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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!
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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?
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Thin-spirational Reads would have sounded better, but it doesn’t go with my theme of Operation Trim, so here you go.
There have always been self-help books for weight loss and fitness. I’ve even read a couple of them. Many say the same shit – trying to get you to go on some fad diet that works in the short-term, but in the long-term you have to revisit because once you go off of that “diet” you gain everything back. When I started Operation Trim, a friend of mine tried to get me to sign up for a weight-loss program she was involved with that used a series of shakes as meal replacement. Now, I am not knocking this system. This works for many people, and her intentions were good, but I declined because I had no desire to go on a program that had me eating anything other than real food. Weight Watchers for Men has me eating real meals, just smaller, and more closely monitored, and not only have I lost over 20 lbs so far (at a slow and steady pace) but I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.
Anyway, this post is about books. The three I have chosen to share are all based in “reality” – realistic plans that produce realistic results. The first one, Drop Dead Healthy by Esquire contributor, A.J. Jacobs (no relation) is a chronicle of his two-year plan to become as healthy as possible. The April issue of Esquire highlights some of the nuggets of the book such as the treadmill originally being invented as a torture device, or how multi-vitamins don’t really do anything or how there is a lack of any sort of benefit to a juice cleanse. I feel like this would be a good read for anyone looking to really get started on a path of just being a healthier person rather than on any one specific diet. I’ll read it.
Weight Loss Boss: How to Finally Win at Losing–and Take Charge in an Out-of-Control Food World
David Kirchhoff is the man behind the plan that I use, Weight Watchers for Men. In fact, he is CEO of the entire company. I’ve stated it before, and I’ll say it again – I now swear by this plan. I eat everything I had eaten before, just less of it. Yesterday I was hungry all day long. So I ate. I earned 6 activity points for running on the elliptical yesterday, and I used them all. I even had two glasses of wine. It was just one of those days. And do I feel guilty like I just destroyed all the effort I’ve put into my plan to this point? Hell no! I feel fine. I feel better than fine! I feel healthy! This book comes out on May 8th. I’ll probably give it a read…while I’m on vacation someplace warm, sitting on the beach, not feeling self-conscious about my shirtless torso in the least.
Eat This, Not That! 2012: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution
David Zinczenko from Men’s Health magazine has turned a simple column into a successful series of books. Eat This, Not That is perfect for a guy like me. I’m constantly on the road for work, and often find myself hungry with nothing in sight save for a McDonald’s, Burger King, or some other ubiquitous fast food option. These books help you make better choices in these situations. So instead of ordering a Big Mac with fried and a Coke, I instead order the grilled chicken sandwich without mayo, and a side of bbq sauce, seltzer, and no fries. Really, who needs fries? Sure, they are delicious, but don’t you feel just a little bit dirty after eating them? You can stick to your plan, and enjoy your meal while eating at these places. These books are filled with healthier suggestions. I only own the original version, but I do recommend any of them to anyone who has trouble making healthier choices.
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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…
