Motivation...Where Art Thou?

A few minutes between color balancing and stitching panoramas together...

I had the last few days off, which was great...minus the fact that I wish I was capable of catching up on all my missed sleep.  But of course this should be when I am getting my gym time in as well.  What am I if not a great procrastinator.  And its all my doing too!

I convinced my motivator (i.e. Kurt) that we didn't need to go to the gym on Tuesday...that we could go on a bike ride now that Kurt has his bike back.  Of course we didn't get up until late on Tuesday and by then it was already starting to get hot.  So we decided to go to the gym Wednesday.

Wednesday comes around and neither of us wants to go in the morning...so we decided the evening.  Then evening comes and I just can't find the motivation...and of course I talk Kurt into going for a bike ride instead...only that didn't happen either. 

So I convince him that we will go for a ride this morning...even though the bike seat on my bike (formerly the bike Kurt was riding while waiting for his to be fixed) is awful (its a male seat).  Do you want to guess what happened?

6am rolled around WAY to early this morning...and that didn't happen. So now I am sitting here at work...feeling stupid for not going...but still not at all motivated.  I was hoping to maybe get off work at a decent time tonight in order to go...but once I got here I realized that wasn't going to happen.

I keep thinking the only thing I can do is try again tomorrow...but then when tomorrow comes around, my motivation is lost again.

Everything is lost.  I haven't been eating great (some days I really do try and fail miserably).  And that's the big problem...because even if I am not getting to work out or am not motivated to do so, at least I should be eating better...to supply some bit of healthiness to this whole thing.

So slowly today I am going to try to work my motivation back...be it researching some healthy habit things online or at least trying to get a quick walk in while at work (which will most likely not happen because there's so much to do and I want to get home before midnight.)

Maybe I just need something new to do...I'm hoping riding my bike will kick up the motivation a bit...but I think I need to get some free weight for home so that I can start a little strength work.  I need a pool.  Our community has a pool but it is only open from 10am to 9pm or something like that.  Normally I'm at work at that time...but I guess I could do it right at 10am as long as there were not other people there, because I would actually be there to swim and not to float around. 

I know that I just need to push through this lack of motivation...part of me wishes that I wasn't working so much and that I could be a hyper focused on the exercise and the healthy eating as I was when we started this whole thing...but then again, it is nice to have a job again (regardless of how much I complain about it sometimes.)

Anyway, it's time to get back to doing work.  I'm actually working while doing this but my panoramas are bogging down the computer, so I should close the Internet window.  Cassie, I'm looking forward to your recipes (if you already sent them, I didn't get them.)  We need a little more variety in our lives.

I'm going to try to be better about this...I know Kurt is too...so until next time. :P

Hello out there,

Hey followers,

I promise you that we haven't fallen off the face of the earth, or worse fallen off our new way of living. Candace is still working crazy crazy hours, however her boss is starting to burn out from all the days in the row without rest and is letting Candace have days off!!! Last week she worked only 4 days, but still put in 48 to 50 hours. This is very good for me, I get to spend time with my lovely wife and she is able to go to the gym 2-3 times a week now.

We are going to start going to the gym really early in the morning (like 5 or so) 3 times a week so that Candace will be able to continue working out more regularly. I will let everyone know how that goes, probably on Wednesday we will be doing the psycho workout hours, but being healthy is important to us, and going to bed a little earlier isn't the end of the world.

I lost some 1.5 pounds last week and Candace lost right about that, I mention this because I felt last week I wasn't eating as well as I should. My breakfast and lunches were healthy and sensible, but dinner is seemingly another story. I have grown tired of salads and Chicken or Turkey Burgers and the like so a couple of crummy food nights. Does anyone have any suggestions to make some yummy healthy recipes? I am fresh out of ideas and don't want to make bad decisions in order to break the monotony (?).

I am happy though, I finally get my bike back tomorrow after 3 weeks of waiting for parts to arrive. So on the days that I don't go to the gym, I am going to bike to school, so I can get ready for school at the end of August. So if any Sparks inhabitants see a yellow road bike with a large Ape on it, please be aware its probably me.

Well that's all that's fit to print....

Kurt

Our update (finally)

Hello out there…

 Its here, its here, the day where we post our progress!! I needed to stop postponing our updates, its not like there is anything to hide, I was just being a tad bit lazy. First a word from my co-hort in health Candace.

"I know its been a while since I’ve been able to blog. Kurt’s been trying to keep it up, but we’ve been slacking lately (well he’s been slacking…I’ve been working - hahaha.) This whole process has gotten to be a lot harder since I started working. The long hours…no days off (Tuesday and Wednesday were my first days off in 9 days) or just having a long day and not being up for it, have prevented me from keeping a good gym schedule.

"So lets go back a bit…to recap some of the things that have been going on. I started working…and was able to make it to the gym, I believe only once, but it might have been twice in the first two weeks. Then we went on our family reunion trip…and as many of you know, we didn’t do as much activity as we would have liked…especially as we both gained about 4 lbs on the trip. And in the week and a half since being back, I have made it to the gym 3 times – twice last week and once this week so far (Wednesday). Tuesday I was just so excited for the day off, I could barely drag myself anywhere.

"However, I have been eating very well, especially given the temptations that I have at work…cookies, brownies…and a variety of things. That is the plus to Kurt being home and helping me by packing good food and snacks for me while I’m at work."

Now are the results of our hard work, Candace is down to 261 lbs, a 14 pound loss total since the beginning of our project. My weight is now 246.6 lbs which is down from 258.8 lbs.

As for our measurements, we need to come up with a chart to be sure we are measuring in the same exact place...since when we did Candace's measurements, her waist was 2" larger than previously measured, but she has lost 14 lbs. So we will start again with measurements the next time we weigh in, once we've found agreed upon spots of measuring.

However, here our the photos. They are being compared with our first photos, as we think it shows the progress better - and from here on, when we do photos, we will compare them to the weigh in before the last to show progress.

(left is now, right is previous)

I say overall pretty impressive numbers, especially since we had a family trip and Candace starting work during this I am really proud of us, and even more proud of my wife for trying so hard while she works herself to the bone.

Until later,

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Just a quick note...depending upon what time I am home this evening...we have 2 month (pushing 2 and 1/2 month now) weigh in results.  Part of me really wanted to wait as we gained a little bit back on our trip to Oregon...but we are ready to post.  So check back later tonight...or tomorrow morning...and there will be results and comparison pictures waiting ... no measurements though.  I'll explain why later.

Back to work.

We're Back!!

Hello all,

Sorry for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks, Candace's work and our vacations has sidetracked us both from keeping everyone up to date in our new lifestyle progress. Before everyone posts "What about your 2 month weigh in and pictures", they are coming soon. I promise!

Our two month weigh in was right during our family vacation and the internet connection up in Welches, OR was terrible. Candace and I should will post some time this Sunday, which is our 2 1/2 month anniversary. Going forward will be at the half month marker since there probably will be no major changes in our weight in just two weeks.

Lets see, I have been able to go to the gym 3 times this week, and Candace has told her boss that she needs to leave by 6 on Tuesday and Thursdays so that she can work out and she did this week!!! And since it was the first time in 3 weeks, Candace did really great working out, she made it for 60 minutes and even went over to say goodbye to her cousin's Cassie and her husband and kids good bye. Even though Candace has been way to busy to work-out (14 hour days) she still has been eating healthy. I make her lunches and snacks, and then have dinner ready for her when she drags herself home.

Even though workouts on Sunday and Tuesday were great, my Thursday workout was exercise in futility. We started out on the treadmill and after 10 minutes it felt like I had needles in my shins. Hopefully I don't have the beginning of shin splints, since they take FOREVER to heal up. So I stopped and Candace got off the treadmill (it was making her feel very weak) and went on the elipptical machine and again after 10 minutes it felt like I was going to pass out. I wasn't do anything harder than I have been, I just had absolutely no energy. I felt bad though, Candace was flying on the elippitcal machine, normally she is going at 3.5 mph but Thursday she was at almost 4.5 to 5.0 mph! She was very nice to me and got off early then we went to go pick up Buttonz from her dad's house. We, (or should I say me,) are watching him as Candace's dad and stepmom are going out of town for the next couple of days.

We will try to make it to the gym tonight, it depends on what time Candace is able to get off work tonight. Anyways, not that much else is going on, so until later...

Kurt

Two Months

Hi all...well really not all, because most of the people who read this blog are currently with me in Oregon...but hi those of you that are not here.

Today, Kurt and I have been working on our project for two months.  The last couple of weeks have been hard for me as I started working...and I haven't been able to make it to the gym.  This week though, we are looking forward to taking long walks with the dogs.

So, we are going to wait until we return home on Sunday to take our pictures and do our measurements...so you'll just have to wait a bit to hear...but things are looking good!!

Anyway, that is all for today...I just want to say, Trevor, if you get a chance to check it out, we miss you on our trip :P

Work and working out

Hello all,

I keep meaning to keep everyone updated on our goings on a more regular basis. I will try to be better about blogging much more often than twice a week. After that promise, I am will need to let you know that next week we will be lucky to blog at all since we are heading on the Nolan (Williams) family reunion trip. Then again most of you already know what we are going to be doing next week since most of you will be there with us.

Candace's new job is very time intensive. Last week she worked 38 hours in 4 days. And she still made it to the gym twice last week. We didn't go to the gym on Saturday since it was Courtney's graduation/birthday celebration and Sunday we were simply to tired to go the gym. Yesterday Candace was at work for 13 hours and she planned on leaving work around 5 and go the gym with me after she gets off. Unfortunately, (well not unfortunately) she needs to finish her training so she can make her new boss even happier with her so might not be off until 7 or possibly later. Candace really wants to make it to the gym, and if she is off before 7 she will attempt the gym tonight. I will let you know what happens.

However, Candace is still eating sensible portions and eating quality foods so its not like she is giving up this healthy living style. I know that the both of us hope for some normalcy when it comes to her work schedule after a month or so of work. We discussed a work out plan of Tuesday and Thursday she will try to be off at 5 so we can go to the gym and workout Saturday and Sunday as well. After the training ends, I think that this will be much more likely to happen.

For me, I feel like a 1950's housewife, I cook, I (attempt) clean the house, I do laundry, I take care of the yard, I walk the dogs regularly, and try to make certain my wife has a hot dinner when she comes home from work all with having one car in the house. The only thing that I am missing is a couple of kids running around and an apron. (Kids are not in the equation right now for us). I have been working on my business plan so I can get out of the house and also make some money as well. That and watching a lot of crummy day time television. No soaps yet, hopefully I wont start that craziness.

Candace and I will try to be better about keeping all of you informed, next week. Until later,

Kurt