20% There, 100% Committed

So far, this has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. After months of struggling to just maintain (not doing well at it either) through all the ups and downs of life, I finally feel like I'm winning the battle. However, one thing I have been hesitant to mention (trying to mentally overcome) is that on day ONE I strained or pulled a muscle in my hamstring region. It loosens up once I start to run, and generally feels best right after running, but the pain all other times seems to be increasing.

So, with 10 days finished, clothes are fitting better (I'm down 9 pounds), energy has increased, work focus has improved and my spiritual life is in a better place than it has been in a long time. I find myself having to remind myself very often that this is a journey not a destination - especially on the weight loss side of things. If you had told me going in that I would have dropped 9 pounds in 11 days, I would have been happy, but since I lost 8 in the first 5 and only one pound since, it is hard to feel satisfied with it. In some ways, that is a positive because it is fueling my desire to push harder each day.

So far this week, I have logged an additional 11 miles of cardio and will work out for the second time today. I have started a new program that is pushing me.

On weight days, I rotate 1/3 mile runs before, in between and after my lifting sets. The key is that my target for each 1/3 mile run is under 3:10 (which because it takes 10 seconds for the treadmill to get up to speed) that's about a 9 minute mile pace) and did do sub 3 minutes twice. I then take a little break and walk a mile which gives me 3 miles of cardio on weight training days - I'll take it!

With regard to the Advocare 24 day challenge. I am passed the cleanse and into the Max Phase. I'm enjoying the meal replacement shakes more often than I have in past times, and have reduced my portions from what I was eating considerably. I am going to add a day of fasting after I finish the 24 day challenge, to ensure my focus continues going into the last three weeks of the 50For50.

Thank you for taking the time to read this - and all encouragement is much appreciated.

Week One Summary

My last update was on the 7th day, but I made it to the gym and stretched the results a little more.

My final numbers:

Weights: 34,080
Miles: 29
Push Ups: 325
Sit Ups: 250 (off by 50 here)
Weight: 223 lbs

Work is going well and I'm in the process of confirming a few events for the next few months as well as assisting my client in their upcoming vision banquet. I am also going to finally complete the website for Capstone Resource Group and am involved in a few other things as well. Staying busy and appreciating the focus that had been absent from my life.

Thanks for reading. By the way, did 4 miles on treadmill yesterday in under 45 mins, which I know is slow, but it felt good to me. I mixed up walking and running, so I had periods of times where I was running hard. I then added 10 sprint/jogs outside, which nearly killed me. I was a little frustrated that I haven't dropped any additional weight, but I know that it will happen as long as I stay the course.

Sincerely,

Day Seven - Ahead of Schedule

Things could be going a little better, but overall, I'm very pleased. I am definitely 50, but am also on my way to not feeling as old as I did. I have accomplished all the goals for the week (in six days) and will be adding on today with some extra cardio. I ran, walked, biked or swam every day, except Saturday, which consisted of getting up at 5 and driving to an event and working the event, which offered plenty of physical demands (I also wasn't able to eat until close to 4 pm) for the day, so I didn't do anything else that day. My diet has been good, though I have been craving sandwiches most (I'm not one to really crave sweets often) and gave in and had two (with mustard instead of mayo). Work has been going much better, as well as my quiet times - though I could improve in structure with regard to quiet times. With regard to work, the big goal is to get the website for my company finished this week and to work to getting additional Meals of Hope events finalized (a couple that have lingered for a long time). FYI, the website was nearly finished when mom had the stroke, and I just let it go until now. It is important because I have some time sensitive new ideas for potential clients that could really help them. I also have dropped 9 lbs. (All in the first 5 days, as there was no change yesterday, and I won't make it to the gym until later this evening (I have a call from 5-6 p.m.). Here is the summary so far.

Weights: Goal, 25,000 lbs lifted, actual - 25,560
Cardio: Goal 25 miles equivalence - actual 25.5 miles
Personal Time: Every day, actual, all but Saturday
Professional: Goal, five structured hours M-F, actual, more than five.

Also, I am needing more sleep with all of this than I ever have in years gone by. Just another sign that I'm not 46 this time. It will be worth it though.

Day One - The Fast

Greetings:

Today I am taking a day without food for two reasons. One, because I can't remember the last time I chose to deny that aspect of the flesh and two, to jump start the cleanse portion of the upcoming Advocare 24 Day Challenge that I will be starting tomorrow.

I will also get some cardio and strength exercising in, as well as some time in the steam room to help sweat out some of the toxins too.

Regarding work, it has been a productive morning and start to the afternoon.

Spent about 10 minutes reading various scriptures this morning as well.

Overall, it feels great to have this plan and today is off to a good start.

The "Other Side of the Hill"

Welcome Everyone: If you are reading this, then you are a new accountability partner of mine. This challenge isn't about a destination, though I have a few in mind, but instead, about a journey. It will be difficult, but if I can stay injury free, it will also be worth it. After the way 2015 ended with so many life challenges, the prospect of turning 50 was not something I was looking forward to, not so much because I felt any older, but instead because of how out of shape I was again becoming. In August of 2015, I had just finally started trimming some weight again, but then mom's stroke, dad's heart attack, and then the diagnosis of mom with stage 4 pancreatic cancer then her subsequent passing on 10/18/15 - which was followed by even more challenges with dad.....I had really fallen off the bandwagon and as a result, I knew I needed to make a plan to start this side of the hill off in a much different way. The result, my 50for50 challenge. Let me be clear, I am not setting goals here, but instead putting forth the plan, and I suspect it will be altered as time goes on. For example, if I progress as I hope, there will be added aspects to it, but if there is an injury or other unknown obstacles, there will need to be other adjustments. Bottom line, I just won't be going day-to-day without having a plan that will help me get into shape and improve other aspects of my life as well. So....here it is.

 Personal

Quiet Time: This is something I have not done in a long time, and something that I desperately need. The plan is to spend 50 minutes a week (baby steps) in prayer and scripture reading, which will include reading a minimum of 50 Bible verses each week.
Nutrition: Over the years, my diet has improved from what it once was, but I need to really focus here again. I am dividing the 50 days into two parts. The first 25 will start with a one day fast, followed by the Advocare 24 Day Challenge (click link to learn more). This will be my third time doing the challenge, and I highly recommend it! The second 25 days will be focused on single ingredient foods. My wife and I did this for a few months last year and felt great!

 Physical 

Cardio: Each week I will accomplish a minimum of 25 miles of running/walking or the equivalent in swimming and/or cycling. The ratio I will use will be 1 mile of swimming equals 4 miles of running, and 4 miles of cycling equals 1 mile of running.  
Strength: The three lifts that I will do to accomplish the weight amounts are bench press, curls, and triceps pull downs. I will work out three days a week and push a total of 25,000 pounds. This amount will hopefully be added to, but only if my shoulder doesn't flare up again. I will also be doing a minimum of 300 push ups and sit ups each week.

Professional: 

This is an area that needs a new concentrated focus. I have been blessed to have a flexible schedule which afforded me the ability to be there for my parents when they needed me most, but knowing that I am not getting any younger, also requires recognition of the limited amount of potential years to prepare for when I won't be able to work as much. As a result, I will be spending a minimum of 5 hours per day (M-F) in a structured plan for work. I know that doesn't sound like very much, but there are many hours that happen in my line of work that aren't structured and won't be counted either. I am excited to see the results of this and to start working toward a prosperous year.

As I stated before, this isn't about a destination, but a journey. However, I will be updating about the journey periodically and tracking my weight as well. For the record, I am starting at 232lbs and barely able to squeeze into my 36" waste pants, so going with having a 38-40" waste currently.

Here we go......