Holiday Challenge Day 16

Today was a good day, as I got up for an early sunrise spin at 6:30. Ryan worked us hard, as I put in my greatest early ride output yet (not a record in watts, but definitely a record in heart rate). 

Today also Pope Francis Inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Mercy with the opening of the Holy Door in St Peter's. When I returned home it was great to confirm some news that I get to share with you all. Allison Gingras of Reconciled to You and A Seeking Heart with Allison Gingras on Breadbox Media has asked me to be the Chaplain for a Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi this upcoming September 24-October 1st. We will get to walk through these very same Holy Doors of Mercy! 

Let me share what I wrote for some possible promotional material:

I am so happy to be making this pilgrimage with Allison during the Year of Mercy. It was Easter of 2005 during a term abroad as a student at Franciscan University when I decided to become a seminarian for my diocese after seeing St John Paul II give his final Urbi et Orbi blessing in St Peter's Square. Now, returning to Rome and Assisi as a priest, I will be able to offer thanks for my vocation, bringing with me the intentions of all those I serve, and offering the sacraments to our pilgrims. What a blessing it will be to walk through the Holy Door opened by Pope Francis, and celebrate the mercies of God with pilgrims throughout the world!

Remaining true to my health and wellness program, I will also be excited to offer some support to our pilgrims to stay spiritually and physically fit as we enjoy Italian cuisine and our tours around these beautiful sights.

More information will follow!

At Newman we held Mass for the Immaculate Conception. We have our own doors which are open for Mercy. If there's a tip for this day, it's if you are struggling with anything, be it the food, be it stress, be it sin, bring it to the fount of God's mercy in the confessional. And realize that the Immaculate Virgin wishes to help you in the fight. She who was preserved from all sin wishes to share these graces to preserve and keep us holy. 

Holiday Challenge Day 15 Weigh In

-4.4lbs!

Challenge start: 224

Week 1: 223.8, -.2lbs

Week 2: 219.4, -4.4lbs

Total: -4.6lbs 

Super excited to be under 220lbs, as this represents a new territory for me in my weight loss. It also inches me that much closer to the official bmi designation of overweight vs obese, even though I know that with skin surgery I wouldn't be in that category. 

The last few days on the bike have been strenuous and I've been very gassed. To show up this morning and put out a record 161 watts in 45 minutes is so amazing. I'm starting this week off right! 

Get that heart rate up!

It's great to be in a place that motivated me to push beyond what I thought I could do. Making new friends in the process is definitely key. 

As I look to this second week of Advent and tomorrow's great feast of the Immaculate Conception, I pray for Mary's intercession that in my weakness I may be brought to experience more sanctifying grace. It's great to have power on the bike, it's even greater to have the power to love. 

Holiday Challenge Day 14

Get it done! Completing the second week of our challenge and looking forward to tomorrow's weigh in, we look to our original intentions and advantages for sticking to this program. If you haven't been super strong at your resolves, now is the time to kick it into gear before Christmas time. The holiday parties and super sweets are on the way. Now is the time to strengthen your resolves and build up some virtue so that you can resist those extra calories. 

I'm so edified by my friends who completed the Hot Chocolate Run for safe passage in NoHo today. If it weren't for me having to work I would have been with them. My Sunday spin instructor and motivator friend Ryan ran the course and then taught HIIT ride today. I was so upset my Fitbit couldn't keep up with the ride, but I put in the work anyway. It's not all about the technology, it's about getting it done!

(Part of team energia-50/50 fitness at hot chocolate run)

Holiday Challenge Days 12-13

Yesterday was pretty busy, as I had to go to a family event and then travel to Boston for Lift at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. I was completely gassed in the morning due to a great tabata workout. This morning after returning from Boston at 1am, I somehow mustered the strength to get to 60 minute spin. I just keep putting in the work, despite a busy schedule, and the results are showing!

On that note, it's a good idea to take pictures of yourself as you progress through your journey. I realized that I had a picture taken at lift last year. Here's just a year from Advent 2014 to Advent 2015: 

What's great is remembering the amazing transformation the picture on the left already was. The Lord's power is definitely awesome!

It may be humbling to take photos of yourself, but I tell you the off for remaining faithful to your efforts is being able to have inspiring pictures like this. It also helps to see what I will never go back to. So if you haven't already, take a before picture that you would like to refer to later. Stay motivated!

Holiday Challenge Day 11

Part of doing a challenge is not going it alone. Challenge yourself by challenging others or being inspired by others. Some rely on accountability partners, trainers, life coaches, clergy, or close friends. 

Last night I had a convo with a friend who needed a little encouragement to get back on track. We can set our intention to change, and we can do a lot on our own power, but those who experience the greatest amount of change and continued motivation are people who realize that the power of the community is greater than themselves.

This is so awesome to know, both as a concept and a reality. When you are feeling down, reach out! And when you reach out, you will see that isolation was and will be antithetical to your life's goals and maintenance. 

So tell someone you are doing this challenge. Ask someone for help! Inspire someone else to complete it with you! 

Holiday Challenge Day 10

Yet another cloudy and rainy day here in Massachusetts, and it led to a great siesta in the afternoon. Luckily I got a really awesome spin and strength in this evening before all our night events at Newman. I'm getting stronger and stronger!

Today, as I got caught in rain traffic on the way back from my counseling session, I reflected on the need to slow down and breathe amidst all the stress. I was powerless over the conditions, the other drivers, the red lights, the fact that I would be a few minutes late. It actually made for a good homily and for a good tip during our challenge. Stress is stressful...that's a tautology. But our reaction to stress can be a whole host of things. 

Negatively:

flight, anger, isolation, anxiety, short temper, overeating, drinking, other addictive behaviors

Positively: the serenity prayer, breathing, meditation, relaxation music, a phrase like "I am powerless over this," or, "this is just where I am, this too will pass."

We can choose how we act if we recognize the moment of the stress. 

Serenity prayer:

Holiday Challenge Day 9

I was pleasantly surprised when I logged in to myfitnesspal last night to complete my diary, and lo and behold, they've added a beta feature that I believe may revolutionize dining out experiences! There is a check in feature to your favorite restaurant, supposedly allowing you to find nutritional information for participating restaurants, all in one convenient place. So cool!

This morning, with a student involved in our healthy food/marketing initiative for the Newman Cafe, I am planning on getting into our kitchen downstairs and creating a list of all the meals below 600 calories. This is needed work here, because as myfitnesspal is recognizing, more and more people want to know exactly what they are eating. 

For today, get to know what you are eating (use myfitnesspal if you haven't already). Find out the calories of your food. How about the fat, carbs, and protein? We are going to use all this information to create a plan that works for you to keep this challenge going!

God, help me to know you, and to know the food I'm eating!