Greetings Gentle Reader:
Again sorry its been so long that I've been away, but with all of the social media out there sometimes I just forget about my blog - but no more.
Since the Election is almost over - GO VOTE - all of you - I can get back to writing and also talk about my struggle with my weight. As you might have heard, I'm getting married to a wonderful woman who loves me for who I am, not what I look like (how I found her, it's beyond me, but she's mine now). Didn't really worry about it, but there's nothing like a little kid telling you that you have a big butt, or your daughter asking will you always be fat to make you get to work on things. Getting married in 330 days from me writing this post. Have to get to my fighting weight by September 1 (really have to get there by July 15 (if I can get there, then I get to order myself a new tuxedo - woot) so I have to get on the stick, even though I have a bunch of obstacles in my way - Thanksgiving at my sisters, Christmas, New Year's bowl games, super bowl, Keeneland trip, bachelor party, etc... But I can do this
As of this afternoon, I weigh ___lbs and my goal weight is 225 lbs. just under 1 lb/day - Is it possible? sure. Is it plausable? not likely, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try. got a copy of P90X - check
no longer drinking pop - check
changing my diet - that's going to be the hard one. Being poor means you eat what's cheap. I will find a way to no longer be poor, and to eat better.
I want to be clear - I'm doing this for lots of reasons (for my fiancee, for my kids, for awesome wedding pictures) but the main reason is to get healthy. I want to be here for a long time; to see my kids graduate college and get married; to grow old. To just be.
I'll keep you posted on this, other things I need to fix, and the fun that is wedding planning.
Talk to you soon.
Marc
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
So many stories, so little time
Gentle Reader
So since my last post, I've managed to lose 12 lbs. Don't know how other than Weight Watchers, but I'll take it. If I could curtail my drinking I might even lose more. I fell off the wagon a little last weekend between a b-day party on Friday, Founders Day and more day drinking on Saturday and Restaurant week, but I still lost weight. Now I have to push that up and lose more weight.
Lent is coming tomorrow and I've not decided what I'm giving up. I think I'm going to give up all candy. That will help in so many ways. Or I should just work on doing one random act of kindness every day during lent. That Will help the world so much more.
Happy Founders Day to all of my Brothers in Phi Kappa Psi.
Lastly, Saturday was the anniversary of my Mother's passing. I didn't realize how much I missed her until this year. I can totally see her bouncing her grandchildren around and having fun with them. I see her every day in Olivia, when she's so smart.
I miss you mom.
So since my last post, I've managed to lose 12 lbs. Don't know how other than Weight Watchers, but I'll take it. If I could curtail my drinking I might even lose more. I fell off the wagon a little last weekend between a b-day party on Friday, Founders Day and more day drinking on Saturday and Restaurant week, but I still lost weight. Now I have to push that up and lose more weight.
Lent is coming tomorrow and I've not decided what I'm giving up. I think I'm going to give up all candy. That will help in so many ways. Or I should just work on doing one random act of kindness every day during lent. That Will help the world so much more.
Happy Founders Day to all of my Brothers in Phi Kappa Psi.
Lastly, Saturday was the anniversary of my Mother's passing. I didn't realize how much I missed her until this year. I can totally see her bouncing her grandchildren around and having fun with them. I see her every day in Olivia, when she's so smart.
I miss you mom.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
It's update time
Gentle Reader,
So since we last spoke, I'd talked about getting things ready for the next part of my plan. That started last night at the end of the super bowl. As the confetti fell down on the Giants, and Tom Brady's wife was getting him in trouble with his locker room, I went to my computer and...signed up for Weight Watchers.
Maybe it's Charles Barkley telling me how easy it can be, but I had to do something. I'd already been looking for something to jumpstart this other than exercise, and I thought this would be great. Eat what you want, just don't go over your daily/weekly point totals and you can lose weight. This is going to suck during Restaurant Week, but I'm going to do this.
Talk to you soon
Marc...
Monday, January 23, 2012
Raising the boy - raising the bar
Gentle Reader...
So last night I was having a conversation with my ex-wife (not to worry, we get along; our goal is to raise the best kids we can) where she told/asked me the following: "I don't know how to raise a boy...what do I do?"
I laughed, and told her firstly that WE have to raise a boy, and get him to manhood. I assured her that we would, along with help from all of the other grownups in his life. I then told her that we'll even turn him into a gentleman. We will give him manners, and refinement, and show him which fork to use and why he should get up from the table when a woman does.
I said something then, that I don't say often, but it rings with me all of the time. My parents used to say that my mom made me a man, but my father made me a gentleman. It was my mother who often yelled at me to stand up straight, to wash my face, to brush my teeth, brush my hair, and look presentable. It was she who would knock a hat or cap off of my head at the table (or anywhere indoors). It was she who would have popped me if my pants were sagging, or if I popped off at a grown up, because, contrary to popular opinion, men don't just pop off for no reason.
On the other hand, it was my Pop who ensured I was taught about style, and class, and gentlemanly behavior. He taught me about simple things that make a big difference, like why you should never wear a suit with unshined shoes, the wonders of the pocket square, and why buying quality versus quantity (and buying versus renting in the tuxedo market) is the way to go. He referred to it as the extra 10%. He got that from esquire magazine (I think, but i never saw him read that magazine ever) , but I use it all of the time.
Its that 10% that I will use to raise the boy. My goal isn't like my fathers - his was to make Mini-Me - but to raise a son, a young man, that will carry on the DUMAS name with all of the prestige and swagger it deserves. If I can do that, we'll be OK.
Before I sign off today, know that we also worry about our daughter as well. Just she seems like she's going to be fine and we're just here to ensure the train doesn't fall off of the track.
Talk soon.
Marc...
p.s - In a total pivot, Congrats to my Chapter at DePaul with their new 16 man pledge class for the winter. Considering at one time, those were the sizes of our fall classes, we've come a long way. High! High! High!
So last night I was having a conversation with my ex-wife (not to worry, we get along; our goal is to raise the best kids we can) where she told/asked me the following: "I don't know how to raise a boy...what do I do?"
I laughed, and told her firstly that WE have to raise a boy, and get him to manhood. I assured her that we would, along with help from all of the other grownups in his life. I then told her that we'll even turn him into a gentleman. We will give him manners, and refinement, and show him which fork to use and why he should get up from the table when a woman does.
I said something then, that I don't say often, but it rings with me all of the time. My parents used to say that my mom made me a man, but my father made me a gentleman. It was my mother who often yelled at me to stand up straight, to wash my face, to brush my teeth, brush my hair, and look presentable. It was she who would knock a hat or cap off of my head at the table (or anywhere indoors). It was she who would have popped me if my pants were sagging, or if I popped off at a grown up, because, contrary to popular opinion, men don't just pop off for no reason.
On the other hand, it was my Pop who ensured I was taught about style, and class, and gentlemanly behavior. He taught me about simple things that make a big difference, like why you should never wear a suit with unshined shoes, the wonders of the pocket square, and why buying quality versus quantity (and buying versus renting in the tuxedo market) is the way to go. He referred to it as the extra 10%. He got that from esquire magazine (I think, but i never saw him read that magazine ever) , but I use it all of the time.
Its that 10% that I will use to raise the boy. My goal isn't like my fathers - his was to make Mini-Me - but to raise a son, a young man, that will carry on the DUMAS name with all of the prestige and swagger it deserves. If I can do that, we'll be OK.
Before I sign off today, know that we also worry about our daughter as well. Just she seems like she's going to be fine and we're just here to ensure the train doesn't fall off of the track.
Talk soon.
Marc...
p.s - In a total pivot, Congrats to my Chapter at DePaul with their new 16 man pledge class for the winter. Considering at one time, those were the sizes of our fall classes, we've come a long way. High! High! High!
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Inspector, Dr. King and me...
Gentle Reader,
So, yesterday was the anniversary of my Pop's passing. He left us in 1994, when I was all of 22. He was a contemporary of Dr. King; i'm not saying they were buddies or even knew each other (even though they had met) but they were both doing what they could for equal rights for all at the same time, just in different ways. If not for the things they were doing, from marching to filing suits against the unjust, to taking beatings at the hands of those who were sworn to protect them, I would be a very different person than I am today.
If Dr. King doesn't push for the Civl Rights Act and the Voting Rights act, then Mr and Mrs Loving don't decide to get married and then get arrested and then have the temerity to sue the state of Virginia and take that all the way to the Supreme Court. If that doesn't happen, I can't go and marry a girl from Wisconsin who is as white as snow and have the 2 prettiest children you have ever seen (that's not the proud dad in me talking, TJ does have the greatest head of hair in America, and no one is cuter than my Opie, just ask her...)
If the Inspector, and my mother, doesn't decide that he's always going to show his son what it means to be not just a man, but a gentleman, then I wouldn't ever be able to be the fraternity man that I am. I wouldn't be able to start to show my children how to be a parent. I wouldn't know what to do to have any type of success in this world, but thanks to the Inspector, I do.
Thanks to them both. I know they are watching down on me and I hope they are happy with what they see, not just from me, but from all of us.
I miss you, Pop. Kiss Mom for me
Marc...
Friday, January 13, 2012
Fighting frustrations - 60 days to a new me
Gentle Reader,
There is nothing like a string of bad luck to make you realize that certain things frustrate you easily. In my case it's 3 major things all coming together as the perfect storm of yuck! My weight loss, my car, and my job. As I look at them right now, all of them are sucking and driving me to the point of losing it. For those of you that know me, you know I'm pretty calm and collected; striving not to raise my voice and yell unless necessary. But KD is trying to tell me that maybe I need a release valve, maybe I need to get angry more and "stand up for myself." So this is my start...
When it comes to the first week of weight loss, I've been pretty good. I've eaten breakfast everyday, I've been sensible about what I'm eating for lunch (no fast food, Yippee), I've been eating good dinners (thanks, KD for the pork chops and spinach) and I've been exercising (well, I've been walking to and from the L/commuting for work, but it's more than I was doing before so its a start. But its a struggle. I'm frustrated that I can't live on Gummy Bears, I'm frustrated that I can't drink more beer, and I'm frustrated with being fat.
I have to do something about it. It's not enough to just talk about it, I have to take action. Over the next 60 days, I'm going to figure out what exercise is going to take me to the next step in my journey. It might be boxing, it might be muay thai, it might be wrestling, it might be rowing, I have no idea yet, but its gonna be something.
Then there is my car. It must have been made under a bad sign or something, because since June, if it can go wrong it has. Let's review
Massive hail damage, including broken front and rear windshields
Brakes fail while on the road
blow out a tire
have a spin out on major expressway (hit the wall of the Dan Ryan)
bent a wheel
broke a tie rod and assembly
But, with the car, I have to look at the bright side. I have to thank God for Brothers like Mike Burrell and his wife, who loaned me the car when I didn't have a car to get to work and then sold it to me. I'm eternally grateful and he's shown me exactly what Brotherhood and membership in our Strong Band really means.
But I'm just frustrated. I hate taking the train (check that, a bus, a train, and then a drive or 2 more buses if my buddy/work wife couldn't pick me up) and I hate not being able to get what I need, when I need it. I hate not being able to see my gf after work since by the time I get home and try to get to her on the other side of the city, i'd have to turn around right when I get there. I talk to her everyday, but I miss her.
On this over the next 60 days, i'm going to have the car fixed and ready to go. I'm saving to get a newer vechicle and i'm planning to make that happen by the end of the year
I'm not going to get into my job other than to say I'm angry and frsutrated and I'm going to take steps to make changes so I'm not worried about my next meal or if I can pay a bill. Watch out world.
See ya soon
There is nothing like a string of bad luck to make you realize that certain things frustrate you easily. In my case it's 3 major things all coming together as the perfect storm of yuck! My weight loss, my car, and my job. As I look at them right now, all of them are sucking and driving me to the point of losing it. For those of you that know me, you know I'm pretty calm and collected; striving not to raise my voice and yell unless necessary. But KD is trying to tell me that maybe I need a release valve, maybe I need to get angry more and "stand up for myself." So this is my start...
When it comes to the first week of weight loss, I've been pretty good. I've eaten breakfast everyday, I've been sensible about what I'm eating for lunch (no fast food, Yippee), I've been eating good dinners (thanks, KD for the pork chops and spinach) and I've been exercising (well, I've been walking to and from the L/commuting for work, but it's more than I was doing before so its a start. But its a struggle. I'm frustrated that I can't live on Gummy Bears, I'm frustrated that I can't drink more beer, and I'm frustrated with being fat.
I have to do something about it. It's not enough to just talk about it, I have to take action. Over the next 60 days, I'm going to figure out what exercise is going to take me to the next step in my journey. It might be boxing, it might be muay thai, it might be wrestling, it might be rowing, I have no idea yet, but its gonna be something.
Then there is my car. It must have been made under a bad sign or something, because since June, if it can go wrong it has. Let's review
Massive hail damage, including broken front and rear windshields
Brakes fail while on the road
blow out a tire
have a spin out on major expressway (hit the wall of the Dan Ryan)
bent a wheel
broke a tie rod and assembly
But, with the car, I have to look at the bright side. I have to thank God for Brothers like Mike Burrell and his wife, who loaned me the car when I didn't have a car to get to work and then sold it to me. I'm eternally grateful and he's shown me exactly what Brotherhood and membership in our Strong Band really means.
But I'm just frustrated. I hate taking the train (check that, a bus, a train, and then a drive or 2 more buses if my buddy/work wife couldn't pick me up) and I hate not being able to get what I need, when I need it. I hate not being able to see my gf after work since by the time I get home and try to get to her on the other side of the city, i'd have to turn around right when I get there. I talk to her everyday, but I miss her.
On this over the next 60 days, i'm going to have the car fixed and ready to go. I'm saving to get a newer vechicle and i'm planning to make that happen by the end of the year
I'm not going to get into my job other than to say I'm angry and frsutrated and I'm going to take steps to make changes so I'm not worried about my next meal or if I can pay a bill. Watch out world.
See ya soon
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Back on the blog - Phat Guy for Phi Psi!
Gentle Reader -
Sorry that I have been gone for so long. The world has been changing around me every day. One of my resolutions this 2012 is to write more...both about me and about things that make me who I am.
I've really decided to work on my weight. For those in the know, the name of this blog comes from the fact that, at one time, I was "One biscuit shy" of weighing in at 400lbs. Not good at all. Well, at least we're not there any more, but we still have a long way to go. I'm committed to losing the weight. I've started eating healthier, I've started to wean my self off of pop (or soda for your Easterners) and no more fast food (Opie isn't going to like that one). I'm starting weight watchers again, too. I've run in my first 5K (OK, let;s be real, "run" isn't honest - I finished and I shuffled, but I didn't run) where i dressed like Santa and I'm committed to running in a 1/2 marathon by the end of the year - training starts soon. Any and all help people want to give me (both positive and negative) is welcome. When I run that, I'm going to raise money for my fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, specifically for the 2 chapters that I advise in Chicago. - More details to follow on that.
I'll be writing at least once a week about things that cross my radar, if not more if it warrants it.
See ya soon
Marc...
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