#71 how bad of shape is America in?

# 69

I have been doing a few new workouts for the past six weeks. Really pushing the heart rate up. I really do like pushing my limits now. I am hoping to really push my weight loss. Here is an updated pic. I plan to add the new workouts to my workouts page soon.

#57 you like to see me work

Well yesterday did not go as bad as I thought it would. Luckily not as many people came in to make me work off the pizza as I thought there would have been. However some of you that missed the opportunity have suggested that I have a challenge more often. So here it is once a week I will post a challenge for the next day. How it will work is, as long as you leave a comment on my blog and lose LB or die FaceBook page. I have to do the challenge like for yesterday it was I had to do what you did for 5 min. So I will post a challenge by 10:30 the night before, the rest will be up to you and whoever else is following and decides to make me sweat.

Sent from my U.S. Cellular® Windows® phone.

How quickly we go back

I have one of the best jobs in the world. I work as an h2i for an Anytime Fitness. However, some days I feel a lot of helplessness and am very sad. I feel this way when I see some one who needs a life style change and they start off making the commitment needed but then they lose motivation and just go back to their old ways. I really wish

#51 Exercise but WHY and HOW?

As most people have heard to lose weight exercise is necessary, and it is. However it can be hard and why is it necessary? Well the why is endless, in short it will make you feel better both physically and mentally, give you more confidence, sleep better and on and on. There is a large misconception about exercise and weight loss though.

#44 I can do that.

Here awhile back I posted something about walmart and needing the bench: lets-get-movin. Well yesterday Marshalltown was having a festival down town with a car show. My lovely bride wanted to go so, OK I say with a bit of fear in the back of my mind. See last time I went to a festival downtown was almost tragic to me.
Walking to it was painful by the time we had walked the 1/2 block I was looking for a place to sit. Well to cut to the chase we only stayed a short time. I was soaked in sweat and hurting so bad I did not even want to try and walk back to the car. I was mortified in many ways with the experience. So yesterday when we went I had this in the back of my head. Actually it was in my head bad enough I remembered the pain in detail. However this time we parked a full block over (easier parking) and walked to the festival. As we approached my wife and youngest had to use the restroom. This is where I would normally look for a place to sit but not this time. This time We had cars to go see! So my oldest and I took off for the car shouting over our shoulder we will be checking the cars out!!!!
We looked at the cars up one side of the road then down the other. Then we took the girls to bounce in one of the blow up things and checking out Mator. I never sat once and this is after elliptical races at the gym and working out some. Sure I was tired but tired is fine. I was not in so much pain I was short of breath or almost crying either. I can deal with tired at the end of the day in fact I strive for it. That just means I have done something worth while!!!

#41 making a difference Makes a difference

Ya that title probably makes more sense in my head then it does when you read it. However while working at the gym I get to be face to face with a lot of people and no matter if they are trying to bulk up, build endurance, build strength, or lose weight. They all have the same goal generally to have a healthier life style and to be in better shape. The more I have learned about fitness in general is that all these goals are approached the same way. That is a topic I will have to go into more depth later. However the point I am making is that all these people come in and a lot of them turn to me for advice, an ear to bend or just be a constant.
It really gives me a lot of accountability. Most people are lucky to have one person to be accountable to. I have an entire gym that looks at me and many ask every time they see me How I am doing. They like to know how my diet or nutritional intake as I like to say is. They also like to know how my weight loss is going and even my workouts at times.
So if I slack I feel super guilty and like I am letting so many people down. Which this is a good and bad thing. When I am doing good I feel great and get tons of encouragement. When I am doing bad it makes it almost unbearable to look people in the eye and help others.  It is however a feeling that drives me to achieve my goals and be accountable and an example of those who keep an eye on me and my journey.
The greatest thing though is when I see some one that I have worked with or is driven by my achievements is an amazing thing. It lights up my day so bright every one near me will know. Mainly because I will tell them but still it is great!!!!

#39 What is your focus?

When I go to the gym some times I have really great days. Some ya know are just kind of so so. Sometimes they are just down right despicable. I feel no motivation, have little energy, and feel week as can be. So Why is that?
What knocks you off track?
I know there are alot of things that can really throw me off.
It is weird how so  many things work together. There is sleep with out enough I eat more do less and just all around bad things. Food or nutrition if I eat poor quality food that is not very nutrient packed I lack in every thing even sleep.
However the biggest factor of a great day is what I am focused on. If my mind is wondering or I am thinking about something at home, work or anything else I am not having a great day.
I find that if I am focused not only on my goals but my end results I have a great work out. I go as far as visualize what I want that part of my body to look like when I get to my goal weight. I also try and focus on all the reasons I want to lose weight. I also like to have a inspiration to look at as well. It really is a great kick in the but when you can look at some one who will not give up until they achieve  there goals.
So keep you focus on your goals, keep the reasons why you are losing weight close to you and fresh on your mind. Lastly make sure you have people to lean on as well as follow when needed.

#37 Lets get moving.

A breath of fresh air. You know when it hits you your nose just kind of follows it. Well I had a similar feeling tonight. We had to go to the over sized super store Wally world which I try and protest in every way for my own personal reasons. After walking around for a bit it was time for the girls bathroom break. As I took a seat on a bench I have sat on many times I realize I am not sitting out of necessity as I used to have to. In all honesty I would look forward to the bathroom break so I could get a break as well. In fact I would encourage it at times. Back to my point by the time the one girl was done I was wanting to get moving again it felt great not needing the rest, so I was excited to get moving. I know this sound little to many. But for the few of us that have and are fighting morbid obesity it is a huge step. So if you are sitting on every bench you come across I have been there. You can, one day soon skip one and then another until it no longer hurts for you to just stand or walk. Keep moving and Keep  pushing!!!

#35 On my way to 100 pounds gone

4 More pounds and it will be officially 100 pounds lost sense Nov. Should have it knocked out by July 4th. Mini goal 4 pounds six days. Not much time but I need to hit that goal. 
I did not get a chance to work out today and I know tomorrow is going to be tough as well. I just have to step it up. ALOT!!!!

#32 80lbs down

That is right I have lost the most weight I have ever lost in my life and easier then any diet plan I have ever tried. I can not believe how changing what you eat to good clean whole food and a bit of exercise can do.

#31 All Aboard!

Great news my wife just got a gym membership today. I am so excited to see how much better she will feel as well as all the other benefits. I just wish we could go to the gym together but that is ok it is a really awesome thing. Now I need to try and get a good work out for her. You know one that is fun and exiting to do, something you look forward to doing. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.

#26 Gruve week one

Well as most of you know I got a Gruve a little over a week ago and do to several emails and request I will give some updated feed back on it.
As some of you have concerns with people having difficulties I have some thoughts on this as well.
Set up was very easy getting it to run smoothly on updating and reading from my computer not so much.
I have Macs so this my be only for Mac users. I found to get things to work smoothly you need to
One, make sure you have silver light plugin (a stupid microsoft flash thing that is junk!!!!) and if you are using more then one Gruve (husband and wife's) it is wise to use two different browsers. Like the husband only uses Firefox for all of his anytime health web usage and the wife only use safari or Chrome.
Things seem to get confused with multiple accounts and users.
As far as tracking goes well it does work effortlessly. However I do not like how it is suggested to move the location in which you carry the gruve depending on the exorcise. For example it is suggested you put the gruve on your sock if you are doing any bicycling, on you wast for walking and even as far as on your arm for upper body workouts such as bench press.
I do not know about you but that is just to much work for me!!! So I just through it in my pocket and let it be.
So summery of week one. They could have chosen better software and plugins for a more stable and user friendly experience.
Two if you want me moving this thing around to be more effective then make it easier. Sell a wrist and ankle bands that it works well with instead of having to fight with the belt clip thing.
It does have value so do not get me wrong it is a nice reminder and helps you stay active. I just do not know what kind of monetary value I would put on it yet.

#24

Well what a past week after fighting some small illness last week it has been hard getting on track.
Last night my lovely wife demanded pizza ranch which is an all you can eat buffet. Needless to say I did not show as much self control as I would have liked to. It would have not been so bad if I would have had a chance to hit the gym before hand but I did not get that opportunity.  After we ate I became exhaustedly tired. So after we finally got home and the kids to bed I decided to hit the gym and try and burn at least some of the empty, fatty, calories I consumed. Nothing like hitting the gym at 11:30 at night. I did feel better after going to the gym.
Here are some photos I actually think I am seeing some physical progress now.

Yes I am in socks! Why? I forgot to bring gym shoes with and it was snowing and crappy out side so I worked out sock footed instead of tracking winter grime all over the gym and equipment.

#23 Gruve

Well some really good news. I got a Gruve yesterday which seems pretty cool and a really good idea. Now I will put it through it's paces and let you all know what I think. I am glad that there are still people out there willing to trade services and goods instead of monetary only. Cash is tight these days. It was really awesome for the owners of the Gym I go to, be willing to trade a Christmas photo shoot for a Gruve and one year subscription. I can not wait to deliver there photos to them next week.

On a downside I have not felt the best the past two days so I have not went to the gym. I hope I feel better tomorrow because I need to go to the gym and get my work out on. I almost think not going to the gym is causing me to feel wore.  In fact should just go to bed because I am having a hard time focusing on what I wanted to say.
Good night all.

#20

What a week,
Thanksgiving has come and gone, It was our first year of trying some healthier choices on traditional dishes. I must say that sweet potato styx are awesome and a huge hit with the family. All you do is cut sweet potatoes like steak fries brush a bit of olive oil on them and dust with paprika. Back at 350 until soft and just starting to caramelize on the edges. Just awesome you have to try them. 
However even trying to watch our foods and intake Thanksgiving dinner ended up being a 1300 calorie dinner. I was really hoping to get it closer to 800 but hey it was great and back to better foods.
I have been working on a program for the gym that really kicks my butt, which is a good thing and I really do feel better after working out. For cardio I have started doing a thing called Peak 8 and it sounds easy but the best I have been able to do is five. It is just killer. Here is a link that gives some details http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2010/11/13/phil-campbell-on-peak-8-exercises.aspx
They make is sound really good but as with anything on the net I take with a grain of salt until I can say if it works for me. Plus when they say listen to your body do so, one day the recumbent bike shut down on me because my heart rate was too high like 190 high. So if you try it be carful and work you way up it is killer. I have not weighed lately but my energy just keeps growing. I was able to work on the house and get more done in the past week then I have been able to for more then a year. I will try and get a video up here in the next week or two I have just been trying to spend less time on the computer.
Thank you all for your support and comments I do enjoy being able to share something useful for others as well.  

Wooped by Dumb Bells

Ok I know free weights are harder I used to lift a little bit YEARS ago and I really liked using dumb bells they seemed to give a fuller work out. However starting week two at the gym may have been a bit like looking at a grand buffet. It really looked like a good idea to start with but in the end I did get my but handed to me. I even took a good 20% off the weight I was using on the machines and still felt as week as a school girl. Definitely not the feeling I was looking for. It really did not help when I tried to sit up on the bench and realized I was to fat to even do that, I had to role off the bench and git up off the floor. Just another blow to the old ego. How did I ever let myself get this fat I can not even sit up.
 Now do I go on with free weights or back to the machines for a bit more? Decisions decisions

Week five over!

Week five was the start of the gym.
The first week at the gym went a lot better then I thought it would.
I went every day spending an average of an hour and sometimes even a bit more.

I have spent a lot more effort on tracking what I eat and calorie intake thanks a lot to the gym I go to also has a website with a ton of resources and great tools you can check the web side out at http://www.anytimehealth.com 
I usually do not like to link other pages but I really think they have some great tools that actually help when it comes to trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

Monday I go to the Dr. to see if my blood pressure has come down enough to avoid meds. The Dr gave me 4 weeks to get it down so we will see if diet, nutrition, and some exercise lowered my blood pressure.
I will also be abel to check my weight and get the numbers from the blood test he took 6 weeks back.
I have been waking up with a lot of energy almost bouncing out of bed and down the stairs, I have found this the best time to get some things done and head to the gym as soon as I can. It does not last all day though but I am not dead in the evening either.
Well more latter thanks for reading.

Day two at the Gym

Well I was not as sore today as I thought I would be. However I was not as gun ho as I was yesterday. I did get a work out in but I do not think it was as productive as the day before. On the up side I did go!

I took a couple of snap shots with the phone to share/ show a some what starting point this is after I have already lost at least 20 pounds so I was a bit bigger 4 weeks ago. 

enjoy and thanks for tagging along.

New Gym in town!!

A new Gym opened up in town and guess what? They say they will let fat people work out there. Which is a huge up side sense I am...... you know FAT. They also have a lot more equipment and have 24 hour access. The down side is it is $150 more a year ooouch that hurts the wallet.
So I got a membership and put in my first workout today. It went better then I thought but I will see if I say the same in the morning. Here is a a photo of me (taken with cell phone low quality) trying to get my workout on.

I can not believe how large I am I do not feel I am that big. I hope I feel good enough or at least devoted enough to go back tomorrow.