ChefChiTown's Rebirth: I'm Back, BABY!!! (In More Ways Than One)...

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Quercus said:
Belated congratulations on the pending nuptials!

That sounds like a solid plan. The only recommendation that I would have is to make a solid long term plan starting March 1st. You can make or edit it towards the end of your challenge, but know what you want for after. Less extreme permanent changes or even extending the elements that you think you can keep going. Just something to plan for your long term success to make the transition easier. There's nothing saying the plan can't include nap and eat pizza all day March 1st, but those kinds of cheats are a lot safer if you've already planned a march 2nd.

I look forward to seeing this happen for you. We both have some butt to kick. Let's do it!
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Let's do it? It? Like, IT it? I'm engaged, man. I mean, I'm flattered, but...I'm engaged now and, well...it would just be awkward. Amazingly satisfying and life-changing, but awkward. I've never even been with another man before, so...I mean...I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Wait...that's not...you meant...OOOOOOOH!!! Well, color me embarrassed, huh?

Anyway, I'm just sitting here watching @Midnight, getting ready for bed. By the way, does Chris Hardwick age? I mean, SERIOUSLY...dude's looked the exact same for 30 years now. The hell, man? What's his secret?

Also, my "DELETE" key on my keyboard doesn't seem to be working and, in all honesty, it's pissing me off more than almost anything ever has before.
 
I can see why you'd be missing your delete key so much.

You look a lot like Sylvester Stallone in his prime so I'm guessing that means if I was going to feel something that would do it. Sorry bud.
 
So, I've been absent for a long, long time and I don't have any excuses. I lost a bunch of weight back in September/October of 2014, which made me very proud of myself, but then I fell into the trap of the holidays and ended up eating like shit and gaining back most all the weight I lost. I was down into the 230's in October, but I allowed myself to become weak and ate myself back up to the 260's during the past 3 months. Yeah, that's a shit ton of weight to gain in 3 months. It's embarrassing. Fucking embarrassing.

Now, I mentioned the word "weak" for a reason.

Many people probably don't know this, but I used to play baseball. Baseball was a huge part of my life during my childhood and even my young-adulthood. It's always been a passion of mine. Every single time I stepped onto the field, all my troubles went away. Stress, pain, heartache, fear, insecurity, everything - it all went away EVERY time I stepped onto a baseball field. The diamond was my sanctuary and baseball was my religion. And, I was good...very good. I was so good that I was scouted by professional MLB teams. I was a beast. I prided myself on being the best and I worked hard to be the best. And, my drive got me noticed by professional talent scouts. But, I gave up the game which is something I have always regretted. I made a stupid choice and stopped doing something that made me happy. And, ever since that moment, when I took baseball out of my life, I have had a huge hole in my heart - a hole that has remained empty for all these years.

But, that hole will shortly be filled. You see, I am going to be coaching baseball this summer and, although it's not the same as playing, I am THRILLED to have the opportunity to get back on the field. Finally, after all these years, the hole in my heart is going to be filled. And, I couldn't be happier. Ever since I got the news that I would be able to coach a team here in town my drive has completely returned.

Now, why did I point out the word "weak" earlier? Because, when I played baseball, I always wrote "FTW" on my wrist bands. Now-a-days, FTW has a different meaning (For the Win), but before it became an Internet thing, FTW was a motto I used to help me through the tough times - to keep me strong.

To me, FTW has always stood for "Fuck the Weaklings."

I was never weak. Fuck being weak. Fuck giving up. Fuck not pushing through the pain and fuck everybody who was in my way. That was my attitude and that is what got me noticed by the best in the world. Fuck the Weaklings.

Well, fuck ME because I became a weakling not too long ago and ended up putting on 20-plus pounds. But, no more. I am weak no more. I will never allow myself to become a weakling again.

I have found what I needed. I found the missing link. The hole in my heart has been shaped like a diamond all these years and I didn't even know it. I found baseball....and now I am back. The beast that donned catcher's gear and took control of the diamond is back and now he's ready to don...well, whatever the hell it is that coaches wear...and he's ready to take control of his health.

During the past 2 weeks I have lost over 10 lbs. I have stuck with my diet plan and I have been busting my ass working out nearly every day. I am back on track and I have a whole new attitude on life.

FTW

Things might get in my way, but they sure as hell won't stay there.

Been constantly so frustrated
I've moved mountains with less
When I channel my hate to productive
I don't find it hard to impress

- Phil Anselmo, Pantera
 
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Great to see you back Chef. I'm a bit of a baseball guy myself.

Always gave me a chuckle that they used to call catcher's gear "the tools of ignorance." Usually the catchers are among the smartest guys on the team. I always hated it though. Really HATED catching.

When you fall of the wagon after dieting for a while, a lot of that gained weight isn't fat it's just added water from increasing your carbohydrate consumption. So all is never really lost.

Good luck with your coaching. Go the Earl Weaver route. Here's some pointers (NSFW):

[video]https://youtu.be/f6cmqUTPn08[/video]
 
MrVee said:
Great to see you back Chef. I'm a bit of a baseball guy myself.

Always gave me a chuckle that they used to call catcher's gear "the tools of ignorance." Usually the catchers are among the smartest guys on the team. I always hated it though. Really HATED catching.

When you fall of the wagon after dieting for a while, a lot of that gained weight isn't fat it's just added water from increasing your carbohydrate consumption. So all is never really lost.

Good luck with your coaching. Go the Earl Weaver route. Here's some pointers (NSFW):

[video]https://youtu.be/f6cmqUTPn08[/video]
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I've always loved "the tools of ignorance." I don't even know how that term even started. It doesn't make sense, considering the catcher is the quarterback on the team and often knows more about the game than the rest of the players. But, to be fair, catchers are often grunts too. So, maybe that's where the term came from.

And, as much as I would LOOOOOVE to blow up with an epic, expletive-filled tirade at some point, I can't really do that - well, not this year anyway. I'm coaching 13 and 14 year olds. So, I'll have to keep my rants PG-13. Well, when there are witnesses anyway.
 
Alright, I got back on track last Monday (like LAST Monday, not 4-days-ago-Monday) and I've lost 11 lbs. Good start, huh? Yeah, I'm pretty happy about it. But, what I'm MOST happy about is the fact that I just completed my first full week of going to the gym. I took some time and not only developed a customized workout routine for myself, but I printed out little cards and laminated them - total dorkus, I know. But, I stuck with my workout plan and I didn't skip anything all week long. And, for that, I'm super happy.

I'm also happy that I notice a difference in my body - my clothes fit a little better and things are juuuuust now starting to feel like they're toning up a little. I still have a long way to go, but these past two weeks have kept me pretty positive about the future.

Since I've been good for two weeks now, I allowed myself a little 'cheating' tonight. I made us (Jen and I) turkey club sandwiches for dinner (I haven't had bread in two weeks and it was sooooo fucking good - who knew bread could give you a boner?) and I ended up making some paleo brownies (flourless, low carb) and some low-carb cheesecake for dessert. Now, the brownies came out of the oven a little bit ago and I tried some - eh, they're not all that great. But, we still have the cheesecake, so I'll be eating some of that later.
 
Wow, Chef:
Honest and funny! That is a winning combination. I am sure you'll get to your goal. You sound very determined and as if you truly know yourself and with that, you can't go wrong. Go for it!

Gillian
 
Well, it's official now - I am the head coach of the local youth baseball team. It was sort of arranged before, but nothing was official...until now. My first meeting is next week so we can go over league rules and all that boring junk, but I'M BACK, BABY!!! (hey, just like the title of my journal)

I am SUPER pumped.

Gillian said:
Wow, Chef:
Honest and funny! That is a winning combination. I am sure you'll get to your goal. You sound very determined and as if you truly know yourself and with that, you can't go wrong. Go for it!

Gillian
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Thanks, Gillian. It IS a winning combination...except for if I ever attend a funeral for someone I hate.
 
So, I did something yesterday I hardly ever do...

I BOUGHT NEW SHOES

Now, that may not seem like a big deal, but I am VERY picky about shoes. And, I honestly buy myself new shoes only once every other two or three years...if that. So, I'm pretty excited.

They're shoes for the gym which I didn't necessarily NEED (my old shoes are just fine), but the "impulse buy" portion of my brain got to me and I ended up buying them. They were on sale and I liked the way they looked and felt, so I brought them home with me.

They also make my calves look ridiculous, so that's a plus.
 
So, I'm two weeks deep in my current attempt at cutting some weight and I have to say that I'm still in very good spirits about things. This weekend, I decided to cheat a little bit and have some things my diet doesn't allow - carbs, beer, chocolates, chocolates filled with caramels, chocolates filled with Oreo cookies, chocolates filled with other chocolates that have chocolate chocolates inside of a chocolate, etc. However, I don't feel guilty about it. For the past two weeks, I haven't had ANYTHING I shouldn't - I stuck with low carb, I didn't have any alcohol, no sweets, nothing. And, sticking with my plan (which also includes daily trips to the gym/exercising at home) brought me down from 260 lbs to 249 lbs. That's an 11 lb loss in two weeks, which really makes it hard for me to feel guilty about having a cheat day this past weekend. I deserved it.

Now, I weighed myself this morning and I am up a little bit (which was to be expected). I'm currently weighing in at 250.1 lbs. But, that's ok. I know that some of that is water weight which will go away in the next few days.

My goal for this week is simple - stick to my plan. Eat right and exercise daily. And, as long as I do that, I know solid progress will be made. I am hoping to be at 245 lbs by Sunday morning, but I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't get there. As long as I get close, I'll be happy. This time around, I'm not going to focus so much on the scale. Yes, I'll keep track of my weight and take it seriously, but as long as I notice an improvement in my physical appearance and physical abilities (my endurance, my lung capacity, my strength, heart-related shit) I'll be happy. Seeing the number on the scale get smaller as I go is nice, but I won't be heartbroken if I don't lose weight as fast as I would like. As long as I stick with my plan it will go down. And, as long as I keep caramels in the house for Jen, she will go down...

:leaving:
 
The caramels are gone, so you're gonna have to find other non-food ways of buttering me up.... like backrubs. ;)


Seriously though, you're doing great! You shouldn't feel bad about having one cheat day. You deserved it! :) I'm proud of you!
 
jen_renee said:
The caramels are gone, so you're gonna have to find other non-food ways of buttering me up.... like backrubs. ;)


Seriously though, you're doing great! You shouldn't feel bad about having one cheat day. You deserved it! :) I'm proud of you!
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Thank you, honey. And, maybe you'll get that back rub later. And, maybe I'll get something cool in return? Hmm? HMM?

LaMaria said:
I read that as "the camels are gone". I got slightly confused.
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HA!!!
 
Wow, do I ever relate. I thought I just could not be the only person here who had some holiday candy and goodies. There was a time when if I thought I blew it by eating chocolate or anything special, it would derail me and I would feel even worse about myself and it would devastate me for weeks if not months. Somewhere in this thread of yours, I read something that helped me so much. It was something like "Don't make it harder or longer than it already is" excuse me for not remembering accurately, but it really hit home. My husband wants to lose twenty pounds and I want him to lose for his heart because I barely notice the weight on him because he carries it so well. But I am worried about his family history and do not want to ever see him suffer a heart attack like his father did -- and at a young age, too.

I had a heart attack at the age of forty and I am no longer ever going to give up on my healthy diet goals over what other people think of me. I am going to put health first this time. I feel I am finally in the right company! So many people here and I wish we could all get together for a support party. We are not just losing weight, we are gaining insight and knowledge. One of my funniest friends always says to me, "Hate is too powerful an emotion to waste on someone you really don't like!" HA-HA! I always got a kick out of that one. I felt pretty awful for a few hours, but I am back on my horse. Oh, my poor, poor horse!

-Gill
 
Well, I'm half way through Week 3 of my current attempt at getting healthy and, in all honesty, I have to say I'm doing pretty good. I haven't skipped a gym day, I haven't allowed myself to eat away my progress and, with few exceptions, my mood has been pleasant. I am having a little bit of a cheat weekend though, as the new season of Game of Thrones premieres on Sunday night and I will sooooo be having a fun night that evening. I deserve it. Plus, Game of Thrones is just fucking awesome, so...yeah.

On a side note, when I went to the gym today, I decided to increase the amount of weight I would lift and I did more reps than I have been during the past few weeks. For the past two weeks, I haven't had that, "RAAAAAWWWWWRRRR!!! I WENT TO THE GYM!!!" feeling - I've felt worked out, but I haven't felt as if I pushed myself enough. So, I pushed myself harder today. Aaaaand, I feel it. My arms are tight, my man boobies hurt and my legs are dangling down there like, "HEY...the hell, man? Why'd you get on the treadmill TWICE at the gym? Who are you trying to impress, jerk? You trying to KILL US? Asshole."

I don't know where I was going with that. Anyway, my body feels good. Not as good as Jen's though (yeah, I made that joke - deal with it).

Anywho, we just had turkey clubs for dinner (one of our favs) and now we're just kind of loafing around on the couch. Our kids are gone tonight so it's just us two. We're trying to be good, but I have a feeling there's a chance we'll be saying "fuck it" at some point and having ourselves a fun night. It's just one of those days. And, hey...we've both been doing awesome, so if it happens, I won't beat myself up.
 
Sooooo, THIS just happened...

We're sitting on the couch and I look at my Fitbit to see my stats for the day. I notice that I'm reeeeeally close to reaching my goal for calories burned and I mention it to Jen - "Hey, look, I'm pretty close to reaching my goal for calories today."

Fast forward 15 minutes.

I'm at the grocery store (we decided to snack a little tonight) and I'm heading toward the ice cream section. I look at the choices for a quick second and make my decision. I open the door to the freezer, reach in and grab a tub of Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Half Baked ice cream AAAAAND...THAT'S when my Fitbit started buzzing, letting me know I had reached my daily goal for calories burned.

Good timing, huh?
 
So, I went to the gym today and I made myself a friend.

At the end of my workout I was doing calf presses on the leg press machine and one of the big, muscled meatheady regulars was standing nearby and he kept look at me out of the corner of his eye. When I was done, he motioned to me to take my headphones off...so I did. Then, he comes up and goes, "Dude, your calves are SICK. Seriously dude, your calves are HUGE. You tryin' to blow 'em up? You tryin' to blow up your calves?" So I was like, "Oh, I've always had big calves" - my calves ARE huge - and he just kept going on and on about how huge my calves are and then offered me some pointers on how to 'tone them up' so they look more muscly. So, we're best friends now :skips away:

jen_renee said:
I really need to get my fitbit out and charge it. Remind me of that if I don't do it..lol.
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Charge your Fitbit.
 
Ok, so I decided to skip the gym today. My body is just way too tired and exhausted - my break today was well needed. During the past 3 weeks, I've lost a little over 12 lbs and, along with the weight loss, I've also noticed that I'm starting to lose the negative mindset that comes along with being heavy. I'm a little happier, my mood has improved and my confidence is starting to come back. Overall, I'm pretty happy with myself and I'm very pleased with my results thus far.

This weekend, I'm having a little bit of a cheat weekend...and I don't even feel guilty about it. I've worked hard and done well the past couple of weeks so I could use a little break. It's good for the mind, I think. You need to be bad every once in a while, you know? I just can't let this cheat weekend become a cheat week. Or, worse yet, cheat month. And, I won't let that happen. FTW, remember? I'm no weakling - I got this shit under controoooOOOOOH look, A REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUP!!!

Ok, where was I? Eh, I don't know.

Anyway, Jen and I are currently lounging on the couch. We're both browsing the forum right now - we're sitting next to each other on our laptops, looking through journals and stuff - together. Aww, cute, right? Either that, or it's super lame. Oh well...we're going to spice things up later by doing some super awesome fun stuff in the bedroom - things I can't mention here. And, Jen will probably lie to you all and say "That's not happening" or something to that effect, but we all know the truth - bow chicka bow woooow wow, bow chicka bow wooooow wow

LaMaria said:
Reminds me of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArNz8U7tgU4
(...I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him...)
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Dude, I have never seen that before.
 
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