Matty's Monthly Update

Well another month has past on this journey to a slimmer me. A lot has happened in the past month, our vehicle woes finally came to a head when the Blazer was diagnosed as terminal & unfixable. It was hard to see the forest through the trees at that time but in the end we were able to get another vehicle, something a lot more reliable and if we're faithful we can pay off in 3 years.



I am having a little trouble when it comes to eating over at someone else's home. This past Sunday we were over at my in-laws home for lunch and while the meal was great; I had forgotten to add a few things in my diet journal and ended up going over in my calorie intake by 111 calories. I beat myself up over it for a little while until Sandy (my accountability partner) helped me snap out of it and got me back on track. I need to remember to carry a note card and pen with me so I can jot down the meal.



Summer is here and I am dreading the local ice cream places. I walk by one everyday; the smell of freshly made waffle cones can sometimes put my mind into overdrive. I could use some prayers for strength in that area. I'm actually afraid of going to an ice cream place because most do not have calorie information.



My dad and I are still walking 2 miles a day, 5 days a week. At the end of May we conquered the goal of walking the entire length of Window on the Waterfront! I had set the goal for the end of the summer, but we pushed ourselves and made it! That particular walk was around 2.5 miles itself! We plan to do that at least once a month as a 'monthly' goal for ourselves.



I've started some free lifting with the help of my son Javan. Can't afford any real free weights so I've started to bench press my son! He's around 30lbs so I do 5-sets/10 reps. Javan loves helping his daddy work out, he even helps me count as well!



Bren, Javan, & I made our monthly trek to Grand Rapids; I'm actually starting to get excited about weighing in. I am happy to say that another 16.6lbs have found their way off my body! At this rate I should be down to almost 300lbs by Christmas!



Now summer is here and I know a lot of you will be grilling out. Here's a nice marinade/sauce I came up with that can be used with beef, chicken or pork:



1 10oz bottle Kikkoman's Teriyaki Sauce (must be Kikkoman's)

¾ cup brown sugar

1/8 cup soy sauce (light soy sauce is better)

1/8 cup worchester sauce

¼ cup minced garlic

1 teaspoon Thai spice (if you don't have Thai spice, use red pepper flakes)

Dash of Liquid Smoke



Mix together in a bowl or plastic bag. Add meat and chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Or you can cook the ingredients over medium heat until thick for a nice brush-on sauce for shish kabobs or chicken breasts! As always, use sparingly. It's there to enhance food flavor, not overpower it.



Thanks again for your prayers and words of support, I really do appreciate it!

"Matty" wrote in message
...

Well another month has past on this journey to a slimmer me. A lot has
happened in the past month, our vehicle woes finally came to a head when the
Blazer was diagnosed as terminal & unfixable. It was hard to see the forest
through the trees at that time but in the end we were able to get another
vehicle, something a lot more reliable and if we're faithful we can pay off
in 3 years.

I am having a little trouble when it comes to eating over at someone else's
home. This past Sunday we were over at my in-laws home for lunch and while
the meal was great; I had forgotten to add a few things in my diet journal
and ended up going over in my calorie intake by 111 calories. I beat myself
up over it for a little while until Sandy (my accountability partner) helped
me snap out of it and got me back on track. I need to remember to carry a
note card and pen with me so I can jot down the meal.

Summer is here and I am dreading the local ice cream places. I walk by one
everyday; the smell of freshly made waffle cones can sometimes put my mind
into overdrive. I could use some prayers for strength in that area. I'm
actually afraid of going to an ice cream place because most do not have
calorie information.

My dad and I are still walking 2 miles a day, 5 days a week. At the end of
May we conquered the goal of walking the entire length of Window on the
Waterfront! I had set the goal for the end of the summer, but we pushed
ourselves and made it! That particular walk was around 2.5 miles itself! We
plan to do that at least once a month as a 'monthly' goal for ourselves.

I've started some free lifting with the help of my son Javan. Can't afford
any real free weights so I've started to bench press my son! He's around
30lbs so I do 5-sets/10 reps. Javan loves helping his daddy work out, he
even helps me count as well!

Bren, Javan, & I made our monthly trek to Grand Rapids; I'm actually
starting to get excited about weighing in. I am happy to say that another
16.6lbs have found their way off my body! At this rate I should be down to
almost 300lbs by Christmas!

Congratulations on another successful month, Matty.

I'm sure your son enjoys working out with Dad. I think it's great to get
the little ones involved in exercise at an early age.

Your walk at Window on the Waterfront sounded so good I did a search on it.
You have some great places to walk in your area. I also noticed they had
some nice bike trails. Maybe I'll have to add them to my "want to ride
someday" list.

Please don't beat yourself up over a 100 calories. You're doing such a
great job and they aren't worth it. Just promise yourself to take a few
extra steps in the daily walks if you feel you need to account for it.

I have to pass a local ice cream shop on the bike path near home so I can
relate to your ice cream dilemma. If I have the granddaughters with me I
often stop. I have a cup of coffee or diet drink while they eat their ice
cream. Many times they'll offer me a bite. You would be surprised at how
much just one bite can satisfy the cravings. Other times I just order one
scoop of ice cream for myself. If you think you can handle a small amount
of ice cream you could work it into your daily food intake. If not, you
might be better off just walking on by....

Glad to hear you've had a good month and I look forward to next months
report.

Beverly





Now summer is here and I know a lot of you will be grilling out. Here's a
nice marinade/sauce I came up with that can be used with beef, chicken or
pork:



1 10oz bottle Kikkoman's Teriyaki Sauce (must be Kikkoman's)

¾ cup brown sugar

1/8 cup soy sauce (light soy sauce is better)

1/8 cup worchester sauce

¼ cup minced garlic

1 teaspoon Thai spice (if you don't have Thai spice, use red pepper flakes)

Dash of Liquid Smoke



Mix together in a bowl or plastic bag. Add meat and chill in refrigerator
for at least 4 hours. Or you can cook the ingredients over medium heat until
thick for a nice brush-on sauce for shish kabobs or chicken breasts! As
always, use sparingly. It's there to enhance food flavor, not overpower it.



Thanks again for your prayers and words of support, I really do appreciate
it!

"Beverly" wrote in message
...
"Matty" wrote in message
...

Well another month has past on this journey to a slimmer me. A lot has
happened in the past month, our vehicle woes finally came to a head when
the
Blazer was diagnosed as terminal & unfixable. It was hard to see the
forest
through the trees at that time but in the end we were able to get another
vehicle, something a lot more reliable and if we're faithful we can pay
off
in 3 years.

I am having a little trouble when it comes to eating over at someone
else's
home. This past Sunday we were over at my in-laws home for lunch and while
the meal was great; I had forgotten to add a few things in my diet journal
and ended up going over in my calorie intake by 111 calories. I beat
myself
up over it for a little while until Sandy (my accountability partner)
helped
me snap out of it and got me back on track. I need to remember to carry a
note card and pen with me so I can jot down the meal.

Summer is here and I am dreading the local ice cream places. I walk by one
everyday; the smell of freshly made waffle cones can sometimes put my mind
into overdrive. I could use some prayers for strength in that area. I'm
actually afraid of going to an ice cream place because most do not have
calorie information.

My dad and I are still walking 2 miles a day, 5 days a week. At the end of
May we conquered the goal of walking the entire length of Window on the
Waterfront! I had set the goal for the end of the summer, but we pushed
ourselves and made it! That particular walk was around 2.5 miles itself!
We
plan to do that at least once a month as a 'monthly' goal for ourselves.

I've started some free lifting with the help of my son Javan. Can't
afford
any real free weights so I've started to bench press my son! He's around
30lbs so I do 5-sets/10 reps. Javan loves helping his daddy work out, he
even helps me count as well!

Bren, Javan, & I made our monthly trek to Grand Rapids; I'm actually
starting to get excited about weighing in. I am happy to say that another
16.6lbs have found their way off my body! At this rate I should be down to
almost 300lbs by Christmas!

Congratulations on another successful month, Matty.

I'm sure your son enjoys working out with Dad. I think it's great to get
the little ones involved in exercise at an early age.

Your walk at Window on the Waterfront sounded so good I did a search on
it.
You have some great places to walk in your area. I also noticed they had
some nice bike trails. Maybe I'll have to add them to my "want to ride
someday" list.

Please don't beat yourself up over a 100 calories. You're doing such a
great job and they aren't worth it. Just promise yourself to take a few
extra steps in the daily walks if you feel you need to account for it.

I have to pass a local ice cream shop on the bike path near home so I can
relate to your ice cream dilemma. If I have the granddaughters with me I
often stop. I have a cup of coffee or diet drink while they eat their ice
cream. Many times they'll offer me a bite. You would be surprised at how
much just one bite can satisfy the cravings. Other times I just order one
scoop of ice cream for myself. If you think you can handle a small amount
of ice cream you could work it into your daily food intake. If not, you
might be better off just walking on by....

Glad to hear you've had a good month and I look forward to next months
report.

Beverly





Now summer is here and I know a lot of you will be grilling out. Here's a
nice marinade/sauce I came up with that can be used with beef, chicken or
pork:



1 10oz bottle Kikkoman's Teriyaki Sauce (must be Kikkoman's)

¾ cup brown sugar

1/8 cup soy sauce (light soy sauce is better)

1/8 cup worchester sauce

¼ cup minced garlic

1 teaspoon Thai spice (if you don't have Thai spice, use red pepper
flakes)

Dash of Liquid Smoke



Mix together in a bowl or plastic bag. Add meat and chill in refrigerator
for at least 4 hours. Or you can cook the ingredients over medium heat
until
thick for a nice brush-on sauce for shish kabobs or chicken breasts! As
always, use sparingly. It's there to enhance food flavor, not overpower
it.



Thanks again for your prayers and words of support, I really do appreciate
it!



Thanks, Bev. I've been consistent in the weight loss, but I'm sure it will
level out come winter. My office is real close to the lake and the winter
wind can get really chilly as it comes off the lake. Just have to go out an
get a Balaklava(sp?) & snow pants...

Window on the Waterfront is quiet and kinda creepy. It feels real remote,
but the wildlife is incredible. We've seen Mallard ducks, geese, and even a
few swans hanging around. The boardwalks need repairing and one section is
behind the city's water treatment plant(early morning walks get a bit
smelly!) but it is a real pleasant relaxing area.

There's one trail in Grand Haven I want to check out, it's at Hoffma park.
The trails go on for miles apparently...

Matty

"Ignoramus19080" wrote in message
...
You are an amazing story, and 16 pounds is a great rate of weight loss
for you! I was wondering about you yesterday...

i

Thanks, Ig. I've been consistent with the 16lbs, I thought last month may
have been a fluke...

You know, Some of your early comments got me motivated to keep with it.
Thanks for that...

Matty

"Matty" wrote in message
...
Well another month has past on this journey to a slimmer me.

Way to go, Matty -- it sounds like you are concentrating on the behaviors that will
get you great results. You are doing great!

Mary M
325-158-148

On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 08:03:27 -0400, "Matty" wrote:

Well another month has past on this journey to a slimmer me. A lot has happened in the past month,
snip
Glad to here things are going well. The walking sounds excellent,
having a partner to go with means you go, no excuses. Well done
Michelle : Ozzie in Switzerland
69.8/58.8/61kg

Most excellent, Matty. Consistency is important. and your walking
miletstone is fab. Keep up the good work -- you'll find it's worth it.

Kasey
365/257/???

"Ignoramus19431" wrote in message
...
In article , Matty wrote:

"Ignoramus19431" wrote in message
...
Matty, your success is very inspiring and your slow (relative to your
weight) rate of loss is a good thing. I am happy for you.

i

Thanks Ig,

Is it my understanding now that the less weight I have, the less
calories
are burned, thus the less weight I lose?

Yes, although the dependency may not be very linear.

I have been noticing the since I've started that my calories burned
are starting to go down. Not sure if I should cut back the calories
some more or ride it through the next month and see what
happens. What's your opinion?

Are you losing 3-3.5 lbs per week? If so, I think, you are in an
optimal point. The most important point is to a) stick with the
program, which is easier if you eat enough, and b) not mess yourself
up too much by too rapid weight loss.

Just in case if you are ever frustrated by supposedly "slow progress",
(which I am not alleging you are), then note that you will have to
"stay on a diet" forever to maintain your weight loss.

Your weight loss is only a first phase in the lifetime of
conscientious eating. Most likely, when you arrive at some reasonable
weight, you will eat about as much as you are now (1900 cals), maybe
as much as now plus a sandwich sized amount of food. I know that your
target weight is 250 lbs, which is fine and would let you eat maybe
2700 calories per day, but, I suppose, once you get there you might
decide to drop a bit of weight further.

i

Seems like I get the advice I need at the time I need it most. Thanks Ig,
your thoughts are well-noted...

Matty

"Matty" wrote in message
...
Well, another month has passed on my journey to a 'slimmer' me. Had some ups and
downs, I've been consistent with my calories - I am currently averaging 1900cal/day.
For the most part I've been under my daily limit, but there have been a few occasions
of going over. Only one occasion that was a significant amount, that being last
night, where I went over by 383cal. I trace it back to feeling nervous for my wife;
she had to go to court today to help out a close friend of ours. She was feeling a
little overwhelmed and I was picking up on that. I don't feel too badly about going
over, I was under on calories Friday & Saturday by a total of 490cal, so it kind of
evened itself out. I am still struggling with my emotions & eating, but Rome wasn't
built in a day, so I can learn from my mistakes and move on.

Wonderful news, Matty! Personally, I wouldn't worry about going over 1900 calories --
that's very little calories for a person of your starting/current weight.

Mary M
325-160-148

Matty, I'm so happy for you! You're doing wonderfully! Just take it
a day at a time, and remember that every pound lost is a victory. And
do keep us posted!

Chris
262/143/ (145-150)