Rising up

Three days in a row I have worked out and eaten well enough. I have lost 2 pounds. I've lost around 6 pounds in the last 2.5 weeks. So, I'm really geared up to drop the weight needed to do better on my next triathlon.

There's a saying that I'm sure everyone knows, and will some day become (if not soon) a cliche. But, I think it's apropos for the human situation. "It doesn't matter how many times you fall, but rather, how many times you get back up." And that is the case here with me and any and everyone else like me.

I have to say that my blog will be an up and down thing, because I like to joke around. But until I reach my goals, there will be set backs. So, I make light of them. Despite that, I do take them seriously.

The new year is tomorrow and my goals have not changed. I might like to add to them, but I believe in the domino affect--achieve one, and many more will follow because of it. So, my goal to prepare physically for my next tri will lead to my goals of better disciplined eating and more productivity. So, I'm still hear, I'm still focused, and I am looking forward to success this year.

Risin

Hey Blog, It's Me...

Hey blog, it's me Margaret...er...Porter. I know its been a while, but I just wanted to let you know that I am still here, and I have not forgotten about you. But blog, I have forgotten some things. I'm sort of ashamed to admit them to you, but I know you can help me, Blog. Blog, I've forgotten how to eat and exercise. No Blog, I'm not not eating, on the contrary; I'm eating the wrong stuff--again. That's why I'm coming to you, Blog. Can you help me? Ever since I finished that triathlon, I have given myself a pass to do whatever. I haven't worked out, and I'm eating pretty much anything. So, to show I'm ready to come back to you, I did some push-ups and sit-ups this morning. I know it's not much Blog, but it is a start. I promise I'll come back to you if you will help me. Thanks Blog. I know I can always count on you.

Marg...er...Porter.

Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't worry though, I won't be this sloppy forever. Mostly because I have these really cool, inspiring songs from you. Thanks.

P.S. Some other things I ashamedly have forgotten how to do recently: Bathe, shave, dress properly for any occasion, use ladders, eat carrots, communicate with adults, not wander around in my underwear--and the list continues.

Do you have the eye?

This is just a note before bed and a question for all of you out there. Do you have the eye of the tiger? Clubber Lang had it. Rocky got it back. Take a second to listen to that song on my page and then ask yourself, "do I have the eye of the tiger?" What the H. E. double hockey sticks is the Eye of the tiger (other than a GREAT song)? The eye of the tiger is the power to overcome ANY mental wall we might be fighting. I can tangibly feel something inside me that is different. I did something I didn't think I could. Now I know I can, so now I am going to do something else I haven't thought I could do, that is drop weight. You ALL can do whatever you want. I know that now. Get that "eye of the tiger", look your foe in the face, and claw the hell out of his/her eyes, then move on to the next obstacle and do the same. GO TEAM!!

Will Smith said, "when I hear that inner voice telling me to stop or I can't, I ignore it..." (not an exact quote) Ignore that negative voice.

Triathlon number one...done

On Thanksgiving morn, Dixie, Eric and I headed out to the Goodyear YMCA for our sprint triathlon. I woke up at 3:45 a.m., and then again at 4 because I was ready to roll. What can I say, I'm a pro. Anyway, we all left my parents house around 5:15 or so. I won't bore you with all the details. Pictured above is Eric and I before beginning the race. These shots below are me just finishing the run portion and getting ready for the bike. I had to give Lana a "money shot" of me chuggin' down the liquid refreshment...



One thing in my favor was that they shortened the run from 2 miles to 1.5 because the rain had ruined part of the "track". Eric and I started 15 min. before Dixie. He finished the run a couple minutes or so ahead of me. Then I took off on the bike. It was a three "lap" ride. Each lap was 4 miles. After the first lap, my mind started fighting me, "Just go slower. No one is expecting anything less. In fact, act like you're going to barf or something. No biggie. Take as long as you need..." It was at that point, I had a breakthrough mentally, and realized that I can do what I put my mind to. I kept saying, "Just one more, just one more, just one more." Pretty soon, there was no more to do. (Here I am doing a little backstroke to get some relief!! And the other shot is one Lana took of me from the final lane--finishing strong!)



Eric beat me, and although Dixie didn't pass me, she beat me too. But I felt great about what I had just accomplished. I realized that with better eating habits (number one), and harder, more dedicated training, I could do MUCH better. So, that's what I'm doing. I'd go so far as to say, I think I could beat Dixie. But, I won't say that until I actually feel that way. I don't feel that way now for sure. Well, except for a 100 yd dash--I can still win that one. hehehe.

A great experience! Everyone should start training to do one of these things. Lana and the kids came too. That felt extra special when I saw how proud of me she was. How rewarding.



Crossing the finish lane...and the aftermath...:) "Please don't puke, please don't puke...." However, my brother was behind me ralphing all over--his wife got a picture of that. :)



Here is Eric (talking with our dad on the cell), Dixie and me after recovering for a second. We were all feeling pretty good after it all. Well, I think Dixie never really needed much recovery, but who cares?!



Here's a picture of the family getting ready to head back home. Lana and the kids drove out with her brother Dallin to watch and take pics. Dane was pretty exhausted and slept the entire hour drive back home. I was too pumped to think about sleeping!

Hmm...That was different

I have been training on a treadmill for the running portion of the triathlon. Now, I'm not so naive that I thought there wouldn't be that much of a difference between the treadmill and the real road. But, the last two days have been a real eye opener. In fact, they have caused me a great deal of discouragement. After my "run" this morning, I came home defeated, downtrodden, and all around upset. I felt like I wanted to call it off and skip the race. I couldn't go a 1/2 mile without stopping and felt like my legs wanted to give out. It was a bad feeling. Then, as the day wore on, I decided that I didn't care how I did at the triathlon--that the most important thing for me at this point is to simply finish the race. My time doesn't matter to me. That thought made me feel better. I'm more determined to simply "get better". So, with that said, I have the "Eye of the tiger" all anew. My eating the last two days--for the first time since I started--was OUTSTANDING! I think that has been more encouraging than anything. I'm ready to take it head on.

Over the last couple days, I have realized something. I have learned another life lesson about myself. Each of us are sent to this earth to learn anything and everything we can about the world around us, God, and ourselves. We are given the right to choose. To make choices that will make us and God ultimately happy, or to make choices that might give us temporary happiness but in the long run will make us and God miserable. Each of us has been given some type of trial we, and only we will have to face, fight, and eventually either succumb to or overcome. I will not speak for anyone but me in this. But I have been given my own personal challenges to fight. But the lesson I learned this week, is where all of my personal trials stem from. Whether it be a trial of faith, or a trial of eating, or a trial of organization, or any other daemon I have been faced with. This week I found the source. I have talked about it forever, but my heart finally realized the battle that will be mine to overcome in this life. And it's not eating, organization, addictions (sorry Costa Vida), or anything that we see in the world. Any of those personal struggles are only manifestations of my trial of the flesh that God has given me to fight. I learned that my trial is pride. I felt it so clearly and powerfully that I now know what God wants me to focus all of my energy on fighting. I am not a bad person by nature. I don't judge people (most of the time, wink wink). But for years, I have rationalized my prideful nature by comparing my strong points in pride to other's weaknesses. "I'm not so focused on possessions like 'Bill'" or "I don't rip on 'Joe' for being Peter Priesthood" or whatever. Instead though, I would ignore peoples needs, "I just don't have time" or whatever my rationalizations might be. It was so clear to me that these selfish feelings are what lead me to have any number of other trial manifestations. I know this is total rambling, but I think this is true of everyone.

In the human society, a lot of what we see people do isn't really a representation of their real problem. Someone who is addicted to drugs or eating for example, really has another underlying problem that they haven't put their fingers on yet. Maybe they feel like their personal needs aren't being met so their true problem is feelings of self-worth, so they manifest their hurt by eating or drinking or whatever. Maybe someone feels like they will never be successful so they steal. Is stealing their problem? Nope. It certainly is a problem. But poeple will stop that problem when they find that inner need that isn't being met or addressed. Whatever it is, usually the problem we see, is not the real problem. That was the long way of me saying that this week, I finally pinpointed my real problem. A problem that I see in myself much more than anyone else might. So, when I feel like quitting, or I feel like giving up on my workouts, or I feel like eating that cookie, I now can step back and say, "Don't let your pride get in the way of your success." Every reason I have to sabotage my success is completely selfish. I'm only thinking about how to avoid being uncomfortable--who cares how this might affect anyone else. Well, those days are over. Will I be perfect--not a chance. But now I know what I'm fighting. SO SORRY I went off on that thought. But hey, it's my blog. :)

I know I can win in my struggles. I might get discouraged at my progress, but I am on my way to being fit and to being the kind of person I know that God can be happy with.

On your marks. Get Set...PUKE!

Yesterday, I was just coming off having some type of periodic, oral herpes. Day number four. Usually, it lasts much longer than four days, but to the delight of my gum tissue and my throat, I have come close family and friends who gave me this new fangled drug called Valtrex. I took it and voy oh lay, all better. So, it was with this increasing health that I went to pick up my daughter Tatum from my sister Dixie's house.

I'll leave out the rest of the boring details of the day and get down the the "brass tacks" of the story. Whilst chatting at Dixie's, the subject of shoe purchases when we were younger came up. She joked about (and very accurately I must add) how I used to have my mom buy me shoes based on the traction design on the bottom of the shoe. Why? Because they made me faster, that's why! So we laughed about how much faster the shoes actually didn't make me, but how I beat her most of the time. I bucked a little at that (thinking in my mind that I NEVER lost a race across my front yard to her). Anyway, we started joking about who might be able to win a race now. Long story short...we ended up at the nearest jr. high school in total non racing attire. I called my dad because I knew he didn't want to miss this. He says, "Man, I'm not sure who to put my money on." Again, the hurty stab in my heart.

Let me say this: Dixie, at this point in time in our lives, can beat me in probably every physical activity that goes longer than 25 yards. I mean beat me bad. With one exception--this 100 yd. dash. I was not about to let this happen.

So, we lined up and then....We were off! For and accurate description and pictures, go to her blog at www.thedaytondixonline.blogspot.com. But, I want to let you all know what was going through my mind.

As we took off, my first thought was, "hey, what's wrong with my legs? They aren't keeping up with my arms." Then, I noticed that I was pulling ahead. So, around the 50 yard mark I says, "Self, start high striding it and kick it into 4th gear." Self said, "No way. Self is trying to keep you upright." "OK, says I. What do I need to do?" Self says,"Tilt that big fat head of yours back. Further. Further!!" So I followed orders. Dixie wasn't gaining, but I sure as heck wasn't pulling away. My back was perfectly arched, and I felt like I was staring at the sky. But, I prevailed. Of course I did. I put my hands on my knees and smiled, "I did it. I kew I could." Then Dixie says, "Shane missed the picture. Let's do it again...well a 50 yd dash." "No way!" I said. But then I thought, "hey, I already won the bet, what's 50 more yards."

We lined up at the 50 yard line, and were off, and again, I was ahead. Less this time. Then I felt the shift. The legs clocked out early. My weight started moving forward. More forward, more forward. My back arched and arched until finally I had to shut it down. She coasted past with 15 yards to go and that was that. But, once in my car, I felt the damage. My body was P. Oed. I was shaking, and nearly lost my lunch the whole ride home, and some time after. Anyway, I sent Dixie a text you can read on her post. A learing experience for me for sure. So, I have a LOT to do before the triathlon and LITTLE time to do it. But, I'm planning on enjoying it as much as possible...not winning it. The next one I might try to beat Dixie. I'll have more prep time.

Thanks for reading this rediculously long and silly post. Bye.

It's official

To the delight of many, at least one, I am officially enrolled to die on Thanksgiving morning. I can't wait.

2 a days are in full swing

Well...with only a short while left before I whip the shirt off and intimidate everyone at the triathlon with my unfair floaty advantage (located just above each hip), I thought it best to hit the gym twice a day--once in the morn and once in the eve. This morning I wanted to run as long as I could without stopping. There really isn't any need to embarrass myself any more than necessary at this point in the game. But let all be satisfied that it was more than a mile...BARELY. Hooray! thought I. I'm still no closer to running two miles than before. Oh well.

This evening, I hit the pool. I thought I should try the 400 straight away. So, I dove in (against the rules...oops) and swam without stopping. Snap. I'm pulling a lot of stuff here. I was DEAD. So, after a brief rest I did a fifty sprint, almost yacked, then did butterfly nearly the length of the pool, almost yacked, then eased my way to a couple more laps and called it quits. I'll swim again tomorrow and run too. I'm very positive that by the time of the race I will have ZERO prob. with the swim. I'm still leery about the run, but we'll see.

As for the eating. Today I was aces. Straight up awesom. Until dinner. But even then I ate great. If I eat like this every day, I will be sveldt and saxy. I won't go as far as saying I'll be a "wild and crazy guy" but I'll keep that in my back pocket because you want to be prepared in case you are. So, things are going well. We'll keep our digits crossed that I keep it up.

Hi there it's me

There have been those who have questioned where I have been, or whether or not I'm going to follow through on my triathlon dealio. They want to know if I have thrown in the towel with my work outs. Well, the answer to all of those is: I've been here, yes I'm following through with the dealio, no I have not thrown in the towel. I have experienced frustration. Mostly because I've not lost a pound. I've been eating badly I guess. I'm having to literally write down everything I'm eating every day just to make sure that I keep it under check. I never realized how "that little bite here or there, or just one more of this or that" can REALLY screw you up. It is one thing to have a day or two, or even three where you step back, and eat not as well. But when you think you are eating "better", only to realize that although you have been eating your three square meals better, you have actually been sabatoging said efforts by having a "mini" chocolate bar here, and a "small" brownie there. I have come to grips that I'm a long way off from eating right. My mental discipline is needing some tweeking. So, that is where I am. I don't post pictures on here because I'm lazy and don't want to take the two seconds it takes to learn how and do it. So, one step at a time here folk. Yes, folk. First eat better while working out, then picture time. So, if you want picture time, look up Bill Cosby's picture time on youtube or somthing. Later.
P

I think bombs would work

You know what? I am going to fess up to an addiction problem I have. I'm a little ashamed, and a lot frustrated. Insanity is taking charge here. When I wake each morning, I feel the urge to dive right in, to bath myself in my addiction. This addiction is keeping me from my goals, my drive, and is altogether hindering my success. I smell it, crave it, and am constantly lured by its subtle beckoning. It's time to get out a bomb and get rid of it.

Costa Vida must be destroyed. I want to take a bath in the tamatillo ranch dressing--splashing it on my face while washing my back with fistfuls of sweet pork. I shampoo my hair with finely aged and greatly processed queso dip--using the chips like pummus on my calloused feet. I dream of quenching my thirst with horchata and medium burrito sauce laced with queso and pico cubes. I'm a hopeless addict. I have to give it up though. I have to walk away, and I will. I have a triathlon to train for. Pray for me, one and all. I will need it. I am kicking the habbit, and the habbit is NOT happy about it.
P.

Try this on

So, I hit the gym this morning and thought I would see how long I could run before I threw up. The reason being, Eric and Dixie forcefully made me join this triathlon (mini one) coming up Thanksgiving morning. So, I made it a mile before I stopped and walked at a 10 incline for the rest of the 20 minutes. I was pooped. I then ate like crap at lunch. My BANE...lunch. I am determined to eat well the rest of the day. It felt good to hit the gym in the morning. Much better than hitting the gym after work.

I plan on swimming tomorrow, but the bulk of my training this week and a half will be running. My running muscles and endurance are FAR from where they will need to be--even if the triathlon run is only 2 miles. I know, I know, "two miles?" Should be easy. Well, for me it isn't so GET OFF!! :) See you at the gym y'all.

Help

HELP.

climbing steps?...

I have found my new tormentor...the rotating steps. WOW. I hopped on those bad boys today and thought, "I'll pound out 30 min. on here and be ready to roll." Uh...I'd like to say it happened just like that. But in the words of George Washington, "I cannot tell a lie", it did not happen that way. I was able to go for 20 minutes, but my buns and legs started cussing at me to stop. I LOVE those stairs! I'm going to jump on them again on Wed. Anyway, it felt good to sweat so much and feel the burn so much. I ate ok today--not great, but ok. This week is going to be AWESOME.

Back from my vacation

So I was gone all last week visiting a heavy friend of mine--ME!! I didn't totally dive off the wagon, but I more or less hung off the back, hanging on to a rope, being dragged all around the dusty streets of Tombstone pizza. But, I managed to pull myself back onto the wagon train and right the ship. Truthfully, the only thing I really lapsed on was the workouts. I only managed to get to the gym two times this last week. Oh, I also lapsed on keeping all of you posted about that. At any rate, I'm hitting the gym tomorrow morning and I'm eating like a champ as well. I have a goal to push myself and drop 5 pounds this week.

We had general conference these past two days and as expected, my batteries are recharged. For whatever reason, I thought this would be a little easier once I started posting what I was doing. But, alas, it is still difficult. But it is a little easier. Thanks to all of you who are sticking with me, and giving any support you can. I know I like to make a joke of my situation; but that is more to deflect my own fears and frustrations. It is your support and comments that help remind me to continue trying. I WILL do this, but a little nudge from friends and loved ones never hurts. Thanks,
P.

Cause and Effect

Many of you know the cause and effect game. A storm causes flooding, which leads to mud slides, etc. I study for a math test, which leads to a good grade. I get diarrhea which leads to no workout on Tues! I feel like a truck ran over me, which leads to no workout on Monday. I don't work out for two days in a row, don't post for two days, which leads to 1.5 pound weight loss in that time period. Fascinating! So, there you have it. I have been under the weather. Tonight was actually a big SURPRISE! I was all decked out, heading for the door when my dinner wanted to make an exit before I did. My gym closes at nine, so I ran out of time. Plus, my dinner apparently had friends. Anyway, I'm still not deterred. I feel good about my goals, and I'm on it to win. I have felt very, very tired lately, and I can't figure it out. But that won't stop me either. Yay team!

The unknown truths about "The Host"

Today's post, is in part, two parts. hahaha. I'm killing myself. Anyway folks, first my exercise/diet update. Yesterday was great. Really good. I felt like I was a swollen balloon, but I ate really well, so I'm sure I'll get blessing points because of that. Lana and I went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and I got grilled chicken,s a yam, and a salad. The only thing I finished or even came close to finishing was the salad. I just didn't feel the need to push it. That said, I do have a little discouragement because I'm not seeing ANY weight change. I've lost like 4 pounds, and hit a wall already. I'm sure I need to be a little more diligent with the eating, but I am better than I used to be and I'm not seeing the weight come off, so I started to feel like, "if it isn't going to change, then why should I change the way I eat". I got over that thought. Anyway, I'm still going strong.

Now, on to the meat of my thoughts. On my itunes, I have like 30 audio books. One of the said books is "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer. I do a lot of driving for work, so audio books are great to have in the car. Anyway, I was listening to the book and I had a thought, "Miss Meyer is leaving out 'the rest of the story'". I'm hear to fill it in.

For those who don't know (and this in no way will be a spoiler), the host is about a race of beings (souls) that come and over take humanity and take their bodies to live in. Like a tapeworm accept with more control. At any rate, I'm listening to this discription of how marvelous it feels for these 'souls' to begin life in their new hosts.

"She felt things she never had before, emotions she never knew possible. She could smell, taste, feel, in a way never imaginable before. It was exillerating. She breathed in, tasting the air around her--licking life with every breath."

That was not an exact quote, but I wanted to give you an idea of what we're working with here. As I was listening to this, I began having some pretty painful stomach gurgling.

"Hmm", though I. I don't think Stephanie is being fully truthful to these aliens. Because I'm thinking that if they knew the whole truth about the human physical experience they might reconsider what they were getting into. I see the real scene playing out someting more like this:

"She couldn't believe the rush of sensations. Her eyes drank in the surroundings as she carressed the ground like she'd never done before. Her mind raced with thoughts and emotion heretofor believed impossible. She stood up and began walking...gurgle. Oh great merciful heavens. This indeed is something she hadn't felt before. Clutching her lower abdomen, the alien tried to focus, but lost all train of thought because her stomach was in massive cramps. It passed. "Strange" she thought. She took a long deep breath, the air's fingers tickled her nose with pleasure...gurgle, cramp, gurgle. "What the...!" gurgle... "Oh! I have a sensation I do NOT like!" She heard someone laughing. She shot a glance over her shoulder to where she saw no one. She realized the laughter was coming from inside her head--it was the human she had taken over. "She was supposed be gone".

"Well I'm not." The human was laughing uncontrollably. "How do you like the body now life sucker?" I knew you were coming to get me so I ate five bran muffins, a plate of cheese fries, a bowl of chili beans, and three tabs of exlax. I figure if you are going to take my body, you need to know what is in store. I will say, for the first time in my life, I'm going to enjoy this bout of diarreah. "

The alien fell to the ground, writhing in pain. All of the pleasure and joy she had so recently felt, poured out of her backside. Wave after wave of burning, unhindered by attempts to stop it, came rushing out, making anything around her flee for safety. Explosions of toxic fumes erupted from the same area, rendering her senseless. There was no escaping this hell unless she herself wanted to face death from her peers. Yes, yes, she would rather face death than live in a body where this might EVER happen again. Screw the pleasantries, this sucked....

So, that is my take on how "The Host" fell short. More like a behind the scenes look (no pun intended).

Doth my handles deceive me?

So, I woke up this morning and noticed that I felt a little trimmer. I opted not to step on the scale--ok, I mostly forgot to get up on it. Anyway, I felt great. That is where the great stopped. I felt good physically, but my work day was uninspired and I had my c game if that.

After work, I went straight to the gym and killed it. I did cardio and had a REALLY good workout. so far so good. I'm tired, and don't have anything else to write. Speaking of that, one of my written goals is to keep working on my book. I have not done that. Shame on me.

Another day another workout

I'm committed to this workout thing. I went again this morning, and frankly I didn't want to go. I was tired, but I realized I wasn't going to be able to go after work, so I went. I did shoulders, chest, and back, with some ab work thrown in. I came home and was really shaking which I liked. My breakfast was just dandy, but guess what? I ate poop for lunch again. I had planned on eating something completely different than what I had brought for the office I was feeding. But, my willpower checked out at 11:30 instead of 12:30 (always looking to save a buck). But, I didn't pig out like normal. I ate a smaller portion which helped. About 40 min. after lunch though, I couldn't keep my eyes open (that's what happens when your body has to digest crap). So, I thought I should get something to pep me up (actually the idea of a coworker). So, while I was filling up my car, I went inside and got a Mt. Dew (which I haven't purchased for nearly 10 years) and a maple covered donut. yeah, nice. I ate the donut and drank 8 oz. of the Mt. Dew (I dumped the rest out), then I promptly felt worse. Let's just say I learned a valuable lesson--donuts taste really great, but they don't provide the boost they promise to. Despite that, I feel like my body is doing better. When I fully commit to eating better, I know my results will get much better. Until then, I'm nickling and diming my way down. Go team!

1+1=2

I've always been good at math Jody Shumway. Many of you will have no idea what the deuce I just did there in that last sentence, but never you mind.

As far as my workouts are concerned, I've been aces. I did indeed go in the morning on Monday which proved to be just the right thing. Today I went right after work again and did a leg workout (a light one mind you. I haven't done a serious leg workout for ages and after today's performance, it is no surprise why--yikes). The diet still needs work, but I'm ever conscious and am making strides. So, essentially, it was the lunch that did me in again today, but I'm not deterred, but rather fired up to do better. I have a LONG way to go here folks, so a couple bad lunches will not do me in! Because I have such a long way to go, I will post my before pictures a little later. Actually I need to take my week and then a little pictures to go with my before--which, if I may be so bold is utterly and distinguishably FOUL. Even I threw up a little in my mouth when I saw them. Gross times two. I kind of played one of those redstripe beer commercials in my head when I looked at them..."are you fat?" "uh...well, I guess..." "you are VERY fat! HOORAY BEER!" So there you have it; tubby is still at it, and long live Red Stripe Beer.

Sedona

Well, Saturday was a fine fine day. I didn't hit the gym, but I did hit the red rocks of Sedona. This was the first time in my life that I had ever been to that place. I'll be going back. The drive up there was horrid (see Eric's post for the details www.myphysicalodessy.blogspot.org). Once there, we had a wonderful time. It turns out that Sedona was having the "apple festival" that we didn't know was happening this weekend. That would explain the very sucky traffic around town--a town, mind you, that was not set up to have that much traffic in it. Anyway, I didn't hit the gym as I said, but I ate pretty well--thanks to Eric's good example, I skipped an ice cream cone from DQ. It wasn't too tough to do, but I did have a lick or two from Lana's cone. I've resolved that in order to have total success, I will have to hit the gym in the mornings. That usually works best and I thusly avoid any unexpected events that might get in the way in the evenings. I'm loving the posting deal. Even if I'm the only one (other than Lana, Eric, and Drex) whose reading them. I'm reminded of what I'm going for after reading Eric's posts. So go team! I REALLY look forward to my workout tomorrow.

grrrrrrr

Right now I'm sort of grumpy. That isn't entirely how my day went though. I actually had a pretty good day. I got business from two accounts I've been wanting to have for a little while now. But I suppose I am a little disappointed with myself in regards to my eating this week. Mostly, it is the lunch time thing. I think I remember that two seasons ago on the biggest loser, the winner was a drug rep who had to do lunches all the time. Well, that is a difficult thing to do and not to participate in a lot of the crap that we feed them. At any rate, my stomach is sore from the ab work, my biceps feel like the are in constant knots, and I love it all. But because my diet has only been moderately good to almost poor at times, I feel like I have not benefited from the workouts as I should. Eric has lost about 5 lbs during his first week. A feat I'm not sure I can claim. Now, that said, I am still confident and motivated. I don't feel like quitting. To the contrary. I think the next step in my total health transformation will be to get to bed much earlier so that I can work out in the mornings. That will most likely provide the best track for success. As it is, I have little to no energy to go in the mornings. I'm ready to feel like my body is responding to the workouts (other than the soreness). I know that will come. When I did the body for life workout/diet, it wasn't until week 4 that I saw a noticeable difference. So, I must bide my time and keep to the grind stone. Thank goodness for cliches in a time like this. I think I will "work my butt off" with "blood sweat and tears" until I "see the light at the end of the tunnel" and can "smell success". Because although today has been hard, "time heals all wounds". Well, I can't think of any more right now because my mind is cluttery and absent. I'm going to sleep.

Who put that there?

Let's just say today was both a failure and a victory. Part of my job description is to provide lunches for doctors offices. You can safely assume, that not all of those lunches meet the "eating right" category. Today was no exception. What I will do in most cases is just eat less of whatever, thus keeping a lower caloric intake. Today I didn't follow that because someone forgot to give me a heads up that lunch was Costa Vida. Holy moley, do I love that place. Anyway, I ate a great breakfast and dinner, but my lunch killed me. So that was the failure. The plus was that I made sure to hit the gym. I made it just before closing and was the last one there. I felt great that I wasn't going to let anything stop me from my workout. I was a sweating fool by the time I was done, and I felt like I gave my body the workout it needed. So, I'll call today a wash. Tomorrow is going to be awesome. I find that I can't go to bed or do much of anything in regards to health without thinking about my commitment to write down my progress. I'm happy about that.

Day two--better than day one

Today was better than yesterday for more than one reason. The major reason was the fact that I ditched my pc for an imac. WAY COOL. My p.c. was on its way out anyway. Now at least I can deliver on those spine tingling pictures you all have been waiting for.

I ate relatively well today. The strangest thing about starting this journey, is I came out of a three month apathetic fog about 3 days ago. Perfect timing. The amazing thing about seeing clearly is that good health and good eating seems to be more desirable. I didn't crave the same old crap today, thus saving me from having to defend my poor choices. I ate well, and I met with my once a month trainer today and he kicked my butt for being a lazy bum. I came right home, drank a protein shake and polished that off with minestrone. Really satisfying and good tasting. I'm fired up about this. Thanks Eric for the inspiration. For all interested, Eric is the one who got me fired up about this deal. His journey can be seen on www.myphysicalodessy.blogspot.com. Check it out.

I mentioned in one of my former posts that as many times as I fall off the wagon, I'll get back on. Well, I meant it. I'm back on, and buckled in. For anyone else wondering if they can do it, you can. Hop on, I've got space. Two days down, a lot more days to go. Nice.

Day one

I should have written this last night, but alas our computer is on the fritz. It is looking like we will be replacing it soon. Ugh.

Day one: I woke early to the new puppy yelping and my kids trying to get to it. That poor dog--if he survives he'll be the stronger for it. Anyway, I ended up not working out in the morning. I had a small portion of honey nut shreded wheat. I had a Krazy Sub (veggie) at lunch, but prob. had too much there. I went for the 12 incher because I was pretty darn hungry. for dinner we had taco salad. Being that it was Monday, we went out to get some frozen yogurt for family night, and I had a 2.5 point (weight watchers scale) froyo. All in all, the snacking was not there yesterday, and I didn't cheat with "just a little" here and there. I ended up going to the gym around 5 pm and realized that my body isn't in shape. I don't know if I suspected that it was, but amid any halucinations I may have had, it has since been confirmed that I indeed need to continue to work out. So, it was an inauspicious start, but a start nonetheless. I can't post pictures yet (hail computer probs.). I will get you those sweaty, shirtless photos asap. I know how badly you all want to see them.

Talk to you later tonight,

Porter.

Funny thing, time.

Time is indeed a funny thing. The mistress of our complacency. One minute we're writing about jumping back on the wagon and only a short year later we are breaching the same topic--just to remind us that our minds are still "heavy" with it.

So...Here I go again (isn't that some really awesome rock song lyric...yes, yes it is. Five dollars to the first person to name the band. I digress.). My brother Eric, being the ever thinker that he is, thought up the idea that he would blog his weight loss journey. Not just weight loss, but rather his journey to total health and wellness. Has this been done before? Most assuredly. But that isn't the point. The point is, that the reason it has been done before, and the reason he is doing it (and thusly why I am joining the foray), is because oftentimes, it takes public humiliation (and support, ehem) to get things accomplished. Really it only works on people who have enough pride to not stay humiliated. Ultra competitors. That is Eric and me. We like the heat of the battle. We love to compete. So, here we go again? Yes. But this time with pictures!

I will be chronicling my journey from big, fat, loser with body odor, to svelte, nicely tanned hotty. So, please join me in my journey. I'm going to post pictures at minimum once weekly--ladies hold your breath--topless. Yes, you will get to watch me shrink and tone. I'm getting super excited just thinking about it. I can't imagine the mental pictures some of you have. Remember, I'm married already.

In all seriousness though, I would love any support and pep ups any would like to share. I have two supporters at current, so any more would be greatly appreciated. My last yearly post about the wagon jumpers is really true. I will be bucking the trend--so to speak. Like Eric's blog, here are my goals:

--Post daily my eating habbits and work out habbits.
--Write a minimum of 1 new page to my book that I've already started (another story altogether).
--10% body fat.
--Swim competitively and have times that are nationally competitve. (laugh away y'all suckas)
--Dunk a basketball (longer term goal)
--Finish my book and have it published or in the process of being published by summer 2009

Step one is lose the weight, step two is train for these events. It will happen.

Well, here we go. Let's all hold hands and make our dreams come true...as we do it our way, yes our way... Seriously, let's do it. Come with. Anyone who wants to join, has my support. Much love y'all,
Porter.