MArooned: Milestone...

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Milestone...

Almost missed this one.

This past Saturday was a pretty significant milestone for me. It represented a full year of maintaining my goal weight - I went below 180 lbs. the second weekend in May of 2007, and was happy to note that I am *still* at that same weight a year later.

This is nothing short of monumentous for me - I've never kept any weight off for more than a couple of months or so. I'd done so-called "yo-yo" dieting off and on through high school, college, and after, more or less giving up when I hit 30.

Apparently changing how I ate was more important than changing what I ate. Who knew?

That is all.

10 comments:

Rustmeister said...: Cograts!

It is lifestyle that causes most of the weight gain in people, I've no doubt about that.; May 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Anonymous said...: How do you eat?; May 13, 2008 at 1:14 PM
Jay G said...: rustmeister,

Thanks!

That's exactly it - eating late at night, eating high-fat fast food, etc. played a big role in adding on the pounds.

Buck,

I've got to smaller meals more often for starters - starving myself half the day long meant that I was gorging in the evening.

Moreso, though, I made literally hundreds of small substitutions (like Splenda in my coffee rather than sugar, frex) that I can live with for the rest of my life, rather than abstaining from certain foods only until I lost the weight.

I've also continued to look for healthier options when I go out to eat; there's another change. Like, when I go to the 99 for lunch with friends from work, rather than getting the 1800 calorie buffalo chicken sandwich, I'll get the 600 calorie fish & rice.

Little things that add up, rather than skipping BIG things for a short term loss that turns into a long-term gain...; May 13, 2008 at 3:42 PM
knitalot3 said...: Great job!!!; May 13, 2008 at 4:26 PM
dr mac said...: Way to go, kid. It will pay big dividends later.; May 13, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Anonymous said...: Thanks Jay.

My problem is that I would pass on the 1,800 calorie buffalo chicken sandwich and then eat three of the 600 calorie fish and rice!

But I am hanging in there. Not losing any weight but not gaining any either.

I still ride my exercise bike every morning for an hour. I feel better every day. When folks see me they will say, "Man, you are still losing weight aren't you?" but I have not lost a pound since November.

But again. I have not gained a pound either.

You're still my hero. You still inspire me. I'm gonna get there damn it. Just bear with me.; May 14, 2008 at 10:58 AM
RW said...: Jay, you are the man!

To make a very, very, very long story short, I got awfully sick and then injured this year and all those calories I inhaled turned into fat while I was in recovery mode. All those gains I made in February disappeared within a week. I mean, I let myself go and the gut got so big that I was down to 4 pair of pants that would fit. Same with the Mrs. So, my wife & I decided to undertake the P90X program. Maybe I'll go into more about it in the future, but here's how things look after one month.

I must say that I'm proud of my wife, she's shrinking faster than I am. My goal? Not much, just guns, pecs and - what's missing right now - abs. 51 days left.......it will happen. It. Will. Happen.; May 14, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Jay G said...: buck,

Thanks, man, it means a lot.

I had a similar experience back in '04 when I started riding a bike again. I got a travel seat for my son and started pedaling all over the place with the boy. Didn't change a thing WRT eating habits, and I didn't lose an ounce.

But my pants sure fit better...

Ricky,

One of these days I'm going to have to sit down and chat with you about some muscle building exercises. I'm still floundering through basic bicep and tricep work, and need to clear out the office so I can get a weight bench first, tho'...

I might see about posting some pics, though. I've managed to whip my flabby girl arms into some semblance of shape...; May 14, 2008 at 4:27 PM
RW said...: Until you get that bench:

1. Do bis & tris NO MORE than twice weekly. Go heavy, 8-10 reps, almost all the time. You can throw in a few 20 rep sets on occasion, but it's best to stick with the heavier stuff.

2. Eat protein. Then, eat more protein. Wash it down with protein. And snack on protein. Building muscle without protein is like swimming without water.

Go ahead & knock out some pushups for the chest until you get that bench. As with the arms, no more than twice weekly. Really, the only things you should do more than twice a week are abs & calves, everything else needs recovery. And there you have the basics.

If I lived nearby I could give you one of my benches, as I personally own two & haven't used them since 2003, when I joined a gym. Eh, the shipping costs would be more than purchasing a new bench, any way.

FYI, you can get some bands at Wal-mart for pulldowns for around $20. Just hang 'em on your door and start pullin'. Yep, I said "start pullin'" to another guy.; May 14, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Larry said...: Ah, the 99. I first experienced the 99 when I was in Billerica for a school. That's where I discovered Demons Hop Yard IPA, and I've been forever ruined on beer ever since.; May 15, 2008 at 3:06 AM