Kelly's Tumblog

Anonymous asked: so that weight loss thing really lasted a long time, huh?

Nice, my first question ever asked on here and it’s an anonymous shit talker.  ;)

I did realize that I hadn’t updated that information at all.  The contest ended on the first of the new year and although results aren’t tallied yet (I’m not sure why), I’m fairly certain I ended up in 3rd (out of 11 participants).  I went pretty stagnant over the last 3 weeks or so and didn’t loose much weight.  Ended at 232.0 after starting at 250.2.  So I lost 17.8 pounds in 8 weeks, not too shabby.

I am trying to get onto a new routine of waking up an hour earlier, walking my dog and doing interval training on the elliptical machine.  I’ve already done a handful of workouts on the elliptical and I feel great.  I’m hoping to lose another 15-20 pounds in the next two months.

Thanks for the question. (Jerk)  ;)

Week 3 of the Biggest Loser

Loss of 4.6 pounds and now I’m down to 234.2, total loss of 16 pounds. :)

A Different Kind of Christmas Tradition

Every year since my son turned two (he’s now five), we’ve had a different kind of Christmas tradition with him.  This was originally bred out of necessity when we lived in a tight quartered 2-bedroom condo in Chicago but has continued even though we are now in a 3-bedroom home.

Because of the amount of toys and items he had, our limited space, and the impending crush of Christmas presents he was sure to receive, we needed to clear space in his room (and the rest of our condo).  My wife came up with the idea that we should donate the toys he doesn’t play with anymore to charity.  I was apprehensive at first, not because I’m not a philanthropist, but because I wondered how he’d handle that.  My wife went straight to him and explained that there are kids that don’t get toys for Christmas, they don’t have homes and some don’t even have a mommy and daddy.  She also explained that Christmas isn’t just about presents, but it is also about thinking of others and giving to people that need it.

He got it right away.  He packed up anything he didn’t want, and even some things he DID want.

We continue this every year, and today was the first day of packing up donations.  I always make him to it on his own, so that there’s no “I didn’t want to give that away!” arguments.  Today, right when we started, the first three things he threw into the bag were his large Woody, Buzz & Rex from Toy Story.  I asked him multiple times if he was sure because they were some of his favorite toys and Rex had been his go-to “I’m scared at night” snuggle partner in bed for some time.  He said he was sure and even said that he made sure to give the kids Rex so that if they were scared they had someone to keep them safe.  He also packed up a toy dog because he said “I already have Boomer!”  (Boomer is our 3 year old pit bull.)

I lost it.  As I do ever year.  I cry every single year I watch him do this.  Hell, I’m tearing up now writing this.  I’m sure there are many parents that THINK their kids understand what Christmas is all about.  I’m sure there are many kids that donate some of their toys…because their parents tell them to.  But I KNOW, deep in my heart, that my son understands what Christmas is about, and he donates these things because he is empathic to these other kids that are less fortunate than him.

My son is a little brat sometimes, and he is spoiled sometimes.  And there are many nights I wonder if I’m raising him right or teaching him the right lessons in life.  Then this one day every year comes and I’m massively reassured that we’re at least doing something right with him.

I beam every time I watch him do this.  I’m so proud of him.  I love him so much.  And I’m so thankful that my wife thought of doing this and gave him so much responsibility at the tender age of two.  I know doing things like this to my boy will turn him into a true man.

Willpower +1

Well, the first meal after the start of the Biggest Loser contest is under my belt. (PUNTASTIC.) I know I said I’d give my weight for the start of the contest today, but I discovered this morning that our scale is broken (not because I’m too fat, smartass).  So, one will be acquired today and weight will be posted tonight.

At work we get lunch catered in for us, which is great, because I don’t have to pay for meals, but there is an abundance of food, and multiple options and I typically sample many.

Today was “taco day” which always has soft shells, hard shells, beef & chicken, beans, cheese, the whole enchilada.  Oh, and there’s enchiladas too.  So, instead of doing my usual 2-3 soft shell tacos and enchiladas, I made a salad with the taco beef, a crunched up hard shell and loads of lettuce, peppers, cucumbers and celery.  Much much better choices for me today.

I also managed to skip coffee this morning and am having iced tea (albeit sweetened) to drink instead of pop.

And with that, I’m off to a good start.

I Hope I’m a Big Loser

So, my wife and her sisters and Mom have all decided to do a Biggest Loser competition and I’ve decided to join them.  Real simple rules: Weigh in at the beginning, weigh in at the end (and of course in between to track progress) and biggest percentage loss wins.  Yes, there’s money on the line.  (Anytime an Irishman has the opportunity to take money from a bunch of Poles, I have to attempt it.)

So I’ll be putting up my progress on here once a week.  The biggest thing I’ll be changing is my diet.  I eat waaaay too much.  I always have seconds.  I eat more meat than fruit & veggies.  I drink too much (pop, booze, coffee).  These will be the big changes.  I lose weight pretty easily when I really put my mind to it, so hopefully I’ll have the mental stability and willpower to do this.

The exercise shouldn’t be too bad.  I play hockey 1-2 times each week.  My pooch is coming home Monday and I plan on picking up the amount of walking we do each day.  And I’m going to start an intense leg strengthening and conditioning workout as well (which I had already planned on starting soon before they started this).

As a constant reminder, I have the following on my calendar every day until January 1st (when the competition ends): DON’T BE A FATASS.

The lowest weight I’ve been since I graduated college in ‘04 was 215 lbs (I’m 6’3” for reference) back when I lost nearly 40 lbs before I started playing ice hockey.  I’ve since gained most of that back, but haven’t weighed myself in months.

So on November 1st I’ll post my weight and we’ll be off an running.  I hope that first weigh in isn’t a larger number than I think…

Wish me luck!

Kelly Sopel is Right!

I read Kelly Sopel’s blog this morning titled “Ladies, sometimes WE are wrong.”  It basically talks about how sometimes women need to keep in mind their man’s perspective on life.  We (men) are simple creatures.  Be honest with us because we’re honest with you.  To start with, I’ll post the comment I put up over on her blog:

Kudos to you Kelly. That’s the type of attitude men find attractive: Perspective, introspection, intelligence and a grasp of reality.

Absolutely, you do NOT need permission to spend money. If you’re irresponsible about it (like, I don’t know, hiding purchases from your spouse just for giggles), then you get cut off and you then ask permission. And people wonder why finances are one of (if not THE) biggest cause for divorce/arguments/etc.

And you’re right, as a guy, we are very simple. Yes, if you have a good guy, he’ll pretend to care about the newest shoes that are out and he’ll be okay with you buying them (if it’s in the budget). We take things at face value and we don’t play games with you. If we say something, we mean what we say, there’s no hidden message in between the lines.

Having your type of perspective and attitude will (and I’m sure has) served your marriage well. Stay strong with the long distance. :)

Now, I want to address the first segment of my comment.  What guys find attractive.  I should clarify that that’s what good guys find attractive.  Obviously the douche you meet at the bar that’s only interested in a one night stand isn’t interested in coherent conversation.  However, I think as long as a guy can get over the possible intimidation that an intelligent woman can put on you, they will appreciate and cherish your intelligence and clear mindedness.

Next, finances in a relationship, namely in a marriage.  The first you need to get it through your think head (I’m talking to men and women here) that it isn’t YOUR money anymore.  It’s OUR money.  The FAMILY’S money.  It doesn’t matter how many dollars come from your paycheck or your spouse’s.  It all ends up serving the family (save of course for your ‘allowance’ or ‘fun money’ or whatever you want to call it — this part is a necessity as well), so get over the fact that you make more/less than your spouse/significant other.  If there’s a bill to pay, pay it, regardless of where the money comes from.  You’re a unit now, and need to function as such, and Kelly Sopel has it right.  The ladies she overheard hiding purchases from their spouse?  STUPID.  That’s an easy way to divide the household with regards to both finances and trust.  Which brings me to my final point…

Communication.  If you don’t talk to each other, how can you manage your finances, home and relationship?  If you’re having a problem with something, tell your significant other.  Be honest with each other and life will be SO much easier.  How can problems be fixed if you don’t bring them up?  No matter how perfect you think your relationship is, there’s always some room for improvement.  None of us are telepathic and need to be told if we don’t realize we’re doing something wrong.

This wasn’t really the direction I thought this would go, but it is what it is, and take my advise/thoughts as you wish.  But seeing the kind of perspective and grasp on reality that Kelly Sopel has, and having heard about the kind of person Brent Sopel is, I’m sure their family is strong and that their kids will turn out to be the same type of great people their parents are.  Stay strong Sopels, Chicago loves you.