Day #96 - Little Things Can Provide Big Motivation - Part 2

29 days ago I wrote a post about finding motivation in the little things. I have learned from experience over the past few months that being motivated is a big key factor when attempting to lose weight. Truth be told, motivation can actually help a person accomplish a lot when trying to achieve just about any goal. Well, I wanted to take the opportunity today to share with you all some more little things that I have been noticing lately that have served as a form of motivation for me currently during my mission. I hope you all enjoy.

1. My old business suit actually fits me once again. I have this very nice gray pinstriped business suit that I purchased way back in college to wear during job interviews. I have not been able to fit in it for roughly the last 3 years. I just recently tried it on before my business trip to Charleston, SC and to my excitement, I actually fit into it. And believe it or not, it is actually a little loose on me!
2. I can actually fit into an airplane seat comfortably and I now have some slack at the end of the seat belt when I fasten the buckle.
3. My belt keeps on getting bigger as my waist starts to shrink.
4. Patty told me the other day at work that it looks like I fit better in my chair in the office.
5. I got out of the shower the other day and I was walking to the bedroom and Patty said that my back looks a little smaller around my love handles
6. I can actually bend down in the shower to soap my lower body. In the past, I used to have to lift my leg up and rest it on the top of the bath tub to put soap on my legs.
7. Patty and I actually went through some of my clothes the other day and I ended up donating several pairs of pants that are way to big on me now. They were even falling down with a belt on.
8. My shoes, that I bought at the beginning of my mission, are worn and ripped. That just shows me how hard I have been working to improve my health.
9. I can actually see a little definition in my arms!
10. I can feel some abdominal muscles starting to form when I push in around my stomach.
11. I feel like jogging everywhere. I even jog in my office from one side to the other.
12. Finally, the most important "little detail", Patty can now lock her wrists together when she hugs me!

I know some of these things seem a little funny and not really a big deal at all. But every time I notice a small improvement I get really excited and it just makes me even more motivated. I would say that finding these little improvements is one of the best and most motivational parts of my mission so far.

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

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man - 38 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Breakfast - 2 Eggo nutri-grain waffles with a cup of Light'n Fit yogurt and a serving of strawberries with brown sugar = Points 5
Snacks During the Course of the Day - 2 Weight Watchers mini carrot cakes and an apple = Points 4
Early Afternoon - 1 Boca veggie burger with a slice of Weight Watchers american cheese on a Weight Watchers roll and a serving of homemade Baked Mac n Cheese (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 10
Later Afternoon - 1 Boca veggie burger with a slice of Weight Watchers american cheese on a Weight Watchers roll with a serving of baked potato chips = Points 7
Dinner - 2 cups of steamed chicken with a cup of steamed broccoli and a serving of brown rice = Points 10
Dessert - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cone = Points 2

Total Points Eaten Today = 38 Points

Exercise

Today I ran for 30 mins on the elliptical. Tomorrow I will be doing cardio and executing my Back routine.

Day #96 - Weigh-In = 255.4 lbs

Day #96 Weigh-In

Day #96 Front Shot

Day #95 - Working Towards a Healthier and Better Looking Me

It is always enjoyable to hear every one's reactions after I show them my Day #1 photos, compared to the present day pictures. Even when I look at them myself, it is hard to believe that I have lost that much weight in the last three months. I believe that I picture definitely tells a story and so far I am liking the story that is being written about my mission. Yesterday, I posted 2 "side photos" of myself, the first photo was taken a month ago and the second photo was taken last night. It is amazing to see how the human body can change over the course of a single month, when eating healthy and exercising correctly is incorporated into its daily routine. However, today I wanted to take it a step further. Below is the same "side photo" that I took last night and right under it is the "side photo" I took on Day #1 of the mission.  Let me know what you think.

Day #94 - 255.2 lbs

Day #1 - 302 lbs

I don't know about you, but I can sure tell the difference. Seeing how far I have come gives me that great, "Feeling of Accomplishment." Well, since I am showing you my "side shots" from Day #1 to Day #94, I want to take this opportunity to show you my "front shot" comparison as well from Day #1 to today, Day #95.

Day #95 - 254.8 lbs

Day #1 - 302 lbs

After showing these pictures to all of my co-workers today, it was funny to hear some of the things they were saying. One comment keeps on coming up every time this person sees me, "You look like a totally different person." He also told me today that it looks like I am wasting away. I always appreciate all the comments that people give me but no matter what anyone says, I will still be the same old person with a much healthier and hopefully better looking body.

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

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man - 38 Points)

(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Breakfast - 2 Eggo nutri-grain waffles with a cup of Light'n Fit yogurt and a serving of strawberries with brown sugar = Points 5

Snacks During the Course of the Day - Weight Watchers mini carrot cake, 2 rice cakes, and 1 pear = Points 6

Early Afternoon - 1 serving of homemade Chicken Pot Pie (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 5

Mid Afternoon - 1 serving of homemade Chicken Pot Pie (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 5

Late Afternoon - 1 serving of homemade Chicken Pot Pie (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 5

Dinner - 1 serving of London Broil and a serving of Baked Mac n Cheese (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 10

Dessert - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cone = Points 2

Total Points Eaten Today = 38 Points

Exercise

Today I executed my Chest routine: Flat Barbell Press (5 sets x 15 reps), Incline Dumbbell Pres (5 sets x 15 reps), Peck Deck (5 sets x 15 reps), Cable Crossover (5 sets x 15 reps), and Chest Dumbbell Pullover (5 sets x 15 reps). I also executed an Abs routine: Crunches (3 sets x 25 reps) and Standing Side Dumbbell Crunches (2 sets x 25 reps w/ 25 lbs). Tomorrow I will be doing cardio and executing my Back routine.

Day # 95 - Weigh-In = 254.8 lbs

Day #94 - Adjusting to Patty's New Schedule

It is has been a little different in the office the last few days. Patty, my fiancee and assistant in the office, has started up classes once again for her masters program. What this means is that she will only be in the office for half a day on both Monday and Wednesday because her classes start at 4:20 pm both days. Her classes on Monday go until about 9:30 pm. I am very proud of her for pursuing her dreams and I back her up 100%. However, her going back to school does mean that I have to make some adjustments to stay as close to the everyday routines that we have developed since the start of the mission. Let explain to you all the adjustments I am going to have to make.

First, as you all know by now, I can't cook for crap. Patty is the one who has been cooking our meals for the past few months. And let me tell you, she has gotten pretty good at doing so. Anyway, since her classes are from 4:20 pm to 9:30 pm on Mondays, I have to figure out how to continue the healthy cooking so we can eat dinner on Monday night and have enough for leftovers for Tuesday afternoon. Of course I could take the easy way out and pop some veggie burgers in the microwave but I want to at least try to cook something because she does so much for me and she deserves to have someone cook for her every once and a while. Another adjustment that is going to be made is that I am going to have to make a conscious effort to remember to eat late in the afternoon on Monday's and Wednesday. I some times get so wrapped up in work, I forget that I have another meal to eat and she is usually the one that reminds me to eat it. Also, that is usually the last meal I have before I workout and if I forget to eat it, I will be starving by the time I get home for dinner. The final adjustment I am going to have to make is to keep my composure at work. Usually late it the day I start to get a headache and I am ready to go home. She is usually the one that calms me down, making it easier for me to get my work done so we can make our way home.

I know these adjustments may sound funny but it is amazing how different something can feel, especially a daily routine, when a important component is removed. Anyway, I am still going move forward like I always do and make the adjustments needed. I just hope this semester doesn't feel like it is lasting forever.

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

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man = 38 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Breakfast - 2 Eggo nutri-grain waffles with a cup of Light'n Fit yogurt and a serving of strawberries with brown sugar = Points 5
Snacks During the Course of the Day - 2 Weight Watchers mini carrot cakes, 2 pears, and 2 rice cakes = Points 6
Early Afternoon - 1 serving of homemade Beef Baked Ziti (Weight Watchers Recipe) and a low fat crescent roll = Points 6
Mid Afternoon - 1 Boca veggie burger with a slice of Weight Watchers american cheese on a Weight Watchers whole wheat roll and a serving of baked potato chips = Points 7
Late Afternoon - 1 serving of homemade Beef Baked Ziti (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 5
Dinner - 1 serving of homemade Chicken Pot Pie (Weight Watchers Recipe) and 2 low fat crescent rolls = Points 7
Dessert - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cone = Points 2

Total Points Eaten Today = 38 Points

Exercise

Today I ran for 30 mins on the elliptical and I executed my Legs routine: Seated Leg Curls (5 sets x 15 reps), Calve Raises (5 sets x 15 reps), Leg Extension  (5 sets x 15 reps), Leg Press (5 sets x 15 reps), and Dumbbell Side Lunges (5 sets x 15 reps). Tomorrow I will be executing my Chest routine and my Abs routine.

Day # 94 - Weigh-In = 255.2 lbs

Day #94 Weigh-In

Day #94 Front Shot

* Back by popular demand..... The Heavy Man's "Side Shot!!!" The first day of every new month, I take a side shot photo and I compare it to the side shot from the previous month. Let me know if you notice any differences between the two.

Day #64 - 267.2 lbs

Day #94 - 255.2 lbs

Day #93 - 3 Months Down!!

Today marks the last day of the 3rd full month of my "Mission to Healthy." I still can't believe that I have managed to stick to this weight loss program for this long, let alone 93 straight days. I have come to realize that a person can change for the better when their life and health depends on it. Of course I still get urges to pig out on junk food. There are days were I just don't feel like getting out of bed. I also have those days were I just want to skip the weight room and veg out on my couch at home. But I keep on moving forward because I believe that there something out there in the world to live for. As many of you may know by now, family and friends are a big part of my life and I would do anything for any single one of them. However, I have come to realize that I have care about myself as well. I remember how bad I felt not only physically but mentally just a short while ago and I refuse to ever feel that way again. I love who I have become in the last 3 months and I hope to only improve in the many years to come. Here's to a life time of happiness and health.

I know I say it a lot, but I want to thank everyone who has supported me on my mission so far. The constant comments, tips, and advice have really helped me develop over the last 3 months. It has been tough at times and great in others but with all of your support, I am constantly inspired and motivated everyday to keep going strong. I feel that I have gained an obligation, since the start of this mission, to NOT let myself down as well as everyone else who has told me that I am an inspiration in their lives. I never in a million years would have expected the amount of people who have opened their hearts to me and have chosen to join me on my mission. I promise, that as long as I am alive and kicking, I will do my best to keep moving towards a long and healthy life. Thank you all for becoming a very special part of my life and you will all be apart of my life forever.

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

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man = 38 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Breakfast - 2 Eggo nutri-grain waffles with a cup of Light'n Fit yogurt and a serving of strawberries and brown sugar = Points 5
Snack during the Course of the Day - 1 Weight Watcher mini carrot cake and 1 pear = Points 2
Early Afternoon - 1 serving of homemade Beef and Vegetable Cheese Casserole (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 7
Mid Afternoon - 1 serving of homemade Beef and Vegetable Cheese Casserole (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 7
Late Afternoon - 1 serving of homemade Beef and Vegetable Cheese Casserole (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 7
Dinner - 1 serving of Baked Ziti with Beef (Weight Watchers Recipe) with 2 fat free crescent rolls = Points 7
Dessert - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cone = Points 2

Total Points Eaten Today = 37 points (1 point under my daily limit)

Exercise

Today I executed my new Arms routine: Lying Skull Crushers (5 sets x 15 reps), Over Head Dumbbell Extensions (5 sets x 15 reps), Standing Short Barbell Curls (5 sets x 15 reps), Incline Dumbbell Alternating Curls (5 sets x 15 reps), Straight Bar Tricep Pull Downs (5 sets x 15 reps), Standing Rope Triceps Push Downs (5 sets x 15 reps), Standing Straight Bar Cable Curls (5 sets x 15 reps), and Standing Rope Hammer Curls (5 sets x 15 reps). I forgot to do cardio tonight, so I will roll it over to tomorrow. I will also be executing my Legs routine with an Abs workout.

Day #93 - Weigh-In = 255.8 lbs (I weighed in this morning a pound more then I did yesterday. I mentioned it to a friend of mine today that is a personal trainer and he said that it is very common when you switch up a weight lifting routine, for the human body to retain muscle weight faster then normal).

Day #93 Weigh-In

Day #93 Front Shot

Day #92 - Get Ready Week, Cause Here I Come!

I woke up this morning and walked around my apartment trying to make my way to the bathroom. It took me a minute to realize that Patty and I moved our room and we were now farther away from the bathroom then we originally were. When I finally woke up, I stood there in my living room, marveling at how great our apartment now looks. I think Caroline (my sister) put it into prospective last night when she looked around at our remodeled apartment and said "Wow, It feels like we are grown ups." I think that was an awesome comment. To actually sit there and think about how far Patty and I have come gives me a great sense of accomplishment, a feeling that I definitely want to carry over with me into the rest of the week, not only in my personal life with my mission, but at work as well.

Today was a very productive day at work and it flew by really quickly. However, once the clock hit 7 pm, I set my attention on starting my exercise portion of the week off right. I mentioned in my post yesterday, that last week I was struggling trying to get my new workout regiment off the ground while trying get my apartment setup before Patty went back to school and I got into my busy time frame at work. I was successful with my apartment but fell short with my workouts. So, I made a promise to myself, yesterday, that I would not let that happen again this week.

So after work was over today, I made my way to the gym and I had a hell of a workout. I think my shoulders are going to be feeling it tomorrow. I also figured that since I had a rough time with working out last week that I would just start everything over again this week. I guess you can say that I started with a "Clean Slate." I am pumped and ready for whatever tomorrow brings. And by the way, tomorrow brings me a cardio workout with an Arms routine.

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

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man = 38 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Breakfast - 2 Eggo nutri-grain waffles with a cup of Light'n Fit yogurt and an apple with sugar and cinnamon = Points 5
Snacks During the Course of the Day -2 Weight Watchers brownies, 4 rice cakes, 1 Weight Watchers mini carrot cake = Points 9
Early Afternoon - 2 Boca veggie burgers with 2 slices of Weight Watchers american cheese on a Weight Watchers roll with a serving of baked potato chips = Points 10
Late Afternoon - 1 Boca veggie burger with a slice of Weight Watchers american cheese on a Weight Watchers roll and a serving of baked potato chips = Points 7
Dinner - 1 serving of homemade Beef and Vegetable Cheese Casserole (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 7
Dessert - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cone = Points 2

Total Points Eaten Today = 40 Points (2 points over my daily limit)

Body Measurements

Chest - 45 1/4 inches
Waist (Around my stomach even with my belly button) - 47 1/4 inches
Neck - 15 1/2 inches
Bicep (Not Flexed) - 16 inches
Bicep (Flexed) - 17 inches
Upper Leg - 28 1/2 inches
Lower Leg (Calf) - 17 inches

Exercise

Today I executed my new Shoulders routine: Seated Arnold Dumbbell Press (5 sets x 15 reps), Plate Front Shoulder Raises (5 sets x 15 reps), Dumbbell Lateral Raise (5 sets x 15 reps), Upright Rows w/ EZ Curl Bar (5 set x 15 reps), and Rear Delt Fly (5 sets x 15 reps). Tomorrow I will be doing cardio and executing my new Arms routine.

Day #92 - Weigh-In = 254.8 lbs

Day #92 Weigh-In

Day #92 Front Shot

Day #91 - A Long Weekend Comes to a Successful End

For the second day in a row, I had to move large and heavy furniture up and down 3 flights of stairs, throw a ton of garbage out, and rearrange my living room a few times. But I can finally say after a long and very productive 3 days, we are finally done!! It is a great feeling to know that Patty and I finally have full control of our apartment and everything is in place. This couldn't have come at a better time. Patty is starting her classes for graduate school again tomorrow and I am about to hit a very busy time frame at work and I am extremely happy that we can both come home, after a long day, to a nice clean and very organized apartment.

I started this morning off by waking up around 9 am and taking the down to the garbage, 2 large pieces of old furniture. I then went to pick up 2 gigantic couches from my mother's house, that is an hour away, and lifted them both up 3 flights of stairs. The tough part about bringing both of them up the stairs, was not because they both weighed a lot, it was tough because they were both too big to fit in the stair case and we had to maneuver them in all different angles just to make it up to the 3rd floor. After our real life game of Tetris was over, we then had to move all of the furniture in the living room around just so they could fit. And to top off the very busy weekend, I decided to treat everyone who helped us this past weekend out for a celebratory lunch featuring pizza. Hey, I needed a slice after all of the moving and lifting this weekend had to offer.

I think the most important part of the day was that Patty and I still made time to put together our weekly menu and went food shopping. And even after all of the cardio and heavy lifting I did this weekend, I still mustarded up the energy to go to the gym tonight to workout. I also made a promise to myself that I was going to step it this week and follow my new workout regiment to a "T". I know I could have done a better job this week with executing the new workout regiment, but I found myself trying to get all of my apartment objectives done first before Patty and I became too busy to even have time. Well, here is to a week of hard work and determination.

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

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man = 38 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Breakfast - Egg whites on a whole wheat bagel with a slice of american cheese = Points 7
Lunch - 1 plain slice of pizza and 1 pasta and vodka slice of pizza = Estimated Points 25
Dinner - 1 Flank Steak with a serving of whole wheat pasta and a tbsp of Parmesan cheese = Points 9
Dessert - Weight Watchers ice cream cone = Points 2

Total Points Eaten Today = 43 Points (5 points over my daily limit) A little different then when I went 14 points under my daily limit yesterday.

Exercise

Today I, yet again, moved heavy furniture up 3 flights of stairs, went up and down the stairs throwing out bags of garbage, and I managed to run for 30 mins on the elliptical and executed an Abs routine. Tomorrow I will get back to the grind by executing my Shoulders and Arms routines.

Day #91 - Weigh-In = 254.0 lbs

Day #91 Weigh-In

Day #91 Front Shot

Day #90 - The Mother of All Workouts

Today, I had what I would probably call the mother of all workouts. Patty's sister had told us at the beginning of this week that she would have all of her stuff out of the second bed room in our apartment by the start of the weekend. At that point in time, Patty and I had decided that we were going to move all of our stuff out of our bed room into the now vacant one because it was bigger then the room we were in now. We also discussed about turning our now formal bed room into an office / guest room, so I can write my blog posts and do some work at home without taking up the entire living room any more.

We woke up around 10:00 am this morning and we just finished all we could do for one day about a 1/2 an hour ago. As soon as I woke up this morning, I decided to put together all of the new furniture we bought during the various parts of this past week. I think my hands are going to be sore for a while and if I don't see another screw driver for a long time, I will be extremely happy. Not only did we put together furniture the whole day, we also sorted through basically everything we own, threw a ton of garbage out, and I think we rearranged every room about 10 ten times.  I don't think I have ever been more exhausted in my life. I can tell you this, the only thing worse then living on the top floor of a 3 story building, is having to carry everything up and down those 3 flights of stairs because we do not have an elevator in the building.

I can barely keep my eyes open while writing this post tonight. I have no doubt in my mind that going from 10 am this morning to now, has helped my lose a little bit of weight today. Well that is it for tonight, I have to wake up early tomorrow morning to pick up 2 gigantic couches from my mother's house. My goal is to be relaxing in our newly rearranged apartment by early tomorrow night. Wish me luck!

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

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man = 38 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Breakfast - Egg whites with 1 slice of Weight Watchers american cheese on 2 slices of Weight Watchers whole wheat bread = Points 3
Snack During the Course of the Day - 4 rice cakes = Points 4
Lunch - 2 grilled cheese sandwiches (Weight Watchers ingredients) with a serving of sweet potato fries = Points 7
Dinner - 1 serving of homemade Beef Stroganoff (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 9
Dessert - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cone = Points 2

Total Points Eaten Today = 25 Points (14 points under my daily limit) I was moving around so much today that I didn't even realize that I ate only 25 points worth of food today.

Exercise

I did not make it to the gym today but I did have a hell of a workout today. I was building furniture, moving heavy furniture, walking up and down 3 flights of stairs the entire day throwing heavy bags of garbage out. Tomorrow I will be moving 2 gigantic couches into my apartment up 3 flights of stairs. I will also make a conscious effort to make it to the gym as well, to execute my new Shoulder and Arms routines.

Day # 90 - Weigh-In = 256.2 lbs

Day #90 Weigh-In

Day #90 Front Shot