New Milestone

I hit another one yesterday.  It probably isn't a big deal, but it was to me...mostly because it came as a surprise.  I had just finished my SJ of the Day, and when I had finished and felt my quads and hammy's screaming at me as I walked down the steps...I contemplated doing some more core work and decided instead on a shower and headed for the locker room.

Now, as I divulge some secrets of the Men's Locker Room, let's keep it between me and you, ok?  Don't go putting it on the internet or anything...
surprise.  I was at the gym yesterday morning, doing my

I exited the shower and began to get dressed.  I grabbed my belt and turned to face the mirror.  As a chunky fellow, I often needed to face the mirror while I held up my stomach to be able see the first belt loop.  So I turned to the mirror and a not so wonderful surprise led to my milestone.

Now, in the men's locker room there exist guys who have no issues walking from the shower to their locker or even standing at the sink with or without their towels...but one thing is for sure, men who are a bit older than most, have gotten beyond the age of caring what other people think, so they definitely do not hesitate to stand at the sink with their towels slumped on the floor around their ankles.  So when I turned to look at the mirror behind the sink, there were two older bright white rear-ends staring back at me and my first reaction was, GAH!!! I looked down and that is when it happened, while looking down I realized I could actually see the belt-loops.  The old gut wasn't blocking the way.  I couldn't believe I could see the belt loops!

So thank you, thank you to the two elderly gentlemen who don't mind standing in the locker room without their towels.  You helped me see I reached a new milestone.  But please, let's not make a habit of this...

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Goodbye Excuses

So, it's come and gone...that ole Spartan Race.  And I did it.  And I loved it.  And I got home that night, got online and started searching for the next Obstacle Race I could get myself into.  I think I may have found my niche.  It was a crazy experience, the amount of people you were doing the race with, the different muscles and types of strength you had to use to get through it.  The most exciting thing for me was that there was only one obstacle that I couldn't complete (I knew I'd have trouble with it)...otherwise, I nailed all the others.  I was definitely surprised to see what my body was capable of. I'd run up these hills and get to the top looking for more!  I never thought after a 3.5 mile race that I'd instantly be thinking about doing more. 

But hey, when your life begins to change, when you start to focus on new things and taking care of yourself in new ways...your experiences and abilities change with it.  Not immediately of course.  When I first started hitting the gym I'd go to all these classes and I'd be falling all over the place...I'd be doing all the 'alternate moves' (i.e. moves for us out of shape folks) and sometimes just slump over out of breath.  Now, I'm hanging for the whole class, keeping pace with the instructors and other participants. The Spartan Race, exercise...it's something I call fun and I make my schedule fit around it! My diet continues to change, and while I've taken time to enjoy a brownie or pasta...it's definitely not entered the 'eat, drink, and be merry' category.  I eat because I need to survive and I need the energy it provides...somehow that seems more appropriate. 

When I started this Advocare journey, I was at about 245-250.  I couldn't make it up a flight of stairs without having to hunch over at the top.  I had every excuse in the book: I've got bad knees, I don't have time, I need to do it with someone, I'm just made this way.  Mandy would always bring up eating healthy or exercising and I would clam up hoping my silence was enough of a message to say, not interested.  And now...only 3 months since that day when my heart was challenged to make a change and steward this life I've been given...I cannot believe I am where I am.  I've lost 6 inches around the ole belly and I'm down to 217.  I cannot believe how far I've come...and I'm not stopping.

I don't know where you are at, or how you have convinced yourself you can't do this...but it's time to chuck that thinking out the window.  It's no good.  I believe in you.  Because if this lazy couch-sitting, Little Debbie-loving, donut-downing fat kid can make a change, so can you.  We've been given this body to steward...let me help you as people have helped me.  Sj Nieusma, Roisin Knapp, Michael Magrans...your journeys and passion inspired me.  Anthony Jordan and Diallo Lewis, thanks for turning me on to the nutrition I needed in Advocare.  Mandy, thanks for never giving up on me, for always calling me to make better choices and for the constant question of, 'Are you sure you want that?' 

What's your excuse?  Time to dump it!

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it's coming

In less than two weeks I'll participate in the Spartan Race...and I'll know at the finish line.  At least,

that's what they tell me.  I'm excited!  Instead of hitting 24 hour fitness this morning I went off to Forest Park and cranked out 4 miles on one of the trails...I timed my 3rd mile and it came in at 9:45. That's encouraging to me...of course, there were no fires to jump over or barbed wire to crawl under or obstacles to scale...but still!  i'm looking forward to the challenge and i'm thankful that I'll get to do it with some people as well.  I'm sure I'll need every ounce of encouragement possible! 

Diet and Exercise remain keys to me in getting healthy...it's even rubbing off on my kids.  When we mentioned to one of the boys that we'd have to skip a BBQ on our way home and that we'd run thru drive thru to get some food, maybe McDonalds...Eli responds with, "Ah, but Mom, McDonalds is sooooo unhealthy!"  Right you are my boy!  So we went to the Northwest's own Burgerville, natural ingredients and local salad options.  My favorite snack continues to be an avocado and granola, and I definitely don't like not getting in my work outs.  All in all, it's clear that I'm getting healthier.  My body feels better...it apparently is looking better as 5 people stopped me at church yesterday to make a comment/ask questions...so yeah, it's coming along nicely.

Weight Update: I'm sitting at 221, 9 lbs away from what I weighed when we got hitched.  I'm close to not worrying about the weight and more on the shape of my body as I've already started hitting the weights hard to mix up the work outs a bit.  Anyway, will post my original starting picture and more at the end of August...looking forward to what things will look like then!!! 

Blessings to each of you and get at it!

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July Group Challenge

Hellur.  How we doing out there in internet land?!  So, we've started an Advocare 24 DayGroup Challenge.  My final day in the first 24 Day Challenge, I dropped right about 4 inches and 10lbs.  I was at FCA Camp when it ended, so I didn't get to weigh and measure while I was out there.  Anyway, we've started the Group Challenge with 5 others, and one coming on board later this week.  We are stoked to be doing this with others the encouragement is going to be awesome.  Our brother-in-law will be doing a bit of blog deal too at some point, so we'll link to him when he gets that done.

Now, for the cool part.  Here is a little eye candy...wait, that's not right...something to enjoy looking at...er...here's a picture, better, a few pictures:

               Sept 2012                        Dec 2012            Last week (June 2013)              Last week

I cannot wait to see how this continues...at the end of the summer, I'll share the pre-first challenge picture and an end of summer picture.  Spartan Race is coming, and I'm coming for It! 

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24 Day Challenge Update

Catch the update below....

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Day 4 of 24

What's good everyone, just wanted to share a little update on working on, getting healthier.  We had a sweet dinner tonight.  Had grilled chicken teryaki and grilled zucchini (you gotta do this, a lil olive oil and salt and pepper).  Plus Mandy made a cous cous thing that had lima beans and chick peas in it.  Real good.  It's nice to have a good healthy dinner.  Anyway, check out the video for an update.

 

 

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i'm doing what...

apparently, I'm getting healthy.  at least that's what this bloggo thing says.  two quick lil stories and then a video, read then watch, watch then read, do neither...up to you...clearly...

1. story one...i left this class at the gym and i was actually upset that i hadn't sweat more or felt more tired...odd really, because i prefer lifting weights and not cardio junk.  and yet, two days later when i left and my shirt and bandana could have been wrung out and filled a cup for someone to drink from, i was thankful, i was happy, in fact i was pleased...what's happening to me...

2. a story even more scary is last night as we were starting to wrap up getting the kids their dinner (we had eaten a late lunch) i noticed Mandy was heating up some of the left-over pizza the baby sitter had given them for herself ; and get this...i scolded her.  seriously!  and then, to top it all off.  i proceeded to have a dinner of healthy Kashi crackers, hummus and a couple slices of cheese....what's going on?!?!

enjoy the video....

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