Focus on the Family

Motivation:
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Today's motivation comes from the radio! Today on KTIS the "Focus on the Family" program dealt with weight loss and was a timely message for me.
Nick Yphan-tides, M.D., is a family physician who formerly weighed 467lbs and lost 270lbs without surgery. You can listen to his story here: http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/Default.asp
His website is here: http://www.healthsteward.com/
One of the things he speaks to is the weight loss journey that was a pilgrimage of personal discovery and spiritual growth. "If a 467-pounder can receive the strength and ability to do what I have done, with God's help, so can YOU!!!"
One of the things he notes in the message is that he was using food and his weight as his crutch for comfort and excuse for not doing things that were uncomfortable. He found that once he had removed the action of eating when challenged he had a need to fill that gap with faith in Jesus to provide his comfort. God never intended food to replace the role that he desires in our lives.
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Diary:
B:eggs and sausage
S: turkey and grapes
L: lean cuisine, turkey and xs energy
S: Peanut butter and celery, cheese
D: salmon steak fillet and shrimp - snow peas or green beans
Workout: ran 16 minutes on elliptical (56rpms-) and walked 1 mile.

Notes:
During my workout, I heard "Unwell" by Matchbox20. I enjoyed applying these lyrics to my weight loss challenge. "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell. I know right now you can't tell, but stay awhile and maybe then you'll see, A different side of me. I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired. I know right now you don't care, But soon enough you're gonna think of me, And how I used to be...me" I started laughing during my elliptical workout thinking about what those lyrics will mean in, oh, about 4 - 6 months from now.
.... I love XS Energy Root Beer Flavor. I am taking a sip now and it is soo candy-like. I feel like I am drinking a candy bar.... I digress

I am finding it difficult to eat enough. I am supposed to have a lunch that is around 500-600 calories, but I am finding it difficult to eat that much at that time of day. I know that if I don't I will get in trouble later in the day.

Storytime (Good story, Bad story):
This morning I was reminded that things are slowly changing.

Bad story: a couple years ago, my father had hip surgery, and I went home to "help" around the house while he was recovering. I had some vacation time and decided to use it to be at home.
I decided to help pull some bulbs from the garden and put them into the front loader scoop of the small tractor that my father owns.
This tractor was smaller than a field tractor, but bigger than a lawn tractor. It was a small utility tractor used for mowing ditches and scooping dirt/snow in the driveway. It was used for other projects as well.
I went to the tractor to drive it over to the garden, and found that this tractor that I used to enjoy driving for hours as a youth, there was something different. I was having problems using the tractor.
I reallized that my stomach width was so enormous that I could no longer fit in the seat. The seat was too narrow and there seemed to be no room between the seat and the steering wheel. This was very embarrassing as I was trying to figure out a way to get in to the tractor. I moved the seat as far back as possible and the steering wheel as forward as possible. Still no go. My obese fat fold was jammed into the steering wheel almost dissallowing me to move the tires.
By the time I had got the tractor to the garden, I was so tired and emotionally drained that I couldn't even pull the bulbs out.
Finally a neighbor of my parents came by and pulled the bulbs out so I could gather them and take them into the garage. This was about as embarrasing a situation as I could handle.
To further add insult, Later that week, I got sick -> I beleive my body was getting back at me for forcing it to work in the garden. It turned out that my big plan for helping my parents around the house was a big embarrasing joke that I hope they will forgive me. Next time I go home I want to be able to easily get in and out of that damn tractor and actually finish a project on my own.
Good Story:
This morning while driving to work, I noticed that there was about 2 inches extra room between the seat of my car and the steering column. I think this is a good sign.
I also feel that my workout clothes (t-shirt and swimming shorts) feel loose and are waving when I walk/run. I think that after next weigh-in, I will need to invest in a new work-out outfit.
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enough for today. tommorow I have to dress-up for a "formal banquet" being given by the consulting company. tonight I am going to look through my clothes to see if I can find nice clothes that I can wear.
I think I have come up with the short list for my first goal rewards. here they are in no particular order:

• nice salt and pepper shakers
• MensHealth Magazine subscription
• PC Computing Magazine subscription
• 'Games' Magazine subscription
• upgrade Cable TV subscription with baseball package (FoxSportsNet, etc)
• new watch band for mickey mouse watch
• Wireless Home Theater System
• Replace grandmother clock (HERMLE MOVEMENTS)
• Kidnap brother-in-law (Jman) to play racquetball at fitness center for 30 minutes.

more later.

Chazz