Working harder, getting stronger

It's week 3 of P90X2 already and I am noticing a lot of changes. Of course week 1 was rough, it was a new workout, I had done very few of the moves before and it was also a bit intimidating. Week 2 I found myself going longer into the workouts, but still not getting quite the burn I was hoping for. Though I did notice many great improvements on each workout. But today I started week 3, and let me tell you, I am noticing that I am able to push much much harder. Today I got the burn I have been looking for. I actually pushed myself so hard in X2 Core today, that for the first time in a long time, I felt my abs cramp up on me. It's such a good feeling.

Also being in week 3, I know that I only have 2 weeks before my recovery week, then onto phase 2 of the program. Again, I am a bit intimidated. Phase 2 is Strength, and that is something I have always been lacking in. My hope is that by week 2 of phase 2 I will be able to get a good burn going. Luckily I will have 2 workouts carry over into my strength phase and that is Plyocide and X2 Yoga. So these I should be able to keep up with and show amazing improvement on throughout the next phase, especially X2 Yoga.

Well, it's back to the grind for me. I'll keep you posted on what's going on.

One year of Healthy Living

It's hard to believe that it was one year ago today that I decided to take my life back. It all started with me weighing in at 332 LBS! Sadly that wasn't my heaviest, but after endless health issues with being sick and my back always hurting, and some major nudging from my doctor, I knew it was time to do something.

It hasn't been an easy year. Even today I struggle with eating right and working out on a regular basis. Heck, I'm human and I am still adjusting to my new life. After 28 years of horrible habits, it is going to some time to break all those bad habits. But what I have accomplished in just 1 year is what many would say is truly amazing. I went from 332 LBS, 43.6 BMI and 47% body fat down to 197 LBS, 24.89 BMI and 11.9% body fat. That is in one year. I have gone from being morbidly obese to being average in weight.

The hardest part I think about all of the weight loss is convincing my family that I'm not anorexic though. They are so used to me getting second and thirds, and filling up my plate or eating massive amounts of food, that when I eat healthy I get accused of having an eating disorder. This actually sets me back quite a bit because I find myself bingeing on food just to prove that I eat, and I end up eating way more than normal. Were I normally eat 1 serving size at lunch, when with my mom I actually eat 3 - 4 servings sizes (restaurant dinner portion plate). So this obviously sets me back. Even this last week I have struggled with massive weight gain because of this very reason.

All in all, I am very pleased with my results. I still want to lose the rest of my gut, but again, I have gone from a 52 waist pant to a 34 waist. I just really want a flat stomach, and be able to look good shirtless.

Change your life the healthy way

These days we have a lot of things that promise quick results. Every thing from diet pills, so crazy diets and even surgeries. The problem with all of these things, is you are putting a bandaid on the bigger problem.

Take surgery for example. The popular things to do for weight loss is Liposuction, Gastric Bypass and Lap Band. These all promise fast results, but most of these are for cosmetic purposes only. You hear on the radio all the time about Lap Band surgery. It's probably one of the biggest fads right now. The problem is you are having surgery to lose weight that isn't going to stay off unless you change yourself. In my opinion no one should have Lap Band surgery.

Gastric Bypass in most cases is a end of the line surgery, or at least it used to me. You're doctor would suggest it to you if you were morbidly obese and you absolutely had to have surgery to save your life and make changes. Now, you can go to a plastic surgeon and get this procedure done without having to be obese hardly at all. At 250 LBS myself, I can qualify for Gastric Bypass. But again, if you don't change your eating habits and exercise habits, you will gain the weight back, just like a Lap Band patient.

Liposuction is the old school way of doing things, you still hear about people having it done though. Back in the day it was mostly a hollywood thing though. You would hear of an actress having it done to get rid of a little bit of fat on her butt or hips. However now it is for any one that wants to drop a quick 20 LBS. Again, most people put that weight back on.

My whole point to all of this, is these surgeries are taking the easy way out. These surgeries in most cases is a lazy persons way to lose weight. These are the same people that think of exercise and diet as punishment. That would rather sit at home and watch their favorite TV show instead of going for a walk or would rather wake up an hour before work instead of 2 hours so they can hit the gym.

I've completely changed my life by implementing diet and exercise into it. You can ask any one that has known me for a while, I was always lazy. My idea of working out before I changed my self was lifting a fork full of pasta to my mouth. Now I work out 6 - 7 days a week, sometimes multiple times a day. I feel better about my life, health and future than I ever have. My weight is less likely to come back because of my lifestyle change. If you have taken to the easy way out, you will most likely be back in your fat pants with in 5 years. So change your life for the better.