I've done low carbs before and lost like 15-20, but put it back on quickly. So as I pondered it, it came to me (I think I was inspired!): I need a buddy.
So, I enlisted my brother as my diet buddy. We counted calories and weighed in and emailed each other the results every day. That's about it. The peer pressure makes a big difference for me. My brother lost 50, from 250-200. We kind of kept is as unstructured as possible, just to learn what works for us and what doesn't. It has been fun learning.
I'd like to go another 10 pounds but I've practically gone on a hunger strike and not lost that extra 10 pounds.
I started in February and was mostly done in May for my birthday. I kept counting calories through June, when I gave it up. Interestingly I kept the weight off, even though I ate pretty much whatever I wanted. I think my diet has dramatically changed, though.
Anyway, my dad was way too big, so I got him into a diet buddy with me. I'm not losing any weight, be he's down 20 pounds. I've been counting calories for over a month now to support him. My bro wants back in the pool because he's been putting some back on, so I think he'll join us in a 3 way pool. We'll see how that goes?
We did learn that for a lot of people, spouses don't make good diet buddies. Because this is sometimes some friction between buddies and some cajoling if they went overboard on a day, and we didn't need extra friction with our spouse, certainly not in matters dealing with her weight. Plus, since she lives with you, there is no reason to report to her what you ate.
Anyway, that's my findings.
I have to go at least a year at this weight. My health came in on par to qualify for "preferred elite" status on the life insurance front. That means $65/month for $1 million bucks on my head for my wife. But because I'd lost all of the weight quickly, they only gave me preferred at $80/month and they'll re-evaluate next year and if I'm still down, they'll give me the $65/month rate. So I gotta make it that far.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Running at 40
I turned 40 this year, and I needed to get a new life insurance policy.
I have been married ten years, put on a few pounds, so I knew I needed to do something.
I signed up my brother as my diet buddy(another post), and we counted calories together. I lost 40 pounds, to qualify for 40x40. I am 5' 6" and was around 205, so 40 pounds down to 165 is a significant change for me.
As a part of this, I began exploring exercise options. I've never been much of an exerciser. I was indeed a 24 hour fitness member for a few years, but not so dedicated. But I ran across the couch to 5k plan and Robert Ullrey's podcast. You can find them on google.
So, I followed it. And I did indeed get up to 5k, and I ran a 5k on the 4th of July, about 8 weeks after I started running.
It goes like this:
1. You run three days a week, with breaks in between.
2. Each week is different. It is interval training. So, you don't get too burned out, Week 1 is run 8 sets of 60 seconds, then walk for 90 seconds. Week 2 is 6 sets of run for 90 seconds, walk for 2 minutes. And you work up, longer and longer.
Long-term assessment:
It worked well. I've never been much of a runner. But I can tell you that I really like running now. There are some days when I get excited to go. And some days when I FEEL LIKE going out and running. I like what running does to my body. It leans me out and has lowered by resting pulse by 30 points, not to mention doing wonderful things for my BP, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Don't be discouraged. The first week wasn't fun. I was sore, really sore. But the soreness went away. The other thing you'll need to figure out is a good, mostly flat, place to run. Trails work well because of the intervals, you don't want to have a lot of interruptions. When I started, I thought I could train to the point that it would get so much easier on me. Interestingly enough, I always hit a wall at about 2 minutes in. It lasts until about 4 minutes in. It is almost like my body is really protesting and hoping I'll wimp out and stop. I have to battle through it, and then the rest of my run is a lot easier, though I have another wall around 13 minutes, but less severe. My typical run is 20-25 minutes now, during which I cover about 2 miles. Not, I'm not moving fast, but that's not the point.
I discovered that running with my iPod Touch (the only real way I had to run with Robert's podcast) didn't work so well for me. I converted his podcast to mp3 and tried a few different players. I finally ended up with a Sansa Clip, because it is so small, it just clips to my neckline and sounds just fine. I'll write another post on running tunes.
It is getting to be winter here now, and I can't go running anymore before work, there isn't enough daylight. Plus, it was 25 degrees this morning, I'm not ready for that yet. So, now I run at lunchtime, and I'm still learning about what makes good cold weather workout gear. When I first started running, I found that I was carrying too much stuff. So I don't carry my cell phone anymore, nor my big iPod Touch. And I shed a lot of clothes, eventually running in just a swimsuit and a light shirt. Now I have to figure out which lighter clothes to run in to keep the cold air off of my skin, but not overly encumber myself with weight and restriction of motion.
Some days, I run on the treadmill in our basement, and I've even been to the indoor track at the rec center, but it's not the same as getting out on my favorite trails.
But I still really like it.
I have been married ten years, put on a few pounds, so I knew I needed to do something.
I signed up my brother as my diet buddy(another post), and we counted calories together. I lost 40 pounds, to qualify for 40x40. I am 5' 6" and was around 205, so 40 pounds down to 165 is a significant change for me.
As a part of this, I began exploring exercise options. I've never been much of an exerciser. I was indeed a 24 hour fitness member for a few years, but not so dedicated. But I ran across the couch to 5k plan and Robert Ullrey's podcast. You can find them on google.
So, I followed it. And I did indeed get up to 5k, and I ran a 5k on the 4th of July, about 8 weeks after I started running.
It goes like this:
1. You run three days a week, with breaks in between.
2. Each week is different. It is interval training. So, you don't get too burned out, Week 1 is run 8 sets of 60 seconds, then walk for 90 seconds. Week 2 is 6 sets of run for 90 seconds, walk for 2 minutes. And you work up, longer and longer.
Long-term assessment:
It worked well. I've never been much of a runner. But I can tell you that I really like running now. There are some days when I get excited to go. And some days when I FEEL LIKE going out and running. I like what running does to my body. It leans me out and has lowered by resting pulse by 30 points, not to mention doing wonderful things for my BP, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Don't be discouraged. The first week wasn't fun. I was sore, really sore. But the soreness went away. The other thing you'll need to figure out is a good, mostly flat, place to run. Trails work well because of the intervals, you don't want to have a lot of interruptions. When I started, I thought I could train to the point that it would get so much easier on me. Interestingly enough, I always hit a wall at about 2 minutes in. It lasts until about 4 minutes in. It is almost like my body is really protesting and hoping I'll wimp out and stop. I have to battle through it, and then the rest of my run is a lot easier, though I have another wall around 13 minutes, but less severe. My typical run is 20-25 minutes now, during which I cover about 2 miles. Not, I'm not moving fast, but that's not the point.
I discovered that running with my iPod Touch (the only real way I had to run with Robert's podcast) didn't work so well for me. I converted his podcast to mp3 and tried a few different players. I finally ended up with a Sansa Clip, because it is so small, it just clips to my neckline and sounds just fine. I'll write another post on running tunes.
It is getting to be winter here now, and I can't go running anymore before work, there isn't enough daylight. Plus, it was 25 degrees this morning, I'm not ready for that yet. So, now I run at lunchtime, and I'm still learning about what makes good cold weather workout gear. When I first started running, I found that I was carrying too much stuff. So I don't carry my cell phone anymore, nor my big iPod Touch. And I shed a lot of clothes, eventually running in just a swimsuit and a light shirt. Now I have to figure out which lighter clothes to run in to keep the cold air off of my skin, but not overly encumber myself with weight and restriction of motion.
Some days, I run on the treadmill in our basement, and I've even been to the indoor track at the rec center, but it's not the same as getting out on my favorite trails.
But I still really like it.
Hello, Android
First post ever.
So, I got the new Android phone a couple of weeks ago. I have a T-Mobile MyTouch3G. I like it a lot.
I have to say, earlier this year, I had an iPod Touch. It was really cool. And my son (6) loved to play with it too. However, it was too open, and he regularly re-arranged apps, and deleted them and was trying to buy full versions whenever he got the chance, despite repeated protestations and "punishments" from his dad. But what it came down to was that in the end, I didn't use it much. It was cool and all, but it wasn't that useful for email, because I sit at my desk and look at my computer all day long and my computer does email better. The screen on a Touch is too small for practical web surfing. It is a decent music player, but it is too big and heavy to take running. I ruined a couple of headphone cords because the Touch bounced in my pocket and jerked the cord around. So, it became a toy to play games and watch movies on for my son. I occasionally used it. Because it was a toy that I carried as optional baggage, it got left at home a lot and not used. So, many apps (like calendaring) weren't useful because the thing wasn't with me all of the time. Costco told me explicitly I had 90 days to take it back, so after 60 days, it took it back.
So, later on, I was talking to a friend and the idea of making some side cash with iPhone development came up. I thought that was cool. Except you need a mac. I used to be a daily mac user, so I thought cool! I bought a used MacBook. Much to my disgust....I hate the MacOS. All of the things I didn't like from years ago are still there, and there are several new things I hate. Not to mention that the battery died quickly after I got it, even though it was still lasting over 3 hours. So, I took it to the apple store to ask questions. Oh, you have to make an appointment to go to the Apple store. So, I came back. "Yup, the battery is bad. You can get a new one, they are $130!" Are you kidding? I got one off of Amazon for $60 and it is fine. Anyway, you have to pay $100 to get into the app store, plus you pretty well need an iPhone. Well, I don't want an iPhone. And I don't like Apple's restrictive policies on apps, either, not to mention the single-tasking OS. Oh, not to mention, that for all of Apple's free-thinking, they require everyone to do things the same way. Same OS, few customizations. You can get anything you want in our brave new technology, but you MUST use our technology, and only our technology, or you aren't cool. This isn't a bonus to me, but more heavy big brother than any 1984 commercial could produce. I think the part of the girl with the big hammer in that commercial should be played by Steve Jobs.
So, then I find out about Android. Being a geek, I like it right away:
1. Open source is good.
2. Google is good.
3. Infinite customization is good.
4. T-Mobile is good.
a. I've been on T-Mobile for years, was overdue for an upgrade/re-up.
b. A myTouch is half the price of an iPhone, both up front, and monthly.
5. Development is in Java on Eclipse, both of which I am very familiar with already,
app store access is only $25.
So, I sell the MacBook in two shakes of a lamb's tail and I'm off.
More on this later.
So, I got the new Android phone a couple of weeks ago. I have a T-Mobile MyTouch3G. I like it a lot.
I have to say, earlier this year, I had an iPod Touch. It was really cool. And my son (6) loved to play with it too. However, it was too open, and he regularly re-arranged apps, and deleted them and was trying to buy full versions whenever he got the chance, despite repeated protestations and "punishments" from his dad. But what it came down to was that in the end, I didn't use it much. It was cool and all, but it wasn't that useful for email, because I sit at my desk and look at my computer all day long and my computer does email better. The screen on a Touch is too small for practical web surfing. It is a decent music player, but it is too big and heavy to take running. I ruined a couple of headphone cords because the Touch bounced in my pocket and jerked the cord around. So, it became a toy to play games and watch movies on for my son. I occasionally used it. Because it was a toy that I carried as optional baggage, it got left at home a lot and not used. So, many apps (like calendaring) weren't useful because the thing wasn't with me all of the time. Costco told me explicitly I had 90 days to take it back, so after 60 days, it took it back.
So, later on, I was talking to a friend and the idea of making some side cash with iPhone development came up. I thought that was cool. Except you need a mac. I used to be a daily mac user, so I thought cool! I bought a used MacBook. Much to my disgust....I hate the MacOS. All of the things I didn't like from years ago are still there, and there are several new things I hate. Not to mention that the battery died quickly after I got it, even though it was still lasting over 3 hours. So, I took it to the apple store to ask questions. Oh, you have to make an appointment to go to the Apple store. So, I came back. "Yup, the battery is bad. You can get a new one, they are $130!" Are you kidding? I got one off of Amazon for $60 and it is fine. Anyway, you have to pay $100 to get into the app store, plus you pretty well need an iPhone. Well, I don't want an iPhone. And I don't like Apple's restrictive policies on apps, either, not to mention the single-tasking OS. Oh, not to mention, that for all of Apple's free-thinking, they require everyone to do things the same way. Same OS, few customizations. You can get anything you want in our brave new technology, but you MUST use our technology, and only our technology, or you aren't cool. This isn't a bonus to me, but more heavy big brother than any 1984 commercial could produce. I think the part of the girl with the big hammer in that commercial should be played by Steve Jobs.
So, then I find out about Android. Being a geek, I like it right away:
1. Open source is good.
2. Google is good.
3. Infinite customization is good.
4. T-Mobile is good.
a. I've been on T-Mobile for years, was overdue for an upgrade/re-up.
b. A myTouch is half the price of an iPhone, both up front, and monthly.
5. Development is in Java on Eclipse, both of which I am very familiar with already,
app store access is only $25.
So, I sell the MacBook in two shakes of a lamb's tail and I'm off.
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