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