revjim.net

December, 2008:

Fitness: Week 2

Dec 22nd, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
No comments yet

After one week, here is my progress.

Weight Loss Trend
Goal: 1.5lbs per week
Lost Total: 1.7lbs trend / 3.8 actual
Lost Weekly: 0.2lbs trend / 2.0 actual
To Goal: 35.4lbs (39.2 total)
[KINDA MET]
(I am there in actual pounds lost, but the trend has yet to catch up)

5k Training
Goal: 3 days per week
Thursday, Sunday, Monday (late start due to ice)
Current Time: 3.28km in 30 minutes
[GOAL MET]

No Food After 8pm
[changed the goal to 8pm to be more reasonable]
Goal: 5 days per week
I didn’t mark which days, but I can think of only two where I failed this, so, I’ll call it met for this week.
[GOAL MET] – I think

Fitness Ladder
Goal: 1 Rung per week.
Rung 3
[GOAL MET]

(Push Ups, Crunches, and Waist Size not measured)

I think I’ve managed to get the no eating at night thing worked out. Upping the time to 8pm has helped a lot with my crazy schedule. This week I intend to keep really good track to make sure I’m making this goal

I didn’t meet my weight loss goal based on trending, however, if you just look at pure weight, I lost 2 pounds last week. So, I’ll consider that pretty good. The trend will take a little while to catch up since I didn’t get my running in for 3 or 4 days while the roads were covered in ice. Despite still being very cold, they are quite dry. It’d be even better if people could learn to turn their sprinklers off.

For those of you that offered words of encouragement, promise of reward, and other unmentionable offers, THANK YOU! Please, please, please, please, please keep it up. It really helps to have something to look forward to.

Now we start week 3.

revjim RSS feeds

Dec 18th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
No comments yet

All the cool kids use RSS Readers. I prefer Google Reader, but there are lots of others out there including Bloglines, Feedreader, and even LiveJournal. And, if you prefer a desktop application there are even more to choose from.

Whatever your feed reader of choice maybe, you’re going to need some feeds to stuff into it. So, I thought I’d take this moment to tell you about the Feeds offered here at revjim.net.

I write in a lot of places.

  • LiveJournal (life, micro blogging, one line updates announcing posts elsewhere)
  • Tumblr (links to thinks I like or find interesting)
  • Arranging Light (one daily (ha ha ha) photo of either experimental or portfolio quality work)
  • Flickr (all of my published photos regardless of quality or usage intent)
  • Twitter (micro blogging)
  • revjim.net (everything else)

If you subscribe to any of those services, then you probably just want to subscribe to me in that service. However, to make life easier on the rest of you, I’ve created special RSS feeds. They are powered by FeedBurner and they will be updated to follow the particular content being presented regardless of where I happen to be writing it or what tool I happen to be using that week to do so.

Isn’t that nice of me? So, without further delay I offer you, 100% free, unabridged, unrated, and with the directors cut included with every purchase, the following feeds.

revjim world
[feed]
This is for the true revjim fan. If you need all the revjim you can get and you need it now, this is the feed for you. It’s non-stop revjim action. It has all of my entries from revjim.net, as well as my entries on life from LiveJournal. It also includes my daily (ha ha ha) photo from Arranging Light as well as all the links I post on Things Jim Likes. I do all the work to make sure you don’t get double posts and that you are presented with links to the most appropriate location. Yeah, I’m a nice guy like that. Additionally, for the RSS feeder challenged, this feed can be subscribed to via email so you get an email once a day with my postings from the previous 24 hours.

revjim site
[feed]
This contains the entries from this site. This site is basically used to house anything I don’t put somewhere else. Make sense, right. As it stands today, this means everything except photographs, random links to interesting sites, and more personal or local entries about my life. It is currently powered by WordPress and self hosted. If this should change the feed will change with it.

revjim links
[feed]
This contains all of my random links to interesting sites. It’s currently powered by Tumblr. If this should change, the feed will change with it.

revjim life
[feed]
This contains all of my posts about my life. It is currently powered by LiveJournal. This feed contains a filter of the posts on LiveJournal to ensure that you don’t get all of the little updates that I post there to tell you that I’ve posted in other places. It currently does NOT contain the secured posts I make, though I hope that will change in the future. It also does not currently contain the Life posts that I sometimes make on revjim.net. As soon as I get a few things straightened out, I will make sure that it does. If I should change my publishing location, this feed will change with it.

arranging light
[feed]
This is actually the feed from my Arranging Light site. It contains a daily (ha ha ha) photo of either portfolio quality work or something new and experimental. It is powered by WordPress and is self hosted. If this should change, the feed with change with it.

Fitness: Week 1

Dec 14th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
No comments yet

After one week, here is my progress.

Weight Loss Trend
Goal: 1.5lbs per week
Lost 1.4lbs (1.8 Actual). 38.6lbs to go
[NOT MET]

5k Training
Goal: 3 days per week
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Current Time: 3.28km in 30 minutes
[GOAL MET]

No Food After 7pm
Goal: 5 days per week
Sunday, Monday, Thursday
[NOT MET]

Fitness Ladder
Goal: 1 Rung per week.
Rung 2
[GOAL MET]

(Push Ups, Crunches, and Waist Size not measured)

Not eating after 7pm is going to take a little more planning than I originally thought. The trouble is, on some days, it’s after 8pm before I’m even thinking about dinner. Especially on my “Me Time” days. So I need to start planning reasonable meal times for each day before they start.

I didn’t meet my weightloss goal but, a) I only missed by 0.1lbs, and b) since it’s based on a trend (90% of the value comes from yesterday’s trend) I didn’t actually expect to even come that close in the first week. I did analyze my caloric intake. I’ve found that, without snacks at night, for the most part, my caloric intake is right in target for my weight loss. The only issue I have is that the amount of fat I eat tends to be a bit higher than it shoul be. I’ll be trying to work on that more this coming week.

For those of you that offered words of encouragement, promise of reward, and other unmentionable offers, THANK YOU!

Now we start week 2.

tell me where I can put it

Dec 12th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
No comments yet

In the long, drawn out battle of where to put what when it comes to my online writing, it seems the dust has begun to settle with the exception of one remaining factor: life.

As I see it, there are really only 2 options.

  1. My own website powered by WordPress
  2. LiveJournal

The big deciding factor between the two is whether I want to write in public or private, and how much I want to cater to lazy people.

First, the lazy factor.

I’ve found that, for entries about Life, I get far more comments in LiveJournal than I do on the same entry posted on my website. It seems that LiveJournal users are either too lazy to click the link and read at my site, or are too lazy to bother to comment once they do.

Question 1:
Do I want to cater to this? Do I care?

Secondly, there is security.

If I’m going to really get deep into the “locked entry” writing, LiveJournal makes the most sense because it has tons of features in this arena. It means that some people will be excluded if they don’t have a LiveJournal account or know how to use OpenID. It also means I’d lost a lot of control over the look, layout, and functionality.

If i just intend to write something locked once in a great while, I can find some other means for distribution or use WordPress password protection and not really worry about it. In which case, I could just write on my own website like I’ve been doing and call it good.

Question 2:
So I ask you, do you think I write enough about my personal life? Am I candid enough in public? So you think I’m too candid in public? Should many of my life entries have a lot more filter on them?

I’m really twisted over which way to go on this. Your comments are appreciated.

and this is progress

Dec 11th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
No comments yet

I’ve been busy lately, which is exactly what I wanted.

My personal improvement project is going quite well, though only4 days old at this point. I’ve had no offers of reward, encouragement, or companionship but I have I have inspired a few people to take a similar approach in their own lives, which is awesome. Running 3 mornings a week has proven to be the most difficult. It’s cold, and I’m tired, and it’s just so easy to say “no” and roll over in bed. But, I haven’t yet.

pushing away

pushing away

Thanks to a couple of friends, I managed to do something I’ve always wanted to do last night: photograph an abandoned building at night. It was something that I just couldn’t bring myself to do alone. Fear of getting hurt with no one to assist, mostly — either by something old laying on the property, an animal living in the house, or the hobo who might be sleeping in the barn.

I’ve been making a better effort to start documenting my daughter’s life as well. There will be more on this later, but possibly not here. I’m not sure I’m willing to link this to that. We’ll see. If you know me personally, and would like info, hit me up some other way and I’ll make sure you’re included.

I’ve been making some very good headway when it comes to sorting out the relationships in my life. My therapist agrees, which is just reassurance that I am making reasonable decisions. In many cases, I’m finding that the relationships I’m realizing I’ve lost aren’t really anyone’s “fault”. It’s just that they have become less available to me than I am. But I wasn’t keeping that in balance which led to hurt and confusion and panic. Balance is really key. I am now learning how to allow that balance to mostly maintain itself, and how to recognize when it isn’t.

All this sorting out has also opened my eyes up to some valuable friendships that I was being unavailable to that are certainly worth putting some energy into. It’s also given me the opportunity and motive to seek out some new friendships, which I haven’t really done in a long time. I’ve met a few interesting people. One person in particular, very similar to me in thought process and desires, I’ve made a very nice connection with. I’m having coffee with her this Friday, which should be fun.

I’ve got a couple more photo projects I really want to get rolling. I’m still looking for volunteers if you’re interested. Don’t worry, I won’t make you take off ALL of your clothes. :)

As the holidays approach life is getting more and more hectic on it’s own, which is also good, in a way. While I enjoy peace and quiet, I really thrive in hectic conditions.

Tonight Jess and I are putting up our holiday tree. This weekend we’ll be seeing my parents, as usual, and enjoying some time with some good friends. I’m also planning on photographing my friend’s kid for the holidays. Maybe even get some of our kids together. They are both so cute. Is it too early to arrange a marriage?

I had really wanted to attend the Dallas Santa Rampage this year, but it took more giving and planning than I wanted to invest and, when I really considered everything, the time is better spent elsewhere. But I’m certain it will be a blast and I believe there are still tickets left. So, if you’re not doing anything Saturday, you should certainly consider it.

Speaking of the holidays, I remember now that I’d wanted to write a bit about my thoughts on Christmas, Advent, the birth of Jesus and the true message of his life. Someone remind me to do that, will you?

I’m fat

Dec 7th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
1 comment

I’m fat. Yeah, I’m just figuring this out now. I guess I’m slow too.

It’s not serious. But it’s borderline. No. Fuck it, it’s serious.

Most importantly, I simply don’t like the way I look. I don’t like the way I look dressed and I really don’t like the way I look naked. Well except for that part, of course. Rowr.

There was a point in time that I liked the shape of my body. I liked the amount of muscle and fat I had. I liked being able to follow each vein in my forearms. That was a long time ago. That was over 40 pounds ago. I loved those veins. I want them back.

The hardest part to admit was that I have bad eating habits. Well I do. There. I admit it.

My problem is not beer or alcohol. It’s not overly large, calorie filled meals. It’s not because I eat unhealthy food. It’s not because my meals are too high in fat or carbs. It’s because I snack. And when I snack, not only is it usually not healthy food, it’s usually in quantities above what should constitute a snack. Waaaaaay above. I could eat an entire bag of peanut M&Ms. One of the big ones. In one sitting. I’m not even kidding.

I didn’t always snack like this. And when I didn’t, despite far worse eating habits and much less exercise and the same office job, I wasn’t overweight.

I finally figured it out. I snack because, oddly, I’m doing nothing else. And the reason I’m doing nothing else is because I’m far too stressed out about the “what”s and “how”s of the things I should/could be doing to actually commit to doing them.

So, because all the little pieces trigger each other, the solution requires all three things to be accounted for. Fun, huh?

So here we go.

ARE YOU A PROFESSIONAL…
Don’t suggest I see a professional. I will ignore you at best, yell at you if I’m stressed, or send you photos of the above mentioned naked body if I’m feeling frisky.

Nutritionists, personal trainers, cuddle therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, Swedish massage professionals, and exotic dancers: if you have something you’d like to offer for free, I’ll take it — email me right away! Don’t delay!

But I’m not going to confuse and upset other aspects of the equation and throw money at the problem when, at this stage, I can clearly define the goals on my own. I’m a smart guy. I can figure it out.

  • Thighs jiggle, need less fat.
  • Couch dented, need more exercise.
  • Arms like Jello, need more muscle.
  • Can’t see feet, need smaller belly.

As I move forward, if I find I have more specific goals beyond “increase” and “reduce” then I’ll seek professional help to reach those goals if I it’s not something I can reach on my own.

GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS…
So you might be asking, how you can help. Well, have I got a deal for you.

I need encouragement, positive reinforcement, accountability, support, and rewards for progress at both big and small milestones. All of this, of course, has to come from me. If I have to rely on anyone else to make this happen, then, chances are, it won’t. But patting myself on the back gets boring after a while.

If you’ve got a some encouraging words, nice thoughts to send you’d certainly make it easier on me. If you’ve got a reward to offer it’ll give me something to look forward to. Hugs, cuddles, words of praise, fabricated certificates, photos of you in a silly hat, lewd photos of you, lewd photos of you in a silly hat, you tube videos of you doing the roger rabbit, promises to wear T-shirts exclaiming “Daniel is my God” are all acceptable forms of reward. Be creative. Make me work for it.

I could also use a Yoga teacher (anyone who knows more than me), a running partner, a hiking partner, a sex partner, and an exercise partner. You know, all in the interest of health. Serious inquiries only.

So what’s in it for you? Aside from my appreciation, reciprocation, dedication, and proclamation of your amazingness, you’ll be entitled to free certificates from the “oh my god daniel is so effing hot” escort service. Need to make an ex-boyfriend jealous? Need a hot date for that black tie affair? Looking for some NSA action? Need to make sure your boyfriend isn’t gay? Then the new, improved, old-fashioned Daniel will be just what you need. Look at this as an investment in your future.

THE GOALS!

WHAT GOES IN…
I know what I should eat. I know what I shouldn’t eat. I know how big portions should be. I don’t need a plan filled with preboxed meals, or a program lined with people yelling at me to point the right way. I just need to reduce, particularly at night.

  • Big Goals
    • Lose 40 pounds
    • Lose 4 inches on my waist
  • Small Goals
    • Lose 1.5 pounds each week and keep it off for 1 week
    • No food after 7pm at least 5 nights a week
    • Drink a full glass of water before and after each meal or snack

WHAT COMES OUT…
I don’t need a personal trainer to tell me that if I move around for longer and faster than I do when my fat ass is sitting in a chair then my heart rate will increase, my metabolism will increase and I’ll burn calories. Not only right that moment either, but with echoing effects in my body.

  • Big Goals
  • Small Goals
    • do 5K interval training 3 days each week
    • do fitness ladder training every day
    • 5 count increments on push ups / crunches
    • 1 rung each week of the Fitness Ladder

I LIKE COATING MY FINGERS IN CANDLE WAX…
So many people fail to realize the benefits of stress management. I’m making it a part of my life.

Part of this includes Yoga. For now, Yoga for me means either Sun Salutations in repetition or following along with a video, partner, or on the Wii Fit. I’ll advance with time.

Meditation is simply that. I can combine it with Yoga or perform it separately. At the very least, I’ll really gain an understanding of the backs of my eye lids.

Journalling helps me to get the last bits of thought out and bring clarity to them. And I get to whine like a little emo baby. How fun is that?!

There are no “big goals” here, because it doesn’t work like that.

  • Goals
    • Yoga 3 days each week
    • 15 minutes of meditation 5 days each week
    • Journaling 3 days each week

CURRENT STATS

Weight Loss: 0 lbs (40 lbs to go)
Inches Lost: 0 in (4 inches to go)
Push Ups: 7
Crunches: 22
Running: 2 miles in 25 minutes
Fitness Ladder Rung: 1