TFTF #8..."Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs"...

I want to begin by asking...

WHO STARTED SINGING THE TESLA SONG?
(you're welcome!!)


SIGNS:


I find myself watching a lot of losing weight "reality" shows lately. Anything from The Biggest Loser, Extreme Weight Loss, Fit to Fat to Fit, My Diet is Better than Yours, etc. I've been thinking about all of these people / contestants and here is some of my randomness...

"...they are so lucky to be doing something like this to change their lives..."
"...that looks hard but nothing I couldn't handle..."
"...how can they stay away from their families for that long..."
"...I could do it too if I trained for 6-8 hours a day..."
"...what's going to happen when they leave and go home..."
"...I wish I had the courage to send in an application...but if I ever got picked, I would have to take my shirt off on national television. NOT A CHANCE!!!..."

This season's winner of the The Biggest Loser made a speech / rant that really hit home with me. I have the same feelings and issues that he did before he lost 100+ lbs. Here's some of what he said...

"We live in a country where we are the fattest country in the world...and this is to you America. (or "Jay" as I heard it)

I sat on the couch and I let my little boys play by themselves. They didn't have a father because I was so fat.  

If you just get up from that damn couch...and walk a little bit...and if you make it one block...then the next week, you're jogging...the week after that, you're running a mile!"  

                                                                                                      -Roberto Hernandez



I was thinking about all of this and I realized that I have spent WAY too much time watching these people. As I was watching, they were doing. It may not be "real life" but  at least they were making an effort to change.
It was a sad / ironic realization. I've been saying I didn't have enough time to exercise yet I was wasting time watching people get healthier, instead of actually getting healthier myself.

Example:
A few weeks ago, Andy just randomly started doing sit ups while watching TV. I asked him what he was doing, he said..."I don't know, I just felt like exercising."
Did I join him? Of course not... I just sat their and counted for him..(actually showed him a video of how to do a burpee...how pathetic is that) 

That situation has bothered me ever since, but it wasn't until Roberto's speech that it really hit home.  I sat there while my 5 year old son exercised and I did nothing but be a spectator.

more SIGNS...


I LOVE all kinds of roller coasters.  I have loved them for a very long time.  That being said...I miss them immensely. A long time ago, I had an experience where the safety bar wouldn't close all the way, so I was asked to get off the ride.  The walk of shame was so embarrassing that I haven't ridden any since. That was probably 17 years ago.

Fast forward to this past summer.  One day in particular. We were at an small amusement park for my niece's birthday.  Another niece, from the other side of the family, was in town staying with us and we brought her along.  She loves roller coasters and wanted to ride them.  I got enough courage to go with her.  We got in the seat and the bar was about an inch and a half away from locking.  The guy pushed down and I pulled and it still wouldn't lock. I had to get out...again.  I tried to play it off like it wasn't a big deal but it just about killed me...AGAIN.

On the way home my niece asked if we could call her dad so she could talk to him.  I said sure and called and had it on speaker in the truck.  She and Andy were in the back seat and my brother answered.  He asked how everything was going and she said she was having fun.  He asked what did you do...she said,

"I went on some roller coasters today...Uncle Jay was too fat, he couldn't ride with me..."

Now, in her defense, she never holds anything back. She calls it like she sees it. I never focused on the fact that what she said was pretty rude. All I focused on was, "UNCLE JAY WAS TOO FAT". Sure, I've said it to myself 37,000,000,000 times but this time, someone else said it...

...OUT LOUD...
...TO MY BROTHER...
...AND MY SON HEARD IT TOO...

I actually started to tear up. It was a rough ride home followed by an even tougher couple of days...I think about what she said all the time.

TRUTH HURTS...(even the unintentional hard-core truth from a 7 year old)

The reason I brought up this painful memory was because there was a dad, on another show, that has only tried to get on a roller coaster once. He couldn't fit and was asked to get off and he had never attempted to go again.  During this show, he and his wife and 2 boys were given a trip to Disney.  He got on a ride with his oldest son.  I felt my anxiety building. I felt those same embarrassed feelings over again as they started to pull down the safety bar. This time, for him, it closed and his reaction was amazing.
I actually started to tear up because I was so happy for him.  I would love to take Andy to an amusement park and ride the rides with him. The fear of having to get off and explain to him that I can't ride because I'm too fat...KILLS ME.


So...here we are...(insert quote here..)

"What you DO speaks so loud that what you say can't be heard..."

I've looked back at the last few years and especially very recent events and one main point keeps coming through. Life is too precious and too F'N short to let embarrassment keep me from doing the things that I love. I have an amazing family that deserves a dad and a husband that does more than just sit and watch life pass him by...

#GetOffTheCouchAmerica
(thanks Roberto!)

CLOWN SHOES FITNESS IS BACK 

and

WE'RE TAKING OVER THE WHOLE...

 HOUSE!!! 

(bet you thought I was going to say the WORLD)

The Inspiration...
"suns out, guns out!"

I wanna be like him!!!

Its not just glare from the light...THAT'S PERSPIRATION PEOPLE!!! 
(still haven't mastered the selfie and I'm OK with that!!!)

I GOT SOME BIG PLANS FOR THIS YEAR
...STAY TUNED... !!!

and as always...

Thanks for reading!!

Jay

TFTF #7..."Where'd You Go"

Well, it's been a very long time since my last blog.  It was roughly, 14 months ago.  I'm sorry for falling off the face of the earth.

The real title of this long overdue post is actually...

STILL Too Fat To Fly  

I will recap with some bullet points of big ticket items from this past year...


Pluses / Minuses of the past 14 months...



April 11, 2014 (the day after my last post)

Minus - My father had a heart attack, in my sister's kitchen.  He got up to blow his nose and his heart went into VFib and he collapsed on the floor.

Plus - My brother-in-law, Dave, was a hero that night and performed CPR on my dad until the first responders got there. My dad spent some time in the hospital and he now has a small defibrillator implanted in his chest. Or as he calls it...his "remote starter."  He is alive and kicking and we are very grateful!

Here are some pics of the the first responders getting recognized for their amazing efforts that night...

My brother-in-law, Dave, is on the far left.

August 2, 2014

Plus - Andy has fallen in love with American Ninja Warrior.  We were at a party and he was on the rings on the swing set.  He was yelling..."I'm American Ninja Warrior!!!!"

Minus - YOU GUESSED IT... another trip to the Yale ED. After about the 20th or 30th swing, he lost his grip and he went flying up in the air and landed awkwardly. He let out the worst scream I've ever heard. He got up and started running toward us and his right arm was flopping around like it wasn't attached to his shoulder. I scooped him up and pinned his arm to my chest and got him into the car. We got him to the ED where we ended up spending the night.

Still Smiling...this boy was a trooper!!

Ready to leave YNHH with his new "Armor" and his favorite Dudley in hand.

Neither "armor" nor a gorilla could keep this kid away from Putt Putt!! 
(sorry, Mini Golf as y'all call it)

Minus -
I was miserable at my job.  I hated going to work every day.

So, how did I cope with everything you ask...

Minus - I let my diet go to S%&T.  I did continue to exercise because I thought I would be fine. Just make sure you exercise. RIGHT?

WRONG...as the saying goes..."You can't outrun a bad diet."

Minus - I started gaining back the weight. This is a vicious cycle that I put myself through. I have periods of success and then I will find any excuse to revert back. The battle between "what I do" and "what I know I should be doing" is a constant for me. It is one that I will be struggling with it my entire life.


I guess if it were easy...everyone would be fit and healthy.


Not all Bad...More Pluses of 2014:

I had a plan of completing my first 5k around the year anniversary of my quad injury...

I had a few choices on and around that date.  My rule for picking a race to run in is simple.. if I'm going to "run/jog/walk" for 3.1 miles...there better be something worth running / jogging / walking for at the end...
I know, it should be about my health...blah blah blah.

The winner was:

Shore 2 the Pour

The race ends with Two Roads Brewery having beer trucks at the finish line! Beer trucks waiting for me...SOLD..WHERE DO I SIGN!!


August 24, 2014
I show up for my first 5k

SMILING because I didn't realize 90% of it is a beach run...

THAT'S RIGHT KIDS...

My very first ever 5k was 90% SAND!! 

awesome...(*sarcasm)

You would think that having "SHORE" in the title would've given me a clue...NOPE...I was suckered in by the promise of beer waiting for me at the end.  I never payed attention the the first part. I only focused on the "POUR."

I'm a dumbass!

August 24, 2014  (some time after the pic above)
When you think you're going to die, and sweat burning your eyes and you have horrible shin splints (because you're fat and running in sand with terrible running technique) and wanting to give up...Seeing this Little Guy makes you dig a little deeper...

I saw that smile, the sign, and heard he and Melissa cheering and thought to myself...

"SON OF A BITCH!!"

...now I have to keep going...

Andy holding the sign that he and Melissa made for me...

August 24, 2014 - (some time later still)
I completed my first 5k/beach "run"...barely 

Thank God for Melissa, Andy, my trusty Clown Shoes and BEER!!!

I set 3 goals for myself in regards to this "race":
1. Finish
2. Don't be last
3. Finish in under 50 mins. (the time was altered after I found out about the whole running in sand thing)

I accomplished all of the goals I set. I felt a sense of pride and it felt great! Well, until the adrenaline and beer wore off!!!

August 25, 2014 - (the day after)
It takes a lot to get ALL of this (*pointing at myself*) through 3.1 miles...then you put me in sand for 90% of it.  My legs decided they wanted to take the day off. The Clown Shoes earned a well deserved day off too. The quad held up pretty well, but it was definitely angry with me. I had a slight limp for the next few days but the sense of accomplishment came back!!


October 4, 2014 - THE DAY!!
I turned 40 years old...
This was the original deadline for skydiving and becoming an all around healthier person. I didn't let the fact that I missed my goal get me down.  I am a work in progress...and I will always be. I am not perfect, This is not going to happen over night. I am not on The Biggest Loser or Extreme Weight Loss.  I am at home doing this on my own.  I have a family, full time job and a life. I will have ups and downs and I realized that.

So...I celebrated "40" in a fantastic way.  A Golf Tournament / Beer Fest with the boys in VT. A weekend full of laughs, busting balls, golf, food and of course beer.

Then a few days later...My wife surprised me with a New Haven Pub Golf Pub Crawl for me and my family and friends. We started at Bar for Mashed Potato Pizza and some Damn Good Stout! We hit a lot of my favorite watering holes along the way, with some of my favorite people!! The only thing that would've made the night any better would've been if Richter's was still open.  A Half and Half 1/2 yard would've been amazing!

I never took a picture but but my wife and her sisters made Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey's Frosting...They were awesome!! That's why there were no pictures. They weren't around long enough to pose with. They were eaten too fast!!


November 1, 2014
5k # 2 in the books!
It was a family affair. Melissa and I completed the 2nd Annual Vicki Soto 5k and Andy ran his first Kids Run.

Family photo...it was a little cold, windy and wet but we had fun!!

Andy raising his arms in victory as he gets his medal!!

November 3, 2014
I started my new job at Danbury Hospital! I love medical simulation. I love the technology and what it can do. I love that I'm in an industry where I am only limited by my imagination. As a Supervisor at YNHH, I was just dealing with paperwork, administrative BS, scheduling, my direct reports and hardly ever got to work with the technology.

So, I took a tiny step back and moved to Danbury Hospital and Western Connecticut Health Network. I am back working with the robotic mannequins, computers and large A/V systems. I am allowed to create videos! I'm allowed to be creative! I am getting involved with the design aspect of the construction.  I feel like I am respected and my ideas and thoughts matter.  I am so much happier now. I work with some great people and all of it has solidified that I made the right decision.


With this new found inner peace...I felt that I needed to get my health back on track.


I decided to join a gym. I realize that I have an abundance of equipment at home and I stopped using it.  I thought...if I pay for a gym then I will have to go.
I joined Orange Theory Fitness. It isn't cheap, but it is fantastic.  The people are great and the coaches keep you on track. There is one problem. It is not convenient for me at all.  It is not near my house or my work.  It took too much time away from my family and too much money out of my bank account. I have recently stopped my membership.

I am reopening Clown Shoes Fitness and all of the wonderful pieces of equipment that it has to offer. I have decided I need to make this work. It is more convenient for me to get up early in the morning and work out in my basement than it is to work out in a place that is an hour from work and still 20 minutes from home.
The concept behind OTF is fantastic. I will be incorporating what I learned there into my workouts in CSF.

I will say, if we ever move close enough to an OTF, or one shows up in a place that actually makes sense for me to go to...I will join in a heart beat. (anyone that is familiar with OTF...no pun intended).


A few take a ways from all of this:

One thing I did find out  was I like going hiking in the woods.  I have also found that Andy loves it too. That is something we started to do as a family and we will continue to do.

The biggest goal in my life is to raise a happy, healthy, active boy that turns into a happy, healthy, active man. I figure the more he wants to go outside the more it will force me to go with him. This kid loves to be outside and so that means I need to as well.

My last learning point from this past year...find something you like to do and make it a priority. It's good for the soul.



My next 5k is August 1, 2015.

"The Craft Brew Races is a 5k road race followed by a local craft beer festival. The series features races around the country in 2015. Runners and walkers are welcome to participate in the 5k. The post race beer festival will be held immediately following the race featuring 20+ breweries. This is a 21+ event. Whenever possible local food vendors and local musicians will participate as well."

Craft Beer Festival...now that's something worth running for!!

And in case you might have missed it...its a 5k ROAD Race...

Come on out and run / jog / walk with me or just come out for some beer.  Either way, I will be there and I plan on doing all 4...running / jogging / walking / drinking!!

I'm sensing a pattern...BEER!! 


I also have a new motto...

That's not me in the pic...that guy has too much hair on his head!!

The goal is still the same.  I want to fly!!! I am working toward this goal. It will continue to be a long process.  I guess that's why everyone calls it a journey.


There is another saying that I love...

"WHAT YOU DO SPEAKS SO LOUD THAT WHAT YOU SAY CAN'T BE HEARD."

So this is a lot of talk and now it is time to get back to action...


Thanks for reading!! I promise to see you soon!

Jay

TFTF #6...Ego + Daylight Savings + "Jailbreak" =

Thats right kids...

Ego + Daylight Savings + "Jailbreak" = PLATEAU!!!

I knew it had to slow down eventually...I was just hoping it would happen after I lost another 100 lbs or so...I can dream, can't I!

Everything was going so well. I was doing everything I was supposed to. I was getting up and walking almost every morning. I was eating exactly what I should've been eating.

Then...                                              
                                          I GOT LAZY!!

The morning in question is that of March 10th. It was the day after we moved the clocks ahead. Now, I could have excuse after excuse, but the real reason I didn't get up that morning was because I was filled with overconfidence and laziness. I had lost over 30 lbs without really trying all that hard. I put it in my own head that it would be OK if I took one morning off.  That turned into 2 mornings. Then 3 and so on and so on.  I went the whole week without getting up and exercising in the morning and like I stated before...I talked myself out of putting time in at night.  I was still eating less, but I was no where near moving more.

Then Saturday came and I had my SEE Program "gym class". I moved around so much with the kids that day that I came up with a hair-brained scheme...

I can make up for the lack of movement during the week with everything that I do at the Saturday program...everything will stay status quo...RIGHT?


WRONG!!! 

I actually talked myself into believing this nonsense would work out just fine. So, I did the same thing again. I ATE LESS but didn't MOVE MORE until Saturday.  I knew deep down that this was a horrible plan and it was only going to back fire on me. Boy was I right!

So Saturday came...I was trying to make up for lost exercise and in a very heated game of "Jailbreak" with my 3rd-8th graders and my high school helpers, I felt some pain in my neck and down my arm. (Jailbreak is a game that has evolved over the last 5 years. It's current version is full court dodgeball that incorporates 4 bowling pins, 2 floor hockey goals laying face down and half court shots...it's so much fun!) I kept playing just thinking that it was a pulled muscle. I finished out the day and I was pretty shot. Sunday was no fun at all. I was in some pain but I still thought it would be fine.

ENTER...

Because of the pain, I didn't exercise during the week...again...but by Friday, I was feeling pretty good.  No real pain.
Then Saturday rolls around and it is our last SEE Program Saturday of 2014. This was the last class that my high school helpers were going to be with me...its been 4 years now. We were all going "full-tilt boogie" every minute of both sessions.
We played kickball, wiffle ball (of course) and...Jailbreak...the kids all time favorite. We also came up with a modified soccer game that uses 2 balls at the same time and the goalies are in wheelchairs...(its all fun and games until you get your wife in trouble because you didn't make sure the wheelchairs were put back where they belong...sorry dear.)

 Midway through the 2nd session, the pain was back...but I kept going. I finished out the day and I was hurting. I just figured it would clear up in a week or so and I would be fine. Well, Sunday came and it got worse. I couldn't move my neck without the pain stopping me in my tracks. My right tricep had a tingling sensation and it felt like I had no strength in it. Monday came and I went to work. I only lasted about 3 hours. I was in agony.
I left and headed to an Orthopedic Walk-In. They took a couple of X-rays. The Dr came in and said I have what was describe to me as "the neck of an old man." Bone spurs, arthritis and disc protrusions that are pinching nerves. Every time the Dr looked at the X-rays he found something else that looked "really wrong."


"TELL HIM WHAT HE'S WON BOB"

The Stupidity Showcase Showdown consists these FABULOUS prizes...

1 - Full Round of steroids.
2 - chiropractor visits EVERY week for at least the next month

And no Showcase would be complete without...

A NEW....traction unit for his neck!!!



So, the moral of the story folks...

If you try to take an easy way out, it will only come back and bite you in the ass. If you do the work, I GUARANTEE you will achieve results you deserve.

Because of all of this...and since I am obviously my own worst enemy...I have given myself 3 options to get the work done each day.

          Option #1... Clown Shoes Fitness at 5 am
          Option #2... walk the streets of New Haven at lunch (I came up with a 1.5 - 2.5 mile loop)
          Option #3... Clown Shoes Fitness as soon as I get home from work but has to be before dinner

Here's how it works...
If I get out of bed and go downstairs and put the time in...I'm done for the day...
If I don't get out of bed then I will walk at work.  If I do so, I am done for the day...
If for whatever reason I can't walk at work...My only other option is Option #3...get it done as soon as I get home.

It makes sense in my head...I'll let you know how it goes.


UPDATES since my last post:

*My first iteration of Chicken Pot Pie Cups:
     Flavor: strong B
     Execution: D- (issues with structural integrity)
Back to the drawing board.  On the bright side, I didn't plan them for dinner that night. I just made them to try and see if it would work...they kind of did, but I need more time to figure it out.

*Also, we have signed up for a CSA for the 2nd year in a row. We get a 1/2 a share for 20 weeks from a local farm.  We are very excited for the abundance of fresh produce!

*I have sent back my FitBit Force because of the recall.  I didn't realize how much relied on it, until I sent it back.  Because of this, I have researched and decided on the Jawbone Up24.  I lowballed an offer on a NIB unit on Ebay and it was accepted.  It should be here in a few days.  It is Persimmon Red...to match the SHOES...just kidding, but I think thats why the low offer was accepted.


SUMMARY:

After all the bitching and storytelling, I did lose weight...9 lbs since my last post.
(should've been more, I was on track to have a better number.) 

I am very hard on myself. Especially, when laziness and stupidity are involved.

I am down a total of 40 lbs since I started back in January.  I am very proud of that number but I am also now fully aware of the effort I have to put in to keep it going in the right direction!


I hope you all appreciate the honesty!!


Thanks for reading!
Jay

Bunny Suits, Scrubs and Wonton Wrappers!!

I have a little story to share before I get into the "meat" of this installment...

So, my job can take me to the operating rooms of any of the 4 hospitals I work in.  I have avoided them like the plague because to go in one you have 2 choices...put on a bunny suit (white, very thin "painter" jumpsuit) or scrubs.  Both of these are not typically available in what I like to call, "Fat Man Size." 

Well this past Tuesday, I was face to face with Operating Room #7 in Greenwich Hospital.  It was time to choose. I was dreading both choices but everyone else (That's right, I wasn't alone) picked the bunny suit and I said, "What the hell...let's give it a try!" 

I attempted the suit and it ripped just trying to get one foot in. I can only assume that I would've looked like quite the "sau-seeege"...if I ever got it on.  So, I opted out of the bunny suit and went for the scrubs. 

I was sent into the "Surgeons Only Lounge" and was given the largest pair of scrubs they had...XXL. The pants went on no problem and actually they were too big. (I was pleasantly surprised)  

Now the shirt...

I took a couple of deep breaths and had my usual inner monologue chant..."Think Thin, Think Thin, Think Thin!" I did get the shirt on...barely. I would've HULKED my way right out of it, if I would’ve moved too much or too fast, However, IT WAS ON!! 

I honestly believe that a month and a half ago...I would've never been able to put it on.  Here is more proof of how far I've come in such a short time, both physically and mentally. I'm actually putting a picture of myself in my own blog. This could very well be the first "selfie" I have ever intentionally taken. 

(Sorry, I haven't mastered Duck Lips yet!)

I felt the need to share that story because the whole thing was terrifying and hilarious all at the same time! AND, I got a free pair of scrubs out of it!!


"So, back to the lecture at hand..."


My plan was to write the next blog entry when there was something worth writing about. I'm happy to announce...

I'VE NOW LOST A TOTAL OF 31 LBS!!!!

MELISSA HAS LOST 18 LBS!!!! 

We are also hoping that all of the changes we are making will stick with Andy throughout his life and become second nature. He has been amazing with all of this. It's like he hasn't even really noticed the changes we've made. He is also only 3 years old, so he doesn't have a choice. To toot our own horn, we trained him from the time he started eating real food with the saying... "You Eat What We Eat."

EAT LESS UPDATE:

I'm keeping my caloric intake between 1500 -1800 calories a day. I'm not starving myself by any means. Its amazing how much food you can eat when it is healthy! There is also no more eating past 8pm. (on most nights :D)

This journey has given us the opportunity to get more creative with what we cook. We have not had to sacrifice flavor at all! We have found some really good recipes. We've also come up with our own concoctions. So Far, there really hasn't been anything that I would classify as..."HOLY S#!T...THIS SUCKS...LET'S ORDER A PIZZA!"

We've had a few..."This isn’t too bad, but it needs some tweaking." For the most part we have done really really well with our choices.  We've had people ask for recipes that we've found. Here are just a couple of the websites we look on:

www.skinnytaste.com
www.cookinglight.com
www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com

(ALSO...I'm always looking for more websites and recipes, so please feel free to send me some links!)

A few weeks ago I found an interesting recipe and I did a little tweaking of it to fit our new lifestyle. It has now turned into something that has been passed to family, friends and co-workers. Because of this, I have been asked to start sharing some of the recipes that we use. 

I do need to let everyone know up front, my Italian mom taught me almost everything I know about cooking. She is fantastic in the kitchen. That being said, she cooks by feel and I do the same thing. That means, there's a lot of eyeballing and a hefty amount of "a little bit of this and a little bit of that." There is not a lot of measuring taking place in either of our kitchens. 

Here is the first recipe that I have decided to share...the measurements below are close approximations...ENJOY! (and good luck!) 

Mini  Turkey Lasagna Cups

Serves - 6 (3 cups each)

Roughly: 346 calories per serving 

About: 7 grams of fat

20 oz package of ground turkey breast
1 - 1.5 cups of marinara sauce (we like Trader Joes's Organic, but I doctor it with a little garlic powder and onion powder)

1 - 1.5 cups fat free ricotta
36 wonton wrappers 
1 - 1.5 cups reduced fat mozzarella

fresh grated parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

2. Brown turkey in a skillet over medium high heat and drain. 

3. Add marinara sauce to meat mixture and stir to combine to the consistency of your liking.

4. Coat 1 and a half muffin tin pans (for 18 cups) with cooking spray, and arrange 2 wonton wrappers in each cup. 

5. Take 1 tsp or so of Ricotta and place in bottom of each cup

6. Place a spoonful of meat mixture into each cup on top of ricotta cheese

7.  Sprinkle mozzarella on top of each cup

8. Grate a little parmesan cheese over each cup

9. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the wonton wrappers are golden. 

10. EAT and ENJOY!!

(and yes...I am becoming the guy that takes pictures of his food...deal with it!)

WE LOVE WONTON WRAPPERS!!! 

They have become a staple in our fridge. I have used them for making Taco Cups, I have even cut up the extras and quickly boiled them for "fresh" pasta for Andy. I was thinking about a healthy take on Chicken Pot Pie with them. (I'll let you know how it goes.) Wonton wrappers are so versatile. I keep looking for ways to use them.

Just so you know, I'm really not looking for a wonton wrapper endorsement deal. (unless you know someone...) 

Sorry about the wonton tangent...I will now continue...

MOVE MORE UPDATE:

Clown Shoes Fitness is still going strong!! 

I've come to realize that I need to exercise very early in the morning. If I don't, I will spend all day talking myself out of exercising at night. The Fitbit Force has been fantastic (a little concerned with the voluntary recall so we'll see what happens). 

At 5am my wrist buzzes and I'm usually up...groggy...but up. I change into shorts and a T-shirt. I don the RED SHOES and I head downstairs to do my work. When I'm done, I head back upstairs and its time to get ready for work.  I have a goal of trying to have at least 3500 steps accumulated before I leave for work.  This doesn't always happen.  There are days that I just want to sleep. Which I do. I try to make up the steps at work.  Again, I'm not that militant about all of this yet.  I'm sure I will get there but for now, I'm very content with the way things are progressing.

Last Saturday, we had our first of 5 Saturdays with the SEE Program. I run a "gym" class with a bunch of kids ranging from 3rd Grade to 8th Grade from 8:45am-1pm.  We play crazy variations of dodgeball, kickball...anything we can think of. My FitBit step goal is set for the same number everyday. The Force will buzz like crazy when I reach that goal.  The first class started at 8:45 and by 10:30am...I had already reached my goal...for the entire day. I ended up recording almost 18000 steps that day.  My leg was pretty pissed at me up until about Tuesday, but I had a blast with the kids! I wish I had just 10% of the energy that they have. I am slowed up by my leg and the amount that I can do, but when I am around them...I can't sit back and watch. I have to join in. 

Last year I dreaded every Saturday morning in March. I had no energy. I had to force myself to get involved. It would take me the entire week to recover and then do it all over again. 

I still have a little soreness but mentally I am feeling great. I will however, definitely be using the following 4 Sundays as "Recovery Days!" 

TFTF SUMMARY:

I'm amazed at how we have come together as a family. I've said it before and I'll say it again...FOR ME...doing this together is making all the difference. We have never used the word "DIET." In fact, we will correct you if you ask us how our "DIET" is going. We are not depriving ourselves of anything. We are just making a conscious effort to better ourselves for the rest of our lives. 

I am trying to move as much as I can. I am very happy about where my progress is. Things are going according to plan. Little victories are the key.  I have a large goal that I am working toward, but I realized that I need small goals so I can have victories along the way to keep the momentum moving. 

Its motivating and gratifying to see results and see how the body reacts because it is being used the way it was designed. 

The body responds a million times better when you take care of it...Imagine That! 

I have started taken control of what I eat versus letting food control me. 

Thanks for reading and coming along for the ride!

Talk to you soon!! 

Jay

The Never-Ending Christmas and The HONEST Truth From My 3 Year Old Son!!

Its great to be back and It's time for another installment of TFTF!!!

For starters...we have found a lot of really good, healthy meals to cook at home. There are so many recipes are out there where you don't have to sacrifice flavor just becaue you are eating healthy! So far, Andy has loved just about everything we have made. We have found that he LOVES the taste of whole wheat. One night, I bought whole wheat pizza doughs and made pizza for dinner. He said, "Guys, I really like the pizza. It's my favorite! Look Daddy, I ate it all...I even ate the crust! Not like Mommy!" 

That last part cracked me up...

So moving on to the Holiday Food Tour...

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent with family and it was great.  Food-wise, I didn't do great but I wasn't horrible.  I had 1 plate at each meal, which was good.  However, they might have ended up being a tad larger than I originally intended.

On to our 2nd Christmas of 2013 (celebrated on Jan 12, 2014). The Fenstermakers (both Seymour and Shelton) and the Mellos went Mexican! I made a healthier version of chicken enchiladas and Melissa made a great version of steak fajitas (from what I'm told, I don't eat steak).
...Pause...
Its a texture issue...I hope everyone has stopped freaking out about the fact that I don't eat steak...
Moving On...
We had reduced fat cheddar cheese, RF sour cream, fat free refried beans, whole wheat tortillas and all the other healthy fixins'.  I have to admit, everything was really tasty!

Now for the 3rd Christmas of 2013 in Philly (celebrated on Jan 18, 2014). This was a true test for me. My mom, my brother and I went to a little Italian market in Ardmore, PA and got food for the entire clan. This place was FANTASTIC!!

Right when I walked in I was sucker punched in the face with the smell of Italian pastries! Why you ask...because there is a pastry case right at the front door...GENIUS! Then I veered right to see all kinds of prepared soups and cold salads and antipasti. I followed that display case all the way down and find myself head on with the butcher and a ridiculous amount of meats and charcuterie. Then at the end...I took a left directly into the PIZZA ZONE. They have a fairly large pizza oven, where they are making fresh pizzas all day long. Then, running as fast as I could past ALL the pizza, I found a large cooler case full of fresh pasta, upon fresh pasta, upon fresh pasta!! I went around another corner where I found breads and cheeses up the WAZOO! Then, I came across an entire area devoted to all different kinds of olive oil with a sign that said "tasting is free" and it had little tiny cups. And then just as I was praying for it to be all over, I took the last left and found...a 25 foot display case (roughly) of HOT PREPARED ITALIAN FOOD! I kid you not...this place was RIDICULOUS!

www.carlinosmarket.com

For someone who loves food, loves to cook, loves almost all things Italian and definitely loves to eat...this place was amazing!!! The best part of it all (other than my mom and dad paying for everything) I came out of there with a piece of Tilapia cooked with lemon and white wine and brussel sprouts. Another great thing about this little adventure was I realized that I am not a huge fan of Tilapia. (it's a little too mealy for me)  

I'm not going to lie and say I didn't try anything else we brought home but thats all I did.  I had a little taste of certain things but not 3 full plates like I would have a month ago. I was feeling really good about myself. I felt like I was making great strides towards my goal.

I know it's very early in my journey and I have a long way to go, but my thoughts were...this really isn't that hard.  Eat Less, Move More...it works and its not that difficult especially when everyone in the house in on the same page. For me, having Melissa on board is making all the difference. So, I was feeling a little cocky.  I MADE IT THROUGH 1 CHRISTMAS EVE AND 3 CHRISTMASES!!!

With those thoughts...I had just mushed myself!!

Sure enough, I was quickly brought back to reality with the help of my favorite little boy.

Here's the scene...
I was at my brother's dining room table, playing with my niece (Macy), my nephew (Davin) and Andy. Andy looked at me and said, "Daddy, I am SOOOOO HAPPY!" (not going to lie...I got a little verklempt).  I picked Andy up and gave him a bear hug and said, "I'm going to squeeze the happiness right out of you!!!" I squeezed him and put him down. Andy was hysterically laughing and came back in with his arms spread as wide as he could make them.  He "wrapped" them around my stomach, squeezed, and said...

"I'm going to squeeze the jelly right out of you!!!" 

That wonderful amazing feeling abruptly changed to what I can only describe as a KICK IN THE NUTS! All of my cockiness (your welcome dear) left me in an instant.

I understand that he didn't mean it that way but the damage was already done. It hurt. The day after we got back from Philly, I went to the most "reputable" pawn shop I knew and bought a treadmill. I think about those words everyday...

So, I want to welcome you all to:

 CLOWN SHOES FITNESS

MY A..DIDAS!!

We now have an elliptical, a treadmill and don't forget the amazing Total Gym Platinum Plus!! Needless to say, I have no more excuses. I am on the treadmill and/or elliptical almost every day.

I have also picked up my newest gadget...the FitBit Force.

Just a fantastic coincidence that the time on the FitBit is my birthday!!

I can see how far I've walked throughout the day.
I can see how many stairs I climb throughout the day.
I can see how many calories I "burn" throughout the day.
It will also motivate me to get up and move.
I can see how well I slept...seriously...it records and charts sleeping patterns.
Oh yeah...it also tells time.

I can set silent alarms...So,when I get up at 5am to go exercise...I'm not waking up the whole house...just a little buzz on the wrist.

So after ALL of the holiday shenanigans, here is my summary of the last few weeks..

I have cut my calorie intake to what an "average-sized" person should eat.
We, as a family, have changed our pantry and fridge to much healthier foods.
This has sparked an even stronger curiosity about food and I am constantly searching for healthy recipes to cook.
I am exercising...

I AM EATING LESS AND MOVING MORE!! 

I have lost a total of 17 lbs. and I am feeling better and better every day.

It takes some work, but everything that's good in life does. The harder you work, the more you appreciate the results!


Thanks for reading!  See you soon!

Jay

A Hitch in my Giddy-Up...a Bump in the Road...

WELLLLL HELLLOOOO!!!
It has been a while...and quite a few things have happened...

A few days after my 2nd post, a fantastic friend gave us a great juicer. My wife brought it home on Thursday. On my way home from work, I bought fruits and veggies to test out the new LIFE CHANGING PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.  I found a recipe that "looked" good...I threw in some carrots, spinach, a little cucumber, a small piece of celery and 2 apples.  It was definitely GREEN in color...I had very high hopes for this juice.

WHAT A RUDE AWAKENING...IT WAS DISGUSTING!
I had the *yips* the whole time while I forced myself to drink it.

This was not how my first juice making experience was supposed to go. In my head, it was going be this "life altering event". This was the kickstart of the new chapter in my life.
Oh, it was life altering alright...

WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?! THE NEXT 7 DAYS WERE GOING TO SUCK!!!

Day 1 - December 6th

I woke up Friday morning petrified of the horrendous juice I made the night before. I sat at the edge of the bed and said a string of words I would say just before I started every one of my shows at ESPN. "OH GOD, OH CRAP, OH NOOOO!"
I got up and reluctantly made my way into the kitchen. I decided to make a juice that made sense in my head instead of a recipe that I read. So I made a juice of an apple and some carrots...!!HALLELUJAH!! It was fantastic.

THANK THE LORD!!! Something that was pleasing to my palate.

So, I got ready for work, packed up the rest of my juice and I headed out the door.
Side Note... I am not much of a planner. I have a tendency to jump all in and then figure things out as I go...ask my wife, she can attest to this! 
I definitely didn't think about how much juice I should've made for the day. (Exhibit A) I had about 30oz of juice for the entire day...including breakfast.  I drank an abundance of water just to get through the day. Then I was going to get home and I would immediately make another juice...or so I thought. I completely forgot that it was the night we were going to go and cut down our Christmas tree.  (Exhibit B...more evidence of my lack of planning) 

I drove home and picked up my wife and son and the 3 of us drove to Jones Tree Farm.  It was raining, cold and dark at 4:45pm.  They let us go up the hill but not past a certain point (just in case we didn't come back...they would have a general idea of where to look).  After some choice 4 letter words (from me) and a few tears (from Andy and maybe a few from Melissa)...the tree was down.  It was a total team effort! We finally got home and got the tree upstairs, put it into its tree stand and literally jammed it into the corner.
I finally got to make my "dinner"...it tasted very good but the headache had already set in.  It was too little too late. I was shot. Needless to say, I went to bed pretty early.

Day 2 - December 7th

I woke up and made the same Apple/Carrot juice I made the morning before...headache was still there in full force. Today was the day we were going to get into the Christmas Spirit and decorate the tree!!!
I felt like ASS. I had no energy, massive headache and a very very excited 3 year old wanting to decorate! What a fantastic combination. (that's sarcasm if you couldn't tell) I forged ahead and made it through the tree decorating...surprisingly...with less cuss words than I remember my father having when I was young!
                                             
Our wonderful friend, Lorie, pointed out that our tree had "girth!" It might have been a little wide, but when you wedge it back far enough into the corner...It looks great!

*note to self...never go to pick out a Christmas tree in the rain, in the dark, in the mud, with 1 1/2 good legs and no food in your system* 

Next on the agenda for this glorious Saturday morning...go the the grocery store and get my fruits and veggies for the next few days. I told Melissa before I started the "juice fast" that I didn't want her to do anything different. I said, "just because I was doing this doesn't mean you and Andy have to change what you are doing."
So, when she asked me to get all of the groceries on the list, not just my own...naturally, I got a little pissed. Actually, I was a BIG F'N BABY about it. I'll admit it. I wanted no part of shopping for other foods while I was starving, with a massive headache, no energy and to top it off I couldn't eat any of it.
This was going to be torture. I realized that I was being a GIANT P.I.T.A. and begrudgingly made the trip to the grocery store. I got an abundance of fruits and veggies and yes...ALL of the other things on the list as well.

Next on the agenda for this fine Saturday...a birthday dinner at The Outback for my sister-in-law's birthday.
SERIOUSLY...I CAN'T MAKE THIS S&%T UP!
(Exhibit C...more evidence of my fantastic planning ability) 
I was a wreck...not really coherent, absolutely no energy...I was in this horrible fog.  I couldn't get out of my own way. I hate to admit it, but I stayed home. I didn't have it in me to go and on top of that, go and bring a juice to The Outback! Melissa and Andy went without me.  I felt horrible and guilty. (before everyone starts yelling at me...we do a Sibling's Birthday Dinner with, the 3 couples and no kids, on a completely different night to celebrate our birthdays)

I was sitting at home, by myself, feeling miserable and thinking..."Why the hell am I doing this to myself? I am missing a family function and I can barely move and its nearly impossible for me to have a thought that would make any sense at all.  This is ridiculous!"

I decided to get up and eat something. I had an apple. I didn't instantly feel better. I did, however, instantly feel like a failure. I COULDN'T EVEN MAKE IT 2 DAYS ON A JUICE FAST. I wasn't mentally prepared for it. I wasn't in the right frame of mind. It was rough to come to the realization that...I FAILED. I couldn't do it. Honestly, I don't know if I will ever try it again, but I do know that I will continue to juice. Juicing, as a supplement or a snack to my diet, makes a lot of sense. However,  juicing as the only thing in my diet..."Not a snowball's chance in Guam!"...as Eddie "The Rock" used to say.  It was rough. I'm not at all happy with the outcome. I thought I was stronger than that.

The best and worst part of all of this...Because of this blog...I have committed myself to full accountability and full disclosure. I could've easily never told the story of the 2 horrendous days, but what will that get me. I need to share this so I can put it all behind me and move forward. I need to share this so everyone knows and I am held accountable for it.  I also need to share it because it is the truth about what happened. I tried and I failed...at a juice fast...only a juice fast. I haven't lost sight of the big picture or my end goal. I am still moving forward...just had to do a little side step right out of the gate. Now I'm rollin' again!



So here we are...1 month later. I have watched what I ate and not gone too crazy with the crappy foods. I'm still doing my physical therapy exercises.  I have lost 7 lbs (3 in those 2 miserable Juice Fast days) and I am feeling some sense of victory.  Small victory but hey...A WIN IS A WIN and EVERY WIN COUNTS!

After being asked to do a good deed that would only take an hour or 2...which actually turned into breakfast and lunch and almost dinner (roughly 7 hours)...I was given a Total Gym Platinum Plus. So I say, "Bring it on Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley!!" We'll see how it works out!

In other news, my wife has officially joined me on my quest. (but, definitely not the skydiving portion) I'm so excited that I have a partner in crime as well as a great cheering section! We have turned over a new leaf in our house and started healthier eating habits. My wife made a great point the other day and I have adopted it as well. Our new family motto is...

EAT LESS AND MOVE MORE!!!

So, lots to do. I am a person that needs to set goals. I'm looking ahead to attempt to do my 2nd "first" 5k...crossing my fingers that there won't be any surgeries to stop me from doing this one!! I'm using the app My Fitness Pal to keep track of everything I eat and all of my exercises.  Melissa is not as fanatic about it as I am.  If any of you know us at all...that shouldn't surprise you in the least.  Anyway...Wish us luck!


HERE WE GO!!



Thanks for reading. See you in a few weeks!!

Jay

HOLY S#%T...THIS JUST GOT REAL!!!

So, the day after my first post, I was told that my insurance won't pay for anymore PT visits.  I am now on my own to rehab for roughly the next 9-10 months / the rest of my life.  So, I figure there is no time like the present to start the madness and hopefully make a "life change."  Happy Holidays to me! (that's sarcasm, in case you were wondering)

Step 1... 

To jump start this MONUMENTAL UNDERTAKING I put before myself, I have decided that I am going to do a 7-10 day Juice Fast / Cleanse.  My reasoning...I've ingested lots of "horrible" but fabulous tasting foods and a good amount of alcohol over the last 39 years (the quantities are just rough estimates). I figure, I should try and start with as "clean" a slate as I can.

Step 2...
Buy a juicer and tons of fresh fruits and veggies.

Step 3...
START JUICING!!!

Step 4...
Apologize to everyone I come in contact with during said juice fast. Rumor has it, I won't be the most pleasant person for those first few days. Insert DISCLAIMER here...*

Step 5...

Post my results!

I understand a juice fast is not a very popular idea with a lot people. I have never done one... but I have tried just about everything else...and yet, here I am.  I fully understand the common denominator in everything I have tried that didn't work is ME.  However, I know ME and know I need a challenge. From what I have researched...and I've done an abundance of it...this is definitely going to be a challenge.  

In all sincerity, I am absolutely humbled. I want to thank everyone that read my first EVER blog. Never, in a million years, would I imagine that I would have over 450 "views" of anything that I have written. It's absolutely amazing to me...I just wish I had more interesting things to write about!

It's starting to sink in! I have a lot of people, other than myself, paying attention to what I am doing...

*deep breaths*

WISH ME LUCK!!!

*Disclaimer - I would like to take this time to issue a blanket...I'M SORRY...to my wife, son, family, friends, co-workers, and anyone else I might have missed.  Please forgive me...from what I have researched, its all part of the process.