Plateaus

Last week I worked hard... Didn't cheat on calories... Did two a days at the gym...

and the result..

1 lb.

My initial reaction was anger, but after thinking about it and getting a pep talk from Kamie I am now motivated to work even harder this week.

I guess there could be a couple reasons for the low number.

1. I've been doing a lot of strength training lately which is building muscle.

2. It was just a good ole plateau.

Plateaus are expected to happen to anyone who is losing weight. So it was only a matter of time before it happened to me. I just didn't think it would be this soon.

Plateauing can be seen in two ways.. A stumbling block, or a milestone.

I think most people view it as a stumbling block. I did.

Until I found this explanation...

I found a remark by everyone's favorite doctor, Dr. Phil, regarding plateaus.

He said plateaus should be viewed as a milestone, because the body is losing so much weight it has to shut down for a bit to re-adjust itself to function at the lighter weight.

Makes sense right???

I think so.

So the next time this happens, I know that I have lost enough weight for the body to stop and re-adjust itself.

When viewed in that light, it makes me excited for the next one.

Week 4 Results

Once again we have reached weigh-in day.. It seems to be rolling around faster and faster these days.

Although you may disagree, I chalk week 4 up as a success.


Here are the numbers:

Week 3 Weight - 298lbs

Week 4 Weight - 297lbs

_______________________________

1 lb. Total Weight Loss: 23lbs.


Not a lot of weight loss on the scale. I knew eventually I would hit a little plateau. But I lost another inch off the ol' gut.

That makes 4.5 inches I've lost around my waist.


Okay... So I promised you pics... Well there wasn't much going on at the gym last night, so those are going to have to wait. But I do have a new pic of me...

Enjoy it, because it's gonna be the last one for awhile.


Here is the original... Taken January 1st. 320lbs.




And here is the new one. Taken January 29th. 297lbs. (Drum Roll Please)


Now it's time to head to Week 5 and a new month. Exciting!

Cheeeeese!!!

Hey all

Who's ready for some pictures???

I'm taking my camera with me to the gym tonight...

Who knows what I will come back with.

So tomorrow....

Week 4 weigh-in and pictures..

I may even throw in a head shot of myself, after one month of working out. We'll see if we can see a difference.

Curry Anyone??

I think it's blatantly obvious.. I love food.

Hence the reason for needing to lose 100 lbs.

Well, I am doing great at not cheating. I keep my calorie consumption under control. It gets a little tough when confronted with a temptation. For example, my office had a party yesterday complete with Dominos pizza and breadsticks. I am proud to say I withstood the urge to binge on pizza and just enjoyed a Lean Cuisine instead.

My safe haven has always been the gym.. There is no temptation to eat unhealthy...

Until now...

For the past few days this big Ethiopian guy has been coming to the gym, and some how he always ends up next to me.

It's fine.. until he starts sweating.

His sweat smells like Indian food.

I try and ignore it at first.

Then it gets a little stronger..

I am getting tired, which means I am taking deeper breaths.

Each inhale of oxygen is coupled with the sweet scent of curry..

My stomach begins to growl..

And before I know it. I am craving Indian Food!

Kinda gross, I know. But for those of you who don't know.. I love Indian Food. One of my favorite places to eat in Logan is this place..




MMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, it's on my restricted restaurant list.

What's a fella to do??

When it Rains, it Pours

It seems like every time I've tried losing weight in the past, there has always been something that has popped up that makes it difficult to get to the gym, or is frustrating enough that it makes me want to just throw in the towel.

In the past it has usually been either an illness, or finances, or something at work that requires a lot of attention. Once I lose focus, I begin to miss a workout here and there, or quickly grab something at McDonalds on my way to work. Then eventually it just fizzles out all together.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this time I have my focus set. Working out comes first and everything else comes second.

Finances have always been one thing that stresses me out, and this month, as I have been doing so well, everything else seems to be breaking down. haha..

In the past 2 weeks I have had to buy a new laptop, get some repairs done on my car, my cable promotion ran out and so my bill was sky high, and pay all the other bills I have.

I'm not saying this to complain, or to beg for money. I'm merely making the point that when your life begins to turn around and you are winning the battle, things crop up that try to bring you back down to where you were...

But guess what???

This time it is not working.. My focus is set. I am happy!

Bring it on life!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

I guess when you spend a lot of time anywhere, you begin to become acquainted with the folks that are there everyday.. That's how it's getting to be for me at Rulon's gym.

I walk in and see a bunch of familiar faces, everybody says hi, and I spend a little time before the workout and some time after the workout just shooting the bull.. It makes working out a lot easier and now the gym is a fun place to be...

Kinda reminds me of....



I do kinda look like Norm. haha

Well maybe if I got a perm.

So here's another tip. Become friends with the workers at your gym, sit and have a chat with them. If you don't have a workout buddy, look for someone who is there every day when you are. Strike up a conversation. I think you'll find a lot of the people there share the same goal as you do.

Your workouts will become much more enjoyable if you turn it into a social event. It worked for me.

Cleaning out the Closet

I was doing laundry a couple days ago, and when I went to put my clothes away I noticed I have a ton of clothes. Far too many clothes.

So one by one I went through each piece and decided which to keep and which to give away. To my delight, there were a lot of clothes that were...

TOO BIG!!!

Usually it's the opposite..

Here's the result



Two garbage bags full of clothes that were too big for me. What a great feeling that is. Some of the clothes were tough to give away because I really liked them. haha

But I know there is no way I'm EVER going to be big enough to wear them.

Not only do I have a much cleaner closet, but I am now forced to continue to lose weight. Because I have no more "fat clothes"

BTW... You all are great. Thanks for your continued support. I really am overwhelmed with all the comments. It definitely keeps me going.

Week 3 Results

Well it's that time again...

I had a big goal for this week. I wanted to lose enough to get out of the 300s..

So did I do it?

Here are the results for the 3rd week on the road to 100



Week 2 Weight - 306
Week 3 Weight - 298
_____________________________

8 lbs

WOOO HOOOO!!!! Goodbye 300!!!


This brings the total weight loss to 22 lbs.

Feeling good!

What's up Doc?

I was informed last night by Kamie that she had set me up an appointment to meet with a doctor today..

This doc has a machine that can pinpoint where your metabolic rate is, and it shows other cool things like body fat percentage.

So today we went.

I had to first stand on a scale, barefoot, while it calculated all my stats. Then it spit out a little paper with the results.

My body fat percentage is 38%. Which was lower than I thought; and apparently I am really strong because I have 138lbs. of muscle. I don't where it is, but I guess it's in there somewhere..

Then we had to figure our metabolic rate.. This test is accomplished by breathing through a tube for 10 minutes. A "pincher" is placed on your nose to help avoid the temptation of breathing through it..

Kamie snapped this pic...




After a really long 10 minutes, I was done..

My metabolism is 5% slower than normal... In stark contrast, Kamie's is 24% above normal... Lucky

It was a fun experience and it's fun to learn about all this body stuff. Makes me think I should have paid closer attention in health class. :)

Hey.... Weigh-in tomorrow. Get excited!

Mind over Matter

The mind is an amazing thing.. I think we all agree on that.

Sometimes it can be a real pain though.

I've especially noticed this since I have began working out every day. It is so important that I have the correct mindset going in to a workout, and even more important to have the correct mindset during the workout..

If I think about the exercise I'm doing at the time, especially if it's getting tough, I find it hard to finish. I begin to count each second, and as I do, the seconds become longer and longer.

Like planks for example. We do planks for 1 minute each. Which is a long time if you aren't used to doing them. If I think about doing planks, while doing planks. It is the longest minute ever.. EVER!

I've learned a few techniques to take my mind off the exercise I am doing, which in turn makes it a lot easier to do.

1. Talk to your workout buddy. You'll find that if you're talking, that tough exercise flies right by.

2. Listen to music and sing a long.

3.Focus your eyes on something in front of you and take your mind to someplace totally different. Kind of like Happy Gilmore's "Happy Place" haha. Think about a vacation you want to take and how good you will look when you've dropped the weight.

Or ya know when you're bored, or driving alone in the car and you just begin thinking about whatever... Well this is the perfect time to do that.

Of course it is important to remember to not let your exercise become sloppy as you begin to think about something else.

These tips have helped me immensely. If you take you're mind out of it and let the body do the work, you will be surprised how much more you can do.

7

I am nervous..

As you know, my goal for this week's weigh-in is 7 lbs. If achieved, I will be out of the threes and start picking away at the twos.

I think the reason I am nervous is because I have been in this spot before and failed. Every time I start a workout routine and get down to the lower 300's I can never seem to break that 300 mark. When that happens...

I get frustrated and I quit.

Thus I go right back to where I started.

I told Kamie about this. She assured me I was going to break that 300 mark.

This workout routine is unlike any I have EVER done in the past, and with Kamie there pushing me and making sure I stick with it, I am well on my way to the 290's.

So stay tuned for the weigh-in in 3 days... Man the weeks are flying by.

Something Smells Fishy

Last night after the first workout, Kamie and I had a little taste testing session.

Tuna and salmon is soooo good when trying to lose weight. It is low in fat, high in protein, and recommended by anyone who knows anything about diets.

Well that is all well and good but ya know.....



I hate tuna and salmon.

Kamie knew this but she told she has a recipe that I was sure to love. So she sat me down last night and mixed this concoction together...

She took a pouch of salmon like this and put it in a bowl..



Then she took some Galeo Salad Dressing and poured it over the fish.



She mixed it all up and put some on a Wasa Rye Cracker.



Ya know... It was actually really good. Can you believe it???

This is a perfect lunch.. The fish and crackers can be bought at any grocery store, but the dressing has to be bought online..

This is the dressing they use on Biggest Loser. The calories are so low and the dressing is so flavorful.

There is a link to the dressing on The Biggest Loser website.

So if you struggle to like tuna and other fish like I did. Try this out, I promise you'll love it.

Whew!

What a busy day today has been.

This is the first time I have been back at home since I left this morning at 6:30am.

Today's blog post is going to be short for two reasons.

Reason 1 - It's almost time for tomorrow's blog post

Reason 2 - I haven't the strength to type much. haha

My laptop died today, which is what I use to blog when I have a spare minute. So that explains why I'm blogging so late tonight.

Also we started a new workout tonight called Barry's Bootcamp. Anybody ever heard of it.

Boy oh boy, it ran me through the ringer. I will tell you about it tomorrow. It was good but I was so tired I could barely get in the car tonight.

I am still on my two workouts per night kick as well. Just gotta keep that 7 pound goal in mind for next week's weigh-in. That is what keeps me going.

Hey guess what?? This morning I had to tighten my belt to a new loop.. Exciting.

Well thanks for sticking with me, and goodnight!

Week 2 Results

As those of you who watch The Biggest Loser know, Week 2 is notoriously known for putting up small numbers. I have been thinking about that all week. So I wasn't really expecting much for this week.

But to my surprise, they turned out pretty dang good.

Here are the results for Week 2 on the road to 100


WEEK 1 WEIGHT: 311 LBS
WEEK 2 WEIGHT: 306 LBS
________________

5 LBS

Some measurements of note

WEEK 1 WAIST: 54"
WEEK 2 WAIST: 53"


WEEK 1 CHEST: 49.5"
WEEK 2 CHEST: 48"


So this makes my total weight loss thus far: 14 LBS

Total inches off my waist: 3"

Total inches off my chest: 3.5"


I'll take it!!!

Again thank you all for your support. My blog is nearing the 1100 views mark. That just blows my mind. You guys are awesome.

I've got good feelings about Week 3..

My goal: By next weigh in, I will be out of the 300s.

Double your Pleasure, Double your Fun

Losing 100lbs by July is an overwhelming goal if I think about how far I have to go.. It could very easily get discouraging.

The reason I have been going so strong is not because of the 100lb. goal, rather the short term goals I set for myself. These goals are attainable, not overwhelming, and ultimately will lead to the long term goal of 100.

So here's the breakdown.

In order to meet my goal by July 4 I need to lose about 17lbs per month.

So instead of the massive number of 100. I focus on the little 17. Much nicer.

To make sure that I hit that monthly goal of 17 I need to burn 4500 calories per day. This is definitely hard to do without spending awhile in the gym.

With that in mind, on Wednesday I decided to double my efforts at the gym and go twice a day. Once when I get off work at the hotel, and again at my regularly scheduled time with Kamie at 8.

Although it has been tough, it has really made a difference. I can now attain 4500 calories with ease. In fact, last night I burned 5338.

I never would've imagined that I would be working out this much and sticking to it. It's great.

I'm getting better at it too. Last night I did the puke workout with a few extras added in, and didn't puke. I chalked that up as a major success..

Kamie is awesome and a great motivator, and she doesn't let me quit.

I've been thinking a lot about training as of late. Last Friday Kamie was out of town so my friends Brad & Megan came to the gym with me as my motivators.

Well they had heard me talk about this puke workout and wanted to try it.

So I became the trainer for the night. I loved it. Much more fun being the trainer than the trainee.

I don't want to toot my own horn, but I think I made a dang good one. Brad and Meg were good sports. I worked them pretty hard. No puke though.. Meg came close. haha

Speaking of goals, here's another one.

After July, and the road to 100 has ended. I want to become a certified trainer. Kamie has all the info I need to get started. She thinks I would make a good one too. That's all the validation I need.

Stay tuned tomorrow for Week 2 results!!!!

Oom Papa Mow Mow

So before I started this workout I made a playlist of workout songs on my Ipod. These songs are loud and fast paced, something that can keep you pumped when the workout gets tough.

I like to listen to them but after an hour or so, my ears hurt, my head hurt and I'm ready to shut it right off.

Some of the songs I know the words to, others not so much.

I was always under the impression, created by my own mind, that one needs big loud music to be able to stay motivated during a workout.

Well those of you that know me pretty well know that my music taste got lost somewhere a few decades back, so the loud screaming music isn't really my fave.

So yesterday when I was on the elliptical, I decided to put on a group that I like and pretty much know the words to every song.

Any guesses???





Yup you got it.. The Oaks Ridge Boys.. That pic was taken in 2009 in Nashville.

If you don't know who they are.. shame on you.:) Here's a little video clip.



Not only did singing the songs help pass the time, the beat of most of the songs was right in line with the rhythm of my elliptical..


Moral of the story...

Listen to what you like when you workout, and sing along to the songs.

Preferably out loud!

Who do you like to listen to?

P.S. 2 days until Week 2 Results. Stay tuned!

Body Bugged

Until now I never knew losing weight was so scientific, I just thought you ate less and moved more.

Although that statement still stands true, there are many ways to ensure you are getting the most out of your workouts and meeting your goals.

Calorie tracking, calorie burning, and heart rate monitoring are vital when trying to lose weight. If you have no idea how many calories you've ingested or burned then it's all a guessing game. Plus monitoring your heart rate and keeping it at the peak fat burning rate makes sure you're getting the most bang for your buck.

I am now the proud owner of two little gizmos that I have fallen in love with.

The first is the Body Bugg



This is the most reliable, accurate, and informative calorie management tracker out there. You've probably seen all the Biggest Loser contestants wearing them.

This device is to be worn on the upper arm at all times, except while showering. It's a little uncomfortable at first, but now I'm used to it. I thought it would look like a cigarette pack rolled up in my sleeve, which would have been awesome, see how cool he looks?



But unfortunately no one can tell you're wearing it.

The body bugg tracks how many calories you burn throughout the day, how many steps you take and how many minutes of activity you do. It is over 90% accurate.

You set targets you want to hit throughout the day and the bugg lets you know how you're doing. For example, I need to burn 4500 calories per day to meet my set goal. So I enter 4500 in the target section and so far today I have burned 1894.

It links up via a USB cord to your computer and tracks your progress, also the software allows you to log your food intake for the day and gives you a breakdown of calories consumed vs. burned. It is so awesome.

I was a little wary of it at first because it is a little costly, but I am a true believer now.

The other gadget is the Polar Heart Rate Monitor.



This monitors heart rate and also tracks calories burned. The Body Bugg does not monitor heart rate. Heart rate is such an essential part to working out. There are places online where you put your body info (i.e. weight, height, etc) and they tell you your ideal heart rate for fat loss. Or if you want a more reliable source, talk to a trainer or doctor.

I was surprised to find that my heart rate did not have to be super high to burn fat. In fact, on my first workout, I pretty much walked and my heart rate was at the perfect rate.

I think this is one deterrent that keeps folks from working out, especially if they are overweight and haven't moved in a while. It's amazing how little you have to do in that first week to get the heart rate up and lose weight.

So now when I head to the gym I am more robotic than man. :)

The Body Bugg goes on the upper left arm, and it's corresponding watch goes on the left wrist. The heart monitor goes around the chest and it's corresponding watch goes on the other wrist.

I feel like Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV.. haha



These gadgets have been so helpful, I hope you find them helpful too.

Supermarket Sweep

When it comes to eating healthy food, I am definitely not the person to give advice...

Until last week.

People have been asking me what I have been eating and it's really nothing secret or special, and if you can find the right stuff, it actually is quite tasty.

But first, let me tell you what I have not been eating, and when I have not been eating.

I used to eat out at least once a day, sometimes more. It was never a salad or a grilled chicken sandwich; rather a burger and fries or pizza.

That just spells disaster.

Also, another huge bad habit of mine was eating right before bed. Usually a bowl of cereal or dinner leftovers were my food of choice.

Although it probably helps you fall asleep faster and just makes you feel more comfy, this is not a good idea.

I have eliminated those two habits all together and I know that has been a huge factor in my first week of success. I mean it's just common sense. :)

So here are the things I have been eating.

Kamie has me on a higher protein diet. So my breakfast is usually a Special K Protein Bar. Sometimes I switch it up with some sugar free oatmeal, or a greek yogurt.

Lunch is either a turkey sandwich on wheat, or a Lean Cuisine. There are a lot of good Lean Cuisines in the freezer section of your grocer.:)

If it's the turkey sandie I eat, I usually eat some fat free cottage cheese along with it and a few carrot sticks. Followed by a sugar free pudding cup for dessert. Only 60 calories per cup.

Dinner is somewhat trickier, Sometimes I eat dinner with my friends Brad & Megan, so when that happens I eat whatever she makes, which is almost always healthy. If I'm eating alone I tend to just mix and match some healthy options.

That's pretty much it, nothing secret or special.

Here's a few tips that I have found to help me curb the craving for a snack and to eat smaller portions at mealtimes...

Water!

When the craving for a snack hits, have a glass of water. It may not take the craving away totally, but it definitely lessens the urge. Also if you drink a glass of water before you sit down to eat, it will help you feel full, faster.

I hope you find my meal plans helpful, and if you have any questions about food or exercise, let me know. I will run them by Kamie and get back with you.

Sorry there are no pictures with this entry!

Here to pump.. you up!

Welcome to Week 2... After a successful first week I am hoping that the streak continues throughout this one.

A lot of you have asked me to describe my workouts and some of the exercises Kamie has me doing.

I would love to. Feel free to try any of them.

M-W-F are cardio days. I spend most of the time on the treadmill doing intervals. Intervals are quick periods of running that really boost the ol' heart rate.

Kamie has me do 3 sets of intervals with 6 reps in each set.

So the first set is just upping the treadmill to a jogging speed and holding it for 45 seconds, then back to walking for 45, then another rep for 45 and so on...

The second set is increasing the speed even higher and holding it for 30 seconds. That set is repeated 6 times.

The third and final set is going the fastest you can run and holding it for 15 seconds. Repeating it 6 times..

We sometimes throw a few lunges around the gym; and some squats in there as well..

This workout is awesome, because it keeps that heart rate elevated and you can tailor the speed of the intervals to your capabilities.

Tues-Thurs workouts are become affectionately known as the "Puke Workout" as many around the gym have succumbed to the urge to hurl after doing this workout. I am among them. :)

So here is the "Puke Workout," an assortment of high intensity exercises being performed in short spurts of time.

The first exercise is the ropes:



The ropes are done in 3 sets and 3 reps, each for 30 seconds. The first set is moving the arms together as if you are slamming your fists on a counter..

The second is moving the arms opposite from one another like you are beating a drum.

The third and final is moving the arms horizontally like you are slamming cymbals together.

These. Are. Intense. :)

Next is spinning sprints.



We do 3 sets of 30 seconds spinning sprints. The bike seat is the most painful part of this exercise.

We then move to the medicine ball.



3 sets of picking up and slamming down the medicine ball as fast as you can go

Working with the TRX is next.



These are tough. 3 sets of 30 seconds, just as many as you can do.

After that is planks.



3 sets. One on both sides and one face down.
45 seconds for these.

Then after all of this we end on the treadmill just for a good brisk walk to safely bring the heart rate down.

But wait, it's not over. We forgot the abs..

This workout can be done anywhere..



But I'm sure you and those around you would prefer this workout be done in a toilet. :)

So there ya have it... My weekly workout. Feel free to give it a try!

Week 1 Results

Hey guys and gals, the numbers are in... The results for the first week on the road to 100.

Here they are:

STARTING WEIGHT-- 320 LBS
WEEK 1 WEIGHT-- 311 LBS
__________

9 LBS


Here's a couple other measurements:

Waist was 56" now is 54"
Chest was 51.5" now is 49.5"

I am stoked about those numbers.

I hope this week sets a precedence for the rest of the trip!

Stay tuned for next week's blog entries. I will be discussing some more of the high intensity exercises I have been doing, the food I have and have not been eating, and I got the chance to become a personal trainer for a night. See who my first victims were.

As always I know I couldn't do this without all your support. I mean it. Thank You!

On to week 2

Weighing In on Weighing In

Well tomorrow is the big weigh in for week 1. I hope you're all as excited as I am. I think this is the first time ever that I did not cheat. :) haha

I can see a difference in a few things like my shirt collars not feeling so tight and a little more room between my gut and the steering wheel. :) But it could be me just imagining it. Only time will tell.

I would like to share with you a few things I've learned over the many failed attempts at losing weight, particularly concerning weigh ins.

DO NOT KEEP A SCALE AT YOUR HOUSE!!!

There is an overwhelming temptation to weigh yourself every day. Especially if you are working out and eating healthy. This is not a good idea.

Body weight can fluctuate up to 5 lbs during the course of a day.. So one day you may weigh in and be happy with the result and the next day you do it again, but find you gained a few pounds.

Coming from personal experience, seeing that happen is SUPER frustrating.

So it's best to elimate that temptation all together.

Get rid of your scale!

Keep it a friend's house or use a scale at your gym.

I hope you find these tips helpful.

Now let's all raise a glass of Slim-Fast in hopes of a successful week.

My Dirty Little.... Dishes!

In July of last year I decided to forgo the roommates and live by myself. A choice I am sooo happy with for many reasons. One of the big reasons was the fact that I could keep my place clean longer than just a couple of days. My hectic work schedule prevented me from spending too much time at home so nothing was ever messed up and since I hardly ever ate at home, dirty dishes were at a minimum.

Here was my old eating schedule... Sure it was convenient, but no wonder I'm fat!

I usually skipped breakfast, ate out for lunch, and either ate out for dinner, or ate at my friend's house.

Cleaning. Was. Easy.

Well here we are, 5 days into this life changing journey and my sink is full of dirty dishes!

I no longer skip breakfast, I take my lunch with me to work, and I prepare my own dinners. All of which require dirtying dishes.

DISHWASHER NEEDED!!!

Sing to me, Tony B.

As I was in the shower this morning, the classic Tony Bennett song "I left my heart in San Francisco" kept playing through my head... Except the lyrics were changed to:

I left my guts, all over Logan :)

Well it was actually just in one spot, but you get the idea. Yes that's right. Last night's workout kicked my trash.. So much that I ended up puking at the end. haha..

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I am kinda proud of that fact. That means I am pushing myself and working out harder. A fact that makes me smile.

Last night we did several high intensity exercises. One you may be familiar with because they often show it being done on The Biggest Loser.. Here's a pic.


Who knew swinging ropes could be so tough..

Speaking of Biggest Loser I hope you all had a chance to watch. So far so good for Rulon and Justin.

It was funny... During Rulon's intro they showed a wedding pic of Rulon and Kamie.. Seconds after, i got about six texts saying "your trainer is cute." Well of course she is. I wouldn't have an ugly one. :)

Anyway, here's to hoping I can make it through tonight's workout with my dinner down.


Hey 3 more days til WEEK 1 results.. I'm excited.

My Season Premiere

Last night was my first night working out with Kamie, my trainer. It was tough but it felt so good to be up and moving. There is one thing I have noticed about going to the gym.. It may suck to start out with, but when you're done. You never regret doing it. There is always the feeling of pride and achievement.

I also discovered a couple wonderful perks about working with a trainer. She's always watching so I cant' slack, she encourages me when she can tell I'm getting tired, and once I'm done with a particular exercise, she tells me I'm awesome. :)

Working out alone in the past has always given me the same problems. I always slack when it gets tough, and I'm always disappointed in myself because I can't work out as well as I think I should be able to. Disappointment leads to discouragement and discouragement, for me anyway, leads right back to the fridge and no more trips to the gym.

I realize some people aren't as lucky as I am to have a trainer, but a good workout buddy who's not afraid to knock you down then build you up will work just as good.

Hey, by the way, another season premiere is on tonight.. The Biggest Loser: Season 11. Be sure to tune in and watch Rulon & Justin...

I was also informed of one more motivational tool for me....

If I meet my goals and be "Logan's Biggest Loser" I get to go to the Biggest Loser Finale in California. Sweet..

Happy Sweating!

WOW!!! THANK YOU... now its time to get to work

You guys rock... This blog has only been in existence for 19 hours and since then I have been overwhelmed by the little notes of encouragement both in the blog comments and on Facebook from all my friends and family. Each one has been so much appreciated. I promise not to let you down.. I couldn't ask for better friends and family.

Here's how this little blog is gonna work. My hope is to write something on here every day, on varying topics. I don't know if I have that much to say but I will try.

Also each week I will have a weigh-in, and let you know the results.

So it should be fun...

Now.. Its time for the talk to end and the work to begin. I have my first workout with my trainer tonight at 8. I will let you know how it goes..

So if you need me, I will be here.


If you are interested in coming here.. You oughta give them a call.

A Shove in the Right Direction.

Hey Everybody and welcome to my new blog.

Like some of you, I have had the same New Year's resolution year after year.. Always starting out good then faltering somewhere within the first few weeks. My resolution, as you can guess by the title, is losing those pesky few...100 pounds. :)

So here it is... My goal in 2011.. and you can quote me.

I will have lost 100 pounds by the time I step on stage to host the annual Vernon 4th of July program.

So here I am at my starting weight.. 320lbs... Blah!

A proper weight loss head shot

Riding in the saddle at Texas Roadhouse.. Eatin' ice cream.

There ya have it in black in white... Kind of a daunting goal when you look at it from a long perspective, but when it's broken down into smaller goals its actually quite achievable... and I won't be going it alone..

Unlike previous failed attempts when I tried to lose weight by myself, this time I am prepared with an artillery of motivational tools and good friends along the way.

My buddy Brad will be joining me on this jaunt.
Of course his weight loss goal is smaller than mine, but nonetheless we struggle with the same temptations that make losing weight a losing battle.

Also my two friends, who will be appearing on Season 11 of The Biggest Loser, are lending their support... and their wives...
Wait let me explain.

Rulon Gardner and Justin Pope have become two of my good friends. While they are sweating it out at The Biggest Loser Ranch, I will be sweating it out at Rulon's gym. His wife Kamie is my trainer, and Justin's wife Julie is my cheerleader..

Starting soon, I will be inviting the cameras for my show on The Valley Channel to document my journey for your entertainment. So bring the popcorn.

As other motivating steps, I have decided not to see any of my family until April, kinda the halfway point. Depending on whether you like your family or not this could or could not be a motivating tool for you.
Me, I kinda like mine.
They are all supporting me back in Vernon, so I want to look the best I can for when I see them 4 months from now.

Last but not least. I hope this blog will not only motivate me to stay the course, but in turn motivate you. We all know how tough losing weight can be. After years of trying to do it I think I have worked out all the reasons why I've failed in the past, and the underlying theme is:

STICK IT OUT... DON'T QUIT!

So I look forward to these next few months and I hope you'll join me!