Has it really been a year?

Wow!  Was that the fastest year ever?  I can't believe it has already been a year since I decided to make a change!  Where does the time go?

So, here is the deal... until one year ago today, I was living an unhealthy life.  I had slowly and steadily gained weight and gotten more and more out of shape.  I had been living with the belief that I was too busy to do anything about it.  I was convinced that I was getting too old to do anything about it.  I was certain that I was destined to be big... it was in my genes!

 

Lindsey and I one year ago

Lindsey and I this year

Well, by the grace of God I came to my senses.  After years of ignoring the problem I was awakened to the fact that if I didn't do something about my health, that I would suffer the consequences.  Luckily I hadn't had any health issues yet, but at 313 pounds, it was just a matter of time.

Many of my friends find this hard to believe, but the hardest part was to make the decision to change.  Once I turned that corner, the rest fell into place.  No more excuses.  On October 21st 2009 I began my journey to healthy living and getting into shape.  I started out on WW online for men.  The best thing about this program was that it taught me how to eat better.  However, there were many downfalls to the program.  My poor wife spent hours every week trying to plan points friendly meals.  I found myself out of points and out of energy by the end of the day.  I struggled through 8 months of following WW online.  For 6 months I slowly lost a bunch of weight, 55 pounds to be exact.  Then I hit my plateau in May.  Lindsey and I continued running and eating healthy, but no more pounds would come off.  I was really frustrated after running my first 1/2 marathon in June, but still no weight loss.

That was when Lindsey and I found Advocare.  We started on the 24 Day Challenge in early July and by the end of 24 days I had lost 24 pounds and 16 inches!!!  Not to mention I was able to give up a 6 diet mountain dew per day habit!  I had more energy than I had in years and was feeling great!  I didn't have to count points or starve myself, just followed the program and ate the recommended foods for 24 days!  It was almost too easy!  I felt great after the Challenge, continued on products, and ended up losing 45 pounds in just 2 months!  I hit my goal of losing 100 pounds and have kept it off! 

So here I sit, one year later.  Still in disbelief.  It has been one of the best years of my life!  From overweight and out of shape to the best shape of my life!  From depressed and embarrassed about my weight to feeling self-confident and excited about my health!  Now I am not only in great health, but Lindsey and I have been able to begin helping others to follow in our footsteps!  What an amazing feeling to share my experience and help others begin their own journeys toward weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.  I am so blessed.  If you find yourself sitting where I was sitting just one year ago, please, please listen when I say YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY THERE!  You CAN change!  Please give me a call or email if you need help.  It is my goal to help everyone I know to break free from the chains of unhealthy living!  Don't wait,  start now and just think where you will be one year from today!

Michael

The Perfect Time of Year!!!

I love this time of year!  The weather is perfect, cool in the mornings and warm by afternoon.  Football is in full swing, and the season is heating up as the teams are vying for a playoff spot or a bowl game.  The leaves are turning color and the farmers are harvesting crops... so many reasons that Fall is my favorite time of year!

But my number 1 reason for loving this time of year is simple... it is the best time of year to change your life.  We are rapidly approaching the Anniversary of the day that I took my life back.  On Oct. 21st last year, I made a change.  That was the day that I said enough was enough.  I was 33 years old and severely overweight.  I weighed 313 pounds and was completely out of shape.  I was not the husband that I wanted to be.  I was not the role model that my 4 little children needed.  It was tough.  It had been a long time coming.  But on Oct. 21st I made the decision to change,  I have never looked back.

So why October you might ask?  Well, for me it came down to the fact that as a construction supervisor, there was more time to begin working out in the fall.  The days are getting shorter, so I get to come home a little earlier.  I would work out in the evenings in our basement.  We have an elliptical machine and some weights, it doesn't take much.  In fact, I now prefer to run outside, so all it takes is my running shoes!

The 2nd reason that October makes so much sense to me is this...  we are quickly approaching the Holiday Season.  That time of year creates obstacles for all of us.  Family, friends, huge dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Cookies, pies and other holiday treats.  Yeah, I know all about it.  It used to be that I could just plan on gaining about 10 pounds during this time of year.  But now I look at it as an opportunity!  Just think, if you start today, you will have a couple weeks before Halloween to gain momentum in your exercise and weight loss.  (Halloween is easy, just let the kids eat the candy for a day or two and throw the rest in the trash).  Then, the next obstacle, Thanksgiving!  That is over a month away.  We can help you lose 10 to 20 pounds by then!  You will have so much momentum on your side that the pumpkin pie won't even look very good this year!  Seriously, don't tell me that after busting your butt for the next 5 weeks that you will really let 1 or 2 family get togethers trip you up?  I made it through last year, and I actually am looking forward to it this year!  It will be like a challenge!  And don't think that you can't eat, because that isn't the deal.  We just try not to overindulge like I used to.  I will still be enjoying all of the Thanksgiving festivities and trying all of my old favorites, but here is the funny thing.  The food just doesn't seem worth it.  I have found that I look at food much differently than I used to.  I still enjoy it, but many times I've passed by something that I know is loaded with empty calories or fat.  I've worked too hard to get where I'm at, and it truly doesn't taste as good as it use to, so why bother?

So if we ride the momentum through Thanksgiving, that gives us another month before we have to worry about Christmas!  Once again, we will be busting it.  Losing weight, gaining energy, staying motivated to keep moving in the right direction!  Christmas will be a breeze... have a few cookies.  Eat some of the family ham dinner, just keep it in moderation and the next thing you know it will be New Years!!!

I just looked on the calendar.  We have 82 days until New Years.  Just imagine what we can accomplish in 82 days!  I can help you lose a ton of weight and get started on a regular workout schedule that will help you cruise right into the new year and your new years resolutions will be well under way!  Picture yourself talking with your friends as they tell you all about how they plan to lose 20 pounds this year for their new years resolution!  You will have already lost your 20 pounds and you can tell them, "yeah, I started a little early this year... now I've only got a little ways to go to hit my goal!"  Tell me that wouldn't be fun!  So why wait?  Let's get started today!

Michael

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSEY!!!

Before UNI Football Game 2009

Before UNI Football Game 2010

In honor of my best friend and the love of my life I want to take a chance today to wish my beautiful wife a wonderful HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  She is more beautiful today then the day I met her, and I love her more every day!

Most of our time on this blog has been spent talking about my weight loss and the journey that has brought me to lose 100 pounds and get into shape.  Today I want to talk about all of the things my wife has accomplished in the past year.

First of all, Lindsey has been my rock.  Without her love and support, my goals would have never been met.  I leaned on her more than I might like to admit, but she was ALWAYS there to support me and keep me moving in the right direction!  I can't tell you how many hours she has spent in the past year planning healthy meals, let alone making them, and making them deliciously I might add!  She sacrificed so that I could run and workout and get fit.  After I work a 12 hour day, she is ready for some help with 4 little kids in the house, but she always supported me.  Never once did she question me taking off for an hour run when I knew she could use help giving the kids a bath or making them dinner. 

Second point... While supporting me, Lindsey found herself eating right and exercising with me.  Not that she had much weight to lose, but she lost 9 pounds and 12 inches while doing the 24 Day Challenge with me!  She also took up running with me!  After hearing about my first 5k this spring, she was so excited she took off running that day and the following weekend we ran our first 5k together!  We have since run two 1/2 marathons and a ton of other races together!  She joked during our last 1/2 marathon that our "dates" sure involved a lot of exercise and running!  Ha ha!  We both agreed that it was more fun to run 13 miles together than to go out and eat some greasy food and pay too much for some crappy movie!

Third point...  My God, look at the woman!  She is more beautiful today then the day I met her!  She is also about 30 pounds lighter and has much more self-confidence!  Lindsey has really grabbed a hold of our new healthy lifestyle, and it looks GOOD on her!  I am so proud of her for getting in to the best shape of her life!  Seriously, she has had 4 children in the past 5 1/2 years and she is wearing clothes sizes that she could have never dreamed of fitting into before this past year!

Lindsey, I love you.  I wish you the happiest birthday ever!  I thank you for making this past year the BEST year of my life, and I can't wait to see what this coming year holds in store for us!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!

Michael

Challenge Day 2 is in the bag

This morning is already the beginning of day 3 of my 24 Day Challenge.  I am in the Cleanse phase and feeling great.  I weighed in at 219.0 on Monday morning and this morning I am down to 216.0!  It is amazing to feel so healthy, energized and lose 3 pounds in 2 days!  I love these products!

The products taken were the same as yesterday.   Meal plan was very similar... Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast, with a fruit and fiber bar.  Mid morning snack of almonds and an orange.  Salad, 2 hard boiled eggs, rice snacks, almonds for lunch.  Apple and a few more almonds and rice snacks for mid afternoon snack, and Lindsey made a delicious Chicken & Spinach salad with dried cranberries and hard boiled eggs and our favorite fat free Ken's Raspberry Pecan salad dressing.  Oh yeah, I also had a post workout recovery shake in the evening after my 3 mile run.

I am looking forward to day 3 today.  The cleanse phase just makes you feel restored and healthy!  I feel like I have a ton of energy, even though I'm running on 5 hours of sleep!  I am up and at 'em and ready to tackle the day!

I wish you all well and hope & pray that you are achieving your weight loss and fitness goals!  I'm here to help if you should need it!  Get out there and make today count - see you tomorrow.

Michael

24 Day Challenge Take 2

Here we go again!  It has been 3 months since Lindsey and I began the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  The first time around I was able to lose 24 pounds and 16 inches in 24 days!!!  Lindsey lost 9 pounds and 12 inches!!!  In just 24 Days!  Once my first Challenge was complete, I continued on products and was able to lose 45 pounds in 2 months!!!  I hit my goal weight and have been able to maintain it. 

Now, I decided to set another goal and take the Challenge again!  I had purchased new Buckle Jeans after the last Challenge.  After dropping from size 42 to 36, it was fun to get new jeans, and I certainly needed them!  The problem is, now they don't fit.  I tried on size 34 last week and they felt great.  Lindsey made me promise to get to my final weight before spending another $75-100 on jeans.  So at the end of this Challenge we will make sure that the size 34's that I have picked out still fit right!

I don't know about you, but this is a big deal to me!  It has been a long time since I enjoyed shopping for clothes.  At size 42, cool jeans were hard to come by.  I would have to search and search to find my size at Old Navy or Kohl's.  I felt so disgusted trying on such big clothes that I often would leave the store upset and without clothes because it just wasn't worth the effort.  Up until last year I was wearing XXL shirts.  Once again, harder to find in the shirts I was interested in.  The problem was, I was barely fitting into the XXL's!  How could that be?  How did I let it get so out of control?  I was so ashamed that a 2XL shirt was too tight on me!  Like I said, I hated shopping!

What a difference a year can make!  After dropping from 313 pounds to 213 pounds, shopping has become pretty fun!  It amazes me that I am now wearing size L shirts and I am in need of size 34 jeans!  If you'd have told me I could be wearing these sizes a year ago, I'd have laughed at you!  It just didn't seem possible.  And to be honest with you, I still catch myself thinking of myself as a "big guy".  I guess the years of living that way have made an impression in my self image.  I am slowly coming around to understand that I am fit and healthy.  It is fun to hear my wife say that I look skinny compared to a friend or co-worker.  In most cases, it is someone that a year ago would have been 50 or 75 pounds smaller than me!  But now, my wife thinks I look small next to them!!  That is a fun compliment to receive!

Much like the first time through the Challenge, I plan to document my day to day activities and share the ins and outs of taking the Challenge.  Today was day one. 

Upon waking up this morning at 5 am, I grabbed a Spark Energy Drink (mandarin orange, my morning favorite!) and took 3 Catalyst.  About 30 minutes later I mixed up the Cleanse Pack fiber drink.  This is a pulpy citrus drink that isn't too bad so long as you chug it down quickly.  I once made the mistake (during the 1st Challenge) of letting it sit on the counter for 5 minutes... let's just say it got a little thick.  Lesson learned.

A little later on, around 8 or 9, I mixed up my Meal Replacement Shake (chocolate today).  I prefer to mix these in a blender or magic bullet with ice and water, but at work I settle for cold water and I shake it up in my Advocare mixer bottle.  The shake really fills you up and makes you feel ready to go!  With 24 grams of protein, it wipes out your hunger and gives you a ton of energy to keep moving!

This got me through the morning, and for lunch today I took fresh fruit (apple, orange, banana) some cheddar flavored rice snacks, dry roasted almonds, and a salad.  During the afternoon I had a few more almonds, then a little later on I had 3 more Catalyst and another Spark energy drink (this time I went for a pink lemonade).

When I got home tonight I was able to go for a 3 mile run (felt awesome).  It had been a week since I'd been able to run, so I really appreciated getting to go for a run.  I mixed up some Arganine Extreme before my run and enjoyed a Post Workout Recovery shake after my run.  These are a couple of big selling products from Advocare's Performance Elite line.  I felt a big difference using them and plan to continue to use them in the future!

For dinner tonight, Lindsey had grilled some chicken breasts which we mixed with fresh sauteed peppers, peas, and green beans over a small amount of brown rice.  This was very nutritious and delicious!  The kids even enjoyed it... it is fun to see my kids get excited about eating healthy foods!  That is a lesson I want them to learn early on to avoid the weight issues that I had to fight through.

That sums up day one on the Advocare 24 Day Challenge for me.  I feel great, and can't wait to see my results!  I started this morning at 219.0 pounds.  My goal is to lose 10 pounds this time around.  I am convinced that 210 pounds would be my ideal weight to maintain. I am really excited about being lighter than I was in high school!  I weighed about 225 in HS, so I will ultimately be 15 pounds less than that!  How many people can say they are 15 pounds lighter and wearing smaller jeans than they did in high school?  I feel so blessed to have found Advocare!  I am truly amazed at what I've been able to achieve by using the products!  Let me know if you are up to the Challenge!  I would love to be your partner as you work toward your weight loss and fitness goals!  Send us a message, and we'll help you get started today!  Don't wait.  Make the decision today to get after it.  You will be amazed at what you will be able to accomplish!

Michael

Lessons learned from my Hall of Fame Dad

This past weekend I had the privilege to support my father, Phil Roberts, and his 1964 UNI Panther Football Team as they were inducted into the UNI Athletics Hall of Fame.  It was an incredible day.  We joined the other members of the squad and their families for a luncheon ceremony on the floor of the McLeod Center.

UNI President Ben Allen spoke to the inductees about how they laid the ground work for the football program to build and flourish.  Athletic Director Troy Dannen talked about how the success of that great team helped build momentum for the program, and help lead the University toward building the UNI-Dome.  Coach Farley was also in attendance to shake hands and congratulate the Hall of Fame Class of 2010.  It was an amazing day, and my family was very honored to be a part of it!

Dad was a starting offensive lineman on the Panther's team.  They were the only UNI Football team to ever play and win a bowl game.  They were invited to play in the 1964 Pecan Bowl in Abilene, Texas.  The Pecan Bowl served as the NCAA Midwest College Division Championship, one of only four bowl games in the College Division for the 1964 season.

I learned a lot about Dad's team, and a lot about life this past weekend.  For the past few weeks I'd been asking Dad a bunch of questions about his old playing days.  And much to my surprise, he didn't share too much!  It was just something he used to do.  He played football so that he could go to college and get an education.  He played on a team that was pretty good, but he just did what he was supposed to do.  In fact, Dad never really let on that his induction into the Hall of Fame was a big deal.  Really?  It floors me to see how humble he is about this!  I am so blessed to have him to teach me and my children.  He is truly a great example of how to live life.  He is a leader.  He teaches by example.

There have never been any flashy speeches from my father in all the years that I have known him.  He taught my brothers and I through the example and discipline of getting up everyday and getting your work done.  My dad works harder than anyone I know.  He always has.  He would never tell you that.  He would never complain about getting up 7 days a week to feed cattle and keep the farm going.  Growing up on the farm I don't ever remember hearing him complain about all of the hard work or long hours required to build a successful farming operation.  During the 80's, times were tough.  Dad almost lost everything.  He actually could have protected land and assets by declaring bankruptcy, but that wasn't an option in my Dad's world.  If he had a debt, it would be paid.  Even if it meant letting farm land go.  The funny thing is, growing up, I never even knew we were going through tough times.  When he came to the house at night, he gave his all to his children.  He never let on.  I wish I could say that I've never brought a hard day home to my family.  The fact is, I have a hard time not getting down when things are tough.  I pray that God make me a little more like my father.

Something I noticed on Saturday while listening to all of the Hall of Fame Inductees stories is that many of them had a similar outlook as my father.  They were all very humble.  The recurring theme was discipline and fundamentals.  Hall of Fame wrestler Joel Greenlee spoke about how hard work, dedication, and fundamentals were the keys to his success.  Hall of Fame Volleyball player Molly O'Brien stressed teamwork, discipline and fundamentals as the building blocks to her great career.  Hall of Fame and NFL football great Dedric Ward credited long hours and rep after rep of fundamentals as being important in his development into becoming the best wide receiver ever to step on the field for the UNI Panthers.  And then came Dad's teammate, who spoke for the team in accepting their induction into the UNI Hall of Fame.  I didn't catch his name, but it was very interesting listening to him discuss the ups and downs of their great 1964 season.  I got a kick out of a quote from the Abilene Times newspaper from after the bowl game... "Well the Yankees did it again as the corn fed Iowa farm boys came down here and shoved our Lamar Tech linemen up and down the field"!  That is back when men were men!  I can picture my dad lining up next to his teammates and getting it done in the trenches.  Fundamentals.  Discipline.  What a great story.  I am so proud of my dad, and so is the rest of my family.

There were a couple things I overheard that really stuck with me... the first was multiple compliments to my father about his beautiful family and how cool it was that all of his grandkids were there to support him!  We took up 2 tables at the luncheon... my dad brought the biggest crowd of all of the inductees... that was awesome!  The other comment I overheard was when one of my dad's old teammates came up and shook my dad's hand and asked how the hardest worker on the team was doing.  Then he turned to me and said "You know your old man has always been the hardest working guy on the squad, right?"  That put a BIG smile on my face.  Of course I knew how hard my dad works, but to hear his old teammate say it was pretty cool.

I am very blessed to be my father's son.  I learned so much from him.  I learned to work hard.  I learned to get dirty.  I learned to love my family unconditionally.  I learned to praise God, and to always be appreciative of what we are given in this life.  I was taught daily about fundamentals and commitment.  And almost all of it was taught by example.  There were a few speeches and some of life's truths were put into words, but the good stuff, the stuff that made me who I am today, was learned just by watching my dad.  By following his example and leadership.

I pray that you all have someone in your life like my dad.  He has taught me so much about life, and how to live it.  Dedication, discipline, fundamentals, commitment... words to live by.

Michael

100 Pounds GONE, and Never Coming Back

212.4 Pounds!!!  I sit here this morning in disbelief.  I started this journey just over 10 months ago.  On October 21st 2009, I weighed 313 pounds...  Sept. 11th 2010, I am at 212.4!  The journey seemed so long.  There were times when I was ready to give up.  There were weeks that I busted my ass and the scale moved in the wrong direction.  How many times did I fall to my knees and pray that God would give me the strength and courage to stick with it?

The funny thing is, in hind site, it now feels like this journey flew by.  It seems like just yesterday that I made the decision to change my life.  To take my life back and live it the way it was meant to be lived. I sit here just 10 short months later a new man.  I am now the husband that I was meant to be.  I am the role model that I want to be to my four little children.  I used to be so embarrassed of my weight and my appearance.  I didn't want my kids to grow up to be "heavy" like their dad.  I am now in the best shape of my life.  I am happier and healthier than ever.  I have the energy to play with my kids for hours on end.  To run and play ball with my boys.  To run a 1/2 marathon with my wife!

There are a few lessons I learned along the way that I want to share with you today.  These are things that helped me accomplish my goal...

1)  Stop making EXCUSES.

I don't except "I'm too busy".  I work 60-70 hours per week.  I leave for work at 6 am and don't get home until at least 7 pm.  I have 4 small children that I make a point to spend time with every day. Doesn't leave much time for exercise or working out, but I make it work.

I used to be the guy that "was just meant to be big".  "It's in my genetics".  Yeah, I used that one for years.  Please see before and after pictures... you are who you want to be.  If you want to be in shape, than do it.

"I'm getting too old".  "The weight won't come off as easy as it used to".  I'm 34 years old, I didn't think I could exercise like I used to.  Guess what?  I couldn't have run a 1/2 marathon when I was 18... I can now.  My brother is over 40 and has lost 65 pounds since beginning Advocare products and taking up running with me.  65 pounds since April!  Try telling him that he is too old!  He is back to his high school weight and feeling great!

I could go on forever with excuses that we impose on ourselves.  You know what yours are.  Write them down.  Look at them.  Let me know if those self-imposed excuses are worth living an unhealthy lifestyle.  They weren't for me.  I am living proof that you can battle through the excuses and reach your goals.

2) Make the DECISION!

It took me years to decide to change.  I wish now that I would have woken up sooner!  I convinced myself that there was nothing I could do.  I was destined to be big.  Destined to be out of shape.  Finally after seeing a friend of mine get into shape, it dawned on me... if he can do it, why can't I?  Even after seeing this friend and his accompishments, it took a couple months before I made the decision.  BUT, once I made the decision to change, that was it.  There was no turning back.  I was going to give it everything I had no matter what.  When you reach this point, the rest will follow.  For me, making the decision to change was the hardest part! Once you turn that corner, you realize that you can do it.  You keep putting one foot in front of the other and slowly and steadily you will create small accomplishments, this will motivate you to keep going.  There will be ups and downs along the way, but with goals in place and a clear vision of where you are headed, you will get there!  You will soon be where I am today.  Looking back, thinking "man, that went really fast!"  "Why did I wait so long to get started?"

3) Eat better!

I was one of those guys that drove through fast food almost everyday.  Even if I would bring my lunch, I would eat it in the morning and end up driving through McDonald's later in the day.  Seriously, do you know how bad that stuff is for you?  You can still eat.  Just make better decisions.  Take the time to figure out what works.  I still eat steak.  I still eat pizza (just not twice a week).  You can figure this out.  I did, and I'd be happy to share recipes and ideas with you.  Let me know if you want more info, but it starts with eliminating fast food, grease, and processed and pre-packaged foods.  Start with whole foods, fruit, veggies, whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta, brown rice... I could go on, but you get the picture.  No matter what you crave, there is a healthier alternative, find it and use it!

4)  MOVE

Figure out how you like to exercise and embrace it.  If you want to get started running like I did, then get out there and do it.  My first time out, I ran 4 blocks and nearly died just this past March.  I decided running would never be for me.  My friend talked me into giving it another shot.  After a couple more outings, I figured out that it does get easier.  I slowly increased distance.  Next thing I knew, I was running my first 5k.  Then I was addicted.  The rest is history.  Lindsey and I finished our second 1/2 Marathon on Saturday.  We are hooked.

5)  PRAY

I can't say enough about the power of prayer while working toward your goals.  I thank God daily for giving me the drive and desire to live a healthy lifestyle.  I thank God daily for giving me the strength and endurance to stick with it.  I really feel close to God while running.  There are many long runs that I would not have been able to finish without His help.  I praise God for helping me achieve steps along the journey to my goals.  I ask God to give me the words to help inspire others to follow in my footsteps, both physically and spiritually.  God loves you and wants what is best for you, don't be afraid to ask for His help.

6) Get Started!

I could go on with the tons of things that helped me achieve my weight loss and fitness goals, but I have tried to keep it short and sweet.  If you follow these steps you will achieve your goals.  I also can help with weight loss and energy via our amazing Advocare products.  I was able to accomplish great things with the help of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge!  It gave me the energy to keep moving.  It gave me the appetite control to avoid making poor food choices.  It filled in the gaps with nutrition, vitamins, amino acids, etc. to make sure my body was always prepared for my training and exercise.  I feel great while using these products, and I have dozens of friends and family that have seen amazing results from the products.  I will share more of these stories in coming days, but it really motivates me to see others having such great success!

I am at the end of my weight loss story, but stay tuned because I am just beginning my journey of toning up, getting ripped, and maintaining my weight and healthy lifestyle!  I'm not going anywhere.  I will be here to keep pushing you to get started.  I will be here to share my story and to help you write your own story.  My only question is this... What are you waiting for?  GET MOVING!!!

Michael

Anticipation... I can't sleep

Here I am again at 11:30 not even thinking about going to sleep.  I work construction and will be getting up at 4:45 am.  This is my norm.  I can't explain it.  I think Eric Thomas in the video above gets it.  He explains how I feel.  Why I only sleep a few hours every night.  I am busy working toward success.  While many of my friends sleep, I train.  I work out to prepare my body for the upcoming 1/2 marathon on Saturday morning.  I exercise to get to my goal of losing 100 pounds.  I am close.  How can I give up now?  I want it bad, and am prepared to sacrifice for it.

When I'm not preparing for physical goals, I study.  I am learning the ins and outs of the Advocare business in anticipation of success.  Lindsey and I have found our plan B.  We have found our retirement vehicle.  In just 2 months we have created a part time business that is paying us well.  We are eligible for a leadership pin, and are planning our future.  We are working toward financial freedom.  We are working feverishly to pay off our debt.

I apologize for slacking on my blog posts. I have many exciting things to share in coming days.  There are a ton of success stories being written as we speak.  Lindsey and I have friends that are seeing unbelievable results from the 24 Day Challenge.  Lindsey and I will be running in our 2nd ever 1/2 marathon.  I will have so much to share, but for tonight please watch the video above.  There are many things in my life right now that I am striving to succeed at, this video fires me up to succeed at all of them.  Let this amazing video motivate you just like it motivates me to keep pushing on.  Know what your goals are, and go get them.  Don't sleep.  Don't get sidetracked.  Just get after it.  Don't stop until you succeed.

Michael

Nobody said this was going to be easy

I sit here tonight with mixed emotions.  I am extremely excited to have lost a ton of weight.  I started this journey at 313 pounds and tonight I stepped on the scale to see 221 pounds.  That is a total loss of 92 pounds since Oct. 21st of last year!  So what's with the mixed emotions, you ask.  Let me tell you.  Just 2 days ago I stepped on the scale to see 217 pounds!  I was at 96 pounds lost and only 4 pounds away from my goal weight!  I was living it up!  I was there baby!  Only 4 more pounds to go and I would hit my goal and finish my weight loss story and begin my weight maintenance and getting toned and ripped story.  Now, just 2 days later I find myself moving backwards, and that brings me to the moral of my post today.  There will be speed bumps.  There will be road blocks.  Sometimes the tires will fall completely off the damn car!  The important question is how will you respond?  I once read that life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it.  I am starting to believe it.  I thank God for how I will react.  The old me might have given up and said forget it.  The old me was convinced that I was too busy, that it just wasn't possible to get healthy and fit.  That was the old me.

What I have learned during my journey of weight loss and getting healthy is that you can never give up.  There will be struggles.  There will be times that you want to say the hell with it and go back to your old ways.  But if you stick to your plan, you will succeed.  There will be ups and downs, but if you stay the course you will find yourself reaching your goals.  That is exactly what I plan to do.  I will be concentrating on my diet, my exercise, and my rest over the next week leading up to running another 1/2 marathon next Saturday.  God willing, I will reach my goal weight this week.  I plan to give it everything I've got.  I don't want to look back and wonder what could have been.  That is my motivation this week.

I feel like I was meant to hear Pastor John's message this Sunday at PLC in Cedar Falls.  During his sermon on Being Authentic, he told us how as we draw closer to God and move toward crossing the faith line to accepting Jesus as our Savior, that the devil will ramp up his efforts to derail us.  It really hit me when John talked of the devil running along side of us and whispering in our ear that we will never win, that we aren't good enough, that we are bound to fail just like all the times in the past.  Wow.  How many times have I heard that voice over the past 9 or 10 months!  Every time I gain a pound or two and am disappointed with what the scale is telling me, I hear that voice whispering that I will not succeed.  Many times while on a long run, my legs become tired, my side begins to ache, and that voice tries to whisper that I can't do it.  It reminds me so much of one of my favorite songs, The Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns.  Read the lyrics below and tell me that you haven't felt this before, man I know I have...

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth


That song gets me every time.  Let's just say, it's on my list of favorite songs to run to.  How many times has that voice whispered in my ear "reminding me of all the times that I've tried before and failed" and "keeps on telling me time and time again 'Boy you'll never win, you'll never win.'"  The funny thing is, that whisper is drown out by the other voice in my head.  The voice of truth that tells me that I WILL SUCCEED!  There is no doubt that I have felt God's presence during my journey to getting fit and living a healthy lifestyle.  And I ask you this, if He is on my side, then what shall I fear?  How can I possibly give up when I feel that this is my purpose?  I tell you this, I will never give up.  "I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth."  Who's with me?


Michael

Getting so close...

After my run tonight I stepped on the scale.  After a week or so of struggling to lose any pounds, I finally hit a new number, 220 lbs.!!!  I have not seen this number on the scale for a long, long time.  I am so excited for the next step, to break into the teens!  My goal weight is 213 lbs., so I am getting so close.  I feel like it is right in front of me, but I've been stuck on the scale for the past week or so.

I am still noticing that my jeans are getting looser.  I have had several people tell me that my new size 36 Buckle jeans are getting too big on me already!  I hate to think that these expensive jeans may not fit in another week or two, but I tell you what... if I can fit into a size 34 jean, it would be the first time since about 6th grade!  I think I would be ok with buying one more pair of buckle jeans!  ha ha.

Lindsey and I have been so busy the past 3 or 4 weeks that we have really been off schedule with our running and working out.  Instead of 3 good runs per week, we are lucky to get 1 or 2.  I feel great, but can definitely tell that the weight loss has slowed down with the lack of exercise that my body was used to.  I look forward to some great runs in the next week leading to our 2nd 1/2 marathon next Saturday, Sept. 11th.  It is the Park to Park 5k, 10k, and 1/2 Marathon at George Wythe Park in Cedar Falls.  Although we have slacked a little on our training, Lindsey and I are really excited to run another 1/2 Marathon!

For those of you that are running too, I might suggest a couple of great products from Advocare.  Lindsey and I take O2 Gold to enhance oxygen consumption before our runs, we drink a Slam 15 min. before a long run for a boost of energy, and we have also tried the Arginine Extreme to support muscle endurance and provide cardiovascular nourishment.  Let me tell you, I can feel a huge difference while working out when I take these great products.  I feel like I could run forever and have a ton of energy.  It makes running more enjoyable and easier to handle.  Please contact me if you would like to learn more about these products.

Now, it is time to get after it.  I plan to work like crazy over the next week or so to hit my goal.  I will certainly keep all of you updated on my progress, but I want you to concentrate on your goals as well.  Let's work together to make a huge impact in our lives over the next week or two...   Push through it.  When you think you can't run any further, push through it.  When you get tired and sweaty and don't think you can workout for another minute, push through it.  Believe me, there are going to be some very trying times during my 1/2 Marathon next Saturday.  I will have Lindsey right beside me to help keep me motivated, but we will both have to push through the pain.  We will have to push through the struggle.  It will be very difficult at times, but when we cross that finish line it will all be worth it!  When I hit my goal weight it will all be worth it!  Are you with me?  Let's give it everything we've got so we never have to look back and wonder about what could have been.  Let's push toward our weight loss and fitness goals with a new intensity!  What are you waiting for?  Get moving!  Let's do this thing!!!

Michael

My Partner

Yesterday I celebrated 7 wonderful years with my beautiful wife Lindsey.  As I look back, it is hard to believe that it has been 7 years already!  Where does the time go?  How is it that we have moved twice and had 4 beautiful children in just 7 years???  What a journey it has been.  Without a doubt the best 7 years of my life.  For that I thank you Lindsey.  You have shown me what love really is.  You have always supported me and been there for me.  This brings me to the point of my post today.  Whether in life, or in the journey to weight loss and fitness, it is imperative that we all have someone in our corner and looking out for our best interests.

Lindsey has been instrumental in my journey to better health and a changed lifestyle.  She has supported me every step of the way.  Come to find out, she had been praying and hoping for these changes years before I was ready to make them.  She recently told me that she had always wished that I would take better care of myself, but felt that it would push me away if she was upfront about it.  Instead, she prayed and waited for the right opportunities to help motivate me and support me.  Once I made that decision last October, she was on board all the way.  She helped by cooking healthy meals.  She helped by working out with me.  She helped by celebrating my successes and helping me push through my failures.  There was never a doubt that she was in my corner and doing everything in her power to help me achieve my goals.


The funny thing is, by her being there for me, it turned out I was her motivation as well!  Ever since the day I ran my first 5k this spring, she got started running and now we are both addicted!  We have pushed each other to our limits on our runs together.  It has been so fun.  There have been many times during our long runs that we will motivate each other to keep running when we otherwise would not have been able to.  There have been many times when we kept each other accountable when we had cravings for something that just wasn't worth the calories or fat.  This journey has been much easier for both of us by having the other one looking out for us.

I am not naive enough to think that everyone has a Lindsey in their life.  I know that she is one of a kind, and that I am the luckiest man in the world to have her.  But I also know that everyone has someone that is looking out for them... a spouse, a friend, a parent, a sibling, someone.  And if you don't have someone that is willing to push you to achieve your goals, find someone.  Join a gym.  Join a running club.  I promise you, there is someone out there that will help you on your journey to better health.  Find them.  And once you find that person, use them.  Let them keep you moving when you don't feel like it.  Let them keep you accountable to your own goals and aspirations.

And be the motivational force in someone else's life too!  You will never know true happiness without knowing the feeling of helping others.  It was an amazing feeling to run with my wife during her first 5k.  To see her accomplish something that she never thought could happen.  And I got to enjoy that experience again when I ran a 5k with my brother.  I have been so blessed to be "that guy" to my family.  I am the reason that my wife runs.  I am the guy that got my brother to take up running.  It is very humbling to know that I was able to make a positive impact on their lives.  The funny thing is, I don't even know what I'm doing!  I've only been running for 5 or 6 months, I'm a rookie.  That is the crazy thing about getting into shape and getting healthy... it spreads.  It spreads like wildfire.  Once your friends and family see you doing it, they will join you.  All of a sudden you will have many partners to keep you moving!

So here is my challenge to you today.  Find your accountability partner to help you on your journey to becoming fit and healthy.  Use that person to motivate you and keep you moving.  Become the motivation to keep them moving as well.  You will be amazed at what you can accomplish when you team up with someone to achieve your goals!




Check out these 2 pictures of Lindsey and I!  I know she looks great in both, but notice how we look so much healthier and happier in the 2nd picture!  That is the power of an accountability partner!  I love you Lindsey, thanks for being there for me.

Michael

8/30/2003

After 7 wonderful years

What a night!

I am so excited!  Last night Lindsey and I hosted a 24 Day Challenge Informational Mixer at the Urbana Inn & Suites.  A Mixer is basically a meeting or a gathering, but for cool people, ha ha.  Anyway, there were over 20 people that came to learn more about the Advocare 24 Day Challenge... we almost ran out of seating in the conference room! 

As you are all probably aware, Lindsey and I completed the 24 Day Challenge a few weeks ago.  I was able to lose 24 pounds in 24 days!  Lindsey lost almost 9 pounds and 12 inches in 24 Days!  We were both extremely happy with our results and haven't quit.  I have lost another 10 pounds since completing the Challenge, and Lindsey has lost a few more pounds... She is now at her GOAL weight and wearing size 27 jeans for the first time in her life!  I am down to size 36 from size 42 less than 9 months ago and only have about 8 more pounds to lose to hit my GOAL!  As you can understand, we are fired up about what the 24 Day Challenge has done for us, and we have been sharing our success with friends and family.

Last night was so inspiring.  There were a few people there that have had similar success that shared their personal stories with Lindsey and I.  Our friend Troy has lost 22 pounds during the past 5 weeks!  He is looking and feeling GREAT.  He is getting close to his GOAL weight and couldn't be happier!  A friend of his, the Principal at CPU, is on day 12 or 13 of the Challenge and has already lost 17 pounds!  How AWESOME is that?  I can't wait to hear that man's final results... he is going to blow my numbers out of the water!  Our dear friend Sonya has just completed the Challenge and is down around 15 pounds!!!  She told me that she is wearing clothes that she hasn't fit into for years!  She is feeling and looking AWESOME!  She plans to continue on with products and keep losing weight to hit her GOAL!  She is writing an amazing story, and I can't wait to see how it turns out!

There were other great success stories in the room last night as well, our friend Dawn has been involved with Advocare for 6 years.  She lost over 60 pounds in the first few months and has kept it off ever since!  She also told us how after all of this time, she finally got her husband to try some products, he is on day 9 of the Challenge and is down 17 pounds!  Amazing.

So, as you can see, there are a ton of success stories with Advocare.  What has me excited and inspired even more is that last night we had 6 new people sign up for the 24 Day Challenge!  6 lives are soon to be changed forever.  6 lives are going to see the success that my wife and I have seen.  6 amazing people made the decision that enough was enough and took a step toward their goals of weight loss and better fitness.  These 6 ladies have made a decision to change their lifestyle, and are using the Advocare 24 Day Challenge to help get them there.

I am so happy for those who decided to give this a shot.  Lindsey and I will be working closely with them to answer any questions that they might have as they begin this journey, and to help motivate them to keep after it.  We are so humbled that we are able to help.  We are so excited to see the results.  We will post the results as we hear about them.  I wish our new friends the best of luck during this Challenge and can't wait to help others get started with their weight loss and fitness goals.

I am so excited!!!  Is it your time?  Are you ready to write your story?  Please contact me if you have any questions. 

Michael

Can it really be 50 days already?

I am really amazed as I check out the calendar this evening to see how long it has been since I have had a soda... 50 entire days!  For those of you that don't know me very well, this may not seem like that big of a deal.  Let me tell you, until 50 days ago, I was hooked on diet pop.  I would take 3 Diet Pepsi's and 3 Diet Mountain Dew's to work with me every day. Most days my cooler would be empty before I returned home... 6 sodas per day!!!  Sometimes more!  How disgusting is that?

Lindsey and I were able to quit cold turkey the day that we were introduced to AdvoCare's Spark Energy Drink!  We found that if we consume 2 or 3 Spark Energy Drinks per day, we don't even crave the diet soda that we used to rely on to get through the day.  Spark Energy Drink comes in 6 delicious flavors, Pink Lemonade, Grape, Fruit Punch, Mandarin Orange, Citrus, and Cherry.  Lindsey prefers Grape, while I am a Mandarin Orange fan!  I usually mix it up every day to have some variety.

Spark is the most nutritionally advanced energy drink on the market... it contains 21 vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for sugar free long lasting energy!  I have tried red bull and rock star, but they always made me feel so jittery at first and then I would crash after a while.  Spark is like a multivitamin with a caffeine kick for focused long term energy.  I am so thankful to have found Spark, it has made a huge difference in my life in just 50 days!

Check it out at the following link...

https://www.advocare.com/10071900/Store/ItemDetail.aspx?itemCode=A4095&id=E&flavor=M&size=P

If you've never tried a Spark Energy Drink, send me a message and I'll mail you out a sample!  I'm sure you will love it as much as I do!  It will help you kick the soda habit and help give you the energy to keep moving and getting in shape!

Michael

This is Your Life.....Are You WHO You Want to Be?

Most of you have probably read Michael's last post....the post about our dear friend "Grandpa Harold." In that post Michael mentioned that we heard these lyrics as we left Harold's funeral last week: "This is your life, are you who you want to be?" Those lyrics have stuck with us like glue this week and seem to fit SO MANY scenarios in our life.

1.) This is your life, are you who you want to be?

Our friend Harold was a deeply respected, well-known in the community, loving, giving, caring, Godly man. He wore his heart on his sleeve, he was always smiling, he walked with a bounce in his step and had a passion for life. He gave of his time and money to help local organizations, charities, schools, and businesses. For years and years he visited the nursing home in town, taking books to and from the library for the residents there, visiting and reminiscing about the good ole' days. He worked diligently as a realtor (and straight from the heart) to find many, many couples their first home....and was known to make the down payment from his own checkbook for them to get started in life. For us, it was a $300 bill for our first property tax payment. And let me tell you....$300 was A LOT of money to us back then! That $300 might have been the difference between us buying our first home or having to go back to the drawing board and wait until we could save more money. When I think of Harold and the way he lived his entire life, I think about my own life and the lyrics, "This is your life, are you who you want to be?"

2.) This is your life, are you who you want to be?

I'm think I'm a pretty good mom and wife but I know that I'm nowhere near perfect and that I've got a lot to learn and a lot of room for improvement. I tend to get stuck on the little, mundane things - things like shoes left by the door and toys scattered around the room. These things seem so important to me in the moment but when my kids look back do I want them to remember me as the mom that yelled a lot but kept a spotless home or do I want them to remember me as a warm and loving mom that was fun and played with them?  I try to be a good wife but I know that there are times when I could do more to show my husband how much I love him. I could tell him more. I could leave him a note. I could surprise him with a simple meal at the end of a long, hard day. I should be doing more to let him know how much I appreciate everything that he does for our family and at the end of a busy day at home with the kids, I sometimes forget to let him know how appreciated he really is. I can easily think about my role as a wife and mother and and the lyrics, "This is your life, are you who you want to be?"

3.) This is your life, are you who you want to be?

The final thing that comes to mind when I hear these lyrics is our journey this past year to lose weight and become healthy, not only for ourselves but to be good role models for our children. It has been an amazing journey, with ups and downs and lots of in-betweens but my favorite part of it all is that I did it with my best friend, and we have inspired others to do the same thing and take back their lives! We honestly feel like this is our "calling" in life...this is what we were meant to do! We feel blessed to be able to share our experiences with others and help to motivate them to make the same changes in their lives. Our involvement with AdvoCare has only strengthened that purpose within us. Not only do we get to share great products with others but we also get to help others find a "Plan B". I cannot begin to explain how rewarding that feeling is and how humbled we are to be a part of this amazing company. We share these products with others because we KNOW that they work. We KNOW that they are created and tested by a team of doctors and scientists. We KNOW that athletes like Drew Brees, the Superbowl MVP choose to use these products because they are the BEST! We also know that there are many people out there, just like us, that might need a "Plan B". They might need a way out. They might need to cut a new path in life and AdvoCare is a company that can do all of that. We are blessed to have been introduced to the products and we are blessed to have found our "Plan B." When I think about our finances and our lifestyle, I think of the lyrics, "This is your life, are you who you want to be?"

This IS my life and I am working very hard to be WHO I want to be. I have work to do in all areas of my life, but someday when I'm gone, I want my children to know that their mother was exactly WHO she wanted to be. That she didn't "close her eyes" and let this life pass her by, that she didn't live with "broken promises" and that her life was "everything she dreamed it would be."

I urge you, if there are areas in your life that you need to work on, don't wait. Don't let this life pass you by. Make the changes. Keep the promises. Open your eyes to what you have and to who you aspire to be.

-Lindsey

Life's Lessons

I have been doing a lot of soul searching this weekend.  Lindsey and I lost a friend that was near and dear to our hearts this past week.  Harold Petersen was our Realtor and so much more.  8 years ago, when Lindsey and I moved back to Reinbeck from Kansas City, we met Harold.  We looked at dozens of houses and acreages with his help, trying to find the right one.  Harold became a good friend very quickly, he was an 80 year old that skipped around like he was a teenager!  He was infectious, always so happy and full of life.  He never hesitated to give us his advice or tell us that "this isn't the right place for you two".

Finally after weeks of searching, Harold showed us a little old house in town.  It wasn't at all what we were looking for.  It needed a ton of work.  It was dirty, smelly, and gross.  The funny thing was, Harold knew it was the right place for us!  It took us a little while to realize it, but we came around.  Harold had already contacted the owner and had it set up that we would buy the house on contract for what most of our friends were paying for their vehicles.  It was under $30,000 with a payment of $300 per month!  Seriously, I miss that house payment!

With a month or two of elbow grease and about a $15,000 investment, we turned that dump into a beautiful home.  Harold would skip up the sidewalk at least once or twice a week to check on our progress.  He was so proud of us for getting it fixed up so nice.  We lived there almost 3 years and had our first two babies in that house.  All the while Harold would visit at least once a week.  He "adopted" us as his own.  And we adopted him too... he was and always will be "Grandpa Harold" to my family.

Once our family began to grow, Harold helped us search yet again for the "right" house.  Just like the first time, we got to visit dozens of houses with Grandpa Harold, and just like before, he was never shy to tell us why the place we were looking at was not the right place for us.  I must admit, at times it was frustrating, but he always knew best.  After searching high and low for the right place, it appeared that it might be just as economical to build a house.  We thought we had it all figured out, and planned to go with a lumber yard from a nearby town.  Harold was right there to point out our mistake, he had us talk to his son at the hometown lumber yard, and once again Harold steered us in the right direction!  He kept close track of us while building and moving into the new place.  He was so happy for us.  Our friendship only grew over the past 3 or 4 years.  There were many visits, dinners, and tons of conversations about life's lessons.  We always knew that Harold had the best intentions for our family, and his advice over the years is truly why we are now living in a beautiful new home!

Our Grandpa Harold passed away last Wednesday.  His funeral was on Saturday, and Lindsey and I learned even more from this dear friend this weekend.  What became apparent to us on Saturday was that we were not the only family whose lives he had touched.  Harold had such a knack for making you feel special.  He and his wife had 7 children, dozens of grandchildren and even a bunch of great-grandchildren, but yet found time to be our Grandpa too!  What I found out this weekend was that everyone in town felt the same way about Harold as Lindsey and I did!  How could he possibly have had time in the day to touch so many lives?  It was truly an honor to have known him.  I am so proud that we were honorary "grand kids" to Harold.  My family will always remember the special bond that we had with this great man.  Rest in peace Harold.  It is so sad for everyone left behind, but it is easy to find peace knowing that you and your wife Pat are dancing together again in Heaven.

So here is the question that keeps running through my head this weekend... have I done everything in my power to touch as many lives as Harold was able to touch?  What will my legacy be?  What will yours be?  As Lindsey and I drove home from the funeral, we had the Christian rock channel on, and a song (not even sure who sings it) came on... the lyrics caught my attention ... "this is your life, are you who you want to be?"

I can't get those lyrics out of my head.  I feel like I try really hard to be the best father I can be.  I try to be a great husband.  I try.  But in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, blackberries, emails, phone calls, deadlines, etc. I sometimes lose sight of what really matters.  Thank you Grandpa Harold for setting me straight yet one more time.  I pray that I can stay this focused on what is really important in the days to come... Faith, Family, Friends, Serving and Helping Others...

For my post today, I leave you with the lyrics in my head "This is YOUR life, are YOU who you want to be?"

Michael

The 24 Day Challenge: How To Get Started!

We've told you how the 24 Day Challenge worked for us: Michael lost 24 pounds in 24 days. He has since lost another 13.4 pounds bringing his total weight loss to 37.4 pounds in just six weeks! I have been able to lose 10 pounds and 13 inches off of my body and keep it off - four inches from my waist alone!

Here are a few other success stories from our own friends and family who have done the Challenge:

Ted R., on Day 7, down 4 pounds
Tammy S., on Day 19, down 9 pounds and 9 inches
Stephenie J., on Day 4, down 4.2 pounds
Toni S., lost 6.8 pounds and 6 inches
Chris S., lost 15 pounds and 6.5 inches
Troy S., lost 16 pounds
Chris J., lost 10 pounds
Sonya D., lost 13 pounds


As you can see, the Challenge is a REAL answer for REAL people with REAL results!

Here is how you can take the next step:

1. Come to our house! That's right - on Sunday evening at 5:00 pm we are going to have a 24 Day Challenge get-together! We will go over the products included in the Challenge and answer any questions that you might have. Please, please, please bring a friend! Trust me, doing the Challenge with a friend by your side is such a great way to keep motivated and to stay accountable. If you can't find a friend to come with you or to do the Challenge with you, that is not a problem either - you can consider Michael and I your "partners" during the Challenge. We will follow up with you to make sure that you are taking the products correctly, help you out with finding some great food options and we will hound you like dogs until we see those pounds melt away. Okay....just kidding about that last part, but we will stay in touch with you to make sure that you "stay the course" and GET YOUR LIFE BACK!!!

2. Your second option, if you don't think you can make it on Sunday evening (but seriously...try to...we are giving away some really great stuff and there will be special discounts offered that evening that you won't find anywhere else!) is to leave me a comment on this post with your name, goals, and e-mail address. Then we can chat about what you are looking to achieve and when we can get together for a one-on-one meeting to get you started!

3. This option is for those people that can't make it on Sunday night and they really don't give a hoot about meeting Michael or I to chit-chat - they just want to get started and get started now!!! Here is what you can do: go to our Advocare site and at the bottom of the page you'll see the 24 Day Challenge listed under My Bundles. Click on Add to Cart, and get your products ordered and shipped directly to your home! Easy Peasy! Once I see that you've ordered I'll send you the start-up information and you will be ready to go!

I hope to see you all on Sunday evening (if you are planning on coming let me know so I have plenty of Spark drinks ready and baby-sitters to watch the kiddos!). God Bless!

Lindsey

Exercise: Find what you love and DO IT!

I am so excited!  Lindsey and I just got signed up for the Park to Park 1/2 Marathon earlier today!  It is on Sept. 11th in Cedar Falls, and there is a 5k or a 10k for those of you not up to the 13.1 miles that the 1/2 marathon offers.

Many of you have known me for a while now and are wondering what happened to me?  I used to hate running!  Even when I was in high school, I was out for many sports, but never cared for running!  Well things have changed.  My friend Don led me into running in March.  I told him I was inspired by seeing what he had been able to accomplish with his weight loss and his new found love of running.  So I tried it.  The first night I was all excited and took off for the grocery store (5 blocks away).  I didn't make it.  On about block 4 my lungs started burning so bad that I had to stop.  I felt like I was going to die!  Why did it hurt so bad?  I had a lot of questions, but only one answer... running was not for me.

I called Don and told him I tried to run, but it didn't work out.  I explained that I had been working out on an elliptical machine all winter and had lost over 30 pounds.  I could run at a good pace on the elliptical for nearly an hour, but for some reason I couldn't run four blocks on the street.  Don assured me that it would get better.  He told me that it is hard to go from working out on an elliptical to actually letting your feet hit the pavement.  He told me to take it easy to start, but to try some run/walks to get moving in the right direction.  I was too stubborn to give up, so I ran a few more times that week.  The second try I made it all the way to the grocery store... I think everyone wondered why on earth I was so red in the face and sweating profusely, but I made it!  I even was able to jog home carrying a few groceries.

From that point on I was able to run a little farther every time I went out.  Soon I was running a full mile without having a heart attack!  A couple days later Don called.  How far are you able to run, he asked.  I told him that I could go a mile and a half, maybe 2 miles.  Don's response... Great! I just signed you up for your first 5k!  I told him there was no way that I could run 3.1 miles.  He told me I'd do great, and that he would run with me and coach me through it.

So that following Saturday, hardly two full weeks since nearly collapsing while trying to run 5 blocks to the grocery store, Don and I ran the Fools 5k in Cedar Falls!  I didn't break any records, but I was able to finish with minimal walking!  I couldn't believe how good I felt when I crossed the finish line!  What a sense of accomplishment!  If you have never done it, it would be hard to understand, but believe me - you need to experience it!  I felt so motivated that I was able to complete a race!  That was it.  I was hooked!

 Later that day when I got home, my wife was so excited for me!  She asked me how it went, and I told her all about it.  I told her how I felt when I crossed the finish line, and how cool it was to hang out with so many fit and friendly people after the race.  Hundreds of people, and not one of them smoking a cigarette!  That was my kind of crowd!  Lindsey was compelled to run a race with me.  She went out and ran 3 miles the next day!  That was a mistake!  Her knees were in pain for about 2 weeks just from over-doing it that first day.  So then she was convinced to take it a little slower from the start.  We worked up to being able to run 3 miles and signed up for another 5k in Cedar Falls.

The cool thing, not only Lindsey ran with me, but 2 of her sisters decided to give it a shot too!  How cool is that... after running only one race, I was able to inspire 3 great ladies to run with me!  We all ran the 5k and did pretty well.  I think I improved my time a little and didn't really have to walk at all, so it was great!  Next came the Run Like a Mother 4 Mile race!  I didn't think I could handle 4 miles, but we did just fine and once again improved our time a little more!  This time, it was Lindsey, her 2 sisters, and her little sister's boyfriend!  Once again very cool to have so many want to run with us!

Next came a 7 mile race in Cedar Rapids.  Lindsey and I thought there was no way we could handle 7 miles but wanted to give it our best shot!  Guess what?  We were able to run all 7 miles without walking!  I never would have believed that I could run 7 miles!  My wife and her sister were so happy with that race that they worked on me to run a 1/2 Marathon at Sturgis Falls Days in Cedar Falls in late June.  I told them they were crazy, and that I had no business even trying it. 

They got the best of me.  Sturgis Falls 1/2 marathon here I come!  I just couldn't believe what I got myself into!  What were we thinking?  13.1 miles?  How? 

We got to the race and I was still very overwhelmed thinking about it!  I just couldn't fathom running that far!  Well, we took off with all of the other runners and the next thing you know, we were 1/2 way through!  Not so bad!  Granted, there had been a ton of praying and asking God to get me through this race, and boy did we!  Although the race was cut a little short by flood water, we were able to finish at a respectable time (for us)!  Once again, I can't begin to explain the emotions and feelings that sweep over your body when you run through the finish line of a race like this!  I'm not going to lie.  There were a few tears running down my face as I finished that one!  Unbelievable!  I never in a million years thought that I would run a 1/2 marathon!  What a great feeling!

Since the 1/2, Lindsey and I have continued training 3 days per week (or trying to), we have run in a few more 5k's.  One that stands out was the 4th of July!  That was the day my brother Eric ran his first 5k!  I ran it with him, much like Don had done for me, and kept him motivated and we finished it together!  He was so excited!  He, like me, never thought that he would run a 5k!  He is now running with us a couple times per week and really making improvement!  Lindsey and I also ran in the Dike Watermelon Day's Phil Kruger 5k a couple weeks ago.  We were so excited to see how our time had improved after only a few months of training!  My 5k time dropped from 34 minutes in April to 26 minutes in August!  I feel so good!  I can't wait to see how much I can improve by next year! 

That is the thing with running for me.  It is addictive because I always want to do a little better than I did the time before.  I compete against myself constantly.  I love the feeling of getting better.  I love the feeling of getting other people into it and seeing them become addicted to running as well!  It has been a great part of my journey to get fit and get healthy.  My hope is that all of you might find your thing and go with it!  Whether it's running, swimming, biking, whatever it is, if you love it - stick with it and keep after it to help get you to your goals!  You will find that others will be inspired by your love for exercise and be motivated to follow in your footsteps!

Before I finish up, I want to share just a few pointers that my wife and I have learned... many of them the hard way!

1) Make sure you have the right shoes!  If there is gray on the inside of the sole, they offer arch support.  Make sure you need it.  My wife had support shoes unknowingly and didn't need them.  Her knees and legs were MUCH happier once she got the correct "neutral" shoes!  To find out what you need, visit a specialty running store and have them watch or video record you while you run on a treadmill.  The Runner's Flat in Cedar Falls is where we go.

2) Get the right socks!  The performance socks are worth it!  You can even get them at Wal Mart or Target for pretty cheap.  They keep your feet drier and happier while running!

3) Wear a performance shirt and shorts too!  Cotton T-Shirts weigh you down when they are wet from perspiration!  Get a "wicking" performance shirt, once again, you don't have to spend that much money for them... check Target or Wal Mart.

4) Find a running partner, or partners to keep you motivated.  It is much easier to stay with it when there is someone else pushing you along!

5) Start SLOW.  Like my wife, you could end up on the couch for a while if you push too far or too fast before you are ready!

6)  Don't put off signing up for your first race (probably a 5k).  I had thought that I would run one or two 5k's this year.  With my friend's persuasion, I ran in my 1st one before I thought I could.  That made all the difference for me.  I built confidence to get after it and run many more races!  So get off the couch and just run one already!!

7)  Lindsey and I found out that GU was not for us!  It almost made her sick before our 1/2 marathon.  If you don't know what GU is, it is like eating flavored tar.  It has caffeine and other things to help you with energy, but wow, we couldn't handle it.  We now use Advocare's SLAM 2 oz. energy drink, and Advocare's O2 Gold.  SLAM is an energy drink that gets you moving and gives you energy to spare!  O2 Gold is an Herbal Supplement that enhances the body's use of oxygen.  It's nickname is the "third lung".  I can definitely tell a difference during my runs when I use these 2 products.

8)  GET AFTER IT!  Get motivated and set goals!  Pray, don't be afraid to ask for the ambition, strength, and perseverance to make it through a race!  I spend a lot of time clearing my head and praying while running!  I find it really helps keep me moving when I feel like God is with me and helping me to make it to the finish line!

Ok, that's enough.  I don't really know what I'm doing, but I know that I'm doing what I love!  I want all of you to figure out what it is that you love to do, and get busy doing it!  It will help you attain your lifestyle and fitness goals, and you'll have a blast doing it!  Get after it!

Michael

Lives are Changing!

I have been in contact with many of our friends and family that are currently taking the 24 Day Challenge.  I am so excited with the results that everyone is having!  Our friend Troy, told me the other day that he had just finished up the Challenge and had lost just over 16 pounds!  He was so happy!  He plans to stay on product to lose a few more pounds, but doesn't have far to go!

My wife was talking with our cousin yesterday.  Her husband had been reluctant to do the Challenge with her, but after about 17 days he has lost 16 pounds and is REALLY fired up about the amazing changes he is seeing!  Our cousin hasn't seen the huge weight loss, but loves the energy and feels like there has been a change in inches.

My older brother Ted is on day 10 of the Challenge and had lost about 5 pounds.  He was looking forward to the MNS 3 phase of the Challenge that offers the energy, appetite control, and really helps to melt off the weight.

My other brother Eric lost over 9 pounds during his challenge, but is currently over 60 pounds lost with Advocare products since late April!  He only has a few more pounds to lose and will be at his high school weight around 185 pounds!

Lindsey and I have a great friend in Cedar Rapids that lost over 13 pounds during the Challenge and is going to get us her measurements soon, but was confident that she had lost a ton of inches!

There are numerous others having similar or even better results that will get us their stats once the Challenge is complete.  As you can see, the products work.  Everyone we have talked to loves the added energy and the feeling of getting off on the right foot to their weight loss and fitness goals.  Many of these people haven't done a whole lot of exercise yet, but now feel like they can get started!  Just wait and see what will happen once they get moving!

Lindsey and I could not be happier for all of these people and their amazing success!  If you are one of our "Challengers" please keep us updated on your results!  Your story could motivate someone else to get started on their own journey of getting healthy and getting fit!  It is so inspiring for me to hear all of the stories!  It really keeps me moving and striving to reach my personal goals!  As of this morning I only have 13 more pounds to reach my ultimate goal of 213 pounds!  That will be a full 100 pounds lost since Oct. 21st 2009!  What a feeling that will be!  Thank you all for keeping me inspired and motivated to get there!  Keep up the good work and please share your story with Lindsey and I!

Michael

A Time to Reflect

I sit here on the morning after my 34th Birthday, surrounded by my 4 beautiful little kiddos while Lindsey is out running her 6 miles for the day (it's my turn when she gets back).  I can't help but reflect back on the past year of my life.  It is easily the most transformational and exciting year yet!

A year ago I was severely overweight.  I had little energy.  I was living an unhealthy lifestyle.  I was not being a good example to my four young children, and I knew it.  I thought I didn't have time to do anything about it.  I thought I was too busy to change.  Well, those were just excuses.  Once I woke up and realized that I needed to make a change, the rest came much easier.  It was making the decision to do something that took me all of those years.  On October 21st, 2009, I made the life changing decision that I couldn't live like that anymore.  I took my life back.  The rest is history... and here I sit on August 16th, 2010 and I have lost 87 pounds.  I have energy to spare.  I am now the role model for my children that I have always wanted to be.  My children now talk about wanting to go running with Lindsey and I.  My kids pretend to "workout" and do some pretty funny stretches, jumps, sit-ups, and jumping jacks trying to imitate what they see their parents do... how cool is that?

There has been another AMAZING change in my life in the past year as well.  On Valentine's Day 2010, Lindsey and I asked Jesus Christ to be the center of our lives and we have been "all in" for our Christianity ever since.  We both had grown up going to church, and have been involved at Prairie Lakes Church for 4 or 5 years now.  One night in early February Lindsey and I were having a discussion about the time and place that we stepped over the faith line and let Jesus become our Savior...   Even though we both were fairly certain that we were Christians, we couldn't put a finger on when or where that had happened.  We found a prayer on a Dave Ramsey CD that we both loved, and after putting the kids to bed that night, we prayed together in our basement and asked Jesus to take over our lives and committed ourselves to Him.  Wow!  What a feeling swept over us that night!  To know that no matter what life on this earth holds in store for us, that we will be able to live with each other and with Jesus for eternity was completely overwhelming!

This blog is about our journey toward healthy living and fitness, so I will not stray from that for too long.  But let me tell you, when you have God on your side, it makes the hard work to get into shape seem like no big deal!  I personally spend a lot of time praying and thanking God for giving me the strength and courage to continue on this healthy path.  I feel that He has played a large role in getting me here, and that without Him, I would have given up a long time ago!

Long story short, this has been the most AMAZING year of my life!  I can't wait to see what is in store for me and my family in the coming year!  If you would like to talk to me about any of this, please feel free to contact me!  I will continue to work toward my fitness and health goals, but now you know a little more about what has been helping me get there!  Below are a couple of pictures from last year around my birthday to this year... what a transformation!  Thank God for this journey that I am on!

As I always say... If I can do it, You can do it!  Is it your time?  Are you ready to take your life back?  We are here to help... just give us a call.

Michael

Okoboji - BEFORE and AFTER

Okoboji - BEFORE

Okoboji - AFTER

Okoboji - BEFORE

Okoboji - AFTER

Looking through pictures from last week's Okoboji vacation, it became VERY apparent to me just how much weight my husband has lost and just how much healthier he looks now. Can you believe the transformation that has taken place with him? I am so proud of him and his determination to TAKE BACK HIS LIFE! On this, the eve of his 34th birthday, he is happier, healthier and HOTTER than I have ever seen him!

Happy Birthday Baby! I LOVE YOU!