Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Happy Anniversary

Howdy from the land of ripe peaches and braised short ribs!

Well, it has been one year .Yep, one year ago I started down the road in my fat loss journey.It has been a great trip so far.I have learned so much and the time has flown by. I have quite a few more miles to go and yes there have been some detours and some pot holes.

The map I am using is mine to chose which turn to take and sometimes, bless my pea pickin heart I just go ahead and make the wrong turn. Now days though , when I make a wrong turn I just stop quicker than I used to would and turn around.I think this part of the journey has to be made. I can not escape the wrong turns. If I did not hit a pot hole ,it would be too easy.

My education has been extensive and widely varied while on my trip so far.I have learned
1.the energy equation
2.to move even when I don't feel like it
3.nothing, I mean nothing, worth doing is easy---worthwhile --yes --easy--no
4.I am addicted to sugar
5.the value of of a support group
6.that obesity transcends race,age,gender
7.I am worth the effort
8.the more I move the more I want to move
9.and a host of other things I can not quite get a handle on right now.

I am beginning to realize just how ingrained my eating habits were and still are. Growing up every function involved a meal. Every social occasion revolved around the food. My grandmother never had much money but she could always feed anyone coming to her home and feed them well. She took great pride in feeding people.Every trip was planned around where we would eat. These things still exist today.They are still important.Now I am challenged to manage these meals/events in a totally different manner ---if not I will fail.

I am also becoming much more aware that somewhere down the road I will come to the stop sign. When I do the real challenge will start. The real challenge will be to maintain my weight/BMI.The reason I think this will be more of a challenge than the actual fat loss trip is the goals will be ZERO.Weight gain--ZERO Weight loss--Zero. This is beginning to worry me. But hey, it is still down the road a good ways.

Today is the day to reflect. A year ago I weighed 305 pounds, I was at 45.0 BMI,I could not walk over a 1/4 mile without having to stop and catch my breath. I could not bend over to tie my shoes without putting my foot on something.I could not do one pushup.I could not fall asleep without having 1000mg of ibuprofen in me.I could not pass up a doughnut or 6.I had no desire to do anything.

Last Friday I weighted 225.0 , my BMI is 33.4. I can walk 3 1/2 miles at work during lunch and walk 30 minutes on the treadmill that night at home.I can tie my shoe by bending over.I can do 3 sets of 18 pushups.I don't have to take Advil to sleep and yes sports fans I can pass up a doughnut.I got all kinds of desires and ambitions.

Now I still want something sweet and yes I eat sweets sometimes but I am much better now than before with being able to cope with this addiction.

Yes today is a day to reflect.I shudder to think where I would be and where I would be headed if I had not read the article on Muata 15 months ago.Probably headed for a coronary bypass.

Today is not a day for goal setting that will come another day. Needless to say, the trip is not over.

Today is a day to thank those who have given me so much support.From the bottom of a country boy's heart ,I thank Janet, Tessa, Mac and all my family and friends that have offered words of encouragement. I can't thank Muata enough, he is the one that sparked a fire under my ass, he is the one that hollered go, he is the one one that brought back A MER I CAN.

On a day for my reflections I would offer one line of encouragement to anyone sitting on the fence.

Take a hold of your life,don't let your life take a hold of you.


Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
No body is prefect, everyone stumps their toe.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Get the Gun

Howdy from the land of pickles and hush puppies!

It's 3 am and the phone rings---- No that ain't right----It's 3 am and Janet hollers "get the gun". Hoppy cornered an armadillo in the shack.One less pest tearing up my yard.

I have been hovering around 225 pounds all week--225.4--225.6--225.8.Seems like I sweated around 28 pounds of water out on my walk yesterday.Anyway I think I will break below 225 any day. What a deal that will be.

Mike (Janet's big brother) and his squeeze are coming down this weekend for a visit. We are looking forward to seeing them.I won't be doing any large amount of work over the weekend but I do plan on walking today and Friday.

Stay tune for the end of the month---it should be close.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Endeavor to persevere.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The $64 question.

Howdy from the land of chuckboxes and cobbler in a dutch oven!

If you have never eaten cobbler in a Dutch oven, I feel right sorry for ya.I think we are losing a lot of our humanity with all the FAST food,FAST cars, FAST jobs, GIANT houses, and all the creature comforts we now call necessities.But that is a subject for another blog.

Anyway, I have a question for anyone out there. It comes from a Red Steagal poem---"If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you do?"

Now if I chew on that question long enough I have to ask myself some really hard questions.And,in trying to answer those questions I have to look inside myself for some answers. No one can answer for me.

This "food for thought" question can fit into numerous settings in my life---jobs-life styles-and yes even fat loss. If I knew I couldn't fail how much fat would I carry?If I know I can't fail would I continue to lose fat?

A year ago my answers would surely have been different than they would be today.Why? One reason is because I now know I have the power ,not to fail.

A man named Mac Ballard told me hundreds of times as a kid "You can do anything you want , if you want to bad enough and your are willing to pay the price." He was right.

I have had my doubts about this journey at times. As the trip unfolds I learn these fears and doubts are just like the monster in the closet as a kid----just in my head.I have learned and am still learning that I am my own worse enemy.I place 99% of all the barriers in front of me.WHY?

Is it because the first word we learn as a child is NO?Is it because we are told mostly what we can't do?I am not smart enough to know all those answers but I am kinda like an Airedale dog--I ain't as dumb as I look, either.

I have learned an important lesson on this trip ---Mac Ballard was right---I can do any thing if I want to bad enough AND I am willing to pay the price.

I will continue to lose fat ---why?--because I know I can't fail. Thanks Mac Thanks Red.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Call the problem,ask for the solution,devise the method,achieve the answer.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Summer recipes

Howdy from the land of dusty fields and sun dried everything!

It is SUUUMMER!I was on the tractor most of the day yesterday and it was hot!!I saw two jack rabbits ---each carrying an umbrella!

The kids came up Saturday and we cooked up some fish for my fathers day meal(my choice). We also made a grilled fruit salad---yep grilled. Janet saw it on the food network and we tried it with pineapple couple days ago and it was good-different but good.

I grilled some pineapple, peaches,banana and watermelon.Got some grill marks on them and chopped them up and walla---grilled fruit salad. Pretty good.

The fish Mac brought from his trip to Lake Texoma---it was good too----it would pick you up where your lowdown and strengthen you where yer weak.

I don't know if it is old age or my fat loss journey but I have been trying different stuff for a while. Some new stuff is good, some not so much.

My two new walking buddies are still coming to the track at lunch and my nerve issue in my back is slowly getting better.

Stay with me till the end of the month and see if I make my goal. Oh yea, I got two new pairs of jeans---38" waist, when I started my trip I was wearing 46" and could not button them damn things.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
You can work around someone for 20 years and never really know how smart they are, doesn't take but 5 minutes , sometimes to see how stupid they are.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

You think I'm Weird?

Howdy from the land of brush piles and cedar posts!

I was walking yesterday and caught up with two co-workers walking. They have been walking about three weeks but I never talked to them only said Howdy.

We talked about the sunshine and they made the comment I had lost quite a bit of weight. I told them close to 79 pounds of fat. They were impressed, I was thrilled---makes ya feel good.

Anyway, they asked how long I had been walking, what I ate, etc and we talked for a quarter of a mile. One fella said he was diabetic and his doctor was telling him what his future looked like if he does not lose some weight. Then he said his wife does not believe he can lose any weight---damn ---that is cold.

I told him I did not know him at all, but I was convinced he could lose all the fat he wanted. I kinda got on a soap box with him, basically told him he had the power---no one else. I told him if a cowboy like me could make life style changes ---for the better ---anyone could.

I also told him he should make the better changes for himself.If I did not like myself enough to change, how could I expect someone else to like me.It starts with me.

Anyway, I told them about Muata's , Tony's, yours truly' site and encouraged them to read----feed the brain---lose the fat. I hope they do.

If they think I'm a little weird---oh well---less fat & weird is better than more fat & weird.

See ya down the road and get your ass in gear and make a change for the better, you deserve it.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Yesterday is gone,no telling about tomorrow,you only control today.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Pics from the party

Howdy from the land of full bellies and hangovers!!

Ain't life grand!! What don't kill ya will make you stronger!!

I thought I would post a couple of pics from the party.Everyone had a large time, no one should have gone home hungry.I only had one question that I asked and could never figure a good answer to----I wonder what the poor folks did that evening?

I want to tell ya how good it felt to be able to start a fire at 4am and cook all day and have company until midnight---it felt good. I really enjoyed the long day. My fat loss made most of this possible, a year ago it would not have been as much fun.

Check out the pics, this is Janet and mine's project , the patio and the shack. We did a lot of work.Janet is the one in the red shirt, I'm in the hat.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Get your priorities straight, before life re-arranges things like you don't like.






Monday, June 15, 2009

The next push

Howdy from the land of china berry trees and rusty lizards!

Man did we ever have a grand time Saturday. Yep the patio party worked out just fine. Good food, good friends , good refreshments ---we even had a couple of dogs come to visit.

Started off hotter than the hinges of hell, but by 6pm it was down to around 99 degrees and a little breeze.

I said last week I had backed off my calorie burning some for a few days. I feel a little better now, although I still have a nerve thing with my fingers getting tingles but I am working on it. Anyway, I am stepping it up for 4 weeks now. I plan on cutting calories fairly hard and increasing my calorie burn back to where I was. I want to be deficient around 7-900 calories a day for the next 4 weeks.

After that 4 week period I will rest my old knees and relax for a week and carry on.I think this will work good for the summer, while it is hot.

If anyone has any real hot plans for the summer let me know.Maybe you can give me an idea on how to burn more fat.

Watch for me on the fat loss road, if ya need a lift , you can hitch a ride with me.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Better get yer shit straight, life ain't like an hourglass, when ya run out of sand ya can't just turn it over.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Backup Week

Howdy from the land of black widow spiders and new baby fawns!

Well this week has been a little tuff. I have had some back/neck nerve issues and been going to the chiropractor.I decided I was wearing myself down trying to fight all the little issues and keep up the calorie burning level I was at.

I decided I would back up a little for a few days. I am still walking at lunch with 22 lbs in my vest. But I am not using my sticks. Also this week I am not doing my Turbulence exercises at night nor the tread mill.

After a couple of more adjustment by the Back Cracker and I get the patio party over this weekend,I will step it back up.

I intend on cutting calories hard for around 4 weeks and then relaxing a little for a week.

I will watch for you as I travel down the road of fat loss, I hope I see you just ahead of me.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than trying to put it back in.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Patio Party Time

Howdy from the land of BBQ and German potatoes!

Well this week is real busy. We are getting the final touches done on the patio and the wet back shack. Saturday is party time!

We are going to fire up the pit and doing some serious all day cooking.BBQ, beans and German potatoes.And a small jar of Crown.

Janet and I have worked hard on our little project and burned plenty of calories doing it so it is time to enjoy it some.You know the old saying--all work and no play makes Bill a cranky ass.

Watch for me while I travel along.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Be careful what you wish for , you might get it.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Partial Makeover

Howdy form the land of cheddar cheese and dragon flies!

I haven't been buying many clothes lately, but I broke down Saturday and picked up a couple of shirts and two pair of pants.

Janet helped me pick out the clothes because she has better taste than me but she still has a hard time convincing me on what to buy.Anyway, I bought and fit into a LARGE shirt.And bought 38" waist pants.

Now I ain't fit into those sizes in decades.This fat loss journey continues to amaze me.

On another, not so related, topic---have you seen the P90X commercials? Man what a workout.Mike the coon ass at work has been doing the workout with his two son's.Another prime time way to move more.

gotta run, see ya down the fat loss road.

Pearl of wisdom from the mind of WEL
If you get to thinking you're a person of influence,try bossing somebody else' dog around.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Today is the day!

Howdy from the land of blue sky and green grass!

Today is the day, yep it is the day I get on down the fat loss road a little farther.

A year ago I would not have said that. A year ago I would still be looking toward tomorrow. TOMORROW is the fat man's friend. I will start eating right TOMORROW. I will start walking TOMORROW.

That my friends is a crock of cold cat crap.

Today is all we got and today is the day I get to make some choices---good---bad---indifferent---today.

Today I am gonna walk my Full Pak Trac, yesterday I walked 3 1/2 miles instead of 2 1/2 miles. Wasn't too bad, but I ran out of time on my lunch hour.Today it is gonna be 2 1/2 miles and tonight I'm doing some Turbulence exercises--today.

The best part , for me,about making a good choice is that I feel , well, good. When I make a not so good choice I am getting to where I don't beat myself up. I just move to a better choice.

Last week I went to get me a bite of chocolate at mid-afternoon. I get one bite from a jar down the hall. Satisfies my cravings and has less than 40 calories. Anyway , in the bowl was a bite size candy that has coconut in white/chocolate/strawberry flavors. Well, I took that for the day and ate it.Maybe, you will say, that is not a good choice---I say it was. The taste took me back to my childhood when I used to eat the full size candy bars in that flavor (I can't remember the name).

Man what a mind full of memories that brought up, some great, some not so great. All those memories and a craving killer for just 40 calories---what a deal. Point is I handled it and moved on to better choices.

Today I think I will eat a couple of spicy olives.Good choice.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Never miss a chance to shut up.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Renewable Energy

Howdy from the land of post oak trees and bumble bees!

Well today is Monday, June 1,2009,and this morning it is humid and hot. I got a good sweat going on my Full Pak Trac at lunch.

I had a recommendation to post some pics of my blog and I plan on working on that pretty soon.

Yesterday evening, me and Janet were sitting on the patio looking at our handy work and I got to thinking of all the work we have done in the backyard in the last 3-4 months.A year ago this amount of work would have killed me. Now I get tired and sore still, but yesterday I worked pretty good for around 10 hours.

When I would run out a gas I would sit down for 5 minutes and feel pretty good. Best of all after 5 minutes I would get antsy to do some more and get up off my ass and go at it.I wish I had a way to measure how much more energy I have now , compared to two years ago. It is alot.

Seems the more fat I lose the more I want to lose. And the more I move the more I want to move.

I guess I should post a pic of the patio when I get yer finished so you folks can see the effect of renewable energy.

Now if Obama would just send me some stimulus money for material I would be happier than a dog with a bone.

See ya down the road.Watch for me melting when I come by.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Lotto is a piss poor way of getting richer than nine foot up a bulls ass.