Week 10: Teenagers are not a good example. (0 lbs. difference)

289 lbs.

132 lbs. lost 12/7/07 - 11/1/2009

60 lbs. regained 11/1/2009 - 9/3/2010

0 lbs. gained this week

8 lbs. total lost since 9/3/10

71 Consecutive 5Ks

This blog and weight loss journey originally began as a fundraiser called "Lose for the Fuse", read the first post to get more background on how this all began.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to speak to a group of teens at their winter retreat about culture and media and had a blast!  Unfortunately, I put myself in a bit of a hole because teens can eat like crazy!  Still it was good to look at the scale today and see I hadn't done too much damage.  I stand at the same weight today as I did last Friday.

On the 5K side of things, I haven't talked about it much but it's been an interesting journey making sure to get the miles in everyday.  For instance, last Sunday I had to be up for the youth retreat at 8AM and then immediately after I spoke drive to the airport where I had to wait on standby for a plane that eventually got me home about 9PM.   If I hadn't planned ahead, it would have been near impossible to pull off.  I knew I would be way too tired after travelling to do it, so I got up early and did my 5K on the campgrounds where the retreat was.  It was cold and miserable, but I have a feeling there will be worse days than that even to try to squeeze them in.

It's all about the commitment, and now I just need my eating commitment to line up with my 5K commitment!

Week 9: Candy, Candy, Everywhere. (2 lbs. gained)

289 lbs.

132 lbs. lost 12/7/07 - 11/1/2009

60 lbs. regained 11/1/2009 - 9/3/2010

2 lbs. gained this week

8 lbs. total lost since 9/3/10

64 Consecutive 5Ks

This blog and weight loss journey originally began as a fundraiser called "Lose for the Fuse", read the first post to get more background on how this all began.

Yuck. This back and forth thing has to stop.  Chalk this one up to too much snackage laying around at home, work, and church.  Technically it's not the snacks fault for being there, it's mine for picking it up and eating it, but what was I supposed to do, let those Tootsie Rolls go to waste?!  Oh, right, yeah I probably should have.

Hopefully next week we will be headed back in the right direction!

Week 8: The Holidays Loom: (2 lbs. lost)

287 lbs.

132 lbs. lost 12/7/07 - 11/1/2009

60 lbs. regained 11/1/2009 - 9/3/2010

2 lbs. lost this week

10 lbs. total lost since 9/3/10

57 Consecutive 5Ks

This blog and weight loss journey originally began as a fundraiser called "Lose for the Fuse", read the first post to get more background on how this all began.

It's a good week to have a loss.  I need to get some weight out from under my belt before the holidays kick in to full gear.  With Halloween this weekend there has been plenty of candy around to munch on, and I've never been one to be good at not dropping a miniature Resees Cup into my gullet when the opportunity presents itself.  They are only 36 calories, right?  Yes, except 20 of them are 720 callories, and there in lies the key.  Take one, maybe two and I should be fine.  Start grabbing them by the handful, and, well, my choices for costumes next year could be limited to Shrek, Santa, or maybe John Goodman.

The running is going very well and I've upped my speed to 6.5 MPH on the treadmill which I run for 35 minutes.  This puts my daily run just short of 4 miles and plenty past the 3.11 the equals a 5K.  I'm thinking about notching it up to 6.7 next week, because to be honest, my body (with the help of my new shoes) is adjusting very well to the daily activity.  My heart and lungs feel stronger than ever, and I'm excited to eventually be running my 5Ks at around 7MPH (around an 8 and a half minute mile).  I'm also debating when to add strength conditioning back into my routine, as it's something I know is desperately needed for comprehensive health.

If I continue to lose two pounds a week I'll be back to 240 by Tax Day! (and maybe more since I'm sure my wallet will be lighter too)

Thanks for checking in on me!

Week 7: What A Difference A Shoe Makes (2 lbs. lost)

289 lbs.

132 lbs. lost 12/7/07 - 11/1/2009

60 lbs. regained 11/1/2009 - 9/3/2010

2 lbs. lost this week

8 lbs. total lost since 9/3/10

50 Consecutive 5Ks

This blog and weight loss journey originally began as a fundraiser called "Lose for the Fuse", read the first post to get more background on how this all began.

I finally bit the bullet and dropped a Benjamin to get a new pair of shoes.

Thanks to the fine folks at Starting Block for walking me through what I needed and what would work best for me.  They actually will analyze your running for free and recommend a good shoe for you.   To be honest, I don't even remember the brand or name of my shoes all I know is that when I run I now feel like I'm prancing on pillows and marshmallows in the gravity of the moon.  This as opposed to feeling like at any point the arch of my foot might just break in half and decide to not exist anymore.

The shoes didn't make the difference in the weight loss though, the refocusing did.  After slacking on my intake last week, I was diligent this week about paying attention to what, when, and how much I was eating.  I think if I can stay focused and continue my daily 5K I will lose 2-4 pounds a week until I level off around 240 again.  By my birthday next year I want to be skydiving weight and celebrate by jumping out a plane.  I'll be so light I won't even need a parachute.

Week 6: Pay Attention or Pay the Price (2 lbs. gained)

291 lbs.

132 lbs. lost 12/7/07 - 11/1/2009

60 lbs. regained 11/1/2009 - 9/3/2010

2 lbs. gained this week

6 lbs. total lost since 9/3/10

43 Consecutive 5Ks

This blog and weight loss journey originally began as a fundraiser called "Lose for the Fuse", read the first post to get more background on how this all began.

Yuck.

I should have seen it coming.  My arch pain is making my runs a little slower and I stopped paying close attention to what and when I was eating.  I've re instituted the pre-bed bowl of cereal and upped my snacking in both frequency and caloric content.  It's amazing how quickly you can fall off just by not being focused.  I've got two rules for you if you want to maintain health.  Never stop keeping track of what you eat, and never  hunt for golfballs in an alligator nesting area.

So step 1 cut out the late carbs and step 2 stop vacationing in swamps.

Next week will be better.

Week 5: Some Pain, No Gain (0 lbs. lost)

289 lbs.

132 lbs. lost 12/7/07 - 11/1/2009

60 lbs. regained 11/1/2009 - 9/3/2010

0 lbs. lost this week

8 lbs. total lost since 9/3/10

36 Consecutive 5Ks

This blog and weight loss journey originally began as a fundraiser called "Lose for the Fuse", read the first post to get more background on how this all began.

This week was about as ho hum as they come.   I have started to deal with a little bit of arch pain probably not so much from the running but from the running shoes.  In order to save money I bought a cheap pair of running shoes for 20 bucks.  And in order to find cheap shoes I settled for 13s when I really wear 14s.  I've only been running with them just over 3 months now they are already showing major signs of wear and tear.  It's probably something I shouldn't scrimp on.  (Is scrimp a word?  Did I just make that up?)

I'm going to keep running (it wouldn't be a challenge if there weren't obstacles) but  too much more foot pain and I'll have to pony up the dough for new shoes.

No loss this week, but also no gain.  Let's hope things kick in for next week :)

Week 4: Just Keep Swimming (4 lbs. lost)

289 lbs.

132 lbs. lost 12/7/07 - 11/1/2009

60 lbs. regained 11/1/2009 - 9/3/2010

4 lbs. lost this week

8 lbs. total lost since 9/3/10

29 Consecutive 5Ks

This blog and weight loss journey originally began as a fundraiser called "Lose for the Fuse", read the first post to get more background on how this all began.

Partway into Marlin and Dory's journey to find Nemo, Dory in her simplicity sing songs a few words that are more profound than she realizes.  "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, what do we do we swim, swim."

It a great mantra for life, but a crucial one for weight loss.  The truth of the matter is if I continue to make wise choices, run everyday, and eat smaller portions, over time I WILL lose weight.  But the scale is really a false indicator.  The scale tells me I lost zero pounds two weeks ago and 4 pounds this week, but my effort was the same both weeks.   The point is, I think so many people get bogged down in not seeing the results they want on the scale when they try something new.  And as much as I understand that, I just want  to say,  keep going, don't stop, don't ever stop.  Wise choices are always wise choices whether you see that reflected on a scale for a week, or even a month or two.   If your goal is just to see a lower number on the scale I can do that for you easily, just lean on the sink while weighing yourself.   If your goal is to be healthy it takes time.  Just keep walking, just keep running, just keep moving, just keep eating less, just keep swimming.

On another note, I'll be running in my first official 5K tomorrow for Pregnancy Care Center.  So stop by Jordan Valley Park tomorrow morning and say hi.  I'd love to put some more of these on my calendar as part of the 5K a day plan, so if you know of any groups that would have me, let me know!

Thanks for your support!