ChefRuss

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Just wanted to check in and let you guys know I'm on track to be under 300 pounds on July 12th. It's a goal I made on the day of my sugery. I'm so excited. Today I was packing for my vacation and was resigned to taking one dress shirt though I wanted to take 2. (There's 2 formal nights) I was only sure that one I had would fit. Tried on one of my old favorites. It fit! It was loose! I'm down from a 52 waist to a 46. I bought underwear and a belt at Target today! I'm just so happy and wanted to share with you guys. Thnaks for all your kind works over the past few months.  

So my big goal is to "Through Hike" the Tahoe Rim Trail in Sept. 165 miles is 14 days. I've been training 5-6 days every week for 2 months. Mostly walking. I've had a set back with Meralgia paraesthetica in my left thigh. Doc says it'll go away if I keep losing wieght. I feel I've stalled. Can't walk for more than 30 mins before I'm frozen with burnig pain in my left leg. I keep saying it's not going to stop me.  It took off for Tahoe to do a 2 night backpack training session last thursday. Got to 6 miles and my leg acted up. Camped and came out of the mountains the next am. Feared I'd get to far back in the woods and have a problem. I'm hoping this nerve thing lets up soon. I've lost another 4 lbs since my last post so i can't bitch too much. Down to 325 from 379 in just over 2 months. Gotta get below 300 before July 12th. First time my mom has seen me for 4 yrs. I was 380 last time she saw me. Today is a new day. I'm not going to let it get me down.

Rambling thoughts---Wow! It's amazing. Feeling better everyday. I was in Vegas this last weekend with my bother who I havn't seen in 6 yrs. I've avoided my family for the past 10 yrs. For a lot of reasons. Mostly my self image. Yeah, I've lost 50 lbs. I still have 125+ to go. I really don't look that much different. I just feel better in every way. I came out of my hole long enough to have a great time in Vegas. Now I'm going on a week long cruise with my mom and my 9 yr old (she's in my photos)  in mid July. I haven't seen my mom in 5 yrs. Stella's only been with her grandmother twice. I'll be able to go on the big slide with Stella.  She's so excited. Stella says she's so proud of me. So happy we're playing. I was chasing her a few days ago. When we were done she said, "you haven't chased me in a long time." Life is good.

Going to bust it the next 4 days. it's going to be all about moving. Hiking, kayaking and walking. I had my little one (Stella) for the last 5 days. It's hard to work out when it's just her and I. She's 9. We went to San Francisco for 3 days. Had a great time. It was all about walking. We walked up and down Uniion Square, haight Ashbry, Alcaraz and round trip across the Golden Gate.  Think i got in 2-3 miles each day.  Think that's the way it'll be for a while. I'll figure something out.  Dropped her off this am. Chefed for a client and ran/walked 2.9 miles.  Burned 972 cals. Getting in my water a lot easier that it was at first. I can actually get a good swig down. 1 month ago I could have even considered walking after cooking for 6 hrs. It feels great. I'm down 32lbs from my surgery date. had a few day stall but we're moving again. Decided to eat out in the city for the first time. Ordered wings. had 3 and was stuffed. What a waste. Shared a cheese plate at the Carnilian Room with Stella Sat night. Best view in the city. Lived there for a year. Worked there most of my life.Traveled all over the world. It's still my favorite city.

I'm so happy to have lost the first chunk. Now on to under 300 lbs.

Going to bust it the next 4 days. it's going to be all about moving. Hiking, kayacking and walking.  Think I can lose 5 lbs by next Tuesday. Goal is to under 340 by 3/17

So surgery was on 3/16/09. I've lost 23 lbs in 14 days. Doing good. I've been walking on most days and power hiking on days I'm alone. Hiked 3 miles and burned 800 calories (per Polar F11) yesterday. I have to cook for a client this am. Just a quick one. Goat Cheese Crusted Lamb Rack. I'll be done by 1pm. Driving out to a place on the American River with Annie for a hike to Codfish Creek Falls. Been getting my protein in. I'm drinking Premire Protein Shakes from Costco. 30 grams protein and 5 carbs. Quick and easy. Just put a pair of hiking shorts I haven't worn in 2 1/2 yrs.  Man, I love this. It feels so good to be in contol, moving and excited about the day.

I feel so good. It's weird. I woke up feeling like I had more energy than I've had in years. Weighed in @ 368. That's 11 lbs since the day of the surgery 4 days ago. When I was leaving yesterday am the Dr said I was doing so well I could try some yogurt if I wanted. I was amazed. I was so dreading the clear liquid diet. 6 1/2 tsp and I was stuffed. It was so good. I'm going for a walk today. Buying a BodyBug off Craigslist.

I used to smoke 1-2 cigarettes per day for 10 yrs. I'd go 2-3 days without one then have 5 on a Saturday of binging. Last night after a long trip home it crossed my mind to smoke. It had been 7 days. The thought disgusted me. I opened the window of my car and tossed them out on the freeway.

I wanted to say thanks to all my friends and folks who have left kind words of encouragement. I feel so blessed. I saw a few people who weren't doing so well. Just nausea. But when your dry heaving every 15 mins I'm sure you have questions on what you've just done. I hear it's normal and goes away a little each day. I was joking with my Dr that I guess I had abused my stomach so much in there past 20 years that this was nothing. Whatever the reason. (knock on wood) I'm so happy to feel great and ready to use this tool to live a healthy balanced lifestyle for me and my girls

Well it's done. I feel good. I had VSG surgery @ 6pm on 3/16/09. Woke up feeling good. Walked alot. Ready to get home. I'll be leaving for home in the am. More about my experience later. I'm good and I'm happy I did this. Gatorade never tasted so good.

I just tucked my little Stella (she's in my avitar) to bed. I huged her and thought to myself, it'll be nice to be able to lay down with her in her twin bed without worrying about breaking it. I finally decided to drive down to So Ca for my surgery becuse I'm afraid to get on a plane. It been a few yrs of years and 75 lbs ago. Will I even fit?  I was invited to an event last night and didn't go. I'm so ashamed of my weight.  My older daughter and her partner moved last week. I lied and said I had to work....not because I wouldn't have loved to help...I know I can't. It's BS! I'm so done!  I'm sure I don't even know all the ways I've avoided life over the past 3-4 yrs.  I haven't avoided my girls, my sobriety, my work and now I'm done avoiding my health. I deserve and those who love me deserve the Russ I want to be. I feel so inspired tonight after reading some of the mens posts and stories. To think I could be under 300 lbs by July 19 '09 is really cool. My mom and I haven't been close for the past 15 yrs. Through my 12 step work I've worked through alot of the issues I had with her and asked her to go with my little one and I on a cruise in July. It'll just be cool to be healthier for the trip. My older daughter is getting married in St Thomas in March '10. To think I could dance with her under 250! Wow.