Update

Well I haven't written anything for almost two years. I lost all the weight I wanted to and got healthy again. I ran the Wasatch Ragnar with my girlfriend and her cousins and married her in the winter. Since then I've ran a half marathon, Ragnar again and my first marathon. So life is good and I've really taken to the running.

This summer I plan on running the Wasatch Ragnar for my third year, my first ultra- the Speedgoat 50k, and the Pocatello Marathon once again. Gotta say I'm stoked about the Speedgoat. It's labeled as the "toughest 50k in the US, so I thought, "Why not?"

I spent from January 1st to February 3rd running two miles a day with a group of people online from around the country and Africa. What a great group of people, "Go Streakers!" That was interesting as I've been battling a bout of plantar fasciitis. I'm excited to take a week off from running and just lift and cycle, giving my foot a rest.

Stay running my friends.

Keep on, keep on, keep on moving...

So last Monday morning I weighed in at 299.9lbs. As I hopped on the scale today I got a rather pleasant surprise...weighing in at 293.7lbs. I lost 6.2lbs! Must admit I was rather excited as I'm trying to drop as much weight as possible, healthily of course, by April 1st when I will start running to train for the Ragnar Relay in June. I figure that will give me two and a half months of running to get ready for it. So in the words of the infamous Brady Bunch song, I'll just..."keep on, keep on, keep on moving..."

I am a Mall Walker...

So about a month ago we got an unusually frigid cold snap here in Coldsville. The temperature plummeted and when I'd walk outside there would be icicles hanging from my hat at the end of the walk. Not fun. So I started walking in the mall in the mornings. Yes, I confess I am the youngest one there but everybody else is so cool and friendly. Now I wake up and head for the mall, mp3 player and weights in tow. I walk about 4.5 miles and call it good.

Weighed myself today as today is weigh in day and I lost about 4lbs again. I broke under the 300lb category and can't wait to get leaner. Next stop 290lbs and lower...

...and the beat goes on...

It's funny how life throws you curve balls and more importantly how you handle those wild pitches...I moved two and a half years ago and in doing so got off my routine. I didn't handle the curve ball very good at all. I was completely out of my element and let it get the better of me. I was marketing for Costco, opening a new store and all, and ate out everyday. My exercise regimen was sporadic at best. The end result? I gained. I gained a lot of weight back. Before I knew it I was back up at 330lbs. Well as this post is titled, the beat goes on. I'm back in a routine and the weight is coming off at an average so far of 4lbs a week. I have new goals and that helps. I want to run in a Ragnar Relay this summer if a slot opens. So here it goes. Weigh in is tomorrow morning and I'm looking for some more good news.

Delicious Potato Salad

With the 4th of July almost upon us I have been asked to post this great potato salad recipe. It comes courtesy of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. I've made this potato salad and people love it. Plus the serving size is a full cup and is only 4 points. Enjoy and have a great 4th of July!

New Potato Salad (Courtesy NHLBI)
16 small new potatoes (5 cups)
2 Tbsp olive oil
¼ cup green onions, chopped
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp dill weed, dried

Thoroughly clean potatoes with vegetable brush and water. Boil potatoes for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool potatoes for 20 minutes. Cut potatoes into quarters and mix with olive oil, onions, and spices. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Yields 5 one-cup servings

Per serving:
Calories: 196 Total Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 17mg Protein: 4g Carbohydrates: 34g Fiber: 4g

4 points per serving

Happy Anniversary!!!

One year ago yesterday I walked into Weight Watchers and slapped my money down hoping their scale could weigh a guy my size. In fact that's the first question I asked Judy, my leader at that time, "Will this weigh a guy my size?" She assured me it would and I hopped on. The scale read 393.6lbs and my journey began.

Well, one year later my journey continues. As of this last Monday when I weighed in, I weighed 209.8lbs. I am loving this journey!!! I feel more in control of my life then I ever have before and simply just feel good.

I hit my weight goal of 225lbs on February 25th, 2008 and became a Lifetime Weight Watcher member six weeks later. I have interviewed and been hired by Weight Watchers to be a leader and am excited to help others with their weight loss journeys.

I've done nothing more than follow the plan, sticking to my points, and exercising. I just walk and lift light weights. Nothing special, but yet quite effective.

Well, one year down and an eternity to go! I'm in this for the long haul. Here goes life!

On a trip to Costco…

I’ve been asked by several people in my class to list some of the things I buy at Costco and their points values, since I get most of my food from there. I buy the following on a pretty regular basis.

• Kirkland Signature Roast Beef (canned)—only 4 points for the entire can
• Kirkland Signature Chicken (canned)—six points for the entire can
• Montana Wheat Bread—all the varieties that Costco carries are 1 point a slice and they are nice, big slices. I prefer the Oat and Honey variety.
• Orville Redenbacher Smart Pop 94% fat-free popcorn—only 2 points for an entire popped bag
• Laughing Cow Lite Cheese Wedges—1 point for a wedge
• Jarlsberger Lite Swiss Cheese slices—1 point a slice
• Foster Farms Deli Style Smoked Turkey and Roasted Turkey slices—1 point a slice and they’re nice, big slices
• Healthy Choice Fudge Bars—1 point apiece
• Skinny Cow Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream sandwiches—1 point apiece
• Fiber One Oat and Chocolate Chewy Bars—2 points a bar
• Zone Bars, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Fudge Graham—4 points a bar
• Cliff Bars—5 points apiece
• Morton’s Steakhouse Tri-Tip—according to packaging 1 point an ounce, love to grill this up
• Rader Farms Mixed Berries (frozen)—1point per cup
• Fruit Spectrum Frozen Fruit Blend—1 point per cup
• Cheerios—2 points per cup
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Crystal Light Lemonade Drink Mix—1 point per half gallon
• Boca Burgers—1 point per patty
• Foster Farms Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts—according to the package, 2 points per breast