Health Challenge Men's Team

Feeling better ...

2008-03-18T12:04:00.005-04:00

It's funny how life can get in the way of itself sometimes -- despite our best intentions. I promise to keep things better updated.

For starters .... I'm almost fully recovered from my bout with some alien intruder. My face and neck were swollen for days and my body was covered in a nasty rash.

And as for the challenge ... I lost three pounds since I last posted. Now it's time to buckle down for the final few weeks. Stay tuned ...

My Weight
Starting weight 1.08.08 ... 284 pounds
Current weight 3.18.08 .... 267 pounds
Weight loss so far .............. 17 pounds

It's calendar time again

2008-03-01T00:37:00.009-05:00

Time sure is flying. Here is the March calendar to help you plan your diet and exercise routine for the month -- or at least to note the days the garbagemen come. This month, we've given you a choice to make.

Get the left one here ............... Get the right one here.

Looking to collect them all?
-- Get January here.
-- Get February here.

Workout pals

2008-02-28T10:16:00.004-05:00

Fiona has been amazing during this challenge. Since this thing started I've gotten an unbelievable amount of support and encouragement from her, it seemed unfair to my challengers. Not to say they're not receiving it from their significant others, but I definitely have the edge with Fiona.

I owe my success in this challenge to her.

In my last post a mentioned a change to my work schedule. I now have Saturdays off. And the best thing about it is being able to spend weekends with Fiona.

What was always missing in this challenge was the chance to work out with Fiona. Now we can. Two weeks ago, we went walking in a nearby park and it was awesome.

I think we did about a mile and actually had a foot race to round it out. Needless to say I smoked her, but she held her own. Who knew someone could look so cute while running for her life?

There's something to be said about being able to spend that kind of time with the one you love -- something to be said about being healthy together.

I'm looking forward to many more days like that.

Remember me?

2008-02-28T09:57:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I posted an entry here, so I thought I'd update y'all on a couple of developments from the past couple of weeks.

So how awkward was it to bump into Health Challenge rival Melissa Roddy in The News Journal fitness center one morning two weeks ago. It was kinda like walking in on your parents making out. What do you say?

I know one thing, when I took this job almost two years ago I never thought I'd have to associate anyone of my co-workers wit spandex.

But I digress.

This morning was the first time since the Roddy encounter I had worked out in the fitness center. Like my Blog Pound brothers Andre and Jeffrey, I had been sick for about a week with some stomach ailment. Andre had the flu and Jeffrey... Well, nobody knows what happened to Jeffrey. But his neck swelled up like a grapefruit and his face looked like someone took a hammer to it, but he's fine now. Check out his last few blogs.

My work schedule also changed, which has since thrown off my Tues, Thurs and Fri workout. Making the adjustment has been a small challenge, but it looks like I've got it worked out.

As for my weight, I'm still at 18 pounds.

Weekly Weight

2008-02-26T12:14:00.003-05:00

Itchy, scratchy, oozy,
This week has been a doozy.
If not for drugs and ER docs,
I might have come unglue-zied.

After what has been an absolutely horrendous week dealing with some kind of allergic rash and skin infection, I lost another pound. Not sure if this is a true measurement yet. On the bright side, it's possible I lost more and some of this is just fluid retention from all the swelling in my body. On the not so bright side, maybe it will be a fake loss because I didn't really eat that much this week. Either way, it's a loss for today and brings the total to 14 pounds.

I definitely did not exercise this week, unless you count carrying a head that's twice its normal size around for a few days.

My Weight
Starting weight 1.08.08 ... 284 pounds
Current weight 2.26.08 .... 270 pounds
Weight loss so far .............. 14 pounds

P.S. Congratulations to Melissa and her triumphant re-debut in her Size 6 jeans.

The adventure continues

2008-02-23T17:23:00.003-05:00

So things took a turn for the worse with my rash -- or whatever it is.
The stairs are definitely off today.

I ended up in the ER this morning when I woke up and I could barely open my eyes because of all the swelling in my face. The doctor shot me up with an IV of one medicine and a steroid and took some blood. The blood tests looked good and they couldn't find any bacterial infection. They told me to stop taking the antibiotics the other doctor had prescribed because I may be allergic to one of them since the rash spread after I started taking them...

I just hope to get this done and over with soon. It is a miserable feeling.

This is not funny anymore

2008-02-22T14:02:00.003-05:00

At left is me this morning. At right is the normal me.
The doctor says it's more than a rash caused by an allergy ... so much for self diagnosis. Not sure how much exercise I'll be getting in this week considering I'll probably be headed to the ER tonight if this keeps up. The antibiotics haven't done anything noticeable to stop it yet.

It's time to refocus ...

2008-02-19T13:05:00.003-05:00

Not a good week when it comes to weight loss. Although I didn't gain, I didn't lose any either. I made some poor choices in food this weekend and did nothing in the form of exercise to offset those choices. I can't let that happen again.

We're at the halfway point of this 12-week challenge and it's time to refocus. Although 13 pounds after six weeks doesn't sound like a lot, it's a good start. If I can manage the same in the second half, I'll be happy.

My Weight
Starting weight 1.08.08 ... 284 pounds
Current weight 2.19.08 .... 271 pounds
Weight loss so far .............. 13 pounds

Active lifestyle needs to start early

2008-02-18T14:30:00.005-05:00

Being active when you are young is key to starting out in a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that a more sedentary lifestyle -- created by video games, TVs and computers -- is one of the key things that led to today's rate of childhood obesity.

Don't get me wrong, my nephew also loves his video games -- especially skateboarding ones -- but the fact that he likes to carry his games over into outdoor activities could prove beneficial as he gets older.

This is a video about the trick he was trying to learn, just in case you were curious like I was.

Working it ...

2008-02-15T12:35:00.003-05:00

We guys have been working on our new exercise routine.

Check it out...

Now that's HOT...

So far so good on the parking thing ...

2008-02-14T05:49:00.002-05:00

I'm still parking in the very back of the lot, just like Corey the fitness guru suggested. I even fought the temptation to park closer when I knew it was going to be raining.

Weekly weight check

2008-02-12T13:55:00.001-05:00

This was not a good week overall, but I still lost one pound. I'm thinking the Super Bowl beer caught up to me. I'll just have to work a little harder this coming week to make sure I don't get stuck on some plateau.

In other interesting news ... now that I'm eating new things, I'm discovering I may be allergic to some of them. After eating a salad topped with herb-crusted grilled chicken, dried raspberries, almonds and a maple balsamic dressing Saturday night, I started breaking out in hives. What you can see on my arm in the picture at top is just part of it. Trust me, you don't want to see the rest. :-)

I haven't figured out what it was exactly, but I know I didn't have anything else different or switch soaps or laundry detergent.

My Weight
Starting weight 1.08.08 ... 284 pounds
Current weight 2.12.08 .... 271 pounds
Weight loss so far .............. 13 pounds

Duty versus doody ....

2008-02-10T22:23:00.000-05:00

It was cold outside today.... especially with the wind because it was whipping all day long. But when you have a dog, the cold weather and ripping winds are no excuse for not taking the dog out for a walk to do their "doody."

Plus.... it's exercise for you ....

The Devil doesn't wear Prada ....

2008-02-07T16:40:00.000-05:00

The Devil doesn't wear Prada ...
he wears a Girl Scout uniform and sells Girl Scout cookies.

If you've never looked at the nutritional information in the cookies that you just can't say no to, click on the picture at right to check it out.

I bought six boxes of cookies so far this year because I like the person I bought them from and want to support her daughter's troop. I don't plan on eating six boxes of Girls Scout cookies. Frankly, I'm going to try not to eat any of them -- not even one little shortbread cookie -- because these cookies have the potential, when combined with milk in the right proportion, to turn me into a cookie monster.

Weekly weigh-in .....

2008-02-05T12:41:00.000-05:00

Despite Super Bowl Sunday and all its temptations, I still managed to drop another two pounds this week. I could have done better, but it's still progress.

I admit it, I did drink too much beer, the one thing I really wanted to cut back on. But it was a heckuva game and I was standing too close to the keg. I guess I should have picked a more inconvenient spot to stand ....

Now it's time to pick up the slack a bit and hit the stairs some more. Speedo time is just around the corner.

My Weight
Starting weight 1.08.08 ... 284 pounds
Current weight 2.05.08 .... 272 pounds
Weight loss so far .............. 12 pounds

Super Bowls of Chili ....

2008-02-03T16:42:00.000-05:00

It's Super Bowl time. Today's temptations are sure to be many. Dips, chips and gallons of beer.

And my homemade chili ...

I'm going to try my best to maintain portion control. But this is a man's day, baby. And my big man-sized appetite for football, food and beer is growing by the minute as kickoff nears. Wish me luck.

Secret weapon

2008-02-02T22:57:00.000-05:00

Part of the purpose of this challenge to be honest about our experiences.

Well, I have a confession to make.

While I hear some of my weight-loss bloggers talk about how they splurge on cookies and stuff, I offer genuine sympathy because it's really tough to shed the old LBs.

I too splurge. But it ain't on cookies... that much.

It's acquired taste. Just ask News Journal reporter and all-around tough guy Adam Taylor, who tried to spit out his tongue when he tasted one a couple of weeks ago.

The good news is they have zero carbs.

The bad news is they contain a ridiculous amount of sodium.

That said, have you ever checked out the sodium content on the can of soup?

Munch on.

Now you see it...

2008-02-02T22:38:00.000-05:00

Over the past few week I've lost a good amount of weight - 18 pounds to be exact.

But I'll tell you when it really hit me -- literally.

I walked by Fiona a week or so ago and she smacked me on the behind and said, "you butt's disappearing."

I thought it was funny, until I turned around and saw her pouting -- bottom lip poked out and all.

She looked like her best friend moved away and wasn't coming back.

Sorry, Boo.

Just a bunch of Teddy Bears ....

2008-02-01T18:24:00.000-05:00

The February calendar is here ...
It's a special delivery from us to you as you plan for a healthier lifestyle during this month of Valentine's chocolates and other edible goodies. You can download and print a high resolution version by clicking here. Don't be scared...

Two of our crack photographers here at The News Journal took the photo for us. At right are a couple of other pictures that we didn't use.

And finally, in case you missed the previous post with the "making of the calendar" video, you can watch it here.

Calendar guys ....

2008-02-01T03:44:00.000-05:00

So it's Feb. 1 and time for another calendar to help you plan your way through this Get Healthy Challenge .... But first, here's a little video from the February calendar photo shoot.

The February calendar will be posted here sometime today for you to download. Be sure to check back to see what photo we picked.

Did you miss the January calendar? Download it here.

Three weeks down ... and 10 pounds gone

2008-01-29T13:10:00.000-05:00

Two pounds this week. After two straight weeks of losing four pounds each week, two doesn't sound like a lot, but I'm happy. I was able to lose weight while still having two Deerhead hot dogs on Sunday and a couple of slices of Iron Hill Brewery's Brewmaster pizza for a lunch meeting on Monday.

So in the first three weeks of this challenge, I've lost 10 pounds ... my knees are thanking me already. I'm still not getting as much exercise as I should and need to work on overcoming my excuses for that.

My Weight
Starting weight 1.08.08 ... 284 pounds
Current weight 1.29.08 .... 274 pounds
Weight loss so far .............. 10 pounds

Personal decisions

2008-01-28T19:52:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow (Tuesday) marks the end of week three and the start of week four in this 12-week challenge. That means we are a quarter of the way there. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm feeling better ....

I really hope I can make some of these changes permanent ones. As I've noted before, I quit smoking two years ago and now I don't even think about it anymore. I just don't smoke. I managed that cold turkey. Not sure how, but I did.

I'm not an anti-smoking fanatic. If you smoke, that's your choice. I'm not going to be the crusader forcing you to stand in some back alley and smoke a cigarette like you're a crack addict. Tobacco is a legal product. It's your choice to use it or not.

I've chosen not to use tobacco anymore -- cigarettes or chewing tobacco -- and for a boy who grew up in North Carolina, that's hard to say out loud. A large number of my relatives were tobacco growers or somehow tied to the industry. But based on all the evidence I've seen, I think the choice I made was a good one. When I go on my annual backpacking trip with a group of friends, I've definitely noticed the difference in the hill climbs this last year. I huff and puff a lot less now. And I felt so much better.

But ... the choice to quit smoking, the choice to lose weight, the choice to exercise more -- these choices are yours, and yours alone, to make. These are personal decisions. Our Be Healthy Delaware challenge page can give you information to help you. It's up to you how you use it.

As always, I wish you the best of luck.

All aboard the Crazy Train ...

2008-01-25T06:20:00.000-05:00

All work and no play makes Jeffrey a dull boy.
But this diet and exercise thing doesn't have to be all carrots and sweat.
How about a little iPod and some Ozzy?

Sometimes we have to remember to just have fun ... Even if it's a bit embarrassing.
Anyone else want to try a little lip dub? Or offer up a challenge of a song for me to do?

How can you eat cake?

2008-01-23T17:36:00.000-05:00

Celebrated the wife's birthday last weekend. She loves cake. So do I.

So, my 3-year-old son and I got her a birthday cake from a local store. "But, how can you eat cake on the challenge," many have said.

Easy. Portion control throughout the day, a little extra exercise and not going back for seconds and thirds. I've learned (as I now stand at 24 pounds lost) that I don't have to give up foods I love. It's giving up the gorging at every meal.

Our Biz Editor Steve Daily many times talks about "grazing" during the day. Eating what you have to eat to "just get by." It's all starting to come clear.

In other news, I saw that researchers are saying obesity surgery can get rid of Type 2 diabetes. Didn't we know this already? I've read many success stories that say, "I no longer have to take diabetes medicine."

Nonetheless, it's a great discovery. And being a Type 2 diabetic, it gives me more incentive to lose as much weight as possible. Still not convinced that obesity surger is for me, though.

Got a diet or obesity surgery success story? Please share.

Success but not glee

2008-01-22T14:30:00.000-05:00

I lost another four pounds this week – but I'm not happy with my overall performance. Although I continued to park in the back of the lot and walk further, I am not doing enough daily exercise. My goal this week is to increase the amount of exercise I do each day. I need to motivate myself to move more. Tips would be appreciated.

My Weight
Starting weight 1.08.08 ... 284 pounds
Current weight 1.22.08 .... 276 pounds
Weight loss so far .............. 8 pounds