Archive for November, 2008
Back on the Wagon
Posted by: | CommentsI am just in the process of changing hosting provider for my blog and as a result have had a look back through some of my old postings which sit in the fitness category. What I noticed was that I started out with great intentions, but something (usually an excuse) would stop me from making the changes I needed to. It was either a timing issue, or a work pressure issue, or something else.
The number of times I have started doing a new fat loss, or exercise programme I haven’t succeeded, but I haven’t stopped starting a new thing or trying again. They way I look it at is when I’m dead or stop trying then I have failed. So far I’m not in either of those places yet.
So I wrote that posting about being really angry and needing to lose weight, then I started keeping a food journal and being mindful of my weight. My only real lapse has been on Friday this week, where I had a bottle of wine and a pizza. I’m not depressed about it though, it happened and I’ve moved on, getting back to healthy eating the very next morning.
This first week has been quite challenging in terms of pressure at work, some long hours and some travelling. Despite this, I have managed to still lose 1.1kg (2.45lbs) and best of all 0.9% body fat. Losing almost 1% body fat in a week is brilliant for me, but the real plus for me is that I have gained muscle and that just makes an amazing difference to me. Knowing I’m not heading back to being some sort of scrawny bean pole makes me feel really positive.
I am eating about 6 times per day, but I am keeping a track on what I eat very closely balancing the various things I need. I am using the Promax meal bars at work just because it is convenient, and I’ve cut down on the coffee I am drinking. Adding more protein rich foods in my diet and reducing fat and carbohydrate seems to be making a positive difference.
I have started to have a few headaches, which I think is a combination of all the nasty toxic stuff coming out of my body, plus the reduced caffeine intake. If I’m honest I’m probably feeling a bit of stress from work too, but I am not using a bottle of wine to sedate me after a hectic day. The alcohol doesn’t even make me feel drunk, it just relaxes me completely and I usually end up going to bed. Its not exactly the healthiest way to go about dealing with stress.
The best bit is that I’ve told people how much I weigh, and they can’t believe it. Last time I was overweight people used to call me “Jabba the Gut”, which inspired me to lose weight because of the humiliation/shame factor. This time around people are nicer because I dress for my size instead of kidding myself, and therefore I don’t look overweight in clothes, particularly as I wear a lot of black or navy colours.
I look at this way at the end of the day, I’ve only got this one life and one body, and I need to take care of it. I don’t get to trade up after a few years, and replacement parts are never as good as the original ones. I need to keep it fully serviced, fuelled and running on clean energy.
Soul Calibur IV
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve been on a pre-ordering spree again, and got Soul Calibur IV. I really liked playing Soul Calibur on the original XBOX and now I’ve got it again on the PS3. This new version does have some really neat features though including the ability to create a customised character based on a particular skill set.
I am angry!!
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Yes steam is pouring out of my ears, with furious anger……at myself. I have allowed myself to get really out of shape and I am really cross with myself. I keep saying it, over and over, I know exactly what needs to be done, but I have simply not done it yet.
As I replay my internal monologue I’ve said things such as, “I’ll start tomorrow”, or “I’ve blow it for this week”, or “I’ll do a workout to make up for it”, whenever I’ve done things I know that I should not have.
Overconfidence has been my weakness, as I’ve said to myself “Yeah, I know this stuff”, or “I don’t need a plan” etc. So having stepped on the scales this morning to find I am 108.4kg (239lbs or about 17 stone) was a devastating indictment of my sloth and gluttony. I couldn’t even deceive myself with the illusion that I’d gained some muscle mass as I was still around 68kg of lean muscle, and the truth of the fat monitor showing me just shy of 34% body fat.
What does all that tell me? I am a scrawny runt stuck in a fat body. So where is the good news, is there anything that gives me hope at all? Not really my 40″ waist trousers are getting more snug by the day, and the belt I swore I wouldn’t replace until I could get a smaller one is just getting ragged and worn out.
Most importantly and frustrating is that I think my health is starting to suffer as a result.
I remember when I was in my twenties I swore I would never become one of those fat middle aged me, and here I am at 35 years old the biggest and fattest that I have ever been.
So what, now? Do I sit here being angry at myself and admit I’ve completely failed? Not bloody likely! I am drawing a line in the sand today, this far and no further. I refuse to be fat, and I am going to lose this weight that I have gained. I cannot sit here and do nothing while I slowly slip into an XXL size T-shirt having already convinced myself I’d go back to a Large when I first put on the XL sized shirt.
Does all this body image crap make me shallow? I really don’t know, but what I do know is this is for me and my health. If people think that makes me shallow then fine, but it’s not going to change my mind. I am angry! Now it’s time to be accountable and pay the price for my poor choices.
I could sit here and rant all day about this, but really its nobody’s fault but my own, and why should you have to listen to me go on about my own failings. So this is my rallying cry, a call to arms, and legs to get off my fat butt and do so something about this…..NOW!
Atheists Offended? Surely not….
Posted by: | CommentsAn article by the press association yesterday reports that workers at Salisbury town hall should avoid phrases such as “Singing from the same hymn sheet” because it might cause offence to atheists.
After reading this (and having recovered from a fit of laughter), thought to myself what a load of old nonsense. I find that common phrases such as “Bloody hell”, or “For God’s sake”, or even “Singing from the same hymn sheet” are just common language. I am hardly going to be offended by such things, and by the same token I am not offended when I am “blessed” for sneezing. I am equally not offended by people wishing me “Merry Christmas”, or “Happy Easter”.
If I am to be offended, it is when people chide me for not celebrating Christmas, or when we see a pervasive interference in public services by organised religious groups. However a few innocent phrases are hardly likely to make my blood boil.
This sort of censorship also worries me, because it curtails our freedom of speech. Why should we not be allowed to express our joy and frustration in a way that suits us, especially when they are culturally relevant to us?
So as an atheist I would like to extend my sincere disappointment that the politically correct brigade have gone mad once again.
Feeling Crafty?
Posted by: | CommentsPlease check out this unique and interesting way to raise money for BBC Children in Need, which is due to air on BBC next Friday.
YES WE CAN!
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So Barack Obama president elect is now waiting to build his team for the White House in January next year. He’s received widespread congratulations from his closest friends to his most bitter political rivals.
What does this mean for the American people, and the rest of the world? He seems quite liberal, and verges on having a socialist view, wishing to help the poorer elements of American society. If I was an American in New Orleans I’d have felt very let down by the Bush administration, and he didn’t win much popular support for the war in Iraq.
Barack Obama has the chance now to be a positive force for true change in America, and start changing their society toward a more progressive an open society. It is my hope that he will embrace the views of all, the white people, the black people, the women, the men, the young, the old, the religious, and the humanists.
It is a time of great anticipation for America, because it’s like having an amazing gift given you, only to be told you can’t have it just yet.
