Groceries from Tue., 08.23.2005. 

Here's a sweaty picture of me after rowing. 

workout from the other morning (calistenthics plus rowing). 

an example of work treats that taunt me. 20 mins later a bag of bagles and cream cheese were added. I succumbed to a bagle and one chocolate from HI. 

food journal week end 08.22.2005. 

Photograph of food journal week ending 08.21.2005. 

Course map from xterra near big bear. 

Why Has Failure Become Such a Reasonable Option?

I'm not sure precisely why, but I am absolutely failing at the goal of getting to 20% body fat or 200 pounds. My weight has been stagnant (along with my body fat) since July 1st or so.

First let's get the data in so it can be understood:


Date / Weight / BF-Tanita / BF Calipers / (diff between tan-calipers)

08.21.2005 / 221.2 / 20.1% / 22.33% / 2.2%
07.21.2005 / 222.8 / 20.8% / 24.21% / 3.4%
06.21.2005 / 221.6 / 23.0% / 25.23% / 2.2%
05.21.2005 / 228.3 / 23.3% / 25.89% / 2.3%

It's hard for me to understand, deep within the wells of my brain, whether I am seeing actual results or whether I am simply rationalizing the numbers.

On the one hand, in the past three months I have lost 7 pounds -- which is 13 weeks, or about 0.5 pounds per week. I think it should be more like 2 pounds per week, at least a pound. But, on the other hand, it would appear that my body weight has dropped about 3%. And that drop is consistent across different methods (tanita from 23.3% to 20.1% (3.2% drop) and Calipers from 25.9% to 22.3% (3.6%)). These are both significant, and the corroboration tends to show that the drop didn't come from more aggressive body measuring via calipers as I had once feared.

But let's look at the other metric. The metric of body measurements:

08.21.2005
uw
08.21.2005 = 40.00
07.22.2005 = 40.25
06.23.2005 = 40.50
05.21.2005 = 41.00

So it appears I lost an inch from the upper waist.

Lower waist
08.21.2005 = 38.00
07.22.2005 = 39.00
06.23.2005 = 39.25
05.21.2005 = 38.50

Mostly a downward trend, from 38.5 to 38.00 or from 39.25 to 38.00.

chest:
08.21.2005 = 43.00
07.22.2005 = 43.00
06.23.2005 = 43.50
05.21.2005 = 44.25

Body measurement mostly shows a downward trend, with some exceptions.

CALORIC CONSUMPTION

I must confess I believe the issue still remains: Caloric consumption. I think one can only get so far via workouts. And I'm afraid that perhaps I'm at that point. Surely part of the slow down on weight loss has something to do with the change of jobs that puts me in front of massive calories on a regular basis. It'll be interesitng in the fall to see how that changes, given my new schedule.

HOW TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
* I think the level of exercise is quite sufficient for the goal at this point;
* I can do a much better job of tracking calories
* do better job of sticking to budget of calories -- I think it should go down to about 2,000 calories and see how that does for weight loss for 4-8 weeks.

Body Fat Percentage (calipers) 22.375%

New caliper body fat numbers are in: 22.375%. So, roughly speaking, my body fat is about 22% right now. 20% is the magic number goal I've been looking for but coming up short. . . see next post.

Body Fat: 21.571% (new low)

Another new body fat low (via calipers) at 21.571%.

Which means I'm getting quite close to the 20% mark which should trigger some photographs, new meetings and more competitive tri numbers. Perhaps a bit of anxiety is in the air as well -- Getting to the numbers may mean facing some potential fears, because then I can't simply blame things on "being heavy" and that's why she didn't like me -- then it will be more simple: She didn't like me because I'm a flat out a-hole. Or something like that. . .

anyhow.

kc.

body fat: 22.729% 08.17.2005.

2.730% to go I suppose :-).

Second pic of me about 220 pounds -- Aug-2005.  

pic of me at ~220 pounds.  

Weight and Motivation

I'm still uncomfortable with this -- so I want to be careful about what I say and what I do -- particularly since this is a public forum for anyone to stop by and read.

This is my basic contention:

* If I were more attractive to females, I would currently have an attractive girlfriend;
* I can increase my attractive quality, mostly, by becoming more fit and gaining a smaller waist and more defined musculature; and
* I can also further increase my attractive quotient by going on to be a productive member of society with a responsible job and a decent income.

I can control the second two of those. I probably don't have much control over thinning hair. I don't have any control over skin hue, eye color, smile, etc. So, my contention is, I should work to maximize that which I can control. I can make a kick-ass unbelievable body through massive exercise and caloric reduction.

But for some reason, and I can't quite put my finger on it -- I feel guilty about making that proclamation. That somehow I'm committing a moral sin to committing to doing something for the sake of vanity.

Which is the basis of the motivation poster I created below. Essentially filled with women that I, arguably, may have had an opportunity to meet and date had I been a bit more attractive to them.

I do believe that one can manufacture a kick-ass body. I think it's incredibly hard and dedicated work for some -- and a genetic gift for others. So that's my new motivational strategy is to just get out and do it.

I believe the strategy is this:

* Better caloric control. Trying to control it down to 2,200 or 2,000, 1,800 or 1,600 calories per day -- whatever is both a) doable; and b) produces a weight loss of about 2 pounds per week.

* Better and higher quality workouts. I think I'd like to move into the 12-14 hour base aerobic phase per week:
swim: 3 hours;
bike: 6 hours;
run: 2 hours;
row: 3 hours;
cals: 1.5 hours

15.5 hour per week.

Weight schedule:

The weight schedules are in spreadsheets (which I would make available to anyone who wanted to look them over, just send a comment with your email address).

Body fat schedule:

My data shows that at my best, via body fat calipers, I can lose approximately 2% of body fat per month -- 1% is certainly doable then. Therefore:

09.14.2005: 21.64%
10.14.2005: 20.64%
11.14.2005: 19.64%
12.14.2005: 18.64%
01.14.2006: 17.64%
02.14.2006: 16.64%
03.14.2006: 15.64%
04.14.2006: 14.64%
05.14.2006: 13.64%
06.14.2006: 12.64%
07.14.2006: 11.64%
08.14.2006: 10.64%
09.14.2006: 9.64%
10.14.2006: 8.64%
11.14.2006: 7.64%
12.14.2006: 6.64%
01.14.2007: 5.64%

MOre aggressive at 1.5% per month (rounder numbers):

09.14.2005: 21.50%
10.14.2005: 20.00%
11.14.2005: 18.50%
12.14.2005: 17.00%
01.14.2006: 15.50%
02.14.2006: 14.00%
03.14.2006: 12.50%
04.14.2006: 11.00%
05.14.2006: 9.50%
06.14.2006: 8.00%
07.14.2006: 6.50%
08.14.2006: 5.00%

Super aggressive at 2% per month:

09.14.2005: 21.64%
10.14.2005: 19.64%
11.14.2005: 17.64%
12.14.2005: 15.64%
01.14.2006: 13.64%
02.14.2006: 11.64%
03.14.2006: 9.64%
04.14.2006: 7.64%
05.14.2006: 5.64%
06.14.2006: 5.00%

Just trying to make this all work.

Photo of my motivation board. The story behind it is a bit embarassing. . . so I'm going to omit it at this point. I may change my mind later and describe what it means.  

Cyclist - ride - dating

STRIKING COMPARISON

I went on this ride today with this girl. Ummm, it was, more or less, a blind date.

IN any event, she said she was a triathlete, but new to the sport -- and unlike a photo she'd sent me she was now "more toned." Her photo was unrevealing, so it was quite difficult to know what she meant. Aside from the swim, bike and run training required of triathlon she was also an avid tennis player. So it seemed like a pretty good match.

Then I met her. She didn't look like the physical activities she described. While sort of cute she was probably 20-50 pounds overweight. And moments later, it dawned on me: I'm her and she's me. I don't look like an avid triathlete and rower. I just don't. The societal expectation is that there are no overfat triathletes -- but I'm living breathing proof otherwise -- and so is she.

In the end there was no spark. I'm ashamed (sort of) to admit -- that I simply wasn't attracted to her. The more interesting question was it just vanilla variety "no attraction" or was it: If she were 30 pounds lighter I'd be attracted. And the parallel light bulb went off. AGAIN. I wonder whether she thinks: "He's not my type, but if he were 50 pounds lighter, he might just be my type."

I think this is a realistic analysis.

Having said tha t-- she basically sucked as a triathlete. That girl at the complete back of the back, wtih the maladjusted bike -- who has no idea that tire pressure needs to be constantly maintained -- at max pressure. Who has weird seat height, where her knees consistently come to a 110% angle and then extend down to a 45% angle.

I mean we rode 8.5 miles in 50 mins (~10 miles per hour) -- granted there was a mini climb in teh middle -- but I was barely warmed up and she was out of breath.

Nonetheless -- I don't look like the shape I have. And that's a real sham e-- because there are surely guys who look better than I -- but those are the same guys I ride by in triathlons.

But there sure is a lesson here: Bookcovers cost millions of dollars to produce becuase they sell (and move) books. It may be unpleasant, but it's just the way it is. . .

I think I'm going to go do some sit ups.

Though Provoking (or lack thereof)

I keep thinking I'm going to have this tremendous blog-through moment where I'm going to come up with the ultimate post that sums up the essence of this journey -- and the essence of my future goal and why it's so important.

But it never really happens. I walk around my apartment complex, my mind wanders and I eventually reach, well, nothing really.

ONE DECIDED FACTOR -- PICKING UP CHICKS

I did realize a few things over the past few days. For one, I care about how attractive females are, thus, to some degree turnabout must be fair play [although, they measure us by looks and money/potential -- while we basically judge them by looks and, I suppose, future motherhood].

But, I do know that just like the fact that statisticians can correlate roughly the same value between being blond and being a college graduate (and being both is better) -- then, all else being equal, it's truly in my best interest to be both blond and a college graduate: Go to school and, duh, dye your hair. But, since I'm not female that won't work for me. (this is written about at length in freakenomics).

Nonetheless, I do fully understand that though I will have an advanced degree -- I can further my opportunities for success by reducing my weight size (essentially turning a negative into a plain zero). Of course, I can then, too, increase it to a positive by reducing my waist size and developing an aesthetically pleasing/attractive body. Although it strikes me as vain (as in vanity) -- it also strikes me as being realistic. Understanding the numbers and doing things to increase those odds. HOpefully it doesn't make me a bad person too :-).

RIDE ALONG STORY

So I went along on a ride-along tonight and one interesting thing came out of it. Cop told us that the worst part about meth and heroine addiction is that the addict cares about nothing else but getting the drug. And I immediately thought to myself: Now that's the human drive/determination that should be aspirational. Not the content of the drive -- but the focus of it.


kc.

22.641% caliper body fat

I guess I should be thrilled, it's my lowest body fat via calipers yet I believe. Yet, I remain at 222 pounds. It's sort of weird.

I do feel like my eating habits -- particularly when I'm not tracking the calories -- have reall been subpar recently. Particularly the new also makes it difficult, becuase there's so much readily available-- in the clerk's room all that chocolate. . . mmmmm. Yummy.

I think I'm going to need to go back and review my weight and body fat goals and recalibrate things -- particularly since my last semester starts in a week. . .

I also need to figure out the remainder of the races I'd like to do for my tri season. Probably two more races. . .

kc.

interesting site.

running maps from google.

pretty cool maps.google.com technology for creating running routes here.

Losing Weight to Enhance Performance

Here's a very interesting post about losing weight to enhance performance.

Go here.

clif bar ad

This is pretty funny -- new clif bar ad for swimming portion of tri.

7-11 driver wins age group in triathlon

This is pretty interesting, the 7-11 driver managed to win his age group at a recent triathlon. Read the story here.

kc

Honesty about eating habits

Eating while studying

I like to eat. And I tend to eat too much - and often of the wrong substances.

tonight is a decent example. I have a "professional" exam on Friday. I started studying for it tonight -- so I wouldn't have to cram it all at the end. My study breaks often revolve around jumping up and getting something from the fridge -- juice, diet pepsi, making popcorn, etc. That's the break. I try to vary it -- and did so tonight with some limited success -- that the study break will be a walk around the apartment instead of food. (But the downside is that ends up taking 20-25 mins).

I also noticed something weird today. The skinny kid in our lunch group ordered what we ordered -- but there was a critical difference: He didn't finish his food. In fact, he did the unthinkable he left half his fries on the table. I never leave food on my plate at a restaurant. I can't think of the last time I did that. . .

Hmmm, there's some food for thought.

I think I basically decided tonight that I'm not paying $140 bucks for the LA triathlon -- it's just not worth all that cash to me. . . at least I don't think it is.

this is part of an online dating article i believe. I should really buy a scanner. 

i think these are ab tips. 

bent lateral raises. 

unleash your abs article. 

sony camera that looked promising. Advertised at retail for ~$500.  

more abs (albeit in an advertisement). 

unsure from this angle. 

Trick yourself thin -- more skinny guys with abs. There everywhere except for real life apparently :-).  

good salad choices 

veggie breakfast burrito recipe. 

Running deep.  

"unleash your abs in just 2 weeks" -- sort of shows the pressure of body image is NOT reserved solely for females. 

one bad apple shape. 

20 rules of fat burning. 

here's the 28 day fat loss meal plan.