Workout Wednesday: Lake Walk and Eating

Good day, everybody! Happy Wednesday that probably feels like a Tuesday, thanks to the Labor Day holiday and the short work week!

You know, unless you work retail, then it feels like some weird day that’s not on the calendar. Yeah, I used to be a register jockey. I know how it is, and I know how you feel.

Today, I’m going to do a bit on my quest for fitness and losing weight. When I say “quest” I guess what I really mean is “This thing I start, and then stop, and then realize I’m a fool for stopping and start again, and then blow out a knee or ankle and stop, and then whine about on social media, and then…” I’ve seriously tried not to do that, and only post when I’ve got something going on.

View of the lake as I make my way down to the path
surrounding it.

Well, over the past few weeks, I’ve learned that there is a path leading around a lake just beside our office. Yes, I understand that I’ve worked here for two years, and while I’ve heard of people taking a walk around the lake, I thought they were taking the roads, or walking in the grass, which was not appealing to me. Yet, when I looked out the window one day, I saw what looked to be a sidewalk, so I went out to explore.

It turns out that there is a concrete path around the lake. If I do one lap around it, and then back to the office, it’s about 1.41 miles. If I do two laps, and then come back to the office, it’s about 2.45 miles. Needless to say, as long as it’s below 85 degrees, and not raining, I’m walking around that lake during my lunch hour, instead of stuffing my face. I’m not really pushing myself on these walks, averaging a 15:30-16 minute mile, because I have to be back in an office for a few hours when I’m done, and I don’t need to be too ripe or sweaty. I like it because it’s nicer than just walking on a treadmill, there is actual scenery to look at, I’m getting a bit of sun on my bald noggin, and it just plain gets me out of the office building for a little bit. The down side is, I’m wearing through pants and underwear a bit faster than usual, along with wearing down the tread on my shoes.

In addition to that, I’ve also been watching my intake. Normally, breakfast is just a protein shake with my morning vitamins. Honestly, this holds me over pretty well through the lunch hour and the rest of the day, so I’m not tempted to hit the vending machines for some treats after the walk. I get home, and I make something decent like meat and veggies, and I don’t make a ton of it. I don’t even make enough for leftovers the next day, as I might then be tempted to go ahead and eat it all that night. Because of this, I have some pretty bare cupboards, I have a craving for salty treats that I just ignore, and I swear I was smelling and craving Long John Silver’s a few nights ago, because I’ve been avoiding deep friend items like the plague.

Because of the past few weeks, I’ve actually dropped from 269.9 to 258.8 lbs. I started keeping track after GenCon weekend, when I chowed down too often on items from The Ram and Scotty’s Brewhouse, and it also includes me cheating and trying the fine treats at Dig IN last weekend. I’m pretty happy with those results. I’m not losing a ton of weight fast, but that’s not the ultimate goal, is it?

View across from the .65 mile mark. I work in the taller building
on the right, the one that looks like a brick attached to a
silver Pringles can.

My ultimate goal isn’t to run marathons, or 5K’s, or anything like that. My ultimate goal is to feel better, and be able to keep up with the Geekling and her endless energy reserves. I want to weigh less than I did in High School, which was 235 lbs. I want to fit into my old pants, which I like, and then have those old pants not fit me anymore.

I’m not the only one in my group of friends that is feeling this way. Over the course of the past year, Shannon has dropped over 130 lbs, and is still fighting to lose a bit more before starting to work out. I think she’s fighting to achieve her dream of being a Roller Derby girl. I know that the Clown Prince of Indy Social Media, @bgkahuna, is also on a weight loss quest, as shown here. Those are the top two I’m thinking of, though I know I have many, MANY friends both on Social Media, work, and real life that are looking to drop a pound or three.

I’ve tweaked what I’ve been using as well, to keep track of my miles, and I’ll let you know about that on Friday. Many of these are social, so if you want to friend me, feel free!

Before I go, I’d like to remind everyone that I’m still updating blogs daily, I’m just updating a different blog on Tuesday and Thursday. If you want to see some of my more Geek-related blog postings, please visit the Geeking In Indiana Blog, and make sure to follow the Indiana Geeking Twitter account for any updates, and Geek ramblings!

I’ll see you all on Friday.
Tony