Hitting Reset/ cleaning out the closets.

I cannot believe my last post was my mother's death. I did not do this on purpose and it just goes to show I have grieved her more than I thought.  I felt like I didn't grieve her death correctly because I was not a blubbering mess, in fact I barely cried at all. I think I shed more tears this Mother's Day and  during the Holidays then I did during her whole funeral. I guess for me grieving is more of a "slow burn" than a quick process.

I am currently  in the process of "Hitting The Reset Button" on my life and cleaning out all the junk both physically and emotionally. I have started with my office and am in the process of cleaning and organizing everything. It is amazing how much junk accumulates in closets and drawers and it is very liberating to throw it out. I am keeping objects that hold good memories and throwing out or burning any that are associated with the bad or considered clutter. I'm not sure if "Hitting Reset" is an accurate analogy but this is more of a cleansing process for me. For Mother's Day I had a bonfire and burned some of her things that I associate with the cancer and death.

I also have come to the realization that in order to call myself a professional my office and space should reflect that so this is another reason for the cleaning.

And not to forget,  I am still on a mission of 40lbs down by age 40 so this is also part of this process.

Once my office is complete in the next few days I will post some photos.

Mama has gone to Heaven

This is a different post and yes it is about death.
My mother passed away yesterday from liver cancer that started in the colon.
I loved my mother with all my heart but the sad truth is she never took care of herself.
She loved my brothers and I what you could consider a little too much.
In her adult life after we were all grown she still would not make her well being a priority.
Now I know death is a part of life and I accept things worked out just as God intended.
But, I do feel somewhat cheated in my mom only living 70 yeas when we've had several other family member's including my Grandmother who lived to be 90.

Bottom line that I will keep driving and preaching for the rest of my life is to make your health a priority. Life is short and it does end but who wants to end up rotting in a nursing home from poor self care?
And if you need some inspiration I highly recommend visiting one.
It's heart breaking to see those people in there who have no hope.
And I'm not judging them by any means because I do not know what put them there.
I just know it's a place I want to avoid being put in at all costs.

Stay strong and say a prayer for my family.

The 90 Day Challenge

Well, here we are in c-c-c-cold February and things are chugging along.

My wife and I have decided to try some new things.
The two major things I am doing now is making my own juice using a juicer and I am also trying the Body By Vii 90 Day Challenge.

If you don't know what the Vii Challenge is then go here for more info.

VISALUS 90 DAY Challenge

Now, more about the juicing. All I can say is wow! If you've never had freshly made homemade juice I highly recommend it. It is so delicious and free from all the extra crap they put in store bought juices.

I just started these new changes about a week ago so no real progress to report just yet. I am hoping this will kick start the pounds coming off.

Stay tuned...

2012 Ready to GO!!

Greetings and a big Happy New Year to everyone!

In this post I want to talk about a very important part of the weight loss journey.
The word of the day is "Accountability". Obviously you should be accountable to yourself but lets face it, we are human and we are fallible. Fortunately, I am blessed enough to have a wife who is not only a former marine but is now a certified personal trainer. There isn't much that gets by her and if I start to stray out of line she is there to put me back on the straight and narrow.
My advice is to find a way to be accountable for your workouts especially in the beginning when you are weaker mentally.
This brings me to another valid point and that is the mentality.

You just started that new life 2 weeks ago so STAY AWAY FROM THE DONUTS!
There is no such thing as a "cheat day" because taking those is what got you in this shape in the first place. Instead try to find healthier alternatives to your cravings,
There is so much info. out there about health and eating so there really is no excuse.

Although I've never tried it personally I hear Weight Watchers is a great way to control your eating and won't break your wallet in the process.

My Update: I am now down in the 240s and am now running sprints on the treadmill as well as taking my wife's classes at Planet Fitness Concord. I see no reason why I shouldn't be down to at least 240 or even in the 230's by summer.

Here's to staying strong and giving yourself the love you deserve by taking care of you.

Till next time:)

December 2011

My apologies for the lack of updates. Life has been coming at me 100000 miles an hour and I have neglected this blog and for that I do apologize. One thing I have not neglected is my exercise program. My wife is now a personal trainer at Planet Fitness so I have no excuse when it comes to exercise. Recently I've been reflecting on how far I've come and I am amazed. Going from someone who could barely walk 1/4 of a mile to someone who now runs on the treadmill at a 6.0 just amazes me. I am in awe of how awesome our bodies are and that God has given me the tools to turn my life around.
It's getting close to New Year so I am getting even more excited about what I am going to accomplish in 2012.
I hope somebody reads my blog and gets motivation and inspiration from it.

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

I don't want to jinx it but it looks like I have finally started losing weight again.
I'm down to 244 which has me somewhat hopeful that I am getting ready to hit a good run and drop some putting me closer to that goal weight of 200.

I have increased my weight in Bodypump class to 40 for legs and 35 for chest and 30 for arms and shoulders. This is a far cry from the 10 lbs I used when first starting out and makes me very proud of my accomplishment. Looking at my form in mirror I can see the muscles peeking out from the flab wanting to come out.

I also am happy to report I outran my 12 year old son twice today in a footrace.

I'm a couple of months away from 38 and feel more like 28, and even with all of life's tragedies and woes I feel more alive than ever.

August 2011

I realize this blog doesn't see much action lately and hopefully I can change that.
I'm still working out regularly, feeling great and have no intention of ever quitting.
I still haven't really lost any more but I know what is to blame. I have so much going on in my life tight now that I do not get to the gym like I should. What I am doing now is basically maintaining. I do need to get back in on a more regular basis and am struggling to find the time. Right now I am doing about 3 days a week on a good week and need to get back up to the 4-5 day workout weeks.

I am also currently shopping for some good health insurance. I am a couple of months away from 38 and the thought of getting sick with no insurance scares the crap out of me. Eating healthy and exercising does help ease my mind some though.

June 2011 update

I'm still here, plugging away at trimming down the fat.
I haven't really weighed in and have had a hectic couple of weeks that admittedly kept me out of the gym too many days.

I had an opportunity to be on an upcoming TV show on TLC called "Outrageous Kids Parties" and it was a marathon of paining with little sleep.

I am getting back in the swing of things now and ready to do some SCUBA Diving. My gear is serviced and ready to go. Now i just have to find a weekend with time and funds to go somewhere.

Here is a picture of me back in 2000 when I went to Bonaire.

Ready for summer

I am happy to report that Easter has come and gone and summer is fast approaching.
I did Body pump again this past Monday and have increased in weight used. Stiff and sore is the theme this week but I know it will pass and means I'm getting stronger.

I am about ready to get back into my SCUBA diving which I have not done in 6 years mainly due to being too fat to fit in my gear. If you have the means to do it I highly recommend it as it is one of those things that puts you close to God, Creation, Mother Earth, Zen,or whatever you choose to call it. For me it is a chance to revel in God's beauty and feel a freedom and peace I have never felt anywhere else on earth.

On a final note, my wife has been in school to certify as a personal trainer and she is closing in on completion of the course as well as training to run in a marathon. She has been a great support to my endeavor to lose weight and get healthy and I could not be prouder of her for choosing a career that will not only put money in our pockets but help us stay healthy and enjoy many years together through preventative health management.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone.
I hope spring has everyone motivated to get out and move.

I am happy to report I have started seeing significant weight loss again.
I am down to 245 and know that 240 is not far away.

I think it's a combination of changing up my workout and also changing the time of day.
I'm trying to work up to longer running on treadmill but right now am doing 30-60 seconds run at 6.0 speed between 30-60 seconds of fast paced walk/jog.

Also I have started doing more ab work with crunches and sit ups.

Hope all of you are keeping the faith and seeing some good results.
Take care until next time:)

April 2011 update

Well I am happy to report the pounds have finally started coming off again.
I've lost 4 pounds in the past 2 weeks and i believe the reason is I have started doing a new class at the gym and changed things up. I am now doing a Monday night "AB Sculpt" class where we do crunches,plank, leg raises etc.
I am noticing lots of nice changes in my body in the form of some muscle definition in places that used to be flab. I am still doing cardio on the elliptical machine but have been trying some different programs and higher levels to challenge my body.
I am finding it harder to get my heart rate up which is a good problem because this means I am getting fit.

March Update

Happy St. Patty's Day and March Madness to all!
Although I am still hovering around 250 I am happy to report an inch of loss pretty much all over. I guess this means I am getting more solid and building muscle.
I am making plans to pick up a 10 speed this summer to get out and ride like I did when I was a kid. Hope all of you are staying firm on your commitments to take care of yourselves.

Update picture 1-18-11

I still have a ways to go but I am getting solid and muscles are showing up where I was jello before.
I have started adding in push ups, sit ups, and crunches and changing it up on the cardio equipment varying between treadmill, bike, and elliptical.

Feeling Great.....

For the first time in a long time I am back in a size 38 jeans.
I went shopping today for a new pair of jeans and was pleasantly surprised to put on a pair of 38's.
I will eventually be in a 36 and will shoot for a 34 eventually.
My weight seems to be staying around 250 but I have noticed some nice changes in my physique.
I am starting to notice everything getting firmer and some nice bumps on my arms and shoulders called muscles:)

I heard someone comment the other day that they could not find the motivation to get started exercising. If your one of these people let me throw a few out for you to think about... Diabetes,Heart Attack, Stroke, Sleep Apnea, Cancer.
Although some people do get sick despite a healthy lifestyle for the most part healthy eating and exercise is the key to long life and well being.
There is enough bad stuff that is going to happen to us because of old age but why help it along? Each day that you have good sense and good health is a blessing to be cherished and should not be taken lightly.

Keep working at it and stay strong, the life you saving is your own!

1-11-11

I am happy to report that I worked out today in spite of a big snow/ice storm that hit Monday. The parking lot going in the gym was a little slippery but the payoff was great.
Had the whole gym pretty much to myself and took the opportunity to try something new on the eliptical. I have been doing the "cardio" program for 30 minutes but opted to do "Fat Burn" for 45 min.
I feel like I got a good slow burn today and set a new calorie burn record for myself.

The cold weather had me down a bit this morning and I was reluctant to get out of bed, but going to the gym turned my day around and boosted my spirits.

Thoughts....

I walk around almost every day and have some sort of great thought that I want to put in this blog but by the time I get around to it usually forget what exactly it is I wanted to say.
Luckily, I have a somewhat intact thought to share today.:)

I've been thinking about my younger years and reminiscing about what made them great. It's not that those years were any better than today but how I felt physically that made them great.
At 16 I was full of energy, ready to go explore the world and was excited to get out and do things. Now that I've started reclaiming my health I am starting to get that same feeling. I guess it is a mixture of the endorphins from working out and the ability to move around and walk without getting out of breath.

If your someone reading this who is just getting started and hating the soreness and pain of working out I say to you DO NOT QUIT!
Like anything worth doing it is hard at first but in time it gets easier and becomes habit.
Now, I feel like a heel if I don't work out at least 3 times a week.
I used to think people who worked out were crazy but now I understand what they are talking about. The feeling of those muscles burning and they feeling they have the rest of the day is just great. It's like a warm fuzzy feeling all over your body that lets you know your doing something good for yourself.

Well, I've ranted enough for now.
Good luck to everyone reading this and keep on keeping on :)

Ready For The New Year

Well, 2010 is coming to a close and although I did not reach my weight loss goal this year I am still pushing forward to 2011.
I had originally wanted to be down to 200 by this Christmas which proved to be more of a challenge then I thought.
I am happy to be down 45 pounds from where I started and know there is no way to go but forward on this journey.
I am always excited for a new year and a fresh start.
If I have a New Years Resolution it is to work out more intensely and get even more serious about my commitment to my health.

Also, I have made it a priority that I will get back into my SCUBA diving this year as well. I quit diving in 2006 and have missed it greatly.

C-c-c-old weather

Hello strangers, I have not forgotten about you guys following this blog.
Life has been hectic and I am staying strong and working out as much as I can.
Between the busy Holiday season and caring for family it is very easy to let yourself slip down on the priority list. I have to admit I have let myself slip a bit but I am aware of it and plan to get back on track after Christmas getting to the gym 4-5 days a week instead of my current 2-3 days a week.

In other news..I have finally conquered a new piece of equipment in the gym!
I now love the elliptical machine which when I first started on could not stand more than a couple of minutes because it would make my knees hurt.
I am up to 30 minutes on it and love how easy it glides and works the muscles at the same time and keeps the heart rate in that training zone.

Weight wise I am still right around the 250 which although sucks is at least not weight gain.
I'm not going let it discourage me though because even though I am still "fat" I am still 150% stronger and feel so much better than I did a year ago.
I know as long as I keep pushing forward there is a slim and healthier me waiting to get out.

Tis the season to stuff our faces...

I truly believe the American overindulgent lifestyle reaches it's peak at this time of year.
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are only part of it, you have all the candy, pies,fruitcakes.... well you get the point.

I'm still hanging in there feeling great and going to the gym at least 3 times a week.
I've been doing the combination of treadmill and weights long enough though and have changed it up starting this week.

I am now doing "bodypump" class and "spin" class as well as throwing in new excercise such as squats, push-ups, and others.


I haven't been on a scale in a while so I have no idea what my weight is but people keep telling me I'm shrinking so I must be doing something right.

Digging out old photos

Today I stumbled across some old photos of myself and was blown away at how slim I was.
I am reminded of one of the Biggest Loser quotes that says... "The past does not define you, the present does." This was a nice reminder to myself to not dwell on the fat unhealthy Eric but to push forward towards that slim healthy Eric that I was before letting myself get lazy.


Also, I view good health just like my artistic talent which is as a gift from God.
I believe to sit around and waste your life being unhealthy is like spitting in God's face. Every day that you are able to get up and go without pain or assistance from others is a cherished thing that should be savored.
We are all going to get old and eventually die, but why help the process?
Life is short enough as it is, live it!