• 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!

    Tags: , , , , , ,

  • 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

    Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

  • 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

    Tags: , , , , , , ,

  • 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

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • 23May

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

    Progress Report No Comments

    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

    Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

  • 20May

    Progress Report: Rollin’

    Progress Report No Comments

    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

    Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

  • 06May

    Progress Report: And Then There Was One

    Progress Report No Comments

    One…as in one month until D-Day…which also happens to be the day Wendy and I are getting married. It’s been a long time coming, but there isn’t much time left before the big day.

    We still have plenty to do, but it’s definitely an exciting day. I’ve only got about two weeks of hardcore weight loss left…really hard to believe when I think back to starting this whole process. I’ve ran many miles, eaten a lot of chicken, changed jobs and started a blog. It’s been an exciting year, leading only to more excitement.

    You know what’s not exciting? A drunken Cinco de Mayo brawl outside your apartment at 1:00 a.m. Yeah, that happened. These guys that live on the floor above us had a party last night, which was really loud. This isn’t the first time they’ve been loud, but this one was definitely the worst. While they spent all night going up and down the stairs, basically yelling the whole time, around 12:30 a.m. it got out of hand. A group of them, standing DIRECTLY in front of our apartment decided to get into a shouting match, over what, I don’t know. This shouting match turned into a shoving match, which turned into a full-on fight.

    Apparently, at one point, someone went upstairs and kicked in the door to the apartment. This same person also decided it was necessary to punch or kick out all the exterior lights that line our level of the apartment. The police finally showed up and broke it up. I talked with the landlords today, who told me the people are getting evicted due to the property damage.

    Now, I’ve professed my nerdity many times on this here blog, but that just doesn’t sound like a good time to me. Drinking until your friends get you evicted from your apartment…not a good idea. Don’t try this at home, especially if you’re in an apartment building.

    Song of the Day: Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting - Elton John. Well, I guess Tuesday night is pretty good too….

    Let’s hope for a smooth month and a good couple weeks of weight loss!

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

    Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

  • 05May

    Progress Report: Upping the Ante

    Progress Report No Comments

    Hello everyone and happy Tuesday to you all…if there is such a thing. Today was a pretty productive day overall, but especially in the weightroom. I added 10 lbs. to each workout on my circuit this morning. Needless to say, my arms and legs felt like Jell-O before I went to work today.

    I packed a lunch and took it with me, but I didn’t end up eating it. We had a couple more new employees start today, so we ended up going to lunch at Fitz’s Restaurant next door. I took down a grilled chicken caesar salad, which was very delicious as well as a few pickle chips. Basically, they’re deep fried pickles, and they’re delicious. I only had a couple, just to try them. If my future wife were to ever try them, they may become her new favorite food. She’s a big fan of the pickle………..that’s what she said. I couldn’t resist.

    For dinner tonight, we made some baked potatoes and topped them with shredded chicken, a little zero calorie butter, a little fat-free sour cream, some black olives and some chopped green onions. Delicious.

    Song of the Day: Don’t Stop Believing - Journey. Oh, I don’t know if I reported or not that I got a new set of headphones for my iPod, so the music is back in business. However, today a lady came in right as I started lifting weights and turned the TV on pretty much full blast. I really couldn’t hear my music without turning it up loud enough to ruin my hearing for the rest of my life. So, I had to sit through whatever judge show she was taking in while very slowly walking on the treadmill.

    I couldn’t get away from the noise. when I walked outside, there was a crew mowing the lawns around the complex, which was also deafening. Literally the only song I heard was Don’t Stop Believing, so I had to go with it.

    Hopefully tomorrow will be a less noisy day…

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

    Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

  • 03May

    Weekly Weigh-In: Sunday, May 3, 2009

    Uncategorized No Comments

    Hello everyone. I’ve really been slacking on the posts, and I apologize. I’ll try to give you more regular updates this week. Anyway, on to the stats:

    Original Weight: 297 lbs.
    Last Week’s Weight: 224 lbs.
    This Week’s Weight: 223 lbs.
    +/-: -1 lb.
    Goal Met? Not quite.
    Weight Lost since 7/6: 74 lbs.

    Well, not a great result, but not horrible either. Last Sunday and Monday, I’d put on quite a few pounds by eating just terrible. However, I managed to trim those off as well as one extra one, so I can’t be too upset.

    We have been able to bust into some of our new appliances following Wendy’s shower, like making some homemade smoothies with our new blender (Thanks Aunt Jane!) or toasting up some delicious breads with the sweet new toaster (Thanks Jimmy and Donna!).

    I’ve continued to run three miles every other day, and every time I do it, it sucks. No matter how long I run, it’s terrible every time. I’ll continue to do it, though…I can’t stop now…

    It’s been a good week and a good weekend. Wendy and I attended a Bar Mitzvah for her co-worker’s son on Saturday, which was interesting. I’d never been to one before, so it was a new experience. We also hit the theaters for X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which was pretty good. It wasn’t great, but it was good. I’m a big Wolverine fan, and Hugh Jackman is a perfect fit for the character.

    Anyway, we’re almost one month away from the big day, and it’s getting busier by the minute. I promise more regular updates this week, so keep checking in.

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

  • 20Apr

    Progress Report: Back to Basics

    Progress Report 1 Comment

    Hello everyone, it’s Monday again, which means it’s time for 24, Chuck and Heroes. It’s still a great night of TV, and I recommend it to anyone.

    In light of yesterday’s weigh-in, however, I decided that it’s time to get back to basics. I’m not really sure what my problem is, but I’m hoping that it has something to do with replacing muscle with fat, which means my weightlifting has started to work.

    That might just be wishful thinking, though. I feel like I had a pretty good week last week, but I was only one pound down. I’ve changed a few things over the course of the past month or so. I’ve been running differently, lifting weights and trying to watch my calories. None of it seems to be working, so it’s time to get back to basics.

    When I started this thing, I said I wasn’t going to do anything fancy. I was going to eat better and exercise, mostly cardio. That’s what I did this morning. I set the treadmill for three miles and just went to town. I’m not going to stop weightlifting, because I really enjoy it, but I’m going back to my basic thinking of eating right and running. That’s all I can do, and we’ll see what happens.

    Song of the Day: Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles. I haven’t been listening to music at the gym since my headphones broke, so this process has become increasingly difficult. I did hear this song today, though, and I really enjoy it.

    We’ll see if going back to what got me here works. I hope it does. Something has to.

    More tomorrow.

    -Brett

    Tags: , , , , , , , ,

« Previous Entries   

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

  • asian snake
    I won another set of horse riding lessons at the charity auc...
  • the WIFE
    I've been playing with acorn squash recipes too. Butternut ...
  • the WIFE
    hahaha! Kara-I remember the tv hogs who forced us to watch ...
  • kara
    At least it's not the Food Network...yes, there are people w...
  • Alex
    I'm not sure how anyone can be near Chris and Richard all da...