Half of Phil

We've had 3 seasons so far this March.  We actually caved and turned the AC on last night, we were hoping to wait until April, but it was 84 upstairs in the house!!! I've decided I need a little more cardio in my workouts, ok the results from my biometric screening say that I need a little more cardio.  It is supposed to boost my 'good' cholesterol.  It's a bit lower than it should be.  Overall though all my numbers for the screening were good.  They just said if I add some additional cardio that should help bring that number up.  That or start eating tuna and salmon.  I elected on some cardio!!! I tried running as far as I could on my morning walk every other song.  I optimistically thought I'd be able to run the entire song, ha how wrong I was!!!  I did pretty well though and made it back to the house in 30 minutes.  So that made the goal I missed last labor day.   Encouraged by that success and not quite trusting ...

Spring/summer showed up Mid-January and we thought it was here to stay.  I've been involved in scouting since my son started about 7 years ago.  For at least 5 of those I've put off taking an adult training course on camping.  Given the mild weather this year and only one soccer game as a conflict last weekend I decided to get it out of the way, so that if I want to help with my son's troop in the future I'll have it taken care of. Well wouldn't ya know winter finally decided to make an appearance: Such fun camping in low 30s with an inch or two of snow to deal with packing up the last day, but I'm glad its over with and handled. I've not been actively involved at the troop level since my son crossed over last March.  The last year of scouting I dreaded it each week because my shirt didn't grow with me over the years.  It fit much better this weekend: Not to long an update, but it's what I got at this point.  I'm sticking wit...

First I want to highlight the impact starting 9Round has made on my journey.  My overall health is greatly improved and I've been going now for just over 3 months.  From a statistical stand point it's a very clear success.  From May 14th, when my bathroom scale starting giving me something other than E, through Nov 13th my average weekly weight loss was 1.33 lbs.  From Nov 13 to to Feb 28 my weekly weight loss average jumped to 1.60 lbs.  That is an increase of 20%.  My average monthly weight loss jumped from 3 lbs to 8 lbs. From Jan 1 to Nov 13 I had lost 59 lbs, from Nov 13 to Feb 28 I've lost  28 lbs. 1/2 the weight in 3 months that I lost in the previous 11!!! You can also see this jump visually in the charts I'm using to track my journey in excel. Random Musings: I've said it before, but I'll mention it again.  It is so refreshing and encouraging to fit in chairs.  I was recently at a meeting at a local school with auditori...

I've been averaging nearly 16k steps per day for the month of February.  I didn't really set out to, I just knew the month had 3 less days than the last couple and didn't want my month total to drop off too much.  Not sure if I'll keep it up through the end of the month, but I'm on track to top my 435,410 from December. At some point a month will have to be a lower step count but for now every month since September I've increased my monthly count.  Now with soccer season picking back up and hours waiting at the field on practice I've been getting some extra steps in. I've had to adjust to going to 9Round some mornings to be able to make it to soccer in the evenings.  It's been a tough adjustment, but I'm still making it there 4 times per week most weeks. My weight fell slightly below 350 last week for the first time I can remember in years and years.  I'm still taking the slow and stead approach but the downward trend continues. Next ...

I've always heard and read about the news years bump in gym memberships.  This year I've witnessed it first hand.  At the end of December, most days we'd be alone at the gym with the trainers or maybe 2-3 other people. Since the start of year it's been crazy busy every time we've been.  Hopefully folks stick with it.  It's been great for me, although its getting tougher to work in each week now that soccer and OM are in full swing.   I think I've got a routine established now though. I'm down 78 Lbs overall now and 8 for the year.  Using the Jawbone tracker has the benefit that I can download the data.  I've shared a chart or two before, but here are some snap shots as of today.  I find the data informative and helpful to see progress in black and white. Here is a graph of the overall weight loss plotted out.  The downward slope looks encouraging. Here is a graph of my weekly weight loss averages, you see a lot of inconsistencies ...

The start of the new year has been hectic.  We've had a little wintry weather and some 70s all in the same week.  Welcome to NC.  I enjoyed sledding with the kiddos some, hopefully we'll get a bigger snow later in the year, but we really don't get good snows that often here. I've done well with my activity level, still walking every day and going to 9Round 3-4 times a week. I'm getting to be in pretty decent shape.  I can do more of the activities without modifications, which is a blessing and a curse.  Let's just say max-freeze and ibuprofen are definitely my companions these days. My weight loss has slowed some, but I'm down 2 lbs since the first of the year so that is still progress.  I've got to be more faithful to my snacking and watch the sweet intake, but I'm confident with our new year schedule getting back into routine I'll settle back in. Short update, but I wanted to get an update in. Next committed update 2-2-17

We had a great Holiday Season.  I'm working some this morning, but the smoker is loaded with our new years meal. Lots went wrong in 2016, but I've finished strong with my committment to get in better health.  I finished the year down 70 lbs and in much better shape. We met some friends at the park last Friday for a pickup soccer game.  I was able to play, not very well, and we played for 2 hours.  The only negative outcome other than my poor play was a blister on my foot.  That is amazing to me. I'm continuing at 9Round and it's making a tremendous difference in my physical abilities.  It's always tough and you're generally sore afterwards, but it's definitely an endorphine high.  I can say though I'm looking forward to the new years rush, the last few weeks folks have been laying out which means more devoted trainer time.  A couple times we were the only folks in the gym.  Those make for some killer workouts. I'm looking forward to a...