Moving is tough

Being uprooted from my routine and area has been tough on me. I tried to consider moving furniture and boxes and trying for modest step counts at the Big E over the last week to be "exercise". Even if it is, I have greatly missed my gym. Now that I'm pretty much moved into my new residence at the Newman Center at UMass, I can try to figure out a way of life that includes a local gym. I worked out last night for the first time in a week. 

My weight has fluctuated about 5lbs. It's nothing I haven't seen before, but it also has to do with food. I spent one night at the Big E that was definitely not tracked beforehand. It got out of hand. Getting back on track is difficult without an established gym, so it has left me feeling a little out of place. I need to remember my support system, turn this over to God, make some phone calls, get to a meeting, and I need to accept that I can't go back to a regular schedule at my old gym. Time to move on. 

In all this, it feels so trite compared to the sufferings in this world. Christians were martyred on a college campus in Oregon two days ago. Now that I'm back on a college campus, I ponder the mystery of why I'm here...and it's all about witness. May more of us be able to stand up and say #iamachristian. 

Growth and change

Recently my trainer has been pushing me to increase my protein in my diet. There are so many theories out there about protein needs in strength training. After being weary to change, especially since my calorie intake is so important to me, I noticed some good ways to increase protein, one of them being ground turkey. 

Though I fear I'm loving the protein powder too much, increasing to 200g a day in total protein intake has helped immensely, both in strength and weight. Last week after a 5lb flux from climbing the mountain and taking extra days off in the gym, I've worked through my plateau, and am finally down to about 223. 

Change! I've been reassigned as a chaplain at the Newman Center at UMass Amherst. I will have great access to food and exercise options there....but I'm so conflicted. I want to thank Erica for helping me in these past months to grow so much. I just don't want to leave my gym at the moment. Praying for wisdom. 

Lord of the Mountain

Today I accomplished a goal I've had since my days in High School at Northfield Mount Hermon. My men's group from the parish, an alumnus of NMH and I scaled the 3100ft high white cross and white dot trails of Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire!

At first glance, it's no joke. Once you start hiking, it's really no joke. We had perfect conditions, but knew that, once we hit the tree line and the rock climbing began, our legs were in for pain. All the pain was worth the spectacular views and the promise of saying Holy Mass at the summit. 

We made it in 1:20 up to the summit with only a few people at the top. We could see the outline of Boston on the horizon. 

The fog was intense and beautiful in the valley. 

We found a flat rock a little ways down that would serve its purpose as an altar for the Lord. 

Saying Mass at over 3000ft was a first and a completely awesome event. 

Of course there were plenty of moments for selfies. 

I really enjoyed the commeraderie of the guys on the hike. I found out my NMH alum friend Mike never got to climb with his senior class during Mountain Day. When I had first tried to scale the mountain back in 2002, I could only make it to the tree line, when my quads gave out and I had to return down with help. Making it to the top was a completion of the senior climb for both of us (though, to be fair, Mike had climbed it before, lol). 

One of the Mountain Day traditions of at NMH was eating chili after the climb. We all returned to Alumni Hall after, in search of said chili...but alas...we were treated to an awesome steak lunch instead. Oh, and the beautiful day just kept getting more beautiful with the addition of the view from Memorial Chapel. 

Last, but not least, how can I leave you without the most awesome plank shots? 

Two days before the climb, I got to go to my first NFL game, preseason between the the Jets and Eagles. Of course, I planked:

Fast forward to today's climb, hours north in NH: 

Next stop...Mount Washington?

This fall, don't fall

It's crazy, but our nice consumer driven world which brings us each shopping season earlier and earlier every year, has finally unleashed the beast of fall upon us. I am so ready for fall. I love the, well I love the food, and the drinks (the beer is the best). 

So, needless to say, fall is challenging for a food addict! All those calories, especially those calories that add up pumpkin spiced latte after pumpkin spiced lager. The message is: "this fall, don't fall." Don't give up your summer resolves for health and wellness. It is not time to start storing up fat for the winter. We don't have to hibernate like animals. 

What are some tips to keep us motivated through this upcoming season that is already here? 

1. Continue to track everything!

Chances are, especially if you've just begun tracking, once you search for and enter the calories for that first fall treat, you will know exactly the impact it has on your daily food plan. It will help you to limit or cut out the potentially problem food from your diet. 

2. Get back on track!

As the academic world heads back to school, head back to the gym if you've left. I know you're busy, I'm busy. But so is food addiction, and so is laziness, if you allow work and study to control your life. If you fall, get right back up. Get back on track. You need a healthy body to meet life's challenges. 

3. Keep calm!

That is to say, find some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of work. It's not going to be summer anymore, so you might explore some indoor options for relaxation and stress relief. Have you been to Church lately? 

4. Reach out!

We are all going through stress, and our stress response naturally wants us to reach out for something to help us. It's better to reach out to a friend than for that extra slice of pumpkin cheesecake. Tell someone about your struggles, even with food. Keep accountable throughout this tough season! 

Mass Appeal

It's funny appearing on a show called Mass Appeal, partly because I say Mass, and partly because there's nothing very appealing about carrying an excess amount of mass. Shedding it is newsworthy, though! Thank you so much to the crew at TV22 for their interest and especially their hospitality on set.

I was interviewed by Seth in a quick 4 minute segment. It's pretty nerve wracking to try to get most of the story out in those few minutes, but I think we did a pretty good job. 

http://wwlp.com/2015/08/10/weight-loss-faith/

I wish I could have gone into detail about the faith aspect, as well as speak a little about my training routines, but you can read all about that through this blog. I was very humbled when Ashley, the other host of the show, began to recount a lot of my stories that she had read. Shout out to her! If I can inspire at least one person through this blog to begin the journey, I'll have done my job. Thankfully, I know that is already the case! 

In other news, a friend of mine with advanced staged cancer can no longer ride his bike. He decided, since I was looking to start training for long distance riding, to give me his 2004 Fuji roubaix. It's a sweet bike!

All I needed was a new rear tire. The peeps at the bike exchange I took it to were gushing over its quality. One girl asked me "you're sure you didn't pay your friend for that?" When I told her no, she said "you have a really really good friend." He certainly is. Whenever I ride it I'll think of him and those suffering cancer. It's providential, actually, that three of the interviewed people on the show Monday were cancer survivors, including myself. Get out there and live life to the fullest. 

In loco isto dabo pacem

"In this place, I will give peace"

On a day off during the week, I got up to Bath, Maine to see my friends the Finns and and old friend Ana Lisa from college. It's a joy that my friend Patrick will be entering St John's Seminary, my alma mater, in the fall. We all had a great time reminiscing about our alma mater, Franciscan University, and talking about the Lord's blessings amidst trials. 

We took to the sea to the Cap'n Fish Whale Watch in Boothbay Harbor. Go figure that we would see a bunch of fin whales with the Finn family! 

We came back and had Mass on the Finn family dining room table, agape style, as we pondered the mystery of the Lord's dwelling place.

It was then that we shifted gears to the traditional Finn family lobster dinner. I look forward to it every summer. 

This morning before the crack of dawn we drove Ana Lisa to Portland and then took in a great breakfast, or I should say "beck"fast at Becky's Diner. 

Patrick and I then got to what is probably my favorite place in the United States, Portland Head Light. 

I was inspired to workout there, and somehow managed to master a time delay shot for a workout selfie. 

Praying and working out here feels amazing. It's a beautiful interplay of the divine and human. Perhaps that's why Henry Wadsworth Longfellow likened this place to the great St Christopher. It's a place that bears the Christ and his peace. 

XLT Westfield 7/27

Tonight I had the awesome grace of being the speaker at XLT Westfield, the praise and worship with Eucharistic adoration and speaker event that I helped start with youth minister Tim Hourihan at St Mary's Parish. I'm so thankful to God for the fruits that this ministry continues to bear, especially for the amazing sounds of Soul Motive, the worship band of youth and young adults that is seriously like hearing a recording every time you hear them. 

Tonight I got to witness to the Lord's power, giving the congregation a crash course in the 12 steps, and a couple pointers that they could take with them when they left: a daily plan of life, Sacraments, the Word of God, Grace, power, and reaching out to a community of witnesses. The message strongly resounded as the band started singing "You are not alone" by Kari Jobe, helping us to understand that with the Lord and his Church we are never alone, and do not have to go it alone.

We got the opportunity to lay it all down before the Bread of Life, giving to the Lord all the things that have left us powerless, have made life unmanageable, and have left us feeling alone. To be in his presence, we felt and knew that God loves us, "oh how he loves us!"

From the response, I am glad people left with a renewed sense of the Lord's power. It was great to see the new Diocesan youth minister, Gina Czerwinski present in the assembly, as it showed the Diocese's interest in these events growing. I am so grateful to be able to witness in this way, for it has helped me to keep in mind the grace of God for recovery in my own life.