Saturday, December 31, 2022

60 Day Challenge - Week 9

 I am beyond disappointed. I was on vacation all this week except for today, that last day, December 31st. I ate whatever I wanted since last Monday. I had two or more sodas per day. Lot's of fried fish and no exercise. I always make time to run when I go to Virginia, but this trip I did not. It was cold and I didn't pack the right stuff to run in the mornings and failed to make time in the afternoons when it warmed up. I ended this year and this challenge at the HEAVIEST I've ever been in my life. When I first got on the scale this morning, I was 199.2 lbs. About a half hour later I stepped on the scale again and was 198.2 so who knows what the right number is. Either way though, I've never been this heavy. 

 I am starting this week where I was yesterday; 194lbs. But that's better than the 197 I hit last week. 

Day 57: December 27th

For breakfast, I had a bagel with butter and orange juice. For lunch, I had Indian food. I had butter chicken, tandoori wings, rice and naan. I also had a Mai Thai drink. For dinner, I had 10 garlic parmesan wings. I had a birthday cupcake from yesterday and a Coke.

For exercise, I did 25 air squats.

Day 58: December 28th 

For breakfast, I had a cupcake. For lunch, I had 3 slices of pizza. Pepperoni, Philly Cheese Steak and cheese along with a Coke. For dinner, I had fried fish, a crab cake and fried shrimp along with fries and 2 cokes. 

For exercise, I did 25 air squats. 

Day 59: December 29th

For breakfast,  had grits and eggs. For lunch I just had 2 cokes. For dinner, I had a fried fish po boy with fries and a drink called "Ship Faced".

For exercise, I did 25 air squats. 

Day 60: December 30th 

For breakfast, I had a homemade cinnamon roll. Lunch consisted of candy and 2 cokes. Dinner was Chicken Parmesan and pasta at an Italian restaurant on the drive home. 

I didn't exercise today. 

Day 61: December 31st

This morning is when I weighed in at my all-time heaviest...199.2. Talk about upset!

I skipped breakfast. For lunch I had a roast beef sandwich on a Kaiser roll with muenster cheese & horseradish sauce. For dinner, I had 8 pieces of sushi and a mini-Godzilla roll. I actually tried to run today, but only made it .87 miles before my legs felt like solid lead and my shins started to get sore. I walked the rest of the way home for a total of 1.64 miles...again, half of it I was able to run. As if this year couldn't have ended worse for my fitness. 

Signing off now, but I will post a new blog tomorrow.

60 Day Challenge - Week 8

 I am starting this week where I was yesterday; 194lbs. But that's better than the 197 I hit last week. 

Day 50: December 20th

For breakfast, I had a McDonald's Sausage McMuffin with egg and cheese. I also had the hash brown and an orange juice. I skipped lunch. I just wasn't hungry after eating breakfast. For dinner, we made chicken, beans and cheese tostadas. I also had grilled veggies to go with mine.

For exercise, I did 10 x 15lb curls and 10 x 15lb overhead presses.

Day 51: December 21st 

I skipped breakfast. For lunch, I had a roast beef, muenster cheese sandwich on an onion roll with horseradish sauce. For dinner, I cooked and made Tortellini with italian sausage. 

For exercise, I did a combo move with my 10 x 15lb curls but on the up position, I went straight into the overhead press. 

Day 52: December 22nd

I skipped breakfast. For lunch I had a grilled chicken sandwich from Chick Fil-a. For dinner we went out to eat at an Asian restaurant called Itto's. I had the Salmon & Tuna Poke bowl with water to drink. 

For exercise, I ran 5 miles. I had planned on running out 2.5 miles and then run/walking back. However, at the turnaround, I felt OK so I thought, let's go for 3. I kept feeling good at each half mile so I ended up running the whole way. It was definitely a confidence boost. 

Day 53: December 23rd

It is in the single digits today so I'm glad I ran yesterday. There was the lightest dusting outside. The interesting thing is that I've been rather sad lately. I know people get seasonal depression because it's cold and grey and gets dark early, but that never bothered me. I think my seasonal sadness is due to it being cold but no snow. I grew up in Minnesota so cold and grey is typical in the winters. I never knew any different. However, there was tons of snow so playing outside was fun. 

But then moved to Miami, then Austin, TX and then to Asheville. All had/have winters, but none really have the snow. Occasionally, Texas and North Carolina have some snow, but it's very limited and not very much. Interestingly, when there is a lot of snow, those are the days I feel the best. Leave it to me to have some weird version of seasonal sadness. 

Anyways...my weight this morning was 192.6. Last Friday, I had hit 197 and was really pissed. It was my fault though. Fast food twice a day sometimes. Lots of sodas. Lots of sweets. But this week, I reigned it back in and the results make me happy. I don't think I can lose weight during this 60 day challenge at this point, but hopefully, I will not gain any. But then again...what was I thinking trying to lose weight during November (Thanksgiving) and December (Christmas) when I love food and sweets?

I skipped breakfast this morning. I spent the morning wrapping presents, For lunch, I had leftover tortellini and sausage. For dinner, we ate in and made nut encrusted Salmon with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. I did have a glass of "spiked" eggnog with Maker's Mark Bourbon. 

For exercise, I did not run. My feet were a little sore from yesterday, but nothing too bad. It was always crazy cold and I did do 5 miles yesterday after having only run twice in the last two weeks. I did however lift my weights. 10 x 15lb dumbbell curls into a overhead press. 

Day 54: December 24th 

It's Christmas Eve! I know I'll eat a lot today with family coming over, baking, etc...but that's OK. It's Christmas and I'm not going to worry about it. I will do my best to limit the amount of sweets though. 
I skipped breakfast and for lunch I had a steak, a chicken and pork taco. For dinner, we went to Carrabba's and I had the Mahi Wolfe (fish) with garlic mashed potatoes. I also had a winter lager beer to drink and a slice or two of the bread with olive oil. 

At home, my wife baked so I did have cookies throughout the day, but I didn't go crazy. At night, opening presents with my kids who came over, I had an eggnog with bourbon.

I did not exercise. I thought about doing my weights earlier in the day but then I thought "I'll just do them tonight before bed.". I did not do them before bed. 

Day 55: December 25th

It's Christmas! I woke up and had a cup of hot chocolate to get in the spirit. 

For breakfast, my wife made hash browns, sausage links, French toast. For a late lunch, early dinner, we went to a Japanese Hibachi Grill where they cook at your table. I had the steak and chicken combo which comes with veggies, fried rice and a couple of shrimp. I did have a couple of cookies totday too.

Day 56: December 26th

Today, we drove to Virginia Beach. For breakfast, we stopped at a place called Biscuitville and I had a sausage and egg biscuit along with a hash brown and an orange juice. For lunch, we really just had snacks in the car and I had a Coke. For dinner, we celebrated my mother in-law's birthday with Mexican food. I had a carnitas burrito.

I have no scale here in Virginia so I have no idea where finished this week. For exercise, I did 25 air squats. 

Monday, December 19, 2022

60 Day Challenge - Week 7


Day 43: December 13th

I skipped breakfast. For lunch I had Moe's BBQ. I had the pulled pork platter with baked beans and potato salad. I had a Coke to drink. For dinner, We had homemade Chicken Pot Pie. I had water to drink. I didn't exercise today.

Day 44: December 14th

I was traveling today for work. I skipped breakfast. For lunch, the county I was in brought in Pizza Hut pizza. I had two slices of pepperoni and a slice of cheese. For dinner, I had McDonald's. I got a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, a medium fries, medium Coke and a six count McNuggets with BBQ sauce. I didn't exercise today.

Day 45: December 15th

For breakfast, I had a Sausage McMuffin with egg and cheese, hash brown and an orange juice. For lunch, I had a Wendy's chicken Parm type sandwich with medium fries and a large Coke. I only wanted a medium. For dinner, I was finally back home and had leftover chicken pot pie. While driving, I forgot that I also had a bottle of Coke, an Almond Joy and a bag of peanut M&Ms.

Day 46: December 16th

After weeks of eating out and drinking SO MANY SODAS, I weighed in at 197 lbs today. 197!!! This was just about at where I hit when I was so mad at myself a year or so ago when I was 197.2 and I said enough was enough. And here I am again. This isn't a 60 day challenge to get more fit. All it's been is "how much crap can I eat". 

I am so frustrated with myself but it's a good experiment. I have been struggling with feeling sad. I've been feeling stressed and even overwhelmed at times with work. I've been traveling a lot so I'm on the road. I get home and I think I'll run or I'll workout, but I'm just so damn tired. In the morning, I think, let me run or workout now before the craziness starts...but it's cold, or it's raining, or I'm tired. It's just been one excuse after another. 

I'd love to just delete all of these weeks of posts for this 60 challenge as well as the last 100 Day Challenge. At least with that one, I did lose some weight. In two weeks, it'll be the end of December. As of now, I've gained 6 lbs during this 60 day challenge. Realistically, the best I can do in the next two weeks is to lose this six pounds and be even with where I began on November 1st. 

I skipped breakfast this morning. I had no appetite after stepping on the scale. For lunch, I had a piece of sourdough toast and a can of sardines (in water, not oil). I also had a protein shake about an hour later. For dinner, we of course got take out because that's what we always do on Friday nights. In fact, my wife and I had a spontaneous date night. We went out for Italian and I had a mushroom risotto with pulled chicken. We had two glasses of wine and we shared a really amazing dessert. It was a donut with cream, sugar and chocolate, which doesn't sound too amazing, but the way it was done was out of this world. 

Before going to bed, I did 10 x 15lb curls and 10 x 15lb overhead presses. My back felt OK. 

Day 47: December 17th 

I had a brunch today which was an english muffin with butter and an onion/cheese quiche. For dinner, I had taco bell which wasn't too bad. I just had 3 hard shell taco Supremes. I did have later at night while watching TV, two mini Cheerwine sodas and about 8 small Christmas cookies.

Before going to bed, I did 15 push ups which were way harder than they should have been. 

Day 48: December 18th

I woke up this morning and weighed in at 195.2. So the weight is starting to come up with some really simple tiny changes. It sure doesn't take much. Consistency is the key for me. 

For brunch, I had a slice of leftover onion/cheese quiche. Shortly after, my wife and I went for a 4.5 mile hike. For dinner, I went to Outback with my stepdaughter. We split Cheese Fries and I also got the Ahi Tuna and an Outback Blonde "Bloke" size beer. 

Day 49: December 19th

This morning I weighed in at 194lbs so feeling good that the weight is coming off. 

I skipped breakfast and for lunch I had a roast beef, muenster cheese sandwich on an onion roll with some horseradish sauce. For dinner, I had a Wendy’s grilled chicken sandwich, a jr. peppermint frosty and a mini-can of cheer wine. 

For exercise, I did 10 x 15lb curls and 10 x 15lb overhead presses.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

60 Day Challenge - Week 6

Well, the good news is that today is day 3 of my back feeling better so I think I'll try some weights later tonight. I weighed in at 193 this morning. So weight is slowly coming back down after climbing like crazy for a few days in a row. I hate that I'm over 190 though. Obviously, I eat out way too much. This is my biggest problem. Sodas are the other aspect. I was doing OK for awhile when I was more local and I just got food at the fast food places and a bottle of water. But this whole challenge, I've been traveling and getting sodas out of sheer laziness to adjust the order. I need to eat more meals at home. I am considering that I eat breakfast at home on days I travel and skip lunch. That way, I'm only possibly eating out once per day instead of twice since we eat out pretty much every Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday. That means I'm eating out 4 days per week and eating dinner at home only 3 nights per week. Not only is bad for weight loss, but it's expensive AF too! 

Day 36: December 6th

For breakfast, I had a banana and two slices of wheat toast with butter. For lunch, my wife brought me home the new Wagyu burger from Arby's along with crinkle fries and a Coke. For dinner, I had two hotdogs from Sam's Club.

I had some really good news today. Besides being my son's birthday, I also had my client run his military fitness test today. We've been working toward this for months now. He had to run a 10:20 for the 1.5 miles among other events. When we started, he was running a 10:45. Today, he passed his test with flying colors and ran a 9:45!

I personally, did not exercise.

Day 37: December 7th

I skipped breakfast. For lunch I went to Chick Fil-a and made good choices. I had the grilled chicken sandwich, fruit cup and a bottle of water. For dinner, I had homemade lasagna & 2 cups of water. I didn't exercise.

Day 38: December 8th

I skipped breakfast. For lunch, I had leftover lasagna, 2 cups of water and a serving of Rum Raisin ice cream. For dinner, I had more pecan encrusted salmon, brussels sprouts and stuffing and 2 cups of water.  I didn't exercise.

Day 39: December 9th

I skipped breakfast, had leftover lasagna for lunch and the Five Guys for dinner. I had the bacon cheeseburger, fries and a chocolate malt. I didn't exercise. 

Day 40: December 10th 

 I had homemade breakfast tacos and a cup of tea for breakfast. We then went for a 4 mile hike. On the way home, we stopped at McDonald's and I got a McRib, medium fries and a medium Coke. For dinner, I had salmon, broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes from Applebees.

Day 41: December 11th

For breakfast, I again made breakfast tacos. I skipped lunch and for dinner I had two steak tacos and a beer. After, I had a cupcake while celebrating my son's birthday (late since he just got home from college).

Day 42: December 12th

This morning I woke up and went for a run! Well, I did a walk/run combination for 1.64 miles. I had to walk 5 or 6 times but at least I got up and tried. My legs felt like let at about 3/4 of a mile. I then had a protein shake for breakfast, a Big Mac, medium fries and a medium Coke for lunch. For dinner, I had a  chicken sandwich from Sonic and water to drink. 

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

60 Day Challenge - Week 5

This is the start of week 5 and I have gained weight...AGAIN. I started this challenge at 191.0lbs and I'm (as of today, Nov. 22nd) 194.2lbs. I'm seriously pissed. I haven't been active other than some hikes. My back as been really sore. I keep thinking it'll get better, but it's not. I'm also depressed so I'm eating like a frickin' toddler. 

Day 29: November 29th

My weight this morning was 193.8. I skipped breakfast. For lunch I had a McRib, medium fries and a medium Coke. For dinner, I was much better and had Fried Tilapia (2 filets), couscous and lima beans. Water to drink. 

Day 30: November 30th

I woke up this morning and weighed 193.8. I skipped breakfast. I was on the road for work today. For lunch, I had a McDonald's Quarter Pounder w/Cheese, medium fries and medium Coke. For dinner, we made tacos at home,  salad and chips and guacamole from the grocery store.

Day 31: December 1st

This is the last month before the new year. I know I said it a bunch during the 100 Day Challenge and I've been saying it this whole time in the 60 Day Challenge. I have to focus. I'm not running, so I eat crap because I'm depressed. Then, because I'm depressed, I eat even more crap and I continue to not run. It's a vicious cycle. I'm tired of being this weight. I'm tired of my back hurting. I don't know what I did to it, unless it was during one of my weight workouts. Maybe I bent wrong? Arched my back wrong? Who knows. The point is....hurt back or not, I have to be more active and I have to stop eating crap. My 60 Challenge has been a joke so far in regards to progress. I'm really going to try and bring this home and finish the challenge with losing weight so I'm below where I finished the 100 Day Challenge, which was 189.2. My Goal now is to get to 185lbs by December 31st.

I had a banana for breakfast and for lunch I had 3 tacos at a restaurant. One chicken, one pork and one steak. I had a Coke to drink. For dinner I made Jambalaya with shrimp and sausage. I had water to drink but I did have a mini-Coke in the evening watching T.V. 

My back was feeling better so I started to do my weights. I did the bench and some arm curls. By the time I got to the overhead press, my back was really hurting so I stopped. Too much too soon I guess. Going to bed was awful! I was in so much pain.

Day 32: December 2nd 

I had a banana for breakfast. For lunch, I was treated to a Jimmy John's sub at work. I got a regular sized John Wayne which is roast beef. I just had water to drink. For dinner, my wife brought home Chick Fil-a. I had a Coke, large fries and a large Coke. She didn't realize I only get the medium size combo. 

I didn't do any exercise for fear of making my back worse. 

Day 33: December 3rd

 I skipped breakfast. For lunch I had a banana and two pieces of whole wheat toast with butter. There's not much in the house right now.

I did not exercise. My back is still wonky. 

Day 34: December 4th

Today I made a breakfast taco for breakfast. Just a scrambled egg on a tortilla with some salsa and taco sauce. I didn't have any cheese. For lunch I had a whopper with cheese, onion rings and a Coke. For dinner, I had take out from Fatz Cafe. I ordered the one pound of baby back ribs in the Kentucky Bourbon sauce and had rice pilaf for my side. I was supposed to get baked beans too, but they forgot them. I had a mini-Coke after dinner. 

I will add that my back didn't hurt today. So that's a good sign. 

Day 35: December 5th

I skipped breakfast. For lunch, I stopped at a McDonald's and got the two cheeseburger meal, medium fries and a Coke. I was traveling for work again today. For dinner, I had Popeye's. I had the chicken sandwich, medium fries and a Coke. 

No exercise but this is day two of my back not bothering me. Maybe tomorrow I'll ease into some light weights and see how it goes. 

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