Oct 27, 2010

I am still alive! Not happy, but I am still alive. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I am getting ready to do a DJ show tomorrow night. The Rabid Aardvarks have a few weeks off so I decided to take a few DJ shows. More to come this weekend.

Better tomorrows!
Scott

August 22, 2010

Hello all. Ive decided to "once again" get with the program. Recently I have been feeling some pain in my knee and my feet have been swollen. I know that heat can cause this but I know that weight has more to do with it. I know that I am stronger than this. I just have to do it. I can not and will not accept myself how I am. This is not the person that I feel that I am. When I look at my reflection, I ask myself "who the hell is that??". I really hate it. I can change. Its free and its there for the taking. I have no one to blame but myself.


Just do it dammit!!

August 21, 2010

Hello all. Tonight was the night of my 25th High School reunion. I wasn't planning on going, but I really wanted to. My band The Rabid Aardvarks had a show tonight in Port Washington, so I was happy that I had an excuse. I had originally blocked the day off because of my reunion. When the show came up, I thought "here is my excuse not to be able to go to the reunion". The last 6 months, we have all kept in touch thanks to Facebook. This would have been an awesome reunion. I know that people change. They gain weight, look older, grey hair, no hair...etc. In my mind, I was going to walk into that reunion and be the only one that has changed. I didnt care so much that I was overweight. I didnt want to have to explain my stomach to everyone all night. I was going to get a "yes..its a hernia" t-shirt to wear tonight. Funny thing..this was exactly the same thing I went through 5 years ago. I even road past the bar that was hosting our 20th reunion. I told myself that 25 would be different!! It wasnt. I am really going to have to do some deep thinking to get myself out of this mess. I just watched the video from tonight and dont even know if I want to be performing in the state that I am in.


Decisions....decisions....decisions!!!

Goodnight
Better tomorrows.
Scott

July 6, 2010

Hello all. Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Mine was extended by one day so I had a four day weekend. Went about as fast as a two day weekend...not really sure how that works.
My band The Rabid Aardvarks played both Saturday and Sunday in my hometown of New Berlin WI. I have been wanting to play this festival for about 25 years. Both days went great. The weather co-operated, my co-workers and family came out to support us, and the fireworks were pretty good too.
On Monday I went to see my friend play in his band Step-In-Out. Another friend Kurt was filling in for them on bass guitar. I even came up and played their last song with them.
This afternoon Lisa and I went to see the movie Toy Story 3. I've always liked the pixar movies, and this one didn't dissapoint. After the movie we headed over to Qdoba and we stayed until about 9:00. We discussed our weight, what choices we have, what motivates us, what we want to change...etc..etc. We both left with a new outlook on life, something different. I think we might actually do something this time.

Better tomorrows
Scott

May 31, 2010

Hello all. Happy Memorial day to all those that serve and served in the armed forces. The sacrifices they make and made remind me of the sacrifices that I have to make in order to live a better life. Tomorrow was to have been the day I was going to have my hernia surgery. Not going to happen. What happen you ask? I have nothing and no one to blame but myself. Last summer I told myseld that I wasn't going to be overweight another summer of my life. Guess what?, summer is just around the corner and I am still.....overweight. Do I want to be? Do I enjoy it? I tried to think of some pros and cons to being this weight and there are none. OK, if there is a tornado, I will be one of the last ones picked up. Thats a pro I guess.
How is this attempt going to be different you ask? I am going to try to work more routine into my day. Instead of working out and walking when I want, I have to make it part of my day. Im not that busy that I cant fit exercise into my life. Once it is routine, it will just become part of my lifestyle. As far as eating, I have to eat at different times of the day instead of my first meal happening at 4:00 or later. I get out of control at night and that is my biggest downfall. Luckily my job is physical. If I can just follow the 1500 calories that Sean Anderson suggests and work more exercise into my day, I should be ok no problem.
Like I have stated in the past, my high school reunion is in 82 days. That gives me more than enough time to make a big dent in my transformation. Would I like to be 185 pounds? Shure who wouldnt. Thanks to facebook, I have seen that I am not the only one that has changed in the last 25 years. I surely wouldnt be the only one that has gained weight. I just have it in differnt places because of my hernia. I dont want to spend the night explaining my stomach when the time could be spent talking about the band and what I have been doing these last 25 years. I ran into someone from school two weeks ago and I immediately had to tell him I have a hernia that I had to have operated on. He then proceeded to tell me that he has been cancer free for two years and that he had to have his colon removed. I guess I didnt have it as bad as him.
I am going to post pictures every Monday to show the progress that I make. I was just about to write "hope to make", but that is not allowed. I know that I can be weak, but I need to be strong.

Good things come to those with weight!!!!

How much more fun would I have had in Florida had I been thinner? I'm thinking a lot more

May 23. 2010

Hello all. The year is half over and I am exactly where I was on Jan 1st. The second half of the year is coming up and I WILL make a difference in my life. Not just the weight loss, but with getting my loan paid off, being neater, get more sleep, buy less, sell more etc..etc..etc. I really want to know what it is like to live the life that I am meant to live....and deserve to live.

Look out world!!
Scott

May 2, 2010

Here we go again...I feel motivated....need to get back on the horse instead of kicking it in the ass!!

April Fools!

Hello all. April 1st is already here and I need to get back with the program. I am getting ready for bed, but will post tomorrow. I promise!!! So many reasons to get in shape this year. Florida trip, 25th high school reunion and most of all...get this stupid surgery over with!!!

March 4, 2010

Hello all. Today was a really good day. My abillity to pass up on the bad choices was a lot easier than it has in the past. At break time I was offered half of a Culvers cheese burger. At lunch the girl went to Wendy's and I chose not to participate. For supper I had a bowl of clam chowder and a small bowl of ice cream. After work I stopped at Wal Mart to get some pretzels and salsa. I walked right past all the snacks that the old me would have bought. Doritos, cheetos, potato chips, french onion dip...etc.
I have been printing out Sean Andersons blog from day 1. Its amazing to read his current blog and be able to re-live his entire journey. It's there in black and white...it CAN be done. I am hoping to print out all 500+ pages of his blog (lucky I can do some at work). If you haven't checked out his blog its losingweighteveryday.blogspot.com.

March 3, 2010

Hello all. Had a good day today. I did have a little bit of stomach pain, but I think that was due to too much liquids. Seems that makes my stomach hurt some times. Had a bowl of soup with and egg salad sandwhich for supper and a cheese sandwhich for lunch. There was no snacking or un-necessary eating. The weather is getting a little warmer out so I am going to include some walking every night. There is a mile block near my house that is very hilly. I like real walking as apposed to treadmills because you have to finish the walk. I cant magically come home after a half mile, I have to climb that hill to get home. A treadmill I can just hop off if I get sore.

Better tomorrows,
Scott

March 2, 2010

Hello all. Things are much better today. Thanks again to Sean Anderson for the inspirational comment to my last blog and to Lisa for always caring so much :-)

What better way to start the countdown to DOING THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!

3-2-10 BLASTOFF

February 28, 2010

its now 93 days until my "surgery". Im still the same as I was when I had 100 days left. I am soon going to accept myself as I am if I cannot get on the right track. I am going to read Seans blog from day 1. That will be my inspiration.

Scott

February 22, 2010

Picture of me from the Rabid Aardvark photo shoot

January 30, 2010

Hello all. It is Monday and I have 98 days left until my "surgery". I have to be strong in these beginning days. Its going to be easy to say "I am still in the 90's I will try real hard when I hit the 80's". These early days are going to mold me into what I need to be the rest of the journey. Speaking of Journey, I have chosen the song "Don't stop believing" as my song. I know with the proper will power and eating habits and exercise, I can and will win this battle. I am going to hook up my web cam and try to make a video/audio diary as well. I'll try to learn how to post it on here even if I have to go through Youtube.

Better tomorrows
Scott

February 18, 2010

Hello all. I have been gone for awhile and won't make excuses why. All I know is I am back. I have decided to try and have my hernia surgery on June 1, 2010. That gives me 102 days to lose as much weight as I can. I need to lose 68 pounds to get to the weight that they said they wanted me at to operate. I don't know if that is reachable, but I am going to sure try. I think now that I have a date set, it will make it easier than when I said "someday". I went to see the doctor originally 28 months ago. I should have had the operation, recovered and lost another 50 pounds by now. I am right where I was 28 months ago. Actually I am 23 pounds less than I was when I originally weighed in that day in October 2007. It seems like yesterday...time sure does fly! This is the most important time in my life right now. Have the surgery, or accept myself for who I am. I am not ready to accept myself as a failure. Too many people are doubting me and I dont blame them one bit. I would be the same way if it was a friend or co-worker. I have to show them and most importantly myself that I CAN DO IT!!!!

Thanks for reading,
welcome back to those who missed me!
Scott

January 12, 2010

Hello all. It seems like it is getting easier on this new road. I have replaced some bad habits with new ones. I pack a healthy lunch everyday now, drink water at work and walk during my breaks. I have also changed some bad habits at home. No bad food in the house, keeping myself involved with other projects to keep my mind off of eating.
For lunch I had a lean pocket (chicken, spinach and asparagus), strawberry banana yogurt and a fat free pudding. On the way home from band practice I stopped for gas and bought a hot dog seeing that I didn't eat supper. I didnt really want to eat that late, but I had to eat something.
Tomorrow I am going to be tested twice. At work we are having a retirement party for a guy that has been there over 40 years. They are ordering Marty's pizza (Yummm). After work, Lisa, my brother Steve and my sister-in-law Diane are coming over to celebrate my dads 72nd birthday. My dad is going to make his healthy spaghetti with garlic bread. My first intention is to not eat either one and find something else. I am still in the 2 week change period.

so far so good
Better tomorrows
thanks for reading

January 11, 2010

7 POUNDS!

Hello all. My first weigh in for 2010 was a good one. Seven pounds. Just shows that it works if you take it serious. Make some sacrifices and work a little harder than normal. I am actually eating more smaller meals that one big one at night and snacking at night. I had a banana at break, Lean pocket, yogurt and sugar free pudding for luch and chicken breast, salad and cooked carrots for dinner.

I registered Lisa and I for the Samson Stomp at the Milwaukee County Zoo. It's a 2 mile walk or a 5 mile run. Next year I will do the run :-). I want to do as many of these as I can in the year to come. Its for a good cause, and good exercise.

so far so good

better tomorrows

thanks for reading

St Romans 6/21/09

January 10, 2010

Hello All. I'm sad that the Green Bay Packers lost, but I am happy that I am still on the road to the new me. Saturday morning when I got home from work I had a can of tuna and a banana. I had a gig with the Rabid Aardvarks and the party had a buffet and free drinks all night. I had a plate with beef tips, mashed potatoes, 2 pieces of bread, 3 pickles and a small scoop of noodle salad. The old me would have went back for more, but I was actually full. For drinks I had 2 small diet cokes and water. On the way there I drank a Powerade Zero. On the way home from unloading the gear, I stopped at a Speedway and bought 2 Arizona lite lemonaid/tea and a small sub sandwhich. I ate half the sandwhich on the way home and threw out the rest.
Sunday I woke up late and watched the Packer game. I had a salad, baked potato, green beans and a chicken breast. I found these real good salad spritzers that are real tasty and real low. I think they are 10 calories per squirt. Tonight I went to Pick n Save and bought some lean pockets for work. I am used to not eating at breakfast and lunch, but I realize that those are the most important meals of the day. The Lean Pockets were 5 for $10. I think they are 220 calories a piece. Not too bad. That still leaves me with 1300 calories left for the day. I also bought some diet V8 Splash that is really good too. I have pretty much cut out soda and am drinking more water and skim milk.
Tomorrow is my weekly weigh in since the new year. I am hoping for a 5 pound loss. I will let you know tomorrow if I met that.

so far so good
better tomorrows
thanks for reading
Scott

January 8, 2010

Hello all! Happy Birthday to Elvis!! I just realized that I am 2 months away from being as old as Elvis was when he died. Kinda makes my life feel empty :-). I haven't made any movies or albums. The only thing I have in common with him now is being overweight. No drugs tho.

Good day at work. Another free workout. Gonna snowblow after I finish my blog. I did drink more water today, no soda. I know I was going to wait to weigh myself until Monday, but I couldn't wait. I hopped on the work scale and saw a lower number than I was used to. I am not going to post my weight until Monday. I wanted to see a lower number because the place we are playing on Saturday is offering us a buffet and free drinks. A true test indeed!!! I will be strong.



Breakfast:banana. lunch:lite yogurt and a fat free pudding. supper:chicken, brown rice, cottage cheese, frozen veggies, snack:powerade zero

Exercise:work and snowblowing



so far so good!!

Better tomorrows.

Thanks for reading

My brother Steve and I at our family reunion.

January 7, 2010

Hello all. Day seven of the new year. Day 4 of the new healthier me. I don't know why, but this has been the easiest "start" that I've had in a long time. I am looking forward to Monday. I decided to weigh myself once a week so I can better document my changes. I have been adding more exercise and better choices of food. I found a calendar from Jan 2009 and I weigh the same as I do now. Same day, one year later. I figure if I can maintain this weight by eating wrong for a year, I should be able to lose with prober diet and exercise.





Breakfast


1 banana


1 Snyders sour dough pretzel





Lunch


2 lite yogurts





Dinner


1 chicken breast


frozen veggies


brown rice





1 can diet Pepsi


24oz water...I need to drink more

So far, So good
Better tomorrows
Scott

Me at the zoo in April 2009

January 6, 2010

Hello all... Good day at work again. Ate my yogurt, pudding and 1 sourdough pretzel. Came home and ate salad, baked potato, frozen veggies and a small piece of lean pork. Things are looking good. I feel I am on the right track this time. I am planning on putting some layers on and going for a walk around our block. Its 1.2 miles and very hilly. I used to walk it the last time I lost weight. Get the mp3 player and flashlight and hit the road. Dang....I need to find the mp3 player first lol. Today the girls at work were going to McDonalds for lunch and I declined with a smile. I wasnt even tempted. Thats got to be some of the worst food you can eat. Tonight my dad even finished off the Papa Murphy's from Sunday. Sure it looked good, but not tempting at all.

so far so good!
Better tomorrows
Scott

Dave and I at the show. Can't wait for better pictures. So soon.

January 5, 2010

Hello all. Good day at work today. Got paid to workout :-). For lunch I had 2 sourdough pretzels, a 80 calorie lime yogurt and a butterscotch fat free pudding. On the way home I stopped at Piggly Wiggly and got two more bags of the chicken breasts. For supper I am having a chicken breast, 2 small potatoes and some frozen veggies. At work the girls went to Cousins. They politely asked me if I wanted anything, I declined.


Dr. Oz was on a talk show last night and he said that it takes the body 2 weeks to adjust to a change. Whether it's losing weight or getting up earlier..etc. I figure those are going to be the toughest so I have to be at my strongest. It should get alot easier after that.





So far so good!

This was me at my nieces/sisters/nephews Birthday party 11/09/09

January 4, 2010

Hello all. It was back to work today. Good thing is we got all our vacation/sick time back. I was greeted today by 2 homemade cakes....yumm. Not even sure what kinds they were, I just enjoyed seeing everyone else eating them. Sure I could have had a small piece, didn't see a good reason. I'm lucky I don't have a sweet tooth (yes the m&m's are still here)
After work my mom and I headed over to Piggly Wiggly for a sale they were having on chicken breasts. 3# for $3.99. For supper I had a salad, baked potato, mixed frozen veggies and a turkey breast. Gotta love them George Foreman Grills!! There was leftover Papa Murphy's pizza from the night before, but decided to go with the chicken.
Today I work I decided to walk during my lunch break. Granted it wasnt the whole 35 minutes, but it was a start. I figured it was better than sitting in the lunchroom watching people eat fast food. Tomorrow I will remember to bring my ipod and add a little more time to the walking. I do still have a membership to Cardinal Fitness. I am going to make a schedule instead of just going when I feel like it. Maybe that will make me go more.
I'm feeling extra focused this time. Dunno if it's because of the new year or a combination of things. It just feels like something clicked. I know it sounds cliche, I really dont want to be reading this post in a few months saying "what happened...I seemed so focused"

So far, so good!!
Better tomorrows
Scott

January 3, 2010

Hello All. Today was a good eating day. My Aunt and Uncle came over to watch the Green Bay Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals. We ordered 2 Papa Murphy's pizzas and garlic bread. I limited myself to 2 pieces. Sure I could have eaten more, but I decided not to.


Tomorrow I have to go back to work and face more obsticles. I have been doing really good by not eating out with the girls when they go for fast food. They say they aren't going anymore after the first year, we shall see. I looked at some more pictures and video from our show on New Years. I AM GOING TO DO THIS!!!!

Picture from a show on 12/11/09. I can do it!!

High School reunion!!

WOW!!! My 25th High School reunion is coming up FAST!!!!!! 5 month away!!!!!!!!!

Guitar playing is just like weight loss.

Hello again...another blog. Wow 2 in one day!! It occured to me the other day that losing weight is just like guitar playing. I have been playing guitar for almost 29 years now and I think I am pretty decent. I have worked hard at it. Practiced alot through high school, practiced while I watched TV, played in bands for about 20+ years and have just jammed with friends and musicians from time to time. I remember the first time I picked up a guitar. My fingers hurt from pressing on the strings, my hands could bearly make a good sound. My Left hand was not working at all with the right hand. I thought....how in the world am I going to be able to play this. I wanted it more than anything in the world. I would go to my friend's house and hear his brother playing songs just like the guys on the albums I had at home (for those of you younger readers...records are those big black circles with the holes in them). I was determined to learn. I took lessons in 9th grade. learned my chords, learn some scales, learned some strumming and got my hands to actually work together. Over the years, I took lessons from better teachers, practiced alot more with friends and on my own, and was focused on becoming the best I could be. There was mental challenges and physical challenges. I automatically wanted to be the fastest player without learning the basics. Speed would have to wait, I decided to do it write and learn scales, rhythms, chords, timing and so on.

This brings me to my original point. Losing weight is difficult at first. I am teaching my body and mind a new instrument. Its going to be frustrating. I am going to want to put the "guitar" back in the closet and say I can't do it. But then after a few weeks of "practicing" I will be getting better. It will get easier. I will see the changes and know that I can do it. I don't want to have the fastest weight loss. I am willing to do it right, and in the long run it will be worth it. Just like the guitar, there are equal amounts of mental challenges as there are physical challenges.

Today I watch new kids picking up the guitar for the first time and I see the love and determintation. They'll see me playing and ask how long I'be been at it and I say "longer than you know it". Then they say, "I'll never be able to do that". I tell them I didn't play like this right away. I practiced alot, learned from others and made mistakes on the way. Makes me think about the weight loss. If you want it bad enough, and work at it really hard, you can do anything you put your mind to.

Thanks for reading,

Scott

January 2, 2010

Hello all. Here we go again. I am writing this past midnight, but I am still calling it Jan 2nd. So far so good. Today I went with my friend Kyle to Subway and we tried the new BBQ Chicken sub. Not bad, but I wished I would have gotten the oven roasted chicken breast. I drank diet lemonade and had 1oz of Doritos. Next time I am not going for the meal deal. I don't need the Doritos.
I want to thank Sean Anderson again for posting the You Tube video from the talk that he gave at a weight loss seminar. I could watch that everyday. It's nice to know I have access to that when I feel I am having a week moment.
Tonight I bought a 1/2 price bag of m&m's. Not to eat, but to hang in front of my computer. I not only have to exercise my body, I have to exercise my mind. I want to see just how strong of a person I can be. I want the to be hanging there on Jan 1, 2011.
I am going to post alot more pictures on my blog. To remind me why I am doing this and to watch the progression and change. Like Sean says, they may not be flattering, they do make for great before pictures. Thats what I want BEFORE pictures...not STILL shots.

Happy New Year to my readers old and new. I know I don't have many now, but I would like to think that someday I will have more followers reading the blogs I write today.

January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!! Technically it's Jan 1st (it's 12:09) Told myself that I was going to be a better blogger this year. That was one of my resolutions, along with about seven more. Of course losing weight was #1 on my list AGAIN!! Saving money, more exercise, get more sleep, buy less, eat out less, drink more water yada yada yada. I couldn't wait for the new year..the new decade...the new me.
I have a new outlook on my health. A few weeks ago we found out that my Aunt Judy has stage 4 cancer that has spread throughout her body. This is a lady that is one of the nicest people that I have ever met. My niece remains a strong inspiration as well. She made it into her gyms local magazine and one of their success stories. She has worked her ass off and through it all has lost 65 pounds. WAY TO GO STEPH!!! I see a new person with even more self esteem than she already had. She is really living the life that she deserves to live. I also want to thank Sean Anderson for being one of the best success stories and a "huge" inspiration. Even if you don't have to lose weight, I suggest you read his "400 days plus" blog THE DAILY DIARY OF A WINNING LOSER. They should make that into a book...maybe even a movie!
The biggest inspiration would be the camera. I continue to be reminded about my condition through pictures and video when I play out in my band RABID AARDVARKS.

Here's to a awesome 2010!