It's been a while...

Forgive the lack of posting...I'll be putting a lot up shortly...I'll give you 2 words why I've been so negligent on the the site stuff:

Andrew James


He's a 9 lb 3 oz, 22 inch baby boy that officially makes me a Dad and unofficially throws my schedule into instant disarray.

I hope you decide to keep reading the blog. I'll have plenty to say on my diet (weighing in tomorrow) and on being a new father...

Jeff

Update: Since people have complimented me on how I look in this photo, I guess we'll call it a progress photo for now.

Blog polling...

In search of ways to make this blog more appealing, I thought I would add a quick way for people to interact without the messiness of actually leaving me a comment...the blog poll!

Some context for this poll question: I think most people actually do notice odd smelling urine, but I was just on a website that stated that only 1/2 the asparagus eating population actually notices the odd smell. Apparently the other 1/2 a.) have genes that either prevent them from converting asparagus into this odd smelling liquid or b.) have genes that prevent this from actually smelling this odor when they are doing their business.

Either way, I'm curious to see if my very small blog audience actually ties into the 50% theory.

Answer away!


Update: If you want to read a better explanation of the asparagus / urine smell phenomenon, click here.

Are you thinking of joining Jenny Craig...

...or any of the other big weight loss programs? Wanting a side by side comparison on the costs of each program?

Here is an interesting article that discusses that exact topic.

As stated earlier, my personal inclination is to try the eat smarter and exercise routine first and to see where that lands me. I really don't believe in the programs where you buy all of the meals. Ask yourself these questions: Am I going to buy these pre-packaged meals for the rest of my life? If I stop buying these meals after I hit my goal weight, will I be able to make similar meals on my own to maintain my wieght? Perhaps the programs like Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem provide a game plan for people after they leave the program...I don't know, but they are out to make a profit. Making a profit means convincing people to stay on their program or risk putting the weight back on.

The Weight Watchers thing? I know it works for people and since it provides guidelines for healthy living, I don't really have a problem with it. I just don't like the idea of converting everything I eat into a points system and then adding up whether I won or lost that day. Perhaps if my weight plateaus in the future, I will need to watch things more closely, but for now the pounds are coming off simply by eating healthy, eating enough to not be hungry, and exercise...

Healthy Choices - 4/24

Food:

B: Weight Control Oatmeal (look at all that protein and fiber!)
L: Chipotle Glazed Chicken Salad from Baja Fresh
D: "Summer Salad" (Grilled Chicken, Baby Spinach, Walnuts, Strawberries, Blueberries, Crumbled "Reduced Fat" Blue Cheese)

Exercise:

Cardio: Elliptical Machine (11/2,14/8,16/10,14/5)
Abs: Crunch Machine (90/25, 105/15, 120/10)
Strength: Seated Press (75/20, 80/15, 85/10, 100/5)

Comments: Carolyn makes the dinner salad once in a while...so tasty in its own right that I don't need dressing. Highly recommend it if you're looking for something tasty and healthy. I decided not to wait and kicked the elliptical machine up 1 from 10/13/15 to 11/14/16. The burn definitely came back again. Also decided at the end of each strength machine I work on, I am going to kick the machine up 15 lbs over my heaviest weight and try to do a minimum of 5 reps. It is has been tough, but I know I need to start testing the muscles to get them to grow...

Healthy Choices - 4/23

Food:

B: Weight Control Oatmeal (Got myself another box of the stuff)
L: Tuna Salad from Bistro Sensations (Mall Food Court) (2 scoops of tuna salad, hard boiled egg, lettuce, olives, onions, carrots, balsamic dressing)
D: Pumpkin Gnocchi, Vodka Sauce, Peas (Leftovers again!)

Exercise:

Cardio: Elliptical Machine (10/2,13/8,15/15)
Abs: Crunch Machine (90/25, 105/15, 120/10)

Comments: Proud of myself for heading to a Food Court situation and sticking to something pretty healthy...My normal path would be towards the Chick-Fil-A and there tasty fried chicken nuggets and waffle fries...not today! One exercise note: I was on the elliptical machine today and did not have to work as hard at my current settings...My heart rate usually is in the mid to high 160's when I have the machine at the 15 setting and today it barely blipped into the low 160's...so I kept the machine at 15 through the rest of the workout rather than dial back down to 13 like I normally do...I'll go 1 or 2 more times at the current settings, but it might be time soon for a bump up again on the machine.

Weight Loss Excel Graph

Put together a little spreadsheet / chart to track my weight as well....finally figured out how to turn graph into a jpg image to load onto the blog...here is my progress in chart form.

If interested, leave a comment and I can email you a copy of the Excel file and instructions on how to convert an Excel chart to a picture (hint: I used PowerPoint to help with the conversion)

Update: Click on the graph and it blows up nice and big. Very easy to read!

Weigh In - Week 4

Did my ritual workout and weigh in on Monday night...

Another decent loss of 3 lbs! Bringing my total weight to picture on the right...(222 if the picture link ever gets lost)

Thoughts?

Looking back through my posts, I would say that I'm really putting in an honest effort. Bad food kept to a minimum and I'm looking for ways to increase the workout routine without hitting the gym. The sun is also finally deciding to come on out. The outdoor work, while not documented in my exercise, finally is helping out as well. You try pushing a lawn tractor that won't start around the yard!

So, for roughly the first month of this thing I'm doing, I've lost a grand total of 14 lbs! I'm pretty psyched to say the least...

Update: I liked the idea of putting up a road sign for my current weight and actually went back to previous posts to add road signs as well. Click on the "Weigh In Results" label to see how it looks as you scroll...I like the effect...

Healthy Choices - 4/22, 4/21, 4/20

Darn...3 days of missing posts...this is going to be tough to remember...

Friday 4/20

Food:

B: Kashi GoLean Crunch Cereal
L: Avocado Salad (1/2 Avocado with Crab / Clam Salad over Mixed Greens)
D: Leftover Chicken, Broccoli, Pasta from Sunday (Yum!)

Exercise:

3 Sets / 15 Reps of 10 lb Arm Curls
3 Sets / 15 Reps of 10 lb Arm Lifts

Saturday 4/21

Food:

B: Kashi GoLean Crunch Cereal
L: Chicken Tikka Masala, Rice, and some Chickpea Dish which name eludes me.
D: Carnitas Platter from Local Mexican Restaurant (Marinated Pork Shoulder, Beans / Rice, Vegetables, Tortillas & Salsa)

Exercise:

20 minutes of biking around the neighborhood

Sunday 4/22

B: Kashi GoLean Crunch Cereal
L: Grilled Cheese & Ham
D: Turkey Chops, Brown Rice, & Corn

Exercise:

3 Sets / 15 Reps of 10 lb Arm Curls
3 Sets / 15 Reps of 10 lb Arm Lifts

Comments: Well my breakfasts are boring, but I make up for it with everything else. Friday's lunch was on the company (my boss took us out). It was awesome and healthy too! The chicken and broccoli dish held up surprisingly well. Carolyn and I went to a local international fair put on by the high school. Opportunity to sample all sorts of international cuisine. I chose Indian, because it's soooo delicious. If you've never been to an Indian restaurant and not sure what to order, go with a Tandoori platter (Indian BBQ) or go with Chicken Tikka Masala. It can be spicy though, so let them know you want it mild if that bothers you. They basically take grilled chicken and smother it in a sauce which I describe as a spicy Indian version of Italian Vodka Sauce. And if you love pulled pork barbecue, I highly recommend a carnitas (pork) platter at a Mexican restaurant. Same cut of meat, but with awesome Mexican flavorings. Try getting carnitas at Baja Fresh and you will see what I mean. For exercise, I've been trying to fit in exercise routines at home to compliment the gym work. Now that the weather is getting better, I'm going to try to add some local biking to the mix.

On to tonight's weigh in...results will be in tomorrow at the latest...

Scales and tails

Actually, just scales...

I currently have a cheap-o dial scale (reasonable facsimile pictured left) in my bathroom...not really using it because I have to squint to make out what the reading is...

On the plus side, it is frequently low in its measurements...so when I do decide to step on to get a quick midweek reading, it makes me think I'm kicking ass...

On the negative side, I actually get on the gym scale for my Monday reading and, while I haven't gone in the wrong direction, I still lose a little steam when I see less than expected results...

The bottom line...I'm in the market for a new scale. I would like it to be accurate and easy to read (digital). After that, I'm somewhat torn. I've seen some pretty cool Tanita scales that record your readings as well as measure things like body fat %, body water %, Daily Caloric Intake, and Basal Metabolism Rate...Anyone out there care to chime in on what features are important in a scale? Which scale do you use and would you recommend it?

Healthy Choices - 4/19

Food:

B: Nature Valley Cinnamon Cereal w/ 1% Milk
L: Chipotle Glazed Chicken Salad from Baja Fresh (pic)
D: Pumpkin Gnocchi, Vodka Sauce, Peas

Exercise:

Cardio: Elliptical Machine (10/2,13/8,15/10,13/5)
Abs: Crunch Machine (90/25, 105/15, 120/10)
Strength: Seated Press (70/20, 75/15, 80/10)

Comments: First, I would like to give praise to the Baja Fresh salad above. I've included a pic and linked to the nutritional info for those interested. A few notes: I do not use the dressing at all because the salad is tasty enough on its own and I usually eat just one of the flautas (the fried bready things on either side of the salad) to cut the calories / fat down. I also choose not to eat the tortilla chips they serve as well (such discipline!). Highly recommend this meal. Wish I could link to the pumpkin gnocchi as well, but I can't recall the brand...found it at Whole Foods and it is tatsy and pretty good for you. Nothing really new to note on the exercise front...kicked the settings up 1 on the elliptical machine recently...woohoo!