Finally... An Update!

I have been wanting to post an update before now, but I'm just too easily distracted. Not much has been going on in my life, so I'm not sure why I couldn't just take the time to sit down and blog. It's not like I'm a busy person. Seriously. NO excuses.

Anyway, now that I'm here, I should update you! I have just finished about five weeks of fully devoted better eating and exercising. My original weight-loss goal was 60 pounds. That amount was based on a body assessment with a personal trainer last summer. Since then, I had actually gained about 10 more pounds. But, in order to not be too overwhelmed, I'm sticking to the original 60 pound goal. When I meet that goal, I'll re-assess the whole BMI/Body Fat percentage thing and decide if any further work is needed.

So, after about six weeks, and after actually meeting with a personal trainer for the past week, I am very pleased to announce that I have lost a total of 12 pounds to date! It has not been easy. I have been working out five days a week, sometimes doing two sessions a day. In the mornings, I go to the gym and do various routines with the trainer. Thankfully, the gym membership and personal trainer services are provided free-of-charge to Army members and their dependents. Otherwise, this would not be possible at all. In the evenings, Patrick and I try to jog/walk around the 3-mile track here on post. Patrick actually runs. It's all I can do to not fall down on the ground. But, never-the-less, I forge on! I've skipped just one day so far. It was today. My allergies have gone crazy and I could not get out of bed. So, here's to tomorrow!

As far as food goes, we've really cut back on eating out. Not as much for our health as for our wallets, but it has been helping. We have been fans of the book Body By God by Dr. Ben Lerner. He has a lot of very good things to say about what God intended for us to eat and what we as humans have gotten away from as general rules about eating. Some of our family members (you know who you are) think that we are crazy for one thing in particular. Dr. Lerner is a big believer in the idea that humans should not drink cow's milk. I know what you're thinking... CRAZY! His point is a valid one... Humans are the only species that drink the milk of another species. Cow milk is designed by God to add several hundreds of pounds to cows in a short period of time. So then, why do we as humans need to drink said milk? Okay, I don't want to start a fight, I'm just telling you about the book. There are a lot more foods that the book says to avoid, and honestly, it's got to be a personal choice for each of us. As a substitute for cow's milk, we use Almond milk. It's tasty and works just the same as dairy.

We have been eating a great deal more fruits, berries, and vegetables. Most of our dinner meals are some variation of a salad w/chicken, turkey, or fajita beef. We have not completely cut out the fun stuff, but we have learned to eat in moderation and that we can be happy on less junk.

I have such a long way to go. The mirror is not my friend, and neither is the scale. If I've learned anything, it's that it doesn't matter whether the scale tells me I've lost weight, it's how I feel! And, I'm feeling great. I do get disappointed when the scale doesn't show it, but I've decided that as long as I feel leaner, thinner, and healthier, that's all that matters.

Here I go! Making a goal public...

Yikes! Not sure what I'm thinking by posting this. Maybe it will help me be accountable and really try harder! Maybe, someone will be praying for me because they read this.

Okay, here it is:

I have set a goal for myself to lose 60 pounds in what's left of 2009, and to meet the minimum standards for the Army Physical Fitness Test for my age and height. Don't read too much into the latter part of the goal. If I can actually attain it, I might consider auditioning for the Army band, however, my medical history will probably disqualify me. So, it's actually just a good personal goal for me. My deadline is New Year's Eve.

I'll post my progress periodically. I am actually excited about getting this body back into shape (although it's been so long, I'm not sure what that would actually look and feel like).