Six Weeks In

Week in Review - Week 6

This week I began to notice changes in the way my clothes felt that were unmistakable.  I mean, I'm not like Jared in the Subway commercials or anything (remember those huge pants he'd hold up?), but I can notice a significant change in my waste line.  However, my weight in pounds is just about the same.  It actually appears that I put on a pound or two.  Now, before I throw the scale out the window and go on a food bender, I reminded myself that muscle weighs more than fat...

Also, I wanted to share with those of you struggling forward with me some helpful tips I received from my friend Jason C. who is a US Marine currently stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC:

1) Carb cutoff: picking a certain time of day (6 pm for me) where i wouldn't eat any more carbohydrates other than green veggies. 

2) Interval Cardio: doing cardio in intervals of high intensity and low intensity is something I found worked really well for me. It also relieves some of the monotony of staying a single speed. 

3) Compound movements: I'm sure that you've already heard this, but stick to using compound movements (bench press, shoulder press, leg press, and type of row or pull up/down). Using more compound movements requires multiple muscle groups, using more energy thus burning more calories

4) Rep range: What I've found best is to, for the most part, stick with weights that I can handle for 8-10 reps per set. Alot of people think using low weight for high reps is only for losing weight, but weight loss has more to do with diet than a specific excercise routine. 

Mr. Potato Head Stage

Today I was working out on the elliptical and about half-way through I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like Mr. Potato Head. It was pretty disturbing, I mean, I know that my body is changing, my clothes fit better, I don't feel like a sausage in my XL t-shirts, and I have to tighten my belt one more notch. What I mean is, my arms looked much thinner and my torso is still thick...

I know that weight loss usually starts in our extremities and then works more towards the core. Steph commented last night that my belly has gone way down, which is good. I also saw a friend that was out of town for about 3 weeks and she said she noticed a difference, too. So, I am encouraged.

However, there is this awkward stage, kinda like kids go through when they are 11 or so, that I am currently experiencing in this journey. It's just part of the process. My XL t-shirts seem a bit too large, and the L shirts make me look like I think it's cool to wear UNDER Armor as my over-armor. So, I guess patience, commitment, and perseverance are what I need to push through this phase.

The weird thing is, that if this is how I was going to stay (how I look), I'm now at a place where I don't know if there's much I'd change. I feel healthy, I have more self-discipline and control, and I don't feel like I'm owned by anything, save Jesus Christ. So, it is a bit discouraging, but overall, I am hopeful.

Slow and Steady

Well, I'm not having Atkins-like effects (i.e. 35 lbs in 3 weeks) or anything, but each week, things fit better and my bride comments (and encourages me) that I am looking thinner. One of the best things about this process is that I have been doing it long enough now that it is a habit. I can tell if I haven't worked out and I don't like that feeling.

However, one challenge has to do with working out. It's not a motivational issue anymore, but a patience issue. I think since I have been Ellipticaling (SP?) for 5 weeks that I should be able to run 2 miles flat out in like 15 minutes. No go... I did do 20 minutes on the elliptical yesterday and then ran a mile in just under 10 minutes. That took a LOT of work to do, though. Also, I don't want to get so 'macho' with my weight lifting that I hurt myself. I think one of the greatest risks for me at this stage is not quitting, but being forced to quit because of an injury... That kind of thing tends to run in the males of my family...

Also, I have upped the amount of vitamins and minerals I am taking. A friend loaned me his copy of The Rosedale Diet, which has a lot of helpful insights into the Leptin hormone that regulates hunger and fat metabolism. The diet itself seems a bit un-doable for this stage of my life, but I did learn quite a bit about foods to avoid and why. This book was very helpful though explaining recommended dosages/servings of certain vitamins and minerals, while EXPLAINING what each does. That was very helpful.

For those of you struggling forward with me, how is it going for you?

Let me know how to help!

Week 5 - In Review

This week has been very busy. By God's grace I have kept with the eating healthy and have worked out 5 days this week. I am finally starting to notice a difference in how my clothes are fitting. I was in denial about my XL t-shirts being too small, but in reality I looked like an unaware, overweight, Emo kid.

I hope to begin posting more frequently next week, but for now, I just wanted to check in.

WEIGH IN: 226 lbs
WEIGHT LOSS: 12 lbs

Phantom Gut

I'm experiencing something pretty weird right now. By God's grace and a lot of hard work, my gut has done down quite a bit. However, whenever I feel "full", bloated, or big I feel like I have the same gut just sticking out. I feel huge, but my stomach is way down.

Now, I have heard about people experiencing phantom limbs, when they lose an arm or leg and they have the sensation of it still being there, but I haven't heard of Phantom Gut. Some of you have been very kind saying stuff to me like, "I never thought you were fat", etc. I appreciate that kindness, but I used to be able to rest my arms on my gut. Also, Braelyn used to say to me, "Daddy, you gonna have a baby?" ... I'll give you a few minutes to collect yourself on that one. Fortunately, she now says, "You are getting a tummy like Mommy's?" So, Phantom Gut is a reality for me right now.

Phantom Gut has a weird effect on me. I start feeling self-conscious and embarrassed when I get that feeling, but then I look down and my greatly reduced mini-gut is there. I am both thankful, and a bit weirded out. I'm sure that with time it would go away, but it is definitely an interesting phenomenon.

I will weigh in once this week, at the end of the week. So, for now, I will eat healthy, workout daily, and remain dependent on God for His strength.

Week 4 - In Review

4 weeks in now and I'm feeling much better than I was. I don't daydream any longer about inventing a portable elevator/escalator (depending on the location), I don't run out of breath taking the trash to the curb, and I don't automatically have feelings of loathing for people who work out or eat healthy. All positive signs, no?

However, I was just about to throw my scale out of the window when my Mom reminded me that it's probably not best for me to weigh myself everyday at this point in the process. I think she's right.

It just gets so frustrating when I am working out 5-6 days a week, eating much healthier, drinking tons of water, etc, and I still am not dropping the lbs. But, I guess that's the difference between doing a more holistic approach and doing a fad diet. Also, my clothes are fitting much better, I don't look like a stuffed sausage in my XL t-shirts (4-pack of black pocketed @ WalMart for only $10!), and my wife gets closer in when we hug, which is nice.

I also remember that when I got in shape in 2002, that I dropped fat, looked a lot better, etc, but did not start 'losing weight' on the scale until the 6th or 7th week in. My body is just weird like that. There is also no denying that I still have quite a way to go before I get where I want to be, but throw a man a bone, you know? Marathon, not a sprint... I have to remind myself of that often.

To all of you out there reading, praying, writing, encouraging, participating, feeding me, funding me, etc, THANK YOU! We have had over 950 visits to this blog since it began on March 16th! So, please continue to share this blog with folks who you think would be encouraged.

See ya on Monday! Happy Easter!

"That's not a little bit more..."

Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

- Proverbs 27:5-6 (ESV)

Last night Steph made one of my favorite healthy meals, Taco Soup. I had eaten very well all day, so when I finished my first bowl, I asked if she thought it would be okay for me to get, "A little more..." She said that she thought it would be fine and that she was so proud of how I had been doing. That's how she rolls. ;-)

Anyways, I went to the kitchen feeling like $1,000,000 and excited to have a little more soup. However, when I got back to the table and began shoveling soup in my mouth, Steph kindly said to me, "That's not a little bit more..." Hrmph... She was right, and I was wrong. I thanked her and took a couple more bites and then slid the bowl away from my reach.

I was about to over-indulge and my wife intervened. This is a beautiful example of biblical submission on her part and her desire to honor Christ by being my helper. Thanks, Steph. It was no fun being wrong, but your gracious reminder helped me.

We all need accountability, and I'm grateful for those who have been faithful to me in this time.

Don't Give Up! - Day 23

I'm now in my fourth week. There are days where I want to tackle people who are enjoying pizza for just a taste, and other days where there are zero cravings. Perhaps that 'thorn' is what I need to keep from becoming arrogant, or maybe just part of the process. We'll see...

Today, I wanted to write an encouragement to all of my friends who are struggling forward in regards to weight/diet/life issues. It is so tempting to give up. If you have a bad day at the gym, or at work, or at home, or a number of other things can compound and make this change seem impossible. However, I want to encourage you, DON'T GIVE UP! (<-- Meant as a positive encouragement and not as the typical all CAPS yell). Look, we didn't get this way overnight, so we can't expect change overnight. There will be days where you "blow it" and eat like a Hungry Hungry Hippo™, and other days that you just sleep right through your 'quiet time' at the gym. It happens, to us all. The important thing to remember is that we are running a marathon and not a sprint (thanks, Steph for the constant reminder!).

Also, I know there are some of you out there that want to join in, but are waiting for the right time. My question to you is, "Why not now?" How about you get up from your computer, go fill up a glass with ice water, and drink a few glasses today. That's it. Just enjoy feeling hydrated for once. Then tomorrow, get up and go for a walk around your block. Do something.

Here are some common excuses that I have given or that I have heard as to why individuals are delaying their repentance:

1. We're in the process of huge transitions at church/work.
2. Maybe after Memorial Day Weekend.
3. Perhaps after the semester.
4. After the wedding.
5. After the birth of my 4th-born.
6. When it snows in Hades...
7. When my spouse will do it with me.
8. If I didn't travel so much.
9. I don't want to eat like a girl.
10. I've always been taught to clean my plate...

I've either used these excuses myself or heard them (more than once). The point is, if you know that you are out of shape and unhealthy. Not only are you letting down your family (or future family), but you are also in sin. This 'project' is meant to be a place where we can struggle forward in repentance. Not just a help to mask our yuck... So, if you have started this with me, but have since stopped. Start again! If you have been watching on the sidelines thinking, "I should do something", then do something! If you have been struggling forward with me, then "Don't Give Up!"

Let's honor God, our family and friends, and for those of us who God has placed in positions of authority, the people we lead by how we steward our whole lives as worship to Him.

WEIGH IN: 227 lbs
TOTAL LOSS: 11 lbs

The Famous Off-Day - Day 21

Back in 2002, when I began getting into shape, I read a book called Body for Life (BFL) and stuck pretty well to the diet and workout routine. Lost a lot of fat, gained quite a bit of muscle, and my wife thought I was a 'hotty'. It is a good diet and workout routine, but what I am doing is a bit different. I'm 30 and not wanting to eat tons of processed protein, so I eat more balanced meals.

There is one element of BFL that I totally loved and it was the OFF DAY! You see, you get one day to eat and drink whatever you want. Now, several of my friends who know a lot more about training and diet than I do warned not to go overboard, which I would affirm their caution. However, if you are eating right the remainder of the week, you're not going to want to splurge or over-eat too much. Instead, it's a good reminder for your body that you are not starving to death, a chance to tame the cravings, and a break from the 6 meals-a-day.

This Saturday I had a moderate off day where at lunch I had a bacon cheeseburger and french fries. My snacks stayed pretty tame (with the exception of a small bag(s?) of cookies). Other than that I ate decently at supper, and then resumed my healthy eating on Sunday. Typically, I encourage folks who are just starting this new way of living to skip the first 'off-day' to allow them an opportunity to see some changes. But after week two, then have at it!

We're 3 weeks in now, friends and Steph affirms that my body is changing in shape and getting smaller. However, the weight isn't showing that much 'improvement', but I know that muscle weighs more than fat, etc. Overall, I'm encouraged.

I would love to hear from those of you who are doing this with me how it's going!

Week 3 - In Review

Saw a super sweet belt buckle at the gym today! This older friend was wearing some wranglers, podia-tastic brown shoes, and this rockin' belt buckle. Much akin to the one in the picture. Please know, if you are an older friend and you are reading this that I am not necessarily poking fun (too much at least), but am glad that you are taking initiative to be in the gym. Also, it says something about those snooty places with dress codes, no?

This week was pretty monotanous. I was able to get down to 228 lbs, which puts me at 10 lbs lost! Also, this week was a good reminder that the transformation of my body will take time. I am starting to lose weight in my face and neck, wrist, and ankles, but am still pretty large in the mid-section. I kind of feel like the shrunk-head guy in Beatleguese™, but I am encouraged that this is just the beginning and know that if I keep this up that the rest of my body will soon follow suit.

I have been amazed by the response to this little task. As of yesterday, there have been over 700 visits to this blog since I began a little shy of 3 weeks ago with almost 300 unique users! Wow! I pray that God uses this offering as an encouragement for those who are in the same predicament of me and are in need of a life change. The last thing I want is just some vain attempt at self-glorification and if you know me IRL (in real life) then you know that my desire is for God to get the glory. To 'get in shape' just for that purpose alone is a vain attempt at transformation. To submit oneself to the leadership of Christ, and thus allow all things in our life to become subject to King Jesus, then we're getting somewhere. Anything less is spiritually bankrupt.

I am hopeful for the next few weeks. If I remember correctly, it is between weeks 4-8 that a noticeable difference becomes visible. Thank you all for your continued love and support. See you next week!

Calming the Chaos

When everything in your life is chaotic, then it's the area of your life that is most out of control that gets the attention. However, it seems that all the other areas that are out of control go unnoticed. That is, until change begins. This is true in my life right now.

My eating was out of control, my weight was increasing, which also means that my eating habits were way out of whack, and my exercise was near non-existent. However, beyond this aspect of my life, several other areas were out of sync as well. I didn't realize to what extent until I started 40 Pounds of Purpose.

Now that I am well into my third week of this new way of living, I am becoming increasingly more aware of how many other areas of my life that I had stewarded poorly. Namely time, resources, and overall organization. One merely needs to walk into my home office to see what I am talking about. However, it seems that when all these 'plates are spinning' I am quick to just do what needs to be done to keep everything from crashing down. It's not a way to live, trust me.

I am coming to a place where eating is meant to fuel my life, not be my life. Where exercise isn't a physical punishment for my poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. Rather, this area is coming in-line, I am more aware of areas that are not in line... It seems to go that way, no? When we begin confronting one area of sin in our life, the others like to sneak up on us... However, instead of being discouraged, I will hold fast to Romans 8:1:

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (ESV)

I am committed to living a life of repentance, and trusting in the grace of Jesus Christ for freedom.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Finding the Rhythm - Day 16

Yes. That is a picture of a metronome (for those of you who have never studied music). There is a tempo, a beat if you will, to this new way of life. Have you ever been in a worship service with very kind, godly, yet, very white people? You can tell they love God, but even trying with everything within them, they cannot seem to clap on the down-beat. The Lord is pleased by the intentions of their hearts, but for those of us who by God's grace have a sense of rhythm, it drives us MAD!!!

The past 2 weeks I have been the rhythm-less white dude in a worship service at the gym. Squirming on the bench (remember that Joey?) and wanting to quit half-way through a workout. I remember the days when working out was "fun", but have long since forgotten why I felt that way EVER. However, today I was reminded of the magic of getting into a 'groove' in any scenario in life. Working out is no different.

I am now at a place where the diet is becoming more a part of my life. True, I could do a better job of choosing fruits and vegetables as a vibrant part of my daily snack regimen, but overall, I am eating clean and being discerning about what I ingest. Working out has been sheer drive and discipline. I don't have that 'psych myself out' thing that people get to do one more rep. I'm thinking, "Does anyone really care if I do one more, and if they do, do I care that they care?" The answer is a resounding, "NOPE." I've tried to submit to the cheesy sayings painted throughout the "gym" I go to, but, they are grammatically flawed and downright silly, so I just ignore them. I know that, "Weakness is just pain leaving the body, uh huh huh huh..." (dumb laugh), but that doesn't motivate me to want to hurt some more. Who cares if I'm weak? Jesus loves me and my wife rocks...

Anyway, today was a good day in the gym. I'm not yet at that awkward deception stage where I start feeling like I look a TON better than I really do, but I am hopeful. Things that were such a chore early on are becoming habit, and my love-lust for chocolate, burritos, etc have become much less prevalent.

There is still much road to be traveled, and I cannot convey how grateful I am to God for His grace, to my wife for her encouragement, my fellow elders for their accountability, and my family and friends for their prayers and encouragement. Thank you all.

If you have been sitting on the sidelines wondering if you should join me, let me answer that for you. YES! You will be glad you did, and your body will thank you!

Let me know if I can serve you in any way!

Weigh In: 230.0 lbs (grr...)
Loss: 8 lbs