I just got back from a week of camping. Yeah, I was gone. Our, and three other families spend Spring Break in yurts on the coast- fishing and relaxing while the kids go nuts amongst the flora and fauna. I look forward to these trips and the get-away-from-it-all venue. Way-cool thing is that, despite the departure from civilization, the gym, my smoothies, and tracking my consumption, I neither gained nor lost any weight. That's right, I can survive in the wild.

It got me thinking. If I were locked into some diet program, how might things be different? Would I have packed a week's worth of prepackaged foods? Would I have been able to eat any of the things we brought? As it was, I ate whatever I wanted (in modest portions) and didn't really focus on food at all. I was active- without the gym, hiking and jogging the path around the lake. I had a great time and now I'm back.

It occurred to me that if I was following a diet program and continued to follow it while we were on vacation I might have lost some weight. I could have bought the prepackaged foods and dropped a pound or so just like their promoters promise. I could have relied on a program and purchased food for my success during the week. Then it hit me- you can't buy success, you can only rent it for a while.

The last ten months have taught me that success at losing weight requires personal change- the thing is, people are very quick to recognize/imagnine their limitations. If you lack desire; rent it. If you lack motivation and self control you can rent them too. Imagination and intelligence are readily available to even modest budgets. You're going to need all these things and more to succeed in losing weight and keeping it off. The thing is, and this I believe is true of everyone, is that you already have these things. As dormant as they may lie, they are within you.

What is it that the self-proclaimed experts possess that you do not? The answer is quite simple; a set of experiences that they’ve packaged into a service that they can sell. I contend that most of these self-proclaimed experts are in reality nothing of the sort- rather most are merely credentialed professionals. I’ve hired several of these so-called experts throughout my life; various contractors, mechanics and even doctors and I have to tell you, some with less than desirable results. I cannot tell you how many contractors have screwed up a project I’ve later had to re-do myself, how many doctors (don’t get me started on chiropractors) that have failed to cure beyond what my body was capable of doing with a little rest and or exercise and eating right.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t respect those that go out and sell their services to others. Such an act takes a certain amount of drive and ambition- and I certainly respect drive and ambition. It’s just that in many situations, the client is just as qualified to do the work as those they hire to do it- but again, people rent what they believe they lack. I contend that when they do it they miss out on an opportunity to grow- if not just an opportunity to go beyond their reliance on others for thought, for muscle, for drive, for self control, for ambition, for well, I think you know what I’m trying to say.

What I’m most-definitely NOT trying to say is that you should go out and fire your doctor, your lawyer, your contractor, mechanic, or whoever you have supplementing your lack of experience. What I’m saying is that each of us granted with life should learn what it is these people are doing for us and how they get their results. I’m not saying that you must do your own taxes every April; rather I’m saying that you should be able to (with a certain amount of confidence) should your CPA no longer be able. Rent if you must but know that when you stop paying you're likely to get kicked to the curb until you can either throw some more money at your problems or handle them on your own.

The same is true of weight loss- and I must circle this wagon back around to weight loss since that is what this blog is primarily about. I’ve mentioned on many an occasion those friends of mine that have turned their weight loss efforts over to programs and experts and trusted them to get their results (each with success, I might add). They are examples of those who bought success rather than developed it within themselves. I am confident, as are they, that they owe all their success to the programs to which each was committed- that they could never have gotten the results on their own. You know what? That is OK for them and the millions of others who overcome weakness while lining the pockets of others. The cool thing about these friends is that they've transitioned from renters to owners and now sell the program themselves.

I choose to do things on my own- to examine and learn the skills of others (most importantly the effective skills of others) and develop them within myself. Not so much to become a vendor but to decrease my dependency on the vendors of skill, experience, and strength- all of which, I am developing each and every day on my way to becoming Steve v4.7.

Here’s the thing though- and the point I initially had in my mind when I started down this path, is that those who relinquish their self-control and their opportunities for personal growth to others are merely like leaves in the wind and subject to every fad-tastic discovery that promises to be the greatest and bestest (spellcheck is telling me that "bestest" isn’t really a word- read what I mean, ain’t nothing literal to take from this here blog). Destiny is a rent, rent-to-own or build-to-own proposition. More on that metaphor later.

The thrill of deadline-associated anxiety, the agony of coming up short at the finish; if I've learned nothing else these past 306 days I've learned that disappointment is an unavoidable fact of life... and that means absolutely nothing if your goals are just, your methods are sure, and you take massive, focused action toward reaching those goals.

Deadlines come and go- and that was the case this past Thursday. I stated a goal of losing 15 pounds back in February and well, Thursday came and I was more than half a pound off of reaching that goal. Did I tuck-tail and drag-ass back home to kick the dog and scarf pie? Oh hell no! I merely thought about it as I went about my workout. I even added another five pound of weight to each of my sets. C'mon, kick my dog? Truth is I like that pathetic little waste of fur. Besides, we named her "Karma" and I really don't need to have a little kick out of frustration coming back to bite me in the tuckus.

So like I said; I worked out my disappointment in the gym and went about life committed to hitting my big goal (150 lbs. by 6/6/2008). I still did the things I normally do and had a pretty good day; kind to Karma and free of pie.

Well yesterday, a day after my goal day, I went back to the gym and stepped onto the scale. I hit the goal weight- though just barely. A day late but better than never.

transmute \trans-MYOOT; tranz-\, transitive verb:
1. To change from one nature, form, substance, or state into another; to transform.
2. To undergo transmutation.

I love getting the "Doctor Dictionary" emails every day and try to use the daily word in conversation at some point. It doesn't always work out pleasantly. I'm reminded of the great billingsgate debacle of '02 - it isn't a good idea to yell out examples in mixed company.

Today's word is a good one and has been my primary purpose for the past 303 days. It has been a gradual process of good intent, planning, and massive action and I'm becoming more pleased with the results daily. I still have a ways to go to hit optimum healthy weight but hey, one weight goal at a time.

Speaking of goals, I set a goal of losing 15 pounds by March 20th about a month ago. I'm one day a little more than 1-1/2 pounds away from making it a reality- and you know what? I'm going to make it, abso-posi-lutely! You might say that I'll transmute into a lighter human being over-night.

Oy! There I go again.

This morning's smoothie was a simple mixture made different only because I just happened to be out of a couple of my regular ingredients.

1S EAS Premium Protein
1S Ground Flax
3 Frozen Strawberries
1/2C Dole Tropical Gold Pineapple

indolent \IN-duh-luhnt\, adjective:
1. Avoiding labor and exertion; habitually idle; lazy; inactive.
2. Conducive to or encouraging laziness or inactivity.
3. Causing little or no pain.
4. Slow to heal, develop, or grow.

Indolent was yesterday's Dictionary.com Word of the Day and I cannot imagine a word more so-not-the-word I want to become associated with than that. Oh wait, yes I can- just about every word that is synonymous or describing a condition resulting from anything having to do with that word. I've been there and I'm rabidly committed to not going back.

I've been mixing up the workouts so that I'm doing a lot more reps at lower weights. I've also simplified my diet into an easily repeatable menu- including morning smoothies. I had planned on being a little more adventurous with ingredients but you know what? I'm sticking with what works. My focus is results and outcome right now. Variety can be a distraction- and one I think I'll avoid in the short-term.

"Meow meow mow-meow?"

"Wah   wuh-wah wah wah."

 

That's what I hear every time someone asks questions or makes statements that, either through malice or ignorance, can chip away at my resolve.

"How can you stand going to the gym so often?"  "Exercise is so boring."  "Don't you get tired of eating the same stuff over and over?"  "Protein smoothies are so gross!"  "I could never do that!"

I've heard tons of them and you know what?  It just doesn't matter because my response (though it may come in the form of a shrug, sheepish grin, or something a little more vocal) is always,

"It isn't the effort, it's the result that is my focus."

The last few days at the gym have been great- I've changed my workout so that I lift lighter weight for more reps.  The burn is incredible.  I haven't noticed any real difference in appearance or at the scale (I'm down a little, but not enough to mark down another pound).  I know, I know- it's still too early to tell.

Feelin' good, feelin' fine and why not? Started my day with some exercise and my regular smoothie and that nasty evacuation business is behind me (no pun intended). All that and I'm down another pound- wahoo!

I added another set and another 5 pounds to my workout. It's a little more of a grunt but when I max-out-plus-5lbs on the biceps-curl machine I feel really strong. This brings up a change in strategy that I'd like to explore.

I've used weight lifting throughout the entire 291 days to help burn calories and promote weight loss and it's worked pretty well. The thing is, what I've managed to do is mainly shrink in most of the places I've been measuring. That is, I'm just a more compact version of what I looked like when I started. People have always told me that I carried my weight well- which I took as a polite way of saying that I looked like a giant Shrek-like freak. I've been kind of like the Michelin Man- going through a period of deflation. Now that I'm getting closer to goal I'd like more definition than merely form.

Logic tells me that less body fat shows more muscle definition. I've been lifting as much weight per rep as I was physically able (plus a little) since I started this journey. What I'm told and what I've read leads me to believe that this type of training helps increase muscle mass and strength- which is cool but may not reduce fat as quickly as a lighter-weights-more-reps strategy would. My thinking is that's the strategy I want to adopt for the next 90 days. Onward and upward.

Today's smoothie was my typical recipe: banana, berry, protein, flax. You can look at prior entries for the recipe and nutrition info. This reminds me of something else I read just the other day. I read that you should limit your menu to just a few simple items and never stray. Variety, it seems, may be the spice of life but can sabotage your diet.

If achieving goals is all about focus, determination, and tenacity, limiting your intake to a focused, repeatable menu sounds productive. Looking back over what I've been eating I think I may have been doing this to a degree already and I haven't felt deprived. I guess there were times when I felt "tired of eating the same old thing" but perhaps that's just because I temporarily moved my focus to the food rather than my goals. I think I may of done that a little too much throughout much of my life; focusing on the food rather than what was truly important. I mean, every family gathering I can remember was centered around a meal. The focus should have been on enjoying each other's company. Most of the business meetings I've attended have either been stocked with pastries, catered or at a restaurant. Food has always been either at the focus or part of the environment of every gathering I can remember. How the hell did I get so fat?

OK, back to business. I'll ramp things up a little- these last 90 days are going to go by quickly.

Seven (7) pounds in two (2) days! What's your secret, Steve?

I think it was something I ate. Suffice it to say I didn't lose all that weight at the gym, well almost but I made it home in time. Is it a coincident that, along with all those pleas for assistance from long-lost Nigerian relatives, I've been getting tons of email promising to cleanse my colon? Evidently it's some pretty powerful email and I stayed pretty close to porcelain all day- if you know what I mean.

I also stayed hydrated throughout the entire ordeal and ate very little. Some toasted 16 Grain, no-flour bread, a little fruit, a pickle, a protein smoothie; all in all not a whole lot. I didn't think it would be sticking around long anyway, so why make a fuss in the kitchen?

OK so there you go- I'll dwell on it no longer. Just realize that I'm eliminating anything I ate that was unique to last Sunday and Monday from any future menu plans. It's a good thing I'm tracking everything I eat on Fitday. Likely suspects? I'll point no fingers but neither will I eat any more frozen apricots or Costco meatballs; they possibly put something evil inside me.

Moving on.

I awoke this morning feeling pretty good. The run to and from the gym was the easiest it's ever been and the workout at the gym felt good- extraordinarily good. I'm refocused and hell-bent on achieving my goals. Right now I'm finishing off one of my tried-and-true smoothies and am poised to take on the day with determination and purpose. After all, losing weight and achieving your goals is serious stuff. This is the rest of my life- not some phase and determination, purpose and tenacity is what success is made of. The rest is just...

wait for it...

shits and giggles. (my apologies)

Todays Smoothie:

1 Small Banana
1/3C Frozen Berries
1S EAS Premium Protein
1S Ground Flax

Hang on tight, we're going to move a little fast. First, I'll talk about today's smoothie:

"Bleh."

That's about all I want to say about it. For those who are interested in the ingredients, here you go:

1S EAS Premium Protein
1S Ground Flax
1/3C Frozen Apricot Slices
Water

I suppose I was expecting a little more flavor. Suffice it to say that mild disappointment doesn't taste all that great. It was a rather bland 234 calories.

Moving on...

Those predisposed to math may have noticed that I am up a pound since my last weigh-in. It turns out I have more than math to blame and no, I'm not talking about the scale. it's the message, not the messenger.

So how do I account for the increase? Self-Sabotage. I'd been doing so well for so long that I became lax and the radical side of my personality just could stand no more and lashed out in the form of Almond Clusters and Biscotti. That's right, a snack attack- the type of dietary terrorism that, with stealth and cunning, demoralizes the dieter and squelches determination. How? These types of things go down so easily, so quickly- before you know it the bag is empty and guilt begins to build. And the guilt, unless converted to determination, edges the dieter closer to the edge of that familiar slippery slope that leads to weight gain.

Simile and metaphor really aren't my thing; I toss them around like a game of fetch where the dog runs and gets the ball but drops it about twenty feet away and barks at you like you're supposed to know what to do next- only you don't because it's a dog for crying out loud and second-guessing a dog is like dodging poo when you have your back turned to the monkey cage at the zoo.

Wait. It's really not like that at all and losing weight has nothing to do with terrorism; it's all about making the right choices when it comes to nutrition and exercise- choices that must be repeated at every opportunity because if you don't your scale is going to deliver some bad news.

The good news is that you DO have a choice, perhaps several choices a day that can get you closer to your goals. Making each little choice correctly (no thank you, I'll pass on the Biscotti) gets you closer to your goals- especially when you finally realize that weight gain is the cumulative effect of these little choices. Forget that and well, the terrorists have already won.

You take one down, try to lose another pound, 97 days of determination on the wall...

Ridiculousness aside, I really do feel like I'm getting close to something, some kind of ending or perhaps a coming-together. I began this otherwise unremarkable Saturday with an invigoration hour or so at the gym. It was a dry run to and from but as I write this the weather is fairly soggy. Sometimes the weather cooperates, sometimes it doesn't.

I added some weight to my typical routine. At the biceps curl machine I lifted 10-rep sets of 140 lbs each followed by by a slow isometric-like 3 reps of 160 lbs. I moved up to 130 lbs on the triceps extension and 190 for both bench press and butterfly. I also added 10 lbs. for each of my leg exercises. In summary, a good workout.

I followed it with a typical smoothie:

1/2 Banana
2 Frozen Strawberries
1/3C Frozen Blueberries
1S EAS Premium Protein (Chocolate)
1S Ground Flax
Water

My wife took the kids to their various Saturday activities, leaving me alone to address some of the stuff that had accumulated in my in-basket. I quickly organized things into their appropriate folders among the 43 that David Allen has taught me to use and cranked out some two-minute stuff. Everyone will be back soon, so I plan on enjoying the rest of the day with family.