Tale of the Tape: How Am I Measuring Up?

Looking back on everything I realize how much more I could have made of this experience for both myself and my readers. It would have been cool to see a 3D spinning-morphing video of composite shots but I'm a bit too lazy and technologically challenged for all that. Instead of half arsing some video wizardry I'm going to talk in real numbers.

The scale has been a lifelong enemy; even as a freshmen in high school football I was unable to weigh in on the 350 lb capacity medical balance scale. The same instrument that once spurred me to change is frustrating me more than ever.

Even though I've learned to celebrate non-scale victories (NSV), I needed a greater understanding of just how my composition was changing. Was my decision to lift heavier and lessen my HIIT type activity and pool time really paying off? The scale certainly didn't reflect a positive change. I had to know how I was really measuring up.

Most of us are familiar with the good ole measuring tape. Initially the standard 60" tape could not cover my girth so like many in that uncomfortable condition I avoided it. As discussed in the previous blog, misuse of avoidance helped get me into this mess. Hopefully we are moving beyond that. To prove it here are my current measurements in pounds and inches as taken in March 2, 2013.

Weight 386 (I dropped 10 since then!!!)
Neck: 18.5
Shoulders: 64
Chest: 56
Waist: 58 (at navel)
Hips: 56
Right bicep: 18.5
Left bicep: 16.75
Right thigh: 28.25
Left thigh: 30
Right calf: 21
Left calf: 21

The measurements from the beginning of this journey are currently MIA. I hope to find them by the end of this 90 day challenge.

The scale can be a frustrating experience even when we are winning the fight. As a scientist I had to turn back to my knowledge of Archimedes and the tale of The Golden Crown. Hydrostatic testing is a means of determining body mass with the highest degree of accuracy. The problem with this process is accessibility and cost. There is an alternative to this that utilizes air pressure and is far less invasive, easier to access, and cheaper! Why didn't I think of this sooner? BECAUSE I WAS TOO FAT TO FIT INTO THE POD!

Going back to the honeymoon phase...The first five months of the quest saw me lose 100 lbs. Things began to slow a bit and by month eight I only managed to drop around an additional 40. Summer calorie creep courtesy of Arnold Palmer's delicious non-alcoholic drink and a stray from the course that carried me led to a plateau. By September 8, 2012 I had lost more than enough to be able to get into the pod. Per the suggestion of a dear friend known only as Zoma, we decided to go do the test together. This was videotaped for the record but I'm not exactly comfortable appearing shirtless publicly so I'll spare you the trauma of seeing my fishbelly white tubiness. You're welcome!

The weight seemed to be peeling much slower so I decided to up the intensity and take a beginner's CrossFit course. My old routine was no longer challenging and was so rote that it was easy to avoid. To better assess the new training I wanted to re-establish a baseline of measurement, commit to better habits with nutrition AND work rate, and set a new goal. With that in mind here is what I came up with and the differential on my Bodpod results from six months ago.

The first test on September 8, 2012 yielded the following:
Bodyfat %: 41.8
Fat Free Weight (lb): 234.512
Body weight (lb): 402.926
estimated Resting metabolic rate (kcal/day): 3053

In December of 2012 I started the three week beginners CrossFit program. A six wek version was repeated in January. Due to the flu I missed 4/18 workouts of the second session.


The second test on March 9, 2013 yielded the following:
Bodyfat %: 40.1 (-1.7 from first)
Fat Free Weight (lb): 226.752 (-7.760 from first)
Body weight (lb): 378.812 (-24.114 from first)
estimated Resting metabolic rate (kcal/day): 2932 (-121 from first)

Pissed off at the -24.114 lb loss is an understatement to say the least. It could have been worse but this is upsetting. After a pep talk and the realization that I managed to lose a total of 29.5% of my overall body weight I turned to my anger to set a new goal: KILL PRIVATE PYLE FASTER! True believers the backsliding and excuses are old and I tell them well but I'm a firm believer that one needs specific, measurable, attainable, recordable, and timely (SMART) goals. Around here we ACHIEVE! This is what sets us doers apart from the dreamers!

I propose that with 4 WOD's a week, coupled with walking and/or low impact DDP yoga on the non-CrossFit days that I, J.W. Savage, can drop a minimum of 7% bodyfat in 90 days.This is of course to be done with proper nutrition so I will work towards green leafy vegetables and a protein for at least half of all meals, a reduction of processed flour and sugars, and an increased water intake.

Follow me down at MyFitnessPal for nutrition tracking and Fitocracy for movement: Screen name is ProfMarvel for both!

Tune in March 18th for my Biggest Loser experience! And until next time keep moving ever forward one step beyond!

Pulling The Trigger On Avoidance

True Believers! It is no secret that I prefer to confront things from any and every angle nowadays. The old me was big into avoiding situations that could threaten my bad relationship with food; I'd rather hide and binge than be among friends.

In October 2011, I had to move home and confront every demon I'd ever dodged. They rushed from all sides at once, encircled and thirsted for my blood. The stress I endured just before my lifestyle change could've went the other way; had that been the case your humble narrator would have been a dead man. You'll get more of these details I promise, I'm still not there yet.

Amid all the worries I had about moving home there was one lethal foe that I feared the most: The Junk Food "Counter of Doom". It has been discussed amongst close friends and you'll all see more of it when the video blogs roll out. You'll get to see a pic in a bit of the diminished version.

Stress and depression have contributed to my issues as you've read. The recent slip in progress was in part triggered by worrying about my aging Mum's fall and knee injury. Again I turned to food to calm the nerves and anxiety caused by seeing her immobilized and in pain.

Today was the first time since the fall that Mum was able to go in for groceries. She is fiercely independent and it's been tough for her to let others care for her; an apparently inheritable behavior she passed on to me.

Too proud and stubborn to use her walker in public, she opted for a cart instead. For two fractures and a pair of blood clots in the bad wheel she sure can move when it comes to filling the cart with candy, carbs, and bargains! Since I've moved out she can barely tolerate not stocking the COUNTER OF DOOM!

Today was a small victory; my morning started off with a great sweat at CrossFit Cleveland and followed with a nutritionally clean recovery breakfast. For the first time in three weeks I avoided that damn counter! The curse seems to be lifting! I even picked out a half dozen donuts for Mum to have with her morning coffee and didn't so much as lick my fingers.

Part of my intense sugar cravings stem from waiting too long to consume nutrition. It bears repeating that since I started I've not really been a meal planner. This is changing!

A perfect breakfast is a gimme; I'm all about the Ron Swanson statement "Give me all of the bacon and eggs you have." Monday nights are now a gimme due to recent Trivia Night and half price burgers at a favourite spot nearby. All I had to do is plan lunch and one day of sound nutrition is in the books! I'm starting to get it...finally?

Soon I'll update you all on my last BodPod composition but I just wanted to share the fact that Captain Confrontation made progress by utilizing avoidance. Psychologically this is a huge step for me and I hope you an glean some information of value from my rambling.

Congratulations to Dr. Ray Hinish and his new bride Sheri! Dr. Ray and his partner, Blythe Alberg, are amazing people who do great things to help people with their excess weight. Check them out on iTunes- Cut The Fat Podcast is a FANTASTIC free resource full of scientifically backed information in how to lose fat. Go listen (first five episodes in order first if you are new) and enjoy!

And now Team Cheeseburger Sheets has a trivia championship to defend. Until next time, keep moving ever forward one step beyond!

J.W.

Reality Really Bites: Part 1- The Great Chicago Fire

Fitness, specifically weight loss, is a multi-billion dollar industry. When you combine this with the craze of "reality" television it's a goldmine. ABC's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition and NBC's The Biggest Loser have undoubtedly been a sensation that has motivated countless individuals into healthier lifestyle changes...for a few weeks.

How much "reality" are we really getting with these types of show? In a two-part blog I'm going to share my audition and casting experience for both Biggest Loser and Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition right here!

After my decision to get healthy I stumbled across the ad for the casting of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition. I was already on my way to losing weight so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get it done quicker. Having seen both show and being in the infancy stages of my little science experiment of transformation I believed this would be a great way to go about things. Did I mention that my expectations of winning things against overwhelming odds are ridiculously high? I mean after all I still get mad when I lose the lottery.

Having the attitude of VICTORY WILL BE MINE!, I decided to rent a better car, book a hotel, and drive to the closest casting call in Chicago. Before I departed I had my Mum take a shirtless picture of me to give the casting director. I had the dumbest smile on my face despite the abhorred shape I knew I was (and still am) in. Man boobs and all, I was headed to Chi-town to decimate!

After picking up the rental, which was more reliable than my car, I met up with a friend for a healthy lunch ad drove off into the sunset. With the sunset came what was probably the biggest snow storm of the relatively mild winter! White knuckle and bleary eyed I arrived at the Double Tree some seven plus hours later only to be handed a warm cookie. Oh the irony! Here I am hoping to be cast for a weight loss show smashing this delicious and warm chocolate chip cookie. And let me tell you IT WAS GOOO-OOOD!When I got into the room I confess that I did order a true Chicago deep dish pie. It was a small and I only ate half, I swear!

The next morning I awoke early, stretched out, and tried to relax a bit. I'm no stranger to auditioning and the stage so that definitely helped. I headed a few blocks away to the Dave and Busters where the casting was taking place. I must have circled the block at least five times trying to spot the enormous line I anticipated freezing in. No line, no sign, and no idea what was going on. After finding a meter a few blocks away I decided to walk over to D&B. To my surprise THE DOOR WAS LOCKED! I was livid; after all the cash I spent on what was the odds equivalent of buying scratch off tickets I was ready to SMASH.

A few loud knocks on the door woke the security guard up; he let me in and led me to the cattle corral. Most of the people had moved into the secondary holding. Groups of 8-10 were led into a room and seated at banquet tables arranged in a horse shoe. We were allowed to watch from the rear of the room as they were shown a brief video and introduced to the casting directors.Each person was given under a minute to quickly introduce themselves and give a bit of background on their battle along with why they wanted to be on the show.

With all due respect I saw a lot of defeated souls that day. The tone of voice, posture, and look in the eyes of many of the people I saw was hollow. We all had the same problem but many of them were just mentally defeated. How could they show up for Hollywood with this attitude? My confidence overcame my empathy. This was a competition and I hate to lose, remember?

 When it came time for me to be seated I ended up being chair one so I spoke first. My introduction was fiery and impassioned. I shared my success at the time of nearly 50 lbs lost and wished everyone well on their journey. I closed with reminding them that the show was not a panacea for their problems and that they were brave enough to take a step by showing up and to keep going even if they weren't cast. Too many presented the notion that this show was their only hope. If they could only see that the power to change was within them and them only!

When I handed the casting director, Ian Young, my bio and photo I noticed his eyebrows raise as he read my starting measured weight of 536 lbs. Again, I use starting because it was over 550 lbs at one point. It may have been as high as 611 lbs if the truck stop scale was accurate but I tried to black that out. Since many of us had traveled some distance we were all informed that they would have call backs done by 6 pm that evening in hopes of accommodating anyone from afar. The decision would be posted on their Twitter account as to when their decisions were made. Still confident but not wanting to waste gas having to turn around and drive half way back I opted to wait in Chicago for a few hours. And then it happened.

After staring at my phone off and on for a few hours I saw the tweet. Everyone was thanked and informed that  call backs were done. That's it? HOW COULD YOU NOT PICK ME? After all, I'm the chosen one. Whatever...eff it...this ain't going to stop this train. My championship loss in Chicago only added fuel to the fire that was growing inside. In suspended disbelief I headed back to the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge and picked up I-90; eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin', I was going to do what they said can't be done.

To be continued on March 18th...

Private Pyle's 20th Anniversary

True Believers! Did Private Pyle eat 20 jelly donuts? No, he prefers maple creme filled. And two weeks ago was in a donut eating frenzy. Still stress eating...

After a breakfast chat with my mental counterpart and colleague, I decided to conduct an experiment. It involves me utilizing more hard data. I've taken measurements and have scheduled another BodPod composition test to help determine the effectiveness of my CrossFit training. Once a month for the next three months I will post the tale of the tape.


I'll go into the details later in another blog but I need to note more actualization that happened via other conversations first and make a big announcement.

My little brother messages me after we'd met up for his birthday celebration. His words struck a chord deep within my psyche. The last sentence of his message was "I'm ready to be the person I know I have the potential to be." This message couldn't have come at a better time.

Perhaps mentally I'm not ready to be the arse kicker I know I can be? Perhaps I'm not willing to keep shoveling dirt on the grave of Private Pyle?

I work in a business, that shan't be mentioned due to legal bindings, that brings me into contact with men who struggle with their weight. Some struggle more than others but they all have one common factor: their size limits and dictates life choices.

Several of my clients have shared that they got to the drop zone which I'm currently in- near 160lbs lost. This is the same range many of them lost focus. I cannot take my eye off the ball again. They have reminded me that NOW is my new critical turning point and I cannot thank them enough!

Oh, and about that 20? As of today I can fit into a relax fit size 46 jeans; I started this game at a size 66. The scale is starting to move again and my mindset is improving daily! I want to be at least 60lbs lighter and in the 42 jeans 44 dress slacks range by August. I've got a Warrior Dash to conquer! And a Private Pyle to kill :)

Keep moving ever forward, one step beyond!
J.W.

One Day I'll Get What's Mine Through The Persistence Of Time

Hello, True Believers!  Lifestyle changes are full of charge and gumption initially. Many off us who blog, tweet, and post, like to share successes only. I'm not like the rest; I fail often and I want you to know that you will too, because it's part of being human. It's all about getting back up and learning how to avoid repeating the same mistakes.This is a look into my last two weeks which I consider to be nutritionally the worst two weeks since I started.

Some times the crap hits the fan and you're tired, busy, stressed, and feel overloaded. Life piled up on me and I reverted back to junk food. Donuts came calling, a lot. I even got the pancakes with my omelette which I've not done in over a year. Garbage carbs ,or garbs as I call them, became a coping mechanism. After 14 months of grinding it out and being relatively well behaved I just felt tired.

Winters in these parts are dark. My city in general is a stark, dwindling metropolis near a lake that was once considered a dead body of water. Part of this slide was seasonal depression. Other factors that contributed were my inability to deal with an expensive traffic ticket, an elderly Mum who suffered a fall and is barely mobile, a contractual dispute with a business I've been involved with for seven years that resulted in me severing the relationship, gaining back all the weight I lost during a two week sugar and flour detox that ended with the flu- this was a 19 lb scale swing. During the two weeks this was going on I took my eye off the ball. Any semblance of steady as she goes went out the window along with a couple bucks in exchange for donuts at 24 hour drive-thru dealers. Donuts make me go nuts! My excuses are old but I tell them well!

The stress of not having cash to continue CrossFit training due to the fine of sliding through a red light in a snow storm sent me into a tizzy. I seemed to forget that I was the guy who drove two hours round trip for over three months to make my pool workouts. When the weather was nice I'd crash with friends if I reached out in a timely manner for a place to stay. There were several times where I'd have to work a closing shift one night then open the next morning. Gas money became extremely tight so if the weather was nice I'd pull into the Red Roof parking lot around the corner from my gym and sleep to avoid having to drive home. I'd hit the gym before sun up, shower, then open the next morning. I need to remember how badly I wanted this when I started and get back the passion for the process. I want to be in love with the process again. This is how we get back up!


I just reworked my budget, sold a few things, counted change and came up with enough money for another month of CrossFit membership AND a registration for The Warrior Dash in August! That's right, yours truly is going to run a 5k obstacle course! I'm also going to run it and raise funds for St. Jude's. Info on an official fundraising page will be forthcoming. In the meantime you can donate to the cause of helping me help St. Jude's! via paypal at revjim13@hotmail.com if you so desire. Please specify who you are so I can thank you appropriately. Again, I'll post the St. Jude's fundraiser page info as soon as I get it.

You can always follow my progress on the following FREE sites and applications. Here are links to my profiles, ADD ME!
MyFitnessPal is what I use for tracking nutrition.

Fitocracy is where I track my movements.

If you see me panting on the side of the road this spring and summer please feel free to honk your horn. If you see me at a donut drive-thru please feel free to punch me in the face.

Until next time keep moving forward, one step beyond!

J.W.

No Longer Too Fat To Be A Fan

As a fat kid I always dreamed of buying merch to support my favorite bands, artists, and pro wrestlers. Once I passed the 2xl mark in late grade school it became harder to find printed shorts and hoodies I liked. And by late grade school I mean 5th grade.

Once I started my own bands I could always print my own schwag custom but it sucked only having my own shirts. We always made sure to print 3xl and a couple 4xl shirts so our fans didn't get excluded. When we played with Clutch back in 1998 their drummer JP was even happy to get one of our shirts because barely anyone printed above 2xl and took them on the road. E-commerce was yet to boom so web ordering wasn't an option.

Catalog or specialty retail has been my only clothing option for years and buying huge clothes is expensive. When I'd order a pair of my biggest pants or shirt, size 66 waist and 7xl shirts, the packages cost a bit more to ship and would never fit in the lockable mailboxes in my building.

The times have changed! I went to a Misfits show recently and was able to buy a 2x shirt from their merch stand! This marks the first time I've been able to buy non local band merch at a show EVER.

Out of what was partially reward and partially a necessity I ordered a new hoodie from the WWE. Being a fan of C. M. Punk and of the TCB logo Elvis created I had to have the new Punk shirt. I ordered it and checked daily to see where the package was; this was in hopes I'd be home because prior packages were either left atop the mailbox or held for pick up of they were too big.

When I saw the package was delivered I immediately rushed home on hopes of getting my stuff before anyone else. When I didn't see the package on top of the box or in the lobby I panicked thinking someone walked with it.

When I turned the key to my mailbox I was happy to find my order inside. It didn't click until I actually tried it on that I was finally able to order multiple items besides socks that fit inside my mailbox!

The second NSV (non scale victory) this week came about when I was in a large chain store known for savings. Since I've haven't been able to shop off the rack since about 5th grade I never bothered to look at clothes outside of a big and tall specialty store.

I had to wait for a prescription I was picking up for my Mum so inspired by the NSV of the mailbox I decided to see what was going on in the men's clothing section. For the first time since i cant remember I was able to buy underwear at a regular store! And i was able to get twice as many pair for HALF the price of big and tall retail! I also found that I'm about a size away from buying jeans for far less money than I'm used to paying! More money for training and more free smiles to pass around for this guy. I'll need that training because Fat Tuesday lived up to its name this year. Yesterday was not a victory at all as far as my nutrition.

Until next time keep moving ever forward, one step beyond!

An Apology To My Body

Dear body,
I don't ever want to do what Private Pyle did to you this weekend again. The Super Bowl is no excuse for the fuel I provided you. My fear of success and attachment to loneliness is no excuse for the overindulgence. This morning I paid dearly for Private Pyle's sins by hurling during my WOD. garbage in, garbage out. Sugar now must be viewed as alcohol in my straight edge lifestyle. Here is a photo reminder of what started your bender. I love you and promise to do better.

For your health,
Jimmie