Hi, it's me. I'm back (The Central Scrutinizer, Frank Zappa)

Hi, it's me. I'm back.
You will hear this when listening to 'The Central Scrutinizer' on Joe's Garage album by Frank Zappa.
Well, this is me. And I am, indeed, back.
I have come a long way. again. backwards.

Time to refocus.
So I stepped on my scale today, Saturday, May 25, 2018 and the imaginary needle on the all-digital scale stopped at 279 lbs.

Whoopee, I am still down 30 lbs from where I started December 2013.

Time to get back on track.




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CARRY THAT WEIGHT

The tradition that I started is that on Saturday mornings, I often use the name of a song or album and twist the words a bit to give it some connection to my weight loss.  Today, I have reached into the Beatles catalog and titled my blog post, CARRY THAT WEIGHT.   I have not twisted the name of the song in any way.  CARRY THAT WEIGHT was one of the suite of songs that closes the Beatles album, Abbey Road.

ICONIC ALBUM COVER FROM THE BEATLES:  ABBEY ROAD

All my life I have steadfastly refused to be a Beatles fan.   All the while knowing that they were an extremely talented collection of musicians.   A few years ago I came across about 5 Beatles cd's at a thrift store, and for $2 each I was compelled to buy them.   I listen to them fairly infrequently - but I admit now - as I have always admitted - these guys had talent.

Still I prefer (in no particular order) ROLLING STONES, BLUE OYSTER CULT, QUEEN, MOTT THE HOOPLE, AEROSMITH, PINK FLOYD, DEEP PURPLE, IAN HUNTER, BLACK SABBATH, LOU REED, JETHRO TULL, HEART, RUSH, ALICE COOPER, BOSTON, THE CARS, TALKING HEADS, CHEAP TRICK, CLASH, DAVID BOWIE, FRANK ZAPPA, GUN 'N ROSES, RAY DAVIES, MICK JAGGER, ROBERT PLANT, LED ZEPPELIN, PETE TOWNSHEND, THE WHO, U2, and even SPINAL TAP (OK, maybe not Spinal Tap)

It has been great fun to continue to see customers that I have not seen since before I started shedding my pounds.  When I tell them how much I have lost they are mostly amazed, as I continue to be as well!  One comment I often get is that you never looked so heavy.  Or you never seemed incredibly fat.  Yes, I was 309 pounds and I guess I knew how to CARRY THAT WEIGHT.   Life is much better now that I don't CARRY THAT WEIGHT!

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220.9 lbs

I weigh 220.9 lbs.

I gained 5.8 lbs this week?

Water, water, water... either my weight was under-reported last week or it is over-stated this week.  No way could I have gained 6 lbs in one week.

My waist size is still shrinking...  I am annoyed... but will simply continue on my way...  Is it possible that I really am gaining muscle?  I do know that muscle is much denser that fat.  

I lost 88.1 lbs in 199 days.Today begins Day 200.

I have lost nearly 16 inches from my waist. 

(I am just beginning to wear (squeeze into) 34" waist blue jeans and slacks.

I will always be at the beginning of a journey that never ends.

I weigh 220.9 lbs. (199 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)

I have lost 28.5% of my weight since Dec 24.

I have a BMI, body mass index of 29.55 (far away from obesity!)

I had a 42.0 BMI on Dec 24 just 192 days ago (Class III obesity)

I have two words to describe how I feel this morning: disappointed and determined!

...I know how to begin this week... I think it might be another good day to visit my 'hometown' YMCA.  

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 FRIDAY MENU

breakfast  Two Apples, smoked Oysters in oil (one can)       300 calories

lunch        cucumber salad, two apples                                   251 calories

dinner      Whole Foods Cioppino Soup 12 ounces, 

                Whole Foods spinach salad, wasabi peas, 

                dried mango slices, original corn snack                 1225 calories

SNACK  GRANOLA, TRAIL MIX                                        951 calories

total calories consumed 2728 calories

calories burned

HOME ELLIPTICAL 65 MINUTES, MANUAL SETTING, LEVEL '20'  1606 CALORIES

Friday net calories  1122 calories

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SHEIK YERBOUTI

In 1979, Frank Zappa unleashed upon the world his best selling album, Sheik Yerbouti.  (He appeared looking like an Arab Sheik, the album title was pronounced SHAKE YOUR BOOTY, which was the title of a 1976 disco hit from KC and the Sunshine Band)  I couldn't resist taking a 'selfie' while enjoying a sauna at the YMCA.  A good way to get punched in the face is whipping out a camera phone in a public sauna - as I was alone - it seemed OK.

Sheik Yerbouti, 1979

The photo on the left is Frank Zappa, as Sheik Yerbouti, 1979.   The photo on the right, is my version of Sheik Yerbouti, 2015.   This trip to the Detroit area was the first time that I had the opportunity to take advantage of my new YMCA membership.   The facility in Royal Oak, Michigan is very modern.   I had the chance to visit three times this week.   I went the first time after my work day had concluded on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday I started my day at the YMCA. OK, I admit it.  It is a great feeling to work out, use a sauna, take a shower and get dressed and then start the day.  I can get used to this lifestyle.  

I finally figured out how best to use the elliptical machine on my third day. This time I set the controls for an 'interval' workout. I completed a 1 hour workout.  I was able to make more than 8000 strides in one hour on that machine with the 'resistance' set to '10' and the 'incline' set to '10.' It seems somewhat ironic that I had so much difficulty walking up one flight of stairs to the locker room afterwards.

YMCA ELLIPTICAL MACHINE AFTER A FULL ONE HOUR WORKOUT

THURSDAY MENU

breakfast   STARBUCKS Bacon & Gouda Breakfast Sandwich                     350 CALORIES

lunch         PANERA Soba Noodle Bowl w/Chicken                                       390 CALORIES

dinner        JIMMY JOHN'S Bootlegger Club Unwich w/Provolone              280 CALORIES

total calories consumed    1020 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

9AM    YMCA Elliptical 60 minutes                    735 CALORIES

9PM     home elliptical machine  31 minutes        400 CALORIES

total calories burned   1135 CALORIES

CALORIC DEFICIT     -115 CALORIES

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.  We have all heard this before. The reason we have all heard this is that it is true. Those of us who load up on high fat, high calorie, low protein, processed junk food become more miserable, irritable, and slothful. (I have seven years experience in this category, I am definitely speaking from experience.)

Those of us who eat low fat, low calorie, high protein, healthy natural foods become more cheerful, easy-going, and energetic. (I have seven weeks experience in this category.  I can tell you that I prefer being in this group)

It is true, you are what you eat.  Or, as the extremely talented musician, Frank Zappa wrote nearly 35 years ago...."You Are What You Is." 

YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS (and you are what you eat)

Of course, if it is true that you are what you eat, after reviewing my menu for the past few weeks...I might start looking like this...

I have been eating a lot of spinach lately....I wonder if I am getting stronger

I am definitely going to discover the 'skinny person' hiding within me.  (I know that he is in there somewhere.)

MONDAY MENU
breakfast   3" SUBWAY SUNRISE MELT on FLATBREAD                         240 CALORIES
lunch         Jason's Deli Bowl Spicy Seafood Gumbo                                      230 CALORIES
dinner        Jason's Deli Salmonwich 1/2, sandwich, Beef Stew 1 cup             480 CALORIES

total calories consumed 950 CALORIES

calories burned
6AM    LaQuinta Elliptical Machine 30 minutes                              500 CALORIES
6PM     LaQuinta Elliptical Machine 30 minutes                              500 CALORIES

total calories burned  1000 CALORIES

NET CALORIC DEFICIT       50 CALORIES

Jason's Deli Dinner: 1/2 WILD SALMONWICH, CUP of BEEF STEW     480 CALORIES  

SUBWAY BREAKFAST:   3" SUNRISE SUBWAY MELT w/tomato      240 CALORIES   ($2.50)
The Subway Melt is a good value, at about a penny per calorie!