Archive for October, 2009

Well, I’m about to go get ready for the Hallow-Dega concert tonight. Hopefully I’ll get to meet Dale Jr.

As you can tell, I didn’t workout yesterday. Also, I did not have a good day today. More Halloween candy.

Tomorrow I continue my nutrition and fitness plans. Also, next week I will be purchasing some weight lifting equipment from Play It Again Sporting Goods in Hoover, AL. I was informed that they have a power rack with lat attachment, which is what I really, really want. They are supposed to call me with a price today. My fitness room WILL BE ready next Thursday. I know what I need to do, and Thursday I’ll have all of the gear. The REAL transformation will begin!!!! I can’t wait!!!! The fat is gonna fly off, and the muscle is gonna grow.

I’ll be taking monthly progress pics and posting on the blog everyday.

Today I have been working on my blogroll. A major task. I still have to create the blogroll page, but I’ve added a ton of weight loss blogs to my blogroll database, and have added a widget to my sidebar that displays 10 random blogs with the blog’s category. I know that when I’m looking for blogs, I look for specific characteristics. More about this tomorrow, and, of course, I have all of the details and pics from Hallow-Dega.

Well, I’ve got to go get ready. I don’t want to be late.

Ya’ll have fun tonight, and Happy Halloween!!!!

I was in a better mood today. However, I still didn’t workout, and I also did not eat what I am supposed to eat. I am gonna force myself to workout in the morning. I bet after a workout, I’ll feel better.

I’ve got pics today!! I had lunch with my friend Trent “T-Money” McCool at the Fish Market Restaurant in Hoover, AL. I really enjoyed talking with Trent about his upcoming wedding and other stuff. Like I mentioned yesterday, Trent is one of those people that I always feel better after talking to him. Also, I want to send yet another thank you to Trent for buying lunch. I really did not expect that, and he wouldn’t allow me to buy my own. Don’t worry, I always return the favor somehow.

Mr. Trent "T-Money" McCool

The Fish Market Restaurant in Hoover, Alabama

Fresh Fish at The Fish Market

Broiled Snapper with no seasoning. The round container holds the greek dressing for my salad.

The Greek salad. Careful, those peppers are HOT!!!

I am determined to workout in the morning. What I’ll do is take some pics of the workout and make a quick post in the morning. That will encourage me to workout.

Tomorrow I have to test out my studio strobes for the photos on Saturday. I’ll probably have a post up on Sunday morning of the craziness at Talladega on Saturday night. I hope it doesn’t rain.

Don’t forget, the time change is this weekend. So, we’ll have a long weekend.

Have a great Friday!

This Week

I have not had a good week. Tonight my Mom brought home some Halloween candy and I ate a good amount of it. To top off the sweets, I haven’t worked out or walked this week. Fortunately, I have a workout scheduled with Donnie at Fitness Together tomorrow.

Fortunately, I’m gonna finish the week out strong. Not only do I work out tomorrow, I am meeting Trent McCool for lunch at the Fish Market. Trent is the guy that started the 300 pound challenge, and he’s one of those people that I always feel better after talking to him. I’ll definitely have some pics from lunch.

Hallow-Dega

I got some new info on taking pics at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. We have got to be at the track by 5pm because they  convert all lanes  on the highway into one way exits from the track. Also, our press passes and parking passes are in the mail. Hopefully they’ll be in tomorrow. We don’t have to have our stuff setup until 7pm, so we’ll have some time to tour the track. I’m really excited. REALLY EXCITED!!!!!

Fitness Room

I’m still in the process of converting my junk room into a fitness room at the house. I’ll have the room empty this weekend. Next Thursday I’ll be picking up the used utility bench from Play it Again Sports in Hoover, AL. Eventually I’ll add a power rack, Olympic weight set, medicine ball, stepper, and lat attachment for power rack. To get some cash for the fitness room I am selling a nice drum set that I own.

Have a great Thursday!

Weekly weigh-in: 499
Loss: -3 lbs
Total loss: 133 lbs.
Emotion: On Cloud Nine

I could not ask for a better week!!! First my blog was mentioned in Health magazine, then I said goodbye to the 500’s FOREVER!!!!! Hit the road Jack, I will never see you again. I’ll pull out my tap shoes for today. Oh yea!

I bet you’re dying to see an updated picture. I couldn’t beleive the difference when I took this. I was astounded. I get so used to seeing myself that I don’t realize the difference. I now see why folks have been coming up to me recently, commenting on how much weight I’ve lost.

Here it is:

Here’s my 632 lb pic for comparison:

I made a lot of progress this weekend on my new fitness room at the house, and I can’t wait to have it completed.

Have a great week!!

WhoAteMyBlog.com Mentioned in Health Magazine

Thank you Shaun Chavis, Sean Kelley, and everyone else at Health for mentioning my blog in the November 2009 issue of Health magazine. The mention is in the “America’s 100 Healthiest Secrets” article under the “Inspiring Weight-Loss Blogs” section. I am honored that my blog was mentioned. This motivates me even more to keep up my day-to-day battle to lose weight.

Shaun Chavis is a diet editor with Health. Read Shaun’s blog posts.

Sean Kelley is an editor for Health.com Read Sean’s blog posts.

There were three other blogs mentioned in the “Inspiring Weight-Loss Blogs” section:

• CarrotsnCake.com
• TheFabulousFatties.com
• PastaQueen.com

It’s been a busy week at work. Every evening I was just too pooped to post.

Food wise, it’s been a good week. Exercise has not been ideal, but I did get a good workout in on Tuesday with Donnie.

Also, my books for personal training arrived. I ordered NASM Essentials of Personal Fitness Training and Strength Training Anatomy – 2nd Edition I am pleased with these books so far. The NASM book is a textbook for the the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Certification. I’ve read half of the first chapter today, and it’s an easy read full of information. The second book illustrates what muscles are worked during exercises. It is illustrated in full color and shows what muscles are being worked for what particular movement being performed. For example, there is a section for Dead Lifts. The section explains proper movements for a Dead Lift and provides a full body drawing illustrating what muscles are being worked out. I look forward to reading both of these books.

I believe Monday is gonna be a special day. I should be in the 400’s.

Let’s see, also this weekend we are gonna start cleaning up/organizing my bedroom and junk room so I can have a workout room. SWEET!

I think when I get to the 399 pound mark, I’m gonna get a treadmill. Right now I am too heavy for most treadmills. Maybe I can find a cheap used one for a deal.

I warm up on the treadmill at Fitness Together and it’s convenient not having to worry about the weather, getting injured by an automobile, or getting knocked on the head by a thug.

Have a great weekend! Roll Tide Roll

Weekly weigh-in: 502
Loss: -14 lbs
Total loss: 130 lbs.
Emotion: Excited, Almost in the 400’s

I’ve been on this weight loss adventure for 34 weeks now and I’ve averaged a weight loss of 3.82 pounds per week. My goal for the 300 lb challenge is to lose 300 lbs by April 25, 2010. So, I’ve got 170 lbs to lose in 26 weeks. Meaning, I have to lose an average of 6.54 lbs per week. I feel that it is obtainable, but I must be very consistent. Sometimes I let my emotions get the best of me. At least I am learning what my strengths and weaknesses are. If I stay at the same average that I’m currently at I would lose 99 more pounds for a total loss of 229 lbs. Hey, I could definitely live with that but I’m gonna try my hardest to get to that 300 pound loss!!!!!!

This past Saturday I found a “Play it Again” sporting goods store in Hoover, AL. I saw this store while driving through the mall parking lot on my way to Casual Male (yes, the “big man’s” clothing store). I have been on the lookout for some specific workout equipment, and they had a few things that I was looking for at incredible pricing because the equipment is used. I put a used incline weight bench on hold. This is a very sturdy bench for $59. I had to put the bench on hold because the store is so new that they aren’t open yet. They open on Nov. 5th, but they allowed people to look around.

On Sunday we walked 1.25 miles of the 6.4 mile Vulcan course. I don’t foresee any problems in finishing that race!!

Finally, I have seriously been considering becoming a personal trainer. I feel that I would find a career in personal training so rewarding. So I’ve started by ordering a couple of books from Amazon on personal training. My first goal is to lose a lot of weight because who wants to be trained by a 500lb mammal. Next, I’ll need a certification in personal training, and it appears that most certs require CPR/AED (Automatic Defibrillator) training. Then I’ll be ready to start learning from an experienced personal trainer. So I’ll be updating this journey as I proceed, and it’s in the very early phase.

Have a great Monday!

Yesterday was another day of the same ol routine. Minus the workout. I took the day off.

I did get an update about the Talladega Halloween Party that I’ll be taking pictures at. It is on Halloween, and this event is well after the Saturday race, so I won’t get to watch any racing (which is good). I want to save the race watching experience for April 2010. Also, I found out that Dale Jr. will be there, and we believe that we’ll be taking pics of Dale Jr in one tent, and the Zac Brown Band in the other tent. Details still aren’t set in stone, so we might end up shooting people in costumes. However, I know we’ll be shooting the concert. No matter what happens (except for rain), it’ll be fun. Here’s the info on the concert: http://www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/This-Is-Talladega/Entertainment/Concerts.aspx — If you have a ticket to the AMP 500, you can go to the concert. So, if you’re reading this, and you’re going to this event, please let me know. I would like to meet you. We have a local “project manager” that is going to give us the details on where we need to be, and they have to send us credentials to get in. But, we do have a firm confirmation that we’ll be photographing the event. Also, I’m still waiting to find out if we can use the pics that we take because I want to post some of the pics on my blog.

Last night I hung out with the running group. A large group (of crazy people) ran 4 miles IN THE RAIN. That’s not for me. Instead, I went in the restaurant we were meeting at, and ate a steak. I was hungry, and nobody mentioned the run, they just said that we were meeting for t-shirts. They didn’t have my size, which is no biggie (pun). I’m used to it. I’ve actually created a shirt “hall of fame” at my office. These are shirts that I’ve been given and can’t fit into. Let’s see, I’ve got the 2x autographed Moses Smith (NASCAR driver) shirt, Wordcamp Birmingham 2x shirt, The Terminal 2x shirt, Susan G Komen Race for the Cure shirt 3x, and Changing Spaces Moving 4x polo. If I could wear the Moses Smith shirt, I wouldn’t wear it because you just don’t wear autographed shirts. Also, the Changing Spaces Moving shirt was given to me by Joe Planson and family. CSMI is one of my customers, and we always joke about my closet office. Their server is in a little (I’m talking tiny) closet with a table and chair.

Back to the meet up with the running group, Danny (our coach) was right about “the group”. I am getting to know the runners better, and their stories are so motivating. Last night, they they were discussing all of the events they’ve been in. Were talkin 5ks, 10ks, half-marathons, marathons, and iron mans. Hearing about all of this encourages me to keep losin and eventually start running. I’m still amazed at how these fit runners love to throw down with beer. I have made an executive decision that I will join in the celebrating after the 10k. Meaning, I’m finally going to have some beer. I’ve been wanting one lately, so I will treat myself after the 10k. The only rule is that I have to walk the entire race.

Finally, this morning I am about to go buy some tires for the truck. One of my customer’s owns a tire shop and they are giving me a deal on a set of Goodyears. It’s a deal, but it’s still expensive.  Also, I’ve already done my workout this morning.

Have a great Friday!!

Token Fat Friend sent me this award on Sept. 29 and I’m just now posting it. I apologize for taking so long Token.

If you haven’t visited Token Fat Friend, check her blog out at http://tokenfatfriend.blogspot.com/ Tell her that Stephen sent you

Rules:

1. “The Honest Scrap” award must be shared!
2. The recipient has to tell 10 true things about themselves.
3. The recipient has to pass along this prestigious award to 10 more bloggers.
4. Those 10 bloggers all have to be notified they have been given this award.
5. Those 10 bloggers should link back to the blog that awarded them.

10 true things about me:

1. I got my first job at the age of 15 as an Executive Janitorial Engineer and Executive Groundskeeper at Jeffcoat Mechanical in Birmingham, AL. Basically I cleaned the office and cut the grass. This just happen to be the same place where my mom worked.
2. I worked at Jeffcoat until I was 16 for no pay. Mr. Jeffcoat kept track of my hours and put my pay towards one of their older used work trucks. So basically I worked every Sat for a year and got an old truck.
3. My first truck was an ‘87 Ford Ranger with a 4 cylinder engine, manual tranny, and no air conditioning.
4. I went to a small Christian school from 5th grade to 12th grade.
5. If my mom had not put me in private school, I probably would have dropped out of school when I could have legally dropped because of public school students poking fun of me.
6. My two favorite TV shows are Criminal Minds and COPS
7. I hate the term “Dirty South”
8. I’m overdue for a vacation. My favorite vacation spot is the beach. MMM Corona.
9. My favorite hobby is photography. I actually went to a 2 year technical college for photography.
10. I started this blog just to document my weight loss. I had no clue that I would get so much support. I had almost given up hope with people in general because of all the teasing I’ve had in the past. I am truly blessed and thankful.

Here are the 10 bloggers that I’m giving this award to:

• Stages of Change
• Suzanne at Spunkysuzi Working Towards A Healthier Me
• Lori at Finding Radiance
• Jen at Prior Fat Girl
• Jared at 12 Million Steps
• The League of Extraordinarily Fat Gentlemen (excluding Jack Sh*t because he’s already received the award) :
  • Fat Daddy Rants
  • Tony “The Anti-Jared” Posnanski
  • Carlos at You’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat…
  • Tony at I Don’t Want To Die of a Heart Attack When I’m 25
  • Sean at Losing Weight Every Day

You guys/gals have probably already received this award or do not participate in blog awards, but I’m giving to you anyways. Have fun!

I had another good day. I went and worked out with Donnie at Fitness Together this afternoon. I am very pleased with the way things are going this week. I wish I walked in a 5k race every weekend. 

I am swamped at work, which stresses me out because it’s just me. But, this morning I reorganized and got rid of some clutter. It’s amazing how being organized and clutter free reduces stress. I was able to focus more on knocking out my tasks rather than focus on all of the work that I have to do.

So, I will have a few more boring days of sleep, work, and workout to finish up my work.

I did manage to take the above pic after today’s workout.

I need to quit writing blog post right before going to bed. I keep dozing off while typing.

Have a great Wednesday!