Project 365: 3 month update

Yesterday marked 3 months since my birthday, and when I started Project: 365.  Things are going well so far!  Here's my pic updates.  The first is when I started, November 19, 2011.  The second picture is month 3, February 19, 2012.  Here it is... I think I look healthier, and I sure do feel healthier!

Are you high?

Yes.  High on whatever chemical exercise releases into your body.  It feels great!

So, I've been in a bit of a rut this week. I had 3 days off last weekend to take a little road trip to visit with Mom and Heidi. I came back on Monday and decided to do intervals on the track, because it had been a while. I did 2 laps jogging, 1 walking intervals which I haven't done yet. Being on the harder surface rather than the treadmill bothered my knee a bit.  So I decided to not jog this week, to change it up.  My workouts started to seem routine, so I changed it up.

I was thinking I hit a plateau today, but then I checked my weight tracking chart and I'm still losing weight, so I figured it's just my routines.  Progress does feel good.

So in my spirit of shaking things up this week, I started with the leg machines, and added 40-60 pounds onto each exercise on top of what I normally would do.   

Then, I decided to do a full 60 minutes walking on the treadmill, at an incline, which I haven't done in forever. I worked to a 3.7 mph pace, and up to a 12 degree incline!  I burned a total of 931 calories during that hour.  (not sure if you will be able to see that in the pic) That felt really good, but I have a feeling with all this leg work, they will be quite sore tomorrow morning, or the next day.  Cheers to pushing yourself!

Measurements - Month Two

Today is the day to tell if all this hard work is paying off (I already know), so it's time for you to find out!  If you'd like to review where I started - CLICK HERE.

So here we go, current measurements and pictures from the end of my 2nd month (compared to when I started)!

Weight: 257 (lost 24 pounds)

Chest:  48.5" (lost 2.5")

Right Arm:  14.5" (lost 1")

Left Arm:  14.5" (lost 1")

Waist:  47.5" (lost 4")

Hips:  44.5" (lost 2.5")

Right Thigh:  27" (lost 2")

Left Thigh:  27" (lost 1.5")

Neck:  19" (lost .5"

Time for some pictures, biggest loser style!:

Cheers to another successful month!  It's good to see and feel the changes happening.  Not to mention I have more energy and my mood is typically happier!  

Happy health, and good luck in your endeavors this next month!

5k!

It's interesting that just last week, I was struggling to get past a 1.5 mile jog.  Last Friday as you know (if you read this regularly) I pushed through and got the 2 miles in!  Then on Tuesday this week I hit 2.5 miles.  Then tonight:

Ta-da!  I hit 3.1 miles - a full 5k.  My goal was to hit 3 miles by end of February, so I'm well ahead of schedule.  Maybe I can work on my time now, to improve that.


Tomorrow will be my 2 month weigh in and measurement day.  I'm excited!  Stay tuned!

30 days of vegan!

Today is day 30 of practicing a vegan diet.  Wow, that firs month has gone by so quickly.  I feel great, and I've had no cravings for meat, or eggs, or even cheese. The best part has been trying new recipes and new flavors of food.  
And, I've been able to find good substitutes for the foods I loved in the past, like hot dogs, milk shakes (I make soy smoothies now) and even pizza!


Oh, and my exercise is coming along pretty good too.  I hit 2.5 miles jogging on the treadmill tonight!  woo hoo!


My 2 month weigh in is coming up, so check back in a few weeks for updated pics and measurements!

So you want to be a vegan?

So you want to be a vegan? Most of you (all 4 of you who read this) would most likely say no way!  That doesn't mean you still can't make better decisions for your health.  I was craving wanted a hot dog, so I searched and found "Smart Dogs."  Hot dogs made with vegetable protein!  I was curious, so I pan fried them (sprayed with cooking spray) and gave them a try... an All American meal!

They look just like the real thing... how do they taste? They were great, I couldn't even really tell a difference between these and the traditional ones.  And there is quite a nutritional difference!


Smart Dogs:  45 calories per dog, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 8 grams protein, 1 gram fiber
Oscar Mayer Original Hot Dogs: 130 calories per dog, 12 grams fat (4 grams saturated), 35 mg cholesterol, 5 grams protein, 0 grams fiber


There you have it!  You can still eat the things you love, just find a healthier alternative!
If you have kids, I bet you could make this switch and they wouldn't even know! I dare you!

Black bean and butternut squash soup

One thing I really enjoy about my vegan endeavor is trying new recipes and flavors. I have always been a safety guy - finding something I like and rotating a few dishes over and over.
Here's one I made today, and I really enjoyed it.  I found the recipe on Sprouted Kitchen (click here).  It has great flavor, and was super easy to make.  I like beans, and wanted the extra protein, so I added an additional can of beans.  When I made it, I also doubled her recipe, and added some extra vegetable broth too.  You just have to play it by eye and see how it goes if you make it!  I topped it with home made corn tortilla strips, cilantro, and avocado slices.
Another great, flavorful vegan dish I'll add to my regular rotation!