So Far, Sooooo Good... Sort of.

The bodybuilding program I am currently doing is very, very hard but even that much more rewarding. The workouts have been extra tough for me. I am doing exercises I have either never done before or not done in a very long time. It's a very intense regimen, but I am already seeing amazing results. The definition in my calves has never been better for me. I feel more fit in general, and I have lost 10 lbs. so far!

Even though the workouts are tough, what's been the toughest thing for me is resisting foods I love that I cannot eat. For example, yesterday our family went to my parents' house for dinner. The menu was beef stroganoff with strawberries, oriental salad, rolls, and brownies and ice cream for dessert. I ate at the table with my seasoned talapia while everyone else was able to gorge down the really yummy stuff. No way I would have skipped dessert if I didn't hide downstairs with my brother and play some games. It was rough. The diet I am on right now is very strict and structured, which I believe will help me in the long run. I need that discipline.

Things are going great.  I am excited to post week 2 pictures soon.

Week 1 in the books!

I did it.  I completed week 1 of my new program.  It has been good.  I have been very disciplined with my food and have completed all my workouts. I can already seen a big difference in my arms and legs. I am loving it.

I have a weigh in on Monday and I will take another photo.  Feeling buff!!

One Day Down

Good morning, everyone!

So, I survived Day 1 of the Kris Gethin 12-week program. It feels good to accomplish that day, and I am excited to move forward and complete the rest. It's a life style adjustment, and it's been tough, but I know it will get easier as I go along.

I completed all the program exercises for today (including cardio) and took all of the appropriate supplements and food portions. I'm really putting every effort in this to make sure I get it right. I want to lose some serious fat and gain muscle. I really want this to be a success for me. Your positive words and encouragement really help me. Thank you.

Below is a "before" picture. I'm not sure yet how often I will post pics throughout this program, but I will show you my progress. Thanks again for your support!

I'm BACK!

I am back.  I hope you all have not given up on me.

Life has had its ups and downs.  I have been unemployed, injured and depressed.  I also finished a marathon.  So like I said, ups and downs.

I will write about my marathon sometime this week.  I did finish but it was the hardest thing I have ever done and I will for sure do another one someday, but right now I need to focus healing my foot and losing weight.

I am very excited to say that I am starting a new program TODAY.  I just got back from Anytime Fitness and had a kick butt leg workout today.  I am doing the Kris Gethin 12 week transformation program.  I am focusing on putting on some muscle and losing some serious fat. 

After my marathon and I really started going down hill on my food choices and I had gained some weight back.  I am at 273.6.  Very depressing, but I am going to look forward and burn this fat off. 

Before pics will be posted soon.

Brothers

When I started my weight loss journey Jan 2010. I wasn't alone.  I had a lot of people helping me, but the guy who was by my side at the gym and on the road running was my brother.  He has moved back home and now that I am unemployed we have had a lot of time to hangout and work out together again.

We had a good run yesterday and remembered our first walk we took together Jan 8th 2010.  Jenn took a picture of us in our cold weather gear before we went on a 3 mile walk.  Yesterday we ran over 4 miles together.  We have came a long way.  He is running the Little Rock half marathon when I am running the full next month.  We are really excited.  We took another photo yesterday post run!

Keep Moving Forward

As you all know, I have not been as faithful on my blogging as I once was.  I am going to get better, I promise.  The reason being is that I have been in the process of a career change.  I took a leap of faith and left my job with Gannett.  I knew I was going to go nowhere with them, and the newspaper industry is a dying industry.  I do not care what they say; just ask all the people they have had to lay off and enforce furloughs on.   

So, I took a job with Expedia/Hotels.com in a sales team.  They are a growing company and great to work for, but I was not made to sit on the phone 8 hours a day doing nonstop sales.  I also did not agree with some of the methods they use to sell hotel rooms.  I asked to be moved to another department, because I did like the company and the benefits. But they would not do it, so I am no longer working there.  

So naturally, I panicked and had no idea what I was going to do to pay for my bills.  I put a note out on Facebook asking for prayers and support for my family.  I had an overwhelming amount of support and love sent our way.  Lots of people sent me job leads and ideas, and I was excited to venture forth and see what would happen for my family.  The next morning, I got a call from a good friend who was a State Farm agent.  He just had an opening in his office and offered me the job.  It felt like our prayers had been answered.  I came in the next day and worked.  So I really only had 2-3 days without work.  We felt extremely blessed.

Now I am working at State Farm and trying to figure out how I fit in and how I will do my work there.  I have really enjoyed working with Jim and feel really fortunate to have work.  So if you are in Missouri and need some insurance, you can come to me, and we will take care of you.

I am telling you all of this so you know what has been happening in my life. You also know how many changes and challenges I have been through.  Most people who have gone through something like this when trying to stay fit or training for something tend to become distracted and lose track.  I want to share with you some of the things I did, or should have done better, to stay on track with my weight loss and fitness goals.

Here are some of the challenges I faced and what I have done.

I want to eat when I am stressed! 

I am an emotional eater, and let me tell you that when things get stressful, I turn to food. So I did a couple of things to help me.  I gave all my extra money to my wife. You could leave it at home or lock it up; I just give it to my wife because she doesn’t spend money for anything.  I am now not tempted to go get fast food or even Subway.  Subway isn’t bad; it’s just that I already packed a lunch, and my lunch + subway = way too many calories.  

Plan your meals for the week.  Write down your healthy meals, ALL OF THEM! I try to stay around 2000 calories, because I am working out a lot.  Go shopping and get what you need, not what you want. Maybe get one treat for Saturday that you can look forward to.  Now you are not trying to snack and pig out at a buffet.  Trust me, this works!

Now I don’t have time to work out or run!

A really good friend of mine, Shannon, once told me, “If you want to run, you will run.” Who really has time?  I know I do not.  When I was training at my new job, I had to be at work at 7 am.  So I woke up at 4 and was running by 4:45 am.  I would barely make it to work on time, but I made time.  I am training for a marathon, so all my training runs are very important to me.  So when I was working until 2 am, I would just stay up and run after work. Why?  Because I knew if I didn’t, I would not get my run in.  I am not trying to toot my own horn, because there were days I did not get up and run or I missed a workout. 

I have also been doing my 21 Day workout from the book Working Out Sucks.  If you haven't already, go take a look at my book review.  I know that cross training is a very important part of my lifestyle.  It will make me a better runner and just all around stronger person.  Make the time to work out; don’t give excuses.  If that means meeting someone at the gym or having me call you at 6 am.  Make a plan and set it in motion.  If that means setting your clothes out before you go to bed, do it!  Like Shannon said, “If you want to run, you will run.” How bad do you want to reach your goals?  Do not give up and get into the habit. MAKE THE TIME! 

This is too hard! Why me?

There have been several times when I was out on one of my long runs, and I thought to myself, “What the heck am I doing to myself!  This is too hard, and I should be in bed.”  It is hard, but this is work, and work is not easy.  I just remember how good it felt when I was done.  Sometimes that was the only thought that kept me going!  Also, remember to take a look back and see what you have done.  Even if you just started or have been doing it for several years, you already have made big changes.  I go look at my before and after pictures.  It motivates me to keep going and never get back to where I was.

Just remember life does bring stress, and a lot of people have already given up on their new year goals.  Don’t be one of them.  You can do it.  I am here for you!  I will help however I can.  I need your help as well.  If you don’t see me posting, call me out.  I need it.  I am still working out, but I need to get back in the habit of blogging every day.

Working Out Sucks Book Winners

Here are the winners of the Working Out Sucks book giveaway!

Dale D

Carolyn Cox

Kayla

Thank you for everyone who entered.  Those of you who won, please send me your address.  Click the email link at the top of my page to get my email.  If you have not emailed me by 1/21/12, another person will be selected at random for the book.

Thanks everyone!