Kill the Fat Boy
July 18th, 2006 | by Scott |2 years ago I lost in the neighborhood of 70 pounds. Through dieting, exercise and determination I was able to shed the weight that I’ve carried around most of my life.
In that period I took up running. As I worked up to 20-25 miles a week I was able to maintain my weight and eat pretty much whatever I wanted.
However, in December I suffered a running-related injury and went to the side-lines. I have yet to regain either my consistency or will when it comes to pounding the pavement or treadmill.
As a result, I’ve added too much weight back. Close to half of it. It’s time to get serious again.
Tonight, Tracy and I do a mystery shop for an upscale steak-house here in the Waco area.
Then, tomorrow it’s back to phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. For the next two weeks I will be on the strictest part of the diet before moving into the more moderate part for however long it takes.
Two years ago, I lost all the weight without cheating. Once. I was an altar boy. Here’s hoping I can do it again.
Feel free to yell, encourage, question, cuss at me, whatever to keep me on the wagon. I’m hoping this will create in me a desire for regular running again.
Without further ado, I bid a fond farewell to these foods for the foreseeable future:
- Mazzio’s pizza buffet, and that incredible chocolate-chip pizza
- Burger King’s Extreme Spicy Tendercrisp Sandwich
- Mega M&M’s and all forms of chocolate
- Amy’s Spinach Pizza (for two weeks)
- Hamburgers
- French Fries
- Dairy Queen’s Chocolate X-treme Blizzard
- Dorito’s Spicier Nacho Chips (with the requisite bean dip)
- Popeye’s Firecracker Shrimp
- Bush’s Meal Deal
- All restaurant mystery shopping
Anyone wanna join us?
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Updated: There is a new blog if you are interested in joining along and blogging your progress. The site is cochealthnuts.wordpress.com
If you want to be added as a contributor and post your progress, email me at sfree96@yahoo.com and I will hook you up.
22 Responses to “Kill the Fat Boy”
By terri on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
I so want to join you…. Yikes - I’ve done it before, too. It IS the only way to go… I have so much trouble with commitment! Let me think some more about it…. I uh - I’m thinking, I’m thinking!
By Scott on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
Come on, Terri, you can do it. Tracy’s doing it to. We can build a community.
By John on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
I do want to do it too. My biggest challenge seems to be getting the motivation to actually get out and exercise. As for the running injury and recovery have you thought about riding a bike? It’ll give you most of the benefits of running without the pounding on the joints.
By sunny on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
Scott, Don’t know if this is of any help, but…
This past new years, I made it my goal to walk a mile a day, stop drinking cokes, etc., to lose 40 pounds and to trade in my dinner plate for the salad plate. To date, I have walked over 180 miles and lost 20 pounds. It’s slow going, but I am seeing results. I have not denied myself any of my favorites (I just watch the amount).The whole plate thing really helps with my portion control. Jason may have already told you this, but we (rather I) have stopped eating fast food. My last fast food meal was back in October of 2004 (thanks to SuperSize Me). That has really helped.
Right now, I feel like I am stuck. I have not lost anything more than 20 pounds, but your post is encouraging. I find it so difficult to get in that mile when it is 100 degrees outside. I guess that I could wake up at 2:00 am to avoid the heat. Anyways, best of luck to you! I know that you will be successful!
By Scott on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
John, my problem was not having the proper shoes (I have a severe over-pronation problem). So now, the problem is motivation more than pain. I do have a bike. I just love running more.
Sunny, I haven’t had a coke (or Mt. Dew) in over 2 years. I’m doing South Beach because it’s balanced, helps me wean off of processed foods, and worked so well the last time. Keep at it.
You should look at joining your local Y or something. I run on the treadmill when it’s 600 degrees outside.
By R-Liz (Ruthie) on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
Scott–I was just going to mention a treadmill. A year and a half ago I had hit a wall with losing my post-partum baby fat. I had about 10-15 pounds to go. It’s hard to get out and run when you have a little one, so my husband and I invested in a treadmill. The weight has since come off, and I’m still using the thing. I would recommend getting a good treadmill (probably not bought at Wal-Mart). We did some research (see http://www.treadmilldoctor.com) and found ours at Costco. We paid I think $800-$900 for ours. We’re on a tight budget, but we felt this was really worth it, and it has been.
By Scott on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
I would love a good treadmill. It’s very hard for me to get to the gym. I hate mornings and cannot get motivated to go.
My peak time is around 5 in the afternoon. That’s the time I need to be heading home. Tough.
By Matt on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
My wife and went veg (for the most part)a couple of years ago and I dropped weight pretty quickly. I plateaued, though, at my current weight because of lack of regular exercise and Ben & Jerry’s…
By tisha on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
good luck scott!!! South Beach is hard. I always seem to last the horrible first two weeks and then when I am able to have some carbs is when I slip and take a diving fall. Hopefully your will is stronger than mine. GOOD LUCK
By George Freeman on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
I’ll join in…just tell me what to eat. Did you finally get the shoes? Over pronating doesn’t even begin to describe your gait.
By JTB on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
Scott,
The running shoe for you is the Brooks “Beast.” It is great for over-pronation and is a really solidly built shoe. (If Tracy has pronation issues the same shoe for women is called the Ariel–guess the marketing people figured not too many women would want their feet encased in a “Beast.”) And in case you’re wondering why I speak so authoritatively…I worked at an orthopedic shoe store, Foot Solutions, for 2 years. I’ve seen a lot of wonky feet and sold a lot of Beasts.
By scott on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
I’ve been using the Asics Evolution. They seem to have worked very well. I’ll have to check out the “Beast” I’ve used Brooks and liked them. Can’t remember which one.
By George Freeman on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
Brooks is a cheap shoe and has for years been ok in the durable market. Having seen your gait I suggest you remain with Asics and change shoes every 200 to 300 miles.
By terri on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
I’ll do it!!! I went back to the office and made the announcement! Tonight as my last supper, I had a loaded baked potato and fudge!!!!
You don’t have to have a gym to walk! Hit the streets! Donna and I walk at least 4 miles at 5:30 a.m. That way, you’re still asleep and it doesn’t hurt so much!
By Scott on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
Terri, phase one south beach–dust off the V8 and get ready to go.
George, I think wordpress is flagging the word “gait.” That’s the only reason I can see your comments getting held up.
By Donna on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
Yep, I called Terri today and told her I had started Low Carb….before I read this! So I am in. I lost 20 lbs last year I too have gained half of it back…OK a little more than half…
Bye-Bye Blizzards…
By Borland on Jul 18, 2006 | Reply
I’m getting back on the exercise kick. Am getting ready to clean out the closet and send away all my “skinny” clothes in hopes that I’ll be able to purchase a new wardrobe about the time that Zane arrives…I’m no help on the South Beach part, but I will should and encourage on the exercise front….
By Jeff Slater on Jul 19, 2006 | Reply
Like you, I’m a runner. I ran some races last year, but when the cold and snow came here to north central Ohio, I allowed myself to get out of the habit. And the extra pounds came back.
So I’m in. I am NOT going to diet, but I am going to get back to running and biking. My wife recently lost 10 pounds using Weight Watchers and walking, so I need to get with it. She deserves a husband who is in better shape than I am!
By Jeff on Jul 19, 2006 | Reply
“Bid me run and I will strive with things impossible.”
Get outside. Watch the clouds. Feel your heart pounding. Glory in the sweat flowing like a river and pooling in your shoes.
Critical: Don’t wait until you pass your daily energy peak to plan your run!
Like you, I’m a mid-afternoon runner - I literal start squirming around lunch time to get outside. I wish I were a morning runner (Trisha is), but I’m not and lack the discipline to do things I really don’t like. But if I keep putting off my daily run past, say, 6pm, I’m on the downside of my energy peak and often find I can’t get motivated to leave the house once I’m home with the girls.
I pack a gym bag with me to the office, break away by 4pm, put in my miles, shower and change and either go back to the office (if there’s more to do) or go home by 5:30 to spend the rest of the evening with Trish, Molly and Macy.
Schedule your runs - put them on your calendar - give yourself time.
You can do it!
By Scott on Jul 19, 2006 | Reply
Jeff, thanks for the encouragement. I really need it right now.
The problem for me is that between 4 and 6 is my peak time. But I need to be home around 5. It’s hard for me to break off in the middle of my study to get to the gym before 5-5:15. After dinner, there’s no way I’m doing it.
I’m trying to schedule at 4. Hopefully, this will give me the motivation.
By Dan on Jul 19, 2006 | Reply
I had great results with SB Phase 1, and haven’t gained any back. And I was never hungry. Plus, I work out in the mornings. Consider weight training as well. It’s worked really well for me, and I know you’ve had experience. That extra muscle will burn calories more efficiently than running alone. Good luck.
By Scott on Jul 19, 2006 | Reply
Dan? Great to see you.
Yep, Phase 1 is the best. It’s a long two weeks but it’s how I lost 70 the first time around.