Should Learn to Keep my Mouth Shut!

I want to acknowledge my lack of communication the last month or so. I had fully intended to be more active communicating. No excuses and WILL do better in the future. My promise is at least a weigh-in report weekly with a minimum of 3-4 articles per month either written or shared.

I’m about to complete my 12 week training program at 501Fit. It has been very productive with measurable results. From 3 months ago my strength over all is up about 400% from where I was. I didn’t actually keep a chart (Phil and Diana do) but going from using a 5 lb barbell to a 25 lb in reps (15 reps per cycle) is just one indicator. I digress…

My best friend and damn near a brother has on occasion accused me of not being able to keep my mouth shut! Of coarse I’ve never believed for a moment that I’ve ever had that problem…Anyway I made the mistake of asking ” The MAN” (Phil the Trainer) if he had seen a recent post of my blog and the observation and reluctance about the scale - (posted May 3rd) Per the subject title Phil “The Man/Trainer” said enough was enough and told me we are starting the PTTWLP or commonly referred to as “Phil the Trainers Weight Loss Program”

You might wonder what is the PTTWLP? It is many things but in my world the biggest piece is ACCOUNTABILITY!

One of the many reasons for being obese is LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY or what I’ve earlier referred to as my “little friend” , that internal voice that keeps sharing with me that the easiest way is the best etc…(adding another reason why we as humans are still crazier that hell)

Phil’s plan is simple - in that he simply makes you produce the result by sharing diet ideas, consumption secrets and ACCOUNTABILITY!

The Highlights of the PTTWLP:

• Accountability - weigh in TWICE a week - Monday and Fridays
• Diet - 5-6 small meals a day with LOTS of protein (the secret)
• Controlling your Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia
• EXERCISE - Strength and Cardio Training

Being the smart rat that I am I tried to ignore and or avoid him for over a month. (makes a lot of sense doesn’t it?) He kept asking how the weight loss was going and was very persistent. I was NOT producing the results I wanted on my own so I finally surrendered to his coaching. Imagine that seeing how I was ALREADY paying for it (yep crazier than ….) didn’t change the fact it was Phil’s insistence that I got on the (soon to be famous) PTTWLP! Thank you Phil and Diana!

501Fit is the place to be if your serious about making a difference in your well being. If you live in the Minneapolis area and are looking for a great gym and or a trainers with a program see the owners (trainers) at 501K - In my world the highest rating! 4 STARS****

So one of many reasons for not posting as intended was I wasn’t producing any weight loss results. I would go up a few pounds then down a few pounds staying pretty much the same.

I just posted my Week 16 results. Thanks to Phil and Diana I’ve actually lost over 5 pounds in the first two weeks of the PTTWLP after staying level for over a month.

Not going to break any records but I’m proud of the fact that I’ve not SMOKED for over 4 months, started a solid exercise program and lost over twenty pounds in just over four months.

All of this in spite of my little friend!

Only the Best,

Fatman

Week 16 is in the Book

Just the Facts: Week 16 ending June 2nd - Weigh In June 5th - Day 3 Week #17

• Weight: #296 (22 lb total- weight)

• Win: I’m still a NON-SMOKER – today is Day 5 of Week 18

• Tie: I lost 3 lbs -
  

• Win: Exercise on a scale of 1- 10 was a 8 (4 days - 4 weight training with some cardio )
• Win: Diet – 75 - 25

Yes it is TRUE - I’m damn near a “Flyweight” -

UNDER 300 lbs - I WILL NEVER AGAIN BE ABOVE THAT FIGURE!!!

Have a week that you act like a thin Person-

Fatman

I knew it!!

Dr. Chen, the foremost world authority on diet and exercise has recently published these little known facts:

Q: Doctor, I’ve heard at cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it… don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain…Good!

Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!! ….. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around themiddle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! ‘Round’ is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:
‘Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO HOO, What a Ride’

AND…..

For those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot

of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Feeble attempt at humor……………

Fitness’s Final Frontier

NASA’S looking to keep astronauts fitter during long missions to space have figured out how to keep us all younger. by Jason Stevenson

I have been a long term subscriber of  Men’s Journal and actually attempted to provide a direct link.  Author Jason Stevenson responded  It’s actually not my decision on whether you can post a link or a PDF of the article on your blog. That’s Men’s Journal’s decision - as they own the article now.

What was eye opening was the people that actually provided the research. When I think of NASA it is always with a bit of awe! In the domain of science I believe they are at the top of the food chain.

I plan on making sure my trainer takes a look and get his feed back.

Being over fifty and actually getting into my “well being” it caught my attention and thought it was worth sharing. “My Fitness Piece” below is the PDF of the article.

Author from his website - My first article in Men’s Journal is a May fitness piece (which got a cover blurb) about how NASA’s zero-gravity exercises can prevent age-related bone and muscle loss here on Earth. Meanwhile, my research on five essential vitamins and minerals even a health diet might not provide appeared in the April issue of Men’s Health. My next articles are for Backpacker.

I’m I frightened of the scale?

“Frightened” might not be the right word but it has to be something.

It seems that the further I get into my “journey of becoming a thinman” the more prevalent “my little voice” is in regard to my weekly weigh in.

After a couple of weeks with no results (on the scale) my dreaded weigh in looms. Why have I made up in my mind that it has to be dreaded? Do I really know what it is going to show?

I go to the gym at least 4 times a week, pass up numerous food choices that a fatman would make and the dreaded piece of equipment known as the scale awaits my arrival in the  corner to let me know I’m not worthy!!! Or I’m I?

My little buddy is sharing in my head - You did NOT produce a result,  you are bad and wrong, what were you thinking, have a smoke and a visit to Sebastien Joe’s (award winning ice cream shop around the corner)  screw this diet and exercise thing blah,blah, blah….Yup still crazy!

At the moment I’m debating if a weekly weigh in is needed or be okay with my results that show up in how the clothes fit, how strong I’m becoming, my cardio workout on the elliptical machine etc… How often must one check?

I’ve known from the beginning that I’m crazier than hell but that is a common trait that you get by being human ( multiplied when your a fatman). Nothing has changed in that domain.

My STATED goal in May is the loss of at least 10 lbs.  Sometime between now and the 31st weight WILL be posted and me and the scale will come face to face!!!

Who’s frightened of that little old scale?

Only the Best,

Fatman

Week 11 is in the BooK

Just the Facts: Week 11 ending April 28th - Weigh In April 29th - Day 1 Week #12

• Weight: #299 (18 lb total- weight)

• Win: I’m still a NON-SMOKER – today is Day 1 of Week Thirteen

• Tie: I lost 0 lbs -
  

• Win: Exercise on a scale of 1- 10 was a 7.5 (4 days - 4 weight training with some cardio )
• Win: Diet – 75 - 25

Yes it is TRUE - I’m damn near a “Flyweight” -

UNDER 300 lbs - I WILL NEVER AGAIN BE ABOVE THAT FIGURE!!!

Have a week that you act like a thin Person-

Fatman

Week 9 is in the Book

Just the Facts: Week 9 ending April 14 - Weigh In April 15th - Day 1 Week #9

• Weight: #299 (18 lb total- weight)

• Win: I’m still a NON-SMOKER – today is Day 1 of Week eleven

• Tie: I lost 0 lbs -
  

• Win: Exercise on a scale of 1- 10 was a 7.5 (4 days - 4 weight training with some cardio )
• Win: Diet – 80 - 20

Yes it is TRUE - I’m damn near a “Flyweight” -

UNDER 300 lbs - I WILL NEVER AGAIN BE ABOVE THAT FIGURE!!!

Have a week that you act like a thin Person-

Fatman

Acknowledging a Inspiration

During my week I found a website that was instrumental in my becoming public.  Steve from http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/ took on a incredible journey that I followed back in 2005.

I joined his Yahoo Group and sent the following as a introduction and a thank you.
Being a follower of your Fatman walking journey and a fellow “morbidly obese” human I wanted to thank you and introduce myself.

I followed fatmanwalking.com almost from the beginning and was inspired by your actions. It took a few years but I’m attempting a similar journey of my own.

In September of 2008 (Labor Day Weekend)I declared to my family that I would make public the reality of my health and weight issues.I created a “Blog” promising to just state the facts, create a public accounting and provide useful information by looking at the “Reality” of being a “morbidly obese” person.

After sending out that notice I completely went into my “Fatman mode” and gained about 20 pounds from Sept.1 - February 8,09.(Day 1 being public)

It finally did happen by the creation of http://fatmanlosing.com - my public declaration on my journey to becoming a thin person.

I have at this point in time kept myself anonymous on the blog by just being the “Fatman”.

Glad I found the group - again thank you for what you provided from your journey.

“fatman”
http://fatmanlosing.com

Week 8 is in the Book

Just the Facts: Week 8 ending April 7 - Weigh In April 8th - Day 1 Week #9

• Weight: #299 (18 lb total- weight loss 4 lbs this week)

• Win: I’m still a NON-SMOKER – today is Day 1 of Week Ten
• Win: I lost 4 lbs - (it was time to move a little)
  
• Win: Exercise on a scale of 1- 10 was a 8 (5 days - 4 weight training and a cardio )
• Win: Diet – 80 - 20

Yes it is TRUE - I’m damn near a “Flyweight” -

UNDER 300 lbs - I WILL NEVER AGAIN BE ABOVE THAT FIGURE!!!

Have a week that you act like a thin Person-

Fatman

Obesity and Overweight Trends in USA

U.S. Obesity Trends 1985–2007

The following article are facts as presented by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) - Visit http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/maps/

During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. This slide set illustrates this trend by mapping the increased prevalence of obesity across each of the states.

In 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; three of these states (Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%.

The animated map below shows the United States obesity prevalence from 1985 through 2007.