The Student becomes the Teacher...

Hello again friends!  I hope everyone had a great Christmas.  Watching my son play with his new guitar ALL DAY singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" was great.  But the best part was when my wife asked him what his favorite part of the Christmas was he said, Spending time with family and friends." What a guy!

Sorry no real random thoughts this time around.

It is amazing to me how much going to the gym has changed not only changed me physically but how I approach other aspects of my life.  It used to be that Christmas presents for me meant movies, movies and more movies.  I loved me some movies.  My brother in law sent me a text before Christmas asking what movies I would be interested in.  For the first time in 8 years I had no response.  I had bought the last movie I wanted (Iron Man 2) with a gift card I got for my birthday and that was the last movie I had really watched. (Side note; I tried to watch The Expendables one night, but I kept getting interrupted by someone. But I won't name names, she knows who she is!)  Movies just don't do too much for me anymore.  There are a couple I would watch if I came across them, but I won't go out of my way to see them

Now for the title of this Blog.  I worked out with some friends of mine the other day.  Jake is the one who took me to the gym for the first time in February and we worked out together for a couple of months before he bailed for another gym.  Jay and Jake both work with me at my part-time job.  Sunday was the first time that the three of us worked out together in at least 6 months.  The running joke for the better part of the night was that I needed to teach them something.  At long last I finally did.  It wasn't anything major, but it was the fact that I showed them both a new way to do a bicep exercise, it really made my night.  Also the fact that I was able to talk to them about sports supplements and do a little educating made the last 10 months of transforming myself worth while. Not to say that losing a small child (70 lbs OK a medium sized child) isn't reward enough, it is another small victory for me.

Have a safe New Years...Remember not to make a resolution to get in shape.  Do it for yourself...Resolutions are made to be broken

Here's to your 225,

Mike

Superman...

Merry Christmas to all. I really love this time of the year.  My son is so excited for Santa's visit and the magic of Christmas is in his heart and he exudes it everyday. 

Some quick thoughts-
The man who thought that chocolate and peanut butter would make a good combination should be made a Saint.

Ditto for the person who invented the Oreo.

I think Elf is the last great Christmas movie. We have had a few that were ok, but none match up to Elf. I laugh and I tear up during the movie.

I was going through my iPod and realized that I have a lot of songs that I am not proud of on there.

Matt Millen is such a D-Bag. How the statistically worst GM EVER in the history of the NFL can be paid to analyze talent on TV is beyond me.

Football in the snow is awesome.

On to more important things, this last month has been tough for the weight loss.  Everytime I think that I am starting to go in the right direction I bounce back.  It really sucks.  I am starting to see my will power dwindle and I have to rededicate myself.  There are some many times that people bring in goodies to work this time of the year.   I will get through it. 
I felt like Superman at the gym tonight. I augmented my pre-workout routine and noticed the gains right away tonight.  I was able to lift more weight and put it up for full sets.

Sorry that it was the last sentence that was the only part about Superman, I may be turning into a meat head. I really didn't have a title for this post, that was the best I could come up with...But it works

Here's to a Merry Christmas and Your 225

Mike  

My Bounce Back...

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, I know my stomach did!  I took the weekend of Thanksgiving to be a cheat weekend.  I have been very good for 9 months, I think I deserved it. :)  I am now working that off, still. With my "cheating" came consequences I was prepared for, I just didn't think it would be as much or take this long to get back to my pre-Thanksgiving weight.  Lesson learned.  I was able to be with family and with great friends on the Sunday after.

A few random thoughts;
There are very few songs that I will turn the radio station immediately when I hear.  I now have 2. "Bottom's Up" and "Like a G6." Horrible.

Glucosamine, chondrotine with MSM combined with a good Fish Oil is GREAT for your joints.

It's amazing how quick your pill case fills up when you work at a Vitamin store.  Go in to a Vitamin Shoppe and have them build you a basket based on your needs. You will be amazed by the results.

Equilibrium, Starring Christian Bale, is one of the best action movies I have ever seen.  It's like the Matrix, but MORE  AWESOME!

Using a movie rental kiosk and paying a dollar is 100 times better then going into a store and paying $5 to rent the same thing.

Anything you are doing differently for the better, is more healthy than what you were doing.  If you were eating fast food 5 days a week and are now down to 2 and the other 3 you are bringing a healthy lunch, that is a good change.  Baby steps.

Finally, I was hesitant to start taking "extras" to help with my workout, now I can't don't want to think about what it is going to be like if I run out.  A pre-workout is awesome, I may have mentioned that before. I recently added A-AKG powder by Olympian Labs to my pre-workout.  I love what I am feeling.  I also added BCAA & Glutamine to my post-workout Protein shake.  The soreness is gone. I highly recommend this to anybody.  FYI a Blender Bottle is worth the extra money.  The first night I put the BCAA & Glutamine in my protein shake in my regular shaker cup, it was very chalky and very well mixed. The next night in the Blender Bottle, I could barely tell it was in there. Invest in a Blender Bottle.

I am really not trying to turn this into a commercial for Vitamin Shoppe, but if you have questions about anything I have talked about either talk to me or go into one.  They know what they are talking about.

Good luck in your pursuit of 225

Mike

Random Thoughs...

FYI, I have a lot in my mind right now, I may get to it all, I may not. This post will have no real direction, because when I say random thoughts I mean random.

First, I have been working out really hard, the pounds are not coming off like I would like but my body is changing.  I feel stronger in part because I am now taking a pre-workout that is giving me energy for my workout. I feel like I am losing fat and gaining muscle.  If that is the case then I am OK with that. It may take me longer to get to 225, but if I am a healthy 235 with some muscle I think that is a fair trade off and I can still work towards my 225. 

I am really sick of seeing the Miami Heat on Sportscenter. I understand that they are a big deal, but really if I have to hear about how they did at practice again I might scream. The shot of James, Wade and Bosh being introduced in Miami after "The Decision" (side note: I can't believe I actually watched that) may be move overplayed than "California Gurls" by Katy Perry, for that matter any Katy Perry song.

I like Katy Perry.

I am not too proud of that last sentence.

I think my wife brought this up to me, but the video was just on. But the fact that David Arquette is in Rascal Flatts video and he is getting married is kinda funny.

We should be thankful as Detroit sports fans that we have the Red Wings and the commitment that the organization has to winning.

This is the meat and potatoes of this post.  This is kind of hard to express, but I think with all of the progress that I have made on the outside, I need to start working on the inside.  Not only with vitamins and such, but me as a person.  I react to quickly to a lot and sometimes you could say I overreact.  I need to do a better job of processing. I also got to thinking about my friends. I don't keep in contact with my friends, it really kinda sucks.  I know that I am busy working two jobs and having a family, but a phone call is so easy I don't know why I can't pick up the phone.  My best friend from my childhood I have not spoken to in at least a year and a half. I only speak to 1 person from high school, the rest of my friends from high school it has been at least the 13 years since I graduated. Even my friend who I "speak to" it has been a few months. 

Do I have a friend who would be there for me with no questions asked? I don't know. Is that my fault? Without a doubt.
 
I miss my friends, I hope they may feel the same way.

Thanks for letting me get this off of my chest.

Mike

My new Biceps!

Hello again! First, I can't wait for Thanksgiving! Football, Family, Food could it be better? Plus, my wife and I will be up crazy early for Black Friday, gets me pumped for Christmas. But the bad thing is that retail stores are getting stupid with the hours they are open. Toys R Us will be open at 10pm on Thanksgiving night! give it a couple of years and Black Friday will turn into Black Thanksgiving! Ok I am off of my Soapbox.

Real quick as you may or may not know, in a former life I dealt with movies.  If you are looking for a couple of good movies to watch over the holiday check out "Red Eye" a thriller with Rachel McAdams or "Fracture" another thriller with Anthony Hopkins. Both very good movies.

I LOVE the fact that I can look in a mirror and I see a few things; first my gut is shrinking and by the time I go to Florida next summer for work I won't be embarrassed to take my shirt off at the pool. Second my "man-boobs" just about gone! Finally my Biceps!

When I first started working out, Jake and I worked chest and Biceps 2 times a week. I could start to see definition in my biceps and it was great. When I was on my own I started to focus on more cardio to drop pounds.  About a month ago I noticed that the definition was starting to fade a touch. Now I was not the only one who was going to miss out on the fading of my biceps.  My wife has grown accustomed to seeing me flex.  The look of disgust on her face when I said "Honey, I got something to show you"  was priceless. I decided to start working on them again so I could keep her happy.  I have a lot of reasons why I still bust my hump but the fact that I can look in the mirror and flex BOTH of my biceps and they look REAL!  I know that sounds stupid, but I go back to the milestones I talked about last time. This is a visual milestone. My wife gets her flexes still and everybody is happy!


Good Luck in your quest of 225!
Mike

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My toe Vs. a 5lb weight plate

Hello! Why am I so excited you may ask? For the first time since I was a teenager, my scale read 249 lbs this morning!!! It may go back above 250 tomorrow, but for now I weigh less than 250lbs! Plus it is the first milestone that I have hit in sometime. The milestones came fast and furious to begin, but since have slowed down. I was starting to get frustrated, so this came at a very good time. I think I may hit 225 by the summer!
Now on to the real post. When I talk to most people about why I spend the money on a gym membership it usually comes back to a question of why waste the money when I can do it at home.  Couple of reasons. First, I made the commitment to myself and the financial commitment to the gym. The month to month payments are only $20. I don't work out at a fancy gym, but it meets my needs. If I bail on my contract I have to pay $60. I can not afford that, so it motivates me. I don't like feeling like I am wasting money, so I go 3-4 times a week. Second, I am to tall for the elliptical in my basement, my head hits the ceiling and that sucks.  So the gym it is. When I get to the gym, even if I don't feel like working out it seems like a waste of gas to go home. (Again, I am fiscally responsible...cheap) I will get at least some light cardio in, and it makes it worth it.
The gym hasn't always been nice to me though. (Editor's Note: I blame the gym for these 2 stories, but in all honesty it was my own stupid fault.) The first situation is kinda funny looking back.  I was working out with a couple of guys 12 years younger than me. They are both in better shape than me, but they are both awesome workout partners. (Shout out to Jake and Jay) We were benching and since they both put up similar weight, I went last. I did not see that Jake was trying to show off and put an extra 5lb weight plate on both sides. When he was done and I was setting the bar for myself, that extra 5lb weight plate fell directly on to my big toe. I tell you, if I wasn't in a testosterone filled room you may have seen a grown man cry that night.  Luckily my toe did not break, keeping the streak alive of no broken bones in my life. Knock on wood.  It did cause me to be in pain when the shower water hit it, or I touched it. But the doc said no break! Lesson to be learned that night; Pay attention!

This was the scary one. I was doing fly's on a cable machine. Now I know better than to do more weight than I can handle, and I did not go heavy that night. I guess that I had already overworked myself and during rep 8 of 10, I got a tingly feeling all over my head. After a few days of taking it easy but still having headaches, I went to the doctor. After a stress test and an EKG, they said my heart was fine and that was not the cause. The best two things to come from it was that I was told that I was in good shape, which I have never been told before. (Again nice milestone) Second, I learned to take it easy at the gym and know my limits.

Thanks again for listening to me.
Here's to you and your 225
Mike 

The Biggest Loser...

Ah "The Biggest Loser." Could I lose the 88lbs that I want to lose if I were on The Biggest Loser, you bet your butt I could.  A few problems with this though; 1)I don't have 12 weeks that I can give up at work to be on the show, 2) I wouldn't win because I didn't weigh enough to have the percentage of weight loss needed.

Here is what I don't like about the show, they make it look like you should be losing 8-10lbs a week it is far too much and way too unhealthy for you and I who do not have the benefit of personal trainers, chefs and a top notch doctor. When I first started in my journey to 225, I did indeed lose up to 5lbs a week for the first few weeks, but remember that most of that was water weight.  Now some weeks it is 1-2 lbs sometimes gaining. 

Now the positive. I hate to sound like a know it all because God knows that I am not. But it isn't about going on a diet it is changing your mindset/lifestyle about food. I like the fact that this is one of the main focuses of the show.  I have tried diets, we did the South Beach diet the summer before Everett was born. I lost a TON of weight,  but as soon as we stopped I gained it all back and thensome.  This time around it is different, I have changed my attitude about my diet. I still eat sweets when I want too, but it is not as often or as much. I still have pizza, but I cut down the amount of slices. I have been smarter about everything, I think that is the key. Have fun, have your cheat days but limit them.

Now on a related note, I lost the first 50 on my own. People ask me what I took in addition to my diet and exercise. No pills, no help just old fashioned hard work. I wanted to know that it was me who was losing the weight not a pill. I feel that it is important. If it was the pill then once I stop taking it will I gain it all back or just stop losing? Am I open now to looking for help, yes, but just to help get me going again. Once that happens I want it to be me.

It's getting late, I need to get some sleep.
Next time I'll share my 2 worst gym experiences.
Here's to your 225!
Mike

My first Blog

Let me start by saying that this came about as kind of a joke.  I was telling my wife about one of my recent trips to the gym and after I finished my story, (and she was bored out of her mind, thanks for listening honey!) she joked that I should start a Blog so I don't have to bore her to death anymore.  This Blog is more for me to get what I have been wanting to say off my chest. If someone is helped out by it then so be it. It's cliche, but if I can change 1 persons life it is all worth it.  And away we go!

Most of my family amd friends know that I have been overweight my entire life. I am tall so I hid it well, but it always bothered me. I like most people have tried and failed with losing weight and keeping it off.  I was one of those people who thought if I really had to do it, I could and it would be easy.  I have been doing it, but it has not been easy.  I decided to make a change for myself, and looking back that was the biggest decision and best person to make the change for. Not to offend my wife or my little boy, but I had to do it for me and they get to reap the benefits of having a healthier husband and daddy. 

I want to end this post with where I started.  In February of this year I got on the scale and it said 313! I had hit 300 before and fell back below rather quickly, but 313 was the biggest number I had ever seen for myself.  Lent was coming up and I thought that in '09 for lent I had given up sweets and I felt good when I had, so why not try it again but with a twist.  This year I was going to give up eating junk between meals too (chips and the like), and this year I was going to try and keep it going past Easter.  I also decided that I should start exercising more. Thanks to my friend Jake who took me to my gym the first time.  I knew that I could make this work, I wasn't going to working out with a bunch of meatheads, but real people like me.  The weight started to come off, and a few weeks in I could notice a difference in my appearance and how I felt.  Who knew that all those doctors who say "Diet and exerise are the key," are right!  I can now say that dieting DOES NOT WORK! I had to change my lifestyle and my diet. I am by no means wealthy, and I have to make my diet needs work one way or another, I just had to approach how I think about eating differently.  I am almost 9 months in to my journey and I am down 60lbs since February.  I have had a few rough patches, but I have not let them stop me like they have in the past.  My goal is to be down to 225lbs sometime next year. 
Thanks for listening to me...