Three Days Down

I haven't exercised for the past three days because I've had the flu. Couldn't do much. I had to decide whether the "consecutive" was more important than the "sweat", and decided that sweat won over, so I'll start day 16 tomorrow. I hope I'll have more energy to put in a good workout, but I'll at least do something small.

I did lose 4 pounds after not eating much for three days.

Speaking of losing weight - I've decided not to weigh myself every morning anymore. I think it's a waste of time, since it's always 160 or 161, and I don't really care if I lose weight anyway. It's okay to change a goal like that, I think. I'll still check in and report every once in a while, but not necessary to do it daily.

I haven't been reading my Bible either the past couple of days. I tried but I couldn't concentrate when I felt like garbage (Jason's favorite word). All I could do was watch t.v. and order my wife to bring me water and more blankets and cover up my feet and put another log on the fire and take my temperature and find the remote and tell the neighbor's dog to shut up and bring my saltine crackers and bring me the mail and clean up the vomit in the house and turn the t.v. up when I couldn't find the remote and put a movie in the DVD player for me and bring me the laptop and my cell phone and disinfect all the stuff in the house I had touched. She's a great wife; I am a blessed man. She's also a great mom; both of the boys were sick, too.

Day 15

This morning I weighed in at 160.6 pounds. This is one of those days that show that this is a great workout plan for me. I started to do an upper body workout, thinking I'd do another 200 push-ups day, a bunch of curls, sit-ups, etc. After doing 2 sets of 25 push-ups and 2 sets of bicep curls (40 lbs.), I was exhausted and barely got through. So, I stopped. I had met my requirement. It is great that on days I am tired I can stop; I think that's what helps me push on days that I'm not.

I did well with diet today. Figured out a good way to get those disgusting protein shakes down: mixed it in the blender with 2% milk, vanilla yogurt, strawberries and ice. Yum!

I read from Judges 8 today, right at the beginning, about how God needs those who are behind the scenes, and they're just as important as those on the front lines. Made me ask myself: Are there any areas of my life that I'm not giving God my all because I resent the fact that I'm not on the front lines, in the limelight? Nothing came to mind, but I'll keep asking that question. Good stuff.

Day 14 - It was the best of times; it was the worst of times

Today I was vomited upon by my 2 year old. He threw up five times between noon and 6, and once while he was in my lap. Almost every article of clothing I was wearing had vomit on it. We had to cancel what would have been some really fun plans, but I got to bond with my little boy by loving him while he threw up. We didn't go anywhere (because of our sick boy) and it was cold outside, so I built a fire and I got to bond with my older boy by building an awesome Lego firetruck and ambulance with him. He loved it - played with it for hours.

This morning I weighed 160.0 lbs. Tonight I took a good run. It was late so I told myself I'd only run for half an hour. I made it seven laps around the block; it seemed like I was moving pretty quick a lot of the time. I felt good. Ate some veggies today - didn't cheat on dietary restrictions.

I read this evening about Gideon and his defeat of the Midianites and Amalekites with only 300 men (Judges 7). Remember, that's the story where God uses such a small army so the glory will go to him and not the Israelites. What in my life am I taking credit for, that God should have the credit for? Or what amazing battles is God calling me to fight with the limited resources that I have, that maybe I'm saying "no" to? Not sure, but great questions to ponder.

Day 13 - It Took Two Days to Get Credit for One

You may notice that I didn't post yesterday.

You may also notice that I didn't take credit for the day, either.

Friday, December 12 was supposed to be day 13. I weighed myself at 160.6 lbs., then took off for Disneyland all day with my family. I was considering getting up way early to take a run, but after going to bed late on Thursday night, and having to get up early enough to pack and be ready to stay overnight near Disneyland, that was early enough. So, yesterday I didn't exercise, but I did walk around Disneyland burning calories most of the day, and I did sweat (before taking off my sweatshirt - I know, that doesn't count). I ate a huge salad and obeyed my diet restrictions even while my entire family was eating ice cream cones.

Today I exercised and had another great diet day. I did 200 push-ups (8X25). I hope to find the time to run tomorrow. I couldn't weigh myself because the hotel didn't have a scale. I'll be back on the scale in the morning.

I keep a small memo book of Bible verses that have a particular impact on me, and I've been going through the verses I have memorized in the past. I've been enjoying seeing how many I still have memorized. I'd like to get from the point where I can recite them from memory, to the point where I truly use them to benefit my own walk or to help others at crucial times. I guess I need to spend more time with them; allow them to sink deeper into my soul and penetrate my heart. More time might help, and prayer. 2 Peter 1:5-8 is one of my favorites. Check it out some time.

Day 12

Weighed 159.6 pounds this morning. Long day. Was at work for 14 hours today. Ate some veggies, did 50 push-ups, re-read and studied Psalm 1. Signing off for the day. Hope to have time to run in the morning.

Day 11

This morning I weighed 160.0 pounds. I have been looking forward to working out all day. I keep thinking I'm going to start getting up earlier in the morning to workout, but I haven't been able to motivate myself to get up that early yet. So, evenings it is, until I can get caught up on my sleep enough to force myself out of bed at 5am.

Here's what I did today:

• 100 squats
• 100 sit-ups
• 104 push-ups (1X34, 1X32, 1X28, 1X10)
• 45 bicep curls - 40 lbs. (3X15)

I ate salad with dinner, and did well with diet overall today. I was going to allow myself to have a hot chocolate tonight, which has 34 grams of sugar, but I was able to avoid it easily.

Today I read from Isaiah 32:3-8 - and it made me consider, "what does God want me to see that I'm not seeing now?" (verse 3), "What does God want me to hear that I'm not listening to now?" (verse 3), What does God want me to understand that I'm not understanding?" (verse 4), "What do I need to do now to turn my foolishness into nobility?" (verse 5), "What foolishness am I speaking?" (verse 6). I could spend lots of time considering each of these questions...and I think I will.

Isaiah 32:8
"But the noble man makes noble plans,
and by noble deeds he stands."

Day 10 - Bleachers

Great day of exercise. I ran to the local high school, did 2 miles around the track, then up and down the bleachers a few times, then some sprints up a hill a couple of times, then back home. It felt great. I was disappointed yesterday that I couldn't get out for a run, and am glad that I enjoyed it and was so productive today. Tomorrow will be back to upper body stuff.

This morning I weighed 161.4 lbs. Not sure why I keep going back and forth between 160 and 161. If I am going to drop any weight, I am going to have to watch my diet more closely. I have been good about not eating the things I limited from day 1 (except for my two cheats), but I still eat too many carbs and some junk food. Seems like diet is the toughest part of this challenge. I had a salad with lots of veggies with dinner today.

Psalm 3:3-5

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."

I will now sleep in comfort knowing that God will give me rest, and He will lift me up again in the morning to find peace and joy in my relationship with Him. I can cry out to him, and he will hear me. He is my Protector, my Strength.