Injury free

I'm back.  After I took a few days off from the gym and BJJ, my back informed me it was in bad shape.  For a period of about three weeks, whenever I stood from a seated position, wow, it hurt.  The doctor said that it was just a muscle issue and that it might take a while to heal.  Well, everything is back in order -- finger and back.  In order to minimize the chance that I'll be in that position again, I'm going to take about another four weeks off of BJJ and really work on my core.  I've been doing that the past two weeks and so far so good.

With the time off due to the back, I also fell back in some bad eating habits.  I gained about 10 pounds.  I really felt like crap for two reasons.  First, I knew that I wasn't eating right.  Second, when you don't eat right your body tells you and drags you down.  I felt tired all the time.  Being back on track, again, feels way better.  Lesson learned, again, don't get off track.  It doesn't do any good and no food can replace this feeling.

Weight this morning is 279.  Paleo loss equals 65 and total weight loss since March of last year equals 87.

I'm looking forward to a great day today.  My nephew is playing the role of The Beast in his school's production of Beauty and The Beast.  I'm going with my family to the afternoon showing.  This will be followed by attending a surprise birthday party for one of my fraternity brothers.  Haven't seen him in a long time nor have I seen some of the fellas that will be there.  Have a great weekend and remember, eat right!

Mallet finger

Bet you've never seen that as a title to a blog post.  That's what happened to my left ring finger this past Monday night during training.  Didn't even feel it happen, but when I first saw it, I thought it was dislocated.  Anyway, it has put a crimp in my BJJ for now.  It will take about six weeks to heal.

On to my current weight:  281.  Four pounds this week.  I obviously cut back on calories since my output was also cut back.

While I'm in the frustrated mood, I'll vent about something else -- my new TV.  I finally unboxed it and was going to set it up in my newly finished basement; however, it was missing three pieces for the stand!  I called Samsung -- it will take five to seven business days to arrive.  So, I'm going to go to NFM and see if they will make me happy and let me borrow from another TV while Samsung ships the parts.  I'll keep you posted, as I know you are on the edge of your chair by now.

Adjusting diet

Good evening!  This week was an adjustment week.  I've adjusted my diet to account for the extra calories being spent during training/lifting and drinking some recovery drinks after training or lifting.  Not paleo, but everything else still is.  Progress was achieved in a one pound loss.  I bumped up my protein intake and reduced both fat and carb; calories were increased.  We'll see how this goes over the next couple of weeks.

Wow, was I gone that long?

I know it has been over a month and I really have no excuse.  I'm back and ready to report regularly.  Weight this morning was at 286.  Truly disappointing that it took this long to lose five pounds.  The good news is that I've lost 80 total pounds.  80 pounds -- that's a lot; however, I still have a ways to go and I will accomplish my goals.  I've had great support from my family and friends.  Without them, this would be nearly imposible.  Thank you.

What have I been up to?  A little traveling abroad and I've taken on a new form of exercise in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu).  I didn't think someone as big as I am could be thrown around like that by someone much smaller.  It is going to be fun learning a new skill and learn what my body can do given the right set of instructions.

Have a great weekend and I'll be back next Saturday.

Week 16

Still moving forward -- 291.  Total of 75.

I did purchase a new watch with a heart rate monitor.  It keeps track of calories burned, fat percentage burned and fitness level.  You enter your stats (height, weight, age) and it calculates max HR for your age and helps you stay in fat burning or fitness levels during your workout.  It is also compatible with the equipment at the gym, giving me a constant HR reading on the display.  The watch is a Polar FT40.

Week 15 report

Scale read 294 this morning.  Not necessarily the weight I was looking for, but it'll work.  I do have some other reportable items to share:

Neck size:  March 21.5"     Today 17"
Waist size:  March 58"     Today 52"

I've added some additional measurements, too, so that I can track how my body is adjusting to a more intensive cardio regimen.  I'm sure I have lost some additional inches in my legs and arms over the past two weeks, but did not get it recorded.  It certainly feels that I have.

Delayed updates for Week 12 and 13

Good day!  I've been doing some traveling and am now back.  It was a rough week during Week 12 in Dallas. This time the guys wanted to go out every night.  I kinda needed to do it to build relationships with some folks in other offices, so it didn't sit well with my weight.  I weighed in at 302 at weeks end.

Week 13 was spent traveling as well, only this time I was able to get back and stay on track.  I had an opportunity to weigh myself this morning (part way into Week 14) and the scale read 296.  That brings total weight loss to 70 pounds!  Paleo loss is at 48.  I've started some elliptical training the past couple of days and I have to say I'm addicted already.  It feels great.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving with my family and friends.  And of course to the HUSKER v. IOWA game on Friday.  I hope it is a good game.

Happy Thanksgiving!