Summer Goal Challenge Week 4

Challenge Start: 245lbs 

Week 1: 242.4, -1.6

Week 2: 241, -1.4

Week 3: 241, +/- 0

Week 4: 237.2, -3.8

Total: -7.8

I broke 240 finally! It feels awesome to get through this little plateau. Today I met with a weight loss specialist to determine what my new basal metabolic rate is. He couldn't believe what my weight was, thinking I was actually lighter. That's exactly why I want this test done, eventually figuring out what my body fat percentage is, and how much skin will need to be removed. I weighed in on their scale at 235, by the way. The specialist threw out a number of 200 as a good goal. I want a more scientific answer to what my maintenance weight should be. 

My friend Fr Piotr and I drove down for a day off at the Mystic Seaport. It was a beautiful day, and I got to meet up with another friend, Erik, who is director of interpretation at the seaport. This was awesome because he hadn't seen me since before the transformation. He and his staff were very gracious and I recommend a trip down if you've never been! 

Summer Goal Challenge Week 3

Challenge Start: 245lbs 

Week 1: 242.4, -1.6

Week 2: 241, -1.4

Week 3: 241, +/-0

Total: -4

To see no change this week is a little disappointing, considering I stepped up training and have been killing it in spin class. But I have to look at what's going on here. I've had to up the calories a bit to keep up with the workouts, have increased my protein intake to help build muscle, and have been taking my preworkouts with creatine more often. The result is likely muscle gain and water retention. Taking the calories down to about 2000 for this next week should help shed any excess. 

This process is still one day at a time, and I'm excited to see more muscle definition and strength, as well as faster sprints on the bike. I remain positive and am staying motivated for this challenge!

On last Friday I got to walk around the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Having seen it on Monday, even with all the rain, I'm determined that it will be in my future someday. I believe it will be possible if I run for a charity in 2017. 

Boston Strong!

Summer Goal Challenge Week 2

Challenge start: 245

Week 1: 242.4, -2.6lbs

Week 2: 241, -1.4lbs, 

Total: -4lbs

Very happy with this week's results, as I inch closer to the 230's. With Erica back at spin, it's been great. Although, today I decided to do something absolutely insane. 

I got up at 5 for a 5:45am spin class with Art. The sun wasn't even up, but the moon was!

Supporting friends, and singing with new ones

On Saturday I drove down early morning to support my spin instructor Erica on her first (and only) fitness competition, "Fitness Atlantic" at Mohegan Sun Casino. Although I couldn't stay for the finals at night, I got to see the prelim judging rounds. I'm so proud of her as she took 3rd place. It's awesome to have such a dedicated trainer and great to have her back to spin class. She really made a return to it today! 

Tonight I was blessed to be asked to lead adoration for XLT Ludlow alongside the music of Steve Angrisano, the well known Catholic music leader and evangelist. We were blessed to hear some of his stories and songs, as well as be inspired by his great love of our faith. 

I was privileged to get to know him a little afterwards and share a little of my story with him. Prayers for you, Steve, for a blessed and continued ministry! 

Summer Goal Challenge Week 1

1 week in and I lost 2.6lbs. 

Start: 245

Today's weight: 242.4

After a particularly stressful Holy Week, Easter weekend, and multiple funerals at the beginning of this week, I am grateful that I did not turn to food, especially Easter candy. I'm glad I made time for the gym, even as I was preparing the very complex Easter Vigil on Saturday. 

At this point I have 10.4lbs to go til 50%, 12.4 til 230 on June 2, 30th birthday. 

Because he lives

Christ is Risen, Alleluia! Truly, he is Risen, Alleluia! 

In my Easter homily I recalled the lyrics to a song which is growing in popularity by Matt Maher, "Because he lives." I challenged the faithful to become witnesses of the Resurrection by sharing one thing that they have been able to do simply because of the fact that Jesus has risen from the dead. In my examples I listed being cured of cancer, being freed from addiction and sin, and feeling the joy of this season. What I realized in listing these was that I was sharing my own "because he lives" moments. 

My friends, the struggles with food and weight are fought with proper diet, counting, exercise, and reaching out to others who are struggling. But none of it is won without coming to the highest power there is, the one who has the power to overthrow death itself. By his Resurrection, you will experience your own resurrection. 

Easter Vigil 2014 353lbs to Easter Vigil 2015 244lbs

Beginning of Summer Goal Challenge

It's Holy Thursday, the day when the Church commemorates the Last Supper, and celebrates the institutions of the Priesthood and the Eucharist. I was happy to gather with about 20 of my brother priests and our Bishop for a luncheon and social time this afternoon. I'm glad I got a good workout in before that lunch!

It was great to share at lunch about the journey with some of my brothers who were sharing their own battles with weight and food. Since I'm keeping up the good fight, I'm focused on a new goal for summer.

I'm issuing this challenge: I would like to weigh 230 lbs on June 2nd, my 30th birthday. 232 will be the 50% weight loss mark, which is awesome. 

Starting out, I weighed in at 245 this morning. I will weigh in every Thursday until then, though you can always follow my ticker on the top of the desktop version of the blog. 

I am confident that I will exceed this goal, but it is a great goal to have, considering not many people can say they've lost half their weight. Pray for me, and I will pray for whatever goals you may have leading you into the summer months!