I’ve been thinking about my current weight loss plan, and my goal of losing 90 pounds by September 29, 2009.  (Click here to read the weigh in where I decided that 90 pounds would be my goal and September 29, 2009 would be my goal date.)  I picked September 29, 2009 because that will be [...]

Continue reading → The 929 Project

So far, I’m 50 for 50.
I’ve gone 50 days without eating sugar, flour, potatoes, or bread.  I haven’t had a single piece of candy - or gum.  I’m completely done with soft drinks and I only drink water.
On September 29, 2008, I finally decided to focus, with all of my energy, on losing weight.  I [...]

Continue reading → 50 Days Without Sugar, Flour, Potatoes, Bread, Or Soft Drinks

As part of my Weekly Workout Plan, Mondays are for working out my legs.
Here’s today’s workout -

5 Minutes Walking Warm Up On Indoor Track
11 Minutes On Elliptical (I really focused on getting my heart rate above 150.)
3 Sets Of 10 Seated Leg Extensions
3 Sets Of 10 Seated Leg Presses - I can now press the [...]

Continue reading → Trying A New Elliptical Routine

Please ignore the previous weigh in post.
I wrote down the wrong weight.
I’m actually at 236.6 not 237.2.
As part of my Health Optimization Plan (H.O.P.) - my official weigh in days are Mondays.
Here is a summary of my progress to date:
Starting Weight (September 29, 2008)
252.2 Pounds
Weight Last Monday (November 10, 2008)
238.2 Pounds
Current Weight (November [...]

Continue reading → Correction - Monday Weigh In - Down 15.6 Pounds!

Please ignore this post.
I wrote down the wrong weight.
Click here to see the corrected weigh in for November 17, 2008.
As part of my Health Optimization Plan (H.O.P.) - my official weigh in days are Mondays.
Here is a summary of my progress to date:
Starting Weight (September 29, 2008)
252.2 Pounds
Weight Last Monday (November 10, 2008)
238.2 Pounds
Current Weight [...]

Continue reading → Monday Weigh In - Down 15 Pounds - Rock Steady

Things worked out today and I actually had time to do two work outs, one this morning and one this evening.
Here’s my workout from this morning -

5 Minutes Warm Up On Indoor Walking Track
36 Minutes Interval Training On Elliptical
10 Minutes Ab Work Out
5 Minutes Cool Down On Indoor Walking Track

Here’s my workout from this evening [...]

Continue reading → Are You Back For A Double Dose?

As part of my Weekly Workout Plan, Wednesdays are for working out my back and my biceps.
Here’s what I did yesterday at the gym

5 Minutes Walking Warm Up On Indoor Track
2 Minutes Lunges On Indoor Track
40 Minutes Interval Training On Treadmill (6 Extra Minutes)
3 Sets Of Dumbbell Curls
3 Sets Of Dumbbell Hammer Curls
3 Sets Of [...]

Continue reading → Back And Biceps Workout Plus Extra Cardio

According to my Weekly Workout Plan, Mondays are for working out my legs.  Usually, I do all of my cardio first, and then I do my workout routing.  Today, I decided to mix things up a bit, and really push myself.  Here’s today’s workout -

5 Minutes Walking Warm Up On Indoor Track
11 Minutes On Treadmill [...]

Continue reading → Working Out In A Packed Gym

As part of my Health Optimization Plan (H.O.P.) - my official weigh in days are Mondays.
Here is a summary of my progress to date:
Starting Weight (September 29, 2008)
252.2 Pounds
Weight Last Monday (November 3, 2008)
239.6 Pounds
Current Weight (November 10, 2008)
238.2 Pounds
I have lost a total of 14 pounds!  I lost 1.4 pounds last week.
Goal Weight (September [...]

Continue reading → Monday Weigh In - Down 14 Pounds - Rock On!

Usually, according to my Weekly Workout Plan, Saturdays are for staying home and hitting the treadmill, but yesterday, I was unable to go to the gym for my usual Chest and Triceps workout.  So, I hit the treadmill at home, yesterday, and went to the gym for Chest and Triceps today.
I must say, I really, [...]

Continue reading → Saturday Was A Great Day At The Gym

/*
Thanksgiving is 21 days away.
Christmas is 49 days away.
Are you ready?  Are you prepared to deal with the onslaught of get-togethers, sweets, parties, family meals, and Christmas goodies?  Or, are you going to just wait until January 1st and “start over”, because you don’t have time to “think about eating [...]

Continue reading → Do Not Wait Until January 1st To Make Your Weight Loss Resolution

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As part of my diet, I’m avoiding foods that contain refined sugars and starches.  Yesterday, for lunch, I went to Wendy’s and ordered a grilled chicken breast (just the meat, no bun) and a side salad.  After eating the chicken, I felt that old “rush” - which I know to [...]

Continue reading → Why I Will No Longer Eat Wendy’s Grilled Chicken

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As part of my Weekly Workout Plan, Wednesdays are for working out my back and my biceps.
Here’s what I did today at the gym -

10 Minutes Walking Warm Up On Indoor Track
34 Minutes Interval Training On Elliptical
3 Sets Of Bicep Curls
3 Sets Of Hammer Curls
3 Sets Of Seated Bicep Curls
3 [...]

Continue reading → Wednesday Workout For Back And Biceps

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A few months ago, before I was really focused on weight loss and improving my health, I (half-hearted) attempted to do the one hundred push ups training program.  Now that I’m working out at the gym and eating healthy foods, I thought it might be time to revisit the program, [...]

Continue reading → Revisiting The One Hundred Push Ups Training Program

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On Mondays, as part of my Weekly Workout Plan, I focus on exercises that will strengthen my legs.  I have to be VERY careful with my legs and be sure that I stretch, stretch, stretch - before AND after my workout.

5 Minutes Walking Warm Up On Indoor Track
40 Minutes On [...]

Continue reading → Monday Workout For Legs

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As part of my Health Optimization Plan (H.O.P.) - I only weigh myself (officially) once a week.
Here is a summary of my progress to date:
Starting Weight (September 29, 2008)
252.2 Pounds
Weight Last Monday (October 27, 2008)
241.8 Pounds
Current Weight (October 27, 2008)
239.6 Pounds
I have lost a total of 12.6 pounds!  I lost [...]

Continue reading → Monday Weigh In - Down 12.6 Pounds - I Roll

/*
For a solid month, I’ve been living a healthy lifestyle.  Here’s what I have (and have not) been doing -
What I Have Been Eating -
Lean Meats (Beef, Chicken, Turkey), Strawberries, Green Apples, Lemons, Limes, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Cashews, Eggs, Salt, Pepper, Water, Cucumbers, Lettuce, and Olive Oil.
What I Have Not [...]

Continue reading → One Month Living As A Healthy Person

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Instead of going to the gym today, I hit the outdoor track for some interval training.  Here’s the breakdown of today’s routine -
Total Distance - 2 Miles
Total Time - 25 Minutes 30 Seconds
Intervals - Alternated Running 1/8 Mile And Walking 1/8 Mile
Heart Rate - Walking 120 - 135  Running 145 [...]

Continue reading → Interval Training Thursday

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Here’s the workout that I use for my back and biceps -

5 Minutes Walking On Indoor Track
10 Minutes Warm Up On Eliptical
4 Sets Lat Pull Downs
4 Sets Seated Pulley Rows
4 Sets Dumbbell Rows
4 Sets Dumbbell Curls
4 Sets Hammer Curls
34 Minutes Interval Training On Eliptical

Could it be that I’m becoming a [...]

Continue reading → Back And Biceps Workout Routine

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Here’s the workout routine that I use for my legs -

5 Minutes Walking Warm Up On Indoor Track
5-10 Minutes Stretching
35 Minutes On Eliptical (Interval Training)
3 Sets Of 12 Seated Leg Presses
3 Sets Of 12 Seated Leg Extensions
3 Sets Of 12 Seated Leg Curls
10 Minutes On Step Machine
5 Minutes Cool Down [...]

Continue reading → Legs Workout Routine

As part of my Health Optimization Plan (H.O.P.) - I only weigh myself (officially) once a week.
Here is a summary of my progress to date:
Starting Weight (September 29, 2008)
252.2 Pounds
For the rest of my life, two calendar dates will stand out: April 5, 2005 and September 29, 2008.  On April 5, 2005, I started my [...]

Continue reading → Monday Weigh In - Down 10.4 Pounds - I Rock

I’m falling in love with interval training. In the past, when I would hop on the treadmill, I’d walk for 5 minutes at a warm up pace, walk for 20 to 30 minutes at a brisk pace, and then cool down for 5 minutes. I’d feel good, and I’d be sweating, but I never really [...]

Continue reading → Interval Training - I Love This Fat Destroying Treadmill Routine

Years ago - at least 6 - I signed up with Fitday, an online weight loss tracking site.  Since then, I’ve used the site, intermittently, to track my various attempts at losing weight.  Back on September 29, I once again created a weight loss goal, and I was impressed to see that Fitday has updated [...]

Continue reading → Charting My Weight Loss With Fitday

I’ve just returned home from the gym - and I feel great!  My daughter has gymnastics four days a week, and when I take her to her gym, I then go to mine.  There were only a few people in the gym (just like I like it), and I really focused on good form, breathing, [...]

Continue reading → Weekly Workout Plan

I’ve lost 8.2 pounds since September 29, 2008.
I started at 252.2 and am now at 244.
I feel much better.
I’ve managed to go to the gym at least 3 times a week, each week, this month.  I haven’t eaten any bread, any sugary foods, any sodas, or any high starch vegetables.  I’m eating lean meats, berries, [...]

Continue reading → Down 8.2 Pounds

Okay, here’s where I’m at, as of right now -
I’m trying to combine ALL of the concepts and ideas that I’ve learned - over several years - about losing weight and maintaining focus.
1.  I’m going through a bit of a cleansing, following the diet suggest by Doug Kaufmann over at Know The Cause.  I’m taking [...]

Continue reading → Combining It All - My Health Optimization Plan

Just wanted to post a quick weight loss update…
Since gettting back on track September 29, 2008, I’ve lost 5.2 pounds.
I’m down to 247 from 252.2
And, yes, I AM counting that .2!!!
Rock on.

Continue reading → Two Weeks Back On Track - Down 5.2 Pounds

From my other sites -
Over at No Credit Needed I wrote about How I Live Without Borrowing Money.
Over at the NCN Network I went old school and posted 40 chart updates - all at once!
From The Fitness Health Network -
Fat Man Unleashed - Lost A Footrace To His Daughter (Just Like I Would!)
Get Fit Slowly [...]

Continue reading → Fitness Finds

Foods Eaten -
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 tablespoon honey
Caloric breakdown -

This week, I need to keep things simple and straightforward.  I’m not going to attempt to write about anything other than my actual diet.  I will not pontificate, speculate, complain, or opine.  I will simply list what I’m eating, track my water intake, and see just [...]

Continue reading → Breakfast For October 3

Foods Eaten -
4 slices turkey bacon
1 medium apple
Caloric breakdown -

This week, I need to keep things simple and straightforward.  I’m not going to attempt to write about anything other than my actual diet.  I will not pontificate, speculate, complain, or opine.  I will simply list what I’m eating, track my water intake, and see just [...]

Continue reading → Breakfast For October 2 (Down 1.8 Pounds)

Here’s my chart for yesterday -

Exercise - I met some friends for a a round of golf.  We rode in carts and played 18, but I tried to walk as much as possible.  (With my tendency towards a snap hook, I spent most of my time on the left-side of the course.)

Continue reading → Yesterday’s Calorie Chart

Foods Eaten -
1 cup oatmeal (Maple and Brown Sugar)
4 oz. applesauce (Mott’s)
2 cups chicken with vegetables soup (Campbell’s)
Vitamins
6 oz. ham
6 oz. strawberry yogurt
6 dill pickle spears
Caloric breakdown -

This week, I need to keep things simple and straightforward.  I’m not going to attempt to write about anything other than my actual diet.  I will not pontificate, [...]

Continue reading → Supper For September 29

Foods Eaten -
1 cup oatmeal (Maple and Brown Sugar)
4 oz. applesauce (Mott’s)
2 cups chicken with vegetables soup (Campbell’s)
Vitamins
Caloric breakdown -

This week, I need to keep things simple and straightforward.  I’m not going to attempt to write about anything other than my actual diet.  I will not pontificate, speculate, complain, or opine.  I will simply list [...]

Continue reading → Lunch For September 29

Foods Eaten -
1 cup oatmeal (Maple and Brown Sugar)
4 oz. applesauce (Motts)
Caloric breakdown -

This week, I need to keep things simple and straightforward.  I’m not going to attempt to write about anything other than my actual diet.  I will not pontificate, speculate, complain, or opine.  I will simply list what I’m eating, track my water [...]

Continue reading → Breakfast For September 29

After being sick (and swamped with work), I’m back and ready to resume my weight loss.
This week, I want to be consistent.

I want to focus on getting enough sleep, getting enough exercise, and eating (just) enough calories.
I also plan to get back to my blogging, daily.  I’ve really missed writing.
This week’s goals -
Go to gym [...]

Continue reading → Back At Full Strength

I’ve been very, very busy with work… and I have a terrible sinus infection.  It’s hard to exercise when my head feels like a cinder-block.  Hopefully, I’ll feel better tomorrow.
I have an appointment with the dietician at the gym, scheduled for next week.  I recenlty had some blood work done, and I’m excited (and a [...]

Continue reading → Busy And Sick

Over at No Credit Needed, I’ve been writing about debt reduction for more than three years.  I’ve been debt free for more than two.  Here at No. Calories Needed, I’ve been writing about (attempted) weight loss, for a long time, but I’ve really struggled to make much progress.  Why?  What is the difference between debt [...]

Continue reading → How Debt Reduction And Weight Loss Differ And How They Are Similar

My daughter has gymnastics this evening and it’s my day to take her.  While she’s working on her back flips, I’ll be at the gym for an extended workout.
Her class will be in session for three hours, so I’ll have plenty of time to stretch, walk in the treadmill for thirty minutes, work chest and [...]

Continue reading → Today Will Be A Great Day At The Gym

I’ve spent some time redesigning the look and feel of the site.  I wanted No. Calories Needed to look more like my main site, No Credit Needed.  I’ll be tweaking the colors a bit.  I’m thinking of making most of the red graphics green, or blue, or orange.  I’m just not sure.
I’m headed to the [...]

Continue reading → Fitness Finds And A New Site Design

Here’s a window into my weight loss life:
I FINALLY find a workout that I enjoy - and they decide to CLOSE THE CLASS THE DAY AFTER I START ATTENDING!!!
Seriously, they closed the class.
Fortunately, they are going to open a similar class at a different time, so it’s all good.
I went to the gym anyway [...]

Continue reading → Workout Report 2 - NCN Goes To The Gym And Becomes A Swimmer

Thursday, I joined a new gym.  Friday, I went for my first workout.  I really didn’t know what to expect as I entered the facility.  When I signed up, the manager gave me a quick tour, but I had my son with me, so I was a little distracted.  So, as I entered the [...]

Continue reading → Workout Report 1 - NCN Goes To The Gym And Becomes A Boxer

My wife is an educator.  Tomorrow, she’ll head back to the classroom and our daily schedule will return to normal.  While I’m bummed that she has to go back to work, it’ll be good to have a bit more structure than I had during the summer.
I have decided to join a new gym!  I’m [...]

Continue reading → Tomorrow, Things Are Back To Normal

I’m thinking about joining a new gym.  My old membership expired a few months ago, and I haven’t felt like renewing it.  But, now that I’m in the mood to workout, I think I’m going to join a new place.  They have an indoor walking track and an indoor pool, for year-round swimming.  I [...]

Continue reading → Considering A New Gym Membership

The new scale arrived late yesterday, so I waited until this morning to establish my new, official, starting weight.
I now weigh 251.4 pounds.
This is actually three or four pounds less than I thought I would weigh.  Our old scale was off by about two pounds.
I don’t really have a lot to write about today.  I [...]

Continue reading → First Weigh In With The New Scale

I bit the bullet and ordered a new scale.  The one I have now is old and it’s readings are inconsistent.  Tomorrow, I’ll weigh myself on the new scale and that will be my new “start weight”.  I’m 99% sure that I’ll weight “more” on the new scale, but I’m cool with that.  (Really, I’m [...]

Continue reading → Tomorrow Is Weigh In Day (With A New Scale)

I need a little help.  I like chicken (white meat, boneless, skinless) and I’ve been cooking it on the stove top, stir frying it in a little olive oil (and adding a little teriyaki sauce when it’s almost done).  But, I’m afraid that this might not be the healthiest way to cook it.  So -
What [...]

Continue reading → A Little Help - Best Way To Cook Chicken

I hereby commit myself to daily postings here at No. Calories Needed.  For as long as the site has existed, I’ve never really given it - or my weight loss - proper respect.  But, now that school is almost back in session and our family will return to its normal schedule, I can devote more [...]

Continue reading → Making A Commitment

There are basically two kinds of thoughts - those that disect the past and those that imagine the future.  I struggle to forget.  So, when I eat the wrong thing or fail to exercise, I get depressed, and when I get depressed, I simply eat more and excercise (even less)!  I’m trying to LEARN how [...]

Continue reading → Forgetting Yesterday

As I mentioned before, I’m creating a food budget.  As part of my plan to lose a pound a week, I need to establish my daily caloric intake.  (My goal is to find out just how many calories my body needs to maintain its current weight, and then eat 500 calories less than that, everyday, [...]

Continue reading → Building My Food Budget - Establish Daily Caloric Intake

Three weeks ago, I mentioned that I was tired of dealing with the ups and downs of dieting and that I had decided to go with a steady, healthy, day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month approach to weight loss.  My goal?  To lose one pound per week.  And, three weeks later, I’m down three pounds.
In the past, I’d [...]

Continue reading → One Pound A Week - Right On Schedule