200 pounds lost!

Today's a big day. I could barely pick up the 100 pound dumbbell while training with Erica today. I can't wrap my mind around the fact that I've lost two of those. 200lbs! Of course, if you do simple math, that means this much smaller 264 pound frame used to weigh 464. 

Here's the before and after:

That's what losing 200lbs looks like.

This blog has been a testament of what it's taken to get here. Today I'm overwhelmed with the support of so many people, the encouraging words on Facebook, and the amount of gratitude I have for those who have stuck by me through the thick and thin. My words simply cannot express this thanks enough. 

Here are some more pics of the transformation from Fall of 2013 to today:

Entering Guest House, Rochester, MN

After winning holiday weight loss challenge at the RAC

90 lbs lighter

100 lbs lighter

First 5k

Climbing Mt Holyoke

Return to Guest House, 6 months later, 150lbs lighter

1st Trapeze flight

Ice Skating

Dec 31 2013 to Dec 31 2014

200 lbs lighter!

And 65 more to go by 2016...

Gyms

A friend of mine, both a personal trainer and a priest who made the first part of the journey with me, recently encouraged me to stick through my resentments at my current gym and keep going. For now, I think that is what I will do. It certainly has been occupying my mind a lot, and it is something I must let go. 

Another personal trainer friend just managed a deal to start his first gym, which is very exciting. I wish him the best, and can only hope that he will make the client experience his number one priority. Gyms are businesses, but they exist to help people reach their fitness goals, not take their money and watch them fail. 

This friend recently asked me:  

So what advice would you give my clients as far as how to not eat the stuff they're not supposed to? Remove from the house, lock it up (I use kitchen safe) , or moderation or some other method?

I responded with a not so simple answer (because it's all about a different relationship with food!):

I'd say that for the majority of people who aren't real food addicts, their will power will be able to follow these simple ideas, especially if they are committed to their goals at the gym.

1. Rather than obsessing over the particulars of a diet, obsess over knowing what you're eating. At the end of the day weight loss or maintenance is all about calories in/calories out. Start tracking your food with an app like myfitnesspal. 

Logging your food will help you to realize the impact of your food choices, and help you make better ones throughout the day.

2. If certain foods are "problem" foods, that is, foods that you cannot control once you start eating them, then definitely out of sight out of mind. Get rid of them if needed. Don't have them in the house. Always log them if you do eat them. Search for a healthy alternative (eat this not that)

3. Develop a list of healthier snacks that give you more bang for your calorie buck. Low cal Greek yogurt or a cheese stick work wonders.

4. Learn the difference between what is a simple craving and what is truly hunger. Practice hunger tolerance by skipping either lunch or dinner, if you are able to health wise. If you are able to skip a whole meal, you can tell yourself that you are able to skip what you crave.

5. Your body doesn't recognize that it is full until 15 minutes after you stop eating. If you feel full while you are eating, you've already eaten too much. 

Hope these tips help!

***added note***

Food deprivation or fasting is only a teaching tool and not meant to be part of a regular diet. Please speak with your nutritionist to set up a food plan that will work for you. 

Run so as to win

Today I was interviewed by our Catholic Communications crew regarding my training for the St Patrick's Day 10k. I was pleased to share some of my story and shots of training outside (it's freezing and iced over). I'll be happier when it's the spring and I can actually get out on the road to train. 

This also comes at a time where I've been thinking on changing gyms. It's no secret that large corporate gyms such as the one I train at care more about money than the client and client experience. The only tough thing would be to sever my relationship with my trainers and the spinning community I have found there. Finding the perfect fit for me has been tough, as I was spoiled at the Rochester Athletic Club in Minnesota. I can't expect to have what I had there, though I wish I could just uproot it and bring it to Massachusetts. Still, I wish that larger corporate gyms would take an interest in the personal goals of their clients. I'd like a gym that will keep me motivated and celebrate my success. I guess I'm still looking for that factor in a gym that will take me to the next level. 

Yet I know the largest factor will continue to be God. If nothing changes, I must rely on him to be the driving force. Here is a great quote from St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians:

24Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.25Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.26Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.27No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

-1 Cor 9:24-27

And so I'll keep pressing on, and train hard! 

Day 54 Holiday Challenge: Final Weigh In!!!

For the end of this challenge I couldn't think of a bigger way than to finish in the Big Apple. I am writing from the Jesuit Residence of America House in Manhattan. Today, my Jesuit friend gave me a pass to use the facilities at his gym, the New York Health and Racquet Club. 

The result is fantastic (a word I've been using several times this trip). 

Challenge start 11/16/14: 289.4

Today's weight 1/9/15: 267.5

Week 1: -1.6

Week 2: -3.2

Week 3: +.4

Week 4: -3.2

Week 5: -8.8

Week 6: -.4

Week 7: -1.8

Week 8: -3.3

Total Challenge Weight Loss: 21.9

Total Weight Loss since Oct 2013: 197.1

Woohoo! I now weigh less than I ever have in my adult life!

How have I celebrated today? I stood out in the freezing cold and snow for a taping of the Today Show. I got a selfie with Savannah! 

From there it was on to the gym for the weigh in and a little workout. I met a friend in the city and had lunch near Wall St. Here's another great selfie with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in the background.

From there I headed over to the TKTS booth in Times Square, where I purchased my gift to myself to celebrate...a center aisle seat to see Idina Menzel perform in If/Then. Can't wait for tonight! 

So there you have it. The Holiday Challenge is over, and I'm sure I'll have more to say about it in the next weeks. For now, what I will say is it is certainly possible to lose weight over the Holiday Season. 20+ pounds might be a little unrealistic for most people, but it obviously is doable if you have that goal in mind and it is healthy for you. It is absolutely possible to buck the trend so as not to gain weight over the Holidays. 

Celebrate your accomplishments and let me know how you did. Make new goals! I just found out that our local Catholic Communications will be following me as I prepare for the 10k in March! Give yourself credit for the good things that you have done, that you are doing, and even for dreaming about what you can do in the future! 

What's in store for 2015?

Day 50 Holiday Challenge

Some news to share! Today I officially registered for the Holyoke St. Patrick's Road Race, my first 10K! A year ago I had the desire to start training for my first 5k. In June I finished the Color Vibe Springfield (in Greenfield, MA haha), half walking and jogging. I am at least 70lbs lighter now and hope to get another 20lbs off for the race. After completing a race, my first flight on a trapeze, and dropping almost 200lbs in a year and a half, I feel on top of the world, like I can conquer anything.

I have some friends who will be running the race too. I've been encouraged to start training by running the first 5k of the course, which is mainly uphill. Once the first part is over, the rest is smooth sailing to the finish line. I'm not going to lie...I'm scared! It is a daunting task, especially to transition from my machines in the gym during the winter back into running road.

But I am excited, and I've made the leap...I'm registered. No turning back!

Perhaps that's today's lesson or word of encouragement: just do it! Not only the little things for the day, like going to the gym when you don't want to, but do something significant to force you to accomplish your dreams. Sign up. Pay for it in advance. Give yourself a goal it's going to be very hard to go back on. You know you want to! Just do it!

Please support me, as it won't be easy. Better yet, come join me!

Day 49 Holiday Challenge: weigh in

Weigh in Day!

Weight at start of challenge: 289.4

Today's weight: 270.8

Week 1: -1.6

Week 2: -3.2

Week 3: +.4

Week 4: -3.2

Week 5: -8.8

Week 6: -.4

Week 7: -1.8

Total challenge weight loss: 18.6

Total weight loss since Oct 2013: 193.8

If you're reading this on the desktop version you will notice the new myfitnesspal ticker on the top of the blog. Now you will be able to see my day to day weigh ins as I finish the challenge.

I'm very happy with this week's result. It's been another trying time with holiday festivities of the New Year, but the weight loss this week is right where it should be. We will see if I can get to the goal of 267 by Friday (the final weigh in day of the challenge). Since I already passed my original goal, any additional weight loss this week is low cal icing on angel food cake! 

During this feast of the Epiphany, I want to extend my Christmas blessings to you and yours. May the star which lit the way of the Magi to encounter the Christ child guide you along your path of wellness throughout the year!