This is the first entry of my fitness journal so I am going to break down what "slimburrok" implies.

Slim - obviously what I want to look like
Burro - I will need to work to get where I want
K - is for "key", as in, work is the key to being slim

Today, I'm sick and staying home from work so I'm catching up on my journaling. I believe that online forums like this can bring real connections between people and supplement someone's life (as opposed to replacing). That said, I will make this promise. If I journal online, I will do my best to get up and do something for my body.

Right now, I can only walk or swim because I weigh over 400 lbs but I'm making life altering choices to change all that. I am having a lap-banding procedure done, seeing a counselor and nutritionist, and entertaining new hobbies such as kayaking, hiking, backpacking, camping, etc. In a way, I must be interested in fitness, too, since these hobbies require some athleticism.

DATES
So here are some historical facts about this journey.

12/28/2006: started seeing a physician, Craig Warren, D.O., for weight loss management in preparation for lap-band procedure. Required 6 months of weight history for insurance purposes.

04/11/2007: Nutritional assessment performed by John Cartmell, M.S., C.N.

07/16/2007: Consultation with William D. Neal, M.D., F.A.C.S., the lap-band surgeon

09/10/2007: Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield mailed surgery approval letter

09/10/2007: Lap-band procedure scheduled at Mason General Hospital

09/18/2007: Counseling session with Jody Ferguson, M.S. begins. To be seen each week up until and shortly after procedure.

09/25/2007: Pre-surgery nutritional consultation with Sheila Smith, M.S., C.N.

09/27/2007: Began posting online to DrNealsBand Yahoo Group for support.

10/07/2007: Began Medifast diet to enter a stage of ketosis prior to surgery. Began walking.

10/10/2007: Walked 15,000 steps in one week. Still on Medifast diet.

10/11/2007: Discovered John Stone Fitness Forums hooray!

GOALS
To fit into any seatbelt without using an extender
To be comfortable in seats on a plane, movie theater, etc.
To buy clothes at normal stores carrying my sizes.
To start having sex with my wife again
To be happier, less moody
To never worry about breaking furniture and toilets again
To go back to Six Flags and ride all the rides
To get approving stares instead of pity stares
To start new hobbies like kayaking, climbing, diving, sky diving, snowboarding, camping, backpacking, raptor watching, etc.
To feel more like a man by shrinking my breasts
To meet and talk with like-minded people
To gather new exciting friendships

Today I tried the AM walk and I sure felt pretty good afterwards! I didn't want to do it on an empty stomach, so I had my Medifast protein shake prior to stepping out. Since I was sick, I wrapped a scarf around my neck and wore my hood up. Quite refreshing and I felt good the rest of the day. Now, if only I can wake up earlier everyday!

I can do this...

Hey I just wanted to say welcome and :gl: with your physical and lifestyle transformation.

It would have taken some time to become the person you are now, so obviously it will take some time to undo all that. But with taking steps everyday to eat right and be active I am sure you will get there.

Don't lose faith, and don't let a bad day throw you off.
Once again Good luck :tu:

Arch

Thanks Arch! Cute kid :nod:

Today, I woke up to my cats mewling and punching me for breakfast. My body decided to wake up at 9:00 even with a long night, so I grabbed my sweats and went out. When I finished my AM walk, I grabbed their food from my trunk and headed upstairs to find a fresh pile of cat turd in front of the litter box. Yep, they punished me for taking too long on my walk! I set the food down after retching from the smell and I am going to take my sweet time to feed them. It's okay, I bought a feeder so they'll go out less often. Let them get fat, I'm getting skinny!

I've been sick because of the weather change. There must have been some nasty mold in my heaters because as soon as I turned them on for this fall, I started to get allergies and a nasty cough. Still walking... still on the Medifast.

However, I've skipped a couple meals on the Medifast because I just wasn't all that hungry or I was out when it was my meal time.
Oh well.

Hey Slim

Just wanted to say :gl: with your transformation. I can see that your committing to change for all the right reasons. I'm sure that with all tools needed in your grasp success will follow. If you need any support/advice drop me a pm

Niall

Hey Slim

Just wanted to say :gl: with your transformation. I can see that your committing to change for all the right reasons. I'm sure that with all tools needed in your grasp success will follow. If you need any support/advice drop me a pm

Niall

I appreciate it Niall. I may take you up on that. Thanks.

Today, I continued my Medifast plan and I had beef and elk jerky, accompanied by a plain salad w/ vinegar and olive oil dressing. I didn't take a walk today, but tomorrow, I plan to take a walk after getting up at 7:00AM, then driving to my soon-to-be-ex-mother-in-law's house to go to a pre-op appointment for my Lap-band surgery, happening in a week's time.

I have a lot to talk about since my last post, huh? First of all, I joined a gym!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First time ever joining a real gym but I can tell I'm going to love it already. The personal trainers are seriously nice and I've got a whole slew of training booked for anytime I want. I met the club owner I think and he showed me the ropes and has been interested in my progress. I'm chatting everyone up, at least the staff. and WHY DIDN'T I JOIN A GYM BEFORE???

Okay, there's nothing at all wrong w/ this. Not only can I meet some really hot women, but I'll get to listen to my own music, work out whenever I want to, and just blast through it??

I'm starting slow. Yesterday, I did 15 minutes on the treadmill, up to 3 mph and today I did 1 mile in 22:22 minutes. I'm also doing some 22 pectoral squeezes and using the stretching machine. I need to pound the water more.

Okay, the bad news. I've been having issues with my wife again and we're getting a divorce. But that's going to be okay because I get to start having sex with women originally out of my league! Also, I vomited yesterday because I ate too much. I never want to vomit but since I had the lap-band surgery, it will be a possibility. I'm not going to try it again, I'm going to pay attention to whatever I stuff my face with from now on!

Today is a new moon and I'm sleeping in a 12x12 tent in my parent's backyard completely alone and perfectly happy!

Good luck man.:gl:

i forgot to mention my weight loss.

October 22, 2007: 391 lbs.
October 31, 2007: 370 lbs.

Today, I woke up a little after dawn because I was cold. That's okay, I got dressed and headed to the gym anyways. I worked on my pecs, 24 reps each side. I did 50 minutes on the treadmill at 3.0 mph and 1.5 incline. I felt great after showering. Then I did another 30 minutes on the tm.

Okay, I've noticed something peculiar. When I'm walking on my treadmill, I get REALLY high. I'm listening to my music and I'm dancing, playing air guitar, having fun. Meanwhile, I go to my happy place of blasting music of my choice and get a runner's high. Nice.

Hello all,

Been hitting the gym everyday for the past week. The day before yesterday I went out dancing, too. I've been really motivated and some of it has to do with this forum. The other day I did 40 x 17.5 lbs weights on my biceps, I did a few pec major workouts, but mostly I've been hitting the treadmill. Right now, I'm a bit chaffed so I'll put some ointment on before tomorrow. Tomorrow, I have a personal trainer scheduled at 8:00PM at my new gym.
:bb:

I've got some updates on my progress. Yesterday, I got my first lap-band fill so I weighed in at the Pacific Surgical Weight Loss Center at 360 lbs. I'm not good with number constants (only concepts such as infinite series and logical branching structures) so I'm sure that's a good amount. I've been hitting the gym as often as I can think about it. I've got one gym 10 mi from my house and about 10 mi from my new job, so I'm covered for wherever I am.

I've got a lot more confidence and I've been asking people for dates every now and then. Sometimes, I'll get ignored but I'll keep pluggin!

I've been doing upper body training after I hit the treadmill for about 45 minutes. Today, I got my heart rate up to 165 at a pretty big incline, so I'm definitely working hard. I did about bicep 6 reps with 35 lbs weights, which looked daunting. I had to visualize it as just another bag of groceries or something. Don't worry, I did more reps than that with lesser weights, but that was my push today.

I met this smoking hot Certified Trainer at the gym. We chatted about listening to music and dancing on the treadmill and she was really positive. I'm not sure if she's just looking for clients, but I'm definitely getting noticed more because of my confidence.

Another side effect: it turns out that feeling better like this really helps you interview! I've had 3 interviews, 2 at Microsoft in Redmond, WA and 1 with some startup. All three really liked me and now I'm making my choice of the lot!

Can't wait until i break 300! WOO!

Well, I haven't been hitting the gym as much, but I'll pick up starting today since I have an appointment with a personal trainer. Actually the past couple weeks, I have had the flu and it really effing sucks. I lost 20 lbs in the past month, so I guess my diet is going well. I went to the hospital the other day because I got dehydrated and couldn't keep anything down. I've had my lap-band filled for the second time yesterday. My clothes are starting to fit better or fall off. I can cinch my belt tighter, too.

i like the way you incorporated meaning into you nickname:)


Okay, I've noticed something peculiar. When I'm walking on my treadmill, I get REALLY high. I'm listening to my music and I'm dancing, playing air guitar, having fun. Meanwhile, I go to my happy place of blasting music of my choice and get a runner's high. Nice.
:claphigh::claphigh: whenever you feel like not going to the gym remember that feeling. the more often you go, the longer you keep this feeling and attitude after a workout.



Another side effect: it turns out that feeling better like this really helps you interview! I've had 3 interviews, 2 at Microsoft in Redmond, WA and 1 with some startup. All three really liked me and now I'm making my choice of the lot!

see what i'm talking about?:nod:
keep it up and you'll break the 300:bb::bb::bb:

i like the way you incorporated meaning into you nickname:)

:claphigh::claphigh: whenever you feel like not going to the gym remember that feeling. the more often you go, the longer you keep this feeling and attitude after a workout.


see what i'm talking about?:nod:
keep it up and you'll break the 300:bb::bb::bb:

Thanks Buttersweet! I am almost there, but I'm definitely not stopping at 300 :cool: I haven't got as high recently but that hardly matters. When I do a good workout and take a shower or steambath, my entire skin feels happy. Thanks for the kind words :)