July 13, 2007
Help keep me going
This is one of those posts that “don’t belong” on an industry blog. But I warned you a few weeks ago that these were coming.
Once every year or two one of those things happens that makes me want to get back into shape. Of course by then I’ve fallen out of shape as I’m apparently not one of those individuals who has it wired as a priority to do so, so I must somehow stay motivated.
Once I get past the start up pain, I enjoy running. Not only is it good for my health, it’s good for business. I don’t listen to music. I just think and often come up with new ideas for websites or improvements to existing ones. There aren’t many other times that those thoughts aren’t drowned out by the rest of life. In fact, BUMPzee and our costume ideas website were both worked on significantly in my head on the roads around here.
So I’ll say it out loud…
My goal is to slim down 14 pounds to a 165. That’s about the point below which my family starts telling me that I’m too skinny.
Today and yesterday I ran 6 miles each. I’m officially back into it. But the obsession won’t last, and there are a few things working against me.
- Newton’s First Law of Motion - “an object in its chair tends to stay in its chair”
- This frequent new generation of business ideas gets me more glued to my desk. Thus the object at rest in number 1.
- Laundry
So now, this object (me) is in motion and that’s where I need your help.
We’ve all got a few close people whose encouragement quickly turns to nagging. But I’ve got a few hundred friends here who I figure can keep me going. If I don’t post updates toward that goal, give me a bump — comment here, email me, IM me, twitter me.
And if anyone wants to do my laundry…
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165? How tall are you?
5′ 10″
If you’re medium frame, you family might be right:
“Your ideal weight range– 166 - 182.6 lbs. (75.5 - 83 kg.). –is based on a formula that calculates what a healthy weight is for most people of your height (70 inches) and frame size (Medium).”
But then I was checking other sites:
http://www.annecollins.com/weight-loss/ideal-weight-men.htm and this one:
Fig 2. Ideal Weight for Men (University of Wisconsin)
Seemed right. I’m 6′1 and at 185, which I feel is ideal for me and they have
6′ 1″ 184 where I’m at
5′ 10″ 166 where you want to get at
So that 165 you want to get at doesn’t look so bad.
Good luck with it. I got up to 220 first couple of years doing this from my normal 180’s range. (still can’t believe or even picture that now) But I need to start exercising again myself, I lost it just be eating a little less. 2 hamburgers instead of 3, large pizza instead of XL
Medium frame is about right. But based on your first numbers, if they’re including 182 in that range, I disagree. And what’s that for, heart-health? I’m talking game weight. Skiing, running, etc.
All I know is that 165-170 feels great.
Yeah, the first one seemed high to me too. They had it a little over 200 for my height which seemed high to me, the one I posted after that seemed more in line. There are all kinds of those height weight tools out there, some by insurance companies, health sites etc. But in the end it’s what you said:
“All I know is that 165-170 feels great.”
That’s what counts. Whatever weight you feel the best at. I know in the 200’s I had back pain for the first time in my life and just felt sluggish. Dropped down to 170 from 180 after the flu kicked my butt awhile back and just felt weak and that was just too skinny for me. 180 - 185 feels good and where I’m best at.
“Today and yesterday I ran 6 miles each. I’m officially back into it. But the obsession won’t last, and there are a few things working against me.”
Do you like running? If it’s something you enjoy doing it should last. I can play basketball all day long, it’s great exercise but it doesn’t feel like exercise. It’s just fun.
I have always said, who needs to be in shape. I am a shape, slightly round, and for the time being that is good enough for me. But good luck in losing weight, it is fun to workout, I like the pain, its invigorating. Laundry usually stops my workout efforts, its a bummer
C’mon Brian, anyone can be a shape.
Trust, I do like running. A lot. Anything with wheels (rollerblading, cycling) is fun, but doesn’t feel enough like a workout (though I realize they are). Knee problems from playing hockey kept me from it for years, but somehow that has mostly subsided.
No matter how much I enjoy it, there’s always problems with inertia and laundry.
In fact, I would guess that laundry is a major overlooked factor in why people don’t work out. “No clean running shorts, can’t go.”
I’ll buy more stuff.
Rested yesterday.
Six miles this morning. Feels much better already. Shaved off about 5 minutes from Thurs and Friday times and average heart rate down at 170 instead of up at 175.
You must not have been off the wagon too long if you’re running 6 daily. If did 6 after a long break I’d have shin splints and screaming IT bands.
Good luck.
Thanks Garrett. It’s been probably 8 months. I’m pretty happy with being able to start here again though I’m not exactly tearing up the road.
6 miles today. Plenty of breath, but legs are tired today. Rest tomorrow.
Scott
Good efforts already.
Just done 8 myself today whilst thinking about search, domains, wordpress etc. Have to admit though sometimes I do think about how much further have I got to go!
I find blogging about it works too. It acts as a training diary and also as a reminder to put your running shoes on. Lacks of posts = lack of running.
Cheers
John
(in bumpzee as anotherjunction)
Hey John.
Yeah, that’s my goal here, to keep reminding myself.
And announcing a goal to the world makes it a bit more real.
Hi Scott
I have read your blogs for a long time, particularly interesting to me as I have until recently been working for CJ in the UK.
Anyway, a slight aside. I came to the conclusion yesterday that I need to shift some weight. My body mass is off the scale, so as a starting measure I vowed yesterday to shed 17 kilos (30 odd pounds). I am 6ft4, and this loss will take me to 210 pounds. Still too high, but something that’d be great for me.
I figure that I can give you a simple method to keep you going in response to your request for support - you keep it up and I will. You fail and I fail.
We haven’t met, don’t know each other and have little in common. But at least you can carry the conscious weight of responsibility for making me a happier man.
Good luck with your efforts, I will keep an interested eye on your blog.
Now, just don’t let me down Scott!
Matt Reid, London, UK
>> you keep it up and I will. You fail and I fail.
Alright, Matt. That’s what I’m talking about!
You’ve got a deal.
Hi, I’m reading via the Bumpzee US Blogs Community RSS feed.
I’m also committing myself to make some major changes to my life - mostly about changing my attitude about life, and getting myself out of the rut that I’ve been in for too long. I have a plan, and I know how to get it worked out. Now, I must keep myself accountable with that plan. It’s going to be hard, but I have to know that I can do it - the consequences of not changing is something that I don’t want to face.
Sephyroth
http://www.sephyroth.net
Hi Sephyroth. Good luck with your changes. Sounds heavy!
(btw and fyi, putting a link in a comment gets you caught by my spam filters (SK2). I don’t mind it, but you risk getting lost in the spam.)
It’s a dilemma that faces us all, Scott! To run or not to run…
Another helpful thing that I’ve found is taking the time to walk places instead of drive to them (of course, I have the advantage of living in the big city, where everything I might need is right here). It may take extra time, but hey, it’s healthy, it helps clear your head, and you DO have to make the errand anyways. I say, leave the car keys on the hook.
How are you doing on your goal? I hope things are going well, can we get an update on your progress?
[...] marks two weeks of my getting into shape efforts. I’m happy to report that I’ve kept up my initial ambitious regimen, running 6 [...]