Hello!!!!!!

Again, not really much to say tonite. I have found that keeping busy also means not being able to blog as much. Started a routine of walking the dogs when I am not working a second job, so that helps. And the little dog decided to make a mess for me to clean up a couple of days ago. My mom put things into perspective, though. I told her he made the mess while the the other one sat and watched. "That's female DNA!" she said. "We don't do it, we get the stupid male to do it!!"

Wedding anniversary is coming up. Eleven years.... just damn. NEVER thought she'd put up with me for so long. Wifey reads this blog sometimes, so I can't go into what I got her.... yet. But I know she'll love it. So for the past few weeks, she's been working on MY gift. I have been since forbidden to enter her office, which ironically, contains the scale. So I'm not to sure if I am losing like I want to, but I know I am losing. My jeans fit better. WINNING!!!

I started my journey at about 225. Last check, before I was forbidden from her office, I was at 214. Phase 2 will begin next month. A 1200-1500 calorie diet. For now I've just been eating healthy foods, avoiding soda (as much as possible anyway), not eating late, (again, as much as possible), and staying active. I know once I plop my ass in front of the TV it's game over, man!, so I do what I got to. Getting a second job has actually helped in that field. So basically, I feel like I am gonna starve for the next 2 weeks. I'm gonna get sooooooooo sick of Jell-o. But from what I hear, it gets easier after that initial shock. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!

About Time

As per Sunday ritual, me vs. scale. 215.0. Yup, I have plateaued. I knew this day was coming, so I am prepared. I just have to be more intense and change up my workouts, be more mindful of my meals, and continue to stay busy. This has happened to me before and I let it consume me. Frustrated from my lack of progress I invited cookies and cake into my life, and gained back all I had lost. Not this time!!! This time, I WILL WORK THROUGH IT!!!!

I also believe I have found the thing I need to help me sleep, too. Kohls had a BOGO sale this weekend and wifey and I took advantage. Memory foam pillows to go with our mattress topper she got a year ago. I slept like a log last night. Although I can't say the same for wifey. APPARENTLY, I snored like a bear last night. HAHAHA!!!! But I did wake up refreshed this morning, with out having to use melatonin, so hopefully I have found answer I've been looking for.

And in keeping with the whole 2012 change theme, wifey and I re-did our budget. Ouch. We both came to the realization that we've been spending way too much and not saving enough. So for the next few months, we're tightening the belt. So if any old or new friends want to have a good time on the weekends with us, it'll have to be an "in the home" thing. No worries, its cheaper to drink at home than it is to go to a bar anyway. HAHA!!

In two weeks, the Superbowl will be upon us. Six straight hours of pregame, three for the game itself. Ahhhh and the commercials. Can't wait. One big problem though, how does one stay on a healthy diet on this day when tradition says Buffalo wings, nachos, and pizza? When I started this journey I didn't look this far ahead. Its tough, so I'll have to look hard for healthier alternatives. If I find anything good, I will let ya know. G'nite!!!!

Choices

We all have them. We all make them on a daily basis. Some are obvious. Do I get out of bed or sleep in? Do I make my lunch or do I go out? To be or not to be? Heh.... But some are more difficult, especially in my situation. To eat that key lime pie or not? To watch that extra episode of Family Guy or work out? Recently I wrote about how I want to clean up my life, from thoughts, to things and even people. And thinking about the choices I have made in the latter department, I sincerely hope I have made the right ones. Some were easy, others not so much. But they were all made for a reason, to improve my focus on what really matters, my family and health. I have been neglecting them for far too long. So what's done is done. And if you, dear reader, are one of the people who I had to make that choice about, just remember, I NEVER burn bridges. I am sorry, but it has to be this way.... for now.

Moving on, it is official. I have been pulled off the road at work. I now work in the warehouse permanently. Some may think I am a fool, losing all the overtime, but I did it for two reasons. First, it's steady work, with a set start and end time. That gives me the opportunity to plan things during the week, and possibly go to school. And B., (secondly for those who were paying attention) a new routing system is coming to my job. And from what I hear about it from talking with other locations who already have it, it's going to be a rough transition. Times are already tough now, so I went where the work was. I'm happy, you should be, too, damnit!!!

Ahh, tonights dinner. Peppercorn talipia, fresh spinach and rice pilaf. The sauce wasn't that good, so I scraped it off. Only about 650 calories for all of it, not too shabby. I did go above 1600 today though. Damn you Mountain Dew!!!!! But I stayed below 2000. I have been drinking alot more water lately, which is helping. And I am also almost out of Syntha-6. So far so good. Its a slow transition, but working so far. Tomorrow, I start the heavy bag. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Gonna ramp it up!!!

Now all I need is some good music to box to. One can only listen to "Eye of the Tiger" so much.....

Day 1

Once or twice in a person's life do they get the opportunity to have a profound revalation with out having almost died. I have recently had one. It occured to me when I realized, with a few variations, I was in following the same path my father had. Smoking, drinking hard liquor, developing a beer belly before 30, etc.  Its been almost a year since my father passed, and everything he did to his body contributed to his early demise. This is not for me. To my knowledge, no male in my family has made it past 65. And I am 32. I am too young to be "middle aged".

Some family traditions are good. This one has to stop.

Thats where this blog comes into play. I am starting a new life. It's a little early; people usually do things like this ater Jan. 1, but I want a head start.

About me, I am 32, married, no kids, have a steady job and home. I have Ulcerative Colitis, a type of IBD (which is even more a reason to change my life style), diagnosed in 2008. I am a sci-fi and computer geek, am addicted to tattoos, and love to go to the beach. Sadly, with this body of mine, it is very embarrassing to go back there.

I will start slowly. You'd be crazy to smoke an entier pack of cigarettes at once, you smoke em one at a time. So daily, or nearly daily, I'll update. ANY encouragement will help.



Today, I am making some hard boiles eggs for extra protein, to eat tomorrow. It'll be a long haul, but worth it. Wish me luck!!!!!!