I'm Drinking Lettuce

Yes, you read that right.  I'm drinking romaine lettuce chopped up in a blender mixed with distilled water.  Why would I do such a crazy thing?!  Well, my father-in-law was prescribed to do this from a natural doctor this year as he was not losing weight and feeling overall drained, worn down and tired every day.  After he drank 4 oz every 2-3 hours of the concoction each day for a week, he began to notice a huge difference in his energy level.  After 3 weeks, he noticed he was losing weight too.  I'm not sure how long he continued drinking the stuff, but it worked for him.  He looks great and he has a lot more energy. 

I decided to do some research on this via Google.  I found several links to blogs that explain what happens when you drink the stuff.  Here they are:

The KeelyNet Blog

Jessie X

Apparently, the health benefits are phenomenal.  My cels get a good cleansing and cholesterol has no way of sticking in my blood.  So far so good. 

Eat For Life

To truly live, you must learn how to eat.  Here are some simple reminders of advice you've probably heard before:

Eat 5 to 6 times daily (3 meals and 2-3 snacks).  It keeps your metabolism working around the clock.

Drink at least 8 eight ounce cups of water a day.  This also helps with metabolism and keeps everything well 'lubricated'.

Understand labels.  Ingredient labels on the food we buy are sometimes really hard to read.  Simple advice: if the list of ingredients is long, it's man-made and not good for you.  

Don't eat processed and refined foods such as white flour, sugar, bread and pasta.  Complex carbs are best - such as whole grains.

Stay away from saturated and trans fats.  This means anything fried or high in sugar.  Look for healthy fats high in Omega 3 and essential fatty acids.

Control your portion sizes.  Don't eat large portions.  A general rule: anything the size of your palm or fist counts as a portion. Remember this when you want to eat a portion of vegetables, protein and carbs.  

Keep the red wine to a minimum.  Anything more than one glass a day is harmful to you.

Slow down.  This one is tough for me.  I generally want to gobble up my food.  Eating slower and chewing well is good for your stomach.  It helps the digestive process.  It also allows your body to tell you when you are full much quicker.  Allow yourself to taste and savor your food.  It will be much more enjoyable overall.

Eat with your family.  I've read studies that families that eat together stay together more often.  Eating a meal with your family will give you an opportunity to touch base and talk about all kinds of things.  It's amazing what happens if we slow down for a bit and enjoy a meal together!

Body Update

If you're wondering why I haven't submitted an update recently about my progress in the transformation, I'll give you a little heads up.

I've actually been a bit discouraged about the program I'm following. I got down and started to veer off track this week. I've only worked out twice this week and it was mostly just cardio.

What I've come to the conclusion of is this: it's not the program that's wrong, it's me and my behavior.

Tell me if you ever feel this way: I start to not see results and then I start to get down. Then, I start to think there's something wrong with my plan, so I change it. Then, I'm completely off track, confused and still don't see results, so I give up. What happens is I start to let my feelings get in the way. I start to feel down and start to do not do things because I don't "feel" like it.

That's kinda how my two boys are sometimes. If they "feel" like doing something, they do it with gusto. If they don't, they whine and complain the whole time. That's where I was at - whining and not feeling like doing the workouts.

Well, I'm glad I realized this, because I was about to give up. After talking with Krissy and she confirmed it,

I've realized that the problem is not the plan, it's me. I've not been sticking to the plan. I've been snacking, binging, overeating, eating late at night and not eating the healthy foods often. There's not been a week where I've followed the eating portion of the plan properly. So, therein lies my downfall - eating. I eat too much, too often, too fast and too late. I'm great at breakfast with portions and self-control, but by the end of the day, I break down and pig out and pig out hard!!!

The challenge is going to be changing my behavior and my thought process. I need to stay disciplined and do what I'm supposed to do even when I don't feel like it - which is very often. So, herein lies my commitment breakdown. Just do the plan. It's a good plan. Just do it. Do it when I don't want to. Do it when I am not feeling like it. I need to just do it.

One other side note is that I've not found a suitable workout time. I've decided the best workout time is in the morning at 6 - 7am. Otherwise, it's not getting done. If I should miss one time, I will do it in the evening between 5 and 6pm or 8-9pm. This is my second choice.

Okay, so there it is. I'm back on my plan and sticking to it!!! On Election Day (Nov. 4), I still have a goal to be 190lbs, 34 in waist and 14% body fat. Here I go again!!!

Mr. Abs of Franklin - Week 1 Progress Report

PROGRESS REPORT - So far this week, I've lost 1 pound of fat.  My % is down to 22%.  (22.5% last week)

My weight is still 202.5 lbs. 

My resting heart rate was 78 bpm.  (84 last week)

My waist was down to 38 inches.  (39 last week)

I would grade myself a B on my first week's Strength For Life effort.  I've never felt so sore.  I worked out everday except I did not follow the plan on Saturday.  Instead, I spent 6 hours mowing, trimming the grass and trimming all of the hedges and trees in our yard.  I also made some mistakes in my workout schedule - instead of doing my Pull workout on Thursday, I did my abs/HIIT training that day.  I should have done that on Friday.  Oh well.  I still made great effort and kept to my eating commitments.  I find it hard to keep a journal - just finding the time to plan and fill it out is difficult.  Oh well, I'm on to Week 2! 

My Quest to be "Mr. Abs Franklin 2008"

I just finished the HIIT/ABS workout.  Day 2.  In addition to doing the workout plan, I also played tennis the last two mornings.  I hope I haven't been overdoing it.  My body is a good sore, not overdoing-it sore.

The abs workout is tremendous.  My stomach muscles were really worked on this exercise.  Shawn Phillips is supposed to be "Mr. Abs USA" 2004 or something.  I can see why.  Maybe I can be "Mr. Abs Franklin" 2008!?

Anyway, since I already had my Base Camp, it really has been easier to continue eating healthy.  I remember doing Body For Life and really hating it the first week - probably because my body wasn't ready to start.  I was worn out after week 2.  This time, with SFL, I've been able to ease into the workout and eating part much easier.  In fact, it's almost easier to eat with the Transformation plan because I'm not cutting out as much. 

We bought a new Vita-Mix blender at Costco the other day.  I really want to get some nutrition shakes/smoothies to drink/make right after my workouts.  Nothing would feel better!

Sorry I haven't written in a few days.  I was at Promise Keepers with my good friend, Bryson and a new friend, Lee.  I'll write about that next.   

Pre-Transformation Measurements

Alright, here's where the rubber meets the road.  Remember, I'm going to take the next 12 months and focus on fitness.  I have a great plan that I will follow using Strength For Life as my guide. 

Here are my pre-transformation numbers:

PRE-TRANSFORMATION	MEASUREMENT	GOAL
30-Jul-08	DATE	Oct-08
202.5	WEIGHT	188.5
22.5%	BODY FAT %	13.5%
84	RESTING HEART RATE	65
107/77	BLOOD PRESSURE	120/80
174	CHOLESTEROL	150
5.3	CORONARY RISK RATIO	4
39	WAIST	34
33	HDL	45
106	LDL	105
173	Triglycerides	145

So basically, I'm fat.  Okay...there, I said it.   

You'll notice my goals on the very right highlighted in yellow.  I will post my progress in the easy to measure areas: Weight, Body Fat % (I have calipers at home) and Waist.  At the end of the 12 weeks, I'll also have some blood work done. Then, I plan to post the final results. 

Note: this is not meant to be a selfish endeavor, although it might appear that way.  In all seriousness, I've been very lazy and a slacker when it comes to taking care of the body God gave me.  It's not something I'm proud of. 

Cheer me on with some encouragement if you want...

Strength Goals

Another task in Strength For Life is to write 4 Goals for the 12 Week Transformation.  Here are mine...

On October 27, 2008:

1. I will lose 20 pounds of fat and gain 6 pounds of muscle.



2. I will lose 5 inches off my waist.



3. Food no longer controls me.



4. My heart is as healthy as an 18 year old!

Strength Vision

One of the tasks in Strength For Life as I gear up to my transformation is to write a vision statement.  I've written a personal vision statement already (you can view that here).  The following is my strength statement...

I am strong-mentally, physically and spiritually.  I am resisting temptations in all of these areas.  I am choosing resourcefulness over laziness.  I am choosing strength over sluggishness.  I am choosing Christ and His glory over anything else.  This includes His glory in my body!  I am parenting, working, loving, reading and exercising strong.  I am picking friends that encourage me.  I am making good choices all the time by slowing down and thinking smart.  I am optimistic about life and after-life.  I’m beginning with the end in mind.  I am taking every day on as if it’s my last – living like I am dying!

Strength For Life

On Sunday, August 3, I plan to begin my 12 Week Transformation from flab to fab!!  I'm following a new fitness plan called Strength For Life by Shawn Phillips (brother of Body For Life Bill Phillips). 

These last few years of eating, binging, eating even more, failed diets and even greater eating still have had an effect on my body.  Later this week, I'm going to take 'official' measurements, but I already know I'm over 205 pounds and way too much body fat. 

During these next 3 months, I'm not planning a trip or doing anything that could distract me from making a transformation in my body and mind.  So, no more excuses.  I'm always hopeful when I start a workout program or eating plan, then I tend to lose interest or motivation.  I've made a commitment to finish strong this time. 

Before I actually started the transformation, I've been doing the Base Camp program in the book.  For 12 days, I'm eating no wheat, no cows milk or sugars.  Plus, I'm eating tons of veggies, fruits, nuts and healthy meats - as much as I want.  I'm sleeping 7-8 hours a night.  I'm also drinking tons of water.  Plus, I'm doing a light workout 3x per week just to keep myself fit.  The routine is meant to reboot your system and prepare it for the Transformation phase. 

I'm on Day 8 of Base Camp. Days 1-3 were tough.  I could feel my body weakening for lack of sugar and breads!  I was craving junk and fighting off weakness.  I also couldn't sleep well the first few nights.  I slept 7-8 hours, but it was light sleep.  Now, I'm coasting.  I can much more easily resist sugars.  I do crave breads and cereal every now and then, but I'm confident I will complete the task.  I'm sleeping like a baby - snoring away!

I might start a link on my page to go directly to the pages that cover my transformation.  Look for that link somewhere on this page sometime soon.  I will post my measurements, photos (if I dare) and updates regularly on my progress there.  Please send encouragement to me along the way...I could use it. 

37

37. Does that sound old to you? A 37 year old man. Today, I'm 37.  Thirteeeeeeeee-sevennnnnnnnnnnnn!! Ugh...that sounds old.

Here are some things I'm going to work on in the next year:

1. Lose weight.  I'd like to be 185-190 lbs of pure lean muscle mass!

2. Have a better balance of my work life and my family life.  I spend too much time working and not enough time being a husband and a dad. 

3. Be a better worker.  I'm doing too much.  I need to administrate better and improve my work habits and planning.  I'd rather do less and earn more.  I'm working on that.

4. Financially, I'd like to be a better saver and more disciplined in our spending.

5. I'd like to be a better friend.  I don't invest in others well.  I'm going to endeavor to be a better friend to those God has put around me.

If I can do that this year, I'll say I've accomplished much in the 37th year of my life.

Happy Birthday to me!

Spa Anyone?!

Today, we pampered ourselves.  Next week, Krissy and I celebrate 10 years of marriage.  So, in honor of the boys last full day of school, we booked a 60-minute Swedish Massage at Adagio Massage Co. & Spa for our last day of freedom and bliss. 

All in all, for the price ($70 per person), I would rate Adagio on Division Street a 6 out of 10.  The most important part, the massage, was good.  The things that could use improving there include better wine selection, fresh-baked desserts and a better overall vibe/mood/atmosphere.  It seemed a bit business-like - especially in the building they were in.  However, I think all of this could be easily done.  I wish them well.

Now that my fingers and wrist are relaxed again and ready for more blogging, I want to ask you to rate the top spas in your area.  Krissy and I want to visit more spas for vacations - particularly for a 3-4 day mini-vacation together.  Can you recommend some?  I'd love to hear from you!