And Then IT HAPPENED!!!

Woke up this morning early since I had an early morning meeting to attend. As part of my morning ritual, I jumped on the scale, and there it was.......

228.6lbs

Very stoked! Small dance of celebration around the scale, but deep in my head, I remembered the doctor's scale was eight pounds more than what my scale at home reads. So I think I am headed in the right direction, consistency is the key.  I figure once this scale reads "222 lbs." I think I can officially say I am at 230 lbs. This is awesome! Very stoked at all of my accomplishments thus far! The journey has only begun, and hopefully keeps going down.

Energy levels are getting much higher. Instead of "Oh my God, I only went around the neighborhood once?" Its more like "Hey, why not one or tow more times around the neighborhood!" Swimming more, still apprehensive about the gym, even though I have help.

Feeling great!

Look out doldrum 200 lbs.! I am coming to get you with a vengeance!!!

STILL Stuck!

It's been 11 days since I last posted about how I was in the doldrums. Well guess what?


I still am! Its a weird feeling to all of a sudden hit this plateau. This time around, I have to admit, my weight isn't fluctuating as it marches to 230 like in previous attempts. It's more of a freaken tease!

I am at 230, however its what comes after that. 230.8, 230.5, 230.7. Grrrrrrr! This morning the scale read 230.0, so I have high hopes for tomorrow.

Recently, I got a call from my massage therapist and he said that he was going to incorporate some stretching in to my sessions with him. After his brief pitch about how good was and how it would a great supplement to my massage, I agreed. Then I joked around with him and said, "You sure you want to be stuck with me for 2 hours?" He laughed and said "No worries!"

This should be interesting.............

In the Doldrums Once Again

I jumped on the scale once again and I have hit 230. Before I left on my little "vaca" I was at 230, and once again this morning I am at 230. I've been like this before where I just cannot cross over that threshold of 230.

There have been several instances in the past couple years when I have been stuck here at this point. Another threshold that is an affliction was at that 200 lbs. mark, but that was like a good 10-11 years ago.

Most of the time, out of frustration, this is the point where I always quit. I don't know what it is about my mind that just cannot get over the fact that I just need that little more edge to push me over. This time, I think I have the drive to do it...........

Yeah
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

The Yoga Studio That I Didn't Know Existed: Please Keep Your Sweat To Yourself!

Yesterday, I came home to discover a box delivered to my front door. It seemed odd, since I didn't order anything or no one told me they were sending me something. I looked at it and immediately saw that obviously the mail man delivered this box to the wrong address.

So like the nice person I am, I jumped into my car and went to go deliver it. After all, it was just down the road. I would have walked over, but it was storming!

So I arrived and quickly noticed that there was a yoga studio that I swear was not here before. Here in my area, there have been a lot of business closing and new ones popping up. So I was surprised that this place was here. I don't even remember was was at this location previously!

Well, I enter and quickly notice the gross smell of sweaty gym socks. It was hella gross! Like I wanted to throw up! I walked on over and with an innocent, as if I didn't notice the smell attitude, and handed the lady at the counter the package and told her that this was delivered to me by accident.

Then as if things weren't any worse, the studio doors opened and the wafting smell of sweat and heat came spewing out as the class ended and the people exited.

"That's our Birkham Yoga Class!" The lady said enthusiastically. As if I cared, I replied, "Oh, ok, that's nice! A lot of people!"

Ok, so I am sure there are a lot of benefits to this, and I am not knocking it down or anything, but from an outsider's point of view, let us take into consideration the words the lady at the front desk stated, as she tried to get me to attend a class:

1. The room temperature is anywhere between 95-110 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. The humidity in the room is anywhere between 40-60 percent.
3. In a 90 minute class, you do 26 postures.
4. People have been noted to pass out from overheating and dehydration.
5. Don wear clothes you would normally go to a regular yoga class to. Less is best, for wider mobility. If you wear clothing like this, it can impede the flow of blood and increase your chances of becoming lightheaded. (aka, go shirtless, spandex, spandex, spandex!)

Umm, why do people do this? Yes, I want to lose weight, not not while on the verge of death and smelling like death!

I told the lady thank you and made my way to my car. I could still smell the sweat on me! It invaded my car! I didn't even participate and I had to go home and shower!!!!!

Spiritual Retreat: The Much Needed Vacation for My Body and Soul

A friend of mine called me last week saying that he had planned to go to a weekend retreat, in which one was able to relax, get massages, meditate, and "rediscover yourself." I replied back "Hey! Thats sounds great! I am sure you are going to enjoy it!"

"No, YOU'RE going to enjoy it!" he replied back. I was dumbfounded. Apparently he had made arrangements at this retreat but was not able to go, and since it was so last minute, he wasn't going to get his money back, so he asked me to fill in. I figure it was a great moment to run away from this crazy world, at least for a couple days.

All excited, I packed and off I was. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Words like "fitness assessment", "functional fitness, "spin", and "pilates" were being thrown at me. I was getting overwhelmed. Was this my friend's trick on me? I asked, "Where does the meditation, massage, and relaxation part come in?" The lady smiled, and said, "Don't worry, you'll do all of that too!"

That smile seemed a little cynical. I was worried. I so wanted to go home. But I remained open minded and went forward. After going to my room, I had my "fitness assessment" done. I could tell the guy wanted to choose his words correctly as to not hurt my feelings of being obviously obese. "At least you are outside of the Obese Class III level." Was that suppose to make me feel good?

A lot of the activities made me fight my internal demons and pushed the outer limits of my comfort level. Especially when new things that I have never tried was introduced. Barre, Spin, and Pilates were absolutely crazy! But some of the yoga, suspension straps, and stretching classes were totally awesome! I could do those!!

The sunset meditation yoga was hella awesome! It was well worth going through the sheer torture and body abuse during the day. Beautiful view of the sunset, relaxation, and not so strenuous yoga poses was just my speed.

The massages were "interesting" to say the least. There is nothing like being massaged on the beach under a canopy and being able to hear the waves, feel the breeze and enjoy the view. Although the choice of attire was a little unsettling. Disposable thong or disposable boxers. That was just too odd. I am so use to just going to my monthly massage appointment in just my boxers, but disposable, one size fits some, paper feeling undergarments. I didn't even think these existed!!!! I prefer my personal massage therapist, but she did a  great job! I swear she was practicing her WWE moves on me!

Of course food is important. I think they spend more time on their amenities than their food. Fresh vegetables, probably, presentation, meeh, I could probably do better at home, but I was too busy enjoying the moment to even think of food!

All in all, it was a great experience. Too bad Monday had to occur in my life......

Mindfulness Yoga

Yesterday, I posted about how I really wasn't into the Super Bowl Game, so I was going to check out the Mindfulness Yoga class. I admit, I was a bit hesitant at first, but decided to go. But it wasn't without more demons in my head.

It took me a good thirty minutes to decide what to wear. It's typically me. I was thinking what others have worn in previous yoga classes that I have taken previously, and also looking on the internet to see what was done in the class.

It was storming and so I really didn't want to wear too much and be all soaking wet, being that I didn't want to change in the locker room and risk my stuff being stolen. t-shirts, after t-shirts, shorts, after shorts, I finally decided and was out the door.

I made my way to the room after checking in, and maneuvered my way covertly to the corner of the room, so as to be my invisible self, and not to attract unwanted attention. There were only a few people there, and like any other yoga class, the majority were women and a few men.

One thing I can appreciate about Yoga, is that even the most experienced person can look unseasoned, so at first, it was a little overwhelming to see the guy next to me out stretching and letting his breathing be heard.

As the class started, the lights went dim, the new-age meditation music started and the instructor started to talk. She pointed out that this was less about the posture and the poses and more about what your body is trying to tell you. I think I can handle that......

We start off with meditation and some breathing exercises. There have been a lot of postings on Facebook about people passing gas in Yoga classes, so that is running through my head. I commanded/demanded my self that I am not going to be one of them, or I too will have to suffer the defeat and embarrassment of the whole situation and write an article of my humiliation.

"Kindess and acceptance" was the key to all the movements and poses we were doing. Since this was more of being connected to what the body was saying to you, I think a lot of the experienced Yoga people were having a little hard time. I guess it's a different mindset from regular Yoga classes, I was just concentrating on myself and not farting!!!

All in all, it was a good session. There is nothing like being able to put your legs up on the wall and not getting busted!

The Super Bowl Hype That Didn't Happen

For millions today, they will be waking up early to preform their yearly Super Bowl Rites and Rituals in order to get ready for today's game. Unfortunately, I am not one of them this year.

As much as I am a sports junkie, I somehow cannot muster up the excitement for this years game. Yes, I am happy that a team that has not been to a Super Bowl in a while has made it this far, but that is about it.

All the hype of a weird year, that is the NFL, will come down to today. Taking a knee for the National Anthem, outrageous fines, what ever, it will surely take center stage this evening.

One report says that the NFL has lost touch with it's base and that includes me. I think in this whole season, I've watched only one game, and not even in it's entirety.

This morning, I went the market to pick up a few things. It was not as packed with people in previous years. Maybe everyone went last night. Who knows. But it just does not feel like a festive moment today.

I think I'll hit up the gym while the game is going on and then maybe hit the mall. I am in need of new clothes. There is only so much a belt can do. I also signed up for a "mindful yoga" class, so we'll see how that goes.

One Month Anniversary

One month ago, we ushered in 2018 with many goals and aspirations. I told myself I was going to gain better control over my health and my body. Unlike any resolutions I've made in the past, I think this one by far, is probably the only resolution I have kept this long.

Yes, it is due to many people, not just me, and through all the feelings of failures and successes, I think I am on the right track to becoming healthier. My doctor talked about consistency yesterday, so in using the same scale, in the same place, every day, I have lost (according to my scale....see previous post) 16 pounds in one month. Hmm, now that I see that, is that healthy???

I am feeling great (well, I still resisted wanting to post pictures of my body, but its up...blah!), confronting the demons in my mind, and yesterday's physical gives me hope and confidence that I am doing something good.

I don't know how true the stats are on this Blogger Stats thing, but over 200 people have jumped on this blog to see what in the world this guy is up to, no subscribers (please subscribe!), but that is okay! I thank you for coming by to read my posts, see my pictures and comment here and there. I try to reply back, so please feel free to comment! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! It is because of all of you I am continuing this fight, hopefully I am inspiring you to join the crusade to reclaim your health and lose weight! Hey, if I can do it, SO CAN YOU!!!

Here's to a great emotional one month! Lets eat steak! NOT!