Day Sixty-One - Trick or Treat

We welcomed a minor celebrity into our home (if you are a 3-7 year old) this evening.  Marshall from Paw Patrol spent the evening handing out treats to a plethora of other superheroes, princesses, monsters, butterflies, and more.  Each time a trick or treater knocked or rang our door bell, Marshall greeted them with "I'm fired up!"  It is safe to say that we did our part tonight in making sure local dentists have cavities to fill.

I'm not a sweets guy.  I like the salty foods.  I'll choose a bag of Lays over a candy bar any day.  Seriously, it's popcorn over ice cream, Chex Mix over Starburst, or well, you get the idea.  So when I say I had a hankering for candy tonight, know it was a strange thing for me.  I'm ashamed to say I definitely overdid it tonight.  Way too much sugar and empty calories.  Thankfully I didn't blow my calories out of the water.  It is so easy though, isn't it?  Giving in to cravings happens in the blink of an eye.  I'm not going to lie, I wish I had wasted those calories on something like pizza or a cheeseburger.  So what do I learn from this?  What can I take away that will help me in the future?  I have both Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, and it worries me that a minor holiday just took me off my path.  I have to walk into this holiday season prepared.  I can't let my guard down for one moment.  I have to stay on top of things if I am going to continue to lose my butter half.

As you already know, eating wasn't my best.  I did get in a great workout on the bike.  A minor stumble, but I'll live to fight another day.

Day Sixty - Where Is Autumn Hiding?

Is Arkansas the only place that Fall is refusing to show up?  I'm not joking.  It was in the 80s today.  I don't know if I have every experienced 84 degree weather at the end of October.  I'm not a huge cold weather (although I do like a light snow or two) or hot weather person.  I sweat easily (I'm rather large, go figure) so I don't like 100 degree days, or days so cold that I have to wear multiple layers.  I like a mild 65-70 degrees.  The type of weather that you can wear shorts when it's sunny, but need a light jacket after the sun goes down.  So back to my original thoughts, where is Autumn?  Why is it delayed?

We decided to give Fall a little encouragement.  We put out a few fun Fall decorations today.  A scarecrow we found at Walmart as well as a mum and pumpkins.  E loved setting it out and B just liked trying to eat the grass and mulch.  It was fun taking the pictures and seeing both of their personalities coming out in them.

Sadly, as hard as we try we cannot change the seasons.  Unlike the season, I have direct control over my weight.  I know there many contributing factors that can impact the control that I have.  Still, if I don't want to be overweight any more I can change it (like I am currently doing).  I cannot make the seasons change, but I can make a life change.  You can too.  Just set a goal and then go for it.  Find friends or family, strangers even, to hold you accountable.  I'll tell you what, if you really want to do this, just tell me.  Comment on this post or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.  We'll link through myfitnesspal, and I will hold you accountable.  Please, I don't want this to only be about me.  Join me as I lose my butter half.

Overall for the weekend my intake was good.  Two workouts, plus I mowed yesterday.  I'm feeling pretty great!

Day Fifty-Nine - I'm Mowing, Trimming, and Edging My Butter Half

Thankfully for the past few weeks I haven't had to mow because the weather is changing and it's becoming more dry.  As I've mentioned before, I completely despise mowing (read here).  It isn't relaxing to me in the least.  The dust stuffs up my nose and during the summer it's so hot that I feel like I'm only one step away from a heat stroke (and that's at eight o'clock at night).  Weed eating isn't any better in my opinion.  It makes your back ache, especially in the ditch next to my house.  Ok, ok, I'll stop my complaining.  Doing all of this work isn't for nothing.  The edging around the sidewalks and driveway look awesome.  Also, I won't complain about how keeping my grass short helps keep unwanted creatures out.

Here's my point.  I hate losing weight (at least the hard work required).  I don't like counting the calories or not getting to eat what I want.  I don't like to have to tell people why I'm not eating what they are eating.  I don't like the exercise each day.  I would rather eat whatever I want and be lazy watching movies or goofing off.  I've sort of been doing that for a while.  Eating junk and being lazy.  We all know where that got me.  So I'm doing the work.  I've made the changes (and these aren't just temporary changes, but for life).  I'm "mowing, trimming, and edging" my habits and my body.  I know that all of my hard work will pay off in the end.  So when I look at my yard in the morning, and the sun glistens off of the dew, I'll be encouraged to keep on losing my butter half.

Calorie intake was normal today.  Bekah made another great chicken meal out of our leftover orzo tonight.  I got tons of exercise today between mowing and riding the bike.  Another day in the books. Here is my tracker.

Day Fifty-Eight - A Small Slice of Happiness

The Master Chefs

I thought it would be a good break from the norm to give a quick review for some amazing pizza.  I came home this evening from work (so glad it's Friday!!!) to the aroma of my favorite food.  Now this was a surprise dinner Bekah and E had prepared for me, so even though I could pretty much identify the scent immediately (and saw the pizza in the oven) I acted surprised for my precious little E.

So excited for the pizza we could
hardly contain ourselves!

The pizza was delicious!  It was a pepperoni pizza which was just the right temperature.  The crust has a great thickness (not to thin and not too doughy), and was crisp on the bottom.  I'll be honest, it was missing something in the dough (Bekah and I think maybe a little salt), but other than that, it was awesome!  Sometimes (even when on a weight loss journey) you just need a good slice of pizza and a hearty laugh with your daughter!  So what was different about this?  For starters I didn't have five to six pieces tonight.  I had two and a half (literally cut it lengthwise with scissors) pieces, carrots and a half of a banana.  I was very full at the end of the meal.  I did excuse myself after I was finished eating because I felt tempted to finish the other half of that slice.  I'm so grateful to Bekah for encouraging me and for her and E's hard work on that delicious pizza.  It was a fun night here at the Vickers' home.  Even while eating my favorite food I'm still working to lose my butter half.

Eating today went well.  My coworkers had wings and I abstained again (gets easier every time).  I completed yet another workout on the bike (I am really starting to see some results from my workouts).  I honestly feel great!

Day Fifty-Seven - Weigh in #8 - Exceeding Expectations

Every day at work I have certain expectations.  I track my productivity and know that if I hit a certain number of quotes then I will be able to sell a certain number of policies.  The best days, however, are the ones when I exceed those expectations.  The days when I make my quotes, but I sell above and beyond what I would be expected to sell based on those quotes.  I know you are wondering why I'm talking about expectations on my weigh in post, but trust me it will make perfect sense in just a moment.

This past week I have made sure to follow my processes of staying around 1500 calories/day and spending forty minutes on the bike every day.  I knew that if I could do that, then I would meet my expectations and lose three to four pounds.  I am happy to report that not only did I lose those three to four, but over four more.  That's right folks, I lost another 8.4 lbs. this week.  This brings my total weight loss to 40.2 lbs with me weighing an even 326 lbs.  After last week only having lost 1.4 lbs., I was really hoping to drop a lot this week.  The great thing is that I made up for last week and I did it healthily.

I'm really starting to enjoy this process.  I know that more weeks of one or two pound losses are still ahead.  I know that those weeks will be tough both mentally and emotionally.  It is all part of the journey.  That's why I have to celebrate weeks like this past one.  I thank God for grace to continue on this journey and pray that I won't stop.  I appreciate all of you who have been following along.  It means a lot to know that I am being held accountable to complete this.  Seven weeks down, and I've lost a fourth of my butter half.

Calories were great today.  I got to eat a delicious grilled pork lunch with carrots and grapes.  Bekah made an awesome orzo with chicken and veggies for dinner.  I watched Creed while I biked and didn't even realize I was over forty minutes tonight.  Another day down.  Now for some shuteye.

Day Fifty-Six - What's Your Fight Song?

A little while ago Bekah started to hum a tune softly.  I immediately recognized the tune as one I've heard on the radio multiple times but couldn't remember the artist.  After a quick google of the lyrics, we realized it was Sara Bareilles' song Brave (listen here).  Of course we quickly YouTubed it and listened.  Upon completion of that one of the suggested songs to listen to was Rachel Platten's song Fight Song (listen here).  Again, a song I recognize from my occasional detour from our local talk radio station (wow, does that make me sound old?).  Both songs are meant to be empowering messages to people who are either too timid to speak up or have been walked over.  This is a very popular message amongst all facets of our society.  While I don't know that I would personally listen to either of these artists regularly, the songs themselves aren't bad.  I find them both catchy and easy to get stuck in my head.  Both artists are talented and definitely deserve to be recognized for their musical gifts.

Here is why I wanted to mention these two songs tonight.  No, I don't typically have trouble speaking up (obviously, I speak up every day on my blog, and I'm told I can be a little confrontational in my Facebook posts from time to time).  I also have a lot of fight in me for the most part.  The area of my life that I needed motivation to fight was with my weight.  It was with my dishonesty to myself and to Bekah about my awful eating habits.  I literally needed my conscience to speak up and then motivate me with a fight song.  For me, my faith played a huge part in that.  My binging was gluttony, my dishonesty was lying, and my refusal to change was my pride.  I didn't find it within myself to make this life change.  I believe it was the grace of God.  Maybe you have something in your life and need to make a change.  Whatever your reason or your driving force, be honest with yourself and those around you.  Speak up bravely and ask for accountability.  Then find an anthem to motivate you to fight for the change.  Feel free to comment what you need to change and you can join me on my journey to lose my butter half.

Calories were great aside from a few too many snacks (I swear I told Bekah I didn't want that tiny bite of ice cream, but she stuck it in my mouth anyway).  I had another successful workout on the bike and the time seems to go by quicker and easier (it may be time for a harder setting or longer workout).  Tomorrow is weigh in day.  I'm a little nervous (as always) that I won't have lost anything.  Last weeks small loss was a little disheartening.  As long as it's down I'll be happy, but I would really like to see four to five pounds lost.  We'll see in the morning!

Day Fifty-Five - I Can't Wait to End My Procrastination

I have a bad habit of saying, "we'll do that when..." or "we'll take care of this at this point."  I'm always looking ahead or putting things off until the kids are older or our income is better.  I'll fix something when I have more time or build something when we have the extra money.  It seems like there is always something else to put off.  Sometimes there is a legitimate reason to put something off.  Sometimes there isn't.  My problem is that I try to just delay or put off what I need to or want to do rather than categorizing and setting a time frame to deal with it.  Buying a Toyota Tundra or a Genesis G90 would be completely impossible financially and would need to be delayed for a long while (if not completely removed).  Building a workbench out of the old countertop in my garage is something that isn't an immediate need, but shouldn't be put off for very long.  Spending more time with my children is an example of an immediate need.  The biggest thing I'm learning is that immediate needs will cost you something if you don't deal with them, um, immediately.

Losing weight through lifestyle change is an immediate need.  Somehow in the past I had made such a practice of just putting everything off and trying to ignore it.  That is until the end of August.  As I've mentioned in the past, something just clicked this time.  I finally admitted to myself that if I didn't change something, and find a way to be accountable to someone (or potentially millions of someones) that I would begin to lose something (if not everything).  I believe I have mentioned that I am learning to apply the same goal mindset that I use at work in my personal life.  In the same way, I am learning to stop putting things off and prioritize tasks and relationships.  Making a lifestyle change is more than just hitting a goal.  It's revamping the way I live.  The best thing is that instead of my day revolving around and thinking about what to eat and when, I am thinking about people, goals, and dreams.  So it isn't just weight that is changing along this journey to lose my butter half.

My calorie intake was great today.  I ate healthy foods and even got a delicious s'more treat Bekah and E made today.  Had a really good ride on the bike.  Weigh in is in less than forty-eight hours!

Day Fifty-Four - I Don't Want to Retire Young

I had a very interesting customer today.  We'll call him Sam.  Sam is a Veteran, a retired police officer, and a retiree from several other jobs he worked up until last year.  He was looking to switch insurance companies, and I am so glad he was.  He had worked on a quote online, but to make sure he was getting all of the discounts I could find him I reworked it and was able to get him what I felt was a great rate.  I called him on the phone, and he wouldn't even let me tell him the amount.  He simply asked a few questions about the agency with the last question being "how close are you to my home?"  I explained that we were very close, and he promptly told me he'd be in today.  He didn't care to hear the quote.  He wanted to meet me, and chat for a while.  He did business the "old school way" and I loved it.  We talked for three hours.  Price was a major factor in his purchase (as it would be for anyone on a fixed income), but it was so refreshing to sit face-to-face and chat about the Navy, where he had been, his time in the different professions, his upcoming travel plans, and more.  All of this was great, but the thing that impressed me the most about Sam was when he retired.

Sam could have taken his retirement a long time ago.  Instead, he kept on working well into his seventies.  I was blown away.  Most of my clients can't or couldn't wait to retire.  Not for Sam.  I started thinking about that.  I was even dreaming about it.  That's an odd statement these days.  Dreaming about retiring well into your seventies (or even eighties) instead of dreaming of retiring young.  I then thought about something.  I have to live to my seventies to be able to retire in my seventies.  Sam wasn't a big man, but he was in good health.  My thinking turned to my journey and once again I found myself inspired to keep moving forward.  It's amazing how something as simple as talking to a customer would serve as motivation to reach my goals.  So tonight I'm wanting to be old.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any hurry.  I love my family and enjoy being here with them.  I really just want to be able to do whatever you want in public and no one care because you're old and they'll excuse it.  I'm just kidding.  I really just want to live my life without the purpose of getting to retirement.  I want to work long and work hard.  Just like Sam.  So tonight I raise my "pen" to the generations of men and women past.  I'm encouraged to lost my butter half.

Eating was good today, and so was exercise.  It's really late, so good night world!


*The names of customers have been changed for their privacy.  Any similarities in the name of the story above are by chance only.

Day Fifty-Three - We Had Fast Food Today... and it Felt Strange.

We had errands to run after church today so we decided to grab some lunch out.  We haven't done this in a while, and honestly, it felt weird.  It felt strange paying someone $10 for two roast beef sandwiches and a gyro.  We didn't order fries or drinks which was a victory since this was the first time ordering food out (aside from our trip last month and my birthday) in a while.  We have loved not eating out, and plan on continuing.  Like today, if we do need to grab a bite while we are out, we will grab something on the healthier side and I'll continue to avoid fries and sodas.

I honestly have not missed eating out that much.  Occasionally I have a small craving for Zaxby's or McDonald's fries.  Mostly the only thing I really want from a restaurant these days is pizza.  I still really like pizza, and could eat it nearly any day (although my serving would be much, much smaller).  Sonic used to be a go-to place for drinks (and snacks of course), but since I'm not drinking sodas or sugary drinks anymore I have no desire to go there (well, occasionally when I see the BOGO boneless wings commercials).  One thing is for sure, I do not miss the bloating and remorse of downing multiple McDoubles and Large fries.  I also don't miss having to go to Bekah about not being honest about stopping for food.  So not eating out, even though it's a pretty normal thing to do, is playing a major part in my life.  It's helping me to lose my butter half.

Today's eating wasn't so good.  I didn't have any vegetables (something I'm really trying to do each day).  While I did make a good choice when we stopped for lunch, something happened in our neighborhood that distracted me from eating dinner.  Instead I snacked and then had a PB&J.  I was able to get a late ride in on my recumbent, so I'm happy about that.

Day Fifty-Two - The Pumpkin Patch

The whole Vickers Crew!

Today we visiting a local pumpkin patch with some friends (Schaefer's Pumpkin Patch).  It was the perfect weather out, and everyone seemed to have a blast.  Even B was happy the whole afternoon.  E and Bekah picked out the "perfect pumpkin" and then E set off to help our friends daughter find one for them.  Little did she know that they already had one picked out and she and her little friend were just searching in vain.  Still, they must have spent a half hour or more walking through the patch.  It was great.  Schaefer's was awesome.  They have so much to do there.  If you living in or around Faulkner Co. please make sure to go out.  Your kids will love it!

E & Bekah find the "perfect pumpkin"

Even though the weather was great, I am very tired and sore this evening.  Sometimes when you lose a little weight (and I know the thirty plus pounds I've loss is more than a little) you forget how much you have to lose still.  I am still 330 lbs. plus, and that is a ton of weight on my knees and back.  Add in carrying a twenty-four pound monster of a baby (I like to call him "Hulk"), and it gets very tiring.  I really do feel great and know this journey is paying off.  The weight I've lost has made a huge difference.  Still, I am restricted by my size.  I couldn't ride a roller coster if I wanted to.  I can't fit comfortably in a small car.  I'm still in a 3XL (actually, I probably am back in a 3XL.  I was probably needing a 4XL right before I started losing) for my shirts.  I have to remind myself that though I have made progress, I'm still not through the first quarter of this game.  So tonight I sit here tired and aching.  This motivates me to lose my butter half.

Me and my little "Hulk", B

Eating wasn't the best today.  I woke up to get B early and played with him in my bed for a while.  Around 8:00 AM, he and I fell back to sleep.  We woke up around 10:00AM.  At that point breakfast wasn't even on my mind.  So I only had lunch and dinner, along with snacks.  I did stay under my calories and I was able to exercise.