Saturday, July 19, 2008

Questions & Answers

From time to time, I get emails or comments with questions. So, I thought I would post some of them and my answers:

Mike - I am about 6’ 2” and weigh about 305. I know that is not where I should be, but I am finding it hard to figure out where to start. Time seems to be my biggest enemy. What was the hardest part about getting started for you? - Time Crunched

Dear Time Crunched,

I am totally tracking with you. My schedule just doesn’t seem to work with eating well or exercise.

Our fitness guy, Jimmy Page, told me at the beginning – “Just get moving!” He didn’t set up any plan…he just said to get out and walk or (in my case) get on the recumbent bike 15 mins a day. I really had to change my evening routine in order to get up an extra 30 mins early and get on the bike. For me, the early morning biking was the only way it would work for me. I could make too many excuses by the middle of the day why I couldn’t get on the bike. For others, an evening walk with the family is the thing. Once you get doing it and starting to drop some pounds then you look at more focused plans.

Second, you have to eat well. For me that meant finding out what my body does with food. Carbs are my killer. I don’t really have a problem with fats or cholesterol. Once you know that then you need to find foods that make your body work at top performance and also taste wonderful. I LOVE food! And you can enjoy everything…realizing what it does to you when you eat it and how to balance it. It is amazing how much you body will work for you when you consistently work for it! You can have a cheese burger (once in a while! :-) ) and not wreck yourself because your body is burning fuel (food) at a more efficient rate.

I hope that helps get you started! Let me also suggest that you check out Jimmy’s website for great tips and so much more: www.fcahealthandfitness.org

Mike - What brand of exercise bike do you have, cost and where did you get it. I ask because I want to make sure its one thats comfortable and durable enough for us "husky" guys. - Losing 4 God

Dear Losing 4 God,

I use a recumbent bike in my house. It is a "New Balance" brand but the biggest things to look for are: Comfort in the seat - you are going to be on this for a while, you don't want something that hurts!; Widely adjustable seat - It took me almost a week to find just the "right" spot that made my legs feel the best as I was riding; Heart monitor - most of us just starting exercise don't have a separate heart/pulse monitor and so getting a bike with some electronics is a good idea. Mine has a timer, pulse monitor, mileage and calorie burn readout.

Keep an eye out in the paper and online for some great specials. My bike was on special for 25% off during a summer sale.

PS - Don't forget to check its measurements. It does no good if you can't fit the bike and you in the same room!

Mike - You have talked a lot about the Fast Track meals from SupperThyme USA but what do you eat for snacks? - The Nibbler

Dear Nibbler,

One of the great things about eating on the Fast Track program is that every week there is a handout that comes with yor food that has some wonderful suggestions for snacks between your FT meals.

Some of my favorite snacks:
-- Cheese sticks (skim Mozzarella, cheddar or jack) I LOVE Cheese
-- Peanut Butter & Apple slices ( you should use low-sodium PB but if you are out and about the pre-pckaged portions from Wawa or Royal Farms work delish!)
-- Peanut Butter & Wasa crackers - Lisa from SupperThyme turned me on to this. It is like peanut butter wafers (a'la Nutterbutters)
-- Bell Pepper slices & Hummis (watch the hummis content for sodium!)
-- Carnation Instant Breakfast *no sugar added* - craving chocolate milk? this is only 150 calories and you get vitamins too. Sweet!
-- South Beach Snack Bars - NOT the meal bars! These are only 110 calories and they give you three flavors ina box - get to put in the purse or breifcase if you get stuck in a meeting or traffic.
-- Special K Cinnamon & Pecans - Crunchy, sweet and delish! Only 120 calories - But you MUST stay with the correct portion! It is easy to pour too big of a bowl - MEASURE IT!

I would love to know what your favorite healthy snacks are! Post a comment to this and everyone can benefit.

OK - that is all for now! Off to Brazil. I will try to post from there if the connection is good. In the meantime...

Live Well, Live Healthy,

Mike

Friday, July 18, 2008

Friday Wegh-In 7/18/08

Yeah, I rocked it this week...

Current Weight: 321
Last Week's Weight: 326
Loss for the Week: 5

Starting Weight: 383 Total Loss: 62


Was it easy? Nope. I felt like I was fighting it all week but it did get easier as it went on. By yesterday, I wasn't thinking about food or my next meal or snack all the time. Praise God!

I want to thank you for the notes, emails, comments and even a couple of Grand Central voicemail messages. Your support mean more than you can know. That said, I need your prayers! I am headed to Brazil from Sunday to the following Sunday on a trip with Compassion International. For the most part, I will not be in control of where I eat. For some meals, I will not be in control of what I eat. It will be another test of eating the "right" foods in the "right" amounts.

Again, I covet your prayers for me but also please pray for the group of 15 people from across the US who are going to see the amazing work of Compassion International. You can check our Mornings w/TMD blog to see updates from our trip.

Since I will be away next week - there will be no weigh-in next Friday.

Live Well, Live Healthy!

Mike

Friday, July 11, 2008

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor...And a Great Special

My friends at SupperThymeUSA wanted me to let you know about a great special. You know the Three-A-Day Fast Track program is the best way I have found to eat healthy and lose weight. With everyone watching every penny, this is a wonderful way to get healthy and save a few bucks at the same time!

Click on the SupperThymeUSA banner above to visit their website.

Live Well, Live Healthy!

Mike
clipped from smtp.wrbs.com
8th day free!
Our Fast Track Meals have been out almost a year now, and we've helped many people achieve their weight loss goals!    If you haven't reached your goal, and are ready to get back on track, check out our menus!   We continue to add new items each month and have a variety of new vegetables as well.     Please view the link below to see a sample menu or give us a call!    Want to try out a new gym??  We have coupons for many local facilities - ask when you stop by next time! 
 

As our way to get you going,  please present the coupon below to get One Day's Meals FREE on your NEXT order!       You can either pre-order by entering in the comment field online, or pick up when you arrive!      FEEL FREE TO SHARE WITH A FRIEND!    (Valid for one pick-up) 
 
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USE PROMO CODE 'EIGHT' AND ENTER YOUR 3 MEALS IN COMMENTS SECTION!   OR pickup when you arrive!   (Valid for one PICK-UP)  
Offer Expires: July 31, 2008

Friday Weigh-In 7/11/08

Have I mentioned that it has been a bad couple of weeks...

Current Weight: 326
Last Week's Weight: 323
Gain for the Week: 3

Starting Weight: 383 Total Loss: 57


I'm not going to rehash all the reasons behind my gain. It is all in the previous posts. I can tell you that I am beginning to believe that this a pivotal point for me. It is a spiritual battle. The enemy would like nothing better than for me to continue wallowing in negative self-talk and a defeatist attitude that lets me lose all the ground I have worked so hard for these last six months. I would really appreciate your prayers right now.

Stacey and I were talking about this last night and she just popped up and said, "Let's go!" So, we grabbed Matt and his bike and we all went for an hour-long walk. I love her!

If you are sitting and wallowing...just "Get Up & Go!" You will feel better.

Live Well, Live Healthy!

Mike

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Not the best of weeks...and then...

Sorry that I have been out of it for the last week. The death of our 14-year-old dog hit me harder than I expected and I went downhill with my eating quickly. It took me a few days to get back on track but I still just want to eat. I haven't had this kind of desire since before I started this journey in January. I'm praying that God will take this desire to stuff myself away. This ride has gone too far to give it all back!

And in the midst of my self-indulgence, God sends an encouragement.

The morning show is going with Compassion International to Brazil in just over a week. In addition to your passport, you need a visa to enter the country and that requires two new passport-style photos. This morning I got the passport back with the visa stamp and saw my passport photo taken last July and the new visa photo side-by-side.

It is amazing! It is one of the first times that I can really SEE the difference.

It is still not the best looking picture I've ever taken but I really needed it. God will let us go and see how we handle ourselves but has promised that he will never let us fall away if we reach out for Him. There will be tough times but He will send the Dove with a branch to let you know that there is an end to your trial coming.

You will make it through. I will make it through. We will continue on the right path!

Let me take a moment to thank everyone who has left me comments or sent emails about the loss of Jazz. It helped. And thanks for the continued prayer support.

Live Well, Live Healthy!

Mike

PS - If you noticed, I didn't weigh in. I hope that you give me a pass this week. I'll jump back on the scale this Friday.