And it begins anew ... meet Operation 15

Losing weight is tough business. Keeping it off is tougher.

Life has a way of beating you down and most times it comes when you least expect it. Stress at work, stress in life and just general bad mojo led to me being a little lazy. Ok, a lot lazy.

I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and weigh 200 pounds. I am most unhappy about this. Mostly I am because I feel I've failed in a way, but then again I know we're all human and we can't always maintain things easily.

This is why I will be doing an Operation 15 starting on Wednesday, Dec. 1 and ending January 31. That's two months to shed 15 pounds and I have no doubts I can do it, just like I did with Operation 40, which I lost 62 pounds on from Nov. 2009-April 2010. For that I am still proud because I'm in a better place despite going up to 200 from 185.

A lot of the weight came when I added friend foods again. I also was lax on portion sizes. The list goes on, but I'm going to get more control.

I do think eating a good, fattening meal now and then can be good for you, if only to let your brain know you aren't neglecting yourself too much :) Seriously, I know I can gain control again and hopefully this time keep it off.

So here I go. Time to exercise and watch what I eat. And all of you are along for the ride.

Jumped on the scale and what did I see? .....

It has been more than two months since I officially "ended" Operation 40 and started the new phase.

My eating habits haven't changed a great deal, mainly due to my lack of funds in the old budget to buy the "real good" stuff. I have had french fries here and there and have upped my portion sizes on occasion, but I figured it wasn't a big deal and recent results have proved the point. But, what I haven't done since April 30 is jump on the scale.

So on Thursday, July 8 I did just that. And much to my surprise I had lost another 6.6 pounds. My current weight is 183.

Since my last visit to the doctor (and another one is coming soon) I have lost 62 pounds (53 since Nov. 1). I'm becoming a new man and this newer, sleeker Milner body model is growing on me.

This calls for a celebratory milkshake!

It's been long enough - welcome to Operation 40 Phase 2.0

Phase 2 will commence on May 20.

What's Phase 2 you ask? Well, it's the next step in my evolution. Plus I need to work off some excess energy that has been building up so why the heck not, ya know?

This phase is the toning and muscle building stage. I've notice places on my body that once were quite in shape that have since gone, well, a little astray. It's not major, but I know I can tone up and strengthen my legs, butt, shoulders and tummy, just to name a few.

This plan is going to be fairly haphazard. It will be what works into my schedule. It will be dependent on what exercises I can do at a given time.

I'll do some Wii Fit strength exercises. I also have a condensed 15 to 20-minute routine where I do a variety of simple exercises such as wall pushups, stretching, leg lifts, knee lifts and hip thrusts.

There also will be plenty of shadow boxing. There's nothing like getting the blood flowing with a little boxing.

Again, there will be more as I go. I will weigh-in to see where I'm at and make a "goal" based on that information.

This isn't about losing weight. I expect to gain some in muscle, which will be good. I'll detail more soon, just wanted to get this out there as a starting point.

The "final" tally

I started this with a simple goal of losing 40 pounds six months ago and here I am at the "end" of Operation 40.

The tale of the scale on Friday, April 30 was I gained two pounds. My "final" weight is 189.

The total in the Operation 40 program was 47 pounds. The total since I last saw my doc in about late-September was 56 whopping pounds :)

I look at the last few weeks of Operation 40 as a positive. I had two weeks of gaining, one negligible week and a four-pound loss. The easier way to look at it is I am two pounds lighter now than I was 17 days ago.

This is a good thing and was kind of what I was going for, as I wanted to try and maintain my weight. Also, 189 is a good starting point for Phase 2, which I will start in about two weeks. This way I can work hard to tone and shape muscles while losing some more weight.

The muscle mass will bring me back up a bit and I figure I can be around 180-185 when it's all done.

I am more than pleased with how this turned out. I'd like to thank all those who supported me and all those who will continue to support me. It's been a fun journey, but it's not over yet!

Nearing "completion"

I weighed in a few days ago. Work has been busy and hasn't allowed to post, but what can ya do?

Anyways, the result was negligent. I didn't gain or lose any measurable weight. This leaves me at losing 49 for Operation 40 and now sitting at 187.

I have one day left until the next phase begins. I have a business trip next week so i think I may start it in a few weeks.

In any case, I'll keep you updated.

10 days to go

Six months doesn't seem like a long time, but when you embark on a quest such as mine it can seem like an eternity.

There are 10 days remaining in Operation 40. It's been a fun journey, has taught me many lessons and was a success. And, of course, it's not over yet.

I will go deeper into all that I felt, did and accomplished when this is officially over. However, I use the word "over" loosely, as this change in lifestyle will continue on in various forms. Plus, the toning aspect of the plan will be detailed on this blog as well.

But, the best part about Operation 40 has been the compliments. I get them all the time, from men and women. It's nice and I get to tell the story of how much I've lost and how I have accomplished my goal.

All of them have been positive. I've received only one "are you sick?" To that, I replied "No, I'm doing it on purpose."

Here's to a good 10 days.

Back on track

Last week's little setback (though the pizza = OMG) was followed by a successful weigh-in on Sunday, April 18.

I lost four pounds and am now at 187 with less than two weeks to go in Operation 40. For those keeping score, that's 49 since I started in November.

My new goal weight of 185 should be no problem. Then it is on to the task of toning and figuring out the balance to maintain my weight.

That, my friends, will be difficult. I know I can do it, but it will take some hard work. But it will be nice to eat larger portions again, while not going overboard, of course.

A minor setback

I am human, after all.

I gained two pounds over the past nine days. I am now back up to 191. I blame this on having pizza and also little to no exercise, so it's all on me.

However, this is the first time I have gained any weight during Operation 40. Part of it is due to me upping my calorie intake, and it will simply just take time to find the right balance.

In the past I was able to maintain my weight but not lose it. I know I can do the same now.

I still have a few weeks left in Operation 40. Let's see if I can hit 185.

Another day, another dollar, or pounds as it were

Friday came and went. What's funny is I thought it was Saturday, but that's beside the point.

Anyhow, the scale weighed my wonderful self and told me I had lost two more pounds. That's 47 down with less than a month to go in the first phase known as Operation 40. My new goal weight of 185 is now four pounds away.

I have started to add more calories into my diet. Some of the ways I'm doing so is by eating a larger bowl of cereal or having a larger portion here or there. I was drastic with my calorie counts and can start bringing them back slowly.

Go me!

The changes in me

I wouldn't call myself a vain person, but part of losing weight is about vanity. Dieting, or in my case, changing habits and changing the way I am was all about me and how I feel.

That's not to say the rest of the world doesn't mater, because it does, but if I am not happy with myself or the way I am living than no one else around me can be the same. So, in a way this has been a trip in vanity. After all, I wanted to look different and have a different attitude.

And boy do I ever.

Here are some changes I have noticed in myself. It may not be all-inclusive, but there's always another post or two for that down the road.

"The Remote Shelf"

There has been one glaring image stuck in my head as to why I started Operation 40. There was a time when I could lounge on the couch and place the remote control in the place between my chest and the start of my stomach. I started calling it my "Remote Shelf"

Well, the "Remote Shelf" is officially gone. Now I have to hold the remote in conventional ways, lol. I guess I can still lay it on my tummy, but you get the idea.

Wastin' away again in Milnerville!

I made the latest weigh-in a bit later. I stepped on the scales on Saturday and BAM!

No, I didn't break the scale, sillies. I lost 5 more pounds. That makes me down 45 pounds and now 191. My new "goal" is 185 by the official end of Operation 40. I may surpass even that.

I admit, that the cutting the calories way down has been good, but I need to start adding them back, slowly. I can't keep losing weight forever, and need to find a balance.

I also splurged on Friday and had four pieces of real pizza. OMG, it was great. I felt kinda guilty, though. But when I stepped on the scale I felt better.

Granted, pizza will remain a once in a while thing, but it shows me that I have worked hard and can reward myself from time to time. Some of you may think the pizza was cheating, and to some extent you are right. But, I don't think it was too bad.

SUCCESS!!!!!!

I gave myself until April 30 to lose 40 pounds. It was a reasonable goal and more than attainable.

Well, as of March 16 I am 196 pounds and have reached the goal! Actually I'm a few ounces below 196 as of the weigh-in, but still the goal has been met and I will continue until April 30 to see where it takes me. Then it is on to toning and losing a bit more.

This journey hasn't been easy. It was difficult to change things early on and I still have times when I need support to pull through. However, it has been a great change for me. I feel good, I look better and have more energy.

Thanks to all who have supported me and thanks to all those who will support me in the future.

Oh, and I started exercising again yesterday. It took a little nudge but I did 35 minutes of cardio and it was just like riding a bike.

On the path ...

I weighed in a bit earlier, this time on a Monday (March 8). It was only five days since my last check-in, but I still had decent results.

I lost one more pound for a total of 38 since I started. I am now 196 and two pounds away from the goal.

This was good news. More came on Thursday, but that has nothing to do with my weight loss.

I am on the path and this marks another weigh-in where I lost weight and didn't gain anything. Life is good.

This magic moment ....

..... It was about 10 years ago. I say 10 years because it's a round number. It might actually be a few more, but still 10 years is a long time.

I weighed myself on Wednesday, March 3. I lost a little over one pound. That leaves me at 199 and three pounds away from the goal.

Why is this significant? Well, it has been 10 years since I have been under 200 pounds. This is a huge accomplishment for me and one i am quite proud of.

I intend to stay this way. So goodbye 200-plus pounds. It's been nice knowing you.

Closing in on the goal

Little by little I am shrinking, and that's a good thing. Well, shrinking in some ways, but I won't get into that here, though I could. Anyhow, the latest weigh-in was Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Again I managed to NOT gain weight. I dropped two more pounds. This places me at a cool 200 pounds and down 36 from when I started Operation 40 nearly four months ago. I can smell the goal and it's like a nice Papa John's pizza. I only am using that as a metaphor, people :)

I figure I will hit the mark within two weeks. At that point I will keep going and see how much I lose by the end of April. Then I plan on starting another six-month trek to toning my muscles, but more on that later.

I'm getting my boyish figure back

I dived (yes, that is the correct useage, lol) into my closet last weekend to see what I could see. What I saw were smaller pairs of pants, some 40-inch waist and another 38-incher.

For a while I had been in 44s, and some dress pants I believe were up to 46. I was typically in 36s while growing up.

Well, I tried the 40s and they fit nicely, but I knew I'd still need a belt. Then came the 38s and boom, they fit, too, with me still needing a belt. They were a bit more snug and I figure I am in between a 36 and a 38, or in other words a 37, which you can't find.

This is spectacular news. In time I can get rid of the big pants and buy new ones. For now, under my budget, the bigger pants work just fine.

Now to squeeze into that thong. Just kidding!

Another weigh-in and still successful

Another Tuesday rolled by so it was time to strip down and weigh. Oh stop, you think I'd weigh in with a ton of clothes on? I wear boxers for crying out loud :).

The latest weigh-in wasn't as successful as last week's but still good. I continued my streak of losing weight each time and dropped just more than a pound. This brings me down to 34 pounds shed with six more to go to make the goal.

What's even better is I'm 202. I'll be below 200 really soon. That means it's party time. Well, as much of a party as I can have. Maybe some pudding. Ha Ha.

Weigh-in 13 (a little late)

A lot has happened the past week, though on the good side. I have been so busy that I haven't had time to update the last weigh-in. I know, I know. Shoot me!

The latest weigh-in was on Feb. 9. I lost another 4 pounds. That brings me down to a wafer thin (haha, not quite) 203 pounds.

I have lost a total of 33 under Operation 40. I've also lost around 42 since the last time I visited the doctor in late-September.

Still no exercise, but I have the drive back :) There are obvious reasons for this, but I won't go into them here.

Think it's time to get back on the exercise horse

In the interest of being honest and to better give you an idea why I haven't been exercising I'll give you a quick piece of info. I am getting a divorce, and that's all I will go into here. If you know me on Twitter you know the whole story.

That is a large reason why I have lacked the energy or motivation to exercise. It's not that I didn't want to, just well, I didn't feel up to it. You see, a divorce is never fun and there is a wide range of stuff that floats into your head. A lot of it just makes being lazy feel like the answer to get over things.

But, I feel the urge creeping in. That, and I need to start toning again because I'm experiencing some adverse effects on my legs and hip area.

The problem is since I am losing weight, the elasticity in my stomach, hips and butt is lessened. Therefore, the fat still there is drooping some. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not dragging the floor, but gravity is doing its job so there is more pressure on that area, and especially on my buttbone.

Halfway done and so close

Tuesday came and I decided I needed to jump on the scale. The last week went without exercise, as I am still dealing with personal stuff and lack the drive.

But the eating plan has continued. So, I jumped on and found out I had lost two more pounds. This puts me at 29 down three months into Operation 40. I have 11 pounds to go to meet my goal and I figure when the exercise starts again I could reach the mark in about 6 weeks or less.

Here I sit, weighing 207 pounds and I feel great. I'll feel even better when exercise starts again. Lord I need that kick in the ass!

Fighting temptation

The key to this whole quest was staying on track. There could be no wavering or else this wouldn't work. It was easier said than done, though I must say I have not cheated on the program.

Some people think it's too difficult to cut out the things you love. That really isn't a problem for me. Long ago, when I was diagnose with diabetes, I knew my lifestyle had to change or else I would be in trouble.

Of course, this meant the basics, no more sugary drinks, eating two meals a day, taking my meds, etc. My weight wasn't an issue for me until this year and even then I wouldn't say it was a major issue. It was just something I needed to get ahold of and the time was right to do so.

To this point, cutting out all the foods I loved, real pizza, burgers, fries, desserts, was what I had to do to be successful. The first couple weeks it was really difficult, as it always seemed that I saw a pizza commercial like every five seconds on TV or would drive by Sonic all the time.

Eventually this feeling went away to some extent. I still long for a tasty pizza, but I realize that if I cheat I can slide back to where I was. I don't want that to happen.

Weigh-in 11 ...

Well hmm I may be hitting the wall. Or I may need to start exercising again. I am thinking it's a bit of both.

The 11th weigh-in was Sunday, January 24, and while I didn't gain any weight I lost a negligible amount of about .3 pounds. That leaves me stuck at 27 pounds, which is still a good number for now.

I need to get my ass in gear and start exercising.

10 weigh-ins down

I still haven't found the motivation to exercise. However, I did weigh-in on Friday, Jan. 15.

The verdict: down 3 more pounds.

That means I am down 27 pounds and now at 209. At this pace I will be under 200 pounds in less than a month. Excuse me, it is now officially happy dance time.

OK, maybe not. But it will happen when I hit my goal. Only 13 pounds to go.

I am a weight loss god. Take that Nutrisystem. Ha ha.

I am a Lean Cuisine junkie

There was a time when "health" food was tasteless, drab, boring and downright depressing. So, you can imagine my hesitance to try Lean Cuisine, but I gotta tell ya, I love the stuff.

I had it on good authority that I would like them, and you know who you are :). Everything I have tried, from pizza, to pasta to paninis have been tasty and filling. And what's even better is they are cheaper than eating at Sonic AND low in calories.

That, my friends, is what they call a win-win.

So next time you see me in the grocery store I'm probably in the frozen food aisle pondering all the choices. Stop by and say hi. We can break panini bread together :)

Weigh-in No. 9

Like I said in the previous post, exercise has gone out the window for now. I can't muster the energy with everything that is going on.

I did manage to make sure to hold weigh-in No. 9 last week on Jan. 6. This was a lot like the last one in 2009, as I was worried that the lack of exercise would have an impact.

Instead, I lost close to 4.5 pounds. My total lost is now 24 pounds since Nov. 1 (now 212). This marks the ninth weigh-in where i have not gained any weight. That, as they say, counts as success.

Lot going on, but still on track

I have recently had some personal issues crop up, which have caused me to slow Operation 40. Those who follow me on Twitter @BradMilner know the details.

I have had little motivation to exercise, but I am keeping up with the good eating habits. That's important as i move forward. It will be even better once I get my motivation back.

Thanks to all for the support.