FINAL WEIGH IN!

It was a great night for everyone. While we didn't see the numbers on the scale we wanted to, we did see the numbers add up real quick for the inches lost! I am so glad to have been a part of this program. It has served to encourage me and help me to get back on track of living a healthy life...exercise, proper diet, rest, and love and support of friends and family.

For the record...my blood tests came back very good...good cholesterol counts on both sides (hdl/ldl)...sugar down, iron up, liver enzymes at great level. I lost 22.8 pounds and went down in body fat percentage. Still want to lose another 15 - 20 to be in my "happy place". And know that I am taking it off the right way....slow and steady!

Still have another month before the Health Fair on June 13th....hope to see you there!

The need to eat.

Yes...I need to eat. And I need to eat in order to live. But I used to eat just because it sounded good, even if I wasn't hungry. Therefore living to eat. So, I am making the necessary changes....even this far into this challenge. Yes, I am counting calories, but I was eating stuff just to reach my calorie goal. Now I am eating a better balance of proteins and less dry carbs...except for rice cakes (love the crunch). My biggest challenge right now is getting enough sleep so that I can burn the calories off now (notice when I am writing this blog...12:01 AM). So, no matter what, I will always be learning, adjusting and correcting bad habits and making new good ones.

Can you say "Plateau"?

If you look at the scales, I am on the plateau...been there for the past three weeks. I will gain a pound, lose a half pound, lose a percentage in body fat, then show the same numbers the next week, even with taking the calorie count down and still working out4-5 days a week. AAAGGHHH! Totally frustrating. However, when the tape measure came out, I have dropped inches where I needed to (waist, hips, legs, neck) and gained inches where I need (arms & chest).

We have our group meeting this week, so maybe I will pick up on some hints. I have dropped the dry carbs, increased the proteins and veggies, and have eliminated extra snacks. Maybe this will help as well.

Will try to keep more up to date, rather than spuratic postings.

Crazy Week

Didn't lose the weight I wanted...in fact, I found a pound and a half that I lost. Too many carbs, not enough proteins to burn them them off. Plus, I ended up skipping workout on Friday due to picking up my son from college at Midnight on Thurs/Fri and not getting home until 1:30 ish. Just could not pull myself out of bed. Wife's birthday was Friday, so my boys took her and I out, and I tried to be good, but those carbs kept invading my mouth! (Texas Roadhouse Rolls...bread is my weakness). So gotta hunker down this week, even though I'm on spring break. Gonna be working hard around the house and at the gym. And logging what I eat as I eat it, cause if I don't I will forget and lose count of calories.

WOO HOO!

Well, it's official...I have lost exactly 20 pounds! that was my first marker that I wanted to celebrate. My almost "half way mark"...with another 20 pounds that would put me in the healthy weight range. By losing 30, I would be thin and buff and at my "wrestling weight". But since I am not wrestling, I will be happy with the 11-14% body fat. So working on getting the fat turned into muscles. Thanks Laurie for being such an encourager!

Snowy Challenge

Snow, snow and more snow has been the challenge this week. With the weather conditions, the fitness center was closed or opened after I went to work. So my workout consisted of throwing the white stuff around....2 hours worth! My other challenge was being in the house with the cold winds howling, and being attacked by commercials for pizza, cheeseburgers and the like. Talk about a big time munchie attack. Did pretty good, though. Went in this morning at 5:45 to get back on track, and could tell that I had been throwing snow...back sore. But it felt good to get back at it.

Day two of blogging

Got up early, and they said two hour delay, so went back to bed. Got up to go work out and take Kyler to swim practice, and they cancelled school...oh well, more time to work out! So I did a little extra...45 minutes on eliptical plus upper body workout and a few extra situps/planks. With all this snow, at least I know I am in shape to shovel! :-) Still hate the lunges! :-( But I know they are good for me. Also, I still highly recommend the latest CHICAGO cd available at Hallmark...40th anniversary Collection. Makes for some great workout music.