The On Going Awesomeness

So I was away from my routine for a week. I have to admit I was not just scared, but terrified to have a meltdown and just cheat because I was able to. So I did what I do in any situation that is far too much for me to handle alone. I prayed. Prayed for discipline with my food intake, prayed for perseverence in the wanting to blow things off and sleep in, prayed for a desire to do the hard work even if it meant being inconvienced a bit, and prayed that guilt and shame would not be a part of my week if I had a moment where I ate something I shouldn't have. My prayers were answered in all the areas listed.

While at camp I was happy to find healthy options for food, and a resolve to stay on track. My friends helped me in this area by encouraging me in my choices, and really making me feel so awesome for making the tough decisions. When I ate something that was not on my list of best choices, it was not the end of the world, but just a treat. I had forgotten what that was like. I used to just go for what "felt right." Well I can tell you this I feel alot better now that I am making wise decisions than I ever felt making "emotional" decisions with food.

Most days I started my day with 4:30am work outs. This was focused energy time, and was so good. Throughout the day I walked for the most part. And at camp that walking included some awesome hills. All I am going to say is this, if everytime I took the stairs I got to stare out at an ocean view, I would be the stair master. This week was full of activity and movement so I was happy about that.

Well literally while still driving home, my trainer Bonny called me to remind me of our 11:30 am session Saturday and my heart kind of sunk. She really likes to kill me, and I knew it was going to hurt. Also I needed to see my friend the scale. All I wondered was did I plan well enough, did I work hard enough, and did my small amounts of bad food derail my success?

Well I walked into the gym. Before my session started I wanted to weigh in. That's my deal, I hate false readings after you have sweated out all sorts of water. So I stepped up, and began where I weighed last. And then started the uneasy process of sliding the little weight. Instead of going right I was going left indicating a loss. I slid slowly soaking up the joy, and stopped at 3 lbs of loss for the week.

I was so happy, I felt like I earned that one. That was my plan, and this is my life, and I am strong enough to succeed at it. So its not the most weight that I have lost, but it was the most important, because I worked my plan on this one. Nobody had to push me, no one made me chose the right things to eat, and sleeping in always sounds good, but I put my foot down and stopped making excuses, and it worked.

Bonny was unaware of this all going on, and when she came up to me for my session she told me about this new contest that the gym was running between now and late August. It is a contest that tracks the greatest amount of body fat percentage lost. Winner gets $500 dollars. Their trainer gets $250. Bonny asked if I was ready to win her some money because I was the horse that she was chosing. I was flattered and accepted, meaning more workouts, increased intensity, and a stricter diet, but I know I can do it.

Due to the contest rules we had to re-weigh me, and take my measurements to see where I am starting and where I end up at. Bonny was not ready for this information apparently, because as we started the process her head exploded. "Juan do you know that you have lost 20 lbs in 23 days? " Me - "Actually 20.5 lbs Bonny." Then we took the measurements and I am losing inches everywhere, so I am like 11 inches less Juan overall. Lastly was the body fat % gauge. I have lost 8% of my body fat percentage inside of the last month. I almost cried. That is not just amazing, but life changing amazing. I am so far from where I am going, but so far from where I was. I cannot wait to see me at the finish line.

If these blogs can show you anything, its that there is no situation that is hopeless, and change is never too far away. Thank you for your thoughts, and prayers, and support, they make all the difference.

Regards,

Juan

(Apparently the tears that I did not shed at the gym I saved for this blog, because I would be lying if I said I haven't been crying as I wrote this.)