You Look Marvelous!

What is it about the turn of the annual calender that makes us want to strive to improve ourselves? I dunno, but I long ago stopped making New Year's Resolutions only to break them not only ten minutes into the year! LOL. Yeah, I think that was the year I said I gonna quit smoking. Umm...

Now, let's talk about realistic ventures for the next 3-6-5 days. In 2012 I made some progress with my life intentions, but I have far too many setbacks. I didn't let them get me down, but I didn't moving along as far as I had hoped. For 2013, I want to continue to make strides with my health, bettering myself. In total, I shed only 30 lbs last year. Not bad, but like I said, setbacks. I'm not gonna focus on the negative, only the positive and do what I can to be in a better body, spirit, and mind.

This is no resolution, not intention. This is life baby. And the time is now. I'm gonna take advantage of what there for me and as I say "Be Me, Do Me." 

What are your self-improvement projects in the next few weeks?

Hey! Wassup?

You'll pardon my brief absence from blogging, please. Yours truly has been caught up and otherwise detained most of January. And here I thought the new year would usher in changes, yet it seems like old habits (and situations) indeed die hard. No worries. I'm regrouping.

So. 2012. Are you feelin' it yet? I'm still encouraged by what the year has to offer. I'm already plotting my next big adventure and as a suggestion from Wonder Man, Hawaii seems like the destination! My only fear is that's a long as plane ride. But if I can board and fly to LA, whats another few hours to Paradise, eh?

As far as my progress with my weight loss. I've successfully lost 25 lbs since starting, but it hasn't been easy. My next step is joining a gym later this month, but I will admit much trepidation due to irrational fears & insecurities. However, the good thing is I have a buddy system and three of my fellows have dedicated themselves to going with me. OK, good deal. So no mo' excuses, right Ian? Well now there's always room for procrastination! LOL

Kidding, but much like Jean Grey and the Phoenix, I'm taking time to come back and recreate myself as many times as it takes until I get what I want...

The Body Beautiful

I'm learning to love it....

Work. Let Go. Release,

In a few weeks folks will make New Year's resolutions to lose extra pounds, trim the flab, and git physically fit. Hmph. Some will accomplish that goal and others will quickly fall away. For myself, I've been struggling with the path for the latter half of 2011 and I intend to struggle further still into 2012... *sigh* It's a daunting task.

I believe I once heard that Michelangelo felt his sculpture always existed underneath the marble, he only needed to chip away the excess to release the inner masterpiece. As with me, there is an inner beautiful person underneath the mass, I only need to undo a lifetime of bad habits to unveil my true self. Some days I feel good about it. Other days, I really want to abandon the effort and wallow in misery. I created this mess. How the hell do I get out???

I'm keeping up the optimism though. To be cliche, where there is a will, there most certainly is a way, right? Learning to love the body I'm in is a start. I don't have to love everything about it, just accept circumstances for what they were, and then make the change.

I'm holding my head up today. That's what I'm doing...

Goodbye November! We Hardly Knew Ye!

Can you believe we're into December tomorrow? Where did the month go??? Seems like yesterday was just Halloween. But the Holidays are in full swing and soon we'll be saying Happy New Year. Wow. I think I'm just not ready...

So far for this month I did make some progress with my weight loss goals. It's tough and even more during the Holiday season. Thankfully I didn't go hog wild at the dinner table last week. The real challenge will start from here on out because December tends to be the free for all with snacks, treats, and goodies galore all month long. UGH! Help a fat man thru it Lawd!

I'm certain a l'il determination, denial, deep faith---the Triple D Approach, will help me come through unscathed. I hate trying to lose weight during this toughest season, but shoot! I need to get right with my body and stop treating it like a garbage dump and more like the TEMPLE it should be.

Nuff said.

-Ian

McGarbage Man!

I fell this afternoon and gave into temptation. I stopped at Mickey D's and grabbed a McRib Value Meal. To say it was a McCraptacular meal experience is an understatement. *groan* I shoulda known better but I was hungry. Had just come back from the farmer's market and was in no mood to wait.

Yuck!

Progress Report

I know it's only been a few days, less than a week, but I wanted to keep a progress report with my weight loss. With the exception of the first day, I haven't stepped on the scale again. that would be self-defeating. However, in just a few days, I can tell with the small changes I've made, it's made some difference.

I've endeavored to still to a 1,000 calories a day and get as much activity squeezed in as possible. It's kicking my ass a bit, but I keep thinking about the final reward...

That's all for now...

On A New Path

This year has had it's challenges with my weight goals. I was doing well before summer came, and I fell hard. Since then I've been on a roller coaster, up down up down up down. I'm actually sick of it. Time to set things to right for once and for all.

Today started my quest to permanent weight loss and so far it's been OK? Drinking lots of water and watching my in-take. Yes I have a number goal. Not sharing yet. Not sharing all my intentions at the moment either. My only hope is that once all is said and done I can live with my decisions and feel happy. Only time will tell, I suppose...

Yes! I'm Wearing Area 51

On my last trip to Angel City, as it always seems, I also managed to be in Vegas. On the way back from our sojourn, Mom and Pops Royal called Pharaoh and requested a favor requiring us to make a stop in Baker, California.

Ah, Baker. Now what words come to mind besides small? Um...Tourist Trap. Desolate? Um, God-forsaken maybe??? The scariest part of the drive from LA to Vegas is that stretch of nothingness in the dessert. No lights. Just Road. And perhaps the aliens being held at Area 51 (rumored to be in the vicinity).

So back while Pharaoh is his handling business, I had a chance to peruse one of the gift shoppe and spotted a T-shirt advertising that Area 51 is the Secret Suburb Of Las Vegas. It's for the Vacation you'll never forget (scratch that) REMEMBER! Chuckling, I picked one up for myself, checked out, and we were back on the road to LA. Now fast forward when I hit home a few days later. Stupid Ian realizes he purchased a size too small. Grrr. Oh well.

Happily, I'm glad to report I slipped on that T-shirt this week and the bad boy was loooooose. To quote Shangela, "Halleloo!" I must be doing something right with this weight loss thang. I still have a long way to go, but I'll take a victory where I can.

Not So Lovin' It!

Did I deserve a break today? Yeah, but not this kind...

Ugh! I'm feeling miserable this morning. Oh why don't I learn the good lesson of healthy eating?!?! So for Lent I gave up eating at most fast food establishments, with the exception of Subway (most of their stuff is pretty decent)...

Since Easter was yesterday, Lent ended. I did good. Didn't cheat once though I was tempted many times. This morning I knew I'd be pressed for time so I chose to stop @ Mickey D's for breakfast. Big mistake! My stomach is growling and bloated now. I feel like walking death and the sad part is I'm @ work. Lordhavmercy!!!!

I think another 40 day fast is in order.... *burp*
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Spring Challenges...Almost

It's Monday morning and I sooooo don't want to get up and ready for work, but do what I must. Still, it's raining here, foggy, and in the distance.... hark? Do I hear rumbles of thunder, eh? Transitioning into Spring. Well I can handle that. I'm grateful that Winter is almost over. The weekend was a chilly, but at least my friend Mister Sun was around. Praise Jeezus!

The last few weeks have been amusing to say the least. Learning some well deserved lessons. Some tough, others I'm gracing with ease. There's a long path ahead, but the path is never easy is it? Somehow, I managed to still lose a little bit of weight during the season, but I hope to amp it up now that the weather is gon' break. Plus seeing also pix of Cam Newton on everybody n' theri grammama's blogs and tumblr this weekend was encouragement enough for this chubby brutha to get slim once and for all. LOL. OK. I can do this!

The sky's the limit.

Why Resolve? Just Procrastinate!

So I'm sitting here, indecisive as ever, wrestling with which ticket to purchase for my trip. I think by now I'd be used to the whole flying process. I've already decide to go through the scanners, I mean really if they that desperate to see my fatness, go on. When did flying because such an ordeal though? I wish my next trip was more pleasure, less business, but in the end if it brings me money...a little inconvenience will be worth it.

Sitting at my desk this afternoon, I stared at the window, internal strife raging. One situation, I was grateful that at the eleventh hour last month we got the reprieve from lay-offs in my department. The other hemisphere was cursing the day I set foot in that office and wishing I could make a break for it and run from the Plantation, head north to freedom, like other before... ::sigh:: Yeah I know I need to be grateful I have a job. Midlife crisis wander lust is setting in again. Maybe it's the January Blues taking root, but everywhere I look, I see room for improvement. Just bored with situations as normal, you know?

The other tasks at hand is attempting get back on the wagon with losing weight and quitting smoking. I quit cold turkey New Year's Day with the cigs. Don't know how much longer my will power is gonna last with that. My natural inclination is to turn to food, but then I keeping about flying and Lord know I don't wanna be like Kevin Smith and his sitch with Southwest Air. LOL. I laugh, but dude, seriously. Ian has packed on some pounds over the holidays. It ain't cute. I might resort to some drastic measures here in minute. Anybody remember Tammy, circa The Real World: Los Angeles 1992? When when she wired her mouth shut just to lose weight? Hm, that's an option, heh.

All kidding a side. I'm tempting to start a health journal, but the humiliation of it all... would that work? Shame can be a powerful motivator. Who knows? But I'll be 41 in less than two months, so I need to take my life seriously. Stop procrastinating and act like life is the real deal. After all, I only got one chance....

Tired...But Still Going.

Oh my. So last night I came home and fell out! After work I went for my nightly walk and pushed myself a lil extra. It was hot. It was humid. It wanted to thunderstorm. But I made it through. I came home had time to make a few phone calls to touch base with a few folk, called myself gonna lay across the bed for a few minutes, next thing I know the alarm is buzzing away this morning. Damn! I musta been wiped. It's worth it though. I'm so trying to work off these extra pounds amassed these last few months. Getting in shape ain't easy, but I'm determined to do.

Hopefully tonight I'll get more done before falling asleep. LOL

Fight That Battle...

Ugh! It's Monday morning and I'm trynna get up and get my ass in the work out routine but I'm hoping someday I'm have a flat belly like brutha to the right...of course what am I doing? On here telling y'all about it instead of doing. OK, OK, OK, I'm out...

Lord help me this day! LOL.

No Mo Damn Excuses...

Baby boys and girls, the time has come and it has started now. Got on the not so-friendly scale the other day and it groaned. Bitch! Um, yeah I knew I was closely creeping up to look like Fat Albert's twin, but didn't think the numbers were topping as quickly as they had. Hm.

Now, I can think of plenty excuses as to why the weight has collected around my middle, but in the end they're all tired lame-ass excuses. Yo Ian! You big sloppy fatso, you ain't hardly cute!

Well, I never!

And you never will if you keep on pace. ....
So in accordance with resolutions and this time oh year and Shizz, I'm starting a new game plan to get my sexy back. (Did I ever have it????) Might be too late to get fit and phine in Oh-Nine, but most definitely by next year this time.

With that said, be on the look out for a new blog coming your way. Oh you'll know it when you see it because I plan to be quite frank and candid with what I do, eat, blah blah blah... Call it evolution. Call it being health smart. Call it whatever, but at this period in my life, I am sick of feeling disgusting and affected by the myriad of health problems raising their ugly head...
Oh! Hell! No!
-Ian