An update on the road to losing 39

Well here it is the 8th of August and Im almost two months into my 4 month journey on trying to lose 39 lbs by my 39th birthday in December. Initialy this jounrey started off well, I was down about 6 lbs from my staritn weight just a few weeks ago. I since put those back on and a couple of more. I didnt really think I was doing that bad with my choices but then when I sit down and take a serious look, im still piling the empty calories ( and sugar and fat ) into me. I havent cut back on the soda like I had set out to. Candy bars seem to still get counsumd a few times a week and the list goes on.

I know there is still time and I can make the changes needed. I decided though last night that I am going to go back and sign up for Weight Watchers. I figure that if I am paying for WW, ill be more motivated to do the right thing. Debbie had mentioned that she wanted to go back so we will go together. I think itll be good that we are both doing it at the same time. We can provide one another motiviation, keep each other in check and eat much better at home.

We shall see how it goes

Getting Started On The Road To Losing 39

What does the title mean you ask? Ive known for quite some time that I need to get serious about losing weight. Im not happy or comfortable with were I am weight wise. A few weeks ago I thought about my 39th birthday which will be here December 18th. I decided that starting June 18th, I wanted to set out to lose 39 lbs by my birthday. That gives me 6 months to lose a ittle over 6 lbs a month. Ive lost 40 lbs in 4 months before so I know it can be done. I also know that if I accomplsih my goal, Ill be down to 168 lbs. Its been at least 15 years or more since I was at that weight.

How do I plan on accomplish my goals you ask?

Lots of little things that hopefully will add up to alot of weight loss

Some of those things are...

Cutting way back on fast food
Kick the Coca-Cola habit ( or at least cut that way back )
Eating healthier and cleaner ( read lots of fruits and veggies, lean meats, more whole grains )
Exercise and working out

While its barely a week into my 6 month journey, some of these things Ive started implementing already. Im playing hockey two nights a week, along with helping with the kids Learn to Love hockey program at the Castle. Im also pakcing my lunch and healthy snacks to take to work every day. Plus I signed up for a 12 week weight loss challenge on Kickrunners. Every little bit helps. Im hoping to start seeing some results soon.

Wish me luck!

Is This Thing On?

Wow, I havent entered a blog entry in over a month. Competely skipped an entry in April. Do people even do these things anymore? I checked in on several friends blgs. Its either been months since they last did an entry, a year or more in some cases or now their blog is private ( obviously I dont get to those much or I woulda known that ) Im thinking of making mine private. Most of the time when I have comments, I have no idea who these people are.

If your interested in being on the invited list, either leave a comment, email me or msg me on Facebook

20 Year Reunion

Wow not only has the 2 months flwon by since I last updated this but 20 years has passed since I graduated Apollo High School. Im planning on going to the reunion but not sure what to expect. I ahvent seen many of my fellow class of 90 graduates since that long ago May night. Im not sure how many folks I know will even be at the reunion. Its being held at Dave and Busters in Scottsdale a week from Saturday. I have heard alot of folks talking about not going to he actual reunion but hanging out at the bar at D&Bs instead and/or going to a keg party. Guess we shall see how it goes.

Grand Canyon

Let me start this by saying its pretty sad when you are a life long resident of the home of the Grand Canyon and you have only been there once in your 38 years of living in said state.

With that in mind, I went on a day trip up to the Grand Canyon last week. We have had Debbie's nephew Branden staying with us for 3 weeks as he was on leave from the Army. During that time his girlfriend Sina, who is from Germany, was also staying with us. It was suggested that we should take Sina to see the Grand Canyon while she's here. So Wednesday night after I got off work, Branden, Sina, my father in law and I drove up to Flagstaff for the night. Its only a 2 hour drive up to Flag and another 2 to the Canyon ( sure beats driving 4 hours at night after work ) We got up there with no issues, found a hotel and got some sleep ( well at least some of us did ) Bright and early the next morning my FIL infomrs us he has a splitting headache and isnt feeling well. Great, just what you dont want to have happen. We contemplated going home but he said no he would just rest in the truck while the 3 of us checked out the GC. So we made the two hour drive, getting up to the visitors center around 10 am. We then spent the next 3.5 hours walking about a mile and a half walking the rim trail taking in all the sights. Between the three of us, we took about 500 pics. WHile it was overcast, windy and cold the sights were amazing. THe canyon had a alyer of snow in some parts and was just breath taking. We his a gift shop at Yavapai Point and did a bit of shopping. I picked up the Offical Guid To Hiking The Grand Canyon as Debbie and I are planning on hiking the Canyon later this year. We then took the shuttle bus back to the VC and checked in on my FIL. He was feeling better so we then drove over to Bright Angel Point and got a different view. The sun had come out and the weather was warming up so it made for a nice afternoon. We then headed back to Flag, got a bite to eat and then headed back to the valley.

So now I can say Ive been to the Grand Canyon twice in 38 years of living here. I guess it wont be 24 years between visits as Sarah and my niece Megan want to go see it, plus Debbie and I will be hiking it this year or next.

Final Week of 2009 ( albeit a little late )

I saw this meme over on Kris's blog and liked it, so I decided to answer the questions for myself. ( Im glad your writing more often again Kris )

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? The first thing that sticks out is my ministry trip to Peru. 2009 was probably the year that I felt the most direction from God in my life. From not understanding why my church would send a mission team to Peru in 07 and 08 to jumping in and going to Peru in 09 and getting more involved with the childrens ministry on Sundays, 09 was a big step for me in my journey with the Lord.

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? As with any new year, '09 started out fairly well with better food choices, cutting back on
my Coke intake and exercising more consistently. But like they say all good things must come to an end. Around May with the passing of my sister in law, the wheels started falling off. I wasnt making good eating choices, the exercising went to crap and around the time my Peru trip started in June I was back to drinking soda. I never really got back on track and I still havent found my yet. I dont really have any goals for this new year other than to continuing my strengthen my relationship with God.

3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve? We went to a party at our friend's the Tipperys. This was the third year in a row for us although Debbie wound up staying home cuz Tyler wasnt feeling so well.

4. Did anyone close to you die? My sister in law Lori passed away unexpectedly in May and my running friend Joe passed away also unexpectedly in July.

5. What countries did you visit? Peru ( oh and I flew over Cuba, which was pretty cool )

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? The winning 100 million dollar Powerball ticket lol

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? June 10th, the day we landed in Peru. First time I had been south of the equator, first time to South America.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? It might sound kind of silly, but walking the OBX Half Marathon in a caveman suit and dreadlock wig in honor of my fallen friend Joe Truini

9. What was your biggest failure? Im not sure I had a failure but If I had to pick something it would be not being the parent, husband and friend I know Im capable of.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just my lower back and hip for a time. Not so much now knock on wood

11. What was the best thing you bought? Nothing really stands out

12. Where did most of your money go? Bills and fast food =(

13. What song will always remind you of 2009? Not sure if there is a song that comes to mind

14. What do you wish you’d done more of? Think before I react when it comes to responding to what the kids are doing, that and pray more often.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of? Yell and scream at my kids ( kinda goes along with number 14

16. What was your favorite TV program? Deadliest Catch or anything on Discovery Channel

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No

18. What was the best book you read? I started several last year but have yet to finish them. I think the one that stands out is The Shack

19. What was your greatest musical discovery? Air 1 Radio, and the bands Skillet and Third Day

20. What was your favorite film of this year? I didnt see a movie in the theaters in 09 that I recall.

21. What did you do on your birthday? Went to Red Lobster and had my favorite Alaskan King Crab legs

22. What kept you sane? Spending time with friends and family

23. Who did you miss? My grandpa and I missed seeing my running friends Kris, Beth and Joe.

24. Who was the best new person you met? While they werent new ( I "talk" to them most every day on Kickrunners ), I finally got to meet in person Kelly, Diane, Dan, Dave and Myron. I was so glad to make the trip to OBX and meet them ( along with seeing so many who I have met previously )

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009: That no matter how bad we think we might have things. it can always be worse. After spending a week in poverty stricken Peru, we as Americans dont realize how truly good we have it even in these trying times.

Angry

Just a little while ago I read a bible verse on a page that I follow on Facebook...

James 1:19-21: Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

It made me think. It might surprise you to know that I am an angry person. Most of my friends ( both long time and newer ones ) havent seen the angry side of me. Unfortunately the three people who matter the most to me see it far too often. I dont know why that is. Obviously at times dealing with two kids under the age of 9 is very stressful. Pile that on top of the imbalance I have internally, work and money issues and I guess one could see why I get angry alot. Its not fair to Debbie or the kids. While I dont apologize as much as I should to Debbie I seem to be apologizing to the kids after the situation diffuses. I also make a point of it to remind them during better moments that I love them no matter what, even when Im angry with them. That nothing they do could ever change my love for them.

I know I need to work on some things. I know its time to get the next round of HRT too. Id like to work on putting what James talks about in the verse into my daily life. I think It would help out tremendously If I were to think much faster, hear much faster in some situations and not have so many knee-jerk reactions to situations. The only thing that comes out of those is me being a jerk.

Wish me luck and as always thanks for reading.