Re start

This week we begin a renewed focus on health.  You probably have noticed I have been stuck at 52 pound for a while.  I have about six weeks before my next milestone.  I am excited to hit it hard over the next six weeks.

So far...

So far we have raised	$1,350	25% Wildlands
	$4,050	75% IJM

Very cool. 

NPH

 

This summer I went to a wonderful community called Nuestronos Pequenos Hermanos or NPH.  The name is Spanish for My Little Brothers and Sisters.  The Ranch, as it is called by the people who live there, is a community where children who have lost their parents can come and find education, shelter, faith, family and food.  To call this place an orphanage is a profound disservice to this amazing community.  Every day I shared a meal with the Casa Suyapa – Baby House.  This is one of the community that becomes the family to each one of the kids.  Shareing a meal with the kids gave me a new perspective on food.  Each day these children share three simple meals where nothing is wasted.  There is no picking or choosing and no finicky eaters.  What they serve is what you get.  The food is received with joy and eagerness. There are a lot of beans and a lot of rice and a lot of simple corn torias that are made at the ranch.  The children eat outside most days sitting in a circle.  They eat everything on their plate and wait in silence to see if they will be chosen for seconds.  The children are grateful for every bite they get.  The perspective change was that food was for giving life not life itself.  We have all heard the say eat to live don’t live to eat.  But at the ranch that concept was incarnate.  It was amazing how much I enjoyed food that was so simple.  Food I would have never choosen back home.  But the combination of community, perspective and hunger made every meal a feast.  It seems even when we eat healthy all too often we are still obsesed with food.  Getting the right healthy food that still satifies our obsession.  If it is tru anything can become an idol, food is one of the biggest for those who have an abundance bordering on excess. The Apostle Paul seems to give warning about where this can lead. ^“Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Phil 3:19-21 Watching the children of Casa Suyapa enjoy such simple food as they enjoyed the community around them made me aware of how often I make my comforts the center of my thoughts and my attentions. 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage Two Complete

 

Over six months ago I began a journey to lose 100 pounds. Over 200 of you joined the journey with me by praying, making healthy lifestyle changes and by pledging one dollar for every pound I lost.  The money raised is going to support International Justice Mission www.ijm.org. and Wildlands school www.wildlandschool.net.

We are coming up on the time when those of you who have pledged can send your second payment.  It has been over six months since I started my journey and so far I have lost 54 pounds.  Yippee.  Back when I began I ask those of you who have pledged to send your second payment of $25.00 around July 10, 2013 (the day of the 2013 Just Us Run.) www.cvjusticerun.org. I asked you to send this payment only if I’ve lost at least 50 pounds. 
            Thank you for the support.  As far as the journey goes I feel great physically, mentally and emotionally.  It feels great to be heading in the right direction.  I am getting ready to take a trip to Honduras to visit NPH.  www.friendsoftheorphans.org

            My weight loss has slowed down but I am still resolved to meet my next two goals. The third payment of $25.00 would be due October 31^st 2013 only if I have lost 75 lbs.

            Change is a journey not a onetime choice and I continue on the journey.  It feels so good to have the energy to do the summer activities that I love.  Biking, fishing, and canoeing. 

Thank for joining me on the journey.

Bumps in the Road

Historically on my journey of weight loss I have lost my way when I hit a bump in the road.  One of those things life throws at you that wreaks havoc on your routines.  It could be an unexpected death or a crisis with kids.  It might be a change at work or some travel I was not expecting.  At those times it is easy to get out of your healthy eating patterns.  The stress of the uncertain or grief can cause you to use food as a coping mechanism. In addition we are often with family during these times of loss and for many of us we fall back into old patterns that we learned from our family when we are with our family.  It is also very common for well-meaning people to want to love and comfort with food when we are going through difficult times.

            Last week our cabin was destroyed when the fires in the Barnes, WI went through our area.  My mother who lives in that area was displaced.  The last week has been a whirlwind of concern for mom, grieving the loss of the place my father built and hard work of cleaning up.  Not to mention the long road of insurance claims.

            The temptation to crawl in a bag of chips was very strong.  Of course my family rallied with comfort food and being away from home made it easy to choose bad things to eat.  I am happy to say that this last week was very successful for eating healthy.  I even lost a pound.  I did have a few things that have not been on the diet but by and large I am still on track.  Thanks to my wife sending healthy food with me and lots of prayers and support from friends.

            I did not get to ride my bike much but there was so much cleanup to do that I got a good work out every day.  Thanks for your love and prayers gang.

Stage Two

Stage Two

Now that I have hit the half way mark on my weight loss goals it is time to enter into what I am calling stage two.  The truth is I have lost the easiest weight I have to lose.  I feel great.  I am trying to stay balanced and disciplined and so far so good.  So, why is it harder in stage two?  Several reasons but a few of the reasons are that the success I have had has created less urgency.  It can fool you into thinking you have arrived.  I need to remember in this life we don’t arrive.  It is not a destination it is a journey.

            I do recognized that this next stage will have some significant challenges so it is time to make a new plan.  There is a self leadership principle that I will be using that says to make long term progress you need to: Plan – Do – Adjust  - Repeat.  That is what I did in stage one.  I had a plan and I worked the plan making adjustments through the process.  Now it is time to repeat.  So, I have a plan that will carry me through July.  I hope to lose another 25 pounds in the next three months. So, Monday my new plan begins.  Most of the things I have been doing I will continue to do.  Eat close to the ground with lots of fruit and vegetables.  Eat only good fats and healthy proteins.

Plan for Stage Two of Weight Loss

Begin April 29, 2013

Reduce Calorie intake

Try some new supplements

            Dynamic greens

            Phresh Protein

            Probiotics

Daily Weigh Myself

Continue My fitness pal – for those looking for me my screen name is Pabpaul

Bike 5-6 times a week – I love to bike

Do resistance 3-4 times a week in the morning using MaxT3 for metabolism boost.

Pray specifically for weight loss, discipline and health

Renew weekly blog updates:

Diet

            Continue no refined sugar or processed foods

            1-2 cups of coffee a day

            Only fish and Chicken

            Lots of Fruits Vegetables – They are yummy this time of year

            No wheat and limited grains for two weeks

           

Menu

            Breakfast

                        Greek Yogurt

                        Eggs and Vegetables

                        Steel Cut Oatmeal

                        Berries, fruit and nuts

            Second Breakfast

                        Protein Shake

                        Dynamic Greens

                        Nuts

                        Fruit

                        Broccoli & Cauliflower

                       

            Lunch

                        Ultimate Salad

                        Homemade Salad

                        Avocado & Hummus Skinny

            Afternoon Tea

                        Protein Shake

                        Dynamic Greens

                        Nuts

                        Fruit

                        Broccoli & Cauliflower

            Dinner – 300 – 500 Calories

                        -Stir-fry Couscous

                        -Chicken & Vegetables

                        -Vegetable with Nuts Stir fry

                        -Salmon & Vegetables

                        -Black bean Burgers

                        -Edamame Bean Salad

                        -Turkey Sausages & Vegetables - Grilled

New Stage in the Journey

I brought my bike in to the shop today to get it tuned up and ready for the biking season.  I can pick it up tommorow.  Yahoo!  looks like beautiful weather for a ride this weekend! Maybe even a short ride tommorow. 10 miles or so.