Still at it and going strong. Just finished 5 miles pretty easy. I’ve been running 3 days a week all outside. 3.5 half mile runs Tuesday and Thursday, and then a longer run on Sunday where I slow it down a bit. Weight is coming off too, although slower than I always want it to. I’m 225 and my waist is 39.5. My eating has been really good. I’m starting to make the transition to getting used to leading a heathy lifestyle. Went on a bike ride last Saturday for about 45 minutes. Felt really good. The running does wonders for the legs and lungs.

Forgot to post my progress last week.  Last week, Michelle and I went to Vegas and stayed at the Wynn hotel.  They had a gym and since she and I were getting massaged, it was free.  I ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes at 6 miles an hour.  The longest time I’ve ran on the treadmill.  This week, I ran 30 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and today.

Last Sunday I weighed myself next door on their Wii.  I had lost another 2 lbs.  I’m hoping this week is good too.  Although on Thursday I took Michelle and Gabe out to Miguel’s and ate way too much.  I felt like crap today until I ran my 3 miles.  I’m going to hit 24 hour Fitness tomorrow for weights and the bike.  On Sunday, I’m going to go on about a 3 to 3.25 run.  I’m excited to see how I do on the road since it’s been a couple of weeks of just treadmill running.

Another good week for me. Even though I missed a work out when I was in Austin (no excuse the hotel I stayed at had a really nice gym), I still managed to lose 1.5 pounds. I weighed myself tonight and it was at 236.  I’ve lost 6 pounds to date.  Not a lot, but I’m feeling really good.  What has me most excited is my running. On Thursday, I ran 2.5 miles or 25 minutes on the treadmill pretty easily. I followed that up with a 3.25 mile run on Saturday. I ran another 2 miles today and stopped it short because my left ankle was hurting a bit.

Ran my first 5K on Saturday at the New Orleans SIOP.  Finished 101 out of about 120 people.  My time was 32 minutes.  Felt good, although I was a little tired.  Got up today and went bike riding with Michelle and our neighbors. Also hit the 24 Hour Fitness and did some weights and rode the bike today.  Took my measurements today, pretty much the same as last week. I weighed myself next door on their Wii and then again at the gym. My weights were 236 and 238, so I’ll go with the average for this week and call it 237.  The weight finally seems to be coming off.  My eating is much better. I’m consciously looking for better things to eat and avoiding bad things.  Also, I’m not getting the food cravings where I over eat.

I still weigh something like 240. I’ve been working on my eating the past two weeks, so I’m hoping that number will start to go down.  I’ve been hitting the gym at work consistently.  Even going extra days hoping my weight will start going down.  My running has improved greatly. On the treadmill, I warm up for 10 minutes walking at 4 mph. Then I run at 6 mph for 15 minutes and cool down at 3.8 for 5.  Next week, I’m hoping to increase the running to 20 minutes (or 2 miles).  Today I ran 2.91 miles without stopping at about 10 minute miles.  My left front calve is still cramping up and my lower back hurt a little, but I felt really good.  Next Saturday I’m running in the 5K SIOP fun run. My goal is to run the whole way, hopefully under 30 minutes.

My workouts are getting much better too, especially pull-ups.  On Friday, I was able to do 4 sets of 6 reps. I felt like I was finally doing some real pull-ups.  I’ve added some weight training on Fridays. Mostly just bench press and some curls. I warm up with 135 with about 15 to 20 reps. Then I go to 225 and rep to failure.  So far, I can only manage to squeeze out 7.  I don’t plan to do any serious weight training anytime soon as my goal is more geared toward running, weight loss and conditions. However, I’ve always like lifting heavy weight. It feels good in my bones. So I thought a little couldn’t hurt.

Regarding my measurements, my waist is still 41 or 42 inches. However, where my solar plexis is, that seems to have gone down a bit. Also, my sides by my ribcage seem to be slimming down too. I tried on a pair of my 36 inch work pants (that I haven’t worn in 8 years) and I still cannot button them.  However, I’m hoping now that I am able to run a decent distance, and I’m eating better, I’ll finally start to see some weight loss and inches gone in March.

Went 3 days this week to the gym at work. Doing the same basic exercises: Pull-ups, push-ups, dips, and sit-ups. Then I’m getting on the treadmill or bicycle for 20 minutes. On the weekends I’ve moved up to the 3 mile course. Not losing any weight yet, but I’m feeling much better. Still need to get my eating under control. I’ve been bringing my lunch to more more often, so that helps.

Got out on Sunday for the same 2 mile stretch. Tried to start of running right away. The muscles in the front of my calves tightened up and I was in pain the rest of the way. I planned on doing the 3 mile route, but stuck with 2.  Missed Thursday because there was an early All-hands meeting at work. Going to take a look at the gym at work this week. They are having tours. The gym officially opens the following week.  I still don’t have my eating under control, but I’m working on it.

Attended a company sponsored health screen today.  My weight is 242, which I figured.  Went for a walk today with Sara, only ran from Nutmeg to home since it was so cold.  At least I got up and did it, first time this year for that.  My company is opening a gym in the next couple of weeks, will probably sign-up.  Still going to keep walking and eventually running on the street though. Probably use the gym for yoga classes and weight training.

Off to a slow start in 2009. However, last week, I walked/ran both Saturday and Sunday. Today I did the same course. I bought the Nike + iPod and have been tracking my times. I thought it might help me, much like I hope this weekly post will.  I still haven’t weighed myself. I have a health screening at work, so I’ll do it then.  Food has been a problem and getting exercise during the week. I plan on getting up and doing a walk/run both Tuesday and Thursday this week.  I let you know what happens.

The New Yorker: Fiction podcast is one of my more recent subscriptions.  With the New Yorker, I was looking for something outside of the science and technology spectrum.  In this podcast, a writer (usually someone who has published in the magazine) will choose an author and his/her story that had been published in the magazine.  What I like most, in addition to the stories, is the reader’s explanation as to why he/she decided they liked the writer and the particular story.  The only shortfall is that it is a monthly podcast. Although I just started listening, it doesn’t take long to catch up.