You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Operation Trim’ category.
Gained a few in Saba. Lost 2 of those pounds last week. I could have lost more, but I ate like crap towards the end of the week, and had a pitcher+ of beer on Sunday. Most of it was Coors Light, but still. I tried running Sunday morning, but could only do 3 miles and change thanks to my left hamstring tightening up on me again. My right ankle has been fine, but I was bringing an old piece of furniture to the curb on Sunday, and accidentally hit the top of my right foot. I ran to the gym Monday morning and it felt fine, but it hurts to the touch. I have less than two weeks before my Central Park 4 Mile Celebrate Israel race. I plan to take it easy most of this week, get in a good run on Sunday, and kill it next week. Sorry if it sounds like I am being self-loathing. I’m not. Just psyching myself up to do better (and to be more careful.)
In other news, I have had some friends ask me about losing weight. For whatever reason they are reluctant to join Weight Watchers for Men. I don’t know why. I don’t even think of it as a diet. It’s a tool to help you balance your food consumption. I still eat a lot of the same things I was eating before – just less of it, and not as frequently. To anyone out there looking to drop 5, 10, 20 or more pounds, I highly recommend joining. It has helped me to remain focused (last two weeks not included), and in addition to these posts every Tuesday morning, it makes me accountable to someone/something other than myself.
You may notice the large pile of crap behind me in the top photo. Yes, that’s still the pile I intend to post to eBay, or just to a SHOP page here on Crabapple (to start). We have guests in town for the long weekend, so it would probably be in my best interest to try to clean up the room before then. The weekend will also be a challenge as this is the first real holiday weekend since I started Operation Trim back in January. I’m sure we’ll go out to dinner, and indulge in a few beers, etc. Actually, I did that throughout most of April and May, and have basically remained stagnant for that period of time (mid 170′s) so I should be ok. It will be fun. What does everyone else have planned for the weekend?
Whoops! What happened? I’ll tell you what happened – The Caribbean is what happened. Kristina and I just spent 5 days on St. Maarten & Saba (more about that later this week, or next – whenever I can find time to get to it). I ate more than usual, drank more than usual, didn’t sleep the way I usually do, and let’s face it, I didn’t exercise nearly enough. Caribbean hotels (the ones we stayed in) didn’t even have gyms. I did get in one run (our first morning), and we did do a very strenuous 3-4 mile hike on our second day (in Saba – more on that later), but it just wasn’t enough. Am I worried? Nah. Once I get back into my regular routine I should be able to shed those 2.7 pounds and more fairly quickly. It’s probably all water weight anyway, right?
I’ve also decided to change my ultimate goal from 165 to 160. Last week, I was hovering around the 170 mark, and realized that even with all the weight I have lost I still have quite the belly. I attribute this to my enjoyment of alcoholic beverages, and to not doing enough abs exercises. I figured the running would help that. Maybe it has. Maybe it hasn’t. Maybe I just continue to look in the mirror and see the same thing, when in reality my mid section has actually shrunk. I don’t know. Kristina says I look slimmer around the middle. It’s hard, when you’ve seen yourself one way for so long to accept that you really do look different.
Until next week…
Here I am; over four months into my physical transformation. Another .9 down this week, over 20 pounds lost at an average of around 5 pounds per month, or just over a pound per week. This I think is not bad. It’s not great either. There are many out there who are able to lose a lot more than I have to date, and are keeping it off. But there’s a difference. I haven’t stopped enjoying beer and pizza and ice cream and M&M’s. I don’t eat these things as often as I once did, and certainly not in the portion sizes to which I was once accustomed, but because I have kept these things in my diet to a certain degree I have managed to lose weight while keeping my body used to this sort of “junk food,” and in turn should be able to keep the weight off once I reach my ultimate goal of 165…it’s just taking me a little bit longer to get there.
So I didn’t drop to 172 before going to the islands. So what? I feel comfortable with my current weight. I am fitting into smaller clothes. if you can see the pile behind me in the top photo you’ll see it’s made up of items pulled from my closet that are just way too big at this point. Once I get back from vacation, I will put many of these items up for sale. Going to try a “shop” through this site before I go the eBay route, just to give it a try. If you wear a men’s Large from J.Crew, or size 34 pants, there may be something in there for you. Good prices – trust me.
Since starting Weight Watchers & Operation Trim I have noticed that many friends of mine have also made the commitment to losing the excess pounds, and committing to a healthier lifestyle. For my Week 21 post (yes, mathletes that’s 2 weeks out) I want to post before/after photos of some of you for inspiration to others. Even if you are in the midst of a longer program (like me) I still think it is exciting to see these transformations, and who knows, you may even be an inspiration to others. I’ll start it off (below). If interested, please send me (2) photos dated, and with your weight in each photo. If you are still working towards a lower number, send me that number as well. Like so…
Now, it’s your turn. Please send photos to crabapplenyc@gmail.com.
I’ve passed mile marker 175, and I’m in the 10 pound home stretch. It’s been a fun journey, and I have enjoyed seeing the results of my hard work. With the outdoor drinking and barbecue and beach season just around the corner I will need to remain diligent and focused. Next week, Kristina and I leave for a 5 day trip to St. Maarten in the Caribbean. I have 10 days to try to lose another two pounds or so. I’d like to get to the island hovering just above 170. So, for the next 10 days I will eat only protein, fruit, and vegetables after breakfast. I will do some sort of exercise every day. AND, I will not drink. This will be ever harder since Saturday is Cinco De Mayo. While I am not Mexican, I’m sure friends will want to throw back a couple margaritas. I will just have to decline. I could say I will limit myself to 1-2 beers, but what’s the fun in that? I even thought of challenging myself. Yeah, I thought that maybe if I could run 6 miles on Saturday morning, then I could treat myself to a few drinks Saturday night. OR, I can run six miles, and NOT drink anything Saturday night, and THEN get up Sunday morning and run again. What do we think? Yeah, I think I will save my drinking for the beach.
This past weekend, I was up in Oneonta, NY for my fraternity’s 45th anniversary alumni weekend. We had an amazing time hanging out and catching up over beers, etc. However, one of the highlights of the weekend was the 5.3 mile run a few of us completed Saturday morning. One brother – let’s call him Crazy in Shape for an Old Guy Chris – led the way through the wooded hills behind Hartwick College. I thought I was getting to be a pretty decent runner until I did this. The steep inclines are a new thing for me. I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I had to walk a little bit of the way, but I managed to get through the whole thing. I was exhausted afterwards, but neither my leg or my ankle hurt afterwards. Later that day, another brother – let’s call him Crazy Former Marine Current Cop Carved Out of Wood Ian – said he wanted to run up to campus Sunday morning, and invited me along. Reluctantly I accepted his challenge. The next morning, however we all agreed that we were too hung over to attempt it. Such is life after a quality bender.
I find that I have a pile of clothing building up in my closet that is either in the eBay pile, give away pile, or tailor pile. This is a good thing, right? It’s amazing what a difference 24 lbs really makes in how your clothes fit. Last week I threw on my go-to Gant navy blazer for a couple of business meetings, and lo & behold I was swimming in the damn thing. That one is going in the tailor pile. I already brought my tailor a few items last week; looks like I’ll be bringing him some more. Stay tunes for a preview of my eBay store. Spread the word. You may even find something you’d like to buy!
