Upcoming Events
2011/07/28 at 9:38 pm | Posted in Exercise, Health, Life, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight loss blog | Comments OffTags: 5k, active.com, cycling, diets don’t work, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog
First, I want to say that I’m posting this as a way to take my mind off of a recent personal event. My cat Ozzie was euthanized yesterday and I’m still trying to move on from the shock of it all since we had him from the time he was a kitten and his illness truck him rather quickly. He was a great cat and the family will miss him.
As far as my weight goes, I’m still hovering around 205 with the chances of reaching my goal weight of 190 by September not looking very promising. I’ll try but honestly, I’m getting comfortable with where I’m at, even if it’s a little over the 200 lb. mark. Again, I’ll try but won’t be terribly disappointed if I don’t make it since I’m still happy to have reached the point I’m at now.
But regardless of what I weigh, whether I’m running or cycling or whatever, I’m staying busy and loving it. And just last Sunday, I did something different to shake up the routine instead of the regular ride to the beach and back (about 20 miles): I rode to the local park and ran 5k on the track and let me tell you, it felt great. I once rode there and walked 5k but never ran so this was definitely a challenge but in the end, it was fantastic and something I need to do again.
Speaking of staying busy, I’ve added a new column on the right side entitled Upcoming Events. It’s just a simple schedule of events that I have registered for and will be partaking in and includes links to the event’s site and registration page via Active.com.
So far, here’s what I’ll be doing:
- August 27, 2011: Wet-N-Wild 5k, Irvine, CA. Register via Active.com
- October 9, 2011: Long Beach Marathon 26.2-Mile Bike Tour, Long Beach, CA. Register via Active.com
- October 15, 2011: Del Mar Mud Run 5k, San Diego, CA. Register via Active.com
- November 2011: Run Like It’s Recess 5k, a local fundraising event for my son’s school.
Awaiting Registration/Considering:
- January 27, 2012: Never Land Family Fun Run, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, CA. Register via Active.com
I will keep adding to these and once the events are done, I will post comments and pictures if I have any. It should be a lot of fun and a way to remind readers that even though I’m active now, it doesn’t mean I always was.
Need some proof? How about this picture?
Some scouring turned up this photo from 2001. Yeah, uh, that’s me in my Big Mac/3-item combo Chinese food days. Strangely I didn’t think there was anything wrong with my personal appearance or health and could very well still be this big – had I chosen to be.
But I didn’t. Here’s a more recent picture with my boy, enjoying the day at Disneyland:
I’d say there was a slight difference, no?
Remember, folks, it’s possible. You just have to want it bad enough and work hard to get it.
I may have a post for tomorrow as well so hang in there. Thanks again for reading and I hope you get motivated into doing some active events of your own 
Limited Time: Free FinishSafe Finish Tags
2011/04/15 at 10:14 pm | Posted in Exercise, Health, Product Review, weight loss, weight loss blog | Comments OffTags: cycling, finish tags, finishsafe, free, joggin, lifepin, running, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog
A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about my Road ID, my Christmas present from last year. I even included some $1 off coupon codes in case anybody was compelled to order one.
Today on Facebook, however, I came across something that is similar to the Road ID product but is sans the stylish band.
They are called FinishSafe Finish Tags and are designed to conveniently attach to your person so that, much like Road ID, you no longer have to worry about carrying your wallet or legal ID while you are out running, cycling, or participating in any kind of activity.
What makes this product different is that all of the information your provide is stored online and should you ever need medical attention, it is easily accessed by emergency personnel. By either calling an 800 number, texting, or entering your LifePin on the FinishSafe Web site, they will see everything they need to get you immediate and proper medical attention.
The cost to store and update your information online is free. By comparison, Road ID is free for the first year and then charges $9.99 every year thereafter for their Interactive service.
Perhaps the best thing of all is that, until April 30, 2011, you can get your very own set of FinishSafe Finish Tags for absolutely free (a $9 value). The offer is limited to the first million people who sign up before April 30th so if you want to get in on this deal, I’d suggest you do it now.
More pictures and information is on their Facebook page and should you order one after reading about it here, Like them and mention you saw it on 200by40.com so we can both benefit from the exposure we both so truly deserve
Free is always good so what are you waiting for? Those things won’t order themselves. Get busy!
The Scale
2011/04/13 at 6:56 am | Posted in Discipline, Exercise, Life, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight loss blog | Comments OffTags: Exercise, Health, scale, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog
I have decided that I will go until the end of the month without using the scale. This should give me time to get into some good habits and carry them into May.
Good idea? Any thoughts?
I’m feeling pretty good today knowing I’ve been on track and eating right. All of my meals have been planned so I should be okay for the entire day.
Tonight is an exercise night so it’s either outside for a 3-mile walk/jog or indoors for crunches and weights. I’m thinking since I made my tuna salad for lunch, I might go out for a walk but who knows what I’ll decide.
And honesty, either would be fine with me
Where I Stand
2011/04/11 at 10:13 pm | Posted in Health, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight loss blog | Comments OffTags: clif, Health, lifestyle change, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog
I was recently chosen to participate in a study about health and nutritional habits. It was a completely random phone call that, once completed, earned me a check for a cool $10. I rule!
What’s more, the study went further than just a bunch of questions over the phone. I was also asked if I would like to put my name in a pool of potential participants for a more in-depth study that included taking my weight, height, etc. I gladly submitted my name and just last week, I was called for the tests. In return, I would be rewarded even more money: a $50 Visa gift card. Sign me up!
The results were as follows (according to my memory of the event):
- Height: 5’ 10” but that hasn’t changed in years.
- Weight: 209. Yeah that’s right, it looks like I gained a little back but keep in mind that I was also wearing shorts and a shirt so chances are that this threw it off a bit. As a matter of fact, my weight this morning was 206 so all things considered, I’m staying at a reasonable weight – but still not entirely happy about the gain. Read on.
- Waist Measurement: 40”
- Hip Measurement: 42.5”
- Blood pressure: they took three different measurements at five minute intervals. The average between all three was about 100/65. Not too bad.
So after all of that, I was given two $25 gift cards and both of them went into our gas tanks. Pretty sad if you think about it…
At any rate, my weight. It’s been creeping up here and there and I’ve been having difficulty in maintaining myself at around the 200 lbs. level which is where I’ve been averaging since meeting my goal.
It seems my exercise habits sort of fell apart over the past few months and I simply got a little lazy. Hey, you have to admit that after years of following a strict routine of nutrition and exercise, it would get a bit tiring. And that’s pretty much where I landed.
But thankfully, lately I’ve been kicking myself into doing what needs to be done by doing either of the following on alternating days (and taking one day off somewhere in the week):
- Walk or run a 5k or at least 3 miles
- Weightlifting, ab crunches, and punching bag
And what exactly do I do on my nights off from all of that? Blog about it, of course
For a change of pace, I started to head out for early morning bike rides as well. As a matter of fact, I rode some 20 miles on Sunday:
As you can see, the beach is a only about 8 miles from home and it’s the one place I love to ride to, take a break, enjoy some “me” time, and re-energize with a CLIF Shot Energy Gel (Mocha, please).
So now that I’m trying to get back on track, what’s next? Here’s what’s next.
As you know, I’ve been trying like heck to hit that elusive 190 lb. goal and I just never seem to make it for whatever reason. That’s why I am now making this proclamation:
I will reach 190 by September 27, 2011, the 3 year anniversary of meeting my goal of 200 lbs. or less.
That gives me 169 days to lose 16 pounds or about .5 lb. per week. With the way things have been lately, it will be tough but I’m committed to make it happen.
I guess that means I will have to buy some new batteries for my scale which was something I was trying to avoid because I wanted to conduct an experiment of sorts.
Keeping in mind my weight the day that the batteries died, I wanted to see how far I could go without weighing myself and seeing if I would lose anything.
In only one day, I noticed a significant change in a few things. First, I wasn’t so obsessed with jumping on that scale and preparing myself for some kind of disappointment as things have been lately.
Second, I was making smarter food choices with every meal and snack knowing that I wasn’t going to let the scale dictate my meals for me; I had to do it for myself.
Finally, I felt better about myself overall and a little lighter the following morning. Not relying on the scale made me even more accountable for my actions which is something that is necessary when you are trying to lose weight.
So with that, it seems on back on track. 169 days until I reach my goal.
Will I make it? Stay tuned and find out!
My Entry for Automattic’s Worldwide WP 5k
2011/04/06 at 10:18 pm | Posted in Exercise, Health, Life, lifestyle change, weight loss, weight loss blog | Comments OffTags: Exercise, lifestyle change, weight, weight loss, weight loss blog, wwwp5k
Hello, WordPressers! My name is Dave and this is my blog entry for Automattic’s Worldwide WP 5k dealy thingy. Before I begin giving you the details of tonight’s run/walk, allow me to elaborate on a few things.
If this is your first time visiting 200by40.com I want to welcome you. The short story behind this blog is quite simple: I had set a goal to weigh 200 lbs. by my 40th birthday in 2009. With about 50 lbs. to lose, I decided that I would blog about everything that was going through my mind during that time, and I mean everything. Whether it was frustration with pounds not coming off or a review of a food item or weight loss aid (be it a gadget or otherwise), I wrote about it. I also took progress pictures so readers could see how a normal guy like me went from nearly 300 lbs. and lazy to 193 lbs. (my lowest point) and running, cycling, and just enjoying life.
All this by eating right and exercising without feeling sorry for myself. Like I’ve preached from the beginning, make no excuses and have no regrets. Just turn the switch to ON and don’t let anybody stop you!
It was also my intention that this blog serve as an inspiration to those who may be having trouble losing weight after trying everything short of lap-band or gastric bypass surgery, which I have a strong opinion against.
While I don’t blog here as often as I used to, go ahead and look around and see what it took to lose over 100 lbs. Sure, I’ve gained a few back over the years but I am working on that at the moment and look forward to reaching the elusive goal of 190 lbs. sometime this year.
Okay, so the Automattic Worldwide 5k. I am subscribed to a bunch of RSS feeds with Google Reader with WordPress being one of them. I read about this and figured since I already run or walk nearly 5k every other night, I might as well go for it.
First things first, WordPress is suggesting the Android app MapMyWalk as a tool to help participants track their time and distance. I chose not to since I am already a faithful Endomondo user and even wrote a post about it not that long ago. I figured since I have been uploading all of my stats there that I might as well keep on using it for this event.
So here are the stats from tonight’s run, courtesy of Endomondo:
While I had the app set for Running, I sort of went back and forth between jogging and walking. Either way, I got it done and will take a day off tomorrow and do my alternative exercising: ab crunches, weightlifting, and the punching bag. Gotta have a little variety. And if you’ve never done 5k and are interested in seeing exactly how far it is, here you go:
The numbers represent the mile markers and the other dots are where I started and finished the jog/walk. It may look like a lot but once you get used to it, it’s really nothing. When I was unemployed, it wasn’t uncommon for me to walk 5 miles at a time. Not only was it great exercise, it gave me some peace and quite during a tough time in my life.
Unless I take my dog with me, my walks tend to be uneventful. He makes them as…well, difficult as he possibly can with all his pulling and tugging. (For the record, he failed obedience class 
.) But tonight I decided to go dog-less and actually came across something interesting.
There is a stretch of dirt pathway that starts a little past the 1 Mile Marker on the image above and since I do this at night, I always have a mini flashlight with me.
I hit the path and came to a point where I felt the need to slow down and drink some water. As I did that, something in the darkness caught my eye. I grabbed the flashlight and pointed it in the direction of what appeared to be a white piece with a hand-written message on it. This paper beautifully and conspicuously placed between two chain link fence segments, its creator obviously wanting people to stop and read it.
Here’s what it read:
“The world is full of shipping clerks who have read the Harvard classics.”
– Charles Bukowski
I had a moment of deep, meaningful thought as I took a sip of water. Then I continued on my way home.
No, this isn’t a picture of me at the finish line as the rules suggest but hey, I thought it was interesting enough to include for this little entry – and possible Freshly Pressed status
At any rate, that’s what I’ve got for this challenge. I’m sure I will run or walk 5k at least a few more times before the April 10th deadline and I hope that you do, too.
And if you haven’t, make now the time to do it and let it be the start of a healthy habit that lasts a lifetime.
Take it from me, that guy who used to eat 3-item combos from a Chinese food restaurant at least 3 times a week and where they knew my name. I haven’t been back since (but still do enjoy Chinese food in moderation, of course).
I also hope you’ve enjoyed your visit here and maybe even found a bit of inspiration to change the way you live and be the thinner person you’ve always wanted to be. Let’s just say that while I still have a pair of size 48 pants somewhere in the house, I definitely enjoy wearing 36 and 38 instead!
Thanks for stopping by and hope you come back!
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