Thursday, April 28, 2011

Heading to Nashville

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and prayers.  I am heading to Nashville for the Music City Marathon and 1/2 Marathon.  I will keep you posted with the race results.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Hat

Debbie thought I could run better this Saturday with a new hat.  I told her that I would be running to fast for it to stay on.  Someone else suggested that they would give more it I ran with it on....What do you think?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Update

 Did you notice the pizza box next to me in the 1st picture, that was the 4th of July.  One Pizza a week was my norm.  I think I have had 3 slices over the last 2 months - hey maybe thats how I have lost 43 lbs thus far. The second picture was this last Friday before my last long run.  I have been following a plan that I got from Runners World.  I have not ran to more than a buffet in 30 years so I know I needed to find a plan that I could follow.  The plan has had me running 25 - 30 miles a week with a long run on Saturday.  These long runs have given me the confidence that I can complete 13 miles in less than 4 hours.  I am surprised at how much better I feel, simple things like tying my shoes are now so much easier with the greater flexibility and energy that I have.    
Thanks so much for your gifts and prayers.  They both mean so much to me and the Center.  You are helping us to encourage and guide families and individuals to greater health and happiness.  If you would like to give but can't remember to put the check in the mail, I am assuming that many of you are like me - I have good intentions but can't remember and I am to busy.  You can call us at 423-499-9335 and one of the secretaries can take your credit card info.  Or you can mail it to the address below.  
Again thank you so much for your help and encouragement
our address is:
The Transformation and Lighthouse Counseling Center
7209 Hamilton Acres Circle
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Weight Loss

I have lost a little over 40 lbs thus far.  I am trying to not focus on the weight loss.  My focus has been a lifestyle change.  The problem with food is that it has so much emotional influence.  Food and the sensation of being full have been a source of comfort.  The process of change has not only been can I exercise and control my diet but, more can I manage stress, exhaustion, boredom and a host of other emotions without food. The first two months I could white knuckle the change and focus on the goal of the run.  As time has gone by the emphasis has been more on managing the day to day emotions and decisions.  The process of change always brings layers of emotions and choices that require an attitude of learning and growth. 
Only a little over a week and I will go to Nashville for the run.  I feel confident that I can do it.  Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. 

Monday, April 11, 2011

Gifts

Thanks so much for all of you that have given thus far.  It is so humbling and exciting to see gifts coming in to help us impact the lives of so many. 
I am having a hard time with the long runs.  I ran 12 miles again yesterday.  My feet just can't understand why I would ask them to carry a fat man this far.  After each long run they spasm for a couple hours and...oh yeah the blisters.  Any suggestion would be wonderful.  Last week I finished the run and did not do well because of dehydration.  So this week I drank over 40 oz.  before and during the run and still was very dehydrated after.  The dehydration was so bad I had cold shivers for a couple hours.  I know this is more detail than you want but change is hard and fraught with many perils.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Choices

Have you noticed that when you try to change there are new challenges that pop up along the way.   This time for me it is blisters and chocolate chip cookie cake.  Saturday was the longest run to date – 12 miles.  I haven’t run that far in over 30 years.  I have been limping because of big blisters on both feet.  Change is always met with resistance. Saturday it was persevering through the pain of a long run the other was a wonderful cookie cake we made for Amanda’s 21st birthday.  It was a good cookie cake, but I am sure if I don’t control that choice the weight gained for the cookie will cause more blisters.  Both required me to make choices that I struggled with limited success.  I am thankful that each day I can try again.  

Friday, April 1, 2011

Perseverance

I am embarrassed to say how surprised I am at how hard this is.  I have changed so many destructive patterns in my life, but each day that I choose to get out and run I am reminded about how hard it is to change a pattern in my life.  I laughed as I wrote “run”, I am not sure that anyone else would define what I am doing as “running”.  The other day a toddler passed me on the track looking up seeming to say, “Why is this large man breathing so hard”.  35 years ago I ran for about a year with my Dad several times a week. I am regretting all those thoughts I had about why he couldn’t keep up.  Change is hard but I am seeing results daily.  The goal is to not give up and trust the process of change…it will happen.  Thanks for your prayers and support.