Good progress!

Well it's been several weeks since I've posted, but it's all good.  The KP One Year Project is off to a great start and I'm officially 21 pounds lighter than I was 4 weeks ago.  So the weight loss part is great.

I have had a few interviews, things that I've been interested in pursuing but nothing has come to fruition yet in that arena.  I'm not giving up by any means, but rather using the opportunities to interview to sharpen my interview skills.

Working on cleaning out clutter in my life - had a huge garage sale yesterday, sold the old couch and the old refrigerator, and got a lot of knick knacks up & out of the way.  Can't decide or figure out what to do with the stuff that didnt' sell and am looking into a way of donating them to a women's shelter or similar organization.

Life is good - not much to write at this time but was dedicated to at least making a post for those who have been interested in this project!  It's going just as planned!

More soon!
Kenny

End of week #1

Well well well.

Even though I didn't tackle the week as hard as I'd like to, I'm rather enthused about the end results.  I managed to lose 3 pounds this week, and I think that is from starting to work out (just treadmill for now) and increasing the amount of water I'm drinking.  If I can continue this next week with the deletion of sodas from my diet, I'm going to feel even better!

I've decided to use Sunday nights as my "recap" night on the blog, but will also be posting with other important tips and happenings throughout the week.

Next to tackle as the weight loss continues:  I've not gotten my singing voice back since being sick a month ago.  It's like a constant source of - pardon me - phlegm is at the back of my throat and when I start singing or trying to sing, all I get is a screech.  I'm terrified of a bigger problem, like polyps on my vocal cords or something.  I'm going to try allergy medicine to see if that helps because I do feel that my sinuses are a bit inflamed and that could have something to do with it to.  But if that doesn't clear it up, off to the doctor I go.   Man, I'm tired of doctor's appointments.  I would be in the last 3 years I've been to at least 150 doctor appointments, in between the counselor, psychiatrist, and my regular doctor.  I never thought I'd be "one of those guys".  Oh well, it is what it is.  I'm thankful I have such great doctors - they've literally saved my life.

Ok folks - go have a good week!
K

Positive vibes to start it all off!

SO!

The KP One Year Project is officially underway and I'm proud to state that I started the workout regiment one day early - and have already seen a loss of 3 pounds this week.  THAT is without trying to control my carb intake and that is something I plan on doing, eating healthier, etc.  So I'm somewhat motivated by this very quick result acknowledging that by just DOING this - exercising, being active - will increase my metabolism and help get this weight off of me.  I had set up a year as being my goal for 70 pounds - but if I can take off 2 pounds a week, which is considered healthy and good to do - I can do my 70 pounds in about 8 months.  That would have me at my target weight by May/June of 2011, just in time to enjoy the summer like I'd like to.

On another note I got realllllllly frustrated at work tonight - 4 hours and I made a measly freakin' $21.  I've decided that I'm done with working for dimes and it served as just another reminder that yes, it's time to do something wonderful with my life.  Where that direction is going to take me, I'm not sure, but I need to rely on my talents to propel me and not "settle" for what I'm doing right now.  There are changes that would have to take place on a larger scale but I do definitely feel that I'm destined for more than I've been led to at this point.  And that in itself, is a good feeling.  I guess we all have to muddle through the bullshit to get there, though.

Decisions to make

Why is it that decisions that are centered around money are so hard to make?  I am faced with a decision that I don't know that I can make accurately right now.  One scenario would benefit us greatly for the remainder of the year and then drop off quickly, while another decision would sort of ensure continued "evenness" in our financial situation for who knows how long.  It involves taking a job that of course has the opportunity to be lost at any point, putting us back at square zero, not even at square one.   It's frustrating, and confusing.  Plus if I took the job I would lose my disability income and I'm not sure that's a step I am ready to take.  Not taking the job would ensure continued income and the ability to look for an even greater position as well as give me the time to work on some of my other endeavors, like weight loss, etc.  I guess we'll just wait & see what the outcome of today's interview is, but it's frustrating nonetheless.

Organizing the melting pot

So while blogging will be a nice way to journalize this project, I need to find a way to organize the various facets of the whole thing.  Weight loss, music, job hunt, etc.  Any ideas?  I thought something like Microsoft Project might be a good idea, but I'm thinking that might be too intensive for the tasks at hand.  I'm open to suggestions!

Preparation for the KP One Year Project

So.

I've decided to set myself on a new journey.  I'm about to hit 45 years old on September 1 and in some ways I'm miserable.  The Project?  To change myself.  And not just physically.

I weighed in at 275 on my home scales this week and I'm disgusted.  I've used the Atkins diet several times and always take off around 30 pounds, only to have it creep back on to me - plus a pound or two - when I go off.  I get no exercise.  I drink very little water.  THAT has to change.  So I want to lose 70 pounds.  If I take off 6 pounds a month, over 12 months, that's 72 pounds.  I'd be thrilled to be down to about 200 pounds.  I'm stocky & always have been - I can accept that.  But I don't have to accept being FAT.

I'm a smoker.  I want to stop.  Deciding on "one day" has never worked - so I'm going to set some short term goals for myself in terms of smoking, like cutting down on the amount that I smoke, and/or using the patch to help quit.  I hear myself wheezing at night when I'm trying to go to sleep, and I couldn't run if I had to save my life.  That habit of smoking, in combination with my weight, makes me a prime candidate for heart attack, heart disease, diabetes and more.  I don't have to accept THAT.

I'm a wonderful vocalist and songwriter.  But I bog myself down in cover material and have kept my keyboard on it's side for the last year.  It's time to dust that puppy off, write the music from the moods and cycles that hit me (see my other blog for that explanation) and create some great music.  I can do it, and not doing it only lets myself down.  I don't have to accept THAT.

Having not worked a full time job for the last year I find myself quite bored.  I have two options:  Either continue building my own business and marketing it, or finding full time employment again.  The present situation leaves me bored out of my mind.  And I don't have to accept THAT.

So this blog will help chronicle the changes that I make along the way and as I reach towards these goals.  If nothing else I will use it as a diary to keep myself on track and to inform anyone who wants to read it.  And the start date of this is September 7, 2010.  I'm doing that to be able to celebrate my birthday of September 1 2010 and the weekend following as it's Labor Day and I don't want to be under any restrictions or plans as that happens.

It will truly be a year of change for me - just watch and see.