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Tim Bergsten created this Ning Network.

Week 1 Down Along with 4 Pounds

First of all, thank you to those who responded to my blog. I appreciate the suggestions as well as encouragement.

Last week was a great wake up call for me both regarding my dieting habits and physical condition.

Diet - Breaking Current Habits
Starting the food journal was a great starting point. Up until last week, I thought I was a fairly health eater. I eat quite a few vegetables and fruits, chicken, cereal, etc. What I wasn't watching was my PC (portion control). I thought I was starting my day off great with cereals like Great Grains, Raisin Bran, Almond cluster, granola thinking I was better off eating a bowl of one these cereals versus my one of my favorites, country-styled potatoes with green chili. Because of the food journal, I realized that a bowl of my cereal was not a single serving according to the size of the box. Does anyone know where I can buy a 3/4-cup sized cereal bowl? I was easily eating 1000-1500 calories for breakfast after adding almonds and blueberries to my cereal.

I also learned I only drink about a quarter the amount of water I should be drinking. I understand now the fad diet I should jump on this next week. That would be, do not put as much food down my gullet diet. That diet consists of being more aware of my serving sizes and keeping my calories to 2000 a day.

Exercise - Are You Kidding Me?

I started exercising towards the end of the week. I realized I need some kind of indicator of progress for getting back into shape. I need to find something that will help me go from the shape of a pear to the shape God had in mind when we created. Is there a better choice than the incline to keep me honest and humble?

It has been 4 to 5 years since I used the incline as part of my work out routine. My best time from the short cut to the top is 34 minutes (not record breaking but it is my PR). I use to work out with my co-workers and if we had time, we would go to the top, run down to the bailout, and hop back on the incline to the top again.

So I grabbed my daughter and dog and off we went. We parked by Soda Springs park and that is when I discovered the first of my two new fat indicators. Stretching, I brought my head back and felt a skin fold pop out and my head give a bit. What the heck. Now I have to tip my head back as well as pinch my side to see if I am losing fat? (Oh Great, that really pleases me.)
Disturbed by my new fat indicator, the three of us started up Ruxton.

My next humbling discovery came at the incline itself. I use to wait for my daughter and encourage her as we progressed up nature's great stair stepper. Now the roles have reversed. I use to pick out a faceless body ahead of me to catch as my initial goal for the workout and now I am imitating cholesterol by clogging the arteries. Now, my goal is to keep my thighs from rubbing together and starting a fire. What, why am I noticing this? That is when I made the discovery of another fat indicator. Since when did my thighs start rubbing together like two sticks? This indicator needs to be taken care of quickly. I am not going to be responsible for the next fire started at the incline.

To make "a long workout short" literally, I didn't even make it to the bail out. I told my daughter I thought Symphony our golden was getting tired and we needed to turn around. I made it until the bottom of the steep climb to the bailout. I'm humbled so much by this I am just going to quit talking about it now.

This week, my goals are to keep my portions down, calories to 2000 a day, ride my road bike twice, walk/jog three times, and lift weights 4 times. Until next week...

This week's starting points: 241 pounds, 30.8% body fat, 34.0 BMI

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Comment by Teresa Brown on June 5, 2010 at 6:50pm: Well done, Ralph! I admire you for taking on the incline. I haven't dared to yet!! Re: the thigh issue--women have been annoyed by this since the beginning of time. I truly believe that God has a sense of humor--no other animal on earth has thighs that rub together... Body Glide is fabulous for keeping the chafing to a minimum and making the walk/run/whatever much less painful :) Keep it up!! :)

Comment by Jon Zanone on June 1, 2010 at 9:11pm: Good job Ralph! I use a digital scale to keep track of the cereal thing... And some cereals are different - seems to be either 32g or 55ish grams...

Comment by Brian McCarrie on May 31, 2010 at 1:22pm: Great work Ralph! 4lbs is awesome. Sounds like you've got a plan. Keep going. Looking forward to your future updates.

Comment by Nicole Odell on May 31, 2010 at 10:33am: Great work! I enjoyed reading your update and I'm looking forward to reading next week's!

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