Professor J's Place

Biggest Loser is one of my not so guilty pleasures. When it first came out, I couldn't imagine why fat people would allow themselves to be humiliated on television for a few measly bucks. And then I started watching. Seriously. It has nothing to do with the money. These people are transforming their lives! Indeed, as I was telling Susan last night, I wish I could watch this show every night because it inspires me so. But that's not what I want to write about. The beautiful woman pictured above is named Joelle. She had a lot of trouble on the show. She wasn't always sure she wanted to be there. She didn't really connect with any of the other participants; she rarely--if ever--gave it her all. At first it was a little irritating. After all, she had a wonderful opportunity and she was blowing it! But then I started to watch her face and her body as other people were chastising her. I saw her when her weight loss was low. I saw her when she swore she was pushing herself, ...

My bloggy friends, I have been unfaithful to you. I have been spending all of my computer time on Spark People . This is a weight loss website similar to many others, I am sure. I know it is similar to Weight Watchers. It offers food and exercise tracking, a recipe calculator, advice and information, exercise videos, blogs and support groups. And it's free. So, two weeks ago, Susan and I joined a group called TOPS club , inc, and we started using Spark People. In other words, my ass project started in earnest. This may well be a good combination of programs for me. The TOPS group is something I never imagined I would do. People join together once a week to weigh in, sing songs, report whether they have gained or lost (out loud--in front of everyone), sing more songs, and talk a little about diet and lifestyle changes. It is corny and goofy, and I kind of like it (after I got over feeling uncomfortable and a little superior to it all). And, of course, I like being online and playing...

Here's Prof. J before coffee or comb. I gained two pounds last week and then lost them--leaving me even. I did, however lose 1/2 an inch on my waist and 1 inch on my hips. So that's progress, I guess.

Here I am. No different, I think. This is just before I worked out this morning. It was great! The diet is still my biggest problem. Send me will power vibes, will you?

Okay, this is not my official picture for the Ass Project this week--I'll post new pics as soon as Susan gets home from work and snaps them for me. However, this is a picture of my posterior that was taken on the great art festival of St. Susan's day (last Saturday), so it is recent. I plan to have a weekly photo of me in my workout clothes -- sorry, I just am not brave enough for the granny panties. Here is my plan: I will exercise at least five days a week. I will do strength training three days a week and do cardio everyday (though I will feel free to take off one or two days a week). I've been exercising this summer, but I haven't been working on my diet. So, although Mrs. G's program does not include diet, I believe I will try to cut back on the fats and on bread. Here's the weekly update: On Monday, I met with my trainer Adrian. (Yo.) I did 15 minutes on the elliptical machine, and then we did a good deal of lifting and other exercises for a total of a ...

Saturday was the six week anniversary of working out at the gym. Of course, I did have two and a half weeks when I was sick and didn't attend the gym at all, but for the most part, I'm there every day. I am getting much more stamina in the gym. I used to think 30 minutes on the treadmill was good, and now I walk on the tread mill only after I've done the "real" workout. I see it as a way to cool down. I've even started to do "core work" (groan) every day. I'm still working twice a week with Adrian and now, I look like this: Okay, maybe not so much. I have been shocked, to tell the truth, at how slow my weight loss has been. Of course, exercise is only part of the solution, but I am more active than I have ever been, and I thought that activity would do the trick. I guess that folks were telling the truth when they said that it's hard to lose weight when you're approaching 50. Nevertheless, I have lost a couple of inches, I do feel stronge...

Ten days or so ago, I went to my regular weight watcher's meeting and found that, once again, I did not lose any weight. Yes. I was watching my weight stabilize. SO, I went to our local gym and signed up. Not only did I sign up, I paid for several sessions with a personal trainer. This is Adrian, my torturer personal trainer. I have worked with him three times, and boy am I sore! I am hoping that this new emphasis on physical activity will do the trick. I brought Morgan along with me a few times, and she is having fun with the water exercise classes. They've been great with her, so I am a big fan of Gold's gym.

Here's a site that addresses body image . If I am going to write this personal stuff, I am at least going to try to contextualize it. Oh, and speaking of personal stuff, I lost 5.25 pounds my first week on weight watchers. Susan asked me the other day why I had become convinced it was time to try again--it's because I felt lousy. It is all about health, guys. But it wouldn't hurt to feel that I looked better, too . . . God, I am a product of my culture.

What is it about shopping for clothes? I now feel poor, shabby, and overweight. Okay, I am overweight, but come on! Tomorrow Susan and I are going to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas gala. They commissioned her to do a painting of the Alamo this year, so she needs to be at the gala signing posters and such. (Hence the shopping). The gala should be fun. I rather like being the artist's roadie.

I was talking to my friend Michelle (an RN) today about how lousy I feel, and she asked me how my blood sugar is doing. "I don't know," I replied, "I ate well today, so it should be fine." Of course, I should know. I should be testing my blood every day. It is, as Michelle reminded me ever so gently, very important for a diabetic to monitor her glucose levels. And, of course, I should be on a healthy diet. I did take a step in that direction yesterday, when I rejoined weight watchers. This is good. Now I'll go by a pharmacy later today and pick up a glucometer. So why am I posting this personal stuff? To keep me honest. I made a promise to myself this morning to lose 24 pounds in the next 90 days before Christmas. That sounds like a great deal of weight, but it is an average loss of two pounds a week. I can do that if I work at it. So expect me to post about eating and exercising and all of that boring stuff over the next few months. And the occasional encou...