Week Three Results

Well, week three was officially over yesterday. 21 days have gone by since I started this journey again and I really feel pretty good. I just wish I had a little more energy, but don't we all! So I did experience some success this week and feel great about what I achieved! I started at 319, and yesterday I weighed in at 307.8. That is an 11.2 pound weight loss or 3.5% of my total starting body weight!

The end of last week went pretty well for me. I was able to stay well within my points range all week. It can be challenging to abstain from all the goodies, but it is getting easier. I have had a couple of goodies here and there, I have just made sure to include them in my points tracking and then adjust meals accordingly. I figure if I am going to make this a long term "lifestyle" change, I need to eat in such a way that it is sustainable in the long term. I think that is why we often fail on diets, the fact that we cut back or cut out an entire food group in order to drop pounds quickly. The result for me, a food lover, is always feeling deprived or frustrated that I cannot eat the things that I love.

I only made it to the gym twice last week, but I consider that success as we were traveling at the beginning of the week and then had my entire family here at the end of the week. I have already been to the gym twice this week and am feeling great! I bought some new running shoes yesterday, and hope to use them as intended very soon!

Yesterday Jaclyn and I took the kids out to dinner, Alecia and Grandma and Grandpa Kimzey came along as well. We went to Applebee's, they have a lot of lower calorie meals and the food really tastes great!  We then went to Kung Fu Panda 2, a great movie for the family! I did treatmyself to some popcorn and a Butterfingers. Movie theater popcorn without butter is not a bad snack, the Butterfinger, well that is a horrible snack! 

So I continue along my journey, and appreciate all the support that so many of you have given me! If there is anything that those who read this may want to see such as recipes, what I am doing for exercise, etc. please let me know! I am off to figure out what to cook for Jaclyn for dinner!

Keeping on the Plan!

So far this week I have really tried to stay on track. My family has been here from Utah to visit, it was great to be able to spend some time with them. Last night we went to a Diamondbacks baseball game. It was really fun. I have never been much of a baseball fan, but I really enjoy going to the live games. I think my dad felt like he was a kid there, I think it was his first pro game. The brats were really good as well! Don't worry I made sure to only have really light items for breakfast and lunch, mostly fruits and veggies so that I could splurge a little at the game. It was worth saving my points for!

I have worked everyday since being back from California. I and Jaclyn managed to make it to the gym twice, which considering how busy we have been is an accomplishment! I also was in the pool with the boys tonight for a while. I am really going to try to be more active and stick to the diet even better next week! Here's to finishing the week strong!

A review of week two.....and HERES TO WEEK THREE!!!!

So week two was a very, very stressful one and one that ended up being hard for me as far as the diet goes. I did well at the beginning part of the week and actually made it to the gym a couple of times. We left for California on Friday of last week and just returned today. I learned that it is really, really, really hard to eat well on the road, and moreover inside Disneyland! I did try to stick to the plan for the most part but went over both Saturday and Sunday at dinner time.....needless to say week three's weigh in was not a success.

So here it is 312.8.....yes that is a gain of 2 pounds and down a total of 6.2. Jaclyn, however continued to loose a little which made me happy! I am really excited to get back on the band wagon and go for it with all that I have! I hope to be down a total of 10-12 pounds by Monday or an additional 3.8-5.8. I plan on hitting it hard tomorrow and just taking it day by day!

As I thought about the successes and failures from last week this is how I see it.

Successes: Tried to make good eating choices, went to the gym twice here and once in California as well as walked all over the Disney parks, had a great time with family and friends, and truly enjoyed a vacation with my wife and kids!

Failures: gained 2 pounds

As I see it the successes more than made up for the failures! Here's to week three!!!

Week Two Underway!

I am now a little over two days into week two and things are going well. This week is a busy one for us and so I am a little concerned about how successful I will be, but I am determined to make healthy choices no matter where I am.

Monday, we woke up and wend on a nice walk then Jaclyn took me to the gym and we signed up for a membership. I am really excited about all the equipment they have and the opportunity to take advantage of a few of their classes, and maybe even their personal trainers. I worked Monday evening, we were crazy busy, but I finished the day well within my points range.

Tuesday I had to wake up early to go to an ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) class. It was actually a really good class, one of the best I have attended. I then had multiple errands to run in the afternoon so exercise went by the wayside for the day. We went to Pei Wei for Chinese food that evening. It was really good, but it is high points. I was able to stay within points, but I could see how it would be hard for someone who has fewer points to do so. I would only recommend Chinese if someone was planning on being a little lax for the day!

I just got back from my first trip to the gym, Jaclyn and I did the elliptical trainer for 30 minutes then spent 15 minutes doing an ab work out. It felt great! Here's to hoping the rest of the week goes well! Wish me luck!

Week 1 Success!

So Week one is officially over, and I am happy to say that both Jaclyn and I count it as successful. Yesterday was our anniversary, we have been married for seven years! I would like to thank her for all that she does to support me in my many ventures over that time, as well as for our beautiful children! I love her so much and look forward to many more years together!

Now, back to the my battle with blubber! I worked Saturday and was off on Sunday. Both days I was able to stay within my allotted points range easily, and have never really felt hungry. Saturday was absolutely awesome! Kaden woke me up with breakfast in bed, a fruit smoothie which was 0 points and a couple pieces of toast! We then splurged a little for lunch, I had not seen Kaden for 3 days  so we went out for Pizza. We went to Barro's pizza, it was awesome, I had a two slices, but with salad and a light snacks in the afternoon and evening, I was able to still remain within my points target for the day!

Sundays meals consisted of a fiber one bar and fruit for breakfast, cereal for lunch after church, pineapple in the afternoon followed by an awesome dinner. We made beef tenderloin the grill, red potatoes, and fresh green beans. We also made a mixed berry shortcake for dinner. Again all that and I was still below target points.

As I said the week was a success. My original weight was 319.0, this morning....drum roll please...... I was down to 310.8, for a total weight loss of 8.2 pounds or 2.6 percent of my starting weight. I feel great about the success that I have had so far and am encouraged to continue on. This week will present challenges as we are going to Disneyland with my family, but I am sure I will be able to make healthy eating choices.

Here are the pictures from week 2, I know they are not the same zoom, but we made sure where I was standing and the camera settings, so they should be pretty similar from here on out!

 

Days 4 and 5

So I have fallen a little behind with journaling my experience. I work swing shift so by the time I get home I have been pretty tired. The good news is I have not fallen behind with the diet!

Thursday went OK. I was not able to make it to the gym to get my membership, nor did I exercise that day. I feel so much better when I am able to get the exercise I know my body needs, however sometimes with all of life's other competing demands there is just not time to fit it in. As far as the diet and food intake goes, Jaclyn and I let Kaden stay home from school to go to a couple of appointments, so we made a day out of it and went out to lunch. We went to Applebees, they have quite the variety of Weight Watcher's endorsed foods, and a bunch more meals that are under 550 calories. A great restaurant to go to if you are on a diet. I then stopped and picked up a Roasted Chicken Subway sandwich with baked lays for dinner. I was well within my points range and felt good at days end!

Friday: I and Jaclyn went for a nice walk. The weather was absolutely beautiful. We found a road near our house that is a little more country than most. Landen and Teyah were able to see goats, rabbits and a few lizards.  We then went to run a few errands, and had Wendy's for lunch. I ended the day with Salad for dinner! Both days I have stayed well within my points range, which is great!

I march on in my quest to achieve health, and am feeling great!:)

Day Three Is In the Books

So here I am at the end of day three. I think that things have gone fairly well over the past three days. I seem to be able to easily stay within my allotted points, and still feel full. However, I was really nervous for today as it was my first day back to work since starting. Working as a nurse, there always seems to be unhealthy food around in huge quantities. I think that this is mostly because nurses generally work twelve hour shifts, and try to keep their energy up by constantly snacking. All that being said, I resisted temptation and stuck to it. I think that it will continually get easier, as I become used to the plan and start to see results.

I only went on a short walk today, but tried to stay on my feet nearly the entire time that I was at work. I think that exercise will really be the hardest part for me to do consistently. I think that I will enroll in 24 hour fitness tomorrow. 24 hour fitness is open after I get of work on the weekdays, and they also have daycare should I and Jaclyn decide that we want to go together in the morning. I think a gym membership will become imperative as the Summer heats up and it is not as comfortable to exercise. I know that exercise is the most essential component of losing weight, so I am determined to try to do something active at least 5 times a week.

Here's to a successful day four!

Mostly Through Day Two

Yesterday ended well. I was well within my allotted Points Plus value for the day. In case you were wondering the dessert that Jaclyn made last night were Chocolate Cream Puffs.  They were Divine, and only 5 points!

So I decided that I might as well be honest with myself and whoever may read this, so I took a couple of pictures of myself this afternoon, to photographically document the journey as well. As I said yesterday beginning weight is 319 lbs. I have not measured myself yet, but probably should.  Here are the beginning photos.

  

Dino and I  atop North Mountain

 This morning I started my day with a bowl of Special K Vanilla and Almonds. It was really good, however, it is kind of a high points meal. Jaclyn and I then took Teyah and Landen for a venture up North Mountain, here in Phoenix. It was a gruelling adventure, but we tried to do it a couple of weeks ago and did not make it to the top. I am happy to say that we did in-fact make it all the way up and back, and we are alive to tell the tale. We had to take lots of breaks, and I thought I may die, but I look forward to the day when, as I told Jaclyn, "We fly up it with the grace of a Gazelle"!:) 



Jaclyn, Dino and I atop North Mountain







Teyah after enjoying a nice refreshing bottle after the trek!

Lunch consisted of a Turkey and Ham sandwich and a small Cesar salad! It was great. I have a lot of motivation to continue today, just hope that continues. I plan to have steak kabobs, baked potato and salad for dinner to round out my food for the day. Wish me luck as I continue this adventure, I sure hope I finally get the reward that I have longed for, for so long, Health!

One Day Down

So today marked the beginning of what I hope to be my only real successful attempt to become truly healthy. I have made it my goal to lose at least 80-90 pounds. My starting weight is 319 lbs, so although 80-90 pounds seems like alot, it is what I need to lose to be truly healthy. I have not really given myself a time frame to do this in yet, but as with everything else in my life I hope it happens fast. I will post weekly pics to track my progress (that is if I can get up the guts!:))

I have chosen to do Weight Watchers Points Plus program this time around. I have done weight watchers in the past and honestly have had the most consistent, reliable weight loss with the program. The only real problem that I have had with Weight Watcher's is that sometimes the rate of weight loss is a little slow. I know that 2 pounds a week is what has been found to be most helpful, but I really like to lose a little more.

I think one thing that will make me more successful this time, is that Jaclyn is doing the program with me. Grandma and Grandpa Kimzey, as well as Kristy (Jaclyn's aunt) are also doing it as well. I think that this will be a huge help as pretty much all the relatives that we associate with in Phoenix, are all doing it at the same time. I think my mom is going to do it as well. I hope that we all have success in making our lives better by becoming more healthy.

Today has gone pretty well, I had an omelet for breakfast, roast beef and baked potato for lunch and chicken Cesar salad for dinner. Jaclyn is preparing a calorie conscious desert as we speak.

Jaclyn and I also went on a 45 minute walk. I love the weather down here so far, although I am sure the big warm up is yet to come. All in all day one is in the books.