What up people? How ya’ll doin? Back from a long weekend (at least in terms of the blog). I had a decent weekend, if unspectacular. One screw up of note. Went to see Jim Norton (he’s a comedian) in San Francisco on Sunday, and skipped a meal before that. Ended up getting a burger because I am too dumb to get a chicken sandwich. Other than that (and no, I am not brushing that burger to the side), it was a good eating weekend.
We’ll start with an abbreviated food journal. I don’t know if I should say abbreviated, though, since I haven’t done an elongated food journal in quite some time. I’ll have to bring those back in the near future. After that, we’ll answer some comments. Anyway:
WHAT I ATE TODAY
Bowl of Corn Flakes with skim milk, two Weight Watchers meals, Turkey Sandwich with wheat bread and mustard, bowl of corn flakes.
Calories: 1,680
Fat: 15 grams
THE REAL REASON I BROUGHT YOU HERE TODAY
We are going to start with a bit of contrasting views from three of my best friends. The first one comes from Jacob, an old college roommate. (I know it seems that everyone I reference is an old college roommate. I had seven of them. But technically, Jacob and I only lived together for about two months over the course of a summer when he was squatting on our couch.) The second and third are from Guy and Kevin, friends from back home, who share a more positive view of this experience. All of these comments were posted in reference to Day 50, which was last Thursday’s extravagant work fuck up.
From: Jacob
Comments: Best I can tell you rarely exercise, plan on days of eating bad, and eat bad on unplanned days. This really isn't a diet as much as it seems to be you eating a little healthier a few days a week. Of course you are going to lose a few pounds by cutting some calories due to the fact that you burn so many calories by simply being such a large man. Also, how can you say you are going to only weigh in once a week because multiple weigh ins mess with your head? Then you weigh in just as much but call them "unofficial weigh ins". How is that any different?
From: Guy
Comments: It's good to see that you are far more resilient this time around. Before you would get upset about screwing up - you'd bitch about it, get depressed and then that would inevitably spill over into the next day, which more often than not you'd rationalize into another off day. But you're bouncing back- which to me says you get that it's not a 2-month, 4-month, 6-month, whatever weight loss plan - but rather a life change that's got to keep going another 60+ years depending on how medical science and human life expectancy goes down the road. Good work keeping things on the level.
Article comments
1 - Guy
You gotta love viewer mail days. And I stand by my comment that I think you've begun to look at this more as a life change. I know you said all along that it was, but often times your actions revealed you to be, at best, dillusional and at worst, a liar.
I think it's worth noting that you still have a long way to go in terms of this thing making you the best person you can be. I know you can cook for yourself more, that you can keep a serious food journal, that you can count calories better and that you can make healthier eating choices- both on off days and regular days. But I'm not going to beat you over the head with it.
Jake's tough love approach isn't slanderous but it isn't really that helpful either. Anyone who knows you, knows you gravitate toward the path of least resistance the way a wingless plane would gravitate toward earth. This whole deal involves many small steps towards rethinking that perception- but you have to follow through.
Good to hear from Jake though- I would have thought for sure that he would have been knifed in some bar fight by now for running his legendary mouth.
2 - alexandria jackson
Great job as usual. Your attitude remains an inspiration.
3 - Purple Tigress
So you DO do weigh ins more than once a week, but you only have one official weekly weigh-in?
So basically, you see the wisdom of having more than a weekly weigh-in as is the common wisdom in the weight loss world, but the others don't count for you because they aren't official? I feel as if all that stuff about doing it your way is a lot of blathering on. And yet, you make this honest revelation.
This is beginning to remind me of those confessional dramas and make me think that perhaps you need a mental check up.
I weigh in every day. Every morning. Every day is an official weigh in. I make sure I'm not overweight or underweight.
In general American society is much harsher with women who are overweight. So I wonder how you treat overweight women and if you'd consider dating one. When you're talking about seeing a boob for free (not hard in this country IMHO) and getting some ass, it doesn't sound like you're ready for a fruitful, meaningful relationship.
It sounds like a crass 15-year-old talking.
4 - zingzing
jesus, p.t....
that was some harshness. i'm in a serious, committed relationship and i still turn into a giddy little pervert as soon as the top comes off.
call me what you will, but i doubt that i'm some 15-year-old... and i doubt dan is as well.
5 - Mary K. Williams
daily weigh-ins are not recommened at all for real measurement. It is not an accurate weight. There are other factors affecting the scale besides food and exercise - so once a week is the way to go.
6 - Dan Nied
Purple Tigress! You're back! Where were you all this time? I missed the beratings. I'll talk about it a little more later this week, but I think I need the harsh comments, someone to share negative views on the Fortress. If it is all lollipops and congratulations (not that I don't love those, too), it is easy to lose focus as to what the real goal is. So thanks for offering your views. And thanks Zing Zang (if that is your real name) for defending me. Women don't truly understand the power that boobs have over guys.
7 - Phillip Winn
P.T., the big problem with daily weigh-ins is that weight can vary quite a bit due to factors other than eating, and there is often a delay between an eating event and the increased weight gain associated with that event. If I weight a pound more on Tuesday, I'm liable to think I did something wrong on Monday, when it could just as easily have been Sunday, Thursday, or a random weird schedule alteration.
Weighing weekly keeps one from getting bogged down on chasing details.
8 - alexandria jackson
Awww Dan, you do care! Thanks for posting on one of mine.
I'm beginning to think that P.T. is Jillian from The Biggest Loser (in episodes 7 & 8 or during any "last chance workout").
I never heard you say you were ready for a meaningful and "fruitful" relationship. I heard you working on yourself, for your own needs, sharing yourself for your needs (and the bonus is that it helps others) and that you are doing it your way in your own time. In fact, that 240 'girl across the room' was just a metaphor...right? (please say yes). So someone might need to reread your story.
And you know what? sometimes you do sound like a crass 15 year old...I love that about your posts! I laughed at the boob (for free) line. But then again, I have both a sense of humor AND an appreciation for the fact that there is more than just MY way of doing things.
Take care.