SIS#20 - Goal #3 - 101 Pounds in 1 Year

Self-Improvement Sundays

***19 weeks complete - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 was 60lbs***

I struggled most of the week to get my 58th pound, and Friday night I was pleasantly surprised to actually go all the way to 60. Nice! Goal #2 is history, six weeks ahead of pace.

And you might have noticed the subtle reference in the post title to my new goal: 101 pounds in a year. How often does one have the chance to lose 100 pounds in a year? I'd say once, so I'm taking it.

Remember, I started at 300. So I would drop to 199 by midnight on January 16, 2011.

Doable? Well, I've lost 60 pounds in 4-1/2 months, so I just need to lose 41 pounds in 7-1/2 months. True, it's not quite as quick now, but I haven't really started exercising yet either. So that's my ace in the hole. Of course, I'll evaluate as I go and change course if it seems unhealthy.

What about internal goals? 41 pounds and 7+ months is a long time with no milestone celebrations. OK, we'll celebrate the "decades", the 10-pound increments. I've already beaten the 90's, 80's, 70's, 60's, 50's and 40's. I'll drive a stake in the ground, so to speak, when I beat the 30's, 20's, 10's and 0's.

And at that moment I'll be lighter than any point since college in Minneapolis, possibly one of my earlier years in college. Interesting that 2011 is my 20 year reunion for North Central.

I still haven't had a single day of binging or a single week without losing at least a pound. That pace may not hold all the way to 199, but it's not the pace that's ultimately important. It's the final result.

I debate about blogging about weight loss less often, say, monthly. But my weekly check-in with Ev nation is possibly the greatest factor in my overall success. Anyone still with me for the last 41 pounds?

Oh, by the way, my clothes I couldn't fit into before are hanging from me like flowing robes. Virtually none of my clothes will fit me in 8 months, and I don't care. I'll replace it all from Goodwill if I have to.

Sorry, no grand ideas tonight, just focus. Time to go rest up!

SIS#19 - Why the Picture?

Self-Improvement Sundays

***18 weeks complete - ahead of pace >53 lbs - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 is 60lbs by July 11***

57 down, 3 to go.

If anyone wonders why I'm using this picture for all of my SIS posts, it was more of an intuitive thing. When I look at this scene, I see freedom, life, vitality, and power. I see both passion and serenity. It's a desire to be fully alive. That's much more powerful to me than dropping clothing sizes or looking good at the beach. I intend to live.

SIS#18 - Rollin' Back the Years

Self-Improvement Sundays

***17 weeks complete - ahead of pace >52 lbs - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 is 60lbs by July 11***

I got my 55th pound this week, not until Saturday...but it still counts! I'm now 2 pounds shy of my Highland weight, when I was on staff as Music Director there 11 years ago. I've touched down a bit lower than this once or twice, but if I keep going I'm rolling back into my second decade previous to today. I know time travel is confusing. That guy on the park bench in Back to the Future never figured it out either.

Just like God added 15 years to King Hezekiah's life in Isaiah 38, he has means to add life and quality of life for us. Life is his business and I'm happy to be a client.

What to Do with a Bad Day

Daniel Powter sings about a friend's bad day...

[Right click and choose "Open link in new window/tab" to listen]

You Had a Bad Day

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to gray
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

Because you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Will you need a blue sky holiday?
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on

You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day

(Oooh.. a holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong

(yeah...)

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

I like the song. It's real.

On the other hand, there was this guy in the Old Testament named Job. He and his wife lost their whole family to tragedy, plus all their property to disaster, and he sat on an ash heap scraping pussy boils with a broken piece of a pot. Then his "friends" came with lousy advice about how he must have deserved all of this.

Job's response?

"Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
or engraved in rock forever!

I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:23-27)

So our bad days, or bad seasons, can pull us away from God, push us closer to God, or not really do much of anything. I'm inspired by Job's passion in that horrible moment. God, help me to look to you on my bad days...

Can an iPhone Bring You Closer to God?

Yeah, probably the coolest thing I've seen on an iPhone...




How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin


VERSE(1):
The splendor of a King,
clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
and darkness tries to hide
it trembles at his voice,
trembles at his voice

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great
How great is our God

VERSE(2):
And age to age He stands
and time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
the Lion and the Lamb,
the Lion and the Lamb

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God

CHORUS(2)
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
how great is our God
Name above all names
you are worthy of all praise
and my heart will sing
how great is our God


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God


Oh yeah, the answer is yes.

SIS#17 - Christmas in May

Self-Improvement Sundays

***16 weeks complete - ahead of pace >51 lbs - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 is 60lbs by July 11***

Not only did we get snow cover in May, but Santa also dropped 3 pounds down the chimney this week. My program pace says just a pound a week now, so getting to 54 pounds down this week is pretty nice. I'm 6 pounds from  goal 2 with 9 weeks to go.

It's amazing how much of my life revolved around things I can't do now. I'm not trying to be antisocial, really. I turned down an ice cream sundae at the office this week. I let Jason and Grandpa do McDonald's by themselves while I had leftovers. I love leftovers! (Don't read sarcasm, I really do love them.) Pot lucks don't work unless I bring my own pot, so to speak. Sounds terrible, right?

But while everyone goes on as usual, I'm down 54 pounds in less than 4 months...and on the fast track from huge to buff. I'm going to a picnic after work on Thursday, so I'll probably pack a sandwich. C'est la vie.

Why say all of this? Well, it's part of the calculation if you want to make this sort of change. Remember Yoda's wisdom, "Do or not do. There is no try." 

I'm looking forward to bumping into old friends this summer. That'll be fun. But much more, I'm looking forward to good lab results and a healthy life to pour into my calling.

Have you seen heaven?

Have you seen heaven touch earth? Some say it never happens. Some say it rarely happens. Some say it happens every day in a million ways.

I read about Moses this morning in Exodus 34:

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.

33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.

So Moses was literally glowing after hanging out with God. But is this experience completely foreign to us? I say no. True, we may not see the day to day miracles as those who walked with Jesus. But I say heaven is all around, and all the more as we tune in to God's voice and works.

I see heaven when leaves bud and grass slurps rain. In the thunder and in the roar of Niagara Falls.

I see heaven in a baby's face and in a toddler's snuggle. I see heaven when a teenager leans into loving boundaries. When a college student finds love.

I see heaven when friends gently pray for one another and the Holy Spirit attends to surgery over body and soul.

I see heaven in the compassionate eyes of a wind-blown face. In the leathery commitment to stay.

I see heaven as children become gracious leaders. When icy hearts melt. In forgiveness and new life.

I'd like to glow more. I want to know Jesus and carry him more purely to my world. I see heaven as God accepts me exactly as I am but continues to build me into more.

How do you see heaven breaking in to your day-to-day?

SIS#16 - Focusing on the Process, Not the Results

Self-Improvement Sundays

***15 weeks complete - ahead of pace >50 lbs - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 is 60lbs by July 11***

OK, so I'm down to a pound a week. I hit 51 this week and it appears that the low hanging fruit has been picked. No more easy 3 or 4 pound weeks.

When I posted my first goal back in January, my powerlifter brother-in-law from Canada advised me to focus on the process and the results would ultimately be there. So that's where I'm at. The scale gives me next to nothing for motivation now. It's all about the process.

In a nutshell, that means:

1. Keep logging points and blogging weekly efforts.

2. Focus on weight loss, not cardiovascular fitness, not strength training, not flexibility. Take those as they come.

3. Believe in the process. I expect to hit 60 pounds in July. Then I'll decide on a new goal.

4. No people pleasing. Be creative with social situations or don't go. Period.

5. Continue loving the wonderful, flavorful foods I missed out on for so long.

That's my story.

SIS#15 - I Dodged a Bullet

Self-Improvement Sundays

***14 weeks complete - ahead of pace >48 lbs - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 is 60lbs by July 11***

I got an email this week on risk factors for diabetes. I have really felt this disease bearing down on me the last few years as it has so many in North America. I give software support to a Diabetes Education group and I see how the demand for their services continues to grow. No, I haven't had abnormal lab results or anything showing a pre-diabetic condition, but I had a sense that if I hung out at 300 pounds it would eventually catch up with me.

I feel pretty sure that with my steadily dropping weight and dramatically altered diet, I'm in much better shape to avoid diabetes now. I dodged a bullet! Whew! Yes, I hit my 50-pounds-lost mark this week. The crazy thing is that I spent two days at a buffet-laden conference center in Madison and ate out at Famous Dave's and P F Chang's and stuck to my guns the whole way!

I was asked this week where I continue to get food ideas for this new lifestyle. Col says just Google Weight Watchers recipes and there are many options with points already calculated. I highly recommend settling on a group of staples that you like well enough to go back to over and over. I posted many of mine a short while back. You can link to it here.

So my medication list is beginning to shrink. My medical problem list is beginning to shrink. My personal healthcare expenses are beginning to shrink. My concerns about my body in the years to come are beginning to shrink. I am beginning to shrink!

Of course it feels great, and I want to encourage you all to make a healthy choice today!

SIS#14 - 50 Pound Sack of Whatever

***13 weeks complete - ahead of pace >46 lbs - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 is 60lbs by July 11***

So, a 10 pound sack of potatoes is pretty hefty, right? A 50 pound bag of concrete mix is much heftier! I'm just a pound shy of NOT having to carry the sack of whatever around with me anymore. My energy levels are much higher and many good things are taking place.

I had a friend tell me today that he's successfully but on 11 pounds that he needed. I can't entirely relate, but healthiness is the issue, right?

I want to say thanks again for a fabulous Facebook birthday. Sure, it's not exactly turkey brats on the grill together, but what a great way to stay in touch with friends all over the continent!

Colleen made a huge roaster of split pea soup with ham today. 3 points a cup...an unbelievably savory bargain! Life's routine has been a bit challenging this week, but I'm still committed to progressing with the weight loss goals. Anyone want to comment on how your challenges are coming?

...for the morning

It's a beautiful morning and my heart is drawn to praise...

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
     for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
     great is your faithfulness.

[To listen, right click the link and choose "Open in New Window/Tab"]

Lord, I Thank You (Andrae Crouch)

OK, it's another morning everybody wake up
God has given us another day all over the world
Come on...a brand new day...

Lord, I thank You for the morning
Lord, I thank You for the brand new dawning
Lord, I thank You for another day to sing Your praise
Lord, I thank You for Your blessing
And right now my heart's confessing
Lord, I thank You for another day to sing Your praise

New mercies every morning
New mercies, Lord, I seek
Simply because You love me
You're always giving new mercies to me
Every morning when I wake up
I cannot help but see
Your goodness and Your mercy, Lord
Are always following me

SIS#13 - What's Up with the Blogging?

***12 weeks complete - ahead of pace >44 lbs - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 is 60lbs by July 11***

Great week! It might actually be my best week of the year so far! Dropping 4 pounds in the 12th week is crazy good. I'm very competitive against the pace I've set, so I relish the opportunity to pad the cushion of my lead over the pace. I'm going with 47 pounds lost, even though my unofficial evening weigh-in had me at 48. Sets the stage for another good week.

So, if you're tracking with me at all, you know that blogging my weight loss has been a key component to my success to date. You all keep me accountable. But perhaps you've had a chance to nose around my links a little. Blogging has become an outlet for me on more than one front.

This blog, Evan of the North, started as Evan's Blog on Facebook only. The idea was to flesh out my life for people. Most know that I'm a devoted Jesus-follower, but how does that look day to day in my case? Lately it's looked a lot like a fitness magazine or a biggest loser spin-off. Many more angles ahead.

I've also got a blog with the intent to encourage us in our daily connection with God: the Humble King Devotional.

Proud Mary - Rollin' with What You Got

It was August of 2002. Colleen and I took a long trek out to Alberta with our little family in the Green Windstar. I can't believe it's been eight years. The main event was my cousin Karen's wedding in Calgary, and it was two weeks of whistle stops all the way there and back to Wausau, Wisconsin. The Rockies were amazing. We spent several days with my parents at a time-share in Canmore, just 15 miles or so south of Banff. I can see the morning clouds on the mountain ranges as if I'm standing on the balcony at this very moment.

And the trip was special because little Jason and little cousin Jayce were just months from being born.

We stopped at each of my sister's homes, Regina, Moosejaw, Edmonton, as well as my parents' home in Rivers, Manitoba. But what I'm thinking of this morning is a passing moment at the West Edmonton Mall. The full size hockey rink was pretty neat, as were the dolphin exhibit and the waterpark. But it was on our walk down "Bourbon Street" (think New Orleans style cafe court) that I heard a simple sound drifting out of one of the restaurants...

Left a good job in the city,

Workin for the man evry night and day,

And I never lost one minute of sleepin,

Worryin bout the way things might have been.

I peeked my head in and paused for a moment. The man had a guitar, a mic, and a drum machine piped through a little sound system in a corner not much bigger than a table. He sounded good, not awesome. He was more into what he was singing than anyone else, but there he was.

Big wheel keep on turnin,

Proud mary keep on burnin,

Rollin, rollin, rollin on the river.

Rollin. He had his guitar and his song, and he was rollin. He'd never be Credence Clearwater Revival, but he was rollin. No movie cameras, no record deals, just a solid rhythm and a skinny middle age man totally in his element.

Paul from the New Testament said it like this: "The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment." (1 Corinthians 12:21-24)

And I'm not always sure we have an accurate picture of how weak or honorable we really are. But we grab out guitars, set up on whatever stage we've been granted, and we keep rollin.

I'll be 42 this week and I think I'm stepping into Life Two. Life has been rich in accomplishments, failures, love, heartbreak, and the continuing goodness of God. And I step outside myself and look at Evan Nehring. I think, "Who are you? What will you be? If you're privileged to lie peacefully on your deathbed some day, on what will you reflect?"

I have plenty of plans and dreams, but part of the plan is to just keep rollin on the river. I am who I am. I'm whatever God made me and whatever I'm becoming. I have worked and prayed and practiced and performed, and here I am. And if I've thought of myself too highly, so be it. If my place is to sing my simple tune to half-interested revelers, so be it.

By the grace of God, we keep rollin.

SIS#12 - Self Improvement Sundays

***11 weeks complete - ahead of pace >42 lbs - Goal 1 was 40lbs, Goal 2 is 60lbs by July 11***

I'll be honest with you, this was a tough week. I didn't lose any ground, but my pace slowed. I weigh myself almost every day, but I take it with a grain of salt since my weight can rise and fall in a couple of days as much as 4 or 5 pounds!  I'll be honest about something else: the blogging has helped keep me on track but I'm not at all excited about the idea of logging in with you all to say that I'm up this week.

That said, I'm sticking to my plan and so far it's served me.

I continue to hear from many of you and your personal challenges you're tackling. The weight thing is a big one and nearly universal in these parts. I've been encouraged to give a bit more detail of my nutrition plan. No problem. I'll do some of that here and there. Please understand, I don't consider myself an expert on anything to do with nutrition and fitness at this point. But it's working so...

The Apostle's Creed

I worked today, Good Friday. No break for a noon service. No early outs. But I still felt reflective as I usually do. What's special about today for me? What awes me? What gives me pause?

This year, the idea that grabbed me particularly was the unique nature of Jesus and the Christian story. Yes, I understand there are hundreds of variations of how Jesus-following is carried out in faith communities today, but it's the ancient bedrock of Jesus' resurrection and "the faith" that captivated me today. And not just because it's old, but because of the reality of relating to my creator and seeing him move in my world.

I played bass in college for the Chorale when we did the Gospel Mass: a black gospel musical rendition of the  liturgy of the Apostle's Creed. It nails some things down. It's not just, "Hey, I'm spiritual and nice to people." Jude 1:3 says it like this: "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."


The Apostle's Creed...

---

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Amen.