SirKerrald

So I'm terrible with the daily updates, had a series of surprise visits from people. The short of it is that I'm down 4lbs for the week, getting me back into the 220's (barely) at 228. So that feels good. Kept to the diet all week, did well with that and didn't over-do it on cheat day. My kettlebell will be here early this week along with the book/dvd by Pavel Tsatouline on getting the most out of it. So I'll be able to get some non-body weight exercise in shortly. In the past this is where I believe I've had my biggest losses come from, back in the day when I actually had a weight bench and used it regularly for a summer. On the exercise front, I wasn't able to get in cardio as much as I would like, but it wasn't a loss either. I did get some quality hiking in with a couple 2-3+hour geocaching trips throughout the week, and I would say that beats half an hour on the treadmill any day. Pro tip: Don't wear shorts if there's a chance you're going through dense underbrush. Goals for the week: Keep up the diet, which will be far easier as I'll be working from home this week and may actually get a chance to migrate to the 4 smaller meals instead of the 3 meals my current schedule has been forcing upon me. Get started immediate with the kettlebell based on some other reading/how-to videos that I've seen. Start in on the kettlebell book, learn proper swing technique. Gotta keep up the momentum!

That is some great advice. I'll definitely check out Enter the Kettlebell, and I think I'll drop it down to a 35 (I'd rather not throw out my back!). Everything I've read focuses on form first and foremost, and coming from a family with many back surgeries, its the number one thing on my mind.

I've got a "total gym" http://www.amazon.com/Total-Gym-XLS/dp/B00169CU66/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1306885449&sr=1-1 (Not this exact model, but pretty much the same thing), so I think I have the pull up type exercise covered. AS well as seated row. I'm also actually about to purchase a 45lb kettlebell. Went to Sears yesterday and it turned out they only had them online (lame), so Amazon here I come. Yeah those are some great guides, I also have his first ebook that covers a number of areas.

Howdy folks! I'm back and wicked pumped for this challenge. When I joined in 2010 I had a serious lack of motivation that prevented me from even just getting started. Well that is the past! I've started a new job in the past few months, completely overhauled my diet (I've been rocking the slow-card diet for the past couple weeks) and its time to add in the actual physical exercise! More over I'm pumped to get back in shape. It is also worth mentioning, the catalyst for all of this was severe heartburn. I was up to something like 4-6 tums and 2 zantac's a day, and after what feels (and may actually be) 10 years of heartburn to varying degrees I've had enough. So I cut dairy and gluten out of my diet (there's a history of gluten intolerance with some members of the extended family. DNA test comes back in a few weeks and should tell me if I have the gene). Since that was pretty close to the slow carb diet, I decided to just go for it. Haven't had heartburn since (except on cheat days). My goals are: 1) Keep up the momentum and match last month's loss of 10lbs (Currently 232) 2) Keep going with the slow-carb diet (I feel so much better not eating crap and tons of carbs, and it's sustainable!) 3) Begin regular weight training and regular cardio. So far as leveling up my life: Keep up the momentum on some side projects on the web and keep learning Arduino. That, and get out and do some more geocaching! Did 5 combined hours this weekend, great way to get outside and get some hiking in! If anyone has recommendations as to how I might create any quantifiable goals related to #2 and #3 I'm open to suggestions! -Kerry

Personally, I think anyone that has ever chanted "drill baby drill" should be pitching in down there. But in lieu of that happening, thanks for helping out down there.

That, sir, is pretty rad.

I'm gonna wait until next year's East. So disappointed that I didn't drop the money to go this year, when I certainly could have

I'm taking Java now as my first real language that I've put time into (sorry qbasic, I just didn't have the time in the 90s) and seriously considering pulling the trigger and going back for a masters in CS. I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone working in the industry. Looking at taking C this summer, but never really messed with web stuff.

Last thing I listened to was some good ol' Interpol. I will never tire of them.

Wing Commander 4. Hands down. Honorable mentions: Max Payne 1 & 2 Mario RPG Gotta say, Bioware's latest Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age are up there too.

Ah, that's how I packed it on too. Went from 6' 195 to 230 in the space of 9 months on the campaign trail calling for votes and eating take out or at a restaurant literally 3 meals a day. Welcome!

I'm curious, do you all go to a gym or work at home? Morning or night? I'm not a morning person and I absolutely hate working out around people (even if they're just in the house). Can't really explain that one, I guess I just don't like people knowing that I'm doing it, and I'm finding it to be hugely limiting.

Yeah, I hear you. I start training monday. I still can't believe training takes an entire week. Oh well. At least it will build exercise into my day =/

Another quick update, managed to start myself exercising again finally. 2 days of elliptical down, tomorrow going to rock some racquetball having finally gotten someone convinced to try it, and keep the streak going from there. Portion sizes are on track, consistantly hitting my calorie goal, and in the right proportions of fat/carb/proteins. Already seeing progress on the scale, in fact I may even hit my goal of 8lbs for the month, which I thought was overly ambitious.. but then again at this point its probably just water weight, and that's kinda lame.

Snacking is the toughest for me too. I used to canvass as part of my job on some campaigns and would not get a lunch break, and come back to the office and just binge on the junk food that volunteers brought to the office. Chalk that up to another reason I got out of politics. Anyway, I'm curious to hear what you think of Census canvassing. I took the test today, and am already having flashbacks to knocking for candidates to the point where I want to turn it down when they call