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Start weight 270lbs (REALITY)
Current weight - 242.4Lbs
Current BMI - 33.8
Just 'overweight' - 215lbs (OK)
Target weight #1 - 200 lbs (GOOD)
'Normal' weight - 175 Lbs (VICTORY!)
(idea stolen from oinkstop)
Last updated 10th April 2008
I am on holiday in France for the next week so may be out of touch - I will try to post 'real-time' if I can.
Hope everybody has a good week - keep losing and JoJo, just 'cause I'm not watching, that doesn't mean you can eat what you like!!!
What is it about losing weight that makes so many people ignore the seemingly obvious (Sorry Krissy - I didn't mean to pick on you)?
As I meandered through the blogosphere, I came across this post from Krissy at Curvy-chick.net. Here's an extract....
I went down my Fitroll list a few moments ago looking to learn some more about my fellow-big-bloggers and most of the sites I came across said nothing about what they were doing, or how they were doing it for that matter. Some only mention that what they’ve done has lost them 50+ pounds and while these are the people I envy at the moment, I can only wonder what they’re doing exactly.
Finally I really wish everyone success in their weight loss journey and believe me I know it is difficult and failure is always the monkey on your shoulder but I honestly believe that if we practice positive thought and use the Eightfold Path to create mindfulness and ultimately enlightenment.
Questions and or reactions to the e-book idea are very welcome - please comment or e-mail me.
Anyone got Oprah's number???
For nearly 25 years, Camp Sanguinity has allowed children being treated for cancer and blood disorders to have a summer camp experience. The camp allows children receiving treatment at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth to spend a week gaining confidence and determination by challenging themselves, trying new activities, learning new skills and making new friends.
'i am presenting you with this little award, the thinking blogger award..for provoking thoughts on spirituality and keeping a healthy sanctuary within ourselves. you are honest and forthright, and more delightfully, human. i hope that this inspires you to continue on, in your quest for a good change.'
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. Buddha
Last Friday I stumbled on a photographic website by Diane Varner. She has some truly remarkable images here - take a look if you get the chance.
Along with Tom Sheehan, Diane has truly inspired me to get back out there and take some photographs!
I have just spent the last 3 hours wandering the bridleways with my son and our dog Eddie - a great way to start fathers day. Enjoy!
See an enlarged version here.
Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life. Dalai Lama
The weekend has been a right old roller coaster in every way so far!
Diet wise, my wife was out of town on Friday which historically was a rare opportunity to stuff my face stupid and get munted on as much alcohol as I had to hand... looking back I think this was more out of boredom than some hedonistic throw-back to 'bachelordom'... This only occurred to me today when I realised that I was totally bored without her at home on Friday and really properly badly missed her and EVERYTHING (all together children ...ahhhhh!).
This time I managed to avoid the temptation and cooked myself some fresh salmon and made a fish salad that was very filling and low fat. I did however have to run the gauntlet of the treacle tart every time I opened the bloody fridge (it was left over from my Birthday meal on the 14Th)....I even got as far as getting the box out of the fridge at one point but managed to get it back again without eating any! I became totally obsessed about it which is more than a bit strange as I know this wouldn't have happen if the wife had been in residence - I find it so much easier to be healthy when I have someone to 'show off to' if you know what I mean?
My general mood and demeanour was not aided by my choice of entertainment. I watched one of the most relentlessly dark and troubled films I think I have ever seen. Bad Lieutenant with Harvey Keitel in the starring role. Regardless of his supposed redemption, I found it accentuated my already dismal mood. It is strange but I used to crave and genuinely enjoy my own space and company for long periods of time - something has recently happened to change this that I can't put my finger on...very odd.
Anyway, Saturday started much better as my wife had booked me a back massage for my birthday at a local Health Spa (she works in the hotel , 50% discount - back of the net!!). This was the first time I have ever had a massage (yes, really!) and I admit I was a little apprehensive...but it was fantastic! It was only 30 minutes long and I could have one each day, no problem.
Wife and child arrived home just after lunch - tired and miserable x2.... I am not proud of what happened next as we went shopping for food for tonight's meal and ended up having a very public row in the local Waitrose supermarket (not exactly very Buddhist!). This was your average 'something out of nothing' nitshit type argument that I regretted as soon as It started, I can't even be bothered to go into the details really as the day got worse when we got home....
You see, we have mice and the wife 'doesn't do' mice... We came home to find 2 mice incarcerated in the somewhat less than humane traps. One was still alive and attached to the device by his almost severed leg (sorry for the imagery...). Whilst my wife 'doesn't do' mice, she equally 'doesn't do' humane dispatch either so I was told in no uncertain terms that I had to deal with it. In times gone by, this would have not caused an eyelid to batted but the whole Buddhist compassion thing has ridden a horse and cart straight through many of my longest held beliefs. I dispatched the mouse as quickly as I could by drowning it and I took absolutely no pleasure in it (quite the reverse in fact) and I now deeply regret it. I don't want to dwell on this but I felt compelled to watch the creature in its last moments and I know I can never do it again. I honestly wish I had had the courage to have refused to do it.
It is difficult for people to appreciate (those close to me that is) how much in a moral state of flux I really am. I am finding that my moral compass is changing all the time. I felt in some ways that killing that mouse was a watershed for me and I almost had to step over a line to know which side I wanted to be on. Does that make sense?
Blimey, I am not entirely sure where this post is going so I think I'll call it a night at that.
Fathers day tomorrow, dinner out with friends (2 Mums, 2 Dads, 2 Sons) - what can be better than that?
Following a suggestion from JoJo, I have purchased a heart rate monitor - I chose not to invest too much cash just in case the exertion causes me to expire way before my allotted time! At least I will know the lung popping heart rate accurately when the ambulance turns up to scoop me up....
Anyway I went for the Oregon HR102 for the princely sum of 18.74 of your finest English pounds. I am ridiculously and quite alarmingly excited about this (I am clearly missing something in my life...) and now regret going for the freebie 'slow boat from china' shipping option!
Here she is folks - gasp if you will! 
Just the running shoes to get now and death by tarmac will begin!
Weight - 244.8 Lbs (-25.2)
Exercise - fast walking for 45 minutes.
Hello everyone..
This is making fairly big news in the UK today (I guess it must be a slow news day!).
As you may or may not know (depending if you have been paying attention..) I am on this weight loss and fitness journey primarily for the benefit of my young son - he inspires me to do the right thing in every way imaginable.
I want him to grow up in the best environment I can possibly give him - I don't measure 'environment' in terms of how many PlayStations he has or where we go on holiday. I want to help him to be fit, active, happy and generally comfortable in his own skin. In short, equipped to lead a compassionate and meaningful existence. A big part of his well being is his diet (the correct use of this word by the way...).
Whenever I read about childhood obesity I would always immediately think that it is obviously bad parenting and they should be shown by the government how to feed their children properly. But is that it then, problem solved? Move on to world hunger and aids in Africa? Mmmm, maybe not!
I think we are all missing something vital here - children are taught through guidance AND example. It is all very well to tell the parents they are stupid and ask them to cook more veg and ram fruit down their kids throats...but that is only half the job.
Hopefully, a 10 year old child does not pee itself and flash its 'bit's at every opportunity like a certain 3 year old I know... why? Because we teach them through education and example - the child sees that we don't publicly drop our trousers at every chance we get (unless you happen to be George Michael that is) and grows to see this it as unacceptable behaviour.
Hang on in there, my point is slowing steaming into view...really!
We need to show our children how to eat and be active not just tell them - how much of what your parents told you actually sunk in? But I bet you talk like them, walk like them and (like it or not) have many of their attitudes and beliefs. This is because children mimic and adapt to the behaviour they witness.
We need to eat healthily and get fit to graphically demonstrate to our children the self-evident advantages of a good diet and exercise. We need to get involved with the educators of our children to ensure that the food they receive whilst in their care meets the highest standards we expect them to have at home.
Instead of blaming everyone from the government, to the schools to food manufacturers, it's time we as parents all stood up and took our own share of the responsibility for the welfare of our children.
Start them young and bring them up right - good food, self respect and an active lifestyle - this is the only way the obesity time-bomb will be diffused.....
Sermon over - carry on about your business!
Copyright - Imperial War Museum Image ref002028
25 years ago today, peace returned to the Falkland Islands following a short but bitter conflict that left dead and injured on all sides.
I remember this date every year as it is also my birthday..
Following this UK government statement, I was moved to write to the governor of the Falkland Islands - this exchange sums up the mixture of feelings I have for this period of history...
email to Alan Huckle( Governor, Falklands Island)Tuesday, 3 April, 2007 9:44:01 AM
Subject - Falklands war commemoration - some thoughts expressed.
Good morning,
I am no-one of any consequence in the story of the Falklands war but I felt I needed to express some thoughts to you at this time. I am a British subject, living in the UK.
I neither need nor expect a reply necessarily but I would be grateful if some effort is made to pass this to the Governor for his perusal.
I was at school when the Falklands war began. It was a huge event in my young life and later in life I have read many books on the subject to try to understand its historical and political underpinnings as well as its more obvious military time line.
When war seemed inevitable in 1982, my instinctive reaction as a 14 year old child was overwhelming excitement at the prospect of warfare playing out on my TV screen - a simple naive, almost animal reaction born of watching 60's war films as I grew up. the first challenge to this reaction came from my father (ex Royal Navy minesweepers) who put me straight on the 'glamour' of the war. As the war unfolded with each day, the twists and turns both tragic and glorious started to mould my understanding of warfare. In particular, the tragic pictures of the captured, defeated and dead Argentine conscripts had a profound affect on me.
Now 40 years old I have a much greater understanding of the full cost of war (in every sense of the word) but this understanding is mixed with the absolute moral certainty that war is sometimes both inevitable and just.
I think I understand why Margaret Beckett said what she did - as only a 14 year old boy ignores the immense suffering of both sides in a war - but the comments she made are surely more appropriate to a long forgotten war not one still so vivid in the memory for all concerned. To express regret for the loss of life is human and totally understandable, but to fail to clearly, demonstrably and publicly commend the efforts of British Forces, and the fortitude of the Falkland Islanders themselves is a great shame for the brave Falkland Islanders and the thousands of men and women who went to the South Atlantic 25 years ago to protect British territory.
In my view, it remains an absolute right to go to war to protect subjects of the crown - without exception. The fact that the Falklands islands are many thousands of miles from 'home' make no difference in my view.
I wish all residents of the Falklands islands a peaceful and prosperous future as British subjects for all long as you choose and please remember that there remains many of us in the UK that have nothing but total respect and admiration for the fortitude of the Falkland islanders and will continue to defend their rights should we be called upon now or in the future.
With warmest regards,
He replied as follows :-
I aoplogise(sic) for not replying sooner to your e-mail, but I have only just returned from my first visit as Commissioner to South Georgia (and surfaced from the recce visit for the June commemorations).
I am pleased that you felt moved to write about issues that are still important to Falkland Islanders (and to those involved in the Falklands conflict in 1982).
I must reassure you that the UK Government remains committed to the defence of the Falkland Islands and to the protection of the right of the Islanders to determine their own future. Whilst the UK Government seeks to maintain good bilateral relations with the Argentina, it is always made clear to the Argentine Government that the UK Government will not enter into discussions about the sovereignty of the Falklands Islands unless the Islanders so wish. The UK Government has no doubt about UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands - and UK policy towards the islands is based firmly on the Islanders' right to self determination, a principle enshrined in the UN Charter.
The events in June, in both the UK and in the Falklands, will commemorate the courage and sacrifice of the British forces that liberated the Falklands and South Georgia in 1982, as well as the professionalism of the civilians who supported the Task Force in doing so. The anniversary will also allow the Islanders to showcase the socio-economic and developmental progress made since the conflict in the hope that the UK public will feel that the sacrifices made in 1982 and the UK Government's continued commitment to the support of the Falklands since then was and is not in vain.
The Argentine Government was invited to take part in a low key commemorative event in London in June - but they refused. They have since accepted an invitation made on behalf on the Falkland Islands Government for next of kin and family members of Argentine servicemen killed during the conflict in the Falklands to visit the Argentine cemetery in Darwin in November.
Alan Huckle Governor, Falklands
I just wish I could reconcile my commitment to the compassion that is central to Buddhism with the equally strong commitment to self-determination and freedom.
War is wrong but so is barbarism and tyranny - is that still compassion?
Remember 25 years ago here and in particular, the British Forces roll of honour here.
The road to Applecross Scottish Highlands 2005.Every weight loss program meets a plateau sooner or later and mine is here right now!
The Internet is full of 'priceless information' about WL plateau's (if you can wade through the endless Google ads and blatant plugs for poxy fad diets that is...).
Thankfully you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out how to break through the first plateau - EXERCISE! There are plenty of people out there you will happily charge you for the obvious - not here! 
The full document can be seen here.
I have decided upon a mixture of the Couch to 5k running program interspersed with some low impact stuff in between. The duration of this program is initially 10 weeks. If I manage to get through the this without doing myself a serious mischief, I will then think about expanding the programme to include swimming and weights.
If anyone has any thoughts on the program, please let me know.
I would also be interested to have any recommendations on running shoes (brands, types to try/avoid - that sort of thing).
I will be starting the program when I return from Holiday in the first week of July. Can't wait!Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. Buddha
The 'what!' you cry?
Image - Crown Copyright
Let me know your thoughts on this, if you have any!No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk
the path. Buddha
Weight - 245.6Lbs (-24.4)
Exercise - mind is becoming straighter - the plan is a' coming!
First off, a weekend update. These are my worst times as I now associate them with the mild possibility of a 'sniff' of wine (which continues to be my nemesis sadly) - I managed to get through Saturday 'dry' and had a couple of glasses of white with Sunday lunch to be social. In the process of typing this I realise that I am a stinking liar! I had a glass of red on Friday night (I think...) and definitely Saturday night....oh the shame of it!
Anyway, regardless of these weaknesses the weight has stayed fairly static over the weekend and I am happy with that as most of my best efforts are achieved during the week. The weekday lunchtime walking t
ook a nose dive last week as my walking partner went on holiday (he seems he packed my motivation as well) but he is back today and now all systems are go!
I know that this next weight loss push will require a lot more physical effort from me and over the weekend, when i wasn't drinking and stuffing my face, I have been mulling over the Couch to 5K running programme. I have modified it slightly to extend the training period as I am starting off from under the couch (from a weight point of view if you know what I mean...).
I am a little concerned about running at the weight I am now (I have skinny chicken legs - see above) but we'll see how it goes... I will post a spreadsheet of my proposed fitness schedule as soon as possible if you're interested. In the meanwhile, if you are already considering following the standard Couch to 5K running programme then check out this resource that may help you graphically log your advancement through the program using a Java application that uses cookies to monitor how many sections of the programme you have completed (whatever the hell that means!). Have a look - whatever!
In a couple of weeks I will be in France for my holidays so I am planning a big push on the weight loss front to give me a 'buffer' for any excess on holiday (hopefully I can still keep to a minimum) but surrender monkeys or not, they do make the best cheese, bread and wine!
Today is a new day - we begin again refreshed!
Via technorati, I have just come across this post. Call it vanity, but it seems we (fatbloggers I mean) have some recognition out there!
Amongst the list of highlighted blogs is this little old one along with a few of my favourites as well - Bonita Gordita is there (as she should, her blog is a GREAT read - pop along and have a look if you get the chance).
Oh and the t-shirts and mugs are on sale - get 'em while their hot, they're lovely! All profits to the Dharamsala-or-Bust 2008 Asthma charity trek.
Fathers day is coming after all!
Weight - 245.8lbs ( -24.2lbs)
Exercise - I tried some wishful shrinking instead...
I am struggling today. I struggled with the fast this time and think I came off it to quick - the result of this was a very uncomfortable digestive situation (don't make me spell it out!)...
I think i need inspiration, I know what I want to do and I know why I am doing it and I can see from you all out there, that my situation is neither unique nor exceptional. Nevertheless, I need a kick up the arse to get me going again.
I found it at the font of all knowledge, The British Broadcorping Castration ! Whilst browsing their excellent health website I stumbled upon this little gem (see graphic below).
Not that is what I call motivation, a whole hospital full of illnesses and ailments, all because we like the smell of donuts too much!
If anyone else is struggling with motivation and felling down for any weight related reason - think about it - is a pizza worth TEN extra years on this planet?? I think not.
Time for a salad and a brisk walk!
