Healthier Living: Dos

Week Two -- 206.8
Week One -- 207.6
Week Zero -- 206.8

Not a lot of progress at least not on Monday morning. I did see some lost mid-week both weeks and even today but that seems to disappear come Monday morning. We shall see how this weeks go especially after not feeling well the first half of the week.

Week One
20 mins Flexibility on Wed & Thurs

Week Two
20 mins Flexibility on Tues, Wed, & Thurs
2 mile walk/hike @ Lincoln State Park (Leisure event but very hot). Also carried some firewood about 1/2 mile back to camp on Friday night.
Holiday World/Splashin Safari 9 am - 8:20 am Saturday (Lots of walking and some stairs)

Week Three
20 mins Flexibility on Mon
Sick w/fever on Tues.
Resting today, Wed.

Healthier Living: Cero

Week 0 -- 206.8 lbs

Back to the grind after gaining 18.4 lbs since my birthday in mid-December. Again, I plan on weighing myself every Monday morning and posting shortly thereafter the happenings of the prior week. Hoping that the positive support and energy from those who read and the basic accountability of this blog will keep me motivated.

Therefore last week....
Wednesday: 30 min of Cross Training
Saturday: 10+ mile easy to moderate hike
                (Maybe this is my problem. I stretch myself way too much at one time.)

This week....
Monday: 2-30 min Flexibility Classes
Tuesday: 15 min Kettlebells (A class participant almost passed out so class was cut short.)
              30 min Flexibility Class

Also, I am attempting to be more conscious of what I am eating and the amount that I am eating.
Trying to stop drinking soft drinks and having water with lemon juice instead. Soft drinks are so easy to pull out of the refrigerator.

Searching for motivation to get in shape, stay in shape, and lose weight....

Current motivations...
- Clothes not fitting again
- Potential White Water Rafting trip in a month
- Guatemala someday

Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement! May this also encourage you to stay healthy or become healthier!

Healthier Living: Renewal

Life hits you one day and you realize the backward direction you are headed but lost at how to change your mindset in the forward direction. This definitely outlines me the past couple of months. I know that things have to shift and change but just not sure how to make that change happen.

Currently a few pounds shy of where I started in April 2012 after losing 21 lbs.
How does one continually get in the same predicament over and over again?

Where is the motivation? How do you maintain that motivation?
- No certainty about future trips or activities requiring the need to be in shape.
- Body still in chaos and unsure of what that chaos is.
- So how do you battle health when your not sure what exactly you are battling.
- Last time, you ended up injured and fear going right back into that situation.
- Who really cares if you are in shape and lose weight.

Besides all of this and many other struggles, hopefully, I am ready to head forward again and find a maintainable way of life of being in shape and eating healthy but enjoyably.

How hard can this be?
- Free gym on the same floor as I work
- Free 1/2 hour trainer led classes throughout the day
- Surrounded by co-workers who attend classes, walk during the day, or go to the gym after work

Needless to say yesterday was really the first day that I took advantage of any of this, but hopefully that was day one towards a positive forward direction.

Yesterday, July 3rd, 2013
30 mins of Cross Training
I actually was able to attempt push-ups though poorly. Definitely better than last time I tried and couldn't even hold myself in a push-up stance. Today feeling a bit of soreness in the late afternoon but nothing to awful.

Thanks for all the prayers and support! Hopefully, this time I will not let myself and all you followers down and start and stay progressing forward over backwards.

May you be blessed this Independence Day and remember the freedoms we have!

Where have I been?

That is actually a really good question as I have stayed in place for the most part the past month and a half, but definitely been avoiding writing any health update or even getting on the scale. Things continue to go backwards, and it is hard to explain.

Truthfully, life is amazing and wonderful. Work though not without stress is a purely amazing experience full of welcoming hearts and supportive people. Youth and young adult ministry definitely fulfills my passions for service, faith, and leadership. I love watching the youth and young adults grow and am very excited about the various things ahead.

Thanks to all those who keep coming back to see if there is something new here! Hopefully as some new journeys begin, I can again stop to reflect and share and get back on the health wagon and de-stress a bit.

Healthier Living: Take 51

Week 51 -- 200.6 (+8 lbs in 10 weeks, therefore total loss of 10.8 lbs after 50 weeks)
Week 49 -- 201.3 (Back to week 21 not a good sign)
---------------------
Week 41 -- 192.6 (+2.2 lbs in 10 weeks, therefore total loss of 18.8 lbs after 40 weeks)
Week 31 --190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)


The past week proved to be a positive directional move because my weight was even higher prior to leaving town last Monday.

Last week, I ate decently but at the same time was on the move and doing service all day. The previous week I made it to the gym once. Hopefully, I will start making it to the gym more soon by taking advantage of the gym at work as well.

Healthier Living: Take 49 Return Edition

Week 49 -- 201.3 (Back to week 21 not a good sign)
---------------------
Week 41 -- 192.6 (+2.2 lbs in 10 weeks, therefore total loss of 18.8 lbs after 40 weeks)
Week 31 --190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)

Exercise has been minimal to non-existent for the past 8 weeks. Eating habits have been horrendous due to laziness, lack of shopping, and never being around.

The mini-marathon in April is not going to happen. Between being injured, sick, and extremely busy, I am way out of shape at this point in time. The foot is not really sore but I also have not done anything on it for months now. I have ran once on the treadmill in the last almost 4 months and that is about it.

Hopefully after the first week of April things will settle back in, and I can get back into a better routine. One problem is my schedule versus my friends schedule places us not able to get to the gym at the same time. But maybe I will figure out a way to work out at work instead.

I am not sure what the plan is going to be in terms of running. Currently, I am disengaged from the mini-marathon idea because it truly does not seem that the Derby mini is going to work. Contemplating finding another one of interest to run in but really not sure. I believe a lot can start taking shape in the coming months once a couple things settle out.

Thanks for checking in and supporting me on this journey. Plan to get back to weekly writing. Next week may be hit or miss as spring break takes me to Appalachia next week with the HS youth.

Wow...Almost 2 Months of No Posts

Anyone still out there???

Definitely did not realize that almost 2 months have past since the last post.

I definitely have some thoughts on posts and actually started one several weeks ago but never finished it.

The last post mentioned coming down with a sore throat. That lead into a 3 week fairly intense sinus infection/cold along with pink eye and another week to week and half of still having after effects of the infection that took over.

Besides being sick for an extended period of time, life has actually been amazing and wonderful. The Lord has been so blessed and open, especially for three straight weekends.

End of February, I lead a young adult retreat for a small crowd titled "Your Epic Adventure".

The next weekend, I attended the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Indy, an amazing weekend that I hope to share more about soon. God definitely was speaking to me on a couple levels. I am really looking forward to working with our youth ministry coordinator to advance our ministry work at church and beyond.

The following weekend was the HS youth spring retreat titled "Heroes". I played a supportive roll at this retreat after having a couple busy weekends prior to that. I did lead the youth in the Rosary and a little discussion of how the Rosary is a good tool for our heroes tool belt.

This past weekend, I had a wonderful time with my family. I got to hang out with my cousin and aunt a lot on Saturday playing in a corn-hole tournament for Special Olympics and playing Rummikub. Then Sunday my family had an old fashioned Sunday morning gathering at my cousins. It was great to remember times with the family when our grandparents were alive.

Which brings us to this weekend and the churches intergenerational Lenten retreat. I will be sharing this weekend a talk that I did in the fall for HS retreat with some modifications and additions.

There is so much to share about the goodness of the Lord in the past few weeks. I really hope things slow down a bit and I can take time to share again very soon. In the meantime, I really hope that I have not lost all of my readers.

Healthier Living: Take 42

Week 42 -- 194.6
---------------------
Week 41 -- 192.6 (+2.2 lbs in 10 weeks, therefore total loss of 18.8 lbs after 40 weeks)
Week 31 --190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)

Another rough week and I did not work out at all. I did have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, which was good and bad. I have been having some issues ever since the first of December and wanted to get things checked out before the change in insurance. I actually was expecting something worse to have to be done but was okay with what did occur. The ultrasound tests all came back negative but my Free T3 came back low and lower than it was just 2.5 months ago. I now have several decisions that I need to make including finding a family doctor.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to find a good family doctor and/or oby/gyn in the Louisville area, I would greatly appreciate it. Looking for doctors that follow more along the Catholic teachings and also looks at the entirety of the problem not masking it.

Otherwise this Monday, I started coming down with a sore throat that is progressively getting worse with drainage. Hopefully, I caught it soon enough and will keep it at bay. And thankfully, I have a fairly relaxing weekend ahead.

Satuday Smiles Treinta y Uno: Last Regular Edition

Happy Saturday to my dear readers who justifiable have slimmed off over the past few weeks! Life really is going great for me these days. I am really enjoying work and all the people around. The only reason I don't want to get up in the morning is because I am tired and really would love to sleep some more. I look forward to everything coming together over the next couple of months and pray that this will be a place to stay for years to come.

With the stabilization of a career path, I am excited to pursue God's vision for my personal and spiritual life. Spiritually, the Lord is providing in wondrous ways. The Young Professionals group started at church hopefully is gathering some new blood and forward momentum. The weekend of February 22-24, we are spending the weekend down in Danville at a cabin to listen to God's word, escape from the hustle and bustle of our lives, and just be in peace with God. I am very ecited about the weekend and hoping that we can get some young folks to come out and join us. "Your Epic Adventure" will be one epic weekend and adventure of life.

The joy I have as I work on retreat, the excitement about attending the Simply Youth Ministry conference the following weekend, and then witnessing the growth of the high school youth the following weekend, just makes me smile and love life. Working with the youth is such a blessing, I love hanging out, listening, witnessing, and sharing with them even when topics are difficult. Currently, the video series with the HS youth is titled "Pure Sex". Truthfully, if you have a young group or even an older group, this is a great series to share God's plan and open up dialogue around the topic of sex. This series pulls me out of my comfort zone, but I know how important the topic of sex and all related around it is for the youth to discuss and hear in our world today. Please pray for the leaders and the youth as we wrap up the series in the coming weeks that our faith will shine and their ears and hearts will be open to His word.

Personally, God definitely has a calling in my life. I pray for patience and timing of follow through as He knows what is best and His vision and mine will soon come to be. Though it will not come without risk, especially initially, followed by sacrifice, the adventure will be amazing and 100% worth it. The peace of God is in play and He knows His plan for my life and the life of all those around me.

Why you as is this the last regular edition? Over the past weeks, I have felt that this post has become a little blah without deep substance. Life is full of smiles and love and so often because of my life is all related to the same. Therefore, I would like to change things up, talk about some deeper things, reflect more on what's happened and what is to come. The peace in my heart says the Lord has amazing plans for the year ahead, and I would love to share that journey with you. I pray that you come back and visit and walk with me on God's journey. The goal will be to continue the weekly health update and post at least one other time each week. The next topic of thought is on prioritization so stay tuned. But on that note, I must prioritize and go get some personal thing done before traveling east to see friends. Stay safe and have a blessed week!

Healthier Living: Take 41

Week 41 -- 192.6 (+2.2 lbs in 10 weeks, therefore total loss of 18.8 lbs after 40 weeks)
Week 31 --190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)

The past 10 weeks have been rough and obviously not successful in the weight loss though thankfully only a small gain.

Contributors though not excuses for the weight gain
- Thanksgiving, Birthday, Christmas, New Years, Leaving a Job, Starting a Job
- Stopped running after December 1st due to heel spur, busy life, darkness, laziness, lack of motivation
- Since December 1, the body has been acting out of the ordinary, as well.
- Working out at the gym has also been very minimal though not totally non-existent.

Next 10 weeks ending on April 8 will require a lot of dedication, motivation, and commitment. In just over 12 weeks is the Louisville Derby Mini-Marathon, I still have intentions to complete this event this year and have to the first part of March to make that decision. Hopefully having been off the foot for almost two months now means that I can successfully get back to running and accomplish this goal.

To lose more weight, I really have to focus on preparing food and not eating junk. This too is going to take some dedication along with prioritization.

May the next 10 weeks be full of great things and great accomplishments. Thanks for following and supporting me on this journey!

Saturday Smiles Treinta

The Lord provides so many blessings in our lives! My outlook and position on life has seen a great change in the past few weeks. I thank each of you for the impact you have made in my life and for all the support and encouragement.

Tuesday afternoon, I checked my mail to find a card in the mailbox that puzzled me. The name did not jump out at me nor the address. Who did I know in Fisherville, KY that would be sending me a card? I know no one getting married or having a baby that I could think of. Opening the card resulted in a note thinking about me as I started my new job. Now even more lost until I caught the postmark from Tallahassee, Florida. Yes, MA from church and her husband are in Florida for a couple months enjoying the warmer weather and sunshine. What else is amazing, she had to really seek out my address because it is not online nor is it in any church directory at this time. Her thoughtfulness made my day and week and definitely put a bright smile on my face.

 May you have a fun filled, blessed new week!

Healthier Living: Take 40

Week 40 -- 193.4
Week 39 -- 193.6
Week 38 -- 191.8
Week 37 -- 191.4
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Week 31 -- 190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)

Life is busy, busy though no excuse for not being motivated and working out. Stabilizing but still up 3 pounds over the past 9 weeks. Not necessarily expecting any miracles in the coming week either.

I did make it to the gym once last week to do arm weights which is better than nothing. This week is probably going to rank about the same.

How are you doing with your health goals?

Saturday Smiles Veintinueve: A Bit Late

What another marvelous week!

Amazing how the Lord provides even when things do not go as previously planned! Last weekend was a great awakening to that fact again. After having planned to spend the weekend in Indiana and seeing a lot of friends, plans ended up being almost 100% changed. Everyone in Bloomington was sick and others had plans, therefore I convinced a new friend, EJ, from church to join me for a trip to Indiana.

The opportunity to spend with EJ and take her to her first IU basketball game was lovely. I was able to briefly meet up with a couple Bloomington folks even though lunch plans too did not go as planned. Next time, I will hopefully enjoy some Mandalay and Coconut Chicken Soup. It was definitely a blessing to see everyone and catch up.

The last big adventure of the day was going to Greenwood for an apartment warming party for two previous Franklin students, RKP & ZM. Though the weather was rough and it was a bit out of the way, I would not give up the wonderful opportunity to support and see not only RKP & ZM but other previous New Student Mentors and Resident Assistants from my time at Franklin. Afterwards, we enjoyed some Ritter's Custard in Franklin and a tour of the campus.

Overall the day was an amazing adventure full of reconnecting and seeing the awesome wonders the Lord provides through His love.

Reminder that our plans are not always His plans but He will show us the way and provide us marvelous things!

Have a blessed week!

Healthier Living: Take 39

Week 39 -- 193.6
Week 38 -- 191.8
Week 37 -- 191.4
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Week 31 -- 190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)

Another rough week with too much eating and no exercise. Definitely not going to lose the 9 lb goal for the 4th 10 week period, but hopefully, I can recenter and get focused again on getting in shape and eating healthier.

Hoping to get into the gym and start running again this week. Maybe next week will have a new outlook.

Thanks for your support!

Saturday Smiles Veintiocho

Wow, what a week!!

Last Saturday night was a great night spent with the youth ministry coordinator, assistant coordinator, and 3 youth parent couples that assist greatly with the youth program. We had a wonderful night hanging out, having fun, talking, playing games, and of course eating some delicious food. It was a very late night but a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, that meant I missed out on another fun party on Sunday in Lexington for Epiphany, but preparing for a new job and getting some other things done around the apartment took priority.

It was a blessed week at my new job. There are some really great people and a wonderful, honest organization. I am rather looking forward to the opportunities to come in this new job. Though, it will take some time to learn another industry and to wrap my head around all the processes and ways of doing things. And as always the world is small, the Sr. Developer on my team and I actually worked briefly together at a previous IT job.

Thursday night provided a wonderful opportunity to catch up with an old supervisor and then Friday night hanging out with other young professionals at a chili supper and seeing other church folks. It was great to catch up and hang out with the various folks.

The Lord provides great blessings! Wishing you all the best this coming week!

May God's love bring a smile to your face.

Healthier Living: Take 38

Apologize for the tardiness of this post...

Week 38 -- 191.8
Week 37 -- 191.4
Week 36 -- 189.8 (Sunday)
Week 35 -- 191.4
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Week 31 -- 190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)

The only positive is that in ways I am maintaining. I did make it to the gym twice last week for some weight lifting and cardio on the bike. The bad thing is that I was supposed to start my mini-marathon training on December 31 and that did not and has not happened. Hopefully, I can get into a groove next week. I might even be able to make it to the gym to work out again with my previous co-worker.

Hopefully, next weeks update will be on time. It definitely is not going to be any additional weight loss, just hopefully no gain.

Saturday Smiles Veintisiete: New Years Edition

Another wonderful New Years Eve with friends and their ever growing families in Lexington. The Lord blesses us everyday and places amazing people in our lives. I thank God every day for the wonderful friendships made while in Lexington and a part of YAACK. And though I have not been in town for over 6 years now, we are still able to gather and have a great time as we never missed a beat. I look forward to hopefully catching up again tomorrow as the B's have an Epiphany  party. I pray that the young professionals group here in Louisville is able to make the same difference in a group of young adults lives. I ask your prayers as we seek ways to pull more people.

Friday was also a blessed day as I completed my last day at my current position before moving on to a new position on Monday. Ten people joined me for lunch at PF Changs and many others gave their well wishes but could not join in for lunch. Thanks to SP for putting it together! Though sad to leave some great folks, I know several of us will keep in touch, and their is a strong feeling of well wishes and understanding. And the excitement is hard to conceal regarding the new opportunity that lies ahead. I know God has definitely blessed me this year, and this is just one of many exciting things to come in this new year of my life.


Thanks again to all of you who silently ready and join in on this journey! Prayers and thoughts with you in 2013! May it be full of blessings and new adventures!

Healthier Living: Take 37

Week 37 -- 191.4
Week 36 -- 189.8 (Sunday)
Week 35 -- 191.4
--------------
Week 31 -- 190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)

The battle continues this season of holidays and celebrations. I expect nothing different this week as it is New Years Eve followed by my last 3 days at my current job. The positive of it all is that overall I am maintaining and not overly gaining.

Again not a lot of activity this past week, I did shovel my parent's driveway on Wednesday eve, which was a good 1.5 hrs of exercise and amazing no soreness afterwards. My mother was sure I would be in great pain come Thursday, but I was moving around par normal.

It appears that I may need to go searching my suitcases of old clothes for smaller pants. Those I am wearing now are starting to get loose around the waist and fall. The problem, all my weight is disappearing from my hips and butt leaving nothing to hold up my pants because it is all above the waistline. It is good and bad all wrapped up together. I will count my blessings for the ability to lose weight and feel much better.

May your new year be full of great blessings and wonders! Trust me, my 35th year and 2013 are going to be one fantastic year. The Lord has blessed me, provided hope, and wonderful people in my life! Thanks again to all of you for following my blog, praying for me and my journey, and just being a spirit and beacon of light!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Saturday Smiles Veintiseis: Christmas Edition

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas is my favorite time of year! The joy and happiness that surrounds Christmas, the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, and the time celebrating with family and friends brings a constant smile to my face.

The past week, I have spent time with my family near and far, young and old. Christmas Eve, my mom's family continues to gather to celebrate Christ's birth and time with family. It is a joy sitting back and watching the 15 great-grandchildren running around and imagining how us 12 grandchildren were running around Paw-Paw and Woo-Woos house as little ones. The family continues to grow, and it is such a blessing that we still gather 16 years after Paw-Paw passed away just after Christmas and the birth of great-grandchild number 1. It was great to have all but one cousin and almost all the great-grandchildren present. I pray that this tradition continues for many more years to come.

Christmas, my father's family came over to our house for a Christmas lunch. The time with dad's family is very precious as my grandparents are aging and facing Alzheimer's and dementia.

Winter is my favorite season of the year. The cold crisp air and the beautiful white snow brings huge smiles to my face and makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. Therefore Wednesday morning when I woke at 5 am, I was out on the front steps taking pictures and wide awake. I went back asleep to wake at 8 am with a bit more snow on the ground to enjoy. Thankfully, it was not the blizzard that was anticipated but a good 4+ inches of nice packing snow.

Christmas, birth of Jesus, family, and snow...The Lord is giving!

What brought a smile to your face this week? I pray that you and your family had a blessed Christmas.

Have a Happy New Year!

Healthier Living: Take 36

Week 36 -- 189.8 (Sunday)
Week 35 -- 191.4
--------------
Week 31 -- 190.4 (11.4 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 21 lbs after 30 weeks)
Week 21 -- 201.8 (5.6 lbs in 10 weeks and total of 9.6 lbs after 20 weeks)
Week 11 -- 207.4 (4 lbs after 10 weeks)
Week 1  -- 211.4 pounds (Starting Weight)

Down a bit from last week but really just in maintenance mode through all these holiday, birthday, end of year, and change of job celebrations.

Tuesday last, I returned to the podiatrist. He prescribed a topical cream with several drugs mixed together. It was delivered to my doorstep with 24 hours of finalizing the details, which was amazing. The intention is to put it on 3 times a day, which is very difficult. I am really not sure how well it is or is not working. The foot is still in pain and I have not been exercising much.

Exercise...
Friday, I went to the gym and did 15 minutes on the bike and arm weights. I could tell that I have not lifted weights in awhile both while lifting and the day after. That was the extent of my workout this past week.

Tomorrow, I may get a good work out shoveling snow. I am patiently waiting the incoming blizzard. Currently, it is only rain and wind.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! 

Thanks again for following along in this journey!