Wednesday was the final night of the 7 week Paleo Challenge that started this blog, as well as my new Paleo lifestyle.
My final weigh in had me at 278.5 lbs, for a total loss of 16 lbs since 1/1/2009. So I am real happy with that, (just over a 2 lb a week loss).
This is the first time I have been below 280 lbs in many years.
While the "challenge" is over, it is my plan to keep living a Paleo Diet/lifestyle. I still have 28.5 lbs to go to my immediate goal of 250 lbs.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
2/23/09 Back to the Gym
Well my semi-vacation is over. Between the convention and my wife's birthday, my Paleo Diet took a beating, but I am happy to say that I mostly limited the damage, (I did give in to having a small piece of the chocolate-respberry cheesecake and a baked potato at my wife's birthday party). I could have eaten the whole damn thing it was so good.
Then my schedule last week pretty much kept me out of the gym. I did get some good workouts in, (hauling app. 2 cords of firewood by wheel barrow and stacking it up), at both my house and that of my mother. Luckily my lot is flat, but my Mom's is not. Let me tell you, pushing a wheel barrow up hill when it is full of firewood is no joke.
So I wasn't sure what the scale would tell me tonight. Luckily it all seemed to balance out, as I weighed in at 181.5 lbs. That is a .5 lb loss since my last weigh in, (for a total of 13 lbs since 1/1/09). So while it is not much, at least it is in the right direction.
The end of the Paleo Challenge at my gym is Wednesday. So I am hoping to lose just a little more by then. I did some extra work on my abs and chest today after our workout, hoping to maximize the changes I am feeling. Like I said earlier, I am not losing the weight as fast as I want to, but I am seeing and feeling a number of positive changes. My pants are all looser, my belt has gone down 2 notches, and my "tight shirts" are no longer tight in the stomach, but rather in the chest. So I like those trends, and hopefully the weight loss will continue.
Then my schedule last week pretty much kept me out of the gym. I did get some good workouts in, (hauling app. 2 cords of firewood by wheel barrow and stacking it up), at both my house and that of my mother. Luckily my lot is flat, but my Mom's is not. Let me tell you, pushing a wheel barrow up hill when it is full of firewood is no joke.
So I wasn't sure what the scale would tell me tonight. Luckily it all seemed to balance out, as I weighed in at 181.5 lbs. That is a .5 lb loss since my last weigh in, (for a total of 13 lbs since 1/1/09). So while it is not much, at least it is in the right direction.
The end of the Paleo Challenge at my gym is Wednesday. So I am hoping to lose just a little more by then. I did some extra work on my abs and chest today after our workout, hoping to maximize the changes I am feeling. Like I said earlier, I am not losing the weight as fast as I want to, but I am seeing and feeling a number of positive changes. My pants are all looser, my belt has gone down 2 notches, and my "tight shirts" are no longer tight in the stomach, but rather in the chest. So I like those trends, and hopefully the weight loss will continue.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Weekend Convention
Well, it was bound to happen. Had my yearly gaming convention, (DunDraCon) down in the Bay Area. This is basically a 3-day weekend where you sleep little, sit playing hundreds of games, (card games, minitures, role playing games, etc.), and try to survive on convention food.
It wasn't pretty, but I took a bunch of beef jerky, almond crunch, and cashews and avoided the worst of the worst. However, I certainly did get off the Paleo bandwagon for the weekend. This was my first non-caffein induced Con ever. I did keep up with drinking the lemon water only, and surprisingly, I think I was more alert and did better than sucking down the usual 10 diet sodas per day.
Now that I am back home, it is back onto the diet. Having had the carbs over the weekend, it was surprising to me how much more I craved them today. But I have been good, and am hoping that a weekend of indulgence, won't put me too far behind the 8 ball. Guess we can see the damage this Thursday at weigh in.
It wasn't pretty, but I took a bunch of beef jerky, almond crunch, and cashews and avoided the worst of the worst. However, I certainly did get off the Paleo bandwagon for the weekend. This was my first non-caffein induced Con ever. I did keep up with drinking the lemon water only, and surprisingly, I think I was more alert and did better than sucking down the usual 10 diet sodas per day.
Now that I am back home, it is back onto the diet. Having had the carbs over the weekend, it was surprising to me how much more I craved them today. But I have been good, and am hoping that a weekend of indulgence, won't put me too far behind the 8 ball. Guess we can see the damage this Thursday at weigh in.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Weigh in 2/12/09
Well, the old scale was not too friendly today. Still at 282 lbs, (same as last Thursday). I'm actually not too disappointed, however, as I also lost about an inch off my waste, (went down to the next belt hole), and I can see and feel the extra muscle I am putting on in my shoulders and chest.
So overall, I can tell my stomach has shrunk, (I also found this week that I could comfortably fit into and even button a dress jacket that I have not been able to wear in a couple of years). I had a massage on last Friday, and the massues kept commenting on how much more muscle and muscle tone I have added in the last 2 months. One of the wierd things, (though nice), is that I can actually feel my stomach muscles toning up. I actually feel like my stomach is getting "pulled in", because the muscles are so much "tighter" than they use to be.
So as Nicki keeps telling me, the scale is a good thing to keep an eye on, but the main thing is that I stay consistant on my paleo diet and workouts, as that is what is going to "lean me out", and that is what I really need to be focused on, rather than what that "weight" might be.
P.S. Also got a new personal record for my deadlift tonight, 365 lbs. I then bit off more than I could chew, as I wanted to lift 405 lbs, which is a total of 8 blue/45 lb weights. (365 was 6 blues and 2 greens/25 lb weights). It may be silly, but I love the idea of lifting all blues all away across the ends of the bar. (I want to frame that picture). I really thought I could do that 40 lb jump up, because 365 did not feel that hard. I could get the 405 off the ground, but unfortunately could not clear my knees. So oh well, now I have a new goal to hit.
So overall, I can tell my stomach has shrunk, (I also found this week that I could comfortably fit into and even button a dress jacket that I have not been able to wear in a couple of years). I had a massage on last Friday, and the massues kept commenting on how much more muscle and muscle tone I have added in the last 2 months. One of the wierd things, (though nice), is that I can actually feel my stomach muscles toning up. I actually feel like my stomach is getting "pulled in", because the muscles are so much "tighter" than they use to be.
So as Nicki keeps telling me, the scale is a good thing to keep an eye on, but the main thing is that I stay consistant on my paleo diet and workouts, as that is what is going to "lean me out", and that is what I really need to be focused on, rather than what that "weight" might be.
P.S. Also got a new personal record for my deadlift tonight, 365 lbs. I then bit off more than I could chew, as I wanted to lift 405 lbs, which is a total of 8 blue/45 lb weights. (365 was 6 blues and 2 greens/25 lb weights). It may be silly, but I love the idea of lifting all blues all away across the ends of the bar. (I want to frame that picture). I really thought I could do that 40 lb jump up, because 365 did not feel that hard. I could get the 405 off the ground, but unfortunately could not clear my knees. So oh well, now I have a new goal to hit.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Weigh In 2/5/09
Been doing pretty well on eating only paleo. I had a judge threatening me with contempt today if I did not eat a donute, (he didn't want to be the only one eating them). Luckily, a couple other attorneys took him up on the offer, so I didn't have to risk his questionable sense of humor. Several months ago, I gave in and ate a donute, (he's a visiting judge and brings donuts every time he sits on this particular juvenile calendar). Then I made the mistake of telling Nicki about it. I still remember my "work out", (which would better be termed Punishment Session) that she put me through while telling me how "disappointed she was". Sheesh, not going to make that mistake again.
Otherwise, this week was pretty good. I am still doing large batches of hamburger patties and chicken breasts as fillers when I don't have enough time to cook something more elaborate, but with the variety of recipes that I am now using, I am starting to feel like this "diet" is one that can be made with enough variety to keep it fresh and as a long term lifestyle. I've done the Atkin's diet before, but it never felt sustainable to me. So I would follow it for a time, (lose some weight), but ultimately go off of it and gain back the weight. While in some ways the Paleo Diet is even more restrictive than the Atkins, it is easier for me to conceptualize WHY I am avoiding certain foods. The Paleo also explains and encourages me to mix in good FATs, to still get that satisfied "full" feeling, that I never got on the Atkins diet.
So now that i am down to 282 lbs, (which totals 12.5 pounds since January 1st), I can honestly say that I have not had to go hungery. While I know we are fast approaching the end of the "Paleo Challenge" that Rob and Nicki put us on, it is clear to me that I will be continuing on with this "lifestyle" for the forseeable future.
Thanks for everyone's continued support.
Only about another 60 lbs to go. =)
Otherwise, this week was pretty good. I am still doing large batches of hamburger patties and chicken breasts as fillers when I don't have enough time to cook something more elaborate, but with the variety of recipes that I am now using, I am starting to feel like this "diet" is one that can be made with enough variety to keep it fresh and as a long term lifestyle. I've done the Atkin's diet before, but it never felt sustainable to me. So I would follow it for a time, (lose some weight), but ultimately go off of it and gain back the weight. While in some ways the Paleo Diet is even more restrictive than the Atkins, it is easier for me to conceptualize WHY I am avoiding certain foods. The Paleo also explains and encourages me to mix in good FATs, to still get that satisfied "full" feeling, that I never got on the Atkins diet.
So now that i am down to 282 lbs, (which totals 12.5 pounds since January 1st), I can honestly say that I have not had to go hungery. While I know we are fast approaching the end of the "Paleo Challenge" that Rob and Nicki put us on, it is clear to me that I will be continuing on with this "lifestyle" for the forseeable future.
Thanks for everyone's continued support.
Only about another 60 lbs to go. =)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Weekly Food Log 2/1/09- 2/7/09
2/1/09 Left over beef tip stew 10 am
Chipotle Carnitas 1 pm
Shrimp & cocktail sauce 4pm
2 chicken breasts w salsa 8 pm
Apple 9 pm
Almond Crunch 12 am
2/2/2009 2 chicken breasts w salsa 12 pm
Almond crunch 7pm
2 BBq Pork Chops 8 pm
Apple 10 pm
2/3/09 2 pork chops and almond crunch 12:30 pm
apple 6 pm
Paleo Speghetti 8 pm
2/4/09 Apple 8:30 am
Left over Paleo Speghetti 12:30
3 Chicken Breasts 7 pm
Apple 9 pm
2/5/09 Apple 8 am
Lemon Chicken 1pm
2 hamburger patties w salsa 9:30 pm
2 chicken breasts 10 pm
Chipotle Carnitas 1 pm
Shrimp & cocktail sauce 4pm
2 chicken breasts w salsa 8 pm
Apple 9 pm
Almond Crunch 12 am
2/2/2009 2 chicken breasts w salsa 12 pm
Almond crunch 7pm
2 BBq Pork Chops 8 pm
Apple 10 pm
2/3/09 2 pork chops and almond crunch 12:30 pm
apple 6 pm
Paleo Speghetti 8 pm
2/4/09 Apple 8:30 am
Left over Paleo Speghetti 12:30
3 Chicken Breasts 7 pm
Apple 9 pm
2/5/09 Apple 8 am
Lemon Chicken 1pm
2 hamburger patties w salsa 9:30 pm
2 chicken breasts 10 pm
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Polynesian Beef Tip Stew
Some of you that have been around Chico for a long time may remember the Albatross Restaurant north of town. It was THE BEST restaurant in Chico for years. The owners sold the restaurant a number of years ago, and it then went through a series of owners. Well the original owners are back and have started a new restaurant in the same location, The Gooney Bird. A networking group I belong to meets there every Thursday for lunch, and this last week they served a Beef Tip Stew that was supposed to be served over rice. Skipping the rice, I just had the stew, and it was so damn good, (and paleo friendly), that I immediately set about deconstructing its ingredients so that I could make my own version of it. I fixed it tonight for dinner, and my wife, (who is not on a paleo diet and has been suffering from me not fixing our "normal" type meals), absolutely loved it. It is also extremely easy to make and is a "One Pot" meal.
So here it is, and I hope you and your family will enjoy it as much as mine did.
1 lb or more of lean Beef cut into app. 3/4 inch cubes
1 lg green bell pepper diced into app. 3/4 inch squares
1 lg red bell pepper diced into app. 3/4 inch squares
1 medium onion diced into app 3/4 inch squares
2 cups mushrooms, (quartered into app 3/4 inch chunks)
1 20 .oz can of sliced or chunked pineapple in unsweetened juice,
(if sliced, quater the rings)
1/3 cup wheat free soy sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tbs lime juice
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp pepper
Place all ingredients, (including the pineapple juice within the can) into an oven safe caserole dish or slow cooker. Mix all ingredients together, making sure to coat everything with resulting sauce. Cover, and either cook in the oven at 350 for 60 minutes, (stirring occaisionally to recoat), or in slow cooker on high for 4 hours or on low for 8.
Ladel into bowls to serve.
The meat you choose to use should determine your cooking method. I cut up a cross-rib roast, (which tends to be a little tough unless cooked slowly), so I used a slow cooker for 8 hours. If using good and tender steak cuts, (such as rib eye, sirloin, or tri-tip), then the oven is probably a better choice.
So here it is, and I hope you and your family will enjoy it as much as mine did.
1 lb or more of lean Beef cut into app. 3/4 inch cubes
1 lg green bell pepper diced into app. 3/4 inch squares
1 lg red bell pepper diced into app. 3/4 inch squares
1 medium onion diced into app 3/4 inch squares
2 cups mushrooms, (quartered into app 3/4 inch chunks)
1 20 .oz can of sliced or chunked pineapple in unsweetened juice,
(if sliced, quater the rings)
1/3 cup wheat free soy sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tbs lime juice
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp pepper
Place all ingredients, (including the pineapple juice within the can) into an oven safe caserole dish or slow cooker. Mix all ingredients together, making sure to coat everything with resulting sauce. Cover, and either cook in the oven at 350 for 60 minutes, (stirring occaisionally to recoat), or in slow cooker on high for 4 hours or on low for 8.
Ladel into bowls to serve.
The meat you choose to use should determine your cooking method. I cut up a cross-rib roast, (which tends to be a little tough unless cooked slowly), so I used a slow cooker for 8 hours. If using good and tender steak cuts, (such as rib eye, sirloin, or tri-tip), then the oven is probably a better choice.
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