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.

Half way

As I crawled on the scale this morning I was greeted by a wonderful surprise. Since I lost a pound yesterday I was not expecting to lose another pound today but I did. What is the big deal? Well not all pounds are uncreated equal. This was my halfway pound.   50 pounds! Yahoo!  Thanks to all who are cheering with me. :)

Almost half way to my goal

The weight loss has slowed down but I am still headed in the right direction. I am into my fifth month and I am two pounds away from half my goal of loasing 100 pounds.  I feel great.  It feels good to be taking steps to head in the right direction.  Thanks for all the encouragment!

Pretty good article

http://www.intense-workout.com/weight_loss.html

I wish he had been a little more careful on the language but one of the better common sense articles I have read.

Blood Work

My blood work is back.

Since late November to late February - Three months...

My cholesterol has dropped from 220 to 170 - Boom!
My bad went down from 137 to 104 - Boom!
My triglycerides went from 170 to 140
Blood suger improved by 12 points.

All through healthy diet and excercise! 

God has made an amazing body that can often heal itself.



I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well

Psalms 139:14

 

February 28, 20013

Friends,

 It is three months ago today that I began this journey and so far I have lost 40 pounds as of yesterday.  It feels wonderful to be heading in the right direction.  I am excited about the steady pace of weight loss that I am achieving.  In the past I have lost more weight sooner but I have never lost weight in such a balanced and controlled way.  I feel so much better physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. 

Changing the way I eat and what I eat has been fun.  I know I have a long way to go not only in losing weight but in maintaining the weight loss. I feel so much lighter in more ways than one.

As you know, I have asked my friends and family to pledge one dollar a pound for every pound I lose and the proceeds would go to two wonderful organizations one is the International Justice Mission. A great organization that fights to free slaves sold through human trafficking all over the world.  The second is to support Wildlands School, a charter School that meet at the Beaver Greek Reserve.  They are working on a building expansion.  75% of the money raised will go to IJM and 25% will go to Wildlands school.  Currently we have 163 pledges.  That means we have raised $4075.00.  That is a great start.  We are on pace to raise over $16,000.00. 

If you are just hearing about this challenge and want to join.  I would love to get over 200 pledges by Easter.  Simply send me an e-mail at Paul@jacobswellec.org or send a Facebook message and I will add your commitment to the others.

In addition to these pledges over 150 people are praying for me.  Your love and support mean more to me than I can ever say. Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!

I am very grateful for the doctors, nutritionist, trainers and other health experts who have supported me on this journey with encouragement and expertise. I have had blood work done before I began and again earlier this week and I am eager to see the improvement. I will report on my blog. www.loseloose.blogspot.com

Over 50 people are making lifestyle changes as well.  One friend has lost 36 pound another over 40 since the first of the year.  Others have begun to exercise, eat better and making small steps.  I would love to hear from you about the changes you are making. You could also join me on www.myfitnesspal.com I would love to have more friends keeping food journal and encouraging each other.

So, I am a quarter of my way through the journey and those of you who have pledged can send in the first part of your pledge.  So if you pledged $1.00 you can send in one dollar for every 25 pounds I have lost.  So, send in $25,00 right now.  The next part of your pledge is not due until July 1^st.   You should only send that if I have lost 50 pounds by that time. I will keep you posted and send another update at that time.

You can send your donation to:

Jacob’s Well Church

C/O Lose to Loose & Learn

P.O. Box 449

Eau Claire, WI. 54702

 

Thank you for joining me on the journey

 

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Isaiah 55:1-2

 

Paul

One Quarter of the Way There - Almost

This Thursday will complete Three Months of the Lose to Loose & Learn Challenge.  So far I have lost 39 Pounds.  I will be sending out a letter this week giving instructions where to send the first $25.00.  I hope by Thursday I will be down by 40 Pounds. It is a nice round number.  I found this photo this week and it made me laugh out loud.

15 Years for IJM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rQ_T8zfKsk&feature=player_embedded

The Joy of Moving

The Joy of Moving

I love to exercise.  Like most good things it starts hard but gets easier and even turns into a joy when it becomes a pattern.  Most things that are unhealthy start easy and get hard.  Like overeating or not exercising.  They are easy at first but start making life hard after a while.  Several advantages I find in making moving about part of my daily life. 

I gain a better mental perspective.

Better mental clarity – Some of my clearest thinking and best sermon ideas come when I am exercising.  It must be the endorphins.

My breathing and stamina are better

I am less tired during the day and have better sleep at night.

Since I exercise outside, most of the time, there is a sense of adventure and discovery.  What is over the next hill or around the next bend?

Going with a friend makes for great companionship.

Getting out in the winter air and sunshine is refreshing.  This is a protection against winter depression.

My favorite way to exercise right now is snowshoeing.  This morning was perfect

On the Move

Plateaued

Plateaued

pla·teaued, pla·teau·ing, - To reach a stable level; level off:

 

When you read the definition of this word it does not seem so bad.  When you are losing weight it is a word that wreaks havoc on your emotions.  I have been plateaued for a week. I am still on my plan. In fact I am following my eating plan flawlessly. Hey that is not fair!?! I should eat a pizza! At times like these my mind tries to talk my emotions down.  The mind says,

 

            I was very sick so I could not exercise.

            I am well ahead of my schedule.

            I am in this for the long haul not the quick loss.

            I feel great.

            I am in smaller clothes.

            I am still tracking all my food.

 

 I say things like this and other true statement and these truths help.  When you think of it like that the definition of the word plateaued is very helpful.  My body needs time to stabilize, level off, catch up.  Keep working the plan the body will reset and catch up.  Peace of mind!

Some recent meals

Green, plant based and yummy.

Snow shoeing

I love to be outside in the winter. Going today. Below zero

Update - End of Week 7 and 30 pounds Lost.

End of week seven and I have lost 30 Pounds. I know weight loss goes fast at first and it will slow down.  I am working a plan that should have me lose an average of 2 pounds a week.  I am enjoying snowshoeing.  I have loved the food I am eating.  It has not just been eating less it has been eating different. It has been fun. Sometimes eating healthy actually allows you to eat more.  I am learning many things about health and nutrition. Thanks to all my teachers.

Top 10 Lessons (not in any order)

1.       Avoid sugar in all its forms. Try other things to sweeten.  Not artificial sweeteners. Try guava.

2.       Avoid processed food.  Many are just sugar in another form.  Most are empty calories with little nutrition.

3.       Eat close to the ground. Things that grow. Try eating more raw fruits, veggies and nuts.

4.       Try new things. Tofu, quinoa, beans, hummus, avocados, Basil, coriander, rosemary, cinnamon.

5.       Drink water. Other than some tea this is almost all I am drinking.

6.       Try to exercise a little every day. A walk, snowshoeing, or 12 minutes of interval training.

7.       Always have breakfast.  Always!

8.       Eat smaller meals more often.  5-6 small meals

9.       Food Mixing: Each meal should have good carbs, good fat and protein.

10.   Learn about food.  What kind of fat is good fat? What makes a good carb?  How can you get enough good protein?

11.   (Bonus) Keep a food journal and put everything in the journal. A wonderful tool is my fitness pal. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ My name on my fitness pal is pabpaul . We could be friends and offer mutual accountability and encouragement.  This allows you to set goals, track calories, fat, carbs, protein sugar and a great deal more.  It allows you to be honest about what you are actually eating.

 I have found many advantages.  I sleep better without so much caffeine in my system.  Now that sugar, MSG and table salt (I use Sea Salts) are out of my system I can taste food again.  I can feel the food I am eating making me stronger rather than tired or bloated. I am enjoying eating.  My energy is less “up and down” because my blood sugar is more stable. My pants are looser and mentally it feels good to be heading in the right direction.

For those of you who have pledged support please wait to send in your donation.  I want to wait until March before we start to gather funds.  I will let you know when and where to send your donation.  I want this to be a long term change that begins with a full year turn around.  Thank you for your prayers and support.

To those on the journey with me I would love to hear about your plans.  I would love to hear about what you are learning on your journey of health.