Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Enough Is Enough

"do dee do do,.. do dee do do,.. do dee do do,.. do dee do do,.."



Picture this; you're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. It's a place where cellulose and skin collide. Where fear resides in the truth hiding behind the shadows within the bathroom scale. Up ahead there's a sign post. You've just crossed over into the Blubber Zone.

"do de da dum!"


Over the past few months I've noticed my waist line expanding at a rather unsettling rate. It's not at all healthy and I've decided it's time for a change. I did this once before with success, but then I got complacent and let things slide. Mainly the things that started to slide were down my throat like chocolate chip ice cream and Dr Pepper (among others). These evil concoctions of sugar and high fructose corn syrup taste oh so good going down, but then decide to take up a permanent residence in the mid-section . . . not good.

I believe the diagnosis for this condition is called Dunlaps disease. That's what it's called when your belly has done lapped over your belt!

Well, here I am declaring in a public forum that I am going to make strides to reverse this not so pleasant look.

Here are my stats and my general plan to overcome the battle of the bulge:

I'm 5' 11" tall and just weighed in at 222lbs - Yikes!

1. Sodas and fruit juices are out (and what the heck, might as well put coffee in there too. The caffeine screws up other things anyway.)

2. I will drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water each day

3. At dinner time I will consume a reasonable portion.
( this may sound a bit loose, but I really do know what that amount should be. I just have to have the discipline to keep from going back for more)

4. I will not eat anything after 8:00pm

5. Junk food snacks are out. This includes, but is not limited to ice cream, potato chips, and candy bars.


I'll be honest, I'm not the type to get all fired up about an regimented exercise routine. I'm actually a pretty active person, so by reducing the amount of crap that enters my body, I will be able to start burning the fat with what I'm already doing. Now, with that being said, I know there comes a point when intake alone won't finish the goal. I plan to re-evaluate the dreaded "E" (exercise) word later. I know from past experience that in order to be successful at this one must be realistic about what one is truly willing to do. If I said I was going to start running five miles every day, that would simply be a bold faced lie and I would end up getting discouraged because I set an unreasonable goal.

At this point I haven't set my weight goals yet. I will do this over the next couple of days and will set weekly and monthly goals when I do. As I indicated earlier, I did the same thing a couple of years ago and it worked quite well. This time around I just need to make it a lifelong habit and not a one year only deal.

I'll keep you all updated on my progress, but don't worry, I'm not going to turn this into Jeff's diet blog. I figure some periodic updates will be good encouragement to anyone else contemplating something similar and in a selfish way will be good for me to share in some victories too.

I won't ask you to wish me luck, just perseverance!

34 comments:

Cath said...

Well perseverance it is mate! I hope you keep to it., I think you are very wise to set realistic and "achievable" goals. Anything else would be dispiriting.

I have a few extra pounds from stopping smoking and I intend to do something about it soon, but may wait till next spring. That's not procrastination - it's knowing me. Losing weight in the dark months of winter is very hard, nigh on impossible for me. It also might just push me back to smoking and I would rather have a few more smoke free months first.

So well done. I know what you are going through and applaud the effort in such cold months! Keep it up.

buffalodick said...

Actually, it is better known as "Dickydoo Syndrome".. It's where your stomach sticks out further than your dicky do! :)

Schmoop said...

Good Luck Jeff. The water thing is good; I have done that.

I lost nearly 80 pounds cutting out most carbs and dining on lots of soup. It's good for you, tastes good, and has little fat as well as few carbs. Cheers!!

Lady in red said...

Join the club I started last week but have not weighed myself I am just going to judge by my clothes for the moment.

I did lose about 10lb last autumn when I began a diet set up by another blogger. A few of us would post what we had eaten each day on a private blog to give each other help and encouragement. I was also going to the gym 2 or 3 times a week for what most would call a light work out but for me was hard going but I did enjoy it.

Starting a full time job in January has meant less time and energy for the gym this year and as the months passed the diet slipped too.

But as of last week I have cut out the bread etc and am on cottage cheese for lunch.

I try to keep to small changes rather than making drastic changes all at once.

heres to perserverance

LiR

Marilyn said...

I need to do this. I've been letting the kid dictate too much of our diet, and really, what kid would eat like a real person if she had the choice. For everybody's sake, I'd better straighten up.

You and I are the same height. We aren't the same weight but when you figure that men tend to carry around more muscle, we weigh about the same.

Dana said...

Having fought this battle most of my life, and finally gotten the best of it, wishes of perseverance are on their way! You can do this Jeff, and you'll feel so much better when you do!

Unknown said...

jeff...you have my support. Common sense and moderation are my two keys to a good life.


~AirmanMom returning to her blog...

Raven said...

Good luck. Given that you are a man and active, I suspect the weight will drop off pretty quickly. Just giving up soda alone will probably make a significant difference... but in any case, good luck to you. My only dietary virtue is that water is my favorite beverage.

Real Live Lesbian said...

LMAO @ Buff!

Here's to perseverance and lots of soup...for both of us!

Jeff B said...

Crazycath- I know if I don't get on it now that winter will only add to the problem for me. Good job on giving up smoking. Never had to face that battle, but from what I hear, it's a tough one.

Buffalo- Bwahahahaha, Hadn't heard that reference before. Good one.

Matt- Good going, and I'll be joining the smaller crowd soon.

LiR- Great seeing you again. Small changes are a real key to success. If it's too much of a change, we tend to dread it rather than embrace it.

Marilyn- If my boys picked the menu around here it could get quite scary. Hope you decide to pick up the mantle.

Dana- I recall the first couple of weeks being the toughest part of it.

Airmanmom- Those two things are key to all things in life aren't they? Practicing them is the challenge.

Raven- Tanking down the water really does make a huge difference.

Real LL- I liked that one too. I know you've spoke of this concern for you as well. Let's kick butt!

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

May I suggest the website mydailyplate.com You can track your food intake and also your daily activities to give you a read on what goes in and what goes out.

I have found it invaluable in my quest to get fit

GOOD LUCK

Sandee said...

I'm in the process of dropping 20 pounds too. That vacation we just took didn't help one bit. Good luck Jeff, I know you can do it. Have a fat-free day. Big hug (and I do mean big). Bwahahahahaha. :)

nitebyrd said...

Good for you, Jeff. Just don't deprive yourself totally or you'll definitely start to whine.

Desert Songbird said...

You'd surprised how much those "simple" changes will affect you. It seems to have a great impact on men than women, though. Women need extra "oomph" in their changes.

Jeff B said...

Bond- Does that mean I should literally read what goes out? Would that be like reading the tea leaves in the bottom of the cup?

I'll check the site out, thanks

Sandee- Thanks for the BIG hug. See you in skinny town.

Nitebyrd- Who me whine? I did the little treats along the way last time. It makes for good motivation.

Songbird- Lisa has shared her frustration in how men tend to lose weight easier.

Dianne said...

I was eating a piece of Entemann's Black & White cake as I opened your post.

I put it down.

See you're already an inspiration!!

Ron said...

OK...first of all, I freaking LOVE how you introduced this post with the whole Twilight Zone theme...that was GREAT!!!!

VERY clever!

And secondly...maybe I'm a dumb ninny or something, but I don't think 222lbs is all that big for someone 5' 11" is it?

Oh, I don't know...I never really notice things like weight on people.

See...I have the opposite challenge that most people do....I have to eat to keep ON weight!?!?

Maybe you should take a photo of youself now...and then do a before and after shot...like Jenny Craig does in magazines.

Anyway, buddy...I wish you perserverance!

P.S. but beware...Halloween is coming up and I know how much Candy Corn is a temptation for you!!!

HAHAHAHAHA!

NOT!

Mel said...

I lost the whole train of thought when you said "(and what the heck, might as well put coffee in there too. The caffeine screws up other things anyway.)"

OMG!!!

k....persevere all you need to and I'm FOR ya, really.
But geeze....
NO coffee?!?!

*shuddering*

Vodka Mom said...

okay, god-dammit, I'm in. GOod luck to you, and I'll get off my ass and join you. Even if it's only blogwise.

Jeff B said...

Dianne- Ha, caught with your hand in the cookie jar eh? I laughed at the "I put it down" part.

Ron- I loved that show. My brothers and I would watch it all the time.

222lbs at 5'11" could be an ok weight if it were all muscle. Problem is, it looks more like a swallowed a bowling ball. Looked in the mirror and realized how ridiculous it was. Now it's time to make it go away.

Candy Corn. . . curse you man!

Mel- Guess I should have eased into that a little better for your benefit.

I think the caffeine is adding to my overall stress load and the headaches I've been having.

Breath Mel, breath...

Vodka Mom- Ha, no guilt behind those words is there?!?

Akelamalu said...

You know what Jeff, you've inspired me! I've been promising myself for the past, I forget how many, months that I will eat less and exercise more. Did I? Did I bollocks! I've made up my mind I'm going to start right now. Thanks m'deario.

Real Live Lesbian said...

I'm back to tell you that you inspired me to get on the treadmill for 30 minutes this morning! I was sweatin' but I didn't take any pics!

Thanks for the impetus!

Jeff B said...

Akelamalu- Glad i could be the gentle nudge in the right direction. I figured if I said my intentions in front of my friends they/you would hold me accountable. I wish you success in your efforts.

Real LL- There is only one type of picture in which sweaty women are involved and exercising isn't it!

bwahahahaha

Keep it up. It's encouraging to know there are others joining in too.

Kaylia Metcalfe said...

Heh

Ok ironic... I JUST posted about the same basic thing this morning and then clicked over here in a vain attempt to catch up on the blogs I have been ignoring for the past few weeks.

Good luck!!!!!!

Anndi said...

Will you be eating more fruit? like... um.. oh.. say...


BANANAS?


Good luck sweetie! :)

Jeff B said...

Kay- Good to see you again. I'll come by to take a look at it.

Anndi- Bwahahahahaha

I can always count on you to bust my chops!

Travis Cody said...

I would advise not setting any specific weight goals. Rather, focus on gradually changing your eating habits.

It's difficult enough to reduce the craving for bad carbs and sweets. Focus on that first, and don't punish yourself for having the cravings.

It's all about changing your habits first. And try not to force yourself to eat stuff you don't like. There are plenty of healthy things to eat that you will like, so focus on those things.

Good luck!

Anndi said...

Think of me as the annoying kid sister... I do it to Travis all the time! ;)

Gene Bach said...

Your diet sucks and you're a large, fat cow.

Jeff B said...

Anndi- Wouldn't have it any other way.

Gene- At least when you call me a loser I can take it as a compliment now!

Lu' said...

Good luck in your efforts Jeff. I started the same thing October 7th. To quote my Dr. "game on"

j said...

Love the way you started this post!!

The Blubber Zone - Hah! I bet you found me in there too. I started Weight Watchers and it is really livable for me. I needed some guidance and I can do that plan.

I wish you the best of luck meeting you goals Jeff.

Jeff B said...

Travis- sorry, missed you for some reason. I'm making sure there are plenty of other options available to munch on instead of the junk.

I'm kind of a charts and graphs type of guy, so setting goals and tracking them works well for me. It just helps me see if what I'm doing is getting the desired results or if I need to modify something. Thanks for the advise.

Lu- The only part about this game I don't like are the rules.

Jennifer- and good luck to you too. See you in the skinny zone.

Kaylia Metcalfe said...

So... how's it going?

I have managed to maintain, drop a few pounds, and I passed my blood test (for anemia) with flying colors!

Just thought I would check in on you....

Happy (just a bit of) Candy Day!