My Story

On Monday, May 31, 2010, I embarked on a mission to lose weight and to get into the best shape of my life for my wedding. For a long time that mission was a success until life started getting stressful and food became a way to cope with that stress. To make a long story short, the mission fell short before my wedding day was here. And to make things even worse, I stopped eating healthy, exercising, and blogging for over two years. I now have a very beautiful wife and baby boy but my health is still crap. So to turn things around, I am brining back "The Heavy Man" and the "Mission to Healthy."

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Day #148 - Should I Set an Overall Goal Weight?

Today was scheduled to be a weight lifting day, but I really didn't feel like being restricted inside of four walls. It was so nice outside today / tonight that I decided to push my weight lifting day back to tomorrow and to go running outside. I'll tell you what, since I have started running on a consistent basis outside, I have been hooked. I actually get excited when it is a cardio day. In the past I would have feared these days, but now I welcome them. I also didn't feel like running the same route tonight, that I have been for the last few weeks. So I decided to switch it up a little and went back to the original route that started the running outside movement. And this time, there was a different outcome. The first time I ran outside I couldn't even make it back the entire way and I ended up walking back to my apartment. But this time, I made it to the destination point and back without stopping at all. It took me about 30 mins to complete this task. I know it wasn't the scheduled workout for tonight, but any workout is better then no workout.

I find that I think an awful lot when I run. Running and working out in general, allows me to step away from the everyday stresses and gives me an outlet to clear my head. Anyway, as I was running tonight, I was thinking about how much weight I have lost so far and what weight I will be at by the time my wedding day is here. Thinking about this, lead to me thinking about people commenting on how they notice a difference in my appearance. And thinking about that, lead to me thinking about a question that I get asked quite a bit, every time I talk about weight loss with anyone. And that question is, "What is your goal weight?"

I started this mission with the intention of getting into the best shape of my life by my wedding day. I have mentioned a few times in the past that how much weight I lose, doesn't really matter to me. Just as long as I am healthy and happy with myself, is what matters. However, I have been getting into setting small goals lately. These goals have been giving me extra motivation, every time I accomplish them. But when it comes down to it, I never really established my main goal definitively. Of course the whole point of this mission is to get into the best shape of my life by my wedding. But how do I really know if I have achieved that or not by the time my wedding day comes around. In a way, I can argue that every day that goes by is the best shape I have ever been in, because it really is. Or should I put a weigh-in amount into the equation and strive to reach that by my wedding day? But then how do I know what my ideal weight is? Is it 80 lbs lost or 100 lbs lost? Can my body actually reach 202 lbs and look healthy? I really don't have the exact answer to these questions. All I know is that what I have been doing for the last 5 months has been working and I am reaching weight ranges that I have not been in for a long time.

I would like to know what everyone thinks about this subject. I know that having a goal weight is important but shouldn't I be working towards getting healthier in general? Or should I set a goal weight and have something to aim for? But I am afraid that if I don't reach it by the time my wedding days in here, will I be disappointed with myself for not being able to do so? I know there will be some disappointment but not enough to make me want to give up trying for the rest of my life. Please take a second to comment and let me know what you all think. Should I not even worry about a goal weight or should I at least set one to have something tangible to reach for?

With that being said, let's get to the details of the day:

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man - 36 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Breakfast - 4 Eggo nutirgrain waffles = Points 4
Snacks During the Day - 1 pear, 1 serving of baked tostitos, and 1 Weight Watchers ice cream bar = Points 6
Early Afternoon - 2 Boca veggie burgers with 2 slices of Weight Watchers american cheese on Weight Watchers flat rye bread with a side of baked chips = Points 9
Late Afternoon - 1 Boca veggie burger with 1 slice of Weight Watchers american cheese on Weight Watchers flat rye bread with a side of baked chips = Points 6
Dinner - 1 piece of grilled chicken, 1 serving of whole wheat pasta with tomato sauce , and 1 reduced fat crescent roll= Points 9
Dessert - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cup = Points 2

Total Points Eaten Today = 36 Points

Exercise

Today I decided to push my weight lifting routine back to tomorrow and I went running outside. I ran for 30 minutes without stopping.

Day #148 - Weigh-In = 237.4 lbs
Day #148 Weigh-In











Day #148 Front Shot


7 comments:

  1. i'd like to make a recommendation for a goal weight for you, but how tall are you?

    Joni

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  2. Holy smokes - the weight is just melting off you!

    Way to go buddy!

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  3. I say keep doing what your doing because your doing great :)

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  4. I think being healthy should be your number one goal. I think setting a specific number you need to get to can be discouraging if you don't get to that number by a certain time. Have you calculated your BMI healthy weight range? http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

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  5. I agree with "a girl who loves cupcakes". Being healthy is the most IMPORTANT goal to achieve. A normal healthy BMI range for you is between 18.5 and 24.9. This translates into weighing between 130 lbs - 173 lbs (roughly) for a 5' 10" person. Obviously, weighing 130 lbs is ridiculous, but then 173lbs is barely in the normal healthy range (not overweight range). I'd consider shooting for the 170-175 lbs range and then see how you feel about that. There are so many variables though; your bone structure, your metabolism, etc. You will know what is right for you when you get there. Remember though, the less you weigh the less calories you can eat to maintain that weight. You have to be able to live with eating the calories required for the weight that you choose to maintain.

    If the goal is to get healthy then having a healthy BMI would accompany that goal quite nicely. Take care, Be well.

    Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads!

    Joni

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  6. Opps, just a quick clarification. The recommendation I made above is only a suggestion for a "long term" weight loss goal. It should not be linked to your wedding goal weight at all. I think if you just keep doing what your doing now, you will be "THRILLED" with your results come your wedding day! Good luck!!

    Joni

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