So Far, So Good

I've been on the diet for two weeks and have been able to do a couple hikes so far.  With some family illnesses and work I haven't been able to get out more than that but I'm looking forward to an outing this weekend, maybe two.

I stepped on the scale this morning for the first time since the beginning of the year and was pretty happy with the results.  I'm not ready to post a picture of myself yet because they would all be "before" pictures.  I think I'll wait until I get some "after" shots to go with them.

So, thus far I've done: 2 hikes and lost 10.2 pounds.

And I really miss ice cream.

Cutting the Crap

I won't be able to get out and do my first hike of the year until later this week but I've started eating better. For the first three days it hasn't been too difficult.  Of course, it's only been three days.

The first thing I got rid of was soda.  I don't drink a lot of it but at work I usually have one at lunch.  Now I drink water with a little lemon and I like it.  

Candy was next to go.  After lunch I usually get a candy bar to enjoy so I decided to cut that out.  Instead I'm snacking on nuts.  Today I put money in a vending machine to get some peanuts and it wouldn't work properly so I had to buy M&Ms.  I gave them to a co-worker.

I said a long goodbye to junk food.  Men love fast food restaurants.  I am not the only one.  But most of what you can get in a fast food joint is garbage and I won't lose a pound if I continue to make trips to Del Taco, Carl's Jr., Taco Bell, In N Out and the rest.  It's easy, convenient and deadly.  Since I'm not ready to die yet, no junk for me...at least for now.

There are so many other things I have to get rid of that it'll take me a while to think of them all.  I'll let you know when I do.

I'm also thinking about doing some running but so far that hasn't made it past the "thinking about it" stage.

So far it's been easy and I can't wait to actually do some hiking.

A BIG challenge ahead

So today starts my effort to get back into shape and use hiking as my primary form of exercise.  Oh, I'll also do some running, some exercising and some dieting but it's the hiking I love.  Besides, who would want to read or write a blog called Dieting Into Shape?

Today, dieting was all I was able to do since I worked until 2 A.M. last night and had to be back at work at 10 this morning.  I had a cafe latte for breakfast, a fajita salad for lunch and Eggplant for dinner.  I really want to have some cookies or chocolate or ice cream but won't indulge in any of my favorite vices until I'm able to do a long enough hike to burn the extra calories off.

So we know where I'm starting, I weighed myself and can officially report I am now the heaviest I have been in my entire life.  I've got a long road (or trail) ahead of me to get to where I want to be but you've got to start somewhere.  But, as the old sports cliche goes, it's not how you start, it's how you finish.

Because the starting point ain't pretty.

Goodbye My Love

In n Out Burger has killed every diet I've ever tried to be on.  I don't know how this one will go but I had to make a run to In n Out just to say goodbye.  I bet people wondered why I was weeping when I got my order.  

A Double Double, Animals Fries and a drink was my last meal.  It'll be a while before we meet again but that doesn't mean I won't be thinking about you.  You'll always be in my heart, or at least my arteries.  I'm gonna miss you.

Love, Hal

I'm not alone

It seems I'm not the only one having a problem with a little extra weight.
http://goo.gl/icpdb

Preparing For My Next Adventure

Since my next adventure--getting into shape-- doesn't start until next year, I am getting my mind and body ready.  Since I know weight loss will not come without a commitment to eat better I am going to spend the rest of the year eating whatever I want.  No diet for me--at least until the next year-- and it's a good thing, too, because who the hell wants to diet during the holidays?  Not this chubby hubby.

I have some experience with this because I lost weight a few years ago but got lazy and gained it all back plus a few extra lbs.  OK, about twenty extra pounds.

In addition to a healthier diet, I'll be doing more hiking, maybe some yoga, running, exercises.  One thing I will not being is going to the gym.  I cannot think of anything more mind numbing than spending hours in the gym.  Not only is the gym experience boring, the gym conversations are boring, the outfits are boring, the classes, you guessed it, boring.  

Every week or so,  I'll be updating my progress including my weight, pictures and plans.  Every time I do a notable hike I'll be sure to post that.

Right now, though, I've gotta get back to what I was doing: eating.

Happy Thanksgiving.