Yesterday I went on a hike to Stone Mountain with a friend from work. For those of you that have been reading my blog all year, you know how much I enjoy outdoor activities. I’ve been very motivated for the past week, this deal with my girlfriend has really helped me. I knew I needed a moral boost while she was away on vacation, and this seems to be doing the trick. I weight in today and I’m down to 124.6 pounds. I’m half way there right at the half way point! As long as I keep this up I will be able to lose the 10 pounds in 2 weeks.
I really believe that this has been the push I needed to restart my weight loss plans. It has motivated my to get back out and be active. I’ve rollerbladed frequently for the past week, and have been on a few hikes. If I keep this up I’ll be thin for my family reunion at the end of July. The hike today was pretty spectacular. I knew Stone Mountain was a lot of rocks, but I didn’t realize we would basically be hiking up one big rock.
As we got higher up the mountain there was an amazing view of Atlanta. It is so different to look at the city from this perspective; it is a stark remind of how small we all are. As we got higher and higher the wind really picked up. By the time we reached the top of the mountain we were having difficulty walking. I felt like if I jumped in the air I would be blown off the mountain.
After living in the Atlanta area for a year and a half I’ve finally made it to stone mountain for a hike. I’m very proud of myself, and can’t wait to go back. Maybe when my mother comes to visit in June I’ll take her to see it.
The weather here in Georgia was beautiful this Sunday so I decided a hike was in order to celebrate the clear skies and warm temperature. I flipped through the pages of my hiking book titled 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Atlanta and found some information on the Oxbo Trail in my town of Roswell. This 1.9 mile hike seemed like the perfect way to start the day with some exercise.
The parking area was easy to find, located right off of Route 9. The entrance to the hiking path was slightly less clear. After parking, the first path I notice was actually more of a driveway than a hiking trail. I followed that up a hill and to another road. Right across the street was a mini-park with a monument in it. This was a memorial to the 400 mill workers who were deported during the civil war for invading the federal forces.
A Civil War Monument
After spending a few minutes reading the monument, and pondering the correct location of the hiking trail, I decided to head back down the hill to the parking lot. Once I made it back to the parking lot the real trail was much more clear. Instead of going up the hill I should have gone the other direction. This time the path took me around a bend and onto a gravel walkway. This path looked to be ideal for joggers, bikers, and walkers.
I walked along a stream for about two miles when I found a surprise my hiking book didn’t mention; there was a waterfall and the end of this trail. Right where the Oxbo Trail met with the Vickery Creek trail was what looked to be an old dam. The resulting waterfall was beautiful, so of course I stayed for a while and listened to the rumble of of the water and took a few pictures.
The waterfall on Oxbo Trail
The hike back was as relaxing as the hike in. This path was an out-and-back style trail, so there was no loop to walk around. There were a few small animals along the way; squirrels and birds mostly. I used this hike, along with the nice weather to motivate myself to start losing weight again. I made a deal with my girlfriend to encourage me to lose weight; if I could lose 10 pounds by the time she makes it back from her Florida vacation she would make a picture compilation with images that motivate me.
So the challenge is on, I have until May 20th to lose 10 pounds. Hopefully this will force me into a pattern of exercise and healthy eating again. I had taken a break from weight loss for the winter and just maintained my weight, but I’m ready to start burning the fat again!
I did an excellent job losing weight for for eight months, however since November I feel like I’ve reached a weight loss plateau. From April to November of last year I went from almost 330 pounds, down to 230 pounds. However since winter started I’ve found it more and more difficult to get outside and lose weight. With the start of my new relationship last month I feel more content with my current weight. At least I don’t feel the urge to get outside every day and exercise.
Lately I’ve also started to eat a little more unhealthy; I’ve made a few too many trips to The Cheesecake Factory, and but at the same time I’m not gaining so I’m not doing too bad. Instead of going out to the unhealthy places all of the time, my girlfriend and I have been frequenting Subway. My favorite sub is a vegie delight on Honey Oat with Honey Mustard sauce. It is only around 250 calories for a 6″ sub.
I’m looking forward to the spring like I do every year. It is always so nice to see the flowers start to bloom, and the leaves to come out on the trees. The leaves are really my favorite part, the way my apartment is situated I have a nice view of the Chattahoochee River when the trees are bare. However, when the leaves start to come out int he spring my apartment feels so much more secluded. I can barely make out the cars from the road, and it reminds me of camping when I sit out on my patio.
In recent weeks I’ve heard a lot of buzz about pills like the Alli weight loss pill. According to the manufacturer this pill this pill makes it easier to lose weight because it reduces the absorption of fat into your body. Since fat has twice the calories of protein, if you focus on a low calorie diet you can dramatically reduce the number of calories you intake by using this pill.
Even with this supposed magic weight loss cure, I’m not convinced that this is ever something I’d try. I have never used pills to lose weight or stay in shape. I take a multi vitamin (when I can remember), and occasionally eat a protein bar after a work out. This has worked just fine for me since I started losing weight back in April, however with the winter upon us I’ve found it increasingly difficult to lose weight. I’ve been stuck at around 230 lbs for well over a month now and I’m ready to take off the weight.
I know it is gross to talk about, but I have looked into some of the side effects. Since the fat isn’t properly digested this results in it coming out less digested in the end. From what I’ve read the side effects can include:
Gas with an oily discharge
Diarrhea
More frequent bowel movements
Hard-to-control bowel movements
This sounds unappealing to me, but then again everything has a number of side effects. I wish I knew the chance of getting these things. It could be near 100% since maybe this is just how the pill works. For now I’m going to stick to my weight loss the good old fashioned way, by eating less and exercising more. Even if I just maintain my wight over the winter I know there will be an opportunity to lose weight again in the spring.
