How’s everyone else coming along??

I have been hitting the gym sporadically, but I plan to go every day this week as I am heading off for vacation on Friday and want to burn all the fat I can before I go.  Luckily, it will be a vacation in the mountains, where I can hike and do other pseudo-workout things.

I’m at the gym on a three on one off schedule, moving a ton of weight and running two miles.  I’ve gained four pounds but I’m fitting, albeit tightly, in 34s.

A new gym opened up here in town today and I got my membership on.  I’ve pretty much out grown my weights here at the house and it will be nice to get out of the house for a change.  I’m a very awkward runner so I’ll probably keep the treadmill time at home.

With Rocklahoma coming up I’ve moved back my quit smoking goal, at least until I come home.  I’ve quit for long stretches before and I’m sure I can do it again.  Finding the right time will be tough.  

I did get back in the swing this morning, however, going 4 miles.  I need to keep that habit up — and I don;t really think it will be that much of a problem.  I got right back into it after taking the week off.

I will have a bad eating/drinking weekend at Rocklahoma Rockfest — so I am working out hard through WEdnesday and eating well — gotta keep this weight off!

My next goal is 250 by Thanksgiving.  Not a break neck pace by any means but it moves me on down the scale.

My blood pressure is still a little high (although down from what it was) but my cholesterol numbers are outstanding so eating right does pay off.

It wasn’t for a lack of trying though.  I got in 10 miles and 6 days of weights.  I ate fairly healthy foods.  Reaching the goal just wasn’t in the cards.

Now that the official doings are done I’m going to restate my goal for October 1, 2007.  This will be a three part goal.  190 pounds, get my blood pressure under control and quit smoking.

Posting every week has really kept me on track, so I’m going to continue.  The contest may be over but the healty living continues.

Before and after

It’s been a long ride, but I am very, very glad we did this. I feel infinitely better about the way I look now than I did on December 4, 2006. I am also very glad I did this to get in shape before the birth of my first child early next year. A child will be my motivation to keep the weight off.

I’ll never say never, but I honestly can’t see myself going back to the way I was before. We’ll see. The gym is now a welcome habit. I probably won;t do the print/walks forever, but I will continue to go get my cardio throughout the week.

Lesson learned, kids — do NOT let yourself get grotesquely out of shape. It is SO much easier to maintain your body weight with eating fairly well and doing some walking a few times a week than it is to have to lose 34 pounds by eating celery and doing sprints.

Almost forgot — from here on out (after I hit the 195 anyway) I am not all that concerned with the weight as much as I am keeping my waistline smaller, etc.  For the record, I lost 6 1/2 inches from my waist during this contest, and lost 1 1/2 inches of neckfat.  I also added 1 and 1/2 inches to my already impressive biceps.

I have a good ending picture that I am sending to Josh/Xtina for posting. Hopefully we can get a before/after posted on the front page here — I think it is a pretty dramatic difference.

Before                         After