CHANGE OF PLANS

I had planned on talking about the changes that we go through in order to succeed on this journey.  But really, all of that isn't as important as loss.  Not weight loss, however important that might be.  But real, honest-to-goodness loss.  Please go over to Steve's blog.  He just found out that his father passed away.  I don't know all of the details of their relationship.  I don't know if he was a believer or not.  I just know that losing a parent sucks.  Hard.  I lost my mom almost 2 years ago and it still hurts.  So, please, go send him and his family some love.

And may God bless Steve and his whole family.  And really, all of those who lose family members--since it happens every day and is always a tragedy. 

Challenge Challenges:
South Beach Steve: Tabata Jacks
Call Me Ishmael: Double Crunches
Call Me Ishmael: The BW Matrix
Anonymous: Jumping Rope
Kimberley: Swimming Pool
Josie: Yoga
Shelli Belly: Kettlebells
Natalie: Burpees

Submissions are closed for the Challenge Challenges. Thanks for all those who suggested activities. I plan to complete all of the remaining tasks this week.

Thursday:
Challenge Challenge: Nothing
1- 10 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 10 minute session on the Stationary Bike
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
1 Muscle Building session
30 sit ups
5 push ups
Read the Bible
Prayed

Total:
3- 10 minute sessions on the Elliptical
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stationary Bike
3- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
3 Muscle Building sessions
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
3 sets of 30 second side planks (on each side)
180 sit ups
25 push ups
Walk/Run 7.25 miles
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna
Fast

Weekly Calories:
Saturday: 1,880 Calories
Sunday: 3,000 Calories*
Monday: 2,070 Calories
Tuesday: 1,155 Calories (Fast Day)
Wednesday: 1,965 Calories
Thursday: 2,245 Calories
Friday:

Running Total: 12,315 Calories (Average daily: 2,052 Calories). I'm back to posting my twEATS! You can follow me here.

* estimated Caloric Intake...darned SB XLIV

Drive by Post

Quick post, sorry!  Late night!

Challenge Challenges:
South Beach Steve: Tabata Jacks
Call Me Ishmael: Double Crunches
Call Me Ishmael: The BW Matrix
Anonymous: Jumping Rope
Kimberley: Swimming Pool
Josie: Yoga
Shelli Belly: Kettlebells
Natalie: Burpees

Submissions are closed for the Challenge Challenges. Thanks for all those who suggested activities. I plan to complete all of the remaining tasks this week.

Wednesday:
Challenge Challenge: Nothing
1- 10 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 10 minute session on the Stationary Bike
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
60 sit ups
10 push ups (hey, it's a start)
Read the Bible
Prayed

Total:
2- 10 minute session on the Elliptical
2- 10 minute session on the Stationary Bike
2- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
2 Muscle Building sessions
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
3 sets of 30 second side planks (on each side)
150 sit ups
20 push ups
Walk/Run 7.25 miles
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna
Fast

Weekly Calories:
Saturday: 1,880 Calories
Sunday: 3,000 Calories*
Monday: 2,070 Calories
Tuesday: 1,155 Calories (Fast Day)
Wednesday: 1,965 Calories
Thursday:
Friday:

Running Total: 10,070 Calories (Average daily: 2,014 Calories). I'm back to posting my twEATS! You can follow me here.

* estimated Caloric Intake...darned SB XLIV

Another Run

Today was another day to run, I guess!  Last week, it may have been with three of my work friends--and that sure held e accountable (I sure didn't want to be in the back the whole time!); but today it was just my friend Candace.  And we both pushed eachother.  We were able to do the 4.26 mile loop in 43:32.  Not bad.  That's a 5.8 mph pace.  And I did put one sprint in there (less than 30 seconds) where I hit 9.8 mph!!!  Maybe I'll add more of those in next time...they're kinda fun/exhausting.  Other than that, it's been a pretty quiet day.  And I love days like that!

Maybe it's time to catch up on sleep. 
Challenge Challenges:
South Beach Steve: Tabata Jacks
Call Me Ishmael: Double Crunches
Call Me Ishmael: The BW Matrix
Anonymous: Jumping Rope
Kimberley: Swimming Pool
Josie: Yoga
Shelli Belly: Kettlebells
Natalie: Burpees
Submissions are closed for the Challenge Challenges. Thanks for all those who suggested activities. I plan to complete all of the remaining tasks this week.

Tuesday:
Challenge Challenge: Kettlebells (had to adjust due to the lack of actual kettlebells, but think I got a good workout in).
1 Muscle Building sessions
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
1 set of 30 second side planks (on each side)
30 sit ups
10 push ups (hey, it's a start)
Run 4.25 miles
Read the Bible
Prayed
Fast

Total:
1- 10 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 10 minute session on the Stationary Bike
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
2 Muscle Building sessions
2 sets of 2- 60 second planks
3 sets of 30 second side planks (on each side)
90 sit ups
10 push ups
Walk/Run 7.25 miles
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna
Fast

Weekly Calories:
Saturday: 1,880 Calories
Sunday: 3,000 Calories*
Monday: 2,070 Calories
Tuesday: 1,155 Calories (Fast Day)
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:

Running Total: 8,105 Calories (Average daily: 2,026 Calories). I'm back to posting my twEATS! You can follow me here.

* estimated Caloric Intake...darned SB XLIV

A new day

Yessiree!  It's a new day. 

But first, an update on my Second Monthly Un-Official, Un-Sponsored Journey 5k.  I did it.  It went well...but not as well as last month's.  Why, you ask?  Because about 2-1/2 miles into it--without being too graphic--I really had the urge to go to the bathroom.  It was a struggle to get home in time!  But still, 30:46 isn't too bad.  I swear, though, next month?  Less than 30:00!

New Day, New Starting Line:
Weight: 239.0
BMI: 30.7
Body Fat: 35.3%
Neck: 16.75"
Chest: 46.25"
Stomach: 47.125"
Waist: 43"
Thigh: 24.5"
Calf: 19.375"
Biceps: 13.825"
Forearm: 12"

Goals:
Weight: 215.0
BMI: 27.6
Body Fat: 20%

I still know that I'm a big guy, and therefore my BMI will be out of whack, but I'm still going to chart it.  I'm not sure if these are possible, or realistic, or what, but I'd like to get somewhere down there. These goals will change over time (as I learn more about my body and nutrition), but for now, they're good...I think. What do you all think? Are they good goals? Or should I adjust them? I'm not putting this up to a vote, but I do value all of your opinions!   And I hope to be at these levels by the end of the year...or earlier.  Warning ahead: I'm sure my progress will be much slower.  That's fine, but we all (myself included) should stop expecting 2-4 pound losses each week--especially now, when I might gain as I integrate weight training.

Also, should I check weekly?  Bi-weekly?  Monthly?  Not sure.

(Special thanks to Steve for his tutorial on measurements)

Challenge Challenges:
South Beach Steve: Tabata Jacks
Call Me Ishmael: Double Crunches
Call Me Ishmael: The BW Matrix
Anonymous: Jumping Rope
Kimberley: Swimming Pool
Josie: Yoga
Shelli Belly: Kettlebells (may or may not do this, since I (and my gym) don't have these)
Natalie: Burpees

Submissions are closed for the Challenge Challenges.  Thanks for all those who suggested activities.  I plan to complete all of the remaining tasks this week.

Up To Monday:
Challenge Challenge: totally punted on this.  Oops!  I'll have to do double duty.
1- 10 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 10 minute session on the Stationary Bike
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
1 Muscle Building session
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
2 sets of 30 second side planks (on each side)
60 sit ups
Walk 3 miles
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Total:
1- 10 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 10 minute session on the Stationary Bike
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
1 Muscle Building session
1 set of 2- 60 second planks
2 sets of 30 second side planks (on each side)
60 sit ups
Walk 3 miles
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily
Date with Anna

Weekly Calories:
Saturday: 1,880 Calories
Sunday: 3,000 Calories*
Monday: 2,070 Calories
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:

Running Total: 6,950 Calories (Average daily: 2,316 Calories) Average is a little high right now, but tomorrow is my fast day, so that should average out (but remember, my fast day is not for weight management!).
I'm back to posting my twEATS! You can follow me here.

* estimated Caloric Intake..darned SB XLIV

week 44

Weight: 239.0

Weight loss in one week: 4.8
Total weight lost: 129.4
Average weekly weight loss: 2.94

Weight left to lose: 0 
Weeks left at average loss: 0 
Total weeks: 44 (about 10.15 months)

That's it!  I'm done.  I don't need this any longer!  I'm gone.

Ha!  Whatever.  I need this and you all even more.  I weighed myself, took a picture of the scale, and looked in the mirror.  And realized that I'm not even close to being done.  Now that I'm under 240, I think I need to go down farther.  Maybe 225 or 215.  I'll think over the weekend and come up with a new goal, plan, and starting point (stats).  I'll be working on toning, building muscle, and the other two parts of my goal for this blog: being a good husband, and being a good follower of Christ--oh, and dropping a little more, and then maintaining.

Thanks for joining me on this ride so far.  I'm excited to see where it goes!  And I'll need your support and prayers more than ever! 

And I guess that means that I shouldn't look at the scale until the day of my weigh-in (or the dday before, just to check)--definitely not one, two, or three times a day!  And I'll have to continue tracking my twEATS.