Dave's Adventures in Slimmatude

Dave Weinberg Profile Pic

2009-05-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

Chip In for a Baby Weinberg Present

2008-11-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

This is a test... I am a person who spends all day and a good part of most nights online immersed in social media and the platforms of web 2.0. With a new baby about to arrive, I am sure that my schedule will change ad my online presence will dwindle. Show your support and love for our new one by chipping in together to buy him or her something special.

Thanks! Dave & Talya

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 51

2008-09-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post the most amusing clip I saw from the Daily Show over the course of the DNC.

Day 51 Stats

Weight: 302.0 Lbs.

Loss Actions: Yesterday was a stroll in the park of consumerism. Hours of walking around malls to make returns, in stores to peruse and finally through the "hallowed halls" of two baby super stores to get ideas and try to differentiate between the mounds of similar high priced products.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 49

2008-09-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

I know. I know. Can we leave it at that? I didn't think so either. These past few weeks have been wonderful for my marriage, but not too great for my adventure in slimmatude. Now that I'm active in my job search I get to spend lots of really great quality time with my wife. It started by going to the county fair and seeing a cow giving birth (This is a graphic video we took while watching. CAUTION: not for the squeamish).

The following weeks, we went to an outlet mall, engagement party, wedding, and two sheva brachos (post-wedding parties). This week, we have already gone to one local farm and today we went berry picking about 45 min north of here at Larriland Farms, followed by a family BBQ at my in-laws.

My new anti-schedule and lack of keeping to this blog have, as I suspected, greatly contributed to my weight re-gain. However, the fact that I started writing and was initially consistent has, as also suspected, kept my mind focused around this lessening initiative. I walk more (and complain less about it), I am conscious of what I eat (to a certain degree) and while not yet winning this battle, I am getting in the right mindset.

The sad truth is that tonight I broke a folding chair just by sitting on it. I kept my emotions inside, but that snap, crack, laugh (everyone else there...) reminded me of the other two folding chairs I had broken over Passover and the high riser that I had slowly broken over the course of the past year at my in-laws. Being overweight has many disadvantages, but one sure one is humiliation.

Here are some of the encouraging comments I have received lately:

Uncle Dave, you look pretty. [This was before a lunch meeting last week with the DC Concierge. I was dressed up more than my usual shorts/jeans & and polo, but hey, my niece noticed!]

I check your blog every night before I go to bed. [Math Wiz]

I think of you every time I get on the elliptical machine. [EZ Israeli]

Fat Brothers Unite! [Daddy Recruiter]

Slimmatude Indeed! [Unreturned Book]

...and some of the not so encouraging comments (however motivational they may be):

Is this just turning into a fun blog? What's the point? [The One]

Have you lost anything yet? [Dr Learning]

You have a blog? [Everyone Else...]

Day 49 Stats

Weight: 303.4 Lbs.

Loss Actions: Nothing significant. As mentioned above, I am in a better mindset. However, I have take advantage of a few recent meat meals. As the husband of a former vegetarian and now pregnant wife, who can't stand chicken and most meats now, I get excited at steak or even a burger.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 31

2008-08-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well.... don't you? I won this kippa on Crunchgear today as part of their 2 year birthday bash giveaway. Since, however, I think my current kippa (black knit and boring) is hot enough for me, I am giving away this flashy and fantastic skull cap to a reader of this blog.

How can you win this truly astounding prize? Submit a comment to this post stating either: your best weight loss tip, story or piece of advice for my adventure.

Check out VanityKippa and let me know which one you want (feel free to include that in your comment too). I will choose a winner Sunday night at around 11pm.

Although this is totally random, I had to include it. I just read this quote from one of my all time favorite comedians, Steven Wright, on another blog I read, CopyBlogger:

I went to a restaurant that serves “breakfast at any time”. So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance.

Day 31 Stats

Weight: 299.0

Loss Actions: I forgot to mention on yesterday's post that my wonderful mother-in-law contributed to this adventure by having us over for dinner and making a scrumptious, healthy and low-fat chicken stir fry. It was great; filling and tasty. Thanks Ima!

Tonight, I "Danced Danced" for about half an hour. Mind you, it wasn't the most intense exercise at all times, but a buddy came over [Math Wiz] to join me which really helped to motivate me. I've gotten lax about bringing out the mat and dancing, but a "dance party" makes the chore into j'adore.

Dinner was my famous chili with a pouch of protein chili mix bringing up the health benefits and filling me up thus keeping me from having too much to eat. I know, I know... no veggies? This was a quick dinner and we know to next time add a salad for added benefit.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 30

2008-08-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

Aha ha ha ha... 2 new pairs of shoes! Aha ha ha ha....

With my new found time, my wife and I are attempting to spend way more time together; taking outings, running errands, being all blissful 'n stuff. Today, we went to the Arundel Mills outlet mall near BWI airport, a huge shopping and walking event.

The only store I was excited about was the Vans outlet. For those of you who don't know this about me, I LOVE my Vans. I have now gone through 2 pairs and I mean really worn through. One was orange (that was the far subtler one) and one was black and orange squares. I loved them and wore them everywhere: to weekday services, on vacation, even to work sometimes. A few months ago, I totally wore them out and was asked not to wear them anymore by my loving wife and several co-workers (they had holes on the sides and back).

Today I bought 2 new pairs! I almost left with just one, but after searching the back of the store for any more 13's, the clerk brought out the above pair and said that after the "buy one get one half off" deal which was going on, they would only cost $5! Deal. I know I can find enough occasions to wear my new bat/count slip-on Vans to make them well worth the investment.

Day 30 Stats

Weight: 300.4

Loss Actions: Yesterday I played the Wii fit for 36 min! I love the Wii and one day I hope to own my own. Thanks Jason...

Today, after walking around the mall for an hour, my wife had some pain in her abdomen. Being pregnant, she immediately called her doctor. The secretary there told her to go home "right now" and put her feet up. That meant "RIGHT NOW!" I happily obliged, bags and drinks in tow. Upon reaching the car I realized the keys were in my wife's purse. 10 minutes, briskly, back to her to get the keys and drop off the bags (I left the drinks on our car roof). 10 more minutes back to the car and I was done, sweaty and out of breath, but we left, feet up and all.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 29

2008-08-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

I have a story to tell you. I have been absent from this blog for too long. My absence was due to the convergence of events in my life over the past fourteen days. These events threw me a curve ball, once which I am not sure yet how to swing at.

Two weeks ago I was asked by employer, GeniusRocket, if I would like to become a consultant for them. My new role would be that of Brand Ambassador: going around the country to promote them at conferences and local meetups in order to spread the good word, build partnerships and relationships and hopefully, grow the brand. While this had been an opportunity I had been looking for as a logical growth of my current responsibilities, GeniusRocket could only employ me under these terms as a consultant.

What to do? Where to turn? If I formed a consultancy I would have the luxury of working for myself and my terms. However, it would also mean that I would be forced to find other clients on an ongoing basis in order to sustain my livelihood. I gave myself one week to gage the interest in my possible new profession. That week started Thursday night, July 24th.

From the moment I decided to try consulting, I was on the phone. I called everyone I knew in my time zone. Can we meet this week? Is your company online? What do you do online? Are you using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn? DO you know what those things are?

When it got too late, I moved west to my Chicago and other Midwest connections. WHEN it got too late I moved west to my LA and west coast connections. By 1am EST I had to move all the way to Israel, where my now awake connections started getting my calls, IMs and emails.

With five minutes to go before Shabbat, Friday afternoon, I had a week-long trip planned. I dubbed this the beginning of my Social Media Tour. I would spend Sunday morning through Tuesday afternoon in New York and Tuesday evening through Thursday evening in Toronto.

What a whirlwind week! I met with over 40 people representing 15 organizations in the US and Canada. We spoke about the differences between the old and new web and how in order to be successful one now has to stop talking to their customers or constituents and start listening and being part of the already vibrant conversation. The most positive responses to my "pitch" were all related to me traveling somewhere to speak or train staff about social media.

I accepted GeniusRocket's offer and am now working steadily to build a client roster. I am planing trips to New York (again), Chicago, LA (and SF if it is possible), Southern Florida, and hopefully Boston. IF you want to talk with me about how your company or organization can reap the benefits of the new web, let me know. Let's schedule something... weinberg81@gmail.com

Day 16-29 Stats

Weight: 297.8 Lbs. (This was my pre-fast weight as of Friday August 8th).

Loss Actions: In New York, my hotel happened to be 2 blocks from a Whole Foods. My snacks for the entire trip, therefore, were a huge bag of granola and a bunch of fruit strips. Otherwise, I ate bagels and home-cooked meals rather than eating out. I walked a TON and drank a whole bunch of water, maybe 6 bottles worth from monday morning-tuesday mid day. I walked so much that I realized I had better get one of those rolling laptop/briefcase bags soon or I am going to injure myself.

Toronto, I had the mixed blessing of being right near the all-kosher Second Cup. I think I had 5 drinks in 2 days!

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 15

2008-07-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to lie to you. I will not mince words in your presence. I am not a happy man today. I am hopeful that these feelings will not blend into tomorrow. Today, I feel a sense of inadequacy and the pain in knowing that some of my life's goals have been placed at, or what at least for now seems like, an almost unreachable distance away from me. I don't feel it necessary to expound upon the nature of these feeling beyond what I have mentioned, nor the reasons behind which they manifested themselves. Suffice to say, it's been a sh*tty afternoon/evening.

On to better things. I had a meeting this evening about a wonderful new charity initiative that a friend is contemplating and has consulted me about. Before our meeting we got under way, one buddy of mine sat down next to me and mentioned out load in a very pleased way,

I love your blog! I read it every day. I've never done this before, but I love seeing what Dave has done today.

Thanks! I'm still astonished at all the replies and virtual pats on the back. Some have even gone so far as to offer real world solutions and options to help me along in the process.

Day 15 Stats

Weight: 306.8 Lbs. (I forgot to do this in the morning, so this number is not so reliable).

Loss Actions: 28oz of water, and 4 cookies by way of a snack. I spent 25 solid minutes "sweating to the new-ies" playing Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). After my meeting (see above) I chose to walk my buddy up 2 flights of stairs to his apartment on the 10th floor then down the 7 flights to my own on 3.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 14

2008-07-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, we ate dinner with our friends who live on the 12th floor of our apartment building. After Friday night services, I walked up from the 3rd floor to the 12th (125 steps). Once there, I was informed by my wonderful wife that I had forgotten the salad. 250 more steps down then up again. Then, after a delightful and scrumptious dinner, we went back down to our apartment for a total of 500 steps! Although I was tired and cranky (after getting the salad) I was excited to mention this enormous feat on this blog.

I think I am getting more motivated. Thanks everyone for the continued support. I know many of you keep sending notes to me via facebook and twitter, but don't be afraid to comment. The more you can join in on our conversation, the more everyone benefits out of the whole experiment.

I received this email from my sister in Toronto,

We all watched your video together. We wanted me to let you know that we now all have...wet pants!!! thanks for the laugh and the inspiration!!!
keep us posted!!

Seems that the video was a success! I'll try to keep new onces coming. DO you have an idea for me to film myself doing? Examples: Biking (still need a bike), preparing some recipes with the wife, Walking up stairs in the Warwick (our apartment complex), food shopping trips (we called them "making an order" in Canada), etc.

Day 14 Stats
Weight: 301.8 Lbs.
Loss Actions: 52oz of water, and no snacking today.

Last night, my wife got a flat tire while traveling on I95 north from DC to Baltimore. Thank God, she and her passengers were fine, frazzled, but fine. Both husbands (+1 expert tire changing friend) rushed to the scene and worked together to secure everyone and get on our merry way. This led to a celebratory pizza dinner for all (and one that got us out of making something from scratch after the terrible ordeal). Pizza lunch left-overs was the obvious lunch for today...

I also helped said expert friend unload the pieces for his new shed from a rented truck to his backyard earlier in the day. That was a great workout!

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 11

2008-07-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

My wife surprised me with a present on Monday. She was so excited to give it to me. Months ago I had discovered Snorg Tees, I great independent online t-shirt shop, and told her about a specific shirt, "I'm Huge in Japan." I thought it was hilarious. Months went by and I, of course, forgot all about my find. That was until Monday, when a package arrived in our mail and my wife had a huge smirk on.

I tore open the bag to find to my great delight the I'm huge in Japan t-shirt in an extra large. Unfortunately, I am no longer a slender extra large, I am now a more voluptuous double-wide, super fat, tres-tres-grande, extra extra large.

However, I am even more excited now.... I already have a prize awaiting my soon to be smaller figure.

Day 11 Stats
Weight: 301.2 Lbs.
Loss Actions: 36oz of water, a salad and tuna sandwich for lunch, and 2 bananas to mix up the snacking a little. ALso, I'm very happy t note that while I took a stroll to the local Starbucks with my boss, I did not make a sugar and fat withdrawal, I only enjoyed his lively conversation.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 9

2008-07-23T23:31:00.000-07:00

Dave is out of commission today due to complications. Thus, no actions or report! See you tomorrow.

The Management...

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 8

2008-07-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to week two in my adventures in slimattude. So far your read my rants, commented on my posts and hopefully seen my "music video". Feel free to follow me on twitter (@weinberg81) where I talk about other stuff too.

Note: I made it possible to comment as "Anonymous" now, so you won't need a username or anything. Thanks for the nudge "Redhead Hoser".

What a beautiful day in DC! 96 degrees and counting. I left my office for a short walk (yes, to Starbucks - with a coworker) and couldn't get over the day. This has got to be one of the nicest days I had even witnessed while living here, and I spent 99% of it indoors...

Classic DC moment: As I left the GeniusRocket offices, Marine One, the President's green and white sikorsky helicopter, flew a mere 200 ft overhead. I rushed to grab a pic off my blackberry and posted it to facebook. The picture shows that its further off, due to my lack of speed. So cool!

Day 8 Stats
Weight: 302.1 Lbs.
Loss Actions: 48oz of water, zero snacks (yay) except the bowl of blueberry I am about to indulge in and a brief walk in the sweat-inducing heat. I hope to do another round of dance dance revolution later tonight too.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 7 - Dance Dance Revolution: An Expose

2008-07-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a Jewish fast day, the Seventeenth of Tamuz (a Jewish month), therefore I did not weigh in until this morning. Of course, I did not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset either, so my numbers went down accordingly.

I was so excited to get back on the blogging train today that I though I would post a few seconds of one of my fitness moments: Dance Dance Revolution. For my birthday this year, my wife, mother and sister all chipped in to buy my a playstation with dance dance revolution an dance mat. A friend of ours lost over 40 Lbs using DDR as part of his weight loss regime! When we heard that, and tried this truly fun game we thought "Why not?"

Day 7 Stats
Weight: 301.3 Lbs.
Loss Actions:

Well, besides the video above and fasting yesterday, I drank 30oz of water today and ate a salad for lunch. I really have to push myself harder to drink more water, even with the more frequent "pauses" in my day.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 4

2008-07-18T05:46:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, signed up for Freecycle, a sort of free giveaway program online. Each community has their own, where you can offer things you no longer want or post for something you do. I posted that I was looking for an adult sized relatively new bike. I haven't heard anything back yet. My next step is our local list serve then family then friends, then if all else fails, I may buy one.

Any clue where else I can turn?

With the economy the way it is, we are really trying to curb our spending habits. I've even begun reading financial tightwad style blogs like "Get Rich Slowly" and "Zen Habits" ans sign up for Mint (really cool financial management software).

So far the best thing we have done is open in ING Direct Orange Savings Account (high yield saving account online). If you haven't done this yet... go do it now! There is only a $250 minimum to open an account and then with auto deposits and high return interest, all is smooth sailing. Our first house, here we come!

Where do you get you budget and spending motivation and advice from?

Lat night, post posting I received another email,

Maybe the way you're posting is a little bit of a downer. Each day you post your "Loss Actions", the things you do to lose weight, and none of them are fun: skipping a snack, exercising, etc. Maybe you should keep track of all the stuff you did get to eat. Say you have 2000 calories in a day, that still includes lots of good food, and at the end of the day you may feel less deprived if you have a long list of things you enjoyed instead of the things you had to forego.

[From MathWiz]

What do you think? I'll try to be more "upbeat", but I'm not sure I'm yet ready for, "Yay, 23 celery stick... hot diggity".

Day 2 Stats
Weight: 301.6 Lbs.
Loss Actions:
Today was a level 5 heat wave day in DC, even the buses were free so people wouldn't randomly collapse while walking, thus my lack of activity. I drank the requisite 40oz of water and did not snack at all. This weekend will bring real exercise with walking and dancing and more! Thanks for reading...

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 3 - Part 2

2008-07-17T20:02:00.000-07:00

As predicted, I had the great opportunity to walk a few blocks to and from my parking spot tonight, bringing on the sweat during our hot DC night. I bumped into more friends and acquaintances at the Twin Tech event in DC tonight, some of whom, apparently, are following my progress here. Thanks for the well wishes and motivation!

You've got guts for going public with this! It's great!

[From Coder Guy]

The awful picture at left is of me meeting and schmoozing with Sarah Lacy earlier tonight. Sarah graceously signed a copy of her new book to me, "One You're Lucky, Twice You're Good", which I am very excited to read. Internet celebrities tend to be very nice I keep finding out. Thanks Sarah!

Day 2 Stats
Weight: 306.8 Lbs.
My wife and my best friend are no longer letting me weigh myself at night, fully clothed, since its not accurate. Fine.... I will get on the scale in the morning and add that number to my posts at night.

Loss Actions:
Drank 94oz of water, but due to the heat I had a slurpie and power bar to keep from fainting as well as two rice cakes later in the day. Dinner, at Eli's (yummmm), was a chicken caesar salad and soup while I waited for my dinning partner, what to me seems like a good food choice. I walked 15 minutes more that I normally would.

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 3 - Part 1

2008-07-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Today will be an incredibly busy and long day, which is why I am posting something short this morning in hopes of posting something very short again way way later. I am going to the Twin Tech event in DC tonight, preceded by dinner at Eli's. After that, I will be home for an hour (spouse time :)) and then off to the first showing of Batman at 12:01am. I will post my daily stats at some point later tonight, but for now I wanted post a quote I saw yesterday and discuss it a little.

I love Twitter. What is Twitter you ask? Glad you asked... Here is a short and simple video explaining exactly what makes this new online social media tool a success.

One of the people I follow, Erica Douglass, posted this:

@ericabiz Reading: "A $1 increase in the price of gasoline could cut the obesity rate by 10 percent, saving 16,000 lives..." http://xrl.us/kk3bm

Charles Courtemanche, an economics professor at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro wrote his dissertation on "The connection between gas prices and obesity." By surveying statistics from the past 20 years of government health studies and gas prices he was able to show that our cheap prices helped further our fatter nation. Now, with people finding new ways to get to work and around in general, whether by metro, bicycle, walking or more, we are slimming down. Gas prices go up, weight goes down.

I have already looked into the likelihood of riding a bike to work. For one, I don't yet own a bike... (if you have have an extra one and live in the DC area, give me a shout). Two, I take back roads almost the entire way to my office (from Silver Spring to Bethesda, MD) and the roads are quiet narrow. I'm nervous about getting hit by a car. Half the time I drive on the side of a park, which I should be able to bike through, but the other times.... speedy cars, nervous fat guy on a bike. Probably not the best combination. I love bike riding, and think I will take it up one a leisurely level.

Do you think I could make the 6.9 mile trek there and back each day?

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 2

2008-07-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

Today ended the second day of my journey. Clearly, many of you are happy with the idea of a lesser me, and I think I am ok with that. The psychological effects of weight loss and my fears of the after-effects might be my biggest struggle. For one, my entire joke repertoire will be lost. Skinny guys can't make fat guy jokes, those are the rules; nobody like a poser.

More and more of you have been sending me well wishes and even more tips. I am truly grateful to all of you. I won't ever publish your true identity, that you can do yourself in the comments below (if you choose to do so). Keep sending more stories, ideas and inspiration, I hope that I am not the only one being motivated to do better and be a better me.

Good for you! also, if you're interested in diet tips/techniques, try reading the abs diet, or check it out online. very interesting, you might find some of it useful. :)

[From Redhead Hoser]

Good luck man. check out http://sparkpeople.com - I use it for nutrition tracking, but it's also a great weight loss community with lots of online tools.

[From Coder Guy]

Day 2 Stats
Weight: 305.7 Lbs.
Loss Actions: Drank 68oz of water and only snacked on one breakfast bar. I joined my coworkers for lunch just to take a walk (go figure, the local Bethesda sushi ain't kosher), but didn't realize the place was only a block away. Oh well, tomorrow should bring more exercise with the availability of DC parking close to anywhere I ever need to be (read: long walk).

The Road to a Lesser Dave: Day 1 - July 15, 2008

2008-07-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

So the adventure begins! 1 day into my journey and I have already received so many well wishes and tips for consistent and safe weight loss:

Just a quick thought: if you're dying for a big honking meal, you can hit the kosher subway in Baltimore, where they have a bunch of sandwiches (stay away from the fatty dressing and pick the low fat subs) where you can get a foot long for 700 calories or so and feel like you ate like a king...

[From MathWiz]

I will let you in on my secret; Weight Watchers Online with e-tools. Maintaining the loss has not been hard because over time I've changed the way I deal with food altogether. I still eat, all the normal stuff, just less and modified. It works because you don't really do without. I think public blogging is a good way to keep you honest. For me, it was a more private endeavor.

Hatzlacha! (good luck)

[From Neighbor]

Day 1 Stats:

[Disclamer, I weight myslef before I post, which occurs at different point in the day, thus I will have pretty significant swings. But so long as the whole window of grand opportunity gets smaller I should know I am moving i the right direction.]

Weight: 307.2 Lbs.
Loss Actions: Drank 50oz of water and attempted not snacking.

Honestly first: Ok, not the best first day. I drank more water than usual and kept the unhealthy snacking to a minimun (1 breakfast bar and a ricecake), but did Jack Squat in terms of exercise.

---The pics were from the Nationals Game on Sunday, Jul 13, 2008. I got to see my "Montreal Expos" play in their brand new stadium.

Here Today Gone Tomorrow

2008-07-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

On the advice of another blogger, I am publicly posting my adventures in slimmatude... my latest effort at losing weight. I feel this time will be different than all that have come beforehand for several reasons:

Now married, my wife seriously cares about my health and will enforce my loss schedule and actions in a positive and loving fashion. Previous attemps were enforced by... me - not especially effective.
This baby's gone public. By blogging, recording my efforts, showing of my loveliness, and being on show I hope to get help from friends, family and random readers. Comment on my posts. Point out if I'm not keeping up. Send me your tips and advice.
Dad. Soon to be one myself, I am constantly aware of the fact that mine is no longer with us. His loss was random and not due to any unhealthy trait or lifestyle, but rather due to illness. None-the-less, I can lessen my chances of leaving early (as often pointed out by my wonderful wife) buy losing weight and getting in better shape.

Future Posts: ... Stay Tuned!

Weight Updates: graphical and pictorial.
My weight and my sense of humor.
What do you think are my chances?
Got any ideas for me?
Is there a good way to document this online for all to see that I don't know about yet?
Wanna donate a bike?
Should I establish a donate here button so people can help me reach my goal dollar to pound? Would you donate more if half the money raised was given to charity?