We’re back in the gym together. My 16-year-old son and I have been lifting partners before, but it’s a little different this time. (And, by the way, that’s why I’m writing this. But I also know you’re dying to hear how I’ve been doing since I wrote, “A Slave to the Scale.”)
Category Archives: Health and Fitness
A Slave to the Scale
Don’t be.
That’s me telling myself that. I just stepped on the bathroom scale and while I anticipated a drop of two pounds, I saw instead a gain of more than three.
I couldn’t help feel bad initially, but I quickly ran through this list of achievements:
1) I’m comfortably wearing size 33×34 jeans, which is one size better than when I wrote this: “When your waist is equal to or less than your inseam.”.
3) I enjoyed a huge fajita last night that was made mostly of veggies. And damn it was satisfying to eat, but it is probably sitting like a 2-pound rock in my gut right now.
4) I have lost 30 lbs. since last October. *mic drop*
When your waist is equal to or less than your inseam
If you never wished for equality or better between waist and inseam measurements than you probably won’t get much out of this post. This has been my holy grail for decades. It’s a milestone I’ve reached on a few occasions and I’m grateful now is one of them.
I fit very nicely into a pair of 34W x 34L Lucky Brand Men’s 361 Vintage Straight Leg Jeans. (See Amazon’s listing here.) I slipped them on for the first time today after buying them over a month ago. Now I’m not falling victim to vanity sizing. (See Esquire’s expose “Are Your Pants Lying to You? An Investigation.”)
Haunted by bullying
Would you believe I’m being bullied? Me. Now.
I’m decades past being that fat kid with the big smile pictured on the left, but it happened. And I figure if it’s happening to me – now standing six feet, six inches tall and at a very healthy weight – then I may always have to deal with it.
I know I’m overreacting. The incident that has me writing really is just a small matter. I was working out at the local gym. It’s usually pretty crowded in the free weight room. There’s usually a good mix of ages. Among them was a trio of men training together. They’re about 5 years older than me. I’ve seen them before. They’re loud and seem to always have a good time. One guy looks like a grey haired Fred Flintstone. Continue reading
Struggling for gains 3 months after surgery
It’s not as gloomy as the headline reads, especially if you focus on my son’s improved mobility and reduced pain since his major spine surgery. What has us all very concerned is his loss of endurance and loss of weight, which is why the image you see to the left shows my just-completed grocery store run for some stuff I never would have considered buying before. But this week’s post-op checkup has us taking drastic actions and the home has never stocked so much junk food! Continue reading
Celebrating his birthday in pain
Today is my son’s 17th birthday. It’s hard to be too joyful right now as he is still painfully recovering from surgery to correct his spine. See that image to the left? That’s him before and after. The “after” was taken six weeks ago, about 72 hours following the operation. We all hoped that by now he’d be back in school. He is, kinda, but not really. Continue reading
The recovery paradox: Movement causes pain; Moving reduces pain
We heard it from the surgeon. We heard it from the recovery-room nurse. We hear it every time we visit the physical therapist. Move! It hurts, but the pain will disappear faster. Think that will convince a 16-year-old boy snuggled cozy in the big leather recliner or his comfy bed? Yeah, not so much. So my role of father once again morphs to coach, trainer and – I have to say it – nag. Continue reading
A dry 2014? Worst New Year’s resolution timing ever
December 31, 2013 seems all a blur to me right now except for the moment I made a most solemn promise to myself: I would make 2014 an alcohol-free year.
What was I thinking? Good question. Continue reading
Merry Christmas! 10 reasons why we’re so thankful
As the “Yule Log” crackles and burns on the flat screen television and the accompanying holiday music streams from the speakers, I thought I’d take a moment to share a few things we’re thankful for here in what my wife calls the Man Cave. Continue reading
Home from spine surgery. ‘Wonder-parent’ powers activate
Shape of “Mommy Medic.” Form of “Daddy Doctor.”
Forgive the mangling of the popular power-up phrase from the Wonder Twins, a pair of cartoon characters from the “Super Friends,” but it seemed apt. As did the “Family Guy” image to the left. I think they help me illustrate the big paradigm shift from worrying parent at the hospital to active caregiver here at home. You don’t have to be a super hero to do it, but man it sure feels like it sometimes. Continue reading
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