Stand and Deliver

I promised my leader 269lbs.  With the blessing of God's gift to me in strength and determination- I showed up at 267lbs!  I felt like I could scream it was so exciting!  With a new challenge around ever turn, and the temptation of old stumbling blocks- I have to remind myself of this phrase "I am the God's".
Food was my idol, I leaned on food for comfort, strength, reassurance, affirmation, and consistency.  Food is always around.

This life transformation isn't about starving.  Its not about obsessing.  Its about seeing- truly- for the first time, what living is all about.  I am alive for the right reasons.  I live for the right reasons.  I workout and eat right for the right reasons.  To show that I am God's.  and that He will do great works and miracles in those that lean on HIM instead of the idols of this life.

I was listening to a really good song called "Tip the Scales" by Rise Against.  The song just pumps me up beyond belief.  check it out- if you find the time.

I am going places I've never gone before with this idea in mind.  "live like no one else" 
We'll see what tomorrow holds for me.

83lbs to go!

What Has Been Lost Shall Never Return

OH MY GOSH!  It seems like it's been forever since I posted, and for that- I'm Sorry.

So much has happened in the past month....where to begin?
Lets go in chronological order.  March started out with a 2lb loss- taking me to 272lbs., Then on Wednesday, March 9th- After 14yrs of having thyroid issues, I had the right side of my Thyroid removed (along with a goiter that was 4.5 inches long x 1.5 inches wide (since i don't have real picture- I made a really crummy drawing of what it was shaped like)

that procedure resulted in this little souvenir

it also caused me to gain 10lbs (in water weight) putting me at 282lbs for the second week of the month.
I haven't noticed a huge change so far except for the lump being gone. 
I couldn't eat much of anything that was good for me (or at all), and I was so messed up from the pain medicine I was taking I couldn't work out.  I had to remind myself- recovery and healing was first and most important thing.  Nothing was going to derail my progress however.  So the next week I came to weigh in (unsure of what I would find).  Much to my surprise- I had lost all of that water weight and then some.  I was 271lbs! 
10lbs. of water weight gone and 1lb for good measure :)

This week I am committing myself to staying right on track- I started back to the gym on Monday for Cardio.  I can't do any upper body weight lifting for a while.  I continue to work on core and legs.  I have Committed to Matt B. that I will come in at 269lbs or lower this weekend. 

Pray for my determination- that it wouldn't slow down.  Something that this who process has taught me it that there is NO problem that you can't overcome.  You just have to do the work that is necessary.  THE WEIGHT WON'T JUST COME OFF (and stay off) BY ITSELF,  You gotta want it- Badly.

87lbs to go!

everybody hits a wall, not many break through it.

I sent this to my brothers in T8WC.  A charge of encouragement, can you find truth in this for yourself?  If you can- Use it.  I know that we are not alone in our struggle.

"Hello brothers,

we were all once defeated by Satan in our lives when it came to self control and eating. Today, I can say we have victory in Christ. Should you sin that grace may more abound? God forbid! Don't give up ground that you have won with blood, sweat, and tears.

Behind us is a trail of pounds lost, mountain tops crossed and blood spilled in the name of reclaiming who we are in Christ... we are made in the image of God.

Take your mind back to that first week weigh in. Some guys lost 9...12...even 16lbs!

Stay close to God in prayer, remain COMPLIANT through transformation, not contrition.

Be men of character and men stronger than ANY voice in your head saying 'but you've come so far'. We still have a lifetime to go, gentleman.

Press on."

90lbs to go!

-Luke

What would Kevin Costner Say?

Hello out there.  A fantastic week so far-  I am learning that I have a lot more fight in me than Previously assumed.  I pounded out 60 minutes on the elliptical at level 15 resistance.  never dropped below 85 revs.  I affectionately call it "the elliptical death march".  I've also pushed my weights even harder- Reaching the 200lb mark on my Lat Pull down exercise, and 255lbs leg press.

Down, down, down!  ya- another 2lbs gone!  276lbs is where I came in this past Saturday.  We had a week were NO MAN on T8WC gained or maintained weight.  Everyone lost (so...everyone won!)  I also saw my doctor-  He was happy to see me down 125lbs since my last visit.  Also my blood pressure was down to a normal level.  Praise God for that!



"Never stop fighting till the fight is done."

92lbs to go!!

-Luke

New Changes to the Plan

Hello yall- For the past month now, there's been a huge change implemented in our program.  Every 7 Days, I get 1 Cheat day on my eating.  This is to act as a reset for my body.  To shock it once a week into working harder to burn the fat the other 6 days.  So far, I can't complain.  I am now down to 278, which is lower than I've ever weighed as a grown up (as you may have read from my last post).  Tomorrow will be the 4th weigh in that takes into account the reset day.  We'll see if its still holding its merit.  The last thing I am going to do is sabotage my progress.  If it looks like I'm not having success with it- I'm gonna cut it out. Period. 
I am seeing great results from my weight training (increases are coming each week)  and my waist and chest measurements keep going down little by little.  So I'm please. Also did something crazy- Pushed out 1 mile on the elliptical in 9min 6sec. Felt amazing.
Wow- I'm just glad it's Friday. 
Doctor appointment on Tuesday.  It's been 10 months since He's seen me- we'll see what he thinks about my progress. Thanks for all the love and support I've been hearing from you guys.


Everybody- have a Happy Valentines Day- Spend it with the one you love, and never take them for granted.

94 to go!

Luke

When I Was 16

I was 5'11 and I weighed 281lbs.  I know because I got my drivers permit on my 16th birthday. 
Flash forward 9 Years, it's my 25th birthday- I'm 6'and I weigh over 400lbs.  That's more than a growth spurt.  This is my license photo from when I moved to Lee's Summit- they carried over the info from my permit to every license I've had since.  It still says 5'11 and 281lbs. 

Both of those are still wrong- I'm 6'. but I weigh 280lbs now.  Yeah- Less than I did when I was 16 Years Old. 

I'm gonna do a little count down from here on out till I hit my goal weight of 184 lbs.

96 to go!

-Luke

Mind/Heart/Body

Bu-di-du-det-dut-da! Yeah!  It's 2011- And we're back in the blog action with some serious motivation for the year. 
I'm proud to report that at my last weigh in I was down to 282.8lbs- That puts me 98lbs away from my goal weight!  I WILL DO IT IN 2011!!   AHHH!!! I'M SO PUMPED!!  New changes in my life/health arena.  I am happy to say that I am OFF of the blood pressure meds that were prescribed for me back in April.  Yay!  When I started this whole thing- I was wearing size 50 jeans and a 5XL coat.

I am now wearing size 40 jeans and a XL coat. (and That feels AMAZING!!!!!) 

To be able to shop right off the rack at a store is crazy- not having to special order or go to the big and tall section (if they had one)


I'm feeling like my energy is way up- I'm much more focused , day to day. 
Here's the serious stuff.
With all of this- comes heart changes.  Besides the obvious physical changes to my heart, my relationships have been effected too.  I can't act like they are untouched.  Some are stronger than ever before.  I feel a sense of approval that I've never seen from some people.  I also feel the daggers sometimes.  This year- I want to complete my physical journey- get to my goal weight.  But I want to see improvement in my relationships each week also.  Only through the moving of the Holy Spirit, is this possible. 
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for what you've done in my life, what you're doing in my heart and what you've already planned out for my future.  I want to dedicate myself to spiritual health this year- along with my physical health.  Let me see the opportunities to grow- and let me take advantage of them.  Keep me strong, keep me focused on my course.  Be with the ones I love- so they could grow in their love and relationship with you, by my example. 


In Jesus' name- Amen.