T O D A Y

Today was weigh in, six weeks since day one. On day one I weighed in at 340, I was morbidly obese, had blood pressure of 142 over 92, in every way physically unfit. My energy was low, I had mood swings depending on when I ate, I hid from the world more than I participated in it because moving in the world was uncomfortable.

That was then, today is a completely different world for me. Today I weigh 307. Today my blood pressure was 126 over 72, today at my workout at Body ReNew I did 3 sets of each exercise instead of 2. Today my energy is high and getting higher. Today I love to go into the world, to see people and already know that they see me differently then just a few weeks ago and for the last many, many years.

Prior to starting the program at Alaska Premier Health I did a lot of research about other peoples experience, maybe that is why you are here at this blog, a common thread was many people had strong emotional reactions during the weight loss. So I have been waiting for that to happen, I had visions of waking up at 3am freaking out from hunger and raging into the video camera. Thankfully that NEVER happened. Tonight, something intense did happen and I want to share that.

The day was great, I had accomplished a lot of work and I was off to work out. Suddenly I had this surge of emotion realizing that in 8-10 days I will be under 300lbs. I'll admit that I started to cry. I think deep down doubt had built up that maybe that just wasn't possible. Doubt. Well I'm happy to say goodbye doubt, goodbye fear, hello me weighing less than 300lbs. Very very soon. Heck I'll be going way past 300. Remember the new pants from a few weeks ago? They are starting to be a bit big...that new belt hole?....soon I think we'll add another.

I plan on getting a new video blog up very soon. Thanks for all the comments asking when the new one will be posted. Thank You to everyone of you for supporting me.

In closing tonight, I would like to again express my Sincere Gratitude to Alaska Premier Health and Body ReNew. Each and every one of you has made a direct impact, a measurable difference in my life and well being. As Michele and I like to say at Body ReNew I am a Human Being, so it is only logical and right that I keep my Being Well.

How does it feel?

How does it feel to weigh 27lbs less then just a month ago? Let me tell you, it feels AWESOME. This morning at the weekly weigh in at Alaska Premier Health my new friend, Mr. Scale, reported a very svelte 313, down from a starting weight of 340. WOW !!!!!

Frankly, it is hard to contain my excitement over the progress and overall easy of doing this. Not to bash myself, yet when I look back and see how simple the right choice toward Health can be I do question what took so long? the Good news is that it does not matter why, what matters is that I am doing it now. I can't change my past actions, or inaction, I can change the present course and am doing this.

Additionally, this week I will take a big step up at Body ReNew. Michele has asked me to arrive 20mins early and complete warm ups on my own, so that the time working with her is focused on weight and core training. It feels so good to get into the Gym and work out. Now that my body is passed the initial soreness that can occur from a long time of inactivity, the workouts are powerful. It feels good to lean into the weights and move them by force. The time has come for me to put the Hurt on the weights, not the other way around.

I have added a picture of me playing at Humpy's last night with the Rebuttals, the band I'm in. For those that know me, you'll see a clear differance. BTW, the shirt that I am wearing in the picture, I have not worn in 10years. Fits now better then it ever did.

Week 4 video blog

Enjoy the new blog and have a wonderful weekend.

I've got a secret.

I'll let you in on a secret, I've done this before. As a little kid I was always 'Husky' that's even what my pants used to say 'husky' always big. At 13 my father passed away and a big kid got even bigger, until at 15 I wrestled as 'Heavyweight' I was over 200lbs by 14. Then a family friend that ran a diet company enrolled me in their program and I lost 7olbs. Here is a couple of pics, the one on the left was during the weight loss, we can't find any of me at my biggest back then, the one on the right is at the end of that process, weighing in at a whopping 170lbs.

So why do I bring this up? Sometimes the biggest obsticle we face is the fear of the unknown. I can completely empathize with anyone that might read this blog and say "I can't do this" or whatever. Fortunately I have had the experience of changing my body shape before and I know first had how AWESOME it feels. That is part of the reason why I feel that things are going so well for me now.

The good news is that I am here to tell you that you CAN do it. When a person is ready, when one simply cannot take it any longer, when it just hurts to dang much to have ALL the clothes be tight and uncomfortable, when it hurts to walk or stand or just live. There are so many people right now that want us to be healthy and fit. I can tell you right now that Friends and Family are eager to support a decision that promotes Health! The proof is right in this blog with continued growing support for my decision.

So yesterday was the weigh in...and yes I am down. Going to keep the suspense until the new Video blog is posted in the next 24hrs or so. Life is going great, I am busy, full of energy, a renewed positive attitiude and not sluggish and slow. If you are thinking about addressing your health, if you would rather loss one pound than gain one more...today is your day, today is my day.

Pants on the Ground!

My pants are falling down and its not cause I'm all into a certain look or type of music. Yep, my pants are on the ground, can't keep'em up. I had to take drastic steps today and buy a new pair of pants, 2 sizes smaller than anything I owned. When I started the journey all my pants were size 54 waist, today I bought 50. 4in, unoffically of course, it feels great to wear smaller clothes. Tomorrow is day 28 weigh in at 7:45, I'll have a new blog up after weigh in with the current results. My goal for tomorrow is to be under what is considered "Morbidly Obese" for my size.

I am so Thankful for Alaska Premier Health and Body ReNew and all of you for supporting my new life.

Q & A Video Blog

Week 3 video blog is here, let me answer your questions.

Day 21 weigh in.

Have you ever had one of those days? Even with a bunch of great news one little thing can make the day mentally challenging. First, how about some really great news:
Day 21, Weight Lost: 18lbs
WOW my goal is to loss 140, now 122!
blood pressure is down
that is just cool.
already down to last hole on belt
will have to make a new one soon.

So, whats the challenge with all this success? Monday morning I woke up with a 'frozen' elbow, a good deal of post work out pain. I talked with Michele at Body ReNew and Ed at Alaska Premier Health and the arm is already healing. Tonight I worked out with Michele focusing on my legs and torso while my arms heal up. It wasn't a great workout. I had eaten to close to workout time and just felt of balance.

Michele was quick to point out how important it is that I listen to my body and that I am not the first person to have a bad workout. What a difference having a personal trainer right there to help me in success and in failure and always keep getting back in the gym. Saturday we snapped a few pictures, hope you enjoy seeing the before and during photographs.


I have to thank some friends that have really supported me the last couple days as my arms where really aching, helping to give me some perspective to the process. And certainly a Big Thanks to all of you who are following and contributing to the blog.

I'll be recording a new Video-Blog tomorrow night, so if you have any questions please send them now.

So how is it going?

It's Friday! I'm ready for the weekend, its a packed weekend of IDITAROD fun. Before the race the band I play will rehearse tonight, always a good workout, then tomorrow morning downtown Anchorage for the ceremonial start of the race. I'll be shooting the start of the race and will include some in a future video-blog. Saturday afternoon is workout time with Michelle at BodyRenew. After two sessions I can't wait to work out again with her guidance, what a differance a personal trainer makes!

Sunday is the restart, the real start of the race in Willow. I am hoping to ride a snowmanchine out on the trail a ways for a proper sendoff. Followed Sunday night by another Rebuttals rehersal. That's a full weekend!

By far the most frequently asked question is "so how is it going?" and I am so happy to report that it is going really well. Today is day 18, I have accomplished more projects in the last 18 days than I have in a few months. Energy levels are way up, the training sessions with Michelle are making an impact in awakening muscles that have been sleeping for too long.

The 'diet' portion is so easy. The only challenge that I face right now is sticking to the schedule of when to eat with a busy life. Yet there are many tools that help, like the iPod, there are apps that help schedule when to eat and remind me, hey time to eat! I find the meals to be satisfying and filling, plusing eating so many raw vegitables (they could be steamed if I wanted) is just awesome.

It really makes me think why in the past I made the choices I did. Why eat the Junk when good, healthy, incredibly tastey food is so readily available. I won't beat myself up over the past, yet I want to recognize the old habbits and leave them in the past.

I love this oppurtunity, a sincere Thank You to everyone at Alaska Premier Health and Body ReNew.

Go Rick! time for number SIX!
Brad

First weigh in

Yesterday was the first official weigh in, 14 days into the program. Am I up? Down? Sideways? Watch this video to find out and see what I am eating everyday. Thanks for all of your support and keep sending the questions this way.

Temptation

This past weekend was incredible, if you like winter and the outdoors it doesn’t get much better. A group of 10 spent the weekend in Willow Alaska snow-going in the great land and enjoying some cabin life.

The physical activity was great, the weather perfect, the gas tanks full and the Temptation of junk food was everywhere. Chips, pop, beer, sausage filled breakfast smothered in cheese, huge pizzas and deli sandwiches and everyone constantly offering me food and then going, “Opps I forgot, sorry” yeah sure.

The great news is that even with all this temptation around me, honestly I was not tempted, much. The plan that Alaska Premier Health has implemented for me is so complete and my desire to succeed is so strong that even the hosts world famous biscuits and Gravy couldn’t shake my drive to be Healthy.

Before the weekend I spent some time going over the meal plans, setting up a series of meal reminders on the iPhone and making sure that plenty of water and veggies were with on the trip. Some mindful forethought coupled with the will to succeed trumped any temptation put in my place.

Tonight I start working out at Body ReNew and Tomorrow is the big 2week weigh in, additionally a new video blog is almost complete. Look for a big week of blogs and information on my continued journey to health. Thanks for your comments and questions and feel free to keep sending them my way.