Facing the Music (plus a pic of the kitten)
deep breath
Okay, I never expected I would have to write the post I am about to write. I never thought I would allow myself to do what I have done. I have lost focus. As a result, I have hit a weight which I have not known since July of last year. I have once again reached 200 pounds. I am ashamed. I am frustrated. I am embarrassed. Before I go any further, let me get the numbers out of the way.
I gained 2.5 pounds this week, which puts me at 200 pounds. That is 12.5 pounds higher than my lowest official weigh-in last December. My body fat decreased by 0.2% to 20.9%. My BMI increased 0.4 to 28.7. My neck increased a quarter inch to 17″. The next three measurement are puzzling. My chest decreased by a quarter inch to 44.125″. My stomach decreased 0.375″ to 40.875″. My waist also decreased by an eighth of an inch to 37.625″. My thighs and calves increased by a half inch each to 22.875″ and 16.25″ respectively. My biceps were unchanged at 13.125″. My forearms increased by an eighth of an inch to 12.25″.
Many of you have noticed, I have lost focus. I have to admit, I am surprised at this week’s weigh-in, as I thought I did pretty good on dining this week. That doesn’t change the focus issue. It is time to get back on track. It is time to regain focus. It is time to regain my passion for success.
I have told many of you that I do better when I have strict guidelines to follow. I need this. Which brings me to the first change you are going to see around these parts. Change may be the wrong word. I am going to re-institute a past practice. I am going to start setting weekly goals again — weekly goals that will be reported on daily.
My goals for the upcoming week are as follows:
- I will eat weight-loss portions every meal this week.
- I will exercise six days this week for a total of three hours. This will include restarting the 100 Push Ups Program.
- I will only drink water and black coffee, limiting the coffee to no more than ten cups all week.
In an effort to keep this post from being tremendously long, I am going to cut it off here. This is really only part one though. There are at least two more. Check back tomorrow for installment number two.
I’ll leave you tonight with a picture of the new kitten. Isn’t she adorable? We have decided to give her up though. Our current cat is not accepting her at all. In fact, she is normally very docile, but attempted to bite me today after I had pet the kitten. I think she has a real jealousy issue. Fortunately, we have already found another good home for her, and they will take her in tomorrow.
Steve we have all been there. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You have set yourself up for success this week by setting concrete goals. I find that really beneficial as well.
Good luck this week and know that I am over here rooting for you!!!
Hugs!
Very cute kitten!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 30th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Kimberley, thank you. You are always a great encouragement. I am going to need that this week.
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Hang in there Steve. Knowing yourself and what makes you tick is great — I know you can kick it up a notch and do what it takes to make the changes you need to make to get back to where you want to be.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 30th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Thanks Sarah! I appreciate the comment!
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I think this is what all of us (and your body) have been waiting for. This is a great new…errr…old…errr…development. I’m proud of you, Steve. This isn’t a line in the sand. This is a line in the cement. And I know you won’t let it go any further. Hang in there, Steve. You will win. I know you will.
Oh, and if that other home doesn’t work for that adorable ball of cute, you can ship her to me!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 30th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Beej, you may not realize how powerful this comment is for me. Someone once told me that the only time we make a real change is when we are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Well, I am there.
Regarding the kitten, we really don’t want to give her up. She is absolutely adorable. I just can’t handle the monster my other cat has become.
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You know you’re not the only one, so hang in there. You’ve recognized an issue that needs to be addressed and you’re facing it. You’ll do fine. Just hang in there.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 30th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Thank you Leah. I appreciate the encouragement.
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Hey dude. I think after your father’s passing you lost a little focus. It’s okay though. You are awake and aware…and like you did for me…I got something for you.
I have a big ole “I refuse to balloon in june’ challenge going.
Mine isn’t nearly as formal as yours….the only pre requisit.e. one hour of exercise one hour a day at least 6 days a week.
You can do this bud, because you have done this.
We all believe in you.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Chris, thanks for the comment. “I refuse to balloon in June”? I have a few days to think this over, but I think I will join in.
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Steve, I am so happy to hear that you are going to take thing under control!!!!!!!!!! Now, keep that mental muscle strong! Keep close to your heart & mind, those that have gone too soon. Keep close how good your doc reports are when you are focused & eating well & moving more! I know stress & life can get us off track but this is the perfect time to beat stress with movement AND to work on something you can control, YOU! I have faith in you!!!!
That kitty is so cute! Now is only the big kitty would thing so!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Jody, thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate the gentle prodding I get from you.
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“re-institute a past practice”
Love this. It’s getting back to what works. Sometimes we think we are doing what we need to be, but when real focus comes onto our actions, we realize what needs to be fixed.
And that kitten?? She looks like my Pixie! Love!!!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:48 pm
That’s exactly right Lori. If something works, why do we go looking for something else? Getting back to the basics is a good move for me.
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Steve, I’m sure you can get on the right path again. It’s hard, and we all lose track sometimes. My entire journey has been two steps forward one step back, but I’ll get there and so will you. Looks like your time is right now.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Thanks clickmom. There aren’t many of us that don’t follow a similar path of two steps forward, one step back. Those of us who succeed are the ones who don’t let the steps back win.
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It happens to the best of us! Don’t waste your energy dwelling on the mistakes…you are on the right path with focusing on your plan!
Stick with it and great things are to come…
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Thank you Regina. Great things are to come . . .
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She looks like my favorite cat of all time, Ruby. Similar coloring and excellent befuddled look.
Gosh, Steve, I so appreciate your honesty. I’ve never lived in a segment of time, from last week through the present, where so many people are struggling with things. I certainly am too. My weight is up about 14 pounds from my low last November, and I just can’t get my act back together for more than a day. The exercise capacity is returning, but I’m aware of being in a funk, and using food as a coping strategy. When will “this too pass” and I’ll be back to my best self? But this is all part of the big picture that is imperfect messy life. I’m so thankful for this blogging community of support and inspiration because together we can do what I can’t do alone.
I’ll be check back for parts 2, 3 and beyond of your story. Hugs and bloggy love -
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:51 pm
She was a very cute kitten Leslie. We hated to give her up.
Thanks for the comment. It was a hard post to do, but a necessary one. Like you, I am thankful for the support, encouragement, and inspiration I get in this community. More to come for sure.
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Well done for addressing this before any more ‘damage’ has been done. You know what works best for you.
I’m sorry the kitty didn’t work out… Sometimes it takes quite a long time (over a year with Mildred and my two cats) before they’ll accept one another. Sometimes they never do, but most of the time they can rub along, even if they’re never ‘friends’. I’m glad you’ve found a good home for her!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Thank you Patsy.
I am sorry about the kitten too. Our other adult cat is amazingly happy today after we took the kitten to its new home.
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Sorry you have to part with that cutie, but it sounds like there will be peace in the home
Funny that your bodyfat % went down.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I am sorry to part with it to, but it wasn’t worth the struggle.
Not only the body fat %, but also my chest, stomach, and waist. Odd.
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Too bad about the kitty. Glad to hear you are getting back on track, I had to do that with my “Kick Butt Challenge” for the past 6 weeks.
Now I’ve started a new challenge, its mostly for me, but other people can join and if they do I’ll give them a mention and link on my blog… can’t really offer much of a prize otherwise, but you set your own goals for the challenge, so it should fit in anyone’s plan, and you can join it any time.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I’ll have to check your challenge out Vicki. Thanks!
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Steve, it happens, you are aware of it and are putting a stop to it before it gets out of hand! Good for you!!!!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Thanks Ron, I always appreciate your comments.
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Cute kitty! I’m sure she’ll be well-taken care of in the new home you’ve found for her.
And we are ALL here rooting for you, Steve. I think it’s really important that when we have set-backs, we talk about them and are honest about our thoughts and struggles. Thanks for sharing this post.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 7:09 pm
I think her new home is going to be a good one. We happen to know the new owners, and they will treat her well.
Thanks for the encouragement Sagan. It is hard to move forward until we face the place we are at right now.
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Just getting caught up here Steve. You have a good plan in place and I know that your month end review for June will be strong. You c an do this!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 5:11 am
Thank you Kat!
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Hang in there. Sounds like you are on the right track and have some great goals. That 12.5 lbs will be off in no time with a lot of determination and dedication. Have you checked out sparkpeople.com… it’s great for tracking food, exercise, and they even tell you how much to eat and exercise in order to reach your goals. I love it. It’s helped me so much
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South Beach Steve Reply:
June 5th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
I have checked out sparkpeople.com. I may need to check it out again though. Thanks for the comment!
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