Summer Exercise for HART needed

I’m still “Battling Obesity” … It was my birthday July 11th and I finally weighed in again. My last weigh in on May 2, 2007 .. I was at 272.5 lbs.

Last Wednesday, on my birthday .. July 11, 2007 … I weighed myself to be 273.0 lbs.

I pretty much stopped counting points, or even watch what I was eating since about April 30th, although I was consciously trying to be aware of what was going into my mouth and if I could, I would eat the healthier choice. But, all I did was sit in a chair - stressed out - trying to catch up and get ahead with all my work in progress of my offline Accounting and Income Tax Preparation business. And, now I am on “summer hours” - well, at least my wife is. She takes off every Friday now, and every couple of weeks both Friday and Monday. We will be taking a full two weeks holiday next month. It’s quite hard for me to conduct my business - which, I’m trying to cram 8 days work into 7 days in the first place .. now have to cram it into 3 or 4 days.

But - I do have a few new toys for the summer … so - if my offline business is going to struggle this summer .. my physical well being and weight should not suffer.

At the beach, I am trying to ride my bike a lot, we walk the dogs when we can .. and weather permitting I am like a fish out of water. I have a few new water toys … like, this inflatable kayak pictured below. I bought two of them - one for me, and one for my wife. My wife loves it!

me? I like it.. it’s okay - but, the weight restriction is 300 lbs. I am finding that the way I sit // correction - there’s no excuse to explain it. My belly sticks out in such a way, that I can’t really sit in a 90 degree angle with my feet close together to fit properly inside the kayak, and because I’m already on the heavier side .. with lifejacket, canoe, and the way I sit in the kayak .. water spills inside. This just compounds the problem, giving more weight in the kayak and then more water comes into the kayak.

It’s a humbling experience - and great motivator to lose more weight and be able to kayak with my wife. At the moment, I can kayak for about 15 minutes, then I have to empty the water out. And, I have to do that on shore, as it’s difficult to get back in these inflatable kayaks without letting more water in!

And what do I do after my “laps” in the water, while I’m waiting for my wife to go kayaking by herself? I just sit around.. you know~ in the water!

~~~

Click on the little Kayak if interested in buying this from Canadian Tire (affiliate link) .. it’s quite cool, and folds up into a suitcase that you can carry with you in your trunk of your car. Oh, and it takes about 15 minutes to pump up with air with a foot pedal, and about 2 minutes to deflate.

               

THE HART-SERIES: Weigh-in: Week 16.5

Wednesday May 2, 2007

272.5 lbs

>> UP 1.5 lbs (since April 14th)
>> YTD 9.5 lbs down

Reflection

Although, technically I should be weighing myself on Saturday Mornings - I wanted to weigh in again, to a new figure where I can trust and see results from my actions. As I mentioned in my earlier post .. I haven’t been doing anything since Mid-April and, although I tried to eat a little healthy .. it was low priority for me. But, today I started a new page in my notebook and I have my pen handy and it’s next to our kitchen table right near the pantry …

You know .. for some reason, I was secretly hoping that all the stress would naturally burn calories and fat off of my body, which of course is silly! But .. if I’m up 1.5 lbs today .. I probably was up 5-6 lbs a week ago, because I hardly ate anything over the weekend as my Income Tax Deadline came closer and closer to April 30th. My body is still fluctuating and trying to get back to normal strength .. in fact, I just woke up at 11:45am today, DAY 2 after my deadline! And, I’m still tired as heck. I think I still need a full 24 hours of sleep to really catch up and get my inner body works back into synch.

Meanwhile .. it’s week 16.5 since the beginning of the year - but, I’m going to think of it as another way - only NINE WEEKS LEFT before Summer Starts! Time to get fit, well .. at least lose some weight
I just thought of something.

It’s been easier to keep track of points during the winter months, because I had a jacket - and inner pocket to hold my notepad and pen. Now that it’s warming up .. I’m going to have to carry that thing manually everywhere I go. I’m going to have to get something, to look more business like - so, I don’t feel embarrassed or anything like that, and suddenly decide one day to NOT bring my notepad just that one day .. because, out of habits .. that will probably lead to me never bringing my notepad out with me ever! Something to think about.

               

THE HART SERIES: Weigh In: Week 15

Saturday April 14, 2007

271.0 lbs

>> Down 2.5 lbs
>> YTD Down 11.0 lbs

Reflection

I don’t get it. Yes - I have been doing ’some’ exercise - but, I still have not put it into second gear. This week, I seemed to have been eating MORE junk food, eating out MORE .. LESS exercise .. and I lost weight!

~wait~ I think I’m on to something! haha .. // Eat more! Excercise Less! Lose Weight!~

Well, maybe it’s because I’m eating less portions than I normally do with the large salad meals that I have been eating (you’ve seen the pictures!). Maybe it’s the stress from my work burning off calories sitting at a desk all day and all hours of the night or worrying that I haven’t been blogging that much? Maybe it was the new Melaleuca Nutritional meal replacement bars, or nutritional weight-loss fat burning bars I happened to come by, and been snacking on instead of Thinsations and Pringles. Maybe I just pigged out late at night on the night before last week’s weighin and my weight wasn’t really representative of what it should be .. don’t forget - it was a short week and I changed it up from a Monday morning weighin to Saturday morning weigh in.

I’m believe in the weigh in number, because we have a good scale. I think it’s just a timing issue, because bottom line - it doesn’t feel like I’ve lost 2-1/2 pounds this week .. mentally.

               

THE HART SERIES: Weigh In: Week 14 (Short Week)

Saturday April 7, 2007

273.5 lbs

>> UP 1.5 lbs
>> YTD Down 8.5 lbs

Reflection

Well, I seem to have lost my book after this weigh in was taken, and that pretty much says it all, right? When I lose track of my notebook that I write all my meals down .. you know something is wrong! I could say that there was also chocolate bunnies involved sometimes during the week, since Wednesday!

But - Up 1.5 lbs. NOT GOOD. My timing has been off and I’ve been eating supper in the afternoons, breakfast at night and snacking at my computer. The more I’ve exercised the more pain I get from exercising that yes.. yes .. “No Pain No Gain” but, it’s hard to exercise fully when you are in pain.

Honestly - I know I should get back on schedule, back to routine - but, work comes first at this stage for me, at least until after April 30th. So, I try - but I also know I am not as motivated as I should be. But, the weather is warming up here in Winnipeg (around 0c) .. rather than snacking on food during short breaks .. I plan (and starting to) include the dogs in my breaktime and going outside for a ‘romp’ by the river, behind our condos, and walks to the bank and post office (about 8 blocks away)

               

THE HART SERIES: Weigh In: Week 13

Monday April 1, 2007

272.0 lbs

>> Down 1.5 lbs
>> YTD Down 10 lbs

Reflection

I was also sickly Monday morning, and didn’t eat anything solid since suppertime Sunday Evening - taking shots of Crown Royal Whiskey and jumping under the covers. It’s Thursday morning now at the time of writing this, and I’m back up to .. well, the week isn’t over yet and I shouldn’t be weighing myself during the week - but I was curious as I reached my FIRST 10 POUNDS ~! I know, after 13 weeks it’s not that great. But, I could be at ZERO or even gained weight.

My Excercise routine has been steadily becoming a “routine” instead of the “whenever I go downstairs and get a file I should jump on a machine and do a few minutes of something” method! In the morning, before coffee and again at lunch time - I do two sets of the excercise bike and in the morning I’ve been adding the rowing machine routine. The amount of time I spend may not seem that much to many (1/2 hr at most each time or less) but I am getting my heart rate up, putting up a sweat and I think it counts :p

The temperatures went back down to a deep freeze here in Winnipeg (-20c) and haven’t walked at all outside. If I’m not meeting clients, I am sitting at computer all day and all night and not even taking breaks. My knees are starting to bug me, and um, you know that flabby area between your legs when you ride bicycles or do lots of running or walking and are out of shape? yah .. it’s soft and hurting~

               

THE HART SERIES: Weigh In: Week 12

Monday, March 26, 2007

273.5 LBs

>> DOWN 2.0 lbs
>> YTD Down 8.5 lbs

Reflection

It seems like I am meeting too many clients, but it has to be done. I am not a morning person, so all I have been scheduling myself is from Noon to 6pm .. and, if people want the noon slot - they have to buy me lunch! Well, they don’t have to ..actually. But - what I have been doing this year is to offer to FLIP FOR LUNCH ..5 times so far! Loser pays for everything. I have not yet lost, and 2 clients just wanted to pay for my meal anyway and not flip a coin .. and I actually won the flips at the Palatal restaurant and Tim Horton Luncheon meetings.

I’d Like To Thank “Anonymous Visitor” from Netherlands

I received a comment on my last weigh post ..

So we’re 12 weeks into the year and you’ve only lost 6.5 pounds? that’s pathetic! Cut the crap out and focus if you actually want to lose anything.

Comment by anonymous visitor — March 23, 2007 @ 4:45 am |Edit This

My response was as follows:

You’re abolutely correct. No doubt about it - that I need to focus and make time to add exercise to my daily routines.

Comment by HART (1-800-HART) — March 23, 2007 @ 8:11 am |Edit This

So .. what did I do? I’ve been walking the dogs every day since last Wednesday up until last Sunday. It’s Wednesday morning now, and I haven’t walked on Monday or Tuesday (been busy) .. and the my two Papillon Dogs have been bugging me all week to take them out. It’s just that — well, they have been driving me and my clients bananas .. for all who are meeting me here in my home with their barking! It’s very unprofessional and I shake my head on that. I’m not sure what to do.. but, now they want to go out walking even more when clients are over or before or afterwards … Meanwhile - they get the treats, and I am not walking. The walking and client meetings helped this past week, even though the food may not be the healthiest. I can’t sit here at my desk working all the time without exercise.

But good news - I’ve pulled out some exercise equipment from storage and they are sitting in my basement ready to be used. I’m going to give them a good cleaning tonight and start tomorrow with something. Pictures to follow. One’s a rowing machine and the other is a crappy old exercise bike with a seat that feels like a Thong up your behind.

               

THE HART SERIES: Weigh In: Week 11

Monday March 19, 2007

275.5 lbs

>> UP 1.0 lbs.
>> YTD Down 6.5 lbs.

Reflection

Two consecutive weeks down by 1/2 a pound each week .. and then back up this week by 1 pound .. back to where I was 3 weeks ago.

But! Birthdays are over. Weather is warming up. Work is getting even busier. Something’s bound to change.

Despite knowing better, I decided to asked my wife where I am going wrong. She mentioned that I don’t exercise and burn off enough calories. Well .. Sure! That’s constructive - but, I know that. So .. I just browsed all my previous posts and two things keep coming into mind as I read my daily meals over and over since January 1, 2007 …

* Cheerios and Refill and Milk >> I really should stop eating the refills.
* 4 Whole Wheat Toast with Peanut Butter >> I could cut the toast into half
* A lot of Thinsations, Sweet & Salty, and other “singles” low-calorie products in my closet >> Ugh! Must. Hide. Them.

But - as my philosophy continues .. It’s a new day tomorrow, and I will continue battling my obesity

               

THE HART SERIES: Weigh In: Week 10

Monday March 12, 2007

274.5 lbs

>> DOWN 0.5 lbs.
>> YTD Down 7.5 lbs.

Reflection

Two consecutive weeks down by 1/2 a pound each week .. Okay. Not that great .. I admit that - but, I ended up the week with unused splurge points and that’s one of my goals. I still need to find me a good Orange supply (I like those 4012 large oranges). I tried getting Mr. Sun oranges, but I did not like them. I bought me some Red Delicious Apples, but I can’t seem to eat them without many TBSP of honey to go along with it!

I should mention - on Tuesday it’s my wife’s birthday and there might be chocolates involved, but we are celebrating it on Saturday with the whole family .. including pies, cakes, chocolates, donuts, and main course Turkey with stuffing .. I have to remember this each day tracking my food intake and counting points.

Also ..

Good news! The temperatures here in Winnipeg are starting to warm up, in fact we had two days of plus 6 celcius degrees in a row last weekend! It’s still averaging about -1c or less at night. I have dogs. If the snow and dirty sludge dries up soon .. I will be taking the dogs on more frequent walks. Currently, it SEEMS like a big deal, because it’s either too cold for them to stay out side that long - or, they get super muddy and frozen feet and I have to end up giving them a bath afterwards each time.

I know. I know. Small price to pay. Although, it just seems hard to get motivated when you are constantly busy as it is offline in the day to day work. Those browsing the links in the HART-Empire Network code in the sidebar might have noticed a major slowdown this month. On the last few days of February, I PRE-posted a bunch of posts on a majority of the blogs .. but, I think they have all expired - or at least will be very shortly and it might be vewwy vewwy quiet in most of my blogs.

               

THE HART SERIES: Weigh In: Week 9

Monday March 5, 2007

275.0 lbs

>> DOWN 0.5 lbs
>> YTD Down 7 lbs

REFLECTION

Down 1/2 a pound .. I’ll take it! I think I was probably about 5 pounds down (joke) before yesterday’s pastry ‘fest … You see .. my wife goes to lunch with a few of her workout friends once a month, and brings me back some snacks … Saturday was her monthly luncheon and snacks there was! Personally, I don’t think they even eat at these luncheons .. I think they just sample the dessert menus

               

THE HART SERIES: Weigh In: Week 8

Monday February 26, 2007

275.5 lbs

>> DOWN by 1.0 lbs
>> YTD Down by 6.5 lbs

Reflection

I have maintained the week below my daily and weekly alotment of splurge points .. but, it’s been a quite busy month-end for me. As such, I haven’t really been eating as healthy as I could be. For instance, there are no 4012 oranges (my favorites) at the regular grocer (Superstore) and I really didn’t have time to go shopping around looking for them. Instead of snacking on fruit and other vegetables, I was going for the Pringles, and other low-calorie but not as healthy snacks.

Here in Winnipeg, (as of today March 1) we’ve had about 22 inches of snow, with temperatures ranging from -10c to +2c .. and about 15 inches stayed before melting. Everyday it’s snow and more snow and WET Snow. Although we live in a CONDO and maintenance does our snow shovelling and clearing of our parking lot, someone still has to shovel snow in our back yard for the puppy dogs and the front walk ASAP for the client walk-ins. I think that had more to do with my weight loss than keeping within my points alotment.

               

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