Over the last 48 hours I seem to have acquired a cold. Not quite man-cold level yet, but a cold nonetheless.
So it is making working out a bit less fun. Plus I got the 4AM wake up call from my right lung asking if I could cough it out. But I'll persevere. Hopefully a few days and the worst of it will have run its course and Mucinex will be able to hold it in check. Went to the gym both Sunday & Monday nights. Sunday I was able to bench a set of 225lbs 8 times without struggling too much, so I'm still seeing improvement there. Pretty soon I'm going to have to get out of the recumbent bike and onto the elliptical or treadmill again to push myself a bit more.
Going to have to step up on the diet side
Back to working out with regularity, and hopefully it'll move my weight down some again. But I'm reaching the point where the working out side of the equation will need to be balanced with some work on the diet side of the equation. I've completed the transition to only diet sodas - to the point regular sodas taste weird now. Though the Diet Pepsi I had at lunch was still unpleasant.
I need to move toward healthier food choices more often (I've been doing this some already) and reduced portion sizes as well. Not really exciting, not something I'm particularly looking forward to, but something that will become necessary soon.
The added danger this season is that as a pastor many people generously bring by treats and food gifts. While I appreciate the thought, my waist line thinks otherwise.
I need to move toward healthier food choices more often (I've been doing this some already) and reduced portion sizes as well. Not really exciting, not something I'm particularly looking forward to, but something that will become necessary soon.
The added danger this season is that as a pastor many people generously bring by treats and food gifts. While I appreciate the thought, my waist line thinks otherwise.
Irregular schedule
8 days ago my wife had a significant surgery on her throat. What was to be a same day surgery resulted in us leaving about 30 hours after the surgery. She's been recovering slowly at home, but it has meant my not going to the gym to make sure she is well taken care of. It even meant shipping our 2 year old son off to his grandparents for a few days this week just so my wife could rest and heal. Thankfully she's been slowly improving, and I was able to make it to the gym Monday night and then again last night. It had been a full week since I last went, and I could definitely feel I needed it. My bench press workout was tough and I wasn't as strong. My legs were tired the next day following cardio. But I'll get back into a more patterned workout schedule again soon with her continued improvement. Excited for both of those things to happen.
Give Thanks!
Other than trying to eat half my body weight in turkey today, I ate pretty healthy, avoiding desert other than a couple of bites of pumpkin pie, and staying away from most of the other diet landmines that come with the holiday. Though, as I said, I did eat a LOT of turkey.
Good to get back to the gym again
After my travels this past week - and a lot of eating out - it was nice to see that I was only up about 1 pound in weight. Got back into the gym last night and it felt good to be there again. This week again will be a strange schedule for me, but I should have good access to the gym, so no excuses there.
A great week of mental growth
I am fortunate to get to be part of Ed Stetzer's pet project called Church Planting Leaders Fellowship, and because of that I spent the last two days in Nashville learning some challenging ideas on planting new churches. We learned from Alan Hirsch, Neil Cole, Hugh Halter, Bob Logan and Ed Stetzer. The mind was stretched in many new directions.
But unfortunately the body wasn't. I went to the gym Monday night. Went to bed "early" Tuesday night because I had to get up at 3:45AM to catch my flight. Did a bit of walking in the airport, but for the most part spent the last 2 days on my butt. Ate fairly well with the exception of Jack's BBQ in Nashville last night, but the brisket was worth double whatever calories were in it! Tonight I'm trying to rent out a rental house we own, but if possible I'll try to sneak to a gym. Tomorrow isn't looking good either because I have a showing of the house again, and then have to get back to work to wrap up my sermon for Sunday. So all in all, the worst exercise week I've had since starting my efforts to lose weight. But I'll keep at it.
But unfortunately the body wasn't. I went to the gym Monday night. Went to bed "early" Tuesday night because I had to get up at 3:45AM to catch my flight. Did a bit of walking in the airport, but for the most part spent the last 2 days on my butt. Ate fairly well with the exception of Jack's BBQ in Nashville last night, but the brisket was worth double whatever calories were in it! Tonight I'm trying to rent out a rental house we own, but if possible I'll try to sneak to a gym. Tomorrow isn't looking good either because I have a showing of the house again, and then have to get back to work to wrap up my sermon for Sunday. So all in all, the worst exercise week I've had since starting my efforts to lose weight. But I'll keep at it.
Weekends are killing me
Or at least my diet. I'd probably be 5lbs lighter if weekends didn't exist. But the calories were sooo worth it. I ordered a Red's Savoy Pizza Saturday night with sausage (hand made) and pepperoni. The cheese was deep and the flavor delightful. I ate leftovers for lunch Sunday after church while watching football - AKA recovery. :-) Savoy Pizza is the best in the Twin Cities in my opinion. Since we no longer live there, it really was a treat to get one to go on my way out of town heading back home.
I did make it to the gym Sunday night and did some cardio for 30 minutes. I probably should've done some lifting but it was getting late and my motivation was waning. So tonight I'll hit it hard. I'm watching the Vikings vs. Packers game, and will likely finish watching it at the gym so I can get my workout in. I'll hit the gym again tomorrow and then the rest of the week will be more challenging, but more on that later.
Weight down, bench up
I'm at over 15lbs down in weight since I've started this adventure, which is awesome, though just the tip of the iceberg. Always nice to see a smaller number on the scale, even if it is just in tenths of a pound.
Decided to push it a bit on bench press tonight. Put 225lbs on and did it 6 times and really felt good. So I put on 250lbs and it went up twice with no problems. Put 265lbs on (and got a spotter for this one) and that went right up with no help as well. Considering just 8 weeks ago or so I could barely do 185lbs, that is a lot of improvement. I can't emphasize enough, I love being strong. Just something about how I feel when I'm stronger - it lets me be comfortable doing so many other physical things. I certainly wouldn't say I'm strong yet, I'm not there, but I'm really making progress.
Hit the legs some tonight too in the hip sled. Definitely was still sore this morning from my last leg workout, though not painful, just dull soreness left in the muscles.
Decided to push it a bit on bench press tonight. Put 225lbs on and did it 6 times and really felt good. So I put on 250lbs and it went up twice with no problems. Put 265lbs on (and got a spotter for this one) and that went right up with no help as well. Considering just 8 weeks ago or so I could barely do 185lbs, that is a lot of improvement. I can't emphasize enough, I love being strong. Just something about how I feel when I'm stronger - it lets me be comfortable doing so many other physical things. I certainly wouldn't say I'm strong yet, I'm not there, but I'm really making progress.
Hit the legs some tonight too in the hip sled. Definitely was still sore this morning from my last leg workout, though not painful, just dull soreness left in the muscles.
Rubber band legs
Worked out hard tonight. Hit my legs hard for the first time, and am quite confident I'm going to be sore tomorrow. Lower back was also barking a bit - even after stretching, so that's going to take some work and attention. Last thing I want is back problems.
Followed up the legs with bench, back and arms. Might as well hit it all I guess. Not normally what I'll do, but I chose that route over doing any cardio tonight. Tomorrow night I'll skip lifting & put some miles on.
Add to that muching/mowing my leaves and my neighbor's front lawn yesterday (and it's a BIG front lawn) and preaching this morning, and swimming Friday night and it has been a very active weekend.
Definitely thankful for the extra hour of sleeping last night. Preached with extra energy today!
Followed up the legs with bench, back and arms. Might as well hit it all I guess. Not normally what I'll do, but I chose that route over doing any cardio tonight. Tomorrow night I'll skip lifting & put some miles on.
Add to that muching/mowing my leaves and my neighbor's front lawn yesterday (and it's a BIG front lawn) and preaching this morning, and swimming Friday night and it has been a very active weekend.
Definitely thankful for the extra hour of sleeping last night. Preached with extra energy today!
TV's in the gym are great for this big man
I've watched too much TV in my adult life. I could blame it on all kinds of things in my childhood (like not having a TV for part of it), but I won't. It is my laziness, pure and simple.
But having TV's at the gym are a blessing. When I get to the gym, if there is a good game on I can just go and go and go on the various cardio machines. Helps burn quite a few extra calories a week because I want to see the end of a show or game that I started watching. And it helps take my mind off the exercise, which for the most part is good.
For the most part. I suspect I have ups and downs in speed often corresponding to what I am watching. I first noticed this years ago when I was watching a UFC fight while working out on a recumbent bike. All of a sudden I realized I was doing about 200mph and my heart rate was about that same number as well! It does really help to have the distraction of the TV though when I start to up the resistance on the machine I am using. I notice it at first, but once I get back into what I am watching I am able to soldier on while my legs keep pumping.
Had a good workout tonight watching LSU defeat Alabama in football. Alabama really shot themselves in the foot, and might be shooting their kicker in the foot! They're likely out of the national championship running unless a lot more strange things happen. It could happen, but I don't expect it will.
Preaching on Revelation 4 tomorrow, and hoping that gets my heart pumping in the morning. Then I'll be back to the gym tomorrow night & will be lifting then.
But having TV's at the gym are a blessing. When I get to the gym, if there is a good game on I can just go and go and go on the various cardio machines. Helps burn quite a few extra calories a week because I want to see the end of a show or game that I started watching. And it helps take my mind off the exercise, which for the most part is good.
For the most part. I suspect I have ups and downs in speed often corresponding to what I am watching. I first noticed this years ago when I was watching a UFC fight while working out on a recumbent bike. All of a sudden I realized I was doing about 200mph and my heart rate was about that same number as well! It does really help to have the distraction of the TV though when I start to up the resistance on the machine I am using. I notice it at first, but once I get back into what I am watching I am able to soldier on while my legs keep pumping.
Had a good workout tonight watching LSU defeat Alabama in football. Alabama really shot themselves in the foot, and might be shooting their kicker in the foot! They're likely out of the national championship running unless a lot more strange things happen. It could happen, but I don't expect it will.
Preaching on Revelation 4 tomorrow, and hoping that gets my heart pumping in the morning. Then I'll be back to the gym tomorrow night & will be lifting then.
BMG - Big Muscle Groups
Was planning on adding in some other big muscle group lifts, but honestly was too spent to do it. I was pretty dehydrated yesterday and by late in the evening it had sapped me of all energy. I still put in 32 minutes on the recumbent bike.
Big muscle group lifting is really the way to go for overall strength. I'd like to some day do deadlift and squats again, but I'm going to start out on machines first to build some baseline strength before getting to that. Maybe eventually I'll add the dreaded power-cleans as well. I say dreaded because when you do them, they kick your butt.
Big muscle group lifting also is more effective for burning calories. Lifting my arm up and down can get tiring, but it won't burn nearly as many calories as using my quads & hamstrings to move up and down.
Halloween Monday Night Football - helping me lose weight!
A great Monday Night Football game between the Chiefs and Chargers tonight. I started out on the treadmill planning on doing 25 minutes. Then 30. Then 35. Then Phillip Rivers fumbled, and I had to move to the recumbent bike so I could keep watching! Wasn't planning on doing any recumbent, but ended up putting 25 minutes in on that as well!
We don't get many trick-or-treaters where we live. Houses are too far apart, the sidewalk is across the street and there are only houses on our side of the street (lake on the other side). So we got a handful of kids from our church and just a couple others all night long, much to my 2 year old's disappointment. He stood most of the night at the door looking out asking "Where's kid?" as only a 2 year old can.
But that means there is dangerous leftover candy. Normally I'd feed it to my youth groups on Wednesday, but we don't have it this week! So if you need candy, come by my house & I'll hook you up so we don't eat it all, because none of us need it.
But that means there is dangerous leftover candy. Normally I'd feed it to my youth groups on Wednesday, but we don't have it this week! So if you need candy, come by my house & I'll hook you up so we don't eat it all, because none of us need it.
Sometimes staying the same is a win
For the record, I didn't have the Monster Biscuit pictured above. I did at least resist that...
World Series is helping my cardio
Went to the gym last night in the middle of game 6 of the World Series between the Cardinals and Rangers. Hopped on the recumbent bike and ended up doing 70 minutes on that, and then 15 minutes more on the treadmill before the game ended in the 11th inning! Really only planned on 30-40 minutes, but there was no way I was missing the end of that game!
Took tonight off from the gym. Friday is my day off from work, and after my lengthy workout last night I'm a bit tired today. Went out to supper with my wife & son and tried a new Japanese/Thai fusion restaurant in a neighboring town. Good food, and overall really healthy excluding a bit of tempera batter.
Took tonight off from the gym. Friday is my day off from work, and after my lengthy workout last night I'm a bit tired today. Went out to supper with my wife & son and tried a new Japanese/Thai fusion restaurant in a neighboring town. Good food, and overall really healthy excluding a bit of tempera batter.
Dieters face a long battle with hunger, study finds
As if people needed a reminder that losing weight is hard and
maintaining weight loss is even harder, a study has found that for at
least a year, subjects who shed weight on a low-calorie diet were
hungrier than when they started and had higher levels of hormones that
tell the body to eat more, conserve energy and store away fuel as fat.
The report, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, helps explain why roughly 80 percent of dieters regain lost pounds within a year or two of losing them -- and, sometimes, regain more.
After weight loss, "multiple compensatory mechanisms" spring to life, the study shows, and work together to ensure that weight loss is reversed quickly and efficiently.
The researchers, led by Joseph Proietto of the University of Melbourne's Department of Medicine, write that more than one solution to obesity will likely be necessary: "a combination of medications" that will have to be safe for long-term use.
Two-thirds of Americans and a growing proportion of the developing world's population are overweight or obese, and though obesity rates in the United States have begun to stabilize, there's been no significant decline.
The Australian study paints a "very comprehensive" and "really discouraging" picture of the breadth of the body's response to weight loss, said Dr. Daniel Bessesen, an endocrinologist and obesity researcher at University of Colorado's Denver Health Medical Center. It captures just how many resources the body musters to ensure that weight is restored -- a long list of hormones that regulate appetite, feelings of fullness after eating and how calories are used.
The study enrolled 50 obese men and women without major health problems and put them on a strict low-calorie diet for eight weeks. Within two weeks after that diet, and again a year later, researchers measured subjects' blood levels of nine distinct hormones that affect appetite and metabolism, and asked subjects about feelings of hunger after meals, between meals and as mealtimes approached.
Click here for the full article.
The report, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, helps explain why roughly 80 percent of dieters regain lost pounds within a year or two of losing them -- and, sometimes, regain more.
After weight loss, "multiple compensatory mechanisms" spring to life, the study shows, and work together to ensure that weight loss is reversed quickly and efficiently.
The researchers, led by Joseph Proietto of the University of Melbourne's Department of Medicine, write that more than one solution to obesity will likely be necessary: "a combination of medications" that will have to be safe for long-term use.
Two-thirds of Americans and a growing proportion of the developing world's population are overweight or obese, and though obesity rates in the United States have begun to stabilize, there's been no significant decline.
The Australian study paints a "very comprehensive" and "really discouraging" picture of the breadth of the body's response to weight loss, said Dr. Daniel Bessesen, an endocrinologist and obesity researcher at University of Colorado's Denver Health Medical Center. It captures just how many resources the body musters to ensure that weight is restored -- a long list of hormones that regulate appetite, feelings of fullness after eating and how calories are used.
The study enrolled 50 obese men and women without major health problems and put them on a strict low-calorie diet for eight weeks. Within two weeks after that diet, and again a year later, researchers measured subjects' blood levels of nine distinct hormones that affect appetite and metabolism, and asked subjects about feelings of hunger after meals, between meals and as mealtimes approached.
Click here for the full article.
Benched 225lbs!
When I was last lifting regularly in 2007, I was benching just below 300lbs. IIRC. In 2002 I was benching just a hair under 400lbs. and I'm pretty sure I could've put that up in my next workout, but got injured before that could happen.
So last night I decided to give 225lbs. a go. Putting two wheels (45lb plates) on each side is a mental thing for me. Basically, every time I can add another large plate (and I'm not talking buffet) I really feel like I've done something significant. So 135, 225, 315 are all milestones for me. Heck, 405 really would be something!
So I'll keep at it. We'll see just how long it takes to get that third plate on the bar. The first one wasn't an issue. The second one took a month or so. I'd be happy to get the third one by next spring realistically. And if I continue on the pace I have set, I'll be benching more than my body weight (hopefully by quite a bit!) when I add that third plate onto the bar.
15 down
Checked last night and am now down 15lbs! Making progress. Off to do some lifting at the gym.
Suffering from weight loss
Well...not really suffering, but experienced a humerus side effect this morning. Got up early and made my way to church. I keep most of my pressed dress shirts in my office at church, so I just wear a white undershirt & my dress pants on my way to church. I was right on schedule, but it was hard getting up this morning. My mind was in a fog when I left the house, so I never noticed that I failed to put a belt on.
I was wearing some pants that previous had begun to get tight before I started this adventure, but are now with enough room in them that they don't quite stay up without a lot of attention. But in my short walk to my van and into the building I never noticed. So much to my surprise (and dismay!) when I began to put my dress shirt on before worship I discovered my error! Unfortunately I didn't have the option of running home, and my family is out of town this weekend so I couldn't call home & get them to bail me out either. Needless to say, I'll make sure I grab a belt next week!
The good new is that I indeed have shrunk a little bit. While not all that noticable outwardly, I've noticed the difference already. Great motivation to keep on working out.
Less of me and more of Him! Praise Jesus!!
Bench press increasing!
I haven't been lifting much, and when I have been lifting it was 3x10's @ 150ish lbs. Last night I decided to add some weight just to see where I was at and was able to do 210lbs 3 times with no problem. It being 12:30AM I didn't want to go beyond that because nobody else was at the gym. So that (to me at least) is quite exciting. I didn't expect I'd be this strong and that it would take a few more weeks to crack 200lbs. I might have to start going to the gym earlier though if I'm going to be putting up heavier iron. Gotta have a spotter if you are going to go big! Really looking forward to putting 2 plates on each side again - 225lbs. That's a great mental place because it seems like so much more when you can put that on. Sad to think that used to be what i warmed up with.
Gashed my knee
Smashed my kneecap tonight drawing quite a bit of blood. Caught it on a bathroom cabinet door. Was surprised I didn't break the door off with how hard I caught it. But in spite of blood & pain I'm heading to the gym. I can't say that I'm excited to go to the gym yet, but losing weight does help keep me motivated.
Took a night off
Took last night off to stay home with my wife. I worked out hard on Sunday and was down 11+lbs from my starting weight. Was hoping to lift last night, but now will get it in tonight. Feeling pretty tired, so might try to grab a cat nap too.
The one area I probably most need to improve in is my sleeping. With a 2 year old who rarely sleeps through the night, and my odd hours since I'm such a night hour, added to the chaos that has been my schedule lately you arrive at poor sleep patterns and habits. I know sleep is important, so I'll work on it.
The one area I probably most need to improve in is my sleeping. With a 2 year old who rarely sleeps through the night, and my odd hours since I'm such a night hour, added to the chaos that has been my schedule lately you arrive at poor sleep patterns and habits. I know sleep is important, so I'll work on it.
Keepin' on keepin' on
63 minutes on the recumbent bike tonight. Having TV to watch at the gym makes the time pass faster if I can find something worth watching. Since I work out late I don't generally have to fight for control of the TV in front of the cardio stations. It does keep getting easier. But at about 55 minutes I was out of steam, though I pushed on to finish out my program.
Weekend damage revisited
Looks like I am now only up 2lbs from last weekend. I obviously don't live & die by the scale, so I'm not sweating it either way.
Hit it hard at the gym last night, and then again tonight. Did 33 minutes of recumbent tonight and 45+ last night. Got after it with the weights tonight, moving up in weight on all my lifts. Still not pushing big iron, but did bench 155lbs 3x10 and it went pretty smooth. No idea how quickly I will gain strength at this age. A decade ago I jumped up to 245lbs on bench in just a couple of months of lifting. We'll see if I still have enough testosterone and dedication to get strong that quickly.
Hit it hard at the gym last night, and then again tonight. Did 33 minutes of recumbent tonight and 45+ last night. Got after it with the weights tonight, moving up in weight on all my lifts. Still not pushing big iron, but did bench 155lbs 3x10 and it went pretty smooth. No idea how quickly I will gain strength at this age. A decade ago I jumped up to 245lbs on bench in just a couple of months of lifting. We'll see if I still have enough testosterone and dedication to get strong that quickly.
Wedding weekend - the damage done
It was great to get away for a weekend, and I ate like a pig for most of it. I tried to make healthy food choices, but the double cheeseburger & cheese curds for lunch yesterday beg to differ. But they were sooo worth the calories.
I'm up 4ish lbs since last Wednesday. I did workout hard last night with both cardio and lifting. While I know it isn't much, I threw a plate on each side of the bar and did 3x10 on bench press last night fairly easily. Having not benched much weight yet, I had no idea how that would go. It's funny, because I remember in High School how that was a big deal when we first started lifting - 135lbs. To think that I used to bench roughly 3x's that amount is staggering. I'll be more than happy to double that quite honestly, and if I can get back over 300lbs - and have my weight be less than I bench once again, I'd be ecstatic.
I could definitely feel the difference in my cardio work out since I haven't been to the gym in the better part of a week. Even though we were at altitude for the wedding, it didn't compensate for not putting my time in. So I'll get after it the next few days, hoping that by Monday I can be back where I was when I left.
Baby steps.
I'm up 4ish lbs since last Wednesday. I did workout hard last night with both cardio and lifting. While I know it isn't much, I threw a plate on each side of the bar and did 3x10 on bench press last night fairly easily. Having not benched much weight yet, I had no idea how that would go. It's funny, because I remember in High School how that was a big deal when we first started lifting - 135lbs. To think that I used to bench roughly 3x's that amount is staggering. I'll be more than happy to double that quite honestly, and if I can get back over 300lbs - and have my weight be less than I bench once again, I'd be ecstatic.
I could definitely feel the difference in my cardio work out since I haven't been to the gym in the better part of a week. Even though we were at altitude for the wedding, it didn't compensate for not putting my time in. So I'll get after it the next few days, hoping that by Monday I can be back where I was when I left.
Baby steps.
Off to do a wedding
This blog will likely be quiet for a few days as I'm doing a destination wedding this weekend for a great couple. We'll see what impact it has on my diet. As of today I've lost 13lbs, but this next week will be challenging to work out. I hope to get some hiking in, but we'll see what time allows, and what food options are available.
48 hours sore
As I expected, I am more sore today than yesterday from my lifting on Sunday. My chest (pectoral muscles) are tender.
Made it to the gym again last night and put in 42 minutes of cardio on the treadmill and the recumbent cycle. Tonight I'll do some elliptical and probably skip the treadmill. While I'm not feeling pain, I have had a bit of tightness in my left arch the next morning after doing treadmill. Certainly don't want an injury to slow me down, so I'll be smart about it.
Last night my heart rate hit 166bpm briefly - a number I suspect I haven't seen in quite a while! I wanted to try a bit of running on the treadmill, and after a few minutes it was clear I'm not ready for it at that level yet. I try to keep it above 130 while on the treadmill, and 120 while on the recumbent. I haven't paid a lot of attention while on the elliptical, so as I get more time in on that I'll see how my heart rate does and how that corresponds to my ability to exercise on that machine. I'll throw some form work on lifting in at the end of my workout tonight. Good practice, and good way to get rid of some of that soreness I have in my muscles currently.
Made it to the gym again last night and put in 42 minutes of cardio on the treadmill and the recumbent cycle. Tonight I'll do some elliptical and probably skip the treadmill. While I'm not feeling pain, I have had a bit of tightness in my left arch the next morning after doing treadmill. Certainly don't want an injury to slow me down, so I'll be smart about it.
Last night my heart rate hit 166bpm briefly - a number I suspect I haven't seen in quite a while! I wanted to try a bit of running on the treadmill, and after a few minutes it was clear I'm not ready for it at that level yet. I try to keep it above 130 while on the treadmill, and 120 while on the recumbent. I haven't paid a lot of attention while on the elliptical, so as I get more time in on that I'll see how my heart rate does and how that corresponds to my ability to exercise on that machine. I'll throw some form work on lifting in at the end of my workout tonight. Good practice, and good way to get rid of some of that soreness I have in my muscles currently.
Broken blood vessle in my hand?
Made it to the gym tonight, even though I honestly didn't feel like going. Started with 20 minutes on the treadmill and then did 20 minutes on the recumbent bike. My cardio keeps getting better, which for a fat man like me simply means that it hurts less each time.
I moved from that into lifting - arms and chest. While doing some closed grip bench press I felt what I suspect was a blood vessel break in my left hand. We'll see in the morning I guess, but it's a bit tender at the moment. I didn't let that stop me & finished my workout. I'm 99% sure I'm going to be sore tomorrow.
An interesting thing about my body is that I've always been sorest 48 hours after lifting hard, even when I was playing college football and moving impressive amounts of iron.
I used to lift a lot. My best bench press was in 2002 when I got 395lbs up. I never did hit my goal of 400lbs due to a strain in my left pectoral muscle. I strained it, had to take it easy for a while, and then moved nearly six hours away & enrolled full time in Seminary where I never managed to get back into regular lifting while living on campus. In college I squatted 720lbs which was a school record at the time for a running back (I was a fullback). I never was all that good at dead lift - the third of the "classic" competition lifts. My all time best was 425lbs, and I'm not sure I locked it out long enough to count it.
I'm hoping to lift more as I progress in this thing called "working out". I used to be called "Big Chris" because I was strong as an ox, not like now where it's because I'm overweight. While I might not return to those aforementioned glory days, I'd love to be strong once again.
I moved from that into lifting - arms and chest. While doing some closed grip bench press I felt what I suspect was a blood vessel break in my left hand. We'll see in the morning I guess, but it's a bit tender at the moment. I didn't let that stop me & finished my workout. I'm 99% sure I'm going to be sore tomorrow.
An interesting thing about my body is that I've always been sorest 48 hours after lifting hard, even when I was playing college football and moving impressive amounts of iron.
I used to lift a lot. My best bench press was in 2002 when I got 395lbs up. I never did hit my goal of 400lbs due to a strain in my left pectoral muscle. I strained it, had to take it easy for a while, and then moved nearly six hours away & enrolled full time in Seminary where I never managed to get back into regular lifting while living on campus. In college I squatted 720lbs which was a school record at the time for a running back (I was a fullback). I never was all that good at dead lift - the third of the "classic" competition lifts. My all time best was 425lbs, and I'm not sure I locked it out long enough to count it.
I'm hoping to lift more as I progress in this thing called "working out". I used to be called "Big Chris" because I was strong as an ox, not like now where it's because I'm overweight. While I might not return to those aforementioned glory days, I'd love to be strong once again.
This cold is kicking my butt
I've slept horribly for 3 nights. Last night didn't fall asleep until after 3:00AM & had to be up by 7:20AM to get to church. The night before I was up until 4:30AM with a combination of the cold and our son waking up, but at least then I got to sleep in until 10:30AM. the night before that was short as well. So I'm run down from the cold and run down from lack of sleep. I expect tomorrow tomorrow to hit me like a sledge hammer with a Monday morning preaching hangover.
The good news is I'm down 12lbs in 15 days without having done anything extreme. I know that won't continue, but I'm happy with it nonetheless. I noticed a difference climbing stairs to our church balcony this morning. Even though I was tired, I could still feel that climbing was easier.
I did go to the gym Friday night, but felt so crummy yesterday that I didn't go. I will for sure go again this evening, and probably Monday & Tuesday too. Wednesday this week will be youth ministry, and then Thursday we will be going to where I'll be officiating a great man & woman's wedding next weekend. So this next weekend will be a challenge to my diet with travel, travel food, eating out, wedding food and good times with friends and family. Plus I likely won't be able to go to the gym for 6 straight day. Thankfully I'll get a few opportunities for some walking/hiking with my wife at altitude to balance that out a bit.
I think I can manage it, but would take your prayers nonetheless.
The good news is I'm down 12lbs in 15 days without having done anything extreme. I know that won't continue, but I'm happy with it nonetheless. I noticed a difference climbing stairs to our church balcony this morning. Even though I was tired, I could still feel that climbing was easier.
I did go to the gym Friday night, but felt so crummy yesterday that I didn't go. I will for sure go again this evening, and probably Monday & Tuesday too. Wednesday this week will be youth ministry, and then Thursday we will be going to where I'll be officiating a great man & woman's wedding next weekend. So this next weekend will be a challenge to my diet with travel, travel food, eating out, wedding food and good times with friends and family. Plus I likely won't be able to go to the gym for 6 straight day. Thankfully I'll get a few opportunities for some walking/hiking with my wife at altitude to balance that out a bit.
I think I can manage it, but would take your prayers nonetheless.
Goals for weightloss
My goals in all this are to better steward what God has given me in this life. Hard to preach honestly/genuinely when a big sin issue lives around my waist line.
Losing weight will make my marriage better. There's things I'm hesitant to do because of my weight that my wife would love to do. And there are more intimate applications. Plus, since I'm stuck being ugly I can at least not multiply that by being huge! :-) It also reduces the chances she'll get to see that life insurance policy in action, and I'm OK with that.
It will also help me be a better father. I'll be able to keep up with my son better, and hopefully someday be a good role model for him. There's a lot of things in his life I don't want to miss out on, and being overweight will certainly take some opportunities from me.
I think it will make me a better pastor. It's harder to connect with people when their first image of me/the church is this huge pastor.
My overall goals are to lose 80lbs in the next 2 years. 40lbs a year. I still won't be skinny after losing 80lbs (sad to say) but I will be at a much healthier weight, and will then be in a place to take the next step(s) in this process. That is less than a pound a week, which should be sustainable and healthily achievable. Sustainability is very important to me, because I don't want to have to do this all over again. Plus, it has taken many years to put much of this weight on, so I suspect it'll take a few at least to get it back off again.
Some of what I hope to be doing will eventually slow my rate of weight loss - specifically weight lifting. I love to lift, and when I do so regularly my body is inclined to get strong and pack on muscle. Yes, late 30's means this won't happen as fast as in the past, but I do suspect that I'll put on some muscle in the months to come. So losing 80lbs + added muscle will be a pretty sizable transformation in my body composition. I've already started some light weight lifting, mostly form work, and in the months to come I'll add more to that as I feel ready to take that on.
Losing weight will make my marriage better. There's things I'm hesitant to do because of my weight that my wife would love to do. And there are more intimate applications. Plus, since I'm stuck being ugly I can at least not multiply that by being huge! :-) It also reduces the chances she'll get to see that life insurance policy in action, and I'm OK with that.
It will also help me be a better father. I'll be able to keep up with my son better, and hopefully someday be a good role model for him. There's a lot of things in his life I don't want to miss out on, and being overweight will certainly take some opportunities from me.I think it will make me a better pastor. It's harder to connect with people when their first image of me/the church is this huge pastor.
My overall goals are to lose 80lbs in the next 2 years. 40lbs a year. I still won't be skinny after losing 80lbs (sad to say) but I will be at a much healthier weight, and will then be in a place to take the next step(s) in this process. That is less than a pound a week, which should be sustainable and healthily achievable. Sustainability is very important to me, because I don't want to have to do this all over again. Plus, it has taken many years to put much of this weight on, so I suspect it'll take a few at least to get it back off again.
Some of what I hope to be doing will eventually slow my rate of weight loss - specifically weight lifting. I love to lift, and when I do so regularly my body is inclined to get strong and pack on muscle. Yes, late 30's means this won't happen as fast as in the past, but I do suspect that I'll put on some muscle in the months to come. So losing 80lbs + added muscle will be a pretty sizable transformation in my body composition. I've already started some light weight lifting, mostly form work, and in the months to come I'll add more to that as I feel ready to take that on.
Keeping at it
Didn't go to the gym the last two days. I acquired a cold (like at the gym ironically) Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday night I was feeling pretty crummy and coughing like crazy. Wednesdays are one of the days I figure I'll take off more often than not, having had a very long day of ministry. Gotta have some family time!
So in spite of my persistent cough, I went to the gym tonight to get some cardio in. 20 minutes on the treadmill and 25 minutes on the recumbent while watching a really good Utah St. vs. BYU football game. Stepped on the scale and am down 9+ lbs. since I started. That's pretty impressive considering my two days off and then China Buffet for lunch today. Fried "Asian" food with sugary sauces aren't the best for the diet. But I did try to limit my portions (a bit) and drank diet soda as well.
So I'll push on through the cold (yes, I'll wipe the machinery down after use). Mucinex is my friend. Hoping to go for a hike tomorrow (weather permitting) with my family, and then do some lifting and light cardio at the gym before working on my final edits for my sermon tomorrow night.
So in spite of my persistent cough, I went to the gym tonight to get some cardio in. 20 minutes on the treadmill and 25 minutes on the recumbent while watching a really good Utah St. vs. BYU football game. Stepped on the scale and am down 9+ lbs. since I started. That's pretty impressive considering my two days off and then China Buffet for lunch today. Fried "Asian" food with sugary sauces aren't the best for the diet. But I did try to limit my portions (a bit) and drank diet soda as well.So I'll push on through the cold (yes, I'll wipe the machinery down after use). Mucinex is my friend. Hoping to go for a hike tomorrow (weather permitting) with my family, and then do some lifting and light cardio at the gym before working on my final edits for my sermon tomorrow night.
First Weekish results
I joined the gym Sept. 17th and went every day for the first four days. The next two days I was traveling for a work conference and didn't make it to a gym. I got right back at it when I got back home and when I stepped on the scale on Sept. 27th I had lost 7lbs.
Along with working out, starting Sept. 22nd I began to clean up my diet. That's not to say it is clean yet, but I've cut down portions, been avoiding fried foods and quit snacking late at night. Earlier this week I switched from Mt. Dew to Diet Dew. That's been a tough one, but I'm forcing myself to transition. Empty calories have been killing me. Slowly, but killing me. The sugar is bad for the body too in so many ways. So I'm working on it. I know the artificial sweeteners have issues too, I've read the studies. But baby steps. I have also begun replacing with water more and more, and hopefully will be at a point where water is my primary beverage fairly soon.
Background - why lose weight now?
September 17th, 2011 I joined Snap Fitness. I'm pretty sure I weighed as much as I ever have. I hadn't worked out in any regular fashion for about 2 years. Before moving to our small town we were part of Lifetime Fitness where I loved to go and I was going regularly. I was losing weight and getting pretty strong and felt really good about my progress.
When we moved, we initially joined Snap, and for a while continued going with some regularity. But with the on-goings of a new ministry those times became fewer and fewer. Add to that lots of meetings that involve food and a much less active work environment and it spelled disaster for my waistline. Added on top of that was a new child, and while it does take a lot of energy to keep up with him, it made it that much harder to regularly work out at a gym.
So we bought a Nintendo Wii with the intention of using that with the Wii Fit and Wii Active programs. The total cost was a few month's gym membership, and we could workout at home. Epic fail.
So I (eventually) bought a workout DVD - Beachbody Power 90. I know a handful of people who've had success with the P90X workout, but I figured I needed something more entry level than that. Did the DVD a handful of times, but I don't like working out in my living room. Yeah, lame excuse, but I'm sticking to it.
Knowing that I have a young son I want to spend lots of years being active with, a wife I want to love well, and a church I want to lead with integrity, I knew I had to make changes. But change is hard, so is exercise, and so is losing weight. And I like food. A lot.
But to be a good steward of my life, changes have to be made nonetheless, so that is the adventure I am on (finally).
When we moved, we initially joined Snap, and for a while continued going with some regularity. But with the on-goings of a new ministry those times became fewer and fewer. Add to that lots of meetings that involve food and a much less active work environment and it spelled disaster for my waistline. Added on top of that was a new child, and while it does take a lot of energy to keep up with him, it made it that much harder to regularly work out at a gym.
So we bought a Nintendo Wii with the intention of using that with the Wii Fit and Wii Active programs. The total cost was a few month's gym membership, and we could workout at home. Epic fail.
So I (eventually) bought a workout DVD - Beachbody Power 90. I know a handful of people who've had success with the P90X workout, but I figured I needed something more entry level than that. Did the DVD a handful of times, but I don't like working out in my living room. Yeah, lame excuse, but I'm sticking to it.
Knowing that I have a young son I want to spend lots of years being active with, a wife I want to love well, and a church I want to lead with integrity, I knew I had to make changes. But change is hard, so is exercise, and so is losing weight. And I like food. A lot.
But to be a good steward of my life, changes have to be made nonetheless, so that is the adventure I am on (finally).
Losing weight by yourself isn't fun
I'm starting this as a place to track my own reverse growth. I don't know what it will become, but welcome other pastors who struggle with weight issues to join in on the conversation.
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