Shopping Spree

My entire life's experience with and attitude toward shopping (from 1976 to 2011) can be summed up with the simple explanation that I have forever, only ever went shopping for new gear when my older clothes became too tight. Even then, I would wait too long before finally forcing myself to go shopping. At the end of 2011, I was wearing 50" jeans, but I should have been wearing 52s. Rather than hoofing it to the local Big & Tall, angrily searching through the racks and squeezing into the fitting room to see if any of that shit would fit ...rather than that, I would just sit at my desk with my pants unbuttoned and unzipped - hoping no one would come by and present a situation for which I would need to quickly stand up.

I think this horrible mental image gives plenty light as to why I have always said, "I hate shopping."

Well, the times have certainly changed. I have lost 100lbs and (next week) I start a new job. Now, I am as motivated to shop for new clothes as I will ever be. I tried to get it done last Thursday. I snuck out of the office around 1pm and searched the mall. I tried on jeans, I tried on shirts. Nothing seemed to fit right and I couldn't even pull the trigger on a couple things which I was thinking looked pretty good. After 2 hours, I ended up leaving, empty handed and totally aggravated.

looking like a boss

Later that day, I enjoyed happy hour with some of my old buddies. One of them, his wife is a true fashionista. She studied fashion in school, was a buyer for Macy's and has continued to move up through the business. She's a foxy, badass and she knows clothes. Well, I asked my buddy if I could borrow his wife for a shopping date and he reported that she said she would love to do it. So, we did.

This past Saturday marks the best shopping experience of my life. I told Nicole, "There is no budget limit, I just need to look good." She smiled hugely and proceeded to deliver a continuous stream of designer jeans, slacks and dress shirts to the fitting room. I quickly tried on everything and then paraded myself about, for her approval.

I dropped a ton of cash, but everything I got looks great and fits perfectly. Nicole's help was invaluable, priceless. This is the only way to shop! ...if only I could afford to do this more often. Anyway, now that I know what to look for, my solo shopping sprees should be much more fruitful.

Solid non-scale victory: size large shirts and 36" jeans, swimsuit ...sizes I've not worn since jr. high!

WEEK 70: That's A Long Time

My stats for the week: 

239.7lbs, +3.4  |  22.61%bf  |  54.2lbs fat  |  185.50lbs lean

I wish I could tell you that I'm back into my workout routine, but I'm not. My Monday body weight session had me in pain the next day. Then, I stayed up too late that night and the next ...and then a whole lot of other excuses that don't matter for nothing.

I would like to contrast that pitiful show of effort by bragging that I can bust out a chin up - anytime, anywhere. Ha.

Yesterday, my co-workers took me out for lunch. I ate fairly healthily and only had one beer. Than later, another group of former co-workers met up for happy hour. There I ate real shitty, 10 hot wings and 3 beers. Four beers in a day?! ...I can't remember the last time I drank so much. I'm so out of practice, that had me solidly buzzed.

So, should I make another weak commitment to myself and my blog? No, I'll just threaten that I am seriously considering the (always available) option of not blogging or calorie tracking, at all. I'm getting bored with it all ...progress is just so damned slow.

Egh, I ain't going anywhere. Don't worry.

In It To Win It

Today, I woke up early and busted out a workout ...and tomorrow, I'll do the same.

April was a delightfully lazy month, full of all sorts of work-related drama that had me avoiding focused exercise. Well, that shit is over. I'm gearing up to start a new job (in two weeks) and a big part of getting my mind right and ready will happen through getting my body right and ready. I don't know all the bodily chemicals that are produced through exercise or what they do, but I imagine a revived, fresher sort of blood coursing through my veins. I feel energized and ready to take it all on!

Let's Go!!!