10 Pounds on Purpose!

I'm in my 3rd week of swimming and I have already dropped 10lbs and 2 inches. I know that probably 6-7 lbs is water weight, but I am not complaining! My jeans don't feel like biker shorts anymore and my moobs are going way down!

Also, I wanted to encourage all of you out there who have been struggling forward with me in this battle against gluttony, sin, obesity, unhealthiness, etc., to check out a blog written by a friend of ours. Her name is Caryn Turner and she is the wife of my good friend Kempton Turner. They are currently serving at Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis, MN. Caryn is in the middle of a blog series on weight loss, chronicling her journey dealing with the sin of gluttony. Very encouraging! You can check it out by clicking here.

Look Out Champ!

Swimming... I have tried that before... It is exhausting and not fun especially when I'm fat and have moobs (aka man-boobs). However, I had several friends encourage me to try it again. They would tell me how relaxing it is, what a great work out it is, etc. I thought they were lunatics, but finally agreed to try when my friend Dr. Y told me that she would help me get in shape in exchange for some marketing advice, etc.

Dr. Y is an OB/GYN and is exploring the possibility of opening a Women's Wellness Center here in Brenham. She and my mom are the same age (29 :-] ) and she told me that she would go swim with me for the first 2 weeks to show me some water exercises and help me to plan out a workout routine. I thought that this was a very generous offer, so I agreed.

Last week was our first week at the pool. This lady can swim and she is TOUGH. She does have 3 sons of her own, but I was not expecting the intensity. After the first day of swimming I was sore and a bit frustrated. I swam two 25's and then had to run (in the water) because I was tired and WAY out of breath. The second day was easier, but still a lot of half laps. The thought of swimming two WHOLE laps was overwhelming to say the least.

I was sharing my frustrations with a tri-athelete friend of mine, Lee. He told me that there was this swimming video that I HAD to watch. A video? Was he serious? I mean my doctor back in Houston would make me watch a video on eating healthy whenever my weight got too high. The video was somewhat informative, but felt like detention. I learned more about how ridiculous the 90's were than about nutrition.

However, I watched the video this Monday afternoon and it changed EVERYTHING! I went and swam for an hour today. I did laps the ENTIRE 1st 20 minute block! No walking, no stopping! I then did my water aerobics for 20 minutes, then I swam for another 20 minutes! It was amazing! I loved swimming today! I was totally relaxed and my heart was pounding for almost an hour!

In just the past 2 weeks I am already feeling better and my clothes are feeling better. I love swimming! So, to the current champion and record holder. Look out! :-)

Here's how I felt after today's workout:


Questions for friends who swim:
1. How do you get water out of your ears?
2. Do those little shammy towels really work?
3. Do those little speedo shorts make that big of a difference?
4. If I shave my head, do I still need a skull cap?

Here's to hoping for change!

40 Pounds of Failure

"DO OVER!" Failure again. I was doing so well, but then summer came. Perhaps it is because I am a creature of habit. Or maybe it's just a passive way that I give in to my sense of entitlement, but whatever the issue, I've failed. When I started this adventure I was 238 lbs and then went down to 225 lbs. I am now back up to 236 lbs.

Now, before you give in to the temptation to rush in and make me feel better about myself, I would kindly ask that you don't. This is a real problem for me and not something that needs to be taken lightly. It's a combination of situation, vocation, and sin. Certain situations I can't avoid eating like garbage, BUT I can make wiser choices about portion sizes, etc. Vocation as an itinerant speaker (preacher) forces me into camp cafeterias, airport restaurants and late night fast food runs. Again, it's still an issue of choice, and the scale exposes my propensity towards making poor choices when I am out of my day-to-day rhythm.

So, here I am again starting over. Drinking a lot of water, going to the gym with old guys in their starched jeans, and watching what I eat. I know I will only feel like I am starving to death for a few days and then it will get better. This is frustrating. I have been here before, I know better, yet, I fall. I repent.

Here's to better days...

Original Start Weight: 238 lbs
Loss of weight at the end of May: 225 lbs
Start Over Weight: 236 lbs

I haven't gone on a fat kid bender...

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted on here. I haven't been back on a steady work out rhythm since the hectic graduation week and post-graduation retreat. However, I have not been eating horribly either. I am hoping to get back to the gym tomorrow and will begin posting here again.

Are any of you still struggling forward with me? Would love to hear your stories.

In a Perfect World - Week 8

Well, this week was a whirlwind of sorts. I finished my final class of seminary on Monday, had our College Ministry party on Tuesday, church-wide BBQ on Wednesday, graduation rehearsal and Family celebration on Friday, and graduation on Saturday. Beyond all of that, Sunday was a day of worship and rest, as well as travel to my writing retreat here in Willis, TX.

I was only able to go to the gym once this past week due to being sick still. My sinus infection was pretty bad and I didn't have any desire to lift weights or do cardio work outs. I know that since it was 'neck and up' that I could have done it fine according to some blogs I have read, I just was wiped out.

This week, even though I am on my writing retreat, I hope to be able to do some walking, push ups, sit ups, and some other 'home-made' work out routines. Next week should be better as I will conduct it as a regular work week.

However, as I look forward to the summer, I have 4 weeks of camp, and I am hoping to come up with a 'survival plan' at least to maintain the weight I have dropped. However, at best I am hoping to continue to drop weight in a creative way.

Does anyone out there in "Bloggerisville" have any tips on exercises to do when you do not have access to weights?

Starting Weight: 238 lbs
Weigh In: 225 lbs
Total Loss: 13 lbs

Week In Review - Week 7

This was a rough week. I did not get to 'work out' one time (except for Sunday) and I wasn't able to maintain the strictest diet. A few times I was tempted to just 'forget about the change in lifestyle' and go back to eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and being physically complacent.

For those of you who do not know, my grandmother passed away on April 23rd. I found out the news Thursday morning and had to go non-stop through late Saturday night. We had church on Sunday and then I had to finish a paper. Up until this point my diet and workout had been consistent and on mark, including the enjoyable 'off day'. However, Monday things changed.

We left for the airport at about 7:30 am and I ate a breakfast burrito that I had purchased the night before. We made it to the airport and caught our flight. We landed a bit late and then by the time we got the rental cars situated it was after 4. The visitation began at 5 so we rushed to the hotel, changed clothes, and left for the visitation. So, on Monday I went 16 hours or so without anything to eat. Not the best for the metabolism, but that's how it goes.

For the remainder of the trip I did okay with not eating too bad or anything, but I didn't eat 'clean' like I had intended. We flew home Wednesday and stayed with my in-laws Wednesday night. Steph had a docs appointment in Houston on Thursday, so we went to that and then headed back home.

On top of all this fun, I have been experiencing a sore throat and a cough. I do not think it is the Swine Flu™, but I was not feeling well. So, I talked myself out of going to the gym again today...

Of course, I have great excuses, but... This is a tough season in this journey. When am I 'well' enough to go back to the gym? How do I get back 'on' the diet and exercise program? I KNOW the right answers, but knowing and doing can be two very different things.

I appreciate the love, support, and prayers of all of you. Pray that I get well and get 'back on'. I want to struggle forward.

Six Weeks In