• 05Jul

    Progress Report: The Centennial

    Progress Report 1 Comment

    …and we’re baaacccckkk!

    Sorry for the haitus, everyone. I took a much longer time off than I expected, but here I am, back at it again and ready to share more of my regular, not-so-interesting life with you all.

    Anyway, I promised pictures. Below, you will find an album of pictures from our Honeymoon in Hawaii. It was an incredible vacation, one of the best of my life, and these pictures can’t do enough to describe how truly amazing it was.

    Whilst the wedding and it’s aftermath certainly took its toll on me, I also wanted to say that I bounced back with a vengance (Die Hard 3, nailed it.). Anyway, I didn’t really do much working out on the old honeymoon, even though I planned to, (I did climb a crater, though!), so I ended up gaining back some of the weight that I’d lost. That was expected though.

    It’s been tough getting back into the swing of things, but I’ve managed to do OK so far. I’ve trimmed off all the weight I put on, and then some. As of yesterday morning, July 4, I was down to 214 lbs. That’s exactly 100 lbs. down from my highest recorded weight. It was a pretty awesome feeling stepping on that scale and seeing myself finally hit that number.

    I’m not done, yet, though. I have plenty more to go, and I know I can take it off. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing. It’s OK if this last part comes off a little slower than the first. I have, I guess, the rest of my life to take it off, although I’m not patient enough to wait that long…

    As promised, here are the pictures from the honeymoon. I’ll be back tomorrow with another update!

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  • 05Jun

    Final Pre-Wedding Weigh-in: Friday, June 5, 2009

    Weekly Weigh-in No Comments

    Hello everyone. Well, the day has come. We had the rehearsal dinner tonight, but I wanted to post this before tomorrow…because, well, I don’t think I’m going to have time tomorrow…

    Original Weight: 297 lbs.
    Last Week’s Weight: 218 lbs.
    This Week’s Weight: 216 lbs.
    +/-: -2  lb.
    Goal Met? yep!
    Weight Lost since 7/6: 81 lbs.
    Total Weight Loss: 98 lbs.

    Well, Like I said a couple weeks ago, I’m not quite there…but, I have dropped 98 lbs. since my highest recorded weight, not to mention several pants and shirt sizes. I’m extremely proud of the work that I’ve done, and I will continue to work hard to hit my goal.

    I’m also proud to finally marry the woman I have loved for the last eight years. It was surreal seeing her walk down the aisle tonight, and it wasn’t even the actual wedding. Tomorrow is going to be a wonderful day. Thank you very much to everyone that has been involved in this process (Mr. and Mrs. B, Dad, Joe, Bridesmaids and Groosmen, etc.). We couldn’t have done this without you, not just the wedding stuff, but you’ve been there for our entire relationship, so thank you.

    Also, thanks to everyone that has kept up with my weight loss trials and tribulations through my little corner of cyberspace. It’s been a battle, but many times, the only reason I won is because I was able to use this forum to keep myself honest and accountable. So thank you all for that.

    Not that I’m going anywhere…well, maybe just for a week, but still….I’m going to hit this goal, even if it takes me the rest of the year (It won’t, don’t worry…). So, I’ll continue to update the blog, so keep checking back to see my progress with weight loss and in my first year as a married man.

    Thanks again everyone. I promise to get you a wrap up of the wedding and post some pictures as soon as I can.

    More….at some point…

    Song of the Day: Everything - Michael Buble. This is going to be Wendy and my first dance, so I had to go with it.

    -Brett

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  • 31May

    Weekly Weigh-In: Sunday, May 31, 2009

    Weekly Weigh-in 2 Comments

    Hello Everybody. We’re getting close…we’re less than one week from the big day. I haven’t eaten that well this week or this weekend, so let’s see the stats:

    Original Weight: 297 lbs.
    Last Week’s Weight: 217 lbs.
    This Week’s Weight: 218 lbs.
    +/-: +1  lb.
    Goal Met? no…
    Weight Lost since 7/6: 79 lbs.
    Total Weight Loss: 96 lbs.

    So yeah, just like I suspected, I’m up a pound this week. You know what, though? That’s OK. I was just thinking about it today how it’s OK if I have a bad day or even a bad week every now and again. It may set me back a little, but not a lot…and it certainly keeps me sane. Sometimes, you just have to eat some terrible food. It happens. I certainly paid for it, but like I said, it’s OK.

    I have one more week until the wedding, and I’m about 18 lbs. away from my goal. No matter what I do this week, there’s no way I’m going to hit 200 lbs. by June 6th. However, that’s perfectly OK. I’ve dropped more weight in the last year or so than I ever thought possible. I’m not going to stop. I’m going to press on. I’m going to hit that goal, it’ll just take a little longer than expected.

    And, as Stuart Smalley used to say on SNL, That’s…ok…It’s been a valiant effort of running, weight lifting and really teaching myself portion control (every time I say that, it makes me think of a very inappropriate Prince song…). Never in one million years did I ever think I had it in me to be able to do this. Even if I don’t lose another pound, I’ve done this much. I’m on the cusp of being 100 lbs. slimmer than my highest recorded weight. I had no surgery, I didn’t cut out carbs, I didn’t read any books or manuals or anything like that. It was based on sheer will power, and I’m proud of myself for that.

    Like I said, this quest isn’t over, and neither is the blog. I’ll keep going until I hit my goal. I went to the doctor the other day, and he told me I’d added 20 years to my life expectancy by dropping all this weight. That’s pretty cool to hear.

    Anyway, we have plenty of wedding stuff to do. I’ll try to keep you abreast of what’s going on as much as I can, and I’ll definitely post some pictures after the big day so you can all see them.

    Thanks for sticking with me. It’s been a battle, but all of you have been right in the trenches with me, especially my family, friends and fiancee…soon to be wife…very soon.

    Now, if we can only get this wedding to go as smoothly as this weight loss thing…

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

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  • 28May

    Progress Report: The Saga Ends…We Hope…

    Progress Report 1 Comment

    Hello everyone. So, I posted a somewhat lengthy update on the wedding situation, but for those of you that haven’t made it below this post yet, here’s a quick recap:

    -The Holiday Inn, our reception location, lost its liquor license last October. They told us they’d have it back by January…then February…then March…then May. They didn’t get it back. So, earlier this week, we had a meeting to determine what we needed to do. Wendy, her dad and yours truly met with our FIFTH wedding coordinator since we started this process. We were moving forward with buying our own alcohol. Wendy’s dad met with the bartender, who turned out to be really nice and very willing to help. He had a list and was ready to make a purchase. Now you’re up to date.

    So, we were moving forward when Wendy got two calls from the Holiday Inn earlier today…they got their liquor license back…today. Everything goes back to the way it was originally. They take care of the alcohol, and we don’t have to worry about it. On one hand, this is reassuring, because it’s one less thing to worry about. On the other, it’s infuriating, because we’ve had to worry about it for months. What the hell, Holiday Inn…what the hell?

    Anyway, as far as I go, I was really happy with my tux fitting. I ended up getting into a size 46 coat. That still seems a little on the large side, however, my last couple suits were size 54. That’s quite a bit of size I’ve taken down. I also bought some new shorts over the weekend…size 36. I was wearing size 44 when I started this thing. I’m happy about that.

    Well, it’s been a somewhat stressfull week, and I haven’t responded accordingly. I’ve eaten pretty terrible so far, with the worst being a hearty meal from Taco Bell before bowling on Wednesday. I know I shouldn’t have…but it was delicious.

    Also, my left foot has been hurting again, so I haven’t been able to run. I was able to on Monday, but after that, my foot just started aching more and more. It’s a little swollen, but getting better. I hope I can get back out there tomorrow. I’ve hit the bike in the meantime, but it’s just not the same to me.

    Song of the Day: Don’t Stop Believing - Journey. I know I’ve used this song before, but I thought it was appropriate. At the end of the day next Saturday, Wendy and I will be married, and that’s really all that matters.

    Oh, and all of you guests can have your booze now. I guess that’s important too.

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

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  • 27May

    Progress Report: 10

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    Hello everyone. Today is quite a milestone in the whole wedding event schedule…today, we’re 10 days away from the big day. We’re 10 days away from D-Day (yes, the actual D-Day…no joke…).

    While being 10 days away is very exciting, it’s also very nerve-racking, because there is still so much left to do. I think I should give you an update on our ‘what can go wrong, will go wrong’ wedding planning:

    -A while ago, I reported that the Holiday Inn lost their liquor license. After that, I reported that they’d been bought out, so everything was fine. Well, turns out that just getting bought out isn’t enough to get your liquor license back, and even though they promised they’d have it back by early January….or early February…or early March…or May 18…none of those things happened. It’s now May 27, and they still don’t have it. What this means is, we have to buy all of our own alcohol and bring it in, which in the long run may save us a little money, but is also a huge hassle. Fun.

    -I reported, I think, about getting measured for my tux…maybe I didn’t, now that I think about it. Well, anyway, I got fitted for my tux last Saturday, the drop-dead last day that they would allow me to be fitted. Well, everyone else had gotten theirs on time like I asked (thanks guys!), so this shouldn’t have been a big deal. Well, of course, it was. Apparently, whoever fitted my brother for his tux in Kansas City nearly messed the whole order up. I had measurements in for my tux that I hadn’t been measured for yet. At first, we freaked, because we thought everyone’s measurements had ended up in each other’s places, which is not good, considering we have three different colored vests for the tuxes. After going through each groomsman and father, though, it appears everyone’s measurements were in tact and there was just an extra set for me. I think the best case scenario is that we only have one extra tux that we can send back because we don’t need it. So, that will work out…I hope…

    -I don’t think I’ve posted anything about Wendy’s wedding dress saga with “I Do I Do Bridal” in Chesterfield, Mo. I’ll have to let her get on here and describe it in detail, but simply put, it was a horrendus experience for not only her, but her mother and all of her bridesmaids. The store continually lied to all of them about their dresses, and when caught, were unapologetic, saying only that “Sometimes they have to lie to brides, or they’ll go crazy.” I know there probably aren’t a lot of Missouri brides reading this blog, but if you are, please do not go to I Do I Do Bridal in Chesterfield, Mo. Wendy’s not the only person that we know who has had problems with them. They already have an “F” rating in the better business bureau, so that should tell you something. Honestly, ladies, do yourself a favor and avoid that place at all costs.

    I think that’s everything that’s gone unreported so far. Obviously, if I think of more, I’ll let you know.

    Song of the Day: Dance, Dance - Fall Out Boy. We also had our meeting with the DJ last week, and that went surprisingly well. We’re ready to put on our dancing shoes!

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

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  • 26May

    Progress Report: My New Toy

    Progress Report No Comments

    Hello everyone. I’m typing to you all from my same comfy chair. However, you as all now in the palm of my hand…literally. My lovely future wife in 11 days got me my wedding gift a little early, a new iPhone!

    Now, you all can hear from me wherever I may find myself. Work? Sure. Airport? Why not? A luxurious tropical paradise? You know it.

    It was a busy day, and I have a wedding update, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I wanted to attempt the iPhone blog update. Great success!

    What did I get my bride to be? A cold. get well soon, Widge.

    More tomorrow.

    Brett

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  • 23May

    Weekly Weigh-In: Tux Fitting Day (Saturday, May 23, 2009)

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    I know it’s a day early, but the day has come for me to be fitted for my tuxedo…we’re officially two weeks away. Here are the stats:

    Original Weight: 297 lbs.
    Last Week’s Weight: 221 lbs.
    This Week’s Weight: 217 lbs.
    +/-: -4 lb.
    Goal Met? Yeah!
    Weight Lost since 7/6: 80 lbs.
    Total Weight Loss: 97 lbs.

    That’s what I’m talking about. I’m still 17 lbs. away from my goal, but I still have two more weeks. I don’t think I’ll get all the way down to 200 lbs., but I think I can get pretty close. Men’s Warehouse will just have to deal with it and get me new stuff if it doesn’t fit!

    Also, I don’t think I explained this last week, but I added the Total Weight Loss line to the stats. Wendy always gives me crap for saying that I’ve only lost what’s listed in the stats. However, I had lost about 17 lbs. before I started keeping the stats. My highest weight on record, confirmed by my doctor, was 314 lbs. So, that’s the explanation for the last line in the stats. I’m really only three pounds away from having lost 100 lbs…that’s just insane.

    Anyway, I’m off to the Warehouse for Men to get fitted. I can’t believe we’re just two weeks out.

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

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  • 20May

    Progress Report: Rollin’

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    Hello everyone. I’m happy to report I’m feeling a little better today. The run this morning was a little rough, but I powered through, because that’s how I roll.

    Anyway, tonight was the second night of my bowling league with my boys Alex, Josh and Mike. I didn’t bowl very well this week, so let’s revisit last week when I set my average at 180 with a 540 series. In league play, you bowl three games each week and total your team points. There are handicaps and whatnot worked in, but you win two points per game and one point for overall total pins, for a total of seven.

    Well, last week, our first week, I bowled a 191, a 167 and a 182, for a total of 540. We set our averages last week, with mine ending up at 180, which is just insane. There’s no way I can live up to that. My high game this week was a 151, so, not even close.

    I always have dinner with the guys before bowling…well, we used to eat afterwards, but now we eat before. Today, we hit Imo’s pizza…St. Louis-style thin crust…which I love. I tried to take down a salad, but I coudln’t do it. I went for the small pizza with sausage and black olives. I’ll probably pay for that Sunday, but it was so good, I don’t care.

    Also, I went in to work early because Wendy and I met with the D.J. this afternoon, which was very relieving. We set a lot of things, including most of the schedule. It was a great meeting, and it really put us both at ease about the reception a little bit. This thing’s really starting to come together, which is good, because it’s 17 days away…

    Song of the Day: 21 Guns - Green Day. I’m sticking with Green Day, because that’s really all I’ve been listening to since the album came out.

    Just a couple more days until the tux fitting, and I have to put in some work after tonight’s meal. I’ll get there, though.

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

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  • 19May

    Progress Report: Beneath the Weather

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    Hello everyone. I’m feeling a little cold-ish right now, which isn’t good, but it hasn’t stopped me from getting to the gym. I hit the weights this morning. I was woozy, but I still did it.

    I’m interested to see how tomorrow morning goes with the running though. Lifting weights is one thing, but I need to breathe a lot more during a run, so, we’ll see.

    I guess I caught the cold over the weekend when I spent pretty much all day and night Saturday outside without a coat on (sorry, mom…) and Sunday afternoon at the ballgame when Wendy and I were sitting in a wind tunnel. Seriously, it was so unbelievably cold.

    Anyway, somewhere in there I caught some sort of cold or something, and it hasn’t been a fun couple of days, especially since we’re about 18 days away from the wedding, so it’s just been insanely busy.

    I want to point out something to everyone who may not know this exists, because I didn’t until I needed it. Anyone looking for a good, low-calorie lunch needs to look no further than their local Jimmy John’s sandwich shop. The best part is the Jimmy John’s website. It has a nutritional counter that allows you to select a sandwich and add or subtrack elements from it, while automatically recalculating the nutritional facts with each change. It’s awesome.

    So yeah, I wrote this entire post about how I had an ‘unwich’ which features a lettuce wrap instead of bread and how Wendy and I had Subway for dinner because our meeting with our minister got moved back a half our while we were en route, but my internet went out and I lost the second half of it. Sorry everyone, but I don’t remember what exactly I said, so you’ll have to settle for this brief synopsis.

    Song of the Day: Know Your Enemy - Green Day. Green Day’s new album just came out. It’s really good, not quite as good as American Idiot a couple years ago, but it’s a concept album, which is really cool.

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

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  • 18May

    Progress Report: Happy (Belated) Birthday Wendy

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    Hello everyone. I’m back, and I’d like to wish Wendy a very happy, yet late, birthday. She celebrated her 26th year of life last Thursday, and we had a pretty good night celebrating.

    For her birthday, I bought a pair of tickets to the Elton John and Billy Joel Face to Face concert at the Scottrade Center. I have to say, it was probably one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Elton and Billy played for more than three and a half hours. Not bad for two guys in their golden years.

    They seriously played almost every song in their catalogs. They started together, then each played a separate set, then came back together for some of their biggest hits, ending with the ever-so-popular, Piano Man by Mr. Joel.

    It was an incredible show. If any of you have the chance to go see it, go. Don’t hesitate, just do it. I promise, you won’t regret it.

    Song of the Day: Your Song - Elton John. Even though most people thought Billy Joel was the best of the night, Sir Elton blew me away with his piano playing.

    “And you can tell everybody, that this is your song. It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done. I hope you don’t mind. I hope you don’t mind, how I put down in words, how wonderful life is, now you’re in the world.”

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

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