Category Archives: World Series

The post where I need your help…

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I have always been a fan of 90s Christian music. Steven Curtis Chapman’s Heaven in the Real World album to Jars of Clay’s self-titled album have formed not just my faith but my childhood. There’s something pure about that genre that reminds of a simpler time in my life. Now, I’m not going to get into escapism or its musicological ramifications (I’ll leave that to my wife…the one with the Ph.D. in the topic) but I’m sure a lot of us could dig up defining memories and tie it to a specific theme or medium, be it Darkwing Duck, Punky Brewster, sparkly parachute pants…you get the idea.

When I think about the FFK brand per se, I can pinpoint a portion of those defining moments, some of which are refreshed by reading my older posts. But unlike a has-been actor in my own digital life, I tend to forget just how amazing that part of my life was.

That said, I do remember this: This blog shaped me. It made me a better person. It literally transformed my life. And I’m ready to move on from this boring part of the Lifetime movie that is my life (starring James Van Der Beek in a fat suit as me) and move into the third act where I’m not [as] worried about my health and the size of my waist.

So at this point, I’m sure you are wondering “what does this have to do with anything? Why am I reading this? Isn’t the Wheel on?” Hang tight. I’m getting there.

(Fair warning, I kind of buried the lede in this post)

This March, I’m returning to Abilene Christian University to give a TED Talk at TEDxACU. While this is an absolute bucket item that I am incredibly stoked to cross off my list, I still am working what idea I have that is worth spreading. The title “Repetitive Forward Motion Keeps You Moving” harkens back to a defining moment when I was on a rough run while I was training for my first half marathon. While I think back to times like that and wonder what would have happened if I took my own advice and kept moving forward, I think even more about the context of those times and how I felt about myself.

So…here’s where the title of this particular posts enters in.

I wanted to avoid qualifying/apologizing for this request since it might sound self-serving. If you feel that it is, then just don’t respond ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I want to hear why you read this blog. Why did/do you follow it? What was it about me or my weight loss journey that kept you reading? Not only do I want to know so I can keep creating content that you’ll enjoy, I want to remember why that was such a defining time. You can text, call, FB message, email or even comment in the box below. Let me know. And in the meantime, I’ll keep crafting my idea worth spreading.

 

Back on Track

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Why hello everyone!

So I haven’t been posting because my family has been in town and I’ve been at Disney for the past few days. It was such a blast and a blessing being with my parents and sister! It has been too long!

This trip definitely felt more like a vacation than past Disney trips: we were staying on property (in the freakin’ Polynesian!!!!!), we ate in the parks and I was in the “I’m going to treat myself” mode from the first meal on. If I did anything right on this trip, it was that I found the closest Weight Watchers location (which is super close) and weighed in on Saturday like I would any other Saturday morning.  It kept me accountable, so even if I did overindulge on a cookie or three, I was in the mindset of how could make better decisions at the next meal. I did have access to free fruit all weekend which was awesome (club level yo!) so I took full advantage of that. Then…we walked all the miles and we swam in all the pools (not to mention going up all the stairs to get to the water slide. My Dad and I easily went on the slide 15+ times.)

I think if I would do it over again, I would have:

  • stuck with my snacks of celery and peanut butter
  • ate more dry salad before every meal (which I did the first day. Via Napoli in the Italy Pavilion has an amazing family salad…but they also have pizza made of crack and unicorn tears)
  • did a little morning cardio or something to pad the ol’ activity points
  • and limited myself to one splurge meal a day instead of splurging a little each meal

I absolutely do not regret how I did because it was a vacation and sometimes you have to splurge to get back to where you need to be. With that being said, you have to be okay with the consequences, good or bad.

Screen Shot 2013-08-06 at 9.33.20 PMWhen I was driving back to the resort before the sun came up on Saturday, I realized how much I really do want to reach my goal. For a long time, I have been just letting myself plateau while making some progress here and there. What I know is that I like seeing the scale going down. So I’m back on track and ready for action. Wednesday’s post will be full of Disney photos and a video announcing our Earth Fare winners! See ya tomorrow.

Day 288: Monday Edition

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So last night’s concert was RIDICULOUS!!! I got down like a crazy person. It’s always awesome to see your favorite band play pretty much all of your favorite songs. Anyways, I haven’t spent a lot of time in Jacksonville, but it seems like a pretty cool place. On Wednesday I’ll post some pics of the trip and the concert.

If you follow me on Facebook, then you saw yesterday that I gained 1.4 pounds this past week. I wasn’t the best this week so I kind of expected it. I’m a little frustrated with myself because it has just been an ebb and flow of getting complacent and just wanting to eat what I want. However, I knew this was going to get to a point where this was going to get hard. Weight loss is a process and some weeks you have to dig a little deeper than other weeks.

Breakfast: the hotel we stayed at had an Einstein Brothers Bagels next door so we stopped in for a bagel and coffee before we hit the road. Einstein’s has my favorite brewed coffee of all: their vanilla hazelnut. I always burn my tongue because I want to drink it right out of the tap (aka when it is in its molten state). Anyways, I had an everything bagel with cream cheese. I forgot that they schlacked your bagel with fattened deliciousness, but it was pretty awesome. It was only 8 points which is usually how much I “spend” for breakfast so it’s all good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch: When we got home, I made a sandwich before class and work. I had some of the kettle chips that we bought for the trip. Pretty simple yet delicious.

Snack: I’ve unintentionally developed a bad habit of buying candy before my class. Don’t worry, it’s not anything really bad, just some chik-o-sticks and atomic fireballs. I had about 4 points worth of candy today. I need to get it out of my backpack so I stop eating it. I don’t have the points for excess stuff like that.

Pre-Run Snack: By the time I got home, I was pretty hungry so I had a bowl of grape nuts and granola. It was the perfect pre-run food. 8 points.

 

 

Run: I did work son. I have no clue what the deal was but to quote Forest Gump “I was run-ning” and it felt awesome. I don’t know if I just lengthened my stride or if my body knew I needed a solid run, but whatever it was it felt awesome. I ran a 5k in 32:47 with a 10:31/mile average (first mile was 10:20) which shaved off a good chunk of time considering my last 5k time was 35:39. I’m hoping with the adrenaline that goes along with a race that I can maybe get down below 30. Lofty goal? Of course, but what’s the point of not aiming high when you have nothing to lose? (He said in his best Tony Robbins impression.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner: Last week, I had grilled up some Italian sausage solely for the purpose of spaghetti this week. So tonight, I warmed them up and added it to the sauce. It turned out pretty well, but I ate too much for dinner. I’m a little frustrated, but it is what it is.

So today wasn’t too bad, but I had a big portion of seconds during dinner that just made me disappointed in myself. Awe well, tomorrow is another day. See ya tomorrow.

Day 47: Hooray for Goals!

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Well… the Rangers lost. It was an amazing season and I was proud to be at this years Opening Day. Even then you could tell that something was going to be special about this season. Well, all I can say is: we beat the Yankees, and that is what matters. There’s 149 more days until the start of next season, and it will be exciting to see what will happen then.

Anyways [wiping away the tears] let’s talk about food shall we?

Breakfast: This morning, I tried my hand at scrambled eggs (which I haven’t done since Day 1) and they turned out pretty well. I added 1/2 a cup of skim milk to them instead of using fat free half and half which I think was better because that way you can use more milk to get them fluffier. I also didn’t use a square pan which always made them funky looking so I think that helped as well. The bacon was awesome as always, a little burnt but that’s how we like it. 4.5 points and the 3 slices of bacon was only 2 points.

 

 

 

 

Lunch: After falling in love with the Smart Ones Chicken Enchilada Suiza, I decided to give the Lean Cuisine version a shot and it didn’t disappoint. Although the portion size was smaller, the queso actually tasted like a real cheese sauce! Like I said, the portion size was smaller (it was only 4 points) so I added some salsa and 3 points of chips. For dessert I had a 1 point orange.

 

 

 

Exercise: I went over to Leach this afternoon to start on my November Go The Distance Challenge (more on that in a bit.) I haven’t been on the treadmill in a while but it felt great to get back on there and run like the dickens (well… kinda.) I went 4.27 miles in 65 minutes and burned 863 calories, a high calorie burn is like the best thing about being overweight. From that, I racked in around 17 points which is pretty redonkulous.

Snack: Immediately after I was done I ate the Kashi cereal bar that I had packed in my bag which was a life saver because I was on empty. Since a 2 point cereal bar can only get you so far, Megan and I hit up Hiro’s frozen yogurt. The girl who always asks about the blog was working and we talked a little bit which is always nice to meet your fans (just kidding.) My workout shorts didn’t have pockets so I didn’t bring in my phone, but believe when I say it was the most beautiful cup of FroYo ever. I almost caved and topped it with some oreo’s (my blood sugar must have been low) but I went for the broken up sugar cone and strawberries instead. It was 6 points of happiness.

 

Dinner: While Megan took a well deserved nap, I made Uncle Jim’s vegetarian chili. It was particularly good, maybe it was because of the Fall weather or something like that, I don’t know. Anyways, 2 cups of chili is 5 points and we added 2 points of cheese. We both had the points so we said “why not?” It really hit the spot and I’m pretty full. 

Goal Time!

So I’ve been wanting to set some goals for myself for this month because although I had a really good October, I kept feeling like I was starting to get in a bit of a rut, which I’m sure is common for people who are making a lifestyle change. I think it’s because I have these “ultimate” goals that are going to take time so if you don’t have little things to celebrate along the way, it’s easy to lose sight and veer off in to a ditch of gravy (what am I talking about???) So here are a few I have thought about and I plan on trying to accomplish on this eleventh month of two thousand ten (I have no clue why I just wrote that out.) So here. We. Go…

50 miles for NovGTD: Like I was mentioning earlier, Fat Girl vs. The World has on her site something called Going the Distance (GTD) where you commit to going a certain distance (50 miles) on a certain medium (in my case, treadmill/ground.) You report every week how many miles you’ve gone and if you achieve your goal, you reward yourself with a non-food reward (a much needed new pair of jeans.) So today I went 4.27 miles so I have 45.73 miles to go. 
Beat my 5k time: we are doing the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day and I want to beat my last time of 39:32. I have to really hit it hard the next few weeks to make this one.
Workout 4 times a week
Get up early enough to workout 4 times a week
Beat Matt in Racquetball at least 3 times: Matt: it’s on.
Finish HP and the Goblet of Fire: I’m about half way through, but I stopped because I was getting sick of Harry in this book. Maybe it’s because Prisoner of Azkaban was just so good and Goblet of Fire… well… isn’t.
Successfully do No Shave November (I look like a naked mole rat right now) Brian Wilson Beard of Death here I come.
Finish my HM research paper by Dec 1: It’s due on the 3rd so if it’s not done, it better be close by then!
Read my bible more during the week
Not gain any weight the week of Thanksgiving: This might be the hardest one on this list. I freakin’ love Thanksgiving and so does my gluttonous side. The temptation to gorge is going to be beastly, but I’m going to do my best to do it.
Break the 320 mark: With all this running and racquetballing, I think I can do it.
Overall, I think I’ll be able to get through this list but it won’t be easy. I’ll still be happy if I get like 90% of it done so we will see.
So right now, I’m at 29.5 points but I still have those exercise point so I’ll eat something a little later, just not too late. See ya tomorrow.

Day 42

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So the Rangers lost. Awe well, it was just game 1. Moving on…

Last night on Facebook, I mentioned that I had this awesome realization. Before I get in to it, I just want to preface it by warning you I might have overhyped it a little but so sorry if I got your hopes up to high. So a few years ago, I really wanted to get Wii Fit. I figured if I got it, it would kick start my weight loss (I have tried a ton of times, but it has never worked as well as this time FTW!) Anywho, I had a friend who brought his Wii Fit board over and we were going to play on it. I went to get when no one was watching and the program was like “Wow! You weigh too much! You can’t use the board!” (The board has a 330 lb capacity) I got off as quick as possible before anyone could see the demoralizing message and the embarrassment on my face. Well, with this past weeks weigh in, I CAN ACTUALLY BUY Wii FIT AND PLAY IT!!! I’m really stoked about it and it is officially back on my Christmas wishlist! Like I said, it’s not much, but it’s all about celebrating the little victories along the way.

Breakfast: I was going to make a wafflewich, but when I cut in to my banana, it was all black and gross so I threw it away (sad days.) Instead, I just had waffles (3 points) and peanut butter (5 points.) Sorry that the one was bitten in to. I was hungry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch: I got the pot stickers again. All I have to say is pure 5 points of deliciousness. For dessert, I had a honeycrisp apple (2 points) and a fudgesicle (1 point.) Such an awesome dessert combo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner: So what teacher would have a test on the night of the FSU game/World Series/Big Bang Theory/The Office? I guess a teacher who doesn’t like fun/awesome things. Anyways, I had a test tonight from 5-8 so I didn’t get to eat for a while. Megan some spaghetti (just sauce and noodles. We usually put squash, cucumbers and other awesome veggies in there but not tonight.) I had 15 points worth of spaghetti which is a lot of points, but not a lot of spaghetti. Regardless, it was good.

 

 

 

 

Right now, I’m at 31 points, but there is a lot of TV to watch tonight so I will be dipping in to some weekly points. That’s what they are there for right? See ya tomorrow.

Day 41

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WORLD SERIES!!!!

So stoked, but I wish I wasn’t so busy so I could just sit down and watch it instead of having to do stuff between innings. Regardless, it’s going to be pretty awesome.

Breakfast/Brunch: Megan woke up a little late to class so I had to drive her to class (I got her there in record speed because I was a NASCAR driver in another life.) When I got home, I caught up reading the blogs I follow on my Google Reader which if you have a lot of RSS Feeds that you always read this is really handy, and tried these Kashi Blackberry Cereal bars we bought this week. It was 2 points and fantastic.

(On to the brunch portion.) After Megan was done with her class, I went and picked her up and we decided to go on a breakfast date. She was feeling Cracker Barrel, which was tempting to me also, but until they put up some nutritional info I’m not going back. So we decided on The Crepe Vine (before you tell me, I’m aware of the lack of nutritional information on their website. However, they only have 2 locations. They get a free pass. Hypocritical? Maybe. Awe well.) Anywho, we both had The Bicycle which had a veggie patty, eggs, cheese, and up to 5 veggies. It was so amazing. I was really impressed. It came with this creamy cajun sauce which was good, but after a taste I already knew how bad it was going to be so I just didn’t use it. After much research, I came to the conclusion that it was 15 points. A little much but considering I ate it at around 9:30 and I didn’t have to eat something again until 4:30 (3 point granola bar) I think it was worth it.

 

 

 

Dinner: We fired up the rest of the leftover chili and there was a little left when we divided it up so I had a little more so it was 7 points. Then Megan and I split a wedge of WW jalapeno cheese (looks and tastes like the Laughing Cow counterpart.) We split the wedge with a few chips which was a total of 2 points. We were thinking those wedges would make a good, low fat queso if you used all the wedges and and skim milk. Has anyone tried that? If so, let me know how it went.

 

 

 

 

 

Right now, I’m at 29 points but since the Rangers game just started I might snack on a honeycrisp or something like that. Go Rangers. See ya tomorrow.