"Eating Healthy Costs Too Much"

Okay...here's one that I used myself for YEARS. For some reason I thought that a $3 Tombstone pizza and a bag of potato chips was a "cheap" dinner. I figured that a box of Wheat Thins or some 100 calorie packets were a "cheap" snack. I even went so far as to believe that a box of cereal was a cheap breakfast option for my kiddos. WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

You know what I figured out? Eating healthy is NOT expensive! Never mind the costs associated with long-term health issues and problems caused by a poor diet. I don't have any mad math skills like that but I can use a simple calculator and look at my grocery receipts and KNOW that I'm spending much less on groceries now with SIX people in the household, than I was back in 2003 with just two of us! Crazy, right?

Here's what I know:

*If you come up with a weekly meal plan BEFORE your week begins and then go to the grocery store and get only what you NEED, you spend a whole lot LESS and you are stocked with healthy options for the week!

*If you buy produce in-season or during a sale, you spend a whole lot LESS! I was so stupid....for years, if I had grapes on the list, I'd buy em'. I never paid attention to the price per pound. They were on the list so I bought them. I won't buy grapes now if they are not $.99/lb. or less. Did you know that apples were on sale for $.39/lb. last week? Guess what? That's a great time to stock up! DO NOT buy them if they are $1.79/lb....unless you are made of money. And if you are, I'd like to talk!

*Coupons are time-consuming and I'm not going to say it's fun to spend time clipping but if you've got a little spare time, they can save you LOTS of money. Check out this blog post I wrote last year: I bought $263.49 worth of grocery items and after coupons only spent $61.60 out of pocket! (Please note that we DO NOT buy Cheetos and fruit snacks any longer - even if they are free!)

*Stop buying pre-packaged crap. You buy those 100 calorie packs that have six ittty-bitty little bags of cookies for $2.50. Try making your own "healthy" desserts from scratch. You'll get about 3 dozen home-made, good-for-you sweet treats for the same price. How about fruit snacks? Like that tiny little bag of sugar is enough to tide over my kids until dinner time? Please. My kids get an apple ($.09) or an orange ($.10) or maybe a whole wheat banana muffin ($.20). It is filling, nutritious and very inexpensive!

*My final tip is to pack your kids a lunch from home. I know that this doesn't work for everyone but just consider it. I'm not placing the blame on the schools for what they serve - I know that it is not always in their control but what they serve is less than impressive in my book. Here's a sample week from a school lunch menu:

Monday: Corn dog, chips, green beans, cherry cheesecake
Tuesday: Turkey&Cheese on Bun, Tater Tots, Corn, Mixed Fruit
Wednesday: Taco in a bag, Pineapple, Cookie, Peanut Butter Sandwich
Thursday: Pork Shape, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, orange slices and hot rolls
Friday: Chicken teriyaki, garlic noodles, broccoli and cauliflower, peaches

Sure, there are a few fruits and veggies in there - mostly canned and high in sodium. Sure, there are some okay sounding main dishes, but I have no idea what the nutritional value is for those foods or for that matter - what a PORK SHAPE is made from? Ugh....I'd hate to guess!


Take a look at what my 5 year old daughter packed for lunch one day last week:

She packed a clementine, a handful of almonds, a hard boiled egg, and some mini caramel rice cakes. Not only did she have a healthy, nutritious, filling lunch for school but at just $.56 cents for EVERYTHING, it blew the $2.10 school lunch out of the water!

Eating healthy does NOT cost too much. It is NOT impossible. If you want to make healthy changes in your diet, in your family's diet, then just DO it! Get rid of the junk and offer healthy options. Buy in-season and on-sale. Be purposeful about what you are putting into your body and what you are putting into your family's body and reserve those special snacks and desserts for birthdays and celebrations, NOT for everyday consumption. God Bless.....

Lindsey

Michael's 100 pound weight loss journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aImXwljUYWA

Proud Mama Moment

It amazes me each and every day how much our life has changed in the past two years. My husband has lost 100 pounds, I'm in the best shape I've ever been in and our kids are watching every step that we make.

Macy started kindergarten this year and I made her (kicking and screaming for a while) take her own lunch to school. I felt that the school lunch menu was lacking nutritious options and if we were going to change our lifestyle at home, then why would I send her off to school where the rules didn't apply? This is a lifestyle change that our ENTIRE family is making and we are purposeful about what we put into our bodies now.

I'm not going to say it was easy....the first several weeks she only wanted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit snacks, granola bars, 100 calorie packs, etc. I don't typically keep those things in the house so she was left with PB&J and the occasional granola bar. I would beg her take an apple, an orange, some carrots. My sweet little strong-willed child would never oblige.

Here we are just five months later. I am grateful to say that my little Macy has changed her ways! I no longer have to supervise while she packs her lunches. I know that she is going to choose healthy foods from a variety of food groups. Check out the lunch that she packed herself Monday morning (before I was even out of bed!):

She packed a clementine, almonds, a hard boiled egg and mini rice cakes! Guess what the school option was? A corndog, chips, green beans and cherry cheescake! I'm pretty sure that Macy was the winner, winner chicken dinner when it came to having the healthier lunch option, don't you think? I am one PROUD Mama!

-Lindsey

What happened after your A-Ha Moment?

So that was it, right?  You had your A-Ha moment and started your journey toward losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle the next day?

Man, I wish.  Unfortunately, after the night that would eventually change my family's path and future, there was a whole lot of nothing.  The night that the light-bulb went off was in June of 2009, so one would think that my journey started right away.  That was not the case.

In fact, life happened.  Our weekend in Des Moines with the college friends came to a close.  All the inspiration and guidance on how to get in shape and lose the weight that I so desperately needed to lose was put on hold.  I drove the family back to Reinbeck.  We unpacked, got the kids ready for bed, cleaned the house and then crashed.  The next morning it was off to work and back to the grind.

Work, family, chores, bills to pay, work, play with the kids, work, work, work.  You get the idea.  Life happens.  Soon, our new baby Tade was born.  Then it was off to Okoboji for vacation, then I had another birthday, then before you knew it Fall had arrived, and I still did absolutely nothing with the vision that I had created back in June.  The vision for the path out.  The plan that would help me finally lose weight and get in shape.

I didn't protect it.  I didn't guard my dream.  Instead, I let life happen and knock my vision to the ground, at least temporarily.

Okoboji July 2009

My 33rd Birthday - August 2009

UNI Football Game - September 2009

Looking back, I can't help but get angry.  Angry at myself for not stepping up and getting after it.  How could I find the answer that I had seeked for years, and then let it fade into the darkness like it never happened.  I kick myself now.  I can't help but wonder what would have been if I'd have only started this journey sooner.

You see, what I know now is that my journey to losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle would influence others into doing the same thing.

"If we start working on ourselves, not only do we change, we can affect other people and help them change as well" - This is one of my favorite quotes.  It is from Charlie Ragus, founder of Advocare.

I didn't get it back then.  I understand it now.  And now that I understand it, I am more upset than ever that I didn't start this journey sooner.  All I can think about are the people that I may have impacted had I started a few months sooner... what if I missed an opportunity?  What if there is someone out there that I missed the chance to influence because I sat on my dream for 4 months?  I will never know.

BUT, what I do know is this.  I will not settle anymore.  My life is changed.  I understand the power of getting after it.  I made a vow to myself, that when I have an A-Ha moment, that I will act, and I will act quickly.  The only thing keeping me from my destiny was fear and excuses.  Fear and excuses would have left me trapped in the body that I once inhabited.  Fear and excuses would have kept me from influencing and helping to change other people's lives. 

So here is what I ask of you.  Act on your vision.  Protect your dream.  If you have an A-Ha moment, do something about it.  Write it down and stick it to your fridge.  Tape it to your mirror in the bathroom.  Don't lose focus.  Find a way or make a way!  And try to understand that it isn't only about you.  If you read this and are inspired to do something about your own fitness goals, then do it!  You never know how many other lives your decision will affect!


Michael
www.teamliveitout.com

The "A-Ha" Moment

I had someone ask me the other day, "When was your 'A-Ha' Moment?  When did you realize that you were going to start your journey to getting fit and healthy?"

What a great question.  And the answer is probably not what you would expect.  There was not a light bulb that suddenly lit up above my head.  There was not a lightning flash or a choir of voices telling me that I needed to change.  Thank God, it was not a Doctor telling me to change my ways or I would suffer a heart attack or stroke at an early age. I avoided the Doctor, or I probably would have heard this last one.  God works in mysterious ways.  And truth be told my A-Ha moment came during an extremely unhealthy weekend of eating junk food and drinking too much alcohol.

It all started during a weekend in June 2009. The family and I were in Des Moines to see some old college friends.  As I have talked about in previous posts, my friend Don really caught my attention.  He had lost 50 pounds since the previous time I had seen him.  He looked great.  He was so excited about his new healthy lifestyle and the running that he had been doing.  We spent the day catching up with some other old college buddies and their families that day.  We ate too much party food, dips, chips, burgers and brats, and drank a whole bunch of cold ones.  It is always great to get together with the guys and catch up on everyone's busy lives with their wife and kids.  And as always, we sat around the campfire and told stories from the old days.  The glory days when we were all back in college and having way too much fun.  After a few hours of sitting around the fire, embarrassing each other with old stories that we had all but forgotten about, the wives started giving us "that look".  While we were drinking beer and reminiscing our wives had been chasing after the kids.  It was starting to get late, the kids were getting tired and grumpy, and it was time to head back to the hotel.

Luckily, Lindsey and Don's wife had not enjoyed nearly as many cold beers as we had, so they were able to safely navigate our families to the hotel.  (Side note, if staying in Ankeny, avoid the Super 8, it may have been the worst hotel I have ever seen!)  As the wives unloaded the kids and shuffled toward our rooms, Don and I gave each other the "wink" and he told me to meet him in the parking lot for one last beer.  Let's just say, that didn't go over too well with my wife.  Not sure why, but my wife (8 months pregnant at the time) didn't see the humor in me staying up to drink even more with my buddy while she tucked in our 3 little children.

Don and I fought through the odds and met at the back of his trailblazer for "one" last night cap.  That was at 11 pm.  During the next 3 hours, and many "last" beers, Don and I really got deep.  He shared his story of becoming motivated to get moving and get into shape.  He explained in detail about his new eating habits, exercise routine, and his plans to run in a marathon someday.  I shared how Lindsey and I had just completed Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University at our Church.  I told him about how we had paid of over $10,000 in debt in only 13 weeks.  We discussed at length our plans to become debt free and live life on our terms someday. It was about 2:30 in the morning when our cooler ran out.  We knew it was time to face the music and sneak back to our rooms with our tail between our legs hoping to not wake the wives up.  No luck.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I not only woke up my pregnant wife, but our little one year old as well.

After 4 hours of tossing & turning on the most uncomfortable bed in the world, the alarm went off and it was time to get the kids ready to go to the zoo.  Ouch.  My head was really throbbing.  I knew I had to hold it together.  Lindsey was upset enough for coming in late and waking up the baby.  If I let on how hung-over I was, I would really get an ear full!  So I tried my best to help out, but I soon found myself lying on the bed with my arm over my forehead.  Lindsey got out of the shower, came out, glared at me, got the kids dressed, glared at me, packed up the bags and the pack-and-play, glared at me, took the bags out to the car, checked out, and came back to glare at me.  But this time, she had to open the door to the bathroom.  If looks could kill, it would have been over for me!  There I was on my knees in front of the toilet, looking up at my pregnant wife and 3 little kids who were wide eyed and excited to get to the zoo.

I manned up and helped get the kids to the car.  I could tell from the look on Don's wife's face that he was in a similar predicament. I held it together, avoided any more illness, and got my family to the zoo.  It was a quiet drive. 

We made it to the zoo.  Our kids had a wonderful time.  My wife was still upset, but luckily I was able to help out and got feeling a little better as the day went on.  I think I drank a gallon of water that day!  Here is a picture of me with my boys at the zoo.

June 2009 - Des Moines Zoo

So the moral of the story is this... you never know when or where your "A-Ha" moment will come.  Sometimes it comes during the most unlikely of circumstances, so keep your eyes open, you don't want to miss it!

God works in mysterious ways.  I am not trying to say that my old college buddy and I drinking all night was God's will, but just listen to what has happened since that night...

Don went on to run in his first marathon as he told me he would.  He began studying the Dave Ramsey principles of being Gazelle Intense about getting out of debt.  He and his wife were able to pay off enough debt and put a budget together that now allows her to work part-time from home!  No longer is daycare raising their children!

And as for Lindsey and I?  Well, I began my journey to a healthy lifestyle!  I followed in Don's footsteps and began running!  Lindsey was so inspired by my running that she began running with me.  We are both now in the best shape of our lives!  I am 100 pounds lighter, and have become a better role model for my kids, a better husband to my wife, and we are now helping others achieve their fitness goals!

Many lives have been changed because of that drunken night with my college buddy.  I thank God for putting Don and I together that night.  I think Lindsey has even come around and now understands the importance of that night and what it has done for our family!  In fact, I might just have to give Don a call... we should probably get together and do some more "brainstorming"!


Michael
www.teamliveitout.com

My Story

As we embark on a new year filled with endless possibilities and great hope, I think this is a good time to share my story of weight loss and working toward a healthier lifestyle.  Or at least the short version of it...

June 2009

November 2010

It all started in June 2009.  That was when Lindsey and I packed up and headed to Des Moines to visit some college friends.  I will come back and share some of the highlights in later blog posts, but what first got me thinking was when I saw my friend Don in Des Moines that weekend.  He had lost about 50 pounds and had started running.

I was certain that I wouldn't have the time or energy to do what Don had done.  After all, I worked 60 hours per week, and had a wife, 3 little kids and one on the way.  Where would I find time to exercise?

Although I often thought about my friend, and what he had been able to accomplish, it took me until October to decide that if Don can do it, doggone it, I can too!   That was my turning point.  That was the moment that my life changed forever.  The date was October 21st, 2009.  I was a 33 year old man that had lived far too many years overweight and unhealthy.  I was sick and tired of being the "big guy".  No longer was I going to accept my own excuses of why I couldn't get in shape.  I drew the line in the sand, and in all honesty, that was the hardest part of my journey.

It had taken years of disgust with my physical shape and appearance to finally get me to the breaking point.  I had had enough.  No more!  And so my journey began.  I called my friend to seek advice on how to follow in his footsteps.  I studied up on what he had done, and set the plans for my own destiny.  Like Don had done before me, I signed up for weight watchers online and began to eat better.  I started working out.  I ran on our elliptical machine (in short increments at first) and with time and effort I slowly started to lose weight.

In the spring of 2010, I tried to start running.  The only problem was, I couldn't get very far!  After only a couple of blocks, I wanted to curl up and die!  I called my friend again, and he told me to stick with it.  So I did.  He signed me up for my 1st 5k in March.  There was no way that I was ready for that, but he coached me through.  I had never experienced a rush of emotions like I felt when I ran through the finish line that day!  I was hooked.  Running became a big part of my life, and Lindsey's too!  We ran together, it was our time away from the kids and we really enjoyed it!

The problem I had was that even though we were running 3 or 4 days per week, after losing about 55 pounds, I hit a weight loss plateau in late May.  I couldn't understand it, I was still counting points (even though I was often hungry and lacking energy), eating healthy, and exercising more.  For over 2 months I battled that plateau.  I was stuck.  Even after running our first ever 1/2 marathon in June, I didn't lose a single pound!  I was getting frustrated, and on the verge of giving up.

That is when Advocare entered our lives!  How it all came to be is quite a story that I will come back to another day, but for now lets just say that God introduced us to Advocare at just the right time.  Like I said, I was on the verge of giving up.  I was frustrated.  It didn't make sense that we could work so hard, but that I couldn't lose any more weight.  Lindsey and I were skeptical at first, but decided to give the Advocare 24 Day Challenge a try.  We were blown away!  I lost 24 pounds and 16 inches in just 24 days!  I had more energy than ever in my life!  Running became easier and even more enjoyable!  So I continued on products and ended up losing 45 pounds in 2 months!  I was able to get to a weight that I hadn't seen since grade school!

All together I lost a total of 101 pounds!  I dropped from jean size 42 to 33!  My shirt size is now L.  It had been XXL or even 3XL.  No longer am I the "big guy".  I am in the best shape of my life, and I continue to improve.  I have been working out and lifting weights, and in doing so I have gained a few pounds.  But these pounds are muscle!

As you can see, I am extremely excited about the goals I have been able to accomplish.  I am thrilled that I was able to achieve results that I never thought were possible.  I am humbled that many friends and family have followed in my footsteps of eating better, moving more, and getting in shape.  This has become my purpose in life, my mission.  To help others achieve goals that they never thought were possible.  To change lives.  Because after all... If I can do it, anybody can do it!


Michael
www.teamliveitout.com

Goals for the New Year!

On the first day of 2011 I look back at this blog with such fond memories!  So many firsts were accomplished while sharing our story via the blog.  2011 promises to bring with it a whole new set of "firsts" for my family!  Lindsey and I are working out the details for the blog this year, but know this... it will be back and better then ever!

At first glance, I can see we need to update many of the pictures on here!  We have continued to work toward our fitness goals, the kids have grown, and the family picture on the "About Us" page needs updated! 

What hasn't changed is our desire to change lives.  This journey all started because I needed a change.  What has happened since taking that first step is nothing short of a miracle.  Not only did I find the change that I was looking for, but along the way Lindsey and I have helped dozens of others find the change they were seeking as well.

I don't believe in coincidence.  I know that I was set on this journey for a reason.  I have found that helping others on their journey is my passion in life. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what God has in store for me, so I am going to give it everything that I've got.  Look out 2011 because we are going to change lives like never before!  We are going to make Iowa one of the healthiest and happiest states in the country! 

I'm not really one for New Year's Resolutions.  I am more of a believer in healthy lifestyle choices, however in the spirit of the new year I've decided to jot down a list of goals for the coming year.  

5)  Be a positive role model for my children

4)  Be a great husband to my wife

3)  Help change lives financially

2)  Help change lives physically

1)  Encourage others to grow Spiritually

All of these goals and more will be addressed in more detail in coming posts.  It all comes down to changed lives.  I am asked all the time about how I was able to change.  I have many tips on that to be discussed in future blogs, but here is the short and sweet version...

1)   I eat better     2)   I move more     3)   I pray     4)   I use Advocare

I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you.  If I can do it, so can you.

Michael
www.teamliveitout.com











          

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