanks. Maybe I'll have to give it a shot! Thanks.
Posted on 6/22/2006