San Antonio Finish Line

San Antonio Finish Line
Jeremy, Jen and I rocked it!

Fraternity Centennial Celebration

Fraternity Centennial Celebration

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Week 3 Results

Week 3 saw me have an off week, I had a no gain but a no loss week. This sounds disappointing but it was a very tough week. I continued with my standard steady workouts but the self discipline side of me had a rough week. I did not maintain my great portion control and I overindulged in my eating and drinking.

These weeks will happen, not every week is going to be the perfect week where the weight melts away. I still enjoy having my vices which are pizza and beer. Every once in a while I still like to have a very big meal. It is important to realize these moments will happen to anyone who is on a journey like this, it is all a matter of how you react and comeback from the slip.

Part of this blog it to hold myself accountable for weeks like week three when I slipped or over indulged in my vices. I want you to know when I have done this and hopefully if you see me you will push me not to overindulge.

Last week I was approached by the Greater Kansas City YMCA, they had been reading my blog and would like to use it by putting a link on their website. Hopefully soon you will see my site on their website as I actually felt very honored that they asked me.

When I started this blog, I mentioned my goal was to pass my inspiration on, I feel that this is happening as I have seen many people respond very positively. I have heard many people saying they have started a more active lifestyle just by reading this and realizing that if an average person like myself can do this they can. I am going to mention two people below who I am happy to have helped inspire or motivate.

I mentioned Dana in my first post as someone who inspired me to be a better person, I feel very proud to say that Dana will be running a four mile run with me in Kansas City in February. I am glad I could pay it forward a bit and help inspire her. I was very happy to work with her and help develop a plan to help her reach her goal for this race. Dana I look forward to seeing your smile when you succeed that day and complete the race in the time you wish.

I want to mention my friend Jen Russell as well, Jen is my friend who I used to work with. Jen and I started running together about a year and a half ago. When we first started running Jen struggled and disliked running, I continued to push her and she is now in training for a marathon. I was at lunch with Jen the other day and mentioned she needed to show people what marathon training is like, Jen has created a blog now that I will support. I encourage those of you who want to be inspired and see the training involved in preparing for a marathon to follow Jen's trials and tribulations.

Here is the link to Jen's blog: http://kcrunnergirladventures.blogspot.com

Thanks to both of the people mentioned above for continuing to push me, hopefully I can continue to push both of you as well. Next week I will be back to posting my workouts for everyone as this has been a great push week.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Week 2: Goal is still on track

Week 2 saw me working a different shift at work so the duration of my workouts and the amount of my workouts was down. Week 2 also marked the start of winter semester at school so I had to dedicate some of my time toward coursework. I am now in the final stretch of school, three classes remain until completion in June. That being said I still had a very productive week of work and saw an additional 6 pounds melt off putting me at an even 230 pounds. Below is the workouts used to achieve this:

Monday: 50 situps, 25 push ups, boot camp with Crystal at the YMCA, a 15 minute sweat in the sauna, completed with 3 sets of tennis at the club that evening.

Tuesday: Weight Training focusing on chest and arms, Cross Training class at the YMCA, finished off with a 15 minute sauna.

Wednesday: Spin Class with John at the YMCA, followed by bosu (abs class) at the YMCA, topped off with the sauna.

Thursday: Weight Training and Upper Body work bosu class at the YMCA.

Friday: 100 situps, 30 push ups and a 4 1/2 mile run before work.

Saturday and Sunday were somewhat off days, I took the family dog Coco for a four mile walk each day. Saturday evening at dinner I may have decided on the half marathon that I will be running. The GO St. Louis half is the weekend of April 11th which should give me plenty of prep time to have myself in peak physical condition. I was discussing with Chip today at the gym and there is still a large contingent planning on competing in a Triathlon in Columbia in May so this will be one of my goals for the year.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Week One Results

Week One saw me push my body, after the Christmas Break it was time to shock my body and push it to the limits! I started the week at 242 pounds. Here were the workouts I used in week one:

Monday: 100 crunches followed by a 4 Mile Run followed by Boot Camp at the YMCA led by Chip last week, topped off with 15 minutes of relaxation in the sauna!

Tuesday: X-Training Day, I did 50 sit ups, 25 push ups, then an hour and ten minutes on the stair step machine for my cardio topped off with 15 minutes in the sauna.

Wednesday was the ultimate push day, I did 100 sit ups, 50 push ups, a 5 mile run at a medium pace of 55 minutes, an hour spin class with Crystal, topped off with the 15 minute sauna.

Thursday: X-Training Day number two, 50 sit ups, an hour an five minutes on the stair step machine, then Crystals Bosu Boot Camp which was primarily arms and chest lifting, finished off with 15 minutes in the sauna.

Friday: Biceps, 100 sit ups, and then 4.5 mile run.

Saturday: was rest day, I did splurge a bit packing on quite a few calories from beer, pizza, and wings.

Sunday: I sweat out some of the toxins put in my body on Saturday by sitting in the sauna for 20 minutes.

Even with the splurge on Saturday week one was a successful week I saw 6 pounds come off and am now sitting at 236 pounds.

The key to me sticking to my guns and staying with this are the people who inspired me, and setting target goals to hit. It is my intention to run a half marathon by either the end of March or early in April. I have also committed to completing a triathlon in Columbia, Missouri in May. My recommendations for those looking for motivation is to pick targets, set goals and hold yourself accountable to reach these goals. If you are lacking the motivation find a friend or pick a person to help push you, never be afraid to ask your friends for help!!!! I have found all the people who have inspired me will push me and are always willing to help me achieve the goals.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Diary of Ryan's Weight Loss Journey

Inspiration:

This week I started a journey to continue my weight loss, I had taken a short break over the holiday season but have been inspired to pick up my journey again. Many people have led me to start my journey again and I want to thank each.

First my family who has stuck by me no matter what size I have been and all my trials and tribulations. JJ, Jessica and Mom who always inspire me to be a better person.

Second my friends, they have seen a once huge human being lose a great deal of weight and now steady out. I made a committment to everyone to continue this journey and reach weights nobody thought possible.

Third, Dana. Dana has recently come in my life and has treated me with great respect and care no matter my size, she has inspired me to live a better life and has inspired me to become a better man. For that I want to look great for her, and will make myself into a person she will desire.

Fourth, the trainers at the Clay/Platte YMCA. Chip Diggs and Crystal Powell have committed to helping me achieve all my goals, they continually push me every day and inspire me to push myself further than possible.

Lastly, Chasity Jones who has put the challenge before me to lose 25 pounds in the next 2 1/2 months. I will win this bet, thank you for last bit of inspiration needed.

Future posts will be a diary of the workouts I use to achieve this goal and hopefully will help inspire others challenge themselves to become better people whether through weight loss or any aspect of their lives.

Ryan