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.

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.

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.