Week 10 update, Slow Going But At Least It's Going (1 lb. lost)...

343 lbs
26 down, 74 to go
42 weeks left
$13 per lb pledged
$338 raised

If you are new to loseforthefuse.com please read the first post or pledge here.

1 more pound?

That's it? I've been watching what I'm eating, working out everyday, and running about 6 miles a week, and this week all I have to show for it is 1 measly pound?!

Yes, 1 more pound.

I guess it's in the right direction at least. On average, to do this, I need to lose 1.92 pounds a week and right now I'm averaging 2.6 a week so it's not like I'm falling behind, it's just that 1 pound feels so small. It's as if you were trying to write a novel and only finished a sentence in an entire week, sure it's something, but it doesn't progress the story much.

I must admit though, I am feeling stronger and stronger every week. This morning I ran about 2.5 miles in 30 minutes and the weights I'm using for working out are feeling lighter than when I started. I'm hoping that thought the weight isn't dropping fast that the body fat percentage is diving quickly. I'll have to do another one of those tests soon and hopefully see some real results.

Oh, and by the way, if you are reading this and haven't pledged yet, what is your deal?! You can't just spy on me every week and not invest in me just a little, right? Click the link above and put your money where your websurfing is. The station needs it, and it is the main motivating factor to me keeping this up.

Thanks for checkin' in and hopefully next week I can speak in plural language.

Week 9 update, Nike+ Ipod = Awesomeness (2 lbs. lost)...

344 lbs
25 down, 75 to go
43 weeks left
$13 per lb pledged
$325 raised

If you are new to loseforthefuse.com please read the first post or pledge here.

I added a new piece to my workout puzzle that I wanted to let you know about because it has been working so well. It's called Nike+ and it's this incredible way of keeping track of all your running stats using an Ipod Nano. I've never been a big fan of running, but with the Nike+ I find myself itching to get back on the treadmill. Why? Because it makes it fun. That's the easiest way to put it. Now when I run my stats (miles run, calories burned, average speed, etc) are all compiled in real time and sent to Nike's website when I sync my Ipod. It also gives me instant audio feedback while I'm listening to music as I run. The other day after running a mile, Tiger Woods popped into my earbuds to announce that I had just run my fastest mile. The point is, for a stats and numbers junkie like me, it's pretty cool.

The technology is pretty simple. A sensor is placed in the shoe (special Nike+ shoes have a place built for it in the sole, but it can work with any shoe if attached firmly) that sends information to your Ipod Nano through a receiver (and yes it must be the Nano) which then gives you the real time updates. You can set your runs by distance, time, calories, or whatever you chose and the pleasant voice in your ear will keep you informed on your progress.

Another nice thing is that you can set up goals for yourself and the website will keep tabs on how you are doing. You can then share these results with others (as I am to the right on this blog) or if your friends have their own, you can even challenge others to see who can run 10 miles first, run the most time in a month, etc. By the way, if you run using Nike+ I would love to get a Lose for the Fuse challenge going so let me know.

Bottom line, I never thought I would be an avid runner, but I just might turn into one now.

On to the weigh in, 2 more pounds this week and I am completely content with this pace. As long as I keep making wise eating choices and exercising I think I am well on my way to making this happen.

Thanks for your support and if you haven't pledged yet, please click the link at the top!

Week 8 update, A Gallon a Day (1.5 lbs. lost)...

346 lbs
22 down, 78 to go
45 weeks left
$13 per lb pledged
$286 raised

If you are new to loseforthefuse.com please read the first post or pledge here.

Another week, another weigh in, this time with a reasonable 1.5 pound loss even as my strength training continues. This is the kind of weight loss I hope will continue for the next few months. Sure it would be great to see big numbers, but honestly 2-3 pounds a week is still pretty incredible, so I'm fine as long as the number continues to go down (as opposed to the direction that must not be named.)

This week I committed to drinking a full gallon of water every day and it has been interesting. I know that it's helped to keep my kidney's going as my body starts to purge it's contaminants, but I'm wondering if the real weight loss comes from all the extra walking you do to and from the bathroom. Whatever the case I think it's an important step in making sure my body continues to do what it is supposed to do.

On another note, it's been a while since I've had new sponsors on this quest. This is the hardest part for me. Just as I want to continue getting healthier I want the station to get healthy as well. Please considering encouraging my quest to lose 100 pounds by pledging a dollar a pound today. Just click the above link and let me know that you believe in what I'm doing.

Thanks for the encouragement and I will see you next week!

Week 7 update, Muscle Weighs More Than Fat (.5 lbs gained)...

347.5lbs
21 down, 79 to go
46 weeks left
$13 per lb pledged
$273 raised

If you are new to loseforthefuse.com please read the first post or pledge here.

Basically a wash this week and as sore as I am you would think that would be pretty depressing. However, my new trainer, Autumn, assures me that when you start doing any kind of strength training a gain the first week or two is to be expected. My heart says this must be the case, because I haven't worked out this much since high school and I'm still doing great with my eating. So I guess I will refuse to be concerned unless it happens again two weeks from now.

As far as the workouts themselves they have been great. It's strange but I really look forward to it every morning. I did cardio type stuff on Tue and Thu, and then weights M/W/F. I'm already feeling stronger and lasting longer each time I hop on the rower, bike, or elliptical. The only thing I've hated was the stair machine which within 3 minutes fells like it's eating my legs like one of those man eating slug things from Peter Jackson's King Kong. Every muscle in my body is sore and I can't wait to go back Monday. Clare Health and Fitness has been so awesome to me and I would recommend the place to anyone.

Thanks again for keeping up with me and if you would please pleadge a dollar per pound I would appreciate it.

Thanks for your support!

Week 6 update, A milestone and a turning point (6.3 lbs. lost)...

347lbs
21 down, 79 to go
46 weeks left
$13 per lb pledged
$273 raised

If you are new to loseforthefuse.com please read the first post or pledge here.

We are cruising now. Another 6 pounds down this week which puts me under 350 for the first time in a while. Not only that but Autumn Hale and the folks down at Clare Health and Fitness began working with me today on an exercise program that will certainly be a turning point in this pursuit. I did some elliptical work this morning (some sort of cross country ski simulator) and though it about killed me I felt so good afterwards that I can't wait to go back Monday. Huge thank yous to Autumn and Clare Health and Fitness for their support in this endeavor and if you get a chance go check them out.

In addition to the work out, they tested my body fat percentage which is a much better way to gauge your physical health than just weight alone. You know how fat people will say, "I'm not fat, I'm just big boned!"? Well this is the test that can vindicate them and it's much more realistic than the BMI (body mass index) which says that if I am over 215 pounds I am overweight and if I am over 240 I am obese. Turns out that according to my results this morning if you sucked out every ounce of fat in my body the remaining organs, bones, and fluids would weigh 250 pounds! Me at 0% body fat equals 250, wow. This puts my body fat percentage at about 29%, not near as bad as I had thought. A good percentage for males is between 15% and 18% and shooting for that would put me at about 290 or so. These numbers may change a bit as my body changes so we will see in a few months how things look. If you are concerned about your health I highly recommend this test it is the clearest understanding I have ever had of where I stand and what I need to do. The test is quick and painless (they just hook you up to a couple of electrodes for a few seconds) and I think you can get one done at Clare Health and Fitness for pretty reasonable.

Finally this week I added another dollar per pound to my donors but I am still far short of the goal. If you would please just consider pledging whatever you can I would certainly appreciate it. Getting healthy is great, but keeping the station healthy is why I am doing this.

Thanks for your support!

Week 5 update, Can wet hair add 5 pounds? (3.5 lbs. lost)...

353.3 lbs*
15 down, 85 to go
47 weeks left
$12 per lb pledged
$180 raised

If you are new to loseforthefuse.com please read the first post or pledge here.

Ahhh the asterisk. First Barry Bonds, then the New England Patriots and now me.

Imagine my joy this morning when I stepped on the scale and it told me that I was down 3 more pounds despite snacking on M&Ms all week and eating a couple late bowls of cereal. I immediately thought that maybe all I need to do to lose weight is just to weigh myself every week. As if the strain of stepping up to the scale once a week burns thousands of calories. Now I know that I have lost some weight the last 5 weeks, but after starting my shower I got thinking. There is no way I could have lost another 3 pounds this week, we need to do a double check. So after the shower I stepped back on the scale and it said....

356?!?

Uh-oh, let's try again...

359?!?

This is not going the right way, do I dare another try?...

355.

Oh dear. My scale is simply unreliable. I'm sure I weigh somewhere between 350 and 360 and that I started somewhere between 365 and 375 but it's hard to make good assessments when your scale works with a 10 pound margin of error. I trust the political polling process more than I trust my scale right now.

So what to do?

Here's the plan. Next Friday I will find a reliable doctor type scale and get a real reading. I will also weigh myself 5 times on my scale and take an average. The difference between that average and the actual weight will then be taken from (or added to) my starting weight to adjust for my unreliable scale. Then each week I will make sure I weigh in on the same reliable scale.

Sound fair?

Too bad, that's what I'm doing :)

On another note I'm still looking for donors willing to sponsor this little quest. If you would be willing to pledge a dollar a pound to help the radio station stay on the air just click on the above link, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks and I'll be back next week minus the asterisk (I wonder how much that weighs?)

Week 4 update, miracles cease (1.4 lbs. gained)...

356.8 lbs
12 down, 88 to go
11 months left
$12 per lb pledged
$156 raised

If you are new to loseforthefuse.com please read the first post or pledge here.

I knew it was coming, in fact I thought it would be worse. After indulging in a couple big meals (and some ill advised late night snacking) while on vacation over the New Year I figured I had gained at least 5 back. The good news is that I only gained a pound and I can settle into my good habits again now that the holiday's have passed. Overall I still lost weight over the entire holiday span which is pretty incredible.

On the fund raising side, I had a couple more families pledge a dollar per pound, so huge thanks to the Byrd's and Cole's for their support of me in this endeavor. If you would be interested in helping support this unique radio station through this unique way please click the sign up link above.

I'm ready to get back to the negative totals so bring on the rest of the week!