I always thought it was weird that people would tell you to eat what
you crave when you're trying to lose weight because I have always craved
junk food! They always said that your body craves what it needed, so I
thought, for years, "Hey! My body craves french fries and copious
amounts of salt!!!!!" Yeah... no. My weakness for junk food was so bad
that the first time I did the 24-Day Challenge you all have heard me
rave about, on the 2nd day of the Cleanse Phase, (when you're supposed
to be eating SUPER clean foods!) I went across the street to Hardee's
and bought a burger and french fries for lunch! BAD IDEA!!!!!!!!!!! My
friend who was helping me with the cleanse called me out on it and
challenged me to go the rest of the challenge without eating fast food.
He claimed that by the end of it, I wouldn't miss it at all. I
absolutely did not believe him! At the time I was eating fast food 3 to
5 times a week, and had a serious Taco Bell addiction, on top of my
addition to french fries. No wonder I couldn't seem to lose weight!
But, I did what he said. I cut out soda, and fast food for the rest of
the challenge, and now, 4 months later, I haven't touched it, and I
don't miss it!
What I learned during that time, and
what's been proven to me time and time again since then is that you
crave what you put into your body. If you put junk, and crap and tons
of salt and sugar in your body, you will crave junk and crap and tons
of salt and sugar. If you start eating good, healthy foods, whole
wheats, fruits and veggies, nuts, lean meats and other sources of
protein, the thought of deep-frying something, or dousing it with oils
and fats is almost revolting!
I know this sounds simple
and too good to be true, and granted, there are days that I still crave
junk food, but those days are getting fewer and farther between! When I
do eat junk food now, I eat a little bit and I'm satisfied with it.
Either that, or I feel like crap afterwards and never want it again
(such is the case with pizza rolls, for example!)
All in all, I know how hard it is to start eating healthy, but it does get easier as you do it more! Keep charging forward and do not give up!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Weight Update!
If you haven't seen the news already on my facebook, I finally worked up the courage to weigh myself again! The last time I weighed myself was on November 8th, according to the log in the gym at work, and today, I've subtracted another 13 pounds! I'm at 319 now, and that's a grand total of 67 pounds lost, 47 of which have been since I started using AdvoCare products!
Another reason why these most recent 13 pounds is so big to me, is because in the almost-two months since I've weighed myself, Thanksgiving and Christmas have taken place, and instead of putting on 5 or 10 pounds and backsliding, the pounds kept coming off!
Not to give all the credit of the poundage lost to AdvoCare, I've been working hard and and sweating up a storm as well and paid a lot more attention to my eating habits, but the products have certainly made a huge impact on me, as well as the support system that has developed because of them! I know I talk about AdvoCare a lot on here, but I just love how much the products have helped me, and helped me see results on the scale, on the treadmill, and in the dressing room, but one thing that never ceases to amaze me are the people in AdvoCare. They truly are some of the most supportive, generous, and encouraging people I've ever met!
I can't thank my family, my AdvoCare family, and my church family enough for all the support you've all given me! I know this is another thing I've harped on as well but the more I think about it, the more necessary, I think, having a strong, deep and broad support system is. I really think that's why people who want to lose weight start off so strong at times, then things get busy, or they hit a plateau, or something happens, and they fall off the wagon. It's not necessarily a will-power issue, although granted, that can be a part of it, I really think a huge part of it is that they didn't have friends and loved-ones who understood their desire, and their vision, and supported them in it. That goes for more than just health, but for any huge goal or change someone tries to implement.
I honestly hope that this blog has been as beneficial for others as it has been for me. There's nothing I'd rather do than help others feel a great as I feel now, and that goes for health and fitness, as well as hope I have of what will come in 2012. I've never been a huge fan of New Years Resolutions, but just because it's the new year, that's not going to stop me from pushing and fighting for my goals, and hopefully, I can help you fight for yours! What better time do we have than now?
Another reason why these most recent 13 pounds is so big to me, is because in the almost-two months since I've weighed myself, Thanksgiving and Christmas have taken place, and instead of putting on 5 or 10 pounds and backsliding, the pounds kept coming off!
Not to give all the credit of the poundage lost to AdvoCare, I've been working hard and and sweating up a storm as well and paid a lot more attention to my eating habits, but the products have certainly made a huge impact on me, as well as the support system that has developed because of them! I know I talk about AdvoCare a lot on here, but I just love how much the products have helped me, and helped me see results on the scale, on the treadmill, and in the dressing room, but one thing that never ceases to amaze me are the people in AdvoCare. They truly are some of the most supportive, generous, and encouraging people I've ever met!
I can't thank my family, my AdvoCare family, and my church family enough for all the support you've all given me! I know this is another thing I've harped on as well but the more I think about it, the more necessary, I think, having a strong, deep and broad support system is. I really think that's why people who want to lose weight start off so strong at times, then things get busy, or they hit a plateau, or something happens, and they fall off the wagon. It's not necessarily a will-power issue, although granted, that can be a part of it, I really think a huge part of it is that they didn't have friends and loved-ones who understood their desire, and their vision, and supported them in it. That goes for more than just health, but for any huge goal or change someone tries to implement.
I honestly hope that this blog has been as beneficial for others as it has been for me. There's nothing I'd rather do than help others feel a great as I feel now, and that goes for health and fitness, as well as hope I have of what will come in 2012. I've never been a huge fan of New Years Resolutions, but just because it's the new year, that's not going to stop me from pushing and fighting for my goals, and hopefully, I can help you fight for yours! What better time do we have than now?
Monday, December 26, 2011
Today was a Victory!
I finally broke the 15 minute-mile mark today and ran a mile in 14:44!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've never been an athlete, but I've almost always been, at least someone active. Be it in sports, marching band, Drum & Bugle Corps, or even running around Ball State campus trying to get to class on time, there has rarely been a time where most of my time I've spend sedentary. That's changed now. As much as I do enjoy my job, it's very normal for me to spend 12+ hours a day sitting in a chair. Still, today I realized that I am in the best physical shape I've ever been in, in my life!
I remember in high school the fastest mile time I remember having was right around 15:30. When I did drum corps in the summer of 2006, I lost a lot of weight and my physical shape dramatically improved, but not as much as it could have, I don't think, but the recovery time was so minimal. It also came to a dead stop when I got back home in August. The changes that took place were not sustainable at all. (I'll have to write another post about Corps, because it was an amazing experience!)
Like I said earlier, I ran a mile in under 15 minutes today! I also actually ran over half of that mile, walking about a fourth of it. (Maybe a little more than that, kinda hard to gauge it.) I also realized that the pace I now warm up at is faster than I did my entire workout when I first got started several months ago. I'm also doing my working and my cool down in less time than it took me to do just my workout back then!
The improvements are coming so quickly now, and I can only thank God and his sufficient grace and faithfulness towards me! He's provided such an incredible support system of people all over the country, and that is growing all the time! I know that my story is being used to inspire and encourage people all over the place and that inspires and encourages me even more! I absolutely could not have made it as far as I have without God's provision!
I've never been an athlete, but I've almost always been, at least someone active. Be it in sports, marching band, Drum & Bugle Corps, or even running around Ball State campus trying to get to class on time, there has rarely been a time where most of my time I've spend sedentary. That's changed now. As much as I do enjoy my job, it's very normal for me to spend 12+ hours a day sitting in a chair. Still, today I realized that I am in the best physical shape I've ever been in, in my life!
I remember in high school the fastest mile time I remember having was right around 15:30. When I did drum corps in the summer of 2006, I lost a lot of weight and my physical shape dramatically improved, but not as much as it could have, I don't think, but the recovery time was so minimal. It also came to a dead stop when I got back home in August. The changes that took place were not sustainable at all. (I'll have to write another post about Corps, because it was an amazing experience!)
Like I said earlier, I ran a mile in under 15 minutes today! I also actually ran over half of that mile, walking about a fourth of it. (Maybe a little more than that, kinda hard to gauge it.) I also realized that the pace I now warm up at is faster than I did my entire workout when I first got started several months ago. I'm also doing my working and my cool down in less time than it took me to do just my workout back then!
The improvements are coming so quickly now, and I can only thank God and his sufficient grace and faithfulness towards me! He's provided such an incredible support system of people all over the country, and that is growing all the time! I know that my story is being used to inspire and encourage people all over the place and that inspires and encourages me even more! I absolutely could not have made it as far as I have without God's provision!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Thanksgiving
Over the past few months, I've been working really hard to get healthy and lose weight. If you asked me three months ago what I thought about the Holidays, I woudl have been nervous, and tried not to think about them too much. It was never activity that was my biggest problem, it was food. I've always enjoyed sports and working up a good sweat. No, my biggest problem was always food. I had a weakness for massive amount of junk food.
Thanksgiving is the start of the holidays when people usually let themselves go. Very little attention is paid to nutrition and moderation and it's easy to give into the temptation to indulge again and again and again. Three months ago, I would have been dreading the Holidays. Three weeks ago, I wasn't worried at all!
My family is notorious for bringing way too much food for the number of people attending an event. Good food! Massive amounts of amazing food!
This year was no different, however, it wasn't a problem!
This year, Thanksgiving was at night, instead of the lunch meal like it normally is with my family. That day, I didn't change my eating pattern. I ate breakfast, I ate lunch, and a small snack in the afternoon. That way, that evening, when the massive amounts of amazing food weren't such an issue anymore! Yeah, I ate a little more for dinner than I usually did, but I didn't over-indulge! The next day I weighed myself and I even still lost weight! (Official weight update to come!)
I think that's the trick. Between changing attitudes about food, and keeping my normal eating habits, the holidays won't be a disaster!
Thanksgiving is the start of the holidays when people usually let themselves go. Very little attention is paid to nutrition and moderation and it's easy to give into the temptation to indulge again and again and again. Three months ago, I would have been dreading the Holidays. Three weeks ago, I wasn't worried at all!
My family is notorious for bringing way too much food for the number of people attending an event. Good food! Massive amounts of amazing food!
This year was no different, however, it wasn't a problem!
This year, Thanksgiving was at night, instead of the lunch meal like it normally is with my family. That day, I didn't change my eating pattern. I ate breakfast, I ate lunch, and a small snack in the afternoon. That way, that evening, when the massive amounts of amazing food weren't such an issue anymore! Yeah, I ate a little more for dinner than I usually did, but I didn't over-indulge! The next day I weighed myself and I even still lost weight! (Official weight update to come!)
I think that's the trick. Between changing attitudes about food, and keeping my normal eating habits, the holidays won't be a disaster!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Let's Do This Together!
I know you have all heard me talk about this 24 Day Challenge a lot on here, and right now, I want to try something new. I started this blog for a couple of reasons, for encouragement and accountability for me, but also, so I could inspire and encourage other people trying to lose weight. The encouragement I've received because of this blog has been tremendous! I love reading the comments from people and talking to people who stumbled across it thanks to Twitter and Facebook, and now, I want to help others get the results I'm experiencing now!
I would LOVE it if some of you folks, who have been reading my blog, would also do the 24 Day Challenge! It would be fantastic if we could get a group to do it. Maybe we'll all be local, maybe we'll be all over the country, I have no idea where a lot of my reader base is, but what I do know, is the more people who participate in this, the merrier!
Leave a comment if you think you may or may not be interested in doing the 24 Day Challenge. Find a friend do to it with you if you'd like! If you have any questions, let me know and I can either answer them, myself, or point you to someone who knows even more than I do and we can have a great time and get amazing results!
Instead of waiting until the holidays are over, let's create some momentum towards a healthier lifestyle now! Come January, you won't be starting out, all by yourself, even heavier than you are now, and come February, you won't burn out and give up like so many people do! With this, you'll have a support system, help from the same great people helping me, and most importantly, RESULTS!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Momentum
I was on the treadmill yesterday during my lunch and came to the realization that idleness breeds more idleness, and activity breeds more activity.
It was really hard for me to get to the gym yesterday because I felt really tired. I realized that I've been tired for the past several days, and I also realized that my work-out regimen, of late, has been quite lax.
I've got some great momentum going, and I want to continue that momentum and see those numbers on the scale get smaller and smaller. There's a pretty big event going on in Ft. Worth, TX this January that I'm SUPER excited about, and I want to have to buy new clothes for that event because none of mine fit anymore! So far my clothes are fitting much looser than they have in the past, but I still have a ways to go before justifying a shopping spree!
I can't give up or just start to coast on the momentum already taking place. Weight loss is an intentional, group effort. (I say group effort because I've found that you can't lose significant weight on your own, you need a support system and I'm so glad for the one I have!) Lifestyle change is also an intentional effort and not something that will happen by coasting. It's an uphill battle that requires consistent effort.
Activity breeds more activity.
It was really hard for me to get to the gym yesterday because I felt really tired. I realized that I've been tired for the past several days, and I also realized that my work-out regimen, of late, has been quite lax.
I've got some great momentum going, and I want to continue that momentum and see those numbers on the scale get smaller and smaller. There's a pretty big event going on in Ft. Worth, TX this January that I'm SUPER excited about, and I want to have to buy new clothes for that event because none of mine fit anymore! So far my clothes are fitting much looser than they have in the past, but I still have a ways to go before justifying a shopping spree!
I can't give up or just start to coast on the momentum already taking place. Weight loss is an intentional, group effort. (I say group effort because I've found that you can't lose significant weight on your own, you need a support system and I'm so glad for the one I have!) Lifestyle change is also an intentional effort and not something that will happen by coasting. It's an uphill battle that requires consistent effort.
Activity breeds more activity.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Weight loss update, goals set, and goals achieved!
Wow, I didn't realize it had been almost a month since I updated this puppy! Unacceptable! A lot has happened this month, so I'll try to cover as much as I can without overwhelming or boring you!
I guess the first thing to cover is a weight update! Last time I informed you all I was at 346 pounds, down from my starting weight of 386 pounds. Total loss so far was 40 pounds. I weighed myself a few weeks ago at clocked in at 333 pounds, bumping that number of pounds lost to 53! I absolutely credit those 13 pounds to the 24 Day Challenge because I weighted myself about 2 days after my cycle was finished and was back to normal. I also lost a total of 5 inches! The number of inches lost is below average, but I'm okay with it. My clothes are fitting looser, I have more energy, and I still feel fantastic!
Another big thing that's happened, is a reduction in my mile-time! I'm trying to run at least a mile a few times a week, along with some resistance training and other cardio workouts. My typical routine for getting ready for a work out consists of having a Spark, and taking some ThermoPlus about 30 minutes before working out, and about 10 minutes before, I take some Catalyst. Those three supplements really give me an energy boost, and help with my endurance and mental stamina as well. The last three runs have really shown that! I'm not to the point that I can run a mile without stopping yet, but the last three times in a row that I've run, I've had a new personal best!
On Monday of this past week, I went to the fitness center at work before my shift and did my best time ever! I also hit a goal of running a full lap around the track (a quarter mile) without stopping! I beat my current PR by a few seconds with the time of 17:01. I was disappointed because I didn't get under 17 minutes which has been a goal for a while, but I was happy that I ran a full quarter mile! That same day, on my lunch break, I decided to go at it again. I went back and got on the treadmill, and while I didn't run a full lap again, I did beat my time from that morning SIGNIFICANTLY!!!!!!! I ran that mile in 16:32! I don't know if 30 seconds is so significant in the big picture, but considering it was my second time in the same day, I was pretty excited! Later that week, I went to my home gym and ran again, this time, I ran a full 1/4 mile, and beat that time again and ran the mile in 16:24. Not a huge improvement, but considering a ran the full lap, and was running more and longer distances between walking parts of it, I was still pretty psyched!
Every workout I do, I feel stronger, and it gets easier. I can go at it longer without needing breaks, and my recovery time is getting shorter every day!
I've still got a long way to go, but I've come pretty far! I love the encouragement I get from people who read this blog and see my posts on facebook and twitter, and from people who see me in person. I'm hoping that by the 12th of this month, I can run a full lap around the track consistently, and not just on my good days, and my next milestone goal, is to run a mile (without stopping) by January 20th. I think having solid goals with dates is helping a lot too in that they are helping me measure my accomplishments.
Last of all, I just want to say thanks to all of you who have been such an incredible encouragement to me so far! One thing I've found is that there's no way I could do this on my own, but thanks to you all, I don't have to! You guys are great and thank you!!!!!!!
I guess the first thing to cover is a weight update! Last time I informed you all I was at 346 pounds, down from my starting weight of 386 pounds. Total loss so far was 40 pounds. I weighed myself a few weeks ago at clocked in at 333 pounds, bumping that number of pounds lost to 53! I absolutely credit those 13 pounds to the 24 Day Challenge because I weighted myself about 2 days after my cycle was finished and was back to normal. I also lost a total of 5 inches! The number of inches lost is below average, but I'm okay with it. My clothes are fitting looser, I have more energy, and I still feel fantastic!
Another big thing that's happened, is a reduction in my mile-time! I'm trying to run at least a mile a few times a week, along with some resistance training and other cardio workouts. My typical routine for getting ready for a work out consists of having a Spark, and taking some ThermoPlus about 30 minutes before working out, and about 10 minutes before, I take some Catalyst. Those three supplements really give me an energy boost, and help with my endurance and mental stamina as well. The last three runs have really shown that! I'm not to the point that I can run a mile without stopping yet, but the last three times in a row that I've run, I've had a new personal best!
On Monday of this past week, I went to the fitness center at work before my shift and did my best time ever! I also hit a goal of running a full lap around the track (a quarter mile) without stopping! I beat my current PR by a few seconds with the time of 17:01. I was disappointed because I didn't get under 17 minutes which has been a goal for a while, but I was happy that I ran a full quarter mile! That same day, on my lunch break, I decided to go at it again. I went back and got on the treadmill, and while I didn't run a full lap again, I did beat my time from that morning SIGNIFICANTLY!!!!!!! I ran that mile in 16:32! I don't know if 30 seconds is so significant in the big picture, but considering it was my second time in the same day, I was pretty excited! Later that week, I went to my home gym and ran again, this time, I ran a full 1/4 mile, and beat that time again and ran the mile in 16:24. Not a huge improvement, but considering a ran the full lap, and was running more and longer distances between walking parts of it, I was still pretty psyched!
Every workout I do, I feel stronger, and it gets easier. I can go at it longer without needing breaks, and my recovery time is getting shorter every day!
I've still got a long way to go, but I've come pretty far! I love the encouragement I get from people who read this blog and see my posts on facebook and twitter, and from people who see me in person. I'm hoping that by the 12th of this month, I can run a full lap around the track consistently, and not just on my good days, and my next milestone goal, is to run a mile (without stopping) by January 20th. I think having solid goals with dates is helping a lot too in that they are helping me measure my accomplishments.
Last of all, I just want to say thanks to all of you who have been such an incredible encouragement to me so far! One thing I've found is that there's no way I could do this on my own, but thanks to you all, I don't have to! You guys are great and thank you!!!!!!!
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