Thank You, Everybody
2009/02/14 at 8:00 am | In Discipline, Exercise, Food, Health, Inspiration, Life, Milestone, Motivation, Photos, Progress Photos, Victory, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight loss blog, weight watchers | 2 CommentsTags: diets don't work, Discipline, Exercise, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog
Click to enlarge
<< BTW, this is NOT the best picture of me. My face looks…well, deformed or something.
This is a goodbye of sorts.
As you may well know, I started 200by40.com with the intent of tracking my weight loss progress as I tried to reach my goal of weighing 200 lbs. by my 40th birthday.
Today is February 14th, which is also happens to be my 40th birthday and, as you may also know, I reached my goal of 200 lbs. on September 27, 2008—way ahead of schedule.
I have decided that, while I have derived great pleasure in blogging about everything having to do with [my] weight loss, it’s time to put things into perspective and temporarily walk away from the blog.
While this may not be the final post here, it may well be the last one for a long time as I will now concentrate on training for the Disneyland 5k—my first one ever—taking place this September. In between now and then I will do a few 5k walks and, should I have a camera with me, I will post pictures of the events. And don’t worry—all posts will remain intact as will the domain, meaning anything you may have bookmarked will still be in the same place.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone who left comments, e-mailed me, or simply came by to visit (except for you spammers who try and get past Askimet’s death grip–you’re fools for trying!). I do find it a bit humbling and amazing that a normal guy like me would inspire many, many people to get motivated into losing weight. What started out as a simple goal turned out to be something life changing to those who recognized that it’s entirely possible to lose weight if they put their minds to it.
Before I sign off here, I would like to wish all of you good luck with your weight loss program. Regular visitors know that it wasn’t uncommon for me to say things like “You can do it!” or “Never give up!” in my posts. What many don’t realize is that those weren’t just words; I meant them from the bottom of my heart. If I can do this, I have no doubt that anybody can.
Why? Unlike those trying to push diet pills, I’ve been there. I can relate to and understand the struggles of weight loss and being overweight. I know what it’s like to wear size 48 pants, run out of breath when playing with my son, have clothes get smaller and smaller, be ridiculed about my size, be stared at when going to fast food joints, barely fit into the seats on the train, look in the mirror and not like what I see, be intimidated when entering a gym.
But I chose to change all that. I challenged myself to get busy and change my lifestyle and here it is, my 40th birthday and I weigh 197 lbs. I went from a sloth to someone who is going to run in a 5k. Think you can’t lose weight? I beg to differ. (By the way, at today’s weight I have finally reached the golden 100 lbs. lost level.)
While I could go on forever, I want to share with everybody some things I learned about weight loss since starting this blog. In no particular order, here is that list.
Food for Thought
2008/10/19 at 6:39 pm | In Discipline, Exercise, Health, Life, Motivation, Photos, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight loss blog | 4 CommentsTags: diets don't work, disneyland, Motivation, weight loss, weight loss blog, weight watchers
Click to enlarge--if you dare!
A recent trip to Disneyland’s “Innoventions” attraction really woke me up to the magnitude of exactly how much weight I really lost.
While the first part of the attraction is more or less a commercial for a homebuilding company and what they are capable of creating for the consumer, there was much more going on inside the former home of “America Sings.” And take note that the image on the left may not be for the squeamish, but it’ll make you think!
What you see there is not some kind of insulating material for your home, but I guess it may qualify as personal insulation.
Those small to large blobs are actually a representation of what 5, 10, 15 and 20 lbs. of fat looks like. While it may be hard to gauge the size of the things since there really isn’t anything to compare them to, I think the image alone speaks volumes. Let’s just say that the size of the 20 lb. blob on the bottom boggled my mind the rest of the day.
I know it’s rare for me to leave an image full-size on the blog, but I think this one truly deserves to be. And just to put things in perspective, guys, I lost nearly 5 of the blobs on the bottom. So the next time you feel like stuffing your face with fatty foods, I dare you NOT to remember this image. I know I’ll remember it for a long time!
Ah, onto my progress. I’m still hovering between 199.5 and 202 lbs. I think this is more than enough wiggle room as I refuse to let myself go higher than 205 lbs. That’s just not happening. After the holidays, naturally I will concentrate my efforts on getting to 190 lbs. or so but for now, resting in the evening instead is doing me good 
I hope you all are sticking to your programs as well!
Oh, and I cleaned out some more of my clothes from the closet ranging from size 40 to 48 in pants, and XXL and XL dress shirts. It worked out well since Ann hit Old Navy the other day and found some polo shirts (for work) in my new size at the amazingly low price of 99 cents each! Pants were a bit more costly at a price of $7 each; shorts were $2. In total, she spent about $25 for a bunch of new clothes for me.
So while I’m glad to have more room in there for clothes I truly need, I think a garage sale is now in order for the ones I don’t!
That’s Me?
2008/07/31 at 9:52 pm | In Health, Inspiration, Motivation, Photos, Progress Photos, SimulPost, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight watchers | Leave a CommentTags: diets don't work, orange county fair, weight loss, weight loss blog, weight watchers
Originally posted on July 31, 2008 by Dave M. at 200by40, Weight Loss the Right Way: No pills, no surgeries, no excuses, no regrets.
Some curious Web surfer searched for “big john’s beans and fixin’s” and came across ye olde blog. And I cripes, have to admit I’m quite embarrassed.
Check out this image from June 2005 (and ignore my old URL):
BLAAAARRGH! I ATE THE PROM!!
Ahem. I’m pleased to say that’s nowhere near I am today as is evident by this photo, even though it was taken about 5 lbs. ago:
My sincerest apologies to those who may have found the first image offensive. Meh, I’m sure the second one is too, so I’m sorry for that one as well.
And I promise an updated progress photo is coming soon. In fact, I’ll even hold up a pair of my Fat Guy Pants for comparison purposes!
(Note: I just checked my previous entry. I really need to stop saying that and just make with the picture already, huh?)
This entry is a SimulPost and can also be seen at HolographicMeatloaf
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Updated Wii Fit Progress
2008/07/19 at 9:14 am | In Discipline, Exercise, Food, Health, Photos, Video Games, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight watchers, wii fit, wii fit progress | 2 CommentsTags: weight, weight loss, weight loss blog, weight watchers, wii fit, wii fit progress
Looks good, but I think at times that I either need to replace the batteries in the Wiimote or Balance Board.
As you can see, one day I was below the “Obese” line and the next day I jumped well above it. My diet was steady and I did no extra eating on those days. In fact, I was about as good as ever on those days.
Yet the numbers dipped and then went up. Go figure.
I am now at 214.3 lbs and feeling great. We’re headed to the L.A. Zoo today so there’s a lot of walking ahead of us. Exercise!
See you later
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Trader Joe’s Goodness
2008/07/10 at 9:14 am | In Food, Health, Life, Photos, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight watchers | 2 CommentsTags: diets don't work, Food, lentil soup, trader joe's, tuna lunch, weight loss, weight loss blog, weight watchers
If you’re fortunate enough to live anywhere near a Trader Joe’s, you probably already know about their fine selection of quality foods at reasonable prices.
And if you’re on Weight Watchers, it just gets better! Allow me to shine some light on a few of my favorite Trader Joe’s items.
Tuna Lunch with Mediterranean Vinaigrette
The title pretty much sums it up. This concoction is not only tempting in its taste, but take a look at the nutritional information:
- 260 calories, 10g fat, 6g fiber = 5 Points
One box 7.5 oz. equals one serving and with everything that’s inside, this tuna lunch should be enough to fill you up. In fact, it’s not uncommon for Ann and myself to split one box and make sandwiches for each of us.
If I do have one complaint, it’s the amount of olives included in the mix. I have never liked olives and do anything I can to avoid them. In this case, I pick them all out and enjoy what’s left: tuna, garbanzo beans, green beans, sun-dried tomatoes, zesty lemon juice, etc. It truly is tasty.
I usually only buy one of these per visit because they need to be consumed promptly to retain freshness, and it’s a rare occasion when I want to have tuna (of any kind) two days in a row.
Organic Lentil Soup
What? Have I lost my mind? Absolutely not. I gave this one a shot and not only liked it, I now end up buying several of them to take to work when I don’t know what to eat for lunch. Quick and easy.
The numbers:
Each 15 oz. can is about two servings, the total per can is:
- 260 calories, 3g fat, 16g fiber = 2 Points
Ahem. Two measly Points, people. And it’s good! Sure, I know there are some soups out there that tout zero Points but I know what I like, and this is definitely it. Trust me, 15 oz. of this stuff is definitely a good way to fill up at any meal and not feel cheated in the flavor department. I usually alternate between this stuff and the Minestrone varieties (which I brought to work today).
So if you have a Trader Joe’s in your area, stop by and give these a shot. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed
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More Victories and Weekend Wrap-Up
2008/06/01 at 9:18 pm | In Discipline, Exercise, Food, Health, Inspiration, Life, Photos, Victory, Wii, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight watchers, wii fit | Leave a CommentTags: diets don’t work, wedding, wedding food, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog, weight watchers, Wii, wii fit
I had the pleasure of attending my uncle’s wedding on Saturday in my hometown of Wilmington, CA. Not only was the ceremony very serene and setting sublime, the food was incredible.
But I was good. I sampled just about a little of everything, including the wedding cake, and it sustained me until dinnertime when I just had a few healthy munchies instead.
There was turkey, ham, fruit salad, rolls, and a delicious salad. And even after all of that, I gained such a minimal amount that it’s not worth mentioning. I also have an updated picture that you can see on the Photos page (scroll to the bottom, of course).
Today we literally spent the day in the backyard after a trip to Lowe’s for some plants and other goodies. I stayed active the entire day between yardwork and laundry so I’m sure I’ve maintained and not gained. Lunch and dinner were of the chicken variety. Because of all of the activity, I’m skipping my Wii Fit routine for the night.
Oh, and here are a few Victories for the week:
- I can now wear size 40 pants!
- I can now fit in an XL dress shirt!
That’s pretty much it for this post. Weekly Weigh-In #11 is a few days away and I’m excited about it! See you then.
New Picture Added
2008/05/12 at 12:46 pm | In Life, Photos, lifestyle change, weight loss | Leave a CommentTags: diets don't work, lifestyle change, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog
I’ve added a new thumbnail to the Photos page to give you an idea of how I’m progressing. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think I’m actually starting to look thin. And that’s a good thing.
Go on over and check it out (bottom of page). And to summarize, the trip to Las Vegas was quick and not so restful. I will expand on that during tomorrow’s Weekly Weigh-In.
See you then!
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Hello There!
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I Wish For…
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You’ve Been Warned
Posts on 200by40.com are copyrighted and are the sole property of its author. They cannot be reproduced, copied or distributed on any other Web site or blog without the consent of the author (official blog readers are the only exception). Any such use constitutes copyright infringement and plagiarism, and site owners using content originally posted on 200by40.com--especially to sell weight loss products--without permission of the author will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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Progress Thus Far
Start Date
December 2005: 297.1 lbs.
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My Helpers
Here's a list of things that have made my journey a bit more tolerable. Note that I am not being compensated for using their names.
Trader Joe's for their delicious selection of healthy foods
Weight Watchers for their Points Program
Reebok, my walking shoe of choice
Apple for the iPod Shuffle, my walking companion
Trek Bikes for making the best bike I've ever owned
Nintendo's Wii Fit for obvious reasons.Dottie's Weight Loss Zone for her list of Points for just about any restaurant you can think of
WEIGHT WATCHERS and POINTS are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. This blog is a personal weight loss blog and is not affiliated with Weight Watchers International, Inc.
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Donate!
Hey, party people! As you may or may not know, this blog is done on my free time with the intent of motivating readers to do their best when it comes to losing weight. I do not get any compensation from any of product manufacturers mentioned on this blog nor anyone else as I have no sponsors.
So that's where the PayPal button comes in. If you like and appreciate what I have put together here, click on the button and donate! Even if you don't, I'm glad you stopped by and hope you'll continue to visit this blog for information, inspiration and motivation.
Thanks, and good luck on reaching your weight loss goal!
Note: Clicking the Donate button will send payment to the e-amil address 200by40_at_gmail_dot_com, which is connected to my Paypal account.
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South Beach Ham & Swiss Hot Sandwich Melt
2008/06/18 at 8:16 pm | In Commentary, Food, Food Review, Health, Photos, South Beach Products, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight watchers | Leave a CommentTags: diets don't work, ham and swiss sandwich, lifestyle change, south beach living products, subway sandwich, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog, weight watchers
Hey there, it’s time for yet another food review of a South Beach Living product. On the slate today is the Ham & Swiss Hot Sandwich Melt, seen here (click to enlarge):
Again, it’s lookin’ pretty tasty from my standpoint. And the fact that includes a packet of Grey Poupon automatically gives it an extra boost. I dig Grey Poupon (in conservative amounts, that is) and you can guess by its name, it also includes a slice of Swiss cheese. Mmmm. So far, so good.
Let’s take a look at the back (click to enlarge):
The tale of the Weight Watchers tape is as follows:
About my only gripe, if such a thing will matter in the world of off-the-shelf meals, is the same as usual: the high sodium content, which in this case is 950mg (or 40% RDA). Again, it’s for freshness and there’s not a lot you can do to avoid it.
Assembly of the sandwich is nothing unlike the Turkey Santa Fe: split the bread open, plop down the meat, dijon and cheese, place back into little tray and nuke for :45 seconds. (I learned from the first one that :30 seconds is not enough to make it very warm. Your microwave mileage may vary.)
Once warmed, however, it all came together to form a tasty l lunchtime meal that I truly enjoyed. Despite the Grey Poupon which can be overpowering even in small amounts, nothing was lost this time. The ample supply of sliced ham was delicious and the Swiss cheese and dijon mustard were the perfect complements. As with the Turkey Santa Fe, the bread was definitely wheaty yet tasty, and I noticed that after eating these sandwiches, my appetite was curbed for the remainder of the day. That’s a huge plus.
Would I recommend: If given the choice between this sandwich and the Turkey Santa Fe, I’d reach for this one without hestiation. The Ham & Swiss did not disappoint in the flavor category and held up nicely until dinner, so it’s got more than a few things going for it.
All in all I’d have to say this one is worth it. Thumbs up!
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