Bicycle for Christmas

That's right I have asked my family to purchase me a bicycle for Christmas. I thought it would be a great way to travel in my journey towards my new life. I never knew how expensive bikes could be as the one's I'm looking at are anywhere from 300-500. Plus on top of that you have to get your ammenties, that is a MUST! Then there is the fear that I haven't ridden a bike since I was like 7 years old due to my weight. Mainly because the seats use to hurt something fearce. That is why I'm looking at getting a "tractor" seat. This seats are really padded and looking like a tractor seat as they are a lot wider than a traditional seat. Then there is the fear of, do I remember how to ride a bike anymore (I think I can pick this up pretty easy...LOL). I thought this would be a great way to travel in my journey. I am really excited, and can't wait till Spring comes so I can go riding.

If you have any advice about purchasing bikes. Please drop me a note here or email me via nknightes@gmail.com

Thanks!

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

More About Thursday

I was at work till about 10pm last night, and when the night roles around.....I can get myself into trouble. I hadn't had dinner yet as of 8pm. It was so tempting to call the TGIF Like restaurant that is in our hotel and order dinner, as I receive a free meal as the Manager On Duty. I knew if I fell in for that trap I may get myself into some trouble. I decided to go with Plan A and eat the sandwhich I had brought along with some other items that I needed to consume. I am doing very well this week with trying to stay on plan.

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

New Weight Tracker

Good Morning Everyone,

Just wanted to update those who are following my blog, well today I added something new to my blog. I have listed on the sidebar my weekly weight losses. I thought this might be helpful for those who want to follow along. Well what a great day here in Upstate NY.

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

I walked 100 miles

I am celebrating the fact that I have officially walked over 100 miles within 8 weeks. I could never have even thought that I could or would put that kind of mileage on this body in just 2 months. I'm so proud of myself, as this wasn't easy. This included a lot of early mornings that included lots of exercising. Yesterday I set the first 100 miles in my journey. I know I have many more miles before I will complete this journey, and hit Maintenance. Till then

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Week 8 Goals

This is only my second week setting weekly goals for myself. I have been On the Plan for 2 months. I've lost 29.4 lbs in 2 months which I am very satisfied with. Let's see what the goals are for this week:

Goal 1: To walk at least 22.5 miles within the week. Any exercise mileage and or walking throughout the day will count towards this mileage.

Goal 2: Go to the gym at least 5 times this week

Goal 3: To drink at least 6 glasses of water daily:

Goal 4: To lose at least 1.0 lbs this coming week

Goal 5: To get in at least 35 Activity Points.

Check in to see how I do this week.

"Let's eat and be healthy."

~Nathan

How did I do with the Weekly Goals

Last week I set some goals for myself. Listed below are the goals for last week, let's see how I did.


Goal 1 To walk at least 15 miles by next Wednesday. This can be counted by walking during the day, or exercise miles. I walked 17.72 miles so I made it!

Goal 2 To stay within my points and to not use any Weekly Points. This means that I can eat my daily points, and up to my Activity Points, but absolutely no Weekly Points. I made this goal as I never ate any weekly points.

Goal 3 To earn at least 43Activity Points this week. Now I did an average over the past 4 weeks, and I've earned on Average 38. This means I'm moving it up by 5 Activity Points. This goal I didn't meet as I only earned 31 points. There was two things that caused me not to meet this goal. One is I wasn't feeling well this past week, only getting in 4 days at the gym. The second reason would be I obviously didn't push myself hard enough, resulting in a small loss.

I will set goals for next week, so check back to see what they are.

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Dooms Day Came Today

I have been running wild for 7 weeks with some great weight losses. I have lost a total of 29 lbs in just 7 weeks. I know this sounds like a commerical, and the reality is it isn't. I knew one day this would come to some kind of hault, and guess what this was the week. I hopped on the scale, dreading the fact of Weigh In this morning. I waited for it to load, and hopped on and it read 308.6 which is a loss of 0.4 lbs. Not a typical loss for me, but still a loss. I have to say this had to be my toughest week. This will give me the right motivation moving into next week, knowing that if I don't beef it up, we will have a gain next week!

See you then

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

I Feel Fat in My Clothes Today

Today I'm at work, and I just really feel fat in these clothes. I really feel like I'm having a complex. Normally my uniform is starting to hang off me, but today I really fell like I'm gaining weight. Could this be true, that I may be gaining weight, and I don't even know it. Could it be true that my 7 week loss is over this week with a gain? I really can't wait to get out of here and home to the scale, that is when I will be relieved or disappointed?

More to come..........


"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

I WAS TRAPPED!!!!

That's right I was trapped at the local Off Track Betting facility near my house yesterday from 11am to 7pm. Yesterday was the Breeder's Cup for Thoroughbred Horse Racing. Which I'm a big fan of. The restaurant is called Martel's and to say the least it is pretty much burgers, wings, grease, and very little healthy stuff. Then again who goes there to eat healthy! Did I mention they don't allow any outside food into the OTB. Well I had to plan accordingly, after careful review of the menu of like 10 times. I decided I would have a Ham & Cheese Sandwhich on Rye with vegetables and no chips! I drank over 60 ounces of water while I was there, so at the end of 8 hours I felt like I had done well. When I left it felt like the doors had opened, and I was no longer trapped in this confined area. What a relief! Fought through another temptation!

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

How Good Is those Dunkin Donuts Eggwhite Flatbreads

I can tell you that if I'm in a hurry, and I need something to eat right away. Then they are a good alternative to what I know I could get myself into. They are only 6 points for the whole meal, which isn't bad at all. The flatbread itself is pretty delicious. You don't honestly even know that you are eating eggwhites. As far as the turkey sausage, it is ground up so you don't even know it is there. Then there is I think ground up spinach in there as well, another item that you can see but easily missed. Overall I do enjoy eating them, and I would give them 31/2 forks out of 5!

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Friday October 24, 2008

Today was a good day so far, and it has seriously zoomed right by. I was up early this morning at 630am, trying to get ready for the gym. I was at the gym bright and early at 730am. I worked out a total of 1 hr and 30 minutes. That included some cardio and weight training. From there I went home, but I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a Egg White Flatbread which is only 6 points. I ate one of those then headed home to do some house work.

It was then time for work. I've been at work for about 6 hours now, and will be leaving in the next couple. Looks like a very good day for me.

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Thursday October 23, 2008

The sun has set, and the moon is out shining, so that means just another day has passed. That is a good thing or bad depending on how you look at it. I can tell you how I look at it, I see it as another day that I'm living healthier then I did before. Now I know I'm doing very well as I have lost a total of 29 pounds in just 7 weeks. I am really striving to be below 300 pounds before January 1 2009 and it looks like I'm well on my way, which is an awesome feeling.

My biggest concern is that I've been on this program for 7 weeks, and it doesn't feel like I'm dieting anymore. I kind of eat what I want and just record it. Granted I pack a lot of meals and I don't eat out that much anymore. I guess I just choose healthier options. I just think this has become more of a lifestyle then it has a diet. I was the biggest non believer that I would ever consider this a lifestyle and not a diet.

What do I do now, well I think that is simple. I must choose to eat healthy, exercise, and oh by the way did I mention exercise! Yes that is truly what I have strived for. I want to work out, and I get into a funk when I can't get there. Like this evening, I couldn't get there because I'm still at work. I could have gone this morning, but the fear of not being able to get these much needed errands done was a great concern. I got the errands done, but now I lack at the exercise. I will be up early tomorrow to get to the gym. Tomorrow our gym is actually closed so I have to drive like 20 minutes to get to the nearest gym.

Tomorrow is another healthy day, and I plan on start reading some dieting books in the next few weeks, about different plans. If I find anything worth a note, I'll let you all know.

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Goals for next week

I wanted to set some weekly goals for myself, and since my Weigh In is on Wednesday, I thought today would be a great day to set some goals.

Goal 1 To walk at least 15 miles by next Wednesday. This can be counted by walking during the day, or exercise miles.

Goal 2 To stay within my points and to not use any Weekly Points. This means that I can eat my daily points, and up to my Activity Points, but absolutely no Weekly Points.

Goal 3 To earn at least 43Activity Points this week. Now I did an average over the past 4 weeks, and I've earned on Average 38. This means I'm moving it up by 5 Activity Points.

Check in next week to see how I do this week!

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Turkey Challenge

For those who didn't know I joined a Turkey Challenge like 5 weeks ago (this Thursday will be 5 weeks). Well I set 3 goals for myself. Listed below are my goals and also my current standings. Let's take a look:

Goal 1 To lost 15 lbs

Goal 2 To walk 70 miles

Goal 3 To organize and clean my house 15 minutes a day for a total of 960 minutes before Thanksgiving.

Here are my current standings:

Goal 1 -11.5lbs/15lbs with a Weigh In today

Goal 2 84.05/70 Met this goal

Goal 3 223m/960m Still have a lot to do here!

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Wednesday October 22, 2008

Today is Weigh In and I'm sitting here waiting for judgement day. This could make my day or make me mad at myself the rest of the day! I have stayed within the plan for most of the days. One day I did eat my AP's and 5 weekly points. Now this is a first for me, so I'm hoping that it doesn't hurt the weigh in. Other than that I've been good, I've really tried to stay on plan. I have gotten in over 40 Activity Points, which I thought was great.

Sunday I went to the Buffalo Bills game and enjoyed myself even though they didn't have power for half the game. I will update with pictures soon, so you can all share that experience with me.

I have to say last week was a tough one, but I got through it. Cheers to another great week.

"Let's eat and be healthy"
~Nathan

Thursday October 16, 2008

Yesterday was the day we got inspected from Hilton Corporation, and boy was it tough in the beginning. Anyways I did eat a sandwhich before heading into the office, so I knew I at least had one meal in me. We were able to break away for lunch so I had a turkey burger with cheese (no bun) with brown rice. It tasted great and went down well. We had to rush out of there to go back to our inspection. We ended up with a 95% score which is awesome (highest ever). I finally left at 8pm (12 hours) from the office to head home. Stopped at Subway to get myself a sub, and boy it tasted so good. For such a stressful day, I was still able to stay focused, and not get myself into trouble.

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

What's The Story About Jared Fogle?

Recently he visited Albany, NY in promotion of a walk this weekend for the American Heart Association. Don't forget he was here to also put a plug in for Subway Subs. Now I'm a huge fan of Subway, so don't think I'm bashing them. I guess I never knew the story of Jared Fogle until recently. Let's face it, we all know him as the guy who ate Subway Subs and lost 245lbs, right. Well.....close, I've never heard him say this in a commerical but supposedly he also walked for 30 minutes a day while on his campaign of Subway Subs. He has never stated if he ate only 1 six inch a day or was it 3 six inches a day. Now he stated in an interview that he lost 94lbs in the first 90 days, and then lost his complete 245lbs in just 1 year. I don't know if that is humanly possible. From there he was still in college, so his friend in college decided to right a story in the college newspaper. Students started to read it, and then the local newspaper showed interest, and slowly from there he got into Subway Subs hands. From there he basically got hired to commericals.

My biggest problem I have with this whole story is who is the one to say that this isn't all made up. Okay so you could check his medical records. From there who is to say that he only had 1 six inch sub a day so he starved himself. Who is to say that he wasn't doing something up. It just feels like he lost all this weight and then showed up on Subway Subs porch. I just think this might be too good to be true~

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Fighting Temptation

I just wanted to write this quick piece before I hit the hay. I went bowling tonight, and when you are out you like to let your hair down. That may be the case, but if you do, and don't fight the temptation you could do yourself a bunch of damage. Tonight while I was bowling I went and chose a couple of Diet Snapples as my preferred beverage tonight at the bowling alley. While I was sitting down and enjoyed my drinks, a couple of guys I was bowling with say ah come on have a beer. I said no thanks, I'm trying to watch my weight. One said ah it is only one beer and it is Bud Light. I said I know but after loosing 26.5 lbs in 6 weeks I'm not about to risk putting it back on. I then walked away to go bowl. If I had allowed them to give me that beer and not fight the temptation, I'm not sure what number we would have stopped at. I'm not saying like 5 or 6, I'm just saying if you intend on having 1 and 1 turns to 3, well then you are looking at roughly 6 points. I would rather have 6 points of Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast then have 3 beers. You really need to fight these temptations, even though they are not easy to do.

I wish you all Good Luck at this task!

"Let's eat and be healthy!"

~Nathan

Wednesday October 15, 2008

I don't know if I should say today was a tough day or a great day. Let's start with the bad. I was driving to the gym, and my boss called me from the hotel to tell me our inspector was coming in two months early. He would be arriving tonight....the O $hit bells and whistles went off. In a round about way the boss asked what time could I get there, and how long could I stay for. Well I went in for 6 hours on my day off. This means I have to work 6 days this week, and will work 11 days straight before I get a day off.

Now that I have stated the bad, here was the good and great news of the day. Before I went to the gym for my big weigh in today, I went for a 30 minute walk. Worked up a pretty good sweat for it being nice and cold out. Anyways from there I went to the gym and weighed in and lost 2.5 lbs. I was hoping for a 3 lb lost, but I'm still happy with the 2.5 lb lost. From there I put in a nice high intensity workout today. First 25 minutes on the eliptical going 9.0+ mph at times. I had the heart rate up there, which is always a great feeling. I then put in a great leg workout for about 35 minutes. This all yielded 10 AP's for the day with me getting in almost four miles of walking/exercise.

Now this evening I have my bowling league, which I always break a sweat in. I'm probably the only person who does, but hey I'm me, and I'm okay with that. Well that might earn me a couple more AP's before the night is over. Overall had a super day, even with the bad news.

For anyone who reads my blog, I would like to get to know you, and see how you are making out with your journey. We all are walking this road to recovery, and more the marrier. I'm excited to be on this journey.

I've lost 26.5 lbs in just 6 weeks!

YOU Can Do IT!

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Tuesday October 14, 2008

Another great day being On Plan. Yesterday I was at the gym first thing in the morning. I did an eliptical and upper body workout. I even got in 7 glasses of water in which is huge this was by the end of the workout. Then from there it was time off to work.

At work I had a great day, I ate leftovers, and have lots of fruits, and some nuts for snack. I find the apple and 1/4 cup of nuts seems to be a great fulfilling snack that sometimes hold me over the next meal period. Which in my business is a great thing, as in the hotel business we eat when we can. We don't have set times. I wish but it isn't reality.

I came home and felt like a deli sandwhich, which I almost ended up at a Italian Restaurant last night because they make some great subs. But I knew going in there would lead to 2 slices of pizza and a sub, which is more points then I needed for the day. I drove by the restaurant and on my home I went. I was proud of myself of not stopping, as I really wanted to go there. I went home and made myself a sandwhich with a Weight Watchers Wheat Bun, Lorraine Swiss Cheese, Turkey Ham, Spicy Mustard, a little of Fat Free Italian Dressing, and some veggies. Well then I had a small amount of left over potatoes where I added 5 sprays of I can't believe it not butter spray (best stuff ever). That was my dinner. I also had a Weight Watchers dessert. It was the Mint Chocolate Sundae, and boy for 3 points is well worth it. Then I watched a little television last night. Got tired at around 9 pm, instead of fighting that urge, went to bed pretty early so I ended up getting up on Wednesday at 615am. This allows me to start my day off early!

"Let's eat and be healthy"

~Nathan

Monday October 13, 2008

Yes today was Columbus Day, and for most it was a holiday. For those of us who work in the hotel business, it is not considered a holiday. Which means I had to work. I have been going to the gym, but at times I just don't want to be there. I just don't have the energy, or want. It feels like it is a chore. I do it anyways because I know it means a better tomorrow. Those workouts are always the toughest. Sunday and Monday I came home from work and slept about 4 hours each night. I find this to be interesting since I normally don't have this habit. Then again years ago I didn't have the habit of working out.

I have to say that Weigh In is on Wednesday, and overall I'm feeling pretty good about it. I think a 3lbs loss in my feature. I've been very good, and getting that workout is very important. I did make a great dish last night. I started with the Baked Chicken Receipe and decided to add some crushed Almond, Pecan, and Walnuts to the outside to kind of coat it. This allows for some healthy oils, and Omega 3. I have to tell you, that chicken was better than any Shake N Bake Chicken I have ever had.

"Let's eat and be Healthy!"

~Nathan

Sunday September 12, 2008

Well finally got home from the hotel today at 415pm. Just in time to watch my Dallas Cowboys. It was soon after the half time that I would fall asleep for about 2 hours (too bad I don't get any activity points for that). When I woke up I found out my team had lost, and it was time for dinner. After a vegetable pot sticker for lunch, I only had 4 points for dinner, along with 3 Activity Points. I still have 35 weekly points (but don't like to get into that). I looked throughout my freshly stocked kitchen for something quick, and delicious. I landed on a Turkey Ham sandwhich with Alpine Lace Swiss Cheese with lettuce, tomato, pickle, spicy brown mustard all on a new item I found called Light Roll Outs (Walmart sells them too, they have 90 calories 1.5 g of fat, and 9 g Fiber WOW). Anyways made my sandwhich and then decided to pull out a steamed single serving of peas from the freezer. In about a minute and thirty I had a delicious dinner. Yet I had nothing to drink, that was easy fill up my 32 oz glass with water and lemon juice. Boy was that a great meal, and it worked out to only cost me 7 points. I guess I will end at 0 today, which is what I was striving for. Well I hope you all are living the idea of

"Let's eat and be healthy!"

~Nathan

Niagara Falls Canada Trip

I Got Stuck In The Kitchen

This morning at the hotel I got stuck in the kitchen. Not literally, I mean there were no bells and whistles from the fire department, or a big can of crisco. We were busy, so with my Food & Beverage background, I usually end up in the kitchen cooking away. But wait everyone knows how hard it is to cook, and not eat while you cook. The old Kitchen phrase is "don't trust a skinny chef". Well I had to cook the bacon, sausage, ham, cut fruits, and make pastries. Wow all things I like, okay I love!!!! Well I can't say that I didn't have a slice of bacon or a sausage, because I did. I also did have lots of fruit. This time around I measured and made myself account for what I put in my mouth. This way yes I did have bacon and sausage, but in the past I probably would have had a 1/4 to a 1/2lb bacon (which is only like 4-10 slices).

Then when I got back to my office, I just plugged it into my counter to ensure that I made myself accountable for everything I put in my mouth. It can be tough to do this, but it is the only way to make yourself accountable.

After getting stuck in the Kitchen for 2 hours, it didn't turn out that bad. A few extra points that I would have preferred not to have eaten, but it is too late to change my mind.

~Nathan

Saturday October 11, 2008

Well I had to go grocery shopping since just getting back from vacation. For those who don't know I went to Niagara Falls Ontario Canada for a few days. It was a great retreat, and well deserved. Back to Saturday, so I decide it was time to go grocery shopping. I made a list of items I wanted to get. This way it helps me stay on target, and not get what looks good. I spent 1/3 of my money just on fresh fruits and veggies, this helps promotes healthy eating. Then I finish with purchasing other items that are on the list. After putting everything away in my apartment, I always like to sit down and enjoy a nice sandwhich. I made my sandwhich and make a nice 32 oz glass of water with lemon, and watched some tv. To get in some quick Activity Points, I did some house work for about 20 minutes. This helps work off some of those calories I just ate. You always think of input vs output. You must try to burn at least 1/3 of what you input in your system. This way you leave the other 2/3 for your body nourishment (this is just my suggestion, as I'm not an expert at all).

My day went really well overall as I chose to eat the right foods, and tried to find foods that I got more bang for the buck! Those foods are the best choices!

~Nathan

Welcome To Road To Recovery

Welcome to Road To Recovery, I have decided after a month, that I wanted to document this journey that I have started for myself.

Why am I deciding to get on track, and start the Road To Recovery. Well I think obesity is a disease just like alcohol. Instead of enjoying drinking alcohol to high levels. I like to eat to high levels. I consider myself a professional eater, and have for many years. I enjoy the finer foods in life. I don't like to have to think about what I put in my mouth, more the flavor that I receive from eating it.

Well I hit an all time high of 338 pounds, and almost fell right over! Couldn't believe I had gained 64 pounds since taking this new hotel job in just 1 and a half years. Now it isn't all the hotels fault. But having a TGIFridays like restaurant at my disposale never helped. Along with an ice cream shop with all the toppings at my finger tips. Well yes those use to be some of the best times, or at least that is what I thought.

I have suffered from High Blood Pressure for years, and High Cholestral for about the same number of years. I have recently been diagonesed with Sleep Apnea, but that should have been diagonosed about 7 years ago. I guess I forgot to tell you I'm only 25 years old.

After facing reality that I was eating myself to an early grave. Yes I had to face reality. Yet my employer, and dear family members had told me the same thing for years. But I didn't care because I like who I am. Well let's stop and look to see who I was. I was a 25 year old young man who is very knowledgeable of the hotel industry who likes to eat, and can't walk a flight of stairs without needing oxygen (or the feeling of needing it). I am someone who is having an increase of medical problems. I can't go on amusement rides like I use to because of some medications that I'm on. So really who am I. I can say this I'm NOT the person who I thought I was.

I decided that it was time to get on track. On September 3, 2008 I decided I was going to make this change. I started to pack a lunch, and started to try and eat healthier. Then a week later I started very serious. Still at 338lbs, I got going on this road. I started at the gym, I started to account for everything that I put in my mouth. It hasn't been easy, but I'm determined to be the person who I WANT to be and the person who I thougth I was. As of Friday October 10, 2008 (1 month since getting down to business) I have lost 24 lbs in 30 days. This is huge, but it hasn't come easy. I really am careful on what I eat, and the choices I make. I do allow myself some treats as I am living a lifestyle and not living on a diet. I am using Weight Watchers Online, and it is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I'm hoping that the people who read this, will walk down the same ROAD TO RECOVERY with me. I know WE can all make this same journey and get to our ideal goal weights.

Let's eat and be HEALTHY!

~Nathan