Am I a Spark Person?

I've been in this community for over a year, and while I have heard of other people using online food-tracking programs, I haven't used one yet.  I'm sure there are a lot of them, but the one I hear of the most is SparkPeople.  I've been using Twitter to chart my calories for the past 5 months.  I think it's been helpful, but I find myself looking for more details; more info.  So now I'm going to try out the new SparkPeople App for my Nexus One.  Yup, that means no more TwEATS...but I'll still be putting my Calorie totals on my posts. 

One interesting thing (to me) though, is that my SparkPeople App tells me I should be shooting for 1,500- 1,850 Calories a day.  I'm sure that's a pretty low estimate, so I'm changing it to 2,000-2,300 Calories a day.  But, in addition to my Calories, I'll also be tracking my Fat, Carbohydrates, Protein, Iron, Fiber, Sodium, and Water.  I'm thinking this will really help me keep on track.

Spaking of keeping on track, I have to thank my wife.  Without her strength today, we would have gone to a Chinese Buffet.  Luckily, instead, we went to a Pho/Thai restaraunt for lunch.  And I had Tom Yum soup with a side of rice.  620 Calories is sure a lot less than the couple thousand I would have scarffed down--had the choice been mine.

Up to Monday:
100 situps
100 push ups
2 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 3,000 Calories (estimated)
Monday: 2,295 Calories
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,648 Calories.

Week 60

Weight: 226.0
Weekly Weight Loss: 5.8
Total weight lost: 142.2
Average Weekly Loss: 2.37

So, I didn't totally erase last week's scale avalanche, but this is getting better.  There's no way I'm making my goal of 215 by my birthday, but being under 220 could be possible.

Why am I more confident in this week's weigh in being accurate as opposed to last week's?  After my exercise yesterday, I was at 222.0--the same exact weight as last week! And I expected to gain more weight after that, since I'd still need to eat and drink (you know, generally replenish my nutrients).  So yeah, I'm much happier this week.  Hope your weekend is as bright as mine!

We'll miss you, Pistachio!

Ever since seeing them on The Biggest Loser, I've been in love with Larabars.  I love the fact that they're all-natural.  That they're gluten free.  That usually, they only have like 5-6 ingredients.  They are No Sugar Added, Raw, Non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher.

Take the Pistachio. 

It has three - 3 - ingredients: Dates, Pistachios, and Cashews.  How freaking cool is that??  I ususally have one before my runs or after a big workout, and they really help.  I try to ration them, since I don't have a ton, but it's hard - they're just so good.  No, they're not low-Calorie; they're not supposed to be.  They're supposed to be a "FOOD BAR".  Most have about 200 Calories.  Not too bad; and they're delicious.  I've liked every Larabar I've had.  Not so hot on the Jocalat bars, but that's okay.  My all-time favorites are Ginger Snap and Coconut Cream Pie.

But now, the Pistachio flavor is retiring.  It's going away.  A little while ago, Larabar on twitter did a sweepstakes for Pistachio's Retirement.  And I won!  I never win anything.  But thanks to Stacy at Larabar, I got a prize pack.  

It's funny.  Even though I work in the Promotional Products Industry, I am so excited to get all the "SWAG"!  I guess that's what brand loyality can do for a product, huh?  I'll be wearing the T-Shirt tomorrow.  In fact, as soon as I got the box, I had to put on all the gear!

   

(like the new jeans?)

Thanks, Larabar and Stacy!  You have a customer for life.  Oh, and if you ever need me to "review" your new flavors, I'm in (you have my address now)!

Saturday:

45 minutes on elliptical
50 situps
50 push ups
6 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Total:
120 minutes on elliptical
90 minutes on exercise bike
60 minutes on stair stepper
350 situps
350 push ups
6 60 second front planks
6 30 second side planks; each side
16 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fast
date with Anna

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,185 Calories
Monday: 2,095 Calories
Tuesday: 2,230 Calories
Wednesday: 1,475 Calories
Thursday: 2,320 Calories
Friday: 2,300 Calories 
Saturday: 2,070 Calories

Daily Average: 2,096 Calories.

lazy date night

That's right.  It was a lazy date night.  Anna and I went to Sushi.  And then we came home and took Shelby for a walk.  Who's Shelby? This is Shelby:

No, we didn't get a new dog (though I've been wanting one for a long time).  No, we're taking care of our friends' dog while they're in Hawaii.  It's been fun.  We're loving it.  And we get to watch her for the entire weekend--sweet!  So yeah,  Anna and I went to dinner, went for a long walk, and are now watching the season finale of Chuck.  Dinner, a walk, and a "movie" = great!

By the way, you like the picture? 

It's a fun little app for my Android phone (Nexus One) called Retro Camera.

You can get it here.

  

Friday:

30 minutes on exercise bike
15 minutes on elliptical
50 situps
50 push ups
3 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
date with Anna

Total:
75 minutes on elliptical
90 minutes on exercise bike
60 minutes on stair stepper
300 situps
300 push ups
6 60 second front planks
6 30 second side planks; each side
10 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fast
date with Anna

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,185 Calories
Monday: 2,095 Calories
Tuesday: 2,230 Calories
Wednesday: 1,475 Calories
Thursday: 2,320 Calories
Friday: 2,300 Calories 
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,101 Calories.

The next big thing!

Yeah, I know that I'm planning on a trail run in June.  And it's not even here yet.  But for some reason, I have another goal that I'm really looking forward to!  What is it?  Well, I'll get there.

My thought process went something like this:  Last Saturday, I ran 11 miles.  This Saturday, I'll be running 12.5.  How long will that take?  Like 2 hours. 

That's a long time. 

What's next? A half-marathon?  Not sure.  It seems like so long to be running for 2+ hours.  Much less 4+ hours for a marathon.  I know it would be an accomplishment, but this is coming from someone who gets bored watching TV and has to be surfing the web or reading a magazine during most shows.  So yeah, marathon?  Probably not.  Half?  Yeah.  But that's not my next big thing. 

I asked Jess what I should do, and she gave me some suggestions.  But I finally settled on this one.

Here are some clues:

0.5 miles

12 miles

3.1 miles

This is one the Best of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

Registration started April 1st.

And it will take place on Sunday, July 18th...at 6:55am...at Seward Park in Seattle.

That's right!  I'm registered for the 2010
 

I'm so excited!  I've never done anything like this, but there's no turning back any more--I've already paid the money, so I'm doing it.  Any sugestions or tips?

Looking back at the 2009 results, the "slowest" of the males 30-34 category finished in 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 43 seconds.  My goal?  Beat that by at least 1 second.

2:26:42

Thursday:
30 minutes on exercise bike
15 minutes on stair stepper
50 situps
50 push ups
2 60 second front planks
2 30 second side planks; each side
4 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Total:
60 minutes on elliptical
60 minutes on exercise bike
60 minutes on stair stepper
250 situps
250 push ups
6 60 second front planks
6 30 second side planks; each side
7 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fast

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,185 Calories
Monday: 2,095 Calories
Tuesday: 2,230 Calories
Wednesday: 1,475 Calories
Thursday: 2,320 Calories
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,061 Calories.

Visiting

Tonight was a great night with some of our friends.  Tung and Julie have been friends of ours for years (Anna longer than me), and I truly appreciate their fellowship.  We had some great food: Black Bean Pumpkin Soup, Cilantro Lime Rice, and (for dessert) Balsamic Strawberry Chocolate Ganache Cake.  They were all new recipes.  And they all need tweaking.  But I'm particularly excited about the Cake.  I'll work on it a few more times, but then I'll be back with a new recipe post.  I'm bummed it isn't perfect, but it will be.  I love this whole creative part, you know?

So, working out was pretty dang good.  I got some pushups in--and I'm finally doing the real ones!  I can do 15 at a time, max.  But I get all 50 in everyday.  And I'm working on getting to be able to do all 50 in one go.  I can't tell you how excited I am to be doing them the "right" way, you know?

I also have some exciting news, but I'm not quite ready to share it with you yet--just know that I have a new goal coming up!

Wednesday:
30 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
50 situps
50 push ups
2 60 second front planks
2 30 second side planks; each side
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fast

Total:
60 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on exercise bike
45 minutes on stair stepper
200 situps
200 push ups
4 60 second front planks
4 30 second side planks; each side
3 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fast

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,185 Calories
Monday: 2,095 Calories
Tuesday: 2,230 Calories
Wednesday: 1,475 Calories
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 1,996 Calories.

Finally, Funday Recap

I know I've talked about it a lot, but here's all that we did last Friday.  But just snippets--I don't have the patience to write everything that we did.  Believe me, though, Anna was amazing!

We started out at about 8 a.m. and went to breakfast at this cool, hippie vegetarian breakfast place in Fremont.  I had two eggs (sunny-side-up), two sweet potato biscuits, and some home fries.  It was tasty.  The people were nice--though very quiet.  Anna had a black bean with poached egg dish--yummy!

Then, Anna surprised me with something that I've always wanted to do: geocaching.  Turns out that Anna snuck an app onto my phone while I wasn't looking, and we were able to use it to look for two different caches.  Yikes, we suck at it!  Struck out on both attempts.  But we really enjoyed our time trying and will work on it some more.  Here's the first one we tried (anyone know the place?):

Then we went to the highlight of the day: a factory tour at Theo Chocolate! 

How cool is that?!  Of course, we had to wear hairnets:

They are the only chocolate maker (as opposed to melters like See's or Godiva) in the US that is fully Organic and Fair-Trade.  And is super fun!  We got to see the whole process from roasting to grinding to conching to molding. 

And it was so cool.  I was so surprised to see that they hand-mix all of their flavors.  And they have some fun flavors: Bread & Chocolate, Coconut Curry, Chai Tea, Spicy Chile, and 91% Single-Origin Dark Chocolate (Anna's favorite!).  They are super cool, and they can ship it out to you!

Then, pedicures (yay for smooth feet)!

An awesome movie at an awesome theater.

And a tasty dinner at a cute little restaurant.

And, finally, ICE CREAM!  I had the Peanut Butter Cup Perfection, but with the Sinless Sans Fat™ - Non-fat No Sugar Added Ice Cream.  It was tasty!  And I want more right now!!

What a fun day.  My wife is AWESOME!  I totally didn't deserve any of it, but enjoyed all of it! 

Also, I had a taste of some delicious squash enchiladas with spicy peanut sauce today.  And I said on my twitter feed that I'd post a link.  Well, here it is.  And they're delicious!

Tuesday:
30 minutes on exercise bike
15 minutes on stair stepper
50 situps
50 push ups
2 60 second front planks
2 30 second side planks; each side
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Up to Monday:
30 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on exercise bike
30 minutes on stair stepper
150 situps
150 push ups
2 60 second front planks
2 30 second side planks; each side
3 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,185 Calories
Monday: 2,095 Calories
Tuesday: 2,230 Calories
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,170 Calories.

Progress

As a result of my latest weigh-in (a total mental shift), I thought it would be appropriate to post a new set of progress photos.  I don't really see much difference at first, but once I look at it more, I see some changes.  What do you think?

For an update on my Spilling Hope running and donations, I wanted to let you know that I ended up with 74 miles.  That's not so bad!  So, Anna and I donated $100, and my sponsors ended up with $111 in support.  That's SUPER cool!  And here's the link where you can donate online.  Thank you all again for your support.

...and I promise I'll be posting about our Fun Day soon!

I also have a new strategy for my Calorie counting: for everything that is estimated (food minus the packaged items I eat), I am adding 20% to my Calorie counts.  I'm thinking that should help to account for any underestimating--both on my end and on the manufacturer's/website's side.  Right?  I'm just thinking that I'm not getting the results I want because maybe my Calorie counts are off.

Oh, and yeah, Bikram Yoga really does take a lot of water out of you.  Today, after my morning workout, I weighed myself.  When we got back from Yoga, I weighed about 7 pounds less--yikes!  That's a lot of water...I am a great sweater, though!

Up to Monday:
30 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
100 situps
100 push ups
3 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,185 Calories
Monday: 2,095 Calories
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,140 Calories.

Week 59

Weight: 231.8
Weekly GAIN: 10.0
Total weight lost: 136.6
Average Weekly Loss: 2.32

Yikes!!  I feel like Jack Sh*t.  But he only gained like 0.8 pounds. 

But I knew this was coming.  Well, not this much.  But a gain. 

After my morning run yesterday, I was at 222.0, so I was expecting a small gain.  But then I guess I went crazy eating yesterday.  Not Calories, though it was higher than usual.  But in type of food.  Food I don't normall eat: pizza (three small slices), mini quiches (4), and mini hot dog roll-ups.  So, really, for me it just shows that it's NOT just about the Calories in the food, but also about the types of food.  The nutrients.  They really do matter.

Of course, I don't think I've been as honest with you guys as I should.  Don't get me wrong--the scale pics are real.  I take them every Sunday.  They are never doctored.  But I have been trying to influence the reading.  How have I been doing that?  Well, recently, I've been not having enough water on Saturdays--in hopes of lowering my weigh-in; and I've been listing an additional run on Saturday that I do on Sunday morning right before I shower and step on the scale.  I'm actually more embarrassed by those revelations than my actual weight, you know?  But I didn't do either thing this week.  I weighed in normally.  It's not fun to see the "10 pound" gain, but I feel this is a much more honest number.  No, I don't think it's water weight that I gained.  Not completely, at least.  I think it's mostly the water weight I was pouring out just before I stepped on the scale.

So, I'm thinking of 231.8 as my new baseline.  This is where it truly starts again.  I think those weigh-in strategies were what was holding me back--now I am back to where I should be.  And, as a positive, none of my physical measurements really went up, so I'm not too worried about the weight. 

I feel, now, though, that I need a little perspective.  Something to help me think about how things have changed, in spite of the fact that I have only lost 7.2 pounds in the last 15 weeks.  I'm sitting here in size 34 pants and a large polo (with a medium undershirt).  That means that I've lost 14 pants sizes.  And 3 shirt sizes.  And I've lost over 135 pounds.  And in the 15 weeks since I hit my original goal, I've even made great progress--even though I've only lost 7.2 pounds: I've lost almost 4 inches from my chest, 5-1/2 inches from my stomach, and more than 4 inches from my waist; and 3% of my body fat.  So, although I jumped up 10 pounds, I am still making great progress. 

Out of time

Okay, sorry!  I don't have time to talk about my Fun Day that was on Friday.  We had a full day of events today, and now I have a splitting headache.  So I'm off to bed.  On the plus side, though, I got a great run in (actually, two: one 11 miler and another 4 miler).  On the minus side, though, I'll be posting a gain again tomorrow.  Could be big.  But really?  I have some healthy responses to share tomorrow.

Oh, and I've finished my totals for the Spilling Hope campaign.  I'll post details on Monday where the donations can be forwarded.  Your support really does mean a lot to me. 

Blessings to you all!

Spilling Hope Update:
Sponsors: Josie ($0.25), Ricky ($0.50), Shelli ($0.25), Kim ($0.25), Ish ($0.25) Thanks Sponsors!!
Total Miles: 74
Total money raised: $211.00

Saturday:
100 situps
50 push ups
15 miles ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Total:
60 minutes on exercise bike
60 minutes on elliptical
60 minutes on stair stepper
700 situps
350 push ups
6 60-second front planks
6 30-second side planks on each side
21 miles walked/ran
1 Bikram Yoga Session
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fasted

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,755 Calories
Monday: 1,595 Calories
Tuesday: 2,195 Calories
Wednesday: 2,220 Calories
Thursday: 2,355 Calories
Friday: 2,895 Calories 
Saturday: 2,765 Calories

Daily Average: 2,397 Calories.

Fun Day & Stats

So, today, Anna took me out for a Fun Day!  This is somehting of a throwback from when we were dating.  It was such a blast.  I'm too tired to talk about it right now, but I should have a post up tomorrow.  Hope you're all doing well and are proud of what you've done recently!

Spilling Hope Update:
Sponsors: Josie ($0.25), Ricky ($0.50), Shelli ($0.25), Kim ($0.25), Ish ($0.25) Thanks Sponsors!!
Total Miles: 55
Total money raised: $182.50

Friday:
100 situps
50 push ups
2 60-second front planks
2 30-second side planks on each side
4 miles walked
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Total:
60 minutes on exercise bike
60 minutes on elliptical
60 minutes on stair stepper
600 situps
300 push ups
6 60-second front planks
6 30-second side planks on each side
6 miles walked/ran
1 Bikram Yoga Session
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fasted

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,755 Calories
Monday: 1,595 Calories
Tuesday: 2,195 Calories
Wednesday: 2,220 Calories
Thursday: 2,355 Calories
Friday: 2,895 Calories 
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,336 Calories.

Stepping off the ledge

Of course, that's stepping off the ledge the good way.  That's off and onto the solid floor of the penthouse.  Not off and into the open air, only to fall (into eating, and bingeing, and laziness, and eventually my death).  Nope, I was at a crossroads.  I could have gone down the path I went down every day in my past.  Or I could have moved into marvelous light.  But I think I chose something in between.  Here's what happened:

I was on my way to the gym.  It was about 10:30 am, and I had already had my breakfast sandwich and my apple.  I wasn't hungry.  I knew I had hunger coming, but I wasn't really hungry.  As I came down the stairs at work, I saw that our Administrative Assistants were cleaning up the counter by the  showroom (where we host clients).  I knew that meant that there was food in the kitchen.  So, where did I go?  To the gym?  Nope.  To the kitchen.  To see what was leftover.  To scavenge.  That's what got me into trouble in the past.  And it had the chance to completely sink my day.  And it almost did.

I looked on the counter.  Slices of banana bread.  No threat there. 

Then I looked under the first foil lid on the counter.  It had dry home fries.  No threat there.  I just told myself that it wasn't going to ttaste any good. 

Then I looked under the second (and last) foil lid on the counter.  Jackpot!  It was breakfast burritos.  There were like 25 of them.  I grabbed one.  Took a bite.  Yum.  Then I grabbed another for after I finished the first one.  And I stepped away.  And to the cabinet to grab a plate.  I then proceeded to place three more burritos on the plate and into the fridge--for later, I guess, even though I brought lunch stuff and had plans for dinner.  I finished the second burrito in my hand.

From there, with poor decisions behind me, I started to finally make some good decisions.  I went in and kicked my own butt in the gym.  Then, right after showering and getting dressed, I went straight into the kitchen at work and put those darned three other burritos back into the tray.  Finally, a win!  Take that bad habits and poor choices.  

I guess there were some good things that came out of this experience.  First, I can tell you all how I struggled (like I need to do that again).  Second, I can take some solice in the fact that I only ate 2 of those 5 possible burritos.  Third, I had a good workout.  

When was the last time you stumbled?  And what did you do to to get through it? 

Spilling Hope Update:
Sponsors: Josie ($0.25), Ricky ($0.50), Shelli ($0.25), Kim ($0.25), Ish ($0.25) Thanks Sponsors!!
Total Miles: 55
Total money raised: $182.50

Wednesday:
30 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
100 situps
50 push ups
2 60-second front planks
2 30-second side planks on each side
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Total:
60 minutes on exercise bike
60 minutes on elliptical
60 minutes on stair stepper
500 situps
250 push ups
4 60-second front planks
4 30-second side planks on each side
2 miles walked/ran
1 Bikram Yoga Session
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fasted

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,755 Calories
Monday: 1,595 Calories
Tuesday: 2,195 Calories
Wednesday: 2,220 Calories
Thursday: 2,355 Calories
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,224 Calories.

Wine Tasting

How did the wine taste?  I have no idea--but the people who tried it seemed to really enjoy it.    Instead, I ate some cheese and crackers and some marcona almonds.  And drank water.  Our meetings seemed to go well, too.  We'll see if we land this huge client.  It would be fun to work on the account.  (Sorry, can't say any more--confidentiality).

One thing I've noticed is how many people out there in our weight-loss get healthy community are struggling right now.  I won't call everyone out, but it's got to be like 9 or 10 people.  And me.  Not sure why.  A lot of us are still going through the motions, but it seems like our hearts just aren't in it.  (Well, mine wasn't, but it's back now!!).  So I guess just think about who you know in the community who is struggling and go encourage him/her.  Even if you are struggling yourself, just talk it out, you know?

Oh, and Jen over at Prior Fat Girl is hosting a contest for Subway gift cards.  I've been wanting to try their breakfast sandwiches, and maybe I will when if I win.  Oh, and she got to meet Jared!    

Spilling Hope Update:
Sponsors: Josie ($0.25), Ricky ($0.50), Shelli ($0.25), Kim ($0.25), Ish ($0.25) Thanks Sponsors!!
Total Miles: 55
Total money raised: $182.50

Wednesday:
30 minutes on exercise bike
15 minutes on stair stepper
100 situps
50 push ups
2 60-second front planks
2 30-second side planks on each side
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion

Total:
60 minutes on exercise bike
30 minutes on elliptical
45 minutes on stair stepper
400 situps
200 push ups
2 60-second front planks
2 30-second side planks on each side
2 miles walked/ran
1 Bikram Yoga Session
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fasted

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,755 Calories
Monday: 1,595 Calories
Tuesday: 2,195 Calories
Wednesday: 2,220 Calories
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,191 Calories.

Bikram Tuesday

No running today.  But we did make the time to go to another Bikram Yoga session.  Wow, I'm so surprised how much easier it is.  Okay, that's enough yoga talk. 

Well, maybe not.  It was the yoga session that almost never was.  We both get off work at 4pm and the session we try to go to starts at 4:30.  It's usually really close timing.  But to could have been worse: I had a meeting at work from 3:00-4:00.  And our President and CEO were there.  And they are there, we never start on time.  And I was very worried.  And, true to form, we started at 3:15--no chance for a Bikram yoga session.  Which would have been true if we went for the whole hour.  But we didn't have to go the whole hour!  It ended upi being 45 minutes, and Anna and I were able to catch the session.  To be honest, it didn't even feel like 90 minutes.  Still not "love" yet, though.

Tomorrow, we have a huge client coming to visit us. And I get to be on the team that is showing our capabilities.  (Of course, the presentation team is like 35 people!)  But We'll be going to an after event...at a winery.  And one of my goals is to drink nothing but water until Sunday.  Could be tough.  But at least I hear the visitors are conservative...so maybe they'll respect my goal?

Spilling Hope Update:
Sponsors: Josie ($0.25), Ricky ($0.50), Shelli ($0.25), Kim ($0.25), Ish ($0.25) Thanks Sponsors!!
Total Miles: 55
Total money raised: $182.50

Tuesday:
30 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepperTotal:30 minutes on exercise bike
100 situps
50 push ups
1 Bikram Yoga Session
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion


30 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on stair stepper
200 situps
100 push ups
2 miles walked/ran
1 Bikram Yoga Session
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fasted

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,755 Calories
Monday: 1,595 Calories
Tuesday: 2,195 Calories
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,182 Calories.

Goals and Plans

So, I have some updates and some new goals and some new plans.  Let's see here. 

Updates...So, Ish asked me where she can donate the money for Spilling Hope.  Well, the good news is that I still have another week to add to the total.  I know I won't get to the 100 miles I'd have loved to, but I can still tack on to that amount.  Maybe another 20 miles?  Who knows.  That being said, for those of you who pledged (thank you!) will be able to go to an official link where they will be accepting online donations.  I think then, you'd be able to make your donation tax-deductible.  And any of you out there who'd still like to be part of this great cause will also be able to join.

As for goals, I now have 2 more to talk about.  They may seem simple, but man, they're tough to me. 

First Goal: As of tonight, I'm not going to have any candy for the rest of May.  I have been slowly slipping back into the habit of having some kind of "treat" each day.  Sometimes it's a couple of squares of dark chocolate (good treat), and other times it's a Snickers Bar or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  And even other times, it's Skittles or other pure sugar!  So, as of now, I'm breaking that bond.  Ugh.  I hate having to mess with these bad habits.

Second Goal: I will not go to a buffet for the rest of the month.  How hard can that be, right?  It shouldn't be too difficult.  But it kinda is.  In fact, as I said before, a couple of weeks ago, I went to an Indian Buffet, a week ago, I went to a Chinese Buffet, and just today, I was seriously considering going to an American Buffet.  At least I'm well-travelled through the buffet world.  But that ends now.  Now more at least for a few weeks.  I can totally do that!

And now, for my new plan!  I've been wanting to do more races, and I think I may have found it! 

Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series

 
I'm bummed that I missed the first race (it was last Saturday!).  And, in fact, I had wanted to do the first race, but totally spaced on registering a couple of months ago and just found the site again today.  But I'm registered for the next race; and on June 12, 2010 (the day before my birthday) I'll be running through the woods for 7 miles.  Yahoo!  Anyone around here want to join me?  Alison?  Tara? Mary (now that you're closer!)?  Ricky (come on down from Cousin Canada!)?

Spilling Hope Update:
Sponsors: Josie ($0.25), Ricky ($0.50), Shelli ($0.25), Kim ($0.25), Ish ($0.25) Thanks Sponsors!!
Total Miles: 55
Total money raised: $182.50

Up to Monday:
30 minutes on exercise bike
15 minutes on stair stepper
200 situps
100 push ups
2 miled walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fasted

Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,755 Calories
Monday: 1,595 Calories
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,175 Calories.

Week 58

Weight: 221.8
Weekly GAIN: 0.8
Total weight lost: 146.6
Average Weekly Loss: 2.53

Okay, so it turned out better than I thought.  Not great, but under a pound?  I'll take that--so long as it motivates me to get back on track.  And it will.  I've decided to move my no eating time to 7:30 in hopes that I'll be better on that front.  And I've also decided to count Calories on Sundays again. 

Since I gained weight, my BMI naturally bumped up.  My Body Fat jumped up a ton, which tells me I may be retaining water--especially since almost all my other measurements went down...eh.  this whole thing's still a mystery to me!

Eff the Scale

I don't mean to say that I'm not going to weigh myself anymore.  But what it does mean is that I know I'll be posting a gain tomorrow.  And I don't care.  Well, I do care, but I can't let it get to me. 

I think I'm finally at that "I won't let my weight define me" moment.  I care, but my success isn't defiined by that single number.  My weight is just one facet (and really, just a minor one at that!).

That's all for today: few words, but big mental impact.Spilling Hope Update:

Sponsors: Josie ($0.25), Ricky ($0.50), Shelli ($0.25), Kim ($0.25), Ish ($0.25) Thanks Sponsors!!

Total Miles: 53

Total money raised: $179.50

Saturday:

100 situps

50 push ups

ran 3 miles

prayed

read the bible

read my devotion
date with Anna

Total:

60 minutes on exercise bike

60 minutes on elliptical

60 minutes on stair stepper

700 situps

350 push ups

ran 19 miles

1 Bikram Yoga session

prayed

read the bible

read my devotion
fast

date with Anna

Weekly Calorie Count:

Sunday: xx

Monday: 2,175 Calories

Tuesday: 2,575 Calories

Wednesday: 1,475 Calories

Thursday: 2,345 Calories

Friday: 2,085 Calories

Saturday: 2,450 Calories

Daily Average: 2,184 Calories.

Into Marvelous Light

This has been a tough week.  I know I've been talking about it a lot, and I think it's just because I haven't struggled too much this whole journey.  It's actually been relatively routine.  Not easy, really, but it has happened.  And consistantly happened. 

But this week has been different. 

Working out has been routine and habitual.  Maybe just going through the motions.  You know? I've been trying to switch it up, but not really pushing myself.  My runs have been good (10:00 miles), but not as often or as hard as they should be.  I should be going farther; faster.

My eating hasn't been great.  I've been getting closer and closer (and sometimes going past) my 8:00 pm eating deadline.  I;ve been having more chocolate.  I've been eating more salty snacks.  For the past couple of weeks, I haven't been counting calories on Sundays.  I thought it was freeing.  But it may have been too freeing.  We've been to an Indian Buffet two Sundays ago.  We've been to a Chinese Buffet last Sunday. Yes, I mostly controlled myself.  But no, neither place was a great decision.

I know it's crazy, but I really think I had a breakthrough tonight.  On my run with my Nexus One (loving it, by the way) I was listening to Pandora.  I haven't loaded up my phone with a workout list, and a lot of my stations are musicals or chill or bluegrass or classical.  But I have a christian station.  And I love that one.  So that's what I listen to on my runs.  And a song that I've heard many times before--heard and enjoyed, but not really listened to: Marvelous Light by Charlie Hall.  Here are the lyrics that really spoke to me:

Pre-chorus

Sin has lost it's power,

death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen

VICTORIOUSLY!

Chorus

Into marvelous light I'm running,

Out of darkness, out of shame.

By the cross you are the truth,

You are the life, you are the way

I think it probably helped that I was running, but those words, "Into marvelous light I'm running, Out of darkness, out of shame" just hit me.  Because this is what I'm doing.  I'm running out of darkness.  I'm no longer ashamed of myself.  Of my weight.  Of my look.  Of eating food from three different fast food places.  Of having to shop in a Big & Tall store.  I feel energized.  And revitalized. 

I think it's also important that I am once again at a point where I know that this is not of my own making.  I was beginning to start thinking that I was the one responsilbe for my success.  But it's not me.  It's God.  And I have to let Him use me to make me into the man He has planned.  Is that confusing at all?  I am so honored that He'd mold me into who I'm becomming; and I'm so excited to see what he has in store next.

That being said, I'm pretty sure I'll post a gain on Sunday.  I'm working hard not to, but it's up ahead.

Spilling Hope Update:

Sponsors: Josie ($0.25), Ricky ($0.50), Shelli ($0.25), Kim ($0.25), Ish ($0.25) Thanks Sponsors!!

Total Miles: 50

Total money raised: $175.00

Friday:

100 situps

50 push ups

ran 10 miles (over 2 times)

prayed

read the bible

read my devotion
date with Anna

Total:

60 minutes on exercise bike

60 minutes on elliptical

60 minutes on stair stepper

600 situps

300 push ups

ran 16 miles

1 Bikram Yoga session

prayed

read the bible

read my devotion
fast

date with Anna

Weekly Calorie Count:

Sunday: xx

Monday: 2,175 Calories

Tuesday: 2,575 Calories

Wednesday: 1,475 Calories

Thursday: 2,345 Calories

Friday: 2,085 Calories

Saturday:

Daily Average: 2,131 Calories.