Testing The Limits

[mrdreamjeans]

In the past five weeks, I've quietly returned to pursuit of my fitness goals, which I identified in 2004. During that time, I lost 30lbs in 14 weeks through a combination of exercise three times a week (once a week with a fitness trainer), food journaling and a target of 1700-1900 calories a day. I continued to work out and watch what I ate throughout my move back to Texas from Seattle and throughout the Summer of 2004. However, since I've been back on the road with "Evita", I slipped back into old habits. There are a number of reasons, but none of them are good excuses.

By the time I got to Costa Mesa last month, the stress of the road and being alone so much contributed to a weight gain. When I say, testing the limits, I'm referring to the waistbands, zippers and velcro of my costumes:) It got so bad, that I couldn't sit in the costumes without cutting off my circulation. My costumes were made for me for the 1998-99 Tour of "Evita" and I am the only one who's ever worn them. I take great pride in maintaining them and I was damned if I was going to succumb to my lack of willpower and ask our wardrobe supervisor to let them out!

Almost six weeks ago, I cut out ALL desserts. I'm not someone who does things in moderation ...all or nothing is my style. The trigger was a dessert that my friend Mary and I ate on our first day in Costa Mesa. We had deep-fried raviolis filled with melted Snickers bars and vanilla ice cream. It was enough to say, Enough is enough and I'm not talking Streisand and Summer:) I also began exercising again, as my body has adjusted to movement I do in the show.

Today, I went to the gym with our resident director Kim (who's been filling in for another dancer for the past month). We've been friends for 14 years. Kim works as a fitness trainer and Pilates instructor in New York. Her goal was to help me get my heart rate up. She had me do 40 minutes on the treadmill; we did some weights and I've done several sets of sit-ups today. I appreciate the support.

Since Costa Mesa, I've lost 12 lbs just from the diet modifications and my costumes are fitting me again comfortably; but I'm going to continue to pursue fitness goals. I think I'll try for the 20 lbs I didn't take off from the original 50 lb loss goal. Regardless, I feel the burn and it's a welcome feeling.

Instead of testing the limits of my costumes, it's time to test the limits of my willpower and endurance.

Comments

[daltxfurry.livejournal.com]

Good luck! I know you can do it

I am planning to start my weight loss goals AFTER the holidays. There are just too many temptations for me at this time of year and I just know I don't have the willpower to resist it all!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Can I send you all of the frosted sugar cookies and fudge my mother is going to make to tempt me? :)

[pagerbear.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks... I wish I knew the source of my occasional willpower. Perhaps, I'd tap into it more often:)

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

oh hell, Neil. You can do this!!!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I know I can. It just gets harder.

[mikeybill.livejournal.com]

Have you tried smoking two packs a day and taking speed? I think you'd be impressed by how your weight would drop ;-)

But seriously folks... good on you. I'm sure you can get there.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I've never tried those particular addictions:) However, I've always struggled with sex and/or chocolate chip cookies, so who am I to point a finger? I'm going to have to do it the old-fashioned way ... exercise and moderation in diet:)

Good luck!

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

You don't really look like you have anything like the ongoing weight problem that I have ... but if you do musical theatre for a living and find that the costumes are getting too tight, I guess that's evidence enough. Here's wishing you success in your diet and exercise program.

Oh, and by the way: DEEP FRIED RAVIOLIS FILLED WITH MELTED SNICKERS BARS AND VANILLA ICE CREAM???? Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Where can I get some?????

Re: Good luck!

[jkusters]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking about that particular dessert.... :-)

JOhn.

Re: Good luck!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'll wish for a Macaroni Grill near you:)

Re: Good luck!

[jkusters]

There is one relatively near. Is that where the dessert comes from? Hm, wonder what our plans for the weekend are.... :-)

JOhn.

Re: Good luck!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The proof is in the clothes I wear nightly:) I just want to be fit and healthy ... I would like to write a different ending to my family's medical history for myself.

You can get the sinful dessert that sent me over the edge at Macaroni Grill:)

ps.... the food in general in this restaurant chain is excellent and reasonably priced...

faith and svelte wishes!

[redbearmark.livejournal.com]

Good luck and a cheering section to you in the progress!

Give up desserts cold turkey? I think my Scottish sweet tooth has a root so deep that removing it might make me 20 lbs lighter.

If I could only get back to moderation. I guess I will have to try and keep up with the Badders and see.

Hugs!

Re: faith and svelte wishes!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I've spent time in your presence and know that you look terrific as you are. I didn't see much evidence of excessive sweet-eating; you must hide it well:) I wish you moderation, but only in moderation. *grin*

I appreciate the cheering section! HUGS!

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

at the risk of ending up seeing "less" of you I think your fitness goals are commendable, and I know you can achieve them... go Neil, go Neil *does little cheerleading routine -no pompoms, tho*

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

How about doing the splits? *grin*

Thanks for the support!

[gaugetx.livejournal.com]

Good Lucky Neal. Seem I have been thinking along the same lines. Hope I can do as well as you.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You can! Besides, you'll have David in your corner to help you stay on track! Hugs and good luck!

You Look Marvelous

[cruisebear.livejournal.com]

I think you look marvelous but I will support you in your quest. Good luck with it. I think it is very attainable.

But just remember some of us like the BIG Guys-(like me).

Re: You Look Marvelous

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the support and compliment! My quest really isn't about size, it's more about being healthy and fit whatever my weight. Regardless, I'll still be furry:)

[rock-bear.livejournal.com]

strangely enough I have trouble NOT losing weight on tour, the fact that the wardrobe is usually on the top floor and theres never a lift, and I'm usually too busy to do more than grab a snack on the hoof probably helps

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Another difference .... Our wardrobe/laundry is always on stage level or one floor below. Our wardrobe head on this tour, Tony Ray, is a big handsome guy. I recently noticed (you know how it is when you see someone every day) that he'd lost a lot of weight ... about 30 lbs. I asked him what he was doing to do so.... turns out that all he has done in the past three months that is different from his normal routine is quit drinking alcohol. Different choices with similar results. (He gives up alcohol ... I give up sweets ...) Both of us just want to be healthier whatever route we take.

[bearfaced.livejournal.com]

Wishing you well in your weight loss quest although it sounds like you find it pretty easy once you set your mind to it - I wish I could say that for myself ;)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I never find it easy. I do well for long stretches of time, then totally go the other direction ...basically yo-yo-ing ... I've found over the years that I can't do just one cookie, or one piece of cake or pie and walk away. Instead, I'll subsitute those items for a regular meal. That's why I quit eating desserts and candy altogether for awhile and didn't talk about it for several weeks. I had to make sure the willpower was in place for this go-around:) It seems to be. Now, if I can just get through the holidays! Hugs!

I'm picturing

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

a chorus line of top hats, tails and... *read quickly* bodysuits, fish net stockings and 4" pumps - Is this why all this, you sly dawg you :0)