No Excuses....or just 1 or 2

So..... Friday I got off work at the regular time. I came home all set to workout that afternoon. Jenny came home at about 6 and I headed up to Huguley. Only problem is..... They close at 5 on Friday. I did what anyone else would do. I went home and put off the treadmill till it got so late that I didn't do a thing. You know what.. no big deal Jeremy said that I need 6 days a week I'll just miss Friday.

Saturday Jenny worked and I had the kids all day. I really enjoy the day with Lauren and Jack. I had about an hour in there where I thought about getting on the tread mill. I then realized that a nap would be so much better. I really can't recall the last nap that I took. I had someone that I needed to meet Sunday morning so we went to church Saturday night. The kids and I went up there and Jenny met us there. After church we decided to go eat at Frescos, man was it good. When we got through eating and went got home it was 9:30, my belly was full with some really good Mexican food. As you may guess, no working out that day. That's two in a row....

Sunday I met the person that I had to meet in Cleburne. When I got done I headed up to church for my Discipleship class. After the class was over I headed home. We had left over Mexican food for lunch. Jack went down for a nap. I headed to the gym. I got on the elliptical and did my thing. It really was easy. I did my 30 minutes and then a just a little bit more. It sure is getting easier. I know that I missed two days that I shouldn't have but it really is starting to become something I do, and not the center of my day.

I got on a scale today and was a bit downtrodden with the results. I wasn't expecting miracles but I was hoping for a pound or two. My clothes are fitting better, I am in a new hole in my belt, and people are telling me that they can see a difference. Why is the needle on the scale not moving? I have been told that my body is retaining water because of the workout and the sweating, and it won't be long till the needle moves. I hope that this is true I intend on asking the nutrition counselor. The bottom line is this.... I do feel a difference and people are noticing. Its only been two weeks. This journey is just getting started and I feel great.

Tomorrow I meet with Jeremy and Norene. See you back tomorrow!

Busy Day, Not Much New

Today has been a great day. I got up early and met my guys from life group up at J.J. Mocha's. Had my weekly coffee and talked about life. I don't know what the deal is. I don't like coffee. I never have liked coffee. My parents don't drink coffee. I married a girl that drinks coffee and have never jumped on the band wagon. Here's the twist. Back during the summer Jenny asked me to go to Starbucks while I was running errands. While talking to the barista I told her I only like coffee when it's so sweet it doesn't taste like coffee. She made me a caramel macchiato and it was good. It is the only coffee I drink and I love it. In fact I have turned my good friend and co-teacher Christine on to them. She was a non coffee drinker who loves the Starbucks. Where does this fit into the Biggest Winner? Last night at the nutrition counselor's office, she noticed on my food log that on Thursday morning I had a Cinnamon roll and a Caramel mach. I was told that I had to choose one or the other. I went with the coffee.

In my coffee group there are three other guys. We are all in the same life group with our spouses. Several of us guys meet now for a men's study on Thurs. Today we started a study by Tony Dungee called Dare to be Uncommon. I think it will be pretty good. The first lesson is on forming a solid core. I look forward to the next lessons. The only thing I don't enjoy is getting up to meet the guys at 6 am, Man that's early for me.

I tried to eat the morning food as instructed. For breakfast I had wheat toast and peanut butter, accompanied by a boiled egg. Umm Umm Good. I am really hungry now. I am really trying to be good but I must say; here we are at 10 pm, and the Blue Bell in the freezer is really calling me name.

This evening I had really planned on going to the gym. But here's the deal (don't judge me)! Last night I met Jeremy at 8 pm. It was 9 30 ish when I got home... kids asleep. This morning I left the house at 5 45 am. Kids asleep when I left. I then went to work. I picked Jack up and we hung out till Jenny got home at 7 pm. Now I had a choice, I could go to the gym or see my kids for a while. I told Jenny I would eat supper first. I ate supper, helped bathe the kids, told bed time stories, read books, played, and put them to bed. It's then 9 pm. I'm tired. I don't want to change. I don't want to leave. So I didn't. But I got on the treadmill here at the house.... Tricked you, you didn't think that I did it did ya? Well I did. I prefer the gym. I don't want to get burned out on the treadmill. I hate the treadmill. I much prefer the elliptical or the bike; however, the treadmill is nice because its at home and I can exercise in my boxers and tennis shoes. Ha Ha.

I was told today by a friend that this blog isn't funny enough. I didn't put much effort in to making this one funny either... sorry. I will try to improve and be witty and funny. Like I said on my first post, there is just to much pressure to writing this. Be funny, interesting, honest, insightful. Hopefully I hit at least a couple of these each time. In parting though since I am not funny I will leave you with a joke. I don't plan on doing many jokes but Francine says I have to be funny....so here goes. A guy walks into a bar.... Ouch!!!!!!!!!!11

Don't Be That Guy

Today was tough. The alarm went off 30 min. earlier than usual this morning. I don't want to put what time that is because I know a lot of people get up much earlier than I do every morning. In fact I got up earlier than that with my last job but I am now spoiled. As the alarm was going off I hit snooze several times. I thought about scrapping the whole treadmill thing. In my bed I made several excuses... 1. I'm tired 2. Jack crawled into bed with us at 3am and I don't want to wake him up this early 3. nobody will know 4. I hurt..... so what did i do? Well I thought about my goal. I thought about the people that are following me at church and other places. I thought about this blog. Last night I said that I will be getting on the treadmill and that's what I did. I am honest on here. I don't plan to stop now. There will be times that maybe I don't do as plan.... but I wasn't going to start today.

Today was the day, that if I wasn't on the program that I'm on; and didn't have an accountability system.... I may have stopped. I would like to think that I wouldn't have given up, I would like to have more faith in myself... but history speaks for its self. On the treadmill I wanted to get off. I thought at 10.....15.....20 minutes... this is enough. I though at least I did something today. I wanted off. I stayed on.

At work today I was sore. My legs and my arms hurt from Monday's workout. I think that every time I stood up at work I groaned. I didn't want to become the workout guy. You know what I'm talking about. "I'm sore, working out you know", or "every time I workout I hurt", " man I hut from working out", you can make up your own quotes form here, but I don't want to be that guy. I hate to say this but I may have been unemployed guy this summer. I was laid off in April and didn't get hired till August. I realized one day that I seemed to bring up the fact that I was laid off in many conversations. I think i was that guy! Definitely don't want to be him now.

After work I met with the nutrition counselor. We went over my food log and did some talking. Right now I have three assignment's for homework. 1. Eat a carb and a protein for breakfast. This starts the body off the right way. It will help with hunger throughout the day. Peanut butter on wheat toast. An egg on toast. Beans in a whole wheat tortilla. these are some of the suggestions. Also fruit in the morning is a good thing. Number 2. Slow down while I eat. Savor the food and take my time when I eat. this is easier said than done. I have tried before and my wife is always telling me to slow down. And 3. is to leave food on the plate. When I was growing up my dad had a saying. "don't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach". If I put food on a plate I better eat every bit of it. To this day I can't leave food on a plate. If' I'm full I keep eating till the plate is empty. This is just a brief blurb about our meeting. Anyone that reads this and wants to know more feel free to ask in the comments are shoot me an email. Also my counselor will be holding nutrition classes every other Monday starting March 8.

When I left nutrition class I went to the Lent services at church. It was a great prayerful services. I am really finding strength and peace in God's word lately. Not only for working out but also life. After church I headed back to the gym for my meeting with Jeremy.

I'm going to be honest. I didn't want to go. I am sore (not as sore now as last week) I am also tired. I am ready for my workout and diet to just be a part of my life. You know just something that I do. Right now even with my family, work, church, etc. my life seems to be centered around working out. I know its because I just started, and things will be easier soon, I just need to get to that point. I like to think that I can just change the way I think and not put so much emphasis on this program, and just do it, but I can't. For me this is truly a lifestyle change and that is what makes it tough. Even though I want it, it will take time to get to that point. But lifestyle changes are the only way to MAKE IT STICK.........

Tuesday....

Today got off just as every other day. I woke up at 3 am with a 2 year old climbing into my bed. I sure liked it better when a crib was a cage and that didn't happen. Now he has a full size bed and comes to mine 2 out of 3 nights. I woke up when he crawled into bed, I woke up when he sleep kicked me. I woke up when he threw his legs over my chest. I woke up when he put his feet between me and the bed. I didn't wake up when the alarm went off. Finally got up and took a shower and off to work.

I wasn't very sore this morning. I felt as if i had worked out, of course I had, but no pain. I noticed my pants were a bit loser this morning so i cinched the belt another hole. I take this as a small victory. Several weeks ago I was on the Last hole, I am now on the third hole (granted its tight enough to cut circulation off to my lower extremities, but it is in the third hole.) One thing that helped me reach this is the Daniel Fast. Jenny and I started the Daniel fast mid way through January. I lost weight doing this and it was great start for the program that I am on now. When we started it I hadn't interviewed for the Biggest Winner yet. It worked out so that the 21 day fast was over the day I started the Biggest Winner. A great blessing from God.

I got home from work and changed to go to the gym to do my cardio. While in my closet hanging up my shirt I decided to try on some clothes on the right half of the closet. The right half is the half that I don't go to very often. It was another small victory. I tried on several favorite shirts that no longer fit. I am not ready to start wearing them in public, but i can button them without fear of the threads popping and buttons shooting out like bottle rockets on the fourth of July.

I got through playing dress up and headed to Huguley for cardio. I got to Huguley and went up to the top floor and found an elliptical machine to ride. I was looking forward to the workout. I am glad that I look forward to it and am enjoying it right now. I did 30 min. on the elliptical. I was tired. I wanted to get off and switch machines at about 10 min. I didn't switch and at 15 was ready to switch again. I held on and made it to a full 30 min. After I broke the 15 minute threshold, the exercise became easier. This is encouraging. It lets me know that if I get through the initial discomfort, pain, fatigue, or other adjective you want to throw in there, I can do it. I even got faster toward the end.

I got home and ate supper. After supper I played with the kids, bathed Jack, and put them to sleep. I spent 30-45 minutes on my bible study. After reading my Bible I did my at home exercises that Jeremy gave me. Eventually I will talk more about these exercises, but not now. I don't like it, I am not good at it, and a bit embarrassed at my performance in this basic exercise, but this is why I am doing it at home and need to work on it at home.

Its 10 pm, I love the Olympics but don't care for figure skating so I think that I will head to bed now. I have to get up 30 min early to get in my cardio in the morning because tomorrow night I work out with Jeremy. Tomorrow will be busy. After work i meet with Norene , the nutrition councilor, at 5, church at 645 and Workout at 8, so I need my rest. g'night

Starting the Second Week

I must admit that I didn't do any workout yesterday. Sundays are a busy day for us. That is an excuse that I am learning to shed. So lets get onto Monday.

Went to work, came home, met with Jeremy at 7 pm. The first thing that I want to say is this. The people at St. Matthew are so encouraging. When I workout I wear a Biggest Winner shirt (as do all the participants) to the gym. I hear several comments and get questions. The best part though is that so many members come up to me and encourage me. I have been truly blessed.

Now back to the workout. I got to the gym about 30 minutes early to warm up a bit. When Jeremy and I got started he told me that he was changing our schedule a bit. I will now be doing a full body workout every time! What??? O.k. lets do this. That is exactly what we did. Tonight hurt, it was tough. When we were done I felt great though. I was even able to raise my arms above my head this time.

Even thought the workouts are tough and they hurt at the time, I sure feel good when they are over. I am beginning to feel the difference day to day. I have more energy through out the the day. Weather it's a result of the exercise, or just in my head it's a great side effect.

I have also found comfort in reading my Bible. Reading my Bible is a lot like exercise. It is something that I knew I needed to do, but put off. Joining a disciple class was great. I now have an accountability to reading my Bible and studying it as well. Working out and reading my Bible a great combination.

Let's bring on Tuesday!!!!!!

Another First

I woke up this morning and just laid there as both kids crawled in to bed with us. I resisted getting up till about 8:30. Jenny had to work at the Artbarn at 5 this evening so we had most of the day together.

I'm going to talk a bit about today because it effects the night so bare with me. We had some errands to run and decided to go early so we wouldn't feel rushed. The kids were hungry so we decided on IHOP. I really try to eat fairly healthy, my instructions from the food counselor were to log my food, not control it. At my meeting with her she said the we were going to learn to identify the voice of rationalization for eating and it was there today. "Rob, your gonna be dieting soon so eat what you want today." and I did. The last errand we ran was Sam's. I'm not sure if you've eaten a combo at Sam's buts it's not bad. Jenny and I shared a piece of pizza for lunch. Then we went home.

Jenny and I worked around the house until it was time for her to go in to work. When she left it was just the kids and me. We played and did laundry all night. As I sit on the couch blogging about yesterday I started to feel guilty for not exercising. I watched the Olympics and read my Bible. In the Disciple class I'm taking we are studying Exodus. One of the questions in the workbook asked about something I've been delivered from. Now it might be a bit of a stretch, but.... I am being delivered from my belly... wow! Was God trying to tell me something?????

It was about this time Lauren came in and told me she'd finished her chores, and asked to play Wii Fit. I had promised her she could play when she was done and I set it up for her. As I sat there watching and wishing I was under the weight limit so I could play, I said enough is enough.

Lets back up to the fall of 2007. Jenny and I were shopping for a treadmill. My best friend Klynn told me I was buying an expensive clothes hanger. I said no way!!! This is all that's stopping me from looking like Brad Pitt. If I have this thing in front of the t.v. at home I'll be on it every day. I used it once. To Jenny's credit she used it far more than me. Fast forward to February 2008, we bought the house we live in now. My buddies Jason and Trey helped me move the heavy cumbersome thing. We put it in the Master bedroom so that we could use it everyday.

Again let's fast forward to 10pm tonight. After deciding if I was going to MAKE IT STICK, and heading all the signs and guilt I was feeling I went to the bedroom. I took all the clothes off the $800 clothes hanger. I searched for the little magnetic key that makes it go. I blew the dust off the control panel. I walked briskly for 30 minutes covering just under 2 miles. I feel great. I will be on that Wii fit in no time!

Ugh

As anyone that has worked out before knows.... its the second day when you feel it. I woke up this morning in some pain. I hurt from my neck to my ankles. I took to the day as any other. There were times when I didn't think that I could raise my arms above my head. I stretched often through the day and it helped. I teach in a special ed. behavior class for a living. I often have to sit on the ground to talk to or coax an upset/angry kid out from under a table. Or console a crying child. There was a coouple of itmes I wondered how I would get up off the floor, but I always did. The day got easier as it went on. By that night I felt a bit stiff but did't hurt.

I had good intentions of working out this night. As we know good intentions doesn't get it done. My wife works a lot later than me and we depend on the genourosity of others to take care of Lauren after school. Not wanting to burdon our friends that we rely on I needed to pick her up early. We then went and picked up Jack from day care and headed home. By the time Jenny got home at 7 pm it was time to eat. We ate that night and I didn't go work out.

The Day After

I woke up this morning and felt a bit tight. I wasn't Really sore but my muscles were a bit tight. As the day went on I kept feeling a bit tight. Walking up stairs wasn't a problem, going down the stairs, I felt it. That afternoon when I got off of work I went home to change clothes and headed up to Huguley to get my cardio in. Jeremy had recommended riding a bike, so that's what I did. I went up to the top floor (taking the stairs of course), sat down on a bike and took off. For those of you haven't been to a gym in awhile, it's nice. I sat down on the bike and plugged in my head phones. What did I plug my head phones into you might ask? I plugged them into my personnel t.v. I watched some news then over to ESPN. With the remote at hand, I was able to channel surf, not bad huh? After about 10 minutes on the bike (the goal is 30). My rear end was killing me. The seat I was on must have been tiny. The more I got to thinking about my discomfort, the more it hurt. I was thinking why would they put such a small seat on these bikes. About this time the girl on the bike next to me got up and I looked over to see just how tiny this seat is. Well guess what... wasn't that small of a seat, must be a large rear!

At the 15 minute mark I got off the bike, I couldn't take it any more. I got on and elliptical machine. I've ridden these things before, and like always it feels a bit awkward at first but I get used to it. I finished up my workout on the elliptical. I reached my target heart rate for 30 minutes. This was the goal that Jeremy had given me.

Walking down the stairs to leave was a bit painful. I was already a bit tight and soreness was starting. My legs were also a bit fatigued from the workout. Those folks walking down the stairs behind me must have been chuckling. I got to the bottom, did some stretching and headed home. Another good day.

The second First.

Can you say Jello? Well Wed. was the second first. The first meeting with Jeremy, the trainer that I will be working with. I arrived at the gym, checked in and got a key for a locker. I told them that I was to meet Jeremy and he was paged to the front. Jeremy came up front, we greeted each other and he showed me where the locker room was. I went and put my stuff in the locker room and returned to the gym area.

As I looked around I felt a bit out of place. Here were all these guys in here working out, most have arms the size of Hulk Hogan's Pythons. These guys are banging serious weight. The guys that didn't look like Lou Ferrigno were in shape and cruising on a treadmill or other tortuous apparatus like it was nothing. I saw a few other guys like myself, you know, the guys that were just starting our transformation, this made me fill better.

After I made my brief observation of the place Jeremy came over to meet me. I knew I was in trouble with the next words out of his mouth... "there's no other way for me to say this, today is gonna hurt!". ......I responded, "huh?". I was actually ready for this. I like to use cliches, and the one I will use here is one that was painted on the wall of my high school's weight room. "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever." I knew that the pain that I was about to feel would be the beginning of a transformation. Before we started he explained that we will do legs one day upper body one day. Because I was only gonna have one workout this week it was going to be a whole body workout.

Jeremy took me around the gym and had me do different exercises. I worked biceps, triceps, chest, abs, shoulders and legs. With each exercise I described my "discomfort" at the end of each. Some I started a bit to easy, so we had to add more resistance. Resistance is the word he used.... what he really meant is make it harder. I realized I was not doing enough of a workout unless at the end of each workout, the body part being worked out, felt like Jello.

There were some tough ones in there, I never realized that 25 1b dumbbells could whip me the way they did. Probably the most hurt I did was the lunges. If you don't know what a lunge is I will explain. You take a step a big step with your right foot. When you step out you go down as to touch your left knee to the ground. You pop up, and step with your left foot, touching your right foot to the ground. And you have just done 1. Now repeat the process 20 times, relax, start over, relax, start over. At the end of this particular exercise I felt like jello. The 6" step up to the water foutain must have been a 48" step. I felt like a new born colt standing for the first time. My legs and knees wobbled and shook I must have been a sight. I was thinking man, as I get smaller and lose weight I will have less "Resistance", so it will only get easier. I was then informed that eventually you get to hold dumbbells as you do. Woo Hooo, I can't wait.

At the end of the night, I felt like Jello. Jeremy said to do some cardio on my off days, and I will. I hobbled and wobbled out to the truck and went home. That night as i sit in a hot bath, (one of the first times I've used that thing, no wonder Jenny likes it) I reflected on everything. You know it feels good to feel a bit of pain and discomfort. I like it. Reminds me of the feeling after 2 a days in high school, it's a good thing. We will see what the next few days will bring (IE. how sore I will be). But I am sure that I will MAKE IT STICK!!!!!!!!!!!!

The First First

The first first was my first meeting at Huguley. At the fitness center I met with Teri Foreman the director of Fitness Services, Norene Sofranac the nutrition counselor, Jeremy Barnes my new trainer, Rick Carruth the cameraman, and an encouraging visit from Pastor Rick.

At this meeting I was given more information about the program that I would be starting. You see it works like this (you are about to see the way that Huguley stepped up because this is awesome). We get 12 weeks membership to the center, Two 2-hour meetings a week with a trainer, and a weekly meeting with a a nutrition counselor. Not to mention the entry and exit assessment. This is a great program, and i would like to take this time to thank everyone that made this happen.

So we are in a meeting room at Huguley and I was measured and filled out my membership paperwork. I then did a couple of questioners. Next I listened to Norene. As Norene spoke I was inspired. I am not sure if she said these exact words or if this is something that I imagined, it also sounds a bit cliched, but she is going to change my relationship with food. She talked about why people eat and how we are going to change this. (As I learn more I will share it here.) [{here's another side note}This morning I was in J.J. Mocha's and ran into Rick Carruth. Rick told me how inspired he was just from listning to Norene. He said he wanted to stop and ask questions. ( as I said this thing is awesome)]. The first thing that I will be doing for Norene is filling out a log of everything that I put into my mouth, the amount, hunger level, and emotion. The trainer I will be working with , Jeremy, was sick. He was kind enough to stop by and meet me. When Pastor Rick stopped by I overheard the two talking. I heard Rick tell Jeremy that he was glad that Jeremy was one of the trainers doing this. Hearing such praise from Rick really made me feel good about the trainer that I was going to begin my journey with. After my meeting I briefly met Lisa, another Biggest Winner.

I am on my 3rd day of filling out a food journal. In the past I knew that i ate when bored and restless, angry, etc. however having to write it down makes it different. As I put a cookie in my mouth and think WOW, I'm restless and bored.... and the hunger level is at about a two.... WHY am I eating this... its no wonder i'm a fattie! I am not suggesting that it's changed any behavior yet; but I at least think about it. I am looking forward to learning to change my eating habits, just the 3 days of logs are eye opening. If my eyes are already open, the changes that I make will definitely help MAKE IT STICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In The Beginning

Please excuse the post if it is a bit brief. As I mentioned in my first post, I really had no intention on blogging, but since I couldn't get out of it, I am having to back and do this after the fact. After being chosen I was excited. However, the more I got to thinking about it, and telling friends about it I became a bit nervous. Now don't get me wrong, I was and am still excited, but the thought of 100's of people following my progress... and holding my accountable... was a bit unnerving. I didn't want to let anyone down. So that was that, I decided not to let anyone down.

I AM GONNA MAKE IT STICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before I go any further, I realized I never explained my motivations for applying for this program. If you take a look at my family tree there are some pretty thick limbs above me (if you get my drift). I always chalked my size up to genetics and let it be. Oh sure, there were times that I would get a bit depressed or inspired to do something about it... but that would usually give into complacency. This is not what I want for myself and definitely not what I want for my kids (Lauren 6 and Jack 2). If we don't make a change in our lifestyles at home.... the chances of my kids suffering the same fate be great. I have lost weight before with dieting only to gain it again. The lesson I learned with this is that a diet will not work, this is going to have to be a life style change. A life style change for me, Jenny and our kids.

Alright so back to the story. I decided not to let anyone down. My first task was an assessment. I was summoned to the assessment center behind Huguley Hospital. When I arrived at the assessment center I was taken to the testing area. For those who haven't been there this a place where some of the greatest heroes in the world are tested. I am testing next to Ft. Worth firefighters. This was a bit humbling. It was here that I met Eric and Rick. Eric is one my fellow winners and Rick our fearless cameraman.

At the assessment we were given a battery of tests. The tests included blood work, sit ups, push ups, hearing, vision, flexibility, breathing and the dreaded treadmill. I did great on the flexibility test.

Since the assessment was over, it was time for the hard part. Waiting for the program to begin.

Hey I just realized this post wasn't so brief after all.

Getting Started

So, I'm new at the blog thing, and not much of a writer, but have decided... or should I say it's been decided for me to do a blog on my journey as the Biggest Winner. When I say that it was decided for me, I think that God has put it on my heart to chronicle my progress and tribulations. The more I tried to put it to the back of mind and to ignore, the more I couldn't stop thinking about starting a blog. Oh... the pressure of this. Not only do I have to try and be honest and put my self out there, I have attempt to be entertaining, funny, and consistent. The one thing that I will attempt to be is honest and forthcoming. If I miss a spelling, a punctuation sorry ahead of time. I hope not to forget any names or leave people out but once again I apologize ahead of time.

With all that being said I want to begin by thanking St. Matthew Church and the leaders that put this thing together, Huguley Fitness Center, the panel that interviewed us, and the members and congregation of St. Matthews for the prayers and support. Since the service that our intro videos were shown I have been showered with support and encouragement. This began before I ever even started!! I would also like to thank the most important person in my life, My wife Jenny. Honey I know that without you I will not be succesful. I want to thank you for past and future support. Thanks Jenny and I love you.