dmv's posterous

Chocolate Santa fell down

In late December, I tweeted:

 

and then our date took a turn for the weird as I stuffed a 40 lb black man into the trunk of my car...
Santa-in-trunk

 

It was a simultaneously tasty and tasteless message. After an early date, we discovered an unwanted chocolate Santa - 40 lbs of local Dilettante chocolate - and minutes later, my master negotiator wife had me loading him into the car at a great price. 

Six months after Christmas (June 25th), we finally got our act together to hold a small party to consume 'im. We had spent a fair amount of time speculating about whether 40lbs meant he was solid, and about ways to break him up. On the latter point, we took the easy option. Watch the video for the answer to the first question.

(download)

Elliott Turns 1!

The theme of Elliott's first birthday party was "bubbles". Balloons and a bubble machine, with bubble tea served. It was a relatively small affair, and he worked the crowd well in spite a sudden nasal drip. Uncle Donovan posted some great pictures from the event.

Elliott Turns 1!

The theme of Elliott's first birthday party was "bubbles". Balloons and a bubble machine, with bubble tea served. It was a relatively small affair, and he worked the crowd well in spite a sudden nasal drip. Uncle Donovan posted some great pictures from the event.

Elliott Turns 1!

The theme of Elliott's first birthday party was "bubbles". Balloons and a bubble machine, with bubble tea served. It was a relatively small affair, and he worked the crowd well in spite a sudden nasal drip. Uncle Donovan posted some great pictures from the event.

Elliott Turns 1!

The theme of Elliott's first birthday party was "bubbles". Balloons and a bubble machine, with bubble tea served. It was a relatively small affair, and he worked the crowd well in spite a sudden nasal drip. Uncle Donovan posted some great pictures from the event.

Full Disclosure: Body Fat Analysis, 05/06/2009

I did another Body Fat test today.  Previous data points:

  • January
  • 228.8 lbs total, 168.6 lbs lean, 60.2 lbs fat, 26.3% body fat, BMR of 2157.
  • March
    • 230.8 lbs total, 176.2 lbs lean, 54.6 lbs fat, 23.6% body fat, BMR of 2233.
    • Net change: +2lbs total, -5.6 lbs fat, +7.6lbs lean
    Today's Truth:
    • 223.0 lbs total, 173.85 lbs lean, 49.15 lbs fat, 22% body fat, BMR of 2209.
    • Net change: -7.8 lbs total, -5.45 lbs fat, -2.35 lbs muscle
    While this is a positive result (as Tessa and I joked this morning, I was taking a test I could not fail), the trend is interesting.  My "exercise" "routine" for this period was dominated by a six week swim class held by First Out Tri.  To maximize the benefit from the class, I spent most of my workout hours in the pool. 

    The other significant contribution was the introduction of a Go Wear Fit device (bodybugg).  This gives me daily -- or even near real-time -- visibility into my daily caloric burn.  This acts as a motivator toward maintaining a caloric deficit.  I don't know my precise caloric input, but I am sure I can keep it below my daily 3200 calorie burn target.

    Both of these -- swimming drills for form, not distance, and an emphasis on caloric debt -- would suggest that I have been achieving weight loss through a non-discriminating caloric deficit.  Perhaps I will re-emphasize strength training again, and try to be less aggressive about eating less and burning more.  8 lbs in 8 weeks is a laudible result, but it would have been better had it been fat-exclusive.  For now.  When I have a lean mass of 200+ lbs, that attitude might change.

    Click here to download:
    20090506-BodyFatAnalysis.pdf (119 KB)
    (download)

    St. Paddy's Day Dash

    While not as cool as running down the Viaduct, the new course -
    starting and ending at Seattle Center - is certainly logistically
    easier. Registered today at a registration party conveniently on my
    way home from work - saved on postage, transaction and late fees.

     3.7 miles running, s distance I am just comfortably training at now.

     $25

    Full Disclosure: Body Fat Analysis, 03/03/2009

    I did another Body Fat test today.  From last time:

    So here is today's "truth": 228.2[sic] pounds, 26.3% bodyfat -- lean mass of 168.6lb.  Base Metabolic Rate of 2157.

    Today's truth: 230.8 pounds, 23.6% body fat -- lean mass of 176.2lbs.  Base Metabolic Rate of 2233.

    Apparently I lost 5.6lbs of fat, but found 7.6lbs of muscle.  D'oh!

    Click here to download:
    20090303-BodyFatAnalysis.pdf (203 KB)
    (download)

    I have noticed steady improvements in my weight training, but I have not been doing too much of it.  I guess for now, this is my lot: my body gains muscle quickly. Ultimately, that's ok.  As I said starting out, my goals are measured in performance not weight.  I had my first triathlon of the season on Sunday, and I succeeded beyond my expectations - I had strength left to sprint the last mile on the bike (at 300+ watts), I ran the entire distance and had enough for a finish line kick.  Perhaps I even left energy on the table -- I was able to change, drive home, etc.  I do not believe this would have been possible just two months ago.