SUNDAY SCOOP - 5/20/12

Happy Sunday :-) 
One of the most important things I've learned over the last almost TEN months of doing this lifestyle change is that REAL and MEANINGFUL change is always accompanied by some measure of sacrifice. In other words, You will have to make some tough choices, give up a few things that you used to do, break old habits, learn new habits, and go out there and make it happen. Nothing worth having can be changed in one day, one week or even one month in most cases. Change for the better  means a long-term commitment. 


So many people ask me what I'm doing special, or if I take any pills, or pregnancy hormones lol.  There is no secret or anything like that, it's just hard work and sacrifice. Trust me, if I can do it, ANYBODY can.


WEIGHT UPDATE:
Highest Weight seen on the Scale: 307
Weight on 7/27/11: 294
Weight Today 5/20/12: 255 


So right around that 50-60 total pounds mark! 


I actually started strength training at the Anytime Fitness here in Dunedin, because I wasn't getting the same results with just cardio anymore , and I want to tone up and all that jazz before we head over to Hawaii this summer. It's going really well so far, and they gave me a great deal. I did gain 1 pound back the first week doing weights, but the trainer there tells me it's normal. I go through a cycle of Arms and Abs, Back and Shoulders, Chest, and Legs.  I'm already seeing and feeling the results and it's been a really nice change of pace. 


Quick Notes: 
1) Some people ask me what App I use to track my biking. It's a free App called MapMyRIDE. Very accurate and helps challenge you to do more each time. 
2) If you're looking for a good breakfast replacement bar or supplement bar try the CLIFF bar. The two best flavors are Blueberry Crisp and White Chocolate Macadamia. SO GOOD! The 6-Bar pack is only $5.88 at Walmart. $1/breakfast. Cha-Ching




HEART HEALTHY: 
Being Heart Healthy has been one of my biggest goals from the get-go, and my blood pressure has slowly been getting better and better! This time last year I was getting Stage 1 Hypertension readings for my blood pressure. However, now I'm seeing great readings consistent with what you see below. 117 over 70! WOW. Huge change from where I used to be, and my best BP Reading yet!  

Some BEFORE PICS: 

THE DREADED SIDE SHOT: 

Andddddddd Some Today shots! 

I have had so many great people send me emails, comments, etc. Some of you are sending encouragement, and some of you are in the same situation I was in. Some of you I know very well, and some of you I have never even met! 

Some of you have told me that you feel like you have way too much to lose, and you're not sure it can be done without surgery or some kind of medication. Some say, "Cool, well I'll wait till things slow down (Or for the summer, or for the school year, etc etc etc) , Or I'll wait till I have a little this or that." I appreciate you all very much and I GET IT. BUTTTTTTT, the time is now :-). You have to start today. Not next week, or next month, or next anything. You've got to get your commitment level there and then just go for it. You will have slip-ups and mistakes, but that's life. You live and learn, and keep on going. You can do it if you are willing to make it happen. I know you can :-)

Thank you for your support! Keep it comin! 

"“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” ~Mark Victor Hansen"

Hello, Hello. It's been too long...

Hey Everyone! 

Sorry it's taken me so long to update this thing! I'm gonna do a post with Pics and stuff later this week. As always life is busy, and I finished teaching my college course for the semester , so I'm just catching up on all this. 

Things are going really well , so do not fear. I've joined an Anytime Fitness near my house for strength training to add on top of cardio and am loving it. I can't believe it's coming up on TEN MONTHS that I've been committed to this lifestyle change. Time flies when you're losing it....I also bought another pair of size 38 shorts last week so that feels real good! :-). My old clothes are starting to pile up in a big trash bag in my room that I'm going to take over to Goodwill. 

Anyways............Stay tuned. I'm not dead lol and I haven't quit. Still on the losing side and feeling great. 

More to come later ...

Weigh-In Wednesday Week 14!!!

14 Weeks Completed 

98 Days Down 

Starting Weight -- 294

Week 13 Weight -- 267.5

Today's weight -- 2-6-5.8! So that's another 1.7 pounds down!

Total Weight Loss to date = 28.2 pounds !!!




One of my big goals I had when I started out, was to have lost 30 pounds by the end of October. With just 1.8 pounds to go to reach this goal, and 5 days left in the month, I think I can do it. Anyways, my parents just got into town tonight and we are going with my sister and bro-in-law and their kids to Orlando for a nice long weekend.  I still got my late workout in tonight though, and I wanted to get this posted so I could make my Wednesday deadline. 


Before Pic... This is from December, 2010 when Jaimie and I went to see Wicked together. 

After Pic - Front 

And from the Side .. 

Sorry for not updating this more often lately. I have some other posts I want to finish and put up this week so stay tuned. I'll have another from our Orlando adventures coming up this weekend. 

It's a busy time of year, and with that comes more and more opportunities to hit major roadblocks. I've definitely had to pick my battles. For the most part I've been able to enjoy myself, while making sacrifices in other places. I'm glad I'm still on the downward trend, and I can't wait till I start closing in on the 50's .

It's getting late, so that's all for tonight. More to come soon...I promise.

Thanks for all of your support!!! 

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” ~Margaret Thatcher

Weigh-In Wednesday --- Week 5!

It'ssssssssssss Wednesday! And you know what that means...time to weigh-in. 


I know you've all been sitting on the edge of your collective seats waiting for this moment.


This week was filled with new challenges, tactics, and victories. 


Week 4 Weight -- 285.0
Today's weight -- 2-8-3.2 !


So that's another 1.8 pound loss. Almost two more pounds this week. 


Total Weight Loss to date = 10.8 pounds


Below is a picture of Pat, Me, Jaimie , and Dad in Bruges when we were visiting Belgium in July. 

This is me today at end of Week 5. Can you see a difference? 

I actually saw an even lower total a couple of days ago at 282.8. I know things flex up and down though. Part of what I've been reading has been telling me that as you start increasing the intensity of your workout, then you actually add on muscle which weighs a bit more than fat. So this can result in a slow down or brief up-tick in weight, but it makes your body burn fat and calories much more quickly. 


I've had lots of really great encouraging moments this week as well. Thanks to all the friends and family for your support and constant vigilance lol. I love the accountability. 


The cardio class is still kicking my butt, and I'm able to do more each and every time. I am really loving working out in a Tae Kwon Do studio again. What I really like about the class is that there is room to push yourself further and further every time.


In Food News:
I had a great salad at Mo'Ziki tonight on the way to church. It's on Starkey and Bryan Dairy in Largo. Check it out it's pretty good. Also shout out to Fiber One Snack Bars . Really, really good. And filling. There are a few things I crave from time to time like Delco's Cheese-steaks and the Wendy's Double Stack for lunch lol. Honestly though, this is totally worth it, and I'm committed to seeing this through. 


In other random news. I am so ready for WVU Football Season! Let's Go..........


Continuing on the sports theme, Here's a really great quote from legendary basketball coach John Wooden


“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” 

Great weekend...Identity315...Ben Zobrist...Music

Hello All. 


Just a quick update. Sorry it's been since Wednesday that I've posted. I had a busy busy past few days getting ready for the Identity 315 Youth Conference at our church, Starkey Road Baptist.  I was part of the worship band and it was just an amazing time. Lots of people had their lives changed in big ways. It was great to play and hear the worship with some old and new friends. You can see a pic of everyone below. 


The speaker for the conference was Ed Newton and he was awesome. We had a great time getting to know him over the weekend. He's the guy in the Ray's hat below. As you can see we also got to hang out  with Ben Zobrist and hear him speak and answer questions for a bunch of the students at the conference. 

Just a great weekend all-around, although it was busy busy. 

The lifestyle change still going great. I abstained from the wealth of free chicken biscuits available at the conference Saturday morning. I also had a few more people come up to me and mention that they were noticing a difference which is pretty cool.

I had a couple small snack slip-ups, but nothing too major. The key I've found is just not to let things start to snow-ball. 

Tonight I went out for a nice jog to get my cardio in. I REALLLLLY didn't want to do that but I felt so great after I got back. 

Since it's not Wednesday, I won't give a weight, but I will say that I've been pleased with the progress I've seen here at the half-way point this week. 


Mom you are going to love this quote...It's about willpower lol 


“It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t. It’s that some people are ready to change and others are not.” ~James Gordon

Killer Cardio

Happy Friday Night!


Quick update. 

I went to this Bodyfit Cardio class with my friend Alex at a Tae Kwon Do Mixed Martial Arts center near my house on Thursday night.  It brought back good memories being in a Tae Kwon Do dojo, and it reminded me of when me and brother Pat used to tear it up in our Blue stripe and Blue belts respectively. 


It was 45 minutes of serious intensity and I loved. I've got to say that is probably the best workout I've had in a while. We jogged, did pushups, crunchs, jumping jacks, punching, kicking, resistance bands etc etc etc. 


Quite sore today though. I think I'm going to start going there on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 


Good things so far since the weigh-in on Wednesday. Weight is still going down and I'm feeling better every single day. 


Also had some killer sushi at Matoi Sushi in Tampa tonight. Go try it, it's great. Healthy and very very good. 


Looking forward to the weekend ahead. Got lots to do, and of course will fit the workouts in somewhere. Tonight I just kept it light and walked for a while down to the CVS and back. Had to restock up on the fiber gummies lol. 




Anyways, that's all for now and thanks for following. 


Good Night!