Stego's (comments, of course, welcome) WW thread...

[stego]

got to update my total weight loss, as you see in my signature.
My total is 58lbs something ounces. I think in a week or two
I'll be at 60lbs. total weight loss since March 2nd.
The week went well. I did get on my bike. The time off to heal & rest helped me to taper off from my excercising. I have to re-learn some "good" training habits. I ran a mile for the first time in 8 minutes. It just happened. I rode my bike for 3 straight days, including hammering on the trails at the local park. What a great ride it was. I was hot, sweaty, tired and dirty. But I rode great.
We had that sale-and sure enough, a yard sale hag showed up at 630am. I read about them-I guess I had to be witness to the phenonmena. Looks like I will start ramping up my training beginning this week-my wife and son are going out of town next week-and I can spend a good amount of time on the bike.
My wife seems to think I will hit goal by the end of the year.
The way I'm going, it will probably happen.

 

[stego]

Yeah, that's it. Look at that tag. I'm still shaking my head.
60 lbs. in 5 months. When I started this thing on March 2, I had no idea of the "journey" I was about to partake on. And to come here and share about my experience. Last week's WW meeting the leader asked us to write down what we each individually was going to do regarding staying on track. I wrote down: Get on the bike. I have, and I will. Ever since my surgery, I've spent more time on either of my bicycles vs. running. This past weekend
I did run-farther than I have in years-however, it has really started to heat up here in Texas. I stopped about halfway for a water break. I am in no hurry-I just wanted to see what kind of level I am at. The running is different from cycling-the intensity-the workouts ARE harder-and my feet are doing something. I'm going to have to incorporate specific stretching, now. As my wife and son leave tomorrow for 5 days, I am ready to spend more time on the bikes. This week I am going to absolutely trash my body, and then taper down the next two weeks. I am going to enter a local 5k race-my first in gosh, knows how long. The same day I am going to sign up for a 1/2 marathon training program.
This includes coaching-and I plan to use those resources to get to my next level-becoming an athlete.
My goals are SO different from when I started. I really have to concentrate on slowing down on some days, like today. Today, after work, I just plan to hit the pool with our son. I also have dropped down to a lower daily point value. I have also renewed my awareness of drinking more water.
This week the realization of what's happening hit me-my drawers have been cleaned out-and "I have nothing to wear". Seriously.
I keep shrinking. The clothes I bought last month that were snug, are once again, getting loose. I am more or less 35 lbs. away from my goal-and it's not too hard to figure out the clothes I'm wearing now won't fit when I reach goal. As it is, some of the clothes I'm in now are medium. MEDIUM, for crying out loud! I have sold some things on e-bay-but that takes time. As if life isn't hectic enough. I think by December I will be at goal-and I'm going to visit my dear SIL the week before xmas. I think when we drive up, she'll look out the window and say: "who is that guy in the car with my sister?" Another thing-I'm staying away from my bro-cuz the last time his wife's jaw dropped and started naggin on him. And I said nothing. Really, I didn't.

 

[stego]

and that's OK. I came close this past week to 65, but not yet.
As I posted last time, I did indeed get on the bike. Somehow-the way it worked out-I was practically running non-stop each day.
Seldom would I retire in the evening before 11pm. I didn't really have the time to miss my wife & son. They had a great time visiting family, and came back in one piece. Yesterday, though, they both got sick from something they picked up in Arkansas from one of her relatives. Go figure. Me? Fit as a fiddle. I did get on the bike(s) and rode, and rode and rode. Then I rode some more. Saturday I went out west of Austin and rode at a park I'd never been to. I hurt. I did one lap and rested on the picnic table. Then I got up and did it again. I've wore myself out this past week. I went and had dinner with my mom on Friday evening. I shared with her all the activities I was doing-she stated she disliked getting hot & sweaty, yada yada yada. I told her pretty much I don't care about that-I can do it. Period. I have the ability to do so now. When I went to my WW meeting saturday I told everyone what I had wrote down 2 weeks ago-about getting on the bike. I also told them they might think I'm crazy because I have two bikes. Some of them said, no, that's not crazy. But they were still pretty astonished about losing over 60lbs. in 22 weeks. I ate very well on my new point value this week-mostly leftovers-and easy to track. The leader did some kinda of stand up thing where she asked a question and we had to sit if we didn't do it. Basically I was still standing with one lady-and we both sat down on the last question. I think it was more of a thing to see who was really doing this thing. I guess the results in my case are pretty darn obvious. I think it might be a good idea to taper off this week-but I guess whoever is still reading might just laugh and understand how crazy I really am.

"As the world turns for stego''...just keeps going.

 

[stego]

Yup, that's me. I am insane. I did hit that 65 lb. mark. Right now it's probably closer to 67 lbs., but hey, who's counting?
I've been on the bike-I've been running-I've been swimming-I got the olympic fever. Not really. But I feel great. Last night after I came home from my men's meeting I asked my wife why the garage door was open. 10 at night. Something about her having to go over to my bro's house because grandma had brought him over there. Then after work, she had to go over there and get him, yada & yada. Of course, SIL was amazed about my wife's weight loss-it's over 35 lbs. now. Then, unfortunately, my wife opened her big mouth and told SIL about my weight loss. My wife said her jaw dropped. SIL started in about how do you do it, yada yada, then she asked how much it was per week. Basically SIL stated THEY can't afford 12 a week. And yet they can afford 600 for brakes for my bro's hot rod & 3 motorcycles in their garage that he NEVER rides. Yup, priorities. It makes me so glad I DON'T live under that roof. Then, of course my mom piped up that I look amazing. I am sure my bro "grunted" in response to that.
In addition to my weight loss my journey has been a "wakening" of sorts. Last night I talked to one of the other men at the meeting and asked him to temporarily sponsor me. I felt myself recently REALLY dwelling and fixating on bro and mom, among other things-and that I would need to stop paying "lip service"-opening my big mouth-shutting it. Solution? Take action.
For some reason I've had a bit of difficulty adjusting to my new point level. I have been really using my flex points. Last night I was being accountable-and saw how I was using them rapidly.
However, every day I can renew my efforts-and once again-take action.
I went out yesterday for a run with my son on his bike.
It was hot-go figure-August in Texas. I wanted to see how ready I would be for my first race this Saturday. I ran for about 30 minutes-and I have no doubt that I will finish. However, I have been having some noticeable pain in my left foot. I am going to try to tape it-and research and see a specialist about it. I want to be able to continue running pain-free; and successfully for a long time.

 

[stego]

and I beat her! HA!
I finished my first 5k race without dying of a heart attack. I did it!
I warmed up my first mile, made up some time on my second mile,
then the third mile was ALL gradual hill. I picked off a few folks, though, and the sprint at the end I caught that lady, and a few others. My foot did well; my wife wrapped it for me. Then I got the crazy idea to do 2 hours of yard work in the Texas summer humidity. Let's just say I passed out for a couple of hours yesterday.
My weight loss? I got on the scale, and the lady said I was doing great. Great!? .6 lbs. is great? The way I have been "hammering" these past few weeks? Oh, that's right. I have to remember those "plateau's". Silly me! I showed up at the WW meeting and the leader noticed my brand, spanking new 5k shirt. I wore it proudly. Later, it was soaked from yard work.
I musta sweated off 10lbs. The scale at home even said so: it edged close to 210. And to think: technically I am still "overweight".
I will have to admit here that I did use more flex points this week than I ever have. Gee-now where did I get the idea I can use all those up and still expect to lose at least 5 lbs.? The leader told me specifically to bring my son with me and stay for the meeting so I can get all the info on the SPANKING NEW WW program. I looked in the other thread: I'M SCARED. More changes. I DON'T do change very well. This week makes 6 months, and my wife seems to think I will be at my goal by Christmas.
I am going to Florida next month for a weekend to see my buddy, just us two guys, and of course: we're going to WDW. I made a reservation at Pop Century. Back in May, he saw me with a 35 lb. loss. I think by next month I'll be over 70 lbs. total weight loss.
It will give me a chance to spend time with him one-on-one, do some early christmas shopping-and spend time at my favorite place.

 

[KimRaye]

Dear, dear Fred, thank you so much for your recent PM's, and your 'hint' to check this journal! WOWZA!!! What a topsy-turvy, up & down, happy & sad time you've had, yet it's all Onward and Downward, in the end for you, right?! Before checking this thread, I had no idea you had lost more than me (you had siggies turned off in the PMs), in a shorter amount of time than me (darn you Guys!) , but I couldn't be happier for you!!!! All the more reason to thank you so much for your Congratulations on my loss as well. Further, on a personal level, thank you for sharing some more detailed accounts of the same situation of what you know I'm dealing with and facing, and making it all seem possible...sad sometimes, but livable! You are a wonderful inspiration, and a great DIS & WISH friend!

You and I and many other WISHers here, WILL see the goal weight we want to see..............soon! I just know it!!!

My best wishes for you, DW & DS Christopher!

Onward and Downward IS the goal!

 

[stego]

what do you mean I ONLY lost .6 lbs.? What is going on? I have been consistently eating well, excercising like a madman, yada yada yada...didn't I say somewhere in here my body was going to do it's thing on IT'S own timeframe. Geez, you'd think I'd get it.
Well, I sat through the brand spanking new WW plan presentation. I made up my mind. My wife and I have decided to stay with the flex plan, for now. The accountability seems to work-and it's less shock for us to be able to eat a "sinful" thing or two every now and then. She keeps "hooting" about the shape I'm in-and yet, as I've stated-I'm still overweight. Crazy-I know. That's me to a "T". No racing this weekend. But I did go to the hike and bike trail and ran 4 1/2 miles for the first time in years. Yeah, I stopped a few times to walk and drink water. But it worked. I wasn't in a hurry-and I finished. I felt a good "sore" in my legs.
Thanks, Kim for the kind words and encouragement. I used to have a "fan club kinda thingee" going on. Guess I'm not THAT popular. That's OK. Recently the word humility has propped up again in my life, as well as "lip service". Go figure. I will continue posting here-I know I have made great headway-but feel like I'm really going to have to FIGHT for the next 30 lbs.
I rewarded myself with some new tires for my mountain bike. My luck, one of my tires would blow and I'd crash into some tree and have a snake come and bite my ***. You know it WOULD happen.

 

[DoeWDW]

That snake wouldn't DARE bite you!! Besides, you're thinning down so there isn't as much to bite, right???

You continue to amaze and inspire me! You've got that no-nonsense "just do it" attitude going for your exercise! I also think you should stick with the WW system you know and love. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Onward and downward!!

 

[stego]

yup, I beat myself to death this weekend. No snakes, thank god. Lots of lizards, though. Does that count?
What do I have to do, for crying out loud? I thought I was on the mend-using less flex point and excercising daily. So I break the 1/2 year barrier at WW-and do you know what the scale says?
It says I GAINED 1/2 lb.!!!!! No! This has NOT happened before.
What kind of plateau thing is this? I don't have a clue. All I know is that I resolved Saturday to hammer my body to death this weekend. Well-I can state that I DID that. I am exhausted, and going to knock out 1/2 day at work, then take off the afternoon to go home and pass out. Between camping and hiking and mountain biking and lawn work and running around after a 9yo, it has taken it's toll. I weighed myself at home and it said I was at least a good 10 lbs. less than my WW weight. Yeah, that's me.
You think I'm a LITTLE obsessive?

 

[DoeWDW]

Poor Stego!!

Here are some words of wisdom. If you gained half a pound while eating right and exercising, there are only 2 possibilities.

1. You've been working out so hard that you built up more muscle. This is entirely possible, considering how much you've been working out lately!

2. Your body is holding onto some extra water. If you exercise, your body tends to hang onto some extra water weight for a bit to ensure you don't get dehydrated. That's why we keep talking about how important it is to drink water. When your body KNOWS you're going to keep drinking, it can release that extra water weight.

Either way, I think you're doing great! Please don't let the scale number discourage you too much!

 

[stego]

and the beginning of stego's 'itching, moaning & 'issing festival.
Welcome, all! Hold onto your seats, this stretch is going to be bumpy! You know you want to look at it. Go ahead. Go see that brand, spanking new WISH goal tag. What does it say? That's right! 70 friggin' pounds! YEEEAAAAHHHH! Who's your daddy now! OK, calm down Fred. It's OK.
Something happened this week. I looked carefully in the mirror and saw things actually changing (humor me). That's what I mean by the "morphing". I lost 3 1/2 lbs. this week to go over 70 lbs. total weight loss. I was right-I'm going to have to fight for every single pound I lose from here on out. My mom came over to visit with our son-and I took off on my city bike since my mountain bike is getting fixed-and rode almost 13 miles. On the way I stopped at the old high school track just to see how fast I could run the quarter mile in my cycling shoes. Well, I did OK. At least I didn't collapse into a quivering pile. Obviously, I have made SOME strides. I am going to taper off a bit this week-just cuz. I am headed out to florida friday evening. I taked to my best friend and he says they're having some kinda gas crisis. I asked him if we could get to Orlando and back OK. Yup, he says.
So our weekend of visiting Mickey is still on. My wife lost some weight as well, and I am very proud of her. The lady who weighed me asked if I had tried the new Core plan. It is obvious the flex is working-so we're still going to stick with that. I AM NOT DESPERATE...YET. I'm going to get some swimming in this week-as fall is rapidly approaching. I also got a light for my bike so I don't crash. The daylight hours diminshing will be here shortly enough.

 

[stego]

I stopped by WW last night on the way to my men's meeting. Yesterday, the texas heat was brutal. Somehow I managed to run 3 miles sluggishly. When I finished, my watch told me I only ran 20 seconds slower than my fastest time. Figures. So I got weighed. Every cotton pickin' single time I've gone in the evening or any other time other than saturday am, I've done lousy.
NOT THIS TIME. I ran out of the house without dinner. The scale says I lost 2.8 lbs in 5 days. That brings me under 210 lbs. The guy who weighed me said I am close to 75 lbs. total weight-and when I hit that mark I get a free meeting. I am on my way to florida this evening. I am all set to make the right choices. Just for grins, I'm thinking about standing in front of the MK, and getting a picture. I'm tempted to go into the park, as everything I hear is that it is super slow right now. I can't tell you how many times my best friend David has humored me over the years. I'll have to tell you about the look on his face when he sees me.

 

[wilderness01]

Congrats on the weight loss.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by stego
I'll have to tell you about the look on his face when he sees me.

YES, please let us know!!!

You're doing so great!!!

 

[stego]

Well, it feels like it anyway.
Yes, I did go to Florida. I even thought about doing some kinda mini-trip report. Then I figured-if you want to know about trip reports, there are PLENTY of those. Was my best friend shocked?
Yes. About 1/2 way through the weekend he remarked to me how he just can't get over the "skinny" Fred. We had a great time at Pop Century. Sunday morning I ate a really good breakfast-and watched the vacationers eating away. I had some time to reflect on the past 6 months. I am close to losing 75 lbs. total, and can run, and swim, and cycle. I looked at all those folks, and figured I was in the top 5% of fitness level. Just in a little over 6 months. My wife went to her meeting this past week-and shared about her weight loss in that amount of time. She said most of the women during the same duration had lost maybe 25 lbs. or so. She is still around 42-43 lbs. total loss. Then she shared about her "insane" husband. Yup, the normal gasps ensued. I guess the common knowledge that I am an idiot is now going the rounds. It is amazing that I am still 20 lbs. overweight and folks refer to me as skinny. I think it's more of the physical shape I was in before. And an awareness on my part the epidimic that America is in. Several people have told me that I DON'T need to lose more weight. I'm becoming more aware of men's weight, and that those I thought of as physically fit, and overweight as well, though by only 10-20 lbs. As I returned home, grateful, I started my week out sluggishly. I was somewhat making the right food choices-but my excercise had tapered off somewhat. Then, the Saturday meeting rolled around. It had been 10 days. What happened? Yup, you guessed it. I gained a lb. Guess what my reaction was? That's right! Dejection! I sat in the 8am "circus". It really is a circus. I listened hard to the women sharing about their weight loss and experiences. I noted most of the women had makeup on, and had been raring to go for hours. And it was only 8am, on a Saturday. They talked about excercise-and most of them had to get up super early to get it done. It seemed like every one that shared moved their time back in the morning. 7am, 6am, 5am, 4 am. Geez! What a competition! I became aware of my attitude about how I felt-and what I like to do. It's changed-and I think that's why I've been so successful. I don't see my activity as excercise. I see it as an ability. An ability to go out and do the things I enjoy. I have fun doing them. I know names like Walnut Creek, Muleshoe, Barton Creek, Pedernales & Goodwater don't mean a thing to you all. But I've been on those trail with my mountain bike. I went yesterday for the first time on a trail I hadn't been on. Yesterday morning I ran 4 1/2 miles with my son, and then my mom called 'cuz she wanted to spend time with her grandson. Did I want to go ride my bike? Heck, yes! I dozed off for about 1/2 an hour, then the door bell rang. I was off! Going out I was a bit sluggish, but coming back, everything fell into a rhythm. The trail was shady, and somewhat rocky, and technical. It was along the shores of Lake Georgetown. I saw lots of deer out there. I came upon a field and threw my arms up in the air. I stopped and gazed at the clouds, and felt the warm sun on my face. I was indeed, grateful to be outside in this beautiful world. I felt an inner peace-and recognized that I had an ability most folks can only dream about. Then I set off and "hammered" my way back to the parking lot. I will lose that lb. I gained. My goal right now is to break 200 lbs. My wife and I celebrate out 3rd anniversary wednesday. What a wonderful gift-each other we have to celebrate on our journey to a new life-together.

That's it. Over and out,
Fred

 

[stego]

I learned last weekend mud and rock don't mix. I got this crazy idea to get new shoes/cleats for my mountain bike. Under normal circumstances, new cleats take awhile to break in-clipping in and out of the peddle. But mixing in mud to the formula...
the result was I fell down several times while still clipped in.
On the rocks. Bruised, bloodied and muddied, I finally had the foresight to head back in. I had this strange idea once again I was superman. So I cleaned up the new shoes and sent them back. I want to live to ride again. And I did this past week. If you see my new clip-I've reached a great milestone. Last week I maxed out on my flex points-my wife and I celebrated by eating on the riverwalk in San Antonio. I really didn't worry too much about it-she told me try something new to see if I could break away on this plateau. More or less, I can accept now that my weight loss will be uniform now-a lb. here, and there. This weekend I ran 6 miles with my son on his bike. I wasn't in a hurry-and walked several times and drank some water. It was a beautiful day on the Colorado river-some wind, a few clouds, and a bit cooler. But afterwards, getting out of the truck-my body told me I had done something I hadn't done in 10 years. We have a new leader-and she asked me to come up and received my 75 lb. magnet. I took my son up with me-because he is very much a part of my journey. He told everyone how much weight I had lost-and in how long. Several of the ladies told me I am a great example. I recognize that I can do things-and spend time with my son. Whether I am the example or not is kinda moot. I used to spend all kinds of time and effort on worrying about what other people thought. That and 50 cents got me the paper.
The fall is here-and we're spending even more time outside. The next big goal is to get under 200, then to hit my maximum weight target-189. I will probably go a lb or 2 under that, and then we shall see. I can see wrapping this thing up by Christmas, and moving on.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hello Stego,

I just read your entire journal and have to say how proud I am of all that you've accomplished, both physically and mentally since you started your healthy living journey. You and your wife are doing a great job and you seem to have a good attitude.

I see that you realize that the pounds come off slower the closer you get to your goal weight. But you have the right attitude. The ability to do what you are able to accomplish now is much more important than the number on the scale...you will get there, don't worry. You must be an inspiration for everyone at your meetings.

Best wishes on your continued healthy living!!

Jean

 

[KimRaye]

Fred, you continue to amaze me! You have such an admirable desire to reach your goal......I'm with ya there, buddy!!!

I know, I know, I owe you a PM! So sorry, it's been crazy.

 

[stego]

After getting weighed, I heard some lady say she got on a plateau for 3 months???!!!! o my god! NO WAY JOSE!
Well, you can figure out that I didn't like the result this week.
I did stay at my 75 lb. mark. But that was it. My wife told me at LEAST I didn't gain. She lost 2.8 lbs.! And then we were off...
to visit the city of Houston. Why? Well, my wife's 40th is next Saturday, and I wanted to surprise her with a trip outta town.
We went to the San Jacinto memorial, and the USS Texas. So we had our history lesson for the weekend. We ended up staying near the galleria. So while we were there, we drove over to this shopping center-and saw the Mickey Mouse statues-just as described! No crowds or nothing. Just a regular Saturday night at the shopping center strip. We got pictures with all the Mickey's-and had to get another roll of film. The big surprise was taking my wife to the renaissance festival. She had no idea it was so big. We enjoyed our time together-there wasn't a big crowd for some reason-and we left for home around 4. We found out the weekend wasn't long enough. Big news there. On our weekend away we used some flex points-and then some. Maybe it's a wake-up call to get back on track. I don't know. This morning I woke up with wanting a weekend off from my weekend off. Our lives have changed-and our goals in life and what we want to do with our lives, as well. Seems like we're always running around somewhere. I guess I should be happy we can run around everywhere. I just think it won't kill me to slow down and catch my breath for 1 weekend. The old argument that I can do that on the weekends my wife works is still there, though. Believe me, I do make use of that time to get some r-n-r. I'm not sure if there is such a thing as a "balanced" life.

 

[wilderness01]

I LOVE the galleria mall. I used to work in the Transco Tower right next door and would go to the mall on my lunch. Sometimes that was dangerous. Glad you had a nice weekend.

Don't worry about the no loss, 75 pounds is alot to be proud of.