Broken? No!

Okay, so maybe I'm not broken.  Maybe I'm just tired.  I think I'm just normal..ish.  So, I fasted today, which is my normal schedule.  But I didn't get around to being able to workout until 5:30 p.m.  Ugh.  I usually like to workout in the morning.  But I was busy with invoicing for work, so that got delayed.  And I think the fasting got in the way.  I was only able to get through the treadmill and the stairstepper before I had to turn in.  But, the main reason I had to stop (yes, I did get super tired), but someone was on my dang machine again!  That's why I need to get back to going in to the gym early, rather than later--it's better timing for the gym, too...

That's about it--I'm off to have my walk and get some rest!  

Total up through Monday:
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill (1.75 Miles)
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster (395 Calories)
90 sit ups
Walk 2 miles
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast

Remaining:
4- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
5- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
4- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
120 sit ups
Walk 11 miles
2 DVD Workouts
3 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Week 34

Weight: 266.6

Weight gain in one week: 0.6
Total weight lost: 101.8
Average weekly weight loss: 2.99

Weight left to lose: 26.6
Weeks left at average loss: 8.87
Estimated total weeks: 42.87 (about 9.89 months)

As I thought, I gained this week.  Not as much as I thought I would, but still, a gain.  Boo-hoo, so sad.  It's no one's fault but my own.  Here's the thing, I've had a lot of success so far, and that's fine, but how do I react in failure?  It reminds me of something Jesus said:

Matthew 5:43-48 (New Century Version)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.' But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don't know God are nice to their friends."

In a similar mode, if I'm only grateful when I succeed, how is that helpful?  But, if I am grateful when I struggle, that is good.  That is helpful.  So, yes, I struggled; and yes, I'm thankful.  I'm thankful because I know what I did wrong.  I'm thankful because I know how to improve.  I'm thankful because I have this community.  I'm thankful because I know that when (not if) I stumble again, I'll be able to move on and improve.
 
Of course, this has delayed my progress, and dropped me below my 3-pound a week average.  There are some parts that give me comfort: I'm still over 100 pounds lost; I'm still on track to finish this leg of my journey within 10 months.  That's crazy!
 
So, that's it for now, but there will be better news next week.
 
May God Bless you all on your journeys!

Broken Beej?

So, I may have hit my limit.  I'm not sure.  Yesterday, though, I "came down" with a sore back yesterday--it might just be my body telling me to relax.  It kinda threw a wrench into my workout plans.  I know that my eating was good yesterday (I forgot to take pictures): I had 2 1/2 small plates--not even close to what one of my former plates would have been--for dinner last night.  I was able to get some working out in yesterday (barely) and quite a bit in today (we walked 9.5 miles! to the local shopping mall and back), plus our date (we walked down to the theater and saw The Blind Side; I'm a sucker for sports movies and tear-jerkers, and this was both--highly recommend it!).  That being said, I think I'll probably gain this weigh-in.  I know I've said that before, but I'm pretty sure of it this week.  I think the main problem was that although I did change up my workout schedule, I didn't adjust my daily eating.  It's frustrating, because I know I should have done a better job of planning and making choices.  We'll have to see, though, where I stand tomorrow morning. 

Total:
3- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
3- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
210 sit ups
Walk 18 miles
4 DVD Workouts
4 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
Date with Anna

Remaining:
1 DVD Workout

Goals for Next Week:
5- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
5- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
5- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
210 sit ups
Walk 13 miles
2 DVD Workouts
4 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
Date with Anna

new recipe: Thanksgiving burgers

In honor of Thanksgiving, I decided to try a recipe that's been in my head for a couple of weeks.  Okay, I know these are high in sodium--I'll try to tweak them next time I make them.  But they were pretty dang good.  And EASY!  Here's the recipe:

1 box Chicken Stove Top Stuffing
1 pound ground Turkey
2 eggs

Make the stuffing according to the package directions.  Cool stuffing.  Add two eggs and the turkey.  Mix and cook on a grill. Enjoy (with maybe a little dijon mustard).

 

Hot 100 update 9

• Consistently achieve my weekly goals (done)
• Have a “Tigger Attitude” at work (done)
• Increase intensity on one machine (treadmill, elliptical, or stair stepper) bi-weekly (done)
• Only drink one cup of coffee a day (done)
• No alcohol (done)
• No Fast Food (done)
• Read three books (done)
• Cook dinner three nights a week (done)
• Stop eating at least 2 hours before bed (pretty good this week)
• End the year under 275 pounds (done)
• Add fasting into my spiritual life (done)
• Get plugged in at my church (met some more people)
• Get to know my neighbors (We "rescured" two dogs while on a walk and the family dropped off a nice card thanking us.)
• Develop a budget with Anna—and stick to it! (Anna's not ready to start our budget until the end of the year, but I figure we should at least start it.)
New Goals:
• Regularly acheive an estimated "burn" of 300 Calories in my 10 minutes on the Elliptical. (so far, I'm averaging about 280; though I've hit 300 twice.)
• Build up to an ability to run 2 miles in my 20 minute session on the treadmill. (So far, I'm averaging about 1.85 miles; though I was able to do 1 mile in 9:42 seconds for part of my workout today!)
• Lose enough size to fit into size 38 jeans and a large shirt. (See the picture below!  This is from Old Navy on Saturday.  These are size 38 jeans and a large shirt.  As you can see, they're a little tight.  They should be more comfortable.)
 
 

 
Wednesday:
2- 20 minute sessions on the treadmill
30 sit ups
Walk 2.0 miles
1 DVD Workout
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast


Total:
3- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
3- 20 minute session3 on the Treadmill
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
150 sit ups
Walk 8.5 miles
1 DVD Workout
3 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast


Remaining:
60 sit ups
Walk 6.5 miles
4 DVD Workouts
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

plans and adjustments

Today, I'm going to develop some strategies for dealing with the impending pitfall that is Thanksgiving.  But first, a little bit about adjustments.  As you probably know, I am a creature of habit.  I always get into the gym, do my planks, then my crunches, then the treadmill, then the elliptical, and finish up with the stairstepper.  Every day the same circuit.  The same machine.  The same timing.  Of course, this would be the week that I have to change up things, right?  Of course, it wasn't my idea.  When I got in there, I started on the same routine, and then someone else came into the gym and got on the treadmill my treadmill.  I couldn't get on it.  So, what did I do instead?  Well, knowing that I only had tomorrow left to finish up my gym work, I jumped on the elliptical for 15 minutes, then the stairstepper for 20 minutes straight (burned 578 Calories!), and then finished up on the elliptical for another 15 minutes.  That got both of my elliptical and my stairstepper routines out of the way.  But, of course, I'll have to do 2 sessions on the treadmill: 40 minutes. Uh-oh.  And, if you add on to that, I stayed at work super late (13 hours) and couldn't get to the DVD workout.  That means I have 5 DVD workouts to do in 3 days.  Now is where you all tell me to get off my butt and make it happen.  Seriously, someone needs to.  Yikes.

No, on to my strategies for Thursday.  I have to admit, I don't have that many, and I haven't taken the time to look into it.  So, I'd love to hear some of your strategies.  In the meantime, here are mine:

1. Use the smallest plate I can find.  I know this will keep me from eating too much.  If I have to take 6 or 7 trips to get to the same amount of food that one of the huge platters we usually use, I'm pretty sure I'll feel ridiculous.  (By the way, those platters are crazy big--I'll take a picute of them on Thursday).

2. Don't feel like I have to try some of everything.  I know what most of the stuff tastes like anyway.  I don't think I'll need to try all six pies that are available. 

3. Document everything I eat during the day.  I'll take a picture of each plate I eat.  It'll help to see how much I'm actually eating.

4. Eat breakfast.  And lunch.  I'll need to keep from getting too hungry before we really start to eat. 

What other plans do you have for keeping sane, healthy, and fit during the holidays?

Tuesday:
2- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
2- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast

Total:
3- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
120 sit ups
Walk 6.5 miles
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast

Remaining:
2- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
90 sit ups
Walk 8.5 miles
5 DVD Workouts
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Family Time

First of all, I want to thank everyone who has commented on my latest weigh-in.  I'm now sitting at at over 100 poinds lost.  It's still pretty crazy to think that I've lost so much weight.  At such a constant rate.  I've only lost weight 3 times this journey (of course, I still have the Holidays coming up...)--and then it was one week at the very beginning, one week on a cruise, and one week was a gain of 0.2 pounds while changing up my weighing-in mehtod.  I'm excited to see where this journey goes as I lose my last 26 pounds.  

Tonight, I should have done a DVD workout with Anna, or taken a longer walk (I got 3 miles in), or somehting like that; but instead, Anna and I visited my nephew's dance class.  It's so cute!  He's 5 1/2, but his class got eliminated (he was the only one in it), and now he's in the 7-8 year old class.  And he's already a small lad.  So he looks tiny!  But he looks so cute.  And he loves it.

After the dance class, we went next door to a small pizza place.  It's been a while since I've had pizza from a place like that (when we have pizza, it's usually a thin crust, reduced-fat take-and-bake place), and I could tell.  Ugh.  It was too salty and heavy, and greasy, and just pretty nasty.  And I had too many pieces.  Pizza is definitely one of my trigger foods.  I guess it's a good thing I had my fast day today.

And I guess that means I'll have to do a double DVD day on Friday or somehting...that'll be interesting!     

Up to Monday:
2- 15 minute session on the Elliptical
2- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
2- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
900 sit ups
Walk 6.5 miles
5 DVD Workouts
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast

Remaining:
2- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
2- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
2- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
120 sit ups
Walk 8.5 miles
5 DVD Workouts
3 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Week 33

Weight: 266.0 

Weight loss in one week: 3.0

Total weight lost: 102.4

Average weekly weight loss: 3.10

Weight left to lose: 26.0

Weeks left at average loss: 8.39

Estimated total weeks: 41.39 (about 9.55 months)

So, another week of a good loss--3 pounds.  That's not quite my average, but it's 3 pounds or more, which is not bad.  I now have 26 pounds left to lose, so that still hase me hitting my goal at around mid January. That's okay.  Just okay.

Gotcha!  This is really exciting.  I'm past that 100 pounds lost mark.  I can't believe it!  I really am so happy and surprised and humbled and blessed.  Wow.  Really, all I can say is that if I can do it, any obese person could do it.  It really is simple--but really isn't easy!  But it's so important to keep on track and be patient (two things that are really difficult for me).  Oh, and yeah, it really is essential to have the support of so many great people (both in "real" life and online--for me at least).

Weekly Wrap-up and thanks and goals and...

So, first of all, guys, I think that some thanks are due to you all.  You're so supportive, and I'm amazed by the community we have here.  I care for you all very deeply and value your virtual friendship!  It seems like it's time to post some more progress pictures.  Of course, It'll only happen if I get under 100 pounds lost.  We'll have to see.  And Josie, I'd have to say that your comment made me tear up a little (I'm kinda a girl); and Ish, yours was hilarious; and Kimberley, you're so sweet.

Friday:
1- 15 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
Walk 3.2 miles
1 DVD Workout
Read the Bible
Pray
Date with Anna

Total:
5- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
5- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
5- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
210 sit ups
Walk 13 miles
2 DVD Workouts
4 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
Date with Anna

Remaining:
NOTHING.  YES!

Goals for Next Week:
3- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
3- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
210 sit ups
Walk 15 miles
5 DVD Workouts
4 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
Date with Anna

So, my week ended up well, and I know It'll be tough. I'll only be at work three days, so I need to up some other exercises: walking and DVD workouts (which totally kick my butt!).  Also, I'll be adding at least two more goals to my Hot 100--mostly because I've been pretty good on most of my originals.  I'll still be tracking the originals, but I also want to add the others.

AND, if you want to see a few inspiring examples of why this journey is worth it, check out Tyler, Ricky, or (and especially) Steve.  Amazing.  In the future, I'll be one of those stories--I may be a little bit already but, still...

My New Glasses

So, I was able to pick up my new glasses today with Anna after we got done with a meeting.  It's late, and Anna and I need to go to bed, so I'll just post the pictures of the old glasses and the new glasses:

               Old                            New

What do you think of my new goggles?  It's hard to tell, but the frames are green--kinda a metallic green.  They're a little different than my old boring frames.  I'm excited to wear them around.  They totally fit me!

   
 And, It looks like I'll be able to complete all my goals for this week! 

Thursday:
1- 15 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
Walk 4.8 miles
1 DVD Workout
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible
Pray
Date with Anna

Total:
4- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
4- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
4- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
180 sit ups
Walk 9.8 miles
1 DVD Workout
4 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
Date with Anna

Remaining:
1- 15 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
Walk 2.2 miles
1 DVD workout
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily

Hot 100 Update 8

My Hot 100 Update:
• Consistently achieve my weekly goals (done) 
• Have a “Tigger Attitude” at work (done)
• Increase intensity on one machine (treadmill, elliptical, or stair stepper) bi-weekly (done)
• Only drink one cup of coffee a day (done)
• No alcohol (done)
• No Fast Food (done)
• Read three books (on track)
• Cook dinner three nights a week (done)
• Stop eating at least 2 hours before bed (pretty good this week)
• End the year under 275 pounds (done)
• Add fasting into my spiritual life (done)
• Get plugged in at my church (had a good conversation with one of the new satellite leaders)
• Get to know my neighbors (Nothing this week.)
• Develop a budget with Anna—and stick to it! (For some reason, this is the most difficult goal.  Ugh.)

Wednesday:
1- 15 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible
Pray
Date with Anna

Total:
3- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
3- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
150 sit ups
Walk 5 miles
3 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
Date with Anna

Remaining:
2- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
2- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
2- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
60 sit ups
Walk 7 miles
2 DVD workouts
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily

My Uncle's Birthday

So, tomorrow is my uncle's birthday.  It may, though, be his last.  Wow, that sure sounds like hyperbole.  It's not.  He hasn't been doing well for a number of months, and he's getting worse.  His kidneys are failing and he won't accept medical help--he doesn't want treatment; he doesn't want to go through dialysis; he doesn't care.  It's a really sad situation, but he's made up his mind, and there's not really anything we can do about it.  It's really hitting my grandmother hard.  I mean, he's her son.  My grandmother is a very strong Christian, and my uncle isn't a believer--as far as we know.  My grandmother is handling things a lot different than I am--she's pressuring him and trying to change him.  But I know that I can't change him.  There is nothing I can do or say or be to inspire him to accept help--either medical or spiritual.  All I can do is be there for him.  So tomorrow, Anna and I will stop by my dad's house (my uncle lives at his house) to wish him a happy birthday and pray for his next year.   

By the way, I've got to say that the product placement on Biggest Loser can be too much sometimes.  I mean, I know it's green week on NBC, but come on!  Evolve Ziploc bags?  Really? Come on!

Tuesday:
1- 15 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
Walk 3 miles (49:32 minutes; 3.7 mph)
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible
Pray

Total:
2- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
2- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
2- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
120 sit ups
Walk 5 miles
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast

Remaining:
3- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
3- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
90 sit ups
Walk 7 miles
2 DVD workouts
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

NPR's "The Conversation"

So, during work today, I had to run to Seattle to order my glasses from Eyes on Fremont.  It's actually the same place I got my last glasses from.  And I've had them for over 3 years, so I'm certainly ready for a new pair.  I'll post a pic of them when I get them.  They're funky, but still classic--kinda! 


But, anyway, I was listening to "The Conversation" on NPR.  They were talking about incentivizing weight loss (with regard to Health Insurance Premiums), and without going too far into that subject--though Anna and I had a good conversation about it over dinner--I was struck by a stat/comment one of the guests spoke about.  She said that a lot of studies (I think she said over 40) have "shown" that "overweight" people live longer than "normal" people.  And that "minimally obese" people live about as long as "normal" people...it wasn't until you got to "obese" people that you'd find someone who would live shorter than "normal" people.  Now, I do certainly not agree with BMI as an accurate or good measurment--I guess that's my generally skeptical nature.  And that translates to my reaction to the guest's comment.  I don't know the basis of those studies, but I'm not sure if those studies she mentioned too everything into account.  Sure, on paper, "overweight" people may live longer, but it's hard to tell why.  Is it overall health?  Maybe.  But my first thought is that maybe it seems that overwieght people live longer because they live more sedintary lives than "normal" or skinny people who can do more high-risk things: like fight in the in military, serve in law enforcement, play (extreme) sports, etc.  Of course, there are still overweight people in those professions, but I'm thinking they're not represented in the same proportion as in the rest of the population.  What do you think?  Can that play a role?  I don't know. 


Also, I fasted today--another great experience!  But just a little hint: NEVER break a fast with a smoked, pickled habenero.  That's death.  Sweet, smoky, tasty, dumb death.


Up to Monday:
1- 15 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
90 sit ups
Walk 2 miles
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast


Remaining:
4- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
4- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
4- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
120 sit ups
Walk 10 miles
2 DVD workouts
3 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Week 32

Weight: 269.0

Weight loss in one week: 3.8
Total weight lost: 99.4
Average weekly weight loss: 3.11

Weight left to lose: 29.0
Weeks left at average loss: 9.32
Estimated total weeks: 41.32 (about 9.53 months)

Okay, this is getting ridiculous.  I can't believe that I'm still on this roll.  It's a little crazy.  I'm down to 9.5 weeks left. Almost 2 months.  That's awesome!  And now I only have 0.6 pounds to lose to get to 100 down!  To be honest, if I only lose 0.7 pounds next week, I'll still be the happiest person in the world!  Of course, I'd still love to keep my average up, but we'll see.

Mr. Instant Gratification

I'm pretty sure I have mentioned before that I am not a fan of patience (which led to my over eating, my debt, and my anger management issues).  Of course, I've gotten much better with it--in all three of the areas listed above.  That being said, sometimes it rears its ugly head.  After reading a comment from Ish on my last post, I decided that the date Anna and I went on last night needed to be redeemed.  So, we actually found another Conveyor Belt Sushi place near our house: Sushi Mojo.  This place was much better!  The rolls were creative (one had spinach crunch, and another one even had pesto on it!); the fish was fresh; the rice was well cooked and well seasoned; and the service was great!  And, for the cheapo in me, the prices were good.  I'd recommend it for anyone in the Seattle Area.

Friday:
1- 20 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
Walk 5 miles
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Total:
5- 20 minute sessions on the Elliptical
5- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
5- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
210 sit ups
Walk 12 miles
1 DVD workout
4 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
3 Dates with Anna

Remaining:
NOTHING!!

Total:
5- 15 minute sessions on the Elliptical
5- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
5- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
210 sit ups
Walk 12 miles
2 DVD workouts
4 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
Date with Anna

Another Date Night

So, in addition to having about 15 oysters each (among lots of other seafood) at Elliot's Oyster House on our date on Wednesday, Anna and I were able to try out a new sushi restaraunt on Thursday.  It's called Sushi Maru.  And it sucked wasn't very good.  The sushi was about $0.50 -$1.00 more expensive than our normal place; the fish wasn't cut well, was mushy, and chewy; the rice was hard and cold; and the service was slow and poor.  Yeah, it was a bummer, but at least Anna and I had a long time to hang out!  :)  Another great date. 

It looks like the week will wrap up well!  And I'm looking forward to the weekend, relaxing with friends on Friday night and Saturday morning, and then the rest of the weekend will be spending time with Anna.  Yay!

Thursday:
1- 20 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
Walk 5 miles
1 DVD workout
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Total:
4- 20 minute sessions on the Elliptical
4- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
4- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
180 sit ups
Walk 7 miles
1 DVD workout
4 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
2 Dates with Anna

Remaining:
1- 20 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
Walk 5 miles
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily

Pic Post & Hot 100 Update 7

So, I blew out one of my Vibrams out again.  But I feel bad taking them back to REI again, so I decided to Frankenstein them and sew them up...what do you think?  I actually kinda like them!

Also, I wanted to post the recipe for a treat I made last night (and was a hit at work).  I took the Banana Bread IV recipe from All Recipes, and combined them with beanut butter cups to make these:

They were really very easy.  All I did was scoop one small scoop of the banana bread mixture into the bottom of a silicone muffin cup, place the unwrapped peanut butter cup on top, and scoop another scoop on top of the cup.  That's it.  Then I baked them in a 300 degree oven until a toothpick inserted into the muffin came out clean.  Simple.  But tasty!  And I'm sure it could be adapted to be Phase 2 South Beach by substituting some ingredients and using sugarfree peanut butter cups...

My Hot 100 Update:

• Consistently achieve my weekly goals (done)

• Have a “Tigger Attitude” at work (done)

• Increase intensity on one machine (treadmill, elliptical, or stair stepper) bi-weekly (done)
• Only drink one cup of coffee a day (does decaf count?  done)
• No alcohol (done)
• No Fast Food (done)
• Read three books (on track)
• Cook dinner three nights a week (done)
• Stop eating at least 2 hours before bed (missed it a couple of nights this week)
• End the year under 275 pounds (done)
• Add fasting into my spiritual life (done)
• Get plugged in at my church (went to a meeting after church for a few minutes about sattelite sites)
• Get to know my neighbors (Nothing this week.)
• Develop a budget with Anna—and stick to it! (Now that the rremodel is done, we have no excuse, but still not yet)

Okay, that's MUCH better!

Wednesday:
1- 20 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Total:
3- 20 minute sessions on the Elliptical
3- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill\
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
150 sit ups
Walk 2 miles
3 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast
Date with Anna

Remaining:
2- 20 minute sessions on the Elliptical
2- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
2- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
60 sit ups
Walk 10 miles
1 DVD Workout with Anna
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily

My turn to link

I know that I have had a problem with buffets.  Of course, I beat that a couple of weeks ago...but I haven't been back to a Chinese Buffet yet, so who knows.  Of course, this link is mostly in jest, but it still brought back some bad memories about my old habits; my wrong definition of value (quantity, not quality); and my old life.  Not only that, but it almost made me sick.  Yeah, there were some chuckles, but still... So, go on over and read the post (seriously, it is funny and sad and scary).  Maybe post here what your strategy used to be.

Tuesday:
1- 20 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
30 sit ups
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily

Total:
2- 20 minute sessions on the Elliptical
2- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill\
2- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
120 sit ups
Walk 2 miles
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast

Remaining:
3- 20 minute sessions on the Elliptical
3- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
90 sit ups
Walk 10 miles
1 DVD Workout with Anna
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Monster on the Treadmill

Okay, maybe not a monster, but still.  I've been doing this treadmill thing for a number of weeks now, and I've been slowly increasing from 10 minutes to 20 minutes now.  And now I'm up to a total of 12 minutes at 6.1 mph and 2.0%; 3 minutes at 4.4 mph and 2.0%; and 5 minutes at 4.4 mph and 4.0%.  That all equates to an "estimated" Calorie burn of 400.4!  In 20 minutes.  That's an average of 20 Calories burned in a minute.  Add that to the 265 Calories I burn in 10 Minutes on the stairmaster, and the 350 Calories I burn in 20 minutes, you get just over 1,000 Calories a workout.  Of course, now that I'm burning 400 Calories on the treadmill, I want to build up my stairmaster burn to 300 calories and my elliptical up to 400 Calories.  That would be great!

Through Monday:
1- 20 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 20 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
90 sit ups
Walk 2 miles
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Fast

Remaining:
4- 20 minute sessions on the Elliptical
4- 20 minute sessions on the Treadmill
4- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
120 sit ups
Walk 10 miles
1 DVD Workout with Anna
3 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Week 31

Weight: 272.8 

Weight loss in one week: 3.4
Total weight lost: 95.6
Average weekly weight loss: 3.08

Weight left to lose: 32.8
Weeks left at average loss: 10.65
Estimated total weeks: 41.65 (about 9.61 months)

Holla!  Another great week!  Now, I'm hoping to be able to keep this up through the end of the year.  In two weeks, I could be at 100 pounds lost!  And I only have 11 weeks left at this rate.  I could be done by the end of January.  I may slow down during the holidays, but we'll see what happens--I think I'll be able to sustain the pace.  But prayers will help.

By the way, I'm now on Twitter.  Probably won't have that much to say, but could be fun.