Ok on Facebook for the month of November people wrote everyday what they were THANKFUL FOR. This being the last day of November I thought I would just put 1 blog on what I am thankful for. If you know me and seen my FB post I post things off the top of my head, didn't think I could go a whole month with being serious! So what are you thankful for?
I am thankful for a lot of things! Alison for being the wonderful person she is. She puts others before herself and has been a great motivator at keeping me on this road I began over a year ago to get healthier! I am amazed by her on a daily basis. I could not have asked for a better person in my life than her. I truly thank god every night that I meet her! We have been married for 4 years and been thru some great times and some sad times. It is amazing that I found someone that I can not wait to spend the rest of my life with! I could go on and on about her and she knows how special she is to me!
My family is very special to me as well. If it were not for my parents I would not be where I am today. I truly believe that. I take traits from both of them. For better or worse ha. Think I take being a people pleaser from my mom and my stubbornness from my dad haha. They have taught me a lot in my 31 years of life, and there is no way I could ever repay them for it. I am extremely proud of what they have accomplished and what they have taught me. I am grateful that they are always there for me. Anytime I need to talk or whatever it may be I can count on them. I am also thankful for my extended family as well. This is from my in-laws which I could not have ever in my wildest dreams of asked for better in-laws, they are truly amazing! The support I get from my family as a whole is amazing!
They say friends are family that you choose, I really believe that. Some of my friends I have known my entire life, some since high school & college and some just recently. You really can not help who you become friends with. I am thankful I have you all in my life. Its funny sometimes you can go weeks without talking or even months and when you get back together its like nothing has changed. Tho I do not think I have gone that long from being around friends. Thank you all for being there for me thru some tough times and good times, and I truly would do anything for you guys! Well except burry another body again, btw Jason we need to talk about that... LOL JK damn CIA going to be on my doorstep! Look forward to many good times with old and new friends for sure!
I am thankful that I got my ass in gear to get in overall better health! It has NOT been easy by any means. I wish I could sit here and say oh it was a breeze, but in reality its fucking hard work. Some of you can walk by a bakery or bake cookies, cake or anything and not think about it. May have 1 just to see how it taste. Me well I think i have to try a dozen to make sure it was correct ha.. But it is true, I have never had self control for as long as I can remember. I can remember one thanksgiving over at my grandma jeans house. I was younger in grade school. I would eat so much that it was hard to get to sleep at night becuase I was so full. I know you can say hey thats being young... But it didnt stop heck even up until a few years ago I would still eat like that... Maybe thats why I got to 300lbs.. But I am glad that I decided to get into better health. Yes I had some motivation to get there, and that same motivation could have broke me down again to just eat the way I used to but I made a promise and I am not looking back. I feel amazing compared to where I was before. I have tons of people to thank for that! Wife and Family is a given! But also an thankful for WeightWatchers for giving me a plan that works and not being a diet but a way I want to live the rest of my life! My ww Leader Beth, I have went to many different ww meetings and meet many ww leaders, tho they are all good at what they do I just never really stuck with it. She has really motivated me to stick with it and is a great leader! I am thankful for the experiences ww has given me. I truly think I would still be 300+ if I did not start the program. I have even been interviewed by ww casting for commercial spots and other plans. Tho I did not make the 3rd cut they still want to keep me in mind for future things which is exciting for me!
I have many more things I am thankful for but these are the main. Thank you for reading my blog. I am currently working on a new blog layout that I am hoping to debut the first or 2nd week of December! I will post on here what the new address will be and hope you all follow me on there. This was started as a way for me to write about my weight loss for 1 year to reach a goal! It has really helped me to write about it and I will continue to do so and hope you enjoyed reading it.
Thank you all!
Donny
11.30.2012
11.27.2012
Holiday Season
So the holiday season is upon us! What a great time to see friends, family and eat some good food! At the beginning of November I set a goal of being 210 by Christmas. I am currently at 218 and think I have a good chance. This past week and a half has been great! NO NO NO I have not lost weight I have actually gained but just a tad. Come on it was MANCATION and THANKSGIVING.... What is this mancation you ask? :)
MANCATION is a vacation with the boys! It is a quest to visit EVERY NFL STADIUM! We decide a game to go to when the NFL schedules come out before the season. It usually consist of a Colts game or a Bears game. We alternate every year. This year Happened to be Patriots vs Colts at Foxborrow aka BOSTON!!!! Now one good thing about Mancation is it usually entails great FOOD, BEER, and some memorable moments. This year was no exception. The seafood out there in Boston was AMAZING!!!!!! Fresh seafood, clam chowder, oysters, lobster, scallops... I mean whats not to love! We went to some amazing places to eat, drink, and almost get thrown out of lol... You can not go to boston and NOT take a tour of Fenway Park. The oldest stadium in MLB! 100 years old. It was a great tour and if I ever see a game there I def want to sit on the green monster! Best seat in the house! Another thing we do on Mancation is if there is a brewery in the area we make sure to tour it! This year we had SAM ADAMS!!!!! Love their Oktoberfest so was excited to take the tour! We made our way to the brewery and it was very small compared to all the other breweries we have toured before. Basically 1 room they only take you into, they only brew beer in Boston for Boston! They have 2 other breweries that supply the rest of the US, one in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania. But the tour showed us how they work and they told us that all the beers are experimented with in the boston brewery. We were able to try a few beers and one of the beers we tried is not out in the market yet they are just testing it to get feedback. A lemon zest beer, which I did not give high marks on. It really did taste god awful. But thats my opinion. Next was DOYLE'S, the first place Sam Adams was sold! The trolly tour driver made the trip! He was very funny and loved to say DOYLE'S... Just the way he said it made you want to ride the trolly around and listen to him talk. DOYLE'S is where Tim Robbins was taken out of a bar to be killed in Mystic River.. Its where they celebrate winning cases in Boston Legal, its a really old bar 130 years old! This was around one pm and we had been drinking since sam adams around 11:30.... The drinks never stopped until early the next morning so yu can imagine how our night went, we had good food, drank a bunch of longislands, made new friends, almost got kicked out of cheers, went on a 7 mile historic walk, seen john handcock and paul reveres grave, walked the streets the red coats did, and ended the night as some irish pub drinking what I think was a clear long island... Can't tell you much more commmmme on our wives may read this lol... It was a successful mancation, already looking forward to next years trip!!!! oh and the colts got SPANKED!
Us at Cheers! Oh btw its is NOTHING LIKE THE SHOW. The only thing on the show that is from this place is the sign we are standing by and the steps going down to the bar. Inside it is very small and they DO NOT LIKE YOU BEING LOUD NO MATTER HOW MANY LONG ISLANDS YOU HAVE HAD.... Oh and its not cheap 2 bottles of beer came up to $21.50 but I can say I had a beer at Cheers!!!
Turkey Day
Well I was home all of 2 days before Thanksgiving events kicked off! I was already dreading standing on the scale from mancation and now I had to deal with, drinks, turkey, stuffing, pies, fudge, taters and gravy, and much more! Ugh the holiday are the worst for weight control. But I went in with my goal of getting to 210 by Christmas in mind. I actually contained myself NO Pecan pie, 1 slice of pumpkin, turkey and stuffing. I did not stuff myself so bad that I felt miserable! It amazes me at the control I have had gained over eating. Heck not to long ago I would have said WeightWatchers whaaaaaaaaat and been all over that food! Eating till my stomach was about to burst. But now I actually have control and feel good about it! So after visiting with family, and eating I knew I had to go weigh in on Black Friday... HELL NO I DID NOT GO SHOPPING! I went in to see the damage I did with eating and basically living the way I want the rest of my life.... There were only a handful of us 6, 7 tops there. Small compared to the regular meetings I go to. But stepped on the scale and UP 4 pounds... Hey hey thats not bad for not working out for a few days and basically eating whatever I damn well wanted to!!!!
So whats up next, CHRISTMAS then NEW YEARS....
Ah the food and drink keep on coming. Holiday parties, friends, and family then finish it off with playing dress up downtown Chicago with the wife and friends! Can not wait, open bar downtown! I have sworn off drinking until new years and OREOS... If you know me I LOVE OREOS... I mean I have 1 a day people! haha.....
Well Recipe Time... Have not done this in awhile!
REINDEER POOP AKA No-Bake Fudgy Snow Balls
No oil, no butter, no baking required. There's much to love about these
no-bake cookies, they are healthy, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free,
vegan, and they taste great too.
MAKES: 21
SERVING SIZE: 1
WW PTS: 2 PTS
Ingredients:
15 pitted dates
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup whole roasted unsalted almonds
1 tbsp honey (agave if vegan)
2 tbsp water (or more if needed)
3 tbsp confectioner's sugar
Directions:
Add almonds to your food processor
and pulse until ground. Add dates, cocoa powder, honey, and water. Mix
until it forms a sticky mass. If it seems too dry, add a little water, 1
tsp at a time. Wash hands and using damp hands (keep sink running) measure 1 tbsp and roll into a ball with the dough. Set balls on parchment paper.
Put confectioner's sugar in a bowl. Roll balls in your hand and then roll in sugar.
Can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
MANCATION is a vacation with the boys! It is a quest to visit EVERY NFL STADIUM! We decide a game to go to when the NFL schedules come out before the season. It usually consist of a Colts game or a Bears game. We alternate every year. This year Happened to be Patriots vs Colts at Foxborrow aka BOSTON!!!! Now one good thing about Mancation is it usually entails great FOOD, BEER, and some memorable moments. This year was no exception. The seafood out there in Boston was AMAZING!!!!!! Fresh seafood, clam chowder, oysters, lobster, scallops... I mean whats not to love! We went to some amazing places to eat, drink, and almost get thrown out of lol... You can not go to boston and NOT take a tour of Fenway Park. The oldest stadium in MLB! 100 years old. It was a great tour and if I ever see a game there I def want to sit on the green monster! Best seat in the house! Another thing we do on Mancation is if there is a brewery in the area we make sure to tour it! This year we had SAM ADAMS!!!!! Love their Oktoberfest so was excited to take the tour! We made our way to the brewery and it was very small compared to all the other breweries we have toured before. Basically 1 room they only take you into, they only brew beer in Boston for Boston! They have 2 other breweries that supply the rest of the US, one in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania. But the tour showed us how they work and they told us that all the beers are experimented with in the boston brewery. We were able to try a few beers and one of the beers we tried is not out in the market yet they are just testing it to get feedback. A lemon zest beer, which I did not give high marks on. It really did taste god awful. But thats my opinion. Next was DOYLE'S, the first place Sam Adams was sold! The trolly tour driver made the trip! He was very funny and loved to say DOYLE'S... Just the way he said it made you want to ride the trolly around and listen to him talk. DOYLE'S is where Tim Robbins was taken out of a bar to be killed in Mystic River.. Its where they celebrate winning cases in Boston Legal, its a really old bar 130 years old! This was around one pm and we had been drinking since sam adams around 11:30.... The drinks never stopped until early the next morning so yu can imagine how our night went, we had good food, drank a bunch of longislands, made new friends, almost got kicked out of cheers, went on a 7 mile historic walk, seen john handcock and paul reveres grave, walked the streets the red coats did, and ended the night as some irish pub drinking what I think was a clear long island... Can't tell you much more commmmme on our wives may read this lol... It was a successful mancation, already looking forward to next years trip!!!! oh and the colts got SPANKED!
Us at Cheers! Oh btw its is NOTHING LIKE THE SHOW. The only thing on the show that is from this place is the sign we are standing by and the steps going down to the bar. Inside it is very small and they DO NOT LIKE YOU BEING LOUD NO MATTER HOW MANY LONG ISLANDS YOU HAVE HAD.... Oh and its not cheap 2 bottles of beer came up to $21.50 but I can say I had a beer at Cheers!!!
Turkey Day
Well I was home all of 2 days before Thanksgiving events kicked off! I was already dreading standing on the scale from mancation and now I had to deal with, drinks, turkey, stuffing, pies, fudge, taters and gravy, and much more! Ugh the holiday are the worst for weight control. But I went in with my goal of getting to 210 by Christmas in mind. I actually contained myself NO Pecan pie, 1 slice of pumpkin, turkey and stuffing. I did not stuff myself so bad that I felt miserable! It amazes me at the control I have had gained over eating. Heck not to long ago I would have said WeightWatchers whaaaaaaaaat and been all over that food! Eating till my stomach was about to burst. But now I actually have control and feel good about it! So after visiting with family, and eating I knew I had to go weigh in on Black Friday... HELL NO I DID NOT GO SHOPPING! I went in to see the damage I did with eating and basically living the way I want the rest of my life.... There were only a handful of us 6, 7 tops there. Small compared to the regular meetings I go to. But stepped on the scale and UP 4 pounds... Hey hey thats not bad for not working out for a few days and basically eating whatever I damn well wanted to!!!!
So whats up next, CHRISTMAS then NEW YEARS....
Ah the food and drink keep on coming. Holiday parties, friends, and family then finish it off with playing dress up downtown Chicago with the wife and friends! Can not wait, open bar downtown! I have sworn off drinking until new years and OREOS... If you know me I LOVE OREOS... I mean I have 1 a day people! haha.....
Well Recipe Time... Have not done this in awhile!
REINDEER POOP AKA No-Bake Fudgy Snow Balls
No oil, no butter, no baking required. There's much to love about these
no-bake cookies, they are healthy, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free,
vegan, and they taste great too.MAKES: 21
SERVING SIZE: 1
WW PTS: 2 PTS
Ingredients:
15 pitted dates
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup whole roasted unsalted almonds
1 tbsp honey (agave if vegan)
2 tbsp water (or more if needed)
3 tbsp confectioner's sugar
Directions:
Add almonds to your food processor
and pulse until ground. Add dates, cocoa powder, honey, and water. Mix
until it forms a sticky mass. If it seems too dry, add a little water, 1
tsp at a time. Wash hands and using damp hands (keep sink running) measure 1 tbsp and roll into a ball with the dough. Set balls on parchment paper.Put confectioner's sugar in a bowl. Roll balls in your hand and then roll in sugar.
Can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
11.12.2012
Motivation and Goals
7 months from now I want to be a lifetime member to WeightWatchers! That is my GOAL... I need MOTIVATION in order to reach my goals! I know that weight is only a number and that you can not judge how you do by the number on the scale... But this was my goal from Day 1 when I started this weight journey! I have roughly 40 more pounds to go. I know that it will be harder these last 40 than it was for the first 80. Man that does not sound right 121 pounds lost. That is what I am shooting for. The thought of me losing that much is crazy to me. Crap my wife doesn't even weigh what I am losing. That is crazy to me.
I found that setting short term and long team goals keep me motivated. Not only weight goals but other goals like fitness or even how I feel etc. Ill share some of my new goals at the bottom of here but along with setting goals I have found that reading others stories and talking with people that have accomplished what I have set out to do is just as motivating! Some days when I have ZERO motivation I tumblr motivational quotes, or motivational stories, transformation pictures. It gives me that little something I need to get out and run that night, or to workout!
What Motivates you to change? What drives you? I love listing to these type of things. If you don't mind sharing I would like to listen.
What drives me is I hate losing. I set my goal and I want to reach it. I don't care if its a pick up game, saying lets run 6 miles, words with friends, tic tac toe, I just hate losing. The thought of me not getting to my goal is what motivates me. Yes I have some help on the way. Friends and Family help me along the way, even if they dont know they are helping. A simple compliment can make you feel great and want to keep it up! I have had 4 friends start insanity in the last week. Some have told me its because they seen the results with me and it really picks you up. Most have asked me about it because they know that is one of the programs I use for cardio. Its a GREAT program and if you are dedicated you will see results! I tell myself its 6 days of Hell with one day off. Right now I am in Round 3 of it and week 3 of month 2. Hour long cardio workouts I tell you can be hell. But LOVE the results of this workout. My friends that are starting out I say this to you: Just stick with it and know that it will kick your butt its not called insanity because its easy.
Past Goals made for New Years Resolution
So in 2012 I would like to accomplish these tasks!
1) Wear and Fit into XL T-Shirts
Currently wearing XL t-shirts and getting rid of my 2XL and 3XL shirts!!!!! Accomplished!!!!
2) Finish Tough Mudder (Sunday, March 17th 2012)
Tough Mudder was canceled due to weather! I did finish warrior dash in record time!!! But am running Tough Mudder Chicago in 2013!
3) Run 15 Miles without walking
Well my runs are now 6 mile runs or 5... I am going to sign up for CHICAGO Marathon 2013!!!! This should be interesting
4) Walk into a store and purchase jeans I am currently in 36/38 W jeans depending on the brand! This is huge since I was in 42/44 and even got up to 46 W jeans!
5) Stay Determined and Motivated
working on that year round!
NEW GOALS
1) FINISH Tough Mudder Chicago
2) Become WeightWatcher Lifetime by May 2013
3) Be 205 by Christmas (currently 218.8)
I found that setting short term and long team goals keep me motivated. Not only weight goals but other goals like fitness or even how I feel etc. Ill share some of my new goals at the bottom of here but along with setting goals I have found that reading others stories and talking with people that have accomplished what I have set out to do is just as motivating! Some days when I have ZERO motivation I tumblr motivational quotes, or motivational stories, transformation pictures. It gives me that little something I need to get out and run that night, or to workout!
What Motivates you to change? What drives you? I love listing to these type of things. If you don't mind sharing I would like to listen.
What drives me is I hate losing. I set my goal and I want to reach it. I don't care if its a pick up game, saying lets run 6 miles, words with friends, tic tac toe, I just hate losing. The thought of me not getting to my goal is what motivates me. Yes I have some help on the way. Friends and Family help me along the way, even if they dont know they are helping. A simple compliment can make you feel great and want to keep it up! I have had 4 friends start insanity in the last week. Some have told me its because they seen the results with me and it really picks you up. Most have asked me about it because they know that is one of the programs I use for cardio. Its a GREAT program and if you are dedicated you will see results! I tell myself its 6 days of Hell with one day off. Right now I am in Round 3 of it and week 3 of month 2. Hour long cardio workouts I tell you can be hell. But LOVE the results of this workout. My friends that are starting out I say this to you: Just stick with it and know that it will kick your butt its not called insanity because its easy.
Past Goals made for New Years Resolution
So in 2012 I would like to accomplish these tasks!
1) Wear and Fit into XL T-Shirts
Currently wearing XL t-shirts and getting rid of my 2XL and 3XL shirts!!!!! Accomplished!!!!
2) Finish Tough Mudder (Sunday, March 17th 2012)
Tough Mudder was canceled due to weather! I did finish warrior dash in record time!!! But am running Tough Mudder Chicago in 2013!
3) Run 15 Miles without walking
Well my runs are now 6 mile runs or 5... I am going to sign up for CHICAGO Marathon 2013!!!! This should be interesting
4) Walk into a store and purchase jeans I am currently in 36/38 W jeans depending on the brand! This is huge since I was in 42/44 and even got up to 46 W jeans!
5) Stay Determined and Motivated
working on that year round!
NEW GOALS
1) FINISH Tough Mudder Chicago
2) Become WeightWatcher Lifetime by May 2013
3) Be 205 by Christmas (currently 218.8)
11.09.2012
Activity!!!!!!!!
Well since summer and the warm weather is giving way to the cold do you have a problem getting in ACTIVITY???? In the summer/spring it is so easy to get in your activity, with events that are outside and fun to do. I will take a day of mowing the yard rather than walking outside and seeing my breath in the cold air! Days seem short because it is dark when I get off work.
Working out has helped me start to shape up. Well as best as I can. I started with just running/walking and now that has went to 5/6 mile runs 3/4 days a week. Then I added in the Insanity workouts and that has kicked my butt! I am currently in my 3rd time thru (on month 2 end of week 2). Then finally I started weights and cardio up in the mornings. Running outside is actually bearable with the UA leggings and cold-gear. Feels good to not be over heated like running in the summer does to me!
Typical Week
Sunday - AM: Run (2/5 miles) then Insanity
Monday - AM: Elliptical, Weights, Jacobs Ladder, • PM: Run (2/5), then Insanity
Tuesday -Elliptical, Core Workout • PM: Insanity
Wednesday - AM: Elliptical, Weights, Jacobs Ladder, • PM: Run (2/5), then Insanity
Thursday -Elliptical, Core Workout, Insanity • PM OFF
Friday - AM: Elliptical, Weights, Insanity • PM OFF
Saturday - Rest or If I have a race...
Usually rack up anywhere between: 75-125 activity points in a week. Sometimes more or less depending on what all I get in.
I also just recently starting sitting on a medicine ball at work to help with posture and what not. I actually like it a lot better than sitting in a chair. Maybe that's because I am a little weird.
What do you do that helps? I am always open to suggestions!!!!! Here is to losing more and getting to my goal!
Working out has helped me start to shape up. Well as best as I can. I started with just running/walking and now that has went to 5/6 mile runs 3/4 days a week. Then I added in the Insanity workouts and that has kicked my butt! I am currently in my 3rd time thru (on month 2 end of week 2). Then finally I started weights and cardio up in the mornings. Running outside is actually bearable with the UA leggings and cold-gear. Feels good to not be over heated like running in the summer does to me!
Typical Week
Sunday - AM: Run (2/5 miles) then Insanity
Monday - AM: Elliptical, Weights, Jacobs Ladder, • PM: Run (2/5), then Insanity
Tuesday -Elliptical, Core Workout • PM: Insanity
Wednesday - AM: Elliptical, Weights, Jacobs Ladder, • PM: Run (2/5), then Insanity
Thursday -Elliptical, Core Workout, Insanity • PM OFF
Friday - AM: Elliptical, Weights, Insanity • PM OFF
Saturday - Rest or If I have a race...
Usually rack up anywhere between: 75-125 activity points in a week. Sometimes more or less depending on what all I get in.
I also just recently starting sitting on a medicine ball at work to help with posture and what not. I actually like it a lot better than sitting in a chair. Maybe that's because I am a little weird.
What do you do that helps? I am always open to suggestions!!!!! Here is to losing more and getting to my goal!
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