A shout out to my beloved jeans.

Woah, it's been over a month since I've posted a blog post. Obviously, I fail to be a good blogger.
But better late than never. 

It was the fall of 2006, graduated from highschool and moved on to University. Back then, I didn't know my life would change completely.  

Back in those highschool days, I was quite athletic, active and slimmer. I played lots of different sports and had lots of people pushing me to workout.  After parting with those good friends in highschool, I moved to the mainland to pursue  bigger and better things(so I thought). What I never knew was living in dorms I'd meet the evil, cafeteria food, and be such good friends with it.

'The Freshmen 15' came so quick I didn't even notice it. I did nothing to avoid midnight pizza and the legendary beer belly. To add on top of that, I quit smoking which led to more  chicken fingers and Ben & Jerry tubs for dinner.

So there, 'The Freshman 15 40' it was. Since the college days, I hadn't lost a pound. Then a few years later, I got married and my legendary beer belly grew and it became historic. I am quite ashamed of myself for letting go loose after getting married, well knowing that my faithful wife would stick by me and hold tight onto my love handles gave me a peace of mind and helped to gain that last 10lbs.


** side note **
When I visited Korea, people stared at me-rather the huge belly and @$$-like they are looking at a mythical creature. Also I couldn't find pants that fit me.(Most Korean clothing companies stop producing pants over waist size at 36). What an embarrassment.
** /side note **


Sorry, I kinda got side tracked. What I am getting at is this; for many years I wore one type of Jeans.
Levi's 501 Original fit 38x32. 
However, I stopped fitting into those jeans. Even though it didn't fit me, for many months, I squished myself into them but didn't want to admit that I didn't fit into the waist size 38 jeans.

Every time I took the jeans off, I let a huge sigh out like I had been holding my breath all day long.
So this time last year while visiting in Vegas, I bought more Levi's 501's in 40x32(God Bless America for cheap jeans and outlet stores). AND IT WAS SO COMFORTABLE.  I had forgotten what it feels like to put a pair of jeans on and not suck my belly in to do up the buttons.

Anywho a long story short, just a few days ago, I was squatting to shoot some photos to become aware of that I was exposing my sexy boxer shorts to the whole entire world, then to realize my belts have been not small enough to hold my jeans up.

Just yesterday when I got out of shower,  I put on my size 40 jeans on then couldn't find my belt. With some major frustration I went digging into rubbermaid bins to find my beloved Levi's 501 38x32's and put them on. BOO YEAH.  It fit me like a glove(No, not like those big woolly ones but the sexy leather ones).
And I didn't even need to suck my belly in!!

When I step on the scale, I see the numbers decreasing but don't feel like I've lost any weight. Still have the legendary beer belly and patronizing thighs.

However, now I see it and feel that there is a progress and it feels pretty damn good to see the improvement.

Rain? Bring it on!!

It seems as BC's Summer warm rainy season has disappeared rather quickly. Leaves are turning brown, everyone's lawn is overgrown and you can't even enjoy a nice walk by the river without smelling the rotting salmon(but hey, the hockey season is back!!).

The mother nature gave me the first taste of what's to come. Harshest wind blowing, cold rain beating on your face and the day light vanishing like there is a thick juicy porterhouse waiting for him somewhere.

However, I have been looking forward to face this foul weather. I probably am not nearly as weather-proof as I should be but this rain and wind won't stop me from pushing myself to the limit. If the rain comes down real hard, I'll fight back and pedal harder, if the wind blows hard enough to go right through my wind breaker, I'll push myself harder and keep myself warm.




There is really nothing I or anyone can do to stop the rain, even one of the greatest bands of all time Creedence Clearwater Revival said so themselves, "But still I wonder, yeah I wonder, who'll stop the rain", if John Fogerty couldn't figure it out than who could?

I know this is only just the beginning of this distasteful but wonderful[steelhead] season but I am super PSYCHED.(not just for fishing)



Really though, I still struggle to get up early to bike to work. I have to hit the snooze button several times like a fat kid going downtown on Twinkies "O YES, JUST ONE MORE".

One small step at a time, one bike at a time and one pound at a time.
I'll slowly but consistently progress towards my goal.
.
.
.
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A new challenge

Now riding the bike to work(20km journey per day) has become a normal part of my day, I am attempting to add another task to my daily routine.

Hitting the Gym.


Ever since I was born, I've struggled to stay in focus when it came to repetitiveness.
And going to the gym and working out is just that.

For the first time in 25years, this plan to go to the gym is a life altering event. Thanks to a friend of mine at work, I now have a 3 day work out schedule planned out.
I went to the gym for the first time in a long time today and I am feeling it.

Day 1 wasn't really enjoyable, more so humiliating.
These teeny tiny guys are lifting huge amount of weight and there I was struggling to lift 10lb'rs like a sissy. I am sure none of those guys started lifting 50lb dumbbells from day 1. And I know I'll get there one day.  Sure I'll have other struggles ie. counting numbers when doing reps(yes, I tend to lose focus and fail to count reps... I know Asians are supposed to be good at math but I am no ordinary Asian...) but again, one step at a time I'll improve.

Despite the humiliation, lifting 10lbs'rs like a sissy, I'll press on.

Breaking Point

Day 5 of riding the bike to work. It's an 11mile commute return trip.

It's hard to believe that I've ridden over 50miles, though it seems as it's only getting harder and harder to ride.

Getting up an hour earlier to paddle my way then facing a headwind that slows me down considerably and a backache that hasn't stopped bothering me since day 1 are slowly taking its toll on me. There is really nothing I can do about this. Just suck it up and take the next step and on ward.

Last night I was tempted to grab a Snickers bar after dinner, though I was pretty well fed, that little craving for dessert and sweetness is still there deep inside of me.

 

But I am taking baby steps, rather than opening up a Snickers bar which contains 280calories, I grabbed fresh cut pineapple and consumed a few pieces. Even though I had to hit the snooze button a couple times I managed to get biking at 7:40am.

Yes, my back still hurts to sit and move around and every step I take on the bike pains my legs, but baby steps at a time. I'll pop in a couple advil and move forward.

As long as I have a strong will and support, nothing can and will stop me from this journey........................... (except traffic lights and stop signs)

The No 'S' Diet starts today

Commitment #1

Changing my eating habit.
Food is one of my strong passion. I love flavours, spices and a great cut of meat.

While a lot of people eat to live, I tend to live to eat.While a lot of people eat until they are not hungry anymore, I tend to eat until I feel full, stuffed or to the point where I feel like I have to puke. 

So I am facing my greatest enemy on the first day of my journey.

For lunch, I stopped when I did not feel hungry anymore, probably 2/3 of a normal lunch size. Yes, my tongue wanted more food, and my brain drove my arms for JUST ONE MORE BITE. It is probably one of the worst habit of mine and will be the hardest challenge for me.

For snack, I had carrots, tomatoes and cucumber over a blueberry pie(what a great temptation that was), chocolate cover peanuts and my favourite Werther's Original Candies.

Not having any sweets during the day sure was hard. However, I shall proceed with smarter snack choices.


While working very hard(or hardly working) in the office, I came across this website from a fellow Clydesdale.
 
 http://www.nosdiet.com/
It's very simple.

There are just three rules and one exception:

• No Snacks
• No Sweets
• No Seconds

Except (sometimes) on days that start with "S"

I will lightly treat myself on Saturdays and Sunday but during weekdays there are no exceptions.

If you see me disobey the rule of 'NO S' diet, please let me know and give me a very hard kick in my arse.

Tomorrow, I am taking a big step in my journey.
Commuting on two wheels, pedaling 12miles(19kms) per day.
Yikes, I'm looking forward to it..


More to come..

Starting out on what seems to be an impossible journey.

In the blue corner, weighing at nearly 250lbs, from Campbell River BC, Jeff "the Big Butt" Lee!




Yup, for the longest time, I've been afraid to step on a scale, too embarrassed to face the reality.
Ever since freshman 15(more like 30 for me), my feet have gotten heavier and heavier and making my weigh scale suffer. Well today, I have decided to take the matter into my own hands. That's right, face the fear, pee into the wind.

From now on, I am going to live a healthier life style. Take care of my body. This means exercising daily, eating smaller portions(that's right no seconds) and eating healthier, more colour on my plate, meals.

Yes, "I'm going to lose weight" has been a goal of mine for a long time and probably many of yours too.
However, this time, it's going to be different.
More commitment and support.

Next time you see me, please question me on how this, 'Operation 50', is going and keep me accountable.

I will do my best to keep all of you up to date.

Thank you for your support.