Wegovy?

 

Two months ago I had my annual physical.  I noticed my doc is now an "obesity medicine specialist" so I asked her about my weight loss plateau.  I've been stuck at 166 lbs for months.  She made a bunch of suggestions, including intermittent fasting and drinking kombucha.  I was already doing IF.  She said, since your BMI is 25.2, you are technically overweight.  I'd be ok with giving you low dose oral Wegovy.  It wouldn't be covered by insurance as you have to have a BMI over 30.  It's $150 per month and she recommended taking it for six months. 

Based on my waist measurement, I'm at ~25% body fat right now.  Higher than I'd like.  I'd like to be under 20%.  Without a Dexa scan, you never really know because muscle mass is the missing variable.   

I can't tell you the number of people I've met who tell me they are taking Wegovy or a like medication.  The results are often amazing.   

I told her I'd try harder for another six months before deciding.  I've basically decided at this point not to do it.  I'd rather spend $120 a month on a gym than on Wegovy.  At some point I'll get a Dexa.  I found a place in Toronto that does them for 85 CAD -- way less than in the U.S.  

Waist measurement is the magic number for me now --  34 to 35" is the target.  That's a ~2" reduction.  In fact, if I can get to below 35", I don't even care what my weight is.   

Weak

One thing I realize from my fitness efforts is that I am physically weaker than I should be.  What is a reasonable weight for a bicep curl or chest press?  I attribute this to years working long hours in an office job.  There's another blogger called Corporate Slave -- that's what I was, a corporate slave.  I wish I was more cognizant of it at the time, and not just getting hit with the realization now.  How can you get motivated to exercise and stay in shape when you are often working eleven hours a day?  And sometimes more.  It's not healthy at all.

After working so hard for years, what happened?  Kicked to the curb.  I advise people now that loyalty to a corporation is foolish.

Physical strength is correlated with longevity.   Just like VO2 Max is correlated to longevity.  I've made good progress over the last year, but I can do better.  Progress is slower that I had hoped, but I'm not 25 anymore.

I can't agonize over what I should have done differently in my life.  I can't change the past.  When I think back, I realize there were reasons why things happened the way they did.  

Progress

 

It's been eight weeks since I returned from my Mexico trip.  Since that time I've been working out 5-6 days per week.  Lifting with progressive overload, and I have made progress.  From zero pull-ups to five.  (I keep thinking of that show "Boots" -- yay, now I can join the Marines.)  Cardio with spin bike, running, and kettlebell.  Lot's of walking.  I'm eating 1500-1600 calories a day, so probably a 500 calorie deficit.  Carefully weighing and measuring my food.  I'm generally hitting my protein target of 130 grams per day.  Intermittent fasting and drinking kombucha.  I've been consistent over the eight weeks.  OMG, what else can I possibly do?  I guess a gym and trainer, that would be the next level for me.

Where am I after eight weeks?  I've lost about 1 kg.  I'm at 75 kg and a BMI of 25.2.  Waist measurement reduced by 1 inch.  Definitely have added muscle mass....I can see and feel it.  This started out as a plan to lose some weight over a few months, and has become an obsession.  If I stay at the same weight, but reduce my waist measurement and add muscle mass, I'm happy with that.

The real test is what does my bf say?  Will he notice a big difference?  If he says no change, I'm going to beat him. 

       

The Sex Addict

 

 

This close friend of my bf invited him to go to the park because it was warmer yesterday and some cherry trees had started to blossom.  A few guys from the "gay group" me them there.  One of the guys is called "the sex addict".  He's not shy about sharing his adventures.  He's also not shy about giving sex advice.  My bf was telling me about how this guy is always hooking up with two or three guys.  "A week?", I asked.   "NO, a day".  In fact, when they were leaving this guy said he wanted to get home quickly as there was still time for one more hookup today.  

I've met this guy one time.  Very clean cut, Asian guy who has a good job at a bank.  I never would have guessed this lifestyle.  His life, his choice.  He is protected and seems to know what he's doing.  I don't want to judge as it's not my business, and many people would probably judge me as having a super boring life.  Not exactly sure how to describe this, but people have different levels of risk taking, boldness or bravery.

The other guys, including my bf, seem so interested in his stories.  When I suggested to my bf that he seemed to like hearing this guy's adventures, he shut me down and said he doesn't want to hear about it.  I don't believe him.  I have to admit, I'm a bit curious to hear what he's up to.    

The guys were asking my bf about our trip to Mexico.  "Did you guys meet anyone?" they asked.  Meet anyone?  What does that mean?   Like for a three-way?  We didn't even think about it.   I guess we are both super boring.  Interesting that they nonchalantly brought this up as a normal thing to do. 

Two more weeks until our NYC trip.  Just me and my bf this time.  His close friend is not coming.   I think no money.  I like his friend, but this is fine with me. 

Eight weeks of working out pretty consistently since we returned from Mexico.  Let's see if my bf thinks I've made any progress.  I feel like I have.  I know I have.  I am less focused on weight now and more focused on abdominal measurement at the belly button.     

I wanted to do some travel in October, but not sure that's a good idea with the war going on and likely jet fuel shortages.  TBD -- no need to decide yet.   

How Could this Happen?

 

As the situation in the US worsens and becomes increasingly scary, I was thinking about a dinner of family and friends shortly after the presidential election.  The group was mostly working class democrats.  Teachers, a nurse, an engineer, a social worker, etc.  As far as a I know, none voted for Trump. The general conversation was "How could this happen?"   How could Trump possibly be re-elected?

I asked a few questions.     

• Do you support DEI and affirmative action?  The collective response was that it has been taken too far.  Biden seemed to have a DEI quota even for appointing his cabinet.  The group was opposed.

• Should there be control of immigration and closed borders?  There was a consensus - the open borders that flooded Texas and larger US cities with illegal immigrants was wrong.  The wide open border created  social services crises in Texas and many US cities.  People should be vetted before they are allowed entry.  We don't want MS13 and other criminals.

• Student loan forgiveness?  A resounding no here.  Where's my $10,000?  How can the government just give $10,000 to certain people?  It's not fair.  

• Trans rights? - Everyone agreed that people have the right to change their gender and should not be discriminated against.  Everyone also agreed that allowing a MTF to play on a female sports team is unfair.  One person said they don't want their daughter or wife to be in a locker room with a person who has male genitalia.

• Pronouns? - General consensus is that it's confusing and unnecessary.  There are two genders.  Especially the singular of they.

• Size and efficiency of government?  General consensus that government is bloated and inefficient, government workers don't work very hard and there is a lot of waste.  One family friend worked at the State Dept for thirty years and would tell us shocking stories of government waste.

• Crime?  It's bad and often the punishments are often a joke.  Defunding the police is just ludicrous.

• Abortion?  About half supported women's rights to have choice.  Some Catholics at the table. No one agreed with total ban and the prosecution of doctors who provide abortions.  There are circumstances when it should be allowed.  

• Biden?  Looks senile and never should have run again. 

IMHO, this is how it happened.  This is why Trump won.  So many people I've talked to have told me that they think Trump is a bad person, but they voted for him anyway because of their mostly ideological agreement.  I've been shocked at some of the people (who I thought were smart) and have told me they voted for Trump.

I think Trump is a horrible human being to the core.  

Here's a reality:  The US is fundamentally conservative.  If a Biden or Harris clone arrives to run for President in 2028, they will likely lose.  They are too far left.  If a Republican or Democrat shows up who is a little right of center, they have a shot a winning.  Otherwise people will hold their nose and vote Republican.  We might have JD or Marco as our next President  (unless Trump destroys them first). 

Asia Trip

 

 

I've always thought about doing longer trips, like more than two months.  Now I am seriously planning for January.  The trip is going to be Asia with primary base in Da Nang.  I've heard it called the "Miami of Asia".  Right on the ocean and inexpensive.  I'll visit some other cities too, but right now the plan is for Da Nang to be the primary base.  I'm thinking Jan 15th to early April.

Da Nang seems to fit the bill.  Staying at the beach.  Warm weather.  Inexpensive massage everyday.  Different foods.  Now I need to find the best location and also would like to find a place in a hi-rise.

I usually recon one or two other places I might want to go.  A friend told me about Hua Hin in Thailand as another option.   I also want to check out Bali and surrounding areas.  I've heard mixed reviews of Bali, but the north side of the island might be better.  Also, there are some islands to the east.  I doubt I'll return to Phuket.

I love planning these trips.  How to get the best deals and organize the trip most efficiently. 

Morning Walk

 

The morning weather is so beautiful right now.  It's 65F  (18 C).  I went for a walk at 6 :15 this morning.  It was cool, but perfect for just shorts and a t-shirt.  Only a few other people walking and running.  After seven many more will come out.   There is a sidewalk farmer's market nearby and some of the vendors were just getting set up.  I'm so grateful for this morning walk.

It is now the end of the third week of my eight week stint at home.  I'm a bit frustrated that I'm stuck at 75kg despite lots of lifting, cardio, intermittent fasting and a calorie deficit.  I started running again last week.  I feel like there is also a mental health benefit from running.  Let's see if that helps. 

Five more weeks until my trip to NYC.  That won't help my diet, but NYC is my favorite city.  I am picking the restaurants I want to try.  Expensive restaurants are one of the most overrated things in NYC, and I want to carefully choose so as to avoid disappointment and too expensive.. 

One of my former co-workers called me out of the blue yesterday.  I worked with him twenty years ago and he's kept in touch.  He had some personal finance questions he wanted to run by me.  He sent me a message:  "You had better not still be working!"  

The immediate future doesn't look good for the U.S.  With all the stupid things Trump has done in the last fifteen months, he has averted disaster.  It's not looking that way this time.  The "unconditional surrender" didn't happen.  His "address to the nation" was clear as mud.  Higher oil prices could create an economic disaster.  Two of the band of idiots have been exited.  Hopefully the "secretary of war" is next.   He seems gleeful with this war.  I suppose the replacements could be worse.   Looking forward with trepidation.