Need to Run

Yup, that's right.  I need to run.  I'm still not willing to say that I miss it, but I do miss knowing that I'm strong enough to run.  That's a great feeling.  But I'm still easing back into everything.  And today was a great step forward: I got a nice real workout in (10 on bike, 15 on stair stepper, 20 on elliptical) and felt re-energized.  I actually feel lethargic when I relax too much.

So, tomorrow will be a 3-5 mile run, and the rest will be on Saturday or Sunday.

Looking forward to the weekend, for sure.

Thursday:
45 minutes of cardio
50 sit ups
50 push ups
2 60 second front planks
2 60 second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast

Total:
75 minutes of cardio
150 sit ups
150 push ups
2 60 second front planks
2 60 second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
2 dates with Anna
fast

Remaining:
Complete my weekly share of Hot 100 Goals
45 minutes cardio
10 miles walked/ran
150 sit ups
150 push ups
3 60-second front planks
3 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Calories:
Monday: 2,258 Calories
Tuesday: 2,276 Calories
Wednesday: 2,103 Calories
Thursday: 1,335 Calories

Journey Through The Past

Tonight, Anna and I had another date.  We went to Zoopa and had some delicious, fresh salad....and 2 small slices of pizza!  Then we spent the rest of the night reading through my late mother's old journals.  It is so interesting to see the world and part of my history through her eyes.  I really do miss my mom.  2-1/2 years after her passing, I still think about her and tear up sometimes.

Reading through those books, though, I did find two health-related tidbits that my mom documented:

03.18.02:
"BJ was at Kay's (my doctor) while Jer was inside.  He had gone to have her check out his knee since it happened on the job...[BJ] said his weight was down to 275#."

Wow, I was "down" to 275...I know in 1999 I was at 320, so I guess that was lower...

03.22.02:
"BJ came over after work with a bag of day old muffins from Tully's.  He seems in a better mood--He downed 3/4 of a pizza and drank his quart of refrigerated water and 'stole' one of my Dunkin Donuts."

And I wonder why I was so heavy?!

I'll share any more I find throughout this.  I find it so interesting...

Wednesday:
50 sit ups
50 push ups
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna

Total:
30 minutes of cardio
100 sit ups
100 push ups
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
2 dates with Anna

Remaining:
Complete my weekly share of Hot 100 Goals
90 minutes cardio
10 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast

Calories:
Monday: 2,258 Calories
Tuesday: 2,276 Calories
Wednesday: 2,103 Calories

Recovery

So, I'm not really sure I like this whole "recovery" thing after a big race.  How does one do it??  I'm going crazy; I'm getting cabin fever.  But I know my body is asking me to take it easy--it's still sore!  And I will...until Thursday, probably. 

I didn't want to do too much today, so I did 30 minutes on the elliptical.  That's the shortest I've done (when actually doing "exercise") in a long time.  It didn't seem worth it, but I know I need to ramp up--I'd hate to do any real lasting damage, you know? 

Once I got home, though, it was a different story.  I may not have gone running, but I did spend 2 hours between weeding a patch of lawn that we'll be seeding (there's still totally time in the year for that...weird); closing up any racoon access under our back deck, as a famly seems to like it under there at night; and crawling under the house to clean out the dryer vent--I'll finish the rest of that tomorrow and be able to cross one line off the Honey-Do list.

A good day, indeed.

Tuesday:
30 minutes cardio
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna (actually on Monday, but forgot to note it...)

Total:
30 minutes of cardio
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna
Remaining:
Complete my weekly share of Hot 100 Goals
90 minutes cardio
10 miles walked/ran
300 sit ups
300 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast

Calories:
Monday: 2,258 Calories
Tuesday: 2,276 Calories

Finisher

As you can see way below, I don't have a ton of goal this week. Why is that? Well, I need some rest because just yesterday, I completed my only first Olympic Duathlon. I really still can't believe that I did that. I can't believe that I rode for almost 25 miles and ran more than 6 miles right after! Intense. And on top of that, I didn't finish last and I even passed some people who started before me!  I'll give you the results at the end, but wanted to show you pictures.  Lots of pictures.  Sorry for the Vacation Slideshow-Style Presentation!

After a wonderful, beautiful Saturday, I woke up the usually claming sound of rain at 3am. And when we got to the park at 7am, the event started wet.

Really wet.

Really, really wet.

So, after seeing those poor suckers who were doing the Triathlon in 60 degree weather, we lined up to start the Duathlon.

And started the bike portion.  24.8 miles worth.  They said that it was "rolling hills." That's crap.  More like rolling mountians. But I did all 24.8 miles without stopping! And came in for the transition.

And came back out for my run in just about 2 minutes. And went for the run. I was properly fueled. But oh man, the cramps came. About a mile in I had to pause for about 30 seconds and squat and stretch. And the cramps went away. Then at about mile 4 I got a crazy charlie-horse-type cramp in my right thigh. But I didn't want to stop running. Instead, I walked through it. I knew I had the excess time, but that I'd have to keep up my pace to make my personal goal for the run portion. So, I picked it up and came through the trail and on to the final 1.5 miles around the lake.

And I finished! I finished strong, too, I think. My Vibrams were dirty and soggy. I was beat. But I got my medal and enjoyed a nice roll with peanut butter and pretzels. Yum!

I was very proud.  Another cool thing that I documented was my heart rate.  You can tell I wasn't nervous!  The left picture is before the race--right before the race.  The second is seconds after--and that had actually dropped from about 140.  Crazy, huh?

Finally, how did I do?

Not bad for my first ever Duathlon!  And it was an Olympic Duathlon to boot!  Even after riding for an hour and a half, I was still able to post a sub 60:00 10k.  I'm pretty jazzed by that.  Overall, I came in 18th out of 28 finishers.

I also wanted to thank 6 great sources of support during this event:

• Vibram Bikilas
• BODYGLIDE
• Cliff Shot Bloks
• Water
• God
• Anna

How was your weekend?

Have you signed up for the Hot 100 yet?!

Goals
Complete my weekly share of Hot 100 Goals
120 minutes cardio
10 miles walked/ran
300 sit ups
300 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Up to Monday:
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Remaining:
Complete my weekly share of Hot 100 Goals
120 minutes cardio
10 miles walked/ran
300 sit ups
300 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Calories:
Monday: 2,258 Calories

Week 77 (8.10)

Weight: 219.8

Weekly Weight loss: 0.6
Total weight lost: 145.8
Average Weekly Loss: 1.89

I may be under 220, but it's only barely.  And may be a day late, too, but it's still there.  By "a day late", I mean that I took the picture yesterday, but it was a busy day, so I couldn't post until today.  BUT.  I did do my Olympic Duathlon today (recap tomorrow) and I think another week of great eating and exercise will totally pay off.

And being part of the Hot 100 will certainly push my to do my best.

Ch Ch Ch Changes

I'm having fun with the successful week that I've had.  It's been good on the exercise front and the eating front and on the time with Anna front.  And that's a great thing.  Those are some changes.

More changes that are great?

Well, it didn't happen overnight; but gradually, two cool developments have happened:

1. I "found" my Adam's Apple (yay!).  And I nick it almost every time I shave (boo.).  But it is cool to see.  You know?
2. The round tattoo I have on my forearm has become an oval.  I like how all my tattoos are becoming high-resolution.  Fun!

Friday:
50 sit ups
50 push ups
2 60 second front planks
2 60 second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily



Total:
191 minutes cardio
10 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
3 60-second front plank
3 60 second side plank
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna
fast

Remaining:
9 minutes cardio
1 Olympic Duathlon
100 sit ups
100 push ups
7 60-second front planks
7 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Calories:
Monday: 2,211 Calories
Tuesday: 2,021 Calories
Wednesday: 2,242 Calories
Thursday: 1,256 Calories
Friday: 2,220 Calories

My Hot 100 Goals

I'm getting excited about the Hot 100 this year.  In creating my goals, I thought about last year's event.  And last year I had like 8 of them.  And it got a little tough to complete all of my goals each week.  So now, I limited my goals. 

The first one is to have 30 minutes 3 times a week with God.  This is in addition to my reading the Bible and praying--it's just stepping it up a bit.  It's making sure I have a more intimate relationship with Him. 

The second goal is to walk/run 175 miles. At the beginning of the year, I made a goal to run/walk 500 miles.  These miles will help complete that goal. 

Next, I want to commit to no eating after posting my Calorie total.  Although I do a pretty good job (when I'm intentional) about my eating, I still sometimes eat after I post my Calorie total; then I have to add those Calories to my next day's amounts--but that ends now.

I love food!  Yes, it used to be in an unhealthy way, but now, I'mlearning to make creative, healthy, and tasty dishes.  But I would like to keep coming up with more good recipes.  SO, to do that, I'm going to develop & post 1 recipe a week.  The first one will be up shortly: 3 Bean Quick Chili.

And lastly, I want to make sure I am being the husband that Anna would like.  This does go with my relationship with God and my healthy activities.  But I want it to be more than that.  So, I've asked her to make a list of 20 things she'd like to get done around the house.  And I will get 1 item done on the "Honey-Do" list a week. 

What do you think of my goals?  I'm really excited to complete these!

Thursday:
30 minutes cardio
90 sit ups
90 push ups
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna
fast

Total:
191 minutes cardio
10 miles walked/ran
150 sit ups
150 push ups
1 60-second front plank
1 60 second side plank
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna
fast

Remaining:
9 minutes cardio
1 Olympic Duathlon
150 sit ups
150 push ups
9 60-second front planks
9 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Calories:
Monday: 2,211 Calories
Tuesday: 2,021 Calories
Wednesday: 2,242 Calories
Thursday: 1,256 Calories

My Last Run

Today was my last run for the week--since I have my Duathlon on Sunday.  I don't want to train right up to the end of the week.  Now, I do plan on still doing my cardio and strength training.  And probably some walks with Anna.  But no more running--gotta save those pups.

And I had such a great day--we had 3-Bean Quick Chili.  I'll post the recipe and pics some time.  And don't let the "quick" mislead you--it still does take an hour.  But it tastes like it takes longer than that.

Don't forget to check in tomorrow--I'll be posting my Hot 100 Goals.

Wednesday:
6 miles walked/ran
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Total:
161 minutes cardio
10 miles walked/ran
60 sit ups
60 push ups
1 60-second front plank
1 60 second side plank
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Remaining:
39 minutes cardio
1 Olympic Duathlon
240 sit ups
240 push ups
9 60-second front planks
9 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Calories:
Monday: 2,211 Calories
Tuesday: 2,021 Calories
Wednesday: 2,242 Calories

My Goal this Week

Today was another great day!  I actually was able to stay on track with my eating and my exercise! 

The new team I joined at work is great, the people are awesome.  But, they always have food around.  And not like the typical office snacks (you know, candy dishes), no, the temptations I have in this new group are much bigger: potato chips, hash browns, cookies, donuts, muffins, and the like.  My goal for this week?  Avoid eating any food that I didn't plan on eating when I came in to work in the morning.  At least for this week.  It's tough right now, but I'm sure that it will get easier after this week's success...and then even easier when I bypass next week, too.  Just as an example of the challenges, today was someone's birthday.  Here's just part of the spread:

Notice the brownies and cupcakes and cookies and bean dip?  Yeah, I had a cup of grapes.

Tuesday:
40 minutes cardio
4 miles walked/ran
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Total:
161 minutes cardio
4 miles walked/ran
60 sit ups
60 push ups
1 60-second front plank
1 60 second side plank
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Remaining:
39 minutes cardio
1 Olympic Duathlon
6 miles walked/ran
240 sit ups
240 push ups
9 60-second front planks
9 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Calories:
Monday: 2,211 Calories
Tuesday: 2,021 Calories

I've joined the Hot 100!  You in?

A Good Start (And Hot 100!)

Success!  This Monday went much better than last week!  And, while I know that you can always start success any day of the week, it just feels so nice when you can start the train of success at the beginning.  This will be a great week!

Yesterday, actually, kicked off the week in a great way.  I went out to workout with my brother.  He's even been on his own weight loss journey--and so far, he's lost almost 90 pounds!  How cool is that?!  And while I'm not so self-absorbed to think that I'm the one who inspired him, I like to think that the succcess of my journey was a little bit of the push he needed.  And he's doing it!  And some of my other brothers are doing it.  The right way: diet & exercise. 

Well, my brother and I went to the gym he works out at.  It was very different for me to go to an established gym, since I usually use the small (but effective) fitness room at work.  And he sure does some intense workouts.  We did 22 minutes on the treadmill (I ran 2.25 miles), then 33 minutes on the elliptical (I "burned" 500 calories), and the another 22 minutes on the treadmille (I only did 1.65 miles this time, as a cool down); we finished up with some strength training.  It was awesome!  And he really inspired me to kick my workouts up a notch.  He's working out like I was when I was in my weight-loss zone.  And doing that exercise made me realize how easy I'd been taking it. 

So it's back on now.  Bring it!

Has your journey inspired others (either in real life or online)?  It's a great feeling!

Goals:
200 minutes cardio
1 Olympic Duathlon
10 miles walked/ran
300 sit ups
300 push ups
10 60-second front planks
10 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Up to Monday:
121 minutes cardio
60 sit ups
60 push ups
1 60-second front plank
1 60 second side plank
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Remaining:
79 minutes cardio
1 Olympic Duathlon
10 miles walked/ran
240 sit ups
240 push ups
9 60-second front planks
9 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Calories:
Monday: 2,211 Calories

Oh yeah, And I'll be joining the Hot 100!  You in?

Week 76 (7.10)

Weight: 220.4

Weekly Weight loss: 0.2
Total weight lost: 145.2
Average Weekly Loss: 1.91

Okay, so I didn't drop below 220, but I did lose 0.2 pounds.  Ugh.  Dodged a bullet there.  I'll do better next week--something I'll be proud of.

My Other Love

Yes, I admit it. I have another love. I've been unfaithful. Not unfaithful to Anna--that would never happen. No, I've been unfaithful to God--trying to find fulfillment in the arms of food. And it's so tough. It's not like I can just leave food forever (since it's so hard for me to resist the temptation).  It's not like alcohol that I can just avoid.  No, it's like air--I kinda need it to survive.  I've been trying to think of a good metaphor for the challenge.  Maybe, the closest thing I could come up with is this:

Let's say that I'm an actor in a long-running TV Show.  This show is very successful and provides a good income for my family.  My wife is not in the entertainment business, and we're madly in love.  My TV wife, however, is my ex-girlfriend (from before my actual wife and I met).  My old relationship was very passionate, very intense, but I am grateful it is over.  There's still some attraction there, but I know how toxic the time we shared was.  That being said, I have to kiss my TV Wife on the show--often.  That's the trouble: how do I kiss my TV wife on the show, making it look real, but not feeling any of those unhealthy feelings and saving my heart for my true love.  

Is that even close?

Unfortunately, last night my evil affair with food popped up again.  This week and last week have been pretty tough with regards to food--and last night was a perfect example.  I got home from Spotlight Night and wrote my post.  Then, for no real reason, I ate a whole wheat english muffin with melted cheddar and some shredded beef.  It was probably 350 Calories that I didn't need, wasn't hungry for, and regretted.  Really, what was I looking for?  Comfort.  But that comfort shouldn't come from food.  It should come from Jesus.  He's the one who will fill my every need--not some food (no matter if it's whole wheat or not...).  So what did I do?  I fasted again today.  Not to punish myself, but to reinforce the need to remember that food is not my souce.  God is.

Thursday:
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna
fast

Total:
40 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on stair stepper
60 minutes on exercise bike
4.5 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
6 60-second front planks
6 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
2 days fasting
3 dates with Anna

Remaining:
40 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on stair stepper
1 Olympic Duathlon Test
5.5 miles walked/ran
100 sit ups
100 push ups
9 60-second front planks
9 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Calories:
Okay, major fail in this department.  Maybe next week?

Another Date Night

Another day and another date night with Anna (and two of our close friends). 

We started off at MOD Pizza (stands for Made On Demand) and had a delicious pizza--though the crust was way dry and chewy (the flavor was awesome, so that made up for it). 

Then we went to Spotlight Night at the 5th Avenue Theater.  How fun was that?!  I was expecting to see the musical In the Heights.  But instead of a musical, we got to hear some great interviews (like part of the producing team that brought Memphis to Broadway--and took home the Tony for "Best Musical"; and the producer of Rent, Avenue Q, and In the Heights) and her heard some awesome songs from the upcoming shows at 5th Ave...including The Toxic Avenger Musical and A Christmas Story the musical.

So fun!

Thursday:
10 minutes on stair stepper
30 mintues on exercise bike
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna

Total:
40 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on stair stepper
60 minutes on exercise bike
4.5 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
6 60-second front planks
6 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
2 dates with Anna

Remaining:
40 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on stair stepper
1 Olympic Duathlon Test
5.5 miles walked/ran
100 sit ups
100 push ups
9 60-second front planks
9 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Calories:
Okay, major fail in this department.  Maybe next week?

Date Night

Date night with Anna was a lot of fun today!  We went to dinner (yeah, it was a buffet, but I made some pretty okay choices.  I'm happy with dinner), we did some shopping (but just a little), and are now relaxing after doing dishes and laundry.  I'm about to do my sit ups, push ups, and planks.  Yeah, it's a good night. 

Wednesday:
20 minutes on elliptical
20 minutes on stair stepper
10 mintues on exercise bike
100 situps
100 push ups
3 60-second front planks
3 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna
fast

Total:
40 minutes on elliptical
20 minutes on stair stepper
20 minutes on exercise bike
4.5 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
6 60-second front planks
6 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Remaining:
40 minutes on elliptical
40 minutes on stair stepper
30 minutes on exercise bike
1 Olympic Duathlon Test
5.5 miles walked/ran
100 sit ups
100 push ups
9 60-second front planks
9 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Calories:
Okay, major fail in this department.  Maybe next week?

take me out to the ballgame

So, this will be a light post. I'm at the Mariners game tonight (free tickets), so there will be no special formatting.

But here's my activity for today:
4.5 miles walked/ran
30 minutes on the exercise bike
prayed
read the Bible
read my devotional

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9

Quick Hit

Mondays are really tough, I guess--just so much work getting into the swing of things.  I didn't have time for the gym at work, though I did get some sit ups and push ups in.  My goals are similar to last week's goals, mostly becuasse they seemed good, but I didn't finish them...This week, though, I will.  I need to.  I want very badly to show a loss next week--it's important to keep this momentum going.

Goals:
60 minutes on elliptical
60 minutes on stair stepper
60 minutes on exercise bike
1 Olympic Duathlon Test
10 miles walked/ran
300 sit ups
300 push ups
15 60-second front planks
15 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Up to Monday:
100 situps
100 push ups
3 60-second front planks
3 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Remaining:
60 minutes on elliptical
60 minutes on stair stepper
60 minutes on exercise bike
1 Olympic Duathlon Test
10 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
12 60-second front planks
12 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Calories:
Monday: ?,??? Calories (but not bad, I promise!)

Week 75 (6.10)

Weight: 220.6

Weekly Weight loss: 2.8
Total weight lost: 145.0
Average Weekly Loss: 1.97

So, I'm not sure how much of htis is real, sincce I did just do all that exercise yesterday, but it is what the sccale says...and I'll be doing my best to drop below 220 next week.  And though my average loss is still under 2 pounds, it did get a little closer. 

This really is hard work, you know?

Working my Butt Off

Today was an exhausting day.  I've been looking to do somehting to redeem myself from my Triathlon Disaster.  I know, it wasn't really a disaster, but it's been eating at me for the last month and a half.  I hate feeling like I failed--that I didn't do something that I should have been able to do.  I should have been training and taking this fitness thing seriously.  It can't just waltz into things and expect to succeed.

So, while searching and wanting to find my next challenge, I kept wondering what I was going to do next. And I think I finally found it: 

But, Anna, in her infinite wisdom, thought that maybe I should test out whether or not I could complete the course.  Wow, I'd never thought of that, but she's so right.  So that's what I tried today.  I'm planning on doing the Olympic Duathlon.  It's a little intense, but I thought I could at least complete a 40k bike ride and a 10k run.  And that's what I tried today.

Okay.  Doable?  Yeah.  I completed it.  But easy?  Not a chance.  I know I can do a 10k.  I mean, 6 miles isn't too bad.  I've done that distance many times before.  Heck, I did 5.5 miles earlier this week.  So I knew I could knock that out.  It turns out, though, that running a 10k after biking 40k is crazy tough.  Like I said, I completed it, but I was sore at the end, I was slow on the run, my legs cramped, I was completely wiped out.  And exhausted.  And it took me like 3 hours...that's a long time.  I wish it were faster, btu not bad for my first attempt. 

But I'm going to be doing this in two short weeks.  I know I can finish it.  But I'm sure I won't be able to win, even in my division: Clydesdale (men 198lbs and over).  But I'll finish it.  I'll have the shirt and the story.  I'm excited!

Saturday:
26 mile bike ride
6.5 mile run 
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
pray daily

Total:
45 minutes on elliptical
45 minutes on stair stepper
45 minutes on exercise bike
26 miles biked
14 miles ran
200 situps
200 push ups
10 60-second front planks
10 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Remaining:
15 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
15 minutes on exercise bike
100 sit ups
100 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks

Calories:
Monday: 1,904 Calories
Tuesday: 1,209 Calories
Wednesday: 2,478 calories
Thursday: 2,413 Calories
Friday: 2,295 Calories
Saturday: Unknown

More Progress and Something Unsettling

Yep!  I was able to experience another evidence of progress.  I had to get my new work badge.  I like the difference:

Also, while browsing my sites, I found this little ditty.  And honestly, I'm a little disappointed.  I knew it was a little too good to be true, but it's stil exciting.  So, maybe I'm not actually a size 34, but I have made that progress in reality--my old pants were size 48 Old Navy jeans, and some of my new ones are size 34 Old Navy jeans...but still a great article.

Friday:
100 sit ups
100 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna

Total:
45 minutes on elliptical
45 minutes on stair stepper
45 minutes on exercise bike
7.5 miles ran
200 situps
200 push ups
10 60-second front planks
10 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Remaining:
15 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
15 minutes on exercise bike
2.5 miles walked/ran
100 sit ups
100 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Calories:
Monday: 1,904 Calories
Tuesday: 1,209 Calories
Wednesday: 2,478 calories
Thursday: 2,413 Calories
Friday: 2,295 Calories

Long day, short post

Tonight was a long (and great) night!  So, sorry, but my post will be short.  Just the stats for today.  And a quick note.  You'll see that my exercise was lighter than usual...that's becausse I gave blood today (my resting heart rate was 40bpm!!), so other than my morning session, I couldn't do any running or strength training.  No heavy activity...

Thursday:
15 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
15 minutes on exercise bike
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Total:
45 minutes on elliptical
45 minutes on stair stepper
45 minutes on exercise bike
7.5 miles ran
100 situps
100 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast

Remaining:
15 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
15 minutes on exercise bike
2.5 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
10 60-second front planks
10 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna

Calories:
Monday: 1,904 Calories
Tuesday: 1,209 Calories
Wednesday: 2,478 calories
Thursday: 2,413 Calories

She Loves Me!

Okay, okay, I know that my wife loves me.  In fact, she dated, kissed, and married me when I looked like this:

And now that I've lost almost 150 pounds, she is super supportive and loving and...normal?  The best part is that she loves me just as much and is just as hard on me now as when I tipped the scales at 368.4 pounds.  She has been a real trooper through this, enduring my emotions when I have a gain and tempering my elation when I have a loss.  And she just bought me a gift:

And I love it!  (Though not as much as I love her).

Wednesday:
15 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
15 minutes on exercise bike
5 miles walked/ran
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Total:
30 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on stair stepper
30 minutes on exercise bike
7.5 miles ran
100 situps
100 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast

Remaining:
30 minutes on elliptical
30 minutes on stair stepper
30 minutes on exercise bike
2.5 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
10 60-second front planks
10 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna

Calories:
Monday: 1,904 Calories
Tuesday: 1,209 Calories
Wednesday: 2,478 calories

Goals

My goals are similar to last week's goals, but I'll be adding in more planks.  I'm thinking that 1 or 2 planks a day just isn't going to show results.  So, since I'm spacing out my body-weight sessions (i.e. push ups and sit ups), I'll be doing my plank sets with those--in a bigger way.
Goals:
60 minutes on elliptical
60 minutes on stair stepper
60 minutes on exercise bike
10 miles walked/ran
300 sit ups
300 push ups
15 60-second front planks
15 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast
date with Anna

Up to Tuesday:
15 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on stair stepper
15 minutes on exercise bike
2.5 miles ran
100 situps
100 push ups
5 60-second front planks
5 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast

Remaining:
45 minutes on elliptical
45 minutes on stair stepper
45 minutes on exercise bike
7.5 miles walked/ran
200 sit ups
200 push ups
10 60-second front planks
10 60-second side plankspray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
date with Anna

Calories:
Monday: 1,904 Calories
Tuesday: 1,209 Calories

Week 74 (5.10)

Weight: 223.4

Weekly Weight loss: 1.0
Total weight lost: 145.0
Average Weekly Loss: 1.96

Okay, I lost one pound this week.  That's twice the amount of last week.  AAnd that's actually in 3 days.  No, I wouldn't have exopected to lose 2+ pounds this week, but I think I'm doing the right thing by counting my Calories again.  No running or exercise in toda--we'll just call it my rest day--since it's actually rather hard to leave work 2 days early...But I see lots and lotws of walking in my future this weekend.

I'll pretty much be MIA until Monday, but should sporadically be on Facebook and Twitter.

Hope you all do your best the rest of the week and this weekend!