Diary Fitforaking

Say Cheese!

I like animals...especially cute and spontaneous ones.

This little fella decided to pop up into the picture on this couple's vacation. They said they had the camera on timer, the squirrel heard the camera auto-focusing and decided to check it out.
 
So yesterday was a good day. I took all the frustrations that I've been having and used them constructively. I've lowered my calorie goals a bit and committed to eating within those goals. I ate well yesterday.

I also got in two hours of non-stop, intense racquetball. I'm talking exhausted, soaking with sweat, body aching, out of breath racquetball....for two hours solid with about three 15 second breaks...it was awesome.

And the scale rewarded me this morning...294.2lbs. My first thought was water/hydration loss...but I drank a G2 immediately before and a Powerade-Zero right after. Needless to say, I was pleased.

I'm also feeling a renewing of my spirit. I may write more about that later. But it feels so good...and so fulfilling to know that I serve a Lord who is full of grace...and mercy...and love. That no matter what I think or do...He loves me the same. I am truly blessed. As are you.

Today is a new day! It will be what we make it! Make it a good one...

E.
 
One meal left and I've only ate 50% of my calories for the day!

Looks like I'm eating lard and whale blubber tonight! :beerchug:

Ok, maybe a few slices of pizza instead...

E.
 
I hope everyone had a good weekend, I did. Didn't really do a whole lot...just enjoyed not being at work. I feel refreshed and ready to go this week...I think church yesterday has a lot to do with that!

Got up at 3am this morning to play racquetball. I worked on a new serve...and it proved to be very effective. I look forward to trying it on some different players this week.

My eating has been pretty good. I ate a few things this weekend that maybe I shouldn't have, but it wasn't a situation where I didn't have control. I was able to watch my portions and keep it reasonable. It's not a good feeling to be out of control.

Today's eating is good too. Shouldn't have a problem eating within my calories.

Knees and feet feel good enough that I may try to play racquetball again tonight. Should I press my luck? :)

Hope everyone has a blessed day!

E.
 
do it! i love playing these racquet sports lol! My weekend was great. I'm hoping the rain stays away so i can get some tennis in and hit the gym soon after!
 
This week I've been thinking about my priorities...in particular my focus and use of this site. Before I go any farther, let me say that I think this site is a very good thing...and can be a very useful tool for someone looking to get in shape.

But, anyone ever thought:

"Maybe if I spent less time on this site...and spent more time doing things that will actually help me lose fat..."

Is it possible that for some of us, this site may be perpetuating our situation? Do you think some people would much rather read about losing weight than actually do the work to lose weight? I'm wondering if we spent less time being social and supportive and more time busting our butts...

Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone...

If you read this and are offended, is it because I'm right or wrong?
 
Well, I can agree. If you find yourself glued to the computer and internet instead of out actually doing something, how is it helping? Thats why I have ground rules. I pretty much only go online or on the computer if I am at work since I am already on the computer 80% of my workday anyways. It acually helps me keep my focus and stay out of the break room at the office where the donuts linger. However, at home, I don't get online unless its to pay bills or look something up that I need, mostly because I see some parents glued to computers while their kids and houses and lives get ignored.

The thing is, people function in so many different ways. If its not working for you, then find something that does. maybe you need the support, but need it in a more real way, like a real life group of people to motivate you and hold you accountable. Some people can get that online and some people cannot.
 
Is it possible that for some of us, this site may be perpetuating our situation? Do you think some people would much rather read about losing weight than actually do the work to lose weight? I'm wondering if we spent less time being social and supportive and more time busting our butts...
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I'm sure that holds true for a lot of people. :) Sort of related: There's a blogger whose weight loss blog I have followed for a couple of years. She has a significant amount to lose and she keeps yo-yo-ing the same 20-30 lbs over and over and over again. Her blog posts cycle between bemoaning her latest binge and how she has had this "realization" about herself or her eating habits or her life or whatever ... and how *that* will make the difference and she's got a whole new outlook ... and ... and ... and!

After reading her blog for 2 years, I've stopped commenting or responding or encouraging because I've begun to get the feeling that she gets more out of the talking about it, than she actually gets off her butt and does all this stuff she talks about. I think there's probably an element of enjoying the attention and comments of her regular readers as well. I dunno. I'm not trying to judge her - but I've realized that her blog is less useful to me than I thought it was when I first found it. It's now entertainment rather than informational.

So I think it's all related - blogging, message boards, etc. I think there are a lot of people who feel like they're Doing Something (in the great big "I'm doing something about my weight." sense) simply by reading and posting.

I think it's kinda related to the whole buy a gym membership and never go thing: I bought the membership, so see .. I'm Doing Something about my weight.

Or buying into a diet plan or book: I bought the South Beach book (although I haven't even so much as read the intro yet), so I'm Doing Something about my weight.

All of that said, I do think there's a HUGE benefit to the social/supportive part of it. I know for me, I lose weight better and faster when I'm accountable (in some way) to people - even if it's a bunch of strangers on a board. Having the monthly challenges and games to give me something to aim for.

And, I'll admit there's an element of walking the walk. I give a lot of advice here and if I can't do it, stall out on my loss, gain weight back ... then why should anyone listen to what I have to say? So opening my big mouth as much as I do ( :D ) keeps me accountable to me in a lot of ways. It's a big time put-up-or-shut-up for me. :)

Just my rambling thoughts on the subject.
 
Owl/Kara,

I agree with both of you...and I think you agree with me.

Why do you think we are more willing to look to strangers for support and motivation than those close to us? If so...why? Do you think it's because if we fail we can just quit logging in and not have to face anyone with our failure?
 
No, for me, its easier for me to share things with some level of anominity online. And, at the same time, none of my family or friends are focused on weight loss or fitness right now, so talking to them about it is boring, they have nothing to offer. But, here, I can ask questinos and get well thought out advice instead of "eh, you'll figure it out." I can go on and on about calories, cardio and what not and not bore people to death (and if I do they can just log off and shut me up), whereas, if I talked all day about it to my co workers they would think I had a problem.
 
The more I'm on here, the more I see people who I'm not sure if they really want to lose weight or not. Seems like some come here just to be social...

I guess for me, once I lose my "edge" and I come here to hang out or be social...instead of motivation and support....that's when it's time to go. I've felt like the past couple of weeks I had been getting sucked into the social aspect...and that's not why I came here. I guess I was somewhat convicted that I should be more social with my "real" friends and family that I already have. I'll be looking for that balance between the two I guess...

I've just been in a pensive mood the past few days ;)
 
Hey man just thought I'd stop by your journal and learn a little about you. Thanks again for the PM. You and another guy were very helpful but I deleted all of my PM's on accident and now I don't remember who else sent me some thoughts and prayers. Maybe I'll see his username and it'll jog my memory.

You and I are the same height but I only got up to 251 at my heaviest. We both have bad knees though and I used to play raquetball in college but I was never very good because I was overweight then and too slow. I would say raquetball is very hard on knees. Too much changing directions and stuff. I'm not going to suggest you stop the things you enjoy doing though because I hate when doctors tell me that stuff. ;)

Congrats on getting below 300. I hope you continue to push on. When you finally do get to your goal you will probably cry tears of joy for how good you look and feel. No one will ever be able to take that accomplishment away from you so go make it happen!
 
none of my family or friends are focused on weight loss or fitness right now, so talking to them about it is boring, they have nothing to offer. But, here, I can ask questinos and get well thought out advice instead of "eh, you'll figure it out." I can go on and on about calories, cardio and what not and not bore people to death (and if I do they can just log off and shut me up), whereas, if I talked all day about it to my co workers they would think I had a problem.
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Bingo.

Also I get tired of the whole fad diet thing that a lot of people in my real life are playing around with. There are several people in my office who will try any stupid diet they see on the internet. In fact we've got a running joke that if I developed a really healthy program and put it on the Internet or on a sloppy looking piece of paper that had been Xerox'd 50 times, and called it the Blueberry Diet, and said something like "you have to eat 12 oz of blueberries once a day", everyone in the office would follow it slavishly. But try to talk about a healthy balanced diet and you get "Oh I can't do that!"

It's nice to have a place to come to where they understand when you whine about eating salty pizza and gaining 3 lbs. Or when you ask "which type of protein is better for me?" someone can give you a well thought out answer or a link to good resources.
 
Kara,

I understand your point completely and agree.

I just wonder how many people use a forum like this to somehow seek out comfort and pity of others who are only seeking comfort and pity from others. Misery does love company...
 
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