End of Month update

"JUJU" wrote in message news:_Oauc.15484$eY2.610@attbi_s02...
I haven't posted for the last few weeks with regard to how
things are going for me and weight loss.

Just viewed your photo album. Remarkable! You truly are an inspiration and
deserve to be commended.

Congratulations!!

Dean


As some of you are aware I have been moving through
pre-maintenance getting ready for long term maintenance.
And, at the same time, I decided that I needed to put back
on a bit of muscle, or at least not lose any more muscle
than I already have as I have lost so much weight. So, I've
actually increased my daily calorie intake by an average of
about 300-400 calories per day but have kept my carb levels
fairly steady, still at about 50-60 grams/day. At the same
time (actually about two months ago now) I started a fairly
rigorous weight training program. I've had lots of help
from folks here and have been directed to quite a few
websites and books which have proven to be helpful as well.
Lots of squats, deadlifts, various presses and extensions,
pushups, dips...all free weights, both barbells and
dumbbells. Generally 3 weight sessions per week of about 1
hour each with an additional 2 or 3 1 hour cardio sessions
(depending upon my schedule) to fill in the other days.

Where does this put me? I'm down 2 pounds for this month so
far. I may reach my goal of 3 pounds for the month but this
has not been my focus. (Yes Roger, I am teachable.) What
has been most interesting is what is happening physically.
I've visibly lost fat in my upper body and trimmed off more
fat than I realized or thought I still had in my arms and
legs. I am clearly and visibly adding a bit of muscle in my
arms, chest and legs. Nothing huge but definitely
progress...I have pecs and triceps again. Though my weight
hasn't changed appreciably in the last 8 weeks or so, in
that period I have taken an additional 2 inches off my
waist...I actually went out and finally bought two pairs of
size 30 pants today, down from the 32s I've been wearing
since early in the year. I don't expect to lose any more
size in the waist so I think (hope) I am finally to the
point where I will stop having to buy new clothes every two
months.

My wife continues to do remarkably well. She is now within
6 months of her goal weight (Same as me actually now that I
think about it :-) She is also hitting the gym with the
same intensity and frequency as am I. We bought her a
couple new outfits today as well; size 6. Ladies, this is
down from size 18 when she and I started this together
September 1st of last year. (Yes, she looks very good;-)

We had a garage sale last month where we sold lots of stuff.
I put out all the clothes I still had which had not yet been
given to Goodwill or otherwise donated, including pants that
ranged in size from 42 down to 34, along with a bunch shirts
now much too large for me. Not too many of the shirts sold
but 100% of the pants were purchased. For some reason this
surprised me.

My chuckle for the week: We've long known that there is a
great deal of variability in the actual size of clothing vs.
the size designated on the label. Several years ago I was
given two very nice silk shirts by a friend who purchased
them for me while on a trip to Thailand. They have been
much too small for me, to the point where they were almost
given away on numerous occasions but were not because they
were gifts. I just started wearing them in the last couple
weeks as they now fit me perfectly. Wear will be limited
because I don't have too many occasions which call for a
silk shirt. What is the chuckle you ask? The sizes marked
on the labels for these shirts is XXXXL.

No new pictures this month. I think I'll take another set
and post them when I reach 179. No reason for that weight
other than it is under 180. In the meantime I am feeling
great and I don't think that I'm looking too bad either :-)

Have a wonderful weekend.

--
JJ.
275/181/175 - as of May 12, 2004
Atkins since Sep 1, 2003
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jjsmythe/my_photos
Looking for 100 pounds.

I was confused by your "6 months" prediction. Scared the hell out of me,
think it was going to take 6 months to lose 6 lbs!!!

Well done to you and your wife!

JD

262/205.5/140
Started 5th Jan, 2004
May Challenge 8lbs/8lbs!
"JJ" wrote in message news:Pxbuc.20947$Ly.6380@attbi_s01...
Well, I made a mistake in this posting that radically
changed the meaning of a sentence. I've re-attached my
posting in its entirety to keep this correction in context.

I wrote:

"My wife continues to do remarkably well. She is now within
6 months of her goal weight"

I intended to write:

"My wife continues to do remarkably well. She is now within
6 pounds of her goal weight"

My apologies.

JJ.

JJ wrote:
I haven't posted for the last few weeks with regard to how
things are going for me and weight loss.

As some of you are aware I have been moving through
pre-maintenance getting ready for long term maintenance.
And, at the same time, I decided that I needed to put back
on a bit of muscle, or at least not lose any more muscle
than I already have as I have lost so much weight. So,
I've
actually increased my daily calorie intake by an average
of
about 300-400 calories per day but have kept my carb
levels
fairly steady, still at about 50-60 grams/day. At the
same
time (actually about two months ago now) I started a
fairly
rigorous weight training program. I've had lots of help
from folks here and have been directed to quite a few
websites and books which have proven to be helpful as
well.
Lots of squats, deadlifts, various presses and extensions,
pushups, dips...all free weights, both barbells and
dumbbells. Generally 3 weight sessions per week of about
1
hour each with an additional 2 or 3 1 hour cardio sessions
(depending upon my schedule) to fill in the other days.

Where does this put me? I'm down 2 pounds for this month
so
far. I may reach my goal of 3 pounds for the month but
this
has not been my focus. (Yes Roger, I am teachable.)
What
has been most interesting is what is happening physically.
I've visibly lost fat in my upper body and trimmed off
more
fat than I realized or thought I still had in my arms and
legs. I am clearly and visibly adding a bit of muscle in
my
arms, chest and legs. Nothing huge but definitely
progress...I have pecs and triceps again. Though my
weight
hasn't changed appreciably in the last 8 weeks or so, in
that period I have taken an additional 2 inches off my
waist...I actually went out and finally bought two pairs
of
size 30 pants today, down from the 32s I've been wearing
since early in the year. I don't expect to lose any more
size in the waist so I think (hope) I am finally to the
point where I will stop having to buy new clothes every
two
months.

My wife continues to do remarkably well. She is now
within
6 months of her goal weight (Same as me actually now that
I
think about it :-) She is also hitting the gym with the
same intensity and frequency as am I. We bought her a
couple new outfits today as well; size 6. Ladies, this is
down from size 18 when she and I started this together
September 1st of last year. (Yes, she looks very good;-)

We had a garage sale last month where we sold lots of
stuff.
I put out all the clothes I still had which had not yet
been
given to Goodwill or otherwise donated, including pants
that
ranged in size from 42 down to 34, along with a bunch
shirts
now much too large for me. Not too many of the shirts
sold
but 100% of the pants were purchased. For some reason
this
surprised me.

My chuckle for the week: We've long known that there is a
great deal of variability in the actual size of clothing
vs.
the size designated on the label. Several years ago I was
given two very nice silk shirts by a friend who purchased
them for me while on a trip to Thailand. They have been
much too small for me, to the point where they were almost
given away on numerous occasions but were not because they
were gifts. I just started wearing them in the last
couple
weeks as they now fit me perfectly. Wear will be limited
because I don't have too many occasions which call for a
silk shirt. What is the chuckle you ask? The sizes
marked
on the labels for these shirts is XXXXL.

No new pictures this month. I think I'll take another set
and post them when I reach 179. No reason for that weight
other than it is under 180. In the meantime I am feeling
great and I don't think that I'm looking too bad either
:-)

Have a wonderful weekend.

In article _Oauc.15484$eY2.610@attbi_s02, says...
No new pictures this month. I think I'll take another set
and post them when I reach 179. No reason for that weight
other than it is under 180. In the meantime I am feeling
great and I don't think that I'm looking too bad either :-)

Good job, JJ! Too bad? Come ON -- you look HOT and you KNOW it ;-)

--
Saffire
205/157/125 - 5'2.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

In article Pxbuc.20947$Ly.6380@attbi_s01, says...
Well, I made a mistake in this posting that radically
changed the meaning of a sentence. I've re-attached my
posting in its entirety to keep this correction in context.

I wrote:

"My wife continues to do remarkably well. She is now within
6 months of her goal weight"

I intended to write:

"My wife continues to do remarkably well. She is now within
6 pounds of her goal weight"

That DID sound a little odd, now that you mention it. Pass on an ATTAGIRL for
me!

--
Saffire
205/157/125 - 5'2.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

RT wrote:
:: JJ,
::
:: Do you mind posting your workout routine, with reps and weights? I've
:: started earnestly trying to work out, and--while having fun--i'm not
:: sure if I'm pushing myself hard enough or targetting areas properly.
:: Also, you and I seem to have um...."room for improvement" in the
:: same areas, so advice is welcome ;-)
::

I suggest you NOT try using the weights on any exercise just because someone
else is using those weights. Recipe for trouble. Following the specific
movement and rep ranges may be fine, but not weights. One each movement,
try to find a weight that lets you do 8 to 12 reps. You'll have to play
around for a while, but you'll zero in on it soon.

:: Richard
:: 247/204/180
::
::
:: "JJ" wrote in message news:_Oauc.15484$eY2.610@attbi_s02...
::: I haven't posted for the last few weeks with regard to how
::: things are going for me and weight loss.
:::
::: As some of you are aware I have been moving through
::: pre-maintenance getting ready for long term maintenance.
::: And, at the same time, I decided that I needed to put back
::: on a bit of muscle, or at least not lose any more muscle
::: than I already have as I have lost so much weight. So, I've
::: actually increased my daily calorie intake by an average of
::: about 300-400 calories per day but have kept my carb levels
::: fairly steady, still at about 50-60 grams/day. At the same
::: time (actually about two months ago now) I started a fairly
::: rigorous weight training program. I've had lots of help
::: from folks here and have been directed to quite a few
::: websites and books which have proven to be helpful as well.
::: Lots of squats, deadlifts, various presses and extensions,
::: pushups, dips...all free weights, both barbells and
::: dumbbells. Generally 3 weight sessions per week of about 1
::: hour each with an additional 2 or 3 1 hour cardio sessions
::: (depending upon my schedule) to fill in the other days.
:::
::: Where does this put me? I'm down 2 pounds for this month so
::: far. I may reach my goal of 3 pounds for the month but this
::: has not been my focus. (Yes Roger, I am teachable.) What
::: has been most interesting is what is happening physically.
::: I've visibly lost fat in my upper body and trimmed off more
::: fat than I realized or thought I still had in my arms and
::: legs. I am clearly and visibly adding a bit of muscle in my
::: arms, chest and legs. Nothing huge but definitely
::: progress...I have pecs and triceps again. Though my weight
::: hasn't changed appreciably in the last 8 weeks or so, in
::: that period I have taken an additional 2 inches off my
::: waist...I actually went out and finally bought two pairs of
::: size 30 pants today, down from the 32s I've been wearing
::: since early in the year. I don't expect to lose any more
::: size in the waist so I think (hope) I am finally to the
::: point where I will stop having to buy new clothes every two
::: months.
:::
::: My wife continues to do remarkably well. She is now within
::: 6 months of her goal weight (Same as me actually now that I
::: think about it :-) She is also hitting the gym with the
::: same intensity and frequency as am I. We bought her a
::: couple new outfits today as well; size 6. Ladies, this is
::: down from size 18 when she and I started this together
::: September 1st of last year. (Yes, she looks very good;-)
:::
::: We had a garage sale last month where we sold lots of stuff.
::: I put out all the clothes I still had which had not yet been
::: given to Goodwill or otherwise donated, including pants that
::: ranged in size from 42 down to 34, along with a bunch shirts
::: now much too large for me. Not too many of the shirts sold
::: but 100% of the pants were purchased. For some reason this
::: surprised me.
:::
::: My chuckle for the week: We've long known that there is a
::: great deal of variability in the actual size of clothing vs.
::: the size designated on the label. Several years ago I was
::: given two very nice silk shirts by a friend who purchased
::: them for me while on a trip to Thailand. They have been
::: much too small for me, to the point where they were almost
::: given away on numerous occasions but were not because they
::: were gifts. I just started wearing them in the last couple
::: weeks as they now fit me perfectly. Wear will be limited
::: because I don't have too many occasions which call for a
::: silk shirt. What is the chuckle you ask? The sizes marked
::: on the labels for these shirts is XXXXL.
:::
::: No new pictures this month. I think I'll take another set
::: and post them when I reach 179. No reason for that weight
::: other than it is under 180. In the meantime I am feeling
::: great and I don't think that I'm looking too bad either :-)
:::
::: Have a wonderful weekend.
:::
::: --
::: JJ.
::: 275/181/175 - as of May 12, 2004
::: Atkins since Sep 1, 2003
::: http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jjsmythe/my_photos
::: Looking for 100 pounds.

Roger Zoul wrote:
RT wrote:
JJ,

Do you mind posting your workout routine, with reps and
weights?
I've started earnestly trying to work out, and--while
having
fun--i'm not sure if I'm pushing myself hard enough or
targetting
areas properly. Also, you and I seem to have um...."room
for
improvement" in the same areas, so advice is welcome ;-)


I suggest you NOT try using the weights on any exercise
just because
someone else is using those weights. Recipe for trouble.
Following
the specific movement and rep ranges may be fine, but not
weights.
One each movement, try to find a weight that lets you do 8
to 12
reps. You'll have to play around for a while, but you'll
zero in on
it soon.

Thanks Roger. I would have included this caveat regarding
amount of weight to use. How I found the weight levels for
myself is consistent with what you advise here.

--
JJ.

Saffire wrote:
In article _Oauc.15484$eY2.610@attbi_s02, says...
No new pictures this month. I think I'll take another
set
and post them when I reach 179. No reason for that
weight
other than it is under 180. In the meantime I am feeling
great and I don't think that I'm looking too bad either
:-)

Good job, JJ! Too bad? Come ON -- you look HOT and you
KNOW it ;-)

I just thought that was the humidity ;-)

Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good but too much hard work has
gone into this, and much is left to do, to get cocky about
it.

So, what are the big events in San Jose for this Memorial
Day?

--
JJ.

I weighed yesterday I stayed the same this pasted week. I've lost 7
pounds this month. I think my goal was 10 pounds so I didn't make it
unless I can lose 3 pounds by tomorrow.

In article 8Zluc.19125$4A6.13308@attbi_s52, says...
So, what are the big events in San Jose for this Memorial
Day?

Damned if *I* know :-) Since I'm not working, it's just another day to ME :-)

--
Saffire
205/157/125 - 5'2.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

JJ,

FYI I haven't received any mails, did you try yet?

newsgroups AT newdiversions DOT com

"JJ" wrote in message news:aWluc.18953$js4.16974@attbi_s51...
Roger Zoul wrote:
RT wrote:
JJ,

Do you mind posting your workout routine, with reps and
weights?
I've started earnestly trying to work out, and--while
having
fun--i'm not sure if I'm pushing myself hard enough or
targetting
areas properly. Also, you and I seem to have um...."room
for
improvement" in the same areas, so advice is welcome ;-)


I suggest you NOT try using the weights on any exercise
just because
someone else is using those weights. Recipe for trouble.
Following
the specific movement and rep ranges may be fine, but not
weights.
One each movement, try to find a weight that lets you do 8
to 12
reps. You'll have to play around for a while, but you'll
zero in on
it soon.

Thanks Roger. I would have included this caveat regarding
amount of weight to use. How I found the weight levels for
myself is consistent with what you advise here.

--
JJ.