Thursday, April 2, 2009
Another 2 Weeks!
I'm still in it and I couldn't be happier. I have maintained a consistent weight loss and have lost over 30 pounds. My trainer Micah has me doing crazy things and I feel like each individual session with him is like day 1 all over! I feel the pressure only because I'm the only male left in this challenge. Kudos to the ladies who are still left. They are tough competition. I look forward to my continued journey in this challenge. I wish continued success to those that have been eliminated as well as those who are still involved in the challenge.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Re-Focusing on the important ONE
Well the second elimination weigh in occurred last Thursday and I was pleased with my results. I have continued to lose more weight (not double digits like I had hoped), more inches, and more body fat. I found last week to be extremely difficult since I wasn't sure how they were going to do the eliminations. I think that's the hardest part of this challenge. Not knowing how they will be eliminating people keeps you focused on working out harder. I was stressing about my weight loss (or lack of) when I realized that I should be happy with my "new" look. I have went down one pant size and my clothes fit me loose. I have a neck and jaw line again and I feel energized. I thanked God for placing me in this position and I realized how lucky I am to be able to be in a place where I can better my personal "temple" that God has given me.
I struggled with food temptations last week. Having four kids doesn't make things easy. I can't be selfish and make them suffer because I am watching my diet. I get to watch them eat their cookies while I enjoy the aroma! Tonight is my 4 year olds birthday and I will watch him eat cupcakes that my wife made for him. I love cupcakes! I'm not looking forward to missing out on them but I can't give in to my temptations now.
This challenge has taught me that I have not been focusing enough on the Lord. The challenge has shown me that life is full of food temptations. I feel stupid because I should have already new this from the Bible. Life is full of temptations and each day we are tempted to do something that may not be right. It's funny how you don't always realize things unless you are focusing on something. I have been focusing on my weight loss and proper eating so I see the food temptations all the time now. I never realized before how many times a day I could be tempted by food. It's also the same with our daily walk with the Lord. Each day I focus on Him I am able to fight off the temptation to do something bad or wrong. It's when I don't focus on Him that I am more likely to give in to a temptation. Wow, God can use anything situation to re-focus us when He needs to. Thank you Lord for not giving up on me.
I struggled with food temptations last week. Having four kids doesn't make things easy. I can't be selfish and make them suffer because I am watching my diet. I get to watch them eat their cookies while I enjoy the aroma! Tonight is my 4 year olds birthday and I will watch him eat cupcakes that my wife made for him. I love cupcakes! I'm not looking forward to missing out on them but I can't give in to my temptations now.
This challenge has taught me that I have not been focusing enough on the Lord. The challenge has shown me that life is full of food temptations. I feel stupid because I should have already new this from the Bible. Life is full of temptations and each day we are tempted to do something that may not be right. It's funny how you don't always realize things unless you are focusing on something. I have been focusing on my weight loss and proper eating so I see the food temptations all the time now. I never realized before how many times a day I could be tempted by food. It's also the same with our daily walk with the Lord. Each day I focus on Him I am able to fight off the temptation to do something bad or wrong. It's when I don't focus on Him that I am more likely to give in to a temptation. Wow, God can use anything situation to re-focus us when He needs to. Thank you Lord for not giving up on me.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
ONE DAY AT A TIME
It's getting closer to the second elimination weigh in and the stress levels are increasing by the hour. I'm worried about my weight loss. I seem to have hit the wall so to speak. I keep working out harder and eating healthier but the weight is coming off slower. I will say that my cardio has improved and I feel better overall. That is until I work out with my trainer and then he just kicks my butt! I'm sore but it's a good soreness. He always seems to bring me back to reality. Just when I think I'm in great shape, I get reminded that I have more work to do. This has taught me that this weight loss challenge really is a ONE DAY AT A TIME competition.
I can tell I'm getting in better shape because my clothes are fitting me looser and my belly is getting flatter. My wife keeps telling me that I actually have a neck that is noticable now. I can see my jaw line as well in my face. I know that none of this would have happened if it wasn't for this challenge. My wife has been my biggest supporter. She encourages me daily and has changed her eating habits to help me stay with my strict diet. I have also found support from my staff at school. They keep encouraging me and inquiring about my progress. My teammates have been great too. I enjoy working out with them and we all encourage and push one another. It will be sad if any of us get eliminated this week. I find my strength and will power through my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. I know that I am fortunate to be where I'm at and that it's all because of Him. I know that He is with me every step, every rep, every work out, everyday, all of the time! So I will keep approaching this challenge as a new lifestyle. I will keep at my lifestyle change the same way the tortoise kept in the race with the hare. I will be be slow and steady instead of fast and furious because the end result is what counts not the near and present.
I can tell I'm getting in better shape because my clothes are fitting me looser and my belly is getting flatter. My wife keeps telling me that I actually have a neck that is noticable now. I can see my jaw line as well in my face. I know that none of this would have happened if it wasn't for this challenge. My wife has been my biggest supporter. She encourages me daily and has changed her eating habits to help me stay with my strict diet. I have also found support from my staff at school. They keep encouraging me and inquiring about my progress. My teammates have been great too. I enjoy working out with them and we all encourage and push one another. It will be sad if any of us get eliminated this week. I find my strength and will power through my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. I know that I am fortunate to be where I'm at and that it's all because of Him. I know that He is with me every step, every rep, every work out, everyday, all of the time! So I will keep approaching this challenge as a new lifestyle. I will keep at my lifestyle change the same way the tortoise kept in the race with the hare. I will be be slow and steady instead of fast and furious because the end result is what counts not the near and present.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Marathon Runner?
Okay, I know it's been awhile since you've last heard from me. I have no excuse other than being a slacker. It's harder keeping up with my blogging than it is with my diet or exercise program. I have continued to push my pace with my workouts and the results have been positive.
This challenge I'm finding out is more like a marathon race. A race that continues to go on and on and on.... It's becoming clearer to me that this is more of a process of changing your lifestyle and getting into healthy routines than it is about just losing some weight.
I will say that I'm not reallylooking forward to my next group workout because I am physically tired and sore. Micah really worked us last week. The group workout reminded me of one that Jillian or Bob would put their teams through on the biggest loser. I was so impressed with how hard the gals on my team pushed themselves. My teammates are awesome. We are constantly encouraging each other and it helps when we're struggling with one of Micah's activities that he's having us do. I also enjoy having Joe there too. He's really taking his own training serious. It's nice to have him there. His presence makes me push myself and work harder. He brings out the competitiveness in me.
My diet has been like a roller coaster ride at times throughout this challenge. You know, up and down! The first two weeks were okay but then I've had a couple of days in between where I ate things that I probably shouldn't have. I know I'm going to have to be more strict at watching my calories, carbs, and sugars as I progress in the challenge and then for the rest of my life!
My first official elimination weigh in took place this morning and I was very pleased with my results. I have lost weight, inches, and body fat %. I can tell the difference in my cardio and strength training. My flexibility is better too! I know that this wouldn't have happened if I wasn't involved in this challenge. I've had plenty of days where I didn't want to go to the gym and I probably wouldn't have had I not been in this challenge. The support have had from my trainer, Micah, my teammates, and especially my wife, Kim, have helped keep me motivated to work out.
My next "challenge" will be to keep the pounds and inches coming off. I'm weary about "hitting the wall" and not progressing like I should. My mindset is becoming more focused on my little goals instead of my overall goals. I will also continue to draw strength from 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." Not matter what happens to me in this challenge I will continue work towards better the body that God gave me.
This challenge I'm finding out is more like a marathon race. A race that continues to go on and on and on.... It's becoming clearer to me that this is more of a process of changing your lifestyle and getting into healthy routines than it is about just losing some weight.
I will say that I'm not reallylooking forward to my next group workout because I am physically tired and sore. Micah really worked us last week. The group workout reminded me of one that Jillian or Bob would put their teams through on the biggest loser. I was so impressed with how hard the gals on my team pushed themselves. My teammates are awesome. We are constantly encouraging each other and it helps when we're struggling with one of Micah's activities that he's having us do. I also enjoy having Joe there too. He's really taking his own training serious. It's nice to have him there. His presence makes me push myself and work harder. He brings out the competitiveness in me.
My diet has been like a roller coaster ride at times throughout this challenge. You know, up and down! The first two weeks were okay but then I've had a couple of days in between where I ate things that I probably shouldn't have. I know I'm going to have to be more strict at watching my calories, carbs, and sugars as I progress in the challenge and then for the rest of my life!
My first official elimination weigh in took place this morning and I was very pleased with my results. I have lost weight, inches, and body fat %. I can tell the difference in my cardio and strength training. My flexibility is better too! I know that this wouldn't have happened if I wasn't involved in this challenge. I've had plenty of days where I didn't want to go to the gym and I probably wouldn't have had I not been in this challenge. The support have had from my trainer, Micah, my teammates, and especially my wife, Kim, have helped keep me motivated to work out.
My next "challenge" will be to keep the pounds and inches coming off. I'm weary about "hitting the wall" and not progressing like I should. My mindset is becoming more focused on my little goals instead of my overall goals. I will also continue to draw strength from 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." Not matter what happens to me in this challenge I will continue work towards better the body that God gave me.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Measure Up
Well, one week down and I've learned that I have muscles in my body that i didn't know that I had. You wonder how I learned this? By my soreness in areas that I didn't know I could get sore in! Last week was a challenge because of the new schedule (waking up at 4:30am to work out at 5am), the new diet (low calories, low carb, yuk!), and the soreness (all over my body!). I wasn't looking forward to my second individual work out with my trainer Micah. He didn't disappoint me either! I thought last week was hard but he took me to a new level this week and I am still sore because of him! I can push my body through the work outs but the diet has been my biggest challenge! I have learned a lot about my eating habits. I'll just tell you in a nutshell that they sucked!
I have learned to use a measuring cup for preparing my meals (rations!) I find myself reading more labels than books these days. I can't really eat at any of my favorite places because I am tempted to eat something that is bad for me. I did eat at a fast food restaurant this past week that was healthy and I enjoyed it. I ate at Chick-Fil-a in Fresno. They had a low calorie, low carb, chargrilled chicken sandwich that was the bomb! It stinks that there isn't one closer to Visalia.
I have eaten more chicken and salad in the last week than I ate in the last two months. I miss my red meat! I will tell you that this experience has shown me how bad my eating habits were. So it looks like I will continue to use my measuring cups and keep reading those labels as I continue to restructure my eating habits. I have to go measure my protein shake now.
I have learned to use a measuring cup for preparing my meals (rations!) I find myself reading more labels than books these days. I can't really eat at any of my favorite places because I am tempted to eat something that is bad for me. I did eat at a fast food restaurant this past week that was healthy and I enjoyed it. I ate at Chick-Fil-a in Fresno. They had a low calorie, low carb, chargrilled chicken sandwich that was the bomb! It stinks that there isn't one closer to Visalia.
I have eaten more chicken and salad in the last week than I ate in the last two months. I miss my red meat! I will tell you that this experience has shown me how bad my eating habits were. So it looks like I will continue to use my measuring cups and keep reading those labels as I continue to restructure my eating habits. I have to go measure my protein shake now.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Week 1 Underway....
The challenge has started and the competitors all have weighed in and taken our before pictures. That was an experience. I'm not to crazy about going around without a shirt on in front of my friends and family so for me to have my picture taken without my shirt on and have it posted on the Internet was extremely challenging for me.
I've already worked out individually with my trainer and he kicked my butt. The work out was different that what I would normally do (weights vs. core stabilization exercises), but boy did it work the muscles in my body. Just having a trainer to push me was the best part. I like working out, but I'm like most people who will push themselves only so far before stopping. That's where my trainer came in and made me continue for those few extra seconds.
I think this in-shape challenge will be more mental than physical for me. I seem to be fine with the working out part right now, but it's been so much harder for me with the healthy diet part for me. I have been maintaining a healthy eating plan, but that's not to say I don't struggle with the temptations of eating something that isn't healthy. I have begun to chew more sugar free gum as a way to curb my appetite and it seems to be helping. I figure I'll be okay after a couple of weeks.
I was able to see two of my teammates (Lisha & Shelly) this morning at the gym. We all three worked out together for a short time. It was nice having Lisha encourage me while I was pushing to get my last few repetitions in on the machines. I know this contest will end up an individual thing, but right now it's nice having the support of teammates.
I am looking forward to increasing my workouts and more importantly seeing results from my healthy eating and exercise. I'm willing to listen to any helpful advise from any fitness gurus that may be out there reading this blog. Let me hear from you even if you don't consider yourself a fitness guru.
I've already worked out individually with my trainer and he kicked my butt. The work out was different that what I would normally do (weights vs. core stabilization exercises), but boy did it work the muscles in my body. Just having a trainer to push me was the best part. I like working out, but I'm like most people who will push themselves only so far before stopping. That's where my trainer came in and made me continue for those few extra seconds.
I think this in-shape challenge will be more mental than physical for me. I seem to be fine with the working out part right now, but it's been so much harder for me with the healthy diet part for me. I have been maintaining a healthy eating plan, but that's not to say I don't struggle with the temptations of eating something that isn't healthy. I have begun to chew more sugar free gum as a way to curb my appetite and it seems to be helping. I figure I'll be okay after a couple of weeks.
I was able to see two of my teammates (Lisha & Shelly) this morning at the gym. We all three worked out together for a short time. It was nice having Lisha encourage me while I was pushing to get my last few repetitions in on the machines. I know this contest will end up an individual thing, but right now it's nice having the support of teammates.
I am looking forward to increasing my workouts and more importantly seeing results from my healthy eating and exercise. I'm willing to listen to any helpful advise from any fitness gurus that may be out there reading this blog. Let me hear from you even if you don't consider yourself a fitness guru.
Monday, January 26, 2009
I'm In!
Well it's official news now. I am a member of the competition. I got the news last Friday. I know that this is a blessing from God because I have never weighed this much before. I need to lose some serious weight. I just have to wait until next week to officially start the competition. I'm looking forward to the challenge and the competition. I've always done better with fitness training when I'm competing for something. It will be good to get back into the routine of training on a regular basis. I'll keep all of you posted on how my body reacts to working out consistently again. I'm not looking forward to the soreness.
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