Day 38: Damn This Illness

Seriously, I'm not being lazy. I have a sore throat, a nasty cough and so stuffed up that I can't breathe. Taking it a day at a time. My alarm is set for 7am. If this sore throat is gone then I'm heading to the gym.

Day 37: Taking Advantage Of The Weather

Today I went skiing with my fiancé and we are both feelin it. After getting in a few good runs I thought that I should take advantage of this opportunity and burn an extra few calories. I found if I kept my knees and hips bent a little more than usual, ever bump you hit on the hill feels like a squat exercise. My legs are on fire right now, just like when I go to the gym. But this way I got to spend some quality time with my fiancé.

Days 35 and 36: Down For The Count

Sick as a dog. No more treating my body like a garbage dump for fatty foods. Party time is officially over. I'm back on track now.

Day 34: Christmas Day

You may have notice that my recent posts have been coming in a day late. Well actually it's because I'm not getting home until really late ...these holiday celebrations have made it tough to follow the program. But by working out as hard as I can I have managed to maintain a constant weight over the holidays. From this day until October 15th I have no further excuses. Time to get with the program again.

Day 33: Can't Move

I worked so hard yesterday that I can't move today. I wish I could say I just took it easy and ate well, but I made a stop at my bosses place and, well ...ate like a champ! Actually, I didn't eat more than anyone else at the table but, because I have been decreasing my protion sizes, I can't eat as much anymore. And since I'm still "the big guy" people seem to think I want to eat more. AND because it's Christmas and they were nice enough to have me over for dinner I have to eat everything they give me ...just to be polite ;) But seriously, am I the only one that has been in this situation? I think not. I was so full that I felt like I was going to explode.
What can I say ...it's christmas eve. I'm just trying to maintain. Tomorrow is Christmas and I think I am doomed.

Day 32: Dedication

I slept until about noon today because I had to work last night and then worked again all afternoon. I had been eating well all day until I went back to the office for a little Christmas party. Needless to say there was no healthy food and yes I did indulge in some treats. When I got home I passed right out. Crap food just makes me feel like garbage and I decided to drag myself into the gym ...even thought it was 12:00 at night. I stayed until 2am busting my ass until I felt sick and I hope now to use this experience as a reminder that nothing tastes and fit and healthy feels.
Gym again tomorrow and/or maybe some hockey.

Day 31: Pain In The Butt

Literally. I am so sore from play hockey yesterday that I can harly move today. I'm going to take it easy and rest. Not so much because of the muscle pain, I am having really bad knee pain too. That concerns me a little and I don't want to push it. I have to work a night shift anyhow, so I'll need some time to chillout.
Lets rock tomorrow.

Day 30: Back To My Roots

Things are a little slow around the office these days with the upcoming holiday so I looked up the shinny schedule at a local arena and hit the ice. When I stopped playing hockey I weighed about 190 lbs and I had a ton of energy. Today I was completely wiped after just the warm-up!
I would love it if I could play for a team again and compete at a level that I used to play at. If I keep it up I could possibly play for a team next year and that would totally rock! I smell a beginning of a new goal :)

Bed time and gym in the morning. Feeling great!

Day 29: Step By Step ...ooohh baby!

I know I keep talking about doing the stairs, but man does it work! I remember the first time I did them I felt like I my heart was going to explode and now it only feels like a mild heart attack, lol.
Keep on keepin on.

Day 28: Starting All Over Again

I am sort of at a loss for words at the moment. I am right back where I had started. 273 lbs. I know exactly why too ...lack of focus and follow through. The whole point on this accountability thing is to make myself focus enough to follow through on my goal. Well, that hasn't been working so far and it's because of the way I act around my friends. I am motivated, but then drawn in by the temptations that got me in to this mess in the first place. The bottom line is that I have to change my habits and also who I hang out with on a regular basis. I'm sorry friends. But if you can't support me, then I'm not going to be around for a while. That's my next big lesson. Surround yourself with supporters, not enablers. I have to keep trying. I will never give up.

Day 27: I Hate To Admit

...I did nothing today. This really sucks. I hate admitting it, but it's true. I had planned on going to a run, then my friend cancelled and I spent my time Christmas shopping and working till 11pm. I hate this feeling. I don't want to have to write this again.

Day 25 and 26: Christmas Temptations

Firstly, the part 2 for my Day 24 was just going to be a follow up. I did the stairs and it hurt ...but it's getting easier.
As for Day 25, I didn't have access to a computer as I was out of town. Not much to report any way. Busy busy busy.
Day 26: Making up for yesterday and avoiding temptations ...a little.
I love this time of year. In particular, I love stuffing my face with food and feeling guilty about it by January 1st. I find I am having trouble associating pleasure to things that will get me to my goal weight. I am going to have to implement a weekly weigh in to make sure that I am staying on track. The problem with having a goal set so far away is that you never really know if you're making progress. From now on I will weigh in every Sunday and I will also take measurements too. Chest, waist and hips.
Time to hit the sack. I have an early morning run with a friend.

Day 24: Part 1

It's 8am. -10 degrees C outside and that's not including the wind chill. My shoes are on and I'm bundled up. Time to be accountable ...time to make this happen. This morning I am focusing on my goal and why I am working so hard. Time to go.

Day 23: Didn't Plan Well, But Managed

So I found myself getting caught up in work today and the next thing I knew it was 10:30pm. A little late for the gym, but I still followed through! Push-ups and sit-ups. You can't go wrong with the basics.

I'm waking up early tomorrow to hit the stairs and do some filming with my brother. The stairs are hard enough. But when you have to do several takes it really turns up the heat on the workout ...which is a good thing! I am going to get back to these early morning workouts. It's a lot tougher to get going, but I don't want to put myself in a situation where I'll miss my workout. Get it done in the morning so you can rock and roll all day long.

Day 22: Rain or Shine, but I didn't say anything about snow

With a packed schedule today I decided to focus on getting some more real estate business before Christmas and thus did not work out today. I did eat well though! After waking up and seeing all the snow this morning I realized that the next 4 or 5 months are going to be a long haul. But I will be back at it tomorrow. I'm still on pace :)

Days 16 - 21: Rain or Shine. But First, An Apology

Well I disappeared for about a week and the apology that I would like to make is to myself. After a couple of weeks of making myself accountable I thought that maybe I didn't want to do this anymore. The thought that I might not be successful became a bigger worry for me than the pleasure that I would gain by accomplishing my goal. I think this is a common problem for most people. You get a running start at your goal and then in a couple of weeks it’s all in the past and you quit. I decided this morning that I am going to continue my blog and subsequently I am going to keep working out and eating clean. Lesson learned. You may hit a few road blocks along the way, but you have keep moving forward. I have to say, this accountability thing seems to be working. As soon as I decided to keep writing I ended up going for a run.

I woke up this morning to 0 degree weather and rain. The last thing I want to do is strap on a pair of shoes and go for a run in this kind of weather, but I knew that if I didn’t that I would have to write about how I didn’t follow through today. I meet up with a friend, Kyle, who tried to get out of this but I convinced him to drag his butt out there. Alone in the woods we tackled icy terrain and freezing cold rain, but they we no match for our determination. I am continuing my high intensity interval training (HIIT). We raced up hills and continued on until my heart felt like it was going to explode, then we walk and let my heart rate come back down to normal. Despite the conditions, we set a faster pace than last time ...even after taking a week off! Let this be a lesson if you are a quitter. DON'T QUIT! You are making progress!

That's all for today. I'll see you tomorrow ...I promise. 

Day 15: Raising The Bar

Firstly, I'm late again, lol. I have to start writing these sooner. But at least I'm still following through.

This morning I had a friend come with me for my run. Normally I don't like doing this. Especially if I'm in better shape than the other person because it just slows you down. But I went with a friend in much better shape and it resulted in a kick ass HIIT run! We ran on a path called the main circle in the Dundas Valley. It contains lots of hills, some flats to lower your heart rate and some of the most beautiful scenery around. I was really impressed with myself at how I was able to push myself harder than I have been able to in a long time. Things are starting to look up for me. My energy is increasing, my stamina too ...I'm feeling pretty good these days.

I can't wait to do it again on Wednesday :)

Day 14: A Little Rest

I've been working out every day since I started and so I thought I would give myself a day to recuperate.
I still ate clean, minus a glass of wine. I really didn't do all that much today ...it was nice. I think its healthy to slow down once in a while and, to be honest, today made me look forward to getting back at it tomorrow.

Tomorrow morning I'm doing a HIIT running session ...a HIIT and run, if you will ...
It should be fun because I'll be running on some amazing trails in Ancaster. It makes training so much easier when you're in a nice atmosphere.

Cheers, and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Day 13: Good News and Bad News

Let’s start with the bad news. CBC National is cutting me from there show this Sunday. The good news is that is because my brother did such a good job with his video that they want to do a story on me.
Now I'm not completely comfortable with being on camera. Actually, it scares me quite a bit. But ...I feel like if you don't spend your life challenging yourself and taking on your fears, then what’s the point on even living.

As for my workout, I followed through by doing the stairs and following up with a run/sprint. After my heart rate came down to a pace that it no longer felt like it was going to explode, I felt pretty good.
I also spent some time, today, experimenting with quick food recipes that I would find delicious and help me lose weight. Today was stir-fry with a hamburger patty. No oil. I am assuming that the fat in the burger is more than I need for one meal, and I added a bowl full of mixed, fresh veggies. The verdict ...delicious!

I know I'm not doing things perfectly at the moment, but I'm working towards it. One step at a time baby!

Day 12: Giving it my all

I'm really starting to turn up the intensity in my training. So much so that when I came home to blog I fell asleep at my computer, lol. It's 8am now and I am just getting ready to start the process over again.

There is always time. If i can work the hours that I do, commit time to my fiancé and workout then anyone can. My schedule consisted of showing houses, listing a property, signing an offer on another, searching for properties for clients driving all over town with the temptations of fast-food at every corner, taking lunch to my good looking fiancé at her work and going for a run (HIIT) and running the stairs at the escarpment only to have enough energy to write the only the title of this blog before passing out and finishing it this morning.

I'd say I am giving it my all ...or am I? Let’s try harder today.
I'm going to work out more today, spend more time with Sarah and be more effective at my job so that maybe I'll have time in my life for other important things.

Goal writing day! Not just my weight, as I started out with. It’s time for more specific goals about everything in my life. I will share those with you asap.

Day 11: Keep on Keepin' on

Remember a couple of days ago when I said working out in the morning makes me feel better ...what a lie that turned out to be today. I did my run this morning in the freezing cold. It was raining with a mixture of snow and I was moving like molasses. I'm sure the benefits are going too far outweigh the negatives, but I am really going to have to work hard at it.

Let’s do a recap of everything that I am doing so far. Planning my meal (trying. I haven't been on top of it every day, mainly because I keep running out of food), visualization and HIIT (high intensity interval training). Although this morning HIIT was more like OMMS (old man moving slowly). My goal is to stay consistent with this for a week and then evaluate my progress.

Let’s see how I feel tomorrow. Maybe I'll visualize myself enjoying my work out tomorrow morning ...riiiight. 

Day 10: Trailer Video

Here is the video that my brother has developed for me.
Let me know what you think



Dan Carrol's Wedding Weight-Loss Count Down - TRAILER from Ideas In Motion on Vimeo.

Day 9: I did it!

Well I think I tackled my first big hurdle. Working out in the morning. There was frost on the ground and a chill in the air, but I managed to run some trails, up and down hills and hammer out a some push-ups on the freezing cold ground until I was dizzy. This may not seem like a major accomplishment, but I consider this a big step. One of many that will be needed to make my 70 pounds weight loss goal. All I have to do is keep this going and I think I can make it. I know I can. I honestly can say that I feel 100 times better throughout the day and I am much more effective at my job. My goal for this week is to maintain this course and continue to take it one step at a time.

Before I go to sleep tonight I am going to spend some time visualizing what I plan to accomplish. I think that if you can see it in your mind and believe that it can happen then success will manifest itself.

What ever it is in your life that you would like to change, try to imagine as if it has already happened. Don't just think it, know it, and keep pushing until it's real.

Day 8: Early to Bed, Early to Rise

I swear, one of the most difficult things that I have to overcome is waking up early and working out. I could go to bed with my workout gear on, including my shoes, and I will still keep hitting the snooze button until it's time to go to work. So I am going to try hitting the sack early. Makes sense to me ...we'll see how it goes. If that doesn't work I'm going to have to explore a new approach. But I have faith in myself that, routine, early morning workouts will become a habit.

You may notice that I am making two posts today. Well actually the Day 7 post was just late. It was about 1:30 am when I walked in the door. Just incase anyone is keeping track.

My HIIT run routine consists of a 5 minute warm up, then run at a rapid pace (80% of my perceived max) for 60 seconds, jog for 2 minutes to allow my heart rate to decrease, and then repeat 5 times followed by a 5 minute cool down.

As my performance and fitness improves I will up the difficulty. But this is plenty at the moment.

See you tomorrow ...bright and early.

Day 7: Film Day

As I venture towards my weight loss goal, my brother will be filming me along the way. Today I had to, repeatedly run up and down hills and on muddy trails in the freezing cold as he tried to capture a few moments of what I am doing to lose this weight.

HIIT is like Buckley's Cough Syrup. It's aweful and it works. I find interval training to be about 90% mental and 10% physical and your results really depend on how hard you are willing to push yourself. If I don't feel a little dizzy after a workout then I don't feel like I worked hard enough.

Don't be afraid to push yourself. Get a coach if it helps. I have a camera following me around. So I can run, but I can't hide.

Day 6: Crap, I'm late!

No, no, not that kind of late. I'm late for my post! Only by 4 minutes though. Tonight was my work Christmas party. I was lukewarm about going in the first place, but I decided to have a good time.


This morning I woke up to hit the road and do some running ...then I realized it was -3 degrees and I wimped out. Ok, so that's not very inspiring and I'm not happy about not following through. But I intended to take the weekend off to give my body a rest, so instead I'll just rip it up tomorrow.


It's been a tough week. 10 to 14 hours work days, an interview with a national news television station and I had a childhood friend of mine pass away at 29 year old from a heart attack. That's scary lemme tell you. He was in good shape. With my lifestyle I should have need dead years ago ...but I'm still here. Rest time is over. Double punishment this weekend. My goal ...just to follow through.

R.I.P. Perry Ryerson ...you will be missed

Day 5: In The Spotlight

Today had to be one of the strangest days I've ever had. I was interviewed by CBC National News for a weight loss program that I ran at work ...2 years ago. I was embarrassed to admit that I had gain everything back and, worse, they filmed me on the scale weighing in at 273lbs. I know I had mentioned on Day 0 that I was 270lbs, but this was a different scale and I was fully clothed. All excuses aside, it was a major disappointment. But at the same time I feel more inspired now than ever.

I can honestly say I'm starting to feel better. I know it will take a while for my shirts to fit better and so that I won't have to suck in to button my jeans, but I feel stronger. My energy today was much higher. I attribute that to eating totally clean throughout the day ...until dinner at 9pm tonight. OK OK, I indulged a little. Curry penne, a glass of red wine and a pint of beer. I admit it ...I caved a little. I can't beat myself up about it ...or maybe I can. Tomorrow is going to be pure punishment. My interval training this morning was done on the stairs. Let me tell you, a stepper in the gym is no match for the real thing. I climbed 500 stairs today and I felt like I was going to collapse. I did 250 steps at a medium pace, followed by a 60 rest, then I tackled the final 250 that almost killed me. Tomorrow I am going to do the stairs twice. 1000 steps! ...better get some rest. Wish me luck.

Day 4: Dealing With Energy Vampires!

In the past this was about the time I would hit the proverbial wall. Proper nutrition is essential at times like these and it doesn't hurt to have a few tricks up your sleeve when it comes to dealing with cravings. My first trick is to drink a large glass of water as fast as I can. I must be tricking the receptors in my stomach because that’s usually enough to distract me from whatever it is that I'm craving at the time. The other trick that works for me is to brush my teeth. I love chocolate ...a lot. But crest flavored chocolate just doesn't do it for me and I'll always pass.

I'm going to step things up tomorrow with H.I.I.T (High Intensity Interval Training). If ou're not familiar with HIIT, it essentially means exercising at a high intensity for a short period, followed by a rest period ..then repeat. I'll share the details of what I am going to do tomorrow. I feel ready for HIIT. My muscles are starting to feel less sore after my workouts so I think that’s a sign that I'm starting to adapt. 

I just finished my workout and it's 11:30pm. Another 14 hour work day that didn't leave me with much time to work out ...but I did it.

My eyes are heavy ...I'm low on energy ...but I've made myself accountable by posting and taking another picture.

"gonna stand my ground, and I won’t back down" - Tom Petty

Day 3: Late Night Stroll On A Treadmill

By day I am a mild mannered realtor for Sutton Group Innovative Realty, but by night I am a Rehabilitation Therapist for the Neurobehavioural Reintegration Unit at the Hamilton General Hospital. Needless to say, I'm busy. All day and all night. Juggling 2 jobs, while maintaining a healthy relationship with my fiance and trying to lose 70 pounds for my wedding in just less than 11 months just leaves one question ...what do I do with all my free time? Since I don't have any free time the answer is simple - nothing!  

Since my schedule is so crazy I have to do my best to plan and, more importantly, find time to actually workout. Tonight that time was 10:30pm. I am going to try my best to get these workouts in during the am, but let me tell you, I have a hell of a time dragging myself out of bed in the morning.

Tomorrow I hit the weights again. Back, biceps and abs, oh my!


Time to pose for the camera. 
See you tomorrow

Day 2: That's Gonna Hurt In The Morning

Ok, so I did alright with planning my meals last evening, but I totally forgot to plan my workout. I realized this as I pulled into the parking lot at my gym just a couple of hours ago. It's an uncomfortable feeling when you have all these amazingly fit people around you, with veins the size of my fingers, and I'm standing there staring at a dumbell and feeling like a dumbass. I have to be really careful these days when I work on my upper body. Years of playing hockey and high school football have wreaked havoc on my shoulders and if I don't watch it they will dislocate on me and then I'm screwed. I have an appointment this Friday with a surgeon to go under the knife for my right shoulder ...again. The actualy surgery isn't this Friday, just an appointment to make another appointment.


So what did I do at the gym? Chest, triceps, shoulders (very carefully) and abs ...well, stomach. I'm about 5 or 6 months away from being able to call them abs. My goal for tonight, which was set as I approached the weight room, was to do as many reps, of a comfortable weight, as I could with 30 to 60 seconds between sets. I may not be able to lift very much at this point, but I figure that if I can just keep my heart rate up high then I'll be doing ok.


Lesson for the day: create a plan of action for the gym and document my succes. I will try to create a genaric journal sheet and post it if your interested.


Back at it tomorrow ...I just hope I can move in the morning  :s

Day 1: WATER, WATER, WATER ...

School friends of mine would respond that by screaming "LOO, LOO, LOO". That was one of our chears when I attended the Univeristy of Waterloo ...cheesy, but fun after a few pints at The Bommer.


Ok, seriously though. Today I step up my H2O intake ...like 4 letres. It's amazing. I consumed 4 letres of water and I swear I pissed out 10. But, none-the-less, this is one major step towards accomplishing my goal of being 200 lbs of twisted steel and sex appeal.


So why 4 letres of water? Well I am told that I should be consuming about a litre and a half a day, PLUS, and extra letre for every 20lbs I am overweight. So if I'm 70lbs overweight then that means I should be consuming 5 letres a day! ...thats INSANE! So I deceded to draw the line at 4. I can't afford to spend any more time in the "LOO".


Now it's time to strip down to my underthingys and get ready for my close up. Time to take my daily picture then make my lunch for tomorrow. That's another thing that will be tough to get used too. Preparation ...I'll let you know how it goes. I also plan to climb 500 stairs that run up the side of the Hamilton escarpment and, if I have enough energy, do a little weight training at the gym.


Day 1 is now in the books and I have started down a long path.
See you tomorrow.

Day 0: The Truth Hurts

Let me start off by telling you what this blog is all about.
The purpose of this blog is to document my weight loss journey as I count down the days to my wedding on October 15, 2011.  I will be making myself accountable with daily written entries, pictures, and video to ensure that I follow through. Everyday I will be documenting my workouts, meal plans, my thoughts and feelings as I count down the days to my wedding. My goal ...to be the man she always dreamed of marrying.


So who the heck am I?
My name is Dan Carrol. I recently turned 29 years old, I'm 6'2" and about 270lbs ...ouch!


My Goal: To weigh 200lbs for my wedding and have 9% body fat or less


Those number may seem arbitrary at the moment, and they are, but I need to start somewhere. During my first week I plan to meet with experts in health and fitness to attain my goal and help start me off in the right direction.


The second objective of this blog is to inspire others to do the same. I have learned in the past that to be successful you have to make yourself accountable. Whether it be by using a coach, trainer, family member, or blogging it for the world to see. I believe success helps breed success and I hope my success will inspire people to communicate with me and I will be happy to give back.


This is going to be an ongoing process, not an exact science. But I will have people that are going to help me along the way. My brother, Jeff Carrol, is going to capture the experience on video and document my journey for all to see. With his ability to film and edit we strive to create an experience that is inspirational and exciting to watch.


Tonight I take my BEFORE picture. I feel the need to post a disclaimer here ...this picture ain't gonna be pretty. And it kills me that I am going to post these pictures, but this is what I need to do to light a fire under my ass to get moving and keep moving until I succeed.


328 days ...that's almost 47 weeks that I will commit to accomplishing my goal and it will be broken up into 4, 12 week, phases ...except for the last phase which will be about 11 weeks.


So there you have it.
Wish me luck ...now lets get started.