Attitude

Today is the 8^th full day on the OptiFast plan as supervised by Alaska Premier Health. As of weigh in this morning I am now down a total of 7lbs. This first week the pounds rapidly came off as my body is adjusting to the new level of caloric intake.

I realize that there may be weeks were the loss is not that rapid. This is not about numbers; this is about Health, and Long Term Health.

Speaking of long term health, last night was my first session at Body ReNew, the personal fitness experts here in Anchorage. Michelle, my trainer, gave me a complete fitness assessment and is developing a plan tailored to my goals. Due to an already scheduled weekend, I will start working with Michelle three days a week on Monday.

The bottom line is this, day 8 and I truly feel great. I feel like a completely different person than I was just 1 week ago. How does it feel? Like I am waking up from a LONG nap, like my eyes are open in a new way. There is a fire that burns inside, a good flame of energy and motivation, of positive attitude, of mind over matter.

And that is a beautiful feeling. Thanks again for all of your support, feel free to send questions and comments my way, either posted on the blog or emailed to me at: bswenson@swensonmediagroup.com

First weigh in

Today I stopped by Alaska Premier Health to pick up food for the new week and have my first weigh in. I was very excited as there was no doubt that I had lost weight, now to find out how much. I am proud to announce 5lbs lost in Six days.

I realize that as the journey continues some weeks will be better than others as my body changes. Yet how can I not be happy with such strong and immediate results.

Attached is the first video blog. I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think of this project, what you want to hear about, what interests you. To make this successful it has to be interactive to lets interact.

First week of journal entries

OK, learning as I blog :-) here are the posts from last week on Facebook:

Day Zero: blood work in, EKG completed, etc. back to Doc at 2pm for results and hopefully to start the program tomorrow. As Henry Ford said: "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right"

Day one: feeling great this morning and full of excitement for losing weight!

Day two: I will soon have a blog site up detailing my progress. Great swim last night and finding the food very satisfying.

More great news: Body ReNew is joining me on the health quest. Starting next week I'll be working with a Personal Trainer in addition to the OptiFast program at Alaska Premier Health. With such a powerful team and great support from all of you, I can already see the new me. ROCK'N!

Day Three: perhaps its all in the mind, yet I already feel more energetic than at the start of this week. Health is Wealth.

Day 4: tons of energy, feel good and really awake. Sure I've been hungry, yet its actually been nice to feel and experience hunger. Thank You for all of your support.

Day Five: on the new life plan. So thankful for everyone involved. This week I'll start working with a personal trainer at Body ReNew, waking up feels great.

As the blog is getting up and running, I post the first weeks entries from Facebook. I will also add some "before" pictures for discussion.

Here is a picture of Jim Thill and me at IBC confernece in Amsterdam 2004. This was about my biggest, way to big...it was hard to move, hard to breath, hard to live and yes I was very unhappy.

Day 7

Wow, what a week this has been. Already in just 7 days I feel like a different person. Seven days ago I started a medically supervised weight loss program called OptiFast at Alaska Premier Health. They have been inspiring in motivating and encouraging me, assuring me that I will not be alone in this journey.

Not only do I have their amazing support, I also have so many wonderful friends and family members that are supporting me as well. I am so thankful to each of you for the support and encouragement. As this blog grows, I will fill it with the experience of this journey, my story, stories from others that have climbed this mountain, conversations about health with you, all of the journey will be laid out right here for everyone to share in.

So thanks for stopping in, please check back often. I will post journals everyday and video clips at least once per week. Send emails with your thoughts, comments and questions and we will make this an interactive discussion about weight and health.

Sincerely,
Brad J Swenson

Day 7

Wow, what a week this has been. Already in just 7 days I feel like a different person. Seven days ago I started a medically supervised weight loss