Two Week Reporting Hiatis

On Saturday, Scott (who is a fellow co-worker) and I went on a four mile hike up Dry Canyon and over across the front of Big Baldy on the Curly Springs trail. This was to be the day that we hiked to the top of Baldy, but as I mentioned earlier, it was too much to attempt. I just wasn't ready to do it. This hike that we took was hard enough as it was. Both Scott and I, as we compared notes this morning, were wiped out the rest of the day on Saturday. We were however both happy with the progress that we have made over the summer. There is no way I could have hike this distance and climbed like we did at the beginning of the summer.

I decided even before the hike that I was going to take a week to recuperate. I have learned that after a hard workout that it takes a lot out of me and I have been running a bit on empty as it was. So this week to rest up and regroup. Next Monday, I am going to focus on getting my weight down. I will still exercise, but my main goal is to get some serious pounds off. I will resume my reporting the week following after I have started off in my new direction (same goal just adjusting how I will get there). If you don't see a post on September 28th, I invite all to get after me because I committed to do this and I don't want to stop until I reach my goals.

Lisa H. continues to do well. She has helped keep me motivated! Thanks Lisa! Chris and Rick are off to great starts on their diets. They are working together to get the weight off and so far so good, 9 and 15 lbs is something to cheer about for sure. Keep hanging in there!

Back on the downward slope

Weekly Stats
Current: 302.4
Weekly Loss: 2
To Go: 127.4
Total 22.6
Exercise - 5/5 Days – 30+ minutes

With school back up in full swing for the kids I have been lucky to get in the minimum of 30 minutes of exercise. But in ways this was probably good. I have been feeling run-down lately and I think the bit of a cut back and not going on a major hike on Saturday allowed my body to catch up a bit. I am happy with the 2 lbs lost especially with the long holiday.

Saturday I had so much to do, I decided to just work really hard on some of the more physical chores and I did work up a good sweat just doing things like washing the car. Normally I would have run to the car wash, but I saved some money and got a good workout as I went as fast as I could. Silly I guess, but it worked! Doesn't work for everyday, but you can work exercise in some ways that you might not normally think of.

For the holiday, we hiked Upper Provo River Falls. It has been a couple of years since we have been there. It isn't a strenuous hike and is quite enjoyable with the beautiful water falls. I guess being in better shape helped as well.

Big shout out this week to Sarah, Mike and Rachel who ran their half marathon this weekend. They had made it a goal to do it and they all finished!!!!! Great job you three. Lisa H continues to make steady progress. Keep up the good work. Gordon keeps going on some great rides and keeping in shape. I'm sure Martha has lost some lbs as well as busy as she has been lately. Barbara continues to amaze me with her ability to get out of bed as early as 5am and get exercising within a few minutes. My body just can't do that first thing. It takes me a bit to wake up enough to get going. She has been doing this for years now and is in great shape and has a lot of energy to go with it. Emily has been working hard and thinking more about being fit! Good for you Emily! Keep up the good work everyone!

Steady as He Goes

Weekly Stats
Current: 304.4
Weekly Loss: 0
To Go: 129.4
Total 20.6
Exercise - 5/5 Days – 40+ minutes

Not much progress the past few weeks. I have for sure put my exercising in. Hopefully the scales will crack here soon.

I have enjoyed going up the canyon for my daily walks through the summer. With school now in session, I have to make sure I get out the door so I can get back in time to get the kids off to school. That makes it pretty dark when I start. Don't know how much longer I will be able to go. We'll see.

My hike of the week was to the Y. My son Corey went with me and we had a nice time together. We took in the great view and talked quite a bit. I was able to hike at a pretty good pace. I just have to keep in mind how much I have improved over the summer as far as being able to hike.

A couple of shout outs. First one to Martha for losing 4 lbs! Way to go! Gordon gets one for his awesome bike rides! He is definitely in great shape and is lean and mean! Haven't heard from others who are on track for getting in better shape. Keep on trying!

A Bit of A Setback.

Weekly Stats
Current: 304.4
Weekly Loss: .4(gained)
To Go: 129.4
Total 20.6
Exercise - 5/5 Days – 40+ minutes

Saturday was a day of reckoning for me. I had the time to see how far I could be up Dry Canyon. I was hoping to make it to the saddle. I hiked for two hours made it to just over 7000', but still was about a mile short of the saddle when I knew I needed to turn back. I had a hard time making it back to the van because I was so drained. I realized that I better not try to make it to the top of Baldy in two weeks. I would be putting myself at risk if I pushed it to the top (over 8000'). I will now aim for a late spring / early summer attempt after the snow is all but gone. In ways I am disappointed, but I when I think how far I have come I should be proud of the progress I made at the same time. I did make it up a couple of miles on a fairly steep hike. There is no way when I started this that I could have done it. On my first hike with my son, I didn't even make is a quarter mile before I turned around. Now I can make it that far with out too much effort. My hope for the postponing the hike is to take off quite a bit of weight and keep working out for an even better fitness level.

As far as my weight goes. It looks like a similar thing that I saw a couple of weeks ago. The hard work out on Saturday seems to make my body hold on to the weight. I was 302 yesterday morning and I would be surprised if I dropped back down tomorrow somewhere around there.

Lisa H. is doing well in her weight loss. Way to go! Keep up the great work. Sarah and Mike ran 12 miles on Friday! That was awesome. Gordon G. is keeping up on his biking and I suspect Martha is doing well on her goals! Everyone hang in there and I will too!

Another Star!

Weekly Stats
Current: 304.0
Weekly Loss: 4.4
To Go: 129
Total 21
Exercise - 5/5 Days – 40+ minutes

It's nice to have some good results after a disappointing previous week. Last weeks weigh in was quite weird. The day after being up 2.6, I was down 2.4. My body was doing quite the roller coaster. This week losing 4.4 lbs makes up for the bad week before. In a couple of weeks, I should be below 300lbs. That will be a good psychological boost I hope.

My workouts went well this week. We had something going on Saturday morning so I wasn't able to do my Dry Canyon hike, so I went on Friday morning before work. I am pleased with my progress. I didn't have to stop near as often and felt like I could have gone further if I had the time. I am still kind of worried about the hike though, it is coming up on September 12. That will be here before I know it.

Thanks again to everyone's encouragement in various forms. It has really helped and I know that being accountable has been good incentive as well. Hope your fitness and weight goals are going well for you all!

.... and Yet so Far!

Weekly Stats
Current: 308.4
Weekly Loss: 2.6 (gained)
To Go: 133.4
Total Lost 16.6
Exercise - 5/5 Days – 40+ minutes

Last week I was so close to the 20 lbs goal. This week I went the wrong direction! I was completely surprised because of all the activity I put in. So it's time to look at averages. I am averaging 1.28 lbs lost per week since I started. At that rate it will take me 117 weeks, or 2 years and three months) to lose the weight I want to lose. I don't think I want to take quit that long! I need to watch what I eat better. I think it is the hardest thing for two reasons. First is being aware of portions and second is estimating how many calories you are consuming. I have been most successful when I have tracked what I eat, but I don't want to spend money to track it online and I don't have a good way to track it any other way. Any suggestions?

For my main activities this week, I knew I wasn't able to hike on Saturday so I hiked to the "Y" on Friday morning before work. It is a steep trail, but well maintained. I made it to the small trail that cuts over to the bottom part of the Y. I had to turn around because I was tired and I also needed to get to work. I was happy with the hike though. Saturday was kind of a pay-off. We went to an Allen family reunion. D&D had a nice sports court. Many of us got involved in several games of Speed. I was surprised how long I was able to play. It was a blast to be able to do so. The exercising has paid off. I haven't just gotten out and played like that in a long time. I even had fun playing horse shoes.

Hope you all had a good week!

Sooo Close!

Weekly Stats
Current: 305.8
Weekly Loss: -4.2
To Go: 130.8
Total Loss: 19.2
Exercise - 5/5 Days – 40+ minutes

So close to the next 10 lbs star! I was worried about this week's weight loss since we were on the last week of having family in town and also a family reunion. It turned out I was quite busy as well and didn't miss any exercise so I it all came together for a great weight loss week. I feel like I can really start focusing in on eating right for a while now that everything is settling down now.

Yesterday, one of my daughters expressed a desire to eat better and exercise more. I hope to be a good example to her as well. It would make it all worth it if she can do something that I know is so hard! Hang in there Emily! You too Lisa H.! Mike, Sarah and Rachel keep up the great training! You guys are soon coming up on your half marathon run! If I missed anybody on my shout out, sorry but I am cheering for anyone who is trying to improve their health.

I am pretty committed to my Baldy Hike on September 12th. I have about half dozen people who said they will do it as well! Maybe we can have a beat BGoody contest. We'll see.