Yep, 11/01/11 has arrived.
The Eyes Are No Longer Having It
Another casualty of my aging is the degradation of my eyesight. More often than not I now rely on my trusty spectacles to help me see anything in the distance, and now, I’m also starting to suffer to read things close up. It appears that I will be once again a single man when it’s time for my annual eye examination and glasses purchase. It’s not that I need a woman to help me buy glasses, but it would be nice to have a significant female in my life who’d steer me away from glasses that I definitely shouldn’t be wearing.
Maybe I’ll just abstain from wearing glasses at all and turn myself in a superhero — The Squinter.
ITP Flickr Pic
You know, yesterday we had our annual Halloween costume event at the office and I failed to bring my camera with me. Seriously?
Let’s pretend today is October 32nd; I’ll take a Mulligan and try to rectify my deficiency tomorrow.
So Big Gut, um Guy, How’s It Going To Happen?
You can turn back the pages of this blog as far back as six years ago to find me whining about my weight and making plans for losing some (note: this is not the longest-running whine on ITP, my lack of female companionship trumps it). So what’s going to make this time different?
- I’ve been down this road before and don’t wish to return. In my late-twenties I weight nearly 245 pounds.
- My pants are tight and I refuse to buy a larger size.
- I’m doing it for me, not “her”. Hate to say it, but it’s been so long since I’ve dated anyone I’ve come to the conclusion that it’ll never happen. So this weight loss is to make single-Paulie a happier person, and who knows, well whatever.
- “Reduction” is my 2012 theme. Why not start two months early?
Alright, that’s “Why,” what about “How?”
- I plan to abstain from drinking anything other than water, coffee (black), tea (no milk or sugar), beer, wine, preferably in that order.
- I plan to use the stairs every time I have to enter or exit my office building.
- I plan to exercise for at least an hour (even if it’s walking) for no fewer than twenty-five days this month.
- Food portions will be reduced.
- I will prepare meals at home instead of eating out so often.
- If I eat out I will immediately ask for a “to go” box and split the meal in half.
Any other advice?
I’m not going to change the world by doing this. Hell, I might not significantly change my world in a month’s time. However, if I can make a positive stride toward losing weight by the end of the month it’ll encourage me to continue. And yes, I realize that this is possibly the worse time of year to start such a plan, but there is no better time than the present.
Closure
I’ve realized often in my life that I like closure, it’s why I used to listen for Paul Harvey’s “Rest of the Story.” The habit of silently stopping the releasing of new episodes by many of my favorite podcasts over the years has really tainted my ability to invest time in new ones.
This week I got a little bit of unfortunate closure news. My friend (at least I hope she considers me a friend) ITP-Reader Carissa is moving away from Atlanta. Some of you may know Carissa as an excellent photographer, kind soul who enjoys Contra dancing, former LEAF attendee, or Christine Kane follower. I’ll also remember her for her long-lost Romanlily blog (which pre-dated this blog) which entertained me for a few years before she closed its virtual doors.
Somewhere I have a printed copy of a recipe for Confetti Stuffed Burritos that I pilfered from her website. I need to dig that recipe out and make it some day soon.
Good luck Carissa!
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – okay I guess, looking forward to losing weight, now I just need to implement my strategy
Current Music – silence at the moment because the office seems to be heating up and I don’t want to put headphones on my head
Website Of The Day – Did you know that November is National Novel Writing Month? I wish I had an idea for a novel — and the time to write one.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – 206 pounds. Yes, 206 pounds.
Monthly
Foot Mileage – 0.0 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0.0 miles
Pushups – 0
Situps – 0
Stairs – 0 flights
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 0 (0)
Vegetarian Days – 0
Carnivorous Days – 0
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
November Goals
– Lose three pounds
– “Completely” recover from the bike crash (though I’m beginning to this this will never happen)
– Ride my bike no fewer than 100 miles
– Exercise for an hour no fewer than twenty-five days
– Not to get sick for the entire month
– Eat vegetarian no fewer than fifteen vegetarian meals
– Not get fired from my job, nor quit my job
2011 Goals [will be a little more fluid than in past years]
– Reduce my weight by 25 pounds based on the my weight as measured on February 1st
– Completely read the book Daily Negations which I received as a Christmas gift.
– Run Sharpened Stone as a real business — one which does not get penalized.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Ride in no fewer than five 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Run in no fewer than two one half-marathon
– Submit at least one application under the name “Sharpened Stone” to Apple’s iOS store
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
The fact that you are making changes for “you” instead of “her” is the right direction. After becoming happier with yourself, in whatever form that takes, your chances of finding “her” will improve dramatically.
Attempts at dressing Farley in his Halloween costume were annoying to all involved. Strangely enough, finding costumes for giant dogs is hard- who knew? And while his aviator goggles worked well, the leather cap was a fail. He was reasonably patient, but after sitting for as much as a minute, gravity finally overcomes him and the well practiced layout position takes over.
I saw the very cute pics of Laura and Bob’s son Travis as a pirate… type cast as such a young age 🙂
-FP
Sorry about the Farley Fail, but at least you gave it a shot. Given his size I think you could have outfitted Farley with a pony costume.
I checked out Facebook briefly this morning and saw Travis’ photo as well. I thought Travis looked like a convincing pirate (I’m wondering if ITP-Reader Bob taught Travis to say “Arrr! Trick or Treat, give me some meat to eat!”). I was shivering in my timbers but that’s more likely due to the fact that I am a cheapskate and finally turned the heat on last night. 😉
Holy cow, Paulie! Those are awesome plans! Seriously, if you stick by that, I can’t see how you wouldn’t lose weight. Hmmm…in fact, I’m going to use some of those ideas myself! Thanks for the suggestions!
A suggestion of my own: if you’re not planning to already: fiber! There is non-flavored, no-taste, no calorie powdered stuff you can add to your coffee or juice or whatever. You can’t even tell it’s there. It’s good for your body AND it makes you feel “more full” during the day so you’ll not want to eat as much.
Thanks. I thought about auditioning for Survivor in order to lose weight, but figured that would be a longshot. 🙂 I like the idea of incorporating more fiber into my diet. I’ll have to check into that.
One more step I should have added was “Eating slower.” I eat my food so fast you’d swear that I was brought up in a boarding house or prison. If I eat slower I’ll allow my body to send the “I’m full!” signal prior to overeating.
we haven’t turned on the heat yet – it is chilly in the evenings, but I really like sleeping with heavy blankets.
We had only 1 group of trick or treaters last night, and they were almost a little too old to be trick or treating.
Eating at home should really help, especially since when you are out, you are more likely to drink more beers. Maybe limiting yourself to just 1 or 2 beers when you go out – that way you don’t have to feel like you are totally depriving yourself, and be sure to drink a glass of water for every beer.
The house got down to 59º F last night and I decided to test the heat before it was completely needed, this way if something was goofed up since I last used it (which doesn’t appear to be the case) I could call someone out to fix it prior to them being in high demand.
Oh hey! Another thought? You can always bring a good girl friend eyeglass shopping with you. It’s always nice to have an honest opinion and you do have some good girl friends in your life!
Your weight loss plan is a good one, especially the immediate to-go box when eating out. I would say that once you master these tactics, then it will be time to think about nutrition, but not all at once. And certainly not during the holiday season. Baby steps! But the idea is, you incorporate one good habit, and once it becomes second nature, incorporate another habit. It doesn’t feel like such a big change and has a much higher success rate.
I stopped drinking for (most of) October and I lost 5 pounds. WIN.
We caved a couple days ago and turned on the heat when the temp inside the house got down to 58 degrees. The dog looks at me and shivers, so I feel guilty. Heh.
I desperately need new glasses but am waiting until January when our new vision plan kicks in.
I’m sure if you look back over the years I’ve given tons of unsolicited advice…now that you’re asking…Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast and a piece of fruit is not breakfast.
Mix in protein with your snacks, lunch meat (watch the salt), cheese, yogurt, nuts…protein will satisfy your hunger better/longer than just carbs alone.
Fiber is good, but, I know this from experience, don’t take in too much, too fast…gradually increase your intake over several days/weeks. A couple of great ways to add fiber to your diet, salads and veggie soup.
Stay as far away from overly processed foods, if you can’t recognize what it was originally, stay away from it.
Lastly, set many short term and long term goals. What do you want to do today, this week, this month, next year??
If you want, I can send Jerry eyeglass shopping with you. He loves that sort of stuff.
Stay as far away from overly processed foods, if you can’t recognize what it was originally, stay away from it.
THis.
Eating at home should really help, especially since when you are out, you are more likely to drink more beers.
And this.
Baby steps! But the idea is, you incorporate one good habit, and once it becomes second nature, incorporate another habit.
And this.
I love giving out advice.
My own is that you use this blog to report on the positive things you’ve done each day and don’t report what you didn’t do. I know you like to be honest with yourself but I think repeating the negetive stuff can keep you in a place of regret or shame and make it more easy to give up on these goals.
And i’m bringing a spinach salad to go with the ropa vieja tomorrow. And I’m drinking wine. I don’t have Jenka’s will power. Or her waist line.
Baby Steps!
Oooh, I love Betsy’s idea about reporting the bad things you successfully DIDN’T do! You could create an accountability section where you report the bad things you did/ate as well as the positive steps (even if that means NOT doing something) which could (hopefully) eventually out-weigh (pun intended) the bad things.
If you didn’t want the world to read it, you could also just create your own food and exercise journal. I have kept one for the past 5 years. There’s an app for that!
Weight loss is simple. Burn up more than you take in. Your past efforts have emphasized exercise (good) but relapses of greater intake (beer, larger portions, beer….beer) limit progress.
Associate “bad foods/habits” with bad results (weight gain). Visualize success. French fries are my downfall, so I visualize cantelope instead, and have it almost everyday for breakfast. Fresh fruit is good and good for you.
Partner with somebody with similar goals. Hold each other accountable. Accountable. (Think attending RPS meetings….LOL)
And while you’re at it, take more photographs. You’re good at it. No camera, no photographs. Just do it. At least a shot a day.
Begin with the end in mind. Make all you do contribite to that goal(s). Reward yourself for progress (new jeans?) and stop beating yourself up if you slide (we all do).
Cut the brewskies down to once per week. (“Once, not “one”.) They don’t call it a beer belly, for nothing.
Make sure to plan in balance in all things, work, play, exercise, etc. That means to plan for some of each, somehow.
Oh, and lastly, just be Paulie. Nobody else is. We dig you because of you. She is out there. Ironically, looking for you. Be ready.
In the past I’ve referred to weight loss as a “caloric checkbook” you just have to spend more than you save.
Thanks for the kind words.