Cleaning out the Closet (Part 2)

Well yesterday I decided to make another round through my clothes and get rid of what no longer fit. I really want to get rid of the clothes that are too big because i never want to allow myself a path to get that big again.

I ended up with another garbage bag full and a closet that is becoming more and more empty.

Yah know it's funny.. When I look in the mirror I can see a little difference, but when I try on a shirt I could barely button and it drowns me, that's when I know something must be going on.

The suit jacket I am wearing in this picture....

Is now MASSIVE!!!!

Geez. I was a big ol' dude. Why didn't anybody tell me. haha

Week 12 Results

Well here it is Week 12... I can't remember the last time I have stuck to anything for 12 weeks.

I need to be a 269 by April 1st to keep on track.

Here they are...


Week 11 Weight-- 271lbs
Week 12 Weight-- 268lbs

_______________________________

3 pounds = Total weight loss of 52 lbs.


That's awesome...


I have some exciting new things in store for the coming weeks. So keep tuned in to find out what they are.

A Few Thoughts

Here are just a few thoughts I have been thinking about the past couple days. Maybe they will help you out too.

The first is from my mission president.

He always used to say...

"Work works, hard work works better, and work is fun."

Good simple advice for anytime...

The other I heard just a few days ago and I can't recall where I heard it, but I have been saying it to myself when the workouts get hard.

"Learn to be comfortable, being uncomfortable."

Speak Up!

We all know people who when asked to do something, always have a reason to put it off or not do it all. It may be a family member, a friend, or someone at work.

I feel pretty confident in saying that these people drive us crazy. Right??

Well the other day I was driving home from work and began thinking of things I had to do before the day was over.. Then the next thought that followed was...

Aww man, I don't want to do all that.

Then I began thinking of all the reasons to NOT do them...

After this mind battle went on for several minutes. I got fed up said to myself...out loud

STOP WHINING AND DO IT.

And you know what? I listened. My whole mindset changed.

I am one who normally never talks to myself out loud. Until I discovered that day what a powerful tool it is, especially about getting to the gym.

If your mind begins thinking all of the reasons to not go to the gym that day, begin saying them to yourself out loud.

"I'm too tired."
"I worked too hard today"
"I'll go tomorrow"

All of sudden you turn into that person that annoys you. The one who makes excuses all the time.

After naming off several excuses, you realize how much of a whiner you are.

You get mad,

Tell yourself to buck up (out loud, of course)

and move ahead.

Having these mind battles, that we're all so familiar with, out loud can help you overcome them.

Once you realize that your excuses are as petty as the excuses you hear from that individual that annoys you; you will be victorious.

One word of advice, these audible conversations with yourself probably shouldn't take place in public.

You will feel crazy enough doing it in private. But it does work.

Give it a try.

Week 11 Results

In order to stay on track, I have to weigh 269 by April 1st.

Today is March 19th

So let's see the results.


Here they are...


Week 10 Weight - 274lbs

Week 11 Weight - 271lbs

___________________________

3 lbs = total weigh loss of 49lbs


Not too shabby.


So I quickly want to mention something I talked about in an earlier post...

Apparently spinning in the dark is a common practice. hahaha I was made aware of that by several people.

I thought it was something new and cool.

But to my defense, I have only been to spinning classes taught by the same instructor, who never turns the lights off. So when this guest instructor did... Well you can see how I got confused. haha

Thank you all again for your supportive comments. It's a great feeling to have so many people rooting for me.

The Proof is in the Pics

Ten years ago I bought a suit in England.

I couldn't button the jacket at the time, but I bought it with the intent of losing weight. I thought it would be a good motivational tool. haha

That was in 2001, now here we are in 2011. I have never worn it.

In fact, it just got smaller and smaller over the years, til eventually it looked like this...

This was taken January 1st 2011...

I can't help but think of the "fat guy in a little coat" scene from Tommy Boy. haha

Well a couple days ago I tried it on again. This time things were a little different.


The buttons are still a little tight, but a stark contrast to where I was.

I'm gonna enjoy it while I still can, because in a month or so, it will be too big to wear.

Best of Both Worlds

For those of you who love potato chips, pay close attention to this.

I love potato chips, and I love crackers. Both are pretty high in calories.

In a perfect world, there would be something invented that is a little of both, and low in calories.

Well there is..


Special K Cracker Chips.

They aren't quite chips and they aren't quite crackers. They are a mix of both, and quite tasty.

The best part is, you can have 30 of them for only 110 calories.

If you want a good snack, dip your cracker chips into some non-fat cottage cheese, and you have a healthy treat.

Some people don't like the taste, but my buddy Brad and I really enjoy them.

Try them out, lemme know what you think.

Week 10 Results

Well it's that time again...

After a bye week last week I was excited to jump on the scale.


Here are the results for Week 10


Last Weigh-In - 280lbs

Current Weight- 274lbs

_______________________________

6 lbs for a total weight loss of 46lbs

My goal for this next week is to get passed the halfway mark and begin the downward slope.

Exciting!!!

Spinning in the Dark

I get up in the evening
and I ain't got nothing to say
I come home in the morning
I go to bed feeling the same way
I ain't nothing but tired
Man I'm just tired and bored with myself
Hey there baby, I could use just a little help

You can't start a fire
You can't start a fire without a spark
This gun's for hire
even if we're just SPINNING in the dark...

I hope you recognize these lyrics...

For those of you who don't know.. It's "Dancing in the Dark" by...


It really has nothing to do with this blog post but when I wrote the title it reminded me of this song. haha

Anyway.. This morning I went to a spinning class. We had a guest instructor today and so I was excited to see what kind of things he had in store..

The class started off normal, then a few minutes into the warm up he cranked up the music and turned off all the lights.

At first I thought it was little odd, but very soon I realized the benefit.

With the lights off I was able to focus on the workout. I did not have the distraction of looking around at the other people, or comparing myself to them. I could focus on my own workout.

It was awesome...

I suggest you all try it.

Accountability

After not working out for most of last week, I have been excited to get back into action. But even excitement and personal motivation can be too weak to overcome the temptation of rest and relaxation.

Taking a break from your workout routine can be dangerous, especially to people who are still learning how to be healthy like myself.

I was under the weather last week so I would come home from work and crash. But even now that I'm feeling better, that temptation to just crash at home for the rest of the night still is there.. That's where accountability steps in.

When will power and motivation aren't enough, it's accountability that steps in and gives that little push that gets you to the gym.

In the past when I have been doing workout routines and an illness or a work schedule prevent me from getting to the gym everyday; I would eventually fizzle out because my will power wasn't enough to get me off the couch. I had needed the boost of accountability but it was never there.

I think this is the reason so many people fizzle out.

Now that I have accountability to Kamie, my blog readers, my family and so many others, the temptation to stay at home and watch TV instead of going to the gym can be conquered every time.

So if you're struggling to get off the couch, even though you feel motivated and have the urge to get healthy, find someone or something to hold you accountable for your actions and choices.

I promise it will make all the difference in the world. Take it from a guy who used to use every excuse not to work out!

Back in the Saddle Again

Well if you were wondering where the weigh-in results are for the week, here's the explanation. Last week was a bad week, with work and not feeling good at all, my workouts were slim to none. So I decided to take a break.

Now I feel better, rested, and ready to get back at it.

So lets call Week 9 a bye week.

Disarray

For the past week it has felt like I lost control of my life... I'm not sure how.

My jobs have been hectic, I've been a little under the weather, and the stress of trying to keep everything going and caught up finally got to me...

But the good news is, I am caught up and on the mend. So tomorrow I can resume life as normal.

So I apologize for my inconsistency in posting blogs. Although I'm sure it's been a nice little break for you all. It probably gets a little tiresome hearing from me everyday.
:)

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me and let's get on with the show!