tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69681934735338025562024-03-13T16:42:07.600-07:00Lighten Up With NealNeal Nelson, a 59-year-old resident of Mentor, is a contestant in The News-Herald's Lighten Up in 2013.Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-43487246477669015182013-07-24T03:54:00.001-07:002013-07-24T03:54:21.724-07:00SundayStarted Sunday watching the Johnny Cake Jog. Saw three Lighten Up participants, my daughters Sarah Nd Ann along with Tim Vagi. Then we went home and weeded flower beds and mulched the rest of the day. Drank one half gallon thermos of water and was working on a second. Still lost weight and gained some sour muscles.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-11619507639778307992013-07-17T19:52:00.001-07:002013-07-17T19:52:49.331-07:00Brasa ResturantWow, what a Restaurant! When we accepted the birthday invitation a few weeks ago, I did not realize that it was a Brazilian restaurant where they bring you 13 types of meat plus a salad bar. Not good act all diet, but delicious. I even had some cake as the brother of one of the attendees made it and it was hard to decline. 11 others had twos pieces. I took the last few bites and scattered them around the plate so that it looked like I completed.
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<br>Still aiming for less than 190 for next Sat, but it will take some doing. My daughter is running many smiles each day and should have a good month also.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-79039981362434171602013-07-14T19:08:00.001-07:002013-07-14T19:08:28.060-07:0050!For two consecutive days I have been at 50 pounds less than what I weighed at the start do December 2012. Great to think that much has come off with the vast majority during the contest.
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<br>Very hectic weekend, two reunions, one graduation party, church, and a late afternoon pot luck, and an Indians game. Through out it all no desserts, and ate fairly well. Saw Jim at the grad party to help keep me in line there.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-85220064012498510322013-07-10T03:40:00.001-07:002013-07-10T03:40:00.628-07:006 hours!Even with a trip to the emergency room with my grandson, who is ok, I managed to get a little over 6 hours of sleep! It felt great, makes me want more tonight. Unfortunately after hours business activities will probably prevent that.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-25486518386094670172013-07-09T03:09:00.001-07:002013-07-09T03:09:40.526-07:00Tired = HungryThis last 6 weeks I have struggled to get 5 hours of sleep. Almost all nights have been around 4.5 hours. I believe this will end by the end of this week. What I have noticed is that I have tended to be hungrier on those days with low sleep than on those with seven hours of sleep. This is especially true as it gets later at night or after three or four consecutive days. I am speculating that my body is looking for the extra energy to stay awake and or extra activity to stay awake. Either way it is tough to focus on weight loss during this time.
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<br>I have refocused somewhat and I have dropped another pound. Good news in tough times for me. Lighten has been the encouragement / accountability I needed to push through this.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-36452983308711338432013-06-30T20:53:00.001-07:002013-06-30T20:53:26.914-07:00Frustrating weekendMoving people always takes a lot of energy. This weekend I helped move part of two homes including two pianos. This started Friday night, from the weighin through the end of the day on Sat and multiple trips today. Many stairs during the process. Also helped weed and spread mulch after church at the school we meet in.
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<br>All of that and the weight is the same. Unfortunately all related Mel's were pasta of high carb related, such as pizzeria hut Pixar and pasta. Did not due too well at resisting this weekend when away from home. Just need to buckle down a little,
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-19531470335171592142013-06-25T03:37:00.001-07:002013-06-25T03:37:46.808-07:00GOAL! and 5 to goGOAL!! Not in football but in weight loss. I hit my target weight today and still have 5 weeks to go in the contest. That should give me time to make the stretch goal that I set earlier once it looked likei would make my original target. Always good to accomplish a target, especially after months of working on it. I hope that everyone else is coming up on or past their own goal.
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<br>Neal
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-12393776461656136542013-06-24T03:22:00.001-07:002013-06-24T03:22:07.197-07:005K Is A Good WayUniversity Hospitals had a 5K walk and run on Sunday. I have an artificial knee, so I walked and pushed. I pushed a double stroller with a four year old and one year old. It steers like a truck. The personal goal was to do it in 60 minutes and I. Came in at 57:08. This included starting dead last as the four year old decided he needed to something to eat just as we were to start 30 minutes late). Also had a stroller malfunction that forced two short stops.
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<br>Coupled with reasonable eating during most of the week, some additional ponds came off last week. After a few weeks of a little down and then a little up! A net loss of several pounds last week was a welcome result.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-14177455770177871832013-06-09T18:26:00.001-07:002013-06-09T18:26:58.184-07:00Renewed EffortTough week but My daughters and I are recommitting to My Fitness Pal and routine exercise after a few weeks without it. For me it started last weekend ion Chicago. I did not gain any weight as we walked so much, but I did get off track. Once off it is easy to stay off. Amazing how that works.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-68240962983732843662013-06-02T20:26:00.001-07:002013-06-02T20:26:57.654-07:001st BirthdaysFirst birthdays are nice. W went to Chicago for a long weekend and my grandsons first birthday. Over 27,000 steps but then we ate at a restaurant downtown. Reasonable dishes bu,t the desserts. Sure rich. I'll check damage tomorrow morning.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-90391995380710655232013-05-25T04:55:00.001-07:002013-05-25T04:55:40.632-07:00Upward and OnwardThanks to the workouts this weak at the Y, it appears that my metabolism is back up. My calorie consumption is actually up this week, but my weight is down. I have reached the 195 weight on my scale first thing in the AM which means under 200 at weigh in. Up to 4.5 pounds difference some times. It is good to be back on the downward after the metabolism went on the upward.
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<br>Enjoy the holiday weekend.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-65459031831208338612013-05-23T03:47:00.001-07:002013-05-23T03:47:11.096-07:00YFinally home for a week and able to establish a small rhythm at the Y. It is helpful and I am thankful for the free membership.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-70652008163230338512013-04-25T06:00:00.001-07:002013-04-25T06:00:47.101-07:00Going Down even though not at homeReached another milestone this morning. The first time at 200 ( my scale first thing ) which means I should be under 205 by the weigh in. Mentally it always provides encouragements to reach these various point. And to continue to loose while out of town is even better. All of this after my first net weight gain last week and eating out about six times over the last few days.
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<br>I hope very one else is being successful in meeting some of their goals.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-26465211983517918912013-04-22T18:27:00.001-07:002013-04-22T18:27:37.618-07:00Toughest so farLast week tops the list for tough for me. I missed my target calories three different days. And overall for the week. Actually had dropped early in the week and then went back up. I am a creature that enjoys common patterns. Last week was definitely not that for me.
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<br>Back on track today but I am off work and out of town the rest of the week before the weighin. I will overcome and still be down another two pounds by Saturday.
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<br>Neal
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-78356709617943460952013-04-16T19:12:00.001-07:002013-04-16T19:12:28.090-07:00Multiple Goals HelpI fell into a good situation. I find making intermediate goals an encouragement. Since I started to loose weight before the Lighten Up program, and it was seven pounds and not on an even multiple of five. Therefore I can obtain a goal more frequently. I have passed 35 pounds from my December weight, I have dipped below the 205 weight and close to 200, and I am more than 25 pounds off in Lighten up.
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<br>Intermediate targets definitely help me and might you also. One pound seems like too little sometimes, but 5 pounds is a lot. If you use 5 pound increments of actual weight along with the actual weight loss you can accomplish a goal in a shorter period of time. On average every 2.5 pounds.
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<br>Neal
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-65687549367018381592013-04-10T09:21:00.001-07:002013-04-10T09:21:09.726-07:00New Week, New ContestMy daughters and I are starting a new series of challenges following the last weigh in. We will do 1 week challenges to keep the urgency up a little bit and to drive success. Neat week there are ten items related to the challenge. For each item missed $1 goes into the pool for an Amazon gift card. The items are:
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<br>Daily logging of everything eaten and calories. (MyFitnessPal ap)
<br>Log an exercise three times during the week.
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<br>It is compelling with the shorter window of time.Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-78226049380651894262013-04-03T03:31:00.001-07:002013-04-03T03:31:56.307-07:00AlmostMy goal for this weighin had been for a 10% total weight loss. I was at 9.3%, I missed by 1.7 pounds. However I did make my 5%, so I can stay in the program. This is the time when it can be discouraging for participants. My comment for any participants reading is not to give up. Keep after it. Establishing the new healthier life rhythms will be worth it but it takes a while. Daily logging of calories definitely has been helping me.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-44294799196759454232013-03-30T08:38:00.000-07:002013-03-30T08:40:01.821-07:00EasierI was in town all week last week and its is definitely easier to keep on track when you at home. Stayed within my target calorie count everyday. Traveling this weekend or Easter, but have kept in range so far and was able to work out two times so far.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-43148524467582491122013-03-10T19:56:00.001-07:002013-03-10T19:56:55.635-07:00What is the value of exercise and a better diet?PRICELESS!!
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<br>Along with the weight loss my blood work numbers have improved appreciably.
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<br>Glucose 7% drop
<br>Total cholesterol 30% drop!
<br>LDL cholesterol 30% drop!
<br>HDL cholesterol 9% drop
<br>Triglycerides down 25%
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<br>And I even feel better. PRICELESS
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-22704764922037764542013-03-08T07:27:00.001-08:002013-03-08T07:27:30.320-08:00Savings to ExpensesShirts - double check; Pants - check; Belt - oops. I am saving money by not eating junk food. i have quite a few smaller work shirts so no need to purchase those. I have a few sampler pairs of pants so none needed right now. However I am in the last notch on my belts with no smaller ones around. Small price to pay since 'Weight Loss is Priceless!'
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-47055403678858711332013-03-05T17:57:00.001-08:002013-03-05T17:57:10.016-08:00Loosing = Winning * Winning + Loosing!Engineers tend to think of things in terms of equations. I like intermediate goals as it helps to keep me on track. I had a side bet on the first weigh-in with my daughters for total pounds lost. The first "loosing" in the equation was when I was blindsided by them and lost the bet. This ended up being a win win situation for me. (Winning * Winning) Since I lost I bought and we went to a movie together last Saturday (winning #1). Before the movie we went out to lunch together which was "Winning" #2. A double win by loosing the bet. The added benefit is that by loosing I increased my rate of "Loosing" weight since the weigh-in, which is really winning again.
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<br>Therefore it is really Loosing = Winning * Winning + Loosing = Winning
<br> Bet = Movie * Lunch + Weight loss = progress towards goal!
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<br>Neal (an engineer in case you did not figure that out!) :)Lighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-30016998472693070442013-02-27T03:53:00.001-08:002013-02-27T03:53:32.840-08:00Money SavedMore than just on food. Some of my work shirts are getting a little thread bare as well as being tight. (,my wife said I was straining the buttons). Today I am wearing an older smaller size and it fits well. I have several of this brand and size so I do not need to go shopping which I do not usually enjoy. A side benefit I did not anticipate along with feeling better and more energetic.
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<br>Neal
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-64394744593357052322013-02-25T03:11:00.001-08:002013-02-25T03:11:32.615-08:00BlindsidedYep, blindsided. Misled, maybe even deceived. And they were such kind and sweet little girls.
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<br>"Dad, I am not eating very well at all." Or "We went out for ice cream". "I have not lost any weight recently". Then the weigh in where I had a side bet with my two daughters that's I would loose more than they would combined. At the final settling of the scale I had lost by almost two pounds even though I was down 4.8%.
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<br>I have asked for a double or nothing for next month. I do not know if they will agree. They are planning which movie I will take them to see this weekend. (Maybe we will do lunch also as it is always nice to spend time with them.)
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<br>Neal
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-45895929016576205292013-02-19T18:11:00.001-08:002013-02-19T18:11:28.281-08:00Tuesday 2/19. Travel is the PitsAgain this week on the Road for three full days. Not the best food available and no real time for exercise. Today was a bad unusual scenario. The conference was of and the program said the host company was providing the food at the end. There was supposed to be a dinner afterwards, but nothing but them sponsoring this was on the schedule. All day I avoided the pastries and desserts, and I stayed until 6:00, but only had diet Cokes. On the way back to my room I stopped at subway and had a reasonable turkey sandwich. 2 minutes after I got back to my room there was a phone call and there were about 30 people in another room waiting to have dinner until I got there. Soooo, two meals not one. I had fish which was OK,but the they brought out the dessert and I ended up eating the apple pie. First dessert with a meal sincere started.
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<br>I' be back for Thursday so I will need to get some exercise in then and Friday.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6968193473533802556.post-808701083300119932013-02-10T16:44:00.001-08:002013-02-10T16:44:52.315-08:00Sunday 2/10/13. "5" down and still "2 & 2" to goOdd title, but meaningful to me. I have passed the 5% initial target for the April weigh in and actually I am down over 7% from the start of December. There are still 2 weeks to go before the next weigh in and two months to go before the April cutoff for 5% loss of original weight. I am pretty happy so far. I am not starving myself just changed the makeup of what I am eating. Also increased my exercise a little but still need additional improvement for in that area.
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<br>Feeling better.
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<br>Sent from Neal's iPadLighten Up in 2013http://www.blogger.com/profile/05819864593251680274noreply@blogger.com0