Blogs > Lighten Up with Keith

40-year-old Keith Hockman has survived a rare brain illness, and now he's marching into battle with his weight. The Madison resident wants to show his children how to get control of your life and live healthier.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thursday 3/31

OK, I have decided to stop checking my weight everyday. I really think that it is a deterrent. I know that ones weight will fluctuate from day to day, but it is really depressing to see it some times. So, that's it, the scale is going away.
 
I will still follow my diet and get my exercises in everyday. I know what has to be done, I just don't need to check my weight so much. Anyways, today was really tough on the diet front. I just seemed to be hungrier than normal. I know that it is mind over matter, but my stomach was crying for attention.
 
I kept my cool and didn't over eat. It wasn't easy though. I did cheat on my salad tonight when I put the dressing directly on it. What the heck, sometimes you gotta live on the edge, right? Other than that, it's all good. I am still in good spirits and I am keeping my good attitude. I will talk to you all later.
 
Keith

Monday, March 28, 2011

Monday 3/28

It was good to see everyone Saturday. It is amazing how complete strangers can come together and begin to form a bond. Our group is about as diverse as it could be. We are from all walks of life, yet we are becoming closer every time we see each other. I am not sure how many other people are reading our blog, but you can guarantee that we are reading each others.
 
That fact alone will make us friends for life. We are all getting a sneak peak into what makes the other person tick. It takes some friendships years to accomplish that. I personally feel lucky to have met you all. I look forward to standing with everyone at the end of this contest. There is no doubt that we will all be healthier, not to mention lighter.
 
That being said, I must say "thank you" to Karin for the encouragement this month. I really struggled for most of the month until Karin wrote some kind words of encouragement. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to give me a proverbial kick in the rear. Thanks to you I found the motivation I needed to salvage the month with an 8 pound loss. It wasn't as much as I wanted to lose, but it was better than gaining.
 
Just remember, we can all do this. If one of us are down, everyone help pick them up. If we all work together, maybe we can lose the equivalent of a small car or something! I'll talk to you all later. Stay strong.
 
Keith

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Wednesday 3/23

Today was a long day for some reason. I guess it was the weather that made it seem unbearable. The dampness makes me realize how old I am. It is amazing how many aches and pains moisture can bring.
 
I know, I am only forty. The truth is that I broke to many things when I was younger and I am paying for it now. OK, enough complaining. Like I have stated earlier this week, I had a rough month for some reason. I have to re-think my strategy for next month.
 
I know where I made my mistakes and I know what I have to do to make up for it. I have to remember that I am in a weight loss competition, not a body building competition. With that in mind, I will change gears for the month of April.
 
With a little luck, I will be able to get back into the game. It's time for this old man to get moving. Any encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I will talk to you all later.
 
Keith

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tuesday 3/22

Wow, here comes the weigh in. It has not been a good month for me. In fact, I am not sure if I am going to have a loss or not this month. If I make it through without gaining, then I will be alright.
 
I just hope I don't fall to far behind. I just have to up the game a little bit next month. I know what to do, so I better get to it. I am really happy that my girls got involved this month. That is one thing that I did accomplish. Oh well, see you all soon. Talk to you later.
 
Keith

Thursday, March 17, 2011

St. Patty's Day

Well, the usual festivities for this day include green beer and corned beef. I am staying away from the beer but I did have a little bit of corned beef. I restrained from eating too much. I have been sticking to my diet for the most part this month but with little success. It is hard to believe that I have hit a plateau this early but it seems to be the case. The good news is that I have not gained.
 
My girls are still hanging in there on the walks. They are complaining about the sit-ups that I have been making them do though. Yes, I am doing them too. It looks like I am going to have to concentrate on the percentage more than the pounds. The weight loss is much slower this time around so I must tighten-up my body as much as I can.
 
Baby steps, right? As long as I have some loss this month, I will be happy. Gaining weight is not an option. Once I get through this lull if you will, I will be fine. I just hope that I don't fall to far behind in the process. Wish me luck. Talk to you all later.
 
Keith

Monday, March 14, 2011

Monday 3/14

Today was a good day. I have been walking outside the past two days since the snow has finally went for a while. I actually had company today. My two girls joined the old man on his two mile walk. It is becoming contagious. I told them that they have to get into shape for fast pitch softball so they decided to start exercising with me. They made it the whole way without stopping, I couldn't believe it. I had them do 50 sit-ups after the walk too. They did great for the first time. I like having company on the walk. I don't really know how I am doing weight wise because I am trying to avoid the scale. This month has been rough so far to say the least. I hope I can reel it back in the next two weeks. I am trying as hard as I can. That's it for today. I will talk to you soon.
 
Keith

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thursday the 10th

OK, I am in a better mood today. I feel a little bit better but still slightly worn down. My focus is coming back slowly but surely. I guess it is a good thing that this contest isn't a sprint. I have to keep reminding myself of that.
 
I think from now on I am going to find at least one positive thing to focus on. Tonight, I conquered the pizza monster. This one was tough and has been an arch enemy for a long time. It is like I stated in the beginning, portion control.
 
I only had two small pieces and for me that is a huge accomplishment. Pizza has been the main thing that I have been cheating with. I know that it is lame, but I am excited about this.
 
OK, that was one positive thing for the day. I could probably name some more, but I am really tired tonight. The treadmill did a number on me after work. I did stay on it longer today than any other time so far. Positive things all around!
 
OK everyone, I will talk to you all later. Have a nice night.
 
Keith

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Slow Start

This month is starting off slow for me. I have had a hard time sticking to my diet for some reason. I really need to get my motivation back.
 
Any suggestions??? I am not feeling very well right now, I guess that has something to do with it. I just need to get back on the treadmill and get back to work. If I keep messing around, I am going to fall way behind in this competition.
 
Not much else to say today. I will talk to you all tomorrow.
 
Keith

Friday, March 4, 2011

Another Weekend.....

Here it comes, the dreaded weekend. I do so well all week long just to mess it up at the end of the week. I already slipped a little bit tonight with pizza. I guess I just have to work out harder tomorrow. Oh well, not to much to report today. I wonder if it would help if I worked seven days a week??? Hmmmmmmmmm.... I will talk to you all later.
 
Keith

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Wednesday Already??

Wow, this week is flying by. I am finally getting settled in my routine. I have enlisted some more pressure if you will by joining the weight loss challenge where I work. They weigh in every two weeks so it really keeps the pressure on me.
 
I found that it was easy to get laxed in the middle of the month. Last month was the perfect example. I started thinking, "I have another couple weeks, I'll be fine". Then hello, it was time to weigh in. At least weighing in at work every two weeks will keep me honest.
 
I just finished two miles on the treadmill and for the first time, it seemed a little easier. I think that means that I have to step it up a notch. No pain, no gain, or loss in our case. OK everyone, I have to put the kids to bed so I better get going. I will talk to you soon.
 
Keith