Poor Results

I must be going backwards.  Hell, I am going backwards.  I know I am.  I just weighed myself for this week's stats and, I'm unhappy with the results.  Maybe it's the scale.  I don't know.  It said I was at 328.4...then 329.4...then 330.2.  I'm not happy with any of those numbers.

In all honesty, this whole thing has sort of been on the back burner lately.  I think I just really burned myself out with it too fast.  I'm going to try and take a step back and reevaluate this whole thing.  I'm still determined to do this but, I have to think realistically.  I have to really consider my options and work hard to reach my weight loss goals.

Anyways, that's the bad news.  The good news is I've recently heard that "The Biggest Loser" will be having an open casting call on July 30th in Austin.  I'll be there and be hoping I get picked.  I feel almost like I need something big to happen for me to be able to make the change.  And it doesn't get much bigger than that.

I Haven't Forgotten

Hey, folks.  I haven't abandoned this project so, don't worry!  I wasn't able to get around to weighing myself on Sunday and I've been busy with some other projects so, I'll be posting my 2 weeks stats on the 29th.  I'll also try to get another article in before then.  Have a good few days and I'll update you soon.

Find What Inspires You

It's not something you probably think about too often, not that you really need to.  But, it's pretty important to be inspired.  Without inspiration, would we have reason?  I don't believe so.  Now, I'm not necessarily saying to throw out the normal go to subjects of inspiration like family or friends.  Those, for me at least, are pretty much a given.  I'm talking about more so inspiration to better myself.  I'll tell you, for me, it came from some pretty crazy places.

First and foremost, The Biggest Loser.  This show has been on my mind since the first time I saw it on television, probably around the 3rd season.  There was something really special about showing up each week and seeing folks just like me lose weight and be healthier and happier.  It's funny though, I'd watch this show about exercise, losing weight and bettering your diet as I sat on a couch, gaining weight and eating junk food.  Until recently, I wasn't motivated but, as I continue to watch the show, I do gain inspiration from it.  Talking of that, I'll be trying out for the show in July so, here's hoping!  

Beyond that, a show that's been off the air for a few years but, I recently started watching on Netflix: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.  It's crazy but, these guys really do inspire me to better my outlooks and my health and look.  I've completely changed up my daily routines and have begun to take better care of my skin, teeth and hair.  As well, I've gained some great knowledge on cooking and drinking, as well as interactions with others.  It's really worth it to put your own personal feelings aside and take a moment and hear what these guys are saying, you'd be surprised what you will learn.

Finally, there's a person who really inspires me aside from those I'm close to.  His name is Kevin Clash.  Let me provide some background.  Now, growing up, I was a big fan of Sesame Street.  I loved pretty much anything Jim Henson touched, as I believe most people in the 80s did.  As I grew up, I still loved those muppets and would sometimes catch Sesame Street just to revisit my childhood a bit and smile.  But man, I hated Elmo.  I mean it.  That little red bastard, I just couldn't stand him.  Fast forward a decade and watch a documentary called "Being Elmo".  I was a bit hesitant but figured, "what the hell"?

This guy's story really touched me.  Kevin Clash is his name.  He started making puppets as a child and, by the age of 19, was in television working for Captain Kangaroo and shortly after, Jim Henson productions on Sesame Street.  He was later given the chance to be Elmo and really took hold of that character and made it his own.  Now, the most inspirational thing is that he takes time for children, sick children, whose dying wish is to meet Elmo.  In the documentary, they show an interaction between him and a child and I just broke down.  I thought what an amazing person to do this for kids.  He really is someone I aspire to be, not necessarily a puppeteer but, just a good man who puts others before himself.  It's hard for someone like me whose heart has become stone over the years but, I'm working to be a better person.

So, that's just a small sample of what inspires me.  What inspires you?  Think about it sometime and really aspire to be better.  You're already great so, why not be better?  Take care.

Striiv

If you've seen my weekly stats updates, you've probably noticed that I provide some information on how many steps I took throughout the week along with mileage and other cool little tidbits on what I did throughout the week.  How, you may ask, am I able to provide these statistics?  Well, it's all taken care of by a cool little device called "Striiv".

Striiv is really an amazing little machine.  It's given me more of a reason to continue in my journey of losing weight simply because I'm a stats nut and it really does add a fun factor to what otherwise would be what I consider "boring fitness".  Not only does it provide basic statistics but, it does it in a really fun way.  Let me explain.

Everyday, Striiv has Trophies to, well, "strive" for and gives even more of a reason to push yourself day to day.  For instance, my most recent trophy was beating my personal best in mileage where I was able to rack up more than 3.3 miles.  Keep in mind, that's throughout the day.  Still, it's now my personal best and gives me a new goal to beat tomorrow!  Another cool trophy that I have a chance earn soon is "Half Marathon".  This particular trophy is to walk 13.1 miles this week.  Shouldn't be too hard and, it's well worth it!  Let me explain further...

Trophies not only provide a cool way to track personal achievements, they can also be used towards helping others.  Each time you earn a trophy, you receive energy.  This energy can then be added towards a certain cause.  In my case, every time I walk 18,000 steps, I can donate one day of clean water to a child in South America.  Sure, it's nothing major but, it's a cool little extra thing that motivates me to go walk that extra few steps.  There are plenty of trophies to earn and try to push to get, along with "lifetime" trophies which accumulate all the steps you've ever taken since starting.

Back to Energy, it can also be used in a little game where you're basically building a jungle paradise.  Whenever you get energy, you can convert that into money which allows you to build things like ponds to fish in or mansions to live in as well as plants to just pretty up the island.  The game reminds me a lot of Facebook games however, the energy is earned by things you do and, it's not a waiting game.  If you want to get some more things for the game, go walk around the block real quick and use the energy to make some purchases!

There are plenty of really fun features that Striiv has.  It might not be something that would work for everyone but, as a gamer, this whole award system really works for me.  If you're interested in getting more information on the "Striiv" device, check out their website at:  http://www.striiv.com/

Second Week

Well, it's that time of the week again and here's the results:

Weight:  327.2 lbs     Last Week:  327.8 lbs   Total Loss:  .6 lbs

So, not a huge loss there which is too bad but, it's still a loss.  As long as I continue that trend, I think I'll remain happy and optimistic.  As for the other stats:

Steps Taken:       29818

Miles Walked :    14

Calories Burned: 6763

Minutes Active:   333

Well, that's better than last week!  Maybe my body's getting used to the walking and I need to step it up a bit or maybe it's something with my diet.  In any case, I did lose weight and feel good about my progress thus far.  Just gotta keep it up!  :)

Until next time, take care!

Walking And Other Activities

Well, not necessarily a hike.  But, go take a walk.  Sure.  Why not?  

"Oh, cause I hate it."

Oh man, I used to.  Though still, walking is not something I care for much at all.  Some people like it.  Hell, some people add some speed to it and jog or run it up.  Not the biggest fan.  But, you know what, it doesn't have to be all that bad.  Bring along a friend or a neighbor or even a relative.  Don't have a human friend?  Bring along a pet.  My dog loves walking and, in turn, it helps me to get out there and check out the world.

But to be honest, today's pretty muggy and ugly outside so, I'd rather not walk.  

"What can I do instead of walking?"

Well, maybe you have an elliptical or stationary bike out in the garage.  Go dust it off and do some miles.  Don't have that?  Why not do some aerobics?  

"I'll look stupid."

Who cares what you look like?  It's just you alone working out.  You can find a whole bunch of videos on sites like YouTube that give a whole 30 minute workout.  That's definitely a direction to go.

"Well, that's great but, what are you going to do today, Joe?"

Good question.  I'm a gamer.  So, I incorporate gaming into my exercises where I can.  Games like "The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout" or "Your Shape: Fitness Evolved" along with a Kinect on an Xbox 360 allow you to get up and play a game while getting in exercise.  But, my game of choice, at least for today, "Rock Band 3".  I'll be drumming and working up a sweat.  You'd be surprised how much of a workout you can get from it.

Well, I'm off!  I hope you find what works for you and do a little exercise where you can.

It's Okay To Smile

Yea.  It is.  I'm not saying smile if something is pissing you off.  If that's happening, be mad.  It's okay to be mad, too.  Sometimes though, we get overly upset about the small stuff.  If you find yourself overwhelmed, just take a step back and take a look at your situation.  Is it really worth being this upset about?  Usually, things really aren't that bad.

"The god damn internet went out!  Stupid bullshit!"  Yea, I've gone a little nuts over something that small.  Stupid, huh?  It's like "Um, okay dude.  Settle down a bit."  It's definitely not the end of the world.  Take a step back, breathe, and deal with it like an adult.  "Well, shit, internet went out.  Let's find something else to do while it's down."  There's gotta be something, right?  Clean up some of your home.  Take a quick shower.  Do a little exercise.  Watch some television.  Read a book.  There's plenty of things you can do.  And, before you know it, you forgot all about the internet going down and are invested in something else.

It's safe to say that I've got a hell of an anger problem.  I tend to blow up at the smallest thing.  My new goal, along with weight loss, is to change my attitude on things.  Sure, I'll allow myself to get upset about big things (life, job, money, etc) but, I'll take a second thought before I blow up on the little things.  And, when you're happy, smile.  Positive outlooks lead to positive outcomes!  Cheesy but, it's true!

Take care!