Patience and Pictures

Day 96
   Back on the "Lean" Routine again, and it seems like my body forgot that it has been doing it for 90 days.  I've been super sore this week.  Yoga is still a struggle, as far as completing the whole workout at their level, but I can go deeper into my lunges and balance far longer.  I'm thankful for core synergystics too, there's no doubt in my mind it's really helped keep me from getting injured on this process.
   Weigh day is coming up again, and I'm hoping for continued results.  The nutrition guide is second nature now, which is helpful.  My criticism is this though, I've been drinking too much coffee, having too little protein, and too large of servings when my wife makes her Zucchini bread.  Other than those things, I'm eating very healthy.  I'd like to see an increase in my fiber, but I don't know how that's going to help me recover from these workouts any faster.  Just trying to be patient and keep to the course, and let the results come to me.
   My wife thought it would be a good idea to post a couple of the pictures we took at the end of the ninety days.  So here are a few that I wasn't too embarrassed to post.  Enjoy.

Before

This is Day Zero.  I was 299 lbs.
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After

This is Day 91.  Just under 248 lbs!

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More Day 90 Pictures!

This is me a little surprised that I actually completed the 90 days, and I actually beat my 40 lbs weight loss goal, by ten pounds!

 Still bringin' it! Stay tuned for more results!

One Journey Ends, Another Begins

Day 90

   Today was day 90.  I realize I haven't been posting much lately, and that's mostly due to my lack of discipline, but here's the long and short of it.
   The last few weeks are the hardest.  You become excited about your weight loss, your fitness level, your energy, your diet, and you pat yourself on the back and start missing workouts.  (In all fairness sometimes it was 108 degrees with 80% humidity).  I sacrificed a couple days during the move, and another one or two when I got poison ivy.  If it was too hot I would find an excuse not to do it.  All in all I missed 7 workouts in the 90, but they all came in the last 3 weeks.  Regardless, I hung in there and stayed with the nutrition plan.
   Final tally on weight: 248 lbs.
   That's 51 lbs lost!
   I never realized, even when I first began p90x just how out of shape I was.  Sure I knew my weight was really bad, but even after losing fifty pounds, I don't feel like I'm where I need to be physically yet.  I look in the mirror and see 30lbs. or so just lying around taking up space.
   Therefore I have decided to go ahead and do a second term of p90x.  I will be doing the lean again.  I lost 10 lbs more than I thought I would the first time, I'm hoping I lose 30 lbs in 3 months this time.  After this segment we'll have to see whether or not I will do another one.
   Thanking God, and giving Him glory for all the grace and strength He has given me throughout this journey, and praying and praising Him for the provision to come on this new one.

Week 9, Day 5

Day 61

   I forgot to weigh myself yesterday!! Ugh! Talk about focus and I missed it.  Not a huge deal though.  I took care of that little problem this morning.  And guess what my weight is.  Seriously guess...  well it's: 256.5!  That makes 42.5 pounds lost, in two months.  I can remember just swearing I'll never lose it, but it's finally happening.  Staying focused on the diet, and getting low in those lunges.
   Today was a rough morning, I was feeling really discouraged after rolling over in bed and avoiding the workout.  I crawled into work 15 minutes late, and was feeling really depressed.  Been having a rough time sleeping lately (getting over a cold) and I've been really stressed about our move coming up next week.  Anyway, I got home, and pop'd the CD in right away.  "Core Synergistics." It was fitting to get back to the basics.  I can still only do about 6 of those "Prison-Cell Pushups" but everything else went ... smoothly..?  It wasn't easy, but it was fun, and ended up being a great workout.  Had an amazing sandwich for lunch, a couple power bars, and a yogurt so far today.  Probably have a small bowl of chili for dinner... but I should find somewhere to work in a fruit.  Maybe I'll cave in and make some smoothies.
   No idea how much more weight I need to lose here.  I'm still not where I want to be.  But I'm really encouraged that I'm going in the direction I want to for the first time in my life.

Week 9, Day 2

Day 58

   Wow it has been a really tough week for us both.  There have been some crazy living circumstances that have changed, and the planning of my wife's Birthday Party.  I managed to pull about 10 hours of sleep out of my hat over the last weekend, and I felt blessed for that.  We're in the middle of a move, and I'm recovering from a nasty throat infection.
   Yesterday I was almost completely incapacitated.  I managed to get to work, put in my time, leave, meet with the Landlord, finalize our deposits and utilities, and not pass out.  But after getting home, I realized I was in really bad shape.  I canceled my appointment with my mentor that evening, and bagged my workout.
   Yup, it was the first workout I missed since starting, and I have to say, I felt really bad.  But, this is real life, and I'm no Nazi.  Trying to get back on track today to start this last cycle strong.
   I didn't even get around to taking my day 56 photos; guess I will have to do that today.  Weigh day is coming up, only two days away.  After a "rest week," a birthday party, and skipping a workout, I'm not that optimistic about my weight-loss, but we'll have to see.
   Money has been super tight lately, and food has been bumped down the list of priority.  This means our fridge has been bone-dry over the past week.  Drinking water to fill up, stashing a handful of nuts in my mouth for "middle-meals", skipping a few meals here and there, having smaller portions, and other sacrifices have all come into play over the past week or so.

Time to Refocus

   My wife spent the last 24 hours in the hospital (not as a patient, as a nurse), so she's out like a light.  I'm going to do my workout and head to the grocery store to resupply.  Food might get redundant soon (eating the same thing every day), but it will be healthy, and it will filling.

   I plan to bring it hard all week.  Providing I don't get sicker!

Week 7, Day 2

Day 44

   Half way!  Wow, so far it has been a real journey!  I've lost over 28 lbs. and I've got another weigh day in just 5 more days.  My body is sore, but I can see the difference now.  I'm starting to feel comfortable in my own skin.  Folks in church have been super encouraging.  But I wouldn't be where I am without the grace of God, and the love of my wife.  Thanking God for what He's doing in me, and praying He continues.
   I haven't updated in a week, and I don't think anyone really missed it.  Haha.  Like I said, this is mostly for me, and saying that, the updates won't be coming as often as they originally did.
   Eating is still going well.  My wife and I have been a "low-carb-wrap" kick these last couple weeks.  Really enjoying what we're eating, and staying strong.

Week 6, Day 1

Day 36

   Today was Core.  And surprisingly it went really well.
   Keeping up the pace, and staying on track with my diet.  I got a lot of compliments over the weekend about my weight-loss.  It really helps to hear encouragement.  I've got a new focus and drive going into the 6th week!

Week 5, Day 4 &5

Day 33

   Today was Legs and Back.  Was so tough.  I ran out of energy, I barely finished the workout.  I docked about 10 minutes through and through.  Then we went on to abs and I just laid on the ground after the first three exorcises, completely crashed.
   Felt like dying
   At a Cobb Salad from a local deli.  They couldn't have put more croutons on it.  A mountain of croutons, got a full workout sifting through the avocado and chicken trying to find them all.  A mountain.  Despite all that work, it was a bland salad.  I didn't feel like eating any dressing, so I don't know, it was a rough day.

Day 32

   I uh... oh ya it was Yoga yesterday.  Was super tough.  I noticed I felt more flexible than I ever have.  Sweat through my whole shirt.  Skipped the darn lotus meditation pose at the end, what's with that anyway.  Wish I was thinner.  Hurt my neck a little on the stupid raise-your-legs-over-your-head-and-behind-your-neck-while-reciting-"Othello"-backwards-pose.
   Eating was just dandy.