AJC.com > Health > Fit and Trim > Archives > 2005 > March
March 2005
Where Did March Go????
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WOW! It’s the end of March already! Time sure flies (especially at my age) I’ll be 58 on April 10. Seems like only yesterday I was whining to Mom & Dad about getting my drivers license at the old age of 16. It also doesn’t seem that it’s been 3 months since the “Weight Loss Warriors” first got together.
Yesterday, I got on the scale and to my amazement I had held my own at 214. So the Marine Conference didn’t take the toll on me that I thought that it might. I guess all the running around that I had to do paid off in a way.
With all the normal rain and miserable weather that we’ve had in March, it was a miracle that I got outside to walk at all. But spring is in the air and all the wonderful flowers and trees that we have here in the Atlanta are about to just “BURST” into full bloom. I enjoy being outside and this just adds to it. Here at the Galleria we have a beautiful park just outside the building where it’s so pleasant to walk during the lunch hour.
I’ve been talking with people who have been following our lifestyle change adventure and most have said that I do look thinner (and no I haven’t been buying bigger clothes) I guess the walking is turning some of that “table muscle” into something else. I’ve even entertained the thought of returning to my old jogging days and running the Peachtree Road Race once again. It’s not impossible but it would certainly be a challenge. But I have to admit that changing one’s lifestyle is very hard, especially when you haven’t made major changes in your life such as a job change or move from one state to another. My last major life style change was my divorce back in 2000. Old habits are hard to break. Especially those that are 40 years old…
One of those “habits,” good or bad depending on whom you ask, is meeting the “boys” after work. We meet for an hour or so, discuss the woes of the world, neighborhood, state and of course sports and politics. Once we’ve solved all these things, we all head home. We’ve have been meeting like this for years and it’s a hard habit to break. In fact I can’t think of a really good reason to break this one, especially when you’ve been isolated in front of a computer screen for the whole day talking with your fingers.
To change this somewhat, I ask for my “drink de jour” along with a large glass of WATER. I sort of make a game outta seeing how long I can make that drink last before I order the next one. Seems to help. Two other guys are trying it as well.
Good part is that it also saves a few bucks here and there. Bad part is the bar owner complains bitterly that his kids will starve and go shoeless unless we knock it off… Till next time
Semper Fi
Christian
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Christian Roberts
Who Moved My Motivation?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gazing upward from the bottom of this big ol’ rut, I am wondering if March has really been as blah as it feels today. What is going on here?
While it’s true that I have not been pushing myself as hard as in January and February, there is still a 3 pound loss to report. And I gained a pound of muscle. I have been lazy though. I need to be doing more…. much more. There will always be a plausible excuse for skipping a walk or a workout. I realized this early on, but have found my resolve flagging.
Good things to report: I bought tickets to the recent Eagles concert months ago and was determined to set aside any insecurities about my appearance and just have a good time. I waited till the last day to shop for concert clothes. Dread? Yes, but I actually was able to put together an outfit in which I felt good. Oh yeah…it was two sizes smaller than I had been wearing. Add a manicure, some cool jewelry and a flat-ironed hairstyle and I was back in the ‘70’s! It was a fun evening and it was nice to have “the skinny girl” back for a little while. Our seats were on row C, which meant we had to traverse a bunch of stairs to get in and out…..no problem! All the walking and exercise was paying off! It was especially gratifying, because my (much younger) companion whined a little.
Back to the problem at hand; I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has faced similar challenges of waning motivation. How were you able to regain your balance?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Joye Oltmann
The Marines Have Landed! (So have the Krispy Kremes)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve been a Marine since the age of 17 (ya know, “Once a Marine .. Always A Marine”) For years I have been a member of the Marine Corps League, which is a veterans group of former, retired and active duty Marines. Our main purpose is to support the Marine Corps, aid Marines in distress, do community service such as the “Toys 4 Tots” program and assist families of active duty Marines who are away at war or on foreign duty.
I hold the post of Georgia State Commandant of this fine group. This past week I was co-host for our annual MCL, SE Divisional Conference, along with my best friend and Marine, Big Al Meade, We had 415 of my Marine brothers and sisters here from seven southern states
We all stayed at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Hotel at Powers Ferry. This hotel could not have been more gracious to us. Hotel managers, Dee and Zeke and the entire hotel staff took great care of us. However, all thoughts of diets and life style changes went right out the window.
The hospitality suite was under a full frontal attack as Marines, their wives and girlfriends (Not all at the same time) came and went. We had sandwiches from Honey Baked Ham Co., trays of food donated from Kroger Stores and soft drinks donated from Coca Cola. Our open bar was the envy of all. Our good friends at Krispy Kreme even sent us 35 dozen boxes of donuts. From Wednesday till Sunday morning, the days were filled with business meetings but at night, Marines being Marines, shared war stories, swapped tall tales and partied hardy, long into the night.
Now that a new week has rolled around, it’s back to the routine of watching what I eat. I didn’t do a very good job last week at all…
We have 3 more weeks left in this program. Everyone has been doing very well, especially Joye. We’ve all learned a lot. However, in this span, I hope to finally drop this last 10 pounds and achieve my goal of 200 lbs. With nothing planned such as birthdays, dinners, uprisings, revolutions or the like, maybe I can get there.
Till next time
Semper Fi
Christian
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Christian Roberts
A breakthrough
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, it appears I have finally broken through the floor of my plateau. At one point this week, I broke into the 207 range. That shows me hope that I am not destined to be forever at 208! Now, I did jump back around from day to day, but it is not as high as it used to be.
This week I made it to two Body Pump classes at the gym and I started running around my neighborhood. I remember when I used to try to run in my neighborhood I could not make it up the hill at the end of my street without stopping and walking a part of the way. Now, I blast past that imaginary wall that used to exist. My stamina has increased and I can already tell that my fat mass is slowly being replaced by muscle mass. Even if that means I am not losing weight at the same rate I was, I know that the pounds will be easier to keep off with less fat & more muscle in my body.
This weekend I have all of my in-laws coming to town. Luckily, I like my in-laws (plus they read this blog regularly) so I will be able to spend a lot of time with them and they can help me stick to the script!
P.S. Easter time is here & jelly beans are the devil! Little hard sugar coated balls of jelly Satan. I can’t eat just a couple of them!! Help me if someone brings me a Cadbury cream filled chocolate Easter egg!
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Drew Wilkinson
A tough Friday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3/11/05
After all that has happened today in downtown Atlanta, the battles we are fighting with our weight seem trivial compared to the battles our law enforcement officers fight every day. They work a thankless job to make us all safer. The police put themselves in harms way to capture dangerous criminals. Judges hear trials and sentence those criminals according to their penalty. Court officers all play a key role in the justice system and help maintain a sense of law and order in our society. And for all they do, we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.
So next time you are on the way to the gym, or jogging around your neighborhood, or going out to eat a healthy meal, and you come across any of these people who operate in the justice system, take a few seconds to tell them thank you for all that they do.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Drew Wilkinson
‘Weight Loss Warriors’ Together Again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greeting Everyone… Last week the AJC got all the “Weight Loss Warriors” together at a company called Athletic Training Services, which is located down in Buckhead. The company is a training facility for big time athletes There we met certified trainers Catherine Fathke and Tony Myers.
As we all sat around on those large plastic training balls as we were able to discuss what had been happening with our individual programs. Tony and Catherine were very helpful in pointing out danger areas and offering suggestions to help us.
Our Joye has had the largest success with an 18 lb. weight loss since January 2. She looks “marvelous…simply marvelous” as Billy Crystal’s “Fernando” would say. I had the smallest with just 7 lbs. Veronica, Chris and Drew were ahead of me but not by much. Seems we’ve all hit a plateau of sorts.
In getting together to discuss our programs, we all felt that doing this as individuals was difficult. It can lead to a lack of motivation and some backsliding. Although we are all still in the game and trying to make these life style changes it’s hard. Especially when you’re getting older (them, not me) and have been doing these things for years and years.
At some point I’d like to get back into the gym or into a better workout program but this time with a partner. Years ago I was a runner. I was never fast but by golly, I could run the distance. Six to eight miles per day was normal. Ran the Orange Bowl Marathon (26.2 miles) once and the Peachtree Road Race 10 years in a row. However, opening and running my own business put a stop to that. The business took all my spare time and I just got out of the habit of running.
Right now I’m out looking at a bike. Nothing fancy but something to get my lazy butt out and about… I can just hear the neighbors now… “Look at Mr. Roberts now, that old Marine just pedaling his butt all over town” (hahaha, no pun intended).
Till next time
Semper Fi
Christian “Once A Marine…Always A Marine”
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Christian Roberts
Nothing Too High, Nothing Too Fast
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One week ago, our “group” met with Athletic Training Services co-founders Catherine Fathke and Tony Meyers at their facility in Buckhead. They are dedicated professionals; generous with their time and knowledge.
I have been determined to regain my physical fitness and strength along with the weight loss, but have been kind of at a loss as to the best way to achieve this. After meeting with Catherine and Tony, I now know that I need more structure in my activities, a workout partner and A PLAN !
I have signed up for private Pilates sessions to begin this week. I also will book time for evaluation, testing and planning. There is so much to know and learn!
I haven’t forgotten the joy and sense of freedom that I once had… when “nothing too high, nothing too fast” was my credo. I want it back and regaining control of my muscles should help alot.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Joye Oltmann
Killer weekends
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Another week down & I am still holding steady at 209 pounds. That kind of surprised me after a weekend of mild neglect. Weekends kill us because my wife travels during the week, and on the weekends it is just easier to go out to eat. In three days together, we will likely eat out 3-4 times total for lunches and dinners.
During the week, I am able to keep things in moderation since I can cook for myself at home. I have become a pro at “cooking for one.” The most difficult thing about cooking is portion control. The grocery store does not package things in individual serving sizes. Fish, beef, pork, etc., are all packaged in portions more suited for 2 or more people. So I have had to cut things in half. Buying in bulk & then re-packaging is a great way to save money & calories!
I also started keeping a calorie log last week. I write down everything I eat during the day & try to make a best estimate for how many calories I am taking in. Hopefully I will be able to start realizing exactly what I am taking in (calorie wise) and try to reduce that, or try to exercise and burn off calories in excess of what I am taking in.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Drew Wilkinson
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