SIS#27 - Halfway There, Livin' On a Prayer

Self-Improvement Sundays

***26 weeks complete, On pace, 68 lbs - Goal 101 lbs in 1 year***

I hit the halfway mark today toward my one year goal of 101 pounds. I gained a pound this week. A bit disappointing, but remember I dropped three last week. It's so up and down that my job is just to stick to the program: stay with the WeightWatchers points and walk/run seven miles a day.

No wet noodle slapping here. Out of 26 weeks, this is only the second that I have not lost. The overall chances of reaching my goal are still good. 68 pounds in the first 6 months, 33 pounds in the second 6 months. 

I want the goal, but if you've followed my blogs you know that my life focus is much broader than this. At this point, WW points and 7 miles/day are all I'm willing to do. Later on I might consider doing more.

So, God, thank you for a very exciting 6 months and for all of the health breakthroughs I've had since January. We're halfway there, and I've never been more fulfilled in walking with you.

SIS#26 - New Vans and Old Wagons

Self-Improvement Sundays

***25 weeks complete, Ahead of pace, 69 lbs - Goal 101 lbs in 1 year***

It's been a great week, and interesting.

Why great?  I hit another 3 pound week, which feels like the tipping point of success for the goal of 101 pounds in a year.  It means I'm ahead of pace, and 1 pound per week with few occasional 2 pound week thrown in will get me to my goal.  For the first time, I feel like I've got this.

Why interesting?  In a nutshell, people are starting to look at me very differently.  Several people at work told me they didn't recognize me right away and had to walk back down my hallway again to see who "that guy" was.  Kinda fun.

But the really interesting phenomenon is the kinds of looks that people give me now.  Last year, Colleen and I had two vehicles: a relatively new Pontiac Montana minivan and an older Mercury Sable station wagon.  I was always amazed at how other drivers treated me on the road depending on which vehicle I was driving.  When I was in the Sable, they tended to cut me off, tailgate, and generally be less respectful.  When I was driving the Montana, even though it's no Escalade, they tended to wait before entering, back off, and generally be more respectful.

I'm not sure I like it, but people are now looking at me like I'm a Pontiac Montana.  I guess it goes back to the old Bible verse that says God looks on the heart and man looks on the outward appearance.

I am renewing my commitment to not be that way.  It makes me angry when people butter up management and belittle maintenance. If I'm really a Jesus guy, I am here for the last, for lost, and the least.

SIS#25 - Tested by Travel

Self-Improvement Sundays

***24 weeks complete, On pace, 66 lbs - Goal 101 lbs in 1 year***

I've been gone for a week, traveling to see my family in Canada. My mom did a great job having good low-cal food around and the meals and snacks went very well. The fun part was pulling 8 or 10 family members at a time outside to go walking with me on my daily quest for 7 miles. They were great! We'd typically walk down the hill from my parents' place and circle the campground several times, often stopping to chat with friends.

I was able to get my miles in every day except the return travel day. Oh well. I made up for it with 10 miles today.

So, I managed to get a pound out of the deal, but I think it might actually be more. I didn't weigh-in on the trip, so today's reading was my first. It's possible I had a lower point during the week. That's OK. If I'm right then my week just gets a bit easier this week.

Most of my family hadn't seen me since Christmas...6 months and 65 pounds prior! My brother-in-law, Brad, kept saying, "Where's the rest of you?!"

I'm pressing now to finish of my seventh "decade" of weight loss: the 60's. Hitting 70 seems like stepping into the big leagues. Here's to a good week back in the routine.

SIS#24 - How to Advise a Friend

Self-Improvement Sundays

***23 weeks complete, On pace, 65 lbs - Goal 101 lbs in 1 year***

Much effort and 1 more pound this week. Hey, I'll take it. Some of you may have noticed my midweek tweet. "1st 3 mile run in a few years. 32:48...not exactly Olympic, but feels like gold. I'd like to do a 5k this fall for fun. 5m 6d since 300lbs." So the cardio is slowly strengthening and the body is getting that "Hey, let's go!" feeling.

It's interesting to me that no one commented on my post two weeks ago when I gained a pound. But then, what would one say? When you watch a friend stumble while trying, what do you say? Let me give a few ideas from my point of view post-stumble.

1. Sometimes stuff just happens. I didn't blow it that week, but what if I did? On the path to good things, sometimes it's two steps forward and one step back.

2. Keep the big picture in mind. At that point I was 21 weeks in and 61 pounds down. That's still astounding success in spite of a bump in the road. In other words, changing plans drastically is probably a bad idea.

3. Honor individual dignity and purpose. I think the words that might have meant the most to me would have gone something like this: "Look what you've been able to accomplish so far! The same resolve and creativity that's gotten you this far can take you even farther." The worst advice would be: "I knew that Weight Watchers program was a bad program all along. Here's what you need to do to succeed..." The sad thing is that many people don't even realize the controlling, dehumanizing nature of that comment.

4. What do you want and why do you want it? No matter what's happening at this very moment, helping a friend to stay focused on mid- to long-term goals is always great.

5. Don't coddle me. One of my favorite scenes from the movie Iron Will is where Will is about dead on his feet several days into the sled race. He wakes up early again, after just 2 or 3 hours sleep, and can't feel his legs. The newspaper reporter who's waiting with him tells him there's no way he can go on. Will responds with something like "help me stand up or get out of my way!" I want the dignity of pushing myself beyond my normal limits to accomplish something great. Help me if you like, but don't coddle me!

So that's what I've been thinking about. Helpful?

SIS#23 - The 7-Milers Begin

Self-Improvement Sundays

***22 weeks complete, On pace, 64 lbs - Goal 101 lbs in 1 year***

We're back in business, baby! Thanks to a redoubled effort with 7+ miles/day walking, I was thrilled to grab a three pound week for the first time in a while. I've always known that exercise was my ace in the hole, so now I'm playing it.

For the inquiring minds that want to know, this doesn't mean that I walk a 7-mile course everyday. I just drop my pedometer in my pocket every morning and don't go to bed until it says 7 miles (12,000 steps for my stride length). I've done just a skitch of jogging in there, but I'm able to multi-task better when I'm walking...podcasts, todo lists, prayer time, things like that.

The focus is still on nutrition, but the walking is an added dimension.

I emailed Col this week and described how badly I want this goal now. True, I've already won, but I want the grand prize that I've laid out. Not getting 101 pounds in a year still doesn't mean defeat, but I'm not going down without a fight. Right now the fight goes out to my walking paths.

SIS #22 - Staying Hitched

Self-Improvement Sundays

***21 weeks complete, Behind pace, 61 lbs - Goal 101 lbs in 1 year***

Well, it's finally happened, as I knew it would. I've gone up a pound. In 21 weeks, this is the first time I haven't lost at least a pound each week. Anxiety? No, relief.

My daily readings this week were probably a bit better than last week's actually. In all the up and down, though, I didn't get the dip below the previous week's low. That's a first, but I knew it was going to happen. Mathematically, you can't lose a pound/week forever!

There's a scene in the movie Far and Away that I relate to. Near the end of the movie, they have a race into the western frontier to claim stakes of land. Hundreds of wagons and horses and families are lined up waiting for the signal. And the gun is fired and dirt flies as pioneers gallop toward their destinies.

Tom Cruise's character is on horseback alone, and has a significant advantage over families trying to carry their accumulated possessions with a team and a covered wagon.

I'm staying hitched. That's the point. Yes, I'm a claim staker like everyone else, but I won't unhitch from the family to get my land. And our claim may ultimately be humble, but we'll be together.

The weight loss has been rewarding, but if you've been tracking with me at any depth you're aware that this has more to do with life change. My life goals are much more broad and meaningful than how I weigh in on the scale.

I actually hit the track yesterday and did a 3-mile run/walk, slow jogging 7 or 8 of the 12 laps. It felt pretty good and I was pleased that my heart rate monitor was pretty kind to me.

I have no illusions that I can exercise an hour a day in our crazy family life right now. But I'm hopeful for more. Is 101 in 1 an attainable goal? A college prof said it like this: "He who shoots for the stars does not end up with mud in his fingers."

SIS#21 - Whew! Most Dramatic of Weeks

Self-Improvement Sundays

***20 weeks complete, On pace, 62 lbs - Goal 101 lbs in 1 year***

Another challenging week! Some of you might have caught my Saturday Facebook update:

"Don't have my pound yet this week! It would be the first no-loss week since January 17. I've decided to fast today and possibly tomorrow...until I get it. Can you feel the drama?!"

I ended up eating only salad, apples and cherries. By morning I had my pound, plus one. Nice!

So why go all kamikaze for a single pound? I even said just last week that I'm bound to have a zero week at some point. Well, this was my first week embracing the aggressive new goal of 101 in 1. I just felt determined not to start out that way.

My hunch is that the 3-pounds I got last week were due to an over-generous reading on our home scale. Whatever the case, I should be back on track. Hopefully I'm poised to push the pace all the way to the end.

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.