Thots

Hello me, It’s me again.. Another year in the books.. another holiday season survived.. and now on to dealing with the resolutioners in the gym.. that’s the worst part of being strict through the holidays, only to be punished for the next 3-6 weeks with a crowded gym.. anyway….

The 08′ recap for me was great.. I set a goal that was slightly out of reach and I did come up slightly short, though with being good through the month of December with the exception of a few unintentional missed days at the gym my results were right on par with what I’ve been doing the last 1/4 of the year.. I was able to reduce my BF% a decent amount and drop my weight to just below 300, which is bittersweet for me because since overcoming the 300 stigma years ago I feel different not being 300+.. mentally it’s a bigger hit than it is physically.. but with the weight loss comes BF% loss so I am going to restructure my routine in a month or 2 so that I can get up in weight.. but that’s a little far off..

I have a trip planned in mid Feb. (Daytona) as I always do and this is my new short term goal.. 5 weeks, 36 days and as hard as I can go until then.. I’d much rather drop BF% more than weight obviously so I know my weight training will be nothing less than 110%.. especially knowing that after the 5 weeks I’ll have a week off to rest.. cardio began to increase the last few weeks to include a second evening session which I loved.. mostly because I got to people watch a whole new crowd.. but also because I was able to feel like I was doing everything I could, expel any extra energy I had and extra calories, and be able to eat portions I wanted without an effect.. I fine tuned my diet for this run, and will change a few things in my training to mix up strength training with endurance weight training and also manipulate rest periods for extra calorie burn.. I am planning to assemble and train with an arsenal of strongman type training and event apparatuses along with Mark (brutusplac).. So there should be no reason that the next 5 weeks will be anything less than a near death experience.. making Daytona a welcomed relief as well as an enjoyably confident trip with my new results..

Since I started my newly motivated and determined training… I’ve come to really enjoy writing these little updates every so often just to remind myself that I’m doing this for me.. and be able to look back and feel accomplished when what I said happened.. I haven’t really posted anything other than these updates lately because sometimes some topics are just not that interesting.. and who really wants to read someones daily entry.. it’s the little accomplishments and the big picture we are interested in.. as a side note I’d really like to make more friends on here too.. I’ll have to mark that on my goal list and be more proactive in that pursuit…

Well me, It’s nice talking to myself…

I just felt like an update so here goes..  I’m about 8-9 weeks into my new training.. and the stride I aluded to in my previous entry (See: "The New Determination" below) happened.. it happend in the last few weeks.. I am down 6 pounds and .6%BF in the last few weeks.. since the beginning it’s about a 1.3 pound per week rate.. which I am completely comfortable with now.. knowing it’s more BF than muscle.. the stride came to a head with TDay.. and yes I stuck to my diet though instead of the chicken and tuna I did have turkey.. lots of veggies, and after a few days of low carb I had leftovers as my high carb day.. so I got the best of both worlds by working it into my diet strategy..  now that that’s over I got my rest this weekend and did my extended cardio this morning before the weekend warriors got to the gym.. getting ready for my last run of 08.. I’m really excited about where this is going.. at the 1.3 pound rate I’m now really looking forward to spring.. there have been no signs of slowing down.. maybe a few higher than normal fatigue days but everything has been progressing well..

Stocking up tomorrow on more food.. and with my passion for the culinary arts I haven’t gotten tired of bland foods.. keeping things interesting in the kithen is something I love.. oh and of course the non caloric world of herbs and spices.. I’m seriously considering adding a second session of cardio at least a couple times a week just through the end of the year just to see how I feel and if it helps keep things in check and progressing.. we’ll see.. Also in the works is to unbury my cross trainer and weights (from a move not neglect) making my pre breakfast cardio a possibility again.. The training in the gym is progressing so well, I’m still far from my old strength in some movements, but right there with others which is great.. my focus has been to bring up lagging parts from the start this time.. traps and rear delts are a couple I focused on and have seen it in the mirror.. My low back is another that I totally keep in the front of my mind at all times both when working on it and doing everything else.. I have a few tricks up my tight ass sleeves for the next few weeks to try so with all this motivation, anticipation, excitement, and fortitude I hope to have another awesome update in 4 weeks time!!

Well I know no one reads my blogs anymore but I wanted to write something positive and not leave my last entry with "bad weeks" and a negative vibe.. 

So about 5 -6 weeks ago I came out of a mental slump and just decided to go back to basics.. I had enough of the over engineering of my routines and diet which just caused me to stumble more than strive through the first few weeks of a return in the past..  I dropped a lot of BS friends in the process because I just couldn’t compare or fit in with their goals, and I wasn’t in the right mental frame of mind at the time, so I thought, and that I regret because they are awesome friends.. so I was on my own to rely on my knowledge and past experience in order to succeed this time.. I did one thing different than most of the other times I returned from hiatus.. I didn’t think about it.. I just did it.. back to basics, I knew what foods I needed to eat, what workouts I needed to complete and what cardio I needed to do.. nothin to it but to do it at this point.. and off I was..  well after a trip to Costco’s to stock up on the good stuff of course.. days went by, soreness came and went, fatigue decreased energy increased, cravings reared their ugly head, and within about 2-3 weeks I was pretty comfortable with how everything was progressing, had a routine that I was managing on the daily in and out of the gym… I am using the end of the year as a goal date.. though I have no set weight or BF% that I want to attain.. I am just going to go all out as best I can until then and see what happens.. and yes I plan to stick with chicken breasts and tuna and veggies through the holiday.. there will certainly be more holidays so I can miss a few traditional meals through this one for the greater good..

now I’m about 5+ weeks in and down about 5 pounds and 1% BF.. I really wanted this to be a little more especially after reading all the transformation articles where these people lost 2-4 pounds a week.. then again I’ve learned through both research and experience that more than 2 is going to be some muscle mass loss which I want to avoid.. either way I’m progressing pretty well, and with each progression I get a boost to do more cardio, or hit the weights a little harder or use cooking spray.. lol  I figure that with the last 5 weeks or so under my belt I should be hitting a stide sometime soon.. I go on and off of writing down my meals and counts, though the meals are the same on the daily and I do weigh everything so that I don’t lack in getting protein in..

I go to Daytona in Feb. and that is my secondary goal.. it’s hot there and wherever you go there are good looking people in shape.. I’m not going to be the dude who won’t get out of his car at the beach.. um actually that guy’s probably a creep!!.. but anyway as long as I progress with fat loss, feeling good, and enjoying what I’m doing.. I’ll have achieved something positive come the end of the year regardless..  This site too and all of it’s members.. well, most of it’s members have been inspirational and motivational through viewing their profiles of changes and struggles.. so hopefully I can reconnect with some and keep on keepin on until the end of the year.. because I don’t want to be just another New Year’s Resolutioner, I want to be the one unveiling what I’ve accomplished at that time..

Hey guys.. I know I didn’t make my weekly update last weekend and I thought for sure I’d get to it.. nope never did.. so I think I upset some people in not posting an update.. so I am squeezing a little of it in now..  what a rough week and a half I have had.. not only my move, but I was with Tom last week.. and as you know with Tom comes eating bad and the feeling like crap that follows.. ok, I just happen to play golf with my friend Tom, but when we are out and about the eating bad is the same.. I pack a lunch, all proper like, and of course he never brings a thing.. so we eat out..  I am sort of stuck… granted I could order a salad.. and rightfully should have.. but you know, I just haven’t gotten as far as I wanted with results so I’m right on the edge of slip ups.. like walking on that line.. and for 5 weeks I was literally hanging out on that line.. ok I had a really long balance pole, but still on the line.. and then there’s the Tom ordeal.. he’s sitting there shaking the line!!  until I fall.. fall right into a vat of greasy food.. ok I went a little too far with the analogy there, but I think you all know what that’s like.. well most of you.. not only all that but other life issues got involved or have been involved so the last week+ has been crappy.. I’d really like to use another adjective but this is a family show!!..

As for my results.. I finished the full 6 weeks, albeit 2 weeks late, but I was down in BF% only .1 and plus 2.5 pounds.. go figure.. I know fluctuations will occur and I’m ok with this given what my week has been like.. if I can at least maintain until I get back hardcore again then I won’t have to redo what I just did.. 

of all the weeks to have a crappy week it had to be the last one and this one.. everyone blew by me with the challenges and I let myself get left in the dust.. now 30+ people all in awesome shape and like half entering contests it would be crazy to think I can keep up and of course here I am, missed the beginning of not just one but two challenges.. it was fun while it lasted and I’ve had a good run.. pleased with what I did even though pics won’t show it nor will measurements I assume…  just my belt and shirts and shorts..

Well, I don’t know what else to write.. that’s my lame update and pretty much everything else is a dud.. I guess while my life is in shambles, I somehow was able to get away and visit the BS (BodySpace) world.. but it’s the other 23+ hours of the day that have sucked…  and it can’t be returned in exchange of another one.. lol…

Hey guys!! well, I’m glad everyone enjoyed my little comical stories.. I sure have plenty of little instances that just make one have to laugh.. more to come.. oh and if you just can’t get enough, and I know you’re dieing for more…, scroll down to some of my previous blogs.. boy did I go through some crazy stuff a few months ago.. you’ll enjoy….

Oh and before I forget, I might need to make a clarification on "The Dentist" entry.. (for Nicky) I mentioned I was "perfect" when referring to coming from the dentist.. but following that was "in 8-10 years"  don’t get me wrong I’ve got my share of lead in my mouth.. I’m just happy I’ve been this long without issue… but all from years ago when I made dentist appointments.. now I let the office make the appointments and low and behold.. I go 2 times a years and actually pay attention to what they tell me to do.. that works.. lol  actually I realized a while ago that I was fortunate to not have had braces and/or lose any teeth, that I should take care of them.. you know how it is when you are a kid.. who wants to go to the dentist.. now.. I only brush the teeth I want to keep.. lol  enough on that.. wake up there is some interesting stuff ahead here..

I learned today that the new results for the fattest and thinnest states report came out.. with a national obesity rate of 68%.. ugh!!  sorry, I threw up just a little bit in my mouth..  I did find out that my state, CT, is 3rd thinnest.. which absolutely blows my mind because There Is Nothing To Do Here!!!!  people spend half their day commuting in this unreal I95 traffic and the other half choosing their path of least resistance all while complaining about how slow the drive through is at McDonald’s..  and no one, I mean no one does their own yard work or house work…  there is a joke here and you know what it is.. so I’ll refrain from saying it… lol  maybe it’s because we still have farms.. nah then Kansas would be in the top 5.. maybe they only got half the CT population to respond, that makes more sense considering fairfield county and beyond is full of rich snobs who would rather step on your face than look at you.. in any event.. the study was based on BMI (Body Mass Index).. which we all know is a farce.. a bogus number that is so beyond outdated in having any relativity in such a study.. as we all know a pro bodybuilder who is 5′10 and 245 pounds with 3% BF will have the exact same BMI as an obese guy 5′10" 245 and 28% BF…  besides.. I don’t remember doing any test.. nor have I ever heard of it.. where do they get the results.. tell me how this study holds any water whatsoever..  the whole list is on calorielab.com now why isn’t this damn line moving!!!.. jk…

On to the real news of the day.. hey, I took the scenic route that’s all.. so I weigh.. and check BF.. I had to do it like 12 times just to make sure it was right..  I am down 5 pounds and down .1 on BF% from last week which dips me under 26%…  how happy am I right now.. I think you know.. so if you jump up and down and yell and scream and call your friends.. pretned thats me.. lol  

This challenge, I can’t even tell you.. you guys have brought such a feeling of belonging for me and just participating with real honest to goodness fun caring compassionate people each week is indescribable.. It’s been the best thing for me just to get mentally through everything.. of course I have to do the physical work but it all seems fun and interesting and going through this battle with friends (that you have to report to!!) means much more than the lone struggle we would otherwise have to endure.. Thanks for keeping me in line.. lol  ok, why do I have to end this defluff next week in favor of a booty challenge again!!, I’m doing pretty good here.. lol  I’ll get to everyones blogs later today.. Have a wonderful weekend-week!!!..

I know it’s mid week and lately I’ve been way too busy to blog more than once a week anyway.. saving all my stories and experiences of the week for that one entry.. well.. I cannot save this stuff anymore.. first it’s pretty funny, and second, I shouldn’t waste every one’s time with a super long blog.. why not split it up because someone likes to chat!!..

First of all I’ve really enjoyed every ones blogs this past week, most have completed the fluff challenge and some are still on the tail end, myself included.. it’s like I hardly want it to end.. like that really great movie you are sad when it is ending..  uhh ok, anyway.. this week I feel awesome.. I had one evening meal that was more carbs than protein, not too happy I did that, but other than that I’ve hit 3 of 4 days so far with my AM before breakfast HIIT.. I feel awesome about that and looking forward to my weigh in later this week..

Ok so a couple things happened to me, funny instances.. first, I was moving a TV.. no problem so far.. I get it to the spot, start to lower it and "POP"  no freakin way.. my button popped off on my shorts!!!!.. there is no way I am still this fat.. I stand up and it falls to the floor rolls a bit and my shorts begin to slide down.. I could do nothing but laugh.. so I change and finish what I am doing.. later on I go to sew on a new button (yes ladies a man who knows how to sew on a button, but that’s another show!) I take a look at the button and the center is gone.. still sewn on the shorts.. oh did this make me feel half good at least that it wasn’t completely me.. and it wasn’t the thread that failed as usual, it was the actual button that broke out from the center.. either that or the extreme force applied to that little plastic button was greater than it was tested for.. haha I think the later.. which doesn’t make me feel that good.. lol  I just need to get a better button that’s all.. yeah that’s it, it was a cheap button.. lol

ok next I had a dentist appointment this morning.. just a cleaning, I’ve been perfect for at least 8-10 years and have all 32 original teeth and no braces… for any higiene freaks out there reading this.. lol  well, two things.. one is I realize that the last time I was in there (Jan.) I was starting to get into a routine and losing some weight, just started my BS page and now (6 mo’s later) I am just about the same.. ugh.. so then after I get over that.. she asks me to rinse and I start to rise but slowly (just taking my time) and she said "can you do a sit up ok?"…..  no you didn’t.. don’t I at least look like I can do ONE situp from a recliner!!! so of course the next time I have to rinse I pop up with the quickness!!.. 

 This was just a couple of short stories here of some funny things that happened this week.. Hope everyone is having a great week so far!!..

Ok guys.. I just finished reading up on every ones newest blogs.. what an emotional roller coaster I just went on.. pheww..  lost a few players, but needless to say they (you) are still on the team.. (we do have a DL) Our thoughts, hearts, and every other supportive emotion we have is with them (you).. Defluffing is more than just getting those killer abs or a solid "booty".. (group term) it’s about people, togetherness, support and motivation… This I’ve learned in just my short 4 weeks as a member…

I am on week 6 since starting back.. and week 4 as an official FTFer.. I’ve had some great results, learned a few things.. made some awesome friends and grew as a person as a result..  I started out at 326.5 and 26.9% BF.. after week 5 I’m 312.5 and 26.0% BF… very pleased with this… and I’m still going to finish two more weeks to make an official 6..

A word on my weight.. society places a stigma on the number 300.. you tell someone you are 300 pounds and they react like you are this grotesque thing.. so naturally for years I felt ashamed.. fast forward to me at 249 (my all time low) no one reacted violently, or made comments.. which was nice, but it wasn’t me..  I felt emaciated.. looking back at pics from then I had much less muscle tone and just plain didn’t fit my frame.. I trained like mad and got up to about 280 but much more solid.. post surgery 4 years ago I gained a bunch of weight.. leaned it out a bit in 06 to a 21%BF 306.. now I’m on the same mission, to get leaner.. but through this jouney I leared one thing.. to be OK with a 300+ frame.. I certainly carry it well, and when ever asked what I weigh i always let them guess and what do they say.. not even close to 300.. so I pay no mind to the stigma and have made my goal to be the leanest and most solid I can at whatever weight that ends up being…  at 6′3" and with some of my other measurements I am not worried but pleased to be where I am and to refine what I have.. ok, nuff said there!!…

I know my last blog might have seemed at one point there that I was a little down about the results of that week.. and what I wrote represented literally 45 seconds worth of thought.. the 45 seconds following my learning of said results.. typed it looked like a book.. lol  I definitely fed off of every ones positive vibes and appreciate all the support..  it gets me through..  I jumped back in starting off the week.. by mid week I was feeling amazing.. energy, lean feeling, strong..  by Wed. other emotions kicked in, including sadness from my move.. after being in the same place for literally 30 years and now having to move.. well… every memory I have ever known is in that house… I mean every single one.. so it’s extremely hard leaving.. and now living with that uncomfortable feeling in a new place.. very sad and that effected my training towards the end of the week.. much like the others who have had emotional setbacks the last few weeks, I to have been stricken.. mine has been not eating though.. and what I do eat has been what I would eat, only less of it.. and a little less care as to keeping cravings at bay.. you know.. which I guess I am fortunate that this lasted only a few days or the cravings would have overwhelmed and the mild eating would have turned into binge eating.. I got so sad yesterday but one thing I knew I HAD to do was weigh and check BF for my fluff girls.. and then a few messages came in and I began to lift from my sadness..  This past week I am the same as far as weight, but down a half a percent on the body fat.. which I thought was great.. all that heavy lifting during the move payed off.. lol 

I’ve had such a rough week that training took a back seat since wed…  I do feel better about things though I know there will be more tears shed as the days of adjusting go on.. the gym I joined opened a new location much closer to me so I am actually looking forward to checking it out, and hope to this week..  so far I’ve been doing my training primarily at home.. so I think the gym environment will do me some good..

I am actually still looking to go strong the next 2 weeks, and I guess since there are a couple who are finishing up in the next week or so we have some time to contemplate the next challenge.. some good ideas.. I’m still thinking….  mostly about how the heck I’m going to participate in a "booty challenge"  lol  I thought of a supplement challenge, but I think since everyone has such different demands, and requirements and goals it’s tough to do specific challenges..  I suggested the rotating focus deal and choose an area from each member and focus on that for a week.. with every one’s collaboration we will all learn a bunch and become well rounded by the end having allowed more focus to be placed on a particular topic to master and then add to our repetouir.. well, needs some thought..

Thanks to all for their comments, motivation, teasing, and love!!  I look forward to continuing progress with every one!!!

Hey girls.. well, after a good 3-5 weeks of progress and great results, it all comes to an end.. the worst part is I did more in terms of activity this past week than I have in almost the other weeks combined.. I’m sort of torn here, usually I gather whatever motivation from a bad week and thrust that into subsequent weeks.. so there is some of that, but also a pretty decent hit to my determination…

I’m up 1/2 pound and no change in BF%.. for those who wonder, I do plan to measure and take new pics.. because of the nature of my start (having gone up before going down) I decided that pics wouldn’t show a thing and more numbers would add to the already monumental task at hand) Once this deal is over I’ll update everything.. and start anew with whatever challenge you guys throw at me..

My week has been unreal.. I’m in the middle of a move.. 30 years in one place.. every single day since the closing last friday I have made no less than a couple hundred trips up and down flights of stairs.. carrying heavy boxes and bins.. loading and unloading my truck.. I even looked at the move as a wicked cardio session, every day.. making sure I kept a decent pace like a workout, and kept hydrated… I went through hot days and multiple shirts and towels.. I tried to eat no more than 4 hours apart and would still eat clean, my egg whites and grits in the AM (even one morning without the carbs) salads, turkey breast, my tuna meal.. snacked on peanut butter (all natural of course), cottage cheese and even yogurt (lite and fit)… I was not 100% perfect of course but I can count the less than healthy snacks on one hand… "Oh, hello Mr. almond M&M and who is your friend, Mr. chocolate covered ice cream bar, well hello there!!!"  I stayed away from too many carbs through the day and in the evenings.. how about this.. I told my uncle I lost 14 pounds.. his response "really..I can’t even tell"..  ugh!!  I was fitting into my clothes a little better too… I never saw this coming.. I even called my friend TOM and blamed him but he denied involvement and all he wanted to know was when we were going to play golf again!!.. lol  sorry I had to, I was reaching.. lol  that one doesn’t work for me.. I wouldn’t have if you guys weren’t so cool!! (I love you guys you know that..right?) ok moving on….

The training.. well, moving 30 years worth of stuff, even close to 3,000 pounds of weight and apparatuses from my own home gym (which gave me post workout soreness(DOMS)) I was more fatigued each day, and especially later in the week that I didn’t do cardio all week.. did I really have to?  I wonder now..

Well, A few have commented on my grits.. and in case I haven’t mentioned the exact method.. I thought I was the odd duck with this.. lol  I take one serving of grits (1/2 cup) and heat it for 3 minutes in the micro with either FF milk or water if I’m controlling cals/carbs, in the meantime I scramble 6 egg whites and 1-2 yolks (I like a little fresh cracked pepper on there) take the grits out throw a slice of fat free cheese on there then dump the eggs on and top with another slice of FF cheese and mix.. the FFC brings a good 5-10 grams of protein to the party with few cals.. of course the volume of the ingredients can be adjusted accordingly.. I love this meal… the other thing I do with tuna is great too.. sweat some diced onions in a pan, add 1 can of tuna, 1/2 can diced tomatoes and sprinkle with garlic and herb seasoning (Mrs. Dash Salt Free) mix, heat through and enjoy.. sometimes sprinkle with parmesan cheese.. haha.. Gee!! I feel better already!! I wonder why… but that’s a very lean meal..  I get a lot of my meal ideas and recipies from Laura Creavalle (former Mrs Olympia competitor and ex wife of Chris Aceto, nutritionist to top competitors in the sport) 

Now what.. well, I know this is temporary.. the only thing I can think of is that since my physical demands increased and my food intake stayed the same that I ran short on calorie intake and my body reacted by not metabolizing fat.. this is a very real battle we all have to fight and being a big guy with about 230+ pounds of lean body mass I need to keep the calories up… in an effort to lose I sometimes get carried away with diet and not getting the cals in.. I pretty much sabotage my efforts when this happens.. I have been in a borderline anabolic state without weights, and probably dipped into a catabolic state this past week..  I am at a loss for an explaination really…

ok so just talking to you guys here I am getting pumped for next week.. I have some thinking to do and will maybe supplement with shakes to feed the machine!!..  the other thing I know I desperately need is weight training.. I did move all my free weights mid week and definitely felt it (lots of farmers walks..lol)  but I need to get something going steady.. I sooo know how my body responds to weights, like it screams for poundage.. and I am not listening.. (wait.. but I listened to the little M&M guy.. what the…)  lol  anyway… Hmm maybe I started the eat clean challenge a few weeks too early.. lol  ok so I guess my goal for this final week is to get at least 3-4 cardio sessions in (back to my AM before meals cardio, not to be confused with 4AM HIIT sessions..lol you know who you are!) and maintain a clean week, increase meal frequency and really, really try to get at least a couple weight training sessions in.. once I start I can keep it going for a bit, but it’s the getting started part, you know!.. oh and all while I still have about 1/3 of my move to go!!.. did I mention I have no help on this move.. yup my friends (if you want to call them that) all suck!!!.. but that’s another show!!…

Have a great week everyone.. thanks for the support thus far, I won’t let you down come next weeks final update!!! Keep it fluffin’!!…

I will have to thank everyone so far who has welcomed me in this week.. it’s an awesome support group.. Once I was officially in I could feel my intensity go up a hair.. I read through some profiles and blogs.. and seemed to relate to a lot of the stories…. everyone is doing great.. I was a little worried being the only guy in on this deal, how would I be received?  I guess pretty good..  I hope!   On my end.. well, as I’ve mentioned before to some.. a group of lean attractive women all watching what one guy is doing.. well, that’s all the motivation I will ever need.. haha… 

This is my week 4 (week 1 officially) and I have permagrin today.. I was pretty happy with the 11 pound loss in the first segment (3 weeks), but since I know my body, I knew most of that was water.. especially since my BF% didn’t drop.. no less determined this past week I really focused on everything… had a pretty active week, stayed well hydrated and ate clean (with the exception of one evening out) and I am happy to announce.. I lost 3.5 pounds and .4% BF…I am now just under what I started with back in Jan!!..

I finally got past the sticking point with my diet..  for me that is about 2 weeks, give or take, if I make it past that then I stop craving the bad stuff and only want my egg whites and turkey… that is so great because without that, it is near impossible to maintain a healthy diet… I have been near the same diet as I previously wrote.. (still haven’t run out of grits) I do feel like the only person ever to have grits with my egg whites.. I don’t really like grits.. lol.. it’s a fairly clean carb, higher in the GI but in moderation and at certain times I feel it’s been ok, filling and gets my energy up to start the day.. once I switch to oats, which should be in the next week, I am curious along with a few of you to see how things are effected…

I had a few days of golf tournaments this week so I wasn’t able to hit the weights like I wanted.. I am still full of adrenaline to get started with that.. I know that will take my results even further.. I know how I respond to weights and I look for awesome things from that.. maybe in the next couple of weeks I might take new pics to post.. I should anyway or I will regret not being able to see the progression say a year from now..

I hope to get more caught up this weekend on reading up on everyone.. hopefully there will be some new blogs and new progress.. I really look forward to that.. I had a great week and hope all of you did as well…

Thanks for the support..

Andrew!!!

Hello all.. Just thought I’d write a little something as my sort of introduction to the challenge.. I have been friends with a couple of you and heard about the start of this "defluff"  (which, for the record, I am ok with..lol  a catchy title)   I’m just not getting shirts made just yet.. lol  I had just come off a challenge of my own and completed about half-3/4 of it before life happened and I had to back off.. well, I decided to use your challenge as my push to get started again.. without ever mentioning it to anyone really.. just that I thought it was a cool idea.. I spent the first 4-5 days getting my diet in order.. stocking up on things.. and working into training again.. by week 2 I was so into it that I couldn’t believe that a passing comment about a defluff has started me back with such determination.. I think the nice summer days had something to do with it too.. lol 

I was welcomed in officially this weekend and now the heat is on.. haha.. but it is a great feeling to have such support from everyone.. we all know how much that is appreciated.. I’ll try to be as active as possible and will enjoy the camaraderie that is sure to come…

My update..

I weighed and checked BF.. I lost 11 pounds since my unofficial start (much is water weight) and now have work to do officially for the next 3 weeks… I left my progress pics up as I am sort of close in stats from when I started out when the pics were taken.. I hope to have new pics at the end of this deal.. I’ll measure as well at that time..

My diet.. I have been doing really well on my plan.. I fear that I am not getting enough calories on the daily and have to try to up them without disturbing the positive changes my body is going through at the moment.. lots of egg whites.. turkey breast..tuna.. and I have upped the veggies.. for carbs I have been on a grits kick, only in the AM.. I hate that it’s a faster carb (corn), but they are damn good with fat free cheese and a load of egg whites go figure, I saw it on a DVD.. I am thinking of switching to oats once I run out.. I think that after the overnight fast, the faster carb might do a little more to replenish glycogen stores rather than overload and convert to fat.. I only have 1/4 cup.. the rest of the days carbs have been primarily whole grain bread, for the portable aspect and sweet potatoes.. a banana and some yogurt as well.. I mix a can of tuna with some diced tomatoes and onions and a sprinkle of an herb or garlic and herb seasoning and that’s my awesome evening meal.. I try to reduce my carbs through the day and end with minimal.. cottage cheese is my snack..

Training.. I have been doing cardio 3-4 days a week (the past 2.5 weeks) and have been very active otherwise.. I am going to get my weight routine in order for this weekend as well.. I have low back issues and that is why I had to back off a while ago.. but with the cardio and just feeling awesome doing that part of it (clean diet,cardio, activity, losts of golf.. lol) I have been feeling great in terms of my back and look forward to starting up again now that I am officially a defluffer.. (less weight= less back pain) I am thinking a 3-4 day a week deal is going to give me a good start.. I am used to 5-6 days when I was training hard and heavy… getting it in my head that I have to pace myself is really difficult.. my focus here is more to reduce my BF and overall weight, be healthy, try to retain as much muscle as possible in the process.. and make new like minded friends.. haha… I have a lean body mass of about 225.. so getting to about 250-265 would leave me with about 15% BF.. which I would be very pleased with.. this is my long term.. many many defluff phases for sure..

That’s about it on my update (sorry if this got so long.. somebody likes to chat… )  You guys have all done so well and look great.. I am a little behind in comparison.. haha  I’m sure you will all be able to take your resluts to the next level… I’m glad to be along for the ride..

Thanks to all..

Andrew!!!