Wow! It's been a very long time and much has happened since the last post on the blog. From 2/10 until 8/11 I lost around 55-60 pounds. I felt great! Then as usual things started to happen. I got busy. My sinuses went nuts and in 9/10 I basically started to slow down going to the gym. If there is anything I have learned through all of this process - I have learned that going to the gym and remaining faithful to the excercise is key to controlling the diet.

So, recently - about 3 weeks ago I started again to the gym and watching my diet, etc. I have lost around 10 pounds. Oh -- I weighed in at 259. On Monday - I weighed in at 249. So I am on the way again. My goal weight is to get somewhere between 210 and 215 (at Doc's recommendation) and stay there.

I also want to remain active - participate in some fun runs, races, Warrior Dash, and others. Nothing too serious - just keep me interested. I hope that will change and i will be able to run more seriously. I want to do something major for my 60th birthday.

I am going to try to keep focused this time. Depend on the Lord and seek Him for the strength to carry on!

To God be the Glory!!

Progress Report

When I stepped up on the scales today at the gym I had to look twice. I actually stepped off the scales walked over and got my towel, and then got back on and started all over again. The reason: I could not believe that I had lost another 4 pounds. The total pounds lost since February 15th is 23. So today I weighed 252. I am just 3 pounds from being in the 240's. I am really looking foward to 245 because that will be the 30 pound mark which is half way on my journey to lose 60 pounds.

I am feeling so much better. Before I started, I could not put all my weight on my knees when I was going down stairs. Since I have lost the 23 pounds, work out on the elliptical and lift weights I have very little pain. That in itself is a mark of progress that has been worth it all so far.

I am actually seeing the "lost weight" look on my face. I can also tell in my pants and shirts. I have taken my belt loop up by about 3 notches. It feels so good to go past those old notches and hook into one that has not been hooked into in a long time. I am wearing clothes that I have not worn in a while -- encouraging.

God has given me the strength to continue - even through those days when I had not lost any weight and even on the Monday when I had gained weight!

I am looking forward to next week's weigh in!

On February 15th i was sitting at my desk in my office at the church and suddenly got dizzy and my left arm went numb. I went home checked the Internet, called Debbie who had just arrived in Panama City Beach, Florida with her mother. I determined that I should go to the emergency room and get checked out. "Checked Out" is the understatement of the year. The did and EKG and told me (I already knew) that I have what's called a "left bundle branch blockage.") that they were going to admit me for observation and check on my enzymes because the LB BB will make an EKG with problems and make it look like nothing is wrong.

The admitted me and started taking blood. After 2 nights in the hospital they released me with plans for a heart cath. on the following Friday. I had the heart cath and the Doctor told me that my heart looked good. Only some narrowing in the veins in a couple of places. "Nothing that a proper diet and exercise can't control," he said. This was a major wake up call for me. I don't think it sunk in until they were wheeling me down the hall to the cath lab. I realized that I had just signed off on a piece of paper giving them permission to "open me up" if they found anything wrong. I determined that day - February 19, 2010 that this time I would do something about my weight and my health in general.

One of the sides that came from all of this is that they discovered through my blood work that my liver enzymes were off the charts. More blood work would be involved. Dr. Shaver tested me for an inherited blood disease called: hemachromotosis. Basically -- too much iron in the blood. It is a simple treatment to take care of it - just give blood once a quarter. After the blood work it was determined that I do not have it. If untreated it can cause cirrhosis of the liver.

After further examination of my blood work, Dr. Shaver has ordered another test to see if I have something called Wilson's disease -- too much copper in the blood. I have not had the test yet. I will have to urinate in a bottle for 24 hours. Now that sounds like fun.

I have been diligent in my diet and exercise since coming home from the hospital. I had to take 1 week off due to the incision they made for my heart cath. But other than that I have been faithful -- and God has been faithful too!

My current weight as of this morning at the gym is: 259. That's right -- I broke the 250's. That is a total of 15 pounds. So things are moving, but I still have not lost any weight this week. I am trying to stay encouraged because I am also lifting weights and I can tell that I am gaining muscle. I have taken my belt loop up by about 2 inches.

I was a little discouraged last week because I stayed the same. I will weigh again on Monday. I believe I can loose a couple more pounds by then.

Next post I will include another picture to compare. I hope I can really tell a difference.

Started again

My whole health history has been a roller coaster. I have gained then lost - gained then lost. I recognize the problem, but it just seems insurmountable!!

So - I started to the gym again this morning. I hope that I can be more consistant.

My weight -- 274. Wow - didn't I do good in January?

1-12-10

Well, obviously, something has happened. It’s what always happens! Something gets in the way of my focus. This past week it was a variety of things, but mostly it was my sinuses. I have to take such strong medicine that it knocks me out and I could not get up early to get to the gym. It’s really not an excuse – it’s just the truth. I don’t know what to do about that. I have cut back on my eating, but not diligent to keep up with it.

I am feeling worse and worse, physically. Something has got to give. I have to change. I am very discouraged.

Bible Verse for today: Psalm 17:5 (New King James Version)

5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.

1-6-10

Terrible food intake today and did not go to gym due to taking my sinus medication and not hearing the clock. Very discouraged!

1-5-10

I made it to the gym again this morning. I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical machine on level 10. Again....this week I am simply trying to re-establish my routine of getting up early, going ot the gym, coming home and eating a healthy breakfast, spend time studying God's Word and praying. I had a great time studying Nehemiah this morning. I am reading a chapter each day. I then re-write it in my own words and say what is happening. I also highlight through short bulleted points what God is teaching me through the study.

I did not do well today on the healthy diet front. I am going to try to work into it as my routine develops. However, I know the importance of eating right. One of my major goals is to be healthy and to feel better. I know that what I put into my body is a major factor in attaining that goal.

Food intake for today:

• Breakfast -- peanut butter wheat toast and coffee
• Lunch -- Queenies Diner -- Steamed cabbage, potato salad, 10 oz. hamburger steak and a corn muffin. Sweet tea to drink.
• Dinner -- Mexican Restaurant -- Fajita grilled chicken quesadilla, bean and a ton of chips and melted white cheese. I know - I was totally out of control.
• 1 liter of water when I was working out.

Today's Bible Verse: "I can do all things through Christe who gives me the strength." Philippians 4:13