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I had a minor setback last week (which actually must have started the week prior.) While running on a weird elliptical at a hotel, I felt a little discomfort in my right ankle. I didn’t think much of it at the time. This was a Thursday. The following Saturday I went for a long run. After the run I felt some strain in my left hamstring, and the right ankle hurt like hell. I thought I’d twisted it or sprained it. Last week I decided to stay off it. I gave my legs a rest with the exception of 30 minutes on the elliptical at my gym one day. With a mix of icing, Advil, and rest both legs started to feel better by the end of the week. On Saturday I attempted a 3.5 mile run. My hamstring felt fine, but by the end my ankle was barking. There’s no bruising, no swelling, just pain and the occasional “snapping” of the tendon. I honestly have no idea what I did.
Sunday we had rain, and yesterday I did the elliptical. No pain. I will attempt a 5 mile run tomorrow. I like the Wednesday afternoon runs. Going out around 5:00 the streets in my neighborhood are fairly empty. It’s just the beginning of rush hour, and most people are either in the subway, or on the BQE. Anyway, the whole minor injury thing made me realize that some weeks I need to take it down a notch. I have been working out a lot; especially running. I hate lifting weights. I hate being in the gym. It’s a necessary part of fitness training, I know, but I still don’t like it. I enjoy the solitude of putting on my headphones and going for a solo run. It’s a great workout, and it’s relaxing at the same time. I wish I’d started years ago. Oh, did I mention I lost another 1/2 pound? Not a great week, but considering I couldn’t run at all, I’ll take it.
Here’s the good news – last week, I was in Manhattan and passed the Levis store. Normally I don’t bother going in because I have enough jeans, but lately my 501′s bad felt kind of baggy. Levis was offering 30% off many styles, so I figured I’d give it a try. I decided to try the 514′s which are straight like the 501′s, but are slimmer and have a zip fly. I have no interest in wearing “skinny” jeans ever. Slim I can handle. I tried them on in my normal size, 34 x 30, and you know what? They were too big. I was elated when the 33 x 30′s fit perfectly. So, naturally I bought them. They’re a dark raw finish, but not selvedge. I don’t bother with selvedge. I should have bought a second pair in a slightly distressed finish. I may go back this week and pick up a pair. And who knows, I may be heading back in a couple of months to buy 32′s. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, right? Baby steps.
I’m just over 10 lbs away from my goal of 165. This weekend I join my fraternity brothers for our 45th anniversary alumni weekend. There will be beer, and cold cheese pizza, and greasy spoon diners. Will I indulge? Absolutely! Will I overdo it? I don’t plan on it. 165, here I come!
Like this:
Another week down, another few ounces down. It was not a great loss this week, but not terrible either. At least I didn’t gain anything, right? Passover was easy. It was the three days that followed that were detrimental. I broke Passover Saturday night over a poker game complete with beer, chips, pizza, and Oreo cookies. I said I would only eat four cookies…I said. Everybody knows you can’t put an entire package of Oreos in front of a guy who LOVES Oreos, and expect him to eat only four. Then, on Sunday I had a bagel, a couple of beers in the afternoon, and a little pasta at night. Then yesterday I planned on eating not much at all in preparation for my weigh-in, but ended up at a friend’s family house last night to pay a shiva call, and of course there was ruggaleh…
Anyone who says they don’t have a single food weakness is a liar. We all have them. The trick is to fight the cravings. Even if you manage to do that 99.9% of the time, there will always be those moments of weakness. I’m not perfect, and Weight Watchers is not a perfect plan, but it’s still working. Hopefully I’ll drop at least a pound next week. But if it’s less than a pound, but still a loss, so be it. Slow and steady wins the race.
And speaking of races, I’ve signed up for two. I’m running a 4 mile race in Central Park the first week in June, and a 10K on Governor’s Island the last week in June. Last week I tweaked my left hamstring, and did something to a tendon in my right ankle. They’re both a little sore & stiff, and may keep me from jogging this week, but I’m not worried about long-term delays. And in other news, Kristina and I have booked a little vacation for mid-May to the Caribbean. All the more reason for me to stick to my plan. Who doesn’t want to look good on the beach, right?
Like this:
Passover is one week out of the year when the Jewish people, my people remember the Israelites Exodus from Egypt. It is also the week that I had traditionally used to drop a few unwanted pounds. Because we are not allowed to consume any sorts of leavened wheat products this week (among other leavened products) I am limited to fruits, vegetables, proteins, and if I choose to eat matzo, small amounts of carbs. This week I do not eat bread, cereal, oatmeal, chips of any sort (I have a Doritos weakness), pasta, beer, or whisky, plus beans, rice, corn, etc. I am certainly not the strictest of Jews, but I feel what I do benefits me spiritually and in helping to add a little boost to my weight loss.
This week I lost 1.3 lbs. With the way I have been eating so far this week, I would not be surprised if I managed to lose another 2 lbs or so by next Tuesday. I feel great! My pants are loose. Medium shirts are fitting me. I’m running without pain. It’s awesome! And lately I have been on this smoked fish kick which is probably helping me out as well. Lots of protein and healthy oils in fish. In fact, all this week I have been eating smoked salmon on matzo crackers with a bit of cream cheese and a caper for breakfast. It’s been wonderful. And it’s only a handful of Weight Watchers points. The crackers are about 4 points, the fish 2 points, the cream cheese another 2 points.
I realize though after looking at today’s photos that I either need to 1) sleep more, or 2) take the photos after I’ve returned from the gym, and have showered, or both. I have a great DSLR. I should have my wife take my photos in front of a blank wall. I think it would be more flattering. Not that this is about vanity…well, yes it is. Partly. It’s about my health, vanity, and sticking to a plan in order to achieve a goal. I am 11.6 pounds away from my goal of 165. Perhaps I’ll get there and realize I need to drop another 5 lbs, and I’m ok with that. Or maybe I will be satisfied. We’ll see…
Lost weight again this week. Almost 1 lb. Good, but not great. I attribute this almost entirely to running. Yeah, I ate well for most of the week. This past weekend though, oh man. I never go out drinking late anymore. This past weekend, however I stayed out late both Friday & Saturday, drank a considerable amount, and sang karaoke…both nights. But I also ran 4 times last week including twice over the weekend. It makes a difference.
This week will be a bit more of a challenge. I travel today and tomorrow. Luckily I am staying at a good hotel with a good gym. Hopefully I get home early enough on Wednesday to go out for a run before Kristina gets home. Then on Thursday I am going to Opening Day at Citi Field. I am going with a friend who is also using Weight Watchers, so my guess is we’ll both do our best to keep the bad food and beer consumption to a minimum. Then Friday night is the first Passover Seder. Contrary to popular belief (amongst the non-Jews) this is never a light meal. True, we don’t eat any bread, and don’t drink any beer, but matzoh is heavy. Matzoh balls are heavy. The wine is heavy. We eat brisket! I hope it doesn’t break my mother’s heart when I only take about half the food I normally do. They’re all on Weight Watchers too, so my guess is we’ll be ok.
So, now I know what it feels like to lose 20+ lbs. Can’t wait to lose some more!
