Day 810: Wordless Wednesday G Skillet!
Author Archives: theffkid
Day 809: Weigh In Day
Hello!
My allergies are killing me, the smell of burnt popcorn is still in my nostrils and my hip hurts. So let’s get this sucker going.
Basically, what I was talking about last night happened…well kind of. I had a no gain or loss week. I’m at the same place I was last week, which makes me want to go at it a lot harder this week. So that’s what’s happening.
Also, I ran five miles and it felt awesome until I got home. I think sitting in a hot shower for a while sounds good to me.
So that’s about it. In lieu of a long post, here’s a picture of me with Santa when I was a baby. Enjoy. See ya tomorrow.
Day 808: Monday and Stuff
Hello my reading minions!
(Okay… I guess you’re really not my reading minions. If you were, I would have commanded you to recreate the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters to fulfill my dream of assembling, then eating, the world’s biggest s’more of all time. I wonder how many calories that would be…anyway, where was I?)
Let me give you a recap of this past week: Christmas.
That’s right! Although it’s been in the mid to high 70’s and even the 80’s for the past few days, Megan and I have been deckin’ our halls like a couple of bosses! Like a lot of you, we are both Pinterest nuts but aren’t the craftiest people. (Even though I should be. My mom had her own craft business when I was little. I wonder if crafting is a recessive gene…) Anyway, we have been making different Christmas knick knacks and such for ourselves and others. It’s been nice to do something with my hands. It’s weird to have actual free time. I have spent the past 25 years studying, working, and up until a few years ago, eating and abnormal amount of calories. It’s nice to leave work at work and have a little time to twiddle my thumbs. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m trying to find a hobby, something physical or tangible. I love to write and I love to blog, but I do both for my job so I’m not sure this is really a hobby anymore. This blog has turned in to more of a lifestyle which is completely awesome!
So that’s where I’m at. I’m trying to find a hobby that I can do when I create a product. Something different. Something challenging. Any suggestions?
Anywho, along with all of this knick-knack-pattywhacking, I have been trying to lose weight. I don’t always make the best decisions, but I’m doing my best without going nuts. But the fact of the matter is I need to go nuts with weight loss. I’m in this weird place where if I would just push a little harder I would make some crazy strides. I have been in this 227-235 zone for almost a year, breaking through to the next level but then reverting back. The thing is, I know that I will look and feel so different in 30 pounds. The difference between 235 and 265 is insane so I can only imagine what I might look like and feel like. And I don’t mean that in a vapid way, more in the way of I want to be healthier way. Looking better is just an added bonus.
Not that this is an excuse, but it really has been hard not having a gym. It was just one of those things where getting a pass to the gym at FSU is more complicated than it should be. (Well, if you want the married discount. Long story.) Luckily, that’s going to change next semester so I’ll be able to play racquetball, lift and do other fun gym stuff very soon. On the other hand, it’s been bearable because I do run three times a week which has taken a lot out of me. The long runs on Saturdays are about to get longer too. It’s more of the toll they take on my joints. 10 miles of the same repetitive movement becomes painful. But on the other hand, if I was 30 pounds lighter, would my body heal quicker? As you can tell I’m dealing with a lot of chicken/egg scenarios that I have thought about a lot but haven’t put down on paper…or blogosphere.
My issue is that I have played the weight loss game for a long time. It’s like on the Biggest Loser when the players start the play the game where they know what to do that week to win. Granted sometimes that just means drinking a gallon of water the throw a weigh in. That’s been me. My trend recently has been to weigh in on Tuesday, get stoked and eat a lot of what I want, then do the same thing Wednesday through Friday, and then really hit it hard on Saturday and Sunday like drink a lot of water to rehydrate and eat what I’m suppose to eat. Because I’m up four or five pounds. Before I know it, I’ve lost a little to have a “loss.” So I’m not really losing, I’m just maintaining. The thing is is that I have proved myself that I can maintain..at around this weight. I have kept more than 100 pounds off since I hit the 100 pound mark in August 2011. I think I might be scared to take it to the next level. To break that 200 pound mark eventually. Even 225 pounds on is such unchartered territory that is excerifying (terrifying and exciting) for me to even think about. Time to keep counting, running and blogging. The rest will follow. See ya tomorrow.
Day 803: My Awesome Interview With Another Biggest Loser
Hello!!!!
So it has been a crazy week on the interwebs for me! First, my weight loss story was featured by the awesome blogger Reinventing Danni, then I have helped raise $130 for prostate cancer through Movember (which there is still times to donate here!) and today, my interview with RetroFit Ministries came out. For those who don’t know, RetroFit Ministries was created by the awesome Biggest Loser duo Austin and Ken Andrews (they were on Season 11 along with some other awesome folks like Courtney Crozier and Hannah Curlee who I met this summer! I’m working my way up the Biggest Loser social ladder!) Anyway, a few weeks ago, I had written something about my journey on Austin’s wall and then after a few exchanges, he asked me about being interviewed for his website! It was such an honor! Here’s the interview. After you’re done check out the other amazing stories! If it doesn’t make you want to do push ups and go on a kale cleanse I don’t know what will. Check it out. Thanks again for the awesome opportunity Austin. See ya tomorrow.
THANKSTORIES: THANKFUL NATHAN
Nathan MacDonald Sheds some light on his story of becoming healthy. I have to be honest, I have had an enjoyable time hearing his story, and he has described it in a pretty amusing way! It has been a pleasure to hear Him describe his journey, and I think you’ll enjoy it as well!
CLICK HERE FOR OTHER AMAZING THANKSTORIES OF REAL PEOPLE CHANGING THEIR LIVES!
AA: Nathan- When did it hit you that you were obese?
I wore XXL shirts in 5th grade
NM: Kindergarten? Lol I was always the fat kid growing up. I wore XXL shirts in 5th grade and I am actually a smaller jean size now than I was in middle school. My weight was always a constant struggle. Sometimes I would get on the right track and it felt like I was really going to make a change, but then something would happen like moving to a new school or something like that.
AA: How would a school change affect you moving forward?
NM: Well being the new kid always came with its own issues. Being an overweight kid made it even more fun lol.
AA: I love the sarcasm! Ha! You struggled all through school, but you never hit your point of not return- when did you hit that tipping point of change?
NM: The tipping point for me was right before I started graduate school at Florida State University in 2010. I had to buy size 54 khakis for orientation. That’s when I realized that it was time to make a significant change, or just accept the fact that I was going to die at an early age.
AA: Do you look at your childhood and think, “My weight makes sense,” because people or bullying?
NM: I was always bullied in elementary, and although I was bullied some in middle school, I was able to deflect a lot of it by playing the “funny fat kid” card that most overweight kids know all too well. I did have two dear friends who died when I was in college and that really took its toll on me. I turned to eating a lot during that time.
AA: You took to eating when your friends passed away?
NM: It was what I was use to. Food had always been there for me so my initial reaction was to eat my feelings. It was much easier to eat over talking out my feelings to my wife and to my friends. It was a truly hard time.
AA: What do you look to for that same feeling if you hit a hard time now?
NM: Well now it’s a lot easier to work out my frustration whether it’s running or an aggressive game of racquetball. I burn calories instead of eating them lol.
AA What happened to give you hope that you could change?
NM: I have been blessed with such an amazing wife, Megan, who has always been there ready to cheer me on when I decided it was time to change my life. It’s also been awesome to have friends from across the world sending me Facebook posts encouraging me. It has really held me accountable and has given me the strength to keep on keepin’ on.
AA: When you discovered that change was possible, how did you decide on what path to become healthy?
NM: Well I had tried Weight Watchers a few times, only to quit a few weeks later. It wasn’t until I really bought in to the system (like counting, calculating, researching restaurants, etc.) that I became successful. I also always liked racquetball and running, so that became a huge part of my cardio which melts the pounds lol. I still do a lot of both now, but I have taken it to a whole new level. I was just happy to finish a 5k, now I want to place in my age bracket and I am training for a half marathon. Losing 130 pounds changes your prospective so much!
AA: Speaking of perspective, I have called this blog series ThankStories, because we are in November and thankfulness is big this time of year- What are you thankful looking on your journey and future?
NM: This year, I’m running in my first 15k. I’m thankful that I have been blessed with a body that can take all of the abuse I have given it from one extreme of being obese to the other by testing its limits every week through working out lol. I’m incredibly thankful for my community of friends and readers who have been with me through thick and thin. It’s been so encouraging to have friends even from elementary comment on the blog telling me that they’re cheering me on. It’s been an amazing journey so far!
AA: Given that you have lost 130 lbs, are you Finished? Is this the end of your journey?
NM: Not even close. I am still a good 50-70 pounds away from where I want to be and I still have struggles with food. Although I still have a ways to go on this journey, I’m loving every minute of it. The hardest days on my weight loss journey are still infinitely better than the days of being 357 pounds. This journey has been such a blessing and it’s not ending any time soon.
Day 802: Last Wordless Wednesday of Movember!
Day 801: Weigh In Day
I’M BACK!!!!!!
Sorry it’s been a while. Thanksgiving is a crazy time. A lot of planning, a lot of turkey, and a lot of fun!
A quick thing about the 15k…IT WAS AWESOME! It was 9.3 miles of crazy awesomeness! The course had a lot of ups and downs (literally) but I felt really good about my time. I maintained a 8:30-9:45 minute mile the whole time. I was going to buy the photos from the racing photography company, but they are flippin’ expensive! I’ll still post the race results on my race results page soon!
So I was working to not gaining this week so I exercised, tried to watch what I ate and drank plenty of water. I ended up losing .2 pounds lol (total 126.4 pounds) which isn’t much, but I really lost 6 pounds in a weird way. You see, at one point I had gained 6 pounds but I lost it all by this morning. Hooray for weight fluctuation! Anyway, last year I gained something like 8 pounds and didn’t really get it off until the summer so losing is a pretty big deal. The best part is is that I still ate what I wanted, just not as much of it. And there in lies the key for weight loss.
Today I was pretty good with food and tomorrow will be even better. I feel awesome about where I am and I’m ready to lose some serious weight before the end of the year.
Before we end tonight, I just wanted to make another push for Movember.
As you know, the end of Movember is near! Friday is that last day to donate to Movember. So far, you have helped raise $40 which is totally awesome! My goal is to have raised a total of $100 by this Friday! No matter how small or large, any donation is appreciated. I don’t see a dime, it goes directly to prostate cancer research. Even if it just means giving up a meal out this week and donating, that’s $5 closer we are to ending this disease. You can donate here. If you keep donating, I’ll keep growing this itchy, yet legit, stache! Thanks! P.S. Please share with your friends, your family and your co-workers! Spread the stache love! See ya tomorrow.
Day 794: Weigh In Day and Stuff about Thanksgiving
Greetings Yo!
So the past couple of weeks have been up and down with two massive trips back to back, but things are finally getting back to where they need to be for this Fotographing Fat Kid. This week, I flippin’ lost 4.4 pounds!!! Which is insane! I know a lot of it was that I have been drinking my water and keeping my calories in check, but I also ran around 15 miles this week which isn’t a ton but more than the previous weeks! It was pretty crazy though, I bought a button up shirt last Tuesday at Old Navy and when I tried it on, it was tight in some areas. Yesterday, it was already loose. It’s crazy how much difference even just 4 pounds makes for your body!
As we all know, Thursday is Thanksgiving. A time to be thankful for what we have by eating a lot and then to go by massive TV’s at rock bottom prices…or something like that. Two years ago, I made it a goal to not gain weight on this week of gluttontastic awesomeness and I succeeded! I even lost a pound or two. But last year, it completely threw off my weight loss for a month or so. This year, I’m going back to mindful about my eating and remember that this won’t be the last time I’ll ever eat turkey dinner again (since we bought a 15 pound turkey and there are only three of us…who are all in a weight loss competition with one another.) Mind you I’m not saying this in a preachy “you shouldn’t eat a lot on Thanksgiving!” kind of way. This is just how I am approaching Thanksgiving this year.
With all of that stuff out of the way, let’s talk Turkey Trot! While I’m still stoked for the 15k, my knees are still a little sore. I’ve tried to stretch out everything, but there’s still a little stiffness. My arthritis medicine does help (oh yeah…I have arthritis. Another important reason to lose weight, because even if you are obese and have good cholesterol like I did, you are still wrecking your joints.) but it’s still there after a while. Basically, I’m going to just run as much as I can of that brutal 9.3 miles and then walk when I need to. My issue is sometimes during races I get super competitive and try to pass people even if that means completely breaking my pace. Then I end up slower and falling back behind. It’s kind of embarrassing and annoying. On Thursday, I’m just going to set my 15k record with the intention of breaking it next time. The race is projected to have more than 5,000 runners in a relatively small neighborhood so there are always bad bottlenecks (insert rant about people running with strollers even though the rules expressly forbid them here) so with that and the difficulty of the route (even though we run there every Tuesday and Thursday) it’s going to be an awesome run, not so much a race. It will also be nice when the 10k and the 15k races split off. That’s going to make life a lot easier. It’s going to feel like a normal Thursday run…minus the brutal falling.
Okay, time to take a 23 and a half hour break. Wordless Wednesday. Get stoked. See ya tomorrow.
Day 793: A Quick And Delicious Post
Why Hello!
I’m using Megan’s computer so I’m going to keep this brief. This is more of a food journal update.
Breakfast: Toast with peanut butter. What else is new?
Lunch: I had two tuna salad sandwiches with a little mayo (because there wasn’t much left), a little mustard, and some lemon juice. I usually add pickles, but we’re out. As per usual, I didn’t post a pic because it looks like I’m on a cat food diet or something. A delicious…delicious cat food diet.
Snacks: I had two handfuls of pistachios.
Dinner: CHILI! Except I accidentally made it pretty hot. I only had two cups (one serving) of chili with one cup of rice and very little sour cream and shredded cheese.
Snack: After dinner, I had a serving of Honey bunches of oats.
So I did really well today, not to mention I’ve drank about a gallon of water (or that’s what it feels like at least). Nothing much else going on really. My knees is really sore today so I’ve been trying to stretch it out. Hopefully it won’t give me any trouble but we’ll see. Also, I’M GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!! Pretty stoked about that as well.
Weigh in tomorrow. Those girls are going down. See ya tomorrow.
Here’s a picture of an owl.
Day 792: Catching Up and a Challenge!
Before I begin this post, I would like to start with a haiku.
The bird has been bought.
Ready to go on a Trot
Almost Thanksgiving
Alright…back to our regularly scheduled boring blog post.
HELLO EVERYONE!!!!!
It’s been a while, but luckily things are slowing down…until they all get crazazy once again. Hooray for the holidays!
I feel like I need to catch you up on life because a lot of awesome stuff has been going on!
Thursday: Meet Alfred. He’s a fish…and he was delicious.
On Thursday night, we went over to Julie’s house for some Chinese deliciousness. Julie is one stud of a cook and knows how to make some epic Chinese food. She cooked up Alfred, along with a variety of vegetarian and meat dishes. I even tried something called a Century egg. A gelatinous duck egg. It was…interesting. It tasted like a hard-boiled egg dipped in coffee. Yum.
Friday: On Friday, our awesome ACU friends Phillip and Leah were driving through Tallahassee so we met up for dinner! We suggested the pizza mecca known as Momo’s (if you ever come through Tallahassee, that’s where we’ll take you!) Anyway, we got the XL Philly cheese steak pizza that’s the size of a small UFO. We all had our fill with leftovers to spare. It’s always awesome to see old friends, catch up on old times and to eat pizza.
Also, when you’re done reading this post, head on over to Phillip and Leah’s fantastic blog The Front Poarch! It’s full of awesome and creative projects that would even make Tim Taylor jealous!
Saturday: Saturday was a doozie. It started with a ten-mile run. The longest run yet. I was only going for since I have the 15k Thanksgiving morning, but I really needed to see if I could actually run around nine miles. Challenge Accepted. We ran on the St. Marks trail that goes all the way from Tallahassee to the Gulf. The trail is beautiful, nice and flat, and the weather was fantastic. When I was done, my knees and ankles were sore, but I could have done 3.1 miles more to do a half-marathon distance if I wasn’t racing on Thursday. When I was obese, I always dreamed of running in a half marathon, but I knew that it would never be possible. Then, I put one foot in front of the other, and soon I was walking across the floor. Moral of the story: nothing is impossible.
Since I had burned around 1700 calories, I figured it was as good as ever to eat my last Twinkie. It was terrible. Should of had a Ding-Dong. RIP Hostess.
Then we went to Buca Di Beppo for dinner and ate meatballs the size of boulders.
Today! So today was pretty normal, ate tacos, ate leftovers. Nothing special.
Challenge!
So you might remember the hashtag #TenpoundsbyXmas on a post a few weeks ago. Well, that has become our mantra for a while. Then Megan was talking to our running buddies Erin and Becky about it, to which Becky said “want to make it interesting?” So now it has turned in to The Three Girls, A Guy And A Scale Challenge (name cred to Julie!) We have each put in $10 bucks and weighed in this morning. We are going to weigh in every Tuesday and whoever loses the most by January 4th wins the pot! But we were also thinking about basing it on either most weight lost or percentage lost. What do you think? Comment and let me know!!!! That’s seven weeks for those playing at home. I’ll have an update every Tuesday starting next week. I’m pretty stoked to be in this challenge! It’s going to hold me accountable during Thanksgiving and Christmas and I’m going to be really good with my points. Either way, we will all come away a little skinnier and a little healthier. Bring it on girls!!! See ya tomorrow.
Day 788: Wordless Wednesday!
