Week 4 - Nest a Little Emptier

Start Weight: 226.0
Week 4 Weight: 215.2
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): 2.5
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 10.8
% Weekly Loss: 1.15
% PTD Loss: 4.78
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9

So.... we're 4 weeks into the Program and there's been some reductions... broke the 10 lb barrier and almost at the 5% mark....seems like I've been doing it for a long time. But knowing I have to post on Wednesday helps me to keep with it. As soon as I finish here, we're off to Provo and our date with Aunt Lois. Plus, we have a dinner engagement next Tuesday night right before Wed AM weigh-ins, so I will count a no-gain week as a victory. The pictures aren't really any better, but a man at church (who's been out of town for three weeks) asked me if I was losing weight, said my face was thinner.... this should be the last of the pool shots, unless it stays over 100 degrees. This week.... Hurricane Dean didn't hit Steven too bad, High School football starts up, Michael gets his own room, parties and receptions, and ..........was there a reported reconciliation with JaBen? Have to keep reading to find out.

RESULTS: My routine stayed pretty much the same this week, I only did the tuna/mayo surprise two times.... I've got to vary the lunch routine some. I'm really waiting for the new AM/PM monthly special to come out September 1st. I'm betting it will be any 3 items (hot dog, corn dog, jalapeno cheese dog, hamburger, pizza slice, chicken sandwich... I know there's more) for $1.99. However, no matter much I'd like to, I'm trying to do the mental gymnastics on how I can justify doing that even once... I think it's wrong on quite a few levels. But, in the heat of the moment.... Do they have AM/PMs in Provo? Anyhow, if any of you find out what the special is, drop me a note. The gym routine was the same.. 45-60 minutes on the machines... that is starting to be a habit... I can do better on the diet, I popped a few small bags of peanut M&Ms, a few lonely Jolly Ranchers, and a (I found out later) a 640-calorie Strawberry Surf Rider Jamba Juice.

ON THE BIKE: Stuck in the same gear if you know what I mean... Same $399 in the account, however I spoke to both Dee and Brian (bike shop guys) and they say I can get a decent new hybrid commuter bike for that amount. Brings me full circle to JaBen's threats and shouts of "just go buy the bike!!!".... seems to maybe be a good idea. However, Steve's SOMA Double Cross at work is just very nice...truth is I didn't put a lot of thought into it this week as we're getting ready for our trip. So, I'll visit both Dee and Brian when I get back, they've both agreed to help out. I did have a dream this week that I was Jean Valjean in 18th century Paris , slogging through the sewer on the run, when a little kid on my stolen bike rides past... I chase him down, just start to muff him real good when Inspector Javert clamps down on my shoulder.... I must have issues. Speaking of JaBen.... I thought there was a "reconciliation moment" this week. We both were at the same wedding reception, and I spied him/it across the crowded floor. We both/all knew we had to talk.... I saw something in its eye suggesting we could get it done, but after we exchanged pleasantries, conditions deteriorated... he said he'd have to talk to his people, something about a pre-summit meeting, then the summit meeting, then the Alliance would have to ratify it, on and on, ad nauseum. He/it has too many masters to please. I told it my door was always open... I get home that night and there's a new slam against us on their website.... just have to press on....

ODDS N' ENDS: We rec'd two e-mails from Steven, Dean spared his area... only heavy rains. The Mission President directed that they stay inside for three full days... I guess there's only so much Bible and Book of Mormon study they could do, so they bought a bootleg copy of Transformers and Harry Potter V off of a kid outside their house for 30 pesos (how many $$$ is that?) and watched those movies in Spanish... that's my boy... says he's doing great, but is ready to really go to work.... let us know if you want his e-mails forwarded to you.... BV vs Folsom football on 9/7, we'll be there... now that Russell's not playing, BV has a new head coach and a good returning team.... don't know however, Arthur, if I'm up to wagering a dinner again this year. Arthur and Ro's boy is a great Senior player for Folsom.. they beat us 33-31 last year... anyway we'll see you at the game... Russell starts school, Michael is rejoicing for his own room... the house will be a little quieter. Girls will out number the boys...

































...and we had a small get-together at the house.




































FAQs:
1Q. You're 4 weeks in... what have you learned?

1A. That I have to go to work to lose weight... this week will be a test.

'Til next week... I can check in from Lois'.....

Brian

Week 3 -- Slowin' Down a Little

Start Weight: 226.0
Week 2 Weight: 217.7
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): 1.8
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 8.3
% Weekly Loss: 0.82
% PTD Loss: 3.67
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9


Well.... here we are again, another week has come and gone, and yes it was somewhat rougher this week than the last two. To be expected, but still the realization of slow, gradual changes hit home a bit. I thought I'd stick with the swimming pool theme as it's been very hot (102 degrees today). The pictures still aren't too flattering (honestly do I look that... uh "round in the middle" jumping in the pool?), suppose it's time to accept that. Clothes fit just a little looser, but still miles to go before I sleep. Interesting week... Hurricane Dean on Steven in Mexico, Elvis at the State Fair, and even an Alliance formed in opposition to all of our good names ... http://wwwjaben-alliance.blogspot.com/ ) So... here we go....

RESULTS: Another 1.8 lbs came off this week for a total of 8.3 lbs so far. There goes the "10 lbs in 3 weeks!!!" infomercial I had planned. I'm still on the tuna/mayo/relish/pepper/onions and Diet Pepsi for lunch with a handful of Wheat Thins. Got a lecture at home on how the diet sodas, any sodas for that matter, are just horrible for you.....had no rebuttal for that. I think they're right. Staying with the yogurt and bananas for breakfast, I did go overboard with the pistachio nuts though. One trip to In-N-Out, had a double burger, no cheese, light spread and extra veggies. Trouble is you can't even see those thin slabs of beef on the burger, let alone taste them... and yep, I had a boat of fries. And... one day I went into Winco for some bananas... happened to be at lunch time, and I came out with a slice of combo pizza and a few Elvis Pressley peanut butter/banana cups.



















Elvis and I both loved peanut butter and banana sandwiches, they had 'em deep fried at the State Fair this year. No matter how much that sounded mucho delicioso, I couldn't do it...let's just say the radio show I heard on the coroner's report of Elvis's 40-lb colon at time of his death, kind of put a damper on my appetite..... but I did pick up, let's say a few of these PB cups. Still doing the 45 minutes at work on the trainer/treadmill, about 50/50 now. I'm planning on mixing in some weight training after we come back from Utah on Labor Day.... mix up the routine for the winter months coming soon. So, all in all, I got what I deserved this week. Busted my butt at the gym, but offset that with some questionable diet. Goal is to hit 215 before we head out to Provo next Wednesday morning.

On the Bike: Nothing really except that the fund went up by $75 to $399... I rec'd a $150 safety bonus at work, if you had no reportable safety incidents for the year, $150 reward. Since I'll see about half that after taxes and such... fund now near $400. I think I better commit those funds to the bike before they happen to go somewhere else. I followed a few Craigslist leads, but bikes were not the right size and/or already sold. So, the urgency has died down a bit, but that hasn't stopped the bike brigade from piling on. If you have nothing better to do, check out their site.... and to think at one time we rode in peace and love together, they were my support group. Their tactics have now gone beyond riding.... see what they brought into a church meeting and plopped right in front of my face:



















Really leaves one speechless... decency, human kindness, etc,. have gone right out the window. I will press on with or without them.




ODDS N' ENDS: We haven't heard from Steven yet.... all the news reports we've heard is no loss of life on the Yucatan from Dean, property damage wasn't as bad as predicted, tourists got out OK, etc,.... except for this one gem and I quote, "

Officials said they had received
no reports of deaths in the Yucatan
Peninsula, though driving rain,
poor communications and impassable
roads made it difficult to determine
how isolated Mayan communities fared
in the sparsely populated jungle.
Earlier, Dean killed 13 people in
the Caribbean...."

Doesn't exactly instill complete confidence, I'm sure we'll hear soon. We're off to Provo next week, school and seminary started this week... life is pretty good.


FAQs:

I'll just pick one out this week that I'd like to respond to:

Q. I hear there was a huge party, celebrating the last episode of "So You Think You Can Dance" at JaBen's house, started at about 10:00 PM and the after-party went until about 3:00 AM. Reports are the crowd got out of control and it ended up not being very pretty. All of this on a weeknight.... were you there? and if so, what really happened?

A. I knew about the party, but was not invited... this was about the time of the bike threats I rec'd last week. I was privy to the party invite conversations, I heard that I was not "hip" enough to be there, way too old to stay up that late, etc... have been completely cast aside byJaBen.... but just as well... with all that partying going on, I understand there were eight children under the age of nine in various stages of (non) supervision at the all-nighter. I really can't comment further.

'Til next week...... Brian

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

Week 1 Low-Hanging Fruit

Start Weight: 226.0
Week 1 Weight: 222.8
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): 3.2
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 3.2
% Weekly Loss: 1.42
% PTD Loss: 1.42
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9

This picture is the worst one I've ever seen of myself... next week I will not smile at all so the cheeks won't bulge out so much.... don't know if that will help. I've got one fat face in all these pictures. Not blaming Hiroshi the photographer at all..... I'll wear the same shirt each week so we can see the gradual slimming of the love handles. Bob Lee threatened never to step foot in my house again if I went topless for the before and after photos... says he can never ever see any of that, even in jest, or for a good cause.

Week 1 is now done... only 21 more to go. I had quite a few unsolicited remarks about my creating a blog... most were remarks of surprise that someone of my age could successfully navigate the templates to get it done.... even my daughter Stacie in her testimony at church... and this is a direct quote, while sniffling with emotion the whole time, "I'm so grateful for my parents, they're always doing good things, trying to change their lives, my dad even started a blog...". So, there you have it... the community is officially surprised. I don't want to bore the few folks who might read this, so I 'll try and be somewhat brief... Format will be in sections: Results, On the Bike, Odds N' Ends, and FAQs... as always comments are appreciated.

RESULTS: I suppose just the new start and consciously laying off the high-calorie stuff got me the 3.2 lbs.. even though I did have about 1/3 of the Texas Sheet Cake at the Morford family reunion.


I did stay away from the hi-fat salads however. The kids have been giving me grief for my daily (mostly) lunch routine... go to the AM-PM by my office, buy a 32 oz diet drink of my choice, take a mayo packet, (pic) fill a relish cup, get some diced onions, a plastic fork, and some pepper packets... pay for the 32 oz drink...


then mix all the condiments up with my can of tuna, go for a ride (or walk), do some reading and call it a lunch. Kids say it's tacky, white trash, etc... seems to work though, AM-PM folks know me pretty well. This picture shows my preferred diet for the week while at work



.... anyone guess at what doesn't belong in the pic? (pic) I've been at the work gym every day before work, 45 minutes/day. The Lifecycle machine says I burn about 800 calories in 45 minutes... if that's legit, does anyone know if that's a wussy workout or not?




I train between levels 11 and 16, problem is I'm going to get tired of it in another week or so. (pic) Actually, Michael's been an inspiration... he's lost about 30 lbs in about 8 weeks (pic)..... I know it'll get tougher here on out, but it's good to have a decent start. I'm shooting for a sub-220 by next week.

On the Bike: I borrowed Hiroshi's from work... it's not gonna be a good fit, just not the right "geometry" as the bike people say. Scott (birthday lunch this week)


offered one of his bikes for a loaner... I may go take a look, but Steve at work has the one I really need. He's off this week, so I'll post a picture of it next week... so we all can fall in love together. I rode it around the parking lot a bit.... just very sweet.... feels like you can ride like the wind forever. Anyway, I cashed Grandma Pat's b-day check, took the change jar to Wells Fargo, had another small rebate check.... and I came up with $324 for the bike fund. Still a ways to go.... a thanks to those who sent me Craigslist postings, bike websites, etc... if something pops out as a great deal, I'd consider the used route... keep the suggestions coming.

More stolen bike news: Wendy and Sara found my helmet at the end of the road in some bushes in front of a house.





No sign of the bike. Wendy, Sara, and I dusted for prints, and there were some hair samples we collected and sent off to the crime lab. Now awaiting the results. Pure conjecture has my bike in South Sac somewhere... ladies at work didn't appreciate the South Sac reference, just as well could be Aiden from Granite Bay taking my bike as Jose from South Sac their thinking went.... I had no response to that. I do miss the bike rides, planning on researching the bike thing more this weekend.

ODDS N' ENDS: Steven leaves the MTC for Mexico this next Monday the 13th... we've had some great letters from him. We'll send out his address when we know it...... Glad Barry is done with 756, now maybe the Giants get something going, won't be this year.... we were at a neighborhood watch meeting last night (they didn't want to hear about a bike theft, only if we knew of any robberies, murders, etc...) a man from the county said the Gum Ranch single-family home subdivision behind us is dead for now, market conditions are such that... yada yada. Current idea is to build an assisted-living complex for older folks, from 1500-2000 units.. still has to be re-zoned, environmental impacts, etc.... more meetings to come on that. That's it.

FAQs:
1. Q. Do you wax/shave your calves and/or shins? They look so smooth...
A. No... my calves are so muscular they chafe against my pants and rub the hair off. Thanks for asking.

2. Q. Do you/will you re-touch the photos you show us here? How can we tell you are the real thing?
A. I am who I am... no re-touch necessary... I do have independent verifiers for my weigh-ins however. I can give their credentials if you wish.

3. Q. I've heard you dis the Weight Watchers (WW) program as being for "sissies" and for those "who can't do it on their own".... needing a "pat on the back for every two ounces lost", etc... Um, aren't you doing the same thing here virtually? Soliciting kudos for every life movement?
A. Uh............ nothing against WW... , whatever works... I don't recall saying that stuff, can't confirm or deny... have a great week.


Way too long this time.... 'til next week. Thanks for the comments, suggestions, and FAQs.

Brian

Week 0 - The Beginning

You are all now invited to be a FOBS: Friend of Brian Sprague.

I've started this blog for a number of reasons... whether you all check in with me or not, it's a way for me to get in shape, a type of a getting out there in the open what I need to do.

So, I'm going to chronicle my efforts here, and y'all are welcome to give encouragement, constructive criticism, etc. I'm going to have some fun with it.

Facts: (1) Just turned 48
(2) Have a brand new baby girl, Sara, almost 9 months old
(3) Scale this morning read 226.0 lbs
(4) That's way too many

Every Wednesday night between now and January 2, 2008, I'll update this blog with my progress or the lack thereof. I haven't done this before, but I'll try to put up some pictures to make it more interesting.

My goal is to be at 190 lbs or less by January 2, 2008. Any help any of you can give me along the way is appreciated. When I've reached that goal, the FOBS who has given me the most helpful tips, encouragement, etc., along the way will win a most special prize. It will be good.

So, just a quick background. I've been riding my bike to work (22 miles RT) for the past several weeks and have been feeling pretty good about it. Jake Toolson has had some great bike trail stories (I might post those here), J-Dawg and Ben-G have helped me up cardiac hill, my brother Tim has been out on the bike trail, Steve and Hiroshi at work are bikers who have talked me into doing it year-round. I've seen my good friend Arthur Baudendistel, a physical therapist here in Sacramento, on the bike trail too.

So, my flawed thinking went like this:

If I ride 22 miles a day, 5 days a week, I can eat pretty much anything I want and lose or at least maintain my weight.

Fact: I've put on about 12 lbs in 6 weeks. How? Got me thinking... could it be the bags of M&Ms in my desk at work, the bagels with cream cheese in the AM? 3X weekly stops at In-N-Out? Someone tell me.....

Another problem: I get up to ride this morning to work with J-Dawg, and my bike is gone, stolen, nowhere to be seen. It was a used bike, yes, but it was my wheels... now I've got nothing. How do I 'splain to my wife that I now need a commuter bike at around $900, which is very reasonable.... when she's been gently reminding me to put my bile away at night? Someone help me with that little bit of domestic tranquility.... Hiroshi at work has offered to let me use one of his until the time is right to bring up the $900 (low end) bike at the dinner table. So, I had to work out on the elliptical trainer at the office gym today, probably for the next several days.

So, there you have it.... I'll update each Wednesday night... if I can write my missionary son Steven each week, then I can do this too.

Again, advice on

1. Weight loss
2. Bike choice
3. Catching a bike thief
4. Marital relations
5. Anything else

It's all appreciated.... and it will be worth your while. Whatever it is... I can take it.

Brian