219.5 (42.5) ...with his back to the window he typed

Good morning!

Ever find yourself a bit tired, working steadily through your morning tasks, on the verge of the unknown and a bit hungry to boot?

to all those who feel the same, I raise my water glass and salute you.... Happy Thursday!

So I'm just a drop under 220 pounds this morning. At 6'4" that's a good number. A GREAT number considering at the height of my inattentive folly I was a whopping 255 pounds... an eighth of a ton! "Clinically Obese". Those two words spurred me on to join Weight Watchers (which led to my current love of broccoli!), prompted me to join Bally's (another love discovered... the elliptical!), and eventually led me to a book that resonated with me.... The 9 Truths about Weight Loss (Dr. Daniel Kirschenbaum, I believe). I'll tell you what...you wanna change something in your life? JOURNAL! Write it down. Mull it over, let things percolate and simmer and develop over time. Journaling has kept me very aware of what I'm putting in my mouth (and how MUCH!) and that, journaling above all else, above exercise, nutrition, sleep,.... JOURNALING HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!

And so today's post is a note of gratitude for this online blog. This meets my need to share and be recognized, along with my goal to keep track of things. I felt like I was hurling headlong into a tempest last year, out of control, lost and wild. Small steps, daily and consistent and healthy, have helped me find my way again. Good sleep, eating green, keeping my heart open and my words honest. These, with journaling, have saved my life.

I don't expect my problems to be solved. I would just prefer more interesting challenges as time goes on. With a little luck, some love and a lot of laughter, I'll get there. Thanks for walking along beside me. Keeps things fresh.

Take care,
Frank

214 (37 pounds to go) - A Beautiful Dream & Wide Awake

214 pounds!

Every other time I've made it down to this weight, I felt as if it were from running at break-neck speed for far too long, completely exhausted, winded, and out of my mind. For the first time, I'm here, calm and breathing free and easy, wide awake in the middle of a lovely dream!

I KNOW it's not just about the number on the scale! Everything is tingling with life, vitality and energy, and I'm just so grateful to have lived to see this day! Life is such a surprise, especially when you least expect it.

I wonder what is just up ahead, around the bend. And yet, I'm perfectly happy enjoying the lovely scenery today.


Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope the day surprises you in a small (and wonderful) way.

Frank

215.5 (38.5) The Golden Ring Is Getting Closer (and it's NOT an Onion Ring!)

Hey hey! 215.5 pounds today!

I would ask yesterday's SALAD to stand up and take a bow, but I ate it! Broccoli base, full cucumber, cherub tomatoes (seems a bit like a cherry tomato and a bit like a grape tomato, and 100% delicious!), along with both a red and green pepper!

I would also ask yesterday's WORKOUT to stand and be recognized, but that's just silly! Instead it merely gets marked down as yet another in a series of daily logs.

I hope you're well. I'm excited by the very real possibilities of additional weight loss. In fact, it's less about the scale and more about what I'm thinking about these days. Funny, that. I started out with a NUMBER in my head (a specific weight of 177). Now I really just want to keep refining my routines, and see if I can develop these feelings of self-confidence and build more and more positive (and new) neural pathways. Yep... it's hardwired into my nervous system now. Good times!

Take care! Empathy is next on the list.

Frank