Hello, all holiday-makers! You’re probably sitting there, nursing a pint of lager in one hand and digesting 1 kg of steak.
I’m not so fortunate - there’s too much to do and I’ve been focusing on one thing and one thing only: exercise. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been really strict with myself. First there was the kitchen refit, and now that this is out of the way, it’s all workouts, workouts and more workouts.
I’m now cycling back and forth to work every day, around 25-30 km, and am doing at least 4 weightlifting sessions a week. I’ll end up looking like the Hulk! 
Joking aside, the scales have not moved downwards, rather the reverse, but my body is undergoing some serious changes. To sum up: less stomach and more chest. The scales are stuck at 94.8 kg. The beard alone probably weighs about 1 kg.
Add comment July 15, 2008
One year has gone by. Or it will have tomorrow, 8 July, to be more precise. I feel nostalgic, happy and sad all at the same time. I’ve always been a bit “edgy”. I must admit that I’ve been more active this year than every before, but it hasn’t made me any happier.
So how have things gone with the kitchen? Obviously, it’s not yet finished. Sigh, I finally got the work surfaces, and everything is in place - and yet, not. As well as the exit for the kitchen fan, connecting the last hotplate on the hob, tiles, edgings and some paint jobs, the spotlights in the living room still haven’t arrived. The electrical goods supplier was certainly the cheapest, but their delivery times are not the best. Will the final 10% take a year to finish? Well, I’ll do some more painting today.
The first week of my holidays has arrived. I’m going to hang out with the kids and just relax. Let’s hope for some nice weather, otherwise I’ll have to come up with some indoor activities. Since I haven’t been working on the kitchen in the evenings, I’ve started to cycle and work out more. 3 visits to the gym last week, and cycle rides up to double figures. The scales are heading upwards, but I’m not worried about it. I simply couldn’t have lived a healthier lifestyle this week.
94.1 kg
Add comment July 7, 2008
We’re almost there - the first anniversary.
93.4 kg… Looking better than I have for a long time and have enjoyed an eventful year, to say the least. I started dieting on 8 July 2007 and now I weigh precisely 34 kg less than at the outset. I have more energy and am much fitter. And I still love hamburgers as much as I ever did!
Last weekend was spent with the lads at my first ever beer orienteering event. It was a great event, even though I was disqualified.
I hope the winner, Marko, has recovered by now! It was great to see a true master at work - you’re a real fighter.
Add comment July 2, 2008
Day 360
Wow, what a party! I’ve been to the celebration of the century - well, at least it feels that way. Max celebrated its 40th anniversary, and I want to share the experience with you all.
Has anyone been served a hamburger with caviar and Champagne on the side before? Guaranteed not to be featured in a restaurant near you, but tasty and very inventive.
The queue to say hello to Kurt was longer than the one at Max Hamngatan at lunchtime He’s grown his hair long (future ice hockey style?),
perhaps to tease his sons who sport the shaved look.
I thought it was most appropriate, since my only other idol next to you, Kurt, is Mats Sundin, the ice hockey player of players.
3 bars, giant barbecue, unlimited hamburgers and drinks, Brolle jr, disc jockey, post-event party and great people all came together to make it an evening to remember! I have the utmost respect for those who lasted the night at Sture. I didn’t exactly bounce out of bed at 05.30 myself, to paint the living room ceiling, but I got up eventually.
The next celebration will probably be the 50th anniversary, but I have no idea how you’re going to top this? Perhaps I’ll be there then as well - I can only hope!
The picture shows Britta and myself. She’s been with Max throughout the company’s wonderful journey.
Add comment June 27, 2008
Day 356
Have had a week’s holiday. This should have meant relaxing and hanging out with the kids, but the kitchen renovation has now entered phase 2. This means we are replacing what we tore out. I’m actually really pleased with the result, and with having a kitchen again. The work surface is missing, and will be delivered later than promised, so we don’t have a hob yet. But hopefully it won’t be long before this is sorted out as well.
For the first time in my life, I’m suffering from sleep problems. I’m too revved up and can’t relax. I should take things more gently, but can’t/won’t do it. This week will be busy. Pia is in Norway, I’m minding the kids and on Thursday I’m going to Max’s huge 40th anniversary celebration. It was great to be invited!
Exercise: One week/7 days of hard labour, filling, painting, sorting out the electricity supply and general work. I fitted in a visit to the gym once last Sunday, although it wasn’t really necessary…
Food: the diet has been so-so, due to lack of time.
Result: -32.4 kg
95.0 kg (127.4 kg) Total weight
25.9 kg (42.0 kg) Fat
53.0 kg (44.0 kg) Water
40.3 kg (34.8 kg) Muscle
Add comment June 23, 2008
Now it’s time to renovate the kitchen. This has been in the pipeline for a while, and I’ve spent the week ripping out everything and installing the electrical system…. lots of electricity, and my old electricity-telecoms training came in handy. It’s been some workout - my body is crying out for rest which I haven’t given it. First 8 hours at jalbum.net and then 8 hours at home.
I’ll end up looking like Tarzan, and the scales aren’t lying: I’m down 2 kg. A building site and children is not a happy combination, so I’m trying to get it all finished in record time. You can expect new pictures in about a week.
Exercise: 7 days of solid hard labour - rip out the kitchen, install spotlights and sort out the electrical supply.
Food: Lots - but this is probably less of a problem when working 16 hours a day, twice what you put in when working full time.
Result: 32.1 kg
95.3 kg (127.4 kg) Total weight
26.3 kg (42.0 kg) Fat
52.8 kg (44.0 kg) Water
40.0 kg (34.8 kg) Muscle
Add comment June 17, 2008
Have enjoyed an extended lunch at the Swedish Hamburger Championships. Tried lots of hamburgers, and am now suffering from stomach ache. My favourite was the Health Burger. But in the end, the winner was Salami Green & Fresh - which also tasted great!
Congratulations to all the finalists and their fantastic burgers!
But I am not at all sure how healthy all that Crème Fraiche is.
Add comment June 12, 2008
Minimizeme a long time ago…
It’s now ages since I wrote anything on the blog. I simply haven’t felt motivated, and things have been a bit so-so at home. My Dad has been in hospital, but he’s better now, and he’s gone to Italy. Damn, I’ve forgotten to feed his fish. I was at Sweden Rock last week, and it completely slipped my mind. Oooops!
Sweden Rock is a fantastic event. I missed it last year, but you can’t have more fun than this. Check out the pictures - they are X-rated since we went in fancy dress. I was dressed as Pimp and my brother as Slicky Dick.
Exercise and diet: How many people lose weight on a diet of great food and beer? Well, Johan did! I went easy on the drink, ate well and rocked my socks off for 4 days. To say that I’m aching is putting it mildly. Only went to Max twice this week, and stopped off at Max in Värnamo on the way home. Is this the cleanest Max outlet in Sweden? Extremely neat and tidy, but what happened to the soap in the cloakroom?
Don’t click on this link if you are faint-hearted! Rock on brothers and sisters!
Result: 30 kg
97.4 kg (127.4 kg) Total weight
26.4 kg (42.0 kg) Fat
51.3 kg (44.0 kg) Water
39.2 kg (34.8 kg) Muscle
Add comment June 10, 2008
It really feels like time is running away from me. 3 children and parents in full-time work is supposed to be the model family, but I simply can’t understand how you’re supposed to find enough time. Finally, everyone is back to full health and looking forward to a week without illness, but we’ll have to see what happens. My poor leg isn’t doing too well. The stitches caused an infection and once a cupful of pus had been squeezed out, I ended up with a taped wound instead of stitches. The nurse said that wounds on the shin take ages to heal - sigh, give me a break, please!
Short working week and everyone stays healthy. Alone at home with the kids while Pia is on a trip to the Baltic island of Gotland. Emma played football last Saturday, and we had grilled hamburgers in the evening. To my great delight, Max has started selling its hamburger buns in the shops, at Willy’s, in fact. But where are the GI buns, which are much tastier?
Exercise - Mostly limping around but walks on Monday-Wednesday. 1 x workout. Then left alone at home with the children = great exercise!
Meals have been a bit weird. The penicillin has left me very tired, and the scales have gone crazy! Almost 100 kg… 
I swore I would never again weigh 100 kg… I feel so annoyed since I don’t feel that I’ve been sloppy with my diet, but the weight diagram isn’t pointing in the right direction. Boo-hoo, what am I to do now?
Result: 28 kg
99.4 kg (127.4 kg) Total weight
- (42.0 kg) Fat (the scales are refusing to give these values. :()
- (44.0 kg) Water
- (34.8 kg) Muscle
Add comment May 8, 2008
All these illnesses are taking it out of me. It feels like I’ve hardly been to work in April. Now my wife, oldest daughter Emma and our youngest, Tilda, are feeling lousy too. For a while there, we were contemplating taking Tilda to hospital, since she couldn’t even keep down water. Feeding a one-year old daughter water by the teaspoonful isn’t exactly one of life’s highlights. To cap it all, I was helping a lady friend to move house, fell of a stool and broke the skin on my leg so badly that it required 6 stitches, penicillin and an anti-tetanus jab. I really should just have stayed in bed the whole week.
Exercise - I’ve been such a victim of bad luck that I’ve hardly exercised at all this week. It wasn’t really the leg that was causing the problem, but my right arm which went completely numb from the anti-tetanus jab! 1 x workout. Walks, well sort of, with a gammy leg!
I’ve continued to eat ordinary, everyday home cooking, but without second helpings.
Result: 30.3 kg
97.1 kg (127.4 kg) Total weight
26.0 kg (42.0 kg) Fat
52.9 kg (44.0 kg) Water
40.2 kg (34.8 kg) Muscle
Add comment May 5, 2008
