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.

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).

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.