Week 2 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANDY!! 50!!

Start Weight: 226.0
Week 2 Weight: 219.5
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): 3.3
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 6.5
% Weekly Loss: 1.48
% PTD Loss: 2.88
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9



Great news this week!!! Last week's pictures are coming down!! Only good thing about those pictures is they make for great comparisons when looking on a before/after basis. In the middle of several conversations this week, folks politely brought up the blog, but just couldn't believe I'd put up those pictures. Well, they're now archived and don't need to be discussed anymore. I forgot to take the camera to work today to get a picture in the gym, so for the same sweaty effect, I had Wendy take pictures of me coming out of the pool this afternoon. I tried not to smile, as to not bulge the cheeks... but the double chin is still going on... oh well...

A very happy birthday to my brother Randy, he turns 50 today. My older brother Tim turns 60 next April.... my little sister Diane isn't too far behind me... add us all up and I think we're close to the double century mark. Good news is, as far as I know, we're all going strong. Here's the news for the week:

RESULTS: Another 3.3 lbs came off on top of the 3.2 last week. I know it's still very early in the game, but for now, I'll take it. Hey, if I can put 3.5 lbs away for next week, that'll be 10 lbs in 3 weeks. I feel an infomercial coming on.... I can do some before and afters for the three weeks, give out some advice, get a 1-800 # and see what happens. I followed Michael's words of wisdom this week:

1. Drink lots of water... then drink some more.
2. Don't eat junk.
3. Get up and move around.

There you have it... the keys to success. I followed those this week, the donut gems and tootsie pops are gone from the work drawer, 45 minutes a day in the gym before work and lots and lots of water. I'm still on the elliptical trainer, but got on the treadmill this morning, just wasn't feeling the elliptical. Daily diet still consists of banana and yogurt in the AM, raw almonds, carrots, my tuna smorgasboard at the local AM/PM, ....even though I did one day have their special of three spicy chicken strips for $1.29 and they also threw in a 44 oz fountain drink for $.99. They got me. I don't feel deprived yet, a little grumpier maybe, but not deprived. However, I know I've got trouble coming at me two weeks from today. Here it is:



This is Aunt Lois, she lives in Provo, Utah. We're taking Russell back to school in two weeks, and are staying with Aunt Lois. She likes having visitors and insists we're well-fed while at her place. She's very kind...takes us out everywhere and always insists on footing the bill.... When we took Steven back to the mission home, Lois took us out to eat several times... IHOP, Denny's, Chuck-O-Rama, etc., her "contribution to the missionary fund". So we're staying with her again, no questions about that. She has some great stories about her brother Ralph which we offered to videotape, so I see a number of hours involved here. Someone help me out.... and don't tell me to order a two-egg white, fat-free cheese omelet when I have a free Ultimate Grand Slam for the taking. However, maybe since Russell is only going to school there and not yet on a mission, the dynamics could be different. Time will tell.

ON THE BIKE: No movement on the bike. Still at $324 and haven't done any shopping, but I've caught a lot of grief. Particularly at church... my two riding buddies, J-Dawg and Ben-G. I'll call them a combined JaBen. Conversation was:

JaBen: Hey, got a bike yet?
Me: Nah, I need to look a little bit, see what I want, and...
JaBen: (cutting me off): So, you're the one who got us riding a number of weeks ago, and now (both of them getting a little too close to my face at this time) you're leaving us out here hanging? Just quit, just like that? Come on man!... it's not like it's a complicated thing, not like you've got to research the snot out of it... not an exotic financial instrument or nothin'.... just take the $324 down to a bike store and get a bike!

They both then walked away, mumbling something about the weather getting colder, can't ride in the dark, etc. I asked them with their backs turned if that diatribe was some kind of a threat, they both whirled back real quick and I just took off runnin'. So, I guess I better speed up the process.

ODDS N' ENDS: Steven called Gail from Mexico City on Monday on his way to Merida.. said he bought a 5-min phone card for 5 pesos. He was traveling with 18 other missionaries to various parts of Mexico.... Gail's been sewing a dress for Stacie and a couple of her friends who are in a wedding on 8/25.... Sara had a doc appt today... all is well, 20 lbs 4 oz at 9 1/2 months, starting to take off on her own untethered.... school starts here next Monday... all I can think of...






FAQs:
Q. Are you planning on any weight-loss supplements along the way?
A. Not planning on it.... do you know of anything good?

Q. How 'bout "cutting weight"? I know you've been close to a number of wrestlers who've had to make weight on occasion. They give you any tips?
A. Other than running an excessive amount of wind-sprints, and spitting in buckets... I've got nothing else.

'Til next week. Brian